56 
seem borrowed, in name or character, from the religions of other 
nations P 156 a. Are the gods of other nations recognized 
as being real and powerful P 157. Are there two hostile 
deities, one good and the other evil ? 158. If so, what other 
functions have they ? and is either of them one of the pre¬ 
viously mentioned deities, heaven, sun, &c. P 159. Is there 
a Creator of all things? 160. Is any one of these deities 
the supreme deity above all others ? 161. Is there a supreme 
deity distinct from all other gods? and is his nature that of a 
soul or spirit of the universe ? 162. Is he active in the world 
and the affairs of men ? or does he remain unmoved, seldom or 
never interfering, and leaving the conduct of the universe to 
deities of lower order P 163. Is the divine government of the 
universe regarded as having any moral element? are deities 
believed to reward good and punish evil ? do they favour only 
certain individual nations or their own worshippers P 
Wor ship. Priests and Temples. —164. Are particular persons 
set apart as priests ? 165. Are they chosen as children and 
specially educated ? 166. Are they at the same time sorcerers ? 
167. Are they spirit-mediums, giving oracles in trances, &c. ? 
168. Do they instruct youth? 169. Have they political 
influence ? 170. Is the same person often both priest and 
chief? 171. Do they appear sincere in their beliefs, or impos¬ 
tors ? 172. Do they practise austerities, observe chastity, &c. P 
173. Are there several orders of priests ? 174. Are there 
priests and priestesses ? and what are the social conditions of 
the latter? 175. Is any special building set apart for worship ? 
Is it built in a particular position, as facing the east &c. ? 176. Is 
the deity supposed to reside there or to come thither P 
177. Are idols kept there P 178. What rites are performed in 
the temple ? 179. Are all the rites public ? or are any of the 
nature of mysteries or orgies? 180. Are mysterious objects 
kept in the sanctuary and miracles performed there ? 181. Is 
the temple kept inviolate and only accessible to persons in a 
state of ceremonial purity ? 182. Is it respected in time of 
war ? 
Festivals. —183. What festivals of a religious character are 
performed ? 184. What do they consist in—processions, games, 
dances, banquets, &c. ? 185. Which are at regular periods, 
and which occasional ? 186. Are there annual religious festi¬ 
vals marking the months, seasons, equinoxes, solstices, seed¬ 
time, first-fruits, harvest, &c. ? 187. Is there an annual feast 
of the dead P 188. Are festivals held in honour of particular 
