C. M. Tyler

“ The three streams of development of the idea of the Infinite or Divine unite and discharge themselves into the great current of Christianity, itself a natural though special and crowning revelation. For Professor Müller, believing that history is a revelation of the Infinite along the three lines of Physical, Anthropological, and Psychological Religion, sets aside local or temporal miracles in all ages as inferior and unnecessary, and anticipates with impatience the banishment of these unscientific beliefs from the realm of theology. ”

“ Müller himself rejects this as a mere suspicion of his position, and De La Saussaye has remarked upon the total injustice of such an inference. Müller's view fairly interpreted is that the idea of the Infinite is not the product of mere perception of nature, but is called forth from its slumbers in man's soul. It is a concomitant sentiment. It is difficult to see how nature or heroes can be deified without a prior concept of Deity in the soul. A sensuous perception is never wholly sensuous, since the a priori elements of the reason operate upon the sense-perceptions. ”

“ Animism or spiritism, and consequently fetishism, always presupposes the anima in man. Ancestor worship is an important ingredient in ancient and modern religions, but is not, as Mr. Spencer contends, the root of every religion. ”