Abstract

Johnson's Oriental Religions

The article presents information related to the book "Oriental Religions, and Their Relation to Universal Religion," by Samuel Johnson. Johnson lays no claim to being a scholar; he has access to the sources only at second-hand; he writes as a general student of religion and of religions; to whom a part of the field so rich in attractions as the Indian could not but be a theme of absorbing interest. He has made it, as he assures readers, for more than twenty years his study; his notes and references abundantly show that he has resorted to the best sources, old and new, down to the newest; and he has produced a picture of the religious development of India which is faithful in its main outlines, lively and engaging in its style, and inspired throughout with a keen and even enthusiastic appreciation of the beauties of its subject. His spirit is that of an advanced liberal; ho has no blinding prejudices in favor of the faith which is popular here, and holds no theory of inspiration which should prevent his classifying together all the records of religious thought and teaching, as containing truth from God, mixed with error and weakness for which man is responsible.