They are these: First, was Polytheism or Monotheism the primitive
religion? Second, is religion human or Divine in its origin? In
answering these questions I shall gather facts, and from them deduce my
conclusion, after the inductive method. First, universal history and
tradition as far back as they can be traced, without one dissenting
voice, locate the origin of man in Asia. From this point men migrated in
every direction. Here, in Asia, their language and religion, if they had
any, would be one and the same. This would, in the nature of the case,
be true, whether religion was at first human or Divine. Again, as all
derivative languages are found to be shaded by one primitive language,
so all derivative religions will, on examination, be found to be shaded
by the one primitive religion. That is, the leading or fundamental idea
will be found more or less unclouded in all the more modern religions.
Now, which is it that shades all religions? Is it Polytheism or
Monotheism? Is the fundamental thought of either found in all the
others? Will any one pretend that Polytheism is the primitive religion?
Is its leading thought of many gods, found in all religions? It is not
in Judaism, Christianity, nor Mahomedanism. These are one in their
advocacy of one living and true God. This fact breaks the chain of
Polytheism and ruins its claim to be considered the first religion. Here
we must leave Polytheism and look after the claim of Monotheism. If this
is the first form of religion, it must, according to our rule, shade all
other religions; if it does not, then, from this stand-point all is yet
in the dark.