Lectures On The Origin And Growth Of Religion - As Illustrated By The Religions Of India As Illustrated by the Religions of India

COLLECTED WORKS OF THE RIGHT HON. F. MAX MULLER IX THE H IB BERT LECTURES ON ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF RELIGION LECTURES ON THE ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF RELIGION AS ILLUSTEATED BY TIE EELIGIONS OF INDIA THE HIBBERT LECTURES in ti t jjaptn f ougj, i8le0timnj5ter IN APBIL, MAY, AND JUNE, 1878 F. MAX MULLE, K. M. LATE FOBEIGN MEMBER P THE DRENCH INSTITUTE NEW LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER BOW, LONDON AND BOMBAY . 1901 BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE First Printed, 8vo, December, 1878 Second Edition, November, 1879 Third Edition, Grown 8vo, October, 1882 Reprinted, April, 1891 Reprinted in the Collected Edition of Prof. Max Mullers Works, November, 18985 July, 1901. OXFORD HORACE HART, ERINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY OXFORD HORACE HART, HUNTER TO THE UNIVERSITY WHOSE DEAR MEMORY ENCOURAGED, DIRECTED, AND SUPPORTED ME IN WRITING THESE LECTURES., K are nofo tottricatei AS A MEMORIAL OF A FATHERS LOVE. PEEFACE, THE HIBBEET TRUSTEES, having requested the publi cation of these lectures, desire to state some of the circumstances which led to their delivery. The Founder of the Trust Mr, Robert Hibbert, who died in 1849, bequeathed a sum of money with direc tions that the income should be applied in a manner indicated in general terms by him, but with large latitude of interpretation to the Trustees. The par ticulars are stated in a Memoir of Mr. Hibbert, printed in I874. 1 For many years the Trustees appropriated their funds almost entirely to the higher culture of students for the Christian ministry, thus carrying out the instruction to adopt such scheme as they in their uncontrolled discretion from time to time should deem most con ducive to the spread of Christianity in its most simple and intelligible form, and to the unfettered exercise of private judgment in matters of religion. 3 In succeeding years other applications of the fund have been suggested to the Trustees, some of which have been adopted. One of the latest has been the institution of a Hibbert Lecture on a plan similar to that of the Bampton and Congregational Lectures. 1 Memoir of Robert Hibbert, Esq., Founder of the Hibbert Trust, with a sketch of its history, by Jerom Mnroh, one of the Trustees. Vlll PBEFACE. This proposal, conveyed in a letter which is appended to the present statement, was made by a few eminent divines and laymen belonging to different churches but united in a common desire for the c really capable and honest treatment of unsettled problems in theo logy. 3 After much deliberation the Trustees considered that if they could secure the assistance of suitable Lecturers, they would be promoting the object of the Testator, by courses on the various historical religions of the world. They were so fortunate as to obtain the consent of Professor Mas Miiller to begin the series, and to take as his subject the religions of India. They were also greatly indebted to the Dean of Westminster, who pro cured for them from the Board of Works the use of the Chapter-house of the Abbey. On the announce ment of the Lectures, there was great difficulty in meeting the numerous applications for tickets, which was only overcome by the kind consent of Professor Max Miiller to deliver each lecture twice. Encouraged by the success of this first course, the Trustees have arranged for a second. It will be under taken by M. le Page Eenouf, Her Majestys Inspector of Schools, and the subject will be the Religions of Egypt the timeproposed is between Easter and Whitsuntide of nest year. J. M. CKAITWELIS, BATH. October fa 1878. MEIOKIAL FOR THE FOUNDATION OF A HIBBERT LECTURE. To tJie Httbert Trustees...