Ebook The Religious System of China, Its Ancient Forms, Evolution, History and Present Aspect, Manners, Customs and Social Institutions Connected Therewith

We have now to sketch in a series of chapters the prominent part which the demon-world plays in the mind and religion of the Chinese people, and the widespread customs which have arisen therefrom in their domestic and social life. In fulfilling this task, we shall steadfastly pursue the same path we have hitherto followed in this work, and treat the subject historically; that is to say, we shall continually look into the past for light upon notions and customs still extant or already obsolete, and thus trace out their antiquity and development. This method will also have the advantage of bringing out in strong relief the great fact, which always forces itself prominently upon the notice of every serious student of the Chinese nation: that its present in almost every respect is its past, and its past its present.