oint of view is by no means confined
to the lowest forms of religion; in the Old Testament, for example, the
appeal to Yahveh is generally based on his assumed power to bestow
temporal blessings,[5] and this is a widespread attitude at the present
day in religious communities, where salvation is commonly the end had in
view by the worshiper. Love toward the deity simply on account of his
personal moral character, without regard to the benefit (namely
happiness) to be got from him, is found, if found at all, only in highly
cultivated natures, and is rare in these. And, in truth, it is difficult
if not impossible to justify religion except on the ground that it
brings satisfaction (that is, happiness through and in perfection of
nature) in the broadest and highest sense of that term, for otherwise it
could not be regarded as a good thing.

+6+. On the other hand, fear of the superhuman Power is a common
feeling, recognizable everywhere, at all times, and in all stages of
social and intellectual development. By many it is regarded as the
original and essential attitude of the religious mind.[6] To this view
it is sometimes objected that religion could never have arisen from
fear--that religion, as a cult, of necessity involves amicable relations
between man and the deity. The objection, however, is based on an
arbitrary and incorrect definition of religion; it is quite conceivable
that man might cultivate the deity through fear of the latter's
displeasure, and that an elaborate system of ceremonies and beliefs
might arise from the desire to avert his anger. Such a conception--which
is certainly not a lofty one--is not unnatural in the presence of a
great Power whose dispositions and purposes are not well understood;
numerous examples of such an attitude might be cited from various
religions, savage and civilized.

+7+. But, on historical grounds, as in the examples given above, it
seems better to say that the earliest known attitude of man toward the
superhuman Power is one of interested observation and fluid emotion--the
feeling is determined by experience of phenomena. The man is pleased,
displeased and afraid, suspicious or careless, according as he sees
things to be helpful, harmful, doubtful, or resultless. In process of
time, by observation and reflection, he succeeds in tabulating
phenomena, and more or less definitely fixing his emotional attitude
toward their assumed cause. A tradition is gradually established, a