n
suppressing the worship of the Roman Gods. Mohammed's God succeeded in
expelling the Christian's God from a large part of the countries which
He formerly occupied. In the eastern part of Asia, there is a large
country which is very flourishing, very productive, thickly populated,
and governed by such wise laws, that the most savage conquerors adopted
them with respect. It is China! With the exception of Christianity,
which was banished as dangerous, they followed their own superstitious
ideas; while the mandarins or magistrates, undeceived long ago about the
popular religion, do not trouble themselves in regard to it, except to
watch over it, that the bonzes or priests do not use this religion to
disturb the peace of the State. However, we do not see that Providence
withholds its benefactions from a nation whose chiefs take so little
interest in the worship which is offered to it. The Chinese enjoy, on
the contrary, blessings and a peace worthy of being envied by many
nations which religion divides, ravages, and often destroys. We can not
reasonably expect to deprive a people of its follies; but we can hope to
cure of their follies those who govern the people; these will then
prevent the follies of the people from becoming dangerous. Superstition
is never to be feared except when it has the support of princes and
soldiers; it is only then that it becomes cruel and sanguinary. Every
sovereign who assumes the protection of a sect or of a religious
faction, usually becomes the tyrant of other sects, and makes himself
the must cruel perturbator in his kingdom.

CXL.--RELIGION IS NOT NECESSARY TO MORALITY AND TO VIRTUE.

We are constantly told, and a good many sensible persons come to believe
it, that religion is necessary to restrain men; that without it there
would be no check upon the people; that morality and virtue are
intimately connected with it: "The fear of the Lord is," we are told,
"the beginning of wisdom." The terrors of another life are salutary
terrors, and calculated to subdue men's passions. To disabuse us in
regard to the utility of religious notions, it is sufficient to open the
eyes and to consider what are the morals of the most religious people.
We see haughty tyrants, oppressive ministers, perfidious courtiers,
countless extortioners, unscrupulous magistrates, impostors, adulterers,
libertines, prostitutes, thieves, and rogues of all kinds, who have
never doubted the existence of a vindictive