Comparative Religion, Its Method and Scope - A Paper Read (in Part) At the Third International Congress of the History of Religions, Oxford, September 17, 1908 #259640

I. The Methods and Scope of the Science of Religion — It is desirable that, for a moment, we should make a retrospective glance. Let us recall, as a preliminary step, the methods and scope of the Science Of Religion. It is essential that one or two of the con siderations which such a survey suggests should be clearly borne in mind. By 'the Science of Religion' we mean that increasing group Of studies, diverse yet closely interrelated, by which man is seeking to unravel the mystery of his religious acts and aspirations. In particular, the Science Of Religion is the product of the deliberate investigation of the facts Of religion — and Of all the facts, whatever their relative age, number, or consequence — when these data are dealt with in accordance with some clearly defined scientific method. These methods have varied very greatly, and naturally they have been applied with varying degrees Of proficiency.