have been fubjedl to rigid ceremonies, or fevere mortifications;
though weaknefs and ignorance were prevalent, yet we find little
fear or melancholy.
Where focieties are not operated upon by th e terrors of fuper-
ftition, there feems little probability that their natural religion
will be much tindured w7ith thofe frightful apprehenfions of
eternal puniihments, which are repugnant to humanity and common
fenfe.
SECTION XXIV.
O f the Sacrifices offered, by the Laplanders to their Deities.
X 1 T 7 IT H refped to the deities, of which the attributes and
names are contained in the preceding fedion, as well as
the rites and ceremonies obferved in their worihip, the miffionary
Leems remarks, th a t he found the Laplanders to vary in different
parts, and on th a t account has contented himfelf with fetting
down what he was able to afcertain from his own peribnal obfer-
vation, or could derive from the bed information. O f his communications
upon thefè fubjccts, we have endeavoured to give our
readers a ihort abdrad. T h e whole may ferve to edablifh a truth,
th a t man unenlightened by the truths o f a divine revelation, is led
to pay his adoration to fenfible objeds, either as they promote his
happineis or interrupt his quiet. Thus the fun, thunder, mountains,
lakes, the changes of the feafons, &c. become deities which
he drives to propitiate by fuch ceremonies as he fuppofes in the
fimplicity o f his mind are moil likely to anfwer th a t purpofe ;
which ceremonies, as he is wholly intent upon the end he pro-
pofes to himfelf to attain by means of them, appear to him very
ferious and important.
Rein-deer, Cheep, and now and then a ieal, were the animals
chiefly