*****
"All the numerous tribes of animated beings are indebted to thy favour for their beginning.
"Men and things are all emparadised in thy love, O Tî.
"All living things are indebted to thy goodness, but who knows from whom his blessings come to him.
"It is thou alone, O Lord, who art the true parent of all things."
Here the ancient view of the living sky has given place under the influences of philosophy to a creative monotheism. No image is made of Shang Tî. As he stands at the head of the manifold ranks of the Shin, he represents the last word of animism in providing an intellectual form for religion.