Such are some few of the religious tenets of [[345]]those among whom one’s lot is cast while wandering in the East. Sunk for the most part in ignorance, and held as infidels for wanting faith in what they never heard, they nevertheless attract attention chiefly by their Faith, and by their zealous worship of the Being, whom, although in darkest ignorance as to His attributes and laws, their original creed would teach them to believe the one Eternal God.
Some idea of the number represented by these different sects may be derived from the following table:—
| Asiatic Religions |  | Buddhists | 369,000,000 | |
| Hindoos | 231,000,000 | |||
| Mussulmen | 160,000,000 | |||
| Christians | | Roman Catholics | 170,000,000 | |
| Protestants | 80,000,000 | |||
| Greek Church | 76,000,000 | |||
| Jews | 5,000,000 | |||
| Other Religions | 200,000,000 | [6] | ||
And when we reflect how great is the proportion of those who sit in darkness, and that “even all who tread the earth are but a handful to the tribes that slumber in its bosom,” it is but natural to consider what our own belief would [[346]]bid us hold as to the future destiny of so large a portion of the human family.
At the same time, the question, “Are there few that be saved?” not having been answered eighteen centuries ago, would appear to be one to which no definite reply was intended to be rendered, and which might well be left till now unanswered, by those who hold the religion of Faith, Hope, and Charity. When, however, the Church to which we belong boldly affirms, in words which as the public profession of its faith, should be beyond all doubt or misconception by either friend or foe, that none can be saved but those who hold the Catholic Faith, as she would have them hold it, then, at least, we may fairly consider the matter so far as to doubt whether the answer thus forced upon us is one which, even on such high authority, we are bound to accept. Before, at least, concurring in a solution of the question which, thus virtually bringing it within the limits of a simple arithmetical calculation, would summarily dispose of so many millions of the human race, we may remember that some things have been taught as possible which men, and even saints, may deem impossible; and, before attempting to reduce “goodwill toward men” to human and determinable proportions, we [[347]]may also remember that “good tidings of great joy” were promised to all people, and that they may possibly prove therefore to have in some way benefited even those who have never heard them with their mortal ears.
Meanwhile, in the matter of “Turks and Infidels,” we may perhaps learn something even from an Infidel creed, and, borrowing a definition from the religion of Islam, may be allowed to hold with it, that
“Truly to despair of the goodness of God—this is ‘Infidelity.’ ”
