Orenda and a definition of religion by j n b hewitt welfare is the primary motive underlying all human effort to obtain food shelter and raiment and to preserve life man in all times and in all lands learned that he must struggle against the adverse conditions of his environment interpreted in terms of. Orenda and a definition of religion is an article from american anthropologist volume 4 view more articles from american anthropologistview this article. Click on the article title to read more. Orenda and a definition of religion orenda and a definition of religion hewitt j n b 1902 01 03 000000 am anth n s 4 3 amekzcan anthkopologzst n s 4 i902 was an institution designed to give life and stability to the commonwealth largely by the exercise of mystic potence in the event of the death of a chief in one of the two phratries of nations it is the duty of the cousin phratry of nations to condole with the bereaved phratry for its loss and to resurrect figuratively . Orenda and a definition of religion by j n b hewitt welfare is the primary motive underlying all human effort to obtain food shelter and raiment and to preserve life man in all times and in all lands learned that he must struggle against the adverse conditions of his environment interpreted in terms of