Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-07-08
miscellaneous.
from Nichols Journal


tbhhi VI LudnHp uiu WIS llitItloTe tltltltu DN his
birth to a superior education, and public employ
ments. Marvellous stories are told of his love Of
study, in his youth, and the extreme rapidity with
which he acquired useful knowledge. The sub
jeets that most interested him were those connect
ed with politics, morals, and religion. 1t is re-
mlrkable that he is represented to have had not
only a large head, but one strikingly developed in
the region Of the moral sentiments. lie was the
only son OF = woman Of illustrious birth, though
HE father, n government official, had other wives
and children.
Confueus. in his nineteenth year, married, and
had one child but whether his marriage was un-
happy, or whether lie felt compelled, by a sense Of
duty. to forego domestic enioymcuts, Ire was early
separated from bis wife; ard tie result was that
he devoted himself entirely to his studies. These
he pursued in silence and obscurity, until he had
mastered the learning and philosophy of his times,
ana confirmed his own moral principles. Having
thus prepared himself for active omployments, he
Quilted his solitude for the court of princes.
China was rot then the united empire it after
wards became, aud still remains. The several
provinces were ruled by petty sovereigns, who
were often at war with each other; hut at the pc
riod CONTIGUOUS commenced his travels, these states
were enjoying the quiet which resulted from a
confeieracy for their common defence against the
Tartars.
With crest simplicity, and even poverty, Con-
fucius travelled through the different provinces,
teaching everywhere his principles Uf temperance,
contempt for riches, forgiveness of injuries, veneer
alton of parental authority, and universal beneyo-
lence.
Everywhere, his learning, his zeal, his d%isinter-
e%stedness, the purity of his life, and the sublimity
of his doctrines, secured him tho admiration of
the good but they also provoked the eumity of
the bad. While he instructed all ranks in the
principles of virtue and social order, he was hated
and prosecuted by the vicious, who we're reproach-
ed by the excellence Of his life and doctrines.
Still, there fOcked to him multitudes Of people,
and he at len 9Th numbered three thousand disci
piles, of whom he elected seventy-two, es espeo-
ally charged with the dissemination Of his priuci-
pies and ten Of these so far partook of the wis.,
dom and purity of their master, that they have
ever since been known as 'the ten wise men,"
Such was the fame Of the learning, the virtue,
end, more important still, perhaps, the influence
Of Confucius, that kings sought his assistance, and
he filled several public employments with great
credit, using his power to secure public order and
the general welfare.
At length, in the f~fty-ffth year of his age, he
was made prime minister of the kingdom of Lu,
with full powers to carry into effect his wise and
benevolent principles, in the education and govern
ment OF the kingdom. In three years, be had es-
tablished social order, banished crime, provided for
every want, and brought about such q singular
state of prosperity and happiness as 20 excite the
Jealousy of neighboring monarchs; and a plot was
laid by one of them to destroy this prosperity
overturn this order, and ruin the philosopher whose
wise principles of legislation and pure system of
morals had produced them. The device was u
singular one, but it has often been resorted to, even
in modern times, and by European diplomacy.
The king of Isl, who thought he had the most
20 fear from the increasing prosperity and power
which the kingdom of Lu was obtaining by follow
ing the ~virtuous maxims Of Confucius, devised the
rare e%xpedient of sending to him and his most
powerful mobiles, presents of the most beautiful
and charming young girls, that could be found in
all the east. Not only were they of the most vo-
luptuous beauty, but they were skilled in every
art and Establishment which could enable them to
acquire an Influence over men, and seduce them
from honor and viltne. The consequence was,
khot tha ,p1p1a pot,rt At T -, xvaa cnN, linn md info
every description Of luxury and profigacy; and
Confucius had the pain of seeing the noble result
of his wise efforts destroyed by the arts and in
trigues of these syren emissaries of the crafty
king of Isl.
.r. In vain did he endeavor to stem the tide of vice
and corruption. His monarch was soon set against
him and Confucius s~orrowfully resigned his gov
eminent, and departed in poverty and disgrace to
the northern part of China, where he endeavored
to find a better field for his efforts in ameliorating
the condition of mankind. In vain; he tried three
nionaTchs in succession, but their ears had been
poisoned against him. lie sought only to make
his people good and happy and he was not per-
mitted to do so,
The noble philanthropist retired to the kingdom
Of Chin, where he lived in great poverty; but his
principles had taken root. The masses of the peo-
pie recognized their truth and had experienced
their beneficial operation and never had he so
maLy or so Jealous disciples MS at this period of his
humiliation. He was sometimes called from his
IttIt6t, ~ WI pUllNl III dhtilS " Il tilLI
Of legislation but his rigid principles and the
frmness with which he carried them into practice,
made him enemies; and even caused conspiracies
against his life-but with a great soul, he despised
all dangers. During this period he solicited en-
ployment again in the kingdom of Lu, with a nat
ural affection for his birth place, and the scene of
his early and successful efforts rs a public reform
'er. But either from confirmed prejudice or shame
on the part of the monarch to whom he had been a
friend and benefactor, he solicited in vain.
Atlao1tt f,ll &c vnops onl hOn0red nv fhouS.
'snis of the virtuous and good, Contucius retired
forever from the cares of state, and, surrounded
by q few of his cherished disciples, he finished thu
works which have become the sacred writings o
the Chinese, and have fer twenty-three centrrie
been regarded as the oracles Of truth. When thi
duty had been accomplished. and he felt that hi
work on earth was done, he fen into a lethargy
caused by the disorders and immoraiities which h
had vainly endeavored in his lifetime TO reform
and died at the age of seventy-three.
He was buried on the banks of the 500 rivel
which has ever since been regared as the most ST
cred spot in China.
As with many other reformers, It was only aftc
his death that his greatness was acknowledged
Millions mourned 4 benelactor. His works wer
everywhere read and circulated. He was Gale
"the great MASTER" "the instructor IF kings.
Upon the principles of his works the Chinese nj
ton soon amalgamated, and assumed the form
government and civilization ever since enjoyed.
Though Confucius suffered from persecution, an
died in comparative obscurity, his descendants hay
had conferred upon them the greatest honors an
privileges, and are now the only hereditary nobil
~ in China-holding the post of mandarins, an
having the royal exemption from taxes.
1t was the great object of Confucius to regulat
the manners and morals of the people. He taugl
reverence to the one Supreme Being; but institute
no form of religious ceremonies or worship. Til
religion of the followers Of Confucius, which al
all the li%terati, or educated classes in China, cor
sists only of a deep. inward veneration for Goo
md fha ,nraotiaa Of moral uirfna Epar
one adores the Supreme Being in the manner h
thinks best, and endeavors to live up to the follow
sng maxims, which might be supposed to have bee
those Of Christ, had they not been taught five hur
l.oJ II, bof,o H., nnnc,a;us ,rl .ooI o-l 40.