The Shasta courier., 1866-03-31
CONFUCIUS.

Confucius, the celebrated Chinese philos-
opher, was born $40 B. c.. in the kingdom
of Loo, one ofthe small sovereignties in the
north of China. He was the son of the
chief minister at the court of the King of
Loo, and was himself of royal descent
Being of studious disposition, he had no
taste for the sports of youth, but devoted
even the hours of recreation to reading the
ancient books, and storing his mind with
the wise maxims contained therein. He
married when only nineteen. and had one
son but soon finding that a matrimonial life
opposed many obstacles to the pursuit Of his
studies, he divorced his wife and turned his
whole mind toward framing perfect system
of government, founded on the works of the
ancient sages. The talents and virtues of
this great man caused him to be appointed
one of the chief magistrates of his native
country, the kingdom of Loo, in which ca
pacity he hid opportunities for observing
that the people were in the habit of breaking
the laws with impunity, of acting dishonesty
towards each other, and were altogether
guilty of so many vices that a complete refor-
nation was necessary throughout the coun-
try.
This important change he was desirous of
promoting, both by instruction and example,
with which view be made progress through
the different states, giving public lectures on
the benefit of virtue and social order, which
produced such good effects that in short
time be was at the head of about three thou
sand disciples, who were converts to his
doctrines, and practiced the rules he laid
down for their conduct. His fame increased
with his years, and at last the King of Loo
appointed him chief minister. and for long
time he was engaged in affairs of govern
ment. 1t is said that while he continued in
power Justice was so well administered that
if gold or Jewels were dropped on the highway
they would remain untouched until the right
full owner appeared to claim them. But this
may be considered as merely fgurative
m ode of depicting the extreme good order that
was preserved in the state. At length, the
philosopher, finding that all his efforts to
produce reformation at the court were un-
successful. voluntarily resigned his dignity
and devoted himself, with few chosen
friends, entirely to the study of philosophy,
and the composition of those works which
have rendered his name immortal, and the
precepts of which, like those of the Koran of
Mohammed, even to this day regulate both
the government and the religion of the state.
The latter may be more properly termed a
system of morality than religion, as 1t is
intended to inculcate the duties of men to-
ward each other, rather than those which
they use to superior being. The Confuci
ans believe in one supreme Deity, and adore
the earth as the mother of all things, but they
have no particular form of worship. nor any
regular priesthood, their religious rites con-
sisting solely of sacrifices made in the tenn
pies on stated occasions, when the Emperor
oficiates as high priest. and the chief manda-
rms of the court as his subordinates. The
books of Confucius, which are studied by the
Chinese as sacred volumes. teach that the
true principles of virtue and social order are,
obedience to parents, elders and rulers, and
the acting toward others as they would wish
that others should act toward them. In the
works of this great moralist, the duties of the
sovereign are as strictly laid down as those
Of his subjects and while they are enjoined
to obey him as father, he is exhorted to
take care of them as though they were his
children.
There was nothing new in this patriarchal
system of government. which had existed
from the beginning of the monarchy; but it
was brought into more perfect form, and
the mutual obligations of princes and people
were more clearly defined than they had ever
been before. But it was not only on the gov
ernment of the empire collectively that this
celebrated teacher bestowed his attention
he also made laws for private families, found
ed on the same principle of obedience from
the younger to the elder. and submission
from the inferior to the superior. Indeed,
all classes of persons were instructed IN the
duties of their several stations by this highly
gifted individual, who employed all the en-,
ergies of his mighty mind for the beneht OF
mankind.
The writings of Confucius are chiefly on
the subject of moral philosophy but tnere
are among them two books which may De
considered historical-the one relating TO MS
own and the other to more ancIcnt tin'es.-
From the former is gathered all that is known
of the state Of the country at that period; pu'
the latter is regarded more as traditiona.s
than as historical, as it is supposed " pe
merely a collection and arrangemen. VI .ne
records kept at the courts OF the cary m"n
.rchs hv their historians. This work is en-
titled the Shoe King, and there IS aaotner
called the Shi King. containing all tne anc,e.' ~
,oams and songs Of the country, wbicn, II Is
rpaonrded used to be sung or rec'ted before
ths emnerurs. These traditional poems and
son as were collected and revised by Confucius.
who formed them into a volume. which is still
one of the standard works of the Chiaes and
mnst he studied by all who aspire to prefer
ment. as it forms the subject Of part of
their examination, ere they can be admitted