The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-03
SECOND UNITARIAN CHURCH.

C0nfucius and the Chinese RELIGION
Discourse by the Rev. Mr.. Chadwick.
The Rev. Mr. j. w. Chadwick, pastor OF the Sec
ond Unitarian church. at the corner OF Clinton and
Congress streets, Brooklyn, delivered an interest
ing discourse to large congregation last night at
his church on "COnfucius and the Chinese Reii-
Rion." After some Introductory remarks in regard
70 the habits and customs OF the Chinese ne
said that Confucus was born IN sol before the
time OF Christ The Chinese were not given to ex-
travagance, but they romanced a little over his
birth. His father was another Samson, being
about ten feet in height. On one occasion, by dnt
Of main strength, he held up ponderous gate
while his soldiers could escape, they
having Deen enticed into the city. The
keynote OF the sage's life was struck
In the answer OF his mother the youngest OF three
sisters, with either OF whom his father thought he
could be happy ''were t'other dear charpers awayn
His father set forth his good qualities and then
asked which wOnld be his wife. They did not all
speak at once, but the Youngest said, .Why do you
ask US ? 1t Is Tor you to say" Her fal devotion
was rewarded with husband who had
already seen his "three score years and ten.n
In due time COnfucius was born, but not without
some portents and prodgies to sgnalize his future
greatness The best OF these was one declaring
that he should be thrOneless king. His first child
he named LIE, because on the occasion OF its birth
he received present or carp from the Duke OF his
province. lie meaning carp. The original name OF
COnfucius was Kew, which means knoll and
this was given to him bebausc he had knoll on the
top OF his head The name is a Latin iorm-that of
Kung ~ tise. In his twenty-second year he began
the labor OF teaching but did NOT put up any claim
to originality. He must have had great deal OF
personal magnetism, for the pupils Hooked to him
In great numbers, and his house was crowded with
them. Perhaps Mrs. Confucius did not bargain
for this At any rate the marriage does not appear
to have been a very happy 0ne He had his favor
ties among his pupils, and his affection for those
he loved was very strong. At the death OF one Of
his disciples he could not be comforted
1t was argued that Confucius must have
believed In immortality. for he took
such q deep interest In all the ceremonies over
those who died. The collins must be OF u certain
thickness and the graves a certain depth. One OF
his disciples, who had noticed the interest which
he took in these matters was led to ask If the dead
had any knowledge OF the services TO their honor.
He replied by saying:-"u l should say
that the dead have such knowledge l
am afraid the flial sons and daughters would en-
danger their substances in paying the last offices
to the departed and II were to say that the dead
have not such knowledge l am afraid tho unfilial
sons would leave their parents unbured. There il
no present urgency about the point. Hereafter you
will know it Tor YOURSELF The more they thought OF
COnfucius the they might be inclined to class
him with the philosophers and moralists rather
than the great religious leaders. He has, been
called prudential moralist. After speaking in
high terms OF this remarkable man, whose every
act was that OF sincerity, he closed, and the con-
gregatiOn, after singing and prayer, separated.