The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-30
vOyG CHING FOO's MISSION.
The Chinnmnn who hns Come to Teach New
York Chris,inns buddhism.

In the house OF Madame Bavitsky, at 309
West Forty seventh street. reception was
given last evening 10 Wong Ching Foo. q Chi
nose political exile. who Is lccturing on tho re-
ligions and politi r of his country. Col. Henry
=. Olcut was master OF ceremonies and tho
Madame was n graceful hostess. There was
small party OF men and women present. MIR.
Wong. ms he ia called by his American friends.
was suffering from indisposition. and was not
visible when the company assembled; but ho
soon ntcrward entered tho parlor. and was in
troduccd by Col. Olcott. He Is but 20 years of
age and slight. almost TO effcminency but has
singularly pleasant and intelligent face His
hair IL worn in n neatly braided queue that
reaches the noor. His dress. d-tntvcly Chi
nosc. was rich and consisted oi black braided
skirt reaching to his feet. sleeveless brown
velvet jacket ut square and open in front,
standing collar. black skull cap. and thick
solcd Chinese slippers. About his nc.k hung
long. massive gold chain. and an emerald pin
fastened his snowy silkcn neckhandkerchicf.
Mr. Wong explained his object in coming to
this city. and made clear many points OF the
Buddhist belief that are generally misundcr-
stood among US He said thnt he wished II to be
clearly understood that he did not come here in
an nggress vr spirit that he was not trying to-
undermin" our faith in Christianity, hut that hc
wanted To slNc u- correct impression ui his
country ana its Religions, He iS particularly
in'cnsed at tine dogma Of some Chr stnn de-
noniinations-that all so-called hsuthcns are
doomed 20 eternal damngation. tie said.
respect Christianity. and vcnerut' Christ NJ
| do Buddha and Coniuciu-. and | want
70 prove 10 Christians tnnt the Chinese have ns
high civilization. lend ~ pure lives. and have
a. they thcsSVcs h w ~ do not bow Sry down MA To-
hinges and worship them. The images repre-
scnt great stgrs like Confu 'ius. great states
men or noted warriors, and when We knrcl be-
Tore them and pray. II Is that the good God will
ness. Your golden rule 10 love thy neighbor
MS thysclt WIS taught ~ one of the fundamental
doctrines Of Buddhism thousands Of yrnrs be-
lore Christ was born The Mosaic law the ten
conimnndmcnts-wn- taken from the books Of
Buddha IN which you, may now read them
taught that W. Chinese eat nothing but rice and
puppies and rats that our women are
SAWS SAY. or wors";; ";;u never knew Of
country. Your missionaries do not understand
us. Because we DO not do things rs they are
Met; because they never learn the first princi-
rlrs Of our religion. and consequently cannot
must suffer eternal damnaiion. Then. too.
they only mngle with our lowest and most de-
graded classes. and. ot course. We have such as
worst features OF Chinese life. The salary re-
'"vcd by n missionary IN China ~ a fortune in
that country. and on il he can live In luxury 80.
of curse il is a good think. for him 10 make us
ont Hs very wicked. AMI thus retain his pos ition.
Tlrs. things burn into nay heart and 1 want 10
you may know us FOR what w arc and not what
you have hccn taught. hy gnorant or preJudired
Wong Ching Loo talked for several hours on
this top'. earnestly, and with an enthusiasm
that communicated itself To- his hearers. II.
readily answered questions, many OF which
Were asked Tor the purpose OF tripping him, and
,Nul;iined clearly ~ disputed points. llc talks
English almost without ~ foreign accent. H. H.
TO lecture in public next sunday evening,
Nj. Won-'s life thus far has been on" of start
~,
10 learn English in 1865. After years rc-i-
thoroughly convcrsant with our tongue that hc
was appointed rs an imperial Interpreter. De-
coming indignant at the cruel tyranny of the
spirg''y 10 overthrow 1t. and became one II
ere ersd adrs s% many M ' d the Saarga el J.
h.. howe YER WAS warned IN tim" AMI Fed r
months he wandered In swamI= and lungi-s.
npon s"i his head At iensth he maic hi- way ,o
an Eugilsh ission station and. frankly telling
TOOK Hmm in. .ed and cloth "a him. gnd th"n tnii
han that they hnd denounced him 70 the GOV
ernm"nt and that troops W"rr on th"ir way -
seIz" him. H. asked thcm II tey know hat
would De- hi- fate II captured. nnd d'- ribrd 30
splrators. They sand yes. they knew all thi.
Tut that they nal arranged MATER 80
that he would SIMPLY b. deeapi'a,"d. Thy
babe him good night, after p" ur"ly bolt
ing all the doors AMI .windows During thr
night h. cui . pane az glass from his hrdf l"m
window ant. lcnping twenty feet % the ground.
mule good his - ape. Alter suiierlugs from
5 -Annss starvation. Hnl the irea hery q sup,
posed friends. he r"d he'd the const, and found
ia Ia" steward of trading vessel. irl"nd who
concealed him until the vessel reached loSo-
hama. HIS retreat b.ing dis overrd. he was
again on the point ui being captured and de-
liv-rrd up to tn, Chinese Goyrrnment. when
Col. Sn"pparl. tue American Consul. ass si"t
him e. "scapr on board an Amcrt an -hip bound
ior san Fran - u. ~ there he WAS Followed
los Chimes. a--a~Sins and thus compelled to
enn.e East flr safety He has determined to he-
foulN hn Amrri an rltls'u. AMI devote hiH life
ptilr opening oi uir eyes 10 the true state OF
nifILIn N hIs nniI.N lAni.