Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-17
"You think then, Ingersoll is disciple of

is SO broad and impressive toreason that the
same knowledge that brought into the
world by Confucius may be said to have
been reproduced in Ingersoll, though it is
impossible that such q man as he should not
know and use the precepts of Confucius.
And right here will say that will soon be
prepared to show that Jesus Christ visited
China and learned most the of precepts of
the religion CT the New Testament
in the University of Confucius in
Nankin. This may seem a strange
and bold statement, but Ii Fangebao, the
Chinese ambassador at Berlin, has Just as.
tonished the savants of Europe by reading
the inscriptions on the pottery exhumed by
DR.. Schliemann at Hissarlik, and showing
that they were made by the Chinese 1000
years before Christ, and that the Chinese led
the civilization of the Trojans.''
"Then you believe the Chinese gave the
world its philosophy and reljgion?"
eyes, I have substantial reasons for be-
lieving so.''
"Will you state in general terms what you
think will be the effect of the Cincinnati
convention?" queried the scribe.
"It will eventually be approved by all fair
minded people, for it is very consistent for
the people of America to have reasonable
and honest views upon such important ques-
hOns as the
DIVISION OF CHURCH AND STATE,
and the disenthrallment of peoples minds.
It is consistent with the constitution of this
nation that all men should be free and equal
in the pursuit of happiness, and" added Mr..
Foo, with smile, ''some of your best men
can only be happy in Office. I do do not see
why your enormous church property should
not be taxed as we'll as the mites of widows
and orphans. We do better than that IN
China. hope some time to be able to build
istic monastery, and will be glad if they are
taxed.'
'sDo you candidly hope to gain converts to
Confucianism in this country" asked the
reporter.
II do indeed. shall present the philos-
ophy of Confucius to the reason of the peo-
pie as guide to them in the manner of
their lives. 1t is not exactly religion. but
is pure, honest, simple philosophy, with
none of the superstitution with which the
Christian religion abounds.''
"Why are you SO much opposed to Chris
tianity?"
Because Christianity is opposed to rea-
son. For instance, countless millions of
Chinese died before the Bible was known.
Christianity is inconsistent, for the beauti-
full philosophy of the Bible, shorn of its
superstition, was preached by Laotsze,
Tehoungtsze, and Confucius, and has become
the religion of the Chinese. Yet3your Chris
tians send missionaries to convert us, and
abuse me when return the compliment
by preaching Confucianism here. Rome and
Greece had no Christianity, yet they had
arts which you copy, architecture such as
you will never have in this country, greater
and Drawer armies. China, in the midst of
ignorance, poverty and superstition, pro-
duced greater men, with bigger brains than
any of your Christian preachers.''
As q concluding question, the reporter
asked Mr.. Foo the object of his visit to Chi
oago.
Replied the missionary: 81 have come to
tell the Christians of this wicked city there
is salvation for them, and come in advance
of other missionaries, as John the Baptist
prepared the way for Christ and His apos-
ties"