The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-17
ACHINESEREVIVA
Wong Ching Fec, Chinese NissiOn-
airy. Proposes To Convert Americans
Into Disci pies OF COnfnciUs.

Inter Ocean,
A Celestial guest registered at the Ire
mont House yesterday, being one some
what extensively known to the public as
Wong Ching Foo, the Chinese missionary
to America, who is ambitious to bring
the Christian people of this country out
of darkness, and convert them to Con-
fucianism. The pagan philosopher had
just thrown his velvet cloak and valise
over the counter whenhe was approached
by a reporter of the Inter Ocean, who
produced his card and asked for an inter
view. In very fluent English the mission
ary told the reporter to drive ahead.
''Well," "queried the reporter, "what are
you going to do in Chicago?"
Listen, End | will tell you" said, Pro
fessor Wong. 81 arrived from Cincinnati
to-day. / have been attending the
convention of liberal thinkers there.
Some one told me Chicago was the wick
eldest city in America, and have come
here to begin revivals. | am going 10
present the science and philosophy Of the
teachings of Conlucius to your people
and try and convert them to my belief"
care you really going to attempt to
make converts to Confucianism in Amer
icaw
81 certainly am. want the American
people to have better idea of our civil
zation, religion, laws, and customs. ! tell
YOU, your people do not know anything
about China. You have been imposed
upon by travellers who'te Munchausen
tales, and such men as the travelling
mounteback Bailey, who lectures on
China and the Chinese, and wears red
button and peacock's feathers, which lie
claims were bestowed upon him by the
Chinese Emperor. This is an insignia of
rank next to the Emperor himself, and
is never given to foreigner. You know
less about our religion than anything else.
The Chinese do not worship gods. They
bend the knee and do reference to figures
representing Loatsze, Buddha, Izwang,
Moangtze, and Confucius, our philoso-
pliers, Just as you would stand oti'and gaze
with respectupona q bust of Washingtonor
Lincoln. Our religion is one of philos-
ophy anG reason; not Of superstition and
ignorance. We take the precepts of our
philosophers to guide us in our lives"
"rhcn you think the philosophy OF Con-
fucius of more benefit to the world than
Christanity?"
eyes, sir, it is better than your relig-
ion. 1t is without dogmas or formalities
of worship, and contains none of the de-
structive elements of superstition. Con-
fucius taught the same precepts as Christ
$50 years before the Nazarene appeared
on earth. Seven to nine hundred years
before Confucius, Buddha preached
moral doctrines similar to those of the
later philosophers. Millions of years be-
fors Buddha, was Brahma, the creator
whose laws are as grand as those of the
Old Testament. Buddha taught the
Tepata-ke, or doctrine of the "Three
Baskets" containing moral, religious and
social learning, such as the world has
never since seen. Confucius dealt with
his own time, and inaugurated by his
teachings reforms that have been the
moral salvation of millions more Of peo-
pie than have everembrAced Christianity.
there is nothing supernatural about
Contucianism. 1t is a simple philoso-
ply, more pure, more beautiful, and more
reasonable than Christianity. Because it
is 50 | have great hopes that the intel
lectual people in this country will more
readily appreciate and accept OF It,"