The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-04
CHINA THE GREAT PAGAN EN-
PRE-

have in this country. The Roman En-
pire was congeries OF diverse peoples
and tongues. China isa homogeneous ma
ton. That Empire had few or no com
mon bonds. China is welded together
I by the strongest forces which can ce-
mont a people. She possesses common
traditions Of the most inspiring char
actsr: common code Of laws, indigo
nous. received and reverenccd by the
entire people: common system OF sdu-
cation: national system of competitive
examinations: the same school books.
text books. and classics everywhere
common rites and ceremonies: common
proverbs; common legends; a common
literature: aud a powerful and active
literary class linked together by com
mon interests and associations and per
vading the whole nation.
Rome. soon after the Christian era,
/ became in great measure eifete
China is "a, full Of life and as vigorous
as ever. The common people evince
the same vitality and powers Of cohe-
sion as they ever possessed. Her states
men hold their own with ours, and
command the respect Of the ablest
among them. Her merchants are rls-
inc TO the level Of the times compel
Ing with our cOuntrymen IN every de-
partment. keeping their eyes on the
daily market rates Of the world, using
our inventions-steam telegraph, tele-
phone. and cable, not hesitating, but
re- ioicing 70 measure their strength
with ours. Already they have succeed
ed in Wrestling not little business out
of our hands they are accumulating
capital and experiences every year, and
will certainly put us still more on our
mettle.
The Difficulty Of the Work.-Not only
is the conversion of China the greatest
task. bit it is also the most difficult.
]. The Chinese are. beyond all ques-
ton. the ablest OF all non-Christian ma
lions. They are extremely quick in
perception. wide in the sweep Of their
mental vision. fertile in resources, and
remai kably accurate in their estimate
of men and circumstances. And their
ability is wonderfully dihused. You
often meet an able man among the
coolies.
.. They are also the most unscrupu-
lous of an people. Truth is nowhere
when it does not suit their interest.
Weapons Of all sorts are used with
equal equanimity. Lying. cheating
bambooz.ing. cajoling and bribing are
all welded as legitimate with perfect
nonchaleuce. They are masters In de-
ception, and are also the most close
minded and difficult Of all people to
fathcm. One hundred generations OF
buying and selling and conspiring foI
Office has begOtten in them = procllyity
and astuteness in scheming and over
reaching which il would be difficult tc
parallel. The paramount thought N
the mind Of every Chinaman you meet
with is. How much can | make Of thi'
foreigner. This terrible phase Of ac'
cumulated heredity we have 10 face.
3. Again, their minds are better
trained than any other non-Chris iar
nation. Their school education and
examination. have accomplished this
and they are especially well drilled il
moral truth. Emphatically they know
the truth but do 1t not. They meet you
at every point with the highest senti
ments set often in the most elegant
forms, perfect Ii ersry gems. And the
consequence is two-fold: First. they are
I hardened beyOl Il measure against di
vine truth. their hearts not only stones
but stones polished and impervious t.
all ordinary impression; and secondly
they are full of high moral maxim
which they will rattle of by thu
mile when you accuse them o
deception. There is no hypocrite in thu
world who can robe himself in sufl
glittering garments Of an angel OF ligh
and sustain the deceit for such a length
Of time As Chinaman. until q crisi
comes and you grasp him firmly an'
some times find him as black as tn
devil. Who among us has not passe'
through some such experience? Their
are exceptions which ! know and gladl,
acknowledge. but such is the rule, ant
such is the nation we have to deal with
Examine carefully the physiognomie
OF the crowds you meet in any city yol
please. YOU will hardly find one ingeni
ousface among a thousand :
4. They are also the proudest natio
in the world. But they have reason T.
be proud. for no nation can show sue
a roll Of illustriOus men aud nobl
deeds as they can. Still this accumu
lated heredity Of pride, though in
sense justifable, is nevertheless n
small barrier in our way.
Thsugh speak thus, | have great re
specl for the potentialilies OF the CHI
nese. As | have said elsewhere, til
worst make the best, it Is the Sauls VII
make the Pauls, and believe Chin
will yet lead the van OF Christianit
among the tribes, tongues. peoples an
nations of the Orient.-From the Oh
nese Recorder.