The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-10
Address Before the Society of Ethical
Culture That VIII Not he Relished
by Missionaries.
TWO DOCTRINES COMPARED
sLOvE YOUR ENEMIES" TOO HIGH A
STANDARD FOR HUMANITY.
Not Followed by Those who Are
ClamOring for Bloodshed and Ven-
geance I'm the Far East.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9.--Wu Ting Fang, the
Chinese minister to the United States
spoke before the Society of Ethical Culture
at Carnegie Music Hall this morning on
the Teachings OF Confucius." Mr.. Wu
said I'm part
I'm the strictest sense OF the word Con-
fucianism is not a religion. II is not
system of doctrine and worship. 1t Is per-
haps easier to say what Confucianism is
not than what IL is The immortality of
the soul is beautiful doctrine. / admit /
wish 1t were true and j hope Ii is true
But all the reasoning of Plato cannot make
it more than strong probability. And all
the light of modern science has not brought
US one step further. Now. Confucius
would be called an agnostic If he were alive
to-day. There were four things that he
would not talk about-extraordinary things,
eeats of strength, disorder and spiritual
.ngs? he was asked When you do not
know how TO serve how could YOU
hope. to serve spirits?' he replied. Horace
Greeley said thaf those who discharge
promptly and faithfully their duty to those
who linger in the flesh have but little time
to peer into the affairs of those who have
passed away. COnfuciuS was intensely hu-
man and practical. He did not spend time
speculating as to what will happen after
DEATH
The minister then compared the prac-
tical teachings of Confucius with those of
Christ. He read a passage from the New
Testament declaring that evil be not re-
sisted with evil and that IL man smite
you on one cheek you should turn the
other cheek. OF this doctrine Mr.. wu said:
This. 1t seems to me. is meekness with
vengeance. am inclined 10 think no sensi-
bic man has ever followed this injunction
faithfully. A man who will smite you on
the cheek Is dangerous man and needs
your coat is a thief and would doubtless
take your cloak, too IL he could lay his
hands on 1t. Love your enemies Such
a standard OF excellence is too high for
humanity. There is no likelihood that many
people will follow il. AT this very moment
hristian missionaries are calling for
ooodshed and vengeance and Christian
armies are devastating the land. sparing
ceither age nor sex. There is, indeed a
vast gulf between doctrine and perform
lnce. Could you love one who had killed
your father or destroyed your home? Con-
fucianism does not require such a thing
II enjoins that kindness be requited with
kindness and an injury with justice. II
ioes not sanction retaliation in a vindic-
i've spirit. such as. I regret to say. is
shown by some persons protesting 10 be
roverned by the tenets of Christianity
'"The most striking instance in which the
teaching OF Confucius and of Christ meet
Is the golden rule. Confucius puts II mega
lively, 10 be sure-'De not do to others
what you would not wish them 10 do 10
you'-but any one who will follow that
ule either way IL is phrased will be a
"a good Christian is good Confucian
and a good Confucian Is a good Christian
7 do not believe that heaven is an exclusive
nlace The advocates of various religions
are all trying to make private park OF II
For their own adherents. Whatever heaven
nay be- believe II is place for all good
men. Irrespective OF dogma The Chinese
are ar enlinently practical race Confuclus
lid not run away from the world but did
his duty in IT,. He taught men to do good
for the sake of good and not for any prom
Sc of reward or through any threat of pun
shment: The world Is gradually coming
Confucius. One OF the signs Is the
growth OF agnosticism. I Will not saw
whether people are growing more callous
or more civilized. but they are no more
terrified when the terrors OF the next world
are proclaimed from the pulpit"