The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-06-02


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ers for the repose of his soul. They go
on on the theory that as we are all equally
ignorant OF the future, no one knows
what religious teaching Is the most an
proxlmate to the truth, and hence it is
not Wen TO lose any chance of attaining
a blessed state beyond the grave
Nomlnally, we are all Confucians but
other religions co-exist in China along
side the cult of Confucius and are not
h n TO be antagonistic to it. From the
emperor down we revere Confucius, and
60 to his temple. We study his writings
on the conduct Of life and the ethics of
government gov nm His teachings, indeed, are
schools we strictly examined on tho
subject of his life and works The kerr
mel or MS precepts is simply this: To do
good; to be loyal to the throne; to be
opeolent 10 parents, respectful to elders
and faithful to friends
The ladies in China are particularly re-
l1gious women the world over seem to be
of more religious cast of mind than are
men, In China the teachings Of Buddha
appeal to them strongly. They are de-
vout in their attendance at the Buddhist
temple, where they say Buddhist prayers
and worship the images of heroes
1t is difficult for man of education and
reflection to give credence to all the BIZ
bic stories. The accounts of the crea-
ton OF the world and the story of Adam
and Eve and the Garden of Eden seem
to me funny. I see, too, that in these
Gays or enlightenment many thinkers in
Europe and America take a similar view
l was astonished the other day to read
that celebrated New York minister had
denied his belief in the doctrine of vicari-
Gus atonement. He took the ground that
1t was impossible for one person to atone
for the sins of another.
l must acknowledge that the teachings
OF Jesus Christ seem to me to establish
standard of conduct as highly ethical as
that established by the doctrine Of Con-
1uclus. Jesus Christ. in fact, goes lit
tie further than Confucius. If your enc
my smites you on one cheek he bids you
turn the other also. Confucius is more
practical: He says. "requite justice with
justice, favors with favors." IF we re-
quite our enemy with kindness how In
deed can we reward our friends?" he
asked.
Christianity will make people good, if
they live up to it, but how many do?
What Christians repay evil with good?
Show me them. 1t must, however, be re-
membered that Christianity has done i'm
mense good in this world. I have nc.
quarrel with any religion that is based
on foundation of virtue. If they all bid
one do good, and deter one from doing
evil, 1 say let them all go on. II there
is reward in some future life for the
good deeds on earth, If there is heaven
for the righteous. there must surely be
many ladders leading up to it. just as
To say that there is only one ladder is
too narrow for me. If there is reward
for any l believe it will be for all good
people.
Christians say that except you believe
in Christ you cannot be saved 1 am
broader than that doctrine. Ny religion
comprehends all. / have read the history
of Europe during the Middle Ages. and
the account there given Of prosecutions
caused by difference in religious belief
has filled me with horror. We have no
such in China; Jews, Mohammedans.
Buddhists have lived there peacefully side
by side. 1t is only when indiscreet Chris
tan missionaries go to extremes and ex-
cite the people that they ever have any
trouble They say, "Oh you Confucians,
you are all wrong! You worship idols.
Tear them DOWN. This is idle and does
not appeal to the Chinese as consistent,
for they know that all Roman Catholics
have idols of some shape in their
churches. The missionaries should go
about their work more quietly if they
hope for success.
No one ever heard Of the Chinese ris-
ing against the Mohammedans, although
Mohammed was conspicuous enemy of
idols. 1t seems to me that Christians
often forget that Jesus Christ was
founded has gained most of its adhe-
rents in Europe and America, and yet
some Western people are not very kindly
disposed toward Asiatics. Christianity
owes most of its converts in China to
the fact that it is more alluring than any
religion we have. The idea of future
life and rewards for the righteous is
tempting to many. Confucius teaches no
such doctrines. He was once asked IL
he believed in a future life and he an
place tomorrow how can / know any
thing about a more remote future?" H.,
exhorted men to do their best today with
no thought Of reward. That seems to
me the higher view
WING TU FANG