Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-12-10
MIR. W. ON CONFUCIANIsM.


to the United States, addressed the
Ethical Culture Society yesterday morn.
lag on "COnfucianism" 10 Carnegie
Hall, New York. Minister WI, in bis
three quarters of sn hour tslk to the
society, explained Confucianism brie flg
by showing how it differed from Chris
tlaDity, and. ss he argued, was better
thar Christianity.
He compared the New Testamen!
with the Coniuclan Classics, pointing
out what be considered the greatest
practicshility Of the teachings OF Con.
fucius. His point of view was profes-
ssdly that of the Chinaman toward al
things that whatever is truly good and
wise must be practicable.
Minister Wa read from manuscript
His address was @ scholarly presents.
ton Of Conlucianism with an endeavol
to prove the superiority of that belize
over that of Christian religion. The
similarity OF the teachings of Christ and
Oonfucius were pointed out. He con
cluded bv tribute to the grand senti'
meUts OF Christ in urging the return oI
good for evil and said:
"These are noble aud grand senti.
menls. Such standards are too high fol
irail humaDity. There is no chance that
this world will ever attain them. Love
hine enemies is ChrisL's command
But st this moment Christian mission
aries are crying for vengeance by blood
she6: Christian armies are devastating,
running. burDiog, pillsging, and are not
pausing 10 their progress 10 discriml-
cate between friend aud enemy, and
are not torbearing to carry away any
thing they can lay hands on.
"Wdat a vast gulf there is between
profession aud practice Now, Con
iuoius was asked, shall l requite in'
Jury with ki1daess? He answered,
How, then, would you requite kind.
nese p 'Requite kindness with kindness
aud injustice with Justice Be it noted
tho requitsl is 10 he just and fsir and
right. De did not sanction retaliation
or revenge carried out vindictively as
it sometimes is by those who profess to
fellow the precepis Of Christianity.
81 do not believe that heaven is al
exclusive riace, through numerous sorts
Of religion l.y to appropriate it IS 6
private park for their respective adher'
ents.. II is for all good men, irrespec.
i've OF dogmss and creeds. a good
Coniucisn can get to heaven rs quick
as any other good man.
"Agnosticism is growing. The ad'
vance of science i5 loosening the hold
ofreligion on mary Of us l do net
know il we ere becoming more callou',
but certainly we no longer tremble be-
fore the threats of divine punishment
This is due to spirit of aenosticism
fostered by science. Thus is the woild
drifting unconsciously toward Coniu
Cianism.
"Ano. her siVn is the progress wbit b
the idea of a universal religion is max
log in the world. Five hundred years
before Christ Confucius taught the gos'
pei of peace. The day may seem fal
distant when the nations shall not liz
their swords against one another. Ye'
we have but lately seen the first step il
the way OF universal peace, copsam'
nation devoutly to be wished. | regsIc
all these things as an unconscious
tribute TO the wisdom Of Confucius
His followers are not confined to Chips
alone. There are many ConfGcians ir
Japan and Korea.
"Tbis doctrine has not been osrriet
forward by armed conquest or by TIT
agency of force. No trail OF bloot
marks the progress of Con'ucianism
We have sent no missionaries Will
armies 10 follow them il trouble shou
occur. as it must inevitably occur Wi
aggressive proselyiiziDg. The powe
of Confucisnism is exercised NJ
tbrouph awe ard terror, but througl
voluntary submission of the heart"