Evening star., 1900-12-10
MINISTER WI ON CONFUCIANIsM.
Points of Difference and Similarity to
Christianity.

Points of Difference and Similarity to
Christianity.
WI Ting Fang the Chinese minister to
the United States, spoke before the Society
for Ethical Culture at Carnegie Music Hall,
in New York, yesterday morning, on THE
Teachings of Confucius." Mr.. WI said in
part:
I'm the strictest sense of the word Con-
fucianism is not a religion. 1t is not
system of doctrine and worship. 1t is per-
haps easier to say what Confucianism is not
than what it is.
'Fhe immortality of the soul is a beau
tiful doc,rne. 1 admit. 1 wish it were true,
and hope 1t is true. But all the reason
ing of Plato cannot make it more than a
strong probability. And all the light of
modern science has not brought US one
step farther. Now, Confucius would be
called an agnostic if he We're alive today
There were four things that he would not
talk about-eXtraordinary things, feats of
strength, disorder and spiritual being. How
are We to serve spiritual beingS% he was
asked. When you do not know how to
serve men, how should you hope to serve
spirits?' he replied. Horace Greeley said
that 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.
CCnfucius was intensely human and prac-
tical. He did rot spend time speculating as
to what will happen after DEATH
The minister then compared the practical
teachings of Ccnfucius with those of Christ.
He read passage from the New Testament
directing that evil be not resisted with evil,
and that if man smite you on one cheek
you should turn the other cheek. OF this
doctrine, Mr.. WI said:
This, 1t seems to me, is meekness with
a vengeance. 1 am inclined to think that
no sensible man has ever followed this in
fai full uvbn VI cv,,Jta
you on the cheek is dangerous man and
needs no second invitation. man who
will take your coat is a thief and would
doubtless take your cloak, too, If he could
lay his hands on IT."
Love your enemies Such a standard
Of excellence Is too high for humanity.
There is no likelihood that many people
will follow it. At this very moment Chris
tan missionaries are calling for bloodshed
and vengeance, and Christian armies are
devastating the land, sparing neither age
nor sex. There Is. indeed, vast gulf be-
tween doctrine and performance. Could you
love one who had killed your father or de-
stroyed your home? Confucianism does not
require such a thing. 1t enjoins that kind
ness be requited with kindness, and an in
jury with justice. 1t does not sanction
ta!iation in vindictive spirit, such as, !
regret to say, Is shown by some persons
processing to be governed by the tenets of
Christianity.
'"The most striking instance in which the
is the Golden Rule. Confucius puts its
negatively to be sure-'Do not do to others
what you would not wish them to do 20
you'-but any one who will follow that rule,
either way it is phrased, will be a thorough
ly good man.
"A good Christian is good Confucian
and good Confusian is a good Christian.
I do not believe that heaven is an exclu-
sive place. The advocates of various rei-
gions are all trying to make private park
of 1t for their own adherents. Whatever
heaven may be, believe it is place for all
good men, irrespective of dogma.
"The Chinese are an eminently practical
race. Confucius did not run away from
the world, but did his duty in it. He teach
es men to do good for the sake of good, and
not for any promise of reward or through
any threat Of punishment. The world is
gradually coming to Confucius. One Of the
signs is the growth of agnosticism. 1 will
not say 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 -