New-York tribune., 1901-01-28
MR.. WI REPLIES TO CRITICS
CHINESE MINISTER SPEAKS on CON
FUCIUS IN PHILADELPHIA HE
AGREES WITH EARL Ii on
MISSIONARIES.

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 27.-Wu Ting-fang, China's
Minister Plenipotentiary TO the United States,
replied TO his critics to-day in the course OF
lecture on "Confucius and Mencius' delivered
before the Society Of Ethical Culture at Horti-
cultural Hall Every available inch Of both
seating and standing room was occupied by the
audience. attracted by the protest and criticism
raised by Minister wu's recent utterances in
New-York City on the subject OF Christianity.
The Chinese Minister'S statements were eX-
tremely conservative. S. Burns Weston, di-
rector Of the society. introduced Minister W.
who said in part:
Twenty-four centuries have rolled by since Con-
fucius walked this earth. His influence is as great
fore Never Was his name held in greater veneration
than II IL row. Throughout the length and breadth
erected in his memory. Every schooboy acknowl-
race His spirit peryades nation Of 4oo,ooo0e0. and
his word is recognized as law 10 the most august
Emperor on the throne well TO the meanest
peasant al the plough. Thus is Confucius enthroned
IN the hearts Of ms countrymen.
At the close Of his address the speaker said:
find that the address on Confuc,anism deliv-
attracted deal OF attention II is source Of
occasion have elected comments from the American
press %slo9 3 are EeHeFay @ iay@raoe h ana &s0 TH
OF the country But. on the other hand, have seen
dress from a number Of clergymen. But lest false
impression may have gone forth In regard TO that
about IL by way of explanation.
Minister WI then quoted an extract from the
sermon of the Rev. DR.. Wayland Hoyt, Of this
city, on Sunday, December 16, in which the lat
ter spoke OF Ii Hung Changs high tribute TO
the work OF the Christian missionaries in China,
and asked what reply the Chinese Minister could
make. The speaker continued:
Dr. Hoyt has done me- though doubtless unwit-
ungly, a gross injustice. Since he wants a reply
have no hesitation in giving him one. indorse
haf Earl Ii sal or he al
foreign missionaries cited by the Doctor. To
Yer the Doctor 10 the address I delivered in De
cember last before the American Academy Of Po-
ntcal ana Social Science, in Philadelphia, on The
Causes of the Unpopuarity OF Foreigners in
China" / suppose the Doctor had not read that
address, if he had read IL he mad forgotten il.
IN any case, would not believe that an eminent
Again, DR.. Hoyt and some other clergymen. from
their addresses, seemed to think that charged all
missionaries with crying out for vengeance. Let
is ChTists command. but this moment some
geance and bloodshed." Note that ] used the
am inclined to think that the reason why some
oI t lneldG am gIaq 10 say i Ihat 1here are
Ts aDs an oenoe az Wh9t 1 sais ID N my ad
instituting comparison between Confucianism and
disparagement of the latter There was Certainly
no intention on my part TO make an attack upon
Christianity is too high and elevated for frai hu-
manity and that all Christians acting up
10 its tenets, just it is disgrace 10 acknowi-
edge that The Confueiansts in China do live up
II seems strange that clergymen should
resent any attempt TO compare Christianity with
other systems Of belief, while they themselves do
not scruple TO attack other religions In other
words. they do just what they do not want others
20 do. Since address Confuc!us was delivered
have seen Confucianism condemned right and
left II mas been called failure II has been
dubbed .ef1ete" vague" unworthy Of attention, >,
rotten 10 the core" 'tottering its fair the
apply such opprobrious epithets to our creed. II
Confucianism were bad its detractors try
20 make Il out to be, il is strange that after
tWenty-four centuries 1t should be able TO count
millions and millions of people it's adherents.
The noble and sublime teachings of Christianity
need not fear criticism, much less friendly com
parisOn
I believe that all religions teach men to be good
If every would really try up the
doctrines enjoined by his religion. the world would
be far better. 1t would be we'll if priests and
clergymen OF every faith and creed would do their
best promote this desirable end. Thus these
words OF Confucius will be fulfilled Let US all
live IN peace brothers,