1850.
Paul Su's Apology in behalf of the Jesuits.
121
were there no such things and no such persons, but even such terms and such names had no existence. Thus for a long time, have these nations enjoyed tranquillity, and their governments have been well regulated. All their inhabitants have been thus intensely watchful only lest they should, by falling into error, become guilty of sinning against the Lord of Heaven. Accordingly it is most clear and most manifest that their 'aws assuredly can cause men to do well.
Such is the religion and such are the manners and customs set forth by your majesty's courtiers; and having repeatedly, and in the most tho- rough manner, examined their discourses and investigated their books, your majesty's servant knows that they are all perfectly free from error.
Your majesty's servant has heard of Yú Yu, the ancient minister of Sijung, who gave support to the Tsin dynasty in its rise to great- neas; and of Kinjihshín, the heir of Síyih, who became an illustrious statesman of the Hán dynasty. If these men could he of essential ‚service to the state, it was of no moment whether they came from far
or not.
Moreover the temples and pagodas of the Budhists are to be seen in all parts of the empire, and the lama priests are continually coming to China. The Mohammedans also, whose sacred books have never yet been translated, so as to be adduced as testimonies of their faith, dynasty after dynasty have been freely tolerated with all their errors, and everywhere they have been allowed to build their own places of worship. Our high Emperor commanded two of his ministers Lí Chung and Wú Pehtsung, members of the Imperial Academy, with two of the principal leaders of the Mohammedans, to translate their as- tronomical books. The result was that they prepared the work called Kien Yuen Sien Shing. The doing of all this brings out to view the sacred purposes of the first monarch of our dynasty, their profound desire to renovate the people and perfect their customs. Hence we see why it was that they sought out and commended [worthy men], not excepting those of countries far remote.
Now with regard to all the writers of these two sects, the Budhist and Rationalists, so imperfect are their doctrines and so incomplete their laws of instruction, that, during this long period of two hundred and fifty years (since the rise of our dynasty), they have not been able to realize the designs of our august sovereign in giving them his special countenance. Were the High Ruler worshiped as reverently as Budha and Láutsz', and were your majesty's courtiers received as indulgently as the priests of those two sects, their royal instruction would rise and flourish, and the principles of rectitude be carried to
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VOL. XIX. NO. III.