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THE CHINA REVIEW.
beyond, to the colossal monarchies of anti- quity. It is to be noticed that in China as in other countries great changes have taken place. There is no reason to lament the loss of the grand establishments of those days, for the progress of the race has made these changes necessary. What the higher classes have lost, has been made up to the masses of the people. The former magnificence was supported by the life blood of the multitude who were ground down under the heel of tyranny. The people were led to battle like sheep to the slaughter and compelled to labor without pay to gratify Imperial vanity in the construction of gigantic works--pyramids in Egypt, great palaces in Babylon, and the Great Wall in China.
It is believed to be important to call at- tention to a more careful study of the laws and customs of pagan people, in order to a contrast with those of Christian states. How much nearer are these last to the ideal suggested by the Preface, than those of the work now reviewed! The fact is, the truth needs but to be known to confirm faith in the divine character of Christianity. There is a great gulf between the best utter- ances of heathen sages and the word of inspiration. The saying of our Lord to the woman of Samaria may be repeated to-day in the ears of the scholars of India and China. "We know what we worship," "Salvation is of the Jews." It is not right, in any respect, to give the impression that Christianity is little more than the teaching of human wisdom supplemented by a little higher poetic genius of the Hebrew prophets, while the truth is, the one is from heaven and of God and the other from the earth and
of man. Life and immortality, divinity aud spirit are greater mysteries to heathen scholars than they were to the learned Nicodemus who came by night to learn of Jesus Christ as a teacher sent from God.
The forms, ceremonies and prayers of this work are commended to the attention of ritualists. Behold and see the rosult of development in that direction: What a
heavy yoke of bondage to put on the neck. How cold and heartless, and fatal to the liberty and life of true sentiment and reli- gion! But it would not be fair to deny that there are some grains of wheat in this heap of chat. It would be strange indeed, if a few precious things could not be found in such a pile of rubbish-only it may be a question, whether the value which is to be obtained, would repay the cost of search. Those who doubt the truth of this statement may be challenged to make the trial, and this much at least would be gained, the months of gainsayers would be stopped, and we might be spared the pain of hearing the Bible and the Christ compared with heathen classics and sages.
We commend these investigations to the members of the Broad Church. We say to the liberal stadents of science, pursue your studies and experiments, and establish facts in your several special departments. We are not afraid of them, but only of your unfounded assumptions, and illogical conclu-
sions.
Extravagance in either praise or blame is to be avoided. As a better acquaintance by critical examination of Chinese literature, law history do. is gained, so will just views be adopted. The unbelieving student often faile to see the hand of God when it is plain to the eye of faith. The liberal party may be defied to pursue their studies in heathen classics, for even the enemies of the truth will be compelled in the end to confess the barrenness of heathenism, and the exceeding excellence of Christianity, The lines of modern investigation and critical judgment, notwithstanding the loud and almost ex- ulting voices of the opposition to the con- trary, are all pointing to the confirmation by scientific methods of the confidence felt by those who believe in the Bible as the Rule of Faith, and in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of sinful men.
The study of this work may be considered. as important for the settlement of many questions now discussed. It is an authority
THE TANG HC CH.
as a commentary upon the ancient classics, What is the significance of different parts of this State worship? What is the real cha- racter of Ancestral Worship? and of the many objects to whom sacrifices are offered ? The horus of the dilemma are very plain. either the ideas of divinity are very low, or the exaltation of the creature is very great. Will any one say, after a careful examina- tion of this work, that the Supreme Being is clearly recognized in the State Worship of China?
The ceremonies of the Court, and of official intercourse, are in a certain sense models for social life, and the standard of etiquette in every country. This is true of China, and in this respect the study of this work will be for many a matter of interest, while it may be impossible to repress a feeling of indignation against the slavery to outward forms to which the Emperor, and the officials of China are subject, still it is to be remem- bered that a certain amount of ceremony is 'admirable and necessary, and the Christian should remember the apostolie injunction to be courteous, as well as loving and pitiful (1 Pet. iii. 8.) To have no code of etiquette is almost as objectionable as to have one too elaborate and burdensome. How unpleasant and awkward to be without some system of social intercourse and code of etiquetto.
THE TANG
CHAPTER 15.
A
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It cannot have failed to excite admiration in the breast of every one who bas seen the self-possession and ease of even young chil- dren in China when making or receiving visits of ceremony.
For the model man in the coming age of progress, we do not look for the ideal to the Arab or Hindou as the type of excellence in this matter. We want no such abject prostrations or profuse demonstrations of feigned humility as are seen in China and Japan. Neither do we like the too plain, and oven ungainly manners, often seen in the countries of the West. But surely some sensible code may be desired which shall allow a fair expression of proper respect duo from inferiors and between squals without the loss of real diguity. What is wanted is an honest expression of true politeness. Be- cause fine manners and pleasant speech have often served to conceal craft and deceit, they have sometimes appeared hateful; while plain manners and blunt speech have often been found in connection with the higher and Christian virtucs, they have be- came attractive. The light of love gilds the meanest objects with a glory that nothing can surpass. It is seldom that kindness of heart and a cultivated mind does not tind spontaneous expression in courteous forms.
HOU CHI.
A MODERN CHINESE NOVEL.
(Continued from Vol. V., page 382.j
THE FEMALE FEI WEI IN HER WRATH WISTLES TO CUT OFF VILLAIN. THE GREAT
MAN IN HIS INSATIABLE LICENTIOUSNESS FALLS INTO THE TRA3.
We have just been mentioning how Ch'en Li-ching wanted to let fall her hand and
C. F. PRESTON,
finish off Kao Ya-nei, when a Taoist priest held her fist. On looking round she recognized in him her father Ch'en Hsi-chen; she then said, "I fear you do not recognize this is one of the hateful brood of Kao Chin, Ch'cn Li- eb'ing; he has acted rudely to me; wait then till I have finished him and taken away a
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