CO129-531-10 Hong Kong University- encouragement of Chinese students to counteract American influence 30-5-1931 - 1-9-1931 — Page 88

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The importance of the Confucian Temple,

At least one is

again shows

to be found in every city of importance in China

how high was the esteem in which the old sage was held in the Past.

The substantial nature of the buildings, the beauty and

delicacy of the work of the roof and on the ceiling in each main

temple, the finely wrought me tal drums and altar ornaments, the

generous scale on which the courtyard is laid out and adorned with

smaller structures, all carefully gilded and austerely decorated,

be token a reverence for the ancient learning which is in marked

contrast with the neglect into which that study has fallen today,

and which is neatly symbolised by over grown courtyards, altars

heavily laden with dust and the general odour of decay which

characterises the whole scene in such cities es Pekin, Foochow

and Yunnanfu.

To compare such studies with a knowledge of Shakespeare and

Hilton is to give a very inadequate idea of the position they

occupied. Rather did they occupy a position equal to that of the

bible in Jurope, and for the same reason. Social Obligations in

China were inculcated by means of the classical writings with 2

dignity and fervour, that raised such relationships into some thing

near to a fine art and not far removed from a religion. No depart-

ment of communal life is fundamentally so important, as the depart-

ment of human behaviour within it. If this is rightly established,

as it was by Confucius, the uniformity and harmony of the nation

is secured. Everything else in education was sacrificed to this.

This was education and this was the content and aim of the whole

classical system which consists of treatises setting forth the se

moral principles. "If a minister make his own conduct correct

what difficulty will he have in assisting the government. If he

cannot rectify himself what has he to do with rectifying others?"

"He who exercises government by means of virtuo may be compared to

the polar star which keeps its place while all the stars turn

towards it.