126 Paul Sü's Apology in behulf of the Jesuits.
MARCH,
examined, and rewards and punishments meted out by the methods now proposed: in no very long lapse of time it will be abundantly evi- dent who is right and who wrong, which is useful and which injurious.
Your majesty's servant, with profoundest reverence, begs to lay the foregoing clauses before his sacred Intelligence, to scan and to select, and to cause to be carried into effect such as shall be deemed desira- ble. Being younger than the ministers of the Board of Rites, he would not presume to place himself in collision with them nor oppose their words. This only he does: after the most thorough and careful in- vestigation he clearly sees, (and testifies] that for perfecting the adminis- tration of the empire, and securing peace and good government, noth- ing can surpass this that is taught by your majesty's courtiers. If now the recommendation of the Board be granted, these men must at once return to their own countries. Knowing so much and having said so little in their behalf, your majesty's servant is filled with the deepest regret, and therefore, after having fasted and performed the requisite ablutions, he does not shrink from the responsibility of laying their case before the Throne.
As to the things which ministers of the Board say they have heara, they are only such as your servant himself heard in former days, and which then filled him with suspicion. But after years of careful ex- amination and inquiry,—when he had a sincere mind to see the truth in them, and was able to understand them most thoroughly, then his confidence became strong and undoubting. Were there indeed the smallest reason for entertaining suspicion regarding these men, then there might be some shadow of doubt in your servant's mind; and although free from the smallest fault, yet if these men were not truly sages and worthies, then too, they might not be of great advantage; and it would be to your servant of little inoment, whether they wore sent away or were retained.
As it regards the improvement of the imperial Calendar, that is also a matter of little importance. Being as he is, however, one of those ministers who are appointed to attend on his majesty, how can your servant dare rashly to plead in their behalf, insult and deceive bis princely Father, and expose himself to condign punishment! If minis ters of the Board would but examine and inquire thoroughly, as your servant has done, then he apprehends that they would not be behind him in advocating their cause.
Your servant in rashly presuming to approach the Heavenly Majesty, is overwhelined with infinite fear and dread, while he earnestly awaits the imperial mandate in reply to this memorial.
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