Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 407

1850.

Defense of an Essay, &c.

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of which we predicate yin and yáng, or passivity and activity). This one primordial substance (k'i) revolved, grinding round and round. When the grinding became rapid, then was pressed together much sediment: in the inside, there being no place for it to get out, it was collected together, and became the earth in the centre. The finer part of the primordial substance then became the heavens, and the sun, moon and stars, which externally around (i. e. the earth) constant- ly revolved. The earth is in the middle at rest; it is not below."

This scheme of the generation of all things is by no means peculiar to Chú-fútsz'; he derives it from the Yih King, the source from which all the literati derive their views on this subject, and who do not therefore differ much from Chú-fútsz' in their interpretation. To show the concurrence of other distinguished Chinese writers in his views of cosmogony, I will quote a few paragraphs from a paper by Mr. Gutzlaff, in the Chinese Repository, Vol. III., p. 55.

"The account given by the Chinese of the mythological era is less extra- vagant than that given by any other nation, though comprising according to some writers a period of many thousands of years, like the Indian kulpas. In assigning a cause of the existence of the world they are greatly at a loss, Ignorant as they are of the true God, they are carried away by their imagina- tions, and speak of a cause capable of moving inert matter by which the male and female principles, Yang and Yin, were called into being, whose continual revolutions produced heaven and earth. For this they are without excuse,' though they never read that, in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth; but if, after hearing of his wondrous works, they deny the Author of their being, the Creator of the universe, they will be found still more guilty at his bar. The Roman Catholics have repeatedly given them an account of the creation of the world, but they have rejected this reasonable doctrine with disdain, and continue to believe in the absurd pantheism of the Yang and Yin. In geography and astronomy, they have condescended to be instructed by foreigners, but to the science of all sciences, the knowledge of the Divine Being, they as a nation, have never given their attention.

"Hwai Nán-taz', a celebrated Chinese author, discoursing upon cosmo- gony says, Heaven was formless, an utter chaos, and the whole mass was nothing but confusion; order was first produced in the pure ether; out of the pure ether, the universe came forth; the universe produced the air; the air the milky way. When the pure male principle, Yang, had been diluted, it formed the heavens. The heavy and thick part coagulated and formed the carth. The refined particles united very soon, but the union of those that were thick and heavy went on very slowly; therefore the heavens came in- to existence first, and the earth afterwards. From the subtle essence of hea- ven and earth, the dual principles, Yang and Yin were formed. The joint operation of Yang and Yin produced the four seasons; and the four seasons putting forth their generative power, gave birth to all the products of the earth. The warın air of the Yang, being condensed, produced fire; and the finest parts of fire formed the sun. The cold air of the Yin, being likewise condensed produced water, and the finest parts of the watery substance form. ed the moon. By the seminal influence of the sun and moon, the stars were formed. Heaven was adorned with sun moon and stars; the earth has re- ceived rain, rivers, and dust."

VOL. XIX NO. VII.

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