Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 421

1850.

Defense of an Essay, &c.

the 5th chapter of the 4th section of the Book of Diagrams,

BEB

The

[Supreme] Ruler [causes things to] issue forth under the Chin Diagram (See Dr. Medhurst's "Theology of the Chinese," p. 234), the words "Supreme" and "causes things to" are added by the trans- lator. The text should be translated, "The Ruler issues forth under the Chin diagram," which answers to the commencement of spring. Some interpreters understand the word Ti of Shángti; but the an- cient interpreters, M. Visdelou tells us, understood by it the Emperor Fuh-hí.

If recourse is had to the Shú King, the Historical Classic, for proof of the assertion that, in high antiquity, the Chinese had a purer knowledge of God than they have at present, we shall find the account of what took place on the occasion, when the first religious worship was offered in China, in the Canon of Shun, which is the second book of the Shú King. It reads as follows: “Shun then offer. ed the sacrifice called lui, to Shángti; he presented a pure offering to the six venerables Ones, he looked with devotion towards the hills and rivers, and glanced around at the host of Shin." See Medhurst's Shoo King, p. 17.

What is this sacrifice called lui? The word means, to correspond to, and the explanation given of the name is this: "The kiáu sacrifice (see Ch. Rep. Vol. XVII. pp 34-42.) was the sacrifice constantly presented to the expansive heavens, at the border of the country; but this not being one of the seasons for the regular sacrifice, and there being occasion for a sacrifice to announce to heaven, (Shun's as- sociation with Yau on the throne) the ceremonies used were like those of the kiáu or border sacrifice; therefore it is called lui, a corres- ponding sacrifice."

Here it will be seen, the Supreme Ruler worshiped is “the expan. sive heavens," the accustomed sacrifice to which was offered at the winter solstice; which sacrifice, called kiáu, is imitated on the occa- sion of this worship to Shangti, who is evidently, merely "the expan- sive heavens" worshiped under the title of Supreme Ruler. Of this ancient sacrifice called kiáu, it may be asked, Was it so set apart to the worship of “ the expansive heavens,” “the Supreme Ruler," that no other being or thing was ever permitted to share it with him? The answer is, that the expansive heavens, the Supreme Ruler, has never enjoyed among the Chinese from the earliest times, of which their histories inform us, any such preëminent distinction. Following out the view presented in the Yih King of Earth's participating with Heaven in generating all things, so that they together became "the