A CASE OF RITUALISM* 



EVAN" MORGAN 



This paper will not deal with the ritualistic questions 

 that have disturbed modern life. There is no intention of 

 discussing the roads that lead to Eonie — nor pass an opinion 

 on the points of ritual that divide the Anglican Church. 

 These are but the relics of a quality much more ancient: 

 qualities that seem rooted in human nature. 



We must pass beyond all the modern ritualistic cases, 

 to one in a much earlier time. We must try and imagine 

 ourselves placed in the world's age about the 12th century 

 before Christ, in an age coming soon after the times of 

 Moses : and in China. For here a case of ritualism occurred, 

 on or about that time, that has been the subject of great 

 controversies through many succeeding ages, and which 

 became the occasion of intense grief, sorrow, and even in- 

 dignation to Confucius. 



Europe was without a history when the question 

 originated. The Roman empire had not emerged : and 

 Greece was in its myth period. But even at this earliest 

 point, before the dawn of Western history, Chinese Society 

 was well established and enjoyed the benefits of an advanced 

 and organised civilization. A brilliant period had dawned in 

 its history — the illustrious period of the House of Chow. 

 Wen had laid the foundations of and Wu had organised a 

 great empire. By the help of Chi Tanf known as the Duke 

 of Chou, the son of Wen and brother of Wu, a man of incom- 

 parable ability, a system of rites and ceremonies was fixed 

 and organized that has been the admiration of the Chinese 

 ever since. It would be incorrect to conclude that all this 

 elaborate system was the personal creation of the Duke of 

 Chow. It must be that these rites were gradually evolved 

 in the course of ages, and that the duke was the Moses who 

 planned, codified, and possibly also created much of them. 

 His work is seen in the Chow Li, a monumental work 

 witnessing to a vast industry and profound ability. A 

 special atmosphere should be created for a proper apprecia- 

 tion of this subject. An atmosphere such as is created in 



*Read before the Society, April 18th, 1918. t E Jfr 



