42 



EEV. ARTHUR ELWIN, ON CONFUCIANISM. 



Had we lived in the sixth century, leaving the east and 

 travelling westward, we should have met with many illustrious 

 persons. We might have listened to the wise discourses of the 

 philosophers, Thales, Anaximander, and Pythagoras ; or we 

 might have sat under the newly made laws of Solon and 

 Pisistratus ; or we might have heard Sappho, Alcaeus, or 

 Anacreon repeat their verses. We might have watched the 

 building of the first great Temple to Diana of the Ephesians. 

 We might have followed the onward march of the conquering 

 armies of Nebuchadnezzar or Darius, or been present when the 

 messengers arrived, announcing that the Persian armies had 

 been victorious in Egypt. Had we lived in that sixth century 

 B.C., we might have mourned with Jeremiah in Jerusalem, or 

 listened to the words of Ezekiel, by the banks of the river 

 Chebar. We might have accompanied the Jews into their 

 captivity in far-distant Babylon, or, later on, stood with them 

 when they read the proclamation of Cyrus permitting them to 

 return to their own land. We might have travelled with the 

 rejoicing multitudes when they returned to Jerusalem, and 

 have been present at the Feast of Dedication, which was kept 

 when the building of the Temple was completed. We might 

 dave followed the career of Daniel, or listened to grand 

 prophecies from the lips of Haggai or Zachariah. Truly it may 

 be said that the sixth century B.C., was one of the most 

 notable in the history of the world. 



Confucius was born in the year 551 B.C., at a place called 

 Loo in Shang-tung in North China. The name Confucius, I 

 may remark, is the latinised form of Kong Fu-tse, Kong being 

 the family name, and Fu-tse meaning teacher or master. Of 

 his parents we know but little. His father was a military 

 officer, celebrated for his bravery and strength. He married 

 the second time when he was seventy years old, and in due 

 time the little Confucius was born. For three years only was 

 the aged parent's heart gladdened by the presence of his little 

 son, when he died, leaving his family in poverty. Confucius 

 was brought up by his mother, who early sent him to school, 

 where he soon distinguished himself by his application and 

 industry. Many years after, in a well-known passage, he 

 speaks as follows with reference to his growth in knowledge : 

 " At fifteen my mind was bent on learning, at thirty I stood 

 firm, at forty I had no doubts, at fifty I knew the decrees of 

 heaven, at sixty my ear was an obedient organ for the 

 reception of truth, at seventy I could follow what my heart 

 desired, without transgressing what was right." When 



