I am almost sure that I have read somewhere that "Christ died for _all_ men," and that "God is no respecter of persons." It was once taught that it was the duty of Christians to tell to all people the "tidings of great joy." I have never believed these things myself, but have always contended that an honest merchant was the best missionary. Commerce makes friends, religion makes enemies; the one enriches, and the other impoverishes; the one thrives best where the truth is told, the other where falsehoods are believed. For myself, I have but little confidence in any business, or enterprise, or investment, that promises dividends only after the death of the stockholders. 477. Good Words from Confucius For the benefit of these four philosophers and prophets, I will give a few extracts from the writings of Confucius that will, in my judgment, compare favorably with the best passages of their report: "My doctrine is that man must be true to the principles of his nature, and the benevolent exercises of them toward others." "With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and with my bended arm for a pillow, I still have joy." "Riches and honor acquired by injustice are to me but floating clouds." "The man who, in view of gain, thinks of righteousness; who, in view of danger, forgets life; and who remembers an old agreement, however far back it extends, such a man may be reckoned a complete man." "Recompense injury with justice, and kindness with kindness." There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life: Reciprocity is that word. 478. The Ancient Chinese When the ancestors of the four Christian Congressmen were barbarians, when they lived in caves, gnawed bones, and worshiped dry snakes; the infamous Chinese were reading these sublime sentences of Confucius. When the forefathers of these Christian statesmen were hunting toads to get the jewels out of their heads to be used as charms, the wretched Chinamen were calculating eclipses, and measuring the circumference of the earth. When the progenitors of these representatives of the "American system of religion" were burning women charged with nursing devils, these people "incapable of being influenced by the exalted character of our civilization," were building asylums for the insane. 479. The Chinese and Civil Service Reform Neither should it be forgotten that, for thousands of years, the Chinese have honestly practised the great principle known as civil service reform--a something that even the administration of Mr. Hayes has reached only through the proxy of promise. 480. Invading China in the Name of Opium and Christ