ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA. THE HISTORY OF THE DEVIL. By Dr. Paul Carus. (Kegan Paul; 30s.) FOXE'S BOOK OF MARTYRS. (Morgan and Scott edition.) Many of the above works are copyright. Permission, however, has been obtained from the publishers and the authors to use the quotations made throughout this volume, for which kindness the compiler is very grateful. INTRODUCTION WHEN His Excellency Li Hung Chang arrived in London I lost no time in calling upon him at the Chinese Embassy, 49 Portland Place. I was introduced by my old friend Loh Fung Lu, Secretary of Legation, who spoke English as well as the best of us. After several long interviews, which generally took place early in the morning, and after being with His Excellency for a whole day. in the country, I could see that, notwithstanding his high education, he failed to understand the peculiar state of affairs that obtains in England and America in regard to our missionaries, and how it happens that we inflict them upon China. I, therefore, decided to explain matters to His Excellency, and to prove to him that we did not all approve of missionaries or believe the absurd doctrines that they were attempting to teach in China. In order to present the facts in the strongest light, I prepared a very large scrap-book containing extracts and clippings from a great number of publications, with explanatory notes. In one section of the scrap-book I explained to His Excellency our system of lying, showing him the high degree of development that this science had reached in Europe and America, especially among religious people. At the same time I pointed out that the Chinese had advanced quite as far in this science as we had ourselves, and that the falsehoods circulated by them in China are quite as absurd as any that our religious people circulate in this country about China. I thus proved conclusively that the lying was mutual, and that this reckless disregard of truth had caused a great deal of misapprehension in both countries. As the Chinese officials were exceedingly puzzled in regard to our system of religion, not being able to understand how a people so far advanced in civilisation could believe such an absurd superstition as ours, I attempted to show that we were not all superstitious; that only a very limited number of our people, and those of the illiterate and unthinking class, believed in those forms of demonology which were looked upon with contempt in China. I recognised that Mr. Gladstone was an exception. In order that the origin of our religion might be understood, I wrote the following short and concise sketch. Commencing with the Creation, and following on with the Fall of Man and the Atonement, I explained that in Europe and America we were fast outgrowing our ancient faith :— "TO HIS EXCELLENCY LI HUNG CHANG. "I am aware of the fact that the thinking men of China, especially those of the official class, are 'greatly puzzled as to the reason why we persist in "sending missionaries to China, where they are not wanted, to preach a doctrine which appears to the "learned Chinese to be absurd, impossible, and "immoral. England and America are what are known as "free countries. The official and governing class depend upon votes—that is, the grace of the people "at large-for their official positions. It is therefore necessary for them, if they wish to retain their Mr. Gladstone was a firm believer in the existence of devils. |