Great in the Ideals of Its People
By I. H. Evans
There is probably no nation that ever existed whose people preserved higher morality than the Chinese. This is not saying there is not crime and sin among them to an alarming extent; but notwithstanding all this, they must take first rank among the peoples of the world. There never existed a more law-abiding, capable, honest class of citizens than that which China has produced. Speaking on this subject, Sir Robert Hart, for nearly fifty years an honored and trusted official of the Chinese government, says: It must be freely allowed that the Chinese possess quite as large a share of admirable qualities as others, and that these are not merely to be found here and there in isolated cases, but are characteristic of the race as a whole and the civilization it has developed. They are well-behaved, intelligent, economical, and industrious; they can learn anything and do anything; they are punctiliously polite; they worship talent; and they believe in right so firmly that they scorn to think it requires to be supported or enforced by might; they delight in literature, and everywhere they have their literary clubs and coteries for hearing and discussing each other's essays and verses; they possess and practise an admirable system of ethics, and they are generous, charitable, and full of good works; they never forget a favor, and they make rich returns for any kindness; and tho they know money will buy service, a man must be more than wealthy to win public esteem and respect; they are practical, teachable, and wonderfully gifted with common sense; they are excellent artisans, reliable workmen, and of a good faith that every one acknowledges and admires in their commercial dealings. In no country that is or was has the commandment "Honor thy father and thy mother" been so religiously obeyed as it is among the Chinese, or as fully and without exception given effect to; and it is in fact the keynote of their family, social, and national life, and because it is so their days are long in the land God has given them. A people of whom such commendation can be truly said needs neither panegyric nor apologist. The Chinese race belongs in the front list of those people and nations we call great. The Chinese Empire is great in the extent of territory it controls; great in the millions of people under its government; great in the natural wealth within its possessions; great in having such a multitude of people living together in peace and harmony; great in the civilization which it has given to its people; and greatest of all in the high ideality which it has imparted to its citizens without the aid or influence of the Gospel of Christ.