RELIGION OF CONFUCIUS. 323 he contents himself with recommending in general the observance of ancient precepts, of filial piety, and fraternal affection, and of maintaining a course of conduct "conformable to the laws of Heaven, which must always be in harmony with human actions." * In reality the religion, or rather the doctrine of the disciples of Confucius, is Positivism. They care nothing about the origin, the creation, or the end of the world, and very little about long philosophical lucubrations. They confine their cares wholly to this life: they ask of science and letters only what is needful to enable them to go through their various occupations ; of great principles, only their practical consequences ; and of morality, only what is political and utilitarian. They are, in fact, what many people in Europe are now seeking to become. They put all speculative questions aside, to attach themselves exclusively to the positive ; their religion is but a kind of material civilisation, and their philosophy the art of living in peace, of obeying and commanding. The " Religion of the Lettered " has neither altars, images, nor priests; the mandarins are its sole ministers, and when on some solemn occasions it is thought desirable to offer some homage to Heaven, it is they who officiate. Whatever is most in earnest, and least vague in this religion of the lettered, has been absorbed by the worship of Confucius himself. His tablet is placed in all the schools, and masters and pupils are required to prostrate themselves before his venerated name at the commencement and end of the lessons ; and his statue
- We have already, in the " Chinese Empire," spoken of the three
religions officially admitted into China; but it seemed that the subject ought to find a place in the present work. y 2
