Part 35 (1/2)

Little children, Arouse your energies: The laws of high heaven Admit not of infraction.

Upon the good blessings descend, And miseries on the wicked; Those who obey Heaven are preserved, And those who disobey perish.

The great G.o.d Is a spiritual Father; All things whatever Depend on him.

The great G.o.d Is the Father of our spirits: Those who devoutly serve him Will obtain blessings.

Those who obey the fathers of their flesh Will enjoy longevity; Those who requite their parents Will certainly obtain happiness.

Do not practise lewdness, Nor any uncleanness; Do not tell lies, Do not kill and slay.

Do not steal, Do not covet: The great G.o.d Will strictly carry out his laws.

Those who obey Heaven's commands Will enjoy celestial happiness; Those who are grateful for divine favours Will receive divine support.

Heaven blesses the good And curses the bad: Little children!

Maintain correct conduct.

The correct are men, The corrupt are imps: Little children!

Seek to avoid disgrace.

G.o.d loves the upright, And he hates the vicious: Little children!

Be careful to avoid error.

The great G.o.d Sees everything; If you wish to enjoy happiness, Refine and correct yourselves.

FOOTNOTES:

[88] Pwan-koo, the first man, was, according to Chinese mythology, the offspring of Chaos, and the creator of the earth, sun, moon, and stars.

[89] The period of the three dynasties began B.C. 2207, and ended B.C.

247.

[90] B.C. 1766.

[91] B.C. 1121. Both these emperors (T'hang and Wan) are stated by Du Halde to have wors.h.i.+pped Heaven.

[92] B.C. 247.

[93] B.C. 74--A.D. 25.

[94] A.D. 58. The emperor Ming, having heard that the true religion was to be found in the west, despatched (A.D. 66) amba.s.sadors into Northern India, who, finding the majority of the people in that region to be wors.h.i.+ppers of Fo, brought back with them several Bonzes in order to spread the faith; and thus Buddhism was introduced into China.

[95] This emperor (Hwuy) was a firm believer in the superst.i.tions of the Taouists. A.D. 1101--1126.

[96] Hung-siu-tsuen.