Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/18

4 the moral character of the people, will demand a close and long-continued observation of their conduct towards one another; as rulers and subjects; husbands and wives; parents and children; and so forth. Much assistance may be gained in all these inquiries, by a developement of their literary character. Their books and their systems of education will be worthy of examination, as they have a constant and powerful influence on all the grand relations, and vital interests of the community.

We feel and shall take a very lively interest in the religious character of the people. As a spiritual being, destined to immortality, with "powers of intellect, to comprehend the great, to penetrate the profound, and to effect the gigantic," man presents to man the most interesting subject of inquiry amidst all the wonders of His mysterious hand, whose power and wisdom are infinite. Indeed, the intrinsic value of all other inquiries, on all other subjects, riserises [sic] and fallfalls [sic] just in proportion as they are made to affect well or ill, the soul of man, both in the life that now is, and in that which is to come. It is only when we look at the last, best work of God, in this light, that all the various influences, which affect him 'in this house of his pilgrimage,' rise and appear before us in their true character.

We enter on our work unbiased; and influenced rather by considerations of duty than of reward. Every man has his purposes, the accomplishment of which is the highest object of his heart's desire. To spend and be spent in publishing "glad tidings" to those who had never heard the "joyful sound," and to bear the lamp of life to those who were perishing for lack of vision, a greater than the wisest of the sons of men, took an earthly tabernacle; and now, having ascended up on high, he commands man to go and teach his fellow,—to publish the gospel to every creature. Every one, too, has his opinions; but, in regard to many topics of interesting inquiry, those opinions may