Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/19

 be unsettled, and should remain so, till they can be established and corroborated by sufficient evidence. One may call no man Rabbi, while yet he scorns not to learn wisdom from the little child, or even the little ant.

We are desirous of receiving assistance in every way convenient; and, while we shall not shrink from, nor disregard, the criticisms of friends or strangers, we desire heartily, and w ill be grateful for, any light that may be thrown on our path. That "it is more blessed to give, than to receive," is a truth, which we hold to be of general, as well as of particular application, and in no case better exemplified, than in the communication of knowledge: Ave shall not, therefore, so far as we can act on this principle, be less willing to communicate, than to receive whatever may serve to develope the real character of the "Celestial Empire," and to benefit those who have been made of 'one blood, for to dwell on all the face of the earth.'

There is a most lamentable lack of knowledge among the millions inhabiting eastern Asia: yet, we do anticipate the day, (may it come quickly,) when all that which is most valuable to man, and now so richly enjoyed by the nations of the West, elevating and yet still more to elevate them, shall be equally enjoyed, and produce the same results, among the nations of the East. The efforts to accomplish a work so vast, must be various, well directed, and long continued; requiring patience, self-denial, meekness, gentleness, and the sterner qualities which can cheerfully endure hardness, stripes, and death. To bear some humble part in such efforts, we regard as not less our happiness, than our bounden duty.

With this brief statement of our views and feelings, we commence this work, anxious to commend both it and ourselves, to the kind regards of our friends, and to the entire direction of Him "in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways."