The Origin of the Chinese People #261663

Of the condition called civilization there may be endless varieties. Whatever raises a set of human beings above the life of the birds and beasts is a degree of civilization. From the savage life there are many degrees before we arrive at the highest form of Christian life. And these degrees may not inconceivably differ from each other. Manners, customs, government, literature, religion, are all involved in civiliza tion. These forms may differ in different countries. Minds of a parochial type can perceive only one sort Of civilization -that of their own parish. One such mind whose civilization consists mainly in military order calls another a barbarian becauses it refuses to be ridden by him the other calls the military type barbarian because he seeks to ride on him. Both are civilized, but the civilization of each is incomplete. The civilization of even the foremost nations Of the west has not yet attained the ideal. It is not difficult to imagine a world, every man and woman in which shall be the equal of the best who has ever appeared, and possess talents as notable as the greatest of the past. It is conceivable that the world shall rise to a civilization as superior to the present as the present at its best is above the Middle Ages. Though the Chinese are denied the possession of a civiliza tion on the same plane as that of the west, yet their form of civilization, manifested in their social institutions, is worthy of serious attention. An acquaintance with that civilization is all the more desirable when we consider that China has entered on a new phase of life which cannot fail to exert a profound influence on the future of humanity. If her civiliza tion differs little from that of her neighbours, it is because neighbours have imperfectly borrowed hers, who has borrowed from no one. This independence adds a further element of interest to the study.