Much has been written of late years on the subject of Sociology, and it well do-servos consideration in the best and highest points of view. It is defined as that human, society, social science." Tt is dis-"branch of philosophy which treats of
tinguished from socialism, "a theory of ministry, and which he enforced in the strongest manner, was the Kingdom of Heaven which he came to iragey me and which he nted ina variety of forms, portrayi opitih, ite Histoes and reaclic Th'e social institution, comprehensive of every.
ling in the science'before us, and relating silke to the individual and to society at lange, he Kingdom of Heaven is aqualy led the Kingdom of Christ and of God, 8 descriptive of its character, object and supreme authority, and is one and the same with the state of things implied in Christian Sociology, and the more clearly it is unde jfand the more fully it is acted on and carried out, so much the more will the aims and objects of the science in question be attained. However different in name, it is pleasing to think that the ideas contemplated by Christ in his para~ bles respecting the Kingdom of Heaven, and the anticipations, or rather assurances, to which he gave expression on the subject, are all contained, and implied in the science Defore us, in the highest, grandest and most comprehensive point of view.
Looking at our science, then, in this light there are two aspects of it which we shall briefly consider. One is the fundamental basis of it, and the other is its practical application' in the circumstances in which we are placed.
What is the basis of Christian Sociology, or of the Kingdom of Heaven with which it is identified? We say at once it is Divine in an abeclute and special ence. God la ite eat author. Earth suggests the idea of society which advocates the substitution of Mak heaven s its counterpart, man of his child of his parents, a Kingdom ce-operative action and common ownership i. They are mutually related. for individual action and ownership; communism." With this latter we have nothing So Christian Sociology, or the Kingdom of Heaven, has as ite Founder, God, Christ, At present to do, and have no sympathy his sanction and authority, and all the with some of its manifestations in the West. inspiration, and obligation in following out In the discussion of Sociology, however, 8 ita requirements are to be drawn from this wide and interesting field is open to us, source, and what an ineffable ground is it igestivo of thoughts and ideas, modes of for us to coupon! "Thou shalt love the ion and grave responsibilities, which Lord thy with all thy heart, soul, we are called severally and unitedly strength and mind." We have here the to observe, It applies to the whole Bois to be loved, and the manner in aspect of things in every position in life, which He is to be loved, as the fist com-around and beyond us, in lands civilised mandment of the law, and without which snd uncivilized, at home and abroad. It there can be no observance of the second. enquires into the social, moral, and spiritual While the law has thus its high sanctions condition of the world, in all its varied and obligations in the existence of God and departments. It seeks to correct the evils His natural relationship to us, these are current in the midst of society, and to immeasurably increased and intensified, by bring about @ better state of things than the great Christian economy, the love of may have previously existed. It professes God in Christ Jesus. This needs only to to act with the most beneficent objects in be adverted to, and its transforming and sud principles of the highest and noblest view, and under the influence of motives constraining power to be felt, in order to obligation in the matter of Christian Socioapprehend its overwhelming authority and In order to give character, distinctness logy, calling us to obey His command, to snd force to our ideas, and to a right apprehension of the subject, we have no Spirth and to be His representatives in the imitate His example, to be inspired with His hesitation in attaching the word Christian world. This is what we mean by Christian tothe term. It is a feature sbout which Sociology, which has God for its author, there can be no question, and there are Christ s supreme in the prosecution of its and special, peculiar associations connected work and service, and the Holy Spirit s with it, which enhance its value and appro-inspiring our hearts and lives in fulfilling Priateness in a striking manner. Some the duties connected with it. Aj from would base the consideration of the science these high and holy considerations, the of Sociology on the alleged dictates of ce: course of Christian Sociology cannot be science, as our supreme guide and a faithfully and fully carried out, in other thority in regard to it; others look to words, the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be utilitarianism, the greatest good to the promoted as it ought to be. greatest number, as implying the course We now come to the more practicable we ought to live, But it seems to us aspect of the case, the application of the that these two principles lack in the full Science to the various departments of requirements of the case. Woe need cha-human life. How chall we look at it in racter and authority of the highest order this point of view as the basis of the science we are considering, atd in the lifo we ought to pursue. taken of the social condition of things, admits of universal survey being We assume Christian Sociology as the right th world over, its habits and customs, its and only course to follow out in the idolatries and superstitions, its nefarious conduct of human life, and sre sustained practices and abominations, its moral and in regard to it by Divine command and spiritual degradation, its cruel and opmoral principle, far transcending all be-pressive governments; in a word, the mis-sides. In saying this we are referring to ery and ignorance and error of the largest one whose Name the science is called to portion of the human race, all in ten bear, our Lord Jesus Christ, his teaching thousand forms come under the purview of and example, his character and influence, Christian Sociology, and which it is its his authority and appointment. The theme object, like the reign of the Kingdom of on which he expatiated during his active Heaven, to remedy and correct. But our single intention at present is to consider our theme in the light of China, to note its social condition in various respects, and to observe what may be done in order to improve and benefit the vast masses of its people. What shall be our standpoint in Telation to China, on the lines before us?
Look at the political status of Chins, and the demands that may be reasonably made on this account. It is amazing how it has been maintained through 0 many ages, and over so vast a country. There may be many elements of common: dation in its laws and administration which have enabled it to subsist so long, snd which have remained ever the same whatever changes have taken place in its history. We note also there are continuous from the Throne to the authorities to act justly and kindly to those under their hands, while at the same time one reads of frequent charges against the local officers, who are always looked upon by the people as those in fault and not the supreme government as such. And truly there is reason for amending the whole order of things if not in the laws, at all events in their administration throughout the country. The entire system requires to be rectified from the standing of the highest to the lowest, in their financial arrangements, treatment of the people, personal honesty and integrity in all dortments, Well would it be were Forei owers able to exercise an influence in this way, showing the course of things carried on in Christian lands, or, as might be on the terms of the noble science here brought forward.
Further look at China in its religious aspect, and what does it not require from this point of view? What as to its knowledge of God and Christ and Immortality It utter darkness on these momentous subjects, and needs enlightenment such og Christian Sociology alone can impart. Its various systems fail to supply the necessary information, and all classes are involved in ignorance and error on: those things of highest import, to man in his present condition and future destiny. Let those who are specially called to this mission be faithful in the phy and aid of such as are all discharge of it, and be encouraged by
under obligation in regard to it. Aj ain, what as to the system of education long and everywhere current in this land? It is remarkable in its character and effects, deserving commendation in many respects, but wanting in the knowledge it communicates on matters of highest interest and importance. Intellectually, morally and physically it is grievously defective, and while admitting of being made use of to some extent, it demands the culture and learning which our system alone can supply. Then trade and commerce, and the development of China's resources have im+ mense possibilities at command, which far from having reached their appropriate height, and ce in the amount to attained and the manner of its attainment, much depends on the outside influences brought to bear on the country at large, at the hands of those engaged in this line of things. Altogether it is to be hoped that the principles Gnd precepta of the second Table of the Law, a no less necessary element of the Science we have been considering, will be relations to this people. Thou shalt love represented and acted on in our various thy neighbour as thyself." It is equally obligatory with the first Table, and its character and application point to the spirit in ch and the extent fo which theao rolations should be maintained. We will say, in fine, that the more we observe this aspect of Christian Sociology in our bearing towards the Chinese, so much the more may we expect them to come under the influence of Christ and Christianity and all the blessedness connected with it, in every department of social life.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.