The first systematic writer of Chinese history, who died about 80 B.C., expressed himself on the position and influence of Confucius in terms which have been accepted as accurate for twenty centuries past: "Countless are the princes and prophets that the world has seen in its time--glorious in life, forgotten in death.

But Confucius, though only a humble member of the cotton-clothed masses, remains with us after numerous generations.

He is the model for such as would be wise.

By all, from the Son of Heaven down to the meanest student, the supremacy of his principles is freely and fully admitted.

He may indeed be pronounced the divinest of men." The Son of Heaven is of course the Emperor, who is supposed to be God's chosen representative on earth, and responsible for the right conduct and well-being of all committed to his care.