"In the preceding imperfect sketch of Confucianism in relation to Christianity, I have tried to make it appear, that the former is in many important points defective rather than antagonistic, and one practical conclusion to which I come is, that missionaries should endeavour not to exhibit themselves as antagonistic to Confucius and Confucianism. … The judgment of Paul about the law contained in the Old Testament was, that "it was a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ," and I think that much in Confucianism may be made to serve a similar purpose with the Chinese. Let the missionary therefore show a willing appreciation of what is good in the system."
— James Legge
Source: Confucianism in Relation to Christianity (paper for the Shanghai Missionary Conference, 1877)