The Sun.
London, England, 1860-03-05 00:00:00

THE'7SUN, LONDON, MONIAY iEVENING; MARCH 5, 1860.

The . truth seems to be that in the present day form
is more4rispreciated than the act. Else why should
there so much deference paid to outward ap-
peaxagne, and our clergy apparelled in a sort of
Regimen,42.l,ue others.
It grade rising in ridiculous
contrast to Lh
It is a mein'
choly fact, that in enlightened Eng-
land, where fr eedom of speech and religious tolera-
tion exist to an extent not to be approached by any
nation in Europ v, our very liberty and diversity of
opinion are fatal to the propagation of Christianity
both at home and abroad. Thousands will contri-
bute to missionary societies, the objects of which
are to convert, or n ather, alas, as is too often the
case, pretenno con vert the savages on the other
side of the Equator, while, when a really useful
attempt is made to. spread the doctrines of CHRIST
amongst our ill-inst.meted countrymen, it is met
with factious oppositioa • We do not, by these re-
marks, wish to censure the many who, with a real
desire to do good, give Weir mite to aid in a pious
cause, nor those who, with a conscientious feeling
of good intention, venture a.'nong wild savages and
endeavour in their conduct to emulate the apostles
of CHRIST—but we do -censure that feeling of
rivalry which exists amongst our English multi-
tudinous sects, as well as with Elie Roman Catholic
agents, each endeavouring to cut his rival out of
the field, and be able to report to his own particu-
lar board at home that he is one male and two
female converts in advance of the rest of
the adventurers. Sir JAMES EMERSON TENNENT, in
his admirable work on Ceylon, states that the natives
in that island are so confused by the contradictory re-
presentations of the rival missionaries that the equal
law of Christ is perverted into a chaos of unintelligi-
ble contradictions. " Thus the outward concurrence
of Christianity in those points on which it agrees
with their own religion, has proved more embar-
rassing to the natives than their perplexity as to
others in which it essentially differs ; till at last,
too timid to doubt, and too feeble to inquire, they
cling with helpless tenacity to their own supersti-
tion, and yet subscribe to the new faith simply by
adding it on to the old. Combined with this state
of irresolution a serious obstacle to the acceptance
of reformed Christianity by the Singhalese Bud-
dhists has arisen from the differences and disagree-
ments between the various churches by whose
ministers it has been successively offered to them.
In the persecution of the Roman Catholics by the
Dutch, the subsequent supercession of the Church
of Holland by that of England, the rivalries more
or less apparent between the Episcopalians and
Presbyterians, and the peculiarities which separate
the Baptists from the Wesleyan Methodists—all of
whom have their missions and representatives in
Ceylon—the Singhalese can discover little more
than that they are offered something still doubtful
and unsettled, in exchange for which they are
pressed to surrender their own ancient superstition.
Conscious of their inability to decide what has
baffled the wisest of their European teachers to re-
concile, they hesitate to exchange for an apparent
uncertainty that which has been unhesitatingly
believed by generations of their ancestors, and
which comes recommended to them by all the autho-
rity of antiquity; and even when truth has been so
far successful as to shake their confidence in their
national faith, the choice of sects which has
been offfered to them leads to utter bewil-
derment as to the peculiar form of Chris-
tianity with which they may most confid-
ingly replace it." The success of the various mis-
sionary societies read_well on paper, and the sup-
porters of each and all of them depart from their
periodical meetings brimful of satisfaction and
thankfulness toProvidence,that they have been able
to assist in so glorious and pious an undertaking.
But they should bear in mind that they have only
received one side of the question ; they have, in fact,
only heard read a report from paid officials, who
writing from a distant and unfrequented locality
have little fear of contradiction to any of their re-
presentations, and whose manifest object is to en-
courage their supporters by favourable reports to
subscribe funds sufficient to pay their salaries. The
list of converts too must be accepted with caution.
Man whether in a wild or civilised state is endowed
with the power of reason, and in general consults
his worldly advantage in all his actions ; when,
therefore, the missionaries have established, as is
the case in many of the Pacific islands, as well as
on the mainland in certain parts, an absolute go-
vernment, the crafty among the natives find it to
their advantage to curry favour with the mis-
sionaries, and adopt any faith which is acceptable to
them, in order to carry out their worldly ends, and
these sycophants are reported as converts, but can
they be considered as Christians ? and have not the
missionaries in such cases rather aided their fall
than assisted in their salvation ? We do not ques-
tion the sincerity of the promoters at home, nor
the zeal of many of the foreign preachers, but we
maintain that in many cases both the heads of so-
cieties and the public at large are imposed upon.
South African travellers could tales unfold of the
relations of certain missionaries making rapid and
immense fortunes by keeping stores at the mis-
sionary stations and dealing with the natives. It
is a curious fact that these retiring and pious indi-
viduals seek out of the way and remote districts,
almost out of the pale of civilisation, to dis-
guise their doings. Why has Australia been almost
completely neglected ? Can it be because rich furs
and ivory are not to be obtained on that auriferous
continent ?
We make these remarks because we wish the
money expended by charitable persons to be ad-
vantageously applied; too much care cannot be
taken in the selection of agents in so important and
difficult an undertaking, for zeal without discretion
is ruin. Although it is contrary to British policy
to make people religious by Act of Parliament, or
follow MAHOMET'S strong argument of conversion
at the point of the sword, still we hold that the
Government ought to exercise some authority over
religious zealots in a negative form.
Among other causes for the late Indian rebellis s.
the vexed question of religious toleration figured
prominently ; and, to go back to an earlier date, the
first attempts made towards opening an intercourse
between China and the Western World in the
fifteenth century were frustrated by the bigotry of
certain Jesuit missionaries, unfit for aught else than
to attend inquisitions and burn heretics. But for the
culpabilityliiiag a
ko fe
his tohf e
since
companions,headsshuach,e
boefe tn ophh eir order in permitting
such incompetent and dangerous agents to follow
intelligentteent
o markets
thee namsoeficihAaln' ChinaEt
iwn.Ricciutlhde
alvlo
•iancat
itnh et
hfollowing t fromQtt at
en,.
tc'efrEein-
irt°, ig)eN.Voll'kVeonexCtill
ly
—" They were received kindly. :NI vrEo Ricci
and his Jesuit brethren were most successful, not
only in making converts to Christianity but in
impressing the EMPEROR and the officials of China
ith the superiority of their attainments. The
Jesuits forebore to enter at once into direct hos
tility with the teachings of CONFUCIUS and MEN.
CMS. They admitted as a civil right the reverence
paid to the tombs of ancestors, and to the represen-
tation of the Emperors' act, which are typical
of filial duty and obedience, and are the
foundation of all Chinese authority. The suc-
cessors of the first missionaries denounced their

brethren for thus gelding to expediency, and ful-
minated a Popish lull against such heretical pro-
ceedings. The EIVEROR, knowing no GOD, and
ruling over millions of theoretical atheists, claimed
to be the only Jerson from whom all human
happiness flower, and full of wrath at
the invasion of lis supposed rights, he swept
out the religion of CHRIST from the wide-
spread provinces of China. Thus the first
attempt made by tie Chinese to depart from the
wisdom of their ancestors, who had laid down as an
axiom that nothing but evil could arise from com-
munication with foreigners, resulted in misery and
bloodshed; and the barriers between China and the
barbarous nations were made more impassable than
ever." Many other cxamples might be cited to show
the injury which ha 3 resulted from the mistaken fer-
vour with which enthusiasts have attempted to force
their particular tenets, nolens volens, down the
throats of others. Why should the Christian reli-
gion suffer, or the peace of British dependencies be
endangered to please a few old women in Exeter
Hall ? Why should it not be distinctly understood
throughout all our foreign possessions, that the
British Government will not interfere, directly or
indirectly, with the religious worship of her Ma-
jesty's subjects ; end all holding Government ap-
pointments, both civil and military, should be given
to understand that any interference, whether by
word or deed, in religious matters, will be visited
with dismissal. The Government or supreme
authority of any district or island should never be
vested in a missionary, the only result of which is
to bring into contempt the very faith which we all
desire to exalt. Make-believe converts may look
well on paper, but they would not be of much ac-
count were their real motives scrutinised.

LATEST. NEWS.

The following telegrams have been received al
Mr. Reuter's office :

PARIS, MONDAY.

The Moniteur of to-day announces that yester-
day the Minister of the United States presented
his lettres de ereance.

The Constitutionnel publishes an article signed
by its chief editor, M. Grandguillot, explaining the
French policy in Italy. In mentioning the solu-
tion proposed in the message of M. Thouve nel,
M. Grandguillot says :—" If it is not a Sardinian
solution, it is an Italian one. Sardinia will possess
in Tuscany an ally who will aid her to overcome
the opposition of Naples and Rome, in order to con-
stitute an Italian nation, with the concurrence of
all its nationalities, and not an Italian kingdom,
absorbing everything without considering the
essential:difference, the opposing interests, and the
distrust of Europe."

BOLOGNA, MARCH 3.

The Government of the Pope has prohibited com-
mercial relations between Ancona and Romagna
The merchants have protested.
There is great agitation in the Marches, and the
landed proprietors are refusing to pay the taxes.
An address is being prepared for presentation to the
Great Powers, in favour of annexation to Sardinia.
Austrian volunteers are arriving every day.
Farini's manifesto has been received with great
enthusiasm both here and in the Legations.

MARSEILLES, MARCH 4.
The Indian Government notifies that the Five-and-
a-Half per Cent. Loan is closed in the district trea-
suries. It is limited to 80 lacs of rupees in cash at
Bombay and Madras respectively ; the balance is
to be subscribed at Calcutta.—Bombay Gazette.

BOMBAY, FEB. 11

TIIE FORCE FOR CHTNA.—The 31st Regiment of
Foot will embark in the Earl of Clare on the 15th
and 16th February.

The 3d Regiment of Native Infantry is expected
from Wassund, and will embark on board the Dal-
housie and Prince Arthur on the 16th and 17th

February.

THE AUSTRALIAN, MAURITIUS, AND
BOMBAY MAILS.
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
Company have received the following telegram :
" The Valetta, with the above mails, arrived at
Marseilles at 6 p.m. They leaven for London at

10 p.m.
,"The letters will be delivered on Tuesday

morning."

SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 5.

The Royal Mail Steam-ship Company's steamer
Oneida, with Brazilian and River Plate mails, ar-
rived off the Needles at 1.20 p.m.

PARIS, MARCH 4.
The llfoniteter of to-day contains the nomination
of M. Greterin as Senator.

The Paris papers publish the following, dated
Antibes, March 3:—

" The part of the Imperial speech concerning the
annexation of Savoy and Nice has been received
in Nice with enthusiasm.
"The Italian party is greatly agitated."

VIENNA, MARCH 4.

To inquiries made here by the representatives
of some foreign Powers, the Austrian Government
has replied that, its interests not being directly
affected by the annexation of Savoy to France, it
would observe on this question the same passive
conduct which the great Powers exhibited at the
time of the last war in Lombardy, and that Austria
will not protest against the annexation of Savoy.

TRIESTE, Maim' 3.
A committee has been formed hero to collect sub-
scriptions on behalf of the Pope.

MODENA, MARCH 3.

The Papal Government has prohibited commerce
by transit between Ancona and the Romagna. The
merchants have lodged a protest against this mea-
sure. Agitation prevails in the Marches; the
landed proprietors refuse to pay taxes. Thousands
of ci:izens are signing addresses to the great Powers
in favour of the annexation. Soldiers enlisted in
Austria continue to arrive in the States of the
Church and in Naples.

ROME, FEB. 28 (via MARSEILLES).
A popular manifestation of no importance in
favour of annexation to Piedmont has taken place
in Gubbio.

The Pope is said to be ready to grant concessions,
if the Legations submit.
The students of the University have demanded
the re-admission of the eight students who had been
expelled. General Goyon has sent a detachment of
troops to the University, thereby preventing any
disturbance.

TETUAN, 31Aucn 1.
The siege train was embarked to-day, and mules
were disembarked.

MADRID, MARCH, 3.

The Epoca and the Occidente, Ministerial papers,
assert that to preserve the territory conquered in
Africa would entail sacrifices on Spain greater than

the advantages she would obtain. The other papers
maintain a reserve on the question.
The manufacture of rifled guns has been declared

'ree i❑ Spain.