Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-05-21
For The Portland Gazette.
"CHI.NESE MISSIONS"

Men without religion speak CONTEMPORARY
OF the present efforts of christians 10 spread the
knowledge of the gospel through the heather
world. 1t has often been asserted with The
utmost confidence, that converts could not be
made TO the christian religion amcns the ma
tives of India or China. The enemies of re-
ligion ridicule the exertons of the picus they
laughed in scorn at those who subjected them
selves to labour and expence in the cause OF
missions. But these sympathizing friends of
mankind have triumphed over such sneers.-
They can proudly appeal 10 facts in proof OF
the incalculable benefits of religious instruc-
ton, even to the most uncivilizel.--A writer
in the Southern Patriot has made some extra
ordinary remarks on the mission to Chna. He
supposes that the virtuous Chinese have as
good chance for salvation as Mr.. Milne and
Mr.. Morrison, though they have never
heard of them or their Chinese Tesla
ment." The impression which this language
would make on every mind is, that an acquain-
lance with the gospel is off no importance. If
men in all countries will but lead moral life
this is sufficient; it entities them 10 heaven.
But among those who know nothing of the
be found. Such nations are uniformly cruel
and unfeeling. 1t was maintained by the
writer, that the knowledge of christianity
would not be disseminated by books, because
the Chinese are not a reading people, and be-
cause from the difficulty of their language,
they cannot read.--It has been found much
easier to learn the Chinese language and to
write in it, than was formerly supposed. One
OF the missionaries in the short space of year,
was able to compose catechism in that lam
guage. This was sold at low price ia the
bookstores in Canton or Macao suppose.
In the college at Calcutta not long SINCE two
students, who were children, surprized the
audience at an exhibitions by confer
ence or by dissertations in the Chinese Ian
guage of their own composition. Mr.. Morri-
son or Mr.. Milne, sailed from Canton to Bata-
via (in the island OF java in vessel on board
OF which there were 500 Chinese passengers
among these twenty-five Chinese teslaments
and some tracts were distributed, and the
missionary with pleasure observed them read
ing them. One Chinese of Canton, of some
rank, confessed the folly of his idol worship,
and has appeared anxious to obtain some
knowledge Oh Jesus.
If, as the writer supposed, 9oo,Ooo,oo0
Chinese were unable TO read, how deserving
of christian sympathy are they What claims
have they to christian benevolence How
deporabIy sunk must they be in ignorance &
superstition This very fact which is alledg-
ed to discourage exertions, may be used to
urge christians TO more liberal aid TO Chinese
missions. We would remind the men who
deride the feeble efforts of christians, that the
christian religion itself, sprung from very
small beginning. "Who would have suppo-
sed, when he saw the poor illiterate fishermen
OF Galilee mendng their nets, that these were
the men, who would regenerate the world. =
Thus by the inadequate labours of missionaries,
will the whole heather world be christianized
and civilized too.