The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-02
Communications.
FOR the MADIsoNIAs.

FOR THE MADisuNihN.
DOCTOR PARKER AT THE CAPITOL.
Doctor Parker preached on last Sabbath morning.
Jan. 81 J in the Hall Of the House Of Representa-
,yes TO very large assembly, embracing great num-
Der of members of Congress, the subject oil emma
and its relations TO the Christian world he stated
that nearly 1000 years had elapsed and China yet re-
mains to be possessed by the Church of Christ that
no human enterprise since the days of the Apostles
can be compared in sublimity and grandeur to the
conversion Of China from idoatry--to remove the
Great Northern Wall by piece meal is nothing compar-
ed with this undertaking, Moral barriers, compared
with which this wall is but cob.weh, are TO be
broken through. These were, in addition to the de
prayity of man, alike in all ages and in all nations,
the policy of the Government in ITS relations to all
foreign intercourse which nterdicts the Chinese alike
from teaching their language to strangers, or OF
acquiring the languages of other nations-their at
tachnen To old customs which is no less insurmount-
able than the casts of India. The parro-ke method
of education the first step to which was to be able to
write with ease all the signs in the 1000 character
classic Of Confcius before their meaning ~ taught
Ia task of difficulty, we can but little appreciate
Doctor arker stated the doctrine Of Christ crucied
which Paul found To the Jews stumbling block, and
the Greeks foolishness was not less an offence
to the Chinese Their entire Teckessnes as TO fu-
ture of existence another great obstacle to be
surmounted; nor does the doctrine of transmigTa-
ton Of souls, which is held by few of the many,
change their characer-so that Chinese secure
present good, he looks for nothing beyond it The
idolatry of China described; every house having
its Penates before which tapers incense and gilded
ascending from one pyre, would flame up to heaven
like some Vesuvius. The society Of China des-
crbed as the extremes of ignorance and knowledge
they feel like other menreason like other men upon
the ordinary affairs of llfepessess vvacy clearness
and readiness of perception-admire the works of
ture and art-are endowed with highly poetical ge
MUS, employing the material for poetry, borrow
ing their images from the regions of fancy, and task
ing the agency of gen in aid Of their heroes and
herones
In view Of all the difficulties which are to be met
in the introduction of Christianity into China, the
Doctor said the encouragement Of Christians te
be found in the promises and commands of God h,
cited the last command of Christ and the 49th chap
Isaiah, 18th '. which refers to China there caet
Sinim Such is very brief and imperfect outline 0
this nighiy INSTRUCTIVE anu interesting SERMON, Whci
closed by address TO those of his auditors be
longing TO the Senate and House. in which he ex
pressed his satisfaction in presenting to their con
sderaton, subject of such magnitude and Importance
to the representatives of this free and growing Re
publicthe constituted guardians Of the rights and
terests Of postcrity-to men who were the centres
influence and his fervent prayer that the
reign and great ministers of state" and the people
both Of his native and adopted country, may yet
JOY reer and happier intercourse in Ibis life and il
the future blend in the common Empire of Bliss ant
Holiness, Of which God is the supreme and right
full Sovereign. W.