Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-05-29
From tho BOSTON Daily Advertiser.
Christianity in China.

sued bv the CnlnaSe Government CohuS"in"'''s
of the Christian Religion. The following paper
which we are permitted 10 publish was sen' W
this country. by DR.. Parker OF Canton. II gives
the testimony of Kiyinr late Governor General
of Canton. Minister Penipotentiarv, Guardian of
Annarent &c 10 the truth of Christianity. and
shows that considerable interest has been exci-
tel on the subject among the great persons OF
The land. Il is not unlikely that the downfall OF
Kivjng NAV have been hastened, as IS suggested
in what follows, by his favorable opinions OF the
Christian Religion and that the proclamation
which we recently published might have been
called forth by what was considered the Heresy
of Kivinr and the other distinguished persona
ges who have written and published their opln-
ions upon foreigners and foreign affairs The
paper from which we give the following extract
had probably been prepared and published by DR..
Parker -
"WIhin few years past three Chinese states
men have written and published their opinions re-
gardng foreigners and foreign affairs, thereby
affordlng clear induces of the march Of improve
ment. and demonstrating that a spirit Of inquiry
is waking up and gaining strength IN this land.
We hail 1t as the dawnIng of glorious day -
The three men to whom we refer are the late
Imperial Commissioner Lin Tschsn, the present
Governor OF Fuhken Sn Ryiyn, and the late
Cabinet Minister k,ying The works Of the two
former are somewhat known. and klying follow
ing their example, has published work m seven
voumes-only single copy OF winch. 50 lar as
we know, has fallen into the hands OF foreigners,
and this we have not had the pleasure OF seeing.
The wav the work came to the knowledge OF
foreigners is given in the following extract from
letter from the Rev. NJ. c. White, OF Fuhchan,
10 a friend m Shinghai:
1.-THE Imperial Commissioner kiying has pub
lished volume Of Mscellaneols Essays. yes
o. f.f "a pi other works
of his Exccllency IN seven volumes. literary
man offered it to me saying he obtained II at Pc.
king from whence he had Just returned 10 his
home this city Fuhchau.l consider one sec
ton Of said work on prayer to Ten SHIN as CIV.
ing HIGH sanction to orr use Of Shin for God.
send YOU herewith a copy of said Essay which
you may depend on as accurate
in many respects" says DR.. Parker, "we
regard tins paper as one Of great value and as
one which augurs well for the progress OF truth
in China. Taken in connection with the recent
degradation of It's author, for his sympathies to-
wards foreigners. 1t possesses more than usual
interest We may indeed surrnise that his down
fan was fastened by the publication Of this pa
per OF OF these essays, but as w have no intor-
maton on the point we can only add the hope
that the distinguished statesman who penned It
may be led to look more carefully into the vol
uue of INSPIRATION and fully learn the way of
salvation. His reinstatement in power and favor
seens at present improbable, even # his years
are prolonged, and he may be inclined now to
turn with attention again to these subjects
The hearts Of Kings and Rulers are in the hands
Of God, and we can but pray that this high Off
Ger may be brought 10 a saving knowledge OF the
Saviour.
frhe original extract from Kiying's work IS
here printed the Chinese character, in which
we are sorry to be obliged TO say our Office l.
wantu Z, the following is a translation of IT.
Form Of prayer 10 The God Of He1usn, tcdh Il
preface. composed By kiyiHg. Goosrn0r Gene'Gi
Of kic1Hfung, dnf hclngSi. In the Dictionary
Of kanghi, It Is said Jesus, Western Nations de-
signite, the Saviour Of the World The books
translated by western men, narrate the actions he
wrought with great persplcul,y. ms religion
regards the worship Of God and rePentlng OF
sins, as its essentials and It's teaching IL, that in
the world there is only this one creating celestial
God who has power to will all things and crea-
lures. who IS everywhere present. and know all
things. Because when looking down upon the
earth, he commisserated mankind, he commanded
his ruling Son Jesus to descend, and TO be born
into THIS dusty toisome world He gave up his
body to save the world; ha died and rose again
70 life; and many were the miracles he wrought.
Those who believe IN him do not worship ina
ges put IN public places or in their private rooms,
they purify their hearts and repent Of their err
rors and turning their faces towards the sod Of
creation Tor the creating God IN the empty space
lihe frmunent the sky they kneo and worship
beg forgiveness Of their sins, and implore bless
ings.
Last year was commissioned 20 GO TO Lang
Kwang. and also received the Emperors COM
mands TO tranquilze the affairs Of the foreign
ers and therefore made strict inquiry concern
ing the religion practced by western men, in or
der 10 ascertain whether It was corrupt or pure
and having carefully examined all the time was
there, came 20 know that what they teach had
reall, nothing IN It which was not good. felt
that | ought. therefore, to memorlaize the Enpe-
ro1, and request that. showing kindness to men
fron aiar he would not prosecute nor prohibit Il
Now 1t happened that my private secretary,
Mr.. Ii, told me of his sickness during the preyi-
Gus winter, and how that, when all recourse 10
the gods, to the doctors, and the OWNERS, had III
teriy failed, he CHANGED to hear of what western
men teach concerning praying for blessings, and
nj once turning his face towards the sky, he pros
traied himself that IS, made the kotdiil and pray
ed, calling on the names of the God Of HEAVIER
and of Jesus. The next day he was quite well
and from that time whatever he asked in praye
he al once obtained,
lie therefore called upon me to write form o
prayer, COMMUNICATING this extraordinary an
sMef OF grace, ana nave prepared ana put IL IN
TO a record book for future examination;
God only Is impartial; lie opened the heavens
and spread abroad the universe all that has
form he protects, all Intelhgences owe their ac
uyay 10 HIM He nercaully regards mankind
Looking down upon the earth, there is nothing
that he does not hear, nothing that lac does not be
hold How great are the works of God shed
ding lnstre through all times Bat, alas that ye
living men, are ignorant of the Divine Lord and
though fully fed ana warmly clothed are ungratfu
for these gifts of God Depsyed, deceitful gain.
seeking, aud passionate, you willingly incur God.
anger. The appointed day of death will come
and the punishment of iades is painful, dls,res
sing on that You men OF the world woull
change your hearts and reform your lives. "DC
good and call down felicity" are the excellen
words @. many ayes. From tins time forwar,
worship God, and whatever you ask he viii give
deliver you from external punishment; he vii
save you from your sins and miseries. he scru
tinlzing eye Of God is on your thoughts, and {
good all blessings will rest upon you. Accep
our offerings"
The latter part Of the above is called ch7l
,run, or prayer, and ike most Of such compost
tons among the Chinese Is written IN a set style
and 10 short sentences Of four characters each
The two last words might with propriely be rem
dered amen" for they form the usual ending O
prayers but their literal meaning s gwen above
Instead Of remarkng further upon th,s paper our
selves we insert few observations upon It b
Bishop Boone: