Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-09-01


disunsty defined religious creed. The estab-
llshed religion, if we may so call it, is grounded
on the teachings of Confucius, who made no
iclalm to inspiration, and whose writing were
more strictly upon moral than religious subjects.
Inc most important book which he left is called
the Book of Rites" and contains rules for the
government Of the manners and customs of the
whole community, from the Emperor down to the
Ineanest OF his subjects The book is studied
N China as the Bible is with US, aud forms
part OF the religious instruction of all classes.
The Book of Rites and the other writings of
Confncus incucate principles of the purest
morality and virtue, but its precepts estab ish a
system af morality rather than of piety.
! The followers of Confucius believe in one
Supreme Being but they worship and sacrifice
to numberless persons and things. The sun and
moon. the earth,. large rivers, high mountains,
the four elements. Conucius, the spirits Of de-
ceased statesmen and scholnrs, the founders OF
the silk manufacture, of agriculture, and Of med
icine, &c, &C., are oil worshlpped BY greater
o. less number. In fact it may literally be said
that every Chinese has his own household gods
to whom he sacrifices and whose favor and pro.
lection he implores. They believe in the trans
migration Of souls, and have other curious
notions concerning the condition of the spirit
after death.
Next to the Confuciaps the Budhists embace
the largest potion Of the popula ton This form
Of belief is nearly identical with the Buddhism
OF India. II was first introduced into China in
the reign Of Ming ii, who is believed to have
fourished shortly after the death of Christ. 1t
is related that this prince, in studying the works
of Coniucins, met with certain words, which
appeared to him to mean that the true religion
was to be sought for in the West--a passage
which some supposed to have prophesed the
coming Of Christ. The emperor accordingly
sent messengers abroad to seek this new religion
and they brought back some Buddhist priests -
Ming ii and some of the subsequent sovereigns
adopted this faith which has since been toera-
zen, tUntIgU " mas HtNcF suDtTStutu tilt tedCU-
ings Of Cnntuclus The Budhists have their
Supreme head or Grand Lama, who possesses
spiritual authority similar to that exercised by
the Pope. He dwells IN Thibet. and his follow
ers believe that he never dies, but that when his
mortal part perishes, bis soul enters the BODY of
somr infant. who is taken and educated in accor
dance with this belief, as head of the sect. The
priesthood OF this sect, like that OF Rome, are
not permitted to marry. They believe in the
term of probation on earth, in various forms, the
soul is at length received into the paradise of
Budha.
There is one other sect among the Chinese
days of Confucius by sage named Laou keun
and the disciples OF this sect are called Taoutse
or "doctors of reasons" The priests of this
sect are alche,nsts and magicians, and in older
times exerted considerable influence, numbering
among their disciples and dupes some of the
emperors They have now, however, fallen into
comparatively small.
There are a few Mahomedans and Jews IN
China The former have mosque at Canton
and the latter have settlement which is suppo.
ed to be Of great antiquity.
The Chinese, as people, are said to have hui
little reverence for religious matters, and many
of the most learned men dlsbelieve in future
state. In spite of the moral writings of Confn.
cius and the strict principles of virtue nculcated
by Laou-keum, immortality is very prevalent. -
The moral condition of the Chinese furnishes q
u striking evidence that no code of morality
however pure and elevated, which is not baset
ON inspiration, will suffice for the government
and guidance of community.
We will now glance briefly at the efforts
which have been made to establish Christianity
in China, and may perhaps be able 10 throw somt
light OH the religious element which enters int
The existing rebellion. The earliest Christian
mission 10 China, Of which we have any account
was in the reign of raii.sons, the second prince
Of the Tang dynasty, which fourished in The
las, half OF the seventh century. Several Cbri>.
tian missionaries are reported to have arrived a
that time, but whence they came tradition doe.
not state. Although they were iavoraby re.
ceived BY the Emperor. and were permitted tt
found churches they appear to have made few
proselytes, and their establishments did not be
come permanent.
The Portugese established trade with China
in 1916 and few years later the Spanish es
tabshed a colony at Manila, where the nonks
founded three monasterles, the grand object o
the members of which was the Introduction o
Christianity into China. For long time they
were unsuccessful in establishing an intercourse
with The Chinese, but the Spanlards having rem
dered some service to the nation by defeating I
formidable pirate who had committed fearfu
ravages on the coast, two Augustin frIars vert
at last allowed to enter the empire, and vert
escorted to the capital They we're well received
but were closely watched, and were not allowed
to preach Afier short scjourn they received
an intinatlon that their presence was no longe
desirable, and were compelled to leave tn
country.
A lew years later the Jesuits were more sue
cessful in introducing Chrstianity into the Chi
nese empire. With that wonderful faculty whlcl
they possessed af adapting themselves TO a.
! circumstances IN which they were placed the!
ipsinuated themselves into the country, and con
ciliated the good will Of the people by glvin!
ont that they were holy men from the Wes'
who, having heard Of the wonders Of the Chlnes
nation, had come TO end their days IN that cele
bra,ed land. One of these priests obtained th
reputa,ion of an ustrooger They made them