Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-09-02
IFrom the Holston Christian Advocate.
LETTER FROM CHINA

/ From the Holston Christian Advocated
LETTER FROM CHINA
/ q SHANGHAI CHINA,
May 20, 1853
| Nh Dear Brot7ler,--In former communications
have referred frequently to the Rebellion
which is now progressing with some rapidity
in-this empire, bnt up to the present have been
unable to give any definite OF satisfactory in
formation as to the character and purposes of
lthe Insurgents; and | must regret that now 1
am not as we'll prepared as could be desired
I But / have some particulars which know will
greatly interest our christian friends at home
and which am anxious to communicate.Z
We have enough to justify hopeful belief that
God is working wonderful change in this part
of the world, and by means the most unexpec-
ted, and in ways the most astonishing Truly
nHis ways are not as our wages, his thought
as our thoughts" China is being rerolution-
ssea and chTisttaRizad by the the Chinese them
selves. Paganism in ali its myriad forms here
, h being pat to the sword-false gods are de-
nolished, temples DESTROYED, and the gospel
preached by the same band of men, It is
crusade against the gods, an so far not one of
them has been able to save his own head
much less the lives of his worshippers. but the
path Of the eonquerers is marked by disman-
fled priests and headess gods The true Goa
is asserting his right to reign over China, and
IN his own way making known his power
The history OF the movement is briefly as fol-
iows;--
Some three or four years ago a number of
persons in the province Of Quong-se obtained
some MEANS not at present known to the mis-
sionaries, a number of christian books. These
they read with great care and intersect and as
they.read and thought upon the new doctrines.
began TO feel uneasy as to their own spiritual
condition, and for mutual Improvement met
together at stated times to read and converse
about things. This excited the Jealous of the
~MandarinS who took measures to suppress the
meetings but without success. Many were
seryely punished, and finally several were be-
headed. But this, so far from lettering them
from pursuing their search after truth, only
made them more resOlute and fixed in their
purse. The number of inquiries and believers
rapidly increased, Notwithstanding the fierce
persec ution which the jealous authorities wa.
ged ageilst them, until their numbers were
su fcient to set the Inefficient and cowardy
Mandarins at defiance Their position at this
junctGre required some definite decision as to
their future course. The corruptions which
existed in every depart ment from the petty tax
gathercr up to the throne, presented an object
against which their ardent zeal naturally d.
rected newly acquired power Thus the revo-
ton began. 1t is also said that the LHeyati Of
the country have been connected with the move
ment from the beginning, many Of them from
religious motives, but many more from the I'M
just and hateful system of buying and selling the
honorS which belong only to genuine scholar
ship, " ealthy men who have not the rudi-
ments of higg literary dictinctioD; while the
poor, but really mertorious, are wholly neglec-
ted, and their applications for promotion inso-
lently rejected. Every thing in China is bought
and sold. Corruption is universal, and if no
other cause existed the abomnation practiced
by the leading officials Of government in this
one thing, would Justify rebellion. But where
political dishonesty is coupled with che most
debaSlng religious system, nothing seems COM
petent to serve the people, but a revolution
Two more powerful elements could not
enter into the composition of any cause, or
more powerful stimulous prompt to any act
They have intelligence to guide them as ap-
pears from the composition of their books
Their quOtatations from the classics show an ac-
quaintance with the learning of the country,
and also furnishes the most powerful arguments
agains idOatry; and must strike the mind of
Chinaman with peculiar force
send with this translation of their ''Book
nf Religions Precepts,r which | knov-yn -,rill
be defghted g publish.
Ihe Christian reader will not fail to observe
some small Mkt ure of superstition in this Book
ct reiigio us Precepts," but he must bear in
mind that these people are but emerging from
paganism and have no educated christian to
instruct them. This book is the production of
men who perhaps never saw christian mis-
sionary. 1t is astonishing how near the truth
they have come. So far as we know they are
ignorant OF the different sorts of christian
sects only IN so far as all are believers in the
True God and his Holy Word. They have no
formal organization as a church, or even the sac
raments.
This "Booll OfReligious Precepts, was trans
lated by lev. ". II. MEDHUsT, ID. ID. of the
London mission, at Shanghai; one of the OIL
dest and best Chinese scholars in the empire.
have seen the original from which the trans
lation was made. is this not a wond erful doc
umen? Think Of christianity free from tie
Corrections Of Romaaism, (for you will see
nothing like it in this book,) becoming the |
State Religion OF China.
Surely the church will now wake up to
sense OF its duty towards this dark land
Can we not have more to help us Rosc2-
W no would notesteem it a privilege to be in q
land where God is doing such wonders? We |
mast have men to teach the millions who will
come inquring the way of life. Never was
there such a call from any land for men as viii |
90 out from China. May the Lord of the har-
vest send out thousands into this vast ieldl-
Let all who read this, 'thank God and take
courage.
Your brother in Christ,
W. G. L. CUNNINGHAM.
Finances Of Austrja.-Austria has increased
her indebtedness since 1915, something like