The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-22

,,....x hts ON the Chinese ReDclliOn-ny Al
American In ChAna.

~ and probable fesus Of this revolution, engage pub.
~ sreuion not merely because there important in
nests involved, but because there IS nearly MS much dis
aon OF the true origin OF the rebellion there has
issn over The authorship OF Junius.
one esss OF writers the Chinese rebellion asserts
hal The is waged for religious reiomatlon aud thai
~ bond OF fellowship among ihe rebels their belief
IA be truth of the religion s Jesus CHRIST Therefore
yefy triumph OF the insurgents is hailed step IN ad
vance towards the regeneration OF China, and The gath
sng oi her heather children The fold OF our Redeemer
IA support OF this account The Writings Of the rebel cbief
AIN produced; also, narratives OF The manner ~ NJ,
nvtr0n sad the history OF has religious instruction BY
bs Rev. J. }. Roberts. formerly one Of the American
Missionaries, or by Chinese Evangelist under the CUR
dance OF the London Missionary Society II This Is The
tue Of the origin IL the rebellion and its por-
pose, while western nAous would regret that The Chs-
ian creed should destined to spread over the Pagan
world only through the nsI umentaliy OF fire aud sword,
every fue Christian would sui sympahMc win the Ell
ots OF the insurgents and hail hesr victories win en-
thusias The TRANSACTIONS referred 10 are too voluinl
nous 10 be transferred to the columns OF newspaper
bal some idea may be formed OF them by bt'ei stale
menl that they consist OF translation OF certain chapters
Of Genesis amended somewhat or as the Shlnese ,"sr
ali would say, with amphcalions by The EmpeIor-of
practise virtue and AVOID siH-and o. len
Celestial Comms0dme Tor ritual ct-efv-
spces, with sorEs, odes, &c &C.
This explanation 10 relied upon by CERTAIN missionaries
10 prove the efficacy OF past missionary eiort IN china,
and the policy Of redoubing II for the future by an in
crease Of means and persons
the evidence very persuasive against the probability thai
the rebellion has any proper coanexon with missionary
effort the past, or that It's success promises necessarily
any cultivation oil the plan Of Christianity for the future
We will give few oil the many reasons which lead TO
our conclusion but wish 10 be understood distinctly
as not making any criticism upon the failure OF misslona
~ enterprise, or designing 10 express any distrust OF
Inc pocy Of continuing through missionaries to spread
hs light OF the Gospel On the contrary, we sincerely
saw aGod speed the pious work" We know that much
hospitals established by the missionaries in China,
well by the religious instruction the Soldiers OF the
Cross" have mparted to the heather. We confne our
remarks the examination OF The point whether mis-
sopary effort has already been crowned with
as TO Justify the belief that this rebellion originated from
The WISH among It's leaders, TO establish the religion OF
Jesus Christ in China, and whether 1t progresses with q
view to cOnsummale the wise and good purpose.
Ia the first place. know that the missionaries have
been confined TO the maritime Provinces and generally TO
the immediate neghborhoods surrounding the five ports
open to foreign commerce. They have acquired yet
but very limited owedge OF the local dialect OF The
Chinese language, and OF them will venture to
write in the Pekin court disect without the assistance
Of teacher to explain the character and Fix lis exact
meaning The acquisition OF the Chinese language
is most difficult task, requiring many years Tor
its accomplishment. Such familiarity with it as
will enable one TO- preach in II, and to explain
The philosophy OF the mediation OF Jesus TO save
sinnes--lhe doctrine Of The atonement-the idea of
the Divine Nature which is entertained by the Chris
tan wordhas not been yet acquired by many, ii any,
Of the missionaries in China. Dr. Medhurs,, and pos
siby DR. Brdgeman. may be exceptions 10 this remark
Ii must be admitted that the effort heretoere has been 10
prepare for usefulness hueaftr wherefore, comparative
ly speaking, very little has been effected towards the
conversion OF the Chinese few apt and intelligent
scholars have doubtless comprehented the salient points
Of Christian doctrine. and some have embraced the faith
but there is no evidence whatever that whole commu-
mites have been SO aroused to appreciation OF the
Divine truths oil Christian religion 10 enable Us 10
consider The grand movement which is convulsng
China as manifestation OF the dawn OF That brighter
Gay which will come, when ASIA shall be enlightened by
her acceptance OF the Gospel In Canton and Shanghai,
The homes oil the sslonaries, where they are IN daily
and hourly contact with the masses, how many Chinese
who even profess to be converted la both localities,
embracing populations 10 the number o! million and
hall OF persons, II may be safely asserted that The Chinese
converts TO Protestant Christianity do not exceed
three hundred. an! OF these there no, probably Fifty
who give rational account OF The faith that is in
them IL seems demonstrable from such facis tina, the
rebellion which exhibited itself FIRST 10 The retired prov
nce OF kwangsi could not have sprung from The aG-
herence TO aud belief in the religious views OF the
Christian and that il is not mainlaned gathering in
creased strength In its progress from province TO prov
by this single bond OF fellowship and holy faith. Nor
does The publication OF the Ten Commandments "Cees-
ha Rules" increase the probability that any new light
10 ethics has shone upon the path OF The Chinese The
Oriental systems OF religion have very generally the sub
sIaoce OF The Ten COMMANDMENT embraced within their
volumes OF preceps 10 the people. Indeed, The same
rules Tor mans conduct in his intercourse with his fell
low man. pervade every system that has been reduced TO
written language Boodbism, which has been familiar 10
The Chinese Tor more that 500 years. based upon the
idea OF future hie-a system OF rewards and punish.
ments for deeds done in the bodya Creator God, to
whom man is responsible. Although the Boodhis TAX
the very converse OF The Christians proposition the
condition Of eternal bss, he teaches nevertheless that
his state OF besude or Of misery is the consequences OF
aWacse of virtue or pursuit oil vice and that all
merit consists IN performing moral actions and avoiding
SINS The Boodh commandments i've IN number
]. Thou shalt not kill q Thou shalt not steal 3. Thou
shalt not lie bear false witness e. Thou shalt not
commit adultery. 5. Thou shalt not dunk Intoxicating
liquors Sins divided into those of the body, the
mind, and the tongue, under other OF which are
forbidden homicide, robbery, tbe adultery. fornea-
hon Idle talk eovetousness envy, bearing false witness,
adonnx ialse GODS smoking OPIUM drunk enDess, fire.
quenhng bad company, &c, &c. The duties OF The do.
nestle relations OF parent and child husband and wife,
master and servant scholars slaves, ministers and sub
ect, are 10 be found in the Bedsga Indeed, says a
distinguished missionary. tDr Macom) "here is
scarcely principle precepl in The Bedasat that is not
found in the Bible" China has 'ibe sacred edct en-.
forcing moral maxms, besides the scheme OF religion
Confucius taught system OF morals which, merely as
moral peceps, would do honor any system oil ethics
and will be found displayed in the writings OF tina, great
philosopher. ConincIan conscienliousy subscribe
TO nearly every religious position taken by the TAPPING
wan.
These facts prove, at least, that since a Chinese
scholar could be al loss 10 find the substance OF the
len Commandments 10 uw,nsptred authors OF various
onena systems his introduction OF them into the books
published to the rebels affords sufficient be-
evs that he is acuaied by desire 70 spread the Chris
tan religion We understand that the Christian religion
rests on The belief in the original purity and subsequen,
a OF man The divine mission OF Jesus upon earth, and
Nat hs blood atoned for our transges opening the
hngdom OF Heaven to all who repent their sns believe
IN him, and lead pendent and gody life In vain ball
we look Tor recognition Of this doctrine the books
OF The rebels. They are taught to worship 2angfi or
supreme and Imperial Lord"-the Creator-God
20 we're the Hndoos indeed does the American Indian.
bow IN alteration TO the Great Spirit"
that "God il the soul OF the world" But IL ia argued
that Jesus Christ - spoken OF in these writings as sour
Elder nfo'ner' and as enjoying some participation in