Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-03
THE CHIN REBELS AND THEIR REbIGffoN.7


The following communication from the Rev James
Colder, of the missionaries in China gives the
most authentic statement Of the religious aspect of
the present movement IN China that has come under
Hone KoNG, CHINA, June 4, 1853.
Recent developments of the revolution now prog
resslng IN the Chinese empire have brought to light
feature OF that movement which has arrested the
attention and secured sympathy of the entire foreign
community. allude to its religious aspect.
At various times since the commencement of the
revolution reports have been circulated stating that
those engaged in it worshppers of the one true
God-beeVers IN Christ as the Saviour of the world
and that they were uncompromising opponents to
ldolatry in every FORM For the most part these ru
mors were discredited but recent investigation has
shown that, strange as they may appear, they have
their foundation in truth.
The British steamer "HermeS" conveying Sir
Geo. Bonham and suit last month forced her way to
Nankn, which is now held by the patriots and while
there, her officers witnessed facts, and were able
through the great kindness of the revolutionsts to
collect documents which forbid any further doubt
to the religious character of the new movement
One of the works issued by the government, called
The Book of Religious Precepts of the hae-Ping
Dynasty" has been translated by Rev. DR.. Medhurst
OF Shanghai, and has occasioned, as indeed it well
may agreeable surprise to all who desire the sal
walton of the millions of China. 1t commences with
the declaration that all men sinners and that it
is the duty of all, subjects, as well sovereigns, to
worship and serve God. 1t next presents an argu-
ment showing that ancently the Chinese had knowl
edge of the true God and subsequently, that in
worshipping him they will not be initiating foreign
ers, but their own ancestors. 1t next presents A
Form to be observed in seeking the Forgiveness of
Sins,' after which is the following
PRAYER FOR A PENITENT SINNER.-I thine I'M
worthy son Cor daughter, kneeling down upon the
ground) with true heart, repent of my SINS and
pray thee, the great God, our heavenly Father, of
thine infinite goodness and mercy, to forgive my for
ignorance and frequent transgressons of the di-
vine commands 1 earnestly beseech thee, of thy
great favor, to pardon all my former SINS and enable
me to repent andlead life so that my soul may
ascend to heaven: may from henceforth, sincerely
repent and fOrsake my evil ways, not worshpping
corrupt Spirits gOds practising perverse things
but obey the divine commands. l also earnestly
pray thee, the great God, our heavenly Father con-
stantly to bestow on thy Holy Spirit and change
my wicked heart; never more allow me to be de-
ceived by malignant demons, but perpetually regard
with favor forever deliver me from the evil one
and every day bestowing on me food and clothing
exempt me from calamity and woe, granting tran
guilty in the present world and enjoyment of end
less happiness in heaven, through the merits of our
Saviour and heavenly Brother, the Lord Jesus who
redeemed US from sin. also pray the great God,
our Father who is in heaven, that his will may be
done on earth it is in heaven. That thou wouldst
look down and grant this request is my hearts sin
cere desire"
The book also contains sPraver to God for Morn
ing and Evening"" Thanksgiving to be offered at
Meal; "A Prayer for Times of Sickness and Attic
ton, and directions for conducting religious exerc
ses on various occasions. The following given as
the
FORM TO USED IN PRAIsrNG GOD:
We praise God, our Holy and Heavenly Father
We praise Jesus, the Holy Lord and Saviour of
the world.
We praise the Holy Spirit the Sacred Intelligence
We praise the three Persons who united, consti-
tute one true Spirit. (God)
But perhaps the portion of the work in which your
readers will be most interested is that containing the
Ten Celestial Commands" the resemblance of
which to the commandments as given to Moses, is
very evident. These l will subjoin, emitting, how
ever the hymns which, in the original follow the
commands" and which are but repetition in verse
of the sentiment of the text:
THE TEN CELESTIAL COMMANDS, WHICH ARE CON-
STANTLY OBSERVED.
The first command. Thou shalt honor and wor-
ship the Great God.
The Great God is the universaliFather of all men,
in every nation under Heaven. Every man is pro-
duced and nourished by him; every is also pro-
tected by him every man ought therefore, morning
and evening" to honor and worship him. with ac-
acknowledgements of his goodness 1t is common
saying that Heaven produces nourishes and protects
Also that being provided with food we must not
deceive Heaven. Therefore, whoever does not wor-
ship the Great God, breaks the commands of Heaven
The Second Command Thou shalt not worship
corrupt spirits (godS9
The Great God says: Thou shalt not have other
spirits (gods) beside Therefore all besides the
Great God corrupt spirits (gods) deceiving and
destroying mankind. They must on no account be
WorShlpped WhOSoeVer WorShlpS the whole class OF
corrupt spirits gods oends against the commands
of Heaven.
The Third Command Thou shalt not take the
name of the Great God in vain.
The name of the Great God is Jehovah which men
must not take in vain. Whoever takes Gods name
in vain and rails against Heaven oends against this
command
The Fourth Command. On the seventh day, the
day of worship, you should praise the Great God for
his goodness
In the beginning the Great God made heaven and
earth, land and sea, and things in six days, he
having finished his works the seventh day, he
called it the day of rest Cor Sabbath J therefore all
the of the world who enjoy the blessing of the
Great God should on every seventh day specially
reverence and worship the Great God, and praise
for his goodness
The Fifth Command Thou shalt honor thy faith
er and mother, and thy days may be prolonged.
Whoever disobeys his parents breaks this COM
mand.
The SSrth Command. Thou shalt not kill or in
jure men.
He who kills another kills himself, and he who in
jures another Injuries himself Whoever does either
of these breaks the above command.
The Seventh Command. Thou shalt not commit
adultery anything uncean
All the in the world are brethren and all the
women in the world sisters. Among the sons |
and daughters of the Celestial Hail. the males are on |
one side and the females the other, and are not
allowed to intermix. Should either men or women |
practice lewdness, they considered outcasts as
having offended against of the chief commands |
of Heaven. The casting of amorous chances, the |
harborng of lustfu maginatons the smoking OF for