Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-03
FROM THE CHRISTIAN wArcHMAs.

FROM THE CHRISTIAN wATcHMAS.
We indebted to the Rev. j. W. JOHNSON, Baptist mis-
onary in China for letters and important documents
lating to the nsurrecton in that Empire Mr. Johnsons
letters indicate the Importance Of the movement to
the progress of Christianity while ut the time they
suggest csuiousness in esaaing the amount of pi-
ritual Christanity" which il cmhrapcss ne pQz
owp visxsaaat week. ~ s~ggos( M ~ nsl
sscsive rstianity in gross; Conversions wor
Of detail Considering the manner in which the Clnese
people must have received their notions of Christianity
without teachers carefully nsructng them in the way
the Lord large admixture of might sonaby
expected Neither fanaticsm imposture surprises
1t may be questioned whether in the sudden conversion
of some of the European nations to Christianity the
prevailing ideas of its correct than
those now prevailing in China 1t is vast movement
in the right direction and the duty of the church will be
to guide and purify work enough for the energies and
the faith of the whole church.
Our readers will be greatly interested in the transla-
ons of tracts circulated by the revolutoniss which Mr.
Johnson has forwarded and Of which give portion
this week. The remainder will be published in our next
With curious there mingled statements st
strictly evangelical The account of the trip Of the Her.
mes and of Sir George Bonham visit to the rebels
which Mr. Johnson alludes have already given
readers and it neOd not therefore be repeated The
following the letters:
Messrs. EDITcRs: herewith forward to you some
statements of extraordinary nature relative to the in
surgents now in against the Tartar Government
Your readers probably that for about five years
nsurrection has been in progress in China. 1t
menced in 1848 with bands of outlaws, made up
from the pirates and robbers that abounded at that time
in the south of China. 1t was not however until the
close of 1850 that they became regularly organized for
the overthrow of the present (Tartar) dynasty since
which time they have been rapidly increasing in numbers
and Importance The recent increased energy and vgor
Of their movements have caused great deal of anxiety
at the north particularly Shanghai where for the
six weeks has been assembled large force consisting
of American, English, and French ships-of-war. The
extraordinary thing in connexion with them is the
strong religious element that it is reported enters into all
their proceedings But the account herewith enclosed
think bears evidence Of being much oyerdrawn at least
far as regards the "pnal Christianity of the insur
gents have before me several of their books that
have just been looking They strange med
ley Of truth and error One contains summary of the
Ten Commandments with tolerably exposition
the main cosrses ss.4i-s.ts Another purposts ia he
camp regulations. In them obedience command
is insisted upon and also morning and evening
worship and the giving Of thanks at meals. Theft and
opium smoking prohibited and punished with death
Another blasphemousy ascribes divine origin to their
leader whom they style the younger brother Of Jesus
and gives what purports to be conversations held with
rebel leaders by God who to earth for this purpose
II also gives account Of miracles performed by Jesus
the presence Of the leaders The whole thing has to
much appearance Of singular religious dnd-
they have massacred thousands Of Buddhist and Taout
priests destroying both their temples and idols Those
priests whom they spare they compel to adopt other
calling They also murder sometimes in the most shock
ing manner all the Tartars who fall into their hands,
and declare they have divine mission for the utter
tincton Of the whole Tartar With these explana
tons your readers must give what credence to the
companyng account they think deserving Fuller and
reliable information will doubtless be obtained
in reference both the character and objects Of the in
surgents, which shall not fail to forward to you.
HoSG KoYG, JUNE G, 1868.
Messrs EDrroRs had prepared for you notices,
somewhat at length of several Of the nsurgent books al
uded to in my letter of last month with ransatons Of
the interesting portions but have since received
complete ransatons Of three Of the books made by Dr.
MEDHURsT Of Shanghai which herewith enclose in their
place.
BY the next mail hope to be able to give you at least
eptome Of the whole and to communicate something
in reference to the insurgents definite and reliable
than the present rumors and fancifu statements.
would remark in reference to the translations
enclosed that il will not be safe to take these books
sample Of the whole. There others filed with the
widest extrayagances and presumption and pretences Of
inspiration, Divine aid and immediate intercourse with
Heaven. Judgment should therefore be suspended till
you have the whole before You.
The rebels show the most decided riendness to for
egners. Yours, very sincerely, J. w. JOHNSON.
Pamphlets Published By dte Insurgents.