Washington sentinel., 1854-01-26
origin Of the China Rebellion.

The Rev. Mr.. Tyson Yates, an American
Baptist missionary at Shanghai, has sent home
the following account Of what he believes to be
the true origin Of the present movement in
China. We copy from the Independent: I
\. "SnANGHAI, September ~. 1853.
There are at present stopping in our mis-
sion two lads, whose identity is not known ex-
cept to our mission. One, boy Of fifteen, is
the son Of the southern king; the other, q lad
Of eighteen or twenty, who was on last Sabbath
received into our church by baptism, is the
nephew. and adopted son Of the southern
king (one Of the four great leaders of the re-
bellion in China From these young men
tthe elder Of whom is well acquainted with all
the circumstances that led to the first hostile
demonstrations) we have been able to get cor
rect information touching the origin Of the re-
belliop.
9From these young men we learn that
Hung Chen, (at present known as Tar
ping -Wong,') having embraced the christian
religion, destroyed every sign of idolatry about
his house and school room, (for he was the
teacher Of high school, and gave much at
tention to publishing the gospel. Disciples to
the new doctrine multiplied rapidly. Soon,
this innovation upon the ancient customs at.
tracted the attention of the authorities of
Quang-Sec; for it was in this interior province,
far removed from foreign influence, that this
new thing started. ..
aThe authorities in question attempted to
crush this new religion by persecution, but this
only attracted attention to it. Finding that
the new sect was daily and rapidly increasing,
they (the civil and military authorities) be-
hended two of the disciples, thinking that this
rigid measure would suppress this disorderly
body. But so far from having this effect, they
(the christians, who had increased by this time
to quite considerable number) took up arms
in defence Of their religion, and called upon
God to aid and defend them.
"The imperialists, in an engagement with
them, were routed with great loss. Tho chris
tim army increased rapidly, till they were able
to withstand any force that might be brought
against them. The christian army was now
fairly committed. They well knew that they
must be delivered from the bondage Of the inn
perial yoke, both civil and religious, or death
was certain. They formed the design Of sub
verting the government; with the intention of
establishing in its stead q liberal and christian
government.
"They issued tracts and circulars, in which
they attacked the abuses and corruptions of
the civil authorities and the religious teachers,
&c. They destroyed idols, and circulated por.
tions Of the scriptures and religious tracts, and
preached to the people a purer religion. All
this, strange to say, secured them the favor OF
the people, and their thousand was soon multi
Piled. Thus Hung g.SuChen commenced about
three years ago. Since then, he has fought
many battl ) at Hts
y ain ever place he exposes the corruptions
of the mandarins and priests, destroys idols,
circulates the scriptures and religious tracts,
(many Of which are his own productions, in
which, Of course, there are many errors and
breaches the gospel. His main army is now
before Pekin. Considering all the circumstan-
ces OF the present rebellion in China, viewed
either in civil or religious point Of view il is
without q parallel in the history of the world