The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-24
ADDITIONAL FRON EUROPE.
IRE Chimes Rsbellaon.
From the london Herald, AUGUST s. I

awaken the expectation that we shall now learn
something more certainly Of this formidable move
ing one of the five free ports for foreign trade "a
city moreover, of considerable literary as well as
commercial repute) contains many European mer-
chants, and copsideraeb number Of American and
English missionaries From these we shall probably
receive somewhat different representations, accord
ing to the different views they may be disposed to
take; but between them, doubtless, there will be
much valuable information forwarded to this coun-
try in the shape Of facts from which we may
draw our own conclusions 1t has been assumed
but without apparent proof, that Tapping, for
merly Hung slut suen the leader Of the rebellion.
just one OF those banditu that were reported in
1850 infesting the province of Kwangsi and that
emerging thence a robber chief, and meeting with
some successes, he made pretensons to the throne
of China. affecting political and religious zeal as
pretext for plumber on a large scale. II has been
asserted that none except Protestant missionaries
have believed that they could trace germ OF Chris
tianity IN the rebel proclamations and that Mr.
Meadows who is now Consul at NDgpo mas been
almost the only man that has attributed motives OF
patriotism to Tapping. What TAPPING Is now we
shall no doubt learn within short time; but we
know from reliable sources enough oil the commence
ment Of his career to regard the present movement
as very different from usual outbreaks Of Chinese
rebellion and fraught with very different results.
The generally received facts are as follows
twentyone years ago Hungsutsuen was promising
and ambitious student teaching school in his native
village in the province of kwangtung. The excite
ment attending an examination for literary honors
at Canton and the bitter disappoDtm ent at proving
unsuccessful threw him into a tit of illness which
merged into mental arrangement just his friends
believed it was terminating in death They anxious.
ly watched him curing the six weeks that he be-
leved himself employed in exterminating evil spirits
and ran about his room fighting, singing and exhort
ing by turns, TILL exhausted with his efforts, he lay
down to sleep only to rise and 60 through the same
exercise again. With the return Of health he be-
came gradually changed both in character and ap-
pearance, acquiring large stature. great bodily
strength, firm pace and piercing gaze. He re-
sumed, and for several years continued, his labors
as a teacher, but to his more intimate friends be.
trayed that the visions of his illness of which he
had spoken freely his first recovery, had made
deep impression upon ms MIND, as though
some other and strange destiny waited him. In
the year lS43 he and his cousin Ii were
led TO examine some books in the Chinese Ian
guage entitled "Good Words exhorting the Age
These books according to DR.. Morrison's account
were written by OF DIR. Mines converts, and
were revised by DIR. Morrison himself before being
printed at Malacca. They contain good many
entire chapters of the Bible essays from single texts
and sundry Scfiptural mscellanea. In these yo
lumes Stu believed he found the key to the
visions he had had six years before, and he
came to the conclusion that he was divinely APP
pointed to destroy the dolaty Of his native country
and restore il 10 the worship Of the true God. He
and his cousin bspsed themselves according their
understanding of the ute and Siu began forthwith
to speak In such exalted language OF his visions and
the books received from heaven, that thought
his former malady had returned, but many more fell
under his influence aud received baptism at his
hands. NPNeTal years ne epent, sometimes teacnlnG
school in kwaDg-tung sometimes itinerating ven
der of ink and pencils in the province of kwang ST.
where several thousands received his doctrine and
formed themselves into congregations numbering
from 100 to 800 individuals. However far this doc
trine might be from pure Christianity il embraced
the main points of renouncing dolatry and keeping
the Ten Commandments, any violation OF which
severely punished. These new disciples pre-
sently favored with those msrvels which usually at
tend the commencement of great religious move
ments they had visions ecstatic raptures and mira
cles of healing Taking these things in connection
with the singular reformation Of their lives and the
remarkable character of their chief, physically,
tally and morally, IL is not surprising that the
gTegatons Of the Godworshippeis increased marvel
lousy; that when a pestilential disease broke
out numbers joined from the idea that they
would thus escape contagion, and that when quar-.
rels arose between two sets Of inhabitants
those who were defeated sought refuge with
the God-worshippers- But presently not only Dis
tressed villagers, but bands OF robbers dispersed by
the imperial soldiers sought this alliance, gladly
submitting to their discipline for the sake OF personal
safety In this fact Sin an indication OF the de
sign Of Heaven TO raise valiant band for the delve
rance Of China from idolatry aud the Manchoo dy
nasty. BE did not hesitate TO receive them; and
this as he had foreseen, led 70 a collision with the
mandarin soldiers. Stu was blockaded in spot sur
rounded by high mountains, and having only mar
row pass kept by soldiers number of his follow
ers assembled. overcame the soldiers and delivered
their chief. Thus was the Rubicon passed Such
were the antecedents OF the now rebel chief, a.
reported In lS52 by one Of his relatives, who
having been captured, escaped again, and find
ing il impossible 10 rejoin his companions fed 10
Hong Kong. There Is no reason to doubt the
general ve-aci.y OF bis statement received by
Mr.. Hamburg, especially he had means
of learning the result even Of the first COLI
sion with the imperial forces The subsequent
career Of Sin is more generally known than the de-
tails Of Mr.. Hsmburgs uDpretendng narrative; how
he was afterwards joined Ly many members of those
political societies which had been organizing for
some years for the overthrow OF the Manchoo dynas
ty how, when the city OF Yung ngan fell into the
hands Of the insurgents, they unanimously declared
him emperor OF q new dynasty under the name Of
pursued bis victorious course till Ssnkin taken
IN 1858; and how be has since pushed his con1uests
in various directions till almost every city has
or less felt his power. Better acquainted probably
with the Old Testament records than the New, he
seems 20 have regarded himself another
Joshua divnely CON rissiored 70 exterminate idola
try by Staying It's adherents well by destroyi nC
s appurenances But there Is no reason 10 doubthis
original or even his present sincerity. lie may now
be chooses, obtain more perfect instruction In the
principles Of Christianity; but il may well be doubted
whether he viii he as docile now as he would have
been nine or ten years ago Doubtless Il would be
difficult 10 induce him. at this stage of his career ~
lay down hs canal weapons and embrace the pacific
doctrines Of Christianity. We cannot, with some
regard this epbemeral movement. II may be
that the Imperial uoeps have regaiued much ground
that Tai ping hao overrUn; but probably they have
not reiDsfatcd the belief Of the Buddhist Confucan
doctrine In the minds OF the people. We do not
predict that this fanatic viii overthrow the Manchoo
dynasty and sit the throne OF China: but doubt
less be has shaken thst throne which other circum-
stances NAV al with better man. We would be
far from exalting him as the apostle OF China. but
he may prove 60 have been the pioneer whose rough
dongs opened The way for the entrance Of Christi
anity.
Anstrs Ia Russia.
1nK EMANCiPATIOS sovSpENr-ARNY RzrORM.
The 81. Petersburg GG=sffs contains two ukases.
one relating 70 tie peasants belonging 10 the apan-
ages assigned 70 the princes Of the reigning family
the management Of which il conhded ia Russia %
Il