The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-06-20

- ID sometimes put their female children to
death, and when reproved for Il, will say,
eft IS only girl" Ask Chinamau who
has male and female children. how many
children he has and he. very probably,
will mention the number OF his boys, but
say nothing about his girls ....
Sons are regarded as so great blessing
that offerings are made TO the gods. that
sons might be born. A missionary In speak
ing Of visiting q small village in China,
says: "From the number of women in the
crowd which turned out TO greet us, We
were pretty well persuaded that they were
under as little restraint 90 the men from in.
dnlging their curiosoty; and upon inquiry
we found it to be so. We were conducted
TO a small temple when we had the oppor-
tunity of converting with many who came
around US.
On second visit, while addressing them,
one man held up child, and publicly ac-
knowledged that he had killed five of the
helpless beings, having preserved but two
thought he was jesting. but as no sur
prise or dissent was expressed by his neigh.
bore, and as there was an air Of simplicity
and regret In the individual, there was no
reason TO doubt its truth. After repeating
his confession, he added, with affecting
simplicity, 1t was before heard you
speak on this subject; did not know IL
was wrong; would not do 30 now
Wishing TO obtain the testimony OF the as
sembled villagers, put the question pub
ioly: What number OF female infants in
this village are destroyed at BIRTH The
reply was, more than one-half' As there
was no discussion among them, which is not
the case when they differ In opinion, and
40 we were fully convinced from our own
observation Of the numerical inequality Of
the sexes the proportion Of deaths they
gave did not strike rs os extravagant." The
wives are bargained for, for price, and
taken 10 the bridegrooms house. They do
not choose their husbands, consequently
they are, In effect. the slaves, and not the
companions Of their husbands. And so
strong lie the feeling in China that this is
right, that even female writer In address.
Ing her sex, tells them that they ought to
be content with their condition, and that
submission will show that they are good
wives The wife is 60 completely under the
power of her mother in-law, that the mo-
ther-in-law may strike her, ana the husband
does not dare to object.
The compression Of the feet OF the females
in China, Is most cruel custom. Those
persons who suppose chat it Is attended
with no pain, labor under very erroneous
Impression. The child will frequently tear
Off the bandages, on account OF the suffer
ing she endures. She Is told, however, to
bear the pain, that the custom Is respect.
able. and that through It. she will be re-
garded as possessing claim TO respectable
ity. It is difficult TO account for this Gus.
tom. One writer says that daughter of
an Empersr was disabled and deforned in
her feet from her birth, and that the fathers
Of her playmates had the feet Of their own
children compressed TO save the feelings Of
the cripple when they were together,
The eyes Of children are sometimes put
out; though this is said frequently 70 be
done from fear on the part Of parents that
they will not be able to support their cbil.
dren, yet for parents to act thus Is the ex
kibition Of q most unnatural feeling of the
human heart. without natural affection
10 one of the marks OF some Of the ancient
heathen as given by Paul. 1t Is likewise
one Of the marks of some Of the healhen In
modern times, and we frequently behold il
among tile inhabitants Of the Chinese EN-
pire. ..l s.n ra. .... .. l-~a -r...
= In the common transactions Of life. there
isconstantly apparent the greatest lack Of
sympathy, when their fellow creatures are
In suffering circumstances % -a.a
,sin going to the mission chapel one morn
ing, ! cav. an apparently poor man, having
his food in q small earthen vessel He let
it fall As is generally the case with any
thing Of this kind that falls on the stone
walk. 10 10 was now, his jar was broken,
hisfood partly spoiled, or entirely lost
There was one general laugh among the
Chinese around. None seemed TO pity. In
addition to being under the necessity OF
bearing his loss, he was likewise under the
necessity Of knowing the mortifying truth,
that his loss furnished amusement for 9th
era
AZ the same time, 10 Is very probable that
he, too, would have Joined in the laugh, IL
another and not himself had been the loeer.
Iaa gospel land, this would have afforded
amusement TO some-to playful boys and
thoughtless young men--but here ID affords
amusement to all In q Gospel land, the
poor man would have met with some pity,
here he met with none.
Truly is IL the case. that Ignorance blunts
the social feelings Of the heart. Nothing
short Of the prevalence OF Gospel prInei-
ples, will be the means Of showing fully to
the beihghted their duty, TO their fellow
men.
Q! once saw an instance OF one Of the
'wretshed methods Of punishing children,
sornetimes resorted TO by the Chinese. A
woman put her little boy in the water for
the sake Of learning him obedience TO her
Commands. She had bamboo pole, and
would push him with IL, In order 10 fright
en- him, after she had driven him in.--
A crowd was around them, laugh
ing whenever he received q fresh
fright, She allowed others, too, 10 frighten
him. One young man threw water In hi,
face, and she Joined In the laugh when he
cried out from fear -
A few days before this. had seen man
tie rope around little boy. and put hin
In the water while crowd looked on.
The Chinese, In pnnishing their children
alasi show spirit OF revenge. aud not {
desire for the good Of the child. The pro
Psiety Of pnnishing the child In such q wa,
that others should noS see IL, does not seen
once to enter their minds Every fresh ne