Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-12-09
ROHIANISTS IN CHINA.
Rapid Increase of The Jesuits.

The intelligent correspondent OF the
Boston Journal, writing from the vi
cinity of Shanghae, in China, speaks
strongly of the results of his Observa-
tions and inquiries in reference TO RO-
manism in that country. Compared
with these, how feeble are all the
movements of Protestant missions in
that country. But read his own
words:
In letter sent from Canton, men,
ton was made of the Cathedral going
upthere, which is to cost three million
dollars. We learn that another, quite
as magnificent and costly, is being
erected ut Pekin; also that in nearly
every important city in the Empire
churches are being erected. The Jes-
uits are in China in great force. Here
comes one of their priests, French
man, wearing Chinese clothing, with
a pig-tail hanging down his back. He
has become a Chinaman, following TO
the letter the Apostolic example and
notwithstanding all things to ali
men. to accomplish the end in view.
The Jesuits throughout the Empire
have adopted the dress, the habits and
customs of the Chinese-eatlng rs
they eat, sleeping as they sleep, shaw
ing the forehead and not the crown,
lust a. the Chinese shave theirs.
Your readers will remember that
two hundred years ago the Jesuits
were numerous throughout the En-
pire, hut upon the accession OF new
dynasty they were driven from the
Kingdom, and their property confis-
Gated. But through all these long
years Rome has had her eyes OPEN
When the French brought forward
the treaty lately signed between
France and China, one article supu-
lated that all the property contiscated
two hundred years ago should be re-
stored to the Jesuits.
The other day, while walking
through the streets of Shanghae, Rev.
Mr.. Yates pointed out long ranges Of
which had been restored to
the Jesuits under the treaty. The in
come from these estates Is enormous.
No estimate can be made of the
amount, which is known only to the
Fathers, ," who keep their own coun-
sci.
The Jesuits are having great success
in this Empire. The forms and GER
emonies of the Bhuddist religion are
so much like those of the Roman
Catholic that one can hardly tell the
difference. A Chinaman entering a
Protestant church sees no gods, images
nor pictures, and he comes to the con-
that the Protestants are alto
gether goddess 4; but he enters Jesuit
church and sees a better class OF I'M
ages than he is accustomed to worship,
pictures more pleasing than those up
on the walls of their own temples.
He sees the priest at the altar IN gOr-
geOus robes, inhales Sweeter incense
than all that ascending from the joss
sticks. The music of the choir, the
deep-tOncd organ, is more pleasing
than the rub-a-dub of drums, Is it any
wonder that the churches are thrOng-
ed ut morning mass, or mt the hour
for vespers.
ROME takes long looks ahead. She
is educating for the future. Found
Iings are picked up by the hundred
and the thousand; poor parents sell
their children for trifle, parting with
them that they may be educated by
the priests. \ few years hence these
will be traversing the hills |
and valleys, stopping at all the vii
lages, setting up schools, carrying on |
the work of the church.
4 gentleman at Shanghae, one who |
has been long in the country, who can |
speak the language, who has Travelled |
several Of the provinces
dressed rs a Chinaman in search of
coal and iron and other minerals, has
had excellent opportunities for Obser-
vation, and his opinion is worthy OF
He says:
"Of the missionary effort put forth |
i'm China, at least ninety per cent Is
by the Catholics"
The restoration Of the .cOnfiscated
has given the church of
Rome great vantage ground. The
priests have been pressing the Impe-
rial Government in another direction.
The French Minister has obtained an
decree permittingsthe priests
to decide all questions of law between |
Chinese Catholics and those who still
adhere to the Chinese religion. Sc
cretly and persistently, constantly
they are labOring to obtain possession
Of China. So high a person as Sir
John Bowring, who was here for a |
long while, and whom had the pleas
ure OF meeting last August at the meet |
ing OF the British Association, eX-
presses the opinion that Romanism
stands Il fair chance of obtaining pos
session of this vast empire. Certain
ly Rome is working with a zeal, ener-
", singleness of purpose, and far
which may challenge adj
miratiOn.