Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-31
CHRISTIANS MASSACRED.
The Old Fanatical Hatred Breaks Out
Again in China


SPARED On by the osacIe, the Disciples
OF Conturius Attack n small Conn
nioaitv la ~ rSu<n.
A letter received in Washington, D. C., Fo-
Gently from Shanghai says tlai just now there
is a reerudeseenee OF the old fanatiell hatred
Of Christians in China, more particularly in
SzechHen, where massacre Of Christians oc-
Cured few weeks ago, 0, which We have
only just got particulars, though the scene is
only short distance from Chungking, which
is now a treaty port. The converts of the
Fanciscans and Lazarisis are very Numerous
in Szechueu, and we frequently hear of trouble
between them and the followers Of the popu.
lar religiOus--Confucianis Buddhism and
Taouisnl--tut il is seldom nowadays that the
fanatieiSm OF the prosecutors roceed as far
as killing It's unfortunate objects, as was the
case with the small Christian community Of
Loongti-hsin, in the Ia Cha prefecture. The
Christians in this district are not recent con-
verts, but have Inherited their faith foe sew
eral generations The spread Of the Western
religion has long been opposed by a brother
hood or league amongst the followers OF the
three seets above named, who are covedsy en
eouraged by the Mandarins and openly be-
friended by the literati although the no Lai-
hal, as the society is termed, has been inter
dicted as an illegal organization.
This society held great feast recently in
honor OF its tutelary deity, with whom is as
scented a famous oracle. After the religious
ceremony Inc elder, of the society inquired of
the oracle whether it would be safe to make
raid upon the unfortunate Christians. and
there was great joy when the oracle, which
may be taken TO represent the views Of the
iiterati, gave favorable reply for the Chris
csaf Lut., 81 -
lows in other parts of the empire, are a we'll.
TODD class, aud they property afforded
tempting object for plumber In the middle
of the night an attack was made by several
thousand OF the worst dregs OF the populace,
Intnrated by fanaticism, and edged on by the
hopes Of rich booty. They raided the houses
Of fifty or sixty Christian families set tie
buildings CA fire, and carried of every thing
portable
The wrelchel owners were powerless 10 save
their homes from the narauders who openly
Toasted IN the villages for four or We days At
the expiration OF which the oracle was again
consulted the result Of It's advice was that y
more blool-thirsty aud more iaHat.cal spirit
was infused INTO the mob No lives had beeh
taken up TO this; hut now the hercer passions
OF the Prosecutors were rouse,l and the mis-.
sion premises were surrounded and burnt,
amidst the hew.s Of nfurated Williams who
threw number Of Christians into the burn.
ing buildings, where they persisted in the most
horrible agony which proceedings were
watched with deyilish pleasure by the Z erst-
while neighbors. The mrrdereFs seized up
wards OF twenty more victims in the neivh-
borhood and butchered them ia cold blood,
and with all the revaulting rehnements o
cruelty which the placid looking Chinese un.
derstand so we'll Most Of the bodies Of the
murdered people were hacked OF cut to pieces
ard thrown iuta the river.
During all tins tine the officials were in
visible, aud the impression in welliniormed
quarters rs that they kept out of the way on
purpose. The magistrate OF In Chu kept
himself locked up ia his yamen, though he
Knew what was going on outside, for the
European priest ~ charge Of the mission He'd
u the magistrates residence Tor safety An.
other viliage not far off, aud whicii contained
many Christians. was also rnided. and the
property of the converts either burnt before
their eyes or carried on 10y the thieves. In
China pillage of this kind isn capital ollensc
under ordinary circumstances but in case
where the victims are Christians the legal
tribunal make very light OF the matter So
far none OF the ringlrn'iers Of this murIerous
attack have been arrested and the pre- Get 0l
the district has taken no active steps 10 dis.
cover their identity. Generally speaking
the feeling against foreigners is very bitter
just now 80 aud about Chungking and the
official class are terribly exercised aud cx-
asperated oyef the arrival Of a European com
missioner OF maratnIe customs. Whose advent
Is the lorerunner Of the closing up Of many Of
the old channels OF peeulution.