The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-12-11
THE BUNAN TRACTS.


outcome of popular riots in the cities
along the Yang-tse, is almost entirely the
product of the lying rumors circulated
among the people by the gentry. How
systematic have been their labors in this
direction, how extensive is the diabolical
literature that they have used, and how
incredibly vile is its character, are mat
tiers that are just now coming for the
first time to public notice. 1t has from
the first been favorite practice with the
native opponents of Christianity in China
to circulate books and tracts setting
forth the horrible crimes of its adherents.
The little book "A Death Blow to Cor
rupt Doctrine" has long been famous, or
infamous, amid this class of literature,
and has stirred up mischief wherever it
has appeared. But during the last two
years the literati of the province of HUI
nan has been so assiduously multiplying
accusations of this kind, with view to
stirring up the people to exterminate the
foreigners and the Christian religion to-
gether, that distinct class of literature
has arisen, now becOmingin famous UNI
der the name of the "Hunan tracts"
These are Immediately responsible for
the present complications. As yet but
three sets of these tracts have found
their way to the light in north China
one is in the possession of the Tsungli
| hac 70 fba Rrit ich
Minister in Pekin and the third is in the
hands of private gentleman inTientsin,
sent from the district in Human where
the tracts themselves appeared. 1t is
CHS series that have just had the OPP
portunity of examining. The riots need
no further explanation after a single
sight of the pictures and placards and
tracts that have for more than a year
past been circulating by the hundreds
of thousands among all classes in Human
and adjacent provinces.
The student of church history is famil-
lar with the nature of the lying charges
brought against the early Christians by
their heather enemies. Yet it may be
doubtful if full acquaintance with these
historic ISLANDERS would prepare one for
the frightful blasphemies that are now
being poured out against the Christian
and the Christians God in China. All
will remember that rude drawing found
in Rome of figure with an ASS head
stretched upon the cross with the legend
by it's side, "Alexamenos worships his
God" Yet, this, of which few could
hear without shudder, might be spoken
of without qualm in comparison with
the very similar drawings in circulation
in Human to-day. 1t is an unfortunate
fact that one of the terms for God, used
by all Roman Catholics, and as rule by
all American missionaries, differs only
in ''its tone'-a mere rising infection of
the voice-from the word for pig, so that
newcomers have not infrequently been
heard to speak of the heavenly pig. "
1t is this resemblance, it may be said in
general, that the opponents of the for
eign religion have seized upon and made
the basis of all their attacks. Where the
term God occurs they use invariably the
character for pig, and one of the grosseSt
of these gross animals is PERSISTENT !,
used as the representation of Him WHO
on earth suffered the hate of the Phari-
sees. 1t is not possible even to hint at
the lengths to which this is carried /;
naught but the imagination of heather
men, albeit scholarly Confucianists,
could conceive of the vileness of the in
depreciation, for example, that they put
upon the name Jesus. 1t can only be a
few days before the attention of the
home governments will be called to these
frightful and venomOus blasphemies,
hitherto winked at or openly counte.
nanced by the officials.
1t is impossible in the limits of this
paper to particularize in describing the
different tracts alluded to. There is one
bearing at its head the drawing of large
butchers knife. On the blade are the
words, "Newly made precious knife fol
Staying Jesus the heavenly pig" Be-
meath it is the explanation of the use to
which it is to be put-the massacre of
foreigners and converts alike. kill and
butcher" it reads, ''let their flesh be cut
up and divided among you. Let each
family take one pound, boil it and offel