The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-20
CHINESE EMPEROR
L Christian, Says Dr.. Hykes of the
American Bible Society.

New York, June 20.-Considerab1e
space in the forthcoming annual report
OF the American Bible society VIII be
devoted to the work OF the society IN
China, and TO the progress Christianity
Is making in the F'Iowery Kingdom The
report on China IS written by the Rev.
Doctor John P Hykes, general agent
Of the society
The wonderful revolution Inaugural
ted by the reform party says Doctor
HykeS. and the tragic check II re-
ceiv@d in Septem Der last have attract
ed the attention Of the world to China
as perhaps never before The spirit Of
reform was in the air Reform clubs
were organized in many of the prOvin-
ces- The young emperor, in the secIu-
sion Of his palace. felt the influence Of
the movement. and in the beginning OF
the year. he gathered about MIN soma
Of the best most able and most pro-
gressive statesmen in the country to
assist him II reforming the empire Fol
lowing their advice, he issued series
of edicts which no matter what may
be the final outcome OF the reactiouary
movement. viii tEmortaIize him
Among the ref0rmers authorized by
these imperial edtcts were the abolish
ing Of the essay system Of examination,
the esta bIishneut Of university for
the study OF western science in PekIn.
the esta bIiSdueut of a board for the
translation Of books on western learn
ing into Chinese. the establishment OF 4
patent Office, the adjustment OF useless
the protection Of Christia nifty. the send
ing abroad of young Manchus for study
and the adoption Of the reform paper
as the official organ Of the government
In addition TO issuing these splendid
edicts. the emperor went 50 Tar as 70
discuss with his advisers the deSIra bIlity
OF adopting Christianity as the national
religion He spent much time IN the
daily study of the Bible, and It was no
secret in the palace that he frequently
retired to a quiet place TO pray 10 the
true God F." men lhus engage ta1
eGnuchs had strict orders that he must
not be disturbed or Interrupted His
attitude toward Christianity Is shown
by the following incident
He was asked by one Of MS states
What does your majesty think Of
the religion Of the WesL2
What mean you by reIigfoa2' the
emperor answered There is no religion
but that Of God If you have any other
religion let me hear you explain II 10
me-
The emperor and some Of the chief
reforners were Convinced OF the truth
Of Christianity, and they were almost
If not altogether, persuaded to accept
The bright hopes were crushed by
the empress d0wager- who, acting On
the r1iSrepresaut Of the COuSerTa-
tive party. beheaded six Of the reform
ers on Septem Der IS without trial. i'm
prISo1ed soma for Ire- caSh1ared others
from the public service suppressed all
new spapers ard. by her manifestIy
auti-pr greSSIye policy created q bitter
antI-foreign feeling all over the cOun-
try. which has eliminated in massacre
and rebellion -
Doctor Hykes refers to the large order
for 10 volumes which the emperor gave
last year TO T J. n GatreII in charge
Of the Society's affairs in Pekin-
Mr. Gatreu confirms fully Doctor
Hykes account Of the purchase Of
Christian literature by the young en-
per0r. and adds that but for the inter
ference Of the Empress DOwagar Chris
tianity would now be On q much drrner
Ia in China