The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-19
CHINA'S EMPEROR AND THE BIBLE
Before the Coup d'Etat He Thought of
Making Christianity the State Religion.


The Rev. DIR. John R. Sykes. General Agent
Of the American Bible Society in China. in its
annual report. discusses the rise and fall OF the
reformers. and tells some interesting things
about the Emperor and his search after light
The wonderful revolution inaugurated by
the reform party and the tragic check it re-
ceived in September last have attracted the
attention of the world to China as perhaps
never before" he says. In its possibilities it
was one of the most momentous OF all Of the
political events of the past year. The young
Emperor. in the secusion Of his palace. felt the
influence Of the movement. and. in the begin
ming OF the year. he gathered about him some
OF the best. most able. and most progressive
statesmen in the country to assist him in re-
forming the empire. Following their advice.
he issued series Of edicts which. no mat
ter what may be the final outcome OF the
reactonary movement, will immortaize him.
Among the reforms authorized by these impe-
rial edcts were the following: The abolishing
OF the essay system OF examination the estab-
lishment Of university for the study Of Vest
ern science in Pekin the establishment OF
Translating Board for the translation of books
on Western learning into Chinese the estab-
lishment Of Patent Office the adjustment OF
useless offices in both Pekin and the provinces !;
the protection of Christianity: the sending
abroad OF young Manchus for study. and the
adoption Of the reform paper as the official
organ OF the Government.
ln addition to issuing these splendid edicts
advisers the dssira6itS Of "a adoptine Chrstanis
ty as the national religion. He spent much time
III the daily study OF the Bible. and it was no
secret in the palace that he frequently retired
to quiet place TO pray to the true God. When
thus engaged the eunuchs had strict orders
that he must not be disturbed or interrupted
His attitude toward Christianity is shown by
the following Interesting ncident,;; He was
n a roll nj q WnG ar y
The Emperor answered: What mean you by
religion? There is no religion but that of God
explain to me The Emperor and some of the
ChiGt reformcrs were convinced Of the truth Of
gethtr. persuaded to accept it.
Tho bright hopes which were inspired by
this brilliant series Of edicts and by the pro-
ETessiye principles advocated by the reformers
all over the empire were crushed by the En-
press Dowager. who acting on the misrepre-
sensations Of the Conservative party, beheaded
six of the reformers on the 18th Of Septom bar
without trial, imprisoned some for life. cash;
ali and BY her manifest
gressive policy. created a bitter anti-foreign
feeling all over the country. when has cal-
miuated in massacre and rebellion"
Or, sykes refers to the order for 40 volumes
which the Emperor gave last year to T J. y.
Pekin. OF the 40 books ordered from the
imperial palace tho agent was able to procure
IN which numbeg Included eishyHcSne pub;
Christian and General knowledge Among the
Chinese. Mr. Gatrell SAYS that every day after
the presentation to the Empress Dowager OF a
Bible in cas- et Of gold by the Christian women
In China the book store was visited by eunuchs
and others holding official positions. The
Emperor was reported to have been especially
delighted with an illustrated life of Christ.
which he ordered to be bound in plush velvet
and nut in a convenient place in his library.
He also appears to have gone deeply into the
study Of the various forms Of Christianity. for
he applied at the store Of the Bible Society for
books treating OF the differences between the
Protestant and Roman Catholic Churches.
The tOta issue of copies or portions of the
Bible for the year nun bered 3!1. 4O4. a de-
crease OF lOl. 40 when compared with the re-
suits Of the preceding year. Lack OF funds
caused this decrease. During the course OF
the last five years the China agency has issued
21.S55 Bibles, l IA 500 Testaments and .. 1884,
423 portions, or a total of 2.3O6 $40 volumes.
Within that period the China agency has sent
out Scriptures in seventy-twO languages and
dialects continued increase in the mum Der
of Bibles and TestamentS sold is noted This
increase is accounted for by the growth of the
native Church and by the increasing desire on
the part Of native Christians to buy copies in
good binding for themselves.