The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-29
WILL EXTIRPATE
THE FOREIGNERS
This is the Object of the Boxer
Organization.
REV. R. Il. GRAVES WRITES.
"A Letter Received from Him by DIR.
Il. ii. Pitt-He Tells OF the
Origin OF the
Boxers.

Many people in Richmond viii be glad to
hear from Rev. Z. II. Graves. now In Can
ton. China, q missionary OF the Southern
Baptist Convention. Though not a native
OF Richmond or Virginia. NJ. Graves is
Very well known here He has been IN
China nearly half century. and is the
author OF an exceedingly interesting book
entitled Forty Years in China.
\ few days ago Rev. Or. Il. II. Pitt, edi-
tor of the Religious Herald, OF this city.
received a letter from, Mr.. Graves which.
in substance. is as follows:
THE papers are full of the atrocities and
ravages of the Boxers and perhaps many
would like to know something Of the origin
and progress of this organization. As to
its origin it began-ov. as some say. vas
Observation-Disclosures more tnan 4 year ago.
1t began in Shan Tung province, where DR..
HartweH and his coadiutors are laboriug.
A writer in the Bible Society Record, who
is acquainted with the section where tne
movement arose. writes as follows:
..sIt rapidly attracted mutitudes OF men,
both young and old, who formed into small
bands of gymnasts. Esach band was con-
Quoted by a ''demoPized' leader. who by
the selection of an epileptic patient or by
the aid of hypnotisn, caused a medium
to display wild and unnatural symptoms.
or utter wild and strange speech. thus
serving as a basis for the claim of t1fs So
was assured Of immunity from 'eath or
physical injury. their bodies being spirit
uaIly protected from sword-cuts and hull
let's They Were all armed with broad
swords. and in some cases with firearms.
Gymnastic exercises and drills were going
on in hundreds of villages. AMI the Box
ers'' soon announced their intention OF ris-
ing against the Roman Catholics. there
| having been q strong feeling Of hostility
against tner! for years
THE Governor sent q. force against
them. but this only melted them more
against the Roman Catholics. What was
first anti-CatEoIic. then anti-Christian, now
| proves to be anti-foreign.' Their motto is
| 'E.xait the Nanchus, extirpats rho foreign
! ers.' Hundreds OF native families were
; made homeless and driven out in the depth
| OF winter. Many were killed and some
| were captured and held for ransom or
| taken 70 heather temples and forced
| kneeI before heather IDOLS but many Of
| them fled for protection to the mission
| aries.
THE name I Hwo Ch'uen, Righteous
Harmony Fists has been changed by the
| Empress Dowager to I Hwo Trien-i e.
| Righteous Harmony Levies.' So that the
reactonary party has adopted them as
loyal citizens. The completely of the
Chinese (reactionary) Government in the
plot has long been suspected, and now
seems 10 DSt beyond Gtubl. / ne fEIllpIcSS
terms them My faithful Subjects and
Prince Tuan, the father of the heir appa-
rent is said To be the leader of the or
ganization. The whole thing seems to be
the last struggle of the dying Get US hope>
Manchu dynasty TO get I'd of Christianity
and foreign influence.
1.-The movement seems to be n master
piece of Satan. Credulity and belief IN
| the power of the IDOLS IS joined to pa
| trotisn, as they regard it. 1t is a blow
at the light an attempt TO drive out
| Western civilization and Christianity
| The home papers come to us full OF the
| glowing enthusiasm and glorious hope for
triumphant Christianity, l6indled by the
| New York Missionary Conference and
| the resolution of our Southern Baptist
| Convention TO try 10 increase their con-
! trbutions by $GD0G1 while our daily pa
| PERI here are full OF accounts of burning
| chapels. slaughtered native converts and
| missionaries slain or in danger OF their
| lives We cannot help thinking of the
| scene on the Mount OF TRANSPORTATION.
| and that ut its foot. so graphically pic
| tured by Raphael. Christ manifestng his
| majesty and glory to the disciples and
Satan showing his malignity and power
| in tormeutinss the poor boy AZ home you
| are revealing in the glorious prospects OF
| the future as you see the sunlight GID
| ing the fair mountain tops, while we are
! down in the valley conteuding against the
| evil one and seeing his power and maig-
| nifty in convulslng this wallowing, foam
| ing people But Christ came down into
the valley and overcame Satan. and so Il
! will be here # he be with US, strength
. euing our faith, all will end well. We
| need the prayers OF our brethren, that
we may be Sspt cnIm and trusting and
| may have faith 70 defeat the plots OF the
| evil one. IL II. GRAVES.
canton, China