The Irish standard., 1901-11-30
year or in the future, and what God
guards is wen guarded.

year or in the future, and what God
guards is web guarded.
A. FAVIER.
The following circular letter Of Bish-
op Favier was addressed to the Chi
nese Christians:
You suffered much for the sake of
your religion during the past year.
That persecution was unjust. The Inn
perial decree of the 10th day of the
5th moon, year 26th Of the reign of
Kwang-Su (March Is, 1899 reads as
follows:
'The Christian religion has been
propagated in China for many years.
Its missionaries have only one end in
view.to exhort men to do good. Never
have their exhortations melted anyone
to rebellion. You, then, my people,
pagans as we'll as Christians, must live
in peace and harmony with one an.
Let every one do his duty"
Victims of malefactors In rebellion
against the imperial power, you were
driven from your homes, your goods
were stolen, your houses set on fire and
many of your relatives lost their lives.
Deprived of everything, separated
forever here below from the dearest
members of your families, your wives
and children, 1t is not surprising that
at first bitter feelings against the as
sassins and incendiaries should fill
your hearts.
Today come to remind you of a
precept Of our holy religion-forgive
ness Of injuries. Show, therefore, that
you are worthy children of the Cath
Ollie church, give up all feelings Of
hatred and anger, stide in your hearts
all desires of revenge.
The emperor, through his manda-
rims, orders his pagan subjects to be
at peace with you and not give way
to hatred and revenge. ALI should be
docfle to this eXhortation, and SO, pa
gans and Christians should live like
brothers under the government Of the
emperor, the father of all.
Justice demands a compensation for
the losses you suffered; it will be Civ
en-. We have come to an understand
ing ON the matter with the mandarins.
Do not try to reimburse yourselves;
you will receive what Is proper from
my hand in few months. Forget the
horrors of the unjust persecution. Do
no longer prefer complaints against
pagans il regard to past injustices.
The viceroy promised me in the name
Of the emperor not to listen to any
complaint made against you in con-
nection with the past events. For the
same reason, now that indemnities are
settled, your accusations will not be
received by the tribunals. If pagans
cause you any damage in the future,
write to your director, who with the To-
cal mandarin will make an inquiry. If,
on the other hand, they have any rea-
son for complaint against you, they
will apply to the mandarins and with
them we will see to the case. Between
Christians and pagnns there must be
no difference, no preference, no i'm
munity, If excepting collections for the
support of pagan temples, to which
you cannot i'm conscience contribute.
But you must obey all the laws Of the
empire; they were enacted for all, and
not for portion of the nation only.
Suffer with patience and resignation.
The persecution was like terrible
storm. Now the wind Is stilled and
calm has returned.
All the mandarins Of the province
have been prodigal Of marks Of
friendship and guarantee peace on the
part Of the payans. Your bishop, who
was given you by the Holy Father,
knowing your obedience, has vouched
for you.
Your good examples win cause many
to reverence and appreciate our holy
religion. Your patience and charity will
bring worship pers to the true God, for
charity draws all things to itself.
A. FAYIER.
Pekin, July. 1901.