Year: 1861

Chinese insurgents;


From the very beginning of this rebel


lion contrary opinions concerning its charac-
ter have been entertained by missionaries and
Others supposed to be familiar with its his
tory, and acquainted with its peculiar char
acteristics. Some have regarded the move
ment as merely dynastic quarrel, conduct
ed with some degree Of vigor on one side,
and associating with its political dogmas
strange medley Ct nominal Christianity and
real heathenisln, we'll adapted to inspire a
vulgar and sensual soldier with fanatical
zeal. Others, equally we'll informed as to
the pecuiari,ies of the insurgents preferred
to consider them as "a people prepared of
the Lord,' raised up in the providence of
God for the destruction of idolatry and the
oveathrow of the Tartar dynasty. Both
parties have maintained their opinions with
a good show of zeal and some ability; but
neither perhaps has given full and fair
statement of the whole case. Not content
with the simple statement of facts, prema-
ture and crude opinions were promu gated,
and became the creeds OF the parties. do
not wish to attribute more than is Justly due
of the confusion and disappointment felt in





the rebellion, to these parties; but | must
say that | think it unfortunate that such
glowing accounts of the Christian rharac-
ter of the insurgents were ever published.
Whatever may hove been the personal char
acter of the leaders, and whatever may
have been their religious opinions in the be-
ginning of their career, there is certainly
now great reason to fear that they have
nothing of Christianity but tho name.
will now give you, in as brief and compre
hensive a manner as | can, what is known
here concerning the present character and
condition of the 1ae ping insurgents:


l. As to their Christianity.


They have grossly and blasphemously
corrupted the Scriptures, and here is the
proof l. They assert that God is material
Nal They also say that Jesus has wife,
whom they call Teen Saw The senior
western king has married the sister Of Jesus
and is therefore called the Supreme Son in
law. This sister of Jesus was once woman
living on earth, but like her brother, she
came only for time and to do good!
Grosser blasphemy it would be difficult to
imagine. 1t is adapting the persons and
facts of the Bible to the lowest forms of
heather mythology. The next step will be
to mingle with the sacred character of the
Scriptures the ancient heroes and gods of
China. 2. The insurgent chief Teen wong,
as he is called, claims to be the son Of God
in the same sense in which Jesus is claims
also to be the supreme lord of this world;
says that Jesus, having retired from his po
sition as governor, has committed all rule
and authority unto him! The Rev. Mr..
Holms, of the Baptist mission at Shanghai,
made recent visit to Marking, the head
quarters of the Tae pings where he spent a
week in the family of the Chang wong
one of the kings of the rebel dynasty.
From his published report and from private
conversation with him, have gathered the
facts which | herewith give you. lie says:
"Some of their most intelligent men, with
whom conversed, defended their Worship
ing him (the Tae ping wong rebel chief on
this ground. lie is the Son of God, and in
worshipping him we worship Cod" The
son Of the chief is also q member Of the
divine family lie is the adopted son Of Je-
sus; calls God the Father his grandfather
Jesus his adopted father, and the chief his
father. The Trinity, as worshipped by the
followers of Tae ping-wong is God the
Father, Jesus, and Tae ping wong! The
chief has married thirty wives, and has
hundred women in his harem His minis
ters and high officers have also number of
wives.


2. Their political condition and prospects.


They are masters of a large part of the
southern provinces, the most populous and
wealthy portion of the empire; and it is pos
all south Of the Yellow River. The prov
inco of Kiang Su, with good part of Cheh
kiang, has been acquired during tho last
year, as we'll as a part Of IIu peh and 81
chun, The imperial forces in this part of
China are not numerous, and the miserable
system, or rather want of system, which
characterizes the operations Of the govern
ment, renders these forces worthless. BE
sides strong popular dislike of the Tartars
disposes the masses of the people to sym
pathise with the successes of the rebels, eX
cept in their immediate vicinity, where their
violence and rapine have outraged the feel
ings of the people. The present position
of the rebels is such as to enable them to
carry the remainder of the South, unless
forei On Intervention should cast the die
against them. Something will doubtless be
done by Lord EIgin before he leaves China
again to scttle the question as to who shall
hold the tea and silk-growing districts in
this part Of the country. Trade in the
north of China must cease unless some sort
of treaty is made with the rebels, or they
are driven out Of the country. 1t will be
no easy matter to rid the country Of them
should it be thought best for foreign inter
ests in China TO do so.


But. should the foreigner not molest the