also gave vent to all kinds of opinions as to who we could be. The most prevailing one among the Hindoos was, that we were 'Konoje Brahmins' (the oldest and most revered Brahminical race, residing in the north-west of India). Look at them,' said some; how resplendent their countenances are, and what fire proceeds from their mouth when they speak-the very marks of the real original Brahminical race!' Some of the Mahometans, again, would have it that we were holy men from Mecca, who had come to reform abuses among them. EAGERNESS TO OBTAIN BOOKS. On "Finding it impossible, from the great exertion required, to speak any longer, I told the assembled crowd that we were servants of Jesus Christ, of whom they had just heard, and that we had brought with us books for them which would explain more fully all he had done for the salvation of mankind. this announcement, the rush was so general that we dared not attempt distribution, and walked on to a more distant spot; but being followed by the whole of our auditors, we were equally unsuccessful. In four different places we endeavoured to persuade the applicants to sit down, in the hope by this means of effecting the distribution with some regularity; but in not one instance was this of any avail; for the outer rows fearing the books would be expended before their turn came, rose, and came falling upon those of the foremost ranks, till the confusion was so great that we found it prudent to desist altogether; the more so, as a lad was actually thrown down, and would doubtless have been trampled to death if Mr. Hill, who fortunately observed him, had not seized him by the hair and thus extricated him from his perilous position. At last, it struck me to adopt the plan which I found so successful at Ramjibonpore two years ago when out with the late Mr. Weitbrecht, viz. of recrossing the stream which flows near the outskirts of the village; but we were still followed by hundreds who waded through the water after us. We resolved, therefore, on going back to our boat; when at last, at nearly a mile from the market, we found the number of applicants reduced to about 100, among whom we ultimately succeeded in distributing books in something like order. Neither at Pooree, Sauger Island, or any other Melah, during the whole of my Missionary career, had I ever witnessed such eagerness for books as that displayed on this occasion. MALIGNANT OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL. "January 16th. Intelligence we received as to the state of the water in the Titsa, induced us to retrace our steps and to return to Kamarjani-Gunge, where good congregations were again preached to. "As on our previous visit to the village of Kamarjani, our labours had been entirely among the market people who were there only for the occasion, we thought we would do something also for the benefit of the permanent residents of the place; and hearing there would be no market held that day, proceeded to Kamarjani in the afternoon, and took our station in front of the house of some wealthy merchants, where we were accommodated with seats. A number of people soon collected, to whom, on seeing them surprised at our visit, I said we had come to them as friends; and that, knowing them to be ignorant of the true God and the way of salvation, we wished to impart to them the knowledge on those important subjects which, through Divine mercy, we had ourselves received. And in order to prepare them the better for the Gospel instruction which was to follow, I touched on the vanity and sinfulness of idolatry, all of which was listened to with apparent great interest by the people. But the family priest of the merchants, who, in a sullen mood, had seated himself at a short distance, seeing his craft in danger, rudely interrupted me with all kinds of invectives. In vain did I request him to allow me to reply: no! on he would go without listening to any observations, heaping one offensive epithet upon the other. Mr. Hill and Tara then endeavoured to bring the noisy priest to reason, but with no better success. At last, seeing that it was doing more harm than good to sit listening to the opprobrious language he was pouring forth, I rose and told him that I laid it to his charge that he had prevented the Gospel of salvation to be proclaimed to the anxious people who surrounded us, and that God would surely one day take him to account for it; but that nevertheless we would pray for him that God might have mercy upon him and change his heart. This, however, did not soften the priest in the least; on the contrary, he, with the merchants, when we left, shouted after us, Horibol! horibol!' by way of derision. This was the only instance during this whole trip that we met with such opposition and such rude treatment. At the same time, I must not omit mentioning that whilst this priest and his wealthy disciples thus treated our message with contempt, the poor villagers heard us gladly. This scene put us vividly in mind of the passage in Luke vii. 29, 30, where it is said, 'And all the people that heard him and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.' EXHIBITIONS OF PRIESTLY ARROGANCE. "The priest referred to is a specimen of not a few of his brethren, seldom seen in Calcutta now, but still pretty frequently in the country, who, to ignorance, (for they do not belong to the class of pundits or learned Brahmins) add a vast degree of self-importance and pride, on account of their pretended sacred character. I have seen such, when speaking to Europeans, holding a cloth before their mouth for fear of being polluted by inhaling the same air with such impure beings. It is sometimes amusing to see to what degree they will carry their pharisaical arrogance, making use almost of the very words quoted by Isaiah, Ixv. 5, Stand by thyself, come not near me; for I am holier than thou!' Some years ago, when on an itine rancy in the Zillah of Bancoorah, my Missionary companions and myself one evening pitched our tent in a Mangoe tope close to the village of Balliadore. Early the following morning, as I was taking a solitary walk under the trees, I observed the Gosai or chief priest of the place, a sleek, pompous man, coming towards me, evidently with the purpose of entering into a controversy. After politely saluting him, we soon commenced a conversation; but finding him more than usually shallow in his reasoning, it occurred to me that I would give an opportunity to Mark, the native preacher who was with us, to confute him, and accordingly requested him to continue the controversy with the priest while I was standing by. Mark was at that moment standing about two yards from the Brahmin, and in a most respectful manner began to address him, saying, 'You see, sir, we are all sinners, and need a Saviour. I, too, am a sinner, and without a Saviour would have no hope.' On hearing this, the priest, interrupting him, cried out, 'What! you a sinner, and not ashamed to confess it! and you dare to stand so near me! betake yourself to a distance and then speak to me, lest I be defiled by contact with one so vile.' I must say this arrogant language made me smile; but the native preacher, nothing daunted, after having humbly retired to the distance prescribed, resumed the discussion and soon silenced his proud opponent, who, rather crestfallen, sullenly returned home. After breakfast, when we were traversing the village in prosecution of our journey, we chanced to pass before the house of the identical Brahmin, and at the very time when a poor infatuated villager was making to him the abject obeisance often in use, viz. pros. trating himself at full length and placing the right foot of the Brahmin on his own neck. [See Engraving.] The Brahmin triumphantly looked at us as if wishing to say, 'I got but little honour from you this morning, but see how I am reverenced by my countrymen!' Poor man! we pitied him. I have always found, as might naturally be expected, individuals of this class most hostile to the Gos. pel, and most averse to receive its humbling doctrines. THE CONTRAST. "But to return to the occurrences of the day. In the evening our assistant Gobindo stepped on shore, and went to a few huts at a short distance, whose poor inmates received him most kindly. In the course of his conversation with them, he alluded to the duty of prayer. The people said: 'We do not know how to pray; please show us how to do it.' On this, Gobindo knelt down, the villagers imitating his example, and offered up a simple but fervent prayer that God would open their understandings, and give them the grace of repentance and forgive their sins through Jesus Christ. (To be continued.) CHINA. THE BOOK OF RELIGIOUS PRECEPTS OF THE T'AE-PING DYNASTY. To what combination of causes soever the Chinese revolution may be traced, it would be impossible to afford a satisfactory solution of some of its most striking incidents without reference to the religious sentiments embraced by the Leaders, and prescribed as the rule of action to their followers. That a large amount of error and delusion has been strangely mixed up with the purer articles of their creed, and that their conduct in the prosecution of the war has, in many instances, been no less strangely at variance with their avowed principles, none can deny, and all must deplore; but the very explicit statements of scriptural truth embodied in the accredited. publications of the Revolutionists, cannot fail to encourage in the friends of the Gospel a strong and well-grounded hope that this wonderful movement will, in the gracious providence of God, pave the way for the future evangelization of China. Our honoured Brother, Dr. Medhurst, has rendered good service to the cause, by giving translations of the several public documents of the insurgents, as they have successively issued from the native press. Though precluded by want of space from inserting them in detail, we are persuaded our friends will be gratified by a sample of these very unique and interesting publications, and we therefore subjoin extracts from one of them, entitled "The Book of Religious Precepts of the T'ae Ping-Dynasty." Who has ever lived in the world without offending against the commands of Heaven? but until this time, no one has known how to obtain deliverance from sin. Now, how ever, the great God has made a gracious communication to man, and from henceforth, whoever repents of his sins in the presence of the great God, and avoids worshipping depraved spirits (gods), practising perverse things, or transgressing the Divine commands, may ascend to heaven and enjoy happiness, for thousands and myriads of years in pleasure and delight, with dignity and honour, world without end. But whoever does not repent of his sins in the presence of the great God, but continues to worship depraved spirits, practising perverse things as before, and going on to transgress the Divine commands, will most certainly be punished by being sent down to hell, and suffering misery for thousands and myriads of years in sorrow and pain, with trouble and anguish, world without end. Which of these is the best, and which the worst? we leave it to you to judge. Ought not all of you, our brethren and sisters throughout the world, to awake from your lethargy? If, however, you con⚫ tinue unawakened, then you are truly baseborn and deluded by the devil; you do not know how to enjoy the bliss within your reach; and all that great happiness, pleasure and delight, dignity and honour, which is to be experienced in heaven for thousands and myriads of years, you do not wish to enjoy; while on the contrary, you willingly fall into the crime of sinning against Heaven, and thus bring down upon yourselves the righteous indignation of the great God, who will send you down to the eighteen hells, and cause you to suffer eternal misery. How lamentable! Those whose minds have been deluded by the devil object and say, that the great God is only to be worshipped by sovereign princes. But we wish you to know that the great God is the universal Father of all men throughout the world...... Some also say erroneously, that to worship the great God is to imitate foreigners; not remembering that China has its histories, which are open to investigation. From the time of Pwam-koo,* down to the period of the three dynasties, both princes and people honoured and worshipped the great God. If now the people of the three dynasties (from B.C. 2204 to B.C. 220) did not worship and honour the great God, why does the Ta-heo classic quote an ode which says, "Before the Yin (Shang) dynasty had lost the sympathies of the people, their ancestors were invited to do the honours at the sacrifices to the great God."..... The fact is, that according to the histories of both the Chinese and foreign nations, the important duty of worshipping the great God, in the early ages of the world, several thousand years ago, was alike practised both by Chinese and foreigners: but the various foreign nations in the west have practised this duty up to the present time, while the Chinese practised it only up to the Tsin and Han dynasties ; since which time they have erroneously followed the devil's ways, and allowed themselves to be deceived by the king of hades. Now, however, the great God, out of compassion to the children of men, has displayed his great power, and delivered men from the machinations of the evil one; causing them to retrace their steps, and again to practise the great duty which was performed of old. Thus while alive they are no longer subject to the devil's influences, and after death they are not taken away by him, but ascending to heaven they enjoy endless bliss. This is all owing to the unmeasurable grace and infinite compassion of the great God. Those who are still unawakened say, on the contrary, that we are following foreigners, thus showing to what an intense degree they are deluded by their great adversary. Mang-tsze says that "Truth is one;" if men did but understand this, they would acknowledge that both Chinese and foreigners ought together to practise the great duty of worshipping God. The form to be observed in seeking the forgiveness of sins : Let the suppliant kneel down in the sight of heaven, and pray to the great God to forgive his sins. He may either employ such words as occur, or he may use a written The first man of whom the Chinese speak. form; when the prayer is over, let him take a basin of water and wash himself clean, or if he perform his ablutions in the river, it will be still better. When he has obtained freedom from sin, let him morning and evening continue to worship the great God, praying that God would regard him with favour, and grant him his Holy Spirit to change his heart. At every meal also he should give thanks to God; and every seventh day worship and praise God for his mercies. Let him also constantly obey the ten commandments, and not on any account worship the corrupt spirits (gods) that are in the world, neither let him do any corrupt thing. In this way people may become the sons and daughters of the great God; in the present life they shall be the objects of the Divine favour, and after death their souls will ascend to heaven, where they shall enjoy endless bliss. All people throughout the world, no matter whether male or female, Chinese or foreigners, must pursue this method or they cannot go to heaven. A prayer for a penitent sinner :- I, thine unworthy son or daughter, kneeling down upon the ground, with a true heart repent of my sins, and pray thee, the great God our heavenly Father, of thine infinite goodness and mercy to forgive my former ignorance and frequent transgressions of the Divine commands, earnestly beseech thee, of thy great favour to pardon all my former sins, and enable me to repent and lead a new life, so that my soul may ascend to heaven; may I from henceforth sincerely repent and forsake my evil ways, not worshipping corrupt spirits (gods), nor practising perverse things, but obey the Divine commands. I also earnestly pray thee, the great God our heavenly Father, constantly to bestow on me thy Holy Spirit, and change my wicked heart; never more allow me to be deceived by malignant demons, but perpetually regarding me with favour, for ever deliver me from the evil one; and every day bestowing upon me food and clothing, exempt me from calamity and woe, granting me tranquillity in the present world, and the enjoyment of endiess happiness in heaven, through the merits of our Saviour and heavenly brother, the Lord Jesus, who redeemed us from sin. I also pray the great God, our Father who is in heaven, that his will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. That thou wouldst look down and grant this my request, is my heart's sincere desire. A prayer to God for morning or evening :I, thine unworthy son or daughter, kneeling down on the ground, pray to thee, the great God our heavenly Father, that thou wouldst grant me thy merciful protection, and constantly bestow upon me thy Holy Spirit, to change my wicked heart, and never more allow me to be deceived by demoniacal influences; but perpetually regarding me with favour, that thou wouldst for ever deliver me from the evil one, through the merits of our Saviour and heavenly brother, the Lord Jesus, who redeemed us from sin. I also pray thee, the great God, our Father in heaven, that thy will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. That thou wouldst look down and grant this my request, is my heart's sincere desire. Thanksgiving to be offered at meals : We thank thee, O God, our heavenly Father, and pray that thou wouldst bless us with daily food and raiment, exempt us from calamity and affliction, and grant that our souls may go up to heaven. On funeral occasions no Buddhistic ceremonies are to be employed; having placed the body in a coffin, put on mourning, and conducted the funeral to the place of burial, presentations of animals, wine, tea, and rice, should be offered up to the great God, accompanied by the following prayer : I, thine unworthy son or daughter, kneeling down upon the ground, present my supplications to thee, the great God, our heavenly Father. There is here present the soul of thine unworthy servant, such a one, who on a certain day, month, and hour, departed this life. Having placed the body in a coffin, put on mourning, and conducted the funeral to the place of burial, I reverently prepare animals, wine, tea, and rice, offering them up to thee, the great God, our heavenly Father, earnestly beseeching thee, of thy favour to admit the soul of thine unworthy servant, such a one, up into heaven, to enjoy abundant happiness with thee. I also pray thee, the great God, our heavenly Father, favourably to regard and support me, thine unworthy son or daughter, granting peace to every member of my household, both great and small, warding off every kind of fear and dread, causing all demoniacal influences to retire, and everything to happen according to our wish, accompanied by great prosperity and bliss, through the merits of our Saviour and elder brother, the Lord Jesus, who redeemed us from sin. I also pray thee, the great God, our Father in heaven, that thy will may be done on earth as it is done in heaven. That thou wouldst look down and grant this my request, is my heart's sincere desire. When the coffin is closed down, the mourning put on, the body carried out to the place of interment, and lowered down into the sepulchre, all should cry out with a loud voice, saying, In obedience to the commands of the great God, our supreme Lord, in obedience to the commands of the Saviour of the world the Lord Jesus, and in obedience to the complete commands of the celestial king, the sovereign director of the great doctrine, we pray that every kind of fear and dread may be far away, demoniacal influences be compelled to retire, may everything happen, according to our wish, and we obtain great prosperity and bliss. The ten celestial commands, which are to be constantly observed :— The first command. Thou shalt honour and worship the great God. The great God is the universal Father of all men, in every nation under heaven. Every man is produced and nourished by him; every man is also protected by him; every man ought, therefore, morning and evening, to honour and worship him with acknowledgments of his goodness. It is a common saying that heaven produces, nourishes and protects men. Also, that being provided with food we must not deceive Heaven. Therefore whoever does not worship the great God, breaks the commands of Heaven. The hymn says Imperial Heaven, the Supreme God is the true Spirit (God). Worship him every morning and evening, and you will be taken up; You ought deeply to consider the ten celestial commands, And not by your foolishness obscure the right principles of nature. The second command. Thou shalt not worship corrupt spirits (gods). |
