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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a72add6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54055 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54055) diff --git a/old/54055-0.txt b/old/54055-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 80d87e6..0000000 --- a/old/54055-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2836 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters to Children, by E. C. Bridgman - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Letters to Children - -Author: E. C. Bridgman - -Release Date: January 26, 2017 [EBook #54055] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS TO CHILDREN *** - - - - -Produced by Ting Man Tsao - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: This e-book is based on an extant copy at -Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, -College of William and Mary. The transcriber is grateful to the -librarians there for providing assistance in accessing this rare -fragile book. A few typos in the original text were corrected. - - - -LETTERS TO CHILDREN. - -BY REV. E.C. BRIDGMAN, -MISSIONARY IN CHINA. -Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, -and Revised by the Committee of Publication. - -SECOND EDITION. - -BOSTON: -MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY. -Depository, No. 13, Cornhill. -1838. - -Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1834, -BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, -In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. - -______ - -INDEX. - -LETTER I. - -Introduction; Chinese are Idolaters; Confucian, Taon, and Buddha -Sects, - -LETTER II. - -Temples, Priest, Priestesses and Idols, - -LETTER III. - -Pagodas, Idol Worship, - -LETTER IV. - -Soldiers; Merchants, - -LETTER V. - -Mechanics, - -LETTER VI. - -Husbandmen, - -LETTER VII. - -Scholars, - -LETTER VIII. - -Sailors, - -LETTER IX. - -Character and Condition of Females, - -LETTER X. - -Marriage Ceremony, - -LETTER XI. - -Beggars; Food and Clothing, - -LETTER XII. - -Crimes: Lying, Gambling, Quarrelling, Theft, Robbery, and -Bribery, - -LETTER XIII. - -Ideas of Death, style of Mourning, Funerals, &c. - -LETTER XIV. - -Dr. Morrison translates the Bible into the Chinese Language, - -LETTER XV. - -Dr. Milne; Missionary Stations, - -LETTER XVI. - -Leang Afa, - -LETTER XVII. - -Canton City; Population, &c. - -LETTER XVIII. - -To Parents and Teachers, - -______ - -TO THE READER - -______ - -This little Book contains eighteen Letters, written by Rev. E.C. -BRIDGMAN, Missionary in China, addressed to the Children of the -Sabbath School in Middleton, Mass. and published in the Sabbath -School Treasury and Visitor. Though the letters were addressed -to children in a particular Sabbath School, they are none the less -adapted to other children, and they cannot fail to interest any -one, who would see China converted to Christ. - -______ - -LETTERS FROM CHINA. - -______ - -Letter I. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Oct._ 17, 1831 - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS:‑‑The general agent of the Massachusetts -Sabbath School Union has requested me to write something which -I have "seen, heard, or thought of" for the _Treasury_. He proposed -that I should write in the form of letters, and address them to -you. This I shall be very happy to do, so far as I have any leisure -to write. - -Some of you, perhaps, will remember what I used to tell you of -the children, and men, and women, who had no Bibles, and who were -ignorant of the true God, and of Jesus Christ the Savior of -sinners. I can remember very well what some of the little children -used to say, and how they used to look, when I talked to them about -being a missionary, and of going far away from home, perhaps never -to return. I did not then think of going so far off; indeed, I -did not know where I should go; had some thoughts of going to -Greece, or to Armenia. We do not always know what is best, but -God does, for He knows all things, and will direct all things for -his own glory; and if we love and obey him. He will make all things -work together for our good. - -I am very glad I came to China, and I wish a great many more -missionaries would come here. Before I came among the heathen, -I had no idea how much they are to be pitied, and how much they -need the Bible. Now that I live among them, and see their poor -dumb idols every day, I desire to tell you a great many things -which, I hope, will make you more careful to improve your own -privileges, and more anxious also that the same blessed -privileges may be enjoyed by all other children every where. - -Now, children, if you will look on your maps, you will see that -China is situated in that part of the earth, which is directly -opposite to the United States: so that when it is noon in one -place, it is midnight in the other. The two countries, you will -see, occupy nearly the same extent of the earth's surface. They -are, also, bounded on the north and south, by nearly the same -degrees of latitude. (China is situated a little farther south -than the United States.) This makes the seasons,‑‑summer and -winters, spring and autumn,‑‑and also the climate of the two -countries, quite alike. But in regard to population, religion, -and almost every thing else, they are very different from each -other. - -China is a very ancient nation; and has, at the present time, a -vast population,‑‑probably twenty or thirty times as many people -as there are in all the United States of America. If there are, -then, _three millions_ in the United States to be gathered into -the Sabbath schools, and there Sabbath after Sabbath, instructed -in the Holy Scriptures; there are here in China more than _sixty -millions_, of the same age, who know not even that there are any -Sabbath, or any Sabbath day, or any Holy Bible. - -You can now, dear children, from these few facts, estimate how -many there are in China who need the Bible; and how much there -is to be done, how many missionaries and Christian teachers will -be wanted, before all these millions of immortal beings shall have -the word of God, and be as blessed and as happy in their -privileges, as you now are. You, truly, enjoy great privileges, -because you have the Holy Bible, and can, every day, read of Jesus -Christ: and if you believe in him, you will have great joy and -comfort, and when you die, go to heaven and be forever with the -Lord. But O, what do you think will become of all these poor -heathen children, who have no Bibles, and who have never heard -of the name of Jesus? In the fourth chapter of Acts, you read, -that, "_there is no other name under heaven given among men, -whereby we must be saved_." - -The Chinese are idolaters. Their fathers, and their grandfather, -for hundreds and thousands of generations, have been idolaters, -and worshipped idols of wood and stone which their own hands have -made. These idols are very numerous; as numerous, the Chinese -themselves say, as the sands on the banks of a great river. - -The Chinese are divided into three religious sects. The Confucian -sect; the Taon sect; and the Buddha sect. I will now tell you -something about each of these three. - -The _Confucian_ sect is composed of the _learned_ men of China, -who are in their disposition and character like the proud and -self‑righteous pharisees, mentioned in the New Testament. They -call them the _disciples_ of Confucius. They adore and worship -him; they have a great many temples dedicated to him; and they -offer various sacrifices to him, as the children of Israel did -to Jehovah, the true God, in the time of Moses. Confucius was born -538 years before Christ. His disciples relate many strange -stories about their master. But he taught them nothing about the -true God and Jesus Christ, and nothing about the soul after death. -_Life and immortality were not revealed to him_. His disciples -are as ignorant as their master was. They neither know nor -acknowledge the eternal power and Godhead, so "clearly seen, -being understood by the things that are made." Professing -themselves to be wise, they become fools, and like the Romans, -"changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image like -to corruptible man, and to birds, and four‑footed beasts," &c. -&c. I wish you to read the last half of the first chapter of Romans, -and you will have a good account of the disciples of Confucius. - -Taontsze, which being interpreted, means _old boy_, was the -founder of the _Taon_ sect. His followers to this day call him -the supreme venerable prince; and relate many curious stories -about him; and say that he was an _ignorant good man_. - -The religion of _Buddha_ was brought from India, and became a -common religion of China, probably, about the time, or soon after -the crucifixion of our Savior. Both this religion and that of the -Taon sect are dreadfully wicked, and full of abominations; and -their priests are the most ignorant and miserable people in China. -I will tell you more of these hereafter. - -Besides these three sects, there are some Roman Catholics, some -Mohammedans, and a few Jews, scattered in different parts of -China. - -Since I have now commenced, I wish to write you several short -letters; and this I will try to do, if God our heavenly Father -gives me time and strength. Earnestly desiring that he will give -you all good things, I remain, - - Your true friends, - E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - -LETTER II. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Oct._ 19, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑In the first letter, I told you something -about the situation and the vast population of China, and the -three religious sects into which the people are divided. In this -letter I propose to give you a short account of their temples, -priests, priestesses, and idols. - -_Idol temples_ are very different from meeting‑houses. I have -visited a good many of these temples, in and about Canton and -Macao. There is very little, if any, difference between the -temples of the Buddha and the Taon sects. Those which I have seen -are brick, and usually firm and well built. A common village -temple occupies about half an acre of ground, enclosed by a wall -twelve or fifteen feet high, and consists of several houses for -the priests, a number of small rooms and niches for the idols, -and an open court and alleys. Some of the temples are large, -including within their outer wall three or four acres, having -beautiful trees and gardens, and sometimes a furnace, in which -the dead bodies of priests are burnt, and also a kind of tomb, -filled with urns, in which their ashes are afterwards deposited. -These are more than thirteen hundred idol temples in the province -of Canton; and, at the same rate of reckoning, there will be, in -the eighteen provinces into which China is divided, more than -_twenty‑three thousand idol temples_. - -I have never visited any of the temples dedicated to Confucius. -They are, it is said, distinguished from those of Buddha and Taon, -by their dignified simplicity, the exclusion of images from all -the principal halls, and by substituting, in their stead, -commemorative tablets, bearing the names of Confucius and his -most distinguished disciples. - -_Priests_ are numerous. One temple in Peking has, it is said, -eight hundred priests. One which I have visited, _near_ Canton, -has more than one hundred and fifty. Those of Buddha shave their -heads perfectly bald. They usually appear dressed in a large grey -gown, with sleeves often a full yard wide. They live principally -on vegetables; they eat no meat, are not allowed to marry, are -idle, and, except by persons of their own sect, utterly -disrespected. The priests of the Taon sect shave their heads, -except a spot about the size of a man's hand, of which the crown -of the head is the centre. This, indeed, every Chinese does. Every -man and every boy must have his head shaved, as a mark of -submission to the Emperor. This has been the custom for almost -two hundred years. But, while the common people braid their hair -into a "long tail," which hangs down to their heels, the priests -of Taon fold theirs up in a knot on the top of the head. When they -appear in public, they usually wear a yellow robe. They eat flesh, -and are permitted to marry. No priest of either sect ever teaches -in public and but seldom in private. They spend much of their time -in devotions, which are nothing but "vain repetitions," saying -over and over again the same words, as fast as they can, hundreds -and thousands of times. They are sometimes called to pray for the -dead, and sometimes to go in funeral processions. - -Persons may become priests at any age they please; they are -usually, however, dedicated to the service when quite young, even -in infancy. A few days ago, in the streets, I saw a lad only eight -or ten years old, all dressed up in his priestly robes. There are -no priests belonging to the Confucian sect. - -_Priestesses_ are more wicked, but not so numerous as priests. -There are three sorts of these poor miserable creatures. Those -that belong to the sects of Buddha and Taon wear a peculiar kind -of dress. Those of the Buddha sect shave their heads, and the -people of Canton call them "women padres." Those of third sort -form a kind of sisterhood, live wholly on vegetables, and dress -like other women. These are all very wicked, ugly people. They -pretend to sing songs to the gods, and drive away demons. There -are other old women, still worse, if possible, than these; such -as witches, conjurers, and necromancers. They pretend to hold -intercourse with the dead, and give responses to their living -kindred, telling them that their dead friends are in great -distress for want of food and clothing. Many of the deluded people -believe them, and, by these lies and tricks, they contrive to get -food and clothing for themselves. - -_Idols_, in China, are numerous beyond all calculation. These -idols are to be seen every where; in ships, in boats, houses, in -temples, shops, streets, fields, on the hills, and in the vallies, -and along the banks of all the rivers and canals. Some of these -idols are very large, huge monsters, several feet high. Some of -them are made of wood, some are stone, some are earthen, others -are brass, iron, &c. &c. They are most commonly made somewhat in -the likeness of men; but sometimes they are like beasts, and -birds, and creeping things. There are places where these _gods_ -are manufactured and sold just as people make and sell chairs, -tables, &c. I am going to send a parcel of them to the Society -of Inquiry respecting Missions, at the Theological Seminary, -Andover, where if you wish, you can go and see them. - -Adieu, dear children. May the Lord, in great mercy, keep you from -all sin, and make you happy in this life and in that which is to -come. Remembering you often in my prayers, - - I remain, your true friend, - E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - -LETTER III. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Oct_. 20, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑In my letter, yesterday, I forgot to tell -you of some very high buildings, called _pagodas_. These are found -in almost every part of China. They were introduced soon after -the religion of Buddha, in which they seem to have had their -origin, in this country. These lofty buildings present every -where nearly the same appearance; but differ in height from three -to thirteen stories. They are usually hollow, with stairs -ascending up through the centre; and are usually built on the top -of some high hill. They are believed, by those who build them, -to be a defence against evil spirits, pestilence, misfortunes, -&c. One of the finest pagodas in China, is in Nanking, and was -built about 400 years ago. It is called the porcelain pagoda. It -is 200 feet high, divided into nine stories; and is, at the base, -122 feet in circumference. It was nineteen years in building, and -cost more than three millions of dollars; more than three times -as much as the American Board have yet expended for foreign -missions. - -I will close this letter with some account of _idol worship_, as -it is performed here, all around us, every day. - -The Chinese never assemble for religious worship as Christians -do, who go to the house of God, there to worship him, who is a -Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Their worship is very unholy, and -offensive to God, and injurious to man. They have no preaching; -their priests never set as public, religious teachers. Their -worship consists of prayers and offerings, made to their false -gods, and to their departed friends, to the sages and heroes of -antiquity, and to their emperors‑‑both living and the dead. All -their acts of worship are accompanied with a great many, and very -tedious ceremonies. - -Some of the priests make very long prayers. In a temple near -Canton, I have seen more than 50 priests altogether, at one time, -engaged in their devotions. At the appointed hour, they assembled -in a large hall where were a number of idols, and altars for -offering incense, and also a drum and a bell to _wake_ up the -sleepy gods, and make them listen to their prayers. - -As soon as they were assembled, they took their places in ranks, -and commenced their worship. One of the oldest priests acted as -chief, and took the lead; and the others, with loud voices, all -joined with him and chanted their evening prayers. Sometimes, -they all stood erect, with their hands all joined with him, and -chanted their evening prayers. Sometimes they all stood erect, -with their hands clasped before them. Sometimes, in files, they -went round and round their altars. At one time, they all kneeled; -and again, they all bowed down their heads, and placed them in -the very dust. All the time they were doing these things, which -occupied about an hour, candles and lamps were kept burning, and -incense was offered on the altars. - -The Chinese never pray in their families and closets as Christians -are taught to do. Individuals sometimes go to the temples to pray, -and pay their vows, and to make offerings to the idol gods. I have -repeatedly seen women, sometimes with their young children, -bowing before the altars in the temples. The Chinese observe many -times and seasons, in which they make religious offerings, some -of which are very expensive. - -There are appointed seasons when the Emperor of China worships -his ancestors, and the heavens, and the earth, and also some of -the great mountains and rivers of the empire. Early in the morning -on the first day of the year, all the people worship their gods, -praying for riches. In the spring of every year, there is an -appointed time, when every body goes to the hills‑‑some travel -hundreds of miles‑‑to worship at the tombs of their fathers, and -mothers, and uncles, &c. While at the tombs, they offer costly -sacrifices of fish, fowls, sheep, goats, swine and the like, with -oblations of wine and oil, to the names of their departed -relatives. On the first and fifteenth of every moon, they have -some special religious rites to perform, such as firing off -thousands and thousands of gunpowder crackers, beating their -gongs, or drums, &c. This they do to keep off evil spirits. Every -day, especially at evening, offerings of paper‑‑a kind of gold -paper‑‑and oil, and fragrant wood, are made to the household -Gods, to the gods of the streets, shops, boats. Indeed, there -seems to be no end to their superstitions. And thus, alas! all -this numerous people are given to idolatry, and offer sacrifices -to devils. They worship they know not what. - -And now, my dear young friends, do you think all this vain and -wicked worship constitute _a cheap and easy religion?_ Think of -the priests and priestesses devoted to idleness, and to -abominable rites and services. Think of the hundreds of temples -and idleness, and to abominable rites and services. Think of the -hundreds of temples and pagodas, and thousands of idols which -cover and fill the land. Think, too, of all the times and seasons; -all the costly offerings and sacrifices employed in this idol -worship; and again I ask, and I wish you to give an answer,‑‑_Do -you think this a cheap and easy religion?_ I think it a most costly -religion, and most grievous to be borne. Oh, how unlike the -religion of Jesus Christ! His yoke is easy, and his burden light. -But the service of Satan is hard service. The expense of this idol -worship must amount to many millions of dollars annually. More, -I am constrained to believe, is expended every day, and every -year, by the Chinese alone, in idol worship, than is devoted by -all the true Christians in the whole world, to the worship of the -true God. - -_These things ought not so to be_. And if all good people could -see how miserable these heathens are, and could feel for them, -as Christ Jesus commands them to feel, the things would not be -so much longer. There would be a great change immediately. The -Bible would be distributed; the Gospel would be preached; and then -would the heathen cast away their dumb idols, and serve the true -God. - -And now, dear children, farewell. Think of these things and -remember and pray for the poor heathen always. I hope to write -to you again; perhaps, several short letters, but I may be -disappointed. Endeavoring to cast all my cares on _Him_, who -careth for us all, and to serve him with singleness of heart, I -still remain your true friend, E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - -LETTER IV. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Oct_. 25, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑There is no _caste_ in China, as there -is in India. Men may rise from the most humble stations in life, -to the highest rank of office; the throne only being excepted. -The Chinese, in their books, often speak of the _soldiers_ and -the _people:_ and when speaking of the people, divide them into -_merchants_, _mechanics_, _husbandmen_, _and scholars_. - -The occupations of these _five_ classes, the Chinese call "the -essential employments." And they say "that when the high heavens -produced men, they appointed to every one an employment, as the -means of personal support. Therefore, though men naturally differ -as to knowledge and ignorance, strength and weakness, yet none -should be without an employment. Having employments, all men have -a proper duty to which they should attend, both that they may be -profitable to themselves, and useful to the world." - -I think now, children, you will be better able to understand the -character of the Chinese, if I tell you something of these five -classes separately. I will remark first, however, that these -divisions are not exclusive. A man may be a scholar, and at the -same time engage in husbandry. So he may be a merchant, and at -the same time a scholar. Soldiers, sometimes also, I believe, are -farmers, or merchants, or mechanics. But usually _one_ man -attends to only _one_ of the _essential_ employments. - -China is now governed by the Tartars, a very war‑like nation, who -conquered and subdued the country, and ascended the throne 187 -years ago. It was at that time, A.D. 1644, that the _long tail_ -mentioned in the second letter, was introduced. Many of the old -people, it is said, were unwilling to shave their heads, and braid -their hair. But the Tartars being their masters, and having the -power, compelled them to do so, on the pain of death. Many actually -preferred death to such a mark of disgrace. At the present time, -in order to keep the people in subjection, a great number of -soldiers, many of them Tartars, are stationed all over the Empire. -There are several thousands in Canton. These soldiers have a few -guns: but generally they are armed with swords and shields, or -bows and arrows, or spears and pikes, or some other such like -instruments. The soldiers have very little to do; and so they -become very lazy, and gamble, and steal, rob and oppress the poor, -and often make a great deal of disturbance. And after all they -can do to keep the peace, the people often rise in rebellion; and -then they quarrel and fight, and hundreds of the people and -soldiers are killed. Two of three such rebellions have happened -since I have been in China. - -To prevent mistake, I wish you to keep in mind the difference -between China, and the Chinese Empire. By _China_, or China -Proper, is understood the 18 provinces, which for a long time, -constituted the whole of the Chinese possessions. The _Chinese -Empire_, as it has existed since 1644, extends on the north, and -west, far beyond the boundaries of ancient China, and is, -probably, the largest Empire in the world. The whole number of -persons in the Empire, who are enrolled as soldiers and make the -art and practice of _war_ their _essential employment_, is very -great; amounting, probably, to two or three millions. - -_Chinese Merchants_ have by no means that high character, and that -influence, which the same class of men possess in Europe and -America. They are ranked the _last_ of the four divisions of the -people, and are regarded by their own countrymen as the least -respectable part of the community. They are, usually, very greedy -of gain, and often cheat and deceive; and they regard it as a very -small offence to cheat and deceive foreigners, whom they usually -call _barbarians:_ and who, they say, come an immense distance -across the seas, from the northwest corner of the world, to buy -teas, and silks of the celestial Empire. - -The foreign trade to China is pretty extensive, and is continually -increasing. There are now at Whampoa, where the foreign ships -unload and load their cargoes, 52 ships, and 4,000 seamen. These -ships bring tin, lead, quick‑silver, copper, iron, furs, cotton -yarn, cotton and woollen cloth, and many other such like, useful -articles. They bring also, and of late years, a very great -quantity of _opium_. More than twenty millions of dollars' worth -of opium were sold here last year. This is very bad, and does a -great deal of hurt. Those who bring and sell the opium, and those -who buy it also, know very well that it is doing a great deal of -injury. Only a part of the foreign merchants trade in opium; the -others will not, because they know it is wrong, and contrary to -the laws of God and man. Returning from China, the ships are -usually very richly laden with nankeens, silks, teas, &c. - -Chinese merchants do not often go very far abroad; seldom if ever, -so far as to India. They carry on, however, considerable trade -with Cochin China, Siam, Singapore, Malacca, Java; to which, and -to some other places, they have quite a number of vessels, perhaps -fifty, which make a voyage every year. It is by these vessels that -Mr. Medhurst, and Mr. Tomlin, and other missionaries, have sent -many Bibles and tracts into China. It is in one of these vessels -also, that Mr. Gutzlaff has gone to Peking, where he means to spend -the winter and preach the gospel of the Son of God. - -Again, dear children, adieu. Be good children‑‑obey and love your -parents‑‑read your Bibles‑‑believe in Jesus with your whole -hearts, and pray to God always, then you will be happy. I will -by the assistance and permission of God, endeavor to continue the -account of the Chinese people, in another letter. - - Your very true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER V. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Nov._2, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑Having given you, in my last letter, some -account of the soldiers and merchants, I intend in this, to tell -you about the merchants, the husbandmen, and the scholars. I do -not pretend to give you a very complete account of these several -classes of persons. My desire is, however, that you shall have -such an acquaintance with the every day conduct, and peculiar -manners and customs of the Chinese, that you may be able to form -for yourselves, correct ideas of their character. I should be glad -to have you _know fully their whole manner of life_. I wish you -to know all about them: how they live, how they think, and how -they act. And I wish you to know how they regard and treat each -other, as follow citizens, as husbands and wives, as parents and -children, and as brothers and sisters, &c. &c. Because, when you -can see them in all their daily conduct, and in all their various -relations, and have correct views of their character; then you -will know how much you ought to pity them, and will be very -anxious, I think, to send them the gospel of God, which is able -to make them wise unto everlasting life. I remember you have -already done something for the heathen, but you know that there -is a great deal more to be done; and we must not stop till the -whole world is converted. - -Now I will tell you about the _Mechanics_. They are usually, as -in the United States, a very industrious class of people, and many -of them excellent workmen. It is written in one of their books, -"Let mechanics examine the four seasons; prepare the six -materials; daily and monthly investigate the progress of their -pursuits; abide together in their own departments; and thus -complete their business." These words which I have now quoted, -are found in a book called the Sacred Edict of the emperor Kanghe. -He lived about a hundred years ago. - -It is very common among the Chinese for persons of the same -occupation to live "together" in the same neighborhood. -Especially is this the case with the mechanics. - -The four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, are to be -_examined_ for two purposes. The one is, for the purpose of -observing various superstitious rites and ceremonies, which they -vainly suppose necessary to secure success in business. The other -is, for selecting and storing up, on _lucky days_, the "six -materials." - -The six materials are, earth, metal, stone, wood, animals, and -fibrous plants. Of earth they make bricks, tiles, porcelain, and -a great variety of wares. Of metals they make implements of -husbandry, and war, &c. Stone is used for building bridges, -houses, temples, and especially for making idols. These, and all -other materials, are selected with great care, and many -ceremonies, which make the ordinary labors of this people, in many -respects, exceedingly hard. To‑day is the birth‑day of the god -of fire, and the mechanics of Canton are expending thousands of -dollars in order to secure his protection. - -There are some kinds of workmanship which exhibit very little -skill or taste. There are other kinds which are excellent. The -Chinese, it is said, make good clocks, but do not succeed in making -watches. Very much of their work is, indeed, good in its kind; -and, usually, remarkably simple. - -The Chinese mechanics almost always work by a pattern; and every -thing so far as it is for their own use, must be made according -to _old custom_. This people are very far from thinking that every -generation grows wiser and wiser. On the contrary, they think that -the _ancients_ were, in many respects, the perfect models of -perfection. Hence to imitate, and to be like them, is the utmost -of their wishes. This is the case with the mechanics. Hence ships, -boats, houses, shops, temples, furniture, and implements of every -kind, are made just like those made years and years ago. I will -give you one single example. - -Instead of knives and forks, which they never use, they have two -small round sticks, about the size of the old fashion pipe‑stems, -and about a foot long. These _nimble lads_, for so they call the -two round sticks, they hold in their right hand, and with a bowl -of food in their left, raised quite up to the chin, they jerk the -food into their mouth with astonishing rapidity. These sticks, -by foreigners usually called chop‑sticks, have been in common use, -according to the Chinese account of them, more than three thousand -years. But as children are early trained to the use of these -sticks, perhaps there is no loss or disadvantage in continuing -their use. Yet, even when there would be a great improvement, as -in the helms of their ships, they must (because their government -compels them) adhere strictly to _old custom_. - -According to law, the different kinds of mechanics are all, I -believe, to be enrolled in the government offices. The following -is a specimen of those in this city. Shoe‑makers, twenty‑five -thousand. Carpenters and cabinet‑makers, sixteen thousand. -Lapidaries or those who work in stone, seven thousand. Barbers -also, seven thousand. - -I must defer what I have to tell you about the husbandmen and -scholars, for another letter. Till then, farewell. Like good -children, be diligent and careful in all that you have to do; -especially be diligent and careful in your studies, and -committing to memory the holy Scriptures. Remember that good and -wise children will make glad their parents. So may you do. And -may God our heavenly Father keep you from all sin. So writes - - Your true friends, E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER VI. - -_Canton_, (_China_) _Nov_. 4, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑The Chinese rulers of the present day, -say to their people,‑‑"give the chief place to husbandry and the -cultivation of the mulberry‑tree, in order to procure adequate -supplies of food and raiment." To impress this precept on the -minds of the people, they add,‑‑"if a man plough not, he will very -likely suffer hunger; if a woman weave not, she may probably feel -the cold. Of old time, the emperors themselves ploughed, and their -empresses cultivated the mulberry; they disdained not to labor, -in order that, by their example, they might excite the millions -of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of -economy." And yet again they add,‑‑"We wish our people to exert -their whole strength in agriculture. Do not love idleness and hate -labor; do not be diligent at first, and slothful afterwards; do -not, because of a deficient season, reject your fields and -plantations; do not covet the multiplied profits of commerce, and -change the good old employment. Agriculture alone is the -fundamental employment." - -I have made these quotations, in order to show you in what -estimation agriculture is held by the emperors of China. In regard -to "farming business," they act very wisely, and set before their -people a good example. For a long time the Chinese have been -regarded, as among the best, and the most ancient _tillers of the -ground_. Very many of the people are farmers. A pretty large -proportion, I should think six‑eights, of the whole population -engage in agricultural pursuits. - -Some notices of their implements and modes of husbandry, and the -productions of their soil, will serve to illustrate the -_character_ and _condition_ of those who make _agriculture their -essential employment_. - -Their farming tools are few in number, and simple in the -structure. Not a wheel carriage of any description have I yet seen -in China, excepting only fire engines, which, both foreign and -native built, are usually drawn on four wheels. In the north of -China, wheel carriages for various purposes are in common use; -but here, all kinds of produce and merchandize, and men and women -themselves, are carried, either in boats, or by human strength. -The sedan, in which people ride, is made quite like a chaise top, -with poles, like thills, extending an equal distance before and -behind. Only one person is seated in the sedan, and two strong -men stooping down take the poles on their shoulders, and then -rising up, lift the sedan about a foot from the ground. In this -style, away they go, for miles, like horses. These bearers the -Chinese nick‑name mo‑me‑ma, i.e. _no‑tail‑horses_. Similar men are -employed to carry heavy burdens. When the weight is only enough -for one man, it is suspended from the ends of a light, but very -strong bamboo pole, about six feet long, which the bearer balances -on his right shoulder. When the weight requires two or more men, -it is suspended from the middle of the pole, which is a large round -heavy bamboo, about ten feet long. In this way thousands of our -fellow‑men are used as beasts of burden. - -The Chinese use the plough and harrow, which are made similar to -those used in America. These are drawn by a single ox, or -buffalo,‑‑a very stout animal, of a dun color, well fitted for -the work. Their spade, hoe, and rake, and their implements for -cutting, threshing, and winnowing grain are, also, like those -used in the United States, and in Europe, though much more rude -and simple. They commonly use a large pestle and mortar to make -flour. They have also mills for grinding, but the stones used are -always small, and never turned by water. These mills are, -probably, like those referred to the words‑‑"two women shall be -grinding at the mill." - -What I have now told you of their implements, will lead you to -form some ideas of the modes of husbandry, which are most common -among the Chinese. The very great variety, plenty and perfection -of vegetable productions found among this people, give us -favorable opinions of their _manner_ of cultivating the earth. -Their lands are laid out in extensive fields, and ditches dug, -or stones set up, usually serve for land marks. I believe they -have no fences, except, sometimes, around their richest -gardens,‑‑and these not so much for a defence against the -encroachment of beasts, as they are for a protection from thieves -and robbers. - -Very little of their land is left uncultivated. Indeed some of -the most rich and beautiful grounds are made so by human industry. -Sometimes by embankments built up like mildams, the water is kept -back, and acres and acres are made dry land, and rich harvests -are gathered, where before it was all covered with water, and men -used to drag their nets to catch fish. At other times, hard, -sterile hill‑tops, terraced and covered with a rich soil, are made -charmingly beautiful, and very productive. Very much is effected -by manuring and irrigation. The methods of doing the latter are -very curious. But of these and many other things I have not time -to speak. Besides I am afraid you will be tired with my long -accounts; which, indeed, are becoming much larger than I -intended. I could by no means persuade, or allow myself thus to -employ a few,‑‑not leisure, hours, did I not hope, and confidently -believe, that you will do something for this people. China has -long, _long_ been neglected. Scores and scores of laborers are -needed, to break up this fallow ground, to sow the good seed, to -seek the Lord, the Lord of the harvest, till he come and rain -righteousness upon this people, and make them his own husbandry. - -You know, my dear young friends, that God, our heavenly Father, -is very good, that He doeth good to the evil and unthankful, and -sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. _God has been very -good to the Chinese_. Of fruit trees, _He_ has given them the rich -banana, the apple, peach, walnut, chestnut, orange lemon, and -many others. _He_ has given them figs, grapes, and many kinds of -berries. Of vegetables, _He_ has given them almost every kind, -that can be named. _He_ has caused the mulberry to grow and yield -an abundance of material for silk to clothe them. _He_ has given -them the _tea plant_ also, and so plenteously, that they can -supply the whole world with it, and make themselves rich in the -traffic. _He_ has given them abundance of grain for bread, and -for meat. _He_ has given them the fishes of the sea, the fowls -of heaven, and cattle on a thousand hills. But, alas! _they_ do -not love to retain Him in their knowledge. _They_ deny his -existence. _They_ worship dumb idols. And, what think you, will -become of _them_ when they die? Oh, happy, thrice happy is that -nation‑‑thrice happy are those children, whose God is the Lord. -Farewell, dear children. The Lord bless you evermore, and your -true friend. - - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER VII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Nov_. 22, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑I have already told you about the -soldiers, the merchants, the mechanics, and the husbandmen of -China; in this letter I will give you some account of the -_scholars_. Among all the pagan nations, that have ever been, or -now exist, none perhaps, have been more learned than the Chinese. -But no people in the world, without the Bible, can be so learned -as those nations who have it. Those people, who read, and study, -and understand the Holy Scriptures the best, will always be the -best scholars; they will have the best taste, the best judgment, -the best understanding; and, if they obey what they read, they -will have the best hearts. Believe me, my dear children, if you -read and _obey_ the Holy Bible, we shall be _truly wise_. God -himself will be our teacher: and _His_ holy law will be our -school‑master to bring us to Christ. If all people would only read -and obey the word of God, then there would be no wars and -fightings; there would be no more thieves, no more robbers, no -more murderers, no more profane persons, and drunkards, and such -like wicked persons. - -But the Chinese have not the Holy Bible. They have not the wisdom, -that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, -and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without -partiality, and without hypocrisy. Professing themselves to be -wise, they become fools,‑‑_blasphemers of God_,‑‑boasting of -things without their measure, and their mouth speaketh great -swelling words. They call their emperor _the Son of Heaven_, and -bow down before him, and worship him as a divine being. They call -their empire _the celestial empire_. They call it also _the middle -kingdom_. All the people around them, even all the nations of the -earth,‑‑the English and Americans, and all other people, they call -ignorant cruel barbarians. - -I do not dislike the Chinese. I love them; but I dislike their -vices and their wickedness. There is a difference in their -character and conduct. Some are far more honest, more kind, more -upright, and better disposed than others. Usually, not always, -the most ignorant are the most wicked. The Chinese pay -considerable attention to learning. They have a great many books, -some of which contain excellent precepts, and much good -instruction. But the good, which their books contain, is almost -always mixed up with more or less that is bad, and contrary to -the laws of God. - -Scholars in China are the most respectable part of the community. -Some of their scholars of ancient times, they say, were perfect -men; and so now the people worship them, and sacrifice to them. -They say, also, that "of, old families had their schools; villages -their academies; districts their colleges; and the nation her -university. Of consequence, no one was left uninstructed." They -say, also, that the schools were not intended for one class only -but for all the people;‑‑that "if the husbandman can exert his -strength in the field; and duly attend to his duty, then he is -a scholar,"‑‑and that, "when the soldiers all know how to venerate -their superiors, and love their relatives, then they also are -scholars." These and more like these, are the sayings of the -Chinese, of modern times. But most truly may it be said of this -people, that _they say and do not_. Whether all were, or were not, -instructed in times "of old," I will not undertake to determine; -but at the present time, it is far enough from being the case. -If I am able to continue these letters, as I wish, you will see, -by and by, when I come to speak of the condition of females, that -one half‑‑the _fairest_ half of the community, are excluded from -these schools, and left _uninstructed_. Besides, there are not -a few men and boys who are left uninstructed. A majority, probably -a very large majority, of the male population, above the age of -ten years, are taught to read and write. They have numerous -district schools, and some colleges; and multitudes make learning -their _essential employment_. But their whole system of education -is "wretchedly bad." - -The Chinese language is very curious indeed; there is no language -like it in all the world. It is not at all like the English -language. They have no alphabet,‑‑no A, B, C, and so forth. They -do not write with a pen, but use a pencil made like a small -paint‑brush. Their books begin where ours end; that is when they -take a book into their hands to read, they open it at the right -hand side, instead of the left; and, beginning at the top of the -right hand side of the page, read down in columns, passing on from -the right to the left, and not from the left to the right, as in -the old English spelling‑books. - -Usually, boys do not begin to learn to read until they eight or -ten years old. They are then sent to school, and the master first -teaches them how to pronounce the words, and afterwards explains -their meaning. Their first school books are very short, and the -boys are required to learn them by heart, so that they can repeat -them from beginning to end. Their words are very strange looking -characters. A very long time ago, they say, that a certain man, -by observing the print of the horse's foot in the sand, and the -marks on the shell of the tortoise, first found out how to write -words, These words were so formed as to be a kind of picture of -the things which they signified. Though they have been much -changed since they were first found out, yet still they have some -resemblance to the object. - -Boys always study out loud in school, which makes a great deal -of noise. When they have learned a few lessons, they then begin -to write. The paper is so thin, that they place the copy underneath -it, and then try to form the words just like the copy. Most of -the boys continue at school only two or three years. But those, -who are intended for _scholars_, continue many years, and are from -time to time examined for degrees, similar to Master and Bachelor -of Arts. Some men in China can get into office by paying money; -but all others, who obtain offices of government, are appointed -from among the scholars, who have received degrees: so the great -object of being scholars is, that they may get into office, and -become rulers of the people. - -The learning of the Chinese is very limited and superficial. They -have scarcely any knowledge of astronomy, geography, and history. -And so of anatomy, and medicine, and chemistry, and many other -kinds of learning they are amazingly deficient. The course of -study for all children in China is nearly the same every where. -The first book the boy begins with is in poetry. This is the -meaning of the first two lines, _man's beginning‑‑nature original -good_, that is the nature of man is originally good; or, more fully -as they explain them,‑‑_All men are born virtuous and good_. - -These are the first words, and this the first sentiment the boy -learns in school. The words are good enough, and certainly very -curious. But what shall we say of the sentiment,‑‑the meaning of -the words? Why does God require all men, and all little children -to have _new hearts?_ It is because all men have hard hearts, -hearts of _stone_, and cannot love _Him_. Why does _He_ require -us all to be renewed in the temper of our minds? It is because -that as we are born and grow up, _our minds are enmity against -God_. Why does Jesus Christ say, _Except a man be born again, he -cannot see the kingdom of God!_ Because that which is born of the -flesh is flesh,‑‑_is not virtuous and good_. Farewell, dear -children. And may He, who is the former of your bodies, and the -father of your spirits, have mercy on you, and send his Holy Spirit -that you may be born again,‑‑born of the Spirit, be renewed in -your minds, and have new hearts, and love and enjoy God forever. - - I remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER VIII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Nov_. 28, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑The _sailors_, or those who live -constantly on the water, ought to be mentioned as a distinct -class. They are, indeed, a very numerous people; and, so far as -I know, they are no way inferior, or worse than those belonging -to the _five_ classes, of which I have already given you some -account. Like the seamen of Europe and America, they have been -very wrongly neglected. The rivers of China are very numerous, -and several of them are very broad, beautiful and majestic. The -canals, also, are numerous. And, besides a number of lakes, the -country, for an immense distance on the east, and south‑east, is -washed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean,‑‑forming along the coast -a great number of bays and harbors. On all these waters, vast -multitudes of human beings are born, and live, and die;‑‑having, -many of them while they live, no home but a boat, or a ship, and -when they die, no winding sheet and grave but the waters. - -On the north bank of one of these rivers, stand the city and -suburbs of Canton. The river varies in its breath. At this place, -I should think it about forty or fifty rods wide. In another -letter, I may tell you something about Canton. I will only state -here, that the buildings extend quite down to the river: and in -many places, even the ground has been built out beyond the former -bank, and in some places much farther than in others, which makes -many nooks and corners. These, and indeed, a considerable part -of the river, for three or four miles, seem to be almost covered -with boats; which are of various descriptions, and in all, -probably amount to not less than forty or fifty thousand. - -The _tanka_ boats are the smallest and most numerous. Tanks means -an _egg‑house_, and the boats are so called because they resemble -an egg floating on the water. The smallest of these boats are not -more than twelve or fifteen feet long, about six broad, and so -high, that a person can stand up in them. Their covering is very -light, and can be easily adjusted to the state of the weather. -Whole families live in these boats; and often besides a good -number of children, raise broods of ducks and chickens, which they -lash on the outside of the boats in coops. - -_Ferry‑boats_ differ from the tanks, only by being a little longer -and narrower, and not quite so high. There is a ferry right -opposite to the place where I live. Four hundred dollars are paid -for it annually; and the ferry‑men, or rather _women_, who row -and scull the boats, usually carry eight persons at a time, and -each person's fare is _eight cash_, of which about eight hundred -make a dollar. The scull is a kind of long oar, balanced on a pivot -close to one side of the stern of the boat. This "they make use -of as the fish does of his tail, thrusting it out, and pulling -it to them again, without ever lifting it above water. By this -oar, worked in this manner, not only the ferry‑boats, but other, -and much larger boats, are urged forward to the greatest possible -advantage. - -It would require a large book to give you a full account of all -the different kinds of boats, and ships, and the people that live -in them. - -Hundreds of _passage‑boats_ to Canton, come and go daily. These -are something like the ferry‑boats, only they are much -larger:‑‑some of them are thirty， forty, or even fifty or more -feet in length. They are furnished with one very large mat sail; -also with oars, sculls, poles and ropes. When there is no wind, -and the water is shallow, the boats are pushed along with the poles; -or, if they are close along the bank of a river or canal, ropes -are tied to the top of the mast, and the men going on the shore -drag the boats along like horses. The number of sailors, or -_water‑hands_, the Chinese call them, vary according to the size -of the boats‑‑say from ten to twenty, and upwards; and the number -of passengers, from ten to one hundred, and upwards. - -The _canal‑boats_ are large, fine, noble boats, and often carry -immense burdens. Numbers of these may always be seen on the river -at Canton. They are usually propelled by the same means, and in -the same way, that the passage‑boats are. - -There are also many _smuggling‑boats_, and government _cruisers_. -The smuggling boats carry prohibited goods, and such articles as -opium. This is an unlawful and wicked business. The cruisers, or -_soldier‑boats_, as the Chinese call them, are pretty well manned; -but not much feared, even by the smugglers, whom they are commanded -to seize, and destroy. Indeed, the men of the cruisers will often -take bribes, and so let the smugglers pass; and not only so, but -they will themselves, also, engage in the same wicked business. - -Dragon‑boats, so named from their appearance, are seen annually, -on the 17th of June. They are brought out to celebrate a kind of -festival; the story about the origin, and object of which, I have -not time to tell you. These boats are, sometimes, one hundred feet -long, made to resemble a great snake on the water. Well supplied -with drums, and gongs, and flags, and men with paddles, they make -a curious figure. - -The _duck‑boats_, which are about the size of the large ferry‑boats, -having balanced on each side a large square pen, or coop, containing -several hundreds of ducks, are very curious objects. By letting -down a kind of trap‑door, the ducks are let out, every day, to -get their food, and play in the water, and, sometimes, along the -shore; and at night, they all come back and are driven into the -boats. Thousands of ducks are raised in this way for the market. - -The Chinese have, also, many large vessels, some of which are -_soldier‑ship_, and others are _merchant‑ships_. Most of these -are very rude indeed, and usually furnished with wooden anchors, -and a helm or rudder of most monstrous size, awkwardly constructed. -The number of men in these vessels varies from forty or fifty to -three hundred and upwards. These merchant‑ships are those alluded -to in a former letter, which go to Singapore, Batavia, &c., and -are usually called _junks_. - -The _fishing‑boats_ are the last I can mention. They are very -numerous, and of almost every size and description. When beholding -the occupants of these boats, I have often been reminded of the -_fishermen_ of Galilee, whom our blessed Saviour taught, and chose -to be his apostles. But, alas, for all these poor sailors, and -fishermen! no man cares for their souls. Like brutes they live, -like brutes they die. - -Again, dear children, I bid you adieu! and remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER IX. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 3, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑I will now, as I have desired, proceed -to tell you about the _character and condition of females_ in China. -All that I can write, will give you only an imperfect idea of their -degradation. Women, who have been born and nurtured in Christian -lands, and have never seen with their own eyes the desolations -of the human race in heathen countries, can never know how much -they ought to value the blessings of the gospel. In Christian lands, -certainly in America, females constitute the most amiable, the -most virtuous, and the happiest part of the community. Exactly -the opposite is true here. They are the most ugly, the most vicious, -and the most miserable. I do not mean that they are born so, or -are so by nature. By nature all are alike; for God, that made the -world, and all things therein, "hath made of one blood all nations -of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth." Thus saith -God in the Holy Scriptures. But see now what the Chinese say:‑‑ - -"When a man is born, he sleeps on a bed; -He is clothed in robes, and plays with germs;‑‑ -But when a _daughter_ is born, she sleeps on the ground; -She is clothed with a wrapper and plays with a tile; -She is incapable either of evil or of good:‑‑ -If she does ill, she is not a woman; -If she does well, she is not a woman; -Virtue and vice cannot belong to woman." - -These, dear children, are the words of one of the ancient _wise_ -men of China. And the present condition of females, is in exact -accordance with the _sentiment_ which they contain. Females are -treated as if they were _incapable either of evil, or of good_. -There are no schools for girls. Very few indeed receive any -education. Only here and there one, a solitary individual, is able -either to read or to write. Such ignorance, and such degradation, -do not destroy _female influence_, but leave it to corrupt, and -to be corrupted. Thus, in the very nursery, and in the mother's -arms, where the story of Christ crucified ought often to be repeated, -and where all the first principles of our holy religion should -constantly be taught, the little child is left, not only -uninstructed in all that is good‑‑but left, to follow vain -imaginations, and a mind which is enmity against God. You, dear -children, have received, and continue to receive much good -instruction from your parents‑‑especially from your mothers. You -have line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is not so with -little children in China. By precept, and by example, they are -taught things contrary to the law of God‑‑taught to dishonor God. -They are trained up in the way they should _not_ go, and when they -are old, they _do not_ depart from it. - -Females in China are not like ancient mothers in Israel. They are -not like multitudes of excellent women now in Christian lands. -Females are regarded as a _very inferior part_ of the community. -They are often doomed to the lowest and severest labor. I have -often seen the mother, with an infant tied on her back, laboring -hard in rowing her husband's boat, while he sat at his ease, smoking -his pipe. - -Females of the poorer class, are every where to be seen meanly -attired, and usually barefooted. Those of the higher classes, -seldom, if ever appear abroad. Whey they do go out, it is always -in sedans;‑‑partly, I suppose, that they may not be seen, and partly, -because of their _little feet_. The small foot is an odd thing. -A Chinese historian says, "It is not known when the bow foot (that -is, the small foot) of females was introduced. About nine hundred -years ago, a certain prince," says the same historian, "ordered -his concubine to bind her foot with silk, and cause it to appear -small, and in the shape of the new moon. From this sprung the -imitation of every other female." This is quite like that _fashion_ -in America, of lacing so tight as to bring on the consumption. -It is astonishing to what a small size their feet are sometimes -compressed. The toes, with the exception of the great toe, are -doubled under the foot, in the tenderest infancy, and fastened -by tight bandages, till they unite with and are buried in, the -sole of the foot. This utterly unfits them for walking, and gives -them, when they attempt it, an awkward, hobbling gait, like a person -trying to walk on his heels. Some of their feet, I have been told, -are no more than three inches long. These are what they call the -_golden lilies_, are regarded as the very perfection of beauty. -I have sent one of these, or rather a model of one of these along -with the box of idols, to the Seminary at Andover. - -Female children are often sold. And there are strong reasons for -believing, that there are cases where parents drown their infant -female children, in order to free themselves from the care and -expense of nursing and supporting them. Mention is made of this -fact, in their books. Since I have been in China, I have not seen -or heard of a single case. I do not think it true, certainly not -in this part of China, that the inhabitants "throw out by thousands -their new born infants into the streets, so that they are gathered -up by the scavengers every morning." But that great numbers of -female children, that have been nursed and reared to the age of -six, eight, ten, or twelve years, are _sold_, I have no doubt. -Little girls are very often sold. Sometimes they are sold by their -parents. Sometimes they are sold by robbers, who have stolen them -away from their parents. This practice is very common in Canton, -and in other places in the south of China. Sometimes, when they -are sold by the parents, it is on condition, that at a certain -age, the buyer shall procure for them a husband, and set them at -liberty. At other times, and usually, they are sold -_unconditionally_. Not long ago, I knew a case, where a little -girl, eleven years of age, was sold for _fifty dollars_. - -A great many of the most beautiful female children among the poor -are sold, and carried away to be the inmates of those abominable -abodes, of which it is almost a shame even to speak. In the Bible, -they are called "the way to hell; going down to the chambers of -death." There are many hundreds of these wicked houses in and about -Canton. They are just like those bad boats, those floating -sepulchres, mentioned in the last letters. A great many of the -poor, abandoned creatures that inhabit them, become weary with -life, and kill themselves; sometimes three or four more in a company, -and at one time. The Judge of Canton recently stated, that eight -or nine tenths of the untimely deaths brought to the notice of -government, were suicides; and that six or seven tenths were women. - -With this sad story, I must close this letter. I could relate many -facts of the same sort. But I think I have told you enough;‑‑enough -to show you how miserably the _fairest_ half of the human family -will _always_ be degraded, and abused, until they have the Bible, -and enjoy the blessings of the Christian religion. Farewell. - - Your true friends, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER X. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 5, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑In my last letter, I told you about the -character and condition of females in China. In this, I will give -you an account of the _marriage ceremony_. It will, still farther -illustrate the character of this people, and help to cherish, and -establish in your young and tender minds, a strong desire for the -salvation of this people. - -To‑day is the first Monday in the month. And it is now, _here_, -just about noon. With you it is midnight, and the Sabbath has just -departed, leaving all the inhabitants of my dear native land in -quiet slumbers. Happy, happy land. Happy, thrice happy children. -How different here. Alas, how different! The natural darkness which -at this hour gathers around your habitations, and the cold, northern -blasts of winter that sweep over the hills of New England, are -fit emblems of the thick moral darkness, and death‑like desolations -that gather around us here. Without, all is dark as midnight‑‑a -howling waste‑‑a desert of immortal souls. My heart aches, as I -stand and gaze at gloomy prospects. But within, we have a little -light: a little fire has been kindled up. A few names‑‑two or -three‑‑hope to join _the concert_ this evening. It is cheering -to think, what multitudes, as the earth rolls round will bow the -knee in prayer before the throne of God, and continue the voice -of fervent supplication, till you, dear children, and thousands -and thousands of others, shall be found pleading with God. And -oh, remember China. Pray for the missionaries. Pray for the heathen -Pray for the rulers. Pray for the people. Pray for the poor -children‑‑and for the uninstructed, neglected, and degraded -females. Pray that they may all receive the word of God; read it; -obey it; be sanctified through it; and thereby made fit for heaven. - -In China a man often has two or more wives; and sometimes, eight -or ten. I have heard of one man, now living in Canton, who has -_twenty‑four:_ and says, he means to have a new one every year. -Of my three boys, of whom I hope to tell you more by and by‑‑the -oldest one's father has two wives, the second one's, four, and -third one's father, only one. In China, as in ancient Judea, children -are often espoused, when quite young. But they are not usually -married, until girls arrive at the age of 14 or 16; and boys to -the age of 18 or 20 years. - -When parents wish to have a daughter married, they write on a sheet -of red paper, the year, month, day, and hour of her birth, and -give the paper to a go‑between‑match‑maker, who carries it to the -house of the intended husband, and brings back, from his parents, -a similar statement. After this the girl's father is introduced -to the young man, and his mother on the other side, is introduced -to the girl. Many presents of fancy articles, dresses, meats, cakes, -fruits, and the like are then interchanged, and the marriage -contract is considered as _settled_. - -Two, three, four or more years, or perhaps only a few months elapse, -which time is usually regulated by the age of the parties, and -then other, and more valuable gifts are reciprocated; and another -interval of months, or years passes away, and then comes the wedding -day. On that day the young man sends a sedan to bring home the -bride. This sedan is always elegant, and often superb, costing -several hundred dollars. It is made quite like those described -in a former letter, but always so constructed as entirely to conceal -the person carried in it. In this sedan, the young woman is seated -by her parents, and tears are shed both by the daughter and parents, -as she is separated from them, and borne off in the marriage -procession. This is often a very long procession, sometimes -consisting of several hundred persons, some in the procession -carrying embroidered canopies; others carrying large, elegant -lanterns; others bearing pots of incense; and others laden with -the girl's toilet wardrobe, bedding, furniture, provisions, cakes, -sweet‑meats, &c. Among others are bands of musicians. I have seen -in a single procession eight bands, and six or eight persons in -each band. Some of the bands, and some of the bearers of the incense -pots and the other things, consist of boys 8, or 10, or 12 years -old, fancifully dressed in uniform. In one instance, I have seen -a band of girls in the procession. They were six in number, neatly -dressed, two about nine years of age, two of twelve, and two of -fifteen. They were all on foot, immediately preceding the sedan; -and close behind it, carried on men's shoulders, in the same manner -as the sedan, was a sty containing a monstrous hog. - -When the procession arrives at the gate of the bridegroom's house, -he meets the sedan, and conducts it to an inner apartment, when, -for the _first time_, he is permitted to _see_ the face of his -bride. Two or three days are then spent in festivity, and a long, -tedious round of ceremonies, worshipping their household gods, -the gods of their ancestors, &c. Many of their friends call to -see, and congratulate them. And thus the marriage ceremony is -consummated. - -It appears, that in all this business, the children have nothing -to say. According to the laws and usage of the land, it is the -children's duty to receive the object of their parent's choice, -Nothing in China can be more absolute than a parent's' authority. -In certain cases, it may, and does with impunity, take the life -of the child. Such authority is liable to abuse; and often in -connexion with such a strange system of wedlock, it becomes a must -fruitful source of dislike, deception, strife, hatred, and almost -every other evil passion. - -The Chinese have many laws on the subject of marriages, specifying -all the steps necessary in order to make them legal; and showing, -also, how and when they may be set aside, or be broken. - -It has been stated on good authority, that "Through the Chinese -empire, there are only about one hundred family names." One law -is, "that persons of the same family name‑‑surname‑‑may not -intermarry." It would be curious to know the reason of this. Another -law is, that taking a second wife, after the decease of the first, -or in purchasing concubines, the man is at liberty to see the females, -and choose for himself. A widow, also, who is desirous of wedding -a second time, does not hesitate to show herself to the intended -husband. - -Their laws mention seven cases, in which a man may be justified -in putting away his wife; (1.) barrenness; (2.) lasciviousness; -(3.) disregard of her husband's parents; (4.) talkativeness; (5.) -thievish propensities; (6.) envious and suspicious temper; (7.) -inveterate infirmity. - -There are several other topics on which I wish to write before -I close these letters. In the next, I will tell you about the beggars. -Farewell. Ever and always remembering you in my prayers, - - I remain, your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XI. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 7, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑"For ye have the poor with you always," -said our Savior, "and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good." -In connexion with what I have to tell you about the _beggars_, -I wish to give you some account of the _food_ and _clothing_, common -and peculiar among the Chinese. - -The proportion of poor people and beggars, and the difference -between the rich and the poor, is I think, much greater here than -in the United States. The Chinese are rather fond of dress. The -rich, and all who can afford it, and many who cannot, usually dress -very well. Sometimes their dresses are rich and costly: and children -here, as every where else, are fond enough of fine, gay clothing. -And prettier lads certainly, I have rarely seen, than some of the -Chinese boys, when neatly dressed. Sometimes, however, the little -fellows, with their great boots, and one garment piled on another -to the number of six or eight, or even more, and the long tail -hanging down to their heels, and the head crowned with a long tasseled -cap, make a very ridiculous appearance. - -The _whole_ dress of the Chinese is different from ours. To begin -with the shoes and boots; these are made with black, brown, or -red cloth, for the upper part, while the soles are of leather or -wood, an inch or more in thickness, with snow white edges. They -usually wear long white silk, or linen stockings, made of cloth; -sometimes knit. These are drawn up to the knee, and fastened with -garters. Sometimes the stockings are drawn over the trowsers; at -other times, they are made, or worn at least, like the old fashioned -short breeches. These three articles are usually the same through -the year, and vary only in quality, according to the circumstances -of the persons, being made every where in the same _old fashion_. - -Beggars are often seen in the streets, in the most loathsome -condition, with no other clothing than a tattered pair of trowsers; -indeed many of the laborers in the fields and shops, during the -warm weather, wear nothing else‑‑but in the latter case, the articles -are of good material, and well made. Their trowsers are never -supported by braces over the shoulders, but always, among the rich -and poor alike, by a girdle about the loins. To this girdle in -front, a small bag or wallet is attached; this is "an indispensable," -and in it, they carry cash, a small knife, &c. &c. - -In America, the man who has not a shirt to his back, must be poor -indeed. In China, the poor seldom have such an article; and not -a few, even among the gentle‑folks, often go without it, especially -in summer. In which case, the only dress, in addition to shoes, -stockings, and trowsers, is a long frock, made quite like that -worn by farmers in New England, at haymaking. All the upper garments, -whether for warm weather or cold, are made in the same fashion, -with long, large sleeves, and without any collars for the neck. -These garments are sometimes short, only coming down to the -waist‑‑but sometimes to the knees, or ancles. They are fastened -with small round buttons and loops, either down in front, or under -one arm. When the weather grows cold, they increase the number -of these garments, putting on five, or six, or eight, or even more -at a time. Some of these garments, when made of silk, or broadcloth, -and fastened close about the waist with a sash, make a very fine -dress. Their shortest frocks are frequently made of fur. - -The common covering for the head is a kind of skull‑cap; but in -warm weather all the people go bare‑headed, with nothing but a -fan (which they always carry) to keep off the sun. They have a -cloth or wool hat, of a conical form, like the unfinished hats, -sometimes seen in hatters' shops. They have also a hat made of -fine bamboo, in the same form, and yet another kind with a brim -so broad, that it serves as an umbrella, either to keep off the -sun or the rain. - -Such is a description of the ordinary clothing of the common and -poorer classes of people; that of the rich is usually quite in -the same style, but the quality of the articles always superior. -The rich also wear ornamental articles, as beads, bracelets, &c. -&c. - -The dress of the females is not very unlike that of men;‑‑they -usually wear trowsers, and a folded petticoat, depending several -inches below their frocks. Their head‑dress is very pretty; the -hair is tastefully folded on the back on the head, and fastened -by a neat brace and pin. They are remarkably fond of flowers on -their heads‑‑not artificial, but natural ones. The _mourning_ dress -is not black‑‑but white, or what approaches almost to white‑‑but -more of this in another letter. - -Rice, among the Chinese, in this part of the empire, is the staff -of life. Multitudes obtain no other food. To breakfast, is "_to -eat morning rice:_"‑‑this is at ten o'clock. To dine or sup, is -"_to eat evening rice:_"‑‑this meal they have about five o'clock, -P.M. When they can obtain a little salt or dried fish, a few -vegetables to eat with their rice, and also tea, which they always -drink without milk or sugar, then they have "good living," and -these few simple articles constitute the ordinary food and drink, -among the common and poorer classes. - -A single kettle to boil their rice‑‑a pan to fry their fish and -vegetables‑‑a large bowl for the boiled rice‑‑and a small bowl and -a pair of chop‑sticks, make up the whole of their table furniture, -if indeed they are so happy as to have a table. But whether they -have or not, the large bowl of rice forms the centre, and around -this squat on their heels, or seated on wooden stools, they arrange -themselves, and receive their humble fare, with no doubtful marks -of a good relish. - -From these poor people, the common and richer classes differ, only -in the amount and quality of their furniture, and provisions; the -style as in the case of dress, being nearly the same through all -the grades of society. The tables of the rich are often very -sumptuous. There is nothing, scarcely, whether vegetable or animal, -which the Chinese do not eat. Besides all kinds of fish, birds, -horned cattle, sheep and hogs, they eat horses, dogs, cats, rats, -&c. Tea is used in great abundance, and is almost their only beverage. -They seldom drink water alone, because they think it unhealthy. -The Chinese are not greatly addicted to the use of strong drink; -less, probably, than the Christian people of Europe and America. -This, I think, is in no small degree, owing to their constant use -of tea. - -I have not time to extend these remarks; you see there is no lack -of inquiry about what we shall eat, and what we shall drink, and -wherewithal we shall be clothed. These are the very things after -which the _Gentiles_ seek; and they seek them with their whole -soul, and mind, and strength. Yet great numbers live‑‑perhaps are -compelled to live‑‑solely by begging. In Canton, beggars are very -numerous. They have, it is said, laws for begging, and a head man, -who among the foreigners is called "the king of the beggars." Men -and women of all ages, may be seen begging; great numbers of them -are _blind_. When they go through the streets, they carry in one -hand a cane to feel their way, and in the other a dish or bag to -receive money or food, or any thing people please to give them. -Sometimes they are seen in companies, of 3, 4, 6, or 10, or even -more; they hollow or sing, or rather "cry out" as they go. One -of their laws is, that when they enter a house or shop, they will -not go till something is given them. With bamboo sticks, or gongs, -they set up a most vexatious clatter, and in this way trouble and -annoy people, till they give them something; and, if it be no more -than a single _cash_, then they must "be off." - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 9, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑Having no fear of God before their eyes, -the Chinese often become very wicked and guilty of numerous crimes, -not only against _Him_, whose eternal power and godhead they deny, -but against their fellow‑men. This wickedness and these crimes, -expose them to many and very severe punishments. Lying, gambling, -quarrelling, theft, robbery, and bribery, are among their most -common vices. There are _five_ punishments; (1.) to beat with a -small bamboo; (2.) to beat with a large bamboo; (3.) banishment -to another district or province; (4.) perpetual banishment to the -borders of the empire; and (5.) death. These five, are sometimes -reduced to three, the bamboo, banishment, and death. It may be -remarked, also, that these punishments are sometimes exchanged -for others. - -_Lying_, among a great majority of the population, seems to be -regarded as a very small offence,‑‑provided the lie be not detected. -There are men, I believe, who will not lie; but while this great -wickedness is disallowed of by a few, multitudes will ever and -always practise it; if they only suppose they shall be the gainers -thereby. Officers of Government will tell lies to one another. -The people will lie to the magistrates; children to their parents; -and servants to their masters. Instead of supposing every man to -be honest, until he is proved to be a rogue, they seem to regard -every one as a rogue, until he _proves himself to be honest_. - -_Gambling_ is a chief "crying sin" among the Chinese. They are -notorious gamblers. Old and young, rulers and subjects, rich and -poor, will gamble; nor have they much regard to the time, or place, -when they gamble. I have often seen them gambling in their temples. -Thousands are ruined by this sin. - -_Quarrels_ spring up from lying, and gambling, and other wicked -practices, just as surely as briers, thorns, and thistles spring -up in a rich but uncultivated soil. Their strange mode of marriage -too, is a fruitful source of quarrels. As to their quarrels, it -has been well said,‑‑"A Chinese would stand and reason with a man, -when an Englishman would knock him down, or an Italian stab him. -It is needless to say which is the more rational mode of proceeding." -I am not aware that the Chinese ever fight duels‑‑though in their -quarrels, persons are often killed. They are great scolds, and -use the most obscene and abusive language. - -_Theft_ and _robbery_ are the most common among the poor, though -it is _not_ confined to them. Among such multitudes of beggars, -it often happens, that they cannot obtain sufficient food and -clothing to make themselves comfortable. By gambling also, -multitudes are reduced to beggary and want; hence come bands of -thieves and robbers, trained and prepared for any and every thing -that is evil. - -Theft and robbery constitute one of the greatest scourges in this -land; and no part of the country, from one extremity of the empire -to the other, is free and secure from this evil. Since I commenced -this letter, one of my boys has told me of a case of this kind, -which has just occurred in the neighborhood. It is as follows;‑‑two -men, dressed like poor females, entered a rich man's house late -in the evening, and wished to be lodged there during the night. -This privilege was granted them. When all were asleep, they silently -put off their false dress, packed up a large number of rich articles -belonging to the house, and were about to escape, when they were -discovered, seized, carried away to the magistrates and sentenced -to be beheaded.‑‑Though decapitation is not the severest -punishment, yet more than two hundred instances of it have occurred -in Canton in a single year. - -_Bribery_ is very common in China; perverting just judgment, and -screening the guilty. This wickedness is most common among the -rich. Almost all the rulers of the land, will take bribes. Many -defrauders and injurious persons, many thieves, and robbers, and -murderers, escape through bribes. _Money is_ seen to be, here, -_the root of all evil_. "A little silver physic," it is said, "has -often brought a dead man to life." - -The immense quantity of _opium_ that is smoked here, is a most -fruitful source of crime. Many of the practised villains, when -they wish to contrive new plans of wickedness, have recourse to -this _black commodity:_ which produces a most astonishing effect, -in enabling the _smokers_ to frame new schemes of darkness. It -has been said, and by a man of sound judgment and correct observation, -(I am sorry to say that he is an American, and an extensive dealer -in opium,) that the "_drug_" is doing more to break down the -superstitions of China, and to open the country to foreigners, -than all the efforts of missionaries. There is a degree of _apparent_ -truth in this man's very honest remark, and I think just as much -_real_ truth, as if he had said, "to set fire to their houses, -and butcher the inhabitants, will do more to break down the -superstitions of China, and open the country to foreigners, than -all the efforts of Bibles, and tracts, and missionaries." Whether -it be a crime or not, to bring and sell opium to this people;‑‑and -whether it be a crime or not, for this people to use it, when brought -and sold by the hands of Christians, I will not undertake to say,‑‑but -I believe, stubborn facts compel me to believe, that _of all the -causes of crime,_ among the inhabitants of the Chinese empire, -OPIUM, brought and sold at the rate of a million of dollars per -month, _is the greatest_. It is nothing better, than to scatter -fire‑brands, arrows, and death. - -Simply being put in prison, seems hardly to be regarded as a -punishment among this people; though multitudes are imprisoned -and suffered greatly thereby. The common instruments of punishment -are, (1.) the _bamboo_, about the size of large cane; (2.) the -_yoke_, a heavy plank three feet square, and thirty‑three pounds -weight; (3.) the _chain_ to fasten the criminals to the block; -(4.) _hand‑cuff_, large and long, made of wood; and (5.) _iron -fetters_. - -Such are some of the most common crimes, and such are the instruments -of punishment in China. To determine the degree of criminality, -and fix the punishment accordingly, is among most nations very -difficult, but the Chinese make it very easy, at least they make -it appear so in their law books, The degrees of punishment are -twenty,‑‑the first ten, are with bamboo; the next eight, banishment; -the last two, death. - -For a very small offence, amounting to the first degree of -criminality, the offender may receive ten blows; increasing his -guilt _five_ times, the fifty blows, &c. These blows may be changed -for the yoke, the chain, the hand‑cuffs, &c. - -For some of the larger crimes, as bribery and the like, persons -are bambooed, and then sent into banishment. Sometimes, only from -one province to another, as from the north to the south, and from -the south to the north; at other times, criminals are sent a long -distance, to the frontiers of the empire, for many years, and even -for life. - -The highest degrees of crime are punishable with death. The most -common mode of inflicting death, is by cutting off the head, and -this is done by a kind of short sword. For very heinous crimes, -the offender is sentenced to be _cut into ten thousand pieces_. - -I intended to have said something to you, on the subject of _slavery_ -in China but must pass it by without a single remark. Again adieu. - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XIII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 10, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑"Then shall the dust return to the dust -as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." - -In an empire so ancient and populous as China, the number of human -beings that have _returned to the earth_, must be great indeed; -greater than any man can number. For more than thirty hundred years, -one generation after another, in awfully rapid succession, have -gone to the dead. Almost all the hills and uplands about Canton -and Macao, which are not covered with the habitations of the living, -are filled with the abodes of dead. In Macao, almost every rod -of ground, which is safe from water, even to hard, rocky hill tops, -has some emblem,‑‑a turfed hillock, a stone, or a little enclosure, -to remind the visiter of the sleepers below. When I have walked -over these grounds,‑‑these abodes of the dead, thoughts have arisen -in the mind, which you may conceive, but which I cannot express. -O, what multitudes will rise _here_, at the sound of the last trumpet! -What vast congregations will come up from these burying places, -and stand with us before the judgment seat of Christ! Every day -is adding to the number of this vast congregation. Death does not -wait for his victims‑‑death does not wait till the heathen have -the gospel preached unto them. And unless these multitudes of the -living, _speedily_ obtain mercy of him, of whom they are now -ignorant, how shall they come forth to the resurrection of life? - -Will the heathen be saved, who never heard the gospel? I ask you, -dear children, do _you_ think the heathen can be saved, unless -the gospel be preached unto them, and they _believe_ in the name -of Jesus? It is very painful to all think, that all the millions -of our fellow creatures, who are now ignorant of the Savior, must, -when they die, sink down to hell. But how can it be otherwise? -"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." -But "how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? -and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? -And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they -preach, except they be sent!" And now, dear children, I desire -to ask again, what do _you_ think of these words, which I have -quoted from the tenth chapter of Romans? What do you think St. -Paul meant? He means to say,‑‑if I understand him, he means to -affirm,‑‑in the most positive manner, by the questions which he -asks, that the heathen, who do not hear and believe the gospel, -_cannot be saved_. - -I fear that many very good people have wrong ideas on this subject; -and do not consider and realize the awful condition of the heathen; -for I am persuaded, that if they did see and realize, they would -do very differently from what they ever have done yet; they would -feel and act as Jesus Christ did; they would be willing to become -poor, to labor and toil, and even die for the salvation of the -heathen. - -With a desire that you may have correct ideas of the real condition -of the Chinese, I have been urged on to write these letters. I -have stated many facts; but you will desire, I presume, to know -something more about their _ideas of death, style of mourning, -funerals_, &c. - -Having very little if any knowledge of the true God, the Chinese -are entirely ignorant of _another world:_‑‑of heaven and hell,‑‑of -the joys of the one, and the terrors of the other, as revealed -in the Bible. All their notions about the soul of man, are very -dark and confused. Many think that the _soul dies_, and ceases -to exist with the body. Others think that when the body dies, the -soul goes away and enters into other bodies‑‑birds, beasts, or -men. All this ignorance makes the Chinese very careless about death, -and all that which is to come upon them. They die like the brutes. -Such are their ideas of death. - -When a parent dies, a messenger is sent to announce it to all the -relatives. A board, or a long slip of brownish white paper, is -hung up at the door, on which is written the person's name, age, -and virtues, &c. The children and grand‑children of the deceased, -sit on the ground, and weep and mourn. Relations come in and dress -the corpse; and many long and tedious ceremonies are performed. - -Usually, after three times seven days, the funeral takes place. -A large concourse of friends and mourners assemble; and a procession -is formed with priests, bands of music, flags, &c. &c.‑‑all quite -like one of the marriage processions, which I have already -described. Meats, fruits, cakes of various kinds, are carried as -offerings to the dead, and the procession moves on to the burying -place. This is always selected with great care, and is usually -a hill. Only two things, it has been said, are feared by the Chinese -after death, "a watery grave, and a white ant sepulchre." - -It is not every day, that they may bury the dead; they must wait -for a luck‑day. Many of these processions may be seen in a single -day. Some of the funerals are very expensive. Two occurred in this -neighborhood last summer; one of a father, the other of a wife, -on each of which more than ten thousand dollars were expended. -The _mourning_ costume is like a brownish white, with a perfectly -white napkin around the head, and sometimes around the loins; and -their shoes are exchanged for sandals. - -By the death of a father, a son is disqualified for, and is obliged -to retire from office, for three years. Great care must be taken -to have a good burying place; and for want of such, and means to -bury the dead, bodies sometimes lie months and years in coffins, -unburied. There were _ten thousand_ such in Canton last year. I -know of one family where there are thirteen in this state. - -But from the accounts of the dead, I think you will be willing, -if not glad, to have me desist. I will do so; and, if the Lord -will, I desire to proceed and give you some account of what has -been done for China. In the next letter, I propose to speak of -the labors of the Rev. Dr. Morrison, Tell then, farewell. - - Your true friends, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XIV. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 12, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, -that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that -we, through his poverty, might be made rich. You know how, while -on earth, he went about doing good; how he loved poor sinners, -and wept because they repented not; and how he loved little children, -and used to take them in his arms and bless them. You remember -how, at a certain time, he went out into a mountain to pray, and -continued all night in prayer to God. And you remember, how, just -before he went back to heaven, he commanded his disciples _to go -and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, -and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost_. - -I will now tell you what has been done to make known the gospel -of God among the Chinese. Some have supposed that St. Thomas, one -of the twelve apostles, came into China, and preached the gospel; -and one man, a Portuguese, has supposed that he even passed to -America. There is no proof of all this, and nobody now believes -it. But it is very probable, though not quite certain, that some -missionaries from Syria, came into China, about seven hundred years -after the death of Christ. Roman Catholic missionaries came into -China more than five hundred years ago, and have continued here -ever since. At one time, they had a great many converts, but now -they have very few, for they have been persecuted, and most of -the missionaries driven out of the country. The Catholics, all -the time they have been in this country, have never given the Chinese -the Bible. - -The very first thing Protestant Christians ever thought of doing -for the Chinese, was to _give them the Holy Bible:_ This was a -most excellent plan. It was first suggested by that good man, Joseph -Hardcastle, Esq. of England. He was then the treasurer of the London -Missionary Society.‑‑But as yet the Bible had never been translated -into the Chinese language, and there was nobody able to translate -it. So the Society resolved to send out a mission, and the Rev., -now Dr. Robert Morrison, was the first person who engaged to go. -He had, for some time, been thinking on the subject of missions. -This was just at the time when Samuel J. Mills, and others with -him, in Williams College, were thinking on the same subject; and -like them, "he would have gone," I quote Dr. Morrison's own words, -"to any quarter of the globe, where the people were yet without -a divine revelation." He once thought of going to Africa, and would -doubtless have gone, had the way been opened. But the Lord had -other work for him to accomplish. - -On the 31st of Jan. 1807, Dr. Morrison left England, crossed over -to the United States, where he tarried about twenty days, and became -acquainted with some good people in Philadelphia, from whence he -arrived in China on the 4th of September, the same year. His situation -in China was trying enough. He was alone, without companions, a -stranger in a strange land. At first he lived in a _godown_, a -room occupied for a store house, or a lodging‑place for servants, -where he studied, ate, and slept. His lamp was made of earthen -ware, and a large Bible served for a screen to keep the wind from -blowing it out. He lived like the Chinese; put on their dress, -the long frock, the thick‑soled shoes; let his hair grow long, -and ate with chop‑sticks. Afterwards, he found that this was not -the best way, so he changed his dress, and mode of living. - -Before leaving England, Dr. Morrison obtained an imperfect and -incomplete manuscript copy of the New Testament in the Chinese -language. After he arrived in China, he was very diligent, night -and day, studying the language, continually reading, writing, and -speaking it; and, in about three years, began to print the New -Testament in Chinese. Soon after, he published a little tract, -called, "_The Divine Doctrine, concerning the Redemption of the -World_." He also published a catechism. And in 1813, six years -after his arrival, he completed the whole New Testament. - -It was just at this time, when he had been in the field alone six -years, that another missionary arrived to assist him. I hope to -tell you more of Dr. Milne, in another letter. Before this time, -Dr. Morrison had prepared two books about the Chinese language, -written in English, in order to assist other missionaries in -learning the language. He had also instructed, for about two years, -four orphan boys. I have not time, in a single letter, to tell -you all I could wish, about what he has done. He has published -many books, and accomplished much in other ways. - -In the Chinese language, he has prepared and published the New -Testament, and two tracts above mentioned; the largest half of -the Old Testament, the other half was done by Dr. Milne; an outline -of the Old Testament history; daily Morning and Evening Prayers, -being a translation of the Common Prayer Book; also, a Hymn Book; -and, recently, a book in three or four volumes, called the _Family -Instructor:_ making in all, about 20 vols. Besides, he has written -other books, but had not money to publish them. The translation -of the _whole Bible_ was completed in the autumn of 1819, and -published soon after. - -In English, he has written and published two volumes of sermons -and lectures; a little book about China, for Sabbath school -children; he has also written a great many papers about China, -which have been printed in the Canton newspapers, "The Canton -Register," published by an English gentleman, and in the "Anglo -Chinese Gleaner," published at Malacca; and others, printed in -other places. - -In Chinese and English, that is, a part of each page Chinese, and -a part English, he has written and published six quarto volumes, -about the size of Scott's Bible, constituting a most excellent -Dictionary; also six octavo vols. in the same style. These twelve -volumes have been prepared for the purpose of assisting those who -wish to learn the Chinese language. - -About a year after Dr. Morrison came to China, the English East -India Company wished him to be their translator. He complied, and -has ever since acted in that capacity. He thought it his duty to -do so, that he might, by the labor of his own hands, relieve others -from the burden of supporting himself and family. This, in a -considerable degree, he has done. For upwards of twenty years he -has received _no_ salary from any charitable institution. The -London Missionary Society assist him every year in defraying a -part of his house‑rent, which, in China, is very high‑‑ten or twelve -hundred dollars annually. Being translator for the company, they -were willing to defray the expenses of publishing his Dictionary, -which was more than £12,000.‑‑And besides this, and what he has -done for the support of his own family, it has enabled him to give -between 8 and 10,000 dollars for the promotion of Christianity -among the Chinese; a considerable part of this sum was expended -in founding the Anglo Chinese College at Malacca; of this, I will -tell you more when I come to write about Dr. Milne. - -The same day he became translator to the company, he was married -to Miss Morton, an excellent and pious lady, who had a long time -resided in India. Their first born son died the same day in which -he breathed the breath of life. The infant was interred on the -top of a little hill, at the north extremity of Macao; and in a -beautiful enclosure, not far from where he now sleeps, are the -earthly remains of his mother. Mrs. Morrison died June 10, 1821. - -In 1824, Dr. Morrison visited England, and returned in 1826. While -in his native country, he married Miss Armstrong, a pious and -accomplished lady. He has now living in China, six children; four -sons and two daughters. His family reside at Macao, for the Chinese -will not allow foreign ladies to come to Canton. His eldest son, -John Robert Morrison, is already quite a master of Chinese, and -acts as translator to the British merchants in China. - -Dr. Morrison is now fifty years old, and it is more than 24 years -since he came to China. The Lord has been very good to him, and -has blessed him, and given good success to the labor of his hands. -He has lived to see many and most glorious results from the very -small beginnings he was permitted and enabled to make; but the -judgment of the great day, only, can display all the effects of -his long and arduous labors. Every Christian prays in secret; but -he has often preached in secret, with his doors locked around him, -and only one or two to listen to the sound of the gospel. - -No church has yet been gathered and organized in China. Several -individuals have believed, and have been baptized; and the Lord's -supper has, occasionally, been administered. The first baptism -was in 1814. This man came to Dr. Morrison's house, and heard him -talk of Jesus, the first year he was in China. "At a spring of -water," says Dr. Morrison, "issuing from a lofty hill by the -sea‑side, away from human observation, I baptized, into the Father, -Son, and Holy Spirit, _Tsae‑a‑ko_. O that the Lord may cleanse -him from all sin in the blood of Jesus, and purify his heart by -the influences of the Holy Spirit. May he be the first fruits of -a great harvest; one of millions who shall believe, and be saved -from the wrath to come." - -During much of his time in China, Dr. Morrison has preached to -the English and American residents. He is now with his family at -Macao; and, during the past season, has usually had four religious -services on each Lord's day; a morning and evening service in -English, and a morning and evening service in Chinese. From 4 to -20 persons have usually attended on the English, and about 15 on -the Chinese services. - -Thus, my young friends, I have given you a brief account of one -whom God has employed in this part of the great field; and though -he has accomplished so much, he looks upon it all as nothing. He -is truly a most excellent man, and I love him much. And I desire -that you will always pray for him; that the Lord will preserve -him, and bless him more and more, and all those who are engaged -with him in the gospel. - - I remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XV. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 13, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑I told you in the last letter about Dr. -Morrison, and the commencement of the mission to China. I will -now give you some account of Dr. Milne, and the missions among -the Chinese, established out of China. The missionary stations -established among the Chinese, residing or settled abroad without -the Chinese empire, may be reckoned five in number. They are at -the following places namely: Malacca, Penang, Java, Singapore, -and Siam. I wish you to look out all these places on the maps, -and learn from your geographies all you can about them. This will -assist you very much to understand and remember what you read about -the missions. - -The Rev. William, afterwards Dr. Milne, with his wife, arrived -at Macao in China, the 4th of July, 1813, just at the time as before -stated, when Dr. Morrison had finished the translation of the New -Testament. A day or two after his arrival, he was ordered by the -(then) Portuguese Governor of Macao, to leave the place -immediately. He did so, and came up to Canton. Here he resided -for several months, enjoying that hospitality among the heathen, -which had been denied in a Christian colony. - -Macao is a small town. You will see it on your maps, situated 70 -or 80 miles south of Canton. It is the only European or foreign -settlement in China. The Portuguese have lived there two or three -hundred years. - -Dr. Milne remained about six months; in the mean time, with the -assistance of his friend, Dr. Morrison, he got 2,000 copies of -the New Testament, and 15,000 Christian tracts, printed in Chinese. -These he put on board a ship, in which he embarked with 450 Chinese -emigrants, all bound to Java. Dr. Milne was a very active man on -board ship; and at Java, wherever he went, he was delighted to -give away tracts and Bibles. He loved to do good to all men, as -he had opportunity. From Java, he went to Malacca, which place -afterwards became his home, and the seat of the Anglo Chinese -college, of which he was the first principal. From Malacca, he -returned to China, conferred with Dr. Morrison about the mission, -and then, with Mrs. Milne, returned to Malacca, which place was -not only their home, but also their _grave_. The one died in 1819, -Mrs. M., the other, in 1822. They left behind them four or five -children, to mourn their loss. Dr. Milne, his wife, and their little -daughter Amelia, and two infant twin boys born on their passage -down the Chinese sea, arrived at Malacca, May 21, 1815. This was -the commencement of the mission at Malacca. Schools were -opened‑‑children collected and taught‑‑books printed and -circulated. The Bible was read, and the poor had the gospel preached -to them‑‑preparations were made for the college, and its foundation -laid, November 11, 1818. - -Malacca, you will see by reference to your maps, is not far from -China, Cochin China, Siam, and many islands where great numbers -of Chinese reside. It is also a healthy place, and under a great -and good government. These and other considerations induced Drs. -Morrison and Milne to resolve on the mission, and the establishment -of the college. At the outset, Dr. Morrison gave $4,000 for the -benefit of the college, and up to the present time, has been its -chief support, and the Lord has blessed and prospered the work. -The number of Chinese students in the college, has usually been -about 30. The regular course of studies occupies six years. The -aboriginal inhabitants of Malacca and the adjacent regions are -called Malays. For this people also, schools have been established -and supported, and they prosper. Many thousands of Bibles and tracts -have been printed and sent out from the college, and these have -gone far and wide, the silent messengers of the truth of God. The -Rev. Samuel Kidd, of the London Missionary Society, is now principal -of the college. Penang, or the Prince of Wales Island, you will -see by referring again to your maps, is situated off the west coast -of the peninsula of Malacca‑‑you will find it about the 6th degree -of north latitude. It is a beautiful situation, and has a good -government. The number of Chinese is about 8 or 10,000, 14 or 15,000 -Malays. There are also Siamese and Burmese. This mission was begun -in 1819. It has now two missionaries with their wives; the Rev. -S. Dyer for the Chinese, and the Rev. T. Beighton for the Malays. -These missionaries are very devoted, and are doing great good. -They have a number of schools for children, where they teach them -daily out of the Holy Scriptures, of the way of salvation by Jesus -Christ; and by the books which the children receive, much good -instruction is conveyed to the parents. But I have not time to -give you all the particulars of this and the other stations of -the straits. - -The same year, namely 1819, the mission was begun in Java. The -seat of this mission is at Batavia. The elevated island of Java, -presents some very fine tracts of country. Batavia itself is -unhealthy, but a few miles out of the town where foreigners generally -reside, the country is delightful, and the climate agreeable. The -Rev. W.H. Medhurst is the missionary at the stations. He and Mrs. -Medhurst have been very abundant in their labors, and as their -labors multiply, their zeal and their success increase. Mr. -Medhurst has travelled in various parts of Java and the neighboring -islands, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and scattering in -every direction the good seed of the word of God. - -Another mission was commenced this same year, 1819. This was at -Singapore, an island situated in the straits, not far distant from -the south‑eastern extremity of the peninsular of Malacca. At this -station, from the commencement to the present time, there have -been laborers both for the Malays and for the Chinese. The Rev. -C.H. Thompson for the Malays, and the Rev. J. Tomlin for the Chinese. -These missionaries have travelled and scattered abroad the word, -especially in Siam, where Mr. Tomlin has made two or three -visits‑‑where I suppose he now is with my good friend the Rev. -D. Abeel. In the establishments of all these missions, Dr. Milne -took a very lively interest. He entered _into_ the business with -this whole soul. He expected great things, he attempted great -things, and he accomplished great things. At the age of 20, he -determined to become a soldier to serve abroad in Immanuel's wars, -undertaking to destroy Satan's kingdom. He prepared himself for -the conflict, buckled on his armor,‑‑at 27, entered on the field -of battle, served with courage and fidelity 10 years, and then, -worn out by useful toils and hard service, died on his post. - -Children, farewell; in the next I will tell you of Leang Afa. - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XVI. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 19, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--You know the goodness and mercy of our -God, you know how he has given his dear Son to die for us poor -rebellious sinners, and has promised to give to Christ the heathen -for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his -possession. - -It is our heavenly Father, that Being who cannot lie, who has told -us that his word shall not return unto him void, but _shall_ prosper, -and accomplish all his holy will. If all good people would only -do their duty, the heathen I think would very soon become converted. -_When the children of God pray and labor as they ought, he always -blesses them_. - -I have told you about one person who came to Dr. Morrison's house, -and heard him talk of Jesus and of the way of salvation by the -blood of the Lamb, and that man believed and was baptized. I have -now to tell you of another, who has become a disciple of Jesus, -and is devoting all his time and strength to the service of his -divine Master, Christ the Lord. I am going to tell of the evangelist -Leang Afa. - -When Dr. Milne left Canton and went to Malacca, in 1815, Afa went -with him as printer‑‑this was his trade. Soon after this, it was -observed that the truth had taken a strong hold upon his mind, -he was convicted by the holy law of God, saw himself to be a sinner, -poor and miserable, blind and naked, and in need of all things. -And thus he was brought to declare his determination to take up -his cross and follow Christ. What care was taken to instruct him -will be seen by the following extract from Dr. Milne's Journal. - -November 3, 1816. At twelve o'clock this day, I baptized, in the -name of the adorable Trinity, Leang Afa. This service was performed -privately in a room of the mission‑house. Care had been taken by -private conversation, instruction and prayer, to prepare him for -this sacred ordinance. This had been continued for a considerable -time. Finding him still steadfast in his desire to become a -Christian, I baptized him. The change -produced in his sentiments and conduct, is, I hope, the effect -of Christian truth, and of that alone: _yet who of mortals can -know the heart?_ Several searching questions were proposed to him -in private, and an exercise suited to a heathen candidate for -baptism, composed and given to him to read and to meditate upon. - -With respect to his former life, he says, I was never much given -to idolatry. I seldom went to the temples. I sometimes prayed towards -heaven, but lived in careless indifference. Although I rarely went -to excess in sin, yet I have been occasionally guilty of drunkenness, -and other kindred vices. Before I came hither (to Malacca) I knew -not God‑‑now I desire to serve him. - -The following are the questions proposed, and the answers given -at the time of baptism: - -1. "Have you truly turned from idols, to serve and worship the -living and true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and all things?" -This is my heart's desire. - -2. "Do you know and feel that you are a sinful creature, totally -unable to save yourself?" I know it. - -3. "Do you really, from your heart, believe that Jesus Christ is -the Son of God, the salvation of the world; and do you trust alone -in him for salvation?" This is my heart's desire. - -4. "Do you expect any worldly advantage, profit or gain whatever, -by your becoming a Christian?" None. I receive baptism, because -it is my duty. - -5. "Do you resolve from this day to the day of your death, to live -in obedience to the commandments and ordinances of God, and in -justice and seriousness of life before men?" This is my -determination, but I fear my strength is not equal to it. - -On my part, says Dr. Milne, the ordinance was dispensed with -affection, joy, hope, and fear. May he be made faithful unto death, -and as he is the first fruits of this branch of the mission, may -an abundant harvest follow to the joy of the church, and to the -honor of Christ. Such is Dr. Milne's account of Leang Afa, and -O, with what delight must the sainted spirit look down from heaven -upon the disciple of Jesus, as he labors, and toils, and faints -not! - -April 7, 1819. After prayers and many tears, the two -brothers in Christ parted. Afa returned to China, and not long -after, was married. His wife has become a believer in Christ, and -has received baptism. He has now living, two children‑‑a little -daughter of four, and a son of eleven years. The son's name is -Leang Atih. He was baptized in infancy. He now lives with me, and -I will tell you more about him in another letter. Atih had a little -brother a few months old, but last summer he died. His parents -grieved very much for him, because they loved him very much, and -he was a tender child. - -Afa has promised to give me a written account of himself, by and -by. I think it will be very interesting, and when I receive it, -I can tell you more about him. He has received a great deal of -ill treatment from his friends, neighbors, and countrymen. His -home is about seventy‑five miles west from Canton. He has an aged -father, whom he supports. Though old, and feeble, and grey headed, -and oft times tenderly instructed by his son; yet, poor man, he -resists the truth, loves his idols, and says there is no God. And -so when the son Leang Afa, and his wife and young Atih, kneel down -together around the family altar, to worship the living and true -God, the father, the grandfather, the old, feeble, dying man, goes -away and worships.‑‑O how dreadful, how pitiable, he goes away -and bows down and worships, as he himself declares, the DEVIL, -and then comes and rails at his son, because he has forsaken the -gods of his country! This is a great trial to Afa, but he bears -it as he does all his trials, with meekness and fortitude. Afflicted -and persecuted as this family have been, they feel almost as if -they had no home on this earth. They are poor in the things of -this world, but doubtless they have treasures in heaven. They live -sometimes in one place, sometimes in another. During the last summer -and fall, they have lived in a hired house in this city. Afa has -been here to see me to‑day, and Atih has gone with him, this evening, -to see the family. In the morning, if the Lord will, he will come -back to me, then he will go about twenty miles to the east of Canton, -to a retired place, where he, with another Christian, is printing -the _Scripture Lessons_; and his grandfather, and his mother and -little sister, will leave the city and go to the West, to their -own village. But the true God will protect them, says Afa, and -keep them all in safety. - -Afa is now forty‑four years old. More than fifteen years he has -borne the Christian name, and toiled and suffered hardships and -persecutions in his Master's service, and his faith and his zeal -increase as he holds on his way: so may it be to the end. Dear -children, remember, I entreat you, Afa and his family in your daily -prayers, and remember also, your true friend, - - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XVII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 20, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,‑‑When I have given you a short account of -Canton city, and told you a few things about my boys, then I must -close these letters. Canton is a very large city, situated in 23 -degrees 7 minutes north latitude, 113 degrees 14 minutes east -longitude, from Greenwich. It is distant from the open sea, about -70 or 80 miles, and stands on the north bank of the Jake, which -the Chinese call _Chook‑eany_, that is, the _Pearl River_. The -city is built wholly on one side of the river. Opposite to Canton, -is the island of Honam, on which stands the celebrated Honam -Joshouse. Indeed, all the way from Canton to the open sea, is part -land and part water, and forms a great number of islands. - -A part of Canton is enclosed by a wall built of brick and stone, -about 20 or 25 feet high, and 10 or 15 feet thick. The part of -the city which is enclosed by the wall, is nearly square. Each -of the four sides of the city, I should think, measures about two -miles, perhaps less, perhaps more. On each side, there are three -or four gates, these are always guarded by day, and shut and barred -by night. Foreigners may not enter the gates. On the south, the -wall extends within about 20 rods of the river. On the north side, -it extends to the brow of a hill, which terminates the range of -mountains which rise and stretch along in the rear of Canton. There -is a wall which divides the city into two parts, the north and -south. The south part, is about one quarter of the whole, and has -been built since the other, and is sometimes called the new city; -but this distinction is not necessary. - -The space between the city walls and the river, and a -considerable extent of the east and west sides of the city without -the walls, constitutes the suburbs of Canton, or, as the Chinese -say, the city outside, which, as to its streets, houses, shops, -&c. is all the same as the city inside. So the Chinese have repeatedly -assured me, and this, I believe, is the opinion of the foreigners -here. Usually, the streets are not more than eight feet wide, and -often not more than four. Their houses and shops are seldom, if -ever, more than two stories high, and often the top one is only -a kind of half story. The shops are built close on the streets, -and not unfrequently project over them. When the shops are opened -in pleasant weather, the whole front is removed; this displays -their goods to great advantage. Some of these streets are very -beautiful. Dwelling‑houses and shops are seldom built on the same -street. - -Dwelling‑houses, and the gardens and yards around them, are usually -surrounded by a wall which is built close on the street, and so -high as to prevent any one passing along, from seeing the houses. -At each end of the principal streets, there is a gate and a watch‑house -built above it. The gates are closed at night, and the watchmen -keep a constant look out, and beat with their gongs or bells the -watches of the night. - -The _population_ of Canton is very numerous. I think, not less -than a _million of souls_. Many people think this number too great, -and perhaps it is. Including those who live on the river, and all -those within and without the city, the number is very great. Though -the houses are not high, yet the people live together very thick. -They marry young, and live to a good old age. In the same house, -you will sometimes find great grand‑parents, grand‑parents, -parents, children, grand‑children, great, and even great, great, -grand‑children, making in all a very great number. From personal -observation, I should not think that more than one tenth or one -fifteenth part of the whole people of Canton live on the river. -But if to the 40,000 boats, we allow only three persons to each -boat, we shall have 120,000 on the river, and if this is only one -ninth part of the whole population, it will amount to more than -one million. But, my young friends, I will not trouble you any -more with these hard reckonings; your teachers will explain the -whole for you. - -Foreign merchants have for several years traded to China. Only -a few rods from the south‑west corner of the city walls, there -are twelve or thirteen large buildings, or rather rows of buildings, -and each of the rows contain three or four, and sometimes more -houses, built like the houses in the United States, and _here_ -we live; in all, I suppose, about 100 persons, English, French, -Dutch, _Americans_, &c. These houses are sometimes called -factories, and sometimes hongs. The English have a chapel and -clergyman, and worship on the Sabbath. While Mr. Abeel was here, -and also since he left, the Americans have had worship on the Sabbath -in a large room in one of the private houses. - -We live very comfortably here, though cut off from some of the -greatest domestic and social enjoyments. No man can bring his family -with him to Canton. All the work about house, cookery and every -thing, is done by Chinese men servants. The servant that was with -me several months after I came to China, did his work well enough, -but did not like to read; besides, he was quite old. So I mentioned -one day, that I should like a lad that would learn to read and -write. A servant of one of the gentlemen with whom I lived heard -this, and immediately wished me to take his little brother, then -ten years old. His name is Atsan. In a few days, he made his -appearance, a fine, round‑faced, sprightly‑looking boy. He knew -something of his own language, but not a single letter of the English. -Just at this time, Afa came and wished me to take his little son, -Atih; and in a few days, the boy came, poorly clothed, with great -head, flat nose, and crooked shoulders. His first appearance was -not very promising. He could read and write his own language well, -for a boy of his age, but knew not a word of English. I wrote out -the alphabet for the two boys, and they began to learn; two or -three days after this, they wished to introduce another boy. This -was Achang, fifteen years old, and had been to school about three -years. He had learnt also a part of the English alphabet. - -In this way I became acquainted with the boys. This was a year -ago. They have done, and still continue to do, exceedingly well. -They read, write and recite, both Chinese and English, daily. If -they continue to learn as they have done thus far, they will make -excellent scholars. They read daily in the Scriptures. They have -learnt the name of Christ the Lord, and I hope ere long they will -choose him for their Saviour. Atih says he loves the Savior _now_, -and prays to him every night and morning, and when I ask Atih if -he did not fear men would laugh at him, he answered, men do laugh -at me, but I do not fear them that kill the body, I rather fear -_Him_ who can destroy both soul and body in hell. And now, dear -children, farewell. I beg you will not cease to pray for the dear -boys, and all this nation, and more than this, I hope you will -continue to send them the Bible and missionaries. And still more, -I desire that some of _you_ may come here, may come as good -missionaries, for hundreds are now needed to preach the gospel -to these heathen. Say, will you come? I once knew a boy, younger -than some of you are now, who, having read an account of the heathen, -such as you have now read in these letters, desired to be a -missionary, and go to the heathen, and the Lord has granted the -desire of his heart, and now he is a missionary, laboring to make -known the glorious gospel of the blessed God. - - Farewell. Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -LETTER XVIII. - -_Canton_, (_China_,) _Dec_. 21, 1831. - -To Parents and Teachers: - -MY DEAR FRIENDS,‑‑Weary and oppressed when I had finished my last -letter, I determined to desist from writing more, but after -reflection and prayer before God, I felt constrained to add yet -another. The letters have cost me considerable time and labor, -and though short, they contain many interesting facts. I have been -obliged to sit up late at night to write, and early in the morning; -and more than once, while writing and contemplating the condition -of perishing millions around me, tears have started from the eyes, -and the breast has been agitated with thoughts too painful to -describe. I once thought, as some of you may now think, that the -accounts of the heathen are overdrawn, and their condition -represented to be worse than it actually is. This is not the case; -far from it. There are sometimes inaccurate statements‑‑I have -met with such‑‑but I have never seen a description, given by -uninspired men, which adequately portrays the misery, and moral -degradation, of this elegant, learned, polished, and refined pagan -nation. - -The inimitable descriptions of the heathen world, given in the -Old and New Testament, are all exemplified here, in _living -characters_. In the letters to the dear youth, who stand to you -in the relations of sons, and daughters, and pupils, it has been -my object to assist you, in making known to them the present -_condition and character_ of the Chinese. I have narrated chiefly, -such things as I had either seen or heard here on the spot. Many -of the accounts are imperfect, and the descriptions faint; and -I am on that very account, more anxious that you should follow -up the subject, explaining and illustrating whatever the children -do not easily understand. I wish you would often read to them the -44th chapter of Isaiah, and the 1st chapter of Romans. I wish also -that you would collect and point out to them interesting accounts, -published in the Missionary Herald, and in religious newspapers, -and books which have been published on missions. It is of great -importance that children be well instructed, correctly and -extensively informed, in regard to the condition of those to whom -the gospel is yet to be published. Every one, whether old or young, -rich or poor, has an interest‑‑a personal interest in this great -and glorious work; but children have a peculiar personal interest. -From the present generation of children, many hundreds, nay, -thousands of missionaries, are to be trained up and sent abroad -to the fields already white for the harvest. Our Lord, the Saviour, -has made it the privilege, and the duty, of every one who will -be his disciple, _to seek first the kingdom of heaven_; and he -has assured us that no one can be his disciple who will not forsake -all and follow him. It will profit a man nothing, if he gain the -whole world and lose his own soul: and so in comparison with seeking -to extend the religion of Jesus Christ. In comparison with bringing -souls from the damnation and power of sin and Satan into the kingdom -of God's dear Son, all things also are nothing. There is to be -a great change in the opinions, and feelings, and actions, of -Christians, in regard to this subject, else the gospel will not -be preached to every creature. Now hundreds and thousands of -Christians, or rather who call themselves Christians, are saying, -"We have nothing to do in this business, and we can't do any thing -if we try." But the time is coming, when all good people will say, -"We have a great work to do, for it is our business to publish -the gospel to every creature; and we can do all things through -Christ strengthening us." - -It will help to hasten this change, if we make this subject‑‑the -subject of missions‑‑the preaching of the gospel to every -creature‑‑the conversion of the whole world‑‑very familiar to our -own minds and to the minds of others,‑‑especially to children. -If the Lord Jesus Christ should come down from heaven, and go round -to each of your houses, and entering, should address you -individually, and say, Go ye and preach the gospel to every creature; -you would think this a most solemn command; one which you could -not misunderstand. So it would be, and just so it is now. It is -no more your duty and your privilege, than it is my duty and -privilege. It is a common cause; one in which it is alike the -privilege and the bounden duty of every disciple of the Lord Jesus -Christ to engage, and with his whole soul, and mind and strength. -The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. The case which I have -presented, is an extreme one‑‑a case of life and death‑‑not the -life of a single individual, a brother, a sister, or a child; nor -is it the temporal life of 10,000 individuals. Oh! no. It is the -eternal life of hundreds of thousands of immortal souls. - -And now, dear friends, allow me to make in behalf of those among -whom I live, this one request;‑‑that you will think often of their -condition, and make it a frequent subject of conversation with -your children. I desire that you may do this, that you may be led, -and may lead your children to desire and earnestly to pray for -the conversion of the Chinese. - -There is no danger of thinking, or saying, or feeling, or doing -too much in a work of such amazing magnitude. The danger, and it -is very great, is all on the other side. One solitary instance -of doing too much, has never yet been known; but on the contrary -all have come short. You can easily imagine what would be your -feelings, if you should see your fellow creatures, friends and -strangers, sinking and drowning in the waves, and if it was in -your power, you would, even at the hazard of your own lives, seek -to save them. O then, what ought to be the emotions, and what the -effort to save, when contemplating a whole nation sinking in the -bottomless pit? Sinking! yet they are like us, prisoners of hope. -And if they hear the joyful sound, and believe in Jesus, then shall -they be saved. Wishing you and your children, everlasting -happiness, I remain ever, your affectionate friend and servant, - - E.C.B. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters to Children, by E. C. 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C. Bridgman</title> - -<style type="text/css"> - img.c1 {height:500px} -</style> -</head> -<body> -<pre> - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Letters to Children - -Author: E. C. Bridgman - -Release Date: January 26, 2017 [EBook #54055] -[Last updated: February 6, 2017] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS TO CHILDREN *** - - - - -Produced by Ting Man Tsao - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: This e-book is based on an extant copy at -Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, -College of William and Mary. The transcriber is grateful to the -librarians there for providing assistance in accessing this rare -fragile book. A few typos in the original text were corrected.</pre> - - - -<a href="#Letters"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Bookcover" class="c1"></a> - - -<h1>LETTERS TO CHILDREN.</h1> -<pre> - - -BY REV. E.C. BRIDGMAN, -MISSIONARY IN CHINA. -Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, -and Revised by the Committee of Publication. - -</pre> -<h3>SECOND EDITION.</h3> -<pre> - - -BOSTON: -MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY. -Depository, No. 13, Cornhill. -1838. - -Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1834, -BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN, -In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2>INDEX.</h2> -<pre> - - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter1">Letter I.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Introduction; Chinese are Idolaters; Confucian, Taon, and Buddha -Sects, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter2">Letter II.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Temples, Priest, Priestesses and Idols, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter3">Letter III.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Pagodas, Idol Worship, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter4">Letter IV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Soldiers; Merchants, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter5">Letter V.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Mechanics, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter6">Letter VI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Husbandmen, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter7">Letter VII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Scholars, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter8">Letter VIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Sailors, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter9">Letter IX.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Character and Condition of Females, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter10">Letter X.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Marriage Ceremony, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter11">Letter XI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Beggars; Food and Clothing, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter12">Letter XII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Crimes: Lying, Gambling, Quarrelling, Theft, Robbery, and -Bribery, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter13">Letter XIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Ideas of Death, style of Mourning, Funerals, &c. - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter14">Letter XIV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Dr. Morrison translates the Bible into the Chinese Language, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter15">Letter XV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Dr. Milne; Missionary Stations, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter16">Letter XVI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Leang Afa, - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter17">Letter XVII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -Canton City; Population, &c. - -</pre> -<h2><a href="#Letter18">Letter XVIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -To Parents and Teachers, - -______ - -</pre> -<h3>TO THE READER.</h3> -<pre> - - -______ - -This little Book contains eighteen Letters, written by Rev. E.C. -BRIDGMAN, Missionary in China, addressed to the Children of the -Sabbath School in Middleton, Mass. and published in the Sabbath -School Treasury and Visitor. Though the letters were addressed -to children in a particular Sabbath School, they are none the less -adapted to other children, and they cannot fail to interest any -one, who would see China converted to Christ. - -______ - -</pre> -<h1><a name="Letters" id="Letters">LETTERS FROM CHINA.</a></h1> -<pre> - - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter1" id="Letter1">Letter I.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Oct.</em> 17, 1831 - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS:--The general agent of the Massachusetts -Sabbath School Union has requested me to write something which -I have "seen, heard, or thought of" for the <em>Treasury</em>. He proposed -that I should write in the form of letters, and address them to -you. This I shall be very happy to do, so far as I have any leisure -to write. - -Some of you, perhaps, will remember what I used to tell you of -the children, and men, and women, who had no Bibles, and who were -ignorant of the true God, and of Jesus Christ the Savior of -sinners. I can remember very well what some of the little children -used to say, and how they used to look, when I talked to them about -being a missionary, and of going far away from home, perhaps never -to return. I did not then think of going so far off; indeed, I -did not know where I should go; had some thoughts of going to -Greece, or to Armenia. We do not always know what is best, but -God does, for He knows all things, and will direct all things for -his own glory; and if we love and obey him. He will make all things -work together for our good. - -I am very glad I came to China, and I wish a great many more -missionaries would come here. Before I came among the heathen, -I had no idea how much they are to be pitied, and how much they -need the Bible. Now that I live among them, and see their poor -dumb idols every day, I desire to tell you a great many things -which, I hope, will make you more careful to improve your own -privileges, and more anxious also that the same blessed -privileges may be enjoyed by all other children every where. - -Now, children, if you will look on your maps, you will see that -China is situated in that part of the earth, which is directly -opposite to the United States: so that when it is noon in one -place, it is midnight in the other. The two countries, you will -see, occupy nearly the same extent of the earth's surface. They -are, also, bounded on the north and south, by nearly the same -degrees of latitude. (China is situated a little farther south -than the United States.) This makes the seasons,--summer and -winters, spring and autumn,--and also the climate of the two -countries, quite alike. But in regard to population, religion, -and almost every thing else, they are very different from each -other. - -China is a very ancient nation; and has, at the present time, a -vast population,--probably twenty or thirty times as many people -as there are in all the United States of America. If there are, -then, <em>three millions</em> in the United States to be gathered into -the Sabbath schools, and there Sabbath after Sabbath, instructed -in the Holy Scriptures; there are here in China more than <em>sixty -millions</em>, of the same age, who know not even that there are any -Sabbath, or any Sabbath day, or any Holy Bible. - -You can now, dear children, from these few facts, estimate how -many there are in China who need the Bible; and how much there -is to be done, how many missionaries and Christian teachers will -be wanted, before all these millions of immortal beings shall have -the word of God, and be as blessed and as happy in their -privileges, as you now are. You, truly, enjoy great privileges, -because you have the Holy Bible, and can, every day, read of Jesus -Christ: and if you believe in him, you will have great joy and -comfort, and when you die, go to heaven and be forever with the -Lord. But O, what do you think will become of all these poor -heathen children, who have no Bibles, and who have never heard -of the name of Jesus? In the fourth chapter of Acts, you read, -that, "<em>there is no other name under heaven given among men, -whereby we must be saved</em>." - -The Chinese are idolaters. Their fathers, and their grandfather, -for hundreds and thousands of generations, have been idolaters, -and worshipped idols of wood and stone which their own hands have -made. These idols are very numerous; as numerous, the Chinese -themselves say, as the sands on the banks of a great river. - -The Chinese are divided into three religious sects. The Confucian -sect; the Taon sect; and the Buddha sect. I will now tell you -something about each of these three. - -The <em>Confucian</em> sect is composed of the <em>learned</em> men of China, -who are in their disposition and character like the proud and -self-righteous pharisees, mentioned in the New Testament. They -call them the <em>disciples</em> of Confucius. They adore and worship -him; they have a great many temples dedicated to him; and they -offer various sacrifices to him, as the children of Israel did -to Jehovah, the true God, in the time of Moses. Confucius was born -538 years before Christ. His disciples relate many strange -stories about their master. But he taught them nothing about the -true God and Jesus Christ, and nothing about the soul after death. -<em>Life and immortality were not revealed to him</em>. His disciples -are as ignorant as their master was. They neither know nor -acknowledge the eternal power and Godhead, so "clearly seen, -being understood by the things that are made." Professing -themselves to be wise, they become fools, and like the Romans, -"changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image like -to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts," &c. -&c. I wish you to read the last half of the first chapter of Romans, -and you will have a good account of the disciples of Confucius. - -Taontsze, which being interpreted, means <em>old boy</em>, was the -founder of the <em>Taon</em> sect. His followers to this day call him -the supreme venerable prince; and relate many curious stories -about him; and say that he was an <em>ignorant good man</em>. - -The religion of <em>Buddha</em> was brought from India, and became a -common religion of China, probably, about the time, or soon after -the crucifixion of our Savior. Both this religion and that of the -Taon sect are dreadfully wicked, and full of abominations; and -their priests are the most ignorant and miserable people in China. -I will tell you more of these hereafter. - -Besides these three sects, there are some Roman Catholics, some -Mohammedans, and a few Jews, scattered in different parts of -China. - -Since I have now commenced, I wish to write you several short -letters; and this I will try to do, if God our heavenly Father -gives me time and strength. Earnestly desiring that he will give -you all good things, I remain, - - Your true friends, - E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter2" id="Letter2">Letter II.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Oct.</em> 19, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--In the first letter, I told you something -about the situation and the vast population of China, and the -three religious sects into which the people are divided. In this -letter I propose to give you a short account of their temples, -priests, priestesses, and idols. - -<em>Idol temples</em> are very different from meeting-houses. I have -visited a good many of these temples, in and about Canton and -Macao. There is very little, if any, difference between the -temples of the Buddha and the Taon sects. Those which I have seen -are brick, and usually firm and well built. A common village -temple occupies about half an acre of ground, enclosed by a wall -twelve or fifteen feet high, and consists of several houses for -the priests, a number of small rooms and niches for the idols, -and an open court and alleys. Some of the temples are large, -including within their outer wall three or four acres, having -beautiful trees and gardens, and sometimes a furnace, in which -the dead bodies of priests are burnt, and also a kind of tomb, -filled with urns, in which their ashes are afterwards deposited. -These are more than thirteen hundred idol temples in the province -of Canton; and, at the same rate of reckoning, there will be, in -the eighteen provinces into which China is divided, more than -<em>twenty-three thousand idol temples</em>. - -I have never visited any of the temples dedicated to Confucius. -They are, it is said, distinguished from those of Buddha and Taon, -by their dignified simplicity, the exclusion of images from all -the principal halls, and by substituting, in their stead, -commemorative tablets, bearing the names of Confucius and his -most distinguished disciples. - -<em>Priests</em> are numerous. One temple in Peking has, it is said, -eight hundred priests. One which I have visited, <em>near</em> Canton, -has more than one hundred and fifty. Those of Buddha shave their -heads perfectly bald. They usually appear dressed in a large grey -gown, with sleeves often a full yard wide. They live principally -on vegetables; they eat no meat, are not allowed to marry, are -idle, and, except by persons of their own sect, utterly -disrespected. The priests of the Taon sect shave their heads, -except a spot about the size of a man's hand, of which the crown -of the head is the centre. This, indeed, every Chinese does. Every -man and every boy must have his head shaved, as a mark of -submission to the Emperor. This has been the custom for almost -two hundred years. But, while the common people braid their hair -into a "long tail," which hangs down to their heels, the priests -of Taon fold theirs up in a knot on the top of the head. When they -appear in public, they usually wear a yellow robe. They eat flesh, -and are permitted to marry. No priest of either sect ever teaches -in public and but seldom in private. They spend much of their time -in devotions, which are nothing but "vain repetitions," saying -over and over again the same words, as fast as they can, hundreds -and thousands of times. They are sometimes called to pray for the -dead, and sometimes to go in funeral processions. - -Persons may become priests at any age they please; they are -usually, however, dedicated to the service when quite young, even -in infancy. A few days ago, in the streets, I saw a lad only eight -or ten years old, all dressed up in his priestly robes. There are -no priests belonging to the Confucian sect. - -<em>Priestesses</em> are more wicked, but not so numerous as priests. -There are three sorts of these poor miserable creatures. Those -that belong to the sects of Buddha and Taon wear a peculiar kind -of dress. Those of the Buddha sect shave their heads, and the -people of Canton call them "women padres." Those of third sort -form a kind of sisterhood, live wholly on vegetables, and dress -like other women. These are all very wicked, ugly people. They -pretend to sing songs to the gods, and drive away demons. There -are other old women, still worse, if possible, than these; such -as witches, conjurers, and necromancers. They pretend to hold -intercourse with the dead, and give responses to their living -kindred, telling them that their dead friends are in great -distress for want of food and clothing. Many of the deluded people -believe them, and, by these lies and tricks, they contrive to get -food and clothing for themselves. - -<em>Idols</em>, in China, are numerous beyond all calculation. These -idols are to be seen every where; in ships, in boats, houses, in -temples, shops, streets, fields, on the hills, and in the vallies, -and along the banks of all the rivers and canals. Some of these -idols are very large, huge monsters, several feet high. Some of -them are made of wood, some are stone, some are earthen, others -are brass, iron, &c. &c. They are most commonly made somewhat in -the likeness of men; but sometimes they are like beasts, and -birds, and creeping things. There are places where these <em>gods</em> -are manufactured and sold just as people make and sell chairs, -tables, &c. I am going to send a parcel of them to the Society -of Inquiry respecting Missions, at the Theological Seminary, -Andover, where if you wish, you can go and see them. - -Adieu, dear children. May the Lord, in great mercy, keep you from -all sin, and make you happy in this life and in that which is to -come. Remembering you often in my prayers, - - I remain, your true friend, - E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter3" id="Letter3">Letter III.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Oct</em>. 20, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--In my letter, yesterday, I forgot to tell -you of some very high buildings, called <em>pagodas</em>. These are found -in almost every part of China. They were introduced soon after -the religion of Buddha, in which they seem to have had their -origin, in this country. These lofty buildings present every -where nearly the same appearance; but differ in height from three -to thirteen stories. They are usually hollow, with stairs -ascending up through the centre; and are usually built on the top -of some high hill. They are believed, by those who build them, -to be a defence against evil spirits, pestilence, misfortunes, -&c. One of the finest pagodas in China, is in Nanking, and was -built about 400 years ago. It is called the porcelain pagoda. It -is 200 feet high, divided into nine stories; and is, at the base, -122 feet in circumference. It was nineteen years in building, and -cost more than three millions of dollars; more than three times -as much as the American Board have yet expended for foreign -missions. - -I will close this letter with some account of <em>idol worship</em>, as -it is performed here, all around us, every day. - -The Chinese never assemble for religious worship as Christians -do, who go to the house of God, there to worship him, who is a -Spirit, in spirit and in truth. Their worship is very unholy, and -offensive to God, and injurious to man. They have no preaching; -their priests never set as public, religious teachers. Their -worship consists of prayers and offerings, made to their false -gods, and to their departed friends, to the sages and heroes of -antiquity, and to their emperors--both living and the dead. All -their acts of worship are accompanied with a great many, and very -tedious ceremonies. - -Some of the priests make very long prayers. In a temple near -Canton, I have seen more than 50 priests altogether, at one time, -engaged in their devotions. At the appointed hour, they assembled -in a large hall where were a number of idols, and altars for -offering incense, and also a drum and a bell to <em>wake</em> up the -sleepy gods, and make them listen to their prayers. - -As soon as they were assembled, they took their places in ranks, -and commenced their worship. One of the oldest priests acted as -chief, and took the lead; and the others, with loud voices, all -joined with him and chanted their evening prayers. Sometimes, -they all stood erect, with their hands all joined with him, and -chanted their evening prayers. Sometimes they all stood erect, -with their hands clasped before them. Sometimes, in files, they -went round and round their altars. At one time, they all kneeled; -and again, they all bowed down their heads, and placed them in -the very dust. All the time they were doing these things, which -occupied about an hour, candles and lamps were kept burning, and -incense was offered on the altars. - -The Chinese never pray in their families and closets as Christians -are taught to do. Individuals sometimes go to the temples to pray, -and pay their vows, and to make offerings to the idol gods. I have -repeatedly seen women, sometimes with their young children, -bowing before the altars in the temples. The Chinese observe many -times and seasons, in which they make religious offerings, some -of which are very expensive. - -There are appointed seasons when the Emperor of China worships -his ancestors, and the heavens, and the earth, and also some of -the great mountains and rivers of the empire. Early in the morning -on the first day of the year, all the people worship their gods, -praying for riches. In the spring of every year, there is an -appointed time, when every body goes to the hills--some travel -hundreds of miles--to worship at the tombs of their fathers, and -mothers, and uncles, &c. While at the tombs, they offer costly -sacrifices of fish, fowls, sheep, goats, swine and the like, with -oblations of wine and oil, to the names of their departed -relatives. On the first and fifteenth of every moon, they have -some special religious rites to perform, such as firing off -thousands and thousands of gunpowder crackers, beating their -gongs, or drums, &c. This they do to keep off evil spirits. Every -day, especially at evening, offerings of paper--a kind of gold -paper--and oil, and fragrant wood, are made to the household -Gods, to the gods of the streets, shops, boats. Indeed, there -seems to be no end to their superstitions. And thus, alas! all -this numerous people are given to idolatry, and offer sacrifices -to devils. They worship they know not what. - -And now, my dear young friends, do you think all this vain and -wicked worship constitute <em>a cheap and easy religion?</em> Think of -the priests and priestesses devoted to idleness, and to -abominable rites and services. Think of the hundreds of temples -and idleness, and to abominable rites and services. Think of the -hundreds of temples and pagodas, and thousands of idols which -cover and fill the land. Think, too, of all the times and seasons; -all the costly offerings and sacrifices employed in this idol -worship; and again I ask, and I wish you to give an answer,--<em>Do -you think this a cheap and easy religion?</em> I think it a most costly -religion, and most grievous to be borne. Oh, how unlike the -religion of Jesus Christ! His yoke is easy, and his burden light. -But the service of Satan is hard service. The expense of this idol -worship must amount to many millions of dollars annually. More, -I am constrained to believe, is expended every day, and every -year, by the Chinese alone, in idol worship, than is devoted by -all the true Christians in the whole world, to the worship of the -true God. - -<em>These things ought not so to be</em>. And if all good people could -see how miserable these heathens are, and could feel for them, -as Christ Jesus commands them to feel, the things would not be -so much longer. There would be a great change immediately. The -Bible would be distributed; the Gospel would be preached; and then -would the heathen cast away their dumb idols, and serve the true -God. - -And now, dear children, farewell. Think of these things and -remember and pray for the poor heathen always. I hope to write -to you again; perhaps, several short letters, but I may be -disappointed. Endeavoring to cast all my cares on <em>Him</em>, who -careth for us all, and to serve him with singleness of heart, I -still remain your true friend, E.C. BRIDGMAN. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter4" id="Letter4">Letter IV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Oct</em>. 25, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--There is no <em>caste</em> in China, as there -is in India. Men may rise from the most humble stations in life, -to the highest rank of office; the throne only being excepted. -The Chinese, in their books, often speak of the <em>soldiers</em> and -the <em>people:</em> and when speaking of the people, divide them into -<em>merchants</em>, <em>mechanics</em>, <em>husbandmen</em>, <em>and scholars</em>. - -The occupations of these <em>five</em> classes, the Chinese call "the -essential employments." And they say "that when the high heavens -produced men, they appointed to every one an employment, as the -means of personal support. Therefore, though men naturally differ -as to knowledge and ignorance, strength and weakness, yet none -should be without an employment. Having employments, all men have -a proper duty to which they should attend, both that they may be -profitable to themselves, and useful to the world." - -I think now, children, you will be better able to understand the -character of the Chinese, if I tell you something of these five -classes separately. I will remark first, however, that these -divisions are not exclusive. A man may be a scholar, and at the -same time engage in husbandry. So he may be a merchant, and at -the same time a scholar. Soldiers, sometimes also, I believe, are -farmers, or merchants, or mechanics. But usually <em>one</em> man -attends to only <em>one</em> of the <em>essential</em> employments. - -China is now governed by the Tartars, a very war-like nation, who -conquered and subdued the country, and ascended the throne 187 -years ago. It was at that time, A.D. 1644, that the <em>long tail</em> -mentioned in the second letter, was introduced. Many of the old -people, it is said, were unwilling to shave their heads, and braid -their hair. But the Tartars being their masters, and having the -power, compelled them to do so, on the pain of death. Many actually -preferred death to such a mark of disgrace. At the present time, -in order to keep the people in subjection, a great number of -soldiers, many of them Tartars, are stationed all over the Empire. -There are several thousands in Canton. These soldiers have a few -guns: but generally they are armed with swords and shields, or -bows and arrows, or spears and pikes, or some other such like -instruments. The soldiers have very little to do; and so they -become very lazy, and gamble, and steal, rob and oppress the poor, -and often make a great deal of disturbance. And after all they -can do to keep the peace, the people often rise in rebellion; and -then they quarrel and fight, and hundreds of the people and -soldiers are killed. Two of three such rebellions have happened -since I have been in China. - -To prevent mistake, I wish you to keep in mind the difference -between China, and the Chinese Empire. By <em>China</em>, or China -Proper, is understood the 18 provinces, which for a long time, -constituted the whole of the Chinese possessions. The <em>Chinese -Empire</em>, as it has existed since 1644, extends on the north, and -west, far beyond the boundaries of ancient China, and is, -probably, the largest Empire in the world. The whole number of -persons in the Empire, who are enrolled as soldiers and make the -art and practice of <em>war</em> their <em>essential employment</em>, is very -great; amounting, probably, to two or three millions. - -<em>Chinese Merchants</em> have by no means that high character, and that -influence, which the same class of men possess in Europe and -America. They are ranked the <em>last</em> of the four divisions of the -people, and are regarded by their own countrymen as the least -respectable part of the community. They are, usually, very greedy -of gain, and often cheat and deceive; and they regard it as a very -small offence to cheat and deceive foreigners, whom they usually -call <em>barbarians:</em> and who, they say, come an immense distance -across the seas, from the northwest corner of the world, to buy -teas, and silks of the celestial Empire. - -The foreign trade to China is pretty extensive, and is continually -increasing. There are now at Whampoa, where the foreign ships -unload and load their cargoes, 52 ships, and 4,000 seamen. These -ships bring tin, lead, quick-silver, copper, iron, furs, cotton -yarn, cotton and woollen cloth, and many other such like, useful -articles. They bring also, and of late years, a very great -quantity of <em>opium</em>. More than twenty millions of dollars' worth -of opium were sold here last year. This is very bad, and does a -great deal of hurt. Those who bring and sell the opium, and those -who buy it also, know very well that it is doing a great deal of -injury. Only a part of the foreign merchants trade in opium; the -others will not, because they know it is wrong, and contrary to -the laws of God and man. Returning from China, the ships are -usually very richly laden with nankeens, silks, teas, &c. - -Chinese merchants do not often go very far abroad; seldom if ever, -so far as to India. They carry on, however, considerable trade -with Cochin China, Siam, Singapore, Malacca, Java; to which, and -to some other places, they have quite a number of vessels, perhaps -fifty, which make a voyage every year. It is by these vessels that -Mr. Medhurst, and Mr. Tomlin, and other missionaries, have sent -many Bibles and tracts into China. It is in one of these vessels -also, that Mr. Gutzlaff has gone to Peking, where he means to spend -the winter and preach the gospel of the Son of God. - -Again, dear children, adieu. Be good children--obey and love your -parents--read your Bibles--believe in Jesus with your whole -hearts, and pray to God always, then you will be happy. I will -by the assistance and permission of God, endeavor to continue the -account of the Chinese people, in another letter. - - Your very true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter5" id="Letter5">Letter V.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Nov.</em>2, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--Having given you, in my last letter, some -account of the soldiers and merchants, I intend in this, to tell -you about the merchants, the husbandmen, and the scholars. I do -not pretend to give you a very complete account of these several -classes of persons. My desire is, however, that you shall have -such an acquaintance with the every day conduct, and peculiar -manners and customs of the Chinese, that you may be able to form -for yourselves, correct ideas of their character. I should be glad -to have you <em>know fully their whole manner of life</em>. I wish you -to know all about them: how they live, how they think, and how -they act. And I wish you to know how they regard and treat each -other, as follow citizens, as husbands and wives, as parents and -children, and as brothers and sisters, &c. &c. Because, when you -can see them in all their daily conduct, and in all their various -relations, and have correct views of their character; then you -will know how much you ought to pity them, and will be very -anxious, I think, to send them the gospel of God, which is able -to make them wise unto everlasting life. I remember you have -already done something for the heathen, but you know that there -is a great deal more to be done; and we must not stop till the -whole world is converted. - -Now I will tell you about the <em>Mechanics</em>. They are usually, as -in the United States, a very industrious class of people, and many -of them excellent workmen. It is written in one of their books, -"Let mechanics examine the four seasons; prepare the six -materials; daily and monthly investigate the progress of their -pursuits; abide together in their own departments; and thus -complete their business." These words which I have now quoted, -are found in a book called the Sacred Edict of the emperor Kanghe. -He lived about a hundred years ago. - -It is very common among the Chinese for persons of the same -occupation to live "together" in the same neighborhood. -Especially is this the case with the mechanics. - -The four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, are to be -<em>examined</em> for two purposes. The one is, for the purpose of -observing various superstitious rites and ceremonies, which they -vainly suppose necessary to secure success in business. The other -is, for selecting and storing up, on <em>lucky days</em>, the "six -materials." - -The six materials are, earth, metal, stone, wood, animals, and -fibrous plants. Of earth they make bricks, tiles, porcelain, and -a great variety of wares. Of metals they make implements of -husbandry, and war, &c. Stone is used for building bridges, -houses, temples, and especially for making idols. These, and all -other materials, are selected with great care, and many -ceremonies, which make the ordinary labors of this people, in many -respects, exceedingly hard. To-day is the birth-day of the god -of fire, and the mechanics of Canton are expending thousands of -dollars in order to secure his protection. - -There are some kinds of workmanship which exhibit very little -skill or taste. There are other kinds which are excellent. The -Chinese, it is said, make good clocks, but do not succeed in making -watches. Very much of their work is, indeed, good in its kind; -and, usually, remarkably simple. - -The Chinese mechanics almost always work by a pattern; and every -thing so far as it is for their own use, must be made according -to <em>old custom</em>. This people are very far from thinking that every -generation grows wiser and wiser. On the contrary, they think that -the <em>ancients</em> were, in many respects, the perfect models of -perfection. Hence to imitate, and to be like them, is the utmost -of their wishes. This is the case with the mechanics. Hence ships, -boats, houses, shops, temples, furniture, and implements of every -kind, are made just like those made years and years ago. I will -give you one single example. - -Instead of knives and forks, which they never use, they have two -small round sticks, about the size of the old fashion pipe-stems, -and about a foot long. These <em>nimble lads</em>, for so they call the -two round sticks, they hold in their right hand, and with a bowl -of food in their left, raised quite up to the chin, they jerk the -food into their mouth with astonishing rapidity. These sticks, -by foreigners usually called chop-sticks, have been in common use, -according to the Chinese account of them, more than three thousand -years. But as children are early trained to the use of these -sticks, perhaps there is no loss or disadvantage in continuing -their use. Yet, even when there would be a great improvement, as -in the helms of their ships, they must (because their government -compels them) adhere strictly to <em>old custom</em>. - -According to law, the different kinds of mechanics are all, I -believe, to be enrolled in the government offices. The following -is a specimen of those in this city. Shoe-makers, twenty-five -thousand. Carpenters and cabinet-makers, sixteen thousand. -Lapidaries or those who work in stone, seven thousand. Barbers -also, seven thousand. - -I must defer what I have to tell you about the husbandmen and -scholars, for another letter. Till then, farewell. Like good -children, be diligent and careful in all that you have to do; -especially be diligent and careful in your studies, and -committing to memory the holy Scriptures. Remember that good and -wise children will make glad their parents. So may you do. And -may God our heavenly Father keep you from all sin. So writes - - Your true friends, E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter6" id="Letter6">Letter VI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>) <em>Nov</em>. 4, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--The Chinese rulers of the present day, -say to their people,--"give the chief place to husbandry and the -cultivation of the mulberry-tree, in order to procure adequate -supplies of food and raiment." To impress this precept on the -minds of the people, they add,--"if a man plough not, he will very -likely suffer hunger; if a woman weave not, she may probably feel -the cold. Of old time, the emperors themselves ploughed, and their -empresses cultivated the mulberry; they disdained not to labor, -in order that, by their example, they might excite the millions -of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of -economy." And yet again they add,--"We wish our people to exert -their whole strength in agriculture. Do not love idleness and hate -labor; do not be diligent at first, and slothful afterwards; do -not, because of a deficient season, reject your fields and -plantations; do not covet the multiplied profits of commerce, and -change the good old employment. Agriculture alone is the -fundamental employment." - -I have made these quotations, in order to show you in what -estimation agriculture is held by the emperors of China. In regard -to "farming business," they act very wisely, and set before their -people a good example. For a long time the Chinese have been -regarded, as among the best, and the most ancient <em>tillers of the -ground</em>. Very many of the people are farmers. A pretty large -proportion, I should think six-eights, of the whole population -engage in agricultural pursuits. - -Some notices of their implements and modes of husbandry, and the -productions of their soil, will serve to illustrate the -<em>character</em> and <em>condition</em> of those who make <em>agriculture their -essential employment</em>. - -Their farming tools are few in number, and simple in the -structure. Not a wheel carriage of any description have I yet seen -in China, excepting only fire engines, which, both foreign and -native built, are usually drawn on four wheels. In the north of -China, wheel carriages for various purposes are in common use; -but here, all kinds of produce and merchandize, and men and women -themselves, are carried, either in boats, or by human strength. -The sedan, in which people ride, is made quite like a chaise top, -with poles, like thills, extending an equal distance before and -behind. Only one person is seated in the sedan, and two strong -men stooping down take the poles on their shoulders, and then -rising up, lift the sedan about a foot from the ground. In this -style, away they go, for miles, like horses. These bearers the -Chinese nick-name mo-me-ma, i.e. <em>no-tail-horses</em>. Similar men are -employed to carry heavy burdens. When the weight is only enough -for one man, it is suspended from the ends of a light, but very -strong bamboo pole, about six feet long, which the bearer balances -on his right shoulder. When the weight requires two or more men, -it is suspended from the middle of the pole, which is a large round -heavy bamboo, about ten feet long. In this way thousands of our -fellow-men are used as beasts of burden. - -The Chinese use the plough and harrow, which are made similar to -those used in America. These are drawn by a single ox, or -buffalo,--a very stout animal, of a dun color, well fitted for -the work. Their spade, hoe, and rake, and their implements for -cutting, threshing, and winnowing grain are, also, like those -used in the United States, and in Europe, though much more rude -and simple. They commonly use a large pestle and mortar to make -flour. They have also mills for grinding, but the stones used are -always small, and never turned by water. These mills are, -probably, like those referred to the words--"two women shall be -grinding at the mill." - -What I have now told you of their implements, will lead you to -form some ideas of the modes of husbandry, which are most common -among the Chinese. The very great variety, plenty and perfection -of vegetable productions found among this people, give us -favorable opinions of their <em>manner</em> of cultivating the earth. -Their lands are laid out in extensive fields, and ditches dug, -or stones set up, usually serve for land marks. I believe they -have no fences, except, sometimes, around their richest -gardens,--and these not so much for a defence against the -encroachment of beasts, as they are for a protection from thieves -and robbers. - -Very little of their land is left uncultivated. Indeed some of -the most rich and beautiful grounds are made so by human industry. -Sometimes by embankments built up like mildams, the water is kept -back, and acres and acres are made dry land, and rich harvests -are gathered, where before it was all covered with water, and men -used to drag their nets to catch fish. At other times, hard, -sterile hill-tops, terraced and covered with a rich soil, are made -charmingly beautiful, and very productive. Very much is effected -by manuring and irrigation. The methods of doing the latter are -very curious. But of these and many other things I have not time -to speak. Besides I am afraid you will be tired with my long -accounts; which, indeed, are becoming much larger than I -intended. I could by no means persuade, or allow myself thus to -employ a few,--not leisure, hours, did I not hope, and confidently -believe, that you will do something for this people. China has -long, <em>long</em> been neglected. Scores and scores of laborers are -needed, to break up this fallow ground, to sow the good seed, to -seek the Lord, the Lord of the harvest, till he come and rain -righteousness upon this people, and make them his own husbandry. - -You know, my dear young friends, that God, our heavenly Father, -is very good, that He doeth good to the evil and unthankful, and -sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. <em>God has been very -good to the Chinese</em>. Of fruit trees, <em>He</em> has given them the rich -banana, the apple, peach, walnut, chestnut, orange lemon, and -many others. <em>He</em> has given them figs, grapes, and many kinds of -berries. Of vegetables, <em>He</em> has given them almost every kind, -that can be named. <em>He</em> has caused the mulberry to grow and yield -an abundance of material for silk to clothe them. <em>He</em> has given -them the <em>tea plant</em> also, and so plenteously, that they can -supply the whole world with it, and make themselves rich in the -traffic. <em>He</em> has given them abundance of grain for bread, and -for meat. <em>He</em> has given them the fishes of the sea, the fowls -of heaven, and cattle on a thousand hills. But, alas! <em>they</em> do -not love to retain Him in their knowledge. <em>They</em> deny his -existence. <em>They</em> worship dumb idols. And, what think you, will -become of <em>them</em> when they die? Oh, happy, thrice happy is that -nation--thrice happy are those children, whose God is the Lord. -Farewell, dear children. The Lord bless you evermore, and your -true friend. - - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter7" id="Letter7">Letter VII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Nov</em>. 22, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--I have already told you about the -soldiers, the merchants, the mechanics, and the husbandmen of -China; in this letter I will give you some account of the -<em>scholars</em>. Among all the pagan nations, that have ever been, or -now exist, none perhaps, have been more learned than the Chinese. -But no people in the world, without the Bible, can be so learned -as those nations who have it. Those people, who read, and study, -and understand the Holy Scriptures the best, will always be the -best scholars; they will have the best taste, the best judgment, -the best understanding; and, if they obey what they read, they -will have the best hearts. Believe me, my dear children, if you -read and <em>obey</em> the Holy Bible, we shall be <em>truly wise</em>. God -himself will be our teacher: and <em>His</em> holy law will be our -school-master to bring us to Christ. If all people would only read -and obey the word of God, then there would be no wars and -fightings; there would be no more thieves, no more robbers, no -more murderers, no more profane persons, and drunkards, and such -like wicked persons. - -But the Chinese have not the Holy Bible. They have not the wisdom, -that is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, -and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without -partiality, and without hypocrisy. Professing themselves to be -wise, they become fools,--<em>blasphemers of God</em>,--boasting of -things without their measure, and their mouth speaketh great -swelling words. They call their emperor <em>the Son of Heaven</em>, and -bow down before him, and worship him as a divine being. They call -their empire <em>the celestial empire</em>. They call it also <em>the middle -kingdom</em>. All the people around them, even all the nations of the -earth,--the English and Americans, and all other people, they call -ignorant cruel barbarians. - -I do not dislike the Chinese. I love them; but I dislike their -vices and their wickedness. There is a difference in their -character and conduct. Some are far more honest, more kind, more -upright, and better disposed than others. Usually, not always, -the most ignorant are the most wicked. The Chinese pay -considerable attention to learning. They have a great many books, -some of which contain excellent precepts, and much good -instruction. But the good, which their books contain, is almost -always mixed up with more or less that is bad, and contrary to -the laws of God. - -Scholars in China are the most respectable part of the community. -Some of their scholars of ancient times, they say, were perfect -men; and so now the people worship them, and sacrifice to them. -They say, also, that "of, old families had their schools; villages -their academies; districts their colleges; and the nation her -university. Of consequence, no one was left uninstructed." They -say, also, that the schools were not intended for one class only -but for all the people;--that "if the husbandman can exert his -strength in the field; and duly attend to his duty, then he is -a scholar,"--and that, "when the soldiers all know how to venerate -their superiors, and love their relatives, then they also are -scholars." These and more like these, are the sayings of the -Chinese, of modern times. But most truly may it be said of this -people, that <em>they say and do not</em>. Whether all were, or were not, -instructed in times "of old," I will not undertake to determine; -but at the present time, it is far enough from being the case. -If I am able to continue these letters, as I wish, you will see, -by and by, when I come to speak of the condition of females, that -one half--the <em>fairest</em> half of the community, are excluded from -these schools, and left <em>uninstructed</em>. Besides, there are not -a few men and boys who are left uninstructed. A majority, probably -a very large majority, of the male population, above the age of -ten years, are taught to read and write. They have numerous -district schools, and some colleges; and multitudes make learning -their <em>essential employment</em>. But their whole system of education -is "wretchedly bad." - -The Chinese language is very curious indeed; there is no language -like it in all the world. It is not at all like the English -language. They have no alphabet,--no A, B, C, and so forth. They -do not write with a pen, but use a pencil made like a small -paint-brush. Their books begin where ours end; that is when they -take a book into their hands to read, they open it at the right -hand side, instead of the left; and, beginning at the top of the -right hand side of the page, read down in columns, passing on from -the right to the left, and not from the left to the right, as in -the old English spelling-books. - -Usually, boys do not begin to learn to read until they eight or -ten years old. They are then sent to school, and the master first -teaches them how to pronounce the words, and afterwards explains -their meaning. Their first school books are very short, and the -boys are required to learn them by heart, so that they can repeat -them from beginning to end. Their words are very strange looking -characters. A very long time ago, they say, that a certain man, -by observing the print of the horse's foot in the sand, and the -marks on the shell of the tortoise, first found out how to write -words, These words were so formed as to be a kind of picture of -the things which they signified. Though they have been much -changed since they were first found out, yet still they have some -resemblance to the object. - -Boys always study out loud in school, which makes a great deal -of noise. When they have learned a few lessons, they then begin -to write. The paper is so thin, that they place the copy underneath -it, and then try to form the words just like the copy. Most of -the boys continue at school only two or three years. But those, -who are intended for <em>scholars</em>, continue many years, and are from -time to time examined for degrees, similar to Master and Bachelor -of Arts. Some men in China can get into office by paying money; -but all others, who obtain offices of government, are appointed -from among the scholars, who have received degrees: so the great -object of being scholars is, that they may get into office, and -become rulers of the people. - -The learning of the Chinese is very limited and superficial. They -have scarcely any knowledge of astronomy, geography, and history. -And so of anatomy, and medicine, and chemistry, and many other -kinds of learning they are amazingly deficient. The course of -study for all children in China is nearly the same every where. -The first book the boy begins with is in poetry. This is the -meaning of the first two lines, <em>man's beginning--nature original -good</em>, that is the nature of man is originally good; or, more fully -as they explain them,--<em>All men are born virtuous and good</em>. - -These are the first words, and this the first sentiment the boy -learns in school. The words are good enough, and certainly very -curious. But what shall we say of the sentiment,--the meaning of -the words? Why does God require all men, and all little children -to have <em>new hearts?</em> It is because all men have hard hearts, -hearts of <em>stone</em>, and cannot love <em>Him</em>. Why does <em>He</em> require -us all to be renewed in the temper of our minds? It is because -that as we are born and grow up, <em>our minds are enmity against -God</em>. Why does Jesus Christ say, <em>Except a man be born again, he -cannot see the kingdom of God!</em> Because that which is born of the -flesh is flesh,--<em>is not virtuous and good</em>. Farewell, dear -children. And may He, who is the former of your bodies, and the -father of your spirits, have mercy on you, and send his Holy Spirit -that you may be born again,--born of the Spirit, be renewed in -your minds, and have new hearts, and love and enjoy God forever. - - I remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter8" id="Letter8">Letter VIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Nov</em>. 28, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--The <em>sailors</em>, or those who live -constantly on the water, ought to be mentioned as a distinct -class. They are, indeed, a very numerous people; and, so far as -I know, they are no way inferior, or worse than those belonging -to the <em>five</em> classes, of which I have already given you some -account. Like the seamen of Europe and America, they have been -very wrongly neglected. The rivers of China are very numerous, -and several of them are very broad, beautiful and majestic. The -canals, also, are numerous. And, besides a number of lakes, the -country, for an immense distance on the east, and south-east, is -washed by the waves of the Pacific Ocean,--forming along the coast -a great number of bays and harbors. On all these waters, vast -multitudes of human beings are born, and live, and die;--having, -many of them while they live, no home but a boat, or a ship, and -when they die, no winding sheet and grave but the waters. - -On the north bank of one of these rivers, stand the city and -suburbs of Canton. The river varies in its breath. At this place, -I should think it about forty or fifty rods wide. In another -letter, I may tell you something about Canton. I will only state -here, that the buildings extend quite down to the river: and in -many places, even the ground has been built out beyond the former -bank, and in some places much farther than in others, which makes -many nooks and corners. These, and indeed, a considerable part -of the river, for three or four miles, seem to be almost covered -with boats; which are of various descriptions, and in all, -probably amount to not less than forty or fifty thousand. - -The <em>tanka</em> boats are the smallest and most numerous. Tanks means -an <em>egg-house</em>, and the boats are so called because they resemble -an egg floating on the water. The smallest of these boats are not -more than twelve or fifteen feet long, about six broad, and so -high, that a person can stand up in them. Their covering is very -light, and can be easily adjusted to the state of the weather. -Whole families live in these boats; and often besides a good -number of children, raise broods of ducks and chickens, which they -lash on the outside of the boats in coops. - -<em>Ferry-boats</em> differ from the tanks, only by being a little longer -and narrower, and not quite so high. There is a ferry right -opposite to the place where I live. Four hundred dollars are paid -for it annually; and the ferry-men, or rather <em>women</em>, who row -and scull the boats, usually carry eight persons at a time, and -each person's fare is <em>eight cash</em>, of which about eight hundred -make a dollar. The scull is a kind of long oar, balanced on a pivot -close to one side of the stern of the boat. This "they make use -of as the fish does of his tail, thrusting it out, and pulling -it to them again, without ever lifting it above water. By this -oar, worked in this manner, not only the ferry-boats, but other, -and much larger boats, are urged forward to the greatest possible -advantage. - -It would require a large book to give you a full account of all -the different kinds of boats, and ships, and the people that live -in them. - -Hundreds of <em>passage-boats</em> to Canton, come and go daily. These -are something like the ferry-boats, only they are much -larger:--some of them are thirty, forty, or even fifty or more -feet in length. They are furnished with one very large mat sail; -also with oars, sculls, poles and ropes. When there is no wind, -and the water is shallow, the boats are pushed along with the poles; -or, if they are close along the bank of a river or canal, ropes -are tied to the top of the mast, and the men going on the shore -drag the boats along like horses. The number of sailors, or -<em>water-hands</em>, the Chinese call them, vary according to the size -of the boats--say from ten to twenty, and upwards; and the number -of passengers, from ten to one hundred, and upwards. - -The <em>canal-boats</em> are large, fine, noble boats, and often carry -immense burdens. Numbers of these may always be seen on the river -at Canton. They are usually propelled by the same means, and in -the same way, that the passage-boats are. - -There are also many <em>smuggling-boats</em>, and government <em>cruisers</em>. -The smuggling boats carry prohibited goods, and such articles as -opium. This is an unlawful and wicked business. The cruisers, or -<em>soldier-boats</em>, as the Chinese call them, are pretty well manned; -but not much feared, even by the smugglers, whom they are commanded -to seize, and destroy. Indeed, the men of the cruisers will often -take bribes, and so let the smugglers pass; and not only so, but -they will themselves, also, engage in the same wicked business. - -Dragon-boats, so named from their appearance, are seen annually, -on the 17th of June. They are brought out to celebrate a kind of -festival; the story about the origin, and object of which, I have -not time to tell you. These boats are, sometimes, one hundred feet -long, made to resemble a great snake on the water. Well supplied -with drums, and gongs, and flags, and men with paddles, they make -a curious figure. - -The <em>duck-boats</em>, which are about the size of the large ferry-boats, -having balanced on each side a large square pen, or coop, containing -several hundreds of ducks, are very curious objects. By letting -down a kind of trap-door, the ducks are let out, every day, to -get their food, and play in the water, and, sometimes, along the -shore; and at night, they all come back and are driven into the -boats. Thousands of ducks are raised in this way for the market. - -The Chinese have, also, many large vessels, some of which are -<em>soldier-ship</em>, and others are <em>merchant-ships</em>. Most of these -are very rude indeed, and usually furnished with wooden anchors, -and a helm or rudder of most monstrous size, awkwardly constructed. -The number of men in these vessels varies from forty or fifty to -three hundred and upwards. These merchant-ships are those alluded -to in a former letter, which go to Singapore, Batavia, &c., and -are usually called <em>junks</em>. - -The <em>fishing-boats</em> are the last I can mention. They are very -numerous, and of almost every size and description. When beholding -the occupants of these boats, I have often been reminded of the -<em>fishermen</em> of Galilee, whom our blessed Saviour taught, and chose -to be his apostles. But, alas, for all these poor sailors, and -fishermen! no man cares for their souls. Like brutes they live, -like brutes they die. - -Again, dear children, I bid you adieu! and remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter9" id="Letter9">Letter IX.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 3, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--I will now, as I have desired, proceed -to tell you about the <em>character and condition of females</em> in China. -All that I can write, will give you only an imperfect idea of their -degradation. Women, who have been born and nurtured in Christian -lands, and have never seen with their own eyes the desolations -of the human race in heathen countries, can never know how much -they ought to value the blessings of the gospel. In Christian lands, -certainly in America, females constitute the most amiable, the -most virtuous, and the happiest part of the community. Exactly -the opposite is true here. They are the most ugly, the most vicious, -and the most miserable. I do not mean that they are born so, or -are so by nature. By nature all are alike; for God, that made the -world, and all things therein, "hath made of one blood all nations -of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth." Thus saith -God in the Holy Scriptures. But see now what the Chinese say:-- - -"When a man is born, he sleeps on a bed; -He is clothed in robes, and plays with germs;-- -But when a <em>daughter</em> is born, she sleeps on the ground; -She is clothed with a wrapper and plays with a tile; -She is incapable either of evil or of good:-- -If she does ill, she is not a woman; -If she does well, she is not a woman; -Virtue and vice cannot belong to woman." - -These, dear children, are the words of one of the ancient <em>wise</em> -men of China. And the present condition of females, is in exact -accordance with the <em>sentiment</em> which they contain. Females are -treated as if they were <em>incapable either of evil, or of good</em>. -There are no schools for girls. Very few indeed receive any -education. Only here and there one, a solitary individual, is able -either to read or to write. Such ignorance, and such degradation, -do not destroy <em>female influence</em>, but leave it to corrupt, and -to be corrupted. Thus, in the very nursery, and in the mother's -arms, where the story of Christ crucified ought often to be repeated, -and where all the first principles of our holy religion should -constantly be taught, the little child is left, not only -uninstructed in all that is good--but left, to follow vain -imaginations, and a mind which is enmity against God. You, dear -children, have received, and continue to receive much good -instruction from your parents--especially from your mothers. You -have line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is not so with -little children in China. By precept, and by example, they are -taught things contrary to the law of God--taught to dishonor God. -They are trained up in the way they should <em>not</em> go, and when they -are old, they <em>do not</em> depart from it. - -Females in China are not like ancient mothers in Israel. They are -not like multitudes of excellent women now in Christian lands. -Females are regarded as a <em>very inferior part</em> of the community. -They are often doomed to the lowest and severest labor. I have -often seen the mother, with an infant tied on her back, laboring -hard in rowing her husband's boat, while he sat at his ease, smoking -his pipe. - -Females of the poorer class, are every where to be seen meanly -attired, and usually barefooted. Those of the higher classes, -seldom, if ever appear abroad. Whey they do go out, it is always -in sedans;--partly, I suppose, that they may not be seen, and partly, -because of their <em>little feet</em>. The small foot is an odd thing. -A Chinese historian says, "It is not known when the bow foot (that -is, the small foot) of females was introduced. About nine hundred -years ago, a certain prince," says the same historian, "ordered -his concubine to bind her foot with silk, and cause it to appear -small, and in the shape of the new moon. From this sprung the -imitation of every other female." This is quite like that <em>fashion</em> -in America, of lacing so tight as to bring on the consumption. -It is astonishing to what a small size their feet are sometimes -compressed. The toes, with the exception of the great toe, are -doubled under the foot, in the tenderest infancy, and fastened -by tight bandages, till they unite with and are buried in, the -sole of the foot. This utterly unfits them for walking, and gives -them, when they attempt it, an awkward, hobbling gait, like a person -trying to walk on his heels. Some of their feet, I have been told, -are no more than three inches long. These are what they call the -<em>golden lilies</em>, are regarded as the very perfection of beauty. -I have sent one of these, or rather a model of one of these along -with the box of idols, to the Seminary at Andover. - -Female children are often sold. And there are strong reasons for -believing, that there are cases where parents drown their infant -female children, in order to free themselves from the care and -expense of nursing and supporting them. Mention is made of this -fact, in their books. Since I have been in China, I have not seen -or heard of a single case. I do not think it true, certainly not -in this part of China, that the inhabitants "throw out by thousands -their new born infants into the streets, so that they are gathered -up by the scavengers every morning." But that great numbers of -female children, that have been nursed and reared to the age of -six, eight, ten, or twelve years, are <em>sold</em>, I have no doubt. -Little girls are very often sold. Sometimes they are sold by their -parents. Sometimes they are sold by robbers, who have stolen them -away from their parents. This practice is very common in Canton, -and in other places in the south of China. Sometimes, when they -are sold by the parents, it is on condition, that at a certain -age, the buyer shall procure for them a husband, and set them at -liberty. At other times, and usually, they are sold -<em>unconditionally</em>. Not long ago, I knew a case, where a little -girl, eleven years of age, was sold for <em>fifty dollars</em>. - -A great many of the most beautiful female children among the poor -are sold, and carried away to be the inmates of those abominable -abodes, of which it is almost a shame even to speak. In the Bible, -they are called "the way to hell; going down to the chambers of -death." There are many hundreds of these wicked houses in and about -Canton. They are just like those bad boats, those floating -sepulchres, mentioned in the last letters. A great many of the -poor, abandoned creatures that inhabit them, become weary with -life, and kill themselves; sometimes three or four more in a company, -and at one time. The Judge of Canton recently stated, that eight -or nine tenths of the untimely deaths brought to the notice of -government, were suicides; and that six or seven tenths were women. - -With this sad story, I must close this letter. I could relate many -facts of the same sort. But I think I have told you enough;--enough -to show you how miserably the <em>fairest</em> half of the human family -will <em>always</em> be degraded, and abused, until they have the Bible, -and enjoy the blessings of the Christian religion. Farewell. - - Your true friends, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter10" id="Letter10">Letter X.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 5, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--In my last letter, I told you about the -character and condition of females in China. In this, I will give -you an account of the <em>marriage ceremony</em>. It will, still farther -illustrate the character of this people, and help to cherish, and -establish in your young and tender minds, a strong desire for the -salvation of this people. - -To-day is the first Monday in the month. And it is now, <em>here</em>, -just about noon. With you it is midnight, and the Sabbath has just -departed, leaving all the inhabitants of my dear native land in -quiet slumbers. Happy, happy land. Happy, thrice happy children. -How different here. Alas, how different! The natural darkness which -at this hour gathers around your habitations, and the cold, northern -blasts of winter that sweep over the hills of New England, are -fit emblems of the thick moral darkness, and death-like desolations -that gather around us here. Without, all is dark as midnight--a -howling waste--a desert of immortal souls. My heart aches, as I -stand and gaze at gloomy prospects. But within, we have a little -light: a little fire has been kindled up. A few names--two or -three--hope to join <em>the concert</em> this evening. It is cheering -to think, what multitudes, as the earth rolls round will bow the -knee in prayer before the throne of God, and continue the voice -of fervent supplication, till you, dear children, and thousands -and thousands of others, shall be found pleading with God. And -oh, remember China. Pray for the missionaries. Pray for the heathen -Pray for the rulers. Pray for the people. Pray for the poor -children--and for the uninstructed, neglected, and degraded -females. Pray that they may all receive the word of God; read it; -obey it; be sanctified through it; and thereby made fit for heaven. - -In China a man often has two or more wives; and sometimes, eight -or ten. I have heard of one man, now living in Canton, who has -<em>twenty-four:</em> and says, he means to have a new one every year. -Of my three boys, of whom I hope to tell you more by and by--the -oldest one's father has two wives, the second one's, four, and -third one's father, only one. In China, as in ancient Judea, children -are often espoused, when quite young. But they are not usually -married, until girls arrive at the age of 14 or 16; and boys to -the age of 18 or 20 years. - -When parents wish to have a daughter married, they write on a sheet -of red paper, the year, month, day, and hour of her birth, and -give the paper to a go-between-match-maker, who carries it to the -house of the intended husband, and brings back, from his parents, -a similar statement. After this the girl's father is introduced -to the young man, and his mother on the other side, is introduced -to the girl. Many presents of fancy articles, dresses, meats, cakes, -fruits, and the like are then interchanged, and the marriage -contract is considered as <em>settled</em>. - -Two, three, four or more years, or perhaps only a few months elapse, -which time is usually regulated by the age of the parties, and -then other, and more valuable gifts are reciprocated; and another -interval of months, or years passes away, and then comes the wedding -day. On that day the young man sends a sedan to bring home the -bride. This sedan is always elegant, and often superb, costing -several hundred dollars. It is made quite like those described -in a former letter, but always so constructed as entirely to conceal -the person carried in it. In this sedan, the young woman is seated -by her parents, and tears are shed both by the daughter and parents, -as she is separated from them, and borne off in the marriage -procession. This is often a very long procession, sometimes -consisting of several hundred persons, some in the procession -carrying embroidered canopies; others carrying large, elegant -lanterns; others bearing pots of incense; and others laden with -the girl's toilet wardrobe, bedding, furniture, provisions, cakes, -sweet-meats, &c. Among others are bands of musicians. I have seen -in a single procession eight bands, and six or eight persons in -each band. Some of the bands, and some of the bearers of the incense -pots and the other things, consist of boys 8, or 10, or 12 years -old, fancifully dressed in uniform. In one instance, I have seen -a band of girls in the procession. They were six in number, neatly -dressed, two about nine years of age, two of twelve, and two of -fifteen. They were all on foot, immediately preceding the sedan; -and close behind it, carried on men's shoulders, in the same manner -as the sedan, was a sty containing a monstrous hog. - -When the procession arrives at the gate of the bridegroom's house, -he meets the sedan, and conducts it to an inner apartment, when, -for the <em>first time</em>, he is permitted to <em>see</em> the face of his -bride. Two or three days are then spent in festivity, and a long, -tedious round of ceremonies, worshipping their household gods, -the gods of their ancestors, &c. Many of their friends call to -see, and congratulate them. And thus the marriage ceremony is -consummated. - -It appears, that in all this business, the children have nothing -to say. According to the laws and usage of the land, it is the -children's duty to receive the object of their parent's choice, -Nothing in China can be more absolute than a parent's' authority. -In certain cases, it may, and does with impunity, take the life -of the child. Such authority is liable to abuse; and often in -connexion with such a strange system of wedlock, it becomes a must -fruitful source of dislike, deception, strife, hatred, and almost -every other evil passion. - -The Chinese have many laws on the subject of marriages, specifying -all the steps necessary in order to make them legal; and showing, -also, how and when they may be set aside, or be broken. - -It has been stated on good authority, that "Through the Chinese -empire, there are only about one hundred family names." One law -is, "that persons of the same family name--surname--may not -intermarry." It would be curious to know the reason of this. Another -law is, that taking a second wife, after the decease of the first, -or in purchasing concubines, the man is at liberty to see the females, -and choose for himself. A widow, also, who is desirous of wedding -a second time, does not hesitate to show herself to the intended -husband. - -Their laws mention seven cases, in which a man may be justified -in putting away his wife; (1.) barrenness; (2.) lasciviousness; -(3.) disregard of her husband's parents; (4.) talkativeness; (5.) -thievish propensities; (6.) envious and suspicious temper; (7.) -inveterate infirmity. - -There are several other topics on which I wish to write before -I close these letters. In the next, I will tell you about the beggars. -Farewell. Ever and always remembering you in my prayers, - - I remain, your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter11" id="Letter11">Letter XI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 7, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--"For ye have the poor with you always," -said our Savior, "and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good." -In connexion with what I have to tell you about the <em>beggars</em>, -I wish to give you some account of the <em>food</em> and <em>clothing</em>, common -and peculiar among the Chinese. - -The proportion of poor people and beggars, and the difference -between the rich and the poor, is I think, much greater here than -in the United States. The Chinese are rather fond of dress. The -rich, and all who can afford it, and many who cannot, usually dress -very well. Sometimes their dresses are rich and costly: and children -here, as every where else, are fond enough of fine, gay clothing. -And prettier lads certainly, I have rarely seen, than some of the -Chinese boys, when neatly dressed. Sometimes, however, the little -fellows, with their great boots, and one garment piled on another -to the number of six or eight, or even more, and the long tail -hanging down to their heels, and the head crowned with a long tasseled -cap, make a very ridiculous appearance. - -The <em>whole</em> dress of the Chinese is different from ours. To begin -with the shoes and boots; these are made with black, brown, or -red cloth, for the upper part, while the soles are of leather or -wood, an inch or more in thickness, with snow white edges. They -usually wear long white silk, or linen stockings, made of cloth; -sometimes knit. These are drawn up to the knee, and fastened with -garters. Sometimes the stockings are drawn over the trowsers; at -other times, they are made, or worn at least, like the old fashioned -short breeches. These three articles are usually the same through -the year, and vary only in quality, according to the circumstances -of the persons, being made every where in the same <em>old fashion</em>. - -Beggars are often seen in the streets, in the most loathsome -condition, with no other clothing than a tattered pair of trowsers; -indeed many of the laborers in the fields and shops, during the -warm weather, wear nothing else--but in the latter case, the articles -are of good material, and well made. Their trowsers are never -supported by braces over the shoulders, but always, among the rich -and poor alike, by a girdle about the loins. To this girdle in -front, a small bag or wallet is attached; this is "an indispensable," -and in it, they carry cash, a small knife, &c. &c. - -In America, the man who has not a shirt to his back, must be poor -indeed. In China, the poor seldom have such an article; and not -a few, even among the gentle-folks, often go without it, especially -in summer. In which case, the only dress, in addition to shoes, -stockings, and trowsers, is a long frock, made quite like that -worn by farmers in New England, at haymaking. All the upper garments, -whether for warm weather or cold, are made in the same fashion, -with long, large sleeves, and without any collars for the neck. -These garments are sometimes short, only coming down to the -waist--but sometimes to the knees, or ancles. They are fastened -with small round buttons and loops, either down in front, or under -one arm. When the weather grows cold, they increase the number -of these garments, putting on five, or six, or eight, or even more -at a time. Some of these garments, when made of silk, or broadcloth, -and fastened close about the waist with a sash, make a very fine -dress. Their shortest frocks are frequently made of fur. - -The common covering for the head is a kind of skull-cap; but in -warm weather all the people go bare-headed, with nothing but a -fan (which they always carry) to keep off the sun. They have a -cloth or wool hat, of a conical form, like the unfinished hats, -sometimes seen in hatters' shops. They have also a hat made of -fine bamboo, in the same form, and yet another kind with a brim -so broad, that it serves as an umbrella, either to keep off the -sun or the rain. - -Such is a description of the ordinary clothing of the common and -poorer classes of people; that of the rich is usually quite in -the same style, but the quality of the articles always superior. -The rich also wear ornamental articles, as beads, bracelets, &c. -&c. - -The dress of the females is not very unlike that of men;--they -usually wear trowsers, and a folded petticoat, depending several -inches below their frocks. Their head-dress is very pretty; the -hair is tastefully folded on the back on the head, and fastened -by a neat brace and pin. They are remarkably fond of flowers on -their heads--not artificial, but natural ones. The <em>mourning</em> dress -is not black--but white, or what approaches almost to white--but -more of this in another letter. - -Rice, among the Chinese, in this part of the empire, is the staff -of life. Multitudes obtain no other food. To breakfast, is "<em>to -eat morning rice:</em>"--this is at ten o'clock. To dine or sup, is -"<em>to eat evening rice:</em>"--this meal they have about five o'clock, -P.M. When they can obtain a little salt or dried fish, a few -vegetables to eat with their rice, and also tea, which they always -drink without milk or sugar, then they have "good living," and -these few simple articles constitute the ordinary food and drink, -among the common and poorer classes. - -A single kettle to boil their rice--a pan to fry their fish and -vegetables--a large bowl for the boiled rice--and a small bowl and -a pair of chop-sticks, make up the whole of their table furniture, -if indeed they are so happy as to have a table. But whether they -have or not, the large bowl of rice forms the centre, and around -this squat on their heels, or seated on wooden stools, they arrange -themselves, and receive their humble fare, with no doubtful marks -of a good relish. - -From these poor people, the common and richer classes differ, only -in the amount and quality of their furniture, and provisions; the -style as in the case of dress, being nearly the same through all -the grades of society. The tables of the rich are often very -sumptuous. There is nothing, scarcely, whether vegetable or animal, -which the Chinese do not eat. Besides all kinds of fish, birds, -horned cattle, sheep and hogs, they eat horses, dogs, cats, rats, -&c. Tea is used in great abundance, and is almost their only beverage. -They seldom drink water alone, because they think it unhealthy. -The Chinese are not greatly addicted to the use of strong drink; -less, probably, than the Christian people of Europe and America. -This, I think, is in no small degree, owing to their constant use -of tea. - -I have not time to extend these remarks; you see there is no lack -of inquiry about what we shall eat, and what we shall drink, and -wherewithal we shall be clothed. These are the very things after -which the <em>Gentiles</em> seek; and they seek them with their whole -soul, and mind, and strength. Yet great numbers live--perhaps are -compelled to live--solely by begging. In Canton, beggars are very -numerous. They have, it is said, laws for begging, and a head man, -who among the foreigners is called "the king of the beggars." Men -and women of all ages, may be seen begging; great numbers of them -are <em>blind</em>. When they go through the streets, they carry in one -hand a cane to feel their way, and in the other a dish or bag to -receive money or food, or any thing people please to give them. -Sometimes they are seen in companies, of 3, 4, 6, or 10, or even -more; they hollow or sing, or rather "cry out" as they go. One -of their laws is, that when they enter a house or shop, they will -not go till something is given them. With bamboo sticks, or gongs, -they set up a most vexatious clatter, and in this way trouble and -annoy people, till they give them something; and, if it be no more -than a single <em>cash</em>, then they must "be off." - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter12" id="Letter12">Letter XII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 9, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--Having no fear of God before their eyes, -the Chinese often become very wicked and guilty of numerous crimes, -not only against <em>Him</em>, whose eternal power and godhead they deny, -but against their fellow-men. This wickedness and these crimes, -expose them to many and very severe punishments. Lying, gambling, -quarrelling, theft, robbery, and bribery, are among their most -common vices. There are <em>five</em> punishments; (1.) to beat with a -small bamboo; (2.) to beat with a large bamboo; (3.) banishment -to another district or province; (4.) perpetual banishment to the -borders of the empire; and (5.) death. These five, are sometimes -reduced to three, the bamboo, banishment, and death. It may be -remarked, also, that these punishments are sometimes exchanged -for others. - -<em>Lying</em>, among a great majority of the population, seems to be -regarded as a very small offence,--provided the lie be not detected. -There are men, I believe, who will not lie; but while this great -wickedness is disallowed of by a few, multitudes will ever and -always practise it; if they only suppose they shall be the gainers -thereby. Officers of Government will tell lies to one another. -The people will lie to the magistrates; children to their parents; -and servants to their masters. Instead of supposing every man to -be honest, until he is proved to be a rogue, they seem to regard -every one as a rogue, until he <em>proves himself to be honest</em>. - -<em>Gambling</em> is a chief "crying sin" among the Chinese. They are -notorious gamblers. Old and young, rulers and subjects, rich and -poor, will gamble; nor have they much regard to the time, or place, -when they gamble. I have often seen them gambling in their temples. -Thousands are ruined by this sin. - -<em>Quarrels</em> spring up from lying, and gambling, and other wicked -practices, just as surely as briers, thorns, and thistles spring -up in a rich but uncultivated soil. Their strange mode of marriage -too, is a fruitful source of quarrels. As to their quarrels, it -has been well said,--"A Chinese would stand and reason with a man, -when an Englishman would knock him down, or an Italian stab him. -It is needless to say which is the more rational mode of proceeding." -I am not aware that the Chinese ever fight duels--though in their -quarrels, persons are often killed. They are great scolds, and -use the most obscene and abusive language. - -<em>Theft</em> and <em>robbery</em> are the most common among the poor, though -it is <em>not</em> confined to them. Among such multitudes of beggars, -it often happens, that they cannot obtain sufficient food and -clothing to make themselves comfortable. By gambling also, -multitudes are reduced to beggary and want; hence come bands of -thieves and robbers, trained and prepared for any and every thing -that is evil. - -Theft and robbery constitute one of the greatest scourges in this -land; and no part of the country, from one extremity of the empire -to the other, is free and secure from this evil. Since I commenced -this letter, one of my boys has told me of a case of this kind, -which has just occurred in the neighborhood. It is as follows;--two -men, dressed like poor females, entered a rich man's house late -in the evening, and wished to be lodged there during the night. -This privilege was granted them. When all were asleep, they silently -put off their false dress, packed up a large number of rich articles -belonging to the house, and were about to escape, when they were -discovered, seized, carried away to the magistrates and sentenced -to be beheaded.--Though decapitation is not the severest -punishment, yet more than two hundred instances of it have occurred -in Canton in a single year. - -<em>Bribery</em> is very common in China; perverting just judgment, and -screening the guilty. This wickedness is most common among the -rich. Almost all the rulers of the land, will take bribes. Many -defrauders and injurious persons, many thieves, and robbers, and -murderers, escape through bribes. <em>Money is</em> seen to be, here, -<em>the root of all evil</em>. "A little silver physic," it is said, "has -often brought a dead man to life." - -The immense quantity of <em>opium</em> that is smoked here, is a most -fruitful source of crime. Many of the practised villains, when -they wish to contrive new plans of wickedness, have recourse to -this <em>black commodity:</em> which produces a most astonishing effect, -in enabling the <em>smokers</em> to frame new schemes of darkness. It -has been said, and by a man of sound judgment and correct observation, -(I am sorry to say that he is an American, and an extensive dealer -in opium,) that the "<em>drug</em>" is doing more to break down the -superstitions of China, and to open the country to foreigners, -than all the efforts of missionaries. There is a degree of <em>apparent</em> -truth in this man's very honest remark, and I think just as much -<em>real</em> truth, as if he had said, "to set fire to their houses, -and butcher the inhabitants, will do more to break down the -superstitions of China, and open the country to foreigners, than -all the efforts of Bibles, and tracts, and missionaries." Whether -it be a crime or not, to bring and sell opium to this people;--and -whether it be a crime or not, for this people to use it, when brought -and sold by the hands of Christians, I will not undertake to say,--but -I believe, stubborn facts compel me to believe, that <em>of all the -causes of crime,</em> among the inhabitants of the Chinese empire, -OPIUM, brought and sold at the rate of a million of dollars per -month, <em>is the greatest</em>. It is nothing better, than to scatter -fire-brands, arrows, and death. - -Simply being put in prison, seems hardly to be regarded as a -punishment among this people; though multitudes are imprisoned -and suffered greatly thereby. The common instruments of punishment -are, (1.) the <em>bamboo</em>, about the size of large cane; (2.) the -<em>yoke</em>, a heavy plank three feet square, and thirty-three pounds -weight; (3.) the <em>chain</em> to fasten the criminals to the block; -(4.) <em>hand-cuff</em>, large and long, made of wood; and (5.) <em>iron -fetters</em>. - -Such are some of the most common crimes, and such are the instruments -of punishment in China. To determine the degree of criminality, -and fix the punishment accordingly, is among most nations very -difficult, but the Chinese make it very easy, at least they make -it appear so in their law books, The degrees of punishment are -twenty,--the first ten, are with bamboo; the next eight, banishment; -the last two, death. - -For a very small offence, amounting to the first degree of -criminality, the offender may receive ten blows; increasing his -guilt <em>five</em> times, the fifty blows, &c. These blows may be changed -for the yoke, the chain, the hand-cuffs, &c. - -For some of the larger crimes, as bribery and the like, persons -are bambooed, and then sent into banishment. Sometimes, only from -one province to another, as from the north to the south, and from -the south to the north; at other times, criminals are sent a long -distance, to the frontiers of the empire, for many years, and even -for life. - -The highest degrees of crime are punishable with death. The most -common mode of inflicting death, is by cutting off the head, and -this is done by a kind of short sword. For very heinous crimes, -the offender is sentenced to be <em>cut into ten thousand pieces</em>. - -I intended to have said something to you, on the subject of <em>slavery</em> -in China but must pass it by without a single remark. Again adieu. - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter13" id="Letter13">Letter XIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 10, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--"Then shall the dust return to the dust -as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." - -In an empire so ancient and populous as China, the number of human -beings that have <em>returned to the earth</em>, must be great indeed; -greater than any man can number. For more than thirty hundred years, -one generation after another, in awfully rapid succession, have -gone to the dead. Almost all the hills and uplands about Canton -and Macao, which are not covered with the habitations of the living, -are filled with the abodes of dead. In Macao, almost every rod -of ground, which is safe from water, even to hard, rocky hill tops, -has some emblem,--a turfed hillock, a stone, or a little enclosure, -to remind the visiter of the sleepers below. When I have walked -over these grounds,--these abodes of the dead, thoughts have arisen -in the mind, which you may conceive, but which I cannot express. -O, what multitudes will rise <em>here</em>, at the sound of the last trumpet! -What vast congregations will come up from these burying places, -and stand with us before the judgment seat of Christ! Every day -is adding to the number of this vast congregation. Death does not -wait for his victims--death does not wait till the heathen have -the gospel preached unto them. And unless these multitudes of the -living, <em>speedily</em> obtain mercy of him, of whom they are now -ignorant, how shall they come forth to the resurrection of life? - -Will the heathen be saved, who never heard the gospel? I ask you, -dear children, do <em>you</em> think the heathen can be saved, unless -the gospel be preached unto them, and they <em>believe</em> in the name -of Jesus? It is very painful to all think, that all the millions -of our fellow creatures, who are now ignorant of the Savior, must, -when they die, sink down to hell. But how can it be otherwise? -"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." -But "how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? -and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? -And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they -preach, except they be sent!" And now, dear children, I desire -to ask again, what do <em>you</em> think of these words, which I have -quoted from the tenth chapter of Romans? What do you think St. -Paul meant? He means to say,--if I understand him, he means to -affirm,--in the most positive manner, by the questions which he -asks, that the heathen, who do not hear and believe the gospel, -<em>cannot be saved</em>. - -I fear that many very good people have wrong ideas on this subject; -and do not consider and realize the awful condition of the heathen; -for I am persuaded, that if they did see and realize, they would -do very differently from what they ever have done yet; they would -feel and act as Jesus Christ did; they would be willing to become -poor, to labor and toil, and even die for the salvation of the -heathen. - -With a desire that you may have correct ideas of the real condition -of the Chinese, I have been urged on to write these letters. I -have stated many facts; but you will desire, I presume, to know -something more about their <em>ideas of death, style of mourning, -funerals</em>, &c. - -Having very little if any knowledge of the true God, the Chinese -are entirely ignorant of <em>another world:</em>--of heaven and hell,--of -the joys of the one, and the terrors of the other, as revealed -in the Bible. All their notions about the soul of man, are very -dark and confused. Many think that the <em>soul dies</em>, and ceases -to exist with the body. Others think that when the body dies, the -soul goes away and enters into other bodies--birds, beasts, or -men. All this ignorance makes the Chinese very careless about death, -and all that which is to come upon them. They die like the brutes. -Such are their ideas of death. - -When a parent dies, a messenger is sent to announce it to all the -relatives. A board, or a long slip of brownish white paper, is -hung up at the door, on which is written the person's name, age, -and virtues, &c. The children and grand-children of the deceased, -sit on the ground, and weep and mourn. Relations come in and dress -the corpse; and many long and tedious ceremonies are performed. - -Usually, after three times seven days, the funeral takes place. -A large concourse of friends and mourners assemble; and a procession -is formed with priests, bands of music, flags, &c. &c.--all quite -like one of the marriage processions, which I have already -described. Meats, fruits, cakes of various kinds, are carried as -offerings to the dead, and the procession moves on to the burying -place. This is always selected with great care, and is usually -a hill. Only two things, it has been said, are feared by the Chinese -after death, "a watery grave, and a white ant sepulchre." - -It is not every day, that they may bury the dead; they must wait -for a luck-day. Many of these processions may be seen in a single -day. Some of the funerals are very expensive. Two occurred in this -neighborhood last summer; one of a father, the other of a wife, -on each of which more than ten thousand dollars were expended. -The <em>mourning</em> costume is like a brownish white, with a perfectly -white napkin around the head, and sometimes around the loins; and -their shoes are exchanged for sandals. - -By the death of a father, a son is disqualified for, and is obliged -to retire from office, for three years. Great care must be taken -to have a good burying place; and for want of such, and means to -bury the dead, bodies sometimes lie months and years in coffins, -unburied. There were <em>ten thousand</em> such in Canton last year. I -know of one family where there are thirteen in this state. - -But from the accounts of the dead, I think you will be willing, -if not glad, to have me desist. I will do so; and, if the Lord -will, I desire to proceed and give you some account of what has -been done for China. In the next letter, I propose to speak of -the labors of the Rev. Dr. Morrison, Tell then, farewell. - - Your true friends, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter14" id="Letter14">Letter XIV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 12, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, -that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that -we, through his poverty, might be made rich. You know how, while -on earth, he went about doing good; how he loved poor sinners, -and wept because they repented not; and how he loved little children, -and used to take them in his arms and bless them. You remember -how, at a certain time, he went out into a mountain to pray, and -continued all night in prayer to God. And you remember, how, just -before he went back to heaven, he commanded his disciples <em>to go -and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, -and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost</em>. - -I will now tell you what has been done to make known the gospel -of God among the Chinese. Some have supposed that St. Thomas, one -of the twelve apostles, came into China, and preached the gospel; -and one man, a Portuguese, has supposed that he even passed to -America. There is no proof of all this, and nobody now believes -it. But it is very probable, though not quite certain, that some -missionaries from Syria, came into China, about seven hundred years -after the death of Christ. Roman Catholic missionaries came into -China more than five hundred years ago, and have continued here -ever since. At one time, they had a great many converts, but now -they have very few, for they have been persecuted, and most of -the missionaries driven out of the country. The Catholics, all -the time they have been in this country, have never given the Chinese -the Bible. - -The very first thing Protestant Christians ever thought of doing -for the Chinese, was to <em>give them the Holy Bible:</em> This was a -most excellent plan. It was first suggested by that good man, Joseph -Hardcastle, Esq. of England. He was then the treasurer of the London -Missionary Society.--But as yet the Bible had never been translated -into the Chinese language, and there was nobody able to translate -it. So the Society resolved to send out a mission, and the Rev., -now Dr. Robert Morrison, was the first person who engaged to go. -He had, for some time, been thinking on the subject of missions. -This was just at the time when Samuel J. Mills, and others with -him, in Williams College, were thinking on the same subject; and -like them, "he would have gone," I quote Dr. Morrison's own words, -"to any quarter of the globe, where the people were yet without -a divine revelation." He once thought of going to Africa, and would -doubtless have gone, had the way been opened. But the Lord had -other work for him to accomplish. - -On the 31st of Jan. 1807, Dr. Morrison left England, crossed over -to the United States, where he tarried about twenty days, and became -acquainted with some good people in Philadelphia, from whence he -arrived in China on the 4th of September, the same year. His situation -in China was trying enough. He was alone, without companions, a -stranger in a strange land. At first he lived in a <em>godown</em>, a -room occupied for a store house, or a lodging-place for servants, -where he studied, ate, and slept. His lamp was made of earthen -ware, and a large Bible served for a screen to keep the wind from -blowing it out. He lived like the Chinese; put on their dress, -the long frock, the thick-soled shoes; let his hair grow long, -and ate with chop-sticks. Afterwards, he found that this was not -the best way, so he changed his dress, and mode of living. - -Before leaving England, Dr. Morrison obtained an imperfect and -incomplete manuscript copy of the New Testament in the Chinese -language. After he arrived in China, he was very diligent, night -and day, studying the language, continually reading, writing, and -speaking it; and, in about three years, began to print the New -Testament in Chinese. Soon after, he published a little tract, -called, "<em>The Divine Doctrine, concerning the Redemption of the -World</em>." He also published a catechism. And in 1813, six years -after his arrival, he completed the whole New Testament. - -It was just at this time, when he had been in the field alone six -years, that another missionary arrived to assist him. I hope to -tell you more of Dr. Milne, in another letter. Before this time, -Dr. Morrison had prepared two books about the Chinese language, -written in English, in order to assist other missionaries in -learning the language. He had also instructed, for about two years, -four orphan boys. I have not time, in a single letter, to tell -you all I could wish, about what he has done. He has published -many books, and accomplished much in other ways. - -In the Chinese language, he has prepared and published the New -Testament, and two tracts above mentioned; the largest half of -the Old Testament, the other half was done by Dr. Milne; an outline -of the Old Testament history; daily Morning and Evening Prayers, -being a translation of the Common Prayer Book; also, a Hymn Book; -and, recently, a book in three or four volumes, called the <em>Family -Instructor:</em> making in all, about 20 vols. Besides, he has written -other books, but had not money to publish them. The translation -of the <em>whole Bible</em> was completed in the autumn of 1819, and -published soon after. - -In English, he has written and published two volumes of sermons -and lectures; a little book about China, for Sabbath school -children; he has also written a great many papers about China, -which have been printed in the Canton newspapers, "The Canton -Register," published by an English gentleman, and in the "Anglo -Chinese Gleaner," published at Malacca; and others, printed in -other places. - -In Chinese and English, that is, a part of each page Chinese, and -a part English, he has written and published six quarto volumes, -about the size of Scott's Bible, constituting a most excellent -Dictionary; also six octavo vols. in the same style. These twelve -volumes have been prepared for the purpose of assisting those who -wish to learn the Chinese language. - -About a year after Dr. Morrison came to China, the English East -India Company wished him to be their translator. He complied, and -has ever since acted in that capacity. He thought it his duty to -do so, that he might, by the labor of his own hands, relieve others -from the burden of supporting himself and family. This, in a -considerable degree, he has done. For upwards of twenty years he -has received <em>no</em> salary from any charitable institution. The -London Missionary Society assist him every year in defraying a -part of his house-rent, which, in China, is very high--ten or twelve -hundred dollars annually. Being translator for the company, they -were willing to defray the expenses of publishing his Dictionary, -which was more than £12,000.--And besides this, and what he has -done for the support of his own family, it has enabled him to give -between 8 and 10,000 dollars for the promotion of Christianity -among the Chinese; a considerable part of this sum was expended -in founding the Anglo Chinese College at Malacca; of this, I will -tell you more when I come to write about Dr. Milne. - -The same day he became translator to the company, he was married -to Miss Morton, an excellent and pious lady, who had a long time -resided in India. Their first born son died the same day in which -he breathed the breath of life. The infant was interred on the -top of a little hill, at the north extremity of Macao; and in a -beautiful enclosure, not far from where he now sleeps, are the -earthly remains of his mother. Mrs. Morrison died June 10, 1821. - -In 1824, Dr. Morrison visited England, and returned in 1826. While -in his native country, he married Miss Armstrong, a pious and -accomplished lady. He has now living in China, six children; four -sons and two daughters. His family reside at Macao, for the Chinese -will not allow foreign ladies to come to Canton. His eldest son, -John Robert Morrison, is already quite a master of Chinese, and -acts as translator to the British merchants in China. - -Dr. Morrison is now fifty years old, and it is more than 24 years -since he came to China. The Lord has been very good to him, and -has blessed him, and given good success to the labor of his hands. -He has lived to see many and most glorious results from the very -small beginnings he was permitted and enabled to make; but the -judgment of the great day, only, can display all the effects of -his long and arduous labors. Every Christian prays in secret; but -he has often preached in secret, with his doors locked around him, -and only one or two to listen to the sound of the gospel. - -No church has yet been gathered and organized in China. Several -individuals have believed, and have been baptized; and the Lord's -supper has, occasionally, been administered. The first baptism -was in 1814. This man came to Dr. Morrison's house, and heard him -talk of Jesus, the first year he was in China. "At a spring of -water," says Dr. Morrison, "issuing from a lofty hill by the -sea-side, away from human observation, I baptized, into the Father, -Son, and Holy Spirit, <em>Tsae-a-ko</em>. O that the Lord may cleanse -him from all sin in the blood of Jesus, and purify his heart by -the influences of the Holy Spirit. May he be the first fruits of -a great harvest; one of millions who shall believe, and be saved -from the wrath to come." - -During much of his time in China, Dr. Morrison has preached to -the English and American residents. He is now with his family at -Macao; and, during the past season, has usually had four religious -services on each Lord's day; a morning and evening service in -English, and a morning and evening service in Chinese. From 4 to -20 persons have usually attended on the English, and about 15 on -the Chinese services. - -Thus, my young friends, I have given you a brief account of one -whom God has employed in this part of the great field; and though -he has accomplished so much, he looks upon it all as nothing. He -is truly a most excellent man, and I love him much. And I desire -that you will always pray for him; that the Lord will preserve -him, and bless him more and more, and all those who are engaged -with him in the gospel. - - I remain your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter15" id="Letter15">Letter XV.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 13, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--I told you in the last letter about Dr. -Morrison, and the commencement of the mission to China. I will -now give you some account of Dr. Milne, and the missions among -the Chinese, established out of China. The missionary stations -established among the Chinese, residing or settled abroad without -the Chinese empire, may be reckoned five in number. They are at -the following places namely: Malacca, Penang, Java, Singapore, -and Siam. I wish you to look out all these places on the maps, -and learn from your geographies all you can about them. This will -assist you very much to understand and remember what you read about -the missions. - -The Rev. William, afterwards Dr. Milne, with his wife, arrived -at Macao in China, the 4th of July, 1813, just at the time as before -stated, when Dr. Morrison had finished the translation of the New -Testament. A day or two after his arrival, he was ordered by the -(then) Portuguese Governor of Macao, to leave the place -immediately. He did so, and came up to Canton. Here he resided -for several months, enjoying that hospitality among the heathen, -which had been denied in a Christian colony. - -Macao is a small town. You will see it on your maps, situated 70 -or 80 miles south of Canton. It is the only European or foreign -settlement in China. The Portuguese have lived there two or three -hundred years. - -Dr. Milne remained about six months; in the mean time, with the -assistance of his friend, Dr. Morrison, he got 2,000 copies of -the New Testament, and 15,000 Christian tracts, printed in Chinese. -These he put on board a ship, in which he embarked with 450 Chinese -emigrants, all bound to Java. Dr. Milne was a very active man on -board ship; and at Java, wherever he went, he was delighted to -give away tracts and Bibles. He loved to do good to all men, as -he had opportunity. From Java, he went to Malacca, which place -afterwards became his home, and the seat of the Anglo Chinese -college, of which he was the first principal. From Malacca, he -returned to China, conferred with Dr. Morrison about the mission, -and then, with Mrs. Milne, returned to Malacca, which place was -not only their home, but also their <em>grave</em>. The one died in 1819, -Mrs. M., the other, in 1822. They left behind them four or five -children, to mourn their loss. Dr. Milne, his wife, and their little -daughter Amelia, and two infant twin boys born on their passage -down the Chinese sea, arrived at Malacca, May 21, 1815. This was -the commencement of the mission at Malacca. Schools were -opened--children collected and taught--books printed and -circulated. The Bible was read, and the poor had the gospel preached -to them--preparations were made for the college, and its foundation -laid, November 11, 1818. - -Malacca, you will see by reference to your maps, is not far from -China, Cochin China, Siam, and many islands where great numbers -of Chinese reside. It is also a healthy place, and under a great -and good government. These and other considerations induced Drs. -Morrison and Milne to resolve on the mission, and the establishment -of the college. At the outset, Dr. Morrison gave $4,000 for the -benefit of the college, and up to the present time, has been its -chief support, and the Lord has blessed and prospered the work. -The number of Chinese students in the college, has usually been -about 30. The regular course of studies occupies six years. The -aboriginal inhabitants of Malacca and the adjacent regions are -called Malays. For this people also, schools have been established -and supported, and they prosper. Many thousands of Bibles and tracts -have been printed and sent out from the college, and these have -gone far and wide, the silent messengers of the truth of God. The -Rev. Samuel Kidd, of the London Missionary Society, is now principal -of the college. Penang, or the Prince of Wales Island, you will -see by referring again to your maps, is situated off the west coast -of the peninsula of Malacca--you will find it about the 6th degree -of north latitude. It is a beautiful situation, and has a good -government. The number of Chinese is about 8 or 10,000, 14 or 15,000 -Malays. There are also Siamese and Burmese. This mission was begun -in 1819. It has now two missionaries with their wives; the Rev. -S. Dyer for the Chinese, and the Rev. T. Beighton for the Malays. -These missionaries are very devoted, and are doing great good. -They have a number of schools for children, where they teach them -daily out of the Holy Scriptures, of the way of salvation by Jesus -Christ; and by the books which the children receive, much good -instruction is conveyed to the parents. But I have not time to -give you all the particulars of this and the other stations of -the straits. - -The same year, namely 1819, the mission was begun in Java. The -seat of this mission is at Batavia. The elevated island of Java, -presents some very fine tracts of country. Batavia itself is -unhealthy, but a few miles out of the town where foreigners generally -reside, the country is delightful, and the climate agreeable. The -Rev. W.H. Medhurst is the missionary at the stations. He and Mrs. -Medhurst have been very abundant in their labors, and as their -labors multiply, their zeal and their success increase. Mr. -Medhurst has travelled in various parts of Java and the neighboring -islands, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and scattering in -every direction the good seed of the word of God. - -Another mission was commenced this same year, 1819. This was at -Singapore, an island situated in the straits, not far distant from -the south-eastern extremity of the peninsular of Malacca. At this -station, from the commencement to the present time, there have -been laborers both for the Malays and for the Chinese. The Rev. -C.H. Thompson for the Malays, and the Rev. J. Tomlin for the Chinese. -These missionaries have travelled and scattered abroad the word, -especially in Siam, where Mr. Tomlin has made two or three -visits--where I suppose he now is with my good friend the Rev. -D. Abeel. In the establishments of all these missions, Dr. Milne -took a very lively interest. He entered <em>into</em> the business with -this whole soul. He expected great things, he attempted great -things, and he accomplished great things. At the age of 20, he -determined to become a soldier to serve abroad in Immanuel's wars, -undertaking to destroy Satan's kingdom. He prepared himself for -the conflict, buckled on his armor,--at 27, entered on the field -of battle, served with courage and fidelity 10 years, and then, -worn out by useful toils and hard service, died on his post. - -Children, farewell; in the next I will tell you of Leang Afa. - - Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter16" id="Letter16">Letter XVI.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 19, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--You know the goodness and mercy of our -God, you know how he has given his dear Son to die for us poor -rebellious sinners, and has promised to give to Christ the heathen -for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his -possession. - -It is our heavenly Father, that Being who cannot lie, who has told -us that his word shall not return unto him void, but <em>shall</em> prosper, -and accomplish all his holy will. If all good people would only -do their duty, the heathen I think would very soon become converted. -<em>When the children of God pray and labor as they ought, he always -blesses them</em>. - -I have told you about one person who came to Dr. Morrison's house, -and heard him talk of Jesus and of the way of salvation by the -blood of the Lamb, and that man believed and was baptized. I have -now to tell you of another, who has become a disciple of Jesus, -and is devoting all his time and strength to the service of his -divine Master, Christ the Lord. I am going to tell of the evangelist -Leang Afa. - -When Dr. Milne left Canton and went to Malacca, in 1815, Afa went -with him as printer--this was his trade. Soon after this, it was -observed that the truth had taken a strong hold upon his mind, -he was convicted by the holy law of God, saw himself to be a sinner, -poor and miserable, blind and naked, and in need of all things. -And thus he was brought to declare his determination to take up -his cross and follow Christ. What care was taken to instruct him -will be seen by the following extract from Dr. Milne's Journal. - -November 3, 1816. At twelve o'clock this day, I baptized, in the -name of the adorable Trinity, Leang Afa. This service was performed -privately in a room of the mission-house. Care had been taken by -private conversation, instruction and prayer, to prepare him for -this sacred ordinance. This had been continued for a considerable -time. Finding him still steadfast in his desire to become a -Christian, I baptized him. The change -produced in his sentiments and conduct, is, I hope, the effect -of Christian truth, and of that alone: <em>yet who of mortals can -know the heart?</em> Several searching questions were proposed to him -in private, and an exercise suited to a heathen candidate for -baptism, composed and given to him to read and to meditate upon. - -With respect to his former life, he says, I was never much given -to idolatry. I seldom went to the temples. I sometimes prayed towards -heaven, but lived in careless indifference. Although I rarely went -to excess in sin, yet I have been occasionally guilty of drunkenness, -and other kindred vices. Before I came hither (to Malacca) I knew -not God--now I desire to serve him. - -The following are the questions proposed, and the answers given -at the time of baptism: - -1. "Have you truly turned from idols, to serve and worship the -living and true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and all things?" -This is my heart's desire. - -2. "Do you know and feel that you are a sinful creature, totally -unable to save yourself?" I know it. - -3. "Do you really, from your heart, believe that Jesus Christ is -the Son of God, the salvation of the world; and do you trust alone -in him for salvation?" This is my heart's desire. - -4. "Do you expect any worldly advantage, profit or gain whatever, -by your becoming a Christian?" None. I receive baptism, because -it is my duty. - -5. "Do you resolve from this day to the day of your death, to live -in obedience to the commandments and ordinances of God, and in -justice and seriousness of life before men?" This is my -determination, but I fear my strength is not equal to it. - -On my part, says Dr. Milne, the ordinance was dispensed with -affection, joy, hope, and fear. May he be made faithful unto death, -and as he is the first fruits of this branch of the mission, may -an abundant harvest follow to the joy of the church, and to the -honor of Christ. Such is Dr. Milne's account of Leang Afa, and -O, with what delight must the sainted spirit look down from heaven -upon the disciple of Jesus, as he labors, and toils, and faints -not! - -April 7, 1819. After prayers and many tears, the two -brothers in Christ parted. Afa returned to China, and not long -after, was married. His wife has become a believer in Christ, and -has received baptism. He has now living, two children--a little -daughter of four, and a son of eleven years. The son's name is -Leang Atih. He was baptized in infancy. He now lives with me, and -I will tell you more about him in another letter. Atih had a little -brother a few months old, but last summer he died. His parents -grieved very much for him, because they loved him very much, and -he was a tender child. - -Afa has promised to give me a written account of himself, by and -by. I think it will be very interesting, and when I receive it, -I can tell you more about him. He has received a great deal of -ill treatment from his friends, neighbors, and countrymen. His -home is about seventy-five miles west from Canton. He has an aged -father, whom he supports. Though old, and feeble, and grey headed, -and oft times tenderly instructed by his son; yet, poor man, he -resists the truth, loves his idols, and says there is no God. And -so when the son Leang Afa, and his wife and young Atih, kneel down -together around the family altar, to worship the living and true -God, the father, the grandfather, the old, feeble, dying man, goes -away and worships.--O how dreadful, how pitiable, he goes away -and bows down and worships, as he himself declares, the DEVIL, -and then comes and rails at his son, because he has forsaken the -gods of his country! This is a great trial to Afa, but he bears -it as he does all his trials, with meekness and fortitude. Afflicted -and persecuted as this family have been, they feel almost as if -they had no home on this earth. They are poor in the things of -this world, but doubtless they have treasures in heaven. They live -sometimes in one place, sometimes in another. During the last summer -and fall, they have lived in a hired house in this city. Afa has -been here to see me to-day, and Atih has gone with him, this evening, -to see the family. In the morning, if the Lord will, he will come -back to me, then he will go about twenty miles to the east of Canton, -to a retired place, where he, with another Christian, is printing -the <em>Scripture Lessons</em>; and his grandfather, and his mother and -little sister, will leave the city and go to the West, to their -own village. But the true God will protect them, says Afa, and -keep them all in safety. - -Afa is now forty-four years old. More than fifteen years he has -borne the Christian name, and toiled and suffered hardships and -persecutions in his Master's service, and his faith and his zeal -increase as he holds on his way: so may it be to the end. Dear -children, remember, I entreat you, Afa and his family in your daily -prayers, and remember also, your true friend, - - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter17" id="Letter17">Letter XVII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 20, 1831. - -MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--When I have given you a short account of -Canton city, and told you a few things about my boys, then I must -close these letters. Canton is a very large city, situated in 23 -degrees 7 minutes north latitude, 113 degrees 14 minutes east -longitude, from Greenwich. It is distant from the open sea, about -70 or 80 miles, and stands on the north bank of the Jake, which -the Chinese call <em>Chook-eany</em>, that is, the <em>Pearl River</em>. The -city is built wholly on one side of the river. Opposite to Canton, -is the island of Honam, on which stands the celebrated Honam -Joshouse. Indeed, all the way from Canton to the open sea, is part -land and part water, and forms a great number of islands. - -A part of Canton is enclosed by a wall built of brick and stone, -about 20 or 25 feet high, and 10 or 15 feet thick. The part of -the city which is enclosed by the wall, is nearly square. Each -of the four sides of the city, I should think, measures about two -miles, perhaps less, perhaps more. On each side, there are three -or four gates, these are always guarded by day, and shut and barred -by night. Foreigners may not enter the gates. On the south, the -wall extends within about 20 rods of the river. On the north side, -it extends to the brow of a hill, which terminates the range of -mountains which rise and stretch along in the rear of Canton. There -is a wall which divides the city into two parts, the north and -south. The south part, is about one quarter of the whole, and has -been built since the other, and is sometimes called the new city; -but this distinction is not necessary. - -The space between the city walls and the river, and a -considerable extent of the east and west sides of the city without -the walls, constitutes the suburbs of Canton, or, as the Chinese -say, the city outside, which, as to its streets, houses, shops, -&c. is all the same as the city inside. So the Chinese have repeatedly -assured me, and this, I believe, is the opinion of the foreigners -here. Usually, the streets are not more than eight feet wide, and -often not more than four. Their houses and shops are seldom, if -ever, more than two stories high, and often the top one is only -a kind of half story. The shops are built close on the streets, -and not unfrequently project over them. When the shops are opened -in pleasant weather, the whole front is removed; this displays -their goods to great advantage. Some of these streets are very -beautiful. Dwelling-houses and shops are seldom built on the same -street. - -Dwelling-houses, and the gardens and yards around them, are usually -surrounded by a wall which is built close on the street, and so -high as to prevent any one passing along, from seeing the houses. -At each end of the principal streets, there is a gate and a watch-house -built above it. The gates are closed at night, and the watchmen -keep a constant look out, and beat with their gongs or bells the -watches of the night. - -The <em>population</em> of Canton is very numerous. I think, not less -than a <em>million of souls</em>. Many people think this number too great, -and perhaps it is. Including those who live on the river, and all -those within and without the city, the number is very great. Though -the houses are not high, yet the people live together very thick. -They marry young, and live to a good old age. In the same house, -you will sometimes find great grand-parents, grand-parents, -parents, children, grand-children, great, and even great, great, -grand-children, making in all a very great number. From personal -observation, I should not think that more than one tenth or one -fifteenth part of the whole people of Canton live on the river. -But if to the 40,000 boats, we allow only three persons to each -boat, we shall have 120,000 on the river, and if this is only one -ninth part of the whole population, it will amount to more than -one million. But, my young friends, I will not trouble you any -more with these hard reckonings; your teachers will explain the -whole for you. - -Foreign merchants have for several years traded to China. Only -a few rods from the south-west corner of the city walls, there -are twelve or thirteen large buildings, or rather rows of buildings, -and each of the rows contain three or four, and sometimes more -houses, built like the houses in the United States, and <em>here</em> -we live; in all, I suppose, about 100 persons, English, French, -Dutch, <em>Americans</em>, &c. These houses are sometimes called -factories, and sometimes hongs. The English have a chapel and -clergyman, and worship on the Sabbath. While Mr. Abeel was here, -and also since he left, the Americans have had worship on the Sabbath -in a large room in one of the private houses. - -We live very comfortably here, though cut off from some of the -greatest domestic and social enjoyments. No man can bring his family -with him to Canton. All the work about house, cookery and every -thing, is done by Chinese men servants. The servant that was with -me several months after I came to China, did his work well enough, -but did not like to read; besides, he was quite old. So I mentioned -one day, that I should like a lad that would learn to read and -write. A servant of one of the gentlemen with whom I lived heard -this, and immediately wished me to take his little brother, then -ten years old. His name is Atsan. In a few days, he made his -appearance, a fine, round-faced, sprightly-looking boy. He knew -something of his own language, but not a single letter of the English. -Just at this time, Afa came and wished me to take his little son, -Atih; and in a few days, the boy came, poorly clothed, with great -head, flat nose, and crooked shoulders. His first appearance was -not very promising. He could read and write his own language well, -for a boy of his age, but knew not a word of English. I wrote out -the alphabet for the two boys, and they began to learn; two or -three days after this, they wished to introduce another boy. This -was Achang, fifteen years old, and had been to school about three -years. He had learnt also a part of the English alphabet. - -In this way I became acquainted with the boys. This was a year -ago. They have done, and still continue to do, exceedingly well. -They read, write and recite, both Chinese and English, daily. If -they continue to learn as they have done thus far, they will make -excellent scholars. They read daily in the Scriptures. They have -learnt the name of Christ the Lord, and I hope ere long they will -choose him for their Saviour. Atih says he loves the Savior <em>now</em>, -and prays to him every night and morning, and when I ask Atih if -he did not fear men would laugh at him, he answered, men do laugh -at me, but I do not fear them that kill the body, I rather fear -<em>Him</em> who can destroy both soul and body in hell. And now, dear -children, farewell. I beg you will not cease to pray for the dear -boys, and all this nation, and more than this, I hope you will -continue to send them the Bible and missionaries. And still more, -I desire that some of <em>you</em> may come here, may come as good -missionaries, for hundreds are now needed to preach the gospel -to these heathen. Say, will you come? I once knew a boy, younger -than some of you are now, who, having read an account of the heathen, -such as you have now read in these letters, desired to be a -missionary, and go to the heathen, and the Lord has granted the -desire of his heart, and now he is a missionary, laboring to make -known the glorious gospel of the blessed God. - - Farewell. Your true friend, - E.C.B. - -______ - -</pre> -<h2><a name="Letter18" id="Letter18">Letter XVIII.</a></h2> -<pre> - - -<em>Canton</em>, (<em>China</em>,) <em>Dec</em>. 21, 1831. - -To Parents and Teachers: - -MY DEAR FRIENDS,--Weary and oppressed when I had finished my last -letter, I determined to desist from writing more, but after -reflection and prayer before God, I felt constrained to add yet -another. The letters have cost me considerable time and labor, -and though short, they contain many interesting facts. I have been -obliged to sit up late at night to write, and early in the morning; -and more than once, while writing and contemplating the condition -of perishing millions around me, tears have started from the eyes, -and the breast has been agitated with thoughts too painful to -describe. I once thought, as some of you may now think, that the -accounts of the heathen are overdrawn, and their condition -represented to be worse than it actually is. This is not the case; -far from it. There are sometimes inaccurate statements--I have -met with such--but I have never seen a description, given by -uninspired men, which adequately portrays the misery, and moral -degradation, of this elegant, learned, polished, and refined pagan -nation. - -The inimitable descriptions of the heathen world, given in the -Old and New Testament, are all exemplified here, in <em>living -characters</em>. In the letters to the dear youth, who stand to you -in the relations of sons, and daughters, and pupils, it has been -my object to assist you, in making known to them the present -<em>condition and character</em> of the Chinese. I have narrated chiefly, -such things as I had either seen or heard here on the spot. Many -of the accounts are imperfect, and the descriptions faint; and -I am on that very account, more anxious that you should follow -up the subject, explaining and illustrating whatever the children -do not easily understand. I wish you would often read to them the -44th chapter of Isaiah, and the 1st chapter of Romans. I wish also -that you would collect and point out to them interesting accounts, -published in the Missionary Herald, and in religious newspapers, -and books which have been published on missions. It is of great -importance that children be well instructed, correctly and -extensively informed, in regard to the condition of those to whom -the gospel is yet to be published. Every one, whether old or young, -rich or poor, has an interest--a personal interest in this great -and glorious work; but children have a peculiar personal interest. -From the present generation of children, many hundreds, nay, -thousands of missionaries, are to be trained up and sent abroad -to the fields already white for the harvest. Our Lord, the Saviour, -has made it the privilege, and the duty, of every one who will -be his disciple, <em>to seek first the kingdom of heaven</em>; and he -has assured us that no one can be his disciple who will not forsake -all and follow him. It will profit a man nothing, if he gain the -whole world and lose his own soul: and so in comparison with seeking -to extend the religion of Jesus Christ. In comparison with bringing -souls from the damnation and power of sin and Satan into the kingdom -of God's dear Son, all things also are nothing. There is to be -a great change in the opinions, and feelings, and actions, of -Christians, in regard to this subject, else the gospel will not -be preached to every creature. Now hundreds and thousands of -Christians, or rather who call themselves Christians, are saying, -"We have nothing to do in this business, and we can't do any thing -if we try." But the time is coming, when all good people will say, -"We have a great work to do, for it is our business to publish -the gospel to every creature; and we can do all things through -Christ strengthening us." - -It will help to hasten this change, if we make this subject--the -subject of missions--the preaching of the gospel to every -creature--the conversion of the whole world--very familiar to our -own minds and to the minds of others,--especially to children. -If the Lord Jesus Christ should come down from heaven, and go round -to each of your houses, and entering, should address you -individually, and say, Go ye and preach the gospel to every creature; -you would think this a most solemn command; one which you could -not misunderstand. So it would be, and just so it is now. It is -no more your duty and your privilege, than it is my duty and -privilege. It is a common cause; one in which it is alike the -privilege and the bounden duty of every disciple of the Lord Jesus -Christ to engage, and with his whole soul, and mind and strength. -The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. The case which I have -presented, is an extreme one--a case of life and death--not the -life of a single individual, a brother, a sister, or a child; nor -is it the temporal life of 10,000 individuals. Oh! no. It is the -eternal life of hundreds of thousands of immortal souls. - -And now, dear friends, allow me to make in behalf of those among -whom I live, this one request;--that you will think often of their -condition, and make it a frequent subject of conversation with -your children. I desire that you may do this, that you may be led, -and may lead your children to desire and earnestly to pray for -the conversion of the Chinese. - -There is no danger of thinking, or saying, or feeling, or doing -too much in a work of such amazing magnitude. The danger, and it -is very great, is all on the other side. One solitary instance -of doing too much, has never yet been known; but on the contrary -all have come short. You can easily imagine what would be your -feelings, if you should see your fellow creatures, friends and -strangers, sinking and drowning in the waves, and if it was in -your power, you would, even at the hazard of your own lives, seek -to save them. O then, what ought to be the emotions, and what the -effort to save, when contemplating a whole nation sinking in the -bottomless pit? Sinking! yet they are like us, prisoners of hope. -And if they hear the joyful sound, and believe in Jesus, then shall -they be saved. Wishing you and your children, everlasting -happiness, I remain ever, your affectionate friend and servant, - - E.C.B. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Letters to Children, by E. C. 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