CoMimmiatious. LEV. A. M. STEWART’S LETTERS-XXXII. MORMONS. Ever since Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, the earth has been afflicted with re volts, recessions, delusions, and fanaticisms. In modern times, Mormonism undoubtedly excels in credulity, fanaticism, and success. Iu its origin, not half a century since, it seemed con temptible, absurd, and jdfen ludicrous. So op posed was it, also, to all the settled convictions of the human mind, with respect to things both in Church and State, that every thoughtful per son was ready to say, “Let it alone; it is of men, and will soon come to nought.” Such, no doubt, had been the result under the advised policy. Men, however, of hasty temper, un settled judgment, and vindictive spirit, could not abide so slow an ordeal. Mormonism in its in fancy was persecuted, and, as a consequence, swelled into importance, attracted and grew. Like all other systems of error which have been successful in attracting adherents, Mor monism has embodied a large amount of truth. Pure error, naked falsehoods, unadulterated lies, do not take even with fallen humanity. The father of lies, when quoting Scripture, felt con strained to do it correctly. The Latter Day Saints accept, without change, our Protestant Bible, merely adding thereto some curious reve lations to and through the “sainted” Joseph Smith. THEIR PILGRIMAGE. When driven from Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, and lowa, the wretched, starving, half-naked fu gitives started on a pilgrimage, which an army with banners dare not have attempted. Even Mahomet and his followers, on camels, would have undertaken it with much caution. How, under their condition, and without all perishing, they succeeded in traversing those fifteen hun dred miles, of reputed desert, seems even now a mystery. They settled, at length, upon a dry, and apparently barren soil, where they hoped never again to see or be troubled with Gentile intruders. At the time ot their self-banishment, this hope seemed very probable, as neither ex plorer nor settler was likely, for ages, to spy into their safe retreat. The tide of westward human interests has gone with such accelerated motion, that, in their imagined retreat, and within a quarter of a century, they have been overtaken and surrounded by an immense foreign ava lanohe. AGENTS FOR GOOD. Whatever purposes the Almighty has to sub serve with this strange mass of people hereafter, He has already effected purposes the most wise and beneficent, and for which no other agents seemed fitted. They have most successfully de monstrated, through necessity and thrift, the wonderful capacities and productiveness of im mense portions of our almost boundless Ameri - can desert, as it is still termed by ignorant tra vellers and stupid geographers. The territory they occupy was no more promising than count less other sections of Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Colorado, and which would have been looked upon as hopelessly barren by ex plorers, miners, and emigrants save for the exam plesgivenbyMormon industry. By artificial water ing they have turned a dry and parched land into fields, and orchards, and gardens, of more than ordinary beauty and fruitfulness. - And this, also, in a climate of unsurpassed clearness, beauty , and healthfulness. They have, moreover, been the instruments of saving much life. Had they not occupied that far interior and intermediate space, when, in a fever of excitement, from 1849 and onwards, caravans .of men, horses, mules, and oxen left the Atlantic side for the California gold fields, multitudes would have perished. Each traveller across the continent; every wagon, stage-coach, horse, or footman ; every soldier Uncle Sam sent to. watch them, together with railroad surveyors, agents, and builders, have all paid ready, even thankful tribute, in money, for- Mormon-produc tions. By such processes, coupled with economy, industry, home manufacture, and' consumption, that far interior community, numbering at. pres ent a hundred thousand, is fast becoming one of the wealthiest communities in the world. They are rich in horses, cattle, sheep, and poultry ; in cereals, fruits, and vegetables ; in manufactures; and money. SALT LAKE CITY, It is the most quiet, orderly, and best govern ed city, in the. world. Among the Mormons,, there is no disorder or outbreak; no profanity or ; intemperance. The city on the Sabbath is as quiet as a rural parish, in Scotland or. New Eng land. Whatever disorder there may be, is cre ated by Gentile intruders. The city proper, numbers about twenty thousand. Its architec tural -beauty has. certainly. been overrated--by tourists and writers; and this perhaps naturally enough, as such writers had travelled so long: and so far without, seeing a house, or scarce a human, abode. The court-house and) theatre; are substantial i structures. The great projected temple is as yet only even with the ground. The immense Tabernacle has no ■ semblance of archi tectural beauty-, The,,private establishment;of Brigham Young is quite-extensive*, comprising several home-like mansions united together, sur rounded with trees, and all enclosed by a high THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1869. wall, the enclosure being entered by a rather ponderous gate. The city, in its winter costume, wears a pleas ant and comfortable appearance, but in summer must be especially inviting. The original plan, which has generally been carried out, was for each family to have a lot of an acre and a quar ter, thus affording space for shrubbery, fruit trees, and a vegetable garden. By this arrange ment the city covers a considerable space, com bining city and country in a very agreeable man ner. The streets are broad, cut each other at right angles, and along each side of every street there flows a stream of crystal water, led from the adjacent mountains. These constant streams nourish long rows of beautiful shade trees, which have been planted on each side of every street-. Concerning their domestic arrangements, but little was seen or heard. About such matters they are studiously reticent; when possible, si lent. The evilß of their system are carefully and quietly hidden away from Gentile intrusion. Of their future we need hardly speculate. In the amazingly rapid change and progress of events, some adjustment must, ere long, be forced upon them, more in consonance with the feelings and wishes of civilized nations. It seems a moral impossibility that an outrage so monstrous and repugnant as polygamy, can much longer exist in the midst of a great Christian commu nity. A. M. Stewart. CHINA, PROM A CHRISTIAN STAND POINT.-!. Having twice visited China and lately returned from there, after a residence of four years,in different parts of the empire, I propose to give some facts in regard to that most interesting country. I say, some facts—and mostly having a religious bearing, because the subject is too vast for the two articles which I have prepared. To the friends of Christian missions, China has always been attractive; but only lately has this empire awakened universal interest among our own, and other western nations. It is one of the most remarkable facts of modern times, that the oldest and most populous empire of the world should seek the friendship and moral aid of the United States, the youngest and most powerful and promising of modern nations. No doubt, above any other people, God has selected our own country to be the Christianizer of China. The planting of new States on the Pacific slope in front of China and Japan, such as California, Washington, Oregon and Alaska; the comple tion of .the Pacific ■ railway, and the early con-, struction of a ship, canal across the Isthmus of Darien, all indicate the plan of God in bringing into closer relationship these two great nations. If our population continue to increase in the ratio of the last thirty years, one hundred mil lions of people will occupy our territory in the year 1900. At that time the whole Pacific slope, facing Asia, will teem with this mighty restless American people, who, if true in using God’s gifts of spiritual and political freedom, shall play the most conspicuous part in evangeli zing the world. , At the present time, besides a large number of first class-merchant vessels in the China trade, we have a monthly line of steamers from San Francisco to Shanghae and Hong Kong, touch, ing on the route at the midway islands and at ' Kanagawa, Japan. Without exception, all things, considered, these steamers are the finest in the world; and the voyage, embracing the calm Pa cific and the inland sea of Japan, one of surpas sing interest. The average time (from San Francisco to Hong Kong by sailing .vessels —-the distance being about, eight thousand five hundred miles, —is about fifty days, costing, for first-class passage, from $125 to $l5O. By : steamer,the time, is; now about twenty-five days/ and costs from $250 to $3OO for a first-class, passage. I desire to add here, that ministers and missiona ries . with • their families,, are taken from New York to China at ; three-fourths the above rates. Of course the Chinese come: and go, by these steamers, at very low fares;, there being special, and excellent accommodations for them. , At, the .present time there are about sixty thousand; Chinese in California; some fifteen thousand being at work on the Central Pacific Hailroad., The number of Chinese arriving on the Pacific coast is steadily increasing; and the time is not far distant when multitudes of them, will be seen in our Western and Atlantic States, adding a new and difficult element in the problem of government. They offer, however, some com pensations. They make the very best servants in the world; sober, skilful, industrious, clean ly, reliable, and willing to do all kinds of, work. Any one who has resided in China will sustain me, I think, in this declaration. We need not be surprised, therefore, if in a few years, the question 'of domestic service in the United States shall be solved by the presence of large numbers of Chinese servants. Voluntary em igration (of men) is one of the, great features of modern Chinese sopiety., In California, the Sandwich and Philippine islands, in Java, Bor neo, Singapore, Siam, Burmah, Australia . and elsewhere, this people are largely represented; and wherever they go, they better their condition by their order, sobriety,' industry and economy. The influence which Americans have gained in China, and which "ripened'into fruit in the se lection of an American to advocate and secure to China her position and rights among modern nations, is just and legitimate. The record of American intercourse with China has been, for the most part, very honorable to our country. Our merchants have bartered, generally, in harmless and useful commodities; our consular and diplomatic representatives have been usually frank, considerate and just; while our mission aries have introduced a vast amount of material comfort and relief to the poor and afflicted ; and scattered, far and wide, not only scientific and other secular knowledge, but the doctrines of a spiritual and better life. I have often had the question asked me, What is the origin and real import of our recent treaty with China, and which is now being presented to European powers for acceptance ? Believing that this treaty elevates the moral attitude of China, and places her more in sympathy with the highest Christian civilization, than with mere trade, I shall devote considerable space in an swering the above question. This treaty is not by any means, the expres sion of foreign mercantile circles in China, (for they generally oppose it;) but it had its origin in the conviction, forced upon the best minds of China, that a change was necessary in their for eign policy in order to save the empire from dis integration. Chinese statesmen are indebted a great deal to Christian missionaries for their en lightenment as to the dangers threatening China, and. the means of preservation. It was the translation of Wheaton’s International Law by Dr. Martin of the Presbyterian Board of Mis sions at Peking, and its study by the Prince of Kung and other eminent Chinese, that gave them to see how much would be gained every way, by abandoning their ancient pretensions, and by placing'the Empire on an equal footing with other nations, under the jurisdiction and protection of international law. Heretofore, though China has been forced to make treaties with western nations, chiefly with reference to trade, yet she has refused to recognize the great family of nations as equals. She has claimed to be the Central Flowery Kingdom—at the head of mankind, whose ruler is the true and only representative of the Shangti or heavenly empe ror. When we call to mind this old Chinese idea of government —an idea that pervades, and holds, and moulds the Chinese mind, —we see what an immense concession has been made by the rulers of that people to the spirit of Christian civiliza tion, which recognizes the brotherhood and mu tual obligations of man. The Chinese theory of government, according to Dr. Williams, is this : that the whole human; race have been under the authority of one head by superior powers. These powers, included un der the comprehensive names of Tien and Ti, OT Heaven and Earth, have delegated the direct control of mankind to the one man who was, and who at any time has been, the Emperor of China. It is this, earthly Emperor alone, wbo makes, with heaven and earth, the Trinity of Powers, Tien, Ti, and Jin : or heaven, earth and man. The Emperor of China, therefore, has the posi tion of Vice-gerent of heaven. And it seems impossible to the Chinese mind, to admit any other equal ruler on the earth. The inculcation and acceptance of this grand idea, more than armies and exacting civil rule, has held together for so many ages the vast Chinese empire. This claim to the title of Ta Rwang-ti, or August Em peror, has been acknowledged since the earliest times by nearly all other Asiatic sovereigns. All ambitious conquerors who have arisen in Asia have regarded their full title to be the Sovereign Monarch of the race as incomplete, until they had obtained the throne of China. For ages, kings and rulers in different parts of the East, have poured into the treasury of China their tribute, thereby acknowledging her claim to su preme honor. In the first place then, this treaty which is supplementary to that of 1858, recog nizes China as an equal only among the nations. While on the one hand China yields the claim of superiority to outside barbarians, western na tions, on tbe other hand, are to recognize and treat her,as an equal, and not as fair game, to be fleeced, to be over-run, and to have foujed upon, her poisonous drugs and a domestic and foreign policy, under the pirate’s plea that might makes right. ' ' ■ ]. '* Again this treaty guarantees to the (Chinese the control of China.and the introduction if internal material changes. There, has been a growing disposition among foreigners—the English and French especially,—since the last war/with China,, to dictate to her what should he j&s. domestic and foreign policy —-a dictation purely in the in terest of trade and political poster. In a vast empire like China, where civilization has crystal ized, and which is based on moral ideas and not on material progress or physical force, internal changes should not be too sudden, so as to pro duce unrest, derangement and', demoralization in the life of the people. In i vast empire like China, where-population upon population, the busy human hive must he kept at work, or famine quickly follows. Arid I would say here, that the recent outbreaks in different parts of China have had no political or religious, connec tion at all with the great Taiping rebellion; but have been enormous riots produced by want, having no other object than mere plunder. The Taiping rebellion (terminating, in 1864) was a religious. and political movement, irhich, aimed to, snatch from the Tartar dynasty the Chinese throne, and re establish it at Nankin, the ancient capital, under an emperor who claimed to be the representative of the true God and of Jesus Christ his Son. At the outset (in 1850) and during its earlier development, the rebellion awakened intense interest on the part of Chris tian men ; but when the cruelties of its leaders, and the wide spread ruin it was working were perceived, the whole movement was denounced. The Taiping leader (or Great Peace King, as the word means) like Mohammed, abolished idola try by the sword aDd reigned in the name, and by the authority of God. On the fall of Kan kin, the leader of the rebellion committed sui cide, and the movement was abandoned; but it has produced untold suffering, though it has not materially prejudiced the Chinese against Chris tianity, except on the part of the high officials. What seems to be most wanting just now, is a better acquaintance on the part of China with Christian nations, and of these nations with China, appreciating each other’s motives, plans and condition. The treaty, therefore, disclaims and discourages all practices of unnecessary dic tation or intervention in the domestic adminis tration of China, in regard to the penetration of the country by steamers, and construction of railroads, telegraphs or other material internal improvements; but binds foreign nations, in case such improvements are undertaken, to furnish suitable engineers, to whom China guarantees protection in person and property and a fair com pensation. Again, this treaty denies the peculiar “ con cession claims.” When foreigners became some what numerous and commenced trade at treaty ports, the Chinese government appropriated, at each place, certain lands on which to construct dwellings, warehouses, and offices. After a while, when the population became numerous, the French and English especially organized munic ipal courts and a police, levied taxes, made laws, and claimed exclusive jurisdiction. The Chinese government was denied the right of eminent do main over her own territorry. But this unjust as sumption on the part of foreigners, the recent treaty denies, except so far as certain rightshave been expressly relinquished by treaty. Again, this treaty secures to China the neu trality of Chinese waters and territory in case of war between foreign nations; it opposes also the Coolie traffic, one of the most infamous institu tions of the world.' Macao, a Portuguese Roman Catholic port and colony, near Hong Kong, is the great seat of this trade. I have counted as high as eight baracoons for the ' lodgment of victims, and thirty first-class ships in the offing, waiting to receive on board those human car goes. Of course, there are two sides to every question 1 ; and many believe that the Coolie trade, if properly conducted, would benefit China, the emigrants themselves and £hc cdtmtries to which they go. But the truth is, the business has always been in bad bands, and I suppose always will be, as there is something intrinsically degrading in it. Again, this treaty guarantees to Christian missionaries and others, in every part of China all the rights which foreigners enjoy in the Uni ted States, and- to China, the same rights here. It is feared that under this clause the Cninese will introduce idolatry and heathen worship in the United States. In point of fact idol-worship (of the Chinese sort) has long ago been intro duced into San Francisco; but there is no dan ger, whatever, that it will injure Christianity. To visit a heathen temple and witness the wor ship only makes us the more thankful to God that He has taught ; ns the better way. Accor ding to the genius of our republican institutions, : we cannot consistently refuse liberty of worship to any creed, however offensive that worship may be to the true God. In order to combat error and spread truth, the citizens of the Uni ted States may freely establish and maintain schools within the empire of China, and proclaim' everywhere the Christian religion. Finally, this treaty regards China in a just and Christian spirit; and places the United States as her best friend in selecting a' represen tative American to advocate her claims before the bar of Christendom. There are two other Americans (besides Mr. Burlingame) whom I desire to mention in this connection, whose in fluence on the Chinese has been exceedingly great —I mean Drs. Bridgeman and' Williams. Long years ago they entered China, as members of the American Board of Foreign Missions. Among other great labors, they published the Chinese Repository , that fountain of all our cor rect knowledge of China. It is at present out of print; but it is, worth-more than all recent works put together —-the epitome of it being Dr. Wil liams’ Middle Kingdom. Among other contri butions to Chinese literature, Bridgeman pub lished in Chinese, a geography and history,of the United States. That work has been exten sively read in China and Japan. It reveals to the Chinese our origin as a nation ; Washington, as the Father of his country; our religion and laws; our system of education,; our national progress, and our political policy in reference to foreign nations. It taught the Chinese and Japanese that America desires no territory abroad; that her intercourse, is purely commer cial on a fair basis of exchange; and that her missionaries, and teachers, and physicians are actuated by heavenly motives, and 1 not acting as the agents, of government. Dr. Williams has, contributed largely to our knowledge of China.. His history of the Middle Kingdom; his Eng lish and Chinese vocabulary for mercantile pur poses ; his contributions to the Chinese Reposi tory, and his Lexicon of the language are all well known. He is now preparing his greatest work—on which his fame is to rest and increase with the centuries, a lexicon of the leading dia lects of China. For many years he has resided at Peking as our Secretary of Legation or Acting Minister, and is a man of unsurpassed ability and intelligence on Chinese subjects. Dr. Wil liams has always had the ear of Chinese states men ; and especially of the Prince of Kung - and I assert, without fear of contradiction, that Mr. Burlingame owes greatly to this thoughtful and Christian scholar, not only his 'success as Minister at Peking, but his present exalted posi tion as a Chinese mandarin. THE OHIOAGO SOROSIS. A travelling correspondent in the West sends ns the following notes: On the day of my arrival, the Chieago Sorosis ■were holding a State Convention. As this was the prominent excitement during my stay, I looked in upon them several times. Instead of one, there were two conventions held, one at Library Hall, and the other at Crosby’s Music Hall. The former, which was the largest and most popular, met for the purpose of considering the subject of female suffrage simply. The lat ter extended the invitation to “ all, without re gard to sex, color, position or creed attend and take part in the discussions, espe cially those interested in perfecting oar govern ment, by extending to all the people the right of suffrage, and securing to them equal rights'" This convention was small in numbers,, and ulti mately coalesced with the other. Speeches were made by Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, Rev. Edward Beecher, Rev. , Robert Collyer, Rev. H. L. Hammond, and others. The dis cussions were not one-sided, as Rev. Mr. Ham mond and Rev. Robert Laird Collier both spoke.in opposition. It was remarked by several that the ladies made the best speeches. At the close of the convention in Library Hall, a spirit ed impromptu debate arose between Miss Anna E. Dickinson and the Rev. Robert Laird Collier. Miss Dickinson, having been persistently called for by the audience, took, as the basis of her re marks,, an assertion that Mr. Collier had: made, “ that, during the meeting of the convention, not a single logical argument had been employed in behalf of female suffrage.” For this declaration he was handled quite severely by the caustic tongue of the fair debater. The audience seemed to enjoy the controversy greatly. It ended by the chairwoman closing abruptly, as the hall was needed for the evening lecture. The ear nestness and enthusiasm of the convention was unmistakable. In the faces of the active parti cipants, a great amount of intellectuality was perceptible. There were no new arguments used. In favor, the necessity of opening new avenues for woman’s employment, and the in creased purity of politics through the introduc tion of a fresh element, were insisted upon. The opposition doubted whether suffrage would ac complish all that was anticipated by its sanguine advocates, and urged that a difference in physi cal constitution, and the peculiar relations of woman to the family would forever debar her from any extended interest in governmental af fair's. The Gbowsph op Chicago. The growth of this city is unprecedented. One of the newspapers a short time ago enumerated the increase in buildings, during the past season as follows. Residences finished, 2,000; residences unfinished, 1,000; business stores and offices, 1,000; churches, 25; school-houses, &c.,,20; various buildings in the outskirts of the city, 3,000; others that were to be finished before the close of last year, I,ooo—total, 8,045 new structures, valued at, $25,000,000. Already are the most sanguine forward to the time when Chicago will number a million inhabitants, and are. preparing by the extension of the city limits, the erection of palatial buildings,, and the provision of magnificent parks to make it worthy to be called the metropolis of the .West. - Farwell Hall. On Sabbath evening the .writer visited Farwell Hall. The advertisement read that there was to be.sacred music by the Hutchinson' family, and Mr. D. F. Moody was to preach. Harwell Hall is an apartment of elliptical form, holding about 3 000 people. It is Sfioely frescoed on the walls, and the ceiling is ornamented, with numerous Scriptural scepes froth Old and New Testament history. Mr. Moody’s manner does not strike a stranger very favorably. It is brusque and un impressive. But when he becomes interested in his theme, you are disposed 1 to forget his infelici tous manner in the earnest desire of the speaker d °. auditors good. Yo.uf correspondent was highly pleased at meeting among the audi ence our excellent District Secretary of Home Missions for the Pacific coast. Rev. A. M. Stew art. After the principal service, the audience were invited to a prayer-meeting in theUecture Room. Upon entering, the room was found well filled. Here a half-hour was spent in prayer and exhor tation. On request, six. young men arose for desired these to remain for religious conversation. ‘ The two services were admirably iriauaged to father up all the results of spiritual, impression. - Fearing to. tire yonr patience with the length of my letter I must conclude. V. D. Collins.
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