"Between the Tang and the Sung dynas- skillful in executing. They construct impleties, [A. D. 752-1281,] the western Moham- ments from wood and metal of the most exmedan kingdom became powerful and invad-quisite formation, without a single fault. ed Europe. The old and young saved them- They are surprisingly dexterous in using selves only by flight. Fire arms were first fire and water. In making rigging and in used by Mohammedans, and afterwards supplying everything about a ship, the employed in China; Europeans being igno- whole is without a single mistake. They rant of them. About the close of the Yuen measure every part of the sea without misdynasty [A. D. 1366] a German first made taking a foot or an inch, and reach China, fire-arms, but was ignorant of the mode of a distance of more than seventy thousand le, using them. Timour, son-in-law to one of in a very short time." the emperors of this dynasty and king of He next notices the commencement Samarcand, [about A. D. 1390,] became formidable to all the western powers. Euro- of European intercourse with China, pean soldiers serving under him, used the route Europeans take in coming to powder and guns, and on their return home Canton, around the Cape of Good Hope, taught their countrymen the secret of their the appearance and dress of male and laws and use. Improving upon this infor- female, and the materials of which their mation, Europeans made small pieces, with clothes are made, and then adds, in rewhich they could overcome in a hundred. battles, a hundred times. With large wargard to ships, they subsequently proceeded in every direction, westward to America, and eastward taking possession of India and all the islands of the Southern ocean. Their name

is spread over the four seas,' and they now number, great and small, more than ten kingdoms."

Here follows an account of each kingdom separately, in which the writer gives its government, extent, population, revenue, debt, and its land and naval forces, in time of peace and in time of war. At the close, he states that he has thus given the extent of those countries, which being estimated in a different manner from what the Chinese reckon, it is difficult to know how much allowance should be made for errors, and in respect to their revenues, armies, and ships of war, different writers give very different accounts, "Errors are many where proof is wanting."

European Religion;

Subsequently to the Han dynasty, [which closed A. D. 30,] the nations of Eu rope received teen choo kaou [Romanism.] The Pope resided at Rome, and swayed his sceptre over kings and princes, confirming those who obeyed him and removing those who disobeyed. Near the commencement of the Ming dynasty, [A. D. 1397,] Luther, a German, established Ya-soo kaou [Protestantism]. From that time part of the nations of Europe adopted teen choo kaou and part Ya-soo kaou. Rulers and people mutually opposed each other. Different states the controversy being about doctrine. He made war and fought against one another, who is called teen choo, is Ya-soo. The Book [Bible] is the same, but they explain it differently. The teen choo kaou use the cross, and adore the image of Jesus. The Ya-soo kaou reject these. In other respects, they, in general, agree."

In treating of the different countries National Debts-European Skill and tail on all the above topics. of Europe the writer goes more into de

Science.

The United States.

In speaking of the United States, after noticing the situation, extent, &c., the writer says:

He then explains what is meant by a national debt, shows how it is contracted, and adds, that "the yearly interest of money borrowed for this purpose only is paid, while the debt continues to increase; so that the annual revenue is "At first the English took possession of not sufficient to meet the demands of North America, drove out the nations, and government. Additional taxes are then cultivated the fertile land. Emigrants from imposed on the people which makes the three islands [England] settled the them angry and rebellious, while the country. Englishmen flowed thither like government is weak and decaying. of Europe is in this state."

Half

After adverting again to the situation and extent of Europe, the author proceeds as follows:

"The land is very fertile, and its productions are abundant. The people are mild and wary in disposition, good in planning and

The

water. People from France, Holland, Denmark and Sweden, who had no estates at home, embarked in ships and removed there, daily opening the country and preparing the rich soil for cultivation. English appointed officers to be located at the cities and towns on the sea coast, to levy taxes for the use of government. Trade was flourishing, and wealth was rapidly acquired.

"During Keen-lung's reign, [which commenced A. D. 1735, and closed 1795,] there was war for several years between the English and French. Every place was taxed and the taxes continued to increase. It was an old rule that the importer of tea alone should be taxed, but the English issued an order that the purchaser should also pay a tax on the same article. The Americans refused to do this, and in the fortieth year of Keen-lung, [A. D. 1775,] the chief men and elders assembled and requested an audience and consultation with the governor, who refused. The taxes continued to press still more heavily, till the people were enraged, entered the ship and cast its cargo of tea overboard. They then consulted and raised a force against the English."

The Revolution-Washington. "There was at that time a Washington, an American of another province, born in the ninth year of Yung-Ching, [A. D. 1732.] His father died when he was but ten years old. He was then trained up by his mother. When small he had great views both in regard to civil and military affairs, and excelled in strength and courage. Washington held a commission in the war of the English against the French, led out his troops against the native plunderers at the South, and successfully subdued them. But the English general did not report his worthy deeds. His countrymen, notwithstanding, wished him to be appointed to an office over them, but sickness compelled him to retire within doors, so that he did not go out.

Encomium on Washington..

After noticing the form of government adopted by the Colonies separately, and collectively, as one nation, the author offers the following encomium on Washington.

"As to Washington, he was an uncommon man. He conquered more rapidly than Shing and Kwang, and in courage he was superior to Tsaou and Lew-[men of much renown in Chinese history]. Seizing the two-edged sword of three cubits long, he opened the country ten thousand le. He then refused to receive a title, or to secure one for his posterity, preferring to establish

an elective administration. Patriotism to be the whole heaven! commended under

Truly like the three dynasties! [Hea, Shang and Chou, mostly included in the traditional history of the Chinese, previous to the age of Confucius.] In administering the government, he fostered virtuous customs, and avoiding war, made his country superior to all other nations. I have seen his portrait. His countenance exhibits great mental power. Ah! who would not call

him an uncommon man?"

People of the United States.

"The Americans are all descendants of

"At the time when all the people rebelled against the English, they pressed Washington to become their general. He then immediately entered on his office. Without arms, ammunition, or provisions, Washington stimulated his countrymen to action by a righteous spirit. He pitched Europeans, mostly from England, Holland his camp near the provincial city, [Boston] and France. Of these three kingdoms, those At the same time, the English general had from England are far the most numerous, collected his ships of war just outside of the and therefore their language and customs are same city. Suddenly a great wind arose and the same as those of the English. The emscattered them. Washington attacked and igrants received their land for cultivation took possession of the city. Afterwards, from the aborigines, where they were willthe English general collected his forces and ing; and where they were unwilling, they drove Washington from his position. At removed to other places. Their merchants this, his soldiers were greatly terrified and and mechanics are all white men. They are wished to be disbanded; but he, with the mild and kind in disposition, but considerate same spirit as at first, having collected and and skillful in trade. They navigate the united his army, again attacked the English four seas.' They all receive Ya-soo kaou, with success. From that time, during eight [i. e., are all Protestants.] They are fond of years of bloody conflict, while his army making their religion a matter of conversawas often reduced and weakened, Wash- tion and of instruction. Their schools are ington's spirit was undiminished, and the everywhere. Their learned men are divided English army had become old. The French into three classes; ministers, physicians and raised an army, crossed the sea, and joined lawyers. The first class give themselves to Washington against the English. Spain and astronomy, geography and the doctrines of Holland with their armies admonished to the Ya-soo; the second to the healing of peace. [] The English, unable to oppose, diseases, and the third to the administration concluded a treaty with Washington, by of the laws."

which the northern part, a cold country, was given up to them, while the southern part, a fertile region, reverted to him.

The writer concludes his notice of the

United States as follows:

"The beauty and excellence of South and their subsequent history, are all and North America, extending several tens briefly mentioned in this work. of thousands of le, are to be found in the Le keen, [i. e., the United States.] Its climate is temperate, and its soil is fertile, like that of China. England voyaged ten thousand le, to seek game and to obtain a prize. The population increased for more than two hundred years. Ah! quickly her wealth filled the four seas'! But she was oppressive, and therefore she lost that which she could not again obtain. The kingdom increased and its resources multiplied. A distant colony in the wilderness, was it not fortunate? The colonies united and formed a state, covering ten thousand le. Without a king, without hereditary titles, and without following the customs of former ages, they established a government subject to the will of the people. Among the productions of ancient or of modern times, so strange a thing has not before appeared. In the ancient and modern histories of the great West, is not Washington to be ranked first!"

over theirs.

The concessions of the Governor General, in his introductory letter, recommending the work to his countrymen; as well as those of the author, already noticed, show the truth of the above statement. His own account of Western countries, is calculated to lead the reader to see at once, that European nations far excel the Chinese, in almost every particular. This conviction must be farther strengthened by the fact, that the author not only points out errors in the histories of his own countrymen, but also corrects them by the accounts of western men.

Speaking of Egypt, the author represents it as having been founded by one of the immediate descendants of Noah, soon after the flood. He observes that "while all Europe was yet a wilderness, and at the commencement of the three ancient dynasties of the Chinese, Hea, Shang, and Chow, [B. C. 2142,] Egypt was an organized state, having laws, literature and arts." "The Persians," he "have maintained an intercourse says, with China from the earliest periods, even previous to the age of Confucius." Egypt," according to the same authority, "was early invaded by the Persians, or by tribes from that quarter." The supposition, therefore, that the Chinese were, originally a colony from Egypt through Persia, receives some confirma.. tion from these facts. If this be true, the three dynasties above named belong, as has already been stated, to the uncertain and traditional history of China; while its certain and authentic history commences with Confucius's history of his own times, called Spring and Autumn, about eight centuries before the Chris

There is nothing in this geog raphy which forbids such a view of the subject, but much which adds to its probability.

III. Presenting to the Chinese a more Cor

1ect View of different Religions. What follows, under this topic, will be read by many with special interest, from its bearing on the question which is now causing so much discussion, in connection with the translation of the Scriptures into Chinese; what is the proper term to be used for God?

This work is interesting to foreigners as exhibiting a more definite and disRecognition of Scripture History. criminating view of the different reliThe chronology adopted in this work gions of the world than has yet appeared is the commonly received chronology of in the Chinese language. Not only has European writers. The more prominent it been, as it still is, a most difficult and facts of sacred history, subsequent to vexed subject for us to learn what is, esthe deluge, are likewise either alluded sentially, the religion of the Chinese; to, or are stated at length, much as they but it has been perhaps equally trying occur in the Scriptures. Abraham is and difficult for us to define in their lanrepresented as the founder of the Jewish guage, and to describe to them, what is, nation. The sojourn of his posterity in essentially and exclusively, our religion. the land of Egypt, the oppression they One of the most perplexing questions, at endured, the divine commission of Moses, present, for missionaries to the Chinese his leading the Israelites out of Egypt, to decide; and one which meets us at crossing the Red Sea, the destruction of the very threshold of our efforts to inthe Egyptian army in the same, the ten struct them is, what is the proper generic commandments divinely communicated term to be used for 'God?" As the writer to Moses at Mount Sinai, the settlement of the present work had occasion to of the Israelites in the land of Canaan speak of the different religions of the

earth, so the terms which he uses to des- cases. These fears must arise from the

ignate the different objects of worship
must throw light on this subject.
Under the head of Persia, the writer
says:

acknowledged fact, that Shin is the generic term for God among the Chinese; and therefore, as they worship their ancestors, they might apply the "According to the ancients, Persia and clusion, though natural, is not correct. term Shin to designate them. This conIndia all worshiped ho shin [the fire god or The Chinese never use Shin, alone, to god of fire,] but Judea and all the western nations worshiped teen Shin, [i. e. heaven's mean ancestors, or parents. Thus the God, or the God of heaven]. The ho shin writer of the present work, when he men worship the rising sun, and pay homage speaks of the worship of ancestors, uses to fire which proceeds from the sun. the common names for ancestors, and Without fire people cannot subsist, and never Shin. Speaking of the disciples without the sun, the universe would be in of Jesus, he says, they "puh sze pee shin, darkness. These two nations therefore, [the puh kung tso seen," do not offer sacrifice Persians and Indians,] from high antiquity to other gods, nor do they worship their had this custom, proceeding from a righteous principle, of venerating a protecting power; which was not the worship of seay shin, [false gods].

"The worship of teen Shin commenced with Moses in the Shang dynasty in the reign of Yuh-ting [whose reign closed B. C. 1681,] who truly says that teen Shin descended upon Mount Sinai, and gave the ten commandments to teach to mankind. The seventh day of rest and worship commenced at that time, which was previous to the birth of Ya-soo, one thousand and some hundreds of years. This is that from which teen choo kaou [Romanism] proceeded, but it is not teen choo kaou itself."

The idea is, that Romanism is the religion of Jesus corrupted, as the writer elsewhere abundantly shows.

From this extract it will be seen that the author here makes use of Shin, as a common generic term for God, whether it be the god of heaven, the god of fire, or the false and inferior gods. He does the same throughout the whole work.

In A. D. 1360, when China claimed possession of Batavia, the author says that "the Emperor Hung-woo appointed its king, and commanded that the shan chuen che shin [gods of the land and water, or empire] should be sacrificed to, the same as at Canton."

ancestors.

The specific terms applied to the God of the Bible, in this work, are the following, viz., teen Shin, heaven's God; Shin teen, God of heaven; teen Choo, heaven's Lord; Shang-te, supreme Emperor; Teen, Heaven; and Ya-soo, Jesus.

The term used to denote religion in Thus ho shin kaou, general is kaou. is the fire-god religion, teen kaou, is the religion taught by Moses; fuh kaou, is Buddhism; hwuy hwuy kaou, is Mohammedanism; teen choo kaou is Romanism because the Roman Catholics make use of teen Choo exclusively to denote the true God; and Ya-soo kaou is Protestantism, because those who adopt this religion profess to receive simply the doctrines of Jesus, in opposition to the corruptions of the teen choo kaou. This term is also applied to the religion of a country, or of an individual. To adopt a religion, is called "fung kaou," and to promulgate a religion, is called "chuen kaou."

The author gives a very full and accurate account of the origin and history of the hwuy hwuy kaou, and also of the rise and progress of the teen choo kaou, mentioning the countries where it has prevailed, or still prevails, excepting Under the head of India, the writer China. He does the same in respect to speaks of a country once possessed by the Ya-soo kaou. Speaking of the difthe Portuguese, whose "inhabitants re-ferent countries of India under European ceive a snake to be their shin, whose sway, where fuh kaou and Ya-soo kaou body has the coils of a serpent, and exist together, he observes that "the whose face is that of a man with nine heads."

Speaking of certain tribes in the interior of Africa, he says that they "pae kiu show wei shin, [worship birds and beasts, making them gods.]"

Some fears have been expressed that if we use Shin, to denote God, in the translation of the Scriptures into the Chinese language, the Chinese may take this to mean their ancestors, in certain

latter is gradually overcoming the former, whose light is becoming more and more dim." This is a remarkable concession, when we consider that the individual who makes it is probably a Buddhist, and represents the religion of China to be Buddhism.

In his concluding remarks on India, after alluding to the extensive use and evils of opium the author exclaims, "How strange that so great an evil

should proceed from the original seat of Christ, the writer omits many of the cir Buddhism!" IV. Serving to Spread Religious Light in the burial, his body was missing; after

China.

This work is interesting to foreigners as furnishing a medium, in the providence of God, through which the light and blessings of Christianity may find access to the millions of benighted China.

The exclusive and restricted policy of the Chinese government in respect to foreign intercourse, has kept the nation in the most profound ignorance, even of the figure and size of the earth, as well as of the number, character and institutions of the nations which dwell on its surface. The little knowledge they have on these subjects has come to them through so uncertain a medium, that it is not to be wondered at that they should generally entertain very erroneous and extravagant views respecting the nations of the western world.

cumstances and proofs of that event. He simply says, that "the next day after

which his disciples frequently saw him."

In regard to these and similar omissions, it is due to the author to state, that he does not profess to give a full account of the things with which they stand connected, nor does he make any statement or remark against their correctness, as they stand recorded in our histories. It is still farther due to him to state, that though these omissions do occur, he does, notwithstanding, clearly and correctly, mention the miraculous incarnation of Jesus, "his Father being called Heaven, and himself the only Son, of high Heaven." He also mentions "his miracles and blameless life, the deception and wickedness of his enemies in plotting and securing his death, his frequently appearing to his disciples afterwards, their going forth to different kingdoms to publish his gospel, the martyr Any production, therefore, that prom-dom of Stephen, the conversion of Paul, ises to dissipate this intellectual and the doctrines of Jesus the same as those moral darkness, and to pour light upon of Moses, and that his people worship so large a portion of the human family, him as the Lord Jesus, the Savior of cannot fail to secure the approbation and the world." support of every lover of the race. That the present work is calculated to aid in the accomplishment of so desirable an end, must be apparent to every one who will consider the statements respecting it already made.

The faults of the work are to be attributed mainly to its conciseness. The author leaves out some things which we should be happy to find inserted. He however no where disputes, or treats with disrespect, any well attested historical fact.

By omitting the geography and history of China, the author saves himself the unpleasant task of making any allusion to the causes which led to the late war with England, or to its consequences. He therefore enters into no discussion or defence of the religion or institutions of his own country. The consequence is, that the work contains a more correct and a more extensive account of the history and institutions of Christian nations, than has ever before been published by any heathen writer in any age of the For example, he makes no reference world. On this account, as well as for to the creation of the world, or to its several other reasons, it is a very remarksubsequent history, till he alludes to able production. To see the names of "one of the immediate descendants of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Paul, Noah, who settled in Egypt soon after Luther, Washington, and above all, that the deluge." He omits to mention the of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Savior judgments of God on the Egyptians, and of the world, thus introduced, with so the miraculous deliverance granted to much correctness and so much respect, his people at the same time. He states, that "Moses took a favorable time for crossing that part of the sea when the tide was out, but the tide returning, overwhelmed the Egyptian army."

In giving an abstract of the ten commandments, the author simply says that "they require the people to worship Shin-teen, et cet.," without adding that they forbid the worship of any other god.

into the language and to the notice of so many millions of bigoted heathen, is matter of astonishment, and cannot fail to call forth earnest prayer to God, from every Christian heart, that the fountain thus opened may continue to pour forth its enlightening streams, till this whole nation shall be savingly benefited by its influence.

Mr. Peet says the price (about seventy-five In speaking of the resurrection of cents a copy) and size of the work, will be likely