The Chinese Repository/Volume 1/Number 1/Introduction

Introduction

It is not less a matter of astonishment than regret that, during the long intercourse which has existed between the nations of Christendom and Eastern Asia, there has been so little commerce in intellectual and moral commodities. The very vehicle of thought even, has been made contraband. The embargo has been rigorous as death, and has prevented what might have been communicated viva voce. Every visitor at Canton must be struck, not to say confounded, with the strange jargon spoken alike by natives and foreigners, in their mutual intercourse; it has been a most fruitful source of misunderstanding; and, in not a few instances, it has paved the way for misrepresentation, altercation, detention, vexation, and other such like evils. Thirty years ago, there was not living, more than one individual capable of translating from Chinese into English; and there was not one of the sons of the "Son of heaven," who could read, or write, or speak, correctly, the English language.

The Empire of which, as residents, we form constituent atoms, stands at this moment, in the 'midst of the Earth,' a stupendous anomaly; and, beyond all controversy, presents the widest, and the most interesting field of research under heaven. By what right of inheritance, by what favourite law of "justice and propriety," a very large portion of the earth's surface is made impassable, it is not easy to understand; we can only record it, (and we do it with peculiar emotions,) that such is the fact. A vast domain, stretching from East to West more than three thousand miles, and from North to South two thousand and upwards, constitutes the "Middle Kingdom;" and, with the exception of the Russian Establishment at Peking, consisting of only ten persons, and a very narrow place at Canton and Macao, 'foreigners can by no means be permitted to enter and reside in it.'

Time was when they might, and did traverse the country in every direction: many valuable records, of men and things, were then made. But all who read, at this day, those early writings, will find much which it is hard to believe. Rocks do not often change their forms, nor rivers cease to flow; but the one may be rolled from their beds, and the other turned from their courses, without the violence of the earthquake or the tempest. The decree of Darius, established and signed according to the law "which altereth not," was soon obsolete. The decrees of others, and in modern times, have shared the same regard, and with equal justice. The changes of the last few years, are, doubtless, the precursors of others, more extensive and salutary in their consequences. For tens of centuries, Old Custom has held a despotic and cruel sway over a noble race of men, restraining and destroying their best energies. Still, even here, and during the period strangers have been shut out of the country, very considerable changes have taken place.

One of the objects of this work, then, will be to review foreign books on China, with a view to notice the changes that have occurred, and how and when they were brought about; and to distinguish, as far as it can well be done, between what is, and what is not, now true. Many of the old books, while they contain much that is valuable, contain also so much that is worthless, as to prevent their republication. Modern writers, too, have not always been clear and satisfactory in their statements. The accounts of the population, for example, are found to vary from twenty millions up to the "mystical numbers" 333 millions.

The numerous discrepancies and contradictions that stand recorded on many a page of foreign books, will prove "a, strong incentive to consult, and to ascertain, as distinctly as possible, the competence and credibility of the most approved native authorities. These, at the present time, can be obtained in great numbers, and on every subject, whether physical, moral, political, commercial, literary, or religious. On these several topics, and others also, historical and statistical works will be required, to exhibit alike the past and the present. Sufficient weight has not, generally, we think, been give to native authorities. While we would allow them their proper influence, we shall try to avoid the opposite extreme. We have no very strong expectations of finding much that will rival the arts and sciences, and various institutions of the Western nations. We do not expect to find, among all the almost numberless tomes of the Celestial Empire, data of such value and authority, as shall enable the wise men of the age, 'to correct the chronology, or improve the morality of Holy Writ.'

On natural history, inquiries may, with great propriety and advantage, be directed, to the climate, its temperature, changes, winds, rains, healthfulness; to the soil, its mineral, vegetable, and animal productions, its fertility and state of cultivation; and also to the productions of the rivers, lakes, and seas.

As to commerce, it will be specially interesting to notice its progress from the past to modern times; observing, particularly, the advantages and' disadvantages of its present state.

Inquiries in regard to the social relations, will require a careful investigation of the constitution of society; and, in connection with an examination of the moral character of the people, will demand a close and long-continued observation of their conduct towards one another; as rulers and subjects; husbands and wives; parents and children; and so forth. Much assistance may be gained in all these inquiries, by a developement of their literary character. Their books and their systems of education will be worthy of examination, as they have a constant and powerful influence on all the grand relations, and vital interests of the community.

We feel and shall take a very lively interest in the religious character of the people. As a spiritual being, destined to immortality, with "powers of intellect, to comprehend the great, to penetrate the profound, and to effect the gigantic," man presents to man the most interesting subject of inquiry amidst all the wonders of His mysterious hand, whose power and wisdom are infinite. Indeed, the intrinsic value of all other inquiries, on all other subjects, rise and fall just in proportion as they are made to affect well or ill, the soul of man, both in the life that now is, and in that which is to come. It is only when we look at the last, best work of God, in this light, that all the various influences, which affect him 'in this house of his pilgrimage,' rise and appear before us in their true character.

We enter on our work unbiased; and influenced rather by considerations of duty than of reward. Every man has his purposes, the accomplishment of which is the highest object of his heart's desire. To spend and be spent in publishing "glad tidings" to those who had never heard the "joyful sound," and to bear the lamp of life to those who were perishing for lack of vision, a greater than the wisest of the sons of men, took an earthly tabernacle; and now, having ascended up on high, he commands man to go and teach his fellow,—to publish the gospel to every creature. Every one, too, has his opinions; but, in regard to many topics of interesting inquiry, those opinions may be unsettled, and should remain so, till they can be established and corroborated by sufficient evidence. One may call no man Rabbi, while yet he scorns not to learn wisdom from the little child, or even the little ant.

We are desirous of receiving assistance in every way convenient; and, while we shall not shrink from, nor disregard, the criticisms of friends or strangers, we desire heartily, and w ill be grateful for, any light that may be thrown on our path. That "it is more blessed to give, than to receive," is a truth, which we hold to be of general, as well as of particular application, and in no case better exemplified, than in the communication of knowledge: Ave shall not, therefore, so far as we can act on this principle, be less willing to communicate, than to receive whatever may serve to develope the real character of the "Celestial Empire," and to benefit those who have been made of 'one blood, for to dwell on all the face of the earth.'

There is a most lamentable lack of knowledge among the millions inhabiting eastern Asia: yet, we do anticipate the day, (may it come quickly,) when all that which is most valuable to man, and now so richly enjoyed by the nations of the West, elevating and yet still more to elevate them, shall be equally enjoyed, and produce the same results, among the nations of the East. The efforts to accomplish a work so vast, must be various, well directed, and long continued; requiring patience, self-denial, meekness, gentleness, and the sterner qualities which can cheerfully endure hardness, stripes, and death. To bear some humble part in such efforts, we regard as not less our happiness, than our bounden duty.

With this brief statement of our views and feelings, we commence this work, anxious to commend both it and ourselves, to the kind regards of our friends, and to the entire direction of Him "in whose hand our breath is, and whose are all our ways."