THE TAI-PING REBELLION

In 1847 a young man of good education and pleasing manners, named Hung Siu-tsuen, presented himself at the American Baptist mission in Canton, saying he had seen their sacred book and desired instruction.  This he received from the Rev. Issachar Roberts; and he was duly enrolled as a catechumen.  Without receiving the sealing ordinance, or taking his instructor into confidence, Siu-tsuen returned to his home at Hwa-hien and began to propagate his new creed.  His talents and zeal won adherents, whom he organised into a society called Shang-ti-hwui, “the Church of the supreme God.”  Persecution transformed it into a political party, to which multitudes were attracted by a variety of motives.

Following the early Church, in the absence of any modern model, his converts expected and received spiritual gifts.  Shall we describe such manifestations as hysteria, hypnotism, or hypocrisy?  Their fanaticism was contagious, especially after their flight to the mountains of Kwangsi.  There Siu-tsuen boldly raised the flag of rebellion and proclaimed that he had a divine call to restore the throne to the Chinese race, and to deliver the people from the curse of idolatry.  In this twofold crusade he was ably seconded by one Yang, who possessed all the qualities of a successful hierophant.  Shrewd and calculating, Yang was able [Page 158] at will to bring on cataleptic fits, during which his utterances passed for the words of the Holy Ghost.

The new empire which they were trying to establish, they called Tai-ping Tien-kwoh, “The Kingdom of Heaven and the reign of peace.”  Hung was emperor, to be saluted with Wansue! (Japanese, Banzai!) “10,000 years!” Yang as prince-premier was saluted with “9,000 years,” nine-tenths of a banzai.  He was the medium of communication with the Court of Heaven; and all their greater movements were made by command of Shang-ti, the Supreme Ruler.

On one occasion Yang went into a trance and declared that Shang-ti was displeased by something done by his chief, and required the latter to receive a castigation on his naked shoulders.  The chief submitted, whether from credulity or from policy it might not be easy to say; but thereby the faith of his followers seems to have been confirmed rather than shaken.  Nor did Yang take advantage of his chief’s disgrace to usurp his place or to treat him as a puppet.

Through Yang it was revealed that they were to leave their mountain fortress and strike for Nanking, which had been made the capital on the expulsion of the Mongols, and which was destined to enjoy the same dignity on the overthrow of the Manchus.  That programme, one of unexampled daring, was promptly put into execution.  Descending into the plains of Hunan, like a mountain torrent they swept everything before them and began their march towards the central stronghold fifteen hundred miles distant.  Striking the “Great River” at Hankow, they pillaged [Page 159] the three rich cities Wuchang, Hanyang, and Hankow, and, seizing all the junks, committed themselves to its current without a doubt as to the issue of their voyage.