the business of life.[1] Metallic mirrors have been made by them, for the use of the fair sex, by which means the ladies of China were enabled to survey their features and adjust their dress, before the invention of glass, or its introduction into that country. The Chinese still imagine that they possess, so exclusively, the material, and the art of working in iron and steel, that a standing order, in Canton, to this day, is, that the barbarians shall not export iron from the country.
From what has been before advanced, and much more which might be adduced, we are led to accord to the Chinese a certain rank among civilized nations. But let us now see how their civilization is likely to affect their evangelization. When missionaries proceed to a nation altogether barbarous, they have many difficulties to contend with. Their lives and property are, in the first instance, in great jeopardy. Instances have occurred of savage tribes falling upon the messengers of mercy; and, immediately on their arrival, proceeding to plunder, murder, and, even eat them. But this is not likely to occur among a people, in a great measure, civilized. Where order prevails—where law is respected—and where the forms of justice are observed, a person is not likely to be summarily deprived of life or liberty, without the assignment of a reason, or the shadow of a trial. Again, amongst uncivilized tribes, there are a great many difficulties in the way of communicating religious knowledge. The
- ↑ In the traditionary period, the Chinese relate, that the Yellow Emperor made twelve bells; afterwards, having discovered a copper mine, he cast three tripods, which have been much venerated by the Chinese, and, for ages, considered the regalia of the empire.
