This page has been validated.
CHINA:
ITS STATE AND PROSPECTS.
CHAPTER I.
CHRONOLOGY AND EXTENT.
THE EVANGELIZATION OF CHINA CONTEMPLATED—GENERAL SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT—ANTIQUITY OF CHINA—PARTLY FABULOUS—NOT CREDITED BY CHINESE WRITERS—THE TRADITIONARY PERIOD—THE ANTE AND POST-DILUVIAN AGES—THE HISTORICAL PERIOD—THE SEVEN YEARS' FAMINE—THE CHINESE SAMSON—THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE—CONFUCIUS—LAOU-TSZE—THE BURNING OF THE BOOKS—THE BUILDING OF THE WALL—SUBSEQUENT DYNASTIES—THE CYCLE—THE DOMINIONS OF CHINA—ORIGINAL POSSESSIONS SMALL—TERRITORIES ENLARGED—THE ANNEXATION OF TARTARY.
Before entering on the prospects of China with regard to the ultimate diffusion of the Gospel, it may be well to offer a few remarks on its former and present state, as introductory to the consideration of its future destinies, and with the view of encouraging those exertions which, by the Divine blessing, may result in its universal evangelization. The conversion of the Chinese to the Christian faith must be viewed as an object every way desirable, and some observations on so important a theme from the pen of one who has long devoted his energies to this work, may not perhaps be considered altogether unacceptable.
In contemplating the evangelization of China, the
B
