Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 381

1850

will bring relief.

Journal of Occurrences.

343

Ile giveth understanding. With his blessing, the truth will be "seen and felt," and the right way, the right word be

chosen.

On the difficulties of translating Elohim and Theos, it were easy to enter and to write at great length. That there is a right way, a mani- festly true method, attainable in this case, I hold to be undeniable. I do not believe that a large body of intelligent men, such as are now eu- gaged in our Chinese missions, will be doomed to perpetual doubt and conflict about matters of this sort. If the views I have held for years past, and still hold, be erroneous, I believe they will be corrected; but sustained and made to triumph if they are in accordance with truth. Every missionary will, I trust, investigate the question for himself and form his own opinions. That they may do this faithfully, and with the guidance of Divine wisdom, is the ardent wish of your's very sincerely,

Shanghái, May 1st, 1850.

E. C. BRIDGMAN.

ART. VII. Journal of Occurrences; epidemic at Canton; H. E. governor Sü; arrival of the governor of Macao; canonization of the late Empress Dowager; Gov. Bonham's visit to Shánghải; emigration of Chinese to America.

THE epidemic, of which mention was made in the last number, has nearly disappeared, its cessation caused, as hundreds and thousands of this supereti- tious people believe, by the celebration of the festival of dragon-boats with unusual devotion. This disease has in many places in this region exhibited many of the symptoms of the yellow fever which prevailed in Hongkong in 1843, in some cases carrying off the victim in two days; no foreigner in Can- ton has been attacked, but hundreds of natives have died. The festival of dra- gon-boats, which occurred on the 14th inst. was prolonged for four days, and more than a hundred boats appeared on the river, penetrating in every creek and canal, beating drums and waving flags, in order to dissipate the noxious distempers. It is a melancholy spectacle to see the mercy of God in removing a severe sickness thus made an occasion of honoring devils. Truly this people is "alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in then, because of the hardness of their heart" and we can but express the wish that they may soon be taught better.

H. E. Gov. Sü has been ordered by his imperial master to remain at his post in Canton, in order to manage the important concerns of the frontier. He applied, as is the usage, to be allowed to pay his respects at court in person to the new emperor. The lieutenant-general of the Manchu garrison. Orun- tai, has left for Peking; and a few days since a special inessenger, dispatched by the Manchu cominandant to the capital, returned to Canton, having lost his dispatches and about two thousand dollars' worth of baggage by the upsetting of his boat in crossing the Poyang lake.