1850.
Defense of an Essay, &c.
631
with the gods (though not with God) they have had most extensive dealings; and there can be no doubt, we think, that they call this subject Shin, and that they have worshiped these gods under this namne- If therefore we succeed in teaching the Chinese around us correct views of Divinity in connection with this word Shin, we may rest as- sured that monotheism will spread. This word is in every one's mouth. Thousands are constantly making clay shin, wooden shin, paper shin: tens of thousands of others are manufacturing incense, candles, imitation sycee, &c., &c., for the worship of these shin. Let it theu go forth that we solemnly assert, what it now so shocks Dr. Medhurst that we "should stand up before God and man," and assert, what he himself has asserted thousands of times, that " there is in truth only one Shin;” and let a few thousand Chinese, in any given city, sincerely believe this, and then what a stir we shall have!
The word Shin-the native name of this subject-brings the doctrine taught by us home to every man's daily thoughts, practice, and occu- pation. The native Christian, as taught by us, asserts that "there is only one Shin;" his polytheistic fellow-countryman laughs him to scorn; he can show him thousands of Shin in the very city in which they both live. "Aye; but the holy apostle Paul says they be no Shin that are made with hands: I can show you the very place in the holy Book." How, if when he turns to Acts xix. 26, instead of Shin, he finds Aloho or Shángtí? And if with a view to bring the matter home to some Chinese Demetrius, our native Christian would be justified in telling him, “the Alohos St. Paul was there speaking of were just such shin as you are now making;" if, I say, he would be justified in making such an assertion, why can not we now so write it down in the Acts, that the Apostle may speak out plainly for himself to all who read the sacred Book?
May the great Author of all truth lead us all to see the truth of the matter that is now controverted among us, and enable us so to use the proper Chinese appellative of Himself, that his "NAME may speedily be known" to this great nation, and all their false gods and idols be put far away from them! And to HIM, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we will ascribe all the glory, both now and for ever. Amen.
*See Proper mode of translating Ruachi, page 20.
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