A FAMOUS NESTORIAN TABLET.
A RKMAKKADi.y interesting article, from the pen of Rev. lilvan Bryant, appears in the current number of the Bible Society Reporter, giving a detailed description (accompanied by an engraving) of the famous Nestorian tablet, commemorative of the introduction of Christianity into China 1250 years ago, and still standing amid the ruins of a Buddhist temple near the capital of Shensi. Large engraved characters, just underneath the cross, set forth the title of the stone, and mean "A. tablet commemorative of the diffusion, in the Middle Kingdom, of the Illustrious Religion of Syria;" or, as the latter phrase should, perhaps be rendered the " Luminous Syrian Religion," and by which is meant Nestorian Christianity. The mass of Chinese characters engraved over the surface of the tablet set forth in prose an outline of that " luminous system of doctrine," which the Nestorian Missionaries taught to their Chinese hearers and converts, together with a brief sketch of the fortunes of Christianity in China, from its introduction iuto the country until the erection of this tablet, closing with an ode, in which the contents of the former part of the inscription are summarised. The following summary is given of a translation made by the late Mr A Wylie : —The inscription begins with a lengthy statement of the Christian faith, which embraces the eternity of God ; the creation of the universe by Him, " operating on primordial substance;" "the triune and mysterious" nature of the Divine substance ; the original sinlcssness of man and his fall by the seduction of Satan's falsehoods ; the incarnation of the Messiah and His birth of the Virgin. " A bright star," it says, " announced the felicitous event, and Persians, observing the splendour, came to present tribute ; the ancient dispensation, as declared by twenty-four holy men [i.e., the Old Testament writers! was thcu fulfilled." Then follows a description of the work of the Incarnate Messiah. "He established one new religion of the silent operation ot the pure Spirit of the Triune. He rendered virtue subservient to direct faith. He fixed the extent of the eight boundaries, (? the Beatitudes), thus completing the truth and freeing it from dross. He opened the gate of the three constant principles( faith, hope, and love), introducing life and destroying death. He suspended the bright sun to invade the chambers of darkness, and the falsehoods of the devil were thereupon defeated. He set in motion the vessel of mercy by which to ascend to the bright mansions, whereupon rational beings were then released. Having thus completed the manifestation of His power, iu olear day ascended to his true station. Twenty-seven sacred books (i.e.' the New Testament books) have been left, which disseminate intelligence by unfolding the original transforming principles. By the rule for admission, it is the custom to apply the water of baptism, to wash away all superficial show and to cleanse and purify the neophytes. As a seal, they hold the cross, whose influence is reflected in every direction, uniting all without distinction."
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Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)
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499A FAMOUS NESTORIAN TABLET. Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2447, 17 March 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)
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