. As the day dawned we started for the Palace of the
Tien-wang. The procession was headed by a number of brilliantly coloured
banners, after which followed a troop of armed soldiers; then came the
Chung-wang in a large sedan, covered with yellow satin and embroidery,
and borne by eight coolies. Music of a peculiar kind added to the scene,
as the curious sightseers lined the streets on either side, who probably
never saw such a sight before. Reaching the "Morning Palace," we were
presented to the Tsau-wang and his son with several others including the
Tien-wang's two brothers, who were seated in a deep recess over the
entrance of which was written "Illustrious Heavenly Door." In another
place was "Holy Heavenly Gate," from which a boy of about fourteen made
his appearance and took his place with the royal group; then they
proceeded with their religious ceremonies again: this time kneeling with
their faces to the Tien-wang's seat. Then they sang in a standing
position. A roast pig and the body of a goat were lying with other
articles on tables in the outer court, and a fire was kept burning on a
stone altar in the front of the Tien-wang's seat. Afterwards, says the
missionary, I was led through a number of rooms and courts to see Chung-
wang privately. I was brought into one of his private sitting-rooms,
where he sat clothed loosely in white silk, with a red kerchief round his
head, and a jewel in front. He was seated in an easy chair, and fanned
by a pretty slipshod girl. He asked me to a seat beside him and
questioned me about a map he had seen with parallel lines running each
way, said to have been made by foreigners, asked me to explain what it
was. He also showed me a musical-box and a spy-glass, asking many
questions. From all I could learn by my visit to this pretender there
was nothing in their religion to elevate, but everything to degrade. With
them to rob and murder were virtuous deeds. "Slay the imps" was their
watchword. Gordon found in this fanatic a foe of no mean order. But he
soon found too that courage and faith in God had done and would still
lead to victory. In a letter home he says--"I am afraid you will be much
vexed at my having taken the command of the Sung-kiang force, and that I
am now a mandarin. I have taken the step on consideration. I think that
any one who contributes to putting down this rebellion fulfils a human
task, and also tends a great deal to open China to civilizati