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CHINESE RELIGIONS AND INSTITUTIONS. 171
Hung-sew-tsweji, now putting himself at the head of the
new kingdom, was styled Tai-ping tien Kwoh, assuming the
title, " Son of Heaven." He professed to have direct communications
from God, and spoke very familiarly of
Jesus
as his brother. He continually read the Old Testament,
and observed religious worship in his camp. He assured
missionaries that his revelations were as authoritative as
those of the Bible, and he could prove it by his divine gifts.
He further declared that spirits aided him in his victories.
Loyal Chinamen called him and his soldiers, "long-haired
rebels." Successes corrupting his leading officers, with
envies and jealousies in different camps, the emperor's armies
aided by Gen. Ward and the English and French in combination,
the Tai-ping rebellion was put down. The struggle
continued fourteen years. The leading spirit of the rebellious
host committed suicide. Those caught by the government
officials were tortured and massacred. Hung-sew-tswen's
teacliings continued to produce their legitimate results. His
admirers believed him to have been God-inspired for a purpose,
as was Moses of Hebrew memory.
TEA.
Of tea-cultivation and the tea-districts I have little to say,
and because everybody does who is privileged to put a foot
down in China. Suffice it that the Chinese themselves,
though great tea-drinkers, do not drink " green tea"
Further, in preparing tea, they steam it a long time, in
preference to boiling. There is a delicious, invigorating
freshness to the black tea, when thus prepared by the
people who cultivate the shrub. They use their best teas
themselves.
Stepping into their silk-shops, or bazaars of any kind, they
present you a cup of tea instead of a glass of intoxicating
liquor. Why should Americans drink tea ? Why should
so much pure crystal water be spoiled by putting into it
tea, coffee, and other Eastern drugs? Why import either
Asiatic herbs or religions ?