(Communicated.
It has been remarked as a singular fact that of the Sect of Nestorian Christians, who flourished extensively in China during the 13th century, little or nothing is known at the present day.
That they enjoyed the protection and received the fostering care of the Yuen dynasty, and were in turn cruelly perso-cuted and finally exterminated by the Mings, is all that we know of them. The few tablets and monuments erected by them which still survive, stand as dumb witnesses to the fact that they existed at one time but they give no trace of their devoted faith, Of their creeds: and doctrines, literature, and religions rites and ceremonies, no record can be found, Like the noble red men of America, these pious Nestorian Fathers have been forgotten even in "the songs and chronicles of their Eiterminators." Their names and years are forgotten, and the story of their pure li invincible zeal, and sublime devotion unwritten; but, that these good men left behind them Footprints in the sands of time," may be reasonably inferred from the following.
There exists in the southern border of the province of Shantung, a peculiar society or sect, who profess to have received their doctrine originally from the West. They are known as the "Nameless Sect," and are unable to give the date of the introduction of their religion into China, They have a knowledge of an I visible, Omnipresent, Almighty Being, whom they worship. This God whom they worship is known amongst them by three names:—'The Living Buddha of the West"—the One not born of father or mother,—and the Heavenly Father—all meaning and pointing to the One God, who is eternal. They do not worship idols.
Each member of this sect repeats daily hymn or moral discourse, in which such sentiments as the following occur:—" Do not injure others in order to benefit yourself;"—''Abstain from evil thoughts, words, or deeds;"—' In possession of the truth there is nothing that may not be accomplished;"—Hide the trath with all diligence, in your hearts;"—' Those who understand the received Mystery, may become perfect through the Trutl
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.