CHAPTER XI.
CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CHINA.
THE GOSPEL DESIGNED FOR THE WORLD—EARLY DIFFUSION IN INDIA AND CHINA—ANCIENT INTERCOURSE—THE MAR15LE TABLET—ITS CONTENTS—ITS AUTHENTICITY—EFFORTS OF THE NESTORIANS—AND OF THE CATHOLICS—MISSION OF XAVIER—ARRIVAL OF RICCI—HIS JOURNEY TO THE CAPITAL—HIS SUCCESS—CHRISTIAN MANDARIN—HIS DAUGHTER CANDIDA—DEATH OF RICCI—ARRIVAL OF SCHAAL—ILLUSTRIOUS CONVERTS—ARRIVAL OF VERBIEST—PERSECUTIONS—REVIVAL—CANNON CAST BY THE MISSIONARIES—PATRONAGE OF THE FRENCH KING—DEATH OF VERBIEST—NEW PERSECUTIONS—AGAIN ALLAYED—DISPUTES AMONG THE MISSIONARIES—PAPAL BULLS—ROMISH LEGATES—FAILURE OF NEGOTIATIONS—EXPULSION OF THE MISSIONARIES—NEW EFFORTS—PRESENT STATE—NUMBER OF CONVERTS—MODE OF OPERATIONS—CHARACTER OF THE CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES—AND THEIR ADHERENTS—CONCLUSION.
The Gospel is a revelation from God, designed for the instruction and salvation of fallen man. The darkness and misery of the human race being general, the remedy was designed to be general also. "Go ye," said the ascending Saviour to his disciples, "into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." When the Spirit was vouchsafed from on high, there were assembled at Jerusalem, devout men out of every nation under heaven. Representatives from Europe, Asia, and Africa, were then present, who, hearing in their own tongues the wonderful works of God, returned, rightly informed themselves, and desirous of instructing their countrymen. According to the Syrian and Chal-
