Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh Part 32

APPENDIX A.

RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS WRITTEN BY THE TIEN-w.a.n.g HUNG-SIU-TSHUEN, AND USED BY THE TI-PINGS.

DECALOGUE.

THE TEN CELESTIAL COMMANDS WHICH ARE TO BE CONSTANTLY OBSERVED.

THE FIRST COMMAND.

THOU SHALT HONOUR AND WORs.h.i.+P THE GREAT G.o.d.

_Remark._--The great G.o.d is the universal Father of all men, in every nation under heaven. Every man is produced and nourished by him: every man is also protected by him: every man ought, therefore, morning and evening, to honour and wors.h.i.+p him, with acknowledgments of his goodness. It is a common saying, that Heaven produces, nourishes, and protects men. Also, that being provided with food we must not deceive Heaven. Therefore, whoever does not wors.h.i.+p the great G.o.d breaks the commands of Heaven.

_The Hymn says_:--

Imperial Heaven, the Supreme G.o.d is the true Spirit (G.o.d): Wors.h.i.+p him every morning and evening, and you will be taken up; You ought deeply to consider the ten celestial commands, And not by your foolishness obscure the right principles of nature.

THE SECOND COMMAND.

THOU SHALT NOT WORs.h.i.+P CORRUPT SPIRITS (G.o.dS).

_Remark._--The great G.o.d says, Thou shalt have no other spirits (G.o.ds) beside me. Therefore all besides the great G.o.d are corrupt spirits (G.o.ds), deceiving and destroying mankind; they must on no account be wors.h.i.+pped: whoever wors.h.i.+ps the whole cla.s.s of corrupt spirits (G.o.ds) offends against the commands of Heaven.

_The Hymn says_:--

Corrupt devils very easily delude the souls of men.

If you perversely believe in them, you will at last go down to h.e.l.l.

We exhort you all, brave people, to awake from your lethargy, And early make your peace with your exalted Heavenly Father.

THE THIRD COMMAND.

THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE GREAT G.o.d IN VAIN.

_Remark._--The name of the great G.o.d is Jehovah, which men must not take in vain. Whoever takes G.o.d's name in vain, and rails against Heaven, offends against this command.

_The Hymn says_:--

Our exalted Heavenly Father is infinitely honourable; Those who disobey and profane his name, seldom come to a good end.

If unacquainted with the true doctrine, you should be on your guard, For those who wantonly blaspheme involve themselves in endless crime.

THE FOURTH COMMAND.

ON THE SEVENTH DAY, THE DAY OF WORs.h.i.+P, YOU SHOULD PRAISE THE GREAT G.o.d FOR HIS GOODNESS.

_Remark._--In the beginning the great G.o.d made heaven and earth, land and sea, men and things, in six days; and having finished his works on the seventh day, he called it the day of rest (or Sabbath): therefore all the men of the world, who enjoy the blessing of the great G.o.d, should on every seventh day especially reverence and wors.h.i.+p the great G.o.d, and praise him for his goodness.

_The Hymn says_:--

All the happiness enjoyed in the world comes from Heaven; It is therefore reasonable that men should give thanks and sing; At the daily morning and evening meal there should be thanksgiving, But on the seventh day, the wors.h.i.+p should be more intense.

THE FIFTH COMMAND.

THOU SHALT HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER, THAT THY DAYS MAY BE PROLONGED.

_Remark._--Whoever disobeys his parents breaks this command.

_The Hymn says_:--

History records that Shun honoured his parents to the end of his days, Causing them to experience the intensest pleasure and delight: August Heaven will abundantly reward all who act thus, And do not disappoint the expectation of the authors of their being.

THE SIXTH COMMAND.

THOU SHALT NOT KILL OR INJURE MEN.

_Remark._--He who kills another kills himself, and he who injures another injures himself. Whoever does either of these breaks the above command.

_The Hymn says_:--

The whole world is one family, and all men are brethren, How can they be permitted to kill and destroy one another?

The outward form and the inward principle are both conferred by Heaven: Allow every one, then, to enjoy the ease and comfort which he desires.

THE SEVENTH COMMAND.

THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY OR ANYTHING UNCLEAN.

_Remark._--All the men in the world are brethren, and all the women in the world are sisters. Among the sons and daughters of the celestial hall the males are on one side and the females on the other, and are not allowed to intermix. Should either men or women practise lewdness they are considered outcasts, as having offended against one of the chief commands of Heaven. The casting of amorous glances, the harbouring of l.u.s.tful imaginations, the smoking of foreign tobacco (opium), or the singing of libidinous songs must all be considered as breaches of this command.

_The Hymn says_:--

l.u.s.t and lewdness const.i.tute the chief transgression, Those who practise it become outcasts, and are the objects of pity.

If you wish to enjoy the substantial happiness of heaven, It is necessary to deny yourself and earnestly cultivate virtue.

THE EIGHTH COMMAND.

THOU SHALT NOT ROB OR STEAL.

_Remark._--Riches and poverty are determined by the great G.o.d; but whosoever robs or plunders the property of others transgresses this command.

_The Hymn says_:--

Rest contented with your station, however poor, and do not steal.

Robbery and violence are low and abandoned practices.

Those who injure others really injure themselves.

Let the n.o.ble-minded among you immediately reform.