Abstract

Reverend Issachar Jacox Roberts was, as far as is known, the only Western teacher ever to instruct Hung Hsiu-ch'üan, the leader of the Taiping Rebellion. Aware of his special relationship with Hung, Roberts was for many years enthusiastic about Hung's undertakings. This article is concerned mainly with an account of the dealings between the two men.

Born in Tennessee in 1802, Roberts studied at the Furman Theological Institution of South Carolina, and was ordained to the ministry in 1828. He preached for some time in Mississippi, where he owned property said to be worth $30,000. Using this property as a financial base, he organized the Roberts Fund and the China Mission Society. Upon arrival in China in 1837, Roberts took the Chinese name of Lo Hsiao-ch'üan (or Lo Heáou-tseuen). For his first five years in China, the missionary worked among the lepers at Macao. When his income became insufficient for his work there, he labored for a time as a saddler, joined the Baptist Mission in 1841, and in 1846 transferred to the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1844 Roberts, who was the first foreigner to live outside the restricted “factory” area, opened a mission in the city of Canton, which he used as a home base for the following twenty-two years of his missionary work. During this period, he returned to the United States only twice. His connection with the Southern Baptist Convention was dissolved in 1852, and thereafter he worked independently. He finally left China in 1866, and died of leprosy in 1871 at Upper Alton, Illinois.

Notes

1

The China Baptist Centennial 1836–1936, Historical and Miscellaneous Notes, Vol.
I
, No. 2 (Shanghai).

2

For the best sketch of the life of Roberts, sec

Tupper H. A. ,
The Foreign Missions of the Southern Baptist Convention
(
Philadelphia
,
1880
), pp.
83
–
90
.
Google Scholar
 

3

Ibid., p. 90.

4

Hervey G. W. ,
The Story of Baptist Missions
(
St. Louis
,
1884
), p.
512
.
Google Scholar
 

5

Dictionary of American Biography (New York,
1935
), XVI,
8
.

6

File of Reverend Issachar J. Roberts, Archives, Foreign Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention, Richmond, Virginia.

7

Letter from Mrs. J. W. Parker, Secretary, Hayner Public Library, Alton, Illinois, June 8, 1959.

8

The missionary was probably Edwin Stevens. See

Boardman Eugene P. ,
Christian Influence upon the Ideology of the Taiping Rebellion, 1851–1864
(
Madison, Wisconsin
,
1952
), p.
99n
Google Scholar
 
. The influence of these tracts on Hung is discussed in
Ssu-yü Teng ,
Historiography of the Taiping Rebellion
(
Cambridge
,
1962
), pp.
1
–
5
Google Scholar
 
, 8.

9

Hamberg Theodore , The Visions of Hung-Siu-tshuen and Origin of the Kwang-si Insurrection (Reprinted by Yenching University Library,
1935
), p.
9
.

10

A good description of the visions is in Hamberg's book, pp. 9–11.

11

Yu-wen Chien ,
T'ai-p'ing Tien Kuo T'ien-chih Tung K'ao
(
Hongkong
,
1958
), III,
1711
.
Google Scholar
 

12

Roberts I. J. , “
Taiping Wang
,”
Putnams' Magazine
,
VIII
(
10
,
1856
),
380
–
382
.
Google Scholar
 

13

Ibid., 382.

14

Another version of this episode told by Chou Tso-hsin, the assistant of Roberts who invited Hung to Canton, states that Huang tricked Hung to ask for a monthly pay of five dollars, and thus aroused Roberts' suspicion. See

Yuan-shen Wang , Sheng Too Tang-lai K'ao, p.
11
, quoted from Chien Yu-wen, III, 1711.

15

“Taiping Wang,” p.
382
.

16

“Letter from J. L. Holmes, Shanghai, June 29, 1860,” The Commission, V (
11
,
1860
),
142
. People belonging to the Hakka community around Canton, as Hung did, usually can understand the Canton dialect which was used by Roberts. But there is no evidence to refute Holmes' statement.

17

The translation of this letter probably first appeared in

North China Herald,
02
6,
1854
, by Roberts; then in the Anglo-Chinese Calendar for 1855; also in
Nye Gideon ,
China Question
(
Macao
,
1857
)
Google Scholar
 
, and
Brine L. ,
The Taiping Rebellion in China
(
London
,
1862
)
Google Scholar
 
. The validity of this document has been doubted by Kuo Ting-i,
T'ai-p'ing T'ien-kuo Shih-shih Jih-chih (Shanghai,
1946
–
1947
)
and by
Yu-wen Chien , I,
26
–
33
.

18

Yu-wen Chien , I,
26
–
33
.

19

Medhurst W. H. , “Critical Reviews of the Books of the Insurgents,” North China Herald,
09
3,
1853
.

20

“T'ai-p'ing T'ien Jih,” Tai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, ed by Hsiang Ta and others. (Shanghai, new edition,
1957
). II,
647
.

21

“Chung Wang's letter to Lord Elgin,” North China Herald,
10
27,
1860
.

22

Yates M. T. ,
The Taiping Rebellion, a Lecture Delivered at the Temperance Hall
(
Shanghai
,
1876
), p.
2
Google Scholar
 
. In the Ch'üan Shih Liang Yen, there are also passages denouncing idols.

23

“Untitled article by I. J. Roberts, Canton, October 6, 1852,” Chinese and General Missionary Gleaner (
02
,
1853
), p.
69
.

24

This was signed by five Chinese converts and Roberts on July 26, 1845. Dr. E. C. Bridgman, Roberts, William Gillespie, and Liang Fa were the presbytery. The constitution is in Roberts' file, Archives, Southern Baptist Convention.

25

“T'ien T'iao Shu (Book of the Laws of Heaven),” T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, I,
71
–
80
. Article Six of the constitution singles out the evil of opium-smoking by use of the verbal phrase “shall be,” while in comparable articles only the phrase “should be” is employed. As early as 1845, Hung also discussed the evil of this drug in “Yuan-tao Chiu-shih Ko (A Song in Praise of the Prime Truth to Save the World),”
T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, I,
90
.

26

“T'ien-chao t'ien-mou chih-tu (Land regulations and political economy of the Celestial Dynasty,” T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, II,
322
.

27

According to A Wylie,

Memorials of Protestant Missionaries to the Chinese (Shanghai,
1867
), pp.
96
–
97
, Roberts wrote four tracts in 1840. They are Tzu Pu Chi Chieh (Explanation of the Radical Characters), Wen Ta Su Hua (Catechism in the Macao Dialect), Chen Li Che Chiao (The Religion of Truth), and Chiu Shih Chu Yeh-su Hsin I Chao Shu (New Testament of the Saviour Jesus). The first two tracts were recently discovered in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts, British Museum, London. Tsu Pu Chi Chieh, Shelfmark 15344.c.24; and Wen Ta Su Hua, Shelfmark 15116.d.21.

28

Chinese tradition also played a part in the Taiping religion. See

Boardman , pp.
116
–
118
.

29

Chinese and General Missionary Gleaner, p.
67
.

30

Ibid., pp. 69–70.

31

Meadows Thomas T. ,
The Chinese and Their Rebellions
(Reprint,
Stanford, California
,
1956
), p.
259
Google Scholar
 
. Roberts returned to the United States in 1849 for a year.

32

Roberts' letter, Canton, June 19, 1853, Archives, Southern Baptist Convention.

33

Roberts' letter, Hongkong, July 8, 1853, ibid.

34

See footnote 17.

35

Circular by

Roberts ,
12
31,
1853
.

36

“Marshall to Roberts, June 20, 1853,” China, VIII, State Department, US National Archives.

37

Circular by Roberts, December 31, 1853.

38

Roberts' letter, Hongkong, July 8, 1853.

39

Circular by Roberts, December 31, 1853.

40

Ibid.

41

“Roberts' letter to his wife,” Western Recorder, (
11
16,
1853
).

42

Papers of China Miscellany, No. I, Pcabody Museum.

43

Roberts' letter to his wife, loc. cit.

44

Ibid.

45

“Letter from Charles Bird, Secretary of Chinese Evangelization Society,” Western Recorder, (
08
20,
1853
).

46

Circular by Roberts, December 31, 1853.

47

“Roberts to Paul S. Forbes, Shanghai, April 30, 1854,” Forbes Collection, Case 1, Folder 18, Baker Library.

48

For the account of this trip see “McLane to Marcy, June 14, 1854,” China, IX, State Department, US National Archives.

49

Circular by Roberts, December 31, 1853.

50

Wylic , p.
96
.

51

“Roberts to E. C. Bridgman, March 28, 1854,” South China, III, Archives, American Board.

52

Roberts I. J. , “May News from China,”
05
8,
1856
.

53

Roberts to Forbes, loc. cit.

54

The will of I. J. Roberts, Archives, Southern Baptist Convention.

55

Thirteenth Annual Report of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society (
09
6,
1855
).

56

Alabama Journal,
05
19,
1855
.

57

Roberts , “May News from China,”
05
8,
1856
.

58

Littell John B. , “
Missionaries and Politics in China—the Taiping Rebellion
,”
Political Science Quarterly
,
XLIII
(
12
1928
),
585
.
Google Scholar
 

59

Circular by

Roberts ,
12
31,
1853
.

60

Roberts returned to China via Panama and San Francisco and arrived at Canton in the beginning of 1856. On the outbreak of troubles at Canton by the end of 1856 as result of the “Arrow” Incident, Roberts moved to Hongkong and did not return to Canton again till two years later. See

Wylie , p.
96
.

61

“R. I. Fearon to A. F. Heard, February 24, 1861,” Heard Papers, HM-42, Baker Library.

62

“T'ien-wang chao hsi-yang fan-ti,”
T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo Shih-liao
, ed. by Yu-fu Chin , (
Peking
,
1955
), p.
97
.
Google Scholar
 

63

“Tzu-cheng hsin-p'ien” (“A new work for aid in administration”),

T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, II,
529
.

64

Chung Wang (Loyal King) is an honorific title given by the Heavenly King to Li Hsiu-ch'eng.

65

Edkins J. and John G. , “A Visit to Insurgent Chief at Soochow,” North China Herald,
07
7,
1860
.

66

“Roberts' letter from Soochow, September 29, 1860,” North China Herald,
10
27,
1860
.

67

Ibid.

68

“Roberts' letter, Tan-yang, October 8, 1860,” North China Herald,
11
17,
1860
.

69

Roberts to Crawford, Nanking, December 4, 1860, Archives, Southern Baptist Convention.

70

Ibid.

71

Ibid.

72

Edkins Joseph , “Narrative of a Visit to Nanking,” in J. R. Edkins,
Chinese Scenes and People
(
London
,
1863
), pp.
274
–
275
.
Google Scholar
 

73

Chung Wang Li Hsiu-ch'eng Tzu-ch'uan Yuan-fo chien-cheng (The autobiography of the Chung Wang Li Hsiu-ch'eng, based on the original manuscript with commentaries and corrections), by Lo Ehrkang (Peking,
1957
), p.
196
.

74

Wolsely G. J. ,
War with China in 1860
(
London
,
1862
), p.
338
Google Scholar
 
. Wolsely saw Roberts in Nanking in early 1861. This was what the missionary told him about the contents of their conversation.

75

Ibid.

76

Yu-wen Chien , II,
969
.

77

This Declaration of the Heavenly King was translated and appeared in

North China Herald,
06
22,
1861
.

78

Wolsely , p.
338
. R. I. Fearon, an American merchant, saw Roberts dressed in yellow silk robe, mandarin boots, and crimson hood. Reverend Muirhead said that these were actually the Heavenly King's cast-off clothes. See “Fearon to Heard, March 9, 1861,” Heard Papers, HM-42, Baker Library.

79

As stated by Hung Jen-kan; see

T'ai-p'ing T'ien Kuo, II,
853
.

80

“Burlingame to Prince Kung, October 25, 1862,” China, XX State Department, US National Archives.

81

“Fearon to Heard, March 9, 1861,” loc. cit.

82

Yang occupied the second position in the Taiping régime till 1856, when he was killed by order of Hung.

83

Edkins Joseph , p.
269
.

84

“Letter from Roberts, Nanking, February 24, 1861,” North China Herald,
03
30,
1861
, and
“Letter from Reverend Carpenter, Shanghai, April 5, 1861,” Sabbath Recorder, XVII (
08
1,
1861
),
198
.

85

Roberts' letter, ibid.

86

Wing Yung ,
My Life in China and America
(
New York
,
1909
), p.
107
.
Google Scholar
 

87

Tupper , p.
88
.

88

Foster L. S. ,
Fifty Years in China
(
Nashville, Tennessee
,
1909
), p.
119
.
Google Scholar
 

89

“John Heard's diary, Monday, April 22, 1861,” Heard Papers, FP-3, p.
18
.

90

Roberts' letter, Nanking, April 16, 1861, Archives, Southern Baptist Convention.

91

Heard Papers, FP-4, p.
130
.

92

“S. J. Schereschewsky to Bishop Boone, Yo-chow, March 16, 1861,” Spirit of Missions, XXVI (
07
1861
),
213
.

93

Johnson J. E. , “
Taiping Wang
,”
New Englander
,
XXX
(
07
1871
),
404
.
Google Scholar
 

94

Brine , p.
299
.

95

Yu-wen Chien , II,
970
–
973
.

96

Brine , pp.
296
–
297
.

97

Twentieth Annual Report of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society (
09
11,
1862
), p.
14
.

98

Brine , p.
296
.

99

Wylie , p.
96
.

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