Page:Christianity in China, Tartary, and Thibet Volume I.djvu/67

55 TRANSLATION OF THE INSCRIPTION. 55 lemnitics were inaugurated, and the empire entered on a wide course of prosperity. "11. Tai-Tsoung (764), a lettered and a warlike emperor, propa- gated the holy revolution. He sought for peace and tranquillity. Every year, at the hour of the Nativity (Christmas), he burnt celes- tial perfumes in remembrance of the divine benefit ; he prepared im- perial feasts, to honour the luminous (Christian) multitude. " Heaven is certainly the source of whatever is fine and useful. It can then create and preserve all things. The saint, by assimilating this celestial virtue to himself, may then elevate and sanctify the nations. " 12. Our emperor, the friend of moderation, a holy man and a seer, a man of letters and a warrior, has proclaimed eight ordonnances, in order to bring virtuous men into office, and drive away the wicked. He has instituted nine rules for the propagation of the doctrine. Thus, mysterious reason is regenerating the empire ; let us pray the Lord for him without blushing. He has attained, too, to the summit of power, and he is always indulgent, the friend of peace, and full of mercy. He is helpful to all, scattering his liberalities among the multitude. Such is the true way, such is the ladder of the holy doc- trine. If the rains and the winds arrive in due time, if the sky is calm and serene, if men are well governed, and the affairs of the empire in good condition, if the living enjoy abundance, and the dead sweet repose, if success accompanies our enterprises, as voice does persuasion, if our thoughts are pure, and our actions holy, all that is due to the merit and the practice of our luminous power. " 13. The devout Y-Sou, sub-governor of the province of So-Fan, and inspector of the interior of the palace, has been honoured with a blue tunic. He is charitable and peaceful, desirous of doing good to his neighbour, and a zealous propagator of the law. He came from very far off, from Wang-che-Tchen, to Tchoung-hin ; he surpasses three generations by his virtues, he has acquired perfection in the arts and sciences ; in the beginning, he filled an office in the vermilion palace.* " Kouo-tsof, first minister of state, governor of the town of ■j" Kouo-tso was the most illustrious man of the dynasty of Thang, either in affairs of peace or war. He several times replaced on their e 4
 * The imperial court.