Page:Tseng Kuo Fan and the Taiping Rebellion.djvu/133

Rh Those who respectfully worship God, are forthwith God's sons and daughters —

Their place of origin is descent from Heaven, their destined place is to ascend to Heaven.

Heaven above holds sway You must nowise fear. True hearts have much proof They rightly may reach Heaven.

With pure heart honor God; Trust not bad men's lies; All desires curb entirely — Then you can reach Heaven.

In Heaven the true spirit is one God; All who walk in error are utterly wanting in knowledge. They bow down low to lumps of clay and images of wood — For how long, pray, will your understanding be lacking?

From Heaven, they wildly say it comes from foreign lands, — In truth all men are foolish and stupid — The ancient princes and people followed God. Heroes, hasten, the devil defeat and close the gate.

Obey Heaven and obtain happiness; oppose Heaven and perish. To what end do the people of earth debate faults and virtues? Behold you were not originally idols' sons. Why are you unwilling to turn toward Heaven?

These commands were held in such honor that not only were they required to be read each week at the great gatherings for public worship, but also under penalty of death each recruit was compelled to memorise them within three weeks. Obedience also was required to all the commands by prescribing death for any infraction of them. The seventh commandment, however, was by so far the most important that its violation by one of the older