An inquiry into the proper mode of rendering the word "God" in translating the sacred Scriptures into the Chinese language. With an examination of the various opinions which have prevailed on this important subject, especially in reference to their influence on the diffusion of Christianity in China

First edition (cf. Cordier, Sinica, 1282).

Contemporary flexible grey cloth, smooth unlettered spine slightly faded, blind-ruled borders to the boards, title lettered in gilt at the centre of both boards, a label bearing a handwritten inscription pasted to the upper left-hand corner of the front board, yellow paper pastedowns and endpapers, sprinkled edges.

George Thomas Staunton (1781–1859), an English diplomat and Orientalist, accompanied his father on a mission to China as early as 1792 and thus acquired a sound knowledge of the language at a very young age. In 1810, he published the Ta Tsing leu lee under the title Fundamental Laws of China. The controversy he raises over the Chinese rendering of the word “God” explicitly refers to works by W. H. Medhurst and J. Boone (A few plain Questions adressed to those Missionaries, who in their preaching or writing, teach the Chinese to workship Shang-ti), published the previous year.

Cordier records a review of this work by S. W. Williams, published in the Chinese Repository (vol. XVIII, pp. 604 ff.).

Contemporary binding, with the following title lettered in gilt on the front board: “On the Sacred Phraseology and Religion of the Chinese”.