並列摘要
This essay mainly discusses the cause and process of the conflict. To make a comprehensive survey of the results of research, we find that the report of the missionaries at that time do not seem to be completely used in the application of historical materials. In a condition of depending mostly on the Chinese official documents, it is nothing surprising that the researchers would claim the conflict is an accident or related to the anti-imperial atmosphere. However, after comparing the file of the official documents with the letters of the missionaries, we can see more clearly the process of the event. At that period, rumors such as the Catholics gouge out eyes and cut Out hearts have been rife throughout the country and cause the public panic and hatred. A mysterious figure called Chen Kuo-juei has appeared constantly in the regions of Nanching and Tienchin where rumors widely prevail, and is charged with agitating the crowd. Although the local officials of Tienchin remain passive, they still have responsibilities for the event. Tseng Kuo-fan deals with the Tienchin Massacre fairly, but he still tries to protect and take sides with those officials who are responsible for it. Mobs are only the executors. There are instigators behind the mob, and the gentry and even the courtiers are the possible ones without convincing evidence. The Tienchin Massacre is the representative of the cases of religion at that time. Through the re-examination of the Massacre, we hope that one can have further comprehension about the nature of the conflict between people and churches after the mid-nineteenth century.