Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-04-27
PAGAN TEMPLES IN CHINA.

PAGAN TEMPLES IN CHINA.
Extract of letter from a gentleman in
Canton, TO has brother an Philadelphia.
From PouIson's Advertiser.
Yesterday, was asked by CIR friends
F. ID. and c.. to walk with them towards
the city, to see the Joss Houses, or tenn
pies OF their gods the Linguisl who had
painted my portrait, We took as cur guide.
At two we started-walked the distance
of two miles through the suburbs of the
town, and at length arrived in sight of
those Temples. Here We we're surround
led by number of boys hallowing at us
much the same as when Indians pass
through our streets We entered the walls,
and inside stood a spacious temple two
stories high, each story had large piazza
entirely around the building. On the
Cioister steps, we were saluted by a Padre,
This head was entirely shorn as they all
are; they eat no animal food, nor marry,)
he saluted us in the most condescending
manner, and at The guides request, he
Showed us every thing curious, and con-
Quoted us the distance Of half mile fur
Their, through a number Of inferior tenn
pies, into very high building.
This was enclosed as usual, by wall
of stone and cement--on one side of the
Temple was garden of trees, flowers, &c.
wild and cultivated this garden was
watered by stream continually running
through about the depth of three feet-a
number Of elegant rocks, apparently very
ancient, and much mutiIated in appear
ance, and put together by art in so nice a
manner, that you would think they were
Originally so-some very majestic trees,
resembling our oaks and elms, surrounded
this ancient structure, with ivy eutwining
between them-after we had made our
remarks on the scenes here, we we're con-
Quoted up flight of steps nearly perpen-
dicular, to the second story-(w is
much higher than our stories,) here we
had sight of the City walls and the faeto-
lries-on those walls we scratched our
names viewing all, We descended,
and entered the gloomy walls Of this Chi
nese Temple our Padre, or Priest, un-
locked the door, and we entered the
first thing that struck my eyes, was an inn
mense image of gold, or gifted, in the
shape of man, sitting cross-legsed on a
very high pedestal, in the attitude of pity
OF supplication, with the eye lids nearly
closed, and the hands folded-the image
was bare; over the image was canopy
of silk, very richly embroidered; in front
was an altar, (much like the Catholic al
tars) on which stood six high candles Of
wax, and number of things which did
not pry into. The floor is stone, and in
front Of the image is placed number Of
mats at small distance apart, forming
half circle: these are to kneel on. On
either side of the walls are boxes placed
upright; enquired the utility of them,
and was told they were collins for the
Priests we we're curious enough to have
one of them opened, and inside is simply
some thing like chair, which the dead
are placed upon in the act Of sitting; on
one side was another species of coffins
like the trunk Of hollow tree. Walking
behind the altar, | discovered something
like library of books; in handling them,
they were worm eaten, and 10 SO decayed
a state that they crumbled in my hands,
The linguist or interpreter informed me
they were the Chinese bibIe-merely a
piece of wood, a foot long, sig inches wide,
inch thick, one side was cut in letters,
and in all appeared to be or 600 ofthese
very ancient manuscripts, piled 10 most
careless manner.
After seeing all here, we took our leave
and returned to the first temple; here we
were met by other Padres, with long
cloaks and bare headed they invited
us into their setting rooms, where we
found table sci, on it or 8 small plates
with various sweetmeats, and cup of tea
served to each on this simple diet in
Guiding rice, they live-they all seemed
very affable and modest in their manners
after the repast, we we're told that they
just were prepared for worship-it was
O'Clock, the signal was given much like
the tolling of bell; for the space Of half
minute we walked i.'side the front
ratings, and we're desired to lift our hats
we did so, more ont of curiosity than
respect to the image-we went to the
Temple-about 20 Padres kneeliug on
those mats in front imploring-each one
muttering, or rather singing his prayers,
on an even key of music and quick time,
while one or two striking on gong,
which has strong harsh sound, these
kept time with the whole baud. Thus
! they continued for fifteen minutes, then