The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-11
RELIGION OF THE CHINESE.
BIZ Correspondent ofMe Canton Press.)

(By Correspondent OF The Canton PTesS)
We have often heard the question proposed,
what religion have the Chinese? This subject,
though often discussed, is perhaps not as clearly
understood as it deserves to be. Having read OF
religions of state, Buddhism and Taoism, ms the
prevailing superstition of the Empire, we began
to inquire, how far it could be said with justice,
that these were the principal sects. AS far as
the state of religion is concerned, few people,
and even mandarns, do scarcely know what
it is.
From all we have been able to learn, 1t appears
that Heavens son, being the meditating power
between heaven and earth, and being the repre-
senation of all living creatures, has also thought
it fit TO establish reli gion of his own of which
he is very naturally the high priest The wor-
thes he has canonized are also worshipped in
various degrees, with this proviso however, that
he can raise and degrade an idol according to
his deserts. The catalogue of these beings has
during successive ages very much been swelled,
so that it now presents a list appalling to every
ordinary mind. The leading feature in this
worship is pantheism; heaven and earth are the
greatest objects of alteration, and the imperial an
cestors with the orient sages share i'll the hon.
age;-then follow rivers mountains the sea, etc
with sundry spirits presiding over them. The
religion itself is mere ceremonial without any
additional quality to rffect the hearts of the vo-
taries. Buddhism is the creed which has the
most followers, but it is the mere religion Of the
priesthood the common people themselves do
not profess to belong to it exclusively. Taoism
has been much by this foreign superstition, and
its priests have been obliged in many instances,
to conform themselves TO its usages, but it is
not an artclego of faith to which lay men sub
scribe, and thus confined to cloisters and tenn
pies. We have therefore still to answer: what
is the religion of the mass of the people? A
Chinaman, as may be found upon very slight
observation, is not very accessible to religious
impressions. nor does he care much about an
invisible world. In this particular he widely
differs from the Japanese and the inhabitants OF
India, and in fact from almost all the Asiatic ma
tons, who are generally higots 10 their superst
ton. Neither government nor the priesthood
have provided the people with religious instruc.
ton, it is now here communicated but in tenn
pies to bows who wish to Join the fraternity.
Nor do magistrates enJoin adherence to any
creed, their commands being only of a negative
nature-not to follow any heresy--or false doc
trine, the grand question, what is othordoxy re-
manning unanswered.
According 10 Kanghe's idea of the subject,
the duty towards pGrents-mandarns, and every
other relation oflife-is to be religious. Yet,
Notwithstanding this total Indifference old Gus
tom this powerful tyrant-llas given r:Sa 10 u
system of national religion to which few China
men will refuse assent. The ancestors are the
highest object of alteration, and he must be a We
nv degraded being who does not keep tablet
very beggars and criminals worship these; in the
meanest novels and smallest boats we find n
place allotted for their shrnes; he who neglects
this religious duty is not Chinese. vi a su-
preme being the nation has very faint and con-
fused idea, the most solemn appeal is made to
heaven and earth, and whenever they wish to
talk gravely about religious matters--it is the
never varying-heaven and earth.
Every craft and occupation have moreover
their respective presiding idols which get u lit
tie incense and gilt, or rather timed, paper for
their share, or perhaps even candle, cup OF
tea, and sweetmeats. China-man does not
pray and it is only on solemn occasions, when
he is about consulting his good Or bad luck,
or makes a vow that he knocks head before the
idol which he wishes 10 propitiate. National fes-
rivals there are but two-the new year and the
feast of the tombs; these are kept by every one
without distinction; the others though very nu-
merous, are celebrated by only very few.
Their observance consists in good eating and
drinking and gambling. Without making the
least distiu cton about Taoism or Buddhism, the
Chinese crowd in considerable numbers to the
temples, bring their sacrifices, and, having gwen
share to the priest, feast with great glee upon
the rest There is nothing wasted upon the
idols, nor any more but bare subsistence given
to the priest. When the craving appetite is sat
sfied, the temples become scene of riot and,
both to please the dumb idols as well as to attract
the attention of the people play is there per-
formed. When this is finished, the religious
ceremonies are at an end, nobody cares no more
for the idols. Temples are thus built as public
places of amusement, and are as such maintain
ed by the community. The whole of the re-
ligious services consists therefore in roing and
stale ritual Such is the creed Of the most nu-
merous nation on the globe, which is too ration
tionaI to be addicted to doatry, and the ignor-
ant and rreligous to worship the Almighty Gre.
ator of heaven and earth, and the saviour Of
mankind.
PHRENoLoaY, capital story is told in
the Cincinnati News of DR.. Collyer, celebra-
ted Phrenologist ct present sojourning in that
city, One Of the Doctors pecuarltles, is that
of telling precisely what he thought of the head
submitted 10 his examination, whether it is in
private or in a crowd.--At the close OF one ol
his lectures at the South, he requested such as
to come forward. A stout, two fisled fellow
made his appearance, and seated himself for the
examination. The Doctor rapidly run his nm,
gers through the hair, measured this bump, and
| RI ,t human ,nd ron, ark cd very COmDOEedy--