Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-11-21
A MAGNIFICENT TEMPLE.

The travels Of Missionaries are BRINGING
to view objects of interest, alike to the en-.
terpris,ng merchant, the man of curious re.
search, and the Christian philanlropIst.
The Rev. Eugene kincaid, for several years
devoted Missionary in the Brrman Empire.
has recently returned, and is now addressing
crowded audiences, on the condition of the
heather. In recent discourse he described
marnincam temple, winch, while ii Stamps
with iitleness the ambition Of Christian
churches Tor archi,e c,nral display, may well
excite the fervent payer of benevolence,
that the zeal which, in the space oftwo wears
among heather people could erect such an
knowledge, may be speedily enlightened and
consecrated to the God of the whole earth.
The foundations of this temple Gin the city
Of Ava, the capital of the Burmese Empire, J
are Of solid masonry, composed of bricks OF
the best materials. 1t is Two thousand feet
square, the walls beng eight feet thick and
seventy feet high. On the top Of the walls
res, two rows of massive pillars. At each
corner Of the walls rises Il beautiful spire.
On the top of each spire is placed huge bar
Of iron, surmounting which is an iron net
work, ten feet in diameter, in the shape of
a spread umbrella. On the bottom edge of
this are suspended bells of every size and
tone. A piece Of bright copper is attached
to every clapper, so arranged that when the
wind is strong every bell is set ringing
On the top of this temple is second one,
one hundred and forty feet square, and fifty
feet high; and on each corner rises a beau
tiful tower, with its complement OF bells. On
the top Of this second stands a third tempt ,one
hundred and twenty feet square, and thirty
feet high, each corner having its tower and
bells; and surmounling this third is a fourth
ond last temple, seventy-fve feet sqnareland
ten feet high,each corner also having its spire
and bells. From the top Of this fourth tenn
pie ascends magnificent spirc, with an i'm
mense iron net work at lis summt-hayinp
numerous bells suspended from its edge. On
walking along by the temple hen the wind is
strong, and all these bells, comprising an
endless variety Of tones, are ringing, a won
was falling all around from the clouds.
The whole interior of this temple is sluc.
coed, and has the appearance of polished
marble. In the centre is an immense ihron,
on which is most gigantic image. Mr. Kin
cald had the curiosity to climb up, for the
purpose Of measuring some portions of il
and from the end Of the thumb TO the second
joint, was eighteen inches. it was placed
there at the cost of 10000 rupees or 500
900. Besides this, in inches in the wall, are
placed 500 other images, each one larger
than life, each one upon a throne, with in
scrip,ions on the wall directly above them
on the wall are other images in tiers higher
and higher, until they reach the lofty ceiling
Look abou, YOU which way you will. IN this
immense building, and it seems as though
the gods were looking down upon you wher-
ever you turn your eyes.-Look up this PA
feet OF solid mason work, dedicated TO idoa-
try, and see the thousands of worshippers,
who pour in their offerings Of gold like water,
and fancy, if you can, the expenses of this
idolatrous worship.
The temple, with all its mages-,he in.
mense amount Of brick and stone work-,be
1000 bells-the scul pture, which adorns I'm,
building within and wi'hout-and the loft,
towers --must have cost more than the crea.
ton of hundred commodous churches il
New.York.
II was begun and finished wthintwo wears
Thousands we're making hrich, ,housand
more laying them, and thousands upon thou
sands engaged in the various departments
Thousands of poor men chcerlully gave two
months labor 10 the work, others four, ant
but few citizens gave less, while the wealthy
gave large sums.
What an example to those who have The
knowledge of the true God, and the means
requisite for building temples to his glory
throughout the earth, to be filled with intelli'
gent and devout worshippers