The New York herald., 1870-06-19
Progress Of Jossism In the Rocky Mountains
Dedication of a Chinese Temple.


lFrom the Virginia City INev Enterprise, June IL
The Celestals OF this city yesterday dedicated their
new temple, lately erected and lifted up They
began the work about four O'Clock in the morning,
when they had feast Of roast hog and other fat
things, swcetmeats cakes, &C., interspersed with
Sr singing, kheeang, o1wing ana praying wth the
the explosion OF bombs wrapped about with bamboo
splits. and an immense consumption OF frecrackers
Al noon they took fresh start and had another high
old time The temple Is frame building, fronting
TO the east and cost about $780, The interior Is
lifted up with profusion OF tinsel ornaments at a
cost probably OF 5000 more for the whole OF the deco
ratlons. In the west end or the temple stands the
high altar and seated upon IT are three crowned
and bearded gods or kings Two Of these wooden
gods have long boards and mustaches, while the
beard OF the third Is of the sailor cut All three
are seated behind sort OF curtain hanging down
from canopy, and looped aside that they may
plainly be seen by their worshippers. In front or
the altar Is u table, upon which at noon yesterday
was exhibited full grown hog, roasted TO turn
with cakes, sweetmeats, &c. Before the altar "a
number OF colored candles were burning Also dishes
In which perlumed woods were smouderlng. Be-
hind this table was narrow sort OF altar, supporting
large candestcks adorned with artificial fOwers
colored papers and peacock feathers. In front OF
TINS came another tabe hlled with eatables and
with small candles and dishes containing burning
sandal wood, &c. The temple was crowded to sur
location ana even standing room could not be found
for more than threeourhs OF those wishing to enter
Some OF the women planted ladders against the
sides OF the temple and clamberng up them, man
aged to peep into the windows and tops OF the
doors. The priests who came 10 the temple IN
procession about noon, dressed IN their long blue
robes, presented quite an imposing appearance.
The ceremonies inside, rs near as we conld
see consisted In blessing certain robes with
which the gods were clothed, blessing the vine and
food before the people and IN many bows and genu-
hestions. All this time an accompaniment to the
chanting was played on squeaklns twostringed
hdde, with the occasional interference OF some
"baser" sounding instrument. AT length word was
passed to the crowd outside that the ceremonies In
side were concluded, when bombs were exploded
frecraCkers touched Off and for half an hour there
was grand gunpowder jubilee, In the midst OF
which the priests and big guns OF the tribe marched
out in double file and went their ways. Many wor-
shippers fingered within and about the temple, and
even at the distance Of three four hundred yards
tho faithful were 10 be seen mounted upon the roofs
OF houses drinking tea or wine toward the spot
where were enshrined their gods Even up TO a late
hour last night there was great squeailg or hogs
in the direction OF Chinatown, and the chances are
that all the ceremonies are not yet over. The Cees-
tias are as noisy IN their worship as In anything else
they undertake. and are only serious for the short
time spent py them in bowling and muttering before
the images OF their gods.