The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-07-30
Tnfornlati0n.
AJOSS HOUSE.
ssins-DcdicaIion Of q Chinese TemPle.
From tn Virginia City (Nev) Enterprise, June :.

Progress Of JOaeisna In the Hoeky Noun'
saina-Dcdicat1On Of = Chinese Temple
From ,ho Virginia City CNev) Enterprise. June :.
The Celestals Of this city Yesterday dedicated
their new temple, lately erected and fitted up.
Thew began the work about four o'clock in the
morning, when they had feast OF roast hog and
other fat things, sweetmeats, cakes, etc, inter.
spersed with singing. kneeling, bowling and
praying, with the firing Of brass howitzer, Dor.
rowed for the occasion, the explosion OF bombs
wrapped about with bamboo splits, and an i'm
mense consumption of fre-crackers.
At noon they took fresh start and had anoth-
er high old time. The temple is frame build
ing fronting to the east, and cost about $500.
The INFERIOR is fitted up with profusion of
tinsel ornaments. at .ost, probably, OF *5OO
more for the whole OF ;ue decorations. In the
west end of the temple stands the high altar,
and seated upon it are three crowned and beard.
ed 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 a canopy, and looped aside that they may
plainly be seen by their worshippers. In front
of the altar is table, upon which. ut noon yes
terday, was exhibited full grown hog. roasted
to turn, with cakes, sweetmeats, etc.
Before the altar number Of COlored candles
were burning, also dishes in which perfumed
woods were smoldering. Behind this table WAS
q narrow sort of altar, supporting large candle.
sticks adorned with artificial flowers, colored
papers and peacock feathers. In front of this
came another table iilled with eatsbles and with
small enables and dishes. containing burning
sandal wood, etc. The temple was crowded to
suffocation, and even standing room could not
be found for more than threc-fourths of those
wishing to enter. Some Of the women planted
ladders against the sides OF the temple, and,
laundering up them, managed to peep into the
windows and tops of the doors
The priests, WHO came to the temple in pro-
cessiOn about noon dressed in their long robes,
presented quite an imposing appearance. The
ceremonies inside, as near we could see DON.
sisted in blessing certain robes with which the
gods were clothed blessing the wine and food
before the people, and ia many bows and genu-
deetions
All this time an accompaniment to the chant.
ing, two-stringed fiddle, with the occasional in.
reference of some "baser" sounding instrument.
At length word was passed to the crowd outside
that the ceremonies inside were concluded, when
bombs were exploded, fire crackers touched off,
and for half an hour there was grand gnnpow.
der jubilee. in the midst of which the priest and
big guns of the tribe marched out in double file
and went their ways.
Many worshippers fingered within and abeut
the temple, and even at the dist Anoe of three or
four hundred yards the faithful were to be seen
mounted upon the roofs of houses drinking tea
or wine towards the spot where were enshrined
their gods. Even up to late hour last night
there was great squealing of hogs in the direc-
ton of Chinatown, and the chances are that al
the ceremonies not yet over. The Celestials
are noisy in their worship as in anything else
they undertake, and are only serious for the
short time spent by them in bowling and mutter.
ing before the images of their gods