The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-02
The Chinese New Year.
IdOiStry In BaItr strset-Psastiny and
Smoking Opium.

Smoking Opium.
The natives Of the Celestial Empire
residing in New York, says city paper,
celebrated one Of their great festivals
on the eve Of their new year. The
Chinese temple is situated within FIVE
minutes walk Of the City Hall, In
tumble.down building in Baxter street,
q short distance from the Bowery, and
serves all tho purposes Of club-room,
n place OF worship, and n banquet hall
on festive occasions. A glance at this
establishment suggests the trials Of the
Chinese in tho United States. Tho
wretched life, the poverty and misery
to which the unhappy Chinaman is
doomed in this country could find no
more fitting abode. In the midst of the
squalid haunts Of misery bordering the
Five Points stands the temple, SOCIAL.
ed, in which the Chinese residents Of
New York worship the great idol Fo,
and the four lesser deities, whose names
reduced TO plain English would read,
Light Heaven King, "Grasp Empire
Heaven King" Clear Eyed Heaven
King, and Kind Heaven King"
The New Years festival is celebrated
with much religious pomp by the
Chinese, and wherever the Chinaman
goes he clings with singular tenacity to
the traditions and customs OF his race.
In this country California has been
chiefly the field Of his labors, the mum.
Der OF Chinese there at the last census
being nearly 10000 out OF total of
90, 900 in the United States. The num-
Der at present In this city has been
estimated at about 400. OF this number
over 100 took part in the celebration.
Tho celestial temple is situated on the
second floor Of No. IL Baxter street,
and consists Of two principal rooms with
two or three smaller apartments adjoin.
ing.
A reporter visited this establishment,
and, after passing through dilapidated
hallway, was conducted through the
rooms by two intelligent young China.
men. They were neatly dressed, and
had their hair cut like other people,
and could speak English SO as to be I'M.
derstood. Entering the frat apartment
from the stairway, some half dozen
Cinnamon were found engaged in Q
game with pieces OF wood somewhat re-
sembling dominos. Passing through
this room, another Of equal Dimensions
or about - feet square was reached, IL
which the worship Of the idol Flo is con
Quoted. The Inferior Of this apartment
in every way correspondent with the ex
ternal appearance OF the building aud
the general aspect Of the adjoining hoy
els. There was no attempt OF adorn
ment Of any kind. The walls had evi
IDENTIFY not been brought recently il
contact with the whitewash brush
They were consequently Of that murkJ
brown color 80 Characteristic Of the
apartments Of the lower class Of tene
ment houses,
On one side Of the room was q tablI
about ton feet long covered with I
white cloth, at The upper end Of which
group Of elderly Cinnamon wert
deeply engaged In conversation, and die
not seem to take any notice OF the yisi
tors. Close beside the entrance I
cheap print was hung on the wall
painted in gaudy colors, rs a represen
tation OF the dol Fo, and underneatl
was placed temporary table aboutfou
feet in height, to serve as an altar. Oh
this altar two candles were burning
Three or four saucers were ranget
around the lighted tapers, on which
were apples, nuts, and two or three ya
rieties OF vegetables; a couple Of small
bouquets were placed on the centre o
the table under The idol. These werl
the offerings to the gods. Underneath
the table on hOground floor two NOR
lighted candles were placed in cone
shaped pieces Of wood, raised some tel
inches from tho floor. A few pieces o
colored paper were pasted to the walls
on which were written, in Chinese char
acters, phrases which one is informed
are translated inIo English as {" Males
tic Kings Of Darkness" "Shades o
Ancestors aud Evil Spirits do us nj
HARM" "HcayOn King Grasp all III,
Empire" "Pure Running Brook" ant
others Of q similar nature. Another o
these papers bore the name OF the club
aud specified the terms upon which
members were admitted to be ten cent
week. t.a /
The observance ofthe festival lastet
two days. Tho worshipers PROSTATE
themselves before the idol on tho foo
and touch the ground with their fore
heads three times. Afterwards they
partake OF Tie banquet. About 10t
took supper in thls room, and the entire
expense OF the banquet reached $40
For two or three days previously prepa'
rati0ns were making for this supper
and the busiest member Of the club was
IN old man who was charged with the
cooking OF the fowls md meats for the
banquet. The reporter inquired whaI
kind Of yiands were preparing, and hii
guide, smiling, said: ooh, oh ! you
think we Cinnamon cat nothing bui
rice. We have cllckenl Put that down
in the paper" Aprocession forms parl
OF the religious 0bservances, but the
apartment Is too small TO carry out this
feature in the religious ceremonies with
effect. A few Of Tie worshipers march.
cd round the room several times, then
prostrated Themselves before the idol.
The festival closed with a grand opium.
smoke. It must not, however, BIO un.
derstood that tho Chinese are 80 attach.
ed to their idols as not to be influenced
by the truths Of Christianity. The
Chinese Mission School at the Five
Points House Of Industry, close beside,
furnishes ample evidence Of their viii.
lingness to apply themselves to learn
the Scriptures. The school was estab.
lished about three years ago, and Is
undor tho caro- Of Mr.. A Fl Kembell