The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-03-19
wn01n No. 900.



IDOL WcRsHIP IN NEW YOKE.
a visis 70 enc ehlnssa pagan Teznrle In
Baxter Strees-- aEeatlasns 40 yEarahlp-lAn An
inside View of the ssxemple Of Heaven''-
where the Pfoua Brsthren mIght spend
their Money Advantageously.
F4om the New York Star.
While the missionary societies are
annually sending their agents forth to
communicate to the Chinese at home
the mysteries of the Christian doctriRe,
the colony of celestials at their very
door are practising without disturb
ance the rites and ceremonies made
venerable by the immemorial tradi-
tions of the ssFlowery Kingdoms"
The visitor to the Chinese temple
in Baxter street will scarcely be re-
warded for his expenditures of time
and trouble by the graft 6eation of
curiosity awakened BY the reports
circulated concerning the New Year
festivities celebrated therein. The
horrible condition ofthe street. filled,
as it is. from curb to curb. sometimes
to oYerdoWing, With indescribable
filth-is sufficient to appal the pedes-
train.
At No. IL, where the sacred precincts
are soughtgkor, there is low and un-
inviting aoarTay, as dirty and dark
as most of the entrances in the neigh
borhood. a glimpse of diladidated
Eear house is had through the open
hall, and the curious are directed up
an unsteady flight Of steps to
THE CHINESE HEADQUARTERS.
Without the protection of the police
even in the daYtime-the ascent is
made with secret misafvfngs, but the
thought of looking upon the mysteries
beyond the head of the flight over.
comes all hesitation, and the we'll
worn stairway is mounted. On reach
ing the landing an cid and wizened
Chinaman appears from the back
room. he is small and wirv, with q
defective eye, and acts As If he WeEa
oblivions cfthe preeence of n stranger;
but after persistent effors to make him
understand the nature of the visit, and
his positive assertion that he knows
nothing about a sstemple,D he sudden
~ turns, IS if relinquishing his inten-
ton to be secret, and leads the way
into the rear apartment. On the
grimmy walls are
STRIPS or RED AND YELLOW rApER
bearing Chinese characters. The floor
is bare and dirty. AT one end of the
room rough table, covered with Can
ton mating and fanked on either side
by benches, is strewed with very large |
and very greasy -lookfng dominoes.
The aged guide closely watches his |
victor as he casts his eye rapidly over |
the surroundings of the dreary apart
ment, and then passes into the front |
room through the open doorway
which connects the two. Leading the
way into the gloomy
TEMPLE oFHEAyEN,"
be waves his hand toward the high
altar, and the visitor is at liberty TO I
contemplate the sacred presence. This
room is more literally papered with
Chinese inscriptions than the first, q
few wooden benches and o table are
ranged about the apartment, large
spherical colored paper lanterns are
from the ceiling, mating
covers the floor, while SICK
ening odor of kerosene smoke pre-
vades the sanctuary. Facing the win
dows, which are shabbily curtained, /
stands the altar, over which is suspend
ed large picture of gaudily-
figure, surrounded by lesser figures
drawn to conform to the Chinese con-
ception of true perspective and tone.
Before
THE FLAMING RED DEITY
is spread feast of compounds unfa-
miliar to the eye Of the soutside bar
barisn, land besides these inscrutable
preparations are numerous dishes of.
oranges, nuts and confectionery. At
either side of this untasted least are
broken bottles containing some sort
Of plants, which at one time apparent
y bore blossoms, but have long ceas-
ed to be ysrdant or fragrant, though
hey are probably as grateful to the
Bostrils of the august divinity now as
hey were when they were sweetest.
There are also offerings OF gilded fans,
and the ashes of joss paper scattered
on the floor.
To these rooms, a few days ago, ac-
,ording to the old Chinaman's story.
here came
PILGRIMS FROM ALL PAETs
3f this and neighbering cities, to the
number OF about 400, to celebrate the
New Year, and entreat the patronage
1f "Foh," the saint who watches over
he destinies of those exiled Cinnamon
whom the bootblack ridicule, and
whose petitions the Bureau of EncEm-
ORANGES regard not, Deyotees came
from Jersey City and Newark to pros
rate themselves before this flaming
picture and the josses. which are hid
len behind screen; TO the number of
! score or two and to partake of the
Fiands which were then provided ont
IF the offerings of the faithful.
There are no Sunday, or regular
Ierxices of any kind in this temple of
except on the evening of the
New Year. A clHb of Chinese night
y resort to this pIace to enjyy them
Ielves after their own peculiar fashion,
It cards or dominoes, or in smoking,
md here the coolie eigarmakers, the
Ieepers of the little stands along the
treets, and other Cinnamon who feel
% disposed, meet to keep alive the
lopes and aElay the fears which in
pire them in the midst of HChristian
Ievils."