The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-02-07
CHINEE RELIGION.
SAN FRANorsoo's NEW Joss HOUSE,

SAN FRANoisoos NEW Joss HOUSE,.
AT No. 5l2 Pine street there is near COM
pletion two story building the architecture
of which causes considerable comment from
observers. 1t is new Chinese joss house.
1t is built of brick, is 40 feet high, 40 feet
deep and II feet in width. The top is sur
mounted with heavy iron castings. The
front wall for eight feet above the sidewalk
is of iron, succeed. The cornice is of heavy
Roman galvanized iron. There is but one
entrance TO the building on Pine street. The
castings of the door and the two windows
each side of it are of solid iron two feet six
inches in thickness. The door, as the shut
ters of the windows, are also of thick iron.
The upper story is divided into rooms, and
will be used as reception rooms for visitors
of social and official importance. There is
but one window on this floor, which also has
heavy iron casing and shutters. Over the
front door is a marble slab, upon which is
inscribed in gilt number of Chinese charac-
ters, underneath which is engraved in Eng
lish "Kong Chow Asylum" The slab is Of
white Italian marble, 81 by u feet, and said
to be the largest in the City, its cost being
$3.50. The lot upon which the building is
erected was the first piece of real estate pur-
chased by Chinese in San Francisco. The
building was to be completed by the 10th
inst, but not being finished all labor will be
suspended until after the conclusion of the
festivities, which will begin therin to-mor-
row evening, and partake of nature similar
to our National Thanksgiving. This festival
is of ancient origin among the Mongolians,
there being from eight to ten days set apart
every three years in which, with fasting,
they return thanks to their joss for prolon-
cation of life and prosperity. The informa-
ton was furnished 10 reporter of the
Chronicle yesterday by a Chinaman who
spoke very good English, and who said fur
ther that the building was erected by China
men from the Kong Chow District, and
would be the boss joss house on the coast.
When asked what was meant by the word
asylum he said it would be safe place to
deposit the bodies of the dead until they
were shipped to China. Also that the lead
ing men of the Kong Chow district would
meet there to subscribe for their INDECENT
poor and sick. The cost of the building,
when completed, will be $500. The China
man described an incident which occurred
yesterday morning on the premises. lie
said "This place is not quite leady yet, but
we must have big time, so tink put can
vas over to keep lain out. Then woman
who live in next house complain to police,
an officer he command say, you put tin roof
over all, or you be rested. No allow you to
have canvas roof That cause very much
trouble, and lots time and money, and this
woman put her head out of the window and
clapped her hands, and she fall out and got
hurt pretty bad. You understand why she
fall out 2 tell you me have q good time
here, all the same American Thanksgiving
for l6 year. Nobody make any complaint
God came down, push her out window
Maybe break her neck. Ought to,anyhow."
Upon seeing the reporter smile at his inter.
probation of the accident, he continued
"You no believe God do that2 l tell you
One time in China Chinaman knock Jos!
head off. That Chinaman die in three days
She got no right to say Chinaman shan
have his church. Chinaman might as wei
60 and knock down Christian church. Al
a-samc."-San Franscico Chronicle, Dec. 10