Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-12-17
A NEW TEMPLE ron loss.



contributes the following article to re-
cent issue Of the New York Sun.
Two years ago the orthodox Chinese Of
New York erected temple to ''Joss. .
Joss is the religious name for Quong
Gung, a semi-historical general, who
conquered the heathens OF the north,
and whose prowess and wisdom brought
the provinces of the empire of China
under one central government. His New
York temple was large room on the Sec
ond floor of 16 Mott street. Hither the
devout repaired occasionally.
joss was installed without much cere-
mony, for his devotees were only making
an experiment, to see whether Chinese
Joss upon New York soil would succeed.
He was an immense success. After his
installation Chinatown and the Chinese
community prospered and waxed rich.
A few weeks ago the grateful devotees,
principally merchants of Mott street, met
and raised $4,000 to provide JOSS with
better quarters A committee was ap-
pointed to hire suitable building for
genuine Chinese temple in which to erect
a regular altar for sacrifcial offerings,
and all the furniture and ornaments Of
which should be imported from China.
Leon Zoo, an exhaust priest, who some
years ago gave up the robes, was made
temporary priest. The Tauist. creed is
the oldest of all Chinese religions. It
dates back to Yu Hui Ceen. the famous
deist who fourished about 5000 years
B. G. The faith is dying out before the
advance Of Buddhism in China, and Leon
Zoo is very likely the only priest Of that
faith ever in this country.
After weeks of hard labor the com
mittee selected the building at 202
Chatham street, Chatham square. The
entire third floor of that large building
was rented, and Chinese carpenters and
painters set to work to build house for
Joss. Last Friday the place was ready
to receive It's deaf and dumb tenant.
The Chinese merchants, restaurant keep
ers and laundrymen We'd with one an
other in making presents to Joss, in the
shape of decorations and eatables. The
hour fixed for the transfer of the god
was half-past twelve midnight. The
old temple on Mott street was
thronged. About twelve o'clock the
Chinese consul, in company with lie
Fon Giving, the new chairman of the
Chinese municipality, entered the crowd
ed sanctuary, followed by twenty Chinese
merchants in long silken robes. The
room was suffocating with the odor Of
burning incensea and sandal wood. Flam-
ing red carrot-shaped candles were burn
ing dimly under the gas lights. The
priest and people knelt, and asked per-
mission to remove Joss from his old to
his new place. The prayer translated in
English was as follows:
"Oh, merciful great Joss, we, thy
servants, have humbly this day prepared
new sanctuary, where thou and thine
may eat and drink in peace, and where
thy presence will not be profaned by the
vile. language of foreign devils. We in
vite thee even now to turn thy steps
thither, accompanied by thy humble SER
wants
Incense and joss sticks were burned
and rice wine was split before joss to
refresh him little before he started out
on his short journey At the same time
six Chinese musicians inflicted character
istic music upon the neighborhood. Ex-
pensive red fannels were then laid upon
the floor, thence down stairs, and even
down to the sidewalk. joss was raised
by two Chinese merchants acting as
temporary priests. The Chinese consul
was the guide of the grand march
through Chinatown % the new temple on
Chatham sqnare. Fifty or sixty devotees
followed in long strings in the rear, all
in long silken robes, like SO many old
maids going to a sewing party. After
these came the bearers Of candles, lam
terms, flowers, roasted pigs, fruits. candies,
cakes and endless varieties Of Orien-
tai luxuries The Chinese band of eight
pieces brought up the rear When they
got to Chatham square many passers-by
stopped to look at the procession in wild
wonderment. When the procession ar
rived at the door Of the temple the pro-
cess of spreading red flannel upon the
staircases began once more. While
this was being done the majority of the
procession went ahead of Joss and his
escorts to be in the rooms ready to re-
ceive his royal highness. Leon Zoo,
Yuet Sing, Kwong Hing Lung, Wo Kee;
and five other merchants were a commit
tee to welcome joss into his new house
Upon the arrival of their god they knelt
IN two rows at the entrance of the tenn
pie, while Leon Zoo, in loud voice,
cried:
Welcome, oh thou great spiris who
controllest the destiny of all men. We'll
come into the house nearly prepared by
the hands of the humble servants. We
bow to thee, we bow to thee"
These last words were repeated by all
the kneeing Cinnamon. Wong Ia Yin,
the consul, still led the way until he
reached the very throne, a rather low.
dial-shaped seat, when he gravely stood
aside to give joss room. The moment
this was done the entire assembly knelt
while the priest chantcd the regular