West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-10-24
CHINESE SUPERSTITION.
An Interesting Letter From a West
Virginia Missionary In That Far
on Land.
4 CORRESPONDENTS Of Tur ARous.

Inc strange beliefs called religions
which flourish in China, have their
root ana. foundation in superstition,
they could live in no other soil
Let the superstitions of China fade
away in the light of science and relig-
ion, and the strange beliefs will 20
also. One can reason with a belief
taught ever 50 early in life, but super
stition seems to b. born in n Chiuaman,
and clings to him long after he has
cast away his false faiths.
One class of superstitions have n
typographical character. We have
no such belief, therefore we have no
such "A word, but the resident in China
soon learns that the 'feng-shui" Is a
word of wondcous power. IL Chinese
does not wish to do anything himself
or allow you to do 1t, he will simply
say 1T will interfere with the 'feng-
shut" aud the matter is settled to his
mind. 1t is question whether the
belief has created the class of profession
ais known rs Astologers or whether the
Astologers create the belief, however,
it is one of the money making profes.
sions of the Empire, for every Celestial
except u few of the most enlightened
Christians, firmly believes in the ''feng-
shut" which may be explained as fol-
lows: Each spot of ground in the
Empire has its own particular spiritual
forces. These forces are effected by
any change in the surroundings, hence
the Chinese build their houses but one
story high for fear they will interfere
with these spiritual forces. One man
may build a house in n certain location
and his family keep well. while an
other man in the same locality would
be subject TO plaques. So the person
must also be taken into consideration.
One mau's business will flourish where
another man would fail, because Of the
"feng-shui," not because of the idols.
Mining is not allowed to any extent In
China because of this belief, for IL these
local, earth spirits are disturbed there
will be trouble in the surrounding
country. This belief is not confined TO
the ignorant masses, for only few
years ago number of high Chinese
officials petitioned the throne asking
that stop be put to mining coal and
iron near PelSin, as it disturbed the
bones of the Empress lately buried
there. When no reasonable excuse
can be found TO keep Christians or for
eigners from building where they are
not wanted, the unreasonable excuse
of the "feng-shui" is given and against
this blind superstition there is no law,
the Astrologers always win the day.
But if this superstition has such an
effect upon the living, IL has FAR more
upon the dead. When man is buried
he is OF the utmost Importance, and
here the Astrologers reap "A rich harry
est, for prosperity and disaster await
the family who do not choose proper
burying ground for their dead, hence
IN emma we una the mus are CHOSEN
for the abodes of the dead while the
living occupy the low malarious lands
Well for the peace of household IL
the father decides on the exact spot
where his bones shall rest, and this is
often done, but IL death takes him I'M
prepared in this respect, Astroloyer
No. 1, whispers To sou No. 1, Il know
just whore your father ought to rest IL
your welfare is TO be secured" Astrol-
oyer No. 2, whispers TO son No. 2, the
same secret, and the one who can fur
nish the most money wins the day.
That these professors of the art OF
divination are themselves deceived as
vel as their dupes, no one who knows
the Chinese people can deny.
The Chinese can not be called fanat-
zeal people. In regard TO their reli0-
ions you may laugh at their idols and
stand mp right in the temples Of their
wisest sages, and you are excused, be-
cause you are a foreigner, but beware
how you reject their regard for the
"feng-shui" You will find them as
fanatical on that subject as the Mo-
hommedan is about the feet of infideIs
trasing their sacred Mosques. This
superstition troubles the Chinese them
selves far more than IL does the foreign
residents. Did they not find many
ways TO evade and adjust these Difficult
ties, the entire race would have been
long since driven into lunacy. As IL is,
they have TO make so many moves.
both OF the living and dead. that one
who is interested in the welfare of this
wonderfully curious people, can see
one cause of their great poverty re-
moved, when the study of Astronomy
and Geology has exploded this queer
theory
Other superstitions just as powerful
in their sphere, are also to be found
Lucky and unlucky days abound. No
journey can be undertaken, no work
begun, no wedding day fixed until a
diviner is consulted and a lucky dav
decided upon. Then fortune telling,
which is a species OF superstition, also,
hourishes in China.
Well for the people IL these supor-
stitions stopped at foolish waste Of
time, money and patience. but we must
look at more cruel side.
There is a superstition that ~ per
son dies In bed, his spirit will take
possession Of the bed and room. and
renders IL uninhabitable by others. so
at the last moment when life is pass
ing from the body IL must be removed
from the bed and placed upon a board.
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