The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-09-30
MASTER OF HEAVEN.
A SINGULAR INSTANCE OF cREDu-
LlTY HOLDING SWAY 1900 YEARS.
From Father to Son ~ : the Possession Of
This Mysterious once Descended Since
Early In the Christian Era-The seal
which IringS In ~ Goodiy Revenue.

Nhhfh w ''buig h'Nthh'H
The history Of popular decisions, more /.
especially those relating TO religious or /
quasi Religions hnlipfs, has been dealt with |
by many abs u,us. Most educated people !
have some untance with the super
natural p,.. ..s Of people like Joanna
SouthoD,r 60. o.. smith. 1t may, however
be safely al. ID that scarcely enc Euro
penn Ia u Ri ...4I las ever heard Of most
singular instance OF popular crcdulity,
which, dating back to the FIRST century,
has held sway even TO the present day
Probably the earliest notice Of the so
called "MHsterof Heaven" which appeared
in any European work is to be found in the
"Annales dc Ia Fol- or missionary col
lectanea" of the Jesuit priests, Forwarded
in the shape Of letters from various por-
tions Of the heather world. Writing In
1855 Father Demicourt described the then
living master" in no favorable terms. IL
was however, reserved for the well known
authority on Chinese matters, Mr. Chal-
nlers, TO first introduce the title aud its
bearer to the notice Of the English speak
ing world. A few months later Mr. ii.
Kopsch gave a more detailed and extremely
interesting account of the whole subject.
As these papers are quite inaccessible to
the general public-one public library only
in England possessing II copy-the follow
ing details will doubtless be of interest;
About ~ years after the birth Of Christ
a child was, according to the legend
miraculously born of virgin mother in
the province of Kiangsl. As with the
founder Of Buddhism, his childhood was
distinguished by extraordinary precocity
and the power Of performing supernatural
feats. by the time he had reached 20 years
of feet 9 inches. His personal appearance
otherwise was not less unusual. Triungu-
lar eyes with green pupils, and crimson
scalp, arms reaching below his knees, and
with an occipital bone Of striking projec-
ton, he must have been at least note
worthy in the eyes Of his neighbors
1t may, by the way, he noted that how
ever unveracious these details of his looks,
Chang Taoling actually existed. His career
is sketched in the annals Of the province in
| quite the same vein as are his physical
| characteristics A scholar of profound cru
dition and able to fOretell coming events,
he sent In so mastery Il paper on the trou
/ bles then besetting the empire "a. ID. 60)
! that the emperor appointed him governor
Of Kiang-ChoO After holding this APP
pOintment for few years he resigned, and
| then commenced the career which secured
for him the celebrity which has lasted till
| the nrescnt day.
Leaving the scene of his government, he
/ became n hermit in the Pei Nanr NOM
| tains and devoted his time to the study of
vitchcraft and the discovery of the elixir
of life. He was next heard of ON the
Dragon and Tiger mountain. Here he com.
! nounded the mystic mill of immortality and
discovered the means of ruling the demons
| of the air and commanding the services of
devils and bows. Among the supernatural
| feats with which lie was credited was the
slaughter Of a million devils with one
stroke Of a yerlniion pencil. These, at the
humble intercession Of their six kings, he
restored to life upon condition that they
betook themselves to western counties
and left China alone.
1t was at Mount Ho- Ming that Chang pro.
fessed to receive in person a divine com
mission as the Master Of Heaven Among
the insignia OF his new Office was magic
seal whicffwould impress 100 sheets of paper
Mt once. although only touching one. The
seal. of course, is claimed to be over 1. 500
wears old.
The masters son Heng succeeded his
father. who IA alleged to have been taken
nm into heaven after having attained the
age of 1913 years. A son has in turn sue
ceedcd until the present day. During the
Ming dynasty, which terminated in 1914,
the then master was guardian Of the
tration of the duties devolyiuu upon th.
occupants of the masters post, the annals
record that in 1907 the then master oi