The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-04
THE CHINESE HADEs.
Precious Records Leave Nothing to
Chinese sinners Imagination.

thEnebe SINNERS imaEfnattOns
From the London Chronicle.
The papers of the Royal Asiatic So
ciety contain interesting illustrations of
the Chinese conception of a future state.
Some years ago the society published the
Rev. George Clark's transla ton of THE
Yu-Li or Precious Records" work that
came into existence at some indefinite
date about the tenth century, and wns
supposed TO supplement the teachings of
Confucius who had left the transact
OF another world in some uncertainty.
There is no uncertainty in the Precious
Records" for they give in full detail
everything the Celestial sinner may ex-
pect to happen to him when his soul ar
rives in Hades in a sedan chair. and Is
formally received there by the God of
rate. Hades is conducted like state
department. and Is conducted like many
Halls of Judgment, each with it's presi-
dent. staff of officials, and specified num-
Der of hells. The DEGREES of every pres
ident and the penalties in every hell are
SO minutely set down that there is small
possibility of a mistaken address for any
soul, although 1t is recorded that one
Virtuous man was cut off in the prime of
sanctity, and his soul conducted TO the
nan or Judgment by the blunder of a
Demon who was severely reprimanded
lhere is no red tape in this administra-
tion, and rewards and punishments are al
iotted with scrupulous care. 1t sometimes
happens that the merits of an accused
soul exactly balance his offenses and he
Is then again with excellent opportunI-
ties or well-doing. If his account does
not stand 20 his credit he NAV be horn
again to deformity or incurable disease
reopIe thus afflicted in China are he
neVed TO have misconducted themselves
IN a previous life. There are Inducements
TO virtue as we'll as punishments for vice.
II woman should please the gods in
one Stage of existence she may be born
man in the next. According to Chinese
pnliosophy the principle of good is male.
liang). and the principle of evil is fe-
male tYn). The lady who has the priv
llese or changing her sex in a new life.
must therefore, feel highly ffattered bv
the favor of the immortals.
mere is no litigation in the Halls of
Judgment, for no soul dreams of disputing
tne precious Records" The ledgers of
Iiaues are Kept most punctiliously and
as tne sacred text remarks impressiyeIv
there is no deception" BY the way. how
ever, OF preventing any cantankerouslv
MUCOUS soul from raising difficulties and
Wasting che Presidents time there Is a
simple but effectual ceremony at the door
When received by the God Of Fate" the
soul is offered cup of tea which induces
Iorsetfulness." DR.. Clark says that when
the missionaries offer tea to Chinese VISIT
ors II is usually declined, the Chinese be-
lieving that I'VE put something in the tea
which will cause them to involuntarily
join the church" The Halls of judgment
are very severe on suicides, unless the
suicide has been committed for some Writ
uous reason debtors sometimes takes
his life to spite an importunate creditor.
who has 10 defray che funeral expenses
and compensate the family of the deceas-
ed. The suicide was due TO oppression
or to mean spirit of revenge. Unfilial
conduct is about the worst offiense with
which a soul can be laden; but the most
dutiful son cannot escape If he has de-
frauded the government or neglected 10
pay taxes. Fraud on the government
seems to be limited to very small sum.
and, therefore, the exact moral position
of highly placed mandarin in a Hall of
Judgment Is not clear. Quacks are stern
ly treated, but the worst fate of all be-
falls the scoffers-people who openly mock
the Precious Records" There is a ter
rible story of what befell certain priests
who ordered copies of the 'Yu-Li' to be
burned. Liars have a very disagreeable
portion in this world as well as others
There is certain temple where an idol
oeVofeS itsel1 10 the 1unctlon OF Striking
liars dead. DIR. Clark asked a young
priest whether he had ever seen any liars
struck dead. Eyes, two" said the priest
MY young friend, take care that you
are not the third" said DR.. Clark.
To escape the various hells, which are
like the circles of Dante's Inferno with
out the poetry, it seems to be a good place
to turn vegetarian, ut is believed that
animals, birds. fishes and insects are pos
sessed by some ones spirit; II their death
is prevented the spirit obtains some miti-
CATION of the pain Of hell; therefore, much
merit is obtained by setting at liberty
living creatures" The greatest merit OF
all is not 10 eat flesh diet. Mr.. Pao
killed Mr.. Wan San, whose soul thirsted
for revenge. Wan San met Pao who
was willing TO submit to the forfeiture of
his life, but because he was vegetarian
IVAN San had pity on him, and only cut
| of his pigtsil."