The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-21
WHAT CHINAMEN THINK OF
HELL.
Graphic Monaghan Records Describ-
ing the Place of Torment.

From the Chicago Chronicle)
The papers OF the Royal Asiatic Socie-
ty contain interesting illustrations OF the
Chinese conception of a future state.
Some years ago the society published Rev.
George Clark's translation of THE Yu-
Ii or Precious Records a work that
came into existence at some indefinite
date about the tenth century, and was
supposed to supplement the teachings of
Confucius, who had left the transactions
of another world in some uncertainty.
There is no uncertainty in the precious
records for they give in full detail ev-
erything the Celestial sinner may expect
to happen to him when his soul arrives
in hades in a sedan chair, and is formally
received there by the god of fate" Hades
is conducted like state department and
is divided into so many halls of judgment,
each with its president, staff of officials,
and specified number of bells. The de-
| crees of every president and the penal
ties in every hell are so infinitely set down
that there is small possibility OF mistak-
en- address for any soul, although it is re-
corded that one virtuous man was cut off
in the prime of sanctity and his soul con-
Quoted to the hall of judgment by the
blunder OF 4 demon who was severely
| reprimanded. There is no red tape in
this administration and rewards and pun
ishments are allotted with scrupulous care.
1t sometimes happens that the merits of
an accused soul exactly balance his Of
fences and he is then allowed another
chance and begins life again with excel
lent opportunities of well-dong. II his
account does not stand to his credit he
may be born again to deformity or incura-
bic disease. People thus afflicted in China
are believed TO have misconducted them
Il,
ducements to virtue as well as punish
ments for vice. If woman should please
the gods in one stage of existence she
may be born a man in the next. Accord
ing to Chinese philosophy the principle
| of good is male (yang) and the principle
| of evil is female tyin). The lady who has
the privilege of changing her sex in a
! new life must, therefore. feel highly flat
tered by the favor OF the immortals.
There is no litigation in the halls of
judgment. for no soul dreams of Gisput-
ing the precious records" The ledgers
of hadcs are kept most punctilOusly, and,
as the sacred text remarks impressvely.
there is no deception" By way. how
ever, of preventing any cantankerously
| litigous soul from raising difficulties and
wasting the presidents time. there is
I simple but effectual ceremony at the
door. When received by the god of
fate the soul is offered a cup of tea.
which induces "forgetfulness' Dr. Clark
says that when the missionaries offer tea
to the Chinese visitors it is usually de-
clined, the Chinese believing 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 COM
| mitted for some virtuous reason. debt
or sometimes takes his life to spite an
| importunate creditor, who has to defray
] the funeral expenses and compensate the