Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-29

wealth the unWelcome Asiatic contrives oc-
casionally, in some mysterious manner to
effect a landing upon the prohibited shores,
and making his presence known when too
late for official interference A large sec
ton of the Sydney population is of most
cosmopolitan character, including Japanese,
Chinese, Afghans, Syrians, Fijians, Kama
kas, and other representatives of oriental
and Polynesian races, not a few of whom
bring with them their religious manners
and customs, in this respect afordlng a
suggestive contrast to many European VS.
itors to eastern countries and the beautlfui
islands of the Pacific, who generally con-
trive to leave their religious notions be-
hind them. The Syrians in Sydney have
their own church, with priest of their own
faith the services being conducted In the
Singularly picturesque fashion characteristic
of the eastern churches. They are a most
Industrious and law-abiding community, not
overload of holidays, and rarely seen at the
numerous sports gatherings In which sgd
neyites delight. The object of each appears
to be to gain what is, in his estimation, a
competence, and then return to his native
country. II is the same with the Chinese.
The number of Chinese in Australia is
steadily declining, but it is the Celestial
nawker or laborer who is disappearing, and
the Acknowledged merchant or agriculturlst
who remains behind
In Sydney, as indeed in most parts OF
the commonwealth, the Chinese merchants
form a large and influential class. They
are nearly all members of the Chinese Re
form Association, and have held several
meetings in support of a Chino-Japanese
defensive and offensive alliance. AS a rule
they are well educated, don European cos
tune and are extremely honorable IN ttelr
business dealings. But, although they nave
largely imbibed western ideas, they remain
faithful to the religion of their fathers.
Yet despite the fact that the JOSS mouse
is not an unknown INSTITUTION IN lhose
portions of the inland districts where
the Chinese are most numerous, there mas
not been until lately regular building OF
the kind in the New South Wales metropo-
lis. There was a small temple deEoteo 10
the Joss in Charge of the Gates of Heaven,
a deity corresponding with the CHRISTIAN
idea of st. Peter, but this was not sum,
Gent and at last the See flp, powerful
Chinese organization, whose surplus lunos
are devoted to charitable purposes, decided
that their meager house of prayer should
become transformed into a real Chlnese
temple, at a cost of several thousano
hounds. The new building is most pic
turesuue structure. 1t is tempie-fronted ana
triple-altered, each altar having IT'S own
chamber. the central one being occupied py
the original joss.
To the right is a chamber containing the
Joss Of the Home of the Dead, while on the
left is that of the Joss OF Good fortune.
Each joss is enshrined IN an elaoora.e ga,s
framework, on which the Chinese dragon
and numerous Chinese divinities are con-
spicuous. Large candles burn before eacn
deity and the fumes of sandal WOOD ana
"garoo" pervade the whole place which APP
annears a blaze of gold and rich colors. in
the midst of which several huge candle
sticks of Mexican silver, the gift of wealthy
Celestials, stand out in bold relief. The
shrine of the home of the dead is regarded
as the most important of the three affairs,
for 1t is here that Chinese mourners inter-
cede with the joss for the release OF de-
narted soul from the "under world
But the interior is not yet complete, addi-
tionaI paraphernalia. representing an ex-
penditure Of 1000. having been ordered
from China The joss house stands in the
midst of beautifully kept gardens. about
an acre in extent, which are to be enlarged
by the purchase of additional land. The
opening ceremony commenced at midnight.
when a leading Chinese merchant, magnif-
Gently sttired in a robe of crimson silk, de-
clared the temple open.