The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-08-22
FIRE-wALKING IN JApAN.
A Bogus Miracle Worked by Priests n
 a Temple Near TokiO.

A bO&us MirncIe worked by Priests mt
 Temple Near TOkiO.
 Rev. I. W. Cate, in Universalist Leader.
 Ever since l came to Japan have heard of a wonderful feat of fire-walk- ing said to take place twice a year at temple about five minutes walk from the IJdamachi Church. As the story came to my ears, the priests connected with that temple at these times walk over a bed of red-hot charcoal without harm. Accepting the story it is told, 1t clearly represents miraculous per formance, for red-hot charcoal will burn human flesh under ordinary condi- tions as surely as the two come togeth- CT for any appreciable fraction of second. Furthermore, it is evident that 1t is the intention of the performers that it should be taken as a miracle The fact that it takes place at tenn pie and is performed by priests shows this, and if this is not proof enough, the long continued incantations carried out before the walking begins ought to clear away all doubts on this point. Doubtless large numbers of the people accept it as a miracle. those who have not seen 1t quite readily as those who have. And why not? If a man who has witnessed 1t tells the story to one who has not. and the latter believes the former to be a truthful person, what better testimony is needed? The story of a truth-telling eyewitness must be regarded as very strong evidence
 have always been skeptic with re- gard to this matter. and perhaps that is the reason why have neglected so long to see the miracle performed. One evening last month, however. the weather being fine, I and others made our way to the temple for the purpose of seeing things with our own eyes. A crowd of on-lookers surrounded the temple yard. mounted on fences, roofs and trees. much after the style of Zac- cheus As I approached the railing which shut out the mob from the temple Inclosure. an attendant opened the wicket and let me in. This gave me en- trance to the front porch. and as the yard where the miracle was to take place was in full view. did not go farther, though the whole front of the temple was crowded with spectators who had probably purchased favor by a more or less liberal fee Most of these people were tourists, but I saw among them the American Minister At the right of the porch, in the open yard, there was a bed of burning charcoal about twelve feet long by six wide The straw sacks which had originally con tained the charcoal had been thrown over the top, and though burned, still retained enough of thclr form to be recognizable, and up through theSe the flames were still playing. The chair coal was so arranged. however, that there were heavy ridges along the side and a comparatively thin layer in the center, forming a kind of fiery trough or pathway.
 Tn a few moments preparations Tor the feast began. First the attendants raked off the ashes of the straw, blow ing the smaller fragments by means or fans. This was interesting for the spec tators, for the light ashes rose into the air and settled on hats and coats. Next the central pathway was beaten down with bamboo poles until it was smooth, and. it must be said. until 1t had lost a good deal of it's fiery nature, Then priests, dressed in white and carrying fans, began incantations, first by plac- ing their hands together in the attt- tude of prayer and then by making mysterious passes with their fans. These incantations were first directed