The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1907-07-05

beyond an expectation Of material
benefits to the living and safety to the
dead.
At the temple at Shiogama, for in
stance, there is one idol who is the
particular friend of lovers. me
screen about his pedestal is covered
with hundreds of wisps. of twisted pa
per. The idea is that if one will write
the name of the person whom he or
she wishes to marry on a slip of paper
and then tie it with one hand to the
screen, the prayer will be granted. Ii
the one-handed feat cannot be per
formed, then the coveted object will
not be attained. The sight is more
pathetic than curious when one re.
members what little part either -.
affections or desires of the individuals
most concerned play in a Japanese
marriage.
Spit-BaII Prayers.
Akin to this is the practice OF
writing out prayers and then chewing
them into spit balls and throwing
them at the idol. If they adhere, the
prayer is answered One rather hand
some idol that recently noticed hao
large spit ball in his eye, seriously
marring his good looks. 1t is com
mon to throw stones into the laps OF
the idols, or into the big stone lanterns
at temples, and if they land safely, the
prayer is heard At Nikko is a small
shrine the roof of which is covered
to the breaking point with wooden
slabs on which are written prayers for
an easy childbirth. Shrines especially
devoted to wives desiring children are
abundant and popular all. over the
islands. And, judging from the mum:
Der of children that swarm in every
village and city, these prayers are
fully answered.
One of the most pathetic temples
have visited is the children's temple
at Osaka, which is filled with the
clothes and toys of dead children,
given as votive offerings by bereaved
parents. The humdrum, mechanical
manner in which the attendant priest
droned out prayers and rang the bell
in behalf of two parents who brought
an offering while l was there made
one want to lay hands, on him. Near
by is peculiar device for offering
prayers for the dead. The name is
written on thin shaving of wood, and
then placed in large stone cistern in
the form of a turtle, into which sacred
water is constantly. running. Devotees
take great pains to have the wood
thoroughly drenched, for thus the
prayer is born to the god.
The Largest Bell in the World.
At the Tennoji temple at Osaka arS
number of interesting sights. In tho
first place, the temple courts are a
regular bazaar, filled with display of
secondhand goods. Scores of dealers
have their wares spread about and a
lively business is done with pilgrims
and others.
The largest whole bell in the world
is being hung in this temple area. 1t
was cast at the time of the Osaka ex-
position, two years ago, and 10000
Buddhist priests were present, which
is about one-tenth of the total number
in the empire. Report went forth
that, following an ancient custom, a
ate the gods by throwing herself into
the molten metal; and young woman
really presented herself as an offering,
but of course the authorities would
not permit the sacrifice. This bell,
which is second to the broken bell at
Moscow in size, was made of gifts of
swords and ornaments and money,
and has tone of more than ordinary
richness. All Buddhist temples con-
tain large bells and their sound is soft,
deep and musical.
One other phase of worship at this
temple is the pond full of sacred tur-
ties. 1t is a pious act to feed these
with the pink rice balls which priest
sells. Here enjoyed the sensation of
being an Andrew Carnegie, for the
purchase of half nickels worth of
the food (about quarter of a peck
caused the wondering natives to ex.
claim, "Oh, see! He is very rich
mani" The hundreds of turtles race
and fight for the bouyant balls and
then beg for more. This feeding of
the living creatures that are called
sacred is pleasant form of religious
devotion l have fed wriggling cells to
sacred cranes (the cells were not
sacred, and had no rights, beans to
sacred horses, rice to sacred fishes;
and have paid few coppers tc see a
dancing priestess go through her slow.
graceful posturing and gesturing, with
out moving her feet. Certainly worship
at a popular shrine or temple can
scarcely be called monotonous with
all these diversions, and the various
booths for the sale of souvenirs be-.
sides.
My candid opinion is that, while the
sincerity of many Buddhists and Shin
toists may not be questioned, the one
vital and increasing religious force in
Japan is Christianity. While visiting
Ise 1 attended missionary preaching
service, and among more than 100 per-
sons present was an old woman who
had been Is years a Christian. She