Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-02-04
EPWoRTH LEAGUE
Holds Largely Attended Social on
Wednesday Evening.


the Epworth league-in the vestry Of
the Methodist Episcopal church. The
entertainment for the evening was
ably furnished by Rev. and Mrs. Ed
ward Huntington Smith of China. The
vestry was attractively decorated with
Chinese banners, scrolls, flags and par
asols. Rev. and Mrs. Smith were
dressed in Chinese costume denoting
people of high degree. There were
many tables Of Chinese articles and
curios. including a Chinese puzzle, ma
tive shoes, wooden combs, reed rice
bag. Rev. Mr.. Smith explained the
workings of the curious locks and keys
The earrings worn are about four
inches in diameter. The bamboo tree,
tuition. They grow straight up and
when one is cut down another soon
grows up. AS the Chinese say, a man
can't live where the bamboo can't
grow; they use 1t for food, to make
canoes, RATS and many other articles.
The houses ars built many times with
out nail, the bamboo being used in
stead. 1t Is very light and strong. 1t
is eaten as we eat asparagus.
Chinese Money.
The Chinese money was a very in
teresting topic; the money which they
have used until late had been used for
tory, and the pieces shown were worth
about one mill apiece, so that one had
to carry large quantity if going traV-
cling.
The money of all nations is now used
and sometimes the worth of a dollar is
perplexing, as one time a silver donuI
may be worth As cents, another time
55 cents. a
The spirit money is what they burn
as for instance. a funeral the money is
scattered in front Of the corpse with
the idea that the spirits would go for
the money and so the dead person
would be able to get along while the
spirits were so busy grabbing the
money.
A Willy Scheme.
The idea originated, it is said. by a
man and wife being poor and the wife
gave out the report he was very sick
and couldn't be seen; next report was
he was dead, she meanwhile putting
MIN In a coffin she had prepared with
airholes in 1t and food. She then be-
san to burn bushels of this stuff she
called money and said she was send
ing 1t 10 her husband who was in the
bad place. Soon her husband appear
ed, saying he had received the money
and had bribed the gatekeeper to let
him out, and that If any OF their rela-
tives were there, or liable to go there,
II would be a good idea to buy some
Of this money and send them to bride
the gatekeeper to let them out. Nat
urally a great sale of the money was
held.
A dead person is supposed to have
three spirits, one that goes to its re-
ward or punishments, one to the an
cestral tablet and one in the grave,
and this one is supposed to give the
most trouble, as you never can tell
where 1t Is.
The beating Of the tom toms was
spoken OF as a person with Group; the
evil spirit is supposed to be clutching
at their throat and the tom toms are
beat as loud as they can beat them
dress was touched upon; the styles
change there as they do here.
lnquisitive Visitors.
When the Chinese came to visit Rev.
and Mrs. Smith the sewing machine
was a great wonder to them. every
one wanting to take home something
that had been sewed on 1t, the same
with the typewriter, all wanted some
typewriter words to carry away.
Rev. Mr.. Smith spoke very interest
ingly Of Chinese life and customs and
also of the missions. A large red UNI
brella was one center of interest. II
Mrs. Smith from one of the churches.
The singing in Chinese by Rev and
Mrs. Smith was listened to with much
interest and enjoyment.
Oriental Dalnties.
A table was set with a Chinese
menu, including rice, peanuts, oranges
and vermicelli Rice bowls were used
and chopsticks. Among the banners
was the anti-opium and the national
or dragon flag. The different costumes
were shown on dolls. Tea from the
Inghok mountains was served in the
dainty Chinese cups.
It was a rare treat to see all the
curios and hear the descriptions and
history Of them in the clear and pleas
ing manner in which thew were given
little Miss Sarah Greer was also in
Chinese costume presenting a quaint
At the close Of the entertainment
cake and ice cream were served. A
table which attracted attention was
that OF the idols and incense. Rev. Mr..
Smith gave all a lesson in Chinese.
The whole affair was decided success