The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-01-29

paused to rest at temple where {
poor devotee was seeking the will O
his deity by two pieces of bamboo
which he threw up in the air. If boil
came to the floor on their fiat side
the answer was affirmative; if on the
rounded surface, negative. IT nc
agreement, the god was Indifferent
and the man could do as he pleased
Then he shook a box of sticks until
one fell out. On the bit of wood was
character which, being found in a
book, indicated some further reply to
his petition. Evidently he was not
satisfied; for, after securing his in
| formation, he returned to try it all
over again.
In the heightened shadows we
reached Hinghwa-only to find that
the door was Shut the city gates
being closed early now on account OF
certain rural disturbances. After an
hours delay and the presentation OF
cards bearing our American names,
we secured entrance, such being the
power of foreign prestige. The be-
lated Chinese, who went in with us,
said the "soldiers would not have be-
lieved their explanations, so we had
their profuse gratitude and the help
full guidance of their lanterns.
In reviewing the day we were
moved to additional thanksgiving that
we we're not left to gods unable to
wipe the cOb-Webs out of their own
eyes, whose best answer to prayer is
two bamboo sticks; and we went to
rest mindful of a city where the open
ing of gates requires more than call
ing cards."
With the aid of an Interpreter we
addressed several hundred native
christians on Sunday; and Monday
made ready to proceed alone, but for
our guide A note came through the
night saying that clan fighting and,
possibly, robbers infested our intend
ed course, but after considering the
case we concluded to press on, hop
ing for the best. At night We were
to larry in a chapel along the road.
Arriving at twilight we Immediately
hear random shots and ascertain we
are in the midst of two communities
that have been warning for some
time. The church proves to be on
the picket line. At intervals during
the darkness an armed force would
gather, and, with a deal OF shouting
and shooting, make some kind OF a
sortie, then retire for time. This
was entertaining to stranger in
lonely land who had visions OF the
enemy rushing in and taking the
sanctuary as a citadel. The Rev
Arthur Smith, who has lived long in
China and written many books con
corning it, says he has never seen
clan fight and here was one/to oul
satisfaction the first chance. We
never had learned to be thankful fol
IiXosquitoes and fieas before, but thai
night-as with David Harum's dog
they aided in keeping our mind off Of
other distresses. No alarm clock was
needed to get us up and away at early
dawn.
So we came down to the old scho
lastic town of Chinchew, that has
reared hundred or more memoria
arches to it's great men-and Wome1
who, by fidelity, are counted worthy
of such honor. Here is an idol tina
is taken out for ride in case of eX
IRENE drouth, but the people are yer.
solicitous about dealing with him TO
he is a veritable Sandow for starting
something, but he evidently lack
terminal facilities" or, in othe
words, he does not know when tt
quit, anu lues are timely W Ae''S
flood. One day the Presbyterian mis-
sionary, the Rev. G.. Campbell Brown
was escorting some visiting friends
to see another idol in the city. B,
some strange coincidence, the go'
fell down just as the party were leav
ing. The people, at first, concluded
the foreigners had bewitched the de
ity and were about to mob them, bu
presently more rational heads reas
oned that if the idol so easily sue
cumbed to barbarian influence he wa
not much of god and they turned
the affair into a joke.
OF course, China is queer, If on
looks at it that way. But the gentle
man with his yard Of ribbon and {
tassel binding the bottom OF hi:
trousers to his ankles may think We
are funny with our collar and cuffs
His pig tail Gf he still has it, may
be as meaningful as an American wig
| After all orr common humanity pre-