Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-03-19

| Press)
| Picking, March 1S.-Accompanying
| the mandates which have just been
promulgated prescribing the worship
| of Heaven and of Confueius by the
President and certain provincial Of
| ficials there is one explaining that this
does not mean that China has adopted
4 a state religion. The documents at
| tract wide interest because of the
| long controversy to which they come
as at least temporary termination.
| They are taken as a declaration on the
| part of the President and while his
government intends to worship in the
| way that Chinese governments have
been worshipping for centuries, it will
not interfere with the religions of
| those who believe in worship in anoth-
er form. The mandates read in part
as follows:
Religious liberty Is observed
| throughout the world. Our Republic
| is composed of five races, Chinese,
Manchus, Mongolians, Mohammedans
and Thibetans; and their historical
| traditions differ. Their religious be-
! liefs are difficult, therefore, to unity.
| 1t would not be easy to adopt a state
religion, for such a step might be con-
| trary TO the wishes of the people. But
! sacrifices offered at the proper seasons
| to the ancient saints and sages, as
prescribed in the laws of the late
Ching dynasty, did not touch the ques-
| ton of religion. Since they are not
in conflict with a republican form of
government they should be continued
as a token of respect on the part of
the succeeding generations. 1t will
become generally known that the cere-
monies now prescribed are performed,
and there is danger that the cere-
monies will be construed as the be-
ginning of the establishment of ma
tienal religion.
ut is therefore necessary to make
known the principle which prompted
the restoration of the ancient rites,
and to state that they are in response
to the wishes of the majority to ex-
press their reverence and veneration
for the saints and sages and to pre-
serve the traditions of thousands OF
years. The choice of religion is still
left toahe people. This is according
to the liberty guaranteed by the con-
stitution and in accord with the prac-
tice of the world This order is is
ing and suspicion"
In promulgating the decision of the
Administrative Council, the President
after repeating the councils report
says:
Il the President am aware that the
ceremony of sacrifice Offering TO
Heaven has been held III great rever-
ence since remote times and pre-
served by the government of China
through successive ages. For the peo-
pie to fast and cleanse themselves,
and pay profound respect to the Deity,
is rational; and no clause has ever ex-
listed in the institutions OF the coun-
try prohibiting or restricting this OBJ
seryanee. | hereby order that the
sacrifice offering to Heaven shall be
made a universal ceremony. The
recommendations of the administra-
tive council regarding the place and
time of sacrifice are hereby approved.
The ministry of the interior is ordered
to collect opinions of renowned aus
tborities and decide upon the speclal
designs for the ceremonial hat and
costume, the character of the eere-
mony the articles to be used, ETC.. and
to submit them for consideration and
approval"
The place chosen for this worship on
the part of the President is the famous
Altar of Heaven, where the Emperors
of succeeding dynasties have knelt ana
offered thanks and supplications to the
open skies The altar is vast cir
cular marble dais, or rather, series
of daises rising one upon another, the
center circle, where the Emperor for
merly knelt as Son of Heaven ana
mediator between his people and the
Deity. being considered in former days
the center of the universe.
On two sides of the altar are rows
of huge open furnaces of wrought iron,
and a larger one of masonry where
the OK is sacrificed. 1t has been sew
eral years since the Emperor bowed
upon the altar in person; and 1t is not
planned that the President shall per-
form the ceremony till the winter
solstice in December next, for the rite
is an annual service. The altar, ana
also the temple and the Imperial
buildings in the grounds, have been
neglected and are now in need or
much repair and so overgrewn with
weeds that the pathways are almost
| impossible.
Not only has time been permitted TO
put its mark upon the place but the
vandal too has done his work. Nov
able things have been taken way, in
many cases stolen, till only splendid
throne surrounded by a dragon screen,
such as is to be seen only in the
Forbidden City. remains. Huge pieces
of the carved marble have been hacked
| off the altar and the temple. Much