Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1916-03-16
MISS NINA STALLINGs WRITES
OF EXPERIENCES IN CHINA
Says That on February 2 The Chinese
Celebrated Their New Years Day
This Year
MANY CHINESE FESTIVALS
Burning Of the Kitchen God is Perhaps
the Most Interesting, Takes Place
Every Year
Moka Garden,
Somehow, China,
Feb. 10, 1915.

reu- Az, Ao1os
Mr.. Mitchell White,
Mexico, Mo.
Dear Mr.. White:-
1t is true the West can't hustle the
East, but the West must hustle in the
East 50 while I've intended to write
time in her flight has left only the
recollection of what meant to do.
The Chinese as nation have their
only rest day or holiday of the year at
the China New Year time. This is
variable with the years, and this year
China's New Year Day was Feb. 2, SO
we are just in the midst of the holiday.
All shops are closed, schools are clos
ed, and everything practically stops
for month among the nom Christians.
wae Mission schools only close for two
or three weeks.
There are many interesting festi-
walls and ceremonies among the nom
Christians. Perhaps the most inter-
esting is the burning of the kitchen
god. Every household has kitchen
god, which listenes to everything that
happens all year, and then at the end
of the year is taken out and burned.
When taken out they fill it's mouth
with sugar so any reports given in the
outer world will be modified as much
as possible. The burning takes place
three days before the China New Year
Day, and then for three days there is
no kitchen god in the household. Dur
ing these three days they can quarrel
fight and do just as they please be-
cause there's no one to tell on them.
Then on China New Year Day the new
god is brought in and installed with a
great feast, fireworks, etc.
Another very interesting feature is
the sacrificing Of the God Of Wealth.
For months before, one can see small
shops here and there making paper
figures of fishes, birds, and animals,
and these being burned on the second
day Of the New Year are supposed to
bring the sacrifcer much prosperity
during the New Year.
There are many other features of
the celebration which would be Of in
terest if / understood enough of Chin
ese life and custom to know all the
meanings of them. Firecrackers are
continuous during the entire time, and
guns and cannons occasionally.
There seems to be something very
attractive and fascinating about the
festivities of China New Year, and so
we have to plan special things for the
Christians during these weeks to make
the temptation as light as possible.
They visit great deal at this time,
so we keep open house and receive
them at all times, also visit them as
much as possible. After the first few
days we have revival services under
the union management of all Chris
tian missions in Souchow. We are
using every available place this year.
The mems and women's meetings are
held separately, and all seem to be a
great success this year. The one here
in the Embroidery School Chapel has
been very well attended, and splendid
interest has been shown.
l have enjoyed the copies Of the
Ledger ! have seen,but it seems USE
less to try to send it now. | receive
only about one copy out Of four, and
then bunch of wrappers occasional
ly. Thank you very much.
Very sincerely,
NINA M. STALLINGS.