The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1919-10-24

schoolhouses. Idolatry In China Il
largely growth through centuries
that has gradually developed from
Buddhism, just as we see all manner
of fungi attached to dying tree.
Confucianism is not idol worship
In its principles 1t is purely a code o.
ethical laws. Its fundamental laws
are strikingly similar to the laws Of
Moses. Consequently a person may
be Confucianist In a general sense
and at the same time Christian. II
Is quite worth while just here to call
attention to the fact that Confucius
lived about five hundred years before
Christ, more than a century after the
lsraelites of the ten northern tribes
were carried as slaves to Assyria. We
saw Assyrian art of that same period
In the Forbidden City" the part of
Peking reserved for the rulers, in
closed by strong wall, and into which
ordinary people are not allowed to en-
ter. We had a special permit and
guides from the American embassy.
These art treasures must have been
brought by caravans. necessarily con-
veyed by slaves under overseers.
These slaves must have been Israel
ties.
The Confucian temples in Marking
are preserved, often repaired. They
contain no idols. There Is a large up
right tablet, inscribed with the Laws
OF Confucius," standing on the back
of a turtle, symbolizing calmness,
strength and longevity. On certain
days, set apart for this purpose, in
cense is burned on q table In front OF
this tablet. in somewhat the same
spirit. among intelligent Chinese, as
we on anniversary days place floral
offerings on the tomb Of Lincoln, or
the graves of our honored dead.
Tomb Of Tai Dzu.
To most visitors In Marking, the
place of greatest historical interest In
the tomb of the Ming emperor, Tai
DEW, a greatly honored ruler on ac-
count Of his forceful character and the
many reforms he inaugurated for the
benefit OF the masses of the common
people. Marking was his capital.
This great Ming tomb Is situated at
the foot of Purple mountain. It Is out
side the city wall, perhaps mile. 1t
Is surrounded by red-painted walls
which inclose an area of about five
hundred square feet.
The visitor passes through three
gates Of peculiar Chinese architecture
before coming to the tomb. After
passing through the second gate he |
comes to templelike building, high
ly ornamental, In which is large tab
let inscribed with record of Tai Dzu
md his achievements. an inscription
him with his most distin- |
suished predecessors. This tablet was
erected by one OF his greatest OF Chi
lese rulers. Kang Hsi. when he Wis
ted Marking, some time near the close
II the seventeenth century. He caused
he entire surroundings, to be made
magnificent.
Up to the time OF the Tai-Ping re-
,ellion these handsome buildings and
parks remained, but the Tai
Ping vandals destroyed almost the en-
ire tomb. Recently the viceroy of
made some repairs, yet only
few traces remain Of the former
After the visitor has passed through
he third cato he sees a large struc-
lre with one opening In the middle.
his leads to the edge OF the tomb,
'hich Is now covered by hill Of deep
oil on which Is a thick growth Of
tees. The ascent is steep. From the
ummit is fine view of the city and
country. II
Among the accessories to this tomb
ie most interesting still remaining are
W. pairs OF stone statues of animals.
anding on either side of the great
'ad leading from the entrance gate
the park. perhaps twenty feet in
eight: pairs Of elephants, camels,
pms, soldiers and priests. as the last
lir of guards. Near the gate is q
mple or tower with four openings,
tuated on q low hill Within Is a
Dne tablet, erected upright. on the
ok of a turtle. II is covered with
scriptions OF the great deeds Of this
,peror, Tai Dzu. Il IL said In Chi
% history, This tablet was erected
ere a. sign Of reverence to one Of
. greatest empsrors that China ever
S<auo1d