CONSECRATING A JOSS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 7

CONSECRATING A JOSS.

(From the Detroit Free Press.")

The occupant of the vehicle pushed open the hack door, thrust forth a gorgeously enveloped foot and leg, and in a moment stood on the side-walk in all the glory of a- long scarlet robe, green breeches, a eondola-Bbaped hat and a pigtail of unusual length. He was tall, for a Chinaman, and rather slim^he long robe seeming to add a foot or two to his stature. Two similarly arrayed Celestials sprang from the doorway of the building to mccc him, and said something that sounded to Anglo ears like '• Soon ahoy," almost in unison. This salutation was responded to by " Bale o' bay ! " and the three marched up the steps to the building, the last speaker leading the way. " It's some joss business," said the policeman, wbo was called on to explain what these manoeuvres meant. But the explanation was not a very full one, and the reporter's curiosity getting the better of him, he climbed up the outer steps and followed tbc scarlet-robed Mongolians up two or three nights of dirty stairs through the smoke and stench which permeated the whole interior. The trio paused before a gorgeously decorated doorway leading into the room devoted to the worship of Chinese deities— a large room, in which were several Chinamen, some standing and others sitting on low benches. As the three newcomers opened the door some musicians seated in a corner of the room sent forth a burst of melody almost as sweet as that usually heard in a boiler factory. The noise continued until the Bcarlet-robed Celestials had made the circuit of the room and paused before a huge joss, where they stood solemnly for a moment and then prostrated themselves before it, all the other Chinamen falling on their knees with their heads bent to the floor. Then the music struck up again, and the heathen arose to their feet and began chattering among themselves as on ordinary occasions. The reporter seized this pause in the ceremonies to enquire what was being done, and it was explained by one Chinaman, who spoke English quite plainly, that the idol had only been set up in the room that morning, and that it was now being consecrated by the priests. The reporter then stood back at a respectful distance and witnessed the enactment of a strange scene, similar to that which Wores has recently been placing on canvas — " The Consecration of a Joss."

A. Chinese boy with a red pig-tail now brought a long-legged cock to the tall priest, the one who seemed to be master of ceremonies. The fowl was taken by the priest, swung round in the air three times by the leg before the paper and tinsel god an \ back to the boy. A small china vessel containing salt was then brought to the priest, who, standing between his scarlet-robed attendants, sprinkled a handful of the contents over the image, and then placed the dish on the pedestal between its feet. Bows of punk stick and wax candles, arranged about the idol, were next lighted by the two assistants, and the boy brought a small earthen basin of water, in which the priest dipped his~fingers and then flirted them in the direction of the josp. The bowing process was then repeated, the unearthly music resounding through the room so loudly that the reporter was obliged to place his hands over bis ears to keep out the din.

Then came the most interesting portion of the ceremony. The boy with the red pig-tail brought a small dot of vermillion and a brush. One of these was handed to the right-hand assistant and the other to the left. Both were then presented to the priest, who took them, mumbling some words, which could hardly be heard on account of the clanging and squeaking of the musical instruments. The priest dipped the brushes in the paint and held both aloft. This was a signal for more kneeling by those around, and redoubled energy on the part of the musicians. He then applied the brush to the staring black eyes. This perfected the divinity of the joss. Before this he had been only pasteboard and paper ; now he was omnipotent. His eyes could read the future and he was capable of giving good fortune to his worshippers, and bad luck to those who disregatded him and believed not in his powers. The music ceased, the ceremonies came to a close, and the heathen passed out of the joss house, down the stairs, and into the street.