Theatre Now Stands in Temple From Our Owx Counesroxoext Tenghsien, Sung., Aug. 24.
We note the passing of Confucius at Tenghsien, From a Christian int of view this removes what forty years ago was the strongest stumbling block to the advance of the Gospel in China, but his worship has been declining for several years. From a moral point of view it is to be regretted.
'The yard of the Confucian temple here has! been converted into theatre—the finest one of its Kind in this - part, of Shantung, costing several. thousands of dollars. The temple stands on a busy street inside' the city walls so makes a coveted site for a theatre, Confucius stood for morals felt "Virtue is its own remai one would be, more opposed" to a theatre in the yard. of his temple than he himself. This we feel is a backward step ing of the cockle-bur, The dictionary defines this as a "plant of the genus inding a number of ing rough leaves rickly bur heads." It is now much exploited as leprosy. The leaves are boiled large quantities in huge iron pots, and the resulting elixir is taken by the lepers, Those in the asylum here are tak. ing it although they get the ester of the Chaulmugra oil as well, It seems to make them feel better though no on the leprosy itself so far it, The eating of snakes is also recommended, 'Tai Shan, the Mountain 'Taiantu at present' before the public because of Marshal Feng Yowsiang's being there, is not far from "'Tenghsien, This city rests at the foot of Tai Shan, the highest mountain in this part of China, which is also higher than Kuling.
This mountain ide oF more ago was a popular summer resort for north China more especially Shantung, In recent years more Popular and convenient resorts have opened. up 40. this has fallen into disuse, and also bandits have become % menace. But this boy of visitors have been attracte it, which no doubt was partly due to economy. Tai Shan is much more dificult to ascend than Kuling.
The carring from the shoulders of the coolies—the cost—Reuter. ceupant carried side wise-—and only en carry at atime, from ascending Int. Tai, Thou of pilgrims. still "climb its steep, dangerous paths for the sake of getting an answer to some petition, not necessarily to have sins forgiven but more often for some material gain, be prospered in business, Thre Is little to attract a visitor to Tai Shan except its antiquity as holy mountain and its rugged scenery. Records point to pilgrims worshipping there as far bad Abraham.
Any one enjoying mountain fine scenery, steep climbing or seek: Jing quiet f' write a book may be above the noise of the worl ed to this peak rising so high 'A priest in a temple keeps open House and a tourist may rest there overnight if he so desires. That would add to the adventure, 'Two lady tourists, understanding hardly. one) word of' Chines; "were thus lodged last summer and were well treated.
A Sensational Story Our town was all astir with a most remarkable story. Tt went from mouth to mouth and from village to village and, what gave it more zest, the leading character was a bride-room.
married but Ching excels in this ani All" countries, tease the newly the friends sometimes become rude riotous, which gave credence to the story." Ax the stony "goes this bridegroom refused to furnish more greets whic ave always a part of This created a" disturbance and wedding feast,
tite crowd becoming boisterous and losing their dignity tied him up, fun of course, and threw him in adjacent swamp Which was thiek-I grown in reeds, He soon cried out there was some unal to harm him, but they con lered it a ruse to be freed so heeded not. When they did go he had been killed, some say by a snake others by a wolf, The story also said five had been arrested because of this and brought to the yamen, To corroborate the story: the yamen vas interviewed but there wae "nothing doing." No: one knew how the story had. originated or how much truth there was in it
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.