The Sunday Oregonian., August 21, 1904, PART THREE, Page 24, Image 24

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24
THE SUNDAY OEEGONIAN, PORTLAND, 'AUGUST" 21', 1S0
GA GUINI: TO
W JOSS OF PO-RTLAND'S CtHINATOWN
BY JOHNSTON McCULLEY , .
IK THE little front room ot the Joss
House at the corner of Second and
Oak streets, surrounded ky gilded
dragons and flowers that never "wither'or
lade, stands Ga Guln. His six eyes, con
ceived from the -white enamel of whose
manufacture none save the high priests
of Confucius in the temples of Canton
are supposed to know the secret, stare
blankly at the opposite, tinsel-covered
wall. The lips of his three mouths are
seemingly curled with the scorn he feel3
lor his surroundings. But about his three
foreheads there Is on expression of pleas
antness, of peace eoothlng, winning, sym
pathetican expression that is good to
Beo, for Ga Guln is the Joss of the' happy
household and of good fortune the
mighty god of good spirits.
Time was when Ga Guln was naught
hut a block of tin carved wood, a few
pounds of unmixed paint, a chunk of sa
cred enamel and a portion of gilt and
gold. He was scattered about Canton,
a part of him in the temples of the inner
and sacred city, a part of him in the
mercantile establishments. He held the
future of no Celestial in his out-stretched
hands then. No son of Confucius kneeled
before him with forehead pressed to floor.
No incense burned before him to beseech
his good favor.
Then there came a messenger from
across the sea a aessenger who de
manded from the high priests of Canton
a new Ga Guln. The block of wood was
carved. The enamel was fashioned and
became eyes. Gold and gilt was applied.
And out of the raw materials there issued
a god a thing of painted and gilded mag
nificence before which -Portland's reli
gious Chinamen will kneel and bow in
time to come.
Then came the Journey across the sea,
a Journey which Ga Guin made in a
heavily-bound box marked upon the out
side with Quaint characters which told
of Ga Guln's power and importance. Upon
his arrival he spent a few days in the
Custom-House unavoidably detained. His
faithful subjects ultimately came for
ward with his ranscTi, and Ga Guin was
carted away and placed in his future
home.
Not Yet a Powerful Deity.
And there he stands today in a glory
uncomplete. For Ga Guln is not yet an
jall-powerful deity. There is a mass of
ceremonies to be performed, a mass of
incense to bo consumed, a great deal of
chattering by priests and their following
to be gone through before Ga Guin enters
into his own. More tinsel must adorn
the walls of the Joss House. There must
be more gilt and more gold. Everything
must be new as new as Ga Guln. And
everything must come from the sacred
city of Canton, after being blessed and
passed upon by the few men qualified to
do it
Ga Guln does not rule alone. There. is
a retinue of gilded dragons of sizes in
numerable. Queer little figures fashioned
from gold surround his throne. Two great
flags are entwined above him. Flowers
are before him. Candle-sticks surround
him. Emblems, whose meaning is a blank
save to the initiated, are on every side.
From the celling of the room hang fan
tastic creations from paper. No king in
regal robes is more magnificent than Ga
Guin.
The idol stands with his back against
the north wall of the room. He Is in the
niche of a great and massive frame of
gilt and gold. The top of the frame is
carved into shapes and figures that are
never seen outside of a Joss House. In
the center are three Chinese characters
announcing the name of the Joss beneath.
The carvings are Inlaid with gold, ana
the characters are from the sacred en
amel. The sides of the frame are about one
foot in width. The edges are inlaid with
gold, there is a strip of enamel down the
center of each side, and, on either side
of this strip Chinese characters tell the
history and particular virtues of Ga Guln,
the method o- worship, and the penalties
that Ga Guln Is liable to Impose for des
ultory homage. The sides slant slightly
toward the center and are joined with
gilded bars to the back piece, against
which stands the body of the IdoL The
wood of which the sides and top of the
frame is composed is distinctly Chinese,
and has the appearance of ebony, Suf
fice it to say that it is not
Stands Without Feet.
The base of the frame is solid gilt,
dotted with circles and characters of the
enamel, the whole massed over a wooden
base a foot In thickness. On this base,
in the rear, in bas-rellef against a gilt
background, stands Ga Guln. He doesn't
exactly stand, for the figure is cut off
below the knees. Feet would be un
seemly in the case of Ga Guin the good
spirits he represents must be able to rise
to lofty heights, hence the missing feet,
symbolic of the fact that there is nothing
to hold the spirits to earth.
The body of the Idol Is in gold, and
greatly out of proportion to the heads.
There are three heads. At the waist of
the central figure two other figures
emerge, one on either side. It is a three
man idol above the waist. Of the head
of the central figure there is a front view.
The eyes of enamel are small, and there
is a peculiar look about them, blank yet
piercing. In the light that is thrown
upon the face from a near-by window it
looks ghastly. The features are of an
other sort of enamel, In color yellow,
though slightly tinted with a reddish-pink
which makes the face look flushed if
viewed on the side away from the light.
The forehead la high and pleasant-looking
when compared with the rest of the
face. On the upper lip of this central
figure is the typical Chinese mustache,
long, black and curled. The mustache
alone Is symbolic of Ga Guln's superiority.
No Celestial may wear a mustache un
less he be of royal blood or holds a po
sition of state slightly less in rank than
that of the Emperor. But there is even a
limit to the mustache of the Emperor
and Ga Guln and his fellow-gods exceed
this limit. The beard of a Celestial and
of his gods is an insignia of rank more
potent than the Victoria Cross, the Gar
ter, the Iron Cross, or the rosette of the
Xgion of Honor.
The side .figures of Ga Guln are also in
bas-relief and show the
tures of these two figures are principally
the same as those of the central figure.
The foreheads are perhaps a trlflo lower-
ana me pieasant expression is wanting
"When your Celestial wants to
spirits he must begin to pray to one of
me siae ngures and advance by degrees
to the supreme happiness of the central
self nf f?ti Ouln '
Favor Won by Prayer.
On either side of the central figure at
me uase is a nuge candlestick with
rapacity or three candles. "When Ga
umn is in operation these six candles are
always burning. A elided Tint" lirmr frr-r
the top of tho frame by means of gold
chains is filled with incense, and this also
is Durnea. -ine pot swings slowly back
ward and forward, now obscuring, now
Kivlng to view the throo fn
There are 'no pots for sacrifices, for Ga
uuin uemanas no sacrifice save untiring
prayer on the part of one who seeks his
iavor.
"When a particularly Important boon is
craved there are c&ndlesttoirs nt ti om,
and top of the frame which are supplied
with lichtcd candles. Before thi imrnino-
smoking mass kneels the Celestial with
forehead bowed to the floor, arms out
stretched and Dalms downwnnl. Tn tVito
position ho implores Ga Guin to visit upon
his household a season of happiness and
contentment. Now and then ho looks
unward at the face of the iSoL If tho
expression of the features seems to take
on a uuiaaii ujjui mrougn me smoKe ana
the flame the Celestial rejoices, for his
.prayers are answered; but should the
l&v- yx uio vusi rcuim. iu siouu, incur
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14 t .vrJWl I Bill A I W I fl,SfA.WS' tiilK ' -SNx' ly 1 ZiPI T m . t
j V . . . . ' PORTLAND CHINATOWN'S NEW JOSS -w t, ,V
' 1 .. o o .-ji . . i . a . . . . . e . f o ... t a o 4
Reservoir Park
LOTS ARE (SOW FOR SALE
This tract joins Laurelwood on the east side and Kern Park
on the north' side. Take Mount Scott cars, get off at Kern Park
Station, walk about five blocks north, then you will find the most
beautiful tract that is situated in Multnomah County. The entire
tract is cultivated and planted in fruit trees and berries. Good,
pure water will be supplied and all streets graded.
Price of LOTS, $100 and upward. "
Terms $5.00 down and $5.00 per month on each lot.
. Por further information, apply on premises, where you will
always find some one to wait on you, or at office of H. Metzeer,
Managing Owner, No. 226 and 228 Pront Street.
N. B Parties building will find LUMBER YABD on the
premises.
ferent appearance the Celestial kneels
again, his forehead to the floor, his arms
outstretched, and implores anew the favor
of Ga Guin.
Dedication on New Year.
On the. first day of the Chinaman's New
Year. Ga Guln will be dedicated to
worship. Elaborate ceremonies will take
place, candles innumerable will be burned
and Incense consumed until the Joss
House is thick with smoke. On that day
every believing Chinaman In Portland's
Chinatown will kneel In supplication be
fore the new Ga Guln, for tradition hs
it that a boon requested of a Joss on the
day of his sanctificatlon will be imme
diately granted an hundred fold, and that
homage paid to Ga Guin In particular on
the day of his dedication will bring peace
and contentment and happiness to the
household of the suppliant for a year to
come.
But there is another side to the story
of the great "flrst-day" power of a new
Joss. He who kneels-before the new idol
and requests favor on the day of that
idol's sanctlflcation must beware that he
does not transgress the commands of that
idol during the ensuing year. To pas3
for one moment from the road of right
eousness as laid out by the Joss Would
mean a punishment that could only be
averted by weeks and week3 of steady
and earnest supplication, by days and
days of fasting and by endless donations
to the high priest who presides over the
Joss. It is superstition that makes the
Joss benevolent to the Celestial It is
also superstition that makes him terrible
in anger. Tho eyes of the Celestial are
more keen than those of a Caucasian he
can see In the inanimate features of Ga
Guln an expression either of approval or
disapproval. To him the forehead of the
Joss is human aye, more than human
for as he looks upon It he can trace im
aginary lines converging in a frown of
displeasure, or diverging' in an expression
of supreme contempt.
Joy In Chinatown.
On the day when Ga Guin shall be dedi
cated to worship there will bo joy In
Chinatown. Flags and lanterns will hang
from every balcony, as on every New
Year's, but this time there will be more
brilliant and more numerous flags, there
will be heathenish sounds Issuing from
every building, there will be an Incessant
chattering on the streets. At sunrise on
that memorable day a priest will sud
denly appear on the balcony before the
little room where stands Ga Guln. Celes
tials in the street below will be awaiting
his appearance. They will maintain a
dignified silence while the priest looks
contemptuously on them and then raises
his hands and eyes above. Then, In dis
tinct, measured tones, the priest will be
gin a statement or now, not long ago, ua
Guln was ashamed of hl3 children, how he
ordered himself and them to be destroyed
by Are, how supplications were sent to
Canton for a new Ga Guln and how the
Ga Guln arrived and condescended to
abide once more In Portland'3 Chinatown.
Inside, another priest will suddenly light
the candles before Ga Guln. The priest
outside will turn about and see the smoke
and flame. Then he will turn again to
those below him, stretch out his arms and
cry in a happy voice that Ga Guin is tak
ing on the breath of immortal life and
awaits the homage of his people.
The Chinese In the street will then be
silent no longer. Shrill cries will rend
the air, there will be a pattering of
padded feet, a rush of Celestials up tho
stairs and into the Joss House. Hats will
come off, down on their hands and knees
will go the multitude, palms will be out
stretched In supplication for pardon and
mercy and favor. The priest will then
make Ga Guln a speech, telling him how
obedient his children will be. After this
Is done the Incense pot will be lighted,
the priest will take his place of honor on
the dais to the right of Ga Guln, beneath
a mass of flowers and flags and gilded
dragons,- and then the individual wor
ship will begin. '
The God's First Homage.
Onb by one the Celestials will advance
to a point directly before the Joss. There
they will remain for a few moments In
prayer. Then they look upward, and if
the light of favor Is In the eyes of Ga
Guln they arise, back out of the room
and go on their way rejoicing, for It has
been decreed that for a space of one year
their household will be a place of happi
ness and good spirits. The Celestials in
the rear patiently await their turn, think
ing tho reward, will be greater.
And over this scene of kneeling Celes
tials, of smoking Incense and burning
candles, of barbaric splendor, of glided
dragons and twined flags, of paper and
tinsel and gilt and gold Ga Guin will
gaze with eyes that do not see and ears
that do not hear Inanimate, Sphinx-like,
awe-insDirintr a thing of superstition and
of fear forever.
SALVATIONISTS TO WED.
Two Soldiers of the Army to Be Mar
ried at Public Ceremony.
A hallelujah wedding will take place at
harracks on Thurs-
luc uauuuu" .
ac thft contracting parties
belng.Mr. Kay Depperman and Miss Elma
Belieu. The ceremony win ub jjuuuv; u
will be performed by Staff Captain Mrs.
McAbee, of Seattle, who was formerly In
charge of barracks No. 4 In this city,
where the happy couple were soldiers.
Qaptaln McAbee will be remembered by
many here. Preceding the wedding serv
ice there will be a march on the street,
the special features ot which will be a
tlmbal band and ten virgins.
The bridal pair will not take part In
the procession, but will appear only in the
hall. The wedding will be solemnized on
tho platform under a marriage bell and
amidst floral decoration and banners, in-Mmiino-
ho flair of the armv and the
a .nnrinin stiirrv banner! Refreshments
will bo served, consisting of Ice cream
and cake, and the bride will cut the wed
Miss Belieu has been associated with
the army slnco she was a child, ana Air,
Depperman la also a veteran.
CHEAP ASTORIA RATE.
Two Dollars for Roocd Trip Announced by
the O. R. & N.
The O. R. & N. announces the extremely
low rate of 52 for round trip, Portland to
Astoria, Wednesday and Thursday of this
week, account the regatta. Tickets good
returning by boat or ralL (Particulars
of C. "W. Stinger, city ticket agent, Third
and Washington streets.
DAILY METEOROLOGICAL RETORT.
PORTLAND, Aug. 20. Maximum tempera
ture, 68 deg.; minimum, 52. River reading, 11
A. M., 5.2 feet; change in 24 hours, 0.2 foot.
Total precipitation. 5 P. M. to 5 P. M., none;
total elnco September K 47S4. Inches;
normal, 40.75; excess. .40 of an Inch. Total
sunshine August 19, 10O4, 6 hours and 35 min
utes; possible, 14 hours. Barometer (reduced
to sea level), at 5 P. if., 30.1S.
PACIFIC COAST WEATHER.
II
Wind.
STATIONS.
Co
Baker City ....
Bismarck ..
Bolso
Euroka
Helena
Kamloops, B. C...
North Head
Pocatello
Portland
Red Bluff
Roseburg-
Sacramento ...
Salt Lake City
San Francisco .....
Spokane
Seattle
Tatoosh Island ....
Walla Walla
O.OO
NH
ND
W
JOV
NW
SW
NW
N
N
NW
NW
W
NE
SW
SW
SW
Clear
Cloudy
Clear
Clear
0.12
0.00
0.00
T
Cloudy
O.OOUO!
ICloudy
0.00
101
20
Cloudy
Clear
0.00
0.00
0
Smoky
0.00
12
Clear
0.00
8
Clear
0.00
6
Clear
u.uu
14
Clear
0.00
12
Clear
0.00
Clear
Clear
Cloudy
0.00
0.00
740.00
Clear
Light. T trace.
WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Fair weather continues In the North Paclflo
States, but In Montana, good rains have oc
curred during the last 12 hours.
It Is cooler in Oregon, Eastern Washington
and Idaho, and much cooler In Montana.
The Indications are for fair weather In this
district Sunday. It will be warmer in Oregon.
WEATHER FORECASTS.
Forecasts made at Portland at 8 P. M. for
28 hours ending at midnight, August 21:
Portland and vicinity Fair and warmer.
Northerly winds.
Oregon Fair and warmer. Northerly winds.
Washington Fair. Northwesterly winds.
Idaho Fair. EDWARD A. REALS,
District Forecaster.
CLASSIFIED AD. KATES.
"Rooms," "Rooms- and Board," "House
keeping Rooms," "Situations Wanted," 15
words or less, 15 cents; 10 to 20 words, 20
cents; 21 to 25 words, 25 cents, etc. No
discount for additional insertions.
UNDER ALL OTHER HEADS, except
"New Today," SO cents for 15 words or less;
16 to 20 words, 40 cents; 21 to 25 words, 50
cents, etc first insertion. Each additional
Insertion, one-half; no further discount un
der one months.
"NEW TODAY" (gauge measure agate), IB
cents per line, first Insertion; 10 cents per
line for each additional insertion.
ANSWERS TO ADVERTISEMENTS, ad
dressed care The Orejronlan, and left at this
office, should always be Inclosed in sealed en
velopes. No stamp Is required on such let
ters. The Oregon Ian will not be responsible for
errors In advertisements taken through the'
telephone.
AMUSEMENTS.
Pupils prepared for stage, pulpit.
Jilatform or parlor. Either private
essons or class work. For time and
terms, apply at
497 East 17th Street
PHONE EAST 1938.
J
BASEBALL
Los Angeles vs. Portland
RECREATION PARS.
August 17, 18. 10, 20, 21. 22.
Ladles' days. Thursday and Friday. Games
called 3:30; Sunday. 2:30 P. M. Admission.
25c; children 15c.
MEETING NOTICES.
KELLER'S HALL. FIRST AND MADISON
sts., for rent Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
inquire 260 Front st.
FIDELITY LODGE NO. 4. A. O. U. W..
and Fidelity Lodge, No. 14, D. of H. Mem
bers are notined that Fast Supreme Master
Workman J. G. Tate will give an address at
the lodgeroom in Logus bulldln?. on Wednes
day evening, August 24. All are cordially In
vited. Keiresnments wui De served.
W. K. BENVIE, M. W.
Attest: a J. WHEELER, Recorder.
BORN.
CRONIN August 16, to the wife o .Am
brose M. Cronln, a son.
COLEMAN To the wife of M. Coleman.
a son weighting 13 pounds. Mother and
child doing well.
FUNERAL NOTICE.
MORTENSEN At her late residence at
MontavlUa, August 1U, 1904. Julia S. Mor
tensen, wife of Jacob S. Mortensen, aged
23 years, 0 months 27 days. Funeral will
take place Monday, August 22, at 2 P. M.
from the Methodist Church at MontaviHa.
Friends Invited.
BUSHONG At Mayger. Or., August 18, 1904,
Eva Mayger Bushong, aged 24 years. 1
month, 19 days, boloved wife of J. Wiley
Bushong. Funeral Sunday. August 21. 1904,
at 2 P. M., from Holman's Chapel, cor
ner Third and Salmon sts. Relatives and
friends respectfully invited to attend. In
terment Greenwood Cemetery.
EDWARD HOLM AN CO.. Undertakers and
emboliners, have moved to their new build
ing Third and Salmon. lAdy assistant.
Telephone No. 507.
J. P. ITNLEY & SON, Funeral Directors,
cor. 3d and. Madison. Office of County Cor
oner. Lady assistant. Telephone No. 9.
K S. DUNNING, Undertaker, 414 East
Alder. Lady assistant. Telephone East 52.
DUNNING & CAMPION, Undertakers, 7th
and Pine. Lady assistant. Phone Main 430.
NEW TODAY.
I WANT FOR CLIENTS C1TT OR SUB
nrban real estate mortgages on 50 per cent
valuation; low rates; no commissions. W
S. Ward, attorney-at-law, 323 Allsky hldg.
100x200 IMPROVED, RENTAL $85 PER
month; ground for other buildings, 4 blocks
from river, ?8000. L. E. Thompson & Co.,
228 3d.
41 ELLA ST. FURNISHED ROOMS WITH
or without board. New house, new furni
ture, bath, gas, phone.
FOR SALE TEN ACRES 48TH ST. AND
HawXhorne av. Mrs. W. S. Falling, Mt.
Tabor, Or.
Modern House Yery Cheap
Nine rooms, every Improvement; with 1 or 2
lots," most favorably situated; also near car
llne. F. V. Andrews & Co., Hamilton bldg.
ABSTRACTS OF TITLE
Our records are complete and up to date.
We furnish abstracts promptly.
MQKTGAGE LOANS
On Improved Portland Real Estate.
SECURITY ABSTRACT & TRUST CO.
.Chawhcr of CJtunwco,