Mr. Davids Extracts from the Peking Gazette, 409 



what pass Chen-tae-k entered, let the officer who so negligently guarded it 

 be cashiered and reported. 



« Khin-tsze." 



XXIX. Forbidding the practice of Witchcraft and unlanful Rites. — Imperial 



decree. 



7th moon, 13th day (19 August). 



" The censor, Lefung-chin, has presented an address, praying for the 

 suppression of false doctrines and opinions. 



" The religious ritual of the empire is founded on the sacred books.* To 

 delude the people with unorthodox opinions is a great contravention of the 

 laws. According to the report of the censor, a fane has again been erected 

 to the superstition of Woo-tung at Lun-kea-shan, ten le (three miles) to tlie 

 west of Soo-choit'foo. In the reign of Kang-he the fane was destroyed and 

 the idols burnt, and for a long series of years the superstition has been 

 suppressed; but the sacrifices are now offered as before. The witches 

 place a pretended confidence in the predictions of the spirits, and promise 

 a fulfilment of hopes and desires ; and the extension of their baneful prac- 

 tice is not confined to the jurisdiction of Soo-chowfoo alone : it is, therefore, 

 highly requisite to adopt rigorous measures for their restraint and suppres- 

 sion. Sun-yu-ting and Han-xvan-ke (the governor and deputy) are directed 

 to enjoin all the officers of the subordinate districts to destroy every trace 

 of the superstition of JVoo-tu?ig. Let not the simple people be permitted 

 to offer sacrifices or to associate with the votaries of the superstition. Let 

 the magistrates issue instructions to all the heads of families to exercise 

 a rigid control over their dependants. Let the whole system of false wor- 

 ship, calculated only to delude the uninstructed populace, with its burning 

 of incense, collection of subscriptions, &c. whenever it is discovered, be 

 immediately followed up by severe punishment, in order that the public 

 morals may be improved and the hearts of men set right. 



" Khin-tsze." 



» Those of Confucius and liis school. The established faith of China is a Rosicrucian system 

 of presiding spirits or genii, both good and bad, both sylplis and gnomes : the former called 

 Shin, and the latter Kivei. The government religion pays adoration to no " Great First Cause " 

 and in fact differs but little from atheism. (See No. XXIII, No. XIII, et passim.) 



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