of er Mae FRO ee 
» a D. J. Macgowan on the Eagre of the Tsien-Tang. 317 
ancient sages sacrificed to the gods of the hills and spri os, 
ccount of their power of delivering and succoring men; it 
proper therefore to seek their favor. They should be revered 
a 
In the second year of this reign, when the dykes were 
overthrown, [sent officers with funds to examine and restore them. 
I apprehend that the people in general are wanting in reverence 
for the shin ming [gods], and that they are often wanting in piety ; 
I therefore urge you to decorous and respectful demeaor in 
everything that regards them, and hereby enjoin on the officers 
to impart instruction to each family, in order that all may be 
aroused and quickened. Of late years the gods have silently 
vouchsafed protection, enabling the people to repose in safety, 
_ and though this year the tides have been very great, threatening 
_ general ruin, yet they happily abated without damage to the em- 
_ bankments, entirely in consequence of the mysterious protection 
which the gods, having regard for us all, have vouchsafed. I 
therefore make a special gift from the privy purse of one hundred 
thousand taels of silver (about $130,000) for the erection of a 
sea god Temple, that they may therein be honored and recom- 
pensed. Let the civil and military officers measure off the ground, 
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throughout this paper, Shin has been é sd ote! ; 
___ that a majority of the older scholars concur in rendering 1t by spirit, employing ti 
title of Mllongte for the chief object of worship,—the Theos. 
