BY THE CHINESE AS OBJECTS OF WORSHIP. 
351 
of a full grown fowl places a red mark between the eyes of the image. 
All this being done, it is supposed by the people that one of the 
Shin has entered into the image ; and then incense, and offerings, 
and prayers are presented to it. 
Nevertheless the Shin are believed to be sometimes absent from 
their images; and therefore where worshippers come with large of- 
ferings to their temples, bells are rung, drums are beat, and gongs 
are sounded, in order to call them to be present to receive the offer¬ 
ings, and attend to the requests or the demands of their worshippers. 
As the people conceive of the Shin, or spiritual ministers ofShang- 
ti as invested with characters and dispositions similar to those dis¬ 
played by the mandarins of the Emperor, they believe that their dis¬ 
pleasure may he averted, and that they may become inclined to hear 
their petitions, by their offering to them liberal presents, and pro¬ 
curing plays, representing the manners of former dynasties, to be act¬ 
ed before them. Hence have originated the specific characteristics 
of idolatrous worship in China. 
In times of extreme drought, the suffering people resort in crowds 
to the temples of those idols which are considered the most power¬ 
ful and efficient; and, after clothing the images in old coarse attires, 
they bring them out of their temples and expose them to the rays of the 
burning sun, in order that—while the people are all there kneeling 
before them,—they may be constrained to supplicate their high so¬ 
vereign, Sliang ti, to send down rain upon the thirsty ground. 
Near the close of every year, on the 24th day of the I2th month, 
all the Shin are believed to go up to the court of heaven, to render 
to Shang ti, an account for the past year of the state of the affairs 
under their charge: and on that day offerings are presented, and in¬ 
cense is burnt, to honour them on their departure. 
On the 4th day of the 1st'month of the new year they are believ¬ 
ed to come down to earth again; and crackers are fired off, and in¬ 
cense and offerings are presented, to welcome them on their return. 
Yet the Chinese generally place entire confidence in the efficacy 
of their idol worship, notwithstanding its earth—born and utterly 
worthless character! 
