Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 103

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Sketch of Teen Fe, or Matsoo Po.

FEB.

attendant upon the mother of Sewang," said she thoroughly under- stands the superintendency of posterity.

A whole city publicly worshiped her, and in that city there was a certain woman who had been ten years married but had no son. She traveled into various regions to worship the gods, but in the end received no favorable response. At last she paid her adorations to Fe, and then she became the mother of sons. Thus all who have no sons let them forthwith come and worship Fe, and at once will their prayers be answered.

During the Sung dynasty Yuenteĭh and Le Foo were followers of the imperial messengers, who were dispatched to the country of Co- rea, and as they were proceeding by the village of Mechow, a mighty wind arose, and when their vessel was about to be engulfed, bright clouds of variegated beauty suddenly appeared, and they saw a per- son ascending the mast, and then proceeding round and taking hold of the helm. This person's strength being exerted for a long time, they were at length enabled to cross over the sea. The above honora- ble officers made inquiries about the matter of the people of the boats. Their followers Yuenteĭh and Le Foo both placing themselves in respectful attitudes towards the south, and thankfully worshiping said, now as we have the golden paper and ruby book, we have therefore verily escaped being devoured by the monsters of the deep. His majesty diffuses rain and dew throughout the various regions of foreign lands, and his aid is afforded to his embassadors who do not disregard his commands. The gods lend their assistance, and special- ly are we assisted by the soul of Fe. These gentlemen remember- ed this, and on their return represented it to the court, and it was royally declared that she was a divine personage. A temple was erected for her in Mechow, at which a hundred families maintained their worship, and they caryed images of wood for the use of vessels.

At the beginning of our country, in the seventh year of the reign of Ching Tsoowan, an imperial officer named Tsangwo, was deputed to the south-western barbarians. He worshiped at the shrine of Fe, and obtained a favorable response, as those did in the time of Sung, so he returned, and made the matter known to the court, and she was proclaimed the safeguard of the nation, the assister of the people, the 'excelling spiritual essence, the illustrious answerer of prayer, of enlarged benevolence, affording universal aid, THE CELESTIAL FE! Those who worship her are to be found throughout the empire.

Fe when living obtained the essence of highest spirituality, and cherished the perspicuity of the divine excellence, and dying she