Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 53

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Letter from B. J. Bettelheim.

JAN.

another facing the door, and a third in the lane leading up to the house. They were called shchibang, or guard-stations, each contain- ing five men taken from the class of the literati. We were told these were necessary to protect us and our property against malevolent attacks from bad men, with whom the country abounded. True or false, I saw no reason for not letting them have their own way in what did not concern me personally; and at any rate I saw in these mea- sures facilities for my missionary labor-a consideration which out- weighed every other. After a few days' residence, the only alteration I saw it would be necessary to make was relating to the idols enshrined in the back part of our bed-room; for besides their drawing a swarm of rats to sport among the sacrifices offered to them, they exposed us to daily witnessing the abomition of the bonze worshiping them, and many boys providing them with fresh flowers. In this alteration, however, though laboring hard, we succeeded only partially. On making a direct application to have the gods removed, I received the following official answer:----

Reply of the Treasurer in relation to moving from the temple.

道近

貴

貴 府光 禧遷日客甚隨方神後要棲客昨 布二 不兹另久爲查許一據將身手接 政十 宣修擇為該依案此安札 寸其居要寺舊敝國院樂往 啟所住若實泰寺之不觀

大六

夫年

向四

永月

保十

謹三

之便

啟日

更乞

职待

日中山

順而則使係安等住神要 候後有 國本既持另說國 告不 家寺因儈居遷寺 禱等具等外去甚 告由由口出別是 之前禀等所妥

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