File:A'Chu and other stories (1920) (14781672564).jpg

Identifier: achuotherstories00ande (find matches)
Title: A'Chu and other stories
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Anderson, Emma Maria (Thompson), Mrs., 1865- (from old catalog)
Subjects:
Publisher: Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., Review & Herald publishing assn.
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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s ancestors excites the highest contempt of hiscountrymen. An opium smoker or a gambler may neglecthis family; but he is a bad case, indeed, who does notworship his ancestors. I was deeply interested in what my teacher told methat morning, as we watched the family groups on theirway to the hills to worship, as they supposed, the spiritsof the dead men buried there. Later, I realized that,as the teacher had said, ancestor worship is the greatestbarrier to the progress of the gospel in China. The custom of ancestor worship has been handeddown from the early days of the nation. At first itsrites and ceremonies were performed merely to showhonor to parents. At the present time the Chinese arenoted as a nation for the reverence they show to parents.So long as a parent lives, father or mother, his or herwishes are respected by all the household, by both mar-ried sons and their children alike. No aged person may be treated slightingly by anyrespectable Chinese. The aged stranger is spoken to
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The Worship of Ancestors 279 with courtesy, as, My aged sire, or My honoredmother. A coolie carrying a heavy burden halts inthe narrow street before the slow steps of an agedperson, and calls, Be careful, make way, venerablefather, for my burden is heavy. The elder personreturns a good wish, and steps aside to allow the la-borer to pass. The most severe punishments to bethought of, are inflicted on those guilty of dishonor toparents. However, in the long course of years the Chinesehave changed their ideas respecting the object of an-cestor worship. They have now come to believe thatthe forefathers who have died possess far greater powerin the spirit world than when they lived. They alsobelieve they are able to use this power so as to bringeverything that may be desired to those who serve them;or they may choose to bring calamity upon those withwhom they are displeased. Many of the people are very poor. They must bearthe heavy taxes of unjust rulers and the high rents ofgreedy landlord

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