Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 217, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 September 1911 — Chinese Masons Have a Weird Funeral [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Chinese Masons Have a Weird Funeral

NEW ORLEANS, LA—The most spectacular funeral ever held In New Orleans took place the other day 'when Che body of Chlng Sing, secretary of the Chinese Masonic lodge here and one of the wealthiest Chinamen in the south, was taken to the Firemen’s cemetery. There were 10,000 persons in the vicinity of the undertaking establishment, 10,000 along the route of the funeral out Canal street to the cemetery and 5,000 at the cemetery. Arrayed in the robes of their offices, Chinese high in rank at the local order at Masons participated in the . ceremonies, which included the placing of a cooked chicken, of rice, tea, and other foodstuffs, favorites of the Chinaman, at the grave, the beating of tom-toms, to drive away the evil spirits, the chanting of Chinese hymns, the burning of incense, and Joss sticks. Gowned in a brownish costume and wearing a black cap, the body was in an elaborate coffin. At the head was a picture of the dead man and on sach side of the coffin were long white banners, which gave a brief sketch of the dead man. Chinese guardk in quaint costumes, peculiar to Chinese Masons, stood around. Chinese banners were hung about the room. At the feet erf the dead man was erected an altar, before which hymns were chanted and prayers read.

Grand Master Charley Foo opened the ceremonies. Waving his hands, he advanced to the coffin, making an address. The other Chinese bowed in reverence. Chin Bak On, the assistant grand master of the Order, followed Foo. Gee Toi Sing followed. He is the second priest of the altar. Then all the Chinese in the room, in pairs, marched to the feet of the corpse and bowed down in reverence, kissing the floor as a tribute to their leader. Throughout the proceedings not a tear was shed. At -the cemetery Chin Bak On, assistant grand master of the lodge, led the procession into the tomb, where, with a few waves of his hands, he drove the evil spirits from the place. The foodstuffs that had been placed at the feet of the corpse in the undertaking establishment were placed in front of the grave. A grate in the tomb contained a fire, in which incense was thrown. Then there was more chanting, the cover was fastened upon the Asket. and the ceremony was over. The body will be shipped to China.