Priestly Self-Mortification in China
A MISSIONARY in China writes: "It is no uncommon sight to meet a priest in China going about begging, with four or five long skewers run through his forearm, and little ribbons hanging therefrom. Two I have met had long iron rods running through their cheeks, and they had made oath to remove them only when they had collected a certain sum of money sufficient to repair their temples. One has had the iron rod through his face for over four months, living the while on soup and tea only. Another way of raising money is for a priest to take his seat in a little brick sentry box, and let himself be walled in, leaving only a small window, through which he can see and pull a rope by which a big bell is sounded and the attention of passers-by attracted. Here he will sit for months. I have known one to remain in his box for nearly a year without being able to lie down or stand up, but apparently perfectly happy, and always ready to have a bit of gossip."