When the child grows up, and is able to see through such tricks, the priest has taken the mother’s place, and, by carefully-concealed deceits, manages to delude him into believing just what it may be thought best to teach him. THE GOD OF THE KITCHEN. [Illustration: OFFERING SACRIFICE TO THE KITCHEN-GOD.] There is another important object of Chinese worship, whose place of abode is in the kitchen. His name is Tszmin; foreigners call him “god of the kitchen.” Incense and candles are burned before the kitchen-god on the first and fifteenth days of each month. To represent this god, the poorer people use simply a piece of red paper, with the god’s name written on it. Generally, a sheet of white paper is used, on which the likeness of an old man and woman has been stamped, together with pictures of fowls, dogs, buffaloes, etc., and tables. This paper is pasted to a board and suspended in the kitchen. The Chinese say that there are two objects of worship in every house, and these are the ancestral tablet and the kitchen-god. This god is supposed to have charge of the family; and his duty is to keep a strict watch over all the members of it. This he must do, because, at the end of each year, he has to make a report of the year’s conduct to the great god Yuh-Hwang, the “Pearly Emperor, Supreme Ruler,” who rules in Heaven over all the lesser gods. Five days before the Chinese New Year, this kitchen-god is supposed to leave every house and ascend to Heaven, to make his yearly report. On the day before his supposed departure, feasts are offered to him, and more than usual honors paid him, in the hope that he may be bribed to give a good account. At the exact time of his departure, fire-crackers are let off, incense burned, and worship offered, in order that he may start on his long journey in a good temper, and with as much dignity as possible. His return is expected, and he is received with the same marks of respect which attend his going away. Every shop-keeper, banker and merchant has a piece of red paper, on which the words “god of wealth” are written, pasted on his wall. Seldom do they make an image of this god. Incense and candles are burned, and prayers are offered daily. Often, after the festivals of this god, mock-money and mock-clothing are burned for the benefit of the spirits of beggars in purgatory. THE STORY OF MA-CHU, GODDESS OF THE SAILORS.