The temples of the Buddhists, in China, are of varied construction. Very many of them bear evidences of neglect and decay. In the cities and their suburbs, along the highways, standing alone by the roadside or on the hill-tops, are thousands of these edifices, called joss-houses by foreigners, in which are idols of every description, before which incense is burning. These temples are devoted to the worship of various deities, as the goddess of sailors, the god of war, the gods of special neighborhoods or occupations. Generally at the entrance of the temple drums or bells are placed. These are struck by the worshipers as they enter, either to call the attention of the gods to the worship about to be begun, or to summon the attendant priests. Elijah taunted the priests of Baal, when they gashed themselves before their altar on Mount Carmel, as they shouted to the sun, as it rose majestically in the heavens, calling him to come and consume their offerings. He suggested that perhaps their god, Baal, was asleep, and needed to be awakened by a noise, or that he might be away on a journey and needed to be recalled. So the Chinese worshipers seem to deem it necessary to arouse their gods to hear their prayers. On entering the temple, the worshiper faces the idols, which are generally in a sitting posture, on a platform about five feet from the floor. Guarding the entrance, generally, there are two gigantic images standing, facing each other. Sometimes, as in the temple of the Kushan Monastery, there are four statues; these represent the ministers of Buddha. The first has black eyes, and a fierce countenance, intended to strike awe to the heart; he holds a huge, drawn sword in his hands; a horrible, black, dwarfish figure crouches beneath his feet. The second is a merry god, playing on a guitar. The third stands with an unfolded umbrella. The fourth holds in one hand a struggling serpent, in the other a ball. Generally, there are three images of Buddha, seated side by side, in a sort of pavilion; these are called the “Three Precious Ones,”--Buddha past, present and to come. [Illustration: BEATING ON A TEMPLE DRUM TO ATTRACT THE GOD.] [Illustration: TEMPLE OF THE “THREE PRECIOUS BUDDHAS,” AT SAN FRANCISCO. CAL.] [Illustration: THE “THREE PRECIOUS BUDDHAS.”]