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Article FREEMASONRY IN CHINA.* ← Page 2 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In China.*
power . In the colonies , its objects are plunder , ancl mutual defence . Many of tbe idle , gambling , opium-smoking Chinese ( especially of the lower classes ) , belong to this society , aud engage to defend each other against the police ; conceal each other ' s crimes ; and assist the escape of detected members : e . g . A Chinese tailor in Malacca , named Tsaoufoo , who committed murder , in the close of 1818 , shortly after the transfer of the colonyand made his escape from the hands of justicewas a
, , chief man in this society ; and , it is believed , had a considerable number of persons under his direction , both on the land and at sea . There cannot be a doubt but his escape was partly owing to the assistance of his fellow-members , as a rigorous search was made for him by the police . In places where most of the members are young , if one takes a dislike to any man who is not a member , the others are sure to mark that man as the butt of their scorn and ridicule . If any one feels injured , the
others take part in his quarrels , and assist him in seeking revenge . Where their party is very strong , persons are glad to give them sums of money annually , that they may spare their property , or protect it from other banditti , which they uniformly do when confided in , ancl will speedily recover stolen goods . In such places as Java , Sincapore , Malacca , and Penang , when a Chinese stranger arrives to reside for any length of time , lie is generally glad to give a trifle of money to this brotherhood to be freed from their annoyance . The professed design , however , of the San ho hwuy is benevolence , as the following motto will shew :
Yew ffih tung heang Yew ho tung tang . The blessing , reciprocally share ; The woe , reciprocally bear . They assist each other , in whatever country , whenever they can make themselves known to each other by the signs . The lawsdiscilineand managementhave not been divulgedthese
, p , , ; are said to be written on cloth , for preservation in a legible state ; so that the party possessing it , if pursued , may throw it into a well or pond , from which he may afterwards take it out ; or if compelled to swim across a river , he can carry the MS . ; and , as the ink has a peculiar Eroperty , the impression remains legible . The heads of the fraternity ave , as may be expected , a larger share of the booty .
THE INITIATORY CEREMONIES take place at night , in a secret chamber , in which there is an idol , to which offerings are presented , and before which the oath of secresy is taken . The Chinese say there are San shih luh s'he , i . e . " thirty-six oaths . " These are , however , probably so many different particulars , with imprecations against those who shall disclose the nature and objects of the society . A small subscription is iven to support the general Kwo
g expense . Keaou , or "crossing the bridge . " This bridge is formed of swords laid between two tables ( an end resting on each ) , or else set up on the hilts , and meeting at the points . The persons who receive the oath , take it under this bridge , which is called— " passing , or crossing the bridge . " The yih Jco , or chief ruling brother , sits at the head of this steel bridge
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In China.*
power . In the colonies , its objects are plunder , ancl mutual defence . Many of tbe idle , gambling , opium-smoking Chinese ( especially of the lower classes ) , belong to this society , aud engage to defend each other against the police ; conceal each other ' s crimes ; and assist the escape of detected members : e . g . A Chinese tailor in Malacca , named Tsaoufoo , who committed murder , in the close of 1818 , shortly after the transfer of the colonyand made his escape from the hands of justicewas a
, , chief man in this society ; and , it is believed , had a considerable number of persons under his direction , both on the land and at sea . There cannot be a doubt but his escape was partly owing to the assistance of his fellow-members , as a rigorous search was made for him by the police . In places where most of the members are young , if one takes a dislike to any man who is not a member , the others are sure to mark that man as the butt of their scorn and ridicule . If any one feels injured , the
others take part in his quarrels , and assist him in seeking revenge . Where their party is very strong , persons are glad to give them sums of money annually , that they may spare their property , or protect it from other banditti , which they uniformly do when confided in , ancl will speedily recover stolen goods . In such places as Java , Sincapore , Malacca , and Penang , when a Chinese stranger arrives to reside for any length of time , lie is generally glad to give a trifle of money to this brotherhood to be freed from their annoyance . The professed design , however , of the San ho hwuy is benevolence , as the following motto will shew :
Yew ffih tung heang Yew ho tung tang . The blessing , reciprocally share ; The woe , reciprocally bear . They assist each other , in whatever country , whenever they can make themselves known to each other by the signs . The lawsdiscilineand managementhave not been divulgedthese
, p , , ; are said to be written on cloth , for preservation in a legible state ; so that the party possessing it , if pursued , may throw it into a well or pond , from which he may afterwards take it out ; or if compelled to swim across a river , he can carry the MS . ; and , as the ink has a peculiar Eroperty , the impression remains legible . The heads of the fraternity ave , as may be expected , a larger share of the booty .
THE INITIATORY CEREMONIES take place at night , in a secret chamber , in which there is an idol , to which offerings are presented , and before which the oath of secresy is taken . The Chinese say there are San shih luh s'he , i . e . " thirty-six oaths . " These are , however , probably so many different particulars , with imprecations against those who shall disclose the nature and objects of the society . A small subscription is iven to support the general Kwo
g expense . Keaou , or "crossing the bridge . " This bridge is formed of swords laid between two tables ( an end resting on each ) , or else set up on the hilts , and meeting at the points . The persons who receive the oath , take it under this bridge , which is called— " passing , or crossing the bridge . " The yih Jco , or chief ruling brother , sits at the head of this steel bridge