Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-07


been derelict but hereafter feel confident that
no fear OF personal consequences can deter me
from doing my duty. The road before me seems
hiiy and heavy land have less strength than had
but Shall swing my pack soon and face those
meet with as blythe countenance as ever. Kind
"''' MID "''O"'' '00f1 HORACE eaAr1rr.
CHINAMEN AS MASONs.
Bnt Not Allowed to Enter Lodge Rooms
Here - Ceremonies Somewhat Simi-
From the N. Y. Sun.
Although it may not be generally known, the
Cinnamon of this city have instituted Masonic
lodge. On several occasions members of the
Chinese lodge have sought to fraternize with
members of other Masonic lodges, but en- every
occasion have been repulsed. The Cinnamon
were considered members of clandestine lodge,
and. as such not worthy of notice. The Chinese
lodge is less than two years Old, but it now has
3OS members. Its formation was due largely
to the efforts Of Deputy Sheriff Tom Lee and
the Chinese interpreter, Jean BaptTsta aided
by eight other Cinnamon less publicly known
than they.
1t is fairly well understood now, however
by students OF Masonic ritualism that there is
Grand Lodge of Masons in the Celestial EN-
pire, and that the Emperor. as well as his Grand
Secretary, who did the honors to Gen. Grant,
and lately introduced the first telegraph line
INTO China, with many others about the court
are Mascns. AS to just how near the ritual
adopted by the Grand Lodge comes to the
ritual in vogue among Masons in the United
States, and how and when Masonry was
introduced into China there is great di-
versity OF opinion. Some authorities incline to
the belief that the ritual adopted by the Chinese
was one used by Eastern Masons at the begin
ming Of the present century. Another authority
says that Free Masonry has become 80 wide
spread, and publications Of Masonic char
acter are banded about so loosely, that it is
not difficult for anyone to become familiar with
the secrets and his inference is based on that.
men have been initiated into Masonic
lodges In the East, and in the course of time
have fallen out OF them, and thus used their ex-
periences and knowledge to q good account in
forming lodges in their own country. Those
initiative faculty of the Celestial rather than on
q well balanced retentive meils-y. If such be
the case, Free MasOns would expect to ind
similarity Of signs, symbols, and forms in the
lodges OF the Chinese, rather than in the words
or names of officers The lodge in this city was
instituted by request from the Grand Lodge of
California, which got its charter from the Grand
Lodge in China. Lodges are established in
towns wherever there Is considerable gather
ing OF Cinnamon. In Havana they are numer
GUS. In Chicago and St. Louis it is thought
that there is one each, II not more. In the
principal cities Of California there are many.
The Master who organized the lodge in this
city under authority from the Grand Lodge is
Yong Hin Til. He is now absent from the city,
having been in the western states on business
for over three months In the meantime the
Deputy Master acts. Yong Hin Til was chosen
Master for second term, it Is said, because no
member had yet become so familiar as he with
the mysteries Of Masonry. The lodge has now
iieve that they can do better by charging their
accommodations. There is not room enough.
the officers say, for the large number that come
to the lodge room, and there is desire to secure
some large house in Mott street. but there is
none to be had. Property in that neighborhood
is leased TO Cinnamon, but no part of it is large
enough to accommodate the lodge Jean Bap-
t'sta, the interpreter, says that the ceremonies
In the lodge are almost similar to those in lodges
OF other MasOns in this city. He does not know
ing Of the officers.
1t Is In the bylaws OF the Chinese lodge that
curiosity is aroused. There was time in this
country when it was supposed by non-Masons
that one Mason was expected to do almost any,
thing that another asked him to do. A consid-
Grafton OF the bylaws Of the Chinese will go
great way to make that supposition good A
Chinese Mason must do all in his power to help
q brother Mason. He must not establish o
laundry within two blocks of brother. and
must dissuade every other Chinaman from
doing So II he should be 90 unfortunate as
to fail In business, he must be helped and
put on his feet. II non-Masons crowd him,
they must be talked to and requested to wait
their claims. Should they still persist, pay
ment Is made by wealthy member, or out Of
the lodge funds. No one has been known to be
recreant in this trust. If Chlnaman who is q
Mason should stab or otherwise assault another
Chinaman, who Is also q Mason, everything in
their power should be done by the members of
the lodge to tide over the difficulty and secure
the release of the Chinaman. The large force
OF Cinnamon that asked permission of Justice
kllbreth to speak with the assailant of Gam
n N xxif INN hol
motive than to know hts standing in China and
whether he was Mason.
Should Chinese Mason owe a brother Mason
any sum he must not sue in the courts for the re-
covery OF that sum, but he must put the matter in
the hands Of the arbitration committee of the
lodge. If the creditor insists on prompt pay
ment, and the debtor has it not, then he is to
receive it from the lodge. The latter course has
seldom been resOrted to. Chinese Masonry in
culcates among its members feelings Of kind
ness. goodness and fraternity. It is not alone q
Masonic bylaw, but it lie general consideration
with Cinnamon, that they help one another.
The Chinese Mason must believe in a God, the
same as Christian. All of the 3OS are members
OF some church. Most Of them are Methodists.
but there are Presbyterians, Episcopalians and
Baptsts among them.
Baptista did not know Il for fact that the
highest court officials Of China are Masons. He
had only heard Of 1t, but to his mind It was one
inG.eas.on Of the progress made by christianity
peror's court officials. The lodge has lost only
two members by death. Wong Gong was buried
from 20 Oliver street with great funeral pomp on
Arg. 10, is os. Like henors were extended to
part Of April Last. With the burfat ms. e
their country have been embodied some
rites instituted by Masonry. feature OF
the Chinese Mason's funeral is q brass band
and band OF tOm-tOms. Another IL the
cooked meats. Another Ii the strewing of bits
Of white paper over the ground to ward or evil
spirits, who IRE supposed to Be very curious.
and will pick up the papers and thus be kept
from following the dead There are other cere-
tracted more than naasin0 nofic<a The hnS1ics