Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/105

 produced a complete circle, or globe, of peace and harmony. In the political stage of the Thien-Ti-Hui, which, according to the history given in the various manuals, commenced during the latter part of the 17th century, under the reign of Kang-hi or Sun Cheng, the 2nd and 3rd Emperors of the present dynasty "Ching" or "pure," the happy results expected upon the union of Heaven, Earth, and Man, seem to be merely the restoration to Imperial powers of the Chinese Ming or "Bright" dynasty, which in the person of Tsung-Cheng was cut off by the Manchus in about 1628. In these Colonies, it is difficult to imagine what are the aims of the numerous lodges, which having departed from even a political status, though nominally branches of the original Society, are to all intents and purposes rival Societies.

However degraded the Society may have become in its present hands, there is great reason to believe that originally in the long past, it was a system of freemasonry, and that its object was to benefit mankind by spreading a spirit of brotherhood, and by teaching the duties of man to God, and to his neighbour. The motto of the Thien-Ti-Hui whether acted upon or not, is "Obey Heaven and Work Righteousness," and the association which could adopt this principle as its fundamental rule, must have been composed of individuals raised far above the ideas of mere political adventurers.

Oppression which "maketh a wise man mad," may have forced the Society to become a political association, and the rites and ceremonies already in use were utilised as means to screen the operations of the Society from the government officials, and also to unite the members, from all parts of the vast Empire. In the Tai-ping rebellion, the League played a conspicuous part, and there is no doubt that, "when Heaven shall have changed its intentions," and the present reigning family of China shall have accomplished its destiny, the Thien-Ti-Hui, will be at its post, and the members of the "Hung" family will be ready to take advantage of the general upheaval which must take place, and at least will attempt to fulfil one of their avowed objects, viz: the overturn of the "Ching."

As before remarked the professed objects of the League have, been in the Straits to a certain extent lost sight of. But at the same time it must be recollected that some years ago the leader of the "Sio To" or "Small Knife" rebellion at Amoy, was a Straits-born Chinese, and that there are doubtless now in the