Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait341879roya).pdf/34

 : "To bring them to the Flowery Pavilion, that they may be thoroughly instructed in their duties."

The Sien Hong then goes outside the "Ang Gate," saying on his way,


 * "The five Ancestors have bestowed on me this Flag.
 * "Authorising me to bring new members within the City moat."
 * "In a true man, sincerity and loyalty are the most important characteristics,
 * "You must on no account on returning home, divulge the secrets of this night."

The new members in pairs, now enter the "Ang Gate," kneeling down in the attitude of prayer, with burning incense-sticks between their out-stretched palms, the lighted ends towards the ground.

Generals Ban To-hong and To-liong, with their swords forming an arch over the Gate, ask their respective candidates.

1. "What is your surname and name?"

2. "In what Province, Prefecture, and District, were you born?"

3. "What is your age?"

4. "What is the cyclical character of the hour of your birth?"

These questions being satisfactorily answered, each Sin Kheh repeats the following formula after the General who prompts him.


 * "I now of my own free-will, enter thebranch of the Ghee Hin Society established in the British Country of Singapore, and will use my utmost endeavours, to drive out the Chheng, and establish the Beng dynasty. I promise to obey the laws of the British Government, and to follow the instructions of the Registrars of our Society, The Inspector General of Police and the Protector of Chinese. I also promise to obey the 36 articles of the Society's oath, and to appear whenever called upon by the Head men of this Lodge. If I fail to carry out each and and every particular of this my oath, may I perish, and be extinguished as this incense-stick is now extinguished."

At this the incense sticks of both new members are plunged into the earth, and extinguished. This formula is gone through three times, by each Sin-Kheh, after which the Generals say;


 * "What are these we hold over you?"