CHINESE FREEMASONS

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 489, 16 July 1890, Page 2

CHINESE FREEMASONS

In his own country the Chinese belongs to a stereotyped civilisation, several milleniums old, that never gets any forwarder. In the British colonies lie shows a surprising capacity for adopting himself to new conditions. The Otago story—dating from ‘ old identity’’.; days of the Cliinaman who tendered for a load-making job in the name of ‘ Macgregor,’ because nobody but a Scotchman would get it, is a good illustration, but it can he beatenJ There is an eminent Chinaman in Sydney—Quong Tart, to wit—rwho presides ; at church’ soirees, and contributes to the musical part of the programme by singing ‘ Auld Lang Syne.’ What a, success he would be in Dunedin. But better still, the Chinese in New Sooth Wales and Victoria have organised themselves into Masonic Lodges. A lodge for raising and passing members was recently held at Hay under the presidency of an officer high in the Order, who had come for the purpose from the Waga Waga: The. ceremony:>began at 9 a.m. on Saturday and lasted until 6 a.m. on Monday. The paraphernalia were most awe-'inspir-ing. One person who got a glimpse' 1 of the room declares 'that there were more swords there than were seen at Waterloo. The' vyeatlier being tempestuous, a Celestial who had been engaged in the ceremonies remarked ; “ .Mucliee rain, big thunder come, makee. members keep him word ajlee same” Another expounded to an-', inquiring barbarian the principles of the Order as thus ; “ Allee same other Masons. If pleeseman want you and askee me which way you go, and I know you go one way, I tell him you go another way. You savee J We Masons allee same.’ For intelligent grasp of the principles of Masonry this would be hard to heat. — Exchange.