statement of the Objects of the Secret Society. 197 



this must be initiated in brotherly unity, must be steadily 

 followed up with mind and hand, and must be completed. 

 The good seed of this brotherhood must not be stifled 

 beneath noxious weeds, rather is it our duty to root up these 

 noxious weeds, that overshadow all things, to the benefit and 

 advancement of the good seed. The problem, be it frankly 

 confessed, is a mighty and a difficult one, but let each man 

 bethink him, that there is no victory, no redemption without 

 storm and strife. Until the great majority of the dwellers of 

 all the cities of each province have taken the oath of fidelity, 

 each man may continue outwardly to obey the mandarins, 

 and ingratiate himself with the police by presents. Ill-timed 

 demonstrations will injure the plan. So soon as the majority 

 of the inhabitants in each city and province has acceded to 

 the bond of our union, the old monarchy must fall to the 

 ground, and we shall be able to found the new reign upon 

 the ruins of the old. Millions of grateful brethren shall 

 honour the founders of our brotherhood after they shall have 

 gone to the grave, mindful of the mighty benefit they have 

 conferred ; — the redemption firom chains and bondage of a 

 ruined social system." 



The seal of union of this Brotherhood of the Heavens and 

 the Earth is engraved with numerous hieroglyphics, and 

 many-cornered in its iimer circumference, emblematic of the 

 supreme states of felicity, according to Chinese notions, viz. 

 wisdom, justice, posterity, honour, and riches. These five 

 states of felicity correspond to theii' five elements, earth, 



