250 Dr. Milne* s Account of a Secret Association in China. 



Q. In making benevolence and mutual assistance theii- professed object, and 

 in affording mutual assistance to each other, in "whatever country, when the 

 signs are once given. Notwitlistanding the dangerous nature of the San hb 

 htiouy, the members swear, at their initiation, to be fiHal and fraternal and 

 benevolent, which corresponds to the engagement of the Free-masons, to 

 philanthropy and the social virtues. 



3. In the ceremonies of initiation, e.g. the oath, and the solemnity of its 

 administration, in the arch of steel and bridge of swords. These are so sin- 

 gularly striking, that they merit the attention of those especially who think 

 Free-masonry a beneficial institution, or who deem its history worthy of 

 investigation. 



4. May not the three ruling brethren of the San ho hxvuy be considered as 

 having a resemblance to the three masonic orders of apprentice, fellow- 

 craft, and master? 



5. The signs, particularly " the motions ivith the fingers," in as far as they 

 are known or conjectured, seem to have some resemblance. 



6. Some have affirmed that the grand secret of Free-masonry consists in 

 the words " Liberty and Equality ;" and if so, certainly the term * Heung I'e, 

 (i.e. " brethren ") of the San ho hwuy may, without the least force, be ex- 

 plained as implying exactly the same ideas. 



Whether there exist any thing in the shape of " Lodges " in the San hb 

 hwuy, or not, the writer has no means of ascertaining ; but he believes the 

 Chinese law is so rigorous against this body, as to admit of none.t Nor does 

 there appear to be a partiality among the members for the masonic employ- 

 ment. Building does not appear to be an object with them, at least not in 

 as far as can be discovered. 



* See Plate II, No. 4. 



f To belong to this Society is, in China, a capital crime. 



The late Dr. Milne sent these notices of this Triad Society to China, for further investigation, 

 in July, 1821, and died on the 2d of June, 1822 : and hence the paper was left in its present 

 unfinished state. — Note by Dr. Morrison. 



