4 CHINESE SEDRET SOCIETIES. 



the East Gate of which, Go-Kim-lai, (31) and Go-Hoan-ji (32) 

 are the guardians. Practically, there is only one Gate repre- 

 sented in the Singapore Lodges, but theoretically, the city 

 has a Gate at each point of the compass, guarded respectively 

 by the ancient heroes,* Han-peng, (33) Han-Hok, (34) Te r - 

 Chhan (35) and Li-chhang-kok, (36) whose flags adorn the 

 City walls. 



The couplet on the East Gate is, 



" At the command of the General, the gate opens and myriads stream 

 forth. 



The awe-inspiring " Ang" heroes, guard the entrance to the " "Wil- 

 low City." 



Also the following. 



" To the East, in the wood, it is difficult to walk quickly. 



" The sun appearing above the hills, rises from the Eastern Ocean. 



On the West Gate. 



" In the metal road of the West, one must be careful. 

 " But of the two paths, the Western is more clear. 



On the South Gate. 



" The fiery South Road, is exceedingly hot. 



Chang-Chiu, Ohuan-Chiu, and Yen-ping,§ extend their protection as 

 far as the Southern Capital. 



The couplet of the North Gate f is, 



" The Northern waters are deep and hard to cross. 



In Yun-nan and Sze-Chuan there is a way by which we can pass." 



Entering the East Gate of the "City of , Willows," we 

 come to the " Eed flowery Pavilion, 5 '(3 7) before which Chiang 

 Kiet-hin (38) dispenses the purifying waters of the Sain- 

 Ho, (39) or three Rivers, to the new members. 



Above the Pavilion is the Grand Altar, (40) with the pul- 

 pit of the Sien-Seng, or Master of the Lodge ; and on the 

 East side, is the "Circle of Heaven and Earth," (41) with 

 its couplet. 



" Agitate Heaven and Earth, and reform the world. 



"Let the " Beng" triumph, and let righteousness obtain through - 

 uot the Empire. 



* See " Hung League" p. 21. 

 § Prefectures of Hok-Kien, 



f According to Chinese ideas the 4 cardinal points and the centre repre- 

 sent the 5 elements, viz : E. wood, W. metal, S. fire, N, water, centre, earth. 



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