of pure water, sprinkles the altar at the four points of the compass, to cleanse the offerings from all impurity. After this, the Master takes out the five stalks of grass, and lighting them as (incense-sticks) replaces each with a profound obeisance, in the "Precious Censer" before the Tablet of the "Five Ancestors."
This being done, he lights 15 incense-sticks, and holding them between his outstretched palms, kneels down, making the following invocation to the Chinese Pantheon, and knocking his head on the ground at the mention of the names of the most august deities or spirits.
"At this moment, being the———hour, of the ——— day, of the———moon of the Cyclical year,———, I ———, open this our———Lodge, of the Ghee Hin Society, established in———Street, in the British country of Singapore, for the purpose of expelling the 'Cheng' and of re-establishing the 'Beng' dynasty,—humbly imploring Heaven that its intentions may flow in unison with our own."
"In the 'pear garden' of the———Lodge, of the Ghee Hin Society of Singapore, our leader will this night bring new brethren to receive the commands of Heaven, and with iron livers and copper galls, to unite themselves in an oath by the mixing of blood, in imitation of the ancient worthies Lau, Koan, and Tiuⁿ."
"We are all agreed with our whole hearts, to obey Heaven and walk righteously, and to use our utmost exertions, to restore our native hills and rivers to the 'Beng' dynasty, that its heir may sit on the Imperial Thone, for ever and ever."
The Buddhist and Tauist Gods, angels, and spirits, with the five Ancestors, the five Tiger Generals, and the four ancient worthies, are theu invoked to descend, at such a monotonous length, that I must refer the reader again to M. Schlegel's book for a minute account.
The invocation concludes as follows:—
"This night we pledge that the brethren in the whole universe, shall be as from one womb, as begotten by one Father, and nourished by one Mother; that we will obey Heaven and work righteousness;—that our faithful hearts shall never change. If august Heaven grants that the 'Beng' be restored, then happiness will return to our land."
After this, the Sien-Seng pours out libations of tea and wine, and sacrifices to the Standard; this being done, he
