Written by
Richard
Del Connor
First
novel
of a 3-book series
about European Freemasonry
and
Shaolin Kung Fu
in China
During World War II
Raves for Richard Del Connor's
Masonic Kung Fu BOOK 1
"That's
a really good book dad. Very exciting." -
--Rory
O'Connor (age 13), Montrose, California.
"You're the
first one to discover this?"
--Alan Casalou, Grand Secretary
of California Masons
"What a
treasure you have discovered."
--Don Heller, Tujunga Masonic
Lodge, California
4 DECADES OF LOVE
AUTUMN FLAVOURS
BUDDHA KUNG FU STUDENT MANUAL
CONNOR BLACK HOLE BUBBLE THEORY
COYOTE IN A GRAVEYARD
HISTORY OF ZEN FROM A TO Z
HUMAN VALUES FOR SUCCESS IN FAMILY & BUSINESS
KUNG FU COWBOY ORIGINAL DRAFT
LOVE, ALWAYS & FOREVER!
THE POTATOE VALENTINE & OTHER LOVE POEMS
RAINBOW IN THE SHADE
SEASON OF FOURS
SHAOLIN GONGFU INITIATE
SHAOLIN KUNG FU BEGINNER
SHAOLIN KUNG FU INTERMEDIATE
SID'S PLACE
SPRING FEVERS
SUMMER FOREVERS
TAI CHI BEGINNER
TAI CHI INTERMEDIATE
UTAH - PHASE 1
WINTER FLOWERS
ZEN SPIRIT BOOK
MASONIC KUNG FU BOOK 1
Richard Del Connor is the author of Buddha Kung Fu Student Manual, used to launch in 2008 his Buddha Kung Fu schools which use this PDF book to interact with the hundreds of webpages at www.BuddhaKungFu.com and www.ShaolinChiMantis.com
Richard is the author of many poetry books since 1974's release of Autumn Flavours. This poetry book launched the poetry book series, Season Of Fours.
Richard Del Connor became The Coyote in 1984 while performing his rock opera, Coyote In A Graveyard, in Los Angeles. The first American Zen album, LEVEL 1 = Peace Of Mind, was released under the producer name of Richard O'Connor.
Later albums and poetry books by American Zen were released under the pseudonym, The Hippy Coyote.
Richard has completed two decades of child raising and is looking forward to world travel and television appearances.
RichardDelConnor.com
First
novel
of a 3-book series
about European Freemasonry
and
Shaolin Kung Fu
in China
before World War II
by Richard Del
Connor, "Buddha Zhen"
(Zhen
Shen-Lang, Spirit Wolf of Truth)
Founder of Shaolin Chi
Mantis and Buddha Kung Fu schools.
Author of Buddha Kung Fu
Student Manual and Tai Chi Beginner.
Masonic Kung Fu -
Book 1
by Richard Del Connor
Published by Shaolin Communications
818-723-2769
publisher@shaolinCOMMUNICATIONS.com
© Copyright 2012
shaolinMUSIC.com
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts of this book, may not be
reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher,
Shaolin Communications.
Edited and typeset by
Richard Del Connor.
First edition released June 9, 2012.
THIS
book is the First Edition Release by Shaolin Communications.
Smashwords Edition
Author: Richard
Del Connor
Chinese name: Zhen, Shen-Lang "Buddha
Zhen"
English translation: Spirit Wolf of Truth
Richard Del Connor is a
master mason of Panamericana Lodge 513. No part of this book was
intended to reveal any of the "secrets" of modern
Freemasonry. The author hopes that by creating this dramatic
interest in masonic rituals, ceremonies, and symbols that more men
will realize the inspirations and rewards of masonry. Richard has
created two versions of this "Masonic Kung Fu"
Kung Fu form:
---one for public viewing, that does not pause for
the "secrets,"
---and another performance version of the
"Masonic Kung Fu" for master masons only.
Buddha Zhen has been teaching Shaolin Kung Fu since 1984. He learned this Kung Fu form, "Ling Po," ("Lian Bu" = mandarin Chinese) first from Dr. Kam Yuen in 1981, and later from Dr Yuen's Shifu, Grandmaster Wong Jack Man, in 1997. The videotape produced by Shaolin Chi Mantis in 1994, "12 Lessons of Ling Po," teaches the Tai Mantis version of this Masonic Kung Fu. Currently, Buddha Zhen teaches only the official Chinese Jing Mo Association version of this form.
Freemason Lodges can book performances and seminars from Richard Del Connor at 818-723-2769.
Instructional videos to learn Lian Bu will be available at www.shaolinINTERACTIVE.com
BOOK 1 of a 3-book series.
FICTION
First Edition Release June 9, 2012
Smashwords e-book ISBN: 978-1-57551-354-6
8 7 6 5 4 3 2
This BOOK 1 is completely fictional with no persons living or not living depicted or represented in the story.
For updates and information about "Masonic Kung Fu," visit www.RichardDelConnor.com "Project 14"
Table of Contents
Dedicated
to all Kung Fu artists who
seek to be better persons
and all Freemasons who seek a healthy
and charitable life.
Thank
you
to Dr. Kam Yuen, Shifu Scott Stamps, and
Grandmaster Wong Jack Man
for teaching me this Kung Fu.
Masonic
Kung Fu BOOK 1
by Richard Del Connor
About
the Author:
Richard Del Connor has been teaching Shaolin Kung Fu since 1984.
In 1992 Richard founded the Shaolin Chi Mantis Traditional Buddhist Gongfu schools.
In 1996 Master Zhen founded the Tai Chi Youth nonprofit education organization.
In 1998 Zhen Shen-Lang founded the Shaolin Zen sect of Chan Buddhism.
In 2008 Buddha Zhen founded the Buddha Kung Fu schools.
In 2010 Coyote shaved his head--for the third time--to become the Hippie Buddha?
For more information about Buddha Zhen: (Kung Fu and Tai Chi Master, Buddhist Scientist)
For more information about Richard Del Connor: (Author, poet, record producer)
For more information about books and products released by Shaolin Communications:
I discovered the "Masonic Kung Fu," on June 9, 2009, while practicing for my 3rd Degree proficiency of Freemasonry.
Ironically, the masonic lodge I joined was closed down the month after they accepted me as an initiate. However, I still had not officially been initiated, before they were shut down. So I was a "candidate Mason," without a lodge, not officially initiated.
I studied the pamphlets and Cipher almost every day during the last months of 2006, but it wasn't until months later in 2007 that another Mason lodge performed a "courtesy degree," for me, so I could officially be a Mason, or "Freemason." At the end of the initiation, the new mason signs his name in the lodge's Bylaws and is duly registered as a mason of that lodge. However, even after my initiation. performed by the Magnolia Park Lodge 618, the lodge that had accepted my application, Cahuenga-LaBrea Lodge 513, did not exist--or was not allowed to exist, so my name was not entered into any lodge's register.
This made me a mason without a lodge.
The next two years were spent attending weekly dinners, and some First Degree meetings and initiations of the Burbank 406 Masonic Lodge. I was such a regular attendee that most of the members of Burbank 406 thought I was a member of their lodge.
The master of the lodge, knew I was a floating member, and prioritized me after all the official members of the lodge. Each year, a new master is elected to be King Solomon and run the lodge for that year. My regular attendance to dinners, functions, and stopping by on Thursdays before their meetings, which I could not attend--endeared me to some of the masons of the Burbank 406 lodge. I think that their support enabled me to receive my 1st Degree Proficiency on June 20th, 2008, more than a year after being initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason.
This "proficiency test" is required after each masonic degree to prove you are ready and capable of accepting your next degree up the ladder of Masonic development. Performing the degree ceremonies, and training the candidates for their proficiencies is a lot of work involving a half dozen to a dozen masons. Even during these years of low enrollment in masonry, it is a lot of work to perform three degrees per month, and have a "stated meeting" like any nonprofit board of trustees does.
I received my 2nd Degree in masonry, July 17, 2008, at Burbank 406 lodge. Although there is a lot of information about Freemasonry on the internet, including all the "secrets," I didn't want to interrupt the intended flow of dramatic events and spiritual enlightenment by reading or even seeing pictures of the rituals. I sought to immerse myself in masonry and grow accordingly, mentally and spiritually. So, I was surprised, and unaware of what happened to me, and what was about to happen to me during the rituals and ceremonies. This darkness and ignorance forced my mind to "accept" or "rebel" from my helplessness. I strove to trust my fellow masons. I knew they had endured whatever I had to endure, and I strove to believe in the masonic ideals--before I knew what all of them were. Faith requires effort.
When I and three other "fellowcraft masons," entered the lodge to take our 2nd Degree Proficiency, we were nervous. We had to perform for a couple dozen Master Masons, and would either pass or fail. There is no grading in these tests.
The mason next to me, Jorge, was from Mexico and didn't speak English as well as he wanted to. This made him more nervous than the rest of us. As a friendly gesture, I offered to go first, so he could benefit from my performance before delivering his own. He was appreciative, and we are still friends to this day, and despite his moving back to Mexico, we talk on the phone and email each other regularly.
Another fellowcraft mason taking his 2nd degree proficiency, was a professional actor. After hearing and watching his performance of the test, I realized the beauty and artistic complexity that masonry contained, like a Shakespeare stage play. He was a pleasure to behold. I did really good, with just a couple little flubs, that a couple masons pointed out later. But I passed with flying colors and earned a reputation as a future officer of the lodge with my radio announcer style voice.
The 3rd Degree ceremony of masonry is the biggest, longest, and requires more supporting actors than the other degrees. During the past few years, my original lodge of Cahuenga-LaBrea 513 was absorbed into another lodge, newly formed called, Panamericana 513. (They took the number, but not the name of my former lodge.) By default I was to be a member of Panamericana 513, but they were formed to be a Spanish speaking lodge, and were adamant about using as little English as possible in the ceremonies, and even their monthly board of trustees "stated meetings." were conducted in Espanol. I don't speak Spanish.
Burbank 406 had adopted me. 406 performed my 2nd degree and 3rd degree ceremonies. I went to one of the Panamericana meetings to meet my default fellow lodge members. I knew a couple from the Cahuenga-LaBrea meetings I had attended, before its charter was pulled, but wasn't received very enthusiastically by the Spanish speaking members. They were mostly immigrants from South America and Central America, so my chest length hair probably didn't help my being befriended. I am also known as, "The Hippy Coyote," of American Zen. My albums are produced by me as Richard Del Connor, and released by ShaolinRecords.com
I spoke with the Secretary, Chaplain, and Master of Burbank Lodge and they offered to accept me formally into 406. This would involve another limbo move for me though. Before they could officially accept me into their lodge, I would have to formally resign or quit Panamericana 513, which I was now listed as a member of by the Grand Lodge of California Masons, who oversee all the mason lodges in California. There is no USA Grand Lodge. Each state of the USA has its own Grand Lodge, and can alter their ceremonies and rituals as they see fit. Of course, all American lodges work from the oldest established rituals that were officially declared during 1717 in England. This created the uniformity that exists today in "speculative masonry," worldwide, "with exceptions."
However, at that moment when I was removed from Panamericana 513, I would be a Master Mason without any lodge. A rogue. A ronin. I would then have to apply, like anyone, to be accepted into another masonic lodge. That shouldn't be a big deal, but it only takes one member of the lodge to "black ball" someone from membership and the lodge. Every member present at that meeting must vote, and they must vote unanimously to accept any new member.
Once you are denied membership in a lodge, you can try again, a month later. Masons believe that "harmony" is vital, and accordingly seek harmony in their lodge, by not combining people who don't like each other.
Although I thought I was a friend of every mason in Burbank 406, one mason was noticeably concerned about my poverty. Normally, the steak dinners cost $10, before the meetings. A good deal, but at that time--more than I could afford. So I especially enjoyed a "free" steak dinner. But this caused some irritation among paying members, so I was told by the secretary of the lodge, "no more free dinners." He was nice enough and said I could even attend the dinners, "just don't eat."
Having been studying Masonry for several years now, I was impressed with the ideals of charity and helping masonic brothers in need or poverty. Slogans are memorized about helping those in need--but masons don't pressure or urge each other to help or give much. I came to understand why "charity" is the highest ideal of a master mason--it's the hardest thing to teach or expect from anyone.
I had to panhandle gas money to attend some of the meetings, but continued persistently and consistently, at great expense to me, to drive around the mountain to the Burbank lodge each week. An upcoming Master of Lodge 406, who had some artistic ambitions and qualities of his own, whispered to me that he would help me get my 3rd Degree Ceremony when he became master of the lodge. He kept his word and scheduled my 3rd Degree ceremony as one of the first of his year-long reign. "Thank you worshipful."
I received my 3rd degree ritual on February 12, 2009. I was still planning to resign my membership in Panamericana 513, and apply for membership in Burbank 406 at this time. I was slightly apprehensive though, because one of the members of 406 had warned me that I should wait to join their lodge when I was financially stable. He didn't want me to be, "a drain on the lodge's resources." This concerned me. His negative vote would completely prevent me from being able to join Burbank 406. If that happened, I would be a mason without any lodge at all. Worse yet, once you are black-balled, you have to let each lodge you apply for know that fact...
That night when I was waiting to receive my 3rd Degree ritual ceremony at Burbank 406, more than a dozen Spanish speaking masons arrived to observe my ceremony. I recognized a couple of them, and recognized a few from Cahuenga-LaBrea, and was told that the other members were my Panamericana lodge brothers. I was slightly shocked and overwhelmed to discover I had a masonic family. I had brethren who were concerned about me. I had a masonry family after all.
I was moved by their support, and after the degree, told the Chaplain and Master of Burbank 406 that I wasn't sure whether to quit my lodge now, after they'd come out to support me. Secretly, I was also relieved to not go through the limbo process of quitting one lodge and hoping to be accepted by another lodge.
Perhaps this worked out better, at least in the short run. Unlike Burbank 406, the Latin lodge was less structured and less formal. The master of the lodge, Louie Bizarro, was very appreciative of my artistic talents. He appointed me to be the "Organist of Panamericana 513." He knew the organ was broken, but had heard me play guitar, so I was the guitaristo of the lodge. So far, I haven't heard of any other California lodge with a guitarist-organist. I performed ceremonies, rituals, and meetings playing my Alvarez acoustic guitar in the background. Despite this being a Spanish lodge, there were some members reluctant to allow or encourage me to play my guitar. They didn't want me overwhelming the rituals, distracting the audience, or making it difficult to hear what people were saying.
So I worked hard to play in the background, like a soundtrack to a movie, that adds to the drama, but doesn't call attention to itself. Then, there were times when the room and rituals had to be reorganized, like changing the set on stage of a play. During these "intermissions" I would perform more boldly and entertain the brethren. I probably couldn't have expressed myself as much at Burbank 406. I also wrote the song, "Flintridge Fire," during those months. This is a Spanish classical style song, so the members accepted this music within many of their rituals. I later released a smaller "radio version" of this song called, "Cinco de Mayo," that is available at iTunes, amazon.com, and other internet music stores.
Masonry changed the shape and meaning of my rock'n'roll album being recorded in 2009 and 2010 under my band name of American Zen. This album took on the story of Hiram Abif, instead of being about me, and was released as, LEVEL 4 = Kung Fu Cowboy Part 1: King Solomon's Temple. The subsequent album was also recorded that year and almost finished. It will be LEVEL 4 = Kung Fu Cowboy Part 2: 3rd Degree Master Mason. The musical stories were inspired by this book being formulated in my mind and include the song, "Masonic Kung Fu." These may be the first rock'n'roll albums about Freemasonry ever recorded. 2009 was an amazing masonic year for me.
During 2009 my flute became the main attraction of lodge ceremonies. The simple melodies and long flowing notes added a Heavenly and serene mood to the lodge. I composed several musical phrases that represented different people or masonic positions of the lodge. As these functions were performed, I would use the same theme music for them. Several members could be seen smiling as they recognized their own unique song as they performed their ritual duties, like opening the Bible. Guests of our lodge would shake my hand after the meetings and congratulate me on adding a "spiritual dimension" to what can sometimes be demanding rituals--after you've seen and heard them year after year.
But the real inspiration for this book took place on June 9, 2009, as I was practicing my Kung Fu and also practicing daily for my "3rd Degree." The 3rd degree ceremony is an awesome event, but the "proficiency test" is where the expression, "Don't give me the 3rd degree," comes from. This is a 3/4 hour memorization test that requires months of study and practice.
Shaolin Kung Fu is primarily for practicing alone, whether it be a sword form, spear form, or open hand fighting form. Each form or martial arts dance, is encoded with many fighting techniques that are not noticeable to onlookers or the practitioner. A Shaolin Kung Fu master is required to unlock these fighting secrets and explain how a heel stance is a kick block, and by adding a grab the technique becomes a joint lock leg break...
I was practicing the Kung Fu Form, "Lian Bu," or "Ling Po," as it is referred to in the Cantonese dialect on that June day in 2009. While practicing my Kung Fu forms I speed them up, slow them down, do them hard style, do them soft style, sometimes practice them drunken style--looking, searching, and uncovering the "hidden lessons" of the Chinese Kung Fu dances. While breaking down the "Lian Bu" form, I noticed it started with the dugard and sign of a 1st degree mason. Then I realized a few moves further, the dugard and sign of the 2nd degree mason. I got goosebumps. Like Indiana Jones in an ancient cave or temple, I looked ahead more for clues and symbols. Sure enough, the 3rd degree dugard and sign appeared in the Kung Fu movements. This was amazing! A coincidence? As I spent many hours studying the movements, I realized that all the movements appertained to the degree preceding it. After the 1st degree secret hand signs there was the hammer, chisel, and 24 inch ruler (my arm held out level with fingers pointing upward). Then the requirements of being prepared for the 2nd degree, a framing square pressed into the...
The 2nd degree secret hand signs came next, then, "The Master's Secret," held up out of reach, tightly gripped in the Master Mason's fist. The next moves represented the preparation for the 3rd degree and had a symbolic enactment before the Kung Fu performer takes the position of receiving the 3rd Degree of masonry. Then, the dugard and sign of the 3rd degree. Wow!
I called the Grand Secretary of California and told him about my discovery. I called the Worshipful Master of the Burbank 406 lodge about my discovery...I called everyone I thought would be interested. Now what? I took it to my Panamericana Lodge and received permission from the Worshipful Master to perform my "Masonic Kung Fu" for the brethren. I performed it regular at first. I asked if anyone noticed any of the secret hand signs of masonry. No one did. Then I performed the "Lian Bu," form slower, pausing where the hand signs and punishment gestures were. I could hear the gasps and muttering. When I was done, I asked the brethren to take a vote, "Was this a Kung Fu Form with masonry encoded within it, or was it possibly a coincidence?" The master masons voted unanimously, that the "Lian Bu" Kung Fu form was encoded purposely with the secret symbols and signs of modern masonry.
Over the next few months, I decoded the rest of the form and realized that an entire third of the form was dedicated to telling the story of Hiram Abif being murdered in King Solomon's temple. You can find updates, and perhaps performance dates of myself at www.RichardDelConnor.com You'll notice a link on the left sidebar, "Masonic Kung Fu." I look forward to showing it to you.
As I researched the history of this Kung Fu form I discovered that it first appeared in 1938 and became a favorite of many martial artists of many martial art styles. This was very unusual. There is no sharing of dances between Kung Fu styles. Each style has it's own dances and unique manner of performing them. How did this Kung Fu form, "Lian Bu," cross over into so many Kung Fu styles? I even found it, with photos, in a Daoist martial arts book by a Chinese Hsing-I master published in the 1950s. Amazing!
Unfortunately, the Japanese did confiscate the Masonic lodge records in China during 1937 and 1938, making it more difficult to trace information. Also, Chinese were officially banned from masonic membership during those years. So this led me to consider that this Kung Fu form was created by an unofficial mason. It may be best to keep this fictional so that I don't get you into trouble. Since I am the first person to decode this Kung Fu form in the past 50 years, I'm not sure when it lost its' masonry coding, or if they ever intended for anyone to decode it after it was accepted into a Chinese government school in 1938.
I look forward to uncovering more facts, and perhaps offering the true story of this "Masonic Kung Fu." For now, I offer you this fictional version, that avoids using some of the facts I've collected so far, and adds many details of my own imagination and life.
I hope this book inspires more people to become masons, and inspires more people to study Kung Fu. Perhaps by combining this Kung Fu version of the masonic principles into the public's awareness, masonry can be seen as something vital and beneficial, in a new and exciting way.
Don't worry you brother masons out there. I've been very careful not to "reveal" the coded secrets to nonmasons. I blur through the secrets during my public performances, sometimes talking about the concepts of masonry, then elaborating move by move when I reach the story of Hiram Abif being murdered, explaining each movement and the persons involved in the masonic story. I verified with many master masons, and the Grand Secretary that these parts could be openly revealed to the public. Since I can only fully reveal this Masonic Kung Fu to master masons, I encourage lodges to contact me for performances in your lodges.
p.s. I hope this book becomes a movie.
Sincerely,
Richard Del Connor, Zhen Shen-Lang, "Buddha Zhen," Spirit Wolf of Truth
SPECIAL 2012 NOTE: My father anxiously gave me permission to sell a samurai sword he confiscated in probably either Iwo Jima or New Guinea during WWII. It turns out to be an ancient Japanese family heirloom sword made about 1830. Sadly, it may have committed many atrocities like those listed in this book or can be read about in another book, Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. So I'm not sure who would be more interested in it: a Chinese museum, Japanese museum, the Japanese family it came from, weapon collector... If you would like to view the sword and provide me any information about it, you can view it online at www.shaolinCOMMUNICATIONS.com/sword.html
Masonic
Kung Fu BOOK 1
by Richard Del Connor
Chapters
Freemason of Degrees
Of purpose and words
that lack a rhyme--
-we set the cornerstone.
The quarried soul
is the rougher rock
-chiseled by us alone.
With hammers that
were forged, of the sublime,
-the paper turns to etch--our glory
with our mind.
The fellowcraft of
burden, humbly does unfold--
--his mortal destiny:
Standing in
the stronger clock
--whose hands and arms are free.
Devoted
each day by degree, with trowel and secrets told,
--cleaning the
path of history--in lodges led to find.
Sectioned by the ruler
of our success, of our demise--
---builds faith in fellow
men.
Measured by the smoothness of the final given block
---God
discovers a mortal friend.
Advancing up the winding staircase,
where charity grows and flies,
---following the light held by, the
best of humankind.
Destiny Lodge
"Father Sebastian says they worship the devil."
"It's not true. They use the King James Bible in all their meetings," responded Chong Lin.
"You must stop spying on them," warned Shao Mei with her dark brown Chinese eyes that seemed much darker as they widened with serious concern, and a hint of fear.
"Maybe," shrugged Chong Lin, "but I don't think so."
"You said so yourself! They threaten those who reveal their secrets with death."
"So I won't reveal their secrets."
"You're revealing them to me!"
"Not really. I can't understand the Finland masons, but they have the same death penalty signs."
"See! You should stay away from them. They will kill you if they ever find out!"
"Somehow, I don't think they would. They seem nice enough."
Shao Mei shook in rage--attempting to blurt out something scolding and threatening--but then, relaxed and with a sadness in her eyes, "They are foreigners. All of them. The Irish. The Dutch. And especially the English. They don't belong in our country."
"Father Sebastian says they are here to help our country prosper," taunted Chong Lin.
"You know that's not true."
"Are you calling Father a liar?"
"They worship the devil."
"I told you, they don't worship the devil. They use the same bible that Father Sebastian uses."
"How do you know that?"
"I've seen it."
Shao Mei wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words to argue with him. "I don't believe you," was all she could muster.
Chong Lin smiled. "I'll show you."
Now Shao Mei truly looked frightened. "I would never--"
"I know when they have their meetings. It's empty most of the time." Chong Lin was trying to reassure her but he might as well have been trying to get her to go into a haunted house. At only 13 years old, ghosts can seem very real. These gigantic foreigners though, were even more frightening and threatening than any Chinese spirits they'd ever imagined.
"Hey, look they're leaving now," spouted Chong Lin as they turned to watch the dozen Englishmen walk out of the building next to Chong Lin's house.
"I'm not going in there!" stated Shao Mei.
"Of course not. But they'll all be on their boat tomorrow. They only come for their meetings at night."
"That one. That one with the grey coat--I've seen him come during the day."
"Yes. He's the secretary of the lodge."
"How do you know that?"
"I've heard them call him that, many times," Chong Lin said proudly. "See the large book he's carrying?"
Shao Mei nodded.
"That's where he writes down what happens at the meeting."
"You are really scaring me Lin. You shouldn't watch them anymore."
Chong Lin ignored her warning. "See that one with no hair on the top of his head? He's The Master of the lodge."
"Their Shifu?"
"No, not that kind of master. He's like the King. He rules the meetings and all the other masons bow to him."
"They kneel and bow?"
"No. Not like a Chinese bow. They have weird bows." Chong Lin thought for a moment. "They seem to have different salutes for different levels."
"Levels of what?"
"I'm not quite sure how to explain it--"
"Shush. One of them is coming our way."
"That's my friend, John Campbell." Turning to the approaching sailor in his dark blue uniform with large brass buttons, "Hello Mr. Campbell!"
John smiled as he walked up to pair of young teenagers. "Well hello little friends. Isn't it late for you to be out on the street?"
Shao Mei stepped behind Chong Lin with her shoulders hunched.
"My mother hasn't called me yet," replied Chong Lin. "How was your meeting?"
John smiled again before answering. "It was--" he thought for a moment, "It was nice."
"What do you do in your meetings?" asked Chong Lin, pretending to be naive. Shao Mei kicked him in the back of his thigh. It really hurt and his leg buckled slightly.
John didn't smile. His mouth tensed and twisted slightly to the right side as he struggled for an answer. "Well, we just get together a couple times each week. It's nice to get off the ship."
Shao Mei tugged at Chong's sleeve from behind.
"It seems your friend wants you to walk her home," John stated, hoping to change the subject.
"Oh she just lives--Ow!" She kicked him even harder this time.
John smiled again. "Never keep a girl waiting. In England that's rule number one." John relaxed and straightened up more. "It seems that's rule number one in China also."
"Okay, Mr Campbell. Bye."
"Bye," replied John as he watched them walk away with Shao Mei leading him by the sleeve.
When they were a few houses away, Shao Mei spoke, "What are you trying to do? You are going to get us both killed!"
"I told you, he's my friend."
"My father says none of these foreigners are our friend. You should stay away from them!"
Ignoring her comments, Chong Lin reminded, "I could show you their bible tomorrow, after school."
"I'm going to tell Father Sebastian."
"No you won't. And hey, he's a foreigner too!"
Shao Mei tightened her lips into a leathery knot--then huffed and walked ahead of Chong Lin.
"I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad--I'm--" Once again, she couldn't find the words to express her frustration, fear, and concern.
Chong Lin realized he'd better change the subject now. "I'll see you in the morning."
Shao Mei slowed so Chong Lin could catch up to her side. When he was beside her, she looked up at him, a few inches taller than her five foot height, and nodded. Then she ran across the street to her house. She didn't look back as she entered her home and closed the door.
* * *
Father Sebastian closed his book and sighed. The half dozen Chinese kids could now hear the fountain behind him, as the Father's reading of GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens was completed for today.
"Children? Do you have any questions about today's lessons?"
Chong Lin raised his hand. Shao Mei looked at him with that same concern she shared last night. "Father?"
"Yes Lin?"
"It sounds like the children in England are similar to the children of China."
"Yes Lin. Children are children everywhere in the world."
"But, in England, adults seem more lonely."
"What do you mean Lin?"
"Here in China, we look after our elders and parents. It seems that English families are less concerned about their parents."
"You must be referring to your Ancestral Worship. Before we brought Christianity to you, many Chinese prayed to the spirits of their ancestors."
That wasn't what Lin was referring to, but he let Father keep talking.
"Christians pray to Jesus Christ and his father, The Lord."
"They are a family too," quipped Lin, realizing he'd probably said something wrong--but realizing it after he'd spoken.
Father Sebastian almost reacted, thought, and commented, "Yes, we are all part of God's family. The Lord is a father to all of us."
"Then Jesus is my brother?" Lin flinched his face, realizing once again his mouth was betraying his better judgment.
"Well, in a way--"
Glad to see another hand raised, "Yes Shao Mei," Father said abruptly to interrupt himself.
"Father? are the English going to always be here in China?"
"I can't really answer that. I hope so."
"Don't you miss your homeland Father?" asked Shao Mei?
"Yes child, but God's work sent me here to you. As long as God sees fit for me to be here, I shall remain with you." Seeing Sister Evelyn approaching, Father Sebastian seized the opportunity to end the class. "Okay children. Sister Evelyn will take you for your afternoon prayers. Be good and go straight home from school."
"Yes Father," chanted all the kids.
Sister Evelyn sought some praise for the overworked priest. "Well Father," she congratulated, "thank you for your lesson today." Turning to the half-dozen kids, "Children, say 'thank you' to Father Sebastian."
"Thank you Father," they chanted, almost in unison.
"Come along children to the chapel."
Father Sebastian watched the small herd of kids walk away with Sister Evelyn. He was still trying to think of an answer to the question about how long the English would be in China.
* * *
As Shao Mei and Chong Lin walked home, she spoke up, "I thought you were going to ask Father Sebastian a question about the masons."
"No. Last time I asked him he got upset."
"Good. I wish you'd stop talking about them too."
Chong Lin tightened his lips not knowing what to say.
They continued walking in silence.
* * *
As Chong Lin sat in his room reading the Chinese comic book with Kung Fu fighters, he heard rustling in the mason lodge next door. Alone in his house, he didn't worry about being caught by his mother. First he walked to the wall and flipped the switch to turn out the light in his bedroom. He quietly walked in the darkness to the corner book case and moved the wooden box from the second shelf to the floor. He laid a cushion down and kneeled on it to peer through the book shelf where a crack in the boards gave him a view of the lodge's interior. The secretary of the lodge was seated at a desk near where the king of the lodge sat during meetings. The secretary was sorting some letters and writing in his book.
Lin could hear a knocking on the lodge front door and watched as the secretary got up and walked to answer it. A moment later he returned to his desk followed by a sailor in a very different uniform. This strange foreign sailor from another European country spoke in a language that Lin could not recognize or understand. The secretary seemed to understand it though and spoke in the same language with the sailor.
The foreign sailor handed a scroll to the secretary and a letter, both of which the secretary studied very thoroughly. They spoke some more and eventually shook hands. The sailor then handed the secretary an envelope before he walked out alone.
Lin watched the secretary open the envelope and count the money which he placed in a small metal box. After writing some more in his book, the secretary took out a key from his pocket, locked the metal box, and carried it to a closet, out of Lin's view, in a room behind the desk. Lin could hear a key unlock the cabinet, then relock it with the snap of a padlock after the metal box was slid onto a shelf.
Before the secretary returned to his desk, Lin picked up his own box and put it back onto the shelf, blocking the crack in the wall.
Lin's heart was pounding. Seeing them hide this money made him more nervous than watching their secret meetings at night.
* * *
The next day as Lin and Shao Mei walked to their Christian school, Lin decided not to say what he'd seen. He knew that if this made him nervous, it would certainly upset Shao Mei. She noticed Lin's quietness and asked him, "Are you alright Brother Lin?"
She only called him Brother Lin when she was being very Christian.
"I'm--" Now, oddly, Lin couldn't figure out what to say.
Shao Mei looked at Lin's troubled expression and allowed silence to dominate the remainder of their walk to school.
* * *
It was Tuesday night. The French masons held their meeting. Lin didn't bother to watch their meeting. He couldn't understand what they were saying. He could tell they were conducting a similar meeting, but their meetings were longer and had more marching around than the English. He read his comic book, again, for the fourth time this month.
* * *
On Wednesday night, there was usually no one in the lodge room next to Chong Lin's home. It used to be a book store, but the Yueh family moved back to the Henen province when their parents died. The masons rented the room from the Hong Association that owned many properties in the neighborhood. Lin's mother told him that the Hong Association was similar to the masons, and held their meetings in the big hall down the street where the old people played mahjong all day.
Tonight, there was a lot of noise next door. Lin decided he had to take a look. Moving his box off the shelf, he peered into the lodge to see about eight foreign sailors, dressed like the one he'd seen the other day, setting up their flag and putting the same bible out onto the platform in the middle of the room. It looked like the same bible the English used. The French brought their own book, that looked like a bible, so Lin didn't know for sure what it actually was.
Lin would later learn that these were Dutch sailors from a country called Holland. He realized they were masons also, but since he couldn't understand what they were saying, he decided to read his comic book instead of watching them.
* * *
On Thursday night, the English masons were back. Lin was anxious to watch their meeting. Last week they had been practicing for a "third degree." He'd seen them pretend to kill someone with a hammer. Then the mason pretending to be killed was dragged off in a blanket.
Lin watched the meeting begin, but was interrupted by a knock on his front door. He put the box back on the shelf and went to answer his front door.
Lin opened his front door to find Shao Mei looking up at him from the steps. "Hello Chong Lin Shan," she said sheepishly.
His mother called him "Chong Lin Shan" when he was in trouble. Lin didn't usually use his middle name of Shan.
"Please come inside," Lin told her, surprised to have her visiting tonight.
"Do you want some help with your English lesson?" Lin offered.
She shook her head side to side.
Puzzled, he asked, "Is everything alright?"
She blurted out, "I want to see the masons."
"Shssh." Lin hissed. "Are you serious?"
Shao Mei just looked at him.
"They're having a meeting tonight," he commented.
"I know. I saw them go into the bookstore."
"Are you sure you want to see them?" he asked with concern in his voice now.
"My father said that the only way we can defeat the foreigners is to know what they know."
Lin was surprised. "I don't think this will--" Then he stopped and realized she was probably right.
"I'm not sure if this is really going to be of any use to you. I've heard them say that women are not allowed in their meetings."
"Good. Then now I really want to know."
Lin was very surprised. Last week she was mortally afraid of the masons. Now she was stalking them like a tiger.
They both heard the wooden hammer pound three times to announce the beginning of their meeting.
"You have to be very quiet."
She nodded.
* * *
The next day, they walked to Christian school in silence. Not a normal silence, like two people who had argued. It was a silence more like at a funeral. Neither of them knew what to say about the mason meeting they watched last night. They both had questions. They both had answers. Too many answers. More answers than they'd planned to ever ask. They were both thinking about what they'd seen and were somehow in respectful awe. There was something inspirational they had learned, but they couldn't seem to make use of it or understand how to use the information. Like a child lighting a wooden match for the first time, they were mystified by the magic of what they saw, but did not comprehend how it came to be.
* * *
During the next week, they did not talk about the mason meeting, but Shao Mei made it known she would return to see another meeting.
When the Thursday meeting began the following week, Lin's mother was home sick. She couldn't work at the silk factory, and since she was home that night, Lin and Shao Mei went for a walk instead of watching the mason meeting.
Their was a nightclub at the end of the block, so it was normal to have some European sailors walking up and down the street at night. Tonight there were some Dutch sailors standing on the street near Lin's house. They made some comments about the kids as they walked by. Lin and Shao Mei could not understand what they were saying, but they knew it was disrespectful.