Holly Springs gazette., 1843-06-30

whose repToof IS a smile: we might as wei.
ask why they are excluded from the sacred
desk of the ministers of Christ, why are
they not initiated in the mysteries of law.
and physic; the answer is the same, because
the labor is not suited to their station in life,
nor to the general tenor of their domestic oc-s
cupations; but to them are entrusted the
higher mysteries of our holy religion, and |
do believe that there is frequently erected in
The heart of woman, a holier' altar to the Sa-
viour Of the world, than is to be found any
where else or the earth, and though they
are forbidden by the precept OF our religion
to officiate at any of her altars, except Tie
one erected in her own breast, yet the IN
cense offered upon that mas been as humble,
as devoted, and as acceptable. as that which
has ascended from any alta: in this world ;
but have they ever breathed an audible CEN
sure or complaint at not sharing, or partici-
pating in our masonic rites and ceremonies,
no, for they have good sense and intelligence
enough to know that an institution which
has endured for SO many ages, and durin G
all that time for good, and never once for
evil, must have good and sufficient reasons
for excluding them, or they would long ere
this have been admitted and this objection
only proceeds from the designing who wish
10 arouse the feelings ofthe gentler sex a
gainst our fraternity but against this we
hove n enra dafapca IN the hosopo of evarI.
intelligent woman; she knows that she is
not rough and selfish like man, she is gentle,
| generous, atfectionate, charitable and hu-
name, as we'll as beautiful, she does not re-
her tender nature in subjection; her whole
/ duty of life, lies IN its tender charities, her
greatest happiness in promoting and witness
| ing the happiness of others it is her PRIDE
and her pleasure to lean for support upon
rugged man. and it is his duty to avail him
selfo every proper means within his power
the better to cherish. sustain, and support
her, and of all means adopted by man fol
the fuItherance of that object masonry claim:
to be the best, with what truth is best known
to the fraternity, and to those who have
come within the protecting pale of its infFu
ence.
But there are others again, tho set VI
for minute critics of the ancient usages 0
Free Masonry; they condemn our public
parades, our symbols and jewels of office
our public forms and ceremonies, as puerilt
and childish, and beneath the dignity o
men. The trainers Of this objection never
for moment, thought that this objection ap
plies equally as well to all that we hold beau
uful, imposing, OF sacred upon earth look
for instance, at the coronations of kings, The
consecTation OF ministers and churches the
installation of Presidents and Governors
and what are they apart from their meaning
as symboled by the forms and ceremonie:
used on such occasions, but the merest pue
riities and follies2 What, | would ask, i.
the marriage ceremony; what are the holy
sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Sup
per, seperate and apart from the meaning al
tached to them, but mere mumeIies. Thos,
who make this objection might, with tht
same propriety assert, that all forms and cere
monies whether sacred or divine, are bu
mere words; that words are but wind all toc
feeble instruments to fetter The Thoughts OF
actions of free and independent men; fol
these ancient symbols and jewels of our or
der, which seera so puerile and contemptbis
to their fastidous opposers, to The true ma
son are fraught with many moral and In
structive lessons; they remind him of the du
ties he owes to his God, to his neighbors, and
to himself; but more particularly do they re
mind bin of bis duties TO has brother masols
Take away its emblems and symbols, and the
meaning attached TO them. and masonry j:
nothing; for in truth, the very foundation o.
our institution is symbolical; every utensil
of work is an impressive emblem, and teach
es its moral lesson every ceremony aludes
to, and teaches some historical fact: every
Jewel is symbol of moral virtue; and eve.
Try external ornament and appendage worn
! by the craft is a silent and faithful prompter
tO.tlOSa virfflee rvbfob 81 L.