, 1864-01-09

it IS peculiarly unfortunate both for them
selves and for Masonry that such men should
ever become Masons
To be Mason, in the true sense Of the
word, is to be all, morally, that God intend
ed man should be; and though this may ap-
pear a sweeping assertion, yet he who care
fully and thoroughly studies the teachings
Of the order-who familiarizes his mind with
its truths and precepts, cannot fail to ac-
knowledge its justice That all men are
not SO, fraakly admit; that the superlatiye
degree or standard Of excellence is rarely at
tanned or seen, freely own that exceptions
exist where the very reverse would seem to
be indicated, is an undeniabe and lamenta-
bic fact. But all this is no argument
against Masonry
An objection is frequently raised by the
ignorant, that Masonry is a secret political
institution-that it influences or controls
men in the right of suffrage, and requires
Masons to support for Office, simply because
they are MasOns, men whom under other
circumstances they would not willingly en-
dOrse. There exists no greater error than
this unfounded belief, and | need only men,
ton one fact, which must present itself to
every one as such, to show how utterly un-
tenable is this political objection 1 tell
you in all truth, that no part of Mason's
duties or obligations interferes in any de-
gree with his civil, religious or political
opinions, be they what they may, and every
candidate is SO informed before he assumes
those obligations, and always governs him
self by that assurance; and this fact alone
precludes the possibility of political issues,
and is one Of the great bulwarks of the in
stitutiOn, for were political or even religious
discussions or agitations tolerated, or per-
mitted within our portals, antipathies and
arrangements would ensue, fraternal fellow
ship would be weakened, brotherly love ex-
tlnguished, sectionalism and intolerance
would creep in, Harmony-our boasted
strength-would be violently displaced by
bitterness, rancor, and strife, the dismem-
berment, destruction and utter annihilation
Of the institution would be the legitimate
and inevitable result Hence, from this
fact alone, the reflective mind should at once
discover that Masonry has no relationship or
connection with either politics or religion,
but leaves every Mason to form his own
opinions and be governed entirely by his
own convictions of right.
I will briefly notice one more objection
apainst the order, and though rarely raised,
1T Is mUsU HequehUy uOHe W uIdsUiis wives.
1t is quite natural for the wife to think, or
even say, am entitled to the unreservcd
confidence Of my husband, to know and keep
his secrets, to rejoice with him in his pros
perity, to sympathize in his adversely, to
bear the yoke and burden equally with him,
and to share with him at least all that which
is good, and which conduces to his enjoy
ment. Now, anything which operates as a
barrier to unrestricted confidence, necessa-
rily diminishes the strength Of love, and,
by this masonic secresy am deprived Of
my natural rights, and my husband places
more confidence in his brother masons than
in his own wife. Pretty strong assump-
tions, these, if true, but let US meet the
question squarey upon its merits, and see if
it stands the test of investigation by the
light Of reason.
Masonry originally was purely operative
in its character, and only perfect men were
physically able or naturally qualified to share
or perform its labors. No woman would
ever desire to assume the position of an ope-
ratiye mason, to swing the heavy hammer and
break off the rough parts Of stones-to soil
her fair hands with cement or mortar in ad-
justing each heavy ashlar to its appropriate
place in the building because nature, habit
and inclination have designated for and es-
tablshed her in other spheres and occupa-
tons, more congenial to her tastes and more
adapted to her capacities This proposition
admitted, let us 90 a step further. Masonry
has gradually changed from an operative to
speculative character; from being school Of
instruction in arts Of Geometry, Architect
ure and manual labor as required in archi-
lecture, Combined with wholesome moral
instructions for the government Of the craft
it has become a school of Speculative Phil
osophy, humanity, and morality theoretical
and practical Instead of the physical labors
of rearing temples and stately edifces we
have now the mental and moral labor Of learn
ing to subdue the passions, to act within the
pale and precepts Of morality and thus erect
our spiritual buildings agreeable to the plans
laid down by the Supreme Architect Of the
universe in the great book Of Revelation.-
But, though somewhat changed in character,
all the essential features are still strictly OBJ
served nor can they ever be changed. The
physical requirements remain the same, and
no man who is deformed or manned can be
admitted to be made mason; hence woman
may discover that from the natural character
and necessary arrangement of the institution
she is not naturally qualified nor would she
wish to share in its mystic labors and du-
ties.
Now, what is this fearful secresy, about
which so much is said 1t is simply the
keeping of our family matters within our
own domestic circle; simply Withholding
from the world knowledge Of those tests
or modes of communication by which we are
enabled to recognize a brother, and prevent
imposition by those who are not Of our own
masonic family. These points constitute the
sum total of our seeresy, and surely no lady
would, knowing this, feel willing to ask to
become the repository Of secrets which could
neither do her any possible manner Of good
or harm. All ladies will at once admit that
in every Masonic Lodge there are some mem
bers who are devotely attached to their wives,