Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-08-15
Why Cannot a Woman be a
Mason?

"A
tin, Nevada, on the 24th ult., Major
Sherman delivered the address
abounding in wit and humor clustered
around eloquent gems OF Masonic
history. AS specimen of the hu.
NOR we quote the solution of the
. above query as reported in the Rev-
ellie. 1t will be duly appreciated,
we hope, by the ladies';
"Woman sometimes complains that
she is not permitted to enter our
lodges and work with the craft in
their labors, and learn all there is to
be learned in the institution. We
; will explain the reason. We learn
that before the Almighty had. finished
his work, that he was in some doubt
about creating Eve The creation
of every living and creeping thing
had been accomplished, and the AL
mighty had made Adam, (who was
the first Mason, and created for him
the finest lodge in the world, and
called 1t Paradise No l. He then
caused all the beasts of the field, and
the fowls of the air to pass before
Adam for him to name them, which
was piece of work he had to do
alone, so that no confusion might
thereafter arise when Eve was crea-
ted, whom he knew would make
trouble if she was allowed to partic-
ipate in it, if he created her before
hand. Adam being very much IA
tigued with the labors Of the first
task fell asleep, and when he awoke
he found Eve in the lodge with him.
Adam being Senior Warden placed
Eve, as the pillar of beauty, in the
south, and they received their in
structions from the Grand Master in
the East, which. when finished, she
Immediately called the craft from Ia
ber to refreshment. Instead of at
tending to the duties of the Office,
as she ought, she left her station, vi
olated her obligation, and let in an
expelled Mason, who had no busi-
ness there, and went around with
him, leaving Adam to look after
the jewels. This fellow had been
expelled from the Grand Lodge with
several others some time before
But hearing the footsteps of the
Grand Master, he suddenly took his
leave, telling Eve to go to making
aprons, as she and Adam were not
in proper regalia. She went and
told Adam, and when the Grand |
Master returned to the lodge He
found his gavel had been stolen
He called for the Senior and Junior
Wardens, who had neglected to
guard the door, and found them alb
sent. After searching some time he
came to where they were hid, and
demanded of Adam what he was do
ing there, instead of occupying his
official station. Adam replied, he
was waiting for Eve to call the craft
from refreshment to labor again, and
that the craft was not properly
clothed, which they were making
provisions for Turning to Eve he
asked her what she had to offer in
excuse for her unofficial and un-
masonic conduct. She replied that
afellow passing himself of as Grsnd
Lecturer, had been giving her in
structions, and she thought it was no
harm to learn them. The Grand
Master then asked her what had be-
come of his gavel; she said she didn't
know, unless that fellow had taken
it away. Finding that Eve was no
longer trustworthy, and that she had
caused Adam to neglect his duty,
and had let in one whom he had ex-
PEELED, the Grand Master closed the
lodge, and turning them out, set
faithful tyler to guard the door with
a flaming sword Adam repenting
of his folly, went to work like man
and a good Mason, in order to get
reinstated again. Not so with Eve,
she got angry about it and com
menced raising Cain. Adam, on ac- {
count of his reformation, was per
mitted to establish lodges and work !
in the lower degrees; and while Eve !
was allowed to join him in acts of {
charity outside, she was never again {
to be admitted to assist in the regu- I
lar lodge work of the craft. Hence
the reason why woman can not be- /
come an inside Mason.