Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-11
Why Cannot a Woman Become
Mason?

At the late anniversary celebration of
the Masops of Austin, Nevada, the orator
of the day thus discoursed upon this
much vexed question:
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 in,
stitution. We will explain the reason
We learn that before the Almighty had
finished His work, He was in some doubt
about creating Eve. The creation of
every living and creeping thing had been
accomplished, and the Almighty had
made Adam (who was the first Mason)
and erected for him the first lodge in the
world, and called it Paradise No. /. He
then caused all the beasts of the field and
fowls of the field to pass before Adam for
him to name them, which was piece of
work he had to do alone, so that no con-
fusion might hereafter arise from Eve,
whom He knew would make trouble if
she was allowed to participate in it, if
He created her beforehand.
Adam being very much fatigued with
the labors of his first task, fell into a
deep sleep, 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 instructions from the Grand Master
in the East, which, when finished, she i'm
mediately called the craft from labor to
refreshment. Instead of attending to the
duties of her Office as she ought, she left
her station, violated her obligation, and
let in an expelled Mason, who had no
business 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 absent. After
searching some time, he came to where
they were hid, and demanded of Adam
what he was doing there, instead of oc-
cupying his official station. Adam re-
piled he was waiting for Eve to call the
craft fom 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 unmasonic conduct. She replied that
a fellow, passing himself off as Grand
Lecturer. had been giving her Instructions,
and she thought it was no harm to learn
them. The Grand Master thereupon
asked her what had become of his gavel !;
she said she didn't know. unless that fel-
low had carried it away.
Finding that Eve was no longer trust
worthy, and that she had caused sdam
to neglect his duty, and had let in one
who had been expelled, the Grand Master
had closed the lodge, and turning them
out, set faithful Tyler to guard the door
with flaming sword. Adam repenting
of his folly, went to work like man and
good Mason, in order to get reinstated
again. Not so with Eve; she got angry
about it and commenced raising Cain.
Adam, on account of his reformation, was
permitted to establish lodges and work
in the lower degrees; and while Eve was
allowed to join him in works Of charity
outside, she was never again to be ad-
mitted to assist in the regular work of
the craft. Hence the reason why woman
cannot become an inside Mason.