The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-07-13
M MIG.
why Cannot a Woman be n Mason ?


At the Masonic celebration in Austin,
Nevada, on the cath ult, Major Sher-
man delivered the address, Astounding in
wit and humor clustered around eloquent
gems of Masonic history. AS specimen
OF the humor we quote the solution of
the above query as reported in the ReU-
ellie. 1t will be duly appreciated, we
hope, by the ladies':
g 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 AL
mighty had finished his work, that he
was in some doubt about creating Eve.
The creation of every living and creep
ing thing had been accomplished, and
the Almighty had made Adam, (who was
the first Mason.) and created for him the
finest lodge in the world, and called it
Paradise No. 1. 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 created, whom he knew
would make trouble if she was allowed
to participate in it, if he created her be
forehand Adam being very much fa-
tigued with the labors OF his first task
fell asleep, and when he awoke he found
Eve in the lodge with him. Adam be
ing 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 Immediately called the craft
from labor to- refreshment. Instead of
l,r IVt IF 4,
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, tell
ing 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 Ward
ems, who had neglected TO guard the
door. and found them absent. After
searching some time he came to ' here
they were hid and demanded of Adam
what he was doing there, instead of oc
CuDl ing EbdllOn- Audlil re-
piled he was waiting for Eve to call the
craft from refreshment to labor again.
and that the craft was not properly
clothed, which they We're making provi-
sions for. Turning to Eve he asked her
what she had to offer in excuse for her
unofficial and unmasonic conduct. She
replied that fellow passing himself of
as "a Grand Lecturer, had been giving
her instructions, and she thought il was
no harm to learn them. The Grand
Master then asked her what had become
of his gavel she said she didn't know,
unless that fellow had taken it away
Finding that Eve was no longer trust
worthy, and that she had caused Adam
to neglect his duty, and had let in one
whom he had expelled, the Grand Mas
ter closed the lodge, and turning them
ont. 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 10 get reinstated
again. Not SO with Eve. she got angry
about il 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 acts of
charity outside, she was never again TO
be admitted to assist in the regular
lodge work of the craft. Hence tue rea-
son why woman can not become an inside
Mason,