The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-22

At the late anniversary celebration Of the
Masons Of Austin, Nevada, the orator of the day
thus discoursed upon this vexed question:
Woman sometimes complains that she ia not
permitted to enter our lodges and work with the
craft In their abors. 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 be was in some doubt about
creating Eve. The creation OF every living and
creeping thing had been accomplished, and the
Almighty had created Adam who was the first
Mason), and created for him the finest lodge in
the world, and called it Paradise No. /. 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 a piece Of work he had to do alone. so
that no confusion might thereafter arise from Eve,
who He knew would make trouble If she was al
lowed 10 participate in it, If He created her be-
forehaDd.
Adam being very much fatigued with the Ia
bors Of bis 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-
struciio1s from the Grand Master in the east,
which being finished, she Immediately called the
craft from labor to refreshment. Instead OF at
tending 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 foot
steps Of the Grand Master, he suddenly took his
leave, telling Eve to go to making aprons, she
snd Adam were not in proper regaia. She went
and told Adam, and when the Grand Master re-
turned to the lodge he found his gayel had been
stolen.
He called for the senior and junior wardeus.
who had neglected to guard the door, and found
them absent. After searching some time he came
TO where they were bid. and demanded OF Adam
what be was doing there, instead of his occupying
his official station. Adam replied that he was
craft from refreshment to labor again, and that
the craft was not properly clothed, which they
were making provisions for. Turning to Eve he
unoficial and unmesonIike conduct. She replied
that a fellow passing himself off as a grand lee
turer 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 the
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 whom he had expelled. the Grand
Master closed the lodge, and turning them out set
a faithful tyler TO guard the door with Attaining
sword. Adam. repenting Of his folly. went to
work like a man and good Mason, in order to
get reinstafed again. Not so with Eve; she got
angry about it and commenced raising Cain.
Adam, on account of his reformation, was
permitted 10 establish lodges and work 10
the lower degrees; and, while Eve was al
lowed to Join him in the works Of charity outside,
che was never again TO be admitted to assist ia the
regular work of the craft. Hence the reason why
woman cannot become an inside Mason.
Merton Ala) Commonwealth