Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-03-15
WHY CANNOT a WOMAN BECOME

From the Marion (Ala.) Commonwealth.
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
is not permitted TO enter our lodges and
work with the craft in their labors and
learn all there il 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 ae-
complished, and the Almighty had created
Adam who was the first Mason and crea-
ted 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 10 pass before Adam for
him 10 name them, which was a piece of
work he had TO do alone, 80 that no con-
fusion might thereafter arise from Eve,
who He knew would make trouble IL she
was allowed 10 participate in it, If He crea-
ted her beforehand.
Adam being very much fatigued with
the labors Of his first task fell asleep, and
when he awoke he found Eve Ia the lodge
with him. Adam, being Senior Warden,
placed Eve as the pillar of beauty in the
South, Snd they received their instructions
from the Grand Master in the east, which
being finished, she Immediately called the
craft from labor 10 refreshment. Instead
Of attending to the duties of her Office as
she onght, 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 ex-
PEELED 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 she and Adam were not in proper
regalia. She went and told Adam, and
when the Grand Master returned 10 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 fodnd them absent After search
ing some time he came TO where they were
hid, and demanded Of Adam what he was
doing there, instead Of his occupying his
official station. Adam replied that he was
waiting for Eve 10 call the craft from re-
freshment TO labor again, and that the craft
was not properly clothed, which they were
making provision for. Turning to Eve he
asked her what she had to offer in excuse
for unofficial and unmasonic conduct. She
replied that fellow passing himself off as
a Grand 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 become of his gavel
she said she didn't know, unless the fellow
had taken il away.
Finding that Eve was no longer trust
worthy, 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 flaming
sword. Adam, repenting of his folly, went
to work like man and good Mason, in
order 10 get reinstated again. Not 30 with
Eve got angry about it and commenced
raising Cain. Adam, on account of his
reformation, was permitted 10 establish
lodges and work in the lower degrees and,
while Eve was allowed to Join him in the
works of charity outside, she was never
again 10 be admitted to assist in the regular
work Of the craft. Hence the reason why
woman cannot become an inside Mason"