North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-04-01
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL l, 1863
MASONIC LECTURE.

HASONAC AHCVUNE,
Dsysrsa d n s Lodgs g. at w s will pr q: oess
gree upon the Ladiee
II REV. .. ?. TAYLOR.
Published y request Of che Lodge.
BRorHIas AND SISTERS The scenes Of tonight arc
soul inspiring; such an may well cause the heart to
rejoice, and awaken the nobl9st aentments of the
mind. Since the dawn OF human existence, man has
found it not good ts be alone. Experience and the
history of all ages, prove that there s the
nement found in those organizations where the
are equally represented.
Such was the fiat OF the Great Architect of nature,
when with artistic skill He laid the foundations OF
the earth made the chambers of the ocean formed
the channels of the rivers and sent the little stream
lets leaping and laughing down the mountains side,
or wandering through the green meadows among the
virgin purity, bloomed and died unseen except by
the stars that adorned the blue arch Of Heaven or
perhaps by swift winged angel, who in his aeri al
flight stopped to kiss the dewdrops which, like tears
In the eyes OF beauty, glistened upon its petals.
Eden, the fairest spot earth-embem of our eter-
nal home; where bloomed the Tree Of Lite, among
whose verdant branches sang the birds OF Para
disc whose morning carols were more melodious
than harp of a thousand strings would have been n
hermitage, without woman's presence and smiles.
Men might behold the cattle grezing upon the
mountain sde the gazele leap down the rugged Cliff
the eagle in his lofty flight divide the air He
might wander by the banks of the neandeling
streams, and be delighted he saw the nny tribes
bask in the crystal waters; he might pluck the gay
flowers, and listen to the songbrds sweetest notes ;
yet among all these, he fails to find eongeniai COM
panion one that awaken the noblest sentiments
Of the heart. There il latent emotion in tho breast
of man, pure and holy passion, Godimplantcd
principle that these fail TO reach All nature is
lovely because Creator ha given Us kindred spr
it, to enjoy her beauties with Those c bloom
beautifully their hues richer, their perfumes
are sweeter, because womaps eyes have seen them,
aud her breath has inhaled their fragrance. ..-
There is sweeter melody in the notes OF those song
birds, because wsmans ears have listened to them
aud her heart has responded to their magic tones.
rha ulnst of fuar ram a N
youthful days, when that fair maiden with bushing
cheek, presented us rose just newly plucked from
the stem We priced il highly, and fondly pressed it
to our lips, because We loved the who gave it.
All there was music in that young voice thst sent
thrill to the heart voice perhaps now hushed by
the death angel In all the walks Of life, man needs
woman's influence and sympathy.
Her power is almost unlimited. 1t is she, who
moulds the germ of manhood and makes those i'm
pressons hich to last the longest and have the
greatest influence on our future conduct. Where will
you find truly great man who has not felt her pow
| er.
Napoleon's star began to sink, when he divorc
| ed from the Empress Josephine. Wesey's youthful
days spent under the instruction OF Of the
best of mothers Luther's wife was companion with
him in all his labors. The destiny of Washington
and we know not but that of tho American Republic
was changed by the advice of mother There is nG
power in the world potent .r good or evil, as tha
" hich woman yields.
Our lows are increased thousand fold by her pres
ence and participation; and in sorrow none comfort
| and administer to our wants like mother, = sister
even touch of woman's hand, will sometimes dis
pei the clouds lift the burden from this heart, anc
awaken the deepest sympathy of our natures
I remember having heard one OF the greatest pulpit
orators in America say, that when travelling in ths
East taken sick, and lett to die, but partially
recovering he was conveyed TO England; anu theit
for "a long time he lay scorcbed with fever. All ths
fountains OF affection appeared to be dried up HI
could not weep neither could he get well. One day
the lady at whose house he was stopping Came to mn
hing her hand his burning forehead, her tears
fell upon his wasted check. That act OF kindness
touched his heart and his own tears commenced Il
now and from that honr he commenced to recover
Womln's mission is truly Masonic.
During our late dreadful struggle, when the destiny
of the nation rcmbled i'll the balance Q, and the Ship
State was powing the mighty billows of rebellion
on the bloody field OF battle amidst metallic hail, tn
| roar OF cannon, and the clash OF arms she movet
like angel OF mercy administering to the wants
those who were diving lar IRON home and loved ones
And night after night in the hospitals, she Kept
wachiui eye upon those brave sons of Mars who hat
placed their all upon the altar OF patriotism. No
mans very nature is in harmony with the true spri
of Masonry lntutvely she carries out the principle
taught Onr Institution II is hers to dispense char
ty to the poor, to speak words OF consolation to til
d,,wncast to bind up the broken-hearted, and admin
lister to those in atfliction. 1t is hers TO take tn
Great Light of Masonry-the Book Of God, and in
stract the young, and the ignorant 10 teach All u
upon the Quare, and crcunscribe their passions
within the points OF the compass. No hand can be Sc
skful as hers in taking the rough Ashlar, and form
ing it that it may adorn the great TEMPLE beyont
| the skies. And am glad our INSTITUTION 10 putting
away Of its rusty old bachelor habits, which hae
their origin in the dark OF ini9uity before fe
male Writ ue and excellence were fully appreciated
| and that are permitting women TO participate II
our festivals and public gatherings. Yes, we dt
more than this, for as the two pillars oaenin ahs
Boaz representing beauty and strength. stood at th
outer gate OF King Solomons Temple SO We let then
come to the outer court OF our b"autlful mystlca
temple. And who that looks upon the scene before
us will dare to deny the presence of beauty, and i
not strength there Is lntelectGa anu moral
probably not surpassed by those VINO nave ehteres
into the Sdctum SdnctOrum, or encountered the ruf
| fan in his attempt to escape through the eastern
gate. Sisters let me say to you that the character
which you hereafter to represent when in want o
friend-ior beauty, consancy and oriental snpilci
| ty-can hardly be SURPASSED. A woman, with heI
husband and two sons had lett Their native land ane
gone among strangers. There the sons saw some o.
the fair daug of the land, and as they looked up
them Cupid shot his arrows into their hearts, they
fell in love and got You know quite
natural But the dark cloud OF aiction passed over
them. The father and the two sons died, and now
this moor woman is about to to her kindred in
Bethlehem; bnt before she starts on her lonely jour
ney she calls her daughtersn-aw and alter recount
ing their sorrows and explaining her destitute condi
tion she requests them to return to their Fatheri
| house and there find that home she was unable te
| give. One of them, after kissing her mothern law
and weeping bitterly did but the other refused &c
go saving Entreat me not to leave thee, or return
from following after me; for where thou goest there
will go and where thou lodgest, Will lodge; thy
| people shall be my people, and thy God my God
where thou diest, will die, and there Will he buri
ed" Where can you find anything more beautiful
than this language! 1t vas the ou'oursting OF N no
sons are taught exercise toward each other aud W.
will endeavor to manifest the same spirit towards you
In the hour of atfcten and trial, when all is darl
and dreary will not forsake you and although b!
our ancient customs you are not permitted to NEE
with in lodges, yet rest assured YOU are no
forgotten. Every Master Mason is not only bound
do you no HARM but to every means in his pow e
| to protect you when in danger. IT all would be gov
erned by the principles Of this order you would b,
lust AS SAFE under the protection of of these Ma
l h,sth thr.p II q
or natural brother. But do not be too conhding al
there are doubt traitors in our camp; and asJuda
| betrayed our Divine Master with kiss. so wonlt
| these under the garb Of Masonry, bstray the conf
| dence you reposed In them.
| This degree is conferred only on NJ. Ms, and yoy
| can now make yourselves known as to the mothers
sisters wives and daughters of suc and and you vii
be brought into intimate relations with the ira
ternity than before, and when in want OF
woman before mentioned But She by her integrity
| immortalized her name. So may you. Virtue ant
| purity will have their rewards
| do not wish TO deceive you, therefore must GA!
you know but very little about Masonry as you stan'
only at the vsstibuls of the Temple. 1t aprogresa
i've 8, stem that unfolds itself only as We advance
The most Of those here stand in relation TO its hghe
| mysteries the same as you do. Even should you b
permitted to kneel at tho foot Of tho Red Cross o
stand beneath the Royal Arsh. there would still D.
! something beyond. about which you would know
nothing De not therefore, feel envious towards an
because they know more than you AZ most OF us IRE
quently meet those who have made much greater pre-
nClency tndn WV H""c. mummy 40 SAS ~ INV 'S'
sons taught by this order.
We would most gladly take you through onr Mysti
Temple and show you all it's beauties, but such W
cannot do without violating one Of our ancient land
marks an act which true woman would desire u
| to do. Masonry is for no particular community Q
country, but for the world, and we must be governe
by those principles which can be received by mar
kind generally: and what might be beneficial In on
country would be injlrions i II another.
have no doubt you frequently feel lonely as tn
slow hours OF night pass away, and wonder why you
husband fathers and brothers absent so long, an
| YOU may sometimes fear that they are engaged !
something that may lead to dissipation; Let one -
| knows little about this say that such can never
the case II the rules Of Masonry are lived up to-
erything which is legitmatey connected With tn
Institution tends to elevate ana make man petter-
In well regulated lodge no drink stronger than wate
ever enters Your friends are absent because ther
are lessons to be learued which require
not from books, but orally. The ignorant are 10
instructed the wayward admonishsd. and If possbl
the erring reclaimed; means Of heDevolence and ph
lanthropy are devised and carried out hile In Ii