The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1868-03-26
Why CannOt n Woman Become
q Mason.

From the Marion (Ala.) Commonwealth.
At the late anniversary celebration oil
the Masons of Austin, Nevada, the or.
ator of the day thus discourscd upon
this vexed question
"Woman sometimes complains that
she is not permitted to enter our lodges
and work with the craft in her labors
and learn all there is to bo learned in
the institution. We will explain the
reason. We learn that before the AL.
mighty 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 created Adam twho was
the first Mason) and created for him
the finest lodge in the world, and called
it Paradise No. l. 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 confu,
sion might thereafter arise from Eve,
who 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 asleep,
and when he awoke he found Eve in
the lodge with him. Adam, being Sen
ior Warden, placed Eve as the pillar Of
beauty in the South, and they received
their instructions from the Grand Mas
ter in the east. which being finished,
she Immediately called the craft from
labor to rclreshment. 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, ami
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 60 to making
aprons she and Adam We're not in pro-
per regalia. She went and told Ada q.
and when the Grand Master returned
to the lodge he found his gavcl had
been stolen.
He called for til Senior and Junior
Wardcns, who had neglected to guard
the door, and found them absent. AT
:er searching some time he came to
where they were hid, anil demanded Of
Adam what he was doing there, instead
of his occupying his official station.
Adam replied that he was waiting for
Eve to call the craft from reIr elment
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 Il fellow pas
sing himself off as Grand Lecturer
had been giving her Instructions, and
she thouy it was no harm 10 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 trust
worthy, and that she had caused Ada.
to neglect his duty, and had let in whom
he had expelled, the Grand Master clos
cd the lodge, and turning them out
set a faithful Tyler to guard the door
with a flaming sword. Adam, repent
ing Of his folly, went to work like .
man and good Mason, in order to get
reinstated again. Not SO with Eve;
got angry about it and commenced rails
ing 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 the works of charity outside, she
was Ecver again to be admitted to as.
sst in the regular work Of the craft.
Hence the reason why woman cannot
become an inside Mason"