Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-04-08

fense; and, with only the talisman of bel
womanly purity, she can walk the earth with
the freedom of goddess and the sanctlty
| of saint.
There is jealousy in the minds of some
women as to Masonry, which often amounts
to bitter prejudice-for they regard it as 9
rival, and, in woman eyes, rival is the
one intolerable thing-even though 1t were
an angel. Wishing, as it is their nature to,
| to reign supreme in one heart, they are dis
appointed to find Masonry already enshrin-
ed there-and they cannot help but hate
| her. But leniant with this fault, l pray
| you. She errs, not so much through excess
| of hate to all Masons, as through excess OF
| love for one. And [ am not sure that the
| loved one may not be to blame, in meas
| ure, for this He may have made this
magic word cloak to hide some wayward
step-for, outside of their invisible barrier,
| Masons are very much like other men.
Woman is slow to be convicted against
the natural impulses of her heart, but let
her once accept the truth into her soul, and
she will die for it. But the prejudiced ones
are small minority that is fast dwindling
away The work is done so silently
that woman hears nothing of it till it is
brought home to her; but then it lodges
| there forever-its memory can never die.
| She sees that power which could overturn
an empire, stoop, in its gentleness, to dry
| her chillren's tears. She sees the ear that
listens calmly to the voice of Kings, and the
| counseings of sages bend tenderly to hear
her meek complaint.
0, who can tell what Masonry has done
for woman! Where are the records of its
work, like snow fall in its silence, like the
everlasting hills in permanence? Not on
perlshable paper leaves can this be written,
not in the printed annals of the day is bla-
zoned forth the story of this charity, most
beautiful, most God like. But by million
fresides is the story whispered by the faith
ers thin, pale lips-it is recorded deep up
on the widow, 5 heart-it is repeated in the
orphans prayer.
But this has ever been ''The poor ye
have always with you Would you read a
record yet more forcible Go to the battle
field, and in the midst of the most fright
full carnage, see man risk his life and limb
to succor one-not his bosom friend, not his
companion in arms, nor yet his mothers
son-but his brother, though he never look
ed upon his face before. He has recogniz-
ed the mystic sign, and life has but this one
purpose, to relieve this stranger brother.
Go to the hospitals, and see the dim eyes
brighten and the pale lips smile to meet the
beloved signal they alone can read. Hear
the nurses tell of the strange peace that
steals over the fevered minds, the trusting,
childlike security under which their wound
ed rest, and then ask what is Masonry?
what has this to do with woman p
Everything. Does it not reach the seat of
her dearest affections by ministering to
those dearer to her than her own life
When the long -looked-for letter comes, da-
ted in hospital-written by strangers
hand, but dictated by the lips of their own
loved soldier boy, telling the watchful care
aud attention bestowed upon by his Broth
ers of the Order, think you the loving wom-
en- that cluster round that hearth.stone for
get the name of Masonry when they pray
If so, you little know woman's heart.
Masons, let me but once give voice to the
thousand unuttered blessings that woman
breathes for you, and in me see the symbol
eff the gratitude they cannot speak. care
not for the mysteries Of Masonry--in my
soul | know is one grand principle. Chari-
ty. sweet charity of which the Saviour
said: ''His the greatest of all these" To
add another proof that even "a cup of wa
ter" shall not be forgotten, will unfold
the volume of my heart, and read the rec
ord there.
have seen my childhood's dearest idol
ono only sister-fading slowly away from
and through all the long years that have in
tervened, and through all that are to come,
| never can forget few clusters of grapes,
SO grateful to her fevered lips, sent in the
name of Masonry. The memory of that
would have bound me to you had no other
tie.
[ have heard father-that worship
ped as men are seldom worshipped in this
world-breathe fervent blessings on the name
of Masonry. He taught me to revere and
love it as thing. He was Mason and l
ann proud to be his daughter.
But still deeper cord than this vibrates
within my soul, can but lightly touch up
on it, for my feelings are too deep for utter
ance Suddenly cut off from all support, a
widow, in strange land, penniless, with my
fatherless children clinging TO me for succor,
dark enough seemed life's pathway, till, like
inspiration, came the thought of Masonry.
1t was the ''open seasame" to Hope and
Peace
I'll were a man, I'd be Mason. AS
am woman, | can only do what is allowed
me. My daughter shall rise up and cali you
blessedE and if mother s teachings can a.
vail aught, my son shall grow up worthy to
be joined with you. The prayers OF wld-
owed mother shall add one more ray to the
lustre of your reward, for God himself said
' 1nasmuch as ye hare done 1t unto one Of
the least Of these, ye hare done 1t unto me.
Carrie Carlton.
Carlotta's health and mental condition are