The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-07-02

hoU' Po>oFss t1lS ileeuOIn. lQ cn1IuHOOC
she is subject to the control of her pa
rents Or guardians in the sacred rela
ton OF married life every law of Goo
and man, of religion and of love, re-
qulres of her obedience to her husband
and IT, on attaining her legal majority
she should choose to pursue the journey
OF life alone, the infexible mandates Of
prudence and delieacy would deter her
from seeking admission to the secret as.
senhles OF the opposite sex. Moreover
as the mysteries of Masonry ancicntly
required Of initiates high degree Of
physical, as well as of mental and moral
ability, SO there Is a beautiful analogy
to those mysteries in the Masonry of to-
day which can only be preserved by
restricting their exercise to the stronger
SEX. 1t is indeed due to female delica.
c:y tp acknowledge that ladies' very sci.
dom evlnce a desire to witness
our mysteries, and that the objec-
ton to their exclusion comes almost en-
tirely from the opposite sex. 1t is with
sincere pleasure that avail myself of
this occasionap acknowledge, ladies', on
behalf OF our fraternity, the very exalted
opinion which Masons everywhe re en-
terrain of female excellence, and to as
sure you OF their grateful appreciation of
your attachment to the principles and
purposes of our institution; and if you
could only know how carefully Masonry
guards your innocence, and how effectu-
ally 1t promotes your dearest interests,
by cnltlvating the better qualities of
your husbands, your brothers and your
sons, you would not permit even the
best OF Masons to excel you in your de-
votion to Masonry.
Such are the principal objections to
Freemasonry. Unfortunately they con-
st1tute but very small portion of the
history OF Masonic persecution. In ev-
cry quarter of the globe, and for many
centuries, the Order has experienced the
most bitter and determined hostility; and
nothing but its own innate excellence and
purity, and the especial favor of that
Being whom it recognizes as the Great
Architect of the Universe, and the
Source of spiritual, moral and Masonic
Light, have preserved it from utter des-
truction. That Masonry should have
encountered opposition in those coun-
tries of the old world, where the civil
and religious powers have always COM
bined to crush out every expression of
the popular will, is not perhaps, to be
particularly wondered at; but iu our
own country, where a free exercise and
expression of opinion have always been
considered the birthright of every citi-
zen, the history OF the masonic persecu-
ton OF 1929 must fill every unprejudiced
mind with emotions Of Indignation and
disgust. In New York, where the
storm of persecution was most violent,
the bar, the bench, the pulpit, the press,
the Legislative assembly, the hall of
learning, and the social circle, We'd with
each other IN denunciations of the Order.
The political demagogue, who had. not
been sufficiently appreciated by his par
ty, stood up by the side of the fanatical
priest, who had forsaken the service of
the living God to burn Incense on the altar
of public opinion, and together they de-
nounced our institution as dangerous to
the government, and hostile to reli-
gion. The avowed traitor, with the
damning sin of perjury upon his soul,
stalked with unblushing face into the
sacred desk, and there professed to pro-
claim publicly those mysteries of Ma.
sonry which in the same breath he ac-
knowledged he had sworn most solemn
ly forever to conceal. It was a dark
day for Masonry in New York. Woe
to that man who dared to acknowledge
his adherence to the Orderl The ban
of social, political and religious pro-
scription, was placed upon him, and he
was stunned by society as one morally
accursed. Meanwhile the great mission
of Masonry went silently on. The wild
ow's tears We're dried, the orphan was
clothed and educated, and the oil of con-
ISOLATION and the wine of joy were freely
dispensed to the sorrowing and the un-
fortunate. And when the violence of
the storm was past, and the craftsmen,
reassembled in their long deserted lodges,
again beheld how good aud how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together In
unity, they realized the full meaning of
the wisdom, the strength, and the beau
ty of Masonry. And whenever / think
Of Masonry in connection with the per-
secutions it has suffered, I am reminded
of beautiful incident. 1t is related of
a certain Scottish nobleman, that becom.
ing enamored of the music of the Eolian
harp, he determined to construct one on
a more magnificent scale than had ever
before been attempted. Accordingly he
soug ht out, on the borders of his do
main, narrow and rocky inlet of the
sea; and procuring number of iron
wires, of proportionate thicknesses, he
caused them to be stretched across this
inlet, and riveted at either end into the
solid rock. And when the work was
done, and the gentle sea breezes came
sighing through that rocky issure, and I
breathing upon those iron wires, he lis.
tened eagerly for the expected response.
But he listened In vain; the rigid wires
remained silent and immoyable and
when he went often to the spot, and as
often went away disappointed, he conclu-
ded that his labor had been spent for
naught. But one day as, more from
habit than design. he repaired thither,
he noticed signs Of an approaching storm.
And when the heavens became black
with clouds, and the breeze freshened to
a gale, and the huge waves thundered
on that rocky shore, the Storm King, in
the ferceness of his wrath, struck the