The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-05-04

stricken Mrs. May to such degree that
her tears ceased at once, and she said:
" Why, what are you laughing at? ]
assure you It's no laughing matter to have
ones husband come home after ten at
night, and refuse to tell you how he has
employed his time all the evening, save
to say he has been at the lodge-oh the
horrid lodge, and the abiminable thing
with a big g on it which be wears
know it is no good they are about, or they
would not be so secret about it. / more
than half believe they are set of forgers,
or something awful and to think my
husband, the father Of my children,
should belong to them 1t is terrible,
terrible; and wish | had died before l
found it out
MY dear friend, you are all wrong.
Ny husband has been Mason for years,
and l assure you the Order is an excel
lent one; and if the members only live
strictly to the teachings and rules incul-
Gated by Masonry, they cannot fail to be
COON men, husbands, and fathers. / am
myself a member of the Eastern Star
Lodge, lodge composed of ladies, and
find much pleasure in attending the
meetings"
You know nothing about it i; and if
YOU are willing to be blinded and misled,
| am not and | assure my life has been
made wretched by this abominable work
and the horrid lodge"
| Mrs. Porter saw at once that Mrs. May
was in too excited state of mind to listen
to argument, and wisely dropped the sub
| iect, and turned the conversation on other
/ = L. e To- oaIl
A few weeks after this conversation,
/ Mr.. May was taken violently i'll
with fever for weeks he was confined to
his bed, but much of the care and ankle
ty was taken from his wife by the faith
full members of his lodge, who watched
with him, night and day, mo4 untiring-
". But, in spite of all efforts to save
his life, the disease proved unmanage-
able, and the grim visitor, Death, enter
ed his room one night, and his spirit was
waited from earth heavenward. After
the funeral, upon investigation of his
affairs, it was discovered that his bust
ness was in terrible confusion, and had
he lived, financial ruin would have been
inevitable. These business troubles,
weighing heavily upon his mind, nc
doubt brought on the fatal fever. The
house and furniture were heavily mort
gagged, and his wife and children almost
penniless Among his creditors were
several members of his lodge, anC
through their influence the house anC
furniture were presented to the widow
and sum sufficient for hermaintenance
with economy and management, settled
upon her. This was done by that horriC
lodge; and one morning, few months
after her husbands burial, Mrs MAY
: again met Mrs. Porter, and said
"You remember a conversation w
had some months since in regard II
Masonry"
eyes, distinctly. You were mucl
excited, and expressed yourself as siren
uously opposed to the order"
"And / wish to retract what / said.
, knew nothing of the subject upon which
/ was expressing an opinion. | am con
WINGED | was in error, as all are apt +
be when they express an opinion in refer
ence to that of which they are ignorant
l was unjust. am convinced that Ma
sonry is an order worthy of the interes
of the good and true. Had it not bee
for their kindness to me as the widow q
: Mason, / should now be homeless an,
penniless, with my two children to car
{ for. They have indeed been goo
: Samaritans, and looked after the wido1
4 and orphans, and God bless them an
prosper them, say /.
: Thus Mrs. May, through the force G
1 facts-hard facts to experience, it is tru
. was compelled to change her mind i
/ regard to that horrid lodge.