The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-10-19
why Can.ta Woman be "A Mason:


At the Masonic celebration at Austin,
Nevada, recently, Major Sherman delivered
the address, Astounding in wit and humor,
clustering around eloquent gems of Mason
ic history. As a specimen of the humor,
we quote the solution of the above query.
as quoted in the Reveille:
women sometimes complain that they
are not permitted to enter our lodge and
work with the craft in their labors, aud
learn all there is to be learned of the insti-
tuition. We will explain the reason. We
learn that before the Almighty had finished
his work he was in some doubt about crea-
ting Eve The creation of every living.
creeping thing had been accomplished, and
the Almighty had made Adam (who was the
first Mason), and created him for the finest
lodge in the world, and called it Paradise
No. l. Re 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
confusion might thereafter arise when Eve
was created, whom he thought would make
trouble if she was allowed TO participate in il,
if he created her beforehand. Adam. being
very much fatigued with the labors during
his first task, fell asleep, and when he awoke
he found Eve in the lodge with him. Adam.
eeing Senior Warden, placed Eve as the pill
lar of beauty in the South, and they received
their instructions from the Grand Master in
the East, which, when finished, she imme-
diately called the Craft from labor to re-
ITesnnenI. Instead OF attending to the
duties of the office as she ought, she left her
station, violated her obligations let in an
expelled Mason, who had no business there,
and went around with him, leaving Adam
to look after the jewels. This fellow had been
expelled from the lodge, with several others,
some time before. But hearing the foot
steps of the Grand Master he suddenly took
ms leave, telling Eve TO 20 to making aprons
as she and Adam were not in proper rega-
liza. She went and told Adam, and when the
Grand Master returned to the Lodge he
1ound his gaEeI had been stolen. He called
for the Senior and Junior Wardens. who had
neglected to guard the door and found them
absent. After searching Tor some time he
came to where they were hid, and demanded
OF Adam what he was doing there instead
OF occupying his official station. Adam re-
piled that he was waiting for Eve to call the
Craft from refreshment to labor again: and
thAt the Graft was not properly clothed
Mhicn they were making provisions for
turning to Eve, he asked her what she had
10 oner In excuse for her unofficial and I'M
masonic conduct. She replied that a fellow
passing himself off as Grand Lecturer had
Deen giving her instructions and she thought
~ a no no uaLu' Inc Grand Master then
asked her what had become Of his 0aval =
She said she didn't know unless thai feIlo1r
had taken II away. Finding that Eve vras
no longer trustworthy, and that She bo1
caused Adam To neglect his duty. and HAVING
let one in whom he had expelled, the Gran5
Master closed the Lodge, and turning them
out, set faithful Tyler TO watch the door
with flaming sword. Adam, repentinQ of
his folly, went to work like man and
gooo Mason, in order to get reinstated again
Not so with eve-she got angry about it- and
commenced raising Cain.
adam, on account of his reformation, was
permitted to establish Lodges and work in
the degrees, and while Eve was allowed to
ION nun IA acIs OF CHARITY outside, she was
never again to be admitted to assist in the
regular Lodge work of the Craft. Hence
the reason why woman cannot become an
inside Mason.'' :"