Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-11-14
1hy Camta u Womam 6e a Mason ?

/ - hy can't "a W0man Ge a Mason?
At Masonic celebration at Austin. Ne
/ yad1, Major Sherman delivered the ad-
( dress. abounding in wit and humor, clus.
tering around eloquent gems OF Masonic
( history. As specimen Of the humOr, we
quote the solution of the above query, as
reported in the Rcveillo:
Women sometimes complain that they
arc not permitted TO enter our lodge and
work with the craft in their labors, and
learn all there is to be learned in the in
siituiion. We will explain the reason. We
learn thai before The Almighty had finish.
ell His work. He was in some doubt about
creating Eve. The creation OF every liv'
ing creeping thing had been accomplish.
ed, and the Almighty had created Adam
/ (who was the first Mason), and created
for him the finest lodge in the world, and
called it Paradise, No. l. He then caus-
eel all the beasts OF the field and fowls OF
the mir 10 pass before Adam for him to
name them, which was piece Of work
he had to DO alone. so that no confusion
might thereby arise when Eve was Gre
atel, whom he knew would make trouble
if she was allowed 10 participate in it, il
lie created her beforehand. Adam being
very much iatigued with the labors Of his
first task, fell asleep, and when he awokc
he found Eve in The lodge with him.
Adam being Senior Warden. placed Eve
rs the pillar OF beauty, in the South, and
they received their instructions from the
Grand Master in the East, which, when
finished, she Immediately called the Graft
from labor to reircshmenl. 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 footsteps OF tho Grand Master he sud-
denly took leave, telling Eve to go to
making aprons, rs she and Adam were
not in proper regala.
She went and told Adam, and when the |
Grand Master returned To the lodge he |
found his gavcl had been stolen. He call. |
cd for the Senior and Junior Wardens,
who had neglected to guard the door, and
found them absent. After searching for
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 replied that
he was waiting for Eve TO call the Craft
from refreshment to labor again; and |
that the Craft was not properly clothed,
which they were making provision for
Turning to Eve lie asked what she had to
offer in excuse for her unofficial and I'm.
Masonic conduct. She replied that lei.
low passing himself off as grand lectur-
er, had been giving her instructions, and
she thought it no harm. The Grand
Master asked her what had become of his |
gavel. She said she didn't know, unless
that fellow had taken it away. Finding |
that Eve was no longer trustworthy, and |
that she had caused Adam to neglect his |
duty, and having lei one in whom he had
expelled, the Grand Master closed the
lodge, and turning them out set faithful
Tier to watch The door with flaming |
sword. Adam repenting of his folly went
to work like n man and good 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 join him in acts of charity out
side, 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"
The CO-partnership of Husbands
and Wives.
Husbands, love your wives" is the