The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-12
why Cannot "a Woman Become
d Mason!

The New Orleans Times, in reporting
a present made by a Lodge to a lady in
that city, asks the above question. and
answers it with the following, which
was uttered by the orator of the day
at a late anniversary celebration OF the
Masons at Austin, Nevada"
Woman sometimes complains that
she is not permitted to enter our lodges
and work with the craft in their labors,
and learn all there is be learned in the
institution. We will explain the reason.
We learn that before the Almighty had
finished his work, that he was in some
doubt about creating Eve. The creation
of every living and creeping thing had
been accomplished, and the Almighty
had made Adam, (who was the first
Mason) and erected for him the finest
lodge in the world, and called it Para
disc No. /. He then caused all the
beasts of the field, and the fowls of the
air to pass before Adam for him toname
them, which was a piece of work he had
to do alone, so that no confusion might
thereafter arise when Eve, whom he
knew would make trouble If she was al
lowed to participate In it, if he created
her beforehand. Adam being verymuch
fatigued with the labOrs of his first task
fell asleep, and when heawoke he found
Eve in the lodge with him. Adam be-
ing Senior Warden, placed Eve as 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 craft from labor to Tefreshment:
Instead of attending to the duties of
the office as she ought, she left her sta
ton, violated her obligation, and let in
an expelled Mason, who had no busi-
ness there, and went around with him,
leaving Adam to look after the Jewels.
This fellow had been expelled from the
Grand Lodge, with several others,
some time before. But hearing the
footsteps of the Grand Master, he sud-
denly took his leave, telling Eve to go
TO making aprons, as she and Adam
were not In proper regalia. She went
and told Adam, and when the Grand
Master returned to the lodge he found
his gavel had been stolen, He called for
the Senior and Junior Wardens, who had
neglected to guard the door, and found
them absent. Aftersearching some time
he came to where they were hid, and de-
manded of Adam what he was doing
there, instead of occupying his official
obetlLUl. AuaIH E6plIG0 ne was WaIJtnS /
for Eve to call the craft from refresh
ment to labor again, and that the craft
was not properly clothed, which they
were making provisions for. Turning to
Eve be asked her what she had to offer
in excuse for herHnoficial and unmason-
lc conduct. She replied that q fellow
passing himself off as a Grand Lecturer
had been giving herinstructions and she
thought it was no harm to learn them.
The Grand Master then asked her what
had become of his gavel; she said she
didn't know, unless that fellow had
taken 1t away. Finding that Eve was
no longer trustworthy, and that she had
caused Adam to neglect his duty, and
had let in one whom he had expelled,
the Grand Master closed the lodge, and
turning them out, set a faithful TYLER
to guard the door with a flaming sword.
Adam, repenting of his folly, went to
work like q man and a good Mason, in
order to get reinstated again. Not 30
with Eve she got angry about it and
raising Cain. Adam, Oh ac-
count Of his reformation, was permitted
TO establish lodges and work iii the lower
degrees ; and while Eve was allowed to
join him in works of charity outside, she
was never again to be admitted to assist
ID the regular lodge work Of the craft.
Hence the reason why woman cannot he
come an inside Mason.f
4I&