Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-12-04
WHY A WOMAN CANNOT BEAMAsON.

At q masonic celebration in 1870, in
Austin, Nevada, Major Sherman deliv-
cred an address Astounding in wit aud
humor, clustered around with eloquent
gems of masonic history. He said:
women sometimes complain that
they are net permitted to enter our
lodge and work with the craft in their
labers, and learn all there is to be learn
cd in the Institution. We will explain
the reason. We learn that before AL
mighty had finished his work 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,) had created him for
the finest lodge in the world, and called
it Paradise No. l. He then caused all
the beasts OF the field and fowls OF the
air to pass before Adam for him to name
them, which was a piece OF work he had
10 do alone, so that no confusion might
therefore arise when Eve. was created,
whom he knew would make trouble il
she was allowed to participate in it, if
he created her beforehand. Adam, be-
ing very much fatigued with the labors
OF his first task, fell asleep. and when he
awoke he found Eve in the lodge with
him. Adam being Senior Warden, pla-
ced Eve as tho pillar Of beauty. in the
south, and they received their instruc-
tons from the Grand Master in the
east. which, when finished, she imme-
diately called the craft from labor to re-
trsshment. Instead Of attending to the
duties of the office as she ought, she
left her station. violating her obligations,
let in an expelled Mason, who had no
business there, and went around with
him, leaving Adam to lock 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
suddenly took his leave, telling Eve to
go to making aprons, as she and Adam
were not in proper rsgalia. 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. After searching ior
sometime he came to where they were
hid, and demanded Of Adam what he
was doing there, instead OF occupying
his official station. Adam replied thai
he was waiting for Eve to call the Grail
from refreshment to labor again; ant
that the craft was not properly clothed
which they were making provision!
Tor. Turning to Eve. he asked he
what she had to offer in excuse for hel
unofficial and unmasonic conduct. Sh'
replied that a fellow passing iimsel
off as a grand lecturer, had been sivin:
her instructions, aud she thought it wa
ne harm. The Grand Master then ask
ed her what had Become of his gavelj
She said she didn't, know. unless tina
fellow had taken it away. Findin,
that Eve was no longer trustworthy
and that she had caused Adam to neg
lect his duty, and had lot in one whor
he had expelled, the Grand Master cloi
ed the lodge and turning them out, Sc
a faithful Tiler to watch the door wit
a flaming sword. Adam. ~repenting c
, his folly, went to work like a man an
a good mason, in order to get reinsta
ted sgain. Not so with Eve-she e
/, mad and commenced raising Cain.
: Adam on account of reformation, ws
5 permitted to establish lodges and wor
: in the degrees. and while Eve was a
lowed to JOIN him in acts of charity GU
side, she was never again to be admi
ted to assist in the regular lodg wor
r OF the craft. Hence the reason why
woman cannot become an inside mason