The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-04-23


lence, but, IN match for silver cup,
brethren, don't you think it would
come out about neck behind the
rolling-pin in some lodges you could
name?
How good and how pleasant it is
for brethren TO dwell together III uni
ty The wise man didn't say any
thing about the sisters getting along
together in that same way, because
in his wisdom he could see it was one
of the things that couldn't be done.
But talk about the compass binding
the brethren together in fratcrnal
love Where, may ] ask, can be
found greater love withouL the
walls of heaven than that cncrclcd
by 4 mothers arms when they un-
fold her first-born babe? 10 Mason
ic cars the square speaks volumes, cn-
joining correct principles and upright
conduct toward all mankind, but
which, think you, has done most to
make men honest, good and honora-
bic in all the relations Of lilc-thc
square which we revere 50 highly or
that formed by the bending limbs Of
childhood at the mothers knoc, lisp
ing forth the first prayer? The
''lights" Of Masonry have thrown
their pure and life giving rays into
all the dark corners Of earth, and
have done much 10 make the world
brighter and better, but, though the
bcneliccnt influence Of our beloved
Order stands as high with me as with
the next brother, am ready to con-
ccdc hat tho bright lights typifed in
female eyes have penetrated farther,
and have done much, aye, much
morc-and ] say itwith no irrcvcr-
cncc-to make life sweet, and bcauti-
full, and grand, than all the lights of
Masonry put together.
And yet, though our good sisters
so strongly resemble Masonry, they
have always been moro or less antag-
onis,ic to 1t. They cant see why
they arc shut out and debarred from
its privileges. s'If the women are
not good enough TO belong to your
fraternity" say the pouting fair ones,
"will YOU please tell us why not"
That it is the very trouble, dear mad
am and miss. You are too good. The
necessity for your membership does
not exist. Or The highest possible
good you arc the embodiment. Now
Masonry was founded for The express
purpose Of making mcp bcLtcr-for
the Lord knows they needed it.
There was an abundance Ct material
ready at hand TO work on, and
Masonry undertook a big contract
when she assumed the job. But with
the crinolined angels Masonry hau
no mission, because they were al
ready better than Masonry could
ever hope TO become, and so you were
left out Of the programme, with no
slight intended. IT Masonry ever
gets the advance Of you in true good
ness you may rest assured the doors
will be thrown wide open, and the
Tyler will Lc instructed to oppose no.
body wearing back hair. But if that
time ever comes, the prediction goes
on record righ. here, that you will be
SO fully occupied in taking an invcn-.
tory Of what the candidate has on
that the sublimity and impressive
ness OF the ceremonies will do You
bnt little good. The man who said
you were kept out because YOU could
not keep secret was the basest kind
OF slanderer, and not a married
man, or he would have known better.
Ask any census-taker who have ever
tried to find out woman's age and
how well he succeeded, and see if the
GOOD man don't heavc sigh, and be-
gin talking Of the weather right
away.
But, though woman cannot be-
come Mason in Ill hat the term
implies, the close observer Of human
nature will bear me out when | say
that in nine cases out of ten she is
the Nastcr ofhc Lodge, and no one
understand better than she how to
wear the apron and call the brclll-
rem to rcfrcshment. She may not
be able to give the password in due
form, but, if she don't know how to
give the last word every time, and
in all sorts of forms, will some bro
thcr have the kindness TO inform mo