The Wilmingtonian. (Wilmington, Del.) 1882-188?, 1884-09-13
MASONIC.


Our esteemed contemporary, the London
Freemason, seems to have 'fcatched on to
the American idea of having the bright eyes
and pleasant faces of onr wives, sisters,
sweethearts and little ones take part with
us in the open-air festivities Of the season,
and it thus gives expression TO its ideas:-
''We hope that we shall not be deemed
intrusive five say word again on a ''vex-
ed subject" which has often come before us.
We hear from time to time of the ''rghts of
women" in the abstract; but sure we are
there are some Masonically which, it appears
to us that those Lodges and Brethren are
most wise and far-seeing which seek to
include their ladies in the annual gatherings
and recreation meetings. We have often
said it, and we repeat it, and at this reason
able and seasonable admixture of ladies with
our recreation meetings especially will be
productive of good to Freemasenry in more
ways than one. There is touch Of selfish
ness and of sybaritism often among us lords
of the creation which the finer and purer
presence of our fair sisters, we believe, will do
much to lessen, to alleviate and remove.
We know as fact that when Lodges and
Brethren have tried this plan, they have
always found benefit from the change, and
we invite our friends at this season to give
the matter fair and full consideration.
Many Lodges now take their Sisters" witt
them to their annual Masonic gatherings and
dances and agreeable pic-nics, and we feel
sure that none who do so will repent them
of this little variation in their programme,
as the presence Of some of the "fairest speci,
mems OF creation" ways kind, consider
ate and unsetish, will lend not only ZEN
chantment to the view," but confer pleas
antness and contentment ON the assembly,
and animation and brightness to the scene ~
For many years past it has been the prac-
tiee in New York, Brooklyn and the sur
rounding country to have numberless excur-
sons beyond the city limits, where in the shade
of green trees or by the water side tn e
Brethren and their loved ones could for the
moment forget the cares of everyday life and
become for the time being ''Inonarchs of all
they survey"
That this custom has met W it'll popular
and by the fact that Masonic excursion is
always considered family affair, to which
the husband and father can entrust his loved
ones even when he is unable to be person
ally present.
Out of this grows another thought, to
which we direct the attention Of our Brother
Woodford and others that, while within tyled
precincts of our Lodges only Masons may
be admitted, yet there are occasions, such
as installations of officers, when the Tyler's
functions may be intermitted, and even our
enemies be allowed to see and hear the pro
ceedings to their enlightenment and our
benefit.
At all events, it can never do any harm
to have the family participate with us in
those matters which are not in themselves
esoteric, and to secure the refining influ
ences which come to us when manhood is
appealed to, i'll the protection of those who
depend upon us, and all our better feelings
are evoked by the presence of the families
of our Brethren as well as our own in the
kindly enjoyment of the sunshine and the
pleasant days Of summertime.
Let US therefore now while the pleasant
days are upon us devote ourselves to the
pleasure of the family and give them t.
understand that Masonry has for them tn,
kindest recollection, and that the husband,
father or brother keeps them in mind ant
makes his pleasure subordinate to that the.
enjoy.-NeD York Dispatch.