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Article SHOULD FEMALES BE INITIATED OR NOT? ← Page 3 of 3 Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 2 →
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Should Females Be Initiated Or Not?
and do keep the secret doctrines , or whatever they are , or they are too careful of their husbands' honour to take advantage of these moments of weakness . I think I have heard or read that you date some of your rules from the time of Solomon ; if so , I would ask permission to refer to what Josephus tells us of some of the occurrences which took place during the reign of that wisest of men . He says that a woman of EgyptQueen of
, Sheba ( or Sabcea , in South Arabia ) , came to visit Solomon to inquire concerning the truth ofthe reports which had reached her of his wisdom . She did not content herself with merely hearing of wisdom , but "she was inquisitive into philosophy , and on that and other accounts was to be admired , " ancl " in order to have trial of his wisdom , proposed questions of great difficulty , and entreated that he would solve them . " This the king didancl it would appear was realltoo wise to assume the
, y appearance of superiority , for he also proposed questions to her ; thus not only instructing , but placing her on terms of equality with himself . I do not of course know if any of these dark sayings may form a portion of the doctrines now held by the Craft , but at least I would hope that the words in which the queen expressed her admiration and edification
when she had heard , and seen , ancl understood the wisdom of Solomon might be applicable to Freemasonry , if open to our investigation . " All things indeed , oh king , that came to our knowledge by report , came with uncertainty as to our belief of them . But as to those good things that to thee appertain , both such as thou thyself possessest—I mean wisdom and prudence—and the happiness thou hast from thy kingdom , certainly the same that came to us was no falsity . As for the report , it only
attempted to persuade our hearing , but it did not so make known the dignity of the things themselves as does the si ght of them , and being present among them . I indeed , who did not believe what was reported by reason of the multitude and grandeur of the things I inquired about , do see them to be much more than they were reported to be . " In conclusion , Mr . Editor , let me beg you to advocate the adoption of one part of Solomon ' s conduct towards his inquisitive fair guest , for it
was certainly the best possible proof that he knew how to gain a lady ' s heart . " Solomon also repaid her with many good things , and principally by bestowing upon her what she chose of her own inclination ; for there was nothing which she desired which he denied her . " I am , sir , yours very respectfully , A FREEMASON ' WIFE . [ We have received some other letters on the same subject , to which we have replied , suggesting some explanation ; the answers to our replies have not yet reached us . ~]
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sin , AND BIIOTHEK , —For as the mother as well as daughter of Freemasons , I presume I may address you in this friendly manner—I have perused the letter of " A Sister , " in page 185 of your last Number , with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret ; of pleasure , under the impression that your correspondent , being unmarried , has evidently derived both instruction and amusement from your excellent publication—but of regret , if being married , she should really be desirous of entering an
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Should Females Be Initiated Or Not?
and do keep the secret doctrines , or whatever they are , or they are too careful of their husbands' honour to take advantage of these moments of weakness . I think I have heard or read that you date some of your rules from the time of Solomon ; if so , I would ask permission to refer to what Josephus tells us of some of the occurrences which took place during the reign of that wisest of men . He says that a woman of EgyptQueen of
, Sheba ( or Sabcea , in South Arabia ) , came to visit Solomon to inquire concerning the truth ofthe reports which had reached her of his wisdom . She did not content herself with merely hearing of wisdom , but "she was inquisitive into philosophy , and on that and other accounts was to be admired , " ancl " in order to have trial of his wisdom , proposed questions of great difficulty , and entreated that he would solve them . " This the king didancl it would appear was realltoo wise to assume the
, y appearance of superiority , for he also proposed questions to her ; thus not only instructing , but placing her on terms of equality with himself . I do not of course know if any of these dark sayings may form a portion of the doctrines now held by the Craft , but at least I would hope that the words in which the queen expressed her admiration and edification
when she had heard , and seen , ancl understood the wisdom of Solomon might be applicable to Freemasonry , if open to our investigation . " All things indeed , oh king , that came to our knowledge by report , came with uncertainty as to our belief of them . But as to those good things that to thee appertain , both such as thou thyself possessest—I mean wisdom and prudence—and the happiness thou hast from thy kingdom , certainly the same that came to us was no falsity . As for the report , it only
attempted to persuade our hearing , but it did not so make known the dignity of the things themselves as does the si ght of them , and being present among them . I indeed , who did not believe what was reported by reason of the multitude and grandeur of the things I inquired about , do see them to be much more than they were reported to be . " In conclusion , Mr . Editor , let me beg you to advocate the adoption of one part of Solomon ' s conduct towards his inquisitive fair guest , for it
was certainly the best possible proof that he knew how to gain a lady ' s heart . " Solomon also repaid her with many good things , and principally by bestowing upon her what she chose of her own inclination ; for there was nothing which she desired which he denied her . " I am , sir , yours very respectfully , A FREEMASON ' WIFE . [ We have received some other letters on the same subject , to which we have replied , suggesting some explanation ; the answers to our replies have not yet reached us . ~]
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Sin , AND BIIOTHEK , —For as the mother as well as daughter of Freemasons , I presume I may address you in this friendly manner—I have perused the letter of " A Sister , " in page 185 of your last Number , with mingled feelings of pleasure and regret ; of pleasure , under the impression that your correspondent , being unmarried , has evidently derived both instruction and amusement from your excellent publication—but of regret , if being married , she should really be desirous of entering an