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Article TO THE EDITOR. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
assembly to which her husband might object , even though himself a Freemason . But should lie not be one of the order , how possibly could your " Sister" expect to enter a society that did not include him to whom her conjugal fealty is impleaded by the holy name of wife ? For myself , I would not accept a diploma from the Lodge of Adoption in Paris , for I am credibly informed that such Lodge is no more Freemasonry than it is a house of parliament ; indeedit is said to be a
, mere pleasant fiction , to amuse a woman ' s fancy . I am thankful , as a daughter , that the moral duties of my dear father pleasingly impressed me with that favourable opinion of the Order which led me to approve of my sons following so excellent an example—yet my husband was not a Mason . I have selected from some Masonic papers one by Dr . Watkins , * from which I extract the following portion , as bearing somewhat on your
correspondent ' s letter : — " Itis further objected , that ii friendship be so highly esteemed by us , and that ofthe purest nature , ' why do we seem to abandon the sweetest part of it , which is enjoyed only in an association with female beauty , gentleness , and sensibility ?' " This is an objection by far more plausible than just . In answer to it we might barely mention , that all nations , in all ages , have considered women as ineligible to certain societies and offices ; but I add , that the
spirit of our institution is to abstract us , as much as possible , at certain intervals , from those impediments to mutual confidence and social improvement which we meet with in the world . " But our moral imbecility would be equally increased by the diffusion of a soft captivating vapour over our hearts , if we admitted the fair sex at our assemblies , and this would give many passions a play in our breasts , particularly rivalship ancl jealousy , totally incompatible with the
spirit of our order , ancl destructive of its very foundation . " As our principles , however , most powerfully tend to improve us in all those virtues of the soul on which the happiness of every domestic relation so greatly depends , and which alone can render us deserving the regards of those whose love it is our duty to attract and preserve , let me press upon you the constant cherishing this spirit , by the practice of every moral and social duty . If our amiable female relatives observe
us acting in unison with those principles , ivhich we profess to constitute the Masonic character , they will be as proud of it as we are . By that subjugation of the passions which Masonry teaches you , your habitations will be all Lodges of peace , harmony , and happiness . " This opportunity should not be lost of paying a mark of respectful acknowledgment to you for the very great delight so many " Sisters" ( for 1 know many ) , as well as myself , have derived from the high moral tone of your truly valuable periodical . A MOTHER OF FREEMASONS .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
assembly to which her husband might object , even though himself a Freemason . But should lie not be one of the order , how possibly could your " Sister" expect to enter a society that did not include him to whom her conjugal fealty is impleaded by the holy name of wife ? For myself , I would not accept a diploma from the Lodge of Adoption in Paris , for I am credibly informed that such Lodge is no more Freemasonry than it is a house of parliament ; indeedit is said to be a
, mere pleasant fiction , to amuse a woman ' s fancy . I am thankful , as a daughter , that the moral duties of my dear father pleasingly impressed me with that favourable opinion of the Order which led me to approve of my sons following so excellent an example—yet my husband was not a Mason . I have selected from some Masonic papers one by Dr . Watkins , * from which I extract the following portion , as bearing somewhat on your
correspondent ' s letter : — " Itis further objected , that ii friendship be so highly esteemed by us , and that ofthe purest nature , ' why do we seem to abandon the sweetest part of it , which is enjoyed only in an association with female beauty , gentleness , and sensibility ?' " This is an objection by far more plausible than just . In answer to it we might barely mention , that all nations , in all ages , have considered women as ineligible to certain societies and offices ; but I add , that the
spirit of our institution is to abstract us , as much as possible , at certain intervals , from those impediments to mutual confidence and social improvement which we meet with in the world . " But our moral imbecility would be equally increased by the diffusion of a soft captivating vapour over our hearts , if we admitted the fair sex at our assemblies , and this would give many passions a play in our breasts , particularly rivalship ancl jealousy , totally incompatible with the
spirit of our order , ancl destructive of its very foundation . " As our principles , however , most powerfully tend to improve us in all those virtues of the soul on which the happiness of every domestic relation so greatly depends , and which alone can render us deserving the regards of those whose love it is our duty to attract and preserve , let me press upon you the constant cherishing this spirit , by the practice of every moral and social duty . If our amiable female relatives observe
us acting in unison with those principles , ivhich we profess to constitute the Masonic character , they will be as proud of it as we are . By that subjugation of the passions which Masonry teaches you , your habitations will be all Lodges of peace , harmony , and happiness . " This opportunity should not be lost of paying a mark of respectful acknowledgment to you for the very great delight so many " Sisters" ( for 1 know many ) , as well as myself , have derived from the high moral tone of your truly valuable periodical . A MOTHER OF FREEMASONS .