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Article A GLANCE AT ADOPTIVE MASONRY. ← Page 5 of 6 →
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A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
system . The condition of mortals on earth is shown to be a state of slavery and bondage , from which nothing but a steady perseverance iu virtue can set them free , and the means of continuing a life of gootl works are clearly and forcibly pointed out . The candidate is at length fitted by having successfully gone through the ordeal for receiving her liberty , and she is taught the true use of it by being required to exercise it first in freeing a miserable captiveBeautiful lessons are now iven
. g . She is addressed on subjects of the deepest interest and importance by the several officers , and tbe whole system of Masonry is explained ; she is entrusted with all the secrets of this degree , invested with its splendid ornaments , and invited to take her seat a Parfaite Maitresse .
The fifth degree must be altogether omitted , both because it is not often conferred , and because it is in some respects similar to the others ; it is very beautiful , and might easily be rendered more profitable than it is . Any further description must be reserved for a future occasion . Thus , then , has the ceremonial of Adoptive Masonry been described as far as the laws of that Order would permit , and from this description the reader may form a fair and probably will form a favourable opinion
of the institution . Far be it from the author to detract from its merits . It stands a bright monument to female secrecy and fidelity , and proves how wrong all those are who fancy a woman is not be trusted . There is not in the whole of Adoptive Masonry a single step with which the most ascetic moralist coulcl find fault ; on the contrary all is pure , all is beautiful ; it is the brightest jewel with which the sombre records of spurious Masonry are led but it is not it wants
spang ; Freemasonry ; the authority of that ancient Order . Its origin can be traced , its authors named ; but who shall say , in such a year Freemasonry was invented ? Pure and ancient Masonry stands alone the handmaid of religion , a mystic bond of fraternal union among all the children of men in every land and of every sect , not confining its blessings to one country or one opinion , but receiving into its holy fane all who love
and practice virtue . Freemasonry is like the Pyramids of Egypt , whose origin , even in remote antiquity , was unknown , solid in their structure , grand , unadorned , but sublimely simple . Adoptive Masonry is like the modern temples of Italy , enriched with architectural embellishments and ornaments , which captivate the eye , but call up no solemn ideas , and whose founders lived comparatively but a few years ago . Even admitting that both these Orders partake of the same nature ,
there is a greater difference between them than exists between the lightning in the clouds and the spark drawn from an electrical machine . There can be no earthly objection to ladies seeking for admission to these Lodges , but it is much to be feared that it would only make them more anxious to be allowed to participate in the nobler mysteries of the ancient Order . The only question which remains is , how far we should be justified in opposing their admission into EnglandPerhaps it
. would merely tend to raise Masonry in the eyes of the fair sex ; perhaps it might make them over anxious to penetrate its secrets . The author has once before ventured to express an opinion against the introduction of Adoptive Lodges , and the most mature reflection has not induced him to alter that opinion . If , however , the ladies of England were anxious , very anxious , to wear aprons , and be called Sisters , were anxious to spend some hours in the " sombre demeure" of reflection , why
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Glance At Adoptive Masonry.
system . The condition of mortals on earth is shown to be a state of slavery and bondage , from which nothing but a steady perseverance iu virtue can set them free , and the means of continuing a life of gootl works are clearly and forcibly pointed out . The candidate is at length fitted by having successfully gone through the ordeal for receiving her liberty , and she is taught the true use of it by being required to exercise it first in freeing a miserable captiveBeautiful lessons are now iven
. g . She is addressed on subjects of the deepest interest and importance by the several officers , and tbe whole system of Masonry is explained ; she is entrusted with all the secrets of this degree , invested with its splendid ornaments , and invited to take her seat a Parfaite Maitresse .
The fifth degree must be altogether omitted , both because it is not often conferred , and because it is in some respects similar to the others ; it is very beautiful , and might easily be rendered more profitable than it is . Any further description must be reserved for a future occasion . Thus , then , has the ceremonial of Adoptive Masonry been described as far as the laws of that Order would permit , and from this description the reader may form a fair and probably will form a favourable opinion
of the institution . Far be it from the author to detract from its merits . It stands a bright monument to female secrecy and fidelity , and proves how wrong all those are who fancy a woman is not be trusted . There is not in the whole of Adoptive Masonry a single step with which the most ascetic moralist coulcl find fault ; on the contrary all is pure , all is beautiful ; it is the brightest jewel with which the sombre records of spurious Masonry are led but it is not it wants
spang ; Freemasonry ; the authority of that ancient Order . Its origin can be traced , its authors named ; but who shall say , in such a year Freemasonry was invented ? Pure and ancient Masonry stands alone the handmaid of religion , a mystic bond of fraternal union among all the children of men in every land and of every sect , not confining its blessings to one country or one opinion , but receiving into its holy fane all who love
and practice virtue . Freemasonry is like the Pyramids of Egypt , whose origin , even in remote antiquity , was unknown , solid in their structure , grand , unadorned , but sublimely simple . Adoptive Masonry is like the modern temples of Italy , enriched with architectural embellishments and ornaments , which captivate the eye , but call up no solemn ideas , and whose founders lived comparatively but a few years ago . Even admitting that both these Orders partake of the same nature ,
there is a greater difference between them than exists between the lightning in the clouds and the spark drawn from an electrical machine . There can be no earthly objection to ladies seeking for admission to these Lodges , but it is much to be feared that it would only make them more anxious to be allowed to participate in the nobler mysteries of the ancient Order . The only question which remains is , how far we should be justified in opposing their admission into EnglandPerhaps it
. would merely tend to raise Masonry in the eyes of the fair sex ; perhaps it might make them over anxious to penetrate its secrets . The author has once before ventured to express an opinion against the introduction of Adoptive Lodges , and the most mature reflection has not induced him to alter that opinion . If , however , the ladies of England were anxious , very anxious , to wear aprons , and be called Sisters , were anxious to spend some hours in the " sombre demeure" of reflection , why