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Article FREEMASONRY & ISRAELITISM ← Page 2 of 2 Article THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY. Page 1 of 2 Article THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY. Page 1 of 2 Article THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry & Israelitism
twelve kingdoms , or provinces , in Germany , and to those of the twelve tribes - of Israel in the time of the Judges . These kingdoms were gradually merged in one
kingdom , and called England—Angle-land . In the meantime , the Anglo-Saxons had embraced Christianity , through the preaching of missionaries sent from - Rome . The
Danes , a branch of the same family , subsequently made incursions into the island , and , after a time , became united with the Anglo-Saxons . At a subsequent date ,
the Normans , another branch of the same family , invaded the country , and became so intermingled with the Anglo-Saxons as to be at length undistinguishable from them .
Thus , as we have seen , this Gothic race , dwelling in the regions north of the Euxine , gradually spread themselves throughout the greater part of the civilised world , occupied and civilised countries which had
previously been sunk in a state of barbarism , and , by its possession of England , became the messengers of civilisation to other and remote lands , planted the flourishing and powerful States of America , Australasia ,
and many other colonies in both hemispheres , and carrying their religion , language , and civilisation into India , China , Japan , and every part of the world . Thus , as Mr . Wilson ( Lect . on Ancient Israel , p .
2 i ) observes , " The European branch of the Semetic family , from the East came into the maritime parts of Europe ; and gradually pushed to the ends of the earth the people who previously possessed these
countries ; or they have taken them up , to become one people with them , and to be made partakers with them of their blessings . This inproved family of the Semetic race , after renewing their strength in these
islands , have launched out into the Great Atlantic , and the tide of emigration has rolled over the world of waters , still further westward—encroaching still upon the
Japhetic race in America as it did in Europe . " And we may predict that this race will still further spread , until " the wilderness shall be inhabited , and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose . "
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY .
ARTICLE VIII . Among the many questions that have commanded the serious reflection of the learned , none have , perhaps , been more perplexing and unsatisfactory than religion and human nature .
Notwithstanding that so many commentaries upon these two subjects have been given , there is considerable latitude fcr an essayist to introduce into a critical analysis further proofs of the propositions deduced by minds qualified for the
task of forming an impartial estimate of these truly important themes . The present writer , having in the preceding article touched upon the principles of religion , thinks it unnecessary
to offer any further comment upon a question that has toa frequently led to the display of much hostile feeling . In dismissing the subject , he may he pardoned for exclaiming in the words of the immortal bard that
Where envy breeds unkind division , There comes the ruin : there begins confusion . His duty is simply to confine his observations to certain matters characterising man , who ( to borrow a phrase from Pope ) is " the proper
study of mankind . The passage has long since become an axiom amongst us , for all taking an active part in the business of life , have discovered the r . ercssiiy for the possession of a
knowledge of the quirks and quiddities of human nature . Those who have cultivated philosophical desires have not failed to note with some degree of satisfaction the good parts of human
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
nature which triumph for awhile over inherent evil propensities . That man is more inclined to commit himself to sinful practices , every one will in all probability readily admit . He has , however , the power given him to do great service in his generation , if he will strive to disregard the
allurements of evil m his pathway . It may be reasonably assumed that if every human being were to endeavour to cultivate a conciliatory spirit with his fellow-creatures , and to promote their comfort and happiness , the aspect of this sublunary state would be greatly changed . By
this remark the writer does not insinuate that man alone can entirely remove evil from the world , but rather that a considerable modification in the wickedness now rampant would be effected by this consistent and unsophisticated system . The pure-minded and generous man
has his foes , but he nevertheless receives from the worthy that respect to which he , by his amiable qualities , so deservedly merits . It is at all times excessively gratifying to the feelings to witness how his goodness of heart prompts him to dispense his gifts to the poor ; to solace
the widow in her affliction ; to offer protection to the helpless orphan , and to lessen the distresses borne by those with whom he comes into contact . He has no foolish pride to gratify . He does not , like many of his fellow-men who pretend to have charitable principles , proclaim
his acts , but blushes to have his deeds heralded forth to the world . In this age there is , unfortunately , a disposition to assume the philanthropist ' s garb merely to indulge selfishness and to insure laudatory remarks from all classes of society . Relief administered , under such
circumstances , becomes a mockery and a disgrace to any community . When will this falsity , which is so ^ extensively practised , cease amongst us ? The man who quietly and unostentatiously contributes his mite to the necessitous , and softens the troubles of his less fortunate brethren , is
infinitely more entitled to gratitude than the one who , in the sight of the world , gives his stipcrflous thousands away in the name of charity and demands his acts to be emblazoned in the Temple of Fame . It is not because an individual bestows a part of his worldly goods upon
the needy and afflicted , that he is necessarily benevolent for it solely depends upon' the intent or design which governs the act . If the offering is conscientiously and ungrudgingly made , in a strictly private manner , to alleviate those who , by misfortune , have decided in the social
scale , then may il be said that the donor exhibited one of the best traits of human naturecalled charity . The quality , when properly understood and exercised , proves an inestimable advantage in a moral point of view . Man , in his association with his fellow-creatures , displays
great vanity . Nothing probably delights him more than to receive slavish , homage and the pamperings of fools and knaves . How much deceit and hypocrisy does he himself practise in order to humour his selfish tendencies ! When will he learn to respect the behests of the
Divinity ? Surely he cannot be totally indifferent to the duties imposed upon him by the Great Law Giver ? In his evil course , can the fact be patent to his mind that " All flesh is grass ; the grass withercth and the flower fadeth awav : " and that his life is of the most
exanescent character ? Thjn , why does he not give these matters deep reflection , and cast aside the pomps and vanities of the world and endeavour to prepare himself for the end of his career ? The Creator has , in Ilis infinite wisdom , given him a fitting companion , whose
tender solicitude has soothed his cares and guided him through all the vicissitudes of life ; her patience and affectionate regard being exemplified in every conceivable way . Charity from her has no allow It rises from the
uncontracted spring of her guileless heart . She comforts the sick and distressed . She breathes to the dying words of hope , and tenderly closes their eyes as the spirit is being wafted away to the realms above ; and at . the last scene of all uli . it Chri . slian foitiiude does she manifest 1 In
everything she undertakes she has no selfish motives to serve . She has no arrogance . All her principles are founded upon goodness , and
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
being so based , exercise great benefits to the opposite sex . Let man do his duty to his neighbour , himself , and God . Let him study to appreciate the works of Him who gave life , and he will derive such pleasure and profit as the
immoral can never experience . Let his career be distinguished by a disposition to do good to those around him , so that when his pilgrimage has terminated , he may justly deserve the estimate made upon his character
that—His life was gentle , and the elements So mixed in him , that Nature might Stand up and say to all the world . " This was a man . "
In reviewing the conduct displayed by Electa , one experiences an admixture of pleasure and pain—pleasure in the thought of her truly charitable acts , pain in the knowledge of the violent death suffered b y herself and family . The
heroic indifference to her fate , and the dignified behaviour to her persecutors , form conclusive evidence of what the faithful can endure when life is endangered . In the narrative produced
in this column , the reader will probably recognise much terseness in the style in which her deeds are described to the candidate for the fifth degree of the sisterhood . The point of the signet may thus be explained : —
THE FIFTH POINT . ELECTA , OR THE BENEVOLENT DEGREE . [ The Symbol of tlic Jfartyr . ] Dying , as Jesus died upon the tree—Was ever worthier sacrifice than hers !
Sacred the cross , the nail , the thorn ; for He Who suffered has redeemed them from the curse ; Just as she passed to blest eternity She pleads forgiveness to her murderers .
The scriptural illustration is selected from the 2 nd Epistle of John , and is as follows : — "And now I beseech thee , lady , not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee , but that which we had from the beginning—that we love one another . "
Ihe point of the signet is coloured red . The tinge has i ; s representative in the red rose , which is symbolical of the benevolence and hospitality exercised by Electa . The emblem and grip are the cup and clasped hands . The lecture , delivered by the Instructor , runs thus : —
" The structure of Freemasonry , in its obligations , emblems , and principles , is so peculiar that we , Master Masons , above all other men , are taught to respect patience and submission under wrongs . That there will be a day of judgment , when all wrongs shall be redressed bv the Divine hand , we
firmly believe . Therefore , when we find in history a person whose confidence in God ' s justice gave her perfect patience and submission amidst the most inhuman wrongs , wc seize upon that character as our own . We adopt and protect it . Wc hail it as a Masonic character , and we claim whatever
credit or honour may be associated with it . Such a character , forcibly delineated , we discover in the traditions of our fathers . It is alluded to in the Second Epistle of John , under the title of Electa . And we have so surrounded die submission of that noble and heroic woman under wrong , and her
matchless benevolence , with emblems , legends , and tokens of recognition , as to make of it a section in Adoptive Masonry . The history of Electa , as composing a degree of the Eastern Star , is thus given : — She was a lady of high repute in the land of Judei , of noble family , wealthy and accomplished ,
who lived in the days of St . John the Evangelist , and was remarkable for her profuse benevolence to the poor . Electa had been reared , as all her neighbours were , a heathen . The idols of Rome were the only gods she knew . Like Kuih , however , she had been preserved from the abominations of the
system , and when by good fortune she was enabled to hear from inspired lips the story of Calvary and its Divine victim , her heart readily opened to the influences of the Holy Spirit . She became converted , together with her husband and all her household . She even professed , before the world , her
faitn in the despised Nazarcnc , though well gslxi knew that to do so was to expose ' herself to reproaches , to persecution , and haply to death . Fourteen years , however , passed away before that great trial came upon her . These years became the happier as well as the better years of her life . She
gave her great income to the relief ol the poor . Her splcmiid mansion was made a house of abode to weary and persecited pilgrims . The poorest of the Hock , the tattered , and footsore beggar , coming up ( lie great avenue to her door , was met as the father met his prodigal son . She ran out hastily to meet
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry & Israelitism
twelve kingdoms , or provinces , in Germany , and to those of the twelve tribes - of Israel in the time of the Judges . These kingdoms were gradually merged in one
kingdom , and called England—Angle-land . In the meantime , the Anglo-Saxons had embraced Christianity , through the preaching of missionaries sent from - Rome . The
Danes , a branch of the same family , subsequently made incursions into the island , and , after a time , became united with the Anglo-Saxons . At a subsequent date ,
the Normans , another branch of the same family , invaded the country , and became so intermingled with the Anglo-Saxons as to be at length undistinguishable from them .
Thus , as we have seen , this Gothic race , dwelling in the regions north of the Euxine , gradually spread themselves throughout the greater part of the civilised world , occupied and civilised countries which had
previously been sunk in a state of barbarism , and , by its possession of England , became the messengers of civilisation to other and remote lands , planted the flourishing and powerful States of America , Australasia ,
and many other colonies in both hemispheres , and carrying their religion , language , and civilisation into India , China , Japan , and every part of the world . Thus , as Mr . Wilson ( Lect . on Ancient Israel , p .
2 i ) observes , " The European branch of the Semetic family , from the East came into the maritime parts of Europe ; and gradually pushed to the ends of the earth the people who previously possessed these
countries ; or they have taken them up , to become one people with them , and to be made partakers with them of their blessings . This inproved family of the Semetic race , after renewing their strength in these
islands , have launched out into the Great Atlantic , and the tide of emigration has rolled over the world of waters , still further westward—encroaching still upon the
Japhetic race in America as it did in Europe . " And we may predict that this race will still further spread , until " the wilderness shall be inhabited , and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose . "
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
THE FAIR SEX AND ADOPTIVE MASONRY .
ARTICLE VIII . Among the many questions that have commanded the serious reflection of the learned , none have , perhaps , been more perplexing and unsatisfactory than religion and human nature .
Notwithstanding that so many commentaries upon these two subjects have been given , there is considerable latitude fcr an essayist to introduce into a critical analysis further proofs of the propositions deduced by minds qualified for the
task of forming an impartial estimate of these truly important themes . The present writer , having in the preceding article touched upon the principles of religion , thinks it unnecessary
to offer any further comment upon a question that has toa frequently led to the display of much hostile feeling . In dismissing the subject , he may he pardoned for exclaiming in the words of the immortal bard that
Where envy breeds unkind division , There comes the ruin : there begins confusion . His duty is simply to confine his observations to certain matters characterising man , who ( to borrow a phrase from Pope ) is " the proper
study of mankind . The passage has long since become an axiom amongst us , for all taking an active part in the business of life , have discovered the r . ercssiiy for the possession of a
knowledge of the quirks and quiddities of human nature . Those who have cultivated philosophical desires have not failed to note with some degree of satisfaction the good parts of human
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
nature which triumph for awhile over inherent evil propensities . That man is more inclined to commit himself to sinful practices , every one will in all probability readily admit . He has , however , the power given him to do great service in his generation , if he will strive to disregard the
allurements of evil m his pathway . It may be reasonably assumed that if every human being were to endeavour to cultivate a conciliatory spirit with his fellow-creatures , and to promote their comfort and happiness , the aspect of this sublunary state would be greatly changed . By
this remark the writer does not insinuate that man alone can entirely remove evil from the world , but rather that a considerable modification in the wickedness now rampant would be effected by this consistent and unsophisticated system . The pure-minded and generous man
has his foes , but he nevertheless receives from the worthy that respect to which he , by his amiable qualities , so deservedly merits . It is at all times excessively gratifying to the feelings to witness how his goodness of heart prompts him to dispense his gifts to the poor ; to solace
the widow in her affliction ; to offer protection to the helpless orphan , and to lessen the distresses borne by those with whom he comes into contact . He has no foolish pride to gratify . He does not , like many of his fellow-men who pretend to have charitable principles , proclaim
his acts , but blushes to have his deeds heralded forth to the world . In this age there is , unfortunately , a disposition to assume the philanthropist ' s garb merely to indulge selfishness and to insure laudatory remarks from all classes of society . Relief administered , under such
circumstances , becomes a mockery and a disgrace to any community . When will this falsity , which is so ^ extensively practised , cease amongst us ? The man who quietly and unostentatiously contributes his mite to the necessitous , and softens the troubles of his less fortunate brethren , is
infinitely more entitled to gratitude than the one who , in the sight of the world , gives his stipcrflous thousands away in the name of charity and demands his acts to be emblazoned in the Temple of Fame . It is not because an individual bestows a part of his worldly goods upon
the needy and afflicted , that he is necessarily benevolent for it solely depends upon' the intent or design which governs the act . If the offering is conscientiously and ungrudgingly made , in a strictly private manner , to alleviate those who , by misfortune , have decided in the social
scale , then may il be said that the donor exhibited one of the best traits of human naturecalled charity . The quality , when properly understood and exercised , proves an inestimable advantage in a moral point of view . Man , in his association with his fellow-creatures , displays
great vanity . Nothing probably delights him more than to receive slavish , homage and the pamperings of fools and knaves . How much deceit and hypocrisy does he himself practise in order to humour his selfish tendencies ! When will he learn to respect the behests of the
Divinity ? Surely he cannot be totally indifferent to the duties imposed upon him by the Great Law Giver ? In his evil course , can the fact be patent to his mind that " All flesh is grass ; the grass withercth and the flower fadeth awav : " and that his life is of the most
exanescent character ? Thjn , why does he not give these matters deep reflection , and cast aside the pomps and vanities of the world and endeavour to prepare himself for the end of his career ? The Creator has , in Ilis infinite wisdom , given him a fitting companion , whose
tender solicitude has soothed his cares and guided him through all the vicissitudes of life ; her patience and affectionate regard being exemplified in every conceivable way . Charity from her has no allow It rises from the
uncontracted spring of her guileless heart . She comforts the sick and distressed . She breathes to the dying words of hope , and tenderly closes their eyes as the spirit is being wafted away to the realms above ; and at . the last scene of all uli . it Chri . slian foitiiude does she manifest 1 In
everything she undertakes she has no selfish motives to serve . She has no arrogance . All her principles are founded upon goodness , and
The Fair Sex And Adoptive Masonry.
being so based , exercise great benefits to the opposite sex . Let man do his duty to his neighbour , himself , and God . Let him study to appreciate the works of Him who gave life , and he will derive such pleasure and profit as the
immoral can never experience . Let his career be distinguished by a disposition to do good to those around him , so that when his pilgrimage has terminated , he may justly deserve the estimate made upon his character
that—His life was gentle , and the elements So mixed in him , that Nature might Stand up and say to all the world . " This was a man . "
In reviewing the conduct displayed by Electa , one experiences an admixture of pleasure and pain—pleasure in the thought of her truly charitable acts , pain in the knowledge of the violent death suffered b y herself and family . The
heroic indifference to her fate , and the dignified behaviour to her persecutors , form conclusive evidence of what the faithful can endure when life is endangered . In the narrative produced
in this column , the reader will probably recognise much terseness in the style in which her deeds are described to the candidate for the fifth degree of the sisterhood . The point of the signet may thus be explained : —
THE FIFTH POINT . ELECTA , OR THE BENEVOLENT DEGREE . [ The Symbol of tlic Jfartyr . ] Dying , as Jesus died upon the tree—Was ever worthier sacrifice than hers !
Sacred the cross , the nail , the thorn ; for He Who suffered has redeemed them from the curse ; Just as she passed to blest eternity She pleads forgiveness to her murderers .
The scriptural illustration is selected from the 2 nd Epistle of John , and is as follows : — "And now I beseech thee , lady , not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee , but that which we had from the beginning—that we love one another . "
Ihe point of the signet is coloured red . The tinge has i ; s representative in the red rose , which is symbolical of the benevolence and hospitality exercised by Electa . The emblem and grip are the cup and clasped hands . The lecture , delivered by the Instructor , runs thus : —
" The structure of Freemasonry , in its obligations , emblems , and principles , is so peculiar that we , Master Masons , above all other men , are taught to respect patience and submission under wrongs . That there will be a day of judgment , when all wrongs shall be redressed bv the Divine hand , we
firmly believe . Therefore , when we find in history a person whose confidence in God ' s justice gave her perfect patience and submission amidst the most inhuman wrongs , wc seize upon that character as our own . We adopt and protect it . Wc hail it as a Masonic character , and we claim whatever
credit or honour may be associated with it . Such a character , forcibly delineated , we discover in the traditions of our fathers . It is alluded to in the Second Epistle of John , under the title of Electa . And we have so surrounded die submission of that noble and heroic woman under wrong , and her
matchless benevolence , with emblems , legends , and tokens of recognition , as to make of it a section in Adoptive Masonry . The history of Electa , as composing a degree of the Eastern Star , is thus given : — She was a lady of high repute in the land of Judei , of noble family , wealthy and accomplished ,
who lived in the days of St . John the Evangelist , and was remarkable for her profuse benevolence to the poor . Electa had been reared , as all her neighbours were , a heathen . The idols of Rome were the only gods she knew . Like Kuih , however , she had been preserved from the abominations of the
system , and when by good fortune she was enabled to hear from inspired lips the story of Calvary and its Divine victim , her heart readily opened to the influences of the Holy Spirit . She became converted , together with her husband and all her household . She even professed , before the world , her
faitn in the despised Nazarcnc , though well gslxi knew that to do so was to expose ' herself to reproaches , to persecution , and haply to death . Fourteen years , however , passed away before that great trial came upon her . These years became the happier as well as the better years of her life . She
gave her great income to the relief ol the poor . Her splcmiid mansion was made a house of abode to weary and persecited pilgrims . The poorest of the Hock , the tattered , and footsore beggar , coming up ( lie great avenue to her door , was met as the father met his prodigal son . She ran out hastily to meet