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Literary
September 29, 1825
The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Register
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
A Freemason apologizes to women for their exclusion from the order, attributing it to men's weakness and potential for jealousy, while praising women's innate virtues, sympathy, and capacity for charity without need for mystic symbols.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
A MASON'S APOLOGY TO THE LADIES.
Agreeably to the tenets of our order, the fair sex are excluded from associating with us in our mystic profession; not because they are deemed unworthy of the secret, nor because the mechanical tools of the craft are "too ponderous for them to wield"-but from a consciousness of our own weakness. Should they be permitted to enter the Lodge, Love would often times enter with them; jealousy would probably rankle in the hearts of the brethren, and fraternal affection be perverted into rivalship. The feelings of women are more exquisitely fine and their generous sympathy is more easily awakened, by the misfortunes of their fellow creatures than the stronger sex. The tear of pity bedews their cheeks at the tale of wo, and their gentle bosoms heave with tender emotions at the sight of human wretchedness. They require not the adventitious aid of mystic institutions to urge them to acts of charity and benevolence, nor symbols to lead them to virtue. Their own hearts are the lodges in which virtue presides, and the dictates of her will is their only incentive to action.
Agreeably to the tenets of our order, the fair sex are excluded from associating with us in our mystic profession; not because they are deemed unworthy of the secret, nor because the mechanical tools of the craft are "too ponderous for them to wield"-but from a consciousness of our own weakness. Should they be permitted to enter the Lodge, Love would often times enter with them; jealousy would probably rankle in the hearts of the brethren, and fraternal affection be perverted into rivalship. The feelings of women are more exquisitely fine and their generous sympathy is more easily awakened, by the misfortunes of their fellow creatures than the stronger sex. The tear of pity bedews their cheeks at the tale of wo, and their gentle bosoms heave with tender emotions at the sight of human wretchedness. They require not the adventitious aid of mystic institutions to urge them to acts of charity and benevolence, nor symbols to lead them to virtue. Their own hearts are the lodges in which virtue presides, and the dictates of her will is their only incentive to action.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Freemasonry
Women Exclusion
Moral Virtue
Charity
Fraternal Affection
Literary Details
Title
A Mason's Apology To The Ladies.
Subject
Apology For Excluding Women From Freemasonry
Key Lines
Agreeably To The Tenets Of Our Order, The Fair Sex Are Excluded From Associating With Us In Our Mystic Profession; Not Because They Are Deemed Unworthy Of The Secret, Nor Because The Mechanical Tools Of The Craft Are "Too Ponderous For Them To Wield" But From A Consciousness Of Our Own Weakness.
Should They Be Permitted To Enter The Lodge, Love Would Often Times Enter With Them; Jealousy Would Probably Rankle In The Hearts Of The Brethren, And Fraternal Affection Be Perverted Into Rivalship.
They Require Not The Adventitious Aid Of Mystic Institutions To Urge Them To Acts Of Charity And Benevolence, Nor Symbols To Lead Them To Virtue.
Their Own Hearts Are The Lodges In Which Virtue Presides, And The Dictates Of Her Will Is Their Only Incentive To Action.