Women Freemasons.

of mis-statements . On the other hand , the Vienna ' Tageblatt ' printed a far more correct article . But the question is one that , with the exception of the ' Sunday Times' in London , has not

been discussed in the columns of the public Press . " " There seems to be an opinion current abroad that the Grand Orient is at the head of French Freemasonry ; can you tell me if this is so ?"

" The Grand Orient has more Lodges in France and abroad than any other . The ' rite ecossaise , ' of which our Lodge is a follower , comes next , and there are two or three others . An amalgamation of one rite with the ' rite ecossaise , ' may take place shortly , and then the number of Lodges of the Grand Orient and

the ' rite ecossaise' will be nearly equal . There are details into which it is impossible for me to enter with a ' profane , ' like yourself , yet I may say that there is not very much difference between the two . " " Will you tell me what that difference is ? "

" I do not see any reason why I should not . The Lodges of the ' rite ecossaise' swear by the ' Great Architect of the Universe' whenever they take an oath—the Great Architect of the Universe meaning the Lord Almighty . Well , the Freemasons of the Grand Orient do not wish Masons to be compelled to swear

by the Lord Almighty . And why is this' ? For the simple reason that Freemasons have not the right to enter into any questions of religious belief , a Lodge being formed of men who group together for certain reasons , whatever be their religion and their nationality . The question was solved by swearing on the

constitution of the Lodge , a solution that was satisfactory to theists and atheists alike . This explains why Masons of the Grand Orient cannot possibly be recognised either in England or America , for the reason stated that the Grand Orient Masons refuse to declare a belief in the Great Architect of the

Universea belief in whom is the fundamental clause of the constitution of all Freemasons . On the other hand , the Masons of the ' rite ecossaise' are more liable to be recognised everywhere because of their adhering to the oath by the Great Architect of the Universe . I will give you an example . When the French

Government sent two gentlemen to represent their country at the inauguration of the Statue of Liberty , by Bartholdi , in the Bay of New York , it happened that both of them were Freemasons , one being M . Spuller . They were well received by their Brother Masons and duly honoured ; but , being members of the Grand

Orient , they were not admitted to a meeting . On the other hand , a member of the ' rite ecossaise' on his way to the World's Fair in Chicago , remained several days in New York , where he was received by his Brother Masons , and admitted into their

meetings , simply because he was accustomed to swear by the Great Architect of the Universe . The Mason in question had no introductions whatever ; he made himself known by the signs and words that make Freemasons known to Brothers the world

over , and he was received quite differently from the envoyes of the French Government , who had considerable prestige and were on an official mission . I do not known how matters would have been in England , but I should imagine that it would have been much the same , as American Masons are as strict as English Masons on such points . "

" Would members of your mixed Lodge be received in Lodges where members of the Grand Orient are denied admittance ? "

" It is difficult for me to say . I do not think so , for we should be told by many that we cannot be considered as Freemasons , for having violated a fundamental law of Masons , by which ' all women are to be excluded from the temple , ' and we have committed the offence (?) of accepting women into our Lodge .

In fact , if I am not mistaken , the Grand Orient has advised all its Lodges not to accept our Brothers and Sisters . One of the former , finding himself quite recently in Tonquin , was denied admittance there to a Lodge of the Grand Orient . On the other hand , one of the most important Lodges of the Grand Orient ,

' Le Cosmopolite de Vichy , ' admitted my wife to one of their regular meetings , and allowed her to address its members , which she did . Madame G . Martin , my wife , is of course a member of our mixed Lodge . I do not think that the Cosmopolite de Vichy 18 in disarace . but I have reason to helievfl that thn Lories hn . s

been requested not to act in such a manner again . All this goes to show that the women of our Lodge are perfectly initiated into all the mysteries of Freemasonry ; that if any one of our Sister Masons should find herself in any part of the world , she could make herself recognised by Masons , to whatever nationality or

Lodge they might belong . At the present moment there are women Freemasons ; the world is not accustomed to them yet , but it will be soon . And there is no doubt that the women of France will contend to become Masons who shall be recognised

by all Lodges , in the same manner as they are now fighting for their municipal , political and other rights . To judge by the progress they are making , and by the success of our Lodge , in the eyes even of those who by principle condemn it , they will soon earn a well-deserved victory . " Dr . Martin entered into a few more details as to the benefits to be derived from Freemasonry in general , whether by men or

Women Freemasons.

women . Sister as well as Brother Masons are capable of fulfilling the moral responsibility they assume towards orphans of Masons . Before taking leave of the Doctor , the correspondent had the honour of being introduced to the wife of the Senator , an ardent Mason , who joined in with her husband in assuring the listener

of the multiple benefits to be derived from Masonry , and of the absolute necessity of the existence of" franche-maconnes . " The correspondent was shown the model of the diploma , designed by a woman , to become the property of each member of the mixed

Lodge . It is , the Doctor assured us , the finest diploma of any Lodge in France , and contains all the symbols of the Craft . To the uninitiated it appeared a most artistic piece of work , carefully executed , the symbolical representation of Human Eight . — " Sunday Times . "

Mixed Lodges.

MIXED LODGES .

To the Editor of the " Sunday Times . " MADAM , —To hear Madame Maria Martin , one would think that androginous Masonry was a new thing , whereas it is nothing of the sort . To go no further back than 1738 , the " Society of the Mopses , " then founded , was composed of male and female Masons ; so was the " Society of the Chain , " in Denmark , dating from 1777 . In 1810 , there was founded in

France tho " Sovereign Chapter of the Scotch Ladies of France , " which also admitted gentlemen . Androginous Lodges were revived in Spain in 1877 ; the Grand Orient of Spain initiates ladies into all the mysteries of Masonry , and what are these mysteries ? How can they be called mysteries when the Grand Orient of France has sanctioned the publication of them to the minutest particulars , tho rites , passwords , signs , and grips of all degrees ? I

will mention but two works in support of this assertion , that of Bro . Bazot Grand Secretary , and that of Bro . Ragon ; there is no secret of Freemasonry that is not revealed in those writings . But the list could be indefinitely extended . Freemasonry is simply a gigantic hoax , but as long as there are grown-up children , so long will there be Freemasonry . Still , it it is on the wane , and so zealous Brothers see the necessity of interesting the ladies in it ; hence the resuscitation of androginous Lodges .

I am , Madam , your obedient servant , C . W . HECKETHORNE 30 th December 1894 .

MESSRS . Cassell and Company will shortly publish a new work , entitled " A King ' s Diary , " by Mr . Percy White , author of " Mr . Bailey-Martin . " It will be issued in a form poculiar to itself , and will be followed by other works produced in a similar manner . Mr . Max Pemberton is , we understand , to undertake the selection and editing of this new departure in the issue of pocket editions .

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