CHAPTER LVII. Female Lodges of the Illuminees. "None shall untie my virgin zone, A Mason's Daughter. "THE Source of the passions," say the sect, "is pure; it is necessary that every one should be able to gratify his within the bounds of virtue, and that our order should furnish him with the means." (B. p. 80.) (B. p. 24.) Plan for an Order of Women." This order shall be subdivided into two classes, each forming a separate society, and having a different secret. The first shall be composed of virtuous women; the second, of the wild, the giddy, and the voluptuous, ausschiveifenden. "Both classes are to be ignorant that they are under the direction of men. The two superiors are to be persuaded that they are under a mother lodge of the same sex, which transmits its orders; though in reality these orders are to be transmitted by men. "The brethren who are intrusted with this superintendance, shall forward their instructions without making themselves known. They shall conduct the first, by promoting the reading of good books; but shall form the lat ter to the arts of secretly gratifying their passions, durch begnugung ihrer liedenschaften im verborgenen." A preliminary discourse prefixed to this plan points out the object and future services of these illuminized sisters. 'The advantages which the real order would reap from this female order, would be, first, the money which the sisterhood would pay at their initiation; and, secondly, a heavy tax upon their curiosity, under the supposition of secrets that are to be learned. And this association might, moreover, serve to gratify those brethren who had a turn for sensual pleasure." I will not insult the reader with a comment upon this specimen of the morality of the worshippers of reason; but Paul charges the licentious, that "this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence." (Thess. ch. 4.) Minos to Sebastian, 1782. [It does not appear to whom these names belonged: they were no mean Illuminees.] women. (R. p. 137.) "The proposal of Hercules to establish a Minerval school for girls, is excellent, but requires much circumspection. Philo and I have long conversed on this subject. We cannot improve the world without improving But how shall we get hold of them? How will their relations, particularly their mothers, immersed in prejudices, consent that others shall influence their education? We must begin with grown girls. Hercules proposes the wife of Ptolemy Magnus. I have no objection, and I have four step-daughters, fine girls. The eldest, in particular, is excellent. She is twenty-four, has read much, is above all prejudice, and in religion she thinks as I do. They have much acquaintance among the young ladies their relations. It may immediately be a very pretty society, under the management of Ptolemy's wife, but really under his management. You must contrive pretty degrees, and dresses, and ornaments, and elegant and decent rituals. No man must be admitted. This will make them become more keen, and they will go much farther than if we were present, or than if they thought we knew of their proceedings. Leave them to the scope of their own fancies, and they will put us to the blush, and create an enthusiasm, which we can never equal. They will be our great apostles. Reflect on the respect, nay, the awe and terror inspired by the female mystics of antiquity. [Think of the Danaids-think of the Theban Bacchantes.] Ptolemy's wife must direct them, and she will be instructed by Ptolemy, and my step-daughters by me. We must always be at hand to prevent the introduction of any improper question. We must prepare themes for their discussion-thus we shall confess them, and inspire them with our sentiments. No man, however, must come near them. This will fire their roving fancies, and we may expect rare mysteries. But I am doubtful whether this association will be durable. Women are fickle and impatient. Nothing will please them but hurrying from degree to degree, through a heap of insignificant ceremonies, which will soon lose their novelty and influence. To rest seriously in one rank, and to be still and silent when they have found out the whole is a cheat, is a task of which they are incapable. [Hear, hear, hear.] They have not our motives to persevere for years, allowing themselves to be led about, and even then to hold their tongues, when they find that they have been deceived. Nay, there is a risk, that they may take it into their heads to give things an opposite turn, and then, by voluptuous allurements, heightened by affected modesty and decency, which give them an irresistible empire over the best men, they may turn our order upside down, and in their turn will lead the new one."* * There was found in the hand-writing of Zwack, a project for a Sisterhood, in subserviency to the designs of the Illuminati. In it are the fol No form of folly in Free Masonry remains to be introduced into this country, except that of female lodges. We may expect it; and it is good to see how it appears at home, that we may know how to receive it coming abroad. To this end I further present an account of ceremonies in a lodge of French dames at the funeral of a sister; and it possesses a double interest from the fact, that no public ceremony is more frequently performed by Masonry in America, than that which she performs at the graves of her sons. On no occasion does she pour greater contempt upon the Christian religion, and its glorified Author; on no occasion does she more outrage decency with her uncouth trappings, and mummery, and ornaments, than in assuming, with pomp and circumstance, to bury her dead; lifting up her eyes to heaven, unmindful of our Advocate there; depositing the marble dust in the tomb without praise, or hope, or the slightest mention of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life," the Judge of quick and dead."—(Acts, x. 42.) "Funeral ceremony which took place in S. Chap. M. of the Ladies Ecossais of the Knoll of Mt. Tabor, 5th Dec. 5811. In memory of Madam Sister Adelaide Girous, daughter of Elmillac, Grand Almonress of this Chapter, who died fifth morning of the tenth sign of 5811, E. D. [The reader must expect a good deal of Free Masonry in these rites; they are much above the master's degree.] 66 DECORATION OF THE CHAPTER. "The transparency of Asia, and of Tabor, covered with lowing passages." It will be of great service, and procure us both much information and money, and will suit charmingly the taste of many of our truest members, who are lovers of the sex. It should consist of two classes, the virtuous, and the freer hearted. They must not know of each other, and must be under the direction of men, but without knowing it. Proper books must be put into their hands, and such (but secretly) as are flattering to their passions."-Robison, p. 110. black crape. Bands of crape upon the emblems upon the wand of the grand mistress, upon the triple triangle of the general of the order, upon the wands of the grand mistresses of the secret, and of the ceremonies, and upon the baskets of the flower girls. The canopy, and the curtains of the chapter, black and white, with ermines between. At the centre was a pedestal with a funeral urn, upon which was written S. Adelaide; the ornaments of the deceased sister were appended to the urn. Upon the throne the torch of benevolence was lighted. "Costume of the Ladies Ecossais; white, a girdle of black ribbon, a black crape veil upon the head, bare or covered, ruff in diamond. "Costume of the commanders Ecossais; (particularly invited,) full suit of black; boots expressly prohibited. ARRANGEMENT OF THE HALL. "Madam the grand mistress occupied the throne; the commander in chief of the order at her right; the master of the mother lodge of France at her left; the Master of the G.. Sphinx by his side. The dames of eloquence, by their altar at the east of Tabor. The dames, secretaries, by the sec. general. "The two grand dames of the secret in Asia, with the dames standard bearers. The grand treasurer, at her altar, with her assistant. The place of the almonress is vacant by the death of Sister Adelaide. "The grand mistresses of ceremonies, at their stations, with their assistants. The dame G.. I.. sword bearer, seated upon an arm-chair with a sword before the urn; the flower girls by her side upon crickets. The sister dames upon elevated seats. The good demoiselles by the side of the grand assistants. The dames assistants of the first and second rank, at their altars with their aids. "The invited commanders and visiters, upon the elevated seats, the lower seats, and in the gallery. The music in America. |