ADOPTIVE MASONRY. A. name given to certain degrees resembling Masonry, and Masonic in spirit, which have, at times, been invented for ladies who have claims upon the Order of Freemasonry, through relatives who are members of it. Adoptive Masonry first made its appearance in France, in the early part of the 18th century, and there is still a legal and regular branch of the institution in that country. The French rite has four degrees: 1. Apprentice; 2. Companion; 3. Mistress; 4. Perfect Mistress. The officers of a Lodge of Adoption are a Grand Master and a Grand Mistress; an Orator; an Inspector, and Inspectress; a Depositor and Depositrex; a Conductor and Conductress. They wear blue collars, with a gold trowel pendant therefrom, white aprons, and gloves. The members also wear the jewel of the Order, which is a golden ladder with five rounds, on the left breast. Many of the most distinguished ladies of Europe have been, and are now, members of this Order. Among them were the Duchess of Bourbon, the Empress Josephine, Lady Mcintague, Duchess Elizabeth Chesterfield, and the Empress Eugenie. The Adoptive Lodges were at first rapidly diffused throughout all the countries of Europe except the British empire. But the American Adoptive rite is better adapted to the United States, and has excited considerable interest, and found many powerful advocates in this country. It con of five degrees .1 ICI GA lows:" 1. Jephthah's daughter, or the Daughter's degree, illustrating respect to the binding force of a vow; 2.
Ruth, or the Widow's de gree, illustrating devotion to religious principles; 3. Esther, or the Wife's degree, illus trating fidelity to kindred and friends ; 4. Martha, or the Sister's degree, illustrating undeviating faith in the hour 01 brim; 0. zaecLa, ur the Benevolent degree, illustrat ing charity and courage, with patience and submission under wrongs. All the degrees together are called the "Rite of the Eastern Star," and are very beautiful and impres sive., Ladies who have received these degrees have a ready and efficient means of commanding the services of Freemasons whenever and wherever they may need them. The moral teachings of the Eastern Star degrees are excellent, and cannot fail to make a good impression. Notwithstand ing there is among some Masons a strong feeling against ally form of Adoptive Masonry, it cannot be questioned that the spirit of the age demands something of the kind. Masons cannot find a surer safeguard and protection for their wives, sisters, and daughters, than is furnished by the American Adoptive rite or Order of the Eastern Star. To the objec tion that the degrees are not Masonic, it may be replied that they are as much so as any degree outside of the Syrn olieal Lodge. All degrees above the first three are Masonic, only by adoption.