Co-Masonry
In 1879 several Chapters owning allegiance to the Supreme Council of France of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at the instigation of the Grand Orient, seceded from that allegience and reconstituted themselves as La Grande Loge Symbolique de France. One of these Chapters, bearing the name of Les Libres Penseurs, meeting at Pecq, a village of Seine et Oise, in November 1881, proposed to initiate into Freemasonry, Mlle. Maria Desraimes, a well-known writer on Humanitarian and women suffrage questions, which they did on 14th January, 1882, for which act the Lodge or Chapter was suspended. Mlle. Desraimes was instrumental in bringing into the ranks of Freemasonry several other well-known women in France, with the result that an Androgynous Masonic body, known as La Grande Loge Symbolique Ecossaise was formed on 4th April, 1893 although its jurisdiction at that time extended over only one lodge, that known as Le Droit Humain, which came into being on the same day, and which, in 1900, adopted the thirty degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. One of the principal workers in the formation of this new schismatic Grand lodge was Dr. Georges Martin, at one time a member of the Lodge Les Libres Penseurs. The schismatic movement spread to Paris and Benares and afterwards to London, at which last-named place, in September, 1902, the Lodge "Human Duty," now No. 6 on the Co- Masonry Register, was consecrated. The title "Co-Masonry" in lieu of "Joint Masonry" was adopted in 1905.
The Principles of Universal Co-Freemasonry are set forth in the official documents as follows:
Art. 1. Universal Co-Freemasonry in Great Britain asserts, in accordance with the ancient declarations of Freemasonry, the existence of a Creative Principle, under the title of "The Great Architect of the Universe."
Art. 2. It maintains the open "Volumes of the Sacred Knowledge" in every lodge, when duly formed for Masonic purposes.
Art. 3. It maintains the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry.
Art. 4. It withholds recognition from all irregular and clandestine meetings, or lodges not holding proper charter.
Art. 5. It imposes no restrictions on the free search for Truth, and to secure that freedom exacts tolerance from all its members. Art. 6. It is open to men and women, without distinction of race or religion, who are free, of good report, and irreproachable life.
Art. 7. It pledges its members to obedience to the laws of the country, loyalty to the Sovereign, silence with regard to Masonic secrets, a high standard of honour, and ceaseless endeavour to promote the welfare of humanity.
Art. 8. Every Freemason belonging to the Ancient and Accepted Rite is bound faithfully to observe the decision of the Supreme Council to which he owes allegiance.
The movement is identified closely with the Theosophical Society, or that particular section of which Mrs. Annie Besant is President and, on the death of Dr. Georges Martin, the President Grand Master, Mrs. Besant was chosen to succeed him in that office.
There is, however, another and a very influential branch of the Theosphical movement, which repudiates the Besant leadership, and with it the Co-Mason movement. This is presided over by Mrs. Katharine Tingley, who has set forth her views on Co-Masonry the following words:
Let me first state what is my attitude towards Masonry. Many of the happiest recollections of my childhood are associated with my dead grandfather, who was one of the best known Masons in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and received some of the highest Masonic honours in these States. It was from him that I received my earliest education. It was from his Masonic books that I learned to read and spell and draw, and from his noble and sweet character, I came to regard Masonry as associated with the best in life. In fact, I came to think that all the best men in the world must be Masons.
Now, it does not necessarily follow that this last statement is true, for some of the noblest men I have met have not been Masons. Still, on the other hand, many of the best men I have known have belonged to the Masonic Order, and I have seen nothing but the best results flow from a deep interest in Masonry wherever I have known of it, and from my knowledge and acquaintance of Masons I regard Masonry and the principles which underlie it as a great force for good in the world.
I cannot understand how any true woman would wish to intrude into an Order held to be exclusively for men. There are lines of work which I hold are exclusively in the province of men just as there are lines of work which are exclusively in the province of women. I hold that woman can only yield her full share of influence in the world from a knowledge gained by using and fulfilling her opportunities as a woman, and in her own sphere. I consider that she steps away from her true position and greatly lessens her influence by seeking to invade the sphere of man.
Why should women be disturbed that men have an organization which is exclusively for men? As I understand Masonry, it seems to inculcate all the virtues - honour, rectitude, chastity, etc. - for this much has often been publicly stated by Masons; and, speaking generally, I have no hesitation in saying that, from my experience, the majority of them - to a degree at least - try to exemplify these virtues in their lives. There may be some who fall far short of the Masonic ideals - in our present disturbed civilization it can hardly be expected otherwise - but that cannot be laid at the door of Masonry, but of human frailty, and as a result of men's failing to grasp their higher opportunities in life.
Many a woman has known of the uplifting and refining power, tending towards self-restraint and nobility and virtue, which Masonry has exercised in the life of brother, husband, or son; and without in any way encroaching on Masonry or seeking to pry into its secrets, every true woman, in the light of the knowledge that is publicly given out by Masons themselves of Masonic principles, can, if she will, help brother, husband, son or friend to be true to these principles and be a true Mason.
What is needed today by both men and women is a greater respect, first for themselves, in their true natures as man and woman, and following that, a greater respect each for the other - of women for men and of men for women. Such respect implies no invasion of one another's sphere, but the very contrary, and in fact can only suffer terribly from such invasion.
There is a common ground on which men and women can meet, which is preeminently in the home. It is also in the world of art, music, literature, education, and all the highest ideals of social, civic, and national life.
I have had many letters from all classes asking questions as to my attitude in this matter, seeing that the name Theosophy has, most unfortunately, and without any warrant, become associated with "Co-Masonry." Such association is absolutely unwarranted, and I hold that no true Theosophist will give his adherence or support to "Co-Masonry." The fact that any person or body of persons should attempt to attach themselves to an organization from which, by the rules of that organization, they are excluded, would make me seriously question their motives, and one would probably find such people to be either fanatics or exeremely credulous or ----(!) Whatever knowledge such people may think they have in the matter, it must indeed be very limited, or rather no knowledge at all, otherwise they would see the absurdity of trying to attach themselves to an organization in which, in the very nature of things, they would be out of place. If it were possible to conceive of the secrets of Masonry being given to a woman, from my understanding of the matter it could be only through some one unfaithful to his vows as a Mason, and no true and self-respecting woman would think of availing herself of such information; nor could it, by the nature of things, be held to be reliable, for he who is unfaithful in one thing will be unfaithful in others, and I prophesy that this attempt of certain women to seek admission where they do not belong can result only in confusion, disaster, and serious embarrassment for all such women.
It need hardly be said that the clandestine movement of Co-Masonry is placed outside the pale by all who pledge their adherence to the Antient Charges of Freemasonry.
- Source: The Builder - November - 1920