PHILOSOPHY OF MASONRY. This expression opens an immense field for the intelligent Mason to explore, and one so rich in materials that it can never be exhausted. The Philosophy of Freemasonry involves the history of its origin, an inquiry into the ideas that lie at its base, an investi gation of its peculiar form, an analytical study of its several degrees, and a development of the ideas which are illustrated by its ritualistic emblems, myths and allegories, and which speak through its sublime system of symbols. Freemasonry has now arrived at a period in its history when the pros perity of the Order imperatively demands a deeper insight into its character and teachings. In this country, for nearly half a century, Masons have occupied themselves merely with the outward and material forms of the institution. Not knowing in what ideas the system had its birth, what truths were symbolized by the rites, what notions were intended to be illustrated by its synibols, they have not been able to rise to a true appreciation of its sublime spirit and profound significance. The superior intelligence and culture of tho present age require more than this. The questioning spirit of the times demands a i eason for this and for that; it cannot rest in a dead form, an outward sign. Masons should
acquaint themselves with the philosophy of Masonry, seek and find the sense of its rites, study its symbols until they see them all aglow with infinite and eternal truths. "Sym bols are the -speech of God," and through them Eternity looks into Time, and the Infinite holds communion with the finite, the divine with the human—through them the mys terious currents of life from the over-world stream into our human world of prosaiC reality, and light it up with a living glory. There is that latent in Freemasonry which makes it exactly the institution most needed in this age. But to be an effective agent in elevating and advancing man to a more perfect condition, the sense of its mysteries- must be better understood by Masons, its philosophy must be studied, and its grand and ancient emblems and symbols must be made to speak their immortal meanings as of old. In other words, Freemasonry must be idealized. Masonic literature is ex ceedingly poor in works touching upon this point. The lectures of Ragon, "fours Philosophique," in France, and the "Rationale and Ethics of Freemasonry," by Arnold, in the United States, are the only works we have any knowledge of in this department. •