The Philosophy And Work Of Pythagoras.

Pythagoras passed a considerable portion of his early adult life in travellingthrough Egypt , India , and other countries , and that when he was about fort y years old he established a school of general learning at Samos , where he was the first person to have applied to himself the name of philosopher . Here he taught the principles of natural science , and a system of mental and moral philosophyattracting to his leadership a small but faithful band of disciles .

, p But the school at Samos did not prosper according to his wishes , and he removed to Crotona , in Southern Ital y , where the most important work of his life was accomplished . At Crotona the wealthiest and most cultivated people waited upon his instructions , ancl became obedient to his precepts . He did a work in political reform which showed the statesmanlike grasp of his thought . As a

hilanp thropist he succeeded in effecting changes in the morals and manners of fcho common people which tended to a groat improvement in their social condition . As a philosopher he unfolded a system of truth touching life at every point , ancl sweeping to farthest worlds ; while he also applied a stimulus to the human mind such as it had not before received .

But the special ancl chief ministry of Pythagoras was the organization of a secret society , composed of the most influential and best educated men of his time . It is assumed that this society was created with some distinct political aims , but there is not the slightest proof that such was the case . It may be argued , inferentially , that such a society , so closely bound together by the ties of a common opinion , sentiment , and affection , would be very likely to employ

concerted action in public matters . However this may have been , the testimony is ample that the secret societ y formed by Pythagoras was organized with special reference to the subjects of mathematical ancl mystical knowledge , ancl that its chief aim was to apply the principles of wisdom and truth to life . The order instituted b y Pythagoras was not a sociality , though undoubtedl y it was a brotherhood within whose lines a close and intimate

sympathy found exercise , and a delightful fellowship was enjoyed . This order had three ranks , ancl members could only pass from one branch to the other after they had served a long period of probation . The government of the passions was enjoined as a sacred duty , for to be a P ythagorean disciple of the first rank a man must have learned to command himself . Silence was prescribed to the candidatewho was obligedsometimes for a

, , term of years , to refrain from all . speech . Luxury , sensuality , and idleness were condemned in word , and a practice of severe application and ri gid virtue marked out . The highest knowledge was sought to be communicated , healthful recreations for mind ancl body were provided , music ancl geometry were taught as sister sciences , and to these were added the distinctively moral and religious teachings of the great philosopher which had reference to the

doctrines of the spirit existence , metempsychosis , moral accountability , ancl the reciprocal duties of human life . A societ y placed on such a foundation and having so able ancl zealous a head could but prosper , and we are not surprised , therefore , to learn that the P ythagorean system and brotherhood made rapid increase in members and resources , that it lasted for generations , ciuring which its influence was felt in the progress of civilization and in the intellectual and moral development of Greece and Italy .

As we study the past to gleam what information we can of the great Samian philosopher and his work , we can but be interested in what this largehearted and pure-minded teacher accomplished by means of the secret society which he formed . He could hardl y have done as much had he not separated the few from the many , joining them in a close brotherhood , giving to them a symbolic system and a code of signs by which they could easil y recognize each other whenever and wherever they met . — Repository .