What Is Truth?*

attained by some one individual : though it may never become a certainty to all . But opinion shoidd never be called truth , for it ceases to be an opinion Avhen it becomes truth or certainty . Thus , two and two make four . This is not an opinion , but a certainty and a truth , and no longer liable to change . A theory is liable to change only Avhilst it remains in the domain of opinion . The moment it becomes a certainty , it becomes true , and all

change of opinion in relation to it is out of the question . TEUTII is not an abstract idea of anything ; but theory is an abstract idea . Trutlis are the properties of things , or AA'hat Ave know of them as certainties and realities . The rest are opinions , probabilities , hypotheses , and conjectures . Inferences are not facts , and opinions are not truths . As in the physical , so also in the moral world . Moral truths are the knoAvn facts , the knoAvn properties and predicates of a moral natureTruths are the realitieswhflst

, , opinions are fancies and probabilities of that nature . Most assuredly , if truths are the properties of things , then it must be clearly absurd to say they are abstract ideas of things , " liable to change , and constantly changing . " Among the many beautiful and appropriate definitions given to Freemasonry none is more comprehensive than the one to be found in the English lectures : " Freemasonry is a system of morality , veded in allegory , and illustrated by symbols . " It is a series of

truths organised into a beautiful and impressive system ; profound lessons of Divine and Moral Truths taught by imagery . These truths are the kno \ A'n properties and predicates of a Divine and moral nature , capable of demonstrating the truths , properties , or attributes predicated of such a nature . For instance : the E . A . is told that " Truth is a Divine attribute , and the foundation of every virtue . " Why is it so ? Because Truth is an attribute or property predicated of the Divine Nature ; and must be the foundation of every virtuebecause

, eA'ery virtue must be based upon the properties or attributes of that DiA * ine Nature . The four cardinal A'irtues , Fortitude , Prudence , Temperance , and Justice ,- are so many TRUTHS applied to life by a moral nature . They are not abstract ideas , but realities , positive facts , properties and attributes of a moral nature of the hi ghest order . There are probably not two individuals in creation AA'ho have precisely the same abstract theory or opinion of these Truths Avhen applied to the realities of life . But the Truths

themselves are admitted by all moral beings , simply because they are the attributes of a moral nature . Twelve men on a jury may all know and feel a sense of justice ; but they may all be in doubt about the innocence of the prisoner at the bar , simply from the Ai'ant of decisive eA-idence in his favour . They don't differ about justice , for they one and all have a keen sense of what justice is ; but they differ in dealing it out , in their theories of measures and modes , and relative deservedness .

Herein lies the radical difference between Freemasonry aud religious dogma . Freemasonry deals AA'ith practical religion—the religion of the Good Samaritan . Its truths are practical , real , and positive in their nature—ignoring everything purely speculative ; and thus leaving dogma and religious speculation to the individual consciences of its members . The SAA'eclish philosopher , Swedenborg , gives a A'ery beautiful definition of the reli gion of the Good Samaritan . He says , " All religion lias relation to life , and

the life of religion is doing good . " Pilate asked , What is Truth ? Avithout waiting for a reply . My ansAver is , Truth is the essential property or predicate of any given thing , such as the realities of its . form , size , colour , Aveight nature , character , or being—everything that Ave knoAv of anything . The rest is opinion , inference , hypothesis , conjecture or fancy , ranging from the highest probability down to the wildest speculation . These last things are the only ones worthy of

being called abstract ideas . Thus mathematical truths are its certainties ; geographical truths are its certainties ; geological truths are its facts and demonstrable principles ; astronomical truths are its verities and demonstrable principles . The facts of the earth ' s rotundity are one thing , and the theories and opinions of its exact figure are another thing . Men believed for centuries in the flatness of the earth ; but that belief has changed , and they now believe in its rotundity . Did the actual fact change ? or AA'as it men ' s opinion that changed ? If the actual fact of the earth ' s figure did not