Classical Theology.—Xxiii.

nation , the enthronization was called either Opovoiaie or Oporiopos . On the celebration of the Uipa-Tsia , an Athenian festival , in honour of Itycu =. roc , otherwise Vulcan , there was a race with torches at the Academe . The competitors were young men , a certain number of adult scholarswhohaving cast lots for

, , the choice of the flambeaux , each one with his torch lighted in his hand , commenced the course , which took place in the Ceramicus , of which the Acaclemia was said to be a part . The first who succeeded in gaining the stand , or winning post , with his torch unextinguished , was adjudged the victor , under the title of Aap-n-adsipopoc ; but if none could

accomjilish the feat , the victory was left unattained . There is in Lucretius ( Lib . xi ) , ( to quote Creech ) these lines : — " So things by turns increase , by turns decay , Like racers , bear the lamp of life away ; And their race clone , their lamps to others give . " Aristophanes too may be mentioned amongst those who

have compared the Lampedephoi-ia , or play with lamps or torches , to the uncertain chances ancl changes of human affairs , ancl the certain vicissitudes of the world . There were two places in Athens known under the name of Geramici , in one thei r interred those who were slain in battle , and in the other ( which is scarcely to be . believed now , but

is a fact , ) they buried harlots alive , - the first laws of the state having denounced them to that fate . There were various other torch games .

The Ideals Of Freemasonry.

THE IDEALS OF FREEMASONRY .

BY BRO . AUG . 0 . L . AEXOI . D . " As the Operative Alason erects his temporal building in accordance with the designs laid down upon the trestle-board by the master workman , so should we , both operative and speculative , endeavour to erect our spiritual building iu accordance with the designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the universe . " WHAT is Masonically designated as the " trestle board "

, artists , poets and philosophers denominate the ideal . All things that exist , save God , are created by the ideal , or are reflexes of it . The visible creation is God's ideal wrought out in material forms ; and all the works of man are copies of the ideal types he discovers on the trestle board of his soul . Every nation exists according to an ideal , which is

reflected iu its life , its institutions , and manners ; and the same may be said of all societies . The duration and influence of a society will therefore necessarily depend on the loftiness and excellence of its ideals . If a society have no ideal , it can have no influence , and can exist but for a brief period ; because it has no ability to arouse the enthusiasm , or command the respect and allegiance of men . It will be most interesti . no ; to consider the Masonic

institution from this point of view , ancl to do this , is the aim of the present article . One of the most remarkable facts appearing in the history of Freemasonry , is the facility with which , in every age , it adapted itself to the various circumstances and wants of men . Its ideals of society , of benevolence ancl virtue , rose

higher and shone brighter , as the centuries rolled away . Commencing with the dawn of civilization , of which it was a most powerful promoter , it constructed the first temples of religion , ancl drew from the ideal into the actual the various orders of architecture . In Egypt it laid the corner stone of that wonderful civilization of which the pyramids are the

only remaining monuments . In Phrygia it founded that society of architecls which , at the request of Solomon , passed over into Judea ancl erected that magnificent temple which became one of the wonders of the world . In Greece it

established colleges of artists and priests , and exercised a salutary influence on both tho outward ancl inward life of the people . At Rome , in the "Collegia Fabrorum , " it flourished , and enjoyed peculiar privileges . According to the laws of the twelve tables—the historian tells us—the

collegia , had a right to make their own laws , and coulcl conclude certain treaties with each other , providing they wero all conformable to the public laws . These corporations were spread , at an early period , through all the Roman states , and aided materially in propagating Roman customs , sciences , arts and laws .

In the Middle Ages , too , the institution was active through the entire of Europe , and the stupendous structures which arose in that period attest the architectural and mechanical skill of the Craft . Nor was this Medieval Masonry alone occupied with these material labours . It already meditated those immense

schemes of social and political reform which , at a later period , shook the European continent to its centre . It sought also to relieve those wants which society left unpitiecl and uncared for , and to redress those wrongs which the laws could not , or did not , reach . Thusas we trace the Masonic society down from the

, remotest periods to the present time , we see it constantly developing new capabilities for good , and new adaptations to the wants and circumstances of our race . This progressive development of Freemasonry , throughages , indicates that its ideals are as lofty as the thought , and as broad as the wants of humanity . Since the

commencement of the eighteenth century , abandoning- the sphere of material labours altogether , the Masonic institution has addressed itself to the greater work of improving society , and elevating man as a moral , intellectual , ancl immortal being . It is plain that Freemasonry could not havo survived the scourges of timeand the assaults and persecutions of its

, foes , nor could it have reached that respectable and influential position which it occupies to-day , had it not been for the intrinsic value of its principles and the grandeur of its ideals .

Let ns proceed , then , to consider its ideal of society ; of the means of human happiness ; of relig ion ancl education ; of human destiny and immortality .

I . —ITS IDEAL 01 ? SOCIETY . "We are taught , " says the Master to the initiate , "to regard the whole human species as one family , and consequently , brethren who , created by one Almighty Parent , are to aid , support , and protect each other . " " The level , " he adds" demonstrates that we are descended from the

, same stock , partake of the same nature , and share the same hope And a time will come , and the wisest knows not how soon , when all distinctions but that of goodness shall cease . " The idea of unity , fraternity ancl equality are inherent in Freemasonry ; ancl it is for this reason that tyrants have

ever looked upon the institution with so much distrust and suspicion . All the teachings of tho Order indicate plainly enough that it must ever be a terrible foe to despotism and a powerful friend to freedom . No fact is more easily demonstrated , than that those progressive ideas ancl sentiments of republicanism which , for the last two ages , have been so

rapidly making their way in human society , were elaborated in , ancl sent forth from , the Masonic Loclges of the ei ghteenth century . Even before the period here designated , the Templars , '" ' in their esoteric doctrines , embraced notions far in advance of their age . They meditated plans that contemplated the political unity of Europe—in the

establishment of an immense republic , ancl the complete purification ancl reformation of the Roman Catholic faith . It was on account of this they were persecuted and destroyed by the united powers of civil and relig ious despotism . Although the notions of those devoted men . were confused and their attempts premature , the ideal which they

worshipped was prophetic of those institutions which , iu a subsequent age , should secure th-i civil ancl spiritual freedom of man .