fear, for it wears its condemnation on its
forehead; but mysticism, which accepts her own dogmas and interprets
them in a sense which is not her own, which claims a certitude in
matters of religion that transcends the certitude of faith, seems to
hint that at one point it is possible to undermine her foundations.
Hence she has ever suspected the mystic, and a part of her suspicion of
Masonry has been by reason of its connection with the mystic; she has
intuitively divined that connection, which by Masons themselves, for the
most part, is not dreamed at this day, and when suggested is generally
somewhat lightly cast aside. It would be quite out of place at the
close of the present inquiry, which, from a wholly independent
standpoint, has sought to justify a great fraternity from a singularly
foul aspersion, to attempt enforcing upon Masons a special view of their
institution, but it is desirable, at the same time, to be just towards
the Catholic Church, and to affirm that we, as mystics, are on this
point substantially in agreement with her. The connection in question
was for a time visible, and remains in historical remembrance; from the
beginning of its public appearance till the close of the eighteenth
century, the history of Masonry is part of transcendental history. That
connection has now ceased to manifest, but there is another which is
integral and permanent, and is a matter of common principles and common
objects. Let it be remembered, however, that connection is not identity;
it is not intended to say that the threshold of Masonry is a gate of
Mysticism, but that there is a community of purpose, of symbolism, of
history, and indirectly of origin, between the two systems.

All true religion, all true morality, all true mysticism have but one
object, and that is to act on humanity, collective and individual, in
such a manner that it shall correspond efficiently with the great law of
development, and co-operate consciously therewith to achieve the end of
development. Under all the mysteries of its symbolism, behind the
impressive parables of its ritual, and as equally, but if possible more
effectually concealed, beneath the commonplace insistences of its moral
maxims, this end is also proposed by the occult initiations of Masonry;
and if it be defined more explicitly as the perfection of man both here
and hereafter, and his union with what is highest in the universe, we
shall see more clearly not only that it is th