Evening star., 1898-06-22

response of the worlds greatest theologian,
the speaker stated, has been demonstrated
to be truthful many times since. Let us
then today" said he, pause in life's jour-
ney and endeavor TO analyZe one of these
problems, which have been discussed by
philosophers in all times and which have
been greatly revived in the present cen
tury.
IF we turn to the definition of the beau
tiful, following the teachings of the great
est thinkers of the world. pagan and Chris
tian. down to the time previous to the ma
terialistic or dreamy views of the so-called
modern philosophy, we shall find common
voice proclaiming truth as the founda ton.
Plato affords a good example of their gen.
eral tone when he says that beauty is the
splendor of the truth. Though vague and
indefinite, two things are clear-truth is
necessary, the perfect harmony of parts
into one perfect whole, and superadded
to this a certain briliancy and splendor
which compels the contemplation of that
perfect unity in variety. Just as visibility
does not imply brightness, neither does
truth itself indicate beauty, but over and
above them must be certain quality
which arrests the attention of the beholder
and keeps him spellbound, as it were, in
the delight Of contemplation.
1.-THE same idea Is tne keynote Of Chris
tian philosophy. Turning our attention to
scme of its defniteness we find that here
also pleasure is the dominating thought.
1t is not, however, the pleasure nor salts
faction experienced in the attainment of
truth in the demonstration, for instance
of a mathematical proposition. 1t is some
thing excelling this, the thrill of gratifica
ton which the brilliancy and perfect har-
mony of the object produces upon the soul
There must be no incongruity and all the
parts duly proportioned in themselves
must be united in one perfect whole. The
intellect and every faculty of cognition
which initiates the intellect is gratified
when the splendor of proportion is assimi-
lated TO them, and taste is the term which
We apply to the perception of beauty.
The Ideal and the Real.
''In the treatment of beauty philosophers
generally distinguish between the ideal and
the real. Ideal beauty is the type existing
in the form which genius transfers to stone
or canvas and in its brightest form 1t is
the property of the greatest intellects. The
Greeks cultivated it to high degree of
perfection. and their masterpieces are still
our guides. The Romans initiated it. 1t is
the form and soul of fine arts. Real
beauty, On the other hand, Is the splendid
proportion, susceptible when 1t affects the
senses, intellectual when it delights the un-
derstanding, and moral when it manifests
some splendid exhibition of moral excel
lence. OF sensible beauty nature has been
lavish. She has showered upon us ths
greatest profusion of beautiful gifts. In
the spiritual there is a likewise beauty the
beauty of thought ofxvision and of action
In all its perfection it is denied to us now
ocCduSt SeIiSt .S tut instrument OF KNOW
ledge and in the flesh We are never permit
ted to soar entirely above .the world of
matter: but as We catch glimpses of that
spiritual world in meditation and retire
ment, so its beauty comes to us at times.
to soothe and refresh our souls and to
strengthen us in our journey towards
higher things. We see the beauty of the
soul in the adherence to principle and in its
readiness to give UP all that is dear to
man rather than to sacrifice anything that
would bring stain upon its luster. We see
1t in the sublime grandeur OF the martyrs
in the Coliseum, when they faced the hum
cry beasts, and We see it in the fearless at
titude on the stake, the rack and the glib
bet, for truth was dearer to them than all
the treasures of life. We may rest with
the hope that after the enjoyment of the
reflected light. which gives such pleasure
and happiness to the soul, we may pass
onward to the perfect light. which brings
with 1T unsurpassed joy and eternal rest.
Masters Address.
The masters Grafton was by John J. Kfr-
by. His subject was 1.-THE Beautiful in Art
and Literature-" Some one has truly said
that man is in an especial degree an artistic