The Lost Key: An Explanation of Masonic Symbols

58The Lost Keyby Christ Himself but by all the sacred writings that we may take jtas true, if this is so, then it seems that a real definition of Lovewould be a valuable thing to have.173. Love is the fulfilling of the Law-but what, exactly, is Love?Let us see if we cannot answer this question so as to get a real anddefinite idea of this most important thing.174. The Standard Dictionary says that Love is: “A strong complexemotion or feeling causing one to appreciate, delight in and cravethe presence of or possession of the object and to promote thewelfare of the object; devoted affection or attachment.” Affectionis defined as a “strong, tender attachment—love.” In other words,according to this definition, love is affection and affection is love.175. Webster defines Love as: “A feeling of strong personal attachmentinduced by that which delights or commands admiration—byties of kinship—ardent affection—strong liking—fondness.”176. Both these definitions are inadequate. We are told to lovehumanity—but how are we going to develop a strong personalattachment induced by delight or admiration for the human race?We are told to love our neighbor—but our neighbor is, too often,unlovable. The trouble with both of the above definitions is thatthey are defining the word “Love” as used in its lowest and basestsense. The carnal and animalistic connotations of the word caneasily be understood, but this is not what Christ meant. If Hetaught anything at all He taught the complete subju~ation of thebaser passions. He taught purity and cleanliness.177. All the definitions of love given by the dictionaries are inadequateand unscientific. They amount to saying, “Well, you knowwhat love is anyhow so we will just give a few partial synonymsbecause we have no real and exact definition. They say that love isaffection and, when you turn to the word “affection” you are giventhe information that it is love.