So Divine a gift is Freedom, and so intimately allied with all that is highest and best in the Soul's expression on this planet, that there would seem, almost, to be no other word so full of import. In its name all the wars of history have been waged, many if not most of the atrocities perpetrated, and the greatest heroism manifested.

The struggle for Liberty, for the attainment of Freedom, is the struggle of the human race, individually, nationally, and as an entirety.

Like all that is best in the conception of the mind, in the "ideals" of the spirit, Freedom must come from within. And when finally won, what is it?

The ability and right to do and be the highest and best that is possible to fulfill one's destiny.

The wild impulses of innocent, untutored, and undisciplined races, or stages of human expression, may be without restraint - for a time - but the ignorant can never be truly free. And in the final analysis, Perfect Freedom is perfect service, for only in perfect service to God and man can there be the highest expression of Liberty.

"The Freedom of Nature" must be within the bounds and limitations of "natural laws," but the mind has a wider and higher range. And the spirit seems boundless in its possibilities to conquer and control.

To do and be all that one aspires to attain without infringing upon the rights of others, this is Freedom - this is true Liberty.

To "show the way" to this attainment, for individuals and nations, what wonders of Wisdom and Love must be enacted before the eyes of men - what examples - what martyrdoms!

The bounds and limitations of physical nature have been, and are being, triumphantly overcome by the wonders wrought by the human mind; Inventions, discoveries, adaptations. Nature is relentless - she is also kind. We may never disregard her. We may always find, through knowledge, a way to work with her.

The Soul - primarily unconditioned - loses its Freedom in its contact with matter. The Spirit - in the environment of material existence - has the fetters of time and sense upon it, until it works its way through them to the glorious Freedom of the Soul.

There can be no real battle for Freedom, no genuine heroism, that is not a conquest from within, overcoming the fears that are produced by physical limitations, then by conquest over the environment bursting the fetters of time and sense.

The "Liberty" which men covet in particular states of partial growth is only license to do what they desire, not what they need.

The history of the world is the history of the struggle for Freedom - the Enfranchisement of the Spirit from the bonds of selfish seeking (at the expense of the rights of others).

Why should I govern or control another to serve me, even if I have the power? This is the ultimate and primal question of the awakened mind.

The hallowed names with which -history abounds (or should abound) are those who have resisted oppression (and the oppressors) and those who have endured martyrdom for the sake of their convictions.

Physical bondage is actual imprisonment - or compulsory service (slavery), brought about by violent capture, or by the creation and enforcement of conditions that require involuntary and unwilling service.

Mental bondage - after setting aside the greatest cause, ignorance - is the enactment and enforcement of laws or decrees forbidding any manifestation or utterance of thought at variance with the established order, whether Civic or Theological.

Bondage of Conscience - from the same causes as above stated - either the result of Ignorance and Fear, or both, or of enforced observances which, necessarily, if against one's convictions, must be hypocritical and acquiesced in but to placate the oppressors.

Angels of Liberty seek to illustrate the way to Personal Freedom; - i. e.: 1st, Freedom from all Physical restraint that includes in the possession of it the safety of other people. Aye, and here is also the subtle difficulty.

One may not - at least that is the claim - under existing states of "civilization" be deprived of his "personal liberty" without "just cause" - -but so elastic is the term "just cause" that thousands of innocent people fall under the suspicion of those appointed to execute the laws "for public safety" and are frequently imprisoned - and sometimes put to death - under mistaken interpretations or "circumstantial evidence" - or other misinterpretations of "justice."

And - it is possible, even in this "enlightened" age to require people under the malcreation and maladministration of laws for "public health" - to introduce into a perfectly sound and healthful body - either of child or adult - the baleful serum or germs of vile disease, thereby profaning the fair altar of physical existence and always rendering the victim physically weaker than before.

Second. Freedom in the exercise of the mental powers; (a) in the pursuit of knowledge, (b) in the liberty of teaching and imparting that knowledge to others. In other words Freedom of speech, Advocacy by tongue or pen.

Third. Freedom of Conscience - i. e., belief or unbelief in established doctrines and forms of worship - "The right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience;" and this "right" includes the right to not "worship" (in the accepted sense of the word), but to find "sermons" and "hymns" of praise in Nature and all her works. Trials far "heresy," except in connection with particular denominational or sectarian bodies do not now occur, and expulsion from a particular body or organization on account of heresy is no especial disgrace.

Freedom is still afar off, however, when helpless babes and innocent people of all ages are forced to receive poison into their bodies. . It is a period, however, of great activity and awakening toward perfect health, "a sound body for a sound mind and a free spirit." Hygeia has descended with her fair attendants, "Laws of Nature," to win the Human race to right living, as the best safeguard for public health.

But "right living" cannot exist without right thinking. And "Boards of Health" - originated by Medical Societies, must either be abolished, or must be enlightened by the enlightened Minds of the people of the community in which they exist.

The fact that there is need of sanitary supervision and regulation - should not include the right or authority to introduce poison (virus) into a perfectly healthy organism - either of child or adult - even though considered "scientific" and countenanced - or commanded by law.

Liberty of Mind: - of thinking one's own thoughts, of investigating and exploring the vast realm of Nature, of creating or espousing any system of "Philosophy," exists now to a very great extent.

"The world does move" was once the signal for persecution; the Inquisition, torture and rack awaited the one who dared to "think."

Social ostracism, loss of position as teacher or leader, may even now follow the expression of certain thoughts and convictions; but usually the enlightened nations give great liberty to scientific and philosophical investigation.

Freedom to "Worship according to the dictates of Conscience," has been the watchword of all who have broken from the bounds of one form of worship - creed or ritual - usually to create another quite as difficult and severe. Persecutions in the name of "Religion" have been the most grievous, and "Religious Wars" - so called, among the most bloody in the history of the human race!

The "Prince of Peace" seems afar from His world sometimes.

To be free from the limitations of matter - time and sense - is the one longing of the Soul, when in this environment; but, since there is no other way of regaining the Spiritual estate except by conquest over these conditions - winning the way by conquering, overcoming, - true Liberty consists in the removal of every barrier to that ultimate victory.

Barriers from one's ignorance must be overcome by gaining knowledge, and knowledge must be gained by experience. The story of this struggle is the story of each Individual Soul. No one can have experience for another. For this reason "history repeats itself," and each century or cycle finds new generations who repeat the errors, cruelties, and successes or failures, of previous ages.

Freedom is a state of mind more than a bodily condition. Pascal in his dungeon, writing his hymn of triumph, was far more free than those who placed him there.

In the market place where slaves were sold, one might see those who were free from the horrible gyves and fetters of greed and cruelty that bound those who violently captured and placed them there. The slave trader and slave holder are more enslaved than the captive.

The armed Conqueror is not always the Victor in this great struggle for Freedom. The Caesars, Alexanders, Napoleons of history are slaves compared to the men who for love of home and country bore arms against them.

There must arise heroes of battle who win the Victory for people or nations for the sake of Freedom.

These are not those who glory in war, whose ambition seeks through the bloody path of carnage to gain the victories of worldly power. Thrones, Kingdoms and all their belongings fade and fall before the conquering arm of Liberty. Egypt was more the Empress of the world - we believe - when her warlike kings were subdued by the greater Arts of Peace.

When Rome became the Ruling Power of the world by force of arms and the enslaving of the conquered nations her downfall was assured.

"He who taketh up the sword shall perish by the sword." Meaning: Whoso from love of conquest and worldly power wages aggressive warfare, sows the seeds of dissolution for himself and his nation.

The warlike Greeks did not wholly dominate - "Glory" was not the chief aim of the time, when Solon, Lycurgus, and other wise ones held sway. Greece could never have held the sublime record for Science, Art, Philosophy, that she held and still holds, but for those intervals of peace born of the highest liberty; i. e., Liberty of Mind and Spirit. Oppression and warfare often awaken their opposites; Socrates - culminating in Plato and their followers, were the outgrowth of centuries. The response to the need of those who were ready; but alas, the rulers were not ready and the "slow poison" must do its work by command. Today the name of the philosopher is revered and those who caused his mortal death are execrated.

True Liberty will find a way - when lives are ready, when people have grown to her height by "attainment."

Who but Mazzini could have prepared the way for the wonderful results of the Sword of Garibaldi in Italy? Yet even then Italy was not wholly free.

These later days mean more and more and more for Freedom's reign, since Woman is, in the New Dispensation, to be placed in her true position side by side with man. No longer will the world be half governed.

The Angel of Liberty found the nations ripe for a new impulse - indeed a new Advent of Freedom - when, after centuries of oppression and depression, the New World awakened to the sound of the wonderful voice that gave to the world the Republic of the United States of America.

The cluster or group of wise ones who gathered around the leading minds of that day will be remembered and more appreciated, as time rolls on, when Freedom is everywhere more than a name.