A MASTERLY INTERPRETATION

"Purgatorio," the second act of the "Drama of the Soul," was the subject of Bishop William Boyd-Carpenter's fourth lecture on "Dante," under the William Belden Noble foundation, in New Lecture Hall last evening. The lecture was a masterpiece of interpretive power. All the great and beautiful symbolism of Dante's "Purgatorio" was clearly drawn.

"The 'Purgatorio'," said Bishop Boyd-Carpenter, "is instinctive with the spirit of love and the redemption of man." It opens with a beautiful description of dawn, illustrative of the hope in Dante's breast, arising from the consciousness of a definite aim,--a pilgrimage for the attainment of the liberty of the soul.

Ante-Purgatorio Described.

The "ante-Purgatorio," which Dante first reaches, is symbolic of tests of the sincerity, determination, and genuineness of purpose with which man sets out upon undertakings. It shows sin, paralyzing the will, contradicting divine order, and introducing disease into the character.

Three steps lead up to the gate of Purgatory--the white step, symbolic of the innocence and beauties in life, the black step, symbolic of life blasted by sin, and the red step, symbolic of the spirit of sacrificing love for ridding one's self of a sinful past.

A throne of diamond, symbolizing strength and purity, surmounts the gate. Seated on the throne is an angel, holding the key which absolves sinners and the key which determines the resolution of the sinners' repentance.

The seven cornices on the mountain of Purgatory, up which the pilgrim must climb, are the sins of pride, envy, anger, gloomy indifference, avarice, lust, and gluttony. Pride is a sin against God, for it makes man self-centered. Envy is the evil eye that looks with malignant intent upon the more successful man. Gloomy indifference is that dangerous state of mind which leads one finally to embrace sin. Lust is the flame through which every man and woman must sometime pass,--namely, the desires of the flesh.

The End of the Pilgrimage.

At the summit of Purgatory is the "earthly Paradise" where the voluntary pilgrim receives the mitre, symbolic of self-mastery, and the crown, the symbol of freedom of his soul. The pilgrim then bathes in the river Lethe and forgets all that is evil--symbolic of the forgiveness of sins. With renewed soul and spirit he is now, ready for Heaven and for the love and presence of God.