Thomas Milton Stewart (1866-1945) was a physician from Ohio, as well as a prolific, although rather unknown, writer of Freemasonry, Theosophy, and philosophy. This particular piece was originally an oration given by Brother Stewart, on the occasion of December 29, 1909, at the Pike Centennial Anniversary, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He speaks about the concept of True Initiates or Masters of Wisdom. Stewart believed that these Masters of Wisdom have been present throughout history, helping to storehouse secret, initiatory knowledge for future generations to pass on, particularly during times when the leadership was intellectually bankrupt and incapable of "passing on" this knowledge, as was originally intended. It's clear that Stewart rightly considered Albert Pike to be one of these Masters of Wisdom, likening him to men such as Plato and Pythagoras.