Perhaps a more fitting title for this Monograph would be “The Mysteries Surrounding Beverly Hall.” Time and again, throughout the years since BEVERLY HALL was established, we have repeatedly been asked the questions: “What is Beverly Hall?” “What activities at Beverly Hall bring men and women from every part of the world?” “Is it something new?” “Is it something shrouded in mystery?”

That which man does not understand is a mystery to him and, by nature, he looks upon it with suspicion. All unsuspectingly, the millions who feel that they are Christians and know their Bible, will find on sincere investigation, that the teachings of the Master Teacher, the Nazarene, are actually the most mysterious, the most secret, guarded and unrevealed of all teachings handed down to man. The Master Teacher himself acknowledged this on numerous occasions, and his disciples repeated it in their written word.

Generally speaking, sacred literature, whether descriptive or textual carries a special meaning for those interested in, or connected with, what is generally known as the Arcane, Esoteric, Philosophical and Spiritual.

Many of the terms common to these Sciences or Philosophies are as Greek to the profane, or, that is to say, to the general reader. The public is not to be blamed if it is more or less suspicious of those connected in any manner whatever with Arcane activities. This is recognized by those who have devoted their lives to what is known as the Great Work. They recognize, too, that the responsibility for this attitude on the part of the public is in part theirs in that they have not made any concerted effort to counteract these false opinions.

In the present publication an effort is made to correct these shortcomings. So far as possible, practically all of the descriptive matter has been written by those not connected with the Great Work, and in a manner to make it understandable to the average reader.

For further simplification, only a few Occult terms have been used and Biblical terms have been employed rather than words or phrases of a mystical or occult terminology.

Above all, our endeavor has been to offer a condensed, detailed description of Beverly Hall and its activities.

Occult Fraternities existed hundreds, even thousands of years before Beverly Hall. For this reason there is a short description of the various Orders, Fraternities and Esoteric (Philosophic and Spiritual) work as taught, together with a description of the most important emblems and insignia. This is then followed, in the second section, by descriptions by those who visited Beverly Hall at various times and to whom full credit is given.

It may be questioned by students and laity alike, why there were different Arcane, Esoteric, Occult and Philosophical organizations if they were authentic and offered basically identical teachings. Why not just one all-inclusive organization? This is a reasonable question, and is best answered by asking another: Why the many different religious denominations—almost too many to mention? Why the many different lodge and Fraternal organizations of a ritualistic nature? Why the many different social organizations and clubs? Why the different political parties? One might go on indefinitely, questioning WHY?

The reason is apparent. Men differ in their ideals, their ideas, their desires, their outlook on material and Spiritual life, their requirements, and in their need for help and guidance. It is much easier to meet these desires and requirements by different organizations and varying activities, than by one all-inclusive and necessarily complicated body.

These various needs were recognized as soon as men became conscious as human creatures. The effort to supply them kept pace with the ever-increasing and every-varying demands of mankind; first in religious services, then in the deeper longings of the Soul, longings which required individual attention and which found their fulfillment in the Secret Schools and the Greater Mysteries of Ancient Egypt—the birthplace of the world’s first mighty Civilization.

God, Creator of All, manifested to man only in the Ineffable Light, or Fire, was the greatest of all Mysteries. As indicated by Moses, God was comprehensible only to those who, by desire and continued effort, awakened within themselves the divine spark they had received in embryo from God at birth; the Christos that, through concerted effort of mind, heart and body, became the Christ.

This Mystery, for mystery it was and ever will be to those not Soul Conscious, received as many designations, names and appellations as there were those who had succeeded in attaining the Biblical SECOND or Spiritual REbirth; the bringing the Christos into Consciousness. This gave rise to the so-called jargon of those who had attained Philosophic Initiation and who had written about it and their resulting experiences. There were those, also, who were commissioned to become instructors and guides to others seeking for the eternal verity—the Soul—the Christos hidden in the innermost being of man.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, explanations in mere words do not explain, but frequently make “confusion more confounded.” In this present brochure, an attempt is made to reflect the viewpoint of those who, though not of the Secret Schools, coordinate their outlook and opinions with those who are, in order to throw “light into dark places.”

Should the present effort fall short of achieving its purpose, there will at least be some measure of satisfaction in having tried to explain away this great mystery.

If the Secret Schools remain “unknown,” as to their real nature, it is not because any attempt has been made to becloud the issue but because, however great the effort to clarify, the nature of the teachings will, almost of a certainty, be misunderstood.

This is distinctly and definitely a missionary work. With full faith in the work of those who have gone before, and in the literal interpretation of one of the Great Master Teachers, the Nazarene, the school must be ready and willing to accept the opinions, and perhaps the condemnation, of those who do not or will not understand.

“People driving around the backroads of Quakertown following signs pointing to Beverly Hall have been startled and then intrigued to find themselves suddenly facing an Egyptian pyramid of considerable size in the midst of a terraced garden of roses, reflecting pools and lily ponds. Driving a little farther, they come upon a cluster of beautifully proportioned stone buildings with landscaped lawns and paved walks. This is the Bucks County home of the Rosicrucian Fraternity, or the Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis, as it was originally known.

“The Fraternity or Brotherhood was first instituted in 1614, bringing into one organization the various associations of men previously known as the Gnostics, Paracelsians, Pythagoreans, Platonists, Hermetists, Alchemists and Magi. The Gnostics believed in salvation through knowledge. Paracelsians were opposed to the humoral theory of disease and taught the use of specific medicines. The Pythagoreans were concerned with numbers; were the first to reject the hypothesis that the earth was the center of the universe, and discovered that music had numerical interrelations.

“The philosophy of Plato does not lend itself to capsule treatment. The Hermetists were men who for some reason withdrew from society to philosophize in solitary comfort, and the Alchemists, while they were never successful in changing base metals into gold, were responsible for the beginning of chemistry.

“The Occult Science of the Magi embraced the normal, natural development of all the powers and forces inherent in man—the transformation of the personality into the individuality.

“Arcane science (teachings of the highest Spiritual nature) deals only with that side of Occultism which is concerned with the constructive and exalting forces inherent in man.

“Paradoxically, the negative approach may result in a determination of what the Fraternity of the Rosicrucians means. It has never, and does not now, teach New Thought, Mental Science, Astrology, Numerology, Hypnotism, Spiritualism, or the transmutation of base metals into gold.

“It is a world-wide organization, non-sectarian, that upholds the right of every man to belong to a church of his own choice or adhere to a philosophy purely his own (emphasis ours).

“The Fraternity has existed in America since 1774. It was first governed by a Council of three men, Benjamin Franklin, George Clymer and Thomas Paine. LaFayette succeeded Thomas Paine. During the Civil War, Paschal Beverly Randolph, General Ethan Allen Hitchcock, and Abraham Lincoln, formed the Council (2).

“Some of the underlying principles of the Rosicrucians may be stated as follows: The primary purpose of man is to unfold and develop through his own efforts. The means given man by which he may advance or retrograde, if he so desires, may be called the Law of cause and effect, of action and reaction—of natural justice. They believe in the (major) ages: the Egyptian, the Christian, and the Manistic, or Age of Man, which is still vitally bound to the Christian. In this Age, it is their belief that man must bring into individual consciousness the real man and the ultimate Brotherhood of Man.

“Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer, direct descendant of George Clymer, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born near Quakertown. When a site was required for the Fraternity, he, as the Supreme Grand Master, selected the property which he had been acquiring piece by piece near his boyhood home. Dr. Clymer (College of Medicine and Surgery, Chicago, M. D.) was born in 1878. He is listed in Who is Who in America and is recognized as the oldest living and most outstanding authority on the Occult. He has written more than fifty books on this and other subjects. These and many others printed by the Beverly Hall Philosophical Publishing Company are in the free libraries.

“Dr. Clymer does not believe in destroying what man has built and he carried out this tenet in the construction of his lovely and substantial home overlooking the Gardens. He has incorporated it in a log house which proved to be an almost insurmountable obstacle to his carpenters.

“The white columned library of Greek architecture is also constructed around an old schoolhouse (which he, Dr. Clymer, attended as a boy) resulting in walls two to three feet thick. The building contains thousands of books in glass cases, all hand-bound in leather with special preservatives used on the pages. These books have been cherished and handed down through the centuries and contain most of the written wisdom of the ages.

“Emerson Clymer (Secretary-Treasurer of the Corporation and Foundation), son of Dr. Clymer, informed the writer that when the gardens were planted, special attention was given to the numerous walks so that the general public might come to stroll about and enjoy the flowers. The gardens were planted as a memorial to those who had passed Beyond.

“The larger of the two pyramids (in the midst of the Memorial Gardens) may represent the Macrocosm, the natural universe, and the smaller, the Microcosm, man. A pyramid, triangular in form, is thought to be the perfect symbol of the Soul. At one period of the year (in Egypt) the sun is directly above the apex, eliminating all shadow and thus is symbolic of the Soul which has reached full Consciousness.

“You will not know the number of men and women who can rightfully call themselves ‘Rosicrucians’, because ‘gabbiness’ is not looked upon with favor by the Brotherhood.”—Hazel Cover.

(1) An article published in the Bucks County Traveler, May, 1955, written by the editors after visiting Beverly Hall. Though profanes, i.e., neither Neophytes nor members of the Fraternity, their concept is generally correct and certainly proves a fairness and liberality of mind possessed by all too few.

(2) Those interested are referred to The Book of Rosicruciae. Philosophical Publishing Company, Beverly Hall, Quakertown, Penna.

The Laws of Creation antedate all other Laws and the greatest of these Laws in action is that which brought light into darkness. This is made plain in the very first Book of the Bible.

True, this is the manifestation of a physical Law, but, just as darkness is the reverse of Light—the opposite of darkness, duality in action, so is the Spiritual Light the opposite or reverse of material light. The one gives light to the Universe; the other brings Light to the Soul of man, if he searches for, and finds, this Spiritual Light hidden within himself.

Coexistent with the account of the coming into existence of the material light which dispels darkness, is the positive Biblical assertion that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and the light that dispelled the darkness on the earth, appeared to man throughout the ages in one form only—that of Light or Fire; fire being Light manifesting in activity.

Thus you have the story of the material light coming into manifestation, and of the Spiritual Light which came, and still comes to man, if he but desires and searches for it.

Man, born of flesh, governed by the desires of the flesh, was, in the beginning of his mental awakening or consciousness of being, a human creature, unconsciously governed by an impulse; a yearning for something greater and more eternal than himself. Although he could not put it into words, this something manifested itself in the visible symbolization of a Light that did not come from the sun, but from a hidden, unknown source—a source of which he was as certain as of life itself—the SOURCE Of All Life And Light.

Of this fact there is ample proof. The religion of the Egyptians embraced the first worship of God, and of this there is definite historical knowledge. What was the basis of this religion? Light. Not the sun that lighted the footsteps of man; but a Light that was hidden in the eternal, and as we now know, the innermost self of man.

In what manner could these early people manifest this inward desire, longing, adoration of this unseeable Light, but by symbolizing it? This they did by making a golden disc, after the form of the material sun; because man, however great his wisdom, cannot reason in the abstract. As one Initiate Brother explained: “Mystery clothes itself in symbolism, and hides its insight in allegory.”

It must be remembered that the Nazarene made use of both symbolism and allegory—he himself said so—when teaching his followers.

This symbol of the unmanifested Spiritual Light, aye, of God HIMSELF, as He has Himself said, was the almost universally misunderstood Aten. This Aten was to the Egyptians something to help them to visualize the great hidden Light, a replica of the sun that gave light to the world. It was also the Great Creator, Architect of The World, made manifest.

The educated Egyptian no more worshipped this Aten than does the enlightened Christian worship the Cross, or the modern Mason the Great lights in his temple. To each of them these emblems are reason in the concrete; symbolizing in form that which is hidden from material sight.

Throughout the ages all men who sought to solve the mystery of the eternal, searched for this Light; nor was the search itself a Mystery. The Mystery Schools of Egypt offered the solution in the Greater Mysteries. The God enlightened men like Moses and the Nazarene found the Light which is GOD hidden within themselves. This was also true of the Gnostics who had but one aim in life: To find the Christos or Divine Spark received from God at birth and to teach and help others to find it. the nazarene taught his disciples the way, the truth and the life and showed them how to find this light which was, as God himself had said, himself.

The disciples made no secret of this. Peter speaks much of it, and certainly no one ever accused Peter of being an idolator. John so plainly spoke of it that what he said has remained a mystery to all but a few, for the reason that only the few have had the desire and the Will to unravel the hidden Mystery. “We have also a more sure word of prophesy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart.”—Peter 1:19.

Both John and Matthew speak much of this Light and symbolize it as a star (rather than the Egyptian Aten) and in other forms. Certainly no one would accuse them of Idolatry or form worship. All of them foreshadow the finding of this symbolized Light and clearly point out that those who find this Light WITHIN THEMSELVES will be BRETHREN OF THE LIGHT, or, as now termed, Philosophic Initiates. The Christos, Light of the Gnostics

Unfortunately for mankind throughout the ages, the Gnostics were destroyed by those governed by selfish interests. The Mystery of the Light remained a secret throughout many centuries to all but the very few.

During these Dark Ages it was a crime punishable by death for one known to be seeking for or having found this Light which made of men brethren of the light. Then, at last, light, both material and Spiritual, began to break through the barriers of the minds of men. In the seventeenth century (1614) there arose one who, silently and secretly had found this great SPIRITUAL LIGHT FOR HIMSELF and was willing to sacrifice his life, if need be, that the Truth—the Wisdom of the Ages—the Wisdom of the Egyptian Mystery Schools, of the Gnostics, that of the Nazarene, of John, Matthew and Peter, might be brought to men who were anxious to find the eternal Truth; the Great Light, and thus become torch bearers of that Light.

So was born the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross, having as its one great object the awakening of men to facts so long hidden, i.e., that though they were in truth “worms of the dust,” the slaves of the strong, the brutal, the heartless, they nevertheless possessed within themselves stores of mighty power, powers as great as the atom of this generation.

Those ready to listen were told that these powers, called “talents” by the Biblical writers, could be awakened into mighty forces for the accomplishment of any high ideal they had in heart or mind. This “worm of the dust,” this mortal human, could be transformed into a supermortal, a veritable “Son of God.” The personal self, the slave of emotions and passions, could be transformed into the Immortal Individual. The Light hidden within man, of which he knew nothing, but through which he might come to know all, could be transformed into the Light that lighteth the world.

Large numbers were drawn to this great Spiritual school, but the task was arduous; the climb difficult and many fell by the wayside. This was a school for those who were willing to LIVE As THEY WERE TAUGHT. It was a Spiritual-Philosophic work, a Philosophic Initiation which, continued through, ended by bringing about Soul Consciousness, the finding of the Light within, an actual knowledge of God, confirmed by the wisdom of Solomon and found only in the inner consciousness.

A little later there came into being and activity the organization that was to become known as modern Masonry, having for its goal the enlightenment of men by means of symbolizing the mysteries through the use of ritualism; binding men together into a Fellowship for the common good and protection of one another.

This newly born formal organization, having among its founders those who had searched for and found the great Hidden Light, could not escape the symbolism of Light any more than could the Egyptians, the Gnostics, the Disciples or the brethren of the Mystery Schools. With them, from their very first degree, it was a search for the light; symbolized by the three Great Lights. This new form of disclosing the light was the opposite of the Rosy Cross.

The Rosy Cross has been engaged, and is now engaged, in guiding its Neophytes through a Philosophic Initiation, helping them to bring into manifestation that which is buried within themselves—to become soul conscious by means of desire, will and effort.

Masonry has been symbolizing these truths by means of form and illustrative ritualism. There is no conflict between eternal truth and its symbolization in form. There is no idolatry in symbolizing the Eternal Light in the Aten, Salvation in the Cross, the Soul in the Rose, the individual Light in the three Great Lights.

There is no conflict between the Rosy Cross and Masonry. Masonry has its Rose Croix degree. The Fraternity has its Rosy (or Rose) Cross (not Croix) and is not a degree, but an accomplishment.

Initiates of the Rosy Cross are dreamers, because all things that have been made manifest in form, were first born (felt) as ideals within the hearts and minds of men. These were visions that gave man no rest until the necessary efforts were made to materialize them.

Initiates of the Fraternity believe, above all else, in LAW AND ORDER; in the progress of the race; in the possibility and practicability of intensive development of the inherent forces resident in man. They believe Order is heaven’s fiat and that whatever man can think about, can be accomplished by effort and orderly procedure.

Initiation implies attainment of freedom. No one who is a slave to any one or anything, be it habit or person, can become an Initiate. This is an acceptance of the dictate that:

Mastery of the self confers mastery of all things in both heaven and earth. Men are free from conditions and environments only as they turn to the within of themselves.

It has been logically questioned: “What are men (not weaklings) but gods afraid?” Very few have fully unraveled this basic truth. Those who have individualized the personality have also absolved themselves from the dominion of others. They have recognized the truth of the Biblical statement that within themselves are many hidden talents awaiting “bringing forth” and development. They have accepted John’s, Matthew’s and Peter’s command to seek for and find the Great Light hidden within themselves, and to them God is no longer a mystery. They have attained to Philosophic Initiation; have not been made, but have become Brethren of the Light, or Rosicrucians.

The Law to attainment is found in the statement of a Master: “Where there is a Will (directed by desire) there will be found a way.” After freeing himself of the lesser personal evils, the Aspirant will find himself increasing in mental stature by imperceptible graduations. Gradually and almost unconsciously, he attains to the status of a learned man by a process which he is unable to fairly comprehend, one which is neither known nor appreciated outside of the Fraternity.

Development into an Initiate is not a mental process, though it begins in idealism and desire, functioning through the mind. True development consists of the slow, systematic awakening of latent, hidden inner forces by means of desire and effort and the gradual activation of these inner forces. Actually, this development is an inner growth, comparable to the growth that takes place in the growing body of an infant.

In the growing process, weaknesses, fears, inherent evils of nature are “pushed out” and eliminated, while qualities of a permanent, eternal nature take their place. Ignorance gradually, perhaps imperceptibly, gives place to a knowledge of many things; things pertinent and essential to the desire and efforts being exercised. This comes about as a result of being able to gradually reach down into the subconscious where is hidden all knowledge gained by all experiences throughout the ages, awaiting to be revived and brought into application and direction. In this manner the Aspirant becomes the Knower, the Gnostic, the Initiate, the Brother of Light, one of, and with, the Rosy Cross.

Rosicrucians are not made, they become. It is a process of transformation. As the worm in the Cocoon becomes the butterfly, so does the vacillating person become the individual; the weakling the MAN; the mortal the Immortal, the Son of God.

Why does the authentic rosy cross dwell so greatly and so much at length on the light? The answer is very simple. The light of which we speak is the only reality. It is god made manifest; the soul of man brought into consciousness. If this is accomplished, then man has awakened the source of all power. Though living a normal life in a worldly sense, he is also in touch with eternity.

Although the instructions and training in the Rosy Cross and resultant attainment of Soul or Spiritual Consciousness constitute a distinct and important phase of inner growth, these, in a sense, only serve to open the Door to still greater attainment in the realm of Philosophic Initiation.

Insofar as man’s present existence in the mundane world is concerned, Development is always in a series of progressive steps, rungs on the ladder, leading upward and onward, by degrees.

The training in the Æth Priesthood, whether as Priest, Prince or Princess, can only begin following that of the Rosy Cross. The word “Æth” is, in many respects, a synonym for Light; that Light considered so important by the Egyptian Initiates, the Gnostics, the Nazarene and his disciples, and so essential to man’s Spiritualization—the gaining of Spiritual and, finally Cosmic Consciousness.

The Priest of Æth is another term for Priest of Light, and the much older term, Priest of Melchizedek. The Priest of Melchizedek was a Priest after God. Wherever God appeared to man, it will be remembered that the manifestation was always in the form of Light or Fire. This being true, it naturally follows that the visible representatives of God, his servants, must be Priests of Light.

These terms will naturally be unintelligible to the profane, i.e., non-students and to laymen, so reference must be made directly to the Biblical statements concerning this Priesthood, with an interpretation of the words used.

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; (1) first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is king of Peace; “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life, but made like unto the son of God; abideth a Priest continually.”—Hebrews 7:1-3.

The term “King of righteousness” implies being “wholly in the right.” Being wholly in the right, brings with it the blessings of a free conscience, a complete sense of peace—Rightness With God.

“Without father, mother, descent, neither the beginning of days nor the end thereof,” might appear obscure, but in the Arcane, in the terms of Initiation, these statements are clearly defined. He who would be a Priest of God, a Priest of Melchizedek, a Priest of Light, a Priest of Æth, must be wholly free in his temporal allegiances. He may not even give thought to permitting father, mother or ANYONE to interfere with his duties. He must be individualized; bound only by the duties of his Holy office.

The “beginning of days” is forgotten because he no longer marks his existence from the day he was born into the flesh. Having been REborn in a Spiritual sense, he is of that REborn Spiritual life. There is no “end of days” for him because the “son of man”—the man born of woman—has been changed, REborn, transmuted, transformed into a Son of God. He has eliminated the darkness of the temporal, the weakness the flesh, by awakening the Christos within into the Light which is from God, is God, and as such he is Immortal. He, indeed, is a Priest forever, after Melchizedek, King of (over all) Righteousness.

Melchizedek was the first man to be ordained as a Priest of God, by the command of God. He was not, however, the last to be so ordained. Thousands of years later, came another—also a King of Righteousness, with a mission like that of Melchizedek. He also was willing to obey the Laws of God and was eager to find the Light hidden within himself that he also might become an high Priest after the manner of Melchizedek and serve mankind. Of him it is written:

“Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek.”—Hebrews 6:20.

That the Nazarene, called Jesus by his followers, succeeded in his mission to transform the physical being into that of a being of Light, hence an High Priest of Light or Melchizedek, is clearly indicated by what he taught his disciples who, in turn, gave his teachings to the world.

In the modern Order of Melchizedek there are two departments. One of these, the highest, we have already considered.

The other is engaged in instruction, guidance and development of the individual. These function, not as a Priest of Melchizedek or God, but as a Prince or Princess, a Son of God. They help those who are sincere in their search, those with full faith in the operation of the Law, with unfaltering belief in God, and ready to obey and make the necessary effort to travel the path to more advanced degrees of the development of The Light; absolving themselves from the mortal and Spiritual indebtedness they have created by their own acts (called Karma) thus becoming free and unshackled.

They seek only that which is to the benefit of themselves and their fellow men. They are as much in the world as they seek to become conscious of the Spiritual world. This is not selfishness, because it is the DUTY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING to do all the things that will prove of benefit to the individual. Having themselves accomplished this, they should make every effort to help others to do the same for themselves.

The students and members of the Fraternity will not be considered as obscure, “queer,” irrational and out of order, if it is kept in mind that the Priesthood of Melchizedek was the first Priestly Order, or body of men with authority to function as servants of God, to serve mankind (God’s children) in His place. This Order of Priesthood and the sub-order, the Knights or servers to the Priests may, according to legend, have been functioning long before the Priesthood of Egypt—the greatest that ever existed.

It is certain that the entire regime of the Egyptian Priesthood, its temple teachings, services and training were identical in every respect with these of Melchizedek. What is even more significant is the fact that the Nazarene, coming thousands of years later, was taught and trained in these Temples and by these Priests, and that he, if the Bible is accepted as authority,—and it is so accepted,—Became A Priest Of Melchizedek. All that the Nazarene taught his disciples and those who came to him for instructions and guidance was in harmony with the vows of his Priestly authority, the most Arcane of which was his special emphasis on the Importance Of The Mystery Of The Light And Its Connection With God.

Thus we have sacred authority for the connection between the Priesthood of Melchizedek and Egypt, and via Egypt with the Nazarene and his Ministry. Furthermore, the Nazarene’s entire teachings, as well as THE METHOD OF PROCEDURE relative to the Christos becoming the Ineffable or Godly Light, was the basis of the Gnostics, their teachings and practices.

These, in turn, became the fundamentals upon which the Rosy Cross was built, and in which the high Initiates of the Rosy Cross, the Priestly guides and instructors, were initiated and performed the offices of Priests of Melchizedek.

Thus, by recognition of the Nazarene as a Priest of Melchizedek, the Gnostics and their philosophy of Christos as the unawakened Soul, and the Christ as the God-Conscious self, we see that the Rosy Cross and the Priesthood of Melchizedek has forged a complete link between the long past and the immediate present.

Those Ordained as Priests 0f Melchizedek take upon themselves the absolute and indissoluable vow to Obey the Divine Law as outlined in sacred literature. Like Melchizedek of old, they do not admit of father or mother, in the sense of allowing them to interfere with their holy office, or with their Spiritual practices. They become, by their ordination, servants of God, and their life and behavior must reflect their high calling.

The vastly greater number of those seekers for Spiritual truth who enter the Arcane field of research and study, either through the portals of the Rosy Cross or the Æth Priesthood, are those who seek to solve the riddle of life. They also desire to free themselves from every form of slavery, whether to others or self-imposed.

They believe, as taught in sacred literature, that there are hidden within themselves mighty forces, called “talents,” which, awakened and developed, will help them to the success that is the right of those who TRY. They realize that only in this way will their weak selves become strong; the mortal will take on the status of Immortality. In the process, man, the slave, becomes MAN, the Master, an Initiate in fact.

One who, though not a Priest, but rather, an Initiate, claims that:

“The Æth system of training is the pathway to the world of soul, with all its dangers and its potentialities. That which is potent for good is, by its very nature, potent to harm. An inert substance can do no harm, neither can it do any good. By their very nature, those forces which can be used for constructive purposes, likewise can be directed destructively. For this reason, one who knows, one who has traveled the path and has been beset by the temptations and tests found along the way, always instructs and guides the neophyte so that if obedient, he may avoid the evils in the path and ultimately gain the light which was created to light the pathway of all who should come into the world (John 1:9), but have thus far been as lost sheep.

“The cultus of the order embraces the culture of the whole man; the clout who refuses the dictates of the niceties of behavior cannot become an initiate. The weakling who refuses to make the necessary effort to become a man, cannot become an initiate. The creature without a backbone who permits himself to be commanded, cannot become an initiate. It requires manhood to stand alone, and one must learn to stand alone in order to become a master.

“True initiates, whether Rosicrucians, priests or princes of Æth, make no noise. They give no offense. Their behavior is always in harmony with the social graces. Their business methods are honest. Their word is better than their bond. They break neither word nor vow. They love the infinite silence and work through the forces of thought, desire, will, love and above all, effort. They are ready to point out the path and to clasp the hands of all who seek and desire to work out their own salvation and for the advent of a new civilization wherein honor will be man’s most holy asset. To this end, the fraternity as a whole, seeks souls primarily—earnest, active, loyal, faithful neophytes and workers.

“Before one can actually become a Member of the visible Brotherhood, he—or she—must, by ideals, desires, efforts and behavior, have become enrolled among the Invisibles. Such as these are the Rosicrucians, the Princes and Priests of the Æth Priesthood, of the Order of Melchizedek.

“By their behavior, their methods of dealing with their fellow men, shall ye know them.”

*At the time this Pilgrimage was written the Rose Cross Order and the Æth Priesthood were offered as separate instructions. Today they have been combined so that every student has the opportunity to be guided to develop his highest possible Arcane and Spiritual growth.

(1) The Divine Law governing tithing; the giving of part of one’s income to spiritual activities in exchange for blessings to be received.

Among the Secret Schools (1), the most exclusive of all Orders, from other than the Arcane point of view, is that of the Magi. Although the Priesthood of Melchizedek was the only God Ordained of all Priesthoods, of which the Nazarene was one, it was the Priests of the Magi who were Divinely informed of the birth of the Child and who visited the Nazarene.

The exclusiveness of the Magi is due more to its acceptance of Neophytes for training and membership rather than because of its teachings and practices. No Neophyte can be accepted unless:

1. He is free from all interferences in his church adherence and religious practices.

2. He has the opportunity and will give at least thirty minutes each day to the exercises taught.

3. He will permit, Biblically speaking, neither father, mother, brother or sister, wife, friend or foe, to in any way interfere with his study and practices.

4. He will accept the opportunity to attend the resident school for instructions which are never conveyed to Neophytes by the Master teacher by any means other than by word of mouth.

5. He will attend conclaves, not oftener than once a year, where secret manuscripts may be studied, unless prevented by Military service or by an emergency in one form or another.

The reason for these restrictions are both simple and understandable. The man who selects one of the professions, such as medicine, dentistry, law or the priesthood, must meet all of these conditions. There is, of course, a difference between studying for a profession and studying with the Magi. When studying for a profession, the student must give ALL OF His TIME, BOTH DAY AND EVENINGS, until he is prepared for his profession. He cannot permit business or social affairs, father, mother, wife or children to interfere with his study.

The restrictions of the Magi are not so severe if we take into consideration that the Neophyte is already engaged in business, a profession or some other occupation for his livelihood, and that the Work of his development in the Magi is, in effect, a second profession, a profession designed to help him accomplish three things: (1) Spiritual development; (2) Bringing into manifestation hidden possibilities (talents) and (3) making of his business, profession or occupation the success it should be.

Remembering that these accomplishments are more directly to the benefit of those depending upon him than to himself, the Neophyte whose heart and soul are imbued with desire, is justified in taking this step.

The teachings and training of the Magi is almost diametrically different from that of the other Arcane Fraternities. In other Fraternities, emphasis is focused on the Spiritual aspect of the Great Work, upon awakening and bringing into manifestation the Divine Spark, the Christos hidden within in accordance with the command: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.”—Luke 12:31.

The Magi is based, first, on the Higher Occultism, that of developing to the full all of the Occult powers, forces and energies within, including mental development, the dominant Will—attaining to the status of the Occult Master—the Spiritual aspect following later.

This method of Occultism is not in any sense to be confused with forces and powers advertised, or bragged about by charlatans who have in mind their own benefit, irrespective of its detriment to others. True Occult Science, the Divine Science of the Ancient Magi of the pre-Christian era, instructs men, first of all, in reversing the mortal, carnal tendencies and practices of life and directing all energies toward the fullness of life, wringing success out of failure, peace out of the chaos of fear and mental torment in which most of humanity is engulfed.

The Magi instructs men in the basic Laws, in what constitutes the true life, in the methods of procedure, step by step, whereby the Neophyte may awaken and Gradually Develop All The Hidden Forces, Powers And Capabilities Hidden Within Himself.

He thus frees himself from bondage to his lower nature; from serfdom to his own weak and evil tendencies, while, at the same time, and in like proportion, he becomes free from the domination of those who, by one means or another, have enslaved most of humanity.

Briefly speaking, the teachings of the Magi, known as Occult Science, mark the pathway to success upon all planes of being; physical and Spiritual through transmutation of the undesirable tendencies within the self into forces, powers and energies of constructiveness, making of man a MAGUS, or Master among men.

Reduced to its simplest terms, Occult Science refers to all hidden forces, forces for the most part entirely unknown, except to the few who have made this subject their life study. These are forces which, by study and proper application, become manifest to all who make the necessary effort. This has direct reference to inherent capabilities, abilities now dormant (“talents,” Biblically speaking), and more especially, to those as yet undiscovered mental forces, hidden or latent within man which, awakened and developed by proper methods, will make of the Neophyte a giant among men—a Superman indeed and in truth.

Anciently, the Priests of Melchizedek (Priests of Æth, or Light) were those who developed their inherent Spiritual forces more than the powers of mind. Their inclination was to be come the teachers and leaders of men, teachers of religious or, more correctly, Spiritual concepts for the enlightenment of men. Significantly enough, the Magi were known as “the wise men of old.”

In the field of human relations, the Magi were the wisest men of all time. They were The Masters Among Men, recognizing, as they did, that men lived and became great by the correct application of the forces God placed in their keeping. Of all men of their time, the Magi, alone, succeeded in unraveling the secrets of the Ages—the dynamic powers and forces hidden within themselves, just as they are hidden in all normal men today.

Because they were free, because they allowed No one to interfere with their efforts, they were able to read in the unseen the message that a Great Exemplar was to be born into the world who would teach and explain the Divine Law in a manner all could understand—a world teacher who would reveal:

The mystery of the reality of man’s inherent powers, forces and energies, his possibilities and capabilities, and the method to be followed in awakening those “talents” and applying them in every day affairs of life—forming, in effect, a partnership between man’s physical affairs and man’s Spiritual possibilities, to the eternal benefit of all concerned.

The Magi of old were wise men; not charlatans. They were imbued, governed, by Spiritual intent, as must everyone today who seeks to become a Magus. They did not attempt, any more than do the Magi of today, to teach men the secret means and methods for attaining aggrandizement and personal benefits at the expense of their fellow men. They knew the Law and they taught it in all its pristine purity. This Law was, and today remains, the inner secret of Occult Science.

The Law recognizes, as did the Nazarene, Priest of Melchizedek, that within every normal person there is deeply hidden, unrecognized Occult forces, powers and energies which, properly developed by self effort, help the seeker to become individualized; a unit of power conferring upon him, or endowing him with, Occult (because generally unknown) powers, raising such a man as far above his fellow men, as were the Master Initiates of old, the Wise Men, the Magi, the Nazarene.

Lest all that has here been written of men’s possibilities be considered an illusion, a mental aberration, a chimera of mind; the reader is referred to a statement made by the Nazarene and accepted as fundamentally true by all who in TRUTH and FACT believe there is a GOD, A Divine Law-Giver:

“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.”—St. John 14:12.

(1) Much fault is found with the secrecy in which the Arcane Fraternities, their teachings and especially their practices are shrouded, despite the fact that from the Biblical point of view the practices of the true Christian faith is the most secret of all known religions. Refer to Soul Consciousness or Philosophic Initiation and The Manisis Chronicles, Philosophic Publishing Company, Quakertown, Penna.

Until the early part of the present Century, there were few, other than the authentic Secret Schools in North America, Europe, Central and South America. After these authentic schools, through their efforts and accomplishments, gained considerable prominence and favorable consideration, charlatans with little knowledge and with no legitimate authority, began to spring up like mushrooms in the night. In America, as in other countries, these counterfeit schools, through their unethical practices, false claims and destructive teachings, created conditions detrimental to the authentic Fraternities and deceived many earnest students looking for true spiritual guidance.

The first effort to bring the various authentic organizations under one jurisdiction without interfering with their individual activities, was made in 1908 through an organized body known as the Royal Fraternity Association. This, a purely American organization, is still registered today.

The present world-wide organization had its beginning about 1925. This organization, known as the Confederation or Fraternity of Initiates, was registered in the State of Pennsylvania on July 24, 1939, to protect its title.

Then began a concerted effort of cooperation on the part of those in command (Supreme Grand Masters) of all the authentic Orders, Fraternities and Secret Schools throughout the world. One of the most active in this effort was the great Initiate Fra. C. Chevillon (2) of Paris, France.

These efforts culminated in the formation of La Federation Universelle des Ordres Societes et Fraternites des Initiates (3) on March 30, 1939.

Others long connected with one or more of the Fraternities in America, and who gave both time and effort, were Ivan G. McDaniel, Attorney, member of the California State Bar Association, American Bar Association, California and United States Supreme Court Bars.

Floyd M. Spann, Attorney, member of the New York, Illinois and United States Supreme Court Bars, former Presiding Judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District Court of Texas.

These men helped in the preparation of the Articles of formation and the By-laws that these documents might be in full harmony with the Laws of the countries in which the Confederation was to be active.

It was through the efforts of Mr. McDaniel that the Fundamental Laws of the formation of the Confederation appeared in the Congressional Record, May 29, 1939; Vol. 84. No. 106, Page 8917.

Although there had always been the closest union and co-operation between the various Esoteric and Arcane Orders and Fraternities of Europe and America, it was not until Fra. C. Chevillon succeeded the late Dr. J. Bricaud, as Grand Master of the Universat Ordre Martiniste, with its seat at Lyon, France, that a Confederation of such Orders became feasible. With Fra. Chevillon’s assurance of his desire to help in the establishment of such an organization, and through his wholehearted assistance, plus the enthusiastic co-operation of the organizations he represented, combined with the splendid cooperation of other Esoteric and Arcane Orders and Fraternities, this Universal Confederation became a reality through the ratification of the articles adopted at Convention in Paris, France, on the twentieth day of March, A. D., 1939, as previously mentioned.

Among the most important of the organizations represented at this first Convocation, were the Universat Ordre Martiniste, the Ordre de la Rose Cross Kabbalistique, the La Societe Occultiste Internationale, and Haut-Synode, Englise Catholique, (4). On the American side, were the Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis, i.e., The Fraternity of the Rosy Cross; Temple, Order and Society; The Æth Priesthood and Priesthood of Meichizedek, Prince and Princesses; Imperial Council of the Magi; Illuminatæ Americanæ, Fraternity of Osiris; Order of the Rose, L’Ordre du Lis, and the Church of Illumination.

All authentic Esoteric, Arcane and Occult Orders and Fraternities engaged in Philosophic Initiation that subscribe and adhere to the objects, purposes and basic principles of this Confederation, that can establish direct and authoritative descent from authentic Esoteric, Arcane or Occult organizations, or were the first to establish a general organization or organizations of unquestioned genuineness in any country or defined territory may become members of this Confederation.

The basis of this Confederation is Esoteric, Philosophic and Spiritual. The Confederation may accept into membership only such organizations as are Esoteric, Philosophical and Spiritual in their nature. In European countries, many Esoteric organizations, dating back several centuries, are, in part, Masonic in character, but considered and accepted as Esoteric, Philosophical and Spiritual in their nature and activities. The Confederation may not in any way interfere with the Ancient landmarks of any of its members.

Individuals, irrespective of high office, may not become members of the Confederation. Only established organizations may do so and the officers of the Confederation are selected from the list of officers of such member organizations.

The original plan for the Confederation did not have in mind any form of membership other than the Active Membership. However, there were so many members of the various organizations who had proven their loyalty to the Great Work by many genuine sacrifices on their part as well as the nobility of their character both in mundane affairs and in the Fraternity in which they were either Neophytes or members, that it was agreed to establish an Associateship within the Confederation for those who could qualify.

These qualifications were—and remain the same today—that applicants to become Associates should be morally without blemish; observe the rule “he who talks does not know; he who knows does not talk;” who have proven their sincerity and loyalty by having helped the Great Work financially or otherwise.

Present qualifications for acceptance include not only the conditions mentioned, but others as well. Morally he must be without blemish. He must be free to worship as he pleases, free to select his own friends and associates, to live according to his high ideals, without the possibility of being influenced to engage in anything against his Will, or doing anything whatsoever which does not conform to Divine Law and Divine Will.

Neophytes and Members of various Fraternities who seek to become Associates may be members of practically any religious denomination except such as do not honor the Flag of their country as a symbol of liberty or uphold the Constitution of their country. This applies more especially to Americans. However they may not belong to any other so-called Occult, Arcane or Esoteric Order or Fraternity except such as are legitimate members of the Confederation or accepted as such.

An Associate elected to office or delegated to perform certain work, must do so to the best of his ability, making whatever sacrifices may be necessary to accomplish a specific task or goal.

In short, he must be a dependable brother to his associates, a loyal citizen, a son of man seeking to become the son of God.

The Confederation is the Guardian of the Great Work. The Associates are its supporters and protectors.

Neophytes and Members of the various Fraternities desiring to become Associates must request such privilege and honor.

Associates share every benefit and privilege of the Confederation other than the honors.

Illness, active military service, or emergencies are the only acceptable excuses for not fulfilling the offices or duties to which associates are appointed.

(1) Officially known as La Federation Universelle des Ordres, Societes et Fraternites des Inities.
(2) Refer to Book of Rosicrusi.
(3) Refer to The Second FAMA FRATERNITAS.
(4) The Supreme Grand Master, representing the American Orders and Fraternities, was R. Swinburne Clymer, Consecrated as High Bishop of the Gnostic Church of America, by Fra. Chevillon as Rector of European Gnostic Church. Refer to Vol. Three, Book of Rosicruce, Page 191.

References:

The Second Fame.
The Book of Rosicruciæ.

The Knighthood in its inception and activities is not in any sense radical, but it is deliberately positive in its belief that the Divine Law should be obeyed at any price, as should the spirit of the Constitution under which one lives. This is especially true of those who have assumed the most Sacred Vows of a Servant of God.

The appellation “Sir” applies primarily to one of Royal lineage, and especially to one who is “select,” or above the average. He is not one of the herd, not one of the mass who are still subject to slavery in any form. He must be the Captain of his Soul; an Individual. He is “the person” who chooses to step aside from the beaten path when necessary to chart a course of his own. Such are the Sir Knights of the Holy Grail.

From time immemorial, men of like nature and intent banded themselves together by the most holy vows for specific purposes, their object being not only for immediate protection and benefits to themselves, but likewise for the ultimate good and welfare of their fellow men.

Almost every one who has read any of the many volumes on the Ancient Knighthood and Chivalry is familiar with the Knighthood of St. George and that of the Garter, and nothing need be said of them except to recall that they are associated particularly with one certain country as the Knights of the Garter are with England.

We are here concerned with Knighthoods somewhat more universal in their ramifications, though, in a sense, seeking the same ends and active for identical purposes. Of these Orders may be named the Order of the Rose, L’Ordre du Lis, the Knights of Chivalry and, most sacred and spiritual of all, the Order of the Holy Grail.

The design of all Knighthoods was, is, and must ever be, of a moral, idealistic, essentially religious—but genuinely practical nature. This is true because the thought, ideal and desire must be in the heart of the Aspirant.

The heart has always been considered and accepted as the basis for the Ideal and the Spiritual. It is an Axiom that he who is morally clean is necessarily spiritually conscious. One of the great authorities on Knighthood, Thomas Dawson, D.D., gave it as his opinion that the object of Knighthood is threefold: Religious, Military and Chivalric. This opinion, however, overlooks or ignores the fact that friendship is perhaps more truly of the heart and Soul than any other feeling the human can experience. This is proven by the fact that there are millions of non-Christians who will not break bread or dip salt with one with whom they are at enmity, while if they do break bread and dip salt with one, even though that one be their enemy, he is assured of their protection. This also recalls the Biblical assurance that:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”—John 15:13.

It must be remembered that in the Arcane sense, man is capable only of loving woman. The feeling between man and man is that of friendship, the highest of all emotions. Love may be cruelly selfish, while true friendship is wholly unselfish.

Unquestionably, the basis for many of the great Knighthoods has been respect for womanhood—the womanhood that respects itself and therefore has ample reason to expect the respect of all men.

The story of the beginning of the Knights of the Garter is old, but ever new.

A ball always completed the ceremonies of the day on which occurred the Feast of the Order of St. George. On one of these occasions, the Countess of Salisbury, while dancing, dropped an article of clothing essential to all women at certain periods. King Edward, as gallant at heart as in manner—as all true men are—noticing the smiles and sneers of some of the guests at this most unfortunate accident and being moved to quick action by the humiliation and confusion of the Countess, picked up the Guard-her and pinned it around his arm, with the exclamation, “Honi soi qui mal y pense” (Evil to him who evil thinks), and commanded all present not to betray or speak disrespectfully of the circumstances.

As a further protection of the lady, the King called those of high rank before him and, by the power of his royal authority, dubbed, created and bestowed upon them the title of Knight of the Garter. Thus was the Knighthood of the Garter born.

The true Knight is a lover of both his country and his race. He who is not proud of his race and of his country is on the path of retrogression. True Knighthood impels every man to feel that his race is the greatest on earth; his country as the best and insists that he be willing to fight and die for both. This philosophy recognizes the possibility of a Brotherhood of Man as men raise themselves to a common level, physically, educationally, morally, Spiritually and by achievement, not by demoralization and debasement, as today’s trend would seem to indicate.

Knighthood in its true sense recognizes Nationalism as the foundation upon which Manhood is founded. It demands that those entering its ranks shall be loyal only to one country and one flag, (Not to be worshipped, but as a symbol to be exalted and defended at all times.) their own, and to defend it against the intrusion of any enemy. It recognizes nations as it does families. A nation is made up of families; each family being a unit unto itself, having its own beliefs, its own creed, its own philosophy, but having common interest and living under one law; living in peace by co-operating, without interference, with neighboring families whose philosophy, religion, politics and outlook may be entirely different.

The Knighthood recognizes all nations as one family, but union in diversity, the individual to be recognized for what he has made of himself, equality being possible only by equal development and achievement. This, to the Knighthood, is a religion and it vows to uphold this right and privilege to all men who are willing to fight for their rights and privileges.

The Knighthood recognizes to the utmost the sacredness of friendship and in its Ritual exacts the most sacred and holy vows that the Aspirant will never betray a friend with whom he has, or will break bread or taste salt, (murder and treason excepted).

Lastly, it inculcates as an absolute necessity, for the Soul’s temporal and eternal welfare, that the Aspirant shall, like the religious Knights of old, continually search for the Holy Grail—the Soul that, like the cup —appears to be lost because it is hidden from the unworthy, from those unwilling to make proper and continued efforts to find it.

The Knighthood is highly selective. It is composed of those enrolled in the various Arcane, Esoteric, Occult and Secret Schools who have proved their sincerity by their manner of life, their faithfulness to the teachings of the school in which they are enrolled, permitting nothing and no one to interfere with their efforts; of those who have made every effort to live according to the rules and regulations governing the association between Neophyte and Neophyte, and the Neophyte and the Fraternity, and who have sacrificed to help the Great Work to fulfill its mission. Such as these may express their desire and will be placed on the list, to be tested as to their entire fitness and admitted as a vacancy occurs.

Those Neophytes and Members who are free with their worldly goods in every day life and pleasures, as is their right and privilege, but ultra-conservative in their support of the Great Work, cannot be considered worthy candidates for the Knighthood.

Others admitted may not be enrolled in any of the Fraternities, but who, by their method of living, their morality, their manhood, their faith in womanhood, their services to humanity, their achievements, their love of their own country, their race, and their institutions and flag and, above all, faith in the existence of God and a desire, expressed by and through effort, to find the Divinity within themselves, have proven their fitness for Knighthood.

The Holy Grail is something to believe in, to search for, ultimately to find and manifest by being a man, free and untrammeled, and offering the same freedom to all men who will seek and fight for it.

The Church of Illumination came into active existence in 1908 in response to a popular demand, a demand voiced by millions who had once been active members of one denomination or another and were seeking a more Spiritual interpretation of the Divine Law as taught by the Nazarene and later by his disciples. The Church of Illumination was formed for these and for other millions whose expressed longing was: “I believe in the existence of God. I believe that a Divine or Universal Law governs. I believe that man has a Soul, but I cannot, as an honest man, believe that I may commit almost any or every crime humanly possible, be forgiven and even be rewarded with the blessed while perhaps my victim will be made to suffer with the damned as a result of what he may be led to do because of my acts. Give me a religion, or teach me a Law that is just and fair to all concerned, and I will gladly, happily, accept it.”

The Church of Illumination is a loosely bound organization. If comparisons be permitted, its organization is much like that of the Christophers, though ante-dating it by many years. It is not at all anxious to establish formal churches. It desires rather to establish centers or groups, where trained men will act as Interpreters of the Divine Law and engage in a religious service much after the fashion of that followed by men in the olden days when they had a chapel on the premises or a room for family worship, where the family and neighbors and friends would gather for such service and prayers. Such a group should always work in harmony, never jealous of authority or envious concerning any seeming preference for one or another for any special purpose.

It is estimated that there are many, many millions who, having at one time been members of some church, are no longer active and are now groping for religious and Spiritual guidance. Then, of course, there are other millions who have never been able to accept the interpretations of Divine Law offered by any church they have attended. Of these millions, very many, upon coming in contact with the texts of the Church of Illumination, have gladly accepted these texts and made them their own. Such are MEMBERS AT LARGE of the Church, not bound by any creed or obligation, who support the church as they feel the need of services, or as prompted b the desire to spread the teachings.

While the church enforces no creed upon its members, it does teach Fundamental Laws to which those desiring connection with it, must subscribe. These Fundamental Laws are based on the teachings of the Nazarene and must be literally accepted by all who desire the most out of life.

First, and greatest of these, is that of Personal Responsibility because this is the basis of all true, righteous, fair and honorable relationship between man and his fellow man. This denies justification by faith and forgiveness of sins in the sense usually taught; nevertheless, it teaches there is a forgiveness of sin.

Here is an example in the simplest terms.

You engage with your grocer to extend you credit; credit on a promise to pay. You take advantage of the kindness with the promise that you will pay your account on a certain date. Having received the credit, you fail to make the payment as agreed upon. The grocer has no surplus funds. Your failure to pay is the cause of dishonesty on his part in not being able to pay his own bills. There is loss of credit on his part and mental suffering. You have sinned in not keeping your promise. You have also sinned in causing ill-feeling in his heart and a loss of trust because of your failure to keep your word. You are doubly in debt and, to free yourself, you must seek his forgiveness, and also that of God for having broken a Divine Law, that of honor, manhood and personal responsibility.

The next greatest of the Divine Laws is that based on the fact that God, in His goodness, furnished an example for all mankind to follow—the Nazarene—to teach man the Divine Law. He also placed into man’s keeping a Spark of the Divinity of Himself, and as a proviso, man is obligated to seek for, awaken, and bring this Divine Spark into manifestation. This Spark of Divinity is the Christos that, awakened to consciousness, is the Christ.

The Nazarene was most positive in this respect, as so clearly indicated in his command: “Ye MUST be born again.” “Ye must be reborn of the Spirit as you were of the flesh.”

The Ministry of the Church of Illumination accepts these inculcations in their positive literary meaning. this rebirth, or being born again, is not possible by mere faith, but must become an actual fact; a manifestation attested to by the method of life of those claiming the REbirth. Faith is essential but it must be followed by actual and continuous effort until the Light, the Christos, is made free and man has attained Soul Consciousness.

Basically, this was the teaching of the Gnostic Fathers, whence came the Immortal Origon, Clemen Alexandrius, Marcion, Velentinus, Basilides, St. Paul, and even the Nazarene as a Biblical Priest after the Order of Melchizedek. This, the Church of Illumination teaches as the manner of man’s salvation, the change from mortality to Immortality.

The third of the great Fundamentals is that of the positive Law governing man’s state on earth; “As a man soweth, so shall he reap.”

This does not merely imply that man cannot sow weeds and reap wheat for bread, but that whatever he does, be it what it may, will return to him tenfold. if he sows that which is good, constructive, exalting, that which is conducive to success and happiness, then, as surely as night follows day, he will reap as he has sown. He becomes successful, he achieves peace of mind and comes into possession of all that he has earned through his “sowing” or through faithful and continued effort.

This Law is absolute! It must not be construed as meaning that the failure, the unhappy, the reviled will immediately become successful and acceptable after he begins to obey the law. First, past debts must be paid. Mistakes and errors must be corrected. The wise farmer, who fittingly illustrates this Law, does not expect to reap wheat on the morrow following the sowing of the seed. Whatever a man does becomes, in effect, a radiating force which will return in due time laden with the same qualities with which it was released.

This Law includes another almost equally as great, “By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou earn thy bread.” This mighty Law is today almost universally flouted, and those who labor least are elevated to the most favored positions among men, being supported in luxury and blissful idleness, often by those who obey God’s Law and who are forced to labor to support the drones.

The Fourth great Fundamental is revealed in the Biblical story of the “talents.” Here is a clear indication that in every normal human creature there are hidden talents which, brought into manifestation and activity, will enable that person to succeed in one or more avenues of life; assure him an honest livelihood, and one that will offer him everything needed to make him and his dependents happy and contented; permit him to be honest in all his dealings; to achieve peace of mind and, finally, lmmortality.

Conversely this Fundamental admits of no doubt that those who ignore the Law will, by its operation, be “ground into the dust.” True, for a short period in the cycle of time, the drone, he who fails to be active, may be petted, protected and fed at the expense of those who obey the Law. That cycle, however, like all others, will end in due time and the “laborer receive his reward,” with interest.

The Church of Illumination is founded on man’s honesty, his manhood, his innate morality, his fairness and sense of right and justice; on his faith in God and the certainty of the operation of the Divine Law. It bases all its teachings upon those of. the Master Initiates of old; the Gnostics, the Nazarene, his disciples, and upon the experiences of men who have made it a practice to do all in their power to obey the divine law.