Supreme Grand Master of the Æth Priesthood,
Exalted Grand Master Illuminate Americane,
Supreme Grand Master of the Order, Temple, Brotherhood and Fraternity of the Rosicrucians (of the Western World), and Hierarch of Imperial Eulis; Member L’Ordre du Lis and Order of the Rose; Supreme Grand Master, La FEDERATION UNIVERSELLE des ORDRES, del SOCIETES et FRATERNITES des INITIES, of the World
Furthermore, Dr. Clymer never believed in or advocated the importance of “personalities” in so far as individual progress and advancement, Spiritual or otherwise, is concerned. Contrariwise, he was a staunch disciple of the absoluteness of the Law that man must work out his own salvation through his own conscious effort and development on all planes—that man must walk the “straight and narrow” path alone.
While FAITH is essential, it is FAITH in God; FAITH in the absoluteness and exact Justice of the Divine Law; FAITH in the innate (inherent though dormant) possibilities of the individual self, that is ALONE important. He held that mere faith in, or blind allegiance to, a “personality” is all too frequently misleading. If the Great Work, the August Fraternity, and its Neophytes and Members are to continue to progress, come what may, it can only be through FAITH, DESIRE, WILL, EFFORT, and STRICT OBEDIENCE, NOT TO MAN, BUT TO THE LAW.
To build one’s life on a personality is to emphasize the MAN in preference to the LAW with the consequence that should the MAN fail, all faith and confidence is frequently lost. Dr. Clymer’s admonition was always to abjure personalities and to build upon the Law. This serves as a further example of his strict adherence to, and compliance with, the Law that governs all activities—the Law which he has personified in every phase of his purposeful life—a life which, we believe, ranks with, if not excels, the greatness of Paracelsus.
One of the most common questions asked by both student and nonstudent alike is, “Were Dr. Clymer and Manisis one and the same person?” The answer to this question seemingly was known to Dr. Clymer alone and he never said a word regarding it. Most certainly the chronological dates of Dr. Clymer’s birth and the supposed time frame of the birth of Manisis coincide. Also the teachings of Manisis seem to come forth only from the writings of Dr. Clymer. What we do know for certain is that if he was not Manisis himself, he was most certainly the number-one disciple and advocate of message for humanity and the New Dispensation he has initiated.
A Short Sketch of R. Swinburne Clymer
(The following are extracts from a Monograph issued on the Anniversary of Dr. Clymer’s fifty years as Supreme Grand Master of The Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis in 1955. Before he left this temporal realm, Dr. Clymer had served as Supreme Grand Master for over sixty-one years, a record of dedication not likely to equaled or excelled for a very long time.)
At the outset, it should be noted that the following is by no means intended to be a comprehensive, detailed biographical report of Dr. Clymer. Such coverage is far beyond the scope of this message. Moreover, to the recipient of this semiprivate communication, Dr. Clymer is not a stranger and needs no introduction or “build up.” Rather the purpose is to highlight some of the principles which have been exemplified by Dr. Clymer—the Man, the Physician, the Philosopher, the Teacher, the Master; to emphasize the fact that Dr. Clymer has devoted his entire life to the many activities of the August Fraternity, including all of his worldly possessions; to point up the fact that as the result of Dr. Clymer’s unceasing and devoted efforts of the past fifty years, the August Fraternity has, nationally and internationally, been placed upon a united, firm, solid foundation a position not heretofore equaled.
Lastly, to realize and emphasize that as the last and most difficult phase of Dr. Clymer’s work approaches, it is his fervent hope, desire, and aim to provide ways and means for the uninterrupted continuation and further progress of the August Fraternity even after his passing (temporary absence) and, especially, during the impending perilous transitional stage of passing from the old dispensation to the New Age—all in accordance with the Biblical injunction that we “set our house in order”.
Contact With the Great Work
Dr. CLYMER’S contact with the White Brotherhood occurred early in his life. In his work Occult Science, Dr. Clymer tells of his meeting with Dr. L. H. Anderson, who was then active in teaching Occult and Allied Science, and of the interest the Arcane philosophy then aroused in him. However, he fails to mention that while studying medicine several of his instructors, the Drs. Bland in particular, were practicing and teaching the then new Science—Osteopathy, and that because of the close friendship existing between them, they instructed him during his spare time in this method of treatment. After passage of legislation in Pennsylvania regulating the practice of Osteopathy, Dr. Clymer was the first to register as an Osteopath in the Counties of Bucks and Lehigh.
Upon graduating from the College of Medicine and Surgery in Chicago in 1902, Dr. Clymer had no visible means of starting in medical practice. However, shortly before, a graduate of that school, then living in New York City, had opened a Sanitarium for the treatment of disease by natural methods, including Osteopathy, and had secured a State Charter for that purpose and for the teaching of such natural methods of Osteopathy. By recommendation of Drs. Bland, Dr. Clymer was invited to go to New York following his graduation to become Superintendent at the Sanitarium. This position he accepted, and thereby further carried on the study of Osteopathy. Dr. Clymer remained in such capacity until he was ready to embark upon his own private practice of medicine.
Although Dr. Clymer had registered as a physician in three states, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; he decided to return to his native Pennsylvania where he also registered as a physician. At that point Dr. Clymer commenced upon a two-fold activity. He registered as a physician so that he might practice medicine to earn a living for his family; and, at the same time, he started his work for the August Fraternity, in accordance with his vow, by putting to press for private distribution his text: The Rosicrucians; Their Teachings. This was in 1904.
From then on, his activities in Esoteric affairs increased. In 1906 his regular edition of The Rosicrucians; Their Teachings and Philosophy of Fire were published. These books found ready acceptance, have passed through many editions, and today are standard texts of our Order. The ensuing prolific and incomparable writings of Dr. Clymer are a matter of record.
It is estimated that during the past fifty years the adherents to the philosophy who have been taught by Dr. Clymer personally and by means of his various texts number more than 3,000,000, many of whom hold positions in high places. This number is now rapidly increasing, and is due, in part, to his undeviating Americanism and his faith that the true American spirit will stand firm against all destructive and debasing ideologies and will finally prevail.
Dr. Clymer’s Many Journeys
In furtherance of the Great Work, Dr. Clymer has traveled extensively abroad. He has journeyed throughout Central and South America on several occasions and frequently through Europe where he was highly honored. In addition, since 1929 he has made yearly trips encircling the United States, holding meetings with fellow workers and students in all of the larger cities. These tours are continued yearly. He has met and consulted with all of those engaged in the Work dear to his heart. As a result, all of the authentic Esoteric and Arcane organizations throughout the world are now under his jurisdiction as Director General of the Universal Confederation of Initiates. (This authority is now passed forward to each authentic succeeding Supreme Grand Master). He has met with many of the great in all parts of the world, but has never made use of this for publicity or personal vanity—nor does he ever intend to do so.
Dr. Clymer is the oldest practitioner of dietetics in America today. He was the first to publish in his book Dietetics (1909) the fact that food contains a Vital principle, now known as Vitamins, and Organic Mineral elements essential to body functioning; and that by proper diet many diseases may be prevented and others cured. For this he was dubbed a “fake” and a “charlatan.” However, time has vindicated him completely.
Dr. Clymer is likewise the oldest practicing Endocrinologist in America, still specializing in the treatment of weaknesses, illness, and physical and mental abnormalities by means of various glandular substances and by the proper direction of Vital, Spiritual, Physical-Spiritual Atomic forces inherent, but generally dormant, in man. In this, also, he was earlier dubbed a charlatan and worse. Again, time has fully supported him. Since then, prominent men and women from nearly every country in the world have come to consult him.
An As Yet Unaccepted Mighty Fact
The work dearest to Dr. Clymer’s heart, started by him nearly fifty years ago and otherwise known as Stirpiculture, has been named by him as PRENATAL INFLUENCE. In brief, he believes and has taught that the mother-to-be has it in her power to give birth to physically healthy, mentally normal children—SUPERMEN, and that if mothers-to-be would follow simple instructions, their sons and daughters will in fact be perfect physical, mental, Spiritual offspring.
In this manner only is it possible to bring forth and incarnate those who will be the citizens of the New Dispensation—worthy members of the New Order of the Ages. Thus, true statesmen, diplomats and leaders who will be competent and able to devote all their time and energies toward the fulfillment of the prophesies of the greatness of America and the welfare of the people, will become an actuality. These instructions are embodied in his manual Prenatal Culture.
Fundamental Truths Taught in Genesis
After fifty years of study, travel, and experience, Dr. Clymer is convinced more firmly than ever that racial or blood purity is an absolute essential to the attainment of the highest degree of development not only for the individual, but also for the country alike. He bases this on Biblical inculcations (Genesis 24:1-9; Genesis 28:1-2; Deuteronomy 7:3; Joshua 23:12; Ezra 9:1-15.) and the teachings of history. He felt that the man who loses his race pride begins to deteriorate. This applies to all races as well as individuals. All the great nations of the past have fallen into decadence due to this disobedience of the Natural and Divine Law.
America and the New Order of the Ages
Dr. Clymer believes that America is the Biblical promised land, that the founders who wrote the Constitution were Divinely guided, and that this now is the beginning of the New Order of the Ages. However, this New Order is possible only if the Divine Law is obeyed and the ideals of our founding fathers carried out without distortion or deviation. If this is not done, then America, like other countries, will fall into decadence and mankind will be eliminated by the reaction of infringement upon Divine Law.
Dr. Clymer is adamant in his belief in the teachings of Revelations that this is the last age of the present man; and that if America is not made the New Order of the Ages by Americans, in the spirit of America, chaos will result.
Dr. Clymer is also intensely Nationalistic—a trait inherited from his ancestors (Dr. Clymer is a direct descendent of George Clymer, a signer of the Declaration of Independence) and further imbued by the spirit of the members of the first American Council. He firmly maintains that both American-born and those coming from other countries should completely embrace the American Spirit—One Ideal; One Loyalty; One Country, and One Flag—so that the America of the Ancient Biblical prophesy may become a reality and that the New Order of the Ages be here established. This, of course, is utterly impossible by divided allegiance.
Dr. Clymer maintains it as a truth, self-evident, that ALL who are American in spirit and worthy of the benefits of being citizens of this great country of ours must revere the American flag first, last, and always as a symbol of individual liberty and a willingness to die for the preservation of the American Constitution and all that it truly stands for. To deviate a jot or tittle from this uncompromising spirit of loyalty and devotion will cast upon America the shadow of eventual doom of all past great nations.
An Example of Supreme Faith
Dr. Clymer has held the office of Supreme Grand Master of the August Fraternity longer than any other person in the history of the Great Work. He has devoted his energy and material resources more completely than any of his predecessors and proposes to continue to do so as long as life prevails (He lived and worked for eleven more years after this was written in 1955). For all this, he feels that he has been fully blessed in exchange.
In all of the years of his Neophyteship and service, and through all his experience with countless thousands of Neophytes, Dr. Clymer has never doubted or lost faith in the infallibility of the Great Work to help man develop and bring into manifestation his God-given possibilities and potentialities.
Idealism and Realism
Idealism: More than fifty years ago, shortly after Dr. Clymer became interested in the August Fraternity, he formed an ideal—a comprehensive picture of what his life should be—of his goal in life. Above all else, it was his resolve to dedicate his life on earth to the Great Work and to devote all his resources, whatever their nature, for the benefit of the Great Work; all after the fashion of the great Initiates of old: WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
Realism: Consequently, Dr. Clymer developed a plan for the establishment of a Center from which would issue all instructions and books dealing with the Great Work. At this Center would be collected books of all ages dealing with the Great Work for the use and benefit of advanced students, scholars, and research workers, especially so during that period which he foresaw when all-out attempts would be made to destroy such books—as is always done by those who fear the truth and that which they cannot understand.
Furthermore, this was to be a Center where all Neophytes showing sincere interest might congregate for study and instructions. Finally, this Center was to provide a situs for a Memorial Garden wherein might be placed the ashes of Neophytes and thus serve as an additional attraction to the returning Souls of such Neophytes so that they might begin their study and training toward perfection almost as soon as they return to earth. All this is now, of course, a matter of reality as Beverly Hall.
Toward the accomplishment of these objectives, Dr. Clymer has used all his financial resources gained from the practice of medicine. He purchased the land, developed it, and personally planned and supervised all construction thereon. This property, which today is estimated to be worth more than $200,000.00, was later transferred to the Beverly Hall Foundation (in 1941) on the payment of the legal consideration of a single dollar. Mrs. Gertrude Clymer—his wife, secretary, constant companion and earnest co-worker—was in complete accord with this.
Fifty Years of Effort
During all of the fifty years, Dr. Clymer has planned, developed, and been overseer to what is now Beverly Hall Estate. He has propagated most of its fine shrubs and personally done all the landscaping, thus saving the August Fraternity thousands upon thousands of dollars in buying plants and much more by not requiring the pay of an overseer.
It is estimated that the royalties on books, had Dr. Clymer collected or accepted them, would amount to a fortune. Yet, he never accepted a cent of it, but donated it all to the Great Work.
Up until 1944, the Work was far from being self-supporting. It was, therefore, necessary for Dr. Clymer to donate all income earned from his practice of medicine, with the exception of what little he and Mrs. Clymer needed for bare living expenses, to the Work in order to cover expenses. This policy has been continued by subsequent Supreme Grand Masters.
Beginning in 1905, Dr. Clymer has devoted the greater part of his time, efforts, and labor to the work of the August Fraternity, and in all of that time up to the immediate present he has never received one cent in salary or any other form of compensation. He proposes to continue to follow this regime until his days on earth are at an end.
From the very beginning it had been Dr. Clymer’s dream that there would be many Neophytes who, on his demise, would be willing to carry on as he has done. This dream has been fulfilled by not only by the succeeding Supreme Grand Masters, but by many other dedicated co-workers who have left the hustle and bustle of the outer world and come to work at the “Hall” either as volunteer workers or as employees who are willing to live on the small salaries that The Fraternitas Rosæ Crucis can afford to expend.
This brings to an end the extracts from 1955 booklet on Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer.
His Many Books
The list of books written by Dr. Clymer in his sixty-one years is too long to comment on here. You have but to look at the book lists included on this site to appreciate the great contribution his man made to the field and health and Spiritual literature. During his years as Supreme Grand Master he averaged to write and publish at one book each year.
This truly supreme Supreme Grand Master departed for his Spiritual home on the first Friday in June of 1966. Before he left he named his beloved son Emerson Myron Clymer to succeed him in each and all of his offices and positions.