AMORC - An International Language for Rosaecrucians (1918).pdf

CROMAAT A MONTHLY f

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MONOGRAPH

FQR THE M EM BERS OF

A. M, O. R. C.

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PU B LISH E D BY

AMORC

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COLLEGE NEW

C IR C U LA T E D

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CITY

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E D IT IO N I S NUM BERED

L IM IT E D A N D E A C H C O P Y C O N SE C U T IV E LY

IDENTIFICATION

N U M B E R O F T H IS C O P Y ,

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FOR

CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE AMORC COLLEGE LIBRARY O n l y M e m b e r s in g o o d s ta n d i n g in th e A* M. O . R. C. a re eligible to M e m b e r s h i p 'in t h e A M O R C C o llege L ib r a r y , B e fo re a L ib r a r y M e m b e rs h ip C a r d can be issued, th e a p p lic a n t m u s t s h o w th e L o d g e L ib ra ria n his r e g u l a r M e m b e r s h ip card, w ith du es p a id w ith in the tim e lim its of th e L o d g e , E a c h L o d g e will be se rv e d by a L e d g e L ib r a r ia n , a p p o in te d for the p u r p o s e of s u p p ly in g th e A M O R C M O N O G R A P H S to L ib r a r y M e m ­ b e r s each m o n t h . M e m b e r s of L o d g e s c a n n o t se c u re th ese M o n o g r a p h s in a n y o t h e r way. I n S ecu rin g a M o n o g r a p h f ro m the L o d g e L ib r a r ia n , each L i b r a r y M e m b e r m u s t p r e s e n t a L i b r a r y M e m b e r s h ip C ard w ith c o u p o n s atta c h e d . T h e L i b r a r i a n will d e m a n d o n e c o u p o n each m o n t h in e x c h a n g e fo r a M o n o g r a p h . T h e C o u p o n s b e a r t h e M e m b e r 's n u m b e r, as well as th e Serial Num ber* o n th e c o p y of th e M on ograph* T h e C o u p o n s are, th e re fo re , re c e ip ts f ro m th e L i b r a r y M e m b e r s fo r M o n o ­ g r a p h s received f ro m this Library* All s u c h c o u p o n s ( r e c e ip ts ) are f o r w a r d e d b y the L o d g e L i b r a r ia n s m o n t h l y t o th e Chief L ib r a r ia n a t the, S u p re m e G r a n d L o d g e and filed in each M e m b e r 's r e c o r d envelope* T h e A M O R C M o n o g r a p h s , of w h ic h th is is a copy, a re loaned, n o t sold, to L i b r a r y M e m b e rs , fo r a n indefinite te rm , as s ta te d o n the b a c k of th e M e m b e r s h i p C ard s. E a c h M e m b e r is b o u n d to re tu rn , u p o n d e m a n d f ro m t h e Chief L ib r a r ia n , e v e r y c o p y o f th e s e M o n o ­ g r a p h s , w h e n his o r h e r i n t e r e s t or a s s o c ia tio n w ith t h e O r d e r is te r m in a te d . T h e s e c o n d itio n s o f M e m b e rs h ip are a g r e e d t o b y th e a c c e p ta n c e o f th e M e m b e r s h ip C a r d a n d th e g iv in g of c o u p o n s ( r e c e ip ts ) monthly* E v e r y c o p y o f th e A M O R C M O N O G R A P H S is the p r o p e r t y of th e A M O R C C o llege L i b r a r y o f th e A* M, O. R. C.

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THE IMPERATOR’S PERSONAL MESSAGE T h e A n n u a l A d d re ss to All M em bers, in W h ich th e Im perator E xplains th e P a ra m o u n t P roblem s of O u r O rd er. I t is some tim e since I addressed a lo n g o r d e ta ile d m essage to m y B r o th e r s a n d S isters on the s u b je c t o f o u r principles a n d th e work we hav e in h a n d , a n d it seem s p ro p itio u s n ow t o com e b e fo re m y kin with a message o f love a n d e n c o u ra g e m e n t a n d p o in t o u t t o th e m w h at we h ave to be th a n k f u l for as th e R*fC y e a r o f 3271 d r a w s to a clbse. H o w n a tu r a l a n d a p p r o p r i a t e it seems to call all o f you m y kin! While th e f r a t e r n a l relatio nsh ip t h a t exists b etw een us is t h a t of t r u e B r o th e r s and S iste rs u n ite d b y th e tics a n d b o n d s o f essential B ro th e rh o o d , th ere h a s grow n in my h e a r t a n d consciousness in th e p a s t y e a r th e feeling, the' realization, th a t y e a r e m y children, all of, a n d in one family. T h e sense o f fa th erh o o d , o f p a r e n t- g u a r d ia n , o v e r o n e large fam ily o f ch ildren has m ade itself so m an ifest, a n d in the various tests, trials a n d trib u la tio n s so revealed its p o te n tia l right, t h a t a t tim es th e responsibility seems en o rm o u s a n d increasingly inspiring to g r e a te r work. T o -d ay , th e m inds o f th e m u ltitu d e s a r e c h a rg e d with w o nd ro us th o u g h ts fo r the reco n stru c tio n a n d im m ediate evolution o f h i i m m rights, privileges a n d freed om . The d a y s o f feudalism a n d slavery gave w ay to fre e d o m o f bo d y a n d life; a n d f o r cen tu ries a u to c ra c y with t y r a n n y has held m a n 's m in d a n d t h o u g h t in b o n d ag e; now is dem anded, everyw here, th e freed o m o f m in d a n d soul so t h a t m a n physically, m entally, a n d s p iritu a lly m a y be a free ag e n t to t h a t degree o f u n d e r s ta n d in g a n d c o m p e te n t reasoning which each has g r a d u a lly a t t a i n e d th ro u g h know ledge a n d experience, A U TO C R A T IC SU B ST ITU T IO N B u t, while o u r last few y ears o f w orld c o n fu sio n a n d s tr i f e have t a u g h t u s t h a t ty ra n n ic a l a u to c r a c y is n o t o nly adv erse to m a n 's evolu­ tion a n d p r o g v t s n ^ a side f ro m th e lim itations o f happiness a n d peace,— we h av e le a rn e d also t h a t r e lie f fro m such p re ss u re a n d evil c a n come only t h r o u g h the k in d and h u m a n ita ria n a u to c ra c y o f loving m a s te r minds. T h e ending o f th e w orld w a r revealed to us t h a t only b y the su b stitu tio n o f h u m a n e a u to c r a c y fo r t h e inh um an, th e ijnsclfish fo r the

erlflslu ilic noble f(»r th« igaoblc, crmld man’s ways aiid m eans for lid accom plishm ent n f peace and prosperity, happiness and progress be effectively applied and made potent. W ith in the a u r a , th e im m ediate en v ironm ent, o f every sane ah d constructive man, w om an and child, th e r e a re ways and means, abil­ ities a n d capabilities, assets and powers, possibilities a n d agencies for the evolution .of self a n d o th ets, individually a n d collectively^ to t h a t degree o f p e r f e c t living to which we, as itosaec rue Ians a n d m any oilier associate bodies are striving. B u t, ty ra n n ic a l a u to c ra c y m akes these w ay s and means, these m an y pow ers a n d possibilities, im potent, 1—useless and limited,^“ whereas, the kindly and loving a u to c rac y o f an unselfish mind directing th e e f fo r ts o f all to w a rd the one glorious aim common t o alh makes la te n t powers m ighty and b rin g s s tre n g th to th e u n ity o f hum an progressive endeavors. • i

Political and m a te ria l d em o cracy docs n o t w a r r a n t o r j u s t i f y & sim ilar schem e in the m a t t e r o f m ental and s p iritu a l evolution. T h e fftther o f a family, c a n n o t sell o r hold In b o n d ag e and slavery his child despite the m o ra l and legal rig h ts h e m ay h av e in the possession o f his ch ild ; b u t while th e child has its rights, its freedom o f body and its choice o f individual expression, th e v ery laws, the same reason ­ ing, which denies to The fath er th e rig ht to absolute a n d unlimited possession o f a child, g r a n ts him th e reasonable a u to c ra tic direction o f .his m ental, m o ra l a n d spiritual adv ancem ent and evolution. This, fo r the child,— the mind in th e making, th e soul in its u n ­ fold nu-nt. A nd, when we e n te r the school o f life’s lessons, o f th e m ind’s re-aw akening, we e n te r as children, regardless o f b u r age a n d our political status. If, as children o f im m a tu re age, we a re in n eed o f a u to c ra tic direction in th e developm ent o f objective faculties and m a te ria l ab il­ ities, how m uch m ore a re we in n eed o f a u to c ra tic direction l a t e r in life, in th e developm ent o f the subjective faculties a n d th e im m aterial, spiritual powers w ithin and w itho ut us? A re th e pitfalls o f in g o ran ce, a n d evil which s u r r o u n d u s as children a n y g r e a t e r or m ore disastrous t o o u r fu tu r e thoh th e pitfalls o f superstition and false teachings which a re s e t in o u r p a th w a y throu gh life a f t e r childhood? All this leads us to realise w hy Our O r d e r has, and wilt m aintain, an a u to c ra tic form o f governm ent,— a n a u to c rac y o f love a n d s k in d ­ ness, with firmness and ju stice, co nsideration a n d mercy. A t th e la s t N a tio n a l Convention held in New Y o rk at our S u ­ prem e G r a n d L odge Temple, tw o o f o u r {G r a n d M asters cam e to m e a f te r the last session and said; ’‘B r o th e r Lewis, we did p o t know, did not even conceive, t h a t you could be so a u s te re in y o u r a u t o d u c y as you have been th r o u g h o u t this Convention, D esp ite th e f a c t t h a t -you are t h e I m p e r n t o r o f onr* O rd er, we h ave always looked u p o n you, a n d outside of th e L odge a d d r e s s e d -y o u , as o u r ’B r o t h e r ’; b u t n o w wc realize t h a t you a re p ro p e rly the a u to c ra tic ru le r o f o u r O rder. It ts this p o w e r a n d direction in yoilr h an d s t h a t has Saved th e O r d e r f ro m its enemies; a n d y o u r kindness a n d ju stice as I m p e r a t o r have won for you the Love o f yo ur members. Seldom has this b een t r u e of a r us l e r and those he ruled,” I cite th is s ta te m e n t n o t because o f its com plim ent, b u t because it strikes a k ey -n o te t h a t should be th e t o p i c ' o f a Considerable m essage to oilr members.

T H E P O W E R S I N 'D A R K N E S S The 1518 C onvention is passed an d m y thirty-fifth year has come to a close! - Roth the O r d e r and myself have safely passed the m o sf try in g period o f existence f r a u g h t with severe tests and experiences, designed to overthrow th e one and brin g oblivion and loss o f power to sth e other. But,' with th a n k s and appreciation for th e lo re an d loyalty as well as fair-m indedness and discrim ination o f most of o ur members, a n d with h o n o r to th e a u to cratic pow er placed in my hands by m y B ro th ers an d Sisters, th e O r d e r 1 3 stro n g e r in num ber of mem­ bers and n u m b e r o f Lodges, and g r e a te r in p o w e r th ro u g h the love and sacrifices o f all who have su ffe re d with me, than it whs last year. This is the answ er to th e m achinations, t h r schemes, th e ambitious, the falsehoods and th e dishonorable atta c k s o f o u r enemies. Several g n at lessons have been ta u g h t to 1 1 s by the lire in th e crucible as it b u r n e d d u rin g the p a s t seven m onths. It Is well t h a t we take these lussnna seriously enough to find value in reviewing them. First, it m ay have seemed trite and mere abstraction to say t h a t goodness will alw ays fiml s tr e n g th in the resistance o f evil. W e speak o f Light and darkness, t r u t h and falsehood, unselfishness and so] fish ness us opposing po w ers; in a n a b s tr a c t w ay we say t h a t these a re positive and negative qualities o r elements, and th a t to the positive alone should we a ttr ib u te any active power. Wo are p ro n e to believe th a t every a tte m p t t o “sp re a d th e W g h tv> merely arouses th e passive a n tip a th y o r disapproval of darkness* we think o f darkness as delighting in its tra n q u il achrom atism and infecuncl existence,“ aine prole. H u t how we m u st realize and ever keep in mind t h a t d ark n ess shelters a n in­ habited world; shrouding, as it were* a tre n ch an t, poign ant, caustic, m o rdant, cschorotic and e rra tic aLtroupomant o f trib es and individuals, much like the black hole o f C alcutta, whose minds are sophistical, Jesuitical, besotted, intolerant, fanatical, bigoted, illogical, prejudicial and iinmoral* bound in their processes o f th in kin g to the limited and lim iting schools o f convention and runn-made creeds find dogmas, and associated in m ental and physical pow er with ev ery destructive agency, existing In the chaotic realm of hopelessness. Secondly, we must also realize th a t the rem inder t h a t " o u r O r d e r ’s enemies a rc im ag in ary ” is absolutely false; th e y n ot only exist, b u t a re active, and continuously active to some degree. Strange,— o r significant,— as it may seem, those few m em bers of o u r O rder a n d one o r tw o outside of it, who have been the most bois­ tero u s and insistent in their declaration t h a t “ no one is try in g to injure 'th e Order*’* o r “ th e a g en ts o f evil arc not t r y i n g to in ju re us’*, were th e ones who quickly, easily a n d with evident fo reth ou gh t u n d 1 wch laifl p la n s to o k u p the arm s of the forces of. evil and w ere forem ost in th e ranks o f th e army*^rsiua]l as It was,— th a t w as a r r a y e d against us in th e first a n d pro b ab ly last great a tta c k m ade upon us. I t rem inds us o f th e false pacifists who, m spreading th e insidious G erm an p r o p a g a n d a in this c o u n try b efore o u r e n tr y in to th e condiet, went ab o u t preaching and teaching t h a t thoughts Of defense were absurd a n d peace alone should be kept in mind. These false teachers and acclaimcrs o f a passive a ttitu d e proved to be the foremost agent* o f a tta c k a n d disruption when th e m om ent for open w a r was at hand, Thirdly, we m u st n o longer weaken o u r rigid and efficient methods o f closely scrutinising those who a re a d m i t t e d . into th e O rd er, and especially tho&e who e n te r the F o u r th Degree and receive the key to pow er and knowledge. N ot ail who receive the key in the F o u rth Degree discover o r r e a c h ’ th e doo r of th e c h a m b e r which th e key urn *

locks; b u t th e possession of the t o y te m p ts some to unlock otli^r cloorft p f chafnbcrs o f wickedness, a n d th e re in Lies th e d a n g e r . T h is 1$ wofcr rtcrfully illu stra te d in o u r recen t tria ls arid tr ib u la tio n s b y th e f a c t t h a t o f the, f o n t active enemies who h a d received th e key in th e F o u rth /Degree, n o t one o f them ever discovered t h e C h am b e r o f L ig h t; -And from th e ir a c tio n s a n d s ta te m e n ts th e y arc n o t only ig n o r a n t o f such Cham ber, b u t d o u b t t h a t it exists I So m o te it he* PREPAREDNESS O f course, we, the executives o f th e O r d e r at the S u p re m e G ra n d Lodge, Were n o t u n p r e p a r e d fo r th e te s ts a n d tria ls t h a t cam e upon 1 1 $. E ach tim e wc p assed t h r o u g h o u r T h ird D e g re e R itual, a n d re -re a d th e 1 Btory o f how th e “ n in th h o u r ’* c a m e u po n t h e T e m p le of old with all its a t te n d in g disasters, we were re m in d e d o f o u r d u ty o f p rep ared n ess. So o fte n d u rin g th e tu m u ltu o u s tim es o f o u r most try in g experiences in J u n e , J u l y a n d A u g u st, j u s t p ast, some o f o u r m ore in q u irin g th a n d iscerning m inds, to o filled with academ ic o r collegiate tr a in in g and lacking in t h a t good sense a n d ju d g m e n t o ften called intuition, asked t h i s question i “ I f th e I m p e r a t o r and his associates a re such M asters as th e y proclaim , w hy did th e y n o t kiiow t h a t th ese tro u b le s w ere c o m in g ? ” T h e q u estio n w as asked in a m a n n e r which indicates t h a t p re-k no w ted ge o f an ev en t assures preven tion of it. I f th is were only tru e ! T hen, th e r e w ould be no g r e a t clash in th e n e a r f u tu r e b etw een several religious denomimv* lio n s ; th e r e w ould b e no political conflict \ n a few y e a r s between this c o u n tr y o f ours n o d a n o th e r tnighty n a tio n ; th e r e w ould be, no sudden u p r is in g w ithin o u r land o f th e restless, p re ju d ic e d , insane, f a n ­ atical revolutionists a g a in st o u r g o v e r n m e n t a n d its executives; th e re tyJuid be n o f u r t h e r a tta c k s u p o n o u r O r d e r a n d p a r tic u la r ly upon its i m p e r a t o r ' within th e n e x t six months* All these th in g s 'we know a re to be; th e ir e lo n g ate d sh ad o w s cost in the fu tu r e reach w e l l 'i n t o the light o f th e p r e s e n t; h u t o u r k n ow led ge of th e ir com■itig,. while p r e p a r i n g us to m eet a n d d e f e a t th e o n s la u g h t w ith n e u t r a l ­ isebig i f feet, does not p re v e n t th e inevitable. T H E S U P R E M E C O U N C IL A nd r ig h t here is c o n tain ed th e essence o f a n o th e r Im p o rta n t fjoint, upo n which so m an y o f o u r m em bers a r e desirous o f p e r tin e n t a n d I m p e rtin e n t in fo rm a tio n . Since th e new d ecrees re c e n tly issued by th e S u p re m e Council r e s tr ic t t h e use o f nam es o r references of p e rso n a lity in o u r w o rk a n d lite ra tu re , o f t h e future* it is well to speak o n this p o int now while so m e m a t t e r s o f p e rs o n a lity m ay be in d u lg e d Hi fo r p r o b a b ly th e last tim e. > T h is U th e p o in t: rfho a re th o se who a r e so i n tim a te ly associated with th e I m p e r a t o r as t o f o rm his S u p rem e Council a n d e n jo y his confidence a n d secret tru s ts ? W h o a r e th o se who k n o w th e p r o b ­ abilities o f th e f u tu r e , whose f a ith a n d t r u s t in th e I m p e r e t o f an d .the O r d e r a re beyo nd tre a s o n a b le c h a n g e ; whose belief in th e h o n o r rind integrity, goodness and u l t i m a t e v in d ication o f t h e O r d e r a n d its I m p e r a t o r is un dy ing ? T o a n s w e r th ese qu estio n s b y s a y in g t h a t these m e m b e r s consti­ t u t e t h e S u p r e m e Council is t o give b u t a p a r t ia l answ er. T h e t r u t h is t h a t th ese te s te d a n d testing, t r i e d a n d try in g , t r u s t e d a n d t r u s t ­ ing, believed a n d believing, k n o w n a n d kn ow in g, le a r n e d a n d le a r n ­ ing, d ire cted a n d d ire c tin g m e m b e rs c o n s titu te t h e M I N I S T R A R O , d r th e E x e c u tiv e C om m ittee w ithin th e S u p r e m e Council, k n o w n m o re

generally as th e W e lf a r e C om m ittee o f th e S u p rem e L o d g e a n d official­ l y designed b y th e I m p e r u to r as his p e rso n a l C a b in e t o f Officer?, T h a t th e p e rs o n a lity o f th is C a b in e t m ay be k n o w n and established fo r a definite purpose, I will m e ntio n th em as follows: C o n ra d H- L. — — -— — —-S u p rem e G r a n d M aster, Mrs, B ea trice W. S . — ^ S u p r e m e G r a n d M atrc, Mrs. M aud C. .... - -.S u p r e m e G r a n d H e ra ld , D r. F r a n k B. S. — ...................—S u p re m e F in a n c ia l S ec re tary , W illa rd M. — ................. S u p re m e G r a n d S ec re tary , Mrs. F, B. S. — -— S u p re m e G r a n d Magus, Mrs, T h e o d o re M, - .... ...— S u p rem e G r a n d H ig h P riestess, Mrs. E lsa L, —-....—— —......— S u p re m e G r a n d O rg an ist, Mrs. M. L, C . — G ra n d M a ste r o f Massachuasets. a n d tw o la y m em bers o f t h e highest degree. All b u t th e tw o la y m em bers s p e n d m ost o f t h e i r s p a re h o u rs at th e T em ple in New Y ork, and tw o o f th em a re th e r e all d a y long a n d ev ery evening until, te n - th ir ty o r eleven; a n d th re e o f th e m a r e a t t h e T e m p le ev e ry S u n d a y in addition, It m u st be rem em bered t h a t n early all th e w o rk being co n d u cted a t th e S u p re m e L od ge is d on e th r o u g h v o l u n ta r y service, and these B r o th e r s a n d Sisters give th e ir tim e as well a s t h e i r m oney freely fo r th e benefit o f others, o f te n leaving th e ir own hom es a n d In te re s ts in th e h a n d s of o th e r s t h a t th e L odge w o rk m a y be in t r u s t e d hands. WORK

AT T H E

SUPREME

LODGE

M an y m a y n o t k n o w o f th e activities c o n d u c ted a t t h e S u prem e Tem ple. T h e re a r e L o d g e s o f d i f f e r e n t degrees held here ev ery night, except S a t u r d a y a n d S u n d a y nights. On T u e s d a y s th e r e a re two d eg ree s m e e tin g a n d on F r id a y s t h r e e d if f e r e n t degrees, one being In o u r Ita lian Lodge. F i r e m a ste rs a rc ta k in g c a r e o f these d if f e r e n t degrees. O n S u n d a y nights th e r e is a F re n c h class a n d a t th e o th e r times th e r e a re p r i v a te classes f o r special b ra n c h e s o f s t u d y p r e ­ p a r a t o r y t o th e o p e n in g o f th e Rosa ecru d a n College. In a dd ition to these activities, there is th e p u rely executive work. T his is divided into m a n y sections, a n d it is th is divided w o r k t h a t Is in t h e h a n d s of the v o lu n tee r service of t h e m em b ers o f th e I m p er­ s t o r ’e C abin et m entio ned above. F o r instance: th e r e is th e “ D isp ensa­ tio n G ro u p ” w o rk t h a t v e r y few o f o u r r e g u la r L o d g e m e m b e rs have ever b e a r d of. T his is in th e h an d s exclusively o f th e S u p rem e G r a n d H e r ­ ald. This w o r k sifts o u t th e c o n s ta n t inquiries fo r L ig h t f ro m all sections o f th e co u n try , a n d b rin g s three, f o u r o r five in q u irers fro m any one locality to g e th e r t o f o rm a D ispensation G ro u p f o r p u r su in g a course of r e a d in g a n d s tu d y u n d e r o u r d ire ctio n each T h u r s d a y n ig ht w ith ­ o u t fees t o us, with th e in te n tio n o f finally o rg a n is in g a Lodge. M an y o f o u r new L odges have s ta r te d in this w ay , a n d the c a r e o f th ese g r o u p s and t h e correspondence between the individuals a n d o u r Lodge is U r g e a n d exacting. T h e n th e r e Is th e w o rk o f th e N a tio n a l Lodge. T his L odge which h a s its h e a d q u a r te r s in o u r T em ple, has m em bers in tw e n ty -e ig h t states. T h ese individual m em bers, living in lonely and isolated places w h ere a r e g u la r L odge is n o t possible fo r some time t o come, a r e fu rn is h e d weekly le c tu re s w ith a p p r o p r ia te e x p e rim e n ts t o be p u r s u e d a t hom e, ev ery T h u r s d a y night. T h e lectures a n d w o rk a re n o t th e sam e a s in o u r r e g u l a r Lodges, b u t v astly s u p e r io r t o a n y re ad in g m a t t e r o r studies t o be fo u n d in a n y b o o k s; a n d the success t h a t

th ese N a tio n a l m em b ers h a r e h a d in healing, te le p a th y , p r o j e c t i n g t h e i r m inds t o d i s t a n t p laces, c o n tr o llin g n a t u r e ’s forces, etc., speaks e lo q u en tly t o r th e le c tu re s we h a v e b een s e n d in g them . A t o u r last Convention, one o f th e N a tio n a l L o d g e m e m b e rs f ro m I n d ia n a was p r e s e n t as a d e le g a te f o r th e N a t i o n a l Lodge, a n d on b e h a lf o f his L odge he p le a d e d t h a t the work b ein g d on e f o r th ese in d iv id u a l a n d isolated m em b ers be c o n tin u e d *way beyo nd w h a t w a s o rig in ally plan* ned fo r th e m because o f t h e g r e a t success o f Such m e th o d o f s p r e a d ­ ing th e G r e a t L ig h t in the d a r k e s t c o r n e r s o f th is la n d . A t t h a t tim e he s a id : “N o th i n g t h a t h as ever been w ritte n or en graved , c u t o r m a r k e d , p r i n t e d o r etched on wood, p a p e r stone o r m e ta l, r e g a r d ­ ing occult t r u t h s a n d laws eq u a l th e a s to u n d in g f a c ts a n d simple rules given in o u r N a tio n a l L odge lectures. I speak n ow o f o u r m em ­ bers w ho h ave been in t h e N a tio n a l L o d g e nine m o n th s and have received th ir ty - s ix w eekly le c tu re s in t h a t tim e a t a cost less th a n t h a t o f th re e o r f o u r Foolish, m isleading, u n in s tr u c tiv e books with occult titles.’* All this N a tio n a l L o d g e work* which lends seekers eventually1 into o u r r e g u l a r L o d g e s o r k ee p s th e m f r o m r e m a in in g in t o t a l d a r k ­ ness* is in th e h an d s o f the S u p re m e G r a n d S e c r e t a r y , S u p re m e G r a n d H e r a ld , a n d tlteir s te n o g r a p h e r who is also a m e m b e r o f o u r O rder. T h e fo re g o in g w o rk is p r a c tic a lly a h u m a n i t a r i a n w o r k con* d u c te d by o u r O r d e r as p a r t o f its p h ila n tro p ic scheme o f s p re a d in g as m uch L ig h t as possible so t h a t in q u irin g m in d s and seekers m ay n o t re m a in w ith o u t th e k n o w le d g e we have, despite th e f a c t t h a t th e y c a n n o t a t t e n d a n y of o u r Lodges. T h en t h e r e is th e r e g u l a r r o u tin e c o rre s p o n d e n c e a n d official co m m u n ic a tio n s, in c h a r g e o f th e S u p r e m e G r a n d S e c r e t a r y a n d his* s te n o g ra p h e r, while th e I m p c r a t o r ’s p erso n a! c o rre s p o n d e n c e a n d o f ­ ficial co m m u n ic a tio n s pass th r o u g h th e h a n d s o f one w ho a c ts as his p ri v a te secre t a r y . T h e c o n tin u e d p r e p a r a t i o n a n d issuance of lectures each week t o th e v a rio u s L odges is a n o t h e r fo rm id a b le t a s k — one which is ever r e q u ir in g a b e t t e r o r d i f f e r e n t system in o r d e r to m e e t th e c h a n g in g And increasing conditions. T his w o rk is in th e h a n d s o f tw o o f th e I m p e r a l o r ’s person id c a b in et, a n d is assisted b y th e t y p e w r i ti n g an d c o p y in g services o f s e v e ra l m a s te r s in d i f f e r e n t L odges w ho have com e t o realize w h a t a s tu p e n d o u s t a s k is Included in th is one f e a t u r e o f the w ork. T hen, th e r e is the R e s e a rc h W o r k in c h a rg e o f S ister S.* th e S u p r e m e G r a n d JHatre, a n o t h e r m e m b e r o f t h e I m p e r a t o r ’s Cabinet. F ew realize w h a t th is m eans,— how i m p o r t a n t and, te d io u s it is* i n n e a r ly all th e lectures o f all d egrees of o u r w o r k Certain scientific law s o f n a t u r e a r e given. T h e r e were, in 1915, w h en th e le c tu re s w ere first p r e p a r e d fo r o u r AmcTicon use, m a n y re fe re n c e s to w h a t w as t a u g h t, believed o r disbelieved in o th e r philosophies, schools o f science o r fields o f e x p e r im e n ta l research. Since th en , th e r e hav e b een h u n d r e d s o f so-called “ new " discoveries, especially in th e fields o f ch em istry , physics a n d m edicine. T h e se discoveries ( m o s t o f w hich a re n o t new to R o S ae c ru c ian s), a re in th e n a t u r e o f verification o f o u r b asic p rin c ip les a n d we m u s t k eep a b r e a s t o f th e se new findings fo r tw o re a so n s : first, t h a t we m a y n o t u n in te n tio n a lly falsify in o u r le c tu r e s b y s a y in g o f a n y o f o u r p rin c ip le s t h a t "science h a s n o t y e t le a r n e d this law ",—secondly, t h a t wq m a y r e f e r o u r

m em b ers to t h e s ta t e m e n t s m ad e by men o f re p u te o u tsid e o f o u r O rder. T h e im p o r ta n c e o f such research w o r k is a b ly i l l u s t r a t e d in th e recen t in v e stig a tio n c o n d u c te d by science in to th e n a t u r e o f elec­ tro n s a n d atom s, 'When th e first le c tu re s o f th e F i r s t D e g re e w ere given in May o f 1915, o u r le c tu re s c o n ta in e d this s ta t e m e n t : “ Science outside o f o u r O r d e r is j u s t b eg in n in g to s t u d y elec tro n s a n d while th e m o s t e m in e n t a u th o r itie s a g re e t h a t an e le c tro n and no t th e a to m is th e u ltim a te subdivision o f m a t t e r , th ese men s ta t e t h a t th e r e is only one k in d o f electrons!— th e po sitive o n e ^ a n d d e n y t h a t th e r e is a n y o t h e r ; a n d some scientists hav e re c e n tly w r itte n t h a t a to m s have elec tro n s a d h e r in g to t h e i r o u te r s u r f a c e in s te a d o f a to m s b e in g co m posed o f ele c tro n s’*. Since then, science has c o n tin u o u s ly changed its beliefs in r e g a r d to electrons, and w ithin th e p a s t y e a r the fa ct has been a d m itte d , with g r e a t relu ctan c e a n d excuse, t h a t th ere a r e po sitive a n d n egative electron s, a n d t h a t po&iibly th e y do n o t h a n g on th e o u ts id e o f a to m s b u t m a y c o n s ti t u t e th e in ner s t r u c t u r e or n a t u r e o f atom s. Such c h a n g e s sis th is n ecessitate c h a n g e s in o u r lectures, fo r we m ust alw ays give d u e c r e d it to G e n e ra l Science when he make^ a “ new*' and “ startling** discovery, OUR LECTURES

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A t the p r e s e n t tim e liotn c h em istry and p hysics a r e t u r n i n g to p sy t u r v e y in a m uch d e la y e d a n d h a s ty r e t r e a t to th e first p rin c ip les rtf th e e a r ly alchemists, a n d it is im p o rta n t, while also a m u sin g , In see w ith w h a t p r o f o u n d d ig n ity a n d rev eren ce fo r th e alchem ists, w h om the m od ern scientists h av e so lo n g derided, th e b ig o te d m inds now q u o te m a n y o f th e laws fo u n d in o u r own d e g re e te ach in g s an d lectures. a s a n in stan ce o f bow science is re d e e m in g itself, a n d of w h a t g r e a t im p o r ta n c e o u r research w o r k is, J will q u o te f ro m j u s t one book secured b y o u r research d e p a r t m e n t fo r th e p u r p o s e o f a d d in g m o re lig h t to o u r lectures, T h e book is one so recently published t h a t it w as In o u r h an d s before it could be fo u n d in a n y s to r e or lib rary , I t is by one o f E n g l a n d ’s fo re m o s t scientists whose academ ic d egrees and a c a d e m y associations w a r r a n t o u r t r u s t in his claim s to sp eak a u th o r ita tiv e ly fo r m o d e rn c h e m is try an d physics. I n fac t, th e p ro fe s so r is telling in th is b oo k w h a t h a s b een disco vered in th e p a s t y e a r in b o th o f th ese fields. On th e v ery first p a g e he says: “ T h e tim e is g on e when it w a s r e g a r d e d as p e r f e c tly leg itim ate t o p o in t to A lc h em y (u sin g a c a p ita l A f o r the word, i f you p le a s e ), as an in stance o f th e a b e r r a tio n s o f the h u m a n mind. R e c e n t ex p e rim e n ta l research has b r o u g h t a b o u t p r o f o u n d m odifications in the scientific c o n c e p t o f th e p hy sical u niv erse itself; a n d & c e r ta in resem blance can be t r a c e d b etw een th ese l a t e r views a n d th e th e o r ie s o f b y g o n e A l­ ch e m y 11. O n th e la s t p a g e o f the bonk* a f t e r 140 p a g e s of in te re s tin g rev elatio ns o f w h a t science h a s j u s t founid, h e say s: “ W e h av e sh ow n t h a t m o d e rn science in d icates the essential t r u t h of alchem ist te d o c ­ t r i n e , a n d o u r ta s k is e n d e d ” . All this, m in d you, f r o m a m a n who i3 n e i th e r an in sa n e m ystic n o r a R o sae cru eia n I W ell m a y his la s t w o rd s b e th e s e : “ a n d it U w o r th n o ticing how m a n y of th e alchemists* ob scure d escriptio ns of th e ir M ag istery well a p p ly t o lliut m a rv e lo u s s o m e th in g which we call E n e r g y ( s p i r i t ] , th e t r u e ’F i r s t M a t t e r 1 o f th e U niverse. A n d o f t h e o t h e r p ro b le m , t h e E lix ir V ita l [ N o u s ] , wTho k n o w s ? ” T h e S ister in c h a rg e o f o u r research work is in c o n s ta n t to u c h

with ev ery new book ur p am p h let p u b lish ed b e a r in g u p o n any phase o f mir w ork, a n d in ;ulfce on e a r t h ; the s a n c tu m o f th e m o st high is th e dwelling place o f the m ost sincere,—d h c tru th -lo v in g , th e h in d -d o in g a n d falrt h m td n g limn, w om an und child. W c shrill n o t a tt e m p t , for the present, to b u y o r build a S u p re m e T e m p le o r n a tio n a l h e a d q u a r te rs . W e will, ra th e r, confine all o u r e f f o r t s to m a k in g m o re efficient any su itable executive offices or w o rk room s we .con se c u re a t t h e m o st n o m inal expense. In this way, wc shrdl u n b u rd e n »urfielvesso f th e p r e s e n t m a te r ia l shackles a n d rr'm a in free o f the lim itations a n d enslaving co n d itio n s o f m a te r i a l ­ ism. E v e ry e f f o r t will b e p u t f o r w a r d to gro w s tr o n g e r s p iritu a lly nnd esoteric ally so t h a t th e g r e a te s t good to t h e g re a te st n u m b c T m a y result. O u r m em b ers in a L odge in th e f u r t h e r m o s t section o f C a n a d a o r th b se in th e W est In d ie s a re e n title d to hav e a n d e n j o y as m uch n f th e possessions, assets and activities o f th e S u p re m e G r a n d L od ge as th o se who live in the same city w here it Is located. T h is is only possible when those possessions, assets a n d activities a r e o f a n a tu r e , qu ality , a d a p ta b ility a n d universal p ra c tic a b ility t h a t th e y can be devo ted to o r used to f u r t h e r th e in te rest, s tu d y a n d d ev elo p m en t of all m em b ers everyw here a n d th e O r d e r itself generally. C an this b e said o f a n e la b o r a te s tr u c tu r e , Us g r e a t e s t assets b ein g m aterial th in g s which c a n be en joy ed only b y th o se who c o n ­ t a c t th e m p erson ally ? Is It r i g h t t h a t t h e S u p re m e h e a d q u a r te r s should involve such an expense a n d consist o f such assets as are w onderful to view, insp irin g to th in k , a n d impressive f ro m a w orldly p o in t o f view, w ith o u t even s u p p ly in g t h e ex ecutives th e r e in oil the c o m f o rta b le a n d efficient, m eans to do th e g r e a te s t a m o u n t o f good w o r k fo r th e g r e a te s t n u m b e r o f m em b ers? Such 3s th e m o n u m e n t to m a te ria l g ro w th t h a t some h av e desired f o r us, a n d t h e l m p e r a t o r h a s t u r n e d all such p lan s asid e and w ith one sweep has c a s t into oblivion fo re v e r su ch ideas o r plans. S o o n th e I m p e r a t o r ’s s tu d y a n d w o rk roo m , like u n t o tb e w o rk ro o m s o f his associates, will be o f f in some secluded place, in a hu m b le s tr u c t u r e b efitting t h e h u m ility o f s p ir it a n d n a t u r e p r e ­ d o m in a tin g in all o u r th o u g h ts a n d acta. P ic tu r e th e hum ble, lowly, s tr u c t u r e s o f wood, nestled closely to g e th e r o n one o f God’a won* d r o u s law ns o f g rass a n d flowers, f a r , fro m a c ity 's noise o r c o m ­ m ercial activ ities; w here q u ie t and p e ace a b o u n d , w h ere t h e Bong o f birds a n d sw ay ing o f b o u g h s o f th e t r e e s s o ftly a d d a n o t e o f life to tbe stillness o f a te m p le 's sacredness. H e re , w ith n a u g h t else to do o r th in k o f b u t tb e m essages o f j o y a n d w o r d s o f lig h t t o b e p r e ­ p a r e d a n d sent b r o a d c a s t t o o u r m em b ers, t h e g r e a t e s t efficiency In s p r e a d in g th e G r e a th e r L ig h t w o u ld exist. W ith th o se whose lives a re associated with us, sacrificing t h e f o r m e r w o rld ly pleasu res, fo re ­

g o in g the co n v en tio n a l hom es and social p r a c tic e s a n d living in c o m ­ m u nio n w ith G od a n d n a t u r e fo r t h e g oo d o f p u r fellow beings, this a n d n o th in g m o re Is a p p r o p r ia t e , n ecessa ry a n d efficient fo r the cause. T o such a haven o f P eace a n d w o rk will com e, fro m tim e t o time, th o se P ilg rim s o f L ig h t w ho reach th e d e g re e o f full u n d e r s ta n d in g and p erfect attunem ent. In each S t a t e will he th e g r a n d L o d g e o f ex ecutives c a r in g f o r th e w o rld ly m a t t e r s o f th e O rd e r, while a t th e T e m p le o f A lden, on th e g ree n hill, t w e n t y f o u r h o u r s tra v e l, p erh a p s, f ro m th e n e a re s t R a ilr o a d , will dwell th e esoteric w o r k e r s with t h e i r sm all sa n ctu m , l a b o r a to r y a n d lib ra ry . H o w d i f f e r e n t a p ic tu r e f ro m t h a t p a in te d by o u r o v er-am b itio u s zealotor&l

T H E NAME O F OUR ORDER IT S IN C O R PO R A T IO N S e v e ra l p e r tin e n t q u e s tio n s hav e been ask e d b y o u r m e m b e rs in r e g a r d to th e new f o rm o f nam e o f o u r O rd e r. Ip fact, it has been said b y one 6 r tw o t h a t p e r h a p s some law has fo rc e d us to ch an g e th e n a m e o f o u r O rder. L e t it be u n d e r s to o d t h a t we h a v e n o t c h a n g e d t h e n a m e o f o u r O r d e r and n ev e r will c h a n g e it. T h e n am e o f o u r O r d e r will re m a in ; T H E A N C I E N T A N D M Y S T I C A L O R D E R R O S A E C R y C I S , w ith t h e tr a n s la tio n in v a rio u s lan gu ages.

We h a v e legally a n d p r o p e r ly p r o te c te d th is n a m e b y h a v in g it In c o rp o r a te d in co n n e c tio n w ith t h e G r a n d Lodge.

I n c o r p o r a tio n o f t h e S u p r e m e

T h e co m p lete, legally in c o r p o ra te d n am e o f th e S u p r e m e L od ge is as follows: S U P R E M E G R A N D L O D G E of th e A N C I E N T A N D M Y S T IC ­ A L O R D E R U O S A E C l l U C I S of th e G R E A T W H I T E B R O T H E R ­ HOOD. T h e p a p e r s o f in c o r p o ra tio n give u s th e legal r ig h t to th is n a m e an d , f u r t h e r m o r e , give us th e legul r ig h t to establish a n d m a in ta in b ra n c h lodges o f the O r d e r u n d e r th is n a m e in e v e r y S t a t e o f th e U n ite d S t a te s , w ith t h e i r d e p en d en cies a n d te rrito rie s . N o o t h e r g r o u p o r society o f ind ivid uals in any S t a t e c a n use this n a m e w ith o u t o u r perm ission re g a rd le s s o f a n y a t t e m p t t o use a local S t a t e c h a rte r. B u t,— fo r worldly, ex oteric p r o p a g a n d a , wc will a b b re v ia te th e name on l i t e r a t u r e a n d unofficial letters. T h e a b b r e v ia te d form will be, sim ply A M O R C , t h e initials o f th e full name. T h e use o f th is a b b r e v ia tio n is n o t new , d e s p ite w hat h a s been said in th is re g a rd . In M ay o f 1916 some official certificates were issued b y th e S u p r e m e G r a n d Lodge, b e a rin g t h e le tte rs A M O R C in la r g e type. Tills was n e arly t h r e e y en rs ago. I n all o u r L o d g e C h a r te r s , O a th s , O b lig ation s a n d on all official p a p e r s o r seals, wc shall r e ta in th e use o f the full n a m e o f t h e O r d e r as s ta t e d above. O u r use o f th e n a m e in th is o r a n y o t h e r w a y h as never been d e n ie d u s b y a n y c o u r t o r a n y la w o f th e land, o r by a n y rulin g, d ecre e, decision o r opin ion o f legal n a t u r e o r intent.

IN" C O N C L U S IO N A n d now. B r o th e r s and Sisters, I have s p o k rn , o r r a t h e r w ritte n , on m a n y points so t h a t m uch kn ow led ge o r illu m in atio n m ig h t be given a t j u s t this time. T h e w riting o f th is message occupied a considerable p a r t o f my leisure tim e while j o u r n e y i n g to and hack f ro m a v ery p le a s a n t v a c a ­ tion visit to T a m p a , F lo rid a, d u r i n g the h o liday season, when F lo rid a is a t its best* In t h a t w arm , peaceful, c o n te n te d a n d lovely cou ntry, I fo u n d g r e a t case in reach in g th e smits a n d m inds o f those w ho are ad vancing onw ard and u p w a r d th ro u g h o u t this c o u n tr y , a n d m y en­ vironm ents wore inspiring,— divine. W h a t 1 sensed and en joy ed then, t pass on now t o each o f you, with m y th o u g h t s fo r P e a c e P r o fo u n d . P ro fu n d i* X I I 4*, I M P E R A T O It.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES T h e next issue o f C ro m n at will c o n ta in , in a dd ition to some valu­ able instructions and in fo rm a tio n fo r o q r members, a very im p o rta n t a n n o u n c e m e n t b earin g up o n the O r d e r a n d Us. re latio n to th e A M O RC th r o u g h o u t the world. T his official m a t t e r which has com e to us too late to a p p e a r in p r o p e r form in this issue is a fittin g climax t o the Imperator** an nu al message which a p p e a r s in Ibis issue, and is also a tim ely a n d valuable a n s w e r to the m an y questions which some have raised. I t sets a t rest, Jit once and f o r all time, th e t r u e s ta tu s an d relatio n o f o u r O r d e r in th e N o r th A m erican Jurisdiction^ a n d places bey on d dispute o r cavil those m oo ted points which n o t one investigator —'even o f th e highest C o u rts o f this la n d — could com peten tly, th o r o u g h ­ ly a n d legally settle. It will b rin g to o u r O r d e r t h a t P eac e a n d t h a t P o w e r t h a t could com e in no o th e r w ay a n d reveals w h a t could no t have been revealed until now, despite th e dem ands, and,- shall I say, 'th r e a ts , t h a t have been made. The I m p e r a t o r lias been in q u irin g o f late a b o u t a Cello Or Violin Cello. H e is anx iou s to secure one fo r his p e rso n a l use, practically, and f o r recreation in the T em p le a t ceremonies, and in his periods of e x p e rim e n ta tio n und a ttu n e u ie n t. N o n e is available here in New York except at a pro hib itive cost and it is th o u g h t t h a t some o f ottr m em bers m ay know a n d can suggest how he m a y secure such an in stru m e n t. A ddress the S e c re ta ry , S u p rem e G r a n d Lodge. Once ag ain le t it he said t h a t Lhe general g o v ern m e n ta l restric­ tions a g a in st the use of p r in tin g p a p e r fo r non-essential in d ustries w a r r a n te d the te m p o r a r y suspension o f th e p u b lic atio n o f C r o m a a t; h u t it will now .be published at in tervals as new o r in terestin g m a t ­ t e r can be p r e p a r e d fo r o u r members. Once u po n a time th e r e w as circulated in New Y o rk a r e p o rt t h a t M ark T w a in had died while re c u p e ra tin g from a slig h t illness |n his hom e in th e S o uth . N e w s p a p e r re p o rte rs f ro m several p ro m i­ nent p a p e r s culled a t his exclusive e s ta te th ere and fo u n d him well and in |n$ usual w itty mood. T h e y to ld him o f the r e p o rts t h a t he h ad died a n d asked f o r his denial o f the rum or. H is s ta te m e n t was; “ T h e re p o rt is g re a tly e x a g g e ra te d !1* May we suggest to th o se who a r e c o n s ta n tly h e a rin g ru m o rs and re p e a tin g them , th a t, possibly, th e r e is som e t r u t h in the rum or,—j u s t some, possibly, an d possibly n o t; b u t alw ays is the r e p o r t g r e a tly ex ag g erated . I t behooves us, in ju stice, t r u t h a n d fairness, to say t h a t in th e new 1919 edition o f the W o rld A lm an ac is listed o u r O r d e r am o n g the various societies o f A m erica. T h e 1919 listing is c r ro n o u s and misleading, however, a n d we, th e O fficers o f the S u p re m e G r a n d L o dg e do not wish to be held responsible for the e rro r. I t \s stated th erein

t h a t our O r d e r has 3,7fl2 member* (which is false) a n d 417 m em bers w ith th e A m e ric a n Colors in E u r o p e o r elsewhere, a n d this num ber, is “ g r e a tly e x a g g e r a te d 1’- A n o th e r s t a t e m e n t in Hie listing in r e g a rd to o u r O r d e r plainly indicates how th e e r r o r w as m a d e — o r a t least tvhy. I t says t h a t t h e g o v e rn m e n t of o u r O r d e r is in th e h an d s of a “b o a r d of seven governors/* N o t only is this absolutely false, b u t it is o r was, the false hope find desire o f a ce rta in g r o u p who tried last J u n e to m ak e it so- A nd ,— so sure were they t h a t their desires and e f fo r ts w ould he crow ned with* success t h a t they p r e ­ p a r e d th e an n o u n c e m e n t so long jit advance and sent it to th e W orld A lm an ac fo r p ub licatio n this year, F o r only th e fra c tio n of, an im ag in ary second did these a s p ir a n ts have a realisation o f jl n o n ­ existen t a c tu a lity nnd in t h a t m o m e n t of delusion they proclaim ed th e ir p u n y and btherical k in g d o m to th e world- I t rem in ds one o f th e f a te of Cyrus, who fo r y e a r s cherished Hie desire to s ta n d upon a th ro n e a n d proclaim him self “ Cyrus, K in g o f B ab y lo n 1” "With g reat 'sacrifice o f his own loyal subject* and with th e s la u g h te r o f most o f those in Babylon whom h e hoped to rule, he finally succeeded in s te p p in g up o n th a t thron e, a n d w ith bloodshed and w a r f a r e a b o u t him a n d with his own life in je o p a r d y , he quickly sho uted like a m a d ­ m an, “ Cyrus, K in g o f Babylon!*1 l i e in sta n tly knew t h a t his pro cla­ m a tio n was for the p assing m o m e n t and b e fo re th e sound of his voice had exhausted itself in its p ro je c tio n th r o u g h o u t th e s u rr o u n d ­ ing environment* he was n o longer Cyrus the King, l i e found glory Or satisfa ction in tlm t m o m e n t a r y victory, T h e re seems to have been m a n y like him in m o re m od ern times- While one was aspiring to be K in g o f all Kitvopf, if n o t th e W o rld , o n e h e re in A m erica aspired to be— w h at? The listing in th e W o r ld A lm an ac m a y answ er th e qu estio n ; fo r considering th e v e ra c ity o f th e s ta te m e n ts made along w ith the p ro clam atio n o f a “ g overning b o a rd 11 fo r o u r O rd er, the re -o rg a n ise r o f o u r O r d e r was to he- K in g o f Falsity. A n d — lo, here, a n d lo, there, w here is th e King?