Filename: RC1025.TXT Source: +quot;Max Heindel's Letters to Students+quot; [PAGE 860] LETT
Filename: RC1025.TXT
Source: "Max Heindel's Letters to Students"
[PAGE 860]
LETTER NO. 84:
November, 1917
EPIGENESIS AND THE LAW OF CAUSATION:
Some errors are so frequently expressed by students that they call for
correction from time to time. The most general of these is the mistaken
idea that everything which happens to us is the outcome or effect of some
cause or action of our own in times past, generally in a past existence.
Theoretically, students know that this attitude is wrong. They are aware
that besides the destiny brought over with us from previous existences for
liquidation in this life, we are every day exerting a causative influence by
our acts. A considerable part of the deeds done in this body will work uot
into effects before death terminates our stay in our present environment,
while those deeds which are not thus liquidated will be held over and will
form the foundation of the destiny of a future existence, where we may reap
what we have sown. This destiny carried over from life to life is shown by
our horoscope, and gives us certain characteristics and tendencies or lines
of least resistence. It cannot be overlooked though that this destiny from
the past gives us a certain bias or trend towards a particular line of ac-
tion. But, nevertheless, there is comparative free will in a large percent-
age of our actions, leaving scope for the exercise of Epigenesis, the divine
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creative activity which is the basis of evolution.
As said, students all know this perfectly well, theoretically. But in
dealing with problems of practical every-day life they seem to persistently
take the attitude that all that that is, is an unfoldment of something that
has already been. This is particularly true of students who have been
studying the Eastern religions before taking up the Western Wisdom Teach-
ings. By this mental attitude of ignoring Epigenesis they are retarding
their soul growth to a greater extent than they are aware of. In fact some-
thing is happening to them similar to that which befalls the materialist
during his post-mortem existence at the time when he lives on the Borderland
between Purgatory and the First Heaven in a monotony most dreadful to con-
template. The Borderland is, so to speak, an eddy outside the stream of
life where progress is at a standstill. The materialist is there because of
his denial of post-mortem existence, which has put him out of touch with the
spiritual currents that generate motion and action during that existence.
Similarly, when we constantly emphasize the Law of Causation and consis-
tently and persistently ignore the Law of Epigenesis, we are placing our-
selves outside the latter's line of action, and our opportunities for exer-
cising its initiative are missed more often than not, with the result that
we become more and more barren as the years go by. Whereas if we endeavor
intelligently when considering the problems of life, exemplified in the ac-
tions of those about us as well as our own actions, to seek out the prin-
ciple of Epigenesis and watch its operation, we shall find opportunities
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for initiative action opening up before us to an extent we have never before
believed possible. By watching the way in which Epigenesis applies in other
lives we shall learn how to apply it in our own.
I hope that you will keep this thought close to you and tha you may reap
much benefit from a persistent practice of this principle.
LETTER NO. 85:
DECEMBER, 1917
THE PRESENT SORROW AND THE COMING PEACE:
From the dim distant past there comes to us the voice of Isaiah in one of
the grandest and most soul-inspiring of prophesies:
"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given: and the government shall be upon
his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the
everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
"Of the increase of his government and
peace there shall be no end, upon the throne
of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it,
and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from henceforth, even for ever."
[PAGE 863]
Nor is the song of the angel choir above the Galilean hills less potent
to stir the soul with its sublime ideal:
"On earth peace, and
Good will toward men."
But looking facts in the face as seen in the world today, such sayings
seem little short of mockery; and from the customary viewpoint of the man in
the street all the platitudes offered by the religionists cannot make the
situation in the so-called, "Christian world" less odious.
But when we apply the cosmic scale of perspective and measurement, it is
different. Goethe says well:
"Who never ate his bread in sorrow,
Who never spent the midnight hours
Weeping, waiting for the morrow,
He knows ye not ye heavenly powers."
As with individuals, so with nations. Sorrow and suffering seem unfortu-
nately to be the only teachers they will hear. Hence the necessity for
their lessons. Viewing life as unending we are not dismayed at the
so-called "loss of life" incident to the present war. Those killed will all
be born again, and by their experience they will be better than they are
now. Peace and good will are bound to come in time when we have learned to
abhor war, hence we may well rejoice at the prospect and earnestly pray for
its consummation. I would particularly urge students of the Rosicrucian
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Fellowship to unite in this prayer on Holy Night at midnight when the usual
service is held in the Pro-Ecclesia by the workers on Mt. Ecclesia.
We enclose a little leaflet, "The Bible at a Glance," with seasonal
greetings from the workers on Mt. Ecclesia, hoping that you may find the
former both interesting and instructive.
LETTER NO. 86:
JANUARY, 1918
GOD--THE SOURCE AND GOAL OF EXISTENCE:
We are again standing upon the threshold of a New Year, a time when it is
a general custom to form one's aspirations into resolutions. As the stu-
dents of the Rosicrucian teachings ought to be particularly interested in
the matter of spiritual growth, I have thought that the following consider-
ations may perhaps be of benefit at this time.
The word "holiness" has in the minds of many become associated with a
long face and a hypocritical attitude of mind, so that people in the world
are usually very shy of those who make professions of holiness. But that of
course is not the true brand. The really holy man is not a kill-joy; he is
not slothful in business; he does his duty fully, at home or in the shop,
puts his heart into all his work; he is a worthy example of faithfulness,
and is generally respected by all who know him, for his actions speak louder
than words and command commendation. He is careful in his dealings with his
[PAGE 865]
fellow men, striving to owe no man anything but love, always ready and anx-
ious to help others; he is in fact, a model man in all relations of life.
But this life of worldly rectitude is not itself a test of holiness.
There are many splendid people in the world who live model lives for ethical
reasons, and comport themselves in a manner that calls for the respect of
all who know them. They are also charitable and are prominent, according to
their station, in every good work. However, as said, this is not the test.
The test showing the difference between the merely model man or woman and
the holy one comes in the hours of leisure when the call of duty has been
fulfilled for the time being. At that point it will be found that they ways
of the worldly and the holy part, for at that time the worldly minded man
turns to recreation, amusement, and pleasure for an outlet for his energy,
or perhaps he pursues some favorite hobby according to the bent of his mind
and as his means allow. It may be simple games or sports, or it may be song
and music, theaters, parties, or any other means he can find to make time
pass pleasantly.
But the holy man is as the steel touched with the lodestone and deflected
by force from pointing to the pole. When once the heart has been touched by
the lodestone of the love of God, duty may and does deflect it towards the
affairs of the world which demand legitimate attention. The holy man not
only does not shirk his worldly duty but he fulfills it better and more con-
scientiously than before giving himself to God. At he same time sub-
[PAGE 866]
consciously he feels the yearning to return in mind to communion with the
Father, which is analogous to the way the magnetized steel needle that has
been deflected from the north exerts a pressure in the direction of the
pole. The moment the call of duty has been fully answered and the pressure
removed for the time being, the holy man's thoughts automatically turn to-
wards the Divine. A ride in the street car to or from business is an op-
portunity for such meditation. The time spent in waiting for some one else
is utilized in the same way. In short, never a moment of relaxation from
worldly affairs comes to the holy man without his thoughts instantly turning
to his source and goal--God.
We have heard of men who studied law while riding to and from business in
street cars; others have learned languages by utilizing the spare moments
which most people waste in idle, aimless, wandering thoughts. Let us learn
a lesson from them, and during the coming year practice the habit of turning
our thoughts to God during whatever scattered spare moments we have. If we
practice this faithfully, we shall find ourselves greatly advanced upon the
path of soul growth.
[PAGE 867]
LETTER NO. 87:
FEBRUARY, 1918
THE NECESSITY OF PUTTING TALENTS TO USE:
The Christ exhorted us to let our light shine, and in the parable of the
talents He emphasized the points that TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH
WILL BE REQUIRED, and that every one, no matter how little he has received,
is expected to put it out to usury, to cast his bread upon the waters, so
that it may return to him after many days and yield an increase. We are now
standing near the beginning of another year. We have received the priceless
Rosicrucian teachings. Hence it is required of us that we put his knowledge
to some use in order to help those of our fellow men who have not yet re-
ceived a solution of the problem of life and are seeking for light.
We are properly dislike conceited people who have an exaggerated idea of
their own abilities and who bore other people to death with their undesired
discourse. But the students of the Rosicrucian Fellowship seem to suffer
from the opposite disease and temperament, which is just as bad.
Self-depreciation, timidity, and mistrust of self squelch our ability and
our talents, causing them to atrophy, just as do the eyes of animals which
have left the sunlight and gone into caves to live, or as does the hand
which is held inactive by the side for years and which loses its power to
[PAGE 868]
move. Our talents atrophy if not used. We shall be responsible for hoard-
ing knowledge and withholding it from those who are seeking, just as much as
the servant in the parable who buried his talent instead of working with it
so that it might become greater.
We have always held that matters of belief should not be FORCED upon the
attention of other people, but there are thousands of opportunities every
year when we may say a word calculated to bring out an inquiry relative to
our philosophy on the part of a friend addressed. It is perfectly le-
gitimate to lead people on as long as they are interested. Paul exhorted
his followers to be shod with a preparation of the Gospel, and if we follow
that rule by preparing ourselves to answer questions intelligently, we shall
find that people will be interested in what we have to say.
Just now people are intensely interested in life after death. But to an-
swer their questions properly we must have enough of the Rosicrucian teach-
ings by heart and we must have them at our fingers' ends. A little knowl-
edge is dangerous in matters of religion and philosophy as well as in other
things. You must have enough and of the right kind to make it worth while
to enter the field of propaganda at all. But it is not difficult. While it
may be very interesting and instructive to students of the Rosicrucian
teachings who have become deeply interested in and have a good working
knowledge of the philosophy to go into the mysteries of periods and evolu-
tions, epochs and races, cosmic days and nights, et cetera, still all that
is needed to help the man in the street is a thorough knowledge of the Laws
[PAGE 869]
of Consequence and Rebirth as they have been given in our literature. These
are the vital principles which concern him most. They are the meat in the
nut of the Rosicrucian teachings. If you can give them to a person who is
in despair, either on account of having lost some one near and dear, or be-
cause the whole world seems upside down and he can find no place into which
to fit, no way to get over the dead wall which confronts him, you may solve
his problems for him in a logical and reasonable manner by showing how the
law of Rebirth, coupled with the Law of Consequence, is constantly working
for the good of humanity, and how he may gain whatever good he wants by
working in harmony with these two great laws. You will thus have done him a
signal service, and made considerable soul growth for yourself.
I would also suggest that classes be formed in the various study centers
to study all that has been said in our literature concerning the workings of
these two great laws, so that the students may fit themselves to render im-
portant service to the community by helping people to solve the problems of
life which are so baffling to the great majority.
I trust that this suggestion may prove of benefit to you during the com-
ing year.
[PAGE 870]
LETTER NO. 88:
MARCH, 1918
THE NOBILITY OF ALL LABOR:
A correspondent enthusiastic over the beauty, grandeur, and
soul-satisfying nature of the Rosicrucian teachings bemoans the fate which
has fettered her to a cook stove, a dishpan, the care of children, and the
drudgery of housework; were she only free to take this new-found gospel, she
would go into the wide world with the glad tidings for which she knows un-
told thousands are praying and seeking.
That would be well for our friend and those thousands, but what about the
little children deprived of their mother's care? Do not forget the very im-
portant point that all who were hired to work in the Master's vineyard were
standing idle in the market place. They had no hampering ties to hinder
them from working there the whole day, and no one who is not free from
former obligations may take up a life work of teaching others. If we aspire
to that work by being faithful in the performance of our present duties,
they way will open sometime and give us the legitimate call.
But about "drudgery"; the use of that word is all too common. The
teacher talks of the drudgery of drumming the same lesson into the heads of
children year after year; the mother talks of the drudgery of housework;
[PAGE 871]
the father complains of the drudgery of office or shop work; and so on down
the line. Each thinks that if he or she were in the shoes of some one else,
life would at once change to a grand, sweet song.
This is a fallacy. "Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of
trouble." No matter where he is placed, there is only one method of relief,
one way to overcome, and that is by adoption of the right attitude of mind.
A great gas engine going at full speed might defy an army of strong men
to stop it, but a tiny speck of carbon deposited on the ignition point, or a
small cam working loose, would quickly quell its energy. Thus a little
soot, which we despise as dirt, can under certain circumstances accomplish
more than many men. Therefore we should not extravagantly eulogize some as
heroes and despise others as drudges. There are as noble souls mending
stockings as ever graced presidential chairs. It all depends upon whether
they put love into their work or not.
But what many really mean when they say "drudgery" is monotony. All work
is routine more or less, and the constant performance of the same tasks of-
ten becomes monotonous. There is a very good reason why the present phase
of our development includes this principle of routine. We are now getting
ready for the fast approaching Aquarian Age with its great intellectual and
spiritual development. This requires an awakening of the dormant vital
body, whose keyword is REPETITION. The routine of our daily work furnishes
[PAGE 872]
this. If we rebel, it breeds monotony and retards progress. But if we
leaven our labor with love, we shall advance ourselves greatly in evolution
and reap the reward of contentment.
LETTER NO. 89:
APRIL, 1918
THE AQUARIAN AGE AND THE NEW COVENANT:
After writing the students' lesson and thinking over the various phases
of Easter and the events happening around that time according to the Bible
story, it occurred to me what a sealed book the Bible is to those who have
not the Western Wisdom Teaching and a knowledge of esoteric astrology. So I
decided to use this letter to elucidate one of the points that presented it-
self before my mind.
You probably remember that according to Luke (22nd chapter) the Christ
sent Peter and John with instructions to look for a man bearing a pitcher of
water and to enter into the house where he went, for there the passover was
to be held. Later at that place, we are informed, He gave the apostles the
bread and the water which constituted the New Covenant, declaring that he
would no more drink the fruit of the vine. This is entirely misunderstood.
To the great majority the man with the pitcher of water has no meaning, nei-
ther the fact that the passover was to be held at his house and not at some
other place. Also people believe that Christ gave His disciples wine to
drink, whereas the Bible says entirely the opposite. There is a great
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significance in this story when we read it as it is written and examine it
in the light of the esoteric teaching.
First, let us remember how the leaders of humanity have given each new
race a certain appropriate food, as elucidated thoroughly in the COSMO.
Briefly, grain was given to Cain, the Second Race man, who was plant-like
and had a vital body. To Abel, the Third Race man, who had a desire body,
milk was supplied. To Nimrod, the Fourth Race man, who had a mind, meat was
given. Wine was supplied by Noah to the Fifth Race man. It made him a God-
less egotist, so that man's inhumanity to man has become a byword; but it
also helped him to reach the nadir of his material evolution. Now, however,
the spiritual evolution is about to begin, and altruistic ideas must be fos-
tered, or at least started to germinating, so that they may be expressed by
the Sixth Race. This again requires a change in diet.
While these steps in evolution have taken place, the sun by precision has
circled the zodiac many times. But each step was inaugurated under a spe-
cific sign, and each was preceded and succeeded by minor cycles which were
replicas of the great ages and evolutionary epochs. Thus the last six or
seven thousand years while the sun went through Taurus, the sign of the
Bull, Aries the sign of the Ram, and Pisces, the watery, fluidic sign have
seen ages of material development, fostered by meat and wine. Even Christ
at the beginning of His ministry turned water to wine, ratifying its contin-
ued use during the Piscean Age. But at the end of His earthly career He
[PAGE 874]
sent His disciples to prepare the passover in the house of the Water-bearer,
and there abolished meat and wine by giving the bread and the water cup as
the New Covenant for the Kingdom of God, where He is to reign as the Prince
of Peace.
Could anything be plainer? Christ is the Sun Spirit, and when the sun
passes over the equator at the vernal equinox in the sign of the
Water-bearer, the Aquarian Age will be ushered in, in which the fleshless,
non-alcoholic diet of the New Covenant will be in vogue and an era of altru-
ism will dawn. We are beginning to feel this beneficient influence now,
though it is still centuries away, and we are here to help prepare for that
time. Therefore it behooves us to cleanse ourselves physically, morally,
mentally, and spiritually that we may be a shining example to others and
thereby lead them to the great Light which we have been fortunate enough to
see. Let us also remember that the greater our knowledge, the greater also
our responsibility for its right use, and unless we live up to these ideals,
we shall merit the greater condemnation.
[PAGE 875]
LETTER NO. 90:
MAY, 1918
MEAT EATING AND FUR WEARING:
A student who confesses that he is still addicted to flesh eating in some
degree has occasionally an urge to speak to others on the Rosicrucian teach-
ings, but always feels as if he were a hypocrite when he advocates vegetari-
anism. He asks us how he may overcome this habit and whether he should give
up teaching others until he has himself attained.
This query has general interest, for though the students of the
Rosicrucian teachings are sincere and earnest, they have the same imperfec-
tions as all other human beings or they would not be here; hence a letter on
this subject may prove helpful to many.
It needs no argument to prove that you cannot effectively discourse on
spirituality over a cocktail, nor advocate the harmless life while eating a
steak. Furthermore, those who know your habits in daily life are always
quick to notice the difference between what you preach and what you live.
Therefore it is of course best to be able to live up to the teachings before
commencing to convert others. At the same time it is too strong language to
call any one a hypocrite because he advocates an ideal to which he has not
yet attained. So long as one sincerely believes that the fleshless diet is
[PAGE 876]
right and tries to live accordingly, he is justified in advocating it even
though occasionally he breaks the rule. The north star guides the mariner
safely to his desired haven even though he never reaches the star itself.
Similarly, if we set our ideals as high as the stars, we may not attain them
in this life, but we shall always be the better for having them.
At the same time it would seem that with a little will power brought to
bear it should not be very difficult for any one to abstain from tobacco,
liquor, and flesh food. Surely the thought of the suffering that is caused
the poor animals in the trains on their way to the slaughterhouse, and the
agony which precedes the time when the blow is struck that ends their life
or the time when the knife goes into their throat, ought to move any one who
aspires to live the higher life and fill him with compassion for these poor
dumb creatures which cannot defend themselves. For similar reasons the
wearing of furs and feathers as ornaments should be dispensed with by the
gentler sex among our ranks. It is equally inconsistent, and would doubt-
less cause adverse comments if any one should preach the gospel of harmless-
ness while thus arrayed.
Unfortunately the complexity of our civilization forces us to use leather
for many things because no other material is available on the market to take
its place; for example, for shoes, straps, etc. But nevertheless we ought
to do all we possibly can to avoid making use of any material which comes
from the body of an animal that requires its death. One of the blessings of
this present war is that man is find out that meat is not an indispensable
[PAGE 877]
article of diet, and that we are far better off without alcohol. Let us
hope that this is but the beginning of the end, and that man will soon cease
to breed or hunt animals for their flesh and fur. Meanwhile let us all set
the example and apply our will power to this end.
LETTER NO. 91:
JUNE, 1918
TOLERANCE OF OTHERS' BELIEFS:
We are here to live in the conditions as we find them and to learn the
lesson provided by our environment. Those who are continually soaring in
the clouds and seeking spiritual ideals to the neglect of their plain duties
are just as mistaken in their efforts as those who wallow in the mire of ma-
terial work, grubbing and grinding in their greed for the dollar. Both need
help, but in opposite directions. One class needs to be pulled down till
their feet are firmly planted upon earth; the other needs an uplift that
they may see the light of heaven and begin to think of acquiring treasures
there.
"One man's meat is another man's poison," and this applies to spiritual
food at least equally as much as to physical. There is only one great
truth--Diety--but it is many-sided. The angle of presentation which appeals
to us may lack power to stir others; and, vice versa, their outlook upon
truth may fail to meet our needs. Thus there is a reason for all the dif-
ferent religions in the world and the different views presented by the
[PAGE 878]
various cults and sects. Each has its mission to perform for the people
among whom it is found, so we should be tolerant of all cults or religions
even when those who profess them attack us and our views.
We should be satisfied to be known by our fruits, for that is the only
true and valid test of individual religion. Does it make us better men and
women, better fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, sisters and brothers,
employers and employees? Does it make us better all-around citizens who may
be looked up to in the community where we live? That is the test of true
religion.
There is not so much danger of finding the materialist in our ranks, but
unfortunately there is a tendency among people who espouse advanced teach-
ings to soar in the clouds, forgetful of concrete conditions and earthly du-
ties. This causes the average man and women to look askance at occultism
and to regard those who study it as cranks, though their actions are no more
the fault of occultism than it is the fault of good food when a weak stomach
cannot digest it.
For this reason we should not only be tolerant of the beliefs of others
and make it a rule never to belittle another faith, but we should watch our-
selves to see that we LIVE the Rosicrucian teachings so as to do credit to
them in our immediate environment.
[PAGE 879]
LETTER NO. 92:
JULY, 1918
THE PURPOSE OF WAR AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD IT:
From time to time students in various parts of the world have been asking
what should be their attitude toward the war and what purpose it serves from
the spiritual standpoint. In answer we have pointed out in various articles
the Rosicrucian teaching concerning the object of the war, namely, to turn
the world towards God for consolation in its sorrow, and to rend the veil
which exists between the visible and invisible worlds by helping a consider-
able number to acquire spiritual sight and the ability to communicate with
those who have passed beyond. But though the explanations given have satis-
fied most occult students in a measure, there were others who did not feel
satisfied therewith; they wanted something more directly bearing on the con-
ditions. To them we pointed out the teaching in Lecture No. 13--"Angels as
Factors in Evolution"--showing how human affairs are guided by the angels
and archangels who act as family and Race Spirits, causing the rise and fall
of nations as required for the evolution of the various groups of spirits
under their guardianship.
As a final attempt to satisfy our students concerning this vital matter
we send you herewith a lesson entitled, "The Philosophy of War," showing its
[PAGE 880]
application to the present conditions. We trust that this will give to all
the needed explanation and help all to understand what is involved, so that
they may render their hearty co-operation to end the struggle as soon as
possible and secure the peace for which we all so ardently long.
But let us realize that there can be no peace worth having until milita-
rism has received such a blow that it will not raise its head again for a
long time. Many people hope that this will be the last war, and we ardently
wish that we could believe it. People thought the same when Napoleon and
his hordes overran Europe a hundred years ago, but time has proved that such
hopes were vain. Peace is a matter of education, and impossible of achieve-
ment until we have learned to deal charitably, justly, and openly with one
another, as nations as well as individuals. As long as we manufacture arms,
peace will not become established. It should become our aim and object to
do all we can toward the abolition of militarism in all countries and the
establishment of the principle of arbitration of difficulties.
[PAGE 881]
LETTER NO. 93:
AUGUST, 1918
THE INNER POWER AND THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES WITH IT:
Many years ago I spent a few weeks on a farm in Maine at the time when
they were harvesting potatoes. As the wagons passed me, I noted that the
potatoes were all large and of almost uniform size. So one day I con-
gratulated the farmer on having such a fine crop of large potatoes. He
walked over to a wagon and showed me that the bottom of the wagon was full
of small potatoes. He also said that they had not been sorted in the field
but that the jostling of the wagon over the rough road from the field to the
barn brought the big potatoes to the top while the small ones sank to the
bottom. "If you put the big ones at the bottom," he said, "they will rise
to the top and the small ones will sink."
And is this not just like life! People of representative appearance, of
large qualities, rise to the top as we jostle one another over the rough
places on the highway of life. "Yon cannot keep a good man down," is an old
saying. He will rise to the top in spite of everything by virtue of the up-
lifting power within him. And similarly, no matter how often we put a small
man on top, he will sink, because he lacks the inner power. We may build a
house as large as we want and rear it above all other structures if we have
[PAGE 882]
material and labor in sufficient quantities, but the growth of man is from
within, and no one can add a hairbreadth to the stature of another,
physically, mentally, or morally. Each must work out his own salvation; he
alone can determine whether he will remain in a lowly lot or rise to the
top.
The farmer found that when his potatoes were carried over a smooth boule-
vard they remained mixed; but the rougher the road, the quicker the big po-
tatoes rose to the top and the smaller ones sank to the bottom. In the
great emergencies of life great opportunities await those who are ready to
assume responsibilities and go to the front of the battle.
We are living in such a time, and if we aspire to rise, NOW is our great-
est opportunity. The whole world is now asking for an answer to the riddle
of life; inquiring whither the ship of humanity is sailing. And we have the
answer. Upon us, therefore, rests the responsibility of living the teach-
ings of the Elder Brothers and making them appeal to others by exemplary
lives. Many of our brothers are carrying the teachings of the Elder Broth-
ers into the very trenches and enlightening those who are ready to be
taught. Those of us who are still in our usual environment will find the
interrogation point in many hitherto closed quarters. Let us therefore
diligently seek the opportunities and improve them, for "unto whom much is
given, of him shall much be required."
I would suggest to the students that now is the time to see to it that
the COSMO and our other literature, as far as possible, is in the libraries
in their own cities; also that it is in a place where it is accessible and
[PAGE 883]
that it is being used. If a number of people inquire about it from time to
time, though the Librarian may know nothing about it and perhaps even be
hostile, the constant call for a certain book will finally force him to take
notice. There is no doubt that the Fellowship teachings have within them an
inner power that is bound to make a place for them in the world, but we
shall acquire merit in proportion to the way in which we help to bring these
teachings of the Elder Brothers to the notice of humanity in general. It is
now vacation time and hence an especially propitious season for the dis-
semination of our soul-satisfying philosophy. Let us therefore all put
forth an extra effort at this time. It will benefit others and ourselves
also.
LETTER NO. 94:
SEPTEMBER, 1918
EQUIPOISE OF GREAT HELP IN TIMES OF STRESS:
In these days when our customs, habits, and business are being so
radically interfered with by the great war no matter where on earth we live;
when the flower of our manhood is being mowed down in millions by cannon;
when even woman must leave her accustomed vocation as home maker to take
part in the titanic struggle behind the fighting lines; when the weak, those
who are either very old or very young, succumb to privation; how can one
help being disturbed more or less according to one's individual suffering or
[PAGE 884]
one's proximity to the seething sea of hate and sorrow in what was once fair
France or in the other battle-scarred sections?
To remain undisturbed perhaps seems impossible. One cannot remain cal-
loused in the face of such suffering. One student after describing the dev-
astation of a shelled city, asks: "Can one help feeling very strongly about
it?" No, Christ felt very strongly when He wept over the sins of Jerusalem,
and He showed His righteous wrath when He drove the money changers out of
the temple. But equipoise is undoubtedly one of the great lessons which we
may learn from this war.
It is easy to be peaceful if one goes into the mountains and lives the
life of a hermit. But what credit is it to keep our equipoise with no one
to thwart, oppose, or vex us? It is more difficult, however, to keep a
peaceful attitude in the industrial life of a city where relentless war is
waged with the sword of competition and where existence is circumscribed by
laws and custom. But it can be done, and it is being done by many who make
no pretense to spirituality, but who have found that loss of balance inter-
feres with their ambition. So they setout to train themselves in the prac-
tice of equipoise. It has been the invariable experience of such people
that they have benefited greatly. Their health has improved, their happi-
ness also, and their business efficiency has increased.
If such self-control can be attained by people in the world, and if so
much benefit can accrue to them on that account under ordinary condition of
life, those among us who aim at higher and nobler things and who have been
[PAGE 885]
endeavoring to follow the path for years ought to be examples of faith and
hopefulness at this time, ought they not? We ought to be towers of strength
to those who have not had the great enlightenment which it has been our
privilege to obtain. And above all things, we ought to exert a constructive
and upbuilding influence in this world crisis.
Therefore I have outlined in this month's lesson the secret causes which
in the past have generated and fertilized the seeds that have now flowered
into our present cataclysmic condition, and have indicated in a slight mea-
sure how we are now sowing the seeds of our future well or ill being; this
in the hope that you will concentrate your thoughts constructively along the
line indicated, and advocate in your sphere of life the views presented.
Much sorrow may thus be averted in the future for thoughts are things, and
if they are in harmony with the cosmic purpose to make all things work to-
gether for good, they will surely prosper.
LETTER NO. 95:
OCTOBER, 1918
THE OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE AND FAITH IN ULTIMATE GOOD:
Suppose some one very close to you were undergoing a surgical operation.
Naturally you would feel very much concerned, and your feelings would prob-
ably swing between fear and hope. Sometimes one emotion and sometimes the
other would predominate. But consider what would be the effect upon the
[PAGE 886]
effect upon the patient if you were to voice your doubt and misgivings on
every occasion. Fear always has a devitalizing and detrimental effect which
makes it very difficult for the patient to recover, particularly as during
the time of an illness he is less self-assertive and more negative than at
times when he is in good, robust health. Thus while you were really anxious
to help him and would do anything in your power to serve him, by that at-
titude of mind and the expression of such thoughts you would be really hin-
dering him very much.
Something similar is taking place in the world at large at the present
time. The human race is undergoing a necessary operation for spiritual
cataract. The sorrow and suffering occasioned by the present war are doing
much to tear the scale of materialism away from our eyes and rend the veil
which divides us from those in the land of the living dead. The operation
is painful in the extreme. Surely there is not a human being capable of hu-
mane feeling in the world who is not feeling in some measure for and with
those who are actually engaged in the struggle. But if we are firmly con-
vinced that "thoughts are things," it is our sacred duty to hold the most
optimistic attitude of mind which it is possible for us to have at the
present time.
I have no doubt that every student of the Rosicrucian Fellowship is doing
all he can and giving all he can to alleviate the suffering and sorrow ex-
isting in the countries immediately affected, but it is the all-important
mental attitude of optimism that is so difficult for many to cultivate and
[PAGE 887]
keep. Nevertheless it is our duty to do this, particularly in the light of
our superior knowledge of the end in view, which will surely be attained.
We cannot be glad that this thing is upon us, but we can be thankful that it
is as certain to bring a great good to the world at large as it is that the
sun rises every morning and sets at night.
We have an absolute faith in the wisdom and omnipotence of Deity. We
know that it is a false accusation to say that "nature is red in tooth and
claw," as some one has put it. Regardless of what it may seem to us with
our limited vision, benevolence is the ruling factor in the world's evolu-
tion. Therefore each and every one of us should live up to the sacred obli-
gation to always strive to hold an optimistic attitude and always emphasize
our firm faith in the ultimate good which is to result from the present con-
ditions. let us remember that when we are working with the trend of evolu-
tion it is like rowing a boat with the stream; our efforts will then have
greater effect than if we take an attitude that is contrary to the world's
good.
[PAGE 888]
LETTER NO. 96:
DECEMBER, 1918
INCREASING THE LIFE OF THE ARCHETYPE:
This is the last student's letter of the present year, and the thought at
the ending of each cycle naturally turns to the fleetness of time and the
evanescence of existence in the phenomenal world. It also reminds us of the
preciousness of time and of our responsibility to use it to the best advan-
tage for soul growth, "for what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul?" Now is the seed time, and we are told
that "unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required." Therefore we
are accountable for what we have done or left undone to a greater measure
than others who have not had the intimate knowledge of God's purpose which
has been vouchsafed us through the Elder Brothers.
In this connection we should realize that every act of every human being
has a direct effect on the archetype of his body. If the act is in harmony
with the law of life and evolution, it strengthens the archetype and makes
for a longer life in which the individual will get the maximum of experience
and make soul growth commensurate with his status in life and capacity for
learning. Thus fewer embodiments will be necessary to bring him to
perfection than one who shirks the strain of life and endeavors to escape
[PAGE 889]
its burdens, or one who applies his forces destructively. In the latter
type of life the archetype is strained and breaks early. Thus, those whose
acts are contrary to the law shorten their lives and have to seek new em-
bodiments a greater number of times than those who live in harmony with the
law. This is another instance in which the Bible is correct when it exhorts
us to do good that we may live long in the land.
This law applies to all without exception, but it has greater sig-
nificance in the lives of those who are consciously working with the law of
evolution than in those of others. The knowledge of these facts should add
tenfold or a hundredfold to our zest and zeal for good. Even if we have
started, as we say, "late in life," we may easily lay up more "treasure" in
the last few years than in several previous lives. And above all, we are
getting in line for an early start in lives to come.
Let us hope therefore that we have used to the best advantage the year
which is now passing, and prepare to increase our efforts during the coming
year.
[PAGE 890]
LETTER NO. 97:
JANUARY, 1919
THE LAW OF SUCCESS IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS:
It seems appropriate to commence our correspondence for 1919 by wishing
you a happy and successful New Year. But the proverb says: "If wishes were
horses, beggars would ride." Something more is required to secure success
and happiness than mere wishes, and perhaps mine may bear better fruit if I
explain to you the law of success.
The students of the Rosicrucian Fellowship are coversant with the fact
that there is no "luck," and are quite well agreed with Mephisto in FAUST
when he says:
"Hoe closely luck is linked to merit,
Does never to the fool occur.
Had he the wise man's stone, I swear it,
The stone had no philosopher.
But here a query will at once present itself to the minds of many: "Is
it possible to reduce success to a law?"
Yes, there is a law of success, as sure and immutable as any of the other
great cosmic laws. And while I shall apply it only to spiritual matters, I
cannot hide from you that it will also bring certain success in material af-
fairs. But before you apply it in that direction, consider very carefully
that to do so means spiritual suicide, for "ye cannot serve God and Mammon."
[PAGE 891]
Rather, "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you." I can testify to the truth of this
promise, having lived by it for many years.
The law of success may then be stated as follows:
First, determine definitely and clearly what you want--development of the
healing power, extended vision, invisible helpership, the ability to lecture
and carry the Rosicrucian message to others, etc.
Second, when you have set your goal, never harbor a thought of fear or
failure for a moment, but cultivate an attitude of invincible determination
to accomplish your object despite all obstacles. Constantly hold the
thought, "I can and I will."
Do not begin to make plans as to how to attain until you have reached the
attitude of absolute confidence in yourself and in your ability to do what
you desire, for a mind swayed by the slightest fear of failure cannot make
plans that will fully succeed. Therefore be patient, and be sure first to
cultivate absolute faith in yourself and your ability to succeed despite all
odds.
When you have reached the point where you are fully persuaded that you
can succeed and positively determined that you will succeed in some pursuit,
there is no power on earth or in heaven that can withstand you in that par-
ticular pursuit; and you may then plan how to go about attaining your
heart's desire with certainty of success.
I hope that you will apply this law earnestly in the pursuit of soul
growth, not only during the coming year but in all future years.
Continued with "RC1026.TXT"
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