Filename: RC1024.TXT
Source: "Max Heindel's Letters to Students"

[PAGE 820]

                               LETTER NO. 68:.

                                 JULY, 1916  

                        THE WORK OF THE RACE SPIRITS:

   In  a few days we shall celebrate in America "The Glorious  Fourth,"  our
Independence Day, and we shall waste a lot of perfectly good and useful pow-
der that might be put to better use,  in order to show our "patriotism."   A
considerable  number of fires and accidents will occur if we may judge  from
many precedents.

   To  what purpose all of this we may see by the heartrending spectacle  of
the war which for almost two years has made tears a mockery,  for no  symbol
of  sorrow is adequate to the occasion.  let us realize that had there  been
no "patriotism," there could have been no war; and realizing its baneful in-
fluence,  let us learn to say with Thomas Paine,  "The world is my  country,
and  to do good is my religion."   This, it seems to me,  is the  gospel  we
ought  to preach to our fellow men in whatever country we happen to be,  for
this attitude of mind will be one of the factors in accomplishing our  eman-
cipation from the Race Spirit feeds on war,  for it causes the nation  which
it rules  to sink its internal differences for the time being and its people

[PAGE 821]

to cluster close to one another for defense or aggression against the common
foe.  Thus they vibrate in harmony to an extent greater than usual, and this
strengthens the Race Spirit and delays the advent of Christ to that  extent.
So long as patriotism holds the nations in bondage to the Race Spirits,  the
Universal Kingdom cannot be started.

   I  would therefore urge that the students of the  Rosicrucian  Fellowship
refrain  from participation in any patriotic exercises of a martial  nature.
Practice  Universal Brotherhood by never mentioning or  recognizing  differ-
ences of nationality, for we are all one in Christ.

                               LETTER NO. 69:

                                AUGUST, 1916 

                       STRUGGLES OF THE ASPIRING SOUL:

   From time to time letters of discouragement are received at  Headquarters
from people who are smitten by conscience because they are unable to live up
to their high ideals,  and they feel that it would be more honest to abandon
the  faith and live as others live who make no professions.   They say  that
while they read and study or listen in church to passages which exhort  them
to love their enemies,  to bless them that curse them, and to pray for those
who despitefully use them, they are heart and soul in accord with these sen-
timents  and  would  gladly  follow  these precepts; but when they meet such

[PAGE 822]

conditions in the world,  they cannot comply with the Biblical command,  and
therefore feel that they are hypocrites.

   If man were a homogeneous whole, if spirit,  soul,  and body were one and
undivided,  that  these people are hypocrites would be  true.   But  spirit,
soul,  and body are not one, as we realize to our sorrow from the very first
day  that we feel the desire to tread the path of the higher life.   And  in
this fact lies the solution of the problem.   There are two distance natures
in each of us.   In the days of our unaspiring life the higher spiritual na-
ture is asleep,  and the worldly personal self is undisputed lord of all our
actions.   Then there is peace and serenity.   But the moment the  spiritual
nature wakens,  the war begins.  As we grow in spirituality, the struggle is
intensified until some time in the future the personality will succumb,  and
we shall gain the peace that passeth all understanding.

   In the meantime we have the condition whereof our students complain (with
Paul,  Faust, and every other aspiring soul), that to will is easy, but that
the  good that they would,  they do not,  and the evil that they would  not,
that they do.   The writer has felt,  and feels most keenly every day of his
life this discrepancy between this teachings and his actions.   One part  of
his being aspires with an ardor that is painful in its intensity to all  the
higher and nobler things, while on the other hand, a strong personality, ex-
ceedingly difficult to curb,  is a source of continual grief.   But he feels
that so long as he does not "pose" as a saint, so long as he honestly admits
his shortcomings and professes his sorrow for them,  and so long as he  uses
the inclusive "WE" in all his exhortations,  he deceives no one,  and is not

[PAGE 823]

a hypocrite.  Whatever he says he takes to himself first and foremost,  and,
however,  unsuccessful,  he strive to follow the Rosicrucian teachings.   If
everyone  else  among our students feels troubled on the same score  as  the
correspondents who have inspired this letter, we hope that this may set them
right.

   Besides,  what else can we do but go on?  Having once awakened the higher
nature,  it cannot be permanently silenced,  and there will be the misery of
regret and remorse if we abandon effort.   We have several times called  at-
tention to the way the mariner guides his vessel across the waste of  waters
by a star.   He will never reach it,  but nevertheless it brings him  safely
through the rock shoals to the desired haven.  Similarly,  if our ideals are
so high that we realize we shall never reach them in this life,  let us also
keep  in mind that we have endless time before us,  and that what we  cannot
accomplish in this life-day will be achieved tomorrow or later.  Let us fol-
low the example of Paul and "by patient persistence in well-doing"  continue
to seek for spiritual glory, honor, and immortality.

[PAGE 824]

                                LETTER NO. 70:

                               September, 1916

                        BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE LIFE:

   You  know of course that the Fellowship teaches rebirth to be a  fact  in
nature,  and you believe in this doctrine because it explains so many  facts
in life which we are otherwise unable to account for.  But I wonder how many
students have really taken the practical use of this truth to heart, and are
fixing  their  attention upon it by consciously and  systematically  molding
themselves and thus making their environment for future lives.

   It is true that in the Second Heaven we devote all of our time to  making
the environment for our future life, forming the earth and the sea,  provid-
ing the conditions for the flora and fauna,  and generally shaping things to
give us a suitable arena for our coming life work.  But we do that according
to the way we have been living here in this present life.   If we have  been
lazy and shiftless here, living in a happy-go-lucky manner, it is not likely
that when we come to the Second Heaven we will be careful to prepare a  fer-
tile  soil,  which we may later till.   Therefore our next  embodiment  will
probably find us with the barest means of existence at hand,  so that  under
the whip of necessity we may learn to exert ourselves.

    It  is  similar  with our moral qualities.  When we are ready to descend

[PAGE 825]

into  the  next embodiment,we can only build into our new vehicles  what  we
have  garnered in this.   Therefore it is wise for us to commence now,  when
our  next  life is in the moldable clay stage,  to make our ideals  what  we
would like them to be and to make the environment in which we would like  to
be raised.

   We  are  without a doubt all ready to agree in the first place  than  our
present bodies are not as we wish them.   Diseases of all sorts come to most
people; some are subject to pain all their lives, and no one is ever able to
go  through life from the cradle to the grave without having at  least  some
suffering.   Thus each one of us may well picture himself in a  future  life
with a healthy body in which he will be free from diseases that are now  his
worst plague.

   With respect to the moral and mental faculties we are also far from  per-
fect, and each one may therefore take up with profit the subject of improve-
ment  in that direction.   Do we realize that we have a critical  spirit,  a
sharp tongue,  a hasty temper,  or other kindred faults which bring us  into
trouble with others and make life unpleasant in our environment?  Very well;
by  holding  in mind and visualizing our ideal self for  the  future--having
equipose under all circumstances, being soft-spoken, kindly,  and affection-
ate, etc.--we shall build these ideals into the thought form we have already
shaped for ourselves in that distant day.  And according to the intensity of
the  concentration which we apply tot he matter will be the result.   In  so
far  as we endeavor now to cultivate and aspire virtues,  we  shall  possess
them then;  and this applies to faculties as well.  If we are solely now, by

[PAGE 826]

the aspiration to maintain order we shall later bring back that virtue.  Are
we lacking the sense of ryhthm?   Very well, it may be ours in the future by
asking now.  Mechanical ability, or any thing else that is necessary to give
us the life experience we seek, may be had in the same way.

   Therefore  we ought systematically to set aside a certain time at  inter-
vals,  as frequent as is consistent with our other duties,  to think forward
and plan for future life--what sort of a body, what faculties, virtues,  and
environment we wish.  When we are able to make our choice intelligently,  we
are undoubtedly given a great deal more latitude than if we had not  thought
about the matter at all.

   You  understand of course that the highest form of aspiration  to  virtue
is  the constant endeavor to practice in it our daily lives.   But while  we
are endeavoring to cultivate virtures, as we should, by practice, it is sci-
entific  to plan ahead the use we shall make of the future life just  as  we
now plan ahead the use of the day that is before us.  I trust that this idea
may  take  root among the students and be consistently carried  to  its  le-
gitimate consummation,  for in that way it will be bound to have a wonderful
effect upon the future of ourselves and the future of the world about us.

[PAGE 827]

                                LETTER NO. 71:

                                October, 1916

                   DESCENT OF THE CHRIST LIFE IN THE FALL:

   We  are  now at the fall equinox where the physical sun  is  leaving  the
northern  hemisphere after having provided us with the necessities  of  life
for the coming year;  and the spiritual tide which carries on its crest  the
life  which will find physical expression in the coming year is now  on  its
way towards our earth.  The half-year directly before us is the holy part of
the year.   From the feast of the Immaculate Conception to the Mystic  Birth
at  Christmas (while this wave is descending into the earth) and  from  that
time to Easter (while it is traveling outward) a harmonious, rhythmic vibra-
tory song, not inaptly described in the legend of the Mystic Birth as a "ho-
sanna"  sung by an angel choir, fills the planetary atmosphere and acts upon
all as an impulse to spiritual aspiration.  Not upon all in even measure, of
course, but according to their general character.

   Some  do not feel this spiritual save at all because of their  depravity,
but it works in,  on, and with them just the same, and in time they will re-
spond.   Others are so engrossed in their buying and selling, their marrying
and giving in marriage,  their loves and their ambitions,  that they are not
conscious of it save at the time when it is at its maximum strength, namely,

[PAGE 828]

namely,  Christmas,  and  then  it expresses itself  only  as  a  spirit  of
super-socialability and generosity; they like to feast and give presents.  A
more  advanced class feels the wave of holiness from the very  beginning  of
its descent,  and realizes the important effect of its harmony and rhythm in
furthering efforts in the direction of soul growth.  They profit accordingly
by  making  the most efforts during the months from the fall to  the  spring
equinox.  It is like swimming with the tide.

   For  that reason I am devoting this letter to call your attention tot  he
annually recurring phenomenon.  Whether you are conscious of it or not,  the
powerful spiritual vibrations of life-giving Christ wave are in the  earth's
atmosphere  during  the  winter months,  and may be used by you  to  a  much
greater advantage if you know it and double your efforts than if you are un-
aware of the fact.

   Let us therefore each take stock of the particular sins which most easily
beset us, for now is beginning the most favorable time of the year for their
eradication.   Let us also take stock of the virtues we lack and  feel  most
need of cultivating,  for this is the time to do the work most  efficiently.
By  careful,  systematic work in the holy winter months we  may  make  great
strides in our efforts to realize our spiritual aspirations.

   Having made up our minds as to the personal work, let us look about us to
see who in our circle of acquaintances seem to be seeking for spiritual  en-
lightenment, and who would be likely to lend an ear to our teachings.   This
requires  discrimination,  for  we  have  no  right  to force our ideas upon

[PAGE 829]

unwilling  ears  any more than we would be justified in beating  a  drum  in
their rooms for an hour or two each day.   If we find that they do not  take
kindly  to what we have to say,  it is better to leave them;  but there  are
many who may be awakened in winter under the spiritual Christ vibration  who
could not be reached in summer.   I therefore trust that we may use all  the
coming  months  in a way which shall profit us greatly  from  the  spiritual
standpoint.

                                LETTER NO. 72:

                               November, 1916

           THE REASON FOR THE TRIALS THAT BESET THE OCCULT STUDENT:

   From time to time we receive letters from students complaining that since
they  have taken up the higher teachings, and are trying to live in  confor-
mity with them, everything seems to go wrong with their affairs.   Some feel
a determined opposition in their homes, others suffer in business,  and some
are even affected in health.   Some, according to temperament,  are ready to
give up,  and others grit their teeth in persistence in well-doing"  despite
the trials.  But all are unanimous in asking why this marked change in their
affairs.   Each receives the best help we can given to solve his  individual
problems,  but  as we feel that there are many among the students  who  have
been  similarly  tried,  it  seems  appropriate to state the reason for this

[PAGE 830]

condition.

   In  the first place,  the aspiring soul should realize that  the  adverse
conditions  happen for good according to a firmly established law of  nature
whereby God aims to aid him in the quest.  Trials are a sign of progress and
a cause for great rejoicing.  This is how the law acts:  During all our past
lives we have made ties and have incurred debts under the Law of  Causation.
These debts continue to increase so long as we live the usual selfish,  hap-
hazard  lives,  and we may liken each debt to a drop of vinegar.   When  the
turning  point comes and we cease to make vinegar,  the law of  justice  re-
quires that we take our medicine.   But we are allowed to determine  whether
we will take it in large doses and have it over quickly or whether we prefer
to  take  it in very small sips and string it out over a  number  of  lives.
This  choice is not made by words but by acts.   If we take up the  work  of
self-improvement with enthusiasm,  if we cut our vices out by the roots  and
LIVE the life we profess, the Great Beings whom we know as the Recording An-
gels give us a stronger dose of vinegar than they would if we merely  talked
about the beauties of the higher life.   They do that to help us toward  the
day of liberation from our self-made bonds and not to harm or hinder us.

   In view of these facts we can understand the Christ's exhortation to  re-
joice  when men revile us and accuse us falsely for His sake.   Boys pass  a
barren tree with indifference, but as soon as the tree bears fruit, they are
ready to throw stones and rob it.  So  it  is  with men also:  while we walk

[PAGE 831]

with  the crowd and do as they do, we are unmolested,  but the moment we  do
what they know in their hearts to be right,  we become a living reproach  to
them even if we never utter a word of censure, and in order to justify them-
selves in their own eyes they begin to find fault with us.   In this respect
those who are most closely associated with us in the home or in business are
more prominent than strangers who have no connection with us.   But whatever
the form or the source of such trouble it is a cause for congratulation, for
it  shows that we are doing something effectively progressive,;  so  let  us
keep on undismayed and with unflagging zeal.

                                LETTER NO. 73:

                               December, 1916

                SPIRITUAL STOCK-TAKING DURING THE HOLY SEASON:

   Christ  likened  the aspiring souls of His time to stewards who  had  re-
ceived  a certain number of talents from their lord and were supposed to  go
into trade with them that they might increase the capital entrusted to their
care.   We understand from this parable that all who aspire to serve Him are
required likewise to use their God-given talents in such a manner that  they
show  a gain in soul growth when in due season they are called upon to  give
an account of their stewardship.

   This accounting,  so far as the majority of mankind is concerned,  is put
off  till  the Reaper has closed the ledger of life and they find themselves

[PAGE 832]

in  Purgatory to receive the result of the things done in the body,  whether
they be good or ill.

   But  what  would we think of a business man who pursued such  a  reckless
method  of conducting his affairs?   Would we not feel that he was  steering
straight for the rock of bankruptcy if he did not balance accounts and  take
stock of his assets and liabilities every year?   Surely we would feel  that
he  deserved  to  fail because of his neglect to  follow  ordinary  business
methods.

   If  we realize the value of system and the benefit of constantly  knowing
clearly how we stand with respect to our material affairs,  we ought also to
pursue  the  same  safe methods regarding our spiritual  affairs.   Nay,  we
should be much more circumspect in the conduct of the heavenly matters  than
in worldly matters,  for our material prosperity is but a watch in the night
compared to the eternal welfare of the spirit.

   We are nearing the winter solstice,  which is the beginning of a new year
from the spiritual point of view, and we are looking forward to the new out-
pouring  of love from our Father in Heaven through the Christ Child.   This,
therefore,  is a good time to take stock and ask ourselves how we have spent
the  love offerings of last year,  how we have exerted ourselves  to  gather
treasure  in heaven.   And we shall experience great profit if  we  approach
this stock-taking in the proper spirit and at the most auspicious time,  for
there is a time to sow and a time to reap,  and for everything under the sun
there is a  time  when it may be done with greater chance of success than at

[PAGE 833]

any other season.

   The stars are the heavenly time markers.  From them come the forces which
influence us through life.   On Holy Night, between the 24th and 25th of De-
cember,  at midnight, in the place where you live, you will find that retro-
spection and the resolutions engendered by it for the new year will be  most
effective.

   At Mt.  Ecclesia and the various Study Centers a Midnight Service is held
on  Holy Night,  and students attending such services are  thereby  debarred
from the midnight self-communion.   Others may be unable to hold it at  that
time for other reasons.   For these any of the late evening or early morning
hours  will serve nearly as well.   But let us all unite on that night in  a
concerted spiritual effort of aspiration; and let each student not only pray
for  his individual soul growth in the coming year,  but let all unite in  a
prayer for the collective growth of our movement.   The workers at Headquar-
ters also request your helpful thoughts.

   If we all put our shoulders to the wheel at this time,  we may be sure of
an unusually individual and collective blessing and a spiritually prosperous
year.

[PAGE 834]

                                LETTER NO. 74:
 
                                January, 1917

              ALL OCCULT DEVELOPMENT BEGINS WITH THE VITAL BODY:

   Recently a friend who has been taking the correspondence course a  number
of months wrote to get a matter cleared up which is bothering him; and as it
may be that others are feeling somewhat similar to him but have not  reached
the  point of expression,  we thought best to use this letter as an  answer.
It has sufficient general interest to be of value even to those who have not
looked at the matter in the light seen by our friend.   He does not want  to
complain,  but he asked for the correspondence course in the hope of getting
something to further occult development.   Instead he receives each month  a
nice little sermon,  which he admits is good for both beginners and advanced
students,  but where is the schooling?  Other authors give certain exercises
which  help their followers;  will we please give him one that will  develop
the faculty of writing?

   No, we cannot do that.  The Rosicrucian teachings are designed to further
spiritual progress rather than material prosperity, and we know of no occult
exercise which will bring wealth, either directly or by abnormally fostering
a  latent  talent.  If we did, we would not teach it, for such use of occult

[PAGE 835]

power is black magic.   "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteous-
ness,  and all these things shall be added unto you,"  said Christ,  and  we
shall  make no mistake by following His advice.   If our friend or  any  one
else wants to develop a latent faculty for the good alone he may do with it,
that  spiritual aspiration will,  if persistently adhered to and  backed  by
physical effort (works),  eventually bring the desired end without the  need
of a special occult exercise.

   And about the lessons being "nice little sermons."  Yes, so they are when
read  superficially.   But if they are studied deeply, there is a great deal
of occult knowledge found of much more benefit to the student than an  exer-
cise such as the one our friend wants.   There is,  however,  "method in our
madness" in giving it out just that way.  Perhaps this may not have been ap-
parent to students, and we will therefore try to make it clear.  Kindly bear
in mind,  however,  that the following is a comparison made for a legitimate
purpose; it is not a criticism.

   Apart from the fact that the Eastern School of Occultism bases its teach-
ings on Hinduism, while the Western Wisdom School espouses Christianity, the
religion of the West,  there is ONE GREAT FUNDAMENTAL,  IRRECONCILABLE  DIS-
CREPANCY between the teachings of the modern representatives of the East and
those  of Rosicrucians.   According to the version of Eastern Occultism  the
vital  body--which is called "LINYA SHARIRA"--is comparatively  unimportant,
for it is incapable of development as a vehicle of consciousness.  It serves
only as an  avenue  for the solar force "prana," and as "a link" between the

[PAGE 836]

physical  body and the desire body,  which is called "KAMA RUPA,"  also  the
"astral body."  this, they say, is the vehicle of the Invisible Helper.

   The  Western Wisdom School teaches us as its fundamental maxim that  "ALL
OCCULT DEVELOPMENT BEGINS WITH THE VITAL BODY," and the writer,  as its pub-
lic representative, has therefore been busy since the inception of our move-
ment  trying to gather and disseminate knowledge concerning the four  ethers
and the vital body.  Much information was given in the "COSMO"  and succeed-
ing  book,  but the monthly lessons and letters give the result of  our  re-
searches up to date.  We are constantly parading this vital body (vital in a
double sense) before the minds of the students so that by knowing and think-
ing  about  it as well as by reading and heeding the "nice  little  sermons"
which we use to wrap this information in,  they may consciously,  and uncon-
sciously,  weave the "Golden Wedding Garment."  We would advise all to study
these lessons carefully year after year; there may be much dross,  but there
is gold among them.

   You have our sincere wishes for abundant spiritual growth during the  New
Year.

[PAGE 837]

                                LETTER NO. 75:

                               February, 1917

                     SERVING WHERE BEST FITTED TO SERVE:

   A question was asked recently as follows:   "You speak so much about SER-
VICE;  just what does that mean?   There are in our Fellowship a  number  of
people who say that they love to serve, but they do not do anything but what
they like to do.  Is that service?"

   It  seems that this question offers food for profitable thought and  that
an analysis of the subject may benefit us all,  so we decided to devote  the
monthly letter to this purpose.

   It  is evident that they majority of people in the world will  not  serve
unless there is "something in it" for them.  They are looking for a material
reward,  and that is the wise way of the unseen powers to spur them  to  ac-
tion,  for  thus they are unconsciously evolving toward the  stage  in  soul
growth  where they will serve for the love of serving.   But they cannot  be
expected  to change over night;  there are no sudden transformations in  na-
ture.   When the eggshell bursts and a chicken walks out, of when the cocoon
breaks  and  a butterfly wings it was among the flowers,  we know  that  the
magic  was not wrought in a moment.  There was an inner process of  prepara-
tion  prior  to  the  outward  change.  A similar process of inner growth is

[PAGE 838]

required to change the servants of Mammon to servants of Love.

   If we want to make a building larger,  all we have to do is to bring  our
brick  and other building material to the place,  start a force of  workmen,
and presto!   the building begins to grow apace to any dimensions we  desire
and at any speed we wish,  depending only upon our ability to furnish  labor
and material.   But if we want to increase the size of a tree or an  animal,
we cannot accomplish our object by nailing wood to the tree trunk or  lading
flesh and skin upon the back of the animal.   The building grows by external
accretions, but in all living things physical growth is from within and can-
not be hurried to any appreciable extent without danger of complication.  It
is  the same with spiritual growth;  it proceeds from within and  must  have
time.   We cannot expect that people who have just begun to feel  the  inner
urge impelling them into an altruistic association, to renounce in the twin-
kling  of  an eye all selfishness and other vices and blossom out  into  the
stature  of Christ.   At best we are only just a little better than we  were
save  for  the fact that we are striving and endeavoring to follow  "in  His
steps."  But that makes all the difference, for we are TRYING to serve as He
served.

   If that is the motive,  it in nowise detracts from the service of a musi-
cian who inspires us with devotion at our services that he loves his  music.
Nor  does  it render the service any less because the speaker who  fires  us
with zeal in the Master's work loves to clothe his ideas in beautiful words.
Nor does it make the hall less  attractive  because  the  member  who swept,

[PAGE 839]

dusted,  and decorated it loves to make his exterior surroundings beautiful.
Each  can,  in fact,  serve to much better advantage if the line of  service
lies along the path of his natural inclinations and abilities,  and we ought
to encourage one another to look for opportunities in the line where each is
best fitted to serve.

   There  is no special merit in seeking out service in a capacity  that  is
disagreeable to us.  It would be a mistake if the musician said to the care-
taker:   "I  dislike  to scrub floors and decorate rooms,  and  I  know  you
tremble  at the thought of playing,  also that you are out of practice,  but
let us change places for the sake of service."  On the other hand, if no one
were there to play, it would be the decorator's duty to put diffidence aside
and serve as well as possible.  If the floor needed scrubbing and the chairs
dusting, the speaker and musician should be willing to do that work also re-
gardless of personal dislike.   Nothing is menial.   The same principle will
apply in the home,  shop, or office.  SERVICE MAY BE DEFINED AS THE BEST USE
OF  OUR TALENTS--THE PUTTING OF OUR TALENTS TO THE BEST USE IN EACH CASE  OF
IMMEDIATE NEED REGARDLESS OF LIKE OR DISLIKE.

   If we strive to do this,  our progress and soul growth will increase cor-
respondingly.

[PAGE 840]

                                LETTER NO. 76:

                                 March, 1917

                         "LOST SOULS" AND STRAGGLERS:

   We have been asked to give a lesson on "lost souls" and stragglers.   Our
correspondent  wants to know the Rosicrucian teachings concerning them.   As
this  very question was dealt with earlier in this book,  in the letter  for
April,  1912 (No.  17),  we cannot do better than refer our correspondent to
it.   We trust that it will explain the matter to him.  We should be glad if
other students who have questions of general interest would submit them  for
elucidation in these letters, for although there is a question of department
in the "Rays," not all our students are subscribers.  Also the problems pre-
sented  can perhaps be given a little more intimate treatment here  than  is
possible  in  a magazine that must go before a public which is not  as  well
versed in the philosophy as our students.

[PAGE 841]

                                LETTER NO. 77:

                                 April, 1917

                        THE UNNECESSARY FEAR OF DEATH:

   It  is really pathetic to see the gloom of people who have been  bereaved
by the death of some one near and dear, and to see how in extreme cases they
devote  themselves for the rest of their lives to mourning for the  one  who
has passed on.  They clothe themselves in sable garments, and deem it a sac-
rilege  to  the memory of the departed one to even smile,  little  realizing
that by such an attitude of mind they are keeping in the densest regions  of
the invisible world the person whom they profess to love,  where all that is
evil  lives and moves and has its being in close contact with the  base  and
selfish side of humanity.  This is not a mere fancy but an actual fact,  de-
monstrable to any one who has the slightest extension of the physical sight.

   It  is one of the greatest blessings conferred upon those who  study  and
believe  the Rosicrucian teachings that they are gradually emancipated  from
the  fear of death and from the feeling that a great calamity  has  happened
when  some  one near and dear to them passes into the invisible  beyond.   A
blessing flows both to the so-called "living" and the so-called "dead"  when
the  departing spirit is given the proper care and help during  the  transi-
tion.   It is then able to assimilate the panorama of live,  which will make
the  post-mortem  existence  full  and profitable because undisturbed by the

[PAGE 842]

sorrow,  grief,  and hysterical weeping of those who are still in the  body.
During the years which follow it may also be assisted by their prayers.

   On the other hand, those of the so-called "living" who study these teach-
ings are learning to practice this unselfish attitude toward death,  so nec-
essary to soul growth,  because they realize that as a matter of actual fact
death  of the body at the proper time is the greatest blessing that can  be-
fall humanity.   There is not one among us who has a body so perfect that it
is  fit to be lived in forever.   In most cases the passing years bring  out
the weak points in our vehicles to an increasing degree,  crystallizing  and
hardening  them so that they become more and more of a burden which  we  are
only too glad to lay down.   Then we have the hope and the knowledge that we
shall  be given a new body and a new start in a future age,  so that we  may
learn more of the lessons in life's school.

   This is the time of the year when the Mystic Death which we are all  cel-
ebrating  naturally turns our thoughts and the thoughts of humanity in  gen-
eral to the subject of death and rebirth.   There is no other teaching  than
that  of rebirth which is of equally vital importance or of  similar  value.
Humanity needs it at this time more than ever on account of the carnival  of
cruelty and slaughter that has been enacted in the past two and a half years
in  Europe.   So closely is the human family interconnected that  there  are
probably  comparatively  few  persons in the world who have  not  lost  some
relatives in that titanic struggle.

[PAGE 843]

   It  is  at once the duty and the privilege of those who  know  the  truth
about death to disseminate it as much as possible among those who are  still
in  darkness  concerning the facts connected with this event.   Therefore  I
would  urge upon the students of the Rosicrucian Fellowship to realize  that
we are all stewards of everything we have,  mental as well as physical prop-
erty,  and that it is our duty in so far as it is possible in a tactful  and
diplomatic manner to bring these great facts of life and being to the knowl-
edge  of those who are still without them.   We never can tell when we  cast
our  bread  upon the waters how it will return to us.   It is  certain  that
sooner  or later these teachings, temporarily forgotten,  must again  become
the knowledge of all humanity,  and we ought to share the pearl of knowledge
which we have found with others whenever it is possible to do so.  If we ne-
glect  to do this,  we are really committing a sin of omission for which  we
must sometime answer.

   I trust that you will take this to heart and devote yourself to spreading
this knowledge,  not as time and opportunity offer,  but taking time by  the
forelock and making the opportunity; but with all proper tactfulness so that
the object we have in view may not be frustrated by using the wrong  method.
Furthermore,  it is not necessary to label this knowledge.   Bible instances
can  be brought forth to show that this doctrine was believed by the  Elders
of  Israel who sent messengers to John the Baptist to ask if he were  Elias.
Also their speculations as to whether Christ was Moses, Jeremiah, or another
of the prophets are evidence of their belief.   Christ believed in  rebirth,
because He stated definitely that John the Baptist was Elias.  This doctrine

[PAGE 844]

was enunciated by Paul in the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians, also in other
places.

   You can render no greater service to humanity than by teaching them these
truths.

                                LETTER NO. 78:

                                  May, 1917

                      HEART DEVELOPMENT AND INITIATION:

   While  I  was  dictating this month's lesson it occurred  to  me  to  ask
whether  you are getting the full benefit from the lessons or not?   It  all
depends  upon the way you are studying,  for you cannot get any more out  of
them than what you put into them yourself.   Therefore I thought best to de-
vote  this letter to a little discussion of the proper method of using  them
with maximum benefit.

   You  know that it is the aim of the Rosicrucian teachings to develop  the
mind and the heart equally;  to give all explanations in such a logical man-
ner  than the mind is ready to accept,  and then the heart is  allowed  free
scope for working over the material thus received.   If you simply read  the
lesson  and  think over it and find it reasonable as an explanation  of  the
subject taken up each month,  and then you lay it away and forget all  about
it,  it will do you very little good,  for you have used only your intellect
and  not  your  heart.    The  proper  way,   after  the  lesson  has   been
intellectually assimilated and assented to, is to take it up in a devotional

[PAGE 845]

manner during the rest of the month at different times when you feel in  the
mood for such an exercise.  You should then go over the lesson,  endeavoring
not to think about it at all,  leaving the intellect out as far as possible.
Endeavor to FEEL it, for feeling is a function of the heart.  Try to visual-
ize the different things and subjects taken up in it.

   For instance, the lesson which accompanies this present letter deals with
humanity  during the heraphrodite stage.   It calls to mind the entrance  of
the  Lucifer spirits,  also the path of regeneration under the  guidance  of
Mercury.   If you will visualize before your inner eyes the condition of man
during the different stages which have passed,  you will reap great benefit.
You can do that better than you can visualize and feel the changes that  are
still in the future,  for within your consciousness there lie latent all the
feelings  that you have had during all the past ages of your evolution,  and
it is only a matter of practice to be able to call them up at will.

   You  will remember from what it said in the ROSICRUCIAN  COSMO-CONCEPTION
concerning  the  method of Initiation that sometime when you  come  to  that
point you will have to travel backward over the road that you have come, and
feel  and see consciously that which you were unconscious of when  you  went
over it.   So the above practice is preparation.  The more you can see your-
self  in the state of mind indicated, the more deeply you can FEEL  yourself
in  the corresponding condition and realize the protecting and guiding  hand
of  the divine hierarchies which have aided us in the path of evolution, the

[PAGE 846]

better you will be prepared for the time to come when you are to go  through
this during the process of Initiation.   It is safe to say that you will re-
ceive much more benefit from Initiation then than if you are unprepared.

   this practice of feeling the lesson you will find a very,  very great aid
to spiritual progress; and properly used, it will illuminate the lessons and
give  you  a  spiritual insight that cannot be attained in  any  other  way.
Therefore,  I  sincerely hope that you will take this to heart and  make  up
your mind to practice it regularly,  even with lessons which may seem to you
at first glance dull and uninteresting.  This process will enable you to dig
out pearls hidden beneath the surface, of which you have never dreamed.
    
                                LETTER NO. 79:

                                 June, 1917

                      SACRIFICE AND SPIRITUAL PROGRESS:

   From time to time letters are received at Headquarters asking in  various
terms  the  question:   "How can I make more spiritual  progress?"   I  have
therefore thought well to devote this letter to a consideration of this sub-
ject.

   It  is a law in nature that "from nothing,  nothing comes"   Yet a  great
many people labor under the fallacy that spiritual truth and advancement may
be  had  without  money and without price.  In a certain sense that is true,

[PAGE 847]

because  it  is  absolutely wrong and vile to  barter  spiritual  power  for
fitlhly lucre,  as was so forcefully shown by Peter when he dealt with Simon
the  sorcerer,  who wanted to buy spiritual powers from him and offered  him
money  in  exchange.   At  the same time there  is  a  definite  price  upon
spiritual growth which must be paid by every one who wants to attain it.  In
the first place,  the old interests must be sacrificed.  We all remember the
parable  about  those who were bidden to the feast of the king but  who  re-
frained from coming for various reasons.  One had taken a wife and wanted to
enjoy his honeymoon;  another had bought oxen and wanted to inspect his  new
property;  and so on, with the result that they all neglected their opportu-
nity and lost their chance of advancement.

   The  same proposition comes to us today in different guise.   We  may  be
willing to sit at home and read a book about spiritual things in our leisure
hours when we have nothing to do that interest us more,  but when the  Great
Work demands some of our time, we have various excuses.   "I have a daughter
I want to send through college,"  says one.  "When that is done and my obli-
gations are liquidated, I will take hold." Another says:  "My business needs
my presence every day,  and at night I am tired.  I cannot work for the Fel-
lowship in the evening or attend their meetings,  for I would not be fit  to
give all my energies to my work next day.   But when I retire from business,
I will take hold.  A third says:  "I have many children who demand my atten-
tion and attendance at various social functions.  I cannot go to the Fellow-
ship meetings and  neglect them.  But when they are married, I will work for

[PAGE 848]

the cause."

   It  is perfectly true that when we have assumed obligations we must  dis-
charge them to the best of our ability.  At the same time there is also more
than a possibility that if we think thoroughly over the matter we will  find
that  we  have some time left from our duties which may be  devoted  to  the
Great Work.   In this connection it may be well to remember the incident  of
some coming to Christ and saying to Him: "Thy mother and they brethren stand
without, desiring to speak with Thee."  He answered, "Who is my mother?  and
who  are my brethren?....Whososever shall do the will of my Father which  is
in Heaven,  the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."  Again He said:
"If any man come to Me, and hate not his Father, mother, and wife, and chil-
dren,  and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my
disciple.   And every one that hath foresaken houses,  or brethren,  or sis-
ters,  or Father,  or mother, or wife, or children, or lands,  for My Name's
sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

   There is and must be a sacrifice involved in the regenerate life.  It has
been my experience personally, and in watching thousands of others,  that in
the direct proportion that any one gives of his thoughts, his time and money
to  the cause he has espoused so will he reap spiritual benefit.   When  one
consecrates  all that he is to the regenerate life and follows the  guidance
of the spirit it will soon be seen that his very intensity of purpose in the
new direction shuts  out  the  old  things.  He has no longer time for them.

[PAGE 849]

They  pass  out of his thoughts and drop away.   In one way or  another  the
daughter  gets  through college or finds some equally  suitable  employment.
The  business prospers even better than when the proprietor devoted all  his
time and all his energies to worrying and money grubbing.  The children find
another  chaperon  fully as capable as their mother when  sometimes  she  is
working  for the spiritual cause.   In every case that which we give up  for
the  work's  sake,  the time that we spend in the cause of Christ,  and  the
money we expend in discriminate charity are all provided for and compensated
for under the law that works for good.

   As the psalmist says: "I have been young, and now am old;  yet have I not
seen the righteous foresaken, nor his seed begging bread."   The law enunci-
ated by Christ,  "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God,  and His  righteousness,
and  all these things shall be added unto you,"  holds good in this  day  as
well as when it was spoken.  This I have found by actual experience, and ev-
ery  one else who lives the life and does the work will find that  the  same
holds good in his or her case.  There is growth only in service.

[PAGE 850]

                                LETTER NO. 80:

                                 July, 1917

           ADJUSTING THE TEACHINGS TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF OTHERS:

   Recently we received a letter from Seattle which gives good a  suggestion
that  you  may like to use.   Our friend writes:  "The other  day  while  in
Ballard  I  went into the library and called for the "COSMO."   When  I  was
ready  to go,  I turned over to the table of food values and took  the  open
book up to the librarian's desk.   I showed her this table and said:   'This
is a valuable table.'   She,  examining it said:  'Why,  I have been asked a
number of times for tables of just this kind.'   Then the thought came to me
that  when  other students go into a library and ask for the  "COSMO,:  they
might  do the same as I had done.   The librarian might then  catalogue  the
book as containing hints on health and food,  and in that way it might  come
into  the  hands  of  some  who are seeking for  just  the  light  which  it
contains."

   This is true to a much greater extent than we usually realize.  Wonderful
are the ways and the means and the places in which the Light strikes us, not
only  when  we are not seeking consciously for it but  even  asserting  that
there  is  no  such thing as light in the spiritual sense  and  decrying  as
frauds those who follow it.   It has often been an inspiration and a  source
of great encouragement to me to think of Paul's journey to Damascus.  He was

[PAGE 851]

a  man who glorified in the zeal wherewith he persecuted the  saints.   None
was  as diligent as he in putting down that which he believed to be  a  dam-
nable  heresy.   But strong souls are the darlings of the gods whether  they
work  for good or for evil,  because that indomitable,  irresistible  energy
which drives them to action, even if temporarily used for bad purposes, will
be just as strong when diverted into the channels of good.   And so Paul was
a  special  favorite of the gods,  and therefore was given such  a  powerful
light  that  it  blinded him when he was least looking  for  such  a  thing,
namely,  while on the road to Damascus.   Then and there he was given an un-
derstanding  and  a  knowledge far superior to those of  any  of  the  other
apostles.   He was chosen for a special mission and given a particular  gift
in  the  shape of spiritual vision and the ability to be all things  to  all
men.

   Not  infrequently our students complain that they cannot make  their  as-
sociates or relatives understand the teachings of the Rosicrucians.   An il-
lustration occurred to me the other day when I was looking through the  tool
chest on Mt.  Ecclesia.   There were a large number of wrenches in it,  some
large and some small, each one fitted to turn just one size bolt; there were
also a few that were adjustable within certain limits.   Now it occurred  to
me  that sometimes a very small wrench may be far more valuable than one  of
large  dimensions;  it all depends upon the size of the bolt.   For a  small
bolt  you  need  the small wrench,  and for a large one  the  large  wrench.
Similarly,  when  we  meet people in the world, we must size them up and see

[PAGE 852]

what  they require.   Many of us have studied very deeply into  the  Mystery
Teachings and have acquired a profound knowledge of these subjects.   We are
like  large wrenches,  but absolutely useless for turning the  little  bolts
that  have not been touched with this knowledge at all.   In such  cases  we
must  not try to air our profound knowledge and talk over the heads  of  our
audiences,  but  we must endeavor to come down to their  level  and  explain
things to them in exactly the same elementary manner that was required  with
us in the beginning.

   In other words, we must be adjustable, like some of those wrenches in our
tool chest.   When we meet an audience of strangers, we must talk right down
to their level and use the simplest language possible.  Then, again, when we
meet  older students and are in a class where they are capable  of  grasping
the  profounder problems,  we may expand to the very fullest of our  ability
with considerable profit and benefit to ourselves and all others  concerned.
But above all we must learn,  with Paul, to be all things to all men,  or we
shall defeat the object  we have in view of bringing light to seeking souls.

[PAGE 853]

                                LETTER NO. 81:

                                August, 1917

                     THE VALUE OF REVIEWING PAST LESSONS:

   There is in the following letter a valuable suggestion from a student  of
the Rosicrucian teachings, which I feel it a duty to pass on:

   "Last night when looking over a big budget of correspondence that it  had
been  my  good  fortune to receive from the Fellowship  during  nearly  five
years,  I  wondered  how other probationers and  students  deal  with  their
monthly Fellowship letters.  Next it occurred to me that this should be made
point  of in one of the monthly letters.   It is not my desire to  criticize
the doings of other probationers,  but it is very probable that few students
and  probationers  ever realize fully what a mine of information  is  really
contained  in these letters,  which can be turned into heavenly treasure  by
right action.  How often on looking over back numbers of them have new ideas
and  realizations sprung into being that I was not conscious of before,  and
what a help they have been in many an inner struggle!

   "Truly it may be said that in these back lessons we have a gold mine from
which many treasures could be dug that would help us to live the life.  Here
indeed  we have a second COSMO.  Truly it behooves students and probationers

[PAGE 854]

to  correctly file and look after every detail of their correspondence  with
the Fellowship so that it can be made of as much use as possible in  diffus-
ing  the light of the Elder Brothers.  Perhaps just one of these lessons  is
all that is required to help a friend.   Much benefit must come from an  or-
derly arrangement of them.

   "I  think it scarcely possible that the majority of students  and  proba-
tioners  can ever fully realize what a power for good there is behind  these
lessons.  To those among us who have been used to strict data and scientific
methods  of research these back lessons will go a long way  towards  helping
unite  head and heart.   They contain many a gem of thought which will  make
for right action and perseverance in well-doing.  If the students and proba-
tioners  will hold the thought of how best to use the letters they  receive,
it  will be very helpful and make for more soul growth.   Surely it  is  the
little things that make the big things possible, and perhaps this would stir
some members to service."

   If students will bear in mind that repetition is the keynote of the vital
body,  and  that "all occult development begins with the vital  body,"  they
will realize why it is so profitable to go over the back lessons and letters
frequently.

[PAGE 855]

                                LETTER NO. 82:

                               September, 1917

                           TAMING AN UNRULY MEMBER:

   As you probably know,  we have here on Mt. Ecclesia a short service morn-
ing and evening, which includes a reading from the Bible.  Mrs.  Heindel and
myself are very fond of reading from time to time the third chapter of James
because we find there such an important lesson.   I thought it might be well
to call it to your attention, particularly because of an incident which hap-
pened  here  a short time ago that served to drive that  lesson  with  great
force into my consciousness.   I believe that we shall all be able to profit
by taking that lesson to heart.   Let me quote a few verses from the chapter
mentioned, and then I shall tell you the incident to which I refer.

   "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man,  and able also
to bridle the whole body.   Behold,  we put bits in the horses'  mouths that
they  may  obey us;  and we turn about their whole body.   Behold  also  the
ships,  which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce  winds,  yet
are  they turned about with a very small helm,  whithersoever  the  governor
listeth.   Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindeth!  And the tongue is a fire,
a world of iniquity;  so  is  the tongue among our members, that it defileth

[PAGE 856]

the whole body,  and setteth on fire the course of nature;  and it is set on
fire of hell,   For every kind of beast, and of birds, and of serpents,  and
of  things  in the sea is tamed,  and hath been tamed of  mankind:  but  the
tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  There-
with bless we God,  even the Father; and therewith curse we men,  which  are
made after the similtude of God.  My brethren, these things ought not to be.
For  where envying and strife is,  there is confusion and every  evil  work.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits.  And the fruit of righ-
teousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

   We have on Mt.  Ecclesia several swarms of bees.   Some time ago the gar-
deners were endeavoring to move a swarm from one place to another.  The bees
became  enraged  at this interference with their life and work;  they  stung
their  aggressors severely and painfully in a number of places.   When  this
incident was reported to me and I thought it over,  it struck me that  there
was in it a very important lesson.   The bee loses its sting whenever it has
stung, and then it dies.  Just think of it!  How strictly the law of justice
deals with it!  It automatically kills itself when harming anyone else.   It
is  not an avenging God but its own act that brings the  retribution.   Just
think of it!

   If  we  died when we had stung others with sharp words,  how many  of  us
would be alive?   And again, if we knew that we would die when we had stung,
would  we  not curb our tongues to the benefit of ourselves and  all  others
concerned.?  This is surely an  example  that  we may well take to heart and

[PAGE 857]

ponder  repeatedly  until we learn to snap our teeth together and  keep  our
mouth closed whenever we are tempted to speak unkind words.   If we can only
do this,  the time will come by and by when we shall cease to FEEL  unkindly
towards people, no matter what they do to us.

   I  can assure you in the case of Mrs.  Heindel and  myself,  particularly
since we came to Headquarters,  that this chapter has been of more spiritual
benefit to us than any other.   It has helped us more than all the rest  put
together,  though of course we are far, far from perfect yet.   But what  we
have done, and what others have done with us here, is ample warrant for rec-
ommending this chapter to your earnest attention--coupled, perhaps, with the
little story of the bees--for it will do as much for you if you read it  and
take it to heart one or twice a week.

                                LETTER NO. 83:

                                October, 1917

                         AN INNER TRIBUNAL OF TRUTH:

   Last  week a visitor to Mt.  Ecclesia told me that she had been  studying
all the different philosophies she could get hold of for about twenty years;
also  that  she  had  in  the past few years  taken  up  the  study  of  the
Rosicrucian teachings,  and that they appealed to her as being the  absolute
truth.  She  naturally  expected  me to give acquiescence to that sentiment,

[PAGE 858]

and was both amazed and dumbfounded when told that I did not so consider the
teachings given me by the Elder Brothers and written in our various books.

   We have climbed from the valleys of  childlike  ignorance  to  the  point 
where  we are today,  and it would be absolutely contrary to the law of ana-
logy to suppose that anything in the religious line which we  have today  is
the ultimate;  for if there is to be no more  religious  progress, there can
be no more human progress either.

   What, then, is the way to the heights of religious realization, and where
may one find it?  This seems to be the next logical question.  The answer to
it is that it is not found in books, either my own or anyone else's.   Books
are useful in so far as they give us food for thought on the subjects  dealt
with.   We may or may not come to the same conclusions as the writer of  the
books,  but so long as we take the ideas presented into our inner being  and
there  work over them carefully and prayerfully,  whatever comes out of  the
process is our own, nearer the truth  than  anything  we can get from anyone

[PAGE 859]

else or in any other way.

   The WITHIN then is the only worthy tribunal of truth.  If we consistently
and  persistently take our problems before that tribunal,  we shall  in  the
course  of  time evolve such a superior sense of truth  that,  instinctively
whenever  we hear an idea advanced,  we shall know whether it is  sound  and
true  or not.   The Bible in a number of places exhorts us to beware of  all
kinds of doctrines floating about in the air because many are dangerous  and
unsettle  the mind.   Books are launched on the market which  advance  this,
that,  or the other system of philosophy.   Unless we have  established,  or
have started to establish,  this inner tribunal of truth, we may be like the
lady referred to above--wandering about from place to place, mentally speak-
ing,  all our lives and finding no rest, knowing little more at the end than
in the beginning and perhaps even less.

   Therefore my advice to the student would be never to accept or reject  or
follow  blindly any authority,  but to strive to establish the  tribunal  of
truth within.   Refer all matters to that tribunal, proving all things,  and
holding fast to that which is good.

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