T H E L I G H T O F E G Y PT PT T
h e
St
r a n g e
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o r y o f t h e
R O S I C R U C I A N S By
Sr i . R a m a t h e r i o
T E N T H E D IT IT IO N Copyright, 1929 By A M O R C
Privately Issucd by Pcrmission of The Department of Publication of the American Ministcaro for A M O R C T R A D E MA MA R K
T h e A n c i en e n t a n d M y st s t i c a l O r d e r R os o sa e C r u c i s, s, Ju r i sd sd i c t i o n o f N o r t h A m e r i c a SUPREME GRANO LODGE
ROSICRUCIAN PARK, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA P R 1N T E D IN IN ü . S . A .
OFFICIA OFFICIA L PUBL ICA T ION NUMBER NUMBER EIFTEEN EIFTEEN
A P R IL , 1930
S ir F r a n c i s B a c o n , K . R . C . I M P E R A T O R OF OF T H E R OS O S IC I C R UC UC IA IA N S IN IN T H E S E V E N T E E N T H C E N T U R Y
A M essag e of Fe F ell ow sh i p and Hope V Have you ever felt that somewhere in the world there was one who could aid you in the the problem roblemss that that heset you, and and whose whose fellowship would bring bring hclp, clp, inspiinspiraron. and hope? T housands of men men and womcn in ever ev ery y part of the world worl d hav have e realized r ealized this1 this 1 need in every ev ery year ye ar of histor history y 's past. past. It has has been been the the unive univers rsal al cali for fellowshi fellows hip p, the common, human plea for sympathetic understanding and mutual help. Y ou have tasted tasted of some of life’ life ’s sweets, sweets, and and y ou have found found the the bittern itterness ess in life. S o it is is with most most of us. us. It is not true true that there there are more more sorrows s orrows than tha n joys in life, or more failures failures than than victories. victories. It is simply simply that that we fínd fínd so many ready to share in our happiness and so few fo share our worries. Have there not been times in your life—even very recently—when a simple explanation by one who knew, or a willingness to assist by one who was prepared, would would have have solved your problem roblemss or provided a key for practica! use?
A F R I E N D L Y H E L P Y our problem roblemss are tho.sc which which have affected many, and many times have they been met and overcom over come. e. But no man man or woman wo man can cope with wit h thes these e things alone, unaidcd and unadvised. The wealthy and the unfortunate have found it advisable to seek guidance and dependable assistance in the protection of their interests; their means eans and their circumst circumstan ances ces make this poss possible ible and and nece necess ssary. ary. T he aver av erage age man and woman, even of considerable education and training, cannot always command the the knowledge and the experience necessary to bring immedíate relief. It does require knowledge and and experience, and and these these give give you a P O W E R that that can conquer the obstacles before you. A ll through through the the ages man has sought sought direct and and practical advice or help in the re ason certa ce rta in men men becam bec amee ¡ earned in the principies principie s time time of his his adver adversities. sities. F or this reason of nature and the laws of the universe which gave man the power to master the conditions that confronted him. "Wis "W is e men,” men,” they they were called; they were honored, honored, resp res pected, ected, and and belove beloved. d. T hey were credited credited by the the superstitiou superstitiouss with s upem upematural atural abili abilities. ties. T he thin thinking ones
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soon found that these unse men were in possession of nothing more unusual than a true understanding of man and his natural and spiritual powcrs.
R E M O V IN G Y O U R F E A R S True knowledge becomes a great power in the hands of thinkers. Real knowledge by man about man is, today, the greatest power any man can possess. In your youth you y ou feared thlngs which you later carne to recognize as harmless and really useful. In your days of developing observation, you were puzzled by the unknown elem ele ments in life. life . It seem see med to y ou that there were ino inore re elem e lements ents of the unknown than of the known. It is always the unknown in every day’s activities that causes us worry, concern, pcrplex ity, and even ev en suffering. In the the ycars yc ars since since your y outh you have become w'e w'ell ll acquainted acquainted with things things once once unknown unknown.. T oday y ou know them; you can see them, sense them, prepare for them, long before they approach your affairs. Such knowledge is power; it is a power no one can take from you. Ar e you fully prepared, repared, however, to mcet all the the obstacles obstacles of life, and and sweep them aside, or surmount them easily?
A R E Y O U T H E O N E ? Statistics say that only one man in a thousand—only one woman in a thou sand—is truly prepared to fight the garne of life. Life Lif e is a game. It is the the most most interes interestin ting, g, inten intense, se, seriou s erious, s, game game ¡ n the the world. It is fllled with socalled "chances ; and what man calis luck often seems to be the only help that the average person depends upon. But—one in a thousand knou>s bctfcr. One in a thousand knows that /ucíc and chance are ar e mis misleading leading ñam ñames es for f or manifes manifes tations of certain cer tain definile law' law's. s. T o those those who do not know the the laws, all is chance; even our bírth, our places here on earth, our mission in life, our victory in transition. S uch persons persons are are going through life, blind, blind, unhappy unhappy,, and unsucces sful. sf ul. E ven ve n their temporary riscs and good fortune in file simply add to their worries of the unknown elemcnt that may be waiting to change everything for them. It has has alway s been so. A ges ge s ago, in E g y pt, the country country which was the the most most advanced in all learning, in all arts and sciences. there were the few wise men and wom women, en, the the one one in each thou thousand sand,, and and the the multitudes ltitudes of hopeless ones.
Y O U R I N H E R I T A N C E Man was not not born to rernain rernain in ignorance. ignorance. Knowledge is the the Divine Div ine Heritage Heritag e of all of of God’ Go d’ss creatures. T he real [all of man has been his fall from Infinite Wisdom. "In ignorance of the law did man eat of the tree of false knowledge." Y our forebears— forebears— tho those men and and women women of the the past whose whose blood blood flows flows in your veins—were veins— were inqu inquirers irer s an a nd seekers for knowledge. Some Some of them probably con contacted tacted the great work of the master teachers, and learned how to be masters of their lives. T r acing ac ing backw bac kwar ard d through the the generations g enerations of man man we find the the sam s ame e ques quest, t, the the same same dominating dominating desire esir e in the soul soul of man—the an— the desire desire to know k now how to master each problem of life and prevent the unforseen, the unknown, and the wcaknesses of the flesh, from subjecting him to their dictates. Y ou inh inherited at birth the the Divine Heritage of Infini Infinite te Wis dom and and unlimited limited mind power. power. W ha t has has becom become e of it? it? W ha t are you able able to do with it? it? These are questions which have oceupied the minds of men for a thousand years or more.
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Has the the ques question tion ever been answer answered? ed? T he successes successes in life which have been notable in all ages prove to us that thousands have found the answer and have risen above the conditions which enslave others.
MAN DISCOVERS SECRET Whe n, and and where, where, did did man begin to manifest anifest his essentia essentiall power over the the kingdoms kingdoms of mort mortal al thin things gs?? W e can find find traces of his conquering conquering trait tr ait in the the earliest achievements achievements of civ ilizatio iliz ation. n. But, we find find the the most most definite definite form f orm of mutual mutual help for individual progress, in the flrst arcarte schools of Egypt. In that land of mystery and romance, ignorance and wisdom, tradition and inno vation, thousands sought the Light that would lead them out of bondage into the freedom freedom of self self relian reliance. ce. There, in the midst of what was considered pagan darkness, the first great Light of man’ man’ss Div Divine ine Powers burst burst forth in a prívate hall of a seclud secluded T emple. emple. T he spirit of brotherhood and fellowship, of human sonship with God, and universal hope, was made ade manifest; anifest; and and a movement ovement wras started for the the bettermen ettermentt of man that has never ceased to carry on.
H E L P W H E N Y O U W A N T IT IT Just as you want to help when all help seems futile; just as you want the power fo cast aside the obstacles that stand between you and the realization of your desires: just just as you want health, happiness, success in your undertakings, and the fellowship or advice of those who know just what to do; so, men and women in the centuries past wanted these things and sought for them. In this way carne about the formation of a great brotherhood, a great movement based upon fellowship and mutual cooperation. Knowledge and and Experience were the tools with which the movement worked; love and human understanding were the forces which energized the labors. How great is our our need need today for such a movem movement! ent! T he work wor k started s tarted in these these ancient times spread throughout the world and bccame the leading hand for millions of men men and women, women, proving prov ing the the univers ive rsal al plea in every ever y land. land. T oday the the Rosicru Rosicru cians continué their unbroken faith with all mankind and extend the hand of fellowship and service.
Y O U R N E E D S A N D M I N E ell as your joys, may You Y ou and and I have have comm common interests; interests; for your sorrows sorrows as w ell come come to me me also. Y our success success in life and your y our peace and happin happines esss determ dete rmin ine e wheth whether er you will help oth others in their their struggle for the the world’ wor ld’ss blessings, lessings, or wheth whether er you will becom ecome despon desponden dent, t, discouraged, iscouraged, and and incap incapab able le of contributin contributing g to the the world’ wor ld’ss great work. Am A mong the the most necessary thin things gs in life are health and and the the ability to change those conditions which limit our actions or hold us in undesirable circumstances. Health, and the power to master our lives; this is my need, it is your need, it is the need of th t hose dependent dependent on y ou, and those those dependent dependent on me. T ogether oge ther y ou and I must work to attain attai n our our need needs. s. T ogether oge ther mu must we striv s trive e to bring bring the the same same power to those who look to us for that wisdom which proteets and creates.
W H Y A R E W E H E R E ? W hy are we here on earth, earth, and and what must be our our real mission ission? W hy are some so poor, poor, in health, health, in worldly wor ldly thin things gs,, and in the the ability to create? create? Not luck or chance
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will ex plain the the differences, ifferences, and and no form of philosoph philosophical ical belief will change change the the con con ditions we sense each hour of the day. T he mind of of man—y our mind and mine— mine—is is capable of unlimited unlimited thought and a nd unm unmeasurable eas urable imag imagination ination.. Mentally Mentall y we can create the thin things gs we desire and the the things we need, and it is possible to tum these mental images into concrete realities. W e know that that some are able able to do this. this. whv not vou? Life has taught us that man has conquered the worlds of his dreams in thousands of ways . Men who hav have e been born poor hav have e achieved achiev ed fortunes fortunes;; men who were dis abled, or poor poor in health, have attai a ttained ned health and success. success. Men and women women of lowly lowl y stations in life, by the sheer power of their wills, have risen to eminence and social recognition.
C H A N G IN I N G Y O U R L IF IF E There is no secret about the methods which God and nature have provided for man to use. T here is no miracle miracle in the the changing of a life of w a n t to a life of abundance. Man’s environment and circumstances are exactly what he pe p e rm it s them to be. A lack of knowledge of the laws laws,, a lack of exp ex perience in the the application of his his inner p o w e rs , are the only barriers to mastership. Only Onl y one one in a thous thous and is efficie ef ficiently ntly using these these powers powers.. But, those those thousan thousands ds who are using using them them,, and who have proved them them to be depen dependa dabl ble, e, have learned learned that that by sharing their knowledge, through fellowship and mutual cooperation, a greater degree of success and happiness is attained. Henee the foundation of the Rosicrucian movement, the brotherhood of seekers for Light, Life, and Love. “It was as though the voice of God spoke in the wilder ness and infused a few of His creatures with His Infinite Wisdom and Divine Plans for the salvation of the races of men,” writes one historian in telling of the foundation of the the Arcane Ar cane Scho S chools ols of T ruth in th the land of Eg E g y pt. "Like the the blindin blinding g flash in the midst of utter darkness," is the way another historian of Egyptian progress speaks of the movement started for the illumination of the minds of men. "A halo of glory has surroun surrounded the the Rosicru Rosicr ucians,” s ays Lord Lor d Bulwer Ly tton in his books dealing with the unique movement, and "nothing has ever come into the Iives of progressive men and women in the whole history of civilization that equals the nobleness and altruistic work of the Rosicrucians," says a modern writer of world events. events.
T H E P R A C T IC IC A L W A Y In all the wrítings of eminent authors of histories, philosophical essays, world events, and humanitarian activities, we find exalted testimony to the goodness, pr a ctical Service, and untiring untiring efforts ef forts of the the Rosicrucian Rosicr ucians. s. Novelis ts for many many centuries centuries have referred to their achievements, scientists have paid homage to the researches and findings of the workers in the Rosicrucian bodies, and newspapers and magazines have published long and enthusiastic accounts of the valued contributions made by the Rosicrucians to the welfare of mankind.
Y O U R P R O B L E M S IN L IF E In the Proverbs we read, “with all thy getting, get understanding.” W e are also told, told, "und "under erss tanding tanding is a well spring spring of life unto unto him that hath hath it.” it .” It is true that our one big problem in life is to understand life, its purposes, and its complex situations. W e need not be learned learned in all the the wisdom of the the world, and in fact need not be worldly wise, to have real understanding.
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Most of the problems that face us in life are serious because we cannot under s tand them them.. Life Li fe its elf often seems seems beyond bey ond under underss tanding tanding to the the pers pers on w ho has not not become familiar with the simple fundamental truths. T he misf misfortu ortun nes that suddenly suddenly rise ris e in the the path path of a happy happy career often seem associated with elements or conditions which appear to be beyond understanding. W e seek to find find how and why these sudden events occur, and even a little unders tanding tanding of their causes causes,, aids us in master as tering ing them. them. It is when we cannot fathom the causes, cannot understand the principies involved, that we become enslaved by them them and and suffer. suffer. The sudden loss of property, the unexpected rejection of solicited favors, the un desired collapse of a big business, like the crash of carefully built plans and hopes, leaves us perplexed, needing immediate advice, help, and dependable methods, for re creating the former status of affairs.
W H E N Y O U R P L A N S F A IL T he continued continued frustra frus tration tion of ever ev ery y move to better better our conditions, conditions, the the lack of response to our petitions, the endless struggle to make ends meet when we deserve wrong, and why can we not better etter thin things, gs, cause cause us us to wonder wonder and ask: ask: W h a t is wrong, undcrstancl the forces that are at work?" "I can't understand it! " is the the time time oíd cry of mankind mankind in all advers adve rsity. ity. A nd, nd, when when understand understandin ing g com comes, there there also com comes an end end of worry and and a hopefu hopefull attitu attitude that brings a power to accomplish the desires of life. Y ou may believe that that there there is a Divine part of y ou that that is ever attun attuned with Ye t, other forces in the consíxuctive forces and in loving consideraron of your needs. Yet, universe, other powers of a worldly nature, attack you, Jimit your fulfillment of plans, and ham hamper per you y ou in your am a mbitions. It seems seems almost almost impo imposs ssible ible to understand why the Divine Sclf within cannot overcome the forces from without, and why the mind cannot over rule the the things of the flesh and and the the world.
C O S M IC IC L A W S A F F E C T Y O U It was found, long ago, that man is affected by many principies and forces, oper ating according to laws, and easily understood, but which continué throughout life to influence his health, his mental efficiency, his natural tendencies and his reactions toward the events of life. Man is a free agent in every sense of the word; he has the power to reason, judge, judge, and and come to a con conclu clusión sión.. He has has the the privilege to decide ecide between two imp impulses, two desires, desires, two metho methods— ds—and and act accordingly . He mu must abide by the the results of his decis ión ión— — but but he has has the freedom fr eedom to decide. decide. In this sense, is man a free fre e agent; his ultímate accountability to God and man for his acts, does not alter the fact that he is free to act. But, man is constantly being urged, tempted, impelled, and prodded by impulses from fr om around ar ound him and from fr om w ithin it hin his being. F r om without wi thout him come come the impu impuls lses es of the world and its illusory or transitory conditions; from within him come the more conservative, rational, dependable urges of the Cosmic Mind and the still, small voíce. Like the pendulum of a clock, swinging from side to side, man's freedom to act vacillates in yielding to the urges from the world around him, to the urges from within within.. He is con constantly stantly faced with the the question question,, "W ha t shall shall I do? W hic h is best for me to do?”
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C R E A T I V E F O R C E S W I T H IN IN Y O U Wit W ithin hin man there there are are con constructi structive, ve, Creative Creative forces always alway s at work and and always attuned attuned with wit h the the most perfect perfec t wisdom of the the Imm Immortal or tal S elf. el f. T hese forces must repair re pair the damage done to the body, overcome the strains and stresses upon the mental syst sy stem em,, and guide guide the indecis ión of man's man's mind mind in the right rig ht directi dire ction. on. F rom ro m the the natur natural al forces operating throughout the universo certain harmonic vibrations, ethereal energies, and vitalizing powers contact man’s being and change the nature of his physical body or react upon upon his his mental mental efficiency. effic iency. T hus man man is is hourly a complex complex being, being, influen influenced ced by forces and potent principies of a serious and important nature. Man must understand these things if he is to become a success in life and use his freedom to act in a wise niann nianner. er . Man must either live complete completely ly in harmony harmony with the the forces forces in him and around him, him, or at varia v arian nce with wit h them them.. T here is no middle iddle course course.. Not if health, success, success, and happin happines esss are to be be attained. Understanding of the natural, spiritual, and mental laws is the only nieans for masters ast ership hip of life. T here is no substitute for this this un unders der s tanding. tanding. College Colle ge edu e ducation, cation, scientific scientific trainin training, g, great book learning, learning, and other other mental mental attainm attainments, D O N O T CON S T IT U T E T H E N E C E S S A R Y U ND N D E R S T A N D IN IN G .
IT H A S B E E N P R O V E D For hundreds of years the work of the Rosicrucians has proved that men and women women graduates graduates of universities, and and men and and women in the the highest ighest profess ion ional al walks of life, are no better qualified to master their careers and attain complete control over the affairs of their lives, than those who have received just a common school edu catión. Intuition, Intuition, for f or instance, is a natural, inherent, inherent, attribute at tribute of the the inn inner self, or the the metaph et aphy y s ical part of man. man. It is highly hig hly developed dev eloped in some, and a nd almost almost dormant dormant in others others.. A nd, despite the the fact f act that it is on one of the the faculties fac ulties which en e nables men men and and women women to accomp accomplish more vital chan changes ges in their their lives than any other other faculty, there there is no no college course of study, no scientific scientific scho s chool ol of learnin le arning, g, that even ev en attempts to develop and enlarge this faculty in man. T he ability a bility to create mental mental images images of thin t hings gs desired desire d and and to transmute transmute these these images images into mental forces that that will w ill affect all our activities and and bring bring them into har har monious onious realization, re alization, is another another mental or psychic psy chic f aculty of the inn inner self that is tre tre mendously active in every successful business man and woman, but it is not developed through college or scientific courses of study.
T HE S E P O W E R S A R E Y OU RS Both intuition and mental creation, are faculties and processes given to man by Cosmic law, but the Rosicrucians learned long ago that these must be carefully developed and brought to a point of practical application like the faculties of seeing, hear ing, and feeling. "A s a man man thin thinke keth, th, so is he, he,"" is a popular prover prov erb; b; but, what wha t shall s hall he he think, and how shall he he think? think? T hese es e are the the important important points. points. T o think think properly of the problem problemss of life, and to think think constructively constr uctively in order order to solve those those prob problem lems, s, man man MU MUS S T U N DE R S T A N D the the natu nature re of his bein being, g, the the diversity of the faculties and functioning of the mental and metaphysical powers within him. He mu must know the the natura naturall laws of all creation cre ation,, the s piritual laws which gov go v e m him, im, and the the material material laws laws which are are mean meantt to S E R V E him him and and not not E N S L A V E him. im. Man must rise above his fall through ignorance. which made him subject to worldly limitati limitation ons, s, sufferin sufferings, gs, defeats, efeats, and and con constan stantt chan changes, ges, and and becom ecome the the master
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of th the wor ldly principies and a nd captain captai n of his ship s hip on the the seas of life. It can c an be be don done, e, has been done, and is being done by thousands who follow the Rosicrucian methods and accept the Rosicrucian hand of fellowship and Service.
T H E M Y S T IC S O F T H E O R I E N T T he Rosicr Ros icrucian ucian ideas ideas originated, orig inated, as we have said, s aid, in the the oriental orie ntal lands lands am a mong the wise men and women who found through observation the effect on man of many of the the natural natural and spiritual laws unknown to the the masses. masses. Priva Pr ivate te s chools chools were established, and with truc altruism and humanitarianism, the work was carried on to other lands. T hroughout the the Chris tian era the the Arc A rcane ane Scho Sc hools ols of the the Brotherhood B rotherhood operated operated widely amon among g the the Progress Progress ive minds, inds, alway alwa y s leading leading them them on to greater heights eights and and contributing to the uplift of man in general. History is replete with the incidents of the great work accomplisbed by the Essenes, the Therapeuti, the Nazarenes, and others who were actually branch organi zations zations of the the Gre Great at Whit Wh ite e Brotherhood B rotherhood of Rosic Rosicrucians. rucians. Manus anus cripts cr ipts and records records still preserved in foreign libraries show that in the eleventh and twelfth centuries A. D., the Rosicrucian movement was established in many parts of Europe and attracted world world wide wide attention attention..
E M IIN NENT MEN A PPROV E In the sketches of the life work of eminent men of physiology, anatomy, surgery, medicine, chemistry, astronomy, biology, physics, and ontology, we fínd that those who made the greatest discoveries, or who outlined the most serviceable explanations of natural natural laws for inan inan's 's bettermen betterment, t, were Rosicr ucians ucians . T his is so s o noticeable that one one moder odern n historian histor ian says, says , “ If we elim e limínate ínate the the contribution c ontributionss to man’s man’s mas master tership ship of him self and his conditions made by the Rosicrucians in the past, it would be equal to eíimínating the contributions to art made by the devotees of religión, we would have very little left." By the middle of the eighteenth century we find the Rosicrucian movement solidi fied into one international organization. permanently established in every civilized land, and hav having ing the the most most eminen eminentt leaders of man’s man’s progr progress ess as its heads. heads. In Engl E ngland and the famous leader of the advancement of knowledge, Sir Francis Bacon, was its chief cxecutive; and under a plan evolved by him long before his passing, the work spread to America in 1694.
GREAT AMERICAN MEMBERS In America, during the years 1694 to 1800, the work of the Rosicrucians had more direct bearing upon the founding of the American system of progressive living than any other institution instit ution.. Its mem members, bers, including Thom T homas as Jeffers Jef ferson on,, were instrum instr umental ental in bring bringing ing greater gre ater free f reedo dom m to the the Am A merica er ican n peoples eoples,, and such such men as as Be njamín Frank Frank lin aided the Rosicrucians to spread their teachings into every home. Eminent clergymen, priests, ministers of various denominations, educators and lecturers took up the high ideáis of the Rosicrucian movement, and today the work in America, Cañada, and México is perfectly organized in every large city or sectíon of each state and province, all operating under one Charter granted by the International Council, and working in harmony with the official organization throughout the world.
THE TRÍIE ROSICRUCIANS T herefore. there there is today just O N E Rosicrucian Rosic rucian movem movement ent throughout throughout the the world, operating as a unit, free from religious or political distinctions, and abiding by the
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ancient rules which prohibit any form of commercialism, fanaticism, extravagance, or preposterous reposte rous pre pretention tentions. s. Under onc onc ñame, ñame, one one Symbol, and one guiding Council, the Rosicrucian Ros icrucian move movem ment is known today by its sy s y mbolical, abbre abbreviate viated d ñam ñame, e, A MO R C . T hat ha t ther there e should be some some forms forms of imitation, imitat ion, som s ome preten rete nders, ders , who w ho would w ould make make use of the ñame ame and high repute repute of th t he move movem ment, is regr r egretable. etable. T here are not many, many, and their existence may be taken as a compliment to the high regard in which the Rosicrucian Ros icrucianss have been held for so many many centu centuries. ries. T he distinguishing distinguishing feature between these pretending bodies and the rea/ Rosicrucian organizaron is found in the fact that the the A M O R C bodies odies throughout the the world wor ld do not not sell their teachings, teachings, do not claim to have books teaching the arts and "secrets" of Rosicrucianism, and do not indulge in fortun fortune telling telling by astrolog as trology y or crystal cry stal gazing, gazing, and do not not claim to have a person ers onal al leader who “discovered” the teachings and to whom allegiance and adoration must be given as to a demigod.
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Solving Your Problcms A t some tíme tíme into into the the Uves of all men and women, women, there there com comes an urge to learn more about themselves and the Spiritual or Metaphysical laws which they have come to realize affect their their Health, Happin Happines ess, s, and Success. Success. Sometim Sometimes es this this desire for greater knowledge is brought about by a problem of health which has not yielded to ordinary methods ethods of corre c orrection ction.. A g ain, it may be unhap unhappin pines es s ; but but more more often of ten than not it is a problem of failure in the quest for the things which are necessary to comfort, conveni ence and security. Most of us have applied to these problems all of the purely objective knowledge and intelligence which we have acquired over a period of years, yet without avail, therefore, there is left to us only one other method—that is an appeal to the Spiritual or Met Metaph aphy y s ical L aws of the the llniver s e. W e may be a dev devoted oted mem member ber of some chu church, or we may be a student of one of the many differing forms of psychology, philosophy, or metaphys metaphysical ical stud studies. In any case, it is to studies studies of this this ch c haracter aracte r that we mu must turn our thoughts; for all leaming and hope offered by the material world has become unresponsive and ineffective in producing the kind of results we earnestly seek. A s we cast about about for the the true true and and perfect method ethodss of solvin solv ing g our our difficulties ifficulties we find find it ve ry hard to make a selection of the sys s ystem tem which will wil l unfol unfold d to our consciou conscious s ness the wisdom and and under underss tanding tanding we must have. hav e. In this this connect connection ion,, a suggestion sugge stion may be given you which will be most helpful in coming to a conclusión either about the studies you are now pursuing or the instruction you may be contemplating as suiting your needs.
TRY THIS TEST T he fírst step to be taken taken is is to analy analyze ze y our needs needs with great gre at care. care. T his may may be done only by considering a number of questions and setting down the answers. T his will give y ou an exact ex act index index to t o y our particular partic ular requirem requiremen ents. ts. If you will read re ad the following questions carefully and then mentally set down the answer to each one you y ou will quickly quickly realize realize y our own necessiti ecessities: es: Do you understand the Law responsible for the manifestation of health or sickness7 A re y ou entirely entirely happy? appy? Do you understand the Law which governs happiness, peace, and prosperity? Are A re y ou succe successfu ssful? l?
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Do you understand the Law of success? Do you realize that all Laws of the material world are designed solely for the purpose of protccting the rights of all? Do you realize that Spiritual Laws also exist which control and govern your every thought and act? Do you realize that every thought entertained and every act committed must bring about certain certai n defínite defínite and a nd well well estab es tablished lished results? results? Do you realize that when your thoughts and acts are in conformity with Cosmic Laws that the results are Good, and that when they viólate these same Laws, that the results will be otherwise? Are Ar e your mental ental images, images, desires, esires, and domin dominating ating longings longings brought brought into into any forrn forrn of realization? Can you intuitively foresee and sense the right course to take in any action or plan? Are Ar e you forced to subm submit to sudd sudden chan changes in y our our life’ life ’s work, or can y ou overeóme situations as they arise?
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M ast ersh rsh ip at at H om e W H A T A M O R C O F F E R S Y O U Wherev Wher ev er you may live, and whateve whateverr may be y our our situation situation in life, the the A M O R C reaches out with a kindly offering and invites you to share in its great work. and Whil W hile e in some of the the larger cities cities there there are lodges lodges and and temples with classes classes and lectures conducted by various Masters on many nights of the week, there is the oppor tunity also for those living in any part of North America to receive the instructions and benefits of membership if attendance at a lodge is impossible or undesirable for
any reason.
COMPLETE HOME STUDY T hose who w ho wish to s tudy tudy at home ome at their their convenience convenience will wil l fin f ind d that that the A M O R C offers them all of the benefits benefits of mental, mental, s piritual, and a nd metaph eta phy y s ical contact with wit h thou thou sands of other minds and souls attuned to the same ideáis and the same purposes. Physical contact and physical association is not necessary for mental, spiritual, and metaphys etaphys ical gr owth, owth, under under the the method ethodss used used by the the A MO R C , and and which have proved so successful to study alone and privately develop their faculties and mental powers to a high degree.
A N E W P L A N F O R A M E R IC A A t one one of the the nation national conventions of the Order held in this country the Grand Master of New York presented a plan to the delegates for the establishment of a “National Lodge," which would invite correspondence members from any section of the North American jurisdiction who could not find it possible to attend the sessions of a local Lodge. T he proposal was wa s discuss discussed ed and and voted vote d upon and finally adopted. adopted. It permitted permitted the the Supreme Lodge of the Order for North America to establish what might be called an extensión course of personal, private instruction in the teachings of the Order upon a distinctly uniqu unique e basis. basis. T he plan required required severa! sever a! years to evolve, evolve , and today this this plan is being adopted in many foreign jurisdictions.
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F A S C IN I N A T I N G M E T H O D O F S T U DY DY T his plan of prívate príva te instruct inst ruction ion at home is so uniqu unique e and a nd so new new to t o this this coun c ountr try y that it must must be ex plained plained so s o that it will wi ll not be be com c ompared pared with wi th the the so s ocalled called "corres "corres pond ond ence courses" issued by correspondence schools in America, or the issuance of pam phlet lessons. First of all, it was recognized at once that such lessons as were to be sent to natio ation n wid wide stu students ents C OUL D NO T BE IN P R INT E D P A MPHL E T S , for two two exce xcel lent lent reasons; reasons; fírst, the time hon honored injunc injunc tion against ag ainst any of the the lesson les sonss of the the Order Or der in any land being issued in book form; secondly, the continued changes, improvements, amendments, and modern adaptation of the teachings, would prevent their preparation in text tex t book book or or printed form for m of any a ny permanent permanent nature. nature. It is comm common for a corre c orress pon pondence dence scho sc hool ol to sen s end d its students students a set of text books ooks accompanied by monthly printed reading lessons analyzing the various chapters of the the text books. ooks. Y e ar after year ye ar the the same same ins ins tructions, the the same same books books and a nd pamph pamphlets lets , are sen se nt to the thous thous ands ands of students. students. T his is poss possible ible in presentin pres enting g such s uch subjects as Law, La w, E nglish, nglis h, Mathematics, Mathematics, History , or some some of the the sciences. sciences. It would would not not do do, could not do, in presenting the teachings of the Rosicrucians, for such teachings are continually improving in subject matter, application to human affairs, and relation to recent discoveries by the Masters of the instruction.
H O W T H E L E S S ON ON S A R E P R E P A R E D So the first principie insisted upon by the Imperator of the Order was that the lessons to be sent to the home study members must be specially made and prepared from month to month to keep them up to the minute with the findings, discoveries and elabórate experiments on the part of the highest workers in the Order in this country and in other lands. lands. T hat meant meant trem tre mendou endouss work, wor k, great gre at cost, cost, and a staff of master master teachers continually working upon the lessons. It is because the Order is able to keep its members informed in advance of important matters, and give its members knowledge which outsiders cannot obtain, that it enables them to overcome obstacles, meet oncoming conditions, and prepare for future future circum cir cumstances. T he world wor ld ou outside of the the Order Orde r is just now now try t ry ing to discove discoverr and evolve certain principies regarding health, disease, and the prolonging of life, which Rosicrucians Rosicrucians have known known and and practiced for centu centuries. ries. T he same same can be said regar re gardin ding g new "disc "discover overies ies’’ ’’ in the the various v arious method ethodss of using the min mind d to attain success in life.
H O W T H E L E S S ON O N S A R E IS IS S U E D Therefore, the Imperator appointed a staff to prepare and issue the prívate lessons for those members who would be admitted to the Home Study Classes. S uch members embers were to be be IN V IT E D to join by sendin s ending g them, them, upon upon recommen en dation, an application applica tion blank. A fter ft er the the answe answers rs in this this form f orm were ex amined amined and an investigation made of the applicant’s sincerity, he or she was to be notified to prepare for the the prelim pre liminary, inary, fundam fundamental, ental, lessons. lessons. A plan was ñnally adopted, adopted, based upon upon an oíd system used by the early Rosicrucians, whereby such members arranged to use one part of some room—usually a sleeping room—as their “study comer'' or prívate "Lodge "Lodg e córner.” By the the use of prívate príva te instructions instructions in typewritten, typewritt en, pers pers onal onal form f orm,, the the members embers prepare for f or the the first s urprising urpris ing lessons. lessons. T he many many thous thous ands ands in America Ameri ca today who have used these these instructio instruction ns— men and and women women of all walks of life from the the highest ighest positions in the country to humble workers in the home—have found the lessons, expla nations, simple experiments, and practica! tests, more fascinating and alluring each week than the the best dramas dramas or works of fiction fiction..
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N A T U R E O F T H E L E S S ON ON S Such lessons are not mere speculative statements or points of philosophy, but carefully written and edited explanations of Jaws, beginning with the fundamental and simple ones. worded in language which any can understand, and illustrated by analo gies, examp examples, les , comm common referen refere nces and every ev ery day experiences. experiences. T hen several sev eral experi experi ments are give g iven n to be practiced at convenient times times throughout the week. In this way , week after week, mon onth th after mon onth th,, special special lesson lessons, always alway s being eing revised and amen amend ded, are sent sent to each each mem member ber coverin cover ing g the the whole whole system sys tem of prívate Rosicrucian Rosicr ucian teachin teachings, gs, developing faculties and powers the members never realized they possessed.
A R R A N G E D I N E A S Y S T E P S T he lesson less onss are arran arra nged ge d in Grades or Degre Degrees es,, like unto unto classes or grades g rades in a school. school. T here is no better way to spend an even eve ning than by reading r eading these these fasc f ascina inating ting lectures, lectures, lessons, lessons, and ex planations. planations. It is like having hav ing the heart heart and soul soul of the the RE RE A L mysteries of life opened to you in a picturesque, intriguing manner. At A t the the ció cióse se of each serie seriess of the the first first three three grades grades of lectu lectures there there is a self self exainination to be sent to the Master of the class so that he can see wherein you have succeeded or failed to grasp a clear understanding of each point and may send you additional information. T hese ex amination aminationss are easily eas ily passed if the the lectures have have been properly read—not laboriously studied.
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The Instructions S U B J E C T S T R E A T E D IN T H E L E S S O N S It would be impossible to give an index to the subjects contained in the hundreds of lessons. lessons. S uch an index index would wo uld make a ver v ery y large l arge book and and the the readin re ading g of it i t would be of of little valué. val ué. Howe Howev v er, er , we may brie briefly fly state that the the follow fol lowing ing iinport iinportant ant subjects subjects are covered in the various graded lessons sent to all correspondence members:
FIRST GRADE Explanation of the dual forms of consciousness with which man has to deal: namely, the mortal, temporary, and unreliable objective consciousness and the Divine, positive, dependable Cosmic Consciousness; complete explanations of the functioning of the brain, the mind, spirit forces, and soul in the human body; experiments and demonstrations easily made in connection with our daily afíairs which prove the un reliability of objective consciousness, the mortal existence of matter, the delusions and illusions of our faculties, and the methods for development of intuition, and the proper attunement with true knowledge; the law of vibrations, thought forms, harmonies, rhythm, and other spiritual and mental forces and powers in the universe, proper thinking, and proper realization; fundamental principies of health and disease, and the alleviation of physical suffering; methods for using the Law of the Triangle, and other laws for the mastership of conditions and circumstances in our daily lives; experiments to prove and test various laws in our daily affairs so as to demónstrate mastership in connection with the material problems of life.
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THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
SECOND GRADE E x planation planat ion of the the ego, and its relationship re lationship to th the higher principies principies and forces forces in the universe; what Jesús and the great Masters of the past taught and secretly revealed; the development of psychic centers and the aura; experiments with breathing and with mystical sounds, music, harmony, and Divine laws; the control of forces in the human body and around the human body through the proper use of mind; the various oriental principies and modern systems including psychology, Christian Science, metaphysics, and other spiritual principies in relationship to the fundamental laws of the universe; the duality of life, and its relationship to mental and spiritual power, proper living, proper diet, and proper mastership of conditions in the mind and body; experiments proving and testing the various laws, and the development of mental powers for the control of conditions which affect our daily affairs.
THIRD GRADE T he false illusions illusions of matter, matter, and the the mann manner er in which we may be deceived deceive d and and affected by them; experiments in mental control and mental directing of physical and mental conditions; the vitality of life, its nature, and its use in the human body, and experiments for the control of it in many important matters of our existence; mental Creative power of man's mind, and experiments in using these; the false beliefs about black magic, hypnotism, and other misleading principies which really enslave men and women women instead instead of helpin helping g them them;; the the developm development of harmon harmony y in the the hum human body, body, and and the development of harmonious relationships with higher principies and powers; methods for instantly diagnosing inharmonious conditions in the body; methods for discovering the errors in the affairs of our daily Uves which are preventing success and prosperity; methods and experiments in receiving Cosmic Illumination and the increasing of psychic attunement.
FOURTH AND HIGHER GRADES From the Fourth Grade onward, the work is devoted to the personal affairs of the student and designed to instruct him in the most practical methods for meeting his daily problem problemss and in master ast erin ing g the situations of life as they arise. arise . T he lesson less onss In each grade are filled with a review of all the teachings of a spiritual, mystical, metaphy etaphy sical nature ature includ included ed in every eve ry other other sch s chool ool or system sys tem of thought thought of ancient ancient and modern tim times, which have proved prov ed to be be good, and which are useful use ful today. Noth Noth ing ing is left out out of any of the the graded g raded teachings teachings from fr om any schools schools or system sy stem which would be of help. help. Step St ep by step each law la w is fully ex plained, plained, each principie plainly stated state d and and illustrated, illustrate d, and and methods ethods for f or experim ex periment, ent, test, and application applicat ion given giv en in detail. T he work is graded like a university course, but in each lesson are found practical things to do so that each member may benefit himself and his conditions while mastering each law t and principie. Bear in mind that these subjects stated above are but a few of the hundreds, and each subject is treated in detail in many different lessons, from many different angles, and and always alway s with a practical practical application application to our our daily life and and its its probl problem ems. s. Near Ne arly ly all of the subjects mentioned above, and many more like them are treated as completely as thoug thoug h a sep se parate book on the the su s ubject was wa s included in the studies. studies. T he su s ubjects of the various lessons review and include everything that was taught by the ancients, or is taught today in any and all of the other schools of metaphysical or spiritual thought.
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W ec\ ly Lcss Lcs s on
The illustration above shows just how each weekly lesson is sent to each meraber. First, there are the personal letters—as many each week or month as are necess ary to t o answer y our ques question tionss and help you solve y our person pers onal al problem problems. s. Intim Intimate ate,, precise facts are given in these letters, dictated by a number of experts who keep a careful record of your progress, your needs, and your desires. Secon Sec ond d, the the weekly wee kly lecture. lecture. T his lecture, containing containing a num number of typewritten ty pewritten pages, is carefully prepared by the various teachers and graded so as to prepare you step by by step s tep in the the mast masters ership hip of the the Rosicr Ros icrucian ucian laws and principies principies.. E ach ac h lecture lecture contains not only full explanations of laws which you wisli to use in your personal afFair fFairs, s, but but also exp ex perimen eriments ts and test testss whereby y ou can P R OV E and and DE M O N S T R A T E to yourself, yourself, the the efficacy of the the prin princip cipies. ies. T his makes makes the the lectures lectures differen differentt from printed pamphlet lessons containing only theories and philosophical essays. Third, whenever necessary, charts and diagrams of the laws and principies are sent with the lessons to help make every point clear, and to save the purchase of further reference charts.
T HE T R U UT T H U N V E IL IL E D T O T HE M E M B E R S Without Wi thout avoiding avoiding the the facts that that shou should be revealed, revealed, without without veilin ve iling g the the truth truthss so that none can comprehend, and without flowery words or elegant oratory which leaves the student unaequainted with the fundamentáis, the private, typewritten, specially prepared lesson less onss of the the A M O R C are given giv en to its its mem memb bers, ers , its studen students, ts, in a mann manner er be yon y ond d descrip es criptio tion n or realization unless on one e has lived with them them for a few weeks weeks and and found the great changes, the wonderful powers that manifest in every affair of our earthly activities.
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Remem Remember, ber, A M O R C offers its caref car efully ully s elected members embers not only the the metho method d and t he plan of developing privately and effectively, but it offers its members all t he io n w i th t h t h os o s e master minds of t h e laws of nature, w h o have advantages of a s s o c i a t io held t h e reputation of being the most highly trained teachers, p h i l o s o p h e r s , scientists, and and w o r k e T s in the u p l i f t of the race of man—the Members of the Order Rosae Crucis — the the Brethren Brethren of t h e Rosy Cross.
NO COLLEGE EDUCATION NECESSARY These interesting lessons begin with the very fundamentáis of nature’s laws as thcy relate to man and the universe, and explain and make plain all man’s secret powers, possibilities, possibilities, and potential potential activities. activities . T he lesson less onss are caref car efully ully graded. No college, academic or even high school education is necessary to understand the lessons, for they have been prepared by some of the best educators in various lands for the purpose of meeting the general mind.
NO MEMOR1ZING REQUIRED V arious ar ious education educational al boards boards have said that that the the system sys tem emp employed by A M O R C in teaching and instructing is the ideal system, for it does not require memorizing, and through the examples, illustrations, and experiments used the student comprehends and remem remembers bers without wi thout the the least leas t effort. Mere er e concentration concentrati on upon words being read re ad and a few moments’ meditation upon each principie or law makes them stand out in the mind and consciousness for all time.
MA S T E R Y A T E A C H S T EP There never w’as and never will be a more systematic, a more detailed and complete cours course e of person pers onal al develop deve lopm mcnt study than t han this this.. T he student student becomes a master of certain laws and principies each week and before the first few months have passed he no no longe longerr desires desires to hurr hurry y and a nd goes no no more more rapidly r apidly than th the system sy stem provides. provides. It is not like a course of study which must be entirely finisheu before it may be put into practical oper operation ation.. Most of our mem members bers discover discove r the the Irue Irue valué va lué and efficiency eff iciency of the work after the first month of reading and experiment, and derive help from the very first lessons.
S1MPL1C1TY, SYSTEM, PR1VACY T he graded g raded lesson less onss are maile mailed d in sealed seale d envelopes complete complete with wi th every ever y aid. plan, sugges tion or illustration illustr ation necessary. ecess ary. Lesson Les sonss are mailed each week with a system sy stem and and regular re gular ity that is pleasing pleas ing and dependable. dependable. Others Other s need need not not know what wha t you are are study study ing or what you are associated with unless you desire to interest them.
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A Scimpie Lcsson T o give g ive y ou an idea idea of how the var ious ious important important laws and princip principies ies are ex plained and how they help each member of the organization to use this knowledge in understanding and mastering the situations and conditions arising in everyday life, we outline, herewith, a sample lesson typical of the many that are sent out weekly to every eve ry member ember of the the orga or ganizati nization. on. T he follow fo llowing ing s pecimen ecimen lesson is based upon upon on one that is sent early in the first grade of instruction and was selected because of the present day discussion throughout the world regarding the precise meaning of Soul, body, and spirit.
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Please bear in mind that such a lesson as the one outlined below is received by the members in a sealed envelope, in typewritten form, and is read in the privacy of the the mem member ber s hom home study study room r oom. T he lesson les son,, consisting of many pages pages,, is so worded that it it is like unto unto a person pers onal al talk t alk by the the Maste r of the class to the the student. student. It is easy eas y to read. interesting and fascinating in its mannerism of speech, attractive in its arous ing of many thoughts and ideas, and at the same time it establishes an attunement between the student, the teacher, and the thousands of other students who are study ing ing sim s imilar ilar lesson less onss at the the same same time time in all parts of the countr country y . T he less le sson on given giv en here here with is very ver y greatly gre atly con cond densed, ensed, and and is merely an outlinc so that you may see the subject matter which is covered in such a typical lesson.
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T he sub s ubjec jectt for f or tonight’ tonig ht’ss disc discussion ussion touches touches upon one one of the very ve ry fundam fundamental ental principies which you must understand if you are going to be properly conscious of your relationship relationship to all other other living beings eings and and of your relationship relationship to the the universe and the various forces, energies, and laws operating in (his universe. W e have have been taught taught in many doctrines octrines and and school schoolss that that we should should lose lose our selves in the thought that we are at one with all in the universe and at one with God. T hís statem s tatement ent is too broad to be either of Service or benefit to the the aver av erage age person pers on and is very apt to lead tíie devoted student to think that he must lose all personality and all individuality of character, and be as similar and like unto all other creatures as on one blade blade in a great law n is like all the the other other blades blades of grass. T his is contrary to the scheme of things in the universe, for whether we accept the idea of some material istic scientists that the law of "the survival of the fittest” is true or not, the fact remains that the development of character and the development of those distinct traits of personality and individuality which God and nature have given us, is really the great scheme of life and the one thing that will make man greater and more useful in this this worl w orld. d. A rtis ts must become better artists, artis ts, musicians must must become become better musicians, usicians, men and women with inventive talent must be developed into inventors; men and women women who have mechanical, echanical, electrical, electrical, medical, edical, or oth other tastes tastes and and talents, talents, must be encouraged and strengthened in those things to such a degree that they become dis tinctly different differ ent from those those who do not have such s uch talents. T hose who are thinke thinkers rs and can utilize mental powers and abilities to create and to achieve great accomplish ments must be strengthened in those abilities and become different from those other useful persons in the world who are creators with the hands and makers of material things in a physical way. Some philosophical schools or teachers say briefly that since all of us have the same same Divine Div ine essencc essencc within us, we are all esse es sen ntially alike. T hat is equivalent equivale nt to say ing since the sun shines on one half of the world at the same time, all of the people, and all of the lands, on that half of the world are enjoying the same degree and the same same amoun amountt of brill br illiancy iancy,, heat, and quality qualit y of s unlig unlight. ht. A nyone ny one who w ho has has been been on on the top of the Alps in the month of June and has then journeyed through Italy and across across the the Mediter Mediterranean ranean to A lex le x andria and through through Eg y pt to L uxor ux or during the the same same month will realize that the sunlight, sun heat, and sun vitality are not the same in the differ iff erent ent cities or or localities localitie s vis v isited ited duri during ng the same same month month.. E v e n in A merica er ica the mov mov ing picture industry has discovered that the sunlight is different on the Pacific coast than it is on on the the Atla A tlantic ntic coast, on any day in any mon month th of the the year. Y ou may argü arg üe that at their source and in their true nature the sunlight, sun heat, and sun vitality are the same everywhere on the same day, and that the differences we notice are due to local conditions which affect the light, the heat, and the vitality of the sun rays.
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Let us accept this as being true; but it only proves the argument we are making; namely, that while the Divine essence in us may be the same in its source and in its nature, it does manifest differently in each one of us, due to the local physical conditions tions of our mental mentality ity and our our bod bodies. ies. T herefore, heref ore, there there is a diff difference erence in the the manner manner in which the soul manifests what we cali a personality or distinct charactec for each liv ing being. being. Nothing would w ould be be gained by by forcing f orcing an artificial artif icial change of conditions conditions in each on one of us us to make make each one one of us us alike. alik e. T hat would w ould be be the the ruination r uination of civ ci v ilization, because it would be the ruination of individual efforts, individual accomplish ments, and individual achievements. Let us show you, now, in our lesson for tonight how the Rosicrucians have under stood the the true true principies principies of this matter matter for many ages. ages . T onight onig ht we are going g oing to take up the the first principie principie of what is called the the "Rosicr "Ros icrucian ucian Ontolog Ontol ogy y ." T he word On On tology means Science of being. There have been only a few books written in the past centu centuries ries dealing with this this very ve ry important important subject. subject. A nd the the few f ew that have been written have been so comp complicated, licated, so involve involved, d, and and so difficult to understan ers tand d that that only a few fe w of the the learn lear ned scientists scientists and philos philosoph opher erss have mastered astere d the the sub s ubject. ject. But here here again we will find that the Rosicrucians have a very happy and simple method for revealing rev ealing the the great truths truths in a man manner ner easily eas ily un unders tood. tood. T he “Ros “ Rosicr icrucian ucian Ontolog Ontol og y ” starts with the fundamental principie, or fundamental statement, that we happen to find used in the Christian Bible but which was used in other sacred or mystical writings long long before the the Chris tian Bible was compi compiled led or arran arr ange ged. d. T he Jewish J ewish teachers teachers used this ancient statement from the ancient writings, and that is how it carne to be included in the Oíd Testament section of the Bible. T his fundam fundamental ental principie says s ays that, "God "Go d form f ormed ed man man out out of the dus dus t of the the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul." Now, to properly analyze this statement in a manner in which you may never have thought of before, we want you to pay very strict attention to the exact words in the the statem st atement ent quoted. quoted. It says in the the first place that God created cr eated man man out of of the the DUS DU S T of the the earth. T his statem s tatement ent was writte wri tten n by the ancient scientists, scientists, wise wis e men, and ex ex perimenters, of Egypt and the Orient who had carefully studied man’s body in its chemical and physical nature and knew all we know today about diets, biological principies, principies, human human chemistr chemistry, y, and similar similar subjects subjects.. T hey knew the the statem s tatement ent to be be abso abso Iutely Iutely true. Man's phy phy s ical body is is compo composs ed of the earthly ear thly elemen elements ts or the the du dust of the the earth. Before Bef ore man’s man’s phys phys ical ica l body is born, born, the the little unborn unborn body is being com pos pos ed of chemical chemical elements elements from fr om the food and and liquids diges dige sted by the mother. A f ter te r birth the physical body of man continúes to change month by month, hour by hour, as a result of the things things he eats and drinks. drinks. T he entire part of man's man's phys ical ica l body has been chemically analyzed and found to be composed of only a few chemical elements which which are found in the the earth eart h and and are are part par t of the the eart ea rth’ h’ss substances. substances. T herefore, herefor e, man's body was and still is composed of the dust and clay of material elements of the earth. Now, Now , notice the the second second part of the the statement statement we quoted quoted above above.. It says that after this physical body had been formed God added a second part, or nature added a second part, to the body, which is called the breath of life. In other words a new form or additional form of vitality had to be added to the physical body and it is called the "breath of life" because it was found by the ancients and is known to the scientists scientists today that this v italit ita lity y comes into into the the body only through breathin breat hing. g. But, notice that although there are two parts to the body, the physical, earthly part and the vital forcé, man became a "living soul” and not a living body. In other words the combination of vitality and physical body did not make a living body but a living soul. If we take a lot of iron and and copper copper wire and form it into a piece piece of machiner achinery y
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and then add the vital forcé of electricity to it, we do not produce a living machine but but a motor. motor. In other other words the emph emphasis is giv g iven en to the most most important important thin t hing g that resu res ults from fr om adding the vital vit ality ity to the the piece piece of machiner machinery y . T he sam s ame e is true true about about man's an's existen ex istence. ce. Man is not not a liv li v ing body, or a living livi ng being, being, or a mass mass of livin liv ing g earthly ear thly elem el emen ents, ts, but but a liv ing sou s oul. l. He may may be dual in nature, nature, compo compose sed d of body and and soul, but while they are united here on the earth plañe, the important part of man is the the soul; soul; and the the body is mere merely ly a secondary s econdary part. W e might ig ht say the the same thing thing about a hom home. e. T he impor importa tant nt par partt of the home is not the the walls , but the occup occ upants ants and the the person pers onality ality of the the pers person onss that live liv e within wi thin the the walls. T herefore, ere fore, we see that that man man is not only dual, but that in all of our thinking, and all of our planning, and in all of our considerations of man and for man, we should keep in mind that man is a
living soul. (Here follows a long explanation of the nature of the soul, the soul essence, and how the soul comes into the body through the process of breathing.) The matter which composes man's physical body is also alive with a vitality or an essence essence that that is is separate from thé soul. T here is v itali ita lity ty in i n rocks, in trees, trees, in leaves leaves,, and in soil. W he n a seed that is dry dry and lifeless is plante planted d in the the soil and com comes in contact con tact with moistu moisture, re, heat, and oth other er vital v ital forces there, there, it bursts into life. T he vitali v itality ty that it gets from the soil is not soul essence but a vitality that is in all matter every■ v itality the the ancien ancients ts called spirit and it is called spirit in all of our Rosi wherc. wherc. T his vitality crucian teachings teachings today. today . T he word spirit, in its original meaning, has nothing to do with soul, soul, or ghosts, ghosts, or the the Divine part of man, an, or with God's con conscio sciou usness, sness, except that God's con consciousness sciousness is in ever ev eryt ythin hing. g. T he word spirit simply means an invisible v itality itali ty that is is in all matter matter throughout throughout the the un universe. ivers e. T herefore, ere fore, spirit is in man’s body and the earthly elements that composed his body before the soul was breathed into it. W e can see see that that man's an's body body by itself is composed of earthly elemen elements ts and and spirit. spirit. T his his gives us a different understanding of matter and makes matter itself dual in composition. (Here follows a long explanation showing how spirit in all matter is the vitality that keeps it active, keeps it growing, and is responsible for the difference between a rose and and an ear of corn, corn, a blade blade of grass gras s and a thistle thistle.. A n ex e x planation is also als o given give n as as to how spirit is responsible for the colors in nature, and for health and disease in the physical body, for harmony, and for other conditions with which man has to deai. Now we have man as a combination of three elements: matter in its material form and nature, and spirit with its vitalizing effect upon matter to keep it growing, keep it healthy, and to help it to reproduce itself; and, lastly, the soul in the body of man to act as a guide, a teacher, and a Creative power to enable man to do the great things in life that God and nature intended man to do.
(Here follows a long explanation telling the students why the soul has such great wisdom and knowledge and what Creative powers it gives man, and why a soul is in man’s man’s body body.. T his enables enables the the stud s tudent ent to realize re alize at on once that by deve de veloping loping the the soul's powers and faculties and permitting them to function as they should, he will turn his physical body into an instrument to serve the soul in becoming a masterful creator cre ator or produ producer cer in the the affairs aff airs of life. life . T he lesson les son then ends ends with wi th a num number of practical experiments and things to do which will help in the development of the soul’s faculties and will help the student to be more successful in certain things during the week, week, associated associated with the the work and and daily activities of his usual routin routine e in a very ve ry prac rac tical manner.)
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As A s we have have said, said, the the foregoing foregoing is just just an outlin outline e of on one e of the the many weeldy lee lee tures, each one of them ending with practical benefits and helps; and each one giving
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THE L1GHT OF EGYPT
the student more real food for thought and more real help in the process of mastership and developinent of his own personality and character than will be found in many books books.. Note how sim s imple ple and complete complete each statem s tatement ent is and how eas e asy y it is to un under stand some of the principies and laws which other schools have made very difficult and very profound, and which many persons have never been able to understand.
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T he W a y to Pow Power A L O D G E A T H O M E Members are asked to reserve part of one night of the week to be their 'Lodge night” at hom home. Whether Whe ther it be every eve ry Wednes day night, every T hurs hurs day night, or every Friday night, thousands of other members will be stttdying, practicing and experiment ing in attunem attunement ent with you. y ou. W e prefer that each member ember select an early or late part part of Thu T hurs rs day even eve ning ing for his or or her Lodge night at home; for this is the the Rosicrucian Ros icrucian Night throughout the world and it means greater power through the multitudes who are thus thus ly attuned. attuned. But any other other evenin ev ening g will w ill do in case you y ou find find it it neces necessar sary y on certain occasions to change your selected weekly Lodge night at home, or in the pri vacy of a room elsewhere.
TIME REQUIRED FOR STUDY As A s stated stated above, above, we recommend end that that each memb ember select select on one e evenin evening of the the week for a definit efinite e study study evenin evening. On that that evenin evening, on one e hou hour to on one e hour hour and and thirty thirty minutes is sufficient time for the reading of the new lesson, the testing of the new principies, principies, and a complete complete unders unders tanding tanding of the work for the week. T hen throughout throughout the following days in spare moments while resting, walking, riding, or even during the busy hours of work, the member can test the new principies in connection with the many incidents incidents of daily life and the the solving solv ing of seriou s erious, s, pers onal, onal, problems. problems. In this this way wa y the oíd principies of the previous weeks, and the new ones, are constantly applied and used and and made made more more fam f amilia iliar. r. S uch testin tes ting g and applic application ation of the the principies and laws do not interfere with any of your daily affairs but actually help you to make the day more successful and profitable in whatever you are trying to accomplish. Whether Whethe r you are travelin trave ling g or ahvays at home, the the on one e study study period for a careful careful reading of the new lesson each week is easily arranged; many thousands of students have proved prov ed this this to be so during during the pas pastt twenty twe nty years y ears.. It is the most most valuable val uable hour hour or two they spend in each week, as they themselves voluntarily write us. Y ou do not have have to carry your lesson lesson around around with you, for just just readin reading it once, carefully, will fill your mind with the fascinating facts, and dozens of times each day certain incidents of your activities, at home or in the business world, will remind you of some law or principie which you can use at once to excellent and surprising ad vantage.
STUDENTS PROGRESS GIVEN PERSONAL ATTENTION Soon after passing through the preliminary and foundation lessons which enable the member to perform many remarkable demonstrations in his daily affairs, his stand ing is passed upon by many special instructors in consultation with the Master who has been been directi dire cting ng his his stud s tudies ies.. If the the mem member ber is mak making ing the proper progress, progres s, he is assigned to a special high teacher for personal guidance thereafter.
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From that time onward the lessons sent to the member each week have a personal touch. touch. T he mem member ber not not only receives special person pers onal al letters from fr om his teacher, teacher, but but the the correspondence between them on points of special knowledge, problems in his life and helps required by the member.
P E R S ON O N A L W E L F A R E S E R V IC E Letters and telegrams come daily to headquarters from students to their teachers here asking for immediate and special help in illness, business problems, help for others, and and guidance guidance in times times of perplex per plex ity. ity . S uch per perss on onal al help sent at at once is one of of the the remarkable points of service rendered by the Order to its members, and without any fees for such service. In this this way wa y the "National "National Lodg L odge" e" permits permits men men and women women in all walk w alkss of life, and with just ordinary school education, to have the full advantage of Rosicrucian meinbership regardless of where they live.
A T T A IN I N G H E A L T H . P R O S P E R 1 T Y , H A P P I N E S S T hese three three elemen elements ts are God’s Go d’s privile privi lege ge to man—as an— as a gift. gift . But man knows not how to accept acce pt that that which is offer offered. ed. God and nature nature provide provi de for f or man man being being well born born —when the the parents arents live as nature ature seeks seeks to instruct instruct— — and and from the the momen omentt of birth HE A L T H, not disease, isease , is man’ man’ss most natural en e ndowment dowment from fr om all the the forces and a nd elements of the universe. P R O S P E R I T Y , too, is a natural acquisition, conforming to all the ethical, spiritual, and and benefícen benefícentt laws of the the univer univer se. se . God made man man in His own o wn image, image, with the same faculties for perception, retention, and reconstruction which vitalize the Creative power powerss of the the univer univer se . A ll nature prospers and enjoys the the abundance abundance of all that that exists, because because nature nature is in in har harmon mony y with the the Creative principie. principie. Man Ma n alon alone, the the hig hest creation of all, falls short of his rightful and privileged possessions because he does not always know how to live in harmony with all that creates, masters, Controls, attracts, and retains.
Prosperity is the result of attraction, poverty is the perfcct manifestation of repulsión si ón and negation. nega tion. No Nott only is it true true that man man is as as he he thinks thinks,, but but he enjoys enjoy s and a nd possesses that t hat which he attracts. attracts . Laboring La boring to earn that that which one one desires desires is not not the the only application of the law of demand, command, and supply; it is merely substituting man's crude crude method method of ex changing changing labor for f or life lif e ’s essen ess entials. tials. T o dese deserve rve,, either either through labor, worthiness, sincerity of purpose, goodness of motive, or altruism of intention, is but but the the first step. step. T he next nex t step is to attract to one's self that which is desired, and such attraction on the part of the man is only possible when the inner self is permitted to function, to manifest and direct the forces of the outer self. Just as the flower bends its body toward the sun, that it may more eflficiently attract the sunlight; sunlight; just as the the mu multi colored pansy pansy lifts its head from fr om the the leaves le aves of green to attract the admiration and attention of the passerby; so must the inner man, the mind within the soul, the heart within the self, lift itself above and beyond the commonplace of life and attract, demand, and draw unto itself the abundance of this life, the riches of existence and the wealth of the universe. Prosperity in material things is happiness, health, power to direct, power to control, power to will and become; assuring success of venture, attainment of atnbi tions, tions, and the the blotting blotti ng out out of all unhap unhappin pines ess, s, ill health, ealth, and misf misfortun ortune. e. T his prosperity is man’s rightful, divine privilege, and naught but man's ignorance of laws and principies, misguided belief in the falsities of limiting creeds and dogmas keep him from being eing P R OS P E R OU S in every sense sense of of the the word. word.
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T H E R OS O S IC I C R U C IA IA N W A Y K now the the laws and principi principies es!! S tudy nature’s nature’s secret teachin teachings! Master as ter fate’ fat e’ss decrees which operate only with the unprepared, the undeveloped, and the unknowing. Attun A ttune e yourse yourself lf with those those who are successfu successfull and and happy. happy. Co Co operate operate with nature's ature's laws and revel in the power that comes into your home, office, or place of pleasure and meditation! T he su s uccessf cces sfu ul man man dominates dominates the situations as they arise, directs directs with w ith dynam dy namic ic mind the course of this life in home, business, and social affairs through knowing the laws that make possible a release of his inner powers and metaphysical abilities. T he bríllia br ílliant nt woman woman is the woman woman who knows her poss possibilities, ibilities, her dormant dormant faculties and magnetic, mental strength, and uses every personal, subconscious, potent factor of her existence to raise herself to the supreme mastership of worldly matters. S itting in one’s one’s home, carefully care fully ex e x amini aminin ng the simp simple, P R IV A T E lessons lessons and and testing testing the the sim s imp ple laws, one one by one, one, is the the process process offered by the the A M O R C to those those who seek seek this this unusual usual method—m ethod—more ore efficient efficient than than the the reading reading of books ooks which daré not tell the real facts, which never contain nature’s secret laws, and which are sold for any price you are willing to pay. W ith it h lesson lessons graded graded for easy mastership astership, arranged arranged in weekly sub subjects and and expe expe riences, made practical with principies and laws to use every day and in every way —th — this is is the the system sys tem the the A M O R C uses to help those those who would make their their home a sanctum of attunement, a home of prívate instruction, a place of uplift, development, and mastership.
N ON O N - S E C T A R IA IA N A N D T O L E R A N T T he A M O R C is absolutely absolutely non on sectarian in its its teachin teachings and practices, and and free from fr om sex and race limitations. limitations. It recognizes re cognizes the the universality of the brotherhood of mankind. ankind. It takes takes cogn cog nizance izance of the the fact that we are N O T all created alike excep ex ceptt in soul essence and Divine Consciousness; but this very exception is the keynote of its broad, tolerant, and sympathetic operations. W ith it h a univers al broth brotherhood erhood which has its devout devout stud students ents and and workers workers also in England, France, Germany, Holland, China, Japan, India, Persia, and other countries; with sincere sincere and and enth enthu usiastic men and and women women in coun countries of every ever y creed creed and and race, race, and with every form of creed or religious belief, sectarian teachings would be impos sible. A ny sys s ystem tem of met metaph aphy y s ical, mystical mys tical teachin te aching g base based d upon upon sectar se ctarian ian principies principies cannot be universal and cannot, therefore, be Rosicrucian in spirit. firm convicti conviction on of the existence of a Supreme Being, Great Architect, Divine A firm Mind, or Omnipotent intelligence, is absolutely necessary, however, on the part of any applicant applicant for mem membership bership in th the A MO R C .
W H O M A Y U N IT E W I T H A M O R C B Y I N V I T A T I O N T he portáis portáis of A M O R C are open open to any any man or woman woman over eighteen eighteen years of age, of any a ny race r ace or or any religious belief, belief, being being free from fr om allegian alleg iance ce to any semi semi politica oliticall despot or organization which limits the freedom of man’s mind and inner development. Those who know that there is a Divine Mind ruling the universe, who are clean in thinking and living, have never been guilty of treason in any country, ñor engaged in any unlawf unlawf ul occupation occupation,, are eligib e ligible le to full mem membership bership in the the A MO R C , by invitation. invitation.
W H O M A Y N O T U N IT E W I T H A M O R C T he portáis portáis of A M O R C are closed closed to infíd infídels, els, atheists, atheists, agnostics, agnostics, fanatics fanatics of any kind, drones, political conspirators, objectors to law and order, bigots, the insincere.
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THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
the the frivolous, fr ivolous, dou doubters, bters , idle idle inve invest stigators igators,, "conscientious" "consc ientious" (? ( ? ) objector objectorss to defen defe nding ding their country or flag in times of emergency or Government cali, those seeking to buy power power of influence influence with mon money ey,, or those those whose whose moral code is weak or neg negligible ligible,, A ll these, these, or any one one of them, them, cann c annot ot unite unite with w ith A M O R C , regardless regardles s of recom rec omm mendation endationss or indu induce ments of any kind. ki nd.
W H A T T H E A M O R C D O E S N O T D E M A N D T he A M O R C is not not a body body oí fanatics fanatics or or extremists extremists of any any kin k ind d or or class. class. It has in its ranks men and women of every school of therapeutics, including, for instance, professors and international authorities on all of the subjects of medicine, chemistry, botany, phys iology iolog y , phys physics, ics, and allied allie d Sciences. Sciences. It has mem members bers in ever ev ery y art, ar t, pro pro fession, trade, business, hobby, and avocation. No demand is made upon its members that they adopt any change in religión, business or social matters, except those which each member finds are best for his or her individual advancement.
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The The Aut Authent entic ity of A M O R C PRESENT DAY HEIRARCHY In all lands where the Order is established, each branch of the Order has its own Jurisdiction with its own Imperator for the Jurisdiction, and under him are a Supreme Grand Master, a Group of Grand Masters, and a score of Masters of local Lodges or groups. T he Imperators Imperators of the the various v arious J urisdictions constitute a suprem supreme e council of the the Whitc Whit c Lodge, which is the superior body of the entire Order in the world. In each Jurisdiction the Grand Masters and executive officers constitute the Supreme Council for the Jurisdiction, at the head of which is the Imperator. T his form f orm of national national and inte international rnational co operation operation between all duly chartcred and and cmpoK’erecí hranches maintains a system of united effort and at the same time makes for f or solidarity solidarit y . It means means that, that, despite the the divis ión into into official jurisdictions jurisdictions , the the Rosicrucian Rosicr ucian O R DE R is on one body body throu t hroughout ghout the the world. world.
T H E IN T E R N A T IO N A L Ñ A M E T he Orde r uses the same same oíd ancient ancie nt ñam ñame e that is found in the the oldest records. T hat ñame, ame, in its complete complete Lati L atin n form, form, is: An A ntiquae tiquae A rcanae Ordinis Ordinis Rosae Rubeae Rubeae et Aureae Crusis. Crusis. Translations and abbreviations of this ñame are used in the various jurisdictions to meet the require requirem ments of the local tongue. In Am A merica er ica,, and a nd some some other English Englis h speaking speaking lands, lands, the the ñame ame is is shortened shortened to: to: A ncient, Mys tical tica l Orde r Rosae Crucis. T his form retains the ancient Latin wrords Rosoe Crucis which mean: of the Rosy Cross. For the sake of veiling the full ñame the initials of the short ñame are used, as: A. A . M. O. R. C. or A MOR MO R C . Even Ev en in some Latin coun countries we have the the Spanish Spanish form of the ñame thus: Antiqua y Mística Orden Rosae Crucis, giving us the initials again of A MO R C . In some other other lands lands the the comp complete ñam ñame is used used or or abbrev abbrev iated to: to: A . A . Ordin Ordinis is Rosae Rosae R. A . Cru Cruci cis, s, or or A A OR R OC , or “A “A . A. A . O .” or or "A "A . O .” However, owever, such abbreviations are used only when public papers or other matters are to be veiled, but but not not in connect connection ion with official off icial docum documents. A nd, alway alw ayss , the the symb s ymbol ol of the Order is a cross cross with one one red re d rose rose in its center. T he use use of a num number of roses on various v arious
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THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
crosses or around a cross, does not make the oñicial oñici al,, ancient, ancie nt, emblcm emblcm.. S uch modiñcaodiñcations indícate that the person or group of persons using them are not connected with the the above above Order—T Order—T he A MOR C . The Order of the Rosy Cross (Latin, Rosae Crucis), as the organization has been officially known for so many centuries, derived its ñame from the early symbol of the society. T he sy s y mbol is compo compose sed d of of a cross with wit h a red rose rose in its its center. center. A great gre at many many persons believe that the cross as a symbol had its origin in the early days of Christi anity. anity . T hat is a mistake. istake . It can be be found on the walls wal ls of tombs tombs and and temp temples in E gy pt, and may be seen on the two obelisks that were sent from Heliopolis to London and New Y ork or k City . T he cro cross ss has has alway s had had several mean meanin ings, gs, closely related. related. T o the mystics of Egypt or the Orient who were the first to use it, it meant man's body in either a posture posture of salutation sa lutation to the the rising r ising su s un (with (w ith arin ar inss held out in horizontal position) or man’s body being crucified by the labors, triáis, tests and sufferings of life.
The True Symbol of the Rosy Cross T he rose was con consider sidered ed sy s y mbolical of o f the the inner inner con consciou sciousness sness,, the spirit, the S OUL OU L of man. man. T he fact f act that that the the rose gr adually adually opened opened from fr om a tightly closed bud bud into into full bloom and expression, and then slowly faded, drooped and passed out of sight, made itself suggestive oí the soul of man which comes into the youthful body itnprisoned, slowly evolves to manifestation and beauty, and slowly weakens in its expres sion until until it seems seems to be be no no more. more. T he ev e v olution of of the rose seemed seemed to ty pify pif y the the ev olution of man’s man’s soul. soul. Y e ars ar s of observ obse rvation ation convince convinced d th these sages that the the tests and triáis of life, the experiences, lessons learned and suffering endured, contributed to the evolution of the soul; to them it seemed that the soul of man was evolving through the the ex perien erie nces of the body. S ince the the cross had ever eve r been to them the the sy s y mbol of the the body of man in its sufferings, they added the rose to the cross and created the symbol which has but but one one ex planation lanation.. T hat is: is: The Rose (soul) evolves and gains beauty and fragrance while while being eing crucifi crucified ed upon upon the the Cross (the (the body). body) . From Fr om this this symb s ymbol ol and and the the term Rosy Ros y Cross, we have the the term ter m Rosicrucian Rosic rucian as the the Enylish form of the ñame of the organization which now exists in every civilized land. T hrough hro ugh the experience of life man' man'ss sou s oull and and und under erst stand anding ing evolves ev olves;; through t hrough the the united experiences of thousands of members in one brotherhood the soul of the group of persons or even of a national affair. T hat is the the ex e x planation of of the sy mbol and the ñam ñame. e. It is age old, old, hon honored, ored, respected, and glorified in every clime, and in its ñame has man achieved and suc~ ceeded beyond his fondest dreams.
a Y i R n r A f o R i l a B I C L , é s o D J N A n a . S M , k U r a E P S U n a M i c u r c i N s A o I R T P , Y s r G e t E r a u , q E d L a P e H M E l T a n o i t E a N M E e R h P t U t S A
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T H E P R E S E N T A M E R IC I C A N O R G A N IZ IZ A T IO N The year 1909 was a very important year in the activities of many Rosicrucian J urisdictions, urisdictions, and in the the history histor y of many many meta metaph phy y s ical organization or ganizationss . T o th the Rosicr Rosicru u cians it was the year of new birth, For several years prior to 1909 many men, and several women, of profound metaphysical training and preparation joumeyed to Europe, and in either France or England, received Initiation into the Rosicrucian Order to enable them to assist in the newer activities for America. T w o characte characters rs stan st and d out out in the the history histor y of the the present Amer American ican orga or ganization nization.. One One of these these is is Mrs. Col May Banks Banks Stacey, a descend descendan antt of the DA r c y s of France, France, and through blood relationship with the nobility of England, a high Initiate of the oldes oldestt Rosicr Ros icrucian ucian organization org anization of L ondon and Paris. Paris . She was also an initiate of the the Order in India, and was appointed an American Legate of the Indian Jurisdiction. T he other other is Dr. H. Sp S pencer Lewis, Lewis , form for merly er ly Presid Pres ident ent for many many years of the the New York Institute for Psychical Research, editor of several metaphysical magazines, and and a co co worker worker with with Elbert Elbert (Fr a) Hubb Hubbard ard of Roycroft Roycr oft fame, fame, and Mrs. rs . E lla Wheele r Wilc ox , both of whom were desirous esirous of helpin helping g in the the Rosicrucian work and and rend rendered unusual services. Dr. Lewis Le wis went we nt to France in the the sum s ummer of 1909 and after con c onss ultation with the the Supreme Master of the French Jurisdiction was placed under the direction of the Euro pean Supreme Council whose sessions finally agreed to the plans for America, and authorized the French Jurisdiction to sponsor them. Dr. Lewis Le wis return re turned ed from fr om E urope and began at once once his his official offic ial activities activ ities.. In the the winter winter of 1909 1909 he held con conferences ferences with a number of those those who had been initia initiated ted abroad, and who were familiar with the rules and regulations of the foreign jurisdictions and acquainted with the Supreme Officers.
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In the summer of 1916 the work of the Order had spread so rapidly in America and so many new branches were in operation, that a national convention of all officers and delegates was held in Pittsbu Pitts burg rgh, h, Penn Pe nnss y lvania, lva nia, for one one week. A t this convention convention the principal officers of every American branch and the delegates from every state were present. resent. Sessio Sess ion ns were held during during the the day and and evenin evenings with lectu lectures, res, demon strations, and discussions. It was at this great convention that a committee composed of leading characters in many other fraternal organizations, devoted their time to a study of the national constitution of the new Order as it had been worked out by the supreme officers in the the years precedin prece ding. g. On the last day da y of the convention conve ntion th the com c omm mittee read the pro ro posed constitution and it was adopted, paragraph by paragraph, by the delegates assem ass emb bled. Other Othe r matters matters of great gr eat importance importance to the the Order Orde r were defín def ínitely itely settled at this convention, conv ention, and a nd at the on one held in New Y ork or k in the the s ummer of 1918.
T HE G RE A T W O R K T ODA Y T he North Nor th Am A merica er ican n continent continent con constitutes the largest larges t of all the the jurisdiction juris dictionss of the the Rosicrucian Rosicr ucianss which operate operate throughout throughout the the world worl d under under the ñam ñame e of A MOR MO R C . In the United States. Cañada, México, and the dependencies of the United States, there are College, University, and Lodge Branches, as well as study groups in every important city and town, with many reading rooms and study halls always open to
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those those who are associated ass ociated with wit h the the work. work . Natio Na tional nal conventions have been held in the the United States and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles have appeared in the public press, within the last twenty years, referring to the unusual features offered by the the Rosicrucian Rosic rucian system sys tem of education education and and evolution. evolution.
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How You May Become a Member READ VERY CAREFULLY
W H A T M E M B E R S H IP M E A N S Member emberss hip in the the A M O R C means all that is included included in most other fraternities, plus many features not offered by any other. Frate Fr aternal rnal mem members bership hip has has so many many v alúes that it has been been popular popular for f or ages ages.. Both men and women of the present day are rapidly fílling the ranks of hundreds of asso ciations solely because of the personal, direct and indirect, benefits to be derived. Perhaps this desire for alliance and association with others o[ like mind is born of the human tendency toward the formation of clans, which tendency is responsible for the building of hamlets, towns, cities, countries, and nations. Members embership hip in the the A M O R C means eans that t hat each memb ember is affiliated with w ith a large and and incrcasing bocly of progressive men and women whose solé purpose in life centers around the desire to advance, succeed, and become unusually contented with the building of a better life and the enjoyment of the rich blessings of life. Each member is part of the great work. The work is to master the obstacles in life and make the world worl d better better for the the individual. indiv idual. E ach ac h mem member, ber, therefore, is kept kept in contact with all the progressive methods for bringing about such results. In other words, each member is kept informed through his or her Lodge, of all the information, advice, and help that the Order possesses which will help them in their their person pers onal al affairs. affairs . T hrough hroug h correspon corre sponden dence, ce, through t hrough the the monthly monthly magazine, agaz ine, The Rosicrucian Digest, and through contact with other members, unusual help is offered by those who have had all kinds of experiences in life and are ready to help others to master similar ones. In traveling from city to city, in planning large or small affairs of life, in seeking to improve one's business or improve the home life, and in thousands of other affairs, the association with organization offers aid and advice.
THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS AND LESSONS In addition to all the other benefits, enefits, the the A M O R C offers to its mem members bers a special help. T his is its graded graded cou course of instr instru uction. ction. T he A M O R C is not not a corres corresp pon ond dence ence school. school. Its lessons lessons and and prív prívate ate instr instru uctions ctions are are not not for sale on any basis. T hey are given giv en freely free ly to those those who w ho desire desire them. them. No Nott all members embers are purs pursuin uing g the courses courses of inst instruction ruction;; for many of them them have been through the grades, have long sin s ince ce completed completed the the regular re gular cou courses of study and are not not on the the stu st udent dent lists at all. all . T hey retain re tain their active mem membership bership in A M O R C because ecause of the the ver v ery y benefits enefits to be be derived deriv ed from f rom association and intímate contact with the Order.
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THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
IN V IT A T IO N T O B E C O M E M E M B E R Those to whom this book is sent receive a letter usually inviting them to becomi? a Membcr of the Ordcr. None are invited to become mere students of a course of instruction. As a membec of the Order you are entitled to every benefit of any kind that the Order has to offer and which it may add in the future. By filling out the enclosed application form—which should accompany this book — you accept accept our our invitation invitation to unite with us. T hat applicatio application n will be exam ex amin ined ed by a Comm Committee itte e and passe passed d upon upon.. If for any reason re ason y ou cannot cannot be accepted, accepted, y ou will be notilied. Otherwis e, y ou will be accepted and a formal notice notice sent. sent.
BECOMING A STUDENT Whe n an application application app appears to be acceptab acceptable, le, it is turn turned ed over to on one e of the the Class Masters and Secretaries for personal attention. Second, the applicant is immediately notiñed of the acceptance and is sent with out any delay the preliminary Secret Mandamus Number One, which contains valu able information, enabling the applicant to immediately attune himself and relate him self with wit h certain fundam fundamental ental principi principies es of the the organ org anization. ization. W hile hil e the the applicant applicant is studying this very important, prívate document, the Master of his class and certain scribes of the Order make further investigations to determine how best to proceed with the applicant in order to give him or her the very best instruction and personal help. T his resu res ults in a Sec S econ ond d Mandamus Mandamus sen s entt to the the applicant the the secon se cond d week and other other similar prívate documents are sent each week for six weeks, thereby giving the new member an excellent foundation for personal development and experience with impor tant laws and Cosmic principies. T hird, the the applic applicant ant also als o receives a Memb Member erss hip Indentific Indentification ation Card, Car d, number, and and certain signs and words as he advances, whereby he becomes recognized as an initiated member of the organization. Fourth, thereafter he receives weekly the specially prepared secret instructions. lectures, and lessons, with daily and weekly experiments and exercises which enable him to master aste r each step easily easil y and a nd properly . T he lesson les sonss and lecture each week require require a part of one one ev ening of the the week wee k for s tudy or re r e ading ading (there being nothing to mem mem orize—everything remains in the mind through the unique method used by the Rosicrucians to teach its laws), and the exercises and experiments require only a few minu inutes each night, night, morning, orning, or noon noontim time, e, at the memb member erss con c onve ven nience. T hese es e exerex ercises and experiments develop certain faculties from the very first lessons. Fifth, the lessons relate to life’s immediate problems as well as the future needs of the member. ember. T hey he y help the the mem members bers to t o master aste r the obs obs tacles and overc ove rcom ome e condico nditions tions from f rom the the ver v ery y start. No vague va gue theories, theories, no speculations speculations about about conditions conditions in the the "ethereal realms” that have no bearing upon our present life, but laws and principies that men and women must use here and now in very practical ways. Sixth, the monthly prívate magazine, called “The Rosicrucian Digest," is sent to each member ember each month month without wi thout additional addit ional fee. fee . It contains special s pecial instructi inst ructions ons and lesson less onss on general life problems, and the questions and answers relating to new principies as well as report reportss from other other memb embers and and articles articles by leadin leading persons ersons in the the coun country on what the the Rosicrucian Rosicrucian Order is doin doing g for them them.. Seventh, each member, regardless of the study course, is entitled to the many departmental services of the Order, which includes help by correspondence and through our metaphysical methods, as well as additional information by mail on points in the lectures, aid in health or related matters, without any additional fees.
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Eighth, the privilege of ineeting with other members in the same locality as soon as a certain stage of the work is reached where the members can come together once a week in our own Temple in various cities, or in special meeting places for mutual discussion and help. T he graded g raded s ystem ys tematic atic lesson less ons, s, lectu le ctures res and experim ex periments ents continu continué é week after afte r week with special special helps elps to make each memb ember proficien roficient, t, until the the memb ember completes the the first first grade. From this point onward the member may proceed with the higher lessons grade after grad gr ade e through all the the grades of the the Wor Wo r k . T hus hus the the cou course of stud s tudy y is as as com plete as any offered by the largest universities so far as length of time and devotion to development are concerned.
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Fees and Dues
T he Orde r is strictly stri ctly a brotherhood op opJerating Jerating as do do all other frater fr aterni nities ties in the the world. Membership embership in the the Rosicru Rosicr ucian Order carries carries with it the the many benefit enefitss distinct to all fraternities and many many others quite quite uniqu unique. e. Like Lik e unto all frater fr atern nities there are members embership hip dues, payable pay able monthly. monthly. A nd, there there is is a nominal nominal "regis "re gis tration tr ation fee.” T his fee and the monthly dues of a small amount are the contributions on the part of members to the general operating funds of the Order, and take care of its propaganda expenses, its building funds, national and international humanitarian activities, and its donations to many scientific expeditions and methods of research and investigation. Such fees and dues have nothing to do with the course of instruction offered to members. In addition to the general activities of the Order, the Rosicrucians conduct the courses courses as outlined outlined on on previou prev iouss pages. T hese courses courses of study are give g iven n freeh/ and withou withoutt charge charge or fees fees of any kind kind to memb embers of the the Order. T herefore eref ore we wish you to keep in mind that the study and instruction work is a separate and distinct featurc of the Order, not found in any other fraternal organization, and for which our members do not pay. The Supreme Council has purposely made the “Registration Fee” very nominal. It is five five dollars dollars,, payable pay able with wit h the the application. T he monthly monthly dues are two dollars, dollars, payable pay able on the the first of each month month.. T hese fees include all the ben benefits efits of the the Or der de r ’s activities. T here are no other other fees fees or assessm assess ments, ents, or books books which must be purchased in order to study, and no limitations to the degree of advancement the members may make in their their studies. studies. T he month monthly ly magazine, magazine, “T he Rosicrucian Rosic rucian Diges t,” is also given g iven free to all members who are taking the courses of study by correspondence from the Supreme Lodge.
The monthly dues are to be paid by members only so long as they desire to retain active mem memb bersh ers hip in the the Order. Order. Freely Fre ely you y ou may unite with A M O R C —freely —f reely y ou may withdraw at any time.
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SOME ROSICRUCIAN SYMBOLS
\
T H E E G Y PT I A N CARTOUCHE
D Q /
TH E R. C. TRIANGLE
c
: í O
TH E R O SY C R O S S
S E A L O f T H E SUPREME COUNCIL
In all recent international conventions or Council sessions held in foreign lands, the the A M O R C of America America has been been invited invited to particíp particípate ate with the the other other A MO R C Jurisdictio Jurisdiction ns, and and the the Am A merican er ican A M O R C is the the only Rosicrucian Ros icrucian org organi anization zation in in Am A merica ever invited invited to have have a part part in these these session sessions. T oday the the A M O R C in many lands lands ís oper operatin ating g in a new new cycle cy cle and in ció cióse affiliation and cooperation, and the American branch is an inseparable part of this unique body of Rosicrucian workers.
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Final Instructions V e r y I m p o r t a n t
T here are sever se veral al ways way s in which this this book may may have come into y our han hands. ds. T he book is intended to be a prívate one, carefully and discreetly distributed to only those who seem to be worthy of adm admission into into the the Order. Order. It may have been handed to you by someone who wishes you to realize that there there is something something in life that may may answe answerr y our desires desires and end end y our quest. quest. It may have been passed along to you by a friend or acquaintance who feels that it will arouse arouse an a n inquir inquiry y in y our mind mind.. T herefor here fore e there may may be no applic application ation blank blank or letter of invitation with the book, and in that case if you feel interested you should write at once once to the the Supreme Supreme Secr S ecretar etary y and ask for an application applicati on form. form. If y our inquir inquiry y appears to be sincere the Secretary will invite you to file an application with him. On the other hand, you may have written to headquarters for this book and it may have come come to you y ou by mail mail or otherwise, accompanied accompanied by by a letter and an Appli A ppli cation cat ion Blank. In such a case the the letter lett er w’ w’ill invite invit e you y ou to bec becom ome e a member. ember. It is a direct invitation issued after your request has been properly considered.
H O W T O P R OC E E D First: F ill out out the the A pplicat pplication ion Blank Blank very ve ry caref car efully. ully. Bear in mind ind that that Y O U A R E B E ING IN G IN V IT E D and and not solicited solicited in the the ordinary ordinary way as with schoo schools ls or some other movements.
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Ther Theref efo ore, re, DO N OT L A Y T HIS HIS INV IT A T ION A S IDE wit without writ riting ing a letter to the the Supre Suprem me Secr S ecretary etary and and telling him just just what w hat you ex pect to do. do. T he safest way is to send send y our A pplication pplication Blank at on once ce and and make sure sure of y our our memb embership before the privilege is automatically withdrawn. Second: Having answered all the questions in the Application Blank, sign it proper properly ly and endose endose with it the the Regis tration Fee of of Five F ive Dollars. Dollars . If for any any reason you y ou cann cannot endose endose the the Regis tration Fee at on once, ce, be sure sure to send send the the A pplication pplication Blank and state why you do not endos application ation in such such a case case will endos e the the Fee. Y our applic be passe passed d upon upon and and you y ou will wil l be notifie notified d of your y our admis admission sion or rejection. re jection. T he pre re paymen aymentt of of the the Fee Fee W IL L S A V E Y O U MUC H T IME in starti startin ng with the the stu studies ies and immediate benefits of the various welfare departments. Third: Mail your Application Blank and Registration Fee promptly to the Supreme Secretary Se cretary.. Register Regis ter y our letter letter if it contains contains cash, cash, and if y ou send send a check check or mon money ey ord order make it payable to A MO R C F UN UNDS DS . Ackn A cknowledgem owledgement ent shou should reach y ou within ten days or less. less. If y ou do not hear from fr om the the Secre Se cretary tary in that time, time, write wr ite him in detail. If y our application applica tion is rejected for any reason whatsoever your Registration Fee will be returned to you with a frank explanation.
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A DDR DD R E S S A L L M A IL T O
ROSICRUCIAN PARK, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
Long Distance Telephones: Ballard 8295, 8296 Intern Internati ation onal al Cable Cable Add Address: "A M O R C O ”
Radio Station W6KZ
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THE LIGHT OF EGYPT
A M O R C
Director irec tory
The following national and international branches crucian Order throughout the world are affiliated with tion onal al Frater Fratern nity kn known fro from anti antiq quity as as A N T IQ U A E O R D IN I N I S R O S A E R U B E A E E T A U R E A E C R U C IS IS . ization is not affiliated or connected in any way with any or with any cult or movement.
of the Rosithe InternaA RCA NA E T he he o r g an an other society
T H E N O R T H A M E R IC I C A N j U R IS I S D IC IC T I O N (Including the United States, Dominion of Cañada, Alaska, México, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Republic of Panama. the the W e s t Indies dies , Low er Calif ornia, and and all land land under under the the protection protection of the United States of America.) Dr. H. Spencer Lewis, F. R. C .......................................................... .......................Dean of the University and Imperator of the Order Ralph M. Lewis, F. R. C ..... ............................. Supreme Grand Secretary A . L e ón Batc Ba tchel helor or,, F . R. C ............ Chief of the Personal Advisory Staft Dr. Arthur B. Bell, F. R. C ............ Director of the Welfare Department Charles Dana Dean, F. R. C ........ Director of the Research Department Harry L. Shibley, F. R. C ................ Director of the Editorial Department Divisional Secretaries with Grand Lodge of the Order are located in: in: Ne w Y or k City City ; Boston, Boston, Massachu Massachuse se tts; W ate rbur y , Conn Connecticut; ecticut; Píttsburg Píttsburg h, P ennsy ennsy ivanía; ivanía; T ampa, ampa, Florida; Florida; S an A ntonio, ntonio, Tex as; Chicago, Illinois; San Francisco, California; Vancouver, Cañada; St. Louis, Missouri; Washington, D. C., and other cities. S panish anish A merican er ican Se ction, ction, conducting conducting the the work of the Order in E nglish and S panish, panish, inclu includes des the the Latin A mer ican coun countries of Nor th and South America, with headquarters in Puerto Rico, and Grand Lodges Lodge s in Méx ico and other other coun countries. tries . Chartered Branches exist in nearly every large city of the United S1 3 tCS tCS
F O R E I G N J U R IS I S D IC I C T IO N S Grand Lodges and their branches are in active operation in all civilized lands, the most important Grand Lodges being located iri E ngland, Denm Denmark, Holland, Holland, France, France, Ger many any , A ustria, Russ Russ ia, ia, China, China, Japan, East Indies, Australia, Switzerland, and India. T he Colleg e of the the Or de r in the the Or ient is located located in Ind India. ia.
Public Lectures and Free Reading Rooms are to be tound in many of the larger cities of the East and West in the the Unite Unite d S tates. A ddre ddress se s w ill be give n upon upon applicat application. ion. T o reach the the A dmini dminiss trat ion Halls and and S upreme preme Lodge of the the Order in North America, address all mail as follows:
A M O R C , Ros icrucian icr ucian P ark ar k , S an J osé, Calif Ca lifor ornia nia
I
PRINT ED IN U . S. A . R O S I C R U C IA I A N P R E S S . S A N J O S E ■C A U I P .
CThe Rosi Rosi cru cr u ci cian an Or O r d er throu ughou ghoutt th the wor world ld Known as ‘T HE A NCIENT , MY ST IC ORDER ROS A E CRUCIS” thro
SU P R E M E T E M P L E F O R N O R T H A M E RI C A R O S IC R U C IA N
Re s p e c t e d
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J O S E , C A L IF O R N IA .
U.S . A.
St u d e n t :
En c l o s e d y o u wi l l f i n d s e v e r a l l i t t l e b o o k l e t s a nd l e a f l e t s i n r e s o on s e t o y o ur r e q u es t f o r f u r t h e r l i t e r a t u r e . We t h a n k y o u f o r D u t t i n g t h e s e i n t o d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e m a n y p l a c e s wh e r e t h e p u b l i c w i l l c o n t a c t t h e m. I wi wi l l p a r t i c u l a r l y c a l i y o u r a t t e n t i o n t o o n e b o o k l e t e n c l o s e d e n t i t l e d "T "T h e My s t e r i o u s Br o m i C a s k e t . ” T h i s l i t t l e b o o k i s i nnt e n d e d f o r p r o p a g a n d a a n d h a s a n i n t e r e s t i n g s t o r y w h i c h y o u ma y r e a d i f y o u wi s h , a n d t h e n b e s u r e t o s e e t h a t i t g e t s i n t o t h e h a n d s o f s o me o n e wh o m y o u t h i n k m i g h t b e i n t e r e s t e d . On t h e l a s t p a g e y o u w i l l s e e t h e wo r d s ” c o r n p l i m e n t s o f " a n d b e n e a t h t h a t t hree li ne s . S i g n y o u r ñ a me a n d a d d r e s s t h e r e ; t h e n s e n d t h e b o o k t o wh wh o me me v e r y o u t h i n k w i l l b e i n t e r e s t e d i n r e a d i n g i t a n d k n o w i n g f u r t h e r a b o u t t h i s wo wo r k . Af t e r h e r e a d s i t , h e c a n wr i t e you f o r f u r t h e r i n f o r ma t i o n a nd l i t e r a t u r e , a n d yo u c a n e i t h e r s e n d t h e l i t e r a t u r e t o h i m, m, o r y o u c a n f o r w a r d h i s l e t t e r t o u s a n d we w i l l s e n d i t t o h i m . I f y o u w i s h mo mo r e o f t h e s e a t t r a c t i v e My s t e r i o u s Br o wn w n C a s k e t , ’1 ’1 i u s t w r i t e s e v e r a l o f t h e m.
l i t t l e b oo ks t o u s a n d we
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T h a n k i n g y o u a g a i n a n d a s k i n g y o u t o k e e p i n t o u c h wi wi t h w r i t e f o r a n y o t h e r k i n d s o f l e a f l e t s y o u w i s h , I a m, Si n c e r e l y
us
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and Fr a t e r n a l l y
MINIST2R DSPT. EXTENSION R o s i c r u c i a n Or Or d e r , AM AMORC RT:ML
to
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a r e ó J n v i l e c l by .
/ h e ( f Jx o s i c r u c i a n s to imite with them them th that y ou ma may rec receive eive the fas' fas' cinating and profound disclosures which will unfold the solution of the M yster ysteriies of Life Life as Revealed by God’s Omnipotent Laws. T H E R E F O R E ... T ou are cordially requested to submit this §ues' tionnaire, with your personal answers , so that the proper steps steps may may be ta ta\ en to Prep Prepare Th T he W ay
and put yon in Contact with those officers who will will com communicat cate the First First Prin Princip cipies and and Private Private Teachings which will place you in possession of the Keys of the 7s[eophyte
A. M. O. R. C.
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL ( P l ea e a s e W r i t e A n s w e r s P l a i n l y w i t h P en en m n d l n k )
Sex?
Date of Birth? P lac e of B ir th?
Race? .
Religión in which you were born?. Present church affiliation, if any? Married?
Number of children?
Occupation? ....................................................................................................
Have you been a student of any Mystical, Metaphysical, or Spiritual Philosophy, and how long? ........................................... .. .............................
A r e y ou a membe embe r of any S ecre ec ret, t, F rate ra terr nal, or P hilosophica hilos ophicall S ocieties? ocieties ?
Have you any Academic or Honorary Degrees? ......................................
Do you affirm your conviction of the existence of a Supreme Ruler, Div Di v in ine e Mind, M ind, or Go d? ........................................ ............................................................ ........................................ ...................... Is your mind open to all new facts regarding life and the Universe?
(Signature)...........................................................................................
A C C E P T A N C E OF T HIS INV IN V IT A T ION
Please Read Very Carefully T o th the Record Recordin ingg Secreta Secretary of A M O R C , A M O R C T E M P L E , S an José, Calif Ca lifor ornia, nia, Respected Sir: I hereby accept your cordial invitation to unite with the RosiCru cians in their researches, studies, and individual experiments, as out line line d in the the book, book, "T he L ight ig ht of E g y pt.” pt. ” •If I am am found found wor thy of receiving the First Principies and prívate studies, I will abide by the ancient pledge made by all Neophytes, to wit: “I will keep confidential all reading matter, lessons, and discourses sent to me, and will carefully examine them to determine each step I am to take in being prepared for full benefits of membership in the A M O R C . ” In accordance with the ancient custom I herewith dónate and end endose Five Dol Dolla lars rs as as a con contri trib bution ion to T H E R O S IC R U C IA N F O U N D A T IO N , and and will will contri contrib bute to to th this Foundat Foundation ion the the sum sum of T w o Dollar Dollarss mon onthl thly y , beg in inn nin ing g with the the first mon month th after I have have been accep acce pted into into the the work of th the org anization. T his I w ill con co ntinu tinué as long long as I desire membership. It is understood that if I am accepted, I shall receive weekly discours iscourses es,, lesson lesson lectures, lectures, and prív prívate ate paper paperss , and the month monthly ly mag azine, and enjoy all the benefits of Membership, without the payment of any any fees fees or charges charges except except the the contri contrib bution tionss to th the F O U N D A T IO N , as stated state d above above.. If I am not accepted, I will wi ll be be confidentially confide ntially notifled by the return of this Questionnaire and my donation.
(MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE ONLY TO ‘'AMORC” FUNDS) (Do not send currency in unregistered letters.) (S ig ne d)........ d) ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ............ .... . .......................... (Spcll your ñame ai it «hould be u*ed on all nuil)
Add A ddrr e s s for all Mail Ma il— — P r int Y our Words Wor ds::
SPECIAL COMMUNICATION (Use this space for any special information you wish to include with your application.)
Be Sure to Send Your Remittance With This Blank. D O N O T W R I T E IN T H IS S P A C E Rec'd ......... .................
A ppro ppro v e d.......... d................ ........... .....
Entered REMARKS
...A IuÍ ! B £ L _ k e y ...A
