Masonry has its decalogue, which is a law to its Initiates. These are its Ten
Commandments:
I. God is the Eternal, Omnipotent, Immutable WISDOM and Supreme INTELLIGENCE
and Exhaustless Love.
Thou shalt adore, revere, and love Him !
Thou shalt honour Him by practising the virtues!
II. Thy religion shall be, to do good because it is a pleasure to thee, and not merely
because it is a duty.
That thou mayest become the friend of the wise man, thou shalt obey his precepts !
Thy soul is immortal ! Thou shalt do nothing to degrade it !
III. Thou shalt unceasingly war against vice!
Thou shalt not do unto others that which thou wouldst not wish them to do unto thee !
Thou shalt be submissive to thy fortunes, and keep burning the light of wisdom !
IV. Thou shalt honour thy parents !
Thou shalt pay respect and homage to the aged!
Thou shalt instruct the young!
Thou shalt protect and defend infancy and innocence !
V. Thou shalt cherish thy wife and thy children!
Thou shalt love thy country, and obey its laws!
VI. Thy friend shall be to thee a second self !
Misfortune shall not estrange thee from him !
Thou shalt do for his memory whatever thou wouldst do for him, if he were living!
VII. Thou shalt avoid and flee from insincere friendships !
Thou shalt in everything refrain from excess.
Thou shalt fear to be the cause of a stain on thy memory!
VIII. Thou shalt allow no passions to become thy master !
Thou shalt make the passions of others profitable lessons to thyself!
Thou shalt be indulgent to error !
IX. Thou shalt hear much: Thou shalt speak little: Thou shalt act well !
Thou shalt forget injuries!
Thou shalt render good for evil !
Thou shalt not misuse either thy strength or thy superiority !
X. Thou shalt study to know men; that thereby thou mayest learn to know thyself !
Thou shalt ever seek after virtue !
Thou shalt be just!
Thou shalt avoid idleness !
But the great commandment of Masonry is this: "A new commandment give I unto you:
that ye love one another! He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, remaineth
still in the darkness."
Such are the moral duties of a Mason. But it is also the duty of Masonry to assist in
elevating the moral and intellectual level of society; in coining knowledge, bringing ideas
into circulation, and causing the mind of youth to grow; and in putting, gradually, by the
teachings of axioms and the promulgation of positive laws, the human race in harmony
with its destinies.
Albert Pike
Showing posts with label freemasonry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label freemasonry. Show all posts
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Self Unfoldment: Chapter 1 "LIFE"
CHAPTER 1
LIFE
Life is a Universal Element.
"Life is that Element in Nature which impels
everything—whether organic or inorganic;
physical, spiritual or psychical to
function according to the law of its being."
This definition of The Great School of the
Masters applies equally to Individual organisms
as a whole, and to the various Individual
organs and parts thereof.
There are four distinct and definite Universal
"Life Elements," and each of these
Elements is responsible for the functional
activities of Life within its own kingdom.
Ether, Air and Water are recognized as
"Elements" of Nature. And yet, they are not
subject to the process of evolution. They are
the same today, as far as science knows, as
they were a million years ago ; or as they were
when they first came into existence. They
have not "evolved" as Elements, or otherwise
changed, in any manner.
They are Universal within the environment
of our planet; and Ether, at least, is supposed,
by physical science, to be Universal in time
and space. Air and Water are sufficiently
Universal to be a part of all planetary environment
wherein exist Life and Intelligence.
Undoubtedly, Ether, Air and Water all
exert their influence upon the Individual
Lives and Intelligences that exist within them
and develop through them. But they, themselves,
are fixed and established conditions of
Nature; and, as such, are not in a state of evolution.
They are only parts of Nature's mechanical
device for the evolution of Individual
Intelligence.
We know that Individual Life and Individual
Intelligence do develop within the
waters of the earth. Bear in mind that Water
is one of the "Elements of Nature." We also
know that these Individual Lives and Intelligences
which come into physical existence in
and through the Element of Water do develop,
and do evolve; but, so far as science
knows, the Element of Water itself does not
evolve. It remains the same, yesterday, today
and forever, so far as we know. It is only one
of Nature's instrumentalities for the generation
and evolution of Individual Intelligence.
The parallel with the Life Elements, as
such, is complete. Individual Lives and Individual
Intelligences come into being within
the Life Elements; and we know that these
Individual Lives and Intelligences, having
become Individualized by Nature, proceed to
develop, unfold and evolve; but we do not
know that the Life Elements themselves, as
such, are subject to the process of evolution.
They remain fixed conditions, so far as science
knows.
The Life Elements are not limited to the
physical plane of Life; they exist on all
the planes of Life. There is, however, a difference
in the degree of their refinement and
vibratory activity. The Life Elements upon
the spiritual planes of Life are suited to the
refined requirements of the Individual Life
and Intelligence upon those planes.
But it must not be assumed that this increased
refinement and activity of the Life
Elements upon the spiritual planes are conditions
which have evolved from the Life Elements
upon the physical plane. The Life
Elements upon the spiritual planes are as
truly fixed and established conditions as are
those of the Life Elements upon the physical
plane. They are equally as much a part of
Nature's mechanical device for the evolution
of Individual Intelligence.
It is Nature's plan to Individualize and
evolve Intelligence. The Life Elements are
only parts of her mechanical device by which
she accomplishes that marvelous end. It is
the Individual Intelligence that evolves and
not the Life Elements, as such.
Nature, or the Great Creative Intelligence,
had a very definite purpose in creating and
establishing the Life Elements. Natural
Science finds that the uses to which Nature
puts these Life Elements are:
To generate Individual Life.
To Individualize Intelligence.
To carry forward the evolutionary Unfoldment
and Development of Individual Intelligence.
The Individual Intelligence, after Nature
has evolved it to a point where it becomes
aware of its Moral Accountability and Personal
Responsibility, uses the Life Elements
for its own Self-Unfoldment; thus enabling it
to add the evolutionary impulse of its own
efforts to the effort of Nature, and thus accelerate
the evolutionary process.
The Life Element which belongs exclusively
to the mineral kingdom is the Electro-
Magnetic Life Element. This is a single
Element.
The Electro-Magnetic Life Element combines
with the Vito-Chemical Life Element
to constitute the Life Element of the vegetable
kingdom. This forms a compound of
both the Electro-Magnetic and the Vito-
Chemical Life Elements, to form the Life
Element of the vegetable kingdom. It is
called the Vito-Chemical Life Element, because
it is that particular Element which
dominates the compound.
The Life Element of the next higher kingdom
(the animal kingdom), is a compound
of the two lower Elements with the Spiritual
Life Element, and is called the Spiritual Life
Element because it is the Spiritual Element
that dominates the compound, and because it
is the highest and most potent of the three
Elements which enter into the compound.
It is equally true that the Fourth Life Element,
which belongs to the Human kingdom,
is a compound Element, composed of the
three lower Elements combined with the Soul
Life Element. Thus it will be seen that all
the Life Elements are compound Elements,
except that which vivifies the mineral kingdom
(the Electro-Magnetic).
The name of each Life Element is taken
from the dominant ingredient in each Life
Element; and not from the kingdom in
which it exists.
An Element is an element.
A kingdom is a kingdom.
The Electro-Magnetic Element is solely
a Life Element. "Mineral" is the kingdom
in which it operates.
It would be improper to designate the Vito-
Chemical Life Element as the "Vegetable
Life Element" as "vegetable" applies to a
kingdom which is composed of two Life Elements—
Electro-Magnetic and Vito - Chemical.
It would be just as improper to refer to the
Spiritual Life Element as the "Animal Life
Element" as "animal" applies to a kingdom
which is composed of three Life Elements—
Electro-Magnetic, Vito-Chemical and Spiritual
Life.
In the same manner, the Soul Life Element
refers specifically to a Life Element of Nature.
"Man" has reference to a kingdom—
the kingdom of Man, which is composed of
four Life Elements—Electro-Magnetic, Vito-
Chemical, Spiritual Life and Soul Life Elements.
Each higher kingdom includes its own Life
Element and all the Life Elements of all the
kingdoms below it, with all their energies,
functions and powers. That is, plant life includes
the energies and powers of the Vito-
Chemical Life Element, and also those of the
Electro-Magnetic Life Element of the mineral
kingdom.
Thus, the evolution of Life upon the planet
involves an increasing number of Life Elements—
from one Life Element in the mineral
kingdom to four Life Elements in the
human kingdom—and the highest Life Element
is always the dominant one and controls
the activities, functions and powers of all
those below it.
In the human kingdom the Soul Life Element
is dominant, and it controls the functions
and powers of the three inferior Life Elements
below it in the scale of the evolution of
Life.
In the realms of Nature which lie below
the level of the Individual human life it requires
but the most casual observation of the
Intelligent Individual to realize the Universal
prodigality of Nature in her destructive attitude
toward Individual Life. Everywhere
one may turn he is compelled to note the remarkable
and seemingly inexplicable fact that
the destruction and seeming sacrifice of Individual
Life is an important factor in the great
evolutionary plan of Nature for the Unfoldment
and Development of "Individual Intelligence."
In "The Slaughterhouse of Nature," as the
poets have designated, every species of Individual
animal life (below the level of the
human) is sacrificed as nourishment on which
to feed and develop the physical bodies of the
more aggressive and powerful Individuals of
so-called "higher species" who are waiting to
devour them as rapidly as Nature can produce
them and bring them into her "Slaughterhouse"
for sacrifice.
And yet, this phase of the great problem of
Individual Life, wherein the sacrifice of the
Individual for the perpetuation of species, the
sacrifice of the weaker for the benefit of the
stronger, betrays the wantonness and seeming
cruelty of Nature in that she has made the
deliberate and purposeful destruction of Individual
Life an established institution for the
evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
If one could but obtain a clear glimpse of
Nature's process in operation he would see
that everywhere, throughout the entire Universe
of living things, Individual death goes
hand in hand with Individual Life, and is
Nature's commissary department for the supply
of food to sustain the Individual Life of
higher forms.
It must be admitted by every sane and Intelligent
Individual that all the moralizing
possible within the kingdom of Man will
never change the Universal order of Nature
ment is always the dominant one and controls
the activities, functions and powers of all
those below it.
In the human kingdom the Soul Life Element
is dominant, and it controls the functions
and powers of the three inferior Life Elements
below it in the scale of the evolution of
Life.
In the realms of Nature which lie below
the level of the Individual human life it requires
but the most casual observation of the
Intelligent Individual to realize the Universal
prodigality of Nature in her destructive attitude
toward Individual Life. Everywhere
one may turn he is compelled to note the remarkable
and seemingly inexplicable fact that
the destruction and seeming sacrifice of Individual
Life is an important factor in the great
evolutionary plan of Nature for the Unfoldment
and Development of "Individual Intelligence."
In "The Slaughterhouse of Nature," as the
poets have designated, every species of Individual
animal life (below the level of the
human) is sacrificed as nourishment on which
to feed and develop the physical bodies of the
more aggressive and powerful Individuals of
so-called "higher species" who are waiting to
devour them as rapidly as Nature can produce
them and bring them into her "Slaughterhouse"
for sacrifice.
And yet, this phase of the great problem of
Individual Life, wherein the sacrifice of the
Individual for the perpetuation of species, the
sacrifice of the weaker for the benefit of the
stronger, betrays the wantonness and seeming
cruelty of Nature in that she has made the
deliberate and purposeful destruction of Individual
Life an established institution for the
evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
If one could but obtain a clear glimpse of
Nature's process in operation he would see
that everywhere, throughout the entire Universe
of living things, Individual death goes
hand in hand with Individual Life, and is
Nature's commissary department for the supply
of food to sustain the Individual Life of
higher forms.
It must be admitted by every sane and Intelligent
Individual that all the moralizing
possible within the kingdom of Man will
never change the Universal order of Nature
for the perpetuation of Individual Life, nor
alleviate one iota of the suffering incident to
the process whereby Nature carries forward
her scheme for the evolution of Individual
Life and the perpetuation of species.
In the kingdom of Man, wherein the Soul
Life Element becomes the dominant factor in
the evolutionary process of Individual Intelligence,
Nature has brought her process to a
development where Man—the product of her
endeavors—has evolved to a point of Intelligence
whence he becomes an active and constructive
co-worker with Nature in the
further evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
It is here that the Moral Element enters
into the great Plan. A new order is invoked,
and Individual Life becomes a sacred thing.
Up to this point in the evolutionary plan and
process, it has been inevitable—and therefore
legitimate and proper—that one form of life
should feed upon another, with absolute impunity.
There could be no possible question
as to the right or the wrong of the process;
because it had been planned and inaugurated
by Nature herself. Man had no responsibility
whatever for its existence, and no power
to alter it, even in the slightest degree possible
to conceive. He might, with the utmost dignity,
and in all sincerity, enact all manner of
"laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals"—
and the big fishes would go right on
eating the little fishes, "in the same old way"
—the frog would eat the fly and the snake
would eat the frog and the weasel would eat
the snake and the cat would eat the weasel.
The chicken would eat the worm and the
hawk would eat the chicken. Not one of them
all would suffer so much as a qualm of conscience.
Each would feel that it had done the
natural thing.
There is absolutely no basis or foundation
in Nature to sustain a religion that is founded
upon the doctrine or the dogma of the "Sacredness
of all Individual Life."
The sacredness of Individual Life, however,
should apply, and does apply, to the
human kingdom of Life, in this:
That every Intelligent, normal, mature Individual
human being is bound by the fundamental
principle of Morality, to respect the
right of every other normal human being, to
Life. Our fundamental Law also adds ''Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness."
We are equally bound to respect the right
of every domestic animal (employed in the
service of humanity) to its own Individual
Life, and to such comfort and enjoyment as it
is possible for man to bring to these, his natural
servants and helpers.
By analogy it may likewise be said that
Life, being the unit of value by which
all other values are relatively determinable,
whatever in Nature holds the largest measure
of Life is of greatest value in the economy of
the Universe.
It is by this rule that Man measures up to
the standard of Supreme Value and Importance
in the limitless Universe of Infinite
Nature.
Human life represents "Life Supreme"
upon the material plane of this earthly planet.
Human life, when measured by the true
standard of exact values in Nature, is the most
precious possession possible to any Individual
upon this particular planet of Earth.
In the realm of human life, where the Soul
Life Element enters and becomes the dominant
life influence and power, the value of
Individual human life becomes supreme.
Man knows—because he is a "Responsible
Individual Intelligence," endowed with a
moral sense of Right and Wrong—that it is
morally wrong for him to eat his brothers and
sisters. He knows that Individual human
life is a sacred thing, and that it must be protected.
Recognizing the righteousness of the law,
he proceeds to organize human society upon
it. With his fellows, he forms and enters into
the social compact wherein all are bound to
respect and defend the right of Individual
Life. Upon this principle he learns that
whatever incites hostility, engenders strife,
cultivates enmities, or impels mankind to the
exercise of physical might, encourages a natural
disregard of the value of Individual
human Life, and impels mankind to its ruthless
sacrifice.
In due time, as naturally as the induction
of the Soul Life Element implants in man a
moral nature, the sacredness of Individual
human Life becomes the fundamental principle
upon which alone human society may
perpetuate itself indefinitely.
As we learn the sacredness and the value of
Individual human life, we naturally turn our
attention and our endeavors to the establishment
of those conditions, and those only,
which exercise a constructive and perpetuating
influence upon all Individual human life,
and upon the life of human society itself.
From personal experience every Individual
human being, in course of time, comes to
realize the fact that his Attitude has much
to do in determining his influence upon the
society of which he is an important integral
part. He knows that, by the exercise of his
powers alone, he may become either a constructive
or a destructive influence upon society
and among his fellows. He may become
a constructive and healthy unit in the social
structure; or he may become a destructive
and disintegrating unit, a unit of decay and
death, the antithesis of Life.
If he would become a deadly infection
within the body of society, spreading the
putridity of his poisonous presence broadcast
among the healthy cells of society, making his
pathway a trail of death among his fellows,
let him harbor within himself the passion of
anger, the spirit of envy, jealousy or malice,
the desire to hurt or to injure his associates,
the purpose to spread dissensions, hostility
and personal enmity wherever he goes, the
ambition to rule or to ruin. He need not wait
long to realize the destructive and deadly influence
he has thus set in motion among his
fellows and associates. His putrescent presence
will proclaim him a power for evil and
the potencies of death will follow him wherever
he may go.
Self-Unfoldment: The Practical Application of Moral Principles to the Living of a Life
By J. E. RICHARDSON Author of Vols. II, III, IV, V and Editor of Vol. I
Self Unfoldment: Chapter I "LIFE"
CHAPTER 1
LIFE
Life is a Universal Element.
"Life is that Element in Nature which impels
everything—whether organic or inorganic;
physical, spiritual or psychical to
function according to the law of its being."
This definition of The Great School of the
Masters applies equally to Individual organisms
as a whole, and to the various Individual
organs and parts thereof.
There are four distinct and definite Universal
"Life Elements," and each of these
Elements is responsible for the functional
activities of Life within its own kingdom.
Ether, Air and Water are recognized as
"Elements" of Nature. And yet, they are not
subject to the process of evolution. They are
the same today, as far as science knows, as
they were a million years ago ; or as they were
when they first came into existence. They
have not "evolved" as Elements, or otherwise
changed, in any manner.
They are Universal within the environment
of our planet; and Ether, at least, is supposed,
by physical science, to be Universal in time
and space. Air and Water are sufficiently
Universal to be a part of all planetary environment
wherein exist Life and Intelligence.
Undoubtedly, Ether, Air and Water all
exert their influence upon the Individual
Lives and Intelligences that exist within them
and develop through them. But they, themselves,
are fixed and established conditions of
Nature; and, as such, are not in a state of evolution.
They are only parts of Nature's mechanical
device for the evolution of Individual
Intelligence.
We know that Individual Life and Individual
Intelligence do develop within the
waters of the earth. Bear in mind that Water
is one of the "Elements of Nature." We also
know that these Individual Lives and Intelligences
which come into physical existence in
and through the Element of Water do develop,
and do evolve; but, so far as science
knows, the Element of Water itself does not
evolve. It remains the same, yesterday, today
and forever, so far as we know. It is only one
of Nature's instrumentalities for the generation
and evolution of Individual Intelligence.
The parallel with the Life Elements, as
such, is complete. Individual Lives and Individual
Intelligences come into being within
the Life Elements; and we know that these
Individual Lives and Intelligences, having
become Individualized by Nature, proceed to
develop, unfold and evolve; but we do not
know that the Life Elements themselves, as
such, are subject to the process of evolution.
They remain fixed conditions, so far as science
knows.
The Life Elements are not limited to the
physical plane of Life; they exist on all
the planes of Life. There is, however, a difference
in the degree of their refinement and
vibratory activity. The Life Elements upon
the spiritual planes of Life are suited to the
refined requirements of the Individual Life
and Intelligence upon those planes.
But it must not be assumed that this increased
refinement and activity of the Life
Elements upon the spiritual planes are conditions
which have evolved from the Life Elements
upon the physical plane. The Life
Elements upon the spiritual planes are as
truly fixed and established conditions as are
those of the Life Elements upon the physical
plane. They are equally as much a part of
Nature's mechanical device for the evolution
of Individual Intelligence.
It is Nature's plan to Individualize and
evolve Intelligence. The Life Elements are
only parts of her mechanical device by which
she accomplishes that marvelous end. It is
the Individual Intelligence that evolves and
not the Life Elements, as such.
Nature, or the Great Creative Intelligence,
had a very definite purpose in creating and
establishing the Life Elements. Natural
Science finds that the uses to which Nature
puts these Life Elements are:
To generate Individual Life.
To Individualize Intelligence.
To carry forward the evolutionary Unfoldment
and Development of Individual Intelligence.
The Individual Intelligence, after Nature
has evolved it to a point where it becomes
aware of its Moral Accountability and Personal
Responsibility, uses the Life Elements
for its own Self-Unfoldment; thus enabling it
to add the evolutionary impulse of its own
efforts to the effort of Nature, and thus accelerate
the evolutionary process.
The Life Element which belongs exclusively
to the mineral kingdom is the Electro-
Magnetic Life Element. This is a single
Element.
The Electro-Magnetic Life Element combines
with the Vito-Chemical Life Element
to constitute the Life Element of the vegetable
kingdom. This forms a compound of
both the Electro-Magnetic and the Vito-
Chemical Life Elements, to form the Life
Element of the vegetable kingdom. It is
called the Vito-Chemical Life Element, because
it is that particular Element which
dominates the compound.
The Life Element of the next higher kingdom
(the animal kingdom), is a compound
of the two lower Elements with the Spiritual
Life Element, and is called the Spiritual Life
Element because it is the Spiritual Element
that dominates the compound, and because it
is the highest and most potent of the three
Elements which enter into the compound.
It is equally true that the Fourth Life Element,
which belongs to the Human kingdom,
is a compound Element, composed of the
three lower Elements combined with the Soul
Life Element. Thus it will be seen that all
the Life Elements are compound Elements,
except that which vivifies the mineral kingdom
(the Electro-Magnetic).
The name of each Life Element is taken
from the dominant ingredient in each Life
Element; and not from the kingdom in
which it exists.
An Element is an element.
A kingdom is a kingdom.
The Electro-Magnetic Element is solely
a Life Element. "Mineral" is the kingdom
in which it operates.
It would be improper to designate the Vito-
Chemical Life Element as the "Vegetable
Life Element" as "vegetable" applies to a
kingdom which is composed of two Life Elements—
Electro-Magnetic and Vito - Chemical.
It would be just as improper to refer to the
Spiritual Life Element as the "Animal Life
Element" as "animal" applies to a kingdom
which is composed of three Life Elements—
Electro-Magnetic, Vito-Chemical and Spiritual
Life.
In the same manner, the Soul Life Element
refers specifically to a Life Element of Nature.
"Man" has reference to a kingdom—
the kingdom of Man, which is composed of
four Life Elements—Electro-Magnetic, Vito-
Chemical, Spiritual Life and Soul Life Elements.
Each higher kingdom includes its own Life
Element and all the Life Elements of all the
kingdoms below it, with all their energies,
functions and powers. That is, plant life includes
the energies and powers of the Vito-
Chemical Life Element, and also those of the
Electro-Magnetic Life Element of the mineral
kingdom.
Thus, the evolution of Life upon the planet
involves an increasing number of Life Elements—
from one Life Element in the mineral
kingdom to four Life Elements in the
human kingdom—and the highest Life Element
is always the dominant one and controls
the activities, functions and powers of all
those below it.
In the human kingdom the Soul Life Element
is dominant, and it controls the functions
and powers of the three inferior Life Elements
below it in the scale of the evolution of
Life.
In the realms of Nature which lie below
the level of the Individual human life it requires
but the most casual observation of the
Intelligent Individual to realize the Universal
prodigality of Nature in her destructive attitude
toward Individual Life. Everywhere
one may turn he is compelled to note the remarkable
and seemingly inexplicable fact that
the destruction and seeming sacrifice of Individual
Life is an important factor in the great
evolutionary plan of Nature for the Unfoldment
and Development of "Individual Intelligence."
In "The Slaughterhouse of Nature," as the
poets have designated, every species of Individual
animal life (below the level of the
human) is sacrificed as nourishment on which
to feed and develop the physical bodies of the
more aggressive and powerful Individuals of
so-called "higher species" who are waiting to
devour them as rapidly as Nature can produce
them and bring them into her "Slaughterhouse"
for sacrifice.
And yet, this phase of the great problem of
Individual Life, wherein the sacrifice of the
Individual for the perpetuation of species, the
sacrifice of the weaker for the benefit of the
stronger, betrays the wantonness and seeming
cruelty of Nature in that she has made the
deliberate and purposeful destruction of Individual
Life an established institution for the
evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
If one could but obtain a clear glimpse of
Nature's process in operation he would see
that everywhere, throughout the entire Universe
of living things, Individual death goes
hand in hand with Individual Life, and is
Nature's commissary department for the supply
of food to sustain the Individual Life of
higher forms.
It must be admitted by every sane and Intelligent
Individual that all the moralizing
possible within the kingdom of Man will
never change the Universal order of Nature
ment is always the dominant one and controls
the activities, functions and powers of all
those below it.
In the human kingdom the Soul Life Element
is dominant, and it controls the functions
and powers of the three inferior Life Elements
below it in the scale of the evolution of
Life.
In the realms of Nature which lie below
the level of the Individual human life it requires
but the most casual observation of the
Intelligent Individual to realize the Universal
prodigality of Nature in her destructive attitude
toward Individual Life. Everywhere
one may turn he is compelled to note the remarkable
and seemingly inexplicable fact that
the destruction and seeming sacrifice of Individual
Life is an important factor in the great
evolutionary plan of Nature for the Unfoldment
and Development of "Individual Intelligence."
In "The Slaughterhouse of Nature," as the
poets have designated, every species of Individual
animal life (below the level of the
human) is sacrificed as nourishment on which
to feed and develop the physical bodies of the
more aggressive and powerful Individuals of
so-called "higher species" who are waiting to
devour them as rapidly as Nature can produce
them and bring them into her "Slaughterhouse"
for sacrifice.
And yet, this phase of the great problem of
Individual Life, wherein the sacrifice of the
Individual for the perpetuation of species, the
sacrifice of the weaker for the benefit of the
stronger, betrays the wantonness and seeming
cruelty of Nature in that she has made the
deliberate and purposeful destruction of Individual
Life an established institution for the
evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
If one could but obtain a clear glimpse of
Nature's process in operation he would see
that everywhere, throughout the entire Universe
of living things, Individual death goes
hand in hand with Individual Life, and is
Nature's commissary department for the supply
of food to sustain the Individual Life of
higher forms.
It must be admitted by every sane and Intelligent
Individual that all the moralizing
possible within the kingdom of Man will
never change the Universal order of Nature
for the perpetuation of Individual Life, nor
alleviate one iota of the suffering incident to
the process whereby Nature carries forward
her scheme for the evolution of Individual
Life and the perpetuation of species.
In the kingdom of Man, wherein the Soul
Life Element becomes the dominant factor in
the evolutionary process of Individual Intelligence,
Nature has brought her process to a
development where Man—the product of her
endeavors—has evolved to a point of Intelligence
whence he becomes an active and constructive
co-worker with Nature in the
further evolution of Individual Life and Intelligence.
It is here that the Moral Element enters
into the great Plan. A new order is invoked,
and Individual Life becomes a sacred thing.
Up to this point in the evolutionary plan and
process, it has been inevitable—and therefore
legitimate and proper—that one form of life
should feed upon another, with absolute impunity.
There could be no possible question
as to the right or the wrong of the process;
because it had been planned and inaugurated
by Nature herself. Man had no responsibility
whatever for its existence, and no power
to alter it, even in the slightest degree possible
to conceive. He might, with the utmost dignity,
and in all sincerity, enact all manner of
"laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals"—
and the big fishes would go right on
eating the little fishes, "in the same old way"
—the frog would eat the fly and the snake
would eat the frog and the weasel would eat
the snake and the cat would eat the weasel.
The chicken would eat the worm and the
hawk would eat the chicken. Not one of them
all would suffer so much as a qualm of conscience.
Each would feel that it had done the
natural thing.
There is absolutely no basis or foundation
in Nature to sustain a religion that is founded
upon the doctrine or the dogma of the "Sacredness
of all Individual Life."
The sacredness of Individual Life, however,
should apply, and does apply, to the
human kingdom of Life, in this:
That every Intelligent, normal, mature Individual
human being is bound by the fundamental
principle of Morality, to respect the
right of every other normal human being, to
Life. Our fundamental Law also adds ''Liberty
and the pursuit of Happiness."
We are equally bound to respect the right
of every domestic animal (employed in the
service of humanity) to its own Individual
Life, and to such comfort and enjoyment as it
is possible for man to bring to these, his natural
servants and helpers.
By analogy it may likewise be said that
Life, being the unit of value by which
all other values are relatively determinable,
whatever in Nature holds the largest measure
of Life is of greatest value in the economy of
the Universe.
It is by this rule that Man measures up to
the standard of Supreme Value and Importance
in the limitless Universe of Infinite
Nature.
Human life represents "Life Supreme"
upon the material plane of this earthly planet.
Human life, when measured by the true
standard of exact values in Nature, is the most
precious possession possible to any Individual
upon this particular planet of Earth.
In the realm of human life, where the Soul
Life Element enters and becomes the dominant
life influence and power, the value of
Individual human life becomes supreme.
Man knows—because he is a "Responsible
Individual Intelligence," endowed with a
moral sense of Right and Wrong—that it is
morally wrong for him to eat his brothers and
sisters. He knows that Individual human
life is a sacred thing, and that it must be protected.
Recognizing the righteousness of the law,
he proceeds to organize human society upon
it. With his fellows, he forms and enters into
the social compact wherein all are bound to
respect and defend the right of Individual
Life. Upon this principle he learns that
whatever incites hostility, engenders strife,
cultivates enmities, or impels mankind to the
exercise of physical might, encourages a natural
disregard of the value of Individual
human Life, and impels mankind to its ruthless
sacrifice.
In due time, as naturally as the induction
of the Soul Life Element implants in man a
moral nature, the sacredness of Individual
human Life becomes the fundamental principle
upon which alone human society may
perpetuate itself indefinitely.
As we learn the sacredness and the value of
Individual human life, we naturally turn our
attention and our endeavors to the establishment
of those conditions, and those only,
which exercise a constructive and perpetuating
influence upon all Individual human life,
and upon the life of human society itself.
From personal experience every Individual
human being, in course of time, comes to
realize the fact that his Attitude has much
to do in determining his influence upon the
society of which he is an important integral
part. He knows that, by the exercise of his
powers alone, he may become either a constructive
or a destructive influence upon society
and among his fellows. He may become
a constructive and healthy unit in the social
structure; or he may become a destructive
and disintegrating unit, a unit of decay and
death, the antithesis of Life.
If he would become a deadly infection
within the body of society, spreading the
putridity of his poisonous presence broadcast
among the healthy cells of society, making his
pathway a trail of death among his fellows,
let him harbor within himself the passion of
anger, the spirit of envy, jealousy or malice,
the desire to hurt or to injure his associates,
the purpose to spread dissensions, hostility
and personal enmity wherever he goes, the
ambition to rule or to ruin. He need not wait
long to realize the destructive and deadly influence
he has thus set in motion among his
fellows and associates. His putrescent presence
will proclaim him a power for evil and
the potencies of death will follow him wherever
he may go.
Self-Unfoldment: The Practical Application of Moral Principles to the Living of a Life
By J. E. RICHARDSON Author of Vols. II, III, IV, V and Editor of Vol. I
HARMONIC SERIES
Monday, December 26, 2011
THE BALANCE OF POWER "Genius Of Freemasonry and The Twentieth Century Crusade
Money today, in this country, holds the balance of power. Our national divinity is Mammon.
By the "balance of power" is meant any principle, agency, or power that is capable of influencing the trend of events, shaping the policy of the nation, or controlling the activities of the majority of the people.
As a country at large our financial and commercial prosperity is unprecedented. Money is massed by millions in the hands of a comparatively few individuals. This money has been gathered in a comparatively short time, in manufacture, trade, transportation, commerce, and by utilizing discoveries in the arts and sciences. Many gigantic fortunes have been made by "watering stocks" and giving fictitious values to the assets of corporations, and yet so rapid has been the growth in all directions that even these fictitious values have often been realized and made good by the growth of industries.
The agents and representatives of these immense money interests have shaped legislation, organized and consolidated their wealth and often pooled their interests for mutual profits. Hence there has arisen a centralization of the money power far beyond the interests of the country or of the whole people. The people are said to be the governing power in a Republic, and whenever this power is centered in one, or in even a few individuals, no matter under what name or pretext, the welfare of the people, as a whole, is jeopardized.
Coincident with this rapid accumulation of wealth has been the growth of great cities, and hence has grown up another agency for centralization of power. The representatives of great fortunes, concentrated in these large cities, have realized their dependence upon the State Legislatures, which make laws for cities, and have influenced, controlled, bought, or exploited them accordingly.
At present the General Government is taking a hand in endeavoring to check these abuses. But this is likely in the end to prove a still more dangerous centralization of power, even though the measures proposed may seem a pressing necessity and appeal to the people as justified under present conditions.
The remedy is very simple. It lies in a direct appeal to the people, in a restoration of power to the source of its creation, the people themselves. They really have the power, but have been tricked out of it by laws, usages, customs and abuses that have grown up with the increase of wealth and population. The remedy here lies directly and specifically in what is known as the Initiative and Referendum.
The purpose here, however, is not to discuss politics, but rather to illustrate the principles that dominate society, shape public policy, and so involve the well-being of every citizen as well as every Mason.
In its last analysis, the Balance of Power lies in the will, the intelligence, the strength
and the influence of the majority of the citizens at any given time. True, a single individual
may so appeal to or influence the people of a city or a nation as to control the majority.
Such an appeal would have to be made in a form that seemed at least to promise general benefits to all concerned. The appeal would here be to the self-interest of the majority. Hence, a promise or a prospect of securing peace, higher wages, greater prosperity and the like, would meet with response in proportion to the confidence in, or reasonableness of, the man or the measures proposed.
Tyrants, despots, rulers, and those greedy for power in all ages have resisted the necessity and avoided as far as possible any appeal to the people at all. So long as it was admitted that they had hereditary rights belonging only to the few, or the claim was admitted that they ruled "by the Grace of God," the people were never taken into council.
With the increase of intelligence and the growth of civilization, the hereditary prerogatives, and special privilege have slowly disappeared till in democratic countries and would-be Republics money power, as above referred to, has usurped their place and equally exploited the people.
In the meantime, there is still another source of power by which the people may be exploited and the majority ruled. That is by appeal to ignorance, superstition and fear.
In a republican form of government where votes count, if the influence of wealth can be added to that of superstition and fear the strongest possible combination is secured for exploiting the many in the interests of the few through the control of votes. In such a case it is not necessary that a majority of the whole people at any time should be so exploited.
If, for example, a solid vote of say 2,000,000 electors can be securely counted on and dictated by one head regardless of all political issues or parties, by shifting that vote in any general election and by compromising on minor questions in order to secure special aims or results, the party so controlling the 2,000,000 votes would hold the balance of power as securely as any despot ever held the reins of government. That is precisely what the Pope of Rome through his agencies and minions is doing in America today.
No Free people, no Democracy, no real Republic will ever get rid of this question of the balance of power. It is inevitable in the nature of things and organic in all human associations. This is not only proven by all history, but demonstrated every day by organizations such as the Dowieites, the Eddyites, and hundreds of communities all over the country.
People are appealed to, organized, dominated, or exploited by an Idea, by some real or fancied gain, by some promise or expectation held out by an individual or represented by an Idea. If then, this balance of power cannot be gotten rid of, the question is For what purpose shall it be used, and who shall hold it?
Suppose this influential factor could be divested of all personal ambitions, all selfish
interests, aims or ends, whatsoever, and held solely for the common good of all alike. This would constitute it a Sacred Trust, an influence for civilization, the uplift
of humanity as a whole.
This is by no means inconceivable. It is altogether rational, provided the 2,000,000 voters, as before, held the balance of power and used it for this purpose and in this way. Not, however, dominated by anyone individual, but by a Grand Idea; say,b the Golden Rule, or the genuine principle of Brotherhood based on common needs and inspired by a common duty. Can any one fail to see here a great opportunity?
Now, we have in this country today over two million voters who are Freemasons. Every one of them has given his voluntary assent and pledged his allegiance to precisely this Grand Idea, viz., the common, unqualified and universal Brotherhood of Man.
True, they belong, as individuals, to different political parties, to different religions,
or they profess no religion at all. They are found in every trade, occupation or line of reputable business and in every walk in life. Can they urge self-interest or indifference to their obligations as an excuse for ignoring all their solemn obligations as men and Masons? If every one of them adhered to his obligation and did his duty would they not hold today the balance of power?
No such appeal can be made elsewhere to any such body of men, for the reason that it nowhere else exists. Organization into a body of voters is neither desirable nor contemplated. Masonry, as an Institution, has no business in politics. Masons as individuals, regarding their obligations, adhering to their principles and doing their duty, is another proposition entirely.
Can any one who has once been a Mason and assumed these obligations give a single reason why he should not discharge them? Was there in any case mental reservation, or secret evasion of mind? Or was it provided and determined that there should be wholesaled and unequivocal assent to every obligation assumed? If this be true and I challenge any regular Mason to deny it let him not suggest that I am reading into Masonry any new or foreign interpretation.
Let any Brother Mason contemplate for a moment how he would feel if he could realize that he was one of a body of 2,000,000 voters who had held the balance of power in a recent election, and by standing solely for equity, justice and right, had turned the tide against usurpation and wrong. Would he not feel as he always does when he has done his whole duty as a man, with clean hands, a warm heart and an approving conscience ? Would he find in his heart any cause for shame or regret?
Now, my Brother, some one individual, some body of men, some principle, or some Idea, always does and always will hold the balance of power in this country. Who shall it be, and for what purpose if Only the man who has no principles and recognizes no obligations can truthfully say, "I do not care."
At the present moment this balance of power in America is held by an Italian who has condemned every one of our Free Institutions, for he enforces and confirms the decrees of his predecessors. He has the most colossal, compact, powerful and secret organization on earth today. The College of Cardinals are his Ministers of State, and the Order of Jesuits are his secret minions and emissaries.
This Italian Despot has the pledged allegiance of every Bishop, Priest and Communicant in America. He proposes to use a solid Catholic vote to make America Catholic, destroy every one of our Free Institutions, make the Catholic Religion the religion of the State to the exclusion of all other religions," and he, the " Infallible Pope, become the dictator of this government. He holds today in this country the balance of power for this avowed purpose, and pledged to this end.
No use saying, "He cannot do it." He is doing it, and slowly but surely accomplishing his purpose. Bead "Facing the Twentieth Century," and see. The only question is, at what point are we going to call a halt. Shall it be now, or after every one of our Free Institutions has been undermined by Jesuitry and nothing but a religious civil war will enable us to regain our freedom? No freeman can escape this issue, this Impending Crisis, nor his Personal Responsibility regarding it.
Why this special appeal to Freemasons? Simply because they constitute the only body of men in the world pledged from beginning to end to the reverse of every precept and principle in the policy of the Roman Pontiff. If these fail to do their duty what are we to expect from others ?
This balance of power is like the ballast of a great ship. If allowed to shift around in a disorderly way it may help to sink the ship. But shifted wisely and judiciously when the ship rolls or is in danger, it helps to right it and secure safety.
Two million Catholic voters (and this is a very low estimate) under the control of one dictator, held by superstition and fear to the dogma of obedience, and obeying blindly regardless of all else, is a most dangerous menace indeed. Freed from this dogma of obedience and this exploitation the Catholic citizen and voter deserves no criticism. But massed, dominated and exploited, these voters add nothing to the prosperity and perpetuity of our country. On the contrary, they are a shifting ballast and a dead weight that may sink our Ship of State at any time. They not only do nothing to conserve our liberties, but are continually used to annul and undermine them.
One of their strongest points of attack is our Free Secular Schools. These they everywhere seek to undermine and destroy and to substitute for them the inefficient sectarian Parochial School. Notwithstanding the hostility of the Pope and his representatives everywhere expressed toward our Free Schools, in the cities of Chicago and Boston, more than two-thirds of the teachers in the Public Schools are Catholics. These teachers as good Catholics are the avowed enemies of the very schools in which they are employed to teach.
Any one innocent enough to see no design back of this condition of things had better read the History of the Jesuits and the "Double Doctrine of the Church of Rome. They might supplement these with Father Crowley's "The Parochial School."
If we should read of these things in the History of some ancient Kepublic, showing how it went to pieces or was converted to a form of absolute Despotism, we would feel indignation. But this is the very history we are making in this country today.
When Catholics get in other cities and in this country at large what they already have in Chicago and Boston, our Free Schools will be a thing of the past. The Parochial School will have taken their place. The dogma of obedience will be drilled into every youth of the land by the dark Sons of Loyola, who long ago declared, Give us the education of the child for the first seven years, and we care not what follows."
Now, for the peace and perpetuity of this Republic, it is necessary to neutralize this balance of power that is already in the hands of Clericalism. This can be done only by opposing to it continually not only an equal number but a majority of voters who can be equally relied upon to oppose all such ambitions and exploitation of the ignorant masses.
This opposition must be by voluntary impulse from individuals who realize the danger and the necessity of eternal vigilance regarding the common danger, and with whom the sense of civic duty and personal responsibility is sufficiently strong to keep them continually active.
The only sufficient body of men who from their voluntary obligation and intelligence along these lines could be expected to do this work is the Order of Freemasons. True, they will find many assistants and co-operators, for which they will be fraternally grateful. Chief among these is the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, who realize the danger and are already active in neutralizing it.
The object is not to create hatred and strife but to prevent unjust legislation and injury to our Free Institutions. In the long run the rank and file of our opponents will really be benefited more than any others. Their eyes will eventually be opened to the real character of their dictators and the injustice done to them under the name and garb of religion. This will result in forcing them from the degrading bondage of superstition and fear, whereupon they will bless their liberators and join with them as in France and Italy they are now doing.
If we are ever to realize an Ideal Republic composed of every people, kindred and tongue, where Justice shall reign and be secured to all, it will have to be built up slowly and at some sacrifice from all. Freemasons ought to be foremost in realizing all this. They should do their utmost in promoting it.
As elsewhere indicated, Peace on Earth and good will to man will never be realized except on a basis of ethics and economics. In the absence of universal justice in all secular affairs a Universal Religion can only be inaugurated through force or Jesuitry. Clericalism has invariably employed both, and the more they succeed the less religion there is and the farther we are from peace and justice. Secure in these, Universal Religion will be already here.
The most hopeful sign of the times is the fact that the interest in and discussion of ethical and economic problems was never so great as today. Except in the rigid conformity
and obedience of Roman Catholics in attending churches, the real interest in Churches and so-called religion has steadily decreased as interest in ethical and economic problems has increased. Those who
represent the latter now hold the balance of power instead of those who represent so-called religion.
This means that a new basis for religion was demanded by the people. First become reconciled to thy Brother first be just, equitable and right and then offer thy adoration to Deity. The reign of the Christ can only come after economic justice. Before this, he brings a sword !
The "religion" of unjust men has ever been a fetish or Moloch, according to their political power. The union of Church and State has never once in the history of man failed to enthrone Moloch, and to exploit, rob and murder the people in the name of Religion.
Political Parties, Eeligions, Theories of Government, Institutions of all kinds, are on trial. They will be sifted to the last analysis and tried by the Law of Use and the greatest good to the whole of mankind. There can be no lasting concealment, no lasting evasion of this Law. Freemasonry can claim no exemption and seeks no evasion.
Take the lowest estimate that the most ignorant and superficial Mason may put upon the Order, viz., that of a merely social organization for the purpose of securing a "good time." If that were admitted, then we would have to explain the necessity of having the Bible on the altar, of invoking the name of Deity, and of otherwise profaning the most holy things. The Bacchanal of barbarians could go little further. The "Judicial Congress" added only lust and profligacy.
No man was ever "prepared" and "qualified" and made first a Mason in his heart, who does not know that such an estimate of Freemasonry is not only a profane caricature, but a wicked lie. If any Mason, so-called, holds it, he should hide his head in shame. It is solely the creation of his own heart and depraved imagination.
And so Masonry itself is on trial, like all other Institutions of man. What can it offer for the education of the people? How does it deal with ethics and economics? What does it offer for the common weal? What can it add to the commonwealth?
In the day that is dawning every Mason will be compelled to answer these pertinent questions. Why not answer them now, and array ourselves on the side of Liberty, Fraternity and Light, and so hold and use the Balance of Power?
JD BUCK 1907
The Sacred Vault of The 14TH Degree "Degree of Perfection" by By ROBERT MACOY, 33°
GEAND ELECT, PEEPECT AND SUBLIME MASON.
The 14th degree of the Ancient and Accepted rite, sometimes
called the "Degree of Perfection." In Prance it is called
" Grand Scotch Mason of Perfection of the Sacred Vault
of James YI." The degree " is considered to be the
ultimate rite of ancient Masonry, as it is the last of the
Ineffable degrees that refer to the first temple. The Masons
who had been employed in constructing the temple acquired
immortal honor. Their association became more uniformly
established and regulated after the completion of the temple
than it had been before. In the admission of new members
their prudence and caution had produced great respect, as
merit alone was required of every candidate. With these
principles firmly established many of the Grand Elect left
the temple after its dedication, and, traveling into other
countries, disseminated the knowledge they had acquired,
and instructed in the sublime degrees of ancient Craft
Masonry all who applied and were found worthy. The
Lodge is styled the Secret Vault. The hangings are crimson,
with white columns at regular intervals. 24 lights—9 in the
East; 7 in the West; 5 in the South; and 3 in the North. "The
apron is white, lined with crimson; in the middle is a square
flat stone, in which is an iron ring. The collar is crimson; the
jewel, a gold compass, open on a circle of forty-five degrees;
between the legs of the compass is a medal representing the
sun on one side, on the other the fiaming star. On the circle is
engraved the figures 3, 5, 7, 9. The compass is surmounted
with a pointed crown. The ring of alliance is of gold. On
the inside is engraved: "Virtue unites what death cannot
separate;" with the name and date of initiation of the owner.
By ROBERT MACOY, 33°
The 14th degree of the Ancient and Accepted rite, sometimes
called the "Degree of Perfection." In Prance it is called
" Grand Scotch Mason of Perfection of the Sacred Vault
of James YI." The degree " is considered to be the
ultimate rite of ancient Masonry, as it is the last of the
Ineffable degrees that refer to the first temple. The Masons
who had been employed in constructing the temple acquired
immortal honor. Their association became more uniformly
established and regulated after the completion of the temple
than it had been before. In the admission of new members
their prudence and caution had produced great respect, as
merit alone was required of every candidate. With these
principles firmly established many of the Grand Elect left
the temple after its dedication, and, traveling into other
countries, disseminated the knowledge they had acquired,
and instructed in the sublime degrees of ancient Craft
Masonry all who applied and were found worthy. The
Lodge is styled the Secret Vault. The hangings are crimson,
with white columns at regular intervals. 24 lights—9 in the
East; 7 in the West; 5 in the South; and 3 in the North. "The
apron is white, lined with crimson; in the middle is a square
flat stone, in which is an iron ring. The collar is crimson; the
jewel, a gold compass, open on a circle of forty-five degrees;
between the legs of the compass is a medal representing the
sun on one side, on the other the fiaming star. On the circle is
engraved the figures 3, 5, 7, 9. The compass is surmounted
with a pointed crown. The ring of alliance is of gold. On
the inside is engraved: "Virtue unites what death cannot
separate;" with the name and date of initiation of the owner.
By ROBERT MACOY, 33°
THE MAGNETIC ELEMENT of THE GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CRIME
CHAPTER XIII
THE MAGNETIC ELEMENT
Man is a triune being. He is composed of
a physical body, a spiritual body, and a Soul.
The physical body is that part of man concerning
which most men are best informed.
Many do not know that they have a spiritual
body, and a good many others are in grave
doubt as to whether there is such a thing as a
Soul. This, however, does not alter the facts.
The physical body is composed of physical
material. The spiritual body is composed of
spiritual matter. The Soul is the intelligent
entity which operates both bodies. What it is
in essence we do not know. All we know of
it are its manifestations. We know that it
manifests itself through its material bodies.
Whether or not it also is "material" we do
not know.
One body is composed of physical material,
coarse in particle and slow in vibratory
activity. The other is composed of spiritual
material, fine in particle and rapid in vibratory
activity. These two material bodies
occupy the same material area or volume,
though not absolutely the same "space," as
this term is used by physical science. They
interblend in a manner somewhat analogous
to the interblending of the "muscular man"
and the "nerve man" of the physical organism.
A more fitting illustration, perhaps,
would be suggested by the manner in which
water and sand interpenetrate when placed in
the same vessel. The water, being finer of
particle than sand, runs into the interstices
between the particles of the sand. Owing
entirely to this difference in the degree of
fineness of their particles, a cup full of sand
will also hold at the same time a considerable
quantity of water.
After many centuries of experimentation
the Great School of the Masters has demonstrated,
with what would appear to be absolute
scientific certainty, that there are an
Electro-Magnetic Life Element and a Vito-
Chemical Life Element of Nature, both of
which interpenetrate the two material bodies
of man during his physical life. From all
the evidence at command it is determined
that the presence of these two Life Elements
is necessary to constitute a perfect material
link of connection in man between the coarse
physical body and the refined spiritual body.
Whilst this Magnetic Element individualizes
itself in the organism of man, it is also
what would seem to be a universal Element
of Nature. It is finer of particle than what
we know as physical matter, and not so fine
as spiritual matter. It has been proven with
scientific certainty that this Magnetic Element
within man's individual composition is
subject to the control of his individual Will.
Every physically embodied Soul has two
material bodies, a physical body and a spiritual
body. These are held in definite relation
to each other during physical life by
what Natural Science designates the "Magnetic
Element."
This Magnetic Element is double in its
essential relation to the two bodies. There is
a definite line of cleavage. That which lies
below this line in its degree of refinement and
vibratory activity seems to partake more
strongly of the condition of physical matter.
It is, for this reason, termed "Physical Magnetism."
That which lies above the line of
cleavage seems to partake more strongly of
the nature and condition of spiritual matter.
For this reason it is designated as "Spiritual
Magnetism."
Physical Magnetism, during physical life,
has a strong attraction for the physical body.
Spiritual Magnetism has an equally strong
attraction for the spiritual body.
Physical Magnetism and Spiritual Magnetism
have a strong attraction for each other.
Here is a distinct threefold magnetic attraction
in peculiar combination. Study it a
moment.
A simple experiment with four physical
magnets will furnish us an illustration which
will help those who may not be familiar with
the subject to understand what occurs at the
point of physical death.
Take four magnetic bars (Fig. 1) so magnetically
related that when lying side by side
No. 1 and No. 2 are strongly attracted to each
other; No. 3 and No. 4 are equally attracted
to each other; and No. 2 and No. 3 are likewise
attracted to each other. Bring them together in
that order, and it will be found that
the four bars are at once bound together as
if by a common bond of sympathy.
DIAGRAM:
Let us suppose that, by a process under
your own control, you can break or destroy
the attraction between No. 2 and No. 3
— what will be the physical result? Simply this,
that the couplet 1 and 2 will separate from
the couplet 3 and 4. (Fig. 2.)
Let us suppose that you restore them to
their original condition, and then break the
attraction benveen No. 3 and No. 4. What
is the result? In this event No. 4 falls away
from the other three, and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 remain
bound together in the common bond.
(Fig. 3.)
Let us assume that No. 1 represents the
Spiritual Body of a living, physically embodied
man. No. 2 represents the Spiritual
Magnetism. No. 3 represents the Physical
Magnetism, and No. 4 represents the Physical
Body of Man. (Fig. 4.)
Let us suppose, again, that by some process
of nature the bond of attraction between Nos.
2 and 3 is broken. What happens? The Spiritual
Body with its Spiritual NLignetism separates
from the Physical Body and its Physical
Magnetism. (Fig. S.) Now in this
instance, let us also suppose the Spiritual
Body is still inhabited by the Soul. What
then? In this event we have the Soul with its
Spiritual Body and its Spiritual Magnetism
(Spiritual Magnetic Body) liberated entirely
from the Physical Body and its Physical
Magnetism (Physical Magnetic Body).
In this case the Soul has parted from all
that binds it to earth's conditions, and it rises
at once into the realm of pure Spiritual Conditions
unencumbered.
Now let us suppose that the four elements
are once more united in physical life, and
that by some natural process the attraction is
broken beuveen Xos. 3 and 4. What then?
The Physical Body alone falls away from the
combination, and leaves the other three elements
bound together. (Fig. 6.)
Assuming that the Soul still inhabits the
Spiritual Body after this separation, we then
have the Soul with its Spiritual Body and
Spiritual Magnetism still bound to and encumbered
by its original Physical Magnetism
(the Physical Magnetic Body).
Thus encumbered, the Soul is unable to rise
to the level of the pure Spiritual Condition,
or Plane. As a result, it remains in the realm
of the Magnetic Field until such time as it is
able to cast off its Physical Magnetic Body.
Its Physical Magnetic Body gives to the combination
a ''Gravity'' which binds it closely
to the plane of earth. While in this condition
the Soul remains in what has been designated
as an ^'earth-bound" condition. While it remains
in this condition it is known as an
"earth-bound Soul."
In course of time, however, if it continues
its evolutionary struggle it will be able to cast
oflF its Physical Magnetic Body, and we then
have the analogy for Fig. 7.
In this case the Physical Magnetic Body,
being detached from all its moorings, floats
in the Magnetic Field until it is finally dissolved
by the processes of Nature and is resolved
back into the elements from which it
was originally formed.
J.E Richardson 1908
THE MAGNETIC ELEMENT
Man is a triune being. He is composed of
a physical body, a spiritual body, and a Soul.
The physical body is that part of man concerning
which most men are best informed.
Many do not know that they have a spiritual
body, and a good many others are in grave
doubt as to whether there is such a thing as a
Soul. This, however, does not alter the facts.
The physical body is composed of physical
material. The spiritual body is composed of
spiritual matter. The Soul is the intelligent
entity which operates both bodies. What it is
in essence we do not know. All we know of
it are its manifestations. We know that it
manifests itself through its material bodies.
Whether or not it also is "material" we do
not know.
One body is composed of physical material,
coarse in particle and slow in vibratory
activity. The other is composed of spiritual
material, fine in particle and rapid in vibratory
activity. These two material bodies
occupy the same material area or volume,
though not absolutely the same "space," as
this term is used by physical science. They
interblend in a manner somewhat analogous
to the interblending of the "muscular man"
and the "nerve man" of the physical organism.
A more fitting illustration, perhaps,
would be suggested by the manner in which
water and sand interpenetrate when placed in
the same vessel. The water, being finer of
particle than sand, runs into the interstices
between the particles of the sand. Owing
entirely to this difference in the degree of
fineness of their particles, a cup full of sand
will also hold at the same time a considerable
quantity of water.
After many centuries of experimentation
the Great School of the Masters has demonstrated,
with what would appear to be absolute
scientific certainty, that there are an
Electro-Magnetic Life Element and a Vito-
Chemical Life Element of Nature, both of
which interpenetrate the two material bodies
of man during his physical life. From all
the evidence at command it is determined
that the presence of these two Life Elements
is necessary to constitute a perfect material
link of connection in man between the coarse
physical body and the refined spiritual body.
Whilst this Magnetic Element individualizes
itself in the organism of man, it is also
what would seem to be a universal Element
of Nature. It is finer of particle than what
we know as physical matter, and not so fine
as spiritual matter. It has been proven with
scientific certainty that this Magnetic Element
within man's individual composition is
subject to the control of his individual Will.
Every physically embodied Soul has two
material bodies, a physical body and a spiritual
body. These are held in definite relation
to each other during physical life by
what Natural Science designates the "Magnetic
Element."
This Magnetic Element is double in its
essential relation to the two bodies. There is
a definite line of cleavage. That which lies
below this line in its degree of refinement and
vibratory activity seems to partake more
strongly of the condition of physical matter.
It is, for this reason, termed "Physical Magnetism."
That which lies above the line of
cleavage seems to partake more strongly of
the nature and condition of spiritual matter.
For this reason it is designated as "Spiritual
Magnetism."
Physical Magnetism, during physical life,
has a strong attraction for the physical body.
Spiritual Magnetism has an equally strong
attraction for the spiritual body.
Physical Magnetism and Spiritual Magnetism
have a strong attraction for each other.
Here is a distinct threefold magnetic attraction
in peculiar combination. Study it a
moment.
A simple experiment with four physical
magnets will furnish us an illustration which
will help those who may not be familiar with
the subject to understand what occurs at the
point of physical death.
Take four magnetic bars (Fig. 1) so magnetically
related that when lying side by side
No. 1 and No. 2 are strongly attracted to each
other; No. 3 and No. 4 are equally attracted
to each other; and No. 2 and No. 3 are likewise
attracted to each other. Bring them together in
that order, and it will be found that
the four bars are at once bound together as
if by a common bond of sympathy.
DIAGRAM:
Let us suppose that, by a process under
your own control, you can break or destroy
the attraction between No. 2 and No. 3
— what will be the physical result? Simply this,
that the couplet 1 and 2 will separate from
the couplet 3 and 4. (Fig. 2.)
Let us suppose that you restore them to
their original condition, and then break the
attraction benveen No. 3 and No. 4. What
is the result? In this event No. 4 falls away
from the other three, and Nos. 1, 2 and 3 remain
bound together in the common bond.
(Fig. 3.)
Let us assume that No. 1 represents the
Spiritual Body of a living, physically embodied
man. No. 2 represents the Spiritual
Magnetism. No. 3 represents the Physical
Magnetism, and No. 4 represents the Physical
Body of Man. (Fig. 4.)
Let us suppose, again, that by some process
of nature the bond of attraction between Nos.
2 and 3 is broken. What happens? The Spiritual
Body with its Spiritual NLignetism separates
from the Physical Body and its Physical
Magnetism. (Fig. S.) Now in this
instance, let us also suppose the Spiritual
Body is still inhabited by the Soul. What
then? In this event we have the Soul with its
Spiritual Body and its Spiritual Magnetism
(Spiritual Magnetic Body) liberated entirely
from the Physical Body and its Physical
Magnetism (Physical Magnetic Body).
In this case the Soul has parted from all
that binds it to earth's conditions, and it rises
at once into the realm of pure Spiritual Conditions
unencumbered.
Now let us suppose that the four elements
are once more united in physical life, and
that by some natural process the attraction is
broken beuveen Xos. 3 and 4. What then?
The Physical Body alone falls away from the
combination, and leaves the other three elements
bound together. (Fig. 6.)
Assuming that the Soul still inhabits the
Spiritual Body after this separation, we then
have the Soul with its Spiritual Body and
Spiritual Magnetism still bound to and encumbered
by its original Physical Magnetism
(the Physical Magnetic Body).
Thus encumbered, the Soul is unable to rise
to the level of the pure Spiritual Condition,
or Plane. As a result, it remains in the realm
of the Magnetic Field until such time as it is
able to cast off its Physical Magnetic Body.
Its Physical Magnetic Body gives to the combination
a ''Gravity'' which binds it closely
to the plane of earth. While in this condition
the Soul remains in what has been designated
as an ^'earth-bound" condition. While it remains
in this condition it is known as an
"earth-bound Soul."
In course of time, however, if it continues
its evolutionary struggle it will be able to cast
oflF its Physical Magnetic Body, and we then
have the analogy for Fig. 7.
In this case the Physical Magnetic Body,
being detached from all its moorings, floats
in the Magnetic Field until it is finally dissolved
by the processes of Nature and is resolved
back into the elements from which it
was originally formed.
J.E Richardson 1908
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