The Aquarian Age Gospel of Jesus, the Christ of the Piscean Age: Chapters 31 - 60

Chapter 31

Brahmic priests are enraged because of Jesus' teaching and resolve to drive him from India. Lamaas pleads for him. Priests employ a murderer to kill him. Lamaas warns him and he flees to Nepel.

THE words and works of Jesus caused unrest through all the land. 2 The common people were his friends, believed in him and followed him in thongs. 3 The priests and rulers were afraid of him, his very name sent terror to their hearts. 4 He preached the brotherhood of life, the righteousness of equal rights, and taught the uselessness of priests, and sacrificial rites. 5 He shook the very sand on which the Brahmic system stood; he made the Brahmic idols seem so small, and sacrifice so fraught with sin, that shrines and wheels of prayer were all forgot. 6 The priests declared that if this Jewish boy should tarry longer in the land a revolution would occur; the common people would arise and kill the priests, and tear the temples down. 7 And so they sent a call abroad, and priests from every province came. Benares was on fire with Brahmic zeal. 8 Lamaas from the temple Jagannath, who knew the inner life of Jesus well, was in their midst, and heard the rantings of the priests, 9 And he stood forth and said, My brother priests, take heed, be careful what you do; this is a record-making day. 10 The world is looking on; the very life of Brahmic thought is now on trial. 11 If we are reason-blind; if prejudice be king to-day; if we resort to beastly force, and dye our hands in blood that may, in sight of Brahm, be innocent and pure, 12 His vengeance may fall down on us; the very rock on which we stand may burst beneath our feet; and our beloved priesthood, and our laws and shrines will go into decay. 13 But they would let him speak no more. The wrathful priests rushed up and beat him, spit upon him, called him traitor, threw him, bleeding, to the street. 14 And then confusion reigned; the priests became a mob; the sight of human blood led on to fiendish acts and called for more. 15 The rulers, fearing war, sought Jesus, and they found him calmly teaching in the market place. 16 They urged him to depart, that he might save his life; but he refused to go. 17 And then the priests sought cause for his arrest; but he had done no crime. 18 And then false charges were preferred; but when the soldiers went to bring him to the judgement hall they were afraid, because the people stood in his defence. 19 The priests were baffled, and they resolved to take his life by stealth. 20 They found a man who was a murderer by trade, and sent him out by night to slay the object of their wrath. 21 Lamaas heard about their plotting and their plans, and sent a messenger to warn his friend; and Jesus hastened to depart. 22 By night he left Benares, and with haste he journeyed to the north; and everywhere, the farmers, merchants and sudras helped him on his way. 23 And after many days he reached the mighty Himalayas, and in the city of Kapivastu he abode. 24 The priests of Buddha opened wide their temple doors for him.

Chapter 32

Jesus and Barata. Together they read the sacred books. Jesus takes exception to the Buddhist doctrine of evolution and reveals the true origin of man. Meets Vidyapati, who becomes his co-labourer.

AMONG the Buddhist priests was one who saw a lofty wisdom in the words that Jesus spoke. It was Barata Arabo. 2 Together Jesus and Barata read the Jewish Psalms and Prophets; read the Vedas, the Avesta and the wisdom of Gautama. 3 And as they read and talked about the possibilities of man, Barata said, 4 Man is the marvel of the universe. He is part of everything for he has been a living thing on every plane of life. 5 Time was when man was not; and he was bit of formless substance in the moulds of time; and then a protoplast. 6 By universal law all things tend upward to a state of perfectness. The protoplast evolved, becoming worm, then reptile, bird and beast, and then at last it reached the form of man. 7 Now, man himself is mind, and mind is here to gain perfection by experience; and mind is often manifest in fleshy form, and in the form best suited to its growth. So mind may manifest as worm, or bird, or beast, or man. 8 The time will come when everthing of life will be evolved unto the state of perfect man. 9 And after man is man in perfectness, he will evolve to higher forms of life. 10 And Jesus said, Barata Arabo, who taught you this, that mind, which is the man, may manifest in flesh of beast, or bird, or creeping thing? 11 Barata said, From times which man remembers not our priests have told us so, and so we know. 12 And Jesus said, Enlightened Arabo, are you a master mind and do not know that man knows naught by being told? 13 Man may believe what others say; but thus he never knows. If man would know, he must himself be what he knows. 14 Do you remember, Arabo, when you were ape, or bird, or worm? 15 Now, if you have no better proving of your plea than that the priests have told you so, you do not know; you simply guess. 16 Regard not, then, what any man has said; let us forget the flesh, and go with mind into the land of fleshless things; mind never does forget. 17 And backward through the ages master minds can trace themselves; and thus they know. 18 Time never was when man was not. 19 That which begins will have an end. If man was not, the time will come when he will not exist. 20 From God's own Record Book we read: The Triune God breathed forth, and seven Spirits stood before his face. (The Hebrews call these seven Spirits, Elohim.) 21 And these are they who, in their boundless power, created everything that is, or was. 22 These Spirits of the Triune God moved on the face of boundless space and seven ethers were, and every ether had its form of life. 23 These forms of life were but the thoughts of God, clothed in the substance of their ether planes. 24 (Men call these ether planes the planes of protoplast, of earth, of plant, of beast, of man, of angel and of cherubim.) 25 These planes with all their teeming thoughts of God, are never seen by eyes of man in flesh; they are composed of substance far too fine for fleshy eyes to see, and still they constitute the soul of things; 26 And with the eyes of soul all creatures see these ether planes, and all forms of life. 27 Because all forms of life on every plane are thoughts of God, all creatures think, and every creature is possessed of will, and, in its measure, has the power to choose, 28 And in their native planes all creatures are supplied with nourishment from the ethers of their planes. 29 And so it was with every living thing until the will became a sluggish will, and then the ethers of the protoplast, the earth, the plant, the beast, the man, began to vibrate very slow. 30 The ethers all became more dense, and all the creatures of these planes were clothed with coarser garbs, the garbs of flesh, which men can see; and thus this coarser manifest, which men call physical, appeared. 31 And this is what is called the fall of man; but man fell not alone for protoplast, and earth, and plant and beast were all included in the fall. 32 The angels and the cherubim fell not; their wills were ever strong, and so they held the ethers of their planes in harmony with God. 33 Now, when the ethers reached the rate of atmosphere, and all the creatures of these planes must get their food from atmosphere, the conflict came; and that which the finite man ahs called, survival of the best, became the law, 34 The stronger ate the bodies of the weaker manifests; and here is where the carnal law of evolution had its rise. 35 And now man, in his utter shamelessness, strikes down and eats the beasts, the beast consumes the plant, the plant thrives on the earth, the earth absorbs the protoplast. 36 In yonder kingdom of the soul this carnal evolution is not known, and the great work of master minds is to restore the heritage of man, to bring him back to his estate that he has lost, when he again will live upon the ethers of his native plane. 37 The thoughts of God change not; the manifests of life on every plane unfold into perfection of their kind; and as the thoughts of God can never die, there is no death to any being of the seven ethers of the seven Spirits of the Triune God. 38 And so an earth is never plant; a beast, or bird, or creeping thing is never man, and man is not, and cannot be, a beast, or bird, or creeping thing. 39 The time will come when all these seven manifests will be absorbed, and man, and beast, and plant, and earth and protoplast will be redeemed. 40 Barata was amazed; the wisdom of the Jewish sage was a revelation unto him. 41 Now, Vidyapati, wisest of the Indian sages, chief of temple Kapavistu, heard Barata speak to Jesus of the origin of man, and heard the answer of the Hebrew prophet, and he said, 42 You priests of Kapavistu, hear me speak: We stand to-day upon a crest of time. Six times ago a master soul was born who gave a glory light to man, and now a master sage stands here in temple Kapavistu. 43 This Hebrew prophet is the rising star of wisdom, diefied. He brings to us a knowledge of the secrets things of God; and all the world will hear his words, will heed his words, and glorify his name. 44 You priests of temple Kapavistu, stay! be still and listen when he speaks; he is the Living Oracle of God. 45 And all the priests gave thanks, and praised the Buddha of enlightenment.

Chapter 33

Jesus teaches the common people at a spring. Tells them how to attain unto happiness. Relates the parable of the rocky field and the hidden treasure.

IN silent meditation Jesus sat beside a flowing spring. It was a holy day, and many people of the servant caste were near the place. 2 And Jesus saw the hard drawn lines of toil on every brow, in every hand. There was no look of joy in any face. Not one of all the group could think of anything but toil. 3 And Jesus spoke to one and said, Why are you all so sad? Have you no happiness in life? 4 The man replied, We scarely know the meaning of that word. We toil to live, and hope for nothing else but toil, and bless the day when we can cease our toil and lay us down to rest in Buddha's city of the dead. 5 And Jesus' heart was stirred with pity and with love for these poor toilers, and he said, 6 Toil should not make a person sad; men should be happiest when they toil. When hope and love are back of toil, then all of life is filled with joy and peace, and this is heaven. Do you not know that such a heaven is for you? 7 The man replied, Of heaven we have heard; but then it is so far away, and we must live so many lives before we can reach that place! 8 And Jesus said, My brother, man, your thoughts are wrong; your heaven is not far away; and it is not a place of metes and bounds, is not a country to be reached; it is a state of mind. 9 God never made a heaven for man; he never made a hell; we are creators and we make our own. 10 Now, cease to seek for heaven in the sky; just open up the windows of the hearts, and, like a flood of light, a heaven will come and bring a boundless joy; then toil will be no cruel task. 11 The people were amazed, and gathered close to hear this strange young master speak, 12 Imploring him to tell them more about the Father-God; about the heaven that men can make on earth; about the boundless joy. 13 And Jesus spoke a parable; he said, A certain man possessed a field; the soil was hard and poor. 14 By constant toil he scarcely could provide enough of food to keep his family from want. 15 One day a miner who could see beneath the soil, in passing on his way, saw this poor man and his unfruitful field. 16 He called the weary toiler and he said, My brother, know you not that just below the surface of your barren field rich treasures lie concealed? 17 You plough and sow and reap in scanty way, and day by day you tread upon a mine of gold and precious stones. 18 This wealth lies not upon the surface of the ground; but if you will dig away the rocky soil, and delve down deep into the earth, you need no longer till the soil for naught. 19 The man beleived. The miner surely knows; he said, and I will find the treasures hidden in my field. 20 And then he dug away the rocky soil, and deep down in the earth he found a mine of gold. 21 And Jesus said, The sons of men are toiling hard on desert plains, and burning sands and rocky soils; are doing what there fathers did, not dreaming they can do aught else. 22 Behold, a master comes, and tells them of a hidden wealth; that underneath the rocky soil of carnal things are treasures that no man can count; 23 That in the heart the richest gems abound; that he who wills may open the door and find them all. 24 And then the people said, Make known to us the way that we may find the wealth that lies within the heart. 25 And Jesus opened up the way; the toilers saw another side of life, and toil became a joy.

Chapter 34

The Jubilee in Kapavistu. Jesus teaches in the plaza and the people are astonished. He relates the parable of the unkept vineyard and the vine dresser. The priests are angered by his words.

IT was a gala day in sacred Kapavista; a throng of Buddhist worshippers had met to celebrate a Jubilee. 2 And priests and masters from all parts of India were there; they taught; but they embellished little truth with many words. 3 And Jesus went into an ancient plaza and taught; he spoke of Father-Mother-God; he told about the brotherhood of life. 4 The priests and all the people were astounded at his words and said, Is this not Buddha come again in flesh? No other one could speak with such simplicity and power. 5 And Jesus spoke a parable; he said, There was a vineyard all unkept; the vines were high, the growth of leaves and branches great. 6 The leaves were broad and shut the sunlight from the vines; the grapes were sour, and few, and small. 7 The pruner came; with his sharp knife he cut off every branch, and not a leaf remained; just root and stalk, and nothing more. 8 The busy neighbours came with one accord and were amazed, and said to him who pruned, You foolish man! the vineyard is despoiled. 9 Such desolation! There is no beauty left, and when the harvest time shall come the gathers will find no fruit. 10 The pruner said, Content yourselves with what you think, and come again at harvest time and see. 11 And when the harvest time came on the busy neighbours came again; they were surprised. 12 The naked stalks had put forth branch and leaf, and heavy clusters of delicious grapes weighed every branch to earth. 13 The gatherers rejoiced as, day by day, they carried the rich fruitage to the press. 14 Behold the vineyard of the Lord! the earth is spread with human vines. 15 The gorgeous forms and rites of men are branches, and their words are leaves; and these have grown so great that sunlight can no longer reach the heart; there is no fruit. 16 Behold, the pruner comes, and with a two-edged knife he cuts away the branches and the leaves of words, 17 And naught is left but unclothed stalks of human life. 18 The priests and they of pompous show, rebuke the pruner, and would stay him in his work. 19 They see no beauty in the stalks of human life; no promises of fruit. 20 The harvest time will come and they who scorned the pruner will look on again and be amazed, for they will see the human stalks that seemed so lifeless, bending low with precious fruit. 21 And they will hear the harvesters rejoice, because the harvest is so great. 22 The priests were not well pleased with Jesus' words; but they rebuked him not; they feared the multitude.

Chapter 35

Jesus and Vidyapati consider the needs of the incoming age of the world.

THE Indian sage and Jesus often met and talked about the needs of nations and of men; about the sacred doctrines, forms and rites best suited to the coming age. 2 One day they sat together in a mountain pass, and Jesus said, The coming age will surely not require priests, and shrines, and sacrifice of life. 3 There is no power in sacrifice of beast, or bird, to help a man to holy life. 4 And Vidyapati said, All forms and rites are symbols of the things that men must do within the temple of the soul. 5 The Holy One requires man to give his life in willing sacrifice for men, and all the so-called offerings on altars and on shrines that have been made since time began, were made to teach man how to give himself to save his brother man; for man can never save himself except he lose his life in saving other men. 6 The perfect age will not require forms and rites and carnal sacrifice. The coming age is not the perfect age, and men will call for object lessons and symbolic rites. 7 And in the great religion you shall introduce to men, some simple rites of washings and remembrances will be required; but cruel sacrifice of animals, and birds the gods require not. 8 And Jesus said, Our God must loathe the tinselled show of priests and priestly things. 9 When men array themselves in showy garbs to indicate that they are servants of the gods, and strut about like gaudy birds to be admired by men, because of piety or any other thing, the Holy One must surely turn away in sheer disgust. 10 All people are alike the servants of our Father-God, are kings and priests. 11 Will not the coming age demand complete destruction of the priestly caste, as well as every other caste, and inequality among the sons of men? 12 And Vidyapati said, The coming age is not the age of spirit life and men will pride themselves in wearing priestly robes, and chanting pious chants to advertise themselves as saints. 13 The simple rites that you will introduce will be extolled by those who follow you, until the sacred service of the age will far outshine in gorgeousness the priestly service of the Brahmic age. 14 This is a problem men must solve. 15 The perfect age will come when every man will be a priest and men will not array themselves in special garb to advertise their piety.

Life and Works of Jesus in Tibet and Western India

Chapter 36

Jesus in Lassa. He meets Meng-ste who aids him in reading the ancient manuscripts. He goes to Ladak. Heals a child. Relates the parable of the king's son.

IN Lassa of Tibet there was a master's temple, rich in manuscripts of ancient lore. 2 The Indian sage had read these manuscripts, and he revealed to Jesus many of the secret lessons they contained; but Jesus wished to read them for himself. 3 Now, Meng-ste, greatest sage of all the farther East, was in this temple of Tibet. 4 The path across Emodus heights was difficult; but Jesus started on his way, and Vidyapati sent with him a trusted guide. 5 And Vidyapati sent a message to Meng-ste, in which he told about the Hebrew sage, and spoke for him a welcome by the temple priests. 6 Now, after many days, and perils great, the guide and Jesus reached the Lassa temple in Tibet. 7 And Meng-ste opened wide the temple doors, and all the priests and masters gave a welcome to the Hebrew sage. 8 And Jesus had access to all the sacred manuscripts, and, with the help of Meng- ste, read them all. 9 And Meng-ste often talked with Jesus of the coming age, and of the sacred service best adapted to the people of the age. 10 In Lassa Jesus did not teach. When he finished all his studies in the temple schools he journeyed toward the West. In many villages he tarried for a time and taught. 11 At last he reached the pass, and in the Ladak city, Leh, he was received with favour by the monks, the merchants, and the men of low estate. 12 And in the monastery he abode, and taught; and then he sought the common people in the marts of trade; and there he taught. 13 Not far away a woman lived, whose infant son was sick nigh unto death. The doctors had declared, There is no hope; the child must die. 14 The woman heard that Jesus was a teacher sent from God, and she believed that he had power to heal her son. 15 And so she clasped the dying infant in her arms and ran with haste and asked to see the man of God. 16 When Jesus saw her faith he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, 17 My Father-God, let power divine o'ershadow me, and let the Holy Breath fill full this child that it may live. 18 And in the presence of the multitude he laid his hand upon the child and said, 19 Good woman you are blest; your faith has saved your son. And then the child was well. 20 The people were astonished and they said, This surely is the Holy One made flesh, for man alone cannot a fever thus and save a child from death. 21 Then many of the people brought their sick, and Jesus spoke the Word, and they were healed. 22 Among the Ladaks Jesus tarried many days; he taught them how to heal; how sins are blotted out, and how to make on earth a heaven of joy. 23 The people loved him for his words and works, and when he must depart they grieved as children grieve when mother goes away. 24 And on the morning when he started on his way the multitudes were there to press his hand. 25 To them he spoke a parable; he said, A certain king so loved the people of his land that he sent forth his only son with precious gifts for all. 26 The son went everywhere and scattered forth the gifts with lavish hand. 27 But there were priests who ministered at shrines of foreign gods, who were not pleased because the king did not through them bestow the gifts. 28 And so they sought to cause the people all to hate the son. They said, These gifts are not of any worth; they are but counterfeits. 29 And so the people threw the precious gems, and gold and silver in the streets. They caught the son and beat him, spit upon him, drove him from their midst. 30 The son resented not their insults and their cruelties; but thus he prayed, My Father-God, forgive these creatures of thy hand; they are but slaves; they know not what they do. 31 And while they yet were beating him he gave them food, and blest them with a boundless love. 32 In certain cities was the son received with joy, and he would gladly have remained to bless the homes; but he could tarry not, for he must carry gifts to every one in all the king's domain. 33 And Jesus said, My Father-God is king of all mankind, and he has sent me forth with all the bounties of his matchless love and boundless wealth. 34 To all the people of all lands, lo, I must bear these gifts--this water and this bread of life. 35 I go my way, but we will meet again; for in my Fatherland is room for all; I will prepare a place for you. 36 And Jesus raised his hand in silent benediction; then he went his way.

Chapter 37

Jesus is presented with a camel. He goes to Lahore where he abides with Ajainin, whom he teaches. Lesson of the wandering musicians. Jesus resumes his journey.

A CARAVAN of merchantmen were journeying through the Kashmar vale as Jesus passed that way, and they are going to Lahore, a city of the Hand, the five-stream land. 2 The merchantmen had heard the prophet speak, had seen his mighty works in Leh, and they were glad to see him once again. 3 And when they knew that he was going to Lahore and then across the Sind, through Persia and the farther West, and that he had no beast on which to ride, 4 They freely gave to him a noble bactrian beast, well saddled and equipped, and Jesus journeyed with the caravan. 5 And when he reached Lahore, Ajainin and some other Brahmic priests, received him with delight. 6 Ajainin was the priest who came to Jesus in the night time in Benares many months before, and heard he words of truth. 7 And Jesus was Ajainin's guest; he taught Ajainin many things; revealed to him the secrets of the healing art. 8 He taught him how he could control the spirits of the air, the fire, the water and the earth; and he explained to him the secret doctrine of forgiveness, and the blotting out of sins. 9 One day Ajainin sat with Jesus in the temple porch; a band of wandering singers and musicians paused before the court to sing and play. 10 Their music was most rich and delicate, and Jesus said, Among the high-breed people of the land we hear no sweeter music than that these uncouth children of the wilderness bring here to us. 11 From whence this talent and this power? In one short life they could not gain such grace of voice, such knowledge of the laws of harmony and tone. 12 Men call them prodigies. There are no prodigies. All things result from natural law. 13 These people are not young. A thousand years would not suffice to give them such divine expressiveness, and such purity of voice and touch. 14 Ten thousand years ago these people mastered harmony. In days of old they trod the busy thoroughfares of life, and caught the melody of birds, and played on harps of perfect form. 15 And they have come again to learn still other lessons from the varied notes of manifests. 16 These wandering people form a part of heaven's orchestra, and in the land of perfect things the very angels will delight to hear them play and sing. 17 And Jesus taught the common people of Lahore; he healed their sick, and showed to them the way to rise to better things by helpfulness. 18 He said, We are not rich by what we get and hold; the only things we keep are those we give away. 19 If you would live the perfect life, give forth your life in service for your kind, and for the forms of life that men esteem the lower forms of life. 20 But Jesus could not tarry longer in Lahore; he bade the priests and other friends farewell; and then he took his camel and he went his way toward the Sind.

Life and Works of Jesus in Persia

Chapter 38

Jesus crosses Persia. Teaches and heals in many places. Three magian priests meet him as he nears Persepolis. Kaspar, and two other Persian masters, meet him in Persepolis. The seven masters sit in silence seven days.

FOUR-AND-TWENTY years of age was Jesus when he entered Persia on his homeward way. 2 In many a hamlet, town and neighbourhood he paused a while and taught and healed. 3 The priests and ruling classes did not welcome him, because he censured them for cruelty to those of low estate. 4 The common people followed him in throngs 5 At times the chiefs made bold to try to hinder him, forbidding him to teach or heal the sick. But he regarded not their angry threats; he taught, and healed the sick. 6 In time he reached Persepolis, the city where the kings of Persia were entombed; the city of the learned magi, Hor, and Lun, and Mer, the three wise men. 7 Who, four-and-twenty years before, had seen the star of promise rise above Jerusalem, and who had journeyed to the West to find the new-born king; 8 And were the first to honour Jesus as the master of the age, and gave him gifts of gold, gum-thus and myrrh. 9 These magi knew, by ways that masters always know, when Jesus neared Persepolis; and then they girt themselves, and went to meet him on the way. 10 And when they met, a light much brighter than the light of day, surrounded them, and men who saw the four stand in the way declared they were transfigured; seeming more like gods than men. 11 Now, Hor and Lun were aged men, and Jesus placed them on his beast to ride into Persepolis; whilst he and Mer led on the way. 12 And when they reached the magi's home they all rejoiced. And Jesus told the thrilling story of his life, and Hor and Lun and Mer spoke not; they only looked to heaven, and in their hearts praised God. 13 Three wise men from the North were Persepolis; and they were Kaspar, Zara and Melzone; and Kaspar was the wisest master of the Magian land. These three were at the home of Hor and Lun and Mer when Jesus came. 14 For seven days these seven men spoke not; they sat in silence in the council hall in close communion with the Silent Brotherhood. 15 They sought for light, for revelation and for power. The laws and precepts of the coming age required all the wisdom of the masters of the world.

Chapter 39

Jesus attends a feast in Persepolis. Speaks to the people, reviewing the magian philosophy. Explains the origin of evil. Spends the night in prayer.

A FEAST in honour of the magian God was being held, and many men were gathered in Persepolis. 2 And on the great day of the feast the ruling magian master said, Within these sacred walls is liberty; whoever wills to speak may speak. 3 And Jesus standing in the midst of all the people, said, My brothers, sisters, children of our Father-God: 4 Most blest are you among the sons of men today, because you have such just conceptions of the Holy One and man. 5 Your purity in worship and in life is pleasing unto God; and to your master, Zarathustra, praise is due. 6 Well say you all, There is one God from whose great being there came forth the seven Spirits that created heaven and earth; and manifest unto the sons of men are these great Spirits in the sun, and moon, and stars. 7 But in your sacred books we read that two among these seven are of superior strength; that one of these created all the good; the other one created all that evil is. 8 I pray you, honoured masters, tell me how that evil can be born of that which is all good? 9 A magus rose and said, If you will answer me, your problem will be solved. 10 We all do recognize the fact that evil is. Whatever is, must have a cause, If God, the One, made not this evil, then, where is the God who did? 11 And Jesus said, Whatever God, the One, has made is good, and like the great first Cause, the seven Spirits all are good, and everthing that comes from their creative hands is good. 12 Now, all created things have colours, tones and forms their own; but certain tones, though good and pure themselves, when mixed, produce inharmonies, discordant tones. 13 And certain things, though good and pure, when mixed, produce discordant things, yea, poisonous things, that men call evil things. 14 So evil is the inharmonious blending of the colours, tones, or forms of good. 15 Now, man is not all-wise, and yet has will his own. He has the power, and he uses it, to mix God's good things in a multitude of ways, and every day he makes discordant sounds, and evil things. 16 And every tone and form, be it of good, or ill, becomes a living thing, a demon, sprite, or spirit of a good or vicious kind. 17 Man makes his evil thus; and then becomes afraid of him and flees; his devil is emboldened, follows him away and casts him into torturing fires. 18 The devil and the burning fires are both the works of man, and none can put the fires out and dissipate the evil one, but man who made them both. 19 Then Jesus stood aside, and not a magus answered him. 20 And he departed from the throng and went into a secret place to pray.

Chapter 40

Jesus teaches the magians. Explains the Silence and how to enter it. Kaspar extols the wisdom of Jesus. Jesus teaches in the groves of Cyrus.

NOW, in the early morning Jesus came again to teach and heal. A light not comprehended shown about, as though some mighty spirit overshadowed him. 2 A magus noted this and asked him privately to tell from whence his wisdom came, and what the meaning of the light. 3 And Jesus said, There is a Silence where the soul may meet its God, and there the fount of wisdom is, and all who enter are immersed in light, and filled with wisdom, love and power. 4 The magus said, Tell me about this Silence and this light, that I may go and there abide. 5 And Jesus said, The Silence is not circumscribed; is not a place closed in with wall, or rocky steeps, nor guarded by the sword of man. 6 Men carry with them all the time the secret place where they might meet their God. 7 It matters not where men abide, on mountain top, in deepest vale, in marts of trade, or in the quiet home; they may at once, at any time, fling wide the door, and find the Silence, find the house of God; it is within the soul. 8 One may not be so much disturbed by noise of business, and the words and thoughts of men if he goes all alone into the valley or the mountain pass. 9 And when life's heavy load is pressing hard, it is far better to go out and seek a quiet place to pray and meditate. 10 The Silence is the kingdom of the soul which is not seen by human eyes. 11 When in the Silence, phantom forms mat flit before the mind; but they are all subsevient to the will; the master soul may speak and they are gone. 12 If you would find this Silence of the soul you must yourself prepare the way. None but the pure in heart may enter here. 13 And you must lay aside all tenseness of the mind, all business cares, all fears, all doubts and troubled thoughts. 14 Your human will must be absorbed by the divine; then you will come into a consciousness of holiness. 15 You are in the Holy Place, and you will see upon a living shrine the candle of the Lord aflame. 16 And when you see it burning there, look deep into the temple of your brain, and you will see it all aglow. 17 In every part, from head to foot. are candles all in place, just waiting to be lighted by the flaming torch of love. 18 And when you see the candles all aflame, just look, and you will see, with eyes of soul, the waters of the fount of wisdom rushing on; and you may drink, and there abide. 19 And then the curtains part, and you are in the Holiest of All, where rests the Arc of God, whose covering is the Mercy Seat. 20 Fear not to lift the sacred board; the Tables of the Law are in the Ark concealed. 21 Take them and read them well; for they contain all precepts and commands that men will ever need. 22 And in the Ark, the magic wand of prophecy lies waiting for your hand; it is the key to all the hidden meanings of the present, future,past. 23 And then, behold, the manna there, the hidden bread of life; and he who eats shall never die. 24 The cherubim have guarded well for every soul this treasure box, and whosoever will enter in and find his own. 25 Now Kaspar heard the Hebrew master speak and he exclaimed, Behold, the wisdom of the gods has come to men! 26 And Jesus went his way, and in the sacred groves of Cyrus, where the multitudes were met, he taught and healed the sick.

Chapter 41

Jesus stands by a healing fountain. Reveals the fact that faith is the potent factor in healing and many are healed by faith. A little child teaches a great lesson of faith.

A FLOWING spring that people called the Healing Fount, was near Persepolis. 2 And all the people thought that at a certain time of the year their deity came down and gave a virtue to the waters of the fount, and that the sick who then would plunge into the fount and wash would be made whole. 3 About the fount a multitude of people were in waiting for the Holy One to come and potentise the waters of the fount. 4 The blind, the lame, the deaf, the dumb, and those obsessed were there. 5 And Jesus, standing in the midst of them, exclaimed, Behold the spring of life! These waters that will fail are honoured as the special blessing of your God. 6 From whence do healing virtues come? Why is your God so partial with his gifts? Why does he bless this spring to-day, and then to-morrow take his blessings all away? 7 A deity of power could fill these waters full of healing virtue every day. 8 Hear me, you sick, disconsolate: The virtue of this fount is not a special gift of God. 9 Faith is the healing power of every drop of all the waters of this spring. 10 He who believes with all his heart that he will be made whole by washing in this fount will be made whole when he has washed; and he may wash at any time. 11 Let every one who has this faith in God and in himself plunge in these waters now and wash. 12 And many of the people plunged into the crystal fount; and they were healed. 13 And then there was a rush, for all the people were inspired with faith, and each one strove to be among the first to wash, lest all the virtue be absorbed. 14 And Jesus saw a little child, weak, faint and helpless, sitting all alone beyond the surging crowd; and there was none to help her to the fount. 15 And Jesus said, My little one, why do you sit and wait? Why not arise and hasten to the fount and wash, and be made well? 16 The child replied, I need not haste; the blessings of my Father in the sky are measured not in tiny cups; they never fail; their virtues are the same for evermore. 17 When these whose faith is weak must haste to wash for fear their faith will fail, have all been cured, these waters will be just as powerful for me. 18 Then I can go and stay a long, long time within the blessed waters of the spring. 19 And Jesus said, Behold a master soul! She came to earth to teach to men the power of faith. 20 And then he lifted up the child and said, Why wait for anything? The very air we breathe is filled with balm of life. Breathe in this balm of life in faith and be made whole. 21 The child breathed in the balm of life in faith, and she was well. 22 The people marvelled much at what they heard and saw; they said, This man must surely be the god of health made flesh. 23 And Jesus said, The fount of life is not a little pool; it is as wide as are the spaces of the heavens. 24 The waters of the fount are love; the potency is faith, and he who plunges deep into the living springs, in living faith, may wash away his guilt and be made whole, and freed from sin.

Life and Works of Jesus in Assyria

Chapter 42

Jesus bids the magians farewell. Goes to Assyria. Teaches the people in Ur of Chaldea. Meets Ashbina, with whom he visits many towns and cities, teaching and healing the sick.

IN Persia Jesus' work was done and he resumed his journey towards his native land. 2 The Persian sage went with him to the Euphrates; then with a pledge that they would meet again in Egypt land the masters said, Farewell. 3 And Kaspar went his way unto his home beside the Caspian Sea; and Jesus soon was in Chaldea, cradle land of Israel. 4 In Ur, where Abraham was born, he tarried for a time; and when he told the people who he was, and why he came, they came from near and far to speak to him. 5 He said to them, We all are kin. Two thousand years and more ago, our Father Abraham lived here in Ur, and then he worshipped God the One, and taught the people in these sacred groves. 6 And he was greatly blessed; becoming father of the mighty hosts of Israel. 7 Although so many years have passed since Abraham and Sarah walked these ways, a remnant of their kindred still abide in Ur. 8 And in there hearts the God of Abraham is still adored, and faith and justice are the rocks on which they build. 9 Behold this land! It is no more the fruitful land that Abraham loved so well; the rains come not as in the former times; the vine is not productive now, and withered are the figs. 10 But this shall not for ever be; the time will come when all your deserts will rejoice; when flowers will bloom; when all your vines will bend their heads with luscious fruit; shepherds will again be glad. 11 And Jesus preached to them the gospel of goodwill, and peace on earth. He told them of the brotherhood of life, and of the inborn powers of man, and of the kingdom of the soul. 12 And as he spoke, Ashbina, greatest sage of all Assyria, stood before his face. 13 The people knew the sage, for he had often taught them in their sacred halls and groves, and they rejoiced to see his face. 14 Ashbina said, My children of Chaldea, hear! Behold, for you are greatly blest to- day, because a prophet of the living God has come to you. 15 Take heed to what this master says, for he gives forth the words that God has given him. 16 And Jesus and the sage went through the towns and cities of Chaldea and of the lands between the Tigris and the Euphrates; 17 And Jesus healed a multitude of people who were sick.

Chapter 43

Jesus and Ashbina visit Babylon and remark its desolation. The two masters remain in company seven days; then Jesus resumes his homeward journey. Arrives in Nazareth. His mother gives a feast in his honour. His brothers are displeased. Jesus tells his mother and aunt the story of his journeys.

THE ruined Babylon was near, and Jesus and the sage went through her gates and walked among her fallen palaces. 2 They trod the streets where Israel once was held in base captivity. 3 They saw where Judah's sons and daughters hung their harps upon the willows, and refused to sing. 4 They saw where Daniel and the Hebrew children stood as living witnesses of faith. 5 And Jesus lifted up his hand and said, Behold the grandeur of the works of man! 6 The king of Babylon destroyed the temple of the Lord in old Jerusalem; he burned the holy city, bound in chains my people and my kin, and brought them here as slaves. 7 But retribution comes; for whatsoever men shall do to other men the righteous Judge will do to them. 8 The sun of Babylon has gone down; the songs of pleasure will be heard no more within her walls. 9 And every kind of creeping thing and unclean bird will, in these ruins, find their homes. 10 And in the temple Belus, Jesus and Ashbina stood in silent thought. 11 Then Jesus spoke and said, Behold this monument of folly and of shame. 12 Man tried to shake the very throne of God, and he assayed to build a tower to reach to heaven, when, lo, his very speech was snatched away, because in lofty words he boasted of his power. 13 And on these heights the heathen Baal stood--the god wrought out by hands of man. 14 Upon yon altar, birds, and beasts, and men, yea children have been burned in awful sacrifice to Baal. 15 But now the gory priests are dead; the very rocks have shuddered and have fallen down; the place is desolate. 16 Now, in the plains of Shinar Jesus tarried yet for seven days, and, with Ashbina, meditated long upon the needs of men, and how the sages could best serve the coming age. 17 Then Jesus went his way, and after many days he crossed the Jordan to his native land. At once he sought his home in Nazareth. 18 His mother's heart was filled with joy; she made a feast for him, inviting all her kindred and her friends. 19 But Jesus' brothers were not pleased that such attention should be paid to one they deemed a sheer adventurer, and they went not in to the feast. 20 They laughed their brother's claims to scorn; they called him indolent, ambitious, vain; a worthless fortune hunter; searcher of the world for fame, who, after many years returns to mother's home with neither gold, nor any other wealth. 21 And Jesus called aside his mother and her sister, Miriam, and told them of his journey to the East. 22 He told them of the lessons he had learned, and of the works that he had done. To others he told not the story of his life.

Life and Works of Jesus in Greece

Chapter 44

Jesus visits Greece and is welcomed by the Athenians. Meets Apollo. Addresses the Grecian masters in the Amphitheatre. The address.

THE Greek philosophy was full of pungent truth, and Jesus longed to study with the masters in the schools of Greece. 2 And so he left his home in Nazareth and crossed the Carmel hills, and at the port took ship, and soon was in the Grecian capital. 3 Now, the Athenians had heard of him as teacher and philosopher, and they were glad to have him come to them that they might hear his words of truth. 4 Among the masters of the Greeks was one, Apollo, who was called, Defender of the Oracle, and recognised in many lands as Grecian sage. 5 Apollo opened up for Jesus all the doors of Grecian lore, and in the Areopagus he heard the wisest masters speak. 6 But Jesus brought to them a wisdom greater far than theirs; and so he taught. 7 Once in the Amphitheatre he spood, and when Apollo bade him speak he said, 8 Athenian masters, hear! In ages long ago, men, wise in nature's laws, sought out and found the place on which your city stands. 9 Full well you know that there are parts of earth where its great beating heart throws heavenward etheric waves that meet the ethers from above: 10 Where spirit-light and understanding, like the stars of night, shine forth. 11 Of all the parts of earth there is no place more sensitised, more truly spirit-blest, than that where Athens stands. 12 Yea, all of Greece is blest. No other land has been the homeland of such mighty men of thought as grace your scrolls of fame. 13 A host of sturdy giants of philosophy, of poetry, of science, and of art, were born upon the soil of Greece, and rocked to manhood in your cradle of pure thought. 14 I come not here to speak of science, of philosophy, or art; of these you are the world's best masters now. 15 But all your high accomplishments are but stepping stones to worlds beyond the realm of sense; are but illusive shadows flitting on the walls of time. 16 But I would tell you of a life beyond, within; a real life that cannot pass away. 17 In science and philosophy there is no power strong enough to fit a soul to recognise itself, or to commune with God. 18 I would not stay the flow of your great streams of thought; but I would turn them to the channels of the soul. 19 Unaided by the Spirit-breath, the work of intellection tends to solve the problems of the things we see, and nothing more. 20 The senses were ordained to bring into the mind mere pictures of the things that pass away; they do not deal with real things; they do not comprehend eternal law. 21 But man has something in his soul, a something that will tear the veil apart that he may see the world of real things. 22 We call this something, spirit consciousness; it sleeps in every soul, and cannot be awakened till the Holy Breath becomes a welcome guest. 23 This Holy Breath knocks at the door of every soul, but cannot enter in until the will of man throws wide the door. 24 There is no power in intellect to turn the key; philosophy and science both have toiled to get a glimpse behind the veil; but they have failed. 25 The secret spring that throws ajar the door of soul is touched by nothing else than purity in life, by prayer and holy thought. 26 Return, O mystic stream of Grecian thought, and mingle your clear waters with the flood of Spirit-life; and then the spirit consciousness will sleep no more, and man will know, and God will bless. 27 When Jesus had thus said he stepped aside. The Grecian masters were astonished at the wisdom of his words; they answered not.

Chapter 45

Jesus teaches the Greek masters. Goes with Apollo to Delphi and hears the Oracle speak. It testifies for him. He abides with Apollo, and is recognised as the living Oracle of God. Explains to Apollo the phenomenon of oracular speech.

FOR many days the Grecian masters listened to the clear incisive words that Jesus spoke, and while they could not fully comprehend the things he said, they were delighted and accepted his philosophy. 2 One day as Jesus and Apollo walked beside the sea, a Delphic courier came in haste and said, Apollo, master, come; the Oracle would speak to you. 3 Apollo said to Jesus, Sir, if you would see the Delphic Oracle, and hear it speak, you may accompany me. And Jesus did accompany him. 4 The masters went in haste; and when they came to Delphi, great excitement reigned. 5 And when Apollo stood before the Oracle it spoke and said: 6 Apollo, sage of Greece, the bell stikes twelve; the midnight of the ages now has come. 7 Within the womb of nature ages are conceived; they gestate and are born in glory with the rising sun, and when the agic sun goes down the age disintegrates and dies. 8 The Delphic age has been an age of glory and renown; the gods have spoken to the sons of men through oracles of wood, and gold, and precious stone. 9 The Delphic sun has set; the Oracle will go into decline; the time is near when men will hear its voice no more. 10 The gods will speak to man by man. The living Oracle now stands within these sacred groves; the Logos from on high has come. 11 From henceforth will decrease my wisdom and my power; from henceforth will increase the wisdom and the power of him, Immanuel. 12 Let all the masters stay; let every creature hear and honour him, Immanuel. 13 And then the Oracle spoke not again for forty days, and priests and people were amazed. They came from near and far to hear the Living Oracle speak forth the wisdom of the gods. 14 And Jesus and the Grecian sage returned, and in Apollo's home the Living Oracle spoke forth for forty days. 15 One day Apollo said to Jesus as they sat alone, This sacred Delphic Oracle has spoken many a helpful word for Greece. 16 Pray tell me what it is that speaks. Is it an angel, man, or living god? 17 And Jesus said, It is not angel, man, nor god that speaks. It is the matchless wisdom of the master minds of Greece, united in a master mind. 18 This giant mind has taken to itself the substances of soul, and thinks, and hears, and speaks. 19 It will remain a living soul while master minds feed it with thought, with wisdom and with faith and hope. 20 But when the master minds of Greece shall perish from the land, this giant master mind will cease to be, and then the Delphic Oracle will speak no more.

Chapter 46

A storm on the sea. Jesus rescues many drowning men. The Athenians pray to idols. Jesus rebukes their idolatry and tells how God helps. His last meeting with the Greeks. Sails on the vessel Mars.

IT was a holy day and Jesus walked upon the Athens beach. 2 A storm was on and ships were being tossed about like toys upon the bosom ofthe sea. 3 The sailors and the fishermen were going down to watery graves; the shores were strewn with bodies of the dead. 4 And Jesus halted not, but with a mighty power he rescued many a helpless one, oft bringing back to life the seeming dead. 5 Now, on these shores were altars sacred to the gods supposed to rule the seas. 6 And men and women, heedless of the cries of drowning men were crowding all about these altars calling on their gods for help. 7 At length the storm was done, and all the sea was calm, and men could think again; and Jesus said, 8 You worshippers of wooden gods, how has the fury of this storm been lessened by your frantic prayers? 9 Where is the strength of these poor, weather-beaten gods with painted swords and crowns? 10 A god that could abide in such a little house could hardly hold a frantic fly, and who could hope that he could hold at bay the Lords of winds and waves? 11 The mighty powers of worlds unseen do not give forth their help till men have done their best; they only help when men can do no more. 12 And you have agonised and prayed around these shrines, and let men sink to death who might have been, by your assistance, saved. 13 The God that saves dwells in your souls, and manifests by making use of your own feet, and legs, and arms, and hands. 14 Strength never comes through idleness; nor through a waiting for another one to bear your loads, or do the work that you are called to do. 15 But when you do your best to bear your loads, and do your work, you offer unto God a sacrifice well-pleasing in his sight. 16 And then the Holy One breathes deep upon your glowing sacrificial coals, and makes them blaze aloft to fill your souls with light, and strength and helpfulness. 17 The most efficient prayer that men can offer to a god of any kind is helpfulness to those in need of help; for what you do for other men the Holy One will do for you. 18 And thus God helps. 19 His work in Greece was done, and Jesus must go on his way to Egypt in the South. Apollo, with the highest masters of the land and many people from the varied walks of life, stood on the shore to see the Hebrew sage depart; and Jesus said, 20 The son of man has been in many lands; has stood in temples of a multitude of foreign gods; has preached the gospel of good will and peace on earth to many people, tribes and tongues; 21 Has been received with favour in a multitude of homes; but Greece is, of them all, the royal host. 22 The breadth of Grecian thought; the depth of her philosophy; the height of her unselfish aspirations have well fitted her to be the champion of the cause of human liberty and right. 23 The fates of war have subjugated Greece, because she trusted in the strength of flesh, and bone and intellect, forgetful of the spirit-life that binds a nation to its source of power. 24 But Greece will not for ever sit within the darkness of the shadow land as vassal of a foreign king. 25 Lift up your heads, you men of Greece; the time will come when Greece will breathe the ethers of the Holy Breath, and be a mainspring of the spirit power of earth. 26 But God must be your shield, your buckler, and your tower of strength. 27 And then he said, Farewell. Apollo raised his hand in silent benediction, and the people wept. 28 Upon the Cretan vessel, Mars, the Hebrew sage sailed from the Grecian port.

Life and Works of Jesus in Egypt

Chapter 47

Jesus with Elihu and Salome in Egypt. Tells the story of his journeys. Elihu and Salome praise Gos. Jesus goes to the temple in Heliopolis and is received as a pupil.

AND Jesus came to Egypt land and all was well. He tarried not upon the coast; he went at once to Zoan, home of Elihu and Salome, who five and twenty years before had taught his mother in their sacred school. 2 And there was joy when met these three. When last the son of Mary saw these sacred groves he was a babe; 3 And now a man grown strong by buffeting of every kind; a teacher who had stirred the multitudes in many lands. 4 And Jesus told the aged teachers all about his life; about his journeyings in foreign lands; about the meetings with the masters and about his kind receptions by the multitudes. 5 Elihu and Salome heard his story with delight; they lifted up their eyes to heaven and said, 6 Our Father-God, let now thy servants go in peace, for we have seen the glory of the Lord; 7 And we have talked with him, the messenger of love, and of the covenant of peace on earth, good will to men. 8 Through him shall all the nations of the earth be blest; through him, Immanuel. 9 And Jesus stayed in Zoan many days; and then went forth unto the city of the sun, that men call Heliopolis, and sought admission to the temple of the sacred brotherhood. 10 The council of the brotherhood convened, and Jesus stood before the hierophant; he answered all the questions that were asked with clearness and with power. 11 The hierophant exclaimed, Rabboni of the rabbinate, why come you here? Your wisdom is the wisdom of the gods; why seek for wisdom in the halls of men? 12 And Jesus said, In every way of earth-life I would walk; in every hall of learning I would sit; the heights that any man has gained, these I would gain; 13 What any man has suffered I would meet, that I may know the griefs, the disappointments and the sore temptations of my brother man; that I may know just how to succour those in need. 14 I pray you, brothers, let me go into your dismal crypts; and I would pass the hardest of your tests. 15 The master said, Take then the vow of secret brotherhood. And Jesus took the vow of secret brotherhood. 16 Again the master spoke; he said, The greatest heights are gained by those who reach the greatest depths; and you shall reach the greatest depths. 17 The guide then led the way and in the fountain Jesus bathed; and when he had been clothed in proper garb he stood again before the hierophant.

Chapter 48

Jesus receives from the hierophant his mystic name and number. Passes the first brotherhood test, and receives his first degree, SINCERITY.

THE master took down from the wall a scroll on which was written down the number and the name of every attribute and character. He said, 2 The circle is the symbol of the perfect man, and seven is the number of the perfect man; 3 The Logos is the perfect word; that which creates; that which destroys, and that which saves. 4 This Hebrew master is the Logos of the Holy One, the Circle of the human race, the Seven of time. 5 And in the record book the scribe wrote down, The Logos-Circle-Seven; and thus was Jesus known. 6 The master said, The Logos will give heed to what I say: No man can enter into light till he has found himself. Go forth and search till you have found your soul and then return. 7 The guide led Jesus to a room in which the light was faint and mellow, like the light of early dawn. 8 The chamber walls were marked with mystic signs, with hieroglyphs and sacred texts; and in this chamber Jesus found himself alone where he remained for many days. 9 He read the sacred texts; thought out the meaning of the hieroglyphs and sought the import of the master's charge to find himself. 10 A revelation came; he got acquaited with his soul; he found himself; then he was not alone. 11 One night he slept and at the midnight hour, a door that he had not observed, was opened, and a priest in sombre garb came in and said, 12 My brother, pardon me for coming in at this unseemly hour; but I have come to save your life. 13 You are the victim of a cruel plot. The priests of Heliopolis are jealous of your fame, and they have said that you shall never leave these gloomy crypts alive. 14 The higher priests do not go forth to teach the world, and you are doomed to temple servitude. 15 Now, if you would be free, you must deceive these priests; must tell them you are here to stay for life; 16 And then, when you have gained all that you wish to gain, I will return, and by a secret way will lead you forth that you may go in peace. 17 And Jesus said, My brother man, would you come here to teach deceit? Am I within these holy walls to learn the wiles of vile hypocrisy? 18 Nay, man, my Father scorns deceit, and I am here to do his will. 19 Deceive these priests! Not while the sun shall shine. What I have said, that I have said; I will be true to them, to God, and to myself. 20 And then the tempter left, and Jesus was again alone; but in a little time a white- robed priest appeared and said, 21 Well done! The Logos has prevailed. This is the trial chamber of hypocrisy. And then he led the way, and Jesus stood before the judgement seat. 22 And all the brothers stood; the hierophant came forth and laid his hand on Jesus' head, and placed within his hands a scroll, on which was written just one word, SINCERITY; and not a word was said. 23 The guide again appeared, and led the way, and in a spacious room replete with everything a student craves was Jesus bade to rest and wait.

Chapter 49

Jesus passes the second brotherhood test, and receives the second degree, JUSTICE.

THE Logos did not care to rest; he said, Why wait in this luxurious room? I need not rest; my Father's work upon me presses hard. 2 I would go on and learn my lessons all. If there are trials, let them come, for every victory over self gives added strength. 3 And then the guide led on, and in a chamber, dark as night, was Jesus placed and left alone; and days were spent in this deep solitude. 4 And Jesus slept, and in the dead of night a secret door was opened, and, in priest's attire, two men came in; each carried in his hand a little flickering lamp. 5 Approaching jesus, one spoke out and said, Young man, our hearts are grieved because of what you suffer in these fearful dens, and we have come as friends to bring you light, and show the way to liberty. 6 We once, like you, were in these dens confined, and thought that through these weird, uncanny ways we could attain to blessedness and power; 7 But in a luckful moment we were undeceived, and, making use of all our strength, we broke our chains, and then we learned that all this service is corruption in disguise. These priests are criminals just hid away. 8 They boast in sacrificial rites; they offer to their gods, and burn them while alive poor birds, and beasts; yea, children, women, men. 9 And now they keep you here, and, at a certain time, may offer you in sacrifice. 10 We pray you, brother, break your chains; come, go with us; accept of freedom while you may. 11 And Jesus said, Your little tapers show the light you bring. Pray, who are you? The words of man are worth no more than is the man himself. 12 These temple walls are strong and high; how gained you entrance to this place? 13 The men replied, Beneath these walls are many hidden ways, and we who have been priests, spent months and years within these dens, know all of them. 14 Then you are traitors, Jsesus said. A traitor is a fiend; he who betrays another man is never man to trust. 15 If one has only reached the plane of treachery, he is a lover of deceit, and will betray a friend to serve his selfish self. 16 Behold, you men, or whatsoe'er you be, your words fall lightly on my ears, 17 Could I prejudge these hundred priests, turn traitor to myself and them, because of what you say when you confess your treachery? 18 No man can judge for me; and if I judge till testimony all is in I might not judge aright. 19 Nay, men; by whatsoever way you came, return. My soul prefers the darkness of the grave to little flickering lights like these you bring. 20 My conscience rules; what these, my brothers, have to say I'll hear, and when the testimony all is in I will decide. You cannot judge for me, nor I for you, 21 Begone, you men, begone, and leave me to this charming light; for while the sun shines not, within my soul there is a light surpassing that of sun or moon. 22 Then, with an angry threat that they would do him harm, the wily tempters left, and Jesus was again alone. 23 Again the white-robed priest appeared, and led the way, and Jesus stood again before the hierophant; 24 And not a word was said, but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which the word suggestive, JUSTICE, was inscribed. 25 And Jesus was the master of the phanton forms of prejudice and of treachery.

Chapter 50

Jesus passes the third brotherhood test, and receives the third degree, FAITH.

THE Logos waited seven days, and then was taken to the Hall of Fame, a chamber rich in furnishings, and lighted up with gold and silver lamps. 2 The colours of its ceilings, decorations, furnishings and walls were blue and gold. 3 Its shelves were filled with books of master minds; the paintings and the statues were the works of highest art. 4 And Jesus was entranced with all this elegance and these manifests of thought. He read the sacred books, and sought the meanings of the symbols and the hieroglyphs. 5 And when he was absorbed in deepest thought, a priest approached and said, 6 Behold the glory of this place: my brother, you are highly blest. Few men of earth, so young, have reached such heights of fame. 7 Now, if you do not waste your life in search for hidden things that men can never comprehend, you may be founder of a school of thought that will insure you endless fame; 8 For your philosophy is deeper far than that of Plato, and your teachings please the common people more than those of Socrates. 9 Why seek for mystic light within these antiquated dens? Go forth and walk with men, and think with men, and they will honour you. 10 And, after all, these weird initiations may be myths, and your Messiah hopes but base illusions of the hour. 11 I would advise you to renounce uncertain things and choose the course that leads to certain fame. 12 And thus the priest, a demon in disguise, sung syren songs of unbelief; and Jesus meditated long and well on what he said. 13 The conflict was a bitter one, for king Ambition is a sturdy foe to fight. 14 For forty days the higher wrestled with the lower self, and then the fight was won. 15 Faith rose triumphant; unbelief was not. Ambition covered up his face and fled away, and Jesus said, 16 The wealth, the honour, and the fame of earth are but the baubles of an hour. 17 When this short span of earthly life has all been measured out, man's bursting baubles will be buried with his bones, 18 Yea, what a man does for his selfish self will make no markings on the credit side of life. 19 The good that men for other men shall do becomes a ladder strong on which the soul may climb to wealth, and power and fame of God's own kind, that cannot pass away. 20 Give me the poverty of men, the consciousness of duty done in love, the approbation of my God, and I will be content. 21 And then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, 22 My Father-God, I thank thee for this hour. I ask not for the glory of thyself; I fain would be a keeper of thy temple gates, and serve my brother man. 23 Again was Jesus called to stand before the hierophant; again no word was said, but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which was written, FAITH. 24 And Jesus bowed his head in humble thanks; then went his way.

Chapter 51

Jesus passes the fourth brotherhood test, and receives the fourth degree, PHILANTHROPHY.

WHEN other certain days had passed, the guide led Jesus to the Hall of Mirth, a hall most richly furnished, and replete with everything a carnal heart could wish. 2 The choicest viands and the most delicious wines were on the boards; and maids, in gay attire, served all with grace and cheerfulness. 3 And men and women, richly clad, were there; and they were wild with joy; they sipped from every cup of mirth. 4 And Jesus watched the happy throng in silence for a time, and then a man in garb of sage came up and said, Most happy is the man who, like the bee, can gather sweets from every flower. 5 The wise man is the one who seeks for pleasure, and can find it everywhere. 6 At best man's span of life on earth is short, and then he dies and goes, he knows not where. 7 Then let us eat, and drink, and dance, and sing, and get the joys of life, for death comes on apace. 8 It is but foolishness to spend a life for other men. Behold, all die and lie together in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude. 9 But Jesus answered not; upon the tinselled guests in all their rounds of mirth he gazed in silent thought. 10 And then among the guests he saw a man whose clothes were coarse; who showed in face and hands the lines of toil and want. 11 The giddy throng found pleasure in abusing him; they jostled him against the wall, and laughed at his discomfiture. 12 And then a poor, frail woman came, who carried in her face and form the marks of sin and shame; and without mercy she was spit upon, and jeered, and driven from the hall. 13 And then a little child, with timid ways and hungry mien, came in and asked for just a morsel of their food. 14 But she was driven out uncared for and unloved; and still the merry dance went on. 15 And when the pleasure seekers urged that Jesus join them in their mirth, he said, 16 How could I seek for pleasure for myself while others are in want? How can you think that while the children cry for bread, while those in haunts of sin call out for sympathy and love that I can fill myself to full with the good things of life? 17 I tell you, nay; we all are kin, each one a part of the great human heart. 18 I cannot see myself apart from that poor man that you so scorned, and crowded to the wall; 19 Nor from the one in female garb who came up from the haunts of vice to ask for sympathy and love, who was by you so ruthlessly pushed back into her den of sin; 20 Nor from that little child that you drove from your midst to suffer in the cold, bleak winds of night. 21 I tell you, men, what you have done to these, my kindred, you have done to me. 22 You have insulted me in your own home; I cannot stay. I will go forth and find that child, that woman and that man, and give them help until my life's blood all has ebbed away. 23 I call it pleasure when I help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed. 24 And this that you call mirth is but a phantom of the night; but flashes of the fire of passion, painting pictures on the walls of time. 25 And while the Logos spoke the white-robed priest came in and said to him, The council waits for you. 26 Then Jesus stood again before the bar; again no word was said; the hierophant placed in his hands a scroll, on which was writ, PHILANTHROPY. 27 And Jesus was a victor over selfish self.

Chapter 52

Jesus spends forty days in the temple groves. Passes the fifth brotherhood test and receives the fifth degree, HEROISM.

THE sacred temple groves were rich in statues, monuments and shrines; here Jesus loved to walk and meditate. 2 And after he had conquered self he talked with nature in these groves for forty days. 3 And then the guide took chains and bound him hand and foot; and then cast him into a den of hungry beasts, of unclean birds, and creeping things. 4 The den was dark as night; the wild beasts howled; the birds in fury screamed; the reptiles hissed. 5 And Jesus said, Who was it that did bind me thus? Why did I meekly sit to be bound down with chains? 6 I tell you, none has power to bind a human soul. Of what are fetters made? 7 And in his might he rose, and what he thought were chains were only worthless cords that parted at his touch. 8 And then he laughed and said, The chains that bind men to the carcasses of earth are forged in fancy's shop; are made of air, and welded in illusion's fires. 9 If man will stand erect, and use the power of will, his chains will fall, like worthless rags; for will and faith are stronger than the stoutest chains that men have ever made. 10 And Jesus stood erect among the hungry beasts, and birds, and said, What is this darkness that envelops me? 11 "Tis but the absence of the light. And what is light? 'Tis but the breath of God vibrating in the rhythm of rapid thought. 12 And then he said, Let there be light; and with a mighty will he stirred the ethers up, and their vibrations reached the plane of light; and there was light. 13 The darkness of that den of night became the brightness of a newborn day. 14 And then he looked to see the beasts, and birds, and creeping things; lo, they were not. 15 And Jesus said, Of what are souls afraid? Fear is the chariot in which man rides to death; 16 And when he finds himself within the chamber of the dead, he learns that he has been deceived; his chariot was a myth, and death a fancy child. 17 But some day all man's lessons will be learned, and from the den of unclean beasts, and birds, and creeping things he will arise to walk in light. 18 And Jesus saw a ladder made of gold, on which he climbed, and at the top the white-robed priest awaited him. 19 Again he stood before the council bar; again no word was said; again the hierophant reached forth his hand to bless. 20 He placed in Jesus' hand another scroll, and on this one was written, HEROISM. 21 The Logos had encountered fear and all his phantom host, and in the conflict he achieved the victory.

Chapter 53

Jesus passes the sixth brotherhood test and receives the sixth degree, LOVE DIVINE.

IN all the land there is no place more grandly furnished than the Beauty Parlours of the temple of the sun. 2 Few students ever entered these rich rooms; the priests regarded them with awe, and called them Halls of Mysteries. 3 When Jesus had attained the victory over fear, he gained the right to enter here. 4 The guide led on the way, and after passing many richly furnished rooms they reached the Hall of Harmony; and here was Jesus left alone. 5 Among the instruments of music was a harpsichord, and Jesus sat in thoughtful mood inspecting it, when, quietly, a maiden of entrancing beauty came into the hall. 6 She did not seem to notice Jesus as he sat and mused, so busy with his thoughts. 7 She found her place beside the harpsichord; she touched the chords most gently, and she sung the songs of Israel. 8 And Jesus was entranced; such beauty he had never seen; such music he had never heard. 9 The maiden sung her songs; she did not seem to know that any one was near; she went her way. 10 And Jesus, talking with himself, said out, What is the meaning of this incident? I did not know that such entrancing beauty and such queen-like loveliness were ever found among the sons of men. 11 I did not know that voice of angel ever graced a human form, or that seraphic music ever came from human lips. 12 For days he sat entranced; the current of his thoughts was changed; he thought of nothing but the singer and her songs. 13 He longed to see her once again; and after certain days she came; she spoke and laid her hand upon his head. 14 Her touch thrilled all his soul, and for the time, forgotten was the work that he was sent to do. 15 Few were the words the maiden said; she went her way; but then the heart of Jesus had been touched. 16 A love-flame had been kindled in his soul, and he was brought to face the sorest trial of his life. 17 He could not sleep nor eat. Thoughts of the maiden came; they would not go. His carnal nature called aloud for her companionship. 18 And then he said, Lo, I have conquered every foe that I have met, and shall I now be conquered by this carnal love? 19 My Father sent me here to show the power of love divine, that love that reaches every living thing. 20 Shall this pure, universal love be all absorbed by carnal love? Shall I forget all creatures else, and lose my life in this fair maiden, though she is the highest type of beauty, purity and love? 21 Into its very depths his soul was stirred, and long he wrestled with this angel-idol of his heart. 22 But when the day was almost lost, his higher ego rose in might; he found himself again, and then he said, 23 Although my heart shall break I will not fail in this my hardest task; I will be victor over carnal love. 24 And when again the maiden came, and offered him her hand and heart, he said, 25 Fair one, your very presence thrills me with delight; your voice is benediction to my soul; my human self would fly with you, and be contented in your love; 26 But all the world is craving for a love that I have come to manifest. 27 I must, then, bid you go; but we will meet again; our ways on earth will not be cast apart. 28 I see you in the hurrying throngs of earth as minister of love; I hear your voice in song, that wins the hearts of men to better things. 29 And then in sorrow and in tears the maiden went away, and Jesus was again alone. 30 And instantly the great bells of the temple rang; the singers sung a new, new song; the grotto blazed with light. 31 The hierophant himself appeared, and said, All hail! triumphant Logos, hail! The conqueror of carnal love stands on the heights. 32 And then he placed in Jesus' hands a scroll on which was written, LOVE DIVINE. 33 Together they passed through the grotto of the beautiful, and in the banquet hall a feast was served, and Jesus was the honoured guest.

Chapter 54

Jesus becomes a private pupil of the hierophant and is taught the mysteries of Egypt. In passing the seventh test, he works in the Chamber of the Dead.

THE senior course of study now was opened up and Jesus entered and became a pupil of the hierophant. 2 He learned the secrets of the mystic lore of Egypt land; the mysteries of life and death and of the worlds beyond the circle of the sun. 3 When he had finished all the studies of the senior course, he went into the Chamber of the Dead, that he might learn the ancient methods of perserving from decay the bodies of the dead; and here he wrought. 4 And carriers brought the body of a widow's only son to be embalmed; the weepng mother followed close; her grief was great. 5 And Jesus said, Good woman, dry your tears; you follow but an empty house; your son is in it not. 6 You weep because your son is dead. Death is a cruel word; your son can never die. 7 He had a task assigned to do in garb of flesh; he came; he did his work, and then he laid the flesh aside; he did not it more. 8 Beyond your human sight he has another work to do, and he will do it well, and then pass on to other tasks, and, by and by, he will attain the crown of perfect life. 9 And what your son has done, and what he yet must do, we all must do. 10 Now, if you harbour grief, and give your sorrows vent they will grow greater every day. They will absorb your very life until at last you will be naught but grief, wet down with bitter tears. 11 Instead of helping him you gieve your son by your deep grief. He seeks your solace now as he has ever done; is glad when you are glad; is saddened when you grieve. 12 Go bury deep your woes, and smile at grief, and lose yourself in helping others dry their tears. 13 With duty done comes happiness and joy; and gladness cheers the hearts of those who have passed on. 14 The weeping woman turned, and went her way to find a happiness in helpfulness; to bury deep her sorrows in a ministry of joy. 15 Then other carriers came and brought the body of a mother to the Chamber of the Dead; and just one mourner followed; she a girl of tender years. 16 And as the cortege neared the door, the child observed a wounded bird in sore distress, a cruel hunter's dart had pierced its breast. 17 And she left following the dead, and went to help the living bird. 18 With tenderness and love she folded to her breast the wounded bird, then hurried to her place. 19 And Jesus said to her, Why did you leave your dead to save a wounded bird? 20 The maiden said, This lifeless body needs no help from me; but I can help while yet life is; my mother taught me this. 21 My mother taught that grief and selfish love, and hopes and fears are but reflexes from the lower self; 22 That what we sense are but small waves upon the rolloing billows of a life. 23 These all will pass away; they are unreal. 24 Tears flow from hearts of flesh; the spirit never weeps; and I am longing for the day when I will walk in light, where tears are wiped away. 25 My mother taught that all emotions are the sprays that rise from human loves, and hopes, and fears; that perfect bliss cannot be ours till we have conquered these. 26 And in the presence of that child did Jesus bow his head in reverence. He said, 27 For days and months and years I've sought to learn this highest truth that man can learn on earth, and here a child, fresh brought to earth, has told it all in one short breath. 28 No wonder David said, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! 29 Out of the mouths of babes and suckings hast thou ordained strength. 30 And then he laid his hand upon the maiden's head, and said, I'm sure the blessings of my Father-God will rest upon you, child, for evermore.

Chapter 55

Jesus passes the seventh brotherhood test, and in the purple room of the temple receives the seventh, the highest degree, THE CHRIST. He leaves the temple a conqueror.

THE work of Jesus in the Chamber of the Dead was done, and in the temple purple room he stood before the hierophant, 2 And he was clothed in purple robes; and all the brothers stood. The hierophant arose and said, 3 This is a royal day for all the hosts of Israel. In honour of their chosen son we celebrate the great Passover Feast. 4 And then he said to Jesus, Brother, man, most excellent of men, in all the temple tests you have won out. 5 Six times before the bar of right you have been judged; six times you have received the highest honours man can give; and now you stand prepared to take the last degree. 6 Upon your brow I place this diadem, and in the Great Lodge of the heavens and earth you are THE CHRIST. 7 This is your Passover rite. You are a neophyte no more; but now a master mind. 8 Now, man can do no more; but God himself will speak, and will confirm your title and degree. 9 Go on your way, for you must preach the gospel of good will to men and peace on earth; must open up the prison doors and set the captives free. 10 And while the hierophant yet spoke the temple bells rang out; a pure white dove descended from above and sat on Jesus' head. 11 And then a voice that shook the very temple said, THIS IS THE CHRIST; and every living creature said, AMEN. 12 The great doors of the temple swung ajar; the Logos journeyed on his way a conqueror.

The Council of the Seven Sages of the World

Chapter 56

The seven sages of the world meet in Alexandria. The purposes of the meeting. The opening addresses.

IN every age since time began have seven sages lived. 2 At first of every age these sages meet to note the course of nations, peoples, tribes and tongues; 3 To note how far toward justice, love and righteousness the race has gone; 4 To formulate the code of laws, religious postulates and plans of rule best suited to the coming age. 5 An age had passed, and lo, another age had come; the sages must convene. 6 Now, Alexandria was the centre of the world's best thought, and here in Philo's home the sages met. 7 From China came Meng-ste; from India Viyapati came; from Persia Kaspar came; and from Assyria Ashbina came; from Greece Apollo; Matheno was the Egyptian sage, and Philo was the chief of Hebrew thought. 8 The time was due; the council met and sat in silence seven days. 9 And then Meng-ste arose and said, The wheel of time has turned once more; the race is on a higher plane of thought. 10 The garments that or fathers wove have given out; the cherubim have woven a celestial cloth; have placed it in our hands and we must make for men new garbs. 11 The sons of men are looking up for greater light. No longer do they care for gods hewn out of wood, or made of clay. They seek a Gob not made with hands. 12 They see the beams of coming day, and yet they comprehend them not. 13 The time is ripe, and we must fashion well these garments for the race. 14 And let us make for men new garbs of justice, mercy, righteousness and love, that they may hide their nakedness when shines the light of coming day. 15 And Vidyapati said, Our priests have all gone mad; they saw a demon in the wilds and at him cast their lamps and they are broken up, and not a gleam of light has any priest for men. 16 The night is dark; the heart of India calls for light. 17 The priesthood cannot be reformed; it is already dead; its greatest needs are graves and funeral chants. 18 The new age calls for liberty; the kind that makes each man a priest, enables him to go alone, and lay his offerings on the shrine of God. 19 And Kaspar said, In Persia people walk in fear; they do the good for fear to do the wrong. 20 The devil is the greatest power in our land, and though a myth, he dandles on his knee both youth and age. 21 Our land is dark, and evil prospers in the dark. 22 Fear rides on every passing breeze, and lurks in every form of life. 23 The fear of evil is a myth, is an illusion and a snare; but it will live until some mighty power shall come to raise the ethers to the plane of light. 24 When this shall come to pass the magian land will glory in the light. The soul of Persia calls for light.

Chapter 57

Meeting of the sages, continued. Opening addresses. Seven days' silence.

ASHBINA said, Assyria is the land of doubt; the chariot of my people, that in which they mostly ride, is labelled Doubt. 2 Once Faith walked forth in Babylon; and she was bright and fair; but she clothed in such white robes that men became afraid of her. 3 And every wheel began to turn, and Doubt made war on her, and drove her from the land; and she came back no more. 4 In form men worship God, the One; in heart they are not sure that God exists. 5 Faith worships at the shrine of one not seen; but Doubt must see her God. 6 The greatest need of all Assyria is faith--a faith that seasons every thing that is, with certainty. 7 And then Apollo said, The greatest needs of Greece are true concepts of God. 8 Theogony in Greece is rudderless, for every thought may be a god, and worshipped as a god. 9 The plane of thought is broad, and full of sharp antagonists; and so the circle of the gods is filled with enmity, with wars and base intrigues. 10 Greece needs a master mind to stand above the gods; to raise the thoughts of men away from many gods to God the One. 11 We know that light is coming o'er the hills. God speed the light. 12 Matheno said, Behold this land of mystery! this Egypt of the dead! 13 Our temples long have been the tombs of all the hidden things of time; our temples, crypts and caves are dark. 14 In light there are no secret things. The sun reveals all hidden truth. There are no mysteries in God. 15 Behold the rising sun! His beams are entering every door; yea, every crevice of the mystic crypt of Mizraim. 16 We hail the light! All Egypt craves the light. 17 And Philo said, The need of Hebrew thought and life is liberty. 18 The Hebrew prophets, seers, and givers of the law, were men of power, men of holy thought, and they bequeathed to us a system of philosophy that is ideal; one strong enough and good enough to lead our people to the goal of perfectness. 19 But carnal minds repudiated holiness; a priesthood filled with selfishness arose, and purity in heart became a myth; the people were enslaved. 20 The priesthood is the curse of Israel; but when he comes, who is to come, he will proclaim emancipation for the slaves; my people will be free. 21 Behold, for God has made incarnate wisdom, love and light, which he has called Immanuel. 22 To him is given the keys to open up the dawn; and here, as man, he walks with us. 23 And then the council chamber door was opened and the Logos stood among the sages of the world. 24 Again the sages sat in silence seven days.

Chapter 58

Meeting of the sages, continued. Presentation of the seven universal postulates.

NOW, when the sages were refreshed they opened up the Book of Life and read. 2 They read the story of the life of man; of all his struggles, losses, gains; and in the light of past events and needs, they saw what would be best for him in coming years. 3 They knew the kind of laws and precepts suited best to his estate; they saw the highest God-ideal that the race could comprehend. 4 Upon the seven postulates these sages were to formulate, the great philosophy of life and worship of the coming age must rest. 5 Now Meng-ste was the oldest sage; he took the chair of chief, and said, 6 Man is not far enough advanced to live by faith; he cannot comprehend the things his eyes see not. 7 He yet is child, and during all the coming age he must be taught by pictures, symbols, rites and forms. 8 His God must be a human God; he cannot see a God by faith. 9 And then he cannot rule himself; the king must rule; the man must serve. 10 The age that follows this will be the age of man, the age of faith. 11 In that blest age the human race will see without the aid of carnal eyes; will hear the soundless sound; will know the Spirit-God. 12 The age we enter is the Preparation age, and all the schools and governments and worship rites must be designed in simple way that men may comprehend. 13 And man cannot originate; he builds by patterns that he sees; so in this council we must carve out pattern for the coming age. 14 And we must formulate the gnosis of the Empire of the soul, which rests on seven postulates. 15 Each sage in turn shall form a postulate; and these shall be the basis of the creeds of men until the perfect age shall come. 16 Then Meng-ste wrote the first: 17 All things are thought; all life is thought activity. The multitude of beings are but phases of the one great thought made manifest. Lo, God is Thought, and Thought is God. 18 Then Vidyapati wrote the second postulate: 19 Eternal Thought is one; in essence it is two--Intelligence and Force; and when they breathe a child is born; this child is Love. 20 And thus the Triune God stands forth,whom men call Father-Mother-Child. 21 This Triune God is one; but like the one of light, in essence he is seven. 22 And when the Triune God breathes forth, lo, seven Spirits stand before his face; these are creative attributes. 23 Men call them lesser gods, and in their image they made man. 24 And Kaspar wrote the third: 25 Man was a thought of God, formed in the image of the Septonate, clothed in the substances of soul. 26 And his desires were strong; he sought to manifest on every plane of life, and for himself he made a body of the ethers of the earthly forms, and so descended to the plane of earth. 27 In this descent he lost his birthright; lost his harmony with God, and made discordant all the notes of life. 28 Inharmony and evil are the same; so evil is the handiwork of man. 29 Ashbina wrote the fourth: 30 Seeds do not germinate in light; they do not grow until they find the soil, and hide themselves away from light. 31 Man was evolved a seed of everlasting life; but in the ethers of the Triune God the light was far too great for seeds to grow; 32 And so man sought the soil of carnal life, and in the darksomeness of earth he found a place where he could germinate and grow. 33 The seed has taken root and grown full well. 34 The tree of human life is rising from the soil of earthy things, and, under natural law, is reaching up to perfect form. 35 There are no supernatural acts of God to lift a man from carnal life to spirit blessedness; he grows as grows the plant, and in due time is perfected. 36 The quality of soul that makes it possible for man to rise to spirit life is purity.

Chapter 59

Meeting of the sages, continued. The remaining postulates. The sages bless Jesus. Seven days' silence.

APOLLO wrote the fifth: 2 The soul is drawn to perfect light by four white steeds, and these are Will, and Faith, and Helpfulness and Love. 3 That which one wills to do, he has the power to do. 4 A knowledge of that power is faith; and when faith moves, the soul begins its flight. 5 A selfish faith leads not to light. There is no lonely pilgrim on the way to light. Men only gain the heights by helping others gain the heights. 6 The steed that leads the way to spirit life is Love; is pure unselfish Love. 7 Matheno wrote the sixth: 8 The universal Love of which Apollo speaks is child of Wisdom and of Will divine, and God has sent if forth to earth in flesh that man may know. 9 The universal Love of which the sages speak, is Christ. 10 The greatest mystery of all times lies in the way that Christ lives in the heart. 11 Christ cannot live in clammy dens of carnal things. The seven battles must be fought, the seven victories won before the carnal things, like fear, and self, emotions and desire, are put away. 12 When this is done the Christ will take possession of the soul; the work is done, and man and God are one. 13 And Philo wrote the seventh: 14 A perfect man! To bring before the Triune God a being such as this was nature made. 15 This consummation is the highest revelation of the mystery of life. 16 When all the essences of carnal things have been transmuted into soul, and all the essences of soul have been returned to Holy Breath, and man is made a perfect God, the drama of Creation will conclude. And this is all. 17 And all the sages said, Amen. 18 Then Meng-ste said, The Holy One has sent to us a man illumined by the efforts of unnumbered years, to lead the thoughts of men. 19 This man, approved by all the master minds of heaven and earth, this man from Galilee, this Jesus, chief of all the sages of the world, we gladly recognise. 20 In recognition of this wisdom that he brings to men, we crown him with the Lotus wreath. 21 We send him forth with all the blessing of the seven sages of the world. 22 Then all the sages laid their hands on Jesus' head, and said with one accord, Praise God! 23 For wisdom, honour, glory, power, riches, blessing, strength, are yours, O Christ, for evermore. 24 And every living creature said, Amen. 25 And then the sages sat in silence seven days.

Chapter 60

Jesus addresses the seven sages. The address. Jesus goes to Galilee.

THE seven days of silence passed and Jesus, sitting with the sages said: 2 The history of life is well condensed in these immortal postulates. These are the seven hills on which the holy city shall be built. 3 These are the seven sure foundation stones on which the Universal Church shall stand. 4 In taking up the work assigned for me to do I am full conscious of the perils of the way; the cup will be a bitter one to drink and human nature well might shrink. 5 But I have lost my will in that of Holy Breath, and so I go my way to speak and act by Holy Breath. 6 The words I speak are not my own; they are the words of him whose will i do. 7 Man is not far enough advanced in sacred thought to comprehend the Universal Church, and so the work that God has given me to do is not the building of that Church. 8 I am a model maker, sent to make a pattern of the Church that is to be-- a pattern that the age may comprehend. 9 My task as model builder lies within my native land, and there, upon the postulate that Love is son of God, that I am come to manifest that Love, the Model Church will stand. 10 And from the men of low estate I will select twelve men, who represent the twelve immortal thoughts; and these will be the Model Church. 11 The house of Judah, my own kindred in the flesh, will comprehend but little of my mission to the world. 12 And they will spurn me, scorn my work, accuse me falsely, bind me, take me to the judgement seat of carnel men who will convict and slay me on the cross. 13 But men can never slay the truth; though banished it will come again in greater power; for truth will subjugate the world. 14 The Model Church will live. Though carnal man will prostitute its sacred laws, symbolic rites and forms, for selfish ends, and make it but an outward show, the few will find through it the kingdom of the soul. 15 And when the better age shall come the Universal Church will stand upon the seven postulates, and will be built according to the pattern given. 16 The time has come; I go my way unto Jerusalem, and by the power of living faith, and by the strength that you have given. 17 And in the name of God, our Father-God, the kingdom of the soul shall be established on the seven hills. 18 And all the peoples, tribes and tongues of earth shall enter in. 19 The Prince of Peace will take his seat upon the throne of power; the Triune God will then be All in All. 20 And all the sages said, Amen. 21 And Jesus went his way, and after many days, he reached Jerusalem; and then he sought his home in Galilee.

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