The Aquarian Age Gospel of Jesus, the Christ of the Piscean Age: Chapters 1 - 30

Birth and Early Life of Mary, Mother of Jesus

Chapter 1

Palestine. Birth of Mary, Joachim's feast. Mary is blessed by the priests. His prophecy. Mary abides in the temple. Is betrothed to Joseph.

AUGUSTUS Caesar reigned and Herod Antipas was ruler of Jerusalem. 2 Three provinces comprised the land of Palistine: Judea, and Samaria, and Galilee. 3 Joachim was a master of the Jewish law, a man of wealth; he lived in Nazareth of Galilee; and Anna, of the tribe of Judah, was his wife. 4 To them was born a child, a goodly female child, and they were glad; and Mary was the name they gave the child. 5 Joachim made a feast in honour of the child; but he invited not the rich, the honoured and the great; he called the poor the halt and the lame, the blind, and to each one he gave a gift of raiment,food or other needful thing. 6 He said, The Lord has given me this wealth; I am his steward by his grace, and if I give not to his children when in need, then he will make this wealth a curse. 7 Now, when the child was three years old her parents took her to Jerusalem, and in the temple she received the blessings of the priests. 8 The high priest was a prophet and a seer, and when he saw the child he said, 9 Behold, this child will be the mother of an honoured prophet and a master of the law; she shall abide within this holy temple of the Lord. 10 And Mary did abide within the temple of the Lord; and Hillel, chief of the Sanhedrim, taught her all the precepts of Jews, and she delighted in the law of God. 11 When Mary reached the age of womanhood she was betrothed to Joseph, son of Jacob, and a carpenter of Nazareth. 12 And Joseph was an upright man, and a devoted Essene.

Birth and Infancy of the Harbinger, and of Jesus

Chapter 2

Zacharias and Elizabeth. Prophetic messages of Gabriel to Zacharias, Elizabeth and Mary. Birth of John. Prophecy of Zacharias.

NEAR Hebron in the hills of Judah, Zacharias and Elizabeth abode. 2 They were devote and just, and every day they read the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms which told of one to come, strong to redeem; and they were waiting for the king. 3 Now, Zacharias was a priest, and in his turn he led the temple service in Jerusalem. 4 It came to pass as Zacharias stood before the Lord and burned the incense in the Holy Place, that Gabriel came and stood before his face. 5 And Zacharias was afraid; he thought that some great evil was about to come upon the Jews. 6 But Gabriel said, O man of God, fear not; I bring to you and all the world, a message of good will, and peace on earth. 7 Behold, the Prince of Peace, the king you seek, will quickly come. 8 Your wife will bear to you a son, a holy son, of whom the prophet wrote, 9 Behold, I send Elijah unto you again before the coming of the Lord; and he will level down the hills and fill the valleys up, and pave the way for him who shall redeem. 10 From the beginning of the age your son has borne the name of John, the mercy of the Lord; his name is John. 11 He will be honoured in the sight of God, and he will drink no wine, and from his birth he will be filled with Holy Breath. 12 And Gabriel stood before Elizabeth as she was in the silence of her home, and told her all the words that he had said to Zacharias in Jerusalem. 13 When he had done the service of his course, the priest went home, and with Elizabeth rejoiced. 14 Five months passed by and Gabriel came to Mary in her home in Nazareth and said, 15 Hail Mary, hail! Once blessed in the name of God; twice blessed in the name of Holy Breath; thrice blessed in the name of Christ; for you are worthy, and will bear a son who shall be called Immanuel. 16 His name is Jesus, for he saves his people from their sins. 17 When Joseph's daily task was done he came, and Mary told him all the words that Gabriel spoke to her, and they rejoiced; for they believed that he, the man of God, had spoken words of truth. 18 And Mary went with haste to tell Elizabeth about the promises of Gabriel; together they rejoiced. 19 And in the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth did Mary tarry ninety days; then she returned to Nazareth. 20 To Zacharias and Elizabeth a son was born, and Zacharias said, 21 Most blessed be the name of God, for he has opened up the fount of blessings for his people, Israel. 22 His promises are verified; for he has brought to pass the words which holy prophets spoke in olden times. 23 And Zacharias looked upon infant John, and said, 24 You shall be called the prophet of the Holy One; and you will go before his face, and will prepare his way. 25 And you will give a knowledge of salvation unto Israel; and you will preach the gospel of repentance and the blotting out of sins. 26 Behold, for soon the Day Star from on high will visit us, to light the way for those who sit within the darkness of the shadow- land, and guide our ways to the feet of peace.

Chapter 3

Birth of Jesus. Masters honour the child. The shepherds rejoice. Zacharias and Elizabeth visit Mary. Jesus is circumcised.

THE time was nearly due for Jesus to be born, and Mary longed to see Elizabeth, and she and Joseph turned their faces toward the Judean hills. 2 And when upon their way they came to Bethlehem the day was done, and they must tarry for the night. 3 But Bethlehem was thronged with people going to Jerusalem; the inns and homes were filled with guests, and Joseph and his wife could find no place to rest but in a cave where animals were kept; and there they slept. 4 At midnight came a cry, a child is born in yonder cave among the beasts. And lo, the promised son of man was born. 5 And strangers took the little one and wrapped him in the dainty robes that Mary had prepared and laid him in a trough from which the beasts of burden fed. 6 Three persons clad in snowwhite robes came in and stood before the child and said, 7 All strength, all wisdom and all love be your, Immanuel. 8 Now, on the hills of Bethehem were many flocks of sheep with shepherds guarding them. 9 The shepherds were devout, were men of prayer, and they were waiting for a strong deliverer to come. 10 And when the child of promise came, a man in snow-white robe appeared to them, and they fell back in fear. The man stood forth and said, 11 Fear not! behold I bring you joyful news. At midnight in a cave in Bethehem was born the prophet and the king that you have long been waiting for. 12 And then the shepherds all were glad; they felt that all the hills were filled with messengers of light, who said, 13 All glory be to God on high; peace, peace on earth, good will to men. 14 And then the shepherds came with haste to Bethlehem and to the cave, that they might see and honour him whom men had called Immanuel. 15 Now, when the morning came, a shepherdess whose home was near, prepared a room for Mary, Joseph and the child; and here they tarried many days. 16 And Joseph sent a messenger in haste to Zacharias and Elizabeth to say, The child is born in Bethlehem. 17 And Zacharias and Elizabeth took John and came to Bethlehem with words of cheer. 18 And Mary and Elizabeth recounted all the wonderous things that had transpired. The people joined with them in praising God. 19 According to the custom of the Jews, the child was circumcised; and when they asked, What will you call the child? the mother said, His name is Jesus, as the man of God declared.

Chapter 4

Consecration of Jesus. Mary offers sacrifices. Simeon and Anna prophesy. Anna is rebuked for worshipping the child. The family returns to Bethlehem.

NOW, Mary took her son, when he was forty days of age, up to the temple in Jerusalem, and he was consecrated by the priest. 2 And then she offered purifying sacrifices for herself, according to the custom of the Jews; a lamb and two young turtle doves. 3 A pious Jew named Simeon was in the temple serving God. 4 From early youth he had been looking for Immanuel to come, and he had prayed to God that he might not depart until his eyes had seen Messiah in the flesh. 5 And when he saw the infant Jesus he rejoiced and said, I now am ready to depart in peace, for I have seen the king. 6 And then he took the enfant in his arms and said, Behold, this child will bring a sword upon my people, Israel, and all the world; but he will break the sword and then the nations will learn war no more. 7 The master's cross I see upon the forehead of this child, and he will conquer by this sign. 8 And in the temple was a widow, four and eighty years of age, and she departed not, but night and day she worshipped God. 9 And when she saw the infant Jesus she exclaimed, Behold Immanuel! Behold the signet cross of the Messiah on his brow! 10 And then the woman knelt to worship him, as God with us, Immanuel; but one, a master, clothed in white, appeared and said, 11 Good woman, stay; take heed to what you do; you may not worship man; this is idolatry. 12 This child is man, the son of man, and worthy of all praise. You shall adore and worship God; him only shall you serve. 13 The woman rose and bowed her head in thankfulness and worshipped God. 14 And Mary took the infant Jesus and returned to Bethlehem.

Chapter 5

Three magian priests honour Jesus. Herod is alarmed. Calls a council of the Jews. Is told that prophets had foretold the coming of a king. Herod resolves to kill the child. Mary and Joseph take Jesus and flee into Egypt.

BEYOND the river Euphrates the magians lived; and they were wise, could read the language of the stars, and they divined that one, a master soul, was born; they saw his star above Jerusalem. 2 And there were three among the magian priests who longed to see the master of the coming age; and they took costly gifts and hastened to the West in search of him, the new-born king, that they might honour him. 3 And one took gold, the symbol of nobility; another myrrh, the symbol of dominion and of power; gum-thus the other took, the symbol of the wisdom of the sage. 4 Now when the magians reached Jerusalem the people were amazed, and wondered who they were and why they came. 5 And when they asked, Where is the child that has been born a king? the very throne of Herod seemed to shake. 6 And Herod sent a courtier forth to bring the magians to his court. 7 And when they came they asked again, Where is the new born king? And then they said, While yet beyond the Euphates we saw his star arise, and we have come to honour him. 8 And Herod blanched with fear. He thought, perhaps, the priests were plotting to restore the kingdom of the Jews, and so he said within himself, I will know more about this child that has been born a king. 9 And so he told the magian priests to tarry in the city for a while and he would tell them all about the king. 10 He called in council all the Jewish masters of the law and asked, What have the Jewish prophets said concerning such a one? 11 The Jewish masters answered him and said, The prophets long ago foretold that one would come to rule the tribes of Israel; that this Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. 12 They said, The prophet Micah wrote, O Bethlehem Judea, a little place among the Judean hills, yet out of you will one come forth to rule my people, Israel; yea, one who lived in olden times, in very ancient days. 13 Then Herod called the magian priests again and told them what the masters of the Jewish law had said; and then he sent them on the way to Bethlehem. 14 He said, Go search, and if you find the child that has been born a king, return and tell me all, that I may go and honour him. 15 The magians went their way and found the child with Mary in the shepherd's home. 16 They honoured him; bestowed upon him precious gifts and gave him gold, gum- thus and myrrh. 17 These magian priests could read the hearts of men; they read the wickedness of Herod's heart, and knew that he had sworn to kill the new born king. 18 And so they told the secret to the parents of the child, and bid them flee beyond the reach of harm. 19 And then the priests went on their homeward way; they went not through Jerusalem. 20 And Joseph took the infant Jesus and his mother in the night and fled to Egypt land, and with Elihu and Salome in ancient Zoan they abode.

Chapter 6

Herod learns of the supposed mission of John. The infants of Bethlehem are massacred by Herod's order. Elizabeth escapes with John. Because Zacharias cannot tell where his son is hidden, he is murdered. Herod dies.

NOW, when the magian priests did not return to tell him of the child that had been born a king, King Herod was enraged. 2 And then his courtiers told him of another child in Bethlehem, one born to go before and to prepare the people to receive the king. 3 This angered more and more the king; he called his guards and bid them go to Bethlehem and slay the infant John, as well as Jesus who was born to be a king. 4 He said, Let no mistake be made, and that you may be sure to slay these claimants to my throne, slay all the male children in the town not yet two years of age. 5 The guards went forth and did as Herod bade them do. 6 Elizabeth knew not that Herod sought to slay her son, and she and John were yet in Bethlehem; but when she knew, she took the infant John and hastened to the hills. 7 The murderous guards were near; they pressed upon her hard; but then she knew the secret caves in all the hills, and into one she ran and hid herself and John until the guards were gone. 8 Their cruel task was done; the guards returned and told the story to the king. 9 They said, We know that we have slain the infant king; but John his harbinger, we could not find. 10 The king was angry with his guards because they failed to slay the infant John; He sent them to the tower in chains. 11 And other guards were sent to Zacharias, father of the harbinger, while he was serving in the Holy Place, to say, The King demands that you shall tell where is your son. 12 But Zacharias did not know, and he replied, I am a minister of God, a servant in the Holy Place; how could I know where they have taken him? 13 And when the guards returned and told the King what Zacharias said, he was enraged and said, 14 My guards, go back and tell that wily priest that he is in my hands; that if he does not tell the truth, does not reveal the hiding place of John, his son, then he shall die. 15 The guards went back and told the priest just what the king had said. 16 And Zacharias said, I can but give my life for truth; and if the king does shed my blood the Lord will save my soul. 17 The guards again returned and told the king what Zacharias said. 18 Now, Zacharias stood before the alter in the Holy Place engaged in prayer. 19 A guard approached and with a dagger thrust him through; he fell and died before the curtain of the sanctuary of the Lord. 20 And when the hour of salutation came, for Zacharias daily blessed the priests, he did not come. 21 And after waiting long the priests went to the Holy Place and found the body of the dead. 22 And there was grief, deep grief, in all the land. 23 Now Herod sat upon his throne; he did not seem to move; his courtiers came; the king was dead. HIs sons reigned in his stead.

Education of Mary and Elizabeth in Zoan

Chapter 7

Archelaus reigns. Mary and Elizabeth with their sons are in Zoan and are taught by Elihu and Salome. Elihu's introductory lesson. Tells of an interpreter.

THE son of Herod, Archelaus, reigned in Jerusalem. He was a selfish, cruel king; he put to death all those who did not honour him. 2 He called in council all the wisest men and asked about the infant claimant to his throne. 3 The council said that John and Jesus both were dead; then he was satisfied. 4 Now Joseph, Mary and their sons were down in Egypt in Zoan, and John was with his mother in the Judean Hills. 5 Elihu and Salome sent messengers in haste to find Elizabeth and John. They found them and they brought them to Zoan. 6 Now, Mary and Elizabeth were marvelling much because of their deliverance. 7 Elihu said, It is not strange; there are no happenings; law governs all events. 8 From olden times it was ordained that you should be with us, and in this sacred school be taught. 9 Elihu and Salome took Mary and Elizabeth out to the sacred grove near by where they were wont to teach. 10 Elihu said to Mary and Elizabeth, You may esteem yourself thrice blest, for you are chosen mothers of long promised sons, 11 Who are ordained to lay in solid rock a sure foundation stone on which the temple of the perfect man shall rest--a temple that shall never be destroyed. 12 We measure time by cycle ages, and the gate to every age we deem a mile stone in the journey of the race. 13 An age has passed; the gate unto another age flies open at the touch of time. This is the preparation age of soul, the kingdom of Immanuel, of God in man; 14 And these, your sons, will be the first to tell the news, and preach the gospel of good will to men, and peace on earth. 15 A mighty work is theirs; for carnal men want not the light, they love the dark, and when the light shines in the dark they comprehend it not. 16 We call these sons, Revealers of the Light; but they must have the light before they can reveal the light. 17 And you must teach your sons, and set their souls on fire with love and holy zeal, and make them concious of their missions to the sons of men. 18 Teach them that God and man are one; but that through carnal thoughts and words and deeds, man tore himself away from God; debased himself. 19 Teach that the Holy Breath would make them one again, restoring harmony and peace; 20 That naught can make them one but Love; that God so loved the world that he has clothed his son in flesh that man may comprehend. 21 The only Saviour of the world is love, and Jesus, son of Mary, comes to manifest that love to men. 22 Now, love cannot manifest until its way has been prepared, and naught can rend the rocks and bring down lofty hills and fill the valleys up, amd thus prepare the way, but purity. 23 But purity in life men do not comprehend; and so, it, too, come in flesh. 24 And you, Elizabeth, are blest because your son is purity made flesh, and he shall pave the way for love. 25 This age will comprehend but little of the works of Purity and Love; but not a word is lost, for in the Book of God's Remembrance a registry is made of every thought, and word, and deed; 26 And when the world is ready to receive, lo, God will sent a messenger to open up the book and copy from its sacred pages all the messages of Purity and Love. 27 Then every man of earth will read the words of life in language of his native land, and men will see the light, walk in the light and be the light. 28 And man again will be at one with God.

Chapter 8

Elihu's lessons. The unity of life. The two selfs. The devil. Love the saviour of men. The David of the light. Goliath of the dark.

AGAIN Elihu met his pupils in the sacred grove and said, 2 No man lives unto himself; for every living thing is bound by cords to every other living thing. 3 Blest are the pure in heart; for they will love and not demand love in return. 4 They will not do to other men what they would not have other men do unto them. 5 There are two selfs; the higher and the lower self. 6 The higher self is human spirit clothed with soul, made in the form of God. 7 The lower self, the carnal self, the body of desires,is a reflection of the higher self, distorted by the murky ethers of the flesh. 8 The lower self is an illusion, and will pass away; the higher self is God in man, and will not pass away. 9 The higher self is the embodiment of truth reversed, and so is falsehood manifest. 10 The higher self is justice, mercy, love and right; the lower self is what the higher self is not. 11 The lower self breeds hatred, slander, lewdness, murders, theft, and everthing that harms; the higher self is mother of the virtues and the harmonies of life. 12 The lower self is rich in promises, but poor in blessedness and peace; it offers pleasure, joy and satisfying gains; but gives unrest and misery and death. 13 It gives men apples that are lovely to the eye and pleasant to the smell; their cores are full of bitterness and gall. 14 If you would ask me what to study I would say, yourselves; and when you will have studied them, and then would ask me what to study next, I would reply, yourselves. 15 He who knows well his lower self, knows the illusions of the world, knows of the things that pass away; and he who knows his higher self, know God; knows well the things that cannot pass away. 16 Thrice blessed is the man who has made purity and love his very own; he has been ransomed from the perils of the lower self and is himself his higher self. 17 Men seek salvation from an evil that they deem a living monster of the nether world; and they have gods that are but demons in disguise; all powerful, yet full of jealousy and hate and lust; 18 Whose favours must be bought with costly sacrifice of fruits, and of the lives of birds, and animals, and human kind. 19 And yet these gods possess no ears to hear, no eyes to see, no heart to sympathise, no power to save. 20 This evil is myth; these gods are made of air, clothed with shadows of a thought. 21 The only devil from which men must be redeemed is self, the lower self. If man would find his devil he must look within; his name is self. 22 If man would find his saviour he must look within; and when the demon self has been dethroned the saviour, Love, will be exulted to the throne of power. 23 The David of the light is Purity, who slays the strong Goliath of the dark, and seats the saviour, Love, upon the throne.

Chapter 9

Salome's lessons. The man and the woman. Philosophy of human moods. The triune God. The Septonate. The God Tao.

SALOME taught the lesson of the day. She said, All times are not alike. Today the words of man may have the greatest power; to-morrow women teaches best. 2 In all the ways of life the man and woman should walk hand in hand; the one without the other is but half; each has a work to do. 3 But all things teach; each has a time and a season for its own. The sun, the moon have lessons of their own for men; but each one teaches at the appointed time. 4 The lessons of the sun fall down on human hearts like withered leaves upon a stream, if given in the season of the moon and all the stars. 5 To-day one walks in gloom, downhearted and oppressed; tomorrow that same one is filled with joy. 6 To-day the heavens seem full of blessedness and hope; tomorrow hope has fled, and every plan and purpose comes to naught. 7 To-day one wants to curse the very ground on which he treads; tomorrow he is full of love and praise. 8 To-day one hates and scorns and envies and is jealous of the child he loves; tomorrow he has risen above his carnal self, and breathes forth gladness and good-will. 9 A thousand times men wonder why these heights and depths, these light hearts and these sad, are found in every life. 10 They do not know that there are teachers everywhere, each busy with a God- appointed task, and driving home to human hearts the truth. 11 But this is true, and every one receives the lessons that he needs. 12 And Mary said, To-day I am in exultation great; my thoughts and all my life seem lifted up; why am I thus inspired? 13 Salome replied, This is a day of exultation; day of worship and of praise; a day when, in a measure, we may comprehend our Father-God. 14 Then let us study God, the One, the Three, the Seven. 15 Before the worlds were formed all things were One; just Spirit, Universal Breath. 16 And Spirit breathed, and that which was not manifest became the Fire and Thought of Heaven, the Father-God, the Mother-God. 17 And when the Fire and Thought of heaven in union breathed, their son, their only son, was born. This son is Love whom men have called the Christ. 18 Men call the Thought of heaven the Holy Breath. 19 And when the Triune God breathed forth, lo, seven Spirits stood before the throne. These are Elohim, creative spirits of the universe. 20 And these are they who said, Let us make man; and in their image man was made. 21 In early ages of the world the dwellers in the farther East said, Tao is the name of Universal Breath; and in the ancient books we read, 22 No manifesting form has Tao Great, and yet he made and keeps the heavens and earth. 23 No passion has our Tao Great, and yet he causes sun and moon and all the stars to rise and set. 24 No name has Tao Great, and yet he makes all things to grow; he brings in season both the seed time and the harvest time. 25 And Tao Great was One; the One became the Two; the Two became the Three, the Three evolved the Seven, which filled the universe with manifests. 26 And Tao Great gives unto all, the evil and the good, the rain, the dew, the sunshine and the flowers; from his rich stores he feeds them all. 27 And in the same old book we read of man: He has a spirit knit to Tao Great; a soul which lives within the seven Breaths of Tao Great; a body of desires that springs up from the soil of flesh. 28 Now spirit loves the pure, the good, the true; the body of desires extols the selfish self; the soul becomes the battle ground between the two. 29 And blessed is the man whose spirit is triumphant and whose lower self is purified; whose soul is cleansed, becoming fit to be the council chamber of the manifests of Tao Great. 30 Thus closed the lesson of Salome.

Chapter 10

Elihu's lessons. The Brahmic religion. Life of Abram. Jewish sacred books. The Persian religion.

ELIHU taught; he said, In ancient times a people in the East were worshippers of God, the One, whom they called Brahm. 2 Their laws were just; they lived in peace; they saw the light within; they walked in wisdom's ways. 3 But priests with carnal aims arose, who changed the laws to suit the carnal mind; bound heavy burdens on the poor, and scorned the rules of right; and so the Brahms became corrupt. 4 But in the darkness of the age a few great masters stood unmoved; they loved the name of Brahm; they were great beacon lights before the world. 5 And they perserved inviolate the wisdom of their holy Brahm, and you may read this wisdom in their sacred books. 6 And in Chaldea, Brahm was known. A pious Brahm named Terah lived in Ur; his son was so devoted to the Brahmic faith that he was called A-Brahm; and he was set apart to be the father of the Hebrew race. 7 Now, Terah took his wife and sons and all his flocks and herds to Haran in the West; here Terah died. 8 And Abram took the flocks and herds, and with his kindred journeyed farther west; 9 And when he reached the Oaks of Morah in the land of Canaan, he pitched his tents and there abode. 10 A famine swept the land and Abram took his kindred and his flocks and herds and came to Egypt, and in these fertile plains of Zoan pitched his tent, and here abode. 11 And men still mark the place where Abrahm lived-across the plain. 12 You ask why Abram came to Egypt land? This is the cradle-land of the initiate; all secret things belong to Egypt land; and this is why the masters come. 13 In Zoan Abram taught his science of the stars, and in that sacred temple over there he learned the wisdom of the wise. 14 And when his lessons all were learned, he took his kindred and his flocks and herds and journeyed back to Canaan, and in the plains of Mamre pitched his tent, and there he lived, and there he died. 15 And records of his life and works and of his sons, and of the tribes of Israel, are well preserved in Jewish sacred books. 16 In Persia Brahm was known, and feared. Men saw him as the One, the causeless Cause of all that is, and he was sacred unto them, as Tao to the dwellers of the farther East. 17 The people lived in peace, and justice ruled. 18 But, as in other lands, in Persia priests arose imbued with self and self desires, who outraged Force, Intelligence and Love; 19 Religion grew corrupt, and birds and beasts and creeping things were set apart as gods. 20 In course of time a lofty soul, whom men called Zarathustra, came in flesh. 21 He saw the causeless Spirit, high and lifted up; he saw the weakness of all man appointed gods. 22 He spoke and all of Persia heard; and when he said, One God, one people and one shrine, the altars of the idols fell, and Persia was redeemed. 23 But men must see their Gods with human eyes, and Zarathustra said, 24 The greatest of the Spirits standing near the throne is the Ahura Mazda, who manifests in brightness of the sun. 25 And all the people saw Ahura Mazda in the sun, and they fell down and worshipped him in temples of the sun. 26 And Persia is the magian land where live the priests who saw the star arise to mark the place where Mary's son was born, and were the first to greet him as the Prince of Peace. 27 The precepts and the laws of Zarathustra are preserved in the Avesta which you can read and make your own. 28 But you must know that words are naught till they are made alive; until the lessons they contain become a part of head and heart. 29 Now truth is one; but no one knows the truth until he is the truth. It is recorded in an ancient book. 30 Truth is the leavening power of God; it can transmute the all of life into itself; and when the all of life is truth, then man is truth.

Chapter 11

Elihu's lessons. Buddhism and the precepts of Buddha. The mysteries of Egypt.

AGAIN Elihu taught; he said, The Indian priests became corrupt; Brahm was forgotten in the streets; the rights of men were trampled in the dust. 2 And the a mighty master came, a Buddha of enlightenment, who turned away from wealth and all the honours of the world, and found the Silence in the quiet groves and caves; and he was blest. 3 He preached a gospel of the higher life, and taught man how to honour man. 4 He had no doctrine of the gods to teach; he just knew man, and so his creed was justice, love and righteousness. 5 I quote for you a few of many of the helpful words which Buddha spoke: 6 Hate is a cruel word. If men hate you regard it not; and you can turn the hate of men to love and mercy and goodwill, and mercy is as large as all the heavens. 7 And there is good enough for all. With good destroy the bad; with generous deeds make avarice ashamed; with truth make straight the crooked lines that error draws, for error is but truth distorted, gone astray. 8 And pain will follow him who speaks or acts with evil thoughts, as does the wheel the foot of him who draws the cart. 9 He is a greater man who conquers self than he who kills a thousand men in war. 10 He is the noble man who is himself what he believes what other men should be. 11 Return to him who does you wrong your purest love, and he will cease from doing wrong; for love will purify the heart of him who is beloved as truly as it purifies the heart of him who loves. 12 The words of Buddha are recorded in the Indian sacred books; attend to them, for they are part of the instructions of the Holy Breath. 13 The land of Egypt is the land of secret things. 14 The mysteries of the ages lie lock-bound in our temples and our shines. 15 The masters of all times and climes come here to learn; and when your sons have grown to manhood they will finish all their studies in Egyptian schools. 16 But I have said enough. To-morrow at the rising of the sun we meet again.

Chapter 12

Salome's lessons. Prayer. Elihu's concluding lessons. Sums up the three years' course of study. The pupils return to their homes.

NOW, when the morning sun arose the masters and their pupils all were in the sacred grove. 2 Salome was the first to speak; she said, Behold the sun! It manifests the power of God who speaks to us through sun and moon and stars; 3 Through mountain, hill and vale; through flower, and plant and tree. 4 God sings for us through bird, and harpsichord, and human voice; he speaks to us through wind and rain and thunder roll; why should we not bow down and worship at his feet? 5 God speaks to hearts apart; and hearts apart must speak to him; and this is prayer. 6 It is not prayer to shout at God, to stand, or sit, or kneel and tell him all about the sins of men. 7 It is not prayer to tell the Holy One how great he is, how good he is, how strong and how compassionate. 8 God is not man to be bought up by praise of man. 9 Prayer is the ardent wish that every way of life be light; that every act be crowned with good; that every living thing be prospered by our ministry. 10 A noble deed, a helpful word is prayer; a fervent, an effectual prayer. 11 The fount of prayer is in the heart; by thought, not words, the heart is carried up to God, where it is blest, Then let us pray. 12 They prayed, but not a word was said; but in that holy Silence every heart was blest. 13 And then Elihu spoke. He said to Mary and Elizabeth, Our words are said; you need not tarry longer here; the call has come; the way is clear, you may return unto your native land. 14 A mighty work is given you to do; you shall direct the minds that will direct the world. 15 Your sons are set apart to lead men up to righteous thoughts, and words, and deeds; 16 To make men know the sinfulness of sin; to lead them from the adoration of the lower self, and all illusive things, and make them conscious of the self that lives with Christ in God. 17 In preparation for their work your sons must walk in many thorny paths. 18 Fierce trials and temptations they will meet, like other men; their loads will not be light, and they will weary be, and faint. 19 And they will know the pangs of hunger and of thirst; and without cause they will be mocked, imprisoned, scourged. 20 To many countries they will go, and at the feet of many masters they will sit, for they must learn like other men. 21 But we have said enough. The blessings of the Three and of the Seven, who stand before the throne, will surely rest upon you evermore. 22 Thus closed the lessons of Elihu and Salome. Three years they taught their pupils in the sacred grove, and if their lessons all were written in a book, lo, it would be a mighty book; of what they said we have the sum. 23 Now, Mary, Joseph and Elizabeth with Jesus and his harbinger, set forth upon their homeward way. They went not by Jerusalem, for Archelaus reigned. 24 They journeyed by the Bitter Sea, and when they reached Engedi hills they rested in the home of Joshua, a near of kin; and here Elizabeth and John abode. 25 But Joseph, Mary and their son went by the Jordan way, and after certain days they reached their home in Nazareth.

Childhood and Early Education of John the Harbinger

Chapter 13

Elizabeth in Engedi. Teaches her son. John becomes the pupil of Matheno, who reveals to him the meaning of sin and the law of forgiveness.

ELIZABETH was blest; she spent her time with John, and gave to him the lessons that Elihu and Salome had given her. 2 And John delighted in the wilderness of his home and in the lessons that he learned. 3 Now in the hills were many caves. The cave of David was a-near in which the Hermit of Engedi lived. 4 This hermit was Matheno, priest of Egypt, master from the temple of Sakara. 5 When John was seven years of age Matheno took him to the wilderness and in the cave of David they abode. 6 Matheno taught, and John was thrilled with what the master said, and day by day Matheno opened up to him the mysteries of life. 7 John loved the wilderness; he loved his master and his simple fare. Their food was fruits, and nuts, wild honey and the carob bread. 8 Matheno was an Isrealite, and he attended all the Jewish feasts. 9 When John was nine years old Matheno took him to a great feast in Jerusalem. 10 The wicked Archelaus had been deposed and exiled to a distant land because of selfishness and cruelty, and John was not afraid. 11 John was delighted with his visit to Jerusalem. Matheno told him all about the service of the Jews; the meaning of their rites. 12 John could not understand how sin could be forgiven by killing animals and birds and burning them before the Lord. 13 Matheno said, The God of heaven and earth does not require sacrifice. This custom with its cruel rites was borrowed from the idol worshippers of other lands. 14 No sin was ever blotted out by sacrifice of animal, of bird, or man. 15 Sin is the rushing forth of man into fens of wickedness. If one would get away from sin he must retrace his steps, and find his way out of the fens of wickedness. 16 Return and purify your hearts by love and righteousness and you shall be forgiven. 17 This is the burden of the message that the harbinger shall bring to men. 18 What is forgiveness? John inquired. 19 Matheno said, It is the paying up of debts. A man who wrongs another man can never be forgiven until he rights the wrong. 20 The Vedas says that none can right the wrong but him who does the wrong. 21 John said, If this be true where is the power to forgive except the power that rests in man himself? Can man forgive himself? 22 Matheno said, The door is wide ajar; you see the way of man's return to right, and the forgiveness of his sins.

Chapter 14

Matheno's lessons. The doctrine of universal law. The power of man to choose and to attain. The benefits of antagonisms. Ancient sacred books. The place of John and Jesus in the world's history.

MATHENO and his pupil, John, were talking of the sacred books of olden times, and of the golden precepts they contained, and John exclaimed, 2 These golden precepts are sublime; what need have we of other sacred books? 3 Matheno said, The Spirit of the Holy One cause every thing to come and go in proper time. 4 The sun has his own time to set, the moon to rise, to wax and wane, the stars to come and go, the rain to fall, the winds to blow; 5 The seed times and the harvest times to come; man to be born and man to die. 6 These mighty Spirits cause the nations to be born; they rock them in their cradles, nurtures them to greatest power, and when their tasks are done they wrap them in their winding sheets and lay them in their tombs. 7 Events are many in a nation's life, and in the life of man, that are not pleasant for the time; but in the end the truth appears: whatever comes is for the best. 8 Man was created for a noble part; but he could not be made a free man filled with wisdom, truth and might. 9 If he were hedged about, confined in straits from which he could not pass, then he would be a toy, a mere machine. 10 Creative spirits gave to man a will; and so he has the power to choose. 11 He may attain the greatest heights, or sink to deepest depths; for what he wills to gain he has the power to gain. 12 If he desires strength he has the power to gain that strength; but he must overcome resistances to reach the goal; no strength is ever gained in idleness. 13 So, in the whirl of many-sided conflicts man is placed where he must strive to extricate himself. 14 In every conflict man gains strength; with every conquest he attains to greater heights. With every day he finds new duties and new cares. 15 Man is not carried over dangerous pits, nor helped to overcome his foes. He is himself his army, and his sword and shield; and he is captain of his hosts. 16 The Holy Ones just light his way. Man never has been left without a beacon light to guide. 17 And he has ever had a lighted lamp in hand that he may see the dangerous rocks, the turbid streams amd treacherous pits. 18 And so the Holy Ones have judged; when men have needed added light a master soul has come to earth to give the light. 19 Before the Vedic days the world had many sacred books to light the way; and when man needed greater light the Vedas, the Avesta and the books of Tao Great appeared to show the way to greater heights. 20 And in the proper place the Hebrew Bible, with its Law, its Prophets and its Psalms, appeared for man's enlightenment. 21 But years have passed and men have need of greater light. 22 And now the Day Star from on high begins to shine; and Jesus is the flesh-made messenger to show that light to men. 23 And you, my pupil, you have been ordained to harbinger the coming day. 24 But you must keep that purity of heart you now possess; and you must light your lamp directly from the coals that burn upon the altar of the Holy Ones. 25 And then your lamp will be transmuted to a boundless flame, and you will be a living torch whose light will shine wherever man abides. 26 But in the ages yet to come, man will attain to greater heights, and lights still more intense will come. 27 And then, at last, a mighty master soul will come to earth to light the way up to the throne of perfect man.

Chapter 15

Death and burial of Elizabeth. Matheno's lessons. The ministry of death. The mission of John. Institution of the rite of baptism. Matheno takes John to Egypt, and places him in the temple at Sakara, where he remains eighteen years.

WHEN John was twelve years old his mother died, and neighbours laid her body in a tomb among her kindred in the Hebron burying ground, and near to Zacharias' tomb. 2 And John was deeply grieved; he wept. Matheno said, It is not well to weep because of death. 3 Death is no enemy of man; it is a friend who, when the work of life is done, just cuts the cord that binds the human boat to earth, that it may sail on smoother seas. 4 No language can describe a mother's worth, and yours was tried and true. But she was not called hence until her tasks were done. 5 The calls of death are always for the best, for we are solving problems there as well as here; and one is sure to find himself where he can solve his problems best. 6 It is but selfishness that makes one wish to call again to earth departed souls. 7 Then let your mother rest in peace. Just let her noble life be strength and inspiration unto you. 8 A crisis in your life has come, and you must have a clear conception of the work that you are called to do. 9 The sages of the ages call you harbinger. The prophets look to you and say, He is Elijah come again. 10 Your mission here is that of harbinger; for you will go before Messiah's face to pave his way, and make the people ready to receive their king. 11 This readiness is purity of heart; none but the purity in heart can recognise the king. 12 To teach men to be pure in heart, you must yourself be pure in heart, and word, and deed. 13 In infancy the vow for you was made and you became a Nazarite. The razor shall not touch your face nor head, and you shall taste not wine nor fiery drinks. 14 Men need a pattern for their lives; they love to follow, not to lead. 15 The man who stands upon the corners of the paths and points the way, but does not go, is just a pointer; and a block of wood can do the same. 16 The teacher treads the way; on every span of ground he leaves his footprints clearly cut, which all can see and be assured that he, their master went that way. 17 Men comprehend the inner life by what they see and do. They come to God through ceremonies and forms. 18 And so when you would make men know that sins are washed away by purity in life, a rite symbolic may be introduced. 19 In water wash the bodies of the people who would turn away from sin and strive for purity in life. 20 This rite of cleansing is a preparation rite and they who thus are cleansed comprise the Church of Purity. 21 And you shall say, You men of Israel, hear; Reform and wash; become the sons of purity, and you shall be forgiven. 22 This rite of cleansing and this church are but symbolic of the cleansing of the soul by purity in life, and of the kingdom of the soul, which does not come from outward show, but is the church within. 23 Now, you may never point the way and tell the multitudes to do what you have never done; but you must go before and show the way. 24 You are to teach that men must wash; so you must lead the way, your body must be washed, symbolic of the cleansing of the soul. 25 John said, Why need I wait? May I not go at once and wash? 26 Matheno said, 'Tis well, and then they went down to the Jordan ford, and east fo Jericho, just where the hosts of Israel crossed when first they entered Canaan, they tarried for a time. 27 Matheno taught the harbinger, and he explained to him the inner meaning of the cleansing rite and how to wash himself and how to wash the multitude. 28 And in the river Jordan John was washed; then they returned unto the wilderness. 29 Now in Engedi's hills Matheno's work was done and he and John went down to Egypt. They rested not until they reached the temple of Sakara in the valley of the Nile. 30 For many years Matheno was a master in this temple of the Brotherhood, and when he told about the life of John and of his mission to the sons of men, the hierophant with joy received the harbinger and he was called the Brother Nazarite. 31 For eighteen years John lived and wrought within these temple gates; and here he conquered self, became a master mind and learned the duties of the harbinger.

Childhood and Early Education of Jesus

Chapter 16

The home of Joseph. Mary teaches her son. Jesus' grandparents give a feast in his honour. Jesus has a dream. His grandmother's interpretation. His birthday gift.

THE home of Joseph was on Marmion Way in Nazareth; here Mary taught her son the lessons of Elihu and Salome. 2 And Jesus greatly loved the Vedic and the Avesta; but more than all he loved to read the Psalms of David and the pungent words of Solomon. 3 The Jewish books of prophecy were his delight; and when he reached his seventh year he needed not the books to read, for he had fixed in memory every word. 4 Joachim and his wife, grandparents of child Jesus, made a feast in honour of the child, and all their near of kin were guests. 5 And Jesus stood before the guests and said, I had a dream, and in my dream I stood before a sea, upon a sandy beach. 6 The waves upon the sea were high; a storm was raging on the deep. 7 Some one gave me a wand. I took the wand and touched the sand, and every grain of sand became a living thing; the beach was all a mass of beauty and of song. 8 I touched the waters at my feet, and they were changed to trees, and flowers, and singing birds, and every thing was praising God. 9 And some one spoke, I did not see the one who spoke, I heard the voice, which said, There is no death. 10 Grandmother Anna loved the child; she laid her hand on Jesus' head and said, I saw you stand beside the sea; I saw you touch the sand and waves; I saw them turn to living things and then I knew the meaning of the dream. 11 The sea of life rolls high; the storms are great. The multitude of men are idle, listless, waiting, like dead sand upon the beach. 12 Your wand is truth. With this you touch the multitudes, and every man becomes a messenger of holy light and life. 13 You touch the waves upon the sea of life; their turmoils cease; the very winds become a song of praise. 14 There is no death, because the wand of truth can change the dryest bones to living things, and bring the loveliest flowers from stagnant ponds, and turn the most discordant notes to harmony and praise. 15 Joachim said, My son, today you pass the seventh milestone fo your way of life, for you are seven years of age, and we will give to you, as a remembrance of this day, whatever you desire; choose that which will afford you most delight. 16 And Jesus said, I do not want a gift, for I am satisfied. If I could make a multitude of children glad upon this day I would be greeatly pleased. 17 Now, there are many hungry boys and girls in Nazareth who would be pleased to eat with us this feast and share with us the pleasures of this day. 18 The richest gift that you can give to me is your permission to go out and find these needy ones and bring them here that they may feast with us. 19 Joachim said, 'Tis well; go out and find the needy boys and girls and bring them here; we will prepare enough for all. 20 And Jesus did not wait; he ran; he entered every dingy hut and cabin of the town; he did not waste his words; he told his mission everywhere. 21 And in a little time one hundred and three-score of happy, ragged boys and girls were following him up Marmion Way. 22 The guests made way; the banquet hall was filled with Jesus' guests, and Jesus and his mother helped to serve. 23 And there was food enough for all, and all were glad; and so the birthday gift of Jesus was a crown of righteousness.

Chapter 17

Jesus talks with the rabbi of the synagogue of Nazareth. He criticies the narrowness of Jewish thought.

NOW, Rabbi Barachia of the synagogue of Nazareth, was aid to Mary in the teaching of her son. 2 One morning after service in the synagogue the rabbi said to Jesus as he sat in silent thought, Which is the greatest of the Ten Commands? 3 And Jesus said, I do not see a greatest of the Ten Commands. I see a golden cord that runs through all the Ten Commands that binds them fast and makes them one. 4 This cord is love, and it belongs to every word of all the Ten Commands. 5 If one is full of love he can do nothing else than worship God; for God is love. 6 If one is full of love, he cannot kill; he cannot falsely testify; he cannot covet; can do naught but honour God and man. 7 If one is full of love he does not need commands of any kind. 8 And Rabbi Barachia said, Your words are seasoned with the salt of wisdom that is from above. Who is the teacher who has opened up this truth to you. 9 And Jesus said, I do not know that any teacher opens up this truth for me. It seems to me that truth was never shut; that it was always opened up, for truth is one and it is everywhere. 10 And if we open up the windows of our minds the truth will enter in and make herself at home; for truth can find her way through any crevice, any window, any open door. 11 The rabbi said, What hand is strong enough to open up the windows and the doors of mind so truth can enter in? 12 And Jesus said, It seems to me that love, the golden cord that binds the Ten Commands in one, is strong enough to open any human door so that the truth can enter in and cause the heart to understand. 13 Now, in the evening Jesus and his mother sat alone, and Jesus said, 14 The rabbi seems to think that God is partial in his treatment of the sons of men; that Jews are favoured and are blest above all other men. 15 I do not see how God can have his favourites and be just. 16 Are not Samaritans and Greeks and Romans just as much the children of the Holy One as are the Jews? 17 I think the Jews have built a wall about themselves, and they see nothing on the other side of it. 18 They do not know that flowers are blooming over there; that sowing times and reaping times belong to anybody but the Jews. 19 It surely would be well if we could break down these barriers down so that the Jews might see that God has other children that are just as greatly blest. 20 I want to go from Jewry land and meet my kin in other countries of my Fatherland.

Chapter 18

Jesus at a feast in Jerusalem. Is grieved by the cruelties of the sacrificers. Appeals to Hillel, who sympathises with him. He remains in the temple a year.

THE great feast of the Jews was on, and Joseph, Mary and their son, and many of their kin, went to Jerusalem. The child was ten years old. 2 And Jesus watched the butchers kill the lambs and birds and burn them on the altar in the name of God. 3 HIs tender heart was shocked at this display of cruelty; he asked the serving priest, What is the purpose of this slaughter of the beasts and birds? Why do you burn their flesh before the Lord? 4 The priest replied, This is our sacrifice for sin. God has commanded us to do these things, and said that in these sacrifices all our sins are blotted out. 5 And Jesus said, Will you be kind enough to tell when God proclaimed that sins are blotted out by sacrifice of any kind? 6 Did not David say that God requires a sacrifice for sin? that it is a sin itself to bring before his face burnt offerings, as offerings for sin? Did not Isaiah say the same? 7 The priest replied, My child you are beside yourself. Do you know more about the laws of God than all the priests of Israel? This is no place for boys to show their wit. 8 But Jesus heeded not his taunts; he went to Hillel, chief of the Sanhedrim, and he said to him, 9 Rabboni, I would like to talk with you; I am disturbed about this service of the pascal feast. I thought the temple was the house of God where love and kindness dwell. 10 Do you not hear the bleating of those lambs, the pleading of those doves that men are killing over there? Do you not smell that awful stench that comes from burning flesh? 11 Can man be kind and just, and still be filled with cruelty? 12 A God that takes delight in sacrifice, in blood and burning flesh, is not my Father- God. 13 I want to find a God of love, and you, my master, you are wise, and surely you can tell me where to find the God of love. 14 But Hillel could not give an answer to the child. His heart was stirred with sympathy. He called the child to him; he laid his hand upon his head and wept. 15 He said, There is a God of love, and you shall come with me; and hand in hand we will go forth and find the God of love. 16 And Jesus said, Why need we go? I thought that God was everywhere. Can we not purify our hearts and drive out cruelty, and every wicked thought, and make within, a temple where the God of love can dwell? 17 The master of the great Sanhedrim felt as though he was himself the child, and that before him stood Rabboni, master of the higher law. 18 He said within himself, This child is surely prophet sent from God. 19 Then Hillel sought the parents of the child, and asked that Jesus might abide with them, and learn the precepts of the law, and all the lessons of the temple priests. 20 His parents gave consent, and Jesus did abide within the holy temple in Jerusalem, and Hillel taught him every day. 21 And every day the master learned from Jesus many lessons of the higher life. 22 The child remained with Hillel in the temple for a year, and then returned unto his home in Nazareth; and there he wrought with Joseph as a carpenter.

Chapter 19

Jesus at the age of twelve in the temple. Disputes with the doctors of the law. Reads from a book of prophecy. By request of Hillel he interprets the prophecies.

AGAIN the great feast in Jerusalem was on, and Joseph, Mary and their son were there. THe child was twelve years old. 2 And there were Jews and proselytes from many countries in Jerusalem. 3 And Jesus sat among the priests and doctors in the temple hall. 4 And Jesus opened up a book of prophecy and read: 5 Woe, woe to Ariel, the town where David dwelt! I will dismantle Ariel, and she shall groan and weep: 6 And I will camp against her round about with hostile posts; 7 And I will bring her low and she shall speak out of the earth; with muffled voice like a familiar spirit shall she speak; yea she shall only whisper forth her speech; 8 And foes unnumbered, like the grains of dust, shall come upon her suddenly. 9 The Lord of Hosts will visit her with thunder and with tempest, and with storm; with earthquake, and with devouring flames. 10 Lo, all these people have deserted me. They draw to me with speech, and with their lips they honour me; their hearts are far removed from me; their fear for me is that inspired by man. 11 And I will breath upon my people, Isreal; the wisdom of their wise men shall be lost; the understanding of their prudent men shall not be found. 12 My people seek to hide their counsel from the Lord, so that their works may not be seen. They fain would cover up their works with darkness of the night, and say, Who sees us now? Who knows us now? 13 Poor, foolish men! shall that which has been made say of its maker, He is naught, I made myself? 14 Or shall the pot speak out and say to him, who made the pot, You have no skill; you do not know? 15 But this will not for ever be; the time will come when Lebanon will be a fruitful field, and fruitful fields will be transformed to groves. 16 And on that day the deaf will hear the words of God; the blind will read the Book of God's Remembrance. 17 And suffering ones will be relieved, and they will have abundant joy; and every one that needs will be supplied; and it will come to pass that all the foolish will be wise. 18 The people will return and sanctify the Holy One, and in their heart of hearts, lo, they will reverence him. 19 When Jesus had thus read he put aside the book and said, You masters of the law, will you make plain for us the prophet's words? 20 Now, Hillel sat among the masters of the law, and he stood forth and said, Perhaps our young rabboni who has read the word will be interpreter. 21 And Jesus said, The Ariel of the prophet is our own Jerusalem. 22 By selfishness and cruelty this people has become a stench unto the Elohim. 23 The prophet saw these days from far, and of these times he wrote. 24 Our doctors, lawyers, priests and scribes oppress the poor, while they themselves in luxury live. 25 The sacrifices and the offerings of Israel are but abomination unto God. They only sacrifice that God requires is self. 26 Because of this injustice and this cruelty of man to man, the Holy One has spoken of this commonwealth: 27 Lo, I will overturn, yes, I will overturn, it shall be overturned, and it shall be no more until he comes whose right it is and I will give it unto him. 28 In all the world there is one law of right, and he who breaks that law will suffer grief; for God is just. 29 And Israel has gone far astray; has not regarded justice, nor the rights of man, and God demands that Israel shall reform, and turn again to ways of holiness. 30 And if our people will not hear the voice of God, lo, nations from afar will come and sack Jerusalem, and tear our temple down, and take our people captive into foreign lands. 31 But this will not for ever be; though they be scattered far and wide, and wander here and there among the nations of the earth, like sheep that have no shepherd guide. 32 The time will come when God will bring again the captive hosts; for Israel shall return and dwell in peace. 33 And after many years our temple our temple shall be built again, and one whom God will honour, one in whom the pure in heart delights will come and glorify the house of God, and reign in righteousness. 34 When Jesus had thus said, he stepped aside, and all the people were amazed and said, This surely is the Christ.

Chapter 20

After the feast. The homeward journey. The missing Jesus. The search for him. His parents find him in the temple. He goes with them to Nazareth. Symbolic meaning of carpenter's tools.

THE great feast of the pasch was ended and the Nazarenes were journeying towards their homes. 2 And they were in Samaria, and Mary said, Where is my son? No one had seen the boy. 3 And Joseph sought among their kindred who were on their way to Galilee; but they had seen him not. 4 Then Joseph, Mary, and a son of Zebedee, returned and sought through all Jerusalem, but they could find him not. 5 And then they went up to the temple courts and asked the guards, Have you seen Jesus, a fair-haired boy, with deep blue eyes, twelve years of age, about these courts? 6 The guards replied, Yes, he is in the temple now disputing with the doctors of the law. 7 And they went in, and found him as the guards had said. 8 And Mary said, Why Jesus, why do you treat your parents thus? Lo, we have sought two days for you. We feared that some great harm had overtaken you. 9 And Jesus said, Do you not know that I must be about my Father's work? 10 But he went round and pressed the hand of every doctor of the law and said, I trust that we may meet again. 11 And then he went forth with his parents on their way to Nazareth; and when they reached their home he wrought with Joseph as a carpenter. 12 One day as he was bringing forth the tools for work he said, 13 These tools remind me of the ones we handle in the workshop of the mind where things were made of thought and where we build up character. 14 We use the square to measure all our lines, to straighten out the crooked places of the way, and make the corners of our conduct square. 15 We use the compass to draw circles round our passions and desires to keep them in the bounds of righteousness. 16 We use the axe to cut away the knotty, useless and ungainly parts and make the character symmetrical. 17 We use the hammer to drive home the truth, and pound it in until it is a part of every part. 18 We use the plane to smooth the rough, uneven surfaces of joint, and block, and board that go to build the temple for the truth. 19 The chisel, line, the plummet and the saw all have their uses in the workshop of the mind. 20 And then this ladder with its trinity of steps, faith, hope and love; on it we climb up to the dome of purity in life. 21 And on the twelve-step ladder we ascend until we reach the pinnacle of that which life is spent to build--the Temple of Perfected Man.

Life and Works of Jesus in India

Chapter 21

Ravanna sees Jesus in the temple and is captivated. Hillel tells him about the boy. Ravanna finds Jesus in Nazareth and gives a feast in his honour. Ravanna becomes patron of Jesus, and takes him to India to study the Brahmic religion.

A ROYAL prince of India, Ravanna of Orissa in the south, was at the Jewish feast. 2 Ravanna was a man of wealth; and he was just, and with a band of Brahmic priests sought wisdom in the West. 3 When Jesus stood among the Jewish priests and read and spoke, Ravanna heard and was amazed. 4 And when he asked who Jesus was, from whence he came and what he was, chief Hillel said, 5 We call this child the Day Star from on high, for he has come to bring to men a light, the light of life; to lighten up the way of men and to redeem his people, Israel. 6 And Hillel told Ravanna all about the child; about the prophecies concerning him; about the wonders of the night when he was born; about the visit of the magian priests; 7 About the way in which he was protected from the wrath of evil men; about his flight to Egypt-land, and how he then was serving with his father as a carpenter in Nazareth. 8 Ravanna was entranced, and asked to know the way to Nazareth, that he might go and honour such a one as son of God. 9 And with his gorgeous train he journeyed on the way and came to Nazareth of Galilee. 10 He found the object of his search engaged in building dwellings for the sons of men. 11 And when he first saw Jesus he was climbing up a twelve step ladder, and he carried in his hands a compass, square and axe. 12 Ravanna said, All hail, most favoured son of heaven! 13 And at the inn Ravanna made a feast for all the people of the town; and Jesus and his parents were honoured guests. 14 For certain days Ravanna was a guest in Joseph's home on Marmion Way; he sought to learn the secret of the wisdom of the son; but it was all to great for him. 15 And then he asked that he might be the patron of the child; might take him to the East where he could learn the wisdom of the Brahms. 16 And Jesus longed to go that he might learn; and after many days his parents gave consent. 17 Then, with proud heart, Ravanna with his train, began the journey towards the rising sun; and after many days they crossed the Sind, and reached the province of Orissa, and the palace of the prince. 18 The Brahmic priests were glad to welcome home the prince; with favour they received the Jewish boy. 19 And Jesus was accepted as a pupil in the temple Jagannath; and here learned the Vedas and the Manic laws. 20 The Brahmic masters wondered at the clear conceptions of the child, and often were amazed when he explained to them the meaning of the laws.

Chapter 22

The friendship of Jesus and Lamaas. Jesus explains to Lamaas the meaning of truth, man, power, understanding, wisdom, salvation and faith.

AMONG the priests of Jagannath was one who loved the Jewish boy. Lamaas Bramas was the name by which the priest was known. 2 One day as Jesus and Lamaas walked alone in plaza Jagannath, Lamaas said, My Jewish master, what is truth? 3 And Jesus said, Truth is the only thing that changes not. 4 In all the world there are two things; the one is truth; the other falsehood is; and truth is that which is, and falsehood that which seems to be. 5 Now truth is aught, and has no cause, and yet it is the cause of everything. 6 Falsehood is naught, and yet it is the manifest of aught. 7 Whatever has been made will be unmade; that which begins must end. 8 All things that can be seen by human eyes are manifests of aught, are naught, and so must pass away. 9 The things we see are but reflexes just appearing, while the ethers vibrate so and so, and when conditions change they disappear. 10 The Holy Breath is truth; is that which was, and is, and evermore shall be; it cannot change nor pass away. 11 Lamaas said, You answer well; now, what is man? 12 And Jesus said, Man is the truth and falsehood strangely mixed. 13 Man is the Breath made flesh; so truth and falsehood are conjoined in him; and they strive, and naught goes down and man as truth abides. 14 Again Lamaas asked, What do you say of power? 15 And Jesus said, It is a manifest; is the result of force; it is but naught; it is illusion, nothing more. Force changes not, but power changes as the ethers change. 16 Force is the will of God and is omnipotent, and power is that will in manifest, directed by the Breath. 17 There is power in the winds, a power in the waves, a power in the lightning's stroke, a power in the human arm, a power in the eye. 18 The ethers cause there powers to be, and thought of Elohim, of angel, man, or other thinking thing, directs the force; when it has done its work the power is no more. 19 Again Lamaas asked, Of understanding what have you to say? 20 And Jesus said, It is the rock on which man builds himself; it is the gnosis of the aught and of the naught, of falsehood and of truth. 21 It is the knowledge of the lower self; the sensing of the powers of man himself. 22 Again Lamaas asked, Of wisdom what have you to say? 23 And Jesus said, It is the consciousness that man is aught; that God and man are one; 24 That naught is naught; that power is but illusion; that heaven and earth and hell are not above, around, below, but in; which in the light of aught becomes the naught, and God is all. 25 Lamaas asked, Pray, what is faith? 26 And Jesus said, Faith is the surety of the omnipotence of God and man; the certainty that man will reach the deific life. 27 Salvation is a ladder reaching from the heart of man to heart of God. 28 It has three steps; Belief is first, and this is what man thinks, perhaps, is truth. 29 And faith is next, and this is what man knows is truth. 30 Fruition is the last, and this is man himself, the truth. 31 Belief is lost in faith; and in fruition is lost; and man is saved when he has reached deific life; when he and God are one.

Chapter 23

Jesus and Lamaas among the sudras and visyas. In Benares. Jesus becomes a pupil of Udraka. The lessons of Udraka.

NOW, Jesus with his friend Lamaas went through all the regions of Orissa, and the valley of the Ganges, seeking wisdom from the sudras and the visyas and the masters. 2 Benares of the Ganges was a city rich in culture and in learning; here the two rabbonis tarried many days. 3 And Jesus sought to learn the Hindu art of healing, and became the pupil of Udraka, greatest of the Hindu healers. 4 Udraka taught the uses of the waters, plants and earths; of heat and cold; sunshine and shade; of light and dark. 5 He said, The laws of nature are the laws of health, and he who lives according to these laws is never sick. 6 Transgression of these laws is sin, and he who sins is sick. 7 He who obeys the laws, maintains an equilibrium in all his parts, and thus insures true harmony; and harmony is health, while discord is disease. 8 That which produces harmony in all the parts of man is medicine, insuring health. 9 The body is a harpsichord, and when its strings are too relaxed, or are too tense, the instrument is out of tune, the man is sick. 10 Now, everything in nature has been made to meet the wants of man; so everything is found in medical arcanes. 11 And when the harpsichord of man is out of tune the vast expanse of nature may be searched for remedy; there is a cure for every ailment of the flesh. 12 Of course the will of man is remedy supreme; and by the vigorous exercise of will, man way make tense a chord that is relaxed, or may relax one that is too tense, and thus may heal himself. 13 When man has reached the place where he has faith in God, in nature and himself, he knows the Word of power; his word is balm for every wound, is cure for all the ills of life. 14 The healer is the man who can inspire faith. The tongue may speak to human ears, but souls are reached by souls that speak to souls. 15 He is the forceful man whose soul is large, and who can enter into souls, inspiring hope in those who have no hope, and faith in those who have no faith in God, in nature, nor in man. 16 There is no universal balm for those who tread the common walks of life. 17 A thousand things produce inharmony and make men sick; a thousand things may tune the harpsichord, and make men well. 18 That which is medicine for one is poison for another one; so one is healed by what would kill another one. 19 An herb may heal the one; a drink of water may restore another one; a mountain breeze may bring to life one seeming past all help; 20 A coal of fire, or bit of earth, may cure another one; and one may wash in certain streams, or pools, and be made whole. 21 The virtue from the hand or breath may heal a thousand more; but love is queen. Thought, reinforced by love, is God's great sovereign balm. 22 But many of the broken chords in life, and discords that so vex the soul, are caused by evil spirits of the air that men see not; that lead men on through ignorance to break the laws of nature and of God. 23 These powers act like demons, and they speak; they rend the man; they drive him to despair. 24 But he who is a healer, true, is master of the soul, and can, by force of will, control these evil ones. 25 Some spirits of the air are master spirits and are strong, too strong for human power alone; but man has helpers in the higher realms that may be importuned, and they will help to drive the demons out. 26 Of what this great physician said, this is the sum. And Jesus bowed his head in recognition of the wisdom of this master soul, and went his way.

Chapter 24

The Brahmic doctrine of castes. Jesus repudiates it and teaches human equality. The priests are offended and drive him from the temple. He abides with the sudras and teaches them.

FOUR years the Jewish boy abode in temple Jagannath. 2 One day he sat among the priests and said to them, Pray, tell me all about your views of castes; why do you say that all men are not equal in the sight of God? 3 A master of their laws stood forth and said, The Holy One whom we call Brahm, made men to suit himself, and men should not complain. 4 In the beginning days of human life Brahm spoke, and four men stood before his face. 5 Now, from the mouth of Parabrahm the first man came; and he was white, was like the Brahm himself; a brahman he was called. 6 And he was high and lifted up; above all want he stood; he had no need of toil. 7 And he was called the priest of Brahm, the holy one to act for Brahm in all affairs of earth. 8 The second man was red, and from the hand of Parabrahm he came; and he was called shatriya. 9 And he was made to be the king, the ruler and the warrior, whose highest ordained duty was protection of the priest. 10 And from the inner parts of Parabrahm the third man came; and he was called a visya. 11 He was a yellow man, and his it was to till the soil, and keep the flocks and herds. 12 And from the feet of Parabrahm the fourth man came; and he was black; and he was called the sudras, one of low estate. 13 The sudras is the servant of the race of men; he has no rights that others need respect; he may not hear the Vedas read, and it means death to him to look into the face of priest, or king, and naught but death can free him from his state of servitude. 14 And Jesus said, Then Parabrahm is not a God of justice and of right; for with his own strong hand he has exulted one and brought another low. 15 And Jesus said no more to them, but looking up to heaven he said, 16 My Father-God, who was, and is, and evermore shall be; who holds within thy hands the scales of justice and of right; 17 Who in the boundlessness of love has made all men to equal be. The white, the black, the yellow, and the red can look up in thy face and say, Our Father-God. 18 Thou Father of the human race, I praise thy name. 19 And all the priests were angered by the words which Jesus spoke; they rushed upon him, seized him, and would have done him harm. 20 But then Lamaas raised his hand and said, You priests of Brahm, beware! you know not what you do; wait till you know the God this youth adores. 21 I have beheld this boy at prayer when light above the light of the sun surrounded him. Beware! his God may be more powerful than Brahm. 22 If Jesus speaks the truth, if he is right, you cannot force him to desist; if he is wrong and you are right, his words come to naught, for right is might, and in the end it will prevail. 23 And then the priests refrained from doing Jesus harm; but one spoke out and said, 24 Within this holy place has not this reckless youth done violence to Parabrahm? The law is plain; it says, He who reviles the name of Brahm shall die. 25 Lamaas pled for Jesus' life; and then the preists just seized a scourge of cords and drove him from the place. 26 And Jesus went his way and found shelter with the black and yellow men, the servants and the tiller of the soil. 27 To them he first made known the gospel of equality; he told them of the Brotherhood of Man, the Fatherhood of God. 28 The common people heard him with delight, and learned to pray, Our Father-God who art in heaven.

Chapter 25

Jesus teaches the sudras and farmers. Realates a parable of a nobleman and his unjust sons. Makes known the possibilities of all men.

WHEN Jesus saw the sudras and the farmers in such multitudes draw near to hear his words, he spoke a parable to them; he said: 2 A nobleman possessed a great estate; he had four sons, and he would have them all grow strong by standing forth and making use of all the talents they possessed. 3 And so he gave to each a share of his great wealth, and bade them go their way. 4 The eldest son was full of self; he was ambitious, shrewd and quick of thought. 5 He said within himself, I am the oldest son, and these, my brothers, must be servants at my feet. 6 And then he called his brothers forth; and one he made a puppet king; gave him a sword and charged him to defend the whole estate. 7 To one he gave the use of lands and flowing wells, and flocks and herds, and bade him till the soil, and tend the flocks and herds and bring to him the choicest of his gains. 8 And to the other one he said, You are the youngest son; the broad estate has been assigned; you have no part nor lot in anything that is. 9 And he took a chain and bound his brother to a naked rock upon a desert plain, and said to him, 10 You have been born a slave; you have no rights, and you must be contented with your lot, for there is no release for you until you die and go from hence. 11 Now, after certain years the day of reckoning came; the nobleman called up his sons to render their accounts. 12 And when he knew that one, his eldest son, had seized the whole estate and made his brothers slaves, 13 He seized him, tore his priestly robes away and put him in a prison cell, where he was forced to stay until he had atoned for all the wrongs that he had done. 14 And then, as though they were but toys, he threw in air the throne and armour of the puppet king; he broke his sword, and put him in a prison cell. 15 And then he called his farmer son and asked him why he had not rescued from his galling chains his brother on the desert plains. 16 And when the son made answer not, the father took unto himself the flocks and herds, the fields and flowing wells, 17 And sent his farmer son to live out on the desert sands, until he had atoned for all the wrongs that he had done. 18 And then the father went and found his youngest son in cruel chains; with his own hands he broke the chains and bade his son to go in peace. 19 Now, when the sons had all paid up their debts they came again and stood before the bar of right. 20 They all had learned their lessons, learned them well; and then the father once again divided the estate. 21 He gave to each a share, and bade them recognise the law of equity and right, and live in peace. 22 And one, a sudras, spoke and said, May we who are but slaves, who are cut down like beasts to satisfy the whims of priests--may we have hope that one will come to break our chains and set us free? 23 And Jesus said, The Holy One has said, that all his children shall be free; and every soul is child of God. 24 The sudras shall be free as priest; the farmer shall walk hand in hand with king; for all the world will own the brotherhood of man. 25 O men, arise! be conscious of your powers, for he who wills need not remain a slave. 26 Just live as you would have your brother live; unfold each day as does the flower; for earth is yours, and heaven is yours, and God will bring you to your own. 27 And all the people cried, Show us the way that like the flower we may unfold and come unto our own.

Chapter 26

Jesus at Katak. The car of Jagannath Jesus reveals to the people the emptiness of Brahmic rites, and how to see God in man. Teaches them the divine law of sacrifice.

IN all the cities of Orissa Jesus taught. At Katak, by the river side, he taught, and thousands of the people followed him. 2 One day a car of Jagannath was hauled along by scores of frenzied men, and Jesus said, 3 Behold, a form without a spirit passes by; a body with no soul; a temple with no altar fires. 4 This car of Krishna is an empty thing, for Krishna is not there. 5 This car is but an idol of a people drunk on wine of carnal things. 6 God lives not in the noise of tongues; there is no way to him from any idol shrine. 7 God's meeting place with man is in the heart, and in a still small voice he speaks; and he who hears is still. 8 And all the people said, Teach us to know the Holy One who speaks within the heart, God of the still small voice. 9 And Jesus said, The Holy Breath cannot be seen with mortal eyes; nor can men see the Spirits of the Holy; 10 But in their image man was made, and he who looks into the face of man, looks at the image of the God who speaks within. 11 And when man honours man he honours God, and what man does for man, he does for God. 12 And you must bear in mind that when man harms in thought, or word or deed another man, he does a wrong to God. 13 If you would serve the God who speaks within the heart, just serve your near of kin, and those that are no kin, the stranger at your gates, the foe who seeks to do you harm; 14 Assist the poor, and help the weak; do harm to none, and covet not what is not yours; 15 Then, with your tongue the Holy One will speak; and he will smile behind your tears, will light your countenance with joy, and fill your hearts with peace. 16 And then the people asked. To whom shall we bring gifts? Where shall we offer sacrifice? 17 And Jesus said, Our Father-God asks not for needless waste of plant,of grain, of dove, of lamb. 18 That which you burn on any shrine you throw away. No blessings can attend the one who takes the food from hungry mouths to be destroyed by fire. 19 When you would offer sacrifice unto our God, just take your gift of grain, or meat and lay it on the table of the poor. 20 From it an incense will arise to heaven, which will return to you with blessedness. 21 Tear down your idols; they can hear you not; turn all your sacrificial altars into fuel for the flames. 22 Make human hearts your altars, and burn your sacrifices with the fire of love. 23 And all the people were entranced, and would have worshiped Jesus as a God; but Jesus said, 24 I am your brother man just come to show to way to God; you shall not worship man; praise God, the Holy One.

Chapter 27

Jesus attends a feast in Behar. Preaches a revolutionary sermon on human equality. Relates the parable of the broken blades.

THE fame of Jesus as a teacher spread through all the land, and people came from near and far to hear his words of truth. 2 At Behar, on the sacred river of the Brahms, he taught for many days. 3 And Ach, a wealthy man of Behar, made a feast in honour of his guest, and he invited every one to come. 4 And many came; among them thieves, extortioners, and courtesans. And Jesus sat with them and taught; but they who followed him were much aggrieved because he sat with thieves and courtesans. 5 And they upbraided him; they said, Rabboni, master of the wise, this day will be an evil day for you. 6 The news will spread that you consort with courtesans and thieves, and men will shun you as they shun an asp. 7 And Jesus answered them and said, A master never screens himself for sake of reputation or of fame. 8 These are but worthless baubles of the day; they rise and sink, like empty bottles on a stream; they are illusions and will pass away; 9 They are the indices to what the thoughtless think; they are the noise that people make; and shallow men judge merit by noise. 10 God and all master men judge men by what they are and not by what they seem to be; not by their reputation and their fame. 11 These courtesans and theives are children of my Father-God; their soul are just as precious in his sight as yours, or of the Brahmic priests. 12 And they are working out the same life sums that you, who pride yourselves on your respectability and moral worth, are working out. 13 And some of them have solved much harder sums than you have solved, you men who look at them with scorn. 14 Yes, they are sinners, and confess their guilt, while you are guilty, but are shrewd enough to have polished coat to cover up your guilt. 15 Suppose you men who scorn these courtesans, these drunkards and these thieves, who know that you are pure in heart and life, that you are better far than they, stand forth that men may know just who you are. 16 The sin lies in the wish, in the desire, not in the act. 17 You covet other people's wealth; you look at charming forms, and deep within your hearts you lust for them. 18 Deceit you practice every day, and wish for gold, for honour and for fame, just for your selfish selves. 19 The man who covets is a thief, and she who lusts is courtesan. You who are none of these speak out. 20 Nobody spoke; the accusers held their peace. 21 And Jesus said, The proof this day is all against those who have accused. 22 The pure in heart do not accuse. The vile in heart who want to cover up their guilt with holy smoke of piety are ever loathing drunkard, thief and courtesan. 23 This loathing and this scorn is mockery, for if the tinselled coat of reputation could be torn away, the loud professor would be found to revel in his lust, deceit and many forms of secret sin. 24 The man who spends his time in pulling other people's weeds can have no time to pull his own, and all the choicest flowers of life will soon be choked and die, and nothing will remain but darnel, thistles, burs. 25 And Jesus spoke a parable: he said, Behold, a farmer had great fields of ripened grain, and when he looked he saw that blades of many stalks of wheat were bent and broken down. 26 And when he sent his reapers forth he said, We will not save the stalks of wheat that have the broken blades. 27 Go forth and cut and burn the stalks with broken blades. 28 And after many days he went to measure up his grain, but not a kernel could be find. 29 And then he called the harvesters and said to them, Where is my grain? 30 They answered him and said, We did according to your word; we gathered up and burned the stalks with broken blades, and not a stalk was left to carry to the barn. 31 And Jesus said, If God saves only those who have no broken blades, who have been perfect in his sight, who will be saved? 32 And the accusers hung their heads in shame; and Jesus went his way.

Chapter 28

Udraka gives a feast in Jesus' honour. Jesus speaks on the unity of God and the brotherhood of life. Criticises the priesthood. Becomes the guest of a farmer.

BENARES is the sacred city of the Brahms, and in Benares Jesus taught; Udraka was his host. 2 Udraka made a feast in honour of his guest, and many high born Hindu priests and scribes were there. 3 And Jesus said to them, With much delight I speak to you concerning life--the brotherhood of life. 4 The universal God is one, yet he is more than one; all things are God; all things are one. 5 By the sweet breaths of God all life is bound in one; so if you touch a fibre of a living thing you send a thrill from the centre to the outer bounds of life. 6 And when you crush beneath your foot the meanest worm, you shake the throne of God, and cause the sword of right to tremble in its sheath. 7 The bird sings out its song for men, and men vibrate in unison to help it sing. 8 The ant constructs her home, the bee its sheltering comb, the spider weaves her web, and flowers breath to them a spirit in their sweet perfumes that gives them strength to toil. 9 Now, men and birds and beasts and creeping things are deities, made flesh; and how dare men kill anything? 10 'Tis cruelty that makes the world awry. When men have learned that when they harm a living thing they harm themselves, they surely will not kill, nor cause a thing that God has made to suffer pain. 11 A lawyer said,I pray you, Jesus, tell who is this God you speak about; where are his priests, his temples and his shrines? 12 And Jesus said, The God I speak about is everywhere; he cannot be compassed with walls, nor hedged about with bounds of any kind. 13 All people worship God, the One; but all the people see him not alike. 14 This universal God is wisdom, will and love. 15 All men see not the Triune God. One sees him as the God of might; another as the God of thought; another as the God of love. 16 A man's ideal is his God, and so, as man unfolds. Man's God to-day, to-morrow is not God. 17 The nations of the earth see God from different points of view, and so he does not seem the same to every one. 18 Man names the part of God he sees, and this to him is all of God; and every nation sees a part of God, and every nation has a name for God. 19 You Brahmans call him Parabrahm; in Egypt he is Thoth; and Zeus is his name in Greece; Jehovah is his Hebrew name; but everywhere he is the causeless Cause, the rootless Root from which all things have grown. 20 When men become afraid of God, and take him for a foe, they dress up other men in fancy garbs and call them priests. 21 And charge them to restrain the wrath of God by prayers; and when they fail to win his favour by their prayers, to buy him off with sacrifice of animal, or bird. 22 When man sees God as one with him, as Father-God, he needs no middle man, no priest to intercede; 23 He goes straight up to him and says, My Father- God! and then he lays his hand in God's own hand, and all is well. 24 And this is God. You are, each one, a priest, just for yourself; and sacrifice of blood God does not want. 25 Just give your life in sacrificial service to all of life, and God is pleased. 26 When Jesus had thus said he stood aside; the people were amazed, but strove among themselves. 27 Some said, He is inspired by Holy Brahm; and others said, He is insane; and others said, He is obsessed; he speaks as devils speak. 28 But Jesus tarried not. Among the guests was one, a tiller of the soil, a generous soul, a seeker after truth, who loved the words that Jesus spoke, and Jesus went with him, and in his home abode.

Chapter 29

Ajainin, a priest from Lahore, comes to Benares to see Jesus, and abides in the temple. Jesus refuses an invitation to visit the temple. Ajainin visits him at night in the farmer's home, and accepts his philosophy.

AMONG Benares' temple priests was one, a guest, Ajainan, from Lahore. 2 By merchantmen Ajainin heard about the Jewish boy, about his words of wisdom, and he girt himself and journeyed from Lahore that he might see the boy, and hear him speak. 3 The Brahmic priests did not accept the truth that Jesus brought, and they were angered much by what he said at the Udraka feast. 4 But they had never seen the boy, and they desired much to hear him speak, and they invited him to be a temple guest. 5 But Jesus said to them, The light is most abundant, and it shines for all; if you would see the light come to the light. 6 If you would hear the message that the Holy One has given me to give to men, come unto me. 7 Now, when the priests were told what Jesus said they were enraged. 8 Ajainin did not share their wrath, and he sent forth another messenger with costly gifts to Jesus at the farmer's home; he sent this message with the gifts: 9 I pray you master, listen to my words; The Brahmic law forbids that any priest shall go into the home of any one of low estate; but you can come to us; 10 And I am sure these priests will gladly hear you speak. I pray that you will come and dine with us this day. 11 And Jesus said, The Holy One regards all men alike; the dwelling of my host is good enough for any council of the sons of men. 12 If pride of cast keeps you away, you are not worthy of the light. My Father-God does not regard the laws of man. 13 Your presents I return; you cannot buy the knowledge of the Lord with gold, or precious gifts. 14 These words of Jesus angered more and more the priests, and they began to plot and plan how they might drive him from the land. 15 Ajainin did not join with them in plot and plan; he left the temple in the night, and sought the home where Jesus dwelt. 16 And Jesus said, There is no night where shines the sun; I have no secret messages to give; in light all secrets are revealed. 17 Ajainin said, I came from far-away Lahore, that I might learn about this ancient wisdom, and this kingdom of the Holy One of which you speak. 18 Where is the kingdom? where the king? Who are the subjects? what its laws? 19 And Jesus said, This kingdom is not far away, but man with mortal eyes can see it not; it is within the heart. 20 You need not seek the king in earth, or sea, or sky; he is not there, and yet is everywhere. He is the Christ of God; is universal love. 21 The gate of this dominion is not high, and he who enters it must fall down on his knees. It is not wide, and none can carry carnal bundles through. 22 The lower self must be transmuted into spirit-self; the body must be washed in living streams of purity. 23 Ajainin asked, Can I become a suject of this king? 24 And Jesus said, You are yourself a king, and you may enter through the gate and be a subject of the King of kings. 25 But you must lay aside your priestly robes; must cease to serve the Holy One for gold; must give your life, and all you have, in willing service to the sons of men. 26 And Jesus said no more; Ajainin went his way; and while he could not comprehend the truth that Jesus spoke, he saw what he had never seen before. 27 The realm of faith he never had explored; but in his heart the seeds of faith and universal brotherhood had found good soil. 28 And as he journeyed to his home he seemed to sleep, to pass through darkest night, and when he woke the Sun of Righteousness had arisen; he had found the king. 29 Now, in Benares Jesus tarried many days and taught.

Chapter 30

Jesus receives news of the death of his father. He writes a letter to his mother. The letter. He sends it on its way by a merchant.

ONE day as Jesus stood beside the Ganges busy with his work, a caravan, returning from the West, drew near. 2 And one, approaching Jesus, said, We come to you from your native land and bring unwelcome news. 3 Your father is no more on earth; your mother grieves; and none can comfort her. She wonders whether you are still alive or not; she longs to see you once again. 4 And Jesus bowed his head in silent thought; and then he wrote. Of what he wrote this is the sum: 5 My mother, noblest of the womankind; A man just from my native land has brought me word that father is no more in flesh, and that you grieve, and are disconsolate. 6 My mother, all is well; is well for father and is well for you. 7 His work in this earth-round is done, and it is nobly done. 8 In all the walks of life men cannot charge him with deceit, dishonesty, nor wrong intent. 9 Here in this round he finished many heavy tasks, and he has gone from hence prepared to solve the problems of the round of soul. 10 Our Father-God is with him there, as he was with him here; and there his angel guards his footssteps lest he goes astray. 11 Why should you weep? Tears cannot conquer grief. There is no power in grief to mend a broken heart. 12 The plane of grief is idleness; the busy soul can never grieve; it has no time for grief. 13 When grief come trooping through the heart, just lose yourself; plunge deep into the ministry of love, and grief is not. 14 Yours is a ministry of love, and all the world is calling out for love. 15 Then let the past go with the past; rise from the cares fo carnal things and give your life for those who live. 16 And if you lose your life in serving life you will sure to find in it the morning sun, the evening dews, in song of bird, in flowers, and in the stars of night. 17 In just a little while your problems of this earth-round will be solved; and when your sums are all worked out it will be pleasure unalloyed for you to enter wider fields of usefulness, to solve the greater problems of the soul. 18 Strive, then, to be content, and I will come to you some day and bring you richer gifts than gold or precious stones. 19 I'm sure that John will care for you, supplying all your needs; and I am with you all the way, Jehoshua. 20 And by the hand of one, a merchant, going to Jerusalem, he sent this letter on its way.

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