Jesus passes the third brotherhood test, and receives the third degree, FAITH.
THE Logos waited seven days, and then was taken to the Hall of Fame, a chamber
rich in furnishings, and lighted up with gold and silver lamps.
2 The colours of its ceilings, decorations, furnishings and walls were blue and gold.
3 Its shelves were filled with books of master minds; the paintings and the statues
were the works of highest art.
4 And Jesus was entranced with all this elegance and these manifests of thought. He
read the sacred books, and sought the meanings of the symbols and the hieroglyphs.
5 And when he was absorbed in deepest thought, a priest approached and said,
6 Behold the glory of this place: my brother, you are highly blest. Few men of earth,
so young, have reached such heights of fame.
7 Now, if you do not waste your life in search for hidden things that men can never
comprehend, you may be founder of a school of thought that will insure you endless
fame;
8 For your philosophy is deeper far than that of Plato, and your teachings please the
common people more than those of Socrates.
9 Why seek for mystic light within these antiquated dens? Go forth and walk with
men, and think with men, and they will honour you.
10 And, after all, these weird initiations may be myths, and your Messiah hopes but
base illusions of the hour.
11 I would advise you to renounce uncertain things and choose the course that leads
to certain fame.
12 And thus the priest, a demon in disguise, sung syren songs of unbelief; and Jesus
meditated long and well on what he said.
13 The conflict was a bitter one, for king Ambition is a sturdy foe to fight.
14 For forty days the higher wrestled with the lower self, and then the fight was won.
15 Faith rose triumphant; unbelief was not. Ambition covered up his face and fled
away, and Jesus said,
16 The wealth, the honour, and the fame of earth are but the baubles of an hour.
17 When this short span of earthly life has all been measured out, man's bursting
baubles will be buried with his bones,
18 Yea, what a man does for his selfish self will make no markings on the credit side
of life.
19 The good that men for other men shall do becomes a ladder strong on which the
soul may climb to wealth, and power and fame of God's own kind, that cannot pass
away.
20 Give me the poverty of men, the consciousness of duty done in love, the
approbation of my God, and I will be content.
21 And then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said,
22 My Father-God, I thank thee for this hour. I ask not for the glory of thyself; I fain
would be a keeper of thy temple gates, and serve my brother man.
23 Again was Jesus called to stand before the hierophant; again no word was said,
but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which was written, FAITH.
24 And Jesus bowed his head in humble thanks; then went his way.
CHAPTER 51
Jesus passes the fourth brotherhood test, and receives the fourth degree,
PHILANTHROPHY.
WHEN other certain days had passed, the guide led Jesus to the Hall of Mirth, a hall
most richly furnished, and replete with everything a carnal heart could wish.
2 The choicest viands and the most delicious wines were on the boards; and maids,
in gay attire, served all with grace and cheerfulness.
3 And men and women, richly clad, were there; and they were wild with joy; they
sipped from every cup of mirth.
4 And Jesus watched the happy throng in silence for a time, and then a man in garb
of sage came up and said, Most happy is the man who, like the bee, can gather sweets
from every flower.
5 The wise man is the one who seeks for pleasure, and can find it everywhere.
6 At best man's span of life on earth is short, and then he dies and goes, he knows
not where.
7 Then let us eat, and drink, and dance, and sing, and get the joys of life, for death
comes on apace.
8 It is but foolishness to spend a life for other men. Behold, all die and lie together
in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude.
9 But Jesus answered not; upon the tinselled guests in all their rounds of mirth he
gazed in silent thought.
10 And then among the guests he saw a man whose clothes were coarse; who
showed in face and hands the lines of toil and want.
11 The giddy throng found pleasure in abusing him; they jostled him against the wall,
and laughed at his discomfiture.
12 And then a poor, frail woman came, who carried in her face and form the marks
of sin and shame; and without mercy she was spit upon, and jeered, and driven from
the hall.
13 And then a little child, with timid ways and hungry mien, came in and asked for
just a morsel of their food.
14 But she was driven out uncared for and unloved; and still the merry dance went
on.
15 And when the pleasure seekers urged that Jesus join them in their mirth, he said,
16 How could I seek for pleasure for myself while others are in want? How can you
think that while the children cry for bread, while those in haunts of sin call out for
sympathy and love that I can fill myself to full with the good things of life?
17 I tell you, nay; we all are kin, each one a part of the great human heart.
18 I cannot see myself apart from that poor man that you so scorned, and crowded
to the wall;
19 Nor from the one in female garb who came up from the haunts of vice to ask for
sympathy and love, who was by you so ruthlessly pushed back into her den of sin;
20 Nor from that little child that you drove from your midst to suffer in the cold, bleak
winds of night.
21 I tell you, men, what you have done to these, my kindred, you have done to me.
22 You have insulted me in your own home; I cannot stay. I will go forth and find that
child, that woman and that man, and give them help until my life's blood all has ebbed
away.
23 I call it pleasure when I help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal
the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed.
24 And this that you call mirth is but a phantom of the night; but flashes of the fire
of passion, painting pictures on the walls of time.
25 And while the Logos spoke the white-robed priest came in and said to him, The
council waits for you.
26 Then Jesus stood again before the bar; again no word was said; the hierophant
placed in his hands a scroll, on which was writ, PHILANTHROPY.
27 And Jesus was a victor over selfish self.
CHAPTER 52
Jesus spends forty days in the temple groves. Passes the fifth brotherhood test and
receives the fifth degree, HEROISM.
THE sacred temple groves were rich in statues, monuments and shrines; here Jesus
loved to walk and meditate.
2 And after he had conquered self he talked with nature in these groves for forty
days.
3 And then the guide took chains and bound him hand and foot; and then cast him
into a den of hungry beasts, of unclean birds, and creeping things.
4 The den was dark as night; the wild beasts howled; the birds in fury screamed; the
reptiles hissed.
5 And Jesus said, Who was it that did bind me thus? Why did I meekly sit to be
bound down with chains?
6 I tell you, none has power to bind a human soul. Of what are fetters made?
7 And in his might he rose, and what he thought were chains were only worthless
cords that parted at his touch.
8 And then he laughed and said, The chains that bind men to the carcasses of earth
are forged in fancy's shop; are made of air, and welded in illusion's fires.
9 If man will stand erect, and use the power of will, his chains will fall, like worthless
rags; for will and faith are stronger than the stoutest chains that men have ever made.
10 And Jesus stood erect among the hungry beasts, and birds, and said, What is this
darkness that envelops me?
11 "Tis but the absence of the light. And what is light? 'Tis but the breath of God
vibrating in the rhythm of rapid thought.
12 And then he said, Let there be light; and with a mighty will he stirred the ethers
up, and their vibrations reached the plane of light; and there was light.
13 The darkness of that den of night became the brightness of a newborn day.
14 And then he looked to see the beasts, and birds, and creeping things; lo, they
were not.
15 And Jesus said, Of what are souls afraid? Fear is the chariot in which man rides
to death;
16 And when he finds himself within the chamber of the dead, he learns that he has
been deceived; his chariot was a myth, and death a fancy child.
17 But some day all man's lessons will be learned, and from the den of unclean
beasts, and birds, and creeping things he will arise to walk in light.
18 And Jesus saw a ladder made of gold, on which he climbed, and at the top the
white-robed priest awaited him.
19 Again he stood before the council bar; again no word was said; again the
hierophant reached forth his hand to bless.
20 He placed in Jesus' hand another scroll, and on this one was written, HEROISM.
21 The Logos had encountered fear and all his phantom host, and in the conflict he
achieved the victory.
CHAPTER 53
Jesus passes the sixth brotherhood test and receives the sixth degree, LOVE DIVINE.
IN all the land there is no place more grandly furnished than the Beauty Parlours of
the temple of the sun.
2 Few students ever entered these rich rooms; the priests regarded them with awe,
and called them Halls of Mysteries.
3 When Jesus had attained the victory over fear, he gained the right to enter here.
4 The guide led on the way, and after passing many richly furnished rooms they
reached the Hall of Harmony; and here was Jesus left alone.
5 Among the instruments of music was a harpsichord, and Jesus sat in thoughtful
mood inspecting it, when, quietly, a maiden of entrancing beauty came into the hall.
6 She did not seem to notice Jesus as he sat and mused, so busy with his thoughts.
7 She found her place beside the harpsichord; she touched the chords most gently,
and she sung the songs of Israel.
8 And Jesus was entranced; such beauty he had never seen; such music he had
never heard.
9 The maiden sung her songs; she did not seem to know that any one was near; she
went her way.
10 And Jesus, talking with himself, said out, What is the meaning of this incident? I
did not know that such entrancing beauty and such queen-like loveliness were ever
found among the sons of men.
11 I did not know that voice of angel ever graced a human form, or that seraphic
music ever came from human lips.
12 For days he sat entranced; the current of his thoughts was changed; he thought
of nothing but the singer and her songs.
13 He longed to see her once again; and after certain days she came; she spoke and
laid her hand upon his head.
14 Her touch thrilled all his soul, and for the time, forgotten was the work that he was
sent to do.
15 Few were the words the maiden said; she went her way; but then the heart of
Jesus had been touched.
16 A love-flame had been kindled in his soul, and he was brought to face the sorest
trial of his life.
17 He could not sleep nor eat. Thoughts of the maiden came; they would not go. His
carnal nature called aloud for her companionship.
18 And then he said, Lo, I have conquered every foe that I have met, and shall I now
be conquered by this carnal love?
19 My Father sent me here to show the power of love divine, that love that reaches
every living thing.
20 Shall this pure, universal love be all absorbed by carnal love? Shall I forget all
creatures else, and lose my life in this fair maiden, though she is the highest type of
beauty, purity and love?
21 Into its very depths his soul was stirred, and long he wrestled with this angel-idol
of his heart.
22 But when the day was almost lost, his higher ego rose in might; he found himself
again, and then he said,
23 Although my heart shall break I will not fail in this my hardest task; I will be victor
over carnal love.
24 And when again the maiden came, and offered him her hand and heart, he said,
25 Fair one, your very presence thrills me with delight; your voice is benediction to
my soul; my human self would fly with you, and be contented in your love;
26 But all the world is craving for a love that I have come to manifest.
27 I must, then, bid you go; but we will meet again; our ways on earth will not be cast
apart.
28 I see you in the hurrying throngs of earth as minister of love; I hear your voice in
song, that wins the hearts of men to better things.
29 And then in sorrow and in tears the maiden went away, and Jesus was again
alone.
30 And instantly the great bells of the temple rang; the singers sung a new, new
song; the grotto blazed with light.
31 The hierophant himself appeared, and said, All hail! triumphant Logos, hail! The
conqueror of carnal love stands on the heights.
32 And then he placed in Jesus' hands a scroll on which was written, LOVE DIVINE.
33 Together they passed through the grotto of the beautiful, and in the banquet hall
a feast was served, and Jesus was the honoured guest.
CHAPTER 54
Jesus becomes a private pupil of the hierophant and is taught the mysteries of Egypt.
In passing the seventh test, he works in the Chamber of the Dead.
THE senior course of study now was opened up and Jesus entered and became a
pupil of the hierophant.
2 He learned the secrets of the mystic lore of Egypt land; the mysteries of life and
death and of the worlds beyond the circle of the sun.
3 When he had finished all the studies of the senior course, he went into the
Chamber of the Dead, that he might learn the ancient methods of perserving from
decay the bodies of the dead; and here he wrought.
4 And carriers brought the body of a widow's only son to be embalmed; the weepng
mother followed close; her grief was great.
5 And Jesus said, Good woman, dry your tears; you follow but an empty house; your
son is in it not.
6 You weep because your son is dead. Death is a cruel word; your son can never
die.
7 He had a task assigned to do in garb of flesh; he came; he did his work, and then
he laid the flesh aside; he did not it more.
8 Beyond your human sight he has another work to do, and he will do it well, and
then pass on to other tasks, and, by and by, he will attain the crown of perfect life.
9 And what your son has done, and what he yet must do, we all must do.
10 Now, if you harbour grief, and give your sorrows vent they will grow greater every
day. They will absorb your very life until at last you will be naught but grief, wet down
with bitter tears.
11 Instead of helping him you gieve your son by your deep grief. He seeks your
solace now as he has ever done; is glad when you are glad; is saddened when you
grieve.
12 Go bury deep your woes, and smile at grief, and lose yourself in helping others
dry their tears.
13 With duty done comes happiness and joy; and gladness cheers the hearts of
those who have passed on.
14 The weeping woman turned, and went her way to find a happiness in helpfulness;
to bury deep her sorrows in a ministry of joy.
15 Then other carriers came and brought the body of a mother to the Chamber of the
Dead; and just one mourner followed; she a girl of tender years.
16 And as the cortege neared the door, the child observed a wounded bird in sore
distress, a cruel hunter's dart had pierced its breast.
17 And she left following the dead, and went to help the living bird.
18 With tenderness and love she folded to her breast the wounded bird, then hurried
to her place.
19 And Jesus said to her, Why did you leave your dead to save a wounded bird?
20 The maiden said, This lifeless body needs no help from me; but I can help while
yet life is; my mother taught me this.
21 My mother taught that grief and selfish love, and hopes and fears are but reflexes
from the lower self;
22 That what we sense are but small waves upon the rolloing billows of a life.
23 These all will pass away; they are unreal.
24 Tears flow from hearts of flesh; the spirit never weeps; and I am longing for the
day when I will walk in light, where tears are wiped away.
25 My mother taught that all emotions are the sprays that rise from human loves, and
hopes, and fears; that perfect bliss cannot be ours till we have conquered these.
26 And in the presence of that child did Jesus bow his head in reverence. He said,
27 For days and months and years I've sought to learn this highest truth that man
can learn on earth, and here a child, fresh brought to earth, has told it all in one short
breath.
28 No wonder David said, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the
earth!
29 Out of the mouths of babes and suckings hast thou ordained strength.
30 And then he laid his hand upon the maiden's head, and said, I'm sure the
blessings of my Father-God will rest upon you, child, for evermore.
CHAPTER 55
Jesus passes the seventh brotherhood test, and in the purple room of the temple
receives the seventh, the highest degree, THE CHRIST. He leaves the temple a
conqueror.
THE work of Jesus in the Chamber of the Dead was done, and in the temple purple
room he stood before the hierophant,
2 And he was clothed in purple robes; and all the brothers stood. The hierophant
arose and said,
3 This is a royal day for all the hosts of Israel. In honour of their chosen son we
celebrate the great Passover Feast.
4 And then he said to Jesus, Brother, man, most excellent of men, in all the temple
tests you have won out.
5 Six times before the bar of right you have been judged; six times you have received
the highest honours man can give; and now you stand prepared to take the last degree.
6 Upon your brow I place this diadem, and in the Great Lodge of the heavens and
earth you are THE CHRIST.
7 This is your Passover rite. You are a neophyte no more; but now a master mind.
8 Now, man can do no more; but God himself will speak, and will confirm your title
and degree.
9 Go on your way, for you must preach the gospel of good will to men and peace on
earth; must open up the prison doors and set the captives free.
10 And while the hierophant yet spoke the temple bells rang out; a pure white dove
descended from above and sat on Jesus' head.
11 And then a voice that shook the very temple said, THIS IS THE CHRIST; and
every living creature said, AMEN.
12 The great doors of the temple swung ajar; the Logos journeyed on his way a
conqueror.
The Council of the Seven Sages of the World
CHAPTER 56
The seven sages of the world meet in Alexandria. The purposes of the meeting. The
opening addresses.
IN every age since time began have seven sages lived.
2 At first of every age these sages meet to note the course of nations, peoples, tribes
and tongues;
3 To note how far toward justice, love and righteousness the race has gone;
4 To formulate the code of laws, religious postulates and plans of rule best suited to
the coming age.
5 An age had passed, and lo, another age had come; the sages must convene.
6 Now, Alexandria was the centre of the world's best thought, and here in Philo's
home the sages met.
7 From China came Meng-ste; from India Viyapati came; from Persia Kaspar came;
and from Assyria Ashbina came; from Greece Apollo; Matheno was the Egyptian sage,
and Philo was the chief of Hebrew thought.
8 The time was due; the council met and sat in silence seven days.
9 And then Meng-ste arose and said, The wheel of time has turned once more; the
race is on a higher plane of thought.
10 The garments that or fathers wove have given out; the cherubim have woven a
celestial cloth; have placed it in our hands and we must make for men new garbs.
11 The sons of men are looking up for greater light. No longer do they care for gods
hewn out of wood, or made of clay. They seek a Gob not made with hands.
12 They see the beams of coming day, and yet they comprehend them not.
13 The time is ripe, and we must fashion well these garments for the race.
14 And let us make for men new garbs of justice, mercy, righteousness and love, that
they may hide their nakedness when shines the light of coming day.
15 And Vidyapati said, Our priests have all gone mad; they saw a demon in the wilds
and at him cast their lamps and they are broken up, and not a gleam of light has any
priest for men.
16 The night is dark; the heart of India calls for light.
17 The priesthood cannot be reformed; it is already dead; its greatest needs are
graves and funeral chants.
18 The new age calls for liberty; the kind that makes each man a priest, enables him
to go alone, and lay his offerings on the shrine of God.
19 And Kaspar said, In Persia people walk in fear; they do the good for fear to do the
wrong.
20 The devil is the greatest power in our land, and though a myth, he dandles on his
knee both youth and age.
21 Our land is dark, and evil prospers in the dark.
22 Fear rides on every passing breeze, and lurks in every form of life.
23 The fear of evil is a myth, is an illusion and a snare; but it will live until some
mighty power shall come to raise the ethers to the plane of light.
24 When this shall come to pass the magian land will glory in the light. The soul of
Persia calls for light.
The Aquarian Age Gospel of Jesus, the Christ of the Piscean Age. Transcribed from the Book of God's Remembrance Known as the Akashic records