You as an individual, standing apart from all others of your kind, are today exactly what you have made of yourself by your thoughts, desires and acts. You will be in the future neither more nor less than what you make of yourself by your thoughts, your desires and efforts, whether these be good (constructive) or evil (degrading and debasing).

Your Destiny is in your own hands For this statement there are uncontradictable proofs both Scriptural (the Nazarene's teachings), inculcations, and the precepts of the Occult, Arcane, and Esoteric Fraternities throughout the Ages, up to and including the present.

Today, henceforth, more than ever before, because of the onset of the New Dispensation, the last opportunity to be given man, you alone will beheld responsible by the Divine Law (the ever-operating law) for the choice you will make and the efforts you put forward, as a result of your choice.

What is it to be? A mere "hanger-on," a "Will o' the wisp," to use a common expression, blown hither and yon by every wind that blows, at the command of every man's whim, or the fulfillment of your destiny by means of the awakening and development, the manifestation of the "Talents" God gave you on your entry into this mundane sphere of action? A man in the true meaning of that term? An individual, not merely a person; changing the "worm of the dust" into a co-worker with the Creator; using your Free Will and privilege of choice to the utmost; becoming, Biblically speaking a god on earth, a Son of God hereafter.

These are facts every human being must face honestly, frankly, and with a desire to profit by the answer or remain the plaything of men and fate, a nonentity during life, a pawn during eternity.

This problem is not a new one. It has existed since man became a thinking, reasoning human creature. It has been the deliberate, self-chosen effort of every Avatar, Soul Conscious philosopher, Anointed, Messenger, Savior, Philosophic Initiate, every Master who ever lived, to awaken mankind to the problem itself and its solution by the Individual.

This is clearly indicated in the Sacred Scriptures and constantly dealt with in all Occult, Arcane, Esoteric literature.

The one reason for the present text is to draw such direct attention to this responsibility, and make it so clear, that none can profess not to understand it, or honestly profess to be unable to apply the Operating Law to individual life and action.

Throughout the centuries the "devil's temptation" of the Nazarene, the means whereby man might obtain dominion over all the world and all therein, has been expounded without limit throughout the centuries. This in itself would be highly desirable, if the actual problem were illustrated as an example of What man must avoid, and what he will gain, if he resists the temptation.

There is a reverse of this drama - a picture of infinitely greater importance to man individually and to humanity as a whole. This is the assuring promise that, if a man prove himself, not merely heaven, as attractive as that may be, But all other desirable things in both heaven and earth shall be his for his benefit and happiness here and in the hereafter. This, the theme underlying all that concerns man, has received consideration and for a very good reason: it is at variance with doctrines which have no part either in the Divine Law of Spiritual concepts and religious inculcations or the teachings of the Occult, Arcane and Esoteric initiatory fraternities.

The Gospel narrative will have first consideration because a much greater number of people are conversant with it the Occult, Arcane, and Esoteric teachings on the subject. There are two specific methods or means whereby it is possible for man to gain all things in heaven and one earth for his benefit and not his detriment and, as is natural, these are directly in opposition one to the other.

The first method is clearly and simply outlined in the narratives of Matthew and other Apostles relative to the temptation of the Nazarene by the devil. This required only one thing of Him: That he accept, as fact, the offer made him by Satan that, by the mere act of kneeling down and worshiping him (Satan) all should be his. This, actually is the twin-sister of the doctrine of vicarious atonement, of attainment by faith, confession, and acceptance. (This story narrated by the writers is not an endorsement by them.)

The other method, outlined by the same writers, is considerably more complicated. It requires of man much more because it is within the Divine Law, and is, in itself, an honest man's creed. An must have faith to begin with. He must posses a willingness to cultivate the necessary desire. He must be ready, even anxious, to make the necessary effort to find the kingdom of heaven. No good thing is then denied him.

On finding the kingdom of heaven, he will be given everything promised to the Nazarene by the devil; and he will have earned it, as all men should, who desire specific possessions.

It is passing strange that, throughout the ages, the story of the temptations and the easy but evil way to obtain these things, has been assiduously inculcated; while the right way, God's Divine Way, as taught by the Nazarene and repeated by his Disciples, the way which ultimately brings man all good things without the evil, destructive reaction, has been but slightly dealt with. Carefully considered, however, it is readily understandable because the Divine Law demands effort, a sowing for the reaping that is desired.

The Arcane Fraternities fully recognize the fact that man may gain control over the kingdom of the world and all therein by the "devil's" way, using means and methods other than those taught by the Nazarene, but, in doing so man is warned that though he gains temporary power, he is certain to be bereft of everything, including his Soul, when the time of accounting comes.

"...the devil taketh him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them.

"And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." _Matt. 4:8-9.

Simply stated the "devil" is the tempter who is always present. He is ever active in pointing out to man how he may gain dominion and possessions the easy way without giving up bad traits and evil habits, and blinds him with the idea - old as man - that he may retrieve himself and his evils, or the evils he caused others, by one simple act - that of profession, confession, and acceptance.

The opposite of this, the honest man's method, is contained in the simple command, all-inclusive and without qualification:

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." _Matt. 6:33

Seeking the kingdom includes a search to find, as well as an unloading, a freeing of ourselves of all the evils of the carnal self, and, in the process, man must find that which is hidden within, bring the Christos into manifestation, build the Temple of Solomon - that of Light - and therein become one with God and His Law.

In the accomplishment of this, the temporal, unworthy, undesirable and debasing is gradually cast aside or transmuted into that Light through which God always appeared to men. This is the light in which all who attain become brethren as assured by St. John.

"I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." _John 8:12.

It is not difficult to coordinate and harmonize the Ancient Arcane and Esoteric teachings of the August Fraternity with the later version of the Essenian or Nazarene's teachings known as Christianity, and the New Interpretation of the New Order of the Ages for Neophytes and Initiates, the "select" and "elect".

The vital difference is found in the fact that, in the Nazarene's teachings throughout the Gospels there is inculcated time and again what must be done, while the August Fraternity has taught and continues to teach in addition how to do it. One, in its interpretation, has been based simply on faith, ignoring the necessity of change and action, while the Arcane demands faith, desire, and works or effort - a life to be lived, not merely believed in.

In the literature issued by the
August Fraternity and the Arcane, Esoteric Schools of the past, a great deal has been written dealing with the Essenes, the secret Esoteric school and Fraternity actively functioning during the period of the Nazarene's connection with it, after leaving the Egyptian Initiatory Schools, In general, much of this was based on legend, supposition, and on the contents of secret records in the Archives of the August Fraternity, which could no be opened to the profane, or non-members of the Arcane, Esoteric and Occult schools.

In the present text a resumé of this information is given for the convenience of consultation by Neophytes. In passing, it is important to remark that not only was this information questioned, often dubbed the "Mystic's dream," but even the existence of such person as the Nazarene, his life and ministry, was denied as a wishful thinker's dream.

The discovery of the Deep Sea texts, written at the time of the Essenes' greatest activity and the Nazarene's ministry, has been a challenge to the deniers and the doubters. This new confirmation comes just at the time when every effort is being made to eliminate the most important Arcane teachings from the Gospels. In addition, a concerted effort is being made to destroy Christianity by many who should be most valiant in the defense of Christianity, by their questioning of the legitimacy of the Nazarene's birth and His Divinity, whether as a result of his birth, or by bringing the innate Christos into manifestation. It is of deepest concern to the Student Neophytes - Initiates know whereof they speak - to be fully informed concerning such activities, and, for their information, we quote from "The Christianity of Sholem Asch" by Chaim Lieberman:

"The Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible, sponsored by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and published in 1952, has changed the word ‘virgin' to young woman' in the much disputed verse in Isaiah. Thus an eminent group of Christian [sic] scholars at long last have bowed to the truth [not the truth, but an intensive brain washing] and yielded to the Jewish point of view."

Here is a most important question for those who consider themselves Christians, and more especially, that ever increasing number of people who subscribe in toto to the Gospel teachings, that of the Essenes, and who are seeking the Path of Light through the August Fraternity and its Arcane, Esoteric inculcations and training: Is it possible for a man to actually be a "Christian" and accept, yield to, this Jewish point of view? This point of view, spiritually considered, is the direct opposite of all that Christianity, Esoterically, Gnostically and Arcanely, has taught and still teaches in the New Interpretation of Isaiah's New Order of the Ages of the "land overshadowed with wings?"

The changing times known as the New Cycle, or New Dispensation, foretold by the prophets of old and so clearly indicated in all Arcane, Esoteric literature of the Great Work, is becoming recognized even by the orthodox.. As an example of the mutilation of the Gospels is this statement by Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre, Professor at Vanderbilt University: "The World may be facing the end of the Christian era, but is on the verge of unparalleled hunger for religion."

There can be no new religion, because religion, a Spiritual concept, is based on the Divine Law, and a Law is not a Law unless it is unchangeable. There will be, there is, however, a new interpretation, a new approach, and a new application of the laws as first instituted by God.

In the present text every effort has been made to simplify the Arcane, Esoteric and Occult teachings of the Law and the practice leading to Philosophic Initiation or Soul Consciousness, and the teachings of the Essenes and the Nazarene, and to clearly indicate that one is a version of the other.

It is, however, necessary to point out that, in the Gospels as generally and incompletely interpreted, faith and acceptance are stressed, while in the Great Work, these fundamentals are taught in order to show the way this is to be cone so that the end may be achieved by all who will follow through.

R. Swinburne Clymer

"Beverly Hall"
Quakertown, Penna,
April 16, 1956