In this discussion of life in the New Renaissance, we must assume that the efforts that need to be made to bring this life- style into fruition will be accomplished. Much of the viability of the New Renaissance, depends on what you and I do in the next decade or two.

Much as I dislike being the harbinger of bad news, I must assure you that no Messiah will come down from the clouds to bring mankind an Earthly Heaven that is not deserved. This same situation applies to the New Renaissance. The new will come only when mankind creates it, and it will be exactly what men and women make it. Therefore, it is premature to attempt to describe this marvelous time. But we can at least explore the possibilities of what it could be and should be if we all are willing to become a part of the New Age in the right spirit.

Even though we presume much in this description, such presumption is not without adequate precedent. Each time a New Dispensation arrives there is a change in the basic concept of how humanity looks at itself. Before Moses there was only chaos in the habits and concepts of his people. Moses, who was trained in Egyptian Temples of Initiation, brought to his people as much of the Law as they could accept. He described everything in great detail, and no aspect of life was omitted by this great Lawgiver. In this way, the Hebrews where brought from a state of chaos into one of order. A harsh order, it is true, but it was needed to establish organization in such a rebellious and carnal people.

After mankind had evolved for a number of centuries, the Law of Moses was given a more liberal and humane interpretation. For this purpose, the Nazarene came to Earth and taught the Laws of Love and Forgiveness. As He said clearly, these had always been the Law, but for the "hardness of their hearts" Moses had not been able to teach it to his people. With the passage of time, however, there were enough who were willing to listen to such a message so that a new teacher of mankind was practical. And listen they did, although not all were willing to leave the old ways. This will have to wait many incarnations before they can catch up.

RESTATEMENT OF THE LAW

In the first century A.D. a New Law began to replace the old, and gradually what is called Christianity began to engulf the world thought. Today probably more people do not accept the Christian view than do, but all religions are judged by how they compare with the teaching of the Nazarene. In all civilized countries, even in countries that deny the existence of a Higher Power, the humanities embraced by the Christian doctrine are given at least lip service. No one, except fanatics, would, even in the Jewish homeland, attempt to punish according to the Laws of Moses today. All such Laws were given the death knell by one simple phrase of the Nazarene, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." These words made such perfect sense that they changed the hearts of good men and women forever.

Actually, only a few of the teaching of the Great Instructor of Galilee have become part of what is called the Christian Era. Nevertheless, the world was changed and advanced by this visitor from above. Moses brought the Law. Jesus brought love, compassion, and faith. Now we are in the time of Manisis, the Messenger from God for our time, the New Renaissance. Manisis brings the Law of Personal Responsibility. This Law is the keynote of the New Renaissance. It is not a new Law. It has always existed. But even as in Moses' day not everyone could accept the Law, nor at a later time could they accept the truths taught by the Nazarene, so today it will not be possible for all mankind to accept the Law of Personal Responsibility as taught by the disciples of Manisis. Individuals may advance at rapid rates by the process of Personal Spiritual Development, but the general population will continue to move at a snail's pace in comparison. Moses knew well the Law of Personal Responsibility and tried to give some hint of it in this teaching, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." By this teaching he attempted to show his people that it was wrong to extract more as punishment than the situation demanded. In this way he hoped to impress upon them that they had a personal responsibility toward fairness, at least. When Paul wrote, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," he but rephrased the Law of personal Responsibility.

VITALIZING THE NEW LAW

Thus, it is not so much new Laws that are taught by each new Interpreter, but rather a new emphasis of old Laws. As the mass of mankind evolves, they can gradually be moved, as a whole, to new ideas and concepts of human conduct and potentialities. Because of this fact, we can speak of the New Renaissance in such positive terms. Its time has come. The Old Dispensation no longer fits the majority of the thinking people of the Earth. They are in the present turmoil because they are not satisfied with the old, but have not as yet been able to contact the new. This dilemma is always a part of such a changeover. Remember the trouble Moses had in taking his people out of Egypt or the trials of the early Christians. The old never wants to give up to the new, but the Law is relentless. The Old Dispensation must give way to the New Renaissance, and nothing in Heaven or Earth can prevent it.

Once we consider the above facts, it is easy to see why we are certain of the advent of the New Renaissance. What we cannot know is how far man will be able to advance during this New Dispensation. The hopes Moses had for his people were only partially realized. The perfect Christian world never really crystallized. Perhaps the New Renaissance will be far from the ideal some have for it, but it will be an advancement over the world as we know it today. The extent of that advancement is up to YOU.
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