' The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ '...

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 ........................... From the Reluctant Messenger......