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MESSAGE TO AMORC FROM THE ROSICRUCIAN SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE WORLD

 
The following text was written by Harvey Spencer Lewis, the founder of AMORC, and published in his magazine Cromaat G.
 
 
 
OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION TO THE ORDER
 
The following communication was officially delivered to the Imperator [Spencer Lewis] through the offices of the Hierophant R+C, and is officially published in this special issue of Cromaat by direction of the supreme authorities that all may know its contents and be duly and officially advised.
 
On the pages following this communication will be found the Imperator’s comments on the matter contained therein. These, too, should be carefully read and studied.
 
The term “Pisces, Three Degrees” is the astrological date upon which the decrees contained in the communication were to become effective. It is equivalent to Midnight, Saturday, February 22, 1919.
 
(Dated) “At the Third Vault, Near the L. F. Pisces, Three Degrees.”
 
 
 
 
To H. Spencer Lewis as he is Imperator:
  and the Supreme Council of AMORC.
 
Salutations:
 
This epistle to you must be well and faithfully
 
I) The duty having devolved upon us carefully inspecting the development of your Order in this country, and of testing by comparison and analogy its fitness to serve as a medium of inculcating a proper knowledge of occult teaching, we have now come to the end of our watching and have taken counsel.
 
2) Therefore, we have the direction to say these things, that certain misapprehensions and misconceptions concerning the status of your Order, arising undoubtedly from an honest purpose but by lack of certain indispensable facts, shall now and forever be caused to disappear and that perfect harmony shall come into being.
 
3) We have seen that there is believed by some that membership in your Order, of itself with nothing more, will render possible admission to and fraternal communication with Lodges of what is commonly called the ORDER R+C existent In Europe and other parts of the world. We say to you, that while there is an existent ORDER R+C, it has no lodge system as such a term is commonly used, and that admission there to by members of your Order, while possible, is not a matter of tight to any, but rather a matter of selection by the ORDER R+C in individual cases. To this end, therefore, we direct that all use of names, words, phrases or statements calculated to convey to present or future members of your Order ideas at variance with the foregoing shall, upon your receipt of this, be discontinued. This shall not prevent, however, your use of the Order title “ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ORDER ROSAE CRUCIS, - North American Jurisdiction,” nor the use of its abbreviation, “AMORC”.
 
4) We have seen that there is a present danger that the material may overshadow the spiritual in the development of your Order.
We say to you that this is a peril. Indeed, for, aside from the cramping of spiritual growth, it is a direct departure from the traditions of our forebears, who were commanded to practice the virtue of humility and who met, and worked, and studied in lonely and unpretentious chamber. To this end, therefore, we direct that there shall henceforward be no plans formulated in your Order or Its Lodges calling for greater expenditures of money for meeting places or equipment beyond that which is modestly necessary for proper ritualistic and experimental work and the comfort of you remembers.
 
5) We have seen that secrecy in its true sense is not used sufficiently with regard to the operations of the Order and the personnel of its members.
We say to you, that this is a departure from established customs and traditions, for did not the Brother C. R. C, says “Let there always he a veil between you and the world”? To this end, therefore, we dir get that henceforward there shall be no public meetings held under the auspices of your Order; that outward signs and distinguishing marks upon your meeting places be abolished; that published mention of your Order shall no longer be procured or countenanced; and that, while a member may, if necessary, state or acknowledge his own affiliation with the Order, he shall not disclose to the outside world the identity of any other member. This shall not prevent the dissemination of the “Brown Casket” nor the publication of books, pamphlets or magazines for circulation among your members only.
 
6) We have seen that there are certain things missing in, the ceremonial observances and lectures of your grades. We say to you, that while all that, yon use is substantially to consonance with traditional ceremony and teaching, yet completeness is essential.
To this end, therefore, we direct you to receive and adopt such rituals or teachings as shall be from time to time transmitted to you through us.
 
7) We have seen that your Imperator is unwisely attempting to carry on the double task of executive administrator and esoteric supervision.
We say to you, that such a double responsibility jeopardizes the efficacy of his labors and, through that, the normal and healthful progress of your Order.
 
 
 
 
 
THE IMPERATOR’S COMMENTS
 
Lest there be any miscomprehension of this communication the Imperator feels that he should explain his understanding and interpenetration of it.
 
In the first palace of the communication itself was delivered to the Supreme Grand Lodge by two messengers deputized to hand It to the Imperator in person. The communication was sealed with the seal which appears on the document itself and was enclosed in a stout manila legal envelope. Where it came from was not indicated and the messengers refused to give any information, merely indicating that they were the seventh stop in the transmission of the communication between the writer of it and the final delivery.
 
But certain signs and phrases in the communication itself indicate clearly that it had its origin and inspiration in that office of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood which is superior in authority throughout many Jurisdictions and which can be approached only through certain secret channels. Other communications received before and after the receipt of this particular one, indicate that a very definite channel of communication between the Imperator and the secret chief of the Rosicrucian fraternity throughout many lands is open, and that further information and instructions will come as the occasion arises.
 
The coming of this communication caused no surprise. The Imperator and the few higher officers of our Order had been patiently expecting such a communication and were greatly relieved to have it in their hands at this time.
 
In early issues of the magazine, “The American Rosae Crucis,” it was plainly said and often repeated that in 1920 the greatest strength of our Order would be reached. In 1920 was to come the full realization of what the Order was and what its mission in America would be. Since 1915 each month has brought us nearer to the hour and likewise nearer to a point in our work where the fulfillment of the premise made to the imperator in Europe would be pleasantly realized.
 
In all our literature and in the Constitution of the Order the Statement has been made repeatedly that our Order here in North America constituted an independent jurisdiction. It was known to those in the high degrees and those intimately associated with the Imperator’s work and plans that such independence of jurisdiction would continue until the Order here had tried and tested sufficient members to select the certain required number to constitute that quality and character of membership which would be acceptable to the secret and exclusive R+C fraternity through the world.
 
In other words, the Imperator and the members alike have been working for three or more years in an endeavor to prepare themselves for that standard and that degree of worthiness, that the Order here might properly be taken into the family membership of the greater Order.
 
Those who have been working with the Imperator know that his labors and his responsibility were dual — esoteric and exoteric, it was known and appreciated by many that in order to establish the movement here under the authority and privilege he had, he had to assume both the physical and spiritual government of the Order.
 
With a new organization in a new land, no other arrangement could be made. And, although he did personally assume all such responsibility, there was never a moment when the Imperator felt that the greater Order, the secret body, was not back of him and with him. Yet, the Imperator did not dare to throw any of the responsibility upon the shoulders of those he knew could relieve him, for, like the members in the Order here, he was to be tried and tested for his ability, endurance, steadfastness and loyalty to obligations. It was only by enduring all the attacks, meeting all the trials, shouldering all the members' troubles as well as his own, and fighting and building practically alone, that he could save the Order for its members.
 
That such a task was stupendous, is well known to those who have so loyally and lovingly assisted the Imperator. That he was without precedent, without material guide and reasonable experience in coping with most of the problems made the work not only harder hut in fact extremely difficult, and accounted for the errors and mistakes made at such times when action had to he taken quickly, when sudden emergencies, had to be met without delay or proper consideration.
 
And, now comes this communication, the first step toward rewarding the members who have been loyal. What the communication realty means is greater power and illumination and cooperation for the members of our Order here, and long desired peace and rest for the Imperator. His illumination came with the tests and trials of last May and June; his knowledge and instruction were given him before be undertook to organize the Order here; and well might he have, been selfish and have held unto himself what he had acquired and have laved himself the persecutions and torment that has been his reward daily, if not hourly, since be began the task for the sake of other!
 
So, the coming of the change in the Order now brings to him no great reward as it does to the members in whose behalf he has labored. The rest and peace he will find in some hours of contemplation in the future will be all that may come to him. With his future in the material world sacrificed on the rock of unselfish endeavor, with all the prospects of future accomplishments in the business and social world cast down into an abyss that he might fulfill a life-mission for others, he, a young man, must now retire that those for whom he labored may reap and enjoy the ideals fie discovered for them.
 
And so it comes to pass that this communication is before our members now for serious consideration and adoption. Let us review the paragraphs and be sure we understand them.
 
 
In the first paragraph we are told that after carefully watching and observing what the Order and its Imperator here hare been doing, the secret chiefs have taken council and are prepared to make their comments and issue certain decrees.
 
In the second paragraph we are told that the chief is aware of the fact that there exist some misconceptions in regard to the Order, and that while these are pardonable under the circumstances, explanations are bow in order.
 
The third paragraph, however, includes some very important statements, we are told again that not one of us in the Order, whether high officer or humble member, has any so-called “rights" because of our affiliation with the Order. In other words, the principal misconception which has become very evident during the past six months that “membership in good standing in the Order in North America includes the RIGHT to visit and attend the sessions of any and every gathering of Rosicrucians in Europe or elsewhere." This misconception arises from the rightful belief that a true Rosicrucian is welcome wherever Rosicrucians meet and assemble. But there is a considerable difference between being welcome as a true Rosicrucian and having the right merely because one’s dues have been paid promptly each month and each degree's examinations hate been INTELLECTUALLY complied with.
 
The statement that there is no Lodge system in the Order abroad, using the Words in the sense in which we use them here, should not surprise anyone; for we can readily appreciate, as I did when I contacted the Order in Europe, that when the Order is as old and well established and with its members generally in high degrees of esoteric work, as it is in Europe, for instance, there is not only no need for REGULAR Lodge convocations, but such convocations are dispensed with entirely except on special occasions. Our own members here in the Ninth Degree quite appreciate why this is so, and I am sure that our other members will appreciate that fact also.
 
The paragraph assures our members, however, that when true Rosicrucians visit Europe and are worthy of meeting with and assembling with certain groups of Rosicrucians there, they will be invited to do so after selection is made. It has always been so; in the earliest literature of the Order here in this country I made it plain that Rosicrucians were always invited to associate with the Order under some privilege extended after selection. (See, the American Rosae Crucis for October 1917, at the top of page 198,)
 
The last statement in that paragraph is of importance just at this time. It advises us to make all the foregoing points perfectly plain but also advises that this in no way affects the fact that members of the Order here are nevertheless members of the Order R+C and that they have the privilege of using the rightful name, Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.
 
The fourth paragraph meets a very responsive chord in the hearts of most of us and comes shortly after we have taken steps to meet just such conditions. The decree therein does not prohibit the plans for a Supreme Grand Lodge headquarters wherever and whenever, we find that such is necessary convenient, nor does it prevent the proper and necessary building and use of such structures as will afford the utmost convenience in carrying out the work of the Order and applying all its principles and ideals.
 
The fifth paragraph likewise finds approval in the hearts of all the Rosicrucians, for at the last Convention it was decided by alt the delegates that we would discontinue the public use of emblems and the public dissemination of any literature hearing the full and complete name of the Order. In other words we shall enter into that period of silence and secrecy predicted as coming in 1919 so that 1920 will find the Order so hidden that strangers will believe that it no longer exists in this country. The provision concerning the concealment of identity of members is both salutary and traditional and must be strictly observed. In the October, 1916, issue of The American Rosae Crucis, on page 21, this period of secrecy and silence has predicted in "perhaps a year or two."
 
“The Little Brown Casket” referred to is one of the last forms of propaganda literature issued by us and it has proven its value long ago as a silent and secret method of' introducing our Order to seekers although it does not contain the complete name of our Organization. It is typical of other literature now in preparation. We shall use the name AMORC as a public name fur our Order and when public meetings of any kind are held, they will be conducted in some other native, for even then it is not advisable to use the name AMORC. In New York and some other cities such meetings will be held under the name of The American Philomathic Society — a society organized by us for just such purposes and for which literature has been printed. The use of the word AMORC is legitimate. The incorporation of the Supreme Grand Lodge of our Order under its full name gives us all legal rights to the complete name, and AMORC is hut the abbreviation of that name. Such abbreviation was adopted in the First National Constitution approved by all the delegates assembled in Pittsburgh in August of 1917. (See Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution). Therefore, the use of the name AMORC is not new or sudden and does not indicate a radical departure from previous plans.
 
The sixth paragraph of the communication simply emphasizes what was conveyed to us in a previous communication rend during the last Convention. Some of these changes in ritual and ceremony have been adopted and others arc under way. The adoption of future changes and the addition or alteration of our lectures and teaching are consistent with the advancement of science and the perfection of methods in presenting the great laws.
 
The seventh paragraph contains the crux of the Situation and expresses the most important of all the findings of the higher council. It takes from the Imperator that' burden which he has been more than anxious to surrender in fairness and .justice to the Order. It relieves him, of that responsibility of office which has hindered the greater growth of the Order physically and has prevented him from performing all of the esoteric work which should be done for the Order by its Imperator.
 
The Imperator will continue to act according to the Constitution of the Order as its Supreme Chancelor, issuing all official decrees and pronunziamentos to all Lodges of the North American Jurisdiction and in all matters act as the supreme director of the Order. But, hereafter he will be relieved of the responsibility, or rather burdensome labor, of outlining, planning and maturing all the new or altered methods and systems rtf enlarging and promoting the Order, and he will likewise be relieved of the study and watchfulness of the physical body of the Order and its material existence. This will give him more hours for the peaceful and healthful devotion to the esoteric work, — study, meditation, experiments, laboratory work, preparation of lectures and communion with nature, and God.
 
 
 
THE RESULTING CHANGES
 
Naturally, the adoption of the plans or decrees contained in this communication necessitates some changes In the conduct of the work of the Order, and these changes I wish to bring before our members at one ft; hence this special issue of Cromaat.
 
Therefore, let each member take heed of the following paragraphs and be guided thereby.
 
First, the Supreme Council of the Order, known as the Supreme Grand Council will not consist hereafter of members of the Supreme Lodge exclusively. The Imperator has taken advantage of a privilege contained in the Constitution to select others in the Order to serve in that Council. (See Article Five, Sections l and 3 of the Constitution.) Accordingly he has appointed on this Council the present Grand Masters of the various Grand Lodges in addition to the Officers of the Supreme Grand Lodge. All these will hereafter constitute the advisory hoard to the Imperator, known as the Supreme Grand Council. To this Council the Imperator will submit, by mail or otherwise; from time to time, such changes, alterations, additions and modifications in the esoteric matters as may suggest themselves to him or be suggested by members of the Council. Also the Imperator will submit to this Supreme Council, representative of the whole Order, such plans or problems us are of interest to the Lodges generally and secure a representative endorsement or approval when such seems advisable.
 
Likewise shall each Grand Master appoint the Masters of the Lodges in his Jurisdiction as members of his Grand Council; and such members of the Grand Council shall have a voice in the proceedings of the Grand Lodge.
 
By this means, a matter of import may be submitted by the Imperator to his Supreme Council and the Grand Masters thereon may submit the matter to their Grand Councils and to the Subordinate Councils through the Masters on the Grand Council.
 
Sections 3 and 4 of Article Five of the Constitution set forth fully the duties or privileges of the Supreme Grand Council.
 
 
Secondly, the direction of all material affairs of the Order are divided into two classes: (1) those which .pertain to establishment of Lodges, issuance of rules and regulations, and preparation of subjects and courses of study and experimentation; (2) the more general planning of widef work, evolving the general purposes and mission of the Order; materializing the decreed fundamentals of existence 'of the Order, working out the details of nation-wide development of the Order; keeping the entire North American Jurisdiction in harmony with the world-wide principles and laws of the general Order R+C, and directing the affairs which relate the North American Jurisdiction with the Order R+C generally, including the transmitting to the North American Imperator such regulations and decrees as are issued by the Higher officers of the esoteric bodies in other lands.
 
Of these two classes of directional work, the former will remain in the hands, of the Imperator and the other will most naturally pass into the hands of he who has been chosen to assume such duties and who must remain unknown except for the title HIEROPHANT.
 
 
 
THE HIEROPHANT
 
This officer of our Order will enjoy that privilege and power which the Imperator has not been able to enjoy, — that of remaining an unknown personality. As the Hierophant R+C of North America has duties will be those indicated as coming under class two in the outline given above, and while he will be in touch with the Imperator and make suggestions and advise him from time to time, and supply a means of communion thin with the higher officers of the Order R+C elsewhere, he will not, as Hierophant, come directly in touch with our members and will remain unknown to them so far as personality or Individuality are concerned.
 
The Hierophant is he whom the secret masters selected to act as intermediary between the Order R+C in Europe and the Order here. This is indicated also by the last few words in the close of the seventh paragraph in the official communication published in this Cromaat.
 
 
 
FURTHER STEPS OF RETIREMENT
 
As a result of the foregoing changes and those which have been in contemplation for several years, there are some other changes to be made consistent with the general plan of retiring into secrecy.
 
One of the most sincere desires of the Imperator has, been to retire somewhere where he is not so exposed to the curious and the insincere as he has been during the past three years. Not for one moment does he wish to be out of psychic or even physical and mental touch with those who are sincere, loyal and devoted to the principles of our Order. But it is necessary, imperatively so, for him to be where he can conduct his affairs of the Order with the greatest ease and facility and hot be bothered with the inconsequential details of mere office routine and general managership of a building, Lodge or Office.
 
The lmperator’s mail, for instance. Has become so voluminous during the past year that many letters which should be answered solely for the sake of retaining and fostering the love and friendship that exists between him and the members of the Order, have been left unanswered so that the vita) letters to Officers and others might be promptly answered in the little spare time given him.
 
During the past twelve months the only recreation time afforded the imperator has been during his over-night trips to Lodges, a few days during and right after the National Convention and during the short trip to Tampa, Florida, just before the holidays on official duties. Time, for material pleasures are not desired, but time for relaxation from duties easily assumed and performed by others in his absence is what is absolutely necessary in the future. Whether one is a mystic or not does not modify some of natures laws and to retain perfect health, even with the greatest of our occult or R+C principles, requires time for relaxation, rest and the application of such laws or principles and the Imperator’s health during the past year has caused him and others considerable alarm at times.
 
Therefore, after a time to be announced' later, the Imperator will hot be seen by members except upon such occasions as he makes of total calls to Lodges or invites others to see him, and through correspondence only may the members keep in touch with him.
 
But, after April 15th of this year this change will be made: ALL LETTERS INTENDED FOR THE IMPERATOR’S PERSONAL ATTENTION MUST BE ADDRESSED AS FOLLOWS:
 
Secretary to the Imperator, AMORC,
159, Boylston Street,
Boston, Mass.
 
Hereafter no mall small be addressed td the Imperator in his personal name; and in fact personal names should not be used by any Officer in any Lodge, in accordance with the decrees issued at the last Convention.
 
In Boston the Secretary to the Imperator will receive all such mall as is intended for the Imperator as well as mail for the Supreme Grand Council at the Secretary’s office in Boston will be maintained the official headquarters of the Secretary who will also represent the Hierophant and receive mall for him and from him.
 
Another change is in regard to the Supreme Grand Lodge. Just before the last National Convention the Imperator announced his decree that the Supreme Grand Lodge was closed to- any further initiations or the admission of new members. Those members now in the Supreme Grand Lodge are in the higher degrees and they will be advanced to the highest degrees where they will constitute the silent workers for the Order throughout the country. All new Initiates in New York City since last Pall, and in the future, become members of the New York Grand Lodge. This Grand Lodge will maintain its headquarters in New York City and is now preparing to establish chartered Lodges in other sections of the City and State.
 
Soon the Supreme Grand Lodge members will be scattered in many states; in fact some of them have, left New York recently and others are preparing to do so. It is the hope of most of them to he so located that the continuance of their individual work for the Order be of benefit to other Grand Lodges from time to time.
 
 
 
IN CONCLUSION
 
One last word should be given to our members; it is this: patience.
 
The first meeting for the plan of the Order in this country was held in New York on February 8th 1915. The first initiation was held in May of the same year. This May, 1919, will see the fourth year of our Order’s activities. Much was promised the members who united with us at the first inquiry and much more has been promised since then. It is only by realizing and reviewing what has been fulfilled during the past four years, and especially, during the past year that one can appreciate what the next few years will mean to our Order. Now that the first steps toward that attitude and condition of secrecy and power have been taken, as desired by nearly all bur members, patience alone will enable all of us to reach that goal which seemed so far away in 1915 and now lies just beyond the visible horizon.
 
 
(pp. 3-12)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

OBSERVATIONS
 
To impress his followers, Spencer Lewis often led them to believe that he received messages, documents and dignitaries from the lodges of the other countries of the Rosicrucian institution to which he belonged.
 
Even to AMORC members who reached the fourth degree, Lewis would present a diploma stating that this person had become an affiliated member of the Rosicrucian Amenhotep Lodge located in Egypt.
 
The problem come to Lewis when more and more members of AMORC wanted to visit those Rosicrucian lodges that supposedly existed in other parts of the world, but since all of this was a lie, in order to solve the problem Lewis came up with the idea of pretending that the World Rosicrucian Supreme Council sent the message that I put above where their leaders specified that members of AMORC could not visit those lodges because in the other countries the lodges did not exist in the way that they exist in the United States.
 
And problem solved!
 
But that contradicts everything that Spencer Lewis was telling his followers as I show you in the following articles:
 
 
And this shows the hypocrisy of Spencer Lewis who did not hesitate to contradict his own previous statements in order to hide the falsehoods that he himself invented.
 
And the charlatanism of Spencer Lewis is also perceived by the fact that the "Rosicrucian Supreme Council of the World" that supposedly sent him this message does not exist since it was another lie invented by Lewis as I show you in this other article (see link).
 
And it should also be noted that Lewis's insistence that its members be discreet about their membership in AMORC is due to the fact that in that period Lewis had problems with the law and that is why he wanted his organization to become more discreet (see link).
 
And finally the last Spencer Lewis commentary shows that he was tired and seeing that his organization was booming, he wanted to relegate his duties to other people so that he could have a more pleasant life.
 
 
 
~*~
 
And this is one more example of how liar and deceiver Harvey Spencer Lewis was who invented false communications to manipulate the members of AMORC.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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