CHAPTER VI.

)HEN opened, my instructions left to tay charge, under ordinary circumstances, the execution of "^^^S^ certain impossible conditions. The J^^S^S^ attempt at accomplishment would ^ probably bring death, and the
fiulure to attempt, disgrace. The trap was skillfully laid. Many a just and good man has, in the history of the world, gone forward bravely to his end in a similar manner.
" The instructions, to the Commander of the ship, were to land me, and return at once, without regard to my wishes, or any method of my coming back. The design was that which sends forth an exile, without the expectation of return. Had I been engaged in any other business than that of the Brotherhood, I might
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have been at the least uneasy at the unfriendly look of the scheme, so evidently working against me, but I felt that all else was as naught, if so be I might look into the faces of those so loved and revered by me.
" The winds were &vorable, the weather all that could be desired. The good ship seemed to be drawn as if by a huge magnet, on its way, so swift and steady was its course. This was so continuous in its action that it became a subject of remark amongst the crew. Passengers there were none, save myself. The voyage was made solely for my benefit.
" At last, the shores of the New World were again visible, and the officers of the ship congrat- ulated me on my short and prosperous journey. I was heartily welcomed by the commandant of the fort. I told him I had special business for the king, in the interior, and asked the usual permission to be absent three months, if neces- sary. It was willingly accorded.
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" As the twilight deepened, I passed beyond the outer line of sentinels. Where, seven years before, my horse had left me, out of the gather- ing gloom appeared waiting for me the animal who had brought me hither. Naught was changed about him, only he seemed to gladly recognize me, a feeling I returned in full measure.
" Without hesitation I sprang into the saddle, and yielded to the horse's guidance. Swiftly and easily I was borne along. His long stride was like the waving of huge wings. In the darkness, I could distinguish nothing but the swift, onward movement, hour by hour. As the dawn grew wide, I could see in the gray distance the turrets and pea]^s of the mountain temple. When the first beam of the rising sun rested on the cliff where my days of fasting, preceding the final trial, were passed, my steed stopped at the face of the precipice, and I dismounted. As I did so, the gate opened, and passing within the charmed boundary, I was received by my Guru.
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". 'Welcome, my brother! Obedience and promptness are jewels which command the wearer to favorable notice from his Master. Thou art to rest four months, undergo four months' preparation, when thou wilt receive the degree of the neophyte, then another four months' rest, and again thou wilt return to take up the world's burden, and prove thyself worthy to advance still another degree. Thou knowest the way to thy former resting place. The Chamber of Peace is ready for thee.'
''He laid his hand upon my head; a feeling of peace, wiping out all worries and anxieties of every sort, either for the past or present, or the future, enveloped me like a garment All emotion merged into one sensation, that of restfulness. As I mounted the well-remembered steps to the chamber looking to the East, tiie outside world, which is so much to most men, became of small consequence, beside the con- viction tiiat within myself was all, and that I was
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responsible for all, to myself. This relieved me of the last traces of the world's burden.
^^'Haying bathed, . changed my apparel and received refreshment, the day passed in quiet unutterable. The rest of the Infinite, of Nir- vana, was mine. I passed day after day in conversation with the Brothers ; in questionings of matters that had perplexed, but which here cast no shadow ; and in contemplation of all the Infinite power and s^oodness.
^^ The allotment of r6st passed quickly, and the beginning of the preparation was close at hand. It was the evening before the first day, and as in former times, an almost full moon flooded the white, marble chamber with its glorious brightness. Suddenly, apparently gliding along out of the moonbeams, came into my presence an Ancient One. Standing beside me he said : ^^ Son of my brother, look up, and tell me what thou beholdest.' I obeyed, and as I looked, that which to personal sense is
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invisible, the air, became surcharged with life and manifestation. The atoms appeared, in- creased, diminished and disappeared, while through all, over all and permeating all, was the brightness of the force which sustains, moves and directs this most subtle element.
"I gazed in glad wonder, for I had often endeavored to penetrate the- secret, in my researches and investigations. Now was I brought face to face with the Master of the Winds, which give impetus and force to all life upon this planet, whether it be a mineral, plant or animal. Everything which hath increase or decrease upon the earth is under the control of the Master of the Winds. He knows how the Universe was builded. They who seek knowl- edge and potency, must yield allegiance, devoid of fear, to this ruler. By so doing they can receive power to control the visible, and to be served by those who constitute the armies of this mighty realm.
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^^ The Ancient One smiled benignantly upon me, saying: ^I perceive thou knowest from thine own understanding, the thing I wonld say to the^. Art thou willing to be tried 7 Weigh well thine answer, for thy spirit most not quail, nor thy courage fail thee in the supreme moment of trial, lest thy physical be unable to bear up under the weight infringing upon it, and thou wilt be overcome by the immensity of thine own inviting/
^^I felt no drawing back, nor shrinking. My reply to the questioning was :
^^ ^ I am ready to be tried, whenever it shall please those who have the matter in charge. For this purpose am I here.' ^
" * It is well,* was the reply. * To-morrow thou wilt commence thy preparation.' And then the moonbeams en veiled him in their brightness, until he could no longer be perceived.
^^ So on the morrow, obedient to the voice and instruction of my Guru, I commenced a system
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of praetioing in breathing, which includes inspi- ration, expiration and explosion ; this latter modified is audible speech. Explanation was also made to me, how voice and speech were vibration manifested. All sound was vibration, either primary or secondary. The condition of the Uniyerse at any given point depended upon vibration. Little by little, I came to the foil knowledge and understanding of the manifesta- tion of the Spirit of the Air. Still more, I perceived the powers and potencies belonging to him as one of the Seven Great Rulers, who carry out the creative thought of the Causeless Cause.
" At the end of my time of preparation, I had control of my breath, either to increase or withhold, thereby making myself master of my physical manifested life. The last three days were spent in repose, not fasting, but in foil flow of normal life, that there should be no diminu- tion of the reserved bodily strength needed to
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endure the trial that must precede the ceremony of initiation.
'^A little before midnight, I was aroused from sleep by my Guru, and two attendants. They handed me a garment, brilliantly white from self-effulgent light. This fitted my whole form exactly and seemed to add to its strength and suppleness. A pair of sandals, fitting so closely to the feet as to be removed only by the exertion of much force, were next put on. Although my whole dress fitted me thus per- fectly, it did not in any way impede the circula- tion or confine the muscles. Over all was thrown an Egyptian peplos or outer garment, of pure white linen.
" Thus arrayed, I walked forth with my com- panions, from my chamber. As, through num- berless narrow and winding passages, we went down deeper and deeper into the bowels of the earth, my Guru said :
"'My brother, for the first time thou dost
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essay thine unaided strength in conflict. Thoa hast matured and ripened. Farther advance can come only through thyself. Hitherto, we have been able to inspire and protect thee in t^e Supreme moment, if thou shouldest have needed it. But as thou didst not, we have allowed thee to move forward, until thou art now about to prove, alone and unaided, thine own power. If thou dost prevail, we can still help thee. If thou dost &il, we shall be powerless to assist, until the demands of him, whose territory thou dost invade are satisfied. Be brave. Be vigi- lant. If fear overtakes thee, thou art lost. If thou art in a strait, look up to thy Higher Self, and gather there from the inexhaustible supplies whatever thou shalt have need of.'
^^ Here he paused, embraced me, and turning back, left me in charge of the attendants. We, going forward, penetrated yet deeper into the earth.
^^ At last, the narrow passage broadened into
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a cave, high-arched, the floor being rock, smooth and firm. Opposite the entrance, at the farther end of the cave, by some convulsion of nature, a clean split from top to bottom had been made, leaving an immense chasm, whose height and depth, length and breadth, were hidden in impenetrable darkness.
^^ Midway between the entrance and the great cleft, my attendants stopped.
" * Lay aside thy cloak,* said one.
" I, accordingly, took off* my outer wrapping, and immediately the light from the under gar- ment I wore flamed out, actually pushing back the darkness, and making all things visible.
^^ ^ Now,' said the other attendant, ^ approach the Cave of the Winds. If thou dost hear plainly the voice of thy Guru, hesitate not, but obey. Let thy knowledge and thy courage direct thee. When thou dost return, we shall be here to re-conduct thee to those thou lovest.'
" Ever since we had come within hearing
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distance, moans and groans, and blood-curdling screams, and inarticulate, gibbering sounds, like the laughter of idiots and madmen, had, without ceasing, welled up out of the blackness. Now, as I approached the chasm, they increased, as if all the horrible sounds ever made upon the earth were here collected. Their concentration was appalling in its awful intensity of terror, even to the stoutest heart. While my physical shrank, there was not the slightest shade of fear resting on my Spirit, my real self. But high borne and dominant, I stood at last upon the terrific brink, amidst the dreadful clamor. I could now perceive an immense tidal rush of enormous volume, underlying or emitting th^ sounds so overwhelming, so confusing. But passing beyond physical sense, my spirit reached the smooth flow of the astral currents. To the inner sense came the voice of my Guru, clearly, and in even tones, a voice I could never mistake :
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" * With all thy strength leap forward.'
"I waited not. Gathering all my force, I sprang out into the darkness.
" To say that I expected anything one way or another would not be true. I was content to obey, without theorizing or questioning. As I leaped out, I sank rapidly into the abyss as if foiling, but was soon aware of being upborne by mighty hands, while constantly and rapidly descending. It seemed ages that I was descend- ing, the din about me still continuing in all its appalling awfulness.
" I noticed, also, that my descent was on the line of the circumference of a circle. How long I descended I know not. I felt perfectly at ease, and saw simply the periphery of my own body, by its self-diffused light. The descent ended, then followed a short lull, as if in almost lateral motion I was passing the lower dead point of force. This was followed by the upward sweep of the ascending arc, but all
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noise had ceased. Instead, there was a silence as fearful to bear as the clamor had been ; and the feeling of solitude and utter loneliness such as one experiences in a desert, when widely separated from human companionship.
^^It was curious that neither here nor else- where during the revolutions was I at all con- cerned about my condition or position. I simply noted events as so much matter for increased knowledge in the future. Still I moved up, up, until light broke through the darkness ; not full light but like a great spear piercing the gloom, which stubbornly held its ground as its against opponent
^' Again I descended, but was now aware of moving in a circle of shortened diameter, and when motion ceased, I found myself standing erect on a small space of blackness, so intense, so dark, as to afford firm footing. I felt fresh, vigorous and undismayed as I waited patiently for further unrolling. Nor waited I long.
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*^ Again came the voice of my Gora : ^ Thoa hast done well. The Spirit of the Air is upon diee. Thou canst conqner, not hy physical strength but by the persistent dominance of thy will.'
^ stood before me an athlete, resembling myself in every particular, as if he were my reflection in a mirror. He approached me and in musical accents, said :
^^^ Mortal, thou hast penetrated into my audience chamber. What dost thou seek?'
^^A voice like my own, but not my own, speaking the thought which might have been a dream, so &r off did it seem, replied :
" * Spirit of the Air, I seek from thee the password to the inner Chamber of the Neo- phytes.'
" * But I have sworn by myself, as a Builder of the Universe, never to impart the secret to an inferior. Wilt thou try thy strength with me V
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'^ Again, my Higher Self answering for me, said:
" * Oh, Spirit of the Air, thou wast ever capricious and subtle, but in fiumess and truth, as thou hast made it, so do I accept thy offer. If thou dost not overcome me, thou wilt grant my boon ? Swear it by thyself.'

" * I swear it by myself as one of the Seven Builders. Witness ye, all my hosts.*
^^ A murmur out of the darkness, like the voice of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands upon thousands, gave answer :
" ' We witness thy oath.'
^^ We locked arms, and as we wrestled, I could feel at one moment the icy breath of the frozen poles. Then would sweep down upon me the scorching, debilitating blasts of the desert sirocco. I realized the foresight of those who had given me the apparel of protection.^ Up and down, sidewise, and in constant contortion.
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more or less violent, we exerted our utmost strength, but he prevailed not, for I felt con- stantly, unremittingly, the impulse, * I will not be overcome/
" Thus went on the trial, until a silvery voice that pervaded space, instead of coming from a single point, said :
" ' Cease, Spirit of the Air. Thou hast not conquered. Give to the seeker, the thing he seeks.'
" And the Spirit of the Air, smiling upon me, in gentle tones promised thus :
** Mortal, thou hast been a worthy antagonist, and I congratulate thee for thy courage and endurance, and also the Brotherhood who have thee in training. When thou shalt have need thereof, the password will be in thy possession.' Saying this, he laid his left hand just under the base of my brain. Darkness closed in upon me. For a single fraction of a second it seemed as if it would suffocate me. Then a wavering, a
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relaxing, and a lifting of ihe shadows, and I find myself standing erect with my two attendants.
^^ ^Welcome, thou who hast been tried and found worthy. Receive refreshment for thy physical.' Saying this, one of my cojnpanions took firom his girdle a small, curionsly wrought flask, filled with a colorless liquid, and gave it to me.
^^ Vl^rink,' he said. I drank, and in an instant felt relieved of all the fatigue of the long struggle.
^^ ^ How long have I been gone ? ' I questioned.
" ' It is almost low twelve of the second day,' was the reply. ^ But we must hasten hence, to the Chamber of the Neophytes.'
^^ Clothed again in my outer garment, and accompanied by my attendants, who, members of the Brotherhood, deemed it an honor to assist him who was weaker than themselves, I fol- lowed the winding passages to the never-to-be-
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forgotten Hall of Obligation, whoee doors opened noiselessly, as we ascended the seven steps leading up to its ample portals.
^^ Only a fsdnt light now illumined it. Although apparently unoccupied, the feeling of overmas- tering presence continually dwelling there, could not be evaded or put aside. I noticed at the further end of the hall, now appeared a flight of five steps, leading to the door of the Chamber, before which a sentinel holding a gleaming sword kept guard and watch.
^^ Again throwing aside my outer garment, and dad as in the trial, I approached the Sentinel.
^^ ^ Stand, bold intruder,' challenged the Sen- tinel. ^ This is the Chamber of the Neophyte. No one can enter without the Pass of the Builders, which worth alone can obtain. Hast thou the Pass?'
^^On my replying in the affirmative, he said: ^ Advance and give it to me.' I stepped closer,
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and in low breath gave the syllables that came Yolontarily to my lips. Syllables I can never forget.
of that which belongs to thee.'
^^The door slid to one side, sonndl^Bsly. Within I see a Hall, in its general outline resembling the Hall of Obligation, but smaller. About one-third of the distance across, from where I stand, is a throne. Before this throne is an altar. Orer the center of the altar is suspended, without any visible support, a circle of brilliant, white light, enclosing a six-pointed star, also intense in its brightness. The circle revolving on its diameter, now slow, now fest, gave the appearance of a globe of fire. The more slowly it moved, the more brilliant and steady was its light. When the motion in- creased, the light became wavering and corus- cating in all its prismatic hues, gradually with- drawing into itself as the speed increased, until
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a central orb of splendor alone remained. Then as the motion fell off, it would again flash out brilliant alike in all its parts, like the rapidly unfolding bloom of some tropical flower.
'^Behind the altar, upon the throne, sat the awful presence, its outline clearly defined, impalpable and veiled above the shoulders with a still more visible mistiness. From the place where the eyes would be, came a scintillating, piercing gleam, not perceptible by personal sense, but manifest to the soul sense, and con- veying all the sensations as if on the physical plane, only a thousand-fold more intense, even as the invisible rays of heat are more powerful than the visible rays of light. I did not fear. I felt overshadowed by the superior, who brooked no equal. My spirit offered rightful homage to whom homage belonged. It was not the homage of blind obedience, but the sincere regard of a loving heart for one who had attained.
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^^ Beyond the throne^ in semi-circle, sat the Brotherhood of the temple, veiled, and clad in pare white robes. Beyond them, was an arched doorway, overhung by a curtain of the richest, heaviest fabric wrought in gold, and sparkling with the most precious stones, whose surfisuses reflected in a constant kaleidoscopic succession, the ever moving light on the altar.
^^The walls were ceiled with a fiugrant wood, dark and highly polished. On these, as on a mirror, were reflected curious images, which came as the pictures come out of the firost upon the glass, and disappeared, only to be followed by others at intervals. These were reflections from the astral light.
^^ All these things I saw as I advanced to the altar, where I knelt for further instruction. In the space above pealed out sonorously in clear, silvery tones, the strokes of a bell, but no bell was visible there. I counted the strokes. It noted the hour of low twelve. As the last
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stroke pealed out upon the air, the garnet, "V^hich hung upon my neck in full sight, seemed to blaze out with a new lustre, enveloping me in an aura, emanating from myself. An inde- scribable fragrance, appealing at once to the smell and taste, diffused itself through the Chamber. The Brotherhood as one rose to their feet. The voice of the Unseen Presence, in its soul-penetrating sweetness, came to my inner sense :
" * My brother, for a second time hast thou, by the Right Way, sought the altar of obliga- tion. Thy devotion and sacrifice are accepted. We gladly offer the, two-fold bond, which, while it makes you more closely one of ourselves, obligates us more firmly to befriend and watch over you. Stand erect, and repeat the obliga- tion of the Neophyte, that binds thee to a closer union, at once with thy Higher Self, and with all the Brotherhood.'
'^ Standing erect, as a perfect man, I slowly
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and distinctly repeated the tow of the Neophyte, that through all the BdonB to come, is at once his pledge of fealty and his assorance of assist ance from the Brotherhood, anywhere, at any time. As the last words of adjuration fell from my lips, the far-off voice of a moltitade whom no man could number, uttered these words :
^^ ^ As thou art bound to us, so are we, the Brotherhood,, of all the ages, bound to thee. As thou dost remember thy pledge, so will we remember ours.'
^^ The manifestation of presence lessened. The brothers came up and greeted me, and my Guru said : ^ Retire now to thy chamber, for the day already brightens the East. Three days hence, I will come to thee.'
" On reaching my chamber, I flung myself upon my couch, and passed out into sleep, which for two days and nights held me. On the morning of the third day, as the rising sun burnished the walls of my chamber, I awoke.
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My usual attendants were in waiting. In going into my bath, it was on my mind to divest myself of my luminous garment and sandals. To my astonishment, nothing of the kind was visible upon my person. No trace of any foreign substance remained upon the skin, but that itself was changed. It glowed, in its per- fection and suppleness, like that of a trained gladiator. My whole physical was inspired with a new vigor, and my soul wrought up to accomplish the highest aims. These garments could not have been taken from me without my knowledge. I have no explanation to offer.
" As the day waned, my Guru came and we talked of the things I could understand. As when one, going up a mountain, sees a broader horizon, new perceptions of things I supposed I had understood, dawned upon me, and things I had not dreamed of became perceptible.
"As we chatted, a third person, without announcement, sat with us. My Guru smiled,
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while 1, looking intently, recognized the astral form of my wife.
^'Turning to me, she said : ^ My lord, I con- gratulate thee, in that thou hast been proved worthy. As the Senor, your Garu, will tell thee, I have also reached the degree of the Neo- phyte in the Orient I am really and truly thy brother. We are two points in the line of common union of all who love the truth. Now, more and more closely united shall we become in our search for the ^^ Pearl of great price." Disturb not thyself, for I am under the care of our brothers, and shall again meet thee, when being duly rested and refreshed, thou wilt return to sunny Spain. Remember, my lord, we are ONE, from ages past, and can never more be separated.'
^^I glanced at my Guru a single instant, as if he had addressed me, and looking back where my wife had sat, we were alone. My feeling of appreciation for her whom I loved so truly in
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the highest, best sense of that word, could not find expression in words. It was so like her kind thoughtfulness, to inform me by word of mouth of that which it was so pleasant for me to hear.
^^ It is wonderful how much of man's narrow- ness and selfishness &lls away, as soon as the element of time is eliminated from his calcula- tions of existence. If accomplishment is only sure sometime, there is no need of the whirl and excitement of impatient worry and uneasy fret- fhlness. He cannot wait for the ripening of the times and seasons. As my Guru said :
^^ ^ The lesson to learn, is the well-doing of the present duty. This involves the perfection of the duty that shall follow. A good foundation makes solid the whole superstructure of the edifice.'
^^ Day after day, in the temple and in the gardens, for I, having no desire for droneship, insisted that tasks should be assigned me there.
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avLch as were assumed by others, I grew har- monious with the great thought currents of the Universe. In the twilight hours, the ever quiet tones of my Guru stimulated my thought, broad- ened my vision, and lighted up aU the unrolling panorama of life, with a more lasting radiance. Sometimes, under the touch of his understand- ing, the heavens opened, and the glimpses of their wonders and glories left me eagerly desir- ous for more.
" Thus passed the months, until the day for my departure had come. All things being in readiness, and sure of my return, I was not dis- mayed at the prospect before me. My Guru, coming to me as the day fell away, said :
" ^ My brother, you go hence for another seven years' experience with the world. You will do all the good you can, where it is the most needed, because you love to do it. I see for you persecution and unjust punishment. Take this, for a talisman, from me, should you
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need sadden help.' Saying this, he handed me a beautiful sapphire ring, in which the stone was held in the jaws of a small dragon, whose body and tail completed the circlet.
"* Whenever in your need you shall look upon this, and pronounce the pass of the Neophyte, you will at once receive help equal to your necessity, from the Brotherhood, visi- ble and invisible. Your work you know. Outside the gate you will find your horse. Mount and ride. When you have reached a point within fifty miles of the port whither thou goest, there will come to thee from the Southwest,- a messenger bearing dispatches. Whatsoever he knows thou also shalt know of the king's business, which has been ably transacted. Now, farewell !*
^^ Thus affectionately we parted, as he handed me through the wicket. I stepped to the side of the horse, now becoming quite an old friend, mounted, the gate closed, and for a second time ,
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mj &oe was Bet toward the world, for which I had so litde desire.
^^ I settled back in my saddle. The feeling of sustaining, of upbearing, had fully possessed me. Ever more should I rely implicitly upon those whose power, reaching everywhere, upon the earth and in the heavens, had sworn to be my shield and guide in all my acts intended for the good of all, regardless of self. Neither time nor space would any longer be units of measure- ment for me, but that which I had to do for the good would be compared with what I did, for it must all be done.
"With a feeling of rest, therefore, I settled back in the saddle.
" The movements of my horse were like the pulsations of a heart-beat. The rush of the air past me was like the flowing of a torrent. At the appointed place, .1 found a horse and rider, the very counterpart of myself, awaiting me. A packet of papers was handed me. I busied
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myself for a moment arranging them upon my person. When I raised my eyes to accost the courier, there was neither horse nor rider. Nor had the speed of my own steed slackened by so much as a single hoof-beat.
^'A curious sense of double consciousness possessed me for a few moments. This merged into a feeling of oneness again. Then a vision or dream of certain things haying transpired during the past year, which became certain knowledge when the perusal of the papers on shipboard confirmed all that Z had mentally received. This, the final unfoldment fully cor- roborated. It was the king's business, which had been most skillfully and successfully trans- acted, and I was to be allowed to make a favor- able report.
" As the day dawned, my horse stopped, and left me in the same place, where, seven years before, he had vanished from my sight. I sought the sentry, and had now no difficulty, as a
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oonrier of the king, in reaching the commandant. His slight curiosity was allayed by the explana- tion, confirmed by my packet of papere, that I had been sent on a secret mission. In ihose days Spanish officers asked few questions, and obeyed orders impUdtiy.
^^ It was bat a short time, when one of the treasnre ships homeward bound, dropped andior in the bay, seeking supplies. It was an easy task to secure passage. The captain said he had heard of my exploits and daring deeds and that I was reputed to bear a charmed life in the country to which I had been sent, and that my success as a diplomat was also &mou8. I did not tell him what news this was to me, but sim- ply disclaimed the whole, only to be considered modest in the matter. But I knew that an agent of the Brotherhood had been acting for me in the king's business, under orders. He had succeeded fiu* better than I could have evea hoped to do. It was not necessary that I should
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offer explanations to those who could not under- stand.
^^ The homeward joyage was swift and pros- perous. On my arrival I sought immediate audience with the king, who, although pleased with the outcome of the public business, was evidently both surprised and pusiled that I should have been successful ; and by no means pleased to see me returned to disquiet him by my jmsence.
^^ After the details of the business had been duly explained, I begged the boon of retirement to my estate. With ill-concealed satis&ction ihe &vor was granted. I left the royal pres- ence once more, glad iihat I was protected against malice and hypocrisy.
^^ On reaching my chateau, I found my wife eagerly anxious for my arrival, her face bright with gladness at my safe return. After a few days of restful quiet, we compared notes, as to the initiations we had passed through. All was
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fflmilar, save in her case the trial was fortitude of soul, without the call for physical strength. In this she had overcome, and won that which she had sought. Our mutual com- parison of experience was botih instructiye and gratifying.
of the swift passing years. Sufficient to say that our studies and the care of the estate filled full all my time, and having risen above the plane of anxiety, life was very pleasant.