INTRODUCTION.

It may be well to explain in a few words, something of the method by which these conclusions have been arrived at.

The Bible read in the literal way that is customary with the purely orthodox, fails to stand the test of historic and scientific research, because of the erroneous assumptions of the translators, who were misled by lack of the information that is now coming in such abundance to us. It is gratifying to see that the recent translators have discarded the foolish chronology which has caused so much trouble, and while it is somewhat disconcerting to think of the many reckonings that are thrown into confusion as to time by this step, yet it was positively necessary to understand things as they are.

Scientific investigation has done much in giving us data upon which to calculate, in a general way, but to Oriental research, especially through philological lines, do we owe much of the information that is proving a golden key by which we may unlock the storehouses of ancient wisdom that throw light upon the obscure portions of our Sacred Book. To state it briefly, these investigations have brought out the fact that the most ancient Sacred MSS. gave out the same great fundamental truths upon which our own religion is based. Many great natural laws are explained and about the same ethical standard is upheld as we have been accustomed to connect with the teachings of our own faith; the difference being, if any, rather in favor of the superiority of the standard upheld by the ancients as being attainable. "Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect" was to them an attainable ideal, while to us it seems a monstrous assumption.

As we study, we see that the weakness in our own system lies in the fact that the Christian Mysteries have been temporarily lost, due to the political aspirations of the church from the fourth century, but abundant evidence exists that they were a part of

the Apostolic Church, and that the early Church Fathers owed their unusual spiritual strength to the influence of this special training.

We find there are certain symbols that are universal, to which the hidden truths have been confided during the ages, and that these symbols tell the same tale, no matter where they may be found, no matter what the language of the people may be. Then we look and find these same symbols telling the same story in our own Bible. The Hebrew language lent itself with unusual felicity to the veiled work of the Mysteries, as it was a purely consonantal language, each letter having a numerical value, and each number having an esoteric significance. It is not surprising that the message has remained hidden under the circumstances. It was perfectly safe until the time was ripe for its disclosure. Evidently the Master's will controlled the situation. Not until man's intuition develops will the secrets of the ages be revealed to him.

The translation of the personal nouns and geographical names, often gives the key to an allegory, but, in this line of work, one is often hindered by the fact that the meaning of the word has been lost in the course of the ages. By taking the root, however, tracing it back as nearly as possible to its mother tongue, one may often get a meaning that clearly dovetails with the obvious meaning of the text in such a way as to justify the inference that the right one has been found, or at least something very near to it.

In studying the allegorical meaning of the Bible the writer finds that it is wise to stick to the spiritual meaning consistently all the way through, not read one passage allegorically and the next literally which causes the garbled result so often obtained by Biblical scholars.

This line of study, however, demonstrates that the lower mind alone cannot give satisfactory results. To the intuition must we turn if the higher truths are to become ours. For that reason Scripture should always be studied in a prayerful spirit. Personally, the writer has always called directly upon the Master Jesus for guidance, and all that has been given at such times, when the flash of illumination has been accompanied by a sense of "The Presence" has withstood the test of the most careful investigation that she has been able to make from information available. The first glimpse has not always been complete, and

additional information given later has made the matter clearer, but she has never yet been obliged to admit one of these glimpses of truth to be erroneous; invariably they have proven true, though perhaps in a much larger way than was at first perceived. Gradually she has learned that in the consciousness of at-one-ment of Spirit it is but necessary to touch the hem of His Spiritual garments, or His Spiritual vibrations, that virtue may flow from Him. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man open the door I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

"Remember that everyone who meditates upon the Master makes a definite link with him which shows to clairvoyant vision as a kind of line of light. The Master always subconsciously feels the impinging of such a line, and sends out along it in response a steady stream of magnetism which continues to play long after the meditation is over. The regular practice of such meditation and concentration is of the utmost help to the aspirant, and the regularity is one of the most important factors in producing results." Vol. I, "Inner Life," by C. W. Leadbeater, page 34.

This experience is one that has often been found in Christian Mystics, it has not originated with the writer, but the influx of Oriental Information has rendered what has been received much more intelligible than it would otherwise have been.

The writer makes no pretense of being able to read the akasic records, and in some instances may have taken what was meant for merely a type for a real incarnation of a Great One, but such matters will be straightened out by more expert investigators, and need not detract from the value of the truths revealed. Errors there must be, of course, in a work bringing out ideas so new to the mind trained in the orthodox school, and dealing with things so far transcending what that mind is accustomed to handling; but to the spiritually minded these pages may open up an unexplored mine of riches, and they may get far more than the writer has, having better trained inner perceptions that will need but the hint to make them able to penetrate to the Inner Sanctuary, To the materialistic mind there will be nothing to appeal in this book. Spiritual truths may be apprehended by Spirit alone.

The writer has found that of necessity there must be more

repetitions in a work like this, than is considered permissible in good composition. The newness of the ideas makes it necessary to connect the mind with what has gone before to make each stage clear. So far as possible she has tried to avoid this. However, she realizes that there are still far too many such cases to suit good taste but can see no way to avoid it if the points are made clear without too great a demand upon the reader's memory.