Book of Saphah

MASTER: What do you see?

INITIATE: The world lies before me. Yes, the wide earth and all its riches. The living things upon it, and in the waters, and every breathing thing, and pearls and diamonds, and gold and silver; and at my hand, the rose and the lily, adorned by the Hand of Elohim.

M: Do you see anything more?

I: Yes, Master, the canopy of the firmament of heaven. In the midst is the light, the burning sun, propeller of the vegetable world; the glory of day, and maker of light.

On either hand, in the vault of the firmament, are countless stars, saying: In the glory of our magnitude, O man, do not forget Him whose finger raised up the firmament!

M: What more do you see?

I: The moon, who changes her size and location according to the night watch of the Ghads who minister to the wants of mortals.

M: Is this all?

I: No, Master, on either side I see a hand, one pointing upward and one downward.

One side of the world is all light and one side all black, and the hand that points upward is on the light side, and the hand that points downward is on the dark side. Here lies the brush that wrote, and the sacred Gau, and above them the symbol of the burning candles of the ancients. Above these I see the ark of the prophecy.

M: Why do you halt in your speech? What do you see?

I: Alas, O Master, above the world I see an evil foot, black and clothed with serpents.

Above the crossed twin swords is the sacred name, Elohim.

M: What do you see in the middle of the tablet, that is black and with something like a net woven around it?

I: A new corporeal world, rich in growing things; sprung from its surface and hanging above and around it are the sacred signs of holy Lords and Gods, appointed by the most high Elohim, apprised and guarding over the morning and evening of the first days.

Here the trumpet calls to the low earth, and to the spirits of mortals now dead, to come forth, inspiring teachers in all useful labors, to the new world above.

Fabric woven in the firmament of heaven is descending to the infant a’su. Thirsting for a kingdom in the lower heaven, stands Baugh-ghan-ghad, the tyrant of newborn spirits in the lower heavens, watching the new earth.

His tablet is a coffin filled with serpents’ tongues. In his footpath creep millions of the dead who sang his name, to make him triumphant over Elohim, accursing him in high heaven.

The pyramids, the temples of ancient Saviors; and the overflowing holy basin, and lighted Nu’ba, candlestick of Holy Sacrifice, and the black claw, the Anra’mainyus (the devil), are cast down and gone, yes, on the earth below another God is dead. But high up in the firmament, the seven sacred stars still shine, and the emblems graven by the Great Spirit.

M: What are the working tools of man born of woman? What of the Gods and angels beside Elohim?

I: Alas, O Master, I do not know.

M: My friend, since you are learned in Gau, why do you come to learn the signs and ceremonies of the ancients?

I: So that I may unite myself with other men, and thus become a greater power to do good to mortals.

M: You are wise. Go now before my proper officers for further examination, and if you are proficient, come again before me and I will conduct you into the chamber of Ophra’or’jhi, and there initiate you according to the rite of the ancients. (Signs and passwords, and mystic ceremony, withheld from publication.) (For the reading of the entire tablet, refer to the revealed tablets.) Port-Pan Algonquin THE SACRED PEOPLE, I’HINS, OR MOUND-BUILDERS Reads as follows: