Book of Saphah

(This, then, is the upper chamber of the Panic age, and the Golden Chamber of the second branch, Chine. The Gods and Saviors of this day [the four heads of the beast] stand within the chamber, just as the idolaters of the ancient days had other Gods and Saviors, who in those days stood in the chamber.)

SOUTH: If a man does evil, it takes root in him, and will be entailed on his spirit, even into the next world. But if a man practices righteousness it will also take root, and his spirit will become like a star of glory in heaven.

WEST: If a man courts evil companions in this world, he shall find them also in the spirit world (Es). But if he constantly seeks Jehovih, and to do His will, he shall find happiness both here and hereafter.

NORTH: If a man ministers to others, so will he be ministered to by the angels of heaven. But whoever would grow in all gifts, let him labor to become one with the Father, and the Father will grow in him forever.

EAST: I bring man naked into the world, says Jehovih. But I provide others for him in his infancy, so that he may be fed and clothed. But when he is strong and wise, I command him to provide for himself, so that he may be an honor and glory in My handiwork.

Let no man shirk from the trials I put upon him, for in doing so, he robs his own soul. (The Gowai and Initiates now march three times around the Tablet, repeating the philosophy and the examination that arise out of the Degree of Dawn, and the Light of High Noon. When they have arrived at the West, the Washutaga sound the gong, and they halt there. The West says:)

W: Who comes here?

I: A Faithist in Jehovih.

W: Who is Jehovih?

I: The Great Spirit. He Who is over all and within all. The Potent and Unseen. It is He Whose Ever Presence quickens into life all that live.

W: Where is Jehovih?

I: Everywhere, nor is there a place without Him.

W: What is His form?

I: No man can attain to know His form.

W: What is His extent?

I: No man can attain to know His extent.

W: Is He Person?

I: Inasmuch as all the living are persons, so is He the All Person of all things. Inasmuch as His Ever Presence quickened into life all that live, so is His Ever Presence with the living: seeing, hearing and feeling every word and act of all men, women and children on earth and in heaven.

W: What interest do you have in Him?

I: He is my Father! He is within my soul. I am within Him, and a very member of His person.

W: Where did His name come from?

I: As the wind whispers E in the leaves, and utters O in the ocean’s surge and in the thunder above, and Ih in the winter’s shrill whistle, so came the name E-O-Ih, which has become Jehovih, and Eloih, and Elohim and Wenohim.

W: How was He discovered?

I: The angels of heaven taught man of Him.

W: Who are the angels of heaven?

I: People who once lived on earth or other corporeal worlds.

W: What is their form?

I: Even as mortals, but being perfect [in their order –ed.].

W: Where is heaven?

I: Worlds unseen by mortals fill the etherean firmament above. These worlds are heaven; these are the spirit worlds; these are the etherean worlds; these are the abodes of the spirits of the dead.

W: How did the angels come from heaven down to the corporeal earth?

I: In the Dan’ha they come direct; at other times they come through familiar spirits.

W: Who are familiar spirits?

I: Our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and other relatives and friends who have not been dead long, and other spirits who have not learned of or risen to the heavens above earth’s atmosphere. Many of these abide on the earth and with mortals, some for a few years, some for a hundred, and some for a thousand or more years.

W: What is an idol?

I: Anything having form and figure that is worshipped.

W: Who is God?

I: A spirit with a heavenly throne believed by people in darkness to be the Creator of all things. Familiar spirits often called themselves, God, and taught mortals to call them that also.

W: Who are Saviors?

I: Familiar spirits who have kingdoms in atmospherea, which, by the ancients, was called the lower heaven. Saviors are tyrants who make slaves of other spirits, who believe in them. Their slaves are sent back to mortals as guardian angels or familiars, in order to make captives of mortals after death, to augment the Savior’s kingdoms in atmospherea.

W: How can a man escape the toils of false Lords, Gods, Saviors and familiars?

I: He shall covenant with Jehovih every day of his life, and serve Him by doing good works to others with all his wisdom and strength. Nor shall he call in prayer on the name of a Savior or God, or any other spirit, but on the Great Spirit only. If he does this, and eschews contention, war, leadership, earthly gain, and earthly aggrandizement, then etherean angels will come and guard him in the name of Jehovih.

W: Who are ethereans?

I: Spirits who have risen above the bondage of the earth and its atmosphere; spirits who can come only to mortals who have attained beyond earthly desires.

W: Has it not been said: Do not swear at all?

I: Jehovih says: Swear to your Father in heaven every day of your life; and if you fail to keep your oath, you shall renew it on the following day, with repentance. But in all swearing it shall be for perfecting one’s self and for the glory of the Father.

W: You have spoken wisely. Go, then, to the east, and stand upright before Jehovih, and pray or utter an anthem of praise to Him, so that He may be glorified in you, and your guardian angels have honor in their pupil. (The M. and I. pass around the tablet; the E. sounds the gong three times; the I. makes informal prayer, and, at the termination, he repeats with the M., as follows:)

M. AND I: Hear me, O Jehovih! The vanities of the earth have no countenance in my sight; they are like one cast down in the day of his triumph.

Neither does flesh food enter my mouth; nor strong drink, nor substance that comes from an animal, or is part of an animal; nor fish, nor worms, nor anything that breathes or has breathed. (And if the I. is a prophet he adds, nor roots, nor seeds that grow in the field.)

My substance is in the air and in its fruits; my spirit rises into the air, upward to You, O my Father in heaven!

You have made my spirit quicker than my flesh; and my soul quicker than the dust of the earth.

Who can comprehend Your handiwork? Who else but You knows the delight of my soul for You? You are truly the comfort of the living, the solace of the dying and the joy of the dead.

I was not, and I knew not. Your hand moved and brought me forth, and lo, here I am! Yes, Your spirit moved upon Mi, and I am one of the fruits.

How shall I glorify You; and how shall I, in Your service, render You recompense? (During the last two verses the I. marches around the altar and arrives at E. Four bells.)

E: My brother (or sister), you have covenanted with our Father at Dawn and at High Noon, saying: I will proclaim that which You have taught me, fearing nothing that may come upon me. Go forth, then, and see to it that you do not turn backward. Neither shall you raise up your hand to do any man harm.

E: Since the time of the ancients to this day the worshippers of the One Great Spirit have been persecuted and abused by idolaters of Gods and Saviors.

E: If, therefore, enemies accuse you or assault you, hear them patiently, but press onward in peace to the end, and the Father will be with you. (The I. turns to the south, face upward.)

I: Such is my will to You, O Jehovih! You shall be the song of my life. You, the theme of my delight. To You I will give praise without ceasing, and my prayers shall be without number. (He marches forth now in the order of opening Dawn. The E. retires beyond the ark. The Fesays lower the light to almost darkness, and the four drujas prepare themselves in the druk, light the incense of sacrifice, and robe themselves in the orders of the four great idolaters of the cycle belonging to the order. Meanwhile the I. goes forth, saying:)

I: I will go forth proclaiming You and Your works, O Jehovih! In You Your children shall rejoice with great joy. Yes, the inhabitants of the earth shall turn away from evil and learn to glorify You!

They have seen the Rising Sun and the High Noon, and the stars in the firmament above, and they shall sing to You for Your glorious works.

Your unseen heavens I will proclaim; and to be able to inherit them, people shall eschew war and earthly aggrandizement.

Yes, all people shall rejoice with me for the glory of the earth, and for Your kingdoms above. To You they shall sing with rejoicing all the days of their lives, and Your voice shall come upon them. (Here bounds forth from the northeast the druj, which in this day is Brahma of the Zarathustrian ancients, and he flies madly upon the I.)

BRAHMA: Stop! Vain man! Blasphemer of the Zarathustrian law! I have heard your insulting tongue. You raise up your voice against the wisdom of the ancients. Know, then, that the All Spirit spoke to Zarathustra, the All Pure, who was the incarnation of All Light, born of the virgin Mi. This is the Zarathustrian law; the holy light of earth and heaven; the Brahmin religion. Whoever since then says: Lo, I hear the Voice, or lo, I see the Hand, is a blasphemer, an impostor! Be careful of your speech!

I: I would teach man to be happy and to rejoice in the Father over all!

B: Insulting man, and in truth a most wicked teacher. Man should torture his flesh, and by long fasts and abhorrent labor, make the earth hateful in his sight. If you do not do this, you shall return to the earth a wandering spirit to afflict mortals.

I: No, I would make the labor of earth a joy and thanksgiving, having faith in the Great Spirit, Jehovih!

B: O Brahma! O Zarathustra! Go, barbarian! Out of my sight! You insulter of the ancients! You contaminate the sacred land of Brahma! Be gone, be gone! You who does not revere the caste of men! (Here the I. escapes past B., who retires to his druk (corner). Again the I. goes forth.)

I: Rejoice, O inhabitants of the earth. Jehovih lives and reigns, and you are a glory within His works!

Do not fear, O my beloved. His hand is over all. His wisdom knows your just deserts.

Do not go backward, O all you people. He is ever at your hand in wisdom and strength.

He provided a nurse for the newborn, and the spirit of the full-grown man is in His keeping.

With your eyes, O my beloved, do not go back to the ancients, nor seal up your souls, and He will give you light.

Rouse yourselves up, O inhabitants of the earth! He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! (Here bounds forth from the southeast, the druj which in this cycle is Buddha, and he assails the I. violently.)

BU: Stop! You man of darkness! Barbarian, hold your tongue! Insulter of the ancients! Blasphemer against great Buddha! Who can hear the Voice? You!

The All Light descended to the earth into flesh form in Gotama Buddha. Since then, whoever says, I can hear the Voice, is an impostor, a breeder of revolt against all truth.

I: I proclaim the living Presence.

BU: Do you not heed the Ahura’Mazdian law? To establish Buddha on earth, more than a hundred million have been slain in war! This day the Buddhists have twenty million soldiers. Would you insult this mighty power? Turn the nations loose in blasphemous song?

I: I would lift man up from the bondage of the ancients.

BU: No, be gone, or your blood shall be upon your head! You defile the holy land of Buddha. Out of my dominions! You who does not heed the caste of men! Be gone!

I: But hear me ... (The I. succeeds in passing him.) BU: No, I will not. I will scourge you with stripes!

(As Bu. grasps the chastening rod (whip) the I. makes his escape. Bu. retires to his druk. The I. goes forth again.)

I: Better You are, O Jehovih, our Living Father, than the dead ancients. Better to have Your love, than dominion of the whole earth.

Who shall fear when our Father in heaven is also within us? Who shall take anger to his soul for the darkness of men?

Glorify Him, O all you people, in praise and thanksgiving. He speaks in the song of the bird. He paints the flowers of the field with His own hand.

Of all the living, man alone turns away from You! Man alone sets up an idol on earth or imagines one in heaven, and worships it.

Proclaim Him with great joy, O my beloved; there is only one All Person, the Great Spirit, Jehovih. (Here the druj from the northwest bounds forth, which, of this cycle, is Christian. He assaults the I. violently and in rage.)

C: Fanatic! Infidel! Blasphemer against Christ! Are you saying God has lungs, lips and a voice, and you can hear Him? O you insulter of this enlightened age!

Only the ancient prophets could hear Him. Then God descended to the earth, incarnated himself in a woman, and was born from a virgin, becoming Christ, the Savior of the world! Christ is the lamb of peace! He is the fountain of love. Christ says: I am the life and the light!

I: I know only one Great Spirit, Jehovih.

C: You lie! You disturber of the peace. You infidel to the holy book and Christian law! A hundred million have been slain in war to establish Christ on earth! Know, that this day, the Christians have seven million soldiers, and the mightiest ships of war on the globe!

I: I teach peace and love!

C: Hold your tongue, infidel! Christ says: Do not think I have come to send peace on earth; I have not come to send peace, but a sword; Christ says: I came to set man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Every knee shall bow before Christ, and every tongue confess him Lord of all. Down on your knees, infidel, and confess to him. Down!

I: Never. I bow and confess to none but great Jehovih.

C: O blasphemer against the Lord! Now I will bind you behind prison bars for heresy, and confiscate your sacred books. (He seizes a cord.)

I: No, do not bind me. I wish only to raise up my fellow-men. (The I. escapes.)

C: Dog! Desecrator of religious liberty, be gone out of this fair land of meekness and love! (C. retires to his druk. The I. goes forth again.)

I: Hear Him, O all you people of the earth, and you of heaven above. His voice is in the air, and in the stones of the earth. Yes, He speaks in the sun, moon and stars! All things in heaven and earth are the expressions of His soul.

Make merry, O inhabitants of the earth. Jehovih is Ever Present, and none can counterfeit Him. Open your ears so that you may hear His Voice, and your eyes that you may behold His Person! (Here the druj from the southwest, which in this cycle is Mohammed, wearily comes forth and raises a stick, preventing the I. from passing.)

MOHAMMED: Foolish man! You talk to the wind. Only the ancient prophets could hear the Voice. Mohammed was His prophet. Go, then, read the prophets of old, and study the Koran. Since Mohammed, no more wisdom can come into the world.

I: I would raise up the ignorant and debased.

M: No, you are a fool! The ignorant and debased are as God made them. They are content; do not disturb them.

I: I would make their labor light.

M: Be wise. Yesterday you were born; today you live; tomorrow you die, and the next day you will be forgotten. Go, then, procure wine and women, and feast yourself while you may.

I: I teach a higher life.

M: I want no higher life. This world is good enough for me. God is just. He has provided heavens for angels. The earth he made for man, and to man he gave passions to be indulged. Otherwise he would not have given them. Therefore I will have the earth’s sweetness while I may. God has already made all things; all is finished. Man has nothing to do but seek pleasure and die.

I. I would make the life of the peasant a pleasant one.

M: You disturb my kingdom. A hundred million have been slain in war to establish Mohammed. The Mohammedans have two million soldiers this day. That is sufficient. Depart, then, out of the honest land of the Mohammedans, and may God’s holy book, the Koran, enlighten you. (Here I. passes the druj, and the latter goes to his druk.)

I: Alas, O my Father, Who is Ever Present! Yesterday I was puffed up with great joy, but the four quarters of the world (druks) have risen up against me. Today I am cast down in sorrow.

The inhabitants of the earth are bound down by the little light of the ancients; but Your Great Light of Living Presence they put at a distance. What shall I do, O Father, so that I may contribute to the founding of Your kingdom on earth? O give me light, so that my labor is not vain!

E. (with four bells): My friend, the Great Spirit is aware of you in all times and places; and because you have been faithful to Him, so have His etherean spirits ministered to you. And now that you ask for light from our Father, your words are not in vain.

E: Go, then, into Dehabalizzah (Golden Chamber), where the voice of self and dispute never enter; and you shall learn of the mysteries of the dominions of the Gods and Saviors; after which you shall learn to apply your labor so that it is not vain, but profitable to the world and a glory to Jehovih in founding His kingdom.

I: Angels of heaven lead the way! (Here the W., the I., and spirits (if present), who have taken on corporeal forms, lead the way, ascending to the Golden Chamber. Within this chamber the lights give a golden color, and the roof of the chamber is blue, with twinkling golden stars. On the E., W., N. and S. are altars with the sacred instruments for measuring, surmounted with golden colored flags. Here represented are the spider’s net, the ant house, the broken implements of war, the sacred wheel of the ancients, the Sun at Morn and at High Noon, the representative idols of all nations and religions. In the E. and W. and N. and S. stand the angels of triumph. In the center of the chamber stand the tablet and altar of the ancients. Above the E., in letters of fire, is the name JEHOVIH. Above the W., in letters of fire, is the name ELOIH. Above the N., in letters of fire, is the name ELOHIM. Above the S., in letters of fire, is the name EOLIN, and suspended from the center, in letters of fire, is the name E-O-IH! In the extreme druk’a, in golden letters, is the word MI, and in red, is the word OM! When the I., W., and the angels enter the chamber, low, sweet music salutes them, and they march around the central altar in single file three times, arriving at E. as the music ceases. Five bells are sounded, and the I., W., and spirits, face about to the E.)

E: Who comes here?

I: One anxious to learn how best to serve the Father, so that his life may be fruitful for others.

VOICE FROM THE SPIRIT, OR A MORTAL REPRESENTATIVE STANDING TO THE RIGHT OF THE E: How much easier it is to bend a young sprout than a full-grown oak! says Jehovih. Have the Gods and Saviors in the lower heavens not discovered this, and so, set guardian spirits and familiars over the newborn? What wonder is it that men are stiff-necked in the doctrines of the ancients? Spirits of darkness urge them on, and they delight in war and earthly dominions, for the benefit of their Gods and Saviors. Nor do they know that they are servants to spirits of darkness; and they glorify themselves in caste, riches, dominion, and in becoming rulers and chief leaders.

Jehovih says: Let My chosen be wise in the manner of the self-Gods and Saviors, and also seek out infants and little ones and become guardians over them, but to righteousness and good works, teaching them peace and love, and to live in harmony, and to abjure war and earthly profit.

As much as you do this, especially teaching spirit communion, so do you lay the foundation for My etherean spirits to come and abide with them as guardians during life, and even after death.

Neither shall you circumscribe them in any of the talents I have given them, especially in the love of liberty, but perfect them in all things, teaching them to live in families of tens, or twenties, or hundreds, or thousands, even as in the ancient days, holding all things in common, and being as brethren one with another.

Do not waste your time in discoursing with those who, having heard, will not practice My commandments. Nevertheless, to as many as come your way, you shall say: If you cannot curb your self-desires in this world, neither can you in the next; and if you cannot live in a brotherhood in peace and love on earth, neither shall you find a brotherhood of peace and love in heaven.

I: I have heard Your wisdom, O Jehovih, and I swear to You, with all my soul: I will fulfill these Your just commandments with all my wisdom and strength. Help me, O Father, to this end, for Your Glory forever and ever. Amen! (Responses, Amen, from E., W., N. and S., and other places within the chamber.)

E: By Your Power, Wisdom and Love, and in Your name, O Jehovih, I receive this Your son (or daughter), and proclaim him brother (or sister) of the Golden Chamber! In Your name, O Father, I proclaim him in all the earth and in heaven above by these Your solemn rites, for Your glory. Amen! (Responses, Amen! Now the Dan of Su’is comes, bearing the regalia. Next to him come the du’ji, seven young girls, representing the seven stars, bearing the symbols of Industry and Peace, and around the I. they form a crescent facing the E., so that the E. forms the eighth star, being between the horns of the crescent. Hoo’artyo, in golden lace, comes from the W. and proceeds to give the signs and passwords. After this the youngest child present mounts the k’sam, and in proper words (which are withheld from publication) proceeds to clothe the I. in the golden fleece. Hoo’artyo gives the injunctions of the ancients, and the D. calls forth the Tablets of the moon, and the studies of the stars, and enjoins prayer. The magi now illustrates, on a tablet, the prophecy of the rise and fall of nations, the origin of man and language, how the corporeal world is governed by the es world, and gives the I. the key of invocation.) The I. is now required to give:

The Panic name of the twenty-five signs.

To trace the names down through the languages to the present period.

To designate the place in the heavens where the present sign would be situated.

The position of the altar in the temple.

To give the cyclic dates of the signs.

What group of stars, according to the Panic names, gave the field 1, 2, 3, and of 4, 5, 6, and of all the others, and the period of time of grouping them?

Why is this degree called M’hak, or Golden Chamber?

Why were the four days in each moon set apart as mass days, or sacred days? At what period, according to the Panic names, was the first mass ordained on earth?

What was the position of the great serpent (solar phalanx) at that time?

To the last question the I. responds: Alas, O Avaya (priest), I have not traveled so far. The Avaya says: Then I will prepare you for another degree. The I. responds: So be it. Here the M’hak degree ends, with music and prayer.

(The accompanying Tablet shows the moon days, and order of prayer and anthem, as in the ancient times.) Chamber of Adepts