|
|
THE
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Part One Chapter
3 - History From the Philosophy of Sacramental Initiation by
Holy Order of MANS The three fundamental steps on the universal path of initiation that all people must travel in this day are Baptism, Illumination and the Realization. The sacrament of Baptism is the first step toward the receiving and the accepting of the Light of Christ. It is the dedication to the way and the preparing of the individual so that he may be acceptable in his spiritual endeavors and be brought into the Light of Christ. A ritual of baptism has been almost universally accepted by the Christian world as the means whereby the faithful are incorporated into the body of believers. It is the first step toward joining any spiritual brotherhood. In the modern mind the ritual of baptism has degenerated into becoming a mere ceremony or a commemoration of an action done by Jesus. The modern ceremonies of baptism no longer contain the reality or the impact of the true Baptism which is one of the great Solar initiations and a fundamental step where the individual says, "Yes, I will receive and I will accept the Light of Christ within me, and I am endeavoring to become a part of the Body of Christ." Jesus Christ did not originate the sacrament of Baptism. This statement of fact does not discredit our Lord and Master because He knew and understood the greatness and the eternality of the way of life of this orb. It goes beyond any church, any Order, any organization in society. It is part of the eternal initiations. The sacrament of Baptism started a long time ago as far as this era is concerned. For its origin we have to look back to a great mystic, who in his life brought into the earth the reality of Baptism in our era. The great mystic Moria-el, one of the most illustrious of the brothers of the White Brotherhood, was the one who brought into our earth the Sacrament of Baptism again. He held no allegiance to any particular sect or cult or faith for he was a Master Teacher and a brother of the Great White Lodge. It is estimated, allowing for calendar
changes which were many, that he was born in At the time of his birth, two great
centers of religious learning were quite near in the area.
One of these was Heiliopolis, the city of the sun; the other
is now known by the name of In a certain district of Egypt known as Fayum, Moria-el made a certain lake famous by the ceremonies he conducted there as a representative of the Great White Lodge. In particular he stressed the mystical and esoteric rights of immersion or spiritual purging by the use of water. The On the left side of the Along this desert plateau paralleling
the This basin or depression into which it
flows is the Payum. The shape of the basin or Payum is that
of a maple leaf, the stem connecting with the In the basin there was formed a lake
which became known as The basin and the morass surrounding
the lake were drained into the irrigation canals by the
ancient Egyptians. Many worldly historians who do not
associate directly with any school or tradition or teaching
of the Great White Lodge report that the beauty and
importance of Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian,
was most enthusiastic in his description of Strabo, another ancient historian and
geographer, writes in part: "It also contains a
wonderful lake, called Strabo also relates in his work a famous fact, that each of the ceilings of the chambers consisted of a single stone and some of the passages are covered in the same way by single stone slabs of extraordinary size, neither wood or other building materials having been used. From all of the foregoing facts you may understand the importance of these things, having the proper understanding of the ceremonies of Baptism, the elements of which have come out of the directors of the White Lodge. We are travelers, you know, traveling from out of the pure Spirit of God; traveling toward the pure Light of His Son. He who climbs the ladder must often pause but the fruits of knowledge are found in the contrast of experiences. We learn by the evaluation of differences in which we perceive. We learn by direct revelation, so men cherish pleasure instead of pain; riches instead of poverty; good instead of evil. It is not that we have not known both -- the opposites -- but have only found one by comparison to be superior. The intelligent traveler is one whose direction has a distinct preference and is made after careful consideration of all other ways in which he might have gone. It is one who is following the direct and divine calling, and Baptism opens the door. The mind has its strength in the Light and in the darkness the power of mind is confused and confounded. Once his choice is made, however, then the phantoms of the mind disappear. The consecration and the dedication of the Baptismal rite has great effect and will bring about the baptism, the purging -- infusion, the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit upon the receiver. It is a benefit, therefore, to each person receiving the Baptism to meditate before entering the temple and to realize that he is entering into a place of Light and that ignorance and unknowing must pass away. As he receives the benediction from the Priest, he may penetrate then the recesses of his previous thoughts and understand the world of Light, of Life and of Love. Through the center of thy Being radiates the eternal and ever-living essence of the great Son of God. And it is as brilliant as the Sun which you see each day. It is beautiful; but as the mystic rose gently unfolds within you through the thoughts and through the energy that penetrates the Being with it; there is felt a Heavenly fragrance around an individual which cannot be mistaken and which he carries throughout his life as he progresses toward the greatness and the Reality of Realization. Then he begins to realize he, too, is going to pass beyond the life of earth into the life of the lower Heaven world. Then his physical and mental powers are intensified by his life and his life becomes productive and it will bring attainment and results and put him in a place where he may help others through his knowledge. Out of the darkness he becomes ready to perceive; and through it his first step toward Baptism is like the turning of a switch which will give unto him the Light of Christ into his heart.
|