BIS 
 
 ■ S3 3E« 
 
 jH 
 
 ■9 HP 
 
 1111 
 
 H 
 
Class _..^F.\^0 
 
 Book MJ-sfr 
 
 Copyright N° 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
eApdfet^. 
 
ARDETHA, 
 
 THE TEACHER. 
 
 
 A 5eries of Lessons Given 
 Through the flediumship of 
 
 F. CORDEN WHITE 
 
 TO 
 
 Q. W. FULLER. 
 
 "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 G. W. Fuller, Prescottyille, Penn. 
 
 SUNFLOWER 1'RINT, LILY DALE, N. Y. 
 
»<>' 
 
 THFLI8RARY OF 
 
 CONGRESS, 
 Two Cones Received 
 
 JUL 20 1902 
 
 ^OnPVRIQHT ENTRY 
 
 ,Ci /:*§(^XXc. No. 
 COPY B. 
 
 Copyright 1902 
 By G. W. FULLER. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The manuscript for this book was received in the 
 following manner: The name of the Author is 
 Ardetha. She was one of the inhabitants of the 
 Continent of Atlantis, which was sunk beneath the 
 Atlantic Ocean by some great cataclysm, many 
 thousand years ago. 
 
 I first met her in July 1898, when she material- 
 ized at a seance given by Mrs. Effie Moss, and 
 said she was my guide. She was grand, noble and 
 stately in manner. She came illuminated and the 
 magnificence of her garments beggars all descrip- 
 tion. Her figure is rather above the medium height, 
 beautifully rounded and graceful; her hair is black 
 and glossy, her eyes are large, dark and sparkling 
 but very kindly in expression. They seem to con- 
 tain hidden depth which you can not fathom, and 
 are the windows of a noble soul. Her features are 
 oval, nose prominent, showing a strong face, com- 
 plexion, brunette, her manner contemplative and 
 reflective. 
 
 In July, 1900, she gave me a portrait of herself 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 through the mediumship of the Bangs Sisters, which 
 I greatly prize. A half-tone reproduction of that 
 picture may be seen in the frontispiece. 
 
 I have heard her deliver two addresses: One 
 when she materialized and addressed the circle, and 
 once when she controlled Mrs. Bartholomew, the 
 celebrated trumpet medium, of Buffalo, N. Y. I 
 never heard anything so grand and inspiring in my 
 life. I was sorry there was not a reporter there 
 to take it down in shorthand so the thoughts 
 could be given to the world. 
 
 This thought haunted me until April 24, 1902, 
 when I wrote Ardetha a letter, sealing it so it could 
 not be opened without detection, asking her if she 
 could control F. Corden White and give some new 
 thoughts to the world. I mailed this letter to Mr. 
 White inside of another letter asking him to give 
 what his hand was controlled to write and in due 
 time I received my letter to Ardetha, unopened 
 and an automatic writing saying she could control 
 the vocal organs of Mr. White and he would de- 
 liver the subject matter orally and it could be taken 
 down in shorthand. 
 
 I visited Mr. White on May 16th at Bradford, 
 Perm, and arranged for the sittings and this book 
 is the result. I make this statement in the interest 
 of honesty and truth lest some might think I 
 claimed to be the author. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I deem it an honor that so wise and ancient a 
 spirit as Ardetha should have thought me worthy 
 to furnish the material aid that was necessary to 
 give her thoughts to the world and give the book 
 my name. Anybody who has a knowledge of Spir- 
 itualism will understand perfectly the manner in 
 which the manuscript was obtained. To those 
 who do not understand, I would say, Never rest 
 until you have thoroughly and honestly investi- 
 gated the matter. Then, and not till then, will 
 you be competent to judge of the truth of this 
 statement. 
 
 "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." 
 Yours for truth, 
 
 G. W. FULLER. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Meeting— Greetings, 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Explanation and Preparation, - - - 24 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Introductions— Histories — Experiences, - 32 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Plans for the Work, ------- 52 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 A Lesson on Life, - - - - - - - - 63 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 The Doubter and The Teacher, - - - 77 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Teacher Materialized, - - - - - - 86 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Mediumship and Magnetism, ----- 97 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 The Lesson of Love, ------- 103 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 The Lesson of Hope, - - - - - - - 113 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Immortality, --------- 121 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Affinities and Soul Mates, * 131 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 The Altruistic Brotherhood, - - - 135 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 The Death of The Master, ----- 150 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE MEETING— GREETINGS. 
 
 It was on a warm spring morning that a party 
 might have been seen gathering upon the banks of a 
 little stream. They came from diverse directions 
 but all seemed intent upon the one point which 
 several had already reached when our attention 
 was attracted to them. 
 
 Had an observer been asked to name the country 
 in which the place was located, he would have 
 been at a loss to determine. The swiftly flowing 
 stream did not give an}- clue to its location. Its 
 limpid waters told only of a warm climate, but as 
 it was in the spring, when all nature began 
 to blossom, when the beauties of nature manifested 
 itself in many ways, that would have been no 
 criterion. The foliage gave a decidedly mystifying 
 explanation. It was tropical in its luxuriance, matted 
 together in true tropical style. Its long creepers 
 indicated the wandering vines of that region, but 
 
10 
 
 interspersed with these were the hardy natives of 
 the Western World and the most careless observer 
 could not fail to wonder, had he been placed in 
 these surroundings without knowing his where- 
 abouts, what place in the domain of nature he had 
 been dropped. 
 
 A balmy air greeted those who had reached the 
 goal. It was on a slight eminence on the banks of 
 a stream where it was joined by a smaller one, 
 where the birds had chosen to make their nests 
 and rear their young, where the wald flowers had 
 chosen a resting place, where there were vines and 
 trees and all grew in that luxuriance known only 
 in tropical countries, yet on this height was a 
 piece of open ground that seemed to welcome all 
 who came within its mystic circle and it w-as a 
 goal towards which many were drawn in the early 
 morning. 
 
 The party of which I speak had come to enter 
 into the mystic ceremonies of the time as devotees. 
 As those who wished to learn the mysteries. As 
 a band, who, having been engaged in the investi- 
 gation of sacred nrysteries, had, through some 
 wonderful influence given the signal that had drawn 
 to them from out the great sea of mystery, some- 
 thing that had shaped their ends, and from distant 
 lands they had journeyed to this trysting place to 
 meet — they knew not what. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 11 
 
 None had been advised of the coming of the other. 
 No missive known to man had been sent, yet as 
 we are told the wise men journeyed to Bethlehem , 
 to meet at the side of He who was born under the 
 influence of that great Star of the East, so these 
 devotees of mystery had gathered together from 
 widely separated localities to heed the call of a 
 force, the import of which they knew not and only 
 vaguely guessed at the mission which called them 
 together. 
 
 On the morning on which our narrative begins 
 we find them heeding the call of the great power 
 that assembled them, gathered at the appointed 
 place, on the eminence where, for ages gone, their 
 ancestors had met to worship the great powers of 
 mystery which they were to become a part of so 
 soon. To welcome the rising of the sun; to watch 
 the scintillations of the beautiful orb of night and 
 the mysterious wanderings of those tiny spots set 
 in the firmament of heaven, jthose points which 
 have so much to do with the destiny of mankind,,, 
 and, with loving caress or hated vengeance, send 
 forth their beneficent or malefic influences to the 
 children of earth. 
 
 As they met on the banks of the river all seemed 
 joined by one influence. 
 
 "From whence comest thou," was the salutation. 
 
 "From seeking after that which is higher than 
 
12 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 life, grander than the woodlands which surround 
 us, deeper than the fathomless ocean, higher than 
 the tops of 3'on lofty peaks, more powerful than 
 the ra} r s of the God of Day, softer than the 
 silvery beam of the Goddess of Night, more potent 
 than the force that pushes forward this beautiful 
 life and grander than all that which men have 
 deemed sacred, 'The law of life,'" came the reply 
 from one, who, with the air which age and purity 
 of life had given, made him a spokesman for the 
 rest; and all bowed to the words of he who thus 
 became their leader. 
 
 From the East, West, North and South these six 
 had gathered in that forest temple. Six had been 
 given the words that gathered them together, yet, 
 according to the law which they all knew, seven 
 were necessary to carry on the work which was 
 entrusted to them. As they looked into each 
 other's faces, and read the lines of light, love and 
 life, they sought for one who would be able to 
 dispel the darkness that must surround them until 
 the day might dawn when the seventh star in the 
 mystic firmament might be added to their number 
 and their work would proceed. 
 
 But they sought in vain. All bore the signs of the 
 ascetic life. All held the same mystic symbols. All 
 walked the way of their unseen teachers, but none 
 had received the illumination that was to make 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 13 
 
 the leader and the post of spokesman and present 
 leader was given to the patriarch who had replied 
 when the first question was asked. 
 
 Scarcely had they entered the sacred ground 
 wmen the sun burst forth in its glory. Like faith- 
 ful adherents of the ways of the East, they 
 welcomed his approach by songs of praise and 
 thanksgiving, sent out to that great power in 
 whose hands the universe is "Like clay in the hands 
 of the potter," which biblical writers have told the 
 world, "Maketh one vessel unto honor and another 
 unto dishonor." 
 
 As all had been schooled in the great realm of 
 mystery, they knew the signals of each cult, 
 they knew the meaning of the orbs, the 
 mystic vibrations of the sun, which they 
 delighted to honor, and the soft quieting 
 influence of the stars. They beheld the soft gleam 
 of the morning star, they received the benediction 
 of lovely Venus as it rose so majestically in the 
 evening, they wondered at the belt that encircled 
 the orb of Jupiter and beheld the scattered forces 
 of Saturn. They knew they were part of some 
 great plan that the subtle forces of nature were 
 working and they knew they were called to aid in 
 unraveling some of the mystic emblems and 
 symbols they had received — to interpret them to 
 the world. 
 
14 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Not finding the one who was to complete their 
 sacred seven, they sat upon the earth, facing the 
 greatest force they knew, and performed their 
 morning service, sacred to the God of Day. In the 
 center, like a venerable patriarch, sat he who had 
 first spoken. With bowed head and closed lips 
 from which no sound emanated, he sent forth his 
 prayer to the great power for guidance. He knew 
 that he was destined to become the leader, the 
 Father, as was the custom of Oriental Nations in 
 the early days, to those who were drawn thither 
 and that in his wisdom and experience they would 
 look for that which would bring them the knowl- 
 edge they came to seek. 
 
 But far from feeling, as people are so apt to at 
 the present day, that he was more than others, 
 his heart sank within him as he received the revel- 
 ation. He would fain have seated himself at the 
 feet of the others but that power which he had so 
 long served, which had so long carried him through 
 the vicissitudes of life and given him his wisdom 
 at the opportune moment, had said to him, out of 
 the voiceless silence, that he was the appointed 
 one. That he must bear the burden while the 
 elements necessary to the fulfilment of the plan 
 were being prepared. 
 
 With voice and soul he then poured forth his 
 prayer for guidance. Not to an arbitrary power, 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 15 
 
 not to an invisible something, but to the mighty 
 forces which he saw around him, and which all of 
 the races of men who lived in primitive ages 
 realized and typified, he sought the strengthing 
 power, and strove to bring himself into more 
 perfect accord with the primitive elements. 
 
 As he uttered his words, his companions were 
 similarly impressed. They too, were filled with the 
 spirit of the occasion, their lives were made clear 
 and they opened the way to a more perfect har- 
 mony between them and all of nature's forces. As 
 they had received the impressions that had started 
 taem on their long journey, so they received the 
 light that was given them and sought to blend 
 with the thought of he whom they all recognized 
 as their temporary master. 
 
 Every student of what is termed Occult Sciences 
 knows that there are times in the history of the 
 universe when all the magnetic and other conditions 
 are calculated to bring about a new era. The 
 earth itself is transformed, its influence and con- 
 ditions seem to be changing and the very atmos- 
 phere seems permeated with the wisdom of the 
 spheres. Such an occasion presented itself as we 
 began our narrative. Such events are presented 
 at the end of each cycle of 2,000 years when a 
 new era is about to dawn on the earth. 
 
 It is not strange then to an observer of the 
 
16 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 occult that these people whom we have mentioned 
 had been drawn together in the way they were. 
 It was about time for the beginning of a great 
 c\-cle. Old things were passing away and new 
 ones were slowly taking their places. The world 
 was recovering from a day of stagnation such as 
 has been experienced by those who have lived in 
 later years and was all on the qui vive for a new 
 dispensation. 
 
 Churchman of the present day speak of the 
 different dispensations as though they know all 
 that there is to be known. That the Antedeluvian 
 Adamic, Jewish and Christian dispensations were 
 all that have been known to the world. In th:s 
 they are mistaken. There were dispensations that 
 the Christian world knows nothing of that were 
 more pronounced and had a greater effect upon 
 the later lives of the people than any of those of 
 which modern history treats. 
 
 Every cycle has its messiahs. Every era has had 
 its heroes, every age has had its enlightenment, 
 but none have been so great as those which were 
 impending and of which our story tells. 
 
 The messiahs and forerunners of the messiahs 
 have been chosen from among the common people. 
 Those who have any work to do that is of great 
 moment have come from among the common peo- 
 ple. They were the ones who could stand the 
 world's scoffs and sneers. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 17 
 
 But to return to our people whom we have left 
 in the sacred precinct. After having talked the 
 manner of their theocratic organization, they 
 wished to know more of each other. By their 
 powers they might have come into magnetic 
 rapport with each other and had their inmost 
 liyes made clear. But each asked the question of 
 himself, ''Shall I enter the sacred precinct, or shall 
 I respect the ban of secrecy until the spirit shall 
 open the mouth?" and each one decided that until 
 the time came to speak they would not seek to 
 know more than the outward appearance gave 
 them. 
 
 As they sat there in silent meditation, he whom 
 it seemed proper to lead opened his mouth and be- 
 gan to speak. All hung upon his words and none 
 cared to break the silence after he had began to 
 talk. 
 
 He spake as follows: 
 
 "Fellow seekers after all that is just and good, 
 It seems that the great powers of the unknown 
 world have seen fit to send us to this place. For 
 what purpose, neither you or I seem to be fully 
 informed. That it has to do with the powers 
 that those who have come among us have deemed 
 mystic there seems to be no doubt. But why have 
 we come here? To me the door seemed to be 
 opened and by the light of that power which man 
 
18 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 lias called deific, I seemed to see the earth open 
 before me. Out of this element came men and 
 women. They formed themselves upon two sides 
 and faced each other. There was neither love or 
 hate manifested in their appearance or actions. 
 As I looked, there appeared one in the center to 
 whom all bowed. She, for it was the form of a 
 woman, walked the length of their columns be- 
 tween them and as she walked, there seemed to 
 come from her streaks of light. Those whom it 
 touched seemed either to shrink back or to be il- 
 lumined by a wondrous light. It was the Teacher. 
 As she passed there came more clearly into my 
 view that subtle force she had used and I saw 
 that the masses we had seen were the two con- 
 tending forces of the other world. 
 
 "We have all heard that the inhabitants of the 
 world of nrystery are of two classes: One seeks to 
 transform all into light, the other seeks to spread 
 darkness. In this there is little difference between 
 the daemons, or spirits of the dead, and human be- 
 ings. The good seeking to allay, the others seek- 
 ing to prolong suffering. 
 
 "As the teacher passed along she stood before me 
 for a moment and thus she spake: 'Friend of 
 earth, earth's children have long sought the way 
 by which they can come into closer contact with 
 those who have passed the valley of death, and 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 19 
 
 seek to know of their life. I am Arcletha, the 
 Teacher. Ages ago I lived on the earth and was 
 as one of yon. I passed to another sphere and 
 knowing that those who still lived upon the face 
 of mother earth desired to know of the wonders 
 that prevailed and the mysteries that intervened 
 between them and those who lived in another 
 sphere, I have sought by aid of the mystic powers 
 of nature to give that light to earth's people. 
 
 ; ' 'I have called you together to give to you 
 some of that knowledge that you may, after pas- 
 sing through the experiences, return to your homes 
 and give the world the results of that which has 
 been given to you. First, } t ou must know each 
 other. Each must tell his story, tell how this 
 great knowledge came to him and in the realiza- 
 tion of your common experiences and desires, 
 you will find a common purpose and with the as- 
 sistance of yourselves and those whom you want to 
 teach, I will take im> place among you and will 
 fill the niche that you feel is left vacant. I will be 
 the seventh member of your group and -will fill 
 the space where you have thought another must 
 come to make your number complete.' 
 
 ' 'Saying this she passed from my view. And 
 now, good brothers, you have heard the words 
 the Teacher spoke to me, What is your pleasure? 
 Shall we proceed to bind the power that has come 
 
20 A.RDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 to us and invite the Teacher to us, or shall we go 
 as we have gone heretofore and not seek to know 
 more of the mysteries than we have known in the 
 past? I await your words." 
 
 For a few moments there was silence. None felt 
 to break the quiet that had ruled since Ardetha 
 had entered the circle. Although she had not been 
 seen by but one of them, all had felt the power- 
 ful presence and had bowed to it as to a higher 
 power and one that might be held subject to wor- 
 ship. 
 
 Then, from off the grassy bank one arose and 
 spoke as follows: "Friends, I have come among 
 you a stranger. Why I was chosen to fill this 
 important position, I know not. It is enough to 
 know that I am thus favored by the great God of 
 the Universe and to say that as one of you, I will 
 seek to follow in the way of the Master. Speak 
 and I will answer. Call and I will come." 
 
 Another said, "I, too, am called here by the 
 will of a higher power. I will follow as the Mas- 
 ter leads. He, by spirit and power of the Teacher, 
 will be a just guide." 
 
 The third arose slowly. He was a man whom 
 the storms of many winters had dealt with 
 harshly. His form was bent, but from his eyes 
 gleamed a light that was more than earthly, as 
 he said, "Friends, brothers, I come as one crying 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 21 
 
 in the wilderness. I come as one seeking the light. 
 I come as one who has been called. As the 
 Teacher has called the Master, so will I answer 
 his call." Then turning to the master he made 
 a low bow and sat down saying, "I am with thee. 
 But ask and I will follow thee. This is my life." 
 
 The fourth said, "From out the winds of the 
 north I sought the light and I bow to the wishes 
 of the Teacher." 
 
 The fifth arose and said, "We are brothers. I 
 heard the call. I answered. I am here. Com- 
 mand me." 
 
 After all had spoken the Master arose and cros- 
 sing his arms over his breast slowly spoke these 
 words: "Friends, again I say, we know not 
 what has brought us together. We know not 
 what experiences are in store for us. We know 
 not what teachers are to be given us. By some 
 means I have been selected to bear the burden of 
 leader. I do not repine. As soon would I sit at 
 the feet of others as to stand on a pedestal. As 
 soon would I learn the words that others speak 
 as to teach words to others. Words comprise our 
 knowledge sent forth into the world. With words 
 I can not add to my own knowledge. But by 
 listening at the feet of my Teacher can I learn the 
 words and thoughts that will give me greater 
 power than is given to those who talk. But are 
 
22 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 ye all agreed? Do all think that I have been called 
 to act the part as Master?" 
 
 "Truly," spoke one, ''thou hast been chosen 
 from out the world of people to be the Master of 
 this little band. So say I, and is it not so, my 
 brothers?" 
 
 "So say we," said all in chorus. 
 
 "Then shall it be," said the Master, "but let 
 us join in one thought which is: Let none be 
 master such as is known to the slave. Let all be 
 brothers, joined in one purpose; but as all na- 
 tions require a government and each goverment a 
 head, then let me act as an adviser, with the qual- 
 ities of a governor, a power to draw from the 
 teacher and pass to you, but not a ruler absolute 
 arbitrary and supreme. Let us be a democracy, 
 wherein all shall have voice and let none be im- 
 pressed against his will. This will constitute true 
 government. I, as Master, will strive to learn the 
 lesson and I trust all will aid me. 
 
 "And now least we should tire, let us seek to 
 congenial spots, commune with nature, bring your 
 souls into rapport with the highest powers we 
 know that we may attain to that condition 
 whereby we shall dispense to our Teacher the 
 power she must have to join us as an individual 
 in the world of materiality. 
 
 "Tomorrow let us meet as the sun rises. We 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 23 
 
 will greet the orb of day with our songs and while 
 the air is cool, the spirit strong, will we tell each 
 one the story of his life and will strive to open 
 the way to a higher thought of life and power. 
 "As we part for the present I leave with you 
 this thought: All great and good things come 
 from the storehouse of nature. Good and bad 
 are stored in inexhaustible quantities. But open 
 the way and good will come. Seek for evil and 
 it will be supplied. Strive to think and feel only 
 that which will be for good to all. Act just, 
 think just, be just. Farewell then till tomorrow.' 7 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 EXPLANATION AND PREPARATION. 
 
 We have introduced our readers to a part of a 
 great plan. The world today does not understand 
 as did those who lived in ancient times the great 
 powers that were and are stored in nature's store- 
 house. Today's world is materialistic. It can real- 
 ize only hj the power of materiality. The finer 
 perceptions, the wondrous powers that were used 
 by humanity in what is termed the childhood of 
 the world, by means of which they came so closely 
 into communion with the world which later 
 writers have made an unknown quantity. The 
 relics that continue at the present day among the 
 more primitive nations, those which live nearer to 
 nature, are stepping stones that, if properly fol- 
 lowed up, will lead to the rediscovery of those at- 
 tributes that were so commonly used among the 
 ancients. 
 
 Certain people, known to the world as psychics, 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 25 
 
 have unfolded the power known under different 
 names as clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience 
 and various phases of a power or manifestation of 
 a power that has set the world agog. Men and 
 women of scientific attainments have opened their 
 eyes to the wonders as expressed through these in- 
 dividuals and have wondered that so great a boon 
 to humanity had so long lain dormant in the hu- 
 man brain. 
 
 The world moves in cycles. Every era has its 
 peculiar line of work to be carried out and that 
 productive force through which all are brought into 
 being has wisely planned to carry them forward as 
 fast as they can be in accord with the conditions 
 in which they find themselves placed. 
 
 Help from other sources is needed to carry these 
 operations to a successful conclusion, and it is to 
 these intelligences that the sensitized ones of the 
 world look to receive the thoughts that they seek 
 to impart to those who are not so sensitive or 
 gifted in that line as themselves. 
 
 Our party is made up of a group of these beings. 
 They are gathering in different places and are not 
 content with simply getting en rapporte with each 
 other, but in divers ways they are meeting and in- 
 voking the presence of those divine powers that 
 come to humanit3 T when asked in the contrite spirit. 
 
 As the}- seek for light on this side, they also seek 
 for light from the source of light and power. 
 
26 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Do you ask, reader, Whence cometh this light? 
 Ask not of me, but seek to know this light b} r fol- 
 lowing it thyself. Not with the spirit of intoler- 
 ance, but with contrite spirit; with hopes lifted 
 high to heaven ; with the inmost longing of thy 
 soul ; look to the heights and seek thereon the way 
 of wisdom. 
 
 The mystic realm gives out its light in sevens. 
 Seven days in the week; four sevens in the moon's 
 month ; fifty-two sevens in a lunar year ; four series 
 of sevens in the solstices, and so on to the seven 
 stages of human existence. Seven greater planets 
 in the solar system. Seven in the mystic circle 
 which has presented the evidence of every messiah ; 
 even seven in the earthly circle of those who gave 
 the modern knowledge of spirit communion to the 
 world. 
 
 So seven is the number that have come together 
 to seek to gain that light — six in one habiliment, 
 one who is to come in the habiliments of another 
 sphere of existence. Truly there are many John the 
 Baptists who are forerunners. 
 
 Seven, did I say ? Yes, seven. Look at thy own. 
 life. Is not the mystic seven interwoven with thee 
 so closely that it would be impossible to separate 
 it without destroying life and all ? 
 
 So thou art a part of a seven, not mythical, but 
 real, and from it will come that which is sought by 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 27 
 
 the world but not found. That which is needed by 
 the world but not sufficiently sought. 
 
 You have asked Why men and women seek with- 
 out finding and suddenly find? Why from out the 
 past will come drifting back a recollection of other 
 days ? Why into the present will come that which 
 seems to carry the soul down into darkness? All, 
 all is answered in the great storehouse where all 
 may go without money or price, but with the 
 spirit of investigation that all must have to learn 
 the lessons of the world. 
 
 There is a lesson in each tree, and each blade of 
 grass. As the merry birds swing their feathery 
 bodies from limb to limb, they carry a lesson to 
 humanity which all may heed if they will but ob- 
 serve and encompass. 
 
 Our friends have gathered for this purpose. Let 
 us listen to their words, catch the accents of their 
 voices and from the deep humility of the spirit, 
 and depth of soul, we can find a world of knowl- 
 edge and know the secret of life. 
 
 W T hen the Master had spoken all went their way 
 as they had come. As none had been sought to 
 come none sought the company of the others as the 
 proceedings of the day seemed drawn to a close. 
 All bent their heads in silent meditation and slowly 
 passed out of sight among the low trees and bushes 
 that lined the opening toward which all had come 
 as a goal of promise. 
 
28 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Soon all were gone but he whom they had st3 r led 
 Master. Let us make his acquaintance. He was 
 old as go the years of life, yet young as it appeared 
 to all with whom he came in contact. Although 
 the storms of many years had encompassed him, 
 his eye was still bright, his step firm and elastic. 
 Determination was marked on every line of his 
 brow and his high forehead indicated his percep- 
 tion and spirituality. 
 
 As the others passed from his view he lay down 
 upon the earth and seemed lost in thought. What 
 was this wonderful force that had brought them 
 together ? From whence came it ? Was it indeed 
 the influence of those familiar spirits whom the 
 world had always supposed were wandering the 
 passages of the great unseen world, and ever and 
 anon throwing out subtle thoughts that vibrated 
 on the ambient air until they were caught by one 
 whose brain was attuned to catch the mysterious 
 thought that centered in the mind of one whose 
 wisdom was such as to make it desirable that the 
 knowledge of which he was possessed ought to be 
 given to the world ? 
 
 As he mused he gradually sank lower and lower 
 until his head rested on the sod and he slept. But 
 was it sleep ? To all outward appearances he slept. 
 But the slight twitchings of the body showed more 
 than sleep. It showed that something that pos- 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 29 
 
 scssed power outside of the body was working and 
 that his body was being used as a battery for the 
 generation of forces that might be used for the 
 purpose of accomplishing some object. 
 
 The hours passed away and still he rested on the 
 sward. The sun had risen high before the gather- 
 ing had separated, and it had long since passed 
 the meridian, but still he lay in the same position. 
 The shadows lengthened and threw their protecting 
 arms around him, but it mattered not. He did not 
 move. Only now and then a conyulsiye shudder 
 passing through his frame indicated that life re- 
 mained in the body. But he rested. 
 
 And the others ? The same strange influence that 
 had followed so soon upon the Master followed 
 each one as they passed through the shadows ; one 
 after the other they felt the soothing influence of 
 the occasion and seeking a quiet nook, they were 
 soon in the arms of Morpheus, or so far as out- 
 ward appearances went, they were fast asleep. 
 But as was the case with the Master, each one 
 showed by a slight spasmodic motion that some- 
 thing besides the seductive wiles of the God of Rest 
 was working upon them. 
 
 What was the purpose of this, do you ask? 
 Reader, watch the sequel and it will tell the tale 
 of life as it is shown by the subtle forces that per- 
 meate the universe that man has so frequently 
 
30 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 come in contact with, and so little understands. 
 
 Thus the day passed. It was full of light and 
 life. It teemed with activity, but to each of those 
 who were so soon to receive the new dispensation 
 it was as a lost time so far as outward appear- 
 ances could judge. But soon the curtain will rise. 
 Soon the light will break. Then will the meaning 
 be known. 
 
 As the evening shadows deepened they all awoke. 
 Although no two of them were together, there 
 seemed to be that bond of unity between them that 
 showed a connection closer than that of brother- 
 hood in the accepted meaning of the term. It 
 meant that they had been bound in a magnetic 
 brotherhood that would unite them closer than 
 ever before were human beings united — a unity, a 
 spiritual, an eternal brotherhood. 
 
 When they arose from their sleep, they were 
 rested in bod} r but broken in spirit. They felt as 
 though they had been drawn upon by some vast 
 toil that made them lose their vital forces. But as 
 all had experienced the same feeling previously, 
 they did not murmur, but passed on to a little city 
 that lay nestled in the hills and in which they were 
 to find what was necessary to sustain the physical. 
 Later they were to be called to more desirable, 
 from their point of view, surroundings, but at pres- 
 ent, ere the plans had been formulated, it was to 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 31 
 
 be as the public requirements made necessary. To- 
 morrow had much in store, but tomorrow was far 
 from their thoughts as they reviewed the condi- 
 tions of their afternoon's experience. 
 
 At an early hour all had found a resting place, 
 had refreshed the physical man and had passed to 
 the place where they were to spend the night; but 
 strange as it may seem, although the forces that 
 animated them had chosen, they had not even seen 
 each other since passing from the appointed tryst- 
 ing place. Each had his work to do, but no one 
 could do it for or with the other. Thus they en- 
 tered upon the night and awaited the dawn. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 INTRODUCTIONS — HISTORIES — EXPERIENCES. 
 
 The morning dawned bright and clear. As the 
 sun rose, it looked upon the same scene it had wit- 
 nessed the day before. Our friends were gathering 
 to become acquainted with each other, to hear 
 each other's story, and this learned, they would 
 know the power that brought them together and 
 the purpose of that power. 
 
 They gathered quietly as they had on the previ- 
 ous morning. No word was spoken as they slowly 
 passed out of the copse and into the open. No 
 word or gesture told them where to go ; but as 
 true as the arrow from the bow, or the spear in 
 the hands of one whose training had made him an 
 expert, each went to the spot he seemed to be fit- 
 ted to occupy. 
 
 As all gathered and each took his self-selected 
 place, the sun rose over the hill and cast its first 
 ra} T s into the open. The Master arose and with 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 33 
 
 one accord all joined with him in silent invocation. 
 All felt the solemnity of the occasion. All realized 
 that the time had come for them to know the 
 meaning of their visit and each one in his own way 
 reached out in humble supplication to those unseen 
 powers of nature that man has so long observed 
 and deified, and besought guidance in the way of 
 life, hope for the future and forgetfulness of the 
 past— for that is true prayer. Not supplication for 
 things unknown, not wishes for things unattaina- 
 ble, but the appeal for light from that great fount- 
 ain of light, and hope from out the depths of the 
 fount of hope. Then to unmake the past is impos- 
 sible. Therefore to profit by the lessons of the past 
 and to forget that which is not desirable to carry 
 for our benefit, is the true mission of and the true 
 being of prayer. 
 
 When the invocation of silence was ended, the 
 Master opened his lips and prayed: "Oh, Fountain 
 of Light, thou great force which animates the uni- 
 verse, thou fount which tends to build and uplift 
 all that man desires, which giveth to us heat and 
 light in the physical sense and as symbol of all 
 that is good, giveth to us wisdom, we ask not 
 from thee as a personality, not as an individual, 
 but in the symbol of truth, light, heat, and all that 
 goes to make life worth living, to so send thy rays 
 upon us that we may receive the continual bene- 
 
34 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 diction of the Great God of Light, that central 
 power of the universe that holdeth in the palm of 
 of his hand that which we desire. Give us of the 
 magnetic force that was showered upon us yester- 
 day afternoon, sufficient to place us in a condition 
 where we can attract to us those daemons which 
 are but the spirits of dead men who, having had the 
 experiences of earth life and gone into those celes- 
 tial realms can now return with the added knowl- 
 edge and give us lessons of great worth. 
 
 "It was revealed to me that we were to receive 
 that which if properly applied might be of wonder- 
 ful benefit to the world. May we be so inspired 
 and uplifted by the light that comes to us that we 
 will not only receive but apply the lessons and 
 carry them to our fellow men and thereby raise all 
 from the crude to the refined; from the old to the 
 new ; from darkness to light. Spread thy light that 
 others may speak if they so will." 
 
 As the Master ceased his words, all arose and 
 stood before him. None spoke, for the words ut- 
 tered by him had been those which all wished 
 spoken and there was no more to say at that 
 time. All awaited the movement that was to in- 
 troduce them to each other. 
 
 No one seemed willing to break the silence. All 
 stood with bowed heads, each one wishing to hear, 
 yet not desiring to break into the holy spell that 
 seemed hovering over them. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 35 
 
 Again the Master spoke: "Let us all take the 
 positions given to us and let each one in turn 
 speak that all may know, then to our work for 
 which we have been brought together." 
 
 They seated themselves upon the ground in a 
 grassy spot where all had previously been at- 
 tracted. There in accordance with the forces that 
 acted on them, they formed into a circle leaving a 
 space of about three feet between them thus allow- 
 ing all plenty of room and also placing them where 
 they might observe every motion and hear every 
 word. But they were soon to learn that even 
 words would be unnecessary to them in the condi- 
 tion they were placed. 
 
 When they were seated the Master again became 
 filled with the spirit. Suddenly his eyes became 
 fixed, his limbs trembled and silently he arose, 
 glanced at each in turn then spoke as follows: 
 
 "Dear friends of earth, you have been brought to 
 this point from 3-our homes to receive some lessons 
 of life. When given, you will return and that 
 which was given you must in turn be given unto 
 the world. As the sun gives its light in turn to 
 the nations, so will you give in turn your light 
 unto others. As the sun goes on its mission fol- 
 lowing each day in its bidden path, so will you 
 speak in the same turn as it moves. 
 
 "I come to you through the mouth of he whom 
 
36 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 you have rightly called the Master. It is because 
 he was chosen for his goodness ot" purpose. Yet to 
 him will not come the glory, for his is only to 
 give. Those who have passed from the life of mor- 
 tality to that of immortality, seek instruments 
 through whom their thoughts can be impressed. 
 We, as a band of ancient workers, have seen the 
 growth of knowledge on earth through the instru- 
 mentality of this child of earth. His days are num- 
 bered and soon he must sleep with his fathers and 
 and return to those who sent him and who will 
 await his coming to give him greeting in that 
 great world of light — welcome him as he enters 
 the portal of the home not built by hands — immor- 
 tal. 
 
 "To you will be given the knowledge we seek to 
 impress upon the world. Possibly not through 
 these lips, possibly not through the word of mouth, 
 but through the influence that will be brought to 
 you through the communion with each other in his 
 presence. 
 
 "I will introduce myself to you through these 
 lips, then when I come to you in your thoughts, 
 in dreams, in visions or in any way, you will know 
 me and realize my mission. 
 
 "I am Ardetha, known as the Teacher. I lived 
 ages ago, when the world was not of the forma- 
 tion it now bears. Your traditions tell you of a 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 37 
 
 great continent that sunk beneath the sea. That 
 continent, which you have called Atlantis, was my 
 home. I lived as one of its people, yet high in au- 
 thority. My wish was an order. My desires were 
 attended to and so I grew until there came to me 
 a knowledge of something higher than life for an 
 individual end. Then life took upon itself a change 
 and I was filled with a desire to do something for 
 the betterment of my people. I passed among them 
 and learned their customs and conditions. I ab- 
 sorbed their wisdom and bemoaned their weak- 
 nesses and ignorance. Thus was my mind opened. 
 
 "I was not as one of your messiahs, as I did not 
 seek to redeem the world, merely to aid it. I did 
 not seek to make a new religion, only to encourage 
 them in the observance of and inculcate the higher 
 principles of life. 
 
 "So my life passed until the time came for the 
 birth of the spirit. We knew of this and it came 
 to us as a natural event. We did not dread it as 
 people of earth now dread the change. We wel- 
 comed it, for, with our knowledge, we came closely 
 in contact with the loved ones who had gone on 
 before and we only hoped for the day when we, 
 too, might pass to that condition of life where we 
 would be freed from the fetters of earth and be 
 permitted to soar beyond the commonplace and 
 into those higher elements that constitute true life. 
 
38 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "With the advent into the new life my work was 
 changed. Labors of a new order were shown to 
 me and I soon became one of a band of workers 
 who have traveled far and near and have given 
 thoughts to mankind from those realms through 
 peculiarly inspired people whom the world has 
 never understood. 
 
 "He whom I am now using as my mouthpiece 
 was one whom we have used as our instrument to 
 pass the word down the line of life. But as I said 
 in the beginning, his time is short. His days are 
 numbered. On you we desire his mantle to fall. 
 To you we look to give the world our thoughts. 
 
 "And now, beginning on the left and passing 
 with the sun, will each tell the story to your neigh- 
 bor and then will our work commence. For now 
 I say adieu. Fear not! The band that has cared 
 for you through all the vicissitudes of this journey 
 will be with you and your life will be free while 
 here. Tomorrow you will receive instructions and 
 will be informed of our future plans. You will not 
 continue as you are but this one day. When to- 
 morrow's sun rises, met us here and we will furth- 
 er instruct you. When 3 7 our stories are told, go 
 as the spirit moves. Naught but good will come 
 from it." 
 
 The Master's lips ceased. His head, which had 
 been proudly elevated dropped upon his chest. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 39 
 
 He sighed, a convulsive shudder passed over his 
 body, then his eyes opened, he smiled the childlike 
 smile which so rarely failed to captivate his aud- 
 itors, and seating himself on a grassy bank asked 
 if they had recieved any instructions. 
 
 At this the one upon his left arose in his place 
 and began his story: 
 
 "I came from the East. Why I am here is to me 
 a mystery. I did not realize that I was one who 
 was to be included in the line of those who were 
 to be entrusted with that which the words of the 
 Teacher just indicated. 
 
 "For years I have been interested in the line 
 known as occult. I have had my attention called 
 to it many times and have seen much of that pecu- 
 liar line of phenomena that is know to the delvers 
 in orientalism and the mysteries, although I have 
 never considered myself an adept. 
 
 "As I walked along the streets of my native city I 
 heard a voice address me, saying, 'Thy brothers 
 await thee in a southern clime. Arise, my son, 
 gird on thy armor and seek the battle of the right 
 and meet with those who are to be with thee in 
 the great battle of humanity.' " 
 
 As he paused, all rose to their feet saying in 
 chorus, "The very words that were spoken to me!" 
 
 In a moment all were again seated and the story 
 continued. 
 
40 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "I scarcely knew what to do when I heard the 
 words. I had business cares, but they were not 
 such that I was imperatively compelled to remain 
 and attend to in person. I thought long, ardently. 
 I questioned the voice again and again, but no 
 reply was given. I heard no word except such as 
 was given to me in the beginning. No voice spoke 
 to me except the one that first greeted me. 
 
 "My feelings of wonder grew upon me and from 
 them came feelings of curiosity as regards the voice. 
 From whence came it? Whither did it go? Did it 
 rise out of the mysterious somewhere and set into 
 nothingness? Such, and more were my queries un- 
 til I did not know what turn the m3 r stery might 
 lead me. 
 
 "The more I thought, the more I wondered at 
 its source and the more impatent I became. I 
 looked in vain for reply to my queries. No reply 
 was vouched me. All w T as still as the silent night 
 when I asked, yet an inspiring influence held me 
 closeh r and I walked slowly into the valley and 
 gradually became convinced that I could not fail 
 to heed the mandate of the mysterious voice. 
 
 "As soon as I had so decided I felt an intense 
 sense of relief. I rested easier. I slept sounder. 
 The strain of a heavy burden was removed from 
 me and I soon had no trouble in arranging my 
 business matters for an absence, I knew not how 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 41 
 
 extended, neither did I realize its exact destination. 
 
 "As the cold winds of winter passed by, I received 
 intimation that it was time to take my departure. 
 I wandered towards the west, not knowing exactly 
 where I was going, yet everywhere that same 
 mysterious power seemed to guide as with a mas- 
 ter hand, and every change came as naturally as 
 though it had been planned by one skilled in con- 
 ducting tourists on a journey. 
 
 "Thus it passed until I found myself upon a ship 
 bound for yonder seaport city. I landed without 
 any definite idea of what I would do. I sought 
 lodgings and as the peace of slumber fell upon me, 
 I dreamed. Aye, dreamed! But was it a dream? 
 In that dream I saw this place of meeting. I saw 
 my companions, for such I now know you to be, 
 gathered here as we are now seated, and I was 
 told to walk into the forest with no fear. Naught 
 but good should befall me. Neither wild beast or 
 still wilder man should come near me, and as the 
 shades of eve were to fall, I would be led into a 
 place where I would find that which I was seeking. 
 
 "I awoke from my dream covered with a fire of 
 inspiration. Then I had my awakening and I 
 knew that I was to meet with those kindred 
 spirits whom I had so longed for and I would in 
 some way be made a part of their work.' 
 
 "I traveled all dav through the verdure of the 
 
4-2 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 tropics and felt inspired with the idea that soon I 
 would reach my goal, and true to my ideal, as the 
 sun sank into the western sky, I found myself in 
 the little city that lies over the hill and rested for 
 the night. 
 
 "Scarce had I reached my couch when the spirit 
 again took possession of my organism. I dreamed, 
 or seemed to dream, that I was again with each 
 of you. I saw you one after another and was 
 shown your peculiarities of nature. I walked hand 
 in hand with you through the transcendental part 
 of humanity and then was told by the same voice 
 that had before spoken: 'Friend,' it said, 'thou 
 hast been true to the powers that worked thy 
 good. Today have we been with thy matters of 
 earth and they are well. No harm will befall thee 
 or them. From this place canst thou commune 
 with those left in the busy world but when the call 
 comes I will bespeak for us thy entire attention. 
 When we do this, we also give thee our promise 
 that as thou servest us, so will we requite thee.' 
 
 11 1 seemed asleep, yet was awake. I saw, I heard, 
 I replied. I asked, ' Whom do I hearken to ? What 
 seekest thou ? Why am I thus taken to a distant 
 land and led in these unseeming paths ? Answer.' 
 
 "The voice replied, 'Fear not, my son, as I spake 
 to thee in thy earthly home, so do I speak to thee 
 here. Knowest thou not that there is a destiny 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 43 
 
 which shapes the ends of all mankind ? That out 
 of the wondrous somewhere is a force that speaks 
 to man in the deep silence and man hears and 
 answers ? This is thy fate. It is thy life. To do for 
 the world what thou hast so often wished. We 
 asked your life. We. give you ours. Even as thou 
 hast cared for others, so thou shalt continue. 
 Those who have aided thee shall give more aid, 
 for now the door will be opened still wider and by 
 a closer union will the man and spirit be united.' 
 
 "'I am known as the Healer. Because I have 
 come to heal the ills of humanity, such title has 
 been given me. As my representative on earth, thy 
 name shall also be known as the Healer and to 
 the companions whom thou shalt meet tomorrow, 
 by that name shalt thou be known, and by none 
 other.' 
 
 " ' Then am I to meet my companions tomorrow?' 
 was my response. 
 
 "'Tomorrow,' was the reply. 
 
 "'By what shall I know them?' 
 
 '"By that subtle something that comes to all. 
 The still, small voice that tells us when right or 
 wrong ; that voice that speaks out of the voiceless 
 silence ; that voice which speaks in the tones of 
 love, hope, harmony, friendship, truth; that voice 
 which has attracted to you those affinities which 
 have made thy home and life a band of harmony. 
 
44 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 That voice will speak and tell the lesson. Thou 
 hast been led so far with freedom of action but 
 steadfastness of purpose. It is only thus that life 
 can be made of value. Freedom to do and dare. 
 Steadfastness to pursue to the end that which is 
 the object of thy life. Thou hast had an object. 
 Few, too few, are thy companions. Thy life should 
 be a model to others. Had they objects in life, did 
 they but seek to know the plans nature's God has 
 ordained for them, and with steadfastness of pur- 
 pose seek to carry out these plans, then their lives 
 would be better, their hopes more sure of fulfilment. 
 
 "' Humanity is trifling with nature. Not content 
 with allowing nature to seek her mature methods, 
 humanity seeks to circumvent nature, to overcome 
 obstacles that are not to be overcome and to de- 
 velop into private sources many of those powers 
 she has evolved for humanity as a whole. This 
 should not be. It would not be if all could be 
 made to understand the force of the potent powers 
 that animate it. Then all would learn the lesson 
 and profit by it. 
 
 " ' As a healer of nations, you will teach much in 
 that direction. Thy mission here is to learn the 
 lesson that will be taught, secure an unfoldment of 
 being and go forth into the field of labor. The 
 harvest is waiting, but few are the harvesters. 
 
 " 'Arise at daybreak. Go forth at sunrise to a 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 45 
 
 point over the crest of the hill. There will the in- 
 fluence take thee and lead thee to the testing place.' 
 
 "I followed the instructions of the voice and the 
 Healer, or some power led me to this spot where 
 within a few moments of my arrival, you, my 
 companions, joined me. Further than this I know 
 not." 
 
 As he ceased his words and resumed his seat 
 there came over his countenance the same change 
 that had appeared on the face of the Master. It 
 turned first pale, then with a convulsive shudder 
 his hands grasped the air, aimlessly, the same 
 power that had seemed to take possession of the 
 Master appeared to have him in its possession. 
 Only for a moment did the tremor remain, 
 then with a face radiant with light, the lips moved 
 and a voice, unlike any that had before been heard 
 said: 
 
 "Friends, I greet you." 
 
 "Greetings," replied all. 
 
 "I speak to you through the organism of one 
 whom you will know as the Healer. His story is 
 one that you all know as he has told you what 
 is to be his part in the labor you have before you. 
 My name is unnecessary. In this life names are of 
 little value. In your life, where all is governed by 
 outward appearance, names are necessary. They 
 are requisites. In our life we care less for names 
 
46 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 and clothes than we do for deeds and words. 
 The laws of health are being taught today in a 
 way that they never were before, yet it is not 
 particularly as a healer of bodies that we will 
 work. It is as a healer of nations. If bodily ail- 
 ments were all, it would be a simple thing. It is 
 the diseases of the body politic that you must 
 heal, for without a healthy system of economics, 
 it would be impossible to have healtlry men and 
 women, healthy conditions of finance, and as both 
 of these are essentially prerequisites, happiness is 
 to a certain extent made or unmade by it. Lives 
 marred or polished. Hopes formed or blasted. 
 All, all depends upon the action of the nations and 
 they depend upon the actions of individuals taken 
 in a collective sense. 
 
 "Before the days of your pilgrimage are over, I 
 will have more to say to you through this organ- 
 ism and I hope to be one to add my mite to the 
 lesson of the world." 
 
 As the Healer stopped speaking, the pallor of the 
 earthly representative increased, his head dropped 
 to the side, his body collapsed and he rested for a 
 moment on the sward. Some would have gone to 
 him, but the Master quieted them with a gesture 
 and in a moment, with e}-es growing brighter and 
 heart pulsating with a blood fired with animation, 
 the Healer took his allotted place strong in deter- 
 mination. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 47 
 
 When all was again quiet, the Master spoke 
 words of appreciation and again the spirit moTed 
 he who came next in turn. As in the cases before 
 mentioned, there was a slight shudder, the eyes 
 closed, after rolling backward, and the person soon 
 slept easily while a power animated him. He spoke 
 after the style of the former, gave his history, 
 opened the way to a new line of work and thus 
 they went from one to the other until all had 
 spoken. 
 
 It is not necessary for us to repeat the experi- 
 ences of all. It is sufficient to say that the expe- 
 rience of one had been the experiences of the others. 
 They had been called from their vocations to an- 
 swer the summons. Not one who could not come 
 in answer to the call, as the wise spirits who were 
 operating knew that those who were not so fitted 
 as to be able to give their time to the labor, were 
 not the proper ones to be called. While the laborer 
 is worthy of his hire, not many of those who do 
 pioneer work are so situated that they can do the 
 work without detriment to their own best inter- 
 ests and when they do, some one must suffer for 
 the work they are doing for others. This is not 
 just and right. Reasoning spirits will not ask nor 
 permit those with whom they come in contact to 
 sacrifice all in their efforts to do a work that 
 should be done. 
 
48 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Certain classes of people deny this, but we know 
 by experience that spirit bands who control media 
 beyond their powers, or who will not permit them 
 to do that which is necessary for themselves and 
 families are of a selfish variety and not the kind 
 that should be entrusted with the work of devel- 
 oping and handling media. 
 
 When the work of the morning was completed 
 by the histories of the participants being given, all 
 were hungered and would have eaten. This was 
 not to be just then. A work was still to be done. 
 Instructions were given to close their circle and 
 joining hands to facilitate the flow of magnetic 
 power, they were soon in the midst of a lesson by 
 the leaders. 
 
 As was naturally to be expected, the Master was 
 the one who was selected by the controlling intel- 
 ligence and through him Ardetha the Teacher spoke 
 to those who were with her. 
 
 After having secured control of the mentality, she 
 said: "Friends, we are now through with the 
 preliminary work of the day. It becomes my duty 
 to lead you in the path that will give us the best 
 conditions for our work. You have heard each 
 other's version of the call and its results. You 
 have responded right nobly to all and now, ere we 
 pass to other labors, it becomes necessary to ask, 
 1 Will all of you agree to carry on the work ? Are 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 49 
 
 you prepared to remain here under the tuition of 
 those who have brought you hither until such a 
 time as the work has been accomplished ? If not, 
 now is the time to withdraw ere the forces have 
 fully organized. If yes, then we will proceed at 
 once to our work. Let each in turn reply." ' 
 
 Scarcely had the speaker ceased ere all gave re- 
 sponse to the question and all agreed fully to 
 accept the conditions and carry out the require- 
 ments of the higher powers. 
 
 "Then," said the Teacher, "we will proceed at 
 once to our work. First, we wish to dissolve all 
 bands that connect you with the world so far as 
 possible. To aid this, we will go into the forest 
 and there among the wilds, will we find that peace 
 and quiet we need so much at present. We will 
 require you to build each a shelter, for outside of 
 the time devoted to our work we do not wish }^ou 
 to mingle together in one spot. The union of mag- 
 netism at all times is deterimental not only to the 
 physical, but to the spiritual as well, and those 
 who absent themselves occasionally from those 
 with whom they are associated regularly will find 
 it a benefit to them in every way. 
 
 "Farther in the forest you will find a suitable 
 place. It is on the bank of the stream which 
 flows yonder. Its waters are pure and limpid and 
 in its depths can be found the brightest of fish. 
 
50 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 You will watch their gambols, but will not need 
 to deprive them of liberty or life, as you will not 
 eat flesh food. You will find the forest plentifully 
 supplied with the food nature's God has given to 
 mankind and from it you will supply your hunger. 
 It is not necessary for man to deprive animals of 
 their lives for food. That was a necessity in days 
 gone by, when man was of a lower origin and 
 nature. But now, with the higher development of 
 his being, he is gradually unfolding newer powers 
 and among them is one that will make him a fruit 
 loving and living animal. Have you not heard it 
 stated many times within the past few years, both 
 in and out of the ranks of occultism that man was 
 absorbing much more fruit, that fruit could 
 scarcely be produced in sufficient quantity to 
 satisfy the demand? Yet more and more will be 
 called for, for as each one requires less meat and 
 more fruit, the vast ranges where people have 
 spent their lives in raising cattle to kill and eat, 
 will be changed to vast orchards, where, instead 
 of the suffering of the bereaved mother cow for her 
 offspring, will be the sweet scented blossom and 
 beautifully tinted foliage through which the rapidly 
 mellowing fruits will press its way outward and 
 show its red and yellow cheeks to those who wait 
 its development. No sorrow there, the fruitage of 
 the vine, the tree and the shrub will reach its full 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 51 
 
 fruition and then, like the leaf that has done its 
 duty by the tree, it will be laid where it will 
 accomplish the work for which nature and nature's 
 God intended it should be used. 
 
 "But do not think we mean to condemn those 
 who have used flesh food in the past. Do you not 
 have a saying that man 'should not condemn the 
 bridge that carries him over the stream?' Then do 
 not condemn the flesh eating that has carried you 
 over the stream of life until you were able to live 
 without it. Flesh eaters will remain for many 
 years. It is not to be expected that vegetables 
 and fruits can take its place at once, but with the 
 advent of newer forms, the old will gradually pass 
 away, life will change until there will no longer 
 exist that craving for the flesh of animals and 
 men would as soon eat of the insect or serpent as 
 of the animal or fish. As soon think of eating his 
 own kind as of eating the quadruped. 
 
 "You will now seek your spot and if you can 
 not prepare suitable shelter before nightfall, return 
 to your places for the night. Tomorrow we will 
 have our lessons and will arrange our future work. 
 Then farewell till tomorrow." 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 PLANS FOR THE WORK. 
 
 When the Teacher had released the Master from 
 the influence, they discussed the proceedings of the 
 morning. Although they had met only the day 
 before, all seemed to be acquainted with the 
 personality of the other. All acted and felt as 
 though they had been friends of years instead of 
 only the chance acquaintances of a day. And 
 should this not be so? Why should humanity be 
 strangers one to the other? All are children of the 
 one power; all are born under similar conditions; 
 all partake of the same food, and all pass through 
 similar experiences of life. The,conditions of person- 
 ality are not to be considered a part of nature's 
 plans. Those conditions are only the artificial 
 barriers that man has raised up to prevent others 
 from receiving the lines of thought and experiences 
 of life that are vouchsafed to him. Arbitrary powers 
 and special privileges are not a part of nature or 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 53 
 
 her plans. She has given to all humanity the same 
 power, but they have been developed to a greater 
 or less degree and man has, by his arbitrary man- 
 ner, rulings and customs made many changes that 
 ought not to have been made. 
 
 Why should men and women pass each other 
 daily for months at a time and fail to pass the 
 friendly greeting that both so much desire? Only 
 because the tyrant of fashion has placed a ban 
 upon them. They know as much of each other 
 when they pass and repass each other daily, aye, 
 much more, than those who meet by combination 
 
 of circumstances and the formality of Mr. , 
 
 Mrs. , is gone through with. But the one is 
 
 proper according to society, the other not. One 
 carries with it a respectable acquaintance, the other 
 carries with it a clandestine one, and the young 
 lad}' or gentleman, no matter how pure the motive, 
 may not speak to a chance conpanion until he has 
 fulfilled the custom of "mother Grundy," without 
 censure to both persons. 
 
 As our friends had been drawn together by a 
 common purpose, they were not hampered with 
 these customs of society and chatted with that 
 freedom and ease that marks old acquaintances 
 and fraternal meetings. 
 
 Finally the Master interrupted the pleasant 
 conversation with the remark, "My companions, 
 
54 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 the day is rapidly passing away. The Teacher 
 requested us to pass into the forest and seek our 
 home. This, I feel impelled to say, is our duty as we 
 have given ourselves to this work and I therefore 
 feel that we should pass this pleasant conversation 
 until a more appropriate time and seek the forest. 
 Possibly before we start, a plan would be necessary 
 and we can not find a more congenial place to 
 discuss our plans than the one we now occupy. 
 What say }^ou?" 
 
 " Agreed," said all in chorus. "What have you 
 to present?" 
 
 "Nothing," was the reply, "I stand ready to be 
 moved by the desire of all. One of the first lessons 
 we should learn is that all have equal rights. 
 Humanity has suffered too much by the idea of 
 authority. United we must accomplish this work. 
 It was understood that I did not possess any 
 authority that was not possessed by all of you, 
 that I was merely a leader and an advisor. When 
 a question is to be decided in our labors, it must 
 be decided by a common discussion in which all 
 have equal rights. The lesson we must first learn 
 is the lesson of self-abnegation. That all must 
 unite in the unity of the body realizing that what 
 is best for one is best for all. That what will 
 conduce to the benefit of a community will be con- 
 ducive to the best interests of each individual con- 
 nected with it. Speak your thoughts." 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 55 
 
 "Let us pass into the forest on the right," 
 said one after a short pause, during which all 
 seemed lost in thought, "then we will be led by 
 the powers that guide us and will reach the 
 proper place with the least possible delay." 
 
 This proving agreeable they turned to the right 
 and found a slight opening that promised pleas- 
 ant ingress and passing quietly along they moved 
 into the forest and passed from view. 
 
 Scarcely had the branches of the trees closed 
 over them than the master turned sharply and 
 following an almost unmarked path, he had nearly 
 passed out of sight of his friends before they 
 realized his movements. Hurrying along they 
 soon reached him and passing quietly they moved 
 through the luxuriance of a tropical forest. 
 
 Thus they traveled in silence for about half an 
 hour. Then they came to an opening similar in 
 form and appearance to the one they had left. 
 They passed through it, and entered the forest on 
 the other side where a density of shade indicating 
 something of a more imposing nature than the 
 simple forest seemed to present itself. Under the 
 trees the Master paused and, turning to his com- 
 panions, said, "Friends, see how the wisdom of 
 our suggestor is manifested. Here is food for all 
 for a long time. My advice is that we satisfy the 
 cravings of hunger and then see if we cannot find 
 a suitable spot for our encampment near here." 
 
56 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 They gathered the fruit and seated themselves 
 under a tree, eating as they beguiled the time with 
 conversation, song and merry jest, for all seemed 
 filled with the spirit of life and did not see the 
 necessity for being continually devoted to the som- 
 bre. So they rested from their walk and refreshed 
 themselves with the fruit that nature supplied so 
 lavishly. 
 
 When all declared themselves sufficed, they again 
 started on their journey. Shall we say started? 
 They scarcely did that. They merely prepared to 
 start when they caught the sound of running 
 water. " Strange," said one, "that we have not 
 noticed that before. Let us seek it as on its banks 
 we may find a suitable place for our encampment. 
 Fruit we have in abundance. If water is also here 
 it will be an ideal spot for our purposes as the 
 open is not to be improved upon for our morning 
 bath of sunlight." 
 
 All having agreed to this, they passed rapidly in 
 the direction of the sound arid soon came upon a 
 clear, limpid stream, flowing over a series of water- 
 falls and fed by springs that came from the mossy 
 bank upon which they stood as they caught the 
 first glimpse of a beautiful river. 
 
 "An ideal spot," was the unanimous cry. "Let 
 us build our homes." 
 
 As this seemed to be the mind of all, they imme- 
 
57 
 
 diately prepared to establish themselves on and 
 near the bank of the stream, each one selecting a 
 spot that seemed to him more suitable for his 
 immediate surroundings than any other. As all 
 agreed, no two desired the same spot, and as all 
 united their labors, their homes were soon arranged. 
 As they had left their belongings at the stopping 
 places they had engaged in the village, they decided 
 to pass the night in their respective places and 
 meet at sunrise at the new goal. 
 
 Scarcely had the sun's rays reached the open 
 than they all arrived. Strange as it may seem, 
 neither had seen the other since they parted on the 
 previous evening and they had reached the goal 
 from several different directions, yet each one was 
 led infallibly to the appointed spot. Each had also 
 found something that would be of advantage to 
 them in their camp life and all were in exuberant 
 spirits as they gathered for their morning service. 
 Forming themselves into their circle as they had 
 on previous occasions they were deep in the myste- 
 rious work — or mysterious to some. They passed 
 a few minutes in silent meditation, invariably in- 
 voking the higher powers of the universe to meet 
 with them and inspire them with the wisdom and 
 power that was necessary to bring deep thoughts 
 to them. In this way they were engaged when 
 they perceived the influence acting upon the Master 
 and in a moment he spoke: 
 
58 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "Friends of earth, we are now prepared to ex- 
 plain to you our labors and to seek your aid. It 
 is necessary to have a class of workers upon the 
 earth through whom we can hold the forces we 
 require. Every occult class of work requires this. 
 Messiahs are only the climax of this line, then 
 comes the new era. 
 
 "Two thousand }'ears is a cycle of time, but 
 this cycle is divided into trinities by the plan of ages. 
 Three times in an age of the world does the power 
 of the spirit world make itself manifest and holds 
 itself strongly before the people, and three times 
 does it die out and the world seemingly passes 
 through a period of darkness, similar to that period 
 in 3' our history that you denominate the "Dark 
 Ages." In the time which history records for you, 
 will be found The Buddha, The Christ, Mohammed, 
 Luther, all parts of the great system and as you 
 will note, each about the third of an era of two 
 thousand yesivs apart. 
 
 "This demonstrates the position that we take 
 in the matter. Today an epoch in the present era 
 is being operated and soon there will come to us or 
 rather to you, a series of workers who will be 
 known to the world as those whose names we have 
 used have become known to you. While one person 
 is usually singled out as the individual who has 
 occasioned all this, it can not be truthfully said 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 59 
 
 that the individual is the prime cause of it. He 
 is only an incident in the great plan of forces that 
 are above him. In the beginning of the Christian 
 era, appeared John the Baptist, who had received 
 the knowledge, and unto him was given the power 
 of discerning the forthcoming messiah. He knew 
 that he was only the forerunner and not the climax 
 of the operative labor. 
 
 "We are now approaching one of these climaces 
 in which the world will be given new light. As 
 the Essenes of the past were a class into whose 
 hands the power was given, so are the Spiritual- 
 ists of today given the power and knowledge to 
 receive and to interpret the will of those powers 
 which are working for enlightenment. 
 
 "As the Essenes were condemned, accused and 
 received the opprobrium of the nations, so are the 
 Spiritualists of today receiving the curses of those 
 in power, especially of those in ecclesiastical power. 
 It is for this reason that we have called you to- 
 gether. Here, in the fastnesses of the tropics, with 
 all that is necessary for our unfoldment, we wish 
 to give you a development, an unfoldment, that 
 will cause you to know the facts and to receive 
 us as we will come to } t ou to transmit what we 
 deem necessary. As the 'Wise Men' followed the 
 path to the manger-cradle of Bethlehem, so will an 
 unfolded band meet the one who is to come. 
 
60 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "Our friend through whom we come is not the 
 greatest, but he is the last of a line whom we had 
 developed years ago, and today he is teaching you 
 what he received in a similar way years ago, when 
 he was in his prime. His labor is nearly done and 
 possibly ere you leave this spot, he may join us. 
 You will take his place and when you, too, shall 
 have passed through the experiences of life, we 
 will give to the last of you an experience similar 
 to the one we are now giving to this one. 
 
 "We will now talk of the lessons that you will 
 receive. 
 
 "It is necessary that we should give you the in- 
 formation that we deem right for the best interests 
 of humanity. That will be embodied in a series of 
 lessons given in this way, but not all through the 
 instrumentality of this mouthpiece. We may come 
 direct, and you need expect it at any time, so do 
 not be agitated if you have a visitor who comes 
 not at your bidding or seeks not to deal with you 
 in mortal ways. 
 
 "Your topics will be many. What will you that 
 we give you for your first lesson?" 
 
 The Master stopped. From his eyes gleamed a 
 wondrous light as though he had been in com- 
 munion with the gods. As though nature had 
 opened her widest portals and had bid him gather 
 at the granary and drink at the fountains. His 
 
61 
 
 face shone with a mighty power and he seemed 
 transformed. 
 
 "What will you for your first lesson?" again he 
 repeated. 
 
 "Most mighty power," said one "it little be- 
 hooves us to seek even by choice to ask or de- 
 mand of thee what thou wilt give us. We seek to 
 learn. 
 
 "Thou seekest to learn? then ask that ye may 
 receive; knock that the fountain of nature may be 
 opened unto thee. Thou seekest to learn? Of what 
 wist ye that ye need most? Answer I pray." 
 
 "The lesson of life is that which I most need. 
 What is life? what its object? from whence came it? 
 whither goeth it? why am I? truly do the queries 
 come faster than my brain can act. Most noble 
 Teacher, it is in humiliation I come before thee. I 
 I seek thy presence and crave that I may receive 
 but the crumbs." 
 
 "Let not your lips again essay to speak words 
 of that kind. Nay, I do not chide, I but advise. 
 Receive the crumbs! no! no! Be manly! stand upon 
 the power of thy manhood. Be not too forward; 
 but be not craven. Ask and receive. Place thy- 
 self upon the pedestal of self-dependence, but do 
 not place thyself upon the pedestal of self-exaltation. 
 There is the error. Place thyself in the position 
 of one who can and will attempt to do all that 
 
62 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 his nature will permit. But place not thyself on 
 the pedestal of selfishness lest thou fallest to the 
 earth of thy own craven weight. Reach upward 
 and on but with charity and forbearance. Now 
 till tomorrow and the lesson of life then." 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 A LESSON ON LIFE. 
 
 "When you ask me of life, you ask one of the 
 greatest questions that could be formulated. That 
 subtle something which animates every particle of 
 matter in the vast universe; that causes the stars 
 to shine, the suns to give off their heat, the myri- 
 ads of nebulas to shine with phosphorescent glow; 
 all are animated by a form of life. 
 
 "The planets whirl in majestic splendor by the 
 same force, while every animate and inanimate 
 thing on the face of the vast bodies which float so 
 lightly in their airy expanse, all, all are animated 
 by that subtle thing that we call life. 
 
 "Life is a combination of two degrees. Life in 
 an individual and a collective sense. Collective life 
 is as before stated : It comprising all that is ; but 
 branching from it is that which you more particu- 
 larly refer to — individual life. 
 
 "Individual life is a partnership entered into be- 
 
64 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 tween a certain number of particles of matter that 
 agree to fulfil certain requirements, and for a longer 
 or a shorter time to sustain certain relations to- 
 ward each other. 
 
 "To produce this condition, there must be a 
 union of the positive and negative forces, the male 
 and female elements, and that condition prevails 
 no matter what the individual life consists in — 
 whether animal, vegetable or mineral — for mineral 
 contains and consists of life as much as does ani- 
 mal or vegetable. 
 
 "Then the first essential for life is an exciting 
 force. Where it came from we will not attempt to 
 answer. None of those with whom we come in 
 contact know its inception; they only know its re- 
 sults after years, yes, ages, of development from 
 the crude to the finer and as it always travels in 
 an upward direction, always tends towards some- 
 thing higher, it slowly produces all the elements 
 that are so vaguely hinted at in the work of those 
 who are seeking to investigate the subtle forces of 
 nature. 
 
 "It is sufficient to say that all matter is increas- 
 ing as are the animals and vegetables. Not by 
 that do we mean that it is increasing in number 
 but is increasing in quantity. Physical science has 
 told us that there is no adding to or taking from, 
 as to add or extract one atom would break the 
 delicate balance of the universe. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 65 
 
 "This is not correct. The balance of the universe 
 is being continually broken, and it is for this rea- 
 son that the phenomena we observe in connection 
 with the meteorological conditions of the world are 
 so uncertain. That by no method that has yet 
 been evolved by physical scientists have we been 
 enabled to weigh, measure, and to a certainty learn 
 the exact positions of the planets and whether the 
 plane of the ecliptic is exact and uniform, or if it is 
 not changed by the continual movements of the 
 particles of the universe. 
 
 "The last is true, but it does not properly belong 
 with this lesson. 
 
 "The life of an individual does not commence when 
 the physical conditions necessary to produce an en- 
 tirely new physical body are brought about. On 
 the contrary, vast forces have been and are now 
 at work to produce it. The mere act that results 
 is not the prime mover, but back of all this is a 
 series of causes that have operated through the 
 subtle forces of nature for possibly ages and the 
 particles have held their comparative relationships 
 possibly many times. 
 
 "What happens when a soul is to be born? 
 Plrysical conditions are brought about not by any 
 arbitrary power, not by a premeditated act of the 
 soul that is to be habilitated, but by those powers 
 of which we know so little and should know so 
 
66 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 much, there is set in motion a counterpart of your 
 physical dynamo, which we might denominate the 
 celestial dynamo, and particles that have an affin- 
 ity for each other are thereby attracted and agree 
 to form a co-operative commonwealth for the time 
 being. 
 
 "These particles consist of negative and positive 
 atoms, male an female elements, and they come 
 together in unison and are held together by the 
 affinity that is shown throughout nature, even in 
 the most plastic as well as in the hardest sub- 
 stances, in animate as in inanimate life. 
 
 "The particles being established, it becomes an 
 easy thing to maintain them and as every plastic 
 substance takes the form of the matrix in which it 
 is cast, so whatever this form that it is attracted 
 to, it conveniences itself to it and assumes and 
 holds it so long as the desire is there. 
 
 "Mineral substances are those of the lowest order 
 of life. The magnetic attraction that holds them 
 together is of such a nature that it is bound by 
 almost indestructible bands. It is held by the 
 strongest attraction. It maintains a relationship 
 that is held for ages, because in that condition, 
 with no special development and little of the spir- 
 itual element, it is long before it can realize its 
 individuality and evolve to a point where it can 
 maintain itself on the soul plane of nature. 
 
ARDETKA, THE TEACHER. 67 
 
 "The cohesive forces of nature are not different, 
 except in degree, whether the co-partnership of life 
 pertains to animal, vegetable or mineral; only in the 
 power of the cohesive force. In the mineral it 
 holds tenacously while in other substances it holds 
 with less tenacity or b\ r a combination it is broken 
 into fragments and these do not apply in the same 
 sense. 
 
 "Let us take some plastic substance, like putty. 
 This is a combination of two forms of life. The 
 attractive forces of one are overcome by the repul- 
 sive forces of the other. Whiting has no partic- 
 ular attraction in its particles while the oil has a 
 peculiar attraction of its own, similar to all 
 liquids, but of so volatile a nature that these 
 particles of life are ready to give up their individ- 
 uality and assimilate themselves with anything 
 else that may cohere or have a similar force. 
 Without this it would be impossible for any chemi- 
 cal laboratory to successfully experiment. Then 
 the identity of a certain system of cells can be des- 
 troyed or disintegrated by the application of other 
 forces. 
 
 "As the elements of life in the oil come in con- 
 tact with the elements of death in the whiting, 
 the force of certain life particles is destroyed and 
 the result is a substance that contains some of 
 the elements of cruder life form, but the finer are 
 
68 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 expelled and the resultant is dead, or practically 
 dead matter, which can not be again rehabilitated 
 except by reducing to its elements and the addition 
 of new life to it. Even then, unless its form is 
 changed exceedingly, the infusion of new life will 
 only vivify it for a short time when it is again in 
 its deadened condition. 
 
 "But such combinations are not made by the 
 voluntary action of the particles themselves. When 
 the particles, by natural selection draw themselves 
 together, then the resultant partnership is real life 
 and not combination life and it is much more 
 potent. 
 
 "Mineral life disintegrates and feeds the lowest 
 forms of vegetable life. On the face of the granite 
 rock is the coarse litchen. Not truely a moss — 
 merely a litchen of the coarsest quality. It can 
 only be that when it absorbs its nutriment and 
 gathers its particles on so crude a base. But in 
 time this litchen will give life. On its face will ap- 
 pear a higher order of life that will in turn pro- 
 duce a germ of a still higher order and in that 
 way the truth of the theory of evolution is demon- 
 strated. 
 
 "You will ask if man has evolved in a direct line 
 from the family of quadrumanna, and I will 
 answer yes and no. While this is an anamoly, 
 it is true. Man has evolved from this branch of 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 69 
 
 the lower animals, yet the long looked for "miss- 
 ing link" will never be found. The reason for this 
 is that there is no direct line from one to. the 
 other. It is not that man comes as a direct pro- 
 duction of one of the quadrumanna, but that the 
 particles that were so related for ages had finally 
 evolved a power and degree of refinement that 
 they were enabled to encompass a brain with the 
 limited power of the primitive man. 
 
 "Thus, as the quadrumanna were developed from 
 the race of quadrupeds, as the dexterity of the 
 quadrumanna became so complete, the form of the 
 pelvic bones gradually changed until the true 
 biped was produced. 
 
 "That this is a true statement can be proven by 
 the most obtuse among the world's people if they 
 will but examine the formation of the different 
 classes of the monkey and ape tribe, then begin 
 at the lowest form of man and from there go to 
 the highest, and while you will find what is called 
 "stooped" you will not find that the lower order 
 of man has the same formation of pelvic anatomy 
 as the higher. While this is not so marked as to 
 attract attention of the cursory examiner, it is so 
 marked that one who will examine it after having 
 his attention called to it cannot fail to realize it. 
 
 "Thus we have taken up the varying forms of 
 life until we reach that which you refer to in 
 
70 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 your question. That form of life which we con- 
 sider the highest evolution of the present day and 
 which is found in the Caucasian race. 
 
 "In olden days, the Caucasian was not known. 
 He was a later evolution. In the days in which I 
 trod the earth, the Aryan races were in the ascend- 
 ant and they ruled by their superior brain power 
 as now they are being ruled by the superior brain 
 power of the race which has supplanted them. 
 
 "As man evolved, he unfolded a consciousness 
 outside of the mere animal. Immortality is 
 and always has been hoped for. Hope has car- 
 ried the man of the cave into a future and his 
 mysterious musings have drawn him into a line 
 that has evolved the god idea of the past. The 
 greatest of these is the worship of the sun as it is 
 now called. But as is stated elsewhere, they did 
 not worship the sun for itself, they merely 
 worshiped in symbolic form, the great procreative 
 forces of the universe in which they found them- 
 selves placed. 
 
 "Man is on earth as a part of that great plan 
 that nature has so thoroughly laid out for the 
 production, development and ultimately, destruc- 
 tion of all things. His life is but one part of 
 nature's plan and it will continue to be thus 
 carried out until something is developed that will 
 be much grander than anything we now dare to 
 dream. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 71 
 
 "Do I think that man will be destroyed? We have 
 examined carefully as possible into this question 
 and we are not prepared to make a definite answer. 
 It seems hardly possible that all this should have 
 been evolved and from it nothing should come but 
 ultimate annihilation, yet it is the order of things. 
 We have not 3 r et seen the definite conclusion of a 
 single soul; but we are not prepared to say that 
 none have thus terminated. 
 
 "Even from our position, which is not of the 
 lowest, there are continual disappearances in our 
 realm. Where do they go? Did you ever hear of 
 Swedenburg? He stated that in his exalted mo- 
 ments he was taken from his body and carried 
 into the depths of space and that while there he 
 witnessed the death of souls; that is he witnessed 
 them going into one of the great heavens or hells 
 with which he understood these nether worlds 
 were occupied. 
 
 "We have not witnessed one of these in a literal 
 sense but we know that there are places of rest 
 for some, punishment for others and in the end 
 they receive their reward and are ready for what- 
 ever is cousidered b} r their superior powers to be 
 the ultimate of their life. 
 
 "But while here in your existence, you must carry 
 out the plans of life. They are manifold. They 
 must make of humanity a part of the great plan. 
 
72 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Your life is laid out for you like any plan that is 
 to be carried out by an architect. Drawings made 
 by the architect are handed to the workman and 
 he is to carry them out in their entirely. Impressed 
 upon the sensorum of the newly born individual is 
 a plan of life. Pressed by something that he does 
 not fully realize, pushed b} T the powers that are 
 back of him, nature's laws, he is ever forced to 
 take up the plan of life that makes a road before 
 him and he follows the beaten path as freely as he 
 follows in the path of the planet upon which he 
 happens to be placed when the incident of life 
 opens to him. 
 
 "His mission in life is to develop himself and the 
 particles of which he is composed. The soul or 
 finer part of him is evolved as he develops; and in 
 accordance with the ideas that he advocates, the 
 life that he lives and the actions of his mortal, 
 which are impressed upon his immortal, there is 
 a decided development for the soul forces that 
 animate him, 
 
 "I love to tell this story of life. It places man- 
 kind in such a high position, while it takes away 
 that great incentive to become bigoted, con- 
 ceited, extravagant in their actions, assumptive. 
 That is the curse of life. When people take upon 
 themselves that which makes them appear to be 
 more than they are, they receive a crude develop- 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 73 
 
 ment that leaves the particles of which their co- 
 partnership is composed in a cruder state than 
 they should be. 
 
 "Be not overcome with the ideas of your own 
 magnificence. Thou art only the stepping-stone for 
 the gods — if I may be permitted an expression 
 that means much to those who take the theistic 
 idea of God. 
 
 "As you pass through life, strive to do as little 
 harm and as much good as possible. Take as thy 
 motto, T may pass this way but once; therefore 
 let me do as much good and as little harm as pos- 
 sible. Let me so arrange my home that it will be 
 a mundane heaven; let me so arrange my life that 
 those with whom I come in contact will have 
 naught but blessings for me ; let me so shape my 
 ends that when the day comes for the great exam- 
 ination, I will be weighed and found not wanting.' 
 
 "Think what life would be if such things ani- 
 mated instead of the selfish hopes and fears of the 
 present ; yet this is in accord with the advance 
 of the day. When primitive man first realized his 
 life, he gloried in his strength. The great king of 
 beasts lies in the forest and with a blow of his 
 mighty paw he crushes the doe that comes within 
 reach of his bound. He sends forth his mighty roar 
 and the beasts of the jungle cower lower. It is the 
 fear of strength that makes him thus, and he fears 
 
74 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 not to meet all his foes for he knows that strength. 
 
 "Primitive man was of a similar nature. He 
 knew his strength and with the subtle cunning 
 that he added to his strength, he utilized the rocks, 
 the branches, the bones and sinews of his victims, 
 until he stood like a very avalanche of terror in the 
 minds of the life he came in contact with. Today 
 he has only increased that fear. He is known as 
 a butcher. He fights not as did the savage, but 
 to show his prowess! Not for what he maintains 
 is right, always, but for patriotism which is some- 
 times just— sometimes unjust. 
 
 "But man's development and his life are always 
 tending to a higher life. They are always tending 
 towards something better, and wars and blood- 
 shed are but items in that great plan which re- 
 quires the darkness as well as the light; the bad 
 as well as the good ; the bloodshed as well as the 
 healing of wounds ; disease as well as health. All 
 are a part of life. 
 
 My friends, look upon life, then, as only a part 
 of nature's plan. Your hopes and fears are not as 
 the multitude. Great cataclysms sometimes accom- 
 plish great good. Sometimes it makes, again it 
 unmakes nations. Good and evil are relative. But 
 seek to embody all that is good as much as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 "Let } r our thoughts rest on that which is bright. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 75 
 
 Open your hearts and welcome all that is bright, 
 and when the dark days of despair arrive, seek not 
 to overthrow them, but strive to learn the lesson 
 they would teach to you. 
 
 Silver linings deck the darkest cloud, 
 
 And golden sunbeams shine so bright above; 
 The darkness murmurs not so very loud, 
 
 It speaks the words of Nature's wondrous love. 
 The stars that set upon the summer sky, 
 
 Meet other loved ones further on the way; 
 The light that's gone returns, and by and by 
 
 They're here to welcome us another day. 
 
 So Spirits that we love, who pass away, 
 
 And greet us from the shores of distant lands, 
 Though we may miss them, do we say to stay? 
 
 Oh, no ! we reach out to them with loving hands: 
 So when the particles of which man makes 
 
 That body that he wears and which we love, 
 And death's sad messenger comes in and takes 
 
 Our loved ones to a home in heaven above, 
 
 Then let us stretch to them a willing hand 
 
 And help them on the journey to that shore; 
 Some day the door will ope and they will stand 
 
 And welcome us where they have gone before. 
 Our lives, our hopes, our hearts, are all we know ; 
 
 Our loves will often smooth the pathway rough; 
 And as we wander through the earth's dark glades 
 
 And think the life we live is bad enough, 
 
 Just let us open wider that small door 
 
 That yearns to clasp some mortal to our hearts; 
 
76 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 And as we lift them prostrate from the floor, 
 Our friends will aid us till the darkness parts. 
 
 So let your life be full of joy and glee! 
 Fill every action with immortal hope! 
 
 Then will you live your life so free 
 You'll find no darkness and will never grope. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE DOUBTER AND THE TEACHER. 
 
 After the session in which the Lesson of Life was 
 given the morning meetings were of a general 
 nature. Each morning the Teacher assumed con- 
 trol of the Master, talked of matters of moment, 
 discussed the plans and fancies of the friends and 
 gave them wholesome advice as to their methods 
 of life and action. , 
 
 So it had gone until they were again ready for a 
 lesson. As they were discussing the course after 
 one of the meetings one said, "It is wonderful to 
 me that the Teacher can so completely shut out 
 the mentality of the Master so as to give us all 
 the information in so direct a manner. How is it 
 done?" 
 
 Naturally all had an opinion. One decided it was 
 done through a control of the brain — an action in- 
 duced by molecular induction. Another thought 
 the action simply a part of the mysterious force 
 
7S ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 known as hypnotism, while others decided in their 
 own minds that thought, by some mental action 
 unknown to man could be transmitted from one 
 brain to another. But one decided that it was the 
 action of brain acting on another brain and no 
 spirit was connected with it. His was a theor}*- 
 of personal mental action. 
 
 To this all objected. Could it be possible that 
 an independent brain could be so acted upon by 
 another that was hundreds, possibly thousands of 
 miles away ? By what process did the brain act ? 
 
 To this the doubter replied: "Friends, I am one 
 with you in this work although I do not accept 
 the theories you so firmly hold. Possibly at some 
 time I may receive the light as you have it. Why 
 I was chosen I know not. I am here in accord- 
 ance with the dictates of the same unknown power 
 that has animated you. I act as you act, but I 
 think as I think. To this you can not take excep- 
 tions. I am only what that great productive 
 power of nature has made me. I am not what I 
 would be, neither are any of you. 
 
 "Productive forces, of which we know almost 
 nothing, acted to produce me. The same forces 
 acted to produce you. Can you tell why the mat- 
 ter that produced you did not produce an ani- 
 mal of another class ? Can you tell why the matter 
 that produced you produced one of the male in- 
 stead of the female gender ? 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 79 
 
 "You cannot. Neither can you tell why the 
 power that produced your brain enabled you to 
 accept a matter which I do not. You must then 
 conclude that your life is made up for you by that 
 productive force. 
 
 "It is my opinion, and to that opinion I have as 
 much logical right as any other individual who 
 lives, that spirits have nothing to do with the 
 phenomena we have witnessed." 
 
 "Would you conclude that we have operated to 
 deceive ourselves?" asked the Healer. 
 
 "By no means, my brother, far from accusing one 
 of our number with a deliberate attempt to de- 
 ceive, I am thoroughly convinced of the contrary. 
 How were we so mysteriously led and acted upon 
 as to come unerringly to this spot from our respect- 
 ive homes ? How did this force act upon us in the 
 same manner ? Oh, no ! far from accusing, I honor 
 each and all of you and seek only to prove or dis- 
 approve my theory." 
 
 At this the Master rose and said: "Friends, this 
 discussion is one that could not have been avoided. 
 It has come in regular line and I welcome it. 
 Every body must have a doubter and a questioner. 
 If it was not so, the world would not stand in as 
 high a position as it does today. Even the mes- 
 siah of old chose of the people one who betrayed 
 him, yet was this betrayer the one who had the 
 greatest faith." 
 
80 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "How is that possible? queeried the Doubter. 
 
 "It is possible in this way. Dost think, dear 
 Doubter, that Judas would have betrayed his Lord 
 to whom he was so much attached did he not 
 think that it would redound to his credit ? Wouldst 
 thou, even from the short acquaintance thou hast 
 had with us, thy bretheren, seek to give us into 
 the hands of those who would stone or hang us 
 unto the end of this life? Most certainly not. 
 Thou wouldst not formulate the words that would 
 give one of thy companions unto the rack or the 
 cell. But suppose thy faith was greater than thy 
 judgment ? What then ? Wouldst hesitate to give 
 unto the authorities if thou supposedst thy friend 
 possessed that subtle power that would annihilate 
 all opposition ? 
 
 "Judas believed his Lord. He thought not for a 
 moment would he be in danger. The Father in 
 whom he trusted would appear and discomfit his 
 antagonists and he believed implicitly that the 
 father could send myriads of angels whose power 
 could not be overcome. Friend Doubter, Judas 
 was a victim to his own faith. The lesson of the 
 Cross was his downfall and if further proof is nec- 
 essary, he hanged himself in remorse." 
 
 "My Master, thy lesson is indeed good. Oh, ye 
 of little faith, know ye not that sometimes it may 
 be of wondrous benefit to thee ? Indeed is this 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 81 
 
 true. But, Master, that doth not answer the 
 query of my soul. How shall I know that from 
 the elements there exists an entity, spiritualized 
 and entitized until it makes a being truly human, 
 yet divine. Truly physical, yet spiritual. That 
 comes to man as we hope it does, yet in my mind 
 is but the action of one brain upon another?" 
 
 "By that reasoning power that lies inherent in 
 the crudest of mankind if thou wilt but use it, 
 Doubter. Let the question be asked of thyself, 
 'Whence cometh the thought that is breathed out 
 to me ? Canst tell ? By what subtle force cometh 
 the thought that would be formulated? Ask but 
 a question and the answer is there. Where, in the 
 vast universe, did the thought exist before it was 
 called to thy center? Did it float unaided through 
 space awaiting thy call? If so, why does it not 
 come at any and all times when called for?" 
 
 "The universe is a vast storehouse of energy. 
 It holds in its grasp all that man desires. He has 
 but to call and it is there. He has but to desire 
 and all will be given to him." 
 
 "Ah, Doubter, thou hast well spoken. In na- 
 ture's capacious storehouse is a wondrous store 
 of knowledge and it is to be had for the asking. 
 But not for the asking alone. It is to be had for 
 the asking and that asking must be combined 
 with great determination, an effort to do and an 
 
82 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 ability to undertake and carry to a successful sequel. 
 
 "Does the child covet learning? Most of them 
 do. None desire ignorance and depravity. All 
 wish to know. But it requires the efforts of years. 
 They become discouraged with life, with the effort 
 to learn and it is only by the continued efforts of 
 parents and guardians that they are continued in 
 the path of knowledge. It comes not for the ask- 
 ing without labor. 
 
 "Does the man seek knowledge beyond himself? 
 Ask he who scans the sky if he knows that which 
 he seeks to know. What his heart asks for. 
 What he demands with the highest ardor of his 
 being. No, no, friend Doubter, he but seeks it 
 with bowed head and weary eyes. W T ith his glass 
 he scans the heavens and seeks that which calcu- 
 lation shows him must be there. Sometimes he is 
 rewarded, sometimes he is not. But the day comes 
 when a Hershell is succeeded by a Proctor and 
 there is a new discovery that a Hershell dreamed 
 of, desired in his thought, demanded of the powers 
 of the universe, but it came not. It comes to some 
 future. 
 
 "So thoughts are not things. They are ideals. 
 Things are real. Ideals are realities hoped for. 
 The thought is father to the thing and by effort 
 thou shalt gain the coveted goal. 
 
 "Thinkers are dreamers. The\^ while away the 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 83 
 
 time with ideals and lose sight of the reality. 
 They send out an ideal and some realizer comes 
 forward and secures the reward of realizing the 
 ideal. Making it an entity instead of a chimera. 
 Thus wilt thou learn the lesson if thou wilt but 
 watch the world in its labors. Think of the past. 
 Is it not so?" 
 
 "Indeed 'tis most true, my Master, and with all 
 my soul I thank thee for these words. Say you 
 not so, my brothers?" 
 
 "Indeed 'tis so," replied all. 
 
 "To teach that it is indeed the spirit and not a 
 wandering thought floating on the sea of space 
 will be thy lesson while here. Thou wilt see much 
 and possibly will thyself experience the effort — aye, 
 so says the Teacher unto me. When we meet on 
 the morrow, w T ill we learn the wondrous power 
 that operates through humanity and the methods 
 adopted to carry out the work. Today, unless the 
 Teacher so wills, we will not seek further com- 
 munication." 
 
 When the Master had spoken all arose to go 
 but as they did, they saw in the appearance of 
 their leader's face that the power had more to say. 
 They remained in respectful attitude until the 
 Master's head arose from the resting posture and 
 then he spoke: 
 
 "Friends, I welcome 3 T our discussion. You seek 
 
S4 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 to know. That is right. Do not give of your life 
 to anything that you can not know. Faith is 
 well, but faith in itself is not trustworthy. It is 
 misleading. Faith calls us into the world of 
 chance. Knowledge carries us into the world of 
 reality. We were working upon you for a purpose 
 and it was the work we were doing that caused 
 the turn in your conversation this morning. To- 
 night, when the stars shine, meet us at this place 
 and we will prove to our friend, the Doubter, that 
 it is not a mere phantasy, not a floating line of 
 thought, but a reality and a person who comes to 
 you. Lest it should interfere with our work, I 
 will not tell you now what is in store. But 
 Ardetha speaks and she never misstates. Her 
 word is inviolable. Then meet us as the stars 
 rise in the eastern sky and come with thy hearts 
 full and thy stomach not filled to repletion. Till 
 then, adieu." 
 
 When Ardetha had withdrawn her influence from 
 the Master all remained and discussed the new 
 plan that had been adopted. All were pleased 
 and all were ready to deny themselves the surfeit 
 of food that was requested. But the Master, 
 having before experienced the promised meetings, 
 told them not to deny themselves all that was 
 necessary. "W T e will have what is called a circle,' ' 
 said he, "and you should go to it with your minds 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 85 
 
 and bodies clear and undenled with aught that 
 would cause unpleasant feelings. A surfeit of food 
 would be detrimental to your enjoyment of any 
 class of pleasure or profit; so while you should 
 eat what is necessary, do not overload your 
 stomachs. And now as we have not yet break- 
 fasted, let us go to our never-ending fountain of 
 life and eat of that fruit that nature has so 
 bountifully supplied us with and drink at her 
 crvstal fountain.' 1 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE TEACHER MATERIALIZED. 
 
 The day passed slowly by and to the friends, as 
 they wandered about the forest and communed 
 with each other, nature and their own inner beings, 
 it was a long one. All were impatient to learn 
 what was in store for them. Were they to receive 
 some manifestation of power higher than they had 
 before witnessed ? The evening only could tell. As 
 the sun neared its western horizon they met on 
 the banks of the stream where it had been their 
 custom to greet each other every evening, and soon 
 were engaged in conversation. All were animated 
 and anxious except the Master. He simply smiled 
 as they wondered audibly and prognosticated. He 
 alone of the six friends gathered there knew what 
 to expect and he held his peace. 
 
 "Master, can you not enlighten us?" asked the 
 Doubter. 
 
 "Peace!" said the Master. "Be not too curious. 
 Remember that the desire to know more than 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 87 
 
 should be known at the time has been the bane of 
 many lives. It is that which has caused many 
 heart-aches and many sorrows. It is, indeed, a bad 
 habit, and anyone who is prone to seek to learn 
 things that at the time do not concern him will 
 some day find that the serpent will turn. It is 
 this great curiosity that has led to many of the 
 scandals that have disgraced society and has in- 
 jured many an innocent person beyond repair. 
 Strive to overcome that tendency which seems so 
 developed in you that it is well nigh impossible 
 for you to restrain it. Yet not to you alone do I 
 apply these remarks. To myself they also apply. 
 
 "Had the Teacher desired that you should know 
 what was in store for you, the information would 
 have been given to you. As she did not, I will not 
 venture to do what our leader did not see fit to- 
 do personally. 
 
 "Man's desire to know that which is not for 
 him, and to imagine much that he does not really 
 know, has been the bane of his life. He has fol- 
 lowed the steps of others before him, has added to 
 the imagination of others and ere he knows his 
 error, he has done everlasting injury to some. 
 Heed this and hold in check that wild tendency to 
 merely gratify the curiosity. Only a few hours and 
 3'ou will know all." 
 
 The sun slowly set behind the western horizon. 
 
88 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 Its golden beams decked the clouds with a tinge 
 of silver, gold and ruby. As it sank out of sight, 
 the tinges faded and soon the stars, those silent 
 messengers of night, slowly presented themselves. 
 To the west, in pristine beauty, lay low upon the 
 horizon the beautiful evening star, which gleamed 
 like the Star of Bethlehem as they moved slowly 
 into the open and took their places. 
 
 Scarce had they ranged themselves when the 
 Master spoke: "Friends, tonight will you realize 
 the fulness of the power that is with us. Many 
 years ago I sat as you now sit, waiting for the 
 message you are waiting for, and as anxiously as 
 you. Since that time many seasons have come and 
 gone. Mam^ changes have developed and yet I am 
 blessed by being with you tonight to again wit- 
 ness the grandest of all lines of phenomena that 
 proves immortality. Let us sing that inspiring 
 hymn that has been sung in spirit and will doubt- 
 less be sung on this occasion." 
 
 Oh, spirit, with the form divine, 
 
 At rest in heaven above, 
 Let every light around us shine 
 
 And bless us with thy love. 
 
 Come to us in our waking hours, 
 
 Come to us in our sleep; 
 Come bless us with thy quickening power, 
 
 And watch around us keep. 
 
89 
 
 Here, as we meet to welcome you, 
 
 Inspire each earthly heart; 
 Make every one live good and true, 
 
 Cause each to do his part. 
 
 And when we meet on heaven's shore, 
 
 Beyond all earthly care, 
 Teach us that we may do still more, 
 
 And all thy blessings share. 
 
 As the song progressed there came a change over 
 the face of the Master and although his head 
 dropped low, his voice was the clearest, his tones 
 the purest. As he seemed going more and more 
 under the influence, he sang until a clear, bright 
 soprano rang through the forest and reverberated 
 from the side of the mountain, up the gullies and 
 was lost in its distant echo. 
 
 As the song neared its end, he sank low upon 
 the ground and they would have gone to him but 
 he beckoned them away. As the last echoes of the 
 words died away he lay resting easily against the 
 sward. Then, as all looked, a voice that they^ did 
 not recognize spoke slowly and distinctly, say r ing, 
 "Friends, wc greet you. From the shores of im- 
 mortality we come to you to satisfy- the doubts of 
 the Doubter as well as the others. I speak to you 
 while preparations are going on for other work. 
 Be not surprised or startled. Remember that all is 
 to teach you the ravsterv of life mortal and 
 
90 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 immortal. I speak not with the tongue of the 
 mortal, but of the immortal. My voice is inde- 
 pendent of any mortal form. Thus do I speak to 
 you." 
 
 While the voice was speaking all gazed in won- 
 der. Whence came it? Who animated it? Was it 
 from out the silence, the so-called voiceless silence? 
 As they wondered they found more to wonder at. 
 In the center of the circle there appeared a small 
 light. It wavered, flickered, and went out. But it 
 appeared again. Now it wavered, now larger, now- 
 smaller, now rising, now falling, until it began 
 steadily to grow. Grow, grow, grow it did before 
 their eyes. Then with a dignified motion it swayed 
 forward and backward until it formed into a 
 human form and with a sweeping motion, a robe 
 was removed and before the astonished gaze of 
 the friends appeared a lady of clearly defined 
 oriental origin. Her face, the high intellectual 
 forehead, the dress with its mystic symbols, all 
 indicated the Aryan origin of the original. But 
 what was this! 
 
 While they were wondering, she spoke: "Friends, 
 I am Ardetha, the Teacher. I came to you this 
 evening to show you that it is not a voiceless 
 something that speaks to you. It is not a lone 
 thought wandering through space or a collection 
 of them; it is an individual who has passed through 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 91 
 
 the changes of life and entered the world of spirits 
 and who returns to turn the world from Material- 
 ism to Spiritualism. From the darkness of faith to 
 realization of knowledge. 
 
 "As Thomas is here in a modern form, he will 
 want to place his finger in my wounds. But 
 wounds have I none. But, friend Doubter, come 
 forward; see that I am of the human form and 
 know that I am in reality she whom you know 
 as the Teacher." 
 
 "Nay, dear Teacher, tempt me not. For I 
 believe. I know we have no one in our company 
 who could masquerade as one like unto thee. I 
 need not to place my finger tips in the scars." 
 
 "But I ask thee not to chide. Come. It is my 
 wish." 
 
 "Then, as thy wish will I come. Not as my wish 
 would I approach thee save in reverence." 
 
 As these words were spoken the Doubter ap- 
 proached and examined Ardetha, slowly passing 
 back to his place and as he did said in a tone 
 audible to all, "I believe; I have no unbelief. Surely 
 no human e'er passed as one like that." 
 
 As the Teacher stood before them, all were trans- 
 fixed with jo}', and pleasure was shown on ever}' 
 countenance. 
 
 "Can I but approach thee?" said the Healer. 
 
 "Aye, all may come one at a time. I am not 
 
92 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 strong enough to hold the parts together that 
 build me up if the elements were suddenly allowed 
 to change their present attitude. As I speak, one 
 at a time may come forward." 
 
 The Healer approached in an awe-stricken man- 
 ner. Never before had he witnessed the material- 
 ization of the spiritual body and it seemed like a 
 visit from heaven — a descent of one of the gods. 
 As he approached closer the Teacher said, "Fear 
 me not. Approach and feel that thou mayst know 
 for certain that I am here." Then placing his 
 hand on her flesh and hair, she caused him to pass 
 back to his place filled with admiration. 
 
 So one after the other they passed to her, exam- 
 ined and then returned to their places. "In a mom- 
 ent," she said, and slowly began to sink, then dis- 
 appeared from sight seemingly having melted into 
 the ground. 
 
 All sat transfixed. No one spoke — scarce breathed. 
 Then from the spot where she disappeared another 
 faint glow spread its radiance and in a moment 
 Ardetha stood before them. 
 
 "I come to speak this time," said she, "and it is 
 on that which you asked the Master this morning. 
 'How comes this phenomena.' 
 
 "The presentation of spiritual phenomena to the 
 world is not strange only as man himself makes it 
 so to his understanding. It is a ntural inflow of 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 93 
 
 force from one to another on an electrical plane of 
 existence. 
 
 "To one who understands the principles of electro- 
 magnetic flow and induction, the inflow of spiritual 
 force and the presentation of phenomena is of the 
 most natural, It is simply carrying that force on 
 a current from a positive to a negative. 
 
 "The first necessity is a medium. The medium 
 exists between us in all classes of life. Why a 
 medium is necessary seems to us to be an un- 
 necessary question, but as some people ask the 
 question we will answer by asking another. 'Why 
 is it necessary to consult a medium? Why, if my 
 father, mother, or any relative in spirit life desires 
 to talk to me, does that relative not come to me 
 direct? A medium is not necessary. I can do what 
 any other person who lives can do.' 
 
 "Not to be outdone by the questioner, we will 
 admit your contention. But our question still 
 maintains. Why, when you want your watch 
 cleaned, do you take it to a watch-maker? You 
 can do anything that anyone else can do, then 
 clean it yourself. Why, when you are away from 
 home and wish to send a telegraphic message, do 
 you go to an office and allow someone with whom 
 you are are not acquainted to send your message. 
 That person may not be a good character! He 
 may even get drunk! But he can send your 
 
94 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 message and that is all you desire. You do not 
 question the necessity of employing a watchmaker to 
 repair 3-our watch, a doctor to repair 3-our health, 
 an operator to send 3'our message, a postmaster to 
 transmit your letters, a grocer to act as a medium 
 between you and the producer of the groceries you 
 eat. You do not raise your own vegetables; you 
 allow your gardener to act as the medium in that 
 case, all mediums, then why do you object to a 
 medium between your friends in the spirit world 
 and yourself? You have not developed your fac- 
 ulties for repairing watches, or raising vegetables. 
 The watchmaker and gardener have developed 
 those respective faculties. You utilize them. You 
 have not developed the necessary receptiveness to 
 receive the vibrations from the spirit world; the 
 medium has and he is as much entitled to your 
 patronage and as honest as is y our watchmaker 
 and gardener. 
 
 "A medium is a sensitive person; one who is 
 active, receptive to outside influence and so har- 
 monized that he can be played upon by a spirit 
 operator. 
 
 "The process is not entirely easy. There must 
 be an unfold ment of those receptive powers that 
 go to make up an individual. First, the spirit 
 operator must be able to attune himself with the 
 medium, then he must be able to cause the mag- 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 95 
 
 netic current to flow from himself as the positive 
 pole to the medium as the negative pole and carry 
 the thought with it. 
 
 "What a delicate process this is can well be im- 
 agined when you think it is a part of an immor- 
 tal playing on a part of a mortal. The balance 
 between the two forces must be very carefully 
 maintained in order to receive a pure message 
 direct from the spiritual fountain." 
 
 "But are all messages that come through medi- 
 umship the pure emanation of spirit?" 
 
 "No, Questioner, not pure. That depends on the 
 medium and the sitter. When sitting with a per- 
 son who is of a strong magnetic and positive 
 nature, a medium should be very careful to hold 
 his or her forces in control. It is very essential 
 that this should be done, as if it is not, the posi- 
 tive element in the sitter may impress the negative 
 element in the medium so that much that is given 
 will be impressed by the human and not the spirit 
 operator. This is what we mean when we speak 
 of transmission of thought. It takes place under 
 these conditions and it should be the object of 
 every person who sits with a medium to keep the 
 mind as passive as possible so that it will not be 
 likely to impress its thoughts upon the medium 
 while in the sensitive condition. This is the weak- 
 ness of mediumship. 
 
96 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "Think what a delicate process it is to maintain 
 a connection between a spirit in the flesh and one 
 out of the flesh ; then wonder why the communica- 
 tions are not more definite. Really, it is a wonder 
 that communications are as definite as they are." 
 
 "But why do not spirits give their names?" said 
 the Questioner. 
 
 "Names are the symbols, as we previously told 
 you, of humanity. When we enter spirit life the 
 necessity for names is taken away and with it 
 comes a forgetfulness of it. Again, when the spirit 
 is in its full spiritual being, it can remember more 
 fully than it could when it was merely in the par- 
 tial spiritual and partially material development 
 that it is when it attempts to come into rapport 
 with some medium, and while holding itself in that 
 condition it must also give its message and carry out 
 its mission. This is a difficult matter. It is like a 
 person, who, having a slight knowledge of some 
 foreign language, attempts a conversation in it. 
 The effort to think in one language and to trans- 
 late those thoughts into another is sufficient in 
 many cases to make it impossible for him to com- 
 municate at all. So it is with the spirit. 
 
 "But I cannot remain longer at present, I will 
 withdraw and at a future time will continue the 
 lesson in this direction. Till tomorrow then, fare- 
 well." 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MEDIUMSHIP AND MAGNETISM. 
 
 When the morning came, our friends gathered at 
 the accustomed time. They were still exulting over 
 the success of their seance of the previous evening 
 and were ready to admit that it was in every way 
 satisfactory, and even the Doubter had concluded 
 it was right when the morning again invited them 
 to their tryst. Scarce had they entered their place 
 when the Master passed under control of the 
 Teacher and continued : 
 
 "In dealing with the subject of mediumship, we 
 have to deal with the chemical elements in man, 
 also with the effect that certain magnetic currents 
 have upon his organism. You realize that electric- 
 ity and magnetism are of different origin. Mag- 
 netism is inherent in nature. It follows out the 
 custom of everything in the laboratory of nature 
 and is so constituted that it seems to permeate 
 everything. In fact, magnetism exists in everything 
 
98 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 in a state of coma. It exists in such a way that 
 its elements are equalized and makes no manifesta- 
 tion unless some excitant force brings it into prom- 
 inence. In some cases this exciting force is easier 
 to bring about than in others. With a stick of 
 amber it can be made to manifest a power by 
 simple friction ; with glass, silk is required ; with 
 ceiling wax, woolen or flannel produces the result. 
 
 "So, as we can prove that in physical substances 
 there is a class of magneto-electrical excitement 
 that brings about phenomena, that the power 
 can be weighed or measured, so we know by the 
 phenomena that in animal life there is a latent 
 power that onty requires the excitant cause to 
 bring it into productive being. This we find in a 
 variety of methods. 
 
 "As the magnetism that is developed, or induced, 
 is both positive and negative and it is produced 
 by no outside action, it demonstrates that we 
 possess it and the excitant force that is used 
 only causes it to manifest to us. In humanity, the 
 males and darker complexioned females are usually 
 positive, the females and light complexioned males 
 are usually negative in magnetic temperament, al- 
 though frequently different in physical and mental 
 temperament. It is safe in forming a circle to ac- 
 cept this as your basis and if your circle does not 
 progress rapidly } t ou will soon find the error. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 99 
 
 "To take up the subject of development of medi- 
 umship, it is essential that it be properry begun. 
 Do not spend time in foolishness. Devote yourself 
 to it as you would anything else you undertake. 
 If you wished to learn music you would not seek to 
 learn in a moment. You would seek a competent 
 instructor and would have the best of instruction 
 and a proper appreciation of the gravity of the 
 case. It would not be frivolous or superficial. 
 
 "Part of your labors will be to assist the unfold- 
 ment of others to carry this message and therefore 
 a few instructions will be proper. 
 
 "Form your circle with the males and females 
 alternating. Seek not to build too much in a mo- 
 ment. Let them sit regularly and frequently as 
 convenient, not to exceed three times a week and 
 once or twice will accomplish greater results. Do 
 not sit every da}' until a development is attained. 
 It takes up the vitality of the bod}' without proper 
 return therefor. After development is attained it 
 is possible to sit oftener and not get any ill results; 
 but even well developed media are not so successful 
 if they overdo and waste their vitality. 
 
 "When a spirit comes to you seek to learn what he 
 ma} r wish to give. Do not press him to give } r ou 
 the line of information you wish and he does not 
 feel disposed to give, but allow him to give you 
 the line he is interested in and that will aid him 
 
 L.ofC. 
 
100 . ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 and after he has taken a secure control you can 
 ask him for the things you would seek to know. 
 Above all do not demand his name and insist upon 
 it for b} r such means are names given that are fre- 
 quently misleading. 
 
 "Do not seek high-sounding names. Celebrities 
 may not be the most desirable guides and may not 
 be able to give as much information as others who 
 are lower in the scale and in some cases the names 
 are given by suggestion by the sitter and not by 
 the spirit. In this way ignorant spirits frequently 
 masquerade as celebrated men and women, making 
 a harlequin of the person they control. 
 
 "When the control is obtained, seek to unfold all 
 the latent powers it possesses and in the end it 
 will do you much more good than one with less 
 power and a greater name. 
 
 "As for the medium, do not inculcate a feeling 
 that he is the only one who ever lived. Let him 
 know that there are many others who are equally 
 as good as he ; that as he lives and acts, so will 
 he be honored or dishonored ; that he will attract 
 to him the same class of spirits as he assumes to 
 be a man, and that in aiming high, seeking a bet- 
 ter class of society and learning, he will attract to 
 him the same class of spirits and make his medi- 
 umship of so much greater benefit to the world. 
 
 "Thus by putting all upon their good behavior, 
 
101 
 
 making a personal matter of it, the work will be 
 encouraged, elevated and made noble. 
 
 "The gift of mediumship is sacred. It is of the 
 grandest sort. It is a mission that is holy and all 
 who espouse it should so shape their lives that all 
 men can honor and glorify them. 
 
 "It is equally so with Spiritualists. Spiritualism 
 is the grandest idea that has ever been presented 
 to the world. It is the highest and noblest idea 
 of religion that has ever been presented. Then 
 Spiritualists should seek to inculcate everything 
 that is noble into their lives and do all they can 
 to further the best interests of humanity. They 
 should eschew the use of liquor and tobacco, should 
 avoid profanity, should honor honesty of purpose 
 and uprightness of character and should condemn 
 with no light hand all that is the opposite. 
 
 "This will complete the morning lesson and to- 
 morrow we will speak upon the subject of love, 
 for love is an attribute of humanity that has been 
 left out of the real life of the people. It has degen- 
 erated into lust in many cases and has given to 
 many an excuse for acts that are not what people 
 should do to carry out its precepts. Then we will 
 take up the subjects of hope, immortality, affinities 
 and other subjects that are either misunderstood 
 or misapplied by the people. 
 
 "But to close the lesson on mediumship, let me 
 
102 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 add: Do not become imbued with the idea that 
 you are so sensitive that you cannot go out into 
 society, or among people. Throw such ideas away. 
 If spirits make you so, then tell them they must 
 not. Teach them to remember that you have 
 rights that they are bound to respect and all will 
 be well with you." 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE LESSON OF LOVE. 
 
 The lesson ended all passed into the forest en- 
 gaged in conversation. They discussed the ideas 
 given them and thus whiled away the time until 
 they reached the reserve where they gathered the 
 fruit and went into the place they had arranged 
 for their dining room. It was a spot that nature 
 seemed to have made especially for them. On one 
 side a mossy bank, on the other a fallen tree, and 
 between them a flat rock made an ideal table; 
 while so near that it could be reached by a slight 
 effort ran a little rivulet, fed by a spring which 
 supplied them with all the fresh, cold water they 
 wished. They were beautifully situated. 
 
 They ate their meal with much pleasure. They 
 conversed on matters of interest, discussed in detail 
 the lessons of the morning and the previous even- 
 ing and the topic of the morning to come. After 
 having eaten they passed to their respective lodg- 
 
104 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 ings and gathered again as the shadows of evening 
 fell. 
 
 There was always the old topic of something 
 new yet old. The\ r dealt not so much with the 
 unknowable elements of metaphysics as with the 
 actualities of their every day experiences and how 
 the teachings the3 T were receiving would apply to 
 the realities of life. After a pleasant evening spent 
 in this manner, the}' separated for the night and 
 were as usual at the place of meeting as the sun 
 arose. 
 
 The Teacher soon made her presence known. Af- 
 ter morning greetings and a word of humble invo- 
 cation, she continued: "My friends, the lesson of 
 the morning is a lesson of great importance. It is 
 by the great power of the sensation we know as 
 Love that all things are made possible in the uni- 
 verse. In our discussion of the subject Life, we 
 showed you the action of attraction, and love is 
 the power that compels certain objects to be at- 
 tracted to each other. 
 
 "Love in its truest sense, is the force of attrac- 
 tion acting upon the individual or upon two indi- 
 viduals, drawing them together. The reason they 
 are attracted is that many particles of matter of 
 which their bodies are composed are of a similar 
 nature. They may have passed through the same 
 line of development in growing to their present 
 
a f. eo P cfe n ^W^ite. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 105 
 
 stature. If, then, a series of particles of matter, 
 having been brought into harmonious combination 
 through ages of experience and unfoldment become 
 connected with two different bodies, the spiritual 
 entities inhabiting those bodies are naturally at- 
 tracted towards each other as they partake of the 
 nature of the particles that were used by them to 
 take their stride forward. 
 
 "Love is of the purest sort. It is usually sup- 
 posed that a true love can only exist between two 
 members of the opposite sex ; but such an idea is 
 erroneous in the extreme. True love as frequently 
 exists between members of the same sex, as the 
 sex element does not enter into the attraction and 
 the love is therefore of a more enduring nature 
 than any attraction caused by matters on a mere 
 animal plane. 
 
 "Too often in life is love marred by the action of 
 lust. It is lost sight of in many instances in mar- 
 riage and the union becomes a mere worldly liason 
 not sanctified in any way and not a marriage in 
 the sight of aught that is pure and hory. 
 
 1 'Marriage of a pure nature is animated b} r love. 
 The individuals are drawn together by that 
 wondrous power of affection which causes the 
 attraction of all particles to each other, and when 
 such is the case, there is no change in the senti- 
 ment when the formalit}^ of marriage is gone 
 
106 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 through with. But individuals change. Conditions 
 over which they have no control compel them to 
 change their habits, custom, likes and dislikes. 
 This causes a change in the atomic construction of 
 the body and when such is the case, in many 
 instances the individuals who were before attracted 
 to each other are repelled as strongly as they were 
 before attracted. In such cases continuing in mar- 
 riage relation is not honorable or just to the indi- 
 viduals concerned or to the cause of humanitv at 
 large. 
 
 "The reason that it is so detrimental is that any- 
 thing that tends to produce or to continue inhar- 
 mony is unjust to the world. A few inharmonious 
 people can do much injury in a community as they 
 can keep their neighbors continually on the qui 
 vive as to what is going to be done. They can 
 say a little and make it appear to mean a great 
 deal. They can keep their inharmony in their own 
 home, and yet its influence will reach out. So any- 
 thing in a communit}' that tends to excite the 
 risables of the people, even though they do not 
 come into direct contact with it, will be detrimen- 
 tal to the community. 
 
 "But love is the expression of harmony. Two 
 musical notes are in love with each other, we 
 might say, when they are in unison. Their waves 
 vibrate so that at regular intervals they come into 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 107 
 
 perfect rythm and a pleasant sound results. But 
 use two notes that do not harmonize or chord 
 with each other and the sensation is one of discord, 
 discontent and malice towards all. This is the case 
 in a home where love does not dwell. 
 
 "To think of love that binds us together in that 
 harmonious relation is in itself a restful feeling. It 
 opens the way to a higher plane of existence. It 
 brings us into harmony with nature. It draws 
 nature to us. 
 
 '•Nature, in its expression is love personified. 
 Two plants grow in the same field. They may 
 even intertwine their roots. It does not interfere 
 with another plant coming and intertwining its 
 roots in the same space. It is only when their 
 leaves are such that the light is shut off that the 
 plant ceases to grow and expand. That is due to 
 the absence of light instead of a desire on the part 
 of one plant to supplant the other. 
 
 "While these plants grow in the same pot of earth 
 they do not rob each other of any necessary ele- 
 ment. The one plant receives its blue color, the 
 other takes its yellow, and one does not seek to 
 dispossess the other. They live as brothers. 
 
 "Humanity has forgoten its brotherhood and 
 sisterhood. It has concluded that all have the 
 right to overreach, to dispossess, to do all that 
 can be done to advance the one by the retrogres- 
 
10S 
 
 sion of another. The ground, the water, almost the 
 air is absorbed by those, who by their superior 
 brain development seen able to do so, and human- 
 ity seeks to despoil these despoilers, but knows 
 not how to begin the work. 
 
 "It should be done through the lesson of love. 
 Teach humanity its universal brotherhood. The 
 religion of Christianity has not done so. It has 
 taught that certain persons were to be saved— 
 others were doomed to eternal torment. Certain 
 ones were to be sacrificed — others to be rewarded. 
 'Dog, eat dog/ and 'the big fish eat the little ones,' 
 has been the watchword of humanity and Christ- 
 ianity has done but little to dampen the ardor of 
 the masses. 
 
 "Spiritualism must come into the foreground 
 and place man upon a higher ideal or something 
 will take the place of Spiritualism that will. It 
 may not be under this name, but it will be the 
 principle underlaying Spiritualism that will do the 
 work. 
 
 ' 'Christianity, through its Bible, has given the 
 world to understand that there must be a master 
 and a slave. 'Servants obey your masters,' is 
 not calculated to inculcate religion of love or to lead 
 the lower classes to higher ideals. Given power 
 and man rapidly deterioates to the brute plane. 
 Placed in the position of a servile, the servant 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 109 
 
 rapidh- loses his manhood and his love power 
 deterioates in the same manner. 
 
 "Religion should be transposed. It has always 
 plaeed the gods on the vantage ground and man 
 in the valleys; it should place man on the vantage 
 ground and the gods in the valleys. To quote 
 from one who has but recently come among us. 
 'An honest God is the noblest work of man.' 
 
 "The God of any religion should be a God of love. 
 A God of fear can not inspire anything but the 
 antipode of love in the hearts of humanity. A 
 religion based upon the higher aspirations of the 
 being will inspire love in ever\ T human heart and 
 each soul will thrill with its exultant harmony 
 when it feels the pulsating breath of the true 
 spirit of love. 
 
 "Then as you pass through the w r orld J let not an 
 opportunity pass to breathe a message of love, of 
 hope, and charity. A word dropped here, a kind 
 thought there, will leave an impress where nothing 
 else would. Many an individual would crave a 
 kind word in preference to the money charity so 
 grudgingly bestowed and the word would be given 
 easier if the principle of love was thoroughly a part 
 of the one who gave it. It is the misapplication, 
 not the application of the principle that we desire 
 to guard against, 
 
 "The love of the mother to her child is an 
 
110 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 exemplification of all we have stated. Its particles 
 owe their combined existence to her. It is a part 
 of her flesh and blood. Even though its presence 
 is not agreeable to her, the love attraction comes 
 in and she could no more destroy that feeling than 
 she could destroy the particles that combine to 
 produce its body. This proves the assertion we 
 make of the origin of love. It is not beauty of 
 form or nature, it is the natural attraction that is 
 given us by that creative power of which we know 
 so little. 
 
 "In conclusion, friends, let us all unite on a bas- 
 is of harmony. Let love be our watchword. Let 
 us strive to throw out from our bodies that vi- 
 bration of love and harmony that will cause all 
 to gather into the same fold and reach the highest 
 altitude attainable by humanity. For love will 
 lead us there. Life is first, love is second, and hope 
 is the guiding star that leads us on to higher 
 planes of thought and action. 
 
 "Seek love in thy pathway, so bright and so fair 
 
 Seek love, act love 
 
 Talk love, dream love. 
 Seek ye its fountains, seek everywhere, 
 
 Knock at the door of love, 
 
 Ask of the father, love, 
 Crave from that mystic soul always tlry share. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. Ill 
 
 "Thinkest that love is e'er lost on the air? 
 
 Fear ye not love is lost, 
 
 Fearful, if 'twere, the cost, 
 Many would seek it with sorrow and care. 
 
 Over the mystic stream. 
 
 Man's light would often gleam 
 Without love he is lost — he would be in despair. 
 
 "E'en down in a wild cave man seeketh its lair, 
 
 Never despairing, 
 
 Always forbearing, 
 Nor for a moment doth doubt it is there, 
 
 Seek it, find it, 
 
 Grasp it, bind it, 
 It binds two together, it makes them a pair. 
 
 "So the story of love finds its way among man- 
 kind. Cherish it for from it comes much; without 
 it is little." 
 
 The lesson ended. The friends slowly walked 
 away, their thoughts intent upon the message 
 given, for while the words may not have been be- 
 3'ond the commonplace, there was a hidden mean- 
 ing that each must seek and apply to himself. It 
 is thus with everything. A hidden meaning is con- 
 veyed by every thought spoken. It is not the 
 words, it is the intent, the thought back of, and 
 which animates them. A simple sentence can con- 
 vey to one an entirely different meaning than it 
 does to another for the}- see it in different lights. 
 One has a higher vantage ground than the other. 
 
112 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 As the man in the tree-tops can see much that is 
 not known to the man on the ground under the 
 tree, so the person who has an insight into these 
 subjects can see much deeper into a few words 
 than one who has no such education. 
 
 Our friends passed away with a higher idea of 
 love than they ever held before. It was a new ap- 
 plication of some of the principles; and how to 
 gain eYQrj advantage from the application of these 
 principles was their query. 
 
 Again the day was spent in their usual way. 
 Each one had built a bower for himself and while 
 no two occupied the same residence, they were not 
 widely separated. They were so that words could 
 be passed from one to another. 
 
 After placing some upright boughs in the ground 
 with forks at the upper end, they had chosen two 
 small trees and laid a common flat roof, using the 
 wide leaves of the trees for thatching and in the 
 same way had covered the sides. Moss, gathered 
 from the vicinity, made downy beds and all slept 
 with that freedom that comes to one who feels 
 that he is watched by a wondrous power. 
 
 Sometimes they wondered at the actions of the 
 Master. He seemed disposed to absent himself from 
 them and on several occasions his attitude and 
 manner informed them plainer than words that he 
 was not well. That he was failing. What would 
 they do should he be sick, or, as had been hinted 
 as a possibility, pass away? 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE LESSON OF HOPE. 
 
 When the events of the day had been discussed 
 and all had retired to their lodgings with the 
 thought of the Master in their minds, they were 
 worried for the first time since they had been 
 drawn together so strangely, but ere the light 
 streaked the eastern sky telling them that another 
 day had dawned, they had received impressions 
 that had placed all at ease. 
 
 The morning sun came forth in all its beauty. 
 The sky was clear, the orb of day rose in majestic 
 splendor and our friends were as usual gathered 
 at the appointed place to meet with those who 
 were their instructors. As the Master was placed 
 under the control of the Teacher a new light 
 seemed to surround him and with a clear voice, 
 unmarked by the weariness they had noticed, he 
 began : 
 
 "Friends of earth, the Lesson of Hope is the next 
 
114 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 one to which your attention will be called. Hope 
 is the guiding star of humanit}'. Without it man 
 is like a mariner on the ocean, sails torn by 
 the winds, rudder buffeted until broken b}' the 
 waves, and compass gone. He is a mariner on 
 life's trackless sea without a guide. 
 
 "Hope has always led man forward even in the 
 depths of his darkest despair. No matter if clouds 
 surround him, if darkness besets him on every side, 
 whether in the midst of the avalanche, the mighty 
 force of the hurricane, if wind and waves seem 
 bound to engulf him, there is in the great realm of 
 Hope a promise of something better; a promise 
 that this wave will be the largest; that this gust 
 of wind will be the strongest ; that the avalanche 
 will meet with some obstruction that will still it 
 or at least break its force until there is an oppor- 
 tunity to escape; that even when the clouds of 
 death surround one, there is a rift in the clouds; 
 yea, that in death itself there is a silver lining to 
 the clouds. 
 
 "The sun does not shine in the valley. Dark 
 clouds lower their heads around us, the lightnings 
 flash, the thunders seem one continuous peal, dark- 
 ness seems creeping over everything, but suddenly 
 on some distant peak the light strikes and gives a 
 rainbow of promise that the storm will soon end. 
 Such is Hope to the storm-tossed mariner on life's 
 trackless sea. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 115 
 
 "It is Hope that has made man what he is in 
 the intellectual world. Without it he would not 
 have scanned the sky for knowledge of the things 
 he has found there. It was hope that something 
 might be learned that would give him greater 
 power over the elements and enable him to con- 
 trol some of the potent forces of nature that has 
 ever led him onward. 
 
 "In days gone by the untutored savage was con- 
 tented to step upon some block of wood which 
 chance threw in his way and with a pole, also sup- 
 plied by circumstances, floated across a narrow 
 stream. With his experience in that direction came 
 a desire for something greater. There was a wild 
 excitement in floating so quietly upon the surface 
 of the water or in battling with it when disturbed; 
 to place his primitive craft where he wished to 
 under all conditions of wind, wave and current, 
 and his knowledge gained by the experiences of the 
 past, together with his hope for the future, easily 
 led him from the chance-broken section of a tree 
 to a raft; from thence to a regularly constructed 
 boat — all dealing with the experiences of the past 
 and from them a hope of what might possibly be 
 in the future. His hope led him on to laborious 
 toil and soon he discarded his raft for the pirogue 
 and with fire and the aid of his stone implements 
 he made the primitive ship. 
 
116 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "Nor has his experience dimmed at the present 
 day. Even now, lighted by the experience of the 
 past and inspired Irv a hope for something better 
 in the future, man slowly models and builds, plans 
 and contrives in order to carry out his ideas and 
 firmly entrenched in the fortification of his hopes, 
 he is encompassing more and more of nature's laws 
 and placing her forces at his command. 
 
 "Today you would not feel that you could live 
 without electricity. It has been such a boon to 
 humanity, say you. But there was a day not so far 
 distant when it was a chimera of the mind; when 
 but few even hoped it would be of advantage to 
 humanity. But a few had the inspiration of a 
 greater hope and imbued with the idea of it, exper- 
 imented until it now carries you over land and 
 sea and leads you into a greater and grander hope 
 for future ages. 
 
 "Immortalit}' is but the inspiration of hope. 
 Rather should I say that a knowledge of immor- 
 tality is but that inspiration. Alan led a life of 
 ease in some of his gradations. He had no partic- 
 ular desire for that which was higher and better. 
 Like the animals of a lower order today, he was 
 contented with sufficient to satisfy the cravings of 
 hunger and skins to keep him warm, while a cleft 
 in the rock seemed to him an ideal spot to estab- 
 lish a home. But hope animated the minds of 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 117 
 
 some of them. They wished for something grander 
 than they then knew. The cleft in the rock could 
 be made more comfortable if they rolled another 
 stone to the opening and thus kept out a little 
 more of the inclemency of the weather. This was 
 done. Then if a stone kept out the wind and wa- 
 ter, sheltered them from the storm, why not apply 
 the same principles to their habitations in a more 
 complete manner and thus have an ideal resting 
 place. The side of the cliff gave them protection 
 from weather, storms and, to a certain extent, 
 from beasts and their own kind. So much better 
 than the old way. Hope led them to believe some- 
 thing better still was in store and this hope led 
 him on until the element of our present civilization 
 was instilled into the mind of some anthropomor- 
 phic individual and the upward march was begun. 
 "Hope led him into a knowledge of immortality. 
 Of this we will have more to say when we con- 
 sider that subject. But man would be in a deplor- 
 able condition was he dispossessed of the solace of 
 hope. No matter what troubles surround him; no 
 matter how dark it may be ; if clouds of sorrow 
 are with him ; if darkness and despair are his com- 
 panions; he sees in the dim and uncertain distance 
 a gleam of light, inspired by hope, and he pushes 
 onward toward it. Like the sail in the distance 
 to the shipwrecked sailor, he seeks to come nearer 
 
IIS ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 to that little gleam and then as it flickers and 
 darkens or gleams with a brighter light, he de- 
 spairs or is inspired until we know that life is 
 made up of sunlight and shadows, inspired by hope. 
 
 "Then let hope be your beacon light; let it shine 
 forth and no matter how dark may be the shad- 
 ows, no matter what storms and turmoil may be 
 your lot, look forward into the future with a bold 
 and noble heart, inspired by that greatest of things 
 — Hope." 
 
 After the lesson was ended they gathered closer 
 and seemed indisposed to move from the spot. 
 Although they did not take their breakfast of the 
 forest fruit until the}' had received their morning 
 lesson, no one seemed disposed to take the first step 
 toward the reserve. All eyes centered on the Mas- 
 ter. He seemed about to speak, then his lips closed 
 and his words were not uttered. 
 
 At last they could no longer contain themselves 
 and the Questioner asked: "What is it, Master, 
 that thou wouldst say to us? We seek to know. 
 If there is aught that concerns us, seek not to hide 
 it, even though it may cause sorrow. We would 
 sympathize with thee, if such is possible ; or, may- 
 hap, we can so change the current of thy thought 
 that it may not fall upon thee alone. Speak to us." 
 
 "My friends," said the Master, "I have thought 
 for some time to speak to you of a matter that, 
 
119 
 
 while it concerns me closely, does not cause me the 
 least anxiety — that of my plrysical dissolution. I 
 feel that my life is slowly fading and that possibly 
 ere we end our labors, I will reach the end of the 
 journey. I want you to feel that it will be best. 
 But I also wish you to know that, should the call 
 come suddenly, I have none to whom 1 wish to 
 send word of my life or death. I am the last of a 
 long line. All are waiting me at the portals of the 
 new world and there are none to mourn my loss 
 except the friends who have been made in associa- 
 tion with the work upon which you are now en- 
 tering. 
 
 "The day will come ere long. I wish my work 
 to be complete — that is all. I no more fear the 
 call of the angel that shall waft me over the River 
 of Death into Eternity- than I fear the call of the 
 Goddess of Slumber when I seek repose from the 
 labors of a day. Should the call come, you will be 
 guided by the higher forces but we will hope that 
 it will not come until our work is complete." 
 
 All would have taken issue with him, but all 
 realized he spoke what had been given to him, and 
 as he finished he arose, and with heavy hearts they 
 wended their way to the forest where they again 
 gathered the fruitage, and, going to their selected 
 spot, were soon enjoying the repast that did not 
 take life from any living creature or rob an animal 
 
120 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 mother of her child. Water from the crystal 
 stream, fresh from the bosom of mother earth, and 
 fruit fresh from the parent stem, made a repast fit 
 for the most fastidious — and so thought our 
 friends as they gathered about their festal board. 
 Had it not been for the sorrow in their hearts at 
 the words of their Master, they would have been 
 the most buoyant of all on earth. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 IMMORTALITY. 
 
 There were sad hearts as our friends wandered 
 through the forest or conversed in groups during 
 the day. The Master kept to himself more than 
 was his custom, and as it was evidently his desire, 
 his companions did not feel that they should im- 
 pose their presence upon him. But as the evening 
 shadows fell he called them to him and they con- 
 versed until a late hour on the matters in which 
 all were interested. 
 
 His principal theme was Immortality, for, said 
 he, "I am near to the portals of that world whither 
 all are tending." His companions listened with 
 great interest to his remarks, and with their fra- 
 ternal feeling, they knew that the words he spoke 
 were true. 
 
 "Immortality," said he, "is the greatest boon 
 man could desire. Hope is the father of the knowl- 
 edge of it as it is the incentive to all that which 
 
122 ARDKTHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 man has learned and continually leads him onward, 
 it has been the power that has taught him of a 
 certainty of the life that is to come. 
 
 "Is immortality true? No one can answer. The 
 actual meaning of the word is never ending. As 
 applied to life, it means not mortal. Not subject 
 to death. We know that as human beings, we are 
 not immortal. That there is a part of us that 
 survives the physical death, has been the conten- 
 tion of humanity for ages. 
 
 "Hope inspired this. The savage in his tent, the 
 laborer in his cottage and the monarch in his pal- 
 ace, held by the power of love, hopes for a con- 
 tinued existence for his own and that after being 
 stricken by the hand of the Angel of Death, he will 
 meet them in another existence. 
 
 "The savage was very materialistic in his belief. 
 His hope placed him in a heaven that was not 
 dissimilar to his earth when considered in its 
 actual aspects. If he lived in a warm country, his 
 heaven was a place where he had neither too much 
 or too little heat, where there was a sufficiency of 
 game and other things that went to make up his 
 life, to keep him eternally supplied with all that 
 which he required for his comfort and pleasure. 
 
 "The American Indian had his Happy Hunting 
 Ground; the Orientalist has his Houris; the Hindoo 
 his Nirvana; all in accordance with his idea of 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 123 
 
 what can be considered his greatest enjoyments 
 through life in the mortal form. The Caucasian 
 has a heaven where he will be surrounded by his 
 friends, where there will be what his hopes would 
 bring forward which is but a slight modification 
 of the old Jewish heaven, where they were surroun- 
 ded by all the splendor of gold, silver, precious 
 stones and the worship of an exaggerated idea of 
 a man as they worshiped their kings in earth life. 
 
 "The new conception is according to the under- 
 standing of the age, and, as the gods have contin- 
 ually increased in intelligence and scope, so have 
 the conceptions of heaven, hell, immortality and 
 its concurrent parts been changed and modified to 
 suit themselves to the changed condition in which 
 humanity finds itseif. 
 
 "Yet strange as it may seem, through all this is 
 the underlaying current of power operating in ac- 
 cordance with some prime force, and every step 
 has been in accord with the progressive develop- 
 ment of the human mind. 
 
 " Continued existence has been proven; immortal- 
 ity has not been proven. By that I mean that 
 while we have demonstrated that man survives 
 the change called death, we have as yet no evidence 
 to base a belief or knowledge of complete immor- 
 tality. That he continues indefinitely in the exist- 
 ence he enters upon leaving the physical. As he is 
 
124 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 placed in a condition in earth life to unfold certain 
 faculties and develop certain attributes, why is it 
 not possible that he will develop certain attributes 
 in spirit and then go on into another sphere of 
 existence? 
 
 "The answer that is so often made that 'If man 
 died in spirit, it would be reported to us,' hardly 
 applies. If man dies in the spiritual existence, it is 
 of such a nature that we do not realize it as we 
 do in the sphere of earth. Man dies every day 
 even in earth life, and it is not noticed. Are you 
 surprised at the statement? Well, permit me to ex- 
 plain: Does not man pass a certain portion of each 
 day in an unconscious condition? During this 
 period of rest, which we call sleep, does he not al- 
 low certain faculties to lay in abeyance? During 
 sleep the breathing goes on, there is sensation, to 
 a certain degree, but not to the extent that it 
 exists during the waking moments. But the faculty 
 of memory and the ordinary brain functions are 
 totally dormant for the time being. Who knows 
 that in death there is not a similar condition? 
 
 "Now to apply: If in sleep there is a dormant 
 portion of the body, and in death there is another 
 dormant portion of the body, why are not the 
 two states similar? If we understood the faculties 
 of the phenomenon of death as well as we do sleep, 
 if we were to take the same practical view of it 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 125 
 
 and stuck- it as we study sleep, we might encom- 
 pass its meaning and feel precisely toward it as 
 we do towards sleep. It is not 'The sleep that 
 knows no waking,' it is a sleep of rest. When the 
 old bod}- becomes worn out, when it reaches a 
 point where it no longer acts the will of the spirit, 
 then comes the prrysical dissolution and we do not 
 seek beyond the portals of the mystic world of 
 death as we do in the world of known life. 
 
 ''Death is no more to be feared than is sleep. 
 We fall asleep at night firm in our conviction that 
 we will awake when the morning light greets us 
 and we do not fear the feeling that comes over us 
 when the call comes. We go into the sleep of 
 death with the same sensations, only the complete 
 dissolution of the bonds that connect the spirit 
 with the bod}' causes some movements of the body 
 that are not produced by the partial dissolution of 
 spirit and body produced by sleep. As you go into 
 the realm of slumber without fear or pain, so the 
 slumber of death meets you without any pain and 
 should be without fear. 
 
 "It is onh- the education we have had that 
 causes us to fear the visit of the Angel of Death. 
 The fear, inspired by ecclesiastical organizations 
 for the purpose of giving them a power over hu- 
 mane—for each individual seeks to gain personal 
 power to a greater or less degree — and that fear 
 
126 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 has caused more heart aches and sorrow than any 
 other thing that man has had to contend with. 
 
 "Humanity should be taught that life is com- 
 posed of compensative actions and forces. They 
 should be taught that their lives here are to be 
 stepping-stones to a life that is grander and more 
 imposing than it ever could be in the present 
 sphere of existence ; that as we do in this life, so 
 will be our life in that home to which we are 
 going, "not built by hands'; where those we love 
 have journeyed on before, and where we can still 
 carry on the plan of that greatest of all procrea- 
 tive forces. 
 
 "To attain immortality has been said by some 
 to be the ultimate of human existence. Not so. 
 Immortality is not to be attained by any effort on 
 the part of an individual. Immortality is an inhe- 
 rent tribute nature pays to matter in its diversified 
 forms, and intellectual immortality is that tribute 
 that nature pays to a series of particles that are 
 animated by all that is best in the life of a human 
 being. Having developed upward through the suc- 
 cessive stages of material existence, it reaches a 
 point where it is ready to become intellectual and 
 to receive and retain the impressions of a finer 
 origin that are impressed upon it. Then it is 
 ready for the spiritual part of its existence and to 
 attach itself to the highest that is known, and 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 127 
 
 man, in his spiritual and intellectual sense, stands 
 in that position at the present time. 
 
 "This materialistic idea of immortality does not 
 do away with the law of just compensation. 'As 
 ye sow, so shall ye reap, 1 is as true under this idea 
 as it is under any idea that can be presented. 
 Each particle is acted upon by the life of the indi- 
 vidual. Each act leaves an impression on the 
 spiritual part that is to go on into immortality 
 and the effect is that the spirit goes into its im- 
 mortal existence with a clear or a sullied record 
 which is as plainly shown- in its spiritual existence 
 as it would be in this life if an individual had to 
 carry a signboard with the acts of his life written 
 on it. 
 
 "Injustice to others is the greatest sin that we 
 know of. In nature we see the law of compensa- 
 tion. Each individual mast suffer for his own 
 misdeeds and will receive a suitable reward for his 
 good deeds. While this may be considered a selfish 
 method of doing, when the principle of selfishnes is 
 in vogue, that act is not from the soul, does not 
 mean what it should, and would not have the 
 same effect upon the soul of the individual. When 
 a person acts in an unseeming manner towards 
 others, that unjust act shows upon his immortal 
 part, causes it to be dark and sometimes those 
 whose lives have been filled with crime have been 
 ages in overcoming the effect. 
 
12S ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "But here comes again nature's charity. Not- 
 withstanding that the individual has lived his life 
 and has misused his attributes, he is again given 
 an opportunit}' of overcoming the evil effects of his 
 life and has a chance to repent of the evils he has 
 done, and by personal work he can gradually over- 
 come these effects until they will not leave an im- 
 print. As muddj- water can be clarified by adding 
 pure, clear water, until the dirt will scarcely show, 
 so will the stains of evil be gradually effaced by 
 continued good deeds. 
 
 "This might be used as an argument for continu- 
 ing a life of dissipation or of continued misuse of 
 your fellowmen, but such is not the case. The 
 prints are still there, even though they may be 
 changed and modified by changed methods of life 
 and the sting of conscience for an injury done an- 
 other will remain long after the act itself is for- 
 gotten by the one against whom it is committed. 
 
 "Strive to live useful lives and conform to the 
 law of strict justice. By this only can you expect 
 to enter the realms of eternity with unsullied mien 
 and a clear spirit. Remember that your life on 
 earth is only a moment in the great extent of time. 
 It will, therefore, be more important for } r ou to 
 consider the things of the future than to dwell only 
 on those of the present moment. 
 
 "But do not misunderstand us. We do not wish 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 129 
 
 you to forget the now. You are always in the 
 ever-present now, and that is also to be considered. 
 Things of a moment ago are as far past recall as 
 those of centuries past. The things to come in a 
 a moment are as much beyond your control as 
 those which are to come millions of years in the 
 future. The ever-present now is the time to con- 
 sider. What is done now can never be undone. It 
 must always prevail and the word spoken is as 
 immortal as humanity. It may not live in its 
 existence as humanity does, but when once it is 
 spoken it can never be recalled ; nor can the act of 
 today, although regretted greatly, ever be placed 
 in the condition it was before it took place. 
 
 "We see, therefore, that everything is immortal. 
 The pebble dropped in the middle of a lake will 
 affect all the water in the lake. Each drop will 
 crowd a little closer to its neighbor until an equal- 
 ity is again brought about and to the extent of 
 its power, it affects the entire lake. So if the ac- 
 tion of a little pebble cast carelessly into the water 
 is immortal in its effects, how much more so should 
 the actions or lives of individuals be immortal when 
 they affect all the human family and even some- 
 times change the destiny of a world. 
 
 "Yes, my friends, you are immortal. You are 
 gradually going through the refining processes of 
 nature and ere you pass to your reward, you will 
 
130 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 see more fully than you can now all that is pos- 
 sible for man to see in his present state of develop- 
 ment. Act right, do right, be just, be true to your 
 manhood, and you will find that the great power 
 that rules the universe has a place for each one of 
 us — not only in time but in eternity." 
 
 As the master ceased talking he arose and went 
 into his lodge and our friends entered their homes 
 and were soon in the sweetest of repose — that in- 
 duced by a knowledge of duty properly performed. 
 As each one breathed a good-night prayer, he 
 thought of the lessons he had learned from the lips 
 of the Master and thanked those who had made 
 it possible for him to be there. Then with a hope 
 of another lesson in the morning, they slept. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 AFFINITIES AND SOUL MATES. 
 
 When morning dawned our friends, refreshed by 
 a night's repose, were gathered at the trysting 
 place when the Master arrived. He seemed brighter 
 than usual and had scarcely taken his place ere 
 the Teacher had placed him under control and 
 began to talk. 
 
 "You have asked me regarding Affinities and 
 Soul Mates and I have promised to inform you. 
 First, the generally accepted idea is not the correct 
 one, as it is not usually based on the complete 
 attraction of soul to soul and such it must be to 
 be truly a soul affinity. Second, the attraction of 
 soul to soul does not depend upon the principle in- 
 volving sex. 
 
 "As was explained to you in the talk on evo- 
 lution, the particles of matter are attracted to each 
 other by natural selection and not by an3 T thing 
 that partakes of the animal. Mankind does not 
 
132 AKDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 find itseli' attracted by the law of affinity to an- 
 other because there is any animal or other passion 
 of a base nature, but because there are individuals 
 possessing inherent qualities that cause them to 
 blend as liquids possessing similar natures blend. 
 
 "Oil and water will not mix. Why? Because 
 the particles of which they are composed are so 
 dissimilar that there is no homogenity between 
 them. But articles of a similar nature will blend 
 because the particles of which they are composed 
 are of a homogenious character and those whose 
 natures are of similar degrees of development will 
 be attracted exactly as the particles of matter tire 
 attracted and where the natures are dissimilar 
 they will be repelled. One piece of work will be 
 smooth because the elementary particles of which 
 the matter is composed are fine, susceptible of a 
 high polish. Others will not do so. But place in 
 the middle of a piece of metal a grain of sand, and 
 there is no homogenity of the two masses and the 
 grain of sand will stand out on the face of the 
 metal and will refuse to polish with it. 
 
 "There has been an exceedingly erroneous idea of 
 affinities, based upon the animal nature of man- 
 kind. When asked the question, 'What do you 
 think of affinities ?' alwa} T s invite 3^ our questioner 
 to explain to you what you are to understand by 
 affinities. When asked concerning God, always in- 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 133 
 
 vite your questioner to define his idea of God and 
 you will then be able to reply to the queries with 
 a better understanding. 
 
 "In nature we find that all things are dual. Ev- 
 erything has its double, so to speak, and humanity 
 is no exception. In many cases soul-mates are 
 brought together by the changing process, but in 
 a large proportion of cases they are not, and the 
 result is that discord exists where harmony should 
 prevail. 
 
 "But in dealing with the subject of Affinities and 
 Soul Mates, you should not permit the imagination 
 to carry you away and to allow the idea that you 
 have not secured your true affinity to debar you 
 from the satisfaction that comes from life, nor to 
 permit it to interfere with the relations that you 
 have entered into. It is this feature of the doc- 
 trine that has been detrimental and has caused 
 much sorrow and suffering. The true soul mate 
 will not detract from your home life, if you are 
 congenially settled, nor will that attraction par- 
 take of the nature of animalism. 
 
 "Above all do not allow your pupils to absorb 
 the idea that through this doctrine of affinities they 
 have a license for anything that savors of the pro- 
 miscuous life or of a change in the marriage rela- 
 tion. The famiry is a sacred institution. The father, 
 mother and little child is the most sacred trinitv 
 
134 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 that could be conceived of. The union of the two 
 in one produces the new being, the pure spirit, out 
 of which is to come a being that will do his or her 
 part to rejuvenate the world. Affinities, soul mates, 
 nothing of a carnal nature should be permitted to 
 violate the sanctity of the home tie based upon 
 pure love. 
 
 "Then let us close with this suggestion: All par- 
 ticles are attracted to others of a similar nature. 
 If two individuals are closely connected, if the mag- 
 netic particles of which their bodies are composed 
 are similar, if the material particles have gathered 
 themselves together in two bodies, then we may 
 call them soul mates. Their attractions and repul- 
 sions are similar. 
 
 "But remember that soul mates today ma}' not 
 be the same tomorrow, for the differentiations may 
 produce dissimilar conditions. Your soul mate is 
 so not because it happens to be one of the oppo- 
 site sex and you are drawn together by passion,, 
 but because there is a blending of the two spirit- 
 ual entities and the attraction might be broken or 
 seriously impaired by cohabitation. Your animal 
 affinity is usually considered and not } r our spiritual 
 affinity. Of the animal we have nothing to say. 
 Of the spiritual, we recognize the blending of soul 
 and the recognition of love entirely independent of 
 the animal nature. Affinit}' of spirit is noble. Ma- 
 terial affinitv is an undesirable condition. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE ALTRUISTIC BROTHERHOOD. 
 
 After the lesson on Affinities, the friends contin- 
 ued to meet daily, They gathered at the trysting 
 place each morning and listened to the words of 
 the Teacher after which they ate their breakfast of 
 the forest fruit. Their meal-times were made pleas- 
 ant occasions and were interspersed with laughter 
 and much that tended to make them lighter. That 
 is the method that should be followed by human- 
 ity. The plan adopted by so many of going to 
 the table, there to bolt their food in the most un- 
 seeming manner, and refrain from conversation or 
 any levity, does not give a sauce to the food; the 
 relish is not there, and as a consequence the digest- 
 ive apparatus of many of the people is impaired 
 and there are dyspeptics and many diseases of the 
 stomach and bowels that should not exist in a 
 community of reasonable thinking beings. 
 
 The request had been made that a word should 
 
136 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 be said on the Altruistic Brotherhood and as our 
 friends gathered on a bright sunny morning they 
 were pleased to hear the voice of the Teacher say- 
 ing that such would be the topic: 
 
 "My friends," said she, "3 r ou have asked me to 
 speak to you on the Universal Brotherhood and I 
 have refrained as there were other matters that I 
 felt required our attention in consecutive order — 
 not that they were of so much greater importance 
 than this one, for the principle of universal broth- 
 erhood should include all that is. It should be the 
 real principle that inspires every act of humanity. 
 
 "'As ye sow, that shall ye also reap.' No more 
 true saying in the entire world. 'If you sow the 
 wind, you will reap the whirlwind,' is as certain 
 as that you will receive a greater harvest than the 
 amount of seed sown. If you sow evil, so surely 
 will sorrow be reaped at the time of the great 
 harvest. There are no droughts in that climate; 
 no weavil destiW'S the grain ; the wind and rain do 
 not beat down the standing corn; it is all garn- 
 ered into the harvest of the future life and you will 
 be compelled to reap as you have sown. The har- 
 vest will be full. If you have sown good you will 
 reap the same. If you have sown evil you will 
 reap the harvest of a tortured soul and will find 
 tares and thistles so intermingled in the grain that 
 it will be impossible to handle them without much 
 sorrow and suffering. 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 137 
 
 "The S3^stem of brotherhood (and this should al- 
 ways include sisterhood) should prevail. Think 
 how much suffering might be saved in the world if 
 all were considered a universal band of brothers 
 and sisters. Men and woman who would fight for 
 the members of their immediate family will calmly 
 do the injustice to others which they will not per- 
 mit to be done to their own. The man who would 
 take the life of the defamer of his wife, sister or 
 daughter, will, in frequent cases, violate some other 
 man's sister, wife or daughter without a qualm of 
 conscience. It is on the old principle that 'It 
 makes a difference whose ox is gored.' 
 
 4 'The man who will go into the market of the 
 world and there so manipulate that he will destroy 
 the natural law of supply and demand, thus mak- 
 ing the individuals who are obliged to use that 
 commodity pay a larger price than the conditions 
 warrant, is a criminal in the eyes of that great 
 law of perfect justice, and when the day of reck- 
 oning comes, he must pay the difference between 
 his real and artificial price in the coin of the realm 
 in which he then exists. This coin is not easily 
 gotten. You can better afford to pay the price in 
 coin of the material than in coin of the spiritual 
 world. You can better afford to pay in coin of 
 sweat than in the coin of remorse of conscience. 
 
 "Universal Brotherhood means exactly what its 
 
138 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 name implies. It means true brotherhood. It 
 means that man must have that consideration for 
 his fellow man that he has for himself. 
 
 "Selfishness has no place in the new regime of 
 Altruism. Its name implies 'for others.' The teach- 
 ings of the sages of past ages have been to strive 
 to do away with the creed of selfishness and to 
 replace it with another that will make it a greater 
 boon to humanity, but so far they have failed in 
 their effort to attain such a position and the war- 
 fare of humanity has gone on until today there is 
 more of greed manifested by certain classes of 
 people, yet there is another class who have opened 
 the door to a higher ideal and have sought to 
 inculcate such thoughts in the minds of those who 
 are seeking something that will release them from 
 the serfdom of mundane life. 
 
 "Nature has given humanity an abundant store 
 of all the necessities, but she has wisely placed it 
 in such conditions that man requires to labor to 
 secure it. That in order to wrest from the ground 
 that which is beneficial to him, he has to enter the 
 field of labor and with shovel and pick, plow and 
 harrow, powder and dynamite open the way to 
 the production of other matters that will be of a 
 finer life than the crude material of which the earth 
 is composed in its primitive state. 
 
 "When these parts of nature's work are carried to 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 139 
 
 a successful culmination by man, he has wrested 
 from the earth that which has enriched humanity 
 and all the people are entitled to the benefits of his 
 labor in a cumulative sense, but he is entitled to 
 a benefit in a personal sense to a greater degree 
 for he has benefitted humanity as a whole and his 
 reward should be in accordance with those ideals 
 of what are right and wrong toward the people. 
 
 "To illustrate the point, If an individual gives a 
 benefit to a people that enriches the people to the 
 extent of a thousand dollars, he is individually en- 
 titled to a benefit of the same amount for he has 
 given to others what he has himself received and 
 thus he has meted full justice to the world. But 
 if he does that which does not give a value to the 
 people, and he receives from it any sum of money, 
 then he has received what he is not entitled to and 
 has robbed the people of the sum he has received. 
 
 "In the business whirl man can accumulate a 
 vast fortune without doing an injustice to a fellow 
 being, for the reason that he opens the door for 
 others to receive that which is necessary. He can 
 open a factory for the employment of hundreds of 
 of men and women, all of whom receive from his 
 venture that which enables them to sustain life. 
 If he gives to each of them a fair amount of the 
 proceeds of the sale of his wares, and retains a 
 limited percentage of the profits, that profit can 
 
140 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 be applied to his individual use without in any 
 way jeopardizing his honor or injuring him, as he 
 is entitled to a remuneration in accordance with 
 his ability to plan and execute, while those who 
 are not so energetic are not entitled to the same 
 extent. 
 
 ''This does not include, however, the plan of un- 
 doing his fellow for the sake of building himself. 
 If he enters business and while receiving an exorbi- 
 tant percentage of profit does not pay to his em- 
 ployes a fair percentage of that margin, then he is 
 injuring them, and the time will come when he 
 must balance his books and his ledger will show 
 much that is on the wrong side and will have to 
 be repaid to humanity. 
 
 "The great mistake that is made by men and 
 women is that they do not consider the true rela- 
 tionship existing between the community and the 
 individual. That is the weakness of our present 
 system of civilization. It is a part of this system 
 that every individual has a moral right to life and 
 liberty. The possession of life entitles the bearer 
 to an opportunity to maintain that life. As such, 
 the holding of vast tracts of land by certain per- 
 sons is detrimental to the interests of the commu- 
 nity unless he places that land in commision where 
 he can make it produce something for humanity. 
 When he purchases a piece of land and allows it to 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 141 
 
 run to weeds and fails to use it in a productive 
 manner, then he is doing an injury to the commu- 
 nity that he will have to settle. But if he has a 
 large tract of land, a factory, a pit from which 
 sand, stone, ore, or precious metals or gems can be 
 extracted and he places that in commission and 
 operates it in such a manner that he employs men 
 and women on it, then it is paying value to the 
 community and is returning to the people a return 
 for the natural resources at his command. 
 
 4 'We know this does not agree with the ideas of 
 some of the people. But that is not our desire. It 
 is our intention to give to the world a thought 
 that will be the means of causing their minds to 
 act and their fingers to work and in that way 
 they will attain something that will be lasting in 
 its benefits. 
 
 "The great trouble with humanity is that they 
 do not think. They are mere walking automatons. 
 The\ T follow a leader with the blindness of the 
 sheep that follows the bell-wether through the gap 
 in the fence. They follow a line that will not lead 
 them into something better, but rather they allow 
 those who are designing to place them in a posi- 
 tion where they cannot uphold themselves and not 
 understanding the status of the case, they are 
 many times injured by their own acts and thus 
 they become parties to the act which will jeopard- 
 ize them in the great day of settlement. 
 
142 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "We must open the door9 to justice on both 
 sides. We must consider that humanity has rights 
 that all are bound to respect, and that as individ- 
 uals we have rights that humanity is bound to 
 respect. In that way, and that only, can the mil- 
 lennium be attained. 
 
 "That position cannot be attained by any of the 
 religions of the past as they do not teach humani- 
 tarianism. They teach selfishness. The attainment 
 of paradise by the suffering and sorrow of another 
 is not calculated to benefit humanity in a collect- 
 ive sense. On the contrary it gives to those who 
 are so constituted a license to commit crime and 
 that in the end they will be relieved from all blame 
 by calling on the name of their savior. We wish 
 to do away with any such idea. Humanity must 
 be its own savior. It cannot lean on the breast 
 of a messiah and there open the way to a different 
 life, freed from the sins of the old. 
 
 "Is not this an incentive for crime and injustice? 
 W r e say it is; most decidedly so. Does any one 
 think that he will go down to his grave in sin? 
 By no means. All hope to reach a point where 
 they will be saved before they die — but the time is 
 far distant and they will not worry about it yet. 
 When the day comes it will be time enough to 
 repent and then to do the proper thing ; and lay 
 their deeds and misdeeds upon the broad back of 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 143 
 
 an already- over-burdened messiah and softly sleep 
 away into the arms of the hereafter, saved from 
 the sin, sorrow and suffering of their victims. 
 
 "Not so! This is an erroneous idea, no matter 
 by whom propogated. It is not justice; it is not 
 right ; it is not in accord with anything which you 
 see in nature. 
 
 "Can you picture the hardened sinner going from 
 a saloon, gambling hell or brothel into the ranks 
 of the redeemed in heaven ? Think how much out 
 of place such a person would be. He would not 
 know how to act. He would not know how to 
 talk. All his natural faculties would be of a dif- 
 ferent order and then his surroundings would be- 
 come burdensome to him and he would gladly 
 enter into the regions of inferno to find some con- 
 genial company. 
 
 "But suppose that by some unheard-of process his 
 nature was suddenly changed so that as he swept 
 from the gallows into heaven his life would be 
 such that he would gladly greet his savior, how- 
 would it be in the eyes of justice ? Could he be 
 greeted by a beneficent God with the words, 'Well 
 done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy 
 of thy reward'? If so, where is eternal justice? 
 What about the victim whom he sent out of exist- 
 ence without a moment's time for repentance ? 
 W T hat about the suffering of his family who were 
 
144 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 so ruthlessly robbed of their support and of his 
 love ? Could eternal justice call that good ? No ! 
 a thousand times no ! Eternal justice must con- 
 demn, as we must condemn, all such things. 
 
 "It is for just such reasons as this that we say- 
 that the systems of religion based upon repentance 
 have been detrimental to humanity and that a 
 new one must come based upon pure justice. Al- 
 truistic ideals will aid to bring this about, but 
 the true, pure teachings of Spiritualism will do 
 more than all others combined. Altruism and Uni- 
 versal Brotherhood are a part of the great princi- 
 ple involved in the doctrine of Spiritualism. It 
 embodies all that could be desired in the line of 
 universal brotherhood. 
 
 "Spiritualism places man upon a pedestal and 
 makes him a part of the great force of nature — 
 yes, even a part of the great God of nature. It 
 places him on a pedestal and makes him the maker 
 of his destiny. As such, he is to a great extent his 
 brother's keeper, for the health, wealth, happiness 
 and true life of his here and hereafter, are placed 
 in his hands. He is not a mere puppet in the 
 hands of a modeler. He is the modeler with the 
 the clay in his hands. He is not only prepared to 
 work out his own destiny but is prepared to help 
 to work out the destiny of the gods. 
 
 "Does that shock you? It need not. The power 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 145 
 
 of the universe that placed man in the position of 
 a part of its plan gave him a power of discern- 
 ment that has been of great benefit to him. It has 
 made him a master of himself and has taught him 
 the forces of his being that have made his life pos- 
 sibilities. He seeks not to destroy, but he seeks to 
 build up. His error is in not being able to com- 
 prehend the great powers that animate him. 
 Could he be given a discrimination that would 
 make him thoroughly aware of the great potency 
 of his acts and thoughts, he would be far wiser 
 and would not be bound down by the fact that 
 he has no moral guide that is infallible." 
 
 "What," asked the Questioner, "has man no 
 moral guide? What about conscience?" 
 
 "Conscience, dear questioner, is not an infallible 
 guide of what is right and wrong. It is a guide to 
 that which you have been educated to believe is 
 right and wrong but it is as frequently mistaken 
 as it is correct. Your conscience is what it has 
 been educated to be by years of influence and 
 education. It is the result of the teachings given 
 at your mother's knee, at the hearthstone, at the 
 schools you have attended, and by your environ- 
 ments. Conscience in itself does not know what 
 is right and wrong. 
 
 "You say stealing is wrong. Until you educate 
 the child to that point you do not see it manifest- 
 
146 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 ing the knowledge that such is the case. If there 
 was an inherent knowledge of what was right and 
 wrong in humanity, then much that is evil would 
 be avoided. But the right and wrong ideas are 
 the result of education. The savage did not con- 
 sider it a wrong to kill his enemy for no other 
 reason than that he was possessed of a country 
 or goods that he wished to possess himself. David, 
 in your own Bible history, killed, or had Uriah 
 placed in the front of the battle where he knew 
 he would be killed, because he coveted Uriah's 
 wife, and after the death of her husband she became 
 David's wife. That was a part of his education. 
 He was a king and exercised what he had been 
 taught was the divine right of a monarch, that of 
 owning the people under him even to their lives 
 and possessions. 
 
 "The people of the present day are educated to 
 believe that killing is a great sin, Yet when under 
 the name of war a man kills his victims, he is 
 honored greatly. Look over your history of the 
 past and little is said of the conquests of natural 
 forces; of the inventions of the age; of the great 
 men and woman and their influence on civlization. 
 Oh, no. It is the wars of conquest and extermina- 
 tion, waged, as sometimes claimed, under the di- 
 rect supervision of deity, that are spoken of. Man 
 has not yet advanced to a point where he is so 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 147 
 
 far removed from savagery that he will look on 
 matters from a standpoint of right and justice 
 and not through the prejudiced eyes of his so-called 
 infallible guide, conscience. 
 
 "True Altruism and Human Brotherhood will 
 make decisive changes in all this. It will open the 
 door for his true self to show. It will dislodge 
 arbitrary powers from their high positions and 
 will evolve a condition that will make man a 
 power both in the world of materiality and in the 
 world of spirit. 
 
 "Your messiah, whom you love to quote, has 
 said, 'Even as ye would that others should do unto 
 you, do you even so unto them.' This is not a 
 just statement. It is an embodiment of selfishness. 
 It is not doing good to others without hope for 
 reward, it is doing good in order that others 
 should do the same to you. That is the real 
 import of it. Like all things in revealed religions, 
 this state has been outgrown and will have to be 
 overcome. 'Do that which is right for the mere 
 sake of being right' would be nearer altruism. 
 'Consider ever\- man your brother and every wo- 
 man your sister' would be a still better maxim for 
 you would not injure your brother or sister unless 
 3 t ou were entirely void of all principle. 
 
 "To conclude this lesson let us strive for all that 
 is noble. To make humanity higher in the plane of 
 
148 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 existence. To overcome every animal propensity. 
 To lead men out of the Slough of Despond into 
 the broad glare of a noon-day light is the mission 
 of this line. It is a new name for an old principle 
 and as a branch of Spiritualism it will do its duty. 
 But it is not the all; it is but the part and it 
 must be so considered and man will benefit by it. 
 
 " We must now leave you. Our work with you 
 is nearly completed. Soon you will hear the trum- 
 pet sound and we will come to you in the shadow 
 and give you directions for what is to come. Fear 
 not. Open wide the doors and if the call comes 
 at the midnight hour, hear it and answer it. 
 You have been told that the time of one of your 
 number was short. It is nearing its close, but fear 
 not. We will, attend to all that is necessary. You 
 will have nothing to do that will not be proper. 
 The end is not yet but will come soon. Gather 
 together as much as possible. He fears not the 
 summons, but give him and us strength to carry 
 out our portion of the work of translation. Goat 
 once to the tree of fruit and after having eaten, re- 
 main for some time in your accustomed places. Do 
 this daily until we speak to you of it again. Fare- 
 well until tomorrow." 
 
 As the Teacher ceased speaking the form of the 
 Master trembled as the influence was breaking. 
 His eyes opened and he heaved a deep sigh, then 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 149 
 
 his accustomed smile, with the words, "Has suffi- 
 cient been given?" was met with a more than 
 usually cordial greeting from all and they sped 
 towards the places at which they gathered the 
 fruit and when at their natural table they entered 
 upon a course of conversation that was apart from 
 their present surroundings. It led them back to 
 their homes, and as they had been told that their 
 return was soon to be, all were pleased, yet sad 
 to know that it necessitated a parting. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE DEATH OF THE MASTER. 
 
 For a few days after the events narrated in the 
 last chapter, the friends pursued their regular 
 duties. They saw that the Master was gradually 
 failing, but he still maintained his usual demeanor 
 and was as cheerful as usual. One morning as they 
 came from their lodges they did not find him as 
 active as usual, and remarked it, but he went with 
 them to the trysting place and they began their 
 exercises. After the preliminaries the Teacher spoke 
 to them, but in a different manner. "Friends," 
 she said, "I come to you in this manner for the 
 last time. Your good friend who has done so 
 much for you and us has reached the limit of his 
 physical existence and we are preparing a place to 
 receive him into that home where he so much 
 desires to be. Soon the shadow of death will pass 
 over him. But to him it will not be a shadow. 
 He will realize more fully than any of you can 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 151 
 
 that it is a birth into a new life and that it will 
 open his eyes to a higher and better sphere. 
 
 "You can not do anything for him, and as you 
 are in the wilderness where naught can be done, 
 w T e ask you to repair to yonder village and bring 
 therefrom a physician who will examine your pa- 
 tient and thus overcome any ill effects that you 
 might encounter should he pass away without 
 such attendance. Your physician will tell you that 
 it is the natural wearing out of the body, that 
 nothing can be done but to make him comfortable 
 during his last hours and will advise you to re- 
 move him to the village. Y r ou will be governed by 
 the wishes of the Master in all things. 
 
 "After the body of the Master has been disposed 
 of according to his desires, you w T ill return to j^our 
 homes and in the future we will again call on you 
 and it is possible that we will give you more of 
 the experiences of this new life. I may speak to 
 you again but probably not at present. Return 
 to your homes, partake of the fruit and abide by 
 the wishes of the Master." 
 
 As Ardetha ceased talking she gradual^ withdrew 
 her influence and the Master was himself. He 
 smiled feebly, and leaning on the arms of two of 
 his companions, they returned to their lodgings. 
 Others had gone to gather fruit and they soon ate 
 their meal and then the Master expressed a desire 
 to speak. 
 
152 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 "My friends, the time has come for us to part. 
 Years ago I passed through these experiences and 
 saw he who was my Master pass through the 
 change that now lies before me. 
 
 "I wish, first of all, to thank you for the kind- 
 nesses you have shown to me in our labors; for 
 the steadfast manner which you have maintained ; 
 for the love you have shown. You will pass on- 
 ward into the world and teach, while I will pass 
 into a new life to be one of the teachers on a 
 higher plane of existence. 
 
 "Death, is what it is called ; but it is a new birth. 
 I do not fear the change, I welcome it. It is to 
 gather again with my loved ones in that land of 
 eternal sunshine. The River of Death is bridged. 
 I am no longer sick; 1 am well. I will now go to 
 my lodge where you may attend me." 
 
 As soon as the Master had left them they hast- 
 ened for a physician. He came, examined his pa- 
 tient and informed the anxious watchers that old 
 age had played its ravages and the physical disso- 
 lution could not be delayed but a few days. He 
 would not come again unless desired, but would 
 give all necessary papers. He then returned to his 
 home. 
 
 Our friends thus relieved of the responsibility 
 of his sickness and death prepared for the end. 
 They spent most of their time with him and as he 
 
ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 153 
 
 grew feeble, he smiled on them and gave the warm 
 hand-clasp. On the morning of the third day as 
 the sun was rising all were gathered in his lodge 
 when he spoke with a clearer accent than had 
 been the case for several days saying: 
 
 "The time is here. I see heaven opened and my 
 angel loved ones have come for me. Here they are 
 all gathered. All are ready to welcome me. Father, 
 mother, brothers, sisters, all; all come to carry me 
 over the river. But a few minutes and I will be 
 be with them. 
 
 "Friends, I desire that you should not be bur- 
 dened with my body, and I also desire the cleansing 
 process of fire. You will leave me in my lodge 
 until a proper time has elapsed, then, with dry 
 wood from our reserve, you will reduce my body 
 to the elements in the home I have occupied. 
 
 "This is my last farewell. They come, all — all — 
 farewell. No pain — no sorrow — only a sleep — but 
 the sleep of death to awake in the life of the spirit. 
 Yes, father, yes, mother, yes, all my dear ones, I 
 am coming." 
 
 As he spoke the words, he raised on his bed, 
 stretched out his arms and fell back in the peaceful 
 slumber of death. 
 
 His friends carried out his instructions and when 
 thej r were completed they passed to their own 
 homes to teach the world of the life of the spirit 
 
154 
 
 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
 and to do the work that some must do in every 
 age of the world. 
 
 Our mission for the present is ended. We hope 
 the lessons contained herein will be beneficial to 
 the world, and we may possibly give more of the 
 experiences of the Master after he entered his home, 
 at a later date. At present we wish all to know 
 of the truth of Spiritualism. The incidents are 
 woven to give zest to the reader, and we trust 
 you will all enjoy this seance with 
 
 ARDETHA, THE TEACHER. 
 
JUL 3 i* 
 
JUL 102 
 
 ■ 
 30 1302 
 
 SEP. p < H02 
 
 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
 Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
 Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 
 
 PreservationTechnologies 
 
 A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 
 
 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
 (724)779-2111 
 
HIl 
 
 IS II 
 
 i 
 
 ^^ 
 
 KH 
 
 ■ I 
 
 ■ ^^1 
 
 MM 
 
 ■ 
 
 y ■ 
 ■ 
 
 ■ t 
 
 I ,1 ■ ■ !■'■ ■ ■ 
 
 m * Da 
 
 M-^istt' 
 
 ■ 
 
 ■ i^-,