The Wonderful Story of Ravalette

interested in his story that I accompanied him on more than one long journey. Occasionally I would lose sight of him for months together, but by the strangest seeming accident we

st acquaintance with him I was exceedingly sceptical in regard to the existence, in these days, of the Brotherhood of the Rosie Cross, and derided his assertions respecting their powers. True I had heard much, and read more, concerning the celebrated fraternity-an association that has proved a veritabl

which were quite laughable by reason of the total and utter ignorance displayed. Probably both of these "enlighteners" had heard or read of Dr. Everard's "Compte de Gabalis," and took that humorous bit of badinage as the real, simon-pure explanation of Rosicrucianism as, indeed, was natural, seeing that hundreds have fallen into the same comical error; for, upon applying the touch-stone to all these prete

th the pseudo-Rosicrucians. The latter created a sensation, and then disappeared, only occasionally jingling their bells to let the

ost wonderful knowledge, but when put to the proof, invariably failed to substantiate their claims. Such were the men who sought, an

ciety ever had existence. Baron Fischer, now of San Francisco, declares that there really was such an order, but that it was composed of Fools, Fanatics, and Moon-struck Madmen, who in time became the laughing-stock of all Europe. On the other hand, Lydde, the traveller, asserts positively, in his great work, "The

inese empire, itself claiming an age of over thirty thousand solar years! From Tartary it went to Japan, thence to China, thence to Persi

the Order in the fourteenth century; but the real founder is believed to have been one Andrea, a German scholar, of the beginning of the sixteenth century, whose object, as is thought, was to purify Religion, which had been degraded by Scholastic Philosophy. Others think that he only gave a new character to a society founded before him by Cornelius Agrippa, of Nettesheim. Krause, the author, says, that Andrea occupied his time from early youth with the plan of a secret society for the improvement of mankind. In 1614 he published his famous "Reformation of the Whole Wide World," and

te this account at so much a lin

autobiography of Heinrich Jung Stilling, late Aulic Counsellor to the Grand Duke of Ba

After both had sat down, the stranger began by saying that he wished to consult Stilling relative to a person diseased in the eyes. However, the real object of his visit pressed him in such a manner that he began to weep; kissed, first, Stilling's hand, then his arm, and said: 'Sir, are not you the author of the "Nostolgia?"' 'Yes, sir.' 'You are, therefore, one of my secret superiors' (in the Grand Lodge of the R. C.) Here he again kissed Stilling's hand and arm, and wept almost alou

f the great and venerable connection in the East which you have so circumstantially described in the "Nostolgia," and have even pointed out their rendezvous in Egypt, on Mount Sinai, in the Monastery of Canobi

leman now related the real particulars of the association in the East. Stilling was amazed and astonished beyond measure; for he heard remarkable and extraordinary things, wh

his imagination exactly accorded with the real fact without previously having the least knowledge or presentiment of it. How it is, and why it is, God knows. Stilling makes no reflections upon the matter, but lets it stand upon its own value, and looks upon it as a direction of Providence, which purposes leading him in a distinguished manner. The development

in this country, obtained much information concerning the Fraternity, and have been privile

OSICR

WHAT T

anhood,

R

ly to be the oldest association of men on earth, dating from the sinking of the New Atlantis Isle, nearly ten thousand years anterior to the days of Plato), and as a Grand Lodge, having jurisdiction over the entire c

mselves; and they consequently adopt as the motto of the Order, the word TRY, and they believe that this little word of three letters may become a magnificent

uch men to join its ranks and find the fellowship which such men of such minds need. In our Lodges such men find all they seek, and more; in our weekly reunions the rarest and best intellects are brought in contact, the best thoughts are elicited, and the truest human pleasure experienced; forasmuch, as nothing impu

things else, every Rosicrucian is bound to help another, so long as he can do it with a clear conscience, and not violate his honor, derogate from his personal dignity, or sully his own manhood. In all things worthy, one assists the other; in sickness, sorrow, life, death, and the troubles and trials of the world and society. Each man is eligible

, strengthens their self-reliance, self-respect, self-effort; it frowns on all wrong doing, seeks to elevate man in his own esteem, teaches due and loyal respect to woman, the laws, society and the world; it promotes stability of character, makes its votaries str

pers, models, experiments in all the physical sciences, essays on philosophy, etc.; in addition to which he is allowed a sum, varying from four to fourteen dollars a week when sick, provided he needs such aid; he is visited, co

few, of which are alluded to in this hand-book, which is merely printed to save much explanatory talk on the part of Rosicrucians who are being continually importuned for information respecting the said Order. One of its main obje

alibus,

FICULTY TO HIM

e we take the best of care to cultivate the normal will, and thus render it a mighty and powerful engine for Positive Good. You cannot deceive a true Rosicrucian, for he soon learns how to read you through and through, as if you were a man of glass; and he attains this power by becoming a Rosicrucian only, nor can it be had through any other means whatever. The Temple teaches its acolytes how to rebuild this regal faculty of the human soul-the will; how to strengthen, purify, expand, and intensify it; and one of the first results observable after a man has become a true Rosicr

e finds out practically that manhood and virtue are safe investments, while badness or meanness won't pay. It is the universal testimony of all who have become true Rosicrucians, that within its symbolic wall

t and noblest uses, not only toward his brothers, but in any field in the world's great garden, for are not we all brethren? Does not the one great God rule over and love us? Even so! No man can enter our doors by reason of his wealth, for riches, unless put to manly uses, are detrimental;-bad-positively injurious! No man can enter our doors by reason of his fame, politics, or religion. The Order has nothing to do with a man's politics or religion, and it matters not what a man's creed is, so long as he IS A MAN. The Baptist is welcome, but not as a Baptist; and so with men of all other

and chivalric bearing which so well entitles their possessor to be called A MAN. These are a few of the good things of Rosicrucia. We seek no man-men seek us. Our facilities for obtaining knowledge and information on all subjects are, as may well be conceived, unsurpassed-unequalled. Financially we are satisfied. A Te

cal here, yet I do not doubt but the membe

this great Brotherhood sprung Brahma, Buddha, La-otze, Zoroaster, Plato, the Gnostics, the Essenes, and therefore Christ himself-who was an Essene, and who preached the sacred doctrines of the Mountain of Light. They were the Dreamers of the ages-the sun of the epochs-eclipsed occasionally, but anon bursting forth in glory again. They were the men who first discovered the significance of Fire; and that there was something deeper than Life in man; profounder than Intellect in the universe. Whatever of transcendant light now illumes the world, comes from the torches which they lit at the Fountain whence all light streameth upon that mystic mountain which they alone had courage and endurance to climb, and climbed, too, over a ladder whose rungs were centuries apart.

rpose of finally and authoritatively settling the vexed question conce

TNO

red by the payment of additional fees from time to time. It also contemplates a system of life insurance of its members, who, by the payment of certain fees, may secure