John Ballou Newbrough - Oahspe

23. So, because of the exhibition of great power and wisdom, the third day had changed the fortunes and aspirations of every man and woman in the lower heaven. And they were running hither and thither, pleading to be taken as apprentices or servants, pledging themselves to do anything required of them. Neither would they be put off, demanding that half of the next day should be given to initiating them as real beginners in the second resurrection.

24. Then God spake to them, saying: Ye know not what ye speak. Behold, I have commanded ye for hundreds of years to put away your fine raiment and sparkling gems, and to begin adorning your souls, so as to become Brides and Bridegrooms of the Great Spirit.

25. But ye would not, but strove continually to adorn yourselves, forgetting to labor for those beneath you. Behold, now stand Jehovih's Brides and Bridegrooms before you. What is their worth compared to yours? Are they not plain? And are ye not decorated?

26. But millions of voices rose up, saying: We will do whatever thou commandest, O God. There is no God like unto thee. Then God spake, saying: Hear me, then, further: This is to begin the second resurrection: to put away your jewels and diadems and ornaments, and, above all things, to forsake self, and henceforth labor for others who are beneath you. If ye do this in a brotherhood, ye are already beginning the second resurrection. Neither is there any other road to wisdom and power.

27. Again the multitude cried out: We will do anything; we have faith. And God answered them, saying: Suffer, then, a few to be initiated on to-morrow; but be ye patient and of good judgment; slow to resolve, but firm forever.

28. So on the fourth day, in the morning, behold, more than a hundred millions of spirits had abandoned their showy raiment and stood arrayed in white, devoid of jewels and diadems, ready to be initiated and take the vows of the second resurrection, as above. And accordingly new music was prepared, and the procession and ceremonies so arranged that the greatest possible glory would be manifested.

29. Canopies were stretched overhead, and arches and columns on the borders of the march, decorated with flowers and vines; and amidst these, half concealed, were nestled the response singers, who were to speak for and with the initiates. But concealed from view, and afar off, were bells and explosives, which were the morning signals.

30. And the glad and solemn sound of the Immortal Voice came upon the souls of millions impatient to vow themselves to a new life; and God and his hosts welcomed them with great joy. So grand and imposing were the ceremonies, that, ere midday, another hundred millions came, robed in white, to be initiated also. Neither desired the people any other entertainment.

31. And so the initiations were continued on the fifth day; and yet another hundred millions applied, also robed in white. And this was continued on the sixth and seventh and eighth and ninth and tenth days. And, lo and behold, a thousand million angels had taken the vows of the second resurrection.

Table of Contents

1. AFTER this manner were the words of the initiation, led by the etherean hosts, to wit:

2. God on the throne said: O E-o-ih (Jehovih)! Almighty! Boundless!

3. Response: How shall I comprehend Thee, Thou Mighty One?

4. God: Thou Higher than All Gods and Lords!

5. Response: Who movest the universe, with power unlimited!

6. God: Creator and Controller of the corporeal worlds!

7. Response: In Whose hands the etherean firmament is like a fruitful garden, wider than the boundaries of time!

8. God: Whose members are All Space!

9. Response: Whose members are the All that is within place, beyond measure!

10. God: Thou, O E-o-ih! Thou Fountain and Terminus of all things!

11. Response: E-o-ih! E-o-ih! Of Whom all things are but parts, attuned to Thy will!

12. God: Thou All Person, O E-o-ih! Incomprehensible!

13. Response: Who speakest in the Light! Whose voice is the progress of the universe!

14. God: E-o-ih! Thou All Giver! By giving, Createth!

15. Response: What are Thy secrets, O Mighty One? O E-o-ih, Everlasting, and Greater than Magnitude!

16. God: I see nothing in all the universe but Thee! All selfs are but fractions of Thyself, O E-o-ih!

17. Response: Who hath not beholden Thee, O E-o-ih? Thy Person is in the east and west and north and south! Below and above; far and near.

18. God: Who hath not heard Thy voice? Who hath not found Thy hand, that pusheth him along?

19. Response: Without Thee, O E-o-ih, I go not; I move not. I set out to do things of myself, and fail utterly.

20. God: What is man before Thee, O E-o-ih? He setteth up a kingdom, and it falleth as a house of straw.

21. Response: O E-o-ih, how I have wasted my time! My buildings were lighter than chaff! My virtues were but bubbles, and they are bursted and gone!

22. God: When will man learn to attune himself to Thee, O E-o-ih?

23. Response: How can I put away myself, O E-o-ih? Have I not said: I cannot put away mine own judgment?

24. God: Man saith: I will not put away my judgment! and lo, therein doeth he it!

25. Response: Have I not said: To protect myself is the first law, and to preserve mine own the highest law?

26. God: Man assumeth to protect himself, because he is without faith in Thee, O E-o-ih! And to preserve his own, which, in fact, is not his.

27. And here the Light fell upon the throne, and Jehovih spake out of the Light, saying:

28. I have called thee, O man, from thy youth up! My voice hath never ceased in thine ear. Who can come into life without Me? Who can measure his own footsteps? Behold, he treadeth on My ground. Of all that he is made, the substance is Mine.

29. The kingdoms of the earth and the kingdoms of Gods and Lords in heaven, what are they more than imitations of My works? Wherein they imitate Me well, I am with them in wisdom, love and power. Shall a man butt his head against a wall to prove he is greater than his Creator? Behold, I came in the ancient days, saying: Strive to become one with Me, and thou shalt rejoice that I created thee. Strive to set up for thyself, and thy vanity shall in time pierce thee as a two-edged sword.

30. Hear the love of thy Creator, O man! For I made thee with fondness for thy sons and daughters. Of love like Mine Own I gave thee a part. And as thou sendest to thy wayward son, beseeching him to return to thee, so do I bring My messengers from higher worlds to call thee. And, that thou mayst not mistake their higher place, I give them power and wisdom surpassing thee.

31. The voice ceased, and then the initiates said:

32. Henceforth I will serve only Thee, O E-o-ih! Nor will I more think what shall become of me. For I know Thou wilt appropriate me wisely, O E-o-ih!

33. Accordingly, as the stone is hewn and polished, so wilt Thou put it in the walls of Thy house.

34. My labor is to hew and polish and perfect mine own soul forever!

35. My soul shall become as a shining star.

36. My love like Thy etherean angels.

37. And plain my raiment, and clean, forever!

38. Nor more will I boast, nor speak untruth, forever!

39. Nor sloth attain me.

40. Nor vanity, nor self; nor will I talk of myself.

41. Nor criticise my brethren, nor my neighbors, for they are Thine, O E-o-ih!

42. To do righteous works and lift up my fellows shall be my labor henceforth, forever!

43. Make me strong in Thee, O E-o-h!

44. And wise to do Thy will forever. Amen!

Table of Contents

1. SO great were the words and music of the ceremonies that the people were entranced beyond measure; the old and divided kingdoms, which were without unity and discipline, were now replaced by extreme sanctity and decorum.