By the liberal use of water and the expenditure of much labor, Mount Ecclesia is gradually being transformed into a luxuriant tropical park.

There is a deep spiritual purpose in this attempt to make the visible centre of the new world movement beautiful, for it fosters in the workers a poise and peace which are absolutely essential to the proper performance of their work. Without that they cannot escape being disturbed by the flood of sorrow and trouble which flows into Headquarters from members all over the world; without that they cannot continue to put heart into the letters of help, hope and cheer which continually go out to souls who are groaning under the burden of sickness, but by bathing their souls in the beauty of the surroundings, whether consciously or not, they gain in strength and grow in grace, they become better and better fitted for the Great Work in the Master's Vineyard.

In order to aid those who feel the upward urge, to prepare intelligently and reverently for the unfoldment of their inner latent spiritual powers, the Rosicrucian Fellowship maintains two correspondence courses which furnish instruction to students all over the world. One deals with _Astrology_, the other with _Christian Mysticism_.

The Astrology to which we refer is not to be confounded with fortune-telling; it is a phase of the Mystic Religion, as sublime as the stars with which it deals, and to the Mystic they are not dead bodies moving in s.p.a.ce in obedience to so-called blind natural law, but they are the embodiments of "_The Seven Spirits before the Throne_," mighty Star-Angels who use their benevolent influences to guide other less exalted beings, humanity included, upon the path of evolution.

There is a side of the moon which we never see, but that hidden half is as potent a factor in creating the ebb and flow, as the part of the moon which is visible. Similarly, there is an invisible part of man which exerts a powerful influence in life, and as the tides are measured by the motion of sun and moon, so also the eventualities of existence are measured by the circling stars, which may therefore be called "the Clock of Destiny," and knowledge of their import is an immense power, for to the competent Astrologer a horoscope reveals every secret of life.

Thus, when you have given an astrologer the data of your birth, you have given him the key to your innermost soul, and there is no secret that he may not ferret out. This knowledge may be used for good or ill, to help or hurt, according to the nature of the man. Only a friend should be trusted with this key to your soul, and it should never be given to anyone base enough to prost.i.tute a spiritual science for material gain.

To the medical man Astrology is invaluable in diagnosing diseases and prescribing a remedy, for it reveals the hidden cause of all ailments, in a manner that has often perplexed the skeptic and dumbfounded the scoffer.

The opinion of thousands is of great value, but it does not prove anything, for thousands may hold an opposite view; occasionally a single man may be right and the rest of the world wrong, as when Galileo maintained that the earth moves. Today the whole world has been converted to the opinion for which he suffered torture, and we a.s.sert that, _as man is a composite being, cures are successful only in proportion as they remedy defects on the physical, moral and mental planes of Being_. We also maintain that results may be obtained more easily at certain times when stellar rays are propitious to healing of a particular disease, or by treatment with remedies previously prepared under auspicious conditions.

If you are a parent the horoscope will aid you to detect the evil latent in your child and teach you how to apply the ounce of prevention. It will show you the good points also, that you may make a better man or woman of the soul entrusted to your care. It will reveal systemic weakness and enable you to guard the health of your child; it will show what talents are there, and how the life may be lived to a maximum of usefulness.

Therefore, the message of the marching orbs is so important that you cannot afford to remain ignorant thereof.

In order to aid those who are willing to help themselves we maintain a Correspondence Cla.s.s in Astrology, but make no mistake, we do not teach fortune-telling; if that is what you are looking for, we have nothing for you.

OUR LESSONS ARE SERMONS

They embody the highest moral and spiritual principles, together with the loftiest system of ethics, for Astrology is, to us, a phase of religion; we never look at a horoscope without feeling that we are in a holy presence, face to face with an immortal soul, and our att.i.tude is one of prayer for light to guide that soul aright.

WE DO NOT CAST HOROSCOPES

Despite all we can say, many people write enclosing money for horoscopes, forcing us to spend valuable time writing letters of refusal and giving us the trouble of returning their money. Please do not thus annoy us; it will avail you nothing.

THE COURSE IN CHRISTIAN MYSTICISM

_Christ_ taught the mult.i.tude in _parables_, but explained the _mysteries_ to His disciples. _Paul gave milk_ to the babes, but _meat_ to the strong.

Max Heindel, the founder and leader of the Rosicrucian Fellowship, endeavored to follow in their steps and give to interested and devoted students a _deeper teaching_ than that promulgated in public.

For that purpose we conduct a correspondence course in _Christian Mysticism_. The General Secretary may admit applicants to the preliminary course, but _advancement_ in the deeper degrees depends upon merit. It is for those alone who have been _tried_, and found true.

HOW TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION

Anyone who is not engaged in fortune-telling or similar methods of commercializing spiritual knowledge will, upon request, receive an application blank from the General Secretary, Rosicrucian Fellowship. When this blank is returned properly filled, he may admit the applicant to instruction in either or both correspondence courses.

THE COST OF THE COURSE

There are no fixed fees; no esoteric instruction is ever put in the balance against coin. At the same time, it cannot be given "_free_," "_for nothing_," for those who work to promulgate it must have the necessities of life. Type, paper, machinery and postage also cost money, and _unless you pay your part someone else must pay for you_.

There are a few who cannot contribute, and who need these teachings as much or more than those who may take comfort from financial ease or affluence. If they make their condition known, they will receive as much attention as the largest contributors, but others are expected to contribute for their own good as well as for the good of the work.

Remember, _a closed hand that does not give cannot receive_.