the confederation or fraternity of initiates (1941)
TRANSCRIPT
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A Magazine Issued by Authority ofthe Rosicrucian Fraternity and
Devoted to Mysticism, Oc-
cultism and the WelUBeing of Man.
VOLUME 5
MayJune 1932 to May 'June 1941
R. Swinburne Clymcr. Editor
P u b l i s h e d b y
T h e Ph i lo soph ical Pub l ish ing Com pany
B e v e r l y H a l l
Quaker town , Pennsy lvan ia
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In t r o d u c t o r y
B y J o s e p h F. O l d e r
The present volume is rich in so-called new truths. The
story of The Ansaireth in Syria is particularly interesting
because it contains much that is new to many students and
also because Dr. Paschal Beverly Randolph, former Supreme
Grand Master of the August Fraternity, lived in Syria for a
time, where he was permitted to study the Ansaireth Mys
teries which he later brought to America.
Under the title of The Secret Schools there is a short de
scription of the leading authentic occult schools throughout
the centuries. Here the reader is permitted to quickly learn
the outstanding characteristics of the teachings offered under a
variety of names from the dawn of history to the present time.
The Painter and His World is an allegory which impartsreally great spiritual truths to the student who is able to read
between the lines, recognize the symbolism and find the Law
of Life in all its fullness and beauty.
I t is rarely tha t treasured truth like this appears in print. A
close study and repeated readings will bring a rich reward in
added occult knowledge and the ability to recognize the working
of Gods law in the life and experience of every man and
woman on the face of the earth.There is another activity which is of vital interest to stu
dents of truth and Divine law. I t will find a welcome in the
hearts of all fair dealing and truth-loving men and women.
Part Two of this volume describes some of the methods used
by an organization styling itself as A. M. 0. R. C. in an effort
to discredit the authentic Rosicrucian Fraternity and wrong
fully appropriating to its own use not only the name, but also
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vi INTRODUCTORY
the insignia, while having not a single shred of the authentic
teachings, which are highly religious and Soulual.
On the basis of Divine law, if a man permits another to kill
him, then he is guilty of two sins. He commits suicide because
he does not defend himself. He also commits the sin of omis
sion, because he contributes to the crime of murder, taking
part in the murder of himself.
This law equally applies to Fraternities. If the authentic
Rosicrucian Fraternity permitted another to steal its name and
symbols without resisting, its officers would be partners in the
theft, committing the sin of omission in not defending itself.
In this instance the name and symbols have wrongfully been
appropriated. There is also the attempt to murder the au
thentic Fraternity by claiming the fraudulent to be authentic.
In bringing the truth before the public the authentic Frater
nity is defending its life and property. I t is observing the Di
vine Law by protecting itself and its valuable possessions.
There is also a report of the manner in which this spurious
Rosicrucian organization is selfishly and regardless of personal
honor and conscience using its own members and the public
libraries throughout the United States in an unethical manner
to secure publicity for A. M. O. R. C.by unauthorized insertion
of advertising leaflets into the books of public libraries, as
also in books on the shelves of book stores.
Librarians throughout the nation know that this work is going on, yet have not found a law or method by which this
obnoxious and disconcerting activity can be stopped.
As long ago as about 1933-1934 the writer personally talked
to several A. M. 0. R. C. members who performed this work
on request from the California headquarters.
In each instance, the members confessed a feeling of guilt, a
knowledge of unethical activity, a recognition of an act simi
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PART TWO
Volume Five
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THE
CONFEDERATION
OR FRATERNITY
OF INITIATES
OR
La Federation Universelle des Ordres,
Societes et Fraternites des Initites
The facts herein stated are not an
Accusation, but justified self-defense
and the Refutation of false accusations
knowingly and deliberately made.
H e who perm its a wrong, when able
and in pos ition to pr even t or refute it,
is as guilty as the one committing it. -
T h e R o s i c r u c i a n L a w
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T h e C o n f e d e r a t i o n o f
In i t i a t e O r d e r s
The Confederation of Initiate Orders is known as
La Federation Universelle des Ordres, Societcs et
Fraternites des Initites. 1( is the outgrowth of alegitimate desire for closer association on the part
of the many and various authentic Occult, Mystic and non-
Masonic Initiatory Orders and Fraternities throughout the
world.
The effort to bring about such an organization was first
started in 1904 by Sidney H. Beard, then Grand Master of the
Order of the Golden Age 1 and editor of the Herald of the
Golden Age. Progress was slow, as no such movement had
ever before been attempted. During 1909, the effort so far as
it had then progressed, resulted in the formation and Incorpora
tion of the Royal Fraternity Association, so named because the
leading spirit was a citizen of Great Britain, a monarchy. This
Association continued active until 1929, when it was merged
with the then organized International Confederation.
Until 1908 the only known and active Rosicrucian Organiza
tion in the United States was known as the Randolph Founda
tion.- Occultists and Mystics with an inclination to researchwork can readily verify this.- Beginning with the year 1908
several spurious organizations calling themselves Rosicrucian
Th e M an ifesto issued by the 111. B rothe r Beard and published in
th e H erald o f th e G old en Age in the year 1001 will be found in The
R osic rucia ns; The ir Tea ch in gs.
2 F or com plete, do cum ental inform ation see Vols. I an d I I of theR osic rucia n F ra te rn it y in Americ a.Clymer .
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AND THE PEOPLE 7
T h * a b ov c i i r e H im * t h e p i i iK i ' p t! " F . I ' . I O . S . I . - d e le -
fa s wmf ot ffoav of iw a ll ied c rgn nant ion^ p ho top i i l j cd no i iv it io . Belg ium, by f ro t r r Kendal Kt> w In t T h e Su pre me S rc w .ti v of A. M. O. R. ' -ipp*--*' - th ird frotr. Icfi infrom.
I'v.i Wiu.-HJ.m i, O ftieia l Vtiit orin n
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8 THE INITIATES
International Secretary WarnsAgainst FALSE Rosicrucian
Confederation
W H EN the.organisation of the F. U . D. O. S. I .was completed, and many organizations were rightly rejected, or not admitted-beca use their q ua l
ifications showed them to have no historical or legal background commensurate with the titles and names
jthe y ass um ed 'th es e or ga ni za tion s se t- a bo ut to try jto d isqua lif y no t on ly th e age -o ld an d ho no ra ble.societies of, which the "E. U. D. O . S. J." wa s co m
posed. but to defam e its officers as well. In otherKvords. not having any standing or recognition them
selves, or any documentary proof thereof, these js pur iou s m ov em en ts fou nd it n ec es sa ry to tr y an d idiscredit the "p. U . D . O. S. J
The first and most childish claim, and one very,prominently advanced by a small self-styled Ros^
' c ru c i a n g r o u p , h a v i n g i t s h e a d q u a r t e r s O n a f a r n ^ i ' r
, the Eastern pari of the. United States, was that no , , .
uch Congres s was held i B c w k Is . Bulqum,. bv the q:%, ft , witfc &>>iliir Wallejfa t jtftttj (bttii Witfc, w liu- mill} mwwfjwS.
vecinjiif liie aw i/n t V r*u rv .Ho et W^nryuHan* pn-MiualiujtW true of, t& Svi-U*a} W ;a u&
jBi'iltfi Jlt r.ii-MMJ.ii.ii'uilnV JSwitrvnfJtw,
rt i ikr-H&e&SiMt/ti & M fla&r *?,.tries?*.
iOtMmi, lv."Wh.ww :,i fovU-w& tntr.
**
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AND THE PEOPLE 9
u n t i l 1915 that Mr. Lewis organized his clandestine, spurious
and illegitimate 1 organization, and it will be readily under
stood that the terms Charlatan, Spurious, and Fabri
cated rightfully belong to him who makes these charges, ac
cusing another for his own sins.
(2) The symbols used up to 1921 by the Rosicrucian activi
ties of the Randolph Foundation were those which had adorned
the books, documents and lessons of the Fraternity since its
foundation in America beginning with 18S6. No change hadbeen made in them because they were the recognized and au
thentic symbolic representations not only of the Grand Mas
ters, but also of the era of the Fraternity and of the Great
Work under these Grand Masters. It was Mr. Lewis who fab
ricated a wholly new, unknown, non-symbolic design for the
emblem of his A. M. O. R. C.3 It was only after the passing of
the Supreme Grand Master, Edward H. Brown, and his Coun
cil of Three that Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer, as the succeeding
Supreme Grand Master of the entire Fraternity began the use
of the insignia of his own House,0 while also, according to Rosi
crucian Landmarks and usage, he continued the use of the
symbolism of the Randolph Foundation.
(3) Contrary in every respect and detail to this accusation,
the Randolph Foundation in all its activities has not used in
istered by the Secretary of the Com m onw ealth . For a complete historyof this at tem pt at gross usurpation, Facsimiles of cert if icates of reg istra
tion, see Volume One, The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America.
'The use of these terms m ay suggest an at tem pt to besmear the charac ter of the person und er discussion. T his is no t so. The term s designated properly apply to associat ions, fraterni t ies and organizat ions oper
a t i n g wi th o u t bona fide au thor i ty . O ur whole at tem pt wil l be to stateplain, readily proven facts for which there is documentary evidence open
to legally authorized invest igators.
5See bo th Volumes One and Two of The Rosicrucian Fraternity in
A m eric a for ful ly i l lustrated proof of the facts.
See R a va le tt e , th e R osicrucia n S tory , pages 47-54, published after theworld meeting in Paris of the Universal Confederat ion.
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12 THE INITIATES
Societies and Fraternities, had formed an International Or
ganization and Registered in the State oj Pennsylvania, the
title C o n f e d e r a t i o n o r F r a t e r n i t y o f I n i t i a t e s , i.e., I he
International Confederation: La Federation Universelle des
Ordres, Societes et Fraternities, and it is readily apparent that
his Federation Universelle des Ordres et Societies Initiatigues
is a gross fabrication of the worst kind and he stands guilty of
the very thing for which he accuses R. Swinburne Clymer,
Supreme Grand Master of the authentic Rosicrucian Fraternity.
(6) This statement is wholly contrary to the tru th as veri
fied by investigation. Practically all of the organizations
named were spurious and organized for the express purpose of
forming an organization for which even the name was appro
pria ted. The proof of this statement will be offered as we
proceed. The Ordre Kabbalistique de la Rose-C.roix is one
of the oldest of Rosicrucian Organizations in France, the Or
dre Martiniste has a most fair record, the Supreme Grand
Master of both is F r a . . Chevillon, who openly denounced
Mr. Lewis and his clandestine activities."
(7) The manner in which these charters and documents
were manufactured would be unbelievable were actual proofs
lacking. Mr. Lewis fails to mention that the F. U. D. O. S. I.
did not have as its foundation even a fraudulent Rosicrucian
organization, but was launched on a hastily constituted Ma
sonic Rite of Mizraim and Memphis, and with the help of a
Co-Masonic body.9
In many of the European countries the Rite of Memphis, ifLegitimately constituted, is recognized as legitimate. Here in
America, Masonry does not so recognize the Rite and classes
it as clandestine, illegal and fraudulent. The authority used in
See Facsimile of certification or registration herein.
See Volume Two, The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America f o r r e p r o
duced do cum entary proofs of these s tatemen ts .
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An d t h e p e o p l e 13
the formation of the F. U. D. O. S. L was not that of a legiti
mate European Rite, but, as stated, of a hastily formed clan
destine Rite which had no foundation in fact and never was
recognized by any of the European Masonic bodies.10
(8) Mr. Lewis, throughout his career of fabrication and
self-clothing, as he terms it, has been consistent in his claims
that the Headquarters of the authentic Randolph Foundation
were located on a farm in Pennsylvania. Undoubtedly thou
sands of people at one period of his activities did believe thatthese Headquarters consisted of an old farm house and a barn.
Since the publication of The Rosicrucian Fraternity in Amer
ica with photographs of many of the buildings, he no longer
finds it so easy to mislead others in this respect; but despite
this he continues to publish and republish this falsehood.
(9) This is another falsehood. We never made the claim
that such a meeting had not been held in Brussels, but we did
claim, and we still claim, that it was wholly clandestine; without any legitimate authority; was not Rosicrucian in charac
ter; that it was based on the fabricated authority of a pseudo-
Masonic fraudulent Rite of Memphis which itself had no exist
ence and equally clandestine Co-Masonic bodies, and that it
was, and still is, the fabrication of one man who also was re
sponsible for the documents and their manufacture and their
use at tha t meeting. Moreover, as already stated, the name
was only a slight variation of the one registered in the United
States five years before and filed in every country in the worldunder Copyright treaty.11
(10) Despite the fact that with all his influence in certain
quarters, all his financial power, Mr. Lewis could not succeed
10See V olume T w o, The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America fo r repro duct ion of documentary proofs o f these s ta tements .
11 See Volum es One and Tw o of The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America and Cert if icate of registrat ion reproduced therein.
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AND THE PEOPLE IS
Lewis and A. M. O. R. C. neverhad even a shred of legitimate
authority. It is also a fact that no one could have conferred
authority upon him to establish the Rose Cross anywhere in
Europe for the one good reason that long before Mr. Lewis
became active, the Fraternity had been established in every
country in Europe, and it is a Rosicrucian Law, as it is a
Masonic Law, that wherever the Fraternity is active, no other
Order of the same or similar name may attempt to function.
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AND THE PEOPLE 17
THE ROSICRUCIAN ORDERK n ow n a s " T H E A N C I E N T , M Y S T IC O R D E R R O S A E C R U C I S " t h r o u gh o u t t he w o r ld
SUPREME TEMPLE FOR NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICAROSICRUCIAN PARK SAN JOSE. CALIFORNIA. U.S .A .
S e p t e m b e r 1 8 , 1 9 3 9
G r a n d L o d g e #F . & A. M.
D e a r G ra nd S e c r e t a r y :/
You h a v e a l r e a d y r e c e i v e d , o r u n d o ub t e d ly w i l l r e c e i v e , S * f r o m o n e , R . S w i n b u r ne C l y me r w ho p u r p o r t s t o c o n d u c t o ro p e r a t e a n a u t h e n t i c R o s i c r u c i a n O r g a n i z a t io n f ro m a f ar m ^ inP e n n s y l v a n i a a mo no gr ap h t i t l e d ;
" Th e S e c o n d F ama F r a t e r n i t a s F o r a New AgeB e g i n n i n g I n Th e T w e n t i e t h C e n t u r y , "
I t I s a c c om p an ie d b y a l e t t e r b e a r i n g t he t i t l e :
"La F e d e r a t i o n A n l v e r s e l l e d e e O r d er s ,
S o c l e t e s e t F r a t e f rr i t e s d e s I n i t i o s . "
Th e o b j e c t o f t h i s m o no gr ap h a nd l e t t e r a p p e a r s t o Im pl y t h a th e , o r h i s R o s i c r u c i a n m ov em en t, i s a s s o c i a t e d w i th a c o n f e d e r a t i o n o f r e c o g n i z e d , e s t a b l i s h e d p h i l o s o p h i c a l , o c c u l t , m y s t i c a la nd I n i t i a t o r y O r d e rs i n E u r op e , t h u s g i v i n g h i m s e l f an a u t h e n t i c b a c k g r o u n d.
P l e a s e b e a d v i s e d , h o w ev e r, t h a t t h e r e - h a s b ee n s uc h / F e d e r a t i o n i n E u ro p e e x i s t i n g f o r a g r e a t nu mb er o f y e a r s . / a n da c t i v e a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e , k n ow n a s t h e "FUDOSI" ( F e d e r a l ;t i o n U n i v e r s e l le d e s O r dr es e t S o c l e t e s I n l t l a t l q u e s ) / T h i sF e d e r a t i o n t h e a u t h e n t i c re c o g n iz e d bo dy r e f u s e d t o / a c c e n ti n t o i t s m e m b e rs h ip Mr . C ly m er o r h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n , ^ a s h e h a d ,a n d h a s , n o R o s i c r u c i a n c o n n e c t i o n s o r b ac k g ro u n d r e c o g n i z edb y t he m a s h a v i n g m e r i t .
T h i s O r g a n i z a t i o n T he A .M . O .R . C . w h ic h i s w o r l d w id e ,i s , h o w e v e r , o n e o f t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s o f t h e " FUDOSI" ; c o n s e q u e n t l y Mr. C ly m er a t f i r s t b eg a n a t i r a d e a g a i n s t t h e " FUD 08I ",c l a i m i n g i t f a l s e , o f no c o n s eq u e nc e , a n d o f no i m p o r t an c e .N o t s u c c e e d i n g b y t h a t m e th o d, i n t h e l i t e r a t u r e w h ic h h ed i s t r i b u t e d t o M as on s a nd o t h e r s , h e t h e n l a s t s p r i n g w e n t t o
ROSICRUCIAN PARK THE INSTITUTION BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION
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18 THE INITIATES
P a g e 2
E u r o p e . T h e r e h e c la i m s h e m et w it h t h i s u nkn ow n c o n f e d e r a t i o nan d s ig n e d many im p o r t a n t a r t i c l e s a n d d o cu m e n t s, a p p a r e n t l yt o g i v e h i m s e lf an Eu r op ea n R o s ic r u c i a n b ac k gr o u n d . A c t u a l ly ,h o w e v er , t h e "FUDO SI" t h e r e c o g n i z e d an d e s t a b l i s h e d l e a e r a -t io n d e c l a r e s in o f f i c i a l do cu m e n ts an d In c o r r e sp o n d e n c e ,w h i ch we h a v e , t h a t t h e c o n f e d e r a t i o n w h i ch M r. C ly m e r nowc l ai m s h e I s a p a r t o f , an d fr om w h ich h e c la i m s t o h a v e r e c e iv e d a r t i c l e s , i s un kn ow n t o t h em , an d i f i t d o e s h a ve ane x i st e n c e an y a r t i c l e s w h ich t h o s e a t t e n d i n g a d o p te d an d si gn e dh a ve no m or e l e g a l w e ig h t w it h t h e t r u e R o s i c r u c i a n O r d e r th a nt h e mer e b l a n k p a p e r u p on w h i ch t h e y w e r e w r i t t e n . T h i s m on o
g r ap h , t h e r e f o r e , w h i ch Mr. C ly m er a l r e a d y h a s , o r w i l l , se n dt o y ou i s o b v i o u s l y i n t e n d e d t o I m p r e s s M a so n i c G r an d Lo d g e sw it h t h e a u t h o r i t y a n d b ac k gr o u n d o f h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n , b a s e du po n t h i s p u r p o r t e d c o n f e d e r a t i o n i n E u r o p e. T h i s com m u n icat i o n I s I n t e n d e d t o a d v i s e you t h a t su c h a c o n f e d e r a t i o n a sMr . Cly m er ex po u n d s h a s n o l e g a l s t a t u s a n d n o st a n d i n g w it ht h e "FU D O SI "i an d t h e r e c o g n i z e d h o n o r a b le f r a t e r n i t i e s o f E u ro p e w h i ch a t e i t s m em ber s
~He t a k e t h i s o p p o r t u n it y o f a t t a c h i n g h e r e w i t h an i ss u eo f o u r m o n th ly p u b l i c a t i o n o f l a s t M ay. I n th e c e n t e r su p p l e m en t you w i ll se e an a r t i o l e o f w a rn i n g in w h ich i t i s p r e d i c t e d t h a t Mr . Cly m er w o uld a t t e m p t t o e s t a b l i s h o r c l ai msom e su c h c o n f e d e r a t i o n a s h e h a s , a n d w h i ch w o u ld h a ve a
t en d e n cy t o l e a d p e r s o n s t o b e l i e v e h i s O r g a n i z a t io n h ad r e c o g n i t i o n by t h e h o n o r ab le f r a t e r n i t i e s a b r oa d .
SUPREME SECRETARY
CAP:MR_l
ond, those not able to visit headquarters have requested and
received literature showing the actual photographs of the build
ings at the Quakertown, Pa., headquarters.
(2) Probably the greatest and most vicious falsehood of
which Mr. Lewis, A. M. O. R. C., and all those associated with
him have ever been guilty is implied in this statem ent. From
the very beginning of Mr. Lewiss activities the true Fraternity
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AND THE PEOPLE 19
has repeatedly pointed out the impossibility of Mr. Lewis ever
having obtained authority to establish a Rosicrucian body in
America from anjr authentic organization anywhere on earth,
because the Landmarks of the Fraternity forbid even the at
tempt to do such a thing wherever the Order exists.
If A. M. O. R. C. or anyone connected therewith can pro
duce any letter, request or statement that the Supreme Grand
Master or any other person officially connected with the au
thentic organizationthe Randolph Foundationrequestedaffiliation, membership in, or recognition by A. M. 0. R. C. or
F. U. D. O. S. I., the Supreme Grand Master of the true Rosi
crucian Fraternity will deliver to A. M. O. R. C. all the au
thority he possesses, as also all property belonging to the Fra
ternity. The statement made in this letter is utterly and
maliciously false.
(3) This certainly is true. As already mentioned, The In
ternational Confederation of Initiates and Initiate Orders isnon-Masonic, and has no connection whatever with Masonry,
while F. U. D. O. S. I. was based on the self-organized Rite of
Mizraim and M em phis1 and Co-Masonic bodies wholly taboo
by American Masonry. The Confederation cannot have stand
ing with such a clandestine body, has never requested it, and
has consistently pointed out its illegitimacy.
(4) The signatures to the Fama disprove this accusation
and on the contrary show that in Europe, Central and South
America every legitimate Rosicrucian organization is a memberof the Confederation.
The entire letter implies that both our letter to the Grand
1A complete history, with documents showing the whole plan andmethod of fabricat ion of both the clandest ine Rite of Mizraim andM em phis, the Associat ion of Co-M asonry (female M asonry ) an d the
final org aniz ation of F. U . D. O. S. I. by these org anizations is given inVo lu me Two , The Rosicrucian Fraterni ty in America, pages 235-280.
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20 THE INITIATES
Secretaries and the Fama have been more or less a tirade
against A. M. O. R. C. and F. U. D. O. S. I. To disprove this
we reproduce herewith the letter of August 2, 1939. This will
show that neither was mentioned in any manner whatever and
that the letter itself was a dignified communication between
Brother and Brother.
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AND THE PEOPLE 21
i,a Iu i K iR jm o r t n n i v e R s e i i J ie
Aes OROReS,SOCI0P0S 5*FBITOlfflfdB des 1011108
A Private at\d / lutl \orati \ le Corr\n\Vir\ icatior\Fron\ l l \e
' (} ra i\d E as t a r \dS oV irceo / a l l Rps icruc i&i \L ic | l \t
l i / lLIv quaKertovJry.Pa.August 2 , 1939
D r . E . A r t u r o A l a r d oG r a n d S e c r e t a r y
S a i n t D o m i n q u e
D e a r S i r a n d B r o t h e r :
I t i s my f i r m b e l i e f , b a s e d o n e x p e r i e n c e c o v e r i n gmore t h a n t h i r t y y e a r s , t h a t i n a l l f r a t e r n a l a f f a i r s , w h eth erM a s on i c o r o t h e r w i s e , M as on s a s w e l l a s t h e p u b l i c g e n e r a l l yh a v e an a b i d i n g f a i t h t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f a G ra nd M as on icb od y i s i n t o u c h w i t h an d c a p a b l e o f s u p p l y i n g i n f o r m a t i o n n o to p en t o t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c a n d o b t a i n a b l e f r om n o o t h e r s o u r c e .
F or t h i s r e a so n , a nd be c a use we know t h a t ma ny Masonsa r e s e e k i n g r e l i a b l e a n d a u t h e n t i c i n f o r m a t i o n on e s o t e r i c s u b j e c t s , t h i s p r a n d Bo dy ( n o n - M a s o n i c ) t h r o u g h me , i s f o r w a r d i n gt o y o u u n d e r s e p a r a t e c o v e r , a M on og ra ph j u s t i s s u e d a nd d e a l i n g w i t h t h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y an d a l l i e d b o d ie s a c t i v eu n d e r t h e n ame o f t h e U n i v e r s a l F e d e r a t i o n o f O r d e r s, S o c i e t i e sa nd F r a t e r n i t i e s o f I n i t i a t i o n . I r e q u e s t y ou r k in d i nd u lg en cea nd a s k t h a t y o u g i v e t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n c a r e f u l r e a d i n g an d t h enf i l e i t f o r f u t u r e r e f e r e n c e i n o r d e r t h a t s h ou l d y ou be a p p e al e dt o f o r i n f o r m a t i o n o n t h e s e s u b j e c t s y ou may r e f e r t o i t .
T h e o r g a n i z a t i o n s w h i c h f o r m t h e m e m b e r s h i p o f t h i sC o n f e d e r a t i o n a l l w or k u n d e r a u t h e n t i c a u t h o r i t y a n d co m p et en tj u r i s d i c t i o n . I n no i n s t a n c e i s t h e r e a ny c l a i m t o M as onicc o n n e c ti o n i n a s f a r a s t n e R o s i c r u c ia n s an d t h e i r a c t i v i t i e sa r e c o n c e r n e d . T h i s i s ma de c l e a r i n t h e M on o gr ap h .
T h a nk i ng yo u m o s t s i n c e r e l y f o r y o u r k i n d c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
F r a t e r n a l l y
R . S . C . G . C .
Supreme Grand Maste;L a F e d e r a t i o n U n i v e r s e l l e
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P a r t T h r e e
During February, March and April of 1941, Dr. R.
Swinburne Clymer, Supreme Grand Master of the
International Confederation of Initiate Orders,
visited the countries of South America to induct
formally the authentic established Rosicrucian Organizations
into full membership into the Confederation, all of which is
part of the published history of the Confederation. A full re
port can be found in the Revised Second Fama.
Shortly after Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer returned from Eu
rope, Mr. Lewis, in his June, 1941, issue ofRosicrucian Digest,
published another of his utterly misleading articles under the
heading of AMORC Is Imitated Again. This one and one-
half page article is herewith reproduced so that no one can beaccused of misquoting. Our notes and comments follow.
(1) This is almost an exact copy of the statem ent in the
first article and was fully answered.
(2) We request that the reader carefully note and bear in
mind throughout the study of this article that Mr. Lewis, as
Imperator, here italicized the phrase The First public declara
tion, etc. This appeared in the November, 1934, issue of
I he Rosicrucian Digest. Next refer to the reproduction of
the certificate of registration of the Confederation or Fraternity
of Initiates which was made in 1929, f i v e y e a r s b e f o r e
t h e f a b r i c a t i o n o f F. U. D. O. S. I. As previously
stated, this name was thereafter registered in every country of
the Copyright treaty. Since the certificate of the Confederation
of Initiates was registered five years before F. U. D. O. S. I.
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AND THE PEOPLE 25
(4) Admittedly, imitation is the highest kind of flattery,
but when it is imitation of things most sacred, of things which
deal with the Soul, the highest in man, and which leads to de
basement and loss of faith by sincere seekers, it becomes crimi
nal and without justification.
(5) This so-called Second Fama issued by A. M. 0. R. C.
is fully discredited in The Rosicrucian Fraternity in America.
(6) As in America, A. M. O. R. C. did establish in a num
ber of South American countries branches of its clandestine
organization, despite the fact that the Rose Cross had been
established there for many years by Crum Heller and continued
active. According to the Ancient Landmarks no Rosicrucian
organization, even if legitimate, may establish itself in any
country where the Order already exists. Therefore, any Lodges
or activities which A. M. O. R. C. established are without
rights and necessarily clandestine.
For the information of the Imperator and all connected withA . M. O. R . C . , let it be emphatically stated that Dr. R.
Swinburne Clymer, Supreme Grand Master of the authentic
Rosicrucian Fraternity, d i d n o t g o t o S o u t h A m e r i c a t o
e s t a b l i s h t h e R o s y C r o s s i n a n y c o u n t r y w h e r e t h e
O r d e r e x i s t e d , but to induct into the Confederation such Or
ders as had previously been legitimately established and con
tinued active.
The Confederation is for the purpose of associating, for one
common purpose, all authentic organizations engaged in eso
teric or spiritual work into one harmonious whole; not pri
marily to establish the Rose Cross. However, where no legiti
mate Rosicrucian organization exists, all possible aid is given
to the establishment of such a Fraternity. This was done in
Chile.
(7) This one word Advertisement is the key to the entire
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26 THE INITIATES
situation. The authentic, legitimate Rosicrucian Fra tern ity, as
is Masonry, is forever and completely forbidden to advertise.
Its Ancient Landmarks prohibit it now, have always prohibited
it in the past. By their advertising shall ye know them.
(8) We agree with the Imperator and for that reason A. M.
O. R. C. never offered Soul teachings to its followers except
those which were first prepared, produced or issued by the
authentic Fraternity, the Fraternitas Rosa: Crucis.
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THE INITIATES
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H i t l e r i s m i n A m e r i c a
Hitlers destruction oj books which in any way interfered
with his regime is repeated in free, democratic America.
When the people of America were informed,
through newspapers, magazines and public speakers, of the destruction of books by the arch-ego
tist Hitler, they stood aghast; condemnation of this
act was universal, and rightly so. The good people of a free
democracy could not conceive of the possibility of such a thing
taking place here in America, yet within a very short time
thereafter it actually did take place, as we shall show.
T o digress for a moment, the volume of which this report
forms a part, together with the reproduced documents and
other direct information, prove beyond a doubt that an organi
zation variously known as T h e R o s i c r u c i a n s , The Brother
hood of the Rosy Cross, T h e T e m p l e o f t h e R o s y C r o s s ,
T h e O r d e r o f t h e R o s i c r u c i a n s and other appellations, has
existed and been active in America since 1774, and that by
their own writings, prominent men, men active in science and
literature, professed affiliation and were active in its interest.
Furthermore, these official publications show that, like Ma
sonry, but one such organization is legitimately permitted toexist in any one country. Any other organization attempting
to establish itself under the same or similar title is classified
under the law as clandestine, illegitimate and fraudulent.
No such attempt had been made by any organization until
about 1909. Then in 1915,1 one H. Spencer Lewis felt that the
1For comple te informat ion and reproduct ion of or ig ina l documentsand publications, see Th e R osicrucian Fraternity in Am erica.
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AND THE PEOPLE 31
lished 2 here in the U. S., and Lodges will be formed 3 all
over the countrythe old and true Order. We need lit
era ture and welcome 1 such as Clymer and I am in a
position to sell books and pamphlets to members.
You may send me your catalog and wholesale prices.
Yours
T h o r K i i m a l e h t o ,
R X C .
We answered this A. M. O. R. C. letter as follows on Janu
ary 28, 1916.
January 28, 1916
Thor Kiimalehto
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
Your letter has been received and noted. Pleased to
learn that you like the booklet so well.
At noon I mailed you two booklets, one of these marked,
and I now call your attention to a few facts:
1st. Do you know that the Rose Cross was founded in
America more than 60 years ago; that continually since
that time booklets, books, and MSS. have been issued by
the Order?
2nd. Do you know that it has been working ever since;
that it has members throughout the United States, many
3T his s ta tem ent i s posi tive tha t lodges wil l be formed n o t t h a t t h e y h a v e b e e n f o e m e d all over the count ry , a f t e r the date on whichthe let te r was w ri t ten, nam ely, Ja nu ary 25, 1016.
1Later Lewis a t tempted to make h is fo l lowers bel ieve that I had a t tem pted to become a me mb er, associate myself with them, etc. Thisef fect ively p roves tha t m y co-operat ion had been requested. M y re act ion wi l l be no ted in the answer to th is le t ter wr i t ten to me by thesecretary of the then forming A. M. O. R. C.
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32 THE INITIATES
of whom are teachers, lawyers, physicians, statesmen,
etc.?
3rd. Are you aware of the fact that but one Order of a
given name can (may) exist in this country? That we
(for instance) have no right to go to another country
where the R. X. exists, and that no second Order can be
founded here for the very good reason that such would
not be Rosicrucian, would not possess Rosicrucian teach
ings, and would possess no authority, being fraudulent onthe face of it.
I call your attention to these facts, as the knowledge
may save you a great deal of trouble in the future. We
hold the original Charter for this country. Our Lodges
have been open, our Convocations attended by the mem
bers, and, as is natural, these members come to us for con
firmation as to whether an R. X. Lodge is under our
Charter or is fraudulent.
You are late in conveying any message to me, seeing
that the original Charter has been in my hands since
1895, that the original papers are in my possession, that I
have organized two Convocations and that I have taught
many personally.
I certainly wish you success in any good work that you
may do, but why not, if you are an Occultist, be sincere
and, if you evolve a system of teaching, give it a name oj
its own?I have the honor to be
Very truly yours,
R. S w i n b u r n e C l y m e r ,
Master of the Order.5
In Duplicate. Second copy for attorney.
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AND THE PEOPLE 33
In order to justify himself Mr. Lewis attacked us from time
to time, but it was not until 1932 that Mr. Lewis went to the
extreme length in attempting to connect us with what he called
a conspiracy to ruin his organization through the activity of
Mr. George L. Smith, a former A. M. 0. R. C. member. The
fact that we did not know Mr. Smith at the time the action
began was a clear indication to us showing the extent to which
Mr. Lewis would go in an effort to secure recognition for his
fraudulent organization. It effectively warned us that the timehad come to fully protect ourselves and the Fraternity from
the machinations of those who had unlawfully usurped its
name.
Having connections with every authentic Initiatory organi
zation in Europe, we placed into their hands the detailed in
formation of what was taking place and requested that they
furnish us with the original documents disproving practically
every charge and every claim Mr. Lewis had ever made against
us, and at the same time prove all our charges against him.
W h i le w e w e r e c o lle c t in g t h i s e v id e n c e , Mr. L e w i s i s s u e d h i s
b o o k l e t Audi Alteram Partem, i.e., H e a r t h e O t h e r S i d e . We
t h e n m a d e t h is t h e b a s i s fo r t h e tw o - v o lu m e w o r k : T h e R o s i -
c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e r i c a . T h i s w o r k w a s c o m p le te d
in 1938 a n d c o p i e s o ff e re d t o t h e p u b l i c l ib r a r i e s . L e t th e
r e a d e r b e a r i n m in d t h a t i t w a s Mr. L e w i s w h o t it le d , p u b
l is h e d a n d e x t e n s i v e l y c ir c u l a t e d h i s H e a r t h e O t h e r S i d e
b o o k l e t a n d p l a c e d i t i n to t h e l i b ra r ie s . We d i d n o t p r o t e s t tol i b r a r i e s , b e c a u s e w e b e l i e v e t h e p e o p l e h a v e t h e r i g h t ,
a n d s h o u l d h e a r b o t h s i d e s , b u t w h e n o u r a n sw e r a p p e a r e d ,
Mr. L e w is f a c e d a b o u t a n d b e c a m e a se c o n d H i tl e r in h i s a c
t iv i t y t o d e s t ro y b o o k s .
The se le t ters and others pu blished in T h e R o s e C r o s s O r d e r are in
the Arch ives o f the Fratern i ty and open to inspect ion to any au thor izedofficial of the Government.
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AND THE PEOPLE 35
Feb. 24, 1638.
Dr. R. Swinburne Clymer,B e v e r ly H a l l ,Quakertcmn, Pa.
My d ea r D r. Clymer:Aa you ask in your le t te r of the 22nd
fo r an ex pre ss io n o f op in io n onth m ate r ia l which I fo rwarded toyou, I s h a l l s e t down here some thou ghts t h a t have occurred to mei n th i s c o n n e c ti o n .
1 . As a l o g i c a l p r e l im i n a r y t o an y a c t i o n , al i b r a r ia n should make a c a re fu l s tudy of the two volumesof your work ; "The Roslcf ruo ian F ra te rn i ty in Amer ioa ,"and such an exa m ination would amply re fu te the claimsmade i n th e l e t t e r t o l i b r a r i a n s .
2 . I t i s n o t on l y a n i n s u l t to t he i n t e l l ig e n c eo f l i b r a r i a n s t o a t tem p t t o o oe ro e them i n t o s u p p res s in gy o u r b o ok s , b u t s u ch an ac t i o n i s d i r e c t l y o p po sed t o t h eAmer ican p r in c ip le o f f reedom of speeoh , as we l l as be ingmos t unwor thy o f an o rgan iza t ion c la iming to be the t rueRoaicruo ian o rder , which i s founded upon bro therhood ,o h a r i t y a nd t o l e r a n o e ^
3 . I doubt whether a l ib ra r i a n , once hav ing acoep ted
and ca ta logu ed yo ur books fo r the f r ee use o f th e pub l io ,h as an y r i g h t t o r emo v e t h en f ro m c i r cu l a t i o n o er t a i n l y Ishould no t dare make such an at tem pt .
4 . Though l ib ra r i a n s , a s a o las s , may no t be fam i l i a rw i th o cc u l t l aw s , o rd i n a ry o b s e rv a t i o n and ex p e ri en ce s ho uldo r e a t e s u s p i c i o n o f a s o - c a l le d R o s io r uc ia n F r a t e r n i t y whosel i t e ra tu re so ob v ious ly p la ce s the emphas is upon form, wi thi t a t awdry im i ta t io n s o f the g rand eur o f Thebes and Kamak,i t s p a i n t ed h i e ro g l y p h i o a , an d i t s pompous " Im p era t o r ."
8 . In a world o f sham and p re ten oe , th i s i s on ly apar t o f the g r .ea t conf l i c t tha t i s on be tween shadow ands u b a t an o e ; r ea l an d c o u n t e r f e i t . , Aa P a t an j a l i s ay s i n hiBT og a S u t r a s : "Where t h e re i s l i g h t , t h e re i s a l s o s h ad o w . ..
tha ba star d v es ture and the b astard powers of psychism aree a s i l y a t t a i n e d ; y e t , eVen when a t t a i n e d , t h ey a r e a d e l u s i o n , and t h e v e ry es sen ce o f u n re a l i t y . "
I b e l ie v e t h a t t h e above w i l l d e a r l y d e f in e myp o s i t io n , ftnd I a ssu re you , Dr . Clymer , o f my f u l l m ora l suppor taa w el l a s ny d es i re to aid you otherw ise in eve ry way in my power*
S i n o e re l y y o u r s ,
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36 THE INITIATES
Again calling attention to the fact that Mr. Lewis had issued
and widely circulated his H e a r t h e O t h e r S t d e , to which T h e
R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e r i c a was the answer, and
we here reproduce the letter issued, after copies of these books
had been placed in such libraries where the librarians had ex
pressed a willingness to receive them. Let it be repeated that
we made no effort whatever to keep his booklet out of any
library or from being circulated in the mail. We were perfectly
willing tha t the American people should be the judge. Our an swers to the charges made will follow the reproduction.
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AND THE PEOPLE 37
A M
THE ROSICRUCIAN ORDERK n o w n 01 " T H E A N C I EN T , M Y S T IC O R D E R R 0 5 A E C R U C I S" t h ro u gh o u t ih e w o rld
SUPREME TEMPLE FOR NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICAROSICRUCIAN PARK SAN JOSE. CALIFORNI A. U.S .A .
F e b r u a r y 1 2 , 1 93 8
Chief Librar ian
Publ ic LibraryR e s p e c t e d L i b r a r i a n :
We be lie ve th at we ar e Ju st if ie d in assuming th at your connectionswi th the publ ic l ib rary o f your c i ty warran t our b r ing ing beforey o u r a t t en t io n a r a th e r se r io u s mat t e r .
A Reuben Swinburne Clymer, of Quakertown, Pe nnsylv ania , o ff er s toship to public l ibraries two volumes of a book writ ten by himself ,hoping that they wil l be used for general reference and possiblygene ral ci rc ul at io n . These books are en ti t le d, The RosicrucianF ra te rn it y in America. They ar e lar ge , bulky books, and from thet i t l e given above, which appea rs stamped on the back of the books,and from their size, they would appear to be instruct ive, educat ion al , and h is to r i ca l in value and of ben ef i t to research workersand those searching for facts in connection with philosophical and
ed uc at io na l movements of the Middle Ages and th e pr es en t time. /
But we ar e f i l in g the fol lowing pr ot es t with you on the bas is t hatthe se TWo volumes by Mr. Clymer ar e n e it h er h is to ri c a l rec ord s, noreduc at ional , in s t r uc t iv e , nor of value to any research worker , Inas much as the y c o n s ti tu te wholly and s o le ly an at ta c k upon theRosl-rcr uci an Order in America and in Europe.-A The Rosic rucia n Order 'thr oug hou t t he w or ld, known as AMORC, has been in e xi st en ce f o r ^many ce n tu r ie s and has had a spo t less re p u ta t i o n ^ i t i s ' a recog n iz e d and d e f i n i t e f r a t e r n i t y , f r e e from p o l i t i c a l , s o c i a l , r e l i g i o u s , o r o t h e r d e s t r u c t i v e o r c r i t i c a l a t t i t u d e s . We r e f e ryou to the Fourteenth Edit ion of the Encyclopedia Brl tannlca underthe s ub jec t of Ros lcrucla nlsm , Webster1s New Int er nat ion al Dictio na ry (Una bridg ed), the New Standar d Encycl oped ia, and many othe rencyclopedias and d ic t ionar ies which g ive a t rue and accurate h is to ry of t he R os ic ru c ia n Order known as AMORC. (See the enc los ed
booklet en t i t l e d , "Recogni t ion ." ) 3This man Clymer has been iss ui ng pamphlets and bookle ts a tta ck ing ^the Rosicrucian Order for nearly twenty years,/an3~a number~"Sf~hisat tacks have reached var ious cour ts in Cal i fo rn ia , includ ing theFed era l Cou rt and Sup er io r Courts . He has even been mentioned byus in a s u i t fo r l i b e l and a dec isio n rendered by a Superior Courtin which he was specifically named as one of the conspirators, and
ROSICRUCIAN PARK THE IN STITUTION BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION
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38 THE INITIATES
Ch ief L ib ra r i an 2 Feb ru ary 1 2 , 1 93 8
th e d ec i s io n fo rb ad e h i s co n t in u in g to i s su e h i s iMrar r ll u s p amphl e t s a nd l i b e l o u s m a t t e r p e r t a i n i n g t o AMORC. ^ a v ol dm a l l s I n c a r r y i n g on h i s s c u r r i l o u s c am p ai gn , n e h a s p r i n t e d x n ea etwo l a r g e v ol um es a nd i s s h i p p i n g t hem by e x p r e s s t o p u b l i c l y -
b r a r i e s w i t h t h e h o p e t h a t t h e l i b r a r i e s w i l l a c c e p t t t j e m - ' i p m p u tthem i n t o c i r c u l a t i o n o r in t he r e f e r e n c e r o o m s . ^ r c h a s p l a c e a at i t l e o n t h e b ac k o f t h e s e boo ks t h a t t e n d s t o make t h e l i b r a r i a n sb e l i e v e t he y c o n s t i t u t e a h i s t o r y o f t h e R o s i c r uc i an F r a t e r n i t yin Amer ica. Even a casu a l ex amin a t io n o f t h e t i t l e p ag es ox e
seco nd volume o f t h ese bo ok s p l a i n l y r ev ea l s t h a t i t i s an a t t ac Kand an exp ose and a c r i t i c i s m . Ov er n in e ty p e r cen t o f t h e m at t e rco n ta in ed in t h ese v o lu mes i s n o t o n ly d es t ru c t iv e an d h ig h ly
U f O I t g l T x b u t s o a b s o l u t e l y f a l s e a n d a b s u r d a s t o b e t ho ro u gh ly ^mi l a iST i fc rA In f a c t , ev ery o ne o f t h e f a l s e ch arg es wh ich he nu^ .esin t h ese b o o k s h as a l r ead y b een r ev i ewed b y th e fo l lo win g d ep armen ts o f t h e s t a t e and co u n t ry : The Un i t ed S t a t es Po s t O f f i ce d e p a r tmen t , t h e Depar tment o f Ju s t i c e , t h e In t e rn a l Rev en ue Dep ar t -ment, th e Federal Trade Commission, t he Fed era 3 _ Co u t_ o f_ _ Cd i j^ rn i a^ .and v a r io u s S u p e r io r Courts o f C a l i f o r n i a . c a s e ,p a r tm e n t s o f t he G ove rn me nt h a ve g i v e n o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n a c l e a n . D i no f h ea l th , an d in ev ery co u r t case we h av e h ad a d ec i s io n in o u rfav o r , q
We th e re f o re p r o t e s t a g a in s t t h ese b o ok s b y Mr. C ly mer b e in g p l ace di n y ou r l i b r a r y a nd p u t i n t o c i r c u l a t i o n i f h e o r h i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
o f f e r s t h e m / ^ I t wou ld mean t h a t y o u r l i b r a r y a nd go od o f f i c e s wo ul dbe used to c ar ry on h is campaign in a manner to avo id use o f thema i l and t o a vo id r e s p o n s i b i l i t y on h i s p a r t . A s u i t a g a i n s t himwould br in g no re s u lt s Inasmuch as he has no money to pay fo r dama ge s o r c o u r t c o s t s , a nd a n i n j u n c t i o n a g a i n s t h i s I s s u i n g a ny mor ebooks would be evaded by i ssu ing the books under f i c t i t i o u s names
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AND THE PEOPLE 39
C h i e f L i b r a r i a n 3 F e b r u a r y 1 2 , 19 38
so me o l d b o o k s , a n d e v e r y l a r g e l i b r a r y i n t h e c o u n t r y h a s a numbero f b oo ks d e a l i n g w i t h t h e e a r l y h i s t o r y a n d p h i lo s o p h y o f t h e R os i-c r u o i a n s \ \ ,
VThese two books by Mr. C lymer , how ever , and a l l o\f h i s o th e r pamphl e t s a nd b o ok s o f v i l i f i c a t i o n , a r e o f no v a lu e ir\ t h e c a te g o r y o f R o s i c r u c i a n i s m e x c e p t t o c a r r y on an u n f a i r a t ta c k y a n d u t i l i z e t hep u b l i c l i b r a r i e s t o f u r t h e r h is own e nd s. He f r e q u e n t ly r e f e r s t oh i m s e l f a n d h i s p u b l i s h i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n a s The P h i l o s o p h i c a l P ub l i s h i n g Com pany, a l s o a s R o s i c r u c i a n B r o t h e r h o o d , a s The B e v e r lyH a l l C o r p o r a t i o n , a nd n um er ou s o t h e r t i t l e s . H is a d d r e s s , ho we ve r,i s Q u a k e r to w n . P e n n s y l v a n i a , an d t h e t i t l e o f t h e b o ok s, we r e p e a t ,i s The R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e ri ca .
I s h o u l d b e g l a d t o h a v e y ou l e t me know w h a t y o u r l i b r a r y d e c i d e st o d o a b o u t t h i s m a t t e r . T h er e a r e h u n d r e d s o f go od a nd r e s p e c t e di n d i v i d u a l s l i v i n g i n an d ar o u n d y o u r c i t y who a r e m embers of t h i sR o s ic ru c ia n O rd er , AMORC,^and who have been much conc erned a bo utt h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h e s e m a l ic i o u s bo ok s b e in g c i r c u l a t e d t hr ou ghy o u r l i b r a r y . They b e l i e v V a s we d o , t h a t I t i s s im p ly a m a t t e ro f b e i n g p r o p e r l y I nf or m ed as t o t h e i r r e a l n a t u r e .
Any f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n you d \ s l r e r e g a r d in g t h i s m a t t e r w i l l beg l a d y s e n t t o y ou . y *
Y o u r s v e r y t r u l y
RML:MK(Enc. )
OUR REPLY
(1) These books are instructive, educational and historical
and of unquestioned value to both the student and the research
worker for the reason that therein will be found an almost com
plete history of both the authentic organization dating from
1614 to the present time, and the documentary history of the
form ation and activities of the clandestine organization. The
books issued by us, T h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e r
i c a , contain much of the Fraternitys exoteric teachings, e x -
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T R E M E L Y R A R E D O C U M E N T S F R O M T H E E U R O P E A N O R D E R S ,
which, had they not been placed into our hands, would have
been destroyed by the hordes of Hitler and no longer to be
had. These reproduced documents are of untold value to the
millions interested in the esoteric. They cannot defame any
person or organization unless that person or organization has
defamed himself or itself by the acts which necessitated their
publication. The reproduction is merely historical.
(2) An utterly false statement. The entire literature issued by A. M. 0. R. C. and the letter by its first secretary,
which is published herein, offer unquestioned proof that A. M.
O. R. C. began its existence no earlier than 1916 and that it
could not possibly have had a spotless reputation for many
centuries.
Its reputation for truth is about as spotless as is the leopard.
It may be said in all honesty 15that, almost without exception,
every claim of legitimacy written or published by Mr. Lewis
and the A. M. O. R. C. is just about as truthful as this claimof his.
(3) Mr. Lewis has made much of his recognitions, and
leaflets publishing such recognitions have been issued, cir
culated and placed within the covers of books in libraries by
the hundreds of thousands. Our space is limited, but let us
give an example of how these recognitions are secured. To
do this effectively and without bias, we herewith reproduce a
letter written to one who sought the information.7
This person is not now, and never was, a member of the Randolphfoundation, the Fraternitas Rosa; Crucis or any of its activities.
The name of the person to whom this letter was addressed is deletedlo avoid embarrassment. This person never was, and is no t now, amember of any of the Randolph Foundation activities.
40 TH E INITIAT ES
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AND THE PEOPLE 41
Funk &WagnaIIs Company 554-560 F ou r t kA ve n nc , N e w Y ork, N . Y
Edi to rial Room s o fThe New Standard Dictionaries
THE NEW STANDARDUNABRIDCED THE PRACTICALSTANDARD Till! DESKSTANDARD THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE STANDARD . THECONCISESTANDARD
C h a r l e s E a r l e F u n k , L i t t . D . , E d ito r
April 5. 1939.
Your le t t e r o f March 30th, addressed toMr. George W. Jone s, J r . , has been refe rre d to me fo r reply .
The def in i t io n of the te rm Rosic rus iana ppe a r ing i n t he c u r re n t e d i t i on s o f ou r s e r i e s o f St anda rddic t ionar ies was besed on mate r ia l suppl ied by the Secre ta ryof the Rosicrucian Order (Amorcj a t San Jose, Uall i 'ornia .
The enc losed pamphle t indica tes the i r ap p rova l o f ou r de sc r i p t i on o f t h e i r o rga n i z a ti on , t he ba s i cfa c t s of which a re conta ined in the def i n i t ion appear ing ino u r d i c t i o n a r i e s .
Very truly yours,
Charles Earle Funk
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42 THE INITIATES
(4) This is not a correct statement. Such books and book
lets were not attacks, but the a n s w e r s t o a t t a c k s u p o n u s
m a d e b y M r. L e w i s a n d A. M. O. R. C. He whose character
is attacked and who fails to defend it is l a c k i n g i n c h a r -
a c t e r .
( 5 ) Mr. L e w i s m a d e an d p r in t e d t h i s s t a te m e n t so f re
q u e n t l y t h a t , l ik e th e f is h e r m a n a n d h i s s t o r y , h e u n d o u b t e d l y
h a s t r ie d t o m a k e h i m s e lf b e l ie v e i t. We h a v e a n s w e r e d th i s
f u lly in th e tw o vo lu m es , T h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n
A m e r i c a . We h e r e re p e a t , h o w e v e r, t h a t a t t h e t im e Mr. L e w i s
a n d A. M. O. R. C. s t a r t e d h i s l ib e l s u i t w e d i d n o t k n o w
G e o r g e L. S m i t h a n d we have never in any way been served
in such a suit. M o r e o v e r , t h o s e d e s i r in g i n f o r m a t i o n o f h o w
t h e d ec is io n r e s u lt e d , a n d t h e a m o u n t p a i d b y Mr. L e w is to t h e
s a i d G e o r g e L. S m i th , w i ll fi n d t h e f u ll s o r d i d d e t a i l s i n t h e
tw o v o lu m e s m e n t io n e d .
(6) An utterly false statement. It is here emphatically
stated that n o t a s i n g l e s e t o f t h e s e b o o k s w e r e m a i l e d
o r e x p r e s s e d t o a n y l i b r a r i a n o r a n y l i b r a r y u n l e s s w e
F I R S T R E C E IV E D A L E T T E R F R O M T H E L I B R A R I A N S T A T I N G T H A T
t h e s e b o o k s w e r e a c c e p t a b l e . Every such letter is on file.
It is not wholly true that these sets were shipped by express.
Within certain zones the sets were shipped by express because
the cost was less. In all other instances, to Canada, Mexico,
and all foreign countries, the books were mailed.
(7) It is freely admitted that the material is critical, but
there is not a single false or misleading statement in these
books unless it is a reproduction of something said or printed
by Mr. Lewis, A. M. O. R. C., or those engaged in fabricating
and advertising A. M. O. R. C. or the F. U. D. O. S. I.
(8) This is admittedly an important question. We do not
here have the space to answer it. Moreover, it has been com
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44 THE INITIATES
about them is an advertisement. We welcome investigation.
We suggest the study of the Lewis publications and comparing
their contents with our literature. We likewise welcome criticism
because this reveals weaknesses if present. We do not fear ac
cusations because this offers us an opportunity to reveal the
truth. Mr. Lewis and A. M. O. R. C. know full well their in
ability to defend the falsehoods published and circulated, there
fore they must destroy. Hitler was in a like position. He knew
full well that the books in the public libraries would reveal thefalsity of his position and teachings, therefore the destruction
of books on that 10th day of May, 1933.
( 1 2 ) I t w a s n o t w e w h o m a d e t h e u n f a i r a t t a c k . I t w a s M r .
L e w i s in h i s b o o k l e t , H e a r t h e O t h e r S i d e . T h a t w h i c h he
c a lls a n u n f a ir a t t a c k was the answer. A l l o f v o l u m e t w o is
d e v o t e d t o t h e r e p r o d u c t i o n o f h i s H e a r t h e O t h e r S i d e . C o u l d
w e h a v e re p r o d u c e d th e s e i n t h e b o o k had they not previously
been published and circulated? W e a n s w e r e d t h e s e a c c u s a ti o n s
a n d a t t a c k s w i th d o c u m e n ts f ro m E u r o p e d a t in g b a c k t o y e a r s
b e fo re M r . L e w is w a s b o r n . W e u s e d th e d o c u m e n t s a s p ro o f
o f th e a c tu a l t r u t h r e l a ti v e to t h e a u g u s t F r a t e r n i ty a n d i t s
f o u n d a t i o n a n d p h i l o s o p h y . We did not attack. W e a n s w e re d
h i s a t ta c k . H a d T h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e r i c a
b e e n p u b l is h e d f i rs t a n d h i s H e a r t h e O t h e r S i d e t h e r e a f t e r ,
th e n h e m i g h t a c c u s e u s o f th e a t t a c k , b u t H e a r t h e O t h e r
S i d e w a s n o t o n l y p u b l is h e d f ir s t, b u t p la c e d in e v e r y p u b l i c
l i b r a r y w i llin g t o a c c e p t i t, a n d i n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s , i t w a s w i d e l y
c ir cu la te d b y h i s h e n c h m e n a n d t h e m e m b e r s o f A. M. O . R. C .
(13) In many instances this was true. What these members
were requested to do and what they did will be shown in the
reproduction of a letter of instructions issued by A. M. O. R. C.
On March 10, 1938, we received a letter from the librarian
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46 THE INITIATES
You ask: What is back of this lette r? Simply this:
Mr. Lewis does not wish the information contained in
these books to become public.
We feel that you should be fully informed and, having
a copy of the said letter before us we will answer it in
detail, but first of all let us call your attention to this
fact:
You will no doubt find on the shelves of your library
a copy of R o s i c r u c i a n Q u e s t i o n s a n d A n s w e r s by Mr.Lewis." If you will read this book you will find that it
is mostly a diatribe against myself and Dr. Randolph, who
founded the authentic Rose Cross in 1856. We did not
ask you to refuse this book because this is America and
we feel that people should be permitted to know both
sides. Moreover, tru th must ultimately prevail.
A s f a r b a c k a s M a r c h 11, 1936, M r . L e w is f e a re d w e
m i g h t p u b l is h t h e f a c t s a n d w a r n e d l ib r a r i a n s a g a i n s t u s .S e e p a g e 21, V o lu m e tw o , T h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y
i n A m e r ic a . I t is u t t e r ly f a ls e t o sa y t h a t a t t h a t t im e ,
o r p r i o r th e r e to , w e p l a c e d a n y l it e r a t u r e , o r e v e n a t
t e m p t e d to p la c e a n y l i t e r a tu r e , i n t o l ib r a r i e s t h e
r e co r d s o f y o u r l ib r a r y w il l p r o b a b l y s u b s t a n t i a t e t h is
s ta t e m e n t . H e s im p l y v o i c ed h i s o w n f e a r s a n d in t h i s
u n e t h ic a l m a n n e r s o u g h t to i n f lu e n c e l ib r a r i a n s . P a r a
g r a p h tw o o f t h e l e t t e r : 10 T h e s e b o o k s are h i s t o r i c a l ;
t h e y g iv e a n a l m o s t c o m p l e te h i s to r y , b a s e d o n p u b l is h e d
w o rk s a n d d o c u m e n t s o f t h e A u t h e n t ic O r d e r . T h e y a ls o
g iv e th e h i s to r y o f t h e L e w is o r g a n i z a ti o n b a s e d o n t h e i r
. . A s previous ly s ta ted , ins tead of h id ing fa l sehoods publ ished , we ca ll
the light of day so th at the y m ay be refuted. W e did n o t
so i i i ( i.raran . t destroy tha t who l ly untru thfu l and m alicious book ,l .others m ight no t see i t , bu t requested him to read i t so th at the
](jac t s might be revealed and the t ru th m ade know n.
Reproduct ion of the A. M. 0. R. C. let ter dated February 12, 1938.
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AND THE PEOPLE 47
o w n p u b l i s h e d w o r k s . Moreover, they contain repro
ductions of documents obtained from the European or
ganizations; documents extremely rare and to be had
only through these organizations in Europe. Besides this,
they give the entire philosophical basis upon which the
original Fraternity was founded.
Paragraph three of the letter: I t is true that the Rosi
crucian Fraternity was founded several centuries ago but
th at was the authentic body. The A. M. O. R. C. was organized no earlier than 1916. To prove this we refer you to
pages beginning 198 of volume one and 648 of volume
two.11 You will find th at he (Mr. Lewis) tells one hun
dred and one different stories of the founding of his or
ganization. Please remember these stories are w o r d f o r
w o r d from his own publications.
W hat is the reason for this? The authentic organization
was founded in America as a separate body in 1856. By
1915 more than 500,000 books had been published and
sold and the Fraternity was well known. Mr. Lewis, then
in New Thought, saw his opportunity to establish a new
organization, illegally taking the name of an organization
already in existence. Ever since then he has been forced
to justify himself for this unethical, and in many states,
as in Pennsylvania, unlawful acts. His present effort is
to prevent these facts from becoming known.
Paragraph four of the letter: Here he indicates libel.If there is libel, then he himselj is the guilty one since
every word relative to himself and his organization is based
on his own published statements as made in Court when
defending himself in various actions. The proofs that
most of his statements are false are based on documents
11Also see T ho r K iima lehtos letter to the writer.
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AND THE PEOPLE 49
such a suit because it would quickly prove the falsity ofhis own claims.
Paragraph six of the letter: This is utterly false. At the
time Mr. Lewis wrote the letter, not a single library had
rejected these books. Since his letter, one, just one, library
has done so. On the other hand, we are receiving so many
requests from libraries since he mailed the letter that 500
more sets are at this time being bound for distribution to
libraries.Paragraph seven of the letter: Mr. Lewis failed to state
that he tried, with the help of the best legal talent pro
curable, to prevent us from filing and protecting the au
thentic body in this State, while at the same time trying to
get protection for his own. He failed miserably. Our Or
ganizations applications were filed and legalized, whereas
his applications were rejected. Seepages 191, 192, 193 and
194 of volume one, T h e R o s i c r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n
A m e r i c a .
We regret taking so much of your time but we feel that
we should give you the facts of the matter.
Sincerely yours,
The Rosicrucian Foundation,
By R. S w i n b u r n e C l y m e r .
After receiving the aforesaid letter from the librarian in
Michigan, on June 18, 1940, we also received a letter from
one of the Trustees of a library in New Hampshire. This we
reproduce, only deleting the name and town, for reasons previ
ously stated. Immediately following the reproduction, we re
print our answer.
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so THE INITIATES
June 18, 1940.
Dr. R. S. Clymer,Quakertown, Pa.
Dear S i r :
I am one of the board of t r u s te es of th e Lacon iaP ub l i c L ib r a r y a nd a sho r t t im e a go the l i b r a r y r e c e ive dfrom you two n ice ly bound volumes r e la t in g t o th e Ro sJjK'ucianF r a t e r n i ty in Am e r ic a. Not l ong a f t e r t h e r e c e ip t^ ^ r f t h e seb o o k 3 o n e o f t h e t r u s t e e s o f t h e l i b r a r y r e c e i v p a a l o n gle t t e r f rom San Jose , Ca l . s l g 1.ed by th e RosleTucian Orjiey-^
AMORC, Ce cil A. Po ole , Supreme Sec r e t ar y . i>ur board a ra t h e r se r iou s m at te r ; th a t twcf volumes of yourbook-^iad been shipped by expressf t o t he La c on ia P ub l i c L ib r a r yf o r geft fcr ^l r e f e r e n c e , an d p o s s ib l y g e n e r a l c i r c u l a t i o n . 3The w r i t e r > t a t e d t h a t 3 a id book s a r e n e it h e r h i s t o r i c a l r e c o r d , / e d u c a t io n a l, i n s t r u c t i v e o r o f v a lu e t o t h e r e s e a r c h w o r k e r , ^ 3t he y c on s is t e d so l e l j' - ' o f ;a n a t t a c k upon the R o s ic r u c ia n Order ^vin America and in Europe?}. The w ri t er re qu ested th at th eLaconia Pu bl ic Libr a ry r e jec t your books and n ot a l low themto be amoiig th e volumes of th e l i b r a r y .
< Among o the r t h ings t h i s l e t t e r s t a t e s t h a t you ha ve beensued f o r i lB e TXby th e C a l i f o r n ia o r de r and a de c i s ion r e nde r e dby i t s Supreme Cour t aga in s t you; t h a t you have been pr oh ib i t e d S from u sin g th e U. S. m alls in car ry in g on your campaign/rfrnff' 't h a t t h e r e f o r e you a r e sh ipp ing the books by Exp r e s s . ^ Thele t t e r a l so c laim s tha t eve ry one of the f a lse ch arges whTcEyou make in th ese books have been reviewed by th e fol low in gdepar tmen ts of s t a t e and coun ty: The U. S . Post O ff iceDepartment ; th e Depar tment of Ju s t ic e ; th e In te rn a l RevenueDepar tment , th e Feder a l Trade Commission , the Fed er a l C o u r t ^o f C a l i f o r n i a an d v a r i o u s S u p e r i o r C o u r t s o f C a l i f o r n l a j ^ - - ^ / th at in every case th e dep artm en ts of th e Government ,y^Snd Ipresume i t i s c la im ed the cou r t s , - ilgve g iven de c is io n s aga in s tyou. yv" --------
Of course a gen era l sta tem ent l ik e t h is does not amount tovery much and some t ime ago I wrote to C al ifo r n ia to th e SupremeSecre ta r y o f the AMORC fo r sp e c i f ic da t a as to t h ese cou r t andf e d e r a l c a s e s 3 0 th a t I cou ld, from the C le rks o f th e p roperC ou r t s , and the p r ope r o f f i c i a l o f t he Gover nm en t de pa r tm e n t s ,v e r i f y t h e se s t at e m e n t s , J a i t a s y e t I h a ve n ot r e c e i v e d ar e p ly t o my l e t t e r . ^
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AND THE PEOPLE 51
'v r . 3 . c . #2.+/-> +v>p 1*68.1 r s& so n
B r i e f l y , w i l l / o u k i n d l y I n f o r m me a n d t h eu n d e r l y i n g t h i s a n a r e n t l o n g c o n t e s t b e . t g j h aveC a l i f o r n i a o r d e r , (tand a l s o w h e t h e r t h e a , n g t y0u in sor e f e r r e d t o r e g a r d i n g d e c i s i o n s r en d e r e d 0many c o u r t an d f e d e r a l c a s e s i s t r u e -
A r e t h e r e e n t i r e l y d i s t i n c t an d s e p a r a t e r g ^ nQge(j t 0o f t h e AMORC i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , o r a r e t h yt ie u n d e r o n e s u p r e m e h e a d ? . ,
Y o ur s t r u l y ,
OUR REPLY
September 3, 1940
Dear Mr. . .
I sincerely regret that your most kind letter of the eight
eenth of June has so long remained unanswered. When
your letter reached me we were in the midst of the fourth
session of the weekly Convocations held at Headquarterseach year during the months of May, June and July. Im
mediately after the meetings closed here, a Convocation,
scheduled the previous March, was held in Newark, New
Jersey, and following this, a preliminary meeting of the
International Confederation of Initiatory Fraternities was
held in Montreal, Quebec. In addition to this, personal
correspondence had to have prompt attention and certain
hours given to my practice as a Specialist in Endocrinology.
Now, however, I will set aside all my other duties and an
swer you as fully as I possibly can.
(1) I regret, of course, that you did not send me a copy
of the letter received by you from Cecil A. Poole, Supreme
Secretary of A. M. O. R. C., San Jose, California. How
ever, I have a fair idea of its contents, as numerous libra
rians have either mailed us copies, or the original letters
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THE INITIATES
received by them and all of these are, I presume, similar in
content, if not actually alike.
(2) Mr. Poole lays considerable stress, as did H. Spen
cer and Ralph Lewis before him, on the fact that the sets
ofT h e R o s ic r u c i a n F r a t e r n i t y i n A m e r i c a are shipped
to libraries by express, and implies that this is done in
order to avoid suits for libel. All the statem ents that have
been made by these writers are wholly and deliberately
misleading. These are the actual facts readily verified.
When we first started to supply these books to libraries
throughout the world, the present exceedingly low postal
rates covering books were not in effect, and beyond a cer
tain zone it was much cheaper to send books by express.
Due entirely to this fact, books were shipped by mail to all
points within the first four zones, to Canada and points in
Europe, South and Central America; while beyond the first
four zones they were shipped by express. Since the reduction in rates on books, all sets, without exception, have
gone forward by mail. There is no exception to this rule
except when librarians request otherwise. There never was
a thought of avoiding libel suits. We should have wel
comed these because they would have permitted us to place
before the Courts all of the original records in our
possession.
(3) The writers have made it a point to state that
these books are neither historical records, educational, instructive or of value to research workers. What are the
facts?
To offer but a few pertinent illustrations, we refer you
to page 31, volume one, where you will find a report of the
first World Council of the Rosy Cross in America, held in
the year 1774. Those wholly ignorant of the true facts
made the statement that no such Council existed and that
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AND THE PEOPLES3
the report was a figment of the imagination; that A. M. O.
R. C. held the first actual authority, and, as claimed by
them , this work sta rted in 1909. They are wholly un
aware that George Lippard, who first published the repoit
of the Council, reorganized the Council in 1844 and that the
degree of the Rosy Cross has been conferred yearly, with
out intermission, up to the present day and was so con
ferred in May of this year, at a meeting I personally
attended.
Next refer to page 225, volume one, and beginning with
that page you will find a verbatim reprint of the first Rosi
crucian Manifesto issued in America. This is exceedingly
valuable, because it appeared in the first edition of the book
Ravale tte, by Paschal Beverly Randolph, the First Supreme
Grand M aster of the Fraternity. The book was first pub
lished in 1871 and is now exceedingly rare. I'or this leason
alone, these books are historical and of value to reseat chworkers.
Next, refer to pages 225 to 266, volume one. You will
here find a dastardly attempt to wrest from us rights and
privileges we had long established and which were nevei
before questioned.
As already indicated, the Rose Cross became active in
America prior to 1774. I t held its first Great Council in
Philadelphia in 1774. In 1844 the Supreme Council was
reconstituted and the ritual of the Rose Cross degree fullyexemplified. This has been continued ever since. In 1856 the
Order itself was foundedthe Council must always exist
before the Order may be instituted. In 1904 American
headquarters were moved to Pennsylvania. During all of
those years it was the only organization using the name
Rose Cross or Rosicrucians in any of its variations. Dur
ing these many years many books were published by the
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THE INITIATES
Fraternity, so that the names Rose Cross or Rosicrucianwere familiar to all Occult students. In 1915, under pre
tense of having received a Charter from Toulouse, France
proven utterly false by us when we made a special trip to
Europe, including FranceH. Spencer Lewis organized a
spurious body and called it A. M. O. R. C.
Time after time he tried to ignore both our existence
and authority by referring to us as the little order of the
farm. However, the question was not settled and became
so persistent that in 1934 he attempted to prevent us from
registering several Rosicrucian appellations in Pennsyl
vania as required by our State laws, and attempted to reg
ister his own instead by making the claim that A. M. O.
R. C. was the legitimate Order while we were spurious.
He employed the best legal talent to be obtained and dur
ing many hearings promised to appear or to send his
charters. He never did either and in January , 1935,
registration of all his names was refused, while all of ournames were hied by the Department.
Read especially pages 251 to 267 inclusive, volume one.
It was, as we stated, a dastardly attempt to wrest from us
tha t which was rightly ours and use it for himself. He
jailed utterly and for this reason he does not want, cannot
afford, to have these books, which do give history, in the
public libraries of the nation.
(4) These books are historical for two reasons: 1. They
give, verbatim, practically all of the Manifestoes issued by
ourThe Randolph Foundation of the Rose Crossmany
of which could not be procured irrespective of the sum
one might be willing to pay for them. 2. They include
all, in so far as we can learn, of the official publications
issued by A. M. O. R. C., and as these are most decidedly
contradictory, it is questionable whether the most per
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AND THE PEOPLE SS
sistent investigator could find all of these publications.
These books are therefore invaluable to the research
worker and should be in the library of every man inter
ested in the subject.
(5) I t is utterly untrue tha t these books are an attack
on the Rosicrucian Order in Europe and America. A study
will prove to anyone undertaking it that, in each instance,
I personally was first attacked by H. Spencer Lewis and
the material in the books is the answer. In many instancesit was necessary for us to call upon the legitimate Oideis
of Europe, many of them centuries old, for original docu
ments to refute the charges made. In some instances we
personally contacted these Orders and had interviews with
their Grand Masters. In not a single instance was such
assistance refused us. We did not attack any Order eithei
in Europe or America. We answered Mr. Lewis after he
attacked, defamed and tried to defraud us by attempting
to have our rights denied us.(6) We have never, to the best of our knowledge, been
sued for libel. We say advisedly to the best of 0111
knowledge, because we have never been cited, served 01
notified that any libel suit against us had been staited or
was then pending. I t is true tha t a suit for libel was
started against former members of A. M. O. R. C., but
when the case went to trial all names but one were
dropped from the indictment.
(7) I t is wholly untrue that we have been prohibitedfrom using the United States mails in carrying on our
campaign and are therefore shipping the books by ex
press. We have been doing business from our present ad
dress since early in 1908, or more than thirty years, and
there never has been any interference whatever with our
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THE INITIATES
mails. This is true not only in so far as these two volumes
are concerned, but in every other respect.
(8) The demand for these volumes by libraries in
America and other countries has increased within the last
year and all sets are mailed unless otherwise requested.
The Post Office Department has never in any way inter
fered nor has it suggested that we do not so forward them.
(9) We have absolutely no knowledge tha t the D epart
ment of Justice, the Internal Revenue Department, the
Federal Trade Commission or that any Court has either
investigated our work or rendered a decision against us.
It would appear to us that if any such investigations had
taken place we would know of it and if a decision had
been rendered against us our mails would have been in
terfered with. Surely, were this true, then the Postmaster
at the point where we do business would know of it and
any investigator could quickly learn the truth of thematter.
(10) No Court, in so far as we know, has ever ren
dered a decision against us. Had there been such a de
cision, surely our business would have been interfered
with in one way or another.
(11) The contest has been more or less one-sided.
Whenever we were approached for information as to the
legitimacy of A. M. 0. R. C., we have made the frank
statement that the organization is without legitimate
authority, therefore clandestine; that a legitimate organi
zation has long existed, issued many texts within a period
of one hundred years, become well known to students and
tha t H. Spencer Lewis traded on this fact. We have not at
any time attacked Mr. Lewis; all we have done is to an
swer the attacks made against us. A study of the books
will readily verify this.
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AND THE PEOPLE 57
(12) As already stated, there has been no interference
by any court, whether Federal or otherwise, with our busi
ness during the thirty-six years of continued activity.
(13) The Fraternity of Rosicrucians, Order of the
Rose Cross, has existed in America since 1774. No offi
cial belonging to it has ever been connected with A. M. O.
R. C. A. M. O. R. C. is an entirely separate organization
and, we claim, has no legitimate existence but trades onthe name long established by the authentic Brotherhood.
This Fraternity has no connection whatever with the
Masonic Fraternity though its ancient landmarks are in
many respects the same, as, for instance, it may not ad
vertise, nor may its members wear insignias or garb indi
cating membership. It is a thoroughly ethical body, is
philosophical, religious and fraternal.
I trust I have answered all of your questions and I
would be both happy and willing to answer any furtherquestions you may wish to ask.
Thanking you for your patience,
Sincerely yours,
R. S w i n b u r n e C l y m e r .
Supreme Grand Master
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B o o k s i n P u b l i c L i b r a r i e s
Worthy Followers of the Iiitler Method
On or about March 2, 1938, a member of A. M. O.( R' C. who had also been a Commissioner of or for
A. M. O. R. C. received a communication which
first made him gasp and then begin an investigation
which ended by his severing all connections with the group.
This communication we herewith reproduce. It is a glaring
example of things that happen, not in Germany, Japan or Italy,
but right here in free America.
COMMENTS
The fact that this communication was multigraphed is a fair
indication of the copies mailed and the number of Commis
sioners instructed to deliberately, unjustly, and with destruc
tive intent, remove books from public libraries. In so far as we
can learn, n