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Transcript

December 28, 1969 (tape 211, CD 21)
Sermon

This morning I was able to take my text from the 4th chapter of I Corinthians. Because as it was given unto me I saw the great need we had of this in the Order. Because of our great flux and moving and the little time sometimes we had to prepare ourselves and to be with one another before we went into the field. And it appeals and it also applies to many.

1.) “This is how we should regard, one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2.) Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3.) But with me it is a small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4.) I am not aware of anything against myself but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5.) Therefore do not pronounce judgement before the time before the Lord has come who will bring the light of things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purpose of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation or condemnation.”

We, in our work here, study diligently. We use up in a week’s time a great deal more than many students in many places do in months of time in the way of scriptures, writings and the wisdom of the mysteries. But somehow or other we have lost at times, too, the realization of what it is to be a student and what it is to be a steward. For when we come into our work as servants and we take on the final vows of the brotherhood of this Order we are stewards of the mysteries of God. We are servants of Christ.

We no longer may read, study, know and promiscuously talk about, for it is this which has lost us the greatness and the sacredness, to many, the reality of the mysteries. Now, you can read our Holy Bible, especially the New Testament, over and over again and each time you’ll get a little different meaning, except for the words. The words will always mean the same but the ramifications of their application will be for that time, its use, the broadening of its scope, the flowering of the rose so to speak, will be in a proportion to the needs and the necessities of those around you.

But the thing that concerns me in this day and not only in this school but in this age at this time is that we have lost the reality of the sacred mysteries which we study. We have talked so profusely of these everyday, and yes, they mean something to us, but they have gotten to the place where they are so common with us, and this is good, because it has helped to ingrain within us and our consciousness the greatness of truths which are taught in the Testament and those things of the Christian mysteries. But the one thing which we need and desperately need as all mankind needs this day is to be able to hold certain things sacred within our own hearts or within our own bosoms, as it is said.

For we who take these final vows, or ‘John Jones’ out there who really accepts Jesus Christ and the great Christos, needs to hold these things sacred as a steward. In the common form the steward of a household is the one who meters out the wealth of the household. He meters out to those who need certain things not only material but money and other things, as they need them. He guards them to see that they are not misused. He puts them in a safe place where they will not be tampered with and he watches over them very, very carefully and with great care – a good steward. This you should take a lesson from, and watch over the truths, watch over the mysteries as our Lord Jesus brings them to us and as you are taught them here.

For somehow in the tremendous impact of so many things that you have been taught, in such a short time, you have failed to, many have failed to hold sacred and to guard and to watch over how these truths are used, how the sacred writings are used, and to treasure them. To treasure them because you have been given the privilege to know them when for generations past many millions have never even had a chance to know them. This is where we lose something which is of great value and great importance to each one. For in accordance with the sacredness that we hold these things within us and in accordance with the revelations that are brought to us and the way we hold them and regard them just so will the things be given unto us.

Oh, it is alright to give them amongst your brothers but don’t take them out on the street and cast them out where they may be stamped on. Let them live and be nourished and be allowed to flower into the fineness and the feeling and the reality of one’s heart who has dedicated their lives to the glory of God. I know we talk about the Testament, we talk about the Master, we learn the mysteries and it becomes so common. Then we get to the point where we feel that nobody else is any different. Well, the people, we hold their divinity, surely. But don’t give to them those things which they cannot use properly. For this too is the duty of the steward is to portion out that which is of his Father’s kingdom, of his landlord or his master in the household he is working.

And you being stewards of Jesus Christ, it is your duty to apportion out in accordance with the ability and the skill of those to whom you give; the spiritual skill, the spiritual know-how, the spiritual understanding so that within you you do not lose the sacredness of these things.

For there is that fine feeling that one develops from it. It is like a person moving their hand over a finely woven piece of velvet. It has that touch to it when it has been held sacred within your life, within your thoughts. It is like when we go to the altar, it must be there. The knowing that we are approaching Jesus Christ, the Lord of Earth. Not just as a symbol but a living place where he exists in its purity, in its reality. This is the sacredness of the altar and the Mass. Certainly, I can take a tumbler in my room and kneel with some wine and a piece of bread and perform the Mass but is that going to help your brother? Who has asked and who has just come in here? For the sacred way and the sacredness which you hold these things, he is going to assume and he is going to respect it likewise. Until he has learned better and fears not to follow it through.

For within the heart of every individual, be he a brother or not, there is the kernel, the seed of the eternal wisdom and it is those things which we hold sacred which will bring unto us the reality of God. The reality of the Host. The reality of Jesus Christ in its living, dynamic form.

And we don’t hold sacred our lessons which are given unto us and which we study when we can forget the book they are in and leave it lay someplace; for something which is sacred we never leave behind. We know right where it is.

Let Light, in the ancient temple, the vestal virgins, kept the sacred fire burning. Keep that same sacred fire burning in your being. Your feeling toward the truth and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.