inadequate, its

their reasoning being activity is impeded.

Plato proclaims that those who fail to emancipate themselves from the burden of corporeal things cannot rise to the pure elements above. They are dragged down into an underworld where they live as apparitions. Later, their souls are again imprisoned in some form, the very sensual being transmigrated into lower animals such as wolves, jackals, etc. Those who lack philosophical virtue but live respectable lives become bees or even men in their next existence. Only those who devote themselves to philosophy and the exalted reason—which in man is considered divine—are entirely exempt from further incarnations.

Orthodox Christians most often abhor the belief in reincarnation, either because of their unfamiliarity with the subject or because of religious dogmatic prejudice. They wilfully or otherwise identify it with transmigration and metamorphosis. There are numerous references in the Bible, however, that can only be properly understood in terms of the reincarnation of the soul. Such quotations are too numerous to consider here; however, in his excellent book, Mansions of the Soul, a treatise on reincarnation, Dr. H. Spencer Lewis has cited many of them.

To many intelligent persons, the doctrine of reincarnation seems to be more in accord with what they consider divine justice. To them, rebirth affords the opportunity for man to properly expiate his mistakes—or sins, if you wish to call them that. To such thinkers, reincarnation is a compassionate principle which allows man more than just one short span of mortal life in which to learn how to achieve a harmony with cosmic and divine laws. It is contended that, if spiritual truths are more profound and more vital than mortal knowledge, souls should be allowed a greater span for learning than that provided the mortal mind.

Certainly, a belief in reincarnation cannot detract from the development of the moral sense or an appreciation of spiritual values; nor does it lessen man’s mystical unity with whatever he considers to be the initial and infinite cause. The charge that it cannot be substantiated

—so often leveled at the doctrine of reincarnation—could likewise be laid by perverted personalities against the belief that the soul exists in a paradise or heavenly state for eternity. There are traditional and sacerdotal authorities for and against all of the different human conceptions of the immortality of the soul.

WE THANK YOU!

The Imperator, Supreme and Grand Lodge officers take this means of thanking our Fratres and Sorores throughout the world for their most kind Christmas Greetings. Because of the number of these Greetings, we must take

this means of thanking each of you.

Please send only one notice, and send it to:

The Rosicrucian Order, AMORC

Data Processing Center

Rosicrucian Park

San Jose, California 95191, U. S.

This one notice will change your master file and departments. May we also remind you to be sure that post office.

Be sure to let us know as far in advance as possible when your address will change.

When You Change Your Address .

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