Ardetha, the teacher

Preface

The manuscript for this book was received in the following manner: The name of the Author is Ardetha. She was one of the inhabitants of the Continent of Atlantis, which was sunk beneath the Atlantic Ocean by some great cataclysm, many thousand years ago.

I first met her in July 1898, when she materialized at a seance given by Mrs. Effie Moss, and said she was my guide. She was grand, noble and stately in manner. She came illuminated and the magnificence of her garments beggars all description. Her figure is rather above the medium height, beautifully rounded and graceful; her hair is black and glossy, her eyes are large, dark and sparkling but very kindly in expression. They seem to contain hidden depth which you can not fathom, and are the windows of a noble soul. Her features are oval, nose prominent, showing a strong face, complexion, brunette, her manner contemplative and reflective.

In July, 1900, she gave me a portrait of herself

PREFACE.

through the mediumship of the Bangs Sisters, which I greatly prize. A half-tone reproduction of that picture may be seen in the frontispiece.

I have heard her deliver two addresses: One when she materialized and addressed the circle, and once when she controlled Mrs. Bartholomew, the celebrated trumpet medium, of Buffalo, N. Y. I never heard anything so grand and inspiring in my life. I was sorry there was not a reporter there to take it down in shorthand so the thoughts could be given to the world.

This thought haunted me until April 24, 1902, when I wrote Ardetha a letter, sealing it so it could not be opened without detection, asking her if she could control F. Corden White and give some new thoughts to the world. I mailed this letter to Mr. White inside of another letter asking him to give what his hand was controlled to write and in due time I received my letter to Ardetha, unopened and an automatic writing saying she could control the vocal organs of Mr. White and he would deliver the subject matter orally and it could be taken down in shorthand.

I visited Mr. White on May 16th at Bradford, Perm, and arranged for the sittings and this book is the result. I make this statement in the interest of honesty and truth lest some might think I claimed to be the author.

PREFACE.

I deem it an honor that so wise and ancient a spirit as Ardetha should have thought me worthy to furnish the material aid that was necessary to give her thoughts to the world and give the book my name. Anybody who has a knowledge of Spiritualism will understand perfectly the manner in which the manuscript was obtained. To those who do not understand, I would say, Never rest until you have thoroughly and honestly investigated the matter. Then, and not till then, will you be competent to judge of the truth of this statement.

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Yours for truth,

G. W. FULLER.

Chapter I. The Meeting— Greetings

It was on a warm spring morning that a party might have been seen gathering upon the banks of a little stream. They came from diverse directions but all seemed intent upon the one point which several had already reached when our attention was attracted to them.

Had an observer been asked to name the country in which the place was located, he would have been at a loss to determine. The swiftly flowing stream did not give an}- clue to its location. Its limpid waters told only of a warm climate, but as it was in the spring, when all nature began to blossom, when the beauties of nature manifested itself in many ways, that would have been no criterion. The foliage gave a decidedly mystifying explanation. It was tropical in its luxuriance, matted together in true tropical style. Its long creepers indicated the wandering vines of that region, but interspersed with these were the hardy natives of the Western World and the most careless observer could not fail to wonder, had he been placed in these surroundings without knowing his whereabouts, what place in the domain of nature he had been dropped.

A balmy air greeted those who had reached the goal. It was on a slight eminence on the banks of a stream where it was joined by a smaller one, where the birds had chosen to make their nests and rear their young, where the wald flowers had chosen a resting place, where there were vines and trees and all grew in that luxuriance known only in tropical countries, yet on this height was a piece of open ground that seemed to welcome all who came within its mystic circle and it w-as a goal towards which many were drawn in the early morning.

The party of which I speak had come to enter into the mystic ceremonies of the time as devotees. As those who wished to learn the mysteries. As a band, who, having been engaged in the investigation of sacred nrysteries, had, through some wonderful influence given the signal that had drawn to them from out the great sea of mystery, something that had shaped their ends, and from distant lands they had journeyed to this trysting place to meet — they knew not what.

None had been advised of the coming of the other. No missive known to man had been sent, yet as we are told the wise men journeyed to Bethlehem , to meet at the side of He who was born under the influence of that great Star of the East, so these devotees of mystery had gathered together from widely separated localities to heed the call of a force, the import of which they knew not and only vaguely guessed at the mission which called them together.

On the morning on which our narrative begins we find them heeding the call of the great power that assembled them, gathered at the appointed place, on the eminence where, for ages gone, their ancestors had met to worship the great powers of mystery which they were to become a part of so soon. To welcome the rising of the sun; to watch the scintillations of the beautiful orb of night and the mysterious wanderings of those tiny spots set in the firmament of heaven, jthose points which have so much to do with the destiny of mankind,,, and, with loving caress or hated vengeance, send forth their beneficent or malefic influences to the children of earth.

As they met on the banks of the river all seemed joined by one influence.

"From whence comest thou," was the salutation.

"From seeking after that which is higher than life, grander than the woodlands which surround us, deeper than the fathomless ocean, higher than the tops of 3'on lofty peaks, more powerful than the ra} r s of the God of Day, softer than the silvery beam of the Goddess of Night, more potent than the force that pushes forward this beautiful life and grander than all that which men have deemed sacred, 'The law of life,'" came the reply from one, who, with the air which age and purity of life had given, made him a spokesman for the rest; and all bowed to the words of he who thus became their leader.

From the East, West, North and South these six had gathered in that forest temple. Six had been given the words that gathered them together, yet, according to the law which they all knew, seven were necessary to carry on the work which was entrusted to them. As they looked into each other's faces, and read the lines of light, love and life, they sought for one who would be able to dispel the darkness that must surround them until the day might dawn when the seventh star in the mystic firmament might be added to their number and their work would proceed.

But they sought in vain. All bore the signs of the ascetic life. All held the same mystic symbols. All walked the way of their unseen teachers, but none had received the illumination that was to make the leader and the post of spokesman and present leader was given to the patriarch who had replied when the first question was asked.

Scarcely had they entered the sacred ground wmen the sun burst forth in its glory. Like faithful adherents of the ways of the East, they welcomed his approach by songs of praise and thanksgiving, sent out to that great power in whose hands the universe is "Like clay in the hands of the potter," which biblical writers have told the world, "Maketh one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor."

As all had been schooled in the great realm of mystery, they knew the signals of each cult, they knew the meaning of the orbs, the mystic vibrations of the sun, which they delighted to honor, and the soft quieting influence of the stars. They beheld the soft gleam of the morning star, they received the benediction of lovely Venus as it rose so majestically in the evening, they wondered at the belt that encircled the orb of Jupiter and beheld the scattered forces of Saturn. They knew they were part of some great plan that the subtle forces of nature were working and they knew they were called to aid in unraveling some of the mystic emblems and symbols they had received — to interpret them to the world.

Not finding the one who was to complete their sacred seven, they sat upon the earth, facing the greatest force they knew, and performed their morning service, sacred to the God of Day. In the center, like a venerable patriarch, sat he who had first spoken. With bowed head and closed lips from which no sound emanated, he sent forth his prayer to the great power for guidance. He knew that he was destined to become the leader, the Father, as was the custom of Oriental Nations in the early days, to those who were drawn thither and that in his wisdom and experience they would look for that which would bring them the knowledge they came to seek.

But far from feeling, as people are so apt to at the present day, that he was more than others, his heart sank within him as he received the revelation. He would fain have seated himself at the feet of the others but that power which he had so long served, which had so long carried him through the vicissitudes of life and given him his wisdom at the opportune moment, had said to him, out of the voiceless silence, that he was the appointed one. That he must bear the burden while the elements necessary to the fulfilment of the plan were being prepared.

With voice and soul he then poured forth his prayer for guidance. Not to an arbitrary power, not to an invisible something, but to the mighty forces which he saw around him, and which all of the races of men who lived in primitive ages realized and typified, he sought the strengthing power, and strove to bring himself into more perfect accord with the primitive elements.

As he uttered his words, his companions were similarly impressed. They too, were filled with the spirit of the occasion, their lives were made clear and they opened the way to a more perfect harmony between them and all of nature's forces. As they had received the impressions that had started taem on their long journey, so they received the light that was given them and sought to blend with the thought of he whom they all recognized as their temporary master.

Every student of what is termed Occult Sciences knows that there are times in the history of the universe when all the magnetic and other conditions are calculated to bring about a new era. The earth itself is transformed, its influence and conditions seem to be changing and the very atmosphere seems permeated with the wisdom of the spheres. Such an occasion presented itself as we began our narrative. Such events are presented at the end of each cycle of 2,000 years when a new era is about to dawn on the earth.

It is not strange then to an observer of the occult that these people whom we have mentioned had been drawn together in the way they were. It was about time for the beginning of a great c\-cle. Old things were passing away and new ones were slowly taking their places. The world was recovering from a day of stagnation such as has been experienced by those who have lived in later years and was all on the qui vive for a new dispensation.

Churchman of the present day speak of the different dispensations as though they know all that there is to be known. That the Antedeluvian Adamic, Jewish and Christian dispensations were all that have been known to the world. In th:s they are mistaken. There were dispensations that the Christian world knows nothing of that were more pronounced and had a greater effect upon the later lives of the people than any of those of which modern history treats.

Every cycle has its messiahs. Every era has had its heroes, every age has had its enlightenment, but none have been so great as those which were impending and of which our story tells.

The messiahs and forerunners of the messiahs have been chosen from among the common people. Those who have any work to do that is of great moment have come from among the common people. They were the ones who could stand the world's scoffs and sneers.

But to return to our people whom we have left in the sacred precinct. After having talked the manner of their theocratic organization, they wished to know more of each other. By their powers they might have come into magnetic rapport with each other and had their inmost liyes made clear. But each asked the question of himself, ''Shall I enter the sacred precinct, or shall I respect the ban of secrecy until the spirit shall open the mouth?" and each one decided that until the time came to speak they would not seek to know more than the outward appearance gave them.

As they sat there in silent meditation, he whom it seemed proper to lead opened his mouth and began to speak. All hung upon his words and none cared to break the silence after he had began to talk.

He spake as follows:

"Fellow seekers after all that is just and good, It seems that the great powers of the unknown world have seen fit to send us to this place. For what purpose, neither you or I seem to be fully informed. That it has to do with the powers that those who have come among us have deemed mystic there seems to be no doubt. But why have we come here? To me the door seemed to be opened and by the light of that power which man lias called deific, I seemed to see the earth open before me. Out of this element came men and women. They formed themselves upon two sides and faced each other. There was neither love or hate manifested in their appearance or actions. As I looked, there appeared one in the center to whom all bowed. She, for it was the form of a woman, walked the length of their columns between them and as she walked, there seemed to come from her streaks of light. Those whom it touched seemed either to shrink back or to be illumined by a wondrous light. It was the Teacher. As she passed there came more clearly into my view that subtle force she had used and I saw that the masses we had seen were the two contending forces of the other world.

"We have all heard that the inhabitants of the world of nrystery are of two classes: One seeks to transform all into light, the other seeks to spread darkness. In this there is little difference between the daemons, or spirits of the dead, and human beings. The good seeking to allay, the others seeking to prolong suffering.

"As the teacher passed along she stood before me for a moment and thus she spake: 'Friend of earth, earth's children have long sought the way by which they can come into closer contact with those who have passed the valley of death, and seek to know of their life. I am Arcletha, the Teacher. Ages ago I lived on the earth and was as one of yon. I passed to another sphere and knowing that those who still lived upon the face of mother earth desired to know of the wonders that prevailed and the mysteries that intervened between them and those who lived in another sphere, I have sought by aid of the mystic powers of nature to give that light to earth's people.

; ' 'I have called you together to give to you some of that knowledge that you may, after passing through the experiences, return to your homes and give the world the results of that which has been given to you. First, } t ou must know each other. Each must tell his story, tell how this great knowledge came to him and in the realization of your common experiences and desires, you will find a common purpose and with the assistance of yourselves and those whom you want to teach, I will take im> place among you and will fill the niche that you feel is left vacant. I will be the seventh member of your group and -will fill the space where you have thought another must come to make your number complete.'

' 'Saying this she passed from my view. And now, good brothers, you have heard the words the Teacher spoke to me, What is your pleasure? Shall we proceed to bind the power that has come to us and invite the Teacher to us, or shall we go as we have gone heretofore and not seek to know more of the mysteries than we have known in the past? I await your words."

For a few moments there was silence. None felt to break the quiet that had ruled since Ardetha had entered the circle. Although she had not been seen by but one of them, all had felt the powerful presence and had bowed to it as to a higher power and one that might be held subject to worship.

Then, from off the grassy bank one arose and spoke as follows: "Friends, I have come among you a stranger. Why I was chosen to fill this important position, I know not. It is enough to know that I am thus favored by the great God of the Universe and to say that as one of you, I will seek to follow in the way of the Master. Speak and I will answer. Call and I will come."

Another said, "I, too, am called here by the will of a higher power. I will follow as the Master leads. He, by spirit and power of the Teacher, will be a just guide."

The third arose slowly. He was a man whom the storms of many winters had dealt with harshly. His form was bent, but from his eyes gleamed a light that was more than earthly, as he said, "Friends, brothers, I come as one crying in the wilderness. I come as one seeking the light. I come as one who has been called. As the Teacher has called the Master, so will I answer his call." Then turning to the master he made a low bow and sat down saying, "I am with thee. But ask and I will follow thee. This is my life."

The fourth said, "From out the winds of the north I sought the light and I bow to the wishes of the Teacher."

The fifth arose and said, "We are brothers. I heard the call. I answered. I am here. Command me."

After all had spoken the Master arose and crossing his arms over his breast slowly spoke these words: "Friends, again I say, we know not what has brought us together. We know not what experiences are in store for us. We know not what teachers are to be given us. By some means I have been selected to bear the burden of leader. I do not repine. As soon would I sit at the feet of others as to stand on a pedestal. As soon would I learn the words that others speak as to teach words to others. Words comprise our knowledge sent forth into the world. With words I can not add to my own knowledge. But by listening at the feet of my Teacher can I learn the words and thoughts that will give me greater power than is given to those who talk. But are ye all agreed? Do all think that I have been called to act the part as Master?"

"Truly," spoke one, ''thou hast been chosen from out the world of people to be the Master of this little band. So say I, and is it not so, my brothers?"

"So say we," said all in chorus.

"Then shall it be," said the Master, "but let us join in one thought which is: Let none be master such as is known to the slave. Let all be brothers, joined in one purpose; but as all nations require a government and each goverment a head, then let me act as an adviser, with the qualities of a governor, a power to draw from the teacher and pass to you, but not a ruler absolute arbitrary and supreme. Let us be a democracy, wherein all shall have voice and let none be impressed against his will. This will constitute true government. I, as Master, will strive to learn the lesson and I trust all will aid me.

"And now least we should tire, let us seek to congenial spots, commune with nature, bring your souls into rapport with the highest powers we know that we may attain to that condition whereby we shall dispense to our Teacher the power she must have to join us as an individual in the world of materiality.

"Tomorrow let us meet as the sun rises. We will greet the orb of day with our songs and while the air is cool, the spirit strong, will we tell each one the story of his life and will strive to open the way to a higher thought of life and power. "As we part for the present I leave with you this thought: All great and good things come from the storehouse of nature. Good and bad are stored in inexhaustible quantities. But open the way and good will come. Seek for evil and it will be supplied. Strive to think and feel only that which will be for good to all. Act just, think just, be just. Farewell then till tomorrow.' 7

Chapter II. Explanation And Preparation

We have introduced our readers to a part of a great plan. The world today does not understand as did those who lived in ancient times the great powers that were and are stored in nature's storehouse. Today's world is materialistic. It can realize only hj the power of materiality. The finer perceptions, the wondrous powers that were used by humanity in what is termed the childhood of the world, by means of which they came so closely into communion with the world which later writers have made an unknown quantity. The relics that continue at the present day among the more primitive nations, those which live nearer to nature, are stepping stones that, if properly followed up, will lead to the rediscovery of those attributes that were so commonly used among the ancients.

Certain people, known to the world as psychics, have unfolded the power known under different names as clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience and various phases of a power or manifestation of a power that has set the world agog. Men and women of scientific attainments have opened their eyes to the wonders as expressed through these individuals and have wondered that so great a boon to humanity had so long lain dormant in the human brain.

The world moves in cycles. Every era has its peculiar line of work to be carried out and that productive force through which all are brought into being has wisely planned to carry them forward as fast as they can be in accord with the conditions in which they find themselves placed.

Help from other sources is needed to carry these operations to a successful conclusion, and it is to these intelligences that the sensitized ones of the world look to receive the thoughts that they seek to impart to those who are not so sensitive or gifted in that line as themselves.

Our party is made up of a group of these beings. They are gathering in different places and are not content with simply getting en rapporte with each other, but in divers ways they are meeting and invoking the presence of those divine powers that come to humanit3 T when asked in the contrite spirit.

As the}- seek for light on this side, they also seek for light from the source of light and power.

Do you ask, reader, Whence cometh this light? Ask not of me, but seek to know this light b} r following it thyself. Not with the spirit of intolerance, but with contrite spirit; with hopes lifted high to heaven ; with the inmost longing of thy soul ; look to the heights and seek thereon the way of wisdom.

The mystic realm gives out its light in sevens. Seven days in the week; four sevens in the moon's month ; fifty-two sevens in a lunar year ; four series of sevens in the solstices, and so on to the seven stages of human existence. Seven greater planets in the solar system. Seven in the mystic circle which has presented the evidence of every messiah ; even seven in the earthly circle of those who gave the modern knowledge of spirit communion to the world.

So seven is the number that have come together to seek to gain that light — six in one habiliment, one who is to come in the habiliments of another sphere of existence. Truly there are many John the Baptists who are forerunners.

Seven, did I say ? Yes, seven. Look at thy own. life. Is not the mystic seven interwoven with thee so closely that it would be impossible to separate it without destroying life and all ?

So thou art a part of a seven, not mythical, but real, and from it will come that which is sought by the world but not found. That which is needed by the world but not sufficiently sought.

You have asked Why men and women seek without finding and suddenly find? Why from out the past will come drifting back a recollection of other days ? Why into the present will come that which seems to carry the soul down into darkness? All, all is answered in the great storehouse where all may go without money or price, but with the spirit of investigation that all must have to learn the lessons of the world.

There is a lesson in each tree, and each blade of grass. As the merry birds swing their feathery bodies from limb to limb, they carry a lesson to humanity which all may heed if they will but observe and encompass.

Our friends have gathered for this purpose. Let us listen to their words, catch the accents of their voices and from the deep humility of the spirit, and depth of soul, we can find a world of knowledge and know the secret of life.

W T hen the Master had spoken all went their way as they had come. As none had been sought to come none sought the company of the others as the proceedings of the day seemed drawn to a close. All bent their heads in silent meditation and slowly passed out of sight among the low trees and bushes that lined the opening toward which all had come as a goal of promise.

Soon all were gone but he whom they had st3 r led Master. Let us make his acquaintance. He was old as go the years of life, yet young as it appeared to all with whom he came in contact. Although the storms of many years had encompassed him, his eye was still bright, his step firm and elastic. Determination was marked on every line of his brow and his high forehead indicated his perception and spirituality.

As the others passed from his view he lay down upon the earth and seemed lost in thought. What was this wonderful force that had brought them together ? From whence came it ? Was it indeed the influence of those familiar spirits whom the world had always supposed were wandering the passages of the great unseen world, and ever and anon throwing out subtle thoughts that vibrated on the ambient air until they were caught by one whose brain was attuned to catch the mysterious thought that centered in the mind of one whose wisdom was such as to make it desirable that the knowledge of which he was possessed ought to be given to the world ?

As he mused he gradually sank lower and lower until his head rested on the sod and he slept. But was it sleep ? To all outward appearances he slept. But the slight twitchings of the body showed more than sleep. It showed that something that posscssed power outside of the body was working and that his body was being used as a battery for the generation of forces that might be used for the purpose of accomplishing some object.