The Order Teaches
The
Sovereign Hospitallers Order Civil and Military of
the Good News, imparts
knowledge and instruction, upon His word, in accordance to that
which has been given, and recorded in the Archives of the Order
being: The Teachings of the Lord.
The Lord Thy God Is One!
"A new commandment that ye love one another. Thou shalt love the
Lord thy God with all thy body, thy mind, thy soul, thy neighbour as
thyself."
Cooperation: This, first, precludes, and is self-evident, that each person must
First be honest, fair with self. When this is true, it will follow
that the individual, the body will not be unfair to anyone.
While each soul, each associate, each acquaintance Is an obligation,
a duty, all of these must cooperate, coordinate.
Healing:
The Order Teaches that: Through the Purifying of the Body in Thought,
in Act, in Certainty, it may make for a Peoples, a State, a Nation,
That May Indeed Herald the Coming of The Lord.
Explaining the
Words, Deeds and Example of God, The Living Christ: The Ministry to those
that are in need: Physically, Mentally, Spiritually, ye may bring
the Crown of Light, that Cross of Glory into thine own experience,
and it become a part of thee.
Explaining the Importance of Meditation and Prayer:
To comprehend the necessity of
meditations, and prayer for the awakening and the developing of that
spiritual import in the experience of each individual.
First, in coming
together, let each be in accord with the ideals and purposes of the
Order activities. Let each of you know in your own selves as to the
value of such a service in your own experience. Let each of you
determine in your own manner as to the authenticity of the
activities, and as to the value, place and purpose of such
activities. Then, as these are in accord with that which is the
ideal of each soul, so may you apply that which may be gained
through the application of that presented from time to time, in not
only your own but in others lives. Thus may the Order become a
shining light unto many. For the day of the Lord is at hand, and
those who may become the bearers of truth unto those that seek His
ways.
Service to Others, in the Teachings of Christ
To purify ones body in service to Him, in expressions of love; in
expressions of the fruits of the spirit, which are: Gentleness,
Kindness, Brotherly love & Long-suffering.
Thy Lord through thy expression of thy faith in the Divine has made
thee an instrument of teaching and ministering to others in their
search for the way of living, in their search for the manner of
expressions in the material world in a seeking of knowledge and
understanding, then temper that ye give with the love of the Father
in the ways that the Master gave as to why this or that is done in
the relationships with thy fellow man. Then they that in
their earthly manners work, labour, here, there, will be, and Are,
directed, guided, as to the means, the manners, the ways that they
may as individuals, as souls, be as a helpmeet, as an aid to Their
portion of the service towards the great brotherhood of man that is
in Him.
As to foundations, as to locations, as to sites, how gave He?
"Neither in this mountain nor yet in Jerusalem, but rather in the
hearts,"
the lives, the souls, of those who have named the Name and have put
On Him that is the Way!
These that would seek as to ways, as to the rejection of this, as to
the acceptance of that as a manner, under a head or name, are, yea, likened unto that He gave again, "They that gathereth not with us
scattereth abroad," that the works of the Father through the sons of
men may be made manifest in the earth.
"He that is the
greatest among you is the servant of all." - Matthew 23:11
For Those That Seek the
light
Study to show thyself
approved unto God, rightly dividing the words of truth, keeping self
unspotted from the world; that others may not count thee blameless
but that ye may present thy body, thy activities, thy love for thy
fellow man as a living sacrifice known unto all. Let the words of
thy mouth and the meditations of thy heart be in accord with that
thou would have thy neighbour show forth as the glory of the Father.
See good in those that would despitefully use thee, if thou would
know the love of thy God and of thy brother. For He has borne thy
stripes in His body. Bear thou thy brother's stripes in thine own
body. Make known to all that thou hast chosen the more excellent
way, that ye know the Lord and those that love Him.
Let not thy good works be
evilspoken of in any manner. Let the glory of the Father in the Son
cherish thee, rather than in the works of man. For His love is above
that of all that have presented a word of truth, of admonition, to
the sons of men. Keep in the way that leads to light, life and
understanding. Look not upon those things that would cause thy
weakest brother to stumble, but make known the more excellent ways
in the Lord, that the evil day come not to those that are weak. But
as He gave: “If ye love me, feed my sheep, feed my lambs.” Much
strength ye may bring to those that are seeking. Be thou the light,
the strength, to those that falter. Make known His ways to all.
Thou hast been chosen as
one that may bear the light to the sons of men. As ye have seen in
the glory of the Lord in thine own self, so give, of thy love, of
thy counsel, of thy strength, to thy brethren whom ye meet day by
day. Strengthen in word and act those that are fearful. Make known
the joyousness of being at-one with Him. Keep the way before thee.
To Him open, ever. Turn not to look upon those things that would
cause thee to stumble. Keep the face to the light that is in the
Christ and the shadows will fall behind. And ye will know the truth
and the truth shall set you free in Him. For He Is the light unto
those that would seek Him now.
As thou hast seen, as thou
hast known, as thou hast understood, give first of thyself in aid to
those that are troubled and those that would be made afraid. For in
Him is strength, in Him is understanding, in Him is light, and ye
are called to a service that ye may be strengthened even in thy
weakness, that ye may shine as a light to those that are losing
their way. Let those things that are past be as not, in thine
experience. Let the light of truth and understanding come to cheer,
to bless, to bring joy and peace, and thou shalt know the joyous day
of the Lord. In Him is strength, in Him is joy. Let thy life, tho,
be as a light to others, that thy strength fail thee not.
As ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them. Let the fruits of the
spirit be manifested in thy life day by day. Be not afraid to just
be kind, just be patient, just be longsuffering even with those that
would speak ill of thee. For what glory hast thou if thou dost good
only to those that do good to thee? Let the strength of the Lord be
thy might. Not of thyself, but as in Him may ye find the truth, the
light, the glory, the harmony, the joy that will make not only thy
days of understanding but thine interpretations as of joy to others.
Help those that are weak. Strengthen those that are troubled. In
thine understanding keep the truth of light and love as thy guiding
way.
For those that seek the
light are oft disturbed by turmoils through the shadows that come.
And thou may give strength and aid to many if ye will keep the lower
lights burning in thy contact with thy fellow man day by day. In
thine glory in Him ye have strength. In Patience impart it unto thy
fellow man. Ye have known His ways in thine heart, thine soul. Be
true to thine own self and ye will not be false to any. Let the
strength of the Lord be thine; not of thyself, but glory rather in
Him.
As ye know the way,
strengthen thy fellow man. Be not afraid. For God is Not mocked.
They that speak of Him only to those that have spoken well to them
are fearful. Those that stand as He and give of themselves to those
that even proclaim their strength in themselves, will be
strengthened from the Lord. Thou hast known His days. Thou has known
His ways. Depart not from them. Look not upon the fleshpots of the
flesh. Look not upon those things that make afraid. For thy strength
is in being just kind, just patient, just long-suffering.
And as ye do it unto the
least of thy brethren, ye do it unto thy Lord. In the beauty of
holiness is strength. In the arms of the Lord is the beauty of life.
Keep His ways. Keep His glory before thee day by day. Lend of thy
energy, of thy strength, to those that are weak. Dare to speak
gently to those that would scoff.
Keep the faith, for this
brings strength; and to him who has found the Lord does the Lord add
All that is well for him. Keep thy ways, that thou knowest. Ye grow
weary in mind, in strength; but know that His word faileth not. For
there is joy in the service to Him, which ye may show by just being
gentle and kind to thy fellow man. Strengthen those in the
attributes of thy self, and ye will find joy in service to Him.
Come while ye may
and sing a new song! Make thy life, thy heart, thy body, as a new
light, as a determining that: “Others may do as they may, but for me
and mine, I will serve a Living God; in the little things that I may
do, that I may say, that I may be to my fellow man.” Strength will
come to thee as ye aid in bringing love, life, light and
understanding to others. Keep thy faith in God, that ye may make
manifest in the lives of those ye contact day by day. Let thy going
in, thy coming out before him be as a sweet incense before the
throne of grace. And His mercy, His love, abide with thee.
The Parts of the Human Body
As the body itself in its welfare, mentally or physically, unless it
cooperates, coordinates each portion with the other, there is not
the well-rounded, the well-balanced individual nor the better and
best reactions from same.
I - There is the Physical body
II - There is the
Mental body
III - There is the Spiritual body
They are one. They each have their attributes. They each have their
weaknesses. They each have their associations. Yet they must be all
coordinated.
The spirit is the life. Then each phase of the experience of the
entity must be of the spiritual import in its very nature, if it is
to live, to be the fulfilling of its purpose, to bring peace and
harmony, for which purpose it IS in existence! It must be
constructive in the very nature and the very desires, without
thought of self being the one glorified in or by same! Rather the
Glory is to the influence or force that Prompts same!
As is the experience of the individuals: If even filial or marital
or soul love seeks the exalting of self, then it is not fulfilling
its purpose from the spiritual import. God is love! The influence or
force that motivates the life of each soul is love! But it may be
love of self, of fame, of fortune, of glory, of beauty, or of
self-indulgence, self-aggrandizement, or the satisfaction to the
ego!
These are the conditions that Must be in Every phase of the
experience analyzed.
There are abilities within the activities of the mental, the
physical body of this entity; and these are to be used then in those
directions in which the greater glory is given to that which is the
ideal of the entity in its spiritual relationships to the creative
forces from Within!
Then, they are to be used in those manners and in those channels
wherein the entity is a creative influence in the lives and the
experiences of others, to create hope, to create faith, to create
that which is constructive in every phase.
Thus, whether it brings material hardships, material problems or
not, such an ideal is to be held to; and the problems will be
dissipated by the very influence and force of the love and the
desire that is Purposeful but Selfless in its nature, in its
activity!
And when this is applied, when this is done, when the activities are
in that direction, we will find the channels for the abilities, the
connections, the associations, will be as it were creative in
themselves. Not as show, but rather as that in which there may be
the magnifying of brotherly love and hope and promise and faith in a
Creative Force and influence!
The Education of Individuals
First Spiritual education, next physical, that
of exercise, that of proper dress, proper tone of hair, proper care
of hair, proper care of body, proper activities that will bring out
the better attributes of each individual.
For all may have heads and eyes, feet and arms, and a body, yet all
may put them to different usages.
Physical, mental, spiritual education, social activities all should
be to one purpose.
Not too much of the satisfying of the emotions but that the body as
the temple
of the living God may be a more beautiful place for thine own
worship.
Education of the Young
Use your abilities in indicating the how, the why, the wherefore of
associations of grace and poise. Be able to induce the young,
especially of the teen-age, to care for the body, to care for the
hair and for the complexion, for the dress, and the why of same;
also as to the poise, position, manner of speech and of approach,
and the like, and the why of same, direct the teen-age boys and
girls in physical education. Through these channels you may make a
real contribution to the young people of its own community.
The Central Library
The Central Library keeps all archives of the Order, apart from
the Central Library there are two further central archives kept, being
an exact copy of the Central Library.
Teachings on Health
The Order Teaches Influence from agricultural standpoint on what it
has meant and does mean for the peoples of all nations, as to how
their diet may fire and does fire those portions within the body as
to set the very influences that bring destructive conditions in the
experience of the body.
Agriculture Teachings
The Teachings of the Order in
relation to the manner or its practice of Organic Agriculture in
teaching to the general public, the peoples in many lands that which
will show how that as there are added to the body-physical the
elements of the soil in their proper ratio, these bring to the
balanced mental and physical reactions the necessary forces for
keeping the moral, the mental, the soul, the spiritual balance in
the individual.
For each and every individual should own sufficient of the earth to
be self-sustaining. For the earth is the mother of all; just as God
is the Father in the spiritual, the earth is the mother in the
material. These are the supplies, the sources, from which
individuals sustain, or gain the sustenance for the material
undertakings. To be sure, there is a great deal in the theories that
are propagated by some groups, that what is in the vegetables and
fruits has much to do with the character. If the man who raises and
cares for them does it with love, it makes all the difference! Don't
think a grouchy man can ever raise a headed cabbage or a tomato that
will agree as well as those raised by a man who laughs and tells a
good joke, though it may be smutty! This might be extended to where
there might be included in half the acreage that is now under
cultivation in this county sufficient to supply twice as much of the
people, because they are happy in what they are doing! Consider the
days of old, these are not foolish! When there were the families
that produced upon the farm, how much better not only were the lives
of those individuals but the character of the product, and there
were not half so many pests to deal with! And whence came they? From
the same place that the flies and the fleas and the grasshoppers
came to plague Egypt! Insuring the better products for a better
people. You expect a new root race. What are you doing to prepare
for it? You must prepare food for their bodies as well as their
minds and their spiritual development!
New Root Race
A part of the work and of its purpose by the Order of the Good News,
is to allow its members to be the channels for the expressions of a
new race. Part of this preparation
is to ensure the existence of better natural food products for a
better people. If you expect a new root race. What are you doing to
prepare for it? You must prepare food for their bodies, as well as
their minds, and their spiritual development. There is also the
necessity to make for the preparation for the cleansing, and the
transmuting of the bodies in the preparations for the new race. For the Order of the
Good News seeks to bring to the new man a better understanding of
the close relationship between the Creative Forces and that created,
between man and man, and man and his Maker. There will be many
entrances of those who are to prepare the way for the new race, the
new experiences of man, that may be a part of those activities in
preparation for the day of the Lord. This will require the
dedicating of self to the cause, contributing to the welfare of
those who may seek through such channels as to the type of training
needed, or to the vocational guidance of the young in these periods
of unfoldment.
Ideas and Ideals of the
Order
The Ideas and the Ideals of the Order are: One with the Lord, He Who
Created us, after He Himself was He not Created First? Is He not the
Logos? The Pattern, The Light, The Way, The Door, The Life, The
Prince of Peace, The Ruler of Earth and Heaven! The Christ, He who
came as Jesus, and walked among men, Emmanuel God among men! Know, O
Israel, The Lord Thy God Is One!
Standards
The Order is composed of individuals of all character of experience,
all influences that are of a nature that has brought about the
interest in a work of that purposed by the activity of such an
Organization:
1. First to the Individual
2. Then to the Groups,
3. Then to Classes and Masses
As to the activities of the Order
First the greater opportunities for service by each and every
member. There is to be the Living by individuals of that which has
prompted them. Not as ones seeking for self-exaltation, not as
individuals seeking for an easy way, not as individuals seeking for
a manner or a means of escaping their own selves; but rather as in
using their understanding, their comprehension, their knowledge,
their love their patience, their long-suffering, in such ways and
manners that there may not indeed be the perishing of hope and faith
in the earth. Such opportunities are before all those who have
purposed in their heart, to Do Good unto those not only of the
household of faith, in their individual tenets, or beliefs but unto
All, because each soul that manifests itself in human form Is thy
brother, and the spirit and soul of same is in the form of thy
Maker. For the Lord's sake, then, the opportunities are not to be
used to self's own glory but that the glory of the Father may be
made manifest in the earth. These be the opportunities, These be the
experiences through which each and every soul will pass. For there
is set before thee those choices to be made, as to Whom ye will
serve.
As to Manners
In which each soul shall conduct self as respecting this as an
individual organization, it has oft been given that this is not
under any schism or ism or any individual tenet other than that
which has been of old: "I Am my brother's keeper!" That should be
the cry that should be in the heart of every member, every
individual:
"I Am My Brother's Keeper!"
Then so live, so act, so conduct thyself in thy dealings with thy
fellow man day by day that they who are astray may be set aright.
Not those who are astray only according to Thine own
interpretations, but those who are seeking! Art thou astray? Art
thou troubled? Art thou discouraged? Art thou faint-hearted? If so,
then Thou art astray! For: "Lo, I am with thee always", is the
promise to those who have put on the whole armour.
"If ye will be my children, I will be thy God"
Is to every soul. Have ye lost touch? Have ye lost faith? Have ye
lost hope? If so, then ye Yourselves are astray!
In thine dealings with the Order, then, and its purposes, and those
sources or channels through which ye may seek for that comfort, have
ye Applied in thy Daily experience that thou hast heard, that thou
hast found good, that thou hast experienced in thine Own life? If
so, Then ye may Indeed know the manner, the way in which ye may use
thyself in whatever sphere or phase of activity ye find yourselves;
that ye may be a Better member, a better servant of a living God!
For ye who would be the greatest will indeed be the servant of all,
as He hath given from the beginning. Yea, thy Lord, thy God, showeth
thee this day by day in His dealings with thy fellow man, to show
those promises that have been made sure in the experiences of those
that seek. For He giveth good and evil unto all, and ye choose
through the Will thy relationships, as to whether they shall be for
self-exaltation, self-glorification, self-indulgence,
self-gratification, or for the love of life, of truth, of hope, of
honour, of virtue, of patience, of brotherly love. Ye yourselves
show forth these in the manners, the ways ye deal with thy fellow
man! Forgive, if ye would be forgiven. Be patient, if ye would have
thy Father be patient with thee.
In what Manner?
First having convinced thyself through thine own personal
application, then, as has been given, that which is good, that which
is life, if ye would have same give it unto others. For in so doing
ye gain that understanding that bringeth to thine own experience
that which makes for the fulfilling of that purpose for which ye
came into this experience. For He hath prepared a way of escape for
each soul; He hath not willed that any soul should perish. Nothing
may separate thee from the knowledge save thyself!
What is the Standard?
"Others, Lord, not myself but others, that the glory of the Father
may be manifested in the earth; and as the day of the Lord
approaches that many may be ready and willing to answer: Here am I,
use me. Here am I, use me."
The Order
facilitates the understanding of the relationships between self with
the universal consciousness, or God
Thus indicating how self may better make use, in applying the many
gifts, the many abilities which are latent and manifested in the
experience of self during the present incarnation, for the
glorification of those purposes for which each soul enters a
material experience. If the greater understanding, the greater
knowledge would be attained, or the greater good accomplished; It is
in the giving of that which is attained that the abilities come for
greater comprehension and understanding. The earnest seeking and the
desire to be used as a channel through which hope, help, aid, might
come to others. Discern well, as the environs have proven, the vast
difference between occultism and spiritualism, and spirituality.
These are fields of service. They each have their place, their part
in the experience of individuals, as well as in the lives and
experiences of a great horde of seekers. But know, as the Teacher of
teachers gave, there is one proof for all: "By their fruits ye shall
know them." Know the author of not only thy faith but of thy
confidence as well; and be assured not only from personal
experience, but from that which such has accomplished in the hearts
and the souls of men, in that such authorities are able to measure
up, yea, to keep inviolate (through that form or manner of
experience) that which is committed unto them. Such knowledge, such
interpretations of authorities would only be found by the answers
from within. For: "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit", is an
immutable, an unchanging law. And again, the heavens, the earth may
pass away, but His laws shall not pass away. Hence in thy seeking,
find that answer; not as from something without, but from opening
the door of thy own consciousness to the promises that are sure in
Him. For ye will find that as the pattern which was shown in the
mount to Moses, as well as the greater pattern in the temptations to
Jesus upon the mount; in that indeed as He was lifted up, He draws
all men, and this means women also, unto Him. This then is, shall
be, ever, the basis of thy faith, and not as in they of whom He
spoke:
"Many shall come in that day and say, Did we not thus and so in thy
name accomplish among men those things that bespeak of heavenly
things, and I will say I know ye not. Though ye may have done this
or that, though ye may have healed the sick, though ye may have cast
out demons in my name, I know ye not; for ye have followed rather as
the beast of self-aggrandizement, self-indulgence,
self-glorification, even as the beast shown here.” - Matthew 7:22-23
The individual finds self a body, a mind, a soul. There are
attributes of the physical body that may or may not be controlled by
mental forces and influences. There is the soul-body that may not be
controlled by, or may be controlled by, the good or the bad
influence of spirit. These are as the shadows which were indicated
in the mount by the outer court (the body), the inner court (the
mind), and the still more holy of holies (the soul). These are but
shadows. And yet indicate the trend of the development, just as the
sojourns of an entity in or during interims between earthly or
material manifestations indicate the trend in which the soul through
Varied experiences has sought an outlet or an expression. About the
earth in man's (or earthly man's) sojourn are planets (so called);
and to such has been ascribed an environmental influence, mentally
applied upon the movements, the urges, the impulses. And these are
in a manner according to the law: "He that receiveth a prophet in
the name of a prophet receiveth the prophet's reward." In each
experience, then, it is sincerity, hope, faith, that urges on the
individual, toward the means, the manner, for the greater
expression. For, remember, the law is as He has given: "Think on
these things, meditate on these things." This is cultivation. Men's
(and women's) activities are to sow the seed. It's God's part, and
promise, to give the increase. It is an answering again of spirit to
spirit, the quickening, the enlivening, the life-giving. For, God
and love alone are life in its essence. All else are but lines to
those forces, for God in His love and in His wisdom has sought such
as companions with Him in the movement which began from "God moved
and there was light." In thy movements, then, let thy thoughts, thy
purposes, thy hopes, thy desires, ever be towards that of light. Not
as light of the sun, or even of the stars, for these are but
reflections of that Glorious light which is in the Son of God, who
is thy light, thy Brother, yea, thy Lord, thy God! For, Know, O
Israel, the Lord thy God is One! Would that all souls could, would,
comprehend that great, great sentence, which has been, is, the
motivating force in All who seek! not in all who impel, but in all
who Seek to live, who Seek to manifest, who Seek to give expression
of God's force or power. For, as all power is ordained of Him, so
acknowledge same in thy expressions of that which brings faith and
hope and brotherly love and kindness. For these are the fruits of
the spirit of truth, that take hold upon, and bring one into, the
chamber, into the holy of holies; where He makes Himself known, even
to His brethren, as He did in those lands so long ago.
Then, seek that such be even as He gave: "a sign cannot be given,
May not be given, to an adulterous, to a sinful generation; but only
to those whose cry is oft, and sincere. “Create within me a
righteous heart, O God, and renew a righteous spirit within me!” -
Psalm 51:10
These are not words alone, but are as that which applied in one's
daily life may lead to an opening of the veil which enters into the
holy of holies, even as that veil which was rent when His Spirit
cried unto His God. Then, make that God, His God, thy God. What do
ye worship? Might, spirit, power, impulse, hope, or what? Whose
power seek ye? Thine own, or that in thy weakness ye may be made
strong by His abiding light in thee?
Birthrights
The Birthright of
Every Soul:
1. To pursue that which will give it as an individual the right to
manifest that it would worship in its Creator.
2. For while the body changes, for it, too, must be purified, the
Soul remains ever as one. For it is in the image of the Creator and
has its birthright in Him. And if this birthright is sold for the
satisfying of those urges of earthly desires, they become stumbling
blocks in the experience
3. The soul of each individual is a portion then of the Whole, With
the birthright of Creative Forces to become a co-creator with the
Father, a co-laborer with Him. As that birthright is then
manifested, growth ensues. If it is made selfish, retardments must
be the result.
4. In their experiencing, in their becoming more and more aware of
that divine within each soul that is the soul's birthright, each
should regard the body as the temple of the soul where they may meet
that divine within for the enlightenment, the growth of that
necessary for the individual soul development.
5. Each soul, is responsible to its own better self. For that is the
birthright to each soul, in an experience in the earth.
6. To Seek. The birthright to each and every soul that seeks to
know the way, the truth and the light. the birthright and the
privilege of all who seek to know their relationship to their Maker,
and the manner in which they may use or apply that relationship to
their fellow men. For, as ye do it unto the least of these, thy
brethren, ye do it unto thy Maker.
7. The Will. The will is the birthright, that the soul might be one
with God, is the gift to each child, to each son, to each daughter;
that they may become one with Him, yet conscious of being
themselves. The birthright of each soul or entity, the Will of the
individual as to choice of that which is the knowledge, or of
Knowledge itself. For these are as the birthright of the soul
itself. Thus it is given that man makes or fits his own destiny,
dependent upon that chosen as his ideal. For, the will is the
birthright of every soul from its Maker. Making that will (or
applying it) in the constructive, creative direction emanating from
the spiritual impulse or desire for good, brings an entity, a soul,
into that realm of awareness of God's creative force being present
in its relationships, its dealings with others. Inasmuch as ye do it
unto the least of thy brethren, ye do it unto thy Maker, thy will,
thy birthright, thy God. Each soul in its awareness is born into an
environ materially, an environ spiritually, an environ that may be
of the making or the undoing; dependent upon the will, the
birthright, the gift of each soul that it may make itself manifest
and one with that Creative Force, and not merely an automaton that
would be moved only as it would not. Man alone is given that
birthright of free will. He alone may defy his God! How many of you
have questioned that in thine own heart, and know that thy
disobedience in the earth reflects unto the heavenly hosts and thus
influences that activity of God's command! For You, as souls and
sons and daughters of God, Defy the living God!
8. That which is the birthright of every physical being: to be
perfect within itself.
9. Giving of self in the service for a cause, a purpose, these bring
both a mental and spiritual freedom. For hath not God given freedom
of choice to every soul? and it is the heritage of every man, every
soul: Freedom! Those that abuse same do so to their undoing. Those
that use same in an effort to make known that bright but narrow way,
that never correcting but in a Directing manner, bring to themselves
the greater understanding.
Without Freedom
of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom
“Without Freedom of Thought, there can
be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty,
without Freedom of Speech; which is the right of every man, as far
as by it, he does not hurt or control the right of another: And this
is the only check it ought to suffer, and the only bounds it ought
to know. This sacred privilege is so essential to free governments,
that the security of property, and the Freedom of Speech always go
together; and in those wretched countries where a man cannot call
his tongue his own, he can scarce call any thing else his own.
Whoever would overthrow the Liberty of a nation, must begin by
subduing the freeness of Speech; a thing terrible to public
traitors.
That men ought to speak well of their
governors is true, while their governors deserve to be well spoken
of; but to do public mischief, without hearing of it, is only the
prerogative and felicity of tyranny: A free people will be showing
that they are so, by their Freedom of Speech. The administration of
government, is nothing else but the attendance of the trustees of
the people upon the interest and affairs of the people: and as it is
the part and business of the people, for whose sake alone all public
matters are, or ought to be transacted, to see whether they be well
or ill transacted; so it is the interest, and ought to be the
ambition, of all honest magistrates, to have their deeds openly
examined, and publicly scanned: only the wicked governors of men
dread what is said of them. Freedom of Speech is ever the symptom,
as well as the effect of a good government.
In old Rome, all was left to the
judgment and pleasure of the people, who examined the public
proceedings with such discretion, and censured those who
administered them with such equity and mildness, that in the space
of 300 Years, not 5 public Ministers suffered unjustly. Indeed
whenever the commons proceeded to violence, the great ones had been
the aggressors. Guilt only dreads Liberty of Speech, which drags it
out of its lurking holes, and exposes its Deformity and horror to
daylight. Horatius, Valerius, Cincinnatus, and other virtuous and
undesigning Magistrates of the Roman Commonwealth, had nothing to
fear from Liberty of Speech.
Their virtuous administration, the
more it was examined, the more it brightened and gained by enquiry.
When Valerius in particular, was accused upon some slight grounds of
affecting the Diadem; he, who was the first Minister of Rome, does
not accuse the people for examining his conduct, but approved his
innocence in a speech to them; and gave such satisfaction to them,
and gained such popularity to himself, that they gave him a new
name; hence the surname of Publicolae is; to denote that he was
their Favourite and their Friend.
Legislation was then enacted - First
of all on appeals faced by the Magistrate to the People, Livii, lib.
2. Cap. 8.
But things afterwards took another
turn. Rome, with the loss of its Liberty, lost also its Freedom of
Speech; then men's words began to be feared and watched; and then
first began the poisonous race of informers, banished indeed under
the righteous administration of Titus, Narva, Trajan, Aurelius, &c.
but encouraged and enriched under the vile Ministry of Sejanus,
Tigillinus, Pallas, and Cleander.
The best Princes have ever encouraged
and promoted Freedom of Speech; they know that upright Measures
would defend themselves, and that all upright men would defend them.
Tacitus, speaking of the Reign of some of the Princes
above-mentioned, says with Extasy: A blessed Time when you might
think what you would, and speak what you thought.” - Benjamin
Franklin, 9 July 1722.
Essenia
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