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II.

Distinction between the Esoterical and Ecclesiastical

            As its name implies, the Esoteric Christian Union finds the doctrine which fulfils these conditions in the Bible and Christianity as esoterically interpreted, and

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therefore as interpreted from the standpoint and on the principles defined and prescribed in Scripture, and not as ecclesiastically presented. For, whereas Scripture insists upon the Spirit and the Substance – making these the “Blood and the Water” of the divine life – and appeals to the understanding, Ecclesiasticism – setting at naught the most positive injunctions of Scripture – rests in the Letter and the Form, materialises the truth, and – insisting on Mystery – denies the Understanding, and appeals to Authority. Doing which, it directly contravenes Scripture in doctrine and practice, no less than in method. For it so completely misrepresents Christianity as not only to deprive it of all semblance to the religion of Christ, but as to make it, in every conceivable respect, the inveterate and irreconcilable opponent of that religion. So that it can with absolute certainty be affirmed that – granting the power of Christianity to regenerate the world – the responsibility for its failure to do so, and, consequently, for the world’s degradation and misery, rests neither with Christianity nor with the world, but with Ecclesiasticism.

            But not, therefore, necessarily with Ecclesiastics. These, as a rule, have inherited the system unaware of its real nature and derivation, and for the sake of the good with which it is allied; and according to their lights they have endeavoured to make it subserve high ends. But, as is an open secret, they have been terribly oppressed – and never so much as now – by their inability to reconcile it with the character and teaching of Christ, or with their own perceptions of goodness and truth. And there is no class to which this Society appeals with deeper sympathy, or with keener anticipation of joy and thankfulness on their part, for being the means of bringing before them the teaching which it represents. Since it thereby enables them, while retaining all that they prize as really valuable, to cast off

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all that has hitherto been but an outrage to the reason and an offence to the conscience, and a burden, therefore, grievous to be borne. For from all this the truth, as at length unveiled and disclosed, will set them wholly free; demonstrating Christ to be in very deed, and in a sense far transcending any hitherto imagined, that which His name of Jesus implies, the Liberator.

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