“EARTHQUAKES, volcanic eruptions, storms, fogs, shoalings, changes of climate, epidemics, poverty, wars, revolts, heresy, treason—what other signs does humanity expect of the threatening time? Prophets are not needed, the most insignificant scribe may testify that never, as yet, have so many dreadful forerunners of the Earth’s disintegration been gathered,” so one reads in the book, Hierarchy.

Truly, words of the seriousness of the time are no longer the babbling of alarmists. The prophetic indications of the afflictions to be manifest in this period are no longer the invention of deranged fadists. For the most simple understanding recognizes the reality of these afflictions when reading the glaring headlines proclaiming the daily facts in the press of all countries.

While science has, year after year, brought humanity as a whole together through increased speed in transportation, the radio, the telephone and other mechanical achievements, humanity as individuals has been drifting farther and farther apart, a direct result of its increasingly egotistical opinions evidenced personally, nationally and racially.

That catastrophe could be the only possible result to a civilization that attempts to reconcile a scientific convergence with a spiritual divergence in its general evolution, has been apparent to the Wise for ages. Their admonitions and warnings have been repeatedly ignored or ridiculed, and humanity now faces the resulting crisis.

However, through the afflictions that are now raging, a New Era, in majestic solemnity approaches, and it remains for all minds dedicated to the Cultural, for all hearts that seriously desire the Beautiful and the True, to assemble all their forces for the preservation of the best seeds, the strongest faith, and the greatest courage, and to be ready when the call comes.—Gene Fosdick.