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WSD:22:8 But religion too often gives cold comfort and little encouragement; therefore, the Good Religion must be a truecomforter as well as a champion. It will teach man that there is a happy haven and worthwhile destination at the end of the road. It will show him that it is futile to try and run away from life and that its trials are inescapable. Life is given to man with intent and purpose, and he can achieve divinity only by first experiencing the realities of existence here and rising above them. WSD:22:9 The standards imposed upon those who follow the light of the Good Religion will be those already set out in the Sacred Books of times gone by, for wisdom is not a callow youth. Such standards should not weigh too heavily on men, as do some enforced under the cloak of ignorance. This is the Religion of the Light, and it accords with the natural tendencies of man. It declares every man to be heir of divinity and, therefore, capable of living a

righteous and upward-tending life. WSD:22:10 The concept of righteousness held by the Good Religion is not one of external display, for it preaches that goodness is expressed in deeds and in a way of life, not in the holding of barren beliefs and purposeless ceremonial. It is like a mighty oak, always shedding leaves and replacing them in the proper seasons. Its roots keep spreading out into new ground, but its trunk is always strengthening and growing greater. WSD:22:11 The Good Religion believes that man is the instrument of The Divine and His deputy on Earth; that man is entrusted with certain responsibilities and duties, which he can shirk only to his cost; that the soul is immortal and the body mortal and that man can achieve divinity only through his own efforts. He can be saved by no one except himself.

WSD:22:12 There are those who prefer the worship of many lesser divinities, and those who divide their belief so from one come many, and each is content with his portion and derides that of others. The many divinities are like mirages across the sands, which appear to offer cool waters, but no man ever found refreshment there. When darkness falls, the mirage disappears, and he who trod the sand towards it is lost. WSD:22:13 Men have to be organised in worship as in all things, but this is not so much for their own good, though this is often made the excuse, but to check man's inherent tendency towards irresponsibility and apathy. While it is true that the less responsible and resolute men are the more they have to be organised and controlled, it is also true that the more they are organised and controlled, the less responsible and resolute they tend to become. In this as in all things a balance must be struck. Therefore, when a religion teaches that men should be responsible and resolute, it should not seek to organise and control them too much. However, it must also be remembered that without leadership, organisation and discipline, no battle was ever won.

WSD:22:14 The Good Religion must do more than produce good men. The popular religions within the confines of civilisation already produce good men, but they do not produce divinely inspired men or men who rise

even above goodness.

WSD:22:15 The Good Religion will not accept the doctrine now preached that the man who suffers is one who has done wrong or offended

some divinity. Instead, it will declare that the man who suffers is undergoing one of the inescapable tests of life and may be one chosen for higher service. However, it should acknowledge that this should not lead to suffering being accepted passively. Not only must suffering be struggled against, but every effort must be made by others to help the sufferer. The trials and tests of life are not things to be endured with passive patience, they are challenges to be

met and overcome. WSD:22:16 The Good Religion must establish a tradition of service, which it can hand down from one generation to another. It must also establish base within a compatible body of people, from which it can be propagated, not only by preaching and teaching but also, more important, by example. To each of its followers, it must declare the message: "Whether a man does much or little is not as important as to whether he always does his best and directs his actions towards the fulfilment of the Divine Design."

WSD:22:17 The Good Religion exists even now, for it is the faith of the few who cherish the seed. It is limited to a small number who hand on the torch, and this must continue until the day already appointed. Meamvhile, mankind is not ill served by its many religions, but the day comes when they will no longer serve, and that is the day the child of man's ancient heritage

will be born.

The Britain Book

BRT:4:2 After our Lord died, having been hung on the cross outside the city walls of Jerusalem, Joseph of Abramatha took Mary, the mother of Jesus

into his home until John could make suitable arrangements. Then he was called Guardian of the Lady, which title became confused in Britain with that

of Guardian of the Sacred Vessel.

Table of Chapters

BRT: 1:1 - BRT:1:21 Chapter One BRT:2:1 - BRT:2:18 Chapter Two - Jesus - 1 BRT:3:1 - BRT:3:58 Chapter Three - Jesus - 2 BRT:4:1 - BRT:4:26 Chapter Four - The Writings of Aristolas BRT:5:1 - BRT:5:36 Chapter Five - The Writings of Abaris BRT:6:1 - BRT:6:72 Chapter Six - The Writings of Emris Skinlaka BRT:7:1 - BRT:7:70 Chapter Seven - The Corrvgorsed

BRT:8:1 - BRT:8:36 Chapter Eight - Nobility BRT:9:1 - BRT:9:20 Chapter Nine - Shards of Wisdom

Chapter One

BRT: 1:1 To my stalwart son, always well beloved. I greet you heartily, desiring to hear of your welfare. Be not displeased at my going from Kelshaw or my manner of departure, for I first gave your mother and sister over to good keeping in the hands of the goodmistress Cotter. BRT: 1:2 Verily, such tidings were brought to me by diverse persons of the Craft on matters of our abiding concern, that I was beholden to come hitherwards. Nor durst I now go hence, for the charge remains, lying heavily upon my breast.

BRT: 1:3 As for Hempshill he lied to us, for he is a knave and a churlish one, and we were fools to be deceived by his wiles and his tongue speaking such wild language. I will entreat with the bailiff, and mayhap he who stands in the lord's place will abide my supplication. BRT: 1:4 As we planned, you do thereafter, but I pray you beware in what manner you walk, for those, among whom we walk are full black-hearted and enwrapped in the ways of wickedness. They desire an end to all things, in which we hold fast, but are not as staunch that they will set upon you in a manly way but will start out upon you like lurking footpads. Beware, too, what you eat and drink, and trust not even they who speak fair unto you, for the hands of all outsiders are against us.

BRT: 1:5 Send me tidings of Long Will and goodwife Abigail, and of John the Cordwainer and John of the Wildwood band, and others who stood in at the tithing ere you departed. It is to my abiding contentment that we

have been able to acquit the Wanderers in full good measure, for their braziers did their work right stoutly in a cunning manner. Had we a clerk among us, then it could have been wrought to more avail; but no matter, for their hand was firm, and they faithfully followed the marks.

BRT: 1:6 Now, take you the secured budget and go against Lewlaw, and leave it there in the cell under the Grimsbarrow where Alain the Pedlar

secured his hoard.

BRT: 1:7 In the Books of Britain it is written: Ilyid came seaborne in a ship of Tarsis from across the sea of Wicta, setting up at Rafinia in the land of the Wains. From thence to the river Tarant, which flows between the Kingdom of Albany and the Kingdom of Korin, Albany being the land