6
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MANIFESTO OF THE 0.T.O.
The Knowledge of the Preparation and Use of the
Universal Medicine is restricted to members of the
IX°; but it may be administered to members of the
VIII° and VII° in special circumstances by favour
of the National Grand Masters General, and even in
particular emergency to members of lower degrees.
In the V° all members are pledged to bring immediate
and perfect relief to all distress of mind, body, or
estate, in which they may find any of their fellows
of that degree. In the higher degrees the Bonds of
Fraternity are still further strengthened. The
Order thus affords a perfect system of insurance
against every misfortune or accident of life.
Members of the IX° become part proprietors of the
Estates and Goods of the Order, so that the attain-
ment of this degree implies a return with interest
of the fees and subscriptions paid.
The Order gives practical assistance in life to worthy
members of even its lower degrees, so that, even if
originally poor, they become well able to afford the
comparatively high fees of the VIT°, VIII°, and IX°.
On exaltation to the IV° each Companion may file
an account of his circumstances, and state in what
direction he requires help.
14. In selecting members for advancement, attention is
paid to their devotion to the Order, to their intelligence in
apprehending the nature of its teaching, to their zeal in
spreading the principles of the Order so far as they them-
selves understand them, though always with the discretion
inseparable from the due guarding of the secrets, and to all
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