THE EQUINOX
The claim of the Order that the true adepts were in
charge of it was definitely disproved.
15. In the Order, with two certain exceptions and two
doubtful ones, he found no persons prepared for initiation
of any sort.
16. He thereupon by his subtle wisdom destroyed both
the Order and its chief.
17. Being himself no perfect adept, he was driven of the
Spirit into the Wilderness, where he abode for six years,
studying by the light of reason the sacred books and secret
systems of initiation of all countries and ages.
18. Finally, there was given unto him a certain exalted
grade whereby a man becomes master of knowledge and
intelligence, and no more their slave. He perceived the
inadequacy of science, philosophy, and religion; and ex-
posed the self-contradictory nature of the thinking fac-
ulty.
19. Returning to England, he laid his achievements
humbly at the feet of a certain adept D.D.S., who wel-
comed him brotherly and admitted his title to the grade
which he had so hardly won.
20. Thereupon these two adepts conferred together,
saying: May it not be written that the tribulations shall
be shortened? Wherefore they resolved to establish a new
Order which should be free from the errors and deceits of
the former one.
21. Without Authority they could not do this, exalted
as their rank was among adepts. They resolved to prepare
all things, great and small, against that day when such
Authority should be received by them, since they knew
not where to seek for higher adepts than themselves, but
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