While there are disadvantages in any organization, it is conceded that the benefits should be greater than the evils. Of the Martinist Order we can truly say the advantages are so many and so great that we see no evil whatever. In the first place, it is one of the few Orders that do not demand adherence to a creed or belief. Whatever the belief of the candidate, he does not need to change it or take up a new one. He is expected however to live up to his highest conception of it - to the best of his ability. He has no need to fear there may be some selfish motive in the Order, for each new member only increases the work of some delegate, who could go on with his own development without any one else. There are no fees and dues, and the instructions, which are sent out from time to time, are free. The suspicious man of the world then asks: "What can be the motive for increasing the Membership?" A true Martinist does not work for his personal interest, but to bring Man back to his pristine powers. The time has passed when men can say they are doing the work of God and humanity, when they live a ‘worldly’ life, loving the things of the world, and serving themselves like everyone else. Men have ceased to be influenced by this kind of Christian work and the day has come that the standard is changing until men who claim to be Apostles of Christ, must live his life and be able to prove by their works that they have some of the gifts mentioned in the later part of the Gospel of Mark. The Martinist Order stands for this, and for the equality of the sexes as to their ability to develop the higher and divine qualities. Its center is in France, where it was first organized, but its Members can be found in every part of the globe. Papus founded the organization called “the Martinist Order”, but the founder of the order was Louis Claude de Saint Martin. His writings are unlike any others and would change the entire world if they were only translated into the many different languages. In the British Empire there are only a few copies of two of his books, and these are in the large libraries. They prize these books so highly that they will not permit them to be taken out. All the other works of this Illumined man is in his native tongue, and we hope in the near future we shall be able to have them translated and published. His teachings are the foundation of all that is taught by the Order. Whatever knowledge may have been attained along other lines, it cannot take the primary place of Louis Claude’s teachings in Martinism. Martinism not only shows us the way to illumination, but it enlightens the path leading to it. It stands for the most generous, and liberal and Christ-like teachings that can be given by any organization allowing each individual to believe in whatever lines or passages of 'written words' they choose to, while insisting that the primary emphasis must be placed on living each day in communion with the ‘living Word’ or Logos. As a little leaven will raise the whole measure of meal, so this Order works to change the whole world until those who, seeing the sick in either body or mind healed, will say; "They must belong to the Order of Louis Claude de Saint Martin." 
Another benefit of belonging to this Order is the advantage it gives of help and counsel from the ‘wise men’ (our Unknown Superiors) who both in the body and out of it are ever ready to send via the finer forces of nature, the strength or help needed. Many do not believe the words of Saint Paul: "We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses” but no one can be a Martinist long without proving the truth of his words. Back to Top Back to Topic | 
