TITLES OF DISTINCTION!

By

John Roberts

“Why callest thou me, good? There is none good but one, that is

God!” (Mark Ch 10.v 17)

It might be argued that men have always ignored the reality of the social inequities of our world, particularly those who were in a position to dominate their fellows and dictate the manner of lifestyle, to be enjoyed by those in lower social groupings. Hence, it comes as no surprise to discover that the adoption of Titles of Distinction is a very prominent feature of our social relationships.

It is significant that Jesus of Nazareth, when addressed by the adjective, “Good”, questioned his supplicant’s use of such a term. “….there is none good but God” This was not just a display of his natural modesty: he was emphasizing the inappropriateness of flattering addresses, in human intercourse. The Quaker, George Fox, understood this fact, when he established the “Society of Friends” on a strictly simple Social basis, devoid of all pretence of rank. Simplicity was the keynote in his approach to worship and also to the standards to be set within the Movement, which he established and directed. In the early years of Quaker Development, throughout his life, he was constantly moving from place to place, setting-up and directing Meeting-places, in the simple but rigid standards established by him.

That Fox was a “Leveller” is well-known. In fact, it was the suspicion generated within the ranks of the ruling authority, whether Parliamentary or Monarchist, by his insistence upon rejecting many of the divisive social customs of the day; that exposed the Quakers to much unjust and unwarranted persecution. There were no distinctions to be made within the ranks of the Society of Friends. Even worship was of an open, congregational form, with no distinction being made between men and women and no Ministry or Priesthood, of any kind. Each member of the Society was free to speak at the periodic meetings of the various local bodies. All members were known as “Friends” and nothing more. All formal modes of address (Mr., Mrs., Your Lordship, Your Reverence, etc., etc.,) were rejected. A person was addressed by his name, e.g. “John Smith!” There was no foppery or dressing-up or display: but worship was carried-on in a quiet, in fact, a silent form; a time in which the Friends waited upon The Lord for the inspiration of the Spirit.

There was no format of Services, no music, no formal prayers: just a gathering of Friends for prayer and worship.

Fox recognized the fact that churches, which he called “Steeple Houses”, were decorated elaborately in order to influence the people to accept ideas that were, essentially, false. Fox claimed, (quoting 1 Corinth. Ch.6v19) that the human body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and that God does not abide in buildings of any kind. The “Church of God!” is in fact the whole body of humanity rather than a mere collection of buildings or institutions. He established Meeting Houses as simple rooms, without decoration: nor did he encourage the use of visual images of any kind. Even the “Cross” was abolished as a distracting influence. The singing of hymns he regarded as an insincere form of worship. Quakers simply sat in their plain Meetings, awaiting the inspirational influence of God’s Spirit.

One most important aspect of Quaker practice was their refusal to engage in Court proceedings: taking note of the injunction of Jesus of Nazareth to “Make peace with thine enemy quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him….” (Math Ch5, v25) . “Thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou has paid the uttermost farthing…”. What wonderful advice! How many folk in succeeding generations have regretted going to Court. Lawyers have to survive in business and know how to squeeze their clients. I am aware of two instances in which Spiritualists (so-called) have become involved in Court proceedings, incurring only substantial debt and very severe headaches, in the process.

Fox also forbad the “Swearing of Oaths”, quoting the strict mandate of Jesus of Nazareth to his followers: “Swear not at all…but let your “Yea be Yea and your Nay be Nay…. For what is more than this cometh of evil”. Matthew Ch. 5 v37.

To modern ideas, the Quakers’ strict Puritanical principles would seem out-dated and inappropriate. His rejection of religious music, made it impossible for the Quakers to develop their own spiritual songs or musical tradition and made it hard for a truly spiritual harmony to develop in the meeting. Nowadays, it appears that music is tolerated within the Meeting for worship. My own view is that Hymns and spiritual songs are essential for the creation of harmony in the Spirit Circle.

Following the example of the Quakers, the early 19th Century “Shakers” in the USA also built plain but beautiful meeting-houses and engaged in simple forms of worship of a spiritual nature. In some respects they were the precursors of modern Spiritualism in America and left a legacy of astonishingly simple but fine architecture and furniture to posterity. Ann Lee, the founder, was originally a Manchester “Friend”.

I might have dwelt, excessively, on the virtues of the Quakers, who set an impossibly difficult standard for Christians, rather like Jesus of Nazareth. However, their approach to Christianity was, without doubt, a genuinely sincere attempt to live the life, laid down by the Master, himself. It has no parallel in history, save perhaps in the lives of those folk in the South of France, the Albigensians and others, who rejected the strictures of the Medieval Church and suffered appalling persecution.

Spiritualists themselves do not seem to have given much thought to the question of forms of Worship. Many “churches” or groups have conducted meetings in temporary buildings or rooms, wherever they could be rented. Some of the older groups in the United Kingdom held meetings very simply, with a procedure commenced by hymn-singing and prayer, sermon and demonstration of spiritual gifts. Decoration was not considered necessary and most of the meeting-places attended by me, in the England of my youth, would not impress as being of architectural significance. The Raby Street, Manchester church, which was the major Spiritualist meeting place in that district, was a plain but well-constructed and large building, with a main hall and several other rooms for groups and library. Most churches were small and simply furnished. People realized that one does not need to make a great show to establish a spiritual principle and that Cloth of Gold and Tinsel do nothing to enhance the quality of worship. I notice that at least one wealthy Spiritualist body has a photo on its web-page, that suggests great expenditure in the decoration of its meeting-place. I would have thought that a more sober environment would have been appropriate. Having attended this meeting-place as a youth, when it presented a more traditional appearance, I do not believe that there has been an improvement in the setting for worship. (Portsmouth Temple)

It seems to me that, nowadays, this principle of simplicity has been obscured, perhaps, on account of the ignorance (of many newcomers to Spiritualism) of the essential standards that need to be set and maintained in our forms of worship. People are impressed by “Dressing-up and Display”, not realizing that this is superfluous and that Spirit does not regard such things as desirable or necessary.

I have previously commented on the slightly ridiculous stance adopted by the new phenomenon of “Reverends”, to be observed in the Spiritualist Movement. It does not occur to these folk, that it is alien to the principles of Spiritualism to introduce priests or parsons into the Movement. These people come complete with fancy-dress in the form of Surplices or gowns. This development is an off-shoot of, what is termed, the “New Age Movement”. This seems to consist of a multifarious assortment of modern “Occultists” who practice various rites and modes and attract a wide audience. I find it astonishing that traditional Spiritualism has been contaminated by what is, essentially, a secular influence, even though it comes in company with the new tendency to establish a hierarchy of “clergymen and women”. Such a trend reveals a lack of understanding of the principles of Spiritualism and an ignorance of the historic background of Christianity itself, which, so far as the Protestant Branch is concerned, is a record of the struggle with Priestcraft for the liberation of religious practice. The truth of the matter is that nobody needs a Priest or Parson, to intercede with the world of Spirit on his or her behalf

Regrettably, it must also be averred that, from my own experience in dealing with several of these new “Religious”, it is apparent that they lack the necessary intelligence and erudition to qualify them for inclusion within the ranks of even a reasonably educated Clergy. Being a competent “Psychic” or completing a short course of “study” at some Institution for “Psychic development” cannot, in itself, qualify a person as a teacher of humanity in Spiritual subjects. Such a gift is one of the Spirit alone. One might ask why I have introduced this topic with the Biblical quotation: of Jesus of Nazareth rejecting any form of personal adulation or flattery. It was his testament to the futility of such terms of address. This can be extended to include all forms of Social and Class distinction, which are simply devices to enable Privilege to maintain and control its influence over the lower orders of Society. “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature?” (Matt Ch 6,v27) .

We live in a world in which egotism and vanity, override the finer instincts of humanity. That was true in the Roman world, as it is today. The Spiritualist should be able to perceive where the pitfalls lie; that beset us all in our sophisticated world. This is why it is so important to set and maintain the highest standard. The Quakers tried and other religious movements, since that time, have fallen short of their perception of where lie the important principles. We have the advantage of the teachings of the Nazarene, which cover most aspects of human intercourse and which are as necessary for our development today, as they were in the savage world of the Roman era.

In the mid-19th Century, Spiritualism came along with a wonderful new message; one that confirmed the essential experience of the early Christians and the teachings of the Nazarene. If we go “off the rails” today, in our attempts to attain “status recognition” by our friends in the various branches of the Christian religion, we will greatly ere and will retard the development of this Movement for many years.

Many of us have some experience of the wonderful nature of our friends in the Spirit side of Life and of the Power of Spirit, that is available to us all, as a healing influence and moral force in our lives. This is something that has to be enjoyed at its highest level, not in an inferior form of communication with the lower orders of the Spirit world. It is my conviction that we are in constant contact with Spirit , beneficial or harmful, according to choice and that we need the support of our advanced and loving Spirit Guides, to steer us through life’s tortuous and difficult years.

Every Nation needs intelligent and morally advanced leaders, to guide its people along constructive and progressive lines, particularly in the Nuclear Age, when the whole world is threatened by the prospect of a disastrous Holocaust that may well destroy Society, as we know it, eradicating all the progressive intellectual and technical achievements of the Age. If our leaders are not equipped to lead the Nations of the world with foresight and tact, then this is a distinct possibility at some time in the foreseeable future.

Let us pray that this will not be the end of Civilization, as we know it, and that the principle of co-operation and good-will may be, ultimately, established in our World, before it is too late to rectify the situation that we see, unfolding before our eyes.

Selfish, domineering and circumspect minds are in control of our world, at the present time, irrespective of the ideology professed by our various leaders. The prospect is, indeed, bleak. The present generation has born witness to the continuing “Triumph of Evil” during the past Century, and to the continuous decline in the Moral Standards of every Nation upon Earth. Those of us who were born into a nominal “Christian” environment, need to think about the direction in which our world is heading and to try to make a positive contribution towards human evolutionary progress.

The End.

John Roberts

24th April 2020

mailto:robertsjno@gmail.com

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