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Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Aleister Crowley
14 Glenisla Gardens, Edinburgh.
3 July. [1916]
Care Frater
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
Things are getting a move on. Sister Mary [Mary Davies] is here. Today, the weather is fiendish and as I've taken a day off, we have got a vast quantity of work done and all sorts of points settled. Our palatial premises in Regent St[reet] are secured, and are now being cleaned and painted and should be ready for a formal opening shortly. I don't think that there is much fear about funds. The great thing is that we have got the ball moving at last, and it will grow as we go on.
I have thought it right, pending your approval to arm Mary myself with a weapon, copy of which I enclose. This arose out of something that did not surprise me. M[ary] mentioned that some one was doing the painting gratis and that de Wolf had offered to paint the ceiling with the Sun and Eye (in approved Papustical style I suppose). We are in no need of being taught by outsiders, or of borrowing their symbols. Wolf is the sort of man who thinks himself awfully advanced because he is a IV degree Papustical Essene, and I knew the thing he would do would be to be very officious and very condescending in trying to improve us by his own superior and august knowledge. I went for Mary and impressed on hr that this sort of thing was to be sat on. You may think I'm making a fuss about a very small matter, but it will save trouble in the end, if I adopt a firm attitude at the outset, and make it clear that any attempt at introducing 'improvements' or of bossing the show, by a Dutchjewchristian-missionary won't work. I've impressed on Mary that when our bad days are over and there is a proper place for a Lodge, no lax methods will be permissible, and that it is wise, now, to start with proper and rigorous methods.
I've also advised her to work quietly at the outset and aim at steady growth and gradual accretion, rather than by advertising. She thought of putting an ad. in the Occult Review but that would very likely put Ellis Pears on the track, and give us trouble. Well keep a 'calm enough' at first, till there's less risk of trouble from the blasted swine.
Besides regular Lodge work I think the place should be open on specified evening in each week for callers and enquirers and for open Lodge. Mary proposes to give an occasional Sunday lecture. I said that would be capital, as everybody could come and it would be like a sort of recruiting station. We will do things in a business like way—and I'm arranging for special properly stamped note paper and so on.
By the way I have written a note officially appointing Steff Langston [William Steff-Langston] Sec and Treasurer of this particular section. He will take charge of the local funds and so save me some fag, but report to me regularly, and it will assure the London members that their funds are used for their own benefit. M[ary] greatly approves of this and signed the Note jointly with me. As it's but a local sort of matter, the sort of thing we must do, or judge of, ourselves, I don't think it necessary to bother you to confirm the document only let me know if I'm right or not.
I've drafted a circular to send out to all, informing them of the whole matter, and stating that all in a position to do so should make it a point of honour to assist by resuming regular subscriptions. All who desire to be considered as in good standing and loyal to the Order and their oath are bound to report themselves, now. Those unable to contribute are in no wise out of good standing but should report themselves etc etc.
Love to M.O.H. [Mother of Heaven—Leila Waddell] and I hope she will have a thundering success—and then write to me. Mary I am sure joins me in sending love to you both, in fact, she beats me hollow at amiable things like that and I hereby straitly enjoin and command her that she appends her Most Worshipful signature and endorsement to the above statement.
[Note: The following text is in the hand of Mary Davies.]
Mary Davies, my love to you both, you will have heard all the news and the efforts we are making to cheer you and show by deeds our loyalty and sincere regards. All the Brethren would I know like me to conclude them in this and very especially brother W.R.D[avies]. What a dear man Bro[ther] Cowie is, but nevertheless a tease as A.C. has sad reason to know.
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