Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Aleister Crowley

14 Glenisla Gardens, Edinburgh.

8 Mar 1917.

Care Frater.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.

I must write you very seriously. It was only Saturday that I learned the cause of the recent action by the authorities and of which I was in absolute ignorance. It has come as a severe shock. I assume you know, you could not have meant that use to be made of your stuff. I learn that it is only my known probity of character, which unknown to me, has been closely inquired into, that has satisfied the authorities that the Lodge is exactly what is set forth in the Manifesto and that we have no political motive, there is as well the obvious innocence and respectability of all our members. The authorities say that so long as I am in control in England, and so long as we are not helping you, they are satisfied and we may continue. Otherwise I have no doubt we should have been closed down.

It is purely, as you know, for the obvious advantages of the scheme of Universal Brotherhood and social and moral regeneration, that I have pushed the Order, with political ideas or views of yours, we ought not to be concerned. They will only serve to paralyse us, and put a stop to progress. And the Lodge was really promising to grow into a very great and dignified thing. People may think our views Utopian, but we have already made a small Utopia visible, and practicable. In the present state of public feeling, the Conscientious Objector would be a popular hero compared with us, if we were thought to be helping you politically—and that is what I've always tried to impress on you.

It puts me in a difficult position, as whilst I was ready to suffer that the world of the future might be free and happy, and rid of present evils, I have no stomache for politics good or bad. Now also that I've learned of the confidence the authorities have in me, it is a point of honour to justify it. I think you should send me something stating that whilst I am in control of the work, and the carrying out of the schemes laid down in the Manifesto. No one of the class we want will join us, if there is a danger of their being regarded as political fire-brands. If it were clearly recognised that there was no danger of this, no question of politics to arise, and our movement not merely watched but guarded, all would be different.

Your articles are no doubt misunderstood, but the authorities are of course quite right. I am in a cruel position really, I can suffer when its only myself that's affected, what breaks me is the terror of bringing suffering on others, or of disgracing my relatives. My isolation little expected when you left England is weighing heavily on me besides. It is only the hope that the sky may suddenly clear and you can come back, that makes me able to go on at all. If Sister Agatha [Leila Waddell] were here with us that would be a great help. Then there is just now a Tea shop being put up under us at 93 [Regent Street], with a band playing all day, and that will make work impossible. Mary's temperament pulls her through better than mine does. I am too apt to cross the bridge before I come to it. But it's no use making light of the present trouble. The members will be frightened away, when they know of it, they have not been told, and unless I am in a position to reassure them that we have no concern with politics whilst I am in control, everything will break up. I am more concerned for the innocent people under me, than about getting scarified for not agreeing with you in everything. In certain ways I have a will to do what I wilt in matters that touch my own feelings of honour, and I am a Scot besides—so! I must make it clear that everyone who has joined us did do in complete ignorance of your "views"—and is guiltless of any political motive. I didn't expect any trouble.

[Note: The remainder may belong to another letter.]

This until you have vindicated yourself, as promised me, and can return to England. It is another blow to realise that that seems far off, meanwhile it leaves me in a position that it would take a very strong man to bear with equanimity. You have a right to your own views, and I've not quarreled, but so have we to ours. I'm not spelling hmousios with the i however, and in all matters of knowledge and mysticism I am quite loyal to you as well you know. What you are really working for must, I know, be necessarily for good, and I "keep on loving and trusting", but this recent matter has such an ugly look and will so harm the movement that I can't understand it at all, and it's now impossible to explain. If you were on the spot all would be so different and I'd get some peace. Getting into the Silence is now almost hopeless, things in general weigh so heavily on my mind that I cannot still it as I used to, and am suffering in consequence.

Business is looking pleasant again, new and agreeable work turning up, and I did right after all perhaps in being generous.

I'm sorry about money. I could send you a small sum from myself, but it would be so clearly regarded as a subterfuge, and not out of friendship, that I feel bound not to, especially as I'm on my honour, knowing that I am trusted not to do this.

There are many bright spots in my dismal career! What helps me to pull through is the unmistakable respect, love and devotion I get from the whole Lodge. No danger of swelled head though, as don't I recognise that it is through you that I have what Wisdom I have and I see to it that it is reflected back on you—And that one day when this evil is over we shall see you in your true Light. As for the "Toccatto of Galluppi" the cause, I now am sure is Scorpio rising and that explains much. I am not blind to the limitations of other far more selfless personalities and don't you fear that I have not a sense of humour about other things.

It is three weeks since I heard from you last, a letter may arrive tomorrow to make this superfluous, nevertheless it must go.

Love is the law, love under will.

Defiantly but ever fraternally (As brothers fight ye).

George M Cowie.

The p.s. to yours of Feb 18 has just come, but not the letter itself as yet. The mortgage [on Boleskine] is arranged but not completed.

G.M. Cowie.

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