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Correspondence from Aleister Crowley to Charles Stansfeld Jones
63 Washington Square, So. New York, N.Y.
February 19, 1919
C. Stansfeld Jones, Esq., Universal Book Stores, Detroit, Michigan.
My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
It is indeed a pleasure to receive a letter breathing cheerfulness. I knew perfectly well that you would have no trouble. I am exceedingly amused that you should have had a dose of father's medicine. The only thing to do with lies, is to ignore them. It is really extraordinary what fools people make of themselves in the attempt to make an impression. People who have personality do not need to make an impression. They go on working without lust of result.
With regard to the O.T.O., I take the liberty of advising you to get hold of the 33˚ man [Frank T. Lodge] in private. Sound him very carefully with regard to the principles of the VII, and if you find him trust-worthy, affiliate him to that degree. Your mental attitude should be, if I may dare say so, to regard the 32˚ people as so many pieces of rather nasty dirt. The next step will be to select one 32˚ man, Ryerson [Albert W. Ryerson] being the obvious choice, and affiliate him to the VI. (In your recent letter you did not mention how you proposed to use any fees pertaining to degrees above Prince of Jerusalem and I should be glad to have your determination on the subject.) I am then determined to revise the rituals of the O.T.O. in such a sense that they will not conflict in any way with the Masonic ideals, and I suggest that you should arrange a conference between myself and these Masons, in which the rituals should be submitted to them for approval in this particular sense.
You talk of playing your cards right. I do not think it is necessary for me to advise you in this matter, but for the sake of the record I wish to repeat that the essential thing is to stick with almost pedantic rigour to the instructions of the A∴A∴ and O.T.O. respectively. Hard cases make bad law. However, you have a supreme holy King, to whom such hard cases may be referred, and at your recommendation we should be prepared to extend mercy rather than justice. Your safeguard is the rigid execution of justice. No one can upset you as long as you cleave closely to that ideal. This is particularly important in the first stages of the movement. I frequently made mistakes through abrogating regulations because of my idiotic kindness of heart. Never allow yourself to be seduced into any such error.
You were probably very hurried in writing your letter, but I may mention that you do not tell me what was the trouble with Brother Gibson. You will find it very advantageous to report to me in the fullest possible manner with regard to every detail, and I have no doubt that at your leisure you will do so in this particular case. I connect your brief statement with a remark which you made in discussing the Detroit people. Never forget the importance of the iota in homoiousios.
I have entirely forgotten the horoscope for 11 A.M. March 21, and I do not know what the Word [of the Equinox] is. But speaking as a mere Exempt Adept, I will bet you a dollar that the publication of The Voice of Silence [Voice of the Silence] will have the San Francisco earthquake looking like 30¢. I am just reading through the proofs, and it shocks even me. What will happen to the ordinary, gentle-Jesus-meek-and-mild-theosophist, I cannot say, but I would suggest your arranging with the United Undertakers Association for a fat commission. Talking of commissions, you get paid, of course, as these sums fall due.
I do not think you are at all likely to lose your head about anything, but I have a strong feeling that you ought to cultivate the 8 limbs of Yoga and the 4th power of the Sphinx, in an intensive manner for the next month or so.
Love is the law, love under will.
Thy sire,
666.
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