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Correspondence from Charles Stansfeld Jones to Karl Germer
8 April 1948
Care Frater Saturnus,
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law!
Things are indeed working out on a time schedule. This day is the 44th Anniversary of the first day of the writing of "The threefold book of Law"; your first letter to me, dated April 6th, was written on same day as my first communication to you, sent to New York on that date.
In reply to your letter. First let me say that of recent weeks there have been some quite unexpected developments relative to Liber Legis and Thelema. These have been carefully recorded. The result, in brief, was sent you and Frater V.P.O.V. [Wilfred Talbot Smith] on April 6. For the moment, if you will, you must take my word for it, and place you own interpretation on it.
So far as other matters are concerned I will state the facts as briefly as possible.
Mr. Gerald J. Yorke wrote me on February 11 and I received his first letter on March 4. He mentioned A.C.'s death (but not the nature of his will) and asked me whether I would send him a copy of Liber 31—which was not among A.C.'s papers—for eventual deposit in the British Museum. I had a special copy made, which was sent to him for that purpose—and that alone—on March 20 by slow mail. Meanwhile, we began top correspond by air-mail. He told me of a Will in your favour, and that Mr. J. Symonds [John Symonds] is in process of writing a Life of A.C. Meanwhile many of A.C.'s papers are in his hands, prior to being sent on to U.S.A. in due course. He asked my help in supplying what missing data I could, and I have sent several original items which may be of service. He also inquired if I had some of the original typescript of A.C.'s memoirs. This I never had, and I told him so.
It appears that most of the records I sent A.C. have disappeared—or had been destroyed. This, I think, is providential. There are two sides to the story so far as magical things are concerned. Sometime we may see how they fit together; but that would require much time, for things are quite complicated. Therefore, for the moment, I am confining myself to sending any items which might be of value in writing up the Life, and have nothing further to offer in regard to a possible "history of the Order" which might be written later.
From another angle, I had no idea that Brother Albert H. Handel was writing to you. Your letter to me is a result of that communication. The new developments I mentioned began to occur during my correspondence with Mr. Yorke. As a result of these and further considerations on things in general, I wrote him a letter on March 29th, and enclosed an extra carbon copy, which I thought perhaps he would see fit to send on to you. Have not yet received a reply to that letter from Yorke, but may do so any day now. It will probably say that he has sent the copy on to you by air-mail.
Meanwhile, I heard from Mr. Yorke on April 5th saying that he had written you a letter about things, suggesting that you send me a copy of A.C.'s Will—which I need in order to know just what he did and did not say in your regard—and that he hoped that you would get in touch with me in a friendly way. This now seems to have happened through Handel—but anyway, Greetings and Peace!
On account of these further unexpected complications, etc. I feel that it is better for us both that time be allowed for you to receive further communications, now doubtless on their way to you, before we discuss the advisability of your coming to Vancouver for an immediate personal meeting. There is not much more I can do in regard to data, etc. than I have already done, or am willing to do, through Mr. Yorke—for any records immediately required must go to London first to be of possible value in regard to Life being written there.
This does not appear to be at all the right time for me to suggest that I visit you and the Brethren in Los Angeles. You have suggested coming to Vancouver—but that was before certain facts and letters were before you. I should of course be glad to meet you personally, sooner or later. It is quite possible that I shall be in New York sometime during this year, and we might meet then.
Please let me know how you honestly feel about the matter when further details are in your hands.
Love is the law, love under will.
Yours fraternally,
Achad.
P.S. Please convey my regards to W.T.S. [Wilfred Talbot Smith] and J.W. [Jane Wolfe].
P.P.S. Other than articles personally placed in my hands by A.C., I handed over all property and moneys and documents relative to his property formerly in my possession to his Attorney-in-fact, Mr. Max R. Schneider, on signing of a Mutual Release on June 4, 1926. Since then have had no business dealings with A.C. The only things other than personal letters received from A.C. since that date are rough proofs of The Equinox of the Gods and two brochures.
A.
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