(Continued from Part 1.)
The identity of the spirit band was revealed later to Rev. Moses:
“The identity of the communicators was only gradually disclosed and Moses was much exercised as to whether the personalities of the band were symbolical or real.
“They asserted that a missionary effort to uplift the human race was being made in the spirit realms and, as Moses had the rarest mediumistic gifts and his personality furnished extraordinary opportunities, he was selected as the channel of these communications. Like ‘Imperator’ and ‘Preceptor’ every member of the band had an assumed name at first.
“The biblical characters included the following names, as revealed later: ‘Malachias’ (Imperator), ‘Elijah’ (Preceptor), ‘Haggai’ (The Prophet), ‘Daniel’ (Vates), ‘Ezekiel,’ “St. John the Baptist’ (Theologus). The ancient philosophers and sages numbered 14. They were: ‘Solon,’ ‘Plato,’ ‘Aristotle,’ ‘Seneca,’ ‘Athenodorus’ (Doctor), ‘Hippolytus’ (Rector), ‘Plotinus’ (Prudens), ‘Alexander Achillini’ (Philosophus), ‘Algazzali or Ghazali’ (Mentor), ‘Kabbila,’ ‘Chom,’ ‘Said,’ ‘Roophal,’ ‘Magus.’ (1)
Now here is where what Imperator says may help us with the way Matthew probably communicates. A member of Imperator’s band tells Rev. Moses:
“In many cases the messages given you are not the product of any one mind, but are the collective influence of a number. Many who have been concerned with you are but the vehicles to you of a yet higher influence which is obliged to reach you in that way. We deliberate, we consult, and in many instances you receive the impression of our united thought.” (2)
And Imperator himself tells Rev. Moses:
“Though a communication may be signed by one spirit only, very frequently many are concerned in its production. As our teaching will be devoted to the rectification of theological error, and to the revealing of further Truth, many Intelligences will be concerned in revealing what they have special means of knowing.” (3)
Imperator acknowledges that he is taught by Elijah and behind Elijah stands Moses. He says that the links in the chain go all the way back to Source.
“My teaching comes from my great Master, [Elijah] whom I see face to face, and he has his teaching from his great Master [Moses], I cannot yet enter into the spheres of Contemplation, but my Master descends to me, and has given me this mission.
“We are all links in a great chain which extends even to the Most High. The spirits who are under my direction receive their orders from me, and meet from time to time to hold converse with me. All is order with us, and self-will is not exercised with us.” (4)
Imperator revealed that his band had attended a council led by angels who energized the group and informed them. Matthew also has spoken of times when he has gone “elsewhere” for rejuvenation and counsel.
“We have but now returned from a great council of the angels and spirits of the blessed, wherein we have taken counsel and offered up solemn adoration to the Supreme. With one accord our voices swelled in an anthem of praise, and so we received the efflux of divine aid which shall support us in the conflict.” (5)
“We meet thus when we need support from mutual counsel, and from the efflux of spirit influence from those who are yet higher and wiser than ourselves.” (6)
“It is our custom, now and again, to join together in the praise of the Almighty. So we refresh our own selves, worn and wearied by the toilsome work of guiding erring souls. So we renew our power and gather fresh stock of gracious influence.” (7)
These assemblies can be very large in numbers.
“If the eye of man could have seen the vast concourse of the shining ones, massed together for consultation, and for the reception of the larger efflux of the Divine Spirit, they would have been of good cheer.” (8)
Imperator’s circle is probably the one we know the most about among spirit communicators. Matthew’s circle probably is not as ramified, probably in part because of the work that Imperator, Silver Birch, White Cloud and others have done in laying the groundwork for spirit communication and probably in part because Matthew’s work particularly was targeted to current events whereas Imperator’s roamed over many fields and eras.
Tomorrow we’ll look at the reports of others such as Silver Birch, Edgar Cayce, and SaLuSa.
Footnotes
(1) “William Stainton Moses Biography,” reproduced from Gordon Melton, “William Stainton Moses.” Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology, 5th ed. 2001, n.p. Dr. Mike Timn also identified the circle for me in an email in 2008:
“[Stainton] Moses continually asked for the earthly identifications of Imperator and the others. Imperator initially refused, informing Moses that revealing their earthly names would result in casting additional doubt on the validity of the messages.
“However, Imperator later revealed their names, advising Moses that they should not be mentioned in the book he would write. It was not until after Moses’s death that the identities were made public by A. W. Trethewy in a book, The Controls of Stainton Moses. Imperator was Malachias, the Old Testament prophet. Rector was Hippolytus and Doctor was Athenodorus. Imperator took directions from Preceptor, who was Elijah. Preceptor, in turn, communed directly with Jesus. Other communicators in the band of 49 included Daniel, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, Solon, Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Plotinus, Alexander Achillini, Al-Ghazzali, Kabbila, Chom, Said, Roophal, and Magus.” (Dr. Mike Tymn to Steve Beckow, E-mail, 15 March 2008.)
(2) Unnamed spirit teacher, member of spirit leader Imperator’s group, in Stainton Moses, More Spirit Teachings. Electronically published by Meilach.com. https://www.meilach.com/spiritual/books/morest/mspteach.htm, 51.
(3) Spirit leader Imperator in Stainton Moses, More Spirit Teachings. Trance Teachings. Electronically published by Meilach.com. https://www.meilach.com/spiritual/books/morest/mst01.htm, n.p.
(4) Ibid., 10.
(5) Imperator in Moses, More Spirit Teachings. Spirit Writings. Electronically published by Meilach.com. https://www.meilach.com/spiritual/books/morest/mst02.htm, n.p.
(6) Loc. cit.
(7) Loc. cit.
(8) Unnamed spirit communicator in Moses, MSTSW, n.p.