This Council, composed of Masters who watch that the _Law of the Lotus be not revealed to the vulgar, has its General inspectors in the West as_ in the East, who, invested with the necessary powers to demonstrate the truth of that which they teach and propagate, have different missions, which they must fulfill strictly; and although misunderstood and insulted by those who do not understand them, yet they continue to work actively to serve worthily the Holy Cause of True, Veritable Fraternity, having ever before their eyes this device: “Forward, ever forward!” They may suffer all manner of pain and torments, but none of these—no, nothing can touch them; for the Occult Hand sustains, saves and protects them! The Supreme Council of the Mahatmas of Thibet has, then, given powers to its Representatives, that they may use them, not to enrich themselves, but to call the attention of every man or woman of high ideals who desires “To go forward, ever forward, and ever higher!” We care little for their names or their nationality, for names and nations disappear—the Work alone remains! We have seen some! * * * appear like a shooting star, light up space, and disappear * * * almost without being noticed. We have _read_ and we have _seen_ many things! * * * calumnies, sufferings, noble deeds, etc.! * * * We have _read_ that the wicked took them for speculators or sorcerers; and we have _seen_ them continue their good works and remain almost poor! * * * We have _read_ that men tried to destroy them, casting the stones of calumny and vengeance; and we have _seen_ them, even though weeping inwardly, gather up the stones, asking pardon for those who threw them! {259} We have, in short, _read_ lies, and we have _seen_ them present the Truth! * * * Therefore, this Commission, animated by the most sincere and reasoned faith, strong in the Right which supports it, for Truth and for Justice, makes an appeal to all those who know that to _Think_ is to _Create_, to _Create_ is to _Love_, and that to _Love_ is to _Live_;—to unite themselves with us in a truly fraternal chain, not formed of links of iron which can be broken, but woven of flowers of the soul—a chain which knows neither hatred nor deceit! From those who come to us we will ask no sacrifices but sincerity and good faith, which we will put to the test; we respect all creeds and customs, but we banish hypocrisy and slander! _Strong in our Right, invested with the powers bequeathed to us by Him who had the power to give them_, we initiate here in the Capital of the United States, in the heat of the fire of our enemies, this movement of true progress, destined to perpetuate the work of the Adept who has just left us! They, our enemies, have insulted him, calumniated him, have abandoned him, because he was an obstacle to them; for the Centres which radiate artificial light are afraid of the Radiant Centre of Truth!