John worked diligently at his mission, and the “Baptists” or “Followers of Johanan,” as they were called, increased rapidly.  His meetings were events of great moment to thousands who had gathered from all Palestine to see and hear the prophet of the wilderness—­the Essene who had emerged from his retirement.  His meetings were often attended with startling occurrences, sudden conversions, visions, trances, etc., and many developed possession of unusual powers and faculties.  But one day there was held a meeting destined to gain world-wide fame.  This was the day when there came to John the Baptist the master, of whose coming John had frequently foretold and promised.  Jesus the Christ appeared upon the scene and confronted his Forerunner.

The traditions have it that Jesus came unannounced to, and unrecognized by John and the populace.  The Forerunner was in ignorance of the nature and degree of his guest and applicant for Baptism.  Although the two were cousins, they had not met since childhood, and John did not at first recognize Jesus.  The traditions of the Mystic Orders further state that Jesus then gave to John the various signs of the Occult Fraternities to which they both belonged, working from the common signs up until Jesus passed on to degrees to which John had not attained, although he was an eminent high-degree Essene.  Whereupon John saw that the man before him was no common applicant for Baptism, but was, instead, a highest-degree Mystic Adept, and Occult Master—­his superior in rank and unfoldment.  John, perceiving this, remonstrated with Jesus, saying that it was not meet and proper, nor in accordance with the customs of the Brotherhoods, for the inferior to Baptize the superior.  Of this event the New Testament takes note in these words:  “But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?” (Matt. 3:14.) But Jesus insisted that John perform the rite upon him upon the ground that He wished to go through the ceremonial in order to set His stamp of approval upon it, and to show that he considered himself as a man among men, come forth to live the life of men.

In both the occult traditions and the New Testament narrative, it is stated that a mystical occurrence ensued at the baptism, “the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him,” and a voice from Heaven saying:  “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

And with these words the mission of John the Baptist, as “Forerunner of the Master,” was fulfilled. The Master had appeared to take up his work.

THE MASTER.

And, now, let us turn back the pages of the Book of Time, to a period about thirty years before the happening of the events above mentioned.  Let us turn our gaze upon the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, in order that we may trace the Mystic and Occult forces at work from the beginning of Christianity.  There are occurrences of the greatest importance embraced in these thirty years.