THE MAGIC PRESENCE 1
Saint Germain Series Vol. 2
CHAPTER 1. A STRANGE OCCURRENCE
I LEFT you, my reader, at the end of Unveiled Mysteries, with the Great Ascended Master Lanto sending forth His Blessing to America and mankind from the Retreat in the Royal Teton. In this book I shall describe another group of important and wonderful experiences which I was privileged to have during those months of association with our Beloved Ascended Master Saint Germain. I received a Message from Him one morning, enclosing a letter of introduction to a Mr. Daniel Rayborn at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver.
The next day as I entered the hotel to inquire for him, I met an old friend, Mr. Gaylord, whom I had known for years. He was accompanied by an elderly gentleman whom he presented at once, and who, to my surprise, proved to be Mr. Rayborn. I gave him the letter of introduction, and after a few moments chat, we agreed to have dinner together that evening. The next day found us all en route to the Diamond K Ranch in Wyoming, one of the Rayborn mining properties where the Experiences described in this Book began. Little did I realize that day what my association with him would mean, and to what it would lead later. Such Experiences make one realize how Perfect the Great, Wise, All-Pervading Intelligence is that directs us unerringly to persons, places, and conditions when and where they are most needed.
My impression of Rayborn was very pleasant, for his whole attitude was one of harmony and kindliness, and at the same time I felt that he was a man of strong character with a keen sense of honor. He had a finely-shaped head, classic features, iron gray hair, and clear, piercing blue-gray eyes. He stood very erect and was fully six feet two inches in height. He had a son eighteen and a daughter sixteen years old who had just returned from school in the East.
We reached our destination, where the children met us at the train. After chatting a moment, we entered the Rayborn car and were driven to the ranch, a distance of about twenty miles. The son, Rex, was a tall, splendid, good-looking young chap with the same classic features as his father whom he resembled strongly. He was at least six feet one inch in height with abundant, light brown, wavy hair, and piercing violet-blue eyes. The daughter, Nada, was strikingly beautiful with a strange sort of old-world dignity and grace. She was about five feet seven, slight of build, with hair like her brother's, and deep blue eyes. There was a certain charm about all three Rayborns which everyone felt immediately.
The wonderful location and beauty of the house and grounds enchanted us, for it lay at the entrance to a narrow valley extending westward into the embrace of the Great Rockies. To the north, a towering peak rose to a height of over eight thousand feet. The house, facing south, was built of blue-gray granite, making one think of the turreted castles of medieval times in Europe and the ancient buildings of the Far East. The grounds immediately surrounding it were beautifully laid out and perfectly maintained. The building itself was large and rectangular in shape with a tower on each corner -the one at the southwest, facing the mountains, forming a large circular room on the third floor. The rest of the structure was only two stories high and had evidently been built for many, many years. Daniel Rayborn, at the time he was twenty, had inherited the entire estate from an uncle who traveled extensively, was deeply interested in Higher Research Work, and had lived for many years m India and Arabia.
We entered the house, Rex showing me to a suite of rooms on the second floor at the southeast corner of the building. Dinner was soon announced, and we enjoyed a delicious meal and the beautifully appointed table. While dining we entered into the discussion of our plans.
During the course of our meal Mr. Rayborn spoke of expecting John Grey, the superintendent from his mines, to join us that evening. We had scarcely mentioned his name when he was announced. He stepped into the room, greeted the family pleasantly, and I was presented to him. As we shook hands, a cold chill passed over my body, accompanied by a feeling of repulsion. He was a fine-looking man of about forty, almost six feet tall, with piercing dark eyes which I noticed were never still. I saw his eyes follow the daughter very often with a peculiar look which the others did not seem to notice. Mr. Rayborn excused himself, and with the superintendent went into the library. The rest of us went into the music room and enjoyed two hours of delightful music, for both children had remarkable voices. It was during the discussion of their musical training that a shade of sadness passed over Nada's face. She remarked:
"We both inherited our voices from Mother, who sang a great deal in opera, where Father first met her. My mother, in speaking of it, often said: 'We recognized in each other an Inner something that grew stronger and stronger as time went on. Later we learned we were "Twin Rays," which of course accounts for the many wonderful things that have happened to us since. We both have said many times that it seemed as if each had been searching for the other through the centuries; and of course, there has always been that very great Love and Perfect Understanding between us.
"Mother's father was an Englishman, and her mother, who was educated in England, was the daughter of an Arab sheik. Two years ago Mother was taken ill and passed on within a few weeks-although everything possible was done to save her life. During the last four weeks she received Transcendent Revelations which have explained many things to us. Shortly after I was born, our Beloved Master Saint Germain came to her. He explained she had Work to do on the Higher Planes of Life, and that He would always hold Rex and me in His Great Loving, Protecting Care. He is so wonderful and loving to us that I wish we might share our Joy with the whole world. The East and Far East-that is, India, China, Arabia, Egypt, and Persia-give much greater recognition to and understand much more clearly what the Great Ascended Masters have done for humanity and how much the entire race of our Earth owes to Their Transcendent Love and farreaching Care.
"He has taught us so plainly the Way by which these Great Ones have been able to raise and illumine the physical body by purifying it through the use of the Consuming Flame of Their own Divinity, which He calls the 'Mighty I AM Presence.' He tells us this can only be accomplished by Adoration to that 'Presence' and complete obedience of the personality, or outer consciousness, to Its every Direction! He says the secret is to keep in constant Inner Communion with the 'I AM Presence' at all times (through the feeling), so the Perfection which It is ever pouring forth can come through the outer consciousness without being distorted by our own inharmony or that of the physical world around us.
"It is in this way, Beloved Saint Germain explained, the Ascended Masters have reached Complete Dominion over all manifestation and have finished the work in human embodiment which Beloved Jesus said everyone must sometime do. They express-forever-Full Mastery over all conditions on this physical Earth; for all substance and energy are Their willing and obedient servants, even to the Elements and Powers of Nature, because They have become the Fullness of Divine Love.
Their entire Work with mankind is to lead everyone eventually to this same Mastery, but It can only come through the Self-effort of the individual and the fullness of enough Love.
"Mother had many strange experiences in her childhood, and my grandmother told her of others still stranger, for her grandfather had seen many of the remarkable things which these Great Ones do. One whom he knew quite well was from my grandmother's own land of Arabia. He was greatly adored by all He contacted, as His entire Life was a constant Blessing and Service to mankind.
"Beloved Saint Germain first came to Mother one night at the beginning of her career in grand opera. She had been singing only a few months when one evening she became almost speechless with stage-fright. She was in her dressing room shortly before the performance when a frantic fear seized her, making her forget everything. Beloved Saint Germain stepped through in His Tangible Body, introduced Himself, and touched her forehead with the fingers of His right hand. Instantly all nervousness left, the memory of her part returned, and she was calm and at ease. That night her success was tremendous, and it continued to increase, becoming brilliant beyond her fondest dreams.
"He told her she had earned the right to the Protecting Presence of the Ascended Masters, and from that time on, It would be permanent. He described the man she was to marry-also the son and daughter who were to come to her. After this He came at regular intervals and taught her many Inner Laws, which she was able to comprehend and apply with astonishing results-astonishing at least to those who are unable to use the Higher Law, but perfectly natural always to those who understand and manipulate those Laws through Love.
"Father, Beloved Saint Germain said, was not sufficiently awakened to be told of such Activities until about a year ago, when because of danger that threatened, Saint Germain came to him in the Tangible Body and explained that Father would come very near death at the hands of one whom he trusted as a friend, but to remain at peace, for the Ascended Masters would give the needed Protection.''
We were all so engrossed in this conversation that I felt almost disappointed when Mr. Rayborn and the superintendent joined us. After listening to Nada and Rex sing an Arabian love song for their father, we all parted for the night and went to our rooms. I was so thrilled because Beloved Saint Germain had come to Mrs. Rayborn that I had no desire for sleep. I began to feel there was a greater reason for my being in their home than I was outwardly aware of. I sat down in a comfortable chair and gave myself up to the contemplation of the Ascended Masters with deep gratitude to Them for the gracious welcome with which these blessed people had received me.
I must have dropped off to sleep, for I awakened with a start and thought I had heard someone calling me. I felt such an urge to get up and go out into the open air that I could not resist it. I was thoroughly awake and keenly expectant of something, but what, I knew not. I went downstairs, out of the house, and down a path near a large barn. In a moment, there was a movement among the shadows, and following a sudden impulse, I stepped behind a tree. At the same instant, a man came out of the barn. I saw another movement among the trees and, looking closer, discerned a man standing with a rifle to his shoulder, dimly visible in the darkness. As he took aim at the man coming out of the barn, I wanted to call out a warning, but I could not make a sound. Before I could think, a blinding flash of light struck the man with the rifle full in the face, revealing his features as he fell face forward as if struck by lightning-yet the sky was crystal clear. Still I was unable to move from my position, and the man from the barn came steadily on, totally unaware of his escape. I saw it was Mr. Rayborn, though he did not see me, so I remained where I was until he had passed into the house, and I hurried to the spot where I had seen the man fall-but he had fled. I searched around for some distance but found no trace of him, so I returned to my rooms. It was then almost one o'clock. I got into bed quickly and by a strong effort was able to go to sleep. When I went down to breakfast the next morning, all were radiantly happy except Grey, the superintendent, who seemed nervous and extremely pale.
The Rayborns, Gaylord, and I had a most enjoyable time planning our day, which ended with the children suggesting that we go to Table Mountain, one of their favorite haunts in the Wyoming Rockies. Meanwhile, Grey was almost sullenly silent, refusing to meet the eyes of anyone. He finished breakfast, excused himself, and drove to the station.
When he was gone, my first impulse was to tell Rayborn of the previous night's experience, but upon second thought decided to wait until I could see him alone. I excused myself, prepared for our trip up the mountain, and returned just in time to see the groom bringing out our horses. One of them was a beautiful Arabian steed, cream in color, with white mane and tail-the most wonderful animal I have ever seen. He came directly up to Nada, to whom he belonged, and with a look in his eyes that was almost of human intelligence, stood proudly before her waiting for the lumps of sugar she held out. She loved him and he knew it. "This is Pegasus," she said, patting him. He reached out, put his nose against my face, went over to Rex, and then back to Nada as if giving consent to my being a member of the party.
"He approves of you and accepts you as a trusted friend," Nada commented after watching his expression a moment. "That is a new behavior for him, as he has never made friends with anyone but Rex, the groom, and myself."
"Where did you get him?" I asked.
"He was given to Mother," she replied, "by an Arab sheik in appreciation for a concert she gave in Cairo. He was sent here to the ranch as a surprise when she returned from her last tour. It was really the last concert of her career, and her success was tremendous. The old sheik loved music, and enjoyed that concert especially.
"Pegasus is handsome, isn't he?" she continued. The Love in Nada's voice was unmistakable and justifiable, for no one could help but admire the beautiful creature. We mounted our horses, waved good-by to Rayborn, cantered off across the valley and soon entered the mountain trail. It wound steadily upward through the beautiful timber.
Occasionally we came into a clearing and stopped to enjoy the magnificent view. We followed the mountain stream for quite a distance. The song of the birds, the fragrance of the flowers, and the exhilaration of the rarefied air made us feel radiantly strong and glad to be alive.
We reached the top of the mountain near noon, and there before us lay a level space covering at least twenty acres, a veritable plateau suspended in the midst of those towering giants. A cozy little cabin and a shelter for the horses had been built. It was made of stone with a built-in stove-very unique and serviceable. We enjoyed the beauty of the surrounding country for a while and then sat down to a delightful lunch.
"You know," Rex commented, "I feel as if we had all known each other for ages"; and Nada and I admitted we felt the same. "Let's go to the cave by the other trail as soon as we finish lunch," he suggested, and we agreed. By crossing over to the opposite side of the mountain, we found a good trail leading down where the scenery was more wild and rugged. In some places the rocks looked as if they had been stained green, blue, and black by some marvelous mineral coloring. The sunlight and shadow played upon them as we changed our position, producing the effect of a beautiful, inspiring panorama. We continued down the trail about four thousand feet, turned sharply, and came to the eastern face of the mountain.
Thousands of years ago a portion of it had evidently split away, making the whole side a sheer cliff at least a thousand feet above us. The trail we were on wound around the south side, turning toward the eastern wall and running along a shelf like projection that brought us to the entrance of the cave. The trail was strewn with great boulders that made it rough and difficult of access. A wing of rock hid the entrance as if Nature jealously guarded Her secrets from curious eyes. We left the horses tied safely nearby, and Rex took three powerful flashlights from his saddlebag.
"Prepare for a surprise," he exclaimed, turning to me, and then led the way into the cave. About fifty feet from the opening we entered a medium-sized cavern. As soon as my eyes became adjusted to the change of light, I saw the entire ceiling was covered with a pink and white crystalline substance.
We crossed the first space, a distance of about thirty feet, and passed through an archway leading into an immense vaulted chamber at least two hundred feet across. The ceiling was covered with rainbow-colored stalactites in the most amazing forms I have ever seen. There were crosses, circles, crosses within circles, triangles, and many, many occult symbols that have been in use on this Earth since its very beginning. It looked as if these symbols had been suspended from the ceiling ages ago and Nature had covered them with a carbonate of lime formation, highly colored and most artistically decorated by Her pigments. The beauty of it made one speechless, fascinated with wonder and admiration. It gave one the feeling of eyes watching every moment.
Rex called to us to come to the far side of the chamber where he stood. We crossed the intervening space and stood before a wall upon which there were three arches about twenty feet apart. Within each was a highly polished surface. The first one to my left was a Chinese red, the second a glittering white, and the third a cobalt blue. Immediately I felt they were significant of something concerning America. The feeling grew so great I could hardly stand it.
"This is the Work of a Mighty Intelligence in ages past," I said, "and I feel these arches close entrances to other chambers or passages beyond." Nada and Rex looked at me very steadily and their faces were white with the intensity of something they saw.
"What is the matter?" I asked.
"Don't you feel it-don't you see it?" they asked in return.
"What?" I replied. They then realized that I was unaware of what they saw, and explained:
"You are evidently being overshadowed," said Nada, "by an etheric form you wore ages ago, for the garments are unlike anything of which I have ever seen or heard. The body is at least six feet eight inches tall, the hair is golden, coming almost to your shoulders, and the skin is fair and clear. I am sure some ancient memory is trying to come forth into the outer consciousness.
"Let's tell him of our experience the last time we were here," she suggested to Rex.
"Just a year ago," Rex explained, "we came to this Cave, and as I stood before the blue arch, I was so fascinated that I put out my hand and was running it over the surface when a Voice right out of the atmosphere said:
'Stop!' The Voice was not one of anger, but rather that of Supreme Authority. We left the Cave immediately and have never returned until now."
"Before I have ended my visit with you dear people, I feel certain some amazing explanation of it all will be given," I replied. We returned to our horses and found the beautiful Arabian Pegasus in a state of great agitation, for he was highly sensitive to the Spiritual Power focused within this mountain and it made him restless because of the intensity of the energy.
Only by very great gentleness could Nada quiet him and prevent him from racing madly home. She said there seemed to be no limit to his speed when he became excited.
We continued on our way homeward, winding around the foot of the mountain until we came to the end of our descent; then we gave the horses free rein, and in half an hour reached the ranch just before sunset. Daniel Rayborn came out to meet us and said dinner would soon be ready. During the meal we related the experiences of the day, Rex telling his father of the overshadowing form seen above my head in the Cave. As he finished speaking, without giving any explanation, his father said he wanted to talk to all three of us in the library after dinner, and to meet him there at eight o'clock.
In the meantime we went to the music room, while Nada went to her mother's room and brought back an Arabian instrument something like an Hawaiian guitar. It was given to her by Beloved Saint Germain who taught her to play a certain melody upon it just before her meditation hour. Nada and Rex both sang and took turns playing the accompaniments on the instrument. It formed a most wonderful background for their voices, for there was something in the quality of the tone which seemed like a living thing that penetrated to the very Center of Existence.
