From one Dispensation to another, the Angels that bear forward the Truths, appear at such periods and among such groups or nations as need their help and strength, or are ready for them. It is usually when there seems to be a recession of the tide of Spirituality following the Messianic Life, when, after the awakening of those who are ready, the world, seemingly, turns from the Teachings and Examples of the "Master," The Divine Teacher.

During the interval since Buddha Gautama gave the "Light" to Asia, there has been, seemingly, a total decline of his teachings in India; his followers have been dispersed, and one will find them in China and other Oriental countries - more than in India.

The "Seed" has not been lost: As souls were ready there was a teacher at hand to show the way. Nor has it been alone in the cloister among the recluses that these might have been found; the "Mahatmas" and Yogis, the Sacred Men, do not alone hold the Master Key to the Divine. Forward, forward, the Divine Messengers have borne the Sacred Teaching, until it has become merged in the best Religious thought of the world. The "Brahmo Somaj" (New India) is also a new Orient. Aye, and a new Occident as well.

The depressing periods between the heights of Dispensations, i. e., Messianic appearances, would present an almost hopeless view to the student of mere external history, to a superficial observer; but always those periods are illuminated by the one or more Angels that keep the fires of Truth alive, and prepare the way for the "New Dispensation," even introducing at such times some rare discovery of science or philosophy. It would seem that these periods 185 or "dark ages" especially illustrate the line of Angelic ministration with reference to Dispensations.

The centuries considered by many as the "dark" period in the Christian Era immediately preceded those that gave to the world many valuable inventions, including the mariner's compass and the .printing press, the revival of art and science; and there were lives illustrative also of the greatest moral virtues.

One must not be too certain of being able to decide which are the "dark" and which the "bright" periods, groups or personalities in history. Years and ages must pass before those who were on the "heights" of Spiritual splendor stand out revealed. As mountains are sometimes hidden from the too near observer by small hills, but tower up above all in the distance, so these holders of the chalices of celestial tight may not be seen amid the glare and glamor, or amid the shadows that obscure the mental vision of those who dwell near them - near in point of time. But lo! when many ages pass the glistening line of Light stretches across the centuries, and the world at last knows that these were those who were the seed of the "True Vine," whether sown in the gaze and approval of a group or a people, or in the blood and fire of isolated martyrdom. The glorious Line of Light extends from Dispensation to Dispensation.

As along the shores of Albion the "Beacon Fires" were kindled one after another to warn of the approach of danger, or signal the arrival of friends, so these "Beacon Lights" of Truth have made the "Shining Way" for the centuries, announcing, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" such time as the approaching Messianic Life drew It would be, and will be, as human knowledge advances, of value to note that the "line of descent" is carefully arranged, that those in human life who are to bring the Angel into existence are chosen, that a process of Spiritual selection goes on under the guidance of the Higher Angels: that while the birth of even ordinary human beings is not "accident," these lives bearing so important a relation to the real welfare of the human race, are carefully and most wisely brought into existence. It was because of a knowledge of this "selection" that the "Mothers in Israel" each hoped and prayed that the "Prophet" might come unto them (or possibly the Christ); and because of glimpses of this every true mother even today prays that her child may be wise and good; a benefactor to his race.

The descent of titles and riches to the "eldest son" is a subversion of this knowledge, that in its true and real significance could only be known to the Spiritually illumined. As elsewhere stated in these pages, the real line of "Apostolic Descent" is this line of the genealogy of the Embodied "Angels of the Dispensations." The "Wise Men" of the East, the "Prophets of Israel," and sometimes the lone and scorned Teacher of a dark period, hold the keys of the solution of this matchless line of descent. In the Church or out of it, in the palace or cottage, whenever and wherever the time and place, there, at the appointed time, the Angel appears.

As the time draws near the approach of a new Messiah, the Dawn of a New Dispensation, more Angels appear, announcing, predicting the "passing of the old, the coming of the new." The "New" is forever the Primal Truth; the "Old" is the "belief," "creed," "dogma," "ceremonial," "form" that has gradually assumed sway, and naturally objects to the "New" teaching, even when the "New" declares, "I come not to destroy, but to fulfill."