The herald., 1896-05-18

Stanley Fitzpatrick spoke yesterday
morning at Odd Fellows hall on The
Closing Cycle, Its Effect on the Destiny
OF the World. The lecturer said in part:
Cycle means ring or circle. The
cycle marks the law of periodicity and
denotes the length of time elapsing be-
tween the periodical recurrence of the
same or similar events. All observation
shows the tendency Of nature to work
in cycles, all evolutionary processes are
carried on in that way. All the universe
Is built up from the original substance,
or world stuff called fire mist. This
fire mist Is in reality composed of liv-
ing entities which occult teaching terms
fiery lives" These fiery lives build the
atom, numerous atoms form molecules,
these form cells; a number of cells make
an organ; organs form bodies. The life
cycle of the atom Is limited to the dura-
ton of the molecule. So on upward. Or
gans composing body cannot function
separately and apart from that body.
consequently their life cycle is determ-
ined by the duration Of the body as a
whole. Now this law may be traced
from the atom up to the sun, thus show
ing the perfect correlation of life and
force throughout the universe.
There are great and minor cycles. The
greatest of which we can have any
knowledge is this present manvantara
which includes the period entirely be-
yOHQ the UNDERSTANDABLE VI ItldIl, WLlCu
elapses between the beginning of this
manifested universe and its end. But
this great cycle has been oft times be-
FORE and will recur again, times beyond
computation.
There are other great cycles which it
would only be confusing to mention. as
we are so unused to dealing with such
vast numbers.
Before the evolution Of man is COM
plete he must pass through seven great
root races. We are now in the fifth race.
The duration of each race marks a cycle,
and as these cycles recur they bring
along with them corresponding phases
and events, though with each advancing
cycle q higher stage Of evolution is
reached. Within the great cycles are
contained the smaller ones. Thus each
root race has seven sub-races whose du-
ration forms seven lesser cycles within
the period of the great root race cycle.
Modern astronomy has taken note OF
few; though it can give no explanation
of their real significance.
Ancient astronomers knew more, for
they were adopts, or masters. of wis
dom. Evolution is bringing round again
the cycle when this wisdom is to be
again made known to the world.
Every century forms cycle and at the
close of each cycle and the beginning of
another Is period of transition during
which there must be more or less con-
fusion. A glance back shows that the
more marked events Of history have
most frequently occurred at the latter
part Of the century. Last century
brought the establishing of this republic
and the French revolution. The close of
this century. which is also the close or
a great cycle of 5000 years, finds the
world in a state of connection.
The adopts, elder brothers of the race,
who are ever working for humanity,
formed the Philosophical society that the
earnest workers might be gathered to-
gether to labor as one body in helping
mankind over this most critical and dan
gerous period of evolution. These cycles
effect man because he is one with the
great whole; and all are bound together
and act and react upon each other from
the atom up to a god. This proves the
brotherhood of man and shows why
each one should work for all: for none
can stand or fall alone.