UBH WISE COMMENTS and ADVICES #1

Compiled by certain members of the General Council for the files of the Executive Committee of the Urantia Brotherhood

Presented [possibly by Bill Sadler] on March 7, 1955

It seems most appropriate to bring to the attention of the Executive Committee certain wise comments and advices, which have been gathered over a period of time, relative to the future problems of the Urantia Brotherhood and its component Societies. These advices could perhaps be best presented under the general caption:

SOME PROBLEMS CONFRONTING A NEW RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION

Of course, you probably know that the best government in the world is that which governs least, that the true purpose of government is to prevent government, and that that government which prevents the most government is best because it leaves the individual free—permits him his liberties and inalienable rights—but prevents predatory groups from interfering with these liberties, and were it not for these wicked minorities we wouldn’t need government. When people are all spirit-led they won’t need any more government than they have in Havona. The papers state: “Regarding the government of the central universe, there is none.”

That organization is best which is so organized as to prevent all other organizations.

When people come to you about the Urantia Book and the Urantia Brotherhood and tell you that since the Thought Adjusters are here and indwell everyone and the Spirit of Truth has been poured out upon all flesh, therefore, it isn’t necessary to have an organization but just to trust in God, etc., don’t argue with them. They are right. But it would be the height of folly to follow their ideals because the world is organized today as it has never been organized before. If we undertake this work without an organization, we will have in the English-speaking world alone fifty other organizations springing up who will all claim the right to use the name “Urantia” and each one claiming to be the “only true and original” Urantia Brotherhood. It would become the most disgraceful thing in the world since the early days of Christianity. Not since the gospel of Jesus has there appeared on earth such a dynamic nucleus about which could be built so many organizations and which would attract so many differently motivated men—good, bad, indifferent.

We must create an organization whose major purpose is to prevent other organizations and, therefore, the most benign. Create an organization which will organize the least and thereby prevent all other organizations with their tyranny and disgrace and their disrupting influences. This is the purpose of organizations just as it is the purpose of government to prevent governing.

We have an organization. We may not like it in all ways but there is nothing in particular we can do about it just now. It is in spirit an organization to prevent organizations, and to allow as much liberty as possible. When the time comes that we feel it can be improved, we will have the experience to do so. We must not be misled by people who do not believe in organizations. (But always remember, when you deal with idealists, they are in the right and you are in the wrong. Therefore, do not argue with them because you cannot win.) If man would be willing to be led by the Spirit of Truth we wouldn’t need organization, but very few will be. Therefore, those who are must safeguard their trust.

Jesus began on Mount Gilboa and he started with a simple, social organization. He told his followers to begin that social organization. Yes, look what that organization did! We may point to the mistakes of the Christian Church as an organization and what it did to the teachings of Jesus but among other things it kept them alive as a springboard from which the Urantia Book starts off. And do not forget that with all its faults, Jesus started it. He said, “Whatever you do on earth, I will bind in heaven.”

The only things we can do about our organization is to do our best. If we look back from the mansion worlds and see posterity doing things to the organization, we can have the comfort of knowing they did the same thing to Jesus’ organization.

We should foster an organization that will give everyone the right to his own belief and interpretation but an organization that will prevent confusion, disruption, and disgrace. We should foster an organization that will have control over the wicked minority who might by organization seek to disgrace the very purpose for which the Book was given to the world. If we do not have an organization to safeguard the name, then will such an organization arise to take the name. And isn’t it best, if there must be an organization, that it be in the hands of friends instead of enemies? The organization that organizes least is best.

Some idealists will join us but they will later go off in their own ways just like Abner and will do a good work, and we will wish them well because we have an organization which prevents anyone from being restricted or inhibited; therefore we will bid Godspeed to all idealists who will not have an organization.

Jesus did not forego organization of the twelve because Judas was going to betray him. Jesus built an ideal organization; he built that organization having the least organization for the purpose of preventing other organizations. Our forebears ran away with it beyond the social level it was intended to function on.

Even today, in our group, some of our members are not personally converted to the idea of an organization, but they are overawed. Some of our folks cannot understand how we can go on organizing truth but we are doing it to prevent interminable confusion in this age of organization. And so we want to create an organization that has as few teeth as possible.

There has not in 1900 years been anything about which there could be so much confusion and competition for control, and you cannot spike organization guns except by organization; that is the only way to prevent unwanted organizations in this present age.

We might consider asking the idealist if he thinks the Urantia Book should be copyrighted or just trust to the Spirit of Truth to take care of that? Do not argue with idealists on their level. Be patient until they get halfway down the landing, where they can be more practical. Idealists are just like the rest of us the moment they go down one flight of stairs, but remember—when they talk to you from their level do not argue with them.

We have to deal with many things in our jobs that are not ideal. When this Book is once published, if the idealists control it, they would provide no organization and soon a lot of selfish people would work to make a name out of it.

Lucifer, Satan, and Caligastia were idealists, at the start. But they were also something else. They were egotists. Marry idealism to egotism and you have a fatal combination.

Abner was an idealist, a wonderful man. He loved the truth. Paul was an ideaist. He had ideas, and it was a great pity they did not work together; then they would have had a religion for the Occident. If idealists and ideasts could work together it would save a lot of time and lives. An ideaist is a practical thinker.

Regarding Abner and Paul: One refused to have an organization; he was impractical. The other (Paul) built an organization and he knew he was building in a practical way. We can love Abner but we must respect Paul. Abner failed; Paul’s cause lived.

We must carefully consider the organization Jesus created before he left the planet. It was an organization designed to prevent confusion, to ordain justice, to safeguard majorities against minorities. He did not leave the ecclesiastical hierarchy that subsequently grew up. But he did leave a simple social organization that could carry on and prevent confusion.

Failure to organize would witness, I believe, the most terrible failure for the Urantia Book. It would allow all manner of designing groups and organizations to spring into existence and to use the name Urantia, to prostitute the teachings of the Urantia Book, and to dictate its policies.

Many things we have debated and discussed over the years. Many things we have thought of and discarded years ago, but we bring in new people and they do not know what has gone on before. They are in the position of James, Jesus’ brother. He was a good man but he was handicapped because he had not been with the Master and the apostles. He was always making speeches and rulings but he did not know what had gone on before. No one had confidence in him.

Be patient with an idealist; patience will do a great deal for them. As far as possible in dealing with them, see if you cannot win them to a greater body of truth. Expose them to the truth and many you will carry along with you.

We can always say to those who do not want an organization: Of course, you do not have to have one. You do not have to organize your little group. You can go on as you like. You cannot call your group a Urantia Society but you can call it a society for the study of the Urantia Book. But, of course, you are organized if you are so organized that you cannot join the Urantia Society. You are a minority organization that cannot join the majority organization.

The thing idealists and egotists will take particular offense at is the provision we have for turning people out. They do not want anyone to have the power to turn them out of anything. They want to do as they please. We want to have respect for idealists but we don’t want to have too much faith in them.

Think for a moment of the large number of warring and disgraceful organizations that would be in existence if we did not control the name Urantia and provide for some authoritative recognition. In our group there may be those who are waiting to take off and start something personal; by organizing we minimize all of these dangers. Think of it in the future: One million simple-minded people in confusion and there are a dozen different organizations that want to do something with them about the Urantia Book. They get literature from several different groups each claiming to be the one and only true one. Perhaps several will have members on their governing boards who were Forumites that have violated their pledge of secrecy. That would be true if we did not occupy the field with an organized group. When there is an organized group, then it can speak to one million distracted souls. If such were in existence it can say to such people, “You do not have to pay any attention to these others. You go ahead in your own way. You can be free. You can be your own boss and there is a charter to prove it.”

As we said before, in Havona there is no organization. Just tell the idealist to be patient. There he will find out what he wants without organization. If we had no organization and would give up the right to turn people out of it, the idealist would feel much better about it, but we would have no right to create such an organization. We have in our Brotherhood organization one of the most consistent, liberal, fair plans for any movement that was ever devised. That doesn’t mean it is perfect. But we are going to try out our organization as it is until we know more.

Idealists expect an evolving animal to be more subject to spiritual leading than is possible. If there is some freaky work that some idealists want to do, let them do it. Let them pursue their tangents. Idealists are to an organization what comets are to a solar system. They are spectacular but you cannot depend on them. You cannot plan to receive from an idealist a regular income for a social organization, but he can go out and get a million dollars sometimes.

You are going to have a lot of them coming along now—some ideaists but mostly idealists. Coming events cast their shadows before them. They will be operating on a spiritual level so you cannot argue with them. They are right. They are right in theory but it doesn’t work in practice.

By the way, if you read the Urantia Papers all the way through you will find that the universe is very well organized, but in spite of all that organization there is some trouble here and there.

UBH [Excerpt] MINUTES of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the URANTIA BROTHERHOOD

Chicago, March 7, 1955

Highlights summarized as follows:

Charter Committee: Each member of the Executive Committee presented his opinion in writing as to the nature of a local Urantia Society. With the informal approval of the Executive Committee, the Chairman appointed a sub-committee of Mrs. [Ruth] Burton (Chairman), Dr. Sadler, and Warren Kulieke. This sub-committee will endeavor to harmonize the various viewpoints and present its report to the Executive Committee at the regular April meeting.

The Treasurer reported contributions of five hundred fifty dollars ($550.00) and it was agreed that a resolution should be passed opening a bank account in the name of the Urantia Brotherhood.

* * *

A motion was made that Mrs. Burton’s report on the basic nature of a local Urantia Society be accepted and placed in the files of the Executive Committee and that a copy be passed on to the Charter Committee for their files. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

A motion was made that, pending action on the budgets, the Treasurer be authorized to pay all bills which had been approved by another officer of the Brotherhood. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

A motion was made that the Committee approve the form for “Qualifications or Standards of Entrance into Courses for Certified Leaders and Ordained Teachers” presented by Dr. Sadler. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

In a letter dated 16 March 1955, Sir Hubert Wilkins reported to Harold Sherman:

. . . Now, real news, which you may already have heard. The Urantia Book will be off the press by September 1, 1955—10,000 copies. From what I hear there will be no effort to publicize it; on the contrary, as a matter of fact. As I understand it, members will be authorized to purchase a few copies for themselves and their friends with the idea of forming various and sundry sections of the Urantia Brotherhood, the format of which has already been designed and which I have seen but as yet have no copy.

Dr. Sadler, when I saw him on March 8, was again looking well. Bill was very busy—home for a few hours between trips. And Mr. Kellogg is getting rather weak and shaky—working too hard on the Index, I believe.

HMSA MEMO from BILL SADLER to URANTIA FOUNDATION TRUSTEES

Re: Service Mark on Title Page of Book

Chicago, March 25, 1955

It is my recommendation that the three-circle service mark appear twice in the Book. I recommend as follows:

1. That the mark appear immediately below the title “The Urantia Book” on that page which precedes the title page. It is recommended that no trademark registration be indicated on this page.
2. It is recommended that the service mark again appear on the title page proper and that on this page the small capital R enclosed in a circle be indicated.
3. It is further recommended that the three circles be in azure blue unless cost is prohibitive. If cost of color appears to be excessive, then it is recommended that the color blue be symbolized in black and white by using the symbolization developed in connection with heraldic devices. Such symbols make it possible to symbolize any color in black and white by the use of appropriate dots, shadings and hatchwork.

HMSA WISE COMMENTS and ADVICES #2

Compiled by certain members of the General Council for the files of the Executive Committee of the Urantia Brotherhood

Presented [possibly by Bill Sadler] on April 4, 1955

It seems appropriate, a second time, to bring to the attention of the Executive Committee certain wise comments and advices which have been gathered over a period of years and which pertain to the future problems of the Urantia Book. These advices could be well presented under the general caption:

THE TIMING OF THE URANTIA BOOK

We regard the Urantia Book as a feature of the progressive evolution of human society. It is not germane to the spectacular episodes of epochal revolution, even though it may apparently be timed to appear in the wake of one such revolution in human society. The Book belongs to the era immediately to follow the conclusion of the present ideological struggle. That will be the day when men will be willing to seek truth and righteousness. When the chaos of the present confusion has passed, it will be more readily possible to formulate the cosmos of a new and improved era of human relationships. And it is for this better order of affairs on earth that the Book has been made ready.

But the publication of the Book has not been postponed to that (possibly) somewhat remote date. An early publication of the Book has been provided so that it may be in hand for the training of leaders and teachers. Its presence is also required to engage the attention of persons of means who may be thus led to provide funds for translations into other languages.

We who have dedicated our lives to the service of the Book and the Brotherhood can little realize the import of our doings. We will doubtless live and die without fully realizing that we are participating in the birth of a new age of religion on this world.

The future is not open to our mortal comprehension, but we will do well to diligently study the order, plan, and methods of progression as they were enacted in the earth life of Michael when the Word was made Flesh. We are becoming actors in an ensuing episode when the Word is made Book. Great is the difference in these dispensations of religion, but many are the lessons which can be learned from a study of the former age.

We must again study the times of Jesus on earth. We must carefully take note of how the kingdom of heaven was inaugurated in the world. Did it evolve slowly and unfold naturally? Or did it come with sudden show of force and with spectacular exhibition of power? Was it evolutionary or revolutionary?

We must learn to possess our souls in patience. We are in association with a revelation of truth which is a part of the natural evolution of religion on this world. Overrapid growth would be suicidal. The Book is being given to those who are ready for it long before the day of its worldwide mission. Thousands of study groups must be brought into existence and the Book must be translated into many tongues. Thus will the Book be in readiness to comfort and enlighten the peoples of many languages when the battle for man’s liberty is finally won and the world is once more made safe for the religion of Jesus and the freedom of mankind.

HMSA [Excerpt] MINUTES of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING of the URANTIA BROTHERHOOD

April 4, 1955

Highlights summarized as follows:

Charter Committee: Mrs. Burton presented the report of the sub-committee which was appointed at the last meeting to harmonize the various viewpoints on the basic nature of a local Urantia Society. A short discussion followed and the consensus was that the sub-committee had done a very good job.

Domestic Extension Committee: Mr. Farwell reported that his committee had been working on various projects, such as publication date, jacket for the Book, reviewers’ copies, etc., but that his thinking had been changed and none of these things would be done, at least for the present. Mr. Tulane is making a study of placing the Book in bookstores and method of handling, but this will be tabled and held for the future. The committee is also working with the Foreign Extension Committee on a questionnaire form to be presented to the Forum regarding the purchase of books.

Finance Committee: Mr. Adler reported that there had been no meeting of the committee. However, he described a letter which he had prepared to go to all Forum members asking for funds for current expenses. The Executive Committee informally gave him permission to go ahead with the solicitation of funds as soon as his committee had approved the letter.

* * *

Mr. Kulieke, in his role as Vice-President, stated that he had no business to report. However, he suggested that getting the Book launched should be taken most seriously and recommended that we all pray for guidance.

HMSA URANTIA BROTHERHOOD to FORUM MEMBERS

From David Adler, Chairman, Finance Committee

Chicago, April 28, 1955

Dear Forum Member:

The Brotherhood is organized, books are being printed, and many activities are underway. The several committees are functioning and doing daily work. This letter concerns money, that temporal means of exchange without which no undertaking, even on our high spiritual level, can continue, much less succeed. During recent years you have contributed money to the Foundation for the purpose of paying the printer for Books. This money is on hand, and when the balance of pledges has been paid, it is estimated that sufficient money will have been contributed to pay for 10,000 Books.

We now face the problem of requiring additional money for two purposes. The first, which needs immediate response, is for the cost of Brotherhood operation. Effective with the chartering of the Brotherhood, January 2, 1955, we shall feel obligated to pay rent to 533 Diversey for the occupation of quarters for our regular Sunday and Wednesday meetings, for committee meetings now in session several times each month, for administrative expenses of light, heat, power, telephone, stationery, postage, office equipment, typewriter, files, and the many sundry items that comprise an active organization. In time we will have traveling expenses and salaries for full- and part-time employees.

It is estimated that we need more than $500.00 monthly to meet the budgets of the respective committees. We are all aware that for many years we have had our meetings without cost to us, all expenses having been absorbed by the Sadlers. This is no longer proper nor fitting under the new circumstances with greater activity and increased expense. While the Forum roll now totals more than 600 names, it has been established that around 150 members attend meetings more or less regularly, are acquainted with our present activities, intentions, and purposes, will understand the need for money, and will cooperate. We make the suggestion that if each of those members will make $5.00 available monthly to the Treasurer, the Brotherhood’s immediate requirements in this regard will be satisfied. It is expected that not all members will find it possible to make a $5.00 monthly contribution, but others will contribute more. Please make your contributions to Mr. Russell Bucklin, Treasurer, at the above address.

The second requirement for money concerns the distribution of the Book. In order to have the Urantia Book in many desirable and worthy hands, it has been decided to send the Book to a list of people prepared under the direction of the Domestic and Foreign Extension Committees. You will hear of these committees shortly with details.

It is estimated that $20,000.00 is needed to pay the Foundation for Books intended for distribution under this plan this year. The money received by the Foundation will be used to print more Books, to set up a fund for the printing of the Index, and to provide a reserve for future translations. While tax exemption status for the Brotherhood has not been established, it is hoped that this will be accomplished to provide such deductibility for 1955 contributions.

Your comments, questions, and of course help is invited. It will be appreciated, in the interest of continuing our work, if we could hear from all members within the next thirty days.

UBH FURTHER COMMENTS and ADVICES #3

Presented by Bill Sadler [pre-May 2], 1955

To my colleagues on the Executive Committee and to their Departmental Committee associates who are concerned with the furtherance of the Book and the Brotherhood

Our fourth meeting is scheduled for 2 May, 1955. At that meeting a memorandum dated 2 May 1955 compiled by certain members of the General Council will be presented for the files of the Executive Committee. I would like to comment on this memorandum and also raise certain questions that are logically provoked by it.

1. The testing of delay. It would appear that we have survived the initial testing of delay. At least we are here and have accepted our various commissions of responsibility. So also did some of Jesus’ followers survive the testing of delay “before he was openly published to the world.” But even then, these veteran survivors exhibited impatience. They wanted action! They wanted things to happen quickly! Time after time was Jesus constrained to admonish his impetuous apostles, “This hour has not yet come.” So also would it appear that the testing of delay is not yet over for us. We have survived the preliminary testing of delay, but I am not at all persuaded that we have completed our experiences with the continuing testing of delay. It is entirely possible that we could become victims of a dangerously subtle confusion—the confusing of growth with swelling. The mere swelling of numbers is in no sense synonymous with true growth. An agglomeration is qualitatively different from a system. In a system, the parts have positional value and this results in a “meaning of the whole” which is completely absent in a mere agglomeration. Let us sincerely pray that our zeal be coordinated with wisdom and that our collective judgment will enable us to choose that sound course of action which avoids both the extremes of audacity and inertia.
2. The test of unity. Our first four months together have been to me a most intriguing disclosure of the unexpected values inherent in collective thinking. Our working association of forty-odd individuals has proved to embrace a refreshing diversity of Promethean, Epimethean, and intermediate viewpoints. We certainly do avoid the monotony of uniform thinking. At the same time there has been exhibited a willingness to give and take that speaks well for the existence of unity in the presence of no uniformity of thinking. I am sure that everyone has shared my own experience of having been greatly stimulated by ideas that were quite foreign to my habitual trend of thinking. I am sure that each one of us has had the experience of realizing that our collective planning has been superior to our individual planning. In this connection, it is not amiss to draw some comparisons between the government of the Brotherhood and the government of an inhabited world. Do the celestial supervisors provide for uniformity of thinking in the departments of a planetary government? They do not. They provide for diversity of thinking by insuring that there will be twelve departments (of the Master Seraphim of Planetary Supervision) that will view planetary affairs from a particular angle of vision. Those departmental viewpoints are not inherently harmonious. The Progress Seraphim, for instance, are inherently Promethean in their outlook—and if they were not, they would not be Progress Seraphim. The Religious Guardians have simply got to be Epimethean in their viewpoint; and if they were not Epimetheans, they could not be guardians of the winnowed wisdom of the past ages. Wisdom, then, lies not in the dead level of uniformity of thinking but rather in the synthesis of diverse thinking—the achievement of unity in the presence of diversity. As a matter of interest, it is an engineering fact that a steel cable composed of twelve strands has a greater strength than a single cable of equal mass. Let us hope that the nine-strand cable of the Brotherhood will, in principle, be like the twelve-strand cable of the planetary government.
3. The test of trust and confidence. Here I can speak only for myself. I have always had trust in this group. The past four months have given me a newly factual basis for confidence.
4. The test of trustworthiness. In considering the future challenge of the test of trustworthiness, I find that my heart is troubled by the frailties of human nature. This concern does not extend to the immediate group of those who are concerned with the furtherance of the Brotherhood. But it does extend to the more peripheral members of the Forum.

It is so hard to keep a secret. It is so difficult to avoid the transient ego satisfaction of betraying the possession of esoteric information. Not all of those interested have proved trustworthy secret keepers in the past. I have no confidence that the future will be different from the past.

Let us then examine the several problems arising out of the probable untrustworthiness of some of our interested friends. Let us collectively consider how first to minimize and then to mitigate these indiscretions.

a. The Origin of the Book. As of this writing, it seems likely that those who are concerned with the origin of the Book will cause to be prepared a simple citation of those passages in the Book itself which comment on origin. It is my recommendation that we stand on these statements and go no further. It is my further recommendation that we blast as unfactual any other statements which may be made by any person.

b. Discussions about the Forum. The papers are dated in the middle of the 1930s. It would seem to me quite fitting and proper to disclose the existence of the past twenty years during which we studied the papers and during which funds for their publication were accumulated. Any further discussions could well impinge on untrustworthiness.

c. The great value of humor. I for one have, for a long time, been rehearsing my “attitude as it is to be manifested at the time of the publication of the Book.” Of all the possible attitudes that have presented themselves, the exhibition of great and good humor has commended itself most highly. It is most difficult to make a “martyr” out of a person who laughs. In the past, martyrs were manufactured out of two situations: First of all, martyrdom was inherent in any circumstance where Caesar presumed to claim that which belonged to God. None of us are likely to encounter such circumstances in the twentieth century unless we should venture into those countries that lie behind the “Iron Curtain.” The second condition that induced martyrdom was not an external circumstance, it was inside of the psyche of the believing martyr. It was the conviction that salvation of the soul was dependent on a particular belief in this or that particular saving gospel. We can be entirely free from these theological misconceptions, for the Keys of the Kingdom have been defined as, “Sincerity, sincerity, and more sincerity . . .” and we have been further instructed that “. . . all men have these Keys.” Therefore, we well know that the specific acceptance or rejection of the Urantia Book is not a necessary criterion of the survival or the non-survival of the accepting or rejecting mind. Survival of the soul is a matter of the relation of the loving son and the loving Father and has little or nothing to do with this or that creed, dogma, or doctrine. This being the case, it should be possible for us to enter the fields that have whitened unto the harvest begirt in the shining armor of great and good humor whereby we shall be enabled to deflect most of the persecution and ridicule that proved so harassing to our predecessors of the past.

Let us aspire to be the first of our kind who smiled and who laughed in their lives of service to their fellow men. In so doing, we may perchance resurrect the smiling countenance of Jesus and let men more perfectly feel that God is a friend.

UBH WISE COMMENTS and ADVICES #3

Compiled by certain members of the General Council for the files of the Executive Committee of the Urantia Brotherhood

Presented [possibly by Bill Sadler] on May 2, 1955

For a third time it seems appropriate to present to the Executive Committee certain wise comments and advices which have been gathered over a period of time and which pertain to the future problems of the Urantia Book and the Urantia Brotherhood.

PAST AND PRESENT TESTS

In the past, we and our associates underwent the test of delay. Not all stood this test well. Those who did not found their places filled with later arrivals. We have survived the season of lessened interest—this primary test of delay.

Jesus’ followers passed through this experience in Samaria before he was openly published to the world. Many of them lost interest. “Nothing of unusual import happened.” Almost one half of them quietly dropped out. We have survived similar losses. We feel that all of this was a necessary part of the Providence selection of those who could be depended upon to bear sustained responsibilities with respect to the Book and the Brotherhood.

So we did survive the preliminary test of patience. And then we encountered the next test. If our first test was the endurance test of delay, the second test was that of unity. We are still undergoing this test. We see and feel so many things differently, and yet we are proving our ability to pursue a steadfast and unrelenting program for the organization of the Brotherhood and the dissemination of the Book. Such effectiveness on the part of such diverse human beings could be secured only by the adoption of a plan. Group activities are effective only when they are organized and constitutionalized.

We have been taught that we live in a universe run by law and regulated in accordance with the plans of the eternal purpose of the Gods.

Our particular mission is to function effectively through this transitional period which is witnessing the materialization of the Book and which will lead to those future times when the social activities of Urantia believers will begin to function in the more formal organization of the Brotherhood. To do this effectively we must meet the test of trust and confidence. We must avoid suspicion as we would shun a deadly spiritual poison. We must make a practice of nipping suspicion in the bud. We must make certain that all short circuits of doubt and suspicion are avoided. In this manner may we keep our group influence intact.

Soon we are to encounter the test of trustworthiness. Do we have confidential capacity? Can we carry secrets, if necessary, to our graves? Again and again, when special experience occurred in the work of Jesus and the twelve, he solemnly enjoined them, “See that you tell no man.” This pertains especially to the origin of the Book.

OUR BAPTISM OF JOYS AND SORROWS

We are a pioneer group; we are trailblazers. We are the first of our kind. The experience which awaits us is unprecedented, therefore it is unpredictable.

It is high time that we begin the rehearsal of our attitude as it is to be manifested at the time of the publication of the Book. We as individuals and as a group are concerned only with the teachings of the Book. The origin of the Book is the concern of others. We have been instructed to remain silent concerning aught we chance to know about the origin of the Urantia Book throughout the remainder of our lives.

We have been called to do a great work and ours is the transcendent privilege of presenting these papers to the peoples of our strife-torn world.

Supercilious scientists will ridicule us and may even charge us with collusion and fraud. Well-meaning religionists will condemn us as enemies of the Christian religion and will accuse us of defaming Christ himself.

Thousands of spiritually hungry souls will bless us for the message of the Book, and thousands of others will condemn us for disturbing their theologic complacence.

Are we really ready for the baptism of joys and sorrows which will certainly attend us upon the early distribution of the Urantia Book?

Many strange isms and queer groups will seek to attach themselves to the Urantia Book and its far-flung influence. Our most trying experiences may well be with such groups who will so loudly acclaim their belief in the teachings of the Book and who will so persistently seek to attach themselves to the movement. Great wisdom will be required to protect the newly forming Brotherhood from the distracting and distorting influence of these multifarious groups and from equally distracting and disturbing individuals, some well-intentioned and some sinister, who will strive to become a part of the authentic constituency of the Urantia Brotherhood.

We can really forecast very little about the reaction of the present generation to the teachings of the Urantia Book. But on the negative side, we can greatly lessen our persecution and ridicule by a reasonable exercise of foresight and wisdom. Our troubles will be greatly lessened if we avoid all discussion of the origin of the Book. We should be determined to know just one thing: the soul-surviving message of the Book.

On the positive side, our responsibility consists of becoming so saturated with the fragrant truth of these teachings that all persons coming into contact with us will feel that we are truth lovers and spiritual explorers, that we are cosmic citizens engaged in the fascinating adventure of searching for God, and dedicated to the supreme passion of doing his divine will.

UBH [Excerpt] MINUTES of the MEETING of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the URANTIA BROTHERHOOD

Chicago, June 6, 1955

Highlights summarized as follows:

All committees except two (Finance and Publications) had held meetings to discuss the memorandum of the President dated May 2, 1955. It was the consensus that in general all committee members agreed with the suggestions of the President and endorsed the plan of action, although the Judicial Committee wished to give the memorandum further study.

Mr. Bucklin reported that 83 replies had been received as a result of Mr. Adler’s letter of April 28, representing a total of $3,730 in pledges. . . .

* * *

A motion was made that the Executive Committee recommend to the Foundation that the retail price of the Book be set at $10.00 and the wholesale price at $7.50. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

A motion was made that, effective June 1, 1955, the Urantia Brotherhood pay as rent to Dr. William S. Sadler $200 per month for space at 533 Diversey Parkway, now used by the Brotherhood for offices and meetings. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.

HMSA HERMAN GUESSEFELD³ to HAROLD SHERMAN

Chicago, June 8, 1955

Dear Mr. Sherman,

. . . I do not know if you have heard the latest about Dr. Sadler’s new program. I mentioned some time back that they have organized the Urantia Foundation, about two or three years ago. The whole group, or Foundation, has reorganized into a more complex organization, much detail in its scope. The organization now has a new name, called the Urantia Brotherhood, headquarters 533 Diversey Parkway. They are planning a Domestic and Foreign Committee. They talk like the Book is to come out soon, but they need $20,000.00. . . . They are asking for a $5.00 monthly contribution from the members, to meet all of the expenses of headquarters, everything that is connected with maintenance, supplies, and everything that enters into this organization. They cannot keep this up on a Santa Claus basis, so they have to charge a fee for the lectures. They have a broad scope program and plans that are to develop in the near future which will be announced. They are getting down to a money-making basis, so that members will have to pay rent and meet all expenses, whatever the item may be, so they are connecting up spiritual occult philosophy with money-making business methods. There will be employees who will receive traveling expenses and salaries. They decided to do like all other cults: run it on a business basis, sell spiritual things, and receive a reward. It somewhat promises the Book to come out, and yet it seems hazy if it will come out. Money is needed. The June 25, 1955, annual is coming off at the Pine Lodge in Indiana.

It looks like they lost the psychic power—they have to apply business methods which are related to worldly things. The spirit world is not interested in such. They withdraw from a psychic who thinks about earthly things. So you slip back into the lower spiritual realms and get your material from the demons, and they inspire you how to expand in worldly things, just like the churches do. The churches and religious denominations are also going into the book publishing business, office buildings, stocks, shares and bonds, for the followers. The have to raise money in some way to keep up their spiritual religious rackets.

I agree with you that Christy knows all about Sadler’s work, and she can’t talk, because she’s tied up with it. I wouldn’t be surprised in the future some day if there will be a split, but to prevent this you tie up the members with stocks and bonds, shares and money interest, so they have to stay with it. There are many cults doing this now, and many religions. Everything is going toward competition. Money is a great temptation to people, regardless of the interest.

I have been wondering if Miss Elsie Baumgartner comes down to visit you. She no doubt can give you much inside information about what is going on in the Urantia Brotherhood. I haven’t heard from her for some time. I wonder how she is getting along? . . .

Yours sincerely,
H. Guessefeld

UBH WILFRED C. KELLOGG to the LIBRARY of CONGRESS

Chicago, June 12, 1955

To Alpheus L. Walter:

We are hereby furnishing you with the information requested for listing in the Library of Congress the details of the Urantia Book which is now on the press.

Composite authorship, not an individual author
The Urantia Book
First printing
Chicago, 1955
Not a series
Not a serial
Copyright will be applied for

Our original request for the catalog number was contained in our letter of June 3. The date of the granting of a number was June 9.

Very truly yours,
Wilfred C. Kellogg, Treasurer

UBH SIR HUBERT WILKINS to DAVID ADLER

Newark, Del., June 30, 1955

Dear Mr. Adler:

At long last I have your letter stating that the Brotherhood has been organized and the Book is being printed. I have for some time been out of touch with mail, but am now, during my annual leave from Army duty, teaching at the University of Delaware—this following my recent acceptance of a Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Alaska.

Herewith please find a check for $60 for twelve months’ subscription toward the budget of the respective committees of the Brotherhood, and a check for $100 toward the distribution of books by the Foundation.

I would also like to buy and pay for, at the price decided upon, at least 20 copies of the Book as soon as they are available from the printer’s, and I can promise that the distribution of the books I buy will be to people of a character that would meet the approval of the members of the Foundation.

The best address to reach me is still 37 West 53rd Street, New York 19, N.Y., although sometimes, when I am traveling furiously overseas, it is some time before I can collect mail.

With best regards and best wishes,

Sincerely yours,
Hubert Wilkins

P.S. I presume that once the committees are in action subscribing members will periodically be informed as to actions discussed and taken.