Do You Want Your Letters Answered?SP E C IA L N O T IC E T O A L L M E M B ER S

OF CO U RSE YOU DO; every member does. However, they cannot be answered if they

do not concern Rosicrudanism or some matter im' mediately related to it. W e would like to answer or attempt to answer every question sent us re- gardless of its nature, but could YO U stand the expense of such a procedure? If every letter is to be answered, whether it deals with Rosicrucian matters or not, it means a doubling of steno­graphic assistants, typewriter equipment, station- ery, and postage. To meet such demands, there would need to be an increase in revenue. Ulti­mately the member would need to pay more dues, and we wish no increase in dues at this time. Remember also that somebody must dictate an answer to every question received. There is a limited number of hours in a day, and a limited number of officers of the Order who answer letters. If half their dictation time is taken with answering letters that are far afield from the Rosicrucian studies, the answers to letters asking questions on the teachings are, therefore, un­avoidably delayed. Is it not expected that the Rosicrucian officers will devote themselves to letters on Rosicrucian topics? If they receive a great number of letters from members having naught to do with the teachings and requesting replies, then the letters on the teachings must ac­cordingly suffer delay in receiving answer. For example: Members shower the Imperator with letters asking questions about investments, bonds, stocks, interpretation of Biblical phrases and re­ligious tracts, inventions, patents, farming, poli­tics. These things have nothing to do with our Rosicrucian studies or the application of them; yet these members insist upon an answer. Shall the Imperator take many hours of his time an­swering them, or instead devote his time to sin­cere students1 questions about their studies and Rosicrudanism?

Think Before You WriteIf your question does not concern your membership,

your health, the teachings of the Order, their applica­tion to your personal welfare or the welfare of the Order, then should you really expect A M O R C to answer it? It is not that we want our members to write any less. We want their letters. But we wish the

(o v e r )

student member not to ask questions on matters outside the scope of Rosicrucianism. Since A M O R C is not a religious, investment, or political organization, our answers to questions on such matters will be merely opinionative and not authoritative.

Be BriefThe art of letter writing consists of conciseness and

brevity. Anyone can take ten pages to say what should be said in one; but that shows lack of forethought. First, formulate in your mind clearly what you wish to write, and then start immediately to write upon that topic. Use no more words than are necessary to present simply the thought you wish to express. If it takes a voluminous letter of many pages to express a simple idea, it shows that the question or subject is not definite in the writer's own mind, and then he or she cannot expect a very definite answer to it. It is not infrequent for us to receive letters thirty to forty-nine pages in length! Think of the time required to read one such letter before an answer can be dictated. An analysis of such letters shows that if the writer had been thoughtful he could have expressed himself equally as well in one or two pages.

What NO T to Write AboutInterpretation of dreams: interpretation of experi'

ences previous to membership: Biblical quotations and controversies; astrological questions: religious statements; investments; stocks; bonds; inventions; patents; politics; technical matters not concerned with the Rosicrucian teachings; real estate; business— buying and selling; claims of authors; legal controversies; healing systems not Rosicrucian: explanations of new creeds, schools, philosophies: comparison of Rosicrucian teachings to other studies; divorce, marriage, courtship; relatives. (Consult this list before writing. I f your letter is to be devoted to one of these topics, please do not write about it.)

What To Write AboutW e welcome all necessary letters from members on

the following topics (A lso consult the folder sent you entitled, “ How to W rite Your Letters to Headquarters;” it was an enclosure with Mandamus 2 ) :

A. Questions pertaining to the Rosicrucian studies and teachings.

B. The Rosicrucian practices and customs.C. W elfare of the student member; his development

and advancement, health, and peace of mind.D. Extension, progress, and welfare of the Order.

For Your Personal AttentionThose who have always kindly abided by these rules

may merely accept this as another recitation of those rules. To those who have not given these matters thought heretofore, we say, "Please read the informa' tion in this announcement carefully." T o all, we say: W henever you can, use the stationery of the students' correspondence tablet.

THE ROSICRUCIAN ORDERA. M. O . R. C.

Rosicrucian Park San Jose, CaliforniaP R I N T E D I N U . S . A .