A DWELLER ON TWO PLANETS

OR

THE DIVIDING OF THE
WAY

BY PHYLOS THE THIBETAN

AMANUENSIS’ PREFACE

By permission of the Author, whose letter addressed
to me, follows as his preface herein, and to meet the natural inquiry and satisfy,
so far as any personal statement from me will, any honest inquiring mind, I humbly
appear in order briefly to give the major facts concerning the writing of this–even
to me–very remarkable book.

I am an only child of Dr. and Mrs. Oliver, who for
many years have resided in the State of California.

I was born in Washington, D. C., in 1866, and brought
to the State by my parents two years later. Prior to commencing the writing of this
book, in 1884, my education had been comparatively limited, and extended to a very
slight knowledge of the subjects herein treated.

My father, a well-known physician, died a few years
ago, my mother surviving him. Both were daily witnesses of most of the circumstances
and facts surrounding the writing of this book. But further than to state this,
I do not think myself called upon to introduce my family into the work, nor, in
fact, myself, except in so far as it is meet for me to stand forth and do my personal
part as the amanuensis.

I feel that I am mentally and spiritually but a figure
beside the Author of the great, deep-searching, far-reaching and transcendent questions
presented in the following pages; and I read and study them with as much interest
and profit, I imagine, as will any reader. At the same time I feel with no sense
of the natural pride of an Author of such a book, that it is a work of unselfish
love, and will help to the betterment of an upward-struggling world, searching ever
for more light, and feed the hungry for knowledge of the great mystery of life and
of the ever evolving soul, through Him who said–“I AM THE WAY; FOLLOW ME.”

In these days of doubt, materialism, and even rank
atheism, it requires all the courage I possess to assert, in clear unequivocal terms,
that the following book, “A DWELLER ON TWO PLANETS,” is absolute revelation; that
I do not believe myself its Author,–but that one of those mysterious persons, if
my readers choose to so consider him, an adept of the arcane and occult in the universe,
better understood from reading this book, is the Author. Such is the fact. The book
was revealed to me, a boy, and a boy, too, whose parents were mistakenly lenient
to such a degree that he was allowed to do as he chose in most things. Not lacking
in inclination to study, but very lacking in will-power, continuity and energy,
I gained little in educational triumphs, and was pointedly criticised by my teacher
as “lackadaisical, even lazy.” Hence, when a little past seventeen years of age,
“Phylos, the Esoterist,” took me actively in charge, designing to make me his instrument
to the world, that profound adept showed what seems to me a rare faith, for I was
without any solid education, as generally so considered, was minus any special religious
trend, and for my sole commendation, had willingness, love of the remarkable, and
an uncolored mind.

For a year my occult preceptor educated me by means
of “mental talks,” and to such a point was my mind occupied by the many new thoughts
with which he inspired me, that I paid no heed to my environment, worked automatically,
if at all, studied and read not, and scarcely heard those who addressed my exterior
senses. Then it was that my father determined to stop my “approaching imbecility,”
as he called it; for I had avoided explanations, and had said nothing of the talks
with my mystic preceptor, whom even I had never seen but a few times. To parental
pressure I yielded, and told my–to me–divine secret. To my relief it was not scouted,
but after a long narration to both parents, they expressed a desire to hear the
mysterious stranger also. This he would not grant, but permitted me to quote his
words, talks and addresses, and at length I became so proficient that I could repeat
what he said almost as fast as he spoke to me.

A circle was formed at home, consisting at first of
my parents, W. S, Mallory (now of Cleveland, Ohio), and myself, as hearers, and
Phylos as teacher. Later Mrs. S. M. Pritchard and Mrs. Julia P. Churchill were present.
This was in Yreka, Siskiyou Co., Cal., early in the eighties, where the MS. was
commenced in A. D. 1883-4, but was finished in Santa Barbara County, California,
A. D. 1886, where it has ever since remained in the manuscript, at the command of
the author.

It will have added interest to many who love, or have
become interested in CALIFORNIA, to know that within full view of Shasta, one of
her loftiest mountain peaks, this book was begun and almost finished under the inspiration
of that spirit of nature which speaks ever to those who, listening, understand.

How the Author differs from us common mortals, and
how, by his occult methods, he possesses the power to dictate–“reveal”–as he has
done and still does, may be better known by perusal of his remarkable record, set
forth in this book–his personal history.

In 1883-4, A. D., in sight of the inspiring peak of
Mount Shasta, the Author began to have me write what he told me, and, curiously
enough, he dictated the initial chapter of “Book Second” first of all. Other chapters,
both preceding and succeeding, were given at intervals of a few weeks, or even months,
sometimes only a sheet or two, at others as high as eighty letter-size sheets being
covered in a few hours. I would be awakened at night by my mentor and write by lamplight,
or sometimes with no light, but in darkness. In 1886 the main work, as I remember
it, was done. Then he had me revise it, under his supervision, and this work was
as erratic as the other. In fact, the whole thing was as if he had the MS. already
prepared when first he began dictation, and was indifferent as to what portions
were written first, so only all were written. Had I been a medium in the sense usually
understood by the believers in spiritualism, as I understand it, the writing would
have been automatic, and I would not have been forced to clothe his converse so
largely in my own language, and in that case no revision would have been necessary.
But I was always conscious of every surrounding, quite similar, in fact, to any
stenographer–with this lack of equality to such an amanuensis–that I was not then
a shorthand reporter. Realizing how useful in taking my preceptor’s teachings the
possession of this art on my part would be, I learned to write stenographically,
although never an expert.

Twice was the work revised, twice he had me go over
this erratically written MS., which, as I have said, was mainly written backward.
So strangely was it given that I had almost no idea of what it was, or with what
it dealt. On one occasion, when I had written over two hundred sheets, mostly backwards,
i. e., the sentences rightly last coming first, so fast and mixed that I had no
idea of its sense, he bade me burn it without even reading it. This I did, and to
this day I have little idea of what those pages contained, or why he had me destroy
them; nor will he tell me. The book was finished in A. D. 1886, though for the purpose
of publication the MS. has been thoroughly edited by a literary expert, that any
error therein due to my own limitations and mistakes in transmission as amanuensis,
should be eliminated.

In the year 1894 the manuscript as finished in 1886
was typewritten in duplicate by Mrs. M. E. Moore of Louisville Kentucky, and she
has had possession of one of said copies ever since up to midsummer, 1899. The Moore
copy has never been changed by even a letter since it was written, evidence whereof
has been judiciously preserved. Said manuscript was copyrighted by me in 1894, and
owing to an addition to the title, again in this, the year 1899.

During all this time I have not been permitted. nor
able, to have it published. In the interval many of the things spoke of in the shape
of scientific and mechanical rediscoveries spoken of in the book, have been brought
to pass. The high attainments of the Atlanteans, lost for thousands of years following
as the result of the engulfment of their great continent, have been and are rapidly
being brought to light and utility; bearing out the prediction of the Author.

Witness the discovery recently of the Roentgen or
“X-ray,” not even dreamed of in 1886, yet in the book you will find a long treatise
concerning “Cathodicity” and the amazing powers of the “Night Side of Nature,” of
such practical use to and so well understood by the people of that wonderful age.
Also note wireless telegraphy; it, too, is herein, scattered all through and referred
to in this book, precluding the possibility of interpolation. Again, regarding there
being but “One Energy” and but “One Substance,” now beginning to find able champions
and general scientific acceptance, in place. of passing it by as a chimera for the
elementary hypothesis so long held by chemists. This also is an integral part of
this book; though it is not more than two years since an article appeared in Harper’s
Magazine seriously advancing this belief of fin-de-siecle science as a novelty.
These are but major examples of what was set forth in “A DWELLER ON TWO PLANETS”
in 1886, together with many more predictions of the immediate oncoming of what the
Author terms rediscovery of the secrets buried with Atlantis; and it is promised
that we. as Atlanteans returning, are going beyond her fallen greatness, and that
by slow, synthetic steps, we are coming up to surpass even those wonderful attainments,
as the ever expanding and growing mind and soul of man climbs ever higher in the
rounds of his evolution.

To all earnest, though perhaps skeptical inquirers,
I may say that the evidence as to this book being finished in 1886, and before the
latter-day discoveries became known, abundantly exists and can be clearly established,
to clear away any cobwebs that might otherwise find lodgment in their minds and
prevent them from accepting the book for what its Author claims–the truth.

Upon the ability of the perusers to so accept this
book as history and not fiction, much depends, in lighting up the Path for their
souls. I am rather in expectation of another work, but whether I will have it, or
some other amanuensis will got it, I do not know. If it come as promised, it will
be one for the inner eyes of those who profit by this work, and seek yet more of
the counsel which will place their feet firmly on the “Narrow Way of Attainment.”

In writing as such amanuensis, I am always conscious
of the presence calling himself Phylos, whenever he chooses to come to me, and sometimes
I see as well as hear and speak with him, though vision is rare. Clairvoyance and
clairaudience would account for this. I hear–and speak or write–what is said as
I am directed. Often, after being shown the mental picture, I am left largely to
express it in my own language, At such times I am as fully conscious of my surroundings
as at any other time, though I feel lifted as into a Master’s presence, and gladly
do for him the work of an amanuensis. If the good counsel and loving care I have
personally received from my wise friend had been faithfully and persistently remembered
and followed, instead of so largely slighted or forgotten, as often to almost fade
from my memory during big absence, I should undoubtedly have been a better example
than I feel that I am of the grand lessons he sets forth in this book.

I have never represented myself to any person, nor
to the public as possesing mediumistic or any other quality, nor have I ever used
the same at any person’s request, for love or money. Whatever my talents or qualities
in these things may be, they have only been used as a sacred gift. With such influences
as have surrounded me in this work, I can gratefully and truly say that I have never
been tempted to do otherwise, if I could; and have ever received exceedingly more
good than I feel that my services have returned.

Now the question arises, do I believe this Book? Unhesitatingly,
Yes. There may be points that I can accept only on faith, like any other reader,
feeling that a day will come when, if I shall be faithful, I will be instructed
by the Spirit to which he testifies. There certainly will be criticisms from some
as to the manner of the writing of this MS., and as to the truth of my statements
regarding it, as there has so often been by those who prefer to believe that all
such claims are but author’s fictions. I have come to personally know the truth
of some of the things mentioned in this book, in the course of the fifteen years
that I have had in this connection. I have. had many experiences, mentally confirmatory
at least, either of the direct statements of the author, or tending to strengthen
the absolute confidence which I feel in him I reverence so deeply. I have often,
even as “Christian” in “Pilgrim’s Progress,” fallen. But the Path is there. Does
the sun cease to shine because fogs obscure it? Then is it not for us to follow
the Path, forgetting persons, and looking to the spirit, as we read Phylos’ Book?

F. S. OLIVER.

LETTER FROM PHYLOS, AUTHOR OF THIS HISTORY.

January, 1886.

Today, my brother, the masses of humanity on this
planet are awakened to the fact that their knowledge of life–the Great Mystery–is
insufficient for the needs of the soul. Hence a school of advanced thought has arisen,
whose members, ignorant of the mysterious truth, yet know their ignorance and ask
for light. I make no pretenses when I say that I–Theochristian student and Occult
Adept–am one of a class of men who do know, and can explain these mysteries. I,
with other Christian Adepts, influence the inspirational writers and speakers through
an ability to exert the control of our trained, and therefore more powerful, minds
over theirs, which are enormously less so. Hence, when the people ask for bread,
our media give it to them. Who are these, our media? They are all men or women,
in churches or out, who bear witness of the Fatherhood of God, the Sonship of Man,
and the Brotherhood of Jesus with all souls, irrespective of creeds or ecclesiastical
forms. Because these, our writers and speakers, have wrought for human good, so
shall, and so does, good come to themselves, bread from the waters. It is proper
that the leaders of the mental van should receive generous remuneration. And they
do. But at this point enters a different phase. Observing the cry for more light,
more truth; observing also how great is the recompense, up springs the imitator,
who have no light of inspiration, no conception of the real truth, not of the laws
of the Eternal. What does he? Watch! With a pen whose shaft is imitation, and whose
point is not of the gold of fact, but of the perishable metal of selfish greed,
this person writes. He dips his pen into the ink of more or less thrilling sensationalism,
muddy with the dirt of immorality and nastiness, and he draws a pen picture illumined
by the tallow-dip of lust and corruption. There is in his work no lofty aim to inspire
his readers; he deals with the lowest aspects of life, and, ignorant of the inexorable
penalty for sin, has no expiation to demand of his characters. While a little allured
by brilliant word-painting, the reader goes to the end, he is conscious ever that
the cry of his soul for the bread of infinity has been answered not even by a stone,
but by a handful of mud! No good purpose is thus subserved; nothing taught of the
real laws or philosophies of life; it drags down, but never elevates. Whoso shall
utter thus, upon them shall come retribution, and they shall be judges upon themselves,
and executioners also, out in the open sea of the soul, where their own spirit will
have no mercy for the misdeeds of the soul. Other imitators there may be, who, fired
with a genuine desire to do good, will mimic intuitional utterances, and, however
poor the work, yet if the animus has been to do good, in the measure of that resolve
shall the Most High judge that whatever is for good is not for evil. But let them
beware who, for money or profit, are tempted to give stones or mud!

And now, my brother, I have another subject to speak
upon. Readers of my book, “Two Planets,” may consider awhile over those passages
concerning the sin of the Princess Lolix and of Zailm, the legal nephew of the Emperor
Gwauxln. They may say that the mention of this fact, though liable to occur as one
of the varied experiences of life, is nevertheless out of place in a book whose
aim is highly moral. But I ask those who know my work, is it? Is it inexcusable
to speak of those grave but common crimes if the author can treat them as examples
of broken law, and earn place the working of such law so clearly before this unthinking
world that men and women will be afraid to break it, fearful of the penalty, which
can in no wise be evaded? I think it unjustifiable to keep silence under such circumstances.
I have, so far from overdrawing the estimate of the penalty of crime, not given
the entire expiatory picture. I know whereof I speak, for this, my brother, is my
own life history, and words have no power to depict the utter misery which the exaction
of the punishment has caused me! If but one soul shall be saved like misery, and
similar or equal sin, or less or more error, then am I content. I have sought to
explain the great mystery of life, illustrating it with part of my own life history,
extracts which cover years reaching into many thousands; and the greatest of all
Books has been my text. I add not thereto nor take away, but explain. Peace be with
thee. *

* Revelations, XXII, 18-19; also I.
Tim. VI., 3-12.

PHYLOS.

Addendum:–I feel myself vastly indebted to many bright
writers and authors for numerous quotations of which I have availed myself, without
making credit at the time; it is impossible to render this award to every individual
by name, hence I must do so concretely, just as the world finds itself forced to
express its aggregate gratitude, not by words of laudation, but by shaping its life
in conformity to the noble Precepts in poetry and in prose, devised to humanity
as the legacy of all the ages. As the world is helped, so has my work been; I hope
I have returned help for help.

Sincerely, PHYLOS.

A MARVELOUS PREDICTION.

The preface is mine to say what may properly please
me. It was so given me by the Author.

A subject not specifically treated by Phylos in his
book, but not forbidden me by him, I feel it almost due the public to give here,
most especially as it was told me by him while I was summering in Reno, Nevada,
in the year 1886. I at that time embodied it in a short story, which I dated, but
more to the point, read to a young lady friend, Miss S. This fact she can testify
as being fact, for it was partly written under her eyes, was criticised by herself,
sister and mother, and, climax, was written upon paper bought for the purpose from
her father’s drug and book store.

Phylos stated to me then that inside fifty years,
considerably inside, he thought, mundane scientists would have discovered and applied
electric forces to the astronomical telescope. Just how, he did not state, although
he did give ample enough de. tails so that one familiar with those subjects probably
would have been able to seize upon and work out the idea to a successful issue.
He said that electric currents unimpressed with vibrations such as produce sound,
heat and light, until resisted, would be superadded to the light vibrations constituting
the image beheld through the telescope. This would be accomplished through the media
of well-known so-called chemical elements, whose then unrecognized higher powers
remained to be discovered.

The result was described to me as awe-inspiring and
marvelous past earthly dreams. Thus, he stated, that upon sung and stellar bodies
so distant that hundreds of them only (even in this A. D. 1899) seem as a faint
speck through the most powerful modern telescopes, to this electrostellarscope would,
by proper amplification of the electro-luminous waves be made so plain to earthly
vision that objects not visible to the unaided earthly sight would be easily perceptible
on the most distant stellar body, however remote from the mundane beholder.

Further, Phylos says that he did not embody this subject
in his book, because Atlantis did not know of it, despite her marvelous scientific
attainments. Hence it will be no “rediscovery,” but a distinct step in advance of
anything that Earth has known–Solomon at last outreached, so far as his time-honored
saying applies to our planet, at least.

Respectfully,

THE AMANUENSIS, FREDERICK S. OLIVER

Los Angeles, October 11, 1899.