• Source: Harvey Spencer Lewis

Harvey Spencer Lewis (November 25, 1883 – August 2, 1939), a Rosicrucian author, mystic and founder of AMORC. He lead AMORC as its first leader (imperator) from its creation in 1915 until his death.




Early life


Lewis was born November 25 1883 in Frenchtown, New Jersey. His parents were of Welsh and German ancestry. Lewis was an advertising agent.




Esotericism


He had founded a group called the New York Institution for Psychical Research. In 1904 he founded the Rosicrucian Research Society. The Ancient Mystical Order of the Rosy Cross (AMORC) was founded in 1915. He founded the organization after a trip to France with his father, claiming that he had been initiated into Rosicrucianism and was given a mission to spread it there in what he called an "old tower" in Toulouse.
Lewis affiliated with many occult groups, especially Aleister Crowley's Ordo Templi Orientis. Following a 1916 split in the O.T.O., the schismatic German branch recognized AMORC, giving him a document to prove this. He was proud of receiving this document, despite differences in belief between the two organizations (AMORC did not practice sex magic).
Lewis was interested in Egyptology, and founded the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose. It is located in Rosicrucian Park.




Works


In 1931, Lewis, under the pen name Wishar S[penle] Cerve, wrote a book (published by the Rosicrucians) about the hidden Lemurians of Mount Shasta that a bibliographic note on Mount Shasta described as "responsible for the legend's widespread popularity." Lewis authored The Mystical Life of Jesus in 1929. The book is notable for defending a variant of the swoon hypothesis that Jesus survived his crucifixion. Lewis plagiarized entire chapters from The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi H. Dowling.




Death


Lewis died in 1939. He was succeeded as leader of AMORC by his son, Ralph Maxwell Lewis.




Bibliography


Rosicrucian Principles for the Home and Business (1929)
Explains portions of Rosicrucian teachings and philosophy as related to work and personal goals.
Rosicrucian Questions and Answers with Complete History of the Order
A two-part book: Part One gives the "traditional" history of the Rosicrucian Order, with names and works; Part Two answers common new member and prospective member questions.
The Mystical Life of Jesus
A retelling of the life story of Jesus; reportedly plagiarized Levi H. Dowling's Aquarian Gospel.
Lemuria, The Lost Continent Of the Pacific (1931), as Cerve, Wishar S.
The Secret Doctrines of Jesus
An explanation of many symbols, standards, and interpretations of the work of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles.
A Thousand Years of Yesterdays
A fictional story, explaining reincarnation as a man re-experiences past selves.
Self Mastery and Fate with the Cycles of Life
Relates the Cycles of Life system, similar in nature to biorhythm.
Rosicrucian Manual (1918, 1929 with reissues)
Explains the structure of AMORC and includes everything a new Rosicrucian should know.
Mansions of the Soul: The Cosmic Conception
Essays about Life, Death, the Afterlife, and Rebirth.
The Symbolic Prophecy of the Great Pyramid
Presents an interpretation of Egyptian symbology, with old and new ideas discussed.
Mental Poisoning
An examination of curses, hexes, and psychic manipulation.




References



Sources
Chryssides, George D. (2006). "Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ, The". The A to Z of New Religious Movements. The A to Z guide series. Lanham: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5588-5.
Edighoffer, Roland (2005). "Lewis, Harvey Spencer". In Hanegraaff, Wouter J.; Faivre, Antoine; Broek, R. van den; Brach, Jean-Pierre (eds.). Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism. Leiden; Boston: BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-14371-5.
Introvigne, Massimo (2004). "AMORC". In Clarke, Peter (ed.). Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-49970-0.
Meisse, William C. (1993). "Legends: Lemuria". Mount Shasta: An Annotated Bibliography. College of the Siskiyous.
Melton, J. Gordon, ed. (1999). "LEWIS, Harvey Spencer". Religious Leaders of America: A Biographical Guide to Founders and Leaders of Religious Bodies, Churches, and Spiritual Groups in North America (2nd ed.). The Gale Group. ISBN 978-0-8103-8878-9. ISSN 1057-2961.
Melton, J. Gordon, ed. (1987). "Ancient and Mystical Order of the Rosae Crucis". The Encyclopedia of American Religions (2nd ed.). Gale Research. ISBN 978-0-8103-2133-5.




External links


Information from the Religious Movements Homepage Project of the University of Virginia

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