the fundamental
meaning of words used by St. John to clothe his wonderful teaching, which
was originally given in the Greek language, a much simpler matter than is
commonly supposed, for Greek words have been freely introduced into our
modern languages, particularly in scientific terms, and we shall show how
this ancient teaching is supported by the latest discoveries of modern
science.

The opening verse of the gospel of St. John is as follows: "In the
_beginning_ was the _Word_, and the _Word_ was with _God_, and the _Word_
was _God_." We will examine the words: "beginning," "Word" and "God." We
may also note that in the Greek version the concluding sentence reads:
"and God was the Word," a difference which makes a great distinction.

It is an axiomatic truth that "out of nothing, nothing comes," and it has
often been asserted by scoffers that the Bible teaches generation "from
nothing." We readily agree that _translations_ into the modern languages
promulgate this erroneous doctrine, but we have shown in _The Rosicrucian
Cosmo Conception_ (chapter on "the Occult Analysis of Genesis"), that the
Hebrew text speaks of an _ever-existing essence_, as the basis whence all
forms, the earth and the heavenly lights included, were first created, and
John also gives the same teaching.

The Greek word _arche_, in the opening sentence of the gospel of St. John
has been translated _the beginning_, and it may be said to have that
meaning, but it also has other valid interpretations, vastly more
significant of the idea John wished to convey. It means:--an elementary
condition,--a chief source,--a first principle,--primordial matter.

There was a time when science insisted that the elements were immutable,
that is to say, that an atom of iron had been an atom of iron since the
earth was formed and would so remain to the end of time. The Alchemists
were sneered at as fanciful dreamers or madmen, but since Professor J. J.
Thomson's discovery of the electron, the atomic theory of matter, is no
longer tenable. The principle of radio-activity has later vindicated the
Alchemists. Science and the Bible agree in teaching, that all that is, has
been formed from one homogeneous substance.

It is that basic principle which John called _arche_:--primordial
matter,--and the dictionary defines Archeology as: "the science of the
origin (_arche_) of things." Masons style God the "Grand Architect," for
the Greek word tektos means builder, and God