Author

MacGregor Ministries

The Emissaries of Divine Light are a communal group founded by Lloyd Meeker in 1945 in Colorado. The group has since spread around the world. Meeker grew up in poverty, was unsuccessful in business, "rode the rails" in the depression, became a salesman, and eventually declared himself a "Bishop" and began dispensing his own brand of religion. He also adopted the exotic name "Uranda" for his writings. He died in a plane crash in 1954, but not before converting Lord Martin Cecil, who founded the Canadian commune in Northern B. C.

Meeker had a high opinion of himself, and stated in 1952, "I have been privileged in my ministry--and it is something for which I am deeply humble and grateful before my Lord and King--to go much further, and to have many things which our Master on earth could not do and did not have."

LORD MARTIN CECIL

Lord Martin Cecil is really a titled English Lord, but is usually called "Bishop Martin Cecil" by his followers. He says of himself, "Consequently I have been richly blessed by the love which has been offered to me, but I never assumed that it was offered to me as a person, except as I was an exemplification of the truth, which was being loved; then you really can't separate the two." (Hearts Possessed by the Truth, p. 8).

RECRUITING INTO THE EMISSARIES

Although the Emissaries are recognized as being much less zealous and slower than, say, the Moonies, they nonetheless have similar techniques. They recruit mainly on University campuses and invite recruits to their commune to experience their lifestyle.

Recruits are told they must break away from society and their family to rid themselves of guilt. Blind obedience is stressed, and a very anti-intellectual approach is taken. No books, television or radio are allowed.

DOCTRINES OF THE EMISSARIES

Their statement of beliefs says "The primary purpose of this Society is to assist in carrying forward a work of spiritual regeneration of the human race, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God." Because God is spoken of, and the Bible is sometimes quoted, some people assume the Emissaries of Divine Light are a Christian commune, but our examination of their publications will prove that they are not.

BELIEF IN ONTOLOGY

"Ontology" is a legitimate metaphysical term which usually means the study of the ultimate nature of being. Followers are often urged to forget their intellect in favor of their instincts.

Ontology journals also tell believers they have the potential to cure the sick with a natural current that is supposed to flow from their hands. The Emissaries of Divine Light also publish a magazine called "Integrity" and distribute it world-wide.

"CONVERSION" TO THE EMISSARIES

In their publication, "About Sunrise Ranch", on p. 2, the statement is made, "In this awakening process there is no need for elaborate concepts and beliefs, no need for a philosophical or religious dogma to which one might be converted. It is merely a matter of being what one truly is." This is, of course, a very humanistic statement and out of harmony with the Bible.

HEALING, EMISSARY STYLE

The healing rituals followed by this group usually consist of waving their hands over a body, which action supposedly rids it of evil spirits and disease. "Pneumaplasm" is a term used by the group, and is supposedly the connecting force between the human body and spirit.

Their founder, Meeker, is quoted as saying, "If, by ill attitudes and reactions we are dissipating pneumaplasm faster than we are building it, we come to the point of not having enough, and then physical ailments, physical degenerations follow."

There is much talk in Emissary publication of "radiation", which is the life-giving current flowing out of the followers' hands. This radiation supposedly acts on the pneumaplasm and brings it into attunement, or harmony with God.

The person is then cured, even of such diseases as cancer. E.D.L. beliefs also do not allow for accidents, a major embarrassment when Meeker died in one.

AN OVERVIEW OF E.D.L. LITERATURE

In reading their literature, we find much mention of "being where you are", finding your way to "cosmic awareness", and a lack of any really clear-cut thoughts. There are terms like "vibrations", patterns", "focalization", "reality", "wholeness", "rightness", "oneness".

AT ODDS WITH CHRISTIANITY

Our Christian concept of prayer is foreign to the Emissaries, who state, "And we don't need to beseech some God who is way off somewhere to do something to satisfy us." (Oneness, pp.6,7).

Being "born again" (John 3) and becoming a "new creation" are basic teaching in Christianity. The EDL, however, view recreation this way,

"However when man is willing to learn how to accept the control of being, and how to conform to the design of being, so that he actually does it, then recreation may take place and he may become what he ought to be; a revelation of real being on earth." (An Open Door, pp.4,5).

Their salvation then, is really by their works, and grace is not a factor. (Compare Ephesians 2:8,9).

While Christians look to a heavenly reward, here is the "reward" of the EDL. "There is no greater reward than to discover the true nature of one's own being, so that one no longer tries to be something that he is not." (An Open Door, p.12).

We also find overtones of Hinduism in the EDL teachings. Lord Martin Cecil said, "It might be said you know, that we've all died many times, there was quick reincarnation, mind you. But the form of our manifestation has continually changed." (Hearts Possessed by the Truth, p.3).

Creation is ridiculed by the group as evidenced by this quote from "Ontological Thought", Vol. 3, No. 10, p.21, "We have swallowed our own tales about creation to generate a fictitious order that we might continue to survive in this state."

WHAT DO THEY THINK OF CHRIST?

In speaking of salvation, page 11 of "Ontological Thought", Vol.3, No. 10, makes this point, "It is not, as in traditional Christianity, merely a process of magical transformation by a supernatural deity through belief in the alleged atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The individual in such a scheme of things becomes little more than a bystander, and, since a Savior has done for him what he himself needs to do, there is no reason whatsoever for him to move out of his state of sin and weakness." Hardly flattering to Jesus!

IN CONCLUSION

Despite Martin Cecil's denial of the Emissaries of Divine Light being a cult, we must put them in that category. They have misrepresented Jesus Christ, salvation, and creation, and have adopted Eastern religious ideas contrary to the Bible. They are in need of our prayers and our witnessing about the true Jesus of scripture.

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