July 19, 1975 Dear Malcolm: I am addressing this letter to you because you and Joanna are my friends. I have shared your home and your hospitality. It was your graciousness and kindness which helped show me the way to Stelle. I am opening this letter to The Stelle Group because you have opened your thoughts on the subject matter to us. I have listened to your reasoning and Walter’s reasoning and to the ideas of your delegation. The recent circumstances surrounding the system of government at Stelle have caused me to look; to seek; and to ask questions; and I believe that I have learned something and I wish to share it with you and others. This last weekend I was in New York for a wedding and had the opportunity of talking at length with someone who is interested in Stelle. I did my best to describe what Stelle is like and to present an introduction to the philosophy. I was then asked, “What makes the organizational structure of Stelle different from anywhere else?“ I know now what that difference is. The system of government at Stelle is one based on trust, while the governmental system of the United States, while built on a sound Constitution, is based on a system of checks and balances, which is by its nature a product of fear and distrust. This type of governmental system is no longer sufficient to further Mankind’s advancement. Trust is inherent in the philosophy of the Brotherhoods and for us to remain consistent with the philosophy, it is essential that our government be based on trust. The Brothers teach us that we are all individually responsible for our own environment; we cause our “circumstances” and they can only affect us insofar as we allow them to. What we would outwardly experience, we must first manifest inwardly in our own minds. If a person wishes to experience a trusting environment, he must first manifest trust in his own mind. If a person cannot or will not trust, he is not living in harmony with the Brotherhoods philosophy which teaches loving trust and justice — that Divine justice which teaches: “what we sow, so shall we reap.” If we trust in God, in ourselves, and in each other, then truly all that we experience will be trust. I see clearly that the system of government we have at Stelle must be one based on trust. To base a system of government on checks and balances would build in a system with fear and distrust. This has already been tried many times all over the world and it has failed to secure for its people a higher way of life. We have come here as agents of a part of a Great Plan; to reach that higher way. If we cannot trust our chosen leaders, we display a lack of trust in our own hearts and minds. If one cannot or will not trust himself, he will not experience trust in others. This is an irrefutable natural law. James Allen succinctly states this truth in the following words: “Do you wish for kindness? Be kind. Do you ask for truth? Be true. What you give of yourself you find; Your world is a reflex of you.” The way in which we must govern ourselves requires self-discipline. It is not supposed to be easy. We are here to learn the lessons and to grow into another Place far greater than what we experience now. We cannot legislate our way. We must make our own decisions to grow with the Plan. It will not always be comfortable—it is not supposed to be so. If we would be a part of that Plan, we must give up the old order. It has already failed. We have been called to found a new order. There is a path to Egoic Perfection and there may be various ways, but not different intentions. We can all help guide each other along the path, but we must all make decisions and accept full responsibility for our choice. We must choose correctly and wisely or suffer the effects of a poor decision. I do see a place in our governmental system for referendum, but not in the context in which is has been presented. Referendum can be used as a means of enhancing a governmental system by obtaining, when deemed necessary, the decisions of the people who have chosen to align themselves with that system. I do not see referendum being used in Stelle as a device to check others because of fear and distrust that people will assume power. I think that the referendum proposal as presented by your delegation would be destructive to the purpose of The Stelle Group. In Stelle we choose Trustees from our membership based upon their abilities; their knowledge of the philosophy; their desire to serve the rest of the membership; and, most importantly, their desire to serve the Great Plan of the Brotherhoods. If we cannot trust these people, we are not harmonious with the philosophy of the Brotherhoods, which teaches us to trust one another. To trust one another, we must first manifest trust within ourselves; within our own minds. I appreciate the fact that there are people who have accepted the responsibility for the decision making and. its implementation at Stelle. It allows me to put my energies into my job with the confidence that the daily affairs of The Stelle Group will be managed in the best interests of all concerned. I see that it is not easy being a Trustee of The Stelle Group, but I trust that the people elected as our Trustees will continue to guide the Group in accordance with Natural Law, making the best decisions possible with the knowledge they have of each situation. If I question a decision, I know that I can talk with any or all of the Trustees, and that if a better way is found they will choose the best way. It is time that The Stelle Group takes a great step forward. In order to do our part in the Great Plan to attract the advanced Egos and resources that are essential to our task, we must show the way by our actions. We must become that which we would attract unto us. The Great Plan of the Brotherhoods will succeed. If by our actions we do not choose to align ourselves with the Plan, it will still go on, but without us. I want to be a part of the Great Plan. I hope that you and all the rest of my friends here will chose wisely. Mary people in Stelle have already made the decision and I believe they feel the happiness inherent in a stronger commitment to their own growth within the Brotherhoods Plan. It is time for all who would be part of that Plan to make a choice. Sincerely yours, Don Stauffer cc: To the Membership
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