The Way of the Seven Fold Secret by Lilias Trotter
Lilias Trotter moved from England to Algiers in 1888, at the age of 35, and died there in 1928. In the latter stages of her mission there, she wrote specifically for Muslims influenced by mysticism. Lilias based The Way of the Sevenfold Secret on Christ's seven 'I am' sayings in John's gospel, and attempted to link them to the traditional seven steps taken by members of Sufi orders in their quest for union with God. This republication should enable readers to capture the essence of a woman whose legacy is vitally alive for our times
Lilias Trotter moved from England to Algiers in 1888, at the age of 35, and died there in 1928. In the latter stages of her mission there, she wrote specifically for Muslims influenced by mysticism. Lilias based The Way of the Sevenfold Secret on Christ's seven 'I am' sayings in John's gospel, and attempted to link them to the traditional seven steps taken by members of Sufi orders in their quest for union with God. This republication should enable readers to capture the essence of a woman whose legacy is vitally alive for our times
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IV.<br />
THE S£CRET OF LEADERSHIP.<br />
If we go back to <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> last chapter we shaH<br />
see that <strong>the</strong>re is a link between that one and this one.*<br />
We have seen <strong>the</strong>re, that <strong>the</strong> first stage is to be led forth<br />
<strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Shepherc;l. We need more than safety, we need<br />
a Saviour. In Christ <strong>the</strong> Door, man is safe: with Christ<br />
tbe Shepherd, we can return to <strong>the</strong> world, to follow, and<br />
to save o<strong>the</strong>rs: within <strong>the</strong> fold, man has life : following<br />
<strong>the</strong> Shepherd to <strong>the</strong> pasture, he has life more abundantly,<br />
And in this new chapter we se~ a new step, for in<br />
<strong>the</strong> similitudes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bread and <strong>the</strong> Light and <strong>the</strong> Door,<br />
Christ <strong>the</strong> Lord invites those who are unsaved to be<br />
partakers <strong>of</strong> His salvation, but in <strong>the</strong>se words on <strong>the</strong><br />
Shepherd and His sheep He speaks to those who have<br />
crossed, so to speak, <strong>the</strong> threshold <strong>of</strong> salvation, and have<br />
entered His kingdom.<br />
In this as in o<strong>the</strong>r things, 0 bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> th.e Road,<br />
we recognise that God has been preparing you through<br />
many centuries, that you should have your share in <strong>the</strong><br />
secrets <strong>of</strong> God that He has revealed in <strong>the</strong>se names .<strong>of</strong><br />
Jesus Christ.<br />
For you are men who feel that you need leadership.<br />
When you have found a leader who is after your own<br />
heart, you yidd yourselves to follow him. You yield<br />
this obedience, first to <strong>the</strong> founder (u,aly) <strong>of</strong> your order,<br />
and under him to <strong>the</strong> sheikh who represents him, who<br />
can interpret his teachings into your daily life. Each<br />
one in setting out on <strong>the</strong> inward journey, puts himself<br />
* "I am come that <strong>the</strong>y might have lif,e, and that <strong>the</strong>y might l:mle<br />
it more abundantly". (John IO, IO)
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