Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00181)

Nov 10th 1997

Dear Bjorn R. and David G.

I read your comments on Judge and Besant.

If you have read the documentary history of the recent Theosophical
Movement, titled: The THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT 1875-1950, I think you would
be better equipped to judge the work and value of these two persons. Also
the effect of their influence on Theosophy. There are many opinions, but
facts, if known are more useful. At least they can be substantiated by
reference to original source material.

It was suggested that LETTERS THAT HAVE HELPED ME and THE OCEAN OF
THEOSOPHY, both by Judge be read so you can make a judgment on your own of
his worth. There is no better way to go. On the other hand if you have
not read those books then it is dangerous to pass on unverified statements
as "truths." Most of Judge's articles and some of his books are available
for reference "on line" at

 http://www.theosophycompany.com

But, if you are airing opinions which you have not substantiated, then I
fear, you do your crebility an injustice.

If you do have some proofs to advance in support of your statements, please
do so. I would be glad to go over them.

I have been a sutdent of Theosophical history for nearly 50 years and would
welcome any additional facts. If you are intersted in what Mr. Judge was
and did please let me know as I can send you a biographical sketch.
 Dallas

P S:

Judge was one of the Original Founders of the T S in New York in Sept.
1875. He remained devoted to Theosophy and the TS till his death in 1896
-- he had been in the TS for 21 years. He Edited the monthly magazine THE
PATH from April 1886 till his death in 1896.

Hundreds of valuable articles, letters, and answers from his pen largely
inspired members and served to promote the growth of the membership for the
T S Section in America.

HPB and Olcott praised him often and very highly (I have copies of their
letters or quotations for anyone who would like to see them). His 10 years
of Annual, official Reports as General Secretary for the American Section T
S from 1885-95 attest to the nature of his work whereby he helped build the
membership from about 350 to over 5,000 in America.


Annie Besant joined the T S in London after reviewing the SECRET DOCTRINE
and interviewing Mme. Blavatsky in 1888. This was less than 3 years before
HPB died. She was very talented and ably assited HPB during that time in
the editing of LUCIFER magazine. After the death of HPB, she and Judge
collaborated for several years till early in 1894 she severed that
arrangement. Thereafter she was responsible for re-issuing the "2nd
edition" (1894) of the SECRET DOCTRINE with over 40,000 unsanctioned
alterations as compared to the original 1888 Edition which HPB had edited.

In 1897 she issued a "3rd Volume of the S D" which contains unedited
Manuscripts of HPB's, and other material which HPB had had no time to
review or correct before she died. The description of the 3rd Volume of
the SD as HPB gave it in the 1888 edition does not agree with what was
later issued in 1897 as the "Third Volume." You will find adequate notes
on this in Blavatsky COLLECTED WRITINGS, edited by Boris de Zircov, and
published by the TPH, Adyar, Wheaton, London.