Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00036)

Thanks for the info. 

I was well aware of the practice in early days. Of course, as we can read
from the hints provided, during HPB's times, all important steps were taken
in concurrence or under the direction of the Founders. So They should have
had some reason for the changes that came about.

If the masonic issue was that important to Theosophy, I am sure HPB herself
would have started one. I believe HSO was a Mason. I donot know if WQJ was
one.

The question one has is the effect of the interlocking membership and the
office holding and the potential to affect the organizational matters of
one by the other -- however unrelated, legally the two are. Whether it has
helped theosophy or not?

...mkr

At 05:35 AM 09/04/1999 -0700, W. Dallas TenBroeck wrote:
>Sept 4th
>
>Dear Doss:
>
>First, thanks for reproducing those most valuable words from the
>Mahatmas for us to consider.
>
>As I read Theosophical Society history in the beginning the meetings
>of the Lodges were "closed."  One had to be sponsored and then
>initiated to become a "member."  At that time there was a ritual and
>an introduction into the Lodge somewhat like the Masons.  Most of the
>early members of the TS were in fact also masons.  Masonry had
>apparently lost the impetus towards a deeper consideration of
>esotericism.  Theosophy was an attempt to reintroduce that.
>
>It took some years for the question of a ritual and entry procedure to
>be dropped and then for TS meetings to be made "open to the public."
>
>Later, when the idea of Co-Masonry was introduced as a part of the TS
>sponsorship it was done because the original Masons did not allow
>women to meet with men at the same meetings -- they had their own
>"Orders" and "Meetings."
>
>Grand Master Yarker recognized HPB for what she was and granted her
>without any request a special Charter as "Mysterious Mason."
>
>But that had nothing to do with Co-Masonry, which was an innovation of
>the 1920s.
>
>I believe the history of this is given in the book:
>
>"THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT:  1875 -- 1950," which I believe sent to
>you some months ago.
>
>The book is based on the Documents of the TS and other documents
>relating to individuals and events in the recent Theosophical
>effort -- and it reflects its progress based on those solely.
>
>Best wishes,
>
>Dal
>
>Dallas
>dalval@nwc.net 
>
>

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