Theos-Talk Archives (April 2005 Message tt00362)

William Doss McDavid in his book "An Introduction 
to Esoteric Principles: A Study Course" writes:

"Should we take H.P.B. as an infallible authority? 
. . . Absolutely not. . . . But there is another 
side to the question. We have to remember that 
the modern Theosophical movement owes its very 
existence to H.P.B. and the Masters, whose 
faithful agent she claimed to be. It would be 
extremely unwise to reject the teachings given 
through her without understanding what those 
teachings really were in the first place. And 
how can we acquire this understanding if we do 
not study her writings? We don't have to blindly 
accept what she says or take her views as the 
last word, but at least we should become familiar 
with those views firsthand. Then we can reject or 
accept intelligently. When the works of other and 
later writers who claim to be continuing the work 
begun by H.P.B. present viewpoints and 'revelations' 
which are at direct variance with the original lines 
of teaching, we may feel justified in questioning the source of the 
newer pronouncements. A familiarity with the original writings, 
therefore, provides a criterion for intelligent judgment." p. 37

Daniel
Blavatsky Study Center
http://blavatskyarchives.com