Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00376)

                        HPB AS AN "AUTHORITY"
 
 
"The tree is known by its fruits;  and as all Theosophists have to be judged
by their deeds and not by what they write or say, so all Theosophical books
must be accepted on their merits, and not according to any claim to
authority which they may put forward."   -- HPB  Key to Theosophy, p. 300
 
 
"But let no man set up a popery instead of Theosophy, as this would be
suicidal and has ever ended most fatally.  We are all fellow-students, more
or less advanced;  but no one belonging to the T.S. ought to count himself
as more than that, at best, a pupil-teacher--one who has no right to
dogmatize."  -- 1888 --
               --HPB  "Five Messages to the Amer. Theosophists," p. 4
 
 
"It is above everything important to keep in mind that no theosophical book
acquires the least additional value from pretended authority."  S D I p. xix
 
 
                                    -----------------------------
 
HPB does not claim "authority."   She claims to be a "messenger." 
Specifically a messenger from the Great and Ancient Lodge of ADEPTS.  
 
In both ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE she disclaims any personal
authority and gives the credit for the records she transmits to the real
authors, the Mahatmas.
 
Since she was well aware that the Theosophical theories and hypotheses would
be received with various degrees of incredulity from the academies, she was
careful to make it clear that the information was in reality taken from the
HISTORY that the Adepts and their disciples (chelas) had recorded down the
ages.  All that she requested was "equal time" and open consideration of
what Theosophy had to offer.  [ S D  I  272 - 300 ]
 
This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new fangled system of collated ideas
drawn from many sources -- in fact if it were even that, then the marvel is
of HPB's mind.  And, her capacity in drawing such a vast diversity together
and showing how the many pieces hung together to form a seamless whole in
the world of ideas and concepts.  In many student's experience and wide
reading, there is no one who has written such a comprehensive view of our
world, the organization of the universe,  on the spiritual, intellectual and
psychological basis, and the part that Mankind plays in that.
 
The immortality of man's Spirit / Soul and the "God-spirit" (the Universal
DEIFIC ESSENCE), being present in every "life-atom" of our LIVING UNIVERSE,
are fundamental concepts.  
 
Everything in Nature trends in its life-experience towards a higher degree
of knowledge, wisdom, and perfection.  Each life-cycle (incarnation) is like
a separate day at school and all are drawn together by the uniting thread of
the immortal, and eternal spiritual Self which is at their core.  In fact
she shows how Theosophy traces the evolution of the "consciousness and
intelligence" of the SPIRITUAL SOUL or Monad, through many forms -- from the
atom to the human condition of independent free-will.  As below, so above--
said the wise Hermes.  The Atom and the Universe correspond in structure,
movement and objectives.  They are integrated into one vast brotherhood of
sensitive and inter-protective laws.  The great and the "small" are mutually
dependent.  "Spirit" cannot exist without "matter."  Eternal Mind -- isthe
witness to all progress and life.
 
This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of the great
religions and philosophies of the world.  It is the record of their
existence, of their common source, and of our participation, again and
again, in those processes.  
 
Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots in Buddhism,
Hinduism, Jainism, etc...  And the place of Judaism, Kabala, Islam and
Sufism is discussed and considered in many ways.  
 
The question is always asked:  'Does knowledge, wisdom, and action have
limits?"  The Universe stands as evidence that they not only do, b out that
the inter-relationship which permits diversified "life," is as ancient as
Science and philosophy are able to trace.
 
It is understood that scholars who are deeply familiar with those systems
and their development can trace the evidence and the pathways of the
development of similarities in observation and thought.  
 
However, HPB claims on behalf of the great and ancient Lodge of Adepts, that
all those were derived from the "Sanatana Dharma," the "Perennial
Philosophy." which is a record of Life's development and history which they
have observed and left records of.  [ ISIS UNVEILED Vol. 2, pp. 98-105. ]  
 
Modern "Theosophy" [the Wisdom of the Deity] claims to expose the outlines
of this system and traces these facts everywhere in the world, and in the
records of history on all continents.
 
As such Theosophy claims to be at the root and at the origin of all the
great ancient religio-philosophical systems and provides a reason for their
development as systems of practice leading to that kind of "initiation"
which develops Wisdom in thought and mind as well as simultaneously the
application of compassion and harmlessness in motive.
 
Thus, Theosophy, is not exclusively religion, or philosophy but also
includes science -- it is the power to investigate and record the workings
of NATURE  (Life as a Whole) in every stage and department of the world and
our Universe.
 
The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of evolution
lead at last to the "all-Knowingness" of the PERFECTED MAN.  The designation
"Mahatma" (Great Soul) is one that includes all such self-developed men of
superior knowledge and nature. It is held that every single "monad" in our
world, and our Universe is destined to eventually enter the human stage of
"freedom to think."  From there on, as we, humans can, the power to develop
further is placed squarely in our hands.  The current test of humanity is? 
will it dare to assume the responsibility?  Will it follow Hermes' other
injunction:  " Man, Know Thyself." 
 
The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those great Initiates, the "Fathers"
and the "Guardians" of wisdom, as the intelligent guides, and assistants
that Nature employs to assist every fresh evolutionary effort, a "new Day"
of intelligent development and progress -- open without exceptions to all
beings.
 
If this is grasped the minute details and studies of specialists, while
respected, as continuing proof of the inclusive nature of Theosophy, is also
shown to be but the outer covering, to be but one way to approach to the
interior mystery of man's own mind, and its almost infinite capacities.  
 
If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to understand the
most simple, as well as the most complex subjects is grasped, the more
learned will continually encourage the learners to investigate and prove for
themselves all avenues, however diverse, of information, tradition and
lore.  And that is the always growing tip of the self-enlightening Mind.  It
always widens out to that which is permanent and universal, when given a
chance to emerge from ignorance, doubt, skepticism and lethargy.
  
Theosophy shows us that the real energizers are OURSELVES.
 
                        ============================
 
            In 1877, HPB wrote in ISIS UNVEILED :
 
". . .we came into contact with certain men, endowed with such
mysterious powers and such profound knowledge that we may truly
designate them as the sages of the Orient. To their instructions we
lent a ready ear."
 
"The work now submitted to public judgment is the fruit of a somewhat
intimate acquaintance with Eastern adepts and study of their
science."
 
 
Master K H in 1882 wrote to Mr. Sinnett:  
 
". . . Our [esoteric or theosophical ] doctrine . . . is now being
partially taught to Europeans for the first time."
 
 
In HPB's SECRET DOCTRINE, she writes: [ I   272]
 
". . . the SECRET DOCTRINE is not a treatise, or a series of vague
theories, but contains all [the teachings] that can be given out to
the world in this century." The Secret Doctrine, 1888, Vol I, p.
xxxviii (original edition)
 
And a few lines above, one reads:
 
". . . But it will take centuries before much more is given from it
[the Secret Archaic Doctrine]. . . . "
 
 
So did not HPB give out the teachings of the Masters?
 
If so, her presentation is the original one in modern times.
 
All later presentations are in that sense secondary (immediately
derived from something original, primary, or basic).
 
 
Madame Blavatsky wrote in THE SECRET DOCTRINE: 
 
"Mistakes have now to be checked by the ORIGINAL teachings and 
corrected." caps added
 
 
In 1891, HPB wrote  [MY BOOKS ] :
 
". . . every word of [esoteric] information found in this work [Isis
Unveiled] or in my later writings, comes from the teachings of our
Eastern Masters [Master KH, Master M and others]; and . . . many a
passage in these works has been written by me under their dictation
[of the “Masters”].
 
            
"The Authority which we recognize is not what men term authority, which
comes from outside and which demands obedience, but an internal recognition
of the value of that which flows through any given point, focus, or
individual.  This is the 
authority of one's Self-discrimination, intuition, the highest
intellection.  If we follow what we recognize in that way, and still findit
good, we naturally keep our faces in that direction.  This means no slavish
following of any person--a distinction which some are unable to grasp. 
H.P.B. wrote:  "Do not follow me or my path.  Follow the path I show, the
Masters who are behind"...the most and best anyone can do is to follow the
lines laid down by H.P.B. regardless of any others."    F. P. p. 372-3
 
 
 
"There is a very great difference between the Theosophical Movement and any
Theosophical Society.  The Movement is moral, ethical, spiritual, universal,
invisible save in effect, and continuous.  A Society formed for theosophical
work is a visible organization, an effect, a machine for conserving energy
and putting it to use;  It is not nor can it be universal, nor is it
continuous...
 
The Theosophical Movement being continuous, it is to be found at all times
and in all nations.  Wherever thought has struggled to be free, wherever
spiritual ideas, as opposed to forms and dogmatism, have been promulgated,
there the great movement is to be discerned."     WQJ - "The Theosophical
Movement"               WQJ Articles, II, p. 124
 
 
"It is just because we have devoted our whole life to the research of
truth...that we never accept on faith any authority upon any question
whatsoever;  nor, pursuing, as we do, Truth and progress through a full and
fearless enquiry, untrammeled by any consideration, would we advise any of
our friends to do otherwise."  --HPB  "Notes on “A Land of Mystery'" 
          HPB Art III 342-3     Theosophist, Vol.1, p. 278-9
 
 
"Be what he may, once that a student abandons the old and  trodden highway
of routine, and enters upon the solitary path of independent
thought--Godward--he is a Theosophist;  an original thinker, a seeker after
the eternal truth with "an inspiration of his own" to solve the universal
problems."  -- HPB  
                              " What are the Theosophists ?"  
                              Theosophist, Oct. 1879.   HPB Art. I p. 52
 
 
"Its [Theosophical] doctrines, if seriously studied, call forth, by
stimulating one's reasoning powers and awakening the inner in the animal
man, every hitherto dormant power for good in us, and also the perception of
the true and the real, as opposed to the false and the unreal.  
 
"The Society, as such, has no authorities.  It was founded with the object
of breaking down that reliance upon "authority" which has been the bane of
man for ages, and it would be strange now in we could admit authority for
theosophists...WE are engaged in trying to develop a truer appreciation of
the Light of Life which is hidden in every man, and so the "final authority"
is the man himself."     -- WQJ  "Authority,"  The Path, Nov. 1887,  
   WQJ Art. II 543, 575 
 
 
"It has always been held that a true Theosophist must have no personal ends
to serve, no favourite hobby to propagate, no special doctrine to enforce or
to defend.  For, to merit the honorable title of Theosophist one must be an
altruist, above all;  one ever ready to help equally foe or friend;  toact,
rather than to speak;  and urge others to action, while never losing an
opportunity to work himself.  But if no true Theosophist will ever dictate
to his fellow, brother or neighbor, what this one should believe or
disbelieve in, nor force him to act on lines which may be distasteful to
him, however proper they may appear to himself, there are other duties which
he has to attend to:
 
               a) to warn his brother of any danger the latter may fail to
see;  and 
 
               b) to share his knowledge--if hehas acquired such--with
those who have been less fortunate than himself in opportunities for
acquiring it...
 
               Therefore, we say to-day to all:  "If you would really help
the noble cause--you must do so now;  for a few years more and your, as well
as our efforts, will be in vain."...
 
               Unless we succeed in placing theT.S...on the safe side of
the spiritual current, it will be swept away irretrievably into the Deep
called "Failure." ...Thus will have ingloriously perished the only
association whose aims, rules and original purposes answer in every
particular and detail--if strictly carried out--to the innermost,
fundamental thought of every great Adept Reformer, the beautiful dream of a
Universal Brotherhood Of Man."
               HPB  "Why the Vahan ?"    Dec. 1890   HPB Art. I 284-5
 
 
"Look around you, and behold our Universal Brotherhood so called !  The
Society founded to remedy the glaring evils of Christianity, to shun bigotry
and intolerance, cant, and superstition and to cultivate real universal love
extending even to the dumb brute, what has it become in Europe and America
in these 11 years of trial [1886] ?  In one thing only we have succeeded
...we have made away with every dogma and are now justly and wisely trying
to make away with the last vestige of even nominal
authority..."              -- HPB  The Theosophical Mahatmas"      
       The Path,  Dec. 1886.     HPB Articles I 305
 
 
 
"...the undersigned [ HPB ] accepts for her views and walk in life no
authority dead or living, no system of philosophy or religion but
one--namely, the esoteric teachings of ethics and philosophy of those she
calls Masters--answers have to be given strictly in accordance with  these
teachings...his first duty is to be ever ready to help if he can, without
stopping to philosophize...there may be those who are starving for truth, in
every department of the science of nature, and who consequently are yearning
to learn the esoteric views about "cosmology, the evolution of man and of
the Universe." ...
 
               "...what I do believe in is: 
 
               1) the unbroken oral teachings revealed by living divine men
during the infancy of mankind to the elect among men;
 
               2) that it has reached us unaltered;  and
 
               3) that the Masters are thoroughly versed in the science
based on such uninterrupted teaching."         --  HPB
               HPB Articles, I  pp. 459-61
 
 
 
                              AUTONOMY AND INTERDEPENDENCE
                                                            
 
"...Master said to me.  He [Olcott]...the Society has outgrown him.  Let him
remain a nominal President--but let us active Presidents--one in India, the
other in Europe--the third in America, begin working with that object.  You
alone ought to become the President in chief of all the European Societies,
and for life--who ever else may be the year President of the L.L., or the
Paris, or German Th. Societies.  Such is the desire of my Master--I know
it.  For myself--I am resolved to remain sub rosa.  I can do far more by
remaining in the shadow than by becoming prominent once more in the
movement."        HPB to APS p. 111-12
 
 
"We have a reform in hand...what do you think of the idea of placing the
Branches on quite a different footing ?...What I want is simply a paper on
the advisability of remodeling the present formation of branches and their
privileges.  Let them be all chartered and initiated as heretofore by the
Parent Society, and depend of it nominally.  At the same time, let every
Branch before it is chartered, choose some one object to work for, an
object, naturally in sympathy with the general principles of the T.S.--yet a
distinct and definite object of its own, whether in the religious,
educational or philosophical line.  This would allow the Society a broader
margin for its general operations;  more real, useful work would be done; 
and, as every Branch would be so to say, independent in its modus operandus,
there would remain less room for complaint and par consequence--for
interference.  At any rate this hazy sketch, I hope, will find an excellent
soil to germinate and thrive
in..."                M L pp 317-8 

 
"...many are the things we shall have to talk over and foremost of all the
Mahatma's desire that the Branches of the T.S. especially the L.L. [London
Lodge] and the European should be made all autonomous under one President. 
A sudden and efficient stop must be made to "President's Camps,"  Poona, and
"President's Camp, Lahore" and "Special orders" and all that sort of thing. 
Ah well, who loves the Cause--has to sacrifice himself, and I am ever
ready.  Au revoir. “   
               HPB Letters to A.P.SINNETT, p. 129
 
 
"Explain to Olcott matters and claim from him and Council, that which you of
the L.L. virtually have:  complete autonomy for the European Branches, as
many as there are groups of the same way of thinking.  Theosophy was founded
as a nucleus for Univ. Brotherhood.  So was Christ.  The latter was a
complete failure and is a sham, only because the R. Latin Church claims
infallibility, absolute authority...Our Society was established to bring
together people as searchers after truth, independent thinkers, one having
no right to force his opinion on the other:  or meddle in his religious
views."          HPB Let to APS, p. 221
 
 
"I must ask you to remember that the new Society shall not be allowed to
disconnect itself with the parent Body, though you are at liberty to manage
your affairs in your own way and without fearing the slightest interference
from its President so long as you do not violate the general
Rules."              M L , p. 16
 
 
"...you will have--in case you organize--to put up with Olcott at the head
of the Parent Society, hence--nominally the president of all the existing
Branches.  But he will be no more your "leader" than he is the leader of the
British Theos. Society, which has its own President, its own Rules and
Bye-laws.  You will be chartered by him, and that's all...yet he has no
right to interfere either with your administration or modes of action, so
long as these do not clash with the general Rules, and he certainly has
neither the ability nor the desire of being your leader."   
        M L , pp. 20-1
 
 
"When the ancient founders of your philosophical schools came East, to
acquire the lore of our predecessors, they filed no claims, except the
single one of a sincere and unselfish hunger for the truth.  If any now
aspire to found new schools of science and philosophy the same plan will
win--if the searchers have in them the elements of success...H.S.Olcott has
been trying to convert each of the Indian Branches into such a school of
research, but the capacity for sustained independent study for knowledge's
sake is lacking, and must be developed..."                  M L, p. 342
 
 
"Solidarity of thought and action within the broad outline of the chief and
general principles of the Society there must always be between the parent
and Branch bodies;  yet the latter must be allowed each their own
independent action in everything that does not clash with those
principles."                        M L , p. 318-9
 
 
"The Theosophical Society was constituted on the model of its mother
country...they wanted to grant absolute equality in its laws to all
religions so that all would support the State and all in their turn would be
protected...each branch as well as each member, having the right to profess
the religion and to study the sciences or philosophies it or he prefers,
provided that the whole remains united by bonds of solidarity and
fraternity--our Society may be truly called the "Republic of Conscience."...
 
All of us must work for the liberation of human thought, for the elimination
of selfish and sectarian superstitions, and for the discovery of all the
truths that are within the reach of the human mind.  This goal cannot be
attained with greater certainty than through the culture of solidarity on
the plane of mental work.  No honest worker, no serious seeker, has ever
returned therefrom empty-handed..."         --HPB  "The New Cycle"  
--   La Revue Theosophique, March 21, 1889.  HPB Articles I 402
 
 
"No true Theosophist...would consent to become the fetish of a fashionable
doctrine, any more than he would make himself the slave of a decaying
dead-letter system, the spirit from which has disappeared forever.  Neither
would he pander to anyone or anything, and therefore would always decline to
show belief in that in which he does not, nor can he believe, which is lying
to his own soul...we will keep to that pure ray "that comes from above,"
from the light of the "Ancient."          --HPB  "Dual Aspect of Wisdom"
Lucifer, Sept. 1890            HPB Articles  I  36-7
 
 
"If one criticism is hurtful, so is another;  so also is every innovation,
or even the presentation of some old thing under a new aspect, as both have
necessarily to clash with the views of this, or another
"authority."...criticism is the great benefactor of thought in general;  and
still more so of those men who never think for themselves but rely in
everything upon acknowledged "authorities" and social routine.
 
For what is an "authority" upon any question...No more...than a light
streaming upon a certain object through one single, more or less wide,
chink, and illuminating it from one side only.  Such light, besides being
the faithful reflector of the personal views of but one man--very often
merely that of his special hobby--can never help in the examination of a
question or a subject from all its aspects and sides...Criticism is the sole
salvation from intellectual stagnation...(391)To reject the infallibility of
a man of Science is not quite the same as to repudiate his learning.  A
specialist is one, precisely because he has some one specialty, and is
therefore less reliable in other branches of Science, and even in the
general appreciation of his own subject.  Official school Science is based
upon temporary foundations, so far...Truth belongs to all...excepting always
those few special branches of knowledge which should be preserved ever
secret, like those two-edged weapons that both kill and 
save..."    - HPB  Literary Jottings by "Unpopular Philosopher
               Lucifer, Sept. 1892 (posthumous)   HPB Art. II 389-391
 
 
"It is our duty, as it is that of physical Science...to throw light on facts
in Nature hitherto surrounded by the darkness of ignorance...But natural
Sciences are only one aspect of Science and Truth.  Psychological and moral
Science, or Theosophy, the knowledge of divine truth, wherever found, are
still more important in human affairs, and real Science should not be
limited simply to the physical aspect of life and nature.  Science is an
abstract of every fact, a comprehension of every truth within the scope of
human research and intelligence.."  --  HPB
  "What's in a Name ?"  Lucifer, Sept. 1887    HPB Art III 374-5
 
 
 
"If any authority pertains to the Secret Doctrine, it must be sought inside,
not outside.  It must rest on its comprehensiveness, its completeness, its
continuity and reasonableness;  in other words, on its philosophical
synthesis, a thing missed alike by the superficial and the contentious, by
the indolent, the superstitious, and the dogmatic."  -- WQJ    "The
Synthesis of Occult Science"   WQJ Art I 36
 
 
"Experience has at last prompted the adoption of a better working system,
one embodying the true spirit of equality and parliamentary justice more
than the one in vogue.  
 
As an autonomous American section had been in existence and successfully
working for two years, and a British section had just been formed in London,
the fair thing was evidently to extend the sectional scheme to all
countries, keeping the Head-quarters as the hub, and the President Founder
as the axle, of this wheel of many spokes under the car of Progress. [
Follows a synopsis of the new and revised Rules for this. ]  
 
...At the same time, these and all future sections are or will be
inseparably united with the central point where the President Founder
represents the executive authority of the entire undivided body known as the
Theosophical Society."  [ From the "General Report of the 13th Convention
and Report of the T.S. at the H.Q., Adyar, Madras, December 27th - 29th
1888. ]     Lucifer,  Vol III,  pp. 495-6
               
 
"There is no longer a 'Parent Society;'  it is abolished and replaced by an
aggregate body of Theosophical Societies, all autonomous...such is the real
state of things." -  HPB  ] Lucifer, Vol. 4, p. 508 ]    
    Thy. Mag. Vol 6, p. 477
 
 
"The period which we have now reached in this cycle that will close between
1897-98 is, and will continue to be, one of great conflict and continued
strain...No opportunity will be lost of sowing dissension, of taking
advantage of mistaken and false moves, of instilling doubt, of augmenting
difficulties, of breathing suspicions, so that by any and every means the
unity of the Society may be broken and the ranks of our Fellows thinned and
thrown into disarray.  Never has it been more necessary for the members of
the T.S. to lay to heart the old parable of the bundle of sticks than it is
at the present time:  divided, they will inevitably be broken, one by one; 
united, there is no force on earth able to destroy our Brotherhood
...Self-watchfulness is never more necessary than when a personal wish to
lead, and wounded vanity, dress themselves in the peacock's feathers of
devotion and altruistic work;  but at the present crisis of the Society a
lack of self-control and watchfulness may become fatal in every case...If
every fellow in the Society were content to be an impersonal force for good,
careless of praise or blame so long as he subserved the purposes of the
Brotherhood, the progress made would astonish the World and place the Ark of
the T.S. out of danger.  Take for your motto in conduct..."Peace with all
who love Truth in sincerity."     -- HPB  
               Five Messages, (1891) p. 29
 
 
 
In 1885 when HPB was exiled from Adyar, the Master wrote:
 
"The Society has liberated itself from our grasp and influence, and we have
let it go...It is now a soulless corpse, a machine run so far well enough,
but which will fall to pieces when...Out of the three objects, the second
alone is attended to;  it is no longer a Brotherhood, nor a body over the
face of which broods the Spirit beyond the Great Range."      
    Theosophist, October 1907 --  Theosophy Mag. Vol. 6, p. 477
 
 
"Let us then press forward together in the great work of the real
Theosophical Movement, which is aided by working organizations, but is above
them all...We will then each and all be members of that Universal Lodge of
Free and Independent Theosophists which embrace every friend of the human
race."  -- WQJ
               Letter to European Convention 1895 from the 
               Theosophical Society in America
--             Path Vol. 10, p. 136
 
 
[ The following quotations deserve their place here in view of the assertion
still made in the T S, Adyar that The American Theosophists and Mr.
W.Q.Judge "seceded" from the T.S.  --DTB ]
 
 
               AN 1893 LETTER FROM COL. OLCOTT
 
Mr. A.E.S. Smythe, President TS in Canada, wrote the Editors of Theosophy  [
reported on p. 11 of the March 15th issue of Canadian Theosophist, for 1923,
Vol. 4, # 1 ] quoting a letter addressed in 1893 by Col. Olcott, P.T.S. to
Mr. Judge in which he read the following :
 
"If you want separate Theosophical Societies made out of the 
Sections, have them by all means.  I offered this years ago       
to H.P.B. and even to A.P.S."
 
In the Canadian Theosophist, Vol. X, July 1929, pp 156-7  Mr. A.E.S.Smythe,
President wrote:
 
"The splitting of the Society was the act of Colonel Olcott who hated
Judge.  Judge had expected that the Colonel would recognize the autonomous
T.S. in America and affiliate it with Adyar, but Olcott changed his mind and
refused to do this, and Judge...was much disappointed with the Colonel's
refusal.  I was in the office at 144 Madison Avenue when Judge received a
letter from Olcott postmarked and stamped from Spain, and Judge remarked
'Now everything will be all right.'  But the letter was not what Judge
expected and his disappointment was very obvious.  This phase of the
situation has never been explained, and I have never been able to learn
whether Judge counted with warrant on Olcott's support, or whether it was
really a right-about-face on Olcott's part, for Judge certainly expected
Olcott to support him.  Judge had collected $ 17,000.00 in America and sent
it to Olcott when the Adyar treasurer embezzled that amount...Judge and
Besant were all right till H.P.B. died and we can honour and depend upon
them up till that point.  After May 8, 1891 we have had to depend upon
ourselves and should be charitable to our neighbours.  --  A. E. S. Smythe."

 
DTB