Theos-Talk Archives (November 2006 Message tt00328)

Daniel, Carlos, Carl et al -

In Point Loma history I do know that Joseph Fussell was a 32nd 
degree Mason as was Iverson Harris Sr. and almost all of Katherine 
Tingleys cabinet members as well as many members in the Point Loma 
society at that time. In addition, for example, when Tingley 
initiated her school in Cuba and extended Theosophical work there it 
was through the support of Emilio Bacardi mayor of Santiago and who 
was influential in Masonry in Cuba.   Tingley clearly states his 
Masonic status implying it is his link to Theosophy. Fussell also 
wrote a number of articles on Masonry in the Point Loma issued 
magazine during the 1930's 'The Theosophical Forum'. I will check 
these for specifics when I have a chance. The above are all clearly 
documented. The 'oral history' from Point Loma that I understand is 
that William Q. Judge was a Mason and encouraged those around him to 
also join and that Tingley followed this idea. For example, I think 
also Cyrus Field Willard who worked closely with Judge was a Mason. 
I do not have any historical documents to verify the point about 
Judge or Willard, (perhaps this info would be in Willard's bio in 
the BCW ?) but will look at our archive and ask others for 
clarification. It is also very probable that Robert Crosbie could 
have been a Mason and this should also be checked. I also know that 
Jan Venema a prominent Dutch Point Loma Theosophist deeply involved 
in Masonry (he was the President of the Dutch section under Purucker 
and the later independent Point Loma group in the Hague which 
continues today) more recently (through the 1970's), indicated a 
current English Masonic group he belonged to that he considered to 
have a genuine esoteric-Theosophic source. 

Ken
Point Loma Publications - www.wisdomtraditions.com 

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "danielhcaldwell" 
<danielhcaldwell@...> wrote:
>
> One of my correspondents just wrote me the following observation 
with 
> a question.
> 
> I give most of the communication below:
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> . . . I would like to bring to your attention something 
> intriguing . . . which I am sure you are aware of.
> 
> The original ES Rule no. 18 declares:
> 
> "No member of this Section shall belong to any other body, 
> association, or organization for the purpose of mystic study or 
> occult training, except Masonry and the Odd Fellows, if they so 
> desire. But they must be as careful to guard the secrecy of this 
> Section from Masons as they are to preserve the secrets of Masonry 
> from Theosophists. The reason for this rule is so self-evident as 
to 
> need no explanation."
> 
> One wonders why HPB would have instituted such a Rule? . . . . 
> ---------------------------------------------------
> 
> Daniel
> http://hpb.cc
>