Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00668)

ARE WE DESERTED?

By William Q. Judge  


FOLLOWING on the departure of H.P.B. from the scene of action, some 
weak voices in the Society have asked, "Have the Adepts deserted 
us?" This question has also come from those who are not weak in 
character, but who certainly do not understand very clearly what the 
Adepts are or how They work. And in the use of the term "Adept" are 
included also "Mahatmas," "Brothers," "Masters."

That these beings exist we have no manner of doubt, since for those 
who have studied in the right way plenty of proof has been offered; 
for others the proofs exist within themselves. The former class has 
had tangible evidence in the way of letters and appearances of the 
Adepts before their eyes; the latter long ago concluded that the 
Masters are necessities of evolution. Those who received proof 
palpable were those whose karma and past work entitled them to it; 
the others, having in previous lives gone through the experience and 
the argument, now quickly decided that, inasmuch as there are grades 
of intelligence and wisdom and power below ourselves, so there must 
beyond us be still other grades, all leading up, ex necessitate rei, 
to the Adept or Master of whatever degree.

Now in the Society's ranks there have always been three mental 
positions held in respect to the question whether or not the Adepts -
 once admitted as existing - have anything in particular to do with 
the Theosophical Society. These are, first, that they have; second, 
that they have not; third, sometimes doubt about it, at others 
surety that they have, - in fact, wavering.

Those who think that the T.S. movement is merely a natural 
development of thought cannot be affected by the present discussion; 
the first and third classes are interested in the matter. To those 
it should at once occur that in the West the idea of the existence 
of the Adepts and of Their connection with our movement was first 
brought forward in this century and in our Society by H.P. 
Blavatsky, who, consistently throughout her career, has declared 
that the Adepts - whom she was pleased to call her Masters - 
directed her to engage in this work and have always helped and 
directed her throughout. That They should so direct her and then 
desert the Society she founded merely because her body came to its 
dissolution seems so illogical as to be unthinkable. Many persons 
have affirmed to the reception of messages in writing from the same 
Masters, in which They said that some of Their efforts were for the 
benefit of the T.S. Among these persons we may mention Mr. A.P. 
Sinnett, who has never abandoned that position, and who today 
possesses a great number of such letters. Why should the unseen 
founders withdraw Their help when the work of the Society has but 
just begun to have its due effect upon the age? There seems to be no 
reasonable reply.

Once that we admit the existence of the Adepts and that They have 
adopted the T.S. as one of Their agents in this century for 
disseminating the truth about man and nature, we are bound to 
suppose that ordinary common-sense rules would govern as to the 
continuance of help or its withdrawal. Now one of the most obvious 
conclusions is that the Society should not be deserted until it had 
accomplished its mission or had utterly failed. Sixteen years of 
steady work show an enormous effect produced upon the thought of 
America, Europe, and Asia; but that portion of the work has been in 
the line of fighting against odds and breaking down of opposition, 
with a beginning in this sixteenth year of an interest in the 
doctrines brought to the attention of the West by the efforts of our 
members. From that we must, as reasonable and foresighted beings, 
deduce the necessity for continuance of assistance. It is plain that 
our work of clear promulgation and wise building-up is still before 
us. Why then should the Adepts desert us? Still no reasonable reply 
can be found.

But considering what we know of the motives and methods held and 
pursued by the Adepts, we cannot for a moment suppose our real 
founders and constant helpers could yet leave us to fight alone. In 
letters and messages from Them we read that Their motive is to help 
the moral - and hence external - progress of humanity, and Their 
methods to work from behind the scenes by means of agents suited for 
the work. Those letters and messages also say that the agency is not 
restricted to one person, but that all sincere lovers of truth are 
used to that end, whether they know of it or not. The departure of 
H.P.B. does not remove the other sincere lovers of truth from the 
scene, nor does it prevent the Adepts from sending messages if 
needed. Such messages have been received before H.P.B.'s departure 
by persons in no way connected with her, and have since that sad 
event also come to encourage those who are entitled to such 
encouragement. The contents of these are not for the public, nor 
indeed for any one save those to whom they have come.

Yet even if no such messages had been received, there is ample 
evidence, for those who are not blind, of the help of the Masters. 
For, as They said long ago that the work would be helped, so it has 
been; no other reason can be given for the increase of the work in 
America, since their personal effort put forth by the members will 
not account for the spreading of the movement. And now let it stand 
as a prophecy made in the messages spoken of, that in the kingdom of 
Great Britain and in Europe there will in five years be seen a 
similar spreading of Theosophy. Let no one of us, then, be in any 
way cast down. As the Masters exist, so They help us; and as we 
deserve, so will they repay.

W.Q.J.

Path, August, 1891



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