|
THE ESOTERIC PAPERS OF MADAME BLAVATSKY |
|
|
ON CHANGING THE NAME OF THE E.S.T.S [Lucifer, February, 1891, p. 451.] "... a member of the E.S. who receives instructions emanating from the Masters of the Occult Philosophy, and doubts at the same time the genuineness of the source, or the honesty of the humble transmitter of the old esoteric doctrines---lies to his own soul, and is untrue to his pledge. He cannot be honest and remain in the E.S., in such a case. But then, the Esoteric Section, its qualification 'of the T.S.' notwithstanding, does not represent the latter, and in future it will drop the additional words altogether. From the very beginning its second rule stated, that the 'Esoteric Section has no official or corporate connection with the Exoteric Society' (see Lucifer of October, 188[8]). Henceforth it will be called 'the Esoteric School of Theosophy', simply..." H.P. Blavatsky *** Letter of W.Q. Judge to H.P. Blavatsky New York, Feb. 20, 1891 Dear H. P. B.: ABOUT CHANGING THE NAME OF THE E. S. -- IMPORTANT. I telegraphed to wait three days for this proposed change and again that "new name is the same as the one of Butler." This means that the name "Esoteric School of Theosophy," is precisely the title adopted by the infamous Hiram Butler affair for their school in which they had and have pupils, and get and get money in it for the rot they give out. They are not out of existence, as Butler when hunted out of Boston went to California and there has more followers and carries on his trade in the same way. It seems to me that to adopt his name is the very worst possible fate that could come to the E.S. Besides I cannot see the necessity for any change of name. If it is from a desire to cut the E.S. off from the T.S. that will not accomplish the end, for the reason that you can never do so, as every one still will think it a part of the inside work of the T.S. as long as you are alive and stay in the Society. And why there should be any wish or desire to cut the E.S. off from the T.S., I cannot see, and as all members of the E.S. have first to be F.T.S. it cannot be done without a complete and unnecessary back down. For another reason also and that is, that you have distinctly shown over and over again that the object of the E.S. is to strengthen and support the T.S., and as a fact it has already done so and has been of the very greatest benefit to the Society. Why then should any unnecessary distrust be created by altering the name? Furthermore, not only has Butler used the new name, which I see has been already set up in the Press in London, but others of less fame and infamy have also, and there are several who pretend to give the same under the same name. It would be the very wildest break for us to do this after living so long with a name that is in fact protected by its intimacy with the name of the T.S. May I not, from my knowledge of the whole society here, ask you to not make this change. I would like also to call attention to the mass of stuff in the way of pretty but useless decorations put on the matter which has just been gotten out on the press. It is a jumble of everything, from gods acting as mortals to assortments of snakes out of place, and used with other symbols with which they never had any unity or correspondence. Is it not, and has it not always been a grievous thing to mix the symbols? And are they not all mixed up on this new title page? There is the two pillared hall, and then a style of pillar that has nothing to do with that hall; and then snakes who never appeared in that hall by any chance for they belonged to another degree; then there is the winged globe which truly belongs to the two pillared hall but not in the form taken in your seal which is for another purpose, and represents a different thing; then there is the hindu symbol with the sanskrit letters in the centre -- this certainly has nothing to do with the two pillared hall; then, and least of all, there is on the top a whole line of snakes with balls on head across the top, and they were never used in a mere apprentice degree: other sorts of snakes and other objects have place there. In fact it is all mixed up, and, while very well drawn, has no place whatever in the E.S. at this time, judging from what I have learned. I make bold to give these views because I am sure you in person did not make these up for use, but that someone else has made them who has not a real acquaintance with the use and meaning of the symbols. Finally, if the name is changed -- there is quite likely to be aroused a feeling of distrust among those who as yet do not know reasons and are not able to guess them, and if it be said to them that the reason is so as to cut it off from the T.S. then it is very natural to ask: why was this not done in the beginning and provided for?? Referring again to the pictures. Look at the initial word and say if anyone ever heard of a god representing reincarnation dressed as one and, being osirified, has the right to the crown of both upper and lower Egypt? It does not represent silence at all -- it attempts to show reincarnation but fails of its object. My practical opinion is that for the present section of the E.S. the less there is of these ornaments and symbols the better and the more unmixed the effect on the members. As Ever [First published in Practical Occultism by W.Q. Judge.] *** THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN TRUTH March 2, 1891 Dear Mr. Judge, The name has been changed to "Eastern School of Theosophy, Esoteric Section of the T.S." So the Hiram Butler difficulty will be evaded. With cordial greetings, Annie Besant
Annie Besant *** H.P. BLAVATSKY ON THE ESOTERIC SECTION "... UNSELFISHNESS AND ALTRUISM is Annie Besant's name, but with me and for me she is Heliodore, a name given to her by a Master, and that I use with her, it has a deep meaning. It is only a few months she studies occultism with me in the innermost of the E.S., and yet she has passed far beyond all others. She is not psychic nor spiritual in the least---all intellect, and yet she hears Master's voice when alone, sees His Light, and recognises his voice from that of D-------. Judge, she is a most wonderful woman, my right hand, my successor, when I will be forced to leave you, my sole hope in England, as you are my sole hope in America...." H.P. Blavatsky ***
ESOTERIC SECTION E.S. ORDER I hereby appoint in the name of the Master, Annie Besant Chief Secretary of the Inner Group of the Esoteric Section and Recorder of the Teachings. To Annie Besant, C.S. of the I.G. of the E.S. and R. of the 1. April 1, 1891. Read & Recorded April 11, 1891 *** Strictly Private and Confidential
[NOT THE PROPERTY OF ANY MEMBER, AND TO BE RETURNED ON DEMAND TO THE HEAD OF THE SECTION.] E.S.T.S. FORM OF ADMISSION ______________________________________ Lodge OF THE E.S. At the hour fixed, the members being assembled, the President taking the chair, gives one knock. Pres. -- All take their seats. President gives a second knock. Pres. -- I declare the _________________ Lodge of members of the Esoteric Section to be duly formed, and I call upon Brother .... to read the Minutes of the last Assembly. Sec. reads Minutes. Pres.-- Do you all agree that the Minutes are correctly entered? [Any necessary corrections can then be made.] I sign the Minute Book in confirmation of their accuracy. Sec. will read any Communications from: (a) Head of the Section. (b) Councillors. (c) Members. Will bring forward any other business. Resolutions may be passed upon any of these subjects. If no new members are to be admitted -- Pres. -- Rise, brethren. All the members repeat AUM. * The studies of the day are then proceeded with. ------------- ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. Pres. -- Before we proceed to the studies of the day it will be our duty to admit (one or) several candidates, for membership of the Esoteric Section, who are in attendance [in an adjoining room]. I now request the Secretary to inform them of our readiness to admit any candidate who has been duly approved. Sec. leaves the room and introduces them, leading the candidates up to the open space in front of the members and beside the table of the President. Candidates remain standing. Pres. -- ..... and ......., it is at once my duty and my pleasure to receive you this day into the membership of the .... Lodge of the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society. The members present join me in congratulating you on your acceptance by the Honoured Head of the Section, who is the Representative of our Masters in far-off lands. You, having been members of the Exoteric Theosophical Society for six months or more, and having undertaken to pursue with zeal all three of the avowed objects of our Brotherhood, cannot be insensible of the onerous but honourable duties which you must perform. The Esoteric Section has been founded for the protection and salvation of the whole Society, and your solemn admission to brotherhood must remind you to be ever careful to preserve your obligations, and to train every nerve to increase the spread of our doctrines, to promote the universal fellowship of mankind, and to solve the great problems of the mysteries which encompass us in life, and lie before us in that future, beyond the change that men call death, but which we call only another step of the ladder which may lead us to an ultimate union with our Higher Self. Hear what our MASTER says: "Behold the truth before you: a clean life, an open mind, a pure heart, an eager intellect, an unveiled spiritual perception, a brotherliness for one's co-disciple, a readiness to give and receive advice and instruction, a loyal sense of duty to the Teacher, a willing obedience to the behests of Truth, once we have placed our confidence in, and believe that Teacher to be in possession of it; a courageous endurance of personal injustice, a brave declaration of principles, a valiant defence of those who are unjustly attacked, and a constant eye to the ideal of human progression and perfection which the secret science (Gupta Vidya) depicts -- these are the golden stairs up the steps of which the learner may climb to the Temple of Divine Wisdom." *** E.S.T.S. -- FORM OF ADMISSION AND ORDER OF BUSINESS The members will all rise and stand in reverend silence while you recite the Pledges you have already approved. Candidate reads. Sec. takes Pledge from him. The Lodge recites AUM.* Pres. -- I call you all to witness that ..... and .....have now solemnly dedicated themselves to the Theosophic Life, and may they be spared the terrible penalties which befall those who break this solemn undertaking. Let me here remind you of the words of the Book of Discipline, as pointed out by the MASTER: "A CO-DISCIPLE OR ASSOCIATE CANNOT BACKSLIDE OR FALL OUT OF THE LINE WITHOUT AFFECTING THOSE WHO STAND FIRM THROUGH THE SYMPATHETIC TIE BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THE PSYCHICAL CURRENTS BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR TEACHER. "WOE TO THE DESERTER, WOE ALSO TO ALL WHO HELP TO BRING HIS SOUL TO THE POINT WHERE DESERTION FIRST PRESENTS ITSELF BEFORE HIS MIND'S EYE, AS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS, GOLD IN THE CRUCIBLE IS HE WHO STANDS THE MELTING HEAT OF TRIAL, AND LETS ONLY THE DROSS BE BURNT OUT OF HIS HEART; ACCURSED BY KARMIC ACTION WILL FIND HIMSELF HE WHO THROWS DROSS INTO THE MELTING-POT OF DISCIPLESHIP FOR THE DEBASEMENT OF HIS FELLOW-PUPIL. AS THE MEMBERS TO THE BODY, SO ARE THE DISCIPLES TO EACH OTHER, AND TO THE HEAD AND HEART WHICH TEACH AND NOURISH THEM WITH THE LIFE- STREAM OF TRUTH." Fear not brethren, nor be discouraged at the difficulties which will meet you; -- trials you must pass through, or you will not be purified; dangers must beset you, or your courage will not be proven; patience, endurance, and toil will reward you with an enlightened understanding, an elevated spiritual sense, a knowledge of yourself. Falter not, then, though the way be long, and the heart be weary; for the greater the trials you undergo, the higher shall be your reward; the stronger your efforts for the good of humanity, the clearer shall become the view of Alaya, that Universal Soul from whom all goodness emanates. Be seated, brethren, -- and to you newly received members I now give the Passwords of the Lodge, which are ........* to be given alternately and received, when you enter the Lodge, or when you seek to prove a fellow-student. The sign of is a fitting emblem of a healthy mind full of the highest aspirations, residing in a temporary bodily abode -- which stands in hourly need of your utmost care to avoid pollution -- by want of thought, or want of heart. Beware of a first failure. _______________ Notes: * The accompanying Ceremony, the Signs and Passwords can only be communicated orally.
G.R.S. Mead *** REPRINT OF INSTRUCTIONS I, II AND III.
Strictly Private and Confidential. NOT THE PROPERTY OF ANY MEMBER, AND TO BE RETURNED ON DEMAND TO THE AGENT OF THE HEAD OF THE H.S. E.S. E.S. REPRINT OF INSTRUCTIONS I, II AND III. NOTICE. MEMBERS of the E. S. are herewith notified that the new, privately printed copies of Instructions I, II, and III, are ready. The "Preliminary Explanations to No. III of the Instructions" have been incorporated as an introduction to No. III. The whole now forms a compact volume of 120 pages, of the same size as this notice, with the Plates, Diagrams, and Tables bound in. Every effort has been made to render this new edition as accurate as possible. The many clerical and printer's errors of the type-written copies, and of those which were, for purposes of secresy, printed from them in sections by various offices, have been rectified; whenever greater clearness could be gained, words and sentences have been rearranged or changed, and several important errors which had arisen owing to the many copyings and typewritings, through which the papers had to pass, have been corrected. Some passages that were, at the time of the issuing of the original matter, of the first importance as dealing with personal matters of the greatest interest in the E. S. and T. S., have now been omitted. The Diagrams have been redrawn, Plates reprinted, and fresh ones added. Some important notes have also been appended, and also a list of references to Isis Unveiled, and the Secret Doctrine. Members are, therefore, requested to carefully follow out all the directions that follow, with the greatest possible despatch. I. All the duplicated, type-written, and printed Instructions, papers, and notices of the E.S. of every description, are to be returned directly to the Secretaries, with the exception of: (1) Certificate of Entrance, (2) Pledge Card, (3) Book of Rules, and (4) Notices, etc., printed on the "H. P. B." Press. II. Members belonging to E. S. Lodges and Groups are not to send them through their Presidents, but direct, so that the risk of double postage may be avoided. III. Members are to address their papers: (a) If in Europe or the Colonies, to G. R. S. MEAD, Theosophical Headquarters, Avenue Road, Regent's Park, London, N.W. (b) If in India or Ceylon, to BERTRAM KEIGHTLEY, Theosophical Headquarters, Adyar, Madras. IV. All papers must be registered, to ensure their safety; and the name, number, and address of the sender, together with a list of papers returned, should be filled in on the accompanying form and enclosed with the papers. V. The mailing of the papers is also to be notified by post-card, so that any miscarriage of the post may be at once remedied by means of the registration certificate. N. B. -- No member will receive the new Instructions until his old papers are returned. *** JNANMARGA, THE PATH OF KNOWLEDGE NOTICE. It is proposed to issue a series of papers in the form of a periodical, to be called Jnanmarga, which will supplement the Instructions, and instruct the E.S., particularly in the fundamentals of Eastern Occultism. These pamphlets will contain sixteen pages, of the same size as this notice, and will be issued with as much regularity as circumstances permit. Their issuance, however, will depend entirely upon the cooperation of the members of the E.S., and especially upon those belonging to the Indian Section. (a) It is proposed to devote the first twelve pages to translations and summaries, particularly from the Shastras and other books of Eastern Occultism, and, to a lesser degree, from the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew classics of Occult Science. (b) The remaining four pages will be taken up by questions and answers in elucidation of Instructions I, II and III. (a) Members, therefore, who are acquainted with any of the necessary languages, or with reliable versions from them, are requested to forward careful translations or summaries of striking passages, especially those that treat of Occult Physiology, and Science, Yoga training and meditation, and means for the control and purification of the mind. The passages selected should, for the most part, deal with Spiritual development on the lines laid down in the Voice of the Silence. Selections that are approved will be annotated by the Head of the E.S., and students will be directed on the right path in their studies. Translations and papers which are judged not suitable for the E.S. will be annotated, and published in Lucifer, and a copy sent to the contributors. (b) Questions should be brief and to the point. No promise, however, is made to answer every question. Those that trespass on forbidden ground cannot be answered in the Probationary Degree of the E.S. N. B. -- All contributions should be written plainly, and on one side of the paper only; and all words quoted from the original languages should be very carefully written, and their equivalents given. All communications should be directed to G.R.S. MEAD, who will arrange and prepare MSS. for the Head of the E.S. It is suggested that intellectual aid alone will not be sufficient to place this new departure on a practical basis. One thousand copies of the Instructions have been printed, and No. IV is now going through the press. The new Instruction, however, will not be sent to all members of the E.S., but only to those who are judged sufficiently advanced to require it. But the JNANMARGA is designed for all, without exception, so that the sooner it can be started the better it will be for the whole E.S. This cannot, of course, be, before No. IV is off the press, by which time, also, it will be possible to get MSS. from India. But at the same time, the question of outlay has to be considered, and the expenses already incurred will have to be first discharged. ---------- E.S. Council. It has been found necessary to add to the number of Councillors, owing to the great increase of business to be disposed of. The Council is now composed of the following members: Constance Wachtmeister, Annie Besant, W. Wynn Westcott, William Kingsland, Edward T. Sturdy, Walter R. Old, Laura M. Cooper, Archibald Keightley, Isabel Cooper-Oakley, Emily Kislinghbury, George R. S. Mead, Alice L. Cleather, Herbert A.W. Coryn, and Claude F. Wright. ---------- Signs and Passwords There is a Form of Admission and Order of Business for the use of E.S. Lodges and Groups, which will be communicated whenever circumstances permit. A ceremony has been devised similar to the form of initiation in the original T.S. The ceremony, signs and passwords can only be communicated orally; but the first opportunity will be taken of so doing. *** Gupta Vidya Lodge The Central Lodge E. S., under the immediate direction of the Head of the Section, meets on the first and third Sundays of every month, at 3:45 P.M., in the Lecture Hall at the London Headquarters. Every member of the E.S. is expected to attend this Lodge, if he happens to be in London at the time of its meetings, and to take the oral pledge if he has not previously done so. Members who are not attached to any Lodge or Group are particularly requested to avail themselves of the first opportunity of fulfilling this obligation. Formal reception into the Section takes place at the first monthly meeting only; but non-resident members may be received by the Council at the second meeting if they attend at 3:15 P.M. This exception is made for the sake of members who come from abroad or long distances; it is, however, most desirable that such members should endeavour to attend for the first time on the first Sunday in the month. Country members should previously notify the Secretary E. S. of their intending presence in London. ---------- E.S. Lodges and Groups in India. As soon as there are sufficient members in any place, they will be formed into Lodges and Groups for mutual support and study. Resignations. H.L. Chowne (Mrs.), London. Suspensions. Rose S. Wright Bryan (Mrs.), New York, N.Y., U.S. Certificate Cancelled. Vittoria Cremers (Mrs.), London. Expulsions. M. Cook (Mrs.) (Mabel Collins), London. ---------- Georges Caminade (d'Anger), Paris, has resigned from the E.S., stating that he has burnt his papers. He has since openly joined Papus (Geraud [Gerard] Encausse), the editor of L'Initiation and La Voile d'Isis, who has been publicly expelled from the T.S. for foul slander and persistent injury to the Society and its members in France. For the Council E.S. G.R.S. MEAD, Approved:
*** STRICTLY PRIVATE AND ONLY FOR E.S. MEMBERS E. S. T. S. Members Will Please Take Notice and Act Accordingly. E.S. Instructions No. III and Preliminary Memorandum to No. III are to be immediately returned to the undersigned. Take care in each case to mark package on outside with sender's name. Register the package and notify me by post card. When all above have been received from all, the revised No. III Instructions will be forwarded as printed. N.B. -- Do not confound Preliminary Memorandum with Preliminary to No. III, nor confuse any other papers with those alone called for. WILLIAM Q. JUDGE, CERTIFICATES CANCELLED. Vittoria Cremers (Mrs.), London. EXPELLED. M. Cook (Mrs.) (Mabel Collins), London. RESIGNATIONS H. L. Chowne (Mrs.), London. DIED. Annie N. Savery (Mrs.), New York. E.S. COUNCIL. It has been found necessary to add to the number of Councillors, owing to the great increase of business to be disposed of. The British Council is now composed of the following members:. Constance Wachtmeister, Annie Besant. W. Wynn Westcott, William Kingsland, Edward T. Sturdy, Walter R. Old, Laura M. Cooper, Archibald Keightley, Isabel Cooper-Oakley, Emily Kislingbury, George R.S. Mead, Alice L. Cleather, Herbert A.W. Coryn, and Claude F. Wright. In the U.S.: William Q. Judge, Dr. J.H. Salisbury. Mrs. J. Campbell Ver Planck, Dr. J. D. Buck, Arthur B. Griggs, Wm. S. Wing, and Allen Griffiths. SIGNS AND PASSWORDS. There is a Form of Admission and Order of Business for the use of E.S. Lodges and Groups, which will be communicated whenever circumstances permit. A ceremony has been devised similar to the form of initiation in the original T.S. The ceremony, signs, and passwords can only be communicated orally; but the first opportunity will be taken of so doing. William Q. Judge has received these and will gradually communicate them in the U. S. For the Council E.S. Approved: G.R.S. MEAD, WILLIAM Q. JUDGE, *** STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. NOTICE. All members of the E.S. who have entered prior to March, 1891, or who have not already sent a photograph, will please send the undersigned, if possible, their photographs for the Head of the Section. In the cases of those who have already sent photographs, the one called for by this is to be marked "duplicate" on the back. The Head of the Section requires them for examination, as inadvertently those already sent were washed and spoiled for all occult purposes through an error on the part of an assistant. WILLIAM Q. JUDGE.,
H.P.B. at 19, Avenue Road STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. E. S. T. S. AMERICAN DIVISION. NEW YORK (P.O. BOX 2659), May 9, 1891. TO THE MEMBERS OF THE SECTION. Group Presidents will send a copy hereof to all their members at once. Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has received information that H.P.B., the outer Head of the Section, has departed this life; that the undersigned is going to London to confer upon the matter, and that until such conference is had all matters in the Section remain as they now are.
Upon my return, circulars will be sent to the Section as to its future conduct, and all members are requested to wait until then for that information, meanwhile continuing their work. WILLIAM Q. JUDGE, *** We, the undersigned Fellows of the Theosophical Society (and members of the Inner Group of the E.S.), at the stake of our personal honour and reputation, hereby declare: That we have fully investigated all the accusations and attacks which have been made against the personal character and bona fides of H.P. Blavatsky, and have found them in the vast majority of cases to be entirely false, and in the few remaining instances the grossest possible distortions of the simple facts. Knowing moreover, that accusations of plagiarism, want of method and inaccuracy, are now being made and will in the future be brought against her literary work, we make the following statement for the benefit of all Fellows of the Theosophical Society and for the information of others: H.P. Blavatsky's writings, owing to her imperfect knowledge of English and literary methods, have been invariably revised, recopied or arranged in MS., and the proofs corrected, by the nearest "friends" available for the time being (a few of whom have occasionally supplied her with references, quotations, and advice). Many mistakes, omissions, inaccuracies, &c., have consequently crept into them. These works, however, have been put forward purely with the intention of bringing certain ideas to the notice of the Western world, and with no pretension on her part to scholarship or literary finish. In order to support these views, innumerable quotations and references had to be made (in many cases without the possibility of verification by her), and for these she has never claimed any originality or profound research whatever. After long and intimate acquaintance with H. P. Blavatsky, we have invariably found her labouring for the benefit and instruction of the Theosophical Society and others, and not for herself, and that she is the first to make little of what others may consider her "learning". From further instruction however, which we have received, we know for a fact that H. P. Blavatsky is the possessor of far deeper "knowledge" than even that which she has been able to give out in her public writings. From all of which considerations, it logically follows that no accusations can possibly shake our confidence in H. P. Blavatsky's personal character and bona fides as a teacher. We do not therefore intend in future to waste our time in useless refutations, or allow ourselves to be distracted from our work by any attacks, further than to repeat our present statement. We, however, reserve to ourselves the right of appeal to the law, when necessary. G. R. S. MEAD, [Lucifer, May 1891, p. 247.] *** STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
E. S. T. 19. AVENUE ROAD, N.W. LONDON, May 27, 1891. To All Members of the E.S.T. Who Receive This: We beg to send you herewith the minute passed this day by the full Council of the E.S.T., together with our address to you, our fellow students. We desire first to inform you that in the month of February, 1891, in order to separate the Esoteric Section from the outer Society, and thus to prevent possible confusion, H.P.B. altered the name from "Esoteric Section T.S." to "Eastern School of Theosophy," which is now its name and title to the world; but it is still a part of the Theosophical movement. In accordance with the decision arrived at, we ask your attention to the pledge form found on the next page, requesting a return of it to us with your signature or decision thereupon. Members in the United States will send reply to William Q. Judge, P. O. Box 2659, New York; and those in Europe, Asia and Australia to Annie Besant, at above address. Fraternally yours, ANNIE BESANT, *** PLEDGE OF PROBATIONERS IN THE EASTERN SCHOOL OF THEOSOPHY 1. I pledge myself to endeavour to make Theosophy a living power in my life. 2. I pledge myself to support before the world the Theosophical movement, and in particular to answer and obey, without cavil or delay, all orders given me through the outer Heads of this School, in all that concerns my Theosophical duties and Esoteric work, so far as I can do so without violating my positive obligations under the moral law and the laws of the land; and I expressly agree that I may be expelled from the School and that the fact of such expulsion may be made known to its members, should I violate this pledge of obedience and secrecy. 3. I pledge myself never to listen, without protest, to any evil thing spoken falsely, or yet unproven, of a brother Theosophist, and to abstain from condemning others. 4. I pledge myself to maintain a constant struggle against my lower nature, and to be charitable to the weaknesses of others. 5. I pledge myself to do all in my power, by study and otherwise, to fit myself to help and teach others. 6. I pledge myself to give what support I can to the Theosophical movement, in time, money and work. 7. I pledge myself to preserve inviolable secrecy as regards the signs and passwords of the School and all confidential documents; and to return the latter to one of the outer Heads of the School, or their agents, in case of my resignation, or when requested by them to do so. To all of which I pledge my most solemn and sacred word of honour. So help me, my Higher Self. I hereby reaffirm my Pledge in the above form, and I re-declare my allegiance to the Esoteric Section of the T.S., re-named the Eastern School of Theosophy by H.P.B. Dated at ____________________ the _____ day of ________________, 1891. Name in full _____________________________________ Please return this signed, or with your contrary decision. -- A.B., W.Q.J. *** STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
Eastern School of Theosophy. To ALL MEMBERS OF THE E. S. T. A full meeting of the Council, as appointed by H. P. B., was held at the Headquarters of the Theosophical Society in Europe, 19, Avenue Road, London, England, on May 27, 1891. The American Councillors were represented by Bro. William Q. Judge, with full power, and Bro. Judge attended as the representative of H.P.B. under a general power given as below: [copy.] Know, Dare, Will, Silence.
ESOTERIC T. S. SECTION. As Head of the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society, I
hereby declare that William Q. Judge, of New York, U. S., in virtue of
his character as a chela of thirteen years' standing, and
of the trust and confidence reposed in him is my only representative
for said Section in America, and he is the sole channel through
whom will be sent and received all communications between the
members of said Section and myself, and to him full faith, confidence
and credit in that regard are to be given.
[SEAL.] H. P. BLAVATSKY,
The Council passed the following minute: In virtue of our appointment by H.P.B., we declare: That in full accord with the known wishes of H.P.B., the visible Head of the School, we primarily resolve and declare that the work of the School ought and shall be continued and carried on along the lines laid down by her, and with the matter left in writing or dictated by her before her departure. That it was recorded that there was ample proof by witnesses, members of this School, that her last words In reference to the School and its work were: "KEEP THE LINK UNBROKEN! DO NOT LET MY LAST INCARNATION BE A FAILURE." That her words to Bro. Judge in a recent letter were read stating that this Section (now School) is the "throbbing heart of the Theosophical Society." That it was resolved and recorded that the highest officials in the School for the present are Annie Besant and William Q. Judge, in accordance with the above-quoted order to William Q. Judge of December, 1888, and with the order of April 1, 1891, to Annie Besant, as well as with the written declaration of H.P.B. in a letter to William Q. Judge dated March 27, 1891, which we now here have read, in which she wrote that Annie Besant should be so considered. The order of April 1, 1891, is as follows: [COPY.) E.S. -- ORDER. I hereby appoint, in the name of the MASTER, Annie Besant Chief Secretary of the Inner Group of the Esoteric Section and Recorder of the Teachings. H. P. B.
To Annie Besant, C.S. of the I.G. of the E.S. and R. of T. April 1, 1891 That it was resolved and recorded that the outer probationary degree should continue its existence and work with the material in hand, and that the 2nd and 7th clauses of the Pledge be altered as follows: 2. I pledge myself to support before the world the Theosophical movement, and in particular to answer and obey, without cavil or delay, all orders given me through the outer Heads of this School in all that concerns my Theosophical duties and Esoteric work, so far as I can do so without violating my positive obligations under the moral law and the laws of the land; and I expressly agree that I may be expelled from the School and that the fact of such expulsion may be made known to its members, should I violate this pledge of obedience and secrecy. 7. I pledge myself to preserve inviolable secrecy as regards the signs and passwords of the School and all confidential documents; and to return the latter to one of the outer Heads of the School, or their agents, in case of my resignation, or when requested by them to do so. That it was resolved that the said Annie Besant and William Q. Judge send notice to all members of the School, asking from them a declaration of allegiance to the School, and that they will reaffirm it in the new form above given. That until replies to the said notice are received no more of the Instructions, as revised before the departure of H.P.B., nor any of Instructions No, IV, ought to be sent out or delivered. That the names of all members who shall reply in the negative to said notice, and of all who shall fail to reply, shall be stricken off the list and a return of all their papers and documents of the School be required to be made to the said Annie Besant and William Q. Judge. That when all members shall have replied to said notice, those whose answers shall be in the affirmative shall receive Nos. I, II and III of the Instructions, as corrected and reprinted, if not already forwarded. That respecting No. IV of the Instructions, the same shall be sent under the rule laid down by H.P.B. before her departure, to-wit, to those whose answers to the Examination Paper No. I indicate a fitness to profit by them; and that in future, as discretion shall show, a new edition of said Examination Paper shall be sent out to those whose replies were not up to the standard at first, as well as to later members who may never have received the said paper, and whenever upon any new edition of said Examination Paper -- or any other sending out thereof -- the standard shall be reached by any member in his or her answers to the questions put, then in every such case the member shall be admitted to the Second Degree, and Instruction No. IV shall be sent as promised by H.P.B. before her departure. That applicants for admission to the School must show a knowledge of exoteric instructions so far given out, by answers to questions to be sent them. That the questions to candidates be sent out signed by Annie Besant and William Q. Judge. That the preliminary pledge be altered so as to include these questions among the documents not to be shown to anyone, and that the "Questions to Candidates" are to be returned with the answers thereto. That having read the address drawn up by Annie Besant and William Q. Judge, we put on record our full accord with it. That this Council records its decision that its appointment was solely for the purpose of assisting H.P.B. in a consultative way, and that as she had full power and authority to relieve us from duty at any time, our office and that of each of us ends with the above resolution passed in order as far as possible in our power to place the future conduct of the School on the basis directed and intended by her; therefore we collectively and individually declare that our Office as Councillors ceases at this date, and that from henceforth with Annie Besant and William Q. Judge rest the full charge and management of this School. (Signed.) ANNIE BESANT, Councillor E. S. T. WILLIAM Q. JUDGE, for the entire American Council E.S.T., and individually. *** STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL
EASTERN SCHOOL OF THEOSOPHY. Address: ANNIE BESANT, American Address: All Communications relative to this School must be marked "Private," and must contain no other business. LONDON, May 27, 1891. BROTHERS AND SISTERS: The departure of our Teacher, H.P.B., renders necessary certain changes in the Constitution of this School, and a notice of these accompanies the present address. But in addition to these changes, made by the joint Councils of the E.S.T., it is our duty, as the two selected by H.P.B. as her agents and representatives after her departure, to specially speak to each one of you respecting the duty laid on the School by her retirement from the visible control of its affairs. The future of this body depends on the way in which this test of steadfastness and loyalty is endured by the members collectively and individually. If they fall, the School will perish and the life-work of H.P.B's last incarnation will be a failure: if they stand, the Blessing of the Masters will rest on the School, will secure its stability, and will prosper the efforts of the members for the good of the exoteric Society. More than ever does it now become our duty to devote ourselves to the body at large. The knowledge we have acquired, and shall continue to acquire, we hold in trust for the service of the Society; it will ill become her pupils if they desert the great Cause to which her life was given, and invite the terrible Karma that must fall on those who break the solemn pledge that each of us has made. The School is the heart of the Society: if the heart ceases to throb, the Society must die, as a living power, and slowly decay while passing into a mere sect. We call you then to a fuller and more earnest carrying out of your pledge than you have ever yet attempted; the greatness of the need should be the measure of your efforts, and the success of those efforts will most certainly depend on the zeal and the sincerity with which they are animated. It is not that the Masters will not help the School if we are supine; it is that they cannot, for they are bound by law, not by law of man's creation but by the immutable Law of nature which always works through agents appropriate to the end in view. Consider the position of the School: we are no longer a band of students taught by a visible Teacher; we are a band of students mutually interdependent, forced to rely on each other for our usefulness and our progress, until our very brotherliness in mutual help shall draw a visible Teacher back among us. H.P.B. remains one of our Heads though H. P. Blavatsky is "dead," and the Heads of the School have not withdrawn Their guidance in withdrawing the presence chosen to represent Them for a time and on which we have rejoiced to lean. Especially important is it that at the present juncture we should bear in mind the words of H.P.B. written at the conclusion of the Key to Theosophy. In laying stress on the knowledge and wisdom that will be required by those on whom it falls to carry on the work of the Society after her departure, she explains that these qualities only can save the Theosophical Society from ending in failure. All previous attempts have thus failed [in accomplishing their mission in full] because they have degenerated into sects, and we have her word for it that unless we be freed from bias, "or at least taught to recognise it instantly and so avoid being led away by it, the result can only be that the Society will drift off to some sandbank of thought or another, and there remain a stranded carcase to moulder and decay." If, however we can avert this danger, "Then the Society will live on into and through the twentieth century. It will gradually leaven and permeate the great mass of thinking and intelligent people with its large-minded and noble ideas of Religion, Duty and Philanthropy. Slowly but surely it will burst asunder the iron fetters of creeds and dogmas, of social and caste prejudices; it will break down racial and national antipathies and barriers, and will open the way to the practical realization of the brotherhood of all men. Through its teaching, through the philosophy which it has rendered accessible and intelligible to the mind, the West will learn to understand and appreciate the East at its true value. Further, the development of the psychic powers and faculties, the premonitory symptoms of which are already visible in America, will proceed healthily and normally. Mankind will be saved from the terrible dangers, both mental and bodily, which are inevitable when that unfolding takes place, as it threatens to do, in a hotbed of selfishness and all evil passions. Man's mental and psychic growth will proceed in harmony with his moral improvement, while his material surroundings will reflect the peace and fraternal good will which will remain in his mind, instead of the discord and strife which are everywhere apparent around us to-day." There, then, is our next pressing work, our most mighty responsibility. For if we of this School, Brothers and Sisters, cannot accomplish this task, the Theosophical Society is doomed. Not in vain will come to you these tones of her living voice, speaking across "the change that men call death," for we know that she lives and is watching with grave, strong interest how they acquit themselves whose pledge can in no wise be altered by her departure into the invisible. That pledge was not given to the personality, it was given to Masters' Lodge and given also to the Higher Self invoked to witness it. It can therefore never be recalled, however much it may be denied. We who write to you claim over you no authority save such as she delegated to us. We are your fellow students, chosen by her -- the Messenger of the Masters of Wisdom -- as Their channels to the measure of our ability, during this period of darkness. Read what the Master wrote not long ago to her beloved Teacher in regard to a question raised about "orders": "Were there such an order ever given (which luckily for all concerned it never will be) and the pledged person refused to obey it though knowing that since it was given there must be something serious involved in it; then you know what the effects would be. A direct order is a rare thing indeed and a most serious one. You have no right to let any of them remain in ignorance. Everyone has a right to act according to his conscience; but it is the nature of such act of conscience that decides whether it will be right or wrong. Suppose a pledge-order came to do something base or criminal. Then no pledge could avail. The 'order' would be something going entirely against a universally recognized law, a principle." None in the School is likely to feel as strongly as we feel ourselves our inadequacy for the task laid upon us: but we cannot break our pledge of obedience, nor shirk responsible duty on the coward's plea of incompetency. We believe in H.P.B. and in the Masters, and it is enough for us that they say, "Go and carry on our work along the lines on which you have been instructed." In this, as in many lives past and in all lives to come, we are vowed to the service of the Secret Wisdom and of that humanity of which we all are a part and for the lifting up of which alone the Masters work. Let us again quote to you the words of the Masters sent to H.P.B.: "Let not the Fruit of your Karma be your motive; for your Karma, good or bad, being one and the common property of all mankind, nothing good or bad can happen to you that is not shared by many others. Hence your motive, being selfish, can only generate a double effect, good and bad, and will either nullify your good action, or turn it to another man's profit.... There is no happiness for one who is ever thinking of self and forgetting other selves." We ask you, each one of you, to make the general burden lighter by carrying so much as strength will bear. Then will the Theosophical Society be saved and the Masters' work be helped. For the use of all of us, there are written teachings left by H.P.B. in our hands that will give food for study and thought for many a year to come, and though the main duty of the Esotericist is service to others, and not personal advancement in knowledge, it is characteristic of her thought for us that behind her she left intellectual and spiritual food for the earnest student, as well as the charge to complete her unfinished work. The choice is now before you to go forward or to go back: as the choice is yours so also is the responsibility of your decision. That decision will influence all your future: "Tried and found wanting," or "Tried and found faithful," will be written of each in the Karmic records; no words of ours can enhance the importance of that choice, nor lighten the weight of that responsibility. We are your faithful servants, ANNIE BESANT, ***
Address: ANNIE BESANT, American Address: All Communications relative to this School must be marked "Private," and must contain no other business. To ALL MEMBERS OF E.S.T.: In view of the approaching Convention of the T. S. at which will be present many strangers, some of them members and some not of the E.S.T., we called in four members of the Third Degree of the E.S.T. as an Advisory Council, and after listening to their opinions on the matter, we have decided to issue the following reminder. On Jan. 23, 1891, H.P.B. issued the following notice to members of the Society in India who desired to join the E.S.T. and the statements apply to the whole Society: "It is absolutely and entirely apart from the exoteric organization of the Society in every way, and has no official connection whatever therewith. "The Section will be as it has always been, a private body of students who are taught by the Head of the Section in her private capacity. "Members of the T.S. may join this Section as they would join a Masonic lodge or any other society which is entirely apart from the official organization of the Society although some of its objects may be identical." No member of the E.S.T. must therefore speak on any matters connected with the School to any officer or delegate of the T.S. -- from the President-Founder downwards -- until he has exchanged with him the signs and passwords of the School. For instance, the President-Founder, the Head of the exoteric organization, is not a member of the E.S.T. and knows nothing of its internal arrangements it was for this reason, among others, that H.P.B. sent Bro. B. Keightley to India when she desired to extend the E.S.T. in India, finding it inconvenient, as the Section grew, to have as her agent there one who was not a member of the School, and who desired to be relieved of any responsibilities connected with it. Please take notice and act accordingly. Fraternally,
|
Done at London
this fourteenth day of December, 1888, and In the fourteenth year
of the Theosophical Society.