Then you yourself, my friend, influenced in this by him more than you know or suspect — you yourself deduce but too readily from incompleteness "contradiction." The novelty or inexplicable aspect of any asserted fact in our science is not a sufficient reason for setting it immediately down as a contradiction, and proclaim as Hume does in his article that he could teach in one week that which he succeeded in drawing out of us in eighteen months, for your knowledge is as yet so limited that it would be difficult for him to say how much we do or do not know.
But I have lingered too long over this irrational, unphilosophical and illogical attack upon ourselves and System. One day we will show the invalidity of the objections preferred by Mr. H. He may be regarded as a sapient councillor in the municipality, but he could hardly be regarded in such a light by us. He accuses me of giving through him "false ideas and facts" to the world; and adds that he would willingly keep aloof from — break with us but for his desire of benefitting the world! Verily a most easy method of burking all the sciences, for there is not one in which "false facts" and wild theories do not abound. Only while the Western Sciences make confusion still more confused our Science explains all the seeming discrepancies and reconciles the wildest theories.
However, if you do not bring him to his senses there will be soon an end to all — this time irrevocable. I need not assure you of my sincere regard for you and our gratitude for what you have [done] for the Society here — indirectly for us two. Whatever happens, I am at your service. I would, could I but see my way, do all that can be done for your friend Colonel Chesney. For your sake, if the crisis is avoided and the black cloud blows off — I will instruct him as far as I can. But — may it not be too late?
Yours in good faith,
K. H.
Letter No. 83 (ML-125) Rec. August 1882
This letter is the footnote by Djual Khul (here Gjual-Khool) to the article by W. Oxley.
Earlier H.P.B. had written a letter to Sinnett dated August 3, 1882, in which she says she received:
an interminable article from that blind bat, W. Oxley — versus Subba Row, whom he calls a bigoted orthodox Brahmin! He, Oxley, had three visits from K.H. "by astral form" he tells the public!!! and the philosophic doctrine therein propounded . . . is hardly calculated to enlighten the poor mortals or strengthen their esteem for the powers of the Brothers. I was going to reject the MSS but K.H. ordered me not to, and D.K. just brought in a long footnote to be appended to the article as it is given to me in double copy I send to you as ordered. K.H. tells you to make alterations in it if you like it, and send them before the thing is printed.
Oxley was an Englishman who had written a book entitled Philosophy of the Spirit, which had been reviewed by D.K. in The Theosophist. Oxley took exception to some of the things said in the review and, apparently in retaliation, made the assertion about his visits from K.H.
The "three passwords" mentioned in the last paragraph of the Letter No. 83 are not in this letter, but appear in what is apparently a postscript to some other letter written a month or so later by the Mahatma (Letter No. 96 [ML-92]). Chronologically it does not belong here, but its subject matter does. It is as follows:
It may so happen that for purposes of our own, mediums and their spooks will be left undisturbed and free not only to personate the "Brothers" but even to forge our handwriting. Bear this in mind and be prepared for it in London. Unless the message or communication or whatever it may be is preceded by the triple words:
"Kin-t-an, Na-lan-da, Dhe-ra-bu"
know it is not me nor from me.
I am commanded by my beloved Master, known in India and the Western lands as Koot Hoomi Lal Singh, to make in his name the following declaration, in answer to a certain statement made by Mr. W. Oxley, and sent by him for publication in the Theosophist. It is claimed by the said gentleman that my Master Koot Hoomi (a) has thrice visited him "by the astral form"; and (b) that he had a conversation with Mr. Oxley when, as alleged he gave the latter certain explanations in reference to astral bodies in general, and the incompetency of his own Mayavirupa to preserve its consciousness simultaneously with the body "at both ends of the line". Therefore my Master declares that: — 1.Whomsoever Mr. Oxley may have seen and conversed with at the time described, it was not with Koot Hoomi, the writer of the letters published in the Occult World.
2. Notwithstanding that my Master knows the gentleman in question who once honoured him with an autograph letter, thereby giving him the means of making his (Mr. Oxley's) acquaintance and of sincerely admiring his intuitional powers and western learning — yet he has never approached him whether astrally or otherwise: Nor has he ever had any conversation with Mr. Oxley, least of all one of that nature in which both the subject and predicate, the premises and conclusions are all wrong.
3. In consequence of the said claims, the repetition of which is calculated to lead many of our theosophists into error, my Master has determined to issue the following resolution.
Henceforth any medium or seer who will feel disposed to claim either to have been visited by, or to have held conversation with, or to have seen my Master, — will have to substantiate the claim by prefixing his or her statement with THREE SECRET WORDS, which he, my Teacher, will divulge to and leave in the safe keeping of Mr. A. O. Hume and Mr. A. P. Sinnett, the respective President and Vice-President of "The Eclectic Theosophical Society" of Simla. As long as they do not find these three words correctly repeated by a medium or heading a statement to that effect, whether verbal or printed, emanating from him or her, or on his or her behalf, the claim shall be regarded as a gratuitous assumption and no notice will be taken of it. To his regret my Master is forced to adopt this step, as unfortunately of late such self-deceptions have become quite frequent, and would demand a speedy check.