THE MAHATMA LETTERS

I need hardly point out how the proposed arrangement is calculated to lead to a harmonious progress of the "L.L.T.S." It is a universally admitted fact that the marvellous success of the Theosophical Society in India is due entirely to its principle of wise and respectful toleration of each other's opinions and beliefs. Not even the President-Founder has the right directly or indirectly to interfere with the freedom of thought of the humblest member, least of all to seek to influence his personal opinion. It is only in the absence of this generous consideration, that even the faintest shadow of difference arms seekers after the same truth, otherwise earnest and sincere, with the scorpion-whip of hatred against their brothers, equally sincere and earnest. Deluded victims of distorted truth, they forget, or never knew, that discord is the harmony of the Universe. Thus in the Theos. Society, each part, as in the glorious fugues of the immortal Mozart, ceaselessly chases the other in harmonious discord on the paths of Eternal progress to meet and finally blend at the threshold of the pursued goal into one harmonious whole, the keynote in nature . Absolute Justice makes no difference between the many and the few. Therefore, while thanking the majority of the "L.L." Theosophists for their "loyalty" to us their invisible teachers, we must at the same time remind them that their President, Mrs. Kingsford, is loyal and true also — to that which she believes to be the Truth. And, as she is thus loyal and true to her convictions, however small the minority that may side with her at present, the majority led by Mr. Sinnett, our representative in London, cannot with justice charge her with the guilt, which — since she has emphatically disclaimed all intention of breaking the letter or the spirit of Article VI of the Rules of the Parent Theos. Society (which please see and read) — is one only in the eyes of those who would be rather too severe. Every Western Theosophist should learn and remember, especially those of them who would be our followers — that in our Brotherhood all personalities sink into one idea — abstract right and absolute practical justice for all. And that, though we may not say with the Christians, "return good for evil" — we repeat with Confucius, "return good for good; for evil — JUSTICE." Thus, the Theosophists of Mrs. K.'s way of thinking, — were they even to oppose some of us personally to the bitter end, — are entitled to as much respect and consideration (so long as they are sincere) from us and their fellow-members of opposite views, as those who are ready with Mr. Sinnett to follow absolutely but our special teaching. A dutiful regard for these rules in life will always promote the best interests of all concerned. It is necessary for the parallel progress of the groups under Mrs. K. and Mr. S. that neither should interfere with the beliefs and rights of the other. And it is seriously expected that both of them will be actuated by an earnest and sleepless desire to respect the philosophical independence of each other, while preserving at the same time their unity as a whole — namely the objects of the Parent Theos. Society in their integrity — and those of the London Lodge, in their slight modification. We wish the London Society should preserve its harmony in division like the Indian Branches, where the representatives of all the different schools of Hinduism seek to study Esoteric Sciences and the Wisdom of old, without necessarily giving up for it their respective beliefs. Each Branch, often members of the same Branch — Christian converts included in some cases — study esoteric philosophy each in his own way, yet always knitting together brotherly hands for the furtherance of the common objects of the Society. To carry out this programme, it is desirable that the "London Lodge" should be administered by at least fourteen Councillors — one half openly inclining towards the Christian Esotericism as represented by Mrs. K., and the other half following Buddhist Esotericism as represented by Mr. S.; all important business to be transacted by majority of votes. We are well aware of and quite alive to the difficulties of such an arrangement. Yet, it seems absolutely necessary in order to re-establish the lost harmony. The constitution of the "London Lodge" has to be amended and can be so amended if the members would but try; and so bring about more strength in such friendly division than in forced unity.

Unless, therefore, both Mrs. Kingsford and Mr. Sinnett agree to disagree in details and work in strict unison for the chief objects as laid down in the Rules of the Parent Society, we can have no hand in the future development and progress of the London Lodge.

K. H.

December 7th, 1883,

Mysore.

Letter No. 121 (ML-84) Rec. February 7, 1884

The affairs of the London Lodge were still in somewhat of a turmoil. As a matter of fact, the Mahachohan has advised postponement of the election. Apparently the two factions, led by Mrs. Kingsford and Sinnett, were more or less at loggerheads with each other. Events had not led to the "magnetic harmony" mentioned by the Mahatma in his former letter to the Lodge (Letter No. 120 [ML-85]).

Private

My dear friend —

The enclosure²³⁶ is to be transmitted to the L.L.T.S. through you in your capacity of Vice-President of the Parent Society and therefore representative of the President Founder, not as member of the Branch at London.

The recent occurrences in which you have borne a part not altogether pleasant, may be distressing to some and tiresome to others, yet it is better so than that the old paralytic calm should have continued. An outbreak of fever in the human body is nature's evidence that she is trying to expel the seeds of disease and perhaps death anteriorly absorbed. As things were, the London Branch was but vegetating and the vast possibilities of psychic evolution in Britain were completely untried. Karma evidently required that the repose should be broken by the agency of the one most responsible for it — C.C. Massey, and so it was he who brought Mrs. K. to her present position. She has not accomplished her object, but Karma has its own; henceforth the London group aroused, stimulated and warned, have a clear field in which to exercise their activities. Your own karma my friend, destines you to play a still more conspicuous part in European theosophical affairs than you have yet. Olcott's forthcoming visit will result in important developments, in whose out-working you are to have a hand. My desire is that you should be gathering together all the reserved forces of your being so that you may rise to the dignity and importance of the crisis. However little you may seem to achieve — psychically — in this birth, remember that your interior growth proceeds every instant, and that toward the end of your life as in your next birth your accumulated merit shall bring you all you aspire to.