Theos-Talk Archives (November 1996 Message tl00385)

Hi

The first time I saw the letter, it was published in September/October
1987 issue of The Eclectic Theosophist, a bi-monthly publication by Point
Loma Publications.

As far as I know, no one has disputed the deleted portions as published.

May be some one else can throw more light on the redacted text etc.

_______________________________________________________
    Peace to all living beings.

    M K Ramadoss



On Fri, 22 Nov 1996, Sy Ginsburg wrote:

> A request to Theosophical Historians and other knowledgeable folks:
>
> I know there was a discussion of the 1900 letter from K.H. to Annie Besant a
> while ago on Theos-L  but I missed out on it.  The letter was recently reposted
> to Theos-L as follows:
>
>                           THE 1900 LETTER
>
>    ... The T.S. and its members are slowly manufacturing a
>    creed. Says a Thibetan proverb "credulity breeds credulity and ends
>    in hypocrisy." How few are they who can know anything about us.  ...
>    Beware of an Esoteric Popery. ...
>    ...The T.S. must safely be ushered into the new century.
>    ...You have for some time been under deluding influences.
>    ...Shun pride, vanity and love of power.
>    Be not guided by emotion but learn to stand alone.  Be accurate and
>    critical rather than credulous. The mistake of the past in the old
>    religions must not be glossed over with imaginary explanations.
>    The E.S.T. must be reformed so as to be as unsectarian and
>    creedless as the T.S..  The rules must be few and simple and
>    acceptable to all. No one has the right to claim authority over a
>    pupil or his conscience. Ask him not what he believes. All who are
>    sincere and pure minded must have admittance. The crest wave of
>    intellectual advancement must be taken hold of and guided into
>    spirituality.  It cannot be forced into beliefs and emotional
>    worship.  The essence of the higher thoughts of the members in
>    their collectivity must guide all action in the T.S. and E.S..  We
>    never try to subject to ourselves the will of another.  At
>    favourable times we let loose elevating influences which strike
>    various persons in various ways.  It is the collective aspect of
>    many such thoughts that can give the correct note of action.  We
>    show no favours.  The best corrective of error is an honest and
>    open-minded examination of all facts subjective and objective.
>    Misleading secrecy has given the death blow to numerous
>    organizations. The cant about "Masters" must be silently but firmly
>    put down. Let the devotion and service be to that Supreme Spirit
>    alone of which one is a part.  Namelessly and silently we work and
>    the continual references to ourselves and the repetition of our
>    names raises up a confused aura that hinders our work. You will
>    have to leave a good deal of your emotions and credulity before you
>    become a safe guide among the influences that will commence to work
>    in the new cycle. The T.S. was meant to be the corner-stone of the
>    future religions of humanity.  To accomplish this object those who
>    lead must leave aside their weak predilections for the forms and
>    ceremonies of any particular creed and show themselves to be true
>    Theosophists both in inner thoughts and outward observances.  The
>    greatest of your trials is yet to come.  We watch over you but you
>    must put forth all your strength.
>
>                                                                   K.H.
>
> Copyright (c) 1900-1995    --- permission for goodwill non-profit use
> happily given
>
> In looking through my references I find the photo facsimile of this letter
> reproduced in Barborka, The Mahatmas and Their Letters,(TPH, 1973)  pp 358-360
> plus photo plate.  In the photo plate appearing in Barborka's book, several
> significant sentences have been blocked out, and the explanation for this by Mr.
> Jinarajadasa is given.
>
> Can any of you tell me what is the source for the complete text of the 1900
> letter including the blocked out text as put on Theos-L above, and is this
> generally accepted by Theosophical historians to be correct?  The effort to
> insert the blocked out portions is obviously important. But in looking at the
> photo plate in the Barborka book, some of the allegedly missing words which are
> inserted in the above text do not appear to fit quite accurately into the
> context of the photo plate.
>
> For example, in the photo plate, following the words "How few they are who can
> know anything about us", these words appear , "Are we to be propitiated...."
> I do not find these words in the above text posted to Theos-L, so it would
> appear to me that neither the above text, nor what is on the photo plate in the
> Barborka book are complete.
>
> Where is the complete text?  And is it authenticated?
>
> If this has all been discussed here before, I ask your indulgence and would
> appreciate the information.
>
> Sy Ginsburg
>
>
>
>