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A Quarterly Journal of Research A Quarterly Journal of Research Volume X, No. 1 January 2004 ISSN 0951-497X Theosophical History : :Occasional Papers A Quarterly Journal of Research Founded by Leslie Price, 1985 (ISBN 1-883279-00-3) Volume X, No. 1 Editor: James A. Santucci January 2004 EDITOR subscription rate for residents in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada is $22.00 (one James A. Santucci year) or $39.00 (two years). California residents, please add $1.71 (7.75%) California State University, Fullerton sales tax onto the $22 rate or $2.95 onto the $39 rate. For residents outside North America, the subscription rate is $26.00 (£18 British Sterling) (one VOLUME I Witness for the Prosecution: Annie Besant’s Testimony on Behalf of H.P. ASSOCIATE EDITORS year) or $47.00 (£31) (two years). Air mail is $40.00 (£26) for Europe and Asia Blavatsky in the N.Y. Sun/Coues Law Case Robert Boyd and $36 for Pan American nations (one year) or $74.00 (£48) for Europe and Asia and $67 for Pan American nations (two years). Single issues are $8.00 Introduction by Michael Gomes (£5.50). Electronic (PDF) issues are $2.50 (£1.75) each or $10 (£7) for any four †John Cooper available issues and $17.00 (£12) for any eight available issues. Subscriptions University of Sydney may also be paid in British sterling. All inquiries should be sent to James VOLUME II Joan Grant: Winged Pharaoh Santucci, Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, John Patrick Deveney P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.). Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY By Jean Overton Fuller Fullerton, California 92631-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Theosophical History (c/o James Santucci), Department of Comparative April Hejka-Ekins Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, CA 92834- California State University, Stanislaus VOLUME III Ammonius Saccas and His Eclectic Philosophy as Presented by Alexander 6868. The Editors assume no responsibility for the views expressed by authors Jerry Hejka-Ekins Wilder in Theosophical History. Nautilus Books This periodical is indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, published by By Dr. Jean-Louis Siémons the American Theological Library Association, 250 S. Wacker Dr., 16th Floor, Robert Ellwood Chicago, IL 60606, email: [email protected], world wide web: http://www.atla.com. University of Southern California Theosophical History assumes no responsibility for the views expressed by the VOLUME IV W.T. Brown’s “Scenes in My Life” contributors to the journal. Antoine Faivre Introduction by Michael Gomes École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Joscelyn Godwin Colgate University GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS VOLUME V Krishnamurti and the World Teacher Project: Some Theosophical Perceptions By Govert Schüller Jean-Pierre Laurant The final copy of all manuscripts must be submitted on 8 x 11 inch stock, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris double-spaced, and with margins of at least 1 inches on all sides. Words and phrases intended for italics output should appear in italics in the manuscript. J. Gordon Melton The submitter is encouraged to send the article, communication, or review by VOLUME VI Astral Projection or Liberation of the Double and the Work of the Early Institute for the Study of American Religion attachment to email. The email address is [email protected]. The sub- Theosophical Society University of California, Santa Barbara mitter may also submit a floppy disk of the work in Microsoft Word (any ver- sion). By John Patrick Deveney Leslie Price Bibliographical entries and citations must be placed in footnote format. Former Editor, Theosophical History The citations must be complete. For books, the publisher’s name and the place and date of the publication are required; for journal articles, the volume, num- VOLUME VII Cyril Scott and a Hidden School: Towards the Peeling of an Onion Gregory Tillett ber, and date must be included, should the information be available. University of Western Sydney, Nepean There is no limitation on the length of manuscripts. In general, articles of 30 By Jean Overton Fuller pages or less will be published in full; articles in excess of 30 pages may be Karen-Claire Voss published serially. San Jose State University Brief communications, review articles, and book reviews are welcome. They should be submitted double-spaced. VOLUME VIII Franz Hartmann’s Some Fragments of the Secret History of the Theosophical Theosophical History (ISSN 0951-497X) is published quarterly in All correspondence, manuscripts, and subscriptions should be sent to: Society January, April, July, and October by James A. Santucci (Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, CA Department of Comparative Religion Introduction by Robert Hütwohl 92834-6868 U.S.A.) The journal consists of four issues per volume: one vol- California State University, P.O. Box 6868 ume covering a period of one year. The journal’s purpose is to publish contri- Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.) butions specifically related to the modern Theosophical Movement, from the FAX: 714-693-0142 Email: [email protected] VOLUME IX The Unseen Worlds of Emma Hardinge Britten: Some Chapters in the History time of Madame Helena Blavatsky and others who were responsible in estab- TELEPHONE: 714-278-3727 lishing the original Theosophical Society (1875), to all groups that derive their Website: www.theohistory.org of Western Occultism teachings—directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly—from her or her By Robert Mathiesen immediate followers. In addition, the journal is also receptive to related move- Copyright ©2004 by James A. Santucci ments (including pre-Blavatskyite Theosophy, Spiritualism, Rosicrucianism, Composition and Theosophical History logo by Eric Santucci and the philosophy of Emanuel Swedenborg to give but a few examples) that www.ericsantucci.com have had an influence on or displayed an affinity to modern Theosophy. The Contents January 2004 Volume X, Number 1 Editor’s Comments James Santucci..............................................................................1 Article William Q. Judge’s and Annie Besant’s Views of Brahmin Theosophists Brett Forray....................................................................................5 Communications A Case of Mistaken Identity Doss McDavid..............................................................................35 From The Archives Letter from Henry Steel Olcott to William Q. Judge, September 28, 1893 Transcription and Introduction by Michael Gomes......................36 Book Review The Hell-Fire Clubs: A History of Anti-Morality Robert Boyd.................................................................................43 On the cover: Rajah: The Inner Self of W.Q. Judge. Picture supplied by Alexandria West Archives. Original from the Point Loma Publications library and archive, reprinted with permission. Editor’s Comments commonly not well known was Judge’s Judge and Besant acquired in the esoteri- view that a more Western slant to the eso- cisms of East and West prior to their con- teric tradition was essential due to the tact with Blavatsky and how much under- In this Issue degeneration of the spiritual in the India of standing they actually possessed in this his day. Nonetheless, he was still of the subject. Such studies are bound to reflect among which included Judge’s practice of opinion that the India of yesteryear had biases of the investigators, so there is a ne of the more interesting and the occult or magical sciences as revealed much to offer the West. This, coupled with definite requirement to develop a method- important episodes in Theosoph- in his lecture of 1876 (Theosophical his (and Blavatsky’s) conviction that the ology and hermeneutic designed to correct ical history was the conflict that History, vol. IX, no. 3 [July 2003]), his con- United States would be the location for a and restrict such biases. Ogrew between the two Outer Heads of the viction that his body was in the possession new sub-race, could only lead to a clash In addition to Judge’s fractured rela- Eastern School of Theosophy – William Q. of a Hindu sage—this inner self he identi- with the blatantly pro-Indian stance of Mrs. tionship with Mrs. Besant was his con- Judge and Annie Besant – in the mid- fied as “Rajah”—and his mention of under- Besant and the importance she gave to its tentious relationship with Col. Olcott. This 1890s. The main reason for this conflict going past incarnations in India, establish members and philosophies. Their attitude was due in part to Judge’s perception that was the public accusation that Judge was him as no ordinary administrator within the toward one another was partially based on Olcott failed to appreciate his psychic abil- forging letters allegedly written by the Society but rather an individual who a misunderstanding of the motives of each. ities and to acknowledge his allegedly Masters or Mahatmas. This allegation of helped to articulate and to develop an This was apparently more so with Mrs. close relationship with the Masters. This is Judge’s dishonesty led to a resolution interpretation of Theosophical esotericism. Besant than with Mr. Judge. the subject of the second contribution: brought before the convention of the T.S. in In some regards, Judge was to Blavatsky This discussion is important because Olcott’s letter to Judge dated September Adyar by Mrs. Besant in December 1894, what Sariputta was to the Buddha: an it helps to define the esotericism that exists 28, 1893 together with Michael Gomes’ demanding that Judge resign his vice- extremely learned and articulate interpreter within the Theosophical Movement. It is historical introduction. Mention is made in presidency of the T.S. Instead, the and propagandist of Blavatsky’s teachings now becoming obvious that the distinction the letter of Judge’s special occult status American Section Convention declared in and one who helped define the boundaries between Christian theosophy and the through communications received from the April 1895 its autonomy from the Adyar of Theosophy. Theosophy of the T.S., initially proposed by Masters between 1875 and 1879 (of which administration (i.e.
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