ARE WE DESERTED?
FOLLOWING on the departure of H.P.B. from the scene of action,
some weak voices in the Society have asked, "Have the Adepts
deserted us?" This question has also come from those who
are not weak in character, but who certainly do not understand
very clearly what the Adepts are or how They work. And in the
use of the term "Adept" are included also "Mahatmas,"
"Brothers," "Masters."
That these beings exist we have no manner of doubt, since
for those who have studied in the right way plenty of proof has
been offered; for others the proofs exist within themselves.
The former class has had tangible evidence in the way of letters
and appearances of the Adepts before their eyes; the latter long
ago concluded that the Masters are necessities of evolution.
Those who received proof palpable were those whose karma and
past work entitled them to it; the others, having in previous
lives gone through the experience and the argument, now quickly
decided that, inasmuch as there are grades of intelligence and
wisdom and power below ourselves, so there must beyond us be
still other grades, all leading up, ex necessitate rei,
to the Adept or Master of whatever degree.
Now in the Society's ranks there have always been three mental
positions held in respect to the question whether or not the
Adepts - once admitted as existing - have anything in particular
to do with the Theosophical Society. These are, first,
that they have; second, that they have not; third,
sometimes doubt about it, at others surety that they have, -
in fact, wavering.
Those who think that the T.S. movement is merely a natural
development of thought cannot be affected by the present discussion;
the first and third classes are interested in the matter. To
those it should at once occur that in the West the idea of the
existence of the Adepts and of Their connection with our movement
was first brought forward in this century and in our Society
by H.P. Blavatsky, who, consistently throughout her career, has
declared that the Adepts - whom she was pleased to call her Masters
- directed her to engage in this work and have always helped
and directed her throughout. That They should so direct her and
then desert the Society she founded merely because her body came
to its dissolution seems so illogical as to be unthinkable. Many
persons have affirmed to the reception of messages in writing
from the same Masters, in which They said that some of Their
efforts were for the benefit of the T.S. Among these persons
we may mention Mr. A.P. Sinnett, who has never abandoned that
position, and who today possesses a great number of such letters.
Why should the unseen founders withdraw Their help when the work
of the Society has but just begun to have its due effect upon
the age? There seems to be no reasonable reply.
Once that we admit the existence of the Adepts and that They
have adopted the T.S. as one of Their agents in this century
for disseminating the truth about man and nature, we are bound
to suppose that ordinary common-sense rules would govern as to
the continuance of help or its withdrawal. Now one of the most
obvious conclusions is that the Society should not be deserted
until it had accomplished its mission or had utterly failed.
Sixteen years of steady work show an enormous effect produced
upon the thought of America, Europe, and Asia; but that portion
of the work has been in the line of fighting against odds and
breaking down of opposition, with a beginning in this sixteenth
year of an interest in the doctrines brought to the attention
of the West by the efforts of our members. From that we must,
as reasonable and foresighted beings, deduce the necessity for
continuance of assistance. It is plain that our work of clear
promulgation and wise building-up is still before us. Why then
should the Adepts desert us? Still no reasonable reply can be
found.
But considering what we know of the motives and methods held
and pursued by the Adepts, we cannot for a moment suppose our
real founders and constant helpers could yet leave us to fight
alone. In letters and messages from Them we read that Their motive
is to help the moral - and hence external - progress of humanity,
and Their methods to work from behind the scenes by means
of agents suited for the work. Those letters and messages also
say that the agency is not restricted to one person, but that
all sincere lovers of truth are used to that end, whether they
know of it or not. The departure of H.P.B. does not remove the
other sincere lovers of truth from the scene, nor does it prevent
the Adepts from sending messages if needed. Such messages have
been received before H.P.B.'s departure by persons in no way
connected with her, and have since that sad event also come to
encourage those who are entitled to such encouragement. The contents
of these are not for the public, nor indeed for any one save
those to whom they have come.
Yet even if no such messages had been received, there is ample
evidence, for those who are not blind, of the help of the Masters.
For, as They said long ago that the work would be helped, so
it has been; no other reason can be given for the increase of
the work in America, since their personal effort put forth by
the members will not account for the spreading of the movement.
And now let it stand as a prophecy made in the messages spoken
of, that in the kingdom of Great Britain and in Europe there
will in five years be seen a similar spreading of Theosophy.
Let no one of us, then, be in any way cast down. As the Masters
exist, so They help us; and as we deserve, so will they repay.
W.Q.J.
Path, August, 1891
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