ON November 30th, 1894, I received, from
a source I always respect, this warning: "Look out for anonymous
and bogus 'occult' messages to members of the Society. Both will
be sent, as attempts at delusion, as burlesques, and for other
purposes." On the second of December, at 144 Madison Avenue,
New York, a New York F.T.S. in the presence of Mr. A. Fullerton
handed me a packet. A plate giving the written contents is given
below.
The member's name is Joseph W. Ganson, a very earnest student.
He said it had fallen into his lap at his Club, the Harvard,
or seemed to fall out of a newspaper he held. The only other
person present was a friend who declared he had nothing to do
with it. The packet is of yellowish linen paper, looking quite
eastern. It was addressed "Ganson," and near the address
is "a pledge." Inside was also a half of a palm-leaf
south Indian manuscript with a flower in it.
Mr. Ganson said he did not know whether it was genuine or not,
but could not decide and asked me to tell him. I then said that
if a joke he could take the words to heart, if he chose, for
what was good in them, but that in three days I would decide.
On December 5th I gave him a signed certificate that the message
is not genuine and had been concocted by three persons, and that
all genuine objective messages from the Masters carried with
them a peculiar and definite odor which could not be imitated
and which once identified would not be forgotten. The message
was shown to a large number of members at a meeting, and but
few were willing to decide for or against it, admitting non-ability
save by argument, inference, and appearance. Appearance is no
guide, because this message might have been genuine and still
have the same appearance and contents.
Mr. W. E. Coleman of San Francisco is also occupying himself
in sending post-cards to many members in all parts signed "Mahatma
E." with three stars, referring to exposures and scurrilous
attacks. Members may as well know these facts. I invite all to
send to me any and all messages, real or pretended, and I will
guarantee to render a decision according to the fact in each
case. Beware not only of bogus messages but also of anonymous
communications.
WILLIAM Q. JUDGE
Path, January, 1895
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