Mahatma Letter of G Gebhard from KH - 1884-08-25: Difference between revisions

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'''NOTES:'''
'''NOTES:'''
* '''the 18th of this month''' indicates that the letter was written in August, 1884, after the 18th, which was Consul Gebhard's birthday. He was born on [[August 18]], 1828, at Elberfeld.
* '''the 18th of this month''' confirms that the letter was written in August, 1884, after the 18th, which was Consul Gebhard's birthday. He was born on [[August 18]], 1828, at Elberfeld.


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{{Col-end}}

Revision as of 02:03, 16 April 2022

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Quick Facts
People involved
Written by: Koot Hoomi
Received by: Gustav Gebhard
Sent via: unknown 
Dates
Written on: 25 August 1884
Received on: unknown
Other dates: unknown
Places
Sent from: unknown
Received at: unknown
Via: unknown

This letter has not been published previously in print.

Page 1 of letter transcription, image, and notes

Some people are neither hot nor cold; they do not know their own mind. One day fire and flame, the other --- ice. The records of western chelaship are full of such cases. I heard you speak very manfully in the carriage yesterday to H.P.B. about your view of subordination and duty to the Masters. The sentiment was most correct. We stand in no such authoritative relation to you, friend and brother. We have not the right to ask you to put your words into practice. But I am your friend and that of your wife and so is M. --- and I take a friend's liberty to say a few words. If age bringeth not wisdom to a man my brother, then has he lived to little purpose. As the shadow creeps forward the glitter of the toys of early life is lost in the gathering obscurity and the realities of existence come out in full view. Did you think of this on the 18th of this month, when friends were wishing you every happiness and your table bloomed with flowers, did you wonder to yourself how many more birthdays you should celebrate and how your life's account of Karma would be finally balanced, did you realise how you were on the threshold of a new stage of your career which might be made far more important than any other that you have passed through? When you broke that bread and found my talisman within, it was a sign if you chose to take it as such, that similarly there had been concealed within your worldly self a more precious self that also could be uncovered and revealed if you but cared to try and break through the selfish human crust. Thro' all this half century of worldly strife, ambition, and pride, all those long years of struggle for riches and the name of great merchant, you have kept that nobler true self hidden from view. Its voice has been almost unheard; its claims put aside for future attention. But time stalks on, sparing no one, and you will see no other half century close in this incarnation. How shall you force your balance good brother? Riches perish, gold melts, petty honours fade, and happiness to him who has not learnt to catch and keep her, the fleeting goddess ever escapes like a mocking elf, far ahead from her presence. If you would be happy, if you would be blessed and crown your years with joy and bliss and peace; if you would make the scales of Karma hang at an even balance, --- then friend and brother do what you can to spread Theosophy. The spiritual welfare of humanity is bound up within its success. Give wise counsel to your colleagues, plan discreetly, execute boldly, lay with your great practical sagacity a sure foundation for the work in Germany. Make your sons your willing loving helpers. Tho' never neglectful of your business, never relaxing your vigilance to build it up and consolidate it, you may still make abundant time to do all that could be asked of you, and by shaping your life by the high standard of Theosophy, you will give to your children and their children a more precious inheritance than wealth, --- that of a splendid example. One of them sadly needs it at this very hour --- poor lad! but I will look after him for his good Mother's sake, so will you --- forgive and forget --- for the same holy sacred cause, gratitude and remembrance of over 30 long faithful years. He must be helped and now I have answered. "Thy instructions" are all here.

K.H.

NO IMAGE IS AVAILABLE

NOTES:

  • the 18th of this month confirms that the letter was written in August, 1884, after the 18th, which was Consul Gebhard's birthday. He was born on August 18, 1828, at Elberfeld.

Context and background

Physical description of letter

Unknown. This letter is in a private collection.

Publication history

This letter has never been published in printed form. It was first made available for viewing on the Blavatsky Archives website.

Commentary about this letter

Additional resources

Notes