Mahatma Letter to H. S. Olcott - LMW 2 No. 6
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| People involved | |
| Written by: | Serapis Bey |
| Received by: | Henry Steel Olcott |
| Sent via: | unknown |
| Dates | |
| Written on: | June-August 1875 |
| Received on: | June-August 1875 |
| Other dates: | unknown |
| Places | |
| Sent from: | unknown |
| Received at: | New York |
| Via: | unknown |
This is Letter No. 6 in Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, Second Series. In it Mahatma Serapis Bey encourages Henry Steel Olcott to understand the nature of Elbridge Gerry Brown, and to persuade Brown to join Olcott and Madame Blvatsky in establishing the Theosophical Movement.[1] Letters 4-8 of this series are closely related.
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Page 1 transcription, image, and notes
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TO OUR BROTHER HENRY, GREETING. We have your reports, Brother mine; they have been read and filed. Our younger brother is shy and secretive, as you say, but I have advised you of the same beforehand. His nature is sensitive and not unlike the Thibet Lotus — it shrinks and withdraws from the hand which tries to force open its tender petals. Besides that, he has secret pages in life’s history and before him a future he cannot realise fully. The former is fast dying out and the thick shadows of oblivion are daily enveloping more the sad remembrances of the past. As for the latter, his unknown future, he knows not what to think or say. He struggles, hesitates and mistakes the whispering of fear for the prophetic warning of his Conscience — his Atma’s voice. Brother mine, it is a hard task to you; but your devotion and unselfish zeal for the Cause of Truth should support and strengthen you. This cause — in your country — depends entirely on the closest unity between you three — our Lodge’s chosen Triad — you, verily so, you three so utterly dissimilar and yet so closely connected to be brought together and linked in one by the never-erring Wisdom of the Brotherhood. Keep courageous and patient, Brother, and — forward!
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Context and background
Mr. Jinarajadasa provided this background information:
...the Egyptian Brotherhood originally intended to make the nucleus of the Movement not two but three. The third person was a young American, Elbridge Gerry Brown, the editor of the Spiritual Scientist, Boston. Gerry Brown stood out from other spiritualists by a desire to understand the occult laws behind spiritualistic phenomena. It was the intention of the Egyptian Brotherhood that the Theosophical Movement should, as its first work, initiate a broadening and deepening of Spiritualism. While proof as to survival after death was most valuable, it was only one fact in a larger philosophy which the Adept Brothers intended to give to mankind. Gerry Brown evidently in the beginning responded to these ideals, for he placed his paper at the service of the Brotherhood. Both H.P.B. and H.S.O. not only contributed articles, but also much money to the support of the Scientist. This part of the plan, however, broke down....
Gerry Brown went bankrupt in September 1878, owing money to both H.P.B. and Colonel Olcott....[2]
Physical description of letter
The original of this letter is preserved at the Theosophical Society, Adyar, Chennai, India.
Publication history
Commentary about this letter
Mr. Jinarajadasa wrote little commentary about this very short letter:
So Gerry Brown lost the great opportunity offered him by the Masters of becoming one of a noble triad whom future Theosophists would ever hold in reverent gratitude.[3]