Mahatma Letter of Finch to Sinnett - 1883-12-21

Quick Facts
People involved
Written by:	G. B. Finch, A. P. Sinnett, Koot Hoomi
Received by:	A. P. Sinnett, Koot Hoomi, H. P. Blavatsky
Sent via:	unknown
Dates
Written on:	12 December 1883
Received on:	unknown
Other dates:	unknown
Places
Sent from:	London
Received at:	unknown
Via:	unknown

This letter has not been published previously. G. B. Finch wrote to A. P. Sinnett, who forwarded it to Mahatma Koot Hoomi, via H. P. Blavatsky, "for considerations." KH instructed HPB to keep the letter and to show Mohini. Finch provided a nuanced view of the London Lodge before its split, and of Anna Bonus Kingsford and Edward Maitland.

Note to H. P. Blavatsky from K.H.

Note written in blue ink in KH handwriting on final page:

File with the other letters – let Mohini see. KH

NOTES:

Page 1 of Finch letter transcription, image, and notes

Note at top left corner in Sinnett’s handwriting:

Just received by APS and forwarded for consideration

24 Old Square,
Lincoln’s Inn.
21st Dec. 1883.

My dear Sinnett,

What I wished to convey last night when you read us your letter to the Mahatma Koot Hoomi was that your presentation of Mrs. Kingsford applied rather to Mrs. Kingsford under the influence of Mr. Maitland than to her native self. Left to herself even, she has weaknesses but these are as nothing when compared with her wonderful gifts. These gifts would be of the greatest value in a president of our Lodge, but under Mr. Maitland’s influence they fail to be of any real service, and her continuance in the presidency under that influence is, in my opinion, unadvisable. I should be sorry to lose her from the Society, but if she is only to be kept as the [illegible] of such pamphlets as the one lately given to us [inserted between lines] I would say to her “Go in peace.” [end insertion] It is possible that the side of her character which allows her to fall under such a direction as Maitland’s may always operate to mar her usefulness, and if she is only capable of presenting the

NOTES:

Page 2

religious aspect of Theosophy she will never as President form an enduring society. It is possible that in the realm she pierces lie the generalizations of the particulars with which we in England are concerning ourselves, but for us the study of particulars seems to be the only road to these higher truths. "Esoteric Buddhism" with its detailed information make more Theosophists than "The Perfect Way." It gives us a firm foundation for the guidance of our lives, and a sphere of study which while adapted to our capacities elevates them. If Mrs. Kingsford’s most unwise suggestion, that the Lodge should he divided into two schools, was adopted, and if the Mahatmas, whom we have learned to regard not merely with respect but love, would send in further teachings of the same kind, that is, details which are as the landmark of the Path to the Divine, I have no fear that “Mr. Sinnett’s” school would be for the greatest aid to the Theosophic movement here.

Yours sincerely,

G.B. Finch

NOTES:

• The Perfect Way was a book written by Dr. Kingsford and Mr. Maitland.
• Esoteric Buddhism was a book published by Sinnett in June, 1883.

Page 3 - Postscript

P.S. I may add that most of us do not look favorably on the notion of a split in the camp – which would divide the Society openly and nominally into divergent parties. That is quite unlike my notion of an inner circle.

NOTES:

Page 4 notes

Written across middle of page in Sinnett’s script:

Mahatma K.H.

Written in blue ink in KH handwriting:

File with the other letters – let Mohini see. KH

NOTES:

Context and background

This letter was written about eight months earlier than the important correspondence between members of the London Lodge (including Finch) and the Mahatmas, which was published as Letter No. 5 in Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom, First Series. On April 7, 1884, Mr. Finch was elected as President of the lodge, with Mr. Sinnett as Vice-President and Secretary, and Miss Francesca Arundale as Treasurer. Col. Olcott, international President of the Theosophical Society, who was visiting London with his personal secretary Mohini, granted a charter for the Kingsford-Maitland contingent to form a separate Branch, the Hermetic Lodge.

Physical description of letter

One sheet of paper was folded and written on both sides. Notation by K.H. is in blue ink. This letter is in a private collection.

Publication history

This letter has never been published before.

Commentary about this letter

The chief significance of this letter is that K.H. recognized it as an important communication about interactions within the London Lodge, and therefore instructed Madame Blavatsky to preserve it.