Miracle Club
The Miracle Club was a group formed by Henry Steel Olcott and Madame Blavatsky in New York City to investigate the phenomena of Spiritualism. While the organization existed for only a few months, it served as a predecessor to the Theosophical Society founded on November 17, 1875. Colonel Olcott wrote of the intention to study:
All the manifestations, including materialisations, to occur in the light, and without a cabinet.[1]
Public announcement
On May 4, 1875, the New York newspaper Daily Graphic published a letter from Colonel Olcott that was mostly a refutation of criticism of his new book People of the Other World. He concluded by announcing the formation of the club:
The large sale which my book is meeting proves that the public interest in "materialization" has been in nowise abated by the preposterous expose of the Katie King humbug, while before long things will occur in this city that will raise the excitement to fever heat. A "Miracle Club" is being organized by some of the best of our citizens, who have secured the attendance of a private gentleman, in whose presence every wonder of modern Spiritualism, including the materialization of full-length spirit forms, occurs without a cabinet and in the light. [2]
Encouragement from the Mahatmas
The Masters of the Wisdom, or Mahatmas, took an interest in this activity. In an encouraging letter to Colonel Olcott, Master Tuitit Bey wrote: "Thou hast many good mediums around thee, don’t give up thy club. TRY." This was the first of dozens of letters that Olcott was to receive.
End of club
The club existed only for a brief time, and served mainly to . This attempt at organization failed, mainly because the medium that was to be involved wanted to earn money from this endeavor, something Madame Blavatsky always opposed.