D. M. Bennett
DeRobigne Mortimer Bennett (December 23, 1818 – December 6, 1882) was the founder and publisher of The Truth Seeker, an American periodical that espoused Free Thought and reform. Bennett was a devout Shaker for 13 years before evolving into a "freethinker," and later became a member of the Theosophical Society.
The Truth Seeker
He founded The Truth Seeker newspaper on September 1, 1873.[1] Its stated purpose was:
"Devoted to: science, morals, free thought, free discussions, liberalism, sexual equality, labor reform, progression, free education and whatever tends to elevate and emancipate the human race."
"Opposed to: priestcraft, ecclesiasticism, dogmas, creeds, false theology, superstition, bigotry, ignorance, monopolies, aristocracies, privileged classes, tyranny, oppression, and everything that degrades or burdens mankind mentally or physically." [2]
The Mahatmas on D. M. Bennett
Mme. Blavatsky wrote that when Mr. Bennett applied to become a member of the Theosophical Society she sought the advise of the Mahatmas:
Advice was indeed asked as to Mr. Bennett’s admission, simply because we foresaw what has since happened, that whatever odium his bigoted persecutors had contrived to cast upon him would have to be shared by us, and this seemed an impolitic step for our young Society to take. The result of that appeal is above stated by Mr. Bennett; who adds that the “response was that I am an honest, industrious man, and fully worthy to become a member . . . I hope their opinion is well founded.” It was so, as we have become more and more satisfied ever since, and now none regret him more than his cautious friends of Bombay—now of Madras.[3]
Mr. Bennett was working for the Masters' cause, although he was not aware of that. In a letter by Djual Khool to Alfred Percy Sinnett with some words from Mahatma K. H., it is said:
I am also to tell you that in a certain Mr. Bennett of America who will shortly arrive at Bombay, you may recognise one, who, in spite of his national provincialism, that you so detest, and his too infidelistic bias, is one of our agents (unknown to himself) to carry out the scheme for the enfranchisement of Western thoughts from superstitious creeds. If you can see your way towards giving him a correct idea of the actual present and potential future state of Asiatic but more particularly of Indian thought, it will be gratifying to my Master.[4]
Notes
- ↑ Roderick Bradford, D. M. Bennett: The Truth Seeker, (Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books, 2006), p???.
- ↑ Truth Seeker Company. (ISSN 0041-3712). "Truth Seeker Journal". http://truthseekerjournal.com/.
- ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. IV (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991), 369.
- ↑ Vicente Hao Chin, Jr., The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett in chronological sequence No. 37 (Quezon City: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), ???.
Additional resources
- The Travelling Truthseeker by H. P. Blavatsky
- The Truth Seeker Journal
- D. M. Bennett: The Truth Seeker (2009) - 1 hour video documentary by Roderick Bradford
- The Theosophical Odyssey of D. M. Bennett, Part One and Part Two by Roderick Bradford.