It has been continually stated that in previous centuries the Theosophical Movement has failed. Has it succeeded in this? What is the relation of the Universal Brotherhood Organization to the other so-called Theosophical Societies?
The original name of the Society founded by H. P. Blavatsky in New York City in 1875 was "The Theosophical Society or Universal Brotherhood." Gradually the words, "Universal Brotherhood" dropped out of the title, so that before the public the Society became to be known only as the Theosophical Society. Its main purpose, Universal Brotherhood, although expressed in its objects, was obscured, and the little-understood word Theosophy gave rise to innumerable misconceptions and fantastic notions. Even among some of the members, the main idea seemed to be to study metaphysics and occult problems, seeking personal development and knowledge. But both H. P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge again and again expressed most forcibly that the Theosophical Society had for its all-embracing purpose the formation of a nucleus of universal brotherhood. Even for those who desired occult knowledge, H. P. B. wrote: "To live to benefit mankind is the first step, to practice the six glorious virtues is the second." And of occultism she said: "The first step is sacrifice, the second renunciation." The growth of the Society has been like the growth of anything else in nature, by assimilation, accretion and also by a sifting process, continually throwing off old effete matter; as a tree drawing from the sunshine, the air, the earth, and the moisture of the rain and dew, putting forth new branches and leaves, and throwing off the old withered leaves and twigs. So complete was the work of H. P. B. and W. Q. J. and their sacrifice, which was that of all their powers, energies and life itself, not in vain, that under their successor, our third Teacher, it was possible to take the great and all-embracing object of the Society and again proclaim it before the world as the name of the organization.
To-day the Society founded by H. P. B. and W. Q. J. stands before the world as the "Universal Brotherhood."
This took place on January the 13th, 1898, and on February 18th of the same year the Theosophical Society in America accepted the Universal Brotherhood constitution and became thereby a department of the organization. Similar action was also taken by the Theosophical societies who believed in keeping the link unbroken following H. P. B., W. Q. J. and our present Leader, in Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.
The roots and trunk of this great Movement which has been active in all ages remain ever the same, but century after century has passed, the great tree putting forth new shoots and leaves, but ere the blossom and the fruit could appear the tender buds have been nipped by the biting frosts of ambition and self-seeking and the chilling blasts of selfishness. Not so in this century; the great tree put forth its shoots, its buds, the blossoms appeared, and now the fruit "Universal Brotherhood" crowns its branches, and the present attempt "in the form of our Society" has succeeded and has entered upon the new century as "an organized, living and healthy body," and "the effort for the XXth century has already begun. The cycle of despair and failure has been broken and a new age has already dawned, though as yet unperceived by the mass of humanity. The words of H. P. B. in the Key to Theosophy have a new meaning. That there will be a "numerous and united body to welcome the new Torch-bearer when he shall come in the latter part of this XXth Century is already assured, and the Heaven which she asserts will be on earth in the XXIst Century has already begun as a seed in the hearts of men.
Read these words of H. P. Blavatsky in the Key to Theosophy:
"If the present attempt in the form of our Society succeeds better than its predecessors have done, then it will be in existence as an organized, living, and healthy body when the time comes for the effort of the XXth Century. The general condition of men's minds and hearts will have been improved and purified by the spread of its teachings, and, as I have said, their prejudices and dogmatic illusions will have been, to some extent at least, removed. Not only so, but besides a large and accessible literature ready to men's hands, the next impulse will find a numerous and united body of people ready to welcome the new Torch-bearer of Truth. He will find the minds of men prepared for his message, a language ready for him in which to clothe the new truths he brings, an organization awaiting his arrival which will remove the merely mechanical material obstacles and difficulties from his path. Think how much one to whom such an opportunity is given could accomplish. Measure it by comparison with what the Theosophical Society actually has achieved in the last fourteen years without any of these advantages and surrounded by hosts of hindrances which would not hamper the new Leader. Consider all this and then tell me whether I am too sanguine when I say that, if the Theosophical Society survives and lives true to its mission, to its original impulse, through the next hundred years—tell me, I say, if I go too far in asserting that this earth will be a heaven in the XXIst Century in comparison with what it is now!"
Many questions are asked by people unacquainted with our work as to the existence of other societies using the word "Theosophical" in their names, and we are asked why it is we hold to the Universal Brotherhood Organization and do not unite with those other societies. But these questions come only from those who have not looked into the matter, not from those who watch what is going on in the world. One of the great Teachers of old said: "By their fruits ye shall know them," and XlXth Century people decry professions which have no fruit in work. What have the other so-called Theosophical societies to show? The world's needs demand workers and not idle dreamers. Men's hearts cry out for brotherhood, sympathy and help; words cannot satisfy their souls' longings. Ask the children all over the world, ask the thousands of soldiers who were in camp at Montauk and are now to be found all over the United States and in the Philippines, ask the thousands of Cubans, ask the prisoners in many of the great prisons of this country, and the students of this Organization all over the world, who stand true to the principles of H. P. B. and W. Q. J.; ask these whence has come the hope in their hearts and the light shining in their eyes, the lifting of the shadows and the imparting of a new courage. The Universal Brotherhood does not fear to be judged by the world. It leads the world. It is the embodiment of the world's deepest desires.
The whole of nature is the embodiment of great nature's divine soul, the Over-soul. The soul needs a body to work with, it forms the tree, the animal, man; and the soul of Brotherhood needs a body through which it shall work. No effort of man can avail unless there is a body through which it can come forth into act, and there can be no perfect embodied life unless there be a living, controlling and guiding heart. The Universal Brotherhood Organization is the body through which the soul of Brotherhood is seeking and finding expression. It is built on Nature's plan; it has its heart, and that heart we recognize and to it we respond.
Were there not this living body and heart, it would be the last thing in the world that we members of the Universal Brotherhood, or any who love humanity, would do, to join the empty, lifeless societies, who, under cover of the sacred name Theosophy, offer husks in place of the bread of life, and speak soft words, holding out the "broad teachings" as a cover,—so broad that thoughts, impure, selfish, ambitious, find a hiding place beneath. What would we think of a physician who did not recognize disease and point it out that others may be warned and take due precaution against being infected. And have not all the great Teachers of humanity, like wise physicians, done the same? Read the stern denunciations of the "gentle"(!) Jesus—"Woe unto you! scribes and pharisees, hypocrites!" One of the divinest faculties given to man is discrimination, and every true man, every lover of humanity, would be failing in his duty if he did not exercise this faculty. We are our brothers' keepers. It is our duty to proclaim the "Light" which we have found and warn against all luring pretense and sham.
Those who love H. P. B., who love William Q. Judge, will look to see where are to be found the fruits of their noble lives; where are those same things being taught and lived which they taught and lived; who have kept the sacred trust which they left; who have preserved the sacred memory of their
names and work; where is to be found the demonstration of Theosophy as a living power in the life of humanity. Theosophy demonstrated is Brotherhood. Brotherhood is the first and last word of Theosophy. That demonstration is to be found in the Universal Brotherhood Organization, and there also are to be found the living teachings of H. P. B. and William Q. Judge in its literature, and those other deeper teachings, which never can be put into words or books, but expressed only in the lives of men. — J. H. Fussell