[Not signed but is by Franz Hartmann][1]
[Col. Olcott has received from one of the Western States of America the following cordial letter, which is as gratifying to all of us as it has been to the recipient. The writer—now, happily, a Theosophist—is a learned physician of German birth but long settled in the United States, where he is known and appreciated as a writer upon philosophical and spiritualistic topics. Hundreds now inimical to our society would, like the present correspondent, be converted into friends if, like him, they could but have the chance to inform themselves about the facts. In fact, we find, as time goes on, that this change is actually taking place in many able minds. And among the vindicative agencies must be given a chief place to Mr. Sinnett’s Occult World, the circulation of which has now extended to probably every English-speaking country on the globe. It will doubtless cheer our new Western friend to learn that other and perhaps far more (Fragments of) Occult Truths, dropped from the table of the Masters, have been gathered into Mr. Sinnett’s basket and may shortly appear in the form of another volume, Ed.] :—
“Some months ago, being a little irritated, from reading Mr. Sinnett’s “Occult World;”(a book, which I took up with a great deal of expectation, and which gave me then very little satisfaction) I wrote to you, giving you and the “Brothers” a piece of my mind. I did not expect any answer then; believing that it would be entirely immaterial to you, whatever my opinions might be in regard to occult science. As you, however, kindly answered my letter, showing an undeserved interest in my instruction, I consider it now my duty to recant and apologize for my former opinions.
In fact, since reading the “Hints on Esoteric Theosophy,” and especially since studying the “Fragments of Occult Truth” in the “Theosophist” my views have been completely revolutionised. My faith in the reliability of spiritualism having been shaken some time ago, partly by reading “Isis Unveiled,” partly by a careful review of my own spiritualistic experiences, which were not in every respect satisfactory, I was undecided what to believe, and almost made up my mind to cease investigating altogether, for the following reason.
It is self-evident that the all-pervading intelligent principle, which we call “God,” and of which every individual spirit is only a part, must be infinitely wise, and whatever exists must, therefore, have been created or evolved according to the highest principles of wisdom and love. But if everything is made infinitely better than we could make or wish it ourselves, then we may safely put our trust in God and wait with patience until the Supreme Master of the Universe shall reveal to us more of the sublime mysteries of nature. To worry about our future would be equivalent to acknowledging a suspicion that the great architect might perhaps have made some blunder after all or asserting that the egg can be wiser than the hen that laid it.
Although the above reasoning must be correct, still it did not satisfy the cravings of my inquisitive mind; but on further reflection I found, that man even here on earth is not condemned to perpetual ignorance in regard to his future destiny, and that with intuition and introspection as our aider, we are certainly enabled to learn a great deal, even without any extraneous assistance.
I have carefully read the “Fragments of Occult Truth”, and it now looks as though these teachings were not entirely new to me. It seems as if the sun had suddenly risen over a well-known landscape, illuminating these parts with its glorious light, which I had often before beheld in the misty twilight of imperfect day. I feel myself highly elevated by this knowledge. Although as yet I have obtained little light, yet from what little I have received, it appears to me as if I, with open eyes, were wandering among the blind, or as if from a lofty attitude of spiritual elevation I were looking down upon the ludicrous scuffles of children. I further feel that a spiritual link has been established between your Society and my humble self, and with confidence, I look for more light from the same source. Of course, I do not expect to be at once admitted into the inner chamber of the temple. I do not even presume to expect to arrive during this short life at a partial understanding of the secret workings of nature; but from what glimpses I had behind the veil, I have become convinced of the wisdom and goodness of the source of life.
The doctrine of reincarnation or transmigration of souls, upon which I used to look with horror and disgust, appears to me now perfectly natural, beneficial and wise, and I look forward to some future period of existence, to accomplish what cannot be accomplished in the present condition.
I am anxious to learn, yet there are many statements that must appear extravagant and absurd to the uninitiated. Neither can the founders of the Theosophical Society become offended at the unbelief of the sceptic because only the credulous fool would swallow every statement without masticating (understanding) the same, and such a one would be only a poor acquisition to your ranks.
There are many questions I am tempted to ask; but as this letter has already spun its length to an extent not intended, and as your patience must have certain limits, I will forbear at present, and wait a while, when perhaps I shall know more and have less to ask.”
Notes:
[1] An Enemy Turned Brother. [Not signed but is by Franz Hartmann] The Theosophist 4, no. 6 (suppl. to March 1883), 6. {This article was reformatted from the original, but with the content unchanged other than fixing minor typos, by Robert Hutwohl, ©2020.