As you have invited an expression of opinion in regard to Mr. C. Johnston’s proposal to do away with the questionable practice among the members of the T.S. of calling each other ostentatiously “brothers,” permit me to say, that no measure which could possibly be taken for the improvement of our Society would meet my fuller consent and approval than the abolishment of this nuisance, which not only leaves the “sisters” out in the cold, but has also a strong smell of cant and sectarian hypocrisy. My experience teaches me always to beware of those who put forth any especial claims for being called “brother.” Lichtenberg says, “Trust no man who puts his hand upon his heart when he wants to confirm his assertions, and I may add, “Be on the look-out if one approaches you hiding behind the shield of his special brotherhood.”

          Now the other side of the question: In all occult brotherhoods those are recognized as brothers who meet on the plane of the higher consciousness, and if we can enter that plane, we recognize them as such, whether we call them so privately or not; we recognize them as distinguished from the great body of mankind who still live in their terrestrial animal consciousness and can therefore not enter the true esoteric circle. These are our real “brothers”; but to call others by that name does not make them capable of recognizing that real brotherhood, and if we call somebody by a title which does not rightfully belong to him, we give him a public nickname and enact a farce, the more ridiculous if it is public.

F. Hartmann.^[1]

Note:

^[1] Correspondence from Franz Hartmann. Regarding, Calling each other “Brothers.” Lucifer 14, no. 81 (May 1894), 255. {This article was reformatted from the original, but with the content unchanged other than fixing minor typos, by Robert Hutwohl, ©2025}