New-York tribune., 1891-05-10
HAD11fE BLAVAIShf.

III Il
H.. ,..or,c,, 4, our time have been more per-
s;stortlv uisrepresented slandered and defamed
than Madame BIavatsky, but though malice
and Ignorance did their worst upon her there
oro abundant indications that her life-work will
yindcate itself; that it will endure ana that IL
will operate for good. She was the founder OF
the Theosophical Society, an organization now
fuIlv and firmly established, which has branches
in many countries, East and West and wnich
;s devoted to studies and practices the lnno-
,ence and the elevating character OF which are
becoming more generally recognized conlhu'i-
Iv The life of Madame Blavatsky was re-
markable one. but this is not the place or tlilie
IN sneaJ, of its ycissitudes 1t must suifce 10
say that for nearly twenty years she had ue-
voted herself to the dissemination OF doc'tineS
the fundamental principles OF which are OF .he
oftiest ethical character. However Otopian
NAV appear to some minds an attempt III 'he
nineteenth century to break down the DarllcrS
of race nationality, caste and class preJualce'
and to incucate that spirit OF brotherly lo'e
which the greatest OF all Teachers en]olned III
the first century, the nobility OF the aim can
on,, be impeached by those who repudlate
Christianity. Madame Blavatsky held that the
regeneration of mankind must be based upon
the development of altrlliSm. In this she was
at one with the greatest thinkers, not alone OF
the present day, but of all time and at one IL
is becoming more and more apparent, Win uho
strongest spiritua tendencies of the age. ms
alone would entitle her teachings to the canuiu
and serious consideration of all who respect the
influences that make for righteousness.
In another direction, though in close assoca-
tion with the cult Of universal fraternity sne
did important work. No one in the present
generation. it may be said has done more to-
ward reopening the long-sealed treasures OF
rasten thought. wisdom and philosophy. No
one certainly has done so much toward elucluaI-
ing that profound wisdom-relglon wrought OUT
by the ever-cogitating GTI5nt, and Bringing lltO
the light those ancIehc literary works whose
scope and depth have so aStOnished the west
ern world, brought up in the insular belief that
the East had produced only crudties and puer-
Il:tes in the domain of speculative Thought
Her own knowledge Of Oriental philosophy and
esotericism was comprehensive. No candid mind
can doubt this after reading her two principal
works Her steps often led, indeed, where only
few initiates could follow, but the tone and
tendency Of all her writings were healthful,
constantly impressed by her was assuredly that
which the world most needs, and has always
needed. namely. the necessity of subdulng sell
and of working for others Doubtless such
doctrine is distasteful to the ego-worshlppers'
and perhaps it has little chance of anything like
general acceptance, to say nothing OF general
application. But the man or woman who de-
liberately renounces all personal aims and am
billions in order to forward such beliefs is GER
tainy entitled to respect, even from such as
feel least capable of Obeyng the call to higher
| life
The work of Madame BlavatSky has already
| borne fruit, and is destined apparently, to pro-
| duce still more marked and Salutary effects In
| the future Careful observers Of the time long
since dscerneJ that the tone of current thought
in many directions was being affected by it,
| A broader humanity, a more liberal speculation
| q disposition to investigate ancient PHILOSOPHERS
| from higher point of view, have no indirect
association with the teachings referred to. Thus
| Madame Bavatsly has made her mark upon
| the time, and thus, too, her works will follow
| her. She herself has finished the course, and
after strenuous life she rests But her personal
influence is not necessary to the continuance
| of the great work to which she put her hand.
| That will go on with the impulse it has received
and some day, if not at once, the lOftiness and
purity of her aims, the wisdom and scope OF
her teachings will be recognized more fully, and
her memory will be accorded the honor to which
it is Justly entitled.