Judge, William Quan, 1851-1896; Theosophists -- United States -- Correspondence; Theosophy
During the lifetime of Mr. Judge, it was possible to rearrange, to
suggest excision or amplification, or the grouping of various extracts
as one letter; and it was possible as well to annotate, since Mr. Judge
read all proof, and was always ready to consider any suggestions,
while he was also pleased to see that his annotator had grasped his
meaning, or to correct errors in this respect. It is evident that such
rearrangement, adding as it would to the completeness and the unity
of a series, is much to be desired. It was hoped to continue this
method with the present volume; but the death of the writer has made it
impossible. We can only publish some letters completely, as they stand,
and group together such extracts as remain.
One point more. A great number of letters have thus come up. One
compiler alone has many score, all written since the publication of
the first volume, and ranging over that period of years in which the
trials of Mr. Judge became increasingly heavy, a period to which his
unexpected death set a term. How great were these trials, none well
knew except the Master Whom he so devotedly served. The last letter of
all was written but a very short while before his death. In no single
letter out of all these numbers--in no letter that the compilers have
seen--is there a harsh or condemnatory word said of the authors of his
trials. He accepts the bitter, the profound injustice done him without
one word which could impugn the faith he held, the teachings he gave
out. Surprise there is; annoyance once or twice at the waste of time,
the irrational deeds and words. And then he turns him to that wise
compassion which knows that it is not he who is wronged who is in truth
the sufferer, but he who inflicts a wrong.
Mr. Judge always taught the truest Occultism, the highest path. When
his hour of trial struck, step by step he followed along that path. In
the destiny of the crucified, whether Christs, or Christ-disciples, it
is always seen that the loudest denial comes from those most helped,
most served. It is he who sits "at meat" with them who betrays them.
And of all the long time of martyrs, never one has been exonerated to
his era, justified to his age. This fact alone should make thinking men
pause, remembering further that the crowd always prefers that Barabbas
should be released unto them.
The great drama ever follows the same lines. The initiate, be he
disciple or be he adept, cannot defend himself; this is the inexorable
law. But he has all the tenderest support that his great predecessors
along the path of thorns can bestow; all the joy of a battle nobly
fought; all the gratitude of those among his fellows whose intuition
can follow him behind the veil which screens the initiate from our
sight.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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