THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN EUROPE

[Lucifer, Vol. VI, No. 35, July, 1890, pp. 428-29]

In consequence of the receipt of letters from all the active Lodges in Europe, and from a large majority of the Unattached Fellows of the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky is reluctantly compelled to abandon the position which she originally took up at the foundation of the Society.

NOTICE

IN OBEDIENCE TO THE ALMOST UNANIMOUS VOICE OF THE FELLOWS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN EUROPE, I, H. P. BLAVATSKY, THE ORIGINATOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, ACCEPT THE DUTY OF EXERCISING THE PRESIDENTIAL AUTHORITY FOR THE WHOLE OF EUROPE; AND IN VIRTUE OF THIS AUTHORITY I DECLARE THAT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN LONDON, WHERE I RESIDE, WILL IN FUTURE BE THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ALL OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY IN EUROPE.
H. P. BLAVATSKY

Let no one imagine that this reform in any sense Suggests a separation from, or even to the loosening in any way of the authority of, my colleague at Adyar. Colonel H. S. Olcott remains, as heretofore, the President-Founder of the Theosophical Society the world over. But it has been found impossible for him at such a great distance to exercise accurate discrimination in current matters of guidance of the Theosophical Society. His functions including the official issue of Charters and Diplomas in Europe, errors in the selection of members to whom such Charters and Diplomas are issued (besides the minor evil of delay) have rendered it impossible that the system of government of the Theosophical Society in Europe should be continued as

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heretofore. In the issue of Lucifer for August, 1889, I made use of the following sentences:—

“H. P. Blavatsky will always bow before the decision of the majority of a Section or even a simple Branch.... No more. . . has the President-Founder the right of exercising autocracy or papal powers, and Colonel Olcott would be the last man in the world to attempt to do so. It is the two Founders, and especially the President, who have virtually sworn allegiance to the Fellows, whom they have to protect. . . . and not to tyrannize and rule over them” (page 508).*
Therefore, owing to the issue of a Charter in ignorance of the actual facts, and the immediate protest made by all the active members of the Lodges, and their unanimous desire that I should exercise the Presidential authority over the Theosophical Society in Europe, bowing to the decision of the majority I have issued the above official NOTICE. To avoid even the appearance of autocracy I select as an advisory Council to assist me in the exercise of these functions, in addition to my three colleagues appointed by the President, viz.: Annie Besant, and Messrs. W. Kingsland and Herbert Burrows, Mr. A. P. Sinnett, President of the London Lodge, who has cordially joined in this reform, Dr. H. A. W. Coryn, President of the Brixton Lodge, Theosophical Society, Mr. E. T. Sturdy, and Mr. G. R. S. Mead.
H. P. BLAVATSKY.
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[* See “A Puzzle from Adyar,” in Vol. XI of this Series—Compiler.]
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19 AVENUE ROAD LONDON
H.P.B. resided in this house from July, 1890, to the time of her
Death on May 8, 1891. Facing the middle window was her desk on
which The Secret Doctrine was finished.