HPB-SB-8-150

T i

vol. 8, p. 150

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

vol. 8 (September 1878 - September 1879)

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< Correspondence (continued from page 8-149) >

the grounds of all the fabulous theogonies of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans; and, lastly, others will find remarkable coincidences with the dogmas published within the last centuries by different Spiritualists of Europe, who will never be suspected of having got them from India.

“But while waiting to know more of this theosophic wealth of India, I must admonish my fellow men that it is not in these books, any more than it is in any others, to take them beyond speculative Spiritualism; the radical development of our intimate essence alone can lead us into active spirituality.”

A.E.M.

Retford, January 29th, 1879.

The British National Association of Spiritualists

Meeting of the Council

LastTuesday night, at the monthly meeting of the Council of the British National Association of Spiritualists, Mr. Alexander Calder presided. The other members present were:—Mr. Morell Theobald, Mrs. Maltby, Mr. Stainton-Moses, Miss Houghton, Miss Withall, Mrs. Fitz-Gerald, Mr. Desmond Fitz-Gerald, Mr. Pickersgill, Mr. W. Miall, Mr. Walhouse, Mr. Reimers, Mr. Dawson Rogers, Mr. E. T. Bennett, Mr. Coffin, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Green, Mr. Withall, Mr. 11. Pearce, and Mr. Harrison.

The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, one new member was elected.

The following resignation of one of the vice-presidents, Mr. C. C. Massey, was then read:—

“4, Harcourt-buildings, Temple, 3rd February, 1879.

“Dear Miss Kislingbuuy,—I have to request that you will be good enough to convey to the Council, at its next meeting, my respectful resignation of my office of vice-president of the Association, and of my seat on the Council. It is from no loss of interest in what I believe to be the proper objects of the Association that I take this step; but I believe the present number of the Council, which seems to me unduly large, leads unavoidably to its discussions ranging beyond what I conceive to be the necessary and legitimate business of the Association. When I joined the Association I did so for the purpose of making a public profession of faith in discredited facts; and when I subsequently accepted the honour of a seat on the Council, I did not suppose that my doing so would involve, as it has done, participation in debates and discussions not, I think, very profitable or important, and the publication of which I believe to be injurious to the Association.

“In making this explanation, I beg it may be understood that nothing can be further from my intention than to express or imply any disrespect to the Council, or to any individual member of it. I must, on the contrary, accept and deplore any share of responsibility for what I deprecate which may justly attach to myself. —I remain, yours faithfully,

“C.C. Massey.

“The Secretary B. N. A. S., 38, Great Russell-street.”

Mr. Stainton-Moses said that they all knew how Mr. Massey came publicly forward, with a name and credit to lose, in defence of Dr. Slade. He knew that Mr. Massey’s decision to leave the Association was final, and he deeply regretted being separated from him in work. He would move that the resignation be accepted “with deep regret.”

This was seconded by Mrs. Fitz-Gerald, and passed unanimously.

The following resignation of another of the vice-presidents, Mrs. Makdougall Gregory, was then read:—

“Monday the 10th.

“Dear Miss Kislingbury,—Will you be so good as give in at to-morrow’s Council meeting my resignation of the vice-presidency, and my membership of the British National Association of Spiritualists, as well as of my membership of the General Furposes Committee.— Believe me, yours truly,

“Lisette Makdougall Gregory.”

Mr. FitzGerald moved, and Mr. M. J. Walhouse seconded, that Mrs. Gregory’s resignation be accepted “with deep regret.” This was passed unanimously.

The resignations of two ordinary members -were then read and accepted.

Several letters were read and presents acknowledged, after which the decease of Dr. Hallock was announced, and a vote of condolence passed to Mrs. Hallock.

Mr. Stainton-Moses then read the report of the General Purposes Committee, which had been previously issued as a printed circular to the Council, as follows:—

Private and Confidential.

British National Association of Spiritualists, 38, Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury, W.C., February 5, 1879.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Tuesday, the 11th instant, at 6.30.

The following recommendations of the General Purposes Committee -will be discussed:—

1. That the vacant rooms on the premises of the Association be let, by public advertisement or otherwise), to the best possible advantage.

2. That the whole suite of rooms not used for the purposes of the Association be offered, as likely to command a better rent, and to set the Association more free from responsibility.

3. That, in order to carry out this plan, Mr. Harrison be requested to be kind enough to give up the tenancy of the rooms now occupied by him, at the end of the present quarter.

4. That the Council oiler £50 per annum to Miss Burke to discharge the duties of secretary; the engagement to commence from 25tli February; the hours of attendance to be from 2 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. daily, except Saturday, on that day to be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

5. That a rota be formed of members of Council who will attend for an hour or two on one day in the week to advise with the secretary, see visitors, &c.

E. Kislingbury, Secretary.

Mr. Stainton-Moses said that resolutions four and five had been carried unanimously by the committee, so he would move their adoption first. He accordingly moved the adoption of No. 4.

This was seconded by Mr, Harrison and passed unanimously.— Clause No. 5 was then seconded by Mr. March, and passed.

Mr. Stainton-Moses then said that Clauses 1, 2, and 3 involved an important principle, so lie would leave the question in the hands of the Council whether they should be considered.

Mr. March asked—Did he not intend, as chairman of the committee, to move the adoption of that part of the report?

Mr. Stainton-Moses said that as chairman of the committee he had not voted, and he wished still to hold the balance between contending views.

Mr. M. J. Walhouse moved that the consideration of Clauses 1, 2, and 3 be postponed.

This was not seconded.

Mr. March thought that a chairman who brought up a report always moved its adoption.

Mr. Stainton-Moses: Very well, then; I move proforma that recommendations 1, 2, and 3 be adopted.

This was seconded by Mr. Bennett, who spoke strongly in favour of their adoption; so also did Mr. FitzGerald, who wished that the question had been brought up on its own merits, not as a matter of finance.

Mr. Stainton-Moses then read the following letter from Mr. C. C. Massey:—

“PROTEST.

“As a member of the Association, and as a late member of the General Purposes Committee, which the Council, on the 14th January last, instructed ‘to consider the question of the future secretaryship, and the general house arrangements,’ I beg respectfully to submit to the Council the following protest against the adoption of the recommendations of the committee, so far as the same relate to the termination of Mr. Harrison’s tenancy of the rooms now occupied by him, on the grounds—

“(1.) That the question of Mr. Harrison’s tenancy, though perhaps open for consideration by the committee upon a verbal construction of the reference by the Council, was not within its apparent intention, nor was suggested by the occasion which led to the necessity of considering the house arrangements.

“(2.) That the committee considered this question, not solely with reference to the convenient and profitable disposition of the rooms, but also with reference to the general policy of retaining Mr. Harrison’s offices on the premises.

“(3.) That the intention to raise this question at the committee had not been brought to the notice of the Council when it empowered the committee to make recommendations; and still less does it appear to have been present to the mind of the Council that the committee might base their recommendations upon considerations other than those of economy and convenience.

“(4.) That the question, if referred for consideration by a committee, should be so expressly, and not by implication or construction.

“(5.) That in constituting or adding to such committee, the Council should have expressly before it the character of the question to he referred, in order to ensure the unprejudiced consideration of it, and to satisfy the Association that this object has been kept in view.

“(6.) That the additions made to the General Purposes Committee by the Council on the 14th January were made without the discussion they might have received had attention been expressly called to the question which the committee has considered itself authorised to entertain.

“(7.) That some members of the Council who were absent from its meeting of the 14th January would probably have attended had they known what was involved in the business to be transacted.

“(8.) That there were members of the General Purposes Committee itself who were of opinion that it was not open to the committee to entertain the question of Mr. Harrison’s tenancy otherwise than as one of economy and local convenience.

“(9.) That one member of the committee (not myself) who took this view bad been present at the meeting of the Council on the 14th January*; and this fact is submitted as evidence that the Council were not informed or aware of the intention or possible construction of the resolution when it was passed.

“(10.) That the members of the committee itself were not apprised before its meeting that the question referred to them would be dealt with otherwise than as one of economy; I, for one, having been only informed of this by the courtesy of the chairman before the second or adjourned meeting for the consideration of the question, and having only attended in consequence of such information.

“(11.) That the recommendation, as originally drafted, was stated to be ‘with a view to retrenchment;’ and these words were only struck out by the mover at the moment before the recommendation was put to the vote, upon attention being called to their misleading character.

“(12.) That no grounds of profit or economy have been shown to exist in support of the recommendation.

“(13.) That, on the contrary, it involves the loss of a tenant who has offered to pay an increased rent for slightly different accommodation, without the least definite prospect that a new tenant will be secured when the present one goes out.

“(14.) That the question of economy was insufficiently discussed, <... continues on page 8-151 >

* In case the, question is asked, I may state that this member was Mr. Desmond Fitz-Gerald.

Editor's notes

Sources

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  London Spiritualist, No. 338, February 14, 1879, pp. 82-3