"Life is built up by the sacrifice of the individual to the whole. Each cell in the living body must sacrifice itself to the perfection of the whole; when it is otherwise, disease and death enforce the lesson."
In the ranks of the workers for humanity there are many true hearts, many devoted souls, who through their very excess of devotion, misapplied, become unwise and work serious harm. Thus, in their zealousness for the cause and their desire to convince as many as possible of the truths of their position, they unconsciously make statements which are not only unauthorized, but have no foundation whatever.
We have all come across these brothers and sisters, and some of us have listened in pain at meetings in public places, to glib sentences about the work, from the lips of speakers who were quite unconscious that they were making statements not based on fact or any authority.
An example of this may be found in the statements which have been made concerning the S. R. L. M. A. Some persons have even gone so far as to say specifically what studies were to be pursued there; who the teachers would be, and what the requirements for admission would be, etc. Now, it is sad to have to chronicle that there are a few people who have been advertising the School in a manner which is the last thing in the world its Founder desires. And it may here be authoritatively stated, that the Founder of the School for the Revival of the Lost Mysteries of Antiquity has given to no one information of any consequence. Those, therefore, who hear statements made concerning the School will know that they are without foundation and that, as its very name would indicate, knowledge about it will not be made public.
The overzealousness of the few sometimes works disaster on the many. In the past history of the theosophical movement good work has more than once been retarded or entirely prevented by the unguarded utterances of ill advised members. "Ignorance of the Law excuseth no one," and the harm which is unknowingly done, is harm, nevertheless. Now, we cannot deny that there is a class of people who revel in going about with only one mission in life, which is to disturb and destroy everything they cannot control. They seek to besmirch the good work and restrict the influence of those who are working unselfishly for the good of humanity.
Another class who would not wilfully destroy but who should be guarded against are those, who appearing indifferent to consequences, utilize at every opportunity the ideas of others in order to bring themselves into prominence and air the great knowledge they think they possess.
The very fact that there are such people, and that they will persist in getting in our way, makes it all the more imperative that we should work steadily and persistently, endeavoring to inspire others with a firm conviction, that as they work unselfishly they evoke the helpful force and the real energy that can be utilized for the uplifting of humanity.
The world needs more impersonal men and women who will bend all their efforts to restore the divine ideals, so that out of the present disorder and unrest, perfect order and peace shall result.
Everything, no matter how small, counts when it is carried on in the right spirit and with pure motives. Let us not get into the habit of regarding things from the standpoint of expediency and compromise, nor feel we are bound to use one moment of our precious time in apologizing for being born. The world cannot be measured with a yard-stick, nor the minds of men with a tape measure.
What is our real mission in life? Are we to hug our philosophy and grudgingly deal out according to our whims small teaspoonsful at a time? We raise the question, having incidentally heard that recently in this city, a lecturer publicly declared "that it would fare badly with Christianity had its apostles left the word of God to serve tables." Think of it! at the end of this nineteenth century. With all the misery, despair, suffering and hopelessness that exist around us, that one presuming to teach Brotherhood should adopt such an attitude.
Has it fared so well with Christianity?
Did not the gentle, compassionate Nazarene the founder of Christianity "serve tables," heal the sick, comfort the oppressed and wash the feet of his disciples?
Is it not true if it had not been for the comparative few who did "serve tables" Christianity would probably have disappeared from the world long ago. Let us look around us, and out all over the world and see the great battle that is raging. Are not the wounded lying on every side? Should they not be cared for with loving and merciful hands? Are not their sufferings ours? And should we not exhaust every means in our power to help them?
Is this not the spirit of real Brotherhood? We might take time to reason about the cause of the battle and endeavor to avert calamities that might arise in the next century, but in the meantime the weak and wounded are dying without hope, and the suffering are enduring agonies untold. May we be delivered from becoming so absorbed in new theories, that we forget how to be natural and true in the highest sense. Can we wonder that under such circumstances people receive new theories with distrust?
Anyone with a grain of common sense who possesses a real love for his fellow men cannot fail to realize how important it is that we should be well equipped for our work, with our philosophy in one hand and philanthropy in the other. When the real spirit of the philosophy pulsates in unison with the hearts of men they cannot stand still, they must go out into the great broad world for their cause is the cause of Humanity. And so in time they will move into closer touch with the great hearts of compassion.