Led the Mahatmas Revolt.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 108, 9 May 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

Led the Mahatmas Revolt.

CHic/ftso Thkosophists Talk or the Lath

William Q. Judge.

Chicago theoßopbifits were not surprised ab the announcement of the death of William Q, Judge, as ib has been expected for some months, eaya the ' Chicago Times-Herald.' At the meeting of the Chicago Theosophical Society, at 26 Van Buren streeb, Bevoral of the members discussed Mr Judge.

' l He woB nob one of us, you know,' said the secretary of the branch. • ' He seceded from the original society, to which we bolong, nearly a year ago, and started what is known as the Theoeophical Society in America. Ours is the American section of tho Tbeoaophical Society. Ib seems to us thab he took a very unwise Btop under the circumstances. He was resting under grave charges, and, instead ot defending himself and disproving them, as many of us believed he could, he simply denied them and seceded. A largo following went with him. In fact I believe his is the larger society of the two in this country. A greab many of us, although refuging to secede with him, hold him in great admiration as a man.'

•Yes,' said another member, 'he was a very talented man, bub he took a wrong courso. The foundation of our society ia universal brothorhood, and secession certainly is not in accord with that; idea. Mr Jndge has epokon in Chicago frequently. He was hero during the World's Congress ot Religions, and spoke at one of the meebings of theosophiets. He was then general secretary of the society. His death may result in the reuniting of our societies, bub ib will take some time, not lens than a yoar, perhaps longer, to accomplish chip. Our tenets are absolutely the s-auie. Tho ne^ eocioty followed the man instead of the truth. Thab is all. Mr Judge was accused of forging letters from the Mahatraae.' In room 20, at 15 Washington-street, Loyalty branch of the Theosophical Society in America listened to an essay on ' Atoms as Thought Forms.1 by Mrs A. B. Leonard, last night. Members present were questioned about Mr Judge's death and the effect ib would have on tvbe society. They agreed thab ib was too spon to speculate on who would be elected to the presidency vacated by Mr Judge's death. Ifc may be Dr. Buck, the vice president of tho society, or possibly any one of half a dozen who are acknowledged leaders. They would nob acknowledge that Mr Judge's death would have a tendency to reunite the two .societies. 1 The others are following a person instead of the truth,' said tho chairmao of the meeting, rei&srating cho charge made against his faction by tho other society. 1 Our eecession was tha result of a difference of opinion between Mr Judge and Mra Boaftnt. Our tooeta are fcho same in every respect.' When asked if Mr Judge was a Mahatma, one of tho membere said thab was hard to say; that he was certainly very far advanced bub none but himself could tell how Jar, and h» was nols a man given to talking about fchf) demonsbrafciona he received. The funeral of Mr Judge took placo in New York on March 23rd. There was no crape and none of those emblems of woe which usually accompany a Christian funeral at the services over the body, which was cremated.