LUCIFER V o l.
III. LONDON, DECEMBER 15™, 1888. No. 16. IS D E N U N C IA T IO N A D U T Y ? “ Condemn no man in his absence ; and when forced to reprove, do so to his face, but gently, and in words full of charity and compassion. For the human heart is like the KusQli plan t: it opens its cup to the sweet morning dew, and closes it before a heavy shower of rain.” '
— B u d d h is t P r e c e p t .
“ Judge not, that ye be not judged.” — C h r is t ia n
M
A p h o r is m .
O T a few of our most earnest Theosophists feel themselves, we are sorry to hear, between the horns of a dilemma. Small causes will at times produce great results. There are those who would jest under the cruellest operation, and remain cool while having a le g amputated, who would yet raise a storm and renounce their rightful place in the kingdom of Heaven if, to preserve it, they had to keep silent when somebody treads on their corns. In the 13th number of L u c i f e r (September, page 63), a paper on “ T he Meaning of a Pledge ” was published. Out of the seven articles (six only were given out) which constitute the entire Pledge, the ist, 4th, 5th, and especially the 6th, require great moral strength of character, an iron will added to much unselfishness, quick readiness for renunciation and even self-sacrifice, to carry out such a covenant. Y e t scores of Theosophists have cheerfully signed this solemn “ Promise ” to w o rk for the good of Humanity forgetful of Self, without one word of p rotest— save on one point. Strange to say, it is rule the third which in almost every case makes the applicant hesitate and show the white feather. Ante tubam trepidat: the best and kindest of them feels a larm ed ; and he is as overawed before the blast of the trumpet of that th ir d clause, as though he dreaded for himself the fate of the walls of J e r ic h o !