Echoes from the Orient; A Broad Outline of Theosophical Doctrines
(Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
(Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
William Quan Judge was an Irish-born American mystic, esotericist, and occultist. He was among the seventeen people who first put the Theosophical Society together, stayed behind to manage the Society's work, all the while working as a lawyer.
Background
William was born on April 13, 1851 in Dublin, Ireland, one of the seven children of Frederick H. Judge, a prominent Freemason, and Alice (Quan) Judge.
He developed normally until his seventh year when, after a serious illness, he began to show signs of "queerness" and very early plunged into a precocious study of mesmerism, magic, and Rosicrucianism. In 1864, Frederick Judge, after the death of his wife, brought his large family to America and settled in Brooklyn, New York.
Education
William Judge studied law in the office of George P. Andrews, later justice of the New York supreme court.
Career
William Quan Judge was admitted to the bar in 1872. He entered into partnership with Henry Steel Olcott in the firm of Olcott, Gonzalez & Judge.
Introduced by Olcott to Mme. H. P. Blavatsky, he became a charter member of their Theosophical Society in September 1875. In 1878 he acted as legal counsel for Mme. Blavatsky in her divorce from M. C. Betanelly. After the departure of Olcott and Mme. Blavatsky for India in the latter year, the New York branch of the Theosophical Society went to pieces, but it was reorganized by Judge in 1883 as the Aryan Theosophical Society, with himself as president. At first his organization enjoyed but a precarious existence. Sometimes the only member present, he would nevertheless formally open the meeting, read a chapter of the Bhagavad-Gita, and enter the minutes. His faith was eventually rewarded. Despite the exposure of Mme. Blavatsky by the London Society for Psychical Research in 1885, the theosophic movement began to spread in America, and during the next few years Judge, appointed vice-president by Olcott, succeeded in establishing branches in every large city of the country.
In 1886 he began the publication of The Path, a theosophical monthly which he edited until his death. In 1889 he crushed the formidable revolt of Elliott Coues, against whom, together with the New York Sun, he brought a libel suit in July 1890 on behalf of Mme. Blavatsky which was terminated two years later by the Sun's abject apology.
In 1893 he gave up his legal practice in order to devote all his time to the work of the Society. In the following year, however, he was formally charged by Mrs. Annie Besant with having fabricated letters in his own praise supposed to have been "precipitated" from the Mahatmas of the Himalayas. There is evidence that he had come to believe he was himself "the Mahatma K. H. ". The affair caused an ugly scandal. As a result of the controversy, the American section withdrew from the Theosophical Society and formed itself into an independent organization, Judge being elected president.
At the time of his death, a year later, this organization was estimated to have 400, 000 members.
(Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)
Views
William Judge believed thoroughly in the occult teachings of theosophy.
Personality
As a lawyer Judge was noted for his industry, thoroughness, and pertinacity.
Although apparently not averse to trickery, he was of genuinely mystical temperament. His personal kindness, gentleness, and earnestness of purpose aroused intense devotion among his followers.
Connections
In 1874 Judge was married to Ella Smith of Brooklyn.