The outer work of the United Lodge of Theosophists—its meetings and its publications—is known to many. Also known are the Three Objects of the original Theosophical Movement, in the light of which the history of that Movement, in the light of which the history of that Movement, its triumphs and failures, its many vicissitudes, can be studied. But hidden behind all these outer and exoteric happenings and events there is the Inner Soul, the Esoteric Reality. Without the Soul, the very existence of the body becomes meaningless. So also no one can truly comprehend the nature of the Theosophical Movement without taking into consideration the Esoteric "Soul-Reality." But we must not err about the soul of man and the spirit of the universe. It is only by a careful study of psychology and philosophy that we learn what the human soul is, whence it comes, how it grows, whither it marches. So too by a study of the history of the present Theosophical Movement, of the philosophy underlying it, we can comprehend the meaning and significance of the soul and body of Theosophy in our time.

H. P. Blavatsky, the founder of the Movement, was a personage of remarkable spiritual knowledge and perception and she knew, when she launched the Movement in 1875 on the stormy waters of our civilization, what none of her colleagues and co-workers seem to have suspected. She had a clear vision of the strength behind her work, and the weakness of human nature, not only in the world outside but right within her own camp and fold. She knew well that very soon after her death the Society she established, the body she created, would break up, but she also knew that the Soul of Theosophy would go marching forward, spreading light and guidance and inspiration all around. It is very necessary to distinguish between the infallible nature of the philosophy of Theosophy and fallible nature of the students of Theosophy. From the very beginning in the Theosophical Movement, the Wisdom of Perfected Men and the folly and limitations of mortal minds struggled side by side, causing both the concord of progress and the confusion rooted in human disunity, discord and frailty. An extract from a letter written by H. P. Blavatsky in 1888, to her most trusted pupil and friend, W. Q. Judge, shows the clear vision she had of what was going to happen to the original Theosophical Society, and to the many students of the Wisdom-Religion she taught. She wrote:

Night before last I was shown a bird's-eye view of the Theosophical Societies. I saw a few earnest reliable Theosophists in a death struggle with the world in general, with other—nominal but ambitious—Theosophists. The former are greater in number than you may think, and they prevailed as you in America will prevail, if you only remain staunch to the Master's programme and true to yourselves....The defending forces have to be judiciously—so scanty they are—distributed over the globe, wherever Theosophy is struggling against the powers of darkness. (Vernal Blooms, pp. 5-6)

Mr. Judge, who had his training under H.P.B. and who developed his own soul-perception under her guidance, thought it fit to publish this personal message to him immediately after the death of the teacher. This letter is one of the great landmarks of Theosophical history. It gives a clue not only to those who are students of Theosophy but also to the public in general. It distinguishes between genuine Theosophists and nominal Theosophists. Genuine Theosophists are those who follow the Programme of the Masters, learn and teach the Philosophy they taught, and above all practise the Law of Brotherhood, rising above differences of race and religion, of sect and creed, of caste and society.

U.L.T. earnestly and sincerely tries to follow that Programme and to promulgate that Philosophy. First, we do not claim that U.L.T. is the only body that stands for truth; we do not say there are no others who are doing the work of the Masters except those who are the promoters and associates of U.L.T. A Master once wrote: "There is more to this Movement than is evident on the surface." Therefore we have not only tolerance but appreciation of the good work done in many quarters—in public life, in the social world, in the sphere of literature, in the province of art and culture. Our task, however is with the souls of men and women. While we admire the labours of those who feed and clothe the body, those who try to improve the slums of the senses and of the mind, we ourselves confine our activities to helping human souls, teaching them to fight their own battles and providing them with the nourishment and the wherewithal to fight their battles successfully.

The Inner Reality of U.L.T. may be said to be threefold: (1) There is the earnestness, sincerity and devotion of its students and associates, however few, who though weak and fallible feel the power and the strength of Theosophy, which power they try to embody in themselves. (2) There is the Philosophy of the Wisdom-Religion which these students study and practise, and that effort strengthens the Inner Reality. (3) There are those Great and Blessed Ones who are the Immortal Philosophers, Recorders of the Wisdom-Religion, Guides and Friends of the earnest and sincere students.

The students and associates of U.L.T. are like the incarnated or embodied soul; their strength and weakness reflect themselves in the work done by U.L.T. for the world. The Philosophy of Wisdom-Religion is like Buddhi which illuminates the mind. The Blessed Ones who are the Real Founders of the Movement, who sent H.P.B. into the world, are like Atma, the Supreme Spirit. As students and members control their senses and their lower natures, they receive more and more of the light of Buddhi, Wisdom-Religion, Bodhi-Dharma, and as these student-members practise and promulgate it, as they spread the Light, they come closer to the Great Ones—the Souls of Virtue, of Beauty and of Power. We welcome all, because the Light is for all. Not those who are whole need the physician, but those who are sick. Those who want to heal their hearts, to enlighten their minds, to serve their fellowmen, come in confidence, but with humility. They enter the temple of Theosophy, but leave behind the dirty shoes of pride and egotism. Our work is for humanity, and we derive our sustenance from the Elder Brothers of the Human Family, the Fathers of the Human Race. In serving humanity, in educating the souls of men and women, we in return derive for ourselves the greatest of prizes, the mightiest of benefits—the blessings of those whose hands are strong, whose heads are wise, whose hearts are compassionate.