one marked difference will be noticed between this, the second volume of letters that have helped me, and the earlier volume. that first volume had a unity of purpose and development, setting forth, as it did, in due sequence, the salient points of the eastern teaching. this unity palpably arose from the fact that the series of letters was written to one individual, and thus followed along a line suited to the unfolding needs and the studies of that individual, as to those of all fellow students pursuing an identical line of thought.
the present volume, on the contrary, consists of letters, and extracts from letters, written to a number of people in different parts of the world. in many instances, an extract only was sent to the compilers by individuals appealed to, that of their store something might be given to their fellow-men. in other instances, the entire letter was sent, but contained personal or other matter, which could not be published. in still other instances, the entire letter is given. it has been thought best to omit all headings and endings to these letters, in order that no discrimination shall be made in respect of the recipients, thus leaving the truths which the letters embody to stand out in their own relief, unmarred by a label and a name. many of the extracts were published in the irish theosophist, and others still in the "tea-table" of the path, where "quickly" stood for mr. judge. it was the wish of mr. judge, expressed in writing to one of the compilers, that the series should be republished (with the addition of other matter) as a8 second volume of the earlier work. the compilers are thus carrying out the direct wishes of mr. judge.
during the lifetime of mr. judge, it was possible to rearrange, to suggest excision or amplification, or the grouping of various extracts as one letter; and it was possible as well to annotate, since mr. judge read all proof, and was always ready to consider any suggestions, while he was also pleased to see that his annotator had grasped his meaning, or to correct errors in this respect. it is evident that such rearrangement, adding as it would to the completeness and the unity of a series, is much to be desired. it was hoped to continue this method with the present volume; but the death of the writer has made it impossible. we can only publish some letters completely, as they stand, and group together such extracts as remain.
one point more. a great number of letters have thus come up. one compiler alone has many score, all written since the publication of the first volume, and ranging over that period of years in which the trials of mr. judge became increasingly heavy, a period to which his unexpected death set a term. how great were these trials, none well knew except the master whom he so devotedly served. the last letter of all was written but a very short while before his death. in no single letter out of all these numbers—in no letter that the compilers have seen—is there a harsh or condemnatory word said of the authors of his trials. he accepts the bitter, the profound injustice done him without one word which could impugn the faith he held, the teachings he gave out. surprise there is; annoyance once or twice at the waste of time, the irrational deeds and words. and then he turns him to that wise compassion which knows that it is not he who is wronged who is in truth the sufferer, but he who inflicts a wrong.
9–10
mr. judge always taught the truest occultism, the highest path. when his hour of trial struck, step by step he followed along that path. in the destiny of the crucified, whether christs, or christ-disciples, it is always seen that the loudest denial comes from those most helped, most served. it is he who sits "at meat" with them who betrays them. and of all the long time of martyrs, never one has been exonerated to his era, justified to his age. this fact alone should make thinking men pause, remembering further that the crowd always prefers that barabbas should be released unto them.
the great drama ever follows the same lines. the initiate, be he disciple or be he adept, cannot defend himself; this is the inexorable law. but he has all the tenderest support that his great predecessors along the path of thorns can bestow; all the joy of a battle nobly fought; all the gratitude of those among his fellows whose intuition can follow him behind the veil which screens the initiate from our sight.
so it comes about that these letters breathe the compassion, the patience, the brotherliness their author lived to inculcate. sorrow, indeed, he felt; but he put it bravely by. his great and kind heart remained sound to the core. he sweetened the hours of bitterness by profound resignation to the law. he was one of those of whom it is written: "he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
for the helping of mankind we publish these letters. to the judgment of posterity we commit them, knowing well that in the eternal spaces the truth alone prevails. he who is here seen sustaining and consoling his fellows during the saddest hours of his life and down to the doors of the tomb, was in his turn upheld—not alone by a great faith and by an all-compassionate hand—but also by the love enshrined in his own quiet heart. to the master he left the rest.
the compilers.
