he remark with which we are most
often met when we speak of the Adepts to English friends. We find that
our friends do not often ask for so-called miracles or marvels to prove
the genuineness of the Adepts' powers. But they ask why the Adepts will
not give some proof--not necessarily that they are far beyond us, but
that their knowledge does at least equal our own in the familiar and
definite tracks which Western science has worn for itself. A few
pregnant remarks on Chemistry,--the announcement of a new electrical
law, capable of experimental verification--some such communication as
this (our interlocutors say), would arrest attention, command respect,
and give a weight and prestige to the higher teaching which, so long as
it remains in a region wholly unverifiable, it can scarcely acquire.

We gratefully recognize the very acceptable choice which the Adepts have
made in selecting Mr. Sinnett as the intermediary between us and them.
They could hardly have chosen any one more congenial to our Western
minds:--whether we consider the clearness of his written style, the
urbanity of his verbal expositions, or the earnest sincerity of his
convictions. Since they have thus far met our peculiar needs with such
considerate judgment, we cannot but hope that they may find themselves
able yet further to adapt their modes of teaching to the requirements of
Occidental thought.

--An English F.T.S.
London, July 1883.

Reply to an English F.T.S

Answers

It was not in contemplation, at the outset of the work begun in
Fragments, to deal as fully with the scientific problems of cosmic
evolution as now seems expected. A distinct promise was made, as Mr.
Sinnett is well aware, to acquaint the readers with the outlines of
Esoteric doctrines and--no more. A good deal would be given, much more
kept back.

This seeming unwillingness to share with the world some of Nature's
secrets that may have come into the possession of the few, arises from
causes quite different from the one generally assigned. It is not
SELFISHNESS erecting a Chinese wall between occult science and those who
would know more of it, without making any distinction between the simply
curious profane, and the earnest, ardent seeker after truth. Wrong and
unjust are those who think so; who attribute to indifference for other
people's welfare a policy necessitated, on the contrary, by a far-seeing
universal philanthropy; who accuse the custodians of lofty