In the
Sydney newspaper, the Truth,
from October 11, 1925, page 9, appeared the following article:
And
below I transcribe the text of the article:
“BISHOP” LEADBEATER AGAIN
Seeks a “Tribute Offering” for His Liberal Catholic Church and Co-Masonry
UNSAVORY AND DEGENERATE PAST REVIEWED
_ _ _
The curtain is up. The stage is set. Enter once more to take his old
position in the limelight, the “Right Reverend” Charles Webster Leadbeater, “Presiding
Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church,” “Administrator-General in Australia of
the Universal Co-Masonic Order,” “Protector of the Star in the East,'' and “Senior
Knight of the Round Table.”
There maybe other titles —Leadbeater is renowned as the inventor of all
that is suggestive of humbug and flummery— but the newspaper “Truth” has not
yet heard of them.
_ _ _
The “Bishop” is after money —a fact not extraordinary in itself— and synchronizing
with the chase after cash is his proposed trip to India with fifty-three of his
disciples to take part in the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the founding
of the Theosophical Society.
“His Grace” will leave by the Oronsay on November 14 — if the steamship
company with take him, or if the Indian Government will allow him to land. For
the odor that surrounds the name of Charles Webster Leadbeater is as far removed
from the scent of the violet as chalk is from cheese. Decent people in India
know Leadbeater — only too well.
Still, that rests with the future. It is with the Bishop's past and
present activities that the “Truth” is more concerned.
At the moment there is a drive being made for £5000 to wipe off the debt
on the Church of St. Alban's, near the Central Railway Station, the headquarters
in Australia of Leadbeater's “Liberal Catholic Church,” a spurious organization that
calls itself a religion, covering itself with a sort of sanctity that is enough
to make a cat laugh, when the wretched record of its “Presiding Bishop” is taken
into consideration.
The “drive” is called a “Tribute Offering to Bishop Leadbeater,” and is
to be devoted “to the object nearest his heart.” Active followers and sympathizers
as asked to give, but when one comes to consider the scandals that inevitably arise
wherever Leadbeater ensconces himself, the generous might pause, and consider,
before giving, whether the object is worthy.
For genuine religious organizations “Truth” has every respect, but it
has none for Leadbeater's church, conceived as it was In the mind of an
admitted and acknowledged sex pervert of the worst type, whose odious practices
have brought down on his head the castigation of decent people in four
countries.
An elegant brochure has been published telling readers what a wonderful
man the “Bishop” is, boosting many of his doubtful virtues, and none of his frailties
It pleads eloquently for £5000 for his “church,” and for £4000 for his “Co-Masonic
Temple,” the headquarters in Sydney of another spurious organization with which
Freemasons will have nothing whatever to do.
DELUDING BOOK
Every second page contains, a hand some portrait of the dear old
gentleman, and the book itself is nothing but a back scratching publication
that might easily delude those who know nothing about the unpleasant past that
is following “his Grace” around all over the world.
The writer, Mary E. Rocke, M.D., tells of his “great and unusual powers,
his genius, and utter purity” Heaven help the impure if Leadbeater is a paragon
of purity! — and calls him “Messenger of the Gods standing as he does on the very
threshold of the Super-Man, transmitter of Their Word, instrument of Their
Will, dispenser of Their Benefits” and so on.
If Leadbeater weren't so hardened one might easily visualize him blushing
and curling his whiskers with delight. But obviously what will concern him most
will be the rolling in of the cash, so that his pseudo-church may be kept out
of the Bankruptcy Court, and his Co-Masonic Order given a push along the road
to prosperity.
What “Co-Masonry” stands for actually is known only to those who move within
the inner circle, but its head apparently is Mrs. Annie Besant, who has
captured the Theosophical Society, and driven out all those who believe in what
the late Madame Blavatsky stood for.
Nevertheless, it seems to be part of a world revolutionary conspiracy, being
a part of Annie Besant's world-wide political connections.
It may not have much of an effect on Australia, but it shows Leadbeater in
something like his true light so far as such matters are concerned.
Now back to the boost of his Grace. “His very presence is a silent benediction
continually outpoured” says this astounding biographer, “and every one feels
invigorated and joyous as well as spiritually uplifted after even a few minutes
of his company.”
UNPLEASANT PACTS
Either the lady is being hoaxed by the “right reverend” gentleman, or is
shutting her eyes to some very obvious facts, facts that make the decent minded
shudder when they think of them.
Looking back, Leadbeater has led as many religious lives as a dog has
fleas. He was born on February 17, 1847, and apparently his father was a man of
wealth, but that was lost in South America, and Leadbeater was forced to leave the
University without a degree.
However he was ordained about 1879 and became a High Churchman, but left
in 1884 to take up Theosophy. Studying theosophy, he mixed his studies with a little
spiritualism, and absorbed many ideas from the teachings of Swedenborg.
And then the scandal began to rise about his name, and people who heard
of his malpractices with boys began to look askance at him. In fact, he was
driven from Madras, India, the headquarters of Theosophy, by Madame Blavatsky, because
of his alleged infamous conduct with a number of choir boys.
He went to Ceylon, but there rumors of what he was doing began to
spread, and be cleared out for London, taking with him Jinarajadasa, now a
great supporter of his, and vice-president of the Adyar Theosophical Society.
The years sped by, and no matter where this esteemed and reverend gentleman
with his utter purity went, scandal upon scandal always arose from his dubious
connections with boys.
CHARGES ADMITTED
The year 1906 came, and with it some of the most astounding revelations
that could be made about any man. He was called before the Council of the
British Section of the Theosophical Society, and denied none of the charges —that
he had taught young boys to act detestably— made against him.
In fact, when he was questioned he strengthened the charges, and it was
admitted so by Annie Besant when she tried to whitewash him two years later when
he sought readmission.
“It was conceivable,” she wrote, “that the advice, as supposed to have
been given, had been given with pure intent, and the presumption was so in a teacher
of theosophical morality; anything else seemed incredible. But such advice as
was given in fact, such dealing with boys before sex passion had awakened, could
only be given with pure intent, if the giver were, on this point, insane.”
His resignation was accepted, as was only natural, and for the two years
following he went his way alone, but he wanted to get back to the Theosophical Society
again, and in 1908 Mrs. Annie Besant restored him to membership.
In black and white, on that occasion, Leadbeater candidly confessed what
he had done.
“You ask me” he said, “to write you a clear letter that you may show at
need, expressing my real views on the advice I gave some time ago to certain
young boys. I need hardly say that I keep my promise not to repeat the advice,
for I defer to your opinion that it is dangerous. I also recognize, as fully as
yourself, that it would be, if it were promiscuously given, hut I have never thought
of so giving it.”
A little thought, however, can only force one to the conclusion that
Leadbeater wrote that with his tongue in his cheek, because it is perfectly obvious,
even to the present day, that he did not reform one bit, because a man so steeped
in vice can never reform.
And this is the man who lives in the delightful surroundings of The
Manor mansion at Clifton Gardens, escorted always by young boys, and who presides
over this “Liberal Catholic Church” with all the ease of a holy ecclesiastic, acting
always as though he had been ordained by God. What a travesty on religion!
Leadbeater
surrounded by his students and followers in The Manor
Exterior
view of The Manor mansion
FOUL PRACTICES
However, there were others who held views quite contrary to those of
Mrs. Besant, and in November 1908, a Hindu Theosophist wrote to “The Theosophic
Voice,” of Chicago, the following in reply to Mrs. Besant's attempt to show that
Leadbeater was not what he was supposed to be.
“If we are to believe the stenographic report of the inquiry of 1906,” the
gentleman wrote, “then instead of holding that Mr. Leadbeater denied the charges,
we must come to the conclusion that not only did he teach a certain practice,
but, further, he did things which would have brought him within the pale of the
criminal laws for the foulest and most, indecent of fence which brute man may
commit. This is our latter day saint who must be re-admitted, nay, invited back
into the Theosophical Society.”
But Leadbeater's hide is like unto that of that gentle animal known as
the rhinoceros, and back again in the Theosophical Society, in which he still
happens to be, he went his way quite un concerned.
He became a leading light in its offshoot, the Liberal Catholic Church, and
one of his most intimate friends was the notorious “Bishop” Wedgwood, a gentle man
who practiced vices as low if not lower as those that Leadbeater practiced.
Wedgwood “consecrated” Leadbeater “Bishop,” but he himself was forced to
make himself scarce in England. In fact, Wedgwood went so far as to be chased
by the police. He actually made a confession, and resigned from the Liberal
Catholic Church, the Theosophical Society, and the Co-Masons.
In 1922, a “priest” of the Liberal Catholic Church confessed that he “was
led astray by those whom I considered to be my superiors both morally and spiritually.”
Wedgwood, it may be noted incidentally, absolutely declined to give up his
filthy habits, lie get over the difficulty of a clash with the English law by
making himself scarce, and fleeing to Algeria, where possibly he is still carrying
on la more congenial surroundings.
What sort of a “church” can this Liberal Catholic organization be when two
of its “most celebrated” heads are so low that a farmyard goose would shudder to
have such a reputation?
What kind of a lunatic is Leadbeater, anyway? Only a mental specialist
could diagnose an insanity that is an absolute menace to those who might come
in contact with its teacher.
Under the hypocritical pretence that he was trying to wean lads from evil
practices —the cure is greater than the disease— he taught what came to be
known as the infamous “X-system,” and so cunningly did he teach it that many
misguided fools in the United States actually became disciples, looking upon
him as a sort of prophet sent from heaven to cleanse the world from sin.
Indeed, one of his dupes even went so far as to hold that the system would
be taught in the public schools before many
years, and a number declared that they understood it to be a highly occult
teaching given to would-be disciples.
PREVENTING CRITICISM
Leadbeater was taken to task by Dr. Hiestand-Moore, editor of “The
Voice,” a Theosophical organ published in Chicago, and in August, 1908, to show
to what lengths Leadbeater's followers would go to suppress criticism, wrote:
“Slander, falsehood, deceit, treachery, all have been summoned to the
support of Mr. Leadbeater's cause. Anonymous communications have been written to
confound the prosecution, letters have been stolen, and threats made. The
editor of The Voice has been compelled to call upon the Secret Service to protect
her mails.”
To look at this “holy man” now, you would think that butter would not melt
in his mouth. At least, persons ignorant of his exact character would hardly credit
that he is a degenerate who has stirred England, America, and India.
And to think that he is earning on in our midst under the assumed cloak
of presiding dignitary of the “Liberal Catholic Church”
Another little insight into his past career is gained by returning to the
year 1913, when further charges were leveled against him by the father of a boy
named Krishnamurti, who had been adopted by Mrs. Besant.
Leadbeater let it out that the Indian youth was the body of the
returning Christ, and managed so well to pull the wool over the eyes of his
deluded followers that a largo sum of money was collected, perhaps running into
many thousands of pounds, to erect the elegant structure at Balmoral, from
which the chosen followers of Leadbeater will witness the so-called second
coming of Christ.
Apparently Krishnamurti's father had no doubt about what Leadbeater actually
was, and objected strongly to having his son polluted by this infamous man.
IMMORAL PERSON
Mr. Justice Bakewell, who heard the application, certainly had no doubts
about Leadbeater. “He is certainly an immoral person, and highly unfit to be in
charge of boys,” said the learned judge.
Then, Leadbeater admitted in open court that he still believed in
inculcating within the minds of boys the system of a detestable vice!
What is he doing now? Certain it is that his pranks in this up-to-date mansion
at Clifton Gardens would not bear the light of investigation.
Thus came he to Australia in 1914, the year following the biting
strictures of Mr. Justice Bakewell. His advent to Australia was under rather peculiar
circumstances. Mrs. Besant attempted to force her way into Indian politics, but
realized that while Leadbeater was hanging around there was no chance. So he
was bundled away, bag and baggage, and has been here ever since.
Two years ago he had everything packed up ready to get out of the
country, but the steamship company by whose ship he intended to travel jibbed
at having such an auspicious person aboard their boat, fearful that when he arrived
at an Indian port the Indian authorities would refuse to give him admittance.
However, while he has been here he has made hay while the sun shone, as
may be witnessed by his Liberal Catholic Church, conceived self-confessed, and
carried on by a man whose infamy is too disgusting to give in detail.
He asks for £5000 and £4000! There is no goat on a rubbish tip who would
subscribe if it knew the past of this holy gentleman with more titles than a
Chinese general.
If he succeeds in getting away, any thing may happen. Perhaps he may not
want to come back again. There is not the harvest in Australia that there is in
India with its teeming millions.
But if he does attempt to come back again the Federal Government should
refuse his admission. “Truth” has here produced sufficient reasons to show why,
how, and in what form he is a menace to the youth of Australia!
ADDITIONAL NOTE
Independent Theosophical Societies and Leadbeater
In Sydney there are two Theosophical
Societies, one that claims to be genuine, and the Independent Theosophical
Society. The latter has nothing whatever to do with Leadbeater, and it is because
of his filthy practices that it is placed in the position that it is in today.
At present there is litigation going
on over the King's Hall in Hunter-street, wherein the Independent Theosophical
Societies has its headquarters. The litigation is an attempt by Leadbeater's crowd
to push them out.
In fairness to these members of the
Independent body, “Truth” makes the true facts known to the public.
OBSERVATION
Not
content with living like a king in a grand mansion in one of Sydney's luxurious
areas, receiving large sums of money from the sale of his numerous books full
of lies, and having accumulated a great fortune promoting the false arrival of Lord
Maitreya, Leadbeater still wanted more money to continue with his delusions of
grandeur. And that is typical of tricky men, they never have enough and they
always want to suck more and more from their followers.
No comments:
Post a Comment