Alexander Fullerton was an important American Theosophist, and
when Blavatsky died he wrote the following article in tribute to her.
SEEING LITTLE; PERCEIVING
MUCH
Any valuable tribute to the
character of Madame Blavatsky can come only from those who knew her far better
than I. Yet no one who knew her at all, can be without some incidents or
impressions illustrating the many-sidedness of the most marvelous personage of
the century. I well remember my first words with her in August, 1887. I
remarked that I naturally felt some trepidation at being in the presence of one
who could read every thought. She replied that such an act would be dishonest. I
said that I should not exactly call it “dishonest", though it might be unkind
or intrusive. She answered, No, that it would be dishonest; that she had no
more right to possess herself of another person's secrets without his consent
than of his purse: and that she never used the power unless either the person
himself requested it, or the circumstances were of a kind to make it
imperative.
As I never had any desire to see
phenomena, though fully believing in her occult prerogative, no suggestion for
such ever arose. Yet on two occasions, both for a benign purpose, she made
evident her occult perception. One was a verbal reference, remote but
significant, to a matter known to no person living but myself. I was at the
moment so astounded that I said nothing, and the subject was never re-opened —
a reticence I now regret, since unrestrained conference might have resulted in
great benefit to me, as was surely her design.
The other occurred in a tender and
beautiful letter cautioning me against misjudgment and quoting a phrase I had
used in writing to an American friend. As if to make certain to me that she
spoke from occult knowledge, she added that I had used that phrase on the same
day when happened an exceedingly trivial incident consequent on my stooping to
pick up an article dropped to the floor. Now, dates showed that the phrase
could not have been repeated to her in time for her letter to me, and, in fact,
I have since ascertained that it was never repeated to any one; the incident
referred to was too insignificant for any person to transmit across the
Atlantic: and the few who knew of the incident did not know of the phrase. Both
facts, as well as the concurrent date, must therefore have been seen by her in
the Astral Light.
A stay of over three weeks in her
household during March, 1889, brought me more closely in contact with Madame
Blavatsky, and fits me to perceive how true are the certifications of her
character by those who have been nearest to her. But apart from this, and as a
matter of individual experience, there are two facts which, as bearing upon her
worth, may be the contribution from one who knew her limitedly as I did.
The first is an enlarging conviction
of her wisdom. On a number of occasions I have felt assured that her judgment
was at fault, and that time would soon prove it. As to each of these, with one
possible exception whereon I have not all the facts, time has proved her to
have been right and me wrong. One naturally acquires confidence in a superior
who is always thus vindicated at one's own expense.
The second is an ever-increasing
affection for her. I had not seen her for over two years before her departure,
and my expressed desire was that she should never add to her labors by writing
to me. Yet I have been ever conscious of a growing personal attachment, not
mere reverence or loyalty nor even homage, but affection. Little deeds of
kindness, gentle messages, thoughtful signs that no friend, however
unimportant, was forgotten by the great heart which contained so much and yet
lost sight of nothing, helped to feed a devotion which would anyhow have
matured. If I have to bless her for great, transcendent benefit which
illuminates each day of life, I can also thank her for words and acts which
cheer it. And so it comes about that one who was not of those nearest her, nor
yet of those long working for the Cause, can rank with those to whom no
contemporary name is so tender, honored, hallowed, sacred.
(This
article was first published in Lucifer
magazine, July 1891, p.380-381; and later in the book HPB: in memory of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, 1891, p.73-74)
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