Previously editor’s note
There has come into my possession, without restrictions as to its use, a
copy of a letter written to Mrs. Besant, May 20, 1921, by Mr. T.H. Martyn,
former General Secretary of the Australian Section, Theosophical Society,
former Corresponding Secretary of the Australian Esoteric Section, a member of
thirty years’ standing, who has done more than any other one person to build up
the Society in Australia. This is one of the most important and significant
documents which has yet appeared, bearing on the present crisis in the Theosophical
Society Copies of this letter can be obtained from this office by properly
accredited Theosophical Society members.
It is quite evident from the letter that the writer is addressing Mrs.
Besant in great spiritual perplexity over some damning facts concerning certain
Theosophical Society members of high standing. It appears among other things
that Wedgwood, Presiding Bishop of the Liberal Catholic Church, is wanted by the
police on charges of sodomy that his colleagues Bishop King, and Priests Farrar
and Clark, of the same church, were wanted on similar charges, and that Farrar
and Clark had to flee from England to escape arrest. It further appears that
Leadbeater, self-confessed teacher of immoral practices to boys prior to 1906,
was at that time wanted by the British police, and that much later he was a
guest in Martyn’s house in Sydney, but that having to leave temporarily he had
to be refused permission to return because (1917-1919) it transpired that naked
boys had been found in his bed and that other matters of a compromising nature
had occurred, of which he “touches merely the fringe.”
It appears also that Mrs. Besant ordered that Wedgwood must leave the Theosophical
Society and the Esoteric Section in order to protect the good name of the
Society, but that she cancelled this order on representation of Mr.
Jinarajadasa that this would reflect on the infallibility of Leadbeater, who
had proclaimed Wedgwood to be an initiate. The cable correspondence between
Mrs. Besant and Jinarajadasa on the subject is given. Mr. Martyn further states
that to his own know ledge Leadbeater is a sex pervert, and he wants to know
how the various matters referred to above are to be reconciled with the
protection and holding up as leaders and spiritual examples of the persons
mentioned. Mr. Martyn’s well known characteristic of conservatism and moderation
is well illustrated in the tone of the letter, which should be read by all who
are interested in maintaining the purity and good name of the Theosophical
Society.
(O.E. Library
Critic, vol, 11, No. 10, December 21, 1921, p.4)
Excerp from Mr. Martyn letter to Annie Besant
« In
1906 I was in London fighting your cause and Leadbeater’s police proceedings
against the latter were seriously threatened. One of his boys in desperate
trouble urged me to try and prevent them being proceeded with and admitting
that the only evidence he could give confirmed Leadbeater’s immoral practices. The
police proceedings did not eventuate. I went away to Africa soon after and on
returning I tried to forget what this confession involved, to explain it away:
and succeeded.
In 1914 Leadbeater came to live with us in Sydney. I took him at
his own valuation and yours, regarding him as an Arhat; permitted myself to come
sympathetically under his influence and gladly made effective all his plans. As
time went on I certainly got many little shocks.
. . .
By this time (1917) Mrs. Martyn had become intensely
unhappy about C. W. L. in the house. She had seen naked boys in his bed and
other facts had come to her knowledge. I refused to sympathize with her views
and for my sake she kept her peace and I held things together.Later (1918-19) scarlet fever in
the house caused Leadbeater and his boys to move out temporarily and all my
persuasions were insufficient to induce Mrs. Martyn to have him back again. She
point-blank refused —though again in consideration for my own feelings— she
told me nothing of what she knew. I only learned that on my return from
America, 1919-20.
In 1919 I went to America. Young
Van Hook was in New York. He talked freely of Charles Webster Leadbeater’s
immorality and about faking the “lives” of people. In your reviews of some
letters sent you by Raja which reached him from America things which Van Hook
says about the “lives” you credit me with —that by the way. Now here is the evidence
of two Leadbeater boys (my 1906 experience— I can give you the name if you want
it — and young Van Hook) both subsequent to the 1906 inquiry and subsequent both
to the confessions of all the American boys and to C.W.L.’s admissions at the enquiry
of 1906.
I have put these pieces of evidences together and add to them the compromising
facts of life in my house (I am only touching the fringe of this in this
letter) and find staring me in the face the conclusion that Leadbeater is a sex
pervert, his mania taking a particular form which I have— though only lately— discovered,
is a form well known and quite common in the annals of sex-criminology. »
(O.E. Library
Critic, vol, 11, No. 11, January 4, 1922, p.4-8)
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