The Letters of Helen Dennis (3)
Transcript of a letter from Helen Dennis, Corresponding Secretary of the
Esoteric School of Theosophy in America, to a Miss Gosse in England.
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Mrs. Helen I. Dennis
218 E. 60th St.
Chicago.
June 4th 1906.
Dear Miss Gosse,
You can imagine my joy in receiving your letter. - This is the reason I have
been unable to write decent letters this winter. Since last November when I
learned the first "incredible" facts I have tried to do what was right without
undue publicity and with some blunders of course as the result. That I have
walked the floor literally by the hour with a veritable bleeding heart goes
without saying. I of course laid the whole matter first before Mrs.
Besant and the bitterest drop in my cup was, after weeks of waiting, to receive
on Mch 26th or 27th I forget which - a letter from my beloved and revered
teacher - actually asking me to cover up this crime and go on as though nothing
had happened. And now I am accused of hasty action! Well nothing matters now
that the T.S. officials have vindicated the cause of truth and purity - I am
resigning my office as Corr Secy and the letter of announcement is in the hands
of the printer - to be sent to the members. I shall send you a copy when out.
You must not think I have done this thing alone - No, I have a husband first
- who has stood nobly by me and advised every step. Mr. Fullerton, Mr. Knothe -
Mrs & Mrs Chidester, all the Sec'y of Discipline - Editor of Messenger -
every official whom I have had to inform stands as one and are ready to stand
the disgrace of the thing for the sake of the Society.
I am so glad you are with me. I felt sure you would be altho' I felt that it
would be an official discourtesy to your E.S. superiors if I wrote of it to you
- before they were ready to tell you officially. I have tried to tell only those
where it was absolutely necessary in the cause of official honor & the
welfare of the Society. I grasp your hand across the Sea and through eternity in
the name of truthful friendship.
I cannot get over Mrs. Besant's attitude - It has shaken my faith in her
wisdom - though I will not let it be shaken as to her sincerity - Blinded by
what delusion, do you suppose, she is doing this awful thing? Well I
must close - things are in a bad way here. Mr. C. Jinarajadasa has made a bad
matter much worse than it need have been by so called defence of Mr L and Mrs B
which is taking a most jesuitical turn.
Yours Lovingly,
Helen I. Dennis.
(Transcribed by Alan Bain, June 29th, 1996).