Theos-Talk Archives (November 2006 Message tt01267)

Dear friends,

In Mrs. Ransom's A Short History of the Theosophical Society - 
Objects and Rules of the Theosophical Society we can read that: "The 
Society consists of three Sections. The highest or First Section is 
composed exclusively of proficients or initiates in Esoteric Science 
and Philosophy, who take a deep interest in the Society's affairs and 
instruct the President-Founder how best to regulate them, but whom 
none but such as they voluntarily communicate with, have the right to 
know." (1879 Rules)

In H. P. Blavatsky and the Theosophical Movement by Charles J. Ryan 
we can read: "Its Fellowship is divided into three Sections, and each 
Section into three Degrees. All candidates for active fellowship are 
required to enter as probationers, in the Third Degree of the Third 
Section, and no fixed time is specified in which the new Fellow can 
advance from any lower to a higher degree; all depends upon merit. To 
be admitted into the highest degree, of the first section, the 
Theosophist must have become freed of every leaning toward any one 
form of religion in preference to another. . . . He must be ready to 
lay down his life, if necessary, for the good of Humanity, and of a 
brother Fellow of whatever race, color or ostensible creed. . . . 
Those who have not yet wholly disenthralled themselves from religious 
prejudice, and other forms of selfishness, but have made a certain 
progress towards self-mastery and enlightenment, belong in the Second 
Section. The Third Section is probationary; . . ."

Then Mrs. Ransom writes that: "Initiation ceremony and secret 
membership [were] omitted from Revised Rules." (1885)

Does this mean that also mentioned Sections were put off from the 
Rules in that year as she further on makes the following 
reference: "(The Fellows interested in this third object now form a 
distinct private division of the Society under the direction of the 
Corresponding Secretary - Objects 1888)"?

Are there any other data available regarding this transition from 
half-secret towards democratic society?

Thanks and best regards,
Anton