UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD ORGANIZATION.
"Slowly the Bible of the race is writ,
Each age, each kindred adds a verse to it."
Universal Brotherhood or the Brotherhood of Humanity is an organization established for the benefit of the people of the earth and all creatures.
This organization declares that Brotherhood is a fact in nature.
The principal purpose of this organization is to teach Brotherhood, demonstrate that it is a fact in nature and make it a living power in the life of humanity.
The subsidiary purpose of this organization is to study ancient and modern religion, science, philosophy and art; to investigate the laws of nature and the divine powers in man.
This Brotherhood is a part of a great and universal movement which has been active in all ages.
Every member has the right to believe or disbelieve in any religious system or philosophy, each being required to show that tolerance for the opinions of others which he expects for his own.
The Theosophical Society in America is the Literary Department of Universal Brotherhood.
The International Brotherhood League is the department of the Brotherhood for practical humanitarian work.
The Central Office of the Universal Brotherhood Organization is at 144 Madison Avenue, New York City.[4]
THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD LEAGUE.[5]
(Unsectarian.)
"Helping and sharing is what Brotherhood means."
I.B.L.
This organization affirms and declares that Brotherhood is a fact in Nature, and its objects are:
1. To help men and women to realize the nobility of their calling and their true position in life.
2. To educate children of all nations on the broadest lines of Universal Brotherhood and to prepare destitute and homeless children to become workers for humanity.
3. To ameliorate the condition of unfortunate women, and assist them to a higher life.
4. To assist those who are, or have been, in prison, to establish themselves in honorable positions in life.
5. To endeavor to abolish capital punishment.
6. To bring about a better understanding between so-called savage and civilized races, by promoting a closer and more sympathetic relationship between them.
7. To relieve human suffering resulting from flood, famine, war, and other calamities; and generally to extend aid, help, and comfort to suffering humanity throughout the world.
It should be noted that the officers and workers of the International Brotherhood League are unsalaried and receive no remuneration, and this, as one of the most binding rules of the organization, effectually excludes those who would otherwise enter from motives of self-interest.
None of the officers hold any political office, the League is not connected with any political party or organization, nor has it any political character, it is wholly humanitarian and unsectarian.
The alterations referred to in last issue of Universal Brotherhood as about to be made in Headquarters are now nearly completed. The offices of the different departments have all been renovated presenting a very bright and cheerful appearance.
The rooms formerly used by the Theosophical Publishing Company have been fitted up for the private office of our Leader and for the Reference Library and Reading Room and for the office of the Literary Department of the Universal Brotherhood Organization.
The Theosophical Publishing Company has moved downstairs to the front basement and to the front office on the main floor (in the front part of Aryan Hall) which hitherto was used by our Leader for her private office.
In every way the new arrangements will greatly facilitate the work of the various departments.
We are all delighted to have with us now as Mother of the household, Mrs. L. E. Kramer, who with her husband, J. O. K. Kramer, and her son Ernest Kramer have brought such a home feeling into Headquarters that we are like a happy, united family.
On December 15, 16, 17, the H. P. B. Lodge, U. B. No. 10, held a bazaar in Aryan Hall. It was throughout very successful and the entertainments on Thursday and Saturday evenings were much enjoyed. The members of Aryan Lodge united with the H. P. B. members in helping with the preparations and during the Bazaar. A large hamper of goods was sent from Meriden, Conn., which had been contributed by members in Meriden, Hartford and New Britain; a contribution of articles was also sent from Buffalo; these were very much appreciated.
The H. P. B. Lodge is now entirely free from debt and enters upon the New Year with fine prospects of success. Lately several new members have joined the Lodge; these are active young workers and are enthusiastic to help the Cause.
Several of the small articles left over from the Bazaar were sent down to the East Side Mission where a Christmas Tree is to be given to the children. Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Deen Hunt, and Bros. Leonard and Hecht are busy making preparations for this, and it is being looked for to with great expectations by the children.
A Bazaar was also held December 15 and 16 by the U. B. Lodges in Boston in one of the largest and best halls, centrally located on Tremont Street, the main business street of the city. It was one of the most successful events of the kind held this year in Boston and has brought excellent financial results.
In accordance with suggestions made some months ago by our Leader in this magazine, the Sioux City Lodge of U. B. held a Bazaar with excellent results. Part of the proceeds were taken for local work and part sent to the Central Office for the general work of the organization. If all Lodges would carry out work of this kind, how they could build up their local work and also help the Centre! Some of the other Lodges have reported work in this direction, but we have not yet received details.
A concert was recently given in Providence, R. I., for the benefit of the War Relief Fund of the I. B. L. It was well attended and successful.
Frank C. Berridge of Victoria Lodge, B. C., writes Dec. 13th:
"We are having a Brotherhood concert here to-night and think it will be a great success. We have started a Lotus Circle here at last and have ten children already. We are to give them a Christmas Tree on New Year's Day. The Sunday evening public lectures are well attended and we are getting along nicely in Victoria."
Lodge 70, U. B. (Chicago), held an entertainment Dec. 14th and realized a good sum for the War Relief Fund. Bro. A. M. Smith writes: "Everything moves along well here. Our members are very united and have fullest confidence in and sympathy with the Leader. Our meetings are very well attended."
Letters from Dr. J. A. Anderson and Bros. Griffiths and Johnson give favorable accounts of Lodge work in San Francisco, and of both the U. B. and the I. B. L. meetings. Several new members have recently joined. The whole coast is looking forward to the U. B. Congress at Point Loma.
Bro. Beckett sends good news from Toronto. All the members are active and desire to still further aid the work and add to the success and solidarity of the movement.
The members of Universal Brotherhood will remember that soon after the last Convention of February 18th some of the members of the Narada Branch of the Theosophical Society in America, Tacoma, Wash., who did not accept the Universal Brotherhood Constitution brought suit against the Tacoma U. B. Lodge to obtain possession of the property of the Lodge. The case was non-suited and dismissed. They then carried the case to the Supreme Court of Washington, and we have just received copy of the judgment as follows:
Virginia Herman et al, Appellants,
vs.
Fred G. Plummer et al, Respondents.
Per Curiam:—
"The parties to this action were all, prior to March 3, 1898, members of the Narada Theosophical Society of Tacoma, a branch of a national organization known as the Theosophical Society in America. This local branch was an independent body, controlling its own property and governing itself subject to the right of appeal to the executive committee of the national body upon any disputed questions arising between the members. The object of the present suit was to recover possession of certain property of the local society, the appointment of a receiver and other relief, the action being mainly based upon an alleged interference with the property rights of the plaintiffs as members of that Branch, and their rights as members in various respects. At the close of plaintiffs' case, on the evidence, a judgment of non-suit and dismissal was granted and the present appeal is from that order and judgment.
We think the order was properly made. Section 18 of the By-Laws of the National Society is as follows: "The Executive Committee shall be the Court of final appeal in disputed questions arising between members or in and between branches." It is not pretended that any effort was made by the plaintiffs to have the questions involved in the present dispute determined by the committee mentioned in that section, and it is a well-established principle applicable to controversies like the present that until the members have exhausted their remedy within the society the Courts will not assume jurisdiction of the controversy.
Oliver v. Hopkins, 10 N. E., 776;
Lafond v. Deems, 81 N. Y., 507;
Chamberlain v. Lincoln, 129 Mass., 70;
Watson v. Jones, 13 Wall, 679.
Appellants seek to justify their failure to resort to the committee contemplated by section 18, supra, upon the ground that that section was in effect abolished by the action of the national convention at a meeting in Chicago in February, 1898, which practically adopted a new constitution. We think the argument advanced does not meet the objection. Plaintiffs are contending that the action of the national convention was invalid, and if they are right in that respect the constitution and by-laws of the old body are still in force. They have no standing if such is not the fact, and if it is, then the remedy provided by section 18 would appear to be ample. But it does not appear that any effort has been made to obtain within the Society a determination of the grievances, and even were it admitted that the effect of the action of the national convention was to abolish the old constitution, it in nowise follows that the by-laws theretofore adopted would also become ineffectual. Section 18, supra, having been adopted for the government of the national body and its branches, must be given effect until it is repealed either expressly or by necessary implication. So that we think the learned trial judge was right in concluding that the Court should not take jurisdiction of the case.
We think that we are right, too, in concluding that plaintiffs' evidence was insufficient to establish any interference with their rights as members to the enjoyment of the property, books, records, etc., of the local branch. In other words, plaintiffs failed to show that their rights as members had been invaded. There was evidence by the officers of the local branch tending to show that a conclusion had been reached by them not to enforce the obnoxious resolutions previously passed, and that they construed them to be invalid. For these reasons we must conclude that the judgment was right and we do not deem it proper to attempt at this time to determine whether the action of the national convention was in effect an amendment of the old constitution and invalid because adopted without previous notice to the local branches, or the adoption of a new constitution which retained the spirit and essence of the old and included no new provisions inconsistent with it and therefore within the right of the convention. At present an opinion upon that important question would be at most mere dictum."
On December 23d we were very glad to welcome back to America Brother A. E. S. Smythe, of Toronto. Brother Smythe has been for some time in Ireland and brings excellent and most encouraging reports of the work there and in England. Arrangements have been made for him to take a lecturing tour and visit the Universal Brotherhood Lodges, reaching Point Loma at the time of the annual Universal Brotherhood Congress. He will be in New York about January 1st and will stay at Headquarters for a week or so and then start on his tour. Brother Smythe is so well known throughout the country as Editor of the Lamp and by his work in Toronto that he needs no introduction to the members. Many have already heard him lecture and will remember him at the annual conventions. Those Lodges who desire him to visit them should write at once to the central office, so that the route can be laid out and all arrangements made.
It was originally intended and hoped that Bro. D. N. Dunlop would have made a lecture tour, but as he would not be able to start until later, other arrangements had to be made.
Letters from Liverpool report a very large Bazaar being held there by the members. It is confidently expected that it will meet with much success and much interest has been aroused in it. Bro. Herbert Crooke has been indefatigable in pushing forward the preparations and Mrs. A. L. Cleather and Bro. Basil Crump who have just completed their Home Crusade visit to Dublin will be there to help. A very beautiful and attractive programme has been arranged.
Bro. Parsons in Vancouver, B. C., writes that the members are expecting a big step forward for the work as a result of the U. B. Congress at Point Loma next April.
At Buffalo on the occasion of the performance of "Eumenides," some of the Headquarters Staff had the pleasure recently of meeting Dr. and Mrs. McAlpin of Warren, Pa. Their energies and interest in the work are unabated, and on his way back Bro. McAlpin lectured in several places.
The Greek Play "Eumenides" was given in Buffalo in the Music Hall, Dec. 3d, in the afternoon and evening. Both performances were very successful. There were large and very appreciative audiences, many well-known educationalists being present and afterwards expressing their appreciation. After the performance our Leader was waited upon by several prominent people and congratulated on the work of the Isis League of Music and Drama. Since returning to New York our Leader has received a personal letter from one of the Ministers of Buffalo expressing his pleasure at witnessing the performance which he said was characterized by moral uplifting force and of more value than a sermon.
A very interesting letter has been received from Bro. St. Clair of New Zealand in regard to work among the Maories. These people have made a great advance during the past two years. The different tribes have united under their king and are reviving the ancient customs of the race. Many are becoming interested in Brotherhood work and evidence on every hand is perceived that the race is awakening to a new life.
J. H. Fussell.
[4] For further information address F. M. Pierce, Secretary, 144 Madison Avenue, New York.
[5] Address all inquiries to H. T. Patterson, General Superintendent, 144 Madison Avenue, New York.