United Lodge of Theosophists

United Lodge Of Theosophists

The United Lodge of Theosophists, or ULT, was founded in 1909 by a Theosophical Society member, Robert Crosbie (1849–1919). Crosbie wanted to focus exclusively on the literature left behind by H.P. Blavatsky and William Quan Judge.

Mr. Crosbie was a Boston Theosophist during the time of William Q. Judge. He worked very closely with Judge, enjoying his confidence. When, after Judge’s death, the members most active at the New York headquarters raised Mrs. Tingley to the position of Judge’s successor, Mr. Crosbie gave her his loyalty and support. About 1900 he went to Point Loma to be of what assistance he could in the work, there. However, in the course of a few years, he came to feel that nothing constructive was to be accomplished by remaining at Point Loma—that, in fact, the teachings and philosophy of Theosophy had suffered an almost complete eclipse by the methods and sensational program instituted by Mrs. Tingley—and he quietly left the Point Loma Society in 1904 and came to Los Angeles. He was without property or funds, having given all his worldly possessions to the work of the Movement. He secured work in Los Angeles and gradually began to gather around him a few students—most of them entirely new to Theosophy—to undertake once more the task of promulgating Theosophy in the same form as originally presented by the Founders of the Movement. When, in 1909, he had been joined by a small nucleus of persons who shared this ideal, The United Lodge of Theosophists was formed to carry out the purposes in view.

In the many years following the passing of HPB, thousands of "changes and corrections" had been made to the original writings of HPB and Mr. Judge. Such deletions and additions were the product of prominent "post-HPB" Theosophists. In principle, a student of the Philosophy of Theosophy might wonder if these changes were made by certain individuals for their own personal aggrandizement. The ULT makes the effort to preserve and to "Spread Broadcast the original teachings of Theosophy as found in the writings of H.P. Blavatsky and William Q. Judge." The purpose of the ULT is to disseminate the Fundamental Principles of the Philosophy of Theosophy. To that end, the texts regarded as "straight line Theosophical Literature" by the ULT are generally those which are reproduced from the original plates, or are photographic reproductions of originals. These are currently made available through The Theosophy Company a non-profit publishing entity for the United Lodge of Theosophists. After Crosbie's death the movement gained momentum under the leadership of B.P. Wadia (1881–1958).

It is not the goal of the ULT that more people might call themselves "Theosophists", rather that the effects of the Movement will serve to "leaven the Race mind". As an effect lies in germ form deep within its cause, "Independent Devotion to the Cause of Theosophy" is the Policy of the ULT.