E.S.T.S. Pledge Folder
Issued in 1888 by H.P. Blavatsky to all
applicants
seeking admission to the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society.
Mrs. Alice Cleather, a student of Theosophy during H.P.B.'s residence in London, wrote about the opening of the Esoteric Section in these words:
"In Lucifer for October, 1888, a notice had appeared to the effect that an 'Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society' was to be formed under H.P.B., and that those who wished to join and abide by its Rules should send in their names. Mrs. Chowne and I . . . at once responded; but for some time we heard nothing. Then, one day, Mrs. Chowne came down to Harrow to see me. . . bringing the E.S.T. Pledge from H.P.B. for me to write out and sign. She said that H.P.B. had told her that, on our sending in our signed Pledges, each one would be 'tested' (i.e., 'examined for fitness') on inner planes, by the Master. . . ." (H.P. Blavatsky As I Knew Her by Alice Leighton Cleather, p. 15)
A facsimile of the original edition of this four-page "pledge folder" is reproduced here for the first time.