GANDHI MAHATMA: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement. A very fine, early A.L.S., M K Gandhi, four pages (separate leaves), 4to, Durban, Natal, 4th August 1894, to Mrs. [A.M.] Lewis of the Esoteric Christian Union. In just his second year in South Africa the young Gandhi writes to his British correspondent on his efforts to promote interest in theosophy, in part, 'I had occasion to come in contact with a doctor in Pretoria. He seemed to be the only gentleman in addition to another who took interest in theosophical subjects. I gave him the Perfect Way to read. He liked it so much that he wished me to get another copy for him…..During my stay here I intend to spread as much as possible information about theosophy (to me there is little difference between Theosophy and Esoteric Christianity). I have therefore sent out letters to the President of the Vegetarian Society and Mrs [Annie] Besant. I propose that the E.C.U. should send me a selection of books to be sold here. I would sell the books at cost price plus the postage and 5% commission to be kept by me. As to the price however I should be left free to use my discretion. I would send up the sale proceeds of the books every three months. The advertisement charges will be borne by me. If at the end of one year nothing is sold I would return the books at my cost. I give my personal guarantee for the safe keeping of the books and the sale proceeds…..If it is necessary to read this letter or a portion thereof to the Union you can do so. I hope you will be able to persuade the Union, or those in authority, to accede to the above proposal'. Gandhi further writes concerning a controversial work, 'If you do not think much of the 'Souls', what position is the book to occupy in respectful literature? If the author has written what is absolutely true from personal observation, the book cannot be lightly treated. If it is an attempt to delude the people into a belief in real truths by fascinating falsehoods the book deserves the highest condemnation possible. For we will not learn truth by means of falsehoods. Of course I write this without meaning the slightest disrespect for the author of whom I know nothing. She may be a lady of the highest probity and truth. I only repeat that to appreciate the Souls acquaintance with the author's character is absolutely necessary' and also dejectedly mentions a petition that Lewis had sent him, 'I could get many signatures…..But I am afraid the Natal signatures would be quite useless. Is it not a sad commentary on the morality of the age that a most important and yet most harmless and elevating monument should not receive good support? At times when I think of these things I thoroughly despair of fruits of works. A verse from the Bhagavad Gita saves me from utter despair and consequent inaction - a verse which enjoins freedom from attachment to fruits of works'. In a postscript, signed by Gandhi with his initials ('MKG') he asks for his change of address to be noted. A letter of wonderful content reflecting the formative years of Gandhi's philosophical and spiritual interests. With a few pencil annotations in the hand of the recipient and with some extremely light, minor age wear, VG The Perfect Way; or, the finding of Christ was written by the English humanitarian writer Edward Maitland in 1882 in collaboration with the Anna Kingsford, the English vegetarian and women's rights campaigner. Revised editions of the work were published in 1887 and 1890. Maitland was a member of the Theosophical Society and in November 1891 founded the Esoteric Christian Union. Gandhi became the Union's South Africa agent in 1894, as suggested in the present letter. Theosophy, the religion established in the United States in the late 19th century, has been described as both a new religious movement and a part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It draws upon both older European philosophies such as Neoplatonism and Asian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Gandhi developed much of his interest in Hindu culture after two Theosophists had given him a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, which he refers to in the present letter, and which he also considered his 'spiritual dictionary'.