CHRISTIANITY AND THEOSOPHY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20093, 24 November 1930, Page 18

CHRISTIANITY AND THEOSOPHY.

♦ ARCHDEACON TAYLOR'S SERMON. REPLY TO ( IUTICS. "Theosophy and Christianity „ rc n far apart as any two things c au i, n . tho working out of Theosuphy ; s , 1(lL only nn-Christian, but aat i-( Ihrist- l;itl ~ declared Archdeacon X. Taylor, „' n . swering his critics in a sermon, "Move About. Theosophy ami fho <'li rist i; U i Faith," at St.. Luke'.s chur.-h last evening. The Archdeacon took as Ins text the Epistle of St. Paul to the '.Hebrew*, xxii., 27: "And this word, yet once more, signifieth the removing of those tilings that are shaken, as of thing:-) that arc made, that tlio.se things which cannot be shaken may remain."

Ho . had not been eager to cuter into a controversy on religious questions, said Archdeacon Taylor, but he hud been drawn into it bv certain ■"■irciimstanc.es, and hoped to finish it that night. He had had to read a. great deal in the literature of Theosophy, bur, had derived no intellectual, physical, or any other pleasure from his research, lie briefly answered points of criticism that iiad been niailo bv correspondents in tho newspapers. Theosopliists believed that Christ « as divine, and that they also were divine. It was, of course, merely a question of terms; the meaning of tho word divinity. They invariably adopted the title of the Christ instead of the personal name, holding that the Christ merely adopted the body of Jesus in which to make His appearance on earth. The Christian took it that Jetus Christ was One Being, One Person only. Objects of Theosophy. The main objects of the Thersophical Society were to form the nucleus of a universal brotherhood without distinction of race or casie or sex or creed; and to study .scientific facts and comparative religion. With these objects the Christian would agree, except that he held that uuiver. al brotherhood could r.ot bo. accomplished without distinc tion or creed, but only through a common creed. Comparative religion was part of the general study of Christian theology. There were special societies to take care of the scientific aspect of rcligion. "If that were all it stood for, Theosophy would be quite innocent, quite harmless, and quite unnecessary." continued Archdeacon Taylor. "Hut unfortunately that is not all. There is a great deal more than is expressed in these objects."

' Opposition Religion-. u <• r • fhc questions and Theosophy written answers in tne Key , r i lCO sophy was proiy Us founder. & rcligion . but claimed tlicn as ; ot be' K over livcc l he wondered if it ha aftcr \ lo religion. „ lip ! Further in tho founder s l ; e , fiMiiul these questions 1 ' , dr , «L)o you believe in God?" pemls on what you mean :b> t ■ Ulcsln God of the Christ., is, Father of Jesus, the Croato.. In -^. V \Go"-^!f"^edon": to take t.lio word of the founder o: ot 11, c people who wrote to the P".P'- rs Theosoph v was not antagonistic to gion? asked Archdeacon J a> lor ' ' the last reply, 'We <l°. » ot 5 " c ? stead of talking,' Christianity .in- «»•/ form' Another book of doctiine, . swering the question, h Theosophist look for the control of ... passions?' said: 'Not to God W his higher self, the divine spirit, or tho God in him.' . " What can the Christian say 1< that?" asked the. Archdeacon » may bo true, but, it is impossible to reconcile with Christian belief. Passing Movements. i The doctrine of reincarnation was incompatible with Christianity. _ luChristianity there was no such tiling as Christian ideas that were reserved or veiled in mystery. "It is happening often: some new movement conies along and some go after it, thinking they've discovered the truth at last," ended Archdeacon Taylor "That sort of thing has been croing on for 1900 years, and it hasn't stopped yet. It won't be long before a brand new one comes along to Chustcliurch; and when that comes, some of you may he tempted, if not ensnared. I beg you to remember that these little movements have always been coming and going, but that the old Church and the old religion hnve gone on right through it all. When, perhaps one day, a huge temple is built on Cashmeie " I-Jills and the people dock to it, . I hope some" of you will, remember that it's all been done before. The Church will still be here, because lie. Jesus Christy the snxne yesterday, to-day,; to-inorrow, and , forever.'' ■■■,