THEOSOPHY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2215, 19 October 1907, Page 2

THEOSOPHY.

AN EXPLANATORY INTERVIEW.

Taking advantage of tlie presence in Gisborne of Miss Browning, M.A. (Dublin), who lias been appointed organiser of the New Zealand section of tlie Tlieosopliical Society, a “Times” representative interviewed her on the general aims of the society. Miss Browning stated, that the society was founded in 1875 by Mme. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott, the purpose of the society being to combat materialism. It is claimed by the society that in this direction it has been entirely successful. The special teachings of the society are re-incarnation and cause and effect in the moral world; so that each man in his successive lives gets exactly what he deserves according to his past actions. The society makes a point of the fact that novelists (A. Benson, Mrs. Campbell Praed and Flora Annie Steele) had used theosophy to explain certain situations. The novelists quoted do not exactly accept Theosophy, but they feel called upon to make use of it. Theosophy, Miss Browning declared, was no new religion—it endeavored to find what was true in all religions. Theosophy was antagonistic to none of the orthodox religions, and amongst the followers of Theosophy will be found people of every religion. For instance, at Colonel Olcott’s funeral there were Christians, Brahmins, Buddhists, Parsees, and many other religions. The Society is in operation in 45 different countries, and there aro about thirteen branches in New Zealand. Two branches had been founded in the past few months, and the society is particularly active in all parts of the colony. Among the persons in the colony who had entered into the work of the society were Miss Lillian Edgar and Mrs. Judson, who were carrying on work in India. There is a. publishing office in connection with the society, and each branch has a library which is open to any person who wishes to investigate the teachings of tlie society. While in Gisborne Miss Browning intends to hold Bible talks on Sundays, to hold classes on Tuesdays and Fridays, and to ho available on Saturday afternoons for private consultations.