THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2216, 21 October 1907, Page 3

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

“THEOSOPHY, THE EMEND OF RELIGION.” At Whin ray’s Hall, last evening:. Miss K. Browning, M.A., organiser to .the Tlieosophical Society, delivered a lecture to a fair audience on the above subject. The flavor (All. J. Townley) presided, and introduced the lecturcss to the audience. He remarked that reincarnation seemed to him one of the most important teachings, and expressed a hope that the people of Gisborne would take advantage of the opportunity ot hearing Miss Browning during her st av. „ . . , In the course ot an interesting lecture. Miss Browning said that most of the objections to theosophy came from ignorance of its real teachings. For instance, we are eloquently told that Theosophy is a new religion, but this is not so. The word Theosophy means Divine v\ isdom. and this wisdom is the source of all religions. Theosophists then strive to sec and recognise the beauty and the truth in every creed and faith. There is no reason why a man on becoming a Theosophist should cease to belong t<> the faith in which he was horn. On the contrary. there is every reason why ue should strive to bring back into (hat faith any teaching of it ho ancient wisdom which has been lost sight ot. Mrs. Besant, the president of the society’, in one of .her latest papers, expresses a hope that in the future the outside work of the society may be taken over by the churches, leaving the members more free for other activities. Much of the misapprehension which has arisen with regard to tlie position of Theosophy inwards Christianity may perhaps lie traced to the fact that some of their most prominent members have worked among other great religions. The late Colonel Olcott was attracted to the Buddhist faith, and was instrumental in reviving Buddhism in Ceylon, where a number of schools have been, founded, in which the knowledge of the West is grafted on the ancient religion of 'the country. But in India he also founded schools for Children of the lowest caste of Hindus, the Pariahs. Mrs. Besant, on the other hand, lias devoted much of her attention ,to Hinduism, being attracted by the most marvellous system of philosophy and meta physics ever taught by any religion. Yet slie has written ‘'Esoteric Christianity,” a most illuminating book, which" has brought back to Christ ■many who had drifted completely away from His religion. On more .than one occasion she has publicly stated her belief that Christianity is the only religion suited for Western people. “What then do Tlieosophisis believe?” continued the speaker. ‘‘Not being a religion, Theosopliv has no creed binding on .all its members. The only bond which links us together is a belief in the brotherhood of man and a determination tto help forward every movement for the advancement of man —aye, and even the lower animals. But while Theosophy lias no creed, it has a bodv of teachings to give to the world, and these may roughly be divided into three headings—(l) God is all and in alt; from Him we came out, to Him we shall return; _ (2) .man is in his essence a part of God, and ho develops his Divine powers during a series of reincarnations in human form in this world; (•'!) in each of these incarnations lie reaps the results of actions he has done in the past. This we call the law of Ivarma.” In later lectures further details •will be given as to the special teachings of Theosophy, and all are free to ask questions after the lectures or at any of the classes which are held in the branch room in Good's Buildings. As tho lecturcss says, ‘‘Theosophists welcome inquiries. We do not promise to answer all questions to* the satisfaction of the inquirer, but to many of us Theosophy has given the most satisfactory explanation of life and its problems. It has given us back our belief in God and Christ; it has inspired us with content in the present and liopo for the future.” Several questions were asked at the end of the lecture and answered by the lecturess. ANOTHER VIEW. At the Baptist Tabernacle yesterday Mr. W. Corrie Jobnston _ gave two sermons in favor of Christianity as opposed to Theosophy. ■ln the [morning llr. Johnston briefly sketched the nature and aims of Theosophy, claiming that, though it was stated to be a friend •to Christianity, when its teachings were examined it was found that it was opposed to Jesus Christ and undermined the .foundations of morality and society. S-neaking from I Tiim. 111., IG, and IV., 1-3, on ‘‘the mystery of godliness,” the •preacher showed how God met the love of the marvellous in mail’s nature by revealing Himself in the •man Christ Jesus. How was the mystery to .be solved ? To Theosophy He was the Eternal Something —the All in All was God with no personality and no love. The mystery could be solved to a certain extent by the hook of Nature, and history also supplied a partial answer, "but in every case there was something in God’s nature uirrevealed to us. A complete answer could onlv be found in the Book of Books! Here a study of the scenes at Samarai’s well, and in Simeon’s house would show that God stood ever for love —for love that pities and redeems, as against the stern laws of nature in Theosophy, which demanded the payment of the ■uttermost farthing in ages of suffering in order to burn out sm, After God’s iieriod on earth, as redeemed .and conformed to the image of the Son, He was received into ,<dorv without reincarnations ami •repeated cleansing livos of sufioiin^. At tho evening service Mr. Johnston also preached in the same strain.