New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-29

n PERFORMANCE CtulC Oh !'S'N''"J
at The Masonic Temple which excited IN adj
vance much more interest and curiosity than
il really deserved. The announcement that
the ancient Egyptian funeral rites would be
reproduced was cOntradicted by the "Iheo-
"sophical Society" after it had been made
the subject of some easy newspaper POPULARITY
but the sable triangular cards of invitation,
vhcreon was printed in silver the Egyp-
tian Tda (the symbol of life) mclosed
by double triangle and a serpent ring,
crowned by the ancient Aryan cross represent
ing fire., suggested at least something en-
blcmatic and correspOndingly impressive. All
such expectations, however, were doomed to
dire disappointment. The services were OF the
most random and prosaic character, and no
IMAGINATIVE spectator could help plying the
90 Use which was the subject of them.
The only symbolism was expressed III seven
lighted candles on the coffin, AN hour-glass and
some fi.e in dish the only unusual feature
was catechi.m delivered by three OF the Off
Gals, with few bars Of modern music be-
tween the questions and answers. Col. OlcOtt
made an address, in which, after asserting that
the Theosophsts were n scientific aud not n
religious body, he proceeded to set forth the
special religion Of Thcosophy, and then closed
by explaining that bis views were held by only
few of the members. Mrs. Britain, trance
"medium," afterward lifted up her Delphic
voice for tire, and the obsequies were over.
II there had been anything to show that the
Theosophsts possessed an intelligent knowl-
edge Of the ancient faiths the large audience
might have been repaid for its trouble. But
tho shallowness of the utteranccs was on par
with their loose and confused arrangement.
E,ypt and ancient Asia have given Us many
great. immortal words. but it is hard to detect
ANYTHING much earlier than Swedenborg
il. what was said yesterday. When
Col. Ocott stated that Baron Palm
first found happiness in the lodges of
the Indians, and when he himself held mp the
brutal and naked fkeers of the East as
models for Christians who believe in the
Atoucmcnt we can easily measure the depth
Of his "1heosOphy." II is Of character
which might properly bc communicated by the
spirit of Satanta." evoked at night by the
Eddy brothers among the woods of Vermont.
The Philosophical Society is simply bit of
medieval Cabhalsm ingrafted upon modern
Spiiiualism. and 80 aSkwardly that the two
kinds Of bark are not united II is another
evidence of the fact that the Spiritualiss are
the least spiritual Of men on the side OF the
Imagination. This faculty, in them, has
the coarse, crude, and awkward charac-
ter which shows that it has newly sprung
up out of the RUNS Of a matcrialistic unbeief.
There are a dozen scholars in this city who could
have furnished them, at short notice, with the
outline of symmetrical, truly omblematic,
and very imposing ceremonial-to say nothing
of a creed Gf they need onc) which would
cmbody all that is wise and sublime in the
old, discarded faiths. AS for the form and
manner of funeral rites, Our laws Justly allow a
large liberty, especially where the former
are based on the wishes of the deceased and
the concurrence of relatives and friends.
There is nothing in the Theosophical" obseY
quics either 10 shock or alarm the general
sentiment but at the same time nothing to
interest it. Unless the members undertake Il
much profounder study Of their hgh-"rratic
manuscripts their next funeral will lie SHINY
attended