Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-05

luminiferous ether. and by others is as
sumed to be the matrix of electricity, is
! capable of being operated upon by the
human Will. 1t is in fact apparent that
all the phenomena of Mesmerism are sp-
proaches to the solution of the secret
which the Occult Brotherhood guard SO
jealously. The magnetizer who influences
his patient at distance oy making
passes in his direction, unconsciously
calls to his aid that subtle prin-
ciple which the Adept consciously
! controls. The Medium in the seance-
room is the passive agent through whom
incorporeal intelligences make themselves
manifest, always by the aid of Akasa.
The Adopts, however, are at the opposite
pole from the medium. They do not allow
themselves to be controlled. They exer-
else control. Whatever they do is there.
| fore the effect of volition. With the me-
dunn, on the contrary, volition is sus.
pended. The Adopts live life to them
selves. They are separated from the world
by their knowledge, no less than by the
discipline which was indispensable to
its acquisition. Naturally the first
thought of the uninitiated would be
one of surprise that men who
possess such mastery over Nature should
not employ it for their own aggrandize-
ment. But this would be impossible. for
it is fundamental requirement of the life
they devote themselves to that all merely
worldly desires and appetites shall be
eliminated. Sordid and selfish views are
incompatible with any success in Occult
ism. The development of the spiritual
side of man can only be attained by the
repression of the animal side. The tradi.
ton which in all ages has represented the
necessity of abstemiousness as a prelim-
mary to the acquisition of magic
lore, is founded in fact. 1t is
necessary TO make conquest of the
body before the eyes of the soul
can be opened. 1t is evident that if this
be true, Adeptship cannot be open to all.
In so arduous quest the many fail,
the one succeeds )" and the successful one
is often the intellectual effiorescence of an
age. For not only is there demanded from
the Neophyte self.control and per-
sistence rarely given to human beings, but
there are perils to be encountered on the
way which none but the most resolute and
courageous can face. When Lord Lytton,
in " Zanoni," described the "Dweller on
the Threshold" whose malignant gaze
froze the blood in the veins of the rash and
unfit aspirant, he but idealized the real
dangers which attend the persevering
student of Occultism, and which must be
surmounted by all who would win Adept
ship.
It was to this strange band or fraternity
that Madame Blavatsky addressed herself
on her arrival in India, For a time they
resisted her appeals for assistance, for it
must be said that they are by no means
enthusiastic over the proposition to en-
tighten the Western world. But at length
they, or some of them, consented to allow
some of their lay Chelas Tor disciples, pu-
pills or neophytes) to contribute to the
Theosophist certain papers entitled
Fragments of Occult Truth" What
gives these papers their interest and sig
niicance is the claim that they contain
statements emanating from men who are
speaking with the authority derived from
personal knowledge and experience, upon
subjects which have hitherto been the sport
of conjecture, and concerning which there
has been none but hearsay evidence. When
men say that there is another sphere of
existence, not because there ought to be,
but because they have been in it; when
they say that man has soul, not be.
cause it is a logical deduction from his
surroundings, but because they them
selves have acquired the faculty of pro-
jecting their Egos outside their bodies
when they assert that mans destiny here
after depends upon his own exertions, not
because this is plausible theological
dogma, but because they have been af
forded the opportunity to examine
the supramundane records and provisions
| it is inevitable that a greater in
terest than usual attaches to their
representations, and that, supposing a
strong presumption of their probity, and
of the reality of their alleged powers, can
be established, they will be entitled to
serious and respectful hearing. The estab-
lishment of this presumption is of course
indispensable, because without such
guarantee it would be as preposterous to
solicit credence for these propositions, as for
the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
| 1t therefore becomes necessary to intro
duce another very remarkable book to the
reader; book entitled "The Occult
World" written by an Anglo-Indian jour-
nalist of good repute, Mr.. A. P. Sinnett.
In this little volume there is presented
series of facts, every one strongly attested,
the general effect OF which Is to produce
conviction Q) That the Occult Brother.
hood really exists ~ that it does possess
and exercise very remarkable powers; 81
that it has control of natural forces to an
extent and of a kind hitherto uncompre.
hended; az that it has entered into direct
communication with the external world
(5) that it is not altogether unwilling to
allow some at least of it's occult knowledge
to be disseminated. The examination of
Mr.. Sinnett's book, and The exposition of
the conclusions to be drawn from it, will |
form the subject of another paper.
GEORGE FREDERIC PARSONS.
CarbOlfue.