Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-16
FASHIONABLE RELIGION.
A Rage Among the English People
for Eastern Theosophy.


for Eastern Theosophy.
The Providence journal, discussing
fashionable religion, says:
Zone of the latest crazes which has
seized the English people, and which has
been imported to our country, is the rage
for the Eastern theOsOphy which, we are
told, is destined to suDplant Christianity
in 20 minds of cultivated people. The
study Of the oriental religions has re-
ceiVed q new impetus within the last de-
cQde, and men are carried away with the
new fashion in somewhat the same man.
ner as they were captured by the aesthetic
mania, which was itself successor OF the
fret popular phrase of Darwinism. To
this Mr.. Matthew Arnold has kept time
and tune with his evolution of "5weetneSs
and light" from Christianity that he has
sweetened and enlightened for genteel
people by eliminating all that is super
natural and miraculous.
But of all the crazes and 'fads' of the
day nothing strikes US as more curious
than the mixture OF enthusiasm and
| languOr with which certain Boston young
| women proclaim themselves to be Budd-
hists In religion, adopting their new opin-
| ions somewhat on the same principle as
the latest fashion in dress. AT the present
day 1t is no secret that the attacks on the
Bible-which it has majestically endured,
as if TO snow how truth is an anvil that
wears out every hammer that rings upon
it-naVe been abandoned in favor of new
device.
''SOme OF the rejectors Of Christianity
are making experiments in the new philos-
opby of comparative and competitive re-
ligions. The beauty Of BuddhIsm-the
Light of Asia'-the wisdom OF Nedar, and
the sublime morality OF Indian theOsophy
are set forth in captivating style, aud we
are asked to lay aside the teachings of
Christianity as an exclusive religion, or to
admit the new faith to the same place in
our affections as that which 10 held by the
religion of Christ.
LAS Rome conquered Greece, to be her.
self subjugated by Greek culture and art,
and conquered Palestine, to be in turn
subdued by the faith born at Jerusalem,
80 it would seem as il some English poet,
philosophers and Gilettante dreamers
fancy they have annexed India only to be
converted to the pure and precious wOr-
ship of the natives OF the country. What
is this beautiful and celestial creed which
Is being 80 bOastfully paraded by intel
lectual exquisites as being not only
equal In inspiration with the sacred book
of CbristendOm, but as being far more
suited for the choice and adoption of
men and women of taste and mental
aoumen?
zone OF the foremost Orentals cholars in
Europe, Sir NJ. MOnier Williams, professor
of Sanscrit at oxford, VINO has studied
the Indian religions for forty years, most
of the tiUe in their own land, has lately
spoken with studied moderation, but with
justly dogmatic emphasis, which should
be decisive for every balanced mind
Thoroughly learned in the sacred scrip
lures Of the East, he speaks not with
empirical criticism, hut with the author.
ity of master. He has literally nothing
to say but what eXalts the Bible to the
utter disparagement of the whole Bud
dhist Library.
Gle declares 'the very diapason, so to
! 81 eak.' OF all the doctrines OF the East 10
BE- the prescription OF self-righteOusuees
! The hope OF extinction or absorption OF
| being, 10 escape universal suffering and
despair, is the cream of Buddha's teach
! Ing; and this sour and curdled essence of
despair is the new gospel which our
! boosted modern culture Is giving us as
being noble teaching, and equal to or only
second to toe wisdom OF Christw