Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1886-07-17
FAsHIONABLE RELIGION
a Rage Among the English People for Eastern
Theosopby.

~ N"SS h"souk tue r4bsush Teopie
Theosophy.
The Providence Journal discussing fash
ionable religion, says:
One of the latest crazes which has seized
the English people, and which has boen i'm
ported to our country, is the rage for the
Eastern theosophy which, We are told, is des-
tined to supplant Christianity in the minds
OF cultivated people. The study of the
oriental religious has received new impe-
tus within the last decade, aud men are car
ried away with the new fashion in somewhat
the same manner as they were captivated by
the aesthetic mania, which was itself sue
cessor of the first popular phrase Of Darwin.
lanisn. To this Mr.. Matthew Arnold has
kept time and tune with his evolution of
sweetness and light from Christianity
which he had sweetened and enlightened for
genteel PEOPLE by eliminating all that is SUI
pernatural and miraculous
But OF all the crazes and sfads 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 Buddbists in religion,
adopting their new opinions somewhat on
the same principles as the latest fashion in
dress. At the present day II is no secret that
| the attacks on the Bible-whch it has ma
| jestically endured, as If to show how truth is
| an anvil that wears out every hammer that
| rings upon it-have been abandoned In favor
OF new device
| "Some of the rejectors of Christianity are
| making experiments in the new philosophy
| OF comparative and competitive religions
| The beauty of Buddhism-the Light o
| Asia the wisdom of Nedar and the sub
| lime morality of Indian theosophy are sci
forth in captivating style, and we are ask cd
| To lay aside the teachings OF Christianity a.
an exclusive religion, or to admit the new
faith to the same place in our affections
as that which Is held by the religion o
| Christ.
AS Rome conquered Greece TO be hersel
| subjugated by Greek culture and art, anC
| conquered Palestine to be in turn subduec
| by tue faith born at Jerusalem, so it woulC
seem as II some English poets, philosopher
ana dllletante dreaners fancy they have an
neNed India only to be converted to the pur
and precious worship of the natives of tn
country. What is this beautiful and celestia
creed which is being so boastfully parade
| by Intellectual eXquisites as being not onl
equal in inspiration with the sacred Book
Christendom, but as being far more suite
Tor the choice and adoption Of men an
women OF taste and mental acumen.
, zone of the foremost Oriental scholars
Europe, Sir NJ. Monier Williams, professc
OF sanscrit at Oxford, who has studied I'll
, | Indian religion for forty years, most OF I'll
, time in their own land, has lately spoke
| with studied moderation, but with just
| dogmatic emphasis, which should be dec
sive for every balanced mind. thorough
learned in the sacred scriptures OF the Eas
he speaks not with empirical criticism, br
with the authority of master. lie has lite
ally nothing to say but what exhalts the b
| ble to the utter Gisparagament of the whoi
Buddhist library.
lie declares tue very diapason, so
| speak, of all the doctrines OF the East to
: the prescription of self.righteousness. Tn
hope OF extinction or absorption of being,
A | escape universal suffering and despair,
the cream OF Buddha's teaching and th
sour and curdled essence of despair is til
: | new gospel which our boosted modern Gu
ture is giving us as being noble teaching
and equal TO or only second TO the wisdol
of Christ"