Evening star., 1886-07-17
PERILs OF rHEosOPHY.
The President Of the Society Describes
the Monsters 1t the Threshold.

The President Of the Society Describes
the Monsters at the Threshold:
LETTER FROM DIR. ELLIOTT coUEs-HE kx-
PLAINS WHY THE TRUE THKosoPHIsr NEVER
sURRENDERs HIS GODS TO THE PoPULACE-
"THIS WAY MADNESS LIES"
To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
Supposing the sad case of the Massachusetts,
lady who has been made insane by Theosophy
TO be correctly reported, Ii simply proves what
have repeatedly stated-the great danger that
attends the study of the subject without the
proper restrictions and the most vigilant super
vision. have been both ridiculed and reviled
for stating that insanity may result from the
practice Of this kind OF psychic science. An
attack Of acute mania, such this lady Is said
TO have had is unfortunately a too frequent re-
suit OF theosophy indiscreetly pursued. Various
forms of mental derangem ent, hallucinations of
all sorts, delirium, idiOcy suicide, murder and
every violation Of the social order threaten the
weak, the unwary or the misguided votary OF
theosophy-this "mushy mystery" this "mum-
bo-jumbO religion" AS some cali it-this most
terrible and most dangerous form of spiritual
phs S as snow ~ 10 oe lass rs one reason
through his probation aud escaped the dangers,
Is the first 10 declare that theosophy is not for
the public, and to conceal il as tar as possible
from the public. Last November gave you as
q sufficient reason for my reticence to your re-
porter that II all persons knew what do about
1t, II would threaten the very fabric of society
That is why l constantly raise a warming
against rash tempting of fate in seeking to
ns fo OF before the
ness lies and am obliged constantly to warn
persons that if they touch this subject they do
their eternal welfare. Nine out OF ten persons
who rashly tempt fate in this way fail or
perish in the attempt When wiu the public
credit us with knowing what We are talking
about when We make such declarations as
thesee When will the public trust to what we
say, without cur reasons therefOre-fOr our real
reasons We never gi7
THEOsoPHY IS FOR BUT FEW,
for the very few who must have it, not for the
many who fancy they would like it. Rash
mortais who aspire to the cOunsels of the i'm.
mortals before they can keep their own-rash
deluded mortais who would seek the company
OF the gods before they have cast Off the
shackles of ignorance, fear and sin! Better
yak the earth humbly than dare essay the
SKIES. MY voice is continually raised to warn
and restrain and check rash souls who would
seek 10 know that which they are not fitted TO
receive; 10 DO that which they are not able to
not ready to become. "This way madness
lies" What would be thought of q surgeon
VINO, alter operating upon patient for catar
patient to the glare OF the sun? Does he not
carefully bandage the newly-Opensd eyes that
they be not dazzied by the light. This is the
osopny VINO is the professor OF chemistry
VINO would let everybody into his laboratory TO
play with hls apparatus, not knowing that
forces OF nature which the trained theosophist
manlpulates are vastly more potent for evil II
y carelessiy or lgnofantly handled, than any
De tampered with. Nor can moral dynamite
rs,L ns trusted IN incompetent hands. That is one
reason why We have nothing but praise and en-.
couragement for the orthodox or
EXoTERIO RELIGIONS
OF every country. We know they are frauds,
but pious frauds, and very useful aud neces-
sary. The vast majority of the human race are
ntted as yet for nothing better. We know that
the averAge human being is far from any possi-
70 stand alone, requiring ~ be held up during
lie and let down at death by every possible
contrlvance adapted to his weakness aud igno-
rance. Such Intellectual organisms have, per-
maps, TO be churned up thousands of times In
the seething messeS OF matter they represent
before they are fit for theosophy. have proba-
Oily advised more persons to '.join the church"
than ever recommended or helped to theoso-
pny. One VINO would aspire TO know the secret
oi NE. wisely Veiied from all excepting the in
tated In the mysteries, should have clearly set
before aim the ordeal through which he mas to
pass, ana pass successfully, by his own strength,
and then make the attempt at the hazard Of
All That makes Lie worth living, at the risk of
lie or reason, at the peril OF his soul. 1t is the
leap OF the cataract he must essay, In defiance
OF prudence and common sense" in defiance
OF the world and all that he holds most dear, in
Seif-rellance that scOrns TO doubt waver or lear.
Nor must 1t be mere recklessnesS; it must be
Justified by the event, and he must prove his
strength TO escape from the rapids as well as
LIS CouldSe W encounter Else he Is lost,
ana very likely helps others on to their destruc-
ton. Religious mania, emotional insanity,
melancholla, suicidal ye1rning, revolving
crimes, mental imbecility, shattered bodily
constitution, aimIesS inIirmity OF purpose and
every form ot undesirable delusion are among
the terrible
JEWELLERS on THE THRESHOLD"
that guard the theosophic adyta. Judge then,
when those who have this matter in their
keeping warn all persons of the danger 10 be
incurred, If they be not right in SO doing,
Judge, II We be not right in refusing to deliver
up the Key 70 these mysteries to whatsoever
asks for ii. Judge, il We be not right in retus-
Ing To lmpart the secret doctrine To those who
have not proven their right to receive it. Judge
II we be not right in hedging theOsophy about
with every possible safeguard. And, whether
we be right or wrong. judge finally whether a
theosopniSt Will not do AS he chooses in this as
IN every other OF his royal prerogatives. No
true theoSOphiSt Will ever surrender his gods
To the populace or betray the least Of their
counsels. lie leaves it to priests to supply the
people with the gods best suited TO their needs
or wants or comprehension, and considers his
own too sacred ~ be put to such purposes.
"Give the people their idols, he says, and let
them be content with what they can under
stand. For in theosOphy "madness lies in
wait tor the average human being and matches
must not be lett In the way of children,
whether of larger or smaller growth. Respect.
fully yours, ELLIOTT COUES,
President Ut the TheoS. Soc.
1925 street northwest
July l3, 1886.