The Washington critic., 1890-02-09
THEosoPuY's HIGH PRIEST.
DIR. Elliot Coues' Comments on Cler-
gymen Resented.

DIR. Elliot Coues' Comments on CIer-
gymen Resented.
DIR. Elliot Coues of this city is the
acknowledged resident apostle of
Gnostic Theosophy. He is the leader
of quite following Of people who
knock down the beautiful structure in
which the average churchmcn house
their Christian beliefs and go wander.
ing into the mysterious realms of occult
science, searching for new things.
As these searchers after occult mat
terialization float airily through the
boundless cmpyrean of scientific theory,
they look back pityingly upon the fol-
lowers of orthodox creeds who are con-
tent to plod hopefully along in the Naza-
rene faith. Once in while the occult
scientists even descend TO taking a go at
the plodders, with the keen lance of con
temptuous criticism. For some time
DR.. Elliot Coues, as apostle in chief
of the Gnostic Theosopnists, has not had
tilt al the orthodox people, but few
days ago he threw down the gauntlet as
Il
paper last Sunday he used these words;
MANY of them would gladly investi
gate some of these so called delusions
of occult science, if they dared brave
the bonds Of their church creed"
He referred to orthodox ministers of
the gospel who, the doctor declares,
are thirsting for, but have not the cour-
age to seek, more information concern
ing the unknowablc. "You would be
surprised" continued the doctor,
could you see my correspondence for
a week and the letters of inquiry from
people who are seeking some better sat
isfaction than they have found in for
NAL worship and in the soul. cramping,
man-made creeds of inspired and big
oted men,"
This keen taunt, amounting to a
charge of mental cowardice, is the
gauntlet which the apostle Of Theoso-
ply threw down as challenge to the
orthodox people.
The article was shown to Rev. DIR.
McKim. He is the rector of
Epiphany Episcopal Church in this
city, churchman of rare attainments
and national reputation. DR.. McKim
leaned back in his study chair and
laughed softly to himself. "If they
dared brave the bonds of their church
creeds, he repeated, musingly. Then
he said: eve do not risk Drawing the
bonds of church creeds' when we in
vestigate anything. The motto of the
orthodox Church is, Seek the Truth
come whence it may, cost what it will. |
feel certain of truthfully speaking
when l say there is no fear upon the
part of the clergy to investigate the
theories mentioned in this article; if
they do not talk about these theories,
ii is from lack of interest in them,
born of the barrenness of the subject,
which offers nothing satisfying to the
Christian mind, nothing to fill the crav.
ing want which the mind feels and
which only the Christian faith Can
meet.
"The article speaks of Man made
crceds of bigoted men, The creed OF
the Episcopal Church, accepted by
nearly all the Protestant churches and
the Roman Catholics and the Greek
Church, is the Apostles Creed Surely
the remark cannot apply to this creed
nC L
charge cowardice in Christians not in
vestigating their theory; but any theory
for a churchmap TO investigate mus
promise something better than his OWL
faith, which Theosoply does not"
DIR. Elliott of Foundry Church read
Professor Coues statement that the
clergy was backward in coming forward
upon this question. Then he smiled 6
sarcastic smile and said 1T would bt
rather an unequal fight for the clergy
to enter into controversy with Pro
fessor Coues. He would have mos
unfair advantage. He can project hi:
astral being to any desired place, ant
be in two places at once by this trans
portation of his astral body. He cal
receive letters without their coming
through the mail. You can see how
he would thus be able to- steal many
march upon us,
81 don't know whether this Professo
Coues is the one with whom to carry OF
controversy about occult science, any
how. 1t seems to me that MADAME
Blavatsly is the true prophet of tn
theosophy which the professor espouse
and that he is dissenter from tn
Ctctu. L tuluh IL L uhu any SOucI NcuIu
ings to study the matter would appl,
to the madame for points. This is no
the age, however, for credulity ant
superstition in theological matters, ant
the miracles which the occult scientist
allege to be obtainable are not satisfy
ing TO the healthy mind. We want les
fable and more practicality in religion
anyhow"
Rev. DIR. Domer of ST. Paups Eng
lish Lutheran Church resented Profes
sor Coues' assertion that the clergy wa
afraid to study the problems Of occul
theosophy. 1--WE believe in finding truth
wherever they can be found" said til
Doctor. eve should never be afrai
of the truth. There are no limitation
put upon the clergy in searching 70
the truth. They are not bound to oil
thodoXy, as Professor Coues alleges
The true orthodoxy is to know tn
truth and to think in harmony with tn
truth. I would like to see Protessc
Coues come out in the public print
and state his theories, maintaining &
best he may, and am sure he woul
not find the clergy slow to meet him.