Omaha daily bee., 1891-02-08

every shape and form of earthly life, is the
representation of n ray of this light of life
which, In them, are personihed. So that rays
of consciousness become imprisoned in ma
terial bodies which thus become potential
Gods Theosophy, therefore, when il tries
to unravel the mysteries of nature is brought
more and more into contact with these captive
essences and explains ever more fully the
workings and the wisdom Of 'the Gods.n
Theosophy has often met with undeserved
rebuff from people who might otherwise have
been tempted to study it, through an initial
understanding suggested by the meaning we
attach to the word, Divine wisdom its
literal translation does not mean the wisdom
of God In the sense attached in our day to
the term, but rather that Of "the gods' ac-
cording to the ideas possessed on the subject
by the Alexan drian school of philosophers.
ana this suggests to us either the belief in u
mythical mythology; or else, If explained,
the explanation seems too far fetched to be
seriously entertained. That this latter
Should seem so Is not to bc wondered at since
before we can understand what is meant by
''the gods' sufficiently to realize the practical
realty of their existence, we must undertake
a thorough analysis of the nature of physical
aud psychic life, and learn how these blend
in spiritual union more or less latent in
every form of matter; endowing them with
godlike potentiality. In the age of faith
which characterized the rise aud decline of
Greek ethical philosophy when the word
theosophy first came into use, the existence
of the gods was an accepted fact and this
blind acceptance first vulgarized ana then
entirely destroyed the delicate conceptions
which underlay their raison d'etre. 1t is to
be hoped that in these days of criticism and
of reason, no such fate awaits the revival of
these ancient truths, revival which gives
them all the added significance due to our
present knowledge of nature.
Still it must be admitted that faith is nee
essary at the outset of theosophical inquiry
(an inquiry which rewards the student with
conceptions of life far SURPRISING the dreams
of the most enthusiastic votaries of modern
science). And this is surely not too much to
ask, for many of us give an unquestionable
faith to the operation Of the existence of n
personal God While even the skeptical are
necessarily compelled to make use of this
faculty. For just as no religion can get
along without a little faith, so no action in
even everyday life can be successfully under
taken unless we have faith in power to carry
it out. Therefore, theosophy pleads for that
faith which prccedes the first act of inquiry.
1t saws, "YOu need only to have enough to
carry you through the work required by
study of the facts and theories which l shall
present to you, and then if you have used
your reason, faith will become knowledge" :"
But these are not the only difficulties with
is one obstacle woven into the
very spirit of the age, and which pos
sesses powerful deterrent influence.
1t is the prevailing spirit of monotheism. If
we look dU HE from II pOlnU Oh
view we feel sure that there is but one "hrst
cause" while theosophy seems to talk of
of many. If we are believers in church
dogmos, we recognize the propriety of but
one God while here we have plurality.
We shall, in fact put up our hands in virtu-
Gus horror, whether we are saint or sinner, a
professcd follower of the churches or of
materialism.
| This determined monotheism would indeed
| prove fatal were il not that theosophy is in
| strict agreement with this idea. True, it Of
| fers to teach us the wisdom of 1.-THE Gods" :"
| but it also recognizes one, the cause and the
| Father of all, before whom it bows in
| silence, refusing even to name Him. Here
| on this distant apex of the universe. both
| philosopher, materialist, and churchman
| may meet in one common bond of union.
| For here is the ultimate idea which ration
| alists arrive at, the one God monotheism
| claims as the source of all.
| THOMAS WILLIAMS,
| Fellow Theosophical society,
| Holly Lodge, England.
| A contributor writes that any questions
| bearing upon theosophy, submitted to him
| through THE BEE Will be cheerfully answered
| Dy him.