The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-02-01
THEOSOPHY.
The Meaning of the TheosOphical
Movement.
Faith is Necessary at the Outset, the
Same as In Other Matters-Points
for Those Who Are Inquiring Into
the Science.


The following, from the pen of Thomas
Williams, Fellow Theosophical Society,
Holly Lodge, Eng, may prove of inter-
est to those who are seeking information
in regard to theosophy:
1t is astonishing to note how few people
have a clear notion as to the meaning of
the theosophical movement. Some look
upon Theosophy as new diSpenSation
with Madame Blavatsky as its pope and
prophecies. Others again seem to be pos
sessed by the idea that it is kind of
hanky -panky business for the propoga-
ton of insanity and the production of
phenomena. And yet as a matter OF fact
this grand old title covers q system of
philosophy more profound than any now
existing, and more subtle than even the
metaphysics of modern German thought.
But it is not alone to its ideas that
IheoSophy owes its pre-eminence, for it
Is intensely practical, being founded on
an Intimate knowledge of nature Mod
ern science viewed through a theosophic
lens assumes a beauty and a depth of
meaning which no lover of knowledge
can afford to lose. But it is not with
science that Theosophy has principally to
do, but with life in all its varied forms of
manifestation. And it may with perfect
truth be called 1.-THE science" of Life ex-
planned by a tranScendental idealism
which may be called the science of Light.
This latter term seems probably more
vague and poetical than is suited to the
practical tastes OF our age, but it is due to
the fact that from a study of the sublime
teachings OF a Wisdom Religion, into
which theosophical writings claim to
form themselves, we emerge with clear
| conception of the existence around us
and in US OF an ethereal something similar
tI. rir,l JFrl,t b,1t Il, aI
only as an invisible presence, and which
is aptly called the Light of Conscious
ness.
This all-pervading energy of self-per-
ception transforms everything, whether
| organic or inorganic into conscious ex-
| lstence. To this conception of a universe
of light begot Of the activity of an infinite
consciousness may be traced-the explana-
| ton of the word theosophy 1t means,
accurately translated, 1.-THE wisdom of the
gods" Every atom and molecule, every
shape and form of earthly life, is the
representation of ray of this light of
lie which, in them, are personitied. So
that rays of consciousness become i'm
prisoned in material bodies which thus
| becomes potential gods. Theosophy,
therefore, when it tries to unrayeI the
| mysteries OF nature is brought more and
more into contact with these captive es-
sences and explains ever more fully the
WI anu lilc NiSuDtll vi pue
Theosophy has often met with an unde-
served rebuff from people who might
otherwise have been tempted to study it,
through an initial understanding sug-
gested by the meaning we attach to the
word. Divine wisdom tits literal transla-
tion) does not mean the wisdom of God in
the sense attached in our day to the term,
but rather that of the 1.-THE gods'' accord
ing to the ideas possessed on the subject
by the AleXandrlan school OF philoso-
piers, and this suggests to us either the
belief in 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
be wondered at, since before we can I'M
derstand what is meant by 1.-The gods''
sufficiently to realize the practical reality
OF their existence, we must undertake a
thorough analysis of the nature Of phySi-
cal and psychic life, and learn how these
blend in spiritual union more or less
latent i'll every form OF matter, en-
downing them with a godlike poteRtiat-
1ty In the age OF faith which character
lied the rise and 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 and then en-
tirely destroyed the delicate conceptions
which underlay their Toison d'etrc 1t is
to be hoped that in these days OF criti-
ciSil anu Oh reason, no Sucn faIe awaits
the revival of these ancient truths, re-
vival which gives them all the added sig
nlficance due to our present knowledge
OF nature.
Still it must be admitted that faith is
necessary at the outset of theosophical in
curry IAN inquiry which rewards the stu
dent with conceptions of life far surpass-
ing the dreams of the most enthusiastic
Votar1eS OF modern Sciencel. And this is
surely not too much to ask, for many of
us give an unquestioned faith to the
operation of the existence of Il personal
God. While even the skeptical are neces-s
sarily compelled to make use of this
faculty. For just as no religion can get
along without little faith, so no action in
even everyday life can successfully be
undertaken unless we have faith in our
power to carry it out. Therefore, Theoso-
ply pleads for that faith which pre-
cedes the first act of inquiry. 1t says:
You need only have enough to carry
you through the work required by
study of the facts and theories which I
shall present to you, and then if you
have used your reason, faith will become
knowledge" But these are not the only
difficulties which Theosophy has to con-
tend with; there is one obstacle woven
into the very spirit of the age, and which
possesses powerful deterrent influence.
1t is the prevailing spirit of monotheism.
If we look at life from a materialists
point of view we feel sure that there is
but one first Cause" while Theosophy
seems to talk of many. If we are believ-
ers in church dogmas, we recognize the
propriety of but one God, whereas here
we have a plurality. We shall III fact put
up our hands in virtuous horror, whether
we are saint or sinner a protested fol-
lower of the churches or materialism.
This determined monotheism would
indeed prove fatal were it not that
Theosophy is in strict agreement with
this idea. True, it offers to teach MS the
wisdom of 1.-THE Gods" but it also recog-
nizes 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 rationalists
arrive at, the One God which monotheism
claims as the source of all.