The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-05-19
TheOsophv.

thinkers, growing interest in the phil
osophy advanced by that body of people
known as theosophists, and in view OF
this fact and that our people may keep
in touch with the foremostitis proposed
in this paper TO give limited idea OF
some of the primary principles which
actuate its followers. The theosophical
society was founded in New York City
on the 1 18th day of November, 1875, and
is legal incorporation to-day under
the laws of the United States. The
ayowed objects of the society are as
follows:
First. To form the nucleus of an uIi-
versal brotherhood of humanity without
distinction of race, creed or color.
Second. To promote the study OF
Aryan and other eastern literature,
religions and sciences.
Third. To investigate the unex planned
laws of nature and the physical powers
latent in man.
The principle aim of the society Is to
bring about a practical realization of
the first object spoken OF above; to in
culcate the principle of the brotherhood
of man within the breast of all while
the other two objects are OF equal i'm
portance opening as they do avenues OF
knowledge totally unknown to western
thought and giving the broadest scope
for the student, opening up a field of
knowledge which single life is totally
inadequate to fully explore. Stillitis the
first of the three objects upon which the
real utility of the society rest and the
one which the individual should most
assiduously cultivate if he would grow
into a full knowledge of the truth. The
practical impulse which this will impart
to all his life and the amount it will con-
duce to the happiness of himself and
those around MIN can only be known by
experience.
The religious opinion Of a person is no
bar to joining the organization as there
exist within its ranks followers of all
creeds and systems, the only considera-
ton being the desire to follow along the
lines indicated Ivy its objects before spok-
en- of and to grant to all corners the
same tolerance for their views as he de-
sires for his own believing that Dy fol-
lowing the principles it inculcates error
will gradually give way to truth and its
beauties and reason become more and
more apparent. Although the theosoph-
ical society was founded as above indi
Gated, theosophy must not be understood
to date from so recent an, event. 1t
really began before the advent of man
Into the objective world and is not only
the pure philosophy of all times, but is
also the true knowledge and science of
all ages. 1t has often been buried be-
meath the crustation OF form. creed,
superstition and mythology in fact it is
the basis upon which all religions and
sciences have been built, that root-truth
from which they have all sprung. The
word theosophy is word only dating
back to the Grecian times and meaning
God wisdom. But this is not the only
name by which it has been known. Name
counting but for little, but it's truths are
ever the same and willso remain, though
mans conception of it will eyer change
as he rises near the source, and he comes
into clear consciousness of the All
from whence it comes.
Christianity. buddhism. nor any other
one religion constitutes all of theosophy,
no more than any one protestant denom-
nation constitutes all of christianity.
From its very nature it supersceds in ex-
cellence and wisdom the religion of any
one time or people in that, it is concen-
tration Of the refined wisdom of all ages
and people. The object OF theosophy is
to enlighten man and enable him to so
understand and locate himself with re-
lation to the laws that govern him, as
will best restore that harmony and union
with nature and the absolute which con-
duces to the highest happiness and I'M
foldment looking towards perfection.
Theosophy has no set creed or dagma
written or verbal to the conformance of
which it imperatively demands belief
and submission, but rather teaches that
each individual should cultivate that
manner of life which will best lead him
towards the attainment of his highest
ideal which he will find ever grows more
pure as he advances toward it. No one
is expected to accept anything of what
ever nature blindly or upon any other
authority except that vested in his own
highest reason and and intuition. It
teaches the Divine within every human
breast which, if listened to and needed
uplifts and brings man into communion
with that which to him is the absolute
and that the higher and farther he pro-
crosses the truer will be his conception
of that absolute. Italso teaches that to
Know, HdN ItuSI lSaIH duu tAdl lC1EIt-
ing can only be gained .bya process Of
long application and deep study and
that he will be rewarded only in exact
accordance with his deserts. 1t teaches
that the spirit is an eternal entity, whose
history covers the great silent past and
whose heritage is the illimitable future;
thatits journey through eternity has for
its object and purpose the coming into
full consciousness of its latent powers
that all eternity is but a eoatinnors
possibility for achievement that the in-
naHerable avenues of knowledge leading
to ;ufnite wisdom are its chosen paths.
1t discourages the cultivation of any one
talent to the exclusion of any other. but
encouragest the development of the whole
man, so that each part of his entire
eI,on 1,.