The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-22
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SOUL.
Lecture to Theosophists on Doctrines of
Karma and Reincarnation.

A8rmR ana Ihf1uCarnAilOn.
At the meeting of the Theosophical So
ciety in the Halter block yesterday after
noon, Thomas Barnes, of this city, lee
tured on characterization and karma."
He described these two doctrines as the
twin pillars in the temple of truth. Truth
absolute men could not know, and only q
relatively fair conception of it could be OBJ
tanned by search Each individual must
travel alone in search of truth. No effort
TO obtain divine truth would ever be
wasted. The law of Karma was the law
of cause and effect; ii was the principle of
divine Justice. 1t taught that whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he reap. 1t
never errs. Human justice sometimes
pardons the wrong-doer where there is
doubt on extenuating circumstances. but
in the case of karma there can be no
doubt. and extenuating circumstances
have already had their effect; therefore
pardon was utterly impossible Karma
not only brings punishment but reward.
There was no desire for higher life but
would have its potency TO lift one out of
the mire: but good act must be done for
it's own sake, not for reward or any selfish
motive.
Karma moves along, carrying out its
own DEGREES with memorable justice. The
criminal works out his own punishment.
Noman ever did wrong but his own in
terests suffered. No recording angel was
needed: a mans deeds were written ON
his own soul. This doctrine would ex-
plain the perplexing fact that the good
often have to suffer in this world, while
the wicked prosper. The orthodox creeds
failed to meet this difficulty with their
heaven and hell. Nicarious atonement
was the most pernicious doctrine. for how
can one become perfect through the suffer
inc of anotherf 1t must be through his
own suffering.
Mr. Barnes then explained the doctrine
of re-incarnation in a very lucid manner,
not numbering it with the Buddhist lar
ron so favored by many Theosophists
lie described the state of the soul after
death as analogous to the Catholic purEa-
tory. in which the gross animal desires
were gradually eliminated and from
which the spirit rose to the highest con-
dition of bliss. Then it would be reincar-
mated until it reached perfection.
lie claimed for this doctrine that it ex-
nlained why one child was born 10 honor
and another TO the misery of the Sums.
II would also explain the phenomenon OF
genius. for theosophy taught that in such
cases the soul was only working out the
experience of former life. The evolution
of the soul through reincarnation widencd
its consciousness, and by it we mold and
model ourselves till We lose ourselves in
the absolute.
Not an animal suffered but was learning
lessons 10 fit it TO go up higher. lie de-
ciarcd cruelty TO animals the greatest blot
on Western civilization, and accused Chris
tianity of having failed in its duty in TINS
respect. The soul will III time free itself
from the necessity for reincarnation, for
we are day by day working out our own
destinies. In conclusion, he qnoted;
For he that soweth OF the flesh shalt OF ;he
flesh reap destruction, sud nc that soweta OF the
tpirit shall OF the spirit reap everlasting life