, 1892-07-16
THEOSOPHY TALK.
The TheosophicaI Society and Its
Objects.

Cardinal Points of a Rational Phil
OsOphy, as Explained by Dr..
GIIFfitH at the Unitarian Church
Last Night.
An intelligent and deeply interested au-
dience listened to an address by DR.. Grif-
fths, Pacific coast lecturer on theosophy
last evening in the Unitarian church. A
summary Of the lecture is given:
The Theosophical society was founded
in 1875, at New York city, by Nine. H. P
Blavatsky, Colonel H. S. Olcott and VIM.
@. Judge. Nine. Blavatsky was Russian
by birth and in receipt of large annuity,
which she forfeited on her becoming citi-
zen of the United States She took that
step to better enable her to organize the
society according to the laws of this coun-
try. The society is incorporated under the
United States and state laws. When appli-
cation for charter was made in Missouri
the supreme court of that state, in grant
ing charter, affirmed that the Theosoph-
ical society was equally entitled to recog-
milton with any other philosophical or sci
entiic body, since its objects tended to ele-
vate the educational and moral status of
any community. This conclusion was
reached after thorough investigation by
competent iurists appointed bv the court
for that purpose. The courts OF other
states have rendered like decisions.
TheOsOphY, though existing in all ages, is
yet the only attempt since Plato's time to
offer rational account of cosmos, our own
and other planets and the origin, develop
ment and Destiny of our race. TheOsOphic
sideratiOn of students of the unseen but
potent forces underlying and causing all
material and phenomenal manifestations
of nature.
The First Object is to form the nucleus
of a universal brotherhood of humanity
without distinction of race, creed sex or
color. The brotherhood desired to form is
based upon the spiritual nature of man
all having common origin, all possesses
common interests and possibilities as regards
the true nature. Therefore, individual
progress and happiness is impossible be-
yOnd very narrow limits and the only es-
cape from individual ills is in the elevation
of the race as whole, and that end NAV
be best subserved by imparting right know
edge of lifes problems. The growth Of the
society and spread of theosophy has been
phenomenal. The literature of the west
ern world is colored with theosophy and
theOsophical ideas permeate the advanced
thought of the time.
The Second object is the study oriental
religions, PHILOSOPHERS and sciences and
demonstrate their importance. HOary an
tignity has been the play ground ofmighty
civilizations that possessed knowledge su-
perior to our time. knowledge of astron-
emy, architecture, mathematics, agricul-
ture and much relating to all departments
of human endeavor, was impaired to our
race in its infancy by adopts Of other and
more advanced humanities. That knowl-
edge was recorded, preserved and is now
accessible to us in oriental literature which
is being translated by theOsophists. The
osophic teachings as put forth in Nine.
Blavatsky's two principal works "Isis Un-
yelled, and "Hhe Secret Doctrine" and
general theosophical literature contain
vast knowledge upon mysterious problems
of life not found elsewhere. Light has ever
come from the east, and western students
are now searching in ancient archives for
solution of mysteries otherwise unsolvble.
The third object is to investigate unex-
planned laws Of nature and the latent pow
ers in man. All about US are mysteries
which force themselves upon us and de-
mand solution five would avoid present
disaster and court future welfare. In ig-
nOrance man is a creature Of superstition,
and subject to circumstances which he
neither understands nor controls. In his
efforts to assist himself and others, he as
often effects evil and good. He lacks and
needs knowledge more than anything else.
Theosophy is the knowledge which ele-
Yates him out Of present difficulties and
prevents future repetitions of them. The
Theosophical society is the appropriate
place for students who desire the truth
against the world. Theosophy breaks the
shackJes from off human souls and bids all
men be free-free from ignorance, creeds,
dogmas and the enslaYing bonds of priest
craft.
DIR. Griffiths will lecture again in the au-
ditorium of the Unitarian church Sunday
evening. July 18th, upon "Karma and Re
incarnation" Lecture IS free and all are
invited