The record-union., 1893-11-27
MORE ON THEOOOPHY.
Lecture on the Subject by Edward
B. Rambo.
The Founders of the First Theosophical
Society-''The Mahatmas''
and Other Beings.

Edward B. Rambo, F. T. S., of San
Francisco, lectured last evening at the
Sacramento headquarters of the Theoso-
phical Society upon 'The Mahatmas."
In introducing his subject, the speaker
said:
"With the reading of the aims and OBJ
jects of the Theosophical Society, we hear
the announcement made that it was
founded in New York City in 1915 by
Madame Blavatsky, Colonel II. s. Olcott
and others. This is not disputed, be-
ing an historical fact within the recollec-
ton of many of us-a matter Of our own
knowledge.
but there comes also from members
of the Theosophical Society, and here and
there in theOsophical literature, the quiet
statement that these persons were not the
real founders; that back of them. so to
speak, are others who have called into
life the Theosophical Society and are
vitality interested iii its being perfect or
useful instrument for the advancement OF
certain ideas which they know to be al
the base of the evolution of humanity
into more perfect state.
Those whom we know as founders
themselves, say, both verbally and in
pals, but have done their work for the
Masters, their teachers. Tor whom they
profess the greatest respect, ana TO whom
they render the most implicit obedience.
This is something new in our age, that
the founders, so tar as can be know OIL
movement which has met with great sue
cess, appear to be entirely willing to sink
their own personality, the usual ambi-
tion of promoters and the applause OF
the public, to say nothing OF the financial
aspect usually accompanying the call OF
people into a society, or traternal move
ment, and seek to give honor, obedience.
as well as renown, to others than them
selyes-the others being personages who
Go not come forward TO claim such hon
ors or the exalted position 10 which they
would be entitled if benetactors OF
humanity.
I'VE are told that there is an occult
brotherhood who are custodians OF the
sacred wisdom of the ages, and that they
are giving out some of this wisdom
through the Theosophical Society. We
are told thai these are masters of wisdom,
great teachers, Mahatmas this appella-
ton meaning great soulS'), adopts and
Arhats meaning when used TO designate
these beings, proficients, III an eXtraordi-
nary sense in knOWledgel: that such
persons, wise beyond the wisdom OF man
as we know him even in our civiliza-
ton, now live, and while they are to be
found at times III many countries, they
have always had a home and now have
tEeir principal home in the Businesses Of
Thibet, that mysterious and uneX plored
country north OF the Himalayan range.
This Is general statement. and while
it does not Immediately touch US or any
thought III which we are immediately en-
gagged, IS received, or rather passed by. as
other fabulous tales and fictIons. " lille
it Is quietly claimed that OF this brother
hood and among these masters there are
i number who are the real directors OF
the lheosophical movemenJ-Who inspire
Il grout portion OF its literature and who
desire 10 serve humanity, as well as to
have US serI It, through the TheOsophi-
cal rOciety-our curiosity is aroused; we
think our credulity IS taxed, and, quite
slngGlarly, we are antagOnistic to the
thought, voting it uncertain, visionary,
doubtful But, like many other matters
strange at first this claim set up by these
people who only ask a hearing OF theOs
ophy, and only by those who are inter-
ested, VIII not only bear but reward in
vesugation."
Continuing, the lecturer gave the rea-
sons why " eStern scientific and religious
thought cannot impartially consider the
existence of the masters, and claimed 10
show how occult philosophy, by its
teaching of continued evolution beyond
the human estate, led naturally to the
fact OF perfected men, adopts. who have
been called ''the ef1iorescence of hu-
1nanity.'
He quoted ancient and modern author
tiles, giving alleged historical basis for
beliefin the existence of the masters and
for the Identification Of their home in
Thibet Following this with statements
OfGving witnesses, who testify variously
to association with the masters, he said !
Greater, however, than personal evil
dence Of the seeing of such persons by
our contemporaries, is their witness in
the philosophy and teaching they would
revive and the purely altruistic character
OF their works.
In the course of his lecture Mr.. Rambo
answered many objections relating to the
masters and to the teachings which they
are now promulgating under the name OF
Theosophy. He explained in his way
the distinction between saints and adopts;
denied the manifestation of adopts
through spiritualistic mediums and gave
an outline of their work for humanity.
Closing, he said:
"And if their existence, and the great
wealth of knowledge they possess, can
become a fact in our consciousness; If
their appeal to rs to acs and think from
the plane OF our duty 10 our brothers; if
their teachings awaken in us the recol-
lection OF instruction in past lives; if the
tenderness of their claim that they are
but our elder brothers comes home to our
hearts, then, indeed, will we press for
ward. begging 10 become their pupils
and gaining a glimpse OF their confession
for all, we will With grateful hearts call
them our masters