The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-10
THEOSOPHY FOR BABES.
an AFTERNOON IN THE LOTUS CIR
CLE,S SUNDAY SCHOOL.

CLh'S bOND4I SCHOOJ.
The Law OF Ksrrns and the Doctrine or
Reincsrnstior Tnusht by the Teiiing OF
Oriental PARALLELS "A Convert Relates
Her IntImntions OF Previous Lives.
About a dozen children attended yesterday
afternoon the Sunday school OF the Lotus Cir
Gle OF the Aryan Theosophical Society at 144
Madison avenue. Rows OF chairs occupied the
body OF the room. and one end was fitted up
with q raised platform. upon which stood q
reading desk. a table. and in one corner
an upright plano. The only distinctive
reminder OF the peculiar faith. whose stand
ard is set up here. wns nm engraving placed at
the head OF the room. from which the strong
face Of Nine. Blavatsky. the late head priest
ess OF the order. showed forth in heavy relief,
Mr.. B. Harding opened the exercises. which
consisted only OF the singing OF hymns and
songs. These hymns were chiefly OF nature
and theories OF the future. After the singing
a young woman gave q short children's talk.
This talk savored Of the fairy tales. and
pointed q pretty moral concerning the
beauty Of patience In daily llfe. The
children are taught almost exclusively by
means OF stories and tales which contain alle-
gorles. The teachers say that by this method
. child can be made to grasp the doctrines OF
reincarnation and the law OF God in man.
Mr.. Harding then spoke Of the idea OF q God.
He teaches q class OF men and women himself.
The method here is to read a few lines from
the Bahgavadgita and then to comment and
question concerning their Interpretation.
"we prefer this book to the Bible" said Mr..
Harding. because 1t gives a reason for each
OF its commands. Its language is purposely
yelled. as It is we'll to study and ponder on
such vital questions. One who enters into the
spirit OF It's teaching can grasp It's beauties
and it's truths. but 1t is necessarily obscure to
the unbeliever.'
The questions discussed yesterday were the
law OF Karma. and tho meaning and purpose
OF reincarnation. Each pupil was urged to
enter into tho discussion. and the result was
a bewildering volley OF questions. which was
followed BY a more bewildering series Of ex-
plantations. The debaters. although at int
in danger Of becoming swamped in the sen Of
speculation. showed much logical tact in res
cuing their shadowy Ideas from wreck. Here
is the idea OF the law OF karma they gavo to q
timid but eager stranger:
Each human action Is n form Of force that
ia set in motion. and muat continue in It's out
When the limit is reached this motive force
returns again to the centre. from which 1t em-
s anna 8 Sheet This is kr h + GTn asa Is pils sa'm ply ee eSss
some ssg; Of ofe whle as'i are far.reashinc in IS th tira Sig:
the brief space OF one human life this accuml-
iation OF karma for good or evil cannot regnin
Is iss c s9stse aga a TssfSes .ns w ssaaai eIearer or MmeSe
eGuaIise the displacementi But by each. re-
incarnation the soul gains. experience and at
tains to that perfection which is the nnality.
These reincarnations. lives which we have al
tined to pass. may h!e counted by the hundreds
i6s degree q sslt:SSa%de!Fs'andinS' that is. per;
This exposition was colored by storios illus
trative OF the theory; For instance. the law OF
prince had trnnsgressed a law. His punish.
ment was decreed to be accomplished by tho
4 SUlsh Gsc Of ni wa s0d sIts By g h ns fislI H . fns Tn'S
OF his instant. and utter annihilation, he was
to be constantly stoned with bits OF the boul;
descendants were. to he followed By the same
method Of punishment until the last bit Of
S Niaslv n .ited S1 in thu ssu East sse as up a parable Thii f 81 tId L
Awoman. one of the most recent pupils. at
in reincarnation and her recollection OF a for
~ sometimes. am sure" she said. that!
all tho emotions that death can compel.
have, had ,intImations and reeollections Of
they are necessarily vague and dreamy"
Here a suggestion That they were mere
st s'lascf.! Was sc OF fuHSu rsiected. the h,'G rropri,
etress OF these, intimations Of her past rein
sSo ss1S sh e'' fsli sor IN h icr f fncse pS SenisSted
creatures who knew no, such delights Of the
soul as she could reyel in.
which the children Joined as loudly as the men
and women: TIL managers declare that the
s stssfs. are IL 'p 1syis Rer and aa shst sssy GFs ' the
ca!umny that is heaped upon the deyotees OF
this all-embracing religion. Free lectures are
diseassienss are seSssaled for every Tuesday
evening up to June %