The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-18
MRS. THIRDS LECTURE.
THE RELATION or THEosoPHy TO
CHRIsTIANITy.
Combines Religion. Philosophy and
Science Instrumentation"
Unveiled" Vocalized.

tors she said:
We are often asked What is Theos.
ophy? Is it religion, is it a philosophy
or is it science?' Added to this we
are often accused of being vague in our
explanations of what we believe and
people say they do not understand us.
We are not vague. Philosophy is COM
pick and is difficult to explain.
Theosophy is not new religion. Ii
is as old as the world for it is truth and
it is eternal. Theosophy is religion. Ait is
philosophy and it Is science. 1t is re-
ligion in its truest sense because it is
truth; it is philosophy because it ex-
plains the causes of things and the re-
lation of one thing to another; it is
science because it is duly arranged and
refers to general truths and principles.
1t is all three of these c0nbined: it is
the very essence of the three. Theosophy
is truth, knowledge of spiritual things
and carries within itself comprehension
and explanation. 1t cannot be reduced
to a creed as it is Independent of creeds
and is made up of all ; nor can it be ex-
planned by any system.
1t is sometimes said to be Buddhism.
1t is not Buddhism, though it borrows
from the Buddhistic faith some of its
best principles.
1t is not Christianity, but includes the
essence of the Christians faith; it is not
Buddhism, but Incorporates the best of
Buddha's teaching; it is not Moham-
mechanism, but compiehends the truth
as it is found in that religion.
Every religion, in so far as it explains
causes, contains truth, teaches of the
soul and directs to duty. is Theosophy.
Therefore in every religion of the world
is Theosophy to be found. The sense
of truth taught by every religion is the
same. They crystalized each with
certain ideas which form creeds. And
laying aside the capitalization of creed
all religions are practically the same.
They all teach of the soul, instruct in
duty and refer to higher being.
Again, say, we find Theosophy in them
all.
We are sometimes asked what we do
in the cases of members belonging to
various churches. The president of the
Theosophcal Society is Buddhist. BE
is Buddhist because he believes in the
Buddhistic faith. Other prominent
Theosophists are Christians, because
that creed suits them best. Annie
Besant is Hindov. because she agrees
with the teachings of their doc.
trine. 1t is none of our business
We have, in the Theosophcal Society
Christians, Buddhists, Mussulmans,
agnostics. Each one is allowed to
choose his own religiC n, and it is never
questioned in the society. All faiths
and creeds are on an equal footing, and
no member is questioned whether he b,
Christian, a Buddhist or an agnostic
That is why we can stand together and
invite people OF all nations, of all sects
and OF all creeds to join us in the inter.
csI VI liuiiidli pioSieSs'
Sometimes objections are raised by
persons unacquainted with the subject
who charge that the scheme of Theoso
ply is impracticable; is vague in it,
teachings, and is incapable OF reaching
practical life, more especially work-a,
day people.
Theosophy may not appeal directly t.
the masses. Few things, ii anything
can. The masses are accustomed t
follow, and they will always follow wis
dom and virtue. 1t is never the masses
who think out LIES more serious prob
lens. As we accept the scientific prin
cples of men whose lives are devoted t,
science; as we accept the teachings o
men whose lives are devoted to philoso
What wise men think and believe th
masses will follow and soon grow t,
think and believe. 1t is not insiste,
that the masses study Theosophy; the,
will take it in time from the Others
Most men of too day have drifted back t.
materialism. The insuificiency of re
ligion of latter-day pattern is the grea
cause Religion, bereft of philosophy
is found wanting. 1t is incapable O
sustaining the lofty ideals demanded b
the soul
The world of to-day has drifted ava
from religion and is not so virtuous an
so true as it should be at the end of TIL
nineteenth century. Man has been turn
ed adrift with nothing stable to taste
upon. He does not see any definit
path way, any good thing and definit
ideal for which the spirit yearns.
We must give man higher concel
ton of life and truer conceptions G
duty The rest will follow as the Nigh
the day. Theosophy does not seek
draw men from practical life. We al
misunderstood there again. 1t onl
seeks to make that life more true /
broader and higher conceptions an
thoughts.
The spiritual man is made up of plail
of causes. Upon those inner plaii
every emotion begins. We think, v
dream and there is commotion on Il
inner plains. A desire TO realize is soc
developed. This progresses, appea
upon the surface, is recognize
and the thought, the dream becom
an act or realization. Everthir
begins on these inner plain
Therefore it is not possible to cham
the world until you can go to the cent
and change mems thoughts. Only
can any permanent change be made.
is only by inner work, by roofing o
and planting anew that the desired |
suits can be reached.
Theosophy is eminently practical.
goes to the root of things and deals wi