The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-18

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If the doctrine as given out by Jesus
is meant, | would answer that Theoso-
ply is not antagonistic to the Christian
religion. do not hold, however, that
the white-washed creeds OF to-day are
Theosophical or philosophical. We are
also called Atheists, and everything else.
This is because the philosophy OF true
religion is misunderstood. The first of
these points is, perhaps, that we hold
there is no personal God, rs Christians
| believe. We believe in a great, over
shadowing Deity which is the spirit OF
principle. Personality is limited; Deity
/ is unlimited. The Supreme Deity is all
in all; is truth, is principle; not per-
sonal, but the very essence OF all good;
! it is essence, it is spirit.
Truly does Jesus say in the Bible, ain
Him we live, and move, and have our
| being" That statement is Theosophy;
| it reaches the groundwork OF our be
/ lief. The Deity is ever-pervading; is
/ the essence in which all things float.
Though we take the wings OF the morn
ny, escape to the stars by night, remove
to remote parts of the eternal universe,
we cannot escape Deity. Deity is over
us, about us, and is in us. That which
gives us light, that which Eliminates
the universe, frosts the restless waves on
the mighty deep, gives life to the hill
sides and makes the valleys bloom, that
which is the ruling power over every
thing-is Deity. 1t is principle.
That is Theosophy, and may be found
from end to end OF the Bible. THERE is
NO PERSONAL COP.
In speaking of Theosophy to people
we make it practice to speak in their
religion. 1t is like speaking in ones
own language; it is easier understood.
To the christian we speak upon the
Bible and show him Theosophy in the
scriptures. To the Hindoo his bible is
used, and 80 on. The word is nothing.
The idea is what is sought. Only in
ance and wilder view in what they
profess. We are asked "do you believe
in Christ? The answer is unhesltating-
ly given yes" There iSno such thing
brought into the world. new creation,
by birth. From the beginning the spirit
has existed as essence. This essence is
immortal and all souls are a part of it.
! Il. 10 ha oil IN
telligences are the results of evolution.
Above Us and below us are intelligences.
Those above us have won their position
by experience and suffering. OF the
of the greatest souls; but there were
others. The position occupied by Christ
is attainable. Any soul can reach up to
it. Than Christ no more beautiful 'ul
ever walked the earth. 1t approached
perfection. He taught love to God and
to man. BY following that principle
any soul must grow more perfect.
In the New Testament Christ said sit
is given for you to know these things,
but to others it is done in parallels"
From the beginning there has been a
philosophy for the few. The masses
required ethics and those who could go
beyond that were given philosophy. In
the Bible lack of philosophy is notice
able, but its ethics are perfect. Just
there the church has stumbled. 1t has
lost the key to heaven. 1t teaches
ethics and approaches philosophy, but
it can not make war upon material
things. We do not antagonize the
church, but come to it as helper and
an ally.
The aim of the church is truth, which
is also the guiding hand of Theosophy
We deny that our doctrine are imprac
tcable. We contend tina the path OF
duty can be followed. Ine world can
only progress by sacrifices; man must
make sacrifices to grow. If we cannot
all live unselfsh lives, if we thereby
lose through selfish neishbors. we can
: at least cultivate unselfish thoughts; al d
can agree that when Others are willing
to drop sel6shuess we will do the same
If that much can be done, the
greatest GOOD will surely follow
: We all can agree that ii we cease fight
ing each other and combine for higher
better lives, all will be more happy
Right there Theosophy comes in witt
4, its invincible phi!osophy-thoughti
bring results. Ii we become more vir II
ixri1 u-ill inn.
prove. Only by improving the individ
ual can mankind be benefited in al
effectual way.
. In concluding my remarks | wish t.
speak OF reincarnation. The doctrine o
reincarnation will shock Christians, bu
it is understood in the East, where NOR
of the teachings OF sages have been pre-
served. In the earlier days it was laugh
: in the churches. Jesus said OF st. John
: ''This is Elias, which was to come.
. Could he have meant other than tina
y the soul of Elias, who had been dea
for ages, was before him in the forr
: OF John? The doctrine OF reincarnatio
y Theosophy presents TO the world. Ma
has great destiny. In one short lii
he has no chance to work it out. Ii thi
- life were all he would prove a miserabl
- failure. To fulfill ourselves we mus
- experience by coming again and agaiI
~ to live and enjoy and grow.
re- Ii indeed our spirits are eternal, if il
ID deed we are to travel to the top of til
IS mount of perfection, we must r,
10 turn. To understand that we are
3. come back to amend our failures give
70 this life new life. If we fall short {
ar perfection this time, on our return Il
so top of the mountain may be reached
Ii We SOW and after time we shall rea
-. RnGncnrnaIinn aNnlains life clpars Il