The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-06-26
Philosophical Society Column.
BULwER-LYTToN BRANCH.
THERE IS NO RELIGION HIGHER THAN THE
RECOGNITION OF TRUTH"

The question has been asked whether
should be understood that the society
as such has no dogmas. Individual
members may or may not have. Most
OF us believe IN the revealed religion"
gwen or confined to one poor semitic
tribe at the dawn OF history. The
average theosophist can not conceive of
the Eternal commanding his servants to
to live" 'Sell the animal that has died
OF itself Tor Of dlsease) to the stranger"
or that He was AFRAID OF the builders
reaching heaven, or that the creator of
the heavens and the earth dlned and dis
cut sed with Abraham, but he does be-
lieve as stated by DR.. Barrows at the
congress OF religions chat the sun which
shone over Bethlehem and calvary has
cast illumination and called forth holy
aspirations by the Nile and the Ganges,
III the desert OF ARABIA and by the waves
of the Yellow sea-" In short, that man
has never been without guidance. Not
many Of us believe that the conglomo-
ration of speculatlons of "Greek doc
tors and Latin monks, the puerllltles
and edicts OF popes or the mo~nstrocities
OF Calvin is true religion or the teaching
Of Christ. AS well call the rites OF
modern Brabamlsm or Buddhism the
teaching OF Krlshna and Buddha, as
modern "Christlanity' the teachings OF
the "Man of Sorrows" Historic Chris
tlanltv is not edifylng nor existing Chris
tianlty savory. Jesus taught charity,
tolerance, non-resistance, ~sclf-abnega-
tlon-the same doctrines as taught in
the Vedas OF India; the lend Ayesta Of
ancient Persia, and by Buddha, 500
years before Christ and whose teachings
are embraced by about two thirds OF
the human family.
Members of all religions are found IN
the soclety-lt Is as universal as
masonry. The writer OF this for himself
acknowledges Christ as a teacher; the
Buddhist member accepts Buddha;
the Parsee, Zoroaster, etc. for truth is
the same whatever thegarb and however
far creeds have departed from pure
teachings or covered VI with ceremonlals
and devices.
We agree that. the universe and all
that is, IS the manifestation of one su-
nro0 ~ -, ~ ~ 11o - 80 r.
principle; transcendng the power OF hui
man conception; we believe in the divine
fatherhood; IN the compound nature of
man as given by Paul-spirit, soul and
body; that the word of God is not graz
ven upon tables of stone. nor written III
ink; but written IN tables that are
hearts OF fesh-see Sd chap. OF 3nd Cor
inthlans; unity Of all men as in 4th chap.
and 4th verse Epheslans. Christianity
ls theosophv, but not the speed,
scorched, ad%ulterated, indigestlble mess,
modern Christianity"
New ethics ara not advanced by The
osophy for ethics are the same. The
golden rule is the basis.
But as stated by the president of the
society: 1.-THE record of our work, our
ideas and plans is to be found in our
publications. Every one knows that il
you take a lighted candle into the midst
OF darkness, it will make clear the things
OF night; but it will also attract the
things that dwell in the darkness
moths, bugs, etc. 1t is inevitable that
we should be assailed from all quarters
by those who prefer darkness. We must
inevitably be subjected to rldlculs, to
slandsr&to every.sort OF abuse. Are We
to be forever c~ontradicting what is said?
1t 10 honest and earnest work that lives
and never dies, Those who strive to do
the work cannot and will not be hin.
d cred by having to notice gossip or
Islander. "HonesG inquiry, fair criticism
We desire, but for foolish inquiries We
have no time nor inclination.
MARVELLOUS RESULTS.