The herald., 1896-08-17
DIR. Mohn's Exposition of TheO-
sophicaI Science
SOME SIMPLE STATEMENTS
OF the Basic Principles Of the Ancient
Religion
Thsossphy II the Solution Of the nystery
Of Life and the solace for
Death


quarters of the Pasadena branch of the
Theosophical society in America, No. 10
East Colorado street, DR.. George f.
Mohn was the speaker this evening. TAX
ing for his subject, Theosophy Simply
Stated. DIR. Mohn gave a clear state
ment of some Of the simpler aspects of
Theosophy, which was listened to with
the closest attention by the audience.
Theosophy Is the solution of the mys-
terry of life. You are on earth for pur-
pose. Stop one hundred men in the street
and ask them what the object of lhe Is,
and perhaps not a single one can make
an intelligent reply. This is because
modern religious systems have an un-
satisfactory explanation to offer( and
materalistic science has none.
There is no light on this most import
ant of all problems. Yet you know that
you are alive and must be here for a
purpose.
Religious systems must have been
founded on truth; otherwise they could
not so universally exist. Nor will it be
denied that science possesses great
truths. Two truths should fit together.
But science and religion are not recon-
ciled to each other. Therefore a third
system Is necessary. In the Theosophi-
cal philosophy science and religion are
brough together. Modern science deals
with the evolution of the physical body.
Religion deals only with the spiritual.
Theosophy says they are one and de-
pendent upon each other.
The object of life is for man to be-
come a god.
Evolution is the law, and it is an end
less one In order to evolve the perfect
man, or God, 1t Is necessary to gain
every experience. This earth is the
school.
You live unnumbered lives on earth.
Since you cannot gain every'experience
in one life, you must be reborn count
less times. Your present character and
intellect are the net result of your past
lives. The Darwinian theory Theosophy
agrees with in substance so far as 1t ac
counts for the evolution of the physical
body. But Theosophy teaches that it IS
the ego (soul, roughly speaking )of one
individuality which evolves through ev-
cry form from the mineral kingdom to
the human.
Evolution cannot cease with man.. 1t
must also be the law In the unseen world.
Man becomes a God. Thus evolution Is
shown to have an object instead of be-
ing aimless, and nattoe Is credited with
being just instead of unjust.
karma is a law in nature which evolu-
ton obeys. 1t Is law of cause and ef-
feet as applied to individual life-"As ye
SOW, so shall we reap" Therefore, 1t is
also the dispenser Of punishment and
reward.
Every cause must have its effect Drop
pebble in a mill-pond and 1t will dis
turb every atom in the water; throw a
rubber ball against wall and 1t will
rebound. Thought acts in the same
way. 1t Is a force in nature as we'll as
Is electricity.
Actions are only its physical express
Sion. What manner of man you are de-
pends upon your plane of thought Your
present condition Is the effect of causes
set in motion in past lives. The rubber
balls OF Unhappiness will rebound
against you only SO long as you throw
them against natures inflexible wall
OF Harmony. Unhappiness Is discord
ana is the result of selfshness EvoIu-
ton on the physical plane is only the
mani1estetion OF evolution on the spir-
itual. through unselfishness alone can
the higher plane be reached.
Death is not to be dreaded tits onlv
more pronounced manifestation of N
endless succession Of deaths Constantly
going on during life in the human or
ganism Old cells In the body waste
away ana new ones form continually
PHYSIOLOGY teaches that man 'has new
Dody every seven years. Your Opinions
ehange, you change in size, taste and
manner. Nothing physical is permanent
Yet memory and consciousness assure
you tnat you are the same person. In
the same way the so-called death"
ooes not erect the ego, or true indiyidu-
anty, Wnich now has thrown off COM
pleteiy the vehicle which linked its,to;
earth. - ~
Death is a rest for the soul after a.
HE or activity just as sleep is rest
Tor the body after days toll. Every
tnlng IN nature works in these cycles of
rest and activity. Light follows dark
ness; high tide after low tide: there "a
summer after winter; the heart throbs
then there is a lull the lungs expand. then
contract. 1t is contrary to natural law
10 believe that eternal rest can follow
fewyears of earth-life as the churches
teach 1t is equally improbable there
should be no rest
Theosophy has no dogmas to present.
knowledge can come through reason
only. Belief in the various Theosonbi-
cal tenets is optional with members Of
the society. VI
me Iheosophical society of America
mas Tor Its principal object the forma-
tion OF a nucleus of universal brother
noOu Wlthout any distinction whatever.
~. NOM also spoke of the Theosoph-
la ai crusade which is now encirclng
tne globe. and of the school for the re-
vlval Of the lost mysteries of antiouitv
Wnicn Is to be established when the cru
saoers return to this country. In the
auoience was Mrs. Marian B. Lull of
niook,yh, New York, a prominent work.
er IN the Theosophical movement In that
ely, VINO Is making visit to the coast.
The Pasadena branch is having a
steady growth, and its meetings are Of
interest to inquirers. A lecture will he
given shortly by Abbott Clark. and
larger hall will be secured for this lee
ture, which Will be announced in the
local papers. 40 '"e