The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-26

Dl n ltiiuit vi AAt itlhcO-
piles OF India and the Evolution Of Reli-
gion," by the Swami Saradananda. Now
that the lecture is over, IL must be corr
daily regretted that such excessively UNI
propltious weather put II out Of the
power Of many members of the club TO
be present. for there have been few lee
turers before 1t who were personally more
interesting or whose lectures have ap-
preached in value that delivered by the
Swami.
THE SPEAKER.
lie is a member Of the brotherhood re-
presenting the Nadanta philosophy Oh In
dia-its Oldest and most interesting. An
other member lectured at the Parliament
of Religion. Chicago, with a force that
elected comment from the leading papers
all over the country and Saradananda Is
his successor upon the lecturing tour Of
this country. lie has delivered a series
Of lectures at Mrs. ole Bulls, in Cam
bridge. and has also lectured in New
York. He came to Richmond from Nash
Vile en- route TO New York.
lie is an attractive type Of the higher
caste HindOo, with a singuiary winning
expression, into which enters also the
characteristic dreaminess Of the oriental
lie wore the robes or habit Of the broth
together a striking figure in the brightly
lighted parlor. His voice is really de-
lightful and his intonation musically
characteristic Of his country and people
The Introduction was gracefully made
by Mrs Beverly Munford. Il take,.
said she, pleasure in introducing 10 you
ladies, the Swami Saradananda, of CAL
cutta, who will speak 10 us upon the
Hindoo philosophy the oldest in India.
lie Will also recite for US in Sanskrit
selections from the works OF the Nedas
Of the East then translating them into
English. / need not comment upon the
pleasure with which we welcome him.
THE LECTURE.
The Swami then took bis place before the
audience, and held their interest without
q break throughout his discourse.
BY way Of introduction ne stated that
he regarded his opportunity 20 speak be-
fore the club as a pleasure and privilege,
then proceeding 70 his lecture proper In
the outset by way Of comparison with
despised Nazareth. which yet produced a
Christ. ne referred 20 India as down
trodden-dominated by the British. Phil
osophy and religion I'm India, said he. had
always been harmonious. never at yari-
ance as I'm the West, where the Church
had striven 10 pull down science and
science had aimed its blows at the
Church. In the West the theory Of evo-
luton had been thrown at dogmatc
theology with fell intent. In the East
evolution is the very basis Of all theology
and all religion. The sages OF India said
he. expose the fallacy Of the assumption
that something can come out Of nothing,
and all their philosophy is based upon
the principle that ID cannot Here he cit
ed In Illustration the trees growth from
the tiny seed the great banyan Of India
from the seed which is no larger than
the mustard seed.
WHENCE HOW. WHAT, WHY?
what" said he lis the seed from
which all proceeds according 10 the sages
OF India?
1--WE may sum up all philosophy and re-
ligion in the answers to four questions:
Wiener How2 What? Why2'
II vas TO be his task to state the an
swers given to them by the sages Of
India
l. Wiener The saees OF India hold
that as something cannot come out Of
nothing. the world could not have had
that origin. Here was introduced an eX-
quisite Sanskrit quotation. comparing the
world to a tree having its branches up in
the Infinite II IS an emanati0n from the
Divine-that inhnity OF love, existence
and knowledge. As the spiders net 10
the spider, so was the world TO the
Father-an organized expression Of God
himself The sages Of India, said he,
look upon all things as emanatng from
Deity and dependent upon the Infinite for
existence this. Of course including man.
as a part Of the universe, drawing his
life from God.
How? I'm this connection the Swami
proceeded TO show the antiquity Of the
theory of evolution and its origin with
the sagcs of india. citing the historian.
Hunter. as having plainly stated that
fact. The ancient point Of view was sub
jective; the modern, objective-this was
the difference. Here was introduced
quotation from Sir Edwin Arnod's Lay
Of the Lord. LAS men cast aside their
old coats and wear another new one. so
the soul works out its reincarnatlon in
the Father.
3. What? What is 10 be the end? The
formation OF Christ and Buddhas.
THE PURPOSE OF TT ALL.
T. Why? That is. What is the purpose
OF it all? There are said he. two stand
points-GOd's and man's-frOm which this
question must be answered. In the case
Of the first, the play OF Perfect Love Is
the answer. in the case OF humanity
their gain
The three stages in religion through
which each individual passes are:
1. Belief in an extra cosmic God.
?. Belief In himself as part and parcel Of
the Eternal.
3. Man partakes Of the fun glory of the
Father.
In connection with the last the speaker
introduced a quotation from the Sans
krlt: Arise Awake, Get az those bless
ings which are thine heritage
The man who has arrived N the per-
feet stage Getting Christ in illustration is
distinguished by perfect morality. Won
derful humility combined with con-
seriousness Of power, and wonderful mani
festation OF power.
In conclusion two exquisite prayers
from the Sacred books Of The Vedas We're
recited. the Swami devoting himself
thereafter 10 answering questions pro-
pounded in the audience. Mrs. j. r. v.
Daniel, Mrs. Francis Deane Williams.
Mrs. l.. L. Lewis and Miss Mary Lewis
were among the inquirers. After the lee
ture tea was served. Mrs. A. T.. Warren
presiding. assisted by Miss Mary Mabin
Lyons. All present awaited themselves OF
the opportunity for meeting the Swami.
who is delightfully."- genial and compan-
ionable. The guests Of the committee
were Mrs. John IT. Montague, Miss
Helena Trench LEROY. Mr.. b. b. Mum
ford. Mr.. j. Il. V. Daniel, Dr. j. b. Nc
Cav, Miss Myers and Mrs. Branch.
The Swami. who has been stopping at
the jefferson. expected TO leave for New
York last night