The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-16

4
Mn them reasons and scientific
I bases for the beliefs that they
L - already have, and to show them
what about those beliefs is the
truth and what is but the corruption
gathered there in later ages. A Chris
tian who studies theosophy as it should
be studied becomes far better and
more rational Christian than before,
because he no longer possesses simply
blind faith, but has cogent reasons for
things which he formerly had to accept
on trust, or reject because he was ig
norant of their real meaning.
l try to show indisputably that reli
gion is positive and exact science, and
that its truths are veriiable right here
on this earth. 1t is possible to know
with certainty and precision many
truths which people have in the past
taken on faith alone, such as the per-
sistence of the individual after death,
and the condition in which it persists,
and so on. Knowing these things my
self 1 wish others to know them, and
to that end 1 talk and travel.
l am often asked if theosophy is not
a form of eclecticism. Most assuredly
it is not. Theosophy enunciates a truth
truth is to be found in such and such
other religions" 1t has everything in
itself and recognizes all that is good
and true elsewhere. 1t agrees with
Buddhism, Parseeism, Mohammedan-
ism, Christianity and all other religions
just so far as they deal with the truth.
Theosophy is rich to overlooking, but
eclecticism, on the contrary, is a beg
gar, going about collecting from other
religions what it has not been able to
earn for itself.
One thing / notice particularly in this
country, and that is that so many seem
to think mere opinions are of so much
Importance. What do you think?" L
am asked, What is your opinion con-
corning so and SOP" Now my opinion,
weight whatever, and such a query
should never be made. If you wish to
learn a certain thing go to one who
knows the truth about it and ask him
for that truth; then mediate upon
what you are told, try to think it out
for yourself and understand it, and thus
you will truly learn and be benefited |
The mere sDeculations of humanity
benefit no one.
1 find many persons who express sur
prise that 1 believe in magic. Such |
persons have not yet mastered the
things. The mighty power of concen-
trated thought is something understood /
by few. 1t is possible to create living
forms by this power; it is possible also |
to- deal death to living creatures. There |
are persons who are advanced enough |
in knowledge to do these things. There |
are persons who are able to WELD the |
subtle powers of nature, which sur |
round us on every side, as they Will. |
Such persons are magicians and their
power is magic. If exercised for the |
good of the world it is white magic, if /
for selfish ends it is black magic, but |
magic it is in either case, and no one
who has studied the subject can hon
estly deny it's existence. Hypnotism-
the dominating of one mind by another
is a form of black magic, for no one
spiritually advanced would for a mo-
ment even try to dominate another's
will, and much of evil is done in this
way. The responsibility for wrong acts
performed under the control of evil spir-
its OF the will of another is in proper