The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1900-12-21
MARQUES IS NOW
IN:NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND. New Zealand. Nov. rs.
"A very interesting lecture was given
last night In the Theosophical society's
rooms. Mutual Life Buildings, by
Dr. A. Marques. AS the general secre-
tary OF the Australian section Of the So
ciety. he said he wished to preface his
address by a few words regarding the
excellent work being done by the New
Zealand section: u was proportionately
the most active and energetic section
OF the society. He also spoke of the
new people forming In the Southern
hemisphere and their responsibility as
regards the future Of the human -ace
His lecture was on THE Idea Of God.
Viewed Through Religion, Astronomy
and Theosophy." Religion he dealt
with from the point Of view of ortho-
dox belief founded on the Jewish Scrip
lures. touching also on Buddhism and
Hinduism The notion Of a Supreme
Power varies considerably according to
the intellectual capacity OF the various
peoples. yet II is n universal belief: TO
60 90 God IL the common idea Of etern-
al bliss. reunion with divinity an innate
natural feeling
The defect of all exoteric religions.
Especially that % the Western peoples.
is the rnsteriaiistic. OF limited. concep-
tion OF Deity. Theosophy endeavors to
spirituafixe a. Through science. espe-
lciaily by means Of astronomy. our ideas
have been widely expanded. The
thought Of the immensities Of space
gave us an idea of Deity far transcend
ling that Of the Jewish tribal God. in
lterested In national auarrels and anx-
Iicus TO punish those who did not be-
llieve IN Him. wilder is the Hindu Idea
which procIaims the all-embracing. all
sustaining space as God. The bound
larv Of space II unthinkable TO mortals.
and u IL irreverent 10 bring the idea
OF the Lord Of space. the Creator OF
the innumerabie suns and systems.
with their regular movements and their
evidence of life and intelligence exist
ing boundiessiy. down TO the level OF
the exoteric faiths.
Theosophy. said the lecturer. mad
been accused OF being atheism and
pantheisn. ~ was neither and vet In
sense u was both. Atheistic. so far
as n personal. vindictive and cruel God
was concerned. pantheistic as to the
existence Of many hierarchies OF spirit
uai beings behind the forces Of ma
. ture. theosophy yet asserted the exist.
ence of one supreme absolute power
unknowable In Its essence. creative by
the emanation from 70 OF a trinity ol
creative being. and from that the host,
of spiritual IntellIgences. TheosophS
endeavors 10 reinstate Deity In its pro
found rneiesty and glory.
v Yet u agreed with the Greek writer
n who said. "AIi the gods adored by mer
were once human beings" The grea
possibilities OF evolution under karml,
law were largely dwelt upon. Our frs
duty was 10 realize the possibilities o
life on this planet. and In this sola
system: learn 20 do our duty TO tn
|. logos OF this system. 10 our fellows an'
90 ourselves Not by useless asceticism
) but by curbing our lower nature w
4. evolved and rose In the scale OF being
by our own efforts to work on the line
Q OF the law. We had TO learn TO un
a de-stand the great saying. Man, know
thyself"
! There was a large attendance at tn
lecture and some discussion followed.
Dr. Marques remains another wee
y In Auckland and viii probably lectur
again before going on to take up hi
duties 20 the Australian section In sgd
ney