New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27

Mrs Besant starts in this book with the theory
that between the lines. so TO say. Of the literal
teachings Of Christianity there deeper.
esoteric truths which can be discerned only by
q few illuminate. The idea is not Of course.
new one. In one form another II has been
taught by many interpreters Of Christianity
from the Fathers down TO the most recent sect
of fantastic come cutters" who first read their
bizarre ideas into the Bible and then solemnly
attempt to impose them mankind part
OF the Divine Revelation But whatever may be
thought Of Mrs Besant's conclusions as to the
fact OF an esoteric Christianity. her point of
view is we'll conceived. her arguments grow in
orderly sequence out OF historical conception
of Christianity, and. startling is her asser-
ton that Christianity is a part of the occult
teaching Of the Grand Lodge Of Central ASIA
to which Theosophy also owes its origin. her po-
stion is stated seriously, and, her premises adj
mitted. logically
Religions, then, according to this view, must
have a hidden side for they given 10 the
world by men wiser than the masses, and the
simple literal teachings that the
understand and follow are too elementary, crude
and jejune for the philosopher. The compare
tive nlythologists hold that religions are
branches from common trunk-human igno-
rance-and their theory is that IN process Of
time all religions thus derived gradually purify
themselves of their grosser elements. until at
last the Of people come TO accept
a religion characterized by lofty spirituality
The Comparative Religionists. among whom
Mrs. Besant ranges herself deny this. They
hold that all religions originate from the teach
ings of Divine men. who give out to the diff
1erent nations OF the world from time to time
such parts OF the fundamental verities Of re-
1igion as the people are capable of receiving
teaching ever the same morality. intoxicating
the use Of similar means. employing the same
therefore. are degenerations of this original rev.
elation of the Divine Men" Nevertheless
these Divine Men form an enduring Brother
hood who stand far above ordinary humanity
who appear a I certain periods to enlighten the
world and who the spiritual guardians of
the human race. II this view be accepted, then
religions are branches from common trunk
Divine Wisdom.
Still following Mrs Besant's argument It will
be granted that the founders of the various re-
aigions must have veiied many of their loftier
teachings in categorical and mystical forms,
owing TO the inability Of the masses 10 under
stand them. Moreover, certain Of their teach
:ngs dealt with the knowledge that gives con-
troll over natural energies, enabling the pos
SCISSOR to direct these energies to certain ends.
and while such knowledge would be useful II
possessed by highly developed men. 1t would
surely be misused by the masses. just as the
knowledge of subtle poisons misused in the
Middle Ages. 1t would pass into the hands of
evil and selfish men, who would use it for their
own advantage and against the common good
Far better that the Great Comes" should be as
sailed by the ignorant for their supposed self
sshness in Withholding knowledge than that
they should disseminate esoteric truths that
would bring ruin the world.
Thus far as to the theory that there must be
an esoteric element in all religions. We come
now TO the facts adduced 10 prove IT. The
mysteries Of Egypt. the Afithraic mysteries Of
Persia and the oracles and mysteries Of Greece
undoubtedly claimed to teach esoterfc form
of the popular religions. while they had a great
influence on religious thought and speculation.
And however different was their environment. it
is the theory of the author that they drew their
inspiration from one source. the Grand Lodge
of Central Asia" Among the Hindoos a re-
serve in teaching higher truths was always in
sisted on, and even the Hebrews had their
schools Of initiates. commonly known as
prophets. Coming to Christianity, We find that
Jesus told His disciples that It given TO
them to know the mystery Of the kingdom Of
God but not to others. and that He expounded
many things 10 his disciples when they were
alone" Again He said: It have yet many
things to say to you. but ye cannot bear them
now" and His utterance about casting pearls
before swine is quoted. All through the New
Testament words are used Ike mystery mar
row path and the perfect which the
Thor thinks indicate an esoteric teaching. And
phrases from the early Christian Fathers. such
as Polycarp, Ignatius. Clement of Alexandria
and Origen. are taken to mean the same thing.
Clement distinguishes between the minor and
the great mysteries. and declares 1t wrong in
teaching TO reach a sword to child" Where
h fore in accordance with the method Of conceal
III 7nent. the truly sacred Word, truly divine and
most necessary for US, deposited in the shrine of
truth was by the Egyptians indicated by what
were called among them adyta, and by the
Hebrews the veil Only the consecrated were
allowed access TO them Origen held that, be-
sides their apparent meaning. the Scriptures
have an inner meaning not to be discerned by
The multitude But II is unnecessary to give
further examples Of this fact. Many of the
early Christian Fathers. as know. were
disciples Of the gnostic school which had its
HEADQUARTERS in Alexandria, and it is therefore
Questionable il their utterances be fairly
+a,.en as an expression of Christian teaching
on this subject.
The author. however, maintains that early
Christianity had its mysteries, whose initiates
each had A little knot Of pupils. rarer souls, who
by learning purity and devotion showed them
selves capable Of receiving higher truth But in
process OF time materialism triumphed Suitable
pupils ceased to present themselves, and schools
ceased TO exist Yet in every age the great
ones" have lived. Even to-day may be found
.s,vithin the limits of the Christian Church a
large and ever increasing number of faithful
and devoted Christians OF refined intelligence;
men and women who earnest in their faith
and religious in their aspirations but who see
in the Gospel story more than the history Of a
single Divine Man" They differentiate between
the historic Christ the mythic Christ and the
mystic Christ. The last conception, represent
ing the unfolding Of the Divine Spirit in man.
,be forming Of Christ in his nature is primarily