Imperial Valley press., 1912-07-15

rem seen, and the various departments
of work observed; for the reality sur
passes any power of description and
invariably causes the greatest sur
prise to those who experience it. The
work is living contradiction of tho
misstatements occasionally circulated
in the past and by small coteries of
so-called Theosophists who have
caused confusion by their efforts. The
word "Theosophy" cannot, Of course,
be monopolized by any body of peo-
pie, but there are some who misuse
it by promulgating various fads under
the title; and thus the public is mis-
led into wrong ideas of what Theoso-
ply is, and earnest people are often
turned aside from what would have
helped them greatly.
The educational ideal of the ancient
Greeks is successfully carried out at
Lomaland; for they divided education
| into three parts-the education of the
soul, the mind and the body And
not only is it necessary to include all
these divisions, but the proper balance
must be observed between them. If
| there were too much open-ai exer-
else and athletic games, the child
would grow one-sided; and if there
| FOL
would grow lopsided in another way.
But in Lomaland the proper balance
is maintained and the child's nature
is thus developed uniformly.
! But this uniform and parallel de-
yelopment of the mental and physical
faculties, indispensable though it is,
would not suffice of itself to produce
the perfectly rounded and welI-baI-
anced man or woman There needs
the third element in education-and if
any one of the three is more import
ant than the others, it is this. The
word music as used by the Greeks
TO denote this branch of education,
means far more than what it general
~ covers, and harmony" would be a
| better word to use. For this branch
OF education has reference to the soul.
the temperament, the disposition, the
character of the pupil; and the means
and methods employed in it are such
as are calculated to promote harmony
| and beauty in the character. Hence
1t includes music in all its branches
instrumental, vocal and theoretical;
art, painting, craftsmanship and decor
atlve work of all kinds; nature-study-
carried out not in a dry and formal
manner, but imbibed almost uncon-
sclously by the children from their
| beautiful surroundings and pure air.
and impaired by useful instructions
and work in the flower gardens and
forestry and agricultural departments.
But even these three branches of
education do not constitute the whole
or even the most important feature OF
the educational system at Point Iona.
They are but as the branches, leaves
ana flowers of plant; but the real
marvel is the unseen vitality that
makes the plant grow, and the won
drous invisible plan that fashions and
orders its symmetry and beauty.
Every visitor to Lomaland feels the
presence of the unseen power that
SO potently yet so gently energizes
the whole and causes to appear the
wonders not to be found anywhere
else. And what is this power? II is
the power that emanates from the
body OF students of Theosophy, gath
ered IN LOmaland under the direction
OF their teacher, Katherine Tinglev-
lhe leader and official head of the
universal Brotherhood and Theoso.
phlcaI Society, to study Theosophv ann
put INTO practice the noble teachings
OF H. P. Blavatsky. It stands ~ -
son that such a body of earnest and
intelligent people, each and all Of
Whom have devoted their lives To thiz
glorious work, and who live toeatbar
SO harmoniously, must difruse aroma
them an atmosphere of sweet peace
ana quiet energy 1t is this that con
stitutes the energizing and ordering
power that has yielded such effects
Iheosophy is the keystone Of the
arch-Theosophy put into practice ana
applied to every detail of daily life
Inc educational work at Point Ioma
appeals especially to all people, who.
Ike the present writer, have had ex-
perlence, both as pupils and as teach
ers, of what the world has to offer T.
the way OF education. 1t appeals par-
ticularly to all who love children. not
as pretty toys to dandle, but as bean
tlful young buds that must be shield
ed and protected against cruel winds
and corrupting blights that thew NAV
grow into the perfect blossom. Words
can never convey the feelings of
teacher who, after the CUSTOMARY ax-
perlences of his profession, finds him
self in Lomaland, privileged to take
MS share in the work that is beinz
| done thprp N Do