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vol. title: Vol Four of The Theosophical Society of The Arya Samaj of Arya-wart vol. period: Sept 1878 – Sept 1879 pages in vol.: 350 |
<Untitled> (A deputation, consisting...)
A deputation, consisting of the Countess Heliona P. Blavatsky, author of Isis Unveiled, Colonel Henry S. Olcott, Mr. Edward Wimbridge, and Miss Rosa Bates, the latter an English lady described as of “excellent social standing and education,” has just arrived in Bombay from America, having been sent to India by the Theosophical Society of New York to confer with the Arya Samaja as to the “best means of disseminating among Western nations a correct knowledge of Oriental philosophy.” According to a New York paper, which professes to have received its information from a member, this remarkable society embraces people who believe in magic, and some of them are said to claim a knowledge of its principles. “Bitterly in opposition to Christianity, the creed of Theosophy—or rather the plan, for it acknowleges no creed—is,” says the New York Herald, “more nearly in accord with the Buddhist belief than with any known religion of the present age.”
The Theosophical Society's Deputation
The following particulars about the deputation from America have been furnished to us:—
“Colonel Henry S. Olcott, President of the Theosophical Society, late Special Commissioner of the War Department, and Special Commissioner of the Navy Department of the United States.
“The Countess Heliona P. Blavatsky, Corresponding Secretary of the Theosophical Society, and author of Isis Unveiled. The Countess in July last became a citizen of the United States.
“Mr. Edward Wimbridge, an eminent English architect, formerly associated with Owen Jones of London. Mr. Wimbridge has for the past two years been in New York.
“Miss Rosa Bates, an English lady of excellent social standing and education who has a deep interest in educational matters.
“These four persons comprise the committee sent from the Theosophical Society of New York to confer with the Arya Samaja as to the best means of disseminating among Western nations a correct knowledge of oriental philosophy.”
The party is staying at the residence, in Girgaum, of Mr. Hurrychund Chintamon, a leading member of the Arya Samaja, and also, we are informed, an adherent of the Theosophical Society.
Our readers will find a full description of the Theosophical Society in the Times of India of January 22.
American Theosophists in Bombay
American theosophists in Bombay.— Colonel Henry S. Olcott, President of the Theosophical Society, New York, Countess Heliona P. Blavatsky and Mr. Edward Wimbridge members of the same society with Miss Rosa Bates, who is “interested in educational matters but is not a Christian arrived here a few days ago Mr. Harichand Chintaman invited the members of the Arya and Prarthana Samajes to welcome the visitors at his Photographic Hall on Monday last. There was a good attendance of the members and other gentlemen and Colonel Olcott briefly alluded to the object of their visit to India.
The Theosophical Society of which the Colonel is the president was established in America in 1875. Since then branch Societies have been established in various parts of Europe, one in London and several on the continent. The aggregate number of members is from twenty to twenty-five thousand. The object of the members in visiting India was stated to be two-fold, to study Vedic Literature and to interpret the religion of the Vedas to the Western World. The Colonel said that they wished to make India their home for the remainder of their lives.
From what fell from the Colonel it seemed, that his belief was, that truth would be found in the writings of the Old Aryas and the practices of their descendants. That this idea has got strong hold of the leading American theosophists may be inferred from a fact which Colonel Olcott mentioned. A gentleman had made a will directing, that after death his body should be burnt, but burnt according to Hindu rites and the ashes thrown into the sea. The Colonel and his companions seem to have not only renounced Christianity but to be quite dead against the religion of Jesus. It is not quite clear to our mind what the religious faith of theosophists is; but the name of the Society of which, the Colonel is a member, suggests to us the idea of Yoga. Colonel Olcott said that they accepted Swami Dayanand Sarasvati for their chief religious guide. Whatever the religious faith of the theosophists their arrival here, will impart a new impetus to the study of Hindu Scriptures.
Theosophy of India
The famous American Theosophists, Countess H. B. Blavatsky. Miss Bates, and Mr. E. Wimbridge, with their President, Col. H. Olcott arrived in Bombay last Sunday morning from New York after a voyage of nearly two months. Their fame had long prcceded their arrival here; and the venerable lady, who was the real founder of modern Theosophy, and her colleagues must have been gratified with the reception they met as the Spake Hall Steamer arrived in harbour. They left New York to the regret of thousands, and what America has lost for a time, India has every chance and reason to secure. We are assured, that if notices had not been scattered throughout Bombay to make the people abstain from any thing like demonstration, an enthusiastic public reception would have greeted the strangers. As it was, Mr. Moolji Thakercy, the well known Hindoo traveller, merchant, reformer, the for-a time only advocate of widow marriage, had made silent preparations to receive them. Mr. Moolji, it may interest our readers to know, is a Theosophist himself and a friend of Col. Olcott. <... continues on page 8-111 >
Editor's notes
- ↑ A deputation, consisting... by unknown author, Times of India, The, Monday, February 17, 1879
- ↑ The Theosophical Society's Deputation by unknown author, Times of India, The, Monday, February 17, 1879
- ↑ American Theosophists in Bombay by unknown author, Native Opinion, Bombay: Sunday February 23, 1879
- ↑ image by unknown author
- ↑ Theosophy of India by unknown author, Indian Spectator, The, February 23, 1879