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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> (— Our Hindoo friends...)
—Our Hindoo friends have been somewhat taken by surprise. Just as they were about reaching the conviction that Hinduism had nearly fulfilled its Mission, and were beginning to consider what they should adopt in place of it, there came to Bombay from the far west, the land of utmost progress, these so called Theosophists, in the attitude of humble supplication, with joined hands, asking for the crumbs that may fall from the table of Hinduism. The advanced thinkers among the Hindoos were congratulating themselves that they had so far escaped the curse of isolation imposed upon them by their religion, which required its votaries to believe that they were the only people to whom it was permitted to know the mysteries of true religion, all the rest of the world being mlechas everlastingly exiled from the truth. At such a moment, how startling to receive such a deputation from the far west, assuring them that the Vedas are indeed the ne plus ultra of divine knowledge, and humbly entreating to be allowed to deliver them from that direst scourge of humanity, Christianity. We cannot but hope that the humble suit of these pilgrims from the west will be granted and that as much of Hinduism as may be imparted to Mlechas will be vouchsafed to them, and that they may even be allowed to constitute a new caste, not too low down in the atishoodra division.
Col. H. Olcott, the well-known American...
Col. H. Olcott, the well-known American, and President of the Theosophical Society, has resolved to take time by the fore lock, and will deliver his first lecture in Bombay in the Framji Cowasji Institute on Sunday next. The subject selected for the lecture is—The Theosophical Society and its aims. From what we know of Col. Olcott, we will prophesy that the lecture will not fail to be interesting, while the Bombayites will have the opportunity of satisfying their curiosity as to the question—what Theosophy is.
To the Editor of the "Indian Spectator"
Sir,—There’s a story current among the Yankees of a small school boy, who, having been thrashed by a bigger fellow, and being unable to hit him back, consoled himself by making faces at his enemy’s sister. Such is the position of my opponent of the world-famed Bombay Review. Realizing the impossibility of injuring the Theosophical Society—he “makes faces” at its Corresponding Secretary, flinging at her personal abuse.
Unfortunately for my masked enemies, and—fortunately for myself—I have five years’ experience in fighting American newspapers, any one of which, notwithstanding the grandiloquent style of the “Anthroposophists”,—“B’s,” and “Onesimuses” is any day more than a match in humour, and especially in wit, for a swarm of such pseudonymous wasps, as work on the Review. If I go the trouble of noticing their last Saturday’s curry of weak arguments and impertinent personalities at all, it is simply with the object of proving once more, that it requires more wit than seems to be at their command to compel my silence. Abuse is no argument; moreover, if applied indiscriminately—it may prove dangerous some-imes. Hence, I intend noticing but one particular point. As to their conceit it is very delightful to behold! What benevolent tone of patronage combined with modesty is theirs! How refreshing in hot weather to hear them saying of oneself: “We have been more charitable to her than she seems subsequently to deserve”!! Could dictatorial magnanimity be carried further? And this dithyrambic which forces one’s recognition of the worth of the mighty ones “of broad and catholic views” who control the fates of the Bombay Review, and, “have done in various ways” so much “for the races of India.” One might fancy he heard the “spirits” of Lord Mayo and Sir William Jones themselves, blowing through the pipes of this earthshaking organ! Has it acquired its reverberant diapason from the patronage of all the native Princes whose favor it so eagerly sought a while ago?
I have neither leisure nor desire to banter penny-a-line wit with such gold medal experts, especially when I honestly write above my own signature and they hide themselves behind secure pseudonyms. Therefore, I will leave their claptrap about … weeds and Madame Sophy” to be digested by themselves, and notice but the insinuation about “Russian spies.” I agree with Review Editor when he says that it is the business of Sir Richard Temple and Sir Frank Souter to take care of such “spies.” And I will further add that it is these two gentlemen alone who have the right or the authority of denouncing such people. No other person were he even the noblest of the lords instead of an anonymous writer can or will be allowed to throw out such a malicious and mischievous hint about a woman and a citizen of the United States. He who does it, risks being brought to the bar of that most just of all tribunals,—a British Court. And, if either of my ambuscaders wishes to test the question, pray, let him put his calumny in some tangible shape. Such a vile innuendo—even when shaped into the sham denial of a bazar rumour, becomes something more serious than whole folios of the “flapdoodle” (the stuff—as sailors say—upon which fools are fed) which the Review’s Christian Shastris serve up against Theosophy and Theosophists.
In the interest of that youthful and boisterous paper itself, we hope that henceforth it will get its informations from a more reliable source than the Bombay market places.
Bombay, March 14th 1879.
The Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society which was founded in America in the year 1875, and which is said to count its members by thousands in America and Europe, among whom are some most distinguished men of science, is a secret society of which the mysterious principles of fellowship can be known only to the initiated. But its organization, plan and aim are sufficiently clearly defined in a circular which the Society has printed for the information of its correspondents. It has a President, two Vice-Presidents, a corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, a Librarian and Councellors. Its membership is open to persons of either sex and is divided into three sections each sub-divided into three grades, promotion from the lower to the higher degrees and sections being regulated solely by merit. The eligibility to the highest degree of the first section is thus described in the circular. “The Theosophist must have become freed of every leaning towards any one form of religion in preference to another. He must be free from all exacting obligations to society, politics and family. He must be ready to lay down his life, if necessary, for the good of Humanity and of a brother fellow of whatever race, color, or ostensible creed. He must renounce wine and every other description of intoxicating beverages and adopt a life of strict chastity.” One is at liberty to leave the society at any time only he must not divulge the secrets communicated to him under restrictions.
It desires its fellows to acquire an intimate knowledge of the laws of nature and more especially to acquire a mastery over its occult forces. Its opposition to all dogmatic theology and especially the Christian theology is very pronounced and to counteract the influence of Christian Missionaries is an important object to be attained. Among its objects is to disseminate a knowledge of the sublime teachings of that pure esoteric system of the archaic period which are mirrored in the <... continues on page 8-143 >
Editor's notes