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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 |
Where Do We Drift?
Where do we drift? Whither do we go? What is it all to end in? Such are the questions which are asked by all who have been always considered thoughtful people. But it is a matter for surprise that these thoughtful people do not take the trouble to read in the signs of the times an answer to their questions.
The times are, indeed, full of trouble. There is a storm fast gathering, and it may burst over us any day. There is really room for anxiety; for if we are not mistaken, a fearful time of tribulation is before the world. The storm seems to brew over a part of Europe and Asia; but a cloud has its own trumpet with which it summons about it a host of clouds; and if we rightly understand their course, they will soon hang over the whole of Europe and Asia and other parts of the world with threats of mischief in their looks. And we have reasons for saying so. To be the prophet of evil is an easy thing, but to define the nature of the evil is not so easy. When once the nature of this evil is known, we shall discover that it is necessary and all in the course of things. For we believe, that the storm that will soon burst over us will be terrific;butwe believe also,that, it will leave the world a great deal purified and mankind with increased humility and yet with increased freedom. Great changes are ahead, changes in government, politics, art, science, literature, philosophy, theology. We have been slowly drifting toward these changes, though we, perhaps, are unconscious of the fact; but these changes are, as it were, but a prelude to the mighty one that is to follow; that last one must effect the work of annihilation and construction. It is for that last struggle to pull down and to build. It is the boundary between this world and that which is to arise out of its ashes. And the time is not far off when all this will take place; it is nearer than most of us imagine. Are we mad enthusiasts, witless dreamers, idle visionaries? We are sure we have more grounds for our prophecy than the Chairman of the Bombay Port Trust. We do not consult the stars, though the stars only speak the truth to those who comprehend their language. We rather look in and about us for the grounds on which we base our calculations. Man has in him the power to look further than he imagines. He can pierce futurity without being a prophet; and with the double sight with which he is gifted by Nature, he ought to see and know more than he cares to do.
We shall, then, start with a proposition,which admits of no doubt whatever to our mind, that this change, this revolution, so to say, is to be brought about through the instrumentality of England and America; that is to say, the nations that speak the English language. In our last issue, while reviewing the recent work of Dr. Weisse on the origin, progress, and destiny of the English language and literature, we came to the conclusion, in common with several eminent and well-informed writers, that the English language would soon become the language of the world. If this be true, and it cannot be otherwise, then it is evident that the resolution we have spoken of cannot but be brought about through the instrumentality of<... continues on page 8-198 >
Editor's notes
- ↑ Where Do We Drift? by unknown author, Indian Spectator, The, Sunday, April 27, 1879