HPB-SB-14-70

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

T i

vol. 14, p. 70	volume 14, page 70 vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 174
Legend HPB note HPB highlighted HPB underlined HPB crossed out <Editors note> <Archivist note> Lost or unclear SBT, DT Restored

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eng • рус

< The Theosophical Society. (continued from page 14-69) >

of the book of Urbs Prima in Indis. He asked the Indians to shake off petty provincial jealousy in matters affecting the best interests of the country. (Cheers.) They had received various proofs of most incontrovertible character of the existence of the Himalayan brotherhood. There was no institution in all India more useful and cherishing higher and nobler objects than the Theosophical Society founded by men to whom they were deeply indebted for working at an enormous sacrifice from the purest and noblest motives. (Loud cheers.) Though Europeans by birth they were Hindoos at heart (cheers), and better Hindoos, too, than many of them present at the meeting. It was formerly the turn of the East to teach the West, but now by a strange fatality the position was changed, and it was the turn of the West to teach the East. (Loud applause.) The illustrious founders were not adventurers, as some silly people called them. Let them recall to mind the glorious past of India, and let them not be so unpatriotic and heartless as not to extend the right hand of fellowship and co-operate with their labour of love. (Cheers.) He confidently and sincerely stated that India could not have better friends. He was ashamed of his countrymen who reviled and laughed at the founders of the order, knowing as they did so very little about them. India was not dead but asleep, and she required arousing. As a humble journalist he devoted himself to the good of the country, and had with that object allied himself with the society which taught amongst other things brotherly feeling, self-love, self-respect, independence, purity of character, and lastly the knowledge of the secret forces of nature unknown to modern science. There were no better friends of the natives than their chairman, Mr. Sinnett, (loud and prolonged applause) who was formerly employed under the Government of India. The natives of India from the manner in which they were educated were getting so much Europeanised that they were becoming a race of dark Englishmen altogether. (Loud laughter.) But happily Theosophy had come to their rescue. (Applause.) The Hindoos had no more idea of their sacred Shastras than the man in the moon. (Laughter.) The educational policy in India had been a mistaken one which had in the long run done more harm than good. They had lost respect for their ancestors and had also lost faith in their religion.

As the speaker was very verbose in his speech the meeting showed signs of impatience by hissing and stamping, but on the chairman requesting the audience to hear the speaker out he was allowed to proceed.

The Baboo having expressed a few more sentiments as to the moral regeneration of India, resumed his seat amidst manifest signs of impatience mingled with cheers.

Mr. L. Dorasawmy Naidoo, of Madras, next addressed the meeting, dwelling on the excellence of the aims and objects of the society.

Pandit Gopinath, editor of the Mittra Vlas of Lahore then addressed in Hindee stating that it was the good fortune of India where so many great people lived and flourished that two such disinterested people should attempt to unfold the beauties of the Shastras.

The Chairman observed that on account of the lengthy remarks of the speakers the meeting appeared to have grown impatient, and it was his intention therefore, that before the other gentlemen delegates addressed the meeting, Colonel Olcott should be heard first as to the doings of the society for the past twelve months. If gentlemen were desirous to leave they would be given an opportunity to do so at the end of Colonel Olcott’s speech, and the programme of the evening would then have to be carried out.

Colonel Olcott asked the meeting if they would hear him first or the gentlemen delegates who had attended the meeting all the way from Calcutta, Lucknow, Simla, Ceylon, Tinnevelly and other distant places. If gentlemen were in favour of hearing him first they would show their intention by saying “Ay.”

The audience shouted out at the top of their voice “Aye,” “Aye.” (Loud laughter).

Colonel Olcott: Now those who are against should say “No.”

There was also a cry of “No” “No.” (Laughter.)

The Chairman said that the “Ayes” should undeniably have their wishes fulfilled.

Colonel Olcott then gave a brief summary of the working of the society. He said at the outset he would express the feeling which prevailed throughout all Ariavud, a feeling of gratitude to the gentleman who occupied the chair for his loyal devotion to the truth and his kindly sympathy with their unfortunate country. (Cheers.) The society had been struggling against great difficulties, great misconceptions, and much unkindness. But it was a proud day for them indeed that they could gather round them on the platform men from the four quarters of India, and even from Ceylon, to testify each on behalf of the society which he represented the interest and affection inspired by Theosophy. They numbered amongst their members judges and journalists, lawyers and a number of successful men in other walks of life. He could see that in the aggregate the society had been productive of much practical good already. Putting aside the sentimental ties of brotherhood and the investigation of occult sciences, the latter of which had no great attraction for many of them, the society had fulfilled a good many of its objects. The speaker then gave an account of the schools the society had established in different parts of India and the publications issued under their auspices. In Ceylon, he said, about a thousand children were taken out of the missionaries’ hands and were placed under Bhuddist instructors. He was happy to learn that a nobleman of Kathiawar after learning mesmerism from him had been practising the art and had affected about 150 cures. (Applause.) Another gentleman, Mr. K. M. Shroff, belonging to their society had been actively engaged causing a new hospital to be erected for the use of sick and emaciated animals. (Applause.) Some of the prominent members of their society in London had united themselves with men like Professor Balfour and a host of other men of scientific eminence. They held their last anniversary that day in Bombay and proposed to shift their head-quarters to the eastern coast because their society having grown large they required a place from whence they could conveniently and economically travel all over India and Ceylon. The speaker in conclusion proposed to raise an Indian National Fund for the promotion and revival of Aryan literature. He officially wished farewell and hoped that they would work for many years for the regeneration of India and the world. (Loud and prolonged applause.)

The Chairman here asked those who did not care to hear the delegates to retire. A good many gentlemen having left the hall the proceedings were resumed.

Mr. A. D. Ezekiel of Poona then addressed the meeting, stating that Theosophy if carefully studied would lay bare the merits and beauties of the Jewish faith to which he belonged.

Mr. Jamsetjee Nowrojee Unvalla, M. A., of Bhownugger, compared Theosophy with Philosophy in its various bearings, and said that the Kattywar branch of the society was deeply indebted to the founders and sympathised with the objects of the society.

Mr. T. Pereira, of Ceylon, who was peculiarly dressed and had a tortoise shell comb fixed in the front of his head said that by the advent of Theosophists in his country, Christianity had been demolished. He saw wonderful cures effected by means of mesmerism as practised by the Theosophists. Patients suffering from paralysis who came on the crutch went away cured by mesmeric passes.

Mr. S. Ramaswamy, who said he came from Tinnevelly informed the meeting that Colonel Olcott on the occasion of his visit to Tinnevelly was allowed to preach in their pagoda to which hitherto no stranger had been admitted.

Rao Bahadoor Janardhun Snocaram Gadgil of Baroda believed in the Himalayan Mahaatmas. Some of the member present at the meeting had been eye-witnesses, and their reality could no longer be doubted.

Pundit Nityanund Missi of Bhagulpore, who was a tall and stalwart-looking man, addressed the assembly in the Sanskrit language. As the speaker stammered and as he was not understood by a great many of the audience he was asked to resume his seat before he finished his remarks.

Dr. Avinas C. Bannerjee of Allahabad was the next speaker.

The Chairman then intimated that it was impossible to carry out their programme that night. There were many more delegates to address the meeting, but as it had grown late it was proposed that their speeches along with the others delivered at the meeting should be printed and published for the information of the members as well as the public in general.

Mr. K. M. Shroff then proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, observing that he had shown an exemplary moral courage by giving utterances to his views in connection with the society.

The Chairman in returning thanks observed that the success of the Simla Eclectic Society, of which he was the president, had completely changed the mind of those who were hostile to the Theosophical Society. Many men were now of opinion that the occult science was a reality, and that feeling he was aware was spreading widely, and would eventually bring in an accession of European members at Simla. The study of occult sciences had gained ground in London, and it had only to be pushed on in this country. The great society called the Society for Holectic Research was nothing more than the Theosophical Society minus its philanthropy.

The Chairman having formally thanked the delegates, the meeting separated at 8-30 p.m.

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The Indian Mirror.
CALCUTTA, TUESDAY, DEC. 5, 1882.

GYA.

[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]

The 30th November 1882.

Babu Rama Swami Iyer, B. A., District Registrar, Tinnevelly, Madras, came here during the second week of this month, and stayed for three days as the guest of Babu Pran Kumar Dass. He held two conversazione at the Native gentleman’s Billiard room, where he explained the principles and objects of the Theosophical Society. A Branch Society with seven members has been formed here. Deputy Collector, Babu Rajkishore Narain has been elected President, and Babu Mathura Nath Dhur, B. L., acts as Secretary.

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<Untitled> (Dear Sir,—To meet Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott…)

6, Mody Street, Fort,
Bombay, 13th December, 1882.

Dear Sir,

To meet Madame Blavatsky and Col. Olcott before they leave for Madras, the Members of the Bombay Branch; Theosophical Society, request the pleasure of your company, at an Evening Party in honor of the distinguished Founders of the Society, at 8 p.m., on Saturday next, the 16th instant, in the Bungalow of the late Hormusjee Pestonjee Batlivala, 4th Lane, Khetwady. As it will be some time before we meet the Founders again in Bombay, it is expected that all members will be present punctually without fail.

Editor's notes