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vol. title: vol. period: 1882 pages in vol.: 174 |
The Indian Mirror.
CALCUTTA, SUNDAY, DEC. 3, 1882.
A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE THEOSOPHISTS AT ALLAHABAD.
A public meeting, in connection with the first anniversary of the Prayag Psychic Theosophical Society, was held at the Kyasth Pathshala Hall, Allahabad, on Wednesday, the 22nd November, at the hour of 1 o’clock p. m. The large hall of the Pathshala was crowded. All the leading men of the Native and European communities attended the meeting. Among those present we noticed Madame Blavatsky, Mr. and Mrs. Sinnett, Surgeon Biggs, …urgeon Ashton, Captain Chapman, and several other European ladies and gentlemen. The Native community was represented by Babus Aprokash Chunder Mukerji, Dwark. Nath Banuerji, Charu Chunder Mitter, Benimadhub Bhattacharji, Pundit Adityaram Bhattacharji, Dr. Avinas Chunder Banerji, Dr. Brojendronath Banerji &c.
Mr. A. P. S…ett, President of the Simla Eclectic Theosophical Society, took the chair. He opened the meeting by explaining its principal object, which was to afford those who took a sympathetic interest in the Theosophical movement an opportunity to receive all information they wanted about the movement. He explained at length the first object of the Society, viz., “The formation of the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, creed, or color,” and pointed out how the Society had already made considerable progress in that direction, how he and European gentlemen residing in India were on the platform of the Society brought into a better understanding and friendlier relation with the people of this country than what obtained elsewhere. He described how both the Natives and Europeans would be equally benefited by joining the Society. After a few remarks about the Mahatmas, the rulers of the Society, he introduced Babu Mohinimohun Chatterji, M. A., B. L., of Calcutta, to the meeting, and called upon him to address the meeting.
Ba…u Mohinimohun Chatterji, gave a brief account of how he came in contact with the Mahatmas, and how he was satisfied as to their existence. He ended by exhorting his countrymen, to revive a study of their ancient writings, which alone favored the development of the Mahatmas.
Some European gentlemen then made some remarks as to the insufficiency of evidence in establishing the existence of the Mahatmas. Surgeon Biggs remarked that such adverse remarks coming from Europeans might have an unfavorable impression upon the mind of the Natives. He could not see why Christians, who believe in their Saviour without any reliable evidence at all, should refuse their belief to facts, established upon the evidence brought forward. Speaking for himself, he was a Republican thinker, and always maintained that every man had a right to think and act as he thought proper. A brisk conversation then followed, and the Chairman answered all questions relating to the Theosophical Society and its movements.
A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE THEOSOPHISTS AT MIRUT.
A public meeting of the Mirut Theosophical Society was held at the Gunga Mandir, Mirut, on Thursday, the 26th November, at 6 p. m. About two hundred persons were present on the occasion, and, among them, some of the principal Raises and other leading men of the station. Pundit Giandat Lall, B. A., Vice-President of the Mirut Theosophical Society, was in the chair. He introduced Babu Mohunmohun Chatterji, delegate of the Bengal Theosophical Society, who addressed the meeting in English for over an hour and-a-half, fully explaining th… aims and objects of the Theosophical Society, and exhorting his countrymen and co-religionists to study their own sacred writings as the only means of gaining that self-confidence which is at the bottom of all national greatness. The Chairman explained the purport of the address in Urdu for the benefit of such of the audience who were ignorant of English.
The Tribune.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 1882.
<Untitled> (A public meeting in connection with the first anniversary…)
A public meeting in connection with the first anniversary of the Prayag Psychic Theosophical Society was held at Allahabad at 5 p. m., on Wednesday, the 22nd instant. All the leading European and Native gentlemen of the station were present on the occasion. They evinced a great interest in the Theosophical movement, and many questions about Theosophical matters were asked by the audience, who very much appreciated the remarks of Mr. Sinnett, the Editor of the Pioneer, who occupied the chair.
<Untitled> (In noticing the arrival of Pundita Ramabai…)
In noticing the arrival of Pundita Ramabai at Bombay from Poona on Friday last, the Indu Prakash observes:—
“We have no doubt the leading men of our community will try to utilise her presence amongst us in the best way possible. But it may not be miss to suggest that more permanent steps than merely arranging for lectures or ladies’ gatherings should be adopted. A proposal had been made some time ago by the Students’ Literary and Scientific Society to place the Pandita at the head of its girls’ schools; but we have not heard that anything has come out of it.”
ALLAHABAD.
[From our own Correspondent.]
The great festival of the Mussulmans is over. The occasion has a melancholy interest among our Mussulman countrymen because it is held in commemoration of the death of two favourite heroes. But the Indian Mussulmans, even in this season of their mourning, do not fail to display a quarrelsome nature. If it were possible, they would inflict their vow upon the unbelievers also. In Allahabad, it has been seen for several years that the Mussulmans arrogate to themselves the authority of a tyrant during this festival. They would not tolerate a Hindu to have rejoicings in his house. To attempt to take out a marriage or religious procession would be fraught with no small difficulty. He could only do so with the help of the magisterial authority. There is a great spirit of defiance dominant among the Mussulmans, which ought not to be allowed to exist by a government, which has granted a religious liberty to all classes of its subjects. It was, indeed, a shameful thing to observe in the house of a Hindu, who had to celebrate a marriage, that he had no music, simply because he was afraid of an attack from the Mussulmans. The existence of this fear argues very badly against the controlling authority. This year, however, a Magistrate, Mr. Patterson, well maintained his power. On the occasion of a Hindu religious procession by a Babu, certain Mussulmans attempted to stop the music and the taking of the name of the goddess. The Kotwal, who was in attendance, interfered, but he found that a disturbance was imminent. He at once sent word to the police superintendant, who accompanied by the Magistrate soon came to his assistance. Some of the Budmashes were arrested and it appeared that four of them was wounded in a scuffle which had taken place. We hope that an example will be made of the leaders of these Budmashes, so that in future no Mussulman will dare to interfere with the rights of Her Majesty’s Hindu subjects in this place.
There was a meeting of the Allahabad Branch of the Theosophical Society here on Wednesday last. The occasion was the anniversary of the Branch institution. Mr. Sinnet as chairman of the meeting gave a very able address to the audience which was a very large one and consisted of Hindu and European gentlemen and ladies. The renowned Madame Blavatsky was present. Mr. Sinnet explained to the audience the object of the Theosophical Society, which has a special reference to the pursuit of the occult science and to the production of a fellow-feeling between the Europeans and the natives of this country. Mr Sinnet was followed by a young Bengali Babu, who was introduced as a chela and who, we were promised, would tell us some startling account of Theosophy. But except his being one who had some command over the English language and who could speak it rather fluently, we did not hear much from him so as to appreciate him as a chela, possessing the Theosophic truths. He talked of having had inevitable proofs of the existence of the Mahatmas, while at Darjeeling. But when he was asked by a gentleman to state what those proofs were, he did not say much for our edification. After he took his seat, there was some conversation relating to the principles of the Theosophical Society and then the meeting dissolved.
Editor's notes
- ↑ A Public Meeting of the Theosophists at Allahabad. by unknown author, Indian Mirror, The, 1882-12-03
- ↑ A Public Meeting of the Theosophists at Mirut. by unknown author, Indian Mirror, The, 1882-12-03
- ↑ A public meeting in connection with the first anniversary… by unknown author, Tribune, The, 1882-12-02
- ↑ In noticing the arrival of Pundita Ramabai… by unknown author, Tribune, The, 1882-12-02
- ↑ Allahabad. by unknown author