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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 |
< Theosophy of India (continued from page 8-110) >
The Theosophical party from America were greeted on board by this gentleman, and Messrs. Harichand Chintaman. President of the Arya Samaj, Jugmohundass Samaldass, Babu Prashnokoomar Chodre, and Dr. Pandurang Gopal. The strangers have been housed at Girgaum in the bungalow of Mr. Harichunnd. This, it will be noticed, is a Hindoo quarter—and our Theosophists themselves are in a manner Hindoos. They are vegetarians and employ Hindoo cooks alone. Their simplicity, freedom from pride and prejudices, and their worth are gaining for them golden opinions in Bombay. They welcome all classes and all strangers. At a soiree held in their honour, they said that they had come to India to learn, and then teach in their turn. Want of space ties our hands down. Next week our readers may count upon hearing more from us on the subject.
Mr.Hurrychund Chintaman
and will feel obliged by his Company at the PHOTOGRAPHIC HALL, Girgaum, at 8 p. m., to-night, to welcome the following Theosophical friends from America to Bombay.
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 of America.
The Countess HELIONA P. BLAVATSKY, Author of “Isis Unveiled,” and Corresponding Secretary of the Theosophical Society.
EDWARD WIMBRIDGE, Esq., Graduate of the Royal Institute of British Architects; an eminent English architect, formerly assistant to the great Owen Jones of London.
Miss ROSA BATES, an English lady, very much inter- ested in educational matters, but not a Christian.
Bombay, 17th February 1879.
<Untitled> (The party of American Theosophists...)
The party of American Theosophists to whose advent among us we referred in our last, landed in the evening of Saturday before last and have taken up their quarters at Girgaum Road close to the Photographic Hall of Mr. Harischandra Chintaman at whose invitation a gathering was held on Tuesday evening to welcome the party which was composed of.
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 of America.
The Countess Heliona P. Blavatsky, Author of “Isis Unveiled,” and Corresponding Secretary of the Theosophical Society.
Edward Wimbridge, Esq., Graduate of the Royal Institute of British Architects; an emiment English architect, formerly assistant to the great Owen Jones of London.
Miss Rosa Bates, an English lady, very much interested in educational matters, but not a Christian.
Colonel Olcott delivered an address explaining the aims and objects of the Theosophical Society the gist of which was that Europeans are giving exclusive attention to the cultivation of the physical sciences and the result is materialism which seeks to reduce man to the level of the brute; that there are higher subjects and subtler forces in the universe which it is necessary to investigate; and that a knowledge of these is to be found amongst oriental nations and in their sacred books. The Theosophists therefore without regarding any books as revealed wish to study them, and especially the Vedas of the Hindus under the direction of Pandit Dayanand Saraswati of the Arya Samaj and to acquire a knowledge of the occult sciences to complete their acquisition of the truth. Madame Blavatsky is said to be proficient in the performance of most wonderful feats which ordinarily pass off for magic; but the theosophists value them only as effects which the knowledge they seek will serve to explain. We do not know their religious views but it is certain they repudiate Christianity rather warmly. We hope they will give a fuller exposition of these at an early date.
Editor's notes