THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Volume 12869, Issue 12869, 19 July 1906, Page 1

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

A public meeting was held in the rooms of the Theosophical Society, Liverpool street, last evening, when Mr A. W. Maurais addressed those present on 'The Light of Theosophy.' The lecturer took various departments of human inquiry, and gave the TheosophicaJ teachings concerning them. Theology and the nature and origin of man were considered, and man was portrayed as being a part of the divine life, having within him the germ of all divine powers and attributes. The province of religion, inclusive of Scriptures and teachers, was to awaken tiie divine nature of men, now slumbering in its thick envelopes of matter, and unaware of its godlike origin and destiny. Man had to save himself—to extricate his mind from the powerful attractions of desired objects, and he could only do this by realising tho higher and more lasting joys, first of intellectual and then of spiritual life—though, the speaker said, that order was (sometimes reversed, as was evidenced by the absurdities and fanaticisms of the multitudinous sects of to-day. All that a teacher could do was to point out the way he liad trodden, and warn against the pitfalls and snares. The light of Theosophy, shining on the Scriptures, brought out nevr meanings and ifluminabed many "dark sayings." The matter of government was dwelt npon, and the speaker said democracy was more a necessary reaction against oppression and tyranny than a good thing in itself. Ignorance, though multiplied, remained ignorance. The wisa and the good should rule, and some day would rule. Wealth was a ,trust, and if a man used his wealth for the enslavement or detriment of his fellows, the matter would be equalised by the stem laws of reincarnation and Karma. All the wealth in the earth belonged to ail the people, but men were not yet developed enough for a socialistic system- They had to depend upon those who should have been guides and leaders, but who. as a rule, had been the enslavers of the people. Theosophy showed that perfect justice ruled the world, the oppressor in his turn coming under the ! yoke. Eventually the dreams of the optimists would be realised. In matters philosophical, the lecturer said many riddles were solved by the light of Theosophy. Man was shown to be free, though bound. As divine, he bad assented to the scheme of things from which he oonldjnot now escape; but his divine nature still assented, and was always free, being God. The personal man had bound himself by the habits of past lives, and so came here with a mind already biased, and with appetites hard to restrain. But .he had bound himself, and could at any time begin to untie the knots. The lecturer concluded' by showing that the Theosophical teachings were consolatory, and had a balm for every wound. Man being immortal, there was no parting that was for ever; the talents ' without opportunity would have their turn; the lovers would meet again, not only in spiritual regions but litre on earth, so long as that desire remained. The vilest criminal was an undeveloped saint, for the evolution of man -.vas part of the divine scheme, and "oil things worked together for good." Tho very, suffering and misery could not possibly, be dispensed with; Mr G. Richardson presided. There was a good attendance.