LECTURE ON THEOSOPHY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9011, 17 October 1892, Page 6

LECTURE ON THEOSOPHY.

The Rev. C. Carter delivered his fourth and final lecture on Theosophy in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendance, Mr. C. E. Button presiding, and the meeting was opened with praise and prayer. The lecturer, after a few explanatory remarks, referred to what he termed Madame Blavatsky's assumption of know ledge with regard to the origin, conditions, and final issue of all things, saying that the most curious thing was that she apparently knew the " unknowable" since she described some of its capabilities. He then proceeded to deal with " karma," a word he defined as meaning action, the quality of action, and the result of action. The Theosophists described it as the law of retribution, but he asked how " karma" which was their own action or its moral value— could be the cause of their existence, since they clearly could not perform any action before they existed. He pointed out what he considered evident contradictions between the teachings of Buddhism and Theosophy, and self-destruc-tive contradictions among the teachings of Theosophy itself, and argued that even their own theories necessitated the existence of an all-wise and infinite God. The lecturer quoted freely from Theosophical publications in order to show these contradictions and inconsistencies, and he otherwise strongly combated the teachings of Madame Blavatsky and her disciples. Summing up his four addresses on Theosophy, he said they had seen that the authority on which it rested was worthless: that it was impossible, because contradictory in many ways to suppose that the present order of things could be the outcome of an impersonal infinite spirit without attributes; that the doctrine of re-incarnation was not only without proof but was opposed by many very weighty considerations, both physical and moral, and was quite an unnecessary hypothesis ; that " karma " or retribution was neither an absolute nor even a general law, and would be an 'unspeakable calamity if it were ; and that punishment, the supposed effect of " karma," neither atoned for sin nor saved man from sinning. Mr. Carter concluded with a few remarks upon the objects of the Theosophical Society, claiming that the principal one, the universal brotherhood of man, had been established by Cfcrist. In answer to questions, Mr. Carter said he believed Theosophists were kindly inI clined towards astrology, and that Madame Blavatsky's memory would probably be effectively vindicated by the precipitation of a letter from her among the audience. If Theosophists wished to vindicate her memory, however, they should go to headquarters, to Madras. Mr. VV. fl. Draffin said he. wished to invite those who were present ,to attend the Choral Hall that day fortnight and hear the other side of the question. The Theosophists were much obliged to Mr. Carter, because he had certainly created a great deal of interest in Theosophy throughout the city. The meeting closed with the Doxology and Benediction. ■-