THEOSOPHY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9044, 24 November 1892, Page 3

THEOSOPHY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,l do not usually take the trouble to answer anonymous correspondents, but in this case I will do so in the interest of truth. If Theosophy retains in Auckland the same hold upon people that it has done in India, I shall be amply repaid for my exertions- In regard to the Blavatsky-Coulomb case, of course "A Reader" is fully entitled to his own opinion (provided he has heard both sides of the question), but I personally should attach more importance to the fact that the New York Sun, a paper with a very large circulation, which published statements against Madame Blavatsky, two years afterwards saw sufficient cause to retract them-

Theosophists do acknowledge Jesus Christ as one fountain of divine wisdom, but also recognise others, such as Buddha, Confucius, etc.

Your correspondent asks why we " adopt words like Karma, Mahatma, etc., etc." We do so because these words express better than any others the true meaning of our principles, and save us coining new ones. He also asks for absolute proof on three points. I would point out to him that speaking generally there is no such thing as absolute proof. For what is proof to one mind is not so to another, owing to their variations in intelligence. But I would suggest the following for his consideration:—l. Does your correspondent claim that present nations are more spiritually advanced than the past. If so I contest the question, for we are told that in the past men " walked with God" (Genesis v.,' 24), and no one hears of that nowadays. I might also refer him to the Vedas and to the aucient records of the Peruvians, Mexicans, Egyptians, etc., which tend to prove that less prevailed then than now.

2. According to the census of 1881 out of . a total population of about 1,400,000,000 there are 700,000,000 Buddhists or Brahmins, all accepting the principles of karma and reincarnation, besides some of the North American Indians (as shown by the researches of Dr. and Madame Le Plongeon) and some of those Mongolians not included under the head of Buddhists. In all parts of the world there are large numbers of Theosophists, and together all help to swell the total nearer to two-thirds than one half of the human race.

3. The works of Clement of Alexandria, and Justin Martyr, etc., are not so very numerous that " A Reader" may not read for himself and so obtain the desired proof. If he cannot obtain the above works, I refer him to Walker's "Study of Forgotten Truth," page 232 (Ward, Lock, and Co., London, 1888). Your correspondent accuses me of being indefatigable in my endeavours to rouse an interest in Theosophy. I had always supposed it to be a duty to be indefatigable in the cause of truth.— am, etc., Sara Draffin. Galnville Terrace, The Avenue, Parnell, November 16, 1892.