AGNOSTIC THEOSOPHY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14322, 18 March 1910, Page 3

AGNOSTIC THEOSOPHY.

« Sir,—There :is something humourous in the notion of discussing the constitution ofthe North Pole as a question with whichl theosophy; concerns itself: and yet we must remember ! that the question whether the earth revolved on- an axis was once discussed as if the fata of . Christianity was involved in its determination,; and the -humorous aspect of the question was not the prominent one to the advocates of . either side. -.h The heading that I have ' put to this letter will suggest paradox and contradiction to many readers, but I have adopted it as a useful blend between two distinct but by no means inconsistent lines of' thought. I define an agnostic as one who is resolved not to' pretend knowledge of anything he does not know; and I define a theosophist as one who recognises an ever-present divinity in • the universe, and-:in 1 his' own: soul.' It follows from these definitions that everyone who calls himself £Tn honest man is, if he speaks truly, an agnostic; and everyone •who. call? himself religious is, if •' lie speaks truly, a theosophist. ; How does this /: bear • upon the North Polo question ? Simply, in this way. The agnostic and the ; theosophist may cordially join in a strenuous resistance to • dogmatism of:• any: kind, and in an utter repudiation of blind faith in any authority; whatever, whether of church, of book, or of person. This is perhaps not always realised by theoEophists, who in abandoning the study of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures for that of the secret ' doctrine may have given up one form of; bibliolatry - for another. And it is fair to note here that Mrs. Besant, whether or not she has adopted errors about the North Pole or anything else, has always tried to impress on her hearers that nothing she says lias any sacrosanct quality, or any right to call for the faith of the hearer, except so far. as it appeals to his reason' and conscienoe. " This seems to put any dogma , about the North Pole out of court as an article of faith. Aecro tells us . that in the quest of truth " two faults are to be avoided: one, that we should not take for known things that are unknown, and give a rash assent to them;' a fault which he who . wishes • to; avoid (and everyone ought to wish this) will devote time and diligence; to the consideration of things.' The other fault is that some spend too much study and labour, on things that are obscure and difficult, and : are likewise unnecessary." Into these ; two : faults ; those' who . have taken up ; tho study ■of ' what is : called "occultism" are, I think, very apt to fall. Having once convinced themselves--and, I , believe, justly convinced themselves— that "occult" ■ phenomena do really . happen, they soon become ready to believe that all such alleged happenings are genuine, and that is a sure path r to loss of mental balance, and to ultimate error and disappointment. , ; .'.o :-r

Surely the only sane and safe method is carefully .to consider - the evidence, ; and to proportion the degree of our belief to the weight of the evidence. ! Acting upon' this principle we shall / apply the same measure ; to; Isiah, to John of Patmos, and Paul;of Tarsus, to Jacob ; Boehme. Immanyel Swedenborg, and H. ,P. Blavatsky. We may receive * the revelations 'of the seer- with r respectful candour, test ' them by the * best lights available to us, and accept, reject, or reserve them for further . consideration, according to the dictates of reason and of. conscience. Is ; there any ■ good v 1 reason why'we should not all be agnostic theosophists? ; >. - -\t " u J. Giles. : .March 17. ... . ' . . v "» •. ■ ' *•'