BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19136, 2 April 1924, Page 10

BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.

WORK OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. “The fact that the work of the Tlicosophical Society is so much misrepresented and misunderstood by many is largely due to a common weakness in human nature —a weatr.css that is prone to give ear to 1 evil leport,’ and believe it, rather than take the trouble to inquire and investigate for itself and search for the good.” This was the opinion expressed by Miss Selene Oppenheimor, national lecturer lor the New Zealand section of the Theosophies': Society, in the course of a conversation with a representative of the Otago Daily. Times yesterday. Miss Oppenheimer, whose work takes her to many parts of the w. rid, is no.v making her second visit to Nevi Zealand, where she has been engaged for the last two years Her present visit to Dunedin will last till near the end of the present month, and in the interval she will deliver a number of nublic lectures on theosophical matters. Miss Oppenhcimer spent some time in Africa in connection with her work. “ Travels like this,” she remarked, “ Give one a wonderful knowledge ci the Empire and Empire problems. My marked, M give one a wonderful knowledge of our ideal in the practical brotherhood of man. The first thing said ' against us,” added Miss Oppenhcimer, ” and one that is a vital factor, is that wo are anti-Christian—-that wo do not believe in the Lord Christ. That is a grave error, for we do look to Him as the Lord of Love, the Teacher of angels and men, and the source of religious inapti ation for all religions. He is veiled from mortal eyes, and is ever, through His mighty lore and power, drawing men nearer to Him, allowing for their frailties, weaknerces, judging not as men, but with His divine knowledge and love, showing tolerance teen to the intolerant. The Theosophical Society stands for truth and brotherhood, to lead men from narrow-mindedness into wider and more beautiful avenues of love and brotherhood. So long ns hatred exists between the classes, between religions, and between races, so long must there be war, suffering, and horrors unthinkable, but where, love and brotherhood, in its tme seise, exist there io peace. Our old w-.->rld is far from such an ideal these days. Yet there is a promise of a new outlook, a wider sense or a public conscience arising out of all those warring elements »that to-day surround ua, and human hearts arc crying out for peace,— tor brotherhood. The teachings of the Theosophical Society help us to understand, and therefore bo patient, and bear, and likewise help us to rise and stand for the principle of right, for justice, and brotherly love, not the type of brotherhood which is merely shown to those who think and believe as we do, but a brotherhood which arises out of the recognition of the unity of all life, the common origin of all. The human spirit is searching for God, and each finds Him eventually along his own road, fqr there cornea to all a time when the transitory things of earth fail to amuse or satisfy. The human heart is ever groping, because within it is the mystic Christ, whom all eventually must find. Aonrt from the religious aspect, the Theosophical field is a large one. Its teaching illumines through the land of evolution problems of sociology and education, philsophy and science, and its followers seek to help forward any movement for the helping and unliftment of the people, and extends a hand Likewise to our younger brothers, the animals. We live in a universe of law. not man-made, but Divine —a law which is guiding all things upward and onward, and a law that is just, bringing to each the result of his sowing, happiness for good, and suffering for evil. A sound inquiry into our work might help many people Miss Oppenheimei takes a keen interest in the welfare or the Young Citizens’ League, and wherever she goes she. docs what she can to push this work along. The league was started by Mr Horace Stubbing and Mr E. C. Cutton, of Auckland, who bad noticed that a great deal of good material was being wasted amongst the voung people, and who decided to make an effort to train these young people so that thev might become valuable citizens. An interest in the 'eaguc is being promoted in the schools, where there are almost Ui limited opportunities for inculcating principles which may he productive of excellent results in years to come. Miss Oppenhcimer has hopes that great things will result from the proper training of the juveniles, who at present have, in many cases, too much license, and who are inclined to resent discipline. The work of the league now covers a wide field, and representatives have taken up its work in most r.f the towns. In conclusion. Miss Oppenhcimer stated that the work of the Theosophical Society was steadily growing in New Zealand. The audiences in the four cities were very satisfactory, and centres were also established in the Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, and 'Waikato districts. The widespread operations of the society might be realised when she mentioned that there was a branch in Iceland, and that members were to be found amongst all races. The society was without distinction, race, cn.ste. or colour.