THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3277, 3 January 1917, Page 22

THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

NEW ZEALAND SECTION. Ilio annual convention of the Now Zealand section of the Thcosophical Society was commenced on the 2jth ult., and was attended by delegates from most parts of the dominion. The Kev. J. I. Wedgwood presided, and in the course of his opening address referred to the war and tho opportunities which it opened up. He said tiie society had done a great deal, and had sent a large number of members to the front, but he was not sure that the society had risen to the full height of tho situation as it might have done. He, mentioned the great work done by the \.11.1'.A. which, in the opinion of many, had been engaged before the war in turning out young men of a type not wanted—men of the nambypamby class, who had been schooled only in the milder aspects of Christianity. Yet tho association had risen to the occasion, and was now engaged in noble work. Tho Thcosophical Society years ago stood as the representative body of occultism, but tho speaker was afraid it had lost that position. Great opportunities still existed, and. one of tho duties of tho present conference would be to make places for helping in the building up of civilisation after the war. Certain other creeds with the simplest of teachings commanded a tremendous following, and the speaker thought that Thcosophisls should pay more attention to tho simpler exposition of their belief, and by sowing seeds in the higher planes increase the influence which they had already exercised on the thought of the world. One of the main objects of the society was to bring people into closer relationship witii the Masters, and this was more successfully achieved by the bringing into the hierarchy of one initiate than in the enrolment of 500 or 1000 ordinary members. Mr Wedgwood congratulated the Dunedin Society on the po:.session of a pupil of one of the Great Masters. It was true that Thcosophical ideas permeated modern .thought, and they should all do what they could on this plane by working along the lines which each thought right. The speaker concluded by explaining the form which the ceremony of consecrating the society's new meeting rooms would take. The ceremony referred to then took place, the proceedings being conducted privately. The animal report summarised the various activities throughout the section during 1916, stating that 135 new members had joined, the membership now standing at 1137. The actual membership, however, conveyed but a very inadequate idea of tho influence of theosophy in tho dominion generally, since there were thousands of students scattered over New- Zealand, who for various reasons considered it unnecessary to join the society, but who helped materially to disseminate thcosophical ideas. Many of' the young men members had volunteered for active service, and several had made the supremo sacrifice for the Empire, while a larger number had been more or less seriously wounded. In nearly all the thcosophical lodges active groups or members had worked industriously to raise money for war purposes. On the whole the society and the section had reason to bo satisfied with the public response to its message. Tho Auckland convention was successful, as was'the subsequent one which New Zealand representatives attended in Sydney. Probably, as a result of the war, all questions relating to life after death had evoked keen interest, and the theosophical pamphlet, "To Those Who Mourn," was widely distributed. Owing to war prices of material the publication of a Lotus Bud's Journal was suspended. The financial statement showed a credit balance at the end of the year. After discussion the report and balance sheet were adopted. The National Lecturer (Miss C. W. Christic) submitted a detailed report covering the year's work, which had fluctuated to an unusual extent owing to the war. On her lecturing tours she found people far more ready for theosophy than they were before the war. —The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks to Miss Christie was carried by acclamation. It was resolved to engage an additional national lecturer, the matter being left m the hands of the section executive to arrange details. The election of officers resulted as follows: General secretary, Dr Sanders; assistant general secretary, Mr J. Ross Thomson. treasurer, Mr W. Crawford; national lecturer, Miss C. W. Christie; librarian, Miss Stone, all re-elected. It was provisionally resolved to hold tne rext annual convention in Christchurcli.

ANNUAL CONVENTION. The twenty-first annual convention of the New "Zealand section of the Theosophical Society was continued on Friday, tne Rev. J I. "Wedgwood presiding. In the course of his introductory address the Rev. Mr Wedgwood dwelt on the special relation of mankind to God the Son. He spoke of the various aspects of such an Advent as members of the order looked for—• reincarnation in a special personality, the enhancement of individiKai consciousness, and the spiritual upliftment of humanity. The order might, be looked upon as one of the heralds of the coming Messenger, and should regard itself always as a channel ot His energy; His power indubitably flowed through it. Miss G. W. Christie, travelling organiser of the order in New Zealand, presented her 1( E. Hunt, organising secretary for the South Island reported on the work in the branches under her charge, and Mr C. Hemus, in the absence of Mr H. W. Young, organising 1 secretary for the North Island, read the" report of branches in his field, Miss Bell, a Star worker in England, Italy. India, and Australia, gave interesting details of work in those countries. In the afternoon the conference of class leaders, lecturers, and propagandists was held. . Conference? of Round Table. Lotus Circle, arid Servant.-: of the Star delegates were a'so held. These are all young peoplea movements, and aim at the development of independence of character and the cultivation of citizen virtues and a general readiness to give unselfish service wherever posReports were presented from Auckland, Wellington. Christchurch, and Dunedin, all indicative of life and growth. The teachers of Lotus Circles wero keenly interested in the colour scheme mentioned earlier in the day, and a further conference has been arranged. In the evening an interesting address on "The Principle of Ceremonial was delivered by the Rev. J. I. Wedgwood, and was listened to with close attention.