The Secret Doctrine.—Madame H. P. Blavatsky is now engaged upon this work, in Germany, where she went last year for her health. The subject is interesting, and the result of the author’s endeavors will mark an era. It will not only be an amplification and explanation of Isis Unveiled, but will contain mines of further information. There will be in it verbatim passages from the Book of Dgyan and Limri of Tsong-ka-po, and old commentaries, to which hitherto, access has not been possible, and great attention will be paid to the doctrine of Human Evolution, to Divine or White Magic, and Human or Black Magic. The portion in which the subject of the Divine Hermaphrodite is considered, should be of absorbing interest. It will be divided in four parts: Archaic, Ancient, Mediæval and Modern, presenting the complete sequences of the development of Occultism and Magic in their religious and anti-religious aspects.
Bible Myths, and their Parallels in other Religions.—J. W. Bouton, New York; Royal 8vo., 600 pages.—This book should be in the hands of all students. It is clearly the result of years of patient and plodding research made over a vast field of reading. By an overwhelming amount of evidence, the author proves that that which is miraculous, found in the New Testament, cannot be of Christian origin, nor can anything of the same kind found in the Old Testament be of Hebrew origin, the conclusion being irresistible, that if the Christian Bibles are of Divine origin, so must also be all the other and older books which contain these parallels. Orthodoxy has passed this work over in silence, leaving the people still in their ignorance. One clerical paper said that those whose theological opinions or faith was not settled should avoid the book. Truth-seekers, however, cannot afford to avoid it.
What is Theosophy?—By a fellow of the Theosophical Society. Cupples, Upham & Co., Boston, 1886.—This little book has just come out of the press, and is very attractively dressed. The sheets, all loose, have been merely placed between covers, which are tightly bound with cords of the same color as the covers. It is dedicated by the author to a son whose inquiring mind daily asked his father and mother, “What is Theosophy?” The result is good, and we are sure that this unpretentious little waif will do much toward aiding the cause; for when mothers and fathers all over the land see that there are families in which Theosophy is preached and practised, as this book evidences, they will feel attracted to it. The author rightly says, that “Theosophy means God’s wisdom.” The principal Aryan doctrines of use to the west, are adverted to, such as Karma, Reincarnation, Devachan, and Nirvana. One of the exalted beings referred to by the author has said, “that it is quite probable that the sons of Theosophists will become Theosophists.” Such is undoubtedly the case, and if the parents of other children will follow the example to be found in the family of our author, by inquiring into and trying to practise real Theosophy, teaching it to their children, instead of sneering at phenomena which never were claimed to be Theosophy, the great Day will soon dawn when our race may prepare to take a higher place. This book is written in an easy, pleasant style. On page 17 we find: “In a small apple seed there lies the harvest of many summers, and in the human soul there lie the possibilities of hundreds of lives.” True, and more true, that there may be tens of thousands of lives in the human soul. Natural arguments thus addressed to children produce great effects in their minds and life, and as from children grow the men, we ought to see to it that our own theories are right before we permit the youthful ones to drift with a prevailing current, and when we are really convinced of our own it should be inculcated.
THEOSOPHICAL ACTIVITIES.
The Rochester Branch.—This is the elder brother in America. It was formed in 1882, by Mr. W. B. Shelley and Mrs. J. W. Cables, who had been engaged with several friends, before that, in studying the problems presented to thinking minds in life and death. The coincidence is rather curious between the first Theosophical Branch starting in Rochester and the first sounding there so many years ago of the spiritualistic rappings.
A great deal has been done by this Branch. They have constantly studied The Theosophist, and many people have, so to say, made pilgrimages there to become members of the Society.
Here was started the first distinctively American Theosophical paper. It is called The Occult Word, and appears monthly.
We believe the Branch meets in Mrs. Cables’ house, at 40 Ambrose street, where inquirers in that section should address her, as she is willing to answer all. We would also suggest that correspondents enclose return postage, which is in the majority of cases ignored or forgotten.