A Lapsus Calami
[Note: for background, see “The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders” etc.] Says the Editor of the Indian Churchman, in his issue of January 5,… Read More »A Lapsus Calami
Editorial
Editorials, Notices, Society Affairs, etc.
White and Black Magic
Having just had a little leisure I was going over Mirza Moorad Alee’s letter in the Philosophic Inquirer of the 6th Instant. Col. Olcott’s reply… Read More »White and Black Magic
The Theosophists and Irenæus
The Rev. Editor of the Christian College Magazine comes down short and heavy upon Col. Olcott. He speaks of somebody’s “invincible ignorance” and remarks that “on the… Read More »The Theosophists and Irenæus
The Neutrality of the Senate House
With reference to a correspondence on the subject of this heading that is now taking place in the Madras Mail, a few remarks will be perhaps timely.… Read More »The Neutrality of the Senate House
Premature and Phenomenal Growths
A Russian Theosophist in a letter dated November 1883, writes as follows:— The Petersburg and Moscow papers are greatly concerned with the miraculous growth of… Read More »Premature and Phenomenal Growths
Oxford Mission Shots at Occultism
Out of the clear sky of a correspondent’s remarks on the comparative merits of Buddha and Christ, the thunderbolt has been hurled against Occultism by… Read More »Oxford Mission Shots at Occultism
The Work of the Branches
Notwithstanding the repeated protest of the Parent Theosophical Society, there does yet seem to linger in the minds of individual members and of some Branches,… Read More »The Work of the Branches
The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders
Some of the Dailies and Weeklies—English as well as Vernacular—of this benighted Presidency feel very unhappy over the Theosophists. Their editorial plumage is painfully ruffled… Read More »The Saracens of Theosophy and the Madras Crusaders
Important Notice to our Subscribers and Fellows
The Supplement to The Theosophist has hitherto been the only channel of communication between ourselves and our numerous Branches and unattached Fellows, scattered far and wide all over… Read More »Important Notice to our Subscribers and Fellows
The Death of a Great Man
A Master Spirit has passed away from India. Pundit Dayananda Saraswati, the Founder and Supreme Chief of the Arya Samaj of Aryavarta, is gone. The… Read More »The Death of a Great Man
Have we to Lower the Flag of Truce?
The spiritualistic journals, with the honourable and solitary exception of the Banner of Light, lose no opportunity for effecting Quixotic thrusts in the direction of Theosophy.… Read More »Have we to Lower the Flag of Truce?
The Ionian Theosophical Society
The necessity of the organization of committees by our members for the investigation of psychometry and the cognate sciences has been reiterated in these columns… Read More »The Ionian Theosophical Society
A Christian Minister on Theosophy
Writing to the Indian Mirror, the Rev. C. H. A. Dall says:— “Skeptomai is Greek for “I enquire.” In the radical sense I am a sceptic regarding… Read More »A Christian Minister on Theosophy
The Rev. W. Hastie’s Karma and the Progress of Poesy in Bengal
According to some contemporaries:—“A copy of the pamphlet containing a full account of the trial of Pigot vs. Hastie, has been presented by the plaintiff to… Read More »The Rev. W. Hastie’s Karma and the Progress of Poesy in Bengal
The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism
“Learning is light, ignorance is darkness,” says a proverb. It is good to be learned, when one’s knowledge rests on facts; it is wise to… Read More »The St. James Gazette and Esoteric Buddhism
The Lawn-Tennis School of Critics
Those intellectual prodigies of the Lawn-Tennis clubs—Anakim among critics—who swallow the story of Balaam’s speaking “she-ass” but cannot believe in the Reincarnation of her “soul”… Read More »The Lawn-Tennis School of Critics
“Impressions from the Infinite”
For some time past, M. C. W. Rohner, M.D. of Benalla, was busy translating from the Spanish of Balmes trance-utterances of the name that heads… Read More »“Impressions from the Infinite”
Projection of the Double
In one of the daily issues of the N. Y. World—an influential journal of the great American metropolis—for the year 1878, appeared a description of the… Read More »Projection of the Double
The Buddhists and Government
The statement is circulating through the Indian Press, that “considerable indignation is felt in Ceylon at the attempts which the Buddhists are making to pose… Read More »The Buddhists and Government
Paying the Way
The late Artemus Ward, a famous American humorist, wishing to prove his effusive patriotism during the late Civil War, said that he was ready to… Read More »Paying the Way
Genteel Beggars
We have just received from a gentleman, an Anglo-Indian Theosophist of the highest rank, and one, whose generous disposition is unfortunately too well known, the… Read More »Genteel Beggars
The Final Results of the Savage Attack of the Roman Catholics on the Buddhists at Colombo
What we said about the recent religious riots at Ceylon, in the May Theosophist [see: “Theosophy and Religious Riots”], has been fully verified now by the Report… Read More »The Final Results of the Savage Attack of the Roman Catholics on the Buddhists at Colombo
Our New Branches
We are happy to notify to our Fellows throughout the world, that in addition to “The Theosophical Society of the French Spiritists” at Paris—(France)—a Branch… Read More »Our New Branches
A Final Answer
It is impossible for an Editor to please everybody, and whoever has tried it has been set down as a fool. The attempt has invariably… Read More »A Final Answer
Our Fifth Year
Again we have the pleasure of noting the continued prosperity of The Theosophist, and the fact that its publication will be continued as heretofore. The experimental… Read More »Our Fifth Year
Spirit Identity and Recent Speculations
Editorial Note by H.P.B. on an article by “M. A. (Oxon.)” Of all the Spiritualists, “M.A. (Oxon),” is the last to whose arguments we would… Read More »Spirit Identity and Recent Speculations
The Soul of Things
Ten years ago, Professor William Denton, an Anglo-American geologist and a man of marked intellectual capacity, issued in collaboration with his equally gifted wife, a… Read More »The Soul of Things
“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [2]
Reply by H.P.B. to two letters defending the medium George Spriggs. Our love for “fair play” has never been doubted even by those of our… Read More »“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [2]
The Almora Swami
Editorial Comments and Notes by H.P.B. on a letter from the Swami of Almora. In our February number (see page 118) prefacing the valuable though… Read More »The Almora Swami
Electroscope and “Astral Doubles”
Some Australian and American papers are very much exercised with a new invention made by Dr. Gnedra (?) of Victoria (Australia), called the Electroscope. The… Read More »Electroscope and “Astral Doubles”
Swami Dayanand—A Freethinker
“O Lord, protect me from my friends, and I will myself take care of my enemies!”—was the daily prayer of a philosopher. We do not… Read More »Swami Dayanand—A Freethinker
Gambetta’s Eye and Brain
Science in the face of her Parisian representatives was very much exercised, if not offended, lately, by what is viewed as an unpardonable freak of… Read More »Gambetta’s Eye and Brain
A Levy of Arms Against Theosophy
As nearly everywhere else, we have a Branch Society in Paris: a handful or so of members lost among thousands of spiritists and spiritualists. Strictly… Read More »A Levy of Arms Against Theosophy
The Shylocks of Lahore
“Many are called, but few are chosen”—is a saying, that, to our great regret, applies to our Society collectively, and to a certain number of… Read More »The Shylocks of Lahore
The Trinity of Righteousness
Three other victims “smelling sweet in the nostrils of the Lord!” The names of Justice North, the Rev. Dr. S. Wainwright, and Mr. Alexander Scott,… Read More »The Trinity of Righteousness
[Buddhism and Esoteric Brahmanism]
We acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of Mr. Lillie’s Buddha and Early Buddhism. The subject of the work being one to which the greatest interest… Read More »[Buddhism and Esoteric Brahmanism]
Theosophy and Religious Riots
Some far-sighted and promising correspondent, anxious to penetrate the mystery of the recent Kotahena riot between the Buddhists and the Roman Catholics to its very… Read More »Theosophy and Religious Riots
Dragged in Again!
The bisons, or North American buffaloes, we are told, when migrating, travel in vast solid columns of tens of thousands, which it is almost impossible… Read More »Dragged in Again!
The Religion of the Future
Occultism teaches us that ideas based upon fundamental truths move in the eternity in a circle, revolving around and filling the space within the circuit… Read More »The Religion of the Future
The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc
The following interesting letter was received by us from Fresno, California. As it is a private one, we can give but extracts from it.—Ed. [H.P.B.]… Read More »The Seventeen-Rayed Sun-Disc
The Buddhist Movement in England
The frequent publication of books on the subject in England, of recent years, has evidenced the strong interest now felt by the cultivated classes in… Read More »The Buddhist Movement in England
To the “Dissatisfied”
We have belief in the fitness and usefulness of impartial criticism, and, even at times, in that of a judicious onslaught upon some of the… Read More »To the “Dissatisfied”
The Chosen “Vessels of Election”
A friendly correspondent “8111,” has sent to us a severe rebuke embodied in a long letter. Received after the 20th of last month, it could… Read More »The Chosen “Vessels of Election”
The Magic of the New Dispensation
From the “New Dispensation,” April 1: “The juggler who appeared, on Tuesday last, in the last scene of the New Dispensation Drama, explained the deeper… Read More »The Magic of the New Dispensation
A Heavy Curse
As a specimen of condensed and concentrated episcopal malice, the following ANATHEMA recently sent by the Pope to various Bishops with orders to be read… Read More »A Heavy Curse
Pickings from our Contemporaries
La Revue Spirite of Paris for February publishes a communication from a medium named L. Cephas—which it calls quite pertinently “very original.” It is headed… Read More »Pickings from our Contemporaries
By “Bell, Book, And Candle”
Not with the object of vindicating the Asiatic people from any charge of superstition that may lie against them, but only to show that in… Read More »By “Bell, Book, And Candle”
Old and New Methods
So much information relating to the highest science of Nature has lately been given out to the world through these columns, that it is worth… Read More »Old and New Methods
An Excellent Magic Mirror
Of the many kinds of divination glass or Magic-mirror that have been devised, the one described by a theosophical brother in the following note is… Read More »An Excellent Magic Mirror
The “Blessing” of the Brothers
A correspondent calls our attention to the paragraph on p. 66 of the pamphlet, Hints on Esoteric Theosophy, in which a person not mentioned by… Read More »The “Blessing” of the Brothers
“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [1]
The common vice of trying to palm off upon the world the crude imaginings or rhapsodical concoctions of one’s own brain, by claiming their utterance… Read More »“Under the Shadow of Great Names” [1]
Sham Asceticism
The Surya Prakash, of Surat, says that a Hindu ascetic, in company with a few of his disciples, has recently arrived at that place. He… Read More »Sham Asceticism
Sir Richard and Theosophy, Again.
If the saying of the witty Sydney Smith, that you cannot get a joke into a Caledonian head without trepanning the skull be true, no… Read More »Sir Richard and Theosophy, Again.
The Gospel of the Future: or the “Revelation” of (St.) Keshub
“’I (Keshub Chunder Sen), a servant of God, called to be an apostle of the Church.’ . . . . ‘heard behind me a great voice, as… Read More »The Gospel of the Future: or the “Revelation” of (St.) Keshub
A Word with the Theosophists
The following letters appeared recently in the Poona Observer. Were it not for a few flagrant misconceptions in letter the first and which it seems… Read More »A Word with the Theosophists
Mistaken Notions
The Psychological Review, kindly taking notice of our misguided journal, has the following in its November number. “The present number [of The Theosophist for September,… Read More »Mistaken Notions
From Keshub Babu to Maestro Wagner via The Salvation Camp
But a few days since Friend of India and Statesman gave room to the reflections of a reverential correspondent, deploring the disrespectful familiarity with which… Read More »From Keshub Babu to Maestro Wagner via The Salvation Camp
Spiritualistic Black Magic
Introduction by H.P.B. to a letter by “Caledonian Theosophist” Certain allegations by a “Caledonian Theosophist,” as to the spread of immoral ideas and even practices,… Read More »Spiritualistic Black Magic
A Spectral Warning
A respectable American paper publishes a story of a clairvoyant prevision of death. One Martin Delehaute, employed in a steam sawmill, saw one night at… Read More »A Spectral Warning
Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research
The first number of the journal of this new Society is full of interesting matter and indicates that our sister association will do good work… Read More »Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research
The Poor Brutes
“’Twere all as good to ease one beast of grief, As sit and watch the sorrows of the world, In yonder caverns with the priests… Read More »The Poor Brutes
The Utterances of Ramalingam Pillay
The communication from an esteemed brother, Mr. Velayudam Mudaliar, F.T.S., Tamil Pandit in the Madras Presidency College, which appeared in The Theosophist for July last,… Read More »The Utterances of Ramalingam Pillay
Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science
I have just received Light—the ablest of the Spiritual periodicals of England—of September 23, and read its “NOTES BY THE WAY,” contributed by “M. A.… Read More »Occult and Spiritual Phenomena in the Light of Modern Science
The Arya and its “Outstation” Correspondence
There exists a class of men—among the great variety composing genus homo—who, by their modes of thought and action, have to be viewed as a… Read More »The Arya and its “Outstation” Correspondence
The Origin of the Gospels and the Bishop of Bombay
The ignorance which commonly prevails among English Christians concerning the history of their own religious books and, it is feared, of their contents—has been amusingly… Read More »The Origin of the Gospels and the Bishop of Bombay
Was it “Spirits” or What?
[H.P.B.’s response to “A Perplexed Theosophist”] The strict adherence to our duty as an Occultist, while it satisfies a few of our fellow students, materially… Read More »Was it “Spirits” or What?
A Protest
We, the undersigned, the “Accepted” and “Probationary” Hindu Chelas of the Himalayan Brothers, their disciples in India, and Northern Cashmere, respectfully claim our right to… Read More »A Protest
[Intro to] “C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
We publish the following letter from “H. X.,” [A. O. Hume] under a strong personal protest. Another paper signed by several Chelas—all accepted pupils and… Read More »[Intro to] “C.C.M.” and Isis Unveiled
The “Contradictions of the Bible” and The Rawal Pindi Mission School
TO THE MANAGER, THEOSOPHIST OFFICE. Sir.—the copy of Self-contradictions of the Bible arrived at my school on August 3. By chance the post peon gave… Read More »The “Contradictions of the Bible” and The Rawal Pindi Mission School
[Buddhism as a Philosophy, not a Religion]
“A Lecture on the Peculiarities of Hindu Literature”—delivered at the Triplicane Hindu Literary Society of Madras, by C. T. Winfred, B.A—is a very thoughtful and scientific… Read More »[Buddhism as a Philosophy, not a Religion]
“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation
In Light (July 8) C.C.M. quotes from the THEOSOPHIST (June 1882) a sentence which appeared in the Editor’s Note at the foot of an article… Read More »“Isis Unveiled” and the “Theosophist” on Reincarnation
The Harmonics of Smell
The old proverb, that “Truth is stranger than fiction,” is again exemplified. An English scientist—Professor William Ramsay, of University College, Bristol—has just communicated to Nature… Read More »The Harmonics of Smell
The Philosophic Inquirer
The first numbers of our iconoclastic Madras contemporary in its new English garb are on our table. We confess with pleasure that it has greatly… Read More »The Philosophic Inquirer
Our Fourth Year
The end of the third year of publication has come (Volume III ends with the September number), and still the THEOSOPHIST exists and thrives, despite… Read More »Our Fourth Year
Visions in the Crystal
At a number of his lectures Colonel Olcott has exhibited a crystal from the Gastein Mountains, which was kindly sent him by our very esteemed… Read More »Visions in the Crystal
Stone-Showers
[Note: for some background, see “[Note on “Stone-Throwing by ‘Spirits’”],” “[On “Stone-Showers”],” “More Anecdotes of Hassan Khan Djinni,” and “[More on “Stone-Showers”].] In connection with the… Read More »Stone-Showers
The “Veda of the Buddhists!”
Sceptics often taunt the Spiritualists with the fact that their mediums, though claiming to be inspired and “controlled” by the spirits of the great men… Read More »The “Veda of the Buddhists!”
The “Political” Side of Theosophy
For over two years—ever since the now exploded craze of suspecting Madame Blavatsky of being a “Russian spy,” was blushingly consigned to the limbo of… Read More »The “Political” Side of Theosophy
The Fellow-Worker
Among the pleasantest memories of our late visit to Bengal is the recollection of the number of delightful friends whom we were fortunate enough to… Read More »The Fellow-Worker
A Storm in a Teacup
We print elsewhere letters from two estimable ladies—members of the British Theosophical Society—protesting against a short article—“A Sad Lookout”—printed in our April number. We make… Read More »A Storm in a Teacup
Coming Events Foretold
When, in answer to a direct challenge, the author of The Occult World wrote to the Bombay Gazette (April 4, 1882), he began his letter… Read More »Coming Events Foretold
The New Society for Psychical Research
In Light for April 27th, we find the manifesto of the new Socierty which has just been organized at London under the above title. The… Read More »The New Society for Psychical Research
Singing Animalcules
The editor of the Religio-Philosophical Journal has microscopic intuitions, it seems. In a recent number he says: “There are animalcules, we have no doubt, that have… Read More »Singing Animalcules
An “Honest” Enquiry into the Aims of our Society
We have been kindly favoured with a copy of a little pamphlet entitled: “The Theosophical Society and its Founders: An Honest Enquiry into their Aims and… Read More »An “Honest” Enquiry into the Aims of our Society
Trance-Speakers
No Hindu needs to be told the meaning of the term Angánta Yéné. It is the action of a bhût, who enters into or possesses… Read More »Trance-Speakers
The Magic of Science
An Anglo-Indian paper of Madras speaks thus of the telephone: “The wonders of science bid fair to grow more wonderful. The latest addition, to the… Read More »The Magic of Science
[A Note on the Arya]
[Note: for some background, see “The ‘Arya’ on the Theosophists” and the following “Notice,” in The Theosophist, May, 1882, Supplement, p. 7.] Our late friends of… Read More »[A Note on the Arya]
“A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed”
We copy the following letter from the Bombay Gazette of April 4th, not for its bearing upon the recent “unpleasantness,” but to preserve, in our… Read More »“A Friend in Need, a Friend Indeed”
Hindu Theism
Old readers will recollect our desire, long ago expressed, that some respectable Brahmo would undertake, in these columns, a candid exposition of the views of… Read More »Hindu Theism
Pert Questions and Plain Answers
Letter from “* * *” | Introductory Note and Footnotes by H.P.B. | “Answer to Misconceptions” by Damodar How little the “beliefs and creeds” of the Theosophical… Read More »Pert Questions and Plain Answers
A “Light” Shining in Darkness
Our respected contemporary, Light, catches at an expression in a recent letter, from one of the Secretaries of our Society, to its Editor, transmitting a… Read More »A “Light” Shining in Darkness
Psyche
Our old friend, The [London] Spiritualist, died of inanition, but has resurrected under the Hellenic alias of Psyche. In short, it might be said that,… Read More »Psyche
The Theosophical Society and Swami Dayanand
Owing to misrepresentations and consequent misunderstandings caused by our mutual ignorance of each other’s language, the learned Pandit Dayanand Saraswati was prevailed upon, by our… Read More »The Theosophical Society and Swami Dayanand
A Sad Lookout
. . . An English gentleman, a Fellow of the British Theosophical Society, writing to a Hindu Brother Theosophist of Bombay, says the following: “As to the… Read More »A Sad Lookout
[The Philosophic Inquirer on Joseph Cook]
The Philosophic Inquirer, of Madras, a weekly Anglo-Tamil Free-thought Journal, has sent us its issue of March 19 with two editorials, and an article in… Read More »[The Philosophic Inquirer on Joseph Cook]
Obituary [Thomas Stolk]
Obituary selections by A. de Bourbon | Note by H.P.B. Obituary Death of the President of the “Post Nubila Lux Theosophical Society.” . . .… Read More »Obituary [Thomas Stolk]
Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men
When the great poet and writer, Coleridge, tried to establish his Watchman—a periodical in prose and verse, intended to advocate liberal opinions—owing partly to its… Read More »Milk for Babes and Strong Meat for Men
Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
The enemies of Spiritualism and Theosophy can rejoice and triumph, and the Calcutta bigoted and dyspeptic fogies—old or young—are invited to render thanks to their… Read More »Mr. William Eglinton’s Departure from India
“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous WITNESS” (Exodus, xxiii, I ). The Indian… Read More »“A Faithful ‘Witness’ Will Not Lie”
A Theological Snob
A pretty story comes to us from Madras about the American lecturer, now starring in India. The Bombay Gazette once wittily remarked of him that… Read More »A Theological Snob