Oriental Religions Coming West
By George F. Enoch
Vedantic Philosophy and Theosophy Invade England and Germany — "The Next Incarnation of God"
As a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isa. 2: 6, that the church would be "replenished from the East," we called attention last week to the introduction of the Vedantic philosophy of India in the West. For centuries — we had almost said, millennia — the brightest intellects of India had grappled with the problem of existence, passing their philosophy in a connected line from generation to generation with a continuity impossible in any other country. The system of philosophy developed in this great search has never been equaled by any other non-Christian people, and now is seriously challenging our attention. We wish to trace briefly, in this article, its introduction to the West, and give a glimpse of its far-reaching influence. CAPTURING THE CULTURED WEST
The first beginnings of its influence can be traced back to Greek thought and Roman culture. But that side of the discussion does not concern us to-day. In modern times, its influence first began to be felt in the study of Sanskrit literature, first by such men as Sir William Jones and Henry Colebrooke, British officials in India, and later by such as Schlegel, Bopp, Lassen, Roth, Max Müller, and others in Germany and England. Men like Max Müller, and Schopenhauer, and other German philosophers, have represented it in such an attractive light that much enthusiasm is felt in its behalf throughout intellectual Germany. Professor Deussen, of Kiel, is an ardent disciple, saying that the Vedanta is "the key to all religions, the lamp by which all can be studied." This influence has so profoundly affected Germany that any one comparing the philosophy of her leading school of thinkers with the ancient faith of India, can but be struck with their identity. It is in such soil as this that "higher criticism" has found its most flourishing growth; and I have no doubt but the progress of this specious reasoning, which is undermining the authority of the word of God, has its explanation in the acceptance of these replenishings from the East. Another striking invasion of the West by the Vedantic philosophy of the East, is theosophy. The Theosophical Society was founded about 1875, by Colonel Olcott, who was later joined by Madam Blavatsky. Branches were formed in England and America, and in India itself. Mrs. Besant has succeeded to the leadership of the society, and has boldly established her headquarters in India, frankly stating her religion to be but a manifestation of Hinduism. Her zeal and eloquence have given her a very strong foothold in India. "THE NEXT INCARNATION OF GOD"
Only last year, one of the most peculiar cases ever conducted in a modern court of law, came up for hearing in the Madras Court. A Hindu father sued to recover the custody of his two sons, who had been placed in Mrs. Besant's charge. One of these lads had been declared by Mrs. Besant to be the next "avatar," or incarnation of God. The resultant adoration was ruining the character of the boy. Mr. Leadbetter, an ardent theosophist, had immediate charge of the lads; and a further charge was brought that he was teaching them certain sexual principles that were subversive of morality, and that the theosophists were not morally fit to have charge of the boys. The father won the suit; but in the meantime, Mrs. Besant had sent the boys from the country, and she carried the resulting contempt of court proceedings to the Privy Council in England, delaying matters until the boy came of age and could legally choose for himself. Both Mrs. Besant and Mr. Leadbetter swore that they could leave the body at will, and hold communion with spirits from other worlds and with the dead. While antichristian in principle, theosophy professes a certain reverence for Christ. The image of Christ in brass is said to be found alongside that of Krishna in the rooms of the students at the Central College, Benares, the leading school of theosophy in India. Next week we will study another phase of the invasion of the West by the Vedantic philosophy.