Parallel Passages.
by A Student
[Reprinted from Light (London), September 30, 1883, p. 433]
To the Editor of "LIGHT"
S
IR, -- Referring to Mr. Sinnett’s letter in your paper of today, in reply to Mr. Kiddle’s, three weeks previously, I venture to express the opinion that the question which has been raised is not one which can be set aside as "out of date" or dismissed as a "ridiculous incident that seems to repel confidence." No scholar would thus treat parallel passages similar to those which have been quoted, occurring in ancient books or manuscripts, either in sacred or profane literature.On examining the context in the "Occult World" I find that Mr. Sinnett does not give any information how the particular letter, from which the passage in question is quoted, came into his hands. It would be both important and interesting to know if he is in possession of evidence as to this letter similar to that which he places before the reader in regard to other letters from which he quotes. The evidence he adduces seems to present almost absolute proof that some of the letters were transmitted by occult agency, and is also very strong in favour of the writing itself having, in some instances, been produced by means of which we can form no conception.
Mr. Sinnett’s testimony is clear on one point. He says: -- "I now most unequivocally affirm that I shall in no case alter one syllable of the passages actually quoted. It is important to make this declaration very emphatically, because the more my readers may be acquainted with India, the less they will be willing to believe, except on the most positive testimony, that the letters from Koot Hoomi, as I now publish them, have been written by a native of India. That such is the fact, however, is beyond dispute." (p. 100, first edition.)
It may be worth noting that the passage quoted by Mr. Kiddle is to be found on pages 149 and 150 in the first edition of the "Occult World."
It is, I think, clear, that the parallel passages placed side by side in your issue of the 1st inst., present either a deeply interesting psychological problem, or that they would lead us to seek a solution in quite another direction. In either case it seems to me that the matter is of sufficient interest and importance to deserve and to demand exhaustive investigation.
September 22nd, 1883.
A STUDENT.