A meeting such as this seems like a beautiful cluster of precious
jewels--pearls, rubies, diamonds, sapphires. It is a source of joy and
delight. Whatever is conducive to the unity of the world of mankind is
most acceptable and praiseworthy; whatever is the cause of discord and
disunion is saddening and deplorable. Consider the significance of unity
and harmony.
This evening I will speak to you upon the subject of existence and
nonexistence, life and death. Existence is the expression and outcome of
composition and combination. Nonexistence is the expression and outcome of
division and disintegration. If we study the forms of existence in the
material universe, we find that all created things are the result of
composition. Material elements have grouped together in infinite variety
and endless forms. Each organism is a compound; each object is an
expression of elemental affinity. We find the complex human organism
simply an aggregation of cellular structure; the tree is a composite of
plant cells; the animal, a combination and grouping of cellular atoms or
units, and so on. Existence or the expression of being is, therefore,
composition; and nonexistence is decomposition, division, disintegration.
When elements have been brought together in a certain plan of combination,
the result is the human organism; when these elements separate and
disperse, the outcome is death and nonexistence. Life is, therefore, the
product of composition; and death signifies decomposition.
Likewise, in the world of minds and souls, fellowship, which is an
expression of composition, is conducive to life, whereas discord, which is
an expression of decomposition, is the equivalent of death. Without
cohesion among the individual elements which compose the body politic,
disintegration and decay must inevitably follow and life be extinguished.
Ferocious animals have no fellowship. The vultures and tigers are
solitary, whereas domestic animals live together in complete harmony. The
sheep, black and white, associate without discord. Birds of various
species and colors wing their flight and feed together without a trace of
enmity or disagreement. Therefore, in the world of humanity it is wise and
seemly that all the individual members should manifest unity and affinity.
In the clustered jewels of the races may the blacks be as sapphires and
rubies and the whites as diamonds and pearls. The composite beauty of
humanity will be witnessed in their unity and blending. How glorious the
spectacle of real unity among mankind! How conducive to peace, confidence
and happiness if races and nations were united in fellowship and accord!
The Prophets of God were sent into the world upon this mission of unity
and agreement: that these long-separated sheep might flock together. When
the sheep separate, they are exposed to danger, but in a flock and under
protection of the shepherd they are safe from the attack of all ferocious
enemies.
When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual fellowship
and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will shine, the day of
eternal glory and bliss will dawn, the spirit of God encompass, and the
divine favors descend. Under the leadership and training of God, the real
Shepherd, all will be protected and preserved. He will lead them in green
pastures of happiness and sustenance, and they will attain to the real
goal of existence. This is the blessing and benefit of unity; this is the
outcome of love. This is the sign of the Most Great Peace; this is the
star of the oneness of the human world. Consider how blessed this
condition will be. I pray for you and ask the confirmation and assistance
of God in your behalf.
25 April 1912
Talk to Theosophical Society
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons
1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.