The idols are not worshiped, but fulfill

A part in representing to the mind

The great idea, which is but enshrined

Within the heart, though dimly. He who bows

In India to an idol, will arouse

And tell you:

"Him the sun cannot repress, Nor moon, nor stars, nor lightning can express, Nor fire explain; they through Him only shine, While all that live, exist through Him divine" - Though undeveloped intellect may screen The far idea, by the image seen. In this America my eyes have viewed Some acts which might be equally construed: To bow before a picture, statue, saint, Excites in Christian Churches no restraint, And I perceive no difference, unless In this: less beauty and less comeliness And less attractiveness, to chain the heart Have India's idols, than their counterpart. The very argument, as urged to me In free America, is India's plea. Buddhist, Brahman, and Hindoo adduce The image merely serves to reproduce.

The great idea, which, though not defined, Has yet to every phase some form assigned. The Christians raise to saints memorial shrines, And loved relations; where, then, draw the lines? If Hindus to their Saints due honors use, Which shall be blamed, and who shall dare accuse? While Mussulmen, who so from idols shrink When others bow, what shall those others think Of Mecca's black, unshapen stone, and tomb? And what, when to their consciousness there loom The thousands who before Mahomet's name Fall and adore?

Are not these acts, the same? Mahomet, who was man, nor greatness earned, Above Confucius, or Gautama learned. Gautama Buddh his followers forbid To search the realms, where mystery is hid, Where origin unfolds itself complete, Since this involves inquiry indiscreet, And questioning of God.

But 'tis comprised In Sanscrit literature, and clear advised By Constitution of the Cosmos' tried, Symbolical expressions set aside, What previous Hierophants confirmed, Is now by modern thinkers reaffirmed; The precept old, is of new thought the kernel - That Spirit and that life are eternal The written word of Indicts ancient minds, The present to the past securely binds,

While recent sciences, and theory,

Advance conclusions in philosophy,

Like echoes sounding from the Orient,

Reverberating to the Occident.

Thus thought, revolving like the circling earth,

Completes an era, and attains new birth.

- Dr. de Laurence.