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XCVI
A letter to the editor, which appeared in the July 11, 1896 issue of the Light
63, ST. GEORGE'S-ROAD, S.W.
SIR,
Allow me to put a few words in your
estimable journal as comments on an article in your paper dated July 4th. I
must thank you without reserve for the kind and friendly spirit manifested
throughout the article towards me and the philosophy I preach; but, as there is
a fear of misconstruction in one part of it — especially by my Spiritualistic
friends — I want to clear my position. The truth of correspondence between the
living and the dead is, I believe, in every religion, and nowhere more than in
the Vedantic sects of India, where the fact of mutual help between the departed
and the living has been made the basis of the law of inheritance. I would be
very sorry if I be mistaken as antagonistic to any sect or form of religion, so
far as they are sincere. Nor do I hold that any system can ever be judged by
the frauds and failures that would naturally gather round every method under
the present circumstances. But, all the same, I cannot but believe that every
thoughtful person would agree with me when I affirm that people should be
warned of their dangers, with love and sympathy. The lecture alluded to could
but accidentally touch the subject of Spiritualism; but I take this opportunity
of conveying my deep admiration for the Spiritualist community for the positive
good they have done already, and are doing still: (1) the preaching of a
universal sympathy; (2) the still greater work of helping the human race out of
doctrines which inculcate fear and not love. Ever ready to co-operate with, and
at the service of, all who are striving to bring the light of the spirit,
I remain yours sincerely,
VIVE KANANDA