Some one looked, once, and to him this picture was presented:
There was an army being organized to reach the great heart of humanity. Such a singular, ill-matched, ill-mated army it was, too; poorly equipped in the first place; coming from all manner of occupations, like Jesus' disciples of old, but bringing their tools with them, such as they were. Some were workers by nature, you could see, with muscles strong and well developed by constant use in the ordinary occupations of life. They brought with them these tools with which they were familiar, and so apt were they that obstacles disappeared before them like dirt under a shovel. Others played by the way, idle from habit, with no concentration of attention upon the work in hand, indifferent because not comprehending, not comprehending because not accustomed to seeing — the tool of spiritual insight not being theirs. But they worked as they could, and gradually found a place where the onward sweep of the army took them along in spite of themselves, for their desire was to belong to the army.
There were all grades of equipment, as I say, for they came from all classes of society and were accustomed to all sorts and methods of work. Some brought a fire from heaven that melted rocks and made a road bed right into the heart of the enemies' country. Others had the lightning at their command and Jove's thunderbolts were hurled with accuracy and telling force. Some had more common means to work with and found a place where their tools were needed and none others — the ordinary tools of life which they knew how to use because they had loved and searched before and were accustomed to this kind of work. These people made up the largest part of the army and it was surprising to see how they fell into their places, fitting in and losing no time. Like fine cabinet work, what they did dove-tailed together as though done by one person. It was strange how some people would search in the right spot for the heart of humanity. There seemed to be a little electric bond between them and it, and all they had to do was to press the button and the sparks would fly. Looking closely, you could see that these little electric wires were being laid among all the army of workers and all who could connect themselves became efficient. You knew there must be a great dynamo somewhere that furnished them with this power. Perhaps you have seen electricity applied to modern household occupations, but you never saw it applied so effectively as it was applied here. The thought current brought out every faculty in unison with the whole. Sometimes there would be a flash-light — I will not attempt to tell you what happened then, but I can see their faces and the lights remain.
And how about the great heart of humanity that was being uncovered? Great, indeed, and Oh! so beautiful! How it shone when the light reached it! The colors were so deep and rich, and yet it was so transparent and clear.
These workers even found hidden treasures in the breasts of their fellows, and when they were brought out, it made the army shine with a wonderful radiance and gave the workers a joy incomparable. So as time went on the joy of the army grew until those not in it said, "What is this thing that makes these people glad to be alive? Humanity, as a whole, is sorrowful and wishes it had never been, but when this army touches it, it, too, is lighted as by some hidden fire." And the world began to long to join the army. Its gaze was turned toward it with a new hope that was spreading rapidly till none were left without it. The miserable saw it, and turned dull eyes appealingly, and the army moved as one person to their relief. Oh! the transformation which that army made! Woe fled before it. The radiant light shone into all dark places and transformed the earth. And the one who was looking began to ask himself how this thing originated. And he saw a path by which the whole army had come one at a time — a path by which the whole earth must come, when it comes. The path he saw was duty, and in the hearts of each one who had become a living light, he saw devotion to that path.
The path of duty all could see in its beginning, but only love could see its culmination. The path began in the distant past of each one. The child entered it and learned to love it, and that love and devotion grew with every step, till the feet were buoyant and the eyes bright with what they saw. These children were taught to be brave. Those ahead of them taught them that there was nothing to fear. So the children laughed at the stones under their feet and their limbs grew sturdy as they made play of the rocks in their way and tumbled and scrambled together, trusting to those ahead, and to the strong heart within; the child heart that loves and trusts and is so fearless.
The one who was looking saw that this path was as old as the world, and the feet of the Great Helpers of Humanity had passed thereon. And the one who was looking saw these Helpers leading the army, and he knew the world was safe.
"It is, perhaps, necessary, first of all, to say that the assertion that 'Theosophy is not a Religion by no means excludes the fact that 'Theosophy is Religion' itself. A Religion in the true and only correct sense, is a bond uniting men together — not a particular set of dogmas and beliefs. Now Religion, per se, in its widest meaning, is that which binds not only all MEN, but also all BEINGS and all things in the entire Universe into one grand whole. This is our Theosophical definition of religion. . . .
"Thus Theosophy is not a Religion, we say, but Religion itself, the one bond of unity, which is so universal and all-embracing that no man, as no speck — from gods and mortals down to animals, the blade of grass and atom — can be outside of its light. Therefore, any organization or body of that name [and true to its name] must necessarily be a UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD." — H. P. Blavatsky.