But the Secret Doctrine or Esoteric Teaching of all religions has brushed aside these primitive conceptions of undeveloped minds, and teach the Truth of the Immanent God—­the Power inherent in and abiding in all life and manifestations.  And Christianity is no exception to the rule, and in its declaration of faith in the Holy Ghost its esoteric principle is stated.

While the tendency of the orthodox churches today is to say very little about God the Holy Ghost, for the reason that it cannot explain the meaning of the term, Mystic Christianity boldly declares its allegiance to this principle of the earlier teachings and reverently repeats the words of the Nicene Creed, “I believe in the Holy Ghost, THE LORD AND GIVER OF LIFE.”

* * * * *

That there is a Secret Doctrine of Christianity is not generally known to the majority who claim the name of “Christian.”  But it has always been known to the mystics in and out of the church, and its flame has been kept steadily alight by a few devoted souls who were chosen for this sacred task.

The Secret Doctrine of Christianity did not originate with Jesus, for He, Himself, was an Initiate of Mysteries which had been known and taught for centuries before His birth.  As St. Augustine has said: 

“That which is called the Christian Religion existed among the ancients and never did not exist, from the beginning of the human race until Christ came in the flesh, at which time the true religion which already existed began to be called Christianity.”

We would like to quote here a few paragraphs from the writings of a well known writer on religious subjects, with which statement we heartily agree, although our views on certain other points of teaching do not agree with those of this writer.  He says: 

“It may be said that in the present day these doctrines are simply not taught in the churches; how is that?  It is because Christianity has forgotten much of its original teachings, because it is now satisfied with only part, and a very small part, of what it originally knew.  ’They still have the same scriptures,’ you will say.  Yes, but those very scriptures tell you often of something more, which is now lost.  What is meant by Christ’s constant references to the ’Mysteries of the Kingdom of God’—­by His frequent statement to His disciples that the full and true interpretation could be given only to them, and that to others He must speak in parables?  Why does He perpetually use the technical terms connected with the well known mystery-teaching of antiquity?  What does St. Paul mean when he says, ’We speak wisdom among them which are perfect’—­a well known technical term for the men at a certain stage of initiation?  Again and again he uses terms of the same sort; he speaks of ’the wisdom of God in mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world began, and which none