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Editorial transcription, lightly normalized from the three page scans. Line-break hyphenation, spacing, capitalization, and unmistakable OCR errors have been repaired; the claims remain those of The Flaming Sword and of its correspondents.
The Study of Koreshan Astronomy.
Having read the Koreshan Literature a great deal since I saw Dr. Teed at Buffalo, I have been induced to read works on modern astronomy that I may be able to judge between modern astronomy and the Koreshan Cosmogony. I have seen it stated in The Flaming Sword that the sun is about 6,000 miles from the observer when setting or going out of sight; also that the orbit of the sun is only about 900 miles above the surface of the earth. If such is the case, will you be kind enough to explain to me why the sun appears as large when 6,000 miles, as when only 900 miles away? If the moon is a reflection of the earth's surface, why does the moon appear with the same shadows when viewed simultaneously from opposite sides of the earth? Why does the moon appear to fall behind the sun in its daily motion? I am unable to comprehend astronomy as taught in Koreshan Science. I shall be thankful for any information on the subject. — C. F. T., Springfield, Mass.
Every system of logical thought is founded upon a given premise; a true system depends upon the truth of its premise. No matter how consistent a system may be in itself, if its premise is false, the whole superstructure must be of like character. It follows, therefore, that to scientifically determine which of the several systems of astronomy is true, the premise of each must be subjected to practical, definite, and scientific test. A system of astronomy may explain all the usual phenomena of the heavens fairly well, and yet be absolutely false in premise and conclusion. Every system of astronomy put forth in the world has, in a way of its own, explained the motions of the orbs. Hence, in a comparative study of systems with the view to judging which is true, it is not enough to compare methods of explaining phenomena.
It is most freely admitted by the most eminent scientists of the world that the premise of the Copernican system of astronomy has never been absolutely proved to be true; indeed, some have gone so far as to say that from the very nature of the case, it never can be demonstrated. Therefore, it may be seen that the mere fact that the system accounts for some phenomena in a way consistent with its own basis, is no proof whatever that the system is true.
Assuming that the earth is a convex body, and utterly ignoring optics as a factor in all observed phenomena, and mistaking phenomena or the appearances of things for the actual facts of the universe, astronomers have built up that system of astronomy which is now almost universally accepted; and in accordance with its conclusions, a fallacious system of physics has been developed; and from the basis of such physics many of the usual phenomena of the heavens are "explained."
In the construction of the true system of astronomy, there are more things to be considered than mere phenomena; it is not enough that phenomena should be explained from superficial points of view, for the universe itself is more profound than what appears to the superficial observer. For every phenomenon supposed to be explained from the standpoint of the popular system of astronomy, we can suggest a hundred problems concerning the phenomenon which have never yet been solved by modern scientists. So far as the modern systems are concerned, the universe is full of unsolved problems. If modern science were true there would be no necessity whatever for unsolved problems, unanswered questions, unexplained mysteries.
The Demonstrated Premise
In the Koreshan Cosmogony we proceed on the basis of a demonstrated premise. The surface upon which we live is concave; therefore, the space of the universal atmospheres is enclosed. The earth is about 8,000 miles in diameter, and all the so called heavenly bodies are within the hollow sphere. The first point to be considered is the premise; the fact that it is demonstrated absolutely precludes the possibility of the Copernican system being true. We not only explain all observed phenomena of the physical heavens, but also solve the numerous problems, answer the thousands of questions, and unveil the multitude of mysteries which confront the modern scientific world. In a comparative study of systems, therefore, let that system have the greatest weight which excludes all hypotheses, and which answers directly and positively all the astronomical and other questions ever propounded by the human mind.
It should be obvious to every thinking mind that inasmuch as all observed phenomena are subjects of visual impression, and moreover, as light enters as a factor in all visual impressions, optics and physics must be two very important branches of science in association with astronomy. It is therefore important to know how the substance of light is transmitted from the distant objects to the eye; for without a correct knowledge of physics and optics, how is it possible to correctly interpret what we see? If we did not know that the metallic lines of a railroad track were parallel, we might conclude from the basis of appearance that the lines actually converge in the distance. Likewise, if we did not know that the earth is a concave surface, and that the orbit of the sun is actually less in diameter than the diameter of the earth, we might suppose from the phenomena of sunset that the sun disappears by going below the straight line of vision tangent to the arc of the earth's convexity.
We have demonstrated that the earth is cellular; that lines of vision and light are curved instead of rectilinear; that the universe is a living organism; that the objects we see in the heavens are not spheres of solid matter; that physics is completely revolutionized by the facts of Koreshan Alchemy; and that vertical and geolinear perspective foreshortening enter as factors in apparent emplacement of all the orbs above us. It necessarily follows, therefore, that in contemplation of astronomical phenomena from the Koreshan point of view, the usual methods of interpreting what we see must be completely dispensed with as being wholly inadequate, erroneous, and misleading.
Numerous questions concerning astronomical and other phenomena have been answered in the volumes of The Flaming Sword; therefore, to give as complete a study to the Koreshan System as the printed literature will permit, the back numbers of our publications should be obtained. The inquiries of our correspondent concerning the sun and moon were recently answered — in the issues for June 5 and July 3 of the present year.
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The Flaming Sword · Vol. 17, No. 42 · 4 Sep 1903 · PDF pp. 10-11