The Perfect Way Or, the Finding of Christ

Book excerpt: First published in 1882, The Perfect Way or The Finding of Christ is Anna Kingsford's attempt to bring together Christianity and the Theosophical tradition, which supposes a system of fundamental truths from which all religions are born and seeks to identify that wisdom so that humans may move further along their path to perfection. This perfection, according to Kingsford, is exemplified by Christ, which she sees as a category of person and not a particular historical person. In this construction, anyone is capable of a becoming a Christ and joining with the Divine. Students of religion and spiritual seekers will find this book an interesting read from a once popular religious and philosophical movement. English physician ANNA BONUS KINGSFORD (1846-1888) was also one of the first women in England to be granted a medical degree and served as onetime president of the Theosophical Society. She is also the author of Clothing with the Sun (1889). English writer EDWARD MAITLAND (1824-1897) assisted Anna Kingsford in writing several books and then opened the Esoteric Christian Union in 1891.