New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-28
LISTENING TO MRS. BESANT.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THEOSO-
PHISTS OPENS IN BOSTON.
RECEPTION TO THE NOTED ENGLISH WOMAN
SHE TELLS OF THE PROGRESS OF THE
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNB.I

SHE TELLS or THE PROGRESS OF THE
MOVEMENT IN EUROPE.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnIBUSRI
Boston, April 26-The National Convention Of The
osophsts opened to-day in Steinert Hall. Preliminary
to the convention a reception was held last night in
the rooms Of the Boston Society, Boylston-st The
reception was complimentary TO Mrs. Annie Besant
whose personality made her the object Of much atten
ton. Her short, irOn-gray hair was gathered by
comb at the back of her head. Her dress was sort
Of combination OF Oriental STYLE distinctive of the rep
rescntatlve Of TheOsophy and of dress REFORM and sug
gestive Of the social movements in which Mrs. Besant
Is concerned 1t was a black woollen material with
little silk in the trimming, loose and flowing with
demi-traln 1t was confined at the waist by a wide
belt fastened in front with a silver buckle. At the
throat there was just the suspicion Of white collar
The only sign OF jewelry gold PIN. The rooms
of the society were fragrant with flowers and beautiful
with many varieties Of plants, the result OF
tho labor OF love Of the women on the
reception cOmmittce-MrS. F. L. Milllken, Mrs
Belle E. Currier, Miss Adams and Miss
Guyot. The men who acted with them on TIE com
mittee were Lyman Gibbs, J. W. Cooks Edward E.
Bellows, Isldor Friend and c. F. Willard. 4 great
many persons from other cities at the reception
having come TO attend the convention. Among them
were E. \. Noreshemer. Of New-iorb; DR.. J. W. b
Lapcne, Of Minneapolis; DR.. A. p Buchanan, Of
Fort Wayne Sidney Thomas, Of San Diego and George
NJ. Stearns, of Springfield, Mass. Some Of the most
prominent Boston opponents Of Theosophy were there
Arthur b. Grggs, president Of the society; DR.. Arch-
bald Keghtley, Mr. and Mrs. W. s. Judge, Alexander
Fullerton, Dr. Ammi Brown, Captain E. S. Hunting
ton Miss Seymour and Miss Parker, lately of Los
Angeles, and Swami Bhaskara Maud Saraswati. young
East Indian, were present.
At p. m. today steinert Hall was filed to over
Go@ing to hear the communications made and to listen
TO an address by Mrs. Bcsant. On tho Platform were
the officers Of the convention selected at the morning
session Of the convention. Mrs. Besant being intro
duced, read communications from Nine. Blavatsky
relative to the progress OF the movement. Subse-
quently she delivered address, in which she said
that she charged by Nine. Bavatsky TO give some
note Of the progress of Theosophy. Nine. Blavatsky
went TO Europe in 1855. 1t was Il time when attacks
were made upon the special founder but those who
thought that this Circumstance would crush it knew
little OF tie history Iei 0ns in the past II was
religion there should be found some one TO deny or
to bctray. Yet that was the time when Ranch OF
this religion founded I'm the heart Of the English
community. from which the greetings were brought on
this occasion. Referring to the progress made by
built in London for the special meetings and the study
Of the subject, and various lOca! organizations had
tic tie split Of the movement lad been turned
to the aid Of the suffering ana - the iowiy;
weak In body, she passed through more unhaeging
intellectual Labor than any person whom she q, had
was good deal of work done in almost every country
in Europe. The progress in France was not so salts
factory because tie spirit OF the revolution that had
passed that country had not yet left mems minds
n condition 70 receive IL. 1t was noticeable tnat
the converts to TheosOpAy were among the most edu-
Gated who had the allacics Of the science and
the religion Of the day. There were difficulties to be
may join the ranks, but all Theosophst. could afford
20 be patient, inasmuch as they knew from the doc
trne of Reincarnation that hey had so long to live.
In closing she expressed confidence in the progress OF
ThcOs0phy I'm America.
The convention will continue for three days.
resolution expressing great sympathy and admiTa-
On for Nine. Blsvatsky caused debate, but was
finally adopted. as one expressing high apprecia-
ton OF the services Of Colonel II. =. OlCott At the
evening s-ss officers Of the American Section were
elected o. follows: General secretary, william Q.
Judge: executive committee \. II. spencer, Alexander
Fullerton, T.. y Ncrosheimer, Dr. !. d. Buck, Or.
A. f. buchanan, W. Q. Judge ard Arthur p. GrieSs
general council = twcutysevCn men arG women
was also chosen. Following the election. paper on
Danto's Beatrice from Philosophical Point of View
was read by Miss K1t1 llillaN, Of BroOalyn. and a
paper on "Reincarnauon,' by J. Ransom Bridges, Of
Boston.