The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-21
MRS. ANNIE BESANT.
She Discusses Hypnotism and Mesmerism and
Their Relation to Theosophy.

When the Indianapolis Theosophlcal So
ciety is reincarpated again the addition of
little business eumption to Its present
intellectual powers will make it's lecture
courses more profitable. Instead of prop
erly advertising the coming of Mrs. Annie
Besant, the society under whose auspices
she came apparently endeavored to conceal
the fact 1t leaked ont. however. and
about three hundred people gathered at
Plymouth Church, last light to listen to her
address upon "Mesmerism, HypDotism and
Tbeosophy." The most of these three
hundred had knobs on their brows show
ing that they were people with views of
their own. Mrs. Besanr was introduced
to the audience by Judge X. w. Mcbride.
She Is middle-ag woman. with gray
hair and strong. expressive face. Her
descript stvle that delights the hearts of
dress-reioTmers. She began her lecture
with definition of mesmerism and hyp-
notism. the application of which forces,
she says, Is better understood In the far
East than here, and Is the secret of many
OF the marvels produced by HindoO fakirs
and described by wondering travellers.
She draws sharp distinction between
hypnotism and mesmerism. The latter af-
fects the mind first through the direct
power of will. and the body afterwards;
hypnotism ia the reverse of this, acting
upon the body first and afterwards upon the
mind. Hypnotism is the science now be-
ing experimental with by physicians
in Paris and elsewhere. Mesmerism she
considers O much higher science. and de-
clares that the results brought about now
by the paralysis of the brain through the
means of revolving mirrors, etc.. startling
as some OF them are. are mere child's play
compared with what may be accomplished
by the will of man. Both forces, che says,
are dangerous, especially when tempered
with by men who have no adequate con-
ceptlon OF the facts OF existence which the
resulting phenomena indicate. Hypnotism,
acting first through the eyes. the most deli
cate part of the human organism. is apt to
cause physical injury. and it's further effect
upon the lower physical and mental ele-
ments may be that of nervous disorganiza-
ton as we'll the cure of disease. In
Paris, Mrs. Besant said, are NUN bers OF hui
man wrecks. made such by the ex-
periments with hypnotic forces made by
scientists. Mesmerism, though in compare
tive disuse at present. Is unsafe in ignorant
hands through the power exercised without
knowledge Of consequences. 1t Is only by
means of theosOphy, the lecturer argued,
that these peculiar psychical and ply steal
phenomena arc to be made clear to human
comprehension. According to theosophical
doctrine the human entity IL penetrated by
an ether which is the medium of cOmmuni-
cation between the physical being. the
stuftD-tbe part which Is the real life and
intelligence. This ether exists without as
well as within the physical. but when
within it becomes the astral body and Is
an essential part of the individual being.
Under certain conditions known as hyp-
motto or mesmeric. this individual ether
or astral body separates from the physical
body and may traverse great distances and
perform many feats which now are not IN
derstood save by the students of theosOphy.
The lecturer described some of the expert
ments performed by Paris hypnotists,
among them the production of burns upon
hypnotic subjects by mere suggestion.
and the transfer of sensitiveness from q
person in hypnotic trance to glass of
water or Photographic plate. the scratch
ing Of the plate bringing CRY of pain from
the unconscious subject. The production
of the stigmata upon the hands and feet
of one in q trance is also accomplished by
suggestion, in these hospital experiments
and explains the phenomena occurring
now and then among devout Catholics, to
the wonder OF the community. But all
fringe upon the science of the mind into
which theosOphylenters. The lecturer did
not enter into On explanation of theosOphi-
cal doctrine but merely showed that the
two forces first named bore close relation
to it, and belonged to the mysteries
which are no longer mysteries
in the light of etheric force and of reIncar-
nation, which. to the minds of q vast num-
Der of persons, do not exist as theories. but
as facts. She drew q moral lesson upon the
need of higher thought in the age we live
in. since the thought of to-day is pictured
upon mental sensitive plates to be repro
duced, and to have its influence on the age
TO come.
She spoke for an hour and q half, and
was listened to with the closest attention.
Though obviously suffering from severe
hoarseness. her voice was strong and her
enunciation agreeable. Her power over her
audience lies chiefly In the fact that she is
intensely in earnest. and thoroughly be-
lieves in the theories she advances. 1t is
easy to understand. after hearing her clear
and forcible presentation of her views. how
she succeeded in conauering even the stolld
British prejudice and won respect for her.
self if not acce ptance of her views.