Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-25
A LECTURE ON THEOsOPHY.
A High Caste Brahmin's Interestinl
Talk Mt the Academy Of Music.

So8te nxunm1h'B thtefe8ttn8
Talk Mt the Academy Of Music.
Before an audience which completely filled
the Academy Of Music last evening Prof
Gyanadra Nath Chakravarti, a Brahmin
OF the highest caste. talked for about an
hour upon the subject Of Theosophy. What
ever may have been their belief as to the
subject Of his address, the audience was
one Of the most intelligent and refined ever
gathered here. The lecturer was intro
duced by Mr.. George NJ. Coffin Of the Blav-
atsky branch of the Theosophical Society
Of this city. who said that the Theosophi-
cal Society had been founded in 1875 by
Nine. Blavatsky and now numbered $50
branches. scattered throughout the world.
Its work was not performed by paid teach
ers. but by the members themselves.
The lecturer was attired in a clerical
looking coat. his head crowned by a rich
silken turban. which he removed. He Is q
large man. OF q deep olive complexion, with
q kindly expression Of cOuntenance and q
full musical voice.
Speaking English rather fiuently. he
opened his address by chanting in rather q
low tone verse from the sacred writings
OF the Hindoos. one Of the most ancient Of
the sacred books Of the world. as he after
ward explained. and carrying the thought
OF the universal love Of the Divine Being
toward mankind.
Theosophy, he explained, was at once a
religion and not a religion. because It was
the source Of all religions In the region
Of intellect one can exercise reason. but in
the sublimer and more confined regions of
the spirit intellect cannot solve the prob
lem; the soul of man alone could cogntze
that which Is Infinitely beyond the realm
OF intellect. While religions had been given
the world from time to time. few recog-
a iotn tut ha 40 m
truth hence 1t was not believed that II Is
necessary for any person to give UP his
own religion In order to embrace theosophy.
Brahmanism he said, stood today as 1t
had always stood-the only non-proseiyting
religion Of the earth. 1t had never at
tempted to make converts because 1t had
a deep conviction that in all religions there
could be found the same great truth which
to the circumstances surrounding the peo-
pie to be reached
The Power OF Mesmerism.
Referring to the power Of mesmerism
as an example Of the exercise Of influence
by the mind. and then charging upon the
universally OF the brotherhood Of human
fty as taught by theosophy. he said 1t en-
braced not only man. but every animal to
the rsmotest protoplasm, all the creation Of
tne same divine essence TheOsophists be-
neved In evolution as put forth by Charles
DdrWin BUT IN man there was something
not to be found in the animal 1t was the
soul OF man that made him what he was.
AS to psychical forces and the exercise -
the power Of mediumship. he said such ex-
periments were fraught with great dan
ger, as he understood that In America per-
sons were born with clairvoyant and clair
ambient gifts. He condemned the idea Of
seclusion from the world for moral and re-
ligious improvement. While such acts often
attain some one object. the spiritual ma
ture could ONLY he aYalta6 nv QfrfvtnO
AGAINST every day annoyances.
The distinguished lecturer was often ap-
piauded. and enthusiastically 90 at the con-
clusion Of his address,