The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1894-05-17


Mrs. Annie Besant having lately re-
turned from India was interviewed in
London by correspondent Of the Chris
tiAn World. Mrs. Besant. after FIVE
month"; lecturing in India, is once
more at the headquarters OF the Theoso-
phical society in London. The inter-
viewer found her dressed in the costume
of high-caste Hindu lady.
MAY ask, !" said the interviewer, "if
the Hindus are Theosophists?"
"S1me OF them are. OF course. and
speaking broadly Hinduism and Theoso-
ply have much in common. Theosophy
has its root in India. Hinduism is the
bestand completest exoteric presentment
of Theosophy."
"Then is it true that you have become
a Hindu?"
i was Hindu before went to India;
there is 10 change. had studied the
ancient Hindu sacred books under Mad
anne Blavatsky, and had learned to see
their inner meaning by her teachings,
and that of Others. Since Hinduism may
be regarded as partial presentment of
Theosophy, as in fact IN its ancient and
pure form, the exoteric religion which
hrst gave to our race ia symbolic form
Theosophical religious truths, / call my
self Hindu in religion. and have a
profound sympathy with those who lsuld
that ancient faith.'
| do / ask ton much when want you
to explain what TheosopIiy really is?''
| Not at all. Theosophy is the under
lying truth of all religions; it is a mass
OF teachings, religious, philosophical,
and scientific. 1t deals with the nature
of the universe and the nature of man.
Does it differ much from Christian
ity"
THE teaching OF Jesus is purely Theo
sophical; but remember, the dogmas Of
Christianity do not come under this
head"
Understand you gave large number
of lectures to thoughtful Hindus. What
was your object in doing sop
Though India is degraded to-day. she
stands for the spiritual side OF humanity.
The Hindu is essentially religious. Even
when there is little spirituality, even
when he performs rites whose spiritual
meaning he has forgotten, the mould re-
mains, the shell is there. 1t was part oil
my mission to pour life into that mould
to show Hindus that Philosophical teach
ing is identical with their own Scrip
lures, and tends to make them more In
telligable to the ordinary reader"
"And what effect will this teaching
have upon Indian development"
We hope for great revival of Hindu.
ism, a Strengthening of the spiritual
side which must help to build mp India
and oppose the tendency to disintegra-
ton. We desire to turn the face of In
dams to India, and not to the west; to
| persuade them to study their own litera,
tsre. not TO forsake their own customs
and way OF looking at things"
"Then you oppose western civilization
in the east:''
ITO considerable extent western in
fuenccis injurious. religiouslv and social
ly. 1t tends to divide classes. to encour-
age luxury. to accentuate the extremes
of wealth and poverty, to exalt wealth
DIS the great criterion of mans stand
ing. The Indian way of living is ex-
trenely simple; simplicity of life isthreat
ened by the introduction of western
ideas"
"You said a moment ago that you had
much sympathy with the Indians. How
do you account for this?"
Mrs. Besant paused. "Yes, l felt il
complete rapport with the Hindus. Ths
real reason is that my past incarnation.
have been in the east"
I "As Theosophist, you must be veg
etarian?"
"Not ecessarily. am one, for, if W,
want to use the body for special pur-
poses, we attune it to receive subtler vi
brations. Sometimes, when the body i.
diseased. it is abnormally sensitive, es-
pecially If the affection be neurotic. Nov
we desire that sensltiveness accompanied
by health. In other words, the bod,
must be the servant, not the MASTER
Condensed for the Literary Digest.
/ DR.. Pric rs Asseam Baking Powder
Woi .id's e.sir Highest Award.