The herald., 1896-06-05
COUNTESS WACHMEISTER
Opening Of q Course Of Theosophical
Lectures Last Evening
A Large Audience at the Friday Morning
Club Room-Theosophy Interestingly Ex-
planned Decentralization Denounced

Countess Constance Wachtmeister. a
noted pupil of the great Madame Bla-
vatsky, opened a course of Theosopnl-
cal lectures in the Friday Morning club
rooms last evening for the purpose OF
widening the growth Of the Harmony
lodge, an organization she founded
in Los Angeles two years ago, ana To
spread belief in the science OF Theoso-
ply generally. Also to disabuse the pub
lie mind Of the impression that what
she called the "clap-trap spookism and
sensationalism' of the Judgite Theoso-
phists in New York City, in connection
with the well-known Mrs. Tingley, was
In accordance with the purity and ideal
ism of Madame Blavatsky's teachings
The countess is studiously plain in
dress and demeanor. Her address last
evening, like herself, was easy, without
sensation and without adornment of
any kind, and was therefore remarkable
In the powerful effect produced by tone
and manner alone, which bore with
them great sincerity and calm convic-
tion. She explained how the Theoso-
phic society was formed in New York in
1876 by Madame BlavatSky, who pre-
dicted that before the century was out.
seven sections would germinate there
from similar to the seven leaves of the
lotus flower that springs from a center.
Up to this time six branches were in ex-
istences India, Europe. Scandinavia.
Australia, New Zealand and America.
In the American society split had aris-
en-, many of the old believers having
taken up with the new Judgite leader
ship. Before Madame Blavatsky's s
death the countess said she had vowed
to her by solemn oath to labor to bring
back the recreant members to the high
standard of the old masters. She stated
also that DR.. Anderson, president of the
San Francisco society, had denounced
Mrs. Tingley to be nothing more than a
professional medium.
The lecture bearing on A Conscious
Universe and the Evolution of Man. the
topic last evening, was very CLEARLY
drawn. Beginning with the evolution
of consciousness from material objects,
primarily minerals, and on through
plants and animals to man, all of which
the countess explained by means of a
chart, a brief conception of the science
of theosophy was given which was very
interesting, and from which the follow
ing statements are quoted:
There lives a whole universe of lives
within you. These belong to different
races and nationalities. and each has its
particular function to perform. How is
this universe lighted and warmed? BY
the heart. which is the sun. An impor
tant discovery was made in Vienna
three or four years ago when by Vivi
section of the heart of dog by means
of a lime light reflection produced on q
screen a sun and as the dog breathed
sun spots appeared.
by means of the X-rays Mr. Roentgen
will try to pierce the human heart which
lights and warns and sends divine rays
down on the innumerable lives and con-
sciousness within us. This discovery will
prove our science. 1t Is marvellous to
understand the human frame. This is
what theosophy teaches u.s. The Mas
ter tells us that beside the elements of
fire, water. earth and air there are sew
enty-f1ve more which are again divided
and sub-divided. At the head Of all
these forces is the divine intelligence,
and nothing is inorganic. Everything
has life and consciousness. When you
know this. how intensely interesting is
life. The silent forest is full of thous-
ands of thoughts of which you are one,