The Anaconda standard., 1897-12-05

need not tell you that never claimed
in any way to be the reincarnation of
Lord Byron. Nevertheless, the inter
viewers bold falsehood made the tour
of the continent and | dare say il is
running yet
Then you are not much impressed
by the spirituality of the modern jour
nalistic apparatus?
THE American newspaper" she re-
piled. lis vibrating with intense vital
ity. Its staff live in the vortex of
whirling kamic activities. which are
utterly fatal to any of the repose or
reflection Indispensable for spiritual
leadership. They seem to me to dane
ing a mad Carmagnole. in which the
pace goes ever faster and faster. and
which sweeps everyone into its mad
dening whirl They live for the day. in
the things of the day, and nobody ever
forgets SO completely the things of yes
terday as your American newspaper.
Spirituality implies calm, balance and
dignity and these are only conspicuous
by their absence.
How was your mission treated by
the press?'
AT first with but scant courtesy. but
gradually, as week after week went by,
the newspapers began to treat us more
and more seriously, until at last there
was nothing in the world to complain
of as to the tone which they adopted in
dealing with the Theosophical society"
How does the Theosophical society
stand now?"
Very we'll" said Mis-. Besant.
when the great secession i'll America
took place. the secedents carried over
50 Of the 100 American branches: only
Is remained loyal to the society. OF
these three have since died, so practi-
cally we had To rebound the society all
over again. Countess Wachtmaister
opening branches. SO that before |
reached New York we could count on y
branches in the union. As a result of
our six months tour we have now 81
lodges. organized under six central
committees. with corresponding sec
retary in each state. SO as TO secure
their harmonious working and organ
lied cooperation. | left New York feel
ing that the society has once more been
established upon a solid footing and
that its growth will be steady and sure.
The ieonoclast negative mission of
the Theosophical society has been dis
continued. We no longer go about with
a club. What we have now to do is To
embark upon a constructive period, in
which the Theosophical society will en-
deavor to make itself the center of the
world of religion, of which Hinduism.
Buddhism Christianity. Mohammedsm
and all the other sects and religions
are integral parts.
The whole drift of my lecturing in
the United States, and the essence Of
all that | have to say. here or else
where. is that Theosophy is the oppo-
nent of no religion, and the exponent of
all. To the believers of other religions
we say, We also believe as you believe.
only we have The key which explains
certain things that are mystery and
stumbling block to you. and. further.
we are able to set forth the method by
which you car, verify the truth OF your
religion for yourselves. In fact. we
hold. rot without solid foundation for
our belief. that we alone represent the
universal eclectic and really Catholic
church, which recognizes as brethren
and believers all those who, under
every form OF creed, seeks Truth and
follow after righteousness.
AS Mrs. Besant spoke there lifted
before my eye q spectacle of Mrs. Be
SAINT presiding over a conclave as COM
prehensive as that which assembled at
the parliament of religions AT Chicago.
council representing all the religions
which are known To mankind. united
for the first time on a common basis,
established on foundations of scientific
certitude.
WILLIAM 7. STEAD.