The Topeka state journal., 1905-03-23
Dainty Women in Secret Hear
Leaders, Lecture.
Hanish, Head of Mazdaznans,
Opens Doors to Believers.
ONCE POOR is NOW RICH
Followers Taught Not to Care
for Marriage Vows.
Victim of Method of ssHealing''
Probably Will Lose Legs.

New York, March 2s.-Before a
private class composed of those dis
ciples Of his mystic teachings who are
studying to go forth as "healers and
prophets" of his cult, DR.. OIoman
zar-Adusht-Hanish, head of the MAJ
daznan School of Philosophy, 1ectured
last night in the basement of a fash
ionable apartment house at 103rd
street and Central Park west. About
fifty men and women, all of them
fashionably attired, composed the
class of future prophets" and they
studied earnestly the revolving doc
trines of the cult
Prominent among those present,
and sitting right at the head of the
class, was Mrs. Brownie Rathbone
Weaverson. the 'healer" who was
arrested charged with practicing the
arts of the Mazdaznans on Mrs. Fan
ME Rahll, of 1453 Amsterdam avenue,
with the result that Mrs. Rahll is in
the Lincoln hospital suffering from
gangrene in both her legs. RevNting
as was the treatment administered by
Mrs WeaVerSOn, it faded into insig-
nificance last night when the full list
of practices advocated by the head of
the school became known.
Hanish, who says he is a Persian
nObleman, but Who it was said yes
terday, was known at one time as
center of the room. He was dressed
in a long, flowing white robe trimmed
with ermine, and in a soft, almost
piping voice, enunciated the doctrines
of his cult.
Seaten on either side of him were
two sallow-complexion young men
with long, dark hair, who it was said
were his adopted sons. One of the
fasting, and the two young men GER
tainly looked as though they had not
eaten in a long time. The high priest,
however. looked sleek and well-fed,
and apparently was not in want of any
OF the necessities of life.
1t was a remarkable gathering
which was present at the lecture.
Women predominated. and most all of
them seemed to be of the utmost re-
fnement. All the believers had been
warned by Hanish not to say any
thing about the rules of the cult, but
some of the text books which these
women have to study were obtained.
Besides the nauseating treatment for
ills of the body. which was exposed
when Mrs. Weaverson was arrested, it
advocates the abolition of the mar
riage ceremony Hanish also says in
text books and in his lectures that by
fasting for days at a time any person
may remain young as long as he or
she carries out his Instructions. As an
DDS. he points to himself. He tells his
auditors that he is 6 ; years old, and as
he does not appear to be more than
35. the women believe that his youth
full appearance is due to the methods
which he advocates.
The philosophy of the Mazdaznans
seems to include parts of almost every
known cult Thought transferance''
apparently is one its strongest points
Two men who attended the meeting
were heard to discuss this theory as
they left the hall. One said that the
high priest had told his auditors of
the case of two brothers. which had
come under his personal investigation.
One of the brothers lived down south
and the other was a resident of this
city. The southern brother was poor
and it seems that every venture into
which he went proved disastrous. The
one in this city was successful in
everything he undertook, and Hanish
referred to him as being LOADED
down with material wealth" Both
the men were 'unbelievers," and the
moral which the speaker pointed out
was that, If the men had been mem
bers of the cult and believed in its
rules the successful brother could
have transferred his thoughts of sue
cess to the one in the south. and
then both would have been wealthy.
This belief is strengthened by the fact
that about a year ago he was able to
buy out the beautiful home of the Fer
rett Yacht club of Chicago and make
the mouse the headquarters OF MS cult.
Despite his apparent affluence, Ham
ish almost weeps whenever the collec-
tions after his lectures do not come up
to his expectations. Despite the fact
that he is a strong advocate of the
simple life he lives in good style and
does not seem to deny himself the |
things which he asks other to forego. |
He does not believe in paying servants |
and cooks his own food.
His home is in Chicago, but he makes |
two visits to this city every year. Each |
visit lasts three months, in which time !
he lectures to the general public twice |
a week, and on other nights instructs |
his ''heaIers' in their art One of his
strongest tenets is that before begin |
ming treatment on new case the /
'healers" must fast for ten days. In |
that time they are not permitted to /
touch even drop of water, and must /
receive all their sustenance by inhaling /
air under methods which he prescribes. |
He has also published several books. all |
of them reeking with filth which it is |
impossible even to hint at. His Timer /
is published by the Sun /
Worshippers' Publishing company of /
Chicago, and is sold only to those whom |
he believes are genuine disciples.
Like Dowie, Hanish has a great aver
sion to the newspapers. He denounces |
them at every opportunity and advises /
his followers, under no circumstances to |
talk to any one connected with the |
daily press. Since the arrest of Mrs. /