The Washington times., 1906-07-09
Former Secretary of the
Treasury Long a Stu
dent of the Occult.

The purchase by Lyman J. Gage,
former Secretary Of the Treasury. OF
the Prospect cottage, adjoining the prop
erty on which stands the temple pre-
sided over by Mrs. Katherine Tingley,
the purple mother" of theosophy, at
Point Iona, Cal. coupled with the fact
that he has resigned the presidency OF
the United States Trust Company. Is
taken by Mr.. Gage friends here as
proof that he has permanently given up
the prominent position he held IN the
business world. and will devote his life
to the study Of the mystic philosophy Of
the followers OF Nine. Blavatsky.
A long course in the occult studies
that are declared TO have been handed
down from the earliest philosophers
awaits the former banker before he can
consider that he has mastered even the
fundamental principles Of theosophy.
a business career would be inCOmpaUbl bic
with this work. and the tenets of the
system Of thought that he is about TO
absorb DO not Ieave room for active
dealings With the woTk-a-day world.
Friends Not Surprised.
The former Cabinet officer is the great
est convert that the mystic cult has
ever received from the public of this
country. although the news is not a
great surprise 10 Mr.. Cages friends
here.
While he was in official lie In this
city his associates knew of his interest
IN things occult. and especially OF his
deep study Of Iheosophy When Mrs
THnsley founded her colony Mr.. Gage
gave large contributions. il IS said. and
he has frequently visited Point Iona
The former Secretary took little pleas
ure in the social life Of Washington. and
following the death of his wife devoted
himself 10 study.
Mrs. Tlngley IS the successor Of
Madame Blavatsky, who about twenty
years ago attracted much attention by
her teachings Like her predecessor,
Mrs. Tingley is a student of Eastern
lore, and the colony at Point Iona is
founded on the principles of reincarna-
tion tdughI by East Indian philosophers.
A Remarkable Institution.
Raja Yoga Is the name of the re-
markable school Mrs. Tingley estab-
lished in California and for several years
conducted under difficulties 1t was her
theory that the teachings could be
spread more effectively through men
and women who had been raised and
educated under her supervision. and
when the beautiful temple and school
buildings AZ Point Iona We're finished
she set about to get the children.
Some were sent TO her byNparents who
were theosophists. but the majority
were the children of poor Cubans and
Mexicans. She had no trouble to ac-
ouire Cuban children. for the rebellion
on the island had made many orphans.
and impoverished relatives surrendered
them willingly
The youngsters are tausht bow to
build sound bodies. and in addition 10
the purely philosophical training they
receive instruction In. the ordinary
branches.
According to her own theory. there
ought to be several obituary notices Of
Mrs. Tingley on hand, for this is not
by any means her first time on earth.
Back in 1900 b. G. she and Nine. Bla-
vatsky were making "a pastoral sojourn
in Egypt. She reappeared several times
In various parts of the Old World, al
ways making the acquaintance OF noted
adopts many of whom are now sup
posed TO live in her pet dog. Spots But
there is nothing about this IN Who ;
Who%'