The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-28

more .populous than London.
The cornerstone of the School for
the Revival Sc, lies where ii mas laid,
| The domes and minarets are still ob.
scr,red by the mists of the future.
The true believers erected hotel near
the site OF the School for the Revival,
&c, II was to accommodate noted Wis.
itors the Thecsophical lights from a.
broad II has been changed, however TO
a school---the Raja Vega. Its dome is
Of glass, which glitters Of mornings and
sundowns. There are other buildings,
such as refeetories, dormitcries, bunga-
lows, music hall. and so on. There Is
no church, and no need OF one,
After the Theosophists had started
their institution at Point Iona, change
was effected in the organization where
by the word ''Theosophist' was placed
in the background and the name uni
! versal Brotherhood" was made promi-
nent. The education Of the children was
emphasized, and there was little or no
talk OF the revival Of the ancient mys-
teries. This change was attributed to
the good sense of Mrs. Tingley, who is
unquestionably woman of remarkable
gifts. Money came in from unknown
sources. and the institution thrived.
1t is interesting to visit Point Iona
and see the place. 1t comprises perhaps
100 acres OF cultivated land. and is in
closed by fence. Big gates OF Egypt
secured ticket. A Theosophist in
khaki uniform. trim as soldier, sits
in little booth and takes the ticket.
OF the hill ready to pilot the visitor
Another true believer stands at the top
of the hill ready to pilot the sisitor
through the grounds. All the men are
attired in khaki, oe stuff resembling IL,
with smart cap and yellow leggings.
The women affect loose, but neat gowns.
white as snow. The children have
distictive dress also. the little girls
wearing pretty cream colored froeks and
the boys a knickerboeker outfit.
The sentinel who met us at the top
of the hill, near the main building, was
no ordinary picket, BE wore eyeglasses,
and looked shrewdly through them His
clothing was immaculate. He addressed
us courteously, offering to show US
through the grounds A few moments
conversation revealed that he had form
erly lived in Georgia, where he was in
terested in cotton manufacturing. He
had the air Of a man OF wealth. His
brother he said, was lieutenant in the
Philippines.
"The Universal Brotherhood Institu-
ton is entirely misunderstood" said
this khaki-clad gentlemen. 1--WE have
to smile sometimes when we hear the
stories they tell OF us. They hint Of i'm
morality. Do you think l would bring
my wife and children to an immoral
place? They say we are under the dom
nation Of autocratic rulers, who take
our money and make us work for our
board and lodging. 1t is absurd.
have my own home here. and I can
withdraw at any moment | choose.
handle my financial affairs exactly as
any other man does, through my bank.
You speak of freedom on the outside.
Why. this is the freest, most independ-
ent place l know Of One here is abso-
lutely free, and is enabled to live for
something besides mere money-making."
"What is the object of living together
in this commnity| I asked.
well" replied the guide, "there are
people in this world who believe that
the be-all and end all of this life is not
in piling up money. They believe that
selfshness is not the true rule of life.
They think that brotherhood and re-
ciprocal help should guide men, and that
if the world could be brought to see
that all men are brothers, whatever theit
color, race, or residence, humanity would
begin to rise, Now, we are here because
we believe in these things. Do You see
that door"
He pointed to a beautifully carved
double door at the entrance to the hall
of music It is massive work, execu-
ted with patient skill, and well worthy
place in any abode Of art.
"That door was carved by a member
of this community" said the guide.
"He is an Englishman. He did not
have to do that work, and he was not
paid for it. He merely wanted to give
some evidence of his desire to help. So
he turned his genius to carving and pro-
duced that work of art.
1--WE have our own printing plant here
and our own engraving establishment.
You can see the quality of the work
in the periodicals and pamphlets issued
hy the sooietv We have o11T own Tefec- |