Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-26
MRS. BESANT'S VIEWS
Leader of TheOsophists Talks
on Various Topics.
OUTLINES AIMS OF CULT
Germ of Thought in Mrs. Eddy's Book
Badly Expressed.
PRAISE FOR MRS. TINGLEY
Political Agitation in India Discussed.
Better Glass of Hindus Satisfied
With British Rule.

Her first authentic Interview during her
present visit to America was given by MIS-
Annie Besant, world president of the Theo-
sophiCal Society. to reporter Tor Inc
Star this morning. Mrs. Bcsant spoke OF
the aims of her cult, of the theory OF III
carnation OF the political unrest In India
Of Christian Science, of her educational
work in Ceylon and Hindustan, and of Mrs
katherine Tingley and the Point Iona
school.
Mrs. Besant received the reporter in the
parlor of the headquarters of the local
branch Of the Theosophical Society, ODD A
street southeast She dressed in
brownlsh-yellow pongee silk, and from her
neck hung the mystic siX-pointed star, or
double triangle, while on her right hand
she wore large seal ring, with the same
symbol.
Would Eliminate the Material.
I've regard theosophy," said Mrs. Be
SAINT, las the synthesis of every form of
philosophy which aims at the purity of
thought, and we strive for the harmony
OF all methods Of thought which put mind
above matter. We aim at the elimination
OF the material, and at producing the con-
Vicuon that the mental life is the higher
and nUbler one for human beings. The
USppA!, tHtIeiure, Is TO us the solvent of
all pAllOsJ phIes. 1t is but a single ph.lOS-
ophy itself. simple and all-embracing.
There Is no rivalry with any school of
philosophy, nor Is there any antagOniZlHg OF
any religion. We approach all as friends
ana never attempt and prOSVl ytiZing. II
found mat for religious men or women the
state OF mind reached through the study OF
tAcosOpny makes ,hem more devoted in
thClF iaIth, more earnest and more sDir-
itual. giving a deeper insight into the es-
sence OF their creed and a fuller compre-
heHslUu Of its inner truths. Large NUM-
ptrs OF our members are closely identified
WIN tAuIch work aud Their activity Is all
the more valuable and brings greater re-
suits from the apparent division OF inter
est.
Science and Matter.
In the teachings of Some of the early
Christians We find statements regarding
the pTc-eNistcnge Of the soul which coincide
with our tenets. We hold that the soul has
always and Will always exist; that it's bod
lily envelope changes. from time to time. but
that it remains forever. though developing
from Incarnation to Incarnation. Thus our
attitude toward the soul resembles that OF
Science toward matter: as regards its con-
unulty and lndestructihilty.
When the soul leaves the body it goes
with all its imperfections, so we hold with
tie thoughts. passions fears and hopes
which il had while dwelling in the body.
During thu time that il exists alone it
Changes some OF its attributes. improving
and being purged, IN some degree. OF faults
which II had but I preserves its identity.
Its personality. even after il has entered
us NV mortal hah tat.
BY This We explain the birth Of genius
IT," sou. which thinks and Uttcrs great
thoughts. even higher ana noble" than the
individual himself always understands
This is tie S'-ct.!td Inspiration, the cumu-
lattyt ,Ncnl..ns, OF previous cXistcnces Of
The soul. embodied and dlsembodied
The Higher Consciousness.
For thc genius the higher consciousness
speaks. This Is called by most metaphy-