Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-06
COLLEEN BECOMES
HIGH PRIESTESS OF
A MYSTIC RELIGION
ANNIE BESANT'S HISTORY Is
TURBULENT
Dreamy Irish Girl Divorced by Minis
ter and DeVotes Life to Re-
searches Into Oriental
Beliefs
Ry Holm HUBERT GREUsEL

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-Annie Be-
SAINT hieh nriestess of modern miracles,
has come all the way from Madras
India, to be present at the natlon-Wlae
meeting of American Theosophlsts' 10
he held at Chicago during August, ana
the faithful will be there from the
leading cities of this country. America
has 100. 900 who follow Annie Besant.
From advance reports obtained from
leaders close to Mrs. Besant II Is
learned that much stress will be lalu
on delving into natures mysteries on
the "spook" order, also the sensatloildl
information will be widely spread that
Nine II. p. Blavatsky is again on
earth, in Thibet, in the Himalayah
mountains, where at present she is re-
ceiving information from noted ma
hatma. nj.
The startling rumor that Nine. Bla-
yatsxv has returned from the dead
brings up sharply the whole matter OF
miracle working, for which Annie BE
SAINTS wing of American Theosophlsts
stands. Nine. BlaVatskv died in 1891,
and her ashes were divided into three
narts. one being sent to Madras, India
The other retained in London and the
third shipped to America. That sac
has now shaken off the cold embrace
of death verifies the tradition of the
"Wandering Jew" a life without END.
Practice of Black Magic
That Besant's followers hold to the
practice of "black magic and allege
noWers of control over the secret forces
of nature is part of the propaganda OF
Annie Besant, who has always been
the stormy petrol of Theosophy ana mas
developed all sorts of queer IDEAS.
The evolution of Annie Besant from
science to superstition is but one OF
many transformation in the career OF
this gifted orator and disciple of tree
thought. Her history has always peen
furb1lent. her life filled with partings
from friends on account of clashlnS OIL
opinions. - .o.z -
She is now verging on 60 years OF
age and her hair is silver Whlte' put
she still lashes the sins of society WIN
the impetuosity of Peter the hermit
preaching the first crusade
She was born of Irish parents, ana
her family name is Wood From glfl-
hood she was deeply sensitive, dreamy
and religiously inclined, with Keen
delight in the supernatural. Later Key.
Frank Besant did not sympathize with
her skepticism and divorce tolloWed'
How She Came to Doubt God
Her child was taken sick suffering
greatly. Mrs. Besant became angry
with God, as she expressed 1t, and made
many inquiries lnIO tll0 IOullu" 81
Christian belief Before she IhaIy lenI
the church she called on Or. FlseS'
the chief priest of Anglican orthodoXy'
He told her to stop reading, 10 pray
and believe. He had no conception OF
the strength of her skeptical spirit, and
a dramtaic scene followed. Il viii ma
the truth" she exclaimed. you are
lost until you believe" thundered tte
aged prelate. "You have no right. to
make terms with Cod" He told her
also that she had too much lnteLectual
pride and that it was her duty to be-
iieve not to question. This did not
suit her. and she withdrew from the
church and wrote my Path to Athe-
ism" ~,
She next fell in with Charles Brad
Iuoh the freethinker, and the
nampblet 'Fruits of Philosophy" on
the control Of the size of the family
created social scandal in England
Bradlaugh and Besant were for a lons
time on the defensive, but the tline
came when they parted.
Mrs. Besant then took up Iheosopny'
and after a time gave it out that she
was under the special control or ma
hatma This very wise man leaves ms
body in the Himalaya mountains, Vis-
its Besant in astral form and tells hef
what she should do for the good of So
ciety Through the extraordinary pow
er of these mahatmas, or masters, 1t Is
possible to set aside the laws of ma
ture, Mrs Besant claims For exam
pie, letters from India may drop out
of the air.
Dead Return Many Times