The broad ax., 1926-09-04
BY Irene M. Gaines

their protested principles OF brother
hood, without distinction as to race,
creed, caste, or color. And yet, that
is exactly what the members of the
American Theosophical Society are
doing.
Under the leadership and clear vision
of DIR. Annie Besant, their international
head, they are acclaiming a young
black man as the vehicle" for the
next coming of the Messiah. His will
be the physical body through which
the message of peace and universal
brotherhood will be broadcasted
throughout the world. 1t is true this
young black man of 80 years, Jeddu
Krishnamurti, is Hindu, but his skin
is so darkly augmented that to Amer
lean whites he remains black or
colored man.
They even call attention to the fact
that 1000 years ago the Great One
came in the body of despised race
the Jew-and they warn us against our
present unbelief and doubt because we
may look at him even now with
prejudiced eyes and minds because of
the color of his sllin-just as the cit
izenry Of Rome and Judea did once
before.
Last Saturday morning, August %,
thousands of gladdened hearts were
quickened because Of the arrival into
Chicago of Jeddu Krishnamurti and
Annie Besant, whom some sociologists
claim to be the most remarkable
woman of this age. Eager throngs
crowded the La Sale Street station to
meet the train; each carried flower.
She and their beloved 'Krisnaji" were
made garlands of roses which were
placed around their necks-their paths
were strewn with flowers Of every de-
scription. There was no noise nor
boisterousness, and all who witnessed
this impressive sight thought of the
triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and
felt inclined to kneel or bow the head
in reverence to these truly great be-
ings.
Saturday evening a reception was
rendered to DR.. Besant, Mr.. Krishna-
murti and the two thousand-ffty dele
gates who came from all points Of the
United States, Canada, and Mexico
with several from Australia and India.
This reception was held in the flag
draped ball room of the Hotel Sher-
man.
Sunday morning all were invited to
attend the service at the St. Francis
Liberal Catholic Church Zone of the
departments of the Theosophical So
ciety), which to accommodate all dele
gates. was also held in the Gold Room
Of the hotel Bishop Cooper, assisted
by Bishop Beckwith, local priests and
Father Van Loo 'colored, Of New
York City, conducted this impressive
service.
Sunday afternoon the delegates wit
messed the laying of the corner stone
for the new headquarters building at
Wheaton. At o'clock p. m, the
"Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" was
given by Prof. Arleigh B. Williamson
of New York University, with Mr..
Rdgefs, President Of the American
Theosophical Society, presiding.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day the sessions of the convention
were open to members only. On
Monday and Tuesday evenings, DR..
Besant spoke. Despite her 81 years,
her voice was clear and strong, and not
syllable of her address was missed
by the attentive throng who sat cap
tivated by her eloquence, her poise, her
logic. her strong and forceful appeal
for brothefly love, internationalism
and peace.
She spoke of the coming to earth OF
great world teachers about every two
thousand years to help and guide hu-
mainly through great crises. She
spoke of the chaos and strife, the
hatreds and clashes in the world today,
and the need for such one to come
with a message Of peace and good will
for all mankind She urged that we
prepare ourselves for his coming now.
She talked at length upon the Inner
Government of the World, and its
function. She registered her disap-
proval of vivisection as being incom-
patible with the ideal of brotherhood.
"Vivisection," she said, ''is hopeless
ly immoral means to temporary end.
1t is not way to health, but to a
transient balance of poison"
She remarked that the Theosophical
Society is often looked upon as being
an organization Of mysticism. She
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