HPB-SB-8-78

H. P. Blavatsky Scrapbooks

from Adyar archives of the International Theosophical Society

T i

vol. 8, p. 78	volume 8, page 78 vol. title: Vol Four of The Theosophical Society of The Arya Samaj of Arya-wart vol. period: Sept 1878 – Sept 1879 pages in vol.: 350
Legend HPB note HPB highlighted HPB underlined HPB crossed out <Editors note> <Archivist note> Lost or unclear SBT, DT Restored

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eng • рус

Burned and Buried

Baron De Palm's Ashes Scattered to Wing and Sea

How the Theosophical Society Places the Remains of the Renowned Dead Beyond Reach of Body Snatchers.

When, many months ago, the body of the the late Baron de Palm was cremated at Dr. Lemoyne’s furnace, in Washington, Pa., without religious ceremonies of any kind, the Telegram gave the public early and full information on the subject Our readers will therefore be interested in hearing, from the same source, that the ashes, four pounds in weight, which represented the Baron’s body, after the cremation was accomplished, have undergone the same burial ceremonies prescribed by the Vedas. These ceremonies took place last night in a hired room up town, and occasioned the presence of the celebrated Dr. Olcott, the renowned Madam Blavatsky and several live Hindoos. The cremational Theosophists who were present joined in solemn Hindoo chants, and the entire affair was regulated with that mysteriousness, secrecy and gloom which prevail at Hindoo commemorations of this kind.

ceremonies at the altar.

It is difficult to conceive how all that was mortal of Baron de Palm could have been more completely disposed of. His original cremation was symbolized by the high priest, who was a Hindoo, taking a pinch of the ashes and sprinkling them around a small pile of wood, blazing upon a stone altar, over which he threw perfumes and strange liquids. This causes clouds of aromatic smoke to mount from floor to ceiling. Through the scented and murky mist thus created, the torches borne by the acolytes could be discerned, while Madame Blavatsky’s finely cultivated soprano and Colonel Olcott’s naturally rich basso led the choral Hindoo hymn. To this succeeded a long prayer offered by the Hindoo priest. This prayer, beautiful in its sentiment and structure, entreated that the soul of the departed might find rest and peace. Under different modes of expression, it requested that the stars, the sun, the firmament, all methods of life might contribute to the happiness of him who had gone. This portion of the ceremonies was impressive; and not even Wilkie Collins, in his novel of “The Moonstone,” made a finer use of the Hindoo than Madame Blavatski and Colonel Olcott have done.

ceremonies at sea.

But equally important ceremonies were yet to come. The high priest typified the distribution of the ashes to the sea, by sprinkling a portion of them in a brass urn filled with water. After that remained the true dispersion of them on the verge of ocean. The company dispersed, and the famed Colonel Olcott, accompanied by the high priest (who remained thickly veiled from beginning to end), and a few Theosophists, including the illustrious Mme. Blavatsky (author of “Isis Unveiled”), drove to the river side, where a small vessel awaited them. In this manner they proceeded in solemn silence as far as Governor’s Island, where the boat stopped, at a signal from the well known Colonel Olcott, with her bow to the East. At this point the Hierophant, taking off his hat, turned his face to the four winds of heaven, lifting on high the sacred vase. He then took a small portion of the ashes and threw them into the sea, and finally emptied the entire contents of the vase, accompanying the action with solemn and impressive words. Thus closed this strange, theatrical scene, which probably would have taken place in no other modern civilized city. The difficulty is that every family cannot afford to bury its dead according to the Vedas, especially when the co-operation of a retinue of Hindoos is necessary.

Not Large Enough

From the Baltimore Gazette.

We are authorized to say that a reward of $25,000 will be paid for the remains of the late Baron de Palm on presentation at this office, properly identified.

#25,000, reward for Baron de Palm's remains.

Astrology

To the Editor of the Banner of Light:

Sir: I have contemplated addressing a few lines to you on the subject of astrology, and have had the greater part of this written for some time. It now seems that you editorially, and the message department of the paper, have gained the advantage of being ahead of me.

In your issue of July 13, there is a message from Bartlett Barrell, in which he says that he always did, and still does, believe in astrology; that certain events happened always with certain phases and latitudes of the moon, and in your paper you have an editorial comment on the subject, expressing exactly my ideas, and referring incidentally to Azaleel, who appears queerly enough, it seems to me, just as Prof. Thomas Lister of this city shuffles off the mortal coil. In the same issue the controlling spirit at Mrs. Rudd's message séance says in reply to a question: “There are some born with a peculiar fate. The astrological world always speaks the truth.” So you see both you and the spirits have gotten ahead of me.

You will observe that this spirit uses very apt and logical language. He does not say that astrologers always speak the truth, but that the astrological world always does.

In your city there is an astrologer, Prof. Jenkins, if you will allow me to use his name, to whom I sent the date of birth of two friends. He never has seen them, yet he described them exactly, and gave a delineation of their characters that was as correct as it was wonderful. He told them of their travels, sicknesses, troubles and good fortune, and also what was to happen, all coming true as he gave it. To one he said that at a certain time there would be a great desire for change, or offers of a change, and much travel. At the exact time the person had an offer to go to a far distant clime, and felt too the desire to accept it. To the other, whose chief trouble had been domestic, he spoke as if he had been with him throughout it all. Now he only interpreted the language of this astrological world, to which the controlling spirit referred as always speaking the truth.

There must, sir, be truth in this science, or art, or whatever it is, and it seems to me that more attention should be given it than it now has. Yours truly,

William Q. Judge.

71 Broadway, New York City.

Astrology and Destiny

To the Editor of the Banner of Light:

A latent thought in me being quickened by a spark from the battery of William Q. Judge in his letter published in the Banner of Light of Aug. 31st, page 6, under “Astrology,” I am prompted to ask, is there a destiny “that shapes our ends, rough-hew them how we will”? Are nations so also controlled by a ruling destiny, and what so rules or controls? Is it planetary? and does that account for the present stagnation and distress throughout the world, or is it attributable to an unsual outpouring (one of the “Vials,”) from the realms of spirit, to bring about the reign of a more spiritual, by crushing and afflicting the material life? And could casualties to individuals, or troubles which afflict the nations, be averted by astrological knowledge, and if so, why not make astrology a branch of public education, as of really more practical importance to the welfare of the whole than astronomy?

Will Prof. Jenkins or Azaleel, who are mentioned in Mr. Judge’s letter as astrologists, answer? or some spiritual or other savant give their views for the edification of the readers of the Banner of Light?

I have not, like Mr. Judge, any testimony of my own experience to give in favor of astrology, but will add the opinion of a very aged and respectable medium, Joseph of Egypt, interpreter to Pharoah, given to me through the mediumship of the late Juliette T. Burton of New York, on Sept. 16th, 1874, without solicitation, it being prompted by my own mood arising from some disappointment. Joseph says: “I am not forgetful of you. I come, my dear son, to remind you that all things in life have a rise and fall, an ebb and flow, an increase and a decrease, and to assign as a reason for many disappointments and inconsistencies, the influence of the planetary systems over and on human concerns. The star of nativity is not observed save by a very few, and it is of the first importance. Were I back in the body, in my youth, with knowledge of these facts, I could divert many things which should not have been—however, I do not advise that you enter into any deeper study of the systems than you have already at times.”

And while I am writing, will you, Mr. Editor, allow me space to proclaim my conviction of the truth as so ably and emphatically set forth in the article of Frederic Francis Cook, “Spiritual Rationale,” in the August 31st number of the Banner of Light; and let me recommend to your readers not only its perusal, but re-perusal and close notation of its many wise suggestions and well-argued and clearly-established conclusions? And may I also be permitted to add my mite toward the upholding of the hands of that ardent champion of fair-play on behalf of mediums, by my benediction and God bless you and God speed you, my brother Thomas R. Hazard, in your philanthropic work of love? And I will not forget to append also the testimony of my approval and appreciation of the noble disinterestedness of the Banner of Light in the freedom of thought and of speech which it grants to all, yet dignifiedly reserving the freedom of its own individuality.

Ralph H. Isham.

Kingston, N. Y.

Editor's notes