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(May 1891)
Publications:
- The Path, vol. VI, no. 2, May 1891, pp. 57-58
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CTD entry in Russian: Кейтли, Джулия - Теософские похороны
DATA
Title for references: Keightley J - A Theosophic Funeral
Short description: Signed "J. C. V. P." A report on the memorial service held in New York on April 15, 1891 for Mrs. An...
57
A Theosophic Funeral.
On April 15th, in New York City, Mrs. Annie M. Savery, member of the Theosophical Society and one of its earnest students, suddenly passed away. She was to be buried, with appropriate services, from the family58home at Des Moines, Iowa, but the bereaved husband, mindful of her wishes and of her beliefs, arranged for a preliminary service to be held over the remains at his New York residence, where Mrs. Savery had so suddenly expired. The occasion was a singularly touching and beautiful one. There were present members of the Woman's Club, The Sorosis, of which Mrs. Savery was a member, and a number of her fellow Theosophists.
Mr. W. Q. Judge opened the service by a brief sketch of Mrs. Savery's life, her interest in Theosophy, and the belief which they held in common. The theosophic teachings in regard to the change called death, and to the immortality of the real man, of man the spirit, were most eloquently expounded, the calm of the speaker and the intensity of his convictions serving to heighten the words of lofty cheer which he spoke. He closed by reading the chapter of the Bhagavad Gita on the Immortality of the Soul, and the deep silence, the motionlessness, of the meeting showed how closely his words were followed. He then said that Mrs. Annie Besant would say a few words. Mrs. Besant arose, and after speaking of her last interview with Mrs. Savery, who had been most eagerly waiting for her arrival, and who intended to return to London with her, she then passed into a vein of the deepest, tenderest sympathy for the husband so sorely bereaved, expressing, as she alone can, all that is loftiest, all that is most convincing, all that is most loving, hopeful, and inspiring in Theosophy, regarding our life and our death as both changes of condition, while the real man lived forever, and was forever near. Before she closed, there was not a dry eye among the other men and women in the room. It is impossible to give an adequate idea of this bugle call of Hope, above the open grave. All idea of Death was removed; only eternal Beauty, eternal Love remained.
Mrs. Croly (Jennie June) followed for the Sorosis, and gave a sketch of Mrs. Savery's early life. The harp of flowers, sent by the Club, was afterward sent by Mr. Savery to Mrs. Besant's lecture, and thus from the scene of loss and sorrow to the scene of strength and power came a message of Brotherhood and Union, showing again that mankind is one in heart as in destiny.
J. C. V. P.
Footnotes