California.—The work here is being carried on by the Branches in Los Angeles and Oakland, and some new members are reported.
The American Theosophical Council.—In October, a Convention was held at Cincinnati, O., at which all the active Branches were represented. The American section of the General Theosophical Council was then formed, to take the place of the Board of Control, which went out of existence. Dr. Buck acted as Chairman, and a General Secretary who is to act as the means of communication between Branches and Headquarters was elected. The choice fell upon Mr. William Q. Judge, of New York, to whom hereafter all application and official communications should be sent. Since this convention, new applications have been coming in and the work shows no signs of abatement.
It is expected that another meeting of the Council will be held very soon for the purpose of carrying out some proposals for slight changes in the management of formal matters. The Council assumes no control of Branches who are left perfectly free so long as they act within the general rules of the Society.
Chicago.—At the annual election of this Branch, held December 4th, 1886, the following officers were elected: President, Stanley B. Sexton; Vice-President, Annie G. Ordway; Recording Secretary, Ursula N. Gestefeld; Corresponding Secretary, M. L. Brainard; Treasurer and Librarian, Mrs. A. V. Wakeman. Address all official correspondence to the Corresponding Secretary, 376 W. Adams St.
Reviews and Notes.
The Theosophist.—The leading article in The Theosophist for November is again by Madame Blavatsky—a notable contribution on animated images, in the course of which it is shown that some of the circumstances in that amusing travesty of Occultism, Anstey’s “Fallen Idol,” are based on true occult principles. By the way, every Theosophist should read Mr. Sinnett’s “Incidents in the Life of Madame Blavatsky,” for thereby a clearer conception of the character of that illustrious and heroic woman will be gained, with a better understanding of her nature and mission. Col. Olcott’s second and concluding article on “The Seeress of Prevorst,” is a careful and scholarly piece of work, throwing some light from Eastern sources on that remarkable case of occult development in an obscure German village. Dr. Hartman has a paper on “Occultism in Germany,” in which he gives an important hint concerning one of the methods of practically developing one’s higher nature. Srinivas Rao’s new story opens interestingly. The Eliphas Levy series continue, and a second article on Hypnotic Experiments is given. Several other interesting contributions must remain unnoticed. It is a valuable number. The Theosophist deserves to increase its circulation with the increasing interest in Theosophy.