NEW YORK.

The Universal Brotherhood Meetings, held Sunday evenings in the Aryan Hall, are increasing in interest all the time. A noticeable feature is the number of men who attend and the very excellent and intelligent questions which are asked. The meetings are interspersed with music, usually by the Misses Fuller, Piano and Violin, forming a very important part of the proceedings. Short addresses are given and questions answered by H. T. Patterson, H. Coryn, B. Harding, and J. H. Fussell. A collection is also taken to help defray expenses and it is found that the visitors appreciate the opportunity of doing this.

The Aryan Lodge Meetings on Tuesday evening have for some time past been for members only but it has been decided to open them to the public. The first open meeting was held Jan. 17, and a number of visitors were present. The Lodge meetings adjourn at 9.30, thus giving an opportunity for conversation and social intercourse. Our President, Bro. Neresheimer, often adds to the pleasure of the evening by singing.

A new Lodge was formed in New York on the West Side on Jan. 3. At the time of writing three meetings have so far been held. A large room with a piano has been hired at 587 Hudson Street, and a very good beginning has been made, several people being already interested. This is one of the old residence districts of New York and the inhabitants generally are noted for being good thinkers and earnest people. Those helping in the work are members from the H. P. B. and Aryan Lodges: D. N. Dunlop, S. Hecht, Mrs. Cracauer, Dr. Wilcox, Miss Bernstein, H. T. Patterson, H. Coryn, Miss Whitney, J. H. Fussell, and others.

Bro. Albert E. S. Smythe is now making a tour of Universal Brotherhood Lodges and is a fully authorized representative of the Universal Brotherhood, and the International Brotherhood League. He has so far visited Toledo, Fort Wayne and Chicago and has had good success. This is an opportunity for the new members and those at a distance to come in closer touch through Bro. Smythe with the work at Headquarters. Bro. Smythe is so well known through his work in Toronto and as Editor of The Lamp and so many have also heard him at the annual Conventions of the T. S. A. that he needs no introduction.

Inquiries have been received in regard to the railway arrangements for the Congress of Universal Brotherhood at Point Loma next April. Bro. W. A. Stevens, 500 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo, N. Y., has these in charge and will be ready to report by about Feb. 1st. Those desiring information should write him. Further particulars will be given in The New Century.

An important meeting of the Universal Brotherhood was held in Boston, Jan. 17, at which were present the Leader, E. A. Neresheimer, F. M. Pierce, H. T. Patterson, and H. Coryn from New York, and Clark Thurston from Providence.

An illustration is given in this issue of the Headquarters Building at 144 Madison Avenue, New York, showing the office and book-store of the Theosophical Publishing Company, on the first floor. The offices of the Universal Brotherhood and the Theosophical Society in America are on the second floor.

January 13th was the 1st anniversary of the founding of the Universal Brotherhood Organization. The second year of U. B. has begun and we can now look back and see how great a work has been done during the past year. But more than all, one may know what this work has been, by simply looking into his own heart. It has been a year of great effort; of trial to some; but has resulted in joy to all who have worked unselfishly in our glorious cause and who have followed faithfully the guidance of our great Leader. I have heard many say recently that it seemed as though a new spring had begun, that they felt so happy they wanted to sing. There does indeed seem to be a new energy awakening and certainly never before has there been such a happy harmonious household and staff as at present at Headquarters, nor have we ever had such bright and harmonious meetings.

But this is not only true of New York and the Headquarters but of the whole organization from Boston and the East, from Fort Wayne, Chicago, Pittsburg, Macon, and Lodges too numerous to mention, from the whole Pacific Coast and the North West come the same tidings of new hope, new strength, new achievements. Truly, U.B. 2 has begun auspiciously.

J. H. Fussell.

TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

Jan. 9, 1899.

Dear Comrade:—I have your favor of 3d inst. and am fully convinced that you are right in the references and hopes you express for the year 1899. Our local U. B. organization is in good shape, we never were able before to work so unitedly and loyally and the efforts from all the members seem now to strengthen that unity.

Yes, we are all looking forward to Point Loma in many respects. Many of our members are planning to go down and I only wish we could all go and hope we may be able.

R. H. Lund.

A SPLENDID RECORD.

Secretary’s Annual Report for Year Ending December 21, 1898.

Officers and Members of Universal Brotherhood Lodge No. 7, America.

Comrades:—Your secretary begs leave to report as follows concerning the closing year:

The year’s work shows a gratifying increase in results. In order to be exact your secretary gives the figures as shown by the minutes of the year: 547 meetings were held, with an attendance of 41,150, as against 478 meetings and 36,279 attendance in 1897, an increase of 14 per cent. in the number of meetings and of 13-1/2 per cent. in attendance; 481 addresses were delivered at these meetings by 65 speakers.

The highest total weekly attendance was 1060; the lowest 605; average 791.

The most noticeable increase is in the case of the International Brotherhood League, which began the year with an average attendance of 78, and closes the twelve-month with an average attendance of 170, a gain of 118 per cent.

The Lotus Group shows a gain of 18 per cent., as compared with 1897, and Lodge meetings a gain of 29 per cent. The attendance of visitors at the Library increased 16 per cent., and of members at meetings of Pacific Coast Committee for Universal Brotherhood 98 per cent.

The especial attention of members is called to the Ethical Class and Secret Doctrine Class as being the most important local channels for the acquirement of a knowledge of ethics and philosophy. The Ethical Class shows a gain of 35 per cent., and the Secret Doctrine Class 33 per cent. for the year.

The work at San Quentin Penitentiary was resumed in August, under the direction of H. H. Somers, after a suspension of more than a year. Lectures are given monthly, and the chapel is always filled with listeners.

A private meeting of U. B. L. No. 7 was instituted in October, two meetings being held each month. Beginning with January this meeting will be held regularly every Thursday evening, and is expected to accomplish much good by way of bringing members into closer sympathy with each other.

Your secretary’s annual report one year ago showed that 1897 had been the most prosperous year in the history of the movement in this city. By the present report it is seen that 1898 far surpasses the previous year, and this in the face of financial distress and general unrest. The prediction is ventured that 1899 will bring a still greater need of success, for it is the beginning of a California cycle. In 1849 the name of California was emblazoned before the world. The closing year marks the passing of the seventh septenate of the cycle, and 1899 will usher in the new cycle which is to bring California again before the notice of the world, but this time as the depository of spiritual gold.

This report would be incomplete without reference to the Chicago Convention, held on February 18, 1898, at which time the Universal Brotherhood, or the Brotherhood of Humanity, was promulgated under the leadership of Mrs. Katherine A. Tingley, and of which the Theosophical Society in America and the International Brotherhood League became integral parts. San Francisco Branch at once transformed itself into a Lodge of Universal Brotherhood, becoming Lodge 7—the mystic number—and the results of the year are ample justification of the action taken.

There were a few defections from the Society because of its expansion, but the record shows that the result was in no wise serious for the organization. An organization, like a human body, is made up of atoms or lives, and as growth proceeds these atoms are constantly changing their position and passing into and out of the body. The correspondence is very similar, except that in the case of this organization it is not the law of fatality which expels the atoms, but each has the free will to maintain his position in the growing body if he so desires, or to leave it. Each will choose as he desires, and we have not the right to attempt to compel them. We have but to perform our full duty in every department of our lives, and the recorders of karma will adjust the conditions and the result.

I congratulate the members of Universal Brotherhood Lodge No. 7 on the work of the closing year and the prospects of the coming one.

Fraternally,

Amos J. Johnson, Secretary.

San Francisco, December 21, 1898.

LOTUS HOME.

Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1898.

Dear Leader:—

I wish it were in my power to express to you all the sweetness and quiet joy of the first Christmas, at Lotus Home, and the only thing that was lacking, was the presence (in the physical body) of the precious “Lotus Mother,” for it was such a delightful experience, so full of hope and promise, that we wanted you there to share it with us.

Truly the spirit of “Peace on Earth, Good Will to all Men” brooded over the Home and spread its wings over all that are working and ministering to the tiny “Buds” there.

It is wonderful to see the improvement in them as the days go on, since Dr. Kean has taken them in hand; she understands all their little needs and with Miss Morris’ gentle and unceasing care and attention they are growing as strong and beautiful as the most exacting could desire.

The atmosphere surrounding them is so serene and full of unselfish brotherly love that the unfoldment into health and beauty of mind and body has begun early, and we feel sure that they will grow to lovely “Blossoms by and bye” and be workers for Humanity on the broadest lines of “Universal Brotherhood.”

There was the Christmas Tree, filled with lights and all the “shining things,” and the sweet odor of the fragrant boughs filled the rooms, the babies and all the household gathered around it with the members of our family also, at twilight, and if any one thinks a lot of wee babies do not enjoy the fun of a Christmas tree, let them come here and see “ours,” they stared and laughed and took in all the loveliness, as wisely as the older ones of us. Little Katherine was so overcome with prolonged staring and nodding her head with approval, that she fell asleep in the midst of it, no doubt continuing the lovely vision in her dreams.

Little Grace with the rosy cheeks and laughing blue eyes had grown to the dignity of short clothes on Christmas day, and though but five months old she sat in her fine new high chair and crowed and laughed aloud with glee just as though she were years old instead of months only.

Wee Edith, our frailest Bud, is frail no longer, but is growing stronger and rosier every day, and her great wonderful eyes look as if they held a store of untold things, which she will give to the world some day, in song or verse.

On Christmas Eve a new-comer appeared, little “merry Christmas” and on Christmas day another; this one we didn’t know what to call for the time being, but little “Miss Newcome,” and that made six small workers for humanity at Lotus Home on Christmas day.

The household is now composed of twelve persons, Dr. Kean, Supt.; Miss Morris, assistant Supt.; the Housekeeper; the Maid of all work (who by the way is a jewel); the Man of all work; and the new nursery maid; with the six babies making the twelve.

Quite a household, for so short a time since the work was begun, and it will continue to grow for it is getting to be better known all the while.

We have received an appropriation from the County of $600. We are very glad to get this, it will help us through the winter and in spring we hope to have an entertainment that will bring us over $200.

I have no words at my command, dear Mother, to express all I feel in regard to our blessed work here, and of my appreciation of the great privilege you have bestowed upon us here, in permitting us to help on our great Cause in this practical and substantial way, but you know my heart, and what I lack in beautiful language, I hope I can make up in faithful work.

Theresa Y. Stevens.

HOME CRUSADE IN IRELAND.

On December 7th the Crusaders, Mrs. A. L. Cleather and Bro. Basil Crump, went to Dublin for the first time, where they enjoyed the real Irish hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Dick. Ireland is a dreamy country, and its people are extremely diffident and hard to interest in anything novel. The deep interest of those who came to the Wagner lecture was, therefore, no less a surprise to the local workers than the unusually long and appreciative reports which appeared in the principal Dublin papers. It was a significant fact that, although the reporters were supplied with a complete summary of the lecture, they stayed to the end, and gave money for the children’s work. This lecture was on Friday, the 9th; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were occupied with U. B. and private meetings, interviews, and general routine work. On Tuesday the children’s entertainment took place in the Rotunda. A number of Dublin ladies interested in philanthropic work came to help, and a gentleman very kindly operated the lantern. All were delighted, and said it was quite as much a lesson for them as for the little ones. There is no doubt that this work will be carried forward in Dublin. Each visitor asked for a portrait of Mrs. Tingley.

Early on Wednesday morning the Crusaders, Mrs. Cleather and Bro. Crump, left Dublin to help at the

BROTHERHOOD BAZAAR IN LIVERPOOL.

They were met by Secretary Herbert Crooke and Brother H. M. Savage, and stayed along with Brother Cranstone Woodhead at the “Mitre” Hotel. Some very advantageous arrangements had been made, so that the Bazaar started on a favorable financial basis. A beautiful picture, sent by Brother R. Machell, R. B. A., was splendidly displayed in a large shop window in Lord Street, and attracted an immense amount of public attention.

The Committee were singularly happy in securing the sympathetic services of Mr. R. Holt and Mrs. Jeannie Mole to open the Bazaar on the first and second days respectively. They both made speeches which came straight from the heart, and their appreciation of the work now being done by the Movement along practical lines was an object lesson to all in the foresight and wisdom of our Leader. Brother T. Baker’s orchestra provided excellent music, the refreshments were daintily served by lady workers in tasteful costumes, and on the seven stalls there was a profusion of articles for sale. We understand that the total receipts amounted to upwards of £150, and we warmly congratulate the Committee on this highly successful result.

BRISTOL.

Bristol reports an increase of attendence, due to copies of the New Century being placed in the public libraries. New Century distribution is highly important work. When the hour shall strike, when we have given it that unqualified support that it demands of us, it will then speak right into the people’s hearts in clear and simple language, so that none need longer question the “nobility of their calling,” or again forget their “true position in life.” C. O.

LIVERPOOL.

The Lodge is flourishing, and the sole topic is the “Bazaar.” The Thursday evening meetings have been very interesting during November.

On Sunday, November 20th, Brother Bern lectured on “Music.”

On the 24th November Brother Crooke gave an excellent lecture on “King Solomon’s Seal.” To all our brethren, greeting.—J. F. Cropper.

From The Crusader, Dec. 27, 1898.

HOLLAND.

We know that you are in a whirlwind of work. Here, too, we are, after our own way in a whirlwind of the same kind, and things are going well. We are busy with preparations for our Lotus circle, etc., and, as for U. B. work, it goes in every way as far as our means allow. Inward work is very good, and the true members are coming nearer to each other in conscious unity. We only know our Leader here, and try to follow her.

H. de N.