CREMATION OF A THEOSOPHIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9010, 15 October 1892, Page 2 (Supplement)

CREMATION OF A THEOSOPHIST.

THE CEREMONIAL AT THE GRAVE. Los Angeles, June '27.The remains of Mrs. Georgiaha S. Bowman, of Oakland, were cremated this afternoon at the Rosedale Cemetery, Mrs. Bowman was a prominent ," Theosophist, being president of the Oakland Tbeosophical Society, and in accordance with the teaching* of the faith her body was cremated. Her son William J. Bowman accompanied the remains south. At Rosedale a crowd of people were waiting about the building within which the furnace is situated. * At the head of the casket) was a table, and before it stood Mies M. A. * Walsh,' the well-known Theosophist and personal friend of the deceased, who conducted the services. Miss Bertha Penning gang the opening anthem, " Not a Sparrow Falletb," and Miss -Walsh, read extracts from Edwin Arnold's " Sons Celestial," a translation from the Sanskrit, "Bbagavat Ghita," in which he says : " I say to thee weapons reach not life, flame burns it not, waters cannot overwhelm it nor dry,winds wither it." Miss Walsh then gave a brief address, closing with Arnold's poem " After Death in Arabia." The last hymn. "Only Tired," was sung by Miss Penning. The remains were then taken into the cemetery,' Miss Walsh leading in the following in.vocation as the body was consumed; "I take my refuge in Thy name and Thee ; I . take my refuge »n this law of good : I take • my refuge in Thy order,« Om.' The dew is on-the lotus. Rise, great sun, and lift my ..leaf, and mix me with the wave. 'Om maninadmihum.' The sunrise comes the dewdrop slips into the shining sea." 'Mr i Bowman returned to Oakland on to-night's i train, bearing with him the ashes of his mother. Mrs. Bowman was 57 years of \ age, and had resided in California 20 years and more. .-,>.„■•;