2 TheSpiritualLife.
outstandingcharacteristicofMrs.Besant'spublic
lifeitistheentireabsenceofanytraceeitherof
bitterness or intolerance in her dealings with
others. She looksfortruth beneathall formal
statementsofbelief;sheexcommunicatesnoone;
and,therefore,as her acquaintancewith lifeis
sowideanddeep,shehas earned the position
ofagreatspiritualteacher,anditisassuchthat
wewelcomehertotheCityTempleto-night.
Mrs. Besant (who was enthusiastically
received) said: Before beginningthatwhich I
amtosaytoyou to-night,will you permitme
onewordofpreface bothonmypresencehere
and onthe opinionswhich hereI shallvoice?
I thankyourministerandIthankyouforgiving
metheopportunityof speakmghere,but I am
boundtosaythattheopinions I give must not
betakeninanywaytocompromisetheplacein
which I speak, or the minister who generally
occupiesthispulpit. Weareallgratefultothe
ministeroftheCityTemple-(loudapplause)-
forthecouragewithwhichhehasgivenutterance
toopinionswhichareintheairforeducatedand
thoughtfulpeople,butwhichonlythefewhave
the courage toexpress. (Renewed applause.)
Butwhenatruthisin theairtheexpressionof
that truth is one of the greatest services that
man can renderto man: For truth,you must
