William Kissam Vanderbilt called it Idle Hour: a 100-room house in Oakdale, Long Island, as sumptuous and showy as a Summer Palace of the Romanovs. Thirty years ago it cost about $7,000,000, but nowadays it is a bit run down. Last week 500 Truth Students, Adepts and Master Metaphysicians twitched on hard chairs in the big reception hall with its encrusted ceiling, ivory-colored fireplace, concealed pipe organ. Above the doors were signs reading "Peace, Discrimination, Enlightenment, Inspiration." James Bernard Schafer, Master Metaphysician, entered.
Conversation stopped. He strode to the platform. "Peace,"...
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