On the
sixth of October I addressed the congress with my maiden speech in
America. It was well received; I sighed in relief. The magnanimous
secretary of the American Unitarian Association wrote the following
comment in a published account {FN37-4} of the congress proceedings:
"Swami Yogananda, delegate from the Brahmacharya Ashram of Ranchi,
India, brought the greetings of his Association to the Congress.
In fluent English and a forcible delivery he gave an address of
a philosophical character on 'The Science of Religion,' which has
been printed in pamphlet form for a wider distribution. Religion,
he maintained, is universal and it is one. We cannot possibly
universalize particular customs and convictions, but the common
element in religion can be universalized, and we can ask all alike
to follow and obey it."
Due to Father's generous check, I was able to remain in America
after the congress was over. Four happy years were spent in humble
circumstances in Boston. I gave public lectures, taught classes,
and wrote a book of poems, SONGS OF THE SOUL, with a preface by
Dr. Frederick B. Robinson, president of the College of the City
of New York. {FN37-5}
Starting a transcontinental tour in the summer of 1924, I spoke
before thousands in the principal cities, ending my western trip
with a vacation in the beautiful Alaskan north.
With the help of large-hearted students, by the end of 1925 I had
established an American headquarters on the Mount Washington Estates
in Los Angeles.
Pages:
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471