At this spiritual season of the year, with praise of God and love heard everywhere, please remember to send a Christmas donation check to the mother Yogoda Center, the Mount Washington Educational Center, 3880 San Rafael Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

In the new hope and happiness which your support of the cause will bring to others, do not doubt but that you will find a rich source of blessing.

Recent activities of the Los Angeles Yogoda Headquarters have been many and varied. At a meeting of the Mount Washington Educational Center Helpers Association on October 5th, the following committees were organized or reorganized to meet the needs of the expanding work of the Center: Committees of Music, Reception, Household, Art, Publicity, Senate Bill, Ways and Means, Hospital and Prison Welfare, Garden, Sunday School, Library, Sewing.

Senate Bill to Classify Hindus as "White"

The Senate Bill Committee made an encouraging report on October 19th, especially emphasizing the good work done among the State Federation Societies. This Senate Bill refers to Senator Copeland's bill number S4505, which was recently introduced into Congress with the object of giving the words "white persons" a legal definition, and to include Hindus within the scope of that definition, since Hindus are Aryans and Caucasians.

The Art Committee of the Los Angeles Yogoda Center has been occupied with designing and painting over one thousand beautiful Christmas greeting cards with Yogoda sentiments and designs for sale at the various Yogoda centers throughout the country. The heavy sale of Swami Yogananda's books for Christmas gifts has been attended to also from the Los Angeles Center. The new Yogoda emblem pins are now being sold at Mt. Washington.

On Saturday, October 30th, the Mount Washington Educational Center was the scene of the Nirnala Art Club Halloween Costume Party, at which about one hundred students and their friends were present. A Grand March started the fun. Halloween favors were sold from the Fish Pond and the Jack Horner Pie. Various games were played, and a special feature was a Hindu dance by Miss Marceline Lomax. Delicious Halloween refreshments were served.

During September, the Center had the pleasure of entertaining Count and Countess Ilya Tolstoy, who are in California to help in the production of the motion picture "Resurrection" by the Count's father, Leo Tolstoy, famous Russian novelist and reformer. Mr. Ralph Waldo Trine, author of the New Thought classic, "In Tune with the Infinite" and other works, and his wife, were also recently entertained at the Mount Washington Education Center.

October 25, 1926 was the first birthday of the Mount Washington Educational Center in Los Angeles, headquarters of the Yogoda and Sat-Sanga movement in America. This joyous occasion was fittingly celebrated at the Center with a Birthday Banquet attended by about two hundred Los Angeles Yogoda students. Swami Dhirananda, the Hon. James McLachlan, Mr. James Warnack of the Los Angeles "Times," and Mme. Bergman, all gave inspiring talks. The banquet room was beautifully decorated, and special musical numbers were given. The birthday cake was a fruit-cake weighing fifty pounds. A special place was kept vacant in honor of Swami Yogananda, with his picture placed there surrounded by exquisite flowers. Swami Yogananda was absent due to his lecture engagements in Cincinnati, but he was there in thought on this happy occasion. These events fittingly marked the completion of one year's inspiring Yogoda work in Los Angeles and the devotion of the Yogoda students for the aims and ideals of the Mount Washington Educational Center.

On November 23rd, the distinguished Yogoda sponsors, Mme. Amelita Galli-Curci and Homer Samuels, were guests of the Yogoda Headquarters at Mount Washington at a reception given in their honor and attended by about five hundred Yogoda students and their friends.

A beautiful folder with leaves of parchment, lettered by hand in gold, was presented to Mme. Galli-Curci. It read:

"We welcome our prima donna, Galli-Curci, and Mr. Homer Samuels, in your home of Yogoda Sat-Sanga. May your song and music, spiritualized by the light of Yogoda, not only inspire all but bring them to the light of God's wisdom. We are delighted to feel that you are ours, though you belong to the whole world and to God. We pray that your songs convey to your listeners the silent soul-stirring message of your whole being and rouse them by the thousands to God-contact. May God keep you happy, prosperous and blessed in every way through the light of Yogoda and your Spiritual Songs."—Mount Washington Educational Center.

Both Mme. Galli-Curci and Homer Samuels responded very graciously, expressing their delight with the Center and their love for Swami Yogananda and his message of Yogoda. The little Sunday School children garlanded these welcome guests with beautiful wreaths of flowers, and the Center car, a Packard, that was sent to bring them up the winding hilly path to the Center was also gaily decorated with flowers.

After the reception, an address —illustrated with slides of India, was given. The lecture outlined some of the contributions of that great land to the world's civilization. A beautiful organ solo, "Song of India," was given. Mme. Zaruba, prima donna, sang two inspiring numbers.

These features were followed by the formal opening of the Yogoda Christmas Bazaar, which was held for the purpose of raising funds for a street assessment of several hundred dollars on the Mount Washington Education Center property. The numerous tables of the Bazaar, covered with original and beautiful articles donated by students and friends, were presided over by Yogoda students. The candy booth was one of the most popular and interesting. Thirty-nine boxes of Swami Yogananda's delicious "Improved Nature's Candies" were donated by one student.

Miss Eunice Harris, Industrial Director of the Near East Relief, had a large display of exquisite linens made by the orphan girls and refugee mothers of the Near East, and also potteries and copper were made by orphan boys in Jerusalem.

On October 3rd, 1926, Swami Yogananda began his lecture series in Cincinnati, Ohio. Though he entered the city as a stranger, he left it on December 2nd as one of its best-known and best-loved visitors. Never were two months more packed with activity and welcoming of the Yogoda message.

Swami's opening address on October 3rd attracted the largest audience that had ever gathered to hear a lecture in the huge Music Hall of Cincinnati, seating over 3,600 people. Swami continued his lectures in Music Hall until October 18th, after which several Yogoda evening classes were formed, and also an afternoon Yogoda class at the Cincinnati Woman's Club. These several classes taught by the Swami in Cincinnati were comprised of over 1,100 students.

Cincinnati displayed a very warm enthusiasm for Swami's Yogoda teachings and the finest type of citizens lent their united support to his message. Deep appreciation is especially extended to the excellent and nationally known newspaper, the Cincinnati "Enquirer," who opened the columns of the "Enquirer" to Swami's message to such an extent that practicably every person in Cincinnati became familiar in some degree with the teachings of Yogoda. Swami's lectures appeared in full every day in the "Enquirer" and were the means of reaching hundreds of thousands of Ohio people who could not attend the lectures in person. If all newspapers displayed such a fine progressive spirit, people could quickly be educated to the taste for the better things of life. Such newspapers as the Cincinnati "Enquirer" are the best ministers to the education of the public.

Mr. Frederick F. Downs, vice-president of the United States Can Company.

Among other prominent citizens of Cincinnati who became Yogoda students were: Mrs. Nettie B. Loughead, first woman Senator to the Ohio State Legislature; Mr. Thomas L. Tallentire, attorney and member of the State Legislature; Mr. Clair H. Norton, noted Cincinnati manufacturer; Miss Annie Laws, first president of the Cincinnati Woman's Club, nationally known educator, and president of the Kindergarten Mothers Club; Mr. Robert W. Smith, attorney and national committee man of the American Legion, all socially prominent in Cincinnati.

Among the Cincinnati clubs who extended an invitation to Swami to speak before their members were the Advertising Club, the American Business Men's Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Norwood Literary Club, the Cincinnati Club, the Cooperative Club, the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the University of Cincinnati.

On December 1st, the Cincinnati students of Yogoda honored Swami with a Hindu Health luncheon. This luncheon and the plans for a Cincinnati Yogoda Center may be best described in the words of the following article which appeared in the Society columns of the Cincinnati "Enquirer" of December 2nd, 1926:

"Yesterday, at his 'Hindu Health Luncheon,' in the Hotel Sinton ballroom, Swami Yogananda was greeted by over a thousand men and women who sat down at flower-decked tables, hundreds being turned away. In this enthusiastic throng there were distinguished men of affairs, bankers, literateurs, medical men, leaders of fashion, clergymen, and indeed followers drawn from many walks of life.

"I do not ask your co-operation for myself," declared the philosopher in his address on "The Art of Living," "I ask it for Cincinnati, America, India, for all humanity. I come to you not as an advocate of any cult, but as one who wishes to help Cincinnati to a balanced life, to a knowledge of the value of concentration, meditation and realization of the God in man. For with that comes an inner urge to help all men. It is to assist Cincinnati and America to concentrate on the universal principles of God in whose image man is made and not upon the non-essentials of dogma or creed that I have come to you. . . . . .

"By a balanced life I mean one that is calmly active. To be too calm is to be lazy. To be too active is to be a machine. Yogoda will show you how to attain this 'calm activity,' and through it to be fatigueless; to energize the human dynamo at will and so to prevent physical and psychological disease, depression, failure, crime, poverty, religious intolerance.

"Yogoda shows the way to unite man's God-given forces and not to subdivide them. It teaches preventive measures—which are safer, saner and more positive than any attempts to cure after a detrimental state has been established. I bring to Cincinnati the message that just so long as there is a single poor person in your city, or one who is hungry, or diseased, or forlorn, every citizen of this community is responsible for that condition. I hope to see the day when every member of this municipality will be strong in a universal struggle to prevent human ills. If a Hindu temple or a Moslem mosque can be lighted by electricity in this day of progress, surely all nations can join in expressing the gifts of God to man, through the intelligence and the sympathy imparted in him, forgetful of all dogma and differences that have existed among them. I should like to see the Pope and the Bishop of Canterbury exchange pulpits. Why can not this be, since each is made in the image of God and since the body of each is His temple?

"I have established this 'How-to-Live Center' in order to instruct adults and children in the art of self-control, of right eating, of idealism. Business is necessary and is a great impetus to man's ingenuity. But if it is devoted solely to money making it is unworthy of its mission. Business is service. And only that article is fit to sell which is a good article and helps the world. Life must be service. Without that ideal for all the world, for all human beings, the intelligence which God has given man is not reaching out toward its goal."

The newspaper article continued:

The Swami was continually interrupted with responsive applause, his words being listened to with profound attention and his address being introduced by a similar expression of prolonged enthusiasm in his honor. He announced that $6,500 had been raised as a foundation for Cincinnati's "How-To-Live Center," to be conducted under the Yogoda system.

When in full operation the Cincinnati center is to have children's classes where, through the Yogoda method of concentration, a contact with Spirit is obtained, and crime and evil are prevented by scientific strengthening of the will power to rise above temptation.

There will be a "prosperity clinic," where "failures" will be welcomed and where an employment bureau will be organized. Here poverty will be diagnosed as an individual question and the way of remedying it surveyed and made a means of instruction.

A health clinic will include methods of dieting, of exercise and of mental and physical healing.

A clinic of spiritual and material service for all inhabitants of Cincinnati will be formed.

A spiritual clinic, where will be taught the art of contacting God through psycho-physical concentration is already assured.

A Moral League for uprooting the causes of crime by teaching children in the methods of Yogoda in a way to prevent crime will be founded. An invaluable system invented by Swami Yogananda, which recharges the body battery through will and concentration, energizing and relaxing, will make it immune to the modern menace, fatigue. Yogoda is a compound of the word yoga, which means harmony, and da, which signifies to teach.

Swami Yogananda announced that he had made arrangements with Brahmachari Nerode, the young Hindu now in charge of the Detroit Center, to come to Cincinnati once a month to teach and inspire the citizens of Cincinnati at the How-to-Live Center. He is a pupil of Swami Yogananda and has been educated in his theories. He has been a student at American schools and colleges, where he has received his M.A. cum laude. He therefore has the background and is able to carry on in the absence of Swami Yogananda.

The guests were greatly interested in the menu for this "Hindu Health Luncheon," which contained no meat and while simple was very nourishing. It consisted of a delicious, mild curry of mushrooms, cauliflower and other vegetables, after one of Swami Yogananda's recipes; rice cooked from this East Indian's own supply which he has sent him from his native heath so that it will not be so polished as to be useless as an article of food; wild rice which is the unpolished kind; whole wheat bread muffins, and a fresh pear, filled with cream cheese made into a paste with cream, decorated on top with a roulade of whipped cream and set upon a bit of jelly, sprinkled with pine seeds, borrowed from the Swami's store that comes from his own country.

Dr. Thomas M. Stewart, leader of the newly established center here, spoke of the necessity of some such practical vehicle of inspiration as Yogoda, to reach the root of crime causes, and the mental and physical ills to which flesh is heir. A well-known medical man himself, one who has made the sciences and dogmas of the Far East a matter of lifelong study.

Letting statistics talk for him, he said that according to recent official survey, experts had found that the increase in mental diseases in this country in the past 41 years is 553 per cent—a most appalling record. Insanity in the last ten years in America has augmented 24 per cent, and, as an indication of the progress of crime wave and evil license in general, the police appropriation in New York alone has been raised from $11,000,000 to $33,000,000. In Chicago the commission appointed to find some means of suppressing the astonishing perversity of criminal development that prevails there has declared, said Dr. Stewart, in its official bulletin, that education is the one means to an amelioration of this condition. It further stated that so complicated are these demands that it would take at least 30 years to teach teachers how to teach others.

Dr. Stewart, from his close association with Swami Yogananda and other Far Eastern masters of philosophy, insisted that Yogoda could accomplish this end in a comparatively brief period, and with eminent and sure results, as have been proved elsewhere.

A permanent committee to formulate the plans, superintend the growth and develop the units of the "How-to-Live Center" here is to be appointed immediately, a national committee also being in process of formation to correlate all these centers in a single great movement throughout the land, dedicated to the spiritual and material tenets which Yogoda embodies.

Pledges of financial support for the Cincinnati center were distributed, a sum of $100,000 being unofficially established as an ultimate goal in establishing such an educational service here and toward the founding of a teachers' training school for the preparation of those who are to give instruction there.

Swami Yogananda is leaving for Cleveland the end of this week, and goes thence to Pittsburgh, in his campaign of spiritual unity and material prosperity, Thence he departs for New York for the holidays, which he will spend with the family of Mme. Galli-Curci, who is considering the post of Chairman of the Swami's National Committee. In January he opens his classes in Washington, and after this course in the national capital he will make one of his regular tours of all the Yogoda Centers of the country. He hopes to return here every three months or possibly oftener, depending upon the needs of the many schools which he is establishing.

Thus ended this long article from the Cincinnati "Enquirer."

On November 14th, Swami Yogananda was the guest of Mr. John G. Robinson and his daughters at Terrace Park, Ohio. The occasion had been arranged to enable Swami to have a short visit with four natives of India who are staying in Terrace Park at present. They were truly delighted to have someone from their own country call on them—due to their age and weight and the traffic laws of Cincinnati, it would have been impossible for them to have called on the Swami at his hotel. Tillie, the oldest of the ladies, is 109 years of age and weighs four tons. She addressed Swami familiarly as Papa. Tony is only forty-five years old and weighs 8,335 pounds. The two younger girls, Clara and Pit, are respectively 35 and 40 years of age and weigh a mere 6,930 and 7,355 pounds.

To set the minds of our readers at rest, we will admit that these charming natives of India are not people, but performing elephants belonging to John G. Robinson, Jr., who is a member of the fourth generation of the Robinson family of circus fame. Tillie is the oldest performing elephant and the only talking elephant in the world. She pronounces the word "papa" loudly and distinctly, and addressed Swami thus in a very filial manner.

The Detroit Yogoda Center has recently acquired its own permanent headquarters at 3782 Woodward Avenue, in the downtown section of the city, with auditorium, meditation room, office room and sitting room.

Brahmachari Nerode, earnest Hindu leader of the Detroit Yogoda Center, conducts the Wednesday evening meetings for Yogoda students, at which the Yogoda exercises are reviewed and business matters discussed. Brahmachari Nerode has won the high regard of the Detroit Yogoda students and their friends, and his meetings are very well attended each week. The Detroit Yogoda Center reports that their Thanksgiving week was made doubly blessed by the visit of Swami Yogananda to their city. The Swami addressed his students in their own hall on November 27th, and spoke the next night in McCollester Hall to the students and their friends. The halls were packed on both occasions and Swami was given an enthusiastic ovation. His message of love, service and the everlasting will to "carry on," inspired anew the loyal hearts of his Detroit students.

The Cleveland Yogoda Center "marches on" under the leadership of the beloved Rev. Edward A. Lohman, who lectures every Sunday evening at the Truman Building Auditorium.

The Rev. Lohman is one of Cleveland's foremost exponents of freedom of thought and expression and gives credit to every man's faith and belief, just so they are broad and honest.

The Cleveland public is looking forward to Swami Yogananda's arrival on December 4th, when he will give a free lecture on "Quickening Success through Concentration" at the B. of L. E. Auditorium. This lecture will be followed by a week of Yogoda class instruction under Swami himself at the Hollenden Hotel. Much newspaper and other publicity has already heralded the return of Swami to Cleveland, and many advance enrollments for the Yogoda class have been received.

The Cleveland Yogoda Center and its friends have been preparing for a wonderful "Hindu Banquet" to be given in Swami Yogananda's honor on December 7th at 7:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce building. Reservations for 800 guests have been made, and students from Detroit, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati have arranged to be present at this delightful Cleveland event. A varied program of music and speeches, including a talk by Swami Yogananda, has been arranged.

On December 20th, the Cleveland Yogoda Center will hold a Bazaar at the Truman Building. For this event, 5,000 tickets have been printed and are being distributed to Yogoda students and their friends in Cleveland.

The Pittsburgh Yogoda Center continues to grow and thrive under the inspiring leadership of Mr. Ezra A. Zartman, who conducts the regular Sunday evening meetings at the Congress of Clubs.

On November 18th, this Center held its first Get-Together-Social. An excellent hour and a half of delightful entertainment was provided, followed by light refreshments, and an opportunity to purchase honey, Swami Sweets, Christmas Yogoda cards painted at the Yogoda Headquarters in Los Angeles, and other things, all for the benefit of the Yogoda cause in Pittsburgh. The room was decorated in Yogoda colors, and a beautiful colored lithograph of Swami Yogananda hung in the center of the stage.

Illuminated billboards, poster cards in store windows, newspaper advertisements, and announcements by clubs and leaders, are now informing Pittsburgh of the coming of Swami Yogananda on December 12th to give a free lecture in the huge Soldiers Memorial Auditorium on Fifth Avenue. This lecture will be followed by a week of Yogoda class instruction at the Soldiers Memorial Hall, and many Pittsburghers who were not able to attend Swami's classes last February, are planning to take advantage of his presence in Pittsburgh during the week of December 12th, to learn more of the wonderful Yogoda teachings for a balanced life by mental, physical and spiritual development.

Pittsburgh Yogoda students are making extensive preparations to give Swami a right royal welcome in demonstration of their love for him and his great message, which has been the means of making life over new, right side up, for so many thousand American people.

Owing to the insistent demand of the New York City students, Swami Yogananda has arranged to greet them and their friends at a meeting to be held on Tuesday night, December 28th, at 7:45, at the United Engineering Society Building, 29 West 39th Street, New York City.

The Swami is looking forward with joy to this long-desired reunion with his New York City students, and will have a special message for them on "The New Year—Spiritual Healing For All Ills."

After his strenuous Yogoda labors of love in Cincinnati during October and November, and his work in Cleveland and Pittsburgh during this month of December, Swami Yogananda is planning to relax a bit during the Christmas holidays to honor the great Founder of Christianity, the Son of man and the Son of God.

Swami will visit his friend, Mr. Vladimir Rosing, director of the American Opera Company, in Rochester, New York, for a short time. Swami will then be the guest of Amelita Galli-Curci and Homer Samuels in New York during Christmas week.

Starting January 9th, 1927, Swami Yogananda will give a series of free lectures in the beautiful Washington Auditorium in Washington, D. C. Much eager anticipation is already shown in our national capitol for the coming of the Yogoda message there for the first time. Yogoda students everywhere are writing to their Washington friends about this January series of lectures.