The New Year of 1895 was a surprise
for Hales as Swamiji suddenly dropped in unannounced. He stayed in Chicago for
almost 3 weeks of which very few details are available. He also might have stayed
with Leons for some time as we come to know from the memoirs of Cornelia Conger. But before He landed in New York the preparations for
His parlour lectures and classes to be held had already begun.
Swamiji in His earlier visit had
started the Vedanta center in New York. Miss Mary Phillips was its secretary.
Though the Vedanta center was in an infant stage, whoever had heard Him earlier were eager to attend the classes.
New York hereafter was to become Swamiji's main
center of activity and the beginning of His new, independent way of working.
The famous concert singer, Miss Emma
Thursby and her friend Miss Sarah Farmer were making arrangements for His parlour
lectures. These two famous ladies were friends of Mrs. Sara Bull whom we also know as Dhira Mata, Swamiji’s American mother. She was a real inspiration behind all these arrangements.
So after coming to New York on 18th
January 1895, Swamiji continued to sleep at Dr. Guernsey’s house at 528, fifth
Avenue. Dr. Egbert Guernsey was also a well known philanthropist, writer,
editor and founder –director of various important journals, clibs, medicl
institutions etc.
He held Swamiji in a high esteem and
showered his parental affection on Him.
But for the sake of convenience and
also for the total independence, Swamiji moved His bed and boarding from Dr. Guernsey's to the lodging at 54, West, Thirty
Third Street. Compared to Dr. Guernsey’s palatial mansion on 5th
Avenue, this place was very simple.
But Swamiji’s earlier work in New
York started at this lodging itself…
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