Epistles (fifth series)
Mrs. Alice (Shanti) Hansbrough
CLXXV
To Mrs. Alice (Shanti) Hansbrough
The Vedanta Society,
102 E. 58th Street, New York, N.Y.
[End of June 1900]
Dear Mrs. Hansbrough--
I have not written you a line since you left San Francisco. I am well and things are going on well with me. I am in New York once more, where they have got now a home for the Society and their headquarters. I and the other Swamis also live there.
A San Francisco lady [Miss Minnie C. Boock] now here owns a plot of land near Mt. Hamilton, 12 miles east of Lick observatory--160 acres in area. She is going to make us a present of it. It would be nice for a summer gathering for us in California. If friends like to go there now, I will send them the written authority. Will you write to Mrs. Aspinall and Miss Bell etc., about it? I am rather desirous it should be occupied this summer as soon as possible. There is only a log cabin on the land; for the rest they must have tents.
I am sorry I can not spare a Swami yet.
With all love to you and Mrs. [Carrie Mead] Wyckoff and the baby of the family.
Ever yours in the Truth,
Vivekananda
P.S. Tell Helen [the youngest Mead sister]--I thank her for her kind invitation, but [am] so sorry [I] can not accept it now. After all, you three sisters have become a part of my mind forever. What about the club?
V.
CLXXVII
To Mrs. Alice (Shanti) Hansbrough
102 E. 58th Street
New York
3rd July 1900
My dear Mrs. Hansbrough--
This is to introduce Swami Turiyananda. The lady who gave the piece of land for Vedanta work belongs to Los Angeles. She has taken Turiyananda with her. He is a great spiritual teacher--but has no experience in platform work.
The best thing would be to help him to start a centre for quiet and rest and meditation in the land near San Jose.
With all love to the holy Trinity. 156
Ever yours in the Lord,
Vivekananda
CXCVIII
To Mrs. Alice (Shanti) Hansbrough
The Math
Howrah Dist.,
Bengal, India
3rd June 1901
Dear Mrs. Hansbrough--
The contribution of six pounds and three shillings to the Math by the Los Angeles club has duly reached. Swami Brahmananda will write to you a separate acknowledgement. But as I happen to be here just now and have not had long any direct communication with you, I feel like having a chat with you as of yore, even though it be through the post. Now how are you and the Baby and the holy Trinity and the oldest who brings up the rear?
How are all our Los Angeles friends? Poor Mrs. [Emeline F.] Bowler, I hear, has passed away. She was an angel. Where is Miss Strickney? Please tender her my sincerest love, gratitude and prayers when you meet her next.
How are all the San Francisco friends? How is our Madam 165 --the noble, the unselfish? What is she doing now? Quietly gone back to her Home of Truth work?
Are you pleased with uriyananda and his work? Is the [Shanti] Ashrama progressing?
With everlasting love and blessings,
Ever yours in the Lord,
Vivekananda
CCXVII
To Mrs. Alice (Shanti) Hansbrough
Benaras
14 Feb. 1902
My dear Mrs. Hansbrough,
I am eternally indebted to you for what you did for me in the past, and infinitely more now for what you are doing for Turiyananda.
A gloom came over the Math when news reached Calcutta of his severe illness. Now, I hope, he has recovered completely, and I will be so glad to get the news from you.
It seems the American climate does not suit him. In that case it will be better for him to come over to India whenever he thinks fit.
In all probability I am going to Japan in a month or two. Ramakrishnananda accompanies me. Turiyananda may come over to Japan and I go to America. "Mother" knows best, however, and we obey.
I am just now in Benaras for a few days. All letters should, however, be addressed to the Belur Math.
Kindly convey my best love to Turiyananda and to yourself, the holy family and the other friends.
Ever yours in the Lord,
Vivekananda
PS. Let Turiyananda take rest all the time now. He must not work at all till I reach Japan or America.
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