On October 3rd, 1926, Swami Yogananda began his lectureseries 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 largestaudience 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'sYogoda 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.
