The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 2/Reports in American Newspapers/Less Doctrine and more Bread
LESS DOCTRINE AND MORE BREAD
(Baltimore American, October 15, 1894)
The Lyceum Theater was crowded last night at the first of a series of
meetings by the Vrooman Brothers. The subject discussed was "Dynamic
Religion".
Swami Vivekananda, the high priest [?] from India, was the last speaker. He
spoke briefly, and was listened to with marked attention. His English and
his mode of delivery were excellent. There is a foreign accent to his
syllables, but not enough to prevent him from being plainly understood. He
was dressed in the costume of his native country, which was decidedly
picturesque. He said he could speak but briefly after the oratory that had
preceded him, but he could add his endorsement to all that had been said. He
had traveled a great deal, and preached to all kinds of people. He had found
that the particular kind of doctrine preached made little difference. What
is wanted is practical sort of work. If such ideas could not be carried out,
he would lose his faith in humanity. The cry all over the world is "less
doctrine and more bread". He thought the sending of missionaries to India
all right; he had no objections to offer, but he thought it would be better
to send fewer men and more money. So far as India was concerned, she had
religious doctrine to spare. Living up to the doctrines was needed more than
more doctrines. The people of India, as well as the people all over the
world, had been taught to pray, but prayer with the lips was not enough;
people should pray with their hearts. "A few people in the world," he said,
"really try to do good. Others look on and applaud, and think that they
themselves have done great good. Life is love, and when a man ceases to do
good to others, he is dead spiritually."
On Sunday evening next Swami Vivekananda will make the address of the
evening at the Lyceum.
(Sun, October 15, 1894)
Vivekananda sat on the stage last night with imperturbable stolidity until
it came his turn to speak. Then his manner changed and he spoke with force
and feeling. He followed the Vrooman brothers and said there was little to
add to what had been said save his testimony as a "man from the Antipodes".
"We have doctrines enough," he continued. "What we want now is practical
work as presented in these speeches. When asked about the missionaries sent
to India I reply all right. But we want money more and men less. India has
bushels full of doctrines and to spare. What is wanted is the means to carry
them out.
"Prayer may be done in different ways. Prayer with the hands is yet higher
than prayer with the lips and is more saving.
"All religions teach us to do good for our brothers. Doing good is nothing
extraordinary — it is the only way to live. Everything in nature tends to
expansion for life and contraction for death. It is the same in religion. Do
good by helping others without ulterior motives. The moment this ceases
contraction and death follow."