Phillips Brooks Hall at Harvard University

On the evening of the 23rd of June 1964 at 6:30 p.m. Shri Nathji's birthday was celebrated at Phillips Brooks Hall at Harvard University by Priya Nath. The University authorities had been good enough to loan the use of the hall, free of rent, to Priya Nath. There was Shri Nathji's enlightening sermon, after which the birthday cake was cut, and Priya Nath played “Happy Birthday to You” on the piano. Those present in the hall joined him and sang the birthday song for Shri Nathji. It was an entirely new manner of celebrating Shri Nathji's Birthday, and the first time anyone had played “Happy Birthday to You” for him. Amongst those present was Dr. Herman Winick who later gave in his name as the first member of the Divine Love Society that Priya Nath proposed. Albeit, it was a very successful birthday celebration that contained the touch of the Phillips Brooks Hall of Harvard University.

Phillips Brooks House is located in the northwestern corner of Harvard Yard. This belongs to the famous, teacher, preacher and poet of Harvard, Phillips Brooks. It is now part of the Harvard University and is offered for use for all forms of religious and spiritual functions and gathering to the students and faculty at Harvard. Phillips Brooks was among the first of the preachers at the chapel, where his power forced itself into student's lives.  One of his greatest powers was that of spontaneous prayer. With bowed head he would rapidly repeat some favorite passage; and then, throwing back his head, burst into thanksgiving, glowing and unbounded. His influence on undergraduates resulted from his diverse interests and his power to apply himself to little things. Not one of the officers of the University failed to feel the man's force and personality. His photograph is given here and it seems to bear some resemblance to Shri Nathji.

To be a teacher was the supreme ambition of Phillips Brooks's life. But in his early life Phillips Brooks was not a leader, and he failed completely as a teacher, so that his later power seems almost a gift from the Almighty. This power had its source in his knowledge, love and worship of God. The power became his, because he chose to elect spiritual light as his life work. He was elected to the Board of Overseers when he came to Boston in 1870. He served on this board from 1870-1882, and again from 1883-1889. Among his greatest works while connected, with the University was the harboring of the "experiment" of voluntary religious worship. He was known to be a very humble man who laid great emphasis on prayer and thanks giving in any form an individual desires. Shri Nathji must have given blessings to Phillips Brooks’ pure soul when His birthday was celebrated here.