The visit to Bristol. [edit]
ABDUL BAHA spent the week end of September 23rd to 25th, at the Clifton Guest House at Clifton, Bristol.
On the first afternoon, while driving, he
expressed much interest in rural England,
marvelling at the century-old trees, and the
vivid green of the woods and downs, so unlike
the arid East. Though it is autumn it
seems like spring, he said. The houses with
their little plots of ground, suggested a
quotation which Abdul Baha gave from
Baha’u’llah’s writings in which the latter
alludes to each family having a house with a
piece of land. Abdul Baha likened the
country to the soul and the city to the body
of man, saying The body without the soul
cannot live. It is good he remarked, to live
under the sky, in the sunshine and fresh air.
Observing a young woman who rode by on
horseback with her hair flying free and several
who bicycled past on their bicycles unattended,
he said, This is the age of woman.
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She should receive the same education as her
brother and enjoy the same privilege; for all
souls are equal before God. Sex, in its
relation to the exigencies of the physical
plane, has no connection with the Spirit. In
this age of spiritual awakening, the world has
entered upon the path of progress into the
arena of developement, where the power of
the spirit surpasses that of the body. Soon
the spirit will have dominion over the world
of humanity.
In the evening greetings were cabled to the Bahais of Teheran informing them of Abdul Baha’s presence in Bristol. He sent his love and wished them to know that he was well and happy with the Clifton friends. This was sent in reply to a cablegram previously received from Teheran congratulating the people of the Guest House on his prospective visit.
Later on a general reception was held, ninety people coming to meet Abdul Baha who spoke to them with impressive earnestness.
Abdul Baha said You are very welcome.
I have come far to see you. I praise God
that after forty years of waiting I am
permitted at last to come and bring my
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message. This is an assembly full of spirituality.
Those who are present have turned
their hearts towards God. They are looking and
longing for glad tidings. We have gathered
here by the power of the Spirit, therefore our
hearts are stirred with thanksgiving. Send
out Thy Light and Thy Truth O God: Let
them lead us to the Holy Mountains: May
we be refreshed by the holy springs that are
renewing the life of the world! As day
follows night, and after sunset comes the
dawn, so Jesus Christ appeared on the horizon
of this world like a Sun of Truth; even so
when the people—after forgetting the teaching
of Christ and His example of love to all
humanity—had again grown tired of material
things, a heavenly Star shone once more
in Persia, a new illumination appeared and
now a great light is spreading throughout
all lands.
Men keep their posessions for their own
enjoyment and do not share sufficiently with
others the bounty received from God. Spring
is thus changed into the winter of selfishness
and egotism. Jesus Christ said “Ye must be
born again” so that divine Life may spring
anew within you. Be kind to all around and
serve one another; love to be just and true in
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all your dealings; pray always and so live
your life that sorrow cannot touch you.
Look upon the people of your own race and
those of other races as members of one
organism, sons of the same Father; let it be
known by your behaviour that you are indeed
the people of God. Then wars and disputes
shall cease and over the world will spread the
most Great Peace.
After Abdul Baha had retired Tamaddon-ul-Molk and Mr. W. Tudor Pole gave short addresses in which references were made to the martyrdom of the faithful in Persia, special mention being made of the eminent poetess Qurrat-ul-Ain.
The next day was a bright Sunday and Abdul Baha went out with his friends driving and walking on the downs. Afterwards he gathered the servants of the house together, spoke of the dignity of labour and thanked them for their service, giving to each some remembrance of his visit. He went over the Guest House and blessed it as a centre for pilgrims from every part of the world, and said it would become indeed a House of Rest.
On the morning of the third day, a Canon
of the Anglican Church met him at breakfast.
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The conversation turned on the reluctance of
the rich to part with their possessions, Abdul
Baha quoting the saying of Jesus “How
hardly shall they that have riches enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven.” He remarked
that only when the true seeker finds that
attachments to the material are keeping him
from his spiritual heritage, will he gladly
enter the way of renunciation. Then will the
rich man joyfully share his worldly possessions
with the needy. Abdul Baha contrasted
the unpretentious hospitality before him with
the costly banquets of the wealthy, who too
often sit at their feasts forgetting the hungry
multitudes.
He urged his hearers to spread the light in their own homes so that finally it would illuminate the whole community.
Abdul Baha then returned to London. It was the earnest wish of those who had the privilege of meeting him that his followers in others lands should know how much the Clifton people appreciated his visit and realised his spiritual power and love.
THOMAS POLE.
