Abdul Baha in London (1912)/At St. John’s Westminster (Introduction)
ST. JOHN'S WESTMINSTER: INTRODUCTION [edit]
ON September 17th, Abdul Baha at the
request of the Venerable Archdeacon of
Westminster addressed the congregation of
Saint John the Divine after evening service.
With a few warm words characteristic of his
whole attitude Archdeacon Wilberforce introduced
the revered Messenger from the East,
who had crossed seas and countries on his
Mission of Peace and Unity for which he had
suffered forty years of captivity and persecution.
The Archdeacon had the Bishop's chair
placed for his Guest on the Chancel steps,
and standing beside him read the translation
of Abdul Baha’s address himself. The Congregation
was profoundly moved, and following
the Archdeacon’s example knelt to receive the
blessing of the Servant of God—who stood
with extended arms—his wonderful voice
rising and falling in the silence with the power
of his invocation. As the Archdeacon said:
Truly the East and the West have met in this
sacred place to-night. The hymn “O God
our help in ages past” was sung by the entire
assembly standing, as Abdul Baha and the[Page 7]
Archdeacon passed down the aisle to the vestry
hand in hand.
Outside the Church, Salvationists were holding their meeting and Abdul Baha was deeply impressed and touched at the sight of the men, women and children gathered together in the night, at the street corner, praying and singing.
