“In the future, God willing, Green Acre shall become a great center, the cause of the unity of the world of humanity, the cause of uniting hearts, the cause of binding together the East and the West.”
“Should Green Acre follow firmly in this path and continue the annual holding of its impartial, universal Conferences,—there is no doubt that that region will become illumined with the light of unity.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
GREEN ACRE, “beautiful for situation,” has been the subject of many a talk, a lecture, an article, in the past few years, and therefore Bahá’ís the world over are more or less familiar with its history. “Lest we forget,” however, the links in the story connecting it with the present day activities let us record once again those stirring events which have been the harbingers of the New Day and which very clearly foreshadowed that Hour of Unity for which so many hearts yearned.
Green Acre is situated in Eliot, Maine, and incidentally, it has put the otherwise obscure and almost unheard of little town on the map of the world. It seems truly a place ever green, as the name implies. The fields stretch out from the main-traveled road to the river like a soft green carpet, with only the one road running through it from the now famous Teahouse at the entrance, to the Green Acre Inn situated on a knoll overlooking the Piscataqua river (almost lovingly and quite correctly termed “The River of Light”).
Briefly then, Green Acre was founded by Miss Sarah J. Farmer of Eliot, Maine, who, after attending the Congress of Religions at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, conceived the idea of establishing a Summer School on the property afterwards named Green Acre, and started almost immediately to set the wheels in motion for the organization of such a school, the object of which should be to provide a universal platform for the comparative study of the different religious systems, the various speakers to expound their views in a spirit of tolerance toward all.
Miss Farmer was successful beyond her fondest hopes, and the Green Acre yearly conferences became widely known, and attracted to this unusual gathering place religionists, scholars and others famous in the world of religion, arts and letters. Among them was the poet John Greenleaf Whittier who, upon one of his visits, said: “We have heard of ‘God’s Acres,’ but I call this Green Acre,” and thereafter Miss Farmer used this name.
Thus began the “Search for Truth” in Green Acre; and from year to year thereafter the programs changed to coincide with the onward march of events until it was clear and evident that what the people wanted and needed was to find the Solvent which should unite all in one Brotherhood.
Miss Farmer, in the course of a few years, became a Bahá’í and realized fully that in the Bahá’í Teachings could be found the great Force and Power which would unite the people of the world and make of them one family regardless of race, creed or color.
In those early pioneering days one of the events which is enormously outstanding is the period when Mirza Abul Fazl, the distinguished Persian Bahá’í teacher visited Green Acre,[Page 88]
and gave the teachings of God with such force and clarity to many a weary traveler on the path. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has designated him as the greatest religious teacher of his time, and those who realized his station and capacity felt that it was a privilege to be taught by him. He loved all, and served all alike. What a bounty he was! And how he enjoyed walking to the pines, there to give his illumined talks to the eager groups who gathered around him! Thereafter the pines became known as the “Persian Pines,” and though it was in the summer of 1904 that our revered teacher visited Green Acre, yet those radiant services of his are ever fresh and fair in the memory. His season at Green Acre was one of particular charm and spiritual growth. Blessed Mirza Abul Fazl! The writers of the future ages will record the real story in detail of his sanctified life of severance and service!
But nothing of course can be compared to the season of 1912 when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá himself visited Green Acre for one week. “Blessed is the ground which has been pressed by his feet.” From that time Green Acre has been considered by some as holy ground, not in the fanatical sense, but because the Light of spirituality burned brightly there, because the Light of the World shed a radiance beyond the description of any words, and because the hearts of all who contacted with this Divine Servant of God were quickened with such happiness and love of the Kingdom, and were so spiritually confirmed that they were ready to give up all in service to humanity. He was the Divine Exemplar who was himself treading the path of servitude and holiness, and being Perfect he could direct others to the Perfect Way. He summoned all to devote their time to the spiritual reality of religion, and said: “In Green Acre you must concentrate your forces around the one all-important fact, the investigation of reality. Expend all your efforts on this, that the union of opinions and expressions may be obtained.”
From that time down through these succeding years, many an advanced soul has at times scaled the spiritual heights in contemplation of the precious hours spent with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Green Acre; they have seen once again his majestic figure, and heard his peerless voice ringing out the Words of God, teaching the children of men how to attain spiritual maturity, how to live the sanctified life.
The old order passed, and the foundation of the new life became apparent to all. Thereafter the Green Acre conferences were to revolve around teaching the reality of the Word of God.
About the year 1912 Miss Farmer became too ill to serve as the head and moving spirit of Green Acre, and soon thereafter it passed into the possession and under the control of the Green Acre Fellowship, with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Randall of Boston contributing largely of their resources in every way to furthering the great plan of this beautiful center, and they built wisely and well around the Principle of the Investigation of Reality.
This period covering some ten or twelve years, has often passed through severe storms and stress, after which would come invariably the “clearing.” The “Gales of the Infinite” dissipated the debris of man’s ideas as the winds gather up and scatter far and wide the sands of the roads. No one save the Lord himself is able to measure the mighty works that have been wrought during these years. Many and varied are the stories that could be written of the[Page 89]
beauty of service at Green Acre; of the many hundreds who have found themselves at this Center, made holy by the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and his divine spirit, and who have listened to the message of Life with ears attuned to celestial anthems, thereafter returning to their homes alive and keen to continue on the path which leads to the Goal of all our hopes. When these stories are gathered some day and compiled, they will make a book of such interesting spiritual experiences as will charm and truly enlighten those who read it. The readers will likewise be inspired “to investigate reality.”
Another summer seems particularly outstanding as we recall the many beautiful summers through which we have journeyed to this time, namely the season of 1916, when two important events took place. One the dedication of Fellowship House, the gift to Green Acre of Mrs. Helen Ellis Cole of New York, a Bahá’í, a devoted friend and sister to Miss Farmer, and a loyal supporter of the beautiful life and spirit of Green Acre. And, secondly, Miss Farmer returned after her years of separation because of illness. Her heart was overflowing with gratitude to her Bahá’í brothers and sisters “who have raised Green Acre to this pinnacle of spiritual unity and peace. She had lived to see her early dream realized, to see many nations and sects, races and religions joined together under the Flag of Peace.” Soon thereafter she passed into the life eternal and radiant.
Another important season was the summer of 1920, when Jenabi-Fadil, a renowned Persian Bahá’í teacher who had been sent to this country by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, taught at Green Acre. He brought a fresh impetus to the Conferences, and during his stay there was a very marked spiritual advancement. He again served at Green Acre in the succeeding years.
The summer of 1921 is also notable, for the Teahouse and Gift shop were opened for the first time. This addition to the life and activities of the place was planned and arranged by Mrs. Ruth Randall, who for the past four years has successfully managed this attractive branch of the work and likewise beautified the surrounding grounds, making the entrance to Green Acre most inviting.
Gradually from that time to the present the growth has been toward the fulfillment of the prophetic utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in regard to the future of Green Acre, one of which carries with it a special significance and is here quoted:
“Thy desire to serve Green Acre is in reality a very important matter. This name (Green Acre) must appear with all its significant meaning, that is, Green Acre must become the reflection of the plain of Acca (spelled Akká in the new transliteration), and attain to the utmost verdancy, greenness and artistic beauty. Its charms and wonder lie in this,—that it may become the center of the Bahá’ís and the cry of Ya-Bahá’u’l-Abbá (0 thou the Glory of the Most Glorious!) be raised from all its direction.”
The season of 1924 then is another particularly outstanding one in the growth and life of Green Acre. At the annual Fellowship meeting in August of that year the friends gathered together were realizing more than ever the meaning and deep significance of the law of co-operation and co-ordination and envisioned the Greater Green Acre to be brought into the realm of visibility. At this meeting Dr. M. A. Cohn of Brooklyn, N. Y., thrilled the friends with his suggestion that the Annual Bahá’í Convention and Congress be held in Green Acre 1925. He said in part:
“I suggest that we call a great congress in Green Acre for the summer
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of 1925, inviting all the Bahá’ís of this country and Canada to meet with us on this beautiful and consecrated ground. This Congress of 1925 if carried forward in unity, harmony and love will stand out as a Beacon Light in the annals of the Bahá’í Cause in this country in general, and of Green Acre in particular.”
But that which furnished the dynamic for action was the instruction of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause which was received in 1924 and contained these stirring words:
“I was delighted to hear of the progressive activities of that dearly beloved spot, Green Acre, upon which the Master has bestowed His tender care and loving kindness, and of which we are all hopeful that it may become, whilst the work of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is in progress, the Focal Center of the devotional, humanitarian, social and spiritual activities of the Cause.”
Thus it was that the friends voted to hold the Bahá’í Convention and Congress of 1925 in Green Acre the first week in July, providing this action received the approval of Shoghi Effendi. All who have read the preceding numbers of the Star of the West know that this sanction was received in due time, and that the Convention and Congress held this year brought many new faces to Green Acre, and it already stands out as a “beacon light” in the path of progress.
Now once again we have just had another Annual Fellowship meeting held at the Green Acre Inn on August 10th.
Mr. Wm. H. Randall, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Green Acre, in his opening address, spoke with deep feeling, with sincerity, with love and with a tenderness which touched all hearts. Among other things he said:
“All of life seems to follow definite stages: the infant period, that of adolescence, and again the period of maturity. Miss Farmer was the great loving mother who brought into being a child—Green Acre—and with love and tender care she carried it forward, rearing the foundation for the future work. When she was unable to continue, the care of Green Acre passed into the hands of the Fellowship and a number of Trustees, and for some ten or twelve years the affairs of Green Acre have been conducted along this line, until now it has come to another stage of its growth, it has come to its maturity. . . . Green Acre has survived and grown through its spirit of unity and and service, and through its spirit of love. . . . I think now that Green Acre is approaching another period of its growth; it must be apparent to all that new life is coming to this center and is bringing to it a vision of new resources and of great growth. Therefore we should be ready to take this next step forward in the life of Green Acre. . . . We grow by uniting ourselves to the larger needs. Man progresses from one level of consciousness to another, and as growth toward the higher consciousness comes, he sees the higher world, and that this vision unfolds before him the plan of God. And so Green Acre must pass, in spirit anyway, from a center in itself to a greater center, and go forward in the unity of its own greater work. I feel therefore that we are going to have a marvelous meeting, that we have gathered here with nothing but unity in our minds, and the desire and purpose of our heart is to unite the past with the interests of the larger and greater Green Acre, that in time to come we may be so proud to be members of this Fellowship that it will be our summer happiness to unite here each year, contributing
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our part toward the success of this beautiful spiritual center with its manifold activities to be developed year by year, its life of agriculture, its educational system, its means of recreation and happiness, indeed we know the ideals of Green Acre revolve around the whole world of humanity for it is an expression of the Word of God. I welcome you all with the greatest happiness, and I am so glad to see some of the faces of the dear old friends of the days of Miss Farmer who worked so hard for Green Acre,—to see them again sitting in this body uniting with us, and now confident that the inner life of Green Acre has been assured.”
Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher spoke in behalf of the Trustees and gave a brief resume of the work which has been accomplished. He gave the following heartfelt testimony: “What has been done is only due to the co-operation of the members of this Fellowship without which the Board of Trustees cannot do anything. It is the spirit of co-operation and co-ordination which has brought about the material and physical improvements in the last few years,—an expression also of my gratitude toward Green Acre, for here I have experienced real and loving friendships which I have never known before, and I tried to put into the work the spirit of love and service. There is no greater mysticism to be experienced I think than that which a man or woman finds for the first time when they really contact that true spirit of loving service which is selfless and ideal and promoted by the heart which has been touched with the love of God; only for the sake of God do they serve and for the advancement of His Cause; and this is my debt to Green Acre. When I first came here I was presented with a little booklet which told of the ideals of this center, and I said: Is it possible? I thought to myself it is not possible for such a place to exist! But I looked around and discovered it was not only possible, but it was almost finished, almost accomplished in truth and in fact. . . . The great joy is in serving, is in accomplishing, and today it is in giving a helping hand to Green Acre. I became acquainted with this universal platform, but I did not know at first exactly what a universal platform meant. So I referred to our dear friend. I thoroughly appreciated the closer touch and learned more about the great Truths which were stirring this group of people into action, and I came to the conclusion that it was not the outer Green Acre, even with its beautiful setting and surroundings, but that it was the deep meaning of Green Acre, its ideals, its universal platform, its deep spiritual significance, its standards of unity and human solidarity that I loved so much and which I have tried to follow, which many succeed in following, and all of us will succeed in this endeavor through co-operation and selfless service, and it will be our privilege to lift up others, and see that they also enjoy this happiness and the loving friendships. There is the mysticism of Green Acre, and there is the true mysticism. There is the demonstration of the spirit of love in action. It was this Bahá’í spirit which attracted me. . . There is to come before you a resolution which the Board of Trustees has prepared in absolute unity with the greatest consideration realizing its importance. With the adoption of such a resolution, we will be able surely to have the support of all the Green Acre people of the world, and which will bring all of us definitely into relation with Green Acre.”
Miss Roushan Wilkinson, Secretary of the Fellowship, read a comprehensive annual report, clearly setting[Page 94]
forth the proceedings of the last Fellowship meeting and bringing fresh to the minds the activities of the year.
Mr. Mountfort Mills, Dr. M. A. Cohn, Mr. Stanwood Cobb and others spoke feelingly of the services of all those who had contributed such a vital part of the work and of the possibilities and future plans for the Green Acre activities.
The resolution referred to by Mr. Schopflocher provided that Green Acre should be definitely correlated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U. S. and Canada, and that it should come directly under its control and supervision as soon as all technical points in connection therewith could be adjusted. The resolution was joyously accepted by a large majority and it was adopted unanimously.
Thus the future of Green Acre is gloriously assured; some of the most stirring prophecies of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have been fulfilled; and with the hoisting once again of the beautiful white Peace Flag on the Green Acre grounds amid the united prayers and songs of the assembled friends, there passed into history one of the most deeply significant and most glorious meetings in the whole life of Green Acre, for the decisions arrived at signify the expansion of Green Acre eventually into a beautiful “City of God”—for such it will be when every activity is for the sake of God, and every man, woman and child is listening with the ear of the spirit to the inner voice which calls to prayer, to unity to “living the life” of a real Brotherhood,—a life which functions in and for God, and which can be led by the spirit because filled with the spirit.
