Bahá’í World/Volume 20/The Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to the West

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THE SEVENTY—FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF “ABDu’L-BAHA’S VISIT TO THE WEST

1. THE VISIT OF ‘ABDU’L—BAHA TO THE WEST

SHERNA DEAMER

IN September 1910, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—the Head of the Bahá’í Faith—left His home in the Holy Land and traveled first to Egypt, and then to the West, Visiting England and Scotland, France, Germany, Hungary, Austria and Switzerland, and the United States of America and Canada. His journey lasted for three years, and everywhere He went He proclaimed the Teachings of Baha’u’llah through word and through deed. “‘Abdu’l-Bahá was at this time broken in healt ”, His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, tells us. He suffered from several maladies brought on by the strains and stresses of a tragic life spent almost wholly in exile and imprisonment. He was on the threshold of three-score years and ten. Yet as soon as He was released fiom His forty-year long captivity... He arose with sublime courage, confidence and resolution t6 consecrate what little strength remained to Him, in the evening of His life, to a service of such heroic proportions that no parallel to it is to be found in the annals of the first Bahá’í century.1 He spent almost a year in Egypt, first in Port Said, and then in a residence in Ram1eh, a suburb of Alexandria, later Visiting Zaytfin

1 Shoghi Effendi, GodPasseS By (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 279.

and Cairo. On 11 August 1911 He sai1ed with a party of four to Marseilles, and proceeded, after brief stays at Thonon—les-Bains and Geneva, to London, where He arrived on 4 September. A follower of Baha’u’flah —Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield, Whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called Sitarih Khánum——put her apartment at 97 Cadogan Gardens at His disposal. “He arrived, and who shall picture Him?” she asks.

A silence as of 1ove and awe overcame us, as we looked at Him; the gracious figure, clothed in a simple White garment, over which was a light-coloured Persian ‘aba; on His head He wore a lowerowned taj, round which was folded a small, fine—linen turban of purest white; His hair and short beard were of that snowy whiteness which had once been black; His eyes were large, blue—grey with long, black lashes and welI—marked eyebrows; His face was a beautiful oval with warm, ivory—coloured skin, a straight, finely—mcdelled nose, and firm, kind mouth. These are merely outside details by which an attempt is made to convey an idea of His arresting personahty. His figure was of such perfect symmetry, and so full of dignity and grace, that the first impression was that of considerable height. He seemed an incarnation of loving

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understanding, of compassion and power, of wisdom and authority, of strength, and of a buoyant youthfulness, which somehow defied the burden of His years; and such years! One saw, as in a clear Vision, that He had so wrought all good and mercy that the inner grace of Him had grown greater than all outer sign, and the radiance of this inner glory shone in every glance, and word, and movement as He came With hands outstretched. ‘1 am very much pleased with you all. Your love has drawn me to London. I waited forty years in prison to bring the Message to you. Are you pleased to receive such a guest?’1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave the Message of the Bahá’í Faith, in eloquent and unequivocal terms, in a number of public talks during His stay in England. The first was from the pulpit of the City Temple in Holborn on 10 September 1911, at the invitation of the Reverend R. J. Campbell. “Oh Noble friends; seekers after God!”, He began:

Praise be to God! Today the light of Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance; the breezes of the heavenly garden are blowing throughout all regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful... The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up its waves with joy, for there is real communication between the hearts and minds of men. The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day. This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons of men and of the drawing together of all races and all

1 Blomfield, Lady, The Chosen Highway (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Tmst, 1967), pp. 149—150. For editorial consistency, the personal pronouns related to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this and other old texts quoted in the article have all been capitalized.

classes. You are loosed from ancient superstitions which have kept men ignorant, destroying the foundation of true humanity. The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.2

This was a powerful call to the West to recognize the new Light from the East and He expanded His theme when addressing the congregation of St. John the Divine, at Westminster, at the request of the Venerable Archdeacon Wilberforce. He spoke to the Theosophical Society at their headquarters, at the express request of their president, and also to a meeting at the Higher Thought Centre in London.

From the point of View of His hostess, however, “The history of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s stay in our house lies in the relating of various incidents, connected with individuals, who stand out from amongst the crowd of those persons who eagerly sought His Presence”.

Oh, these pilgrims, these guests, these Visitors! Remembering those days, our ears are filled with the sound of their footsteps—as they came from every country in the world! Every day, all day long, a constant stream. An interminable procession! Ministers and missionaries, Oriental scholars and occult students, practical men of affairs and mystics, Anglican—Catholics and Nonconformists, Theosophists and Hindus, Christian Scientists and doctors of medicine, Muslims, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians. There also called: politicians, Salvation Army soldiers, and other workers for human good, women suffragists, journalists, writers,

2 ‘Abdu ’l—Bahd in London; Addresses and Notes of Conversations (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 19~20.

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poets and healers, dressmakers and great ladies, artists and artisans, poor workless people and prosperous merchants, members of the dramatic and musical world, these all came; and none were too lowly, nor too great, to receive the sympathetic consideration of this holy Messenger, who was ever giving His life for others’ good.1 “He rose very early, chanted prayers, took tea, wrote Tablets, and dictated others,” Lady Blomfield tells us. “He then received those Who flocked to see Him, some arriving soon after dawn, patiently waiting on the doorsteps until the door would be opened for their entrance.” These Visitors were received individually, or by twos or threes. “Then, about nine o’clock, He would come into the dining room whilst we were at breakfast to greet us. ‘Are you well? Did you sleep well?” Certain of those who thronged to see

the Master, having travelled from far countries, were naturally anxious to spend every possible moment with Him... Therefore it came about that day after day, whilst the Master was teaching, the luncheon gong would sound, and those who remained would be invited to sit at food with Him. We grew to expect that there would be nineteen guests at table, so often did this number recur. These were much~prized times; ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would continue the interrupted discourse, or tell some anecdote, often humorous, meanwhile frequently serving the guests with His own hands, offering sweets, or choosing various fruits to distribute to the friends.2 At the invitation of the Lord Mayor of London, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá breakfasted with him at the Mansion House. On another occasion, He sat in the bow Window in the afternoon sunshine, His arm round a very ragged but very happy little boy who had come to ask for Sixpence for his money box and for his invalid mother, whilst round Him in the room were gathered men

1 The Chosen Highway, pp. lSQ—lSl. 2 ibid. p.161.

and women discussing Education, Socialism, the first Reform Bill, and the relation of submarines and wireless telegraphy to the new era on which man is entering.3

One day after a meeting when, as usual, many people had crowded round Him, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived home very tired. We were sad at heart that He should be so fatigued, and bewailed the many steps to be ascended to the flat. Suddenly, to our amazement, the Master ran up the stairs to the top very quickly without stopping. He looked down at us as we walked up after Him, saying with a bright smile, from which all traces of fatigue had vanished: ‘You are all very old! I am very young!’ Seeing me full of wonder, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: ‘Through the power of Baha’u’llah all things can be done. I have just used that power.’ That was the only time we had ever seen Him use that power for Himself, and I feel that He did so then to cheer and comfort us, as we were really sad concerning His fatigue. Might it not also have been to show us an example of the great Reserve of Divine Force always available for those of us who are working in various ways in the ‘Path of the Love of God and of Mankind. ’ A celestial strength which reinforces us when our human strength fails.4 Another lesson was given to the friends

as they walked with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Richmond Park “as the evening light was waning. Rows of shining lamps beneath the trees, stretching as far as our eyes could see into the distance, made that part of London into a glowing fairyland.”

‘I am very much pleased with this scene. Light is good, most good. There was much darkness in the prison at ‘Akká,’ said the Master.

Our hearts were sad as we thought on those sombre years within that dismal fortress. .. When we said ‘We are glad. .. that

3 God Passes By, p. 285. 4 The Chosen Highway, p. 169.

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At' .tr

-iitlblluldiliLu

'Abdu ’l-Bahd in Passmore Edwards Settlement Hall, London, England; 29 September 1911.

you are free’, He said: ‘Freedom is not a presence and bearing is occasionally lighted matter of place, but of condition. I was by a delicate and tactful humour, which is as happy in that prison, for those days were unaffected as it is infectious and delightful.” passed in the path of service. To me She continued:

prison was freedom. Troubles are a rest to me. Death is life. To be despised is honour. Therefore was 1 full of happiness all through that prison time. When one is released from the prison of self, that is indeed freedom! For self is the greatest prison. When this release takes place, one can never be imprisoned. Unless one accepts dire vicissitudes, not with dull resignation, but With radiant acquiescence, one cannot attain this freedom.’1 Lady Blomfield recorded a number of stories such as these, but, she wrote, “There is a note in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s character that has not been emphasized, and without which no idea of Him is complete. The impressive dignity which distinguishes His

1 The Chosen Highway, p. 166.

On His last afternoon in London, a reporter called to ask Him of His future plans... When, in answer to this query, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told in perfect English of His intention to visit Paris and go from there to Alexandria, the press representative evinced surprise at His faultless pronunciation. Thereupon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proceeded to march with a free stride up and down the flower—scented drawing room, His Oriental garb contrasting strangely with His modern surroundings; and, to the amusement of the assembly, uttered a string of elaborate English words, [including ‘hippopotamus’, H.M. Balyuzi tells us on p.155 of his book about ‘Abdu’iBahaz] laughingly ending, ‘Very difficult English words I speak! ’

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On 3 October ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was scheduled to leave for Paris. The secretaries and friends were ready to start for the train, but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sat calmly writing. When reminded that it was time to leave, He looked up, saying: “There are things of more importance than trains,” and He continued to write.

Suddenly in breathless haste a man came in, carrying in his hand a beautiful garland of fragrant white flowers. Bowing low before the Master, he said: ‘In the name of the disciples of Zoroaster, The

Pure One, I hail Thee as the “Promised

fiah Bahram”!’ Then the man, for a sign,

garlanded ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and proceeded to anoint each and all of the amazed friends who were present with precious oil, which had the odour of fresh roses. This brief but impressive ceremony concluded,

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, having carefully divested

Himself of the garland, departed for the

train. We had witnessed a solemn act in the

Mysterious Sacred Drama of the World.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sojourn in London was

ended. We stood bereft of His presence.1

In Paris, an apartment was found for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Hippolyte and Laura Dreyfus—Barney at 4 avenue de Camoéns, adj acent to the Trocadéro Gardens where the Master often took solitary, restful walks. As in London, every morning,

the Master expounded the principles of the Teaching of Baha’u’llah to those who gathered round Him, the learned and the unlearned, eager and respectful. They were of all nationalities and creeds, from the East and from the West, including Theosophists, agnostics, materialists, spin'tualists, Christian Scientists, social reformers, Hindus, Sfifis, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and many others. Often came workers in various humanitarian societies, who were striving to reduce the miseries of the poor. These received special sympathy and blessing. ..

2 Balyuzi, H.M., ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Oxford: George Ronald, 1987), p. 155. 1 The Chosen Highway, pp. 173—174.

The Visit of one man made a profound impression upon us: ‘0 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, l have come from the French Congo, where I have been engaged in mitigating the hardships of some of the natives. For sixteen years I have worked in that country.’ ‘It was a great comfort to me in the darkness of my prison to know the work which you were doing. ’2 Horace Holley, who was an eyewitness,

was quoted as saying that “As London emphasized the social and spiritual aspects of Bahaism, so Paris revealed its intellectual content and unparalleled power of definition.”3 One reality ‘Abdu’l-Bahá clearly defined is that man—the true man—is soul, not body. For example, on 17 November ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told the friends:

There are in the world of humanity three degrees; those of the body, the soul, and spirit. The body is the physical or animal degree of man. From the bodily point of View man is a Sharer of the animal kingdom. . .unlike the animal, man has a rational soul, the human intelligence. This intelligence of man is the intermediary between his body and his spirit....111umined by the spirit through the instrumentality of the soul, man’s radiant intelligence makes him the crowningpoint of Creation. But on the other hand, when man does not open his mind and heart to the blessing of the spirit, but turns his soul towards the material side, towards the bodily part of his nature, then he is fallen from his high place and he becomes inferior to the inhabitants of the lower animal kingdom.4 As events brought closer the outbreak

of the first World War, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also described the causes of war in no uncertain terms. For example, on 21 October, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told the friends that “The news of the Battle of Benghazi grieves my heart. Iwonder

2 The Chosen Highway, p. 181.

3 ‘Abdu’l—Bahd, p. 159.

4 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris T alks (London: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1972), pp. 9697.

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at the human savagery that still exists in the world!” He continued:

How is it possible for men to fight from morning until evening, killing each other, shedding the blood of their fellowmen: And for what object? To gain possession of a part of the earth!... However great the conqueror, however many countries he may reduce to slavery, he is unable to retain any part of these devastated lands but one tiny portion—his tomb! But war is made for the satisfaction of men’s ambition; for the sake of worldly gain to the few, terrible misery is brought to numberless homes, breaking the hearts of hundreds of men and women! How many widows mourn their husbands, how many stories of savage cruelty do we hear! How many little orphaned children are crying for their dead fathers, how many women are weeping for their slain sons! There is nothing so heart-breaking and terrible as an outburst of human savagery!1 The Japanese Ambassador to Madrid,

Viscount Arawaka, and his wife were in Paris at the same time as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and were told of His presence. They were anxious to meet Him, but the wife of the Ambassador had a severe cold and could not go out. Upon hearing this, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered to call upon them. Accordingly, they met in the Tapestry Room of the Hotel d’Jéna.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá talked with the Ambassador and his wife of conditions in J apan, of the great international importance of that country, of the vast service to mankind, of the work for the abolition of war, of the need for improving conditions of life for the worker, of the necessity of educating girls and boys equally. ‘The religious ideal is the soul of all plans for the good of mankind. Religion must never be used as a tool by party politicians. God’s politics are mighty, man’s

1 ibid. pp. 28—29.

politics are feeble.’ Speaking of religion and science, the two great wings with which the bird of humankind is able to soar, He said: ‘Scientific discoveries have increased material civilization. There is in existence a stupendous force, as yet, happily, undiscovered by man. Let us supplicate God, the Beloved, that this force be not discovered by science until spiritual Civilization shall dominate the human mind. In the hands of men of lower material nature, this power would be able to destroy the whole earth.’2 This is a very prescient and profound statement considering Japan’s later experience in the second World War. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did not dwell on the

, ills of the world around Him. Rather, He

focussed His audiences on the prescription for remedying those ills. “All true healing comes from God!” He told His audience on 19 October. “There are two causes for sickness, one is material, the other spiritual. If the sickness is of the body, a material remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual remedy.”3 Baha’u’llah had come to bring the spiritual remedy that humanity needs for this Day.

During His last public talk in England, to the Theosophical Society, on 30 September, He had for the first time made a systematic presentation of some of the basic principles of the Faith of His Father; in Paris He presented them again and again. Shoghi Effendi summarized these as follows:

The independent search after truth, unfettered by superstition or tradition; the oneness of the entire human race, the pivotal principle and fundamental doctrine of the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; the condemnation of all forms of prejudice, whether religious, racial, class or national; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on

2 The Chosen Highway, pp. 183—184. 3 Paris Talks, p. 19.

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which the bird of human kind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; the exaltation of work, performed in the spirit of service, to the rank of worship; the glorification of justice as the ruling principle in human society, and of religion as a bulwark for the protection of all peoples and nations; and the establishment of a permanent and universal peace as the supreme goal of all mankind. . .1 “The words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá can be put on to paper,” Lady Blomfield wrote, “but how to describe the smile, the earnest pleading, the loving-kindness, the radiant Vitality, and at times the awe—inspiring authority of His spoken words? The Vibrations of His voice seemed to enfold the listeners in an atmosphere of the Spirit, and to penetrate to the very core of being. We were experiencing the transforming radiance of the Sun of Truth; henceforth, material aims and unworthy ambitions shrank away into their trivial, obscure retreats.”2 In formal talks in Paris, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá continued to use the “unparalleled power of definition” of the Bahá’í Faith to explain the human mind, body, spirit, and soul, the Holy Spirit, God, and the relationship between all of these. With individuals He went from the general to the specific, such as the evening an artist was presented to Him in the home of Monsieur and Madame Dreyfus-Barney: ‘Thou art very welcome. I am happy to see thee. A11 true art is a gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ‘What is the Holy Spirit?’ ‘It is the Sun of Truth, 0 Artist.’ ‘Where, where, is the Sun of Truth?’ ‘The Sun of Truth is everywhere, It is shining on the whole world.’ ‘What of the dark night, when the Sun is not shining?’ ‘The darkness

1 God Passes By, pp. 281~282. 2 The Chosen Highway, p. 181.

of night is past, the Sun has risen.’ ‘But, Master, how shall it be with the blinded eyes that cannot see the Sun’s splendour? And what of the deaf ears that cannot hear those who praise its beauty?’ ‘I will pray that the blind eyes may be opened, that the deaf ears may be unstopped, and that the hearts may have grace to understand.’ As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke, the troubled mien of the artist gave place to a look of relief, satisfied understanding, joyous emotion.3 “It was of great interest”, Lady Blomfield wrote, “to notice the effect the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had upon some children. One little girl whispered, ‘Look, that is Jesus when He was old.’ Perhaps their unstained nature sensed the breath of holiness which was always with Him, and caused these little ones to liken Him to the most Holy One of Whom they were conscious.”4 This effect was dramatically displayed two days before the close of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit in Paris, when a woman came hurriedly into the gathering at the avenue de Camoens:

Oh, how glad I am to be in time! I must tell you the amazing reason of my hurried journey from America. One day, my little girl astonished me by saying: ‘Mummy, if dear Lord Jesus was in the world now, what would you do?’ ... ‘I would feel like getting on to the first train and going to Him as fast as I could.’ ‘Well, Mummy, He is in the world.’ ...‘What do you mean, my precious? How do you know?’ I said. ‘He told me Himself, so of course He is in the world.’ Full of wonder, I thought: Is this a sacred message which is being given to me out of the mouth of my babe? And I prayed that it might be made clear to me. The next day she said, insistently and as though she could not understand: ‘Mummy, darlin’, why isn’t you gone to see Lord Jesus? He’s told me

3 ibid. p. 182. 4 ibid. p.186.

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‘Abdu ’Z-Bahd with Bahá’í' riends in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, on 3 May 1912.

two times that He is really here, in the world.’ ‘Tiny love, Mummy doesn’t know where He is, how could she find Him?’ 1 was naturally perturbed. The same afternoon, being out for a walk with my child, she suddenly stood still and cried out, ‘There He is! There He is! ’ She was trembling with excitement and pointing at the windows of a magazine store where there was a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. I bought the paper, found this address, caught a boat that same night, and here I am.1 “The reader will understand that it is impossible to find fitting words for the thoughts and feelings which were with us in those Paris days”, Lady Blomfield concludes.2 From France, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned to Egypt in December 1911 where He again took up His residence in Ramleh.

1 ibid. pp. 185—186. 2 ibid. p. 187.

In the course of His several visits to Egypt He had more than one interview with the Khedive, ‘Abbas Hilmi Pasha11, was introduced to Lord Kitchener, met the Mufti, Shay@ Muhammad Ba__kh_it, as well as the Khedive’s Imam, §hayg Muhammad Raflid, and associated with several ‘ulamés, pashés, Persian notables, members of the Turkish Parliament, editors of leading newspapers in Cairo and Alexandria, and other leaders and representatives of well—known institutions, both religious and secular.3 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá embarked on His second

journey to the West on the steamship Cedric, setting out on 25 March 1912 and sailing Via Naples direct to New York. He arrived in America on 11 April.

He comes on a mission of international peace, to attend and address the Peace Conference at Lake Mohonk the latter part of this month, and to address various

3 God Passes By, p. 283.

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peace meetings, educational societies, religious organizations, etc.’, wrote Wendell Phillips Dodge, a reporter for the New York City News Association, Who boarded the Cedric at quarantine and interviewed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá coming up the bay. The story was given to all of the New York newspapers and, through the Associated Press, was sent to newspapers throughout the world.1 Indeed, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of world peace during His first public address in America, given only three days after His arrival to the congregation of the Church of the Ascension in New York City.

Today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and conciliation. To establish these great fundamental principles a propelling power is needed. It is self—evident that the unity of the human world and the Most Great Peace cannot be accomplished through material means. They cannot be established through political power, for the political interests of nations are various and the policies of peoples are divergent and conflicting. They cannot be founded through racial or patriotic power, for these are human powers, selfish and weak. The very nature of racial differences and patriotic prejudices prevents the realization of this unity and agreement. Therefore, it is evidenced that the promotion of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity, which is the essence of the teachings of all the Manifestations of God, is impossible except through the divine power and breaths of the Holy Spirit. Other powers are too weak and are incapable of accomplishing this.

For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are essential. Therefore, no matter how much material civilization advances, it cannot

1 Star oflhe West, vol. 111, no. 3, p. 1 (28 April 1912).

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attain to perfection except through the uplift of spiritual civilization? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proclaimed the message of universal peace from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast of North America and back again. For eight months He traveled, often having as His hostess Grace Robarts, a teacher of domestic science in a college in Canada. He would ask her to go ahead and ,secure an apartment for Him and prepare it for His arrival. Then she would serve as housekeeper and hostess. “She kept the home immaculate,” we are told, “and always ready for the constant stream of guests from morning to night, Bahá’ís and enquirers and souls in difficulty to whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was always the loving F ather.”3 Volumes have and will continue to be written about the activities of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá '111 America, but in God Passes By Shoghi Effendi selects seven which he states fully demonstrate the importance of that Visit: The laying with His own hands, of the dedication stone of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, by the shore of Lake Michigan the dynamic affirmation by Him of the implications of the Covenant instituted by Baha’u’llah, following the reading of the newly translated Tablet of the Branch, in a general assembly of His followers in New York the moving ceremony in Inglewood, California, marking His special pilgrimage to the grave of Thornton Chase, the ‘first American believer,’ and indeed the first to embrace the Cause of Baha’u’llah in the Western world; the symbolic Feast He Himself offered to a large gathering of His disciples assembled in the open air at West Englewood, in New Jersey; the blessing He bestowed on the Open Forum at Green Acre, in Maine. .. which was to evolve into one of the first Bahá’í summer schools of the Western Hemisphere His address to an

2 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgaz‘ion ofUniversal Peace (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 11—12.

3 The Bahá’í World, vol. VIII (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 1942), p. 6581

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‘Abdu ’l—Bahá’í in Brooklyn, New Y ork, in June 1912 with His secretary, Mirzd Mahmu’d-iZarqdni, His translators Ahmad Sohrdb and Amin ’ullah F arid, and His companions ‘Ali-Akbar Naflzjavdnz’, Valiyu ’lláh Varqd and Siyyid Asadu ’lláh Qumi.

audience of several hundred attending the last session of the newly-founded Bahá’í Temple Unity held in Chicago; and, last but not least, the exemplary act He per as a loving contribution... It was truly a symbolic seed sowing for countless of thousands of similar loving contributions. . .2

The second act highlighted by Shoghi

formed by uniting in wedlock two of His

followers of different nationalities, one of

the White, the other of the Negro race.1

‘Abdu’l-Bahá laid the cornerstone of the first Bahá’í House of Worship of the West on 1 May 1912, in Wilmette, Illinois.

Effendiwthe affirmation by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of the implications of the Covenant instituted by Bahá’u’lláh—took place in New York City. The Tablet of the Branch revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in Adrianople, had recently been translated, and read, in part:

For the doing of the first work a golden trowel was presented... ‘Abdu’l-Bahá next called for the implements necessitated by the gravelly nature of the soil, and in response there was brought to Him first an axe and then a shovel. With these tools of the everyday life of the workers of the world ‘Abdu’LBahá and friends from every race present, excavated a resting place for a stone which had been brought to the spot

1 God Passes By, p. 288.

There hath branched from the Sadratu ’lMuntahd this sacred and glorious Being, this Branch ofHolineSS; well is it with him that hath sought His Shelter and abideth beneath His shadow. Verity the Limb Of the Law of God hath sprungforth fiom this Root which God hath firmly implanted in the Ground oins Will, and Whose Branch hath been so uplifted as to encompass the whole of creation... Render thanks unto

2 Star Ofthe West, vol. In, no. 4, p. 6 (17 May 1912).

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‘Abdu ’Z—Bahd in Oakland, California, at a meeting with the friends at the home of

Helen S. Goodall, 12 October 1912.

God, O people, for His appearance; for verily He is the most great F avor unto you, the most perfect bounty upon you; and through Him every mouldering bone is quickened. Whoso turneth towards Him hath turned towards God, and whose turneth away from Him hath turned awayfiom My Beauty, hath repudiated My Proof and transgressed against Me. He is the Trust of God amongst you, His charge within you, His manifestation unto you and His appearance among Hisfavored seiyants...1

When this Tablet was read to the assemblage on 19 June, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá declared His own station: the Center of the Covenant.

In former cycles no distinct Covenant was made in writing by the Supreme Pen; no distinct personage was appointed to be the Standard differentiating fa1sehood from truth... But in this Dispensation Of

1 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 135.

the Blessed Beauty among its distinctions is that He did not leave people in perplexity. He entered into a Covenant and Testament with the people. He appointed a CENTER OF THE COVENANT. He wrote with His own pen and revealed it in the Kitdbi—Aqdas, the Book of Laws, and Kitdb-i‘Ahd, the Book of the Covenant, appointing Him (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) the Ex- pounder of the Book... This is an explicit text of the Blessed Beauty. So there is no excuse left for anybody.2 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had already traveled to the West When He heard that Thornton Chase had passed away on 30 September. He journeyed from San Francisco to Los Angeles especially to Visit the grave of the “first American believer”, and on 19 October He, with about twenty—five of the friends, took the streetcar to the cemetery in Inglewood

2 Star of the West, vol. III, no. 14, p. 9 (23 November 1912)

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64 THE BAHA’l WORLD

where He scattered flowers over Chase’s resting place.

Then, still facing the grave, He turned in the direction of ‘Akká and chanted the Tablet of Visitation—the Tablet which is read in the Shrines of the Báb and Baha’u’llah. Following that, He chanted a prayer for Thornton Chase and spoke of the services which that dedicated man had rendered to the Faith... At the conClusion of His Visit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá knelt on the ground and kissed the grave of Thornton Chase.1 He asked the friends to Visit the site every

year on His behalf.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a unity feast in West Englewood, New J ersey, on Saturday 29 June for the Bahá’ís of New York City and the Vicinity. About three hundred attended.

There in the fragrant pine grove, on a bright June day, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Himself the host, smiling joyously and radiating the spirit of good will, welcomed the happy friends. ...He talked to them from the center of a large circle around which the tables were arranged. He said [in part]:2

‘This is a delightful gathering; you have come here with sincere intentions, and the purpose of all present is the attainment of the Virtues of God. The motive is attraction to the divine Kingdom. Since the desire of all is unity and agreement, it is certain that this meeting will be productive of great results. .. Such gatherings as this have no equal or likeness in the world of mankind, where people are drawn together by physical motives or in furtherance of material interests, for this meeting is a prototype of that inner and complete spiritual association in the eternal world of being. True Bahá’í meetings are the mirrors of the Kingdom wherein images of the Supreme Concourse are reflected. In them the lights of the most great guidance are Visible... Rejoice...

‘ 'Abdu 'I-Bahd, pp. 309—3 10. 2 Star Ofthe West, vol. 111, no. 8, p. 16 (1 August 1912).

How many blessed souls have longed for

this radiant century, their utmost hopes

and desires centered upon the happiness

and joy of one such day as this. . . ’3

On 16 August 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled to Green Acre, an estate of nearly two hundred acres on the banks of the Piscataqua River in Eliot, Maine. It was owned by Sarah Farmer, Who had opened it in 1894 as a conference center for people of advanced and liberal Views. Two years later she had embraced the Bahá’í Faith, and while on pilgrimage to ‘Akká she had offered the facilities to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, thus making Green Acre one of the earliest Bahá’í endowments in America.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent one week at Green Acre. Some of His efforts, Hasan Balyuzi wrote,

...were inevitably directed towards countering the effects of the eccentric ideas being disseminated by various pseudomystics and cranks who were attracted to the free platform provided there. On one occasion He was seen distributing sweets to a group of people, telling them that they ought to eat and enjoy their food... Spirituality, He said, had nothing to do with abstaining from food, with the mortification of the flesh. On another occasion He spoke about the rigorous disciplines of the ascetics, and the harm ensuing from them. He cited superstitions to be found in India. He also had to face fortune-tellers and palmists whom He treated with great kindliness.4

On 20 August Fred Mortensen arrived at Green Acre to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “In my youth”, he wrote later, “my environment was not of the best and being around boys of hard character I guess 1 determined to be as tough as any, which I very easily did. . .” He had gotten into trouble with the law, and Albert Hall, a Bahá’í, had helped to get him out of prison and had told him about the

3 Promulgation, pp. 213-214. 4 ‘Abdu ’l-Bahd, pp. 240—241.

[Page 65]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 65

Bahá’í Faith. Mr. Mortensen, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, wanted to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. When he heard a rumor that He might not travel to the West he determined to go to see Him. “As my finances were low I of necessity [lay on the rods between the wheels of trains] to Green Acre.” There, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá greeted him warmly and asked if he had had a pleasant journey.

I explained to Him how I rode on the trains, after which He kissed both my cheeks, gave me much fruit, and kissed the dirty hat I wore, which had become soiled on my trip to see Him.1 Shoghi Effendi included ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s

address to an audience attending the public session of the Bahá’í Temple Unity as having special significance. This took place on 30 April in the Masonic Temple in Chicago. The Bahá’í T emple Unity was a national organization created in March 1909 at a convention called under ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s direction to carry out the construction of the first Bahá’í House of Worship in the West. It was incorporated in the State of Illinois and invested with full authority to hold title to the Temple property and to provide ways 'and means for its construction. The fourth annual convention of Bahá’í Temple Unity was being held while ‘Abdu’l—B'aha was in. Chicago.

Ainong' the institutes of the Holy Books

“ is that“ of the foundation-of places of worship. That is to say, an edifice o'r temple is to be built in order that humanity might find a place of meeting, and this is to be conducive to unity and fellowship among them. The real temple is the very Word of God; for to it all humanity must turn, and it is the center of unity for all mankind. .. Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting force so that when the people gather there in the House of God they may recall the fact that the law has been revealed for them and that the law is to unite them. They will realize that just as

1 Star offlze West, vol. XIV, no. 12, p. 367 (March 1924).

this temple was founded for the unification

of mankind, the law preceding and creat ing it came forth in the manifest Word.

That is why Baha’u’llah has commanded

that a place of worship be built. . .2

“. . .and, last but not least,” Shoghi Effendi wrote of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s activities in America, was “the exemplary act He performed by uniting in wedlock two of His followers of different nationalities, one of the white, the other of the Negro race. . .” The two Bahá’ís were Louisa Mathew and Louis Gregory, and their union apparently came about in the following way.

Miss Mathew and Mr. Gregory had met each other as Bahá’í pilgrims Visiting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Ramleh, and in the Holy Land, “...and although greatly attracted to each other not even dimly realized its future bearing.” In America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahla gave Miss Mathew a white rose to give to Mr. Gregory, and in other ways conveyed that He wished her to marry Mr. Gregory.

Curiously enough after this love began to grow in my heart & the desire for the marriage whereas before I only liked

Mr. Gregory as a friend. Later ‘Abdu’l Baha said before Dr. Getsinger, Fareed &

others in the train to Chicago to me, ‘How

‘are you & Mr. Gregory getting along?’

Startled I answered, ‘What do you'mean,

we are good friends?’ To which He replied

emphatically & with His face wreathed in mischievous smiles; ‘You must be‘ very good friends... Later.‘.. He told LOuis it

would give Him much pleasure if he & I

would marry, which came as an utter

surprise to Louis who had no thoughts of marriage. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, ‘What is the

matter? Don’t you love her?’ ‘Yes as a

friend’ Louis said: ‘Well think of it’ said

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘& let me know; ...marriage

is not an ordinance & need not be obeyed,

but it would give me much pleasure if you & Miss Mathew were to marry.’

2 Promulgation, p. 65.

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THE Bahá’í WORLD

the Great Northern Hotel in New York

on 23 November 1912.

The wedding took place at noon on 27 September 1912 in the parsonage of an Episcopal church in New York City. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was on a train headed westward from Denver at the time, but His encouragement ‘contributed to the Bahá’í atmosphere of the wedding’.1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s activities with the Ameri no less than eight months, would be beyond the scope of this survey. Suffice it to say that in the city of New York alone He delivered public addresses in, and made formal Visits to, no less than fifty—five different places. . ..

Secretaries of State, Ambassadors, Congressmen, distinguished rabbis and churchmen, and other people of eminence

attained His presence, among whom were such figures as Dr. D.S. J ordan, President of Leland Stanford University, Prof. J ackson of Columbia University, Prof. J ack of Oxford University, Rabbi Stephen Wise of New York. .. Alexander Graham Bell, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Hon. Franklin K. Lane, Mrs. William Jennings Bryan,

can Bahá’ís were designed to “. . .pave the way for the erection of their central House of Worship, to fortify them against the tests they were soon to endure, to cement their unity, and to bless the beginnings of that Administrative Order which they were soon to initiate and champion”, wrote Shoghi Effendi.

No less remarkable were ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s

public activities in the ceurse oins association with the multitude ofpeople With Whom He came in contact dun'ng His tour across a continent. A full account Ofthese diversified activities which crowded, His days during

1 Morrison, Gayle. T 0 Move the World (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), pp. 66-68.

Andrew Carnegie, Hon. Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary of the United States Treasury, Lee McClung, Mr. Roosevelt, Admiral Wain Wright, Admiral Peary, the British, Dutch and Swiss Ministers in Washington... 2

2 God Passes By, pp. 288-290.

[Page 67]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 67

pictures from the tragic past ...must have many a time overpowered Him with feelings of mingled gratitude and sorrow, as He witnessed the many marks of respect, of esteem, and honor now shown Him and the Faith Which He represented. “0 Bahá’u’lláh/ What hast T hou done? ” He, as reported by the chronicler of His travels, was heard to exclaim one evening as He was being swiftly driven to fulfil His third engagement of the day in Washington, “0 Bahá’u’lláh! May my life be sacrificed for T hee! O Bahd ’u’lláh! May my soul be oflered up for T hy sake! How full were T hy days with trials and tribulations! How severe the ordeals T hou didst endure! How solid the foundation T hou hast finally laid, and how glorious the banner T hou didst hoist! ”1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bade farewell to the American Bahá’ís and sailed for Europe on board the SS. Celtic on 5 December, arriving at Liverpool on 13 December 1912. He stayed in that port city for two days, speaking to the Theosophical Society on 14 December, and at Pembroke Chapel, a Baptist Church, on 15 December. “When I was in America, I had many opportunities of addressing the Theosophical Society there”, He began His first talk. The Theosophists are very dear to me, for they have abandoned all prejudice. . .. All the religions of the world are submerged in prejudice. A Jew is a Jew because his father was before him. A Christian is such for the same reason, and it is the same With a Musselman. All follow the precepts of their fathers, refusing to go forth and seek for themselves... All the different religions of God that have risen on the face of the earth have one purpose: to educate man and to inform him of the spiritual, the luminous, the divine, so that he may partake of heavenly spirit and find eternal life, show forth the Virtues of mankind, and from a world of darkness enter a world of light.

1 ibid. p. 293.

There is no other reality of meaning to the different religions. Their purpose is one, the teaching is one.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá moved on to London on 16 December. Lady Blomfield again put her residence in Cadogan Gardens at the disposal of the Master, and it seemed that His first Visit to the British capital was being reenacted. There was, as before, a stream of Visitors from every walk of life at all hours of the day and into the night.

One day a woman asked to be permitted to see the Master. ‘Have you an appointment?’ ‘Alas! No.’ ‘I am sorry,’ answered the over-zealous friend who met her in the hall, ‘but He is occupied now with most important people, and cannot be disturbed.’ The woman turned away, feeling too humble to persist in her appeal, but, oh! so bitterly disappointed. Before she had reached the foot of the stairway, she was overtaken by a breathless messenger from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ‘He wishes to see you, come back! He has told me to bring you to Him.’ We had heard His voice from the door of His audience room speaking with authority: ‘A heart has been hurt. Hasten, hasten, bring her to me! ’

Another day, whilst several personages were talking with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a man’s voice was heard at the hall door. ‘13 the lady of this house within?’... After a while the poor fellow began his pitiful story: ‘I was not always as you see me now, a disreputable, hopeless object. My father is a country rector, and I had the advantage of being at a public school. Of the various causes which led to my arrival at the Thames embankment as my only home, I need not speak to you. Last evening I had decided to put an end to my futile, hateful life, useless to God and man! Whilst taking what I had intended should be my last walk, I saw “a Face” in the window of a newspaper shop. I stood looking at the face as if rooted to the spot. He seemed to

2 Star of the West, vol. III, no. 17, p. 3 (19 January 1913).

[Page 68]68

THE BAHA’I WORLD

speak to me, and call me to Him! ‘Let me see that paper, please,’ I asked. It was the face of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. I read that He is here, in this house. I said to myself, ‘If there is in existence on earth that personage, I shall take up again the burden of my life. I set off on my quest. I have come here to find Him. Tell me, is He here? Will He see me? Even me?’ Of course He will see you. Come to Him. In answer to the knock, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself opened the door, extending His hands, as though to a dear friend, whom He was expecting. ‘Welcome! Most welcome! I am very much pleased that thou hast come. Be seated. ’ The pathetic man trembled and sank on to a low chair by the Master’s feet, as though unable to utter a word. The other guests, meanwhile, looked on wonderingly to see the attention transferred to the strange-looking new arrival, who seemed to be so overburdened with hopeless misery. ‘Be happy! Be happy!’ said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, holding one of the poor hands, stroking tenderly the dishevelled, bowed head. Smiling that wonderful smile of loving compassion, the Master continued: ‘Do not be filled with grief when humiliation overtaketh thee. The bounty and power of God is without limit for each and every soul in the world. Seek for spiritual joy and knowledge, then, though thou walk upon this earth, thou

wilt be dwelling within the divine realm.

Though thou be poor, thou mayest be rich in the Kingdom of God.’ These and other words of , comfort, of , strength, and of healing were spoken to the man,,,whose cloud of misery seemed to melt away' in the warmth of the Master’s lovingpres . lence. As the strange Visitor roseto le‘ave

Him Whom he had sought andfound, a new look was upon his face, a new erectness in his carriage, a firm purpose in his

steps. ~ ‘Please write down for :me His

words. I have attained, all I expected, and even more.’ ‘And now what are you going to 'do?’ I asked.‘:‘I’m goinglto work

in the fields. I can earn what I need for my simple wants. When I have saved enough I shall take a little bit of land, build a tiny hut upon it in which to live, then I shall grow Violets for the market. As He says ‘Poverty is unimportant, work is worship.’ I need not say “thank you,” need I? F arewell.’ The man had gone.1

During ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s first Visit to Britain the only city He had stayed in beside London was Bristol. During the nearly six weeks of His second Visit He not only revisited Bristol, but also traveled to Edinburgh and Oxford. Every place He went He was welcomed by distinguished leaders of thought. However, when it was suggested that a meeting might be arranged between King George V and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá advised against it. He had come to the West to meet the poor, He said, not monarchs and noblemen. He would meet any seeker With affection, but had no particular wish to meet the rulers. Moreover, He noted, such moves could be misunderstood and

‘ misconstrued, and might create alarm.2

On 22 December ‘Abdu’l-Bahá attended

a performance of Eager Heart, a play presented at Church House, Westminster.

This was a memorable occasion, as it was the first time He had ever witnessed a dramatic performance. The Master wept during the scene in which the Holy Child and His parents, overcome with fatigue, and suffering from hunger, were met by

, ”the hesitation of Eager Heart, to admit

them tothe :haven of rest which she had

a prepared, she, of‘course, failing to recog nize 4ther.;»sacred Visitors. The eMaster

afterwards joined-the group of; players. It

rwasan arresting scene. In the :Eastern Setting the Messenger, inHis Eastern robes,

.9 speaking to them’in beautiful Easternwords ‘ of the‘ Divine signifiCance of the events . (which had been:portrayed.§

1 The [Chosen Highwaygfi'p. 159-1561., 2 ‘Abdu ’l—Bahd, p. 370.

[Page 69]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 69

On Christmas night, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Visited the poor of the Salvation Army Shelter, Westminster, where each year a Christmas dinner is provided for those who have no homes and no friends, and but for the shelter would have no lodgings. There were about 1,000 present on this occasion. It was a most impressive scene—the dinner for the homeless and the Master from the East delivering Christ’s message to the poor. As a true test of attention, many of the hungry men forgot to eat and listened intently...

‘I feel tonight great joy and happiness to be in this place, because my meetings and callings have ever been mostly with the poor, and I call myself one of them. My lot has ever been with those who have not the goods of this world. When we look at the poor of humanity, we behold a world of brothers. All are sheep of God; God is the real shepherd... Consider His Holiness Christ: He appeared in the world as one of the poor. He was born of a lowly family; all the apostles of Christ were of humble birth and His followers were of the very poorest of the community. This is what Christ states in the Gospels. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God”... Sorrow not, grieve not. Be not unhappy because you are not wealthy. You are the brothers of Jesus Christ. Christ was poor; Baha’u’llah was poor. For forty years He was imprisoned in poverty. ...Be ever happy... Trust in God...’1 At the close of His talk, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

made a contribution to the Shelter so that the poor might have a similar dinner on New Year’s night. He was shown all around the hostel, and at the door he said to the attendant in charge, “May God prosper you. May you all be under the protection of the Almighty!”

3 The Chosen Highway, pp. 154-155. 1 Star of the West, vol. 111, no. 18, pp. 8-9 (7 Fequary 1913).

When He reached Cadogan Gardens that night, it was apparent that the condition of the unfortunate had distressed Him.

As always, He did not dwell on the problem. True help for the poor in this Day could only be found in His Father’s Teachings, and the most useful immediate action that one could take would be to spread the Message. During a discussion of Spiritual Assemblies held on 16 J anuary He said:

All the deliberations, all consultation, all the talks and addresses must revolve around one focal center and that is: TEACH THE CAUSE! TEACH! TEACH! Convey the Message! Awaken the souls! Now is the time of laying the foundation. Now must we gather brick, stone, wood, iron, and other building materials! Now is not the time of decoration. We must strive day and night and think and work. What can I say that may become effective? What can 1 do that may bring results? What can I write that may bring forth fruits? Nothing else will be useful, today. The interests of such a Glorious Cause will not advance Without undivided attention. While we are carrying this load We cannot carry any other load!2 On 21 January 1913, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left

London for Paris, Where He stayed at 30 rue St. Didier. This second visit to the French capital, which lasted two months,

assUmed certain characteristics of its own... numbers of Bahá’ís had arrived from the East for the specific purpose of attaining His presence... Moreover; vicissitudes of fortune had brought to Paris a multitude of émigrés from iran and the Ottoman ‘EmpirenThese men Were from the ranks both of reactionaries—43upporters of the old régime—and of liberals and constitutionaliists Many of them sought ‘Abdu’ l- Baha and requested to meet Him. To them, to_,o He gave of His time impartially.3

2 Star Ofthe West vol N, no 1 pl. 16(21 March 1913) 3 ‘Abdu lBaha, p 372 - ,

[Page 70]70 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Hájí Amin, who was the trustee of the Huquq, had brought seven hundred pounds to present to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In a humorous mood, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that the Haji had brought seven hundred pounds, but had already obtained a thousand pounds from Him for this and that. Zarqani comments that one indeed marvelled at the way ‘Abdu’l-Bahá administered His finances. He spent freely to uphold the dignity of the Faith, and gave generously to relieve distress and poverty, and to aid the sick. But He Himself did not possess a good winter coat. His attendants had to beg again and again to obtain His permission to order a new coat to be made for Him.1

Lady Blomfield wrote:

One striking fact was that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá never asked for donations, and even refused to accept money or any costly gifts that were offered to Him. One day in my presence a lady said to Him: ‘I have here a cheque from a friend, who begs its acceptance to buy a good rnotor-car for your work in England and Europe. ’ The Master replied: ‘I accept with grateful thanks the gift of your friend.’ He took the cheque into both His hands, as though blessing it, and said ‘I return it to be used for gifts to the poor.’ ‘We have never seen the like before. Surely such deeds are very rare’, it was whispered amongst the friends.2

A number of Iranian students Visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on January 31st. He spoke to them about agriculture and industry and commerce and told them that lran needed iron-srnelting plants, because industry and agriculture alike depended on foundries. In the evening of that day a meeting was held at the home of Monsieur and Mme Dreyfus—Bamey. These weekly meetings of the Bahá’ís, to which seekers and enquirers came as well, were a regular feature of the life of the Paris community. Other homes, M. and Mme Scott’s and

1 'Abdu ’Z—Bahá, pp. 373—374. 2 The Chosen Highway, p. 157.

Miss Edith Sanderson’s, were also venues for these gatherings which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed from time to time.3 On 17 February, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá accepted an invitation to speak at Pasteur Monnier’s Theological Seminary in Paris. The audience was composed of professors, clergy, and theological students, and they had prepared a list of questions: “Who was Christ, and what was He? What is your belief about Him”; “What is the similarity between the Cause of Christ and that of Bahá’u’lláh? And what relation do they hold towards each other?”; “What is the relation of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh With God?”; and, “Is the unification of religion possible? If so, when and how and through what channel will it be realized?” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered each question clearly and reasonably, explaining the Faith’s teachings on progressive revelation as He had to audiences all during His travelsChristian, Jew, and Muslim. “In short”, He concluded, ...misunderstanding between the religions is conducive to differences. When these misunderstandings and blind imitations are forgotten then the unification of the religions Will become a reality.

...there have been wars and rumors of war amongst the people of the world for many thousand years; much innocent blood has been shed, many kingdoms and empires have been laid waste. Now it is enough! Religion must be the means of good fellowship and love. It must upraise the standard of harmony and solidarity. If religion is conducive to hatred and enmity, irreligion is better, because such pseudo-religion gives no result, nay rather its existence is harmful to the welfare of the body—politic.

Pasteur Monnier asked, “Is your aim to found a new religion?”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered: “Our aim is to free the foundations of the religion of God from dogmas, for the Sun of Reality

3 ‘Abdu ’l-Bahd, p. 376.

[Page 71]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 71

’Abdu ’l—Bahd with Bahd ’z'friends in Esslingen, Germany, on 4 April 1913.

is prevented from shining forth by black impenetrable clouds. We desire to dispel these clouds, so that the regions of the world may be flooded and illumined with its luminous rays, so that these foul clouds may never return. The rays of the Sun of Reality may encircle all countries, for this Sun has no beginning and no ending.”1 The strain of His continual travels began to trouble ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Paris. He did not sleep well and occasionally had a fever. The food at His hotel did not agree with Him, and by 26 February He had succumbed to a severe cold. Meanwhile, the Bahá’ís of Germany were pleading with Him to Visit their country, and He received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Stark inviting Him to Visit Hungary. During the first week of March, a group of Bahá’ís from Germany arrived with their pioneer teacher, Miss Alma Knobloch. They once again begged for the bounty of receiving Him.

1 Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 3, pp. 54—5 (28 April 1913). 2 'Abdu ’l-Bahd, p. 379.

By the end of March ‘Abdu’l-Bahá felt strong enough to make another journey, so took the train from Paris to Stuttgart, arriving during the evening of 1 April. He stayed in the Hotel Marquardt and soon established His routine of meeting with the friends in His hotel in the mornings, and going out to meetings at their homes or elsewhere in the afternoons and evenings. One day He “remarked that the hotelier might leave his hotel and seek refuge elsewhere, because of such numbers pouring in. Indeed the staff of the hotel were shaken and astonished to see so many of their countrymen pay such attention and respect to an Easterner who, as it seemed, had come from nowhere.”3

On 2 April He went to the home of Herr Wilhelm and Frau Marie Herrigel, where a great number of people had gathered. “How are you all?”, He asked, and addressed them in Persian which was translated into English by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, and then rendered into German by Herr Herrigel.

3 ibid. p. 380.

[Page 72]72 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Praise be to God! because your faces are radiant with the light of the ‘Glory of ‘God; your hearts are attracted to the _ Kingdom of Abhá....Your hearts are illutninated, your inner Vision clear. ...You must live in accordance with the Teachings of Baha’u’llah. Be loving to all mankind. Consort With all religions in amity and fragrance. You must be the . cause of the education of the world of humanity. At present the world is still

very dark; From orie side there threatens

the darkness of ignorance; frdm another side black'enmity is Visible; from the other side we hear of war and rumors of war. ' We must, like a candle, shine with the light of Baha’u’llah, in order that through your efforts this darkness may he dispelled.1

1 Star Ofthe West, vol. 1v, no. 4, p. 67 (17 May 1913).

‘Abdu ’l—Bahd visited Budapest and Vienna after His travels in North America. This photograph was taken in April 1913, during His one—month stay in the AustroHungarian Empire.

Meetings were held in the’homes of other Bahá’ís including Herr Eckstein, Consul Albert and Frau Alice Schwarz, and Herr Friedrich and Frau Annemarie Schweizer. During the evening of 3 April, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a large audience in the upper hall of the City (Burger) Museum, on 5 April spoke to the Esperanto Society, and on 6 April gave a well-attended public talk at the Obere Museum. “We have hadsome wonderful meetings”, Alma Knoblock wrote to‘her sister Pauline (Mrs. Joseph Hannen), but"‘the one in Esslingen surpassed them all.” ’

lt was ‘the children’s meeting, laSt

" Friday‘L April 4th; 1913, in the afternoon. They had secured a Very pretty hall, which

‘ was" most beautifully decorated With greens, plants and flowers, with: large and small tables near the walls and round tables" in the center. About fifty children

[Page 73]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 73

and eighty adults were present. In a smaller room adjoining the hall the children had been assembled holding flowers in their hands, forming two lines for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to pass through. It looked most beautiful as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came upstairs. He passed through a short hall and looked so pleased and delighted to see the dear children.1

‘Abdu’l-Bahá intended to leave for Budapest on April 7th, but was persuaded by Consul Schwarz to Visit Bad Mergentheim, approximately sixty miles distant from Stuttgart, where the Consul owned the hotel and the mineral bath. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said at Bad Mergentheim that since He had left Persia He had never until then heard so many nightingales singing in such beautiful sun‘oundings. However, He would not stay for more than one night.2 On 8 April, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned to

Stuttgart and then caught the 8:00 pm. train for Budapest which He Visited “at the invitation of the Hungarian Peace, Esperanto and Feminist societies, and of the Oriental Commercial Academy... He spoke to a great public gathering arranged by these institutions and besides, on three evenings,3to the Theosophical Society, to the Star of the East members and the Turanian Society. About 800 people listenedto His address...

During ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sojourn in Budapest He received many distinguished Visitors, among others the celebrated Hungarian Orientalists, Prof.‘ Vambéry

' and Prof. Goldzieher. Prof. Robert Nadler, .a Hungarian painter of great renown, made a portrait sketch of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

More important than the outward hon , ors given to Him is that His Words and personality gave a new start to the Bahá’í ‘ Cause in Hungary, which is on the border of the East and the West") ‘Abdu’l-Bahá honored Mr. Leopold Stark, whose address is H Nyulucta 5, by charging him to unite all those in Budapest who are likely

1 Star Ofthe West, vol. IV, no. 9,;p. 155 (20 August 1913). 2 ‘Abdu ’I—Bahá, p. 383.

to form the first nucleus. Bahá’í friends

all over the world are requested to help

by sending good advice and propaganda literature.3

From Budapest, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to Vienna on 19 April, where He took residence in the Grand Hotel. His first courtesy call in that city was to the Turkish Ambassador in Vienna, Who was so impressed by this Visit that he insisted on keeping ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for luncheon. The Master spoke to the Theosophists of Vienna on three occasions, was Visited by Iranian residents of the Austrian capital, and was the guest of the Persian Minister. Before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left Vienna Frau Tyler called to express her newly—found devotion, and He also received among others Baroness von Suttner, a well-known worker for the cause of peace.

“As you may know,” Wilhelm Herrigel wrote to the Star of the West at a later date, “I was invited by our dear Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to accompany Him from Stuttgart to Budapest and Vienna. While in Vienna He permitted a sculptor to model Him, and this sculptor asked me to spread copies of this statuette in all Bahá’í centers of the world. Therefore, I am sending one to you for reproduction in the Star of the West. This statuette can be ordered through me...”4

‘Abdu’l-Bahá left Vienna and traveled back to Stuttgart, where He arrivedon 25 April and took rooms again in the Hotel Marquai‘dt. During this second Visit to Stuttgart, which also lasted‘a week, He was not well. A cold contracted in Budapest had persisted and was now affecting His chest.

The Bahá’ís of Stuttgart had arranged and advertised a nieeting’for the evening

» of the 25th at the Burger Museum. In the afternoon the condition of ~His chest worsened, causing great concern; Physicians told Him that He should not go out... His health was for the purpose'of serving'the

Faith [‘Abdu’l-Bahá said]. While Wilhelm

3 Star Oft/1e West, vol. N, no. 5, p. 86 (5 June 1913). 4 Star Ofthe West, vol. IV, no. 9, p. 158 (20 August 1913).

[Page 74]74

Herrigel was giving a talk in His stead, He walked into the hall, to the utmost delight and surprise of the audience, and using His full voice delivered a discourse on the need of world peace and the power that guarantees it.1

On the morning of May lst ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met the Bahá’ís of Stuttgart in groups. He spoke very tenderly to them. To one group He said that He wished to converse with them, but His chest was not helpfitl; He would always anticipate their good news. To another, He spoke of the two ways in which people say farewell; for some, memories gradually fade away, but others keep their memories ever fresh... To a third group He said that, although His time in Stuttgart was limited, He hoped that the harvest would prove limitless. Then He left for Paris.

On this third Visit to Paris, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá resided at Hotel Baltimore, in avenue Kléber... His physical strength had suffered greatly and He was unable, on several occasions, to go to the meetings held in the homes of the Bahá’ís. But He was always receiving Visitors at the hotel, giving a talk whenever they gathered in numbers. He also kept, as far as possible, His daily habit of a walk out of doors.

[On 10 May] He spoke of the Covenant, that its purpose was to safeguard the strength and the power of the Cause; without it the circle of Bahá’ís would have broken up completely. ‘Some people have imagined,’ He said, ‘that the Blessed Perfection had taken relations between father and son into account. They do not know that He has instituted the power of the Covenant for the propagation of the Cause of God and for the Victory of His Word.’2

On May 23rd, Bahá’ís came with bouquets of flowers throughout the day, as

1 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 389. 2 ibid., pp. 390—392.

THE Bahá’í WORLD

it was the anniversary of the birth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but He told them that the day should be considered and celebrated only as the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb. That was why it was a blessed Day. It was incidental that He had been born on the same date. The Feast was celebrated in the evening at the home of Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney...

May 30th witnessed a noteworthy gathering at the home of the Dreyfus—Barneys, when diverse nationalities were represented. Consul Schwarz had come from Germany and spoke at the meeting. In His talk, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá underlined the true import of that harmonious and loving association of people of so many origins, brought about by the power of Bahá’u’lláh....

On June 12th at 8 am. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left His hotel for the station. There He spoke with the Bahá’ís who had come to say farewell, urging them to be united at all times. At noon His train left for Marseilles, which it reached twelve hours later. He stayed the night at a hotel next to the station, and boarded the P. & O. steamer, Himalaya, at 9 am. the next morning.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s historic tour of the West was over.3 Shoghi Effendi puts the journey into this

perspective:

A most significant scene in a centuryold drama had been enacted. A glorious chapter in the history of the first Bahá’í century had been written. Seeds of undreamt-of potentialities had, with the hand of the Center of the Covenant Himself, been sown in some of the fertile fields of the Western world. Never in the entire range of religious history had any Figure of comparable stature arisen to perform a labor of such magnitude and imperishable worth.4

3 ibid., pp. 394—395. 4 God Passes By, p. 294.

[Page 75]

THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES

2. COMMEMORATIONS OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’S VISIT TO THE WEST

FROM August 1911 to December 1913, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled through North America and Europe writing, what Shoghi Effendi calls in God Passes By, a “glorious chapter in the history of the first Bahá’í century.” “Never in the entire range of religious history had any Figure of comparable stature arisen to perform a labor of such magnitude and imperishable worth,” he continued. Celebrations of the seventy—fifth anniversary of those travels were he1d by Bahá’ís in those countries Which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Visited.

THE UNITED STATES A moving event was held in the Bahá’í

Temple in Wi1mette, Illinois, on 1 May 1987, where friends gathered to commemorate the 1aying of its foundation stone by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Twelve believers who had met the Center of the Covenant shared some of their recollections of Him. On the following day, a formal commemorative program in the House of Worship was attended by a number of civic leaders.

Meetings held in Chicago between 1 and 5 May included commemorations of the Master’s talk in All Souls Church, and His address to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Near Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh spoke about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life, and the significance of His Visit to America, during a meeting held on 5 June at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. The following day, Boston’s Bahá’í community held a ceremony to honor the couple who founded Freedom House, an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of minority youth by enabling many to go to college. Fol1owing the presentation, Bahá’ís and their friends walked along the path taken by the Master during His Visit to Boston.

During the weekend of 26 and 27 June 1987, approximately 1,500 picnics were held across the United States to celebrate the Unity Feast ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had hosted in West Englewood, New Jersey, on 29 June 1912. The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, Counsellors Wilma Brady and Robert Harris, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly attended the special picnic he1d on the site in New J ersey hallowed by the presence of the Master.

In New York City, on 8 July 1987, a copy of The Promise of World Peace was presented to William F . Gibson, the chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The presentation was made by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, whose remarks included statements made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when He addressed the fourth annual convention of the NAACP in Chicago on 30 April 1912. The presentation was made during the annual convention of the NAACP, and was given an enthusiastic reception by the audience.

CANADA The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears

Visited all ten provinces of Canada and two territories from 30 August to 9 September 1987—the period corresponding to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sojourn in that country. Bahá’ís all over the country he1d special teaching projects during the same period, both in support of Mr. Sears’ efforts and to supplement them.

In Montreal, firesides were held in French and English, during which Mr. Sears shook the hand of each child present and gave each one a souvenir. Night1y firesides were he1d by the friends for the eleven days in Halifax

[Page 76]76

and throughout Nova Scotia. In Winnipeg, a new Bahá’í Center was opened and, in Calgary, a Bahá’í meeting was attended by more than 1,000 friends. During a meeting in Vancouver, the friends were urged to become more heroic, more saintly, and to appreciate their station as Bahá’ís. In Whitehorse, Bahá’í children presented the Hand of the Cause with their impressions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in prose and poetry. In the Northwest Territories, a two—day conference was held for the friends. In Toronto, two people embraced the Faith during Mr. Sears’ Visit.

A Peace Train paralleling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journey from Montreal to Niagara Falls Via Toronto carried 127 Bahá’ís on 6 and 7 September 1987. Five hundred other friends greeted the travellers at stops along the route. Hundreds of copies of The Promise of World Peace were delivered by the train travellers, and the Bahá’í message was given to scores of people, including the Mayor of Niagara who expressed interest in learning about the Faith.

FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l Baha Rúḥíyyih Qanmn, accompanied by Mrs. Violette Nahhj avani, traveled to Europe to participate in some of the activities held to commemorate the Master’s Visits on that continent.

In France, the Hand of the Cause took part in a National Teaching Conference he1d in Paris on 28 and 29 November 1987 which was attended by about 500 friends. In addition to talks given by Amatu’l-Bahá, Counsellor Agnes Ghaznavi and members of the French National Spiritual Assembly addressed the gathering, stressing the needs of the Six Year Plan.

Following the Conference, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Paris entertained Rúḥíyyih Khánum at lunch, then commemorated her Visit by going to the Eiffel Tower to have a photograph taken in the same place where the beloved Master had been photographed seventy-five years earlier.

THE BAHA’I WORLD

At the end of 1987, 210 Bahá’ís from France and Switzerland met for a winter school held at Sevrier. The high point of the school was the evening commemorating the seventy-fifth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to the West through lectures and audioVisual aides.

UNITED KINGDOM

In late F ebruary or early March 1988, members of the Bristo1 Bahá’í community celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Bristol in 1913. The event was held in the Holiday Inn with about 260 people attending, including 50 guests of Bahá’ís. One specia1 guest was the resident at 17 Royal York Crescent, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had stayed while in Bristol. The program included music, a slide show of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to England presented by Counsellor Adam Thorne, and a reading of “The Seven Candles of Unity” by some of the Bahá’í children.

GERMANY - ‘

The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum j oined approximately 1,200 friends, gathered in Stuttgart on 9 April 1988 for a conference held during the festivities related to the seventy—fifth anniversary of the Master’s VISItvtO that country. Also present at the conference were member of the International Teaching Center Anneliese Bopp, Counsellor Ursula Mühlschlegel, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih _Kiianum addressed the conference in the German language.

On 10 April, the Hand of the Cause was the specia1 guest at a festive event held in the historic Kurhaus in Bad Cannstatt, Stuttgart, to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Germany. The Mayor of Stuttgart, Dr. Manfred Rommel, gave the welcoming address to the nearly 900 friends and guests who had gathered for the event. In her ceremonial address, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khanum fondly recalled her time in Germany in 1936

[Page 77]THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 77

and 1937, and spoke of the early followers of Bahá’u’lláh in that land. Counsellor Anneliese Bopp, Dr. Massoud Berdjis and Werner Gollmer spoke of the life, teachings and travels of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and selections from His Writings were read. Press conferences were attended by representatives of maj or newspapers and broadcast services.

HUNGARY On 9, 10 and 17 April 1988 the Bahá’ís of

Budapest held celebrations to mark the armiVersary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to that City, with the Austrian musical group The Dawn Breakers participating. The main event took place in the home of Barbara Maennig, with about twenty friends from Hungary and Austria attending. The program consisted of a spiritual portion with music, and a social portion with refreshments.

AUSTRIA

On 16 April 1988, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Kharium j oined the Bahá’í community in celebrating the anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to Vienna. The event was held in the Ingenieur und Architektenverein, and people of capacity in Austrian society had been sent special letters of invitation. Counsellors Ursula Mfihlschlegel and Leo Niederreiter also attended the ceremony, as did friends from many parts of Europe. In honor of the occasion, the Local Spiritual Assembly produced a German publication entitled, ‘Abdu ’l—Bahd im Wien, and a committee of the National Spiritual Assembly published a booklet, also in German, entitled, ‘Abdu’l—Bahd im Budapest.

UNITED KINGDOM On 30 June 1988, the first Human Rights

Award presentations in the United Kingdom were made at St. John’s Church, Westminster, London, commemorating the Master’s Visit to London in 1911. The six recipients were: Dr. Edward Carpenter, awarded for his work in the field of religious unity; the Right Reverend Bishop Trevor Huddleston, honored for his work to promote racial unity; the late Richard St. Barbe Baker, whose award was received on his behalf by the Chairman of the Men of the Trees; the late Bernard Leach, whose award was received on his behalf by his wife, Janet Leach; Bob Geldof, for his work to aid the famine Victims in Ethiopia, the award being received on his behalf by Dr. Gessess, Director of Band Aid; and Bertha Bradby, for her work for women’s rights. An article about the ceremony was published in the Church T imes, the official newspaper of the Church of England.

FRANCE

Activities celebrating ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journey through Marseilles led to extensive proclamation of the Faith in March 1989. After an official ceremony held in the Palais du Faro, a public meeting was held in the Odeon Theatre. Announcements of the event were broadcast on radio and television, printed in newspapers, and distributed throughout the city on 11,000 posters of different sizes. The theme of the program was peace, and about 160 people attended. A variety of music and a slide show were presented, followed by a concert by an American Bahá’í pianist, Marc Ochu, who accompanied his performance with comments on the Peace Statement.