‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London

The City Temple: Introduction

On September 10th, the first Sunday after ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
arrival in England, he spoke from the City Temple pulpit to the
evening congregation at the special desire of the Pastor, the
Reverend R. J. Campbell.

Though ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s coming
had not been advertised the Church was filled to its utmost capacity.
Few that were there will ever forget the sight of that venerable
figure clad in his Eastern garb, ascending the pulpit stairs to
address a public gathering for the first time in his life. That this
should be at a Christian place of worship in the West has its own
deep significance. Mr. Campbell introduced the visitor with a few
simple words in the course of which he said: “We, as the
followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is to us and will always be
the Light of the World, view with sympathy and respect every movement
of the Spirit of God in the experience of mankind, and therefore we
give greeting to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the name of all
who share the spirit of our Master, and are trying to live their
lives in that Spirit. The Bahá’í Movement is very
closely akin to, I think I might say is identical with, the spiritual
purpose of Christianity.”

Before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left the Church,
he wrote in the old Bible used by generations of preachers, the
following words in his own native Persian, the translation being
added as follows:

Inscription in the Old Bible Written by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
in Persian

Address given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
at the City Temple

Sunday, September 10th, 1911

O noble friends; seekers after God! 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 Spirit of God is giving eternal life. In this wonderful age the
East is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and everywhere the soul
inhales the holy perfume. 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 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.

In the days of old an instinct for warfare was developed
in the struggle with wild animals; this is no longer necessary; nay,
rather, co-operation and mutual understanding are seen to produce the
greatest welfare of mankind. Enmity is now the result of prejudice
only.

In the Hidden Words Bahá’u’lláh
says, “Justice is to be loved above all.” Praise be to
God, in this country the standard of justice has been raised; a great
effort is being made to give all souls an equal and a true place.
This is the desire of all noble natures; this is today the teaching
for the East and for the West; therefore the East and the West will
understand each other and reverence each other, and embrace like
long-parted lovers who have found each other.

There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of
religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all His
great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and
glory.

The blessing of the Eternal One be with you in all its
richness, that each soul according to his measure may take freely of
Him. Amen.

St. John’s Westminster: Introduction

On September 17th, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at
the request of the venerable Archdeacon of Westminster addressed the
congregation of Saint John the Divine after evening service. With a
few warm words characteristic of his whole attitude Archdeacon
Wilberforce introduced the revered Messenger from the East, who had
crossed seas and countries on his Mission of Peace and Unity for
which he had suffered forty years of captivity and persecution. The
Archdeacon had the Bishop’s chair placed for his Guest on the
Chancel steps, and standing beside him read the translation of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address himself. The
Congregation was profoundly moved, and following the Archdeacon’s
example knelt to receive the blessing of the Servant of God—who
stood with extended arms—his wonderful voice rising and falling
in the silence with the power of his invocation. As the Archdeacon
said: “Truly the East and the West have met in this sacred
place tonight.” The hymn “O God our help in ages past”
was sung by the entire assembly standing, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
and the Archdeacon passed down the aisle to the vestry hand in hand.

Outside the Church, Salvationists were holding their
meeting and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was deeply impressed and
touched at the sight of the men, women and children gathered together
in the night, at the street corner, praying and singing.

Discourse of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at St. John’s, Westminster.

September 17th, 1911.

O Noble Friends! O Seekers for the Kingdom of God! Man
all over the world is seeking for God. All that exists is God; but
the Reality of Divinity is holy above all understanding.

The pictures of Divinity that come to our mind are the
product of our fancy; they exist in the realm of our imagination.
They are not adequate to the Truth; truth in its essence cannot be
put into words.

Divinity cannot by comprehended because it is
comprehending.

Man, who has also a real existence, is comprehended by
God; therefore, the Divinity which man can understand is partial; it
is not complete. Divinity is actual Truth and real existence, and not
any representation of it. Divinity itself contains All, and is not
contained.

Although the mineral, vegetable, animal and man all have
actual being, yet the mineral has no knowledge of the vegetable. It
cannot apprehend it. It cannot imagine nor understand it.

It is the same with the vegetable. Any progress it may
make, however highly it may become developed, it will never apprehend
the animal, nor understand it. It is, so to speak, without news of
it. It has no ears, no sight, no understanding.

It is the same with the animal. However much it may
progress in its own kingdom, however refined its feelings may become,
it will have no real notion of the world of man or of his special
intellectual faculties.

The animal cannot understand the roundness of the earth,
nor its motion in space, nor the central position of the sun, nor can
it imagine such a thing as the all-pervading ether.

Although the mineral, vegetable, animal and man himself
are actual beings, the difference between their kingdoms prevents
members of the lower degree from comprehending the essence and nature
of those of the superior degree. This being so, how can the temporal
and phenomenal comprehend the Lord of Hosts?

It is clear that this is impossible!

But the Essence of Divinity, the Sun of Truth, shines
forth upon all horizons and is spreading its rays upon all things.
Each creature is the recipient of some portion of that power, and
man, who contains the perfection of the mineral, the vegetable and
animal, as well as his own distinctive qualities, has become the
noblest of created beings. It stands written that he is made in the
Image of God. Mysteries that were hidden he discovers; and secrets
that were concealed he brings into the light. By Science and by Art
he brings hidden powers into the region of the visible world. Man
perceives the hidden law in created things and co-operates with it.

Lastly the perfect man, the Prophet, is one who is
transfigured, one who has the purity and clearness of a perfect
mirror—one who reflects the Sun of Truth. Of such a one—of
such a Prophet and Messenger—we can say that the Light of
Divinity with the heavenly Perfections dwells in him.

If we claim that the sun is seen in the mirror, we do
not mean that the sun itself has descended from the holy heights of
his heaven and entered into the mirror! This is impossible. The
Divine Nature is seen in the Manifestations and its Light and
Splendor are visible in extreme glory.

Therefore, men have always been taught and led by the
Prophets of God. The Prophets of God are the Mediators of God. All
the Prophets and Messengers have come from One Holy Spirit and bear
the Message of God, fitted to the age in which they appear. The One
Light is in them and they are One with each other. But the Eternal
does not become phenomenal; neither can the phenomenal become
Eternal.

Saint Paul, the great Apostle, said: “We all, with
open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of God, are changed into
the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

O GOD the Forgiver! O Heavenly Educator! This assembly
is adorned with the mention of thy holy Name. Thy children turn their
face towards thy Kingdom, hearts are made happy and souls are
comforted.

Merciful God! cause us to repent of our shortcomings!
Accept us in thy heavenly Kingdom and give unto us an abode where
there shall be no error. Give us peace; give us knowledge, and open
unto us the gates of thy heaven.

Thou art the Giver of all! Thou art the Forgiver! Thou
art the Merciful! Amen.

Theosophical Society: Introduction

On September 30th, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met
the Theosophical society at their new Headquarters at the express
request of their president Mrs. Annie Besant. After a general history
of the movement and sympathetic words of welcome by Mr. A. P.
Sinnett, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose and delivered to the
crowded assembly an address upon the distinctive notes of the Bahá’í
teaching, warmly commending the eagerness of the Society in its
search for Truth.

Discourse of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given at the Theosophical Head Quarters.

September 30th, 1911.

O Respected Assembly! O friends of Truth! The inherent
nature of fire is to burn, the inherent nature of electricity is to
give light, the inherent nature of the sun is to shine, and the
inherent nature of the organic earth is the power of growth.

There is no separation between a thing and its inherent
qualities.

It is the inherent nature of things on this earth to
change, thus we see around us the change of the seasons. Every spring
is followed by a summer and every autumn brings a winter—every
day a night and every evening a morning. There is a sequence in all
things.

Thus when hatred and animosity, fighting, slaughtering,
and great coldness of heart were governing this world, and darkness
had overcome the nations, Bahá’u’lláh, like
a bright star, rose from the horizon of Persia and shone with the
great Light of Guidance, giving heavenly radiance and establishing
the new Teaching.

He declared the most human virtues; He manifested the
Spiritual powers, and put them into practice in the world around Him.

Firstly: He lays stress on the search for Truth. This is
most important, because the people are too easily led by tradition.
It is because of this that they are often antagonistic to each other,
and dispute with one another.

But the manifesting of Truth discovers the darkness and
becomes the cause of Oneness of faith and belief: because Truth
cannot be two! That is not possible.

Secondly: Bahá’u’lláh taught
the Oneness of humanity; that is to say, all the children of men are
under the mercy of the Great God. They are the sons of one God; they
are trained by God. He has placed the crown of humanity on the head
of every one of the servants of God. Therefore all nations and
peoples must consider themselves brethren. They are all descendants
from Adam. They are the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of One
Tree. They are pearls from one shell. But the children of men are in
need of education and civilization, and they require to be polished,
till they become bright and shining.

Man and woman both should be educated equally and
equally regarded.

It is racial, patriotic, religious and class prejudice,
that has been the cause of the destruction of Humanity.

Thirdly: Bahá’u’lláh taught,
that Religion is the chief foundation of Love and Unity and the cause
of Oneness. If a religion become the cause of hatred and disharmony,
it would be better that it should not exist. To be without such a
religion is better than to be with it.

Fourthly: Religion and Science are inter-twined with
each other and cannot be separated. These are the two wings with
which humanity must fly. One wing is not enough. Every religion which
does not concern itself with Science is mere tradition, and that is
not the essential. Therefore science, education and civilization are
most important necessities for the full religious life.

Fifthly: The Reality of the divine Religions is one,
because the Reality is one and cannot be two. All the prophets are
united in their message, and unshaken. They are like the sun; in
different seasons they ascend from different rising points on the
horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet gave the glad tidings of the
future, and every future has accepted the past.

Sixthly: Equality and Brotherhood must be established
among all members of mankind. This is according to Justice. The
general rights of mankind must be guarded and preserved.

All men must be treated equally. This is inherent in the
very nature of humanity.

Seventhly: The arrangements of the circumstances of the
people must be such that poverty shall disappear, and that every one
as far as possible, according to his position and rank, shall be
comfortable. Whilst the nobles and others in high rank are in easy
circumstances, the poor also should be able to get their daily food
and not be brought to the extremities of hunger.

Eighthly: Bahá’u’lláh declared
the coming of the Most Great Peace. All the nations and peoples will
come under the shadow of the Tent of the Great Peace and Harmony—that
is to say, by general election a Great Board of Arbitration shall be
established, to settle all differences and quarrels between the
Powers; so that disputes shall not end in war.

Ninthly: Bahá’u’lláh taught
that hearts must receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that
Spiritual civilization may be established. For material civilization
is not adequate for the needs of mankind and cannot be the cause of
its happiness. Material civilization is like the body and spiritual
civilization is like the soul. Body without soul cannot live.

This is a short summary of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
To establish this Bahá’u’lláh underwent
great difficulties and hardships. He was in constant confinement and
He suffered great persecution. But in the fortress (Akká) He
reared a spiritual palace and from the darkness of His prison He sent
out a great light to the world.

It is the ardent desire of the Bahá’ís
to put these teachings into common practice: and they will strive
with soul and heart to give up their lives for this purpose, until
the heavenly light brightens the whole world of humanity.

I am very happy that I have been able to talk with you
in this gathering: and hope that this deep consciousness of mine is
acceptable to you.

I pray for you, that you may succeed in your aspirations
and that the bounties of the Kingdom may be yours.

Farewell Reception: Introduction

On the evening of St. Michael’s day, a large
farewell reception was given to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in
the hall of the Passmore Edwards’ Settlement, which was filled
to its utmost capacity with representative people of every
profession, some coming from great distances.

On the platform surrounding ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
were men of different shades of thought, met to express their
sympathy with the work and mission of their great visitor. Professor
Michael E. Sadler was in the chair.

The meeting began with the Lord’s Prayer spoken by
the entire assembly; this was followed by the prayer for Unity of
Bahá’u’lláh and a prayer of the fifth
Century, ascribed to Pope Gelasius. Professor Sadler then spoke in
words that will never be forgotten by those who heard them; and in
his address used a quotation from a Universal Prayer, which had been
submitted by an earnest Bahá’í to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
the year before in Egypt and which had been completed by him and
commended as one that could be used by peoples of all faiths in the
East and West.

The Chairman was followed by Sir Richard Stapley, Mr.
Eric Hammond, Mr. Claude Montefiore, Mrs. Stannard from Egypt, and
others. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left the hall, the poor
people of the neighbourhood, crowded on the pavement to see him and
an eager-faced little lame girl on crutches was specially brought to
him.

Meeting of Farewell to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

September 29th, 1911.

At the invitation of Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper about four
hundred and sixty representative people met in the hall of the
Passmore Edwards’ Settlement, Tavistock Place, last Friday
evening to bid farewell to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás
on the eve of his departure for Paris. Arriving in London on Monday
evening, September the fourth, he has spent a happy and busy four
weeks in our midst. Except for a brief visit to Bristol last week he
remained at 97, Cadogan Gardens. His time was mainly occupied in
interviews with people who wish to meet him. These included not a few
whose names are household words in this country, and some travelled
long distances to see him.

A beautiful spirit prevailed on Friday evening. The
atmosphere was very different from that of an ordinary meeting or
religious gathering. Everyone present was enriched by the lofty
spiritual tone of the proceedings; the notes struck were all in the
direction of Brotherhood, Unity, and Peace. While a report of the
speeches would give a very inadequate idea of the effect produced,
yet they were so well-conceived, so sincere, so exquisitely phrased
as to be all worthy of reproduction. Among others Amír Ali
Siyyid wrote regretting his inability to be present, and Archdeacon
Wilberforce sent affectionate greetings.

After the Lord’s Prayer and prayers for Unity of
Bahá’u’lláh and Gelasius (fifth Century),
Professor Michael Sadler spoke as follows:—

10 Cheniston Gardens London W.

One of the most interesting and significant events which
have taken place, has been the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
to London. The Persian Mage whose life, passed in prison, has been
spent in promoting peace and unity by the one certain method of
aiding individual spiritual development, must in a very real sense
have “tasted of the travail of his soul and been satisfied”.
Not only was he visited privately by nearly every earnest
truth-seeker and leader of high thought in London, but his message
was made known to thousands who had but dimly heard his name before.

The Higher Thought Centre was well known to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
as the place where the Bahá’ís held their weekly
meetings under the direction of Miss Rosenberg, and an invitation to
the Centre was accepted by him just two days before his departure.
Through his interpreter ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a kindly
greeting and a short impressive address, dwelling on the blessedness
of such an assembly gathered in a spirit of unity and spiritual
aspiration. He concluded with a lowly uttered fervent prayer in his
own tongue, and a benediction which all present felt to be very real.

On the following day a message was conveyed to the
Centre from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá signifying the fullest
appreciation of all kindness shown to the Bahá’ís,
and concluding with these words; “it matters not what name each
calls himself—The Great Work is One.”

“Christ is ever in the world of existence. He has
never disappeared out of it…. Rest assured that Christ is present.
The Spiritual beauty we see around us today is from the breathings of
Christ.”

A Message from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Written for The Christian Commonwealth and published September 29th, 1911.

God sends Prophets for the education of the people and
the progress of mankind. Each such Manifestation of God has raised
humanity. They serve the whole world by the bounty of God. The sure
proof that they are the Manifestations of God is in the education and
progress of the people. The Jews were in the lowest condition of
ignorance, and captives under Pharaoh when Moses appeared and raised
them to a high state of civilization. Thus was the reign of Solomon
brought about and science and art were made known to mankind. Even
Greek philosophers became students of Solomon’s teaching. Thus
was Moses proved to be a Prophet.

After the lapse of time the Israelites deteriorated, and
became subject to the Romans and the Greeks. Then the brilliant Star
of Jesus rose from the horizon upon the Israelites, brightening the
world, until all sects and creeds and nations were taught the beauty
of unity. There cannot be any better proof than this that Jesus was
the Word of God.

So it was with the Arabian nations who, being
uncivilized, were oppressed by the Persian and Greek governments.
When the Light of Muḥammad shone forth all Arabia was
brightened. These oppressed and degraded peoples became enlightened
and cultured; so much so, indeed, that other nations imbibed Arabian
civilization from Arabia. This was the proof of Muḥammad’s
divine mission.

All the teaching of the Prophets is one; one faith; one
Divine light shining throughout the world. Now, under the banner of
the oneness of humanity all people of all creeds should turn away
from prejudice and become friends and believers in all the Prophets.
As Christians believe in Moses, so the Jews should believe in Jesus.
As the Muḥammadans believe in Christ and Moses, so likewise the
Jews and the Christians should believe in Muḥammad. Then all
disputes would disappear, all then would be united. Bahá’u’lláh
came for this purpose. He has made the three religions one. He has
uplifted the standard of the oneness of faith and the honour of
humanity in the centre of the world. Today we must gather round it,
and try with heart and soul to bring about the union of mankind.

Discourse given at Miss E. J. Rosenberg’s Unity Meeting.

September 8th, 1911.

Praise be to God, that such a meeting of purity and
steadfastness is being held in London. The hearts of those present
are pure, and are turned towards the Kingdom of God. I hope that all
that is contained and established in the Holy books of God may be
realized in you. The Messengers of God are the principal and the
first teachers. Whenever this world becomes dark, and divided in its
opinions and indifferent, God will send one of His Holy Messengers.

Moses came during a time of darkness, when ignorance and
childishness prevailed amongst the people, and they were waverers.
Moses was the teacher of God; He gave the teachings of holiness and
educated the Israelites. He raised up the people from their
degradation and caused them to be highly honoured. He taught them
Sciences and Arts, trained them in civilization and increased their
human virtues. After a while, that which they had thus received from
God was lost; the way was prepared for the return of evil qualities,
and the world was oppressed by tyranny.

Then again the rumour of the Light of Reality and the
breathing of the Holy Spirit became known. The cloud of Bounty
showered, the Light of Guidance shone upon the earth. The world put
on a new garment, the people became a new people, the oneness of
humanity was proclaimed. The great unity of thought transformed
humanity and created a new world. Again, after a time, all this was
forgotten by the people. The teachings of God no longer influenced
their lives. His prophecies and commandments became fainter and were
finally obliterated from their hearts, and tyranny and
thoughtlessness once more prevailed.

Bahá’u’lláh then came and once
more renewed the foundation of Faith. He brought back the teachings
of God, and the humane practices of the time of Christ. He quenched
the thirst of the thirsty, He awakened the careless and called the
attention of the heedless to the Divine secrets. He declared the
unity of humanity, and spread abroad the teaching of the equality of
all men.

Therefore, all of you ought with your hearts and minds
to endeavour to win the people with kindness, so that this great
Unity may be established, that childish superstitions may pass away,
and all may become one.

Discourse at Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper’s

September 13th, 1911.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said:—Thanks be to
God, this is a good meeting. It is very enlightened, it is spiritual.

As a Persian Poet has written:—“The
Celestial Universe is so formed that the under world reflects the
upper world.” That is to say whatever exists in heaven is
reflected in this phenomenal world. Now, praise be to God, this
meeting of ours is a reflection of the heavenly concourse; it is as
though we had taken a mirror and had gazed into it. This reflection
from the heavenly concourse we know as love.

As heavenly love exists in the supreme concourse even so
it is reflected here. The supreme concourse is filled with the desire
for God—thank God, this desire is also here.

Therefore if we say that this meeting is heavenly, it is
true. Why? Because we have no other desire except for that which
comes from God. We have no other object save the commemoration of
God.

Some of the people of the earth desire conquest over
others: some of them are longing for rest and ease; others desire a
high position; some desire to become famous:—thank God our
desire is for spirituality and for union with God.

Now that we are gathered here our wish is to raise the
banner of the Unity of God, to spread the Light of God, to make the
hearts of the people turn to the Kingdom. Therefore I thank God that
He is causing us to do this great work.

I pray for all of you, that you may become celestial
warriors, that you may everywhere spread the Unity of God and
enlighten the East and West, and that you may give to all hearts the
love of God. This is my utmost desire, and I pray to God that your
desire may be the same.

I am very happy to be with you all. I am pleased with
the English King and Government, and with the people.

You may thank God that in this land you are so free. You
do not know what lack of freedom there is in the East. When anyone
comes to this country he is content.

I wish God’s protection for you all. Goodbye to
you all.

Discourse by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given at the Unity Meeting of Misses Jack and Herrick.

September 22nd, 1911.

It is a cold and miserable day but as I was anxious to
see you I came here. For a man who has love, effort is a rest. He
will travel any distance to visit his friends.

Thank God I see you spiritual and at rest; I give you
this message from God; that you must be turned toward Him. Praise God
that you are near Him! The unworthy things of this world have not
deterred you from seeking the world of Spirit. When in harmony with
that world, you care not for the things that perish; your desire is
for that which never dies and the Kingdom lies open before you. I
hope that the teaching of God will spread throughout the world, and
will cause all to be united.

In the time of Jesus Christ there was an outpouring of
the Light from East to West that brought the people under a heavenly
banner and illumined them with divine insight. Western lands have
been kindled by the Light of the Christ. I pray earnestly that the
Light in this advanced age will so illumine the world that all may
rally under the banner of Unity and receive Spiritual education.

Then those problems which cause difference among the
peoples of the earth will be seen no more, for verily they are not.
You are all waves of one sea, mirrors of one reflection.

This day the countries of Europe are at rest; Education
has become widespread. The light of liberty is the light of the West,
and the intention of government is to work for truth and justice in
Western countries. But ever the light of spirituality shines from out
of the East. In this age that light has become dimmed; religion has
become a matter of form and ceremony and the desire for God’s
love has been lost.

In very age of great spiritual darkness, a light is
kindled in the East. So once again the light of the teachings of God
has come unto you. Even as education and progress travel from West to
East, so does the spiritual fire travel from East to West.

I hope that the people of the West may be illumined by
the light of God; that the Kingdom may come to them, that they may
find eternal Life, that the Spirit of God may spread like a fire
among them, that they may be baptized with the Water of Life and may
find a new birth.

This is my desire; I hope by the will of God, He will
cause you to receive it, and will make you happy.

In the same way that you have education and material
progress so may the light of God be your portion.

God keep all of you in safety.

Notes of Conversations

The Arrival in London

The evening of his arrival in London, Monday, September
4th, 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: Heaven has blessed
this day. It was said that London should be a place for a great
proclamation of the Faith. I was tired when I went on board the
steamer, but when I reached London and beheld the faces of the
friends my fatigue left me. Your great love refreshes me. I am very
pleased with the English friends.

The feeling that existed between the East and the West
is changing in the Light of Bahá’u’lláh’s
teaching. It used to be such that if an Occidental drank from the cup
of an Oriental the cup would be considered polluted and would be
broken. Now when a Western Bahá’í dines with an
Eastern Bahá’í the vessels and the plates that he
has used are kept apart and reverenced in his memory. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
then gave this historic instance of wonderful brotherly love:

One day some soldiers came to the house of a Bahá’í
and demanded that one of the guests should be given up for execution,
according to their warrant. The host took his guest’s place and
died in his stead.

Discourse to an assembly of Theosophists. London

September, 1911.

These are wonderful days! We see an Eastern guest
received with love and courtesy in the West. I have been drawn here,
in spite of indisposition, by the magnet of your love and sympathy.

Some years ago an Ambassador was sent from Persia to
London where he stayed five years. (His name was ‘Abdu’l
Ḥasan Khán). When he returned to Persia they
asked him to tell them about the English people. He answered: “I
do not know the English people, although I have been in London for
years I have only met the people of the Court.” This man was a
great man in Persia, and was sent to England by princes, and yet he
did not know the people, although he had lived among them five years.
Now, I—long a prisoner, come to England for the first time, and
although my visit is so short, I have already met many dear friends,
and I can say I know the people. Those I have met are true souls
working for peace and unity.—Think what a difference there is
between this time we are living in now, and seventy years ago! Think
of the progress! the progress towards unity and peace.

It is God’s will that the differences between
nations should disappear. Those who help on the cause of unity are
doing God’s work. Unity is the Divine Bounty for this luminous
century. Praise be to God, there are today many societies and many
meetings held for Unity. Enmity is not so much the cause of
separation as it used to be; the cause of disunion now is mostly
prejudice. For instance, years ago when Europeans visited the East
they were considered unclean and were hated. Now it is different:
when people of the West visit those in the East who are followers of
the New Light, they are received with love and courtesy.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá holding a little child
close to him said, the true Bahá’í loves the
children, because Jesus says they are of the Kingdom of heaven. A
simple pure heart is near to God; a child has no worldly ambitions.

Notes of a conversation with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

A Coloured man from South Africa who was visiting
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, said that even now no white people
really cared very much for the black man.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replies: Compare the
present time and the feeling towards the coloured people now, with
the state of feeling two or three hundred years ago, and see how much
better it is at present. In a short time the relationship between the
coloured and white people will still further improve, and bye and bye
no difference will be felt between them. White doves and purple doves
exist, but both kinds are doves.

Bahá’u’lláh once compared the
coloured people to the black pupil of the eye surrounded by the
white. In this black pupil you see the reflection of that which is
before it, and through it the light of the Spirit shines forth.

In the sight of God colour makes no difference at all,
He looks at the hearts of men. That which God desires from men is the
heart. A black man with a good character is far superior to a white
man with a character that is less good.

Ideals of East and West

One of the organizers of the Races Congress present
spoke of the Western ideals of Bahá’u’lláh
as differing from those of former prophets which were tinged with the
ideas and civilization of the East. He then asked whether Bahá’u’lláh
had made a special study of Western writings, and founded his
teachings in accordance with them.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá laughed heartily, and
said that the books of Bahá’u’lláh, written
and printed sixty years ago, contained the ideals now so familiar to
the West, but, at that time, they had not been printed or thought of
in the West. Besides, he continued, supposing that a very advanced
thinker from the West had gone to visit Bahá’u’lláh
and to teach Him, would the name of such a great man and the fact of
his visit have been unknown and unrecorded? No! In former days, in
the time of the Buddha and Zoroaster, civilization in Asia and in the
East was very much higher than in the West and ideas and thoughts of
the Eastern peoples were much in advance of, and nearer to the
thoughts of God than those of the West. But since that time
superstitions had crept into the religion and ideals of the East, and
from many differing causes the ideals and characters of the Eastern
peoples had gone down and down, lower and lower, while the Western
peoples had been constantly advancing and struggling towards the
Light. Consequently, in these days, the civilization of the West was
much higher than that of the East, and the ideas and thoughts of the
people of the West were much nearer to the thought of God than those
of the East. Therefore, the ideals of Bahá’u’lláh
had been more quickly realized in the West.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá showed further how
Bahá’u’lláh had exactly described in one of
his books what has since been carried out in the International
Council of Arbitration, describing its various functions, some of
which have not yet been realized and he (‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
would describe them to us now, so that when they were fulfilled, as
they would be in the near future, we might know that they had been
prophesied by Bahá’u’lláh.

War was the greatest calamity that could overtake the
nations, because the people usually employed in agriculture, trades,
commerce, and other useful arts, were taken away from their various
occupations and turned into soldiers, so that there was great waste
and loss, in addition to the destruction and carnage of war.

Bahá’u’lláh had said that the
functions of the International Court would be to settle disputes that
arose from time to time between the nations; to define the exact
boundaries of the different countries, and to decide what number of
soldiers and guns should be maintained by each nation, according to
its population, in order to preserve internal order. For instance,
one country might have ten thousand soldiers, another twenty
thousand, another fifteen thousand, and so on, in accordance with the
size and population of the nation; also if any people rebelled
against the decision of the Court and rejected it, the Court would
empower the others to join their forces and to endorse their
decision, if need be, by united action.

We had not seen any of these things actualized as yet,
but we should do so in the future.

Science and Faith

The gentleman then put a question which he said he
considered of very great importance in connection with a religious
movement, claiming to be universal. What position he asked, if any,
did Bahá’u’lláh given to the modern ideas
and conceptions of Science in his teachings. The whole structure of
modern civilization is based upon the results and the knowledge
obtained through laborious and patient observation of facts collected
by men of Science: in some cases through hundreds of years of
painstaking investigation. To make his meaning clearer, he instanced
the ethic, and the moral teachings of the Chinese philosophers, than
which he could conceive nothing higher. However, these teachings had
very little effect outside of China, for the reason he considered,
that they were not primarily based on the teachings of Science.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that a very
great importance was given to Science and knowledge in the writings
of Bahá’u’lláh, who wrote that, if a man
educated the children of the poor, who could not themselves afford to
do so, it was, in the sight of God, as if he had educated the Son of
God.

If any religion rejected Science and knowledge, that
religion was false. Science and Religion should go forward together;
indeed, they should be like two fingers of one hand.

Bahá’u’lláh had also in His
writings given a most important place to Art, and the practice of
skilled trades. He had stated that the practice of an Art or Trade in
the true spirit of service was identical with the worship of God.

A gentleman connected with the work of a Settlement then
asked what was the best method of raising up and civilizing the very
lowest and most degraded and ignorant of the people and would their
education come about gradually through the enlightenment of the
Spirit, or was there any special means we could adopt to further this
end?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that the best
way was to give them spiritual teachings and enlightenment. He also
remarked that the way to broaden the outlook of the very
narrow-hearted and prejudiced, and to make them listen to a wider
teaching, was by showing towards them the greatest kindness and love.
The example of our lives was of more value than words.

Converse with Departed Persons

The question was asked if it were possible to establish
communication with the dead, and whether it was wise or advisable to
attend séances or to engage in table-turning, spirit-rapping,
etc.

The Master said these rappings, etc., were all material
things, and of the body. What is needed is to rise above the material
to the realms of the purely Spiritual. Table-turning and such like
were material, a natural result, and not spiritual.

But it was possible to communicate with the dead through
the condition of the character and the heart.

Are Superstitions Useful

A lady enquired whether some superstitions might not be
good for ignorant people, who, if they were without them might
perhaps be without beliefs of any kind?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied that
superstitions were of two kinds; those that were harmful and
dangerous, and those that were harmless and produced certain good
effects.

For example, there were some poor people who believed
that misfortunes and punishments were caused by a Great Angel with a
sword in his hand, who struck down those who stole, and committed
murder and crimes.

They thought the flashes of lightning were the weapons
of this angel, and that if they did wrong they would be struck by
lightning. This belief caused them to refrain from evil actions.

The Chinese held a superstition that if they burn
certain pieces of paper this will drive the devils away; they
sometimes burnt these pieces of paper on board ships when they were
travelling in order to drive away devils, and by so doing they set
fire to the ships and destroyed many lives. This was a type of
dangerous and harmful superstition.

The Life After Death

Mrs. S. asked some questions with reference to the
conditions of existence in the next world, and the life after death;
she said that having recently lost a very near relative, she had
given much thought to this subject. Many thought that re-union with
those we had loved, and who had passed on to the future life, would
only take place after a long period of time had elapsed. She wished
to know whether one would be re-united with those who had gone before
immediately after death.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered that this would
depend upon the respective stations of the two. If both had the same
degree of development, they would be re-united immediately after
death. The questioner then said, how could this state of development
be acquired? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied, by unceasing
effort, striving to do right, and to attain spiritual qualities.

The questioner remarked that many differing opinions
were held as to the conditions of the future life. Some thought that
all would have exactly the same perfections and virtues; that all
would be equal and alike.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said there would be
variety, and differing degrees of attainment, as in this world.

The question was then asked as to how it would be
possible with no material bodies or environment to recognize
different entities and characters, when all would be in the same
conditions and on the same plane of existence.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said if several people
look into a mirror at the same moment, they behold all the different
personalities, their characteristics and movements; the glass of the
mirror into which they look is one. In your mind you have a variety
of thoughts, but all these thoughts are separate and distinct. Also
you may perhaps have hundreds of friends; but when you call them
before your memory you do not confuse them one with another: each one
is separate and distinct, having their own individualities and
characteristics.

Replying to another questioner, he said that when two
people, husband and wife for instance, have been completely united in
this life their souls being as one soul, then after one of them has
passed away, this union of heart and soul would remain unbroken.

Spiritual Relationship

In the evening of September 28th, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
was with a number of assembled guests.

He said all of you here are sisters. Bodily
relationships may pass; even two sisters may be inimical to each
other, but the spiritual relationship is eternal, and brings about
mutual love and service.

Be always kind to everyone and a refuge for those who
are without shelter.

Be daughters to those who are older than you.

Be sisters to those who are of your own age.

Be mothers to those who are younger than yourselves.

Be nurses to the sick, treasurers for the poor, and
supply heavenly food to the hungry.

A Persian doctor from Qazvín said this was a
great work of God that the East and the West had become so united,
and we must always thank God that the Bahá’í
cause had produced such great harmony and union between us. The
result of this visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the West
would be very great.

A Bahá’í Wedding

Quite an oriental note was struck toward the end of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s London visit, by the marriage
of a young Persian couple who had sought his presence for the
ceremony, the bride journeying from Baghdad accompanied by her uncle
in order to meet her fiance here and be married before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
departure. The bride’s father and grandfather had been
followers of Bahá’u’lláh during the time of
his banishment.

We hesitate to alter the bridegroom’s description
of the service and therefore print it in his own simple and beautiful
language. It will serve to show a side not touched on elsewhere, and
without which no idea of his visit is complete. We refer to the
attitude of reverence with which people from the East who came to see
‘Abdu’l-Bahá regard their great teacher. They
invariably rise and stand with bowed heads whenever he enters the
room.

Mírzá Dáwúd writes:—

On Sunday morning, the 1st of October, 1911, A.D., equal
to the 9th Tishi 5972 (Hebrew Era), Regina Núr Mahal Khánum,
and Mírzá Yuhanna Dáwúd were admitted
into the holy presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: may my
life be a sacrifice to Him!

After receiving us, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said, “You are very welcome and it makes me happy to see you
here in London.”

Looking at me he said, “Never have I united anyone
in marriage before, except my own daughters, but as I love you much,
and you have rendered a great service to the Kingdom of Abhá,
both in this country and in other lands, I will perform your marriage
ceremony today. It is my hope that you may both continue in the
blessed path of service.”

Then, first, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took Núr
Mahal Khánum into the next room and said to her, “Do
you love Mírzá Yuhanna Dáwúd with all
your heart and soul?” She answered, “Yes, I do.”

Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called me to him
and put a similar question, that is to say, “Do you love Núr
Mahal Khánum with all your heart and soul?” I
answered “Yes, I do.” We re-entered the room together and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá took the right hand of the bride and
gave it into that of the bridegroom and asked us to say after him,
“We do all to please God.”

We all sat down and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
continued; “Marriage is a holy institution and much encouraged
in this blessed cause. Now you two are no longer two, but one.
Bahá’u’lláh’s wish is that all men be
of one mind and consider themselves of one great household, that the
mind of mankind be not divided against itself.

“It is my wish and hope that you may be blessed in
your life. May God help you to render great service to the kingdom of
Abhá and may you become a means of its advancement.

“May joy be increased to you as the years go by,
and may you become thriving trees bearing delicious and fragrant
fruits which are the blessings in the path of service.”

When we came out, all the assembled friends both of
Persia and London congratulated us on the great honour that had been
bestowed upon us, and we were invited to dine by the kind hostess.

After a little while we gathered around the table with
him. During the meal one of the friends asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
how he enjoyed his stay in London, and what he thought of the English
people. I acted as interpreter. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
replied: “I have enjoyed London very much and the bright faces
of the friends have delighted my heart. I was drawn here by their
unity and love. In the world of existence there is no more powerful
magnet than the magnet of love. These few days will pass away, but
their import shall be remembered by God’s friends in all ages
and in all lands.

“There are living nations and dead nations. Syria lost
its civilization through lethargy of spirit. The English nation is a
living one, and when in this spiritual springtime the divine truth
come forth with renewed vitality, the English will be like fruitful
trees, and the Holy Spirit will enable them to flourish in abundance.
Then will they gain not only materially, but in that which is far
more important, spiritual progress, which will enable them to render
a greater service to the world of humanity.”

Another asked why the teachings of all religions are
expressed largely by parables and metaphors and not in the plain
language of the people.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied:—“Divine
things are too deep to be expressed by common words. The heavenly
teachings are expressed in parable in order to be understood and
preserved for ages to come. When the spiritually minded dive deeply
into the ocean of their meaning they bring to the surface the pearls
of their inner significance. There is no greater pleasure than to
study God’s Word with a spiritual mind.”

“The object of God’s teaching to man is that
man may know himself in order to comprehend the greatness of God. The
Word of God is for agreement and concord. If you go to Persia where
the friends of Abhá are many, you will at once realize the
unifying force of God’s work. They are doing their utmost to
strengthen this bond of amity. There, people of different
nationalities gather in one meeting and chant the divine tablets with
one accord. It might be supposed that they were all brethren. We do
not consider anyone a stranger, for it is said by Bahá’u’lláh
‘Ye are all the rays of one sun; the fruits of one tree; and
the leaves of one branch.’ We desire the true brotherhood of
humanity. This shall be so, and it has already begun. Praise to be
God, the Helper, the Pardoner!”

The Visit to Bristol

‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent the week end of
September 23rd to 25th, at the Clifton Guest House at Clifton,
Bristol.

On the first afternoon, while driving, he expressed much
interest in rural England, marvelling at the century-old trees, and
the vivid green of the woods and downs, so unlike the arid East.
“Though it is autumn it seems like spring,” he said. The
houses with their little plots of ground, suggested a quotation which
‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave from Bahá’u’lláh’s
writings in which the latter alludes to each family having a house
with a piece of land. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likened the
country to the soul and the city to the body of man, saying, “The
body without the soul cannot live. It is good,” he remarked,
“to live under the sky, in the sunshine and fresh air.”
Observing a young woman who rode by on horseback with her hair flying
free and several who bicycled past on their bicycles unattended, he
said, “This is the age of woman. She should receive the same
education as her brother and enjoy the same privilege; for all souls
are equal before God. Sex, in its relation to the exigencies of the
physical plane, has no connection with the Spirit. In this age of
spiritual awakening, the world has entered upon the path of progress
into the arena of development, where the power of the spirit
surpasses that of the body. Soon the spirit will have dominion over
the world of humanity.”

In the evening greetings were cabled to the Bahá’ís
of Ṭihrán informing them of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
presence in Bristol. He sent his love and wished them to know that he
was well and happy with the Clifton friends. This was sent in reply
to a cablegram previously received from Ṭihrán
congratulating the people of the Guest House on his prospective
visit.

Later on a general reception was held, ninety people
coming to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who spoke to them with
impressive earnestness.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “You are
very welcome. I have come far to see you. I praise God that after
forty years of waiting I am permitted at last to come and bring my
message. This is an assembly full of spirituality. Those who are
present have turned their hearts towards God. They are looking and
longing for glad tidings. We have gathered here by the power of the
Spirit, therefore our hearts are stirred with thanksgiving. ‘Send
out Thy Light and Thy Truth O God: Let them lead us to the Holy
Mountains!’ May we be refreshed by the holy springs that are
renewing the life of the world! As day follows night, and after
sunset comes the dawn, so Jesus Christ appeared on the horizon of
this world like a Sun of Truth; even so when the people—after
forgetting the teachings of Christ and His example of love to all
humanity—had again grown tired of material things, a heavenly
Star shone once more in Persia, a new illumination appeared and now a
great light is spreading throughout all lands.

“Men keep their possessions for their own
enjoyment and do not share sufficiently with others the bounty
received from God. Spring is thus changed into the winter of
selfishness and egotism. Jesus Christ said ‘Ye must be born
again’ so that divine Life may spring anew within you. Be kind
to all around and serve one another; love to be just and true in all
your dealings; pray always and so live your life that sorrow cannot
touch you. Look upon the people of your own race and those of other
races as members of one organism; sons of the same Father; let it be
known by your behaviour that you are indeed the people of God. Then
wars and disputes shall cease and over the world will spread the Most
Great Peace.”

After ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had retired
Tamaddun’ul-Mulk and Mr. W. Tudor Pole gave short addresses in
which references were made to the martyrdom of the faithful in
Persia, special mention being made of the eminent poetess
Qurratu’l-‘Ayn.

The next day was a bright Sunday and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
went out with his friends driving and walking on the downs.
Afterwards he gathered the servants of the house together, spoke of
the dignity of labour and thanked them for their service, giving to
each some remembrance of his visit. He went over the Guest house and
blessed it as a centre for pilgrims from every part of the world, and
said it would become indeed a House of Rest.

On the morning of the third day, a Canon of the Anglican
Church met him at breakfast. The conversation turned on the
reluctance of the rich to part with their possessions, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
quoting the saying of Jesus, “How hardly shall they that have
riches enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” He remarked that only
when the true seeker finds that attachments to the material are
keeping him from his spiritual heritage, will he gladly enter the way
of renunciation. Then will the rich man joyfully share his worldly
possessions with the needy. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
contrasted the unpretentious hospitality before him with the costly
banquets of the wealthy, who too often sit at their feasts forgetting
the hungry multitudes.

He urged his hearers to spread the light in their own
homes so that finally it would illuminate the whole community.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then returned to London.
It was the earnest wish of those who had the privilege of meeting him
that his followers in other lands should know how much the Clifton
people appreciated his visit and realized his spiritual power and
love.

Thomas Pole.

At Byfleet.

On the afternoon of September 9th, a number of working
women of the Passmore Edwards’ Settlement, who were spending
their holidays with Miss Schepel and Miss Buckton at Vanners, in
Byfleet, a village some twenty miles out of London, had the great
privilege of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They wrote a
short record of his sayings to keep for themselves. The following is
an extract:—

We gathered round him in a circle, and he made us sit
beside him in the window seat. One of the members, who was ill, had a
specially beautiful greeting from him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
began by saying, as he seated himself: “Are you happy?”
and our faces must have shown him that we were. He then said: “I
love you all, you are the children of the Kingdom, and you are
accepted of God. Though you may be poor here, you are rich in the
treasures of the Kingdom. I am the Servant of the poor. Remember how
His Holiness Jesus said: ‘Blessed are the poor!’ If all
the queens of the earth were gathered here, I could not be more
glad!”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá knew that we had a
treasury box from which we try to help people less fortunate than
ourselves. Presently he rose, and said: “You are dear to me. I
want to do something for you! I cannot cook for you (he had
previously seen us busy in the kitchen) but here is something for
your fund.” He went round the circle to each, with a beautiful
smile, shaking hands with all, and giving the Bahá’í
greeting: “Alláh’u’Abhá!”

Later on he walked in the village, and many poor
children came to him, and mothers with sick babies and men out of
work. He spoke to them all, through an interpreter. At tea-time other
friends joined us. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá liked the cottage
garden at Vanners, the little orchard and the roses. He said: “This
is like a Persian garden. The air is very pure.”

On leaving for London he presented every one with a
purple heartsease from the garden, and said again and again:
“Good-bye” in English.

On the 28th September, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
again visited Vanners, the little farm house on the old royal manor
that dates back to the time of Edward II. He motored down from London
and stayed over night, returning on the evening of the second day.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was much struck during
the drive by two detachments of Boy Scouts tramping the road. When
told of the Scouts’ motto, “Be Prepared,” and that
an act of kindness each day is one of their laws and that some of
these boys had put out a fire and assisted at a recent railway
accident, he said. “This makes me very happy.”

Arriving at Vanners, he found a large, strangely mixed
crowd, assembled about the gate to welcome him, from the quite poor
to the wealthy who had motored over from their country places. A
great number followed him and as many as could do so pressed into the
garden and sat down around him. The silence was most impressive. The
same attention and eagerness to hear was noticed among the people
each time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appeared in the village.

After expressing his joy at being with them, he began to
speak to the little group in answer to a question about the elaborate
civilization of the West.

The Captivity of Man

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said:—“Luxuries
cut off the freedom of communication. One who is imprisoned by
desires is always unhappy; the children of the Kingdom have unchained
themselves from their desires. Break all fetters and seek for
spiritual joy and enlightenment; then, though you walk on this earth,
you will perceive yourselves to be within the divine horizon. To man
alone is this possible. When we look about us we see every other
creature captive to his environment.

“The bird is a captive in the air and the fish a
captive in the sea. Man alone stands apart and says to the elements,
I will make you my servants! I can govern you! He takes electricity,
and through his ingenuity imprisons it and makes of it a wonderful
power for lighting, and a means of communication to a distance of
thousands of miles. But man himself may become a captive to the
things he has invented. His true second birth occurs when he is freed
from all material things: for he only is free who is not a captive to
his desires. He has then as Jesus has said, become captive to the
Holy Spirit.”

The Power of God

A friend asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá how far
the individual could attain to that Christ consciousness in himself
of which St. Paul speaks as our hope of Glory.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá turned with a look of
great joy and said with an impressive gesture: “The bounty and
power of God is limitless for each human soul. Consider what was the
quickening power of the Christ when He was on earth. Look at His
disciples! They were poor and uncultured men. Out of the rough
fisherman He made the great Peter, and out of the poor village girl
of Magdala He made one who is a power in all the world today. Many
queens have reigned who are remembered by their dates in history, and
nothing more is known of them. But Mary the Magdalene is greater than
them all. It was she whose love strengthened the disciples when their
faith was failing. What she did for the world cannot be measured. See
what a divine power was enkindled in her by the power of God!”

Inspired Messengers

When asked if it would be always necessary for prophets
to come from time to time—“would not the world in the
course of events through progress reach to a full realization of
God?”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied: “Mankind
needs a universal motive power to quicken it. The inspired messenger
who is directly assisted by the power of God brings about universal
results. Bahá’u’lláh rose as a light in
Persia and now that light is going out to the whole world.”

“Is this what is meant by the Second Coming of
Christ?” “Christ is an Expression of the Divine Reality,
the Single Essence and Heavenly Entity, which hath no beginning or
ending. It has appearance, arising, and manifestation and setting in
each one of the Cycles.”

Those who have been with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
notice how, often, after speaking earnestly with people, he will
suddenly turn and walk away to be alone. At such times no one follows
him. On this occasion, when he finished speaking and went out through
the orchard gate into the village, all were struck with his free and
wonderful walk which has been described by one of our American
friends as that of a shepherd or a king.

As he passed along the ragged children clustered about
him by dozens, the boys saluting him as they had been taught in
school, showing how instinctively they felt the greatness of his
presence. Most noticeable was the silence of even the roughest men
when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appeared. One poor tramp
exclaimed “He is a good man,” and added, “Ay, he’s
suffered!”

He took particular interest in the sick, crippled and
poorly nourished children. Mothers carrying their little ones
followed him, and a friend explained that this great visitor had come
over the seas from the Holy Land where Jesus was born.

All day long people of every condition gathered about
the gate for a chance of seeing him, and more than sixty drove or
cycled to Vanners to see him, many wishing to question him on some
special subject. Among them were the clergy of several denominations,
a head master of a boys’ public school, a member of Parliament,
a doctor, a famous political writer, the vice-chancellor of a
University, several journalists, a well known poet, and a magistrate
from London.

He will long be remembered as 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 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for
sixpence for his money box and for his invalid mother, whilst round
him in the room were gathered men 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.

During the evening a young betrothed couple in the
village, who had read some of the Bahá’í books,
begged permission to come to him. They entered shyly, the man, led by
the girl. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose to greet them, and
made them take a place in the circle. He talked earnestly to them
upon the sacredness of marriage, the beauty of a real union, and the
importance of the little child and its education. Before they left he
blessed them, and touched their hair and foreheads with a Persian
perfume.

Education

‘Abdu’l-Bahá laid great stress on
Education. He said “The girl’s education is of more
importance today than the boy’s, for she is the mother of the
future race. It is the duty of all to look after the children. Those
without children should, if possible, make themselves responsible for
the education of a child.”

The condition of the destitute in the country villages
as well as in London impressed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
greatly. In an earnest talk with the Rector of a Parish, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said: “I find England awake; there is spiritual life here. But
your poor are so very poor! This should not be. On the one hand you
have wealth, and great luxury; on the other hand men and women are
living in the extremities of hunger and want. This great contrast of
life is one of the blots on the civilization of this enlightened age.

“You must turn attention more earnestly to the
betterment of the conditions of the poor. Do not be satisfied until
each one with whom you are concerned is to you as a member of your
family. Regard each one either as a father, or as a brother, or as a
sister, or as a mother, or as a child. If you can attain to this,
your difficulties will vanish, you will know what to do. This is the
teaching of Bahá’u’lláh.”

The Change of Heart

To one who spoke of the people’s desire to possess
the land, and of the strong under-current of rebellion on the part of
the labouring classes, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said:
“Fighting, and the employment of force, even for the right cause, will
not bring about good results. The oppressed who have right on their
side, must not take that right by force; the evil would continue.
Hearts must be changed. The rich must wish to give! Life in man
should be like a flame, warming all with whom it comes into contact.
The spiritually awakened are like to bright torches in the sight of
God, they give light and comfort to their fellows.”

When asked if he did not find the manners of the English
rude and awkward, compared with those of the East, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said he had not felt this. As a nation increases in spirituality, the
the manners become different.

Christ and Bahá’u’lláh

A friend asked how the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh
contrasted with the teachings of Jesus Christ. “The teachings
are the same.” declared ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; “It
is the same foundation and the same temple. Truth is one, and without
division. The teachings of Jesus are in a concentrated form. Men do
not agree to this day as to the meaning of many of His sayings. His
teachings are as a flower in the bud. Today, the bud is unfolding
into a flower! Bahá’u’lláh has expanded and
fulfilled the teachings, and has applied them in detail to the whole
world.

“There are no solitaries and no hermits among the
Bahá’ís. Man must work with his fellows. Everyone
should have some trade, or art or profession, be he rich or poor, and
with this he must serve humanity. This service is acceptable as the
highest form of worship.”

Art

A painter asked: “Is art a worthy vocation?”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá turning to her impressively, said:
“Art is worship.”

An actor mentioned the drama, and its influence. “The
drama is of the utmost importance.” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
“It has been a great educational power in the past; it will be
so again.” He described how as a young boy he witnessed the
Mystery Play of ‘Alí’s Betrayal and Passion, and
how it affected him so deeply that he wept and could not sleep for
many nights.

Symbols

Someone wished to know if it were a good custom to wear
a symbol, as, for instance, a cross. He said: “You wear the
cross for remembrance, it concentrates your thoughts; it has no
magical power. Bahá’ís often wear a stone with
the greatest name engraved on it: there is no magical influence in
the stone; it is a reminder, and companion. If you are about to do
some selfish or hasty action, and your glance falls on the ring on
your hand, you will remember and change your intention.”

Esperanto

A friend enquired concerning Bahá’u’lláh’s
prophecy in the Words of Paradise, that a universal language would be
formed, and desired to know if Esperanto would be the language
chosen.

“The love and effort put into Esperanto will not
be lost,” he answered, “but no one person can construct a
Universal Language. It must be made by a Council representing all
countries, and must contain words from different languages. It will
be governed by the simplest rules, and there will be no exceptions;
neither will there be gender, nor extra and silent letters.
Everything indicated will have but one name. In Arabic there are
hundreds of names for the camel! In the schools of each nation the
mother tongue will be taught, as well as the revised Universal
Language.”

Tolstoy

The same questioner said: “I have read much of
Tolstoy and I see a parallel between his teachings and yours. In one
of his books he speaks of the Enigma of Life, and describes how life
is wasted in our endeavour to find the Key. But Tolstoy goes on to
say: ‘There is a man in Persia who holds the secret.’”

“Yes,” said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
“I received a letter from Tolstoy, and in it he said that he
wished to write a book upon Bahá’u’lláh.”

Healing

A friend interested in healing quoted the words of
Bahá’u’lláh: “If one is sick, let him
go to the greatest physician.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “There is
but one power which heals—that is God. The state or condition
through which the healing takes place is the confidence of the heart.
By some this state is reached through pills, powders, and physicians.
By others through hygiene, fasting, and prayer. By others through
direct perception.”

On another occasion ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said
with regard to the same subject, “All that we see around us is
the work of mind. It is mind in the herb and in the mineral that acts
on the human body, and changes its condition.” The talk
developed into a learned dissertation on the Philosophy of Aristotle.

Death

A friend asked: “How should one look forward to
death?”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered: “How
does one look forward to the goal of any journey? With hope and with
expectation. It is even so with the end of this earthly journey. In
the next world, man will find himself freed from many of the
disabilities under which he now suffers. Those who have passed on
through death, have a sphere of their own. It is not removed from
ours; their work, the work of the Kingdom, is ours; but it is
sanctified from what we call ‘time and place.’ Time with
us is measured by the sun. When there is no more sunrise, and no more
sunset, that kind of time does not exist for man. Those who have
ascended have different attributes from those who are still on earth,
yet there is no real separation.

“In prayer there is a mingling of station, a
mingling of condition. Pray for them as they pray for you! When you
do not know it, and are in a receptive attitude, they are able to
make suggestions to you, if you are in difficulty. This sometimes
happens in sleep, but there is no phenomenal intercourse! That which
seems like phenomenal intercourse has another explanation.” The
questioner exclaimed; “But I have heard a voice!”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “Yes, that is possible;
we hear voices clearly in dreams. It is not with the physical ear
that you heard; the spirit of those that have passed on are freed
from sense-life, and do not use physical means. It is not possible to
put these great matters into human words; the language of man is the
language of children, and man’s explanation often leads
astray.”

Someone present asked how it was that in prayer and
meditation the heart often turns with instinctive appeal to some
friend who has passed into the next life.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered: “It is a
law of God’s creation that the weak should lean upon the
strong. Those to whom you turn may be the mediators of God’s
power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit
that strengthens all men.” Hereupon another friend referred to
the communing of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and
Elijah; and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “The faithful
are ever sustained by the presence of the Supreme Concourse. In the
Supreme Concourse are Jesus, and Moses, and Elijah, and Bahá’u’lláh,
and other supreme Souls: there, also, are the martyrs.”

When asked about the individual persistence of the
animal’s personality after death, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said: “Even the most developed dog has not the immortal soul of
the man; yet the dog is perfect in its own place. You do not quarrel
with a rose-tree because it cannot sing!”

A True Bahá’í

A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism
asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá if he would do well to continue
in the church with which he had been associated all his life, and
whose language was full of meaning to him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
answered: “You must not dissociate yourself from it. Know this;
the Kingdom of God is not in any Society; some seekers go through
many Societies as a traveller goes through many cities till he reach
his destination. If you belong to a Society already do not forsake
your brothers. You can be a Bahá’í-Christian, a
Bahá’í-Freemason, a Bahá’í-Jew,
a Bahá’í-Muḥammadán. The number nine
contains eight, and seven, and all the other numbers, and does not
deny any of them. Do not distress or deny anyone by saying ‘He
is not a Bahá’í!’ He will be known by his
deeds. There are no secrets among Bahá’ís; a
Bahá’í does not hide anything.”

Spreading the Teaching

When asked by an American friend: “Which is the
best way to spread the teaching?” he said: “By deeds.
This way is open to all, and deeds are understood by all. Join
yourselves to those who work for the poor, the weak and the
unfortunate; this is greatly to be commended. To teach by words
requires the skill of a wise physician. He does not offer help to
those who do not want treatment. Do not press help on those who do
not need your help. The work of teaching is not for all.”

The following incident shows how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
attention is given to the smallest details where others are involved.
On hearing that some of his friends had come down from London, and
had planned to stop the night in the village so as to be near him
‘Abdu’l-Bahá immediately made them his guests at
the Inn, and being concerned for their comfort, went over personally
to inspect the rooms, as the nights were getting cold.

At Brooklands

The morning of the second day, a neighbour sent over her
car asking if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would not like to take
his guests to the Brooklands aviation ground. Though it was windy, an
aviator was on the track, when he heard who the visitor was offered
to fly for him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left his friends and
walked out into the middle of the course, where he stood alone
watching the biplane making wide circles above him.

A Hindu who was learning to fly at the school joined
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s friends and asked: “Who
is the man in Eastern dress?”

When told, he exclaimed, “Oh I know him very well
through his teachings, which I have studied,” and immediately
he went to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

They talked together for some time in Arabic, the young
man showing great joy at being in his presence. He afterwards said
that for many years he had longed for this moment.

While having tea out of doors, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
and the young Hindu, sitting at the head of the long benches that has
been arranged, talked merrily to everyone.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá noticed two of the
airmen who were wrestling on the grounds, and when they stopped, he
went to them clapping his hands and crying in English, “Bravo!
Bravo! that is good exercise.”

Since his return to Egypt, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
has sent a kind message of remembrance to the people of Byfleet,
saying that he will never forget them.

Days in London

During ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s stay in
Cadogan Gardens people arrived all day and every day, from early
morning to nightfall, hoping for the privilege of seeing him and of
hearing him talk. Many were the gatherings round the board of that
hospitable house and hundreds of people were made welcome. Many came
without introduction and no one was refused. Among them were clergy
of various denominations, members of Parliament, magistrates, and
literary men.

The visitors were not only English; numerous Persians
had journeyed from Ṭihrán and other Eastern cities to
meet freely one who had so long been withheld from them by his
captivity.

The editor of a journal printed in Japan, altered his
return route to Tokyo in order that he might spend the night near
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and a late visit was paid by a
Zoroastrian physician of Bombay, on the eve of his return to India.

Woman’s Work

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s interest in
women’s work and progress is well known, and among the notable
leaders who came to see him, may be mentioned Mrs. Annie Besant,
President of the Theosophical Society, the organizers of various
suffrage bodies, civic and philanthropic workers, the principals of
several woman’s colleges and lady doctors.

A spirited conversation due to the visit of an ardent
suffragist will be long remembered by those who had the privilege of
being present. The room was full of men and women, many Persians
being seated in their familiar respectful attitude on the floor.

After contrasting the general position of the Eastern
and the Western women, and then describing how in many respects the
Eastern woman has the advantage of her Western sister, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
turned and said to the visitor: “Give me your reasons for
believing that woman today should have the vote?”

Answer: “I believe that humanity is a divine
humanity and that it must rise higher and higher; but it cannot soar
with only one wing.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed
his pleasure at this answer, and smiling, replied: “But what
will you do if one wing is stronger than the other?” Answer:
“Then we must strengthen the weaker wing, otherwise the flight
will always be hampered.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá smiled and asked: “What
will you say if I prove to you that the woman is the stronger wing?”

The answer came in the same bright vein: “You will
earn my eternal gratitude!” at which all the company made
merry.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then continued more
seriously: “The woman is indeed of the greater importance to
the race. She has the greater burden and the greater work. Look at
the vegetable and the animal worlds. The palm which carries the fruit
is the tree most prized by the date grower. The Arab knows that for a
long journey the mare has the longest wind. For her greater strength
and fierceness, the lioness is more feared by the hunter than the
lion.

“The mere size of the brain has been proved to be
no measure of superiority. The woman has greater moral courage than
the man; she has also special gifts which enable her to govern in
moments of danger and crisis. If necessary she can become a warrior.”

Zenobia

‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked the company if
they remembered the story of Zenobia and of the fall of Palmyra. He
then continued as follows, using his hands in the grave and simple
gesticulations characteristic of him:

“There was once a Governor in Ancient Syria, who
had a beautiful and clever wife. She was so capable that when the
Governor died, she was made ruler in his stead. The land prospered
under her sway, and men acknowledged that she was a better ruler than
her husband. After a time the legions of Rome invaded the country,
but again and again she drove them out with great confusion. She let
down her beautiful hair, and herself rode at the head of her army,
clad in a scarlet cloak, wearing a crown of gold, and wielding a
two-edged sword in her hand. The Roman Caesar then withdrew his
strength from five other provinces in order to subdue her. After a
long and brave fight Zenobia retired into the city of Palmyra, which
she strengthened with wonderful fortifications, and there she endured
a siege of four months, Caesar being unable to dislodge her. The food
she had stored within the walls at last was gone, and the misery of
her starving and plague-stricken people compelled her to surrender.

“Caesar was full of admiration for this great
woman, because of her courage and endurance, and he asked her to
become his wife. But she refused, saying that she would never consent
to take as her husband the enemy of her people. Thereupon, Caesar was
enraged, and determined to humble her. He took her back with him in
his ships to Rome. For his triumphal entry a great procession was
prepared, and the streets were filled with people. In the procession
came first elephants, after the elephants came the camels, after the
camels came the tigers and the leopards, after the leopards came the
monkeys, and lastly, after the monkeys, walked Zenobia with a gold
chain round her neck. Still she carried her head high, and was firm
in her determination. Nothing could break her spirit! She refused to
become the Empress of Caesar, so she was thrown into a dungeon, and
eventually she died.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá ceased. Silence fell
upon the room, and it was some time before it was broken.

Upon another occasion ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said to a group of friends around him: “Taken in general, women
today have a stronger sense of religion than men. The woman’s
intuition is more correct; she is more receptive and her intelligence
is quicker. The day is coming when woman will claim her superiority
to man.

“Woman has everywhere been commended for her
faithfulness. After the Lord Christ suffered, the disciples wept, and
gave way to their grief. They thought that their hopes were
shattered, and that the Cause was utterly lost, till Mary Magdalene
came to them and strengthened them saying: ‘Do you mourn the
body of Our Lord or His Spirit? If you mourn His Spirit, you are
mistaken, for Jesus lives! His Spirit will never leave us!’
Thus through her wisdom and encouragement the Cause of Christ was
upheld for all the days to come. Her intuition enabled her to grasp
the spiritual fact.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then added: “But
in the sight of God sex makes no difference. He or she is greatest
who is nearest to God.”

One morning ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, on entering
the room looked about and said: “It is just like a miracle, our
being here together. There is no racial, political or patriotic tie.
We are drawn together by the words of Bahá’u’lláh,
and in like manner will all the races of the earth be drawn together.
Of this, rest assured!”

The True Bahá’í

“I have never heard of Bahá’u’lláh,”
said a young man. I have only recently read about this movement, but
I recognize the mission of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and desire
to be a disciple. I have always believed in the brotherhood of man as
the ultimate solvent of all our national and international
difficulties.”

“It makes no difference whether you have ever
heard of Bahá’u’lláh or not,” was the
answer, “the man who lives the life according to the teachings
of Bahá’u’lláh is already a Bahá’í.
On the other hand a man may call himself a Bahá’í
for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Bahá’í.
An ugly man may call himself handsome, but he deceives no one, and a
black man may call himself white yet he deceives no one: not even
himself!”

The Coming of Peace

“By what process” continued the questioner,
“will this peace on earth be established? Will it come at once
after a universal declaration of the Truth?”

“No, it will come about gradually,” said
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “A plant that grows too
quickly lasts but a short time. You are my family” and he
looked about with a smile, “my new children! if a family lives
in unison, great results are obtained. Widen the circle; when a city
lives in intimate accord greater results will follow, and a continent
that is fully united will likewise unite all other continents. Then
will be the time of the greatest results, for all the inhabitants of
the earth belong to one native land.”

The Pure Heart

When asked for a definition of a pure heart,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “The pure heart is one
that is entirely cut away from self. To be selfless is to be pure.”

True Spirituality

Another morning ‘Abdu’l-Bahá began at
once to speak as he joined the group of seekers. He said: “Praise
be to God, this century is a glorious century; may love increase
every day; may it strike fire to light the candle in the darkness,
like a gift and mercy of God.

“Know, O thou possessors of insight, that true
spirituality is like unto a lake of clear water which reflects the
divine. Of such was the spirituality of Jesus Christ. There is
another kind which is like a mirage, seeming to be spiritual when it
is not. That which is truly spiritual must light the path to God, and
must result in deeds. We cannot believe the call to be spiritual when
there is no result. Spirit is reality, and when the spirit in each of
us seeks to join itself with the Great Reality, it must in turn give
life. The Jews in the time of Christ were dead, having no real life,
and Jesus actually wafted a new breath into their bodies. Behold what
has been accomplished since!”

Knowledge Must Result in Action

A representative from a well known society made
reference to its meetings for the purpose of a search into the
reality of truth, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said “I
know of your work. I think a great deal of it. I know your desire is
to serve mankind, and to draw together Humanity under the banner of
Oneness; but its members must beware less it become only a
discussion. Look about you. How many committees have been formed, and
living for a little while, have died! Committees and Societies can
not create or give life.

“People get together and talk, but it is God’s
Word alone that is powerful in its results. Consider for a moment:
you would not trade together if you had no income from it and derived
no benefit! Look at the followers of Christ. Their power was due to
their ardour and their deeds. Every effort must have its result, else
it is not a true effort. You must become the means of lighting the
world of humanity. This is the infallible proof and sign. Every
progress depends on two things, knowledge and practice. First acquire
knowledge, and, when conviction is reached, put it into practice.

“Once a learned man journeyed to see me to receive
my blessing, saying he knew and comprehended the Bahá’í
teachings. When I told him that he could receive the blessings of the
Holy Spirit at any time when he put himself in a receptive attitude
to accept them, he said he was always in a receptive attitude.

“‘What would you do,’ I asked ‘if
I were to suddenly turn and strike you?’ He instantly flared
with indignation and strode angrily about the room.

“After a little I went over and took his arm,
saying, ‘But you must return good for evil. Whether I honoured
you or despised you, you should follow the teachings; now you merely
read them. Remember the words of Jesus who said, ‘The first
shall be last, and the last first.’ The man turned, shook my
hand and departed, and I have since heard of many kind acts he has
done.”

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was addressed by
the name of prophet, he answered, “My name is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
the Servant of God” [literally, the Slave of Glory.]1

Visit to the Lord Mayor

At the express wish of the Lord Mayor, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
paid him a visit early one morning at the Mansion House. The talk
turned chiefly upon the social conditions of great cities, and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that London was the best
regulated city he had seen.

He said: “Every man walking in the street is free
as if he were in his own kingdom. There is a great spiritual light in
London. The effort made for justice is real and in this country the
law is the same for the poor as for the rich.” He took great
interest in hearing of the care that is taken of prisoners as they
leave jail, and spoke of the land being happy where the magistrates
are as fathers to the people.

Before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left London, he
went to an East-end hospital to visit there a young writer lying
seriously ill, who was very anxious to see him.

Some Personal Characteristics

There is a note in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
character that has not been emphasized, and with which no idea of him
is complete. The impressive dignity which distinguishes his presence
and bearing is occasionally lighted by a delicate and tactful humour,
which is as unaffected as it is infectious and delightful.

On his last afternoon in London, a reporter called to
ask him of his future plans, finding him surrounded by a number of
friends who had called to bid him good-bye. 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, laughingly ending, “Very difficult English words I
speak!” Then, a moment later, with the swift transition of one
who knows both how to be grave and gay, he showed himself terribly in
earnest.

He had left orders that none were to be turned away, but
one who had twice vainly sought his presence, and was, through some
oversight, prevented from seeing him, wrote a heartbreaking letter
showing that he thought himself rebuffed. It was translated by the
Persian interpreter. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at once put on
his coat, and, turning towards the door, said, with an expression of
unspeakable sadness, “A friend of mine has been martyred, and I
am very grieved. I go out alone.” and he swept down the steps.
One could then see how well the title of “Master” became
him.

Another phase of his character which none who saw him
could ever forget was his attitude towards children who were brought
to him. Many of his talks were given as he sat with his arm
encircling one of them.

He invariably admonished the parents thus: “Give
this child a good education; make every effort that it may have the
best you can afford, so that it may be enabled to enjoy the advantage
of this glorious age. Do all you can to encourage spirituality in
them.”

One who sought the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
realized the father-like sympathy which is his. Speaking of his and
others’ love for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the reply was:
“I know that you love me, I can see that it is so. I will pray
for you that you may be firm and serve in the Cause, becoming a true
servant to Bahá’u’lláh. Though I go away I
will always be present with you all.” These words were spoken
with the greatest loving sympathy and understanding of difficulties;
during the moments of this little talk ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
held and stroked the speaker’s hands, and at the end took his
head and with a gentle touch drew it to him kissing the forehead of
the young man, who felt that he had found a father and a friend.

The Farewell

On the last morning of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
stay in London many friends gathered both at Cadogan Gardens and at
the station to bid him farewell. An impressive and interesting
ceremony was performed at the house by a Zoroastrian (a physician),
who sent an elaborate telegram to some Parsis in Bombay, saying: “The
Torch of Truth has been lighted again in the East and the West by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” Instructed by his brethren,
this follower of one of the most ancient religions in the world had
brought with him a sacred oil of a rare perfume, with which he
anointed the head and breast of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
afterwards touching the hands of all present. He then placed around
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s neck and shoulders an
exquisite garland of rose-buds and lilies.

The last glimpse which the friends had at Victoria
Station was that of the venerable face and form standing at the
window, gazing out with a look of benevolence and wonderful
tenderness on those he was leaving.

From an Interview given by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Weekly Budget.

September 23rd, 1911.

A Loving Farewell Greeting.

After leaving London and during his two months stay in
Paris, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá frequently sent back messages
to his English friends, some of whom journeyed over to take advantage
of the conferences there. On the eve of his departure for Alexandria,
he gave the following admonitory farewell to the people of England
and France.

“Work,” he said unceasingly, “for the
day of Universal Peace. Strive always that you may be united.
Kindness and love in the path of service must be your means.

“I bid a loving farewell to the people of France
and England. I am very much pleased with them. I counsel them that
they may day by day strengthen the bond of love and amity to this
end,—that they may become the sympathetic embodiment of one
nation.—That they may extend themselves to a Universal
Brotherhood to guard and protect the interests and rights of all the
nations of the East,—that they may unfurl the Divine Banner of
justice,—that they may treat each nation as a family composed
of the individual children of God and may know that before the sight
of God the rights of all are equal. For all of us are the children of
one Father. God is at peace with all his children; why should they
engage in strife and warfare among themselves? God is showering down
kindness; why should the inhabitants of this world exchange
unkindness and cruelty?”

“I will pray for you that you may be illumined
with the Light of the Eternal.”

Greetings by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
from Paris to London.

October 1911.

Spoken to Mrs. Enthoven for conveyance to all the
friends, and now written from memory.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent his greetings to
all, begging all to go on acquiring strength in their belief and
courage in its proclamation.

He spoke much of the pleasure he had felt in the
atmosphere of England. He said there was a strength of purpose in the
English people and a firmness which he liked and admired, There was
honesty and uprightness. They were slow in starting a new idea, but,
when they did, it was only because their minds and common-sense had
told them that the idea was sound.

The English as a nation had pleased him greatly.

Believers, he added, must show their belief in their
daily lives, so that the world might see the light shining in their
faces. A bright and happy face cheers people on their way. If you are
sad, and pass a child who is laughing, the child, seeing your sad
face, will cease to laugh, not knowing why. If the day be dark, how
much a gleam of sunshine is prized; so let believers wear smiling
happy faces, gleaming like sunshine in the darkness. Let the Light of
Truth and Honesty shine from them, so that all who behold them may
know that their word in business or pleasure will be a word to trust
and depend upon.

Forget self and work for the whole race. Remember always
that one is working for the world, not for a town or even for a
country; because, as all are brethren, so every country is, as it
were, one’s own.

Remember, above all, the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh
concerning gossip and unseemly talk about others. Stories repeated
about others are seldom good. A silent tongue is the safest. Even
good may be harmful, if spoken at the wrong time, or to the wrong
person.

Finally ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent his
greetings and blessings to all, and assured me he was constantly
thinking and praying for all.

To a gentleman who was questioning him, he remarked “The
beginnings of all great religions were pure; but priests, taking
possession of the minds of the people, filled them with dogmas and
superstitions, so that religion became gradually corrupt. I come to
teach no new religion. ‘My only desire is, through the blessing
of God, to show the road to the Great Light.” Touching the
gentleman gently on his shoulder, as a loving father might touch a
son, he went on to say, “I am no Prophet, only a man like
yourself.”

Message to the London Bahá’ís for the Day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Specially given to Mrs. Enthoven.

November 26th, 1911.

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The doors of the Kingdom of God are open!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

Armies of Angels are descending from Heaven!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The Sun of Truth is rising!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

Heavenly food is being sent from above!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The Trumpet is sounding!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The Banner of the Great Peace is floating far and wide!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The Light of the Lamp of the Oneness of Humanity is
shining bright!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The fire of the Love of God is blazing!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

The Holy Spirit is being outpoured!

GOOD NEWS! GOOD NEWS!

For Everlasting Life is here!

O Ye that sleep, Awake!
O ye heedless ones, Learn
wisdom!
O Blind, receive your sight!
O Deaf, Hear!
O
Dumb, Speak!
O Dead, Arise!

Be Happy!
Be Happy!
Be full of Joy!

This is the day of the Proclamation of the Báb!

It is the Festival of the Forerunner of the Blessed
Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh).

It is the day of the dawning of the Morning of Guidance.