The Master in
By
If you are like me, you cannot get enough details about the life of the Master. This morning I have scanned and edited some source materials from the Star of the West on His two or three week visit to
Also included is an editorial published when the Master visited
Abdu’l-Baha in
By Frances Orr Allen
(SW, Vol. 3, No. 12, pp. 9-10)
Part 1
THESE ARE wonderful days which we are living with Abdu'l-Baha in our midst. Our longing to see him was great, but much greater is our joy that our prayers were answered.
A house was taken for Abdu'l-Baha at
The afternoon of the day of his arrival he crossed the Bay to
Friday evening, October 4th, he received many people at his home people from all the cities about the Bay, and after a short address, he greeted them, welcoming them to his home. Saturday from early morning he met the friends, and in the evening attended the regular Assembly meeting held each Saturday night at the Lick building,
Sunday, October 6th, two public addresses were given ill the morning at the
Monday was also a busy day, with interviews, talks in the parlor, and in the evening an address before the Japanese Y. M. C. A. of
It was a marvelous mingling of the East and the West and the
Early Tuesday morning, October 8th, Abdu'l-Baha, accompanied by the Persian friends and fifteen others, went to
In the evening Abdu'l-Baha spoke at the Unitarian church. The impressive service opened with soft music as Abdu'l-Baha entered accompanied by the pastor, Mr. Reed, who introduced him in the following words: "It is a great privilege to have with us tonight one who calls himself a Servant of God; one who also is a great lover of mankind."
The theme of Abdu'l-Baha's discourse was "The Reality of Divinity." Mr. Reed closed the service by saying:
"I feel that a man of God has spoken to us tonight. I know no better way to close the service than with a prayer; not a prayer in spoken words, but a prayer in silence. Let each person pray in his own way for the coming of the universal religion, the religion of love, the religion of peace a religion of the fullness of life." There was a moment's silence, then the pastor said in quiet tones, "You are dismissed."
An interesting incident in the day at
Abdu'l-Baha and the Persian friends spent the night at the home of Mrs. Merriam, after a most joyous day in which he expressed himself over and over as having been made so very happy.
Early the following morning Abdu'l-Baha and party returned to
Part II, Continued from the last issue of the Star of the West
SW Vol III No. 13, pp. 11-12
The only public address of Abdu'l-Baha in
The next morning, Abdu'l-Baha made quite a different visit -- not to one of the great universities, but to the humble home of one of the friends, Charles Tinsley, a colored man, who was confined to his bed on account of a broken leg. During this visit, Abdu'l-Baha told a beautiful story of a ruler who trained the subject he loved best in order to fit him to hold the most important place in his kingdom -- told how he scourged him, and maimed him, and caused him all manner of sorrow and suffering that he might know for himself what these conditions were in reality, meanwhile assuring him that he loved him and that only through this training could he be fitted for the great place he had destined him to fill.
The evening of the same day, October 10th, Abdu'l-Baha gave an address before the Open Forum, an organization for the discussion of economic and kindred subjects. His discourse was scientific, contrasting the philosophy of the East with that of the West.
Friday evening, he spoke before the Theosophical Society and their friends, being introduced at length by the President of the Society, who presented Abdu'l-Baha as one of the Enlightened.
The most remarkable public address given during the visit to the Coast was on Saturday morning, October 12th, at
From the synagogue Abdu'l-Baha was driven to Mrs. Goodall's
At
In the evening, many of the friends gathered in the parlor and Abdu'l-Baha told them of his visit to the beach. He likened humanity to a sea, -- at times smooth, at other times in motion. The sea in motion is most like life, even when tempestuous; when in motion, each hour brings results. He said: "Seek to dive in the spiritual sea and bring up pearls; seek to find that sea."
At the conclusion of the talk, he spoke of musical instruments, saying all are imperfect, but that Baha'u'llah brought to earth a heavenly, divine instrument where each soul could find and strike his note and the music would be a heavenly chorus, and eternal. At this gathering there were Persians, Swiss, Hindu,
Wednesday, October 16th, Abdul-Baha and party returned from a short visit to the country. To the nine
The evening of October 16th will never be forgotten, because of the memorable feast, held at the home of Mrs. Goodall, in
When all were seated at table, Abdul-Baha requested that we partake of the food so bountifully provided, while he walked about speaking words of wisdom and love, giving us the spiritual food, for which we hungered. Then, from the stairs, he pronounced a benediction upon all assembled, and soon the friends quietly withdrew. It was the most spiritual meeting. Gathered under one roof were people of different nations and various nationalities, the young and old, all meeting in love and fellowship, and in devotion to the Servant of God in this day.
Thursday passed in the usual way, with private interviews and talks. Friday, Abdul-Baha and party, accompanied by several of the friends, left for
Tuesday evening, the farewell meeting of the friends was held at the home of Mrs. Goodall in
Wednesday and Thursday went all too quickly, filled with the usual interviews and talks. The friends spent as much time as possible at the house of Abdu'l-Baha, realizing that the days of great privilege were swiftly passing. All the public discourses were well received and will bear much fruit; but it was through the more intimate and personal talks that the friends received greatest quickening and instruction.
From the University at
Abdu'l-Baha expressed himself much pleased with
Early Friday morning, the friends gathered at the house to say good-bye. The admonition to be happy was given, the last words were said, the wonderful days were ended. Our cups have been filled to overflowing with blessing and it is for us now to give out to others some of the light and love we have received.
"The Palo Altan"
SW Vol III No. 13, pp. 8-9
Tablet to the editor of "The Palo Altan"
To his honor Mr. H. W. Simkins -- Upon him be BAHA-o-LLAH-EL-ABHA!
At the time I met you and felt the susceptibilities of your conscience my heart and soul became greatly attached to that dear friend (i. e. yourself) and the utmost love was produced, and the spiritual emotions were obtained. Your visit gave me the utmost happiness. The address delivered in
I shall never forget your cordiality, and as long as life lasts I shall remember you. I beg of God, that that dear friend (yourself) may become like unto a shining star in the horizon of Reality, and become the cause of bestowing spiritual life upon the world of humanity.
The address delivered at the Jewish temple establishing the validity of His Holiness Jesus Christ and inviting the Jews to believe in Him is enclosed herein. From its powerful contents you will realize that though there were many conservative Jews in the audience, yet the most dauntless manner the validity of Christ was proven. After reading its contents should you think it best you may print it fully without abbreviation in the columns of your paper that others of the Jews may read ... Perchance this may prove an impetus for their respect for, and belief in Christ, that this strife and contention that has lasted between the two nations for two thousand years may disappear and the oneness of the world of humanity be unveiled.
Upon thee be greeting and praise!
ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS
On behalf of the Baha'is in America, the STAR OF THE WEST not only congratulates the editor of The Palo Alton in that he became the recipient of such words of commendation from Abdul-Baha, but that he was assisted to render such excellent service through the medium of his newspaper -- a service that shall be effective in these great days and remembered throughout the coming years. We take pleasure in reproducing his editorial herewith:
Editorial from "The Palo Altan."
THE NEW EVANGEL.
Wednesday morning at the University assembly and in the evening at the
As the stone that was rejected may become the head of the corner, or like the prophet's dream expand until it fills up the whole world, so may be the mantle of the wise men of the east, who rediscover a glorified star shining over the birth of a world movement toward idealism.
This idealism is the further perfection of the ideals of all the great religions of the world. In the science of photography there is a process by which any number of images of different faces may be composited together to produce the dominant type. What is truly representative leaves its impress upon the final result. What is vague and non-intrinsic surpluses into the shadow and disappears. Such a scientific process to arrive at the true composite of religious truth may be likened to the aim of the Baha’i movement. It seeks the true common denominator of all religions, rejecting nothing which is good and afraid of nothing which is true.
The spiritual kingdom is full of clashes and contradictions, just as the political and industrial worlds are full of contention and strife. And just as in the latter fields volunteers are spending their lives to pave a better way, so in the spiritual kingdom we have the dawning of a more perfect light. This light will shed its peaceful rays over all contentious factions and will show them the form and substance of truth, which may have been obscured by the dust of strife.
To build a structure by taking a plank from here and plank from there and a stone from hither and a stone from yonder, as some vague fancy might dictate, would result in an architectural monstrosity that would violate al1 the rules of unity and proportion. In no such way is the temple of true light to be founded. It is to be brought together in one focus of rays forming an image of al1 the elements which stand the searching test. This temple may be surrounded on al1 sides by the images of those beautiful non-essentials which have not gained entrance to the inner structure, but which the true spirit within may yet see as outer landscapes unfolding before the temple windows.
This is the task of the Baha'i. It is a true ideal. Truly catholic and universal, it provides a meeting ground for Christian, Jew, Moslem and Buddhist. There is one God who is the God of all religions. His will is the law of all harmony and good. He stands revealed in the last analysis of universal truth. His truth is a gospel of love which surrounds and comprehends all things. In this there is no room for strife and discord, no place for darkness or deceit, and no beginning for bitterness and woe.
Whenever science discovers any great truth, that truth is not the property of science but it is the heritage of the whole world. We do not refer all the marvels of electricity to
-H. W. Simkins.
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