Here is the Montreal chapter from Ward's work on the Master's travels, from:
Alan L. Ward, 239 Days: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Journey in America, Baha’i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Ill., 1979, pp. 132-7
'Abdu'l-Baha left Maiden and caught a train in Boston at 9:00 A.M. on Friday, August 30, for Montreal, Canada, arriving there at midnight. He was met at the station by William Sutherland Maxwell. Reporters and friends packed the Maxwell’s' house waiting for Him, and Mrs. Maxwell said that invitations and inquiries had been pouring in all day.
He remained in Montreal for ten days, living at the Maxwell’s, and, then, despite their entreaties, moving into the Hotel Windsor. The friends and inquirers flocked around Him throughout His stay. He spoke at meeting after meeting at the Maxwell home, and, among other places, at the Unitarian Church, at the St. James Methodist Church, and at the Socialist Club.
On Saturday, August 31, as He rode through town, 'Abdu'l-Baha passed the cathedral. After going in to look at it, He told the friends, "'Behold what eleven disciples have done. How they effaced themselves! I exhort you to walk in their footsteps. When a person is severed, he is capable of revolutionizing the whole world."' That evening, after 'Abdu'l-Baha had granted scores of interviews all day long, another group was waiting for private talks. Because He was so tired, the friends suggested that the remaining people should leave and return the next day. He answered, "'No, this is the time to work. We must not think of exhaustion or anything else. Let every one come to me."'
On Sunday, September I, as He prepared to leave for the Unitarian Church where He was to speak, 'Abdu'l-Baha called one of the Persian friends to sit by Him in the carriage. The friend replied that there was plenty of room on another seat; but 'Abdu'l-Baha insisted, "'Come and sit here. When I see some one selfish and hankering after rank, I observe these formalities for his correction merely. Everyone may sit wherever he wishes. These things are entirely unimportant.'"
At the breakfast on September 2 to which He invited a number of guests 'Abdu'l-Baha said:
Come, we are in Montreal, Canada, in this home eating Persian pilau, which has been cooked by Mirza Ahmad and which has a taste and tale of its own. To be grateful for the blessings of God in time of want and trouble is important. In the abundance of blessings every one can be grateful. It is said that Sultan Mahmud cut a watermelon and gave a portion of it to Iyas. Iyas ate it cheerfully and expressed gratitude. When the Sultan ate a little of the same watermelon, he found it bitter. He asked Iyas, "How did you eat such a bitter watermelon and show no sign of dislike?" He answered, "I had eaten many sweet and palatable things from the hands of the Sultan and I thought it very unworthy of me to express dislike on eating a little bitter thing today."
He concluded:
Man, who is immersed in the blessings of God, should not be grieved if he sees a little trouble. He should not forget the manifold divine bounties that are always pouring on him.
That same day Abdul-Baha moved to the Hotel Windsor. When He prepared to return to the Maxwell home for a meeting, the friends asked if they could call a carriage for Him. 'Abdu'l-Baha took the streetcar, saying, "'Oh, it matters little. It saves expenses. There is a difference of one dollar in the fare."' When He arrived at the Maxwells’, He gave one pound to each of the servants.
As the translations of the newspaper articles concerning His address at the Socialist Club were read to Him on September 4, Abdu'l-Baha said, "'This is all through the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty. Otherwise even if the King of Persia had come here he would not have been able to attract such meetings."'
Mahmud recalled:
In the afternoon He came down . . . for a ride in the automobile. We were in attendance also. The automobile stopped at the foot of a mountain beyond the city limits. An elevator took us up. The mountainside was perpendicular like a wall. The Beloved said, "This hoist is like a balloon which flies in the air." One felt nervous to look below. When we reached the top, the Beloved walked to and fro. It was a magnificent sight. The whole of the city lay stretched before us. . . . It seemed as if a beautifully painted picture were spread before the view.
Here the translation of additional accounts of the meetings published in the evening newspapers was read before Him. Suddenly He cried out, "Baha'u'llah! May I be a sacrifice at Thy feet. 0 Baha'u'llah! May I be offered up in Thy way! What a wonderful Cause you have founded! It satisfies every sect! Every sect testifies to Thy greatness. In the churches it excites a new commotion in the souls. It imparts spirituality to the spiritualists; makes Unitarians informed of the Reality of Unity; makes the socialists contented and grateful and inspires joy and happiness in the breasts of the peace-lovers. There is no sect or denomination which has any cause for sighing! One and all bow spontaneously before Your majesty. It is a miracle. It is the greatest force of the world of existence. It is the assistance of the Blessed Beauty. This is the greatest miracle."
'Abdu'l-Baha also commented, in discussing the warm reception of His address, "'The greatness of the Teachings of Baha'u'llah will be known when they are practiced. 136 239 Days: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Journey in America Not one out of a hundred has as yet come into force. The entire trend of your thoughts should be turned towards bringing these blessed Teachings into practice.'" On September 5 the Bishop in Montreal visited
'Abdu'l-Baha to express his pleasure at the meetings being held and his gratitude for "the address concerning the purpose of the Manifestation of Christ and the other holy Manifestations." 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "'Tonight I shall speak in the Methodist Church. You may come if you wish."' On the evening of September 6 Mrs. Maxwell reminisced with 'Abdu'l-Baha: '"At the time when I was visiting 'Akka I despaired of the blessing of ever possessing children. Praise be to God! My desire and your prayer at the Holy Tomb of Baha'u'llah were accepted and I was blessed with a dear baby [Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum].'"
The Toronto Star Weekly wrote of Him on September 7, in an article headed "ABDUL BAHA'S WORD TO CANADA":
What is it that strikes one most in this remarkable man? Is it his message . . . ? Is it his power of thought, his manner of expression, the privations he has en- dured? No; it is none of these. It is his great sincerity. He is a man with a mission, and he believes in it with all his soul....
There was wonderful breadth and depth of feeling in that sermon [at the Unitarian church in Montreal]. It was not the message of a fanatic or a hermit, or a man unconversant with modern thought and modern life. It was Eastern, yet it was Western. . . . He granted me an interview the following day. . . .
I then inquired if he intended to visit Toronto or any of the Canadian cities in the West, but he was afraid such would be impossible at this time. "But you may tell your people," he said, "that I am very pleased with your country. It is a prosperous and delightful land. . . .Surely, then, you should thank the good God for all his mercies to you."
He then took my hand in both of his and blessed me as a father would bless a son, with the same sincerity, the same depth of feeling, the same lofty purpose. For if this Persian dreamer, preacher, prophet, is anything, he is sincere, and his sincerity springs from a great sense of love and fellowship for man. He is a humanist of a high type; his church is the world.
"I cannot succeed," were his parting words, "without your help and the help of everyone who believes in the cause of universal peace and good fellowship among men; and, that you may not forget me and my cause in the days to come, I will ask you to accept a little gift from me."
So saying, he handed me a small parcel, which, later, I discovered contained a handsome gold ring. It fitted perfectly....
'Abdu'l-Baha had taught and exhorted and given of Himself during ten days of ceaseless activity in Montreal. On September 8, His last full day with the friends, He said, "I have sown the seed. Now water it. You must educate the souls in divine morals, make them spiritual, and lead them to the oneness of humanity and to universal peace.'"
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