‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey So Far: Month Two 1
‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ HAS BEEN in America for a little over two months now. We thought we’d take this opportunity to look back at some of the highlights of the previous few weeks …
Talk at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street, New York 2
In this present age the world of humanity is afflicted with severe sicknesses and grave disorders which threaten death. Therefore, Bahá’u’lláh has appeared. He is the real Physician, bringing divine remedy and healing to the world of man. He has brought teachings for all ailments—the Hidden Words, Ishráqát, Ṭarázát, Tajallíyát, Words of Paradise, Glad Tidings, etc. These Holy Words and teachings are the remedy for the body politic, the divine prescription and real cure for the disorders which afflict the world. Therefore, we must accept and partake of this healing remedy in order that complete recovery may be assured. Every soul who lives according to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is free from the ailments and indispositions which prevail throughout the world of humanity; otherwise, selfish disorders, intellectual maladies, spiritual sicknesses, imperfections and vices will surround him, and he will not receive the life-giving bounties of God.
Bahá’u’lláh is the real Physician. He has diagnosed human conditions and indicated the necessary treatment. The essential principles of His healing remedies are the knowledge and love of God, severance from all else save God, turning our faces in sincerity toward the Kingdom of God, implicit faith, firmness and fidelity, loving-kindness toward all creatures and the acquisition of the divine virtues indicated for the human world. These are the fundamental principles of progress, civilization, international peace and the unity of mankind. These are the essentials of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, the secret of everlasting health, the remedy and healing for man.
New York, Philadelphia, New York 3
One newspaper on Monday morning, June 17, noted that “Helen Keller Would Be Socialist Orator: Deaf-Blind Wonder to Train for Career in Schenectady Welfare Board” and that “Plans for Celebrating a Safe and Sane Fourth of July Underway.” In discussing the meeting held the previous evening, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “‘I established the Truth of Islám in the great churches in this way. What have the Muhammadans now to say about us?’”
Monday, June 17, 1912
At the request of the friends to take a motion picture of Him, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to Mr MacNutt’s home in Brooklyn. The first scene is a hurried one, showing a ride in an automobile and the respectful reception of the friends. The second scene shows the Master walking, moving gracefully about and talking with His servants, saying:
“Observe the power of the Ancient Beauty and the influence of the Greatest Name through which He has united us with the people of America in this way. If all the powers of the world had joined forces, still it would have been impossible that hearts could be attracted to such a degree and that we should be assembled in a meeting such as this with so much love, loving one another heart and soul. See what the power of Bahá’u’lláh has done! He has made the people of the East and of the West love one another. But for His power, the holding of such an assembly would have been impossible. Praise be to God that we are united and that we are of one heart and soul.”
In the third scene ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is shown walking alone, speaking in a melodious voice, saying: ‘His signs are manifest, His might is established, His bounty encompasses all and His mercy is infinite.’
A fourth scene shows the beloved Master sitting among the children of the American friends, both black and white, while the Persian friends stand near Him.
The fifth scene shows a public meeting as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá moves about addressing the audience. Then follows a scene of farewell, with the friends shaking His hand.
The friends were very happy at this large meeting. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address was this:
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The Sun of Reality has dawned.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The New Jerusalem has descended from heaven.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The glad tidings of God have been revealed.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The mysteries of the Holy Books have been fulfilled.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The Great Day has come.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The banner of the oneness of humanity is hoisted.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The tent of universal peace is pitched.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The Divine Lamp is illumined.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The breezes of the Merciful are wafting.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The joyful tidings and promises of the Prophets have come to pass.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The Glory of Carmel has shed its effulgence on the world.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! The East and the West have embraced.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! America and Asia like unto two lovers have joined hands.”
After the meeting the Master went to visit a Jewish friend, a believer, who was ill at his home 40 miles from Brooklyn. He returned to New York at night exhausted. 4
’Abdu’l-Bahá in America, 1912-2012: Calling America to It’s Spiritual Destiny
Mahmud: June 17 – Making a motion picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Celebrating the Centenary: The Master in America
Curated by Anne Perry
- Sockett, Robert. “‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey So Far: Month Two.” 239 Days in America, 17 June 2012, http://stagingtwo39.wpengine.com/2012/06/17/the-journey-so-far-month-two/. ↩
- ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 204-205. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/14#873157010 ↩
- Ward, Allan L. 239 Days: ʻAbdu’l-Bahá’s Journey in America. Wilmette, Ill: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1979, 91. ↩
- ’Abdu’l-Bahá, and Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani. Mahmúd’s Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey to America. Edited by Shirley Macias. Translated by Mohi Sobhani. Oxford: George Ronald, 1998. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary&chapter=4#section85 ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 