Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha

Memories of

STANWOOD COBB Author of Character, Radiant Living, Tomorrow and Tomorrow, etc. Memories of

STANWOOD COBB Author of Character, Radiant Living,

Price $1.00 postpaid

Tomorrow and Tomorrow, etc

AVALON PRESS P. O. Box 9941 Washington, D.C. 20015 Memories of `Abdu'l-Bahá By Stanwood Cobb I first met 'Abdu'1-Baha vicariously, and it was this meeting that brought me into the Baha'i Faith in the summer of 1906. It being in the vicinity of Green Acre that summer I made a pilgrimage there to see what it was My curiosity had been aroused by weekly articles in the Boston Transcript. At this time I was studying for the Unitarian ministry at the Harvard Divinity School. It was a warm Sunday afternoon in August. The big tent on Green Acre's lower level, where hall now is located, was filled to capacity to hear some famous sculptor from New York. I was ly interested in his lecture. It was not for art that I had come, but for the sake of religion. At the end of the lecture I went up to speak to Sarah Farmer—who had been presiding in her own ineffable way, shedding a warm spiritual glow upon the whole affair. As I had previously met bridge at the home of Mrs. Ole Bull, I ventured to recall myself to her. Miss Farmer took my hand in hers and cordially held it while she looked into my eyes and asked, "Have you heard of the Persian Revelation?&quo "No," I answered. "Well, go to that lady in a white headdress This was my general frame of mind when Mary ask her to tell you about it. I know by your eyes that you are ready for it." What had she seen in my eyes? I do not know. But what she had read there proved true. For within half an hour from that moment I became a confirmed Baha'i and have remained so ever since. But it is of 'Abdu'1-Baha that I am writing, and not of myself. How did it happen that 'Abdu'1-Baha, seven thousand miles away and a prisoner in 'Akka, could at such a distance confirm me with such immediacy into the Baha'i Faith? It happened in this way. The path had been pre- pared, so to speak. For in reviewing books for the Boston Transcript which dealt with the prevailing and rapidly increasing flaws in our present civilization, and the need of a better world order, I had begun to debate deeply with myself on this matter of such great universal concern. It is true, I thought, that a new and better pattern oj civilization needs to be devised. But even if such a pattern — an ideal pattern — were conceived, who could put it over? Could I, as a clergyman, hope to convert all my congregation to it? Much less could 1 hope to convert the whole country. And no human being could by any conceivable power of vision and of personality bring all humanity into such a kingdom of perfection. I still vividly remember how I was taking a long walk in the beautiful suburb of Chestnut Hill, around the reservoir, when the solution of this problem flashed into my mind. Someone must appear with more than human authority, in order to win the allegiance of the whole world to an ideal pattern for humanity. strangely vicarious, perhaps predestined. The second meeting — with 'Abdu'1-Baha in person while He was still a prisoner in 'Akka — took place in the following way. In February of 1908 I had the great privilege of visiting Him in company with Lua Getsinger, fa- mous in the annals of Baha'i history. I accidentally (or was it by destiny?) ran into Lua on the steps of Shepard Hotel in Cairo, where I had gone for a few days of travel during the midyear holidays of Robert College (Constantinople), in which at that time I was teacher of English and Latin. "What are you doing here?" asked Lua in great surprise. "What are you doing here?" I asked, in equal surprise. It seems that Lua was on a pilgrimage to 'Akka, and she urged me to leave off my travels in Egypt and join her. I explained that I had written 'Abdu'l- Baha for permission to visit, but had been answered that at that time it was not advisable. "But I have standing permission to take anyone with me," urged Lua. "But I have arranged a trip up the Nile with my friend Hussein." "What is a trip up the Nile compared with the privilege of visiting the Master?" Lua's logic was convincing and her ardor compel- ling. Twenty-four hours later saw me ensconced in a room adjoining 'Abdu'l-Baha's of 'Akka," in reality a large compound walls. My first meeting with 'Abdu'1-Baha was bewilder- ing. We were ushered into a long study, lighted by they are unendurable?' Three extraordinary qualities which characterized all of 'Abdu'l-Baha's utterances these two brief conversations: His supreme logic; His delightful sense of humor; and the inspiring buoy- ancy with which He gave forth solemn pronounce- ments. For instance, when He said, "But Baha'is must en- dure people even when they are unendurable," He did not look at us solemnly as if appointing us to an arduous and difficult task. Rather, He beamed upon us delightfully, as if to suggest what a joy to us it would be to act in this way! / want to emphasize this important point — the joy- ousness with which 'Abdu'l-Bahd always depicted the spiritual life as He enjoined it upon us. And why not? Is man's spiritual life not in reality more joyous than any other kind of life that he can lead? This philosophy of joy was the keynote of all of 'Abdu'l-Bah&'s teaching. frequent greeting to his visitors. "Be happy!" Those who were unhappy (and who of us are not at times!) would weep at this. And 'Abdu'1-Baha would smile as if to say, "Yes, weep on. Beyond the tears is sunshine." And sometimes He would wipe away with His own hands the tears from their wet cheeks, and they would leave His presence transfigured. * * * tears. They ude the rich blossoming of spring. On the occasion of this visit I had been under a Needless to say, the ensuing spring at Robert Col- severe strain at Robert College, due to disciplinar lege was one of the most glorious periods of my troubles. That was one of the reasons for life. Never had the birds sung so sweetly, ary trip to Egypt. Also I had been slowly and shrubs bloomed so exquisitely, the golden sun- in previous years from a nervous depression due to shine seemed so intoxicating. As for my disciplinary troubles at the college, they vanished like mist which the sunshine dispels. My pupils, some of whom had been carrying knives and revolvers, loved me again and more than ever. Such was the magic power that I brought from 'Akka. ments and the nobility of His whole appearance. But Ill as He neared me I involuntarily also bowed my head. Again it was my privilege to visit 'Abdu'1-Baha in the summer of 1910, and this time at His own in- vitation. I was given the privilege of spending a week there, in the Persian guest house on the slopes of Mt. Carmel. 'Abdu'1-Baha at this time was living in Haifa in the home built for Him by Mrs. Jackson, having been freed from His imprisonment by the Young Turks in the summer of 1908. The oppressive and cruel governor who had in vain sought graft from Him and had threatened to send Him to the malign dungeons of Tunis, had himself met the fate he had designed for 'Abdu'1-Baha and at the hands of the Young Turks. And 'Abdu'l- Baha was enjoying, for the first time since No, 'Abdu'1-Baha never put forth hood, the luxury of freedom. power to dazzle, persuade or overawe sceptics He seemed to me more noble in countenance, more believers. Of this fact I shall later give regal in bearing, more potent in the power of His stance. presence than ever before. Every evening at sunset * * * He met with the pilgrims, assembled in a large and gave a spiritual discourse. One afternoon I found the pilgrims waiting outside at the gate for 'Abdu'1-Baha. He had been making a call upon the Turkish consul and was expected soon. After a few moments we saw His carriage stop at the foot of the short hill, where He got out in order remark 'Abdu'1-Baha was not speaking in mere terms of sympathy. He meant just what He said. Such is the great love of the Kingdom, of which 'Abdu'1-Baha spoke so often and so much. This is a love which is difficult, almost impossible, acquire — though we may seek to approximate its per- fection. It is more than sympathy, more than empathy. It is sacrificial love. Looking back, it seems strange that 'Abdu'1-Baha did not employ His healing power directly upon me, as He had done on the occasion of my previous visit. He left me to the care of His physician and to the prescribed medications. It took three days for me to get on my feet again. Why did He not restore me directly to health by means of spiritual healing? There is some deep spir- itual lesson here. It was not 'Abdu'l-Baha's to go about healing physical diseases. It was His mission to expound the Teachings and express the spiritual potency of the world's Divine Physician. Phys- ical events and conditions are of less importance in our lives than the development of our spiritual nature. In regard to health in general, I will quote here a statement which 'Abdu'1-Baha had made to me on my previous visit: that health is the expression of equilibrium; that the body is composed of certain elements, and that when these elements are in the right proportion, health results; and that if there is any lack or preponderance in these elements, sickness results. Thus fifty years ago 'Abdu'1-Baha gave in a simple statement to me all the truths which the new science of biochemistry is now discovering. so to speak, happened that all about. the lecture not great- the sake of her in Cam- t; and Lucas, the "woman in white" — a singer just back from visiting 'Abdu'1-Baha — took me under an apple tree on the sloping lawn and proceeded to unfold to me the Persian Revelation. Her exposition was very simple. It consisted of only these four words: "Our Lord has come!"* The moment Mary Lucas uttered those words I felt, This is it! How did it happen that I felt that way? The "woman in white" had not discoursed to me upon the spiritual character and greatness of 'Abdu'1-Baha, nor upon the principles of the Baha'i Faith. How great is the power of speech, when one simple ut- terance could sweep me — mind, heart and soul — into that Faith! But it was more than these four words that em- powered Mary Lucas so to usher me into the Cause. It was more than speech itself. It was a unique spiritual vibration which Mary Lucas had brought from 'Akka that convinced me. And it was the strange cosmic dynamism with which her words were charged that moved my soul. If 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself had stood under that apple tree and addressed me, I could not have been more convinced. For what is distance on the plane of spirit? Mary Lucas had brought the spirit of 'Abdu'1-Baha with her. I felt it, and I was convinced. Especially as my own soul had already sought out and found the answer to the world's dire needs: Someone must appear with more than human authority. II So that was my first meeting with 'Abdu'1-Baha — •Bahá'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith. large French windows at the farther end. I saw a large desk there, but no person sitting at it. Only a radiance of light. As we approached the end of the room, a majestic figure in Oriental garb became evi- dent to me. It was 'Abdu'1-Baha. Lua Getsinger, with the devotion of a Mary Magda- lene, fell to her knees and fervently kissed His robe. But what was I to do? I am not one who can act insincerely. Should I merely shake hands with Him? As I stood in hesitation 'Abdu'1-Baha, fully realizing my predicament, saved me from it by taking me in His arms and embracing me. "You are welcome!" He said. Every evening at dinner 'Abdu'1-Baha, who did not eat at that time, helped to serve us. He went around from guest to guest, putting more food upon the plates. This is the height of Oriental hospitality, to serve an honored guest with one's own hands. When the meal was over, 'Abdu'1-Baha would give us a brief talk on spiritual themes. I regret I have not a memory sufficient to recall all that He said. But I do recall two of these messages of spiritual wisdom. "It is not enough to wish to do good. The wish should be followed by action. What would you think of a mother who said, 'How I love you, my babe!' — yet did not give it milk? Or of a penniless man, who said, 'I am going to found a great university!' " in the historic "prison On another occasion He spoke of the need for loving enclosed within patience in the face of aggravating behavior on the part of others. "One might say, 'Well, I will endure such-and-such a person so long as he is endurable.' But Bahá'is must endure people even when overwork at Dartmouth. I had been earning my way were to be found in through Dartmouth, and also at the Harvard Divinity School. At times I would feel so depressed that I should have been glad to have found a hole in the ground, crawled into it, and pulled the hole in after me. I understood at such times the Hindu craving for extinction. 'Abdu'1-Baha came into my room one morning with- out His translator. He sat beside me and took one of my hands in both of His and held it for a minute or two. He had not at any time inquired as to my health. He knew. From that moment on I found myself perma- nently relieved of these depressive moods. No matter how hard the going, I have always since then been glad to be alive. At last, all too soon, the time came to go. The three days assigned for our visit had come to an end. I shall never forget how Lua Getsinger sobbed as if her "Are you happy?" was His heart would break as she slowly descended the long flight of steps, looking back frequently at 'Abdu'1-Baha Who stood benignly at the top. And I shall never forget how joyously 'Abdu'1-Baha smiled at Lua's tears, knowing that they were more precious than pure gold. For they were the complete offering, at that moment, of Lua's heart and soul to the Master — the instinctive expression of her great love. 'Abdu'1-Baha knew that these were not tragic were like the vernal showers that prel- y my diversion- the flowers recovering to walk the rest of the way for the sake of exercise. All of the Persian pilgrims stood in their customary reverential attitude, awaiting His approach with bowed heads and arms crossed upon their breasts. I alone, as an American, took the privilege of watching Him as He approached, enjoying the majesty of His move- Some power emanating from Him seemed to obligate this attitude. So had Professor E. G. Browne, the only Occidental ever to visit Baha'uTlah, felt obligated to bow his head in the presence of the Prophet. This power emanating from 'Abdu'1-Baha was not expressed for the purpose of producing submission. It was a power which He never expressed to non- Baha'is. Let us say, rather, that it was a privilege He gave us, of seeing a little behind the veil; of experiencing the direct effect of that Cosmic Power which in this early period of our development seems — the fate of death, supernormal, however normal it may become to us at some distant future stage of our soul's development. His boy- any of His spiritual or un- a vivid in- room, On the day I arrived at Haifa I was ill with a dysentery which I had picked up in the course of my travels. 'Abdu'1-Baha sent His own physician to me, and visited me Himself. He said, "I would that I could take your illness upon Myself." I have never forgotten this. I felt, I knew, that in making this But there is still another cause of illness, 'Abdu'l- Baha went on to say. Illness may be caused by nervous factors. Anything that shocks us or affects our nerves may also affect our health. for us to IV All that has been written up to this point is a sort of introduction to the recording of my memories of 'Abdu'1-Baha on the occasion of His visit to this coun- try in 1912. The purpose of this introduction is to show what sort of a personage it was that on April 11, 1912, landed at the port of New York for an extended visit and lecture tour in this country. Here was an Oriental in Oriental garb, a man Who had been prisoner most of His life, a character Whose life was for the most part lived on a spiritual plane province so lofty as to be almost beyond our comprehension. How did this Servant of God meet, fit into and adjust to the objective, dynamic and materialistic life of America? 'Abdu'1-Baha, upon landing in New York and being surrounded by alert and inquisitive reporters, was perfectly at home. And why not? Is there any limit to the power of spirit? Was not 'Abdu'l-Baha's univer- sal spirit as capable of dealing with the fast-vibrating technological Occident as it had been in dealing with the mystic and more spiritual Orient? We shall see, as this narrative continues, how He was "all things to all men"; protean in His universality; thoroughly at home in every environment. This majestic figure — in tarboosh, turban and flow- ing robes — drew the newspaper men into His aura and immediately won their favor.

10 11 "What do you think of America?" He was asked. He constantly illumined this translation with the dy- "I like it. Americans are optimistic. If you ask them namic power of His own spiritual personality. how they are they say 'All right!' If you ask them And when He spoke, the Persian words — so beauti- how things are going, they say, 'All right!' This cheer- ful and strong — boomed forth almost as musically as ful attitude is good." in operatic recitatives. While He spoke He was in And so 'Abdu'1-Baha won reporters' hearts and con- constant and majestic motion. To hear Him was an tinued to do so throughout His stay in America. He experience unequaled in any other kind of platform never seemed to them, or was described by them, as delivery. It was a work of art, as well as a spiritual a strange or exotic personality. He always received service. First would come this spiritual flow of favorable and constructive notices from the press. thought musically expressed in a foreign tongue. Then, as the translator set forth its meaning to us, we had the For eight months 'Abdu'1-Baha traveled over the added pleasure of watching 'Abdu'1-Baha response to United States from coast to coast, giving addresses in the art of the translator. It was, all in all, a highly churches, universities and lecture halls. Several of colorful and dramatic procedure. these addresses I was privileged to attend. As I look The substance of 'Abdu'l-Baha's talks, here and in back on these occasions, I recall more vividly His London and Paris, have been published and are avail- platform presence than the contents of His addresses, able for study. One can perceive in all of these ad- which of course have all been published. dresses and discussions a peculiar adaptation to the 'Abdu'1-Baha did not, as a lecturer, stand still. His Occidental mentality and way of thinking. They are, movements were very dynamic. He paced back and to sum it up in one word, supremely logical. forth on the platform as He gave forth His spiritual It was the Greeks who taught the world how to utterances. I felt that the general atmosphere and the think in logical terms, and they thereby laid the foun- effect of His words were enhanced rather than di- dations for all Western thought and science. From the minished by the presence of a translator. For the tech- Greeks we have learned how to begin at "A" in order niques of translation gave ' Abdu'1-Baha a certain spirit- to get to "Z" — or as in Greek, from "Alpha" to ual dignity, such as could not have been attained by "Omega." a straight address in the language of His hearers. The Orientals do not think in just this way. Their The situation was as follows: 'Abdu'1-Baha would mentality has never submitted to the Greek dis- make a statement of a length within the power of the cipline. Their minds are more mystical, more im- translator to render; then He would stand and smile as mediate in perception. They do not have to begin at the translation was given, or He would nod His head to "A" in order to comprehend the station of "Z." affirm important points. In other words, 'Abdu'1-Baha Through spiritual sensitivity, through rapid intuitional did not stand passive during the period of translation. processes, they can often gain an immediate aware-

12 13 ness or comprehension of the ultimate — of the "Ome- age — an earnestly religious man, devout, spiritual and ga" itself. prayerful. He was sympathetic to my adherence to All Oriental seers and prophets speak oracularly. the Baha'i Cause, but he had said, "Son, I am too old One sentence, one paragraph will contain a wealth to change." While I was in Constantinople, Father had which a lifetime of thought cannot exhaust. Christ at my request attended some of the Baha'i meetings spoke this way. Baha'u'llah spoke this way. in Boston; and now he was glad to have this op- But 'Abdu'1-Baha, for the sake of the Western world, portunity to visit with 'Abdu'1-Baha. adopted the Greek mode of presentation, carefully But what was my consternation to perceive that elaborating His theses and developing them from Father was taking the conversation into his own hands. known and admissible premises. In no place is 'Abdu'l- It was an occurrence which I never shall forget. Fa- Baha ever obscure or recondite. If He wishes to present ther for some half-hour proceeded to lay down the a great spiritual truth, He takes it up at an initial law to 'Abdu'1-Baha, or let us say, to enlighten Him point where its truth will be acknowledged by all, and on spiritual themes. Or to be more exact, let us say then develops it into a larger presentation such as that Father took this opportunity to express to the can expand our very minds and souls. loving, listening ear of 'Abdu'1-Baha the spiritual phi- And so, whatever else 'Abdu'1-Baha was and in the losophy which had guided him in life. future will be realized to be, it is recognizable even I sat there quite shocked. But I didn't need to be. today that He was God's special gift to the Occident. 'Abdu'1-Baha plainly was not shocked at this reversal He translated the oracular teachings of Baha'u'llah of the customary role — He now to be the listener and into a language and form easily comprehensible to His visitor the discourser. He sat there smiling, saying the West. So that no one, having available these lucid little, enveloping us with His love. And at the end Fa- pronouncements of 'Abdu'1-Baha, can say that the ther came away feeling that he had had a wonderful Baha'i Faith is hard to understand. 'Abdu'1-Baha has interview. What a lesson in humility this was, that set forth its Teachings with all the lucidity of day- 'Abdu'1-Baha thus exemplified! There are so many light and the warmth of sunlight. times when we can help others best just by being good Regarding the countless personal interviews which listeners. the Master gave to Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike, The last interview I had in this country with 'Abdu'l- volumes could be written. I will tell here only of the Baha was in Washington. Strange, that I do not recall interviews which I personally was privileged to have. what He said. My heart was too full to take any notes! When 'Abdu'1-Baha was in Boston, I seized this op- I only can recall how He embraced me at the end, portunity to take my father in to see Him, from our kissed me, and said three times: "Be on fire with the home in the suburb of Newton. Father at that time love of the Kingdom!" was a venerable Boston artist seventy-five years of What is this "love of the Kingdom"? That is what 14 15 humanity must henceforward spend a few thousand should come first. And why not? The material world, as years to discover and apply to life. Did 'Abdu'1-Baha the expression of man's spirit, is subordinate to the mean the love for the Kingdom or the kind of love that spiritual world. Therefore education should begin with prevails in the Higher Kingdom? Or did He mean both that which is primary and causal; and not with that these loves? which, as the creation of man, is secondary to his cre- Here in these nine words 'Abdu'1-Baha summed up ative spirit and to the Creative Spirit of the cosmos. the gist of all His teaching; which was that love applied 'Abdu'1-Baha kindly invited me to bring Porter Sar- by means of the Holy Spirit is the one thing that will gent and the pupils to see Him. Mr. Sargent gladly ac- solve all problems of man, both as an individual and cepted the invitation, and four of the boys did. The as a collective society. others had excuses, like those people in the Bible who were invited to the wedding feast but did not go. One boy had to buy a pair of shoes; another had planned to The most important interview I had with 'Abdu'l- take afternoon tea at a restaurant where a gypsy or- Baha was in Paris in the spring of 1913. I was one of chestra furnished music, et cetera. How many of life's the staff of Porter Sargent's Travel School for Boys. On important opportunities thus pass us by, through our my first visit He inquired about the school and asked own unperceptiveness or neglect! me what I taught. I told Him that I taught English, I was deeply interested and concerned to see what Latin, algebra and geometry. He gazed intently at me impression 'Abdu'1-Baha would make on the owner of with His luminous eyes and said, "Do you teach the the school. Porter Sargent, ten years my senior, was a spiritual things?" confirmed and positive atheist. He had been a biologist, This question embarrassed me. I did not know how and was suffering from that spiritual myopia which so to explain to 'Abdu'1-Baha that the necessity of prepar- often afflicts this type of scientist. But he was an ideal- ing the boys for college-entrance exams dominated the ist, a humanitarian, a man of great vision for human- nature of the curriculum. So I simply answered: "No, ity, and somewhat of a genius. there is not time for that." In one intimate discussion with me on the nature of 'Abdu'1-Baha made no comment on this answer. But existence, during a long hike we took together on the He did not need to. Out of my own mouth I had con- sunny island of Capri, he had outlined to me his con- demned myself and modern education. No time for cept of life and the universe. spiritual things! That, of course, is just what is wrong "What do you think of it?" he asked me, with some with our modern materialistic "civilization." It has no eagerness. Perhaps this was the first occasion on which time to give for spiritual things. he had so fully expounded his philosophy of life. But 'Abdu'l-Baha's question and His silent response "It is splendid!" I said. "Hut it only covers half of indicated that from His viewpoint spiritual things existence."

16 17 "What is the other half?" individual, the greater was the revelation of spiritual "Spirit." potency which 'Abdu'1-Baha displayed. But this other half did not exist for Porter Sargent. Thus Juliet Thompson, who painted 'Abdu'l-Baha's Idealist that he was, creative-minded, somewhat of a portrait, has testified to the glorious revelations of Him- poet — I felt sad that not one ray of spirit could pene- self which her Subject at times made to her. In similar trate the pride of his intellect. vein have testified the Kinneys, with whom 'Abdu'l- So when this golden opportunity came of an inter- Baha spent several weeks. And May Maxwell once view with 'Abdu'1-Baha, I had great hopes. Now, in this told me that she had received, upon one sacred oc- intimate meeting with the Master, I thought, Sargent casion in the presence of 'Abdu'1-Baha, such a revela- will be forced to realize the existence of spirit. 'Abdu'l- tion of Him that she would never attempt to describe it. Bahá's spiritual potency will at last penetrate his shell But materially-minded people 'Abdu'1-Baha met of skepticism. upon their own plane, as He did Porter Sargent. And as And so, when we came out from the hotel after a I also saw Him do in Washington with the Turkish am- half-hour conference with 'Abdu'1-Baha, I eagerly bassador, on the occasion of Mrs. Parson's reception. asked, "Well, what do you think of Him?" This being a social affair, 'Abdu'1-Baha did not play I have never forgotten my shattering disappointment the part of the Master but the part of a guest amenable at the answer: "He's a dear, kind, tired old man." to the situation. And anyone who had looked into the large reception room, as I did, and had seen 'Abdu'l- I was chagrined. But this experience taught me two Baha sitting in a corner and exchanging funny stories spiritual lessons. The first was that skepticism must with the ambassador, would have seen in 'Abdu'l-Ba- solve its own problems, in its own way. The second ha's facial expressions no trace of spiritual power. For truth, even more important, was that Spirit never He was not here primarily for spiritual purposes, but forces itself upon the individual. It must be invited. to play a social part. Theologians have frequently made the observation 'Abdu'1-Baha was indeed "all things to all men." He that God could easily force us to reverence and stand was protean. If some were prepared only to see Him in awe of Him, if He wished. But He does not wish to as the Old Man of the Sea, such He was to them. But win man's reverence and awe and love by any forceful if they were prepared to see Him as more than this, way. The initiative must come from man himself. the degree of their receptivity was proportionately And so in the case of 'Abdu'1-Baha, I noticed upon blessed. many occasions that He never expressed spiritual pow- er for the purpose of dazzling people, or of winning VI them to a spiritual allegiance for which they were not In all my interviews with 'Abdu'1-Baha I had an ex- inwardly prepared. The greater the receptivity of the traordinary feeling of receiving truth from a higher

18 19 plane than that of the mere intellect. Man's intellect is "No, I do not know everything. But when I need to an organ of discrimination, an instrument for analysis know something, it is pictured before Me." and attack. As we listen to other people more learned And so 'Abdu'1-Baha, on the occasion of His tour of than ourselves we are pleased to get information, but the General Electric Works, knew more about electric- we consciously reserve the right of judgment. Some of ity than did Steinmetz. the things said to us we accept immediately; some with Shoghi Effendi has said that intuition is a power of reservations; and some we inwardly oppose. No matter the soul. It was this power that was always available how wise or how learned the teacher, we reserve the to 'Abdu'1-Baha, and available in its totality. He has right of our own judgment. spoken many times of this "immediate knowledge"— But with 'Abdu'1-Baha it was different. I accepted al- this knowledge attained without the means of books or ways His statements with humility and with total con- other humans, this strange intuitive power which to viction; not because of any assumption of authority, some degree is available to us all. but because I always felt in the depths of my soul that And often, in closing an interview after answering what He said was truth. It always rang true, so to some abstruse question, 'Abdu'1-Baha would say: speak. Let us say, as it was said of another great leader "Time does not permit of further answer. But meditate of men, that He spoke "with authority." on this, and truth will come to you." In the course of His lectures here and abroad And so — although 'Abdu'1-Baha is no longer with 'Abdu'1-Baha discoursed on many subjects. Where did us to answer our questions — the power of the Holy He get His wide knowledge of things and of affairs? Spirit so strong in Him is still available to us to guide, He had had but one year of schooling at the age of to fortify, to heal. seven. He had been a prisoner all His life. He had few books, no scholarly library, no encyclopedias. VII Yet at Schenectady, as 'Abdu'1-Baha was being I have tried to describe 'Abdu'1-Baha as I saw and shown around the General Electric Works by Stein- knew Him. But how can anyone give an adequate metz, this "wizard of electricity" was observed to be description of this personality that, like St. Paul, was eagerly absorbing 'Abdu'l-Baha's elucidation of elec- all things to all men? tricity. The Rev. Moore, Unitarian clergyman who was The Persian doctor who attended Him from 1914 present at the time, testified to me: "Steinmetz's jaw till His death, when recently asked at a meeting in seemed to drop open as he drank in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Milwaukee to describe 'Abdu'1-Baha, replied that this talk." was very difficult to do; because 'Abdu'1-Baha expressed * * * Himself differently at different times, meeting every " 'Abdu'1-Baha, do You know everything?" Saffa occasion as the occasion demanded. Kinney is said to have asked. If one were asked to describe 'Abdui-Baha in a single word, that word would be: "Protean." This unusual adjective is derived from the name of a minor His directives to Baha'is always focussed on the deity in Greek mythology who had the magic power to need of Divine aid—the aid of Spirit—in order to assume any form he wished. And so 'Abdu'1-Baha exemplify and propagate the Baha'i Faith and lay the could be on one occasion all love; on another occasion foundations for that New World Order laid down by supreme wisdom; and on other rare occasions, ex- Bahau'llah for the establishment of a spiritually pressing a power that seemed cosmic. motivated world civilization. And since love, wisdom, and power are the three VIII principles upon which the Cosmos is run; and since 'Abdu'1-Baha was designated as our exemplar, it To those who would like to pursue further the follows that these qualities should be developed in us marvelous details of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life we recom- all, as we grow spiritually toward the attainment of mend "Portals to Freedom" by Howard Ives,* a our full stature as citizens of that Kingdom of God Unitarian clergyman prior to his conversion to Bahai. destined to be the consumation of our planetary We had the pleasure of meeting Ives in New York in existence. 1910 when he was at the beginning of his search for What was the secret of 'Abdu'l-Baha's power? He spiritual reality. suggests the answer in His own words. "Cobb, I'd like you to meet a young clergyman who "The human body is in need of material force, but is becoming interested in Baha'i," said my friend Mont- the spirit has need of the Holy Spirit. — If it is aided fort Mills to me one day. "Can you have lunch with by the bounty of the Holy Spirit it will attain great us tomorrow?" power; it will discover realities; it will be informed of I was glad to accept this invitation and to meet an the mysteries. The power of the Holy Spirit is here for earnest seeker. I do not recall our conversation at the all. The captive of the Holy Spirit is exempt from lunch table. But it was evident that Ives was seriously every captivity. searching. "The teachings of His Holiness Bahau'llah are the This meeting with Ives resulted on my part in a breaths of the Holy Spirit which create man anew." memorable friendship with a man who was destined Whatever was and still is the reality of 'Abdu'1-Baha, ultimately to celebrate the personality and teachings it is evident from the events of His life that He was of one who in 1912 became his Teacher and Master. endowed with a cosmic power for the fulfillment of In his vivid narrative Howard Ives reports many His mission. Every unexpected circumstance, every loving meetings and interviews with 'Abdu'1-Baha. The event in the midst of the Occidental civilization so impression of this spiritual leader which remained a foreign to His own background, He met not only constant in Ive's recollections is expressed by him in successfully but also with a power that won all hearts. the following words: "What 'Abdu'1-Baha said im- •Bahá'i Publishing Trust. 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, 111. pressed me with the force of the impact of Divine Truth. There was not a question in my mind of the authority with which He spoke."