# Haifa Impressions

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

---

> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Valera Allen, Haifa Impressions, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Haifa Impressions
> 
> Valera Allen
> John Allen
> 
> 1954-12
> 
> [page 1]
> 
> To try to put on paper one's pilgrimage to Haifa is at once a joy and a
> sorrow. A joy, because one wants more than anything else to share with
> those unable to go the inestimable bounty of visiting the Blessed Spots
> and the heart-warming privilege of being in the presence of the beloved
> Guardian. It is a sorrow not to be equal to the task of putting into words
> the real experience of the Pilgrimage.
> 
> As we flew over the blue Mediterranean dotted with its many isles of
> various shapes and designs we could not help but think of the great
> heroine, martyr and champion of the Bahá'í World Faith, Dorothy Baker, who
> had so recently fallen in that vicinity, and to say a prayer for the
> progress of her soul and to thank God for her beautiful life of service
> and outstanding example of devotion to the Beloved Faith.
> 
> Nearing the shores of Israel we strained our eyes to see if perhaps we
> might catch a glimpse of the Shrine of the Bab, little realizing that we
> were miles and miles away from Haifa Bay, farther up the Coast, flying in
> toward the new and modern city of Televiv.
> 
> We arrived at Televiv about 3:45 P.M. and took a cab to Haifa, which we
> discovered was about 65 miles away and took over two hours in the old
> dilapidated Chrysler car which was minus the shock absorbers. For those
> who are contemplating a pilgrimage, I might say that the best way to make
> the trip into Haifa from the Lidda airport is via cherote (sp?) or a
> jitney as it is known in San Francisco. These cars take about four or five
> people thus cutting down on the expense of the trip and is the way that
> most people travel from place to place in the Holy Land. Transportation is
> really a problem and one sees people of all ages, types and sexes standing
> along the sides of the roads trying to "hitch" a ride.
> 
> The country impressed us as looking very much like Greece and other
> countries of the Mediterranean area, with rolling hills of a desolate sand
> color without much vegetation or trees and covered with rocks that are
> painstakingly cleared from plots for the planting of crops. Houses and
> buildings are made of stone, rock and mortar - more recent ones are
> constructed of cement block.
> 
> Driving along toward Haifa we saw to the right a cliff rising, rather bare
> and uninviting, and the driver surprised us by saying, "This is where Mt.
> Carmel starts." It continued in rather broken lines for some 30 miles
> before we rounded a section of the mountain that rose in a large
> promintory overlooking the Bay of Haifa. We later discovered that this is
> the site of the future Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and is so situated
> that it will
> be immediately seen by anyone approaching the Bay and certainly will
> fulfill the Biblical prophecy in Isa. 2:2: "And it shall come to pass in
> the last days, that the mountain of the Lords house shall be established
> on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all
> nations shall flow unto it."
> 
> That night at table we mentioned to the Guardian our surprise that Mt.
> Carmel was a range of hills rather than one single mountain and he
> answered, "Yes, Mt. Carmel is an extensive mountain. It has a head, a
> heart and a tail. The Shrine and Gardens are the heart of the
> Mountain."
> 
> - 2 -
> 
> When we arrived, it was dark and the driver took us to a gate, honked and
> tried to raise someone to let us in but all was dark and silent. We tried
> to tell him this did not look right to us and that we should go to number
> 10 Persian Street, the Western Pilgrim House, but he insisted this was the
> place as he often brought people here - one doctor in particular. Finally,
> he ran around and soon came back through the Gardens accompanied by a
> young Persian man who directed the driver to the Western Pilgrim House. We
> later that he had brought us to the entrance of the Shrine Gardens which
> leads to the Eastern Pilgrim house - and the doctor that he had so often
> brought to this spot had been our dear Dr. Lotfullah Hakim, now Keeper of
> the Shrine of the Bab.
> 
> As a matter of fact, Dr. Lotfullah Hakim was the first to greet us when we
> alighted at the gate of the Western Pilgrim House, and then Jessie Revel
> appeared asking "what has kept you so long? We expected you earlier this
> afternoon." She showed us to our room saying we had about an hour until
> dinner. Next we were greeted by Hand of the Cause, Ugo Giachery and his
> lovely wife, Angeline, whom we had last seen in Rome on route to
> Africa.
> 
> We refreshed up a bit and by then Leroy Ioas, another Hand of the Cause
> and Secretary- General of the International Council, had come in and took
> us to his apartment. How wonderful to be with him again although by now it
> was all seeming very much like a lovely dream! We missed Sylvia although
> we had the good fortune of having seen her in California just before
> leaving for Haifa. Leroy looked very tired but we soon discovered that
> "being tired" is a constant state that all of the "staff" are in at Haifa,
> and of course, tired and over-worked are the beloved Guardian and his
> precious wife, Ruhiyyih Khanum.
> 
> Just before dinner, Ruhiyyih Khanum "breezed" in and chatted until dinner
> was called. She was quite concerned because she had invited Josephine
> Baker, the American Negro singer, to come to visit the Shrine and Gardens
> and to remain until dinner. She had received an affirmation answer which
> had said, "We will be very glad to accept." So Ruhiyyih Khanum did
> not
> know whether "we" meant two or twenty.
> 
> Dinner was called shortly after seven, and John and I, as the latest
> arriving pilgrims, were asked to enter first. After reaching the foot of
> the stairs, we could look through a passage room and see the Guardian
> seated at the table. On his head was a black "taz" and he wore a tan coat.
> He looked so very far away and I felt even more as though I were walking
> in a dream. As I made my way through the room leading to the dining room,
> I was vaguely aware of large dark objects on each side in the
> semi-darkness. Later I found they were monuments and ornaments for the
> Gardens at Haifa and Bahji that the Guardian had purchased while he was
> away. We were told he gets many things for the Gardens from old estates
> which are being sold. Upon reaching the dining room the beloved Guardian
> rose to greet us most cordially saying we were most welcome and kissing
> John on both cheeks. His eyes shone and one feels an encompassing love as
> if returning home after a long journey.
> 
> He asked about our trip and then launched into the subject of Africa. How
> many believers were there now? How was the work progressing? We stumbled
> around a little bit saying we were not too up-to-date on statistics as we
> had been to America and were just now returning to Africa, and the picture
> changes very rapidly. He smiled and said, "Then I shall tell you." And we
> sat absolutely amazed as he told of the progress of the Faith in Africa
> without the least hesitation or uncertainty. We thought that surely he
> must have had a letter just that day to have it so absolutely at his
> finger-tips. And our amazement grew as we would hear him speak with equal
> knowledge and understanding of any and all places connected
> with the
> world-wide Crusade. He knew exactly who
> 
> - 3 -
> 
> was where and what was happening. He paid great tribute to
> Mr. Musa
> Banani, Hand of the Cause for Africa, saying his great love and sacrifice
> were responsible for the rapid progress of the Faith in Africa.
> 
> We asked Leroy and Ugo their opinion about the progress of the work on the
> new gardens and told some of his plans as to how the building should be
> laid out. He showed us the artist's drawing of the Archives Building and
> discussed various features about it. We mentioned that we had seen his
> most recent cable (November 24) about the expropriation and acquisition of
> the land that had been owned by Mrs. Sprague (Fareed's sister) and now one
> of the Covenant breakers. He was exceedingly pleases that the transaction
> was completed and now the work on the Archives Building could go ahead.
> 
> A little history of the Spragues was given. Years ago when Mr. Sydney
> Sprague was travelling in India with Mason Remey, he contracted the
> plague. One of the Indian believers [ed. note: actually, an Iranian believer living
> in, and having been born in India, Friborz Roozbehyan] upon hearing of it asked that he might
> be allowed to go and nurse him. He did so but fell ill from the plague
> himself. Mr. Sprague recovered but the Indian believer died. Both Mr.
> Remey and Mr. Sprague were very touched by the sacrifice.
> 
> Later Mr. Sprague became acquainted with Fareed and his family and married
> the sister. Eventually Fareed became a Covenant breaker and the sister
> influenced Mr. Sprague until he became alienated from the Faith. However,
> before his death he was reinstated but Mrs. Sprague became more and more
> antagonistic and when approached about the land, she refused to allow the
> Bahá'ís to have it in spite of the fact that it had been bought in her
> name many years ago when Abdu'l-Bahá had advised that land be purchased in
> the name of various Bahá'ís so that it would be available when it was
> needed for the development around the Shrine. It lay in the vicinity of
> the Monument Gardens where the Greatest Holy Leaf, Bahiyyih Khanum; the
> wife of Bahá'u'lláh, Navvab; the Purest Branch, Mirza Mihdi; and the wife
> of Abdul-Baha, Munirih Khanum are all buried and is part of the building
> site for the Archives Building. Because she had left the country when the
> Jews were at war with the Arabs and because of her refusal to part with or
> sell the land and was thus holding up the development on Mt. Carmel, the
> land was expropriated by the Israeli Government and sold to the
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> The Guardian suggested that strings be placed as an outline of the
> building so he cold see and determine the right and exact location for it.
> Ugo Giachery and John volunteered to place some string for his
> consideration.
> 
> Ruhiyyih Khanum asked the Guardian to tell the friends at the table about
> the progress of his work on the codification of the Aqdas. He responded by
> telling us it was proving to be quite a difficult and time consuming task
> and he was doing it in outline form. It will include five parts, dealing
> with the following: (1) Appointment of Abdu'l-Bahá as Center of the
> Covenant and Interpreter of the Writings. (2) Laws and ordinances which
> comprise eighty per cent of the Aqdas. (3) Exhortations, admonitions and
> warnings. (i.e. Admonitions on marriage and divorce - no one can
> interfere in marriage before choice is made, and divorce is not actually
> forbidden). (4) Tablets to the Kings, Ecclesiastics and Rulers. (5)
> Miscellaneous. (This last includes the section of Questions and Answers
> which was added by Bahá'u'lláh to clarify certain points.) In all there
> are some 200 items to be classified and an additional 100 in the Question
> and Answers section.
> 
> The Guardian mentioned the fact that the Persians had long had the Aqdas
> because it helped them to break away from the Mohammadan laws and gave
> them laws of hygiene which they had needed.
> 
> The Guardian told a story in connection with the time when Abdu'l-Bahá had
> been appointed the Center of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant and His Successor. He
> said that
> 
> - 4 -
> 
> Muhammad Ali, Abdu'l-Bahá's half brother, who was attempting to undermine
> Abdu'l- Baha's authority, once admitted to Abdu'l-Bahá that he might not
> be the legal successor to Bahá'u'lláh but he said, "Neither was Omar the
> legal successor of Muhammad." To which the Master replied, "Yes, but
> Muhammad Ali is not as clever as Omar nor is Abdu'l-Bahá as timid as
> Ali."
> 
> He loved talking about the Ten Year Crusade. He spoke about the two
> processes going on outside and inside the Faith. God's plan was the one
> going on outside the Faith and this would eventually lead to the
> establishment of the Lesser Peace. At the same time our task was the
> development of the Ten Year Crusade which was clear cut and definite. He
> spoke of the exemplary service of the Hand of the Cause in Africa, Mr.
> Banani, and his family. He reiterated the need for concentrating on
> teaching the Africans and not wasting time on the Europeans. We asked
> about having mixed Assemblies in South Africa and he answered the ultimate
> goal was to have only Africans in all Assemblies. For the present we
> would have to be guided by the conditions that existed in each territory.
> In the Union of South Africa the decision would have to left to the
> Spiritual Assembly of Johannesburg but he thought it was better to have no
> mixed assemblies in the Union.
> 
> When the Guardian, who had already triply endured himself to us in the
> short space of one dinner, left us, we felt very bereft but Ruhiyyih
> Khanum, Leroy and the others tried to fill in the gap and stayed with us
> and talked over what had been discussed at the table. One of the
> surprising things to us was that there was considerable difference in
> opinion as to just what the Guardian had said or meant to imply. It
> made
> us acutely aware of why Pilgrim's notes must always remain on the
> basis of
> personal understanding and cannot have any official standing. We talked
> far into the night as it seems in Haifa no one (at least the Pilgrims)
> ever wants to go to bed. But when finally the last good-nights were said
> and all retired to their rooms, we found tucked in the foot of the beds
> hot water bottles that were placed there by the loving hands of Homa or
> Sheyda, the two Persian girls who assist with the work in the Western
> Pilgrim House. Most of those selected to serve in the Guardian's household
> and also those in charge of the various Shrines and Gardens are from
> families of outstanding and steadfast Bahá'ís which go back several
> generations.
> 
> Thursday morning, the 16th of December, we were up bright and early.
> Everyone is allowed to rise as he feels and to take care of his own
> breakfast. John enjoyed getting up and cooking bacon and eggs for everyone
> which the Revel Sisters and Leroy appreciated very much as they were in
> the habit of hurrying in, eating a few bites and rushing off to their
> manifold duties.
> 
> After breakfast we were conducted to the Shrine on Mt. Carmel by Jessie
> and Ethel Revel- those two staunch and efficient workers who were sent for
> by Shoghi Effendi in the spring of 1951 - and then at the Shrine given
> over into the capable hands of Dr. Lotfullah Hakim, the Keeper of the
> Shrine and Gardens, who explained many things of intense interest to
> us.
> 
> To try to explain the experience of entering the Shrine of the Blessed
> Youthful Martyr- Prophet is not possible. It is only something that one
> can experience. However, to me it was like entering into a sanctuary that
> completely shut out the world and one felt absolute peace, except for the
> anguish of one's own heart while meditating upon the tribulations and
> eventual martyrdom He had suffered for our sakes. We said prayers for all
> our friends, relatives (living and dead), for the progress of the Faith in
> America, Africa and all the world. One had the feeling of being really in
> contact with the ""Prayer-Hearing, Prayer- Answering God."
> 
> - 5 -
> 
> Certain afternoons the Shrine and Gardens are open to the public, and
> people flock there from far and near. There is always an attendance of
> from 200 to 500 or more, and various Bahá'ís are stationed around to
> watch that nothing is destroyed or the plants trampled. It was my
> privilege to stand at the door of the Shrine and hold the cameras of
> those wishing to enter and to instruct them to remove their shoes. Some
> rebelled at removing their shoes but would walk around trying to peer
> into the Shrine without actually going in, but in practically every
> instance their curiosity overcame them and finally they would remove
> their shoes and go in. Many stayed a long time in the Shrine and when
> they came out, there was reverence and respect written on their faces,
> and one could see they were deeply moved. Many stayed to ask questions
> or wanted literature, but the Guardian prefers to let the Shrine and
> the Gardens speak for themselves and we give answers as briefly as
> possible - now is not the time to give the Message to the people of
> Israel, but rather we show friendship and cooperation to the new
> Government. Two young girls dressed in the Israeli army uniform (girls
> must give two years compulsory military service along with the men)
> stayed for a long time watching the crowd and waiting to ask a
> question. Finally they approached and asked why I, an American, was
> serving at the Shrine of a Persian religion. The act itself had been a
> teacher, so all I answered was, "This is not a Persian religion, it is a
> World Religion and you will find coming here Bahá'ís from every country
> of the world." I told them also that I thought they were very
> privileged to have in their country the World Center of a World
> Religion. They asked to know more but I gave them only some of the
> Principles and the barest outline of the Faith.
> 
> The Jewish Nation seems to be quite happy at having so many tourists
> coming which brings business to their land and great consideration is
> given to all Bahá'í pilgrims arriving either by sea or air. Their
> luggage is never opened by custom officials and they are made to feel
> very welcome. When we left Leroy and the Giacherys went with us to the
> airport. Leroy invited the manager of the airport to visit the Shrine
> and Gardens as his guest and he would personally conduct him around.
> The man was very pleased and when it was time to leave he conducted us
> personally ahead of the other passengers to the plane and asked the
> hostess to show us every consideration.
> 
> Another nice thing the Israeli Government has done for the Bahá'ís in
> appreciation of the beautification of Mt. Carmel was to purchase the
> land that extends on from the Shrine Gardens and connects with the
> section on which the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is to be built, with the plan to
> develop it into a garden similar to the already existing gardens around
> the Shrine. This had made the Guardian and all at Haifa very happy.
> 
> Next we visited the Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the One so close to the
> heart of the Americans because of his visit to our shores and because He
> had been visited by many of the American friends in the Most Great
> Prison who had told us countless stories of the Holy Family and
> particularly of the greatness and humility of the Master. He seemed
> very close and we said many prayers here at this precious Threshold of
> the One who is the Centre of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, for the success,
> Triumph and speedy fulfillment of His Divine Plan and that the Bahá'ís
> the world over would arise as one person, imbued with His spirit of
> selflessness to steadfastly carry out His instructions to "hasten to all
> parts of the world. . .travel through all the continents and islands of
> the globe. . .raising the cry of 'Ya Baha'ul-Abha'" One was so aware of
> the fact that 'Abdu'l-Bahá longed to travel throughout these regions
> Himself, but since He was not able to go He wanted more than anything
> else to see the believers shouldering their responsibilities and
> accepting the great privilege of taking this Blessed Message for Him.
> His "Tablet of Visitation" took on new and deeper meaning when we said
> it in this Holy Place. . . "Lord give me to drink of the chalice of
> selflessness; its robe clothe me and in its ocean immerse me. . ."
> 
> The rest of the morning we viewed with intense interest everything there
> and were deeply thrilled to stand on the spot where the Archives
> building is to be erected and to calculate where the "arc" for the
> buildings mentioned in the Guardian's cable of Nov. 24th, would be
> erected with the Memorial Gardens as the pivot.
> 
> In the afternoon we all "fell in" to help Ruhiyyih Khanum in preparation
> for the dinner party to be given in honour of Josephine Baker. We
> helped to polish silver,
> 
> - 6 -
> 
> wash dishes, arrange flowers, set tables, clean house and do the "million
> and one" things that need to be done for such an event. One cannot help
> but have the greatest admiration for the dear Guardian's wife for the way
> in which she runs her house under the most trying circumstances and yet
> carries out all her responsibilities socially. I should say two houses as
> there is both the Pilgrim House (Western) and the Guardian's House.
> 
> In all there were 22 or 23 quests who attended the party so it was quite a
> function. The American Consul and his wife, the Italian Consul and his
> wife and various other dignitaries of Haifa were there besides Josephine
> baker and her entourage. All in all it was a very nice party and Miss
> Baker was very impressed, I am sure, and the next day when she visited the
> Shrine and Gardens with Ruhiyyih Khanum she expressed her appreciation and
> a desire to know more about the Faith. Our only regret was to have miss
> one evening with the beloved Guardian as he does not attend such functions
> but we were compensated by being allowed to stay an extra night.
> 
> Early Saturday morning there was a great deal of hurrying around, food was
> packed in baskets and the station wagon was loaded with various and sundry
> things. One had the feeling that a picnic was in the offing. We were told
> to take our warmest clothes, wool socks to wear to the Holy Places, and a
> hot water bottle was a must. In other words we were going to Bahji
> for the
> week end. When the party finally got off the two cars were carrying, four
> Hands of the Cause, Ruhiyyih Khanum, Amelia Collins, Leroy Ioas and Ugo
> Giachery, and three other members of the International Council, Jessie and
> Ethel Revel and Dr. Lotfullah Hakim, Iraj Hakim, Angeline Giachery, Mr.
> and Mrs. Esfandiar Bakhtiari, Persian friends from Pakistan (He is a
> member of the NSA of Burma-Pakistan- India), Shadah, the Persian girl who
> came from along to help with the meals, John and I.
> 
> We were met by the radiant Keeper of the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, Saladin
> Jaharrah and welcomed warmly to Bahji. The first thing we did was to enter
> the Shrine in the company of such outstanding servants and loved ones of
> His Cause. We took off our shoes and reverently stepped into the Holiest
> Place in the universe, and again that "peace that passeth all
> understanding" encompassed us as we listened to the "Tablet of Visitation"
> chanted by Sala, followed by prayers from all present. It was indeed a
> moment that we will never forget for our minds go back constantly in
> memory to this "Holiest of Holies" to which all hearts must turn in
> adoration during prayer.
> 
> After a walk around the Gardens that are enthusiastically described by
> Sala as a miracle wrought by our dear Guardian in the short space of a
> week, Ruhiyyih Khanum and Millie Collins left us to go back to Haifa.
> Leroy, Dr. Lotfullah Hakim and Dr. Giachery made the hours rich indeed
> telling us stories at the table of the building of the gardens, the trials
> encountered through the machinations of the covenant-breakers, the early
> history of the Faith, and trying to straighten out in our minds all the
> various families who are serving at the Mansion of Bahji, the Garden of
> Ridvan, the House of Aboud, etc.
> 
> After dinner we went to the Mansion, to the up-stairs, and first of all
> visited with awe, deep reverence and love in our hearts the room where
> Bahá'u'lláh passed away. It is a lovely room, large and airy and spacious
> with things replaced just as they were when the Blessed Beauty occupied
> it. Even though the covenant-breakers robbed the room of its original
> pieces of furniture the room has been refurnished in the same manner and
> many of His own things are there. It is the same room where Bahá'u'lláh
> received Professor Browne, who wrote his impressions thus: "The face of
> Him on whom I gazed I can never forget though I cannot describe it. Those
> piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on
> that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied an
> age which the jet-black hair and beard flowing down in indistinguishable
> luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie. No need to ask in whose
> presence I stood, as I bowed myself before One who is the object of a
> devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in
> vain!"
> 
> We were privileged to say many prayers here and then were shown the
> beloved Guardian's room, and rooms holding all the relics that the
> Guardian has collected - pictures, pictures and pictures of many and
> varied events and persons - the disciples of Bahá'u'lláh, the Disciples of
> Abdu'l-Bahá among whom were several of the early American believers,
> documents of incorporation of Assemblies, temple models and hundreds of
> other articles and books of special interest to Shoghi Effendi and the
> Bahá'í world. The rooms were all build around one large central room that
> is supported by eight pillars. You have seen pictures of it.
> 
> - 7 -
> 
> After memorable prayers at dawn in Bahá'u'lláh's room and a quick
> breakfast the station wagon was again packed and we started off for Acca.
> Dr. Lotfullah pointed out the "plains of Acca" were Napoleon met his
> defeat, the Hill of Napoleon that he built in an effort to get an
> advantage in attacking the walled city of Acca, "the hills of Lebanon",
> the old acquaduct that was restored at the request of Bahá'u'lláh to bring
> fresh water to the city that was so vile a "bird flying over it would fall
> dead", and many other things that we had read about and never expected to
> see.
> 
> In approaching the "Most Great Prison" of Acca, Dr. Lotfullah Hakim took
> us first beyond the moat overlooking the Prison from which the worn and
> weary pilgrims in days gone by had traveled hundreds of miles on foot
> hoping to catch a fleeting glimpse of the face of the Blessed Perfection
> and a wave of His hand from across the moat. The moat, toady, is filled
> and a highway goes past the door of the Prison which is partially used to
> house the mentally deranged, and the window from which the white
> handkerchief of Bahá'u'lláh waved is considerably larger than in the days
> when the Blessed Beauty was incarcerated there so we were told, but as one
> gazes toward that window and hears the lapping of the sea behind him, it
> takes little imagination to put oneself in the place of those early
> pilgrims and one almost expects to see a hand wave from the window and
> then with a guilty start you realize you have not trudged the long weary
> miles to deserve such a bounty but rather you have flown in swiftly and
> comfortably to Haifa airport and then were brought by the luxury of a car
> the rest of the way. The same feeling of unworthiness goes with you as you
> climb the steps to the cell that has been set aside as a Holy Place. The
> Cell, itself, is adorned with lush Persian rugs which look very much out
> of place except that they have been placed there by the loving hands of
> the followers who wished to bring some gift to their King, as in days of
> old precious gifts were brought to the Christ child in the manger. But the
> beautiful carpets do not completely cover the cold, hard, rocky floor that
> had been the resting place of the beloved of the World for over two years,
> and snatches of the "Tablet of Ahmad" jumps into your mind ."O Ahmad,
> forget not My bounties while I am absent.remember My days during thy days
> and My distress and banishment in this remote prison.". We are told this
> much beloved Tablet was written was written in Adrianople yet it seems
> also to apply to "the Most Great Prison."
> 
> As you leave this sacred room after reaching out through the medium of His
> Holy Communes to that Holy Presence that you know is the Hope of All
> Mankind and is felt so strongly in this Spot, you visit the room occupied
> by Abdu'l-Bahá and some of the others. You visualize the loving ministry
> of Abdu'l-Bahá during the times of sickness and near starvation suffered
> by fellow-exiles privileged to share this living martyrdom.
> 
> Outside your these rooms your attention is called to the spot where the
> Purest Branch, Mirza Mihdi, fell to his death while reciting prayers on
> the roof of the Prison. You tray to recall the beautiful Tablet revealed
> by Bahá'u'lláh on this occasion for His beloved son, "I have, O my God,
> offered up that which Thou hast given Me, that Thy servants may be
> quickened, and all that dwell on earth be united." You remember that this
> lovely youth, "created the light of Baha" chose that his life not be
> spared but rather that it might be offered as a ransom for "all those who
> were prevented from attaining the presence of the Beloved." and you pray
> you, too, might become worthy to lay on the alter of sacrifice some gift
> that might help hasten the unity of mankind and dispel the darkness of
> error.
> 
> When the barracks of the Prison were needed for quartering the Turkish
> soldiers who were being mobilized, Bahá'u'lláh, His family and followers,
> were shuttled around from house to house, still within the Walled City
> until eventually they were placed in the House of Aboud, as it is now
> called. It was so insufficient for the needs of the party that thirteen
> persons of both sexes were forced to stay in one room. Dr. Lotfullah told
> the story of one night when one fell out of an upper bunk onto the ones
> below and caused no end of commotion.
> 
> It was in this house, overcrowded in the extreme, that the Kitab-i-Aqdas,
> the Most Holy Book of Laws, was revealed by Bahá'u'lláh and written down
> by the pen of Abdu'l-Bahá. You see the room where this Mighty Work was
> born.. Our Guardian tells us in "God Passes By", p.213, that provisions of
> this Most Holy Book of the Bahá'í Revelation, "must remain inviolate for
> no less than a thousand years, and whose system will embrace the entire
> planet, may well be regarded as the brightest emanation of the mind of
> Bahá'u'lláh, as the Mother Book of His Dispensation, and the Charter of
> His New World Order." And again
> 
> - 8 -
> 
> "the Kitab-i-Aqdas, revealed from the first to the last by the Author of
> the Dispensation Himself, not only preserves for prosperity the basic laws
> and ordinances on which the fabric of His future World Order must rest,
> but ordains, in addition, to the function of interpretation which it
> confers upon His Successor, the necessary institutions through which the
> integrity and unity of His Faith can alone be safeguarded." We felt
> fortunate indeed, to be in Haifa and hear the Guardian discuss his work of
> codification of this Most Mighty Book and has difficulty in getting it
> condensed into outline form.
> 
> We were served lunch in this house of Aboud, at the same table where the
> Master had so often served Their guests and then were taken into the
> courtyard where Abdu'l-Bahá had distributed alms and bread to the poor. We
> walked along the little winding streets that were little more than alleys.
> We saw tiny shops where trinkets and food are now sold or a cobler sits on
> a stool mending or making shoes. It might be termed "picturesque" if it
> were not so tragic to see human beings living in such unsanitary
> conditions and see small children so poorly clad and all crowded into
> these dirty little streets - the only place to play. In one of these
> crowded little "flats" we were served tea by a man who was doing some work
> on the Shrine of the Bab.
> 
> As we left the City of Acca with all its poignant, heart-stirring
> memories, we passed the Muhammadan Mosque where Abdu'l-Bahá was wont to go
> and pray: We went inside for a quick tour of its nice garden and to
> appreciate the lovely tile that was in such evidence. It was sacred to us
> because Abdu'l-Bahá's eyes had looked upon it and he had come here to
> pray.
> 
> Riding from the City of Acca to the Garden of Ridvan, Dr. Hakim and Leroy
> Ioas told stories of happenings at the world center which had taken place
> during the time they had been associated with its development. It was all
> most intensely interesting.
> 
> [undecipherable word] at the Garden of Ridvan, called by Bahá'u'lláh, "Our
> Verdant Isle", is, in reality, a small island in a river, covered with
> pomegranate, tangerine and various other fruit trees. It is truly a bit of
> paradise and as one sits by the softly flowing fountain and walks the
> paths that you know were trod by the feet of the Blessed Perfection and
> attempt to capture the feeling that one would have being confided within
> prison wall for nine long years you see added beauty to every leaf, flower
> and drop of water. The custodian of this lovely spot is a tried and trusted
> follower who is the father of one of the girls employed in the household of
> the Guardian. He lives at the garden with his wife and his greatest joy is
> to show the pilgrims every "nook and cranny" of the lovely Hallowed
> Garden.
> 
> It was growing late as we walked around the "Verdant Isle" and we had to
> hasten back to Bahji to be there before too late. Sala had taken the day
> off and gone with us to Acca but in no time he had the lights on in the
> Shrine and we all went in and again lifted our hearts in thanksgiving for
> having been "quickened with the water of life." the "Tablet of Visitation"
> took on a new and deeper meaning as we prayed, "May my spirit be a
> sacrifice to the wrongs Thou didst suffer, and my soul be a ransom for the
> adversities Thou didst sustain."
> 
> As this was the last night we were to spend in Bahji we decided to rise at
> dawn and go to the Shrine for prayers. And what a rewarding experience!
> It is, in truth, the place where "the holy ecstacy of prayer may fill our
> souls — a prayer that shall rise above words and letters and transcend the
> murmur of syllables and sounds — that all things may be merged into
> nothingness before the revelation of Thy splendor."
> 
> After breakfast we all felt a little sad for we knew that soon we must
> leave this Most Holy Place and we walked around the garden trying to
> saturate our minds and hearts with its beauty and spirit. We wanted
> enough to last a life time, if need be, of this heavenly atmosphere. We
> wanted to absorb every detail so that we might share it with others and
> carry it always in our hearts. We were told that in days to come no one
> would be allowed to enter the Shrine itself but would only
> circumambulate it. The Gardens, now are taking on a circular shape with
> paths going out like spokes of a wheel. We took pictures and
> pictures.....
> 
> On our way back to Haifa we went by the house to which Bahá'u'lláh moved
> when He first left the Walled City. We were served tea and cakes that
> were most delicious and were told stories of the early days when the
> Blessed Beauty lived here.
> 
> - 9 -
> 
> Soon we were reminded that we were expected for lunch at the home of
> two of Shoghi Effendi's cousins in Nazareth. The luncheon was in the
> nature of an occasion because the transaction had been completed that had
> given to the Bahá'ís a section of land adjoining Bahji. It is one of those
> strange events that convinces one that "God works in mysterious ways His
> wonders to perform." It seems that the land had once been owned by a
> staunch Christian who used to observe Bahá'u'lláh and Abdu'l-Bahá and was
> impressed enough to recognize that these men were not molded of ordinary
> clay yet he was antagonistic in the extreme. So much so that he made his
> son promise that the land would never be sold to the Bahá'ís. The son was
> very friendly to Abdu'l-Bahá and in order to cover up his friendship he
> would tell his father that he was associating with Abdu'l-Bahá in an
> effort to convert him to Christianity. However, he did promise his father
> not to sell the land to them. Time went on and the old man died and the
> son needed money so he sold the land to some Arabs. When the war
> between the Arabs and the Jews broke out the owners of the land fled
> from the country and the Government took it over. Now the cousins of
> Shoghi Effendi lived in Jordan and their farm land was appropriated by the
> Government because it was in the war zone. The cousins made application
> for an exchange of their farm for the land adjoining Bahji and it was
> granted to them. They immediately gave it to the Guardian and this was
> the event we were going to Nazareth to help celebrate. And what a
> celebration! The luncheon had been prepared for Ruhiyyih Khanum, Millie
> Collins, Leroy Ioas and the Giacherys and John and I were invited because
> we happened to be on pilgrimage so were included. Ruhiyyih Khanum came
> down with a very bad cold at the last minute and could not go and I could
> see well why one with a cold would not, or could not eat the terrifically
> rich food that was served to us. There were courses and courses of all
> kinds of delicacies we had never heard of or tasted. We ate from 1 o'clock
> until 3 and then had to go over to the other cousins house and had sweets
> which lasted for another hour. We really had difficulty rising from the
> table when it was over! They were really two of the loveliest families
> one could ever want to know, and with them was living a little old lady
> who was a relative of Bahá'u'lláh and looking very much as if the least
> breeze would blow her away yet her eyes shone with an inner brilliance as
> if she might have 1000 watt lights concealed behind them.
> 
> While we were in Nazareth we were able to see some of the spots that are
> sacred to the Christians. We were mindful of the fact that here Jesus
> spent his early youth as a carpenter. We saw the well where Mary used to
> go and draw water — still in use. It really is a very pretty little town
> nestled in hills and not nearly as barren as the section around Jerusalem.
> We were sorry that we did not get to visit more of the Holy Land but were
> able to spend Xmas night in Jerusalem. The only indication that it was
> Xmas were the strings of colored lights that were strung from the tower
> of the Y.M.C.A. building directly across from the King David Hotel where we
> were stopping and Christmas carols were played over a screechy loud
> speaker. But, I think, if we could have been allowed to go over into Old
> Jerusalem we would have found more of the Christmas spirit as we were
> told that if tourists applied in time they were granted permission to visit
> Old Jerusalem and Calvary. But this was war territory and many sections
> were surrounded with barbed wire entanglements. The next day we
> started on the road to Galilee but had to turn back because it was too far
> for the amount of time we had before our plane took off for South
> Africa.
> 
> It was nearly dinner time when we arrived back in Haifa from Nazareth but
> were still uncomfortable and only because we would not miss seeing the
> beloved Guardian did we go to the table.
> 
> He was very happy and jovial and showed great interest in our trip to
> Bahji and Acca. He spoke again of the Covenant Breakers and how they
> were all being punished and their efforts to destroy the Faith brought to
> naught. While he was speaking he was heaping our plates high with pilau.
> We told him how much we had for lunch and begged for small helpings but
> he continued to heap food upon our plates kidding John about always having
> a good appetite. He is extremely hospitable and usually serves the
> pilgrims himself but takes very little notice of what he eats or scarcely
> is aware of the food in front of him. Ruhiyyih Khanum told us that often
> he forgets all about lunch and only because she gets so faint from lack of
> food will he stop working or suggest that she take time out to eat.
> 
> After serving our plates he started to speak bout marriage in different
> countries. He told us that Abdu'l-Bahá had observed much on his trip to
> America although he said little
> 
> - 10 -
> 
> He said that in America the husbands were slaves to their wives. The
> husbands would work hard all day to make money which they turned over
> to their wives and then when they came home from work wishing to relax
> and be comfortable the wives insisted on dragging them off to a cocktail
> party or the theater. Then the husbands would die young and the widows
> would travel. He commented that Americans for the most part like to
> travel but were not such good settlers. He said that intermarriage
> between the Germans and the Americans was good because the Germans
> dominated their wives too much and the wives were the slaves. He
> mentioned that in America we over-emphasized everything. Machines run
> people and even our administration is excessive. The British he believes
> are the are the most balanced although they are afflicted with class
> prejudice and in America there is race prejudice. He said in Italy the
> women dominated the men just as they did in America and he mentioned
> that the kissing of hands must be abolished.
> 
> He spoke about Bahá'í elections and said the minority of the community
> should always be given preference in a tie vote. There was no need for a
> recasting of a vote in the case of a tie but the one belonging to the
> minority group should automatically be chosen. This applied to either
> religious or racial minority groups. He cited Egypt as an example. The
> Persians were the majority among the Bahá'ís in Egypt so the Egyptians
> should be given the preference in case of a tie vote. It is not good to have
> a stronger group dominate a community. In America the minority race is
> negro and one of the minority religions is Jewish.
> 
> One evening he spoke at length of the Catholic Church. The question was
> asked if the Bahá'ís should seek to have a representative at the Vatican as
> some of the other religions have. He answered that nothing would be
> gained by it and it would stir them up and our greatest advantage lay in
> our obscurity at the present time. Now the Catholic Church is making bids
> for allies against their enemies but it did not mean she accepted them on
> an equal basis. He gave a resume of the history of early Christianity
> showing how their obscurity was their protection against their enemies,
> just as it is ours today, until such time as Christianity was made the
> State Religion by Constantine. He further compared the Bahá'í Faith with
> the Catholic Church in that the Hands of the Cause are like the Cardinals
> only with reverse functions. The Cardinals are administrative in their
> function and all the propaganda on the Church is closely supervised by the
> Vatican while in the Bahá'í Faith the World Center is the heart of the
> Administrative Order and works through the NSAs and the propagation of
> the Faith is carried out by the Hands of the Cause who are the eyes and
> arms of the Guardian. He said the Church is losing its power and in order
> to combat the threat of Communism they are willing to make alliances
> with their enemies — not because they are more liberal. Only now will the
> Pope associate with Moslems. Their great problem now is Russia. The
> Church is a declining force and Communism is a growing force. Enemies of
> the Church and the Pope are becoming bolder and bolder. The Church tries
> to protect itself by issuing orders. He intimated that Communism would
> probably over-run Europe then use Europe as a spring-board to America —
> the real enemy. He said the countries of Europe are very poor and need
> help badly.
> 
> He spoke frequently about Africa. The pioneers must remain free to move
> about as the African should be deepened and encouraged to take the
> leadership of his people as soon as possible. The pioneers should convert
> the African and then move on.
> 
> The Ten Year Crusade was always very much in his conversation and
> obviously in his thoughts. The various homefronts were frequently
> discussed also. He stressed strongly that the Cause should not be just
> another occupation. It must be THE occupation. That is the reason
> that living in a village is better than a city as there are not so many
> distractions. He told us that in Persia there were 600 centers and in
> America there were 1300 yet the numbers of believers were in reverse.
> And if one-tenth of the Bahá'ís of Persia would disperse it would double
> the membership of the world.
> 
> He said that after this Crusade there would be others. There would be a
> series of epoch and a series of plans. The virgin areas in the course of
> successive plans would have to be consolidated and the administrative
> order would have to be developed until NSAs were formed everywhere. In
> future the plans will take in more Sovereign States and other Islands.
> now we have reached only the Chief Dependencies and the Chief Islands.
> 
> We are now in the 2nd epoch of the Formative Age. Probably this will last
> much longer than the first. The Golden Age of Bahá'u'lláh will end with the
> coming of a new Prophet when there will be new laws.
> 
> - 11 -
> 
> He said the important thing in teaching the Christians is to stress the
> things we have in common with Christ. It is good to quote from the
> Gleanings. Teach that religion is progressive and religious truth is
> relative and not absolute. Always identify the Bahá'í Faith with the
> maturity of mankind. The Bahá'í Teachings could not possibly have been
> given in another age. The world has passed through its age of infancy, its
> adolescence and now it is in its maturity.
> 
> The friends from Rome presented their plan for the purchase of an
> Haziratu'l-Quds which was a suite of offices in one of the down town
> buildings. It would cost $17,000. He said that was too much. If he
> accepted that plan for Rome then he would have to accept equally central
> and expensive Haziratu'l-Quds for all the capital cities. It would be nice
> for Rome to have a nice Haziratu'l-Quds as it is an important center but
> all they had to think about was Rome and he had to deal with the whole
> world and they would not understand. After all these places are all
> temporary. Even the Temple sites may be temporary and can be exchanged.
> The Persian Temple must be larger than the one in Germany and not so
> large as the one in America.
> 
> On the evening of the 23rd of December, two new pilgrims arrived. Laura
> Davis from Canada and Olivia Kelsey from Monoco. He asked Olivia about
> the pioneering work in Monoco and she told him some of her problems. He
> gave suggestions. Then he asked about Canada and the friends. He said
> many wonder things about the Canadians. They have the best qualities of
> both the Americans and the English. He said that the Center of Canada was
> Toronto and the heart was in Montreal where the Master had visited. Then
> again he spoke on the Ten Year Crusade and the succession of plans that
> would be given until the whole earth would have been reached by the
> Teachings.
> 
> When dinner was finished he cleared the place in front of him and said
> that he had read a most important news item. He produced a copy of the
> "London Times", December 16, 1954 and read to us the following excerpt:
> "Mr. Wyatt asked the Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill) whether he could state
> with greater exactness the number of atomic and nuclear explosions that
> he was advised would make lethal the atmosphere over substantial areas
> of the world and whether he had now studied the evidence that he (Mr.
> Wyatt) had submitted to him." The Guardian called attention to the
> reference in the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, "Words of Paradise", (B.W.F. p.183)
> where He wrote: "A strange and wonderful instrument which has the
> power to change the atmosphere of the whole earth, and its infection
> causes destruction." He said the word "wonderful" was not right, a better
> translation would be "astonishing" and "instrument" was also a wrong
> translation but he could not put his finger on the right word. We all tried
> to help out with suggestions but he said none was exactly right. He told
> us that there is a difference in translating a word correctly and using a
> term to explain the meaning. Just to explain the meaning he said that
> probably "substance" would be the nearest word.
> 
> The Guardian said he was impressed because of the use of the word
> "atmosphere" in the paper and the idea that the "lethal" properties could
> cover large areas of the earth. Bahá'u'lláh had prophesied a third stage —
> covering the whole earth. The beginning or the first stage was the
> explosions in Japan that had effected the immediate areas. The second
> stage was the covering of large areas of the globe such as the article in
> the "Times" referred to and the third was the one anticipated by
> Bahá'u'lláh as a teaching point. And added as an afterthought that one
> could easily see how the prophecy in Daniel regarding 2/3 of the earth
> being destroyed could come to pass.
> 
> The last night of our pilgrimage, December 24th, was a sad one for us. The
> beloved Guardian was very tired having had a hard day. He told of the work
> on the Gardens and the progress on the ground work for the Archives
> Building. He said the plot of ground owned by Fareed's sister was already
> an integrated part of the landscape.
> 
> The question was asked if the Guardian when in his recent cable (Dec.
> 24th) he mentioned that the completion of the buildings housing the
> institutions of administration of which the Archives Building was the
> first would synchronize with the establishment of the Lesser Peace, if
> that meant all the buildings of the "arc" must be built before the Lesser
> Peace would come to pass. He answered that by synchronizing meant that
> the Lesser Peace would be developed simultaneously with the erection of
> the institutions. These were the two processes going on. One was on the
> outside and one was within the Faith. A third pro-
> 
> - 12 -
> 
> cess was the further development of the local and national
> institutions.
> 
> He went on to explain that the culmination of the one process would be in
> the evolvement of the Lesser Peace into the Most Great Peace and the
> evolvement of the World Center Institutions would culminate into the
> World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. These two processes would finally emerge in
> the World Commonwealth.
> 
> He stressed the point that the Bahá'ís must always point out that the
> Message of World Unity is unique in that the world is coming into maturity
> and therefore needs a Message such as Bahá'u'lláh's. Up until this time it
> had not been possible because the world had not all been discovered,
> therefore could not have been united.
> 
> He mentioned the seven stages of development through which the Faith
> would pass. These have frequently been discussed in other Pilgrim Notes
> and are mentioned in "Advent of Divine Justice, p. 12) so will only mention
> them briefly. These stages are not in chronological order in every country
> for the Cause is developing through different stages in different countries
> and some countries skip various stages. The stages are: 1. Obscurity. 2.
> Persecution. 3. Emancipation. 4. Recognition. 5. Establishment. 6.
> Assumption of rights and privileges as a Bahá'í State. Institutions of the
> Cause will assume the function of government. 7. World wide Bahá'í
> Commonwealth.
> 
> Just now in teaching we refer only to the first four points as
> misunderstandings may arise from the last three. The stage of obscurity
> is always the protection of the Faith until it is firmly established then it
> can enter subsequent stages. Obscurity was also the protection of the
> Faith of Christ. When it became known the Romans persecuted the
> Christians until the time when Constantinople instituted it as the State
> Religion.
> 
> He said the Bahá'í Faith would develop into the World Commonwealth but
> would still be under the Bahá'í Cycle.
> 
> He was asked if interplanatary unity would be the goal of future
> Dispensations or if it might be achieved in the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh.
> He answered it would be a goal of the future but science is developing so
> fast that it was difficult to know how soon it would come, but it might at
> least soon be possible to observe life on other systems that are in various
> stages of development — some lower and some higher than ours.
> 
> The Guardian was asked if the meaning of the verse in the Bible "the day
> that would not be followed by night" meant that succeeding Manifestations
> would not be persecuted but immediately accepted by the people. He
> answered, "No, there will always be evil in the world and doubtless the
> succeeding Manifestations would be persecuted though in a lesser degree."
> The meaning of the verse was that the Guardians would be sources of
> guidance and protection for the Faith until the coming of the subsequent
> Manifestation which might not be for 6000 years although He might come
> any time after 1000 years — depending on need.
> 
> We became slightly involved as to why the people would probably not
> accept the new Manifestation if they had the Guardian to guide and direct
> them which led to Shoghi Effendi recounting for us the functions of
> Guardianship. He stressed the Infallibility of the Guardian as being the
> essential thing that kept schisms from developing the Faith. One could not
> say that he was infallible only as Interpreter of the Writings but he was
> infallible in anything that he stated he was infallible in. He was the only
> one who could know when he was guided infallibly. That was the very
> nature of infallibility. Regardless of what he talked about if he gave his
> word as an infallible statement then it was so — if it were a suggestion he
> would say so. In speaking of the Guardian as the Head of the Universal
> House of Justice he said that the Universal House of Justice was bound to
> accept the Guardian's authority if he spoke from the Station of
> Infallibility, because of statement in the "Will and Testament of Abdu'l-
> Baha" which says: "It is incumbent upon the members of the House of
> Justice, upon all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of God to
> show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the Guardian
> of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him." He spoke
> with great power and authority when he mentioned the Station of the
> Guardian and the functions of the Guardianship. We had the feeling that he
> does not think that the Americans or the peoples of the West have a true
> concept of the Guardianship but take it a little too lightly and taking it
> too lightly we have a tendency not to appreciate its true worth and the
> great bounty that is ours in this Day of Days. We are too close to the
> source to fully and rightly evaluate the tremendous dynamic power behind
> that personality. Just as one gazing at a spring
> 
> - 13 -
> 
> cannot realize the power and force of the river that makes possible the
> running of great dynamos that send out light, heat and power to countless
> homes and factories and brings life giving water to vast areas. We see
> and love the personality of the Guardian but only vaguely sense the power
> at such times as these or glimpse it through the scope and compelling
> force of his writings. All pettiness and non-essentials fall away in the
> light of this understanding as shadows fall away from the sun. Only
> future generations and historians can rightfully place him in the scheme
> of the unfolding World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. Ours is a privilege that we
> MUST NOT TAKE LIGHTLY but pray for illumination and understanding.
> 
> He told us of the conflict within himself when he first heard that he was
> the appointed Successor to Abdu'l-Bahá. Already burdened with grief over
> the passing of his beloved grandfather this was suddenly thrust upon him.
> He said that he knew himself, and it was most difficult for him to see
> himself in the role that Abdul-Baha had placed upon him. Yet he had no
> choice but to accept. He said it was easy for the Bahá'ís — all they had to
> do was to obey the "Will and Testament." But he had to reconstruct the
> whole plan of his life and his idea of himself. He spoke with extreme
> humility and conviction. He had fought his battle and is now confident and
> assured. (Old time Bahá'ís will remember that Shoghi Effendi went into
> retirement after the passing of Abdu'l-Bahá and the Greatest Holy Leaf
> took over the reigns of guidance until he found himself). He said that the
> Manifestations, too, had fought the same kind of battle only their
> responsibility was still greater but they, too, had a human station.
> 
> All of us know how little he speaks of himself and if at all possible he
> gives the credit to the believers of the various countries for the victories
> that really belong to his unerring guidance and planning.
> 
> How well 'Abdu'l-Bahá must have realized the calumnies that would be
> heaped upon him and the machinations that would be devised to pierce his
> heart because he, too, had suffered a living martyrdom so in his effort to
> protect Shoghi Effendi he stated in his "Will and Testament": "to take the
> greatest care of Shoghi Effendi.... that no dust of despondency and sorrow
> may stain his radiant nature....(and) He that obeyeth him not, hath not
> obeyed God." Yet as we sat at the table and listened to the accounts of
> viciousness of the Covenant Breakers we knew that he had been tried in
> the same crucible as the Master. We prayed to God as we sat there that
> we would never be the cause of bringing him one moment of unhappiness
> but rather we wanted to rush out and do something that would help relieve
> the burden of his heart.
> 
> When the meal was finished we all sat teary-eyed and speechless — our
> hearts overflowing with love and gratitude that God had given us the
> Institution of the Guardianship and the Guardian who was the embodiment
> of all those virtues we were striving for and fell so short of, he broke the
> tension by bringing out gifts that he wanted us to take to the friends in
> Johannesburg and sending messages of love to all along the way — with
> special love for the Banani Family and Mother Fisher. He said to assure
> Mother of his prayers and he considered her residence in the pioneer field
> again as highly meritorious.
> 
> When he had left the remaining friends again gathered around trying to
> make the last few hours of our pilgrimage a happy occasion. We cannot
> speak too highly or lovingly of the great consideration and kindness heaped
> upon the pilgrims by the "staff" at the World Center. They spare no effort
> to fill to overflowing every moment with treasured memories. Ruhiyyih
> Khanum, always breathless, at times full of fun and happy, at others
> deeply serious; Millie Collins, not at all well, yet exerting every effort to
> be with us and going personally, with us to visit some of those Holy
> Places that through her explanations they might be more meaningful to us;
> the Revel Sisters, Jessie and Ethel, in their wonderfully sweet and loving
> ways made us so at home, looking after all our needs, going with us on
> shopping tours, and doing many kindnesses for us each day; Dr. Lotfullah
> Hakim at the Shrine of the Bab was always the perfect host and regardless
> of the time of day when we visited the Shrine insisted on serving us tea
> with his own hands; Leroy Ioas who we knew sat up long hours into the
> nights to take care of the work that piled up because he was devoting too
> much time to us. But what a joy to have the privilege of looking at the
> Blessed Shrine through his eyes and hear the stories of their experiences
> during the construction and realizing the problems that could have been
> resolved only through the guiding influences of Unseen Powers. It was
> really wonderful seeing him again, talking over old times in California,
> recalling old memories, half forgotten, hearing news of mutual friends and
> speaking of the many changes that had come into our lives since we had
> last met, wondering what
> 
> - 14 -
> 
> the next few years would bring and thrilling to the thought that regardless
> of whatever happened to any of us personally, the glorious Faith was
> marching on! We greatly marvelled at the speedy acceleration of the last
> few years and were deeply grateful for the unerring leadership of our
> beloved Guardian. Then there were those we met who were the loving
> keepers of the Holy Places and the Persian friends who were on pilgrimage
> with us. I enjoyed the afternoon teas as Ruhiyyih Khanum's for the ladies.
> She was our interpreter and we had lot of fun as well as serious
> discussion. All in all we were so showered and saturated with LOVE that
> we felt as if we had left this world of darkness and tribulation and
> entered the happy realms of eternity.
> 
> We shall always remember how happy the Guardian was when he surprised
> us at the end of one of the dinners by bringing out the Roll of Honor that
> had just been returned that day by the artist. It was all done by hand,
> beautifully illustrated and complete except for those names that must be
> added as the still remaining Virgin Areas are filled. There was a note of
> sadness over those who had left their posts and we all mentioned the fact
> that many names not there were certainly inscribed on another and a
> higher roll of honor because as we all know some of the consolidation
> areas were far more bleak and hard to enter than some of the virgin areas.
> Incidentally, it is not to be hung in the entrance of the Shrine of
> Bahá'u'lláh but is to be placed beneath the floor of the entrance. But it is
> beautifully and artistically done although the design is simple.
> 
> These are just some of the highlights of our pilgrimage and is not a
> complete account by any means. The treasured relics have not even been
> mentioned — the famed sword of Mulla Husayn, the blood stained garments,
> the precious hand work and first copies of the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, the
> Bab and 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the lovely portraits and photographs of
> Bahá'u'lláh, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Bahá and many other things that soon will
> be placed under glass for preservation when the new Archives Building is
> complete. It truly is urgently needed.
> 
> It was not easy to take notes and it is not encouraged except on rare
> occasions. We all know the confusion that arises from putting too much
> emphasis upon "Pilgrim's Notes" so they encourage us to take back
> "Impressions" more than factual things because the Guardian sends in his
> direct messages those things which are the yard sticks for Bahá'í
> consultation and decisions. So my notes are mostly from memory written
> down after we had retired to our room for the night and there were many
> things that were not set down because we did not want to give wrong
> "impressions," and it is very easy to give the wrong slant to what has been
> said. However, our feelings many times were that Shoghi Effendi was
> almost quoting from "God Passes By" so now when we want to hear him
> speak it has become a great incentive to read and re-read that valued and
> instructive book. One sees things never before noticed and the pilgrimage
> is relived over and over again in those pages.
> 
> But if we gained nothing else other than the welding of our hearts more
> firmly to the Center and Focal Point of Bahá'u'lláh's Mighty Covenant and
> the deepening of our understanding of just what the Guardianship can and
> does mean to us and to the world with a fuller loyalty to all that it
> implies then our pilgrimage was rich beyond measure. And our greatest
> desire now is to share these convictions with all who we come in contact
> and it is a source of tremendous joy that the heart of the African is so
> understanding and receptive to those Divine Assurances.
> 
> And if our friends in America could realize how GOLDEN are their
> opportunities and could see the joy that any achievement or victory by the
> friends always brings to the beloved Guardian they would not rest for a
> moment nor grow discouraged but press on until the whole of America was
> aflame!
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views19883 views since posted 1998; last edit 2025-09-30 13:00 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../allen_haifa_impressions;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
> Language
> English
> Permission
> public domain
> History
> Typed 1998 by Robert Stauffer and Nuri Beheshty.
> Share
> 
> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/712
> Citation: ris/712
> 
> select Collection:
> Archives
> Articles
> Articles-unpublished
> Audio
> Bibliographies
> BIC
> Biographies
> Books
> Chronologies
> Compilations
> Compilations-NSA
> Compilations-personal
> Documents
> East-asia
> Encyclopedia
> Essays
> Etc
> Excerpts
> Fiction
> Glossaries
> Guardian
> Histories
> Introductory
> Letters
> Maps
> Music
> Newspapers
> NSA-documents
> NSA-letters
> Personal
> Pilgrims
> Poetry
> Presentations
> Resources
> Reviews
> Scripts
> Software
> Statistics
> Study
> Talks
> Theses
> Transcripts
> Translations
> UHJ-documents
> UHJ-letters
> Video
> Visual
> Writings
> 
> home
> 
> sitemap
> 
> series
> 
> chronology
> 
> search:
> author
> 
> title
> 
> date
> 
> tags
> 
> adv. search
> languages
> 
> inventory
> 
> bibliography
> 
> abbreviations
> 
> links
> 
> about
> 
> contact
> 
> RSS
> 
> new
>
> — *Haifa Impressions (Used by permission of the curator)*