# Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Stanwood Cobb, Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Washington, DC: Avalon Press, 1962, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > Memories of > > by > > STANWOOD COBB > Author of Character, Radiant Living, Tomorrow and Tomorrow, etc. > Memories > of > > by > > 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, so to speak, > and it was this meeting that brought me into the > Baha'i Faith in the summer of 1906. It happened that > being in the vicinity of Green Acre that summer I > made a pilgrimage there to see what it was all about. > 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 the lecture > hall now is located, was filled to capacity to hear > some famous sculptor from New York. I was not great- > ly interested in his lecture. It was not for the sake of > 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 her in Cam- > 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?" > "No," I answered. > "Well, go to that lady in a white headdress and > This was my general frame of mind when Mary > ask her to tell you about it. I know by your eyes that Lucas, the "woman in white" — a singer just back > you are ready for it." from visiting 'Abdu'1-Baha — took me under an apple > What had she seen in my eyes? I do not know. But tree on the sloping lawn and proceeded to unfold to > what she had read there proved true. For within half me the Persian Revelation. Her exposition was very > an hour from that moment I became a confirmed simple. It consisted of only these four words: "Our > Baha'i and have remained so ever since. Lord has come!"* > But it is of 'Abdu'1-Baha that I am writing, and not The moment Mary Lucas uttered those words I > of myself. How did it happen that 'Abdu'1-Baha, seven felt, This is it! How did it happen that I felt that way? > thousand miles away and a prisoner in 'Akka, could at The "woman in white" had not discoursed to me upon > such a distance confirm me with such immediacy into the spiritual character and greatness of 'Abdu'1-Baha, > the Baha'i Faith? nor upon the principles of the Baha'i Faith. How > It happened in this way. The path had been pre- great is the power of speech, when one simple ut- > pared, so to speak. For in reviewing books for the terance could sweep me — mind, heart and soul — > Boston Transcript which dealt with the prevailing and into that Faith! > rapidly increasing flaws in our present civilization, But it was more than these four words that em- > and the need of a better world order, I had begun powered Mary Lucas so to usher me into the Cause. > to debate deeply with myself on this matter of such It was more than speech itself. It was a unique spiritual > great universal concern. vibration which Mary Lucas had brought from 'Akka > It is true, I thought, that a new and better pattern that convinced me. And it was the strange cosmic > oj civilization needs to be devised. But even if such a dynamism with which her words were charged that > pattern — an ideal pattern — were conceived, who moved my soul. > could put it over? Could I, as a clergyman, hope to If 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself had stood under that apple > convert all my congregation to it? Much less could 1 tree and addressed me, I could not have been more > hope to convert the whole country. And no human convinced. For what is distance on the plane of spirit? > being could by any conceivable power of vision and Mary Lucas had brought the spirit of 'Abdu'1-Baha > of personality bring all humanity into such a kingdom with her. I felt it, and I was convinced. Especially > of perfection. as my own soul had already sought out and found > I still vividly remember how I was taking a long the answer to the world's dire needs: Someone must > walk in the beautiful suburb of Chestnut Hill, around appear with more than human authority. > the reservoir, when the solution of this problem flashed II > into my mind. Someone must appear with more than So that was my first meeting with 'Abdu'1-Baha — > human authority, in order to win the allegiance of the •Bahá'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith. > whole world to an ideal pattern for humanity. > strangely vicarious, perhaps predestined. The second large French windows at the farther end. I saw a > meeting — with 'Abdu'1-Baha in person while He was large desk there, but no person sitting at it. Only a > still a prisoner in 'Akka — took place in the following radiance of light. As we approached the end of the > way. In February of 1908 I had the great privilege room, a majestic figure in Oriental garb became evi- > of visiting Him in company with Lua Getsinger, fa- dent to me. It was 'Abdu'1-Baha. > mous in the annals of Baha'i history. Lua Getsinger, with the devotion of a Mary Magda- > I accidentally (or was it by destiny?) ran into Lua lene, fell to her knees and fervently kissed His robe. > on the steps of Shepard Hotel in Cairo, where I had But what was I to do? I am not one who can act > gone for a few days of travel during the midyear insincerely. Should I merely shake hands with Him? > holidays of Robert College (Constantinople), in which As I stood in hesitation 'Abdu'1-Baha, fully realizing > at that time I was teacher of English and Latin. my predicament, saved me from it by taking me in > "What are you doing here?" asked Lua in great His arms and embracing me. > surprise. "You are welcome!" He said. > "What are you doing here?" I asked, in equal Every evening at dinner 'Abdu'1-Baha, who did not > surprise. eat at that time, helped to serve us. He went around > It seems that Lua was on a pilgrimage to 'Akka, from guest to guest, putting more food upon the > and she urged me to leave off my travels in Egypt plates. This is the height of Oriental hospitality, to > and join her. I explained that I had written 'Abdu'l- serve an honored guest with one's own hands. > Baha for permission to visit, but had been answered When the meal was over, 'Abdu'1-Baha would give > that at that time it was not advisable. us a brief talk on spiritual themes. I regret I have > "But I have standing permission to take anyone not a memory sufficient to recall all that He said. > with me," urged Lua. But I do recall two of these messages of spiritual > "But I have arranged a trip up the Nile with my wisdom. > friend Hussein." "It is not enough to wish to do good. The wish > "What is a trip up the Nile compared with the should be followed by action. What would you think of > privilege of visiting the Master?" a mother who said, 'How I love you, my babe!' — yet > Lua's logic was convincing and her ardor compel- did not give it milk? Or of a penniless man, who said, > ling. Twenty-four hours later saw me ensconced in a 'I am going to found a great university!' " > room adjoining 'Abdu'l-Baha's in the historic "prison On another occasion He spoke of the need for loving > of 'Akka," in reality a large compound enclosed within patience in the face of aggravating behavior on the > walls. part of others. "One might say, 'Well, I will endure > My first meeting with 'Abdu'1-Baha was bewilder- such-and-such a person so long as he is endurable.' > ing. We were ushered into a long study, lighted by But Bahá'is must endure people even when > they are unendurable?' > Three extraordinary qualities which characterized overwork at Dartmouth. I had been earning my way > all of 'Abdu'l-Baha's utterances were to be found in through Dartmouth, and also at the Harvard Divinity > these two brief conversations: His supreme logic; School. At times I would feel so depressed that I > His delightful sense of humor; and the inspiring buoy- should have been glad to have found a hole in the > ancy with which He gave forth solemn pronounce- ground, crawled into it, and pulled the hole in after > ments. me. I understood at such times the Hindu craving for > For instance, when He said, "But Baha'is must en- extinction. > dure people even when they are unendurable," He 'Abdu'1-Baha came into my room one morning with- > did not look at us solemnly as if appointing us to an out His translator. He sat beside me and took one of > arduous and difficult task. Rather, He beamed upon us my hands in both of His and held it for a minute or > delightfully, as if to suggest what a joy to us it would two. He had not at any time inquired as to my health. > be to act in this way! He knew. From that moment on I found myself perma- > / want to emphasize this important point — the joy- nently relieved of these depressive moods. No matter > ousness with which 'Abdu'l-Bahd always depicted the how hard the going, I have always since then been glad > spiritual life as He enjoined it upon us. And why not? to be alive. > Is man's spiritual life not in reality more joyous than At last, all too soon, the time came to go. The three > any other kind of life that he can lead? days assigned for our visit had come to an end. I > This philosophy of joy was the keynote of all of shall never forget how Lua Getsinger sobbed as if her > 'Abdu'l-Bah&'s teaching. "Are you happy?" was His heart would break as she slowly descended the long > frequent greeting to his visitors. "Be happy!" flight of steps, looking back frequently at 'Abdu'1-Baha > Those who were unhappy (and who of us are not at Who stood benignly at the top. > times!) would weep at this. And 'Abdu'1-Baha would And I shall never forget how joyously 'Abdu'1-Baha > smile as if to say, "Yes, weep on. Beyond the tears is smiled at Lua's tears, knowing that they were more > sunshine." precious than pure gold. For they were the complete > And sometimes He would wipe away with His own offering, at that moment, of Lua's heart and soul to > hands the tears from their wet cheeks, and they the Master — the instinctive expression of her great > would leave His presence transfigured. love. 'Abdu'1-Baha knew that these were not tragic > * * * tears. They were like the vernal showers that prel- > 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 disciplinary > lege was one of the most glorious periods of my > troubles. That was one of the reasons for my diversion- > life. Never had the birds sung so sweetly, the flowers > ary trip to Egypt. Also I had been slowly recovering > 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 to walk the rest of the way for the sake of exercise. > troubles at the college, they vanished like mist which All of the Persian pilgrims stood in their customary > the sunshine dispels. My pupils, some of whom had reverential attitude, awaiting His approach with bowed > been carrying knives and revolvers, loved me again and heads and arms crossed upon their breasts. I alone, > more than ever. Such was the magic power that I as an American, took the privilege of watching Him > brought from 'Akka. as He approached, enjoying the majesty of His move- > 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 Some power emanating from Him seemed to obligate > the summer of 1910, and this time at His own in- this attitude. So had Professor E. G. Browne, the > vitation. I was given the privilege of spending a only Occidental ever to visit Baha'uTlah, felt obligated > week there, in the Persian guest house on the slopes to bow his head in the presence of the Prophet. > of Mt. Carmel. 'Abdu'1-Baha at this time was living This power emanating from 'Abdu'1-Baha was not > in Haifa in the home built for Him by Mrs. Jackson, expressed for the purpose of producing submission. > having been freed from His imprisonment by the It was a power which He never expressed to non- > Young Turks in the summer of 1908. The oppressive Baha'is. Let us say, rather, that it was a privilege > and cruel governor who had in vain sought graft He gave us, of seeing a little behind the veil; of > from Him and had threatened to send Him to the experiencing the direct effect of that Cosmic Power > malign dungeons of Tunis, had himself met the fate which in this early period of our development seems > he had designed for 'Abdu'1-Baha — the fate of death, supernormal, however normal it may become to us at > and at the hands of the Young Turks. And 'Abdu'l- some distant future stage of our soul's development. > Baha was enjoying, for the first time since His boy- > No, 'Abdu'1-Baha never put forth any of His spiritual > hood, the luxury of freedom. > power to dazzle, persuade or overawe sceptics or un- > He seemed to me more noble in countenance, more > believers. Of this fact I shall later give a vivid in- > 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 room, > and gave a spiritual discourse. On the day I arrived at Haifa I was ill with a > One afternoon I found the pilgrims waiting outside dysentery which I had picked up in the course of my > at the gate for 'Abdu'1-Baha. He had been making travels. 'Abdu'1-Baha sent His own physician to me, > a call upon the Turkish consul and was expected and visited me Himself. He said, "I would that I > soon. After a few moments we saw His carriage stop could take your illness upon Myself." I have never > at the foot of the short hill, where He got out in order forgotten this. I felt, I knew, that in making this > remark 'Abdu'1-Baha was not speaking in mere terms But there is still another cause of illness, 'Abdu'l- > of sympathy. He meant just what He said. Baha went on to say. Illness may be caused by nervous > Such is the great love of the Kingdom, of which factors. Anything that shocks us or affects our nerves > 'Abdu'1-Baha spoke so often and so much. This is a may also affect our health. > love which is difficult, almost impossible, for us to > acquire — though we may seek to approximate its per- IV > fection. It is more than sympathy, more than empathy. All that has been written up to this point is a sort of > It is sacrificial love. introduction to the recording of my memories of > Looking back, it seems strange that 'Abdu'1-Baha 'Abdu'1-Baha on the occasion of His visit to this coun- > did not employ His healing power directly upon me, try in 1912. The purpose of this introduction is to show > as He had done on the occasion of my previous visit. what sort of a personage it was that on April 11, 1912, > He left me to the care of His physician and to the landed at the port of New York for an extended visit > prescribed medications. It took three days for me and lecture tour in this country. > to get on my feet again. Here was an Oriental in Oriental garb, a man Who > Why did He not restore me directly to health by had been prisoner most of His life, a character Whose > means of spiritual healing? There is some deep spir- life was for the most part lived on a spiritual plane > itual lesson here. It was not 'Abdu'l-Baha's province so lofty as to be almost beyond our comprehension. > to go about healing physical diseases. It was His How did this Servant of God meet, fit into and adjust > mission to expound the Teachings and express the to the objective, dynamic and materialistic life > spiritual potency of the world's Divine Physician. Phys- of America? > ical events and conditions are of less importance in 'Abdu'1-Baha, upon landing in New York and being > our lives than the development of our spiritual nature. surrounded by alert and inquisitive reporters, was > In regard to health in general, I will quote here a perfectly at home. And why not? Is there any limit > statement which 'Abdu'1-Baha had made to me on to the power of spirit? Was not 'Abdu'l-Baha's univer- > my previous visit: that health is the expression of sal spirit as capable of dealing with the fast-vibrating > equilibrium; that the body is composed of certain technological Occident as it had been in dealing with > elements, and that when these elements are in the the mystic and more spiritual Orient? We shall see, as > right proportion, health results; and that if there is this narrative continues, how He was "all things to > any lack or preponderance in these elements, sickness all men"; protean in His universality; thoroughly at > results. home in every environment. > Thus fifty years ago 'Abdu'1-Baha gave in a simple This majestic figure — in tarboosh, turban and flow- > statement to me all the truths which the new science ing robes — drew the newspaper men into His aura and > of biochemistry is now discovering. 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." > > — *Memories of 'Abdu'l-Baha (Used by permission of the curator)*