‘Abdu’l-Bahá's journeys to the West

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, during his trip to the United States

‘Abdu’l-Bahá's journeys to the West were a series of trips ‘Abdu’l-Bahá undertook starting at the age of 67 from Palestine to the West from 1910 to 1913. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was imprisoned at the age of 8 and suffered various degrees of privation most of his life. Late in life he witnessed the relative ease of his father, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, in the last decade of his life, was himself appointed head of the religion, and was then suddenly freed at the age of 64 as a ramification of the Young Turk Revolution in 1908. During 1909 he saw to the early phase of the erection of the Shrine of the Báb and entombment of its occupants, and in 1910 transitioned his family residence to Haifa, near to the Shrine of the Báb. In 1910 he began to take steps to personally present the religion to the West. At first interested visitors came to him in relative ease in Egypt and then he began undertaking a series of trips to Europe and North America.

At the time the major centers of Bahá’í population and scholarly activity were mostly in Iran and north. By the early 1900s the community of Azerbaijan, now centered in Baku, numbered perhaps 2000 individuals and several Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assemblies. In Turkmenistan the number of Bahá’ís in the community in Ashgabat rose to 4,000 (1,000 children) by 1918 with its own hospitals, schools, workshops and newspapers. In Uzbekistan a community of Bahá’ís in Tashkent had expanded to about 1900 members, supporting a library, Persian and Russian language schools, and publishing Bahá’í literature. By 1938, after numerous arrests and a policy of oppression of religion, most Bahá’ís were sent to prisons and camps or sent abroad and Bahá’í communities across the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

Meanwhile in the Occident the religion had been introduced in the late 1890s in several locales and was begun amidst division and strife. Though significantly recovered by 1910 the religions followers still numbered less than thousands across the entire West. With his visits, the small community was given a chance to consolidate and embrace a wider vision of the religion and attracted the attention of sympathetic attention from both religious, academic, and social leaders and newspapers and his talks became an important addition to the body of Bahá’í literature. In succeeding decades communities of Bahá’ís would take form across North and South America, Australasia, Subsaharan Africa and the Far East and the religion would return to the regions of the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. The West has also changed since then - some of the organizations he spoke to no longer exist, (Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration, and Bethel Literary and Historical Society,) though others, like the NAACP and Howard University continue. One country would be remade when Austria-Hungary split, and the roles of the military, economic and political powers of the twentieth century would change.

Soon there would be some sixteen specific historical accounts of his travels to the West. Among the last Bahá’ís to meet him in Palestine was Stanwood Cobb who arrived for pilgrimage in the summer of 1910 when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was still in Haifa. As arrangements were being made for the trip a message from Lady Blomfield extended an invitation for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when he was in London. During these journeys Bahiyyih Khánum, his sister, was given the position of acting head of the religion.

In the following the * Bold Dates/Places information comes from A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith by Peter Smith. Additional details with supplemental references in particular cases are included from comments of Shoghi Effendi, head of the religion after the death of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who designated some events of the trip as characterizing the importance of the trip of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Bahá’ís. These are noted in parenthesis.

First journey of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

• 1910 Leaves Haifa, ~29 Aug. for Port Said

‘Abdu’l-Bahá left Haifa for Port Said, Egypt, on August 29, 1910. He accompanied two visitors or pilgrims directly from the Shrine of the Báb down to the port where he took a ferry to Port Said about 4pm on the steamer "Kosseur London" and then telegrammed the Bahá’ís in Haifa that he was in Egypt. Shoghi Effendi was asked to come over 2 days later. While in Egypt there was increasingly positive coverage of him and the Bahá’ís from various Egyptian news outlets.

• Leaves Port Said for Alexandria about October 1 (also lives nearby in Ramlih) , until 11 Aug. 1911

‘Abdu’l-Bahá left Port Said for Alexandria about October 1. While in Alexandria he met with Briton Wellesley Tudor Pole in November who then joins the religion. Certainly by April 1911 Bahá’ís from America are asking for him to travel to America and he in return is encouraging the Bahá’ís to be unified. Russian/Polish Isabella Grinevskaya visited him in 1911 and leaves having joined the religion. In late April Africa-American Louis Gregory goes on pilgrimage and met with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá while he was in Ramla|Ramleh until early May when Gregory returned to America through Europe. Later in May ‘Abdu’l-Bahá moved to Cairo. In June he suggested in a letter that if conditions among the Bahá’ís in America improve enough then his presence will solve more problems.

The entire Star of the West vol 2 no 9, the main serial magazine covering the religion in the West at the time, was devoted to presentations by leading Bahá’ís on July 26–29, 1911, to the First Universal Races Congress held in London. Instead of attending himself he sent a representative, Tamaddunu’l-Mulk, to speak to the conference with assistance of Wellesley Tudor Pole and a letter published in the collected papers previous to the Congress. Juliet Thompson reached London August 4 via the RMS Lusitania believing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would be there but found his representative.

First Journey to Europe

Then from August to December 1911 he went on the first European trip and then returned to Egypt. On the European leg of the trip first he goes to Lake Geneva on the border of France and Switzerland, then to Britain to several cities where he offers talks, then to Paris, France, and then to winter again in Egypt. The purpose of these trips was to support the Bahá’í communities in the West and to further spread his father's teachings.

Various memoirs cover this period including:

• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (2006). Paris Talks: Addresses Given by Abdul-Baha in 1911. UK Bahá’í Publishing Trust. pp. Part I of. ISBN 9781931847322.
• Blomfield, Lady (1975) [1956]. The Chosen Highway. London, UK: Bahá’í Publishing Trust. pp. 147–187, Part III (‘Abdu’l-Bahá), Chapters`Abdu'l-Baha in London and `Abdu'l-Baha in Paris. ISBN 0877430152.
• Thompson, Juliet (1983). The diary of Juliet Thompson. Kalimat Press. pp. 147–223, Chapter With ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Thonon, Vevey, and Geneva. ISBN 9780933770270. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

Lake Geneva

On August 11, 1911 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá boarded the SS Corsican, an Allan Line Royal Mail Steamer bound for Marseilles, France accompanied by secretary Mírzá Mahmúd, and personal assistant Khusraw. He is met by Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, a prominent early French Bahá’í.

• Lake Geneva region, 22 August – Sept 3rd, (no speaking engagements)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent a telegram to Thompson in London from Thonon-les-Bains on 22 August 1911; he and the representatives to the Universal Races Congress arrive at Thonon on August 27. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in Thonon-les-Bains in France for a few days. In Vevey ‘Abdu’l-Bahá offered a talk on the Bahá’í point of view on the immortality of soul and relationship of worlds and on the subject of divorce. Horace Holley met `Abdu’l-Bahá in Switzerland. While in Thonon, at the request of Mass'oud Mirza Zell-e Soltan, Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney introduced him to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Thompson shares comments of Hippolyte who heard Soltan's stammering apology for past wrongs. Soltan was responsible for the execution of King and Beloved of martyrs among others and was the eldest son of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (who himself ordered the Execution of the Báb.) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá embraced him and invited his sons to lunch. Thus Bahram Mirza Sardar Mass'oud and Akbar Mass’oud met with the Bahá’ís. Apparently Akbar was affected by meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Later ‘Abdu’l-Bahá takes an automobile ride into the countryside and Juliet speaks of taking ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Niagara Falls, a greater Fall than he was watching at the time.

Great Britain

• London, 4 – 23 September (evening of Sept. 10, first talk in the West)

While in London, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed at a residence of Lady Blomfield starting when he arrives on Sept 4, 1911, a Monday. On Tuesday the 5th and a few more days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was interviewed by an editor of the Christian Commonwealth, a weekly newspaper devoted to a liberal Christian theology. The editor was then also present at a meeting of Reverend Reginald John Campbell and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá whom Campbell then invited to speak at City Temple - all printed in the Sept. 13th edition of the Christian Commonwealth and reprinted in the Star of the West Bahá’í magazine. On hand were the editor of the Commonwealth, Hippolate Dreyfus-Barney acting as translator, Tamaddunu’l-Mulk acting as secretary, and other ladies.

Sept 9th he took a trip to Byfleet near Surrey where he visited Alice Buckton and Anett Schepel at their home. On the evening of Sept 10 he gave his first public talk in the Occident at City Temple The English translation was read by Wellesley Tudor Pole and the talk was printed in the Christian Commonwealth newspaper on Sept. 13th:

O noble friends; seekers after God! …The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are assured with the knowledge that this is a new day.

The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.

In the Hidden Words Bahá’u’lláh says, “Justice is to be loved above all.” Praise be to God, in this country the standard of justice has been raised; a great effort is being made to give all souls an equal and a true place.…

There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory. The blessing of the Eternal One be with you in all its richness, that each soul according to his measure may take freely of Him. Amen.

And while there he wrote

"This book is the Holy Book of God, of celestial Inspiration. It is the Bible of Salvation, the Noble Gospel. It is the mystery of the Kingdom and its light. It is the Divine Bounty, the sign of the guidance of God."

in the church Bible as was also quoted in Christian Commonwealth.

On September 17, at the invitation of Albert Wilberforce, Archdeacon of Westminster, he addressed the congregation of Saint John the Divine, in Westminster. He spoke on the subject of the kingdoms of mineral, vegetable, animal, humanity, and the Manifestations of God beneath God (for similar ideas see Great chain of being). Albert Wilberforce read the English translation himself. On the 28th ‘Abdu’l-Bahá returned to Byfleet again visiting Buckhorn and Schepel. He visited Bristol on the 23rd–25th for several receptions and meetings though less public. On one such meeting he mentioned "When a thought of war enters your mind, supress it, and plant in its stead a positive thought of peace." On the 30th he speaks to a Theosophical Society meeting with attendance of Annie Besant, Alfred Percy Sinnett, Eric Hammond (who also published a volume on the religion in 1909.) Back in London Alice Buckton visited him and he went to Church House, Westminster to see a Christmas mystery play Eager Heart that she had written. He was seen weeping at the part in the play when the character Eager Hear fails to listen to Jesus.

• Bristol, 23 – 25 September

He met with many leading individuals including David Graham Pole, Claude Montefiore, Alexander Whyte, Lady Evelyn Moreton as well as common people (one person who had no appointment was turned away though quickly ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called out "A heart has been hurt. Hasten, hasten, bring her to me!") A persistent person imposed himself without appointment. This was Rev. Peter Z. Easton, a Presbyterian in the Synod of the Northeast in New York and who had stationed in Tabriz from 1873 to 1880. Easton attempted to meet and challenge ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He made those around him uncomfortable and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá withdrew him to a private conversation and then he left. Later he was able to have printed a polemic attack on the religion, Bahaism — A Warning, in the Evangelical Christendom newspaper of London (Sept.-Oct. 1911 edition.) This was responded to by Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl in his book The Brilliant Proof written in Dec. 1911.

• London, 25 September – 3 October

A pastor of a Congregational church in the east end of London invited him to give an address one Sunday evening. He also visited to Oxford here he met the higher Bible critic, Dr. Thomas Kelly Cheyne. Though ill, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá embraced him and praised his life's work. News of his activity in Britain was covered in New Zealand in a couple publications.

On the 1st of October, 1911, he returned to Bristol to perform a wedding of Bahá’ís who had traveled from Persia and who brought humble gifts as well. At a farewell dinner Michael Ernest Sadler spoke his own salutations as well as sharing the English translation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's words.

On October 3 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left for Paris, France.

France

‘Abdu’l-Bahá, near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1913.

• Paris, 3 October – 2 December

Muhammad ibn `Abdu'l-Vahhad-i Qazvini and Seyyed Hasan Taqizadeh met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on several occasions in October 1911 in Paris. It was during one of the meetings with Taqizadeh that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá personally first spoke on a telephone.

The book Paris Talks, part I, records talks of his while in Paris. In it for almost every day from Oct 16 to Nov 26 he gives talks. A few days there were extra talks (Oct 20, 27, Nov 9) and there are a few days of no talks (Oct 29, Nov 11-14, 16, 18.) The substance of the volume is from notes by "S.L.B", Sara Louisa Blomfield, her two daughters and a friend.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá's first talk in Paris was on October 16. Later that same day guests gathered in a poor quarter outside Paris at a home for orphans by Mr and Mrs. Ponsonaille which was much praised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The talk on Oct 21st was of the sad news of the battle at Benghazi during the Italo-Turkish War, in Libya, saying in part "This earth is not man’s home, but his tomb. It is for their tombs these men are fighting. …. But war is made for the satisfaction of men’s ambition; for the sake of worldly gain to the few, terrible misery is brought to numberless homes, breaking the hearts of hundreds of men and women!" In the same talk he offered a wider statement on the positive: "I charge you all that each one of you concentrate all the thoughts of your heart on love and unity. When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.... When soldiers of the world draw their swords to kill, soldiers of God clasp each other’s hands! So may all the savagery of man disappear by the Mercy of God, working through the pure in heart and the sincere of soul. Do not think the peace of the world an ideal impossible to attain!"

On the 24th he addressed Krishna and a mission of universal love and fellowship. On Nov 26 he spoke at Charles Wagner's church Foyer de l-Ame. December 2 he leaves France for Egypt.

Journey of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to America

Railroads of the United States in 1918 - Project Gutenberg eText 16960

In the following year, he undertook a much more extensive journey to the United States and Canada, ultimately visiting some 40 cities, to once again spread his father's teachings. He arrived in New York City on 11 April 1912. While he spent most of his time in New York, he visited many cities on the east coast. Then in August he started a more extensive journey across to the West coast before starting to return east at the end of October. On 5 December 1912 he set sail back to Europe. Several people have taken note of the uniqueness of this trip - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá himself, author of 239 Days Dr. Allan L. Ward, and even a critic, Samuel Graham Wilson. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: "Up to the present time no one has traveled from Persia to America in this manner. Some have gone, but for personal gain and for trifling things. It may be said that it is the first voyage of the Easterners to America. I have strong hopes of divine assistance.... Hardships and disgrace in this path are, therefore, comforts and honor and the persecution of the soul, is a blessing." Ward says: "... never before during the formative years of a religion has a figure of like stature made a journey of such magnitude in a setting so different from that of His native land." Wilson says: "But Abdul Baha, except for Hindu Swamis, was the first Asiatic revelator America has received. Its hospitality showed up well. The public and press neither stoned the "prophet" nor caricatured him but looked with kindly eye upon the grave old man, in flowing oriental robes and white turban, with waving hoary hair and long white beard." One, though directly involved in the logistics for many meetings, would become "shamefully indifferent to his departure.... (his talks) came dangerously close near being ridiculous.... it is absurd for such moral milk for babes to be administered to justices of the Supreme Court, scholars, and public officials...", while another, who would be alone in a room with him and almost unable to speak any words in common, would forty three years later be able to mark his life before meeting him "much as the ten-year-old-child might be imagined to regard his matrix life, assuming him capable of that keen vision." Ultimately he met with David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford University; Rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise of New York City; the inventor Alexander Graham Bell; Jane Addams, the noted social worker; the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was touring America at the time; Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress; the industrialist and humanitarian Andrew Carnegie; Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor; the Arctic explorer Admiral Robert Peary; as well as hundreds of American and Canadian Bahá’ís, recent converts to the religion.

A large number of memoirs cover this period including:

• 'Abdu’l-Bahá (1982) [1922]. The Promulgation of Universal Peace (2nd ed.). US Bahá’í Publishing Trust. p. 513. ISBN 9780877431725. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
• Brown, Ramona Allen (1980). Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Recollections of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Faith in California. US: US Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0877431396.
• Gail, Marzieh (1991). Arches of the Years. George Ronald Publisher Ltd. pp. Chapters: 15 to 18. ISBN 978-0-85398-325-5.
• Ives, Howard Colby (1983) [1937]. Portals to Freedom. UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0853980136.
• Parsons, Agnes (1996). Hollinger, Richard (ed.). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America; Agnes Parsons' Diary. US: Kalimat Press. ISBN 9780933770911.
• Thompson, Juliet (1983). The diary of Juliet Thompson. Kalimat Press. pp. , Chapter ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America. ISBN 9780933770270. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Zarqáni, Mírzá Mahmúd-i- (1998) [1913]. Mahmúd's Diary: Chronicling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Journey to America. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0853984182.

Special mention should note the book 239 Days; `Abdu'-Bahá's Journey in America by Dr. Allan L. Ward which brings together various references including newspapers, magazines, and memoirs for a detailed review of this period and builds on Ward's 1960 PhD dissertation.

On the RMS Cedric

The RMS Cedric.

• Leaves Alexandria, 25 March

‘Abdu’l-Bahá boarded the RMS Cedric in Alexandria, Egypt bound for Naples on March 25, 1912. Others with him include Shoghi Effendi, Asadu'lláh-i-Qumí, Dr Amínu'lláh Faríd, Mírzá Munír-i-Zayn, Áqá Khusraw, and Mahmúd-i-Zarqání. During the voyage a member of the Unitarians onboard requested if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would send a message to them. He replied with a message announcing "… Glad tidings, glad tidings, the Herald of the Kingdom has raised His voice." This seems to be the first message he related. Through several conversations it was arranged by several passengers that he address a larger audience on the ship. The ship arrived in Naples harbor on March 28, 1912. On the 29th several Bahá’ís from America and Britain boarded the ship. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and his retinue did not disembark for fear of being confused with Turks during the ongoing Italo-Turkish War. Shoghi Effendi and two others were refused further passage by reason of a minor illness and were taken ashore. Though all were not convinced of the sincerity of the diagnosis and some presumed it was ill will against the voyagers as if they were Turkish ‘Abdu’l-Bahá observed "There is a wisdom in this matter which will become known later." The American Bahá’í community had sent thousands of dollars urging ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to leave the Cedric in Italy and travel to England to sail on the maiden voyage of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Instead he returned the money for charity and continued the voyage on the Cedric. While visiting Green Acre some time after the Titanic disaster, he met with a survivor. 'Did you know that this would happen?' she asked, to which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered "God inspires man's heart." From Naples the group sailed on to New York - ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Asadu'lláh-i-Qumí, Dr Amínu'lláh Faríd, Mahmúd-i-Zarqání, Mr and Mrs Percy Woodcock and their daughter from Canada, Mr and Mrs Austin from Denver, Colorado, and Miss Louisa Mathew (who would later marry Louis George Gregory). Other notables aboard included at least two Italian embassy officials; note ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was listed as an "author" on immigration paperwork. They passed Gibraltar on April 3. Many letters and telegrams were sent and received during the voyage as well as various tablets written.

New England

• New York, 11 – 20 April (goes to the Bowery)

The ship arrived in New York harbor on the morning of April 11 and telegrams were sent and received from assemblies to announce his safe arrival while the passengers was processed for quarantine. Bahá’ís who had gathered at the port were generally sent to gather at a home to visit later. Reporters interviewed him while he was onboard and he elaborated on the trip and his goals. However a few, Marjorie Morten, Rhoda Nichols and Juliet Thompson, hid themselves to catch a glimpse of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. While in New York he stayed at The Ansonia hotel. The first meeting with the Bahá’ís happened at the home of Edward B. Kinney, several blocks to the north west. The next talk was at Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt's. Newspapers covered his arrival including the New York Tribune and Washington Post. From April 11 until April 25 he gave at least one talk a day and most mornings and afternoons were spent meeting often one by one with visitors coming to his residence. Lua Getsinger helped correspond with various Bahá’ís about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá´s plans as they evolved.

Rev. Percy Stickney Grant invited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, through association with Juliet Thompson, to speak at Church of the Ascension which he did on the evening of April 14. The event was covered by the New Yord Times, New York Tribune and the Washington Post. The event caused a stir because, while there were rules in the Episcopal Church Canon forbidding someone of another ordination from preaching from the pulpit without the consent of the bishop, there was no provision against a non-ordained person offering prayer in the chancel.

Mary Williams, aka Kate Carew, known for caricatures and who had seen some of life's suffering with a divorce, was among those who visited with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and traveled with him for a number of days. She witnessed people who waited to see him individually as she did and his visit to the poor in the Bowery still on the 16th. She was very imppressed with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's generosity of spirit in bringing people of social standing to the Bowery as well as practicality that he then gave money to the poor while another reporter noted cynically mostly that a $100 of quarters only goes so far (note: Carew maintains it was $200 worth and that $100 in 1912 is over $2100 in 2010, thus a quarter is a little more than the value of a $5 bill in 2010.)

In Boston newspaper reporters asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá why he had come to America, and he stated that he had come to participate in conferences on peace and that just giving warning messages is not enough. A full page summary of the religion was printed in the New York Times. A booklet on the religion was published late April.

• Washington, D.C., 20 – 28 April (seating arrangements of Louis George Gregory at reception by the ambassador of Turkey; speaks at Bethel Literary and Historical Society, private meeting with Franklin MacVeagh, then Secretary of the United States Treasury and speaks to Howard University)

While in Washington DC a number of meetings took place as well as notable events. Just on the April 23rd ‘Abdu’l-Bahá attended several events. First he spoke at Howard University to over 1000 students, faculty, administrators and visitors - an event recently commemorated. Then he attended a reception by the Persian Charg-de-Affairs and the Turkish Ambassador - this is where the well known incident of moving the placenames ended up seating the only African-American present, Louis George Gregory, at the head of the table next to himself. Then he spoke publicly about the catastrophe of the Titanic sinking outlining several facets to ponder in relation to disasters while at the home of Agnes and Arthur Parsons. Then he spoke at a leading African-American institution of Washington DC, the Bethel Literary and Historical Society which had been planned out by the end of March (thanks to the work of Louis Gregory) that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was to visit the Washington DC based society. He continued to speak from the Parson's home to individuals and groups while in D.C. A Methodist minister suggested some of his listeners should teach him Christianity, though also judging him sincere.

Mid-West

• Chicago, 29 April – 6 May (attending the last session of the newly-founded Bahá’í Temple Unity; laying the dedication stone of the Bahá’í House of Worship near Chicago; speaks to fourth annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

On April 29 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in Chicago though later than anticipated to join in the national convention of Bahá’ís. Corinne True attended even though her last surviving son had died the prior evening. She had worked for decades and would continue to work for decades on raising the temple.

In dedicating the temple with a cornerstone brought by Nettie Tobin, he admonished that "The outer edifice is a symbol of the inner" which was built on "faith" and in the Bahá’í dispensation was dedicated to "unity". It was at the dedication ceremony of the laying of the cornerstone of the Bahá’í House of Worship that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed the prayer for America as it called:

O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.

The NAACP's print magazine The Crisis printed an article in May introducing the religion and in June noting his talk at the fourth national convention. Robert Sengstacke Abbott, an African American lawyer and newspaper publisher, met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when covering a talk of his during his stay in Chicago at Jane Addams' Hull House.

• Cleveland, 6 – 7 May

Saichiro Fujita, one of the first Bahá’ís of Japanese descent, was living in Cleveland working for a Doctor Barton-Peek, a female Bahá’í, but failed to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as he came through. Later on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá next trip west Fujita caught up and traveled with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the west coast and back east in the United States. While there he spoke at hotel twice and was interviewed by newspaper reporters. Among some who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, follow up trips by Louise Gregory and Alain Locke, would count some converts among the African-Americans there.

• Pittsburgh, 7 – 8 May

A speaking engagement in Pittsburg was arrange in early April through efforts of Martha Root. On June 17 a local newspaper published his concern about the ease of marriage and equality and partnership of spouses.

Back to North East

Mohonk Mountain House, a resort hotel located on the Shawangunk Ridge

• Washington, D.C., 8 – 11 May
• New York, 11 – 14 May (Montclair,NJ, 12 May)
• Lake Mohonk, NY, 14 – 16 May (speaks at Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration)

In middle May ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration and stayed at the Mohonk Mountain House (he had sent letters to the president and secretary of the conference for the conference the prior year.) His talk begins

"When we consider history, we find that civilization is progressing, but in this century its progress cannot be compared with that of past centuries. This is the century of light and of bounty. In the past, the unity of patriotism, the unity of nations and religions was established; but in this century, the oneness of the world of humanity is established; hence this century is greater than the past."

He then outlines a brief history of religious conflict and then mentions Bahá’í teachings from Bahá'u'lláh such as individual investigation of truth, the oneness of humanity, the complimentary role of religion and science, that religion should be the one bond to unite all society and if it produces strife and division, a cause of bloodshed and war and rapine, then irreligion is preferable to religion, the equality of women and men, the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty, and that humanity needs more than philosophy - that it needs is and evermore needs the breadth of the Holy Spirit. A reverend heard his presentation invited him and introduced him at a reception at another event on May 28. Elbert Hubbard also noted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the Mohonk conference. Other mentions in diaries and biographies recalling the time noted him at the conference as well.

• New York, 16 – 22 May
• Boston, 22 – 26 May (Worcester, MA, 23 May)
• New York, 26 – 31 May
• Fanwood, NJ, 31 May – 1 June
• New York, 1 – 3 June
• Milford, PA, 3 June
• New York, 4 – 8 June
• Philadelphia, 8 – 10 June
• New York, 10 – 20 June (announces designations City of the Covenant, Center of the Covenant on the 19th)

On June 18 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hosted a meeting at the MacNutt's home for the purpose of being filmed. Two films of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were taken. One or two recordings of his voice were taken as well. The first was by a production company that asked if they could film him for few minutes to appear in a newsreel the first week he arrived. He agreed over the objection of the Bahá’ís who felt the process was not socially proper. The second longer filming was done by Bahá’ís at the home of Howard MacNutt later on June 18. The one of these was incorporated into a 1985 documentary by the BBC TV unit in 1985 called "The Quiet Revolution" as part of the "Everyman" TV series. The second was also released and copied for Bahá’í communities overseas as a short movie called "Servant of Glory". Bahá’ís are cautioned to treat the viewing of these films with a respectful air. Lua Getsinger is easily seen. Juliet Thompson says she attended. Getsinger's clothing generally appears dark in period photos and the film, however in actuality her clothing was accented with a royal dark blue robe and hat with layers of panels and silk trimmings.

A special development came in June. Over several days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sat for a life-sized portrait by Juliet Thompson starting June 1. On another day of sitting for the portrait, June 19, Thompson witnessed Lua Getsinger given a mission of conveying ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's status in the religion as the Center of the Covenant (see Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) and that New York was the City of the Covenant (see perhaps 1992: Second Bahá’í World Congress.) When the group moved into the rest of the house Getsinger made the announcement and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá then spoke of Bahá'u'lláh's Kitáb-i-'Ahd and the Tablet of the Branch and declared His own station to be the 'Center of the Covenant' to those present. Following this announcement coverage in Star of the West noted "The time has come when the Bahais of the West should understand what is intended by "The Center of the Covenant" was the lead sentence of an article of the July 13, 1912 edition and followed by an editorial incorporating a letter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and an interview between Howard MacNutt and Badi'u'llah explaining the disagreement of Mírzá Muhammad `Alí, half brother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

• Montclair, NJ, 20 – 25
• New York, 25 – 29 June
• West Englewood, NJ (now Teaneck), 29 – 30 June (performs a Feast of Unity similar to a Nineteen Day Feast ) with Bahá’ís, Jews, Moslems, Christians, and Caucasians, African-Americans, Persians attended. Today the property is known as the Wilhelm Bahá’í Properties.

Among his comments were

"First, you must become united and agreed among yourselves. You must be exceedingly kind and loving toward each other, willing to forfeit life in the pathway of another’s happiness. You must be ready to sacrifice your possessions in another’s behalf. The rich among you must show compassion toward the poor, and the well-to-do must look after those in distress. In Persia the friends offer their lives for each other, striving to assist and advance the interests and welfare of all the rest. They live in a perfect state of unity and agreement. Like the Persian friends you must be perfectly agreed and united to the extent and limit of sacrificing life. Your utmost desire must be to confer happiness upon each other. Each one must be the servant of the others, thoughtful of their comfort and welfare. "

Among those to attend was Martha Root. For her it was a high point in her life and has since been commemorized as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's "Souvenir Picnic" (where the goal is to find unity). The modern boundaries put the cite in Teaneck, NJ. It is at this event that Lua Getsinger intentionally walked through poison ivy hoping to make her incapable of leaving the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when he asked her to travel ahead of him to California. The site was hit by a severe storm March 30, 2010.

• Morristown, NJ, 30 June
• New York, 30 June – 23 July (West Englewood, NJ, 14 July)
• Boston, 23 – 24 July
• Dublin, NH, 24 July – 16 Aug.
• Green Acre, Eliot, ME, 16 – 23 Aug. (blessing bestowed on the Open Forum at Green Acre)
• Malden, MA, 23 – 29 Aug.

First trip to Canada

• Montreal, Quebec, 30 Aug. – 9 Sept.

The early Canadian movement of Bahá’ís had not achieved a level of group identity - there were no adequate compilations of Bahá’í teachings for example. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's time in Canada helped create such a focus that the community was distilled from those interested in the religion. He mentioned an intention of visiting Montreal as early as February 1912 and in August a phone number was listed for inquirers to arrange appointments. He left Green Acre to Boston and then rode to Montreal where he arrived near midnight at the Windsor train station on Peel Street by William Sutherland Maxwell. On the next day among his visitors was Frederick Robertson Griffin who would later lead the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. Later that morning he visited a friend of the Maxwells who had a sick baby. In the afternoon he took a car ride around Montreal. That evening a reception was held including a local socialist leader. The next day he spoke at a unitarian church on Sherbrooke Street. Anne Savage recorded that she had sought him out but uncharacteristically was shy upon seeing him. He took up residence in the Windsor Hotel. The next day William Peterson, then Principal of McGill University visited him. After a day of meeting individuals he took an afternoon excursion on his own possibly to the francophone part of the city and back. That evening he spoke to a socialist meeting addressing "The Economic Hapiness of the Human Race" - that we are as one family and should care for each other, not to have absolute equality but to have a firm minimum even for the poorest, to note foremost the position of the farmer, and a progressive tax system. The next day he rode the Mountain Elevator of Montreal. The next day Paul Bruchési Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal visited him. Later he spoke at the Saint James United Church. His talk outlined a comprehensive review of the Bahá’í teachings. Afterwards he said:

I find these two great American nations highly capable and advanced in all that appertains to progress and civilization. These governments are fair and equitable. The motives and purposes of these people are lofty and inspiring. Therefore, it is my hope that these revered nations may become prominent factors in the establishment of international peace and the oneness of the world of humanity; that they may lay the foundations of equality and spiritual brotherhood among mankind; that they may manifest the highest virtues of the human world, revere the divine lights of the Prophets of God and establish the reality of unity so necessary today in the affairs of nations. I pray that the nations of the East and West shall become one flock under the care and guidance of the divine Shepherd. Verily, this is the bestowal of God and the greatest honor Template:Sic of man. This is the glory of humanity. This is the good pleasure of God. I ask God for this with a contrite heart.

Though ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had caught a cold and spent the 7th quiet in the hotel, the Harbor Grace Standard newspaper, of Harbour Grace, Dominion of Newfoundland, printed a story summarizing several of his talks and trips.

After he left, the Winnipeg Free Press highlighted his position on the equality of women and men. His 1912 visit to Montreal also inspired humorist Stephen Leacock to parody him in his bestselling 1914 book Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich. All together some accounts of his talks and trips would reach 440,000 in French and English coverage. He travelled through several villages on the way back to the States. Perhaps most interesting is that the train passed through the town of Belleville, Ontario at 1:47pm according to researcher Will C. Van den Hoonaard. A four-year-old Mohawk boy, Jimmy Loft, was sitting on a fence when the train went by. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took that moment to stand up and facing the window smiled and waved. Loft was so surprised he toppled off the fence. In May 1948 he became one of the first native Canadian Bahá’ís.

Return to United States

• Buffalo, NY, 9 – 12 Sept.

He made a fleeting visit to the Niagara Falls on 12 September 1912, during the stay in Buffalo.

• Chicago, 12 – 15 Sept.
• Kenosha, WI, 15 – 16 Sept.
• Chicago, 16 Sept.
• Minneapolis, MN 16 – 21 Sept.

Midwest to West

• Omaha, NB, 21 Sept.
• Lincoln, NB, 23 Sept.
• Denver, CO, 24 – 27 Sept. (marriage of Louis George Gregory and Louise Matthews back East)

While ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was traveling from Colorado to California, back in the east a marriage ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had encouraged from the passage on the Cedrec and repeated often took place - between Louis George Gregory and Louisa Matthew - on September 27.

• Glenwood Springs, CO, 28 Sept.
• Salt Lake City, UT, 29 – 30 Sept.

On Sept 29 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, accompanied by his translators and Saichiro Fujita and others stopped in Salt Lake City where he met with Bahá’ís and attended the Utah State Fair and visited the Mormon Tabernacle. During the Mormon’s annual convention, at the steps of the Temple, he was reported to have said: “They built me a temple but they will not let me in!” He left the next day and traveled by railcar to San Francisco, on what was then the Central Pacific Railroad, through Reno. Traveling all day through Nevada on it’s way to California, the train made regular stops but there’s no record of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá disembarking until his arrival in San Francisco. While traversing the Sierra Nevada, he made a reference to observing the snow sheds at Donner Pass and the struggle of the pioneering members of the Donner Party of 60 years earlier to illustrate the progress of the American West, personal endurance, perseverance and dedication.

California

• San Francisco, 1 – 13 Oct. (pilgrimage to the grave of Thornton Chase)

Around 30 Bahá’ís in what would become Glendale California outside LA had gathered together to elect the first Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly for Los Angeles. Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í, had only recently arrived three months earlier from the Chicago area and was enthusiastic to form the institution. Among its first members were Charles Haney, Nellie Phillips, Henrietta Clark Wagner, Rosa Winterburn and Thornton Chase. Unfortunately Chase died on the evening of September 30 shortly before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived October 1. He designated Chase's grave a place of pilgrimage, revealed a tablet of visitation (a prayer to say in remembrance of him), and decreed that his death be commemorated annually. Twenty-five Bahá’ís accompanied ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Thornton Chase's grave. The prayer to be said is:

 O my God! O my God! Verily, this is a servant of Thine, who did believe on Thee and in Thy signs; verily he harkened to Thy summons, turned to Thy Kingdom, humbled himself at Thy holy threshold, was possessed of a contrite heart, arose to serve Thy cause, to spread Thy fragrances, to promote Thy word, and to expound Thy wisdom.

 Verily he guided the people to Thine ancient pathway, and led them to Thy way of rectitude. Verily he held the chalice of guidance in his right hand and gave unto those athirst to drink of the cup of Thy favor. He presented himself at Thy lofty threshold, where he laid his brow on the fragrant soil of Thy garden and circumambulated Thy all-glorious and sublime abode, the traces of which are wide-spread and the fragrances of whose loyalty are sensed everywhere. Later he returned to these vast and extensive countries and proclaimed Thy name amongst the people, until his respiration ceased and his outward sensation was suspended, returning to Thee with a heart throbbing with Thy love and with an eye opened in Thy direction.

 O Lord! O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy glory. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into Thy delectable garden. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into Thy lofty paradise and cause him to be present in Thy meeting of transfiguration. O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy lights.

 Verily, Thou art the Clement! Verily, Thou art the Merciful, the Precious, the Omnipotent

• Pleasanton, CA, 13 – 16 Oct.
• San Francisco, 16 - 18 Oct. (? Leland Stanford University)
• Los Angeles, 18 - 21 Oct.

He stayed at the Hotel Lankershim while in Los Angeles where he was also able to give a talk.

• San Francisco, 21 – 25 Oct. (? speaks at Temple Emmanu-El)
• Sacramento, 25 –º 26 Oct.

• Brown, Ramona Allen (1980). Memories of ʹAbduʹl-Bahá: recollections of the early days of the Baháʹí faith in California. US Baháʹí Publishing Trust. ISBN 9780877431282. In California ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met first Bahá’í of Japanese descent, Kanichi Yamamoto, in San Francisco and addressed a Japanese Christian congregation. A painting was done by Berkeley portrait artist Francess Soule Campbell while he was on the west coast as well. Clyde and Clara Dunn attended meetings where Abdu'l-Bahá.

At a farewell dinner from Oakland on Oct. 16th ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose at the conclusion of a talk and directly proclaimed himself as the Center of the Covenant. An account was published in the November 4, 1912 edition of Star of the West.

Back across America

• Denver, 28 – 29 Oct.
• Chicago, 31 Oct. – 3 Nov.
• Cincinnati, OH, 5 – 6 Nov.
• Washington, D.C., 6 – 11 Nov.

On this return trip he was invited to speak at the Washington Hebrew Congregation at their temple on Nov. 9th.

• Baltimore, 11 Nov.

His coming to Baltimore was anticipated from early April and he spoke at a Unitarian church saying in part that "the world looked to America as the leader in the world-wide peace movement" and "not being a rival of any other power and not considering colonization schemes or conquests, made it an ideal country to lead the movement." His address was facilitated by Edward Struven.

• Philadelphia, 11 Nov.
• New York, 12 Nov. – 5 Dec.

On the evening of November 18, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rendered a matter with Howard MacNutt. A few years before MacNutt has personally seen evidence against ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's half brother both in terms of his faithfulness and honesty. However on a matter of theology there were still differences of opinion among the Bahá’ís which followers of this brother were commenting on. Some Bahá’ís viewed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the return of Jesus personally, others as just a man with no special station. In the afternoon of November 18, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kinney became the stage of a drama. "The Master put Howard MacNutt through a severe ordeal, an inevitable ordeal…" commented Juliet. According to Thompson ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had instructed MacNutt with a mission of going to Chicago to meet with the group of Bahá’ís who had associated themselves with Covenant Breakers and clarify their status in the religion. MacNutt failed to understand because of a convolution of theology and questions of loyalty and had avoided the issue, trying to justify his action in a letter to a Persian friend. The result was a dark shadow cast over the community, which since his return was shaken by arguments and uncertainty. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called MacNutt in his room, and after a while he was heard to sternly ordering MacNutt to publicly recognize his mistake and retract his words. "Go down and tell the people: I was like Saul. Now I am Paul, for I see." Though reluctantly, MacNutt went down the stairs to the large assembly of believers and, "his back shrunken…" barely audible, went through his retraction. During this time Thompson witnessed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá leaning over the stair rail, head thrown far back, eyes closed, in anguished prayer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá then called Mr. Kinney and others to his room and asked them to embrace Howard MacNutt, and from now on to work together promulgating the religion united and faithful to the covenant. The following night, someone gloated over MacNutt's chastisement. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sighed: "I immersed Mr. MacNutt in the fountain of Job last night." MacNutt's loyalty and service never failed after his ordeal. He went on as a dedicated teacher of his beloved Faith, until his and Mrs. Mary MacNutt's untimely death in a car accident. MacNutt saw through collecting and publishing of the talks of `Abdul-Bahá and wrote a summary of the station of `Abdul-Bahá in 1922. The Bahá’í magazine Star of the West devoted the whole issue of Vol 3, No. 14, of November 23, 1912, to the subject of the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Center of the Covenant with three articles by Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl, reprints of the Kitáb-i-`Ahd and Tablet of the Branch by Bahá'u'lláh, and an article by Abdul Karim.

Later in November ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a suffragette group elaborating on the equality of women and men.

Journey of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Europe

Back in Europe, he visited Britain, France, Austria-Hungary, and Germany. Finally on 12 June 1913 he returned to Egypt.

Several memoirs cover this period including:

• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (2006). Paris Talks: Addresses Given by Abdul-Baha in 1911. UK Bahá’í Publishing Trust. pp. Part II. ISBN 9781931847322.
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1987) [1912]. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London; Addresses & Notes of Conversations. UK Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0900125896.
• Blomfield, Lady (1975) [1956]. The Chosen Highway. London, UK: Bahá’í Publishing Trust. pp. 147–187, Part III (‘Abdu’l-Bahá), Chapters `Abdu'l-Baha in London and `Abdu'l-Baha in Paris. ISBN 0877430152.
• Gollmer, Werner (1988). `Abdu'l-Baha in Germany. Baháʼ í-Verl. ISBN 9783870372156.
• Khursheed, Anjam (1991). The Seven Candles of Unity; The Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Edinburgh. London, UK: Bahá’í Publishing Trust of the UK. p. 246. ISBN 1870989120.
• Sohrab, Ahmad. Abdu'l-Bahá in Edinburgh; The Diary of Ahmad Sohrab; 6 Jan 1913 - 10 Jan 1913 (PDF). David Merrick. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• "Abdu'l-Bahá's Visit to Edinburgh 1913" (PDF). based on Sohrab's Diary and The Seven Candles of Unity. 2007-06-22. Retrieved 10-16-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)

Isle of Britain

• Liverpool, England, 13 – 16 Dec.
• London, 16 Dec. – 6 Jan. 1913 (Oxford, 31 Dec.)

On Jan 2nd, he spoke on women's suffrage to the Women's Freedom League - part of his address and print coverage of his talk noted the examples of Táhirih (or Qurratu'l-`Ayn), Mary Magdalene, and Queen Zenobia to the organization.

• Edinburgh, 6 – 10 Jan.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá left London by the Euston Station at 10am and arrived in Edinburgh at 6.15pm where he was met by Jane Elizabeth Whyte, notable Scottish Bahá’í, wife of Alexander Whyte, and others. While in Edinburgh he and his associates stayed at the Georgian House of #7 Charlotte Square. While in Edinburgh several stories appeared in The Scotsman. On 7 Jan 'Abdu'l-Baha visited the Outlook Tower, then out on a driving tour of some of Edinburgh and the nearby countryside and in the afternoon he met with students of the University of Edinburgh in the library of 7 Charlotte Sq, followed by a talk to the Edinburgh Esperanto Society in the Freemason's Hall. The meeting in the library was run by Alexander Whyte who said "Dear and honoured Sir, I have had many meetings in this house, but never have I seen such a meeting It reminds me of what St. Paul said, ' God hath made of one blood all nations of men,' and of what our Lord said, ' They shall come from the East and the West, from the North and the South, and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God.'" Newspaper coverage lead to a stream of visitors to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Jan 8th. He next spoke at the Edinburgh College of Art, then North Canongate School, in the afternoon and then in the evening at Rainy Hall, part of New College followed by a viewing of Handel's Messiah in St Giles' Cathedral. Visitors again come on the 9th, another car tour, and then a talk on the equality of women, and a talk and dinner with the Theosophical society hosted by David Graham Pole. That night and or early the next morning ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote a letter to Andrew Carnegie. The letter commented on reading The Gospel of Wealth. Some of the tablet is published in Selections of the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

O respected personage! I have read your work, The Gospel of Wealth, and noted therein truly apposite and sound recommendations for easing the lot of humankind.

To state the matter briefly, the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh advocate voluntary sharing, and this is a greater thing than the equalization of wealth. For equalization must be imposed from without, while sharing is a matter of free choice.

Man reacheth perfection through good deeds, voluntarily performed, not through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him. And sharing is a personally chosen righteous act: that is, the rich should extend assistance to the poor, they should expend their substance for the poor, but of their own free will, and not because the poor have gained this end by force. For the harvest of force is turmoil and the ruin of the social order. On the other hand voluntary sharing, the freely-chosen expending of one’s substance, leadeth to society’s comfort and peace. It lighteth up the world; it bestoweth honour upon humankind.

I have seen the good effects of your own philanthropy in America, in various universities, peace gatherings, and associations for the promotion of learning, as I travelled from city to city. Wherefore do I pray on your behalf that you shall ever be encompassed by the bounties and blessings of heaven, and shall perform many philanthropic deeds in East and West. Thus may you gleam as a lighted taper in the Kingdom of God, may attain honour and everlasting life, and shine out as a bright star on the horizon of eternity.

The Gospel is also annotated at length by other Bahá’ís. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá again sent a letter to Carnegie in 1915.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá and his associates leave Edinburgh mid-morning on the 10th.

• London, 10 – 15 Jan.
• Bristol, 15 – 16 Jan.
• London, 16 – 21 Jan. (Woking, 18 Jan.)

Talk Given at 97 Cadogan Gardens, London, England, 16 January 1913

Continental Europe

• Paris, 22 Jan. – 30 March

In February 1913 he met with a group of Pairs professors and theological students at Pasteur Henri Monneir's Theological Seminary. Pasteur Monnier was a distinguished Protestant theologian, vice-president of the Protestant Federation of France and professor of Protestant theology in Paris. While many of the original notes of the talks have been lost some have been kept and secondary versions have been printed. At the meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá responded to questions from Pasteur Monnier - on the nature of Christ, the relationship and similarities between the cause of Bahá'u'lláh and Christ, the relationship of Bahá'u'lláh and Christ with God, the possibility of the unity of religion and whether or the Bahá’í aim is to found a new religion.

• Stuttgart, 1 – 8 April (Bad Mergentheim, 7 – 8 April)

He visited Germany for 8 days in 1913, including visiting Stuttgart, Esslingen and Bad Mergentheim. During this visit he spoke to a youth group as well as a gathering of Esperantists and responded to a marching parade of soldiers observing that the heavenly army is called for: "Ye shall scatter the forces of ignorance. Your war confers life; their war brings death. "

• Vienna, 8 April
• Budapest, 9 – 19 April
• Vienna, 19 – 24 April
• Stuttgart, 25 April – 1 May
• Paris, 2 May – 12 June
• Marseilles, 12 – 13 June

• Part II of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (2006). Paris Talks: Addresses Given by Abdul-Baha in 1911. UK Bahá’í Publishing Trust. ISBN 9781931847322.
• Gollmer, Werner (1988). `Abdu'l-Baha in Germany. Baháʼ í-Verl. ISBN 9783870372156.

Return to Egypt

• Port Said, 17 June – 11 July
• Isma'iliyyah(aka Ismailia), 11 – 17 July
• Alexandria (Ramlih), 17 July – 2 Dec.
• Returns to Haifa, 5 Dec.

The final return of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from the West includes his remaining six months before returning to Haifa. The main account of this period is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1929). Abdul Baha in Egypt. New York, USA: New History Foundation. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

See also

• Events in the years 1910, 1911, 1912, and 1913
• 1910 in rail transport, 1911 in rail transport, 1912 in rail transport, 1913 in rail transport
• Bahá’í Faith in the United Kingdom
• Bahá’í Faith in Germany

References

• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1911). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London. London, UK: Bahá’í Publishing Trust: 1982. ISBN 0900125500.
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1912). Paris Talks (Hardcover ed.). Bahá’í Distribution Service: 1995. ISBN 1870989570.
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1912). The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Hardcover ed.). Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá’í Publishing Trust: 1982. ISBN 0877431728.
• Balyuzi, H.M. (2001), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh (Paperback ed.), Oxford, UK: George Ronald, ISBN 0853980438
• Blomfield, Lady (1975) [1956], The Chosen Highway, London, UK: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, ISBN 0877430152
• Smith, Peter (2000). "‘Abdu’l-Bahá" (PDF). A concise encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith. Oxford: Oneworld Publications. ISBN 1-85168-184-1. http://www.oneworld-publications.com/pdfs/Encyclo_Baha.pdf. 
• Thompson, Juliet (1983). The diary of Juliet Thompson. Kalimat Press. p. 396. ISBN 9780933770270. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Zarqáni, Mírzá Mahmúd-i- (1998) [1913]. Mahmúd's Diary: Chronicling ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Journey to America. Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0853984182.
• Speaks to Abdu'l-Baha's economics Mcglinn, Sen (April 22, 2011). "Abdu'l-Baha's British knighthood". Sen McGlinn's Blog. Retrieved 2011-04-26.

External links

• Professor Bushrui, Suheil Badi (2011). `Abbas Effendi and Egypt (in Arabic). Al-Kamel Verlag. ISBN 978-3-89930-381-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
• BWNS: 100 years ago, historic journeys transformed a fledgling faith (30 August 2010).
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (August 2011). The Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in France and Switzerland. Paris, FR: Librairie Bahá’íe. ISBN 2-912155-25-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Jasion, Jan T (August 2011). On the Banks of the Seine:The History of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in France and Switzerland, 1911 and 1913. Paris, FR: Librairie Bahá’íe. ISBN 2-912155-26-6.
• Jasion, Jan T (August 2011). They all Witnessed His Triomph: A Biographical Guide to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's Western Travels. Paris, FR: Librairie Bahá’íe. ISBN 2-912155-32-0.
• ‘Irfán Colloquium #97 (English) Centre for Bahá’í Studies: Acuto, Italy on July 3–6, 2010 - the beginning of a four year centenary celebration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's talks, and significant events associated with his historic travels to the West (1911–1913)

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