Introduction

Have you ever felt nervous about speaking in front of a large group of people? Have you ever been far away from home for a long time and felt homesick? Imagine traveling to a different country, thousands of miles from your home, and speaking to thousands of people at a time. Imagine that you speak a different language from your audience and wear clothing that looks strange to them. Now imagine talking to groups large and small almost every day, sometimes giving five speeches a day, for eight months. How would you feel?

‘Abdu’l-Bahá did all of these things with tremendous energy and joy. As the eldest Son of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had spent most of His life in exile and imprisonment. Like His Father, He was innocent of any crime. Officials persecuted Bahá’u’lláh, His family, and many of His followers in an effort to stop the growth of the Bahá’í Faith. Still, the new religion grew, and in time it reached North America.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to the United States when He was nearly sixtyeight years old, just a few years after gaining His freedom from imprisonment in the city of ‘Akká, located in what is now Israel. His health

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INTRODUCTION

was poor, but He amazed everyone with His strength and vitality. For eight months, He traveled across the country and into Canada, speaking about the Bahá’í Faith at colleges, in churches, in private homes, and in many other places. He covered more than five thousand miles. He spoke privately with hundreds of individuals. Friends offered Him money for His expenses, but He refused to accept any gifts for Himself. Instead, He encouraged people to give to the poor.

In North America at that time, it was unusual to have visitors from the Middle East. Though the Bahá’í Faith was not widely known, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá attracted a great deal of attention from newspapers. They called Him a “Persian Teacher of World Peace,” “Head of Newest Religion,” and “Famous Persian Religious Leader.”1

Among the small group of North American Bahá’ís, the effect of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit was powerful. A few had been able to make the ocean voyage to see Him, but for most, the trip was too costly. His journey was their only chance to see the leader of their Faith, Who had been appointed by Bahá’u’lláh to interpret His writings and guide the Bahá’ís after His passing.

The reflections of many of the Bahá’ís upon seeing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá convey their great admiration for Him. Many called Him “the Master,” a term Bahá’u’lláh Himself had used for His Son. One writer described ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s “humility, the never failing love,—but above all, the sense of power mingled with gentleness. . . .”2 Another wrote of His “majesty combined with exquisite courtesy. . . . Such gentleness, such love emanated from Him as I had never seen.”3 One Bahá’í described His “flashing eyes” that seemed to pierce the soul.4 Another wrote, “It seemed as though never before had anyone really seen me.”5

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His voice was described as “a resonant bell of finest timbre; never loud but of such penetrating quality that the walls of the room seemed to vibrate with its music.”6 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also had a lively sense of humor. A Bahá’í noted “His boyish hearty laughter” that “rang through the room. . . .”7 And a companion wrote of one of His talks, “I will never forget the joy and excitement of the audience. . . . peals of laughter could be heard outside the building.”8

Some people, including journalists, were confused about ‘Abdu’lBahá’s station and referred to Him as a “Prophet.” But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá always emphasized humility. Though His given name was ‘Abbás, He chose for Himself the title of “‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” which means “Servant of Bahá.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to the West to envelop the Bahá’ís in His loving embrace. He said that His friends in the East had urged Him not to make the difficult journey. They feared that His health could not bear the trip. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “When it is necessary, my body can endure everything. It has withstood forty years of imprisonment and can still undergo the utmost trials.” He told the Bahá’ís, “This long voyage will prove how great is my love for you.”9

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