10 / Pure Hearts

10

Pure Hearts

‘Abdu’l-Bahá dearly loved children. He said, “There is nothing more delightful than the emotion one feels in embracing a sweet child, it makes one’s very ribs dilate.”1 Marzieh, the daughter of Florence and Ali-Kuli Khán, was four years old at the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journey to North America. With an adult’s help, she wrote to Him, “Dear ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, I love you. I hope you will come to see us.” ‘Abdu’lBahá replied by writing a message related to the meaning of her name: “O God, make her who is pleasing to God (Marzieh), well-pleased with God (Razieh). Inshá’lláh [God willing] I shall see her.”2 He signed the note and sent it back to her.

The Khán family had been among the few Bahá’ís waiting to greet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the train station in Washington, D.C. As with His arrival in New York, He wanted to avoid a large public scene. Florence Khán bought flowers for her children to give Him—red roses from Marzieh, and violets from her older brother, Rahim, who was about

65

VOYAGE OF LOVE

six. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá held Marzieh on His lap in the car. When Florence peered at them through the window, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá pointed to Marzieh, and His “smile was so happy and loving that Florence could not believe it was for her.”3

‘Abdu’l-Bahá often played with Marzieh, tugging at her curls affectionately as He talked with adults around them. Florence said, “Marzieh stuck to Him like . . . plaster.”4 Years later, Marzieh remembered “an atmosphere about Him, an electric feeling of something always going on.”5 She also wrote, “With Him, there was room for every one, no matter how heavy His own work load, or how weary His body, no matter how small the person was, or how unnoticed by the world.”6

‘Abdu’l-Bahá agreed to have His photo taken with Marzieh, Rahim, and their younger sister, Hamideh. Florence carefully dressed them in their best clothing. The photographers arranged the three children around ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He put His arms around Hamideh, and gave her some candy. The children had to hold very still. There was a bright flash of light and a loud noise as the explosive flash powder was lit. A puff of smoke followed, and the moment had been preserved on film.

Another Washington child who enjoyed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s attention was Agnes Parsons’s younger son, who was named Jeffrey, like his father. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Jeffrey looked at the boy’s toys, books, and pictures, and they went to the roof garden of the Parsonses home. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also gave Jeffrey a Persian inkwell.

The Washington Bahá’ís held a weekly Sunday school at Studio Hall, the home and gallery of Alice Barney-Hemmick. Alice was the mother of a Bahá’í woman and was supportive of the Bahá’í community.

66

PURE HEARTS

She was also an accomplished painter and a patron of the arts in Washington.

On April 24, more than one hundred children gathered at Studio Hall for a special meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. One observer called this “one of the most beautiful functions of the week. . . .”7 The meeting opened with songs by the children. He gave each one a piece of candy and said, “Praise be to God! These children are like a bouquet of roses in their utmost beauty, delicacy and sweetness.”8 Then He spoke to the children, along with their parents and other visitors:

What a wonderful meeting this is! These are the children of the Kingdom. The song we have just listened to was very beautiful in melody and words. The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure, and melodies have great influence in them. . . . It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art the melodies of instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. . . .

Today illumined and spiritual children are gathered in this meeting. . . . They have pure hearts. They have spiritual faces. . . . That is why Christ has addressed the world, saying, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven”—that is, men must become pure in heart to know God. . . . The hearts of all children are of the utmost purity. . . .

67

VOYAGE OF LOVE

I pray in behalf of these children . . . so that each one may be trained under the shadow of the protection of God, each may become like a lighted candle in the world of humanity. . . . that they may become characterized with such virtues, perfections and qualities that their mothers, fathers and relatives will be thankful to God, well pleased and hopeful. . . . . . . Therefore, make ye an effort in order that these children may be rightly trained and educated and that each one of them may attain perfection in the world of humanity. Know ye the value of these children, for they are all my children.9

After ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk, each child calmly and politely walked forward to meet Him. He embraced and blessed each one lovingly. But when it was Marzieh Khán’s turn, she “exploded from her chair, bolted to Him, ran between His knees, banged her head against His breast, and then bolted back,” as the audience chuckled at her enthusiasm.10

Agnes Parsons urged her son Jeffrey to greet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, too. But Jeffrey said, “I live in the house with Him.”

Agnes said, “You would like to do what the others are doing, would you not?”

So Jeffrey went forward, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hugged him. Jeffrey returned to his mother with “flushed cheeks and radiant eyes.” He said, “It is like Jesus and the little children.”11

“Know ye the value of these children, for they are all my children.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

68