30 / At the Home of Science

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At the Home of Science

Lua Getsinger was among the Bahá’ís who were overjoyed to welcome ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to California. She wrote to a friend, “How much more than a thousand times I am repaid for all the work I have done here the last year and a half!” She felt that she had planted seeds of faith, and that “He has watered my garden . . . with such a power as to produce in a single day and night the most wonderful flowers and fruit.”

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited Leland Stanford Junior University in Palo Alto, California, on October 8, Lua called it “a most wonderful day.”1 About 1800 students and 180 professors, along with other leaders, gathered to hear Him.

Stanford University was founded by Leland and Jane Stanford. Leland had made a fortune in the railroad business, had been elected the governor of California, and had served on the United States Senate for eight years. The couple’s only child, Leland Stanford Jr., died of typhoid fever at age fifteen, and the school was established in his memory.

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Stanford University opened its doors in 1891. Stanford was unusual because it allowed both women and men to attend, at a time when most colleges were for men only. It was also not associated with a religious organization, like most other universities.

Stanford’s first president, David Starr Jordan, still held that position at the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit. Jordan was a brilliant scientist and administrator. He also traveled and spoke about world peace, in addition to publishing a number of books.

While introducing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Dr. Jordan, said, “It is our portion to have with us, through the courtesy of our Persian friends, one of the great religious teachers of the world. . . .

“He has upwards of three millions of people following along the lines in which he leads. It is not exactly a new religion, however. The religion of brotherhood, of good will, of friendship between men and nations—that is as old as good thinking and good living may be. It may be said in some sense to be the oldest of religions.”2

‘Abdu’l-Bahá then spoke to the audience gathered that day:

The greatest attainment in the world of humanity has ever been scientific in nature. It is the discovery of the realities of things. Inasmuch as I find myself in the home of science—for this is one of the great universities of the country and well known abroad—I feel a keen sense of joy.

The highest praise is due to men who devote their energies to science, and the noblest center is a center wherein the sciences and arts are taught and studied. . . .

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According to the limitations of his physical powers man was intended by creation to live upon the earth, but through the exercise of his mental faculties, he removes the restriction of this law and soars in the air like a bird. He penetrates the secrets of the sea in submarines and builds fleets to sail at will over the ocean’s surface, commanding the laws of nature to do his will. All the sciences and arts we now enjoy and utilize were once mysteries. . . .

For example, electricity was once a hidden, or latent, natural force. It would have remained hidden if the human intellect had not discovered it. . . . The East can communicate with the West in a few minutes. . . . Man takes the human voice and stores it in a phonograph. . . . Man has broken the laws of nature and is constantly taking out of nature’s laboratory new and wonderful things. . . .

I supplicate God that He may confirm and assist you, that each one of you may become a professor . . . in the world of scientific knowledge, a faithful standard-bearer of peace. . . .

It is my hope that you who are students in this university may . . . enjoy the most perfect companionship one with another, even as one family—as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers—associating together in peace and true fellowship.3

After His talk, Ma¥múd said, “the entire audience was overcome with admiration. The applause shook the building to its very foundation.” Dr. Jordan said, “We are all under very great obligation to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for this illuminating expression of the brotherhood of

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man and the value of international peace. I think we can best show our appreciation by simply a rising vote of thanks.” The audience stood and clapped their hands and stomped their feet to show their appreciation for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk.4

On Friday, November 1, the local newspaper, The Palo Altan, was entirely devoted to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit. One article reported, “It seemed to be a notable day when Abdul-Baha from the far country of the Orient met Dr. David Starr Jordan of the far western shore, both carrying the standard of international peace and universal brotherhood. . . . Abdul-Baha carries the message of religion and Doctor Jordan carries the message of science, both aiming for one great result. As all men are the children of one God, so are they all brothers, and we are at the dawning of a new day when the relationship of world fraternity will be seen and recognized.”5

‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to the editor of The Palo Altan, Mr. H.W. Simkins, saying, “At the time I met you and felt the susceptibilities of your conscience my heart and soul became greatly attached. . . . Your visit gave me the utmost happiness. The address delivered in Stanford University and published completely in your paper was observed today—and on account of it I became both pleased and grateful. . . . I shall never forget your cordiality, and as long as life lasts I shall remember you. I beg of God, that that dear friend (yourself) may become like unto a shining star in the horizon of Reality, and become the cause of bestowing spiritual life upon the world of humanity.”6

Lua Getsinger felt revitalized by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit. She said that “His pure and holy thought—became crystallized jewels of speech—

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scattered so profusely as to transform Cal[ifornia]—from the Golden State to the Diamond State—leaving every searching heart therein studded with precious gems.”7

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