31 / Unity among Religions

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Unity among Religions

Ma¥mud called ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk on October 12 “unique and magnificent. . . . Indeed, it can be counted as a miracle.”1 That was the day that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to two thousand people at the Jewish Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco.

The Congregation Emanu-El, as it is known today, was established in 1850, one of the first two Jewish temples in the city. In 1926, the congregation moved to a majestic new building that remains a landmark today.

Ma¥múd was impressed that many of the Jewish people, who did not accept that Jesus or Mu¥ammad were Messengers of God, gave a warm reception to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who came to introduce them to yet another divine Prophet. The leader of the congregation, Rabbi Martin Meyer, introduced ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with great respect, saying, “It is our privilege and a very high privilege indeed to welcome in our midst this morning Abdul-Baha, a great teacher of our age and generation.

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“The heart of the Orient seems to be essentially religious . . . and now and again, out of the heart of the Orient the fundamental religious message of the world is stated and restated. Abdul-Baha is the representative of one of the religious systems of life. . . . I know that what he will say will be of significance to us.”2

Ramona Allen was among the audience that day. She reported that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stood “between two lovely palm trees while a shaft of light from a window fell across Him and bathed Him in the morning sunshine.”3 He urged everyone present to join together in unity:

The greatest bestowal of God in the world of humanity is religion. . . . Religion confers upon man eternal life. . . . It opens the doors of unending happiness and bestows everlasting honor upon the human kingdom. . . .

I wish you to be fair and reasonable in your judgment, setting aside all religious prejudices. . . .

Today the Christians are believers in Moses, accept Him as a Prophet of God and praise Him most highly. The Muslims are, likewise, believers in Moses, accept the validity of His Prophethood, at the same time believing in Christ. . . . What harm could result to the Jewish people, then, if they in return should accept Christ and acknowledge the validity of the Prophethood of Mu¥ammad? . . . . . . You would lose nothing by such action and statement. On the contrary, you would contribute to the welfare of mankind. You would be instrumental in establishing the happiness of the

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world of humanity. . . . Our God is one God and the Creator of all mankind. . . . We acknowledge Him as a God of kindness, justice and mercy. Why then should we, His children and followers, war and fight, bringing sorrow and grief into the hearts of each other? God is loving and merciful. His intention in religion has ever been the bond of unity and affinity between humankind. . . .

The age has dawned when human fellowship will become a reality.

The century has come when all religions shall be unified.

The dispensation is at hand when all nations shall enjoy the blessings of international peace. . . .

For all mankind shall dwell in peace and security beneath the shelter of the great tabernacle of the one living God.4

After His talk, many people greeted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and thanked Him. Later, when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with the Bahá’ís at Helen Goodall and Ella Goodall Cooper’s home, He commented, “From the beginning of Christianity and Islam up to the present day, no one has spoken thus, proving the validity of Christ and Mu¥ammad in a Jewish temple and in a manner to which no one took exception. Rather, most were appreciative and content. This is none other than the assistance of Bahá’u’lláh.”5

Ma¥mud said, “The effect and influence of the address were such that from then on there was evidence of unity and communication between the Christians and Jews. They even made plans to visit each other’s places of worship to give talks about the unity of peoples and

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religions. Whenever they met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or attended Bahá’í gatherings, they expressed their gratitude from the depths of their hearts for this great Cause and its new teachings.”6

That afternoon, a special event for children had been planned. The rooms were filled with children and their parents and friends. The children sang a hymn, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave them candy and flowers. Then He gave each child and adult an envelope of rose leaves. Frances Orr Allen, Ramona Allen’s mother, wrote, “It was a beautiful afternoon. Truly one who has not seen Abdul-Baha with the children has missed a great deal.”7

The following day, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke at a reading room for the blind. Children and youth from a school in Berkeley and adults from an Oakland home joined the gathering. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told them that by being educated, the blind are given sight. He said that they must not be sad, because they had insight, which is divine and can see the beauty of God.

On the evening of October 16, over one hundred Bahá’ís gathered for a wonderful feast at the Goodall home. “The beautiful rooms were filled with tables, adorned with yellow chrysanthemums and pyramids of fruit. . . . Abdu’l-Baha requested that we partake of the food so bountifully provided, while he walked about speaking words of wisdom and love, giving us the spiritual food, for which we hungered. . . . It was the most spiritual meeting. Gathered under one roof were people of different nations and various nationalities, the young and old, all meeting in love and fellowship, and in devotion to the Servant of God in this day.”8

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‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent several days giving public talks and meeting with individuals and small groups. He said He was very pleased with San Francisco and enjoyed visiting Golden Gate Park. He especially liked looking at the growing flowers and walking along the shore of small lakes.

The Bahá’ís of Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, had begged ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to visit them, but He said it was impossible, because the distance was so great. He reassured them, “Send my love and good wishes to all the friends in Portland and Seattle and tell them that I am always with them. Meeting physically is as nothing compared with spiritual bonds. What is important is spiritual nearness.”9

Nevertheless, when they received this message, the Bahá’ís in those cities came to San Francisco to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They were unable to resist the opportunity to meet Him and experience His allencompassing love. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed His feelings in this way: “In my heart there is such love for the heavenly friends that I do not wish even a speck of dust to touch them. God forbid! If I see harm coming to one of you, I will throw myself in its path to shield you.”10

“The age has dawned when human fellowship will become a reality.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

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