| date |
event |
tags |
firsts |
| 1912 30 Apr |
Talk at Hull House, Chicago, Illinois where He spoke about racial unity. Hull House was a immigrant community centre, one of the earliest in Chicago, founded by Jane Addams of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. [PUP67, MD70; 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Historic Meeting with Jane Addams by Ruth Moffet]
Talk at Fourth Annual Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Handel Hall, Chicago, Illinois. [PUP69, MD71]
- The NAACP's co-founder, writer and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, was in correspondence with 'Abdu'l-Bahá and published His talk as well as His photo in the organization's magazine, The Crisis Vol. 4, No. 1 (May, 1912) pp14-16. [BWNS1310; Luminous Journey 45:04] iiiii
- The website for the current day on-line magazine and a collection can be found in the Smithsonian Museum.
- His talks in Chicago attracted such prominent Black people as Alain LeRoy Locke, Ida B. Wells and Robert Sengstacke Abbott, the founder of The Chicago Defender, the most influential Black newspaper. [Luminous Journey 45:26]
- See FMH152 for the story of Grace Ober inviting Dr. Du Bois and 60 others from an NAACP Convention in Pittsburg 6-10 July, 1931, to their tenement flat for tea.
In the evening He greeted the closing session of the public meeting of the Bahá'í Temple Unity where more than a thousand people had gathered. After His address he donated 2,000 francs to the Temple Fund. The meeting was held in the Drill Hall, Masonic Temple, Chicago, Illinois.
[PUP65, SYH67]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Conventions, National; Bahá'í Temple Unity; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at other places; W.E.B. Du Bois; National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Chicago, IL; USA |
|
| 1912 29 Apr |
Mírzá Yahyá died in Famagusta. [BBD243; BBR312]
He was the younger half-brother of Bahá'u'lláh and a follower of the Báb who conferred on him a high station and leading role in the Bábí community. Later he became an opponent of Bahá'u'lláh. Shoghi Effendi described him as "the arch-breaker of the Covenant of the Báb." GPB165
He was known as Azal (Eternity or Pre-eternity) and Subh-i-Azal (Morning of Eternity) and his followers become known as Azalís.
He had been deserted by most of his followers and was given a Muslim funeral. [BKG426; GPB233]
Years later the sons of Mírzá Yahya and their relatives reconciled themselves to the authority of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [CH237-238]
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Mírzá Yahya (Subh-i-Azal); Covenant-breakers; Cyprus exiles; Births and deaths; Famagusta, Cyprus; Cyprus |
|
| 1912 28 Apr |
`Abdu'l-Bahá gave private interviews in the morning then called on the Turkish Ambassador, Diya Pasha. [APD56-59] . He spent considerable time with the Turkish ambassador, Zia Pasha while in Washington. [AY86-87; Luminous Journey 36:45]
For a list of some of the well-known individuals whom the Khans brought into 'Abdu'l-Bahá's presence see AY88.
During His time in Washington He toured the Library of Congress with the Parsons. He went to the Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to the graves of the parents of Agnes Parsons. [Luminous Journey 31:56]
At some point during His stay in Washington former president Theodore Roosevelt came to visit 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the Parsons' residence. Mahmud
reports that this took place on April 25, after the reception at the Turkish Embassy. [Luminous Journey 34:26; MD]
Alice Pike Barney, the influential artist and thespian and an important member of the Washington arts scene, hosted a luncheon and two evening receptions at her studio for 'Abdu'l-Bahá. She had met Him earlier when she accompanied her daughter Laura to Akka in 1905. [Luminous Journey 34:59]
Ali Kuli Khan, one of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's former secretaries in Akka and who, by this time was the chargé d'affairs at the Persian Legation, tried to arrange a meeting for 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the White House and for Him to speak to the Congress but scheduling did not work out. He hosted receptions for 'Abdu'l-Bahá and arranged for prominent diplomats to met Him. [Luminous Journey 36:00]
At a meeting at the Persian Legation where a meal was being served, 'Abdu'l-Bahá and arranged for the place of honour on His right for African-American lawyer Louis George Gregory. At this time he was a thirty-seven-year-old, Fisk- and Howard-educated African American lawyer from Charleston, South Carolina. He was president of the Bethel Literary and Historical Association, the oldest African American organization in Washington and he was one of the most prominent members of the capital's African American community. Even so, at this time in Washington where one third of the population was Black, it was expected that he would not eat with Whites. [Luminous Journey 38:36; 239Days Day 12]
At this time there were only about 15 Black Bahá'ís in the Washington Community and events were not fully integrated following the example in the segregated city. Pauline and Joseph Hannen held integrated gatherings and became proponents of racial integration. [Luminous Journey 42:00]
`Abdu'l-Bahá left Washington for Chicago. [239D:46; AB184; SBR81]
- Accompanying Him were Louise Mathew and Mrs Moss, a stenographer. [SYH62]
`Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in Chicago some 12 hours late due to mechanical failure. [239D:47]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Ambassadors; Arlington National Cemetery; Louise Gregory; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago, IL; USA |
|
| 1912 27 Apr - 2 May |
The Bahá'í Temple Unity held the 4th annual meeting in Chicago. [SoW Vol 2 No 18 February 7, 1912 p8] |
Bahá'í Temple Unity; Chicago, IL |
|
| 1912 27 Apr |
During lunch at the Parsons' home 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke about the proper method of taxation. [APD53-57]
For His discourse on taxation see FWU38-43.
In the evening there was a grand reception for some 300 people in honour of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on behalf of the Orient-Occident Unity Society. Among the guests and dignitaries are General Adolphus Greely, Admiral Wainwright, a Washington judge, Admiral Peary, a bishop, the chargé d'affaires of Switzerland, a member of Congress, the head of the United States Patent Office, the General Consul, the President of the Peace Congress and others. [MD64-65]
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at public places; General Adolphus Greely; Wainwright, Admiral; Peary, Admiral; Agnes Parsons; Taxation; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 26 Apr |
'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke at President Taft's All Saints Unitarian Church to the Women's Alliance on the subject of the varieties of light, the effulgence of the Sun of Reality in its original essence, and of the waiting souls with pure hearts who are like unto clear spotless mirrors, whose eyes and ears become enlightened by the appearance of the Sun of Reality. [APD50; 239D45; MD62-64]
Before lunch He spoke in the home of John J. White at the invitation of Mrs White. Lunch was taken at the Parsons home with the Turkish Ambassador as a guest.
On this day He spoke with the US Treasurer, Lee McClung. [Luminous Journey 30:24]
In the early evening He addressed a gathering in the Parsons' home. The subject of the talk was the interpretation of the Old Testament statement concerning the creation of man in the image of God. After the meeting, `Abdu'l-Bahá went for a stroll in a park to recuperate. [APD51]
In the evening 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke ing the Memorial Continental Hall in the new national headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution on 17th Street, NW, between C and D Streets. He shared the podium with Samuel Gompers, the President of the American Federation of Labor. Gompers made a plea for the women of the working classes and 'Abdu'l-Bahá drew a parallel between the advancement of women in the West and in the East citing the new building as an example of the power of women.
None of His talks for this day has been recorded in The Promulgation of Universal Peace.
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at churches; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; John J. White; Agnes Parsons; Lee McClung; Orient-Occident Unity; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 25 Apr |
Talk to Theosophical Society, Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
[PUP58; SoW Vol 3 No3 pg22-23, ]
Message to Esperantists,
Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons,
1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
[PUP60; APD47; SoW Vol 3 No5 Pg7-8]
The Turkish Ambassador Díyá Páshá hosted a "royal feast" for 'Abdu'l-Bahá and a number of dignitaries. He gave a short talk afterward. [Mahmúd's Diary p60-61]
He gave a talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons. [PUP62, APD46-49; SoW Vol 3 No 5 P7-8, Mahmúd's Diary p59-62]
Theodore Roosevelt visited 'Abdu'l-Bahá at the Parsons' home on this date. He was not the President at this time. [MD464n59] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Theosophical Society; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks other; Arthur Parsons; Esperanto; Theodore Roosevelt; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 24 Apr |
Talk at Children's Reception, Studio Hall, 1219 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. [PUP54; Sow Vol 3 No3 pg7; Mahmúd's Diary p56-59]
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons, 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. [PUP56, APD37-45] iiiiii
`Abdu'l-Bahá visited the home of Alexander Graham Bell. The day before he had visited the Master and invited Him to attend the meeting of the Scientific Society. He then spoke of the importance and the results of science, the greatness of this age and the interdependence of society. The meeting was also attended by Ali Kuli Khan who was asked to relate the history of the Faith by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. At about midnight the table was spread with bread, meat, candies, cookies, fruit and beverages. Although the Master had not yet had dinner, He spoke through Mr Bell to his wife and daughter. [239Days Day 12]
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at public places; Alexander Graham Bell; `Alí Kulí Khán; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 Apr |
At some point during his stay in Washington, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was invited to tea by nine year-old Rene Hooper, her widowed mother Marie and their cook, Eurirhra. (In 1908 Herbert Hooper, an architect who had studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris and who had accompanied Thomas Breakwell when he returned from his pilgrimage to Paris, died of tuberculosis.) 'Abdu'l-Bahá accepted the invitation on the condition that they invite Black friends as well. They were not from Washington and so the only such person they knew was Louis Gregory so they invited him. As it happened, Eurirhra's family was able to attend and so they had the bounty of serving them as well. [BW20p916; SYH61 |
Herbert Hooper; Rene Hooper; Rene Welsh; Marie Hooper; Eurirhra; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 23 Apr |
Talk at Howard University, Washington, D.C. Howard University had been founded in 1867 to educate the newly freed slaves and by 1912 it was one of the foremost black universities in the country. It is reported that well over a thousand students, faculty members, administrators and guests jammed into the Rankin Chapel as 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke with Louis Gregory standing beside Him. The Howard University Journal, 26 April 1912, published His entire address. [PUP44, APD29, 239Dp40; Mahmúd's Diary p50-54; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p14]
- To recapitulate His talk, `Abdu'l-Bahá emphasized the personal sacrifice of Northern whites for southern blacks in the
course of the Civil War, and that African Americans (as the descendants
of emancipated slaves) should therefore be grateful to whites in kind. In
so saying, `Abdu'l-Bahá invoked history (or a certain view of it) in order to
make history—by completing the unfinished work of the Emancipation
Proclamation. ['Abdu'l-Bahá's 1912 Howard University Speech: A Civil War Myth for Interracial Emancipation by Dr Christopher Buck p134]
- See as well TMTW51.
Coralie and George Cook arranged for 'Abdu'l-Bahá to speak at Howard University. Both were professors at Howard,, she the Chair of Oratory and he was professor of Commercial and International Law and later the Dean of the School of Commerce and Finance. [AWD70, 165]
'Abdu'l-Bahá attended a reception at the Khan residence in the Persian embassy where He met Admiral Robert Peary. In the words of Juliet Thompson `Abdu'l-Bahá had told the Admiral, "That `for a very long time the world had been much concerned about the North Pole, where it was and what was to found there. Now he, Admiral Peary, had discovered it and that nothing was to [be] found there; and so, in forever relieving the public mind, he had rendered a great service." [DJT272-273]
It was on this occasion, at a dinner for the elite of Washington, that 'Abdu'l-Bahá asked, "Where is Mr Gregory? Bring me Mr Gregory!" when He saw that a place had not been set for him at the dinner table. Khan fetched Mr Gregory and 'Abdu'l-Bahá made a place for him on His right. 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk on the oneness of humankind and Agnes Parsons, who was seated on His left, asked a question about spiritual healing. [SYH59]
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons,
1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. about the Titanic disaster.
[PUP46; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p12; YouTube 'Abdu'l-Bahá - Life After Death]
Talk to Bethel Literary Society,
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church,
M Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
[PUP49; SoW Vol 3 No 3 pg5] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at universities; Howard University, Washington, DC; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at churches; Admiral Peary; `Alí Kulí Khán; Agnes Parsons; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
first time 'Abdu'l-Bahá addressed the race issue in America |
| 1912 23 Apr |
Harriet Gibbs Marshall (1868-1941) became a Bahá'í while 'Abdu'l Bahá was visiting the US. It is possible that she heard Him speak on this day as He spoke at both Howard University and in a Black church later that same evening. This was the first occasion since His arrival in America that 'Abdul-Bahá addressed the race issue.
She was an extremely educated woman for the time, she studied piano, pipe organ, and voice culture at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and in 1889. Marshall was the first African American to complete the program and earn a Mus.B. degree (Bachelor of Music degree). In 1903 she founded the Washington Conservatory of Music. According to blackpast.org "Marshall's conservatory was a landmark in the history of black education. The Centre sponsored regular concerts for the black community, trained many prominent musical professionals and attracted the nation's most talented musicians as teachers. It remained in operation until 1960." [blackpast.org; Bahá'í Chronicles]
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Harriet Gibbs Marshall; Washington Conservatory, Washington, DC; Schools; Admiral Peary; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 22 Apr |
Talk at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons, 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. [PUP43, APD22-24, AY86; Mahmúd's Diary p54-55]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; Arthur Parsons; Agnes Parsons; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 21 Apr |
Talk at Studio Hall,
1219 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. [PUP37, APD14; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p9]
Talk at Universalist Church,
Thirteenth and L Streets, Washington, D.C. [PUP39; APD16; Mahmúd's Diary p50-54; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p10]
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Studio Hall; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at churches; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at other places; Washington, DC, USA; USA |
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| 1912 20 Apr |
During `Abdu'l-Bahá's eleven days in New York He gave 15 formal talks and countless informal one in homes and private studios. He left New York and arrived in Washington DC after a five hour train. He was accompanied by Dr Getsinger, Dr Fareed, Mírzá Valiyu'lláh Nakhjavání and Mahmúd-i-Zarqání. [239D:37–8; AB178; SBR78, APD9; Luminous Journey 18:48]
See AY85 for the welcome He received from the Kahn family and others including Mrs Agnes Parson, Mason Remy and Joseph Hannen.
John Bosch had travelled from California specifically to see Him. He was given a Persian name by the Master, Núrání (The Luminous). John and Edward Getsinger travelled with the party on the train from New York to Washington. [Mahmúd's Diary p48-49. SYH57]
He stayed at the Parsons' home, 1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, for eight days and gave a talk every afternoon at 5PM. Agnes Parsons had had this home built to accommodate 'Abdu'l-Bahá complete with a room that could hold 150 people. It was unusual for Him and His interpreter to stay in private homes. ['Abdu'l-Bahá in America: 1912-2012; FMH47-48]
He gave a talk at Orient-Occident-Unity Conference at the Carnegie Library on Massachusetts Avenue before an audience of 3,000. 'Abdu'l-Bahá encouraged commercial ties between the United States and Persia. 'For the Persians there is no government better fitted to contribute to the development of their natural resources and the helping of their national needs in a reciprocal alliance than the United States of America; and for the Americans there could be no better industrial outlet and market than the virgin … soil of Persia. The mineral wealth of Persia is still latent and untouched. It is my hope that the great American democracy may be instrumental in developing these hidden resources and that a bond of perfect amity and unity may be established between the American republic and the government of Persia. May this bond—whether material or spiritual—be well cemented.' [AY48; PUP35; Luminous Journey 31:06; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p7, SYH82]
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at public places; Trains; Business; Agnes Parsons; Washington, DC, USA; New York, USA; USA; Iran |
|
| 1912 11 - 19 Apr |
During His time in New York 'Abdu'l-Bahá saw a play by Charles Rann Kennedy called The Terrible Meek about the crucifiction of Christ.
He later came to His hotel room to see Him. [Luminous Journey 21:42]
At some point Juliet Thompson introduced him to Lebanese poet and artist Khalil Gibran who created a portrait of HIm. [Luminous Journey 22:07]
Howard Colby Ives met with Him at His hotel. His description of the account ends with "But life has never been quite the same since." [Portal to Freedom Chapter 2]
|
The Terrible Meek (play); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Kahlil Gibran; New York, USA |
|
| 1912 19 Apr |
Talk at Earl Hall,
Columbia University, New York. [PUP29; Mahmúd's Diary p47-48]
'Abdu'l-Bahá visited The Bowery Mission accompanied by Edward Getsinger and Juliet Thompson as noted in her unpublished Diary. They arrived with two heavy bags of quarters to distribute to the poor and spoke with hundreds of impoverished men. [OPOP165-168, PUP32]
He invited Mary William, a rare female journalist who wrote under the name of "Kate Carew". Her signature style was one of scepticism.
|
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; Columbia University, New York; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at universities; Charity and relief work; Social and economic development; Wealth and poverty; Edward Getsinger; Juliet Thompson; Bowery Mission; John Good; Bowery, New York; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 18 Apr |
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall L. Emery,
273 West Ninetieth Street, New York. [PUP25; Mahmúd's Diary p46-47] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 17 Apr |
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney, 780 West End Avenue, New York, [PUP23; Mahmúd's Diary p46]
Talk at Hotel Ansonia, Broadway and Seventy-third Street, New York. [PUP20]
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at public places; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 16 Apr |
Talk at Hotel Ansonia to Bahá'í Friends of New Jersey,
Broadway and Seventy-third Street, New York. [PUP18; Mahmúd's Diary p45] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at public places; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 15 Apr |
The Titanic was the largest steamship ever built. She was 882 feet long, 96 feet wide, displacing 45,000 tons. Her luxurious appointments included a theatre seating 1,200, a church somewhat smaller, a ballroom accommodating 500 couples, beautiful salons, palm courts, gymnasium, bowling alley, tennis court and a swimming pool. She could accommodate nearly 4,000 passengers and carried a crew of 860. She set forth on her first and fatal voyage from Southampton, England, April 10, 1912, the pride of her builders and an admiring world. At 11:40 p. m., Sunday, April 14, she grazed a mammoth iceberg, tore open her hull, and in two and one-half hours sank in 2,000 fathoms, taking over 1,500 souls to a watery grave.—The Editors. [SoW Vol 4 No 12 16 Oct 1913 p210] |
Titanic |
|
| 1912 15 Apr |
Talk at the home of Mountfort Mills,
327 West End Avenue, New York. [PUP16; Mahmúd's Diary p44-45] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; Mountfort Mills; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 14 Apr |
`Abdu'l-Bahá spoke from the pulpit of the Church of the Ascension, Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street, New York at the invitation of Percy Stickney Grant who was later reprimanded by his bishop, Bishop Burch, for inviting 'Abdu'l-Bahá, unbaptized, to sit in the red plush Bishop's Chair behind the alter rail. This was in violation of church protocol and created a great controversy. [ABF22, 239D:21–3, PUP11, 239 Days in America Day52; Mahmúd's Diary p43-44; SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p6]
Talk at Union Meeting of Advanced Thought Centers, Carnegie Lyceum, West Fifty-seventh Street, New York. [PUP14]
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at churches; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks other; Percy Grant; New York, USA; USA |
first public address given by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in North America. |
| 1912 13 Apr |
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Morten, 141 East Twenty-first Street, New York
[PUP9; Mahmúd's Diary p41-42] |
`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 12 Apr |
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt, 935 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York,
[PUP4]
Talk at Studio of Miss Phillips, 39 West Sixty-seventh Street, New York. [PUP7; DJT239; Mahmúd's Diary p39-41]
In this talk He commented on the actions of Italy in Libya and denounced Itally as a nations that does not follow Christian ideals:
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks other; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks at homes; Howard MacNutt; Imperialism/colonialism; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 11 Apr |
Hippolyte and Laura Dreyfus Barney sailed on the SS Kaiserin Auguste Victoria from Cherbourg for New York to be with 'Abdu'l-Bahá for a few months. [ABF285]
'Abdu'l-Bahá had invited Louisa Mathew to come to America and accompany Him. [Documentary: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Initiative on Race from 1921: Race Amity Conferences 34:00] |
Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney; Cherbourg, France; France; New York, USA; USA |
|
| 1912 11 Apr |
`Abdu'l-Bahá arrived in New York. [AB172; GPB281; APD3-5; SoW Vol 3 No 3 p3; Mahmúd's Diary p38-39]
As the ship that finally brought "'Abdu'l-Bahá to the shores of the American continent passed by the Statue of Liberty, He threw His arms wide open in greeting, saying "There is the new world's symbol of liberty and freedom. After being 40 years a prisoner I can tell you that freedom is not a matter of place. It is a condition. Unless one accept dire vicissitudes he will not attain.
When one is released from the prison of self, that is indeed a release." ['Abdu'l-Bahá in Their Midst p.56; SYH54]
He remained on board doing interviews with a number of newspapermen. Edward Kinny was called to come on the ship and the rest of those awaiting were told to leave the pier, proceed to the Kinney residence and wait for Him. [Mahmúd's Diary p38-39; DJT233-234]
- See World Order Summer 1973 p45 for the story of disobedient Juliet Thompson and her friend Marjory Morton who remained behind on the quay to get a glimpse of Him.
One of the newspapermen to interview Him was Wendell Phillips Dodge who boarded the SS Cedric at quarantine and interviewed 'Abdul-Bahá coming up the bay. The article he wrote was given to all of the New York newspapers, and, through the Associated Press, was sent, though boiled down considerably, to newspapers throughout the world. See SoW Vol 3 No 3 April 28, 1912 p3 for the article.
When asked why He had come to America He said that He had come at the invitation of the peace congresses. [SYH53; MD8]
He stayed at the Ansonia Hotel at 2109 Broadway. [Luminous Journey 14:37, SYH55]
Talk at the home of Mr. Edward B. (Saffa, or Serenity) Kinney and his wife, Carrie (Vaffa, or Certitude), 780 West End Avenue, New York to some 200 people. This was the first private home in which 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave a talk on His American tour. [PUP3]
One of the Persians in the Master's suite had cabled Alice Ives Breed in New York City, about the Master's arrival date. Thus alerted, Ali-Kuli Khan directed the Persian Consul, Topakian (an Armenian businessman), to officially greet 'Abdu'l-Bahá with full courtesies. Mr Topakian carried this out, and the Master was much pleased with his services. [AY85]
During His tour `Abdu'l-Bahá visited 49 cities and made approximately 400 addresses of which 185 were recorded. The combined audience for His talks is estimated to be 90,000 people. [SBBH1:110; Luminous Journey 1:37; 'Abdu'l-Bahá in America 1912-2012]
For a chronological list of talks given by `Abdu'l-Bahá while in North America see PUP473–8 or Index.
For details of His journey see AB171–339.
Ward, 239 Days; Balyuzi, `Abdu'l-Bahá; The Diary of Juliet Thompson; many editions of Star of the West and numerous biographies of Bahá'ís of the time as well as other books carry information about `Abdu'l-Bahá travels and talks.
He was accompanied by:
- Sayyid Asadu'lláh Qumí
- Dr Fareed Amin Ullah, He was a nephew of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and served as his translator during His tour of the West. Because of his disobedience, both he and his father were expelled from the Faith. See AY102-103 and AB230.
- Mírza Mahmúd-i Zarqání. He was a member of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's entourage for both the Western and European tours. He wrote an account of the travels in a book entitled Kitáb-i Badáyi'u'l-Áthár and called "Mahmúd's Diary" in the English translation. [APD151]
- Mirza Ahmad Sohrab. He had originally come to the West to assist Mírzá Abú'l-Fadl Gulpaygání in 1901. He remained and worked at the Iranian Consulate until 1912 and during this time he translated much of the correspondence between 'Abdu'l-Bahâ and the Western believers. After the American tour, he returned to the Holy Land. After the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá he rejected the authority of Shoghi Effendi and was expelled. [APD155]
See video entitled 'Abdu'l-Bahá and New York City.
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`Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Second Western tour; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Talks other; `Alí Kulí Khán; Edward Kinney; Topakian, Mr; - Consuls; Mahmuds Diary; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Life of (chronology); * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; - Basic timeline, Expanded; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; New York, USA; USA |
first private home where he gave a talk was at the Kinney’s |
Try also a shorter date like 1912-0 or 1912
try also the Chronology Canada — 1912-04 or 1912-0 or 1912
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Canada