April 3, 1912 The doors of victory

Strong hopes of divine assistance, 'Abdu'l-Bahá voices, as they go through the straits of Gibraltar.  We get another history lesson on the decay of religion--this time in terms of Islam. 

Mahmúd writes:  Wednesday, April 3, 1912  [aboard the Cedric]

Gibraltar, an important naval center for the European powers, came into view and the steamer entered the straits. `Abdu'l-Bahá looked towards the left with field glasses. He then spoke about Gibraltar, Spain, Algiers and about the Muslim victories, giving an account of their sincere religious leaders. `What a magnificent honor', He said, `God bestowed on the Muslims in the beginning, and what a disgrace they accepted for themselves in the end.'

Our American friends requested that the Master ask us, the Persians, to alter our attire to suit the circumstances of the time and place, changing everything except our Persian hats and coats. He replied, `What harm is there in it? I do not care much about what is unimportant and what is not harmful to the Cause. They are trifles.' Then He began to stroll back and forth, as was His custom every morning and evening on the deck, and continued to speak:

In past ages crossing the ocean was not as easy as it is now. Up to the present time no one has traveled, with a purpose like ours, from Persia to America. Some have made the journey but it was for their personal gain or for trivial motives. Ours may be said to be the first voyage of Easterners to America. I have strong hopes of divine assistance -- that He will open the doors of victory and conquest on all sides. Today, all the nations of the world are vanquished, and victory and glory revolve around the servants of the Blessed Perfection. All aims will come to naught except this mighty aim. Hardship and debasement in this path are, therefore, comfort and honor, and affliction a blessing.

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I find it interesting that the westerners wished to change the garb of the easterners--especially when the garb was so picturesque!  But at that time, I would imagine they were a bit self-conscious. We are now used to various dress from all cultures, but supposing we were traveling with people dressed from another planet.  `Abdu'l-Bahá calls these matters trifles.  I have to laugh, having spent several days re-designing hats and packing costumes for our upcoming trip to New York. Feathers, ribbons, tulle, embellishments, long skirts, high-necked blouses, jewelry, props, a fez or two--the list goes on--all of these things to get a semblance of the ambiance of 1912. Would He approve? I don't know; He'd probably say the message was more important. Yet the costumes inspire me; I am thrust into thinking about the early believers and how it was to be with Him, traveling. 


I have wondered about His statement about this being the "first" voyage of Easterners to America, since there had been others before. But this journey, revolving around the "servants of the Blessed Perfection" promises to be one of distinction--and certainly there will be divine assistance and hardship. . . .