Mahmud writes, "At dawn, while we were still in bed, we heard the Master sweetly chanting a prayer. We at once got up, went to Him and were served tea and refreshments from the all-bountiful Sághí [a Persian expression denoting one who passes round the wine cup at joyful gatherings]. He instructed us to collect our belongings and prepare to leave. Around 10:00 a.m. Mr [Alfred E.] Lunt's automobile arrived and the Master left Dublin. En route He had lunch at Nashua, New Hampshire, and after a little rest continued on His journey. We reached Green Acre in the afternoon where more than five hundred people were waiting for Him. Both sides of the entrance had been decorated with multicolored lanterns and a festive reception awaited His arrival.
After a short rest, the Master entered the main room of the Inn and gave a brief talk about the investigation of truth. From there He went to the home of Miss Farmer, the founder of the Green Acre Society. [He actually "visited Sarah Farmer at the sanatorium in Portsmouth where she, an invalid, was a patient."] This distinguished lady was revived by His visit and although she was not feeling well, she accompanied the Master back to the Inn.
In the evening at the hotel, [actually, the Eirenian, the "House of Peace"--another building] in response to questions from the audience, `Abdu'l-Bahá delivered a most impressive address on the love of God, the immortality of the spirit and the divine teachings. Everyone was deeply moved and their hearts were transformed."
Back in Dublin, Agnes writes: "I was up very early, but before I was dressed Mirza Sohrab came over to see Mrs. Meredith about some matter of business. I told him from my window that Jeffrey Boy and I would soon be over to see the Master. He sent for us to come to His room, where He gave us both some tea. I brought Him the double black shawl of my Mother's to use always, if He will, when it is cold, in motor or carriage. . . . We took for the journey a basket of fruit and some English stick candy. I told Him I was not going to be unhappy, for I should find Him in my heart, and He said that was the right way. . . . The farewell was a quick one and He was out of my sight, but the blessing of this Visit remains with us."
YES--that is an understatement for all of us--"the blessing of this Visit remains with us."
Agnes goes on to describe that Dr. Fareed, Mirza Ali Akbar, and Mirza Sohrab and Mr. Lunt went with Him to Green Acre, and others went on the afternoon train. They all expressed great appreciation of the visit to Dublin, and by the evening mail there was a card from Mirza Sohrab saying they were just leaving Nashua, where Abdu'l-Baha had had a rest at a hotel.
On the 19th Agnes received a letter from M. Sohrab: "Our Beloved is feeling very well and the weather, not being cold, His health is good. On our arrival on Friday there were hundreds of people who were present to greet Him, and immediately half an hour afterwards He went to the Eirenion (a large lecture hall) to speak to those who have come from far and near. There were nearly 800 people and I could see the faces of a great many Baha'is beaming with joy and happiness. The lecture hall was beautifully decorated with all kinds of flowers & the people gave Him a hearty welcome."
The road from the gate of Green Acre, to the hotel where He is living is more than a mile long and was decorated with more than a thousand lanterns, the people of Green Acre contributing them and hanging them with their own hands. "He speaks every day at 7:30 P.M. and expects to stay here till next Friday, then He will go to Boston for a little while, from which place He will go to Montreal. I suppose He will stay in Montreal for a week, then start westward. He has taken beautiful rooms in the Inn. People are all interested and crowd around Him whenever He is out."
Can you see the lanterns? Feel the excitement.
This account does not mention Sarah Farmer. "Heart too full for speech"--a quote from Sarah Farmer on the night she met Abdu'l-Baha. If only I could convey to you what this visit to Green Acre means--to Sarah Farmer, to us, to the future. I will try.
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