September 29, 1912 Irrigating the field of hearts

Salt Lake City; irrigating the field of hearts; visit to the State Fair; no time to sow seeds; purchasing literal seeds

Kenyon Hotel, 1909 (The Master chose to stay here

rather than the more opulent Salt Lake City Hotel)

Mahmud writes: "In the morning several newspaper reporters who had heard of His arrival came to see the Master. They were fascinated with `Abdu'l-Bahá's words concerning the history and teachings of the Cause of God. To one of them He said:

When I entered this city, I saw there was quite a stir. I asked the reason and was told that an agricultural convention was being held. I remarked that Bahá'u'lláh, too, organized a convention in Persia. The difference is that your congress is of this world but Bahá'u'lláh's is divine. Great persons have come to the congress but their motive is earthly as they have assembled to consider questions concerning agriculture. But in that other congress holy ones have gathered who irrigate the field of hearts with the water of eternal life, as their motive is heavenly. This congress is decorated with earthly lamps while that is embellished with heavenly lights. The music of this is terrestrial while the strains of that are celestial. This convention meets in a private hall while that gathering is held under the tent of the unity of mankind and international peace. The queen of this congress is a lady bedecked with ornaments and embellishments of this mortal world but the king of that congress is the King of the Throne of Eternity, Whose sovereignty is divine. When I compared these two congresses I became extremely glad and prayed that God may bless your farming and bestow upon you spiritual strength and capacity for life everlasting.

Today many were attracted by the Master's visit with us to the State Fair. [See account of Feny E. Paulson, 239 Days, 159–63.] He had been invited to the hotel by some delegates while others pleaded with Him to prolong His stay. Because of the shortness of time, He could not accept their invitation. `If we had time,' He said, `some seeds would have been sown in this city, too. But the people are enjoying the celebration and we have no time at our disposal.'

This city is called the City of the Mormons because the majority of its inhabitants are of the Mormon denomination which allows polygamy and divorce.

In the afternoon the Master went to the place specifically set out and decorated for the agricultural exhibition. Alighting from the tram, He went to the exhibit of agricultural machines for plowing, planting and harvesting. He asked about their usage and cost. He then went to the vegetable and grain section and the fruit section. The Master praised the agricultural progress of America. The fruits and vegetables exhibited were among the finest specimens of grapes, apples, pears, pomegranates, cabbages and very large pumpkins, all of many colors and of varieties that we had not seen before.

The section manager saw the Master among the visitors and came towards us and the interpreter, asking to be introduced to Him. He accompanied the Master, offering Him samples of many fruits (even though the purchase, sale and consumption of these items was strictly prohibited). He described to `Abdu'l-Bahá the various methods of agriculture and then concluded the tour at the grain and mineral display. The Master told us to purchase seeds of some of the fruits and flowers so they could be sent to the Holy Land to be planted at the Most Holy Shrine.

As He was returning to the hotel, the Master saw a Cardinal walking proudly with people on his way to dedicate a church. This Cardinal had heard about the Master and had spoken about the false Christ, thus he was often mentioned by the Master in His meetings."

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Interesting how the Master takes such interest in the agricultural progress of America--and gets to taste some of the specimens.  And buys seeds!

One wonders if it was because of so many Mormons He did not feel inclined to stay there long.

Feny Paulson's account of going to Salt Lake City, where she attended the State Fair with the Master, describes the spectacle of seeing His "flowing-robed figure . . . with majestic bearing" followed by His oriental companions--which was reported in the paper the next day. But her description of her own interview with Him is most interesting.  To preface it, she describes the degree of filth in the YWCA, where she stayed, "a dead fly in the German fries, a chicken wing with all the feathers (so it seemed), roaches at the soda fountain. . . ."

They met at the Kenyon Hotel, where 'Abdu'l-Bahá was staying. "Luxury and comfort are not the all-important things in this life," He told her.  Then,

"The Master served tea, saying, 'This is the Lord's Supper you are having with Me.' . . .

He also said, "I am your Father." That was to take the place of the father I had never remembered, and whom I had so often tried to recall.

'Abdu'l-Bahá was the Supreme Psychiatrist.

At the end of the interview the Master took a Baha'i stone, pressed it to His forehead, then placed it on each of my eyes, His lips moving silently in a prayer or blessing. He also gave me a locket-sized likeness of Himself as a father gives a treasure to one of His children.

. . . Although the details of each person in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá are individually different, they are the means to the same end--spiritual progress. Incidents forgotten and hidden in the recesses of one's being, in His presence, are in a flash perceived and unobtrusively aired, alchemized as it were, removing veils that inhibit necessary spiritual development. The problems and burdens that were but stepping stones in the past become non-essentials in the light of His divine love. . . ." (Ward, 162)

Wouldn't you love to have a private interview? What would He say to engender spiritual development in each of us?  Would He play the role of Father, comforter, admonisher, friend, servant? 

We are in Glenwood Springs, to celebrate the commemoration here! What joy!