October 28, 1912 Raising the call . . . on the train!

En route to Denver: heading east; passengers gathering around Him; raising the call of Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá

Mahmud writes: "`Abdu'l-Bahá took tea in the dining car. Áqá `Alí-Akbar Nakhjavání remarked that it seemed the Master was happier because He was going towards the East. The Master replied, `Yes, my greatest happiness is to be near the Holy Shrine.' Looking out of the window, He continued: `I love this plain because it is so much like the plain of `Akká.'

The Master then dictated replies to His letters. In the afternoon, a vendor came by with various items for sale. The Master looked at some ore specimens from the mines when a few children drew close, looking at Him with curiosity. He beckoned to them and asked, `What shall I buy you?' He spoke to them with more love and kindness than the most benevolent father and bought each child various items costing about a dollar. More children ran to Him. He said, `They, too, look poor' and also bought them a dollar's worth of items.

When they saw this, the people were interested, curious to know who this great personage was. When someone asked the Master about His aims, He gave a detailed explanation of the divine teachings. For a long period of time the passengers gathered around His seat, some standing and some sitting, listening to His sweet voice and sublime words. We had never before seen or heard the Cause taught in such a manner. It was characteristic of this journey that the Master raised the call of Yá Bahá'u'l-Abhá as the train passed through the mountains, valleys, plains and rivers.

Some Turks came to see Him in the afternoon. They said that there were more than 50 of them on their way to Constantinople in response to a call to assist their government and people. They were impressed to hear the Master's explanation of universal peace and the unity of mankind. The Master asked that tea and water be brought from the train's kitchen to another compartment where He served them tea. They thanked Him for His kindness and became attracted to His noble qualities and conduct.

`Abdu'l-Bahá reached Denver at about midnight. As the Master was very tired, He went to a hotel near the station to rest."

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This is the Oxford Hotel, which is still there.  It's right near the train station.  Lovely and elegant, it still has many of the same features it had in 1912. We spent time filming some of the beautiful details inside. ah, if only we had been there in 1912!