October 3, 1912 Overwhelming confirmations

San Francisco; seasons in the spiritual world; Golden Gate Park; confirmations and joy 

Mahmud writes: "Many friends, both old and new, had the honor of visiting `Abdu'l-Bahá and receiving enlightenment from Him. Some of His words to the gathering of the friends were these:

As there are four seasons in this material world, so it is in the spiritual world. When the divine spring is over and the heavenly bounty ceases, the trees of being lie dormant. Lifelessness and stillness prevail over the world of man. People become spiritless and withered. Autumn and winter set in. There exists no flower or greenery, no cheerfulness or mirth, no happiness or joy. Then the spiritual spring spreads its tent once more. The gardens of the hearts regain their freshness, charm and verdure. The buds of knowledge open and the anemones of reality appear. The world of man becomes another world. This is the divine law and is a requirement of the world of creation. This is the cause of the appearance of the many Manifestations of God.

In the afternoon, after seeing many visitors and answering questions from some reporters, at the invitation of Mrs Goodall the Master went to see the beautiful and tranquil Golden Gate Park located outside of the city. In the automobile on the way to the park the Master spoke about the grandeur of the Revelation of the Blessed Beauty:

No one was a denier of His virtues. All the wise men of the East considered Him the greatest person in the world. But they said, `Alas, that He has claimed divinity for Himself.' Many of the people of the East said and wrote about me, too, `all agree that he excels in knowledge, learning, speech and explanation, but, alas! he is the propagator of a new law'. They expected us to be servants and propagators of their old dogmas and customs, not knowing that we are obliged to serve humanity and spread universal love and harmony.

Lloyd Lake, Golden Gate Park

He concluded, `If all others have a few daughters and sons, I have thousands of spiritual offspring and heavenly children like you.'

When He returned, and after seeing the friends and bestowing His favors upon them, He sent telegrams to the assemblies in the East. Among them was this: `Rejoicing among friends of God in San Francisco. Truly confirmations are overwhelming and happiness complete. `Abbás.'"

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How great to think of His happiness complete. . . . When we went to Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park to shoot footage, we were struck by the remnants left of a building from the 1906 earthquake.  Gazing upon them, Abdu'l-Baha said, "The world and its condition will change to such a degree . . . that nothing but a remnant—like these pillars—will remain of the previous order."  (On Oct. 5)