Mahmud writes: "The Master again called some of the friends and asked them to show kindness and love to Mr MacNutt and to be patient with him. Some of His words were these:
You must all arise in unison to serve the Cause of God. You must work hand in hand to teach the Cause and know that the confirmations of Bahá'u'lláh will descend upon you. My hope is that New York will excel all other cities because at the beginning it had precedence over them. God willing, it shall be so again. The favors of the Kingdom of God are great, the attention and bounties of the Blessed Beauty are fixed upon you and His hidden hosts are assisting you. Arise in this arena and you shall see what will transpire.
I am but one of His servants. After the ascension of the Blessed Beauty, the Ottoman people and government arose against me as did enemies of the area from different nations and religions. In such a state everyone was attacking me from outside and even my brothers from inside opposed me. But in a short time the enemies were frustrated and brought low so that some of them cried, `Would to God that Bahá'u'lláh had not ascended because this Cause has become even greater, its fame has spread to more places, and its support has become stronger.' Therefore, we must arise in servitude so that His confirmations may surround us from all sides. Undoubtedly whenever you arise to serve and proclaim the Cause you shall be assisted and shall attain success. Rest assured.
In the afternoon the friends gathered at the home of Mr Harris, each one eager and delighted to see the Master and to listen to His words. While He was leaving His residence, some school children saw the Master and rushed towards Him. They asked, `Who is this man who looks like Christ?' Miss Juliet Thompson spoke to them outside the house about the Cause and the life of `Abdu'l-Bahá. They asked to meet Him and they were invited to come to Mr Kinney's home, where `Abdu'l-Bahá spent most of His days, the following Sunday.
Both private and public meetings were held in that home. The first to third floors were filled with people, some even standing on the stairs. From this day forward a spirit of steadfastness in the Covenant of God, unity and faithfulness appeared among the friends as the Master burnt away the veils and the hearts of the believers attained the highest degree of love and union. This was the Master's purpose in staying so long in New York. Furthermore, many wonderful friends became humble and sincere in His presence.
He spoke this evening to a large gathering about the influence of the Cause and the victory of the Supreme Word over the nations and powers of the world."
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Crisis has turned to victory. This is the denoument--the turning point, the signal of the end.
Howard has become a favored son again. The highest degree of love and union--well, we need to do what the Master says to experience that, I would imagine!
Juliet writes:
"On 20 November, the Master spent the morning in my little room. Once more His Glory shone in my room; His Life was diffused in it. It is a sanctuary now to me, like a chapel in our house.
He had brought Mrs Champney with Him and Mr MacNutt and, during the morning, Mr MacNutt, who was standing behind the Master very humbly, lifted the hem of His 'abá to his lips.
Mamma brought the Master some soup which she had prepared especially for Him.
"I was just wishing for soup," He said sweetly. "You, Mrs Thompson, have the reality of love."
Mamma then showed Him Papa's picture and He kissed it.
After a while He left us and was absent for some time. When He came back He said: "I have been in every room in your house."
And when He bade us goodbye, as He swung down the stairs with His powerful step, His voice rang out: "This house is blessed."
After He had gone I sat in the chair He had sat in and wrote an appeal to Percy Grant: "I tried to reach you by phone this morning to tell you the Master is soon returning to Haifa and that He wishes to take His portrait with Him." (Percy had been exhibiting it in the chapel of his Parish House.) "And to ask if some time tomorrow I could come for it. I want to thank you too for your hospitality to the Master's picture and for your beautiful reference to it last Sunday, of which I have heard.
"You have given to many an opportunity to see at least a portrayal, if a very weak one, of a dear face which I doubt if most of us will see again. He is going back into dangerous conditions. Dear Percy, will you let Him go without saying goodbye to Him? Only the other day he was speaking of you."
To this I received a very stiff answer, merely asking the date of the Master's sailing and His address."
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Can you imagine 'Abdu'l-Bahá blessing our houses?
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