Earl Redman writes (in Abdu'l-Baha in Our Midst):
"On 2 January ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to the Cedar Club House, a place run by the Women’s Service League that provided food for the poorest working mothers and ensured that their youngest children were well fed.
"On 2 January ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to the Cedar Club House, a place run by the Women’s Service League that provided food for the poorest working mothers and ensured that their youngest children were well fed.
‘Through an insistent rain and blustering wind, the motor
bore us across the Albert Bridge to the borough of Battersea. We turned from
one of the important high highways into a dark, narrow, drizzling street, to
stop before an inviting open door’.[i]
The Master arrived to find sixty women and over one hundred children gathered
at two large tables festively decorated with Christmas cheer. Though given a
formal, elevated platform from which to speak, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rather, ‘as the real friend of the poor . . . walked straight among them, into the
body of the room. This at once established the charm of comradeship’. As
He walked ‘with light characteristic step’ between
the tables beaming with happiness and love, He told them:
I am very glad to be among you, who are
blessed in God’s name with children. They are the true signs of his spiritual
love. The most divine gifts of God. These little ones will grow to be fruitful
trees. We must look to them for the founders of many beautiful families. Let
their education be directed in the ways of purity and useful service. Here are
the seeds of the future race and upon them may be granted God’s blessing.[ii]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá then walked among the women
and children giving encouraging words, ‘pausing for a
few moments to bless each little upturned face, and bestow a silver coin. The
remarkable tender hands caressed a baby’s cheek or chin. One could hear him
pronounce distinct words of comfort to the tiniest members of the audience’.
One mother held sleeping twins.
The Master placed a coin under the chin of each, whereupon ‘two pairs of deep blue eyes opened wide in the spell of
wonder’.
Those
who were accompanying ‘Abdu’l-Bahá commented on ‘the
thoughtful gaze of the women as they watched the distinguished visitor in white
turban and brown burnous, moving in their midst. It is often too true that the
very poor are keenly suspicious of foreigners, especially if their mission is a
religious one, but Abdul-Baha brings into every environment a profound truth
and sympathy that seems to crush the barriers . . ‘.
As
He left, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said,
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