Stuttgart: Health sacrificed for serving the Faith

Earl Redman writes: 

‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed in the same hotel He had stayed in during His earlier visit, the Hotel Marquardt. The cold He had acquired in Budapest worsened in Stuttgart and by the 25th it had settled into His chest and made it difficult for Him to talk. His physician said He should not go out into the bad weather, but His attendants devised a solution so that the people at a meeting scheduled for that night would not be disappointed. The plan was that Abdu’l-Bahá would be taken to the Museum in an enclosed saloon car, safe from the foul weather. In a room apart from the main hall, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would have His place to meet those who wished to see Him while Wilhelm Herrigel gave a talk in His stead in the main hall. But as soon as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá learned of this plan, and how eagerly the audience were expecting Him, He arose. ‘Physicians had made Him stay indoors, He said; but His health was for the purpose of serving the Faith’.[i]

            No sooner had Herrigel begun speaking, than ‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked into the surprised hall and, with His full and powerful voice, gave a talk on world peace. Immediately after His talk, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was about be taken quickly back to the hotel to rest. But as they headed for the door, the Master heard someone sobbing and He stopped to find out who was sad. His attendants found a woman who had tried to reach the Master, but had been prevented by the mass of the crowd. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed long enough to speak with the lady.[ii]

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[i] Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 389.    [ii] ibid. pp. 389–90.

It doesn't seem fair that we don't have a record of the conversation--and perhaps how the woman was consoled. Too many things left out of accounts!