August 11, 1912

Dublin, NH, day 18 of 23; life-giving melodies--a stellar day!

In the morning, `Abdu'l-Bahá spoke with Howard Colby Ives (Portals, 120–28).  I will have to summarize or include that later!

Mahmud writes: "A glorious meeting was held at the Unitarian Church in Dublin. He went to the church at 11:00 a.m. and as He entered the entire audience rose to its feet. The pastor sang a beautiful song in praise of `Abdu'l-Bahá. After the preliminary ceremonies, the Master was introduced by the pastor with the utmost reverence and esteem. He then stood and gave a detailed address on the necessity of true education and spiritual power and spoke of the coming of Bahá'u'lláh and His teachings. At the end of His talk He chanted a prayer, His life-giving melodies penetrating the souls and attracting the hearts. A wonderful spirit of humility seemed to permeate the building and the voice of acceptance seemed to issue from all sides.

Many who had not already had the honor of visiting `Abdu'l-Bahá came to Him with such eagerness that the Master said, `The Call of God has been raised here and the work is finished.'

He was invited for lunch at the home of Mr and Mrs Parmelee. There He was asked about the Cause of God and about the new principles. Although He responded to the questions of those present, still they thought that the talk had been prepared beforehand and that the interpreter had committed it to memory. They felt no one would have been able to speak extemporaneously with such clarity and perception. The vastness of His knowledge is even more evident. My point is that His talk and explanations seemed extraordinary in the eyes of the people and that the unseen confirmations of Bahá'u'lláh assisted the Center of the Covenant.

After this meeting the people's spirits were raised. In the afternoon a multitude gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs Parsons. `Abdu'l-Bahá spoke, encouraging everyone to think about His words, to meditate on the holy verses, to investigate truth and to gain a full knowledge of divine realities. It is merely owing to a lack of understanding among the leaders of religions, He said, and to their blind imitations and superstitions that statements contrary to science and common sense have crept in and caused intellectuals and scientists to deny religion and disputes to arise among the people, obscuring the true meaning of the laws of God."

Agnes writes: “This Sunday  `Abdu'l-Bahá spoke in the Unitarian Church. He spoke for 50 minutes, most unusual. Yet the people were motionless, so great was the power of His word. I have never seen Him look as He did nor have I ever been so impressed, except for that brief moment at Haifa. I spoke to Dr. Fareed about it—I asked if he had ever seen  `Abdu'l-Bahá as He appeared today. He said: ‘Once before in Chicago when He was speaking in a church.’ I asked what it was, and he replied, ‘It was Ecstasy.’ I hope I shall never forget Him as He looked this day!

Jeffrey Boy [her son] said: ‘The service was too long, but Ab was not too long.’

Mrs. Pumpelly sent for us at 1:30 to dine. . . . I hope I may never forget the lesson taught there [at the luncheon] as well as at the church! . . . Mr. Kinney chanted for  `Abdu'l-Bahá. He spent the night at the Wilcox Inn." 

Wow. . . . Wish we had a photo of `Abdu'l-Bahá speaking at the church. . . .

It's interesting how `Abdu'l-Bahá proclaims "the work is finished."  (See Phillip Tussing's account, under resources.)  It's as if He would have just stayed there until He felt that closure.  And now we are studying the ramifications of that kind of seed sowing. Wow.