Washington D.C. `Abdu'l-Bahá will spend a week of "ceaseless activity" here, just before and during the Ridvan period.
Allan Ward notes that at the event on April 20, where 600 people were packed into a hall that normally seated 400, reporters asked His opinion of the Titanic disaster (which was only five days earlier). They reported that He said, "Both Americans and Europeans seem to be possessed of the mania for speed. . . . It was a pitiful waste of life that came because of the effort to save a few hours in time--rushing a great vessel at top speed when it was known there was danger from ice." (239 Days, 39)
Ward describes the "ceaseless streams" of people "drawn toward His house" [the home of Agnes and Jeffrey (Arthur) Parsons]. At 11:15 A.M. He went to Studio Hall and spoke to more than 200 people. At 4:00 P.M. He spoke at the Universalist Church to more than 1000 people.
Ward writes: "Every afternoon at 5:00 P.M., from Monday though Friday, receptions were held at the Parsons' home, to which hundreds of Washington diplomats, scientists, and socially prominent persons came."
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| Agnes Parsons |
Ward writes: "Every afternoon at 5:00 P.M., from Monday though Friday, receptions were held at the Parsons' home, to which hundreds of Washington diplomats, scientists, and socially prominent persons came."
Don't you wish we had a list of these people? But even more, don't you wish you had been among them, even as a fly on the wall?
`Abdu'l-Bahá said, in his morning talk, "I have come here to visit you. With the greatest longing I have wished to see you. . . ." He describes the joy of looking at the faces and how the hearts are connected and filled "with the same vibration."
Perhaps we will experience some of that as we observe the anniversary year and discover and remember how it was when the Master was here!
Joyful Ridván, all!
many are called, few are chosen.
ReplyDeleteRidvan 2012
"With exceeding joy we now announce that national Mashriqu'l-Adhkars are to be raised up in two countries:the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Papua New Guinea."
"The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, described by 'Abdu'1-Baha as "one of the most vital institutions of the world", weds two essential, inseparable aspects of Baha'i
life: worship and service."
"Our hearts brimming with thankfulness to the Ancient Beauty, we rejoice to inform you that we are entering into consultations with respective National Spiritual Assemblies regarding the erection of the first local House of Worship in each of the following clusters: Battambang, Cambodia; Bihar Sharif, India; Matunda Soy, Kenya; Norte del Cauca, Colombia; and Tanna, Vanuatu."