April 4, 1912 One week before arrival in NY!

The journey continues. . . . This is the 11th day.  The reference to the North Pole that Mahmúd recounts below is interesting in light of the meeting 'Abdu'l-Bahá has with Admiral Peary in Washington, DC, where the Master thanks him for making the public aware that nothing was there.  Consistently, 'Abdu'l-Bahá is not impressed with worldly renown and self-glorification. 

On board the Cedric

Thursday, April 4, 1912 [aboard the Cedric]

The Master was slightly indisposed today. He took a little mineral water. Later in the day the conversation was mainly about Columbus, who, intending to reach India, traveled by sea in a straight line from east to west, and, on reaching land, found himself on the shores of the American continent. `Really,' `Abdu'l-Bahá said, `how much trouble these people undergo merely for outward benefits. How many lives have been lost only in an effort to explore the North Pole and for worldly renown.' He related a story:

Once one of the Europeans fell overboard in a storm at sea and his fellow passengers saved him. However, he lamented to himself, `Oh, why wasn't I drowned so that the publications of the incident in the newspapers would have spread my name in all countries?' These people accept death for trifling affairs but they never take a step in the path of the Cause of God.

Then the Master spoke about Nabíl-i-Zarandí, saying, `The true worth of such personages will be appreciated in the future.' He described the disloyalty of the Covenant-breakers and the people of sedition. Later that afternoon, He revealed a long Tablet in honor of Afnán-i-Yazdí.

For dinner a little soup especially prepared for `Abdu'l-Bahá was brought to the table. His general condition improved after dinner and He sat on the deck for a long time. That night He praised the music, which is always heard after breakfast and dinner, and He sent the musicians four pounds as a tip.

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I love thinking about `Abdu'l-Bahá praising the music. In Dublin He will later comment on the spiritual importance of music. I am glad He feels better--there will be times of fatigue and illness on the journey, and then recovery--often with a little cup of soup. So, though He was considered a "perfect" human--He still had a human body with limitations and needs--although later He tells Juliet that if He simply lived according to the laws of hygiene, He would get nothing done!  (I can't seem to help making foreshadowing comments, as I've been so steeped in the journey for so long!  Hope this isn't disconcerting and that it alerts you to signposts to look for along the way!)


Re. STORIES the Master tells: It would be great if someone would learn, illustrate, animate, or otherwise collect or share some of these.  It is like having modern-day parables--and it is good to notice His tendency to teach by way of analogy, story, example. . . .