May 5, 1912 The breezes of paradise . . .

[See May 4 post to understand all that happened on May 5, as there is some date discrepancy.  May 5 is a Sunday, so it is likely that `Abdu'l-Bahá did speak at the two churches on that day, as PUP and Ward propose.]

Plymouth Congregational Church, Chicago

Mahmud’s account for the 4^th ends as follows, but I think we can safely say this was on the  5^th, after He went to the Congregational Church:

“In the early evening `Abdu'l-Bahá went to the All-Souls Church.  A great excitement was also created among the people of this church. His eloquent address, given in sweet and melodious tones, concerned the missions of the Divine Manifestations of God and the peace and unity of humanity. He concluded His talk with a detailed account of the Most Great Manifestation, Bahá'u'lláh, and the influence of His exalted Word.

After members of the audience came to Him to shake His hand and express their thanks and devotion, He went to the home of Dr Melborne, the rector of the Congregational Church. There He gave a most impressive and eloquent talk on the benefits of peace and harmony and the harm caused by war and strife. He discussed the requisites for prosperity and the unity of humankind. It was the last night of His stay and the effect of His words was so deep and far-reaching that it is beyond description.”

[The last night would have been May 5.  According to Mahmud's account, the Master left Chicago on the morning of May 6.]

Regarding the 5^th, Mahmud recounts:

“As it was the last day of the Master's stay, there was much commotion among the friends visiting the Master's apartment. A large number of Bahá'ís and their children had gathered in the hotel's salon. `Abdu'l-Bahá embraced and kissed each child with love and kindness. Giving them flowers and sweets, He said to them:

According to Christ you are the children of the Kingdom and according to Bahá'u'lláh, the candles of the world of man, for your hearts are in the utmost purity and your spirits are sanctified. You are not soiled with the things of this world. Your hearts are pure and clean like the mirror. Your parents must bring you up with great kindness and must educate you in morals and praiseworthy attributes so that the virtues of the world of man may be exemplified perfectly in your characters and conduct, that you may progress in all fields of endeavor, may acquire knowledge of the arts and sciences, and may become the cause of the manifestation of eternal bounties and universal advancement.”

Ward adds that an observer wrote, “The children’s joy and his own happiness seemed to culminate when one dear little tot ran to him and fairly threw herself into his arms.  When he let her go she stood for a second and then suddenly laughed aloud with perfect joy. . . .” (56) Ward also describes how He took a bouquet from the table and divided it among the children and gave each one an envelope of rose petals (don’t you wonder if any of these still exist?) 

Mahmud says [I have bolded some parts], 

     “Then addressing the entire assembly, He said:

I am going, but you must rise up to serve the Cause of God. Endeavor to keep your hearts sanctified and your intentions pure so that you may attract divine bounties. . . . This is the day in which only pure and chaste hearts can derive benefit from the eternal bounties and only pious souls can receive light from the ever-existent splendors. Praise be to God that ye believe in God, have faith in His words and are turned to His Kingdom. You have heard the voice of God and your hearts are delighted with the breezes of the Abhá paradise. Your intentions are good; your object is the will of God; and your desire is to render service to the Kingdom of God.

     Therefore, you must gird up your loins with unswerving determination, you must be united among yourselves and you must not be irritated by one another. Your eyes must be turned always to the kingdom of God and not to the world of man. You must love His creation for His sake and not for your own. When you love one another for the sake of God you shall never be perturbed. No human being is perfect, every person has some flaw. If you look to your fellowman you will always be upset; but if you look to God it shall not be so, because the world of God is a world of perfection and endless mercy; therefore, you will love and show kindness to all for His sake. You must not look to the faults of others; you must look with the eye of forgiveness and pardon. The eye that regards faults sees nothing but faults and the eye that overlooks faults is fixed on the Creator of the souls. It is He Who has created all, has nurtured all, has endowed all with life and spirit and has given to all eyes and ears. Thus all are the signs of His power and for His sake we must love all, and show kindness to all, assist the poor, render help to the weak, heal the sick and educate the ignorant.

It is my desire that the union and harmony of the friends of Chicago may be an example for all the friends in America and that all creation may derive benefit from their behavior; that they may lead all. Then and only then shall the confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom and the bounties of the Sun of Reality encircle you.”

All creation might be affected by our thoughts and behavior! Oh, my! 

Remembering the story of a few days ago, when He instructed the friends not to focus on each other’s flaws, I am thinking that somehow this was one of His important messages in Chicago.

Ward describes that after the talk, He took them all out into the park for a photograph.  “After a time He expressed His wish to be alone and walked over to the statue of Abraham Lincoln and stood gazing up at it.” (239 Days, 56)

Abdu'l-Baha with statue of Lincoln

 This was rather amazing for me to discover, since we shot footage in Lincoln Park and focused on that statue--not knowing then He had gazed up at it. (Click on photo & you can see it better.)

Statue of Lincoln, from our shoot

Later, the events at the two churches and the situation with Mr. Forde’s car would have occurred. To repeat what M. said on the 4^th but probably meant occurred on the 5^th:  “It was the last night of His stay and the effect of His words was so deep and far-reaching that it is beyond description.”  Indeed!

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I write from the "Wings to the Spirit" Arts Conference in Pensacola, FL, where I presented a session on our film today.  I am experiencing the breezes of paradise--so many special souls and talents and moments.  Hooper Dunbar is here, and Hong Foo, and a host of other friends.  Tonight we danced after the program--and after everyone left, I walked on the beach and moon-bathed under the full moon.  What bounties surround us!