Only Genuine Color Photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
http://centenary.bahai.us/photo/only-genuine-color-photograph-abdul-baha
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Wednesday, October 2, 1912
Commemorative Events
News, Talks and Stories from Today in 1912
Follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey Across America
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Travels of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by City
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
journeys in America lasted 239 days between April and December 1912.
While much of his time was spent in the major metropolitan centers of
the country, a number of small towns were also on the itinerary, and
indeed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá never seemed to be as interested in material
development as in spiritual capacity. Most of His cross-country travels
were by train, which was the most convenient form of long-distance
travel at the time. He spent 10 days in Canada, and a little over a
month on the West coast, with the rest of the time shared among the
cities and towns of the Eastern and Central United States.
Among the cities that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited were the following:
Among the cities that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited were the following:
Maryland
Minnesota
New Hampshire
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Quebec
Utah
Wisconsin
Kenosha
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Internal and External Related Resources
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| Books and Published Diaries about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Travels | |
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Commemorative Events
News, Talks and Stories from Today in 1912
Follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey Across America
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Public Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
April 11, 1912 New York
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney
April 12, 1912 Brooklyn
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt
April 12, 1912 New York
Talk at Studio of Miss Phillips
April 13, 1912 New York
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Morten
April 14, 1912 New York
Talk at Church of the Ascension
April 14, 1912 New York
Talk at Union Meeting of Advanced Thought Centers, Carnegie Lyceum
April 15, 1912 New York
Talk at Home of Mountfort Mills
April 17, 1912 New York
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney
April 18, 1912 New York
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall L. Emery
April 19, 1912 New York
Talk at Earl Hall, Columbia University
April 19, 1912 New York
Talk at Bowery Mission
April 20, 1912 Washington
Talk at Carnegie Public Library
April 21, 1912 Washington
Talk at Church of Our Father - Universalist Church
April 22, 1912 Washington
Talk at Home of Mr & Mrs Arthur J. Parsons
April 23, 1912 Washington
Talk at Howard University
April 23, 1912 Washington
Talk at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
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Photos and Images of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Travels
May 3, 1912
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Brooklyn June 18, 1912
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Chicago May 5, 1912
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Eliot August 17, 1912
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Dublin August 5, 1912
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New York June 20, 1912
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Oakland October 12, 1912
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Adrianople c1867
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eliot
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Paris 1900
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Haifa 1920
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Paris 1911
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April 12, 1912
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Wilmette May 1, 1912
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Wilmette May 1, 1912
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Wilmette May 1, 1912
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New York December 5, 1912
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Commemorative Events
News, Talks and Stories from Today in 1912
Follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey Across America
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1912 Press Coverage of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Washington April 25, 1912
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Denver September 26, 1912
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Washington DC April 24, 1912
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New York May 13, 1912
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New York April 21, 1912
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Washington DC March 27, 1912
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New York May 5, 1912
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New York September 11, 1912
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Montreal September 4, 1912
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New York July 7, 1912
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New York December 1, 1911
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Montreal August 31, 1912
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September 5, 1915
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Chicago May 1, 1912
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Montreal September 6, 1912
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Portland July 11, 1924
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Montreal August 24, 1912
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San Francisco October 4, 1912
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Centenary Commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to California
Sunday, September 9, 2012
War Memorial Opera House
301 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA
‘Abdu’l-Bahá—Pillar of Peace
The celebration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to California in 1912 was held at the War Memorial Opera House on Sunday, September 9, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The theme of the event was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision for peace and putting that vision into action, particularly within our own communities and neighborhoods.
Tours and picnics were also organized by Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Bay Area. To view the schedule of activities that friends participated in click here.
To view photos of these events, please visit the San Francisco Centenary Facebook page.
SELF GUIDED TOURS:
Use this interactive map for a self-guided tour of San Francisco sites associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
The celebration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to California in 1912 was held at the War Memorial Opera House on Sunday, September 9, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The theme of the event was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision for peace and putting that vision into action, particularly within our own communities and neighborhoods.
Tours and picnics were also organized by Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Bay Area. To view the schedule of activities that friends participated in click here.
To view photos of these events, please visit the San Francisco Centenary Facebook page.
SELF GUIDED TOURS:
Use this interactive map for a self-guided tour of San Francisco sites associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
This is a free event supported by the National Bahá’í Fund. Bahá’ís who wish to make a donation to support the National Bahá’í Fund can do so by clicking here. Donating to the Bahá’í funds is a privilege reserved only for members of the Bahá’í Faith.
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Commemorative Events
News, Talks and Stories from Today in 1912
Follow ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey Across America
___________________________________________________________________________________
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Centenary
For more info please see http://centenary.bahai.us/commemoration/san-francisco
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Pillar of Peace
Centenary of the Visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to California
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
War Memorial Opera House, Civic Center, San Francisco
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Pillar of Peace was a two-hour commemoration–in music, film, drama
and oratory–of the Master’s momentous visit to California, the significance of which
is still unfolding. Years in the planning, the commemoration took place on
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at San Francisco’s historic War Memorial Opera House where the UN Charter was adopted in 1945.
Speakers were Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Dr. Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh and Mr. Hooper Dunbar.
Actors portrayed early Baha’is Robert Turner (Anthony Hamm), Helen Goodall (Nikki Gundry), Ella Goodall Cooper (Arria Bruss), Thornton Chase (Randy Dobbs) and John Bosch (Paul Bourque). Directed by Gary Bulkin. Costumes by Anne Perry.
Musicians included Sandy Simmons, John Davey-Hatcher, Munirih Sparrow, Lauren Grieve, JB Eckl and Eric Dozier.
Historical film montage by Gary Bulkin.
“Increase the Peace” video by Craig Rothman of Baha’i Junior Youth in Oakland, San Mateo, Los Altos and Hayward, CA.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Pillar of PeaceCentenary of the Visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to California
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM
War Memorial Opera House, Civic Center, San Francisco
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Pillar of Peace was a two-hour commemoration–in music, film, drama
and oratory–of the Master’s momentous visit to California, the significance of which
is still unfolding. Years in the planning, the commemoration took place on
Sunday, September 9, 2012 at San Francisco’s historic War Memorial Opera House where the UN Charter was adopted in 1945.
Speakers were Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Dr. Wilma Ellis Kazemzadeh and Mr. Hooper Dunbar.
Actors portrayed early Baha’is Robert Turner (Anthony Hamm), Helen Goodall (Nikki Gundry), Ella Goodall Cooper (Arria Bruss), Thornton Chase (Randy Dobbs) and John Bosch (Paul Bourque). Directed by Gary Bulkin. Costumes by Anne Perry.
Musicians included Sandy Simmons, John Davey-Hatcher, Munirih Sparrow, Lauren Grieve, JB Eckl and Eric Dozier.
Historical film montage by Gary Bulkin.
“Increase the Peace” video by Craig Rothman of Baha’i Junior Youth in Oakland, San Mateo, Los Altos and Hayward, CA.
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Home
Unit Convention for Electoral Unit 150
Dear Friends in Electoral Unit 150,
Our Unit Convention will be held on Sunday, October 7th, with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The correct address for the Martin Luther King Center in San Mateo is 725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo. 
Please join us for community celebrations, devotions, music by
Keith Williams and Chris French. A children’s program will be available.
We are hoping to see you there!
Absentee ballots should be mailed to the San Francisco Baha’i Center, 170 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94103.
Please share this information at the Feast of Mashiyyat!
Please share this information at the Feast of Mashiyyat!
Posted in Local Events
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Online Conference 13 Oct 2012
Online Conference
On the centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s historic voyage to the West, we take stock of the impacts, legacies and above all the ongoing relevance which the figure of ‘Abdu’l-Baha still holds in a planet in transition.
Online Conference Click for more information.
Also posted on Facebook.
First Ever Online Baha’i Studies Conference
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Legacies and Resonances
13 October 2012
On the centenary of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s historic voyage to the West, we take stock of the impacts, legacies and above all the ongoing relevance which the figure of ‘Abdu’l-Baha still holds in a planet in transition.
Online Conference Click for more information.
Also posted on Facebook.
Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Golden Gate Park
ABDU’L-BAHA IN GOLDEN GATE PARK
During his 1912 visit to San Francisco,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá enjoyed visiting Golden Gate Park and walking near Lloyd
Lake. The link below will take you to a compilation excerpted from
contemporary accounts of Baha’is who accompanied him there.
To this day, Bahá’ís gather at Lloyd Lake
on special occasions in commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whose father,
Bahá’u'lláh, Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, named him the Master.
Adorning
Lloyd Lake is “Portals of the Past”, a portion of the Towne Family’s
home that survived the 1906 earthquake and fire. This image is from an
early postcard
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visits to Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, October 1912
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s impressions of San Francisco and Golden Gate Park
“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed himself much pleased with San Francisco and greatly enjoyed His visits to Golden Gate Park.
He took especial interest in the flowers and would often leave the automobile for a walk along the shore of some one of the small lakes. But even on the drives and during the walks He dispensed blessing – giving many wonderful lessons to those whose great privilege it was to be with Him at those times.”
[Source: Frances Orr Allen, “Abdu’l-Bahá in San Francisco, California", Star of the West, vol. 3, No. 13 (November 4, 1912), p. 13. ]
“’Abdu’l-Bahá was immediately in demand. In fact, His entire sojourn was divided between pre-arranged public meetings and interviews granted the hundreds of callers who had read in the newspapers of his arrival with dozens of impromptu gatherings for the Bahá’í friends, interspersed between. Notwithstanding his time was so fully occupied, he made a point of motoring nearly every day in Golden Gate Park, where he could enjoy the trees and flowers and walk around the numerous lakes watching the birds. He also walked frequently in the neighborhood parks (plazas), sometimes with his secretaries, but often alone. October is such a beautiful month in San Francisco and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was very appreciative of the Indian summer weather.”
[Source: Ella Goodall Cooper Collection, M-7, Box 21, National Bahá’í Archives, United States.]
Automobile outings to Golden Gate Park, buffalo herd, and ocean side
“I, at that time, had an electric automobile which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá enjoyed driving in, as He said there was no odor and no noise and the motion was very soothing. Mrs. Goodall’s very beautiful closed car was also at His disposal with a chauffeur. As He did not wish to show any favoritism, He called first upon Mrs. Goodall and then upon me, alternatively. We had many delightful rides, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá talked often to groups in Golden Gate Park. We would follow Him along the winding paths, and occasionally He would stop and speak. One day He spoke about the plants and flowers. He said that plants were very sensitive to their environment, and that they were sensitive to the thoughts of human beings.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá sometimes would leave the others and drive with me in the electric, alone. One day He called Mrs. Goodall, and we three went to Golden Gate Park. We stopped to look at the buffalo, busily eating grass, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remarked: There, are the true philosophers, for they never get their heads above the earth. Other days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would drive with me alone. I had placed a very soft comfortable pillow in the corner of the car, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would sleep while I drove along the ocean shore….”
[Source: Ella Goodall Cooper Collection M-7, Box 24, Folder 36, “Reminiscences of an early believer, Mrs. Georgia Ralston, 1936,” pp.11-13. National Bahá’í Archives, United States.]
Remarks at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park
“The Master went to the public park in the afternoon, which He appreciated very much, especially when He went near the lake and saw the remnants of a few marble pillars left over from the destruction caused by the great earthquake of 1906. He remarked,
The world and its condition will change to such a degree and the Bahá’í Cause will prevail to such an extent that nothing but a remnant — like these pillars — will remain of the previous order.
Sitting on a bench, the Master spoke about the sensitivity of the vegetable kingdom:
Although sensitivity in plants is slight as compared with that manifested in animals, within their own kingdom they have sensitivity and vegetable spirit. Cut across a conical shape, sprinkle a little sulphate of copper on it, add a little water and then observe it with a magnifier. You will find its components rushing toward the center. Their sensitivity is apparent in their effort to reach the center until they form a cylinder.”
[Source: Mohi Sohhani, The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling `Abdu'l-Bahá's Journey to America, p. 306.]
Visit to Portals of the Past in Golden Gate Park
“When the Master was in the city Mrs. Goodall would drive Him and some of the friends (often including my father) to Lloyd Lake, a small lake surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs, in Golden Gate Park. On the edge of the lake was placed a marble arch, which is all that remains of the Towne family mansion after the fire of 1906. This arch is called ‘Portals of the Past’ and is on the shore across the lake from where the Master would stand on the path and watch the ducks. The little ducks swam toward Him as if drawn by His presence. Once He said, The ducks and flowers are more conscious of My presence than are the people of the city. He spoke of many things and said that He hoped the Faith would progress in the West.”
[Source: Ramona Brown, Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp.47- 48.]
A childhood account of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park
The following is a childhood account from the memory of Florence Mayberry of one of the visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Lloyd Lake.
“One afternoon in early October 1912, Myrtle [Florence’s mother], Marie [Myrtle’s friend] and I were on one of our Golden Gate Park outings, I, for some unrecalled reason, minus Louise [Florence’s doll] and her doll buggy, which gave me freedom to roam. Myrtle and Marie dawdled behind, chummily chatting a mile a minute. Bored with their girl talk, I skipped ahead where, off the main path on a side location, was located the dream-like white pillared portico known as the Portals of the Past. This was a relic from the 1906 earthquake and fire which had destroyed so much of San Francisco, installed in the Park as a poignant memento of a city’s devastation. On earlier strolls our trio had occasionally diverged to a side pathway to admire its poetic beauty.
A longing to see it again urged me not to wait for Myrtle and Marie, who might have other destinations in mind, but to push through the shrubs which bordered the more public pathway and to directly enter the Portals area.
I bent beneath the low branches of the closely planted shrubs, pushed myself free of them. Stopped abruptly, startled. A small crowd of laughing, exhilarated people were gathered on the periphery of the Portals. Such an excited, happy group, expressing emotion I had never witnessed before on any picnic or party gathering. Their voices lilted, the women’s high tones almost bird-like, a mysterious rapture seemed to infuse them.
They were gathered in a loose circle, facing Someone at their center, focusing their rapture upon whoever it was.
As I stared, the group, almost as one, turned and stared back. Immediately, as though on signal, the women at the edge of the group stretched welcoming, pleading hands to me, called, “Come, please come! Come here, child!” I shook my head, pleased by the invitation, but had I not been sternly warned by Myrtle never to go with strangers?
The women called, called again, continuing, “Come! Please! Come see Him!’” Reluctantly I shook my head, backed through the shrubbery, regained the outer path.
“Florence! Come right here!” Myrtle shrilled, running toward me.
“But my People want me. They want me to come back!” Now that Myrtle knew where I was, I pushed back through the shrubs into the enchanted area. Those pretty loving people renewed their cry, “Come, please come, oh please!”
See! They were My People, they liked me, they wanted me. Nobody except Myrtle, Grandma and Grandpa had ever wanted me that much. And even Myrtle, Grandma and Grandpa never called to me like it was almost a prayer. Perhaps Whoever it was in their center wanted to see me too, perhaps–
I stepped toward them, then obediently scooted back to Myrtle on the outer path. She grasped my shoulders, held me tightly. “What is getting into you? First, climbing out of windows, now hiding in bushes! Haven’t I told you never to leave my sight in this big Park? You could get lost, I might never see you again!”
“But they’re my People. They’re having a party, they want me to come.”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“They’re pretty ladies mostly. Nice people, not scary.”
Marie suggested, “Perhaps they are having a picnic and they want to be nice to the child.”
“Well, even if they are, she shouldn’t interrupt their party. Come along, now, we’d better head home, pretty soon the fog may start rolling in.”
We turned away, toward home.
Strange, really peculiar. I was a willful child, I wanted to go to go to their picnic. But somehow I didn’t seem to mind leaving, although I did want to see Whoever it was they wanted me to see. Oddly, a peculiar confidence settled within me, making me certain that no matter if I never saw them anymore, they belonged to me. For always.
In coming years, as child and adult, I often visited that same spot, visualizing that scene of the welcoming people. I always thought of them as My People. Very odd. They were friendly, lovely ghosts, more mine than many I saw in reality every day.
I finally found My People. A long time later. I am unable to factually prove the identity of My People, even though the year and the month and a corroborating event indicate the truth of my discovery. I am inwardly certain they formed a group of early American Bahá’ís who escorted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Son of Bahá’u'lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, to Golden Gate Park during his 1912 visit to America. They did visit the Portals of the Past, a brief respite in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s demanding journey when He conveyed to thousands of Americans and Canadians the universal principles of the Oneness of God, mankind, and the world revealed by Bahá’u’lláh….
I only wish that I had heard the Center of that group speak of many things, that I could have joined the ducks and flowers and, of course, My People, in the consciousness of His presence. How grateful I am that I never forgot that strange small episode and that finally I did join them.”
[Source: Florence Mayberry, The Great Adventure, pp. 50-51.]
Conversed about health and acquiring virtues
“On one of His visits to Golden Gate Park with a few friends ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to my father about health:
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Man must not imagine disease but must ever trust God. Anyway, a man’s life here in this world is temporary. He is in a world that is like a house, susceptible to every invasion, and God must protect man – man must be submissive to God. He must not occupy himself with the thoughts of things – imaginings. If a man thinks too much of his health, he will become afflicted….
The spiritual life of man is important. The everlasting life of man is of the utmost importance. A man must be thinking of that….
Dr. Allen: Why should we pay attention to the everlasting life? We give up all of our time to this, and why should we be thinking about the rest of it?
Mrs. Lua Getsinger: You mean why should we not wait until we get there and take it up then?
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Because whatsoever a man soweth here he reapeth there. This world is like a school. He must learn lessons here so that when he issues from this school he may become learned. He must not be ignorant.
For phenomena in general, there is one virtue. It is innate virtue. For example, this tree: its verdure is innate; its flowers are innate; they are creational. It does not interfere with them. It has no will of its own. As to animals, all their virtues are innate. The sun, its virtues are innate; therefore, there is no credit to be given it….Are you grateful to any of these? Not especially, as they are innate, involuntary virtues. But the virtues of man are acquired….Therefore, for man there is need of the acquiring of virtues.
All the philosophers have come with the intention of teaching man to acquire virtues. All the prophets who have come have come to endow man with acquired virtues….
When the party returned from the park to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s home, He continued:
I have traversed long distances to see you. Bahá’ís traverse long distances to see one another. His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh says: ‘My comfort, My ease, My life, My honor, My faith, My household, all have I sacrificed in order that blessed souls may appear, souls that might be centers of the virtues of mankind. May they be the souls of the Kingdom, so heavenly, so lordly, and freed from the attachments of the nether world, sanctified from all the vices of human nature, acquiring beauties from the perfections of God. Thus He endured every difficulty. All these ordeals He suffered, and He sacrificed Himself of all of us.”
[Source: Ramona Brown, Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp.48-49.]
Conversation about the Blessed Beauty during an automobile ride to Golden Gate Park
“In the afternoon, after seeing many visitors and answering questions from some reporters, at the invitation of Mrs. Goodall the Master went to see the beautiful and tranquil Golden Gate Park located outside of the city. In the automobile on the way to the park the Master spoke about the grandeur of the Revelation of the Blessed Beauty:
No one was a denier of His virtues. All the wise men of the East considered Him the greatest person in the world. But they said, `Alas, that He has claimed divinity for Himself.’ Many of the people of the East said and wrote about me, too, `all agree that he excels in knowledge, learning, speech and explanation, but, alas! he is the propagator of a new law’. They expected us to be servants and propagators of their old dogmas and customs, not knowing that we are obliged to serve humanity and spread universal love and
He concluded,
If all others have a few daughters and sons, I have thousands of spiritual offspring and heavenly children like you.
When He returned, and after seeing the friends and bestowing His favors upon them, He sent telegrams to the assemblies in the East. Among them was this: ‘Rejoicing among friends of God in San Francisco. Truly confirmations are overwhelming and happiness complete. `Abbás.’”
[Source: Mohi Sohhani, The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling `Abdu'l-Bahá's Journey to America, p. 304.]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s impressions of San Francisco and Golden Gate Park
“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressed himself much pleased with San Francisco and greatly enjoyed His visits to Golden Gate Park.
He took especial interest in the flowers and would often leave the automobile for a walk along the shore of some one of the small lakes. But even on the drives and during the walks He dispensed blessing – giving many wonderful lessons to those whose great privilege it was to be with Him at those times.”
[Source: Frances Orr Allen, “Abdu’l-Bahá in San Francisco, California", Star of the West, vol. 3, No. 13 (November 4, 1912), p. 13. ]
“’Abdu’l-Bahá was immediately in demand. In fact, His entire sojourn was divided between pre-arranged public meetings and interviews granted the hundreds of callers who had read in the newspapers of his arrival with dozens of impromptu gatherings for the Bahá’í friends, interspersed between. Notwithstanding his time was so fully occupied, he made a point of motoring nearly every day in Golden Gate Park, where he could enjoy the trees and flowers and walk around the numerous lakes watching the birds. He also walked frequently in the neighborhood parks (plazas), sometimes with his secretaries, but often alone. October is such a beautiful month in San Francisco and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was very appreciative of the Indian summer weather.”
[Source: Ella Goodall Cooper Collection, M-7, Box 21, National Bahá’í Archives, United States.]
Automobile outings to Golden Gate Park, buffalo herd, and ocean side
“I, at that time, had an electric automobile which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá enjoyed driving in, as He said there was no odor and no noise and the motion was very soothing. Mrs. Goodall’s very beautiful closed car was also at His disposal with a chauffeur. As He did not wish to show any favoritism, He called first upon Mrs. Goodall and then upon me, alternatively. We had many delightful rides, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá talked often to groups in Golden Gate Park. We would follow Him along the winding paths, and occasionally He would stop and speak. One day He spoke about the plants and flowers. He said that plants were very sensitive to their environment, and that they were sensitive to the thoughts of human beings.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá sometimes would leave the others and drive with me in the electric, alone. One day He called Mrs. Goodall, and we three went to Golden Gate Park. We stopped to look at the buffalo, busily eating grass, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá remarked: There, are the true philosophers, for they never get their heads above the earth. Other days ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would drive with me alone. I had placed a very soft comfortable pillow in the corner of the car, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would sleep while I drove along the ocean shore….”
[Source: Ella Goodall Cooper Collection M-7, Box 24, Folder 36, “Reminiscences of an early believer, Mrs. Georgia Ralston, 1936,” pp.11-13. National Bahá’í Archives, United States.]
Remarks at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park
“The Master went to the public park in the afternoon, which He appreciated very much, especially when He went near the lake and saw the remnants of a few marble pillars left over from the destruction caused by the great earthquake of 1906. He remarked,
The world and its condition will change to such a degree and the Bahá’í Cause will prevail to such an extent that nothing but a remnant — like these pillars — will remain of the previous order.
Sitting on a bench, the Master spoke about the sensitivity of the vegetable kingdom:
Although sensitivity in plants is slight as compared with that manifested in animals, within their own kingdom they have sensitivity and vegetable spirit. Cut across a conical shape, sprinkle a little sulphate of copper on it, add a little water and then observe it with a magnifier. You will find its components rushing toward the center. Their sensitivity is apparent in their effort to reach the center until they form a cylinder.”
[Source: Mohi Sohhani, The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling `Abdu'l-Bahá's Journey to America, p. 306.]
Visit to Portals of the Past in Golden Gate Park
“When the Master was in the city Mrs. Goodall would drive Him and some of the friends (often including my father) to Lloyd Lake, a small lake surrounded by trees and flowering shrubs, in Golden Gate Park. On the edge of the lake was placed a marble arch, which is all that remains of the Towne family mansion after the fire of 1906. This arch is called ‘Portals of the Past’ and is on the shore across the lake from where the Master would stand on the path and watch the ducks. The little ducks swam toward Him as if drawn by His presence. Once He said, The ducks and flowers are more conscious of My presence than are the people of the city. He spoke of many things and said that He hoped the Faith would progress in the West.”
[Source: Ramona Brown, Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp.47- 48.]
A childhood account of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Lloyd Lake in Golden Gate Park
The following is a childhood account from the memory of Florence Mayberry of one of the visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Lloyd Lake.
“One afternoon in early October 1912, Myrtle [Florence’s mother], Marie [Myrtle’s friend] and I were on one of our Golden Gate Park outings, I, for some unrecalled reason, minus Louise [Florence’s doll] and her doll buggy, which gave me freedom to roam. Myrtle and Marie dawdled behind, chummily chatting a mile a minute. Bored with their girl talk, I skipped ahead where, off the main path on a side location, was located the dream-like white pillared portico known as the Portals of the Past. This was a relic from the 1906 earthquake and fire which had destroyed so much of San Francisco, installed in the Park as a poignant memento of a city’s devastation. On earlier strolls our trio had occasionally diverged to a side pathway to admire its poetic beauty.
A longing to see it again urged me not to wait for Myrtle and Marie, who might have other destinations in mind, but to push through the shrubs which bordered the more public pathway and to directly enter the Portals area.
I bent beneath the low branches of the closely planted shrubs, pushed myself free of them. Stopped abruptly, startled. A small crowd of laughing, exhilarated people were gathered on the periphery of the Portals. Such an excited, happy group, expressing emotion I had never witnessed before on any picnic or party gathering. Their voices lilted, the women’s high tones almost bird-like, a mysterious rapture seemed to infuse them.
They were gathered in a loose circle, facing Someone at their center, focusing their rapture upon whoever it was.
As I stared, the group, almost as one, turned and stared back. Immediately, as though on signal, the women at the edge of the group stretched welcoming, pleading hands to me, called, “Come, please come! Come here, child!” I shook my head, pleased by the invitation, but had I not been sternly warned by Myrtle never to go with strangers?
The women called, called again, continuing, “Come! Please! Come see Him!’” Reluctantly I shook my head, backed through the shrubbery, regained the outer path.
“Florence! Come right here!” Myrtle shrilled, running toward me.
“But my People want me. They want me to come back!” Now that Myrtle knew where I was, I pushed back through the shrubs into the enchanted area. Those pretty loving people renewed their cry, “Come, please come, oh please!”
See! They were My People, they liked me, they wanted me. Nobody except Myrtle, Grandma and Grandpa had ever wanted me that much. And even Myrtle, Grandma and Grandpa never called to me like it was almost a prayer. Perhaps Whoever it was in their center wanted to see me too, perhaps–
I stepped toward them, then obediently scooted back to Myrtle on the outer path. She grasped my shoulders, held me tightly. “What is getting into you? First, climbing out of windows, now hiding in bushes! Haven’t I told you never to leave my sight in this big Park? You could get lost, I might never see you again!”
“But they’re my People. They’re having a party, they want me to come.”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“They’re pretty ladies mostly. Nice people, not scary.”
Marie suggested, “Perhaps they are having a picnic and they want to be nice to the child.”
“Well, even if they are, she shouldn’t interrupt their party. Come along, now, we’d better head home, pretty soon the fog may start rolling in.”
We turned away, toward home.
Strange, really peculiar. I was a willful child, I wanted to go to go to their picnic. But somehow I didn’t seem to mind leaving, although I did want to see Whoever it was they wanted me to see. Oddly, a peculiar confidence settled within me, making me certain that no matter if I never saw them anymore, they belonged to me. For always.
In coming years, as child and adult, I often visited that same spot, visualizing that scene of the welcoming people. I always thought of them as My People. Very odd. They were friendly, lovely ghosts, more mine than many I saw in reality every day.
I finally found My People. A long time later. I am unable to factually prove the identity of My People, even though the year and the month and a corroborating event indicate the truth of my discovery. I am inwardly certain they formed a group of early American Bahá’ís who escorted ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Son of Bahá’u'lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, to Golden Gate Park during his 1912 visit to America. They did visit the Portals of the Past, a brief respite in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s demanding journey when He conveyed to thousands of Americans and Canadians the universal principles of the Oneness of God, mankind, and the world revealed by Bahá’u’lláh….
I only wish that I had heard the Center of that group speak of many things, that I could have joined the ducks and flowers and, of course, My People, in the consciousness of His presence. How grateful I am that I never forgot that strange small episode and that finally I did join them.”
[Source: Florence Mayberry, The Great Adventure, pp. 50-51.]
Conversed about health and acquiring virtues
“On one of His visits to Golden Gate Park with a few friends ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke to my father about health:
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Man must not imagine disease but must ever trust God. Anyway, a man’s life here in this world is temporary. He is in a world that is like a house, susceptible to every invasion, and God must protect man – man must be submissive to God. He must not occupy himself with the thoughts of things – imaginings. If a man thinks too much of his health, he will become afflicted….
The spiritual life of man is important. The everlasting life of man is of the utmost importance. A man must be thinking of that….
Dr. Allen: Why should we pay attention to the everlasting life? We give up all of our time to this, and why should we be thinking about the rest of it?
Mrs. Lua Getsinger: You mean why should we not wait until we get there and take it up then?
‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Because whatsoever a man soweth here he reapeth there. This world is like a school. He must learn lessons here so that when he issues from this school he may become learned. He must not be ignorant.
For phenomena in general, there is one virtue. It is innate virtue. For example, this tree: its verdure is innate; its flowers are innate; they are creational. It does not interfere with them. It has no will of its own. As to animals, all their virtues are innate. The sun, its virtues are innate; therefore, there is no credit to be given it….Are you grateful to any of these? Not especially, as they are innate, involuntary virtues. But the virtues of man are acquired….Therefore, for man there is need of the acquiring of virtues.
All the philosophers have come with the intention of teaching man to acquire virtues. All the prophets who have come have come to endow man with acquired virtues….
When the party returned from the park to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s home, He continued:
I have traversed long distances to see you. Bahá’ís traverse long distances to see one another. His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh says: ‘My comfort, My ease, My life, My honor, My faith, My household, all have I sacrificed in order that blessed souls may appear, souls that might be centers of the virtues of mankind. May they be the souls of the Kingdom, so heavenly, so lordly, and freed from the attachments of the nether world, sanctified from all the vices of human nature, acquiring beauties from the perfections of God. Thus He endured every difficulty. All these ordeals He suffered, and He sacrificed Himself of all of us.”
[Source: Ramona Brown, Memories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp.48-49.]
Conversation about the Blessed Beauty during an automobile ride to Golden Gate Park
“In the afternoon, after seeing many visitors and answering questions from some reporters, at the invitation of Mrs. Goodall the Master went to see the beautiful and tranquil Golden Gate Park located outside of the city. In the automobile on the way to the park the Master spoke about the grandeur of the Revelation of the Blessed Beauty:
No one was a denier of His virtues. All the wise men of the East considered Him the greatest person in the world. But they said, `Alas, that He has claimed divinity for Himself.’ Many of the people of the East said and wrote about me, too, `all agree that he excels in knowledge, learning, speech and explanation, but, alas! he is the propagator of a new law’. They expected us to be servants and propagators of their old dogmas and customs, not knowing that we are obliged to serve humanity and spread universal love and
He concluded,
If all others have a few daughters and sons, I have thousands of spiritual offspring and heavenly children like you.
When He returned, and after seeing the friends and bestowing His favors upon them, He sent telegrams to the assemblies in the East. Among them was this: ‘Rejoicing among friends of God in San Francisco. Truly confirmations are overwhelming and happiness complete. `Abbás.’”
[Source: Mohi Sohhani, The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling `Abdu'l-Bahá's Journey to America, p. 304.]
Posted in 'Abdu'l-Bahá in San Francisco, San Francisco Bahá'í History
Tagged 'Abdu'l-Bahá tour, Baha'i history San Francisco, centenary, Ella Goodall Cooper, Frances Mayberry, Frances Orr Allen, Golden Gate Park, Lloyd Lake, Mohi Sohhani, Ramona Brown
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Self-guided tour of places where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke, visited and stayed
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
gave his first public address in California at the First Unitarian
Church, Franklin & Geary Streets, San Francisco. The church looks
similar today.
Tours can be taken at any time with a smartphone or tablet computer by following the interactive tour map
Please be aware that after 100 years, some of the buildings are no longer standing.
Posted in 'Abdu'l-Bahá in San Francisco, Local Events, San Francisco Bahá'í History
Tagged 'Abdu'l-Bahá tour, centenary
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Gravesites of Some Bay Area Bahá’ís
The gravesites of Robert Turner, Phoebe Hearst, Helen
Goodall, Ella Goodall Cooper and other Bahá’ís are located at Cypress
Lawn in the town of Colma, south of San Francisco.
Cypress Lawn Cemetery
1370 El Camino Real
Colma, California
For more information and an interactive map: www.pacificabahai.org
Cypress Lawn Cemetery
1370 El Camino Real
Colma, California
For more information and an interactive map: www.pacificabahai.org
Posted in 'Abdu'l-Bahá in San Francisco, Local Events, San Francisco Bahá'í History
Tagged Baha'i history San Francisco, centenary, Ella Goodall Cooper, Helen Goodall, Phoebe Hearst, Robert Turner
Comments closed
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