August 26, 1912: The Week Ahead 1

‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ HAS SETTLED in at Maria Wilson’s home in Malden, Massachusetts — a woman he first met when she visited him in the Ottoman penal colony of ‘Akká in 1900, along with her best friend Sarah J. Farmer.

In the week ahead: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks to a group of working women at Franklin Square House; a humorous yet poignant look at Bostonian Harry Randall; and Abdu’l-Bahá crosses the border into Canada.

Talk at Franklin Square House, Boston, Massachusetts 2

Among the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh is the principle of equality of man and woman. Bahá’u’lláh has said that both belong to humankind and that in the estimation of God they are equal, for each is the complement of the other in the divine creative plan. The only distinction between them in the sight of God is the purity and righteousness of their deeds and actions, for that one is preferred by God who is most nearly in the spiritual image and likeness of the Creator. Throughout the kingdoms of living organisms there is sex differentiation in function, but no preference or distinction is made in favor of either male or female. In the animal kingdom individual sex exists, but rights are equal and without distinction. Likewise, in the plane or kingdom of the vegetable sex appears, but equality of function and right is evident. Inasmuch as sex distinction and preference are not observed in these kingdoms of inferior intelligence, is it befitting the superior station of man that he should make such differentiation and estimate, when as a matter of fact there is no difference indicated in the law of creation?

In the world of existence nothing is greater than faithfulness, for it allows love to remain unimpaired in spite of the length of time. 3

At the invitation of Mrs Breed, the Master went for an automobile ride along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean through a wide thoroughfare about nine miles long and guarded on the ocean side with iron rails. It is a recreation spot, very green and clean, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá praised it highly.

Some of the firm believers came to visit the Master. He spoke to them about love and faithfulness:

This visit is a proof of faithfulness, proof that we have not forgotten one another. In the world of existence nothing is greater than faithfulness, for it allows love to remain unimpaired in spite of the length of time. Behold how faithful were those blessed souls in Persia who, when under the sword, praised the Blessed Beauty. No affliction or persecution could turn them from faithfulness. On the altar of sacrifice they raised cries of ‘Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá’ from their hearts and souls. This is real faithfulness.

In the evening at the girls’ school [Franklin Square House] He spoke about the rights and education of women. At the conclusion, everyone came to shake His hand with sincerity and gratitude.

Because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was tired and it was too far to go back to Malden, He stayed at a hotel in Boston and went to sleep without supper.

  1. Sockett, Robert. “August 26, 1912: The Week Ahead.” 239 Days in America, 26 Aug. 2012, http://stagingtwo39.wpengine.com/2012/08/26/august-26-1912-the-week-ahead/. [return]
  2. ʻAbduʼl-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 280-281. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/20#466775381 [return]
  3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá, and Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani. Mahmúd’s Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání Chronicling ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey to America. Edited by Shirley Macias. Translated by Mohi Sobhani. Oxford: George Ronald, 1998. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary&chapter=6#section155 [return]