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TALKS ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ DELIVERED IN NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN 11 April 1912 |
I was in Egypt and was not feeling well, but I wished to come to
you in America. My friends said, “This is a long journey; the sea is
wide; you should remain here.” But the more they advised and insisted,
the greater became my longing to take this trip, and now I
have come to America to meet the friends of God. This long voyage
will prove how great is my love for you. There were many
troubles and vicissitudes, but, in the thought of meeting you, all
these things vanished and were forgotten.
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I am greatly pleased with the city of New York. Its harbor entrance,
its piers, buildings and broad avenues are magnificent and
beautiful. Truly, it is a wonderful city. As New York has made
such progress in material civilization, I hope that it may also advance
spiritually in the Kingdom and Covenant of God so that the
friends here may become the cause of the illumination of America,
that this city may become the city of love and that the fragrances of
God may be spread from this place to all parts of the world. I have
come for this. I pray that you may be manifestations of the love of
Bahá’u’lláh, that each one of you may become like a clear lamp of
crystal from which the rays of the bounties of the Blessed Perfection
may shine forth to all nations and peoples. This is my highest
aspiration.
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In the East people were asking me, “Why do you undertake this
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long voyage? Your body cannot endure such hardships of travel.”
When it is necessary, my body can endure everything. It has withstood
forty years of imprisonment and can still undergo the utmost
trials.
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