‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London

THESE are wonderful days! We see an Eastern guest received with love and courtesy in the West. I have been drawn here, in spite of indisposition, by the magnet of your love and sympathy.

Some years ago an Ambassador was sent from Persia to London where he stayed five years. (His name was ‘Abdu’l Ḥasan Khán). When he returned to Persia they asked him to tell them about the English people. He answered: “I do not know the English people, although I have been in London for years I have only met the people of the Court.” This man was a great man in Persia, and was sent to England by princes, and yet he did not know the people, although he had lived among them five years. Now, I—long a prisoner, come to England for the first time, and although my visit is so short, I have already met many dear friends, and I can say I know the people. Those I have met are true souls working for peace and unity.—Think what a difference there is between this time we are living in now, and seventy years ago! Think of the progress! the progress towards unity and peace.

It is God’s will that the differences between nations should disappear. Those who help on the cause of unity are doing God’s work. Unity is the Divine Bounty for this luminous century. Praise 59 be to God, there are today many societies and many meetings held for Unity. Enmity is not so much the cause of separation as it used to be; the cause of disunion now is mostly prejudice. For instance, years ago when Europeans visited the East they were considered unclean and were hated. Now it is different: when people of the West visit those in the East who are followers of the New Light, they are received with love and courtesy.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá holding a little child close to him said, the true Bahá’í loves the children, because Jesus says they are of the Kingdom of heaven. A simple pure heart is near to God; a child has no worldly ambitions.