11 Sep
2011
‘Heavenly Soldiers’

‘Heavenly Soldiers’

Recently, I found a compilation called “Star of the West” and I’m absolutely in love with it. I feel like I’ve discovered a chest of old papers in an attic, and each time I read an article I’m transported back […]

8 Sep
2011
Podcast 1: The City Temple

Podcast 1: The City Temple

On September 10, 1911, for the first time in His life, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed a public audience. Standing on the pulpit of a 17th century church, seated on the Western edge of the city of London, the Master’s words of this […]

6 Sep
2011
‘You Are All One Family’

‘You Are All One Family’

On the Wednesday following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s arrival in London, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper gave an ‘At Home’ to the believers and between fifty and sixty were present to meet him. One of the friends, a Mrs. Drakonles, who founded The Humanitarian League over […]

4 Sep
2011
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Arrives in London

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Arrives in London

‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in London this week in 1911. The following account of His arrival is from Lady Blomfield, who hosted the Master in her home during His visit. And now at last ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was coming into the Western world, even […]

31 Aug
2011
The Importance of the 20th Century

The Importance of the 20th Century

Let this century be the sun of previous centuries the effulgences of which shall last forever, so that in times to come they shall glorify the twentieth century, saying the twentieth century was the century of lights, the twentieth century was the […]

29 Aug
2011
Biography: Hippolyte and Laura Dreyfus-Barney

Biography: Hippolyte and Laura Dreyfus-Barney

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in Marseille, France on 26 August 1911, he was met by Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney. Fluent in French, English, Persian and Arabic, Hippolyte became ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s translator and guide throughout His travels in France.  Along with his wife, Laura Dreyfus-Barney, […]

27 Aug
2011
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Example of Forgiveness

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Example of Forgiveness

An excerpt from Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá p 51-52: In 1911 the Master spent a few quiet days in the French Alps, presumably to rest, before continuing to London. Here took place a remarkable encounter which illustrates the […]

26 Aug
2011
Hotel du Parc, Thonon, On Lake Geneva

Hotel du Parc, Thonon, On Lake Geneva

Upon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s arrival to France, He sent a telegram to Juliet Thompson in London. His message was short: “Come here”. Within a few days time she reached Thonon-les-Bains. This is an excerpt from her diary describing that day. 27 August 1911 […]

24 Aug
2011
Biography: Juliet Thompson

Biography: Juliet Thompson

Juliet Thompson numbers among the first handmaids of God in the early years of the Faith in the West. Both honest and even rebellious in nature, she possessed a magnetic personality that drew people to her. After a serious illness, […]

22 Aug
2011
Transportation and Technology: The Steamship

Transportation and Technology: The Steamship

‘Abdu’l-Bahá undertook His travels West just after the turn of the century. This was a time marked by significant changes in the worlds of transportation and technology. Through advances in technology and in the processes of production, a diverse means […]