2012
Biography: Corinne True
Hand of the Cause Corinne True (November 1, 1861- April 3, 1961) is best known for her unparalleled contributions to the building of the Wilmette Temple. As the Master called this temple the “Mother temple of the West”, Corinne True […]
Biography: Sachiro Fujita
Sachiro Fujita first saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from a Chicago lamp post that he had climbed in order to see over the crowd. When the Master saw him He said, “Come down Zachias, for this day I would sup with thee” and […]
2012
Biography: Martha Root
…Generations yet unborn will exult in the memory of one who has so energetically, so swiftly and beautifully paved the way for the universal recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. This is one of the numerous testaments that Shoghi Effendi […]
2012
Biography: Edward & Carrie Kinney
‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave the early New York Bahá’ís Edward (1863-1950) and Carrie Kinney (1878-1959) names that reflected specific virtues: Edward was named “Saffa” (rock, serenity) and Carrie became “Vaffa” (certitude, fidelity). Later on they also received the title “pillars of the […]
2012
Biography: Helen & Ella Goodall
It was during the summer of 1898 that Mrs. Helen Goodall and her daughter Ella learned of the Bahá’í Faith from a friend who was attending Lua Getsinger’s classes on the Faith at the home of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst. Before Mrs. […]
Biography: Thornton Chase
Thornton Chase was designated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as “the First American believer”. He was the first to embrace the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in the West after following a friend’s recommendation to meet Ibrahim Kheiralla, a Lebanese immigrant who claimed that God […]
Biography: May Maxwell
When May Maxwell was 11 years old she had two dreams. She dreamt of sunlight so brilliant that she was physically blinded the following day. Later she dreamt that angels carried her through space until she saw a light that […]
2012
Biography: Lua Getsinger
I find the personal histories of the early believers fascinating as they inform us about historical events which are unique to a particular epoch. Above and beyond this historical value, the stories provide us with inspiration and solace during times […]
Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí and Joy During Suffering
In a quest to learn more about the Baha’ís in Egypt during the time of the Master’s travels I stumbled upon Stories for the Delight of Hearts, the memoirs of Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí. The connection is tenuous: Hájí Mírzá Haydar-‘Alí was […]
2011
Biography: Louis Gregory
Keep your face turned towards the Kingdom and fear nothing! [1] These were the parting words that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá shared with Louis Gregory as his pilgrimage to ‘Akká in early 1911 drew to an end and he prepared to leave the […]