'O my God! Refresh and gladden my spirit, purify
my heart, illuminate my mind. I lay all my affairs in Thy hands. Thou art my
Guide and Refuge. I'll no longer be sorrowful or grieved, I’ll be happy and
joyful. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety nor will I let troubles
harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art
kinder to me than I am to myself. I dedicate my life to Thee, O God!'
At 4:15 in the afternoon of November 16th, 1901, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
entered our room and greeted us. We had just arrived at His Holy household in
the prison city of Acca, Syria having traveled in a carriage driven by two
horses along the shore of the Mediterranean from Haifa. ‘Abdu’l-Baha said: 'Welcome, my boys', and chanted a prayer for my brother Wendell and me. Wendell
was 18 and I was 21 September 6, 1901. My father Arthur Pillsbury Dodge had
arranged the trip for us. At that time, ‘Abdu’l-Baha was a prisoner of the
Turkish government. But He was allowed the freedom of the city. His home was in
the original section of the city enclosed by a high wall. As Acca increased in
population a second high wall was build around the city. Finally a third high
wall enclosed the entire area.
Before we could enter Acca, it was necessary to obtain a
recommendation from the United States government. This requirement was in
addition to the usual passport. ‘Abdu’l-Baha was such a living example of love
and humility that the government officials, became friendly with Him. General
Badri Beg of the Turkish army was the frequent guest at dinner with ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
while we were there.
We stayed with ‘Abdu’l-Baha in His household 19 days:
November 16th, 1901 to December 4th, 1901. Every day breakfast was served to us
in our room. The noon day meal and the evening dinner we had with ‘Abdu’l-Baha
at His table. Generally about 16 Persian believers attended each meal, making
19 present. In the Holy Land at that time women did not eat with men when
others than the family were present. Each morning after breakfast ‘Abdu’l-Baha
came to our room and greeted us. He was gracious, considerate and always
concerned with our comfort. At every meal ‘Abdu’l-Baha gave us lessons and
allowed us plenty of time to record His remarks in our notebooks.
These talks were later published by the Board of Counsel of
New York City in a booklet of 24 pages entitled “Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Abbas to two young men, American pilgrims to Acca, 1901”. Those days the
advisory body of the believers in New York City, was called the Board of
Counsel. A photograph of the first Board of Counsel in New York City appears at
page 23 of a volume 9 of the Baha’i World.
In His lesson of November 19, 1901, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:
"One of the most severe of the world's diseases is that of contention and strife the fire of which is burning among all nations and cannot be removed except through the Word of God. As this intense fire can only be quenched by the heavenly water therefore the faithful followers of God must be as the banner of peace and as the most luminous sun of harmony and union. In the days of Moses the people pitched the tent of martyrdom. And in the time of Jesus Christ they established the greatest church. But in this time the believers in God must raise the tent of peace, union and concord. I hope that through the providence of God the brilliancy of love will light all the horizons."
In His lesson of November 19, 1901, 'Abdu'l-Baha said:
"One of the most severe of the world's diseases is that of contention and strife the fire of which is burning among all nations and cannot be removed except through the Word of God. As this intense fire can only be quenched by the heavenly water therefore the faithful followers of God must be as the banner of peace and as the most luminous sun of harmony and union. In the days of Moses the people pitched the tent of martyrdom. And in the time of Jesus Christ they established the greatest church. But in this time the believers in God must raise the tent of peace, union and concord. I hope that through the providence of God the brilliancy of love will light all the horizons."
‘Abdu’l-Baha often wrote to the believers in America. These
communications were called Tablets and many were published in book form. They
answered many questions concerning world problems. My father received 64 of
these Tablets. I have copies of all of them.
Although ‘Abdu’l-Baha was a serious expounder of the Baha’i
Faith He had a fine sense of humor. One day at dinner, we were eating soup, a
nice thick soup. Leaving my spoon in the plate I raised my hand to adjust my
collar. As I brought down my hand my elbow came in contact with the handle of
the spoon. And soup was spread upon the whiskers of the Persian believer on my
right. Of course, I was terribly embarrassed. However, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, observing
the incident quickly said: “Do not worry. That is a blessing” and laughed
aloud. My brother Wendell then remarked: “Who gets the blessing, Bill, you or
the friend with the whiskers?” And ‘Abdu’l-Baha laughed again. Wendell and I
were so glad to be with ‘Abdu’l-Baha. At some times we were quite jolly. We
were mere boys of 18 and 21. Our interpreter, Ameen Fareed, told us that we
must be reverent, that when we entered the presence of the Master we must bow
our heads, clasp our hands, avoid smiling. Of course we felt the rebuke. So the
next time we entered the dining room, our heads were bowed, our hands clasped,
and we did not smile. ‘Abdu’l-Baha passed quickly by us. He seemed to ignore
us. We felt further rebuked. Returning to our room we wondered why ‘Abdu’l-Baha
seemed different in His attitude toward us. Well, we decided that we were not
good actors. So when we entered the dining room for the next meal, we smiled. ‘Abdu’l-Baha
smiled. He came over to us, took us in his arms and said: “That’s the way I
want you, boys, to act -- be natural, be happy.”
At the supper table November 21st, 1901, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
said:
“When this blessed Cause was manifested in Persia some of
the divines and famous learned men became believers and were martyred. The
people murdered the Báb thinking they had ended the Holy Cause. They
annihilated thousands of families, plundered the goods of the believers, killed
men and captured women and children. However it was found that this had no
destructive effect upon the Cause but that the flaming fire of God was kindled
the more. The lamp of God became more brilliant, waves of the sea of bounty
increased, the breeze of God blew stronger, and the fragrance of the Holy
Spirit became more powerful. And after imprisoning the Blessed Perfection the
government decided to banish Him to Baghdad thinking that through this
banishment the work of the Cause would be destroyed. As it took one month to go
from Teheran to Baghdad it was thought by the people that all trace of the
Cause would be lost. On the contrary, the Cause of God became more powerful,
His words more widely spread, His proclamation more generally heard and the
power of His Cause is stronger. Consequently the government decided to send the
Blessed Perfection from Baghdad to Constantinople. As Constantinople was a
large city and as there were many Persians in the city who traveled freely this
plan also proved fruitless. Through the power of the Persian government the
Blessed Perfection was then sent to Adrianople, in Rumelia, a country very far
from Persia and a possession of Turkey. Because there was no railway there was
very little travel by the Persians to and from Adrianople, and therefore it was
thought by the learned men of Persia that the Cause of God would have no effect
upon the Persians. However it was soon learned that these places were not
places of banishment for the Blessed Perfection, glory be to Him. And it was therefore
decided that He should be sent to some small place, a place were murderers were
confined, where robbers were imprisoned so that His cause would be weakened.
Accordingly the clergy or learned men of Persia being
hostile to this Holy Cause so arranged that the Blessed Perfection was sent
from Adrianople, the land of mystery, to Acca, Syria. In this prison, Acca, the
flag of the Garden of God was raised, the greatness of the Word of God
appeared, and the Sun of Truth shown in such a degree that all the horizons
became clear. Praise be to God, the promises about the Holy Land were fulfilled
and the Glad Tidings uttered through the tongues of the Prophets of God were
realized. For the enemies caused the Blessed Perfection to be sent to the Holy
Land and to have his residence in the Promised Land.
Therefore the faithful followers of God must know that
calamities in the path of God will cause His truth to become more apparent. The
crucifixion of Jesus Christ was the means of spreading the Light of the Cause
of God. And the martyrdom of His disciples resulted in eternal greatness of the
Cause. The disciples were like torches which so burn by the fire of the
hostility of the people yet they enlighten the world. Therefore the believers
must not be sorrowful for this weak confinement and for these new calamities.
But they must be more attracted and kindled in cutting themselves from the
world.”
The 22nd day of November 1901 was the Mohammedan day of
worship similar to our Sunday. The midday meal is eaten one half hour before
noon or one half hour afternoon. So our lunch in that day with ‘Abdu’l-Baha was
at 12.30 o’clock.
During the early days of the Baha’i Faith in the United
States many of the believers wore a ring containing a stone on which was
engraved the greatest name. ‘Abdu’l-Baha came to our room on November 24th,
1901 with ten of those stones. He kissed each one and then handed five of them
to Wendell and five to me and then chanted a prayer for us.
‘Abdu’l-Baha often talked to us about mother and father.
They had visited him in 1900. On November 26th, 1901 ‘Abdu’l-Baha told us that
he dreamed that our father was with him again. He said that although Mr. Dodge
was not with him in person he was always with him spiritually. It is a great
privilege for me to look at my father's picture on page 118 of volume 4 of the
Baha’i World. One of the disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, one of the heralds of the
covenant. God surely did bless him. Allah-u-Abha.
During the early days of the Baha’i Faith in New York the
believers were confronted with various ideas of the revelation of Baha’u’llah.
It therefore became necessary for teachers from the Holy Land to come here and
enlighten us. Many of us believed that ‘Abdu’l-Baha was the spirit of Christ
referred to in the 24th chapter of St. Matthew. We were quite emotional. There
were critical discussions. Therefore on the first day of December 1901 ‘Abdu’l-Baha
dictated to Wendell and me the following:
“In this greatest
period there are only two Manifestations. The Blessed Báb, may my soul be a
ransom to Him, and a Manifestation of the Blessed Perfection, glory be to Him.
We are all the servants of the threshold of Baha. And the one who serves most
in His holy Threshold is the most beloved. My greatest wish and desire is submissiveness
and servitude at His Holy Threshold. My name ‘Abdu’l-Baha means the servant of
God. My heart is the servant of Baha. And my spirit is the servant of Baha and
rejoices only in this name. My purpose is love not only by word but by action.
The essence of all essence is love, which is like unto the meat of the nut
while all else is like unto the shell or outside. Through the providence of the
Blessed Perfection our spirits must be full of the love of God. Therefore
anyone who ask you about me, should be told that I am the servant of Baha,
because this is my only wish.
Some years ago two believers became excited over a
discussion as to the station of the Blessed Perfection. One of them declaring
that Baha’u’llah was the holy identity of God. To settle the dispute they
submitted the matter to the holy presence and the Blessed Perfection answered:
“When there is a quarrel all are wrong. But when there is love all are right.”
The Blessed Perfection said: the only thing that is not beloved is discord. And
all that is beloved is love. The believers must love each other, and must
reflect the love of God. Some may say the lamp is the light, others may say the
lamp is the place of the manifestation of the light. Both statements are
correct. But what is wrong is the quarrel. Because it is contrary to the
foundation laid by God. Therefore in order that there may be no discord all of
the believers in the Truth must not mention me except as ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the
servant of God. The essential thing is love. I must love you and you must love
me. Such is the meaning of the truth while untruth means rancor, discord and
hatred. All else save love is merely outwardly uttered words. ‘Abdu’l-Baha
expressed the hope that the faithful followers of God in America would become
gardeners in the paradise of El Abha and fruitful trees of that Garden. The
fire of their love should be as the heat in rays of the sun. Their teaching
should be like the rains of providence. Their spiritual character should be
like the life-giving breezes which diffuse the fragrances throughout all
regions.”
‘Abdu’l-Baha’s last lesson to us December 3rd, 1901, was as
follows:
“It is stated in the New Testament that Jesus Christ was
once drinking the juice of grapes and said he would drink no more except in the
presence of the Father. This means that the spirit needs food for strength as
well as the body. The appearance of the Holy Manifestations is for the purpose
of causing the heavenly table to descend. This Table means the divine virtues
and characteristics and is the means of strengthening the spirit and life.
Therefore we hope that as this heavenly table has descended from the Kingdom of
Abha in this marvelous period the believers and friends of God will have a
great portion of it so that they will be the cause of eternal life and the
means of enlightening the hearts of the people of the World.
In short, I hope you will ask God to bless you as being the
real sons of the Kingdom. Because the sons of the Kingdom are of two kinds. One
is the real son and the other is the material one. Judas Iscariot and Peter
were both sons of the Kingdom but Peter was the real son, Judas was the
material son. Consequently he was deprived. The real sons of the Kingdom are
those souls who act according to the instructions and teachings of Baha’u’llah,
the Blessed Perfection. They are drunken with the cup of Providence and are
illuminated by the divine Light. They are honored by all the perfections and
virtues of humanity, and are characterized with attributes which embellish the
essence of man in such a manner that all the people even the enemies testify of
their good actions, attractions, separation from the world, purity, sanctity,
knowledge and belief.
In conclusion I most humbly supplicate that God will admit
you as the real sons of His Kingdom in such manner that you may be an honor to
the Cause of God. And that all the people being astonished may say: 'These
young men are not the same. When they started for Acca they had a station but
on their return they possess another station. They are baptized by the
providence of God, by the fire of the love of God, and by the Holy Spirit. They
have received a second birth. They have found eternal life.”
During our visit with ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Acca we were privileged
several times to go to the Ridvan. That beautiful garden of paradise planted by
Baha’u’llah, the Blessed Perfection. On our last day in the Holy City, Abdul
Baha permitted us to visit the Holy Tomb, and there see the pictures of
Baha’u’llah and the Blessed Báb. In that solemn atmosphere prayers were chanted
by Persian believers.
At 2:45 o’clock that afternoon, December 4th, 1901, we
entered the carriage for our return to Haifa and home. As ‘Abdu’l-Baha bade us
farewell He gave us the following Tablet for our father.
"He is God. O thou, pure soul, Baha’u’llah is upon
thee. Thy two happy sons have presented themselves to this blessed spot and
were honored by a visit to the most Holy Tomb. I have associated with them for
a while during which they were cheered by the fragrances which perfume the
nostrils of the spirit, by commemorating the beloved of God and by giving them
the Teachings of God. I do supplicate God to make them two lamps glowing with
the fire of the gifts of God. That they will serve the Kingdom of God, put
their strenuous efforts in the Kingdom of God and spread the Teachings of God
inasmuch as the traces of the love of God are brilliantly manifested in their
faces. I ask God to help thee to become humble and submissive to all of beloved
of God. Be kind and easy and compassionate to all. And dispute not with anybody
over anything. Speak of the Divine Word. But if contradicted by a certain
person, do not argue with him, follow my steps in all matters and take my
disposition as an example for you in dealing with all persons. Rely upon God,
the Living, the Self Existent. Upon thee be salutation and praise. ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Abbas."
On the 24th day of February 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Baha wrote my
father of His plan to visit the United States of America. Here is that Tablet:
“To Mr. Dodge, upon him be Baha’u’llah el Abha. O thou, dear
friend. I always remember thee and beg for thee the protection and preservation
of the possessor of the Kingdom. Ere long I shall hasten to America to meet the
friends and spend some time with joy and fragrance through the favors of Abha
and shall become engaged in proclaiming the Name of the True one. Convey on my
behalf the wonderful Abha greetings to all the friends and the maid servants of
the Merciful especially thy respected wife and thy dear sons. They are always
in my memory and I seek for them heavenly confirmation. Consider how I should
love to behold the faces of the friends that I make a trip to America. Although
the body cannot easily bear the hardships of such a trip yet the spirit is
yearning for the meeting of the friends.
‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas."
The believers were joyful at the good news. When ‘Abdu’l-Baha
arrived in New York on the 11th day of April 1912, a large delegation of the
believers went to the ship to greet him. And among those present were my father
and mother, my brothers Wendell and Paul, my wife Evelyn and of course I was
there. As soon as His baggage was passed by the customs inspector, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
entered the automobile of Roy C. Wilhelm and went directly to the home of Mr.
& Mrs. Edward B. Kinney, 780 West End Avenue. The believers followed.
Later in the afternoon that day April 11th 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
spoke to us as follows:
“How are you? Welcome. Welcome. After arriving today
although weary with travel I had the utmost longing and yearning to see you and
could not resist this meeting. Now that I have met you, all my weariness has
vanished. For your meeting is the cause of spiritual happiness. I was in Egypt
and was not feeling well, but I wished to come to you in America. My friend
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. 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 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 the manifestations of the love of Baha’u’llah.
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. It was a long, long trip. The more
we traveled the greater seemed the expanse of the sea. The weather was
brilliant and fine throughout. There was no storm and no end to the sea. I’m
very happy to meet you all here today. Praise be to God, that your faces are
shining with the love of Baha’u’llah. To behold them is the cause of great
spiritual happiness. We have arranged to meet you every day at the homes of the
friends. In the East people were asking me: ‘Why do you want to take this long
voyage? Your body cannot endure such hardships of travel.’ When it is
necessary, my body can endure everything. It has withstood 40 years of
imprisonment and can still undergo the utmost trials. I will see you again. Now
I will greet each one of you personally. It is my hope that you will all be
happy, in that we may meet again and again.”
Our good friend and wonderful believer Cooper Harris,
recorded stenographically the above remarks of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. It was a glorious
occasion. During His stay in New York ‘Abdu’l-Baha spoke in many churches. I
can see Him now as he addressed the congregation of the church of the ascension
5th Avenue and 10th street. Sunday morning April 14th 1912, the Reverend Percy
Stickney Grant, the pastor introduced ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Various other associations
were addressed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha. It was a sacred privilege to accompany Him.
‘Abdu’l-Baha's visit to the Bowery mission, April 19th 1912
was a never to be forgotten example of His love for humanity. Preceding His
remarks Mrs. Maud Goodrow sang a beautiful song “Coming through the rye”. Then ‘Abdu’l-Baha
spoke to the unfortunate men with such feeling and in such a kindly attitude
that there was hardly a dry eye in the hall. And when He concluded His message,
He stood at the door and gave each man a silver coin.
The homes of many of the believers were also visited by ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
Among them was the residence of my mother and father at 261 West 139 Street,
New York City and my home 1043 East 16 Street, Flatbush, Brooklyn. ‘Abdu’l-Baha
had luncheon with us. We had placed a large comfortable chair at the table for
Him. But he sat in a smaller chair, another example of humility. I recalled the
last meal with ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Acca, December 4th, 1901, when He said: “We will
eat together again.” While at our home, November 29th, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Baha
baptized our children: Jean Elizabeth, age seven, Anna Evelyn, aged two and
William Copeland Dodge Junior, age 1 month.
We who saw ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1912, will always remember the
29th of June, when we were His guests at the picnic in the grove of Roy C.
Wilhelm, West Englewood, New Jersey. A photograph of that happy assemblage is
one of my cherished possessions. Another sacred souvenir is a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Baha
with my father and some Persian believers on Riverside drive, New York City.
The last time I saw ‘Abdu’l-Baha was December 15th, 1912, the day He sailed
away from New York. Many believers said farewell to Him on board the steamship
Celtic. He gave a flower to each of us. My carnation was later framed and is a
constant reminder of the blessed privilege of knowing Him.
When I was a state senator, I wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Baha and
asked if it would be advisable to introduce a bill in the legislature for the
establishment of a Baha’i university. In a Tablet translated by Shoghi Rabbani
in Haifa, June 24th 1919, ‘Abdu’l-Baha answered as follows:
“To his honor Mr. William Dodge, New York city, USA. Upon
him be Baha’u’llah Abha.
He is God
O thou, living memory of thy illustrious father. Mr. Dodge
was my dear friend, an honorable with whom I was affectionately connected and
to whom I was kind. Of his death from a standpoint I grieved and sorrowed for
it was a cause of separation. But on the other hand as his spirit has hastened
to the immortal realm and like unto a star has glided in the kingdom of light I
was thereby relieved and consoled. At present, praise be to God, he has left
behind one like thee as a souvenir. This flower pertains to that rose garden
and this fruit belongs to that tree. Praise be to God. Divine confirmation has
assisted thee and such a position has been attained.
Thou hadst written concerning the university about which
thou hadst talked with Mr. Harris. If the establishment of a Baha’i university
is made possible it is highly suitable that the oneness of the world of
humanity, universal peace, the conformity of religion with science, the dispersion
of prejudice, and the eradication of denominational, sectarian and other
prejudices which are due to limitations of human thought, may be propounded and
established in this university. But in these days it does not seem that this
dream will be fully realized. As to Mr. Harris, verily he is a respected
personage. He is heavenly, energetic and diligent and to the body of the Cause
an active member. Friends must appreciate him. For in reality he serves the
Kingdom of God. Convey on My behalf respectful greetings to all the friends and
maid servants of the Merciful and convey My utmost kindness to thy respected
mother and revered wife and similarly embrace on my behalf thy four dear
children. Upon thee be Baha’u’llah Abba. ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas.”
Friends, it is now February 6th, 1959, I am in my 79th year.
I hope, I am truly grateful for the sacred privilege of knowing and associating
with ‘Abdu’l-Baha. In humility may I comprehend the message of November 23rd,
1901, when ‘Abdu’l-Baha said: “My hope is that the believers may be steadfast
after my departure. That their flame may be greater and their love more and
more. Then they must be as lighted lamps in order to brighten the horizons and
cause the proclamation of God to reach all people.”
May I conclude with the prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha for the
North-Eastern States, February 2nd, 1917
“O thou, kind Lord! Praise be unto Thee as Thou hast shown
unto us the highway of guidance, opened the doors of the Kingdom and manifested
Thyself through the Sun of Reality. To the blind Thou hast given sight; to the
deaf Thou hast granted hearing. Thou hast resuscitated the dead. Thou hast
shown the way to those who have gone astray. Thou hast led those with parched
lips to the fountain of guidance, Thou hast suffered the thirsty fish to reach
the ocean of reality and Thou hast invited the wandering birds to the rose
garden of grace.
O Thou, Almighty, we people are Thy servants and Thy poor
ones. We are remote. We yearn for Thy presence. We are thirsty for the water of
Thy fountain. We are ill, longing for Thy medicine. We are walking in Thy path,
and have no aim, no hope, save the diffusion of Thy fragrances, so that the
souls may raise the cry: “O God! Guide us to the straight path.” May they open
their eyes by beholding the lights and become freed from the darkness of
ignorance. May they walk around the lamp of guidance, may the portionless
receive a share and may the deprived ones become the confidants of the
mysteries.
O Almighty! Look upon us with the glance of mercifulness.
Grant us heavenly confirmation, bestow upon us the breaths of the Holy Spirit,
so that we may become assisted in service and like unto the brilliant stars we
may shine in these regions with the light of guidance. Verily, Thou art the
Powerful, the Mighty, and Thou art the Wise and Seeing.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha