A String of Pearls and Rubies
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When in Bahá'í history
Washington, D.C. (today: Washington, D.C., USA)

On 24 April 1912, in Washington, D.C., ‘Abdu’l-Bahá began the day at a Bahá’í children’s conference. A second meeting was held that evening at the home of Mr and Mrs Andrew J. Dyer, a mixed race couple. Those present were in such unity and love that the Master remarked: “Before I arrived, I felt too tired to speak at this meeting but at the sight of such genuine love and attraction between the white and the black friends, I was so moved that I spoke with great love and likened this union of different colored races to a string of gleaming pearls and rubies.” After He spoke and showered His love on each one, He left in His carriage for a third meeting. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was so filled with joy and happiness and His voice resonated so loudly that even the people walking along the street could hear Him:
O Bahá’u’lláh! What hast Thou done? O Bahá’u’lláh! May my life be sacrificed for Thee! O Bahá’u’lláh! May my soul be offered up for Thy sake! How full were Thy days with trials and tribulations! How severe the ordeals Thou didst endure! How solid the foundation Thou hast finally laid, and how glorious the banner Thou didst hoist!
Source: Mahmúd's Diary (Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání), 24 April 1912.
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: exhaustion).
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