The Storm at the Unity Feast

On 29 June 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave a Feast of Unity for the believers in the grounds of Roy Wilhelm's home at West Englewood, New Jersey. After His talk, a huge Persian feast, prepared by the Persians in His entourage, was ready for everyone. Juliet Thompson wrote:

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> By the time He had finished, the feast was ready, but just as it was announced a storm blew up—a strange, sudden storm, without warning. There was a tremendous crash of thunder; through the treetops we could see black clouds boiling up, and big drops of rain splashed on the tables. The Master rose calmly and, followed by the Persians, walked out to the road, then to the end of it where there is a crossroad.

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A single chair had been left there and, as I watched from a distance, I saw the Master take it and sit down, while the Persians ranged themselves behind Him. I saw Him lift His face to the sky. He had gone a long way from the house; thunder still crashed and the clouds rolled frighteningly low, but He continued to sit perfectly motionless, that sacred, powerful face upturned to the sky.

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Then came a strong, rushing wind; the clouds began to race away; blue patches appeared above and the sun shone out. And then the Master rose and walked back into the grove. This I witnessed.

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Later, as the friends sat at the tables, the Master went among them all and anointed them with attar of rose.

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*Sources: The Diary of Juliet Thompson, 29 June 1912 (pp. 322–5); Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 147; Mahmúd's Diary, 29 June 1912.*

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