John Bosch Meets the Master

When the news came that 'Abdu'l-Bahá was on the way to America, John Bosch had such an overwhelming desire to see Him he started for New York on April 12, 1912. At Chicago, hearing that 'Abdu'l-Bahá was in Washington, he went there instead, only to find that 'Abdu'l-Bahá had not yet left New York. So he hurried on to that city, arriving very early on a cold and snowy morning. As soon as he had secured his room in the Hotel Ansonia he stole to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's suite and was admitted almost immediately. Relating his experience to a friend, he said:

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When I entered the room I had a pocketful of questions to ask 'Abdu'l-Bahá, but when I saw Him I suddenly felt quite empty. I never took the questions out. Eventually 'Abdu'l-Bahá told me all that I had wanted to ask Him.

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Foolishly I remarked that I had come three thousand miles to see Him, and He smilingly replied, "I came seven thousand miles to see you." I told Him that I, being a foreigner, had not the capacity of a speaker and that my work so far had been to circulate books and a few pamphlets. 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "You are doing very well; you are doing better than talking.

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With you it is not words or the movement of the lips; with you it is the heart that speaks. In your presence silence speaks and radiates." Then tea was brought in and after we had both partaken of it 'Abdu'l-Bahá said: "You are now one of the family. You may come and go as you please."

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(Adapted from the ‘In Memoriam’ section of The Bahá’í World, vol. XI (1946–1950): ‘John David Bosch’, by Charlotte M. Linfoot)

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