Too Much Austerity Is Not Good
bahaistories.com archive · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
During part of the Master’s trip East in the United States ‘Again He would not take Pullman accommodations, even though requested by the friends, saying that they should not be dependent on bodily comforts: “We must be equal to the hardships of traveling like a soldier in the path of Truth and not be slaves to bodily ease and comfort.”’ The next night the little five-member body of people accompanying ‘Abdu’l-Bahá apparently did not suggest Pullman accommodations. Were these people learning to travel like soldiers ‘in the path of Truth’? ‘In any event ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told them to reserve six berths for that night because too much austerity was not good. They suggested that perhaps only one might be secured for Him, and He replied, “No, we must share equally.”’
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 115; the first night's remark is recorded in Mahmúd's Diary, 29 October 1912, on leaving Denver.
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: moderation).
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/moderation
Record yourself reading this story
Recording stays on this device only. Nothing is uploaded.
Related stories
Persian Dress Aboard the Cedric
On the voyage to America in 1912, American friends asked that the Persians travelling with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá alter their attire to suit the time and place. He replied that there was no harm in it and that such matters were trifles.
Across the Sea on the Cedric
In 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá sailed from Egypt to New York on the ship Cedric. He cared for His companions, spoke to the passengers, and had to say goodbye to three friends, Shoghi Effendi among them, at Naples.
The Crossing on the Cedric
Mahmúd's Diary records 'Abdu'l-Bahá's voyage on the Cedric from Alexandria to New York in March and April 1912, including the day at Naples when three of His companions, Shoghi Effendi among them, had to leave the ship.
Why the Master Bore the Hardships of Travel
Riding to a hotel in Chicago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that He bore the hardships of His travels in America because He feared that, after Him, self-seeking persons might disturb the love and unity of the friends.