Dr. Krug Meets the Master

In *Arches of the Years*, Marzieh Gail tells how the New York surgeon Dr. Florian Krug gave up his opposition to the faith of his wife, Grace. Dr. Krug had two children, Charles and Louise, and by 1912 he had married his second wife, Grace.

1 / 5

There were historic family quarrels after Grace, their determined stepmother, became a Bahá’í. The siblings cowered, watched and trembled on their perch at the head of the stairs, as their father below them would scream at his wife and hurl down Bahá’í books.

2 / 5

In spite of everything, Grace Krug invited the Master to speak at their home, and the young people heard their father shouting, "If that old man comes into this house I'll have the doorman throw him out!" Both Charles and Louise described the fateful day of the visit. Charles said his father's attitude was: "Now I can get my hands on the ringleader of this bunch!"

3 / 5

Louise said, "We were terrified. Charlie and I were standing there by the door as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came in. He put His arms out with that wonderful gesture — you could feel the love pouring out. He walked right up to my father and looked him straight in the face. And He said: ‘Dr. Krug, are you happy?’"

4 / 5

"I don't know," Louise went on, "my father just wilted. He was like a bird letting its wings down, to enjoy the sun. From that time on, never a word against the Master."

5 / 5