Protecting the Master in 1918
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When in Bahá'í history
Haifa (today: Haifa, Israel)
In the spring of 1918, I was much startled and deeply disturbed by a telephone message: "‘Abdu’l-Bahá in serious danger. Take immediate action." It came from an authoritative source. There was not a moment to be lost. Every available power must be brought to bear to save the Master. I went at once to Lord Lamington. His sympathetic regard for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, his understanding of the ramifications and "red tape" necessary for "immediate action" were of priceless value. A letter was immediately written to the Foreign Office explaining the importance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s position, His work for true peace, and for the spiritual welfare of many thousands of people. Through the influence of Lord Lamington, and his prompt help, the letter, with its alarming news, was at once put into the hands of Lord Balfour. That very evening a cable was sent to General Allenby with these instructions, "Extend every protection and consideration to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His family and His friends, when the British march on Haifa." So a terrible tragedy was averted, by the promptness and understanding of Lord Lamington and the power of Lord Balfour, his colleagues in the Cabinet here in London, and by the devotion, efficiency, and promptitude of Major Tudor-Pole at the Turkish end, for Haifa was still in the hands of the Turks.
The Turks had been so aroused by the enemies of the Master that they had threatened to crucify Him, and all His family, on Mount Carmel. When General Allenby took Haifa, several days before it was believed possible for him to do so, he sent a cablegram to London which caused everybody to wonder, and especially filled the hearts of the Bahá’ís in all the world with deep gratitude to the Almighty Protector. The cable of General Allenby was as follows: "Have to-day taken Palestine. Notify the world that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is safe."
Source: Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway, chapter “Danger to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His Family and Friends, and How it was Averted”.
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: protection).
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