The Passing of Thornton Chase

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in San Francisco on 4 October 1912 and one of the Bahá’ís gave Him the news of the passing of Thornton Chase, He said:

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“This revered personage was the first Bahá’í in America. He served the Cause faithfully and his services will ever be remembered throughout future ages and cycles. He has written many books in this Cause and they will be studied carefully by the coming generations. He traveled once to Acca and there we associated with each other for several days. Indeed he became free from the troubles of this world.

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No matter how long he might have remained here, he would have met nothing else but trouble. The purpose of life is to get certain results; that is, the life of man must bring forth certain fruitage. It does not depend upon the length of life. As soon as the life is crowned with fruition then it is completed, although that person may have had a short life.

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There are certain trees which come to fruition very quickly, but there are other trees which attain to fruition very late; the aim is fruit. If the tree brings forth its fruit young, its life is short; it is praiseworthy. How regretful it is that a man may live a long life and yet his life may not be crowned with success, like unto the cypress tree which does not give any fruitage. Praise be to God!

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the tree of Mr. Chase’s life brought forth fruit. It gave complete fruit, therefore he is free. He attained to eternal rest. He is now in the Presence of Bahá’u’lláh. . . . The life of Mr. Chase was spiritual in character; his services will ever be remembered and he has already attained to the desire of his heart.”

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On Saturday, 19 October, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and about twenty-five Bahá’ís of Los Angeles went to Mr. Chase’s grave in the cemetery at Inglewood. There He scattered flowers over the grave and, standing at its head with His hands raised toward heaven, prayed for him. He told the friends in San Francisco and Los Angeles to visit the grave every year, to pray and hold a meeting there, and to recount Mr.

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Chase’s earnest endeavours, his service and his great love for the Cause. Mr. Chase’s station, He said, was not known while he was alive, but in future years it would be known.

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