East and West in One Church

*A retelling for children, based on **The Chosen Highway** by Lady Blomfield and the book **'Abdu'l-Bahá in London**, remembering a Sunday evening in London: the 17th of September, 1911.*

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When 'Abdu'l-Bahá came to London in 1911, He stayed in the house of His friend Lady Blomfield. Soon after He arrived, a visitor came to see Him. It was Archdeacon Wilberforce, a clergyman of the Church of England and a dear friend of Lady Blomfield's.

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The Archdeacon sat on a low chair beside 'Abdu'l-Bahá. 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke to him in Persian and placed His hand on the Archdeacon's head. They talked for a long time, and the Archdeacon asked many questions. Lady Blomfield saw that both of them were deeply moved. Before the visit ended, the Archdeacon invited 'Abdu'l-Bahá to speak to the people of his church, St. John the Divine in Westminster, on the following Sunday.

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On Sunday evening the church was crowded. After the evening service, 'Abdu'l-Bahá walked through the middle of the church, hand in hand with the Archdeacon, up to the front. Lady Blomfield wrote that they stood there together, "two men of God, one from the East and one from the West."

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The Archdeacon had the Bishop's chair placed for his guest on the chancel steps. 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke in Persian, and the Archdeacon stood beside Him and read out the English translation of His talk. It began by saying that people all over the world are seeking for God.

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At the end, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave the people His blessing. The Archdeacon knelt down, and the whole congregation followed him and knelt too. 'Abdu'l-Bahá stood with His arms stretched out, and His voice rose and fell in the silence as He prayed.

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Afterwards the Archdeacon said:

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> Truly the East and the West have met in this sacred place tonight.

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Then everyone stood and sang the hymn "O God our help in ages past," as 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Archdeacon walked back down the aisle together, hand in hand.

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Outside the church, on the street corner, people from the Salvation Army were holding a meeting in the night, men, women and children praying and singing together. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was deeply touched to see them.

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*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["East and West Meet at St. John's"](/stories/ch-master-in-london-st-johns-westminster).*

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