A Visit to Clark University

A retelling for children, based on Mahmúd's Diary (entry of 23 May 1912). The words in quotation marks are as the diary records them.

One spring day in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Bahá set out from the city of Boston for the town of Worcester, about fifty miles away. He had been invited to visit Clark University by its president, G. Stanley Hall. Dr. Hall was a well-known scholar who studied how the human mind works and how children grow.

A professor travelled with Him, and so did Mírzá Maḥmúd, who kept a diary of the Master's journey. As they drove through the green countryside, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke sadly about His Father, Bahá'u'lláh, and said:

Would that the Blessed Beauty could have come to these regions! He loved such scenery very much.

Whenever the Master saw a beautiful green place He asked the driver to stop. Beside one lake, the clear water and the fresh air pleased Him so much that the car stopped for a while, and everyone stood and waited while He spoke about Bahá'u'lláh.

After two hours they reached Worcester. The Master rested for a while at the professor's home and had tea. Then He went to the university, where a meeting had been arranged just for His visit. More than a thousand students and teachers were there. President Hall thanked Him for coming, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke to them about how valuable and important science is.

Afterwards there was a reception. President Hall, who had invited the Master, served Him himself. Students from Japan, China and Turkey came to meet Him and were glad to hear His words.

When it was time to go, 'Abdu'l-Bahá took both of President Hall's hands in His. He told him how pleased He was to see his university, and that he was serving the whole of humanity. He promised to pray for him. Then He said:

I shall never forget this meeting, and I shall always remember and mention your services.

He rode back to Boston in a car that the university had provided for Him.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "'Abdu'l-Bahá at Clark University".

Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, M.. (1998). *Mahmúd's Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání*. George Ronald.