An Unplanned Talk in Brooklyn

On the morning of June 5, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went with some of His companions to Brooklyn to attend a children's event given by the Unity Club. Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání records that the gathering included dignitaries, civic leaders and national statesmen. After greetings in the drawing room, the Master went in to the dining room. Every room was decorated with flowers of many colours.

At the table several of the eminent guests spoke to Him. Among them was Admiral Robert E. Peary, who claimed to have reached the North Pole in April 1909. It was not their first meeting: Peary had been among the guests at a reception for the Master in Washington in April. Now, Maḥmúd records, Peary gave an account of the voyage he had undertaken in his exploration, praised the Master, spoke of his good fortune in meeting Him and of the importance of His teachings, and asked Him to make a short speech.

The diary records:

Although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had not planned to speak, He delivered a discourse on the perfection of creation, its present defects and the need for education capable of producing great results by removing these imperfections.

He spoke also, Maḥmúd adds, on the importance of the education of children. There had been many speeches, but of this one the diary says that it “created a great excitement, capturing everyone’s attention.” Before He left, the Master allowed Himself to be photographed with His companions.

The next morning, at His residence, He spoke to a group of the friends about the Unity Club's children's event, explaining divine education and morals.

A retelling based on Mahmúd's Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald, 1998), entries for June 5–6, 1912. For the fuller account, see the original.

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