Two Japanese Bahá'ís in San Francisco
Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, Mahmúd's Diary, (1998), George Ronald · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling based on Mahmúd's Diary by Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald), from the entries for 4 and 9 October 1912. The words in quotation marks are verbatim from the diary. Read the full text for the original entries.
On the morning of 4 October 1912, after morning prayers, two Japanese Bahá'ís came to see 'Abdu'l-Bahá at His residence in San Francisco. Mírzá Maḥmúd records that the Master was happy to see their faith and sincerity in the Cause, and said:
This is an historic event. It is out of the ordinary that an Iranian should meet Japanese people in San Francisco with such love and harmony. This is through the power of Bahá'u'lláh and calls for our thankfulness and happiness. If it be said that Bahá'u'lláh brought a man from heaven and another from earth and caused them to meet midway between the earth and heaven, do not be surprised. The power of Bahá'u'lláh makes all difficulties simple.
He went on to say that He liked the Japanese greatly, because they were "audacious and intelligent", and whatever they turned their attention to became a success.
The two visitors invited Him to come to Japan, and asked His permission to write articles about the Faith for the Japanese newspapers. He readily agreed, and showed them great kindness.
Five days later, on the evening of 9 October, a meeting was called at the Japanese Club in San Francisco to hear Him. A Japanese scholar recited in English an ode in praise of the Cause and of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The Master spoke on the dangers of prejudice, the proofs of the Prophets, and the truth of Islam and Christianity. His words were put from Persian into English and then from English into Japanese, and Maḥmúd notes that the audience was anxious to hear the translation.
A retelling for the Bahá'í Story Library, not the original text. The quoted words are verbatim from Mahmúd's Diary (Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, George Ronald). See the source for the original entries.
Cite this story
Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, M.. (1998). *Mahmúd's Diary*. George Ronald. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary
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