The Woman Who Held His Robe

*A retelling based on **Mahmúd's Diary** by Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald), from the entry for 14 April 1912. The narrative is retold in our own words. Read the [full text](https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary) for the original entry.*

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On Sunday, 14 April 1912, 'Abdu'l-Bahá went to the Church of the Ascension in New York, where the minister, Dr Percy Stickney Grant, had invited Him. Mahmúd notes that it was the first church in America the Master visited.

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He came in by a side door and rested for a while in a room of the church, where the clergymen thanked Him warmly for coming. After prayers the minister spoke about the history and teachings of the Faith and introduced Him with great courtesy. 'Abdu'l-Bahá then gave a full talk on the meaning of divine civilization, the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh and the unification of humankind. At the end He chanted a prayer, which, Mahmúd writes, greatly affected the hearts of the listeners.

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As He left the church, group after group rushed towards Him. The Bahá'ís sang "Alláh-u-Abhá" and many people asked for His blessings. Then a woman's voice was heard from the crowd. She was holding fast to the hem of the Master's robe, with tears pouring from her eyes, and she was so overcome that she could not speak. The Master showered her with His love and kindness and calmed her with loving words of assurance.

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Mahmúd called it a great day and a most impressive meeting. Not one of the two thousand people present, he wrote, was disappointed, and everyone left smiling.

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*This account is retold for the Bahá'í Story Library; it is a paraphrase, not the original text. See Mahmúd's Diary (Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, tr. Mohi Sobhani, George Ronald, 1998), entry for 14 April 1912.*

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