A Ring and a Cloak

*A retelling based on **The Chosen Highway** by Lady Blomfield, which records two incidents from the anxious autumn of 1908 in 'Akká. The lines in quotation marks are as she gives them.*

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In those days the governor of 'Akká was dismissed, and a new governor was appointed from Beirut. The new man was very unfriendly to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and would not allow any of His friends to come near Him. Before long he was recalled to Beirut, where his conduct as an official gave great offence, and he lost his post.

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When the Master heard of the man's downfall, He at once sent a special messenger to ask after his health and to assure him of His good wishes. With the messenger He sent a very precious ring as a present, and the message that, although He was a captive, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was ready to do everything in His power for him. Lady Blomfield comments: "Such was the Master's kindness, disregarding always the bitter persecution directed against Himself."

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The man was much ashamed of his behaviour and begged the Master to forgive all the harm he had done Him. 'Abdu'l-Bahá forgave all the evil done to Himself. The people of Beirut were less ready to overlook the man's conduct, and they rejoiced at his fall.

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During the same dark days another government official asked the Master to give him an 'aba, a cloak. The Master answered:

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"I have only this 'aba, which I am wearing, I will gladly give it to you."

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The official said he did not like that one and wanted a better one.

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"I do not possess a better one, but if you wish," the Master said, "I will give you money to buy a good 'aba for yourself."

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That did not satisfy him either. So 'Abdu'l-Bahá promised to send for a new 'aba and buy it for him, and in the meantime let him keep the only one He had.

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The kindness did not change the man. He went on speaking against the Master, bringing false accusations against Him, making the prison rules harsher, and harassing Him in many ways. He posted soldiers to watch everyone who tried to approach 'Abdu'l-Bahá and to keep them from meeting Him.

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While he was busy with all this, he offended a fellow official, who accused him before the Vali of Beirut of certain treacheries. One charge was that he owned a book by which he could foretell the future, and that by it he had prophesied "that the Sultanate would not last more than two years." The Vali sent an escort of soldiers to arrest him, seize his possessions and papers, and bring him, with the book, to Beirut.

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*This is a retelling. For the full account, see **The Chosen Highway** by Lady Blomfield.*

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