The Children of Chicago

On 5 May 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá met with a group of 35 children in the salon of the Plaza Hotel in Chicago. After listening to them sing the song “Softly, His Voice Is Calling Now”, the Master called each child to Him individually.

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Some He took on His lap, others He kissed or stroked their hair, “all with such infinite love and tenderness shining in His eyes and thrilling in the tones of His voice, that when He whispered in English in their ears to tell Him their names, they answered as joyfully and freely as they would a beloved father. . . .

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The children’s joy and His own happiness seemed to culminate when one dear little tot ran to Him and fairly threw herself into His arms.”

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He then stood and spoke to them, and among His words were these: “You are all my children, you are my spiritual children. The spiritual children are very dear, they are dearer than physical children, because it is possible for physical children to prove unspiritual, but you are all spiritual children, therefore you are very dear; you are most beloved. I wish for you progress along all degrees. May God aid you. May you be surrounded by His gaze of kindness, and may you be nurtured and attain maturity under His protection. You are all blessed.”

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Afterwards, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave each child an envelope full of rose petals, then invited them all to Lincoln Park, across the road from the hotel, for a photograph.

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