Louis Gregory and Louisa Mathew

In April 1911 Louis Gregory, a Bahá’í from Washington, landed at Alexandria on pilgrimage. He met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at His house in Ramleh, near Alexandria, and afterwards visited Haifa, ‘Akká and the Holy Shrines. Among those present at his first meeting with the Master was an English Bahá’í, Louisa Mathew.

1 / 5

At Ramleh ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked him about the conflict between the white and colored races in America. Gregory later asked whether, in view of the difficulties, the colored friends should organize separately to observe the Nineteen Day unity meetings. The Master answered: "The colored people must attend all the unity meetings. There must be no distinctions. All are equal. If you have any influence to get the races to intermarry, it will be very valuable.

2 / 5

Such unions will beget very strong and beautiful children." Gregory noted in his account of the pilgrimage that this was not the first time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had spoken of the matter, and with emphasis.

3 / 5

In 1912 Louisa Mathew crossed to America with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the S.S. Cedric. He let her know that He would be pleased if she married Louis Gregory, whom she had met on pilgrimage. On 2 August 1912, at a meeting for Black Americans near Lake Dublin, New Hampshire, the Master spoke on unity between the races and mentioned their approaching wedding.

4 / 5

Maḥmúd recorded that "the white people in the audience were astonished to see the influence of the Cause and the blacks were pleased." Louis Gregory and Louisa Mathew were married in September 1912, the first marriage between a Black and a white Bahá’í.

5 / 5