Farewell Aboard the Celtic

On 5 December 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was aboard the steamship Celtic in New York, ready to sail for Liverpool. He had arrived in New York on 11 April on the Cedric, and in the months between He had travelled as far as California and Montreal, speaking in churches, synagogues, universities and homes.

Mahmúd’s diary records that a great number of believers from New York and other cities came aboard to say goodbye. The first-class lounge was large, but it could not hold them all; some sat and others stood outside it. The Master moved among them, consoling them, and then spoke His parting words. He reminded them that He had repeatedly called them to the unity of the world of humanity, and went on:

The earth is one native land, one home; and all mankind are the children of one Father. God has created them, and they are the recipients of His compassion. Therefore, if anyone offends another, he offends God.

He asked them to beware lest they offend any heart or speak against anyone in his absence, to feed the hungry, clothe the needy and help the helpless. He spoke of the war in the Balkans, where blood was being shed and cities and villages laid waste, and then said:

Your duty is of another kind, for you are informed of the mysteries of God.

They were to be kind to all, to treat even their enemies as their friends, and to strive so that the light of universal peace might shine. His hope, He said, was that "like brilliant lamps you may cast light upon the world of humanity."

According to Mahmúd, one by one the friends came to shake His hand. Then they left the ship and stood on the wharf, weeping, and as the Celtic moved out to sea they waved farewell until He was far in the distance.

A retelling based on The Promulgation of Universal Peace ('Abdu'l-Bahá), talk of 5 December 1912 on board the steamship Celtic, New York (notes by Mariam Haney), with details from Mahmúd's Diary (5 December 1912). For the fuller account, see the originals.

'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1922). *The Promulgation of Universal Peace*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/