Sarah Farmer and Green Acre

Sarah Farmer had a vision of Green Acre as a peaceful and beautiful place where people could study all the various religions in order to create a more spiritual world. In 1894, she dedicated Green Acre to the ideals of peace and religious unity, invited speakers of various persuasions, and encouraged her guests to listen without prejudice. Financial difficulties almost brought her dream to collapse, and because her health was failing, she went on a cruise in January 1900. While on the ship, she met two friends who were on their way to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Sarah cabled ahead and asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá if she could join her friends. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said yes. Sarah's time with the Master created a powerful bond that would affect the futures of both her and Green Acre. When she returned, the courses took on a much more Bahá’í-like flavor and some felt that this was a betrayal of the original ideal. This, and her worsening financial burden, caused her health to deteriorate even more. But the coming of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912 quickly changed things. While He was there, He said, "This is hallowed ground, made so by your vision and sacrifice. Always remember, this is hallowed ground, which I am pointing out to you."

Source: Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 166.

Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: green-acre).

Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/green-acre