This is part of the account Howard Colby Ives wrote of that first memorable…
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When in Bahá'í history
This is part of the account Howard Colby Ives wrote of that first memorable meeting with the Master: I could not speak. We both sat perfectly silent for what seemed a long while, and gradually a great peace came to me. Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá placed His hand upon my breast saying that it was the heart that speaks. Again silence: a long, heart-enthralling silence. No word further was spoken, and all the time I was with Him not one single sound came from me. But no word was necessary from me to Him. I knew that, even then, and how I thanked God it was so.
Source: Adib Taherzadeh, The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 109
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: silence).
Discuss this story
For adults
- What stands out about Howard Colby Ives's response in this account?
- What might Howard Colby Ives's example ask of us in our own circumstances?
- Where do you see devotion appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
For teens
- If you were in Howard Colby Ives's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about devotion?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice devotion?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "This is part of the account Howard Colby Ives wrote of that first memorable…" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/silence
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