Thornton Chase, named by the Master as the first American Bahá’í

Thornton Chase, named by the Master as the first American Bahá’í, along with Carl Scheffler and Arthur Agnew, members of Chicago's House of Spirituality, arrived in the Holy Land, right after Corrine True had departed and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá surprised them all. When, responding to a question by Mr. Chase about the Temple, He said, "When you return consult with Mrs.

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True – I have given her complete instructions." These directions baffled the three men because, up to that point, only men had served on the House of Spirituality and were involved in decision-making. Being given the responsibility for the Temple was extremely challenging, particularly as a woman in a country where women did not yet have the opportunity to vote.

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