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Third Epoch of the Heroic Age: 1892-1921:
The
Ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá |
| 16 June 1892:
'Abdu'l-Bahá sends first message to the Bahá'í world calling for steadfastness.
1892-1896: Mírzá
Muhammad-'Alí [also a son of Bahá'u'lláh, designated The Greater Branch, second
in rank to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and half-brother of 'Abdu'l-Bahá] undertakes covert
campaign to discredit 'Abdu'l-Bahá and assume leadership of the Bahá'í Faith.
'Abdu'l-Bahá chooses to keep silent and protect the community.
23 Sep 1893:
First public mention of the Bahá'í Faith
in the West. In a session of the World's Parliament of Religions, the Reverend
George A. Ford, a Syrian missionary, reads a paper talking about Bahá'u'lláh.
Feb 1894:
Dr. Ibrahím George
Khayru'lláh, having arrived in New York in 1892, moves to Chicago and seeks out people
interested in the Bahá'í Message.
1894: Thornton Chase becomes first American Bahá'í. 'Abdu'l-Bahá confers
upon him the title "Steadfast". Louisa A. Moore becomes a Bahá'í, given the
title "Banner", i.e. Banner of the Cause, and is later designated by the
Guardian as "the mother teacher of the West". She marries Edward Getsinger and
becomes Lua Getsinger. Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, wife of Senator George F. Hearst, was taught by
Lua Getsinger during one of Mrs. Getsinger's extensive travels throughout America.
1 Mar 1897:
Shoghi Effendi, eldest
grandson of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, is born of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's eldest daughter in the House of Abdu'lláh Pasha.. He is descended from Bahá'u'lláh on his mother's side and related to
the Báb on his father's side.
1898: Phoebe Hearst
organizes historic pilgrimage of 15 early American Bahá'ís to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá. By now
there are hundreds of Bahá'ís in America. The pilgrims arrive in 'Akká 10 Dec 1898. The
hearts of the pilgrims are set ablaze by the love of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, so much so that some
believe 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the return of Jesus Christ. 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects them, saying
that He is the Servant of Bahá. Robert Turner, the black butler of Mrs. Hearst,
shown great kindness by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, later becomes the first black Bahá'í on the
American continent. May Ellis Bolles is asked to teach the Faith in Paris.
Dr. Khayru'lláh, also among the pilgrims, sought 'Abdu'l-Bahá's endorsement of his
presentation of the Bahá'í Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects his misconceptions and urged
him to seriously study the Bahá'í Writings. Khayru'lláh refuses.
31 Jan 1899:
Remains of the Báb finally arrive at Mt.
Carmel. 'Abdu'l-Bahá begins construction of a befitting resting-place.
1899:
First Bahá'í centre in Europe
established in Paris.
1900:
Dr. Khayru'lláh violates Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, establishes pact with
Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí and works against 'Abdu'l-Bahá, trying to seize control of the
Faith in the West. Almost none of the American Bahá'ís follow his lead; they remain
faithful to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Khayru'lláh would continue spreading his poison for two
decades, but unsuccessful, finally returns to Syria.
1901:
'Abdu'l-Bahá and His family, until this
time free to venture in the area, are once again confined to the prison walls of
'Akká as a consequence of His enemies representation to the authorities that
'Abdu'l-Bahá was constructing a fort (in reality, the mausoleum) and building an
army (in reality, just visiting pilgrims). He directs attention to
correspondence while in prison and visits and assists the needy and the sick of
'Akká.
Summer 1901:
May Ellis Bolles teaches Thomas
Breakwell, first British Bahá'í.
1902: May Ellis Bolles weds William Sutherland Maxwell, designer of the superstructure of the Shrine of
the Báb, becomes May Maxwell. They establish their home in Montreal, Canada.
7 Jun 1903:
'Abdu'l-Bahá reveals Tablet calling for the
erection of a Temple in America.
1904:
First commission appointed by the
Turkish government investigates the charges leveled against 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The
Spanish Consul offers Him safe passage to any foreign port, but 'Abdu'l-Bahá
refuses, saying He must abide by whatever the ruling.
1907:
A second commission, composed of four
corrupt officials, finally reaches a decision and announces that the charges
against 'Abdu'l-Bahá have been substantiated and that He was to be exiled or
executed. Upon their return to Turkey, the Young Turk Revolution seizes hold and
the four commissioners flee.
Apr 1908:
Purchase of some land for the future House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
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The residence of 'Abdú'l-Bahá
and the Holy Family at Haifa, Israel, on the foot of Mt Carmel. |
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1908: Some Answered Questions
by Laura Clifford Barney published, based on her interviews of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
encompassing her four pilgrimages. The Young Turk Revolution frees all prisoners
of the Ottoman Empire, including 'Abdu'l-Bahá in September, Who is finally free
to leave Palestine. 'Abdu'l-Bahá drafts His Will and Testament, detailing the
two principal institutions of the Faith (the Guardianship - the sole authority
for the interpretation of the Bahá'í teachings, and the Universal House of
Justice - the primary legislative and
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administrative
authority of the Bahá'í community). He begins to focus on building the
international community and the establishment of spiritual assemblies in
North America and Persia, the forerunners of the future local Houses of
Justice.
28 Nov 1928: Construction begins on the
first Bahá'í House of Worship ('Ishqábád, Russia). |
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The Eastern Pilgrims' House
located on Mt. Carmel just east of the Shrine of the Báb. |
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20 Mar 1909:
'Abdu'l-Bahá inters the remains of the Báb on
the spot chosen by Bahá'u'lláh years earlier.
1909:
First of the tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
published in the West.
1910: Though in very poor health due to
his long imprisonment, 'Abdu'l-Bahá journeys to Egypt to spread the Faith.
11 Aug 1911:
'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for Marseille and later
journeys to London (September) and Paris. In December, He returns to Egypt.
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11 Apr 1912:
'Abdu'l-Bahá arrives in New York City at the request of the American Bahá'ís.
Visits many cities including Chicago where He laid the cornerstone for "the
Mother Temple of the West", Eliot Maine where Sarah Farmer, founder of Green
Acre, later opened her facility for Bahá'í training, and Montreal where He was
the guest of William and May Maxwell, whose home later became the first Canadian
Bahá'í centre, and whose daughter Mary was to become the wife of Shoghi Effendi.
During the next 239 days, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke at countless churches, halls and
homes on many topics such as the basic principles of the Faith, philosophical ,
moral and spiritual topics, and spoke to church congregations, peace societies,
trade unions, university faculties, etc. The talks are later published as "The
Promulgation of Universal Peace".
1 May 1912:
'Abdu'l-Bahá lays the foundation stone for the
first Bahá'í House of Worship in the West at Wilmette, Illinois.
19 Oct 1912:
'Abdu'l-Bahá visits the grave of
Thornton Chase in Inglewood, California.
29 Jun 1912:
'Abdu'l-Bahá hosts first Unity Feast at the
Wilhelm properties in W. Englewood, New Jersey.
5 Dec 1912:
'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for England, visits
Liverpool, London, Bristol and Edinburgh. He visits Paris, Stuttgart, Budapest
and Vienna.
May 1913:
'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to Egypt.
5 Dec 1913:
'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to Haifa.
July 1914:
By now, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has dismissed all
the pilgrims from the Holy Land. He has predicted a great world conflict.
August 1914:
The Great War begins and contact between
'Abdu'l-Bahá and the West is cut off. 'Abdu'l-Bahá again becomes a prisoner of
the Turkish government as a result of the machinations of Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí
and again lives under the constant threat of execution.
1916-1917:
Tablets of the Divine Plan, the
mandate for the global expansion of the Faith, is sent to America.
1918:
Shoghi Effendi receives Bachelor of Arts degree
from the American University at Beirut.
23 Sep 1918: 'Akká
is liberated by British and Indian cavalry and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is again freed.
1919: First
Convention of the Covenant held in New York City. Later that year, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani
[Rabbani meaning "Divine", surname given to him by 'Abdu'l-Bahá] was acting as
the Master's secretary, translator and right-hand man. Shoghi becomes known in
"high" circles.
Winter 1919:
J. E. Esslemont visits for
ten weeks, and in 1927 publishes Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era.
27 Apr 1920: 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
humanitarian services, having saved thousands of people from famine in Palestine after the
War due to His personal organization of extensive agricultural operations near Tiberias,
results in British Government knighthood.
24 Sep 1920:
Excavation begins for the foundation of the
House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois.
1920:
'Abdu'l-Bahá sends Shoghi Effendi to Oxford to perfect his
English. Shoghi
Effendi believes his lot in life to be that of a translator and servant of
'Abdu'l-Bahá.
20 Dec 1920:
Construction begins on the House of Worship in
Wilmette, Illinois.
28 Nov 1921: 'Abdu'l-Bahá
dies after a brief illness at 1AM in Haifa. Over ten thousand people, including
Muslim, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Druze dignitaries, the
British High Commissioner and governors of Jerusalem and Phoenicia attend. Nine
speakers, prominent representatives of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish
communities, eulogize His pure and noble life. By now the Bahá'í community has
spread throughout the Middle East, India and North America but most Bahá'ís
still resided in Persia. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's last instructions are in an envelope
addressed to Shoghi Effendi. |
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Abdú'l-Bahá was the eldest son
of Bahá'u'lláh and his designated successor. Named Abbás after his grandfather, he was
known as Abbás Effendi outside of the Bahá'í community. The title 'Abdú'l-Bahá
translates " Servant of God."
'Abdú'l-Bahá was born in Tihrán, Iran, on May 23, 1844. While still a child, he recognized his father's station
even before it had been openly revealed. He shared Bahá'u'lláh's banishment and exile
and often served as His Father's deputy when dealing with officials and the public.
He was named successor by
Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-'Ahdí (Book of the Covenant) and was appointed as the
authorized Interpreter of His Writings. 'Abdú'l-Bahá was also given the station of
"the Perfect Exemplar of the Bahá'í Faith. He died in Haifa on November 28, 1921.
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History
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The terraces
and the Shrine of the Báb with the port of
Haifa in the backdrop, as viewed from the
twelfth terrace. This photo was taken by the
webmaster on the morning of February 12,
2007. |
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The interior of the upper room
of the House of the Báb in
Shiraz, Persia as it appeared in
the year in 1976. This is the
room where the Báb first
declared is station as the Qá'im
to Mullá Husayn, his first
disciple and First Letter of the
Living. Photo is courtesy
of the Baha'i World Centre. |
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The first
Bahá'í Temple was constructed during the
years 1928 30 in Ashkhabad,
Russia. It was confiscated by Russian
authorities in 1910 and converted to a
warehouse, Severely damaged by earthquake,
it was eventually raised around 1960. Photo
Photo Gallery of the Bahá'í Houses of
Worship |
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The Bahá'í
Temple of Australia stand as sentinel to the
testimony of God. Located near Sydney, like
all Bahá'í temples, consists of nine side
that represent the great Religions of the
God. Photo
Photo Gallery of the Bahá'í Houses of
Worship |
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The Mother
Temple of the West, at Wilmette, Il, stands
testimony to the unity of all the great
religions of the world. This is the first
Bahá'í temple to have been built n the
Western Hemisphere. Photo
Photo Gallery of the Bahá'í Houses of
Worship |
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Copyright 2007, Richard Francis, all
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