‘Abdu’l-Baha gave a Unity Feast in West Englewood, N. J., on
Saturday, June 29, 1912, to the Baha’is of New York and vicinity. About three
hundred were present. In addition to the seven Persians in his party there were
guests from Philadelphia, Buffalo, Green Acre, Me., Washington, D. C.,
Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Portland, Ore.
There in the fragrant pine grove, on a bright June day,
‘Abdu’l-Baha himself the host, smiling joyously and radiating the spirit of
good will, welcomed the happy friends. It was indeed a picture, and one of the
utmost spiritual significance. Christians, Jews: Mohammedans and the white and
black races were represented. ‘Abdu’l-Baha's very presence seemed to fill every
soul with love. The bountiful meal was a Persian Feast, the delicious dishes
being prepared by members of his Oriental party. He talked to them from the
center of the large circle around which the tables were arranged. …After the
dinner, Abdu’l-Baha passed around the great circular table and himself blessed
each guest, placing rose perfume upon their foreheads.
In the evening a meeting was held on the lawn of the Wilhelm
home, ‘Abdu’l-Baha speaking from; the veranda to some one hundred and fifty
Englewood guests, who were seated in camp chairs. After this meeting questions
were answered while he walked up and down the country road in front of the
house. He remained with the Wilhelm family until Sunday morning, when he left
to fill an engagement in another part of New Jersey.
(Star of the West, vol.
III, no. 8)
