Strict Imprisonment Renewed
In consequence of this and other equally unfounded charges, in 1901, 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family, who for more than twenty years had been allowed the freedom of the country for some miles around 'Akka, were again, for over seven years, strictly confined within the walls of the prison city. This did not prevent Him, however, from effectively spreading the Baha'i message through Asia, Europe and America. Mr. Horace Holley writes of this period as follows: - (41:1)

To 'Abdu'l-Baha, as a teacher and friend, came men and women from every race, religion and nation, to sit at his table like favored guests, questioning him about the social, spiritual or moral program each had most at heart; and after a stay lasting from a few hours to many months, returning home, inspired, renewed and enlightened. The world surely never possessed such a guest- house as this (41:2)

Within its doors the rigid castes of India melted away, the racial prejudice of Jew, Christian and Muhammadan became less than a memory; and every convention save the essential law of warm hearts and aspiring minds broke down, banned and forbidden by the unifying sympathy of the master of the house. It was like a King Arthur and the Round Table .. but an Arthur who knighted women as well as men, and sent them away not with the sword but with the Word. - The Modern Social Religion, Horace Holley (41:3)

During these years 'Abdu'l-Baha carried on an enormous correspondence with believers and inquirers in all parts of the world. In this work He was greatly assisted by His daughters and also by several interpreters and secretaries (41:4)

Much of His time was spent in visiting the sick and the afflicted in their own homes; and in the poorest quarters of 'Akka no visitor was more welcome than the "Master." A pilgrim who visited 'Akka at this time writes: - (41:5)

It is the custom of 'Abdu'l-Baha each week, on Friday morning, to distribute alms to the poor. From his own scanty store he gives a little to each one of the needy who come to ask assistance. This morning about one hundred were ranged in line, seated and crouching upon the ground in the open street of the courts where 'Abdu'l-Baha's house stands. And such a nondescript collection of humanity they were. All kinds of men, women and children - poor, wretched, hopeless in aspect, half- clothed, many of them crippled and blind, beggars indeed, poor beyond expression - waiting expectant - until from the doorway came 'Abdu'l-Baha... Quickly moving from one to another, stopping sometimes to leave a word of sympathy and encouragement, dropping small coins into each eager outstretched palm, touching the face of a child, taking the hand of an old woman who held fast to the hem of his garment as he passed along, speaking words of light to old men with sightless eyes, inquiring after those too feeble and wretched to come for their pittance of help, and sending them their portion with a message of love and uplift. - Glimpses of 'Abdu'l-Baha, M. J. M (41:6)

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