'Abdu'l-Baha's personal wants were few. He worked late and early. Two simple meals a day sufficed Him. His wardrobe consisted of a very few garments of inexpensive material. He could not bear to live in luxury while others were in want. (42:1)

He had a great love for children, for flowers, and for the beauties of nature. Every morning about six or seven, the family party used to gather to partake of the morning tea together, and while the Master sipped His tea, the little children of the household chanted prayers. Mr. Thornton Chase writes of these children: "Such children I have never seen, so courteous, unselfish, thoughtful for others, unobtrusive, intelligent, and swiftly self-denying in the little things that children love..." - In Galilee, p. 51. (42:2)

The "ministry of flowers" was a feature of the life at Akka, of which every pilgrim brought away fragrant memories. Mrs. Lucas writes: "When the Master inhales the odor of flowers, it is wonderful to see him. It seems as though the perfume of the hyacinths were telling him something as he buries his face in the flowers. It is like the effort of the ear to hear a beautiful harmony, a concentrated attention!" - A Brief Account of My Visit to 'Akka, pp. 25-26. (42:3)

He loved to present beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers to His numerous visitors. (42:4)

Mr. Thornton Chase sums up his impression of the prison life at Akka as follows:
Five days we remained within those walls, prisoners with Him who dwells in that "Greatest Prison." It is a prison of peace, of love and service. No wish, no desire is there save the good of mankind, the peace of the world, the acknowledgement of the Fatherhood of God and the mutual rights of men as His creatures, His children. Indeed, the real prison, the suffocating atmosphere, the separation from all true heart desires, the bond of world conditions, is outside of those stone walls, while within them is the freedom and pure aura of the Spirit of God. All troubles, tumults, worries or anxieties for worldly things are barred out there. - In Galilee, p. 24. (42:5)

To most people the hardships of prison life would appear as grievous calamities, but for 'Abdu'l-Baha they had no terrors. When in prison He wrote: (42:7)

Grieve not because of my imprisonment and calamity; for this prison is my beautiful garden, my mansioned paradise and my throne of dominion among mankind. My calamity in my prison is a crown to me in which I glory among the righteous. (42:8)

Anyone can be happy in the state of comfort, ease, health, success, pleasure and joy; but if one be happy and contented in the time of trouble, hardship and prevailing disease, that is the proof of nobility. (42:9)

Turkish Commissions of Investigation
In 1904 and 1907 commissions were appointed by the Turkish Government to inquire into the charges against 'Abdu'l-Baha, and lying witnesses gave evidence against Him. 'Abdu'l-Baha, while refuting the charges, expressed His entire readiness to submit to any sentence the tribunal chose to impose. He declared that if they should throw Him into jail, drag Him through the streets, curse Him, spit upon Him, stone Him, heap upon Him all sort of ignominy, hang Him or shoot Him, He would still be happy. (42:10)

Get Next Page