This edited volume of specially commissioned essays written for the anniversary of `Abdu'l-Baha's journey to America tells the story of this former prisoner's interactions with the white upper echelon of American society as well as his impact on the lives and writings of important early figures in the African-American civil rights movement.

"If the believers . . . establish, in a befitting manner, union and harmony with spirit, tongue, heart and body, suddenly they shall find 'Abdu'l-Bahá in their midst. 'Abdu'l-Bahá 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Their Midst is the story of the journeys of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Europe and North America over the period 1911 to 1913. Rather than focusing on the public talks he gave, inspiring though these were, it narrates how 'Abdu'l-Bahá affected and transformed the lives of those he met, described in their own words. A revealing and heartwarming book."--Publisher's website.

Among those who visit 'Akká, some have made great forward strides. Lightless candles, they were set alight; withered, they began to bloom; dead, they were recalled to life and went home with tidings of great joy. 'Abdu'l-Bahá . . .each pilgrim brings back information and suggestions of a most precious character, and it is the privilege of all the friends to share in the spiritual results of these visits. Shoghi Effendi This two-volume series on pilgrims who visited 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the Holy Land may be seen as a companion to 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Their Midst, about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's three-year journey (1910-1913) to Egypt, Europe and North America. The present volume covers the time from 1897 until the Master's departure on His journey to the West, while the second volume begins with His return to Haifa at the end of 1913 and covers the time until His passing in 1921. Virtually all pilgrims and many other visitors wrote down what 'Abdu'l-Bahá said, including many of His talks, both formal and informal. Their accounts provide a great wealth of stories that help illustrate who 'Abdu'l-Bahá was in the context of history and how he taught and interacted with others. Most of these accounts come from personal diaries and letters initially written in longhand, though many were later typed. They are to be considered 'pilgrims' notes', but are a fascinating and moving testimony to how 'Abdu'l-Bahá affected and transformed those He met, described in their own words. PILGRIMS INCLUDE: Mírzá Habíbu'lláh Afnán Alma Albertson Arthur and Mary Agnew Wellesca (Aseyeh) Allen-Dyar Anne Apperson Azíz'u'lláh Azízí Laura Barney May Bolles Edith and Joseph de Bons Thomas Breakwell Isabella Brittingham William Jennings Bryan Madame De Canavarro Thornton Chase Stanwood Cobb Helen Ellis Cole Ella Cooper Josephine Cowles de Lagnel Grace Crockett Charlotte, Louise and Eleanor Dixon Arthur and Elizabeth Dodge William and Wendell Dodge Hipployte Dreyfus Sarah Farmer Frank Frank Lua and Edward Getsinger Ellen Goin Ella Goodall Helen Goodall Julia Grundy Anton Haddad Mary Hanford Ford Joseph and Pauline Hannen Hooper Harris Phoebe Hearst Helen Hillyer Emogene Hoagg Anna Hoar William Hoar Herbert Hopper Marion Jack Edith Jackson Florence and Ali-Kuli Khan Yúnís Khán Ibrahim Kheiralla The Knobloch sisters Edward and Carrie Kinney Mary Lucas May and Sutherland Maxwell Howard and Mary MacNutt Edith and Marie-Louise McKay Susan Moody Harlan Ober Agnes Parsons Julia Pearson Margaret Peeke Frances Phelps Myron Phelps Mason Remey Ethel Rosenberg Sigurd Russell Edith Sanderson Mary Scaramucci Carl Scheffler Sydney Sprague Jean Stannard Ethel Stefana Stevens Howard Struven Juliet Thompson Harriet Thornburgh Maryam Thornburgh-Cropper Emma Tronvé Corinne and Arna True Robert Turner Valíyu'lláh Varqá Louise Waite Jane Whyte Roy and Laurie Wilhelm George and Rosa Winterburn Maria Wilson Edwin Woodcock

This treasury of spiritual inspiration gleaned from 'Abdu'l-Bahá is designed with the mystical seeker in mind. Brought together for the first time, these Writings and stories are a source of growth and healing, and a guidebook to personal transformation.Included are sections on the journey of the soul, true wealth, a simple life, prayer, meditation, spiritual food, and renewal.Here is a thoughtful gift that can be used as an introduction to the Bahá'í Faith, or as a continuing source of spiritual inspiration for believers. The book contains newer translations from the Bahá'í World Centre and is illustrated with photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

"Never before told in its entirety - here is the story of the first pilgrimage of Western Bahá'ís to the Holy Land. That journey of fifteen souls during the winter of 1898-1899 has come to be recognized as a pivotal event in the history of the Bahá'í Faith; more than a pilgrimage - a turning point that would have far-reaching implications many centuries into the future for millions of people. Based on all available sources, including handwritten journals and letters never previously published, this story is not a mere recounting of history, it is a tale that inspires and instructs. Those privileged to take part in the first Western pilgrimage were, in the main, ordinary people with extraordinary spiritual insight. With almost no resources available to them, they took what they gained from their time in the Holy Land, established the Faith in Europe and reestablished the American Bahá'í community on a rock-solid foundation. Above all, the Hearst pilgrimage provides a brief glimpse of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself and how patiently and lovingly He nurtured those from America and Europe whose religious background and ethnic culture were so different from the main body of Eastern believers at the time. The lessons he taught during that winter, the messages he conveyed, still resonate today, for he saw the end in the beginning. These were not simply fifteen pilgrims; they were the vanguard of waves of the whole of humanity. Their achievements will remain an inspiration to all future generations."--Publisher's website.