Louis G. Gregory begins traveling to Haifa, Palestine, and Egypt

From John Conkling in Texas.

#17 - 100 Years Ago - Louis G. Gregory begins traveling to Haifa, Palestine, and Egypt

Once again we are indebted to Gayle Morrison for the information in this posting of 100 Years Ago, which

is taken from her biography of Louis G. Gregory, To Move The World, pp 43-45.

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    Mr. Gregory reserved passage on a ship sailing from New York on 25 March 1911. He was able to

plan an extended trip that included stops in Europe as well as in Egypt and Palestine.

    Beyond the sociological insights that the journey provided, Mr. Gregory discovered in the pilgrimage a deeply inspiring and instructive religious experience. 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself observed that Louis Gregory had been transformed, had become "quite another Gregory."  In Palestine the pilgrims visited the shrines of Bahá'u'lláh and of the Báb, His forerunner, and came to know the places where Bahá'u'lláh had lived from His banishment to the penal colony of 'Akká in 1868 until His death in 1892.  In both Egypt and Palestine Mr. Gregory met members and close associates of Bahá'u'lláh's family; he was especially impressed with 'Abdu'l-Bahá's young grandson, Shoghi Effendi,who was to become in 1921 the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith.  The other pilgrims also contributed much to Mr. Gregory's experience. An English-woman named Louisa Mathew, who was present during his first meeting with the Master, won "admiration" for her "long range of accomplishments and great devotion to the Faith."

    But all the aspects of Louis Gregory's journey, even those that were most significant in their own right, were overshadowed by the reality of meeting 'Abdu'l-Bahá.  Mr. Gregory had seen many famous people in Washington, D.C. Nonetheless 'Abdu''l-Báhá was unique:

"Presidents and senators, cabinet members and ambassadors, justices and kings of commerce and trade, inventors, discoverers, monarchs of other lands, all either singly or together, seem to pale into insignificance when compared with this wonderful man who had spent about forty years in prison."

    Mr. Gregory remembered his first impressions of 'Abdu'-Bahá. (He wrote about Him to a friend) "When . .  I saw him for the first time he was about sixty-seven years of age, about the medium height, with a strong frame and symmetrical features. His face was deeply furrowed and his complexion about the shade of parchment. His carriage was erect and his form strikingly majestic and beautiful. . . ."

    During their interviews the Master dispelled any uncertainty that may have lingered in Mr.Gregory's mind concerning the urgent need for racial unity in Amera and his particular role in its advancement. 'Abdu'l-Bahá Himself raised the subject of race during their first meeting, when He asked in general terms, "'What of the conflict between the white and colored races?'"

    Louis Gregory recalled that 

             

              this question made me smile, for I at once felt that my inquirer, although He had never in person visited America, yet knew more            of conditions than I could ever know. I answered that there was much friction between the races. That those who accepted the            Bahai teachings had hopes of an amicable settlement of racial differences, while others were despondent."

    (Later 'Abdu'l-Bahá went on to suggest that the differences over race among the American Bahá'ís were attributable to a superficial acceptance of the Faith and that real believers would achieve real unity.  He said that, in order to attain closer unity, "the best means is to accept this Cause. All differences must fade among believers. In the present antagonism there is great danger to both races.")

Story told by Dr Dwight Allen

 This is a story told by Dr. Dwight Allen in 1967 at the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago :
   
   All National Spiritual Assemblies were charged with delivering, in
   person, to the Head of State of their respective countries, a copy
   of the "Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh". At the time, the Head of State
   of Haiti was Dr. Duvalier, known as "Papa Doc". His was a ruthless
   regime, kept in power through fear more than anything else. The
   populace was cowed through the Tauntaun Makud, a "secret service"
   with dark overtures of voodoo and constrained only by the wishes of
   Duvalier. Human rights were non-existant.

   Needless to say, the National Assembly of Haiti had some valid
   concerns about presenting Bahá'u'lláh's word to such a one as
   Duvalier. However, after prayer, placing their trust in Bahá'u'lláh.
   They called to make their appointment for the presentation. They
   were puzzled when they had no problem whatsoever in scheduling the
   meeting with the "President for Life".

   On the appointed day and at the appointed hour, the members of the
   National Assembly of Haiti presented themselves at the Presidential
   Palace and were immidiately taken to an antechamber adjacent to
   Duvalier's office. Over them stood a guard of what must have been
   the four largest men in all Haiti , each one armed with a machine
   pistol at the ready. Soon, the office door opened and Dr. Duvalier
   appeared, asking the members of the Assembly into his office and
   cordially greeting each one of them. One Assembly member noted that
   the expression on their guards' faces had become one of wide-eyed
   surprise.

   Dr. Duvalier sat the Assembly in his office and dismissed the
   guards, which was unprecedented. He served each member tea and cakes
   personally and as he settled himself back with his own tea, began
   the interview by recounting his college days in Milwaukee ,
   Wisconsin in the early 1940's.

   It seems that housing was scarce in Milwaukee in those days and
   considering that he was a black man and a student, it was well-nigh
   impossible for him to find lodgings. It seems the only shelter he
   could find was with a white Bahá'í couple who took him into their
   home and treated him as a member of the family.

   Because of that hospitality, the President extended to the Bahá'ís
   of Haiti freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom from
   unwarranted search and seizure. We take these freedoms as a given.
   In Haiti at the time, no other group enjoyed such freedoms. It meant
   that the Bahá'ís could teach openly, hold Feast, and distribute
   literature. The secret police were to protect the Bahá'ís.

   Dr. Allen went on to say that we can never know how the seeds we
   plant will grow nor can we ever predict the result of our living the
   Bahá'í life to the best of our abilities. This nameless Bahá'í
   couple through one courageous act, granted an entire Bahá'í nation
   freedom.

   (Stephen A. Blair on behalf of ABM Erica Toussaint)