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)