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.")