An Analysis of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to North America in 1912

Abstract

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás’s eight-month visit to North America took him to at least 50 localities in 15 states and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, Canada. Because his North American trip followed an earlier European visit (Aug. 22–Dec. 2, 1911), when ‘Abdu’l-Bah á arrived in New York he was already basically familiar with the West and had a routine. He would establish himself in a hotel or, ideally, a rented house, so that he would have the space to provide hospitality and the freedom to welcome people of all races. He held what today we would call a press conference shortly after his arrival, then began a daily routine that involved correspondence in the early morning, private meetings with individuals and small groups, sometimes a talk in a large room before lunch because the press of visitors became too great for individual meetings, an afternoon walk in a park (sometimes accompanied by a crowd) or an appointment or a second talk, then an evening meeting, often in the house of a Bahá’í. On occasion, these evening meetings might start with dinner and continue into the late evening or early morning. Some days he gave as many as six talks.