24 / A Delightful Spot

24

A Delightful Spot

From Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Sarah Farmer eagerly waited for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to visit her. She was about sixty-five years old and in poor health. She wrote to ‘Alí Kulí Khán, in Washington, D.C., about her excitement to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “He is so gentle and loving that we have only to see Him to love Him. . . . For twelve years I have looked forward toward welcoming [H]im to Green Acre. . . . If I were on my feet I would soon be where He is. The longing to see Him is beyond all description.”1

Green Acre was Sarah Farmer’s gift to the world. It began as the Eliot Hotel, which Sarah opened with four business partners in 1890. But soon Sarah was inspired with a unique vision. She saw Green Acre as a peaceful retreat where people could learn about different religions and ideas. She said, “How much more good would come from a summer vacation if instead of being burdened with the effort of finding amusement for leisure hours, one’s mind and soul could be refreshed

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by helpful thoughts, under spreading pines, in green pastures, beside still waters.”2

In 1894, Sarah started the Green Acre Conferences. They began with the raising of the world’s first known peace flag—a tradition that continues today. Green Acre attracted speakers from various religions, as well as writers, artists, teachers, and leaders in a variety of fields. Programs covered a wide range of topics, including peace, education, religion, art, music, psychology, nature, and many other subjects. Sarah encouraged guests to listen to them all with an open mind. She believed that all the world’s Prophets had brought a message of peace to humanity.

In a few years, Green Acre was known worldwide. There were so many guests that they filled the inn, and more stayed in tents on the grounds. An article in New England Magazine declared, “The most distinctive feature of Green Acre is its noble persistency . . . to reveal the real unity of religious ideals despite their varying forms of expression. . . .”3

The Green Acre program for 1899 included a quotation from Bahá’u’lláh. The next year, Sarah visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká. She had a list of questions she wanted to ask Him, but somehow she left them in her room when she went to see Him. Without being asked, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá answered every one of them.

After Sarah met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Bahá’í teachings were included in many of Green Acre’s programs. Sarah felt that the Bahá’í Faith fulfilled her goals for Green Acre. She also said the Faith brought her “a joy greater than I have hitherto known.”4

However, some people disagreed with this direction for Green Acre. Some even stole equipment from the school, to try to stop it from operating. Sarah faced financial problems. Her health suffered.

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Over the years, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent Sarah at least twenty-eight letters of encouragement. He wrote, “Thou art always in my memory and before my eyes. . . . I am assured that thou shall be enabled to render great services.”5

A group called the Green Acre Fellowship was established to help organize the school. After a bad fall in 1907, Sarah’s health declined. A few years later, friends placed her in a private clinic in Portsmouth.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reached Green Acre on August 16, 1912, more than five hundred people were waiting for Him. The road to the main inn was lined with multicolored lanterns. After giving a talk, He said, “I desire to offer a prayer in behalf of Miss Farmer; for, verily, she has been the founder of this organization, the source of this loving fellowship and assemblage.” His prayer included these words:

O Thou kind Lord! Bestow quick recovery through Thy power and bounty upon the founder of this Association. O Lord! This woman has served Thee, has turned her face toward Thy Kingdom and has established these conferences in order that reality might be investigated and the light of reality shine.

O Lord! Be Thou ever her support. O Lord! Be Thou ever her comforter. O Lord! Bestow upon her quick healing. Verily, Thou art the Clement. Verily, Thou art the Merciful. Verily, Thou art the Generous.6

‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed at Green Acre for a week, and He gave several talks during that time. He praised the beautiful location of Green Acre, as in this talk on August 17:

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Are you all well and happy? This is a delightful spot; the scenery is beautiful, and an atmosphere of spirituality haloes everything. In the future, God willing, Green Acre shall become a great center, the cause of the unity of the world of humanity, the cause of uniting hearts and binding together the East and the West. This is my hope.

Tonight I wish to speak upon the oneness of the world of humanity. This is one of the important subjects of the present period. If the oneness of the human world were established . . . The people of the world would live together in harmony, and their well-being would be assured. . . .

When the light of Bahá’u’lláh dawned from the East . . . He said, “Ye are all the fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch.” . . .

Bahá’u’lláh has made no exception to this rule. . . . God is the Father of all. He educates, provides for and loves all; for they are His servants and His creation. . . . No matter to what religion a man belongs, even though he be an atheist or materialist, nevertheless, God nurtures him, bestows His kindness and sheds upon him His light. . . . Just as God loves all and is kind to all, so must we really love and be kind to everybody. . . . We must consider everyone as related to us, for all are the servants of one God. . . .

Everything must be done in order that humanity may live under the shadow of God in the utmost security, enjoying happiness in its highest degree.7

‘Abdu’l-Bahá went to visit Sarah Farmer in Portsmouth. They drove back to Green Acre together. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá described to her His vision

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for the future of Green Acre. He said, “This is hallowed ground made so by your vision and sacrifice. Always remember this is hallowed ground which I am pointing out to you.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá walked around the grounds with Sarah, pointing out certain areas and speaking to her. He showed her where a Bahá’í university would someday be built. At another spot, He said, “This is where the second Bahá’í Temple in the United States will be raised. In reality, all this has been built and is right now ready to become a material reality whenever the Supreme Concourse finds mankind purified enough to bring about its consummation.” He told Sarah, “You will be revered above all American women one fine day, you will see.”8

One evening, He said, “My thoughts are wholly absorbed by this journey. I can think of nothing else because the outcome of this journey is so great. Up to now in the Cause of the Blessed Beauty a development as great as this has not occurred.”9

One day a young girl came to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and said, “I have come to ask for your assistance. Please tell me what I am fitted to do so that I may occupy myself with it.”

He asked, “Do you have trust in me?”

She said, “Yes.”

He said to her, “Be a perfect Bahá’í. Associate with Bahá’ís. Study the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Then you will be assisted in whatever you undertake to do.”

She said, “I am a good Jewess.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá told her, “A good Jew can also become a Bahá’í. The truth of the religion of Moses and of Bahá’u’lláh is one. Turn toward

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Bahá’u’lláh and you will acquire peace and tranquillity, you will hear the melody of the Kingdom, you will stir people’s souls and you will attain the highest degree of perfection. Be assured of this.”

She was so impressed with His words that she threw herself at His feet and wept.10

As He prepared to leave on August 23, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “We have finished our work here. We have sown a seed. Many souls have been attracted and transformed. Every day we have seen gifts such as fruit, flowers, honey and sweets which have been placed here anonymously and without show. This is a proof of the sincerity of their hearts.”11

“Just as God loves all and is kind to all, so must we really love and be kind to everybody. . . . We must consider everyone as related to us, for all are the servants of one God.”

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

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