[Later
in the evening the Master and some of the friends and His servants went to
Oakland to attend the Nineteen Day Feast. On the way He spoke of the sadness of
the friends in Seattle, saying:]
They are upset that I am not going
there. However, in spite of the great distance, they have come to see us,
notwithstanding the effort involved. Had it been but a one- or two-day trip, I
would have gone to Portland and Seattle but the distance is great. I would not
visit Los Angeles were it not for the purpose of visiting the tomb of Mr.
Chase. The friends all have expectations but if I should want to go to all
these places, the journey would become too long and that is impossible.
However, in my heart there is such love for the heavenly friends that I do not
wish even a speck of dust to touch them. God forbid! If I see harm coming to
one of you, I will throw myself in its path to shield you.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of
‘Abdu’l-Baha, From a talk, October 16, 1912, Oakland, USA, recorded by Mahmud
Zarqani; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
