History
UK Bahá'í
History
UK Bahá'í
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Visit
to the United Kingdom
‘Abdu’l-Bahá travelled throughout the West, espousing the teachings of His father, Bahá’u’lláh. He always made time to meet people from all walks of life, greeting them with an all-embracing love and generosity of spirit.
Throughout His public talks, interviews, and encounters, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed significant topics relevant to contemporary issues in Britain.
His contributions to public discourse continue to be built upon by the Bahá’í community today.
“This is a new cycle of human power… the gift of God in this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and the fundamental oneness of religion.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the United Kingdom twice, first arriving in England on 3 September 1911. Staying at the home of Lady Blomfield in Cadogan Gardens, He travelled throughout London, Surrey, and Bristol.
During His first visit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent a weekend in Bristol, where He met with Bahá’ís and their friends. An observer noted His pleasant sense of humour, which had endured despite long years of imprisonment and trials.
On 10 September 1911, at the invitation of Reverend Reginald John Campbell, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá delivered a public address at the City Temple Church in Holborn, London, to an audience of over 2,000. He proclaimed: “This is a new cycle of human power… the gift of God in this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and the fundamental oneness of religion.
The following week, on 17 September 1911, He was invited by Archdeacon Albert Wilberforce to speak at St John’s Church. The Archdeacon, referencing Rudyard Kipling’s famous line that “East is East, and West is West,” emphasised their meeting on the common ground of love, pointing to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who had endured 40 years of imprisonment for humanity’s sake. He proclaimed: “Truly, the East and the West have met in this sacred place tonight.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá departed London on 3 October 1911, continuing His travels to Paris. In 1912, He spent considerable time in North America before making His second visit to Britain later that year, arriving in Liverpool on 13 December 1912 after crossing from New York City on the SS Celtic. Over the following weeks, He visited Liverpool, London, Oxford, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Woking, before departing for Paris on 21 January 1913.
It has been more than a century since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the UK, yet his words are perhaps more relevant than ever. The prominent themes and concerns raised during His visit continue to be explored and shared by the UK Bahá'í community.
The Bahá’í community collaborates with government and civil society organisations on many of the challenges that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá raised, including education, advancing the equality of women and men, cultivating social cohesion and promoting religious freedom. Bahá’ís are also involved in interfaith work at national and local levels to continue to understand, along with co-religionists, the role of religion in today’s society.
In neighbourhoods and localities, Bahá’ís and their friends are gaining knowledge and experience through their community building activities, and are continuing to learn about the actions and capacities required for material and spiritual progress in the UK and worldwide.
An interesting post-script to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visits to the UK began shortly after His return to Palestine in 1913. With great foresight, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá began privately growing and storing large quantities of grain, so that when food shortages caused by the First World War occurred, He was able to assist the people of His city of Akka and prevent starvation.
In April 1920, the British government, in recognition of this humanitarian act, saw fit to bestow a Knighthood upon Him, a title He graciously accepted, but never used.
'Abdu'l-Bahá's Contribution to Social Discourse
"God has created the world as one—the boundaries are marked out by man. God has not divided the lands…All are of one family, one race; all are human beings."
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words in London
Throughout His travels to the West, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá proclaimed His unquestioning belief in the oneness of mankind. He urged people to eliminate all forms of prejudice, and to love all as brothers and sisters, no matter the “class…race or nationality…creed or colour, whether good or bad, rich or poor”.
He received hundreds of guests during His stay in Cadogan Gardens. It is recorded that from morning to nightfall, scores of people would arrive at the door, with the hope of meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and hearing Him talk. Among these visitors were the intelligentsia and the illiterate; the affluent and the impoverished; high ranking clergy and ordinary believers of various denominations; people of diverse nationalities and ethnic origins; members of Parliament, magistrates, social activists and artists. All, without distinction, were warmly welcomed."Humanity is like a bird with its two wings — the one is male, the other female. Unless both wings are strong and impelled by some common force, the bird cannot fly heavenwards…They [women] must be on the same level as men and enjoy equal rights."
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
These were the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His talk to over a thousand suffragettes at the Women’s Freedom League in London on 2 January 1913. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address on the equality of women and men was received with resounding applause and enthusiasm.
During His visit, He also met with Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the British suffragette movement. It is recorded that Mrs Pankhurst was “much cheered” by her interview with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who, whilst urging the suffragettes to refrain from acts of violence, encouraged Mrs Pankhurst to continue her work steadfastly, assuring her that women would very shortly take “their rightful place in the world”.
On the equality of men and women He explained: “As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.”
"I find England awake; there is spiritual life here. But your poor are so very poor! This should not be. On the one hand you have wealth, and great luxury; on the other hand men and women are living in the extremities of hunger and want. This great contrast of life is one of the blots on the civilization of this enlightened age. You must turn attention more earnestly to the betterment of the conditions of the poor. Do not be satisfied until each one with whom you are concerned is to you as a member of your family. Regard each one either as a father, or as a brother, or as a sister, or as a mother, or as a child. If you can attain to this, your difficulties will vanish, you will know what to do."
—Abdu’l-Bahá’s response to the Rector of a London parish on His impressions of England.
"When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love."
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words in Paris, 21 October 1911.
One of the most prominent social messages that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ brought to the West was the need for international peace, which He called, “the most momentous question of this day”.
During His travels ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ warned against the seemingly inevitable catastrophe of the First World War, but also spoke constructively about securing prerequisites for universal peace such as women’s suffrage, a world tribunal, collective security, justice and religious unity.
He proclaimed that, “So long as prejudice—whether religious, racial, patriotic, political or sectarian—continues to exist among mankind, universal peace cannot become a reality in the world. From the earliest history of man down to the present time all the wars and bloodshed which have taken place were caused either by religious, racial, political or sectarian bias. Therefore, it is evident that so long as these prejudices continue, the world of humanity cannot attain peace and composure”.
If a religion become the cause of hatred and disharmony, it would be better that it should not exist. To be without such a religion is better than to be with it.
—Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given at the Theosophical Head Quarters, 30 September 1911.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke repeatedly and unequivocally during his time in the UK regarding the principle of the oneness of religion. He also challenged His audiences to consider that science and religion were ‘intertwined’, and stated that, “Every religion which does not concern itself with science is mere tradition”.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá further elucidated on the relationship between science and religion: “Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the despairing slough of materialism.”"Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race."
—‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
During His visit, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá showed great interest in the various philanthropic causes in the UK. Amongst various movements and organisations that He met with, He visited Passmore Edwards Settlement, Tavistock Place, where working women were supported, and where the first fully equipped classrooms for children with disabilities were pioneered.
Early UK Bahá'í's
In the late 1890s, while ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was still a prisoner in ‘Akká, a small number of Westerners began to encounter the Bahá’í Faith. Some of them embraced this new faith and became enthusiastic proponents of its teachings, contributing to British society in myriad ways.
During His visit to the UK, He met many of these believers, and His presence greatly encouraged the efforts of this burgeoning community. Through their work to share the Bahá’í teachings throughout Europe and America, many people in the West came into contact with the Bahá’í Faith.
Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper (d.1938)
Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper, known as “Minnie”, was an American resident in London. She and her mother, Harriet Thornburgh, were the first people in the UK to embrace the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.
Minnie first heard of the Bahá’í teachings in 1898 from her lifelong friend Phoebe Apperson Hearst. That same year, Phoebe Hearst organised and funded a small group to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká, where He had been held for many years as a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire. Having learned more about the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Mary felt inspired to join the group and included her mother, Harriet Thornburgh, in the turbulent and arduous sea journey.
Thomas Breakwell
(1872-1902)
The first English person to become a Bahá’í was Thomas Breakwell. He was born in Woking in 1872 and emigrated to the United States as a young man.
At the time of his first encounter with the Bahá’í teachings, Breakwell held a prestigious and lucrative position at a cotton mill in one of the Southern states. His comfortable lifestyle included long trips to Europe each summer. On one such trip in 1901, he met May Maxwell in Paris. Maxwell had been among the first Westerners to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1898. Following their discussions, Breakwell embraced the teachings of the Faith and wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá requesting permission to visit Him in ‘Akká. He holds the distinction of being the first English Bahá’í pilgrim.
Ethel Jenner Rosenberg (1858–1930)
Ethel Jenner Rosenberg, a painter of miniatures and portraits, was born into a family of artists in Bath. Her work and social connections brought her into contact with a network of society ladies, including Minnie Thornburgh-Cropper, from whom she learned of the Bahá’í Faith. Rosenberg accepted the teachings in 1899 and, together with Minnie and her mother, Harriet Thornburgh, founded the first Bahá’í community in the UK.
Lady Sara Louisa Blomfield
(1859-1939)
Lady Sara Louisa Blomfield was born in Ireland to a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. She married the noted Victorian architect Sir Arthur Blomfield and spent much of her adult life in London. Lady Blomfield’s acceptance of the Bahá’í teachings in 1907 marked a turning point in her lifelong quest for spiritual truth.
An accomplished writer and humanitarian, her commitment to her new Faith brought an increased desire to see justice and equality established in the world. She was a fearless supporter of the suffragettes, a protector of the rights of women and children, and a promoter of peace and inter-religious dialogue.
Sarah Ann Ridgeway (d.1913)
Sarah Ann Ridgeway was a silk-weaver from Stalybridge, near Manchester. In the 1880s, she emigrated to the United States, where she came across the Bahá’í teachings. Soon after, she wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to declare her faith, making her the first Bahá’í from the north of England.
George Townshend
(1876–1957)
George Townshend was a well-known Irish writer and clergyman.
In 1918, Mr Townshend began corresponding with ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. Shortly thereafter, he became a Bahá'í and went on to author numerous books, including The Heart of the Gospel and The Promise of All Ages. In 1926, Shoghi Effendi, who greatly admired Mr Townshend’s scholarly abilities and spirit of devotion, invited him to serve as his literary advisor. Mr Townshend assisted in the editing of all of Shoghi Effendi’s major publications.
Richard Edward
St. Barbe Baker (1889–1982)
Richard Edward St. Barbe Baker was born near Southampton into a family of clergy members and dedicated tree planters. His own life was distinguished by his dedication to his Faith and his outstanding commitment to environmental conservation.
After living in both the UK and Canada, Mr Baker travelled to Kenya in 1922, where he established a tree nursery and founded an organisation with the Kikuyu people to carry out reforestation in the region. The local group was called Watu wa Miti, meaning “Men of the Trees” in the regional dialect. This initiative laid the foundation for what would later become the International Tree Foundation, an organisation that remains active today in many countries worldwide.
