In the Spring of 1921, Marie Watson, a Bahá’í from Washington, DC, received a cabled message from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá saying:

“Send immediately Mrs. Watson in utmost comfort to the Holy Land.”

Mrs. Watson said,

“...There had been some misunderstanding as to the interpretation of certain Bahá’í teachings. Some of the friends understood them in one way and some in another. This had created confusion and I became very ill. In this crisis I was called to make the visit to ‘Abdu ‘l-Bahá, and just before leaving the United States a goodly number of the friends, — some of one opinion and some of another, — called upon me and I was requested to bring back something very definite from the Master.”

Well she arrived in Haifa and was installed in the Pilgrim’s House.

Each morning the Master asked Marie if she were ‘Happy ‘ and then ‘Perfectly Happy’? Marie knew she was not ‘perfectly happy’ because ‘Abdu ‘l-Bahá had not given her ‘definite instructions which the friends’ back in Washington were waiting for.

“Finally one morning, in answer to the question “Are you perfectly happy?” I said, “Yes, dear Master, I am perfectly happy but for one little thing that remains in my consciousness; not for myself do I desire something definite, but for others,” and then I proceeded to give some details.

But the Blessed One ignored it as before, and calling my attention to some clouds above our heads, He said, “You must be like these swift-moving, luminous clouds. They move, nothing hinders them. I shall pray for you that you will be like these clouds. Let nothing hinder you. Speak always of the Love of God. Teach the people what the Love of God is. Give them the Glad Tidings. Let nothing hinder thee; let nothing touch thy spirit which is not in conformity with the teachings of the Blessed Beauty. ... If we do not like to associate with some people, very well, it is not compulsory. ... We do not waste our time in discussing non-essentials. Neither must you do this. Forget every unpleasantness of the past; speak only of constructive work, of the Love of God, of the compassion and mercy of God. Seek to make others happy.”

It is important to tell you something else about Marie Watson. Over 30 years earlier — in 1890 — she was a victim of a car accident in the city of Washington, D.C. The injury was so severe that life was thought to be extinct for several hours.

The spinal column was twisted and pushed out of alignment to such a degree that a portion of the vertebrae lay upon the left ribs, forming a protrusion the size of an infant’s head. The right ribs were crushed and splinters of bone were removed. The right hip was out of the socket, not perceived at first by the doctors, and the left arm could only be partially raised. I lay unconscious at the hospital for many days, taking no nourishment whatever, not even water, and undoubtedly would have been buried, had the period lengthened, but for the fact that some friends informed the physicians that in childhood I had also been ‘in a trance’ for nineteen days, so the interment was postponed.”

Marie said that while she was unconscious she ‘met with a Wonderful Being’, Who she afterwards learned was ‘Abdu ‘l-Bahá. She said in her coma He gave her ‘spiritual instructions and taught’ her ‘the mysteries of life, saying: “Many of these things thou dost comprehend only in part, for thou must live them and then teach the people of the world.”

By her own admission, Marie lived a life of ‘untold agony’ for 30 years. She became a Bahá’í in 1901. Despite her hardships she tried to live up to the Bahá’í teachings. Now we can resume our story.

On the 9th of August — during her pilgrimage — Marie and six other set our to visit the Most Holy Tomb at Bahjí. They took the Master’s carriage to Haifa, then took the train to ‘Akk, and finally got an automobile ride to the house of the caretaker of the Most Holy Tomb. Marie said,

“The moon had risen and was shining above the mountains, pillowed on a vast bed of fleecy clouds, whose silvery edges appeared as an immense etching against the midnight depths of marvellous blue. Earth and sky literally “embraced like two lovers.”

She goes on to talk of the magic splendor of that experience. Long past midnight she and her companions entered the Tomb and prayed. Marie was so moved she did not sleep that night. She said, “Strange paradox! We came to the Tomb for Life!”

The next morning after breakfast they were ready to visit the Riḍván Garden but their driver had been called away and they had no motorized transportation. The caretaker offered a solution. Marie should ‘ride the Master’s white donkey.” Marie said,

“It was pure white, handsome, and full of life. As I surveyed the locomotive power before me I had some misgivings as to the success of the venture. The pilgrims seemed to sense my hesitation and asked: “What do you think of it? Will you ride him?” “I have never mounted anything more lively than a wooden hobby-horse in childhood” was my answer, “but as there is no other way, I shall have to attempt it, for I must go to the Riḍván with you.”

They improvised a saddle by putting a big pillow on the donkey and securing it with a rope. Marie stood on a chair and mounted the animal and they were off.

“The procession started quite briskly. I braced up as best I could for I did not wish to spoil the trip for the men- pilgrims by my timidity; but oh, the road was so stony, the pillow was slipping and I was doubling up on one side! The donkey went swiftly along, kicking every now and then to rid himself of the flies, while I trembled within, fearing every moment that he would get rid of me too. I prayed, “O God! help me to keep on,” for now there were strange snappings and crackings in my back, sides and shoulders. Pain, sharp pain, racked my whole body. It was growing unbearable and I was inwardly groaning with every forward step of the donkey, as it stumbled over stones and I grasped its mane. One of the pilgrims approached me and said: “Wouldn’t it be better to rest a while? You are suffering, I see, and we have quite a long distance yet.” I declined, trying to smile, and said: “I think it is best to go on, it would be too difficult to mount again.” “Well, promise that when it becomes too hard for you, you will call and we will help you down to rest.”

“The heat was intense yet I felt cold, every nerve quivering with pain, and there was more snapping and tearing. What was going on, I wondered, in my spine and shoulder-blades? I felt as though I were being dismembered. Did it mean my death? The X-ray photograph of the my body came vividly before me and the words of the surgeon were in my ears, — “Nothing can be done. If force is applied the bones will snap. Death will be the result.” “Well,” I thought at last, “what more beautiful could happen, — to die in the Holy Land, to be released from pain and suffering? Evidently my work was finished on this plane. For twenty years my humble service had been given to the Cause, more dear than life and now the Blessed One had sent for me to come to the Land of Desire; I had visited the Holy Shrines and now I would enter the Riḍván, the Garden of God,”

As they neared the Garden, Marie realized that something miraculous had happened to her atop the Master’s white donkey. They helped her down and stood on her feet, but not like she had for a very long time.

“I could breathe deeply, which had not been possible for thirty years. My hip, somehow, was in place, the projecting bow on the left side of my spine had disappeared. ... I threw up both arms and cried out: “O God, my God! This is a miracle that God hath wrought! Ya-Bahá’u’l-Abhá! ‘ The other pilgrims were no less astonished than I, and joined me in fervent prayer and thanksgiving at what had so strangely accomplished by the ride on the Master’s white donkey.

I mounted again with ease and sat as straight as a major on dress parade on the back of this white ‘surgeon ‘ who was utterly unconscious of the aid he had given me, and of the feeling I entertained for him as I reverently kissed his nose.”

Marie rode the train back to Haifa, the passengers seemed to stare at this lady who could not suppress her happiness. That night she did not sleep. She was now ‘free in soul, in mind and spirit. O Compassionate God! ‘, then a revelation came to her soul, she ‘thought with pity of the former ‘foolishness, ‘ — wanting to take something definite’ home to the friends, “Wanting something which the Master had ignored. “The wisdom of man is foolishness unto God” was truly proved.”

Marie was truly in ecstasy. Knowing she would not see ‘Abdu ‘l-Bahá the next morning she begged one of His translators to tell Him that she was now ‘perfectly contented and happy’ and did ‘not desire anything definite for’ herself or ‘anyone. ‘

The Master joined the pilgrims for lunch, greeting them all kindly, but not acknowledging Marie in any special way. The translator had not given ‘Abdu ‘l-Bahá the message and Marie attempted to get him to do so now.

“But before he could do so, the Master, in a voice thrillingly vibrant, said, as He turned to me: “Bravo! Bravo! Ah, now you are another Mrs. Watson! Now you are perfectly happy. Now you have something most definite to take home with you to the friends.” Tenderly His gaze rested upon me, radiating such love that I could scarcely bear it.”

[END]