Thoughts on Green Acre
Yesterday I posted on this blog one of the two talks that Abdu'l-Baha gave on July 1, 1912. Today I am posting the second talk that he gave on that day. That brief presentation made mention of "Green Acre," the region in Maine where Baha'i groups could go then (and can still go today) to discuss issues relevant to the Baha'i Faith.
Here is what Abdu'l-Baha said on July 1, 1912:
"I desire to make manifest among the friends in America a new light that they may become a new people, that a new foundation may be established and complete harmony be realized; for the foundation of Bahá’u’lláh is love. When you go to Green Acre, you must have infinite love for each other, each preferring the other before himself. The people must be so attracted to you that they will exclaim, “What happiness exists among you!” and will see in your faces the lights of the Kingdom; then in wonderment they will turn to you and seek the cause of your happiness. You must give the message through action and deed, not alone by word. Word must be conjoined with deed. You must love your friend better than yourself; yes, be willing to sacrifice yourself. The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh has not yet appeared in this country. I desire that you be ready to sacrifice everything for each other, even life itself; then I will know that the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh has been established. I will pray for you that you may become the cause of upraising the lights of God. May everyone point to you and ask, “Why are these people so happy?” I want you to be happy in Green Acre, to laugh, smile and rejoice in order that others may be made happy by you. I will pray for you. " This short talk, like the longer one posted yesterday, can be found in the book The Promulgation of Universal Peace.