Photo Collection

Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco

October 12, 1912
Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco
Temple Emanu-El San Francisco, CA

On October 12, 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was invited by Rabbi Martin A. Meyer to speak at Temple Emanu-El in San Francisco. Time has not dimmed my memory of the Master as He stood in the temple between two lovely palm trees while a shaft of light from a window fell across Him and bathed Him in the morning sunshine. There were two thousand Jews present as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke about “The Fundamental Unity of Religious Thought.” Listening to the words of the Master, I realized that in that vast temple there was absolute silence except for His pleasing, vibrant voice calling all to unity and urging the congregation to respect the names of Jesus and Muhammad and above all to be kind to all mankind. He gave proof of Jesus’ claim and asked the people to set aside all religious prejudice. In closing He said:

The age has dawned when human fellowship will become a reality. The century has come when all religions shall be unified. The dispensation is at hand when all nations shall enjoy the blessings of International Peace … For all mankind shall dwell in peace and security beneath the shelter of the great tabernacle of the one living God.’”
(Ramona Allen Brown, “Memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” pp. 49-50)

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