‘Abdu’l-Bahá feels the absence of Haji Mirza Haydar-‘Ali (the “Angel of Carmel”)

The friends had gathered to play the piano and sing songs of praise while awaiting the arrival of the Master [to their 19-Day Feast]. When their melodious voices reached His ears from the lower hall, He wrote a letter to Haji Mirza Haydar-‘Ali (the ‘Angel of Carmel’), beginning:

O thou who art partner and co-sharer with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in servitude to the Threshold of Bahá! It is evening and these wandering birds are nestled in the home of the maidservant of God, Mrs. Helen Goodall, in Oakland, California. It is the Nineteen Day Feast. A number of the faithful friends and the pure and illumined leaves of God are supplicating the all-glorious Kingdom. All the delicacies are spread and ready and the table is exquisitely arranged. Oh, how thou art missed! Severed from all else, they sing a new song and with a new voice repeat spiritual notes. They are in a state of absolute love and supplication. Oh, how thou art missed! Oh, how thou art missed!