May 1st was a remarkable day, a day of very high
distinction: 'Abdu'l-Baha laid the foundation-stone of the Mother Temple of the
West. At Wilmette on the shores of Lake Michigan ample land had been purchased.
On the site chosen for the construction of the Temple, a large tent had been
raised and here, after inspecting the grounds, 'Abdu'l-Baha took His place to
speak. He said:
“The power which has gathered you here today notwithstanding
the cold and windy weather is indeed mighty and wonderful. It is the power of
God, the divine favour of Baha'u'llah which has drawn you together. We praise
God that through His constraining love human souls are assembled and associated
in this way.
Thousands of Mashriqu’l-Aadhkars, dawning-points of praise
and mentionings of God for all religionists will be built in the Orient and
Occident, but this being the first one erected in the Occident has great
importance. In the future there will be many here and elsewhere; in Asia,
Europe, even in Africa, New Zealand and Australia;* but this edifice in Chicago
is of especial significance ..."
Next, Irene Holmes handed 'Abdu'l-Baha a small, gold trowel
which she had ordered for this very purpose, and He dug the earth to lay the
corner-stone, having chosen for this a fragment of rock brought by Mrs Nettie
Tobin as her offering. Having done so, He invited the delegates of various
American communities to do likewise. Following them, 'Abdu'l-Baha asked a
number of oriental Baha'is present to step forth and take part: Mihtar Ardishir
Bahrarn Surush represented Baha'is of Zoroastrian background, Siyyid Asadu’llah
stood in for Baha’is of Muslim origin, Dr. Zia Baghdadi represented Arab
Baha’is, and Ghodsieh Khanum-i-Ashraf the Baha’i women of the orient. Then the
corner-stone was laid in place.
- Balyuzi (‘Abdu’l-Baha')
