M r. Frank Frank ~ Stories from Memories of Nine Years in ‘Akka

“I imagined that I would have to prostrate myself from afar, like visiting the Pope, approach on my knees and be dismissed after a short visit.

Another of the American friend who visited 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the midst of these re-strictions and hardships was Mr. Frank Frank. His first and last names were an indication of his honesty and sincerity - truly befitting, for he was char-acterized by truthfulness and simplicity of conduct. Having accepted the Cause, and filled with love and anticipation, he received a message detaining him until further notice. The local believers had pleaded in his behalf, beseeching 'Abdu'l-Bahá for permission, and it had been decided that he could come, but with great caution and vigilance.

On his arrival in Haifa, one of the Christian trouble makers, an enemy of the Faith who was a translator and guide for for-eign travelers, deceived him by claiming devotion to the Faith and firmness in the Covenant and accompanied him to „Akka, functioning as his trans-lator. When Mirza Núru‟d-Din and I were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá‟s presence, the news was brought of this American pil-grim by the name of Frank who had just arrived accompa-nied by that deceitful.spy.

'Abdu'l-Bahá was quite an-noyed. He found Mr. Frank, and after the exchange of lov-ing greetings I asked him, “When you were in Port Said, did you receive any instruc-tions regarding observance of caution when traveling from from Haifa to „Akka?”…. Everything (your guide) he has said is true, except that he has just left out one detail; he hap-pens to be a deceitful man, acollaborator of the Covenant-breakers and an associate of the enemies of the Faith…

Once Mr. Frank realized what had happened, he was very taken aback, but remained quiet. At this point we were summoned to the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, just as the deceit-ful guide was being dismissed from His presence.

Mr. Frank was given the small room upstairs and was offered hospitality at the dinner table of 'Abdu'l-Bahá . He whispered to me, “I imagined that I would have to prostrate myself from afar, like visiting the Pope, approach on my knees and be dismissed after a short visit. And now I see that we eat at the same table. Since I never considered myself worthy of such a station, please ask if I may be excused.”…

 “I imagined that I would have to prostrate myself from afar, like visiting the Pope, approach on my knees and be dismissed after a short visit.

When I communicated his re-quest, 'Abdu'l-Bahá showed him even more kindness and be-stowed on him an even larger measure of His heart-warming attention and regard.

In addition to the dinner table, which was the customary place and time of meetings, 'Abdu'l-Bahá summoned him on other occasions as well. Yet while ex-pressing himself with utter sim-plicity and without any precon-ceived design, he used to say curious things and ask for odd favours. For example he had purchased a small Egyptian silk rug to offer as a gift to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. As he presented it, he remarked, “I wish to make You a gift of this rug, but with the con-dition that whoever may in the future be the recipient of this gift from the hand of the of the Master

must be a Bahá'í. I would not be happy if a non-Bahá'í were to step on it.

'Abdu'l-Bahá smiled lovingly, agreeing to the condition. “Rest assured, I will find a good place for it so that no non-Bahá'í may tread on it,” the Master assured him. I thought that it would be ear-marked for the Most Holy Shrine, but later I discovered that the station of that rug was even loftier than I imagined. This rug became the site before which thousands of sincere believers would prostrate themselves in worship: it draped the bench upon which the two or three photographs   of Baha'u'lláh and the Primal   Point were placed.

From that time on and for many years, when the pilgrims came to behold these pictures, it was this rug that they kissed in reverence as they prostrated themselves, and perhaps it still remains so. In any case, the utter simplicity and true sincer-ity of this man brought joy to 'Abdu'l-Bahá . His words cre-ated a happy atmosphere. After two full days, he received per-mission to depart and for some time. The friends continued to mention his name.

One night, when the Master was remembering this man and praising his simplicity and in-ner purity, the late Áqá Ridáy-i-Qannád said, “I see that the   American friends have over-taken us Persian believers and have surpassed us in every service.”

'Abdu'l-Bahá remarked, “From America, I await the appear-ance of a few people. Soon they will appear. And then you will behold unprecedented victories for the Cause.” And then He brought up a matter which He had repeatedly men-tioned before. He said,

“The Persian friends have been tested and therefore they are firmly established. This will not happen in other places. The Persian friends have witnessed tests the like of which will not be seen again in the world. I am not saying that the Western friends will not experience tests

and difficulties; they may, indeed, experience the hardships and agony, since faith without tests is not possible. However, the tests that the Persian friends have endured, others in the world will not experience their like. But tests are not of just one or two kinds and therefore they will somehow be tested and you will witness their triumph in endur-ing and overcoming those tests…”

It is clear that after thirty-two years, the words and expressions used in these accounts cannot be the exact words of the Master. However this was the theme, and He had frequently made these remarks before… . Taken from pgs. 220 - 222. Memories of Nine Years in “Akka