re the Faith showed signs of new vitality and vigor.

War Time at Haifa

A remarkable instance of the foresight of 'Abdu'l-Baha was supplied during
the months immediately preceding the war. During peacetimes there was
usually a large number of pilgrims at Haifa, from Persia and other regions
of the globe. About six months before the outbreak of war one of the old
Baha'is living at Haifa present a request from several believers of Persia
for permission to visit the Master. 'Abdu'l-Baha did not grant the
permission, and from that time onwards gradually dismissed the pilgrims
who were at Haifa, so that by the end of July 1914 none remained. When, in
the first days of August the sudden outbreak of the Great War startled the
world, the wisdom of His precaution became apparent.

When the war broke out, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who had already spent fifty-five
years of His life in exile and prison, became again virtually a prisoner
of the Turkish Government. Communication with friends and believers
outside Syria was almost completely cut off, and He and His little band of
followers were again subjected to straitened circumstances, scarcity of
food and great personal danger and inconvenience.

During the war 'Abdu'l-Baha had a busy time in ministering to the material
and spiritual wants of the people about Him. He personally organized
extensive agricultural operations near Tiberias, thus securing a great
supply of wheat, by means of which famine was averted, not only for the
Baha'is but for hundreds of the poor of all religions in Haifa and Akka,
whose wants He liberally supplied. He took care of all, and mitigated
their sufferings as far as possible. To hundreds of poor people He would
give a small sum of money daily. In addition to money He gave bread. If
there was no bread He would give dates or something else. He made frequent
visits to Akka to comfort and help the believers and poor people there.
During the time of war He had daily meetings of the believers, and through
His help the friends remained happy and tranquil throughout those
troublous years.

Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha Abbas, K.B.E.

Great was the rejoicing in Haifa when, on the 23rd day of September, 1918,
at 3 P.M., after some twenty-four hours' fighting, the city was taken by
British and Indian cavalry, and the horrors of war conditions under the
Turkish rule came to an end.

From the beginning of the British occupation, large numbers of soldiers
and Governm