ent officials of all ranks, even the highest, sought interviews
with 'Abdu'l-Baha, delighting in His illuminating talks, His breadth of
view and depth of insight, His dignified courtesy and genial hospitality.
So profoundly impressed were the Government representatives by His noble
character and His great work in the interests of peace conciliation, and
the true prosperity of the people, that a knighthood of the British Empire
was conferred on 'Abdu'l-Baha, the ceremony taking place in the garden of
the Military Governor of Haifa on the 27th day of April, 1920.

Last Years

During the winter of 1919-1920 the writer had the great privilege of
spending two and half months as the guest of 'Abdu'l-Baha at Haifa and
intimately observing His daily life. At that time, although nearly
seventy-six years of age, He was still remarkably vigorous, and
accomplished daily an almost incredible amount of work. Although often
very weary He showed wonderful powers of recuperation, and His services
were always at the disposal of those who needed them most. His unfailing
patience, gentleness, kindliness and tact made His presence like a
benediction. It was His custom to spend a large part of each night in
prayer and meditation. From early morning until evening, except for a
short siesta after lunch, He was busily engaged in reading and answering
letters from many lands and in attending to the multitudinous affairs of
the household and of the Cause. In the afternoon He usually had a little
relaxation in the form of a walk or a drive, but even then He was usually
accompanied by one or two, or a party, of pilgrims with whom He would
converse on spiritual matters, or He would find opportunity by the way of
seeing and ministering to some of the poor. After His return He would call
the friends to the usual evening meeting in His salon. Both at lunch and
supper He used to entertain a number of pilgrims and friends, and charm
His guests with happy and humorous stories as well as precious talks on a
great variety of subjects. "My home is the home of laughter and mirth," He
declared, and indeed it was so. He delighted in gathering together people
of various races, colors, nations and religions in unity and cordial
friendship around His hospitable board. He was indeed a loving father not
only to the little community at Haifa, but to the Baha'i community
throughout the world.

The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha

'Abdu'l-Baha's manifold act