rticipation in the Faith. In Persia, too, the faith of the friends was
repeatedly tested by the schemes of ambitious individuals suddenly
awakened to the possibilities for self-aggrandizement they believed they
saw in the successes attending the Master's work in the West. In both
cases, the consequences of such defections were ultimately to deepen the
devotion of the firm believers.

As for humanity in general, 'Abdu'l-Baha warned in ominous terms of the
catastrophe that He saw approaching. While emphasizing the urgency of
efforts at reconciliation that might alleviate in some measure the
suffering of the world's people, He left His hearers in no doubt of the
magnitude of the danger. In one of the major newspapers in Montreal, where
press coverage of the trip was particularly comprehensive, it was
reported:

"All Europe is an armed camp. These warlike preparations will necessarily
culminate in a great war. The very armaments themselves are productive of
war. This great arsenal must go ablaze. There is nothing of the nature of
prophecy about such a view", said 'Abdu'l-Baha; "it is based on reasoning
solely."(33)

On 5 December 1912, the Figure who had been hailed across North America as
"the Apostle of Peace" sailed from New York for Liverpool. After
relatively brief stays in London and other British centres, He visited
several continental cities, again devoting several weeks to Paris, where
He had available the services of Hippolyte Dreyfus, whose written Arabic
and Persian met the Master's requirements. As the recognized cultural
capital of continental Europe, Paris was a focal centre for visitors from
many parts of the world, including the Orient. While the talks delivered
during His two extended visits to the city make frequent reference to the
great social issues discussed elsewhere, they seem particularly
distinguished by an intimate spirituality that must have profoundly
touched the hearts of those privileged to meet Him:

Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the
future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold
the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches
thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day has
dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful!(34)

On the morning of 13 June 1913, 'Abdu'l-Baha embarked at Marseilles on the
steamer _S. S. Himalaya, _arriving at Port Said in Egypt four