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Farewell Reception: Introduction
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On the evening of St. Michael's day, a
large farewell reception was given to
`Abdu'l-Bahá in the hall of the Passmore
Edwards' Settlement, which was
filled to its utmost capacity with representative
people of every profession, some coming from
great distances.
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On the platform surrounding `Abdu'l-Bahá
were men of different shades of thought, met to
express their sympathy with the work and mission
of their great visitor. Professor Michael E. Sadler
was in the chair.
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The meeting began with the Lord's Prayer
spoken by the entire assembly; this was followed
by the prayer for Unity of Bahá'u'lláh and a
prayer of the fifth Century, ascribed to Pope
Gelasius. Professor Sadler then spoke in words
that will never be forgotten by those who heard
them; and in his address used a quotation from a
Universal Prayer, which had been submitted by
an earnest Bahá'í to `Abdu'l-Bahá, the year before
in Egypt and which had been completed by him
and commended as one that could be used by
peoples of all faiths in the East and West.
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The Chairman was followed by Sir Richard
Stapley, Mr. Eric Hammond, Mr. Claude
Montefiore, Mrs. Stannard from Egypt, and
others. As `Abdu'l-Bahá left the hall, the poor
people of the neighbourhood, crowded on the
pavement to see him and an eager-faced little
lame girl on crutches was specially brought to
him.
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