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 presented 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. (45:2)

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