the afflicted in their
own homes; and in the poorest quarters of Akka no visitor was more welcome
than the "Master." A pilgrim who visited Akka at this time writes:--

It is the custom of 'Abdu'l-Baha each week, on Friday morning, to
distribute alms to the poor. From his own scanty store he gives a
little to each one of the needy who come to ask assistance. This
morning about one hundred were ranged in line, seated and
crouching upon the ground in the open street of the courts where
'Abdu'l-Baha's house stands. And such a nondescript collection of
humanity they were. All kinds of men, women and children--poor,
wretched, hopeless in aspect, half-clothed, many of them crippled
and blind, beggars indeed, poor beyond expression--waiting
expectant--until from the doorway came 'Abdu'l-Baha.... Quickly
moving from one to another, stopping sometimes to leave a word of
sympathy and encouragement, dropping small coins into each eager
outstretched palm, touching the face of a child, taking the hand
of an old woman who held fast to the hem of his garment as he
passed along, speaking words of light to old men with sightless
eyes, inquiring after those too feeble and wretched to come for
their pittance of help, and sending them their portion with a
message of love and uplift.--Glimpses of 'Abdu'l-Baha, M. J. M., p.
13.

'Abdu'l-Baha's personal wants were few. He worked late and early. Two
simple meals a day sufficed Him. His wardrobe consisted of a very few
garments of inexpensive material. He could not bear to live in luxury
while others were in want.

He had a great love for children, for flowers, and for the beauties of
nature. Every morning about six or seven, the family party used to gather
to partake of the morning tea together, and while the Master sipped His
tea, the little children of the household chanted prayers. Mr. Thornton
Chase writes of these children:--"Such children I have never seen, so
courteous, unselfish, thoughtful for others, unobtrusive, intelligent, and
swiftly self-denying in the little things that children love...."--In
Galilee, p. 51.

The "ministry of flowers" was a feature of the life at Akka, of which
every pilgrim brought away fragrant memories. Mrs. Lucas writes:--"When the
Master inhales the odor of flowers, it is wonderful to see him. It seems
as though the perfume of the hyacinths were telling him something as he