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5338 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Notes by Gertrude Buikema

I am well pleased with every person here this evening and most happy in
meeting the friends of God and maidservants of the Merciful. Praise be to
God! The faces are radiant, and the hearts are attracted to the Kingdom of
Abha. Faith is evident in the countenances of all, and this is a source of
joy. The Blessed Perfection, Baha'u'llah, endured hardships and
vicissitudes nearly fifty years. There was no ordeal or difficulty He did
not experience, yet He endured all in perfect joy and happiness.

Those who beheld Him were assured of His great happiness, for no trace of
sadness or sorrow was ever visible upon His face. Even in prison He was
like a king enthroned in majesty and greatness, and He ever bore Himself
with supreme confidence and dignity. When the officers and grandees of the
government were presented to Him, they became respectful at once. His
majesty and dignity were awe-inspiring. Remember: He was a prisoner--He was
in prison. He endured ordeals and calamities for the sole purpose of
illuminating us and in order that our hearts might be attracted to the
Kingdom of God, our faces become radiant with the glad tidings of God; in
order that we might be submerged in the ocean of lights and be as
brilliant and shining candles, illuminating the dark recesses and flooding
the regions with brightness. Now, as I look around, I observe that your
faces--praise be to God!--are shining, your hearts are filled with the love
of God, and you are thinking of service in the Cause of God. Therefore, I
am very happy to be here, and I hope that this happiness will be with you
always--an eternal condition.

We visited San Francisco and from there went to Los Angeles. In these
places we found most devoted friends. Truly zealous and aglow with the
fire of the love of God, their sole purpose is ever to serve the Kingdom
of Abha. I hope that you may serve even more faithfully and take
precedence over all the other friends. May the fire of the love of God be
so enkindled in Chicago that all the cities in America shall be ignited.
This is my hope.

My third visit here expresses the degree of my longing to see you and the
extent of my love. It was thought that I should go direct from San
Francisco to New York and thence to the Orient; but impelled by excessive
love, I have visited Chicago again to associate with you in fellowship and
fragrance. I hope that these th