December 31. On this date in 1939, Sara Blomfield, an early leading member of the Bahá'í Faith in the British Isles passed away. She had converted to the Bahá'í Faith in 1907, eight years after the death of her late husband Arthur Blomfield, through whose knighting in 1889 she became titled "Lady." Her notes of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's speeches in Paris became the basis of the book Paris Talks, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá tited her "Sitárih Khanum."

 

December 31. On this date in 1939, Sara Blomfield, an early leading member of the Bahá'í Faith in the British Isles passed away. She had converted to the Bahá'í Faith in 1907, eight years after the death of her late husband Arthur Blomfield, through whose knighting in 1889 she became titled "Lady." Her notes of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's speeches in Paris became the basis of the book Paris Talks, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá tited her "Sitárih Khanum."

After the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1921, Blomfield accompanied Shoghi Effendi and his sister Ruhangiz, who he would later declare a Covenant-breaker, on their trip from Britain to Haifa. While in Haifa, she interviewed members of Bahá'u'lláh's family. Those recorded recollections, together with her account of the days when she hosted 'Abdu'l-Bahá in London, make up the contents of her book, The Chosen Highway.

The Chosen Highway chronicles in some detail how 'Abdu'l-Bahá aided the British against the Ottomans during World War I. For example...

We learned that when the British marched into Haifa there was some difficulty about the commissariat. The officer in command went to consult the Master. "I have corn," was the reply.

"But for the army?" said the astonished soldier.

"I have corn for the British Army," said 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

He truly walked the Mystic way with practical feet. [footnote: Lady Blomfield often recounted how the corn pits proved a safe hiding-place for the corn, during the occupation of the Turkish army. -Ed.]

and later...

The British Government, with its usual gesture of appreciating a heroic act, conferred a knighthood upon 'Abdu'l-Bahá 'Abbas, Who accepted this honour as a courteous gift "from a just king."

The dignitaries of the British crown from Jerusalem were gathered in Haifa, eager to do honour to the Master, Whom every one had come to love and reverence for His life of unselfish service. An imposing motor-car had been sent to bring 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the ceremony. The Master, however, could not be found. People were sent in every direction to look for Him, when suddenly from an unexpected side He appeared, alone, walking His kingly walk, with that simplicity of greatness which always enfolded Him.

The faithful servant, Isfandiyar, whose joy it had been for many years to drive the Master on errands of mercy, stood sadly looking on at the elegant motor-car which awaited the honoured guest.

"No longer am I needed."

At a sign from Him, Who knew the sorrow, old Isfandiyar rushed off to harness the horse, and brought the carriage out at the lower gate, whence 'Abdu'l-Bahá was driven to a side entrance of the garden of the Governorate of Phoenicia.

So Isfandiyar was needed and happy.

Further collaboration is documented in Chapter V: Danger to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, His Family and Friends, and How it was Averted