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Shining Lamp: Martha Root

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Shining Lamp: Martha Root MP SHINING LA A Bahá’í who served humanity with radiance (1872–1939): MARTHA ROOT By Gail Radley Roaring the Call oar out the call of the Divine people into study classes and spoke ” Kingdom,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to clubs, colleges, and community R wrote Martha Root in 1918. leaders. She once gave 25 talks in “Thou shalt witness great results about a week! and extraordinary confirmations.” Yet speaking to crowds wasn’t Martha Root (above) traveled to share the In 1912, Martha Root had often always easy. Once she suddenly felt Bahá’í Faith with many people, notably attended talks by the Bahá’í leader nervous before a talk and ducked Queen Marie of Romania (left). as he traveled in North America. into the ladies’ room. “I get this way She arranged for him to speak in sometimes,” Martha confessed to her Determined to meet the queen, Pittsburgh, where she lived. She even companion. But no case of jitters Martha sent her a letter and a book met with him, and listening to him could keep Martha from giving her about the Faith. The queen read the filled Martha with longing message. She didn’t try to book that night and invited Martha to spread his message convince others that to visit the next day, January 30, of love and unity. She she was important. 1926. “I believe these Teachings are was so eager that she She traveled and ate the solution for the world’s problems wrote to him in 1918, as cheaply as possible, today!” she told Martha. Later, the suggesting she go on spending little on queen urged all people to “search a world tour to share herself. Martha spoke out” the teachings and let them stir the Bahá’í Faith. His to crowds around the their hearts as they had hers. answer thrilled her. By world. Her talks were Martha would meet eight times 1919, at age 47, she was stuffing simple and given with love. with the queen, the first monarch her bags with books and pamphlets Her message went straight to listeners’ to become a Bahá’í. to set off for South America. hearts. They were touched by her Martha circled the globe four warmth and the light in her eyes. times, studying new languages and Treasured Message At times, her talks ended with the speaking before audiences more Martha, an experienced journalist, audience surrounding her. educated and powerful than herself. went to the newspaper office after She passed away in Hawaii on she landed in Brazil. Through news Royal Response September 28, 1939, while planning stories, she explained her purpose— Even kings and queens were charmed yet more travels. Shoghi Effendi, as she would throughout her future by the woman who arrived bearing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grandson, named her travels. “If any one feels timid about simple gifts—a sprig of flowers, a bit a Hand of the Cause of God* and said asking opportunities to speak . .” of candy—along with the greatest that her efforts were “the nearest she once said, “remember that no gift, the words of Bahá’u’lláh, the approach to the example set by day comes twice . .” Martha found Bahá’í Faith’s Founder. One of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá Himself . in the course plenty of opportunities. She gathered those was Queen Marie of Romania. of His journeys throughout the West.” * A Hand of the Cause of God served the Bahá’í community in significant ways, 26 Brilliant Star MARCH /APRIL 2012 including encouraging others in teaching and protecting the Faith..
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