My Visit to Temple University
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Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Martha L. Root, My Visit to Temple University, bahai-library.com.
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My Visit to Temple University

Martha L. Root

published in Bahá'í Magazine22, pp. 265-66

1931-09

Temple University in Philadelphia, Pa., a University for the people, was
founded by Dr. Russell H. Conwell, one of America's most celebrated
preachers, lecturers and educators. Two hundred students from three
international relations groups came together on October 28 to hear a
talk on Bahá'u'lláh's peace principles. Professor Graves, in his talk
afterwards, expressed thanks for the intimate glimpse of the lives of
people in other countries that the students otherwise would not have had
the opportunity to see. He expressed appreciation, also, for the glimpse
of the world of peace that might be realized through these Universal
Principles.

The writer told of her interview a few years ago with Dr. Conwell
concerning the Bahá'í Movement. He had said to her for publication: "The
Bahá'í Movement is the biggest Movement in the world today for
world-wide Christianity, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the Peace Prophet of this
age. I know because I spent seven months in the orient and I saw that
millions of Muhammadans, Buddhists, Jews and other Orientals have come
up beautifully into Christianity through becoming Bahá'ís. I cabled to
Egypt, asking 'Abdu'l-Bahá to speak in my church (Baptist Temple)--and
when He came to this country He did speak there on June 9, 1912."

It may be interesting to know that Dr. Conwell, in introducing
'Abdu'l-Bahá on that occasion in the Baptist Temple said: "Our own
people know well the history of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, visitors are here who
already know Him, hence there is no necessity of any further
introduction. We wish to hear of the efforts of those who have gone
before him and of His own splendid efforts bringing about the unity of
all mankind. I therefore give the time entirely to our friend and the
friend of humanity everywhere, 'Abdu'l Baha Abbas of Persia, more
recently of Palestine."

Miss Root's lecture in Temple University was on these peace principles
of Bahá'u'lláh. After the lecture, several of the students of the school
of journalism asked questions and the speaker told them what
'Abdu'l-Bahá had said about newspapers when He had visited Philadelphia.
'Abdu'l-Bahá's own words[2] were:

"Newspapers are the mirrors that reflect the progression or
the retrogression of the community. We may ascertain the progress or
retrogression of a nation by its journalism. If journalists should abide
by their duties, they would be the promoters of many virtues among the
community. Truth and the virtues would be fostered. This would be so if
they carried out the duties incumbent upon them. Journalists must serve
truth. Newspapers must investigate the means for the progress of
humanity, and publish them. Journalists must write significant articles,
articles that shall foster the public welfare. If they do so they will
be the highest promoters for the development of the
community."

Miss Root's lecture had been announced in the Temple University News
Wednesday, October 28, 1931 as "a representative of the Bahá'í Movement,
an organization designed to promote ideals of peace. "As she was shown
through the university of the temple afterward, a number of questions
were asked about the Bahá'í teachings. She commented that Dr. Conwell's
great project was somewhat like the plan for the Mashriqu'l Adhkar of
the Bahá'ís in the fact that it was not only an institution of theory
but an institution of practice. In the center is the Church (the Temple)
and connected with it is the great people's university where several
thousand students are enrolled in the year 1931, and connected with
Temple Church three great hospitals have been built, and Dr. Conwell
also has done much work for children.

The words of Dr. Conwell about 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Bahá'í teachings are
significant because he was one of the very greatest humanitarians of
America, and though his last days were spent while theological
controversy was rife, he never descended to it. He did not attempt to
define Christ but to live like Him.

Notes:

[1] Bahá'í Magazine was later renamed Star of the West

[2] Published in the Philadelphia Ledger, June 10, 1912

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-- My Visit to Temple University (Used by permission of the curator)