Opposition

In Arches of the Years, Marzieh Gail writes about Dr. Florian and Grace Krug: how she became a Bahá’í, and he halted his opposition to her faith . . Letting There were historic family quarrels after Grace became a Bahá’í. The siblings cowered, watched and trembled on their perch at the head of the stairs, as their father below them would scream at his wife and hurl down Bahá’í books. In spite of everything, Grace Krug invited the Master to speak at their home, and the young people heard their father shouting, "If that old man comes into this house I'll have the doorman throw him out!" Both Charles and Louise described the fateful day of the visit. Charles said his father's attitude was: "Now I can get my hands on the ringleader of this bunch!" Louise said "We were terrified. Charlie and I were standing there by the doors. ‘Abdu’l- Bahá came in. He put his arms out, with that wonderful gesture – you could feel the love pouring out. He walked right up to my father looked him straight in the face. And he said: Dr. Krug, are you happy? . . . My father just wilted. He was like a bird letting its wings down, to enjoy the sun. From that time on, never a word against the Master."

Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 78

Initially, the Egyptian newspapers were not friendly. Some of the more incendiary would send their papers where Bahá’í visitors would see them. At first, a few if the Bahá’ís wanted to respond and correct the lies, but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá simply said: These are the heralds of the Kingdom. God is using them to inform the people of our arrival. Let them write anything they like. They will come to investigate, realize the truth and themselves make answer. Things happened just as the Master had predicted.

Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 12

‘Abdu’l- Bahá later spoke of the station of Grace Krug, stating that: "The time will come when her whole family will be proud of Mrs. Krug for her faith. Her husband is still distant and heedless; the time will come when he will feel himself exalted on account of Mrs. Krug's faith. I see what they do not see. Erelong the whole of her family will consider the faith of that lady, as the crown of honor on their heads.

Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 79