Thornton declared his belief in Baha'u'llah in 1894.
Because Thornton Chase had been in reasonably good general health, his death was totally unexpected.The American Bahá'í
community, was grief-stricken by Thornton Chase's passing. Memorial gatherings were held in many places and were annually
repeated for many years after Thornton's death. Star of the West, the American Bahá'ís' monthly magazine, contains
more descriptions of Thornton Chase's life and death, and of memorial services in his honor, than of any other American Bahá'í.
The greatest tribute of all was paid to Thornton Chase by the one whom he loved so much, `Abdu'l-Bahá. On 30 September
`Abdu'l-Bahá was taking the train to San Francisco. He presumably learned of Thornton's death the next morning, on arrival
in San Francisco. In his first public appearance on 4 October, he reflected on the considerable difficulties that Thornton
had experienced during the last few years of his life and on the meaning of his sudden and seemingly premature death:
This revered personage was the first Bahai in America. He served the Cause faithfully and his services will ever
be remembered throughout future ages and cycles. He has written many books in this Cause and they will be studied carefully
by the coming generations. He traveled once to Acca and there we associated with each other for several days. Indeed he became
free from the troubles of this world. No matter how long he might have remained here, he would have met nothing else but trouble.
The purpose of life is to get certain results; that is, the life of man must bring forth certain fruitage. It does not depend
upon the length of the life. As soon as the life is crowned with fruition then it is completed, although that person may have
a short life. . . . Praise be to God! the tree of Mr. Chase's life brought forth fruit. It gave complete fruit,
therefore he is free. He attained eternal rest. He is now in the presence of Baha'u'llah..
click on picture to make larger
`Abdu'l-Bahá revealed a prayer
about Thornton Chase
O my God! O my God! Verily, this is a servant of Thine, who did believe on Thee
and in Thy signs; verily he harkened to Thy summons, turned to Thy Kingdom, humbled himself at Thy holy threshold, was possessed
of a contrite heart, arose to serve Thy cause, to spread Thy fragrances, to promote Thy word, and to expound Thy wisdom.
Verily he guided the people to Thine ancient pathway, and led them to Thy way of rectitude.
Verily he held the chalice of guidance in his right hand and gave unto those athirst to drink of the cup of Thy favor. He
presented himself at Thy lofty threshold, where he laid his brow on the fragrant soil of Thy garden and circumambulated Thy
all-glorious and sublime abode, the traces of which are wide-spread and the fragrances of whose loyalty are sensed everywhere.
Later he returned to these vast and extensive countries and proclaimed Thy name amongst the people, until his respiration
ceased and his outward sensation was suspended, returning to Thee with a heart throbbing with Thy love and with an eye opened
in Thy direction.
O Lord! O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy glory. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into
Thy delectable garden. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into Thy lofty paradise and cause him to be present in Thy meeting of transfiguration.
O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy lights.
Verily, Thou art the Clement! Verily, Thou art the Merciful, the Precious, the Omnipotent!
`Abdu'l-Bahá then offered a eulogy
in which he praised Thornton as patient and long-suffering. He said Chase had an "illuminated" heart and
that he had "witnessed the lights of the Kingdom of ABHA, and he was guided by the lights of Guidance." He reiterated the
importance of Bahá'ís' visiting Thornton's grave and urged them to bring flowers there "on my behalf." He stressed that "the
traces of this personage will ever shine" and that people "will honor this grave."
Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, "Abdul-Baha at the Grave of Thornton
Chase," in Star of the West 3.13 (4 Nov. 1912):
In Los Angeles, `Abdu'l-Bahá gave two talks that mentioned Thornton. At the second he urged the Bahá'ís
to commemorate Chase's death annually not only by visiting his grave but also by spreading "a feast for the poor and giv[ing]
charity to those deprived."
Star of the West 4.13 (4 Nov. 1913): 225.
For more information
Check Out these Books
Thornton Chase: 1st American Baha'i by Robert H.
Stockman
The Baha'i Faith in America vol 1by Robert H. Stockman
My home is the home of peace. My home is the home
of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must
go out with gladsome heart. Abdu'l-Baha
Thank you for looking in at my Home Page and this tribute to Thonton Chase.Please take a moment and sign my guestbook,
would love to know you were here and what you thought of these pages.
Thanks jeannie
bravenet.com