Mabel Grace Geary

From Bahaikipedia

Mabel Grace Geary (1888 - 1965) was a pioneer and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, named for pioneering to the Cape Breton Island.

In the Fall of 1937 Grace Geary attended public meetings given at the Brunswick Hotel, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, where she heard several lectures given by Mrs. Mabel Ives on the New Revelation of God, the Bahá'í Faith. Inspired by what she heard, Grace accepted the invitation of Mrs. Ives to join a study group to learn more of the new teachings. After a period of several weeks' study, Grace and a number of other friends arose to embrace the Bahá'í Faith. From that point on Grace expressed her love for Bahá'u'lláh through her efforts in the Cause of God in the Maritime region of Canada was established on an unassailable foundation.

Early in 1938 Grace became a member of the first Spiritual Assembly in Moncton. The Geary home became a haven for the traveling Bahá'í teachers, a point of attraction in the entire area. Many visitors from other places were speakers at informal fireside meetings sponsored by Grace - the Hands of the Cause Dorothy Baker and Siegfried Schopflocher, Mr. Harlan Ober, Mrs. Rosemary Sala, and others.

During 1943 Grace joined Mrs. Doris McKay on a teaching trip to Charlottetown, Price Edward Island and in 1944 became a member of the first Local Spiritual Assembly to be established there. Several years later, on the advice of the newly-formed National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, she brought her wisdom to bear in the consultations of the Spiritual Assembly of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

While attending the first All-American International Teaching Conference in Chicago in 1953 the stirring message of the Guardian inspired Grace to offer to pioneer to the unopened territory of Cape Breton Island at the beginning of the Ten Year Spiritual Crusade. For this dedication and sacrificial service she was awarded the title of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh by Shoghi Effendi.

The difficult years spent in Cape Brenton Island were surmounted by her unwavering faith and characteristic courage. Her volunteer services as librarian at the public library in Baddeck afforded her excellent opportunities to spread the Glad Tidings of Bahá'u'lláh.

Always ready to meet a need in the Cause, she returned to Charlottetown in 1961 to help complete the Spiritual Assembly there. Called finally to the Abhá Kingdom Grace Geary must watch with tender pride and humility the rich harvest now being garnered in luxuriant abundance in the seemingly inhospitable soil of the Maritime region where she was among the first to plant with infinite loving patience the seeds of a new truth. Written by Roger White and originally included The Baha'i World: 1963-1968

[edit] References

• The Universal House of Justice [1974]. The Bahá'í World - An International Record Vol XIV 1963-1968. Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England: Broadwater Press Limited.