Shining Lamp: Fred Mortensen (1887–1946)
“Look at the swell bunch of bananas,” said Fred Mortensen’s pal, gazing into the closed grocery.
“Gee, I wisht I had some,” said another.
“Do you?” asked Fred. A bulldog barked inside the store, daring him. Fred broke the window and grabbed the bananas.
Fred was born in Iowa, and he grew up tough and hard in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He fought, stole, and drank alcohol to impress his buddies. In 1904, when Fred was about 17, he and his gang robbed a train. Fred’s little brother, Turk, grabbed a big mailbag. Fred saw Turk struggling under its weight as they raced away from the train with the police chasing them. Fred grabbed the bag so Turk could escape. As bullets whizzed by, Fred leaped over a 35-foot wall and broke his leg. His next stop was jail.
Power of the Spirit
Fred’s life took a turn. His lawyer was Albert Hall, a Bahá’í. Albert told Fred about Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and His son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Something stirred in Fred’s heart. He was puzzled, but in time, Albert’s words drew him like a magnet draws iron.
“It was... the power of the Holy Spirit drawing one, who wished to be drawn,” Fred wrote. Later, guided by Bahá’í teachings, Fred transformed. But his adventures weren’t over.
In 1912, Fred heard that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in Maine, at what is now Green Acre Bahá’í School. Eager to meet him, but with little money, Fred hopped trains from Ohio to Maine, riding on top of or beneath the cars. Belching smoke through the night, coal-driven trains delivered him to New Hampshire. A boat and streetcar ride later, he was at Green Acre. What a sight he was, rumpled and grimy from his long, dangerous journey!
Unforgettable Meeting
The next day, Fred still looked shabby compared to others waiting to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Fred was certain he would be last—but suddenly, his name was called.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá smiled and took his hand. “Welcome! Welcome! You are very welcome,” he said, then asked three times, “Are you happy?”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá also asked Fred where he’d come from and about Albert Hall. Then came the worst question: “Did you have a pleasant journey?”
Fred hesitated, afraid to tell about stealing rides. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked again. Looking into his sparkling eyes, Fred thought, He knows—and I must tell. Reluctantly, he told the truth about his trip.
When he looked again into ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s eyes, the love he felt pouring from them filled Fred with joy. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave him fruit, kissed his cheeks, and even kissed his dirty hat!
When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left Green Acre, he invited Fred to ride to Massachusetts and stay a week with him. He also gave Fred money for a comfortable ride home. A year later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “That trip of thine... to Green Acre will never be forgotten. Its mention will be recorded eternally...”
After meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Fred dedicated the rest of his life to the Bahá’í teachings. He served the Faith until his death in 1946 at age 59.
Note: The meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is based on Fred’s account and may not reflect ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exact words.
Train by Marco_Bonfanti
Bahá’í Faith542 Discover552 ‘Abdu’l–Bahá138 Master57 North America41 191216 Green Acre1 Honesty20 Truthfulness24