Robert Turner, one of 19 Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Baha was born
on October 15, 1855 or 1856. He was the first member of the negro race in the
Western Hemisphere to embrace the Faith.[God Passes By, p. 259]. Since it is
estimated that Robert was born in Virginia in about 1855-56, it is possible
that he was born enslaved.[The American Baha’i, November 23, 2005] He was for
some 35 years a butler in the household of Phoebe Hearst, eventually becoming
her personal butler -- a position of considerable responsibility. Shortly
before 1898, Phoebe Hearst received Lua Getsinger in her San Francisco home.
Lua introduced the Faith to her while Robert was in attendance serving tea.
Naturally, he overheard the conversation and, like Mrs. Hearst, was touched by
what he heard. He was with Phoebe Hearst when, in 1898, she arranged for the
first group of Baha’i pilgrims to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka. On 10 December
1898 Robert was warmly received by 'Abdu'l-Baha Who raised him to his feet and
embraced him when, on first seeing the Master, he had dropped to his knees
calling out, "My Lord! My Lord! I am not worthy to be here. On a later
occasion 'Abdu'l-Baha said, "Robert, your Lord loves you.” [Balyuzi,
‘Abdu’l-Baha’, p. 72] Robert later encountered many difficulties, but remained
staunch in his new faith; he died in 1909 not many years after his return from
the Holy Land. (Adapted from ‘The A to Z of the Baha’i Faith, by Hugh Adamson)
