The ship eventually reached the pier at Liverpool, and it was moored that afternoon. As they stood on the pier, the friends from London and Paris saw the Master, and they expressed their great longing and adoration towards Him from a distance. The first to attain the presence of the Master was Mr. [Hippolyte] Dreyfus. Following that, a number of reporters - who were already aware of the Masters imminent arrival - entered His presence. They asked about His journey, and inquired about His purpose in undertaking it.
He replied:
“I come from America, where I spent nine months as a traveller. I spoke at many churches and synagogues, and called on those present to embrace the unity of humanity. I summoned them, moreover, to universal peace - peace among nations, peace among religions, peace among the races, and peace among all lands. I discussed the benefits of peace, and explained the detriments of war and strife. I proclaimed that the foundation of all the divine religions is one, and that these dissensions have stemmed from blind imitation. Were the followers of religion to renounce this blind imitation, they would all become united. In brief, I summoned everyone to love and unity, and guided them to promote universal peace, that war and strife may cease to exist among humankind. All shall become as the members of one family, conducting themselves and associating with one another in a spirit of utmost love and fellowship. Thus will the East and the West embrace one another. These teachings had a profound effect on the hearts of those who heard them. At every gathering, a number of those present came to agree on the necessity of universal peace. In America, people are now greatly disposed to peace, and I cherish the hope that significant results will be gained therefrom. Indeed, this is the very purpose of my journey to London.”
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 13 December 1912 --> Liverpool; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)