December 14, 1871-January 13, 1931
On January 13th, 1931, the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Germany, Councillor of Commerce, Albert Schwarz, Consul of the Kingdom of Norway, entered his eternal home.
Although he suffered greatly for the past years and could not attend fully to his various duties in full measure he did his very best to serve the Holy Cause with all the might of his personality. We, the Baha’is, lose in him one of the most loyal and most resigned followers and pioneers of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.
By nature endowed richly with pronounced human attributes, he had at heart the progress and advancement of friendly human and social organizations, as he was permitted by the great Bounty to enter into the Circle of Light of 'Abdu’l-Baha in the year 1913.
He had created values in the field of assisting growing artists and in the commercial line, far surpassing the limits of Wurtemberg.
With the new erection of the Baths at Mergentheim he established a healing fount or spring for suffering humanity by indefatigable and restless labors under great personal sacrifices inspired by great idealism. He later had the great pleasure to interest our beloved Master during His sojourn in Stuttgart in this social work. The Blessings pronounced on these Baths, made themselves realized very soon, and now their reputation for healing in their salubrious and life-giving waters has been felt all over the world. In deepest appreciation of our honored Chairman, a monumental stone was erected in Mergentheim as a memento of the visit of 'Abdu’l-Bahá.
During the sojourn of our beloved Master in Stuttgart our beloved departed one was granted the privilege to visit 'Abdu’l- Baha daily, besides He has honored our home with His presence several times. Our departed one was so filled with the spirit of 'Abdu’l-Baha, that this longing drove him to visit 'Abdu’l-Baha once more in Paris, before His departure from Europe and he had the great bounty to enjoy several unforgettable days in high spiritual teachings filled with revelations and knowledge with the beloved Master. The meetings with 'Abdu’l-Baha were for the further advancement of his far-reaching possibilities.
The passing of 'Abdu’l-Baha in the fall of 1921 was for him exceedingly staggering, as he had always hoped to have been able to visit Him in Haifa. He traveled in the following spring with his wife to Haifa in response to an invitation from Shoghi Effendi and put himself wholeheartedly into the service of the Guardian of the Holy Cause.
Since the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly he served as the Chairman. During his many days of acute sufferings he had experienced often the blessings of 'Abdu’l-Baha and the answer to prayers to Baha’u’llah, and his faith had cased many hours of acute sufferings especially so in his tragic last and acute times of his life caused by the grievances of prevailing conditions.
In the beloved departed we all have lost an upright, loyal and devoted ready helpful friend, who stood at the side of everyone that turned to him for advice and help and with a sympathetic understanding.
With his separation a gap has appeared in our ranks which as yet we are unable to understand.
Notwithstanding the severe tests which came to him he remained faithful to his convictions and his reality. He serves us now as a shining example for all times.
Cable from Shoghi Effendi to Mrs. Alice Schwarz, Stuttgart:
INEXPRESSIBLY SAD PROFOUNDLY DEPLORE PASSING GERMANYS OUTSTANDING BAHA’I PIONEER WORKER. MEMORY HIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICES IMPERISHABLE. GREATEST HOLY LEAF JOINS ME ASSURANCE AFFECTIONATE PRAYER HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES.
SHOGHI.
(The Baha’i World 1930-1932)
