Thomas Breakwell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Breakwell was the first Englishmen to become a Bahá’í and the first to make the pilgrimage to ‘Akká. He was taught the Bahá’í Faith by May Bolles
(later to become May Maxwell) in the summer of 1901, and traveled to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká that same summer. At 'Abdu’l-Bahá’s request, Thomas Breakwell took up permanent residence in Paris, where he worked enthusiastically to teach the Baha’i Faith and help develop the Paris Bahá’í community. Thomas Breakwell died of tuberculosis on 13 June 1902, barely a year after becoming a Bahá’í.
From the Baha’i perspective, the significance of Thomas Breakwell’s life lies not in his material or professional accomplishments, but rather in his spiritual capacity. His purity, detachment and devotion were noted by a number of those who met him, most significantly and most keenly by 'Abdu’l-Bahá himself.
in southern England, and was the youngest of five children. His father, Edward Breakwell, sold domestic ironware and was an herbalist. In the 1860s Thomas’ father had joined a Christian denomination the Primitive Methodists and it is almost certain that this was the religious tradition that Thomas was exposed to while growing up. Thomas was educated in a public school prior to his family emigrating to the United States.
Once in the United States, Thomas Breakwell was able to find a well-paying position in a southern cotton mill. This position allowed him enough income and vacation time to visit relatives in England and to travel in Europe. It was on one of these trips, in 1901, that he heard about the Bahá’í Faith.
According to May Bolles, when Breakwell returned the next day, he told her that he had experienced a profoundly spiritual moment. While walking after the previous day’s meeting, Breakwell told her that, “…suddenly a wind struck me and whirled around me, and in that wind a voice said, with an indescribable sweetness and penetration, ‘Christ has come again! Christ has come again!” When Breakwell asked May if she thought him insane, she replied that he was not. Over the next three days, May explained the history, principles and laws of the Bahá’í Faith and gave him materials to read. On hearing of Abdu’l-Bahá , Breakwell decided to cancel his existing travel plans and to request permission to see him.
During his interview with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Breakwell explained that he worked for a mill which also employed employed child labor
. On hearing this, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed Thomas Breakwell to cable his resignation to the mill, which Breakwell did at once.
The visa Breakwell and Hooper had been able to secure only allowed them to stay in Akká for two days. Prior to Breakwell leaving, Abdu’l-Bahá requested that he settle in Paris. Yúnis Khán, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s secretary, accompanied the men as far as Haifa
. During this trip, Breakwell also established a correspondence with Yúnis Khán.
Breakwell began living a frugal lifestyle, walking instead of taking cabs and living in an inexpensive neighborhood, in order to donate money to the Bahá’í faith. He became the first western Bahá’í to give the Huqúqu’lláh, despite his own uncertain financial future.
. In his letters to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Breakwell demonstrates a radiant acquiescence regarding his condition, and is not only content with his suffering, but actually desires greater pain, stating, “Suffering is a heady wine; I am prepared to receive that bounty which is the greatest of all; torments of the flesh have enabled me to draw much nearer to my Lord.”
Even as death approached, Breakwell was teaching the Bahá’í Faith to other patients in the tuberculosis ward where he was confined. Thomas Breakwell died at 7:00 pm on 13 June 1902, aged 30.
May Maxwell
Mary "May" Maxwell , an early American member of the Bahá'í Faith.-Early life:...
(later to become May Maxwell) in the summer of 1901, and traveled to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká that same summer. At 'Abdu’l-Bahá’s request, Thomas Breakwell took up permanent residence in Paris, where he worked enthusiastically to teach the Baha’i Faith and help develop the Paris Bahá’í community. Thomas Breakwell died of tuberculosis on 13 June 1902, barely a year after becoming a Bahá’í.
From the Baha’i perspective, the significance of Thomas Breakwell’s life lies not in his material or professional accomplishments, but rather in his spiritual capacity. His purity, detachment and devotion were noted by a number of those who met him, most significantly and most keenly by 'Abdu’l-Bahá himself.
Early life
Thomas Breakwell was born on 31 May 1872 in the town of WokingWoking
Woking is a large town and civil parish that shares its name with the surrounding local government district, located in the west of Surrey, UK. It is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, with frequent trains and a journey time of 24 minutes to Waterloo station....
in southern England, and was the youngest of five children. His father, Edward Breakwell, sold domestic ironware and was an herbalist. In the 1860s Thomas’ father had joined a Christian denomination the Primitive Methodists and it is almost certain that this was the religious tradition that Thomas was exposed to while growing up. Thomas was educated in a public school prior to his family emigrating to the United States.
Once in the United States, Thomas Breakwell was able to find a well-paying position in a southern cotton mill. This position allowed him enough income and vacation time to visit relatives in England and to travel in Europe. It was on one of these trips, in 1901, that he heard about the Bahá’í Faith.
Discovery of the Bahá’í Faith
While on a steamer bound for France, Thomas Breakwell met a woman by the last name of Milner who was acquainted with the Bahá’í Faith. Seeing Breakwell’s intense interest in spiritual subjects, Mrs. Milner took Thomas Breakwell to see her acquaintance May Bolles. At their first meeting in Paris, May Bolles did not mention the Bahá’í faith or discuss any of its teachings.According to May Bolles, when Breakwell returned the next day, he told her that he had experienced a profoundly spiritual moment. While walking after the previous day’s meeting, Breakwell told her that, “…suddenly a wind struck me and whirled around me, and in that wind a voice said, with an indescribable sweetness and penetration, ‘Christ has come again! Christ has come again!” When Breakwell asked May if she thought him insane, she replied that he was not. Over the next three days, May explained the history, principles and laws of the Bahá’í Faith and gave him materials to read. On hearing of Abdu’l-Bahá , Breakwell decided to cancel his existing travel plans and to request permission to see him.
Meeting with Abdu’l-Bahá
Thomas Breakwell’s request to go to ‘Akká was granted and he and another new Bahá’í, Herbert Hopper, undertook the journey together. After arriving at the guesthouse, Breakwell was seized with doubt about the entire journey, to the point that he felt ill. However,when he met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the first time, Breakwell immediately recognized that this was the person he was looking for, and all his fears and doubts vanished.During his interview with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Breakwell explained that he worked for a mill which also employed employed child labor
Child labor
Child labour refers to the employment of children at regular and sustained labour. This practice is considered exploitative by many international organizations and is illegal in many countries...
. On hearing this, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructed Thomas Breakwell to cable his resignation to the mill, which Breakwell did at once.
The visa Breakwell and Hooper had been able to secure only allowed them to stay in Akká for two days. Prior to Breakwell leaving, Abdu’l-Bahá requested that he settle in Paris. Yúnis Khán, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s secretary, accompanied the men as far as Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
. During this trip, Breakwell also established a correspondence with Yúnis Khán.
Life in Paris
Upon returning to Paris, Thomas Breakwell became a leader in the local Bahá’í community. May Bolles relates that he demonstrated exemplary courtesy, intense fervor, eloquence, sympathy and genuine love, among other attributes . During the period, Breakwell regularly corresponded with Abdu’l-Bahá ‘s secretary and translator Yúnis Khán. Through these letters, Thomas Breakwell and Abdu’l-Bahá remained in contact.Breakwell began living a frugal lifestyle, walking instead of taking cabs and living in an inexpensive neighborhood, in order to donate money to the Bahá’í faith. He became the first western Bahá’í to give the Huqúqu’lláh, despite his own uncertain financial future.
Declining health and death
During the period of 1901-02, Thomas Breakwell fell ill with tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. In his letters to 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Breakwell demonstrates a radiant acquiescence regarding his condition, and is not only content with his suffering, but actually desires greater pain, stating, “Suffering is a heady wine; I am prepared to receive that bounty which is the greatest of all; torments of the flesh have enabled me to draw much nearer to my Lord.”
Even as death approached, Breakwell was teaching the Bahá’í Faith to other patients in the tuberculosis ward where he was confined. Thomas Breakwell died at 7:00 pm on 13 June 1902, aged 30.