When, in the first days of August the sudden outbreak of the Great War startled the world, the wisdom of His precaution became apparent.
When the war broke out, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who had already spent fifty-five years of His life in exile and prison, became again virtually a prisoner of the Turkish Government.

Communication with friends and believers outside Syria was almost completely cut off, and He and His little band of followers were again subjected to straitened circumstances, scarcity of food and great personal danger and inconvenience.
During the war 'Abdu'l-Baha had a busy time in ministering to the material and spiritual wants of the people about Him.

He personally organized extensive agricultural operations near Tiberias, thus securing a great supply of wheat, by means of which famine was averted, not only for the Baha'is but for hundreds of the poor of all religions in Haifa and Akka, whose wants He liberally supplied.

He took care of all, and mitigated their sufferings as far as possible.

To hundreds of poor people He would give a small sum of money daily.