Robert Chaittle Turner (c. October 15, 1855/56 – June 15, 1909) was the first African American Bahá’í[1] and one of the nineteen Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Turner listened to Lua while serving tea and remained to hear the talk she gave.

[9][10] The pilgrims left the United States on September 22 and arrived in ‘Akká, Palestine on December 10, 1898.

In response, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote the following: "Convey wondrous Abhá greetings to Mr Robert, the servant of that honorable lady, and say to him: ‘Be not grieved at your illness, for thou hast attained eternal life and hast found thy way to the World of the Kingdom.

Praise be to God that that lighted candle ascended from the earthly lamp to the Kingdom of Eternity and gleamed and became aflame in the Heavenly Assemblage.