He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Love and music filled the air of the 1958 Sahavas held at Meher Center in Myrtle Beach from May 19th – May 30th. Two hundred and twenty five people gathered who had been invited and had agreed to Meher Baba’s two main conditions: to love and to obey Him.

Baba often called for music; live performances as well as recordings. Max Häfliger provided Swiss Yodel recordings, Liz Sacalis played music from the King and I during the Children’s Birthday party. Liz and her sister, Virginia set up a record player at Baba’s house and it was moved between different Center locations.

Records were brought from India as well. Baba told the group that He did not enjoy classical music – neither Western or Eastern. He preferred, “music that expressed heartfelt longing and praise for God.” Jeanne Shaw recorded Meher Baba’s explanation of one of the qawwalis in her diary. Baba said, “God-man is the Ocean of Unity. The saints are pearls in the Ocean. The singer says, ‘Ask anything from Qutub [Perfect One] and he is wise who asks him for God, because he is the only one in union with God.’” [I]

Strains of “Begin the Beguine”, Baba’s favorite song, drifted through the trees. Darwin Shaw wrote, “When it came to the part that goes ‘Darling, I love you,’ I was deeply touched because I had the impression that Baba was looking directly at me. I later found out that Leatrice had the same experience! This made us wonder how many others had the same experience.” [II]

African American Spirituals recorded by the gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, known to many as the queen of gospel music, and the great contralto Marianne Anderson, were played. Both women were powerful in the struggle for Black artists to overcome racial prejudice in mid- twentieth century America. One song in particular, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” was played again and again throughout the Sahavas.

Jane Barry Haynes recalled the afternoon of May 26th, “Marian Anderson’s rich voice filled the Barn; they played Baba’s favorites, her spirituals, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” and the last, “Let My People Go”. Baba touched his right foot and then His forehead twice, as this song was played. No words can describe the fullness of peace and love that swelled into the hearts and souls of all during those times in the Barn. That devotional music, born of love and suffering; here the Son of God sat before us once again.” [III]

Charles Purdom and Darwin Shaw both noted that Baba made the sign of perfection after hearing “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands” and Baba gestured with his right hand, “I’ve got the whole Universe in my palm.” [IV]

Rip-Roaring laughter emanated from the Barn on the afternoon of May 27th. A performance of skits, jokes and songs was given by the men who called themselves, The Alligator Club. At one point, all the men sang “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”. At the end of the performance, Baba said, “Today’s performance is one of the few things I shall miss in my next advent!” [V]

Eloise Lein Prue recalled hearing the recording of “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” at the Barn. She said, “I always remembered that and from then on till this very day, whenever I see something in the newspaper that upsets me I say to myself, “He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands.” I just leave everything to Baba.” [VI]

On Friday, May 30th, Meher Baba departed Meher Center, His home in the West, heading for the Wilmington airport. Three busloads of Sahavasees had left the Center in the wee hours of the morning to be at the airport when Baba arrived. Baba’s caravan to the airport consisted of several cars. Jane Barry Haynes recorded, “About five miles out of Myrtle Beach, Frank Eaton, caretaker at the Center, was driving: he suddenly reached over and switched on the radio. As he did so, we heard the strains of Baba’s song “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”. I guess each of us wept a little with joy at this farewell song that we knew Baba played for us. (Indeed, after our return, Elizabeth told me that as they drove along, Baba had suddenly turned to her: ‘Turn on the radio, Elizabeth’ — and the passengers in the God-Man’s car heard His favorite spiritual.” [VII]

Baba repeated that He holds the whole world in His palm to Leonard Willoughby after he sang the spiritual on November 1, 1962, at the East- West Gathering. Two days later, at Baba’s request Leonard sang the song again. Baba then said, “The words are true. It is a fact. I am very happy to have the whole world in my hands. It seems so quiet, calm, peaceful! Just a little speck!” [VIII] [I] As Only God Can Love, by Darwin Shaw, p. 454
[II] As Only God Can Love, by Darwin Shaw p. 454
[III] Letters of Love, by Jane Barry Haynes, p. 54
[IV] The God Man by Charles Purdom, p. 333
[V] The God Man by Charles Purdom, p. 334
[VI] “Meeting Meher Baba,” Eloise Lein Prue, Glow Magazine, Feb. 1997 p.4
[VII] Letters of Love, by Jane Barry Haynes, p. 62
[VIII] Lord Meher, Online Edition. by Bhau Kalchuri p. 4867