Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: unknown, In Memoriam, Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1956, bahai-library.com.
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THE BAHA'I WORLD
A BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL RECORD

Prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly
of the BahB'is of the United States
with the approval of Shoghi Effendi

V O L U M E XI1
107, log, 109 AND 110 OF THE BAHA'I ERA
APRIL 1950-1954 A.D.

BAHA'I P U B L I S H I N G T R U S T
Wilmette, Illinois
xii CONTENTS
PAGE
74. Prof . Joseph Klausner. Jerusalem. Israel ....................... 655
75. Prof . Francesco Gabrieli. University of Rome .................. 655
.
76 Dr . G . A . Borgese. Professor of Italian Literature. University of Chicago .................................................. 655
77 . Prof . Raffaele Pettazzoni. Professor of the History of Religion. University of Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656
78 . Dr . Marshall Wingfield. D.D.. Litt.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656
79 . Sir Alfred Zimmern. Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 656
111. In Memoriam
William Sutherland Maxwell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 657
Roy C. Wilhelm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662
Siegfriedschopflocher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664
Louis Gregory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 666
DorothyBaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670
Marion Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 674
Edward B . Kinney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677
Dr . Youness Afrukhtih . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 679
Ella Goodall Cooper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 681
Dr . SulaymLn Berjis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 684
Ella Bailey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685
Maria B. Ioas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688
Nuri'd-Din Fath 'Azam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 690
HLji Muhammad TLhir Malmiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 692
Johanna Schubarth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 694
Florence George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697
Philip Goddard Sprague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698
Nellie Stevison French . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 699
DagmarDole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701
Florence Breed Khan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703
B&ram RawhLni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
LouiseBosch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705
FlorenceMorton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 708
R a b L n Kulayni MamaqLni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710
'Abdu'l Hussein Yazdi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711
Charles Kennedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 711
L. W. Eggleston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 712

PART THREE
I . Bahi'i Directory 1953-1954 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
1. International Bahi'i Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
2. Bahb'i National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717
3 . Countries opened to the Bahb'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Abyssinia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Aden Protectorate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Ad_hirbLyjLn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
AfghLnistLn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
................................................. 719
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Aleutian Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Algeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
AndamanIs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Andorra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Angola . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719
I11
IN MEMORIAM

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND MAXWELL he was of Scotch descent, his grandfather
1874-1952 having migrated from Jedburgh with his
family in the early part of the nineteenth
Cablegram from Shoghi Eflendi, Guardian century. Other ancestors had come from
of the Bahri'i Faith: Aberdeen. Both William and his older
brother Edward were interested in building.
With sorrowful heart announce through Edward graduated as an engineer from
National Assemblies Hand of Cause of Ba- McGill University, but when William left
hS'u711Lh highly esteemed dearly beloved High School, he refused to follow this
Sutherland Maxwell gathered into the glory course as he could not study architecture
of the Abhb Kingdom. His saintly life ex- there at that time. He went to Boston, at
tending well-nigh four-score years, enriched the age of seventeen, and the extraordinary
during the course of 'Abdu'l-BahPs ministry ability he had for both drawing and design
by services in the Dominion of Canada, soon became apparent and he was given orennobled during Formative Age of the namental details of important buildings to
Faith by decade of services in Holy Land, work up into their final form. In 1899 he
during darkest days of my life, doubly hon- went to the Bcole des Beaux Arts in Paris
ored through association with the crown where he was allowed to attend as a courof martyrdom won by May Maxwell and tesy to the Canadian Government, in view
incomparable honor bestowed upon his of the fact he had no diplomas and was
daughter, attained consummation through not planning to sit for any examinations. He
his appointment as architect of the Arcade worked for two years in the studio of the
and Superstructure of the BLb's Sepulcher well-known architect Paschal. It was in this
as well as his elevation to the front ranks studio that he met a fellow-student, Ranof the Hands of the Cause of God. Advise dolph Bolles, who introduced him to his
all National Assemblies hold befitting me- mother and sister; the sister, May Bolles,
morial gatherings particularly in the Ma- was already a convinced and active Bahgi
ariqu'l-AQkir in Wilmette, and in the Ha- and had just returned to Paris from her
ziratu'l-Quds in Tihrin. pilgrimage to the Prison City of 'Akki,
Have instructed Hands of the Cause in where she had met 'Abdu'l-Bahi. William's
United States and Canada, Horace Holley great interest at that time was art and arand Fred Schopflocher, to attend as my rep- chitecture. However, he made up his mind
resentatives the f ~ ~ n e rin
a l Montreal. Moved Miss Bolles was the only woman he would
to name after him the southern door of ever marry. She reciprocated his senti-
Bhb's Tomb as tribute to his services to sec- ments, but refused to leave Paris and her
ond holiest Shrine of BahPi World. The teaching work for the Bahii'i Faith. He had
mantle of Hand of Cause now falls upon the to return to Canada, entered the office of
shoulders of his distinguished daughter, his brother Edward, but continued to corre-
Amatu'l-Bahi Riihiyyih, who has already spond with Miss Bolles in the hope she
rendered and is still rendering no less meri- would marry him. At last Mrs. Bolles wrote
torious self-sacrificing services at World 'Abdu'l-BahB and laid the situation before
Center of Faith of BahB'uYllih. Him. He gave His permission for May
Bolles to leave France, and blessed the mar-
Haifa, Israel,
riage. In 1902 they were married in Lon-
March 26th, 1952.
don. May Maxwell introduced the Faith to
Canada, her home being its first Center.
William Sutherland Maxwell was born She never liked the name of William for
in Montreal, Canada, in 1874. On both sides her husband, and called him by his middle
658 T H E B A H A 'f W O R L D

name, Sutherland, all her life-a name no His arrival Sutherland was waiting on the
one else had ever used. Sutherland became platform as 'Abdu'l-Bahi's train drew in to
the partner of his brother, and the Firm of ask Him most humbly to honor his home
Edward and W. S. Maxwell became famous by being his guest. The Master accepted.
throughout Canada; before World War I He loved Sutherland very much; He told
they had the biggest architectural offices in his wife once during His three-day visit in
the country. The engineering and business their house: "He is a very good man." He
sense of the older brother, as well as his also admonished her not to neglect the faknowledge and fine taste, combined with ther, now that she had a child. The Maxthe genius for proportion, design and de- wells had been childless up until their visit
tail of the younger brother, turned out many to 'Akkl in 1909. At that time He had
Canadian landmarks, such as: The Regina assured them He would pray for them to
Parliament Buildings; Palliser Hotel, Cal- have a child. In 1910, Mary Sutherland,
gary; Chateau Frontenac Hotel, Quebec; the their only child, had been born.
Art Gallery, Church of the Messiah, and In order to appreciate Sutherland Max-
Nurses Wing of Royal Victoria Hospital, in well, and the achievements of the last years
Montreal, as well as many other public of his life, one has to recognize two great
edifices and private homes. factors in his nature: The first is that he was
In 1909, May and Sutherland Maxwell one of those souls whose nature is all goodmade a pilgrimage together to the Prison ness. This is what led the Guardian of the
City of 'Akkl, to visit 'Abdu'l-Bah& Suther- BahQi Faith to attest to his "saintly life" in
land was not yet a convinced Bahfi. One his obituary cable. It is a nature not unday at table, he said to 'Abdu'l-Bahl: "The common amongst the Scots. He was up-
Christians worship God through Christ; my right, truthful, and never approached a huwife worships God through You; but I wor- man being except in courtesy, friendliness,
ship Him direct." 'Abdu'l-Bahl smiled and and that graciousness that is the essence of
said: "Where is He?" "Why, God is every- the democratic spirit. In spite of this trustwhere," replied Sutherland. "Everywhere is ing attitude, he had remarkably sound judgnowhere," said 'Abdu'l-Bahl. He then went ment. This was of great help in the workon to demonstrate that such worship was ings of the Montreal Spiritual Assembly, of
worship of a figment of the imagination and which he was a member and most often
had no reality; we must worship God Chairman, for decades.
through something tangible and real to us, The second deep strain that colored all
hence the r81e of the Manifestations. Suth- his nature was that he was an artist through
erland bowed his head in acceptance. The and through. His wife, in one of her letters
real seed of his faith germinated from that to him (and no one knew him better or
hour. The way this faith grew in him was a appreciated him more) wrote: "You have
beautiful thing. He had all the profound the charm of originality." Two things not
Scotch reticence, the horror of being pe- often found together were combined conculiar, talked about, or different. For years spicuously in him: an encyclopedic knowlin Montreal the BahQis were called "Mu- edge of all the arts, and a creative capacity
hammadans," "Sun-Worshipers," "Here- for bringing new things into being. One
tics," etc. A city composed of a large fanati- must remember that an architect almost
cal French Canadian Catholic element, and never has free reign for his own ideas, but
an equally conservative Protestant English- is constantly interfered with and limited by
Scotch element, was determined to think the his clients' desires and concepts. There was
worst, with no investigation whatsoever, of nothing he could not do with his hands in
the strange Oriental Cult "that Mrs. Max- fulfillment of his mental image. When the
well" belonged to. Chateau Frontenac was built, he designed
Since he built his home in 1907-8 until not only the lines of the twenty-story modthe present day, the Maxwell house has ern structure, but practically every detail of
been the center of BahQi activity in Mont- the interior: wrought-iron railings, furnireal; Mrs. Maxwell taught ceaselessly; Mr. ture, grills, lamps, ceilings, elevator interi-
Maxwell was the silent but willing partner. ors, etc. He would take the chisel from the
In 1912, 'Abdu'l-BahP visited Montreal, at- stone carver, the gouge from the wood
tracted there, as He said Himself, by the de- carver, and "sweeten the lines" as he termed
votion of May Maxwell. The morning of it. He was idolized by the workmen, need-
IN MEMORIAM

William Sutherland Maxwell.

less to say. In the course of years his had returned in the winter 1926-27 for anachievements and talents brought honors. other visit; but when a cable reached Suth-
He was made a Fellow of the Royal In- erland, urging him to come at once in order
stitute of British Architects; a Fellow and to be present for his daughter's marriage,
past president of the Royal Architectural he was thrown into a turmoil of feeling.
Institute of Canada; an Academician of the From that moment he added to the respect
Royal Canadian Academy and its vice-presi- and affection he already had for Shoghi
dent and his water colors often hung in Effendi as his Guardian, a profound and
Academy shows; a member and past presi- tender love that grew, at the end of his life,
dent of the Province of Quebec Association into a thing of rare and touching beauty.
of Architects; a founding member of the May's health, bordering all the thirty-
"Pen and Pencil Club" and the "Arts Club" eight years of their marriage, on invalidism,
in Montreal. The honors, medals and dis- was even frailer as she approached seventy.
tinctions which he received testified not only She and Sutherland, after some months in
to his ability as an architect and artist, but Haifa, returned by slow stages to their home
were also a recognition of his inner qualities in Montreal. The signal and overwhelming
of character. honor bestowed on them created an intense
In 1937 the course of his life was dras- desire to render greater services to the
tically changed through the marriage of his Faith. Hitherto the demands of his profesdaughter, Mary, to the Guardian of the Ba- sional activity had kept Sutherland tied, exh2i Faith. May and Mary, after a two-year cept for attendance at a few annual Consojo~rrnin France, Belgium and Germany, ventions and visits to Green Acre BahL'i
had proceeded to Haifa as pilgrims. They School in the summer, to Montreal. Now
had already visited the Guardian in 1923, they made a much prized tour together of
shortly after 'Abdu'l-BahA's passing. Mary some of the eastern cities in America, as
R6hiyyih KJhtinum at grave of her father, William Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, in Mount
Floral spray sent by the Guardian of the BahL'i World Faith from Haifa, in foregroun
Mrs. Amelia Collins stands to the right of R6hiyyih LhhCnum, and others include
National Spiritual Assembly members and Montreal BahL'is. Nay, 1953.
IN MEMORIAM 661

well as visiting the 1938 Convention in Chi- Sutherland had the highest respect for Shocago. In 1940, upon arrival with her niece ghi Effendi's taste a,nd judgment.
Jeanne Bolles in Buenos Aires, where she By 1946-for a period of about one
had gone on a teaching trip with the con- year--Sutherland found himself in charge
sent of Sutherland, May suffered a heart of the Guardian's outside work. Mail, visiattack and died. tors, Government contacts, errands were
The first act of the Guardian was to in- managed single-handed by the white-haired
vite Sutherland, now entirely alone, to come man of seventy-two. He did a good job, but
and live in Haifa. From 1940, until his it was too much for him-a blood-vessel
death in 1952, may be said to be the true broke in his ear and left him totally deaf on
years of burgeoning in this distinguished one side, shaken and dizzy for weeks on
man's life. He accepted the loss of his wife end,. In 1948, accompanied by Mr. Weeden,
with a meekness and faith, a gratitude for he flew to Italy and placed, in collaboration
all the happy years of marriage they had with Dr. Ugo Giachery, the first contract
shared, a pride in her death at the age of for the stone work of the BLb's Shrine. In
seventy in the field of service-a death of spite of failing strength he continued his
which Shoghi Effendi said she "laid down detailed and working drawings right up to
her life with such a spirit of consecration the night when his health broke down in
and self-sacrifice as has truly merited the 1949. There followed a long and serious
crown of Martyrdom." He always felt her illness, when he was condemned by the best
near him. doctors as being beyond hope of recovery.
The years he spent in Haifa coincided It was then that the deep spiritual attachwith some of the hardest in Shoghi Effendi's ment he had formed to Shoghi Effendi belife. Quietly, unassumingly, like a rock, came manifest. No matter how desperate his
Sutherland stood by him; the faith, planted state, he invariably responded to the Guardin his heart by 'Abdu'l-BahB, was now in ian. It was the Guardian's love, his determifullest flower. He was a tower of spiritual nation not to let him die, that brought him
strength. Gradually the Guardian referred back. The man condemned to die lived to
small matters to Sutherland for his advice: visit the completed Arcade of the Shrine he
a new flight of steps, a lamp post, a new had worked on with such love, and sacrientrance. To the architect of over forty ficed his health for.
years' practical experience this was pleasant His age and the hard work of a lifetime
child's play. He would make a pen sketch had, however, taken their toll. H e suffered
in perspective, color it and submit it to the ups and downs, recovery followed collapse,
Guardian, so he could see what the finished collapse recovery. It was a heart-breaking
article would look like in situ. Shoghi Ef- two years for those who loved him. Sutherfendi was delighted. He decided to ask land's cherished wish was to visit Montreal
Sutherland to work on a scheme for com- again. Arrangements were made for him to
pleting the Shrine of the BBb. He knew pass the summer of 1951, accompanied by
that 'Abdu'l-BahL had wanted a dome and his devoted nurse, in his home. He was to
an arcade added to the original building. return in the autumn to Haifa. This plan
By 1942, Sutherland submitted to him stud- suited him perfectly; but when Fall came, it
ies for the Shrine. It was not an easy task; was evident that in view of the acute shorta square, fortress-like stone building, one ages in Israel, he could not be fed the fresh
story high, already existed half-way up a food he needed, and which alone kept him
steep mountain; about this and above this, from relapsing into violent gall-bladder upnot destroying or hiding any part of the sets. He remained in Canada, longing for
previous structure erected "with tears" by the day he could return to his home in the
'Abdu'l-BahL, must come a worthy enve- Holy Land.
lope, a case for the pearl. By 1944, the com- It was during this winter that Shoghi Efpleted and accepted design, in model form, fendi bestowed upon him the inestimable
was exhibited to the Bahi'is gathered on the bounty of becoming a Hand of the Cause
One Hundredth Anniversary of the Decla- of God. He understood and was deeply
ration of the BLb's Mission, in the precincts touched; he said "I did not do it all alone;
of His resting-place. A number of the ele- there were so many others who helped."
ments in Sutherland's design were either The humility was typical of the man. After
suggested by or modified by the Guardian. a fall, and a relapse into his illness, he sank
662 T H E B A H A '1 W O R L D

rapidly. It was not possible for his daughter man of integrity who applied the high Bato reach him in time; he died in the night of hi'i standards of conduct to himself before
March 25, 1952; his nurse and his favorite he applied them to others.
nephew, Sterling Maxwell, by his side. Born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 17,
On the slopes of Mt. Royal, where the 1875, Roy Wilhelm and his parents moved
wind plays with the falling autumn leaves to West Englewood, New Jersey, and
of gold and red, where the snow all winter opened their import firm in New York City,
long lays its dazzling cloak and in spring which he actively conducted until the last
snow drops break up through the ice, Wil- few years of his life. It was on this property
liam Sutherland Maxwell, in the city of his in West Englewood that 'Abdu'l-Bahi in
birth, lies buried. 1912, during His North American visit, held
On the slopes of Mt. Carmel an immortal a unity feast for the Bahi'is of the New
monument to his abilities and his devotion York metropolitan area at which He ancovers the Tomb of the Martyr Prophet of nounced that on that date the Faith of Baa World Faith-the superstructure of the hi'u'llLh was truly established in America.
Shrine of the Bib. The site of that gathering will, in the future,
mark the only public Memorial which the
American ~ a h i ' f sare permitted to construct
in reverent observance of 'Abdu'l-Bahi's
visit from April to December, 1912.
ROY C . WILHELM
From a Bahi'i who was also associated
with a group which met in the Dodge home,
"Heart filled (with) sorrow (for) loss New York City, for many years after 1900,
(of) greatly prized, much loved, highly ad- has come this description: "The meetings
mired herald (of) Bahi'u'llih's Covenant, were intensely interesting and full of fervor.
Roy Wilhelm. Distinguished career enriched It was a happy group, and there was an apannals (of) concluding years (of) Heroic parent spiritual intelligence, one might say,
(and) opening years (of) Formative Age even if our knowledge of the Teachings was
(of) Faith. Sterling qualities endeared him limited. A baptism of the Holy Spirit must
(to) his beloved Master, 'Abdu'l-Bahi. His have been the pure bounty of the Lord to
saintliness, indomitable faith, outstanding this group. Without exception every one had
services local, national, international, (his) a great and sincere desire to serve the Cause
exemplary devotion, qualify him (to) join in the way he or she seemed to be guided.
ranks (of) Hands (of) Cause, insure him Roy (Wilhelm) attended these meetings
everlasting reward (in) Abhi Kingdom. . ."
regularly .
Advise hold memorial gathering (in) Tem- At that time the available Bahi'i literaple befitting his unforgettable services (and) ture was slight, and copies of prayers and
lofty rank." tablets were typewritten and distributed
-SHOGHI from friend to friend. One of the earliest
December 24, 1951. efforts to make the sacred texts more widely
available was voluntarily initiated and sus-
In the history of the Bahi'i Faith during tained by Mr. Wilhelm. His compilations,
the first half of the twentieth century, Roy successively translated into a number of lan-
C . Wilhelm occupied an important place. guages, were widely used at fireside (home)
The firmness of his faith, the purity of his and public meetings conducted more and
devotion, his self-sacrifice and his untiring more frequently as Bahi'i centers increased
activity enabled him to make a unique con- in number in North America. T o this one
tribution to the establishment of the Faith devoted worker may be attributed the great
in North America and indirectly, through service of printing and making readily availhis generous aid to Miss Martha Root, and able hundreds of thousands of Bahi'i pamhis distribution of Bahi'i literature in manv phlets in the course of his lifetime. In addilanguages, to its spread in other continents. lion, his business advertisements in trade
Essentially humble, he carried heavy ad- journals became notable for the use of a
ministrative responsibilities with a winning brief Bahi'i text in each.
charm which endeared him to a host of Much could be written about his visits to
friends. Bahi'i centers on his business trips through-
Roy Wilhelm was first and foremost a out the country, carrying the great Message
IN MEMORIAM 663

to countless inquirers and strengthening the
ardor of the active BahL'i workers themselves.
"The Bahgis everywhere looked forward
to his coming, and prepared meetings for
him . . ." one of his contemporaries has
written.
The year 1907 marked the greatest experience in the formative years of his BahL'i
life. In April of that year Roy Wilhelm, accompanied by his mother, went on a pilgrimage to attain the presence of 'Abdu'l-
BahL at 'AkkB in the Holy Land. The words
of welcome uttered by 'Abdu'l-BahL, as
translated into English, were written down
by Mr. Wilhelm immediately afterward and
quoted in a letter written to his fellow BahL'i teacher, Mrs. Mariam Haney: "Welcome! Very welcome! I have been waiting
for your coming. It is with God's help that
you have reached 'AkkL . . . You represent all the American believers . . . Thank
God that you came."
The following year Roy Wilhelm prepared a.nd distributed a booklet recounting
his pilgrimage, which he entitled "Knock,
and it shall be ovened unto vou. (Matt.
7:7) ." On the fro& cover w a i reproduced Roy C. Wilhelm.
a photograph of the door leading to 'Abdu'l-
BahB's room. Quoting from the text:
"That which most impresses the pilgrim the West-after our visit . . . we underto the 'Most Great Prison' at 'AkkL, is the stood . . . In the meeting of the West with
spirit of sacrifice. Nowhere have I witnessed the East is fulfilled the prophecies of the
such love, such perfect harmony. The de- Books . . . During our last meal 'Abdu'lsire of those in that prison was to serve one BahB broke a quantity of bread into His
another. In our Western liberty it is difficult bowl; then asking for the plates of the pilto realize the bitter antagonism and hatred grims He gave to each of us a portion.
which exists in the East between the follow- When the meal was finished, He said: 'I
ers of the several great religious systems. have given you to eat from My bowl-now
For example, a Jew and a Muhammadan distribute My Bread among the people.' "
would refuse to sit at meat together: a The BahL'i message of the oneness of
Hindu to draw water from the well of either. mankind and the essential unity of Revela-
Yet, in the house of 'Abdu'l-BahL we found tion brought its own severe tests to the fol-
Christians, Jews, Muhammadans, Zoroastri- lowers in all countries, that the sincere
ans, Hindus, blending together as children might be separated from the insincere. The
of the one God, living in perfect love and storm of bitter controversy raged around
harmony . . . the calm and radiant Presence of 'Abdu'l-
"At the house of 'Abdu'l-BahL, in 'Akki, Bahi, Center of Bahb'uYllLh'sCovenant to
we met many of these peoples, but they had humanity. Victim of official persecution and
lost all trace of the discord and hatred confined to prison quarters until 1908,
which has been inbred and cultivated for 'Abdu'l-BahL was also assailed by the uncenturies, and now they are as members of faithful within His own family, and these
one Household. They sacrifice their lives enemies attempted to create the basis for
for one another. To what shall we attribute general disloyalty within the BahL'i comthis miracle of unity? . . . We had heard munities of East and West. With other
much of the love and kindness shown by stalwart souls of his generation Roy Wilthe Oriental brothers to the pilgrims from helm stood above a frequently bewildering
664 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

and subtle controversy and radiated the your house, I saw the charm of the spot, the
spirit of firmness in that Covenant. beauty of its environment, and the perfec-
He was very dear to 'Abdu'l-BahP and tion of its building.
received many evidences of his Master's "I am extremely pleased with you because
trust and esteem. For a long period the you are a true Bahb'i. Your house is My
cablegrams and letters (tablets) sent by house; there is no difference whatsoever be-
'Abdu'l-Bahi to BahL'i groups and individ- tween yours and Mine."
uals in North America were addressed in -HORACE HOLLEY
Roy Wilhelm's care and forwarded by him
to their destinations.
In 1909 the American BahL'is, under the
initiative of the Chicago group, elected a na-
SIEGFRIED SCHOPFLOCHER
tional BahB'i body to represent all the Bahi'is of North America in their united effort
to purchase land and plan the construction "Profoundly grieved (at) passing (of)
of the House of Worship recently completed dearly loved, outstandingly staunch Hand
in Wilmette, Illinois. (of) Cause Fred Schopflocher. (His) nu-
From that year until his retirement from merous, magnificent services extending over
active BahP'i service in 1946, with the ex- thirty years (in) administrative (and)
ception of a single year of illness, Roy Wil- teaching spheres (for) United States, Canhelm was elected annually to the BahB'i ada, Institutions BahB'i World Center
Temple Unity and to the later National greatly enriched annals (of) Formative Age
Spiritual Assembly, and for years served as (of) Faith. Abundant reward assured
its treasurer. No other American believer Abhi Kingdom. Advising American Nahas achieved a comparable record. As treas- tional Assembly hold befitting memorial
urer, the integrity of his character and the gathering (at) Temple he generously helped
simple, direct humanness of his exposition raise. Advise hold memorial gathering (at)
of financial matters brought about a rapid Maxwell home (to) commemorate his emidevelopment of the Bahi'i fund as an or- nent part (in) rise (of) Administrative
ganic institution of the community. Order (of) Faith (in) Canada. Urge en-
After the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahi in sure burial (in) close neighborhood (of)
1921, the Guardian who was appointed in resting place (of) distinguished Hand (of)
His Will and Testament summoned two Cause Sutherland Maxwell."
American BahP'is for conference in Haifa -SHOGHI
-Roy Wilhelm and Mountfort Mills.
The Guardian's cablegram lamenting the A world-renowned symbol of the great
passing of Roy Wilhelm from this worid on evolution of the BahB'i Faith, the Ma&-
December 20, 1951, is cited at the beginning riqu'l-Ad_hkb at Wilmette, is nearing comof this article. In conclusion it is appropri- pletion, representing the collective effort of
ate to quote from letters addressed to him believers throughout the world and particuby 'Abdu'l-Bahi. They illumine the essential larly in North America. Of the many interworth of this man, and his service as a national services to the Faith rendered by
steadfast pillar of a new and world-wide Fred Schopflocher over the last thirty years,
Faith. perhaps none is more enduring than his con-
"Verily thou art serving in every respect; tribution to the completion of the Temple.
thou art striving more than thine energy Mr. Schopflocher early understood the sigpermits, and thou art rendering self-sacri- nificance of the Temple and through nufice. I am pleased with thee to the utmost." merous visits to the Guardian realized its
"Verily thou art B a h 3 , thou art godly importance to the growth of the Faith. It
and heavenly. Thou art self-sacrificing in was after one of these visits to Haifa that
service to the Kingdom. Even a minute thou Mr. Schopflocher arrived at a National Badost not neglect. Thy heart is overflowing hP'i Convention in Wilmette and generated
with the love of God. Be thou assured that afresh an enthusiasm for resumption of conthou wilt receive great Confirmations!" struction work on the exterior ornamenta-
"The sight of your portrait brought joy tion of the Temple. It was for this service
to My heart, because it is luminous and that the Guardian called Fred Schopflocher
celestial, and looking at the photograph of "the Chief Temple Builder."
IN MEMORIAM 665

variety of peoples in East and West, especially on short and relatively infrequent visits to so many places, but the world-wide
community of the believers has destroyed all
barriers.
One of Mr. Schopflocher's earliest interests as a Bahfi was in Green Acre which,
when he entered the Faith, was in need of
considerable improvement and repair. Mr.
Schopflocher donated several important
properties to Green Acre and played a major r81e in the development and expansion
of its facilities. Subsequently, when Geyserville was developed as a Summer School,
Mr. Schopflocher also took a great personal
interest in its success and attended many of
its sessions.
During the period from 1924 to 1947,
Mr. Schopflocher was elected a member of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah8'is of the United States and Canada for
fifteen different years. When the National
Spiritual Assembly of Canada was formed
as an independent administrative body in
1948, Mr. Schopflocher was elected a member and has continuously served on that
body ever since. It was chiefly through
Siegfried Schopflocher. Fred's efforts, with the able assistance of
Horace Holley, that the National Spiritual
Assembly of Canada secured a unique form
Born in Germany in 1877 of Jewish par- of incorporation by an Act of the Parliaentage, Mr. Schopflocher was brought up ment of Canada.
along orthodox lines but, after leaving In this last year, coincident with his apschool, ceased to follow the customs of his pointment as a Hand of the Cause of God,
faith and leaned towards an agnosticism the Guardian instructed Fred to assist the
which included a search for a more univer- National Spiritual Assembly of Canada in
sal expression of religion. Years later, after the establishment of the Hazira.
he had become permanently settled in busi- This brief sketch of Mr. Schopflocher's
ness in Canada, Mr. Schopflocher heard of life was approved by him in February,
the Bahl'i Faith and, shortly thereafter, be- 1953.
came a Bahg'i. Two months later he attended the Cana-
In 1922, Mr. Schopflocher made his first dian National Convention before proceedvisit to Haifa which was the beginning of ing to the Intercontinental Conference in
many journeys to the Center of the Faith. Chicago. At the Convention he made valua-
His devotion to the Guardian was immedi- ble contributions to the discussion, particuate and lasting and, on several of his inter- larly of the Hazira and the Temple plans
national tours, the Guardian gave him spe- and of financial matters. He yielded to the
cific assignments to carry out. His trips, urgent appeals of the Western delegates to
usually undertaken in conjunction with his visit their communities at an early date. He
business, took him to every corner of the spoke at the Feast of Ridvfin on the funcglobe where he was able to visit BahL'i com- tions of the Hands of the Cause of God and
munities and learned to appreciate, at first shared some of the notes from his pilgrimhand, the extraordinary bond linking the age to Haifa in January, 1953. This talk, so
believers throughout the world in their love deeply moving, so inspiring, so revealing of
for a common Cause. Normally, as Fred the profound humility and devotion of the
said, it would have been impossible for a man, will be long remembered by the
Westerner to make contact with so wide a fjends.
666 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

Fred kept his promise to the Western Canadian believers in the latter part of June.
He brought them too a new understanding
of the Hands of the Cause and a clearer appreciation of our Guardian and of the tremendous services he renders the Bahi'i
world.
Fred had a deep affection for the friends
in India. He had been eagerly looking forward to attending the New Delhi Conference. It was not to be. He passed away in
Montreal at 9:30 A.M. on Monday, July 27,
1953, after a few days' illness.
The funeral service was conducted by the
Canadian National Spiritual Assembly in
Montreal on July 31. Burial was made, at
the Guardian's request, close to the grave of
Sutherland Maxwell, the first Canadian
Hand of the Cause. On August 23, the
Montreal Assembly arranged a memorial
service in the Maxwell Home which was
attended by members of the National Assembly and friends, mainly from the Montreal area. This service in Fred's home community was intimate and personal. Many Louis G. Gregory.
people recalled with loving gratitude personal associations with Fred, kindly and (of) first Hand (of the) Cause (of) his
helpful things he had done in his unobtru- race. Rising BahL'i generation African consive way, gifts of hospitality or considera- tinent will glory (in) his memory (and)
tion that they had treasured sometimes for emulate his example. Advise hold memorial
ma.ny years. gatheri.ng (in) Temple (in) token recogni-
On August 28, a second memorial service tion (of his) unique position, outstanding
was arranged by the National Spiritual As- services."
sembly of the United States. A report of this -SHOGHI
service is published in the September issue Cablegram received August 6, 1951.
of their B a h Z News.
The cable from the Guardian, the many Dearly loved, universally respected Louis
messages received from Hands of the Cause G. Gregory passed away on July 30, 1951.
of God, from National and Local Assem- Although he had been frail in body for
blies, from individuals throughout the Ba- many months, the luminous spirit and great
hi'i world and from many non-BahPi heart were so apparent, so overwhelming,
friends and business associates attested to that none anticipated his sudden departure.
the deep sense of loss felt in every continent Only a week before, he had arranged and
on the passing of this humble, staunch and carried out a meeting in his home in Eliot,
devoted soul. Maine, where he discussed the prophecies
in the Bible, with their import for these
perilous times. The dozen or more who
gathered there will forever treasure this
LOUIS G. GREGORY meeting which proved to be his last. Seated
at his desk, his warm and radiant smile
welcoming everyone, with his indescribable
"Profoundly deplore grievous loss dearly spiritual dignity, a manifest evidence of the
beloved, noble-minded, golden-hearted world in which he lived, he carried on the
Louis Gregory, pride (and) example (to meeting with joy and radiance.
the) Negro adherents (of the) Faith, keenly His body was laid to rest in the burying
feel loss (of) one so loved, admired (and) ground at Eliot, Maine. On Wednesday
trusted (by) 'Abdu'l-Bah5. Deserves rank afternoon, August 1, a Memorial Service
I N MER

was held at Fellowship House in the large strong and outstanding. In other words he
room which was filled to overflowing, not was a fine student, a lovely character and a
only with the members of the Eliot BahL'i person with a great mind which he devoted
Community but also with the many friends to the betterment of mankind. Those of us
who were attending the Green Acre Bahi'i who knew him well cannot but mourn his
School. In this room he had conducted loss, but there should be some comfort in
teaching meetings, fireside groups and con- the fact that he lived long and well, and
ferences on race amity, the subject so close those with whom he came in contact were
to his heart, and it seemed fitting that in and are better for their association with him.
this beautiful spot the prayers of the friends In fact, he was one of those who enriched
should pour forth in gratitude for such a the life of America."
wonderful life lived in their midst, and in Louis first heard about the BahL'i Faith
supplication for his eternal progress. while he was employed with the Govern-
On November 24, 1951, a memorial serv- ment, in 1908. He always spoke with great
ice was held in the BahB'i House of Wor- love and appreciation of the cultivated,
ship, Wilmette, Illinois, under the auspices southern white gentleman, a co-worker in
of the National Spiritual Assembly. It was the same department, who first brought the
attended by friends from various parts of Cause to his attention, saying: "I think that
the United States and Canada who had this is something that will interest you. I
come to pay tribute to this great soul. am too d d to investigate it. You are young
Louis Gregory was born in Charleston, and I would like you to do so." Although
South Carolina, June 6, 1874. His father this gentleman did not accept the Faith, he
died when he was five years of age; until was the means of putting Louis in contact
his mother married again matters were d f i - with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hannen, Bacult for her and her two sons, and they h s s of Washington, D.C., who taught him
were sometimes hungry. His stepfather was and exemplified in their lives the beauty of
kind to him and when he became a youth the Teachings, thereby attracting his heart.
apprenticed him to a tailor. Later his step- His first Tablet from 'Abdu'l-BahC came
father paid the expenses of his first year at through Mr. Hannen.
Fisk University, and Louis supported him- We know at present relatively little about
self and put himself through this univer- his childhood and youth. The picture of his
sity by obtaining scholarships, by work at mother reveals a person of great love and
cleaning, pressing and tailoring for the spiritual beauty. We have no picture of his
students, and sometimes working as a waiter father. When we realize how well prepared
during the summer vacations. Louis was for the Bahi'i teachings, we can
After he graduated from Fisk he taught well appreciate how deep and wide his inner
at Avery Institute, a small private school life had really been. There is no doubt that
maintained by people from the North to he was created with a great destiny and that
help students of exceptional intellectual ca- time would show that in the history of his
pacity. He had studied there as a young boy. race he would stand among its leaders. In
After this period of teaching he began the fact, in response to his letter to 'Abdu'lstudy of law at Howard University, receiv- Bahi telling of his acceptance of the Faith,
ing his LL.B. degree March 26, 1902. When 'Abdu'l-BahA called upon him to become the
he had passed the necessary examinations cause of guidance of both the white and the
he began the practice of law in Washington, colored races. In this beautiful Tablet
D.C., where he formed a partnership with 'Abdu'l-Bahi wrote:
another lawyer, James A. Cobb. They con- "0 Thou Wooer of Truth! Thy letter was
tinued as law partners until 1906, when received. Its contents indicated thy attain-
Louis took a position in the United States ment to the Most Great Guidance. Thank
Treasury Department. James A. Cobb, later God that thou hast attained to such a
appointed Judge of the District Court, has bounty, discovered the Path of the Kingdom
written of Louis Gregory: and received the Glad-Tidings of the Uni-
"It was my privilege to have known Mr. verse of the Most High. This Divine Be-
Gregory intimately from 1895 until a short stowal is conducive to the Everlasting Glory
time before his passing. I knew him as a in both worlds. I hope that thou mayest bestudent, teacher, practicing lawyer, lecturer come the Herald of the Kingdom, become
and friend, and in each capacity he was the means whereby the white and colored
T H E BAHA'I WORLD

peoples shall close their eyes to racial differ- Louis did not return directly to the
ences and behold the reality of humanity, United States but, at the request of 'Abdu'land that is the universal unity which is the Bah6, visited Germany amidst heavenly
oneness of the kingdom of the human race, confirmations. Of this we are assured, bethe basic harmony of the world and the ap- cause in a Tablet to one of the German
pearance of the Bounty of the Almighty. friends 'Abdu'l-Bahi wrote:
'"In brief, do not look upon thy weak "Your letter arrived and its contents
body and thy limited capacity; look thou showed that Mr. Gregory, by visiting the
upon the Bounties a.nd Providence of the Blessed Tomb, has received a new power
Lord of the Kingdom, for His confirmation and a new life. When he arrived at Stuttgart,
is great, and His Power unparalleled and although being of black color, yet he shone
incomparable. . . ." as a bright light in the meeting of the
With a heart full of longing, Louis asked friends. . . ."
permission to visit the Hcly Threshold, and Louis Gregory returned to the United
in reply he received another Tablet early States radiant and happy, filled with a zeal
in 1910: and a determination to bring to pass the ex-
..
". Thou hast asked for permission to pectations and hopes of 'Abdu'l-Bahb. He
present thyself in this Holy Land; it is not began a task which he pursued steadily until
at present in accord with wisdom. Postpone his death-to unify the white and colored
this matter to another and more appropriate peoples of the world and to aid in establishtime." ing the oneness of humanity.
However, through the Bounty of God the During the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahi in the
doors opened, and in 1911 when 'Abdu'l- United States in 1912 a luncheon in His
Bahi was in Ramleh, Egypt, Louis visited honor was given in Washington by MirzL
Him. He arrived in Ramleh on April 10, Ali-Kuli Khan and Madame Khan, who
1911. There and later in Haifa and 'Akki were both BahB'is. Khan was at that time
where he went to visit the sacred Shrines of charg6 d'affaires of the Persian Legation in
the Bib and BahL'u'ULh, he drank deeply the capital city. Many noted people were
from the ocean of inspiration, guidance and invited, some of whom were members of
steadfastness. His notes of this visit and ex- the official and social life of Washington, as
tracts from some Tablets he received from well as a few Bahgis. Just an hour before
'Abdu'l-Bahi were printed in a booklet en- the luncheon 'Abdu'l-BahL sent word to
titled A Heavenly Vista. Louis Gregory that he might come to Him
The words of 'Abdu'l-Bahi described this for the promised conference. Louis arrived
visit in Tablets written at that time, for it at the appointed time, and the conference
was apparent that this was not an ordinary went on and on; 'Abdu'l-Bahi seemed to
pilgrimage. To an American BahB'i 'Abdu'l- want to prolong it. When luncheon was an-
Bahi wrote: nounced, 'Abdu'l-Bahb led the way and all
"Mr. Gregory arrived with the utmost followed Him into the dining room, except
love and spirituality and returned with infi- Louis. All were seated when suddenly
nite happiness. He added to his faith and 'Abdu'l-Bahb stood up, looked all around,
found firmness and steadfastness. Undoubt- and then said to MirzL Khan, Where is Mr.
edly you shall see these things at the time of Gregory? Bring Mr. Gregory! There was
his arrival. It is my hope that he may be- nothing for Mirzi Khan to do but find Mr.
come the cause of increasing the love of the Gregory, who fortunately had not yet left
friends and the maid-servants of the Merci- the house, but was quietly waiting for a
ful." chance to do so. Finally Mr. Gregory came
To another 'Abdu'l-Bahi wrote: "Mr. into the room with Mirzi Khan. 'Abdu'l-
Gregory is at present in great happiness; he Bahi, Who was really the Host (as He was
went to 'AkkL and visited the Holy Thresh- wherever He was), had by this time rearold and the Supreme Court. He is now, day ranged the place setting and made room for
and night mingling with the friends of God Mr. Gregory, giving him the seat of honor
and 'Abdu'l-Bah6, in joy and gladness. He at His right. He stated He was very pleased
will return to America very soon, and you, to have Mr. Gregory there, and then, in the
the white people, should then honor and most natural way as if nothing unusual had
welcome this shining colored man in such a happened, proceeded to give a talk on the
way that all the people will be astonished." oneness of mankind.
I N MEMORIAM 669

Addressing Mr. and Mrs. Gregory in the of the Bahb'i National Committee for Race
early months of 1914 'Abdu'l-BahB wrote: Unity or as a member, and he was either
"0 ye two believing souls! Continually do I one or the other for a great many years, or
remember you. I beg of God that through as an individual, he was tireless in his acyou, good fellowship may be obtained be- tivities in promoting unity.
tween the white and colored races, for you Green Acre, in Eliot, Maine, was the
are the introduction to this accomplishment scene of many Unity Conferences at which
. . . I know also that your thought and prominent leaders shared the platform, with
mention by day and by night is the guidance Mr. Gregory, the moving force and the
of souls . . . white and black. Therefore organizer, oftentimes completely in the
be ye most happy, because ye are confirmed background. He never lost sight of the goal.
in this great matter." He was elected a member of the National
When Mrs. Agnes Parsons visited Spiritual Assembly and served faithfully for
'Abdu'l-BahB in the Holy Land in 1920 He many years. When he was elected, Shoghi
asked her to inaugurate, in Washington, Effendi wrote him that he welcomed his
D.C., the first Conference for Amity and election but that he wished him to concen-
Unity between the white and colored peo- trate, first and foremost, upon the teaching
ples. Assisted by a capable committee Mrs. work and to arrange his affairs in such a
Parsons organized this Conference. It was way that no administrative responsibilities
held in Washington, May 19-21, 1921, and would in any way interfere with the effecwas a great success, bringing together able tive conduct of his teaching work. This
and important representatives of both white Louis Gregory accomplished by arranging
and colored peoples. It became a prototype his teaching trips so that the itinerary alof many similar meetings held in cities large lowed him to attend the meetings of the Naand small throughout the United States and tional Spiritual Assembly.
Canada in the years to come. Mr. Gregory That his dependable, trustworthy and
was one of the speakers and reported the faithful services were appreciated is eviproceedings of the Conference in the Star of denced by the many letters he received from
the West? the Guardian through the years. He made
It is probable that no individual teacher the Guardian happy. In one of his letters
in the Faith has traveled more extensively Shoghi Effendi wrote:
throughout the United States than Mr. "Your letter has infused strength and joy
Gregory. Living in the utmost simplicity, in my heart . . . For your own dear self,
sacrificing at every turn, he spoke in I have nothing but admiration and gratitude
schools, colleges, churches, forums, confer- for the heroic constancy, mature wisdom,
ences and with individuals throughout the tireless energy and shining love with which
land. With a marvelous blending of humility you are conducting your ever expanding
and courage, of tenderness and adamantine work of service to the Cause of BahL'u'llbh.
firmness and steadfastness, he met high and You hardly realize what a help you are to
low, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, me in my arduous task."
and gave to them the cup of the Water of The capacities of Louis Gregory were
Life. He spoke in Protestant, Catholic and versatile, for he shone equally as a delegate
Jewish schools and before nondenomina- to the Convention, as secretary of the Contional groups, and everywhere he was ac- vention, as the recording secretary of the
cepted. National Spiritual Assembly, as a speaker
His radiant and gentle spirit opened the and as a writer. Articles by him appeared
doors for those who followed after him; in the Star of the West, The Bahd'i Magamany a B a h s teacher seeking an opening zine, the World Order Magazine, and in
to teach has been met with the words: "0 nearly every issue of The Bahd'i World.
yes! We know Mr. Gregory and we love These articles like the addresses he gave are
him. If you are a friend of his, you are wel- thoughtful, factual and filled with the spirit
come." of love and exaltation that characterized his
For more than thirty-five years Louis life.
Gregory was the mainspring behind the Twice at the invitation of the great Negro
work for Race Amity. Whether as chairman educator, Booker T. Washington, Louis
Gregory visited Tuskegee Institute and was
1 Vol. 12, p. 115, June, 1921. called upon to address the students on the
670 THE BAHA'I WORLD

Bahi'i Faith. Their response to the Bahi'i
ideals and principles was most enthusiastic.
Here he made the acquaintance of that outstanding Negro genius and man of God, Dr.
George Washington Carver, who showed
the utmost appreciation of the Faith. This
was the beginning of an increasingly rich
friendship. Whenever Mr. Gregory went to
Tuskegee, and he visited there many times,
he had understanding and sympathetic talks
with Dr. Carver in his famous laboratory
or in his room.
Louis Gregory's spiritual position was so
well centered in the Teachings and in his
complete obedience to 'Abdu'l-Bahi and
the Guardian that he held the banner of
oneness high in the heavens yet never became the subject of controversy. He showed
infinite patience, for his faith in the goal of
his hopes was such that he possessed a long
range view, and he met every opposition or
intolerance with understanding and radiant
acquiescence. His heart was full of fire but
heLknew the wishes of 'Abdu'l-BahB and Dorothy Beecher Baker.
transmuted that fire into brilliant light.
When a serious operation and increasing
bodily weakness curtailed his traveling and
he was obliged to stay in Eliot and be con- (for the) progress (of her) soul (in the)
tent with shorter trips, Louis Gregory Abhi Kingdom.
turned to correspondence and to a deeper Assure relatives profound loving sympastudy of the Teachings. His spiritual aware- thy. (Her) noble spirit (is) reaping bountiness became increasingly vivid. He lived ful reward.
again the high lights of his life. He drew Advise hold memorial gathering (in the)
ever nearer to the beloved of his heart, the Temple befitting her rank (and) imperish-
Guardian. In retrospect we realize that he able services . . .
was being prepared for that transition which -SHOGHI
came suddenly to a great personage, a great Haifa, Israel,
lover of all mankind, "golden-hearted" January 13, 1954.
Louis Gregory.
-HARLAN F. OBER Mystery of mysteries is the tragic British
jet plane disaster near the island of Elba in
the Mediterranean Sea, which, on January
10, 1954, deprived the Bahb'i Cause of
DOROTHY BEECHER BAKER Dorothy Baker's spiritually intelligent services in this world. Distinguished in her life
as a Hand of the Cause, an administrator,
Cablegram from the Guardian: a remarkably gifted teacher, she was lifted
Hearts grieved (at) lamentable, untimely out of her lofty position at the time when
passing (of) Dorothy Baker, distinguished she was in the full tide of her capacities for
Hand (of the) Cause, eloquent exponent service to our beloved Faith. Mere words
its teachings, indefatigable supporter its in- cannot express the quality of grief which
stitutions, valiant defender its precepts. afflicted Bahi'is on every continent. But a
(Her) long record (of) outstanding service life of genuine Bahi'i service so pure and
(has) enriched (the) annals (of the) con- beautiful had its effect on many lives, and,
cluding years (of the) Heroic (and the) even in this sudden passing to her Heavenly
opening epoch (of the) Formative Age (of Home, she proclaimed the Bah6'i Faith. The
the) BahB'i Dispensation. Fervently praying news of the disaster went round the world,
IN MEMORIAM

and undoubtedly millions of people heard Bahb. She had been a very shy child, sensithe word "BahCi" for the first time. tive to the point of deep suffering in the
Dorothy Beecher Baker was born in presence of adults. She was so shy that years
Newark, New Jersey, December 21, 1898. later she still remembered the tension she
Her father was related to Henry Ward Bee- felt when she entered the room where
cher, a liberal clergyman famous for his elo- 'Abdu'l-BahQ was speaking. He smiled at
quence on the subjects of the abolition of her, and without speaking to her directly,
slavery and prohibition, and to Harriet Bee- motioned her to a foot-stool at His side.
cher Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom's At first she was so much afraid that He
Cabin. Dorothy was graduated from the might speak to her that she could hardly
Montclair Normal College and thereafter bear it, but as He seemed to pay no further
taught in the public schools of Newark for attention to her, she gradually relaxed. She
two years. She was then offered a contract was never able to remember what He talked
to teach in the Ethical Culture School in about that day, but it was the moment of
New York but declined the offer and, in the her birth as a Bahi'i, and from that time on
summer of 1921, she was married to Frank she considered herself a BahCi. Although
Baker. They had two children, Louise Baker she left without speaking to Him, she could
Matthias and William, both of them com- think of nothing else for days afterward
prehending and loyal Bahi'is. Frank Baker and finally wrote Him a letter saying that
deserves much gratitude, for he stood by she wished to serve the Faith. He immedi-
Dorothy's side always, and, in his own mag- ately sent her a Tablet in His own hand,
nificent services and his support of Doro- translated by one of His secretaries which
thy's teaching activities, there was the ele- is now in the National Archives, in which
ment of true sacrifice. He told her that He would pray that God
In the early pioneering days of the Ba- would grant her desire.
h6'i Cause in New York City (1900-1905), A few nights after that meeting in
I was closely associated with Dorothy's New York, 'Abdu'l-BahQ sent for Mother
grandmother, known to the BahCis as Beecher, who went to Him immediately.
Mother Beecher. We worked together, ar- When she entered the room He was speakranging the programs and meetings at Gen- ing to some people but interrupted what
ealogical Hall and in many other activities. He was saying, turned to her, and said,
Mother Beecher was an elderly person even rather abruptly: "I called you to say that
then. She lived near us, and I used to see your granddaughter is My own daughter.
her practically every day in connection with You must train her for Me."
our BahCi duties. I loved to hear her dwell This rare and lovely soul was almost a
on her religious experiences. Her stories perfect student; she studied the Bah6'i
were without end. Teachings in such a way (that is, with both
After Dorothy had grown to a little girl, mind and heart) that one would think her
Mother Beecher was full of anxiety, at very life depended on her being filled to
times, about her. Dorothy's parents were overflowing with the Revelation of BahL'uY-
not BahCis then, although now they are 1lQh.She often said something to this effect:
both active in the Faith, and Mother Nothing worth knowing is attained without
Beecher would say to me: "I will train Dor- labor, tremendous effort, and undivided atothy; I will train her. She shall be my spirit- tention. She always felt sure that she was to
ual child. I would not be loyal to Bah2uy1IQh go forth to service and that her duty would
if my granddaughter did not receive the be to give out "thoughts that breathe." She
true Bahi'i Teachings." She said this so often said that she wished her service would
many times that it has remained indelibly "kindle the feelings" and touch the hearts.
impressed upon me. She certainly attained this wish, for as a
We have heard much about this mystispeaker in small or large groups, she was
cal bond which brought grandmother and
granddaughter together; and indeed it was eloquent, persuasive, and convincing. She
Mother Beecher who trained Dorothy and also had that quality of personality so necesbrought her safely into the BahL'i fold. sary for a public speaker, inimitable charm.
Louise Baker Matthias tells how in 1912 But the most important quality, which was
Mother Beecher took Dorothy, then four- ever present, and which strangers as well as
teen years old, to New York to see 'Abdu'l- friends could observe, was that of sincerity
672 T H E B A H A.'I W O R L D

-her pure sincerity. She was an ardent Ba- the Islands), always working directly under
h2i first, last, and all the time. the Guardian's instructions. He conferred
Her first talk before the public was given upon her the station of Hand of the Cause,
in Foundation Hall of the Temple, probably and in the last years of her life she promptly
about 1929, at a Ridvkn Feast. I shall never and joyously followed his direct instructions
forget how the friends rejoiced in her "aris- to her. The story of her services in the couning," as they called it; in fact she was sur- tries below the borders of the United States
rounded, both before and after this talk, and will one day be a very thrilling record of
one could hear the comments about the at- magnificent work in the Most Great Cause.
tainment of Mother Beecher's granddaugh- She must have had an unusual capacity for
ter. It produced a profound sensation be- associating with, and reaching the hearts of,
cause most of the friends did not know that the Latin people. They loved her enthusi-
Dorothy had become (among all the young asm, her methods, her personality, her spirpeople) one of the best informed on the itual knowledge and achievements. She will
Bahi'i Teachings. From that time on, the certainly be a cherished star in their memevolution of this Bahb'i speaker was rapid, ory forever.
phenomenal. She was wanted everywhere. Mrs. Margot Worley, Chairman of the
Soon thereafter she became very promi- National Bahi'i Assembly of South Amernent in inter-racial work and as a traveling ica, has sent us the following tribute:
teacher, covering first one part and then "We were stunned at the news of Doroanother of this country and Canada, speak- thy's tragic end, and our hearts felt the treing before large audiences. One year she mendous void and loss. Ever since the news
proclaimed the BahC'i Teachings in ninety of her passing reached us, the Bahia, Brazil,
colleges throughout the South, and she fear- Bahb'i Community has been praying for
lessly spoke in every one of them (both her. . . . We of South America can never
white and Negro) on the Bahi'i doctrine of forget Dorothy, nay, she now stands close
the brotherhood of man. "The future must to our hearts as never before. Her first visit
be quite different from the past," she would to us was when she brought experience and
say; and then she would enlarge upon this wisdom to our Fourth Congress, held in
theme. "We must recognize and live in ac- Lima, Peru. We felt childlike in her prestual deeds as well as in words this great ence, for truly we were all so young and
brotherhood." She never failed to give the puny by comparison, our knowledge so
Source of her Light as the Revelation of scanty and vague. All through that Congress
Bah2uYllih. She served always with zeal, each soul grew and developed, whether it
determination, sincerity, and a logic unan- was aware of it or not. Dorothy laid the
swerable. Her own faith was so intense, so World Order at our feet, and by her clear
elevating, so noble, that she certainly could explanations, brought us step by step to
easily be called one of the "vivifiers" of the where you dear souls stood. . . . We had
world. a glimpse, as it were, of the glory of Baht?-
We are not attempting to write here a u'llih's handiwork and of Shoghi Effendi's
complete history of Dorothy Baker's life, guidance . . .
but even briefly we must not fail to mention "We must confess we almost stood in
her many services at the Bahi'i Summer awe in Dorothy's presence. We know she
Schools: Green Acre, Louhelen, Interna- had ample preparation for her great work
tional School in Colorado Springs. She gave and that she stood as a shining example to
courses on the BahC'i Teachings in all these us all. When once again she was with us at
schools, and reports from those in attend- Buenos Aires for our Second Convention,
ance invariably referred to her influence on April, 1952, she stood before us in a differthe young people; they would gather around ent capacity. Shoghi Effendi had just conher, asking questions and trying to imbibe ferred upon her the station of Hand of the
some of her enthusiasm. They did not just Cause of God. Upon her beamed a differadmire her, but they had for her esteem and ent light and her countenance was radiant
reverence and love. . . . Her prayers were felt surrounding us;
In the course of time our beloved Guard- her strong sense of duty threw a different
ian sent her to Latin America. She not only light upon our tasks, and we of South Amermade one teaching tour there, but several ica came to understand that we were liv-
(including Central and South America and ing in precious times. . . . Dorothy again
I N MEMORIAM 673

guided us in our decisions, helped us with questions intelligently and with entire conour plans, encouraged us with advice and fidence in the Teachings she proclaimed.
understanding. She showed us how the dear She had many personal interviews and prifriends in North America had sacrificed vate Bahi'i meetings in nearly every city
over the years and had helped establish the she visited. We have often heard her quote
Faith throughout the Bahi'i world. Dorothy these words of Bahi'u'lliih: "This is a
had the gift of pointing out the way to sac- matchless Day. Matchless must, likewise, be
rifice, the way to earn the right of being the tongue that celebrateth the praise of the
known as a Bahi'i and thus become 'the Desire of all nations, and matchless the
supreme moving impulse in the world of deed that aspireth to be acceptable in His
being.' sight."
"Dorothy took part in every service our For sixteen years, although she was enbeloved Faith offered her; she had visited gaged so actively in the teaching work, she
the Guardian, stepped upon the Thresholds served on the National Spiritual Assembly
of the Holy Shrines, prayed where Bah2- and was its chairman for four years. As a
u'lliih had spent His last days. Can any soul Hand of the Cause of God, she attended the
ask for more!" four Intercontinental Conferences during
Artemus Lamb, of the Central American the Holy Year of the Cause and was a
National Spiritual Assembly, has written: speaker on the public programs of all of
"Her influence in Central America is most them. After the New Delhi Conference, in
powerful, and at the same time mysterious, the last months of her life, she made an arfor in reality she spent only a few days here duous teaching trip through India.
on several occasions; yet all loved her A letter from Doris McKay, pioneer in
deeply and feel dependent upon her like Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, conchildren to a mother. After her passing, tains a tribute to Dorothy Baker and an inmany have written to say that her influence teresting account of her first meeting with
is both felt and seen more powerfully than Martha Root. ". . . It was on a visit to
ever . . . Letters have poured in from all Jamestown, N.Y., in, I think, 1936, that
sides. On the night of February 19, all the Dorothy met Martha Root, another of her
Central American Assemblies and Groups kind. I sat with Martha at a table in the
have been requested to hold a Memorial dining room of the Y.W.C.A., waiting for
Service in her honor. What tribute could Dorothy to join us. 'How very strange,' I
be higher to that great and lovely soul that said to Martha, 'that you and Dorothy
was and is Dorothy than that a whole Conti- have never met!' Then the doors opened,
nent of believers love her like a mother and and Dorothy's fragrance and light moved
sister and are now arising to new and through the room toward Martha's tender
greater service to the Faith in her memory glow. We arose and went to meet her, and
and to try in their way to make up for the Dorothy's outstretched hands met Martha's.
crushing loss which they feel?" Not a word was spoken in this moment too
Dorothy Baker also visited many Centers great for words. At the table we talked,
in the goal countries of Europe and was a Dorothy clad in a deep and listening huspeaker on the public programs of many mility. For a few days the two great stars
Bahfi Conferences. Of course her eloquent were in conjunction as they devoted themand persuasive presentation of the Faith selves to us and to our friends. . . . In the
won for her the plaudits of strangers and Supreme Concourse we have a recently arfriends; and letters indicate that they longed rived delegate from this world. Because of
for her services, her continued rich blessings her 'the world to come' is closer to all of
from the Court of the Divine King. us who earnestly wish it. . . ."
The Master said: "The most efficient cap- The crowning event in her almost miracuital of the Bahi'i teacher is the Divine lous life in the Cause was her pilgrimage
Power. With that alone he may conquer the to the presence of our beloved Guardian in
cities of the hearts." She seemed always to Haifa; this was during the first part of 1953.
have that necessary confirmation. When any She had asked permission a few times prepublic meeting anywhere was open for ques- viously to be allowed this pilgrimage, but
tions from the audience after the address, each time it was deferred because her teach-
Dorothy was equal to what we might call a ing work was of such great importance. In
pressure from all sides. She could answer all a letter to me about this visit, she said:
674 THE BAHA'I W O R L D

"I would not attempt to write the real fearlessness by none except (the) incomthings, the things of the heart, but I can say parable Martha Root. Her unremitting,
this, that the Glory of the Cause, its gran- highly-meritorious activities (in the) course
deur, shines like the sun; and as for our be- (of) almost half (a) century, both (in)
loved Guardian; he is at times a servant, North America (and) Southeast Europe, atand again a king,; and he is at once the point taining (their) climax (in the) darkest, most
of all joy and again the nerve center of suf- dangerous phase (of the) second World
fering. One does not accept part of him and War, shed imperishable luster (on) contemrefuse part. He is, alas, a ransom; we are his porary Bahb'i history.
beneficiaries. He suffers the grief of the (This) triumphant soul (is) now gathered
Prophets, and yet is the 'true brother.' And (to the) distinguished band (of her) coas he casts himself into the sea of sacrifice, workers (in the) Abhg Kingdom: Martha
he is willing to cast us, one and all, into Root, Lua Getsinger, May Maxwell, Hyde
that shining sea also. America is the lead Dunn, Susan Moody, Keith Ransom-Kehhorse. He drives a chariot that must win ler, Ella Bailey (and) Dorothy Baker, whose
over the combined forces of the world. He remains, lying (in) such widely scattered
cracks the whip over the lead horse, not the areas (of the) globe as Honolulu, Cairo,
others. Do the friends not realize this? The Buenos Aires, Sydney, Tihrgn, IsfBhin,
pilgrimage begins when you take his hand, Tripoli (and the) depths (of the) Mediterand ends when you last look upon his dear ranean (Sea) attest the magnificence (of
face, and in between you kneel at the the) pioneer services rendered (by the)
Shrines and ask for divine direction to serve North American Bahb'i community (in the)
him. And when your prayer is answered, Apostolic (and) Formative Ages (of the)
there is no doubt about it at all; a thousand Bahb'i Dispensation.
mercies circle around such an answer, and Advise arrange (in) association (with
the Guardian is in the center of them all." the) Canadian National Assembly (and
The Master said: "The service of the the) European Teaching Committee (a)
friends belongs to God and not to them." befitting memorial gathering (in the) Ma-
Dorothy Baker's services belonged to God. &riqu'l-AakCr. Moved (to) share with
He chose her for furthering the great Plan (the) United States (and) Canadian Naof the Ages. She had ceaseless, tireless en- tional Assemblies (the) expenses (of the)
ergy and used it to carry the Divine Reme- erection, (as) soon as circumstances permit,
dies to a drifting world. But her place is (of a) worthy monument (at) her grave,
empty. There is no one at present who pos- destined (to) confer eternal benediction (on
sesses quite the same qualities. That which a) country already honored (by) its close
will remain with us who knew her so well proximity (to the) sacred city associated
will always be her freshness and vigor, her (with the) proclamation (of the) Faith
lucidity in teaching the Bahi'i Faith, and (of) Bahi'u'lllh.
her power to reach the hearts. Her assur- Share message all National Assemblies.
ance, born of the spirit and of true knowl- -SHOGHI
edge of the Teachings, made her a magnifi- Haifa, Israel,
cent demonstration of the power of the re- March 29, 1954.
vealed Word in this age.
-MARIAM HANEY Marion Jack, "immortal heroine," "shining example to pioneers," passed from this
life on March 25, 1954, in Sofia, Bulgaria,
where she had been living for twenty-four
MARION JACK years as a pioneer of the Bahb'i Faith. Her
remains are buried in the British cemetery
there. The Guardian's tribute, expressed in
Cablegram from the Guardian: his cablegram of March 29, attests the high
Mourn loss (of) immortal heroine, Mar- station which this "triumphant soul" has
ion Jack, greatly-loved and deeply-admired attained.
by 'Abdu'l-BahS, (a) shining example (to) Marion Jack's services in the BahB'i Faith
pioneers (of) present (and) future genera- began early in the new century. Born in
tions (of) East (and) West, surpassed (in) Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, on
constancy, dedication, self-abnegation (and) December 1, 1866, of a prominent family,
dedicated to the service of the Faith. She
spent some time in 'Akki and was there in
1908, where she taught English to 'Abdu'l-
Bahi's grandchildren. She continued her
painting while she was there.
By 1914 she had retnrned to North
America. She was one of the first to respond to the call of the Divine Plan of
'Abdu'l-Bahb, performing pioneer service
in Alaska and teaching in Toronto, Montreal, and many other places. She also spent
a good deal of time in Green Acre, Eliot,
Maine, helping with the teaching work at
the Bahs'i School and continuing her painting.
Many friends remember this joyous,
wholly dedicated soul from those days. Impressed by her gracious charm, her understanding, her twinkling sense of humor, everyone who recounts some association with
her does so with a smile which seems to
Marion Jack.. spring spontaneously from the mention of
her name. "Jackie," as she was affectionately called, was ageless in her complete
she received much of her education in Eng- at-home-ness with young and old alike, was
land and partict~larlyin France, where she beloved wherever she went, drawing all to
studied art. Landscape painting was her spe- her and to each other through the quality
cial field. Some of her paintings are pre- of her faith, love and devotion to the Cause
served in the Holy Land at the World Cen- and to her beloved Guardian.
ter of the Faith. One of her Green Acre friends writes:
She first learned of the Faith at a social "She was such a lovely person-so joyous
gathering during her student days in Paris. and happy that one loved to be with her.
Charles Mason Renley writes of this first Her shining eyes and beautiful smile showed
introduction : how much the BahB'i Faith meant to her
"My first remembrance of Marion Jack . . . We used to love to go to her studio
was when we were students in the Latin and talk with her, also to see her paintings
Quarter in Paris. She was studying painting, of the Holy Land and familiar Green Acre
I, architecture, and I used to see her in the landscapes. . . . She always entered into
'Quarter' along the boulevard on Mont any plan with zest. . . . If we could all
Parnasse. In the Quarter lived a Mme. Phi- radiate happiness as did Jackie, I am sure
lippe who kept a Pension where a number we would attract more people to the Faith."
of girl students lived. Mme. Philippe gave In 1930 Marion Jack returned to Haifa
dancing parties at infrequent intervals. It and following this visit went to Sofia, Bulwas at one of these affairs, a fancy dress garia, where she spent the remainder of her
dance, that I met Marion. She was dressed life. During the earlier years of this period
in a fiery red costume that she had made she attended the German Summer School
herself of crinkled tissue paper topped off and undertook teaching missions to Vienna
by an enormous 'Merry Widow' hat deco- and Budapest. In Sofia she held frequent
rated with large yellow paper flowers . . . meetings that were well attended by people
It was as we danced and sat out between of prominence and capacity. As World
dances that I told Marion of the BahL'i War I1 approached, and all who could fled
Faith. She was, as many were in those early the country, the Guardian suggested that
days, afire with the Faith then and there, all she go to Switzerlalld or to some safer place.
at once. Marion met the BahL'is, came to She pleaded to be allowed to remain at her
meetings in my studio and elsewhere, and post, preferring, as she put it, to "remain
that was the beginning of her belief." at the switch." Living on a small pension,
From this time forward, her life was which did not always reach her in recent
676 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

years, suffering serious deprivation, aged cial State Religion, the Greek Orthodox
and in poor health, she remained at her Church, and only a few other religions were
post. It was not without reason that 'Abdu'l- permitted, like Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran,
Bahg used to call her "General Jack." Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and Isliim.
One of the friends writes of these days: Every Faith that was not permitted was
"She was much sought out and beloved forbidden and meetings like ours were illeeverywhere she went. As the so-called Iron gal. State employees had to sign loyalty
curiain dropped, fewer people attended her oaths stating their adherence to the legal
meetings because of fear of the government. Faith and we had one girl who worked for
Towards the end of her life even her closest the government.
friends no longer went to see her, except one "When World War I1 broke out, Marion
BahCi. . . . During the last months of her had to discontinue her meetings. Sofia besevere illness, I wrote Miss Jack almost ev- came the center of European spy systems.
ery week and in her last letter she bade me Neither she nor I ( a German citizen of
goodbye, hoping for a reunion in the King- secondary quality) could dare to be seen
dom. When Miss Jack still corresponded, together. I kept contact with her indirectly
her letters were always cheerful, most spirit- through 'neutral' Bulgarian citizens. She
ual and even humorous. . . . The British was in financial difficulties because her
Consulate called her 'our friend.' . . . She funds did not get to her. But her spirit was
was a consecrated BahB'i teacher, full of unbroken.
charm, understanding, gaiety and humor." "In October, 1940, when I finally got my
One of her devoted students, who became visa for the United States, I dared to call
a BahCi through her, writes of the later her on the phone and even to see her. She
years in Sofia: had moved to a cheaper hotel. Her room
"I met Miss Jack in June, 1938, in Sofia. was probably too small for two people and
I had left Austria when Hitler took over we met in the hotel lobby. I told her of my
and found a temporary position in Sofia, plan to go to the United States by the comwaiting for my visa to the United States. I plicated way, crossing the Black Sea to
noticed her in the restaurant where I took Odessa, through Russia on the Trans-Sibemy luncheon and she impressed me immedi- rian Railroad and across the Pacific from
ately with her friendly smile that she had Japan to the United States. I invited her to
for everybody. One day when her regular come along and promised that I would take
waiter who spoke English had his day off, care of her. But she declined. She told me
the hostess asked me to serve as interpreter that the Guardian had permitted her to go
and from that day on, I shared the luncheon to Switzerland rather than to wait for the
table with her regularly. It did not take long German invasion in Bulgaria which was exbefore she invited me to join a small group pected daily. She considered it her duty to
of her friends with whom she had discus- stay in Sofia and would neither seek secusions in her hotel room, and that was how rity in Switzerland nor in her native Canada,
I met the Faith. nor the United States.
"Her room was a museum, full of her "We exchanged letters until Bulgaria bepictures, books and papers all over. We sat came part of the Iron Curtain and she indiwherever there was some place-on 'the' cated that it was too dangerous to receive
chair, the bed, on the floor, and she always my letters and to write to me."
had some refreshments for her guests. The In a letter dated June 17, 1954, to the
discussions on the Faith were handicapped National Spiritual Assembly of the BahPis
by the complicated language question. Mar- of the British Isles, the Guardian, through
ion had no BahCi literature in the Bulgarian his secretary, extols the standard set by
language, few people understood English, Marion Jack as a pioneer:
and her favored book, 'Abdu'l-Bah2s Paris "To remain at one's post, to undergo sac-
Talks, had to be translated by one person rifice and hardship, loneliness and, if necesfrom French into German or English and sary, persecution, in order to hold aloft the
by somebody else into Bulgarian. It was torch of BahPu'll6h, is the true function of
fun, but how much of the original spirit every pioneer.
remained was questionable. "Let them remember Marion Jack, who
"Marion had to be very careful in the for over twenty years, in a country the lanchoice of her guests. Bulgaria had one offi- guage of which she never mastered; during
IN MEMORIAM 677

war and bombardment; evacuation and pov- know of, and turn their gaze to, Marion
erty; and at length, serious illness, stuck to Jack."
her post, and has now blessed the soil of As requested by the Guardian, a Memothe land she had chosen to serve at such cost rial gathering was held for Marion Jack in
with her precious remains, every atom of the BahL'i House of Worship in Wilmette,
which was dedicated to BahL'u'llLh. Perhaps Illinois, the program prepared by the Nathe friends are not aware that the Guard- tional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of
ian, himself, during the war on more than the United States in association with the
one occasion urged her to seek safety in Canadian National Bah6'i Assembly and the
Switzerland rather than remain behind en- European Teaching Committee, on July 3,
emy lines and be entirely cut off. Lovingly 1954. Among the over two hundred Bahi'is
she pleaded that he would not require her attending were representatives from the Cato leave her post; and he acquiesced to her nadian Bahi'i Community. To permit more
request. Surely the standard of Marion Jack of the Canadian Bahi'is to share in a Meshould be borne in mind by every pioneer!" morial to Marion Jack, a time had been set
In a letter to the European Teaching aside at the Canadian National Bahi'i Con-
Committee, dated May 24, 1954, through vention, on May 1, 1954, for the Canadian
his secretary, the Guardian also stressed the friends to gather for commemoration and
quality of Marion Jack's services to the prayers.
Cause and the heroic conditions under In their tribute to Marion Jack, published
which she lived and worked: by the National Spiritual Assembly of the
"He would suggest that, when writing to BahQ'is of Canada as an insert to their Bathe European centers, you share with the hci'i News of April, 1955, are cited the folbelievers the glorious example of the life lowing Words b f ~ a h i ' u ' l l ~ h(Gleanings,
of Marion Jack. Young or old could never v. 319):
find a more inspiring pioneer in whose "When the victory arriveth, every man
footsteps to walk, than this wonderful soul. shall profess himself as believer and shall
"For over thirty years, with an enlarged hasten to the shelter o f God's Faith. Happy
heart, and many other ailments she re- are they who in the days of world-encommained at her post in Bulgaria. Never well- passing trials have stood fast in the Cause
to-do, she often suffered actual poverty and and refused to swerve from the Faith."
want: want of heat, want of clothing, want
of food, when her money failed to reach
her because Bulgaria had come under the
Soviet zone of influence. She was bombed, EDWARD B. KINNEY
lost her possessions, she was evacuated, she
lived in drafty, cold dormitories for many,
many months in the country, she returned, "Grieve passing dearly loved, highly advaliant, to the capital of Bulgaria after the mired, greatly trusted, staunch, indefatigawar and continued, on foot, to carry out ble, self-sacrificing teacher, pillar (of)
her teaching work. Faith, Saffa Kinney. His leonine spirit, ex-
"The Guardian himself urged her emplary steadfastness, notable record (of)
strongly, when the war first began to services enriched annals (of) closing period
threaten to cut her off in Bulgaria, to go to Heroic Age (and) opening phase Forma-
Switzerland. She was a Canadian subject, tive Age (of) Bahi'i Dispensation. Bountiand ran great risks by remaining, not to ful reward assured (in) AbhL Kingdom bemention the dangers and privations of war. neath shadow (of) Master he loved so
However, she begged the Guardian not to dearly, served so nobly, defended so heroiinsist, and assured him her one desire was to cally until last breath."
remain with her spiritual children. This she -SHOGHI
did, up to the last breath of her glorious Cablegram dated December 16, 1950.
life. Her tomb will become a national
shrine, immensely loved and revered, as the Edward B. Kinney (beloved Saffa) was
Faith rises in stature in that country. born of an old New York family in the
"He thinks that every Bah6'i and most spring of 1863, the spring of Bah6'u711ih's
particularly those who have left their homes epoch-making Declaration in the Ridvin.
and gone to serve in foreign fields, should As though by coming at such a moment
678 THE BAHA'I WORLD

into the world, Saffa was gifted with unusual genius. His genius found two channels of expression-in this material world
through the greatest of all arts, music, with
its spiritual source; in the region of the soul
through that purest evidence of faith which
the human spirit can manifest: an immediate recognition of the Messenger of God
and a life wholly devoted to Him.
"Saffa was so human," said a friend after
he passed from this life into that other
where his heart was centered. And perhaps
when we think of him now, we think first
of that endearing humanness of his-fiery
and rash and vigorous and with a rollicking
sense of humor. But, above and beyond his
temperament and character was his power
of love, caught directly from the heart of
'Abdu'l-BahL, on whom his heart was so
passionately fixed.
It was my inestimable privilege to be with
the Kinneys in 'Akki in 1909. One day
when we were lunching with 'Abdu'l-Bahh
He turned to Saffa an; said that He had Edward B. ("Saffa") Kinney.
answered the questions of all, now Mr.
Kinney was left.
Saffa replied, tears in his eyes: "There is
only one question in my soul, How can I BahL'is from East and West met-from Perlove you more?" sia and India, from Honolulu and Califor-
And the Master replied that He would nia and all the points between-and where
answer later. many a BahL'i, in greater financial straits
He told Saffa, too, on that occasion that even than the Kinneys, found a shelter.
his home would be one of the heavenly con- There were times when every couch in that
stellations and that the stars would gather real home was occupied.
there. Blows came that were harder to bear
Later, in Haifa, while SaEa and his wife than poverty. They had two remarkable
were sitting at night with 'Abdu'l-Bahh on children who died in their early youth, Santhe porch of His house, He began to talk ford and Howard, leaving them with only
of poverty to them. He vividly described one son, Donald. Yet even such bitter conthe actual want of BahVu'llLh after all His ditions (to use words spoken to them by
wealth had been swept away, and the dep- 'Abdu'l-Bah6) tasted sweet to them.
rivations and sufferings of His family, and But before the collapse of their finances
He ended with the words: and the death of the two boys, the joy of
May God give you the treasure of the this family rose to a peak when, in the
Kingdom, the breaths of the Holy Spirit. spring of 1912, 'Abdu'l-BahL visited the
If, perchance, you are overtaken by pov- United States and spent much of His time
erty, let it not make you sad. At best, you in their home, receiving there many of His
will then become companions of Christ. countless visitors.
In a few years poverty did overtake them. In Haifa 'Abdu'l-Bah6 had given to Mr.
They found themselves wholly dependent Kinney the name Saffa, the Persian word
on Saffa's earnings as a musician-the un- meaning rock. One day in the autumn He
certain income of an artist. But in spite of took Saffa for a long walk in the strip of
their precarious existence their indomitable park along Riverside Drive, New York City.
faith triumphed to fulfill that other proph- Suddenly 'Abdu'l-BahL stood still on the
ecy made by 'Abdu'l-Bah5. Their home be- path and looking deep into Saffa's eyes
came indeed as a heavenly constellation in asked in heart-piercing tones: Do you love
which the stars gathered, a center where the me? Do you love me? Do you love me?-
I N MEMORIAM

words very much like those Jesus spoke to it a sustained, lavish measure of spiritual
Peter. In Saffa the qualities of rock were light and guidance. Also his work and memevident-fiery and impetuous in his early ory are closely bound up with the latter
life, rising at last to serene heights and at- Age on whose threshold he lingered for well
taining profound humility, steadfast to the nigh three decades and distinguished himend and, in this great Day, never for a self as a redoubtable champion of the
moment wavering in his steadfastness. Cause, as a capable international teacher
After 'Abdu'l-BahL had departed from and as one whose untiring effort for the
this life and His Last Will and Testament spiritual regeneration of his countrymen
became known, Saffa again proved his ever- will long be remembered and admired.
lasting faithfulness. After his grief at loss Moreover, the crowning period of his life,
of the beloved Master had abated, He per- immortalized by being spent in the presence
ceived in "the youthful Branch, Shoghi Ef- of 'Abdu'l-BahL, imparts to his whole career
fendi" the resurrection of the Covenant, and a unique and fascinating quality.
in the Administrative Order the establish- Twice during 'Abdu'l-BahB's ministry Dr.
ment of the Kingdom of God on earth. With Youness Afruu~tihwent on pilgrimage to
unabated zeal and love and the deepest 'AkkL. The first journey took place about
spiritual insight Saffa served this great five years after BahB'u'll&h's ascension and
Cause till the last hours of his life. In his lasted for a few months. Then again in
blessed home, as the friends gathered there, April, 1900, he set out, at the Master's
the wings of the Covenant were stirring gracious invitation, on his second visit to
above us and the presence of 'Abdu'l-BahL the Holy Land where he stayed for nearly
was living in our midst. nine years and served the Master as secre-
The Guardian wrote him the tenderest tary and interpreter in a spirit of loving
letters, and at last came one designating adoration. In those difficult and turbulent
Saffa and Vaffa Kinney pillars of the Faith years when the Covenant-breakers were
in the City of the Covenant. feverishly engaged in subversive activities
-JULIET THOMPSON against 'Abdu'l-BahL, he vindicated the
strength of his character by assuming a leading r6le in defending the Covenant and in
reassuring the pilgrim and resident believers
who seemed to be extremely alarmed and
DR. YOUNESS AFRUKHTIH agitated at that time.
He was like a solid rock, firm and imper-
A being endowed with rare powers and turbable, a haven of refuge for the stormqualities, gifted and uplifted beyond the tossed and the weak. Always in time of
average level-a real survivor of the Heroic adversity he behaved with dignified compo-
Age. This definition, though brief, may help sure. Neither taunts of the disdainful nor
to convey to the reader's mind a faint im- threats of the malicious nor events of the
pression of Dr. Youness Afrukhtih's immor- most perplexing nature could ever disturb
tal personality. his lucid mind or daunt his courage in pro-
In the springtime of youth while adrift in claiming the Cause of God among men. The
search of Truth on the stormy ocean of services he rendered to the Faith were great,
life, the tide and wind of destiny brought so were the blessings he received in return.
him close to the divine Ark of salvation to Indeed, the measure of love and kindness
which he clung tenaciously and within lavished on him by the Master was so great
which he found abiding security and hap- that it did not fail to excite the envy of the
piness, a new outlook on life and a Cause so friends around him. A cursory glance at
momentous that he remained dedicated to it his Memoirs as well as the perusal of the
to the very end of his days. wonderful Tablets revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bah6
His allotted span of years covered a pe- in his name will amply show this fact.
riod of no less than eight decades. It trav- By profession Dr. Youness Khan was a
ersed, so to speak, the fringes of both the physician. He studied medicine at the Pres-
Heroic and the Formative Ages of our byterian College, Beirut, and after receiving
Faith. His life remains closely linked with his diploma he returned to Persia where,
the former, since he flourished and strug- through efficient and systematic practice, he
gled in it and at the same time derived from proved himself a highly proficient physician.
680 THE BAHA'I WORLD

They depict some aspects of the life of the
Master during the most dramatic period of
his ministry-the dark decade prior to the
overthrow of the despotic Ottoman regime
-and dwell on the nature as well as the
magnitude of the Covenant-breakers' evil
deeds and intrigues.
Dr. Youness Khan's memory will ever remain associated with the compilation of the
wonderful book Some Answered Questions
in recognition of the valuable service he
was privileged to render as interpreter between the Master and Laura Barney at those
historic luncheon talks. A vivid impression
as to the manner in which these talks were
given can be gained from the relevant account in his Memoirs from which the following interesting passages are quoted:
"The Master would sit at the head of the
dinner table while Laura Barney usually sat
on His left and Ethel Rosenberg took the
seat next to her. Also about eight or nine
other pilgrims and residents were present.
I used to sit beside the Master. facing" Laura
Dr. Youness Afrukhtih. Barney, rendering first her questions into
Persian, then the answers given by the Master into English, while Ethel Rosenberg
For some time he served as medical officer noted down both the questions and answers
in the Sehat Hospital founded in 1909 by in English." (The original words uttered by
a group of Bah6'i doctors with the collabo- the Master were simultaneously written
ration of Dr. S. Moody, representing the down by MirzA Munir.) ". . . Since the
Persian-American Ed~~cational Society. nourishment of the spirit was given priority
Dr. Youness Khan was a distinguished over that of the body, it often happened
speaker who combined eloquence and wit that eating was delayed. The Master when
in a masterly and graceful manner. The elucidating the problems used to speak in
hearer, far from losing interest or growing such a manner that the hearer would be
weary, would always welcome his talk as a enchanted. One day when He was insisting
treat, as a source of delight and inspiration. that I should first eat and then speak, and
His power of concentration was such that I was deeply engrossed in the subject under
it was well within his compass to speak con- discussion, He asked Laura what was the
tinuously for hours on a given subject with- English word for 'mutarjim'; she said 'inout notes. And not only was he a gifted terpreter.' Again He asked what was the
orator but also in the arena of literary work word for 'gorosneh.' She said 'hungry.'
he moved with remarkable confidence and Thereupon 'Abdu'l-BahA, pointing at me,
distinction. His writings possess peculiar exclaimed: 'Hungry interpreter! Hungry incharm and reveal to a considerable degree terpreter!' I enjoyed this remark immensely
the author's touch of genius as well as his and wonder what would some one else have
genuine love for the Cause. Notable among done if he were in my place. I adopted this
his work is the interesting diary he wrote
kingly title for myself and had it engraved
about his teaching trip to Europe published
under the title "Irtibat-i-Kharq va Charb" on a seal, thus overlooking the term 'Jinib-i-
(Union of the East and West). K_hLn' which 'Abdu'l-BahL always used in
However, his wonderful Memoirs (un- referring to me."
published) concerning the years he spent in The intervening years between 'Abdu'lthe presence of the Master constitute his BahS's passing and the outbreak of the secmost precious gift to posterity and a valu- ond World War saw Dr. Afrukhtih rise to
able contribution to the history of our Faith. the plenitude of his teaching career. In 1925
IN MEMORIAM 681

he embarked on a trip to America where ELLA GOODALL COOPER
his presence aroused immense enthusiasm
among the friends. Then four years later he
set out on an extensive tour of Europe ''0 thou jewel of the spirit!" Thus did
where he addressed many groups and so- 'Abdu'l-Bah6 address this angelic being, one
cieties and brought to the friends in that of the rare gems in the diadem of the Kingcontinent a clearer insight into the spiritual dom. Aunt Ella, as she was fondly known
significance as well as the administrative to her many devoted friends around the
principles of our Faith. Also his visit, mark- world, was one of that rapidly diminishing
ing the culmination of his teaching activi- treasure of precious souls who have entered
ties, proved highly useful in fostering a the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bah6, and who are
sense of love and fellowship between the possessed of that unique quality of spirit
BahB'is of the East and West and in bring- known only among those who were touched
ing the Cause to the attention of many by the magic wand of that Divine Alcheenlightened people in Europe. mist. Hers was an enchanting spirit of ex-
In the c o n d ~ ~ coft the administrative af- quisite grace, whose gentleness, warmth and
fairs of the Faith, Dr. Youness Khan's generosity were showered continuously on
services were by no means less remarkable. all peoples. She radiated all the days of her
For years in succession he served with dis- life the virtues of the true maid-servant of
tinction as member of the National Spiritual BahB.
Assembly of the BahL'is of Persia and as She was one of that handful of early Bamember of the Spiritual Assembly of the h8'is in the United States who implanted
BahB'is of Tihrin until he was rather well the banner of Bah2u'llgh in that land, and
advanced in age and the weight of years who nurtured it and protected it with the
made itself increasingly felt on his frail iron strength of their consecrated spirit.
body. Gradually his health broke down and In a Tablet to one of the friends 'Abdu'lillness forced him to discontinue all his Bah6 wrote of the services of Mrs. Cooper
activities. As his condition grew steadily and her mother, Mrs. Goodall:
worse it became clear that his end was at "Thou hadst written concerning the servhand. He passed away at his home in Tihrin ices of Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper.
on November 28, 1948, after a prolonged These two dear maid-servants of God are
illness. truly two shining candles, and in character
His physical frame was gone from our are unique and matchless. They sacrifice
midst! But in reality the impression of his their lives in the pathway of God under
dynamic personality, the memory of his conditions of hardship and trouble and are
charming manners, will remain ever vivid filled with spirituality and good cheer. It
in the heart of all those who knew him. is certain that the divine confirmations will
There, beyond the gathering mists of years, encircle them."
his noble life and example stand out as a Shoghi Effendi's cablegram at the time
beacon shining along the road to Eternity. of her passing has defined her life-long serv-
The following message received from ice to her beloved Faith:
Shoghi Effendi on the occasion of his pass- "Deeply grieved sudden passing herald
ing may well serve as a monumental epi- Covenant Ella Cooper, dearly loved handlogue to his imperishable memory: maid 'Abdu'l-Bahi, greatly trusted by Him.
"Hearts grief-stricken passing dearly be- Her devoted services during concluding
loved Youness Afrukhtih distinguished pro- years Heroic Age and also Formative
moter Holy Faith herald Covenant trusted Age Faith unforgettable. Assure relatives,
secretary beloved Master staunch supporter friends, deepest sympathy loss. Praying
progress soul in Abhi Kingdom."
His Testament. His services enrich annals
Ella Frances Goodall was born in San
both Heroic Formative Ages Faith. Instruct Francisco, California, January 12, 1870, of
assemblies all provinces hold befitting me- an influential, well-known California fammorial gatherings. Inform Varqi erect my ily. She and her mother, Helen Goodall,
behalf monument his grave. ~ r d e n t praJ-l~ were among the first Bah2is of California.
ing Almighty's inestimable blessing his They learned of the Faith from Miss Ann
soul." Apperson, a niece of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst.
--HAB~BT ~ H I R Z ~ EThey
H studied with Mrs. Lua Getsinger, and
682 T H E B A H A '1 W O R L D

also took a trip to New York to study with permitted to make the pilgrimage to the
Anton Haddad, a Persian Bahi'i teacher. Holy Land. For two weeks they shared the
In March, 1899, Ella Goodall and a prison life with 'Abdu'l-Bahb and His famyoung Bahi'i friend, Nellie Hillyer Brown, ily, but were "in the Home of God." When
made the pilgrimage to 'AkkB They were they returned from 'AkkB Mrs. Goodall and
among the earliest Westerners to visit Mrs. Cooper published Daily Lessons Re-
'Abdu'l-Bah6. While there 'Abdu'l-Bahb re- ceived at Acca-January, 1908, in which
vealed for Ella Goodall the first of numer- they told of the deep spiritual experience
ous Tablets which He sent her over the that had been theirs and of the lessons by
years : word and deed that they had received.
"He is El-Abhg! 0 my God! Thou seest Shortly after Ella Cooper returned from
Thy servant who is believing in Thee, and 'Akk6, she invited a group of young women
supplicating through the door of Thy One- to her home for a study class which conness. Render her all good through Thy tinued over many years to 1922. She called
Bounty and Generosity. Thou art the Be- this group the "Peach Tree" and the memstower, the Giver." bers of the group called her "Mother
This brief contact with the World of Peach." A number became Bahi'is and are
Reality experienced in 'Abdu'l-Bahi's pres- active today.
ence centered her life in the Faith. A single- During these early years one of Mrs.
ness of purpose, the promulgation and pro- Cooper's most important services was the
tection of the Covenant, animated her whole protection of the Faith from the influence of
life henceforth. the Covenant-breakers. 'Abdu'l-BahL had
In 1904 Ella Goodall married Charles written:
Miner Cooper, M.D. 'Abdu'l-BahB blessed "I supplicate God to make the hearts as
this union, and theirs was a life-long devo- solid mountains which could not be shaken,
tion. The home which Mrs. Cooper made neither by the rumbling thunder of dispute
for the doctor, her mother and brother, nor by the winds of suspicions."
Arthur, reflected her gracious dignified at- "You must be extremely careful in those
tributes. It was always a special treat for Western regions lest a soul may disseminate
everyone to visit this home. the seeds of doubt and violation. Direct ev-
"0 thou maid-servant of God, I ask God eryone at all times to the necessity of firmthat thou mayest open meetings in San ness in the Covenant that the tests may not
Francisco, and give eloquent expositions of shake them . . .
the Kingdom of God . . . "Do thou make a trip to the cities of
"Although thou art unique and alone in California, Oregon and Seattle . . . Investhat city, yet verily I am thy friend and tigate this and call everyone to firmcompanion. Be not sad and forget not God. ness . . ."
Endeavor to guide some souls to the King- Gently and wisely she and her mother
dom and establish Unity among the people, taught the new BahL'is the importance of
to prepare meetings of teaching and to open turning wholly to 'Abdu'l-BahB as the Centhe eyes of the blind . . . ter of the Covenant. Indeed she was a cham-
"Under all conditions My Soul and My pion of the Covenant!
Life shall abide with you in this world as When 'Abdu'l-BahB visited California,
well as the world above." while on His North American tour in 1912,
As soon as 'Abdu'l-BahL's wishes were He was a guest briefly at the Oakland home
expressed, Ella Cooper and her mother be- of Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Goodall, and
gan the work of establishing the Faith in there, on October 16, He spoke to a large
San Francisco, and some years later she gathering of friends. For many years the
moved to the city, where she lived the rest anniversary of that meeting has been celeof her life. In a short time a BahVi Com- brated and the talk given by 'Abdu'l-Bah6
munity developed there, and for many dec- read. It was a period of great joy for all the
ades Ella Cooper was its guiding light. Her Bahi'is. 'Abdu'l-BahB spoke to many groups
strenuous labors throughout the western and gave two of His most significant talks1
United States, and principally in northern while there, one at Stanford University on
California, laid the foundation of the Faith
in these regions. 1 These talks are published in Promulgation o f Uni-
In 1908 Ella Cooper and her mother were versal Peace, pp. 342-349 and 355-365.
IN MEMORIAM 683

science and religion and the other at the
Temple Emmanu-El on progressive revelation. Mrs. Cooper was untiring in her efforts
to assist in all these arrangements for
'Abdu'l-Bahi's visit.
An outstanding event in the Bahi'i history of the West was the convoking of the
first "International Bah6'i Congress" in conjunction with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in the spring of 1915 in
San Francisco. Mrs. Cooper, her mother
and several other Bahi'is who formed the
executive committee of the Congress had
approached 'Abdu'l-BahL with their desire
to hold such a Congress during the Panama-
Pacific International Exposition, and
'Abdu'l-BahL had approved and selected the
BahL'i spealters who were men of note in
their professions and also Bahi'is of long
and eminent service. The Congress was held
April 19 through 25 and attracted large
audiences to hear the Bah6'i teachings on
peace.
Although initiated by the Spiritual Assembly of the BahL'is of San Francisco the
Congress was under the official auspices of Ella Goodall Cooper.
the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The Directorate of the Exposition set
April 24 as "International Bahi'i Congress many years both in teaching and in the de-
Day," and held an official reception at Fes- velopment of the institutions of the Faith.
tival Hall, where a commemorative bronze She served on the San Francisco Spiritual
medallion was presented to the Bahi'is in Assembly for many years from 1921 to
recognition of the Bahi'i program for uni- 1934, and was a member of the National
versal peace. Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of the
Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Goodall, Miss Geor- United States and Canada for two years,
gia Ralston and Mrs. Kathryn Frankland 1922-23 and 1923-24. She took an active
visited 'Abdu'l-Bah6 for the last time in Sep- interest in the formation of the new Bahi'i
tember, 1920. For thirty days they were in School at Geyserville, California, worked
Haifa, at the "Home of the hearts" as Ella on the School committee, and taught there
Cooper called it. 'Abdu'l-Bah6 answered for some years.
their questions and lavished His love upon Another significant public Bah6'i event in
them. which Mrs. Cooper played a leading role
Over the years until He passed away in was the organization of the first "Confer-
1921 'Abdu'l-Bah6 addressed many Tablets ence for World Unity" at San Francisco,
to Mrs. Cooper in response to questions she March 20-22, 1925. Prominent intellectual,
had asked Him in letters. cultural and humanitarian leaders were in-
With 'Abdu'l-Bahi's death Ella Cooper's vited to participate. Mrs. Cooper spared
devotion to the Covenant immediately em- neither time nor money to bring the conbraced the first Guardian of the Cause of ference into existence. Dr. David Starr Jor-
God, Shoghi Effendi, appointed by 'Abdu'l- dan, then president of Stanford University,
Bah6. She had seen Shoghi Effendi as a who had invited 'Abdu'l-Bah6 to speak at
child at 'Akkii and had often remarked Stanford, acted as honorary chairman, and
about his unique qualities and his love for important representatives of the various Pa-
'Abdu'l-Bahii. Her unswerving fidelity to the cific areas, races, religions and nations
Covenant now centered in the Guardian spoke. The meetings were climaxed by an
with full love and obedience. address on the Bahi'i Faith by Jin6b-i-F6dil.
Ella Cooper's services continued for This meeting inaugurated a series of world
684 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

unity conferences in other parts of the coun- wrote a tribute to his wife which exemplifies
try. the beauty of her character to all who loved
During the many years that Mrs. Cooper her:
was active, and even after she could no
longer be about much, she was the main- A Birthday Tributespring of the Bahb'i spirit of hospitality and Eighty roses for my still young wife,
warmth in San Francisco. When Bahb'i vis- one for each year of her fragrant life,
itors were coming to San Francisco she during which she has mothered the world
and steadfastly kept its flag unfurled;
would send a large bouquet of flowers and for God gave to her a magic cup
a note of welcome to be in their room when from which the unworldly poor could sup;
they arrived. and of solace a cruse at whose lip
The last two major public activities in the lonely and the bereaved could sip;
which Ella Cooper took a part in her long a sustaining staff that she could lend
years of Bahb'i service were in connection in hour of need to a pilgrim friend;
with the Golden Gate International Exposi- the Power of Prayer-an inner light
tion in 1939 and the United Nations Con- not of land, sea or air that could bright
the dark corridors that run through life
ference on Inter~lational Organization in and amity bring in place of strife;
1945, both of which were held in San Fran- and a warmth that made her from her birth
cisco. A "Committee of One Hundred" lead- as welcome as the rain to the earth.
ers of all Faiths was organized when the Fortunate am I she cared for me,
San Francisco world's fair was being otherwise I would not care to be.
planned, to erect the Temple of Religion at
the fair and to direct all religious activities In July, 1951, Dr. Cooper suddenly
of the Exposition. Mrs. Cooper and Leroy passed away. Mrs. Cooper spent the fol-
Ioas were invited to be the BahBi repre- lowing day preparing the readings for his
sentatives on this Committee, on which she service, and that night fell into a coma,
served as one of the directors. Two days from which she did not recover, and passed
were designated officially on the Exposi- within four days after his death, on July 12,
tion program as Bahb'i Day, July 16 and 1951.
October 15. Mrs. Cooper was chairman of The local papers carried feature articles
the "Religious Unity Service" presented by about her passing, the major part of which
the Bahb'is on July 16 and of the Vesper spoke of her life-long devotion to the Ba-
Services on October 15. hb'i Faith, and of her work in promoting its
She was an active member of the "Com- ideals of the unity of all peoples and relimittee on the Bahb'i Peace Plan" appointed gions.
from among the Bahl'is of the San Fran- So closed the life of one of the "Heralds
cisco Bay area by the National Spiritual As- of the Covenant," one whose life was dedisembly in connection with the United Na- cated to BahL'u7ll6h in service and love and
tions Conference convened in 1945. This one who succeeded as few have in making
committee held a dinner and public meeting her character a mirror of the celestial qualiat which a number of the delegates to the ties.
Conference were present, and it prepared
"The Bahb'i Peace Program7' brochure
which they distributed to every person attending that conference.
I n the later years of her life Mrs. Cooper DESCRIPTION OF THE MARTYRDOM OF
was unable to be as active as she formerly DR. SULAYMAN BERJfS
had been, but she followed the work of the
Faith with avid interest through the teach- On February 3, 1950, about eight-thirty
ing bulletins and news letters, and through o'clock in the morning, two citizens of Kga voluminous correspondence which she &&n entered the office of Dr. Berjis and
carried on with BahB'i friends around the invited him to make a house call. Since
world. Most Bahi'i visitors to the city would there were ten patients waiting in his office,
visit her to be refreshed by her gentle spirit, the doctor requested postponement of the
and to share with her news of the progress call. The visitors pleaded that the case was
of the Faith far and near. a real emergency, and the doctor relented
On her eightieth birthday Dr. Cooper and followed the two men. After passing
IN MEMORIAM 685

through the streets of Kis_hLn they reached ELLA M. BAILEY
their destination and at this time six other
men who had been awaiting the group attacked the physician. With knives, sticks On being informed of the death of Miss
and their fists they wounded him seriously. Ella Bailey, pioneer who accompanied Mr.
He was thrown from a height of about fif- and Mrs. Robert Gulick in their settlement
teen feet through a window. The persecutors of Tripoli, Libya, the Guardian on August
continued to beat him until he was no longer 30 cabled:
alive. At least eighty stab wounds were ap- "Grieve passing valiant exemplary pioparent on his body. The owner of the house neer. Reward (in) Kingdom bountiful."
tried to intercede for the doctor but his efforts were futile. The landlord called for " 'Oh, Ella Bailey, Ella Bailey! Oh, Ella

help from the rooftop. Members of the Bailey, Ella Bailey! Oh, Ella Bailey!'. . .
town gathered around and witnessed the He kept repeating my name as He looked
cruel act. Muhammad Rassul-Zadeh, the vi- off into space. But He put into my name
cious murderer, washed his hands with the every possible emotion. That was the wonsnow on the sidewalk. With his accomplices der of it." These words of 'Abdu'l-Bahk,
he went to the police office, explaining that spoken in Chicago in 1912, conveyed to
they were teachers of the Muhammadan Miss Bailey this meaning: "My child, you
faith and had killed Dr. Berjis for religious are going to suffer. You are going to have
differences. The men were imprisoned. The a great deal of sorrow, and you are going to
people of the town feared the threats of have a great deal of pain. Life is going to
this religious group and closed their shops. be hard." Miss Bailey remarked in an inter-
After medical examination. of the body of view forty years later, "In those few words,
Dr. Berjis a group of BahB'is under police He gave me all the emotions of a lifetime.
protection carried the body of the martyred He gave suffering but with it He gave me
physician to Gulastin Javid which is three faith and strength. This made me feel His
kilometers from Ki&kn. A BahB'i funeral spiritual power and His truth."
was held for the distinguished doctor. Ella Martha Bailey was born in Houston,
Texas, on ~ e c e m b e k18, 1864. While she
was an infant, the family moved to San Diego County, California, and settled on a
ranch. She was stricken with infantile paralysis at the age of two and one of her
limbs remained paralyzed. As a child, she
developed a fondness for the outdoors and
learned, despite her physical handicap, to
ride horseback expertly.
Her desire to serve mankind became apparent in her youth. She chose to enter the
teaching profession not because of the
rather meager financial reward attached to
it but by reason of the manifold opportunities it afforded for child guidance. After
graduating from normal school in southern
California, Miss Bailey moved to Berkeley
and began her career as a teacher. She
taught various elementary grades and was
deeply loved by her pupils who continued
to remember her as the decades passed.
When she retired in 1924 because of ill
health, the principal of McKinley School
wrote her a note of gratitude and appreciation for her services and her example. "I
cannot close this letter," he wrote, "without
Dr. Sulaymin Berjis, physician of Kks_hin, telling you again what a precious thing your
Persia, martyred February 3, 1950. friendship has been to me and will con-
T H E B A H A 'f W O R L D

tinue to be, and how we all have been in- to his sovereign. Gentleness and sweetness
spired by your courage and faith." were her abiding traits. She never tried to
Photographs taken in her youth attest to force her opinions on anyone but ever
her beauty and winsomeness. She deliber- beckoned the thirsty to come to the founately decided to forego the pleasures and tain and drink the water of life that will
rewards of marriage in order to give greater bring healing to men and nations. Her
service to a larger number of people than a saintly life provided the best means of profamily group comprises. moting the prestige of the Faith she so
The immortal Lua Getsinger instructed ardently espoused. Sound in judgment, she
Miss Bailey in the Bahi'i teachings. Miss never aroused hostility nor did she com-
Bailey was one of the "waiting servants" promise on principle. Many were her secret
who embraced the Faith prior to the Ameri- sacrifices. She would give sumptuous dincan visit of 'Abdu'l-BahL. As the friends in ners for friends who were oblivious to the
California did not expect the bounty of a fact that their hostess very often contented
visit to the Pacific Coast, several of them herself with tea, toast, and perhaps a little
journeyed to Chicago to be sure of meeting soup. Her whole day passed in cheering the
Him. Miss Bailey made the trip with her brokenhearted, in helping the needy, in visitintimate friends, Mrs. Ella Cooper and her ing the sick, and in refreshing the spirits of
mother, Mrs. Helen Goodall. A year or the unending stream of guests that came to
two before her passing, she recalled her see her.
meeting with 'Abdu'l-BahL and how copi- On learning that Shoghi Effendi had exously she wept with joy despite her firm pressed the hope that Mr. and Mrs. Gulick
resolve not to do so. She said, (as recorded would pioneer in Africa, Miss Bailey seby Charles Cornell of Berkeley, Califor- cretly aspired to go with them. She was too
nia) : "We wondered what He looked like, humble to voice her desire but beamed
the color of His eyes, of His hair. After I gratefully when she was told that they
had once seen Him, I never had words with would enjoy having her with them. Then
which to express these things. They seemed a cloud came over her countenance and she
so unimportant. . . . He greeted me by replied, "It would be selfish of me to go to
saying that He was happy to see me with Africa and be a burden." The Gulicks felt
my spiritual mother, thereby confirming a that her presence would be a blessing but
beautiful spiritual relationship that con- to make sure of doing the right thing, catinued for life between Mrs. Goodall and bled the beloved Guardian. The answer of
myself." It also sealed the relationship of Shoghi Effendi, "Approve Bailey accomsister between Miss Bailey and Mrs. Cooper. pany you," constituted Ella Bailey's march-
The wonderful qualities of Ella Bailey ing orders.
were well known to her acquaintances and The next question was whether both the
to the BahL'is in the San Francisco region. African journey and the trip to Chicago
She was the first chairman of the Berkeley for the Jubilee commemoration should be
BahVi Assembly and was elected annually attempted. The prayerful decision was that
to that body for more than twenty years. it would be a pity for Ella Bailey to forego
She was constantly teaching by word and the opportunity of witnessing the dedicaeven more, by deed, but she preferred al- tion of the Temple which had gloriously
ways to remain in the background. In over risen on the spot she had seen as bare soil
twenty years of association with her, the in 1912. She attended the main events of the
writer does not remember having once seen Jubilee including the Temple dedication,
her on a public platform. Far from seeking viewed the portraits of BahL'u'llLh and of
publicity, she avoided it. During her long the BBb, and, through the writer, signified
residence at the Berkeley Women's City at the Intercontinental Teaching Conference
Club, she used her membership to sponsor her determination to go forth as an African
many BahL'i gatherings. Her room became pioneer. She returned to Berkeley in excela kind of clinic for the distressed and dis- lent spirits and relatively good health. An
consolate. Hundreds have partaken of her old friend remarked that her voice had not
spiritual and material hospitality and gener- been so light and gay in forty years. A few
osity. Her presentation of the message of days later, sad to relate, she came down with
BahVu'116h was indeed like that of a royal pneumonia, spent some time in a hospital,
subject giving his most precious possession a.nd was obliged to leave her residence at the
Berkeley Women's City Club and live in a
nursing home. Gradually she regained some
of her health and strength and it was decided to start the journey. Old friends of
older faiths were horrified at her decision
to pull up stakes in California and settle on
the old Barbary Coast of North Africa and
they warned her that such a move would
shorten her life. She smilingly answered, "I
do not find it such a great sacrifice to give
up living in a rest home."
She left her adopted California on July
14, 1953, never to return. The next evening
she stayed in the New York apartment of
Dr. Fazly Melany where she was visited by
two Hands of the Cause, Dhikru'llAh KJhL-
dem and MusL Bangni. Early the next
morning she sustained a fall but there were
no fractures and travel was resumed as
scheduled. The next stopover was Rome
where Professor Mario Fiorentini rendered
all possible assistance. Miss Bailey had the
misfortune to fall again with the consequence that the stay in Italy was cut short.
Equipped with an oxygen mask, Miss Bailey Ella M. Bailey.
was an excellent traveler. She arrived at
Tripoli on July 20 and was met at the airport by two Bahb'is.
During the closing days of her earthly head and tearfully bade her farewell,
existence, she was sometimes not conscious "Goodbye, Miss Bailey."
of her condition which worsened as a result Interment was set for August 27 and on
of additional falls. Then again she would that day a second service was held at the
become painfully aware of her infirmities Government Cemetery on the western outand would apologize for the work her sick- skirts of Tripoli. Friends were also present
ness entailed. She knew that she was in lov- that evening when the casket was placed in
ing hands and, when possessed of her facul- a niche in the cemetery wall. In the Mother
ties, repeatedly thanked Mrs. $hawkat-'Ali Temple of the West, a few days later, mem-
Earaju'llkh for the infinite pains she took in bers of the American National Spiritual Ascaring for her day and night. The presence sembly prayed for the progress of her soul
in the room of two-year-old Robert Gulick in the realms on high.
I11 always brought a smile to her face as The very stones of the cemeteries testify
she loved him deeply and had great faith in to the preponderating share of the Amerihis future. Death came toward twilight, at can BahL'i women in the pioneering effort.
eight o'clock on August 26, 1953. A half They speak of incomparable Martha Root
hour earlier she was visited by a former in mid-Pacific, of indomitable May Maxwell
member of the Egyptian National Spiritual in the Argentine, of heroic Keith Ransom-
Assembly and by a young man of Persian Kehler near the King of the Martyrs and
ancestry who soon afterward became the the Beloved of the Martyrs in Isfihin, of
first Bahb'i pioneer to the Fezzan. Friends the immortal Lua Getsinger beside the
quickly gathered at the bedside of the de- greatest BahL'i scholar in Cairo, and now of
parted believer and they recited and chanted valiant Ella Bailey overlooking and blessing
appropriate prayers in Arabic and English. the shores of Tripoli. Her humility pre-
It was a touching demonstration of inter- vented her from writing to the Guardian but
national BahL'i solidarity, of uncalculated he perceived the inner worth and true
affection in an age of calculated risks. Par- greatness of this wonderful lady. No friend
ticularly memorable was the moving scene or relative understood her station as did
in which an Egyptian friend kissed her fore- Shoghi Effendi, and to us in Tripoli this was
688 T H E B A H A.'I: W O R L D

an added, though unneeded, proof that he sau, Germany. Her childhood was quite
is guided by God. lonely because of a series of events that de-
The Guardian requested three friends of prived her of her loved ones. Her father
American nationality in Tripoli to submit a was killed in the Franco-Prussian war when
design for a memorial marker on Miss she was three, her mother died when she
Bailey's grave which will one day, God was five, and shortly thereafter, her twin
willing, be in a Bahi'i cemetery. He wishes sister was taken from her to live in France.
personally to bear the expense of this me- She herself went to live with an aunt and
morial. He has ranked her with the greatest uncle in Munich, but through the years she
of the noble band of Bahi'i teachers includ- never forgot her lovely mother and sister.
ing those mentioned above and two who So lonely was she as a child that at six years
have more recently ascended to the Abhi of age she would take all her dolls to bed
Kingdom: Marion Jack, whose persevering with her, calling them her brothers and siseffort will ever merit emulation; and Doro- ters. Often she would find herself on the
thy Baker, whose extraordinary gifts as a floor because her "family" took all the
teacher are matchless and whose radiant room! She vowed that when she grew up
spirit continues to inspire all who knew her. she would have at least twelve children, so
In leaving her home land and in sacrific- none would ever be lonely, and twelve she
ing her life for the Cause of God, Ella did have, although two died in infancy.
Bailey qualified for the crown of martyr- All her love and joy circled around her
dom. In his cablegram at the conclusion of family and her religion. Never was there
the Holy Year to the Intercontinental a mother who could more greatly inspire
Teaching Conference at New Delhi, Sho- her children, and at the same time arouse
ghi Effendi paid tribute to Ella Bailey and such a great protective spirit within themacclaimed her contribution to the world one of undying love and devotion.
crusade : Hers was a happy disposition, even
"Irresistibly unfolding Crusade sanctified though her life was a difficult one. "Why
death heroic eighty-eight-year-old Ella Bai- are you always so happy?" a friend once
ley elevating her rank martyrs Faith shed- asked her. "You have nothing to be happy
ding further luster American Bahi'i Com- about." "Oh, but I have," she replied.
munity consecrating soil fast awakening "When I look about me and see how little
African Continent." others have, I realize I have so much more,
-ROBERT L. GULICK,JR. so how could I help but be grateful to God
and be happy!" "That's the trouble with
you," said her friend, "you always look at
those who have less than you, instead of
MARIA B. IOAS those who have more." Mother had not yet
heard of the Bahi'i Teachings and "radiant
acquiescence," but they were in her heart,
"Share grief (at) passing (of) esteemed nevertheless.
veteran (of) Faith, Maria Ioas. Soul re- When she was in her sixteenth year her
joicing (in the) Abhi Kingdom (at the) aunt and uncle brought her to visit Amerservices rendered (by her) dear son (at the) ica. With the group was her cousin's college
World Center (of the) Faith (in the) triple roommate, whom she later married. She and
function (of) Hand (of the) Cause, Secre- her husband never returned to Germany.
tary-General (of the) Council (and) Super- Father was a Lutheran and mother was
visor (of) construction (of the) dome (of raised in the Catholic Faith. However, they
the) BBb's Sepulcher." were always seeking, and later both joined
-SHOGHI the Methodist Church but this did not seem
to satisfy their spiritual needs either. For
To think of mother without thinking of many years father had been looking for the
her family and the BahL'i Faith at the same return of Christ. When he was young, his
time, would be impossible. I mention "fam- mother, a very religious woman, had told
ily" first, because she had much of her fam- him that she felt the time was imminent for
ily long before she heard of the Bahi'i Christ's return, that she probably would
Faith. not live to see this, but that he might do so.
She was born December 6, 1865, in Pas- Thus he was always looking for and buying
IN MEMORIAM 689

ask pilgrims going to 'Akk6 to secure one
for her if possible. However, in her humble
way she felt that if 'Abdu'l-Bah6 wanted her
to have one, she would receive it. The first
day that 'Abdu'l-Bahb was in Chicago, she
went with one of her children to the Plaza
Hotel to see Him. 'Abdu'l-Bah6 was out, so
they waited for Him all afternoon. They
were in the hall when He came out of the
elevator and lovingly greeted them. Walking
toward His room, He said, "Come, come."
Mother knew He was tired and hesitated to
follow, but He turned again and said,
"Come, come." So she and her son followed
Him to His reception room. In a few minutes He came out of His room with some
roses and walking over graciously handed
one of them to her. Mother said afterward,
"He looked at me with those eyes that could
read one's very soul. There was no need
of His telling me, 'This is the flower you
have wished for these many years.' "
Alwavs mother and father ~romotedthe
Maria B. Ioas. Faith a; best they could, tellkg neighbbrs
and friends of the Glad Tidings, but dedicated as they were, they did not neglect
books dealing with the interpretation of the their children. Study classes were held in the
Book of Revelation and any other informa- home every week for them and such friends
tion that might help him in his search for as might care to come.
the return of Christ. After hearing of the When the call came to start a children's
BahVi Faith, he and mother were most class in Chicago, mother promptly offered
happy to attend the classes of Mr. Paul her services and taught for a number of
Dealy of Chicago, even though it meant an years. Children always loved her and she
hour's ride each way on streetcars, involv- gently instilled in them the Bah6'i teachings
ing several transfers. Mother said she had -God is love; Bahi'u'll6h has come, the
prayed for seventeen years to find a religion great Universal Prophet for this New Day;
that would satisfy her. There always seemed His Forerunner, the BBb, with His charm,
to be a curtain before her and in back of love and devotion, bringing the Glad Tithat curtain was what she was seeking. dings; 'Abdu'l-Bah6, the beloved Exemplar,
When, after the twelfth lesson, Mr. Dealy Interpreter and Center of the Covenant;
told the class that Christ had returned and Shoghi Effendi, the much loved First
he gave them the name of Bah6'u'116h, they Guardian of the Faith . . . And also from
were overcome, and the curtain seemed to the Hidden Words: "I loved thy creation,
lift for mother. She knew at once that this hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou
was what she had been seeking. She and love Me, that I may name thy name and fill
father wrote their supplication to 'Abdu'l- thy soul with the spirit of life." "My first
Bah6 that very night [July 7, 18981, stating counsel is this: Possess a pure, a kindly and
their belief in this Truth and asking to be radiant heart . . ." "Of all things the best
accepted by Him as Bahi'is. Their hearts beloved in My sight is Justice . . ."
were flooded with joy. The following day One of mother's fondest hopes had been
their ninth child was born. to see the Temple completed. For some
When 'Abdu'l-Bah6 came to America in years she had acted as hostess one day a
1912, my parents and the family had the week during the guiding season, and realized
privilege of seeing Him a number of times the tremendous teaching medium of the
in Chicago. For many years mother had Temple. She was impatient for its complelonged for a flower which His blessed hands tion. Father and Mr. Albert Windust, both
had touched and she was often tempted to of the first Spiritual Assembly of Chicago,
690 THE BAHA'I W O R L D

had had the great privilege of writing the ment, with a brilliant promise for the fuletter requesting 'Abdu'l-Bahi's permission ture.
to build the first Mas_hriqu'l-AdJ1k6r in the Mother slipped away on May 25, 1953,
Chicago area. Since that time fifty years or at the age of eighty-seven. Not really "away"
more had elapsed. Life for mother was -just over the line into the spiritual realm.
drawing to a close. And now, in the spring She had seen the Faith advance from its
of 1953, the Jubilee Celebration had started. feeble beginning in America, when the only
People were coming from all over the world Bahi'i literature consisted of the Tablets
to attend. received from 'Abdu'l-BahB which were
What a happy evening it was when all the lovingly and humbly read and reread, to its
Persian Hands of the Cause and their fami- present flourishing condition, with translalies, who had come to attend the Jubilee, tions of the original Teachings of the Bib
came to visit mother in her daughter's home and Bahi'u'116h; talks, explanations and exin Oak Park, at the request of her son, Le- hortations of 'Abdu'l-Bahi; and books, letroy, who had also been appointed a Hand ters and directives by our beloved Guardian,
of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi and had Shoghi Effendi; with the added writings of
taken residence, with his wife, Sylvia, at the his wife, Rchiyyih Khhnum.
Pilgrim House in Haifa. Her advanced years HOWwonderful it is that today the world
were bringing her many joys, for had not is indeed awakening spiritually to the call
our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, hon- of BahC'u'llfih. How far flung are the banners
ored Leroy by naming the ninth door of the of His Cause, enlisting the allegiance of peoshrine of the Biib, "BBb-i-Ioas"? Her cup ple all over the world, on all continents and
was almost full, but still she had not seen islands of the sea!
the completion and dedication of the Tem- Mother often used to say to me, "I love
ple. She remembered 'Abdu'l-BahC's promise the B a h s Faith so much, but how little I
that people would enter the Faith in throngs can do towards its promotion. All I can do
when the Temple was completed, drawn at is to let my little flame shine out as best it
first through the great inspiring beauty of can." Today her children are ardent Bahi'is
this noble ediiice. Had He not said, "Some and at the present writing seven of her
material things have a spiritual ef- grandchildren have answered Shoghi Ef-
.
fect. . ."? fendi's call for pioneers. They are to be
On May 1, 1953, was held the Bahi'i found in such distant places as the Dutch
Dedication of the Temple. Our beloved West Indies, the Ballearic Islands, Monte
Riihiyyih I&&num, representing the Guard- Carlo, Paris, and even on the home front in
ian, Shoghi Effendi, had come all the way Nevada, Texas and Illinois!
from the World Center of the Faith at Haifa And so has ended the "little flame" of a
in honor of this Dedication of the Mother loving mother and devoted Bahi'i, or has
Temple of the West and the observance of it, in truth, really ended? Even though the
the Centenary of the Declaration of Bah2- visible flame has disappeared, will not its efu'lliih. Though very ill, mother was lifted in fects go on and on into eternity?
her wheel chair by loving hands up the eight- -VIOLA TUTTLE
een steps encircling the base of the structure
-those steps in memory of the eighteen
Letters of the Living-then through the door
and at last in the Auditorium of the completed Temple. What joy she felt can only
be imagined. T o this was added the great
happiness of seeing the beautiful picture of
BahC'uYll&h, brought to America for the first Nuri'd-Din Fath-'Azam was born in 1895
time, to be viewed by His loving followers, in ArdistAn. His parents were from families
a.nd of feeling the thoughtful kindness of well known for their wholehearted services
R@iyyih K&inum who walked beside and self-sacrifices for the Bahi'i Faith. His
mother as she was wheeled to the door and mother was the daughter of Mull& 'Alibade her farewell. Akbar Ardistiini, who together with Quddds
At last it was accomplished! The great and Mull& Sadiq-i-I&ur&s&ni, formerly
day for which mother had waited these known as Muqaddas, and surnamed by
many years! A day of joy, a day of fulllll- Bahi'u'llih, Ismu'lliihu'l-Asdaq, embraced
AORIAM 69 1

eleven years, proof of his honesty and ability, and was always well known as a Bahi'i.
, People frequented his house and office for

assistance-which he could render in his
position-and they were never rejected.
He served the Cause as a member of the
National Spiritual Assembly and of the Tihr i n Assembly with his usual diligence. He
was so much occupied that his family saw
very little of him, and that only at breakfast
time.
He visited the Holy Land in 1942 and on
his return brought the glad-tidings to the
BahB'is who had been deprived of them for
many years because of unsettled conditions
in Palestine. His return to IrLn was the signal for many BahL'is to migrate and teach
the Cause. Many people who met and heard
him were fired with so much enthusiasm
that they volunteered to forsake their interests for the Cause. Abiding by the instruction from the Guardian, he stayed in Tihrin, much as he desired to go to AfghLnistin
and establish a Bahi'i center &re. He
worked, however, very hard as a member of
N6ri'd-Din Fath-'Azam. the Emigration Committee, and was always
first and foremost to help BahVis who were
emigrating, often at the expense of his own
the Cause at its inception in SlhirLz, and interests.
were the first to be persecuted. His father He undertook to repair and reconstruct
AqL Siyyid a a h a b was the son of Mirzi the House of Bahi'u'llih in TihrLn and took
Fath-'Ali, who was aware of the Mission of a great deal of pains to complete the work
BahB'u'llih before its declaration, and whose according to the original design.
devotion was recognized by BahB'u'llbh, and An outstanding work of his was compilwho surnamed him Fath-'Azam. ing the Addresses made by 'Abdu'l-BahL
Nuri'd-Din's childhood was passed in Ar- which he published under the name "Khatadisthn, but when he was ten years old his bat," and added it to the wealth of BahB'i
father had to migrate to Tihrin with him literature.
because of constant persecution from Mus- He was benevolent to friend and foe, and
lim priests and mobs. 'Abdu'l-BahL, also, always extended help to people in distress,
permitted the family to be transferred to forgetting his own debts and monetary trou-
Tihrin, where during the first years, they bles. After the heart-breaking incident of his
stfiered great privations. Gradually, how- death, great was the number of people who
ever, the family got over the difficulties and related stories of his generosity, and who
established a more or less comfortable home, grieved over the loss of such a devoted
where Nuri'd-Din was brought up in the friend. It happened like this:
love of the Cause of God. After leaving his official work, he and his
He was educated in the Tarbiyat School, brother purchased a ruin of a village from
and attended BahB'i teaching courses, and the government, and did their best to imin both lines won the admiration of his prove its condition with regard to the inteachers for his zeal, interest and intelli- come, health and education of the villagers.
gence. The peasants who could hardly get from
When he was twenty-four, he entered the their lands enough to pay their expenses for
government service, and was appointed a quarter of a year, not only were enabled
chief of the Post Office in Kirmbn&ih. In to meet their annual needs, but also started
later years, he served as chief accountant of to buy extra accommodations. However,
the late Majesty, a position he held for they proved very ungrateful for all his kind-
692 T H E B A H ,A ' i W O R L D

ness, and let the village be used for intrigues
against the BahL'is.
It was on Tuesday night on the 26th of
August 1952 at 9 P.M. when he went there
as a kind father for their guidance that he
was met by a fanatical mob, and was put
to death in a most cruel way, thus adding his
name to the immortal list of martyrs who
have given their lives for the glory of the
Cause.
News of his death came as a shock to the
Bah6'i world. His funeral was attended both
by BahB'is and non-Bahb'is. Memorial services, worthy of his station, were held by
Bahi'i communities. One service was specially held by the National Spiritual Assembly of l r i n as instructed by the Guardian.
Many telegrams and consoling letters were
received from all over the world.
His body was interred at the north section
of the Bahb'i cemetery in Tihrin, and the
beloved Guardian gave instructions for his
tomb to be erected on his behalf.
In conclusion I quote the cablegram of
the Guardian on this grievous occasion:
"Deeply saddened sudden great loss outstanding promoter Faith assure friends Hiji Muhammad Tihir Malmiri.
relatives loving fervent prayers progress
soul Kingdom advise hold befitting memorial gathering his unforgettable serv- ways was that of teaching. No power, no
ices bountifully rewarded.-SHOGHI." preoccupation, no conventional matter of
daily life could ever deflect him from this
high purpose. His teaching exploits were so
intensive that today, a large section of the
Bahb'i community of Yazd owes to his lifelong effort its allegiance to the Cause.
Hkji Muhammad Tihir was a brilliant
Hiji Muhammad Tihir Malmiri lived, debater and speaker. It is difficult to convey
labored, and passed away in the ancient the pleasure one derived from his inspiring
town of Yazd, f r h , a town notorious for conversation which ranged from humorous
its religious fanaticism and its large number trifles to weighty pronouncements. His
of mullis. He was born there about the year knowledge of the history and literature of
1852 which witnessed the inception of the the great world religions was prodigious. He
mission of Bahb'u'llih, and lived there long could recite almost half the Qur'in by heart,
enough to see the centenary celebration of as well as hundreds of recorded Muslim
that Holy Year. Known to almost every citi- traditions. Also he was extremely wellzen, no other BahB'i in Yazd was so dearly versed in the Bible and the books of other
loved and admired by the friends, and so religions. The source from which he drew
bitterly denounced and insulted by the foes. his energy seemed to be inexhaustible. He
Fortifled by his staunch faith, animated could speak for hours about religious matby his intense desire to serve the Cause, sus- ters without either feeling tired himself or
tained by the guiding Hand of BahL'uYll5h, boring his listeners. Rather they were fasciundaunted in the face of dire sufferings, his nated by the gaiety of his conversation and
life and conduct served to perpetuate the by the ripple of his ready and eloquent
spirit of the apostolic age to which he be- tongue. Even the enemies of the Cause were
longed. His life was wholly dedicated to the silenced and subdued by his charm and dig-
Cause. The idea uppermost in his mind al- nity. On several occasions fanatical persons,
IN MEMORIAM 693

intent on carrying out sinister plots against emanating from the person of Bahb'u'lla,
his life, came to his fireside meetings in the made a deep and abiding impression upon
guise of seekers of truth, carrying weapons his whole being and served him as a source
in their pockets. After coming in contact of inspiration and spiritual enlightenment,
with his dominating personality, however, enabling him to steer his way steadily and
they changed their minds altogether, and triumphantly amid the perils and cross curstrangely enough, a couple of them eventu- rents of his eventful life.
ally became ardent believers. The remarkable feature of his interviews
But Hiji Muhammad Tihir's talks were with Bahb'u'll6h is the fact that overcome
not always honeyed. There are few, if any, by His dazzling greatness, he seldom dared
among the leading Muslim priests in Yazd to look at His Face or to utter a single word.
who, at one time or another, have not felt Rather he would approach Him in a sense
the sting of his taunts and retorts or were of spiritual discernment. In his thrilling
not drawn into his entangling net, only to Memoirs he states: "Whenever I came into
emerge with their wings clipped, utterly con- the presence of the Blessed Beauty if there
founded by the amazing force of his argu- were anything I wanted to ask, I would say
ment. it by way of the heart and He would answer
At the height of his teaching career, al- me-invariably. I was so deeply impressed by
most every evening he used to attend fire- His supreme power that I always sat in His
side meetings which usually lasted till after presence spellbound, oblivious of myself."
midnight. Whenever he was free at night or Once he entreated BahB'u'llbh that he might
returned home rather early, he would keep be granted the privilege of laying down his
awake well into the small hours of the life for the Cause as a martyr. "You shall
morning, either pacing the compound of his live long to teach the Cause," was His
modest house in prayer and meditation or prompt reply. In fact he did live long-a
sitting up to read or write. hundred years-and did distinguish him-
His pen was as ready and able as his self in teaching and serving the Cause with
tongue, and his voluminous writings are di- exemplary devotion. The wonderful Tablets
rect, lively and inspiring. Famous among revealed in his name by both Bahb'u'llBh
his works is the History of the Martyrs o f and 'Abdu'l-Bah6 and the letters from the
Yazd, a moving portrayal of one of the most beloved Guardian, all bear ample testimony
revolting episodes in Bahb'i history. His to his noble life of service.
Memoirs, written during the second World Early in 1914 Hiji Muhammad TBhir
War and containing a wealth of choice rem- went on his second pilgrimage to the Holy
iniscences, has been designated by the be- Land where he basked for four months in
loved Guardian an interesting storehouse of the sunshine of 'Abdu'l-Bahb's unbounded
information for future BahL'i historians. blessings and love.
Another enduring work, undertaken at the Rank and fortune, in the material sense,
behest of the National Spiritual Assembly never came H6ji Muhammad Thhir's way.
of Irin, is the history of the inception and H e used to earn his modest living mainly by
growth of the Faith in his native district. working as a hand weaver. Yet, whenever
Compiled in two volumes, it depicts the he managed to secure some bushels of grain
lives, achievements, sufferings and martyr- or other provisions for our daily use, nodom of the early heroes and pioneers in that body was allowed to touch them until he
area. Also his Fusul Arbd'ih is a masterly had set aside a substantial portion for the
exposition of proofs demonstrating the pro- poor of the town as well as the needy
phetic mission of the Founder and Herald among the martyrs' widows and orphans.
of our Faith with profuse quotations from After the terrible Bahb'i massacre in
various religious books used in support of Yazd which occurred soon after the turn of
his thesis. the century, 'Abdu'l-Bah6 appointed Hiji
The crowning glory of his life was the Muhammad Tihir to look after the hapless,
rare privilege of attaining the presence of terror-stricken remnants of the martyrs'
Bahb'u'llih in the year 1878 in 'Akk6, families. For several years he devoted himwhere he stayed for about nine months. The self to the arduous task of organizing help
wonderful events and experiences associated for the poor, comforting the bereaved, tendwith this momentous pilgrimage, no less ing the sick, and rearing and educating the
than his contact with the mysterious power children. He derived ample pleasure from
THE BAHA'I WORLD

giving food, money and clothing to the Only future generations will be able to
needy and ,distressed. Everybody was wel- properly appraise the value of the great
come to his home and his table. The words service which she has rendered at such a
of praise and admiration which streamed critical time in the history of the Faith, and
from the Pen of 'Abdu'l-Bahh in apprecia- under such difficult conditions. . . .
tion of his beneficent work stand as a glow- "The Guardian wishes to make clear the
ing testimony to his sense of love and devo- importance of the station of Johanna Schution to the downtrodden. barth, as she was the founder of the BahVi
Throughout the rugged years of his life Community in Norway, and thus her station
H6ji Muhammad T6hir seems to have is higher than that of a pioneer. . . ."
joined in perma.nent wedlock with adversity. From Letter of the Guardian through his
The lifelong sufferings he bore at the hands Assistant Secretary, dated March 11, 1953.
of the enemies, the insults and indignities to
which he! was subjected at every turn, the These words, written at the direction of
perilous adventures he went through, the Shoghi Effendi, Head of the BahVi World
grievous loss of three children who perished Faith, establish for all time the station of
during the BahVi massacre in Yazd, the Johanna Christensen Schubarth.
weight of chains a.nd imprisonment he joy- She was born in 1877 in the little village
fully accepted towards the end of his life in of Sandeherred, Norway. Nearby, large
company with the fellow-members of the whaling vessels were built and repaired and
Spiritual Assembly of Yazd-these together Johanna's mother's family were employed
with many other distressing events, far from in this business. Her great grandfather had
dampening his spirits, served to steel his a large boat in which he would go out to
energies and to reveal the true measure of help ships in danger and distress. Her fahis indomitable faith. ther, a ship leader, did not come back one
The evening of his life was dimmed by day and nothing was ever heard of him or
years of declining faculties and infirmity. his ship. Thus a family of eighteen chil-
Sinking beneath the gathering weight of old dren, with "plenty of sons," was left fatherage and ill health, he laid down the burden less. Her mother married a second time and
he carried so worthily for nearly eighty it was decided that the younger children
years and passed away peacefully at his should become known by the name of their
home on June 4, 1953. In his will he be- second father. So it was that Johanna's
queathed all his possessions to the Cause. name became Schubarth.
The following gracious message from the As a little girl, Johanna watched the "digbeloved Guardian may well serve as a be- gings" of the Gogstad ship, a Viking ship so
fitting epilogue to his memory: called because it was on the Gogstad farm
"Grieve passing Muhammad Thhir Mal- near where Johanna lived that this fine
miri long -record services unforgettable specimen was found. Viking ships were used
praying progress soul kingdom." as burial places for kings and queens, were
-HAB?B TAHIRZADEHburied deep in the ground and covered with
a special sand to preserve them. Johanna
watched as this one was taken out of the
earth, piece by piece, and sent off to the
JOHANNA SCHUBARTH University of Oslo where it was studied and
reassembled. It is now one of the two chief
exhibits at the Viking Museum [Vikingshu-
"Johanna Schubarth, by virtue of her sac- sell in Oslo. Johanna's aunt, Hilde Christenrificial services to the Faith over such a long sen, became interested in the beautiful deperiod of time, has attained a very high sta- signs and colors in the old fabrics found in
tion. She is the mother of the Norwegian the Viking ships, and through scientific
BahVi Community, and is the founder of study was able to reproduce the colors. Her
the Faith in that country. She served dili- books on this subject have become classics.
gently under adverse conditions, and all Johanna went to the United States to puralone, for many years, kept the light of the sue her profession of nursing and it was
Faith aflame, single handed. She was a very through a patient in Urbana, Illinois, that
rare soul, was entirely consecrated to the she first heard of the BahVi Faith. She with-
Faith and completely devoted to its service. drew from her work as a nurse for a period
IN MEMORIAM 695

but somehow she brought their expression
forth. She was always working on some
manuscript of translation from the Writings, even after she became crippled with
arthritis and could devote only a few minutes at a time to it during the last two years
of her life.
When the European Teaching Committee
began its work in Norway in 1946, as part
of the unfoldment of the Divine Plan of
'Abdu'l-Bah6 in the Second Seven-Year
Plan, there were ready in Norwegian,
thanks to Johanna's efforts, Esslemont's
book, in print and on sale in one of the
large book shops of Oslo; translations of
The Hidden Words, the Words of Wisdom,
and, in manuscript form, the Kitdb-i-fqdn
of Bahh'u'llfih, many Bahh'i prayers, and
The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd.
Soon afterward came translations of Shoghi
Effendi's The Goal of a New World Order
and the compilation Bahd'i Community.
Johanna Schubarth. Later, in cooperation with the ~ o r w e ~ i a n
Translating Committee, Johanna contributed the lion's share to translations of papers on "The Covenant" and "Comparaof six months in order to study the Faith tive Religion" read at the Summer School
thoroughly before she fully accepted it. It held in connection with the European
was through May Maxwell that she received Teaching Conference at Copenhagen (Elsiher confirmation and declared herself in nore) in 1950. Johanna also helped with the
1919. translation of David Hofman's The Renewal
In 1927 Johanna returned to Norway to of Civilization.
nurse her mother, and on her way she was The respect in which Johanna was held
privileged to visit Haifa. There she had in Oslo, her friendship of many years' standdaily talks with the Guardian, Johanna ask- ing with Johanna Sorensen, now Mrs. Dr.
ing questions, the Guardian answering and Hoeg of Herning, Denmark, and above all,
explaining things to her. Shoghi Effendi her staunch devotion and utter self-sacrifice
asked her to remain in Oslo and spread the to the slightest wish of the beloved Guard-
Teachings. There were no other BahL'is in ian, all greatly aided the work of the con-
Norway then, and there was no Bahh'i lit- tinuous promotion of the Faith in this
erature in Norwegian. northern country.
Johanna put her will in the Hands of God Johanna Schubarth lived in Oslo in a
and was guided in all her work by Bah2- large room which was flooded with sunlight
u'llkh and the beloved Guardian. Although when there was sun. It was on the third
she would have liked very much to return to floor of an old building, up a winding
the United States, she remained in Oslo and wooden staircase. The only heat in the room
began translating the Bahh'i Writings into during the long, dark, cold winters was from
Norwegian. Desiring to give the remainder a large tile stove for which coal had to be
of her life to work for the BahL'i Faith and lugged from the basement. During the war
feeling that the translation of the Writings years there was no coal. Wishing to serve
would be her greatest gift, she studied the her countrymen in these difficult times, JO-
language and took the University examina- hanna took up again her profession of nurstion at the age of fifty or more years. She ing, volunteering her services. She received
agonized over getting into her native lan- a citation from the King of Norway for her
guage the spiritual depths in the Words of work but her health was broken by the dep-
Bahh'u'll6h. "There is no way to express rivations and sufferings she had endured.
these things in Norwegian," she would say, In 1947 all food was still rationed in Nor-
696 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

way but as a retired nurse, Johanna was On the first of December, 1952, Joha.ma
able to receive a few eggs a month and some Schubarth passed away in a hospital in Oslo.
milk. Every food package sent her from the The Scandinavian BahL'i Bulletin for Jan-
United States was carefully stretched as far uary, 1953, carried an article in tribute to
as it would go, and the choicest items saved her, written by Mrs. Asta Barnholdt, an old
for the Nineteen Day Feasts held in her friend and a Bahi'i, which said in part:
apartment. Some of the friends wished to "The Oslo BahL'i Community therewith
provide Johanna with a supply of coal as lost the foundation stone in the promotion
soon as it became possible to buy a little at of the Faith in Norway. . . . Johanna's life
a time, but she would not permit it, refusing and person testified to her wholesome charto sign the papers necessary to get it deliv- acter. Great words and violent feelings were
ered. She would live and serve to the utmost unknown to her. We knew her as a person
of her ability and strength, but would take who radiated purity, simplicity, justice and
care of herself-her heritage f-lom ancestors stability. Her great love for the Faith which
used to the rigors of whaling would not she had accepted, we shall never forget! Nor
permit anything else. her goodness and helpfulness to all! . . ."
During the twenty years that Johanna Johanna was quiet, reserved, shy, a
Schubarth "held aloft the light of the Faith" "doer" and not a "talker." As the unfoldin Norway, the visits of Bahgi itinerant ment of the Faith progressed in this new
teachers and visitors brought high lights to community and it formed the base for an
her days. Always, at train or ship, she went ever-widening teaching work, Johanna was
to meet them, to welcome them, and to bid a bulwark of firmness around which temthem farewell; whatever the time of day porary crises made no headway, and all felt
or night, or however cold the weather, her in her strength, integrity and depth of unspiritual and radiant face shone out from derstanding, the everlasting qualities of true
the crowd. Among these teachers was Mar- faith.
tha Root, termed by the Guardian "that In the communication from the Guardarchetype of Bahi'i itinerant teachers," who ian dated March 11, 1953, he instructed
in 1935 visited the Scandinavian countries. "that as many friends as possible attending
In the last days of Johanna's life she was the Conference in Stockholm, make a spemade radiantly happy and brought close to cial effort to travel there via Norway and to
the beloved Guardian through the visit of visit her grave. This refers not only to the
Rhikru'llAh IQhhbdem, Hand of the Cause of BahL'is attending the Conference from
God, and his lovely wife. America, but likewise those attending from
At the beginning of the Second Seven- the various parts of Europe." Accordingly,
Year Plan, Johanna's joy was great when in obedience to this request, many Bahi'is
she welcomed the pioneers sent to Norway from the United States, Persia and Euroby the European Teaching Committee of pean countries gathered, in the days immethe National Spiritual Assembly of the diately preceding the Third Intercontinental
United States. To these pioneers she was Teaching Conference in July, 1953, as well
ever a source of strengt6 and comfort. It as immediately after the Conference, to
was not easy, after so many years of work- read prayers at the grave of "the founder
ing alone, suddenly to work with others, of the Faith" in Norway.
but she achieved this transition because of Johanna's remains had been laid to rest,
her love for the Guardian and her selfless after a beautiful Bahi'i service, in the Var
obedience to the Administration. Great was Frelsers (Our Savior's) Cemetery within
her joy in the firm establishment of the the city of Oslo. In December, 1953, her
Faith with the formation of the first local remains were removed to the Vest Grave-
Assembly in Norway, the Spiritual Assem- lund or Western Cemetery, at the foot of
bly of Oslo, in April, 1948. As chairman Holmenkollen mountain on the outskirts of
of that Spiritual Assembly she presided at Oslo, where, in her Will and Testament, it
the first public meeting held in Oslo, in was found she had requested burial. "Only
January, 1950. In July of the same year, she future generations will be able to properly
rejoiced to be able to attend the European appraise the value of the great service which
Teaching Conference held in Copenhagen, she has rendered at such a critical time in
together with every member of the Oslo the history of the Faith, and under such
Bahgi Community. .
difEcult conditions. . ."
I N MEMORIAM 697

FLORENCE GEORGE

Mrs. Florence George ("Mother George")
passed away on Saturday, November 4,
1950, at the age of 91. The Guardian cabled:
"Grieve passing distinguished indefatigable promoter Faith ardently supplicating
progress soul Abhb Kingdom her notable
meritorious services unforgettable."
A Tribute by Alfred S~igar
I was introduced to Mrs. George at Walmar House, the first Center of the London
BahB'i Community, then recently acquired.
My first impression of her was of a rather
formidable personality-tall, erect, dark, direct and rather brusque in speech. But more
intimate contact soon revealed her warm,
sympathetic understanding and progressive
character.
To her intimates Florence George revealed her pride. She was proud of the distinction "Mother," bestowed on her by
'Abdu'l-Bahi. She liked to speak of her Florence George.
pilgrimage to Haifa, of her Master's personal care that the individual needs of the
pilgrims were provided for; of His humor days, I feel that in her work for the Cause,
and His wisdom; of how He taught humility Mother George tried to reflect the Light
to the ostentatious and raised to dignity the she had received from the Master in the
self-abased. She prized the injunction He days of her pilgrimage to Him. It was in the
gave her that she was to be a Mother to the spirit of His Light that she conducted the
younger generation of Bah2is and train Sunday afternoon meetings in her Chelsea
them in the love and knowledge of the home. These gatherings were marked by
Cause. This injunction she obeyed faith- simple dignity; they were instructive, infully. spiring and without formality. Her hospital-
Mother George was proud, too, that she ity, without "fuss," was warm and unstinted.
had been instrumental in making known the We knew that the work her hospitality en-
Faith to Dr. Esslemont. Following on a tailed, the comfort provided and the good
series of happenings which must have been things we enjoyed, sprang from the loving
preordained, the doctor wrote to Mrs. service of her daughter Dorothy Wellby. We
George. The correspondence led to his at- may have failed to properly acknowledge
tending a BahL'i meeting in London, which this at the time, but we, who benefited by
meeting marked the beginning of his devo- her service, never forget.
tion to and his magnificent work for the She liked to have young people to come
Cause. Later, during her stay in Bourne- to see her. She loved to teach them; she
mouth, Mrs. George devoted herself to the prized their affection. She went forward
further instruction of Dr. Esslemont and from the guidance of the Master to that of
Sister Challis. But hers was not the pride the Guardian without hesitancy and withof successful achievement; it was akin to out question. To her the Master's Will was
the pride of a child who had been singled the authority; the later period was the fitting
out for a special distinction, and having sequel to the earlier. In the course of her
been so honored, must show herself wor- last letter to me, the script of which bethy of the responsibility which the distinc- trayed the weakness of the hand that wrote,
tion imposed. she said: "I cannot get to the meetings now
Now that I look back an those earlier and you can imagine my feelings. But I do
698 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

some teaching of young BahL'is and I try to
entertain at my home BahL'is who need
help." And, "I think the pioneers have done
good work."
So, there has passed from this earthly life
another of the links who bring to our Formative Period the spirit and the blessed aroma
of the Apostolic Age, passed to the AbhL
Kingdom, there to unite with them who
have gone before, to supplicate on our behalf, to contribute their love and their prayers so that we who remain here may be
aided by the Supreme Concourse in the
work and sacrifice which it is our privilege
to contribute to the progress of the Cause
we love.
-From British Bah& Journal,
December, 1950, p. 6.

PHILIP GODDARD SPRAGUE

"Staunch, exemplary, greatly admired,
dearly loved Sprague," the Guardian cabled Philip Goddard Sprague.
after Philip Sprague's death on September
23, 1951. How well Shoghi Effendi has ex- was outstanding. Large groups thronged
pressed in those three words, "dearly loved to his fireside meetings, and many accepted
Sprague," the feeling of the BahL'i Com- the Faith through study classes which grew
munity about Philip. The reason he called out of the fireside groups. Philip was hapforth that love was, no doubt, his own deep, piest when he was teaching, and those
abiding love for the Master, 'Abdu'l-Bahh, whom he taught felt his deep devotion to
and the Guardian. "All I want is to be with the Master and the Guardian and were
the Master," Philip often said in those last moved by his deep spiritual conviction as
painful months of his life. he talked. From 1926 to 1929 he and Dor-
Philip Goddard Sprague was born in othy Champ, assisted by Keith Ransom-
New York City on January 1, 1899, the son Kehler, held very successful fireside meetof Dr. Shirley Sprague and Marguerite Mo- ings in Dorothy's home in Harlem. This was
rette Sprague. His dear Aunt Carrie Kinney one of the first inter-racial groups in the city.
taught him the Faith when he was a small Keith Ransom-Kehler, a great Bah6'i and a
boy, so that when 'Abdu'l-BahL came to gifted speaker, helped them to spread the
this country in 1912, Philip was overjoyed Faith among the Negroes of Harlem.
to see Him. The memory of that early Philip had long wanted to go to Haifa,
meeting never left him. In 1919 and 1920 and the Guardian urged him to make the
he received several Tablets from 'Abdu'l- pilgrimage. On November 20, 1928, Shoghi
Bahh, in one of which the Master advised Effendi cabled "Welcome," which was his
him to go into business. invitation to start. After Philip's return early
At that time 'Abdu'l-Bahh through His in 1929, the Guardian wrote the following
secretary sent weekly messages to certain through his secretary: "He wishes me to as-
American believers about what was happen- sure you of his personal affection and praying in Haifa, and the young Philip was of ers and of his sincere desire and hope that
great assistance to the Kinneys in mimeo- you will render valued and permanent servgraphing these and mailing them all over the ices to a Cause so near and dear to your
country. This was Philip's first devoted serv- heart. Think what a smile-if a human
ice to the Faith. smile it should be-would run across the
His work with the youth and young adults Master's lips to watch the Philip he knew
IN MEMORIAM 699

as a child raise high the standard of His In 1944 he was elected to the National
Cause in America." Spiritual Assembly of the Bahk'is of the
During the Temple coilstruction Philip United States and served with distinction
inspired the friends everywhere to give to as national treasurer at the time when the
the Fund, and during the First Seven-Year Assembly was engrossed in the first stages
Plan, 1937 to 1944, he worked ceaselessly of the Temple interior construction.
to get settlers and pioneers that the Cause Philip had great personal charm. His
might be established in every state in North sense of humor was delightful and endeared
America. As chairman of the Spiritual As- him to his friends. The little Green Acre
sembly of the BahB'is of New York he cottage in Eliot, Maine, with its beautiful
kept constantly before the Community the garden was a joy to him and Mary. They
Guardian's messages, and urged the believ- loved flowers, and kept the house and porch
ers to sacrifice for the progress of the Faith. gay with them, arranged in his own artistic
In Shoghi Effendi's cable of October 4, way.
1951, he records that the memory of Phil- During much of his life Philip was ill. In
ip's work both in the teaching and adminis- the last difficult years of his sickness his wife
trative fields will never be forgotten. These was a constant source of encouragement
are his words: "Memory notable services and help. He learned to be patient un;der the
teacher administrator North (and) Latin severest suffering. Shoghi Effendi called his
America imperishable. Recompense Abhh spirit in his last illness "exemplary." Philip's
Kingdom bountiful. Praying ardently prog- inner reality was a tender, gentle, yet strong
ress soul." spirit which ever turned to the Beloved, and
When the Guardian's translation of The made him, as the Guardian said, "dearly
Dawn-Breakers first reached us, Philip read loved" Philip Sprague.
that immortal record of the early days of -HELEN CAMPBELL
the Faith with avid interest. He was transported to great spiritual heights by reading
about the BBb and those holy souls who
surrounded Him. This book had a tremen- NELLIE STEVISON FRENCH
dous influence on his life. Another strong
influence was his love for May Maxwell
and hers for him. She taught him much. Bahi'u'llhh proclaimed: "0 son of Being!
"The soul's motion in relation to the Be- Thy Eden is My Love and reunion with Me
loved is the unfolding of all the meaning thy home. Enter and tarry not. This is what
of life," she used to say. Philip read and hath been destined for thee in Our Kingdom
reread An Early Pilgrimage, which is her above and Our exalted paradise." The reaccount of her first meeting with 'Abdu'l- affirmation of the Covenant of God and the
BahB. One of his favorite passages was: "As reassurance of Divine Guidance became the
we gazed on Him, I realized that we could motivating power in the life of Nellie Steviin no way comprehend Him; we could only son French, upon whom 'Abdu'l-Bahh belove Him, follow Him, obey Him, and stowed the appellation, "My daughter."
thereby draw nearer to His beauty." Such Nellie was born October 19, 1868, in
thoughts as these which she expressed in her Peoria, Illinois; her father, Josiah Hill Stevitalks and letters to Philip found an echo in son, an Episcopalian, and her mother, Sarah
his own heart. Swain Stevison, member of a Quaker fam-
So, after her death in Buenos Aires on ily, provided their daughter and son, Dud-
March 1, 1940, it was natural that Philip ley, who was born 1882 in Chicago, with
should go to South America for a six the usual Sunday school associations. Evincmonths' teaching trip. This was in Septem- ing a marked talent for singing, Nellie left
ber of the same year. His fireside gatherings in 1888 for Naples, Italy, to develop that inin Buenos Aires were attended by large terest. The four-year residence abroad gave
numbers of youth who loved him dearly. her the opportunity to learn the French and
He returned in February, 1941, on the same Italian languages, to acquire an appreciation
ship with Mary Keene Manero whom he of the Latin fine arts, and to master a strenlater married. He made a second trip to uous course in training for the operatic
South America in 1942, staying three stage. She suffered a case of typhoid fever
months. in 1892 and returned to the United States
700 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

copied and exchanged were sporadic, rudimentary, and fragmentary. Mrs. Isabella
Brittingham's coming to Arizona in 1917 to
teach the spiritual significance of the Bahi'i
Faith offered her a rare privilege. That experience confirmed Nellie who became the
first resident Bahi'i teacher in Arizona.
Mr. and Mrs. French decided in 1918 to
make Pasadena, California, their permanent home. Nellie French assisted the
friends with the study meetings held in the
old Odd Fellows Hall. During Ridvh, in
April, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. French visited
Haifa and 'AkkB; that pilgrimage became
the fulfillment of all her hopes. In a loving
atmosphere she communed with the members of the Holy Family; she prayed at the
Shrine in the ineffable presence of the Center of the Covenant, the "Cord stretched betwixt the earth and the Abhi Kingdom";
and she trod the paths that had felt the
imprint of the footsteps of the Promised
One of the Ages. The dedication of her life
to service in the Cause of God was consummated; and she had received the bounty of
seeing 'Abdu'l-BahL before His Ministry
was ended.
Nellie Stevison French. Her Bah6'i activities were many and varied. She contributed to the literature of the
Faith by her work from 1930 to 1946 as
Chairman of the BahBi World Editorial
to recuperate; but her recovery was fol- Committee, during which time she assemlowed by scarlet fever which impaired her bled material for volumes IV-X. She transvocal chords irreparably. Her aspirations lated into French and Italian the "Blue
for a musical career were ended. Book" and the brochure "Number 9," and
In December, 1894, Nellie Stevison was for several years she wrote "Loom of Realmarried to Stuart Whitney French, a child- ity," a column published in the Pasadena
hood companion. About 1896, accompanied Star-News. In 1931 she made permanent
by her mother, she attended a few meetings Braille plates for Bahd'u'lla'h and the New
at the home of Dr. KJhayru'llLh, a Syrian, Era and for the Kita'b-i-fqa'n.
on West Adams Street in Chicago. He in- As an administrator, she served as Chairformed those assembled that there had come man of the Pasadena Spiritual Assembly
into the world a new revelation and a new from 1928 to 1938. For four years, ending
prophet, Bah6'u'llLh. Although Dr. KJhay- in 1944 she was Chairman of the Interru'llLh's knowledge of the Teachings of the America Committee, and in this capacity
Cause of God was limited, the spiritual she presided at a session of the Centenary
seeds were sown. Moving to Arizona in Celebration in 1944. Later she was a mem-
1900, Nellie French lived in Bisbee until ber of the European Teaching Committee.
1904 and in Douglas until 1917 where she She helped support the work of the Internaparticipated in the social and civic activities tional Bureau at Geneva and the All-Indian
of the pioneer mining communities. These project at Macy, Nebraska, undertaken by
interests were high-lighted by being elected her sister-in-law, Mary Farley Stevison.
Arizona State President of the Federation All this time she was very active as a
of Women's Clubs; she served from 3912 teacher, holding many firesides, participatto 1914. Her visits to Chicago and New ing in the study meetings of the friends,
York furnished a few Bahi'i contacts with and proclaiming the Faith during her travmeager information; the Bahi'i messages els. For many years, Mr. and Mrs. French
IN MEMORIAM 701

spent every summer in Europe and called of whom were born in Hawaii. Dagmar's
on the friends at the various centers. Prior great uncle, the second son of Daniel, beto Mr. French's passing in 1946, as they came the head of the Provisional Governcruised over the seas, Nellie took every op- ment and then President of the Republic in
portunity available to promulgate the Mes- 1893. After turning the islands over to the
sage from Spitzbergen, north of Norway, to United States, he became the first Governor
Magallanes in South America and from of Hawaii.
Reykjavik, Iceland, to Melbourne, Aus- Dagmar's mother was a member of the
tralia. well-known Dreier family, of Copenhagen,
After an absence of thirty-one years to Denmark, whose forebear was the famous
the day, in April, 1952, Nellie French re- young thinker and writer of that name, who
turned to the BahB'i Center on Mt. Carmel died at the age of 30 years, leaving a trail
to meet the beloved Guardian in person. of provocative and constructive thought
The harvest of her invaluable experiences, after him. A monument to his memory now
her familiarity with the BahL'i Writings, and stands in the city of Copenhagen.
her devotion to the Administrative Order of It is interesting that Dagmar's father's
the Faith, seemed to merge into a supreme family should have been missionaries and
at-oneness at the fo~~ntainhead of the living her mother's family Danish, as these two
waters whose source is God. facts were combined in Dagmar's history
During the Holy Year which was also the of service to God. Her life became consefirst year of the World Spiritual Crusade, crated to the work of teaching the Bahi'i
Nellie French settled in the principality of Faith and part of this service was done in
Monaco on September 12, 1953, to hoist the land of her mother's forebears-Denvaliantly the banner of the Bahb'i Faith. As mark.
the first decade of the second Bahi'i century On November 12, while the BahB'i world
was coming to its close, on January 3, 1954, was celebrating the anniversary of the birth
Nellie Stevison French was summoned from of BahB'u711&h,Dagmar passed to the Abhi
her pioneer post to the Abhi Kingdom. Kingdom. She had been in ill health for
On January 4, 1954, the Guardian ca- some months. She arrived for the Luxembled: bourg Conference but became too ill to
"Deeply regret passing valiant pioneer. participate. Arrangements were immediately
Long record (of her) services, highly meri- made for her to be sent to the Valmont
torious. Praying (for) progress (of) soul Clinic, situated in one of the loveliest spots
(in) Kingdom." of Switzerland, above Montreux. Here for
-CHRISTINE LOFSTEDT two months Dagmar rested and received
treatment. On November 8 she became very
ill, passed into a state of ~~nconsciousness
and five days later slipped through the
"Open Door" to pioneer in the worlds of
DAGMAR DOLE God.
In California, through her friend Marion
Holley Hofman, Dagmar had first heard of
"Grieved passing distinguished, conse- the Bahb'i Faith and immediately accepted
crated pioneer Dagmar Dole, outstanding it. Hers was an active BahB'i life. Soon after
record unforgettable, reward bountiful. becoming a declared believer she and her
Praying progress soul Kingdom." close friend, Virginia Orbison, went to
SHOGHI Glendale, California, to help maintain Assembly status, under the first "Seven-Year
Dagmar Dole was born in San Francisco, Plan." She then became active in Commit-
California, on June 14, 1902. Her great
grandfather Daniel Dole and his wife left tee work for Central and South America
Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1841 to and served as Chairman of the Inter-Amertake up their duties as pioneer Protestant ica Committee.
missionaries in the Hawaiian Islands. Her Later she journeyed to Alaska, and did
grandfather, George Dole, was born in Ha- valuable work in consolidating the Bahi'i
waii and Dagmar's father, Walter Dole, was community on that frontier. From Anchorthe oldest son of a family of thirteen, twelve age she went to the Bristol Bay area in the
702 THE B A H A ' I W O R L D

from all over Switzerland gathered for the
funeral service. During her short stay in
Valmont, Dagmar had won the hearts of
the entire staff. The doctors, nurses, the
maids, all came to pay their last tribute
because they, too, loved her.
At the opening words of the funeral service-"From the sweet scented streams of
Thine Eternity give me to drink 0 my God.
. . . Within the garden of Thine immortality, before Thy countenance, let me abide
forever . . . ," a shaft of light pierced the
snow-clouds and shone upon that open
grave. How could one be sad? How could
one be sad at the passing of one who had
been obedient to the command of her Lord
-"Teach ye the Cause of God," says Bah2-
u'llih. From the moment of her recognition
of the Cause of God, Dagmar rose up and
carried the banner of Bah2u'llLh to far off
Alaska, back across the American continent, over the Atlantic to the shores of
Europe, where she fell in action.
"She died in 'battle dress,"' said the
Guardian; "it is wonderful to die in active
service."
Dagmar Dole. Looking up at those majestic mountains
one was reminded of the qualities of Dagmar-nobility and strength. Thinking of the
starry white narcissus that will blossom over
Bering Sea, and worked among the Eskimos those mountain slopes, one saw her innate
and Alaskan Indians working in the fishing purity; that delicate shyness and awareness
industry. Her service to these minority peo- that were hers.
ple cannot be measured. She won their "Her spiritual station is very high." These
friendship because she gave them her love
words of the Guardian gave us a sense of
and compassion. She served them both materially and spiritually. She was their friend. pure joy. "Her grave will be a great blessing
Then came the Second Seven-Year Plan to Switzerland-to all Europe. She is the
and the call for pioneers in the European first to give her life for the Cause in the Eufield, and Dagmar responded. She was as- ropean project. Her resting-place is imporsigned to Copenhagen, Denmark. Here tant." Already evidence of these words of
again she served the Faith she loved so well the Guardian has been manifested. One canwith steadfastness and courage. Her record not express in words the sense of feeling.
in Denmark is rich. She, along with other One knew the leaven of the Faith was workpioneers and Johanne Hoeg, was instrumen- ing, cementing those souls standing at that
tal in bringing forty-seven believers into the open grave into one, unit--each pledging re-
Faith in Denmark. Her last pioneer assign- newed effort in carrying forward the banner
ment was to Italy, where she served both that Dagmar laid into our hands.
in Naples and in Milan. "Death proffereth unto every confident
In the village of Glion, high on the slopes
believer the cup that is life indeed. It beof the Swiss Alps, lies Dagmar-where in
the springtime the white narcissus pour out stoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness.
their fragrance and the snow-capped moun- It conferreth the gift of everlasting life."
tains eternally stand sentinel. Dagmar is one of those confident believers
Snow was softly falling, covering every- to whom Bah2u'llhh gave this glorious
thing in a mhntle of white, as members of promise.
Dagmar's family, and her BahCi friends
IN MEMORIAM 703

FLORENCE BREED KHAN

Florence LhLnum was the daughter of a
prominent New England manufacturer,
Ffancis W. Breed. She was brought up on
the family estate in Lynn, Massachusetts.
Later she attended finishing schools in Boston and New York, traveled in Europe, and
made her social debut in Chicago at the
home of Mrs. Potter Palmer. Newspaper
accounts of the time described her popularity and beauty.
Early tragedies, including her betrothal as
he lay on his deathbed, to the poet Philip
Henry Savage, and her father's loss of fortune, turned her mind toward serious things.
She began to study mysticism, dramatics
and art and it was in the course of these
studies that she met the lecturer and critic,
Mary Hanford Ford. About this time Mrs.
Ford visited Green Acre, Eliot, Maine,
where she attended classes conducted by
Mirzi Abu'l-Fad1 and Ali-Kuli Khan and
became a BahB'i. Florence Breed Khan.
It was Mrs. Ford who introduced Ali- (Mme. Ali-Kuli Khan).
Kuli Khan to the Breed family in Boston.
When he first entered Mrs. Breed's drawing
room, Khan, was attracted by a painting
which he took for the artist's ideal of a Persian Legation in Washington, D.C. As
beautiful woman. It was not long before he chatelaine of the Legation, Florence &himarried the lady whose portrait the artist num enjoyed several years of brilliant achad painted. When news of this union tivity. The SJhLh gave her a title-Muravreached the Holy Land, 'Abdu'l-BahL cele- vihu's-Saltanih-one who bestows spirit on
brated it. He gave to Florence the name the realm. At this time 'Abdu'l-BahL visited
RiihLniyyih, she who is holy, pure, spiritual. the United States and Madame Khan was
When the first child was born, the Master able to bring many of the leading personalisaid he was the first fruit of the spiritual ties of the day into His presence. He perunion between East and West. mitted a photograph of Himself to be taken
Taking their infant son, the Khans visited with the Khans, and another with their
'Abdu'l-BahL on their way to Persia. 'Abd- children. Florence LhLnum was present at
u'l-BahL showed great bounty to Florence. the Unity Feast of June 29, 1912, given by
It was in the course of this visit that He told 'Abdu'l-Bahb Himself at West Englewood,
Khan that He testified she was a true be- New Jersey, and Dr. Khan translated the
liever. He also said, Rahat mikunad-she words spoken on that occasion.
shall have rest. At the home of Florence's mother, Alice
In Persia Madame Khan was obliged to Ives Breed, society matron and one of the
wear the veil in those early times, the first early Bahgi'is in the United States, 'Abdu'ldecade of this century. The change of cli- BahL celebrated the BLb's birthday, and
mate and customs was difficult for her. She about that time He also presided at her sisfell ill and they despaired of her life. Khan ter's wedding. When Mr. Breed tried to
nursed her for months, all the BahB'is did thank Him for all His kindness to Florence
what they could, and she survived. She on her Eastern visit, 'Abdu'l-BahL asked
never forgot her love for the Persian BahL'is. why he thanked Him, they were His own
She returned to the United States, where family.
Dr. Khan became charge' d'affaires at the ~ l o r e n c ewas also present on that last day
704 THE BAHA'I W O R L D

when the BahL'is went to the ship to take tives of different nations at war and of naleave of the beloved Master, and Dr. Khan tions who had not yet concluded peace and
translated His final words to the Bahb'is of they had been most successful in their en-
America. deavour."l
Two things 'Abdu'l-BahL taught her she The then Crown Prince of Persia took
often quoted in Persian: One was that He Dr. Khan away with him as Grand Master
said to her Sabr kun; rnit&-i-Man bdd-be of his Court. That is how it came about that
patient, be as I am. The other was when when the greatest calamity of their lives
some one expressed discouragement to Him, overtook them, Dr. Khan was traveling to
saying they could not possibly acquire all Persia and Florence was still in Istanbul.
the qualities and virtues that Bahb'is are di- This calamity was the sudden, and to the
rected to possess, and the Master replied BahB'is then, unbearable passing of 'Abd-
Kam Kam. Rliz bih rliz-little by little; u'l-BahL. Very shortly, however, it became
day by day. known that the Master had left a Will and
After World War I, Dr. Khan was ap- Testament placing His Father's Cause in the
pointed a member of the Persian Delegation safest of hands. A new word entered the
to the Versailles Peace Conference. Their BahB'i vocabulary, the word Guardian.
stay in Paris that year was perhaps the high Madame Khan herself carried the first availpoint of Madame Khan's official life. able copy of the Will and Testament across
At this time 'Abdu'l-BahL sent word that the Caucasus and into Persia. The Bahb'is
His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, was coming of Baku on the Caspian Sea sat up most of
to Paris on his way to Oxford University. the night transcribing the Will so that she
Florence LhLnum was thus able to serve as could take it on with her the next morning.
Shoghi Effendi's hostess on numerous occa- After serving as head of the Prince Resions, and he gave the family their most pre- gent's Court, Dr. Khan was appointed Plenicious possession, a robe of 'Abdu'l-Bahti. potentiary to the Five Republics of the Cau-
When Dr. Khan became head of the Per- casus, and then in 1924 the Khan family
sian Embassy at Constantinople, Madame returned to the United States, stopping on
Khan's significant social role continued. The their way for a memorable visit with the
Turkish writer Mufty-Zade K. Zia Bey in Guardian in Haifa.
his book Speaking of the Turlcs describes The last twenty-five years of her life were
how she and her husband worked to pro- difficult for Florence Khtinurn and at times
mote international understanding: tragic. On June 24, 1950, at the Unity Feast
"The only reception that I know of . . . in New Jersey, Florence KhLnum passed
at which all officials and prominent citizens away suddenly, without suffering, in a place
of all nations were invited was the reception and on an occasion sacred to the memory
given at the Persian Embassy in honour of of 'Abdu'l-Bahi. Loving friends attended
the Crown Prince of Persia . . . it was the her. As she died a friend was singing the
most successful reception of the season in Lord's Prayer.
Constantinople . . . The Persian represent- The BahL'is of New York City where she
ative bravely decided to ask everybody resided held a notable memorial service for
without distinction of nationality and with- Madame Khan and her body was laid to
out regard to the political situation, and let rest in the Breed family plot at Lynn. An
events take their course. Naturally, events American Catholic friend had a mass said
were powerfully helped by the 'savoir-faire' for her, and in Tihrtin the Muhammadan
and the courtesy of the Persian representa- editor of the newspaper ZrLn devoted sevtive and of his wife . . . Of course-we were eral columns to her story. The Guardian of
all . . . anxious to see how it would turn the Faith cabled: "Profoundly grieve passout . . . Khanoum wore her beautifully ing beloved, distinguished, staunch, greatembroidered Persian court gown and her hearted handmaid beloved Master. Praying
diamond decorations and greeted us with fervently progress soul Kingdom. Her rethe ineffable charm which has won for her ward assured. Loving sympathy. (signed)
the hearts of all who have met her in three SHOGHI.''
continents." His account closes: "They had -MARZIEH GAIL
dared to bring together all the representa- 1 Pages 172-175,179.
IN MEMORIAM 705

DESCRIPTION OF THE MARTYRDOM OF LOUISE STAPFER BOSCH
BABRAM R A W ~ A NIN
~ TAFT
By MYRLE SOMERHALDER
AND IRVIN

In March, 1951, in Yazd, a young man
was discovered dead in a desolate part of A little girl was born to the Maurice
the town. A few enemies of BahB'i Faith Stapfers in Ziirich, Switzerland, on July 11,
spread false rumors about, to the effect that named her Louise. She grew to
be a fair, curly-haired, blue-eyed child and
later as a woman she was beloved by all
who knew her. No trumpets heralded her
birth and none echoed heideath on September 6, 1952, at Geyserville, California, but
her gentle manner, humility, her service to
others and her devotion to her Master's every wish is inscribed on many, many hearts
and is recognized in the Realms of Glory.
Little is known of her childhood days, as
she always thought "Louise" was a minor
subject. In later years she seemed happiest
when talking with others about the "Oneness of God, the oneness of the Prophets,
and the oneness of mankind." Can you not
visualize her as a studious, loving and yet
merry little lass? In April, 1889, courageous
Louise landed in New York and soon began the study of homeopathic medicine.
In 1901 she met Miss Fanny S. Montague
of Dobbs Ferry, New York, who introduced
her to the BahB'i Faith. She also studied
fervently at Green Acre under the guidance
of Miss Sarah J. Farmer.
Soon she became engaged to Dr. Wm.
Moore, brother of Lua Getsinger and together thev made plans to live a life of serv-
Bahram Rawhini of Taft. yce and a&inisterfing homeopathic remedies
in the Southern States. To her great sorrow
he contracted yellow fever and passed on
before she could join him there.
the boy had been murdered by Bahi'is. Subsequently she met the beloved May
They placed his body in a coffin and car- Maxwell and accompanied her to Haifa in
ried it around the town lamenting the death 1909 where she came into the presence of
of the youth and speaking vehemently of 'Abdu'l-Bahb; this to her was the greatest of
the cruel deed of the BahB'is. While this honors. Her great love for May Maxwell is
incident was taking place, two men who a story in itself. In her notes may be found
were members of the Faith, were severely a significant quotation: "I cannot speak of
beaten in a neighborhood shop because of the great benefits to my life and the transtheir religious affiliation with the BahL'i formation I experienced through the assogroup. ciation of May Maxwell."
At the same time another group of ene- While strolling in the gardens one day,
mies of the Faith went about the town of Louise expressed to 'Abdu'l-Bahb her great
Taft destroying the gardens and damaging desire to rise to the heights of spiritual
the homes of BahB'is. One BahB'i with a knowledge. She asked fervently: " 'Abdu'l-
Parsi background, named Barham Seroosh Bahi, what can I do to attain this?'He
Rawhiini, complained to the police about gazed at her fondly and replied "Give me
these persecutions. On the way back to his thy heart." She dedicated her life to fulfillhome that night he was attacked with knives ing this inspiring request.
and martyred by enemies of the Faith. Upon her return to America she obtained
706 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

employment in the medical department of them by Shoghi Effendi, to the National
the Briarcliff Manor School in New York. Convention in 1922.
She was also privileged to care for Rilhiy- During the years Louise came to realize
yih KhBnum when she was a child. A mo- the great need for teachers and that a school
mentous event occurred when Dr. Getsinger on the Bosch property would be of the
persuaded Louise to write to John Bosch, greatest of service. John had already written
a fellow countryman in California. to 'Abdu'l-Bahb: ". . . May this simple
On January 19, 1914, Louise Stapfer and place on the hill be dedicated to the univer-
John David Bosch were wedded in San sal spirit of the Teachings of BahB'u'llBh.
Francisco. To this union there was "born" May it be a Ma&riqu'l-Adhkkr, although
one glorious "child"-the Geyserville Ba- it be not of grandeur in appearance but only
hL'i Summer School. They nurtured it with a place of utmost simplicity for traveling
fervent prayers, steadfast-devotion and un- souls to rest in and to partake of the spirit
ceasing service until their physical beings as it is given. I pray that the atmosphere
were no more on this plane. here may henceforth be filled with true
John and Louise had a happy life to- spirituality and power, and that we may be
gether. Many are the anecdotes each, with a guided by the strong hand of the Almighty
little twinkle in the eyes, could relate of the so that this place may be a natural source
other. John never could lavish worldly of pure water for the believers to drink from
riches on his Louise, for she always man- and for all good hearts who are earnestly
aged to encounter some one more needy to seeking for enlightenment."
whom to pass on her possessions. As his Plans materialized and in August, 1927,
bride, John gave her five hundred dollars under the Big Tree the first Western BahL'i
to spend as she wished. She made haste to Snmmer School was held. John was a
send it to the Temple fund. staunch supporter of the driving forces in
In the little village of Geyserville, Louise Louise and gave generously of his wealth ,,
and her little basket of various small gifts for propagating the Cause of God; without
and remedies will remain a memory to the her determination the Summer School could
townsmen. Just as 'Abdu'l-BahB's gift of a not have been realized, She sacrificed her
rose would be transformed into a priceless whole being for it. In 1933 Shoghi Effendi
gem-so it was with Louise as she left a wrote her, ". . . the work you have initismile here, a word of encouragement there, ated in collaboration with Mr. Bosch is a
perhaps a needed homeopathic remedy or a historic achievement, an example to the Babit of spiritual knowledge. To compensate hB'i communities in other lands, a source of
for having no child of her own, for she future blessings and an added evidence of
loved children, she gave her all to the Cause the mighty and glorious spirit that animates
of Bahh'u'llkh and especially to the Geyser- you both in the service of our beloved
ville School. Cause. Strive, that every passing year may
Louise fully realized that the New World witness a fresh advance in the extension of
Order must penetrate even the most remote its scope, the spread of its influence and the
regions of the world. Having studied dili- consolidation of its foundation."
gently 'Abdu'l-BahB's Divine Plan she and She wrote countless letters and found joy
John set sail for Tahiti in the spring of in providing personally for the comfort of
1920. Remaining there for five months, they each student. The place was scrubbed to
planted the seed. As 'Abdu'l-Bahb wrote, spotlessness as dust and Louise could never
"Thou art sowing a seed that shall in due dwell in the same room. She was truly a
time give rise to thousands of harvests." perfectionist. She always remembered her
Upon their return from the South Seas "charges" and corresponded endlessly to
they- began to plan for a pilgrimage to guide them further in the Teachings. Her
Haifa. On the way they toured Germany, torch kindled the flame of friends and teach-
France, Switzerland and Italy, where they ers from East, West, North and South.
did extensive teaching, and arrived in Haifa Many believers brought their contacts to
just fourteen days before 'Abdu'l-Bahb blessed Louise, and through her great
passed away on November 28, 1921. How- warmth, love and understanding, their conever, they remained for forty days and had firmation would be achieved.
the great honor of bringing the first copy of In 1913 'Abdu'l-Bahb wrote a Tablet to
'Abdu'l-BahPs Will and Testament, given her, "Oh thou daughter of the Kingdom:
IN MEMORIAM 707

stood and had the rare quality of being able
to express her love to all Bahb'is. She also
loved the Guardian and had a devoted
comprehension of his station; she constantly
emphasized it to the friends. During her
later days, when her physical and mental
faculties ebbed away, the qualities of her
soul proved themselves, for she was more
than ever the sweetest and most lovable
Louise.
On a bright sunny afternoon soon after
she was taken from them, her friends gathered for a memorial service in the Collins
Hall on the Geyserville School grounds.
Mamie Seto and Arthur Dahl paid her
homage, thus closing a chapter in Bah6'i
history concerning two great souls, Louise
and John. She was laid to rest atop a hill,
alongside John, overlooking the valley they
both loved so well. The chapter is closed
but the book will go on and on-their child,
the Geyserville School, will continue to train
teachers and send forth pioneers to all nations, peoples and creeds until there is but
One World, and the brotherhood of man is
Louise Stapfer Bosch. established, as a result of the devotion and
sacrifice of all the great souls like John and
Louise Bosch.
"The Maid Servant of God, Louise,"
Thou art one of the old believers and be- wrote 'Abdu'l-Bah6 in 1904, "0 thou who
longest to the firm and steadfast maid- art advancing towards God! Verily the
servants of the Kingdom. Therefore in the Cause is great and the Lord is Merciful and
estimation of 'Abdu'l-Bahi thou art fa- Clement. Trust in the Grace of Thy Lord,
vored. Thank God that thou art firm in the
and be firm in love for Him who has cre-
Covenant and hast turned thy face toward
the Kingdom of Abh6. I hope from the ated thee and made thee. The veils shall be
bestowals of Bahb'u'llih that He may so removed, the shining lamp shall beam, the
enkindle thee as to move that region, that clouds shall be dispelled, the lights of the
thou mayest unloose thy tongue in guiding Sun of love shall appear on the horizons and
the people and attract the souls to His Holi- God shall grant thywishes and give thee the
ness Bahb'u'llih." power of deeds.
To tell more of the life of Louise Bosch "It is incumbent upon thee to depend
would be to repeat the account of the life of wholly upon the Center of Lights, and call
John Bosch so ably presented in The Bn- out for love, universal peace and harmony
hci'i World, Volume XI. They were the rar- amongst the people in the East of the earth
est of teams-one supported the other, the and its West, so that the foundation of ranlacks of one supplemented by the other. cor may be destr-oyed and the edifice of love
This magnificent marriage was indeed and faithfulness be set up, and that the
"made in Heaven." Without John's wise
heavenly powers may govern the mortal sencounseling the perseverance of Louise would
have been as a ship without a captain. timents and the merciful feelings may be-
Before the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 to Amer- come manifest in the human realities: This
ica, He issued a Tablet in which he declared is becoming of those maid-servants of God,
that the BahVis must pave the way for His who are attracted to that Beauty which is
coming by showing great love and unity to shining from the Horizon of the Kingdom
one another. He said, "Love is the greatest of God upon the world.
of all living Powers." Louise fully under- "Upon thee be greeting and praise."
THE BAHA'I WORLD

FLORENCE MORTON

On learning of the passing of Mrs. Florence Morton, Worcester, Mass., former
member of the National Spiritual Assembly and for some years its Treasurer, the
Assembly cabled the Guardian to inform
him. Shoghi Effendi cabled this reply, received April 8, 1953 :
"Grieve passing faithful promoter (of)
Faith. Praying (for the) progress (of her)
soul."

The sunlight slanted down on His white
garment as He walked majestically down
the streets of Boston. Crowds going in both
directions stared; walked on, each with his
own thoughts. Almost a block away, she
saw Him and was stirred. He was gone
before she could catch up. But Mrs. Florence Morton, shopping in Boston that day,
never forgot the venerable figure seen at a
distance. She was later to seek and find
'Abdu'l-Bahi, and to walk in His straight
path, serving all the days of her life.
- During world War I, a few years after Florence Morton.
the Boston incident, on vacation with her
family in Nova Scotia, she watched a hospital ship dock in the early morning hours at
Halifax. Authorities had planned it that way
-early, so that the public might not see 1953, she served unswervingly, pouring out
the maimed and wounded being carried her material means abundantly and giving
from the ship. But Florence Morton, on her of herself, despite opposition of family and
early walk in the gray dawn mist, saw at friends.
first hand the results of war. The blind, the She was born in Worcester, October 12,
legless, the armless, the shell-shocked boys 1875, the daughter of Frederick E. and
were carried from the ship. It was at that Sarah (Wood) Reed. She attended a finishmoment that she resolved to dedicate her ing school in Binghamton, New York, and
life and her fortune to promoting world spent two years abroad. Except for a brief
peace. Thus the Divine Hand beckoned to period in her childhood when the family
a waiting, gentle soul. Seeking, she found moved to Thompson, Connecticut, she lived
Him; found that she had missed meeting her life in Worcester. She married Fred S.
'Abdu'l-Bahi in person by the length of a Morton there, and they had one son, Stancity block. ley R. Morton.
One night in the world of dreams His Soon after hearing of the BahL'i Faith she
blessed face appeared to her in a blinding and Mrs. Amelia Collins, then living in
light. "The results of that dream must have Princeton, Massachusetts, where the Morbeen imprinted on my wondering face," she ton family had a summer home, studied
related many years later, "for in the morn- deeply together. Both later became members
ing my husband looked at me and said, of' the National Spiritual Assembly, and
'What has happened to you?' " Mrs. Morton served as its Treasurer for a
From that time (about 1919) nothing number of years.
could stop her search, nor dim the radiance In 1924 she was serving as a member
of her Faith. She studied intensively with of the National Spiritual Assembly and
Mr. and Mrs. I-Ioward Struven, then resid- through her efforts the sixteenth Annual
ing in Worcester. Until she died April 3, Convention was held in Worcester. News-
IN MEMORIAM 709

papers of April 27 in Worcester gave ban- mette are also unknown by the friends.
ner headlines to the "Bahi'i Congress and Once, reading a joyous cable of apprecia-
Convention of the Bahi'i Temple Unity," tion from Shoghi Effendi published in Baat the Bancroft hotel. Photographs of 'Abd- hn"i News, I mentioned it to Florence. She
u'l-Bahh appeared and pictures of the Tem- had not yet seen that issue and was quite
ple model were used. Worcester friends re- upset that her generosity had become
member how they all prepared food for known, for hers was a true humility.
hundreds of people and much of the ex- She had a passion for flowers and one
pense of the Convention was assumed by often found her on her knees weeding her
Florence Morton, though none of her own gardens at her Worcester house or at her
community was ever aware of the extent country estate in Paxton, Massachusetts.
of her services. Once, finding her gently spraying some
Worcester Bahi'is also remember that she seedlings with a small ear syringe, she said:
was instrumental in getting Dr. John Her- "You must never use the hose for it has too
man Randall of the Community Church in much force for such tender little plants."
New York City to come to Worcester for a When Roy WiIhelm developed his famous
series of paid lectures preceding the Con- estate on Spreckle Mountain at North
vention, in order to prepare the Christian Lovell, Maine, it was Florence who planted
minds for the Bahi'i message. She later bore the first gardens and watched over them,
the expense of a magazine, World Unity, hurrying from Worcester to Maine many
to indirectly interest people in the Faith; times early each spring.
and underwrote the expense of Dr. Randall At Paxton, in the spring and summer,
on a tour of the United States in which he Florence welcomed Bahj'i friends on any
appeared on platforms with the leading and all occasions. Many new people re-
Christian and Jewish ministers and rabbis. ceived the Message or deepened in the Cre-
In connection with her interest in World ative Word to the accompaniment of wa-
Unity Magazine and World Unity meetings, ter splashing down over the old mill wheel.
Mrs. Morton made it possible to bring out She had rebuilt the old grist mill, furnished
the compilation of 'Abdu'l-Bahi's public it in New England antiques in one huge
talks entitled Foundations of World Unity, room, used almost excluiively for her B-;
later taken over by the Bahi'i Publishing hi'i friends. Other spots of beauty high in
Committee. the Paxton hills were used for picnics and
She was instrumental in keeping the for study.
Worcester Bahl'i Center open for more When a young girl, a cook in her home,
than thirty years, during which time the
received the ~ e ~ s anda ~almost
e at once be-
Bahi'i Community grew and flourished and
came a luminous and firm believer, Florsent forth pioneering individuals. She financially assisted many pioneers to go forth ence was overjoyed.
into States where no Bahi'is resided, as soon "I have always prayed that I might find
as the First Seven-Year Plan was an- some one who would be immediately recepnounced. tive," she said. How happily she and Mrs.
Mrs. Morton built Bahi'i Hall, at Green Collins prayed and studied with Elsie in the
Acre Bahl'i School, and gave it to the kitchen, long after the rest of the household
Faith. She had assisted, previous to this new was quiet at night!
building, in remodeling the Inn and other Another joint effort with Mrs. Collins was
Green Acre properties. No one can even compiling the prayers and Writings called
guess how many of the friends were re- B a h a Writings the proceeds of which
cipients of her bounty in attending sessions were turned into the Temple Fund. Hunat Green Acre; nor how many she sent off dreds of copies were @ento their friends.
to annual Conventions. Her one request was Future generations of believers may look
always that "no one must know this." upon the grave of Florence Morton in Hope
She served for many years on the New Cemetery in Worcester. But none save Him
England Regional committees; the Green will know of all. her good deeds; so self-
Acre School committees and the National effacing, so truly full of humility was she
Radio Committee. in her earthly life.
Her gfts to the House of Worship in Wil- -ALICE BACON
710 T H E B A H A 'I W O R L D

RahmAn Kulayni was born in the county
of Mamaqkn where he acquired his elementary education. He started as a tailor in the
same county and as he was very sociable
and kind soon his workshop became a center for the gathering of the educated Bahi'i
and non-Bahi'i youth. Although he was not
more than 25, his vigilance and alertness
brought him into contact with the elder
men who welcomed him for his traits. He
often acted as an arbitrator in many disputes brought to him by Bahi'is and non-
Bahi'is and always lent a hand in benevolent affairs and religious ceremonies on the
mourning days of Muharram. In 1935 a Bahi'i youth who had great appreciation for
the traits and virtues of Rahmkn Kulayni
took him to a Bahi'i meeting. Then he became interested in associating more with the
Bahi'is. His ever-increasing interest in the
Faith was mostly due to the good conduct
of the BahB'is around him and not to the
authentic proofs or traditions of the Faith.
In 1937 the late AqA Zaynu'l-'Abidin
Abadi, one of the early believers and a
steadfast friend and the conquerer of two RahmAn Kulayni Mamaqkni.
counties in the district of Marighih to
whom 'Abdu'l-BahA has addressedseveral never leave his widowed mother-in-law
Tablets, taught the Word of God to Rahmkn alone, as she was his only hope when he
Kulayni, after which he became a Bah2i in was in great despair. His faithfulness and
1938. sympathy were deeply felt by his relatives
His success in the Faith caused a depres- who had withdrawn from all association
sion in his business and gradually his rela- with him.
tives and acquaintances kept aloof and left Finally, he found himself unable to do
him alone. This treatment by his relatives the housekeeping when his mother-in-law
increased Kulayni's courage. Being indiffer- became feeble. Then upon the constant inent to the rebukes and denunciations of all sistence of the Bahi'is and his mother-inthe ignorant people around him, he aban- law he married the daughter of Kazim PGli,
doned all that he had in his possession for one of the Bahi'is of Mamaqhn, who
the benefit of his brother. He married Aqk brought him a son and a daughter.
Zaynu'l-'Abidin's daughter and went to live In 1951 he was assigned as the Technical
with his father-in-law. Kulayni had great Inspector of the railroad rolling stock in
ambitions and enrolled in the Railroad DurGd where he served the Cause as a faith-
Technical School when business became ful pioneer. In August, 1953, some fanatics
slack in 1941. in DurGd began a campaign to incite the
In 1942 his wife, Huma, passed away and people there against the Bahi'is, stopping
left him alone with their only son, Parviz. at nothing in their denunciations. All the
He decided to remain single out of sym- Bahi'is who could not stand the situation
pathy for his mother-in-law who had out- left DurGd for Andirnisl-lk and Burfijird.
lived her husband and daughter. When Kulayni returned from Andimis_hk upon the
friends tried to induce him to marry again instruction of the superintendent of the Dihe would reply with a smile, "If I get mar- vision of Railroad to remain at his post, alried my present-in-law will collaborate with though aware of the possible dire consemy wife and they both will break my back." quences.
Then seriously he would add that he would Soon after his return the rabble broke the
IN MEMORIAM 71 1

window panes of his house and the super- h&'u'lldh, was born in the city of Yazd in
intendent ordered a new house for him. On 1880, and during infancy accompanied his
September 26, 1953, when Kulayni was parents to 'AkkL. His father 'Ali Akbar was
moving into his new house Ustad G-hulan, ordered by BahB'u'llLh to reside at Alexana ruffian incited by the bigots of the city, dria and engaged in trade. As a child, the
suddenly stabbed him in the stomach, heart, late 'Abdu'l Hussein received the blessings
and neck. Thus Kulayni became, at thirty- of BahL'u'lldh, and in 1892 he was 12 years
seven, a martyr in the Cause. old. He subsequently was a loyal and de-
Later his family stated that when Kulayni voted follower of 'Abdu'l-BahL and was unleft Andimiak for Durhd he turned to his der the kind benevolence of the beloved
wife, with great ecstacy and exhilaration Guardian Shoghi Effendi.
and said, "Do not worry for me. I leave He was ever a devoted and sincere folthe children to you and hope God be with lower of the Bahh'i principles. He passed
you." He proved his faithfulness and loyalty away in peace on August 27, 1950, and was
to the Cause and government by shedding buried at Alexandria. The circumstances ashis blood. sociated with his burial at the "Free Thinkers" burial grounds raised with the authorities the question of allotting a burial ground
for ~aha='is
at Alexandria and pshed-it forward a step.
Two daughters survive him.
May his soul abide in eternal Peace.

CHARLES NELSON KENNEDY

"Grieve passing dear devoted co-worker
Kennedy. Long record services unforgettable. Praying progress soul."
-SHOGHI

Charles Nelson Kennedy, a devoted
member of the Bahb'i Community of Paris
and chairman of the Spiritual Assembly for
many years, was a native of England, born
at Leeds (Yorkshire) November 6, 1875.
At the age of 18, his parents having lost
their fortune, he left England for Central
Russia, going to Samarka.nd and later Skobelev, where he became mining engineer in
coal mines belonging to Monsieur and
Madame Orsero de Keapkoff.
In 1910 Monsieur and Madame Orsero
'Abdu'l Hussein Yazdi.
de Keapkoff left for Paris, where M. de
The last survivor in Egypt of those who
Keapkoff died in 1912.
had the privilege of receiving the
Mr. Kennedy, who had remained in Rus-
Blessing of BahB'u'lldh.
sia. left for France iust before the war of
1914 and met ~ a d a m ede Keapkoff, who
'ABDU'L HUSSEIN YAZDf was of French nationality, and in 1915 they
were married.
The late 'Abdu'l Hussein Effendi Yazdi, During a voyage they made to GrCville
son of AqL 'Ali-Akbar Yazdi and grandson (Manche) they met the artist Edwin Scott
of Hdji 'Abdu'l Rahim Yazdi, a veteran be- and his wife, both well known members of
liever at Yazd, who was allowed to come the BahB'i Community of Paris. It was
to 'AkkB and reside during the days of Ba- through them that Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy
712 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

was waiting for a bus when a woman
stopped her car and offered Grace a ride.
A conversation on religion developed. Later,
when somebody told Lou Eggleston of this
conversation, he went to the Obers to find
out more about their Faith. From such a
simple incident, a chain of events was
started that resulted in the establishment of
the Louhelen Bahi'i School at Davison,
Michigan. Lou's chief services to the Faith
revolved around the founding of the school.
Lou Eggleston was in the American tradition of the self-made man. He had little
formal education and was trained as a
plumber. He worked hard and seemed to
possess great reserves of physical energy.
At one period of his life he commuted by
automobile one hundred and twenty miles
a day from Louhelen Ranch to Detroit, yet
always seemed to be relaxed and at ease.
He possessed an intuitive genius for solving
practical engineering problems, an ability
which seemed uncanny, but which he credited to prayer and meditation.
Charles N. Kennedy. For thirty years Lou was employed by the
American Radiator Company, finally bebecame Bahi'is, and they were soon very coming head of the Research and Developactive members. This was about 1926. Mrs. ment Laboratory of the Detroit Lubricator
Kennedy died during the war of 1939. Mr. Company, a division of American Radiator.
Kennedy escaped being deported as he was He was greatly respected by the personnel
already an ill man. On October 21, 1950, and company officials. An engineering assoafter a very long and painful illness, he ciate reports a meeting of engineers, called
passed into the Abhb Kingdom, deeply re- to solve a particularly puzzling technical
gretted by all who loved and highly appre- problem. The discussion became involved,
ciated him as a man and a Bahi'i of out- and several men proposed rather complistanding qualities. cated solutions. Lou got up, walked to a
-EDITH R. SANDERSONblackboard, drew a simple sketch and said,
"Gentlemen, I think this is the solution."
There was a momentary silence, for the solution was direct and logical.
Lou became a BahVi in 1930, after mov-
L. W. EGGLESTON ing from Rochester to Detroit. He served
DEC.8, 1872-SEPT. 5, 1953 on the Detroit Spiritual Assembly, was
many times a delegate to the National Con-
"Grieve passing valued promoter Faith. vention. He and his wife, Helen, conducted
His historic donation (of) School highly regular firesides in their apartment.
meritorious, reward bountiful (in) King- Shortly after accepting the Faith, he took
dom. Deepest sympathy, praying progress steps to carry out a dream of service that
(of his) soul." occupied most of his energies and resources
SHOGHI during the rest of his life. His idea was
to buy a farm that could be self-supporting
(Cablegram received September 8, 1953, and become the basis for establishing a Baby Mrs. L. W. Eggleston.) h6'i school. He consulted a number of his
Baht% friends and, one summer, he and
In 1927-1928 Grace and Harlan Ober Helen drove to Green Acre to see how that
were living in Clarence, New York, a small Bah&'5school was run.
town near Rochester. One day Grace Ober Three miles south of Davison, Michigan,
IN MEMORIAM 713

on Route 15-a route number which has winter months praying for a good cook for
become familiar to hundreds of BahB'is- the summer, and adding blankets and
Lou bought a farm. The buildings were not dishes to the supplies.
in good condition but his practical eye saw By 1934 it became necessary to hold
possibilities that patience and hard work separate youth sessions, so many were atcould develop. He called the farm "The tending, and they had asked for such an
Louhelen Ranch," a fitting name since in arrangement. A youth committee made and
the years that followed Lou and Helen enforced rules and helped work out their
worked in devoted partnership building the own programs. In 1937 the first full meeting
foundations of a BahC'i school. of the National Youth Committee was held
A small cabin stands near a stream in a at Louhelen. (This was at a time when the
ravine in the middle of the ranch acreage. National Youth Committee was made up
Here the first informal nine-day session of of members from both coasts and the centhe Louhelen School was held in the sum- tral area of the United States.)
mer of 1931. Discussion groups met either Lou and Helen Eggleston were always
in the cabin or on the banks of the ravine, asking how the school could be improved,
where rough bleacher seats were erected. how it could serve the Faith more effec-
The teachers at that first session were Doro- tively. Rates were kept as low as possible
thy Baker, Harlan and Grace Ober, Mabel and were even lower for youth. Lou will
and Howard Ives. The beginning was with- always be remembered by Bahii'i youth for
out fanfare, but it was so good a begin- his generosity. If they could not pay for
ning that the simple rustic setting was soon board and room, he would see to it they
too small and had to be abandoned. came anyway. (A direct result of this youth
The original farm buildings were close to work was the first BahB'i Assembly in Flint
the highway. In the second summer a vio- -nine miles from the school. All nine
lent windstorm blew down a large old barn members of that first Flint Assembly were
and Lou always said it was God's wind that under twenty-five years old.) This desire
took down that framework so he could to improve led to the holding of the Winter
build on the solid cement foundation. There
the auditorium was erected. "Pullman
Lodge," a smaller barn, had been turned
into-single private rooms on the first floor
and dormitory space on the second. But
that proved inadequate to house the number
of believers and friends the second year.
Lou met this challenge by turning the immense hayloft of the second barn into two
floors of rooms and by building several oneroom cabins in the trees near the main
house.
Before the first session Lou and Helen
Eggleston had written to Shoghi Effendi for
advice, and his suggestions and approval
of courses were their guide each year. The
National Assembly appointed a Program
Committee, but the Egglestons carried the
financial burden of maintenance and development until 1948 when they deeded over
the school buildings and nine acres of the
property to the National Spiritual Assembly.
Housing and feeding those attending the
sessions became a full-time job. By the time
morning devotions had started, Lou and
Helen would be driving to the wholesale
houses in Flint to buy food by the bushel
basket. While others studied. thev served
in this way. Lou often said they ipent the L. W. Eggleston.
714 T H E BAHA'I WORLD

Sessions in the week between Christmas and Food Associates, and was a Merit Badge
New Year's Day. Lou felt it was a shame to counselor in soil management and agriculwaste the buildings by using them only in ture for the Boy Scouts.
the summer months. By now the library Never did Lou Eggleston push himself
building had been built, with its huge fire- forward. He was dignified, self-effacing,
place that adequately warmed the second friendly and hospitable. An engineering
floor dormitory. Stoves were added to the friend and associate wrote: "I remember
Pullman Lodge, and extra rooms in the him from childhood as a rather stern but
house-long since improved and enlarged kindly disposed man-very quiet but with
-were pressed into winter service. an air of authority. I also remember him as
Lou will always be remembered as a gar- an engineer-and a very practical one.
dener. He was continually planting trees Probably my clearest recollections are the
and flowers around the school buildings. ones during his illness. Helen permitted me
The pleasant campus grounds are due to his to see him a few weeks before his death.
foresight. Freshly cut flowers were always He was in bed of course-very pale, thin,
on the tables and on the platform for the and quiet. We both smiled, then tears came
Sunday afternoon public lectures. And some to our eyes; he reached out his hands to
of us remember Lou standing outside the grip mine and said, 'I'll see you soon on the
door of the little auditorium, handing a other side.' (I believe this is nearly verrose to each person coming out. batim.) I left the room shortly after with-
Over the years Lou worked tirelessly to out further words. This was the last time I
help the school make the Faith better known saw him."
throughout the State of Michigan. The li- An institution of the Faith like a BahL'i
brary established at the school was regis- School has a tremendously wide influence.
tered as a public library. And Lou rendered We cannot measure the services of a man
public services which helped enhance the who donates and helps build up such an inprestige of the Faith. He was active in the stitution. But we can point out at least one
organic farming movement, lecturing and fact-former membeps of the Louhelen
writing about it. He was a charter member School Program Committee are pioneering
and president of the Genesee County Or- in at least three continents.
ganic Farm and Garden Club, was a charter
member and served on the board of Natural

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