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 Committee, 1948, bahai-library.com.
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THE BAHA'IWORLD
A Biennial International Record

Prepared under the supcrvisiot~of the National Spiritual Assembly
o f the Bahi'is of the United States and Canada
with the approval of Shoghi Effendi

Volume X
101 AND 102 OF T H E BAHii'f ERA
APRIL 1944 - 1946 A. D.

BAHA'I PUBLISHING TRUST
Wilmette, Ill~nois
CONTENTS xv

64. Jules Bois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
6 5 The late Sir John Martin Harvey. D.Litt. . . . . . . .
6 6. D r. Hewlett Johnson. Dean of Canterbury . . . . . . .
.
I11 In Memoriam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Siyyid Mus~afhR b i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Henrietta Emogene Martin Hoagg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
'Aziz'u'llih Mesbhl? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Muhammad Sa'id Adham . . . . . . . . . . . .
'Ali-A&ar Qnzvini . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lydia Zamenhof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Asadu'llih Nadiri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hasan Muhhjir-Zihid . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M & m n d Jaabini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
Prof. George W Henderson ........................
.
John P Stearns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sullin N i k - k i n . . . . . . .
'Ali-Muhammad Nabili . . . . . . .....................
.
Mabry C Oglesby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Esther Tobin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MaryLesch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jamil Isfihini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART THREE
I. Bah6'i Directory 1945-1946 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I. Bahi'i National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
2 Countries where Bahi'is are resident: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Abyssinia ........................
Afghinistin . . ....................
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arabia . . . . . . . . ..............................
Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bhhrayn Island . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balfi&it&n .....................................
Belgian Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Belgium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .
Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Burma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caucasus . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chiia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Costa Kca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Czechoslovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dominican Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IN MEMORIAM
AN ACCOUNT OF THE SERVICES OF BahVi groups into full-fledged spiritual As-
SIYYID MUSTAPA R6Mf semblies. For a long time, however, owing
to his business he could devote only a part
of his time to the service of the Faith; but
Siyyid Mugfafi belonged to a noble fam- in 1910 the link connecting him with
ily of Ba&d6d, 'Iriq. His father had settled worldly affairs broke abruptly. The firm of
in Madras. When Sulaymhn s 6 n Ilyis, which he was a partner failed, and, soon
popularly known as Jamdl Effendi, the first after, his wife died. He was now once more
BahPi teacher sent by Bahh'u'llih to India entirely detached and he devoted his whole
in 1875 arrived at that town S~yyidMusfaf6 time to the service of the Divine Faith. In
was m his early twenties. He was very spir- 1899 he carried to the Holy Land, with other
itual and very careful in the observance of Bahi'is, the marble caslcet made by the
his religious duties. The moment, therefore, Bahi'is of Mandalay for the Holy Remains
he came in contact with the commanding of the Bhh. He was received by 'Abdu'lpersonality of Jam61 Effendi, he was at- Bahi most graciously and was the recipient
tracted t o hi. He sat and listened to his of special favours.
talks which presented religious truth from Besides consolidating the centres at Ranquite a different angle from that in vogue goon and Mandalay he was assisted to esat the time. He was convinced and enam- tablish a new centre in Daidanaw, a village
oured of this new Revelation and when in the township of Kungyangoon. ]It so
Jamil Effendi left Madras he accompanied happened that the headman of Daidanaw
him and travelled with him throughout was embroiled in some legal case and he was
India and Burma. in trouble. In the court of Rangoon when
On reaching Burma in 1878 he left the his bail application was admitted there was
company of Jamll Effendi and settled in nu one to stand surety for him because he
Rangoon where he married in a well-to-do was a stranger to the place. One of the
Indo-Burman family of traders. His broth- Bahh'is of Rangoon, 'Abdu'l-Karim by name,
ers-in-law were all very prosperous and he happened to he in the court. He at once
joined them in their business. offered himself and another friend as sureties
Prior to the arrival of Jamil Effendi in for the headman. This impressed the head-
Burma, another Persian youth from SirPz, man and his companions and they inquired
H i j i Siyyid Mehdi, had settled in Rangoon of 'Abdu'l-Karim to which Faith he belonged
and had married in a rich Persian-Burman and when told of BahVu'llhh and Hi Great
family. Although he was from a BahPi Message they evinced a great desire to hear
family, being alone and not very learned, it in detail. They were brought to Siyyid
he was quiescent. When Jam61 Effendi came MusfafL who convinced them about the
he found support and rendered every pos- truth of the new Revelation. The headman
sible help to that teacher of the Divine and hi party went back to their village and
Faith. Jam61 Effendi succeeded in estab- related their unique experience to the people.
lishing two Bahh'i groups, one in Raugoon The elders of the village held a consultation
and the other in Mandalay. Siyyid Musfafi and decided to invite Siyyid Mqfafh to their
who was an erudite scholar and knew Mus- village to teach them the new Faith of God.
lim theology very well, followed up his Siyyid M q ~ a f Odid it in his own convincing
teacher's work and under the direction of manner and the whole village embraced the
'Abdu'l-Bahh succeeded in developing those Cause en masse. Siyyid Musfaf6 set about
THE BAHri'f WORLD

Siyyid Musfaf6 Riuni of Burma, named by the
Guardian as one of the Hands of the Cause of Bahh'-
u'lllh, contributed his imperishable services from the
year 1871, when he embraced the Faith through the
inspired efforts of Jamhl Effendi, the first teacher
sent to India by the instrnction of Bah6'u111ih. He
was nearly ninety-nine years old at the time of his
tragic death at Thingagyun.

bettering the lot of these people. With finan- tion was held at Allahabad and leaders of
cial aid from Rangoon Baha'is he started a various religions were asked w speak on their
school in the village and translated many religious ideals, Siyyid M q f a f i wrote a thesis
important books such as the "Book of fqin," on the Bahii'i Faith, which our ever dearly
the "Hidden Words" and "Some Answered remembered brother the late Mr. Rangnath
Questions," into Burmese for their edifica- Narayanrao Vakil read at the convention,
tion. He supervised the tianslation into and was freely distributed among the mixed
Urdu of "Maoh-i-Sayy6h" which was audience. The thesis told the people of India
printed under the title of "Blbul-Hayit.'" in plain words the history and the teachings
He compiled in Urdu "Almayarus-Sahih" of the BahP'i Faith for world religion and
.(The Tme Criterion) which proved a great incidentally showed that the differences in
aid to Baha'i teachers in India. In addition the various warring communities of India
he translated into Burmese "Baha'i Prayers" could not be eliminated unless religion and
and wrote "Lessons in Religion" in that politics were stopped from meddling with
language. In 1911 when a religious conven- each other's affairs.
I N MEMORIAM F19

Siyyid Muslafl had a very sweet temper. disobeying the Commandments of Bahl'-
He was an erudite scholar and knew the n'lllh so explicitly given in the "Book of
religious books of the Jews, the Christians, Covenant."
the Muslims and the Buddhists. He had a Siyyid Mugaf6 visited the Holy Land
talent for bringing out their teachings in tvice during the time of 'Abdul-Bahi and
the light of the Bahl'i Message in his own once after His passing. He was loved by the
sweet way and in such a convincing manner great Master and was the recipient of many
that a beginner became enamoured and cou- loving tablets from .%1 Siyyid Mqtafh
vinced. He might not, for woddly consid- was entirely detached from the world and
erations, join the Bahi'i Fold; but he knew what it contains. H e loved and adored the
for certainty in hi heart of hearts, that no beloved Guardian to such a degree that in
other Faith could redeem the world at the all his actions in his daily life he followed
present time of the ilk that had beset it. his example. He knew that the beloved
Throughout his life Siyyid Myqaf6 served Guardian loved and appreciated nothing but
the Cause of humanity by showing the peo- work and service for the Divine Faith and
ple the true path of felicity and salvation be worked and worked for it day and night
as taught by Bahi'u'llhh and many were the unmindful of his health or welfare. He was
souls that found the elixir of life at his about 99 years of age at the time of his
hands. Siyyid Mu(;taf6had a unique capacity death but his spiritual being was as young or
that moat teachers lack. He was a great even younger than the spirit of a youth of
administrator. He would not only teach his 22 years. If he heard that there was an
beginners but would lead them to form inquirer he would walk long distances and
themselves into a group and thus lay the visit the inquiring soul and many a time
foundation of a Spiritual Assembly, the first he succeeded in scraping away the dross and
unit in the New World Order of BahP- bringing out the reality buried beneath the
u'116h. Power to teach and power t o organ- litter and rubbish of tradition and imitation.
ize are two chief capacities which make a His method was to make the inquirer, in the
perfect Bahl'i teacher and Siyyid Mustafd first instance, self-sdcing in his search
possessed both in abundance. for the truth. He would remove his doubts
Siyyid Mugtafh passed the two greatest about his capability to understand religions
tests which confronted every person who subjects. He would eliminate from his mind
claimed to be a Bahi'i. On the occasion of the attitude of dependence upon so-called
the Ascension of Bahi'u'lllh when the religious leaders. He would then lead him
N6qidin spread their nefarious propaganda to sift out the truth from the motley of
which had its ramifications in h m b a y and dogmas and man-made beliefs inherited from
in other Bah6'i centers in India, Siyyid the ancestors. He would build his argument
Mtqtafi stood valiantly for the Covenant of on the knowledge of the inquirer and con-
God and so firmly countered their efforts vince him of the Truth proclaimed by Bahl'-
that it was not only prevented from spread- n'116h.
ing outside the area of Bombay but was The beloved Guardian's cablegram is a
driven out of that city also. fitting tribute to a l i e spent in the service
Again, when in 1921 'Abdu'l-Bahh passed of the Divine Faith of BahYu'll&. The
to the Supreme Concourse and according to cablegram runs:
His last "Will and Testament" Shoghi Rab- "Hearts griefstricken passiig Supreme
bani was appointed the first Guardian of Concourse distinguished pioneer Faith Bah2-
the Cause of God and the Nlqidin had once u'lllh, dearly beloved staunch high minded
more started their efforts by bringing in noble soul Siyyid Mtq~af6. Long record his
quotations from the "Aqdas," Siyyid Mtqfafi superb services (in) both teaching (and)
stood like a mountain and vigorously taught administrative fields shed lustre on both
the friends to follow the "Will and Testa- heroic and formative ages (of) Bahl'i Disment" of the great Master, showing them pensation. His magnificent achievements
from the writings of Bahi'n'lllh that the fully entitle him join ranks (of the) Hands
Nlquiz Akbar had forfeited his privilege by of (the) Cause (of) Bahib'll&. His resting
520 THE BAHk'f WORLD

place should be regarded foremost shrine me knowledge, faith and love,' was con-
(in the) community of Burmese believers stantly on my lips, and I believe those
Advise holding (of) memorial gatherings Words from the Fountain of Eternal Light
throughout India (to) his imperishablemem- awakened my soul and mind to a faith that
ory. Urge Indian (and) Burmese Babh'is has never wavered."
participate construction (of his) tomb. In this way Emogene became the first con-
Cabling three hundred pounds (as) my per- firmed believer in California.
sonal contribution (for) so praiseworthy Mrs. Hearst herself had been deeply im-
(a) purpose." pressed by the Babh'i story and decided to
SHOGHIRABBANI include in the Egyptian tour she was planning for the fall of that year a special trip
to 'Akki to see 'Abdu'l-Bahi and further
HENRIETTA EMOGENE MARTIN investigate the Revelation. Emogene accom-
HOAGG panied Mrs. Hearst as far as Paris and then
proceeded to Italy to continue her vocal
1869-1941
course. A t Milan, in 1899, she received her
first Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahh in acknowl-
"Emogene," as she was familiarly known edgment of her letter of acceptance of the
to the BahPis, passed away December I f , Faith which she had written before leaving
1945, after more than forty-seven years as California. However, it was not until Noan active national and international Babl'i vember, 1900, in company with Mrs. I-Ielen
teacher. She was born in the small Cali- Ellis Cole, of New York, and Miss Alma
fornia mining town of Copperopolis on the Albertson, that she had an opportunity to
27th of September in the year 1869. Her visit 'Abdu'l-Bahi. Those fourteen days at
father, Dr. Martin, having died when she 'Akkl and Haifa were her "spiritual bapwas very young, and her mother having re- tism." Afterward, at 'Abdu'l-Bahh's suggesmarried, she went to live with an aunt and tion, she spent a month in Port Sa'id in
uncle, Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Wright, order to study the Bahi'i interpretation of
in San Francisco, where later she was grad- the Bible with the renowned Persian teacher,
uated from the Irving Institute, a select Mirzd Abu'l-Fadl. Of that period Emogene
boarding school for young ladies of those wrote:
days. In her early twenties she married John "I knew no one at Port Sa'id and met none
Ketchie Hoagg, who died in San Francisco but Bahh'is during my stay there; but I was
in 1918. nor lonely for I was treated as a sister by
A few years after her marriage Emogene the kind friends. For four weeks Mirz6
went toEurope w pursue her musical studies, Abu'l-Fad1 received me at the home of Nur'.
remaining there several years. Upon her re- u'llah Effendi twice a day, morning and
turn to California she visited at the home evening, and gave me such explicit instrucof a family friend, Mrs. Phoebe Apperson tion on the Bible that for the first time
Hearst, in Pleasanton, and it was there, in this Book became an open page. It was not
1898, that she first heard of the BahPi without difficulty that 1 got the explanation.
Faith. Dr. and Mrs. Edward Christopher Sometimes Nur'u'llah Effendi would give me
Getsinger had come from Chicago hoping the meaning in Italian, and at other times
to interest Mrs. Hearst in the new Rwela- Ahmad Yazdi Effendi would translate into
tion. Emogene was so attracted by Mrs. French. Then I would put their words into
Getsinger's earnest manner that she sought English. After about two weeks Anton Efdaily lessons wit11 her, resulting in Emo- fendi Haddad was sent t o Port Sa'id, and he
gene's instant acceptance of the Faith. Con- translated directly into English. Almost
cerning this she wrote: every evening five or six of the BahCi
"My interest augmented from lesson to brothers would meet with us to hear Mirzi
lesson. The first commune, '0 my God, give Abu'l-Fadl's explanations. Those were wou-
I N MEMORIAM

Mrs. Henrietta Emogene Martin Hoagg

derful days,-to think that I, an American Going back in January, 1903, to Caliwoman, was able to meet with these BahYi fornia, where occasional BahP'i meetings
brothers of a different nationality and in a had been held in the Oakland home of Mrs.
foreign country, and to feel so perfectly at Helen S. Goodall and her daughter, Emogene
home, just as though I had been with my joined with them in establishing regular
own family! Probably to them it was yet weekly gatherings. Then, during the aba more novel experience to be able to meet sence of Mrs. Goodall and her daughter on
with an unveiled sister. All this has been a visit to 'Akk& in 1907 and 1908, she carbrought about by the power of Bahh'u'llih. ried on the meetings in her own home, and
I was still at Port Sa'id at Christmas time in addition started a second weekly group
and was honored at dinner by the presence especially for study.
of Mirzi Abu'l-Fadl, A b a d Yazdi Effendi In the absence of A4rs. Goodall in Noand Anton Effendi Haddad. Dear Mirzi vember of 1907, Emogene represented Cal-
Abu'l-Fad1 did not wish to go into the large ifornia at a consultation meeting in the home
dining-room at the hotel, so we had a private of Mrs. Corinne True in Chicago. Nine comroom and he entertained us by relating Bahh'i munities responded to the call for the pnrincidents in his life." pose of initiating the BahPi Temple work.
This intensive study was the beginning Mrs. True has recorded: "Emogene's flaming
of Emogene's long labor of love, an ex- spirit of devotion was one of the pioneer
haustive compilation titled "The Three Con- pillars to accompiish that great step in the
ditions of Existence: Servitnde, Prophethood, progress of the Faith in this country.'"
and Deity," which was not finished until The intervening years until the end of
shortly before her death. the First World War saw Emogene in divers
122 THE BAHA'I WORLD
places from California to Washington, D. C., A t Ruby they held an impromptu meetand even to Italy, Egypt and the Holy Land. ing on the sidewalk.
When the Teaching Tablets of 'Abdu'l- A t Tenana the Message was given to a
Bah6 reached the United States Emogene felt Chinese who owned the restaurant where
an urge to go to Alaska. Receiving a cable- they had their meals. Mr. Lee asked for Iitgram of confirmation from 'Abdu'l-Bah6, erature, and to every patron he would hand
she was encouraged to undertake the long a pamphlet, saying: "This is very good. You
and difficult trek in the cold North. read. Do you lot of good."
N o doubt the most unique of her many At Cordova Emogene wrote in her diary:
teaching endeavors was this one made with "While I gave only one public talk, the
Miss Marian Elizabeth Jack of New Bruns- whole town was astir with the Message.
wick. From San Francisco, in July, 1919, ... It really rejoices one to know that the
they took steamer to Nome and St. Michael, hearts are being prepared so opportunely,
reaching those ports on the 26th, thence up and that all we have to do is to lend our
the Yukon River to Fairbanks, on to Daw- serv~ces."
son and Whitehorse in Canada, down to "Some of the women at Anchorage helped
Skagway and Juneau in Alaska. Then Miss to arrange talks at the Women's Club, the
Jack remained in Juneau while Emogene City Club, before the Pioneers (women and
alone, in September, made the circuit by men), also at the picture show, and the High
water over to Cordova, Valdez, Seward and School Auditorium. They thought it was
Anchorage, all of which laces gave her ex- wonderful to travel and teach without takcellent newspaper publicity. ing pay, and that it was a privilege to hear
The long, leisurely trip up the Yukon the addresses. I stand in awe at the power
aboard the "Julia B was filled with amusing of the Spirit that will provide these means
happenings as well as excitement. To begin and opportunities."
with, all of Emogene's haggage, except one Emogene returned to Juneau December
suitcase, had been accidentally left behind 21st. Notwithstanding the Christmas holiin Seattle, hut, as noted in her diary: days, a series of dinner and teaching engage-
"Extra wraps and even Indian moccasins ments ensued at many private homes and,
will be loaned by the Captain, sweaters by on the evening of the 30th, she spoke at a
public meeting in Odd Fellows Hall. On
the Purser, and all sorts of things are con-
New Year's Eve she and Miss Jack attended
vertible into necessary robes for the night.
the reception given by Governor and Mrs.
The freedom from worry about baggage is Riggs.
a noticeable feature of our travels; in fact,
Late that same evening Mrs. Georgia Guaythis is a splendid region in which to practice son Ralston, of San Francisco, arrived from
not thinking about what one wears and what New York in order t o accompany Emogene
one eats." on some short trips out of ~ n i e a u . ~ f t ak
Everywhere along the route Emogene and hurried jaunt to Sitka, Wrangell and Ketchi-
Miss Jack had met the dwellers m the towns kan, fraught with near disaster due to inand Indian villages, either on the pier if the clement weather and severe storms, they
stop were a short one or, if longer, in the retraced their steps to Juneau, and at the
hotel lobbies, dining-rooms, lodge halls or invitation of the Mayor held one public
movie theaters, which latter would sometimes meeting in the City Council Chambers.
run slides announcing a Bah6'i talk. Miss During their stay in Sitka i t was the
Jack would set up her easel anywhere and Greek holiday season, with a dance every
begin sketching. She made friends through evening. Since they could, therefore, not
her smiles and merry quips, and Emogene obtain a hall, Mrs. Ralston wondered what
would soon introduce the subject of the they could do. Nothing daunted, Emogene
BahPi Revelation. Where public lectures replied: "Well, if we cannot get a hall on
were given pamphlets would he distributed, account of a masked ball, we will go to the
and usually an ice cream "party" would fol- ball. There we are sure to see everyone, and
Iow at the drug store or in a private home. some may be willing to listen to us." Not
IN MEMORIAM 123

only did they go to the ball, but they did Bureau.' Under her efficient supervision the
interest a number of persons and, moreover, Bureau was soon functioning smoothly, and
they were invited t o be two of the five judges in 1930 she and Miss Culver were elected
of the best sustained character of the eve- joint rreasurers. Capable co-workers they
ning. had in Mrs. Anne Lynch and Miss Margaret
At Wrangell they had two meetings in Lentz, who selflessly served many years.
Van Atta's Barber Shop. The proprietor Shoghi Effendi, in 193 1, summoned Emowas a devout Bible student and offered his gene to Haifa for the purpose of typing the
shop for meetings "any evening after 8:30 voluminous manuscript of "The Dawnand on Sunday afternoons." Breakers" uvhich he was then translating into
As they were about to leave Wrangell, English from the original Persian. Upon com-
Judge Thomas presented to each of them a pleting thar arduous and important task she
little pin made of Alaska gold, at the same returned to Geneva and remained there until
time thanking them for having "brought 1937.
much t o him in the Teachings." Then, in the United States again and
In a letter from Wrangell to a friend under the direction of the National Teaching
in Washington, D. C., dated January 11, Committee, Emogene traveled through the
1920, Emogene wrote: Middle West and South, to Green Acre in
"One must adapt the way to the needs, Maine, to the Louhelen BahB'i School in
and the main thing is to have the peopk Michigan; and, when Shoghi Effendi inaugulearn about the Faith. ... I know I shall rated the Seven Year Plan for the American
miss the pioneer spirit of Alaska. I certainly Bahi'is, she entered enthusiastically into
like it here." chat campaign. In 1940 she accepted an
From Juneau Emogene and Mrs. Ralston assignment to Cuba, under the Inter-Amerbegan the homeward journey, sailing Feh- ica Committee, for which she familiarized
ruary 24th from Vancouver for San Fran- herself with Spanish and taught in Havana
cisco. with much effect. She was quite a linguist,
Though Emogene was not the first Bahl'i as a matter of fact. She had translated Bahh'-
teacher to visit Alaska and spend some time u'116h and the New Era, the Hidden Words,
and other Writings, into Italian; helped Miss
there, she was truly a pioneer in the sense
Margaret Lentz with her translation of the
that she opened new territory and sowed the
Kitlh-i-'Ahd, and the Will and Testament
seed for future garners. of 'Abdu'l-&hi, into German; and assisted
Her entire tour of Alaska, by boat and Mme. Rao with the French translation of
rail, covered eight months and a total of Bahl'u'1166 and the New Era.
more than six thousand miles, not including Following the Cuban mission, . Emogene
the sea voyage from San Francisco to Nome. had a few months' rest in California, also
Almost immediately Emogene left for with friends in Cleveland, Ohio, and in
Italy, later for Haifa, but was back in Italy Washington, D. C. She was thus able, in
by November of 1920. In 1921, at Naples, May, 1944, t o attend the Thirty-Sixth Anshe met Mr. and Mrs. Stuart W. French, who nual Convention of the Bahl'is of the United
were en route from California to see 'Abdu'l- States and Canada at Wilmette, Illinois, and
Bahl. When they returned to Italy they the Bahl'; Centenary commemorating the
went with Enlogene, according to 'Ahdu'l- one-hundredth anniversary of the birth of
Bah6 instructious, to Rome and Florence to the Bah6'i Faith. Returning to Washington,
call upon those whom she had interested in she had expected t o start on a teaching trip
the Faith, and for several successive years to Green Acre, Montreal, and Florida; but,
their paths crossed in various parts of Europe. because of rapidly failing health, she instead
In 1928, at Miss Julia Culver's earnest retired t o her home in Charleston, South
plea, and with the approval of Shoghi Effendi, Carolina. Yet she was not idle. Whenever
Guardian of the Bahl'i Faith, Emogene went "See The BabPi World, Volume IV, page 217, for
to Geneva, Switzerland, t o assist in conduct- 1 "Short History of the International Bahi.i Bureau
ing the affairs of the International Bahh'i in Geneva, Switzerland,'. by H. B m o g ~ eHoagg.
T H E B A H A 'i WORLD

she could sit up, she applied herself pains- "Whenever and wherever we were totakmgly to the completion of her Compila- gether, whether she were sick or well, Emotion, from her bed she taught the visitors gene was always engaged in research for her
who called upon her, and to the end she Compilation, which was her very life. ...
vas a tireless worker in the BahCi field. 'Abdu'l-Bah6 loved her very much, and His
Emogene was in her seventy-seventh year daughters simply adored her, for her sense
at the time of her death. Upon receiving the of humor always buoyed them up in times
announcement, Shoghi Effendi cabled the of depression.''
National Spiritual Assembly: Mr. George Orr Latimer, of Portland,
"Deeply grieved passing (of) staunch, ex- Oregon, wrote:
emplary pioneer (of the) Faith, Emogene "I would say that one of Emogene's out-
Hoagg. Record (of) national (and) inter- standing qualities was her firmness in the
national services unforgettable. Reward (in) Covenant; another, the clarity of her teach-
Abha Kingdom assured (and) abundant." ing, both in the early days of the Faith in
Emogene during her illness had been lov- America and when she was instructed, by the
ingly cared for by Miss Josephine Pinson of Guardian, to teach the Baha'i Administrative
Charleston, the dear BahB'i friend to whom Order to believers young in the Faith and su
Ernogene had intrusted the manuscript of bring them close to the spirit of 'Abdu'lher hook, with the request that she type it Bahi."
for publication. Of those last hours Miss Mrs. Stuart W. French, of San Marino,
Pinson penned a beautiful account which she California, wrote:
sent to Emogene's relatives and intimate "When I take up a copy of 'The Dawnfriends, with the further information that Breakers' I think of Emogene's eager fingers
her body would rest in Magnolia Cemetery in typing word for word that wonderful book,
Charleston. Briefly, Miss Pinson wrote: striving to approach that spiritual energy
"The joy with which Emogene announced which always actuated the Guardian and
her imminent departure cannot be described which he longed to see in others. ... Her
loyalty and devotion, generosity, modesty
in words. All my experiences connected with
and, above all, her deep penetration into, and
her sickness and passing are very sacred to
brilliant explanations of, the Revelation, were
me, and I feel it was a great privilege and a priceless bounty to those who studied with
blessing to have been the one to serve her L-- 9 %
l'TZ.
in her last days. But her glorious departure Mrs. Anne Lynch wrote from Geneva,
overshadows all other sentiments, and I wish Switzerland, where she is still serving at the
all could have shared it with me. She wore International Bahgi Bureau:
an expression of supreme happiness until she "How much Emogene suffered physically,
was freed from the cage of this world." and how her spirit always remained un-
Letters from many friends have borne broken! How many of us owe to her our
witness to the extraordinary qualities of spiritual training!"
Emogene's mind and spirit. A feu. excerpts Miss Margaret Lentz, at present in the
follow: United States, wrote:
Mrs. Corinne True, of Wilmette, Illinois, "One afternoon at the International Baha'i
wrote: Bureau in Geneva, when we were entertain-
"Emogene was always such a vital char- ing our little group of Baha'i students, and
acter, full of doing things for others, and also some guests from out of town, Maria,
never considering herself." a young woman from the Balkans whom
Miss Agnes Alexander, of Honolulu, Emogene had attracted to the Faith with pawrote: tient and loving teaching, was sitting in the
"Emogene was one of the glorious souls reception room downstairs, just having finof the early days of the Faith who stood ished smoking one of her innumerable cigarfirm in the Covenant of her Lord." ettes. T h e n Emogene came down shortly
Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, whose home is before the arrival of the guests, she was
in Berkeley, California, wrote: shocked by the odor of the smoke. And
IN MEMORIAM Y25

what did she do! Did she send Maria away? were entitled ro the same privileges the
No! She fetched some attar of rose and women of the Occident enjoy. One of her
sprinkled it on Maria lavishly. And lo and cherished dreams was to be able to share in
behold, no smoke could be sensed any more, the building of a BahB'i school for girls on
only the most lovely fragrance of roses!" Mt. Carmel.
Miss Josephine Kruka wrote from Havana, In a precious Tablet from 'Abdn'l-Bahh,
Cuba: which Emogene always had vith her, occur
"Our glorious Faith has lost a most pro- these several verses as translated by Anton
found teacher. Emogene tried her best to Effendi Haddad:
make us reahze that much of our under- "0 thou who art rejoiced at the Glad
standing we must get through the heart, Tidings of God!
that we must study and meditate. She had "I received thy last letter in which thou
the greatest passion for studying the Teach- showest thy wistCu1 consent to the good
ings and imparting them to others. Indeed, pleasure of God, thy resignation to His Will,
she used to say that she never felt well except and thy evanescence in the way of His wish.
when she was teaching." "0 maid-servant of God! I assuredly know
Illr. Philip G. Sprague, of New York, one thy spiritual feelings, thy merciful thoughts,
of the younger generation of Bahgis, wrote: thy firmness in the Cause of God, and thy
"Emogene's passing was a real blow to me, straightforwardness in the Testament of
because 1 had been very close to her for many God.
years. She was a great believer, and I think "It is incumbent upon thee to have good
almost had more strength of character than patience and to endure every grave and diffianyone else I have ever known. I have never cult matter. Patience is one of the gifts
known any other person to have such adapta- of God, an attribute of the elect, and a mark
bility and determination in meeting the of the righteous.
problems of life." "I supplicate God to bestow upon thee
Another tribute was from Mr. Charles a power and a blessing to enable thee to
Mason Remey, of Washington, D. C.. guide sincere servants and devoted maid-
"Emogene's virtues were many. Perhaps servants to enter the Garden of El-Abha.
her outstanding human virtue was her keen This is better unto thee than that which
and most delightful sense of humor. This
is in existence in this world of creation. This
never failed her and was a constant source . * .
P a fact!
of pleasure and joy to all who were near her.
"Be tranquil because of My love to thee
. . . She went deeply and penetratingly into and My prayers for thee, and rejoice at all
the Teachings as but few others have done.
This made her a BahB'i teacher of Bah6'i times and under all circumstances.
teachers! I feel that her chief contribution "0 maid-servant of God! How excellent
to the Faith in this country was her teaching is chat sentence thou hast written in thy
among the believers themselves. Many had letter: 'It behooveth me to eliminate self (or
their beliefs and understanding vastly deep- egotism) so that I wlll not desire anything
ened by Emogene." but the Will of God.' How good is this
The foregoing appraisals afford an insight prayer, and how beautiful is this invocation.
into Emogene's dominant traits of character. Aught else beside this makes it impossible
Many more could be mentioned; for in- for man t o be confirmed by the abundance
stance, her extreme fondness for animals and of the gift of God; neither will he succeed
insistence that they be treated kindly and in becoming an humble and submissive servnever abused. ant or a laborer in His Great Vineyard.
A strong sense of justice was a virtue "May salutation and praise be upon thee!"
Emogene possessed in large measure. In all Such were the creative words addressed
her years of association with the Bahfi to Emogene by 'Abdu'l-Bah6 as long ago
women of the Orient she did not reconcile as 1902. Like fertile seeds, sown in the pure
herself to the restrictions under which they soil of her heart, watered by her conviction,
were obliged to live, for she believed they and warmed by the m h i n e of His love,
526 THE B A H A 'i W O R L D

they brought forth their harvest of humil- his extreme sense of courtesy. Having perity, patience, steadfastness, fortitude, and ceived in that youthful countenance the
superlative happiness. splendid soul of a steadfast servant of God
and a staunch promoter of the Cause, He
very kindly recommended him to return to
'AZ~Z'U'LLAH MESBAH TihrAn and participate in the Bahi'i educa-
(BahEi Era, 3 2 - 1 0 2 ) tional activities.
Posts of outstanding fame and excellent
BY MRS. GLORIA FAIZI prospects were already awaiting him, when
and A. Q. FAIU he arrived in Persia, but Mesbah's soul soared
The Guardian's telegram after the passing beyond all lucrative pursuits, temporary
away of Mesbah, "The Lamp of Guidance": rank and worldly desires, and above all bis
"Deeply grieved passing distinguished pro- one aim was to carry out hi Beloved's wishes.
moter faith 'Aziz'u'lllh Mesbah. His mag- The Spiritual Assembly of Tihrln, with
nificent historic services imperishable. As- whom the.Master had instructed Mesbah to
sure relatives, fiiends fervent prayers ad- cousult concerning his future activities,
vancement his soul Abh6 Kingdom. Advise found in him a mighty pillar for their edufriends hold befitting memorial gatherings cation institutions. He entered that glorious
loving recognition his manifold achieve- field of service and sacrifice, accepting a very
ments. Shoghi Rabbani." scanty salary and carrying the heaviest
T o possess a saintly life and to purge one's weight of responsibilities. During his many
self of all human deGres in an age when years of service as the Head Master of the
passions are predominant, and in a country Tarbiyat Schools, he was a living example of
where retrogression and decay have taken it a martyr's constancy. Endless sugerings and
to the abyss of misery and confusion, is a unlimited hardships were inflicted upon him
prodigrous phenomenon never to be expected by the many who were too short-sighted to
except amongst those who are born again perceive the glorious ideals towards which he
through the love of God. Mesbah is forever was untiringly striving, but these only served
glorified by such a life. to demonstrate the sublimity of his character
In the days when the standard of knowl- and the exaltedness of his endurance. Of
edge in Persia was the corrupted theological what Mesbah had to face during those years,
course of ages gone by, and those who it suffices t o say that the Tarbiyat schools,
studied the modern arts and sciences were although financially supported by the Bah6'is
considered heathens, and strongly opposed, themselves, were under strict orders of the
Mesbah left his country with the intention Persian Ministry of Education-a ministry
of continuing his studies in the French uni- wbich was a beehive of the arch-enemies of
versities of Beirut. There be proved himself the Cause and the refuge of the notorious
not only an ardent scholar and an example covenant-breakers who constantly endeavof virtue, but also a very promising poet oured to abate the prestige of tbe Baha'i
both in Arabic and Persian. Having gained a institutions and even encourage the irrefirm foundation in French, Arabic and sponsible mobs of the streets and the in-
Persian literature, he went on to Paris where corrigible children of other schools t o cause
he continued his studies, helped the oriental- endless troubles for the students of the
ists in their research works and aided the Bahl'i Schools. I t was the same ministry
early believers of that city in translating which caused the publication of certain igthe tablets from the Arabic and Persian into nominio~isbooks and magazines which were
the French language. He crowned all his not only the meanest standard of authorship,
e%orts and services by attaining the presence but also remained as an eternal shame to the
of the Master, and, in the sunshine of press and publications of Persia.
'Abdu'l-Bah6's love and encouragement, Mes- Taking all the difficulties in view, we may
bah's learning bore its finest fruit-the love realize through what a thorny path Mesbah
for and desire t o serve mankind. The Master had t o pass and how the Abhi confirmations
appreciated his erudition and highly praised bestowed upon him manifold achievements
IN MEMORIAM

'Aziz'u'llih MeShih, distinguished promoter of the
Cause, teacher and poet.
hi
and historical successes. He defended the certitude in his Master's promises, he brought
schools, protected the children and lifted up hope t o his scattered aud sorrow-stricken
the souls of his colleagues. I¶e recruited the children by his repeated and emphatic asablest teachers and managed t o raise the sertions that ere long from. the depth of this
standard of teaching in the Bahl'i Schools ruined nest of hearts, there would arise inmuch higher than that of other schools, so stitutions glorified in the name of God,
much so that the graduates of our institu- world-wide in fame, humanitarian in their
tions were envied everywhere for their objectives, and divine in their eternal salvaknowledge as well as for their character. The tion of the children of mankind.
constant abortive attempts of the enemies Although not ng could weaken Meshah's
helped to increase their own jealousy, and mighty soul, his thirty successive years of
pricked to the quick at the lofty prestige of labour in the schools, greatly affected his
the Bahh'i Schools, they did their utmost to physical health. His eyes failed him too, and
raise the hand of their temporarily mighty it was only the light of his insight which
King against them, and he, ignorant of the helped to soften the pain he felt at their loss.
Divine wrath and the effect of children's I t was hard t o believe that our schoals
supplications to the Almighty, permitted were closed, so long as Meshah was still
himself to be an instrument in their hands. among us, for in him there was a living
No one knows what passed in the heart school from which the people could learn
of Meshah when he saw his lifetime work fall how to sacrifice their whole lives for a divine
to pieces, but this we do know that he did ideal, how to hold firm to the hem of the
not give way to disappointment. Full of Centre of the Covenant and how to be steadw

fast in the path of God. After the closing Fame and praise were shunned by h i , but
of the schools, Mesbah continued teaching our Beloved has put his name on the wings
in the classes arranged by the local and na- of fame and made it soar and blaze in the
tional educational committees, and sometimes horizons of eternity.
he went on some most memorable teaching A soul illumined by such a stupendous
trips in Persia. When the call for pioneers cause of light, a heart brimful with the
was raised he encouraged his two elder sons Master's love and a memory so vastly and
to leave Persia while he, with the rest of his beautifully furnished with a tremendously
family, settled in one of the villages around great number of the divine tablets, verses of
Tihrln. There he spent his last days before the previous Holy writings as well as seleche took his flight to the eternal Kingdom and tions from the world's classics, could only
thus to the very mid our Head Master fol- poems such as Meshah's. Though the
lowed the path of the Beloved Master. many references make the lines of his poems
With his passing away, Persia lost a Mil- too deep for a quick understanding, yet the
tonic grandeur and a Homeric splendonr. inherent appeal, the music of meters and
In hi poems one would regain the lost para- rhymes and the hue of the highly spiritual
dise and would hear the far-off echoes of subjects attract the souls and possess the
the battle d r u m of God's Heroes who fought hearts of the readers and listeners. The love
the darkness of by-gone ages and broke of BaM, his soul inspiring muse, has made
through to the da n of this new and glor- each word a shining gem, each line a perfect
ious day of God. In the midst of h a lone- row of illustrious pearls and each piece a
liness and constant plights, being of an ex- galaxy of eternal stars.
tremely quiet and forebearing nature, Mes- Mesbah was a lighthouse for thonsands
bah took refuge in hi Beloved's love, at who were bewildered in the dark and stormy
whose threshold he poured forth his pearls seas of circumstances. The light diffused
of tears. Scholars and men of genuine under- from such a sublime soul had the most asstanding have judged his poems as unap- suaging effect on those who were in spiritual
proachable by any of his contemporaries and crises. Knowledge, talent and resolution were
to be placed with the eternal classics of combined in him with an extreme sense of
Persia. Yet such was the humility and de- detacbment, condescension and pure intentachment of Mesbah that none of his poems tion. In the obscure path of life he left
have been published. But in any meeting or traces from which the undisturbed melodies
gathering, the friends would persuade him of complete consent and utter resignation to
to recite to them some lines of hi poems. the will of God are eternally echoed.
Streams of joyful tears would flow down
their cheeks when he enthusiastically sang
his love to the Master: MUHAMMAD SKID ADHAM
"An effulgence of 'Abdu'l-BahPs counte- "Hearts greatly stricken (by the) passing
nance made my sorrow-laden heart the envy (away of the) distinguished servant (of the)
of the promised paradise. Out of pure grace, Faith, beloved Muhammad Sa'id. His merthe Divine Cnp-bearer filled my chalice with itorious services (are) unforgettable (and)
the wine of His covenant. Do you consider his reward (is) great (in the) Abhi Kiugit madness to be enchanted by such a glor- dom. Praying ardently (for the) progress
ious beauty? Hasten then and fetch my (of) hi soul. Assure friends (and) his relchains! Should the waves of calamities en- atives (of my) heartfelt sympathy, (and)
circle me, my heart never yields to fear and advise friends (to) hold befitting memorial
dismay, for His love is my ship and my - (in). honor (of) his imperishable
shore. O! Beloved, make my heart a shrine memory."
of divine mysteries, for the books of the From this cable of beloved Shoghi Egendi,
sages and their learnings fail to quench the Guardian of the BahPi Cause, to the Nathirst of my soul."" tional Spiritual Assembly of the Bah6'is of
*These lines are not the exact trulrlation of his Egypt, d l may know for a certainty of the
VeBeE. loyalty and devotion of this great soul. No
IN MEMORIAM

Muhammad Sa'id Adham

wonder that Bahb'is everywhere were deeply power, He followed 'Abdu'l-Bahh one day
shocked on hearing the sad news of his pass- until H e reached the Nozha Garden where
ing "through the gate into the city" of Bahl'is of different nationalities had gath-
Life and Light on September Y, 1941. ered for a spiritual meeting and Feast. There
Mdpmmad Sa'id was one of the pillars of Mul?ammad Sa'id witnessed an impressive,
the Religion of Bahl'u'l16h, and indeed might inspiring, and, what was to him, an unsurwell be considered a cornerstone of the passed scene, manifesting amazingly how
Bahb'i Movement in Egypt. 'Abdn'l-Bah6 was revered, the supreme re-
All Bahl'is, as a rule, have interesting spect for Him so evident and constant, and
records as t o how the teachings of Bah6'- a devotion which became an indelible picture
u'll6h became the most important thing in which was always with him.
life to them, but the story of Muhammad There, in that Garden, M4ammad %id
Sa'id carries a specially meaningful note. received the blessings of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 as He
He lived in Alexandria, and was by profes- welcomed him in a voice so powerful, so
sion a teacher in a government school. Dnr- penetrating, yet spiritually sweet, a voice
ing Nawr6z (Bah65 New Year) of 1912, unlike any other voice, a voice denoting rare
he saw 'Abdu'l-Bah6, V h o had just returned spiritual pre-immanence and which called
to Ramleh, (near Alexandria) after his spir- him to the Heavenly Way of the Kingdom.
itual mission in the British Isles and Europe. The great privilege of participating in that
He had never met, or even seen, 'Abdn'l- Feast in the Presence of 'Abdn'l-Bahl in-
Bah&before this time, hut was instantly at- spired this great soul for life. Thereafter
tracted to Him. Without any plan, in fact he met 'Abdu'l-Bahl regularly during all the
almost nnconsciously as if moved by a higher time He spent in Ramleh (1910-1911). He
530 THE B A H A 'i W O R L D

also met Mirzi Abu'l-Fadi, one of the re- Muhammad Sa'id was chairman of both
nowned teachers of the Bahh'i Cause who the Local Spiritual Assembly of Cairo, and
was also in Ramleh at that time. the Bahh'i National Spiritual Assembly of
Muhammad Sa'id was an earnest seeker Egypt, thus for several years his responsibilafter knowledge, and so once he was con- ities were very great, as likewise were his
vinced of the importance of the Bahli'i devotion and faithfulness.
Faith, that it was in truth the religion of The Commemoration, in May 1944, of the
the New Age, a Revelation direct from God 100th Anniversary of the founding of the
the Almighty, he diligently studied and Bahi'i Faith, necessarily made additional deprayed until he became well informed and mands on his time and strength, and they
had a reinarkably deep understanding of its grew increasingly greater as the plans for
outer and inner significances. Because of this historic event matured. By his own
this rich spiritual endowment, and, because noble endeavors, he encouraged all members
of his complete trustworthiness, his innate of committees and others cooperating,-recapacity and his great sincerity and faith- sulting in a completely successful and very
fulness in his Bahh'i services, he became a beautiful termination of this memorable ocvery much honored servant of the Bahl'i casion. His brilliant, informative and in-
Cause even long before the establishment of spiring address at the time of the opening
Bah6'i Spiritual Assemblies. of the first session, as well as his almost
Muhammad Sa'id manifested at all times constant services all through d ~ sessions
e and
vigor and intensity in his services. He es- thereafter, constitute a notable achievement
tablished in Alexandria (that important city in his life.
with one of the most magnificent harbors In October 1944 he retired from governaround the Mediterranean) through his serv- ment service with the thought ever-present
ice and sacrifice, a worthy Bahi'i Center in his mind of dedicating his entire life t o
representative of the Cause. Here the faith- serving the Cause of Bahi'u'lllh, but only
ful MGammad Sa'id and the Bahh'i friends about a year passed before he was called t o
of Alexandria, welcomed Bahh'i visitors serve in that Upper Realm, and his wish, exfrom the East and from the West on their pressed in his beautiful address at the time
way t o or from the Bahl'i Holy Shrines in of the reinterment of the remains of Mrs.
the Holy Land. Lua Moore Getsinger in the Bahl'i Cemetery
One, always manifest, proof of his loyalty in Cairo in 1942, and again over the body
to the Cause of Bahl'u'lllh was his alertness of Dr. Saleh in 1943, that he might at last
and his ever-watchful attitude in protecting lie beside them and other loved Bahi'is in
the friends from the peril of doubts and the the Garden of God, was fulfilled. .. . "And
influence of the enemies of the Cause. H i s his reward is great in the Abhli Kingdom?
firmness was exemplary, and from his life's
story many of the young people of the fu- 'ALj-ASBAR QAZViNi
ture will learn what it means to be a loyal
follower of the Bahi'i Faith. 187?-July loth, 1945
In 1922 the government transferred Ium 'Ali-A&ar was a truly remarkable man
to a teaching position in Cairo, Egypt. Here judged by any standard. He possessed that
he added many pages to his already dis- rarest of all combinations, a spiritual, pious
tinguished record of loving service t o the nature and a sound, discreet, well-balanced
Bahl'i Cause. Although every hour and even mind. He was a native of Qazvin, Persia,
every minute outside of his teaching work and although he modestly disclaimed any
was given t o the Cause, yet he would often right to be considered a learned man, he
take time off from his duties to cooperate possessed the greatest of all forms of learnheartily in the Arabic translation of the Iqhn, ing-a deep knowledge of the sacred texts,
the Will and Testament of 'Abdn'l-Bahh, the both of Isl6m and the Bahl'i Faith.
Addresses of 'Abdu'l-Bahh in Europe and As a young man he earned his living
America, as well as many pamphlets and through having the Oriental equivalent of
booklets on the Bahs'i Movement. a pharmacy. But he was restless; he wanted
IN MEMORIAM

'Ali-As&ar Qazvini

to really understand the Qur'Pn; he inquired With a heart stirred by gief and fully
of the local priests, but was not satisfied dedicated to his Faith, he offered himself as
by their answers. He decided t o buy him- a servant to Shoghi Effendi. A t that time
self a stock of nuts and seeds and sell them the Guardian was a young man, stunned by
in the street to passers by-hoping t o con- the double blow of his grandfather's death
tact some human being who could satisfy his and his own sudden elevation t o the lofty
intense desire to grasp the meaning of the position of being His successor. For 2s
prophecies of 1~16111. One day a Dervish years the trials and tribulations which inevibought some of his wares, he asked him ques- tably overtake one occupying so high nn
tions, each day a new one; at last the man office surged about Shoghi Effendi, and for
infarmed him he was leaving Qazvin. 'Ali- 2 j years 'Ali-A&ar was always there, loyal,
As&ar said he would go with him and he understanding, ready for any task that might
a Dervish ton; he left his native town and, be allotted t o him by his over-burdened and
as it turned out that the Dervish was a much loved master.
Bahl'i, he slowly enlightened him about the His functions were many: he became lovnew Faith. Finding his wife unresponsive to ingly known as "Ivfu'allim" or "teacher" as
this new spiritual movement which had set he used to instruct the Bahi'i children in
his soul ablaze, he left her and his only the Persian language and writing and in the
child, a son named Ibr&im, and set out in teachings. His pupils included members of
the direction of the Holy Land. For some the household, of the community, and young
time he sojourned with the Bahi'is of Alex- servants in need of instruction. He was the
andretta and then came to Haifa shortly Fostn~anof the Guardian; day after day,
after the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bah6. year after year, going t o and from the Post
.'f WORLD

Office in the heat of summer and the storm Up until the last day of his life the Guardian
of winter, with all the heavy and important was as solicitous for the comfort of his
correspondence and cables of this World servant as the servant had been for 25 years
Center. He was the ever-vigilant watchman for the comfort of his lord. Foreseeing the
of the home of the Master, keeping the rapidly approaching end, and wishing h i
household accounts, solicitous of its every to catch a glimpse of how great was to be
interest, the friend of every friend of the his reward, Shoghi Effendi sent him word that
Guardian, the enemy of every enemy of the he was cabling the Persian believers abont
Cause. him and referring to h i as "the lion of the
Whatever the Guardian did was sure to forest of the love of God." The nearest posfind a sound, crystal-clear echo of approval s:ble English for this beautiful metaphor in
in the heart of the old man who served h i n ~ the arabic language is "lion-heartesbut
with such unique devotion-nd such loyalty it is a pale tribute beside the original! 'Aliwas not uurewarded: 'Ali-Ashr received Asgbar, in hospital, terrihiy weak and sufmany confidences from Shoghi Effendi, was fering greatly, smiled when he heard this.
given the most important messages to trans-
Then he made hi will, having understood
mit, was trusted to a degree that made him
that the curtain must be falling on hi
the envy of every one, high and low alike.
earthly life. The Centenary review of the
He was greatly esteemed by the pilgrims and
Faith in Persian, written by the Guardian,
admired and respected by the townupeople.
It was a touching sight to see hi,stooped he had had copied out in beautiful long
hand; thii was to be bound, with his money
with age, almost blind with myopia, his
hair and heard turning white, going faith- and given as a gift to Shoghi EfSendi; his
fully about his duties, carrying the heavy books were to be given (he had marked each
brief case of mail back and forth from the one), w the house as an endowment for the
Man's meeting room; all his effects, few as
Post Office; serving the Guardian's guests
tea; bringing the cakes for the Feast Days; they were, were for the House; he left $40
even on occasion bent double with the bread for the Guardian t o dispose of. This was all
for the entire house on hi back, dnriog the that he had after a quarter of a century
war days when it was rationed and all the ~ o r k !
complicated cards were in his trustworthy Shoghi Effendi himself annointed the body
hands. of his faithful friend and servant; his was
One would have thought that such con- the first hand to stretch out to raise his
stant service was suaicient of a gift for coffin; he sent the flowers of the Shrine for
him to make to the Cause of God; hut no, he his grave; he cabled Persia:
would go himself, when his health was fail- "Distinguished servant, blessed house,
ing, in spite of every remonstrance, up to lion-hearted, steadfast, vigilant, indefatigthe terraces of the Shrines and in the heat, able 'Ali-A~gbar ascended Abhh Kingdom.
with a labourer, render his share of active Twenty-five years exemplary, unforgettable
hard work to the Holy Tombs. H e would service triumphantly ended. His innumeroften turn up with some present for the able services rendered Persian pilgrims merit
Guardian, some fresh fruit, something he holding memorial gatherings throughout
wished to offer to the House or the Pilgrim Persia Inform all believers. ' I r k friends
House--every thought flowed towards hom- should likewise honour his memory."
age to, and protection of, what he loved Such a man is a worthy example, not only
best in this world. for all those w'ho serve the Cause at its
During the last year of his hie, when he World Center to follow, but for every
was over seventy-five, it became clear that Baha'i. So keenly was this felt by many who
his splendid constitution was being attacked came in contact with him that in the end
by an incurable disease. I t was then, more the pilgrims would write to him and sign
than ever before, that he tasted the real themselves "the servant of the servant of
depths of Shoghi Effendi's affection for him. the House."
IN MEMORIAM

Lydia Zamenhof

LYDIA ZAMENHOF city; Sofia was a physician; and Lydia re-
"Yb-BahPu'l-Abhi! Is there any remover ceived her LL.M. degree from the University
of Warsaw.
of difficulties save God! Say, Praise be to
I t was inevitable that Lydia Zamenhof
God! He is God! All are Nis servants and
should be an idealist. Her father, Dr. Ludwig
all abide by His bidding." L. Zamenhof, was the eminent inventor of
Such must have been the glad refrain ring- Esperanto; and her mother, Klara Zilbernik,
ing in the heart and soul of Lydia Zamenhof was hi self-&acing yet devoted and enduring her last hours on earth. She must couraging helpmeet. Love for all humanity
have known that her moment of death was pervaded the atmosphere of their humble
fast approaching. Fement in her faith and home, and together the parents reared their
unwavering in her courage, through untold children in the spirit of world unity and
sufEerings and persecutions her shining brotherhood. It followed naturally that,
countenance was ever turned towards the when she received her LL.M. degree in 1925,
eternal goat, until, triumphant and victor- Lydia decided not to practice law, but to
ious, her spirit winged its flight to its ever- devote her time to the spread and teachig
lasting home. of Esperanto. As an authorized instructor
The youngat of three children, Lydia of the International Cseh-Institute of Es-
Zamenhof was born in Warsaw, Poland, on peranto at The Hague, she uaveled.and
January 29, 1904. Her parents were liberal- taught in many countries in Europe. She
thinking Jews, and they afforded their sou became the most popular instructor of the
and daughters good educations. Adam be- Institute, next to Father Andrew Cseh, its
came the outstanding eye specialist of that founder. In France, where she had spent a
134 THE ~AIlri'f WORLD
good deal of her time, she was fondly known a fuller measure of the Sacred Writings
as "The Goddess." translated for us by the beloved Guardian.
I n 1913, when Lydia was nine years of From that time forward her life was devoted
age, she attended her first Universal Esperan- to a twofold purpose-spreading the Mesto Congress, held in Berne, Switzerland. In sage of Bahi'u'liQh, and teaching Esperanto.
the "Christian Gmmonwealth" for Septun- With the acceptance of the Bahh'i Faith,
her 3, 1913, J. M. Warden published an troubles began for Lydia. Branded by some
interview with Dr. Zamenhof, said: "I of her relati.i,es as a "betrayer" of the Jewish
feel greatly interested in the Bahh'i move- religion, she was reviled and persecuted for
ment, as it is one of the great world-move- her belief in the unity of God and the
ments which, like our own, is insisting upon brotherhood of man. So deep-rooted was
the brotherhood of mankind, and is calling her love for God, hou-ever, that she remained
on men to understand one another and learn steadfast and firm against all opposition and
to love each other." At another occasion he her fervor and ardor in the Path of Bahi'-
said, "The personality of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 and u'116h increased with the passing of time.
His work I esteem most highly. I see in God had bountifully endowed Lydia with
IIim one of the greatest benefactors of the many talents. Her magnetic charm was unwhole human race." This was probably the equalled. She was a born illstructor and
first contact of Dr. Zamenhof with the
speaker, and her ability as a translator and
Bahb'i Faith.
writer was unexcelled. Early in her career
I t was through Martha Root, the flaming
she rendered into Esperanto the famous work
Hand of the Cause of God, that Lydia Zaof Sienkewicz, "Quo Vadis?", "Iridiono" by
menhof came into the fold of Bahh'u'llih.
the classic Polish author, Krasinslii, and sev-
This self-sacrificing handmaid of the Blessed
eral novels by B. Prus. When she embraced
Perfection took advanrage of every opportbe religion of Bahi'u'lllh, she dedicated her
tunity to contact the family of Dr. Zamentalents entirely to the Bahh'i Cause. Many
hof. Lydia was the only one who responded
of her inspiring articles were published in
t o the call of the Glory of God. I n April,
Esperanto and English periodicals with
1926, Miss Root was the official repreworld-wide circulation. Included among her
sentative of the Baha'is at the unveiling of
translations are:
a monument on the grave of Dr. Zamenhof
in Warsaw. I t was there that Lydia said t o Bah6'u'llQh and the New Era
her, "It seems t o me that Esperanto is only Paris Talks by 'Abdu'l-Bahl
a school in which future Bahh'is educate World Religion, by Shoghi Effendi
themselves. The Bahh'i Movement is a for- Bahi'i Prayers
ward step, i t is larger." Unfoldment of World Civilization
Several months later, the eighteenth Uni- Letter to Central Organization on Durversal Esperanto Cungress was held in Edin- able Peace, by 'Abdn'l-Bahl
Excerpts from the Will and Testament of
burgh, Scotland. On August 2 a Bahi'i
'Abdu'l-Bahi
Esperanto Convention was held as part of
Some Answered Questions
this Congress. Martha Root, again an official Kitib-i-fqin
representative of the Bah6'i Faith, spoke on
"The Positive Power of Universal Religion." She also translated into the Polish language
Lydia Zamenhof was in the audience. In the "Bahi'u'll6.h and the New Era" and "Hidden
city of Edinburgh, where, in the memorable Words."
year 1913, 'Abdn'l-Bahi deli*-ered His In 1937, at the request of Shoghi EEendi,
classic address before the Esperantists, Lydia the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Zamenhof attended her first Bahh'i meeting United States and Canada invited Lydia Zaas a believer. menhof t c ~visit &s country. She arrived
Afire with the Message, she set herself to on September 29, and on October 2 she bethe difficult task of learning the English gan her first Esperanto class in America.
language in order that she might partake in With the cooperation o i the Esperauro As-
IN MEMORIAM

r
Asadu'llih Nadiri, formerly of Tihrin, suffered
martyrdom in SihrGd, Persia, August 8, 1944.

sociation of North America, she conducted the United States. Thus were made many
Cseh-method courses in the following cities: more contacts for the Faith of Bahi'u'116h.
New York . . .. I5 students Through her untiring efforts victory after
Philadelphia . . 32 students glorious victory was harvestcd in I-Iis Name.
Detroit . . . . 7 2 students One of the outstanding results of her visit
Lima, Ohio . . 6 2 students was the undertaking of the Esperanto trans-
G een Acre Bahi'i School, lation of "The Dawn-Breakers" by an Amer-
Eliot, Maine .. . 10 students ican Bahi'i. Her encouragement and in-
Cleveland . . 30 students valuable assistance in this task was a contrib-
She also spoke over the radio, and before uting factor t o its successful completion.
gatherings in colleges, churches, and other T o l h e constantly before the public was
cultural and social groups, in the foUowing a sacrifice for Lydia Zamenhof, for she was
localities: of a retiring nature, and liked t o be alone.
Baltimore Her face in repose bore the expression of
Washington sadness which has become a characteristic of
Ann Arbor, Roseville, Marysville, and the Jewish countenance through centuries of
Flint-11 in Michigan persecution. But when the Name of BahP-
Chicago, Urbana, and Maywood-all in u'llih was mentioned, or of the language
Illinois of her father's invention, as if through a mir-
Boston acle her whole personality changed. The tiny
In all, she came in personal touch with gnat became a mighty falcon, and she forgot
about 1100 people during her short stay in her own self as with shining eyes and vibrant
THE B A H A ' ~ WORLD

Elasan Muhijir-Zihid, merchant of S_hibnid, Persia,
was one of three Bahh'is martyred on August 8, 1944.

voice she launched into discussions or re- how her brother, Dr. Adam Zamenhof, had
counted her experiences in her field of serv- let her "confiscate" his typewriter so that
ice. Especially did her face become illumined she might complete the manuscript, because
as she told of her pilgrimage to the Holy her own ~nachiiedid not have Polish char-
Land, her precious moments with the Great- acters. To such painstaking work did she
est Holy Leaf, her talks with the beloved devote her entire self.
Guardian, her commullion with God in the In her last letter to this country, dated
Sacred Shrines. August 18, 1939, Lydia Zamenhof wrote,
On November 28, 193 8, Lydia Zamenhof "Now there are five Babh'is in Poland, inreturned t o her native land. The outbreak cluding myself. Considering the smallness
of the war was imminent, and her loving of our numbers, each new soul is all the more
heart yearned to be with her brother and important and is accepted with such great
sister in time of hardship. Upon her return joy." She wenL on to tell of her plans t o
to Warsaw she finished the Polish transla- attend the National Esperanto Congress in
tion of "Bahh'u'llih and the New Era." Lwow early in September, and then to go
Many of us remember her as she sat on the to the Netherlands for several weeks. Neither
porch of Green Acre, devoting every spare the Congress nor the trip ever took place,
moment to this work. "Shoghi Effendi," she for Poland was invaded two days after the
confided, her face aglow, "has told me that letter was received. After that, only indi-
I must hurry and finish this as swn as pas- rectly could we hear from her, in spite of
sible." In one of her first letters written efforts of the International Red Cross. At
after her return to her home, she described first she and her family, together with all
IN MEMORIAM

>lul?ammad JadAbani, one of the BahPis martyred
in S i h r h d , Persia, August 8, 1944.

of the other Jews of Warsaw, were herded the Guardian, through his secretary, wrote:
into the Ghetto. In 1942, the Zarnenhof "She certainly deserves to be remembered
family was taken to a concentration camp. by us all for her services to the Faith and
Previous to this, all of the professional Jewish her loyalty and devotion! Her death is a
men of Warsaw were shot to death. Included great loss, as she was so well able to serve
among them was her brother, Dr. Adam and teach in different languages and differ-
Zamenhof. In August, 1944, Dr. Sofia Za- ent countries. I t seems too terrible to conmenhof was shot to death. A few days template what her end must have been!"
later, exactly eighteen years after she at- To the very end of her life Lydia Zamentended her first Bahi'i meeting,Lydia Zamen- hof remained a heroine, ever thoughtful of
hof, together with many other Jews, was the welfare and safety of others. When it
cremated in the Jewish death-camp in Tre- became evident that the lives of the inhahblinka, near Warsaw. This sad news was itants of the Ghetto were doomed, the nonrelayed to the Guardian, who replied by Jewish Esperantists of Warsaw approached
cablegram: her with offers t o hide her from the in-
"Heartily approve nation-wide observance vaders. She declined, for she wished to refor dauntless Lydia Zamenhof. Her notable main with her family. Besides, she said.
services, tenacity, modesty and unwavering violent death is the punishment for those
devotion fully merit high tribute from who are caught hiding Jews, and she would
American believers. Do not adx~ise,however, not think of endangering the lives of her bethat you designate her a martyr." loved Esperantist friends. So it was that
In a second message, dated April 20, 1946. sh- met her death.
THE BAHA'f WORLD

Prof. George W. Henderson

Of her untimely and tragic end Father else except Thyself. Blessed is he who hath
Andrew Cseh wrote, under date of February enjoyed intimate communion with Thee, and
7, 1946: rid himself of all attachment to any one
"Oh, our poor, dear Lydia! According to save Thee."
information received she had a terrible death.
How will God ever punish the guilty ones?
GEORGE W. HENDERSON
Their crime truly exceeds every heretofore
known measure." BY LOUISG. GREGORY
Vhen we call to mind the self-sacrifice, Professor George W. Henderson, Henderthe perseverance, the devotion and loving son Business College, Memphis, Tenn.,
service of Lydia Zamenhof in her zealous ascended to his eternal home December 24,
and untiring efforts in the Path of God, we 1944. Then ended a mortal career which in
can but think of the words revealed by two ways bore a similitude to that of the
Bahl'u'll&h: Master. The length of 'Abdu'l-BahQ's min-
"Blessed is he that hath set himself towards istry as Center of the Covenant was rwenty-
Thee, and hasted to attain the Day-Spring of nine years. George Henderson's BahPi life,
the lights of Thy face. Blessed is he who at a different time, covered exactly the same
with all his affections hath turned to the length. A t the Master's funeral no Bah6'i
Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation and the spoke, making way for non-BahA'i orators
Fountainhead of Thine inspiration. Blessed of various faiths, Christian, Jewish, and
is he that hath expended in Thy path what Moslem, all so eager to pay their tributes
Thou didst bestow upon him through Thy of veneration to their beloved teacher and
bounty and favor. Blessed is he who, in his the "Father of the Poor." The only BahYi
sore longing after Thee, hath cast away all speaker a t the obsequies of His devoted fol-
IN MEMORIAM

John P. Stearns

lower was limited to a few mmutes becanse worlds. His former Sunday school teacher
of a similar condition. told of the bright promise of his youth. The
Months before, George was aware of his dean related his connections with faculty and
proximate end, remarking that he had much students. A state official, described the eswork but little time, as he would not outlive teem of Tennessee, atso how he found him
the year. He proceeded to set his house in an ideal companion. Another clergyman
order. He incorporated hi school so that its suspended a rulc of his church to eulogize
services might survive him. He also provided George Henderson.
that, agreeable to the wishes of the Bahh'is, The pastor of the church which he often
it might always be used by them. attended brilliantly portrayed him as a
Despite stormy weather the funeral as- planter, builder, writer, and father, in all of
sembled a capacity audience. There were which he was par excellent.
prayers for the departed. Remarks touching The aroma of flowers, the spiritual atmoshis success as educational pioneer and in dis- phere, the fine opportunity to teach the onecovering Bahh'u'116h, whose Glory now en- ness of humanity to an interracial gathercircles the earth, were feelingly given. His ing, Tennyson's beautiful poem, "Crossing
bold proclamation of faith; his humble and the Bar," added joy to solemnity.
grateful acknowledgment of it as the founda- This tribute has come from Haifa:
tion and motivating power of his life's worli "He (the Guardian) was sorry to hear
received mention. Prof. Henderson had passed away. No doubt
There followed an array of dis~inguished he -.ill now find himself in that happy state
speakers from the clergy, the field of educa- promised by the Beloved as the reward of
tion, religious and secular, the officialdom of His faithful servants. The Guardian will
his native state. Most impressive of these pray for his spiritual advancement and that
was that of a venerable clergyman of the his deeds in the South may bear fruit."
white race who left a sick bed to attend. exposing himself to further perils through taxi
JOHN P. STEARNS
shortage on a stormy day. V i t h tear dimmed
eyes and faltering voice, he pictured his BY HANSDiiRY
great love for hi brother; how they had Our beloved and nnforgettable teacher
spent long hours together meditating and and pioneer, John P. Stearns, passed away ac
conversing about the mysteries of the divine Lima, Per&, on November 7, 1944.
T H E BAHhi'f WORLD

Ile was and always will be so near to our Jolm's BahL'i hooks, we found these words
hearts that we can hardly believe he has gone. underlmed, and realized anew how much
John was from Jamestown, New Yorlr, these particular teachings possessed and conwhere he sold his business in 1940, and de- trolled his thinking-"the preservation of
cided to come to Ecuador as a pioneer. We His Law, the safeguarding of His Cause."
consider ourselves as the first harvest of the We, here in Lima, Per<, knew John Stearns
seed he has sown. during one year of terrible suffering, and
We proudly &rm that his sacrifice shall yet the things we remember most are: his
not be in vain. John's loving kindness and fortitude; his patient endurance; his smiling
the Faith he gave us will live on fore~rer answers to our solicitous questions about his
and ever. health, "I'm feeling fine," or when the pain
was worse, "So-so*'; his brave humor-calling the radium needles in his tongue his
JOHN P. STEARNS phonograph needles. His only impatience was
Bahb'i Pioneer to Quito, Ecuador when he thought we were doing too much for
BY EVE B. NICKLIN him. We all wished we could do much more.
"0ye beloved of the Lmd! The greatest John came t o Lima from Quito, Ecuador,
of all things is the potection of the True just a few days before Christmas 1943, t o
Faith of God, the preservation of His Lnw, enter the Institute de Radioterbpia. After
fhe safeguarding of His Cause and service months of treatment, once coming very
unto His Word." near to death, he recovered miracubusly.
Leafing through the pages of some of He then went into business with Mr. Ray
'Ali-Muhammad Nabili, President of the National
Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma of 1944-1941,
died in ILirmin, Persia, in 1941.

Betts, manager of the Cremrica. I t was be- This cable from the National Spiritual
cause of this association with John that Ray Assembly of the BahA'is of the United States
becdme a confirmed believer in the Bahi'i and Canada came to comfort our hearts:
Faith. (':Accept) our heartfelt sympathy (for the)
The men with whom he worked spoke grlevous loss (of this) self-sacrificing Bah4'i
of John as a quiet man, a man who con- pioneer, John Stearns. His death lights one
stantly sought divine direction in the daily more spiritual beacon illuminating (the)
performance of his duties, a man whose life path (to) unity (of the) Americas (in)
was a testament to his convictions. Baha'u'llih's Revelation."
John wanted to live, makiug great plans
for the future, but his destiny was not this
physical work, hut a freer, fuller work in SULTAN N ~ K - P ~ N
the world beyond. Soon it became evident Sultin Nik-A'in was born in Yazd, Persia,
that his ailment was returnmg, and he passed and although his father was a Bahi'i, he was
away November 7, 1944. With simple Bah6'i a staunch Musl~m during his early years.
ceremony we, his Bahl'i friends and business When he came of age, he accepted the Cause
associates buried him in the British cemetery and was enabled to render it valuable servhere in Lima, Perk Now, his helpfulness and ices. He was President of the Bahl'i Spiritual
his prayers live on, not only in memory we Assembly of Yazd for a period and was
believe, but in actuality, pervading two alleged to be the leader of the friends in the
South American countries. case wherein they were unjustly accused by
THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D

Oglesby

the enemies of the Cause and thrown into his wife heard the Bab6'i Message and shortly
prison in Yazd and at Tihrln, for a period thereafter accepted it. They studied under
of five years. He was acquitted once during the tutelage of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan F. Ober,
this period but the enemies of the Cause and during the annual convention of 1917
exerted every effort until they succeeded in held in Boston, received a great confirmaputting him again under chains. tion.
When he was set at liberty he emigrated Mr. Oglesby was an able and active advot o Quetta in Balu&istin in obedience to the cate of the Faith. In his life, he sincerely
instructions of the Guardian to the general
endeavored to express rhe BahVi principles.
body of the friends in Persia. In conjunction
He was greatly loved by the more than ten
with other Baha'is of Quetta he succeeded in
establishing an Assembly in that centre in the thousand members of the national labor oryear 100 of the Baha'i Era and in purchasing ganization to which he belonged. For about
a building to serve as the local Haqiratu'l- fifteen years he was one of the national rep-
Quds. He died at Quetta of heart failure resentatives of his co-workers in conference
on the 27th May, 1944 and was buried there. with the management of the company regarding wages and workhig conditions. His
insight, courage and fairness made him out-
MABRY C. OGLESBY standing. His influence both in the Baha'i
BY Lours G. GREGORY Cause and in his daily work, was for unity
AND HARLAN E . OBER and peace. Through his position he had the
The connection of Mabry C. Oglesby with opportunity of meeting many people of all
the Faith, goes back t o 1913 when he and walks of life. He was kind to all and forthright in his statements and was continually
engaged in offering the Bahb'i Message.
Although he was unable to take so long a
journey, Mr. Ogleshy sent his wife and
daughter t o visit the Sacred Shrines on Mt.
Carmel. They were the third and fourth
among the Bahl'is of the colored race t o
make such a journey from the West, and enjoyed the privilege of meeting the Guardian,
as the two former visitors had lnet 'Ahdu'l-
Bah6. The devotion and sacrifice of this pilgrimage, as is true of all such sacrifices, vere
the means of releasing great spiritual forces
which strengthened the bond of race unity,
a phase of the teaching work in which they
vere most active.
One of the brightest memories of his life
was a motor trip, in which he was accompanied by Mrs. Oglesby and two of his
white Bahb'i friends, to attend the Convention in Wilmette. Social gatherings and
meetings for the promulgation of the Faith
were arranged in many cities both on the
journey to Wilmette m d on their return to
Boston.
Mr. Oglesby was for nearly fourteen years
a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Boston, Massachusetts. In this capacity, and Mrs. Esther Tobin
also as a delegate to the Bah6'i National Conventions, his services were always con- MIU. ESTHER TOBIN
structive, always touching the heights of 1863-1944
reality.
From his first confirmation, hc became
aware of the tremendous spiritual power in Mrs. Esther ("Nettie") Tohin, who u.il1
the Bahi'i Cause and he dedicated himself to ever be remembered as the one inspired to
its service. Through his devotion he became find the dedication stone of the first Bahi'i
eloquent, and his radiant face and impas- House of Worship in the Western World,
sioned utterances will long he remembered. ascended to the Abh6 Kingdom April
Memorial services were held in Boston after twenty-eighth, 1944. On October ninth of
his death on May 19, 1945. The tributes paid the year previous she commemorated her
to him by his associates were most illnminat- eightieth birthday.
ing and revealed the esteem in which he was Mrs. Tobin was born in Detroit, Michigan,
held. The hearts of many who were present and lived there until shortly after the death
were attracted by the inspiring Bahb'i service. of her husband in 1392. She then moved to
During the winter of hi life he was beset Chicago with her two small sons, John and
with many illnesses, losses, and afflictions of Harold, and her half-sister and brother. At
various kinds. Neither he nor his wife ever first she had a difficult time supporting herwavered in the face of annoying persecutions self and family by means of dressmaking.
and trials, but attained the bounty of divine Although extremely busy, her spirit of deprotection. There are many who will miss termination and faith in prayer became a
him in this world; more will welcome him silver lining t o the clouds of worry and
on the Shiing Shore. despair. Daily she prayed for spiritual gnid-
THE B A H A ' ~WORLD

ance in meeting her many problems with her Worship now stands. Two boys assisted in
little ones. getting the stone to the top of the hill.
Mrs. Tobin felt that her prayers had been When 'Abdu'l-BahQ visited the Temple
answered when she met Paul K. Dealy, one site in 1912, to dedicate the grounds, He
of the early believers in the Bahi'i Faith in saw this stone, and when a hole had been dug
America. She recognized his great faith and by representatives of many nations, He had
spiritual power as a teacher. After attending it placed therein, and it became the object
his classes she was convinced that Bah6'u'IlLh around which the ceremony of dedication of
was the "Son of Man" and the "Lord of the the Temple site revolved.
Vineyard" promised by Jesus Christ, and the During the years following that Event and
"Everlasting Father," the "Prince of Peace'" the building of the Temple, the stone was
promised by Isaiah to come in the "latter carefully preserved, and finally imbedded in
days." She not only accepted the Bah6'i the cement floor of the basement a t the spot
Message, but wanted others t o hear the glad- where 'Abdu'l-Bahl dedicated it.
tidings of the fulfillment of that great As one visits that sacred place and gazes
Event. at the unpolished, rough piece of natural
Regarding the finding and delivery of the rock and remembers its signiiicance coupled
dedication stone: according t o her nurse'$ for with the greatness of the One Who blessed
three and a half years before her departure, it by Ilis Word and Presence, one gratefully
A h . Tobin mentioned the following: 'ecalls the faith and effort of the humble
One day while sitting alone and busy with soul inspired to bring it there for that unique
dressmaking in the home of one of the be- and remarkable occasion.
lievers, she heard a voice questioning, "Do
you believe in immortality?" She replied, MISS MARY LESCH
"Yes, I do." The voice said, "Then, get a
BY ALBERT WINDUST
stone." A few days later the voice again
came, hut louder than before, "Do you be- Miss Mary Lesch of Chicago will ever be
lieve in immortality?" Again she replied, remembered for her service to the BahPi
"Yes, I do." And the voice said, "Get a Faith, especially in the vital task of publishstone." ing and distributing the literature of the
Mrs. Tobin delayed carrying out the re- Cause, during the years from 1910 to 1922,
quest. Again the voice came a third time in America. This was a service without remuneration rendered outside the time spent
and commanded her t o obtain a stone. She
in earning a livelihood.
began looking around and was inspired to go
In the early days of the Faith, this service
to a place where a building was under con- was freely given by Mr. and Mrs. Agnew,
struction. Here the contractor, after hear- until ill health made it impossible for them
ing her request, told her to select any stone t o continue. Miss Lesch graciously shouldered
that she wanted. She chose a very large one the labor it involved, and continued until
and started away with it in a small hand- the National Spiritual Assembly relimed her
drawn express wagon. About half way to by creating a Committee t o handle the everthe Temple site, the wagon collapsed, but a increasing responsibility and labor.
kindly milkman helped her carry the stone In 1911, the Star of the West advertised
to the foot of the hill on which the EIonse of twenty-six publications of the Faith. Some
time later an edition of The BahBi Proofs,
'' "Mrs. Tobin told me of the incidents mentinned by Mirz6 Abu'l-Fad!, and an American ediand ~ddedthai when 'Abddl-Bahl arrived in Chicap
she prerentzd IIinl with a bomquet of white roses and tion of Some Answered Qaestions, were
some grapefruit. He requested one of His attendanw added to the list handled by Miss Lesch. By
to save the seed from the latrcr to be planted ar His the ycar 1919 her capable management had
home in Haifa. She also contributed for rhe Shrine accumulated enough funds to undertake the
of she Bib on Mt. Carmel. 'Abdu'l-Bahi promised
that Mrs. Tobin, with her whole family would be publication of the Addresses of 'Abdu'l-Bahl,
b1eosed."-Gertrude Triebnnsser, nurse to Mrs. Tobin delivered in America in 1912.
during her long ilhess. The editing of this work of over five
I N MEMORIAM

Mary Lesch

hundred pages was entrusted by 'Abdu'l- . .
this mortal world to the eternal realm. .
Bah6 to Howard MacNutt of Brooklyn, and That drop has hastened to the limitless ocean
printing and binding was done by the under- and that wandering bird has flown to the
signed. During the period of production shelter and nest of the Supreme Concourse.
word was received from 'Abdu'l-Bah6 to Thou shalt find him at the effulgent gathername the compilation The Promulgation of ing in the Kingdom of Mysteries."
Universal Peace. This was a fitting climax In response t o a message reporting the
to a decade and more of service to the Faith, passing of Mary Lesch on March 24, 1941,
and a splendid memorial to her who rendered the Guardian cahled as follows: "Deeply
it. grieve passing of indefatigable, staunch pio-
Mary Lesch was the sister of George Lesch, neer of the Faith in the Day of the Coveone of the beloved early believers, and Sec- nant. The record of her services imperishretary of the House of Spirituality in Chi- able, her reward grear in the Abhi Kingcago, who died in 1918. In a Tablet to Miss dom."
Lesch, 'Abdu'l-Bahb wrote: "Do not grieve May her spirit rejoice forevermore within
for thy dear brcther who has ascended from the Eternal Realm!
IN MEMORIAM

Jamil I s f i h k i , April 1910-June, 1944. Jamil
Isfh6ni passed away in Haifa after a sudden severe
illness. He was the younger son of Mirz6 'Au6yatu'-
ll& bf6h6ni who visited the United States many
years ago and will be remembered by American and
Persian pilgrims alike.

Mrs. Judson M. Saunders, New Haven, Conn. Mr. Hugo Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr. Augustus T. Sawyer, Fitchburg, Mass. Mrs. Lloyd Tew, Burlingame, Kans.
Mr. Joseph Scanes, Toledo, Ohio Mrs. Carolyn Thornhiill, Cleveland, Ohio
Mr. B. W. Schueider, Richmond Highlands, Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Arcadia, Calif.
Wash. Mrs. Carlos Van Bergeu, Newark, N. J.
Mr. Edward Schwarz, Chicago, Ill. Miss Anna E. Van Blarcum, Montclair, N. J.
Dr. E. D. Shaw, Aberdeen, Wash. Mr. I. R. Van Valer, Irvington, N. J.
Miss Elizabeth Slappy, St. Augustine, Pla. Mrs. Gertrude H. Weeks, Portland, Ore.
Mr. John Stahlheber, Baltimore, Md. Mrs. Clara Wenzel, Milwaukee, Wis.
Mr. John P. Stearns, Lima, Peru Mr. Edward Westland, Bogota, N. J.
Mrs. Rose N. Steinecke, St. Louis County, Mrs. Florence Etta White, GreenviUe, S. C.
Mo. Mr. Charles E. Wilkes, Urbana, Ohio
Mrs. Emma B. Stott, Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Getardus T. Williamsen, Kansas City
Mrs. Robert Sully, Buffalo, N. Y. Mr. Edward H. Young, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Samuel Taft, Boston, Mass. Mrs. Gertrude Zollinger, Toledo, Ohio

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