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Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Marguerite R. Sears, Pilgrims Notes, bahai-library.com.
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Pilgrims Notes
Marguerite R. Sears
1953
Whatever affects the policy of the nation in relation to other nations is
controversial and should not be considered in any way by Bahá'ís. Take no
sides, keep away from party politics and all inter-governmental policies.
We are no party; we promote the policy of no government. We are God's
party. We promote God's policy which is above human politics. The Cause
is supra-national and because it is Divine in origin - not political and
not partisan. We must not be ashamed or afraid to state this. Bahá'ís
must always be ready to clarify their position. To know and to teach.
The more confused the state of the world, the more we must clarify our
position. This is the only way to protect ourselves and the Faith. It is
more important than giving the teachings to give our world views and the
Administrative world Policy of God's Cause.
Communism is a political issue but we must be careful not to denounce it.
Abdu'l-Bahá denounced communism in a way so as not to hurt. We denounce
both Communism and Capitalism in principle. Communism, racialism,
materialism, capitalism as we see them today in their extreme forms. They
stress unduly the welfare of mankind.
Anything carried to the extreme is detrimental.
Anything that affects the policy of the nation in its relation to other
nations is political. Anything that affects the policy of the nation,
issues that are the cause of controversy between nations we must avoid
such issues. Express no views. Bahá'ís may express views about the
United Nations because it is not related to the policy of one government
against another, but anything that is related to a number of nations, two
or more, Bahá'ís must not take sides; must not blame, must not criticize,
must not give advice, suggest anything to any government or any
representative of any government but must be loyal. The Marshall Plan and
the Point Four program are political issues. Bahá'ís must keep away.
Bahá'ís must keep away from anything controversial between nations. In
the first place they cannot influence and they are not strong enough to
help. Secondly they will endanger other Bahá'ís by their actions. Third,
they will alienate other governments; they will please their own but will
alienate other governments. Fourth, we are only too anxious to serve
administratively. Not only willing but anxious to receive such posts but
we must be on our guard. Some posts are outwardly administrative but
inwardly political. Politics are much too corrupt. Bahá'ís by their
participation will get corrupted themselves if they participate. It is
too strong a current to withstand.
In matters intergovermental of inter-state take no sides, belong to no
party. We are God's party and promote God's policy which is above human
politics. Not opposed but above. We must proclaim this to the world. It
is the only way to safe-guard the Faith. It is much more important to
safe-guard the unity of the Faith than to propagate it. We do not
identify ourselves with any system because all systems contain elements
that irreconcilable with our teachings. The sooner the Americans know
this the better.
We require the goodwill of the authorities in every country in which we
work. Say nothing against or for Communism or Democracy. The British say
"State First" EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY. Bahá'ís must not think of the
principle itself. In all countries they sacrifice principle in order to
safe-guard the interests of the state. Our conduct is fundamentally
different. With Bahá'ís principle is first.
In the U.N. if each thought of principle they would all agree but they
all think of country first. Their idea is to let the world suffer if
"our" nation is safe. This is fundamentally different, and un-Bahá'í.
Bahá'ís say if necessary let our own country suffer for the sake of the
condition of the world. Like a doctor he does not think of limbs of the
body. Proof of this, if an organ, hand or foot affects the body the
surgeon amputates it. He thinks of the body first whereas politicians
each think of one of the organs. They prefer that the whole body should
suffer and that the particular part should remain.
Bahá'ís should have the concern of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh as a whole.
If necessary the local or national community should be sacrificed in order
to safe-guard the Faith. Bahá'ís will sacrifice their own country for the
sake of the world. We believe that truth, honesty, justice must always be
our watchword in everything that we do whether in promoting the interests
of the faith or the interests of the country. We can disassociate a
particular country from these principles but we cannot disassociate the
Faith from these principles. For the sake of argument, if possible,
sacrifice the Faith and maintain principle. The Cause is the servant of
Justice, truth - BAHA'U'LLAH HAS COME TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, NOT TO
ESTABLISH HIS CAUSE. These principles are the purpose of the Revelation
of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. Missionaries are different; will lie, depart
from moral principles, ethical principles, if necessary, in order to gain
converts. We must not that. IT IS BETTER FOR THE CAUSE not to progress
rather than for us to depart from these principles because the Cause is
for these principles. We must make our position quite clear to ruling
authorities so there can be no misunderstanding. If they ask questions we
must give clear answers that will not be misinterpreted. We will obey the
State provided it does not require us to depart from our principles. Our
principles are more precious than obedience to state. We must be loyal to
every established form of government. If it is in a revolutionary form
then we must wait until it is established.
We need scholars in the Faith. I need to condense so much due to lack of
time and so much to say. Every Bahá'í should have picked out the seven
points ("Advent of Divine Justice" p. 12) of the progress of the Faith and
know them. We need to pray, meditate, study and act more. The seven
stages which we should know are:
1) Obscurity - ignoring of the Faith as in Italy, in the goal
countries of Europe. The Cause is passing through various stages in
different countries. In Europe it is mostly in obscurity.
2) Repression - persecution. Persia, of course, has been in that stage
over 100 years. Regarding marriage in Spain they have to do as in Egypt.
Get married according to the Bahá'í ceremony. The marriage is not
recognized by the State and their children are considered illegitimate but
the Bahá'ís do not mind. They have been obedient.
3) Emancipation - Egypt has reached this stage in part in that they are
free from fetters of the religious leaders. The clergy has recognized
them as an independent religion but the State has not.
4) Recognition - This stage has been attained, not by Persia, not by the
ten goal countries, but by America and Israel.
5) Establishment - No community has reached this stage. In the strict
sense it means one Faith. Not only equal status to other religions but to
become the state religion of a country as Islam in Persia; and the
Anglican Church in England. We are bound to reach that stage when any one
country gives the Faith the same status as other religions. Persia may
jump to 5 because of its number.
6) Sovereignty or Bahá'í government when all political matters will be
referred to the House of Justice. When the Faith will reign, not only be
established, but reign, when the Bahá'í State is established. When the
Faith will cease to be a religion of the State but will become itself the
State. The State Church not the Church State. This will be when the
Government proclaims the religion to be the Bahá'í Faith - not that only,
but the institutions of the Cause will assume functions of Government.
7) World Commonwealth - When a number of governments will join together
and form a super Bahá'í Government - a commonwealth. The National
Spiritual Assemblies will become the National Federal Governments. We
must refer only to the first four points in the stages of development when
we speak publicly for the time being and use wisdom in discussing these
stages among non-Bahá'ís.
In the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, the Holy Mariner means Bahá'u'lláh
through allusion. The Ark of the Faith itself. The Tablet predicts
problems and difficulties which happened at Adrianople and Acca. The
burning meteor is a symbol of God's avenging wrath.
In the Tablet of Carmel (Gleanings p 14, 15, 16, & 17) the "Ark" referred
to is not the Ark of the Faith, it is the Ark of the laws of the Faith. It
refers to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice. The
"People" of Bahá'í are the members of the Universal House of Justice. The
House of Justice directs the Ark; the Ark of the laws of God will sail on
Mount Carmel.
A Hand is one who serves the Cause in an outstanding manner. The American
Hands were appointed: Leroy for services rendered during the first seven
year plan, Dorothy for her teaching ability, Millie and Fred for their
great financial contributions during times of greatest need. They upheld
the Faith. Roy was a saint, Sutherland for the Shrine of the Bab, Horace
for his services in the Administration, Mrs. True for her Temple Service,
Mason for continued service over a long time and for visiting all
countries for the Faith.
In the future outstanding scientists, writers, leaders in their fields,
will immediately become Hands as soon as they become Bahá'ís. It does not
necessarily mean that they are greater spiritually, but they must become
so.
We must teach laws as well as principles. All people appreciate the
principles but the laws are challenging. Alcohol abstinence, and
monogamy will be difficult for Africans to accept at first. Monogamy is
the rule. Bahá'u'lláh said monogamy was recommended, Abdul-Baha said
there must be justice and made monogamy the rule. In Africa of a
polygamist becomes a Bahá'í he must not divorce all but one wife, but
after becoming a Bahá'í he must not take another wife. If he takes
another, this one will be the reason for his breaking the law and this one
must be divorced. All must be acquainted with the laws but if they are
broken the offender must be 1. admonished, 2. warned, 3.warned, 4. warned,
5. then his voting rights taken away. We must be certain in the first
place that he is acquainted with the laws.
We must first attract, then educate in the principles and the laws.
We have principles, laws and institutions. The Christians have principles
but no laws. The Moslems have principles and laws but no institutions.
The Bahá'í Faith has all three. We have a definite statement regarding
successions, this is unique.
Bahá'u'lláh insists on Justice. Justice must be administered by
Assemblies. The Most Great Peace will be the result of the Most Great
Justice. This will safeguard the unity of mankind. Bahá'ís should be
guided by Justice not by mercy, love or forgiveness in Assembly work.
Bahá'u'lláh said, "I personally would be inclined to forgive my enemies,
but I am restrained by the law of God. Individuals may forgive,
Assemblies must be very strict regarding justice.
The House of Justice, or Assembly, must administer justice. This is the
beginning of the State Church. We must start now to act as such - to be
prepared for the future.
There are many differences between the Pope and the Guardian. The Hands
will be somewhat similar to the House of Cardinals. The Pope has
legislative and interpretive authority. The Guardian has no legislative
but interpretive. The legislation is by elected bodies in the Faith. The
Interpretive and legislative are separate in the Faith. This is unique
and one of the distinguishing features of the Faith. Teachers must teach
this. This Faith is for the maturity of mankind.
We must develop local, regional and sectional NSAs. Each country in
Africa will have an NSA eventually. There will be 60 NSA's in Africa.
Pioneers must deepen, widen activities, and scatter. They must teach the
natives of the countries so thoroughly that they may administer for
themselves and then go to a new place. Pioneers must safeguard the Faith
by teaching thoroughly, increasing the numbers, multiplying the centers
and keeping in touch with their National Assemblies and committees. The
Administration of the Faith applied in Africa will be an object lesson to
the British authorities. It will open their eyes, attract them and then
alarm them.
We must become scholars of the Faith like the Germans. They are the
scholars. It is not enough to read the writings or to study at the Summer
Schools. We must study daily so as not to have just a superficial
knowledge of the Faith. The Summer Schools should have lectures and
discussions but they must have studied to be able to discuss. We need
scholars of the Faith. The German people should be our example. Bahá'ís
should, for instance, be able to differentiate between Dispensation, Era,
Epoch and Cycle. Bahá'ís who know these things and can discuss them
intelligently.
Peter was the true head of Christianity not Paul Christians have to come
to this understanding. Ali was the true head of the Moslem Faith and the
First Imam, not the Caliphs. The Caliphs put Ali fourth but He was the
first Imam. Shiah Islam is the closet to the truth not Sunni. The Sunni
Muhammadens have to become Shiah to become Bahá'í just as the Protestants
have to accept Peter as the true head of Christianity before knowing the
truth of Christianity.
The year 9 should be stressed this year, stressed and stressed. We should
be meditating and thinking of the fate of Bahá'u'lláh in the Siyah-Chal.
We have to know about it to think about it. We should study about it in
"God Passes By", "The Epistle," Nabil's narrative, "Some Answered
Questions" and the "Iqan".
We must know our basic books thoroughly, not superficially, reading them
and considering them studied. Everyone should know thoroughly the New
Era, Some Answered Questions, Iqan, Epistle and Gleanings.
We should know the significance of the year 9. The prophecy in the Bible
of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Woes. Bahá'u'lláh kept His mission a secret for
ten years. During that time He wrote poetry alluding to His mission.
There are many odes in Persian and Arabic which have not yet been
translated. Nabil refers to the Odes. "The Sweet Scented Streams", was
revealed in Kurdistan.
The Luminous Maiden (p. 101 "God Passes By") the symbol of Religion in the
highest form, to Moses it was the burning bush, Christ the Dove and the
Angel Gabriel to Muhammad.
Shoghi Effendi referred to the cable sent to America which appeared in the
Bahá'í News where he likened the "Tree" to an "Olive Tree". He said the
tree of 6000 years started with Adam, the last of Many Adams, it grew in
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. The tree, like an olive tree, yielded
its fruit in the Bab, in His martyrdom it was crushed by the mill of
adversity. The oil from this crushed fruit made the light which appeared
10 years later in the Siyah-Chal. It ignited in a flicker in the darkest
dungeon, it was clouded over for 10 years and when it reached the land of
mystery, Adrianople, it became more radiant, it became a crystal. For 40
years it only showed its light in ten countries. After that it spread to
the west. (See Chapter on Birth of the Bahá'í Revelation in "God Passes
By").
The growth of the Cause was by diffusion, Machinery and will be suffusion.
This, he said, must be taught in the summer Schools. The Machinery will
continue throughout the formative years after the 10-year crusade.
This began with Adam and ends with the Golden Age. There will be great
reaction in favor of the Faith and great destruction but we are not
concerned with the catastrophe but only with the 10-year crusade. He
emphasized the necessity of teaching about the Birth and Growth of the
Faith now and understanding and teaching of the significance of the year
9. He told us that when Ruhiyyih Khanum read this at the Dedication of
the Temple it would be the most solemn moment of the entire time. We are
celebrating the birth of the Light of God. We are not only to charm the
Bahá'ís by speaking of this, but to convince the non-Bahá'ís with the
explanation of the year 9.
The Spirit of the Cause is not enough, we need the institutions. The
institutions are the embodiments of the spirit of the Cause, the channel
through which the spirit of the Cause flows. Any idea, any work, of
education, religion, social life, will never be effective in the world
unless it is translated into an institution. For example, education; it
will never have its influence felt on society unless the idea of education
is incarnated in an institution or college. So with everything else. An
ideal must be translated into an institution, and the Bahá'í Faith which
is primarily a powerful spirit in the world must be embodied in an
institution, incorporate itself in an institution if it is to exert its
power in the world. We must recognize the station of the Bab, Bahá'u'lláh
and the Master and at the same time recognize the necessity of
institutions through which the spirit of these three central figures is
flowing - guiding, preserving, promoting.
These institutions have not been established by us, they have been
established by the Founder of the Faith Himself. That is why they are
essentially different from the Christian Church, because we have
institutions and they have institutions - we call it "Spiritual Assembly",
they call it "Church". If they say you are doing the same thing we are
doing, you say, "yours was man made - ours was Divinely appointed". Not
established, by the Master in the will nor appointed by the Bab, but
provided for and established by Bahá'u'lláh in the Most Holy Book - the
Book of Laws. This is the fundamental difference between our institutions
and the institutions belonging to all other religions, not only
Christians. Thy are essentially man made, ours are divinely appointed.
But always remember, these institutions are a means to an end. We have to
utilize these institutions for a purpose. Our purpose is to carry out the
Divine Plan of the Master - we had to wait ever since the Master revealed
these Tablets, 1915, 16, 17 (20 years) until the administrative order was
sufficiently established and beginning to function in order to utilize
them for this purpose. The Master gave instructions to the American
believers to establish the Cause throughout the world, the Divine Plan, a
few years before He passed away. In those days we didn't have the means.
A few individuals were working. Martha Root started her travels. Mr. and
Mrs. Dunn went from California to Australia. Emogene went to Italy, but
all on an individual basis, not organized, not systematic, not continuous,
more or less spasmodic. It was not directed toward a definite plan and
target. In other words, they didn't formulate a plan. So unlike plans of
each NSA now which are specific.
When the Master passed away, the first thing we did was establish the
administrative order according to the blueprint the Master gave us. He
told us how to establish the this Administrative Order, Nationally and
locally. He told us how the House of Justice would be established
eventually. Then we started the long laborious task of raising the
structure of the Administrative Order. It took us two decades - 20 years
- to do this. As the work progressed, some of the Bahá'ís began to wonder
whether that was going to be the sole concern of the Bahá'ís, to establish
these institutions. Some began to doubt, to criticize. Ahmad entirely
misunderstood our purpose for the simple reason that I asked the Bahá'ís
to think of nothing else but building these institutions that were to be
the means in our hands to achieve a purpose later on. It took us 20 years
to establish two stages of this administrative order, local and national
Assemblies. When the local and National Assemblies were established and
beginning to function, then I directed the attention of the Bahá'ís to the
purpose for which these institutions had been created and were being
perfected. The first part of the plan America's, then Latin and South
America, Canada. Then the 2nd stage in Europe - now we have started in
Africa - That is why the Cause is progressing so rapidly.
In England it took 50 years to establish 2 Assemblies, in 6 years 19
Assemblies were established, not only in England but Scotland, Wales and
Ireland.
Love of the Master is not enough. We must have a deep Faith. Three
things we must remember, 1. Faith, 2. the Covenant, 3. the Administration.
The Covenant is the child of the Faith. The Administrative Order is the
child of the Covenant.
Abdu'l-Bahá, the "Mystery of God" - we must never hope to unravel that
mystery. He is not a Prophet - He is unique in spiritual history of
mankind. He stands between the Prophet and the Guardians, but in addition
we have something in Him which other religions do not possess, the
institution of the Center of the Covenant. He is a mystery because He
shares not in the nature of the Manifestation, but the quality of the
Manifestation - perfect but not Divine, that is why He is a mystery.
Abdu'l-Bahá, all knowing, but not a Prophet of God.
The Unity of Mankind is absolutely new, there is nothing like it in the
teachings of previous religions.
First we must lay the foundation. Then we can start to build. The
foundation must be strong - firm. Every community must do three things:
1. Promote teaching work in the community, increase the number of
believers, multiply the groups and scatter. 2, Consolidate institutions
already established. Consolidate and expansion at home. 3. Initiate
activities outside of community and country. The teaching committees
should be primarily concerned with increasing the number of believers,
extending the range of the Faith. Consolidation of the community mainly
concerned with institutions already established. To see that local
Assemblies are maintained, groups converted to Assembly status, etc.
Regarding America, the possibility is that it become directly involved in
the coming conflict. Time bombs etc, will poison the earth.
The British NSA is watchful, careful and successful. I have a great
admiration for it. The United States is chief custodian of the Divine
plan. All other countries are auxilliaries - they will assist the chief
custodians who are the believers in the United States. The U.S. has an
ally in the Canadian Believers because some of the Tablets of the Divine
Plan were addressed to them both.
Dr. Esslemont was the 1st Hand appointed during the formative age.
America will suffer probably more than any other nation in this coming
conflict. The U.S. is the home of Materialistic civilization. It will
all come about in a gradual, mysterious and unexpected manner.
Ques: If the House of Justice is under the guidance of God would it make
a wrong decision? Ans: It is the Guardian's responsibility to tell them
whether they should legislate on such a matter, or not - whether it is
within their province.
They would not make wrong decisions, but there is this safeguard of the
guardian to ask them to reconsider the matter.
In regard to personal matters - Assemblies were established for two
purposes. 1. To safeguard the interests of the Faith; 2. to help
individuals when in crisis.
Ques: What about floods etc. in a country when Bahá'ís are asked to help
in relief. Ans: Assemblies must ---------- [this word omitted on all
editions -R.S.], the Bahá'ís privately should associate themselves with whatever
measures are taken by the general public or government in order to prove
universality of the Faith - that it promotes the interests of the entire
community. They must watch, wherever there is such an opportunity, they
must help - even a token contribution, nationally, locally and
individually.
When the House of Justice makes statements about a certain law which has
not been clearly stated in the teaching they are guided. They are not
only to be obeyed, they are infallible. The NSA's have to be obeyed but
are not infallible.
The inter-continental conferences will be a prelude to a world conference
- preferably at the World Center of the Faith.
In the plan for the next ten years there is a two-fold internal aspect:
One relating to the institutions, the other relating to teaching. The
Wilmette Conference will consider first and foremost the opening up of the
remaining territories to the Faith in the Continent of America and the
Islands, second, to consolidate the Cause in the territories already open
to the Faith. That in itself will be institutional, and the other
teaching. The internal aspect in the U.S. and particularly the Temple and
Dependencies.
There are three aspects of the Faith, Devotional, Administrative and
Teaching. We have great need for more teaching. We must pray, meditate
and then act. Teach.
Financial contributions to the Faith must be systematic, continuous,
methodical. In order to promote the interests of the world center of the
Faith here, at Haifa, appropriations have to be made from each NSA. It is
my duty to impress upon them the importance of this phase of the work As
to the sum I leave it to their discretion to allocate the sum.
Individuals have three-fold obligation, to support local institutions,
National and inter- national. Resources will be acquired from three
different sources. Stress is being made on the International development
of the Faith. From the World Center of the Faith go contributions to all
parts of the world. It is not only for the Bab's Shrine. In the last
year some of the money has gone for the Hazira in Africa, the land in
Constantinople, the site of Bahá'u'lláh's house, to Germany and to
England.
The International Interests of the Faith have precedence over National
interests.
The Huquq will come when the Hands of the Cause will begin to assume their
primary function.
A great change will sweep over the world. A wave of the most great
oppression which will prepare and lead the way for the Most Great
Peace.
There will be oppression - justice - peace.
Persia, the Holy Land and America are in the greatest danger because of
materialism.
The Character of the coming upheaval will be different from the world War.
The atom bomb may exercise an influence on the whole world. There are two
plans operating in the world. 1. The Major plan or God's plan. It is
mysterious and we have nothing to do with it. 2. The Minor plan or the
World Crusade of the next ten years, about which we have everything to do.
God's plan involves disturbances. People must be shaken, aroused, their
eyes opened in order to acquire the capacity to accept the Faith.
America was given the privilege of being the Chief executors of the Divine
plan. America now stands 5th in rank in service to the Faith. The
English are the best organizers in the Bahá'í world, the Americans, the
best Administrators. The only value U.N. work is that we can add our
prestige through it. We must not think that the U.N. is going to form the
world state of the future.
The Americans and the Persians are too emotional. They are both alike in
this respect. They are not impersonal enough, not objective in their
thinking. They think of themselves or people first and the Cause second
or last. The Cause must come first, individuals later and no personality.
Americans spend too much money on luxuries, the Persians spend too much
money on hospitality.
Bahá'ís should not spend all their time in doing these things that in
themselves are good and not teach the Cause. We must 1st be Missionaries
and then humanitarians.
Devotion to the Cause is different from being lovers of mankind. We must
all be lovers of mankind. The Master said, the trouble is that we
disassociate God from Man. We think of God in the Abstract sense. If we
love God, we must love His creatures. We must love God so much as to
become the lovers of His Creation. We must love people because we love
God. You can truly love everybody if you truly love God and connect these
creatures with God, that is why the love of God is so essential. When you
love a person you love the people connected with that person. Recognizing
God is different from loving Him. Being awed by God is different from
loving Him, and the degree to which you love God must sooner or later
reflect itself in your love for mankind or the lack of it.
There will always be people who do not believe in Bahá'u'lláh. It does
not mean that everybody will become Bahá'í, or that evil will cease to
exist even in the Golden Age. There will always be the element of
perversity, but it will be negligible. (To Roy) In our dealings we must
cultivate and communicate with Presidents and Prime Ministers and not 4th
class officials. This is the way things should be done. We must first
establish contact, attain a certain degree of acquaintance if not
friendship and then bring issues to their attention.
The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is the most Holy Shrine in the world.
The Iqan and the Kitab-i-Aqdas are the two foremost books of all the
religions of the world. The Aqdas was revealed in 1870.
It requires purity of heart and extreme concentration to communicate with
the next world. The Bahá'í who turns to God - he not only can achieve
miraculous things, but can exercise a great influence on others.
There is no cessation of work at the International Center except on the
nine Holy Days.
The Master had great admiration for Mary Magdalene.
The early Babis believed in reincarnation. Mulla Husayn in Fort Tabarsi
was longing to be martyred and then return.
One of the signs of maturity of the world will be when Kingship will
remain with none to bear its weight. The few remaining thrones are
trembling with the repercussions of the fall of their fellows. Kingship
will be restored.
Do you think if I had started to think about the condition of Europe seven
years ago, when it was almost, prostrate, I would have had courage to ask
Bahá'ís of America to start opening the campaign and sending pioneers?
God works in His own ways along the same lines but in a different
manner.
The 54th Chapter of Isaiah refers to the Mother of Abdu'l-Bahá (Navab)
Speaking of an elevator or escalator at the Temple. The Guardian seemed
to prefer an elevator. He described it as efficient, quiet, dignified and
quick. He said the friends should aim at these things in anything they
do.
Vigilance and thoroughness are qualities that the Guardian admires in the
British.
All the nations of the world have suffered, why not America: It is
corrupt and it is flabby. Russia can do anything to America. America
escaped before but this time it will not escape. The streets of New York
will run with blood. Politics and individuals are corrupt. America is an
atomic base - a target for Russia. England has become the aircraft
carrier for atom bombs. The worst danger is that which faces New York.
Skyscrapers will fall - there will be burning of the cities as prophesied
in the bible.
The Guardian asked the question: "In the writings it states that we can
only affect another spiritually to the depth that we ourselves are
affected spiritually, is that the reason for the lack of progress in
America"? The Guardian spoke for almost two hours on this question.
The Guardian pointed out that in 1950 he had given the inestimable
privilege to America alone of going to pioneer in Africa. This, he said,
he did in a general letter. Not one American responded.
In 1951 he sent a cable giving the American Negro a special blessing and
opportunity and only one soul responded out of the entire country. Bill
Foster of Chicago.
At the Kampala Conference only Liberia was represented by American
pioneers. There should have been a far larger number of Bahá'ís from
America at the Conference. America has failed in this respect. There
were only nine Americans at the Conference where there should have been at
least 20 or 30.
Americans are too concerned with their homes, trivialities, business.
These things keep them back like a dead weight, they put these things
first and Africa and the Faith last. Africa should have been the first
concern of every American believer. The distinguished American Bahá'ís
should have immediately arisen - regardless of anything else -
spontaneously. America didn't arise at all so God inspired the Persians
and the British.
Marion Jack typifies the true spirit the pioneer should have. We must
follow her example. Marion Jack went from Canada to Bulgaria, where she
is yet. When the war broke out I wrote to her urging her to go to
Switzerland or to come to Haifa. She begged to stay where she was. She
stayed under the utmost difficulties. The Master appreciated her very
much. Not her ability, her spirit and detachment. The Canadians must be
very proud of her. Even the Oriental believers have not risen to this
height of detachment. She stayed in Bulgaria during the war. The
Americans took the first boat home. The Americans must become detached.
Race prejudice and materialism are the greatest evils in America. Africa
should be first in everyone's mind. Americans are too attached to
material comforts - this is the tragedy of America.
The Administrators and the distinguished should have and should arise.
The Administrators feel that if they leave everything will be lost. God
will take care of the administration at home, all they have to do is
arise.
We must become as light as the spirit, as swift as the wind, as ablaze as
fire, as resigned as the earth. (Bahá'u'lláh)
Americans must give up all their encumberances - give up everything - they
must forsake their homes, give up everything and they won't need money it
will come.
The Collison's are admirable.
Each American Bahá'í would make 200 Bahá'ís in Africa if they would
demonstrate the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh demands of the pioneer. When
Bahá'ís demonstrate the true spirit of the Faith this alone will bring
results.
Leaving ones home and settling as a pioneer is not enough. The spirit must
be right. We must get close to the spirit Bahá'u'lláh wants the pioneer
to attain. This is purely individual, a struggle with one's own
nature.
The hosts of the Supreme Concourse are suspended between earth and Heaven
waiting to assist, but we must be like a magnet to attract this spirit.
This spirit has accumulated because it has not been drawn upon. There
have been no magnets to attract it. We must arise with spirit and
spontaneity. This call should have appealed to the American negro more
than anyone else, but they didn't arise because they are too bogged down
with the same materialism.
The tests today are the same as in the day of Muhammad, He wrote in the
Quran that the tests are: Death, children, wealth and hunger.
New York and Chicago are the most dangerous places in the world. The
skyscrapers of which Americans are so proud will fall like houses of
cards.
The American believers are mediocre. They are superior to non-Bahá'ís,
but compared to Bahá'í standards they are very mediocre. We have a large
number of mediocre Bahá'ís in the world. There are only a few
distinguished ones. All Bahá'ís must measure themselves according to the
standard of the teachings only.
It is easy to establish the administrative order but it is hard to make
converts. Abdu'l-Bahá was very disappointed in America. He wrote and
spoke there of the dangers of materialism and He went unheeded, and they
are still unheeding.
Not until we approach the standard set down in the teachings will we have
great victories. Americans can render great service in Administrative
fields, but cannot teach without the right spirit, and will not attract
and confirm new Believers.
We require another quality. Quantity is not enough, we require a high
degree of quality. It is easy to administrate but difficult to make
converts. In the administration field we can succeed with quantity and
mediocrity. We are too organized - too material. The Cause requires much
more than administration.
Consolidation is related to teaching. We are called upon to increase the
numbers of Bahá'ís - we cannot do it without the spirit. The ten-year
crusade has nothing to do with administration.
Persian believers have the right spirit.
All civilization is sinking, sinking. No one knows this better than the
Russians, they are very observant.
America's most vaunted civilization is falling - materialism is like a
cancer eating into the body of the nation.
Africa is the safest place in the world today. God is very merciful to
the Americans, giving them the opportunity to go to Africa.
We need the crusading spirit in America.
America had relative security and it was sweet, now they are beginning to
taste the bitterness of it. The leaders realize this more than the
masses. The American skyscrapers are built on shifting sands - when the
atom bomb drops they will see. Americans are tasting the bitter fruit,
they are caught in a trap and it is God's trap.
The so-called backward people are living in the safest environments, while
the most civilized are living in the dangerous.
Civilization is turning upon itself. Moderation is necessary even in
this. This is not prophecy, Abdul-Baha told us all this. America is a
young nation that is going astray. The leaders have this knowledge of
what's coming in their hearts, but they will not tell the people. Look at
Korea, blood, blood, blood, when will it stop? Abdu'l-Bahá denounced
materialism in America in His speeches. He realized that Europe was a
village, America a city. The skyscrapers built on shifting sands will
collapse like a house of cards. The greatest point of danger is New York
and then Chicago. If London hadn't been destroyed by fire I wouldn't have
said these things. I am only calling attention to what has already begun.
Compare Hamburg to New York and Stuttgardt to Chicago. Materialism and
racism are their greatest tragedy - their chance is gone.
There is no getting out of it now. Now war will devastate the last
remaining stronghold - America. American's must suffer, be chastised, be
purified, and then they will be victorious. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed this,
Abdu'l-Bahá warned of this while in America but it was unheeded, I have
tried and tried until it has become a waste of cables, there is no
response. Americans could lead the world --if they had taken the lead in
Africa the victories would have been even greater than they are now.
Europe has spent its force, there is not much hope left there. America is
young but it is going astray with tremendous rapidity. It has to be
stopped. Americans are generally nationalistic but fear makes them that
way when they think they might lose their homes. America has to be
chastened and purified to establish the Peace foretold.
The immediate future is very dark but the distant future is very bright,
but we are not concerned with the coming catastrophe, only with the
development of the ten year Crusade.
The immediate future of the Cause is dark also because it is linked with
the destinies of the people, but the distant future if very bright. There
may be a cutting off from the World Center for a time such as occurred in
Germany.
America will taste the sweetness of true and abiding civilization, not
materialism, not European, not American but world civilization.
It is most essential that we use prayer and meditation. Life is a
constant struggle with ones own instincts. We must struggle, be active
and persevere, then we will reap the fruit of victory.
(After this the Guardian arose from the table and said, "Give my love to
the Friends wherever you go". Then he left, but as he reached the doorway
he turned, looked at me and said, "Don't discourage them."
After this Ruhiyyih Khanum said, "Are the Americans jelly spined? They
have to face facts, they have to grow up. The Guardian is trying to talk
to them as adults now, they can't be coddled as children."
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──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Pilgrims Notes
Marguerite R. Sears
1953
Whatever affects the policy of the nation in relation to other nations is
controversial and should not be considered in any way by Bahá'ís. Take no
sides, keep away from party politics and all inter-governmental policies.
We are no party; we promote the policy of no government. We are God's
party. We promote God's policy which is above human politics. The Cause
is supra-national and because it is Divine in origin - not political and
not partisan. We must not be ashamed or afraid to state this. Bahá'ís
must always be ready to clarify their position. To know and to teach.
The more confused the state of the world, the more we must clarify our
position. This is the only way to protect ourselves and the Faith. It is
more important than giving the teachings to give our world views and the
Administrative world Policy of God's Cause.
Communism is a political issue but we must be careful not to denounce it.
Abdu'l-Bahá denounced communism in a way so as not to hurt. We denounce
both Communism and Capitalism in principle. Communism, racialism,
materialism, capitalism as we see them today in their extreme forms. They
stress unduly the welfare of mankind.
Anything carried to the extreme is detrimental.
Anything that affects the policy of the nation in its relation to other
nations is political. Anything that affects the policy of the nation,
issues that are the cause of controversy between nations we must avoid
such issues. Express no views. Bahá'ís may express views about the
United Nations because it is not related to the policy of one government
against another, but anything that is related to a number of nations, two
or more, Bahá'ís must not take sides; must not blame, must not criticize,
must not give advice, suggest anything to any government or any
representative of any government but must be loyal. The Marshall Plan and
the Point Four program are political issues. Bahá'ís must keep away.
Bahá'ís must keep away from anything controversial between nations. In
the first place they cannot influence and they are not strong enough to
help. Secondly they will endanger other Bahá'ís by their actions. Third,
they will alienate other governments; they will please their own but will
alienate other governments. Fourth, we are only too anxious to serve
administratively. Not only willing but anxious to receive such posts but
we must be on our guard. Some posts are outwardly administrative but
inwardly political. Politics are much too corrupt. Bahá'ís by their
participation will get corrupted themselves if they participate. It is
too strong a current to withstand.
In matters intergovermental of inter-state take no sides, belong to no
party. We are God's party and promote God's policy which is above human
politics. Not opposed but above. We must proclaim this to the world. It
is the only way to safe-guard the Faith. It is much more important to
safe-guard the unity of the Faith than to propagate it. We do not
identify ourselves with any system because all systems contain elements
that irreconcilable with our teachings. The sooner the Americans know
this the better.
We require the goodwill of the authorities in every country in which we
work. Say nothing against or for Communism or Democracy. The British say
"State First" EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY. Bahá'ís must not think of the
principle itself. In all countries they sacrifice principle in order to
safe-guard the interests of the state. Our conduct is fundamentally
different. With Bahá'ís principle is first.
In the U.N. if each thought of principle they would all agree but they
all think of country first. Their idea is to let the world suffer if
"our" nation is safe. This is fundamentally different, and un-Bahá'í.
Bahá'ís say if necessary let our own country suffer for the sake of the
condition of the world. Like a doctor he does not think of limbs of the
body. Proof of this, if an organ, hand or foot affects the body the
surgeon amputates it. He thinks of the body first whereas politicians
each think of one of the organs. They prefer that the whole body should
suffer and that the particular part should remain.
Bahá'ís should have the concern of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh as a whole.
If necessary the local or national community should be sacrificed in order
to safe-guard the Faith. Bahá'ís will sacrifice their own country for the
sake of the world. We believe that truth, honesty, justice must always be
our watchword in everything that we do whether in promoting the interests
of the faith or the interests of the country. We can disassociate a
particular country from these principles but we cannot disassociate the
Faith from these principles. For the sake of argument, if possible,
sacrifice the Faith and maintain principle. The Cause is the servant of
Justice, truth - BAHA'U'LLAH HAS COME TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, NOT TO
ESTABLISH HIS CAUSE. These principles are the purpose of the Revelation
of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. Missionaries are different; will lie, depart
from moral principles, ethical principles, if necessary, in order to gain
converts. We must not that. IT IS BETTER FOR THE CAUSE not to progress
rather than for us to depart from these principles because the Cause is
for these principles. We must make our position quite clear to ruling
authorities so there can be no misunderstanding. If they ask questions we
must give clear answers that will not be misinterpreted. We will obey the
State provided it does not require us to depart from our principles. Our
principles are more precious than obedience to state. We must be loyal to
every established form of government. If it is in a revolutionary form
then we must wait until it is established.
We need scholars in the Faith. I need to condense so much due to lack of
time and so much to say. Every Bahá'í should have picked out the seven
points ("Advent of Divine Justice" p. 12) of the progress of the Faith and
know them. We need to pray, meditate, study and act more. The seven
stages which we should know are:
1) Obscurity - ignoring of the Faith as in Italy, in the goal
countries of Europe. The Cause is passing through various stages in
different countries. In Europe it is mostly in obscurity.
2) Repression - persecution. Persia, of course, has been in that stage
over 100 years. Regarding marriage in Spain they have to do as in Egypt.
Get married according to the Bahá'í ceremony. The marriage is not
recognized by the State and their children are considered illegitimate but
the Bahá'ís do not mind. They have been obedient.
3) Emancipation - Egypt has reached this stage in part in that they are
free from fetters of the religious leaders. The clergy has recognized
them as an independent religion but the State has not.
4) Recognition - This stage has been attained, not by Persia, not by the
ten goal countries, but by America and Israel.
5) Establishment - No community has reached this stage. In the strict
sense it means one Faith. Not only equal status to other religions but to
become the state religion of a country as Islam in Persia; and the
Anglican Church in England. We are bound to reach that stage when any one
country gives the Faith the same status as other religions. Persia may
jump to 5 because of its number.
6) Sovereignty or Bahá'í government when all political matters will be
referred to the House of Justice. When the Faith will reign, not only be
established, but reign, when the Bahá'í State is established. When the
Faith will cease to be a religion of the State but will become itself the
State. The State Church not the Church State. This will be when the
Government proclaims the religion to be the Bahá'í Faith - not that only,
but the institutions of the Cause will assume functions of Government.
7) World Commonwealth - When a number of governments will join together
and form a super Bahá'í Government - a commonwealth. The National
Spiritual Assemblies will become the National Federal Governments. We
must refer only to the first four points in the stages of development when
we speak publicly for the time being and use wisdom in discussing these
stages among non-Bahá'ís.
In the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, the Holy Mariner means Bahá'u'lláh
through allusion. The Ark of the Faith itself. The Tablet predicts
problems and difficulties which happened at Adrianople and Acca. The
burning meteor is a symbol of God's avenging wrath.
In the Tablet of Carmel (Gleanings p 14, 15, 16, & 17) the "Ark" referred
to is not the Ark of the Faith, it is the Ark of the laws of the Faith. It
refers to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice. The
"People" of Bahá'í are the members of the Universal House of Justice. The
House of Justice directs the Ark; the Ark of the laws of God will sail on
Mount Carmel.
A Hand is one who serves the Cause in an outstanding manner. The American
Hands were appointed: Leroy for services rendered during the first seven
year plan, Dorothy for her teaching ability, Millie and Fred for their
great financial contributions during times of greatest need. They upheld
the Faith. Roy was a saint, Sutherland for the Shrine of the Bab, Horace
for his services in the Administration, Mrs. True for her Temple Service,
Mason for continued service over a long time and for visiting all
countries for the Faith.
In the future outstanding scientists, writers, leaders in their fields,
will immediately become Hands as soon as they become Bahá'ís. It does not
necessarily mean that they are greater spiritually, but they must become
so.
We must teach laws as well as principles. All people appreciate the
principles but the laws are challenging. Alcohol abstinence, and
monogamy will be difficult for Africans to accept at first. Monogamy is
the rule. Bahá'u'lláh said monogamy was recommended, Abdul-Baha said
there must be justice and made monogamy the rule. In Africa of a
polygamist becomes a Bahá'í he must not divorce all but one wife, but
after becoming a Bahá'í he must not take another wife. If he takes
another, this one will be the reason for his breaking the law and this one
must be divorced. All must be acquainted with the laws but if they are
broken the offender must be 1. admonished, 2. warned, 3.warned, 4. warned,
5. then his voting rights taken away. We must be certain in the first
place that he is acquainted with the laws.
We must first attract, then educate in the principles and the laws.
We have principles, laws and institutions. The Christians have principles
but no laws. The Moslems have principles and laws but no institutions.
The Bahá'í Faith has all three. We have a definite statement regarding
successions, this is unique.
Bahá'u'lláh insists on Justice. Justice must be administered by
Assemblies. The Most Great Peace will be the result of the Most Great
Justice. This will safeguard the unity of mankind. Bahá'ís should be
guided by Justice not by mercy, love or forgiveness in Assembly work.
Bahá'u'lláh said, "I personally would be inclined to forgive my enemies,
but I am restrained by the law of God. Individuals may forgive,
Assemblies must be very strict regarding justice.
The House of Justice, or Assembly, must administer justice. This is the
beginning of the State Church. We must start now to act as such - to be
prepared for the future.
There are many differences between the Pope and the Guardian. The Hands
will be somewhat similar to the House of Cardinals. The Pope has
legislative and interpretive authority. The Guardian has no legislative
but interpretive. The legislation is by elected bodies in the Faith. The
Interpretive and legislative are separate in the Faith. This is unique
and one of the distinguishing features of the Faith. Teachers must teach
this. This Faith is for the maturity of mankind.
We must develop local, regional and sectional NSAs. Each country in
Africa will have an NSA eventually. There will be 60 NSA's in Africa.
Pioneers must deepen, widen activities, and scatter. They must teach the
natives of the countries so thoroughly that they may administer for
themselves and then go to a new place. Pioneers must safeguard the Faith
by teaching thoroughly, increasing the numbers, multiplying the centers
and keeping in touch with their National Assemblies and committees. The
Administration of the Faith applied in Africa will be an object lesson to
the British authorities. It will open their eyes, attract them and then
alarm them.
We must become scholars of the Faith like the Germans. They are the
scholars. It is not enough to read the writings or to study at the Summer
Schools. We must study daily so as not to have just a superficial
knowledge of the Faith. The Summer Schools should have lectures and
discussions but they must have studied to be able to discuss. We need
scholars of the Faith. The German people should be our example. Bahá'ís
should, for instance, be able to differentiate between Dispensation, Era,
Epoch and Cycle. Bahá'ís who know these things and can discuss them
intelligently.
Peter was the true head of Christianity not Paul Christians have to come
to this understanding. Ali was the true head of the Moslem Faith and the
First Imam, not the Caliphs. The Caliphs put Ali fourth but He was the
first Imam. Shiah Islam is the closet to the truth not Sunni. The Sunni
Muhammadens have to become Shiah to become Bahá'í just as the Protestants
have to accept Peter as the true head of Christianity before knowing the
truth of Christianity.
The year 9 should be stressed this year, stressed and stressed. We should
be meditating and thinking of the fate of Bahá'u'lláh in the Siyah-Chal.
We have to know about it to think about it. We should study about it in
"God Passes By", "The Epistle," Nabil's narrative, "Some Answered
Questions" and the "Iqan".
We must know our basic books thoroughly, not superficially, reading them
and considering them studied. Everyone should know thoroughly the New
Era, Some Answered Questions, Iqan, Epistle and Gleanings.
We should know the significance of the year 9. The prophecy in the Bible
of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Woes. Bahá'u'lláh kept His mission a secret for
ten years. During that time He wrote poetry alluding to His mission.
There are many odes in Persian and Arabic which have not yet been
translated. Nabil refers to the Odes. "The Sweet Scented Streams", was
revealed in Kurdistan.
The Luminous Maiden (p. 101 "God Passes By") the symbol of Religion in the
highest form, to Moses it was the burning bush, Christ the Dove and the
Angel Gabriel to Muhammad.
Shoghi Effendi referred to the cable sent to America which appeared in the
Bahá'í News where he likened the "Tree" to an "Olive Tree". He said the
tree of 6000 years started with Adam, the last of Many Adams, it grew in
Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. The tree, like an olive tree, yielded
its fruit in the Bab, in His martyrdom it was crushed by the mill of
adversity. The oil from this crushed fruit made the light which appeared
10 years later in the Siyah-Chal. It ignited in a flicker in the darkest
dungeon, it was clouded over for 10 years and when it reached the land of
mystery, Adrianople, it became more radiant, it became a crystal. For 40
years it only showed its light in ten countries. After that it spread to
the west. (See Chapter on Birth of the Bahá'í Revelation in "God Passes
By").
The growth of the Cause was by diffusion, Machinery and will be suffusion.
This, he said, must be taught in the summer Schools. The Machinery will
continue throughout the formative years after the 10-year crusade.
This began with Adam and ends with the Golden Age. There will be great
reaction in favor of the Faith and great destruction but we are not
concerned with the catastrophe but only with the 10-year crusade. He
emphasized the necessity of teaching about the Birth and Growth of the
Faith now and understanding and teaching of the significance of the year
9. He told us that when Ruhiyyih Khanum read this at the Dedication of
the Temple it would be the most solemn moment of the entire time. We are
celebrating the birth of the Light of God. We are not only to charm the
Bahá'ís by speaking of this, but to convince the non-Bahá'ís with the
explanation of the year 9.
The Spirit of the Cause is not enough, we need the institutions. The
institutions are the embodiments of the spirit of the Cause, the channel
through which the spirit of the Cause flows. Any idea, any work, of
education, religion, social life, will never be effective in the world
unless it is translated into an institution. For example, education; it
will never have its influence felt on society unless the idea of education
is incarnated in an institution or college. So with everything else. An
ideal must be translated into an institution, and the Bahá'í Faith which
is primarily a powerful spirit in the world must be embodied in an
institution, incorporate itself in an institution if it is to exert its
power in the world. We must recognize the station of the Bab, Bahá'u'lláh
and the Master and at the same time recognize the necessity of
institutions through which the spirit of these three central figures is
flowing - guiding, preserving, promoting.
These institutions have not been established by us, they have been
established by the Founder of the Faith Himself. That is why they are
essentially different from the Christian Church, because we have
institutions and they have institutions - we call it "Spiritual Assembly",
they call it "Church". If they say you are doing the same thing we are
doing, you say, "yours was man made - ours was Divinely appointed". Not
established, by the Master in the will nor appointed by the Bab, but
provided for and established by Bahá'u'lláh in the Most Holy Book - the
Book of Laws. This is the fundamental difference between our institutions
and the institutions belonging to all other religions, not only
Christians. Thy are essentially man made, ours are divinely appointed.
But always remember, these institutions are a means to an end. We have to
utilize these institutions for a purpose. Our purpose is to carry out the
Divine Plan of the Master - we had to wait ever since the Master revealed
these Tablets, 1915, 16, 17 (20 years) until the administrative order was
sufficiently established and beginning to function in order to utilize
them for this purpose. The Master gave instructions to the American
believers to establish the Cause throughout the world, the Divine Plan, a
few years before He passed away. In those days we didn't have the means.
A few individuals were working. Martha Root started her travels. Mr. and
Mrs. Dunn went from California to Australia. Emogene went to Italy, but
all on an individual basis, not organized, not systematic, not continuous,
more or less spasmodic. It was not directed toward a definite plan and
target. In other words, they didn't formulate a plan. So unlike plans of
each NSA now which are specific.
When the Master passed away, the first thing we did was establish the
administrative order according to the blueprint the Master gave us. He
told us how to establish the this Administrative Order, Nationally and
locally. He told us how the House of Justice would be established
eventually. Then we started the long laborious task of raising the
structure of the Administrative Order. It took us two decades - 20 years
- to do this. As the work progressed, some of the Bahá'ís began to wonder
whether that was going to be the sole concern of the Bahá'ís, to establish
these institutions. Some began to doubt, to criticize. Ahmad entirely
misunderstood our purpose for the simple reason that I asked the Bahá'ís
to think of nothing else but building these institutions that were to be
the means in our hands to achieve a purpose later on. It took us 20 years
to establish two stages of this administrative order, local and national
Assemblies. When the local and National Assemblies were established and
beginning to function, then I directed the attention of the Bahá'ís to the
purpose for which these institutions had been created and were being
perfected. The first part of the plan America's, then Latin and South
America, Canada. Then the 2nd stage in Europe - now we have started in
Africa - That is why the Cause is progressing so rapidly.
In England it took 50 years to establish 2 Assemblies, in 6 years 19
Assemblies were established, not only in England but Scotland, Wales and
Ireland.
Love of the Master is not enough. We must have a deep Faith. Three
things we must remember, 1. Faith, 2. the Covenant, 3. the Administration.
The Covenant is the child of the Faith. The Administrative Order is the
child of the Covenant.
Abdu'l-Bahá, the "Mystery of God" - we must never hope to unravel that
mystery. He is not a Prophet - He is unique in spiritual history of
mankind. He stands between the Prophet and the Guardians, but in addition
we have something in Him which other religions do not possess, the
institution of the Center of the Covenant. He is a mystery because He
shares not in the nature of the Manifestation, but the quality of the
Manifestation - perfect but not Divine, that is why He is a mystery.
Abdu'l-Bahá, all knowing, but not a Prophet of God.
The Unity of Mankind is absolutely new, there is nothing like it in the
teachings of previous religions.
First we must lay the foundation. Then we can start to build. The
foundation must be strong - firm. Every community must do three things:
1. Promote teaching work in the community, increase the number of
believers, multiply the groups and scatter. 2, Consolidate institutions
already established. Consolidate and expansion at home. 3. Initiate
activities outside of community and country. The teaching committees
should be primarily concerned with increasing the number of believers,
extending the range of the Faith. Consolidation of the community mainly
concerned with institutions already established. To see that local
Assemblies are maintained, groups converted to Assembly status, etc.
Regarding America, the possibility is that it become directly involved in
the coming conflict. Time bombs etc, will poison the earth.
The British NSA is watchful, careful and successful. I have a great
admiration for it. The United States is chief custodian of the Divine
plan. All other countries are auxilliaries - they will assist the chief
custodians who are the believers in the United States. The U.S. has an
ally in the Canadian Believers because some of the Tablets of the Divine
Plan were addressed to them both.
Dr. Esslemont was the 1st Hand appointed during the formative age.
America will suffer probably more than any other nation in this coming
conflict. The U.S. is the home of Materialistic civilization. It will
all come about in a gradual, mysterious and unexpected manner.
Ques: If the House of Justice is under the guidance of God would it make
a wrong decision? Ans: It is the Guardian's responsibility to tell them
whether they should legislate on such a matter, or not - whether it is
within their province.
They would not make wrong decisions, but there is this safeguard of the
guardian to ask them to reconsider the matter.
In regard to personal matters - Assemblies were established for two
purposes. 1. To safeguard the interests of the Faith; 2. to help
individuals when in crisis.
Ques: What about floods etc. in a country when Bahá'ís are asked to help
in relief. Ans: Assemblies must ---------- [this word omitted on all
editions -R.S.], the Bahá'ís privately should associate themselves with whatever
measures are taken by the general public or government in order to prove
universality of the Faith - that it promotes the interests of the entire
community. They must watch, wherever there is such an opportunity, they
must help - even a token contribution, nationally, locally and
individually.
When the House of Justice makes statements about a certain law which has
not been clearly stated in the teaching they are guided. They are not
only to be obeyed, they are infallible. The NSA's have to be obeyed but
are not infallible.
The inter-continental conferences will be a prelude to a world conference
- preferably at the World Center of the Faith.
In the plan for the next ten years there is a two-fold internal aspect:
One relating to the institutions, the other relating to teaching. The
Wilmette Conference will consider first and foremost the opening up of the
remaining territories to the Faith in the Continent of America and the
Islands, second, to consolidate the Cause in the territories already open
to the Faith. That in itself will be institutional, and the other
teaching. The internal aspect in the U.S. and particularly the Temple and
Dependencies.
There are three aspects of the Faith, Devotional, Administrative and
Teaching. We have great need for more teaching. We must pray, meditate
and then act. Teach.
Financial contributions to the Faith must be systematic, continuous,
methodical. In order to promote the interests of the world center of the
Faith here, at Haifa, appropriations have to be made from each NSA. It is
my duty to impress upon them the importance of this phase of the work As
to the sum I leave it to their discretion to allocate the sum.
Individuals have three-fold obligation, to support local institutions,
National and inter- national. Resources will be acquired from three
different sources. Stress is being made on the International development
of the Faith. From the World Center of the Faith go contributions to all
parts of the world. It is not only for the Bab's Shrine. In the last
year some of the money has gone for the Hazira in Africa, the land in
Constantinople, the site of Bahá'u'lláh's house, to Germany and to
England.
The International Interests of the Faith have precedence over National
interests.
The Huquq will come when the Hands of the Cause will begin to assume their
primary function.
A great change will sweep over the world. A wave of the most great
oppression which will prepare and lead the way for the Most Great
Peace.
There will be oppression - justice - peace.
Persia, the Holy Land and America are in the greatest danger because of
materialism.
The Character of the coming upheaval will be different from the world War.
The atom bomb may exercise an influence on the whole world. There are two
plans operating in the world. 1. The Major plan or God's plan. It is
mysterious and we have nothing to do with it. 2. The Minor plan or the
World Crusade of the next ten years, about which we have everything to do.
God's plan involves disturbances. People must be shaken, aroused, their
eyes opened in order to acquire the capacity to accept the Faith.
America was given the privilege of being the Chief executors of the Divine
plan. America now stands 5th in rank in service to the Faith. The
English are the best organizers in the Bahá'í world, the Americans, the
best Administrators. The only value U.N. work is that we can add our
prestige through it. We must not think that the U.N. is going to form the
world state of the future.
The Americans and the Persians are too emotional. They are both alike in
this respect. They are not impersonal enough, not objective in their
thinking. They think of themselves or people first and the Cause second
or last. The Cause must come first, individuals later and no personality.
Americans spend too much money on luxuries, the Persians spend too much
money on hospitality.
Bahá'ís should not spend all their time in doing these things that in
themselves are good and not teach the Cause. We must 1st be Missionaries
and then humanitarians.
Devotion to the Cause is different from being lovers of mankind. We must
all be lovers of mankind. The Master said, the trouble is that we
disassociate God from Man. We think of God in the Abstract sense. If we
love God, we must love His creatures. We must love God so much as to
become the lovers of His Creation. We must love people because we love
God. You can truly love everybody if you truly love God and connect these
creatures with God, that is why the love of God is so essential. When you
love a person you love the people connected with that person. Recognizing
God is different from loving Him. Being awed by God is different from
loving Him, and the degree to which you love God must sooner or later
reflect itself in your love for mankind or the lack of it.
There will always be people who do not believe in Bahá'u'lláh. It does
not mean that everybody will become Bahá'í, or that evil will cease to
exist even in the Golden Age. There will always be the element of
perversity, but it will be negligible. (To Roy) In our dealings we must
cultivate and communicate with Presidents and Prime Ministers and not 4th
class officials. This is the way things should be done. We must first
establish contact, attain a certain degree of acquaintance if not
friendship and then bring issues to their attention.
The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is the most Holy Shrine in the world.
The Iqan and the Kitab-i-Aqdas are the two foremost books of all the
religions of the world. The Aqdas was revealed in 1870.
It requires purity of heart and extreme concentration to communicate with
the next world. The Bahá'í who turns to God - he not only can achieve
miraculous things, but can exercise a great influence on others.
There is no cessation of work at the International Center except on the
nine Holy Days.
The Master had great admiration for Mary Magdalene.
The early Babis believed in reincarnation. Mulla Husayn in Fort Tabarsi
was longing to be martyred and then return.
One of the signs of maturity of the world will be when Kingship will
remain with none to bear its weight. The few remaining thrones are
trembling with the repercussions of the fall of their fellows. Kingship
will be restored.
Do you think if I had started to think about the condition of Europe seven
years ago, when it was almost, prostrate, I would have had courage to ask
Bahá'ís of America to start opening the campaign and sending pioneers?
God works in His own ways along the same lines but in a different
manner.
The 54th Chapter of Isaiah refers to the Mother of Abdu'l-Bahá (Navab)
Speaking of an elevator or escalator at the Temple. The Guardian seemed
to prefer an elevator. He described it as efficient, quiet, dignified and
quick. He said the friends should aim at these things in anything they
do.
Vigilance and thoroughness are qualities that the Guardian admires in the
British.
All the nations of the world have suffered, why not America: It is
corrupt and it is flabby. Russia can do anything to America. America
escaped before but this time it will not escape. The streets of New York
will run with blood. Politics and individuals are corrupt. America is an
atomic base - a target for Russia. England has become the aircraft
carrier for atom bombs. The worst danger is that which faces New York.
Skyscrapers will fall - there will be burning of the cities as prophesied
in the bible.
The Guardian asked the question: "In the writings it states that we can
only affect another spiritually to the depth that we ourselves are
affected spiritually, is that the reason for the lack of progress in
America"? The Guardian spoke for almost two hours on this question.
The Guardian pointed out that in 1950 he had given the inestimable
privilege to America alone of going to pioneer in Africa. This, he said,
he did in a general letter. Not one American responded.
In 1951 he sent a cable giving the American Negro a special blessing and
opportunity and only one soul responded out of the entire country. Bill
Foster of Chicago.
At the Kampala Conference only Liberia was represented by American
pioneers. There should have been a far larger number of Bahá'ís from
America at the Conference. America has failed in this respect. There
were only nine Americans at the Conference where there should have been at
least 20 or 30.
Americans are too concerned with their homes, trivialities, business.
These things keep them back like a dead weight, they put these things
first and Africa and the Faith last. Africa should have been the first
concern of every American believer. The distinguished American Bahá'ís
should have immediately arisen - regardless of anything else -
spontaneously. America didn't arise at all so God inspired the Persians
and the British.
Marion Jack typifies the true spirit the pioneer should have. We must
follow her example. Marion Jack went from Canada to Bulgaria, where she
is yet. When the war broke out I wrote to her urging her to go to
Switzerland or to come to Haifa. She begged to stay where she was. She
stayed under the utmost difficulties. The Master appreciated her very
much. Not her ability, her spirit and detachment. The Canadians must be
very proud of her. Even the Oriental believers have not risen to this
height of detachment. She stayed in Bulgaria during the war. The
Americans took the first boat home. The Americans must become detached.
Race prejudice and materialism are the greatest evils in America. Africa
should be first in everyone's mind. Americans are too attached to
material comforts - this is the tragedy of America.
The Administrators and the distinguished should have and should arise.
The Administrators feel that if they leave everything will be lost. God
will take care of the administration at home, all they have to do is
arise.
We must become as light as the spirit, as swift as the wind, as ablaze as
fire, as resigned as the earth. (Bahá'u'lláh)
Americans must give up all their encumberances - give up everything - they
must forsake their homes, give up everything and they won't need money it
will come.
The Collison's are admirable.
Each American Bahá'í would make 200 Bahá'ís in Africa if they would
demonstrate the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh demands of the pioneer. When
Bahá'ís demonstrate the true spirit of the Faith this alone will bring
results.
Leaving ones home and settling as a pioneer is not enough. The spirit must
be right. We must get close to the spirit Bahá'u'lláh wants the pioneer
to attain. This is purely individual, a struggle with one's own
nature.
The hosts of the Supreme Concourse are suspended between earth and Heaven
waiting to assist, but we must be like a magnet to attract this spirit.
This spirit has accumulated because it has not been drawn upon. There
have been no magnets to attract it. We must arise with spirit and
spontaneity. This call should have appealed to the American negro more
than anyone else, but they didn't arise because they are too bogged down
with the same materialism.
The tests today are the same as in the day of Muhammad, He wrote in the
Quran that the tests are: Death, children, wealth and hunger.
New York and Chicago are the most dangerous places in the world. The
skyscrapers of which Americans are so proud will fall like houses of
cards.
The American believers are mediocre. They are superior to non-Bahá'ís,
but compared to Bahá'í standards they are very mediocre. We have a large
number of mediocre Bahá'ís in the world. There are only a few
distinguished ones. All Bahá'ís must measure themselves according to the
standard of the teachings only.
It is easy to establish the administrative order but it is hard to make
converts. Abdu'l-Bahá was very disappointed in America. He wrote and
spoke there of the dangers of materialism and He went unheeded, and they
are still unheeding.
Not until we approach the standard set down in the teachings will we have
great victories. Americans can render great service in Administrative
fields, but cannot teach without the right spirit, and will not attract
and confirm new Believers.
We require another quality. Quantity is not enough, we require a high
degree of quality. It is easy to administrate but difficult to make
converts. In the administration field we can succeed with quantity and
mediocrity. We are too organized - too material. The Cause requires much
more than administration.
Consolidation is related to teaching. We are called upon to increase the
numbers of Bahá'ís - we cannot do it without the spirit. The ten-year
crusade has nothing to do with administration.
Persian believers have the right spirit.
All civilization is sinking, sinking. No one knows this better than the
Russians, they are very observant.
America's most vaunted civilization is falling - materialism is like a
cancer eating into the body of the nation.
Africa is the safest place in the world today. God is very merciful to
the Americans, giving them the opportunity to go to Africa.
We need the crusading spirit in America.
America had relative security and it was sweet, now they are beginning to
taste the bitterness of it. The leaders realize this more than the
masses. The American skyscrapers are built on shifting sands - when the
atom bomb drops they will see. Americans are tasting the bitter fruit,
they are caught in a trap and it is God's trap.
The so-called backward people are living in the safest environments, while
the most civilized are living in the dangerous.
Civilization is turning upon itself. Moderation is necessary even in
this. This is not prophecy, Abdul-Baha told us all this. America is a
young nation that is going astray. The leaders have this knowledge of
what's coming in their hearts, but they will not tell the people. Look at
Korea, blood, blood, blood, when will it stop? Abdu'l-Bahá denounced
materialism in America in His speeches. He realized that Europe was a
village, America a city. The skyscrapers built on shifting sands will
collapse like a house of cards. The greatest point of danger is New York
and then Chicago. If London hadn't been destroyed by fire I wouldn't have
said these things. I am only calling attention to what has already begun.
Compare Hamburg to New York and Stuttgardt to Chicago. Materialism and
racism are their greatest tragedy - their chance is gone.
There is no getting out of it now. Now war will devastate the last
remaining stronghold - America. American's must suffer, be chastised, be
purified, and then they will be victorious. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed this,
Abdu'l-Bahá warned of this while in America but it was unheeded, I have
tried and tried until it has become a waste of cables, there is no
response. Americans could lead the world --if they had taken the lead in
Africa the victories would have been even greater than they are now.
Europe has spent its force, there is not much hope left there. America is
young but it is going astray with tremendous rapidity. It has to be
stopped. Americans are generally nationalistic but fear makes them that
way when they think they might lose their homes. America has to be
chastened and purified to establish the Peace foretold.
The immediate future is very dark but the distant future is very bright,
but we are not concerned with the coming catastrophe, only with the
development of the ten year Crusade.
The immediate future of the Cause is dark also because it is linked with
the destinies of the people, but the distant future if very bright. There
may be a cutting off from the World Center for a time such as occurred in
Germany.
America will taste the sweetness of true and abiding civilization, not
materialism, not European, not American but world civilization.
It is most essential that we use prayer and meditation. Life is a
constant struggle with ones own instincts. We must struggle, be active
and persevere, then we will reap the fruit of victory.
(After this the Guardian arose from the table and said, "Give my love to
the Friends wherever you go". Then he left, but as he reached the doorway
he turned, looked at me and said, "Don't discourage them."
After this Ruhiyyih Khanum said, "Are the Americans jelly spined? They
have to face facts, they have to grow up. The Guardian is trying to talk
to them as adults now, they can't be coddled as children."
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