Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Myron Henry Phelps, Pilgrim Notes, bahai-library.com.
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Pilgrim Notes
Myron Henry Phelps
1917
"It is a certain fact, absolutely established, that people whether
righteous or wicked, the people of light or darkness, pious or
mischievous, live on after the death of the body and physical dissolution
and disintegration. But the life of the wicked in comparison with the
existence of the believers is as non-existence. This is why Christ speaks
of this life (of faith) as everlasting Life. He says: 'If you follow me,
you will attain Life eternal, and whosoever believes not on me is deprived
of the Life eternal.' The meaning of Christ's saying was not that the
unbelievers become absolutely annihilated; the meaning of Christ is that
the life of those, who reject Him is as non-existent, compared with the
life of those who accept Him."
"The mineral has existence, the vegetable has existence, but the existence
of the inferior kingdom as compared with the existence of the human
kingdom is as non-existence. Even the mineral is living in relation to its
own kingdom: but the mineral kingdom in comparison with the vegetable
kingdom is non-existent, and the vegetable with the animal is
non-existence. The ignorant with the knower is dead; the rejected compared
with the accepted is dead. The imperfect compared with the perfect is
dead."
Here the Master took up a photograph of a Virgin and Child, by Raphael and said: "Many
babies at the time of the childhood were living, but Jesus was more alive then they. It is
not meant that the wicked after death will absolutely perish; this was the belief of the
ancient Greek philosophers. They believed, that whosoever did not attain any distinction
or power of function on this plane of being, perished. That is why Christ speaks of the
righteous entering the Kingdom of heaven; and the wicked being cast into hell. This
problem was not solved in any dispensation until it is solved in this dispensation for the
people ask "Where is this kingdom in which the righteous dwell?" - The kingdom was
spoken of by the prophets as Heaven, it being said that man after death could ascend into
heaven. Then afterwards it was found there was no such place as Heaven; the stars and
planets are in truth all in motion and are not stationary, and they are all material. It was
then asked 'Where is hereafter?' Existence must be visualized, must be made tangible,
else it is non-existence. Any existence which is not realized on the material plane is only
a figment of the mind therefore, existence must be externally realized. In response to the
question: 'Where is hereafter?' Since we do not see it, we will say that as the mineral
and vegetable belong to this world and are utterly ignorant of the human kingdom -- one
might question the mineral - find it utterly ignorant of the vegetable, one might even
find that it denied the existence of the plant -- that if one questioned the embryo in the
womb about the human kingdom, it would know nothing of it, and would even deny its
existence; even so the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven are not to men."
"The fact is certain that there is a world of GOD, and that it is above this human world;
therefore, it can not be apprehended in the human world. The human world is ignorant of
this Kingdom. It is called the Heavenly body, and this is what is meant by Christ, when
He says, that after leaving this body man enters the Kingdom; It is beyond the human
Kingdom. This is what is meant by Baha'0'Llah when He says: 'The Supreme Concourse
welcomes you'. This problem was never solved until this dispensation."
Question: "What is the relation of the mineral and vegetable with the human spirit?"
Answer: "All are connected by the bond of existence. What greater bond is there than
this? Furthermore, none of these can continue to exist independently of the other; for
interrelation and solidarity make their existence possible. For example, from the plant a
certain element is exhaled which gives life to the animal. We call this the fiery element
and you call it oxygen. And from animated beings a certain watery element is given,
page-2.
which you call hydrogen, and that promotes plant life and its growth and evolution. So
there is a connection, and the growth and evolution of each are dependent and contingent
upon the other. So are all the other beings (connected) making the world of existence as
one person - a great person. Just as the members and parts of man co-operate and work
together, likewise the parts and members of the world co-operate with each other and
are interdependent. This chain of interrelation is continuous throughout all existence.
Not a single one of the parts of the chain can be loosened; if it were loosened the
organization of existence would be faulty. "
Question: "Will animal and vegetable ever become the human?"
Answer: "The spirit will not become human spirit, nor will vegetable spirit become
animal spirit. Existence is one, as it appears in every grade, according to the exigency of
that grade. Existence in the mineral grade takes the form of the mineral; in the
vegetable; the vegetable form, and in the animal kingdom the animal form. In the human
kingdom it appears as a human being. As existence is limitless, therefore it appears in
limitless forms. This is a new philosophy, but it is plain and evident.
This lamp is one and the same lamp; it has cast its light upon the wall, upon the floor and
on this glass, but its manifestation on the mirror is very superior to that on the wall.
The manifestation of that light in the eye is not witnessed in the ear; but the light is the
same. Mind is a universal power but it appears in every man according to his
capacity.
Perfect souls are like mirrors, and the light of the mind becomes most effulgently
manifest in them. Imperfect souls are like the stones, - the light of the mind reflected in
them is only a semblance (of the light in the mirror), but the light is the same.
Bickerings, etc., among nations must be done away with. Consider plants - how
harmonious are all their elements. Those revolving stars which have inter-
communication thought the attraction of gravitation, how good and beautiful that is!
When we study beings in general, we discover that there is a tendency (propensity) for
the lasting of life, or for continuous living, so that whenever these elements unite to
form a composition, the resultant compound makes it possible to live - e.g. - certain
elements have united in a composition, forming this leaf; likewise, certain elements
have agreeably united and composed, the resultant being known as man. Likewise in the
stone - we find that in this formation certain elements have come together.
Therefore it is most evident that composition or organization and union are perpetuation
of species. When the composition, or rather, compound is subjected to a flaw in the
agreement (of the elements) separation and dissolution result. Therefore, it is plain and
evident, that agreement and union among men are productive of life results. Every
movement which aims at separation, causes disagreement and produces dissension
amongst men, is to be condemned and rejected.
"Consider the animals; - those which are tame associate with each other agreeably; they
live in companies. The sheep are loving to each other, hence they live in company as a
flock. Tame birds are to be found in flocks, but birds of prey and ferocious animals live
separately - such as the lion, tiger, bear, dog - all of these live separately, in solitude,
and do not form companies. Likewise, vultures and birds of prey live solitary.
"If agreement and union obtain in a home, there will be upbuilding and prosperity
therein; the honor and virtue of that home consists in its unity and harmony. Enlarge
this condition, if the inhabitants of a village should be united, how much this unity and
agreement will conduce to the happiness of that village. Enlarge this circle yet again -
the people of a city if united and agreed, how much this would be the cause of rest and
page-3.
composure and well-doing in that city. Still widen the circle, the people of a country, if
in the utmost unity and solidarity know this will become (condusive) to the welfare and
advancement! Therefore, consider if all the inhabitants of the earth become united, what
great results and what immense happiness will obtain.
"BAHA'0LLAH has hoisted the tent of Unity of mankind. He has addressed men thus: 'Ye are
all the leaves of one branch and fruits of one tree.' No matter how many are the flowers
in yonder garden, - even though their lines and colors and the forms of the leaves and the
shapes of the plants differ, yet we know that the same rain falls upon them - how
delightful, how magnificent! All of them receive heat and light from the same sun, one
cloud showers its bounty upon all, the same sunshine and the same zephyrs animate
them, - all of them are refreshed by one breeze!
"Look at these people, how they are negligent and inadvertent, how superstitious! The
exposition of Reality is evident and plain. All the nations are inimical to us, - they
persecute us because of this; They speak evily of us because of this; when they cannot do
anything else against us, they lie about us. In order that this animosity may be
suppressed and hidden, we forbear everything. Pray that, GOD willing, you may be
confirmed. The Blessed Perfection has said that if any religion or faith is productive of
hate and enmity, it must be abandoned."
Received from Lotfullah Hakim, 13 Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, W. England.
In a letter dated June 7th 1917, to Jos. H. Hannen, the following is an extract from
Lotfullah Hakim's letter on this subject: "Doubtless you know of Mr. Myron Phelps, -
the one who wrote the book called: "THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF ABBAS EFFENDI." He has
been for a second time to Acca some years ago, and took some very interesting notes of
what the Beloved Abdul-Baha said in answer to his questions. Some time ago we got a copy
of these notes, and I am sure you and the friends there would like to see a copy of it. So I
have copied it and am sending you enclosed copy. These notes must not be published until
we have permission of Mr. Phelps."
copied
by H.G.P. Jan. 7th 1918.
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previous at archive.org.../phelps_pilgrims_notes;
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Typed 1998 by Robert Stauffer; Proofread 1998 by Thellie Lovejoy.
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──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Pilgrim Notes
Myron Henry Phelps
1917
"It is a certain fact, absolutely established, that people whether
righteous or wicked, the people of light or darkness, pious or
mischievous, live on after the death of the body and physical dissolution
and disintegration. But the life of the wicked in comparison with the
existence of the believers is as non-existence. This is why Christ speaks
of this life (of faith) as everlasting Life. He says: 'If you follow me,
you will attain Life eternal, and whosoever believes not on me is deprived
of the Life eternal.' The meaning of Christ's saying was not that the
unbelievers become absolutely annihilated; the meaning of Christ is that
the life of those, who reject Him is as non-existent, compared with the
life of those who accept Him."
"The mineral has existence, the vegetable has existence, but the existence
of the inferior kingdom as compared with the existence of the human
kingdom is as non-existence. Even the mineral is living in relation to its
own kingdom: but the mineral kingdom in comparison with the vegetable
kingdom is non-existent, and the vegetable with the animal is
non-existence. The ignorant with the knower is dead; the rejected compared
with the accepted is dead. The imperfect compared with the perfect is
dead."
Here the Master took up a photograph of a Virgin and Child, by Raphael and said: "Many
babies at the time of the childhood were living, but Jesus was more alive then they. It is
not meant that the wicked after death will absolutely perish; this was the belief of the
ancient Greek philosophers. They believed, that whosoever did not attain any distinction
or power of function on this plane of being, perished. That is why Christ speaks of the
righteous entering the Kingdom of heaven; and the wicked being cast into hell. This
problem was not solved in any dispensation until it is solved in this dispensation for the
people ask "Where is this kingdom in which the righteous dwell?" - The kingdom was
spoken of by the prophets as Heaven, it being said that man after death could ascend into
heaven. Then afterwards it was found there was no such place as Heaven; the stars and
planets are in truth all in motion and are not stationary, and they are all material. It was
then asked 'Where is hereafter?' Existence must be visualized, must be made tangible,
else it is non-existence. Any existence which is not realized on the material plane is only
a figment of the mind therefore, existence must be externally realized. In response to the
question: 'Where is hereafter?' Since we do not see it, we will say that as the mineral
and vegetable belong to this world and are utterly ignorant of the human kingdom -- one
might question the mineral - find it utterly ignorant of the vegetable, one might even
find that it denied the existence of the plant -- that if one questioned the embryo in the
womb about the human kingdom, it would know nothing of it, and would even deny its
existence; even so the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven are not to men."
"The fact is certain that there is a world of GOD, and that it is above this human world;
therefore, it can not be apprehended in the human world. The human world is ignorant of
this Kingdom. It is called the Heavenly body, and this is what is meant by Christ, when
He says, that after leaving this body man enters the Kingdom; It is beyond the human
Kingdom. This is what is meant by Baha'0'Llah when He says: 'The Supreme Concourse
welcomes you'. This problem was never solved until this dispensation."
Question: "What is the relation of the mineral and vegetable with the human spirit?"
Answer: "All are connected by the bond of existence. What greater bond is there than
this? Furthermore, none of these can continue to exist independently of the other; for
interrelation and solidarity make their existence possible. For example, from the plant a
certain element is exhaled which gives life to the animal. We call this the fiery element
and you call it oxygen. And from animated beings a certain watery element is given,
page-2.
which you call hydrogen, and that promotes plant life and its growth and evolution. So
there is a connection, and the growth and evolution of each are dependent and contingent
upon the other. So are all the other beings (connected) making the world of existence as
one person - a great person. Just as the members and parts of man co-operate and work
together, likewise the parts and members of the world co-operate with each other and
are interdependent. This chain of interrelation is continuous throughout all existence.
Not a single one of the parts of the chain can be loosened; if it were loosened the
organization of existence would be faulty. "
Question: "Will animal and vegetable ever become the human?"
Answer: "The spirit will not become human spirit, nor will vegetable spirit become
animal spirit. Existence is one, as it appears in every grade, according to the exigency of
that grade. Existence in the mineral grade takes the form of the mineral; in the
vegetable; the vegetable form, and in the animal kingdom the animal form. In the human
kingdom it appears as a human being. As existence is limitless, therefore it appears in
limitless forms. This is a new philosophy, but it is plain and evident.
This lamp is one and the same lamp; it has cast its light upon the wall, upon the floor and
on this glass, but its manifestation on the mirror is very superior to that on the wall.
The manifestation of that light in the eye is not witnessed in the ear; but the light is the
same. Mind is a universal power but it appears in every man according to his
capacity.
Perfect souls are like mirrors, and the light of the mind becomes most effulgently
manifest in them. Imperfect souls are like the stones, - the light of the mind reflected in
them is only a semblance (of the light in the mirror), but the light is the same.
Bickerings, etc., among nations must be done away with. Consider plants - how
harmonious are all their elements. Those revolving stars which have inter-
communication thought the attraction of gravitation, how good and beautiful that is!
When we study beings in general, we discover that there is a tendency (propensity) for
the lasting of life, or for continuous living, so that whenever these elements unite to
form a composition, the resultant compound makes it possible to live - e.g. - certain
elements have united in a composition, forming this leaf; likewise, certain elements
have agreeably united and composed, the resultant being known as man. Likewise in the
stone - we find that in this formation certain elements have come together.
Therefore it is most evident that composition or organization and union are perpetuation
of species. When the composition, or rather, compound is subjected to a flaw in the
agreement (of the elements) separation and dissolution result. Therefore, it is plain and
evident, that agreement and union among men are productive of life results. Every
movement which aims at separation, causes disagreement and produces dissension
amongst men, is to be condemned and rejected.
"Consider the animals; - those which are tame associate with each other agreeably; they
live in companies. The sheep are loving to each other, hence they live in company as a
flock. Tame birds are to be found in flocks, but birds of prey and ferocious animals live
separately - such as the lion, tiger, bear, dog - all of these live separately, in solitude,
and do not form companies. Likewise, vultures and birds of prey live solitary.
"If agreement and union obtain in a home, there will be upbuilding and prosperity
therein; the honor and virtue of that home consists in its unity and harmony. Enlarge
this condition, if the inhabitants of a village should be united, how much this unity and
agreement will conduce to the happiness of that village. Enlarge this circle yet again -
the people of a city if united and agreed, how much this would be the cause of rest and
page-3.
composure and well-doing in that city. Still widen the circle, the people of a country, if
in the utmost unity and solidarity know this will become (condusive) to the welfare and
advancement! Therefore, consider if all the inhabitants of the earth become united, what
great results and what immense happiness will obtain.
"BAHA'0LLAH has hoisted the tent of Unity of mankind. He has addressed men thus: 'Ye are
all the leaves of one branch and fruits of one tree.' No matter how many are the flowers
in yonder garden, - even though their lines and colors and the forms of the leaves and the
shapes of the plants differ, yet we know that the same rain falls upon them - how
delightful, how magnificent! All of them receive heat and light from the same sun, one
cloud showers its bounty upon all, the same sunshine and the same zephyrs animate
them, - all of them are refreshed by one breeze!
"Look at these people, how they are negligent and inadvertent, how superstitious! The
exposition of Reality is evident and plain. All the nations are inimical to us, - they
persecute us because of this; They speak evily of us because of this; when they cannot do
anything else against us, they lie about us. In order that this animosity may be
suppressed and hidden, we forbear everything. Pray that, GOD willing, you may be
confirmed. The Blessed Perfection has said that if any religion or faith is productive of
hate and enmity, it must be abandoned."
Received from Lotfullah Hakim, 13 Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, London, W. England.
In a letter dated June 7th 1917, to Jos. H. Hannen, the following is an extract from
Lotfullah Hakim's letter on this subject: "Doubtless you know of Mr. Myron Phelps, -
the one who wrote the book called: "THE LIFE AND TEACHING OF ABBAS EFFENDI." He has
been for a second time to Acca some years ago, and took some very interesting notes of
what the Beloved Abdul-Baha said in answer to his questions. Some time ago we got a copy
of these notes, and I am sure you and the friends there would like to see a copy of it. So I
have copied it and am sending you enclosed copy. These notes must not be published until
we have permission of Mr. Phelps."
copied
by H.G.P. Jan. 7th 1918.
METADATA
Views13490 views since posted 1998; last edit 2025-09-30 14:29 UTC;
previous at archive.org.../phelps_pilgrims_notes;
URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
Language
English
Permission
public domain
History
Typed 1998 by Robert Stauffer; Proofread 1998 by Thellie Lovejoy.
Share
Shortlink: bahai-library.com/750
Citation: ris/750
select Collection:
Archives
Articles
Articles-unpublished
Audio
Bibliographies
BIC
Biographies
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Encyclopedia
Essays
Etc
Excerpts
Fiction
Glossaries
Guardian
Histories
Introductory
Letters
Maps
Music
Newspapers
NSA-documents
NSA-letters
Personal
Pilgrims
Poetry
Presentations
Resources
Reviews
Scripts
Software
Statistics
Study
Talks
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Transcripts
Translations
UHJ-documents
UHJ-letters
Video
Visual
Writings
home
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search:
author
title
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tags
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about
contact
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new
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