# In Memoriam *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: unknown, In Memoriam, New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1945, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > THE BAHA'I WORLD > A Biennial International Record > > Prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly > . of the BahP'is of the United States and Canada > with the approval of Shoghi Effendi > > Volume IX > 97, 98, 99 AND 100 OF THE B A H A ' ~ERA > > APRIL 1940 -1944 A. D > CONTENTS xv > PAGE > 40. Archduchess Anton of Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 > 41. Dr. Herbert Adams Gibbons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 > . > 42 H.R.H. Princess Olga of Yugoslavia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 > 43. Eugen Relgis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 782 > . > 44 Arthur Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582 > . > 45 Prof. Dr. V. Lesny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 > . > 46 Princess Marie Antoinette de Broglie Anssenac . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 > 47. Late President David Starr Jordan. Leland Stanford University . . 583 > 48. Prof. Bogdan Popovitch, University of Belgrade. Yugoslavia . . . . . j83 > . > 49 Ex-Governor William Sulzer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 > 50. Luther Burbank ............................... 583 > . > 51 Prof. Yone Noguchi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 > I2. Prof . Raymond Frank Piper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 > Y3. Angela Morgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 > 54. Arthur Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . f84 > . > 55. Prof Dr. Jan Rypka, Charles University, Praha, Czechoslovakia . . 584 > . . . > 16 A. L M Nicolas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584 > 57. President Eduard Beneb of Czechoslovakia . . . . . . . 185 > 58. Sir Ronald Storrs, N.V.C.. M.G., C.B.E. . . 5 81 > 59. Col. Raja Jai Prithvi Bahadur Singh, Raja of Rajang (Nepdl) 581 > 60. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and lreland . . 587 > . > 61 R t. Hon. M. R. Jayalrar 587 > 62. Prof . Benoy Kumar Sarkar, M.A., Ph.D. . . 188 > 63. Mrs. Sarojinn Naidu . . . . 588 > 64. Jules Bois . . . . . . . . . . . 188 > . > 111 In Memoriam . . . . . . . . 593 > 1. John Henry Hyde Dunn . . . . . . 593 > 2. 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad . . . . . . . 597 > . > 3 Hiji Mirzh Buzurg Afnin 'A16'i . . . . . . 599 > 4. Miss Margaret Stevenson 600 > 5. Mary J. Revell 602 > . . > 6. Dr M SBiih . . . . . . . . 606 > 7. Oswald A. Whitaker . . . . . . 606 > 8. Hilda Gilbert . . . . . . . 607 > . . > 9 Elizabeth R Greenlcaf . . 608 > 10. Howard Colby Ives . . . . . 608 > 11. Mirzh 'Abdu'l-Rahim &in Hifizu's-Sihhih . . . . . . 613 > . > 12 Matthew Kaszab . . 614 > 1 3. Mabel Rice-Wray lves . . . . . . . . . 616 > . > 14 Bridget Hill . . . . . . . . 623 > 15. Richard Marlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624 > . > 16 Haji 'Ali Yazdi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624 > .- > > . > 17 Mrs. Margaret Dixon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621 > . > 18 Ida Boulter Slater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626 > 19. Frank E. Osborne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 628 > 20. James. F. Morton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 629 > . > 21 Harry Raver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 630 > 22. Sydney Sprague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 633 > . > 23 Carole Lombard Gable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635 > . > 24 Mir 'Ali A&ar Faridi Uskui . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637 > . > 21 Narayenrao Rangnath Vakil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 637 > xvi CONTENTS > PAGE > 26. A h a Knobloch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641 > 27. Philip Effendi Naimi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643 > 28. Muhammad Effendi Mussa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644 > 29. In Memoriam List from Bah6'i News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645 > > PART THREE > I. Bahi'i Directory. 1943-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 1. Bahi'i National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 2. Countries where Baha'is are resident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Abyssinia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Af&Bnistin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Albania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Arabia . . . . . . . . . . > Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... > Austria . . . .......................... > Bihrayn Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Bahic_hist&n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Belgian Congo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Belgium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Bulgaria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Burma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Caucasus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Costa Rica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Cuba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Czechoslovakia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Egypt . . .. > El Salvador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Great Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Hawaiian Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Hungary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > 'Iriq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . > III > IN MEMORIAM > I11 > I N MEMORIAM > JOHN HENRY HYDE DUNN > > John Henry Ilyde Dunn was born in come there as often as his occupation of > London, England, the son of a consulting traveling salesman permitted. He sought out > chemist. In early childhood he was dandled Mrs. Getsinger for every possible private in- > upon the knee of Charles Dickens, and terview, and she gave him generously of her > was amused and entertained by Cruikshank, time. In San Francisco he associated also > the famous illustrator of Dickens' works. with Thornton Chase, whom 'Ahdu'l-Bahi > As a young man, after engaging in business called the "first American Bah6'i." Among > in Great Britain and on the continent, he the San Francisco Bahh'is at that time were > emigrated to the United States. also Mrs. Gooddall and Dr. D'Evelyn and > While waiting in a tinsmith's shop in others whose fellowship he doubtless found > Scattle, Washington, he overheard two men most precious and helpful. > speaking. One man quoted these words of In 1911 his first wife, Mrs. Fanny Dunn, > Bahl'n'll&h, "Let not a man glory in this, died. She had not accepted the Faith when > that he loves his country, but let him giory her husband did, but had gradually come t o > in this, that he loves his kind." Mr. Dnnn believe in BahCn'llih and His Revelation. > interrupted the conversation by saying, In the fall of 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahi came to > "Surely these words are a message from San Francisco. He had at one time given > God." The speaker turned, and, including up His plan to come to the Pacific Coast. > Mr. Dunn in the conversation, gave the The Bahi'is of that region were, of course, > message of the Bah6'i Revelations. Mr. deeply disappointed, and nine of them met > Dunn accepted the truth of the Bahh'i Reve- for earnest prayer that He might change > lation immediately and it was not long be- His plan and come. l X s prayer Pias an- > fore he and Mr. Ward Fitzgerald, the one swered. 'Abdu'l-Bahi telegraphed that He > who had brought him the Message?; were would come! Unbounded joy filled the > traveling together, doing business and hearts of the believers. They made arrange- > spreading the Faith. At one time they took ments for Him to occupy with His en- > advantage of a brief period of uuemploy- tourage, during His stay in their city, a > ment to journey to Walla Walla, Vashing- three story house. Mr. Dunn, eager to be > ton, where. they held meetings for this pur- as near the Master as possible, rented a room > pose. This journey necessitated extreme at a hotel near by. On the night of 'Abdu'l- > economy on the part of the teachers so that Bahi's arrival he waited on the curb oppo- > they w 2 e often obliged to go hungry. A site 'Abdu'l-Bahh's house to catch a glimpse > certain lady, who remained after one of the of Him as he alighted from the cab and > meetings to learn more about the great Mes- went up the steps. > sage, soon iearned, as she talked with the HS meeting with 'Abdu'l-Bahl later he > two teachers, that they were as hungry himself described as having a tremendous > physically as she was spiritually. She tact- effect on him. 'Abdu'l-Bahh's penetrating > fully insisted on offering them hospitality glance, his life-giving words, be felt gave > and spread a bountiful meal for them. him the power that enabled him later t o be- > I n 191 1 Mrs. Lua Getsinger, whom Shoghi come the spiritual conqueror of a continent. > Effendi has called the mother-teacher of the This meeting set ablaze the universal love that > American Bah6'i community, was lecturing smoldered in his heart, and the rest of his > in San Francisco on the Faith. This drew life was devoted to scattering that love to > Mr. Dunn t o the city and he continued t o the best of his ever growing capacity. Not > THE BAHA'I WORLD > > John Henry Hyde Dunn > > only did he make known the Teachings of his business in spreading the "Glad Tid'mgs" > Bahl'u'llih, but he gave generously material of the Bahh'i Revelation. > help to those who needed it. By practicing In 1918, when 'Abdu'l-Bahl's Tablets > rigid economy in expenditures upon him- calling upon the American Bahi'is to hasten > self, he always had funds to contribute to to all parts of the world to spread tlie > the support of the institutions of the Bah6'i Teachings, came, Mr. Dunn immediately > Faith and to hclp, secretly, in the emergen- decided to respond by going to Australia, > cies of others. where he felt he could best serve. Of this > Not long after 'Abdu'l-Bahl's visit to decision he wrote: "It was all very simple, > San Francisco the lady who had shown hos- - a wave that came into our lives possessing > pirality to Mr. Dnnn in Walla Walla, Wash- us and satisfying every desire to serve our > ington, came to live in San Francisco. A beloved Cause, the Cause of Bahi'u'116b and > love sprang up and grew between these two, His Glorious Covenant. Mother (he always > and they were married. A great yearning called Mrs. Dunn mother just as she called > in the heart of Hyde Dunn was gratified in him Father) was reading 'Abdu'l-Bahl's > this second marriage. He had longed io he . . . call to rhe United States and Canada, > able to open his home for the promotion of and His appeal was so penetrating and > the Bahl'i Faith. Now this longing was thrilling, it pierced our hearts. In one part > satisfied. His home became a joyful gather- He said, 'If I could only go in poverty and > ing place for friends both old and new. barefooted, and raise the call of Y6-Bahh'u'l- > Colored and white, rich and poor, of what- Abhi, but that Li not now possible.' Mother > ever religion or nationality, all were made looked up and said, 'Shall we go, Father?' > to feel at home. 'Yes,' was my reply, and no, further discns- > During the years 1912-1918 Mr. Dunn sion took place. We returned to San Fran- > spent every moment he could spare from cisco (they had been on a vacation), and > I N MEMORIAM Y9Y > > after a few months my resignation (to my to write to the firm in Melbourne, regarding > firm) was sent, everything given up, and a position.' The mail that night carried a > arrangements made for our prompt sailing." letter to a good firm in Melbourne, . .. to > Later, when Mrs. Dunn doubted the wis- vhom I felt able to give good sewice. By > dom of accompanying her husband, he wrote return post a reply arrived (which read) > to 'Ahdu'l-Bahi for advice. "It seemed like 'Your application is most opportune, . . . > ages,'" he goes on t o narrate, "before a reply Call and see our Sydney manager.' (Thus) > came. Read carefully, how and when it . . . a good position was obtained which > came. We were all packed up ready to ultimately took me over the whole of Aus- > leave the cottage we were living in. While tralia . . . and to New Zealand with the > the carriers were loading on our luggage . > Bahi'i Message. . , Praise be t o God! > and Mother waiting in the wee garden, "Mother was able t o surrender her po- > a telegraph boy appeared with a cable sition and God made it possible for me t o > from 'Abdu'l-Bahh containing these words, earn enough to travel all aver the continent. > 'Highly Commendable.' Imagine our hearts' taking Mother to the capital cities. > delight and joy. This made our future an "For two and a half years we remained > open door to service on this continent . . > in New South Wales . Interest in the > (Australia)." Cause continually increased and people . . . > On their way t o Australia they stopped came at all times t o see us. There was no > at Honolulu and remained there two breathing space at all. I t was an incessant > months. This stay was "in the truest sense plowing ahead. One outstanding instance in > a real Baha'i viqit, with a lasting profit the teaching work Father Dunn carried on > of understanding and conscin~xsnessof real in Sydney was the meeting and making of > . > love and service to God. . . We landed in the first real believer in Australia, Mr. > Sydney from the Steamship Sonona, April Whitaker, who proved a blessing to the > 18, 1919. Cause and all its believers, holding the > "How strangely things happen, and how friends in Sydney together and advancing > wonderfully does God act and bring His the Cause while Father and Mother Dnnn > plans into our lives ... so that we can were traveling. > serve Him. He is All-powerful t o fulfill "After these turo and a half years . . . > His Divine purpose for us in every thing. work in New South Wales, another miracu- > ... 0 beloved ones of Bahi'u'llBh, make lous thing happened in business; the whde > firm your steps and secure every opportunity of the continent was given me to work in . .. > to serve with a new consciousness of love Melbourne was our first stop and we re- > and service and so justify our being Baha'is. mained in the State of Victoria for about > Strange to say, traveling on the Sonona t o six months. Early in 1923 we visited > New Zealaud and Australia was the manager Adelaide; and the same work was repeated > of the firm that Mother had represented in there with great happiness. > America for many years, and this gentleman "Then the great opportunity came that > landed in Australia after visiting New we had been longing for, and we crossed the > Zealand about the same time that we landed Great Desert t o Western Australia and > in Sydney after visiting Honolulu. ... This opened our Bahb'i campaign with many > manager offered Mother a position in the successes. .. Here in Perch . . . we had the > Australian company and set us right upon honor and happiness to meet dear Martha > our feet. This (arrangement) lasted for Root. A successful teaching campaign > the first five or six month. Our original followed. > plans for making a living in Australia were "Later we visited Queensland and revisited > of no avail. Being far from well when we New South Wales together with Victoria > landed (I) was not fit for work, but how and West Australia." > wonderfully does God guide us. Father Dunn died at Sydney, February 17, > "One day at the end of September, while 1941. The Sydney Bah6'is have supplied an > laying the cloth for dinner, a voice, a mental account of his last days and funeral, which > voice, sacd to me, 'Now is the time for you we quote in part: "Father was at the Heal- > S96 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ing Meeting at the Center on Tuesday after- are destined to inherit the fruit of his > noon, February l l t h , and uras his usual glorious labors. To the sincere seeker he > bright, informative self. After arriving was as a finger post on the spiritual highway. > home he had an unconscious spell . . but. Absolutely and completely confirmed, > recovered and was fairly well until Friday he was a brilliant example of one in whom > when he became unconscious and remained the confirmations of the spirit had become a > so until he passed on, hionday morning. living force, vitalizing every thought and > "The funeral service was conducted by action. BahFu'll6h, as the embodiment of > Bahi'is. I t consisted of readings of Bahi'i Reality, was the spring from which he drew > prayers and selections froin the 'Hidden his ever-increasing supply: oi spiritual sus- > Words' and of words from Mother Dunn, tenance. I t was not alone the great message > smiling and wonderfully composed, who of which he was the bearer that arrested ac- > gave those assembled a message such as she tentinn but in addition, the unearthly light > knew Father would have wished t o express." that suffused his whole personality when > The following tribute to Father Dunn giving the message, endowing him with a > came from the National Spiritual Assembly qualit? which set him on a spiritual plane > of the Bahi'is of Australia and New Zealand: to which others were blindly groping, a > The history of the Bahh'i Cause in Aus- height reached only through the surrender > tralia and New Zealand during the last of personal will and ambition. The only > twenty years is bound up with the life and recompense he sought was the joy of being > work of Mr. John Henry Hyde Dunn. Mr. used in the service of Baha'u'llbh. Every > and Mrs. Dunn together responded to the contingency he accepted as an opportunity > call of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 to the American be- he must seize for the furtherance of his > lievers for workers in other fields. I t was supreme task--spreading the Message, sow- > t o these countries, Australia and New Zea- ing the seed which was t o fructify into > land, they travelled, and the story of their the world order envisaged by Bahi'u'116h. > joint pioneer work is known and appreciated From this task he never su-erved, never > throughout the length and breadth of these lost heart, however hard the ground, or > dominions. Alone and unlcnown, with no poor the soil, or meagre the apparent harvest. > material prestige whatsoever they raised the His faith in the ultimate triumph of the > call of the New Day in all the capital cities Beloved's Cause was firm as a rock that > of Australia, 'and in Auckland, New Zea- no huffetings of indifference or adversity > land. Carefully and lovingly they nurtured in the path could move. > the Faith. In the first feu, years no fewer This steadfast soul -satisfying faith > than five local Spiritual Assemblies were coupled with his kindly graciousness and > established; four of these are still function- understanding heart contributed in no small > ing in addition to a number of groups. In degree to his unique attractive personality. > 1934 Father's heart was rejoiced to see the But it was his dauntless faith in the power > further flowering of his labor when the Na- inherent in the Cause he proclaimed that > tional Spiritual Assembly came into being. enabled him to light a flame in these distant > A11 hearts were turned in loving sympathy lands that can never he extinguished. Let us > t o Mother Dunn when the news was sent all unite in praise and thanksgiving to God > t o the believers of Father's passing to the for the privilege, vouchsafed to us of this > AbhP Kingdom on February 17th, 1941. generation, of personal friendship with dear > The threads binding him to earth had been Father Dunn. May are be moved to emulate > wearing thinner and his hold on life becom- his complete consecration. All he was and > ing lighter for some time, thus preparing us all he had of ability and talent he used > for the severe blow of separation. Though in instant, exact and complete obedience to > conscious of our irreparable loss, grief for the call of the Master, and in devoted, tire- > one so full of years and honor and who lived less service t o Bahfu'll6h. > t o accomplish so much would be misplaced. National Spiritual Assembly > Let us rather thank God for the privilege of the Bahi'is of Australia > vouchsafed us and future generations who and New Zealand. > IN MEMORIAM > > 'Abdu'l- Jalil Bey Sa'ad > > The following cable from Shoghi Effendi, Mashriqu'l-A&kL befitting the rank (of) > the Guardian of the Bah6'i Faith, t o the Australia's spiritual conqueror. > National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah6'is (Signed) Shoghi Rabbani." > of the United States and Canada was re- > ceived February 21, 1941: > "1 share (your) sorrow (in the) loss, 'ABDU'L- JALfL BEY SA'AD > (and) participate (in your) rejoicings (for On the 25th of May, 1942, the friends > the) triumph (of) beloved Father Dunn. of Egypt felt very deeply the passing of a > (The) magnificent career (of this) veteran ~ a l i a n t believer and pioneer, 'Abdu'l-Jalil > warrior (of the) Faith of Bahl'u'lliih re- Bey Sa'ad, to whom the beloved Guardian > flects the purest luster (of the) world his- has given the title of "one of the Hands of > toric mission conferred (upon) American the Cause of God." > community by 'Abdu'l-Bahi. To (the) As an old Bahgi of Egypt, who embraced > three heroines whose dust reposes (in the) the Cause in the days of Mirz6 Abn'l-Fadl, > heart (of) Persia, (in the) Pacific Island who was his teacher, 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad > and southern extremity (of the) American was distinguished by such high and noble > continent, a fourth witness in far-off Aus- characteristics that he is entitled to rank > tralia (is) now added, attesting (the) first among those rare believers who devote their > vital sparks (of) far-flung spiritual do- lives wholly to the Word of God. So faith- > minion American believers (have been) corn- ful was he to the Cause that he never > missioned (to) establish. (I am) momd hesitated t o make any sacrifice, whenever he > (to) congratulate them (for the) resplend- was called upon t o do so. He loved pro- > ent successes (of the) Plan destined (to) foundly the Faith of Baha'u'll&h; in its > encircle (the) entire globe. Advise hold service he endured many hardships with a > N a t i o n a l Memorial G a t h e r i n g ( i n ) spirit of true devotion and radiant acquies- > 598 T H E BAHA'f WORLD > cence which sustained him in the coune of that writer in a series of fourteen articles > many transfers of his position t o remote under the heading "The Bahi'i Faith Is an > localities, where he was often isolated from Everlasting Truth." So graphic was his pres- > both his family and the believers. We lost entation of the teachings, so ample the > no opportunity to promote the interests of proofs he adduced in support of them, that > the public, irrespective of creed, and we may the fanatics, having failed in their argu- > well believe that future generations, per- ments, sought the aid of the authorities and > haps, indeed, even the present generation, demanded t o knour how a judge in a Muslim > will recognize the valuable sewicei he ren- country could be permitted to promulgate > dered Egypt. the teachings of a religion they declared to > In 1923, when the consritntional laws of be anti-M4ammadan. They appealed on > the country were being legislated, the com- these grounds to the Minister of Justice with > mittee appointed for this purpose recom- a view to stopping his articles. The Mitiister > mended that religious freedom be confined of Justice, on his part, tried to persuade > to recognized religions. 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey him to ccase writing his articles in defense > Sa'ad, as a judge of the Civil Courts, wrote of the Cause, but 'Abdu'i-J,alil Bey Sa'ad > very inspiring articles on this subject, main- answered hinl: "If your Excellency wishes > taining that all religions should be treated me to cease defending my belief, then the > with equal freedom. This principle was other side should also cease attacking it." > passed in the third reading by the legislators. In connection with this incident the ques- > This noble Bzhi'i distinguished himself tion of religious freedom was once again > during eTery phase of the development of raised in the House of Parliament where the > the Cause in Egypt. InMay, 1929, the sicua- Minister stated that although the absolute > tion of the believers in Egypt became critical freedom of religions is sanctioned by the > owing to the historic verdict rendered by the law of the country, action had been taken > Muslim Court against the Bahi'is of Kom to cease the publication of articles by both > El Sa'ayda in 1925. As directed by the be- parties concerned. > loved Guardian, Mr. Mills came to Cairo, Meanwhile, as adisciplinary action,'Abdu'l- > where he met 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad, and Jalil Bey Sa'ad was transferred t o a remote > together they saw the Prime Minister and locality in upper Egypt vhere they believed > other high officials with a view to improving he would not be able to resume his activities. > the situation of the friends. Later, 'Abdn'l- On the contrary, he took advantage of this > Jalil Bey Sa'ad pursued these negotiations opportunity and translated the "Dawn- > alone. Breakers" into the Arabic language, thus > In 1934 the Declaration of Trust had enabling the Arabic-speaking countries to > to he legalized, but it was refused by the study this authentic history, so rich in sub- > Mixed Tribunal on the ground that it con- ject matter, and so precious to d l Bahb'is. > stituted an instrument of a religious nature I n 1941 his translation was publisl~ed, but > and was therefore beyond the Tribunal's owing to the war had to he referred t o j l e > jurisdiction. However, the tact and persis- Publicity Section of the Government. From > tence with which 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad this department it was passed on to high > supported the claims of the Bahi'is to the Muslim authorities who pronounced i t t o be > Prosecutor General finally overcame all resis- against the Xfuslim Faith and stated it should > tance and the Declaration of Trust was be condemned. Whereupon the entire edi- > recognized as valid and legalized. This his- tion was gatbered for destruction. Having > toric act greatly facilitated future transac- lesrncd of this, 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad in- > tions with the Government. terviewed all the officers concerned and > I n that same year (1934) a certain learned endeavored by every means in his power > - > Shayk& el Kharashi attacked the Bahb'i to procure the release of the books. Far from > Faith in a series of articles under the head- being daunted by the opposition and un- > ing "The Bahfi Faith Is a Pleasing Illusion." helpful attitude he met with, he seemed > 'Abdu'l-Jalil Bey Sa'ad, with outstanding rather t o be spurred on hy it and, ignoring > zeal and courage, refuted the assertions of the apparent hopelessness oi his efforts, > IN MEMORIAM > > H l j i Mirzi Buzurg Afnin 'Al6'i > > finally succeeded, after untiring and per- holder of Baha'i Administration. His loyalty > sistent labors, in procuring not only the to the beloved Guardian, his ability as a > release of all the books but also official per- teacher, his wide knowledge of the Holy > mission to distribute them in Egypt and Writing.;, the love he showed his fellow- > abroad. Baha'is and the courage and self-sacrifice > Among his other historic services was with which he served the Cause of God > the translation of "Bahi'u'lllbh and the New will remain forever in the memory of the > Era" into Arabic and the compilation of the Egyptian believers, who are proud of their > "Laws of Personal Status" and "Rules of first Hand of the Cause and of his imperish- > Procedure." able services. > In 1941 he again employed > . . the Declara- - > tion of Trust as an instrument to induce > the Ministry of Civil Defense to grant per- > S J i M ~ R Z ABUZURG AFNAN 'ALkf > mission to build the Haziratu'l-Quds in Afnin 'Ali'i was born at a i r & in 1873. > Cairo and to purchase the necessary materials His father was tiq&Mirzi Nhru'd-Din > for its construction. So dedicated was he Afuin, a close relative of the Bib. > to this task that he personally was often to From childhood he was attached to the > be found on the site, supervising the work. Cause and when but ten years old he ad- > He continued to carry on this labor of love, dressed a supplication to BahCu'116h and was > in spite of all his other work, and the intense honored with a reply. He attained to the > heat, until he fell ill and died suddenly Presence of BahB'u'il6h when he was eighteen > after an operation. years of age and stayed at the Holy Land > He was for many years president of the for nine full months, his earlier return being > National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is prevented by an outbreak of cholera in Syria > of Egypt and the Sudan and a staunch up- and Egypt. > T H E B A H A'f WORLD > > Two months after his departure from come a Bahi'i in New Zealand. My first > Haifa, the Sun of Truth set, and, at the knowledge of the Bahi'i Cause was through > Master's bidding, Afnin "AMi' set up in 'The Christian Commonwealth,' which was > business at Port Said. He proved helpful to sent to me from England by my sister, who > Bahi'i pilgrims arriving at that city, and, was at that time studying music in London. > ten years later, wound up his affairs under She had heard 'Abdu'l-Bah6 preach. I read > the Master's instructions, returning t o the article about him in the papers, but am > - > S h i r k with his father to take care of the sorry to say did not think any more about it. > Holy House. When, in 1903, Persia was My sister returned from England, and in > rocking with the storm raised by the 1912 a friend of hers, Miss Dorothea > enemies of the Cause, this family was ¶uietly Spinney, came t o New Zealand t o give re- > busy, repairing the House. On the father's citals of Greek plays. While in Auckland, > death, Afnhn 'Ali'i and his brothers carried she stayed with us, and told us about the > on the work to a successful conclusion and Bahl'i Cause. She had met 'Abdu'l-Bahi, > to the Master's entire satisfaction. and as she told me about it all, evidently a > At Shiriz, his home was always open subconscious chord was touched. As a > t o the large number of believers who flocked child, I used t o wish I had lived when Christ > on pilgrimage to the Holy flouse from was on earth. As Miss Spinney spoke, I > Persia or elsewhere. remembered my childhood's wish, and the > An apt scholar in youth, well-versed in thought came to me that I too might have > Arabic, and a 'fine penman, Afnin was denied Him as so many others had done. I t > eminently qualified for the education and was this secret thought that made me > training of children, a work into which he seriously think of what I heard from Miss > threw himself with his wonted zeal in Spinney, and through God's grace and > s i r h e . He taught them the Aqdas, and mercy I was enabled to grasp and believe > acquainted then1 with. the Holy Laws and in BahPn'lllh and His message. Naturally, > Teachings. He was indefatigable in his I told others about it, but though they ap- > efforts, acting as Secretary for the Local peared to be interested, nothing more came > Assembly,. serving on various Committees, of it. Mrs. Blundell, who also had read > carrying on a correspondence with friends T h e Christian Cormnunwealth,' was the > in East and West, transcribing the Holy most interested, and we had many talks. > Tablets. Although, in later life, his health "Miss Spinney had given me some Bah6'i > failed him, yet he was unrelaxing in his books, and I sent to America for more and > endeavors for the Faith. also subscribed to 'The Star of the West,' > In speech and action, he was an exemplary Bah6'i magazine. The Srst great event after > believer, both friend and foe testifying t o this was the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde > his unwavering faith, his radiant heart, and Dunn to Auckland. Mrs. Blundell invited > his unquestioning loyalty. them t o her home, Lynbury Ridimgs Rd., > He ascended t o the Abhi Kingdom in Remucra, t o speak t o a group of about > 1941. twenty people she thought might be in- > r terested. My two sisters and I were amongst > MISS MARGARET STEVENSON them, and I shall never forget my first meet- > ing with Mr. Dunn. On'being introduced, I > The Bahi'i Assembly of Auckland, New noticed the Bahl'i ring on his finger. I was > Zealand, has suffered a severe loss in thc also wearing one and turned my hand to him. > passing to the Abh6 Kingdom of its secre- When he saw my ring his pleasure and > tary, Miss Margaret Beveridge Stevenson. astonishment will always be something to > A short time before her sudden death she remember, for when Mr. and Mrs. Dunn > had begun to write her experiences in con- arrived in Auckland they did not know > nection with the Bahh'i Faith in New there was a believer in New Zealand. This > Zealand. The following are excerpts from was the first BahA'i meeting in New Zea- > her notes: land. While Mr. Dunn was with us a hall > "As far as I know I was the first to be- was rented and public meetings held. After > IN MEMORIAM > > Stevenson > > his return to Australia, Mrs. Dunn remained themselves an assembly at this time, 1924, > for a tame and formed a study group. The 'though the first properly constituted as- > classes were held at our house in Cowie Road, sembly was not formed till April 21st. > Parnell, for about ten years, and it was 1926." > here that what Mrs. Dunn called the first The narrative was cut short at this point > Bahi'i Feast took place. This was an aus- by Miss Stevenson's sudden passing t o the > picious occasion and a flashlight photograph higher kingdom. Between 1924 and 1926 > was taken which appeared later in 'The the little paper covered booli "Bahi'i Ad- > Bah6'i World.' ministration" was received and a study of > "It is through this effort of Mr. and Mrs. this resulted in the proper formation of an > Dnnn that the Cause in Auckland grew, assembly. Miss Stevenson was elected secre- > and on March I l t h , 1924 it was decided tary, which office she filled with faithfulness > that the time had arrived when i t was neces- and efficiency till her days came to an end. > sary for the Bah2i Cause in New Zealand This steadfast servant was an active > t o have an official head, some person who worker in the Cause of Bahi'u'116h for more > would be responsible for the conduct of the than eighteen years. Her first visit to Haifa > Assembly. Quoting from the Minutes:- and the Holy Shrines in 1921 made a deep > 'It was proposed, seconded and carried unan- impression, which resulted in an unswerving > imously that Miss M. B. Stevenson be first loyalty and consecrated devotion. Her duties > President (Chairman) of the first Bahl'i as secretary of the Spiritual Assembly over > Assembly in New Zealand and that she a long period of years, as also her work as > be linown as the Mother of the Cause in this a member of the National Spiritual As- > land.' This minute is an eloquent tcstimuny sembly, were undertaken in a spirit of > to the ignorance of these early believers of loving, willing service. Her sweet, lovable > Bah6'i Administration. They began to call nature endeared her to all and her deep nn- > 602 THE B A H A ' ~ WORLD > > Mary J. Revell > > derstanding of the Teachings was a great souls, a confident hope and cheerfulness, > help to students and enquirers. benevolence-traits which singled her out > Her passing to the Abh6 Kingdom on as a pioneer from the time of her contact > February 1lth, 1941, was a severe loss to the with the Bahi'i Faith. > Assembly and to the Faith in New Zealand. Though actively engaged in church work, > Her memory will he revered by future she was searching, and that search made > generations who look back to the record of her receptive to the teachings of Bahi'u'llih > her work. when presented to her by her sister, Mrs. > Mrs. E. M. Axford. Annie E. McRiney. She proved the truth > - of these teachings to her own satisfaction > MARY T. REVELL by her analysis of Bible prophecies; accepted > the Faith, opened her home as a center for > meetings, attracted some of her church > Mrs. Mary J. Revell, horn October 8 , 1 8 5 9 friends and others to these meetings, and > in Philadelphia, Pa., had an early life filled attended classes conducted by Mrs. Isabella > with many difficulties, which she overcame D. Brittingham, who was sojourning in > because of her love for, and dependence on, Philadelphia at chat time. Thls stirred up > God. In 1900 after years of illness, her bitter persecution from the minister, which > husband, a devout Christian, passed away only tended to make her faith more stead- > leaving her with six young children, all of fast. In an early Tablet to Philadelphia he- > whom she brought up. This devetoped in lievers 'Ahdu'l-Bahh said: "It is easy to ad- > her strong traits of character-fearlessness, vance toward the Kingdom but it is difficult > a love born of God, patience, a sympathetic t o remain iinn and steadfast." (See Stm of > nature which seemed to divine the needs of the 'West, Vol. 5, July 13, 1914, No. 7.) > IN MEMORIAM 603 > > In the darkness of one night on three member of society publicized his chagrin in > different occasions while she was praying, a local newspaper. Nevertheless, her courage > a brilliant light appeared before her, which and faith never wavered. > made her feel that she was witnessing the "I have met many from the negro race, > light of God's Countenance and deepened Orientals, as well as the famous and ob- > her spirit. scure of our own race, in the Revell home. > Perhaps it may not be out of place to The fact that they came as often-as they > quote here from a talk, given at a memorial were in the city is proof of the same selfless, > meeting for Mrs. Revell, by Mrs. Elizabeth unaffected hospitality. > Pharo: "Week after week, year after year, this > "Naw-Rhz 1926, was my first introduc- Bah6'i home was a ceoter. The work of > tion to the Revell family. On that day Mrs. teaching was the major problem. Classes > Revell opened the door of her home and were held as well as feasts, anniversaries > welcomed me. MY first conscious thought and special meetings. Literally hundreds > was one of happiness, for I was surrounded of people have heard the Message rhere. > with a warmth of love I had never experi- ~ o o k s a, constant flow of them, passed into > enced before. In the seventeen years that the hands of inquirers and seekers, at no cost > haye elapsed, that warmth, that loving inter- to the recipient. The poor, the neglected, the > est, never wavered. sick always found a practical and sympa- > "Toward the end of her life, everyone thetic helper in ~ ~~ ~ t ~ ~ h 1 1 ~. ~ > affectionately referred to Mrs. Revell as - p ~ ~ of mine can adequately describe > 'Mother The name was this spirit, that is like a beacon to those > one for if ever a mother was tender, loving, who knew her. solnefolks leave a heritage > steadfast, and of phenomenal courage, that of wealth, wealth sometimes > person was Mary J. Revell. gathered at the expense of the helpless, and, > "Before her acceptance of the Babgi in some instances, this w'ealth is a curse to > Faith, Mrs. Revell was a staunch, God- the legator. yet here is a lady n,ho has > fearing Christian, active in church circles scattered a wealth of love like a > and with numberless friends of similar in- fragrance all over the world, > terests. During 'Abdu'lLBah6's visit to -we are of the fortunate ones to have > Philadelphia in 1912, the Revell home, then known her. L~~ us be assured that her spirit > just around the from the will continue to inspire us to greater efforts > Philadelphia Railroad Station, was the only ;n the of God7 > home in Philaddphia that sheltered the > It Was cAbdu'lLBahh who wrote > Master. Later, many illustrious Baha'is en- > joyed hospitality. Isabella n. Britcjng.. > ham lived with the Revells for three vears > (yinin the > a dated October 1908 > Bahh'i archives in Wilmette, > 111.) : > prior to her passing. Elizabeth Stewart, who > devoted thirteen years of her life to service > "I supplicate the True One that this > for the Faith in Tihrln, Persia, passed to the maid-servant of God become the beloved > next world from Mrs. Revell's home. Martha in the Supreme Kingdom, and be distin- > Root, May Maxwell, Keith Ransom Kehler pished among the people for nnde~stand- > and numberless other Bah6'is of East and ing and wisdom." > West, all were attracted by the magnet of I t was 'Abdu'l-Bahl also who, on the > her love. occasion of her first visit to I-lim in New > "This presents a rosy view of life, but Yosk City in 1912, said through the inter- > there was another side that Mother Revell preter: "This is a firm believer. Her spirit > never shirked. I t t w k courage and initiative is larger than her body. I will see you often > usually associated with youth, to leave the in Philadelphia." In telling about this visit, > accepted form of religions worship in those she would relate how she seemed to be tread- > early days; to see the established friend- ing on air in His presence, her heart full > ships of many years crumble. A few be- to overflowing with the greatest happiness. > came actively hostile; indeed one esteemed A few weeks later (early Sunday morn- > TI-IE B A H A ' f WORLD > > ing, June 9, 1912), while she was visiting called that her over-night bag had been left > w ~ t h'Abdu'l-Bahh at the Rittenhouse Hotel, where she bad stayed. Because of this delay > Philadelphia, He suddenly turned t o her and they could not resist attending the evening > said: "I will come to your home tomorrow meeting where 'Ahdu'l-Bahh was to speak. > morning at nine o'clock." Her heart was On entering, they found a large gathering, > full of happiness, the hour came, the rooms 'Ahdu'I-Bah6 sitting on a divan in the front > were crowded, 'Abdn'l-Bah6 arrived and of the room with an empty seat on either > greeted the friends hringing joy and hap- side of Him. To their surprise and delight, > piness to all. He motioned for them to he seated beside > In His talk that morning, 'Abdu'l-Bahh Him. Although they had said their farewells > .likened the friends present to a string to the iriends, 'Abdu'l-Bah6 knew they > of pearls, the brilliancy of which, He said, would be present that evening; and because > would be realized as time went on (See Star His time had been entirely occupied, and > of the West, Volume 5 , June 24, 1914, No. they had had no opportunity for a personal > 6). Two friends, arriving late, found those visit, even though they had come from > present standiu~gin line on the stairs and in Philadelphia, He bestowed upon them this > the halls, eagerly awaiting their turn for a great favor. Many of the friends later said > personal interview wirch 'Abdu'l-Bahh. they had wondered for whom 'Ahdu'l-Bahh > After everyone had left that day, Mrs. was reserving the seats beside Him. > Revell discovered the lunch she had pro- What was probably her last visit with > vided for 'Ahdu'l-Bahi and the friends, 'Abdu'l-Bahl was on a train en route from > which, in the ecstacy of the morning, she Baltimore to New York City. A group of > had entirely forgotten. Those realizing the friends boarded this train in town and rode > station of her guest, the Center of the to Wayne Junction. I t was at this time that > Covenant, the Mystery of God, will hardly He handed her a string of beads which He > wonder at this. Later the same day, had been carrying, telling her to give one > 'Abdu'l-Bahh in speaking with some of the bead to each of the friends. No act of > friends' at the Hotel, referred to Mrs. 'Ahdu'l-Bah6 was without a deep spiritual > Revell's home as the "BahhY Home." (See significance. > VoI. I, Star of the West, June 24, 1914, Space does not pennit the recording of > No. 6.) her other contacts with 'Abdu'l-Bahh in > She was present when 'Ahdu'l-Bahh, in Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia. > 1912, dedicated the grounds of the Spurred on by the messages of the > Mahriqu'l-Aakir, in Wilmette. While in Guardiau, Shoghi Effendi, t o visit towns and > Chicago, she had received a letter from a cities where there were no resident Baha'is, > Persian believer requesting her to touch Mrs. Revell although now advanced in years, > the hem of 'Ahdu'l-Bah6's garment for him. showed her pioneering spirit by tirelessly > On the day of the dedication, while on the moving about in various outlying districts, > grounds, she breathed a silent prayer that searching for and helping to confirm recep- > she might fulfil this request. Almost in- tive souls. > stantly, she found 'Abdu'l-Bahl standing In August 1942, although she was very > directly in front of her. Quietly she touched frail, she and her two daughters spent their > the hem of His robe, while thinking of the week of vacation in Arden, Delaware, doing > brother in far-away Persia, and then 'Ahdu'l- very intensive Baha'i teaching work, which > BahP walked away. was syrtematically followed up by other > On being asked which visit with 'Abdu'l- Baha'is and which, in the period of about > BahP impressed her most, she related the a year, resulted in the confirmation of three > following incident: After a week-end with resident believers. > her daughter Badia in New York City, spent On October 17, 1943 these three resident > in hearing 'Ahdu'l-Bahb give public ad- Bahi'is in Arden, with invited friends from > dresses and meeting with the Baha'is, she Arden and surrounding points, held their > and Badia bade the friends good-bye and first Baha'i gathering since becoming be- > left for the station. Suddenly, Badia re- lievers. I t was on this same day, at about > IN MEMORIAM 605 > > three o'clock in the afternoon, that Mrs. portance of the meeting, he said, was prob- > Revell completed her earthly journey. As ably not now apparent to some of those pres- > the friends were about to 1eax.e the meeting ent, hut the fact that 'Abdu'l-Bah6 had > in Arden, word was received of Mrs. Revell's honored Mrs. Revell by visiting her home. > ascension. The prayer for one recently de- would be known in the future as a great > parted was immediately read, so that the historic event. > group at Arden, the last place of out- Some of the Bahi'i Teachings on Life after > of-town BahI'i activity for her, was the Death were shared at the memorial meeting, > first group to offer a prayer for her released November 20, 1943, making very real to > spirit. the friends present those "days of blissful > In striking contrast t o her whole previous joy and heavenly delight." Intimate glimpses > life, her last year was one of complete of her life and service t o mankind wcre > physical inactivity, but it served only t o given, and some of the numerous messages > emphasize her spiritual qualities, breathing of tribute were shared. One of these letters > forth a fragrance of which she herself was frwn friends who had come from Europe > totally unconscious. The power of her pure mentioned how they were spared homesick- > spirit affected everyone who came into her ness because of the warmth of her love and > presence; and one heard such remarks as hospitality; one wrote of how a very serious > these: problem had been solved by her prayers; > "That one brief day with her did some- another spoke of having bee11 nursed and > thing for me for all the rest of my life. I t cared for by her in her home, during a grave > restored something. It was like a return to illness; a friend abroad said the first thing he > the flame of the Master's days." will do when he returns t o the United States > "She is a person I u~ouldcross continents will be to place red carnations on her grave, > to meet." and one mentioned having contributed to > "We will always look back upon, as the the Bahi'i F w d in her memory. One whom > dearest possession in our lives, that love we she had taught wrote that she felt now she > had from her." had a short cut to Heaven bp her presence > N o dificulty, however severe, could cloud there; a friend who read of her passing in > the happiness of her sweet nature, because the Philadelphia Tribwe (a Negro puhlica- > she turned wery obstacle into a blessing. tion) related that on the occasion of her > Repeatedly, frail and almost helpless as she husband's death, Mrs. Revel1 accompanied > was, she would say: "I have so many things her t o the cemetery, although the day was > to be thankful for." one of cold, sleet and snow--and tried to > comfort her; still another from the negro > As she passed to .the Great Beyond, her last > race said that one word of Mrs. Revel1 > word was "Yh-Bah6'u'l-AbhC, calling to > changed the tide of his whole life some > mind these words of 'Abdu'l-Rahl in a > twenty years ago, when he was experiencing > . > Tablet to Charles Greenleaf: ". . So that > a terrific test and wanted t o escape it. That > nothing shall he left of thee, neither thought, > word was: "You can't run away from your- > mention, voice or even a whisper save the > self." > Word "YI-Bahh'u'l-Abhi". What a pre- > Her precious remains are resting in Mount > cious, eternal, hallowed memory to witness > Vernon Cemetery, Philadelphia, about fifty > this flight t o the Abhh Paradise! > feet from those of Isahella D. Brittingham, > Shortly after her acceptance of the Bah6'i whom Shoghi Effendi has named a disciple of > Faith in 1906, Mrs. Revel1 asked Mr. Charles 'Abdu'l-BahI. > Mason Remey, should he he living when she Priceless is the tribute paid to her by > passed away, t o conduct her funeral service the Guardian himself in a Cable received > if possible; and it so happened that he was October 20, 1943: > in Philadelphia on a business trip at the time "Grieved passing dear Mother. Her ser- > of her death. I n conducting the serxrices he vices unforgettable. Deserve rank immortal > spoke with such sincerity and depth of feel- pioneers Faith. Praying abundant blessings. > ing that all were deeply impressed, The im- Assure you loving sympathy." > 606 THE BAHA'~WORLD > left for France, where he received his degree. > In France he cooperated with Mr. and Mrs. > Dreyfus (then Mr. Dreyfus and Miss Barney) > and Mr. Edwin Scott in serving the Cause. > But his greatest privilege was in 1911-1912, > when he served 'Abdu'l-Baha as translator > on several occasions. > In 1913 he returned to Egypt and con- > tinued his activities in promulgating the > Cause. > In 1937 and 1938 he visited Tunis and > France respectively, in compliance with the > request of the beloved Guardian with a > view t o strengthening those centers and > encouraging their activities. > In 1943 he resigned from his government > post with a cherished hope of more energetic > activities in serving the Cause, whether in > Egypt or abroad, wherever directed by > the beloved Guardian. During his last stay > in Cairo he was fully occupied in planning > for the preparations of the centenary cel- > chrations, and revealed his plans t o almost > every member of the National Spiritual > Assembly. > He a7as much interested in translating > Dr. M. Shlih Bahi'i literature and in making compilations > and was very careful and accurate in such > vork. > He was buried in the Bahi'i cemetery > On November l ~ t h 1943, > , the friends ofnear the resting places of his former teacher, > Egypt were greatly shocked and deeply Mirzh 'Abu'l-Fag and Mrs. Lua Getsinger. > grieved by the sudden death of Dr. M. $61&, Dr. M. Sblih will remain an ideal for > the chairman of both the National Spiritual the believers in Egypt both as regards > Assembly of Egypt and the Local Spiritual character dnd as regards faith, and will never > Assembly of Alexandria; a true exemplar of be forgotten by those who knew him > the Bahl'i Faith, and a faithful servant of whether Bahi'is or others. > the Cause. May his soul rest at peace in the Ahh6 > He was horn in 1884; and at the age of Paradise! - > 16, when he was yet receiving his secondary > education at Alexandria, he was attracted to OSWALD A. WHITAKER > the Cause through one of his school-mates "Blessed is the man that hath turned hi > who was then a Bahi'i. face towards God, and walked steadfastly in > His intelligence and high standard of His love, until his soul winged its flight unto > character recommended him for free ednca- God, the Sovereign Lord of all, the Most > tion, as, at that time hi financial situation Powerful, the Ever-forgiving, the All Merci- > made him unable t o continue his studies. ful."--Bah6'n'lllh. > I n 1901 he entered the Uni ersity of Mr. Oswald Alfred Wbitnker. Our be- > Beirut for medical study, where he was so beloved Bahb'i brother and fellow member > happy just t o be near t o his beloved Master of the National Spiritual Assembly was > 'Abdu'l-Bahh, and t o be able to p;it the called to his reward in the Ahhi Kingdom > Holy Spot whenever chance availed. *ing on the morning of July 3rd. His passing > to illness during his last year of study he was tragically sudden and unexpected, > > v > IN MEMORIAM 607 > > though he had been in indifferent health > for the last few months. Mr. Whitalrer was > the first declared believer in Australia and > was an assiduous helper of Mr. and Mrs. > Dunn in the early days of their pioneering > work. I t was in the home of Mr. and Mrs. > Whitaker that the first BahUi Feast was > held, and since those early days of the Cause > in Australia their home has always been > available as a meeting place for the friends > and for hospitality to visiting Bahi'is. I t > was here the late revered Martha Root > spent her first night in Sydney after her > prolonged stay in China. Mr. Whitaker was > Chairman of the Sydney Spiritual Assembly > for many years. > The spreading of the beloved Teachings > and Divine fragrances was Mr. Whitalier's > constant endeavor. In his business,contacts, > in his family circle and in his continuous > service at the Centre, he "lived the life" > and delivered the great Message with sin- > cerity and discretion. The Teachings be- > came to him as a fountain ever k i n g poured > out, yet ever being renewed from the > Source. In 1934 Mr. Whitaker was elected > to the first National Spiritual Assembly and 0. A. Whitaker > for several years was a valued and beloved (Shown with his daughter.) > vice-chairman. His sincerity and honesty of > purpose, his staunchness and fidelity to the enriching their lives and enabling them t o > Faith were ever an inspiration to his col- continue the work they shared with him > leagues. His understanding heart, his gener- in this earth life. > ous spirit, and a courage that admitted of Hilda M. Brooks. > no compromise when teaching the Faith, > coupled with his unfailing adherence to the > spiritual principles, which were the com- HILDA GILBERT > pelling force in his personal character and Shortly after the cortege for Mr. Whit- > conduct, gained for him the respect and aker's funeral left for the cemetery, Miss > esteem of all who were privileged to know Hilda Gilbert, another early believer, suffered > him. He had a rare gift of friendship, con- a stroke, from the eeifects of which she died > stant and deep, which communicated itself, the following day. Miss Gilbert was a > even to strangers, as a benediction of good- worker for the Cause, first in Adelaide a n d > will. He never spared himself when duty later in Sydney. She was one of the first > called or the opportunity of extending a secretaries after the Sydney Assembly was > helping hand presented itself, and no one formed, also librarian, and has always been > will ever be able to appreciate the extent a valued worker on various committees. > of his sacriiice for the Faith. To his sor- She worked cheerfully and unostentatiously, > rowing wife, Lynda, and their only daughter, sharing in the varied activities of the com- > Margaret, we extend deepest love and sincere munity with a radiant spirit. She will be > sympathy and pray that they may find com- greatly missed by the Sydney community > fort and strength in the assurance that with which she was actively associated for > their dear one is very near to them. May so long. > the fragrance of his memory be a reality Hilda M. Brooks. > 608 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > when married to her husband in 1882, and re- > tained the refinement and cultl~reof her > early environinent. She had a delightful > sense of humor, and will be remembered by > her many friends as a charming teacher of the > Bahi'i Faith, not only in Chicago and its > environs, hut in many cities and towsls of the > Eastern States, especially at Green Acre, > Eliot, Maine. > Soon after the World's Columbian Exposi- > tion in Chicago in 1893, her husband, Charles > H. Greenleaf, heard the Bahi'i Message, and > together with Mr. Thornton Chase ("the > first Bahh'i in America") and others, be- > tame one of the great pioneers of the Faith > in this country. In a Tablet revealed by > 'Abdu'l-Bahi in 1907 for Mr. Greenleaf, He > said: > "0 thou who art firm in the Covenant! > Thy services, and those of thy revered wife, > are acceptable in the Kingdom of Abhb, > for ye made your home a nest for the birds > of God, and have engaged in teaching the > Cause of God. Ye are truthful gardeners of > the Garden of God, and two agreeable serv- > ants of the Holy Threshold. This confirma- > Elizabeth R. Greenleaf tion sllust become the source of joy to life > and r e m e to the conscience." > ELIZABETH R. GREENLEAF Mr. Greenleaf passed to the Supreme Con- > course in 1920, and was eternally honored by > BY ALBERT R. WINDUST the Guardian of the Bahl'i Faith, Shoghi > The Guardian's tribute t o Mrs. Greenleaf Effendi, in the publication The BahPi World, > is contained in a letter to one of the friends: Vol. IV (1930-1932), not only as one of the > "Mrs. Greenleaf's passing deprives the nineteen disciples of 'Abdu'l-Bahl, but as a > friends of yet another veteran and ontstand- "herald of the Covenant" and "firm sup- > ing teacher. The Guardian hopes and prays porter of the Faith." > that among the younger Bahh'is many will Mrs. Greenleaf's last wishes were fulfilled > train themselves to follow her example and in that her mortal remains were laid to rest > pro6t by the methods she used so snccess- beside her beloved husband, after a Bahb'i > fully in spreading the Cause. .Deep knowl- funeral scrvice was read in the beautiful > edge of the teachings, profound human Chapel in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago. The > sympathy, a heart which mirrored the Mas- many friends present rejoiced for her as they > ter's love, and a winning sweetness and Listened to the glorious supplication revealed > friendliness were hers. She will indeed be by Bahl'u'116h for the recently departed > greatly missed." spirit. > In the autumn of 1941, after a lingering > illness, the spirit of the revered handmaiden HOWARD COLBY IVES > of the Bah6'i Cause, Elizabeth R. Greenleaf, > severed its connection with this mortal world, > joined her husband and their two sons in The life of Howard Colby Ivcs is a saga > the Realm of the Unseen, entered the King- of the spirit. I t was not its events but his > dom of Light and thc life eternal and radiant. interpretation of them that portrayed his > She was a resident of Evanston, Illinois, genius. He had, it would seem, been born > IN MEMORIAM 609 > > Howard Colby lves > with a degree oi awareness that made, even of "His first parish %.as a small one with a > ordinary esistence, a swing between ecstasy beautiful New England church. Brewster, > and torture. God favored him in that He Mass., on Cape Cod. He was there only a > had bestowed upon him the grace of a year when he was called to New London, > martyr's heart: a head willing t o bow, a Connecticut. We lived in New London for > spirit straining to soar. five years, during which time father built a > Howard Ives in his spiritual autobiography very nice, though modest, brick church for > "Portals to Freedom" divided his life sharply the people; then he was called to Summit, > in two. The forty-six years before he met New Jersey.. . . In Summit, as he had in New > 'Abdu'l-Bah6 he compares t o the experience .. > London, he built a church . modelled after > of a child of ten! He was horn in Brooklyn . > one of the early Christopher Wren's. . . I t > in 1867 and after the death of his father his was froni Summit that he started additional > family lived in Niagara Falls, N. Y., until work with his Brotherhood Church in Jersey > FInward was seventeen and then returned City and also organized his Golden Rule > again to Brooklyn. We hear of his spending Fraternity-a cooperative idea, as I remem- > many months c n a ranch in Wyoming while > overcoming a lung difficulty and are given > ber .. . one of his many attempts t o help > humanity in some organized way. The fact > a picture of a nineteen year old youth tending that he made it while he was so active build- > sheep on the mountain sides alone sometimes ing the Summit Church besides starting the > for weeks and writing poetry by the light of Brotherhood is characteristic of the rrcstlcss- > the moon. In 1902 he entered a Unitarian ness that always drove him. One job was > theological school at Meadville, Pennsylvania, never enough. Two might do. Three was > and was graduated in 190Y, 38 years of age. better. And four was what he'd like." > Of this period in his life his daughter Muriel The Brotherhood Church had no affilia- > Ives Barrow writes: tion with his regular denominational work > THE BAHA'f WORLD > > and no salary. A group of "brothers of the effort is our own imaginations seeking vent. > spirit" among whom he was a prime mover Throw open wide the doors of the soul and > made a gesture through these Sunday night He will surely enter. But it will be in His > meetings to include more of humanity in the way, not ours. The doors of the Placeless are > scope of spiritual endeavor. Through one of surely wide open but it needs the blood of the > his associates there he attended his first Bahl'i lomn to adorn its lintel." > meeting. I t was in April 1912 that 'Abdu'l- There passed from 'Abdu'l-Bah6 t o How- > Bah6 came to New York and the second ard Ives a transfusion of spirit. A Father > phase of life began for Howard Ives, another claimed His son, and never were time, ab- > Birth. sence, vicissitude in any way to weaken for > 'Abdu'l-Bah6 found, then, among the a moment the link between them. All of the > crowds of thrilled and excited people who first tspect of his life Howard had been > surrounded H i on His arrival, a Unitarian searching the Beloved, until, as he admitted, > minister from New Jersey. He was on the his spirit fainted. When he found 'Abdu'l- > outer fringe of the sea of faces, looking and Bahl he found not only the Man but a trace > feeling our of place. 'Abdu'l-Bah6 saw of the Beloved. He knew where t o seek and > Howard Ives, singled him out of all the find. He was indeed born into a near world. > throng, beckoned t o him, and as Howard In a letter to me, he wrote in 1935: > later said in "Portals t o Freedom": "such an "The universe of Bahl'u'llih is so bcauti- > understanding love enveloped me that even ful, so filled with wonder and with Light > at that distance and with a heart still cold supreme that when one really begins to gaze > a thrill ran through me as if a breeze from on it the eye of the spirit is blinded. But > a divine morning had touched my brow." how much better it is t o have one's open > Of the interview that followed Howard eyes blinded than to keep them eternally > could but say "He looked at me! I t seemed shut! I t is like the brilliance of the nmnday > as though never before had anyone seen me." sun after being shut in a dark room. The > We now leave the outer man behiid. I t is blinding is most confusing-perhaps painful > as if a musical score had been written for an -but Praise t o be God, after a while the > instrument which was as yet but a concept eyes become accustomed to the light and we > in the mind of the Musician. Howard Ives see our way about. Just so it is with this > had to die to truly live--by the Mercy of Celestial Light. Some great day we shall > God, at last he has done so: When 'Abdu'l- become so used to it that we shall be able t o > Bahi "saw" him He saw the tumult and see our way about the World of Reality and > splendor of one of His own chosen ones- all our terrors, creatures of the 'night of self' > in chains still, it is true, forever t o be in shall vanish as if they had never been." > chains as long as the pathetic inadequacy of > the body should limit the interpretation of 'Abdu'l-Bahi paused at the flight of steps > the Score itself. toward which We and Howard had been > The people about the Master were all en- walking. The experience, which he has de- > raptured by His heavenly aspect, which scribed in "Portals," was as follows: > made Him the epitome of every adorable "Again 'Abdu'l-Bahb turned t o ascend > quality-there were a few, and greatly gifted and I made to follow, but for the third time > among them, Howard Ives, who had the He paused and turning, as it seemed, the full > capacity t o truly love celestial Beauty for light of His spirit upon me, He said again, > Itself. Years later he wrote me in answer b%t this time in what seemed like a voice of > to a childish question concerning the love thunder, with literally flashing eyes and em- > of God: phatically raised hand: that I should remem- > "The passionate love for the Beloved of ber that This is aDay for v e y g r e a t things- > the worlds has no relation to any bodily form VERY GREAT THINGS. These last three > or any physical expression . . . This sense words rang out like a trumpet call. The long > imagination has been in the past the great deserted city block seemed to echo them . . . > barrier to that 'Nearness which is likeness.' I seemed to dwindle, almost to shrivel, where > Do not try to build a bridge. Every such I stood as that beautifully dominant figure, > I N MEMORIAM 611 > > that commanding and appealing voice sur- Howard-temporarilyin Chicagewrote me > rounded me like a sea . . . Who and what as follows: > was I to be summoned t o accomplish great "You ask me how we can accustom our- > things, very great things? ... " selves to homelessness. Our own vine and > Howard Ives was soon to give up all de- fig tree is a natural desire to the children of > nominational work and to become a "minis- men; there is nothing reprehensible in this > ter of the Temple of the Kingdom." This desire. Bah6'u'll& has provided for this in > term, which 'Abdu'l-Bah6 had applied to His Law, dignifying the home and hospitality > him, Howard Ives defined "to be an adher- 3s a means of serving God. Nevertheless > ent and promulgator of the Law of Unity there are a few of us to whom He whispers > and Love laid down as compulsory upon all in the ear 'Make My Home thy Mansion, > sincere believers in one God. T o be a minis- boundless and holy.' 'Riswanea' and I often > ter," he added "is the prerogative of every have a yearning for a permanent place to > believer in the Words of God and sincere fol- bestow ourselves and our few goods. Just as > lower of His Light." He returned to the sure 3s this longing finds a place in our > arena-for him a literal "arena"-of the hearts we are moved again ... 'Abdu'l-Baha's > business world, chose occupations that would words 'Homeless and without rest' ring in my > involve both traveling and the meeting of ears, when He is describing the attributes of > numbers of people. During his long train the Apostles of Baha'u'llhh. Rest assured > journeys he mastered the writings of Bahi'n'- that God does not take away an earthly home > llah and so became by degrees one of the without providing a heavenly one right bere > great authorities on the BahB'i Faith. In on earth if we accept His Will with radiant > 1919 he met Mabel Rice-Wray, aflame with acquiescence. .. . Rejoice, my beloved > the same spirit of renunciation and service daughter, in the little home which Bah&'u'- > and the following year, November, 1920, llhh has provided for you. If you are worthy > they were married. I t was like the juncture He will move you into other homes and > of two swift running streams: from the other hearts, and you will then rejoice again; > moment of that union the streams became for the b u n t y of a wider horizon of service > a river. has been given you; a greater freedom of > The plan from the beginning was to build spirit has been vouchsafed you and a few > their lives around the propagation of the more chains of this world have been knocked > Cause of God. They settled in New York from your limbs." > City and tried first t o earn as quickly as Their first stop was Pittsburgh, where be- > possible enough to free their activities com- sides working during the day they held > pletely for the life of teaching, which they thirty-six meetings in six weeks. From there > felt must somehow be theirs. The fate of they moved continually from one city to > all of us spiritual children of theirs hung in another. In most of these favored spots the > the balance on the day that these two had a Divine Standard was not only raised but > certain talk in which they faced the facts: firmly planted. The spiritual children and > they might go on all the rest of their lives grandchildren of these teachers are among the > working as others did and dreaming of the pioneers, administrators, writers, of the pres- > future--or they could take hold of the ap- ent generation of BahB'is in the eastern, > parently impossible by both horns and go central and southern parts of the country. > then. In 1921 they sold or gave away all Literally they are numbered by the scores- > their immediate possessions, answered an ad- and the race increases! It was indeed the > vertisement for two salesmen and started on "day for very grent things." How gloriously > heir long Odyssey. had those sods arisen to the challenge! > As the years passed no one seemed to expect To account for a lion-like courage and > the Ives to have a home. We took it for often superhuman accomplishment we have > granted that they should have become wan- Howard Ives' explanation of the secret of > derers upon the face of the earth and that power-so diametrically opposed to most > they should forever be first packing and then modern philosophies on that topic. > unpacking boxes and trunks. In 1934, "I think it is something like this," he once > w > > 612 THE BAHA'f WORLD > wrote. "The VCrill of God and the will of in- for me to do. As you say, the doctors are > dividual man . .. may, nay must, become often mistaken. I remember an old doctor > identified, become identical. . . . 'Abdu'l-Bahi friend of my mother's, who, when I was > speaks of losing the self in the Self of God. eighteen years old, said I would not live be- > We must accustom ourselves to the actual yond twenty-five. Yet here I still am." > .. > doing of this. . We cannot think of God's I have said that the All-Bountiful One had > Will as a passive thing any more than we can bestowed upon Howard Ives a martyr's heart. > think of our own will as passive, inert. God's After five long years of debility and actual > Will is evidenced in nature, in power, in suffering through which he wrote steadily he > action. T o identify our will with His Will is was cold by a Memphis oculist that the per- > to partake of His activity, His Power, His sistent and increasing dimness of vision that > effectiveness. T o submit my will to His Will had halted the use of his eyes so alarmingly > then, carries an implication of marching- was cataracts! Already cut off from normal > wearing-overcoming. But not marching association by his deafness, the closing of > alone; we march in step vith Him. We another channel of perception-might well > throw our feeble wills in vith His and so have reminded him of a parallel in the story > become all-conquering as He says we shall. of Job. He did not live to lase his sight, > How can the result be other than victory?" which seemed n~iraculouslyextended' to fill > Reiterating again this central theme origi-. the needs of his remaining year and a half of > nating in the Master's words in 1912, How- life, but he had abruptly to face the ever- > ard, burned out with the strenuous and un- present imminence of still another blow. > stinted efforts of t enty years, in 1939, still How did he feel about it? From some notes > gloriously invincible, wrote "Never be afraid that he wrote, April, 1940 we are permitted > of expecting too great things. Nothing is too to know that too. He begins: > great for this Day!" "Yesterday was a marvelous day of spirit- > I t was in Knoxville, in 1934, that Howard ual realization, and, God willing, shall mark > began to write-at sixty-seven. He was em- a new and great step on the path of Reality." > ployed to write articles about the great dam He said that his reaction to the doctor's state- > project there, the T.V.A. Suddenly he found ment was a triumphant inner shout and > the knack of writing vivid prose. I n the late that it was then as if a voice spoke through > spring and early summer he sat .four hours the doctor's words saying, "See how I am > each day at his typewriter in the unaccus- trusting you! ... You have offered your > tonled heat of Tennessee. One morning he life as a sacrifice in My Path. . I have . . > fell unconscious on the floor by his bed-his taken you at your word. . . ." Then comes > first attack of angina. He had found a gift the self-revelation of a noble spirit "at the > which might have resulted in a relief from culmination of calamity," following scveral > economic stress only to lose the use of ic al- pages of honest self-analysis: > most at once. His health, always precarious, "If, as I can sincerely say is trne, ever > was now undeniably gone, also his eyesight since I have been intellectually and spirit- > and hearing began rapidly to go, and he now, ually conscious, approximately from my > already facing an end that might come at 1Sth-17th years, my passionate longing has > any mnoment, began t o struggle for time. been for spiritual attainment; and if, ever > Time to put doa.11 in his new found style the since I met 'Abdu'i-Bahii the path of at- > spiritual memoirs we have referred t o as tainment has been sincerely shown to me to > "Portals to Freedom." Forbidden to use his be the path of self-renunciation, self-sacri- > eyes, he learned the touch system on the fice, detachment from all save God; if it > typewriter and completed the book,whichwas has been my sincere and earnest prayer: > published by Dutton and Co. in 1937. Then 'Shower Thy sorrows upon me that my soul > followed his book-length poem, the "Song may livel' What, then, I ask, must be the > Celestial." FIe wrote two later works which instant reaction when that life-long yearn- > have not as yet been published. From Win- ing is even partially appeased? What the > netka he wrote: "I am content to wait. It response of my soul when those very trials > may be that Bahi'n'll61r has still some work and sufferings and even the supreme tests > descend from the heavens of His Mercy he almost saw the turn of the first century > and Bounty? . . . Has He not in effect said of the Baha'i era, for he lived up to the > to me: 'I have taken from you one by one age of 99 years. > the normal use of your organs. There is He died with the Greatest Name on his > scarcely a part of your body unaffected by lips on the 27th of December, 1942, his death > My Decree. Your nerves, your back, your being as peaceful as his life had been stormy. > ieet, your heart . . . your hearing, and now Devoted to the Cause eyer since he em- > your sight-and you have not repined, you braced it at the age of 32 years, he was in > have not sought t o evade nor have you the very nature of things bound to en- > turned away for a single moment from My counter and overcome formidable obstacles > Love. Nay, rather, have you accepted all ill its service. > this as the very evidences, signs, proofs of His skill and fame as a physician placed > that Love.' I can almost hear Him saying within his reach wealth and influence, which > with that divine smile 'Congratulations!' " he dedicated unhesitatingly to the service > The concluding words of this fragment of of the Faith, > Spiritual Diary might be the voice of his Numerous were the schemes, the plot- > translated being speaking, not then to us t i n g ~ ,the assaults of the Jewish, and to a > but NOW, from the realm t o which he has lesser extent, the Muslim populace, directed > been gathered: against the Jewish Bahl'is in his native city, > "When I recognize th; undoubted fact Hamadin. Whenever the enemies could se- > that all this life has taught me, or could cure the ear of one in power, they would > ever possibly teach me, is but a sign, a token, make the most of their opportunity. And > a symbol, of what the future worlds of God it was at such moments that the zeal and > shall surely teach-my whole beiug is lost in resourcefulness of Hifizu's-SiNih were > thanksgiving and praise of Him Who has manifest. Approaching governors, and se- > bestowed on me-this boundless Gift and curing on more than one occasion the ear > this infinite Bounty." of the King himself, he pleaded and argued > - until he got their wrongs redressed, their > On June 23rd, 1941, a group of about oppreasions removed. A t one time, for in- > fifty friends, gathered in a chapel in Little stance, a Bah6'i was refused burial in the > Rock, Arkansas, to gaze for the last time Jewish cemetery; Hifizu's-Siha offered > upon the heroic outer shell of this great the friends a plot of land for this purpose. > man. His beloved wife, teaching in a sum- At another, the Jews conspired to refuse > mer school of Vogel Park in Georgia, had admittance t o the Baha'is to their public > reached his bedside in time. The pain in baths; he constructed one a t his own ex- > the last days was like the exquisite pense and placed it at the disposal of the > throbbing of violins, stabbing the heart with friends. He assisted in the establishment of > their terrible hut ecstatic beauty. Then his two Baha'i schools at Hamadan and con. > long patience was rewarded. With his sheaf tributed largely towards the purchase of a > of VERY GREAT THINGS in his hands he site for the Baha'i center. He lived the life > went forth t o meet his Beloved. Crowning and brought numerous souls into the Faith. > his life was the Guardian's cablegram: The first Jewish converts to the Bahl'i > "l'rofoundly deplore tremendous loss out- Faith at Kirminhlh were due to his efforts. > standing promoter Faith. Evidences his Although his house was burnt, his prop- > magnificent labors imperishable. Deepest erty pillaged, his son killed, he never swerved > sympathy. Ardent prayers. from the true course of action he had marked > Shoghi Effendi." for himself, loving even those who had > wrought such atrocities on him and, in sev- > eral instances, setting them again on their > feet when they were in straitened circum- > stances and bringing them into the Cause > Born in the Jewish fold in the very year through this means. I t was on the occasion > which witnessed the birth of the Cause, of his visit to the Capital in connection > THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Mirzh A. Hifi~u'g-Sihhih > > with this particular outrage that the Cen- Talhot, who gave him the Bahi'i Message. > tral Government offered him as amends the From that moment, Mathew's real life be- > title of "Hifi.qu'q-Si*h" (i.e., Superin- gan. The heroic age of the B6b and the > tendent of Public Health) and a post in martyrs absorbed his mind and The Dawn- > che,@oreign Ministry but he felt that his Breakers became his constant companion. > work lay at Hamadln and obtained per- He never spoke of his childhood or youth > mission to return to, that city. or of anything prior to his contact with the > Not even old age and failing health could Revelation. He was utterly without per- > keep him idle and he continued serving sonal ambition. He worked at anything that > right till the end. would allow him time t o study the Bah6'i > He attained t o the presence of 'Abdu'l- writing. A t one time, he motored to Wash- > Bahh at Haifa after His return from ington with a friend, and Mrs. Preston (then > America and the Tablets revealed in his Miss V a ~ l ) ,who offered him a room in her > honor both by the Blessed Beauty and the house. He went to work in a restaurant, > Master attest t o his high station and his happy and content t o be under the roof of > devotion and fidelity t o the Cause. a Bah6"i. > When Shoghi Effendi's Adverrt of Diuke > Jestice was published in February, 1939, > MATJ3EW KASZAB > it contained words that lighted a flame in > Pioneer Sahd'i Teacher in Nicaragziu his heart: > BY LOULIEMATHEWS "Let some, at this very moment, gird up > the loins of endeavor, flee their native towns, > While Mathew was a student a t the Uni- cities and states, forsake their country, and, > versity of New York, he met Mrs. Louise putting their whole trust in God, as the best > IN MEMORIAM > > Mathew Kaszab > > provision for their journey, set their faces happy. The rising generation will be stimu- > and direct their steps towards distant climes, ldted and inspired by the example you and > those virgin fields, those unsurrendered cities, your fellow-workers are setting. May the > and bend their energies to capture the cita- Beloved achieve your heart's dearest wish. > dels of men's hearts." (page 52? Persevere and rest assured. > These dynamic utterances carried Mathew Your true and g a t e i d brother, > away, and without delay he set out for Shoghi." > Panama. I was, at this time, Chairman of > the Inter-America Committee, and was While in Panama, Mathew wrote articles > obliged to write Mathew that the post of for all the leading journals: The Panama- > Panama had been already assigned t o two American, The Star and Ilerald, and The > pioneers, Louise Caswell and Cora Oliver, Tribune. He gave Baha'i talks on the radio > who would arrive in about six months' time. and brought into the Faith our first Pana- > I sensed hi immense disappointment a t manian believer. > the news-contained in the letter, but like We wanted him t o take a cabin steamer > the good soldier of Bahh'u'lllh that he was, on his journey t o Nicaragua but he wrote > he accepted our suggestion that he go to that this was an Unnecessary expense. He > Nicaragua. We knew he had some family embarked on a small cattle ship, The Ala- > connections there and we hoped this would juela. He wrote of this journey that he lay > make it easier for him. an the floor of the deck at night looking up > After his acceptance of the new post, he at the sky and reviewing i11 his mind the > was made radiantly happy by a letter from stormy journey of the B6b and Quddhs, > the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, who wrote in during which they continued writing and > his own hand: praying as though in the atmosphere of com- > "Dear and precious co-worker: X have plete calm. > just heard of your transfer t o Nicaragua and From the very beginning, everything in > hasten to assure you of my special and lov- this sick land was a disappointment. The > ing prayers wherever you may labor and property that had belonged t o Mathew's > whatever circumstances under which you grandmother had been sold and he was not > serve. You should feel proud, grateful and able to secure any redress. He went t o work > 616 THE B A H A. ' f WORLD > > in the gold mines of Blue Fields. He de- viewed the proprietor of the small hotel > scribed the deplorable conditions of poverty where Mathew died. > and vice and was so appalled by the igno- On his arrival, Mathew went m the > rance of the miners' children, that he took Brownsville hospital, but he did not remain > a night shift and taught school in the day there; though his left side was completely > time. When I remonstrated with him be- paralyzed, he rented a small room in a mod- > cause he was giving himself no time for est hotel. He locked himself in and went > sleep, he replied that his time was so short to bed. As no sound camc from his room > he could not afford to sleep! All his efforts after repeated knocking, the manager ,had > at betterment in Blue Fields having failed, the room broken into at the beginning of > he returned to Managua. Suddenly, while the fourth day of Mathew's silence. He was > walking on the street, he was arrested. The unconscious, though still breathing, and died > reason given was that be uttered words in before a doctor could reach him. He was > criticism of the Nicaraguan government. buried in the city graveyard of Brownsville. > This may have been the reason or not,-the On his tombstone are engraved the words > cause is very obscure. He remained in prison cabled by our Guardian Shoghi Effendi > from March 1st to 23rd. As suddenly as when he received the news of Mathew's > he was interned, he was liberated. He de- death: > termined to leave Nicaragua, sensing danger, "His services are unforgettable." > and began to make preparations for his de- His short life, filled with suffering and > parture. When they were complete, he came pain, was offered to Bahi'u'llih. Down all > to say goodbye t o our first native believer, the ages, he will be remembered and remain > who was teaching school nearby. He was a beacon light to the Baha'i world. His > loved by the children of the school, who example will tiecome a spur to achievement. > gathered around h i and sang their songs Where he labored and lost, a bright victory > for him. The group of students that had will follow. The high standard of purity > studied with Mathew came to say podbye and faith set by his life will not die with > and wish him Godspeed, they would have him but live on forever. > accompanied him to the airport but, as it > was far from the town, Mathew would not MABEL RICE-WRAY IVES > let them. T h e n he reached the airport, an > officer stepped forward and presented a war- > rant for his arrest. The day was September "As my Lord wills," she said frequently > 28th of 1942. I t was some time before his during her last illness. Indeed this thought > friends learned the sad news. On November had been the undercurrent of her life and > first Mathew was attacked by an illness the continued so to the end. > nature of which was never learned, his con- Mabel Rice-Wray Ives, known to many > dition was so grave that he was moved from of her friends as "Rizwanea," was born in > the dungeon to the Guard's hospital. His 1878 in St. Louis, Mo. She was the daughter > friends were allowed t o visit the hospital but of Caroline h.lcGrew Simon and Albert G. > he did not recognize any one. A t that time Simon. Her grandfather's were > death seemed imminent but his strength froin Germany while her mother's parents > slowly returned and he was sent back to the came from Virginia and were of English > prison. On December 28 the authorities an- extraction. She was always a very vital > nounced that he was free, but must leave and active person, loving outdoor sports, > the country. Silently and alone, he took a especially tennis, horseback riding and swim- > plane to Mexico City and there reembarked ming. She grew up to be a very beautiful, > for Brownsville, Texas, where he died Janu- charming and sought after young woman. > ary I.?th, 1943. At the age of 21 she heard of the Bah6'i > I t is due t o Mrs. Louise Caswell that we Message from Mrs. Doty of Baltimore, Md., > know the details of his death. She visited and not many months later became a Bahb'i. > Brownsville in the summer of 1943 and Mother often related that from the time > placed flowers on Matbew's grave and inter- she was a young girl, she had an intense > IN MEMORIAM > > Mabel Rice-Wray Ives > > desire to find truth. She investigated every Rice-Wray's beauty and radiance, but par- > avenue which gave the least promise of ticularly her spiritual capacity, so unusual > being able to fulfill her intense desire to in such a new believer and especially in one > know until she found the Bahi'i Faith. so young. > In those days they knew nothing of the From 1909 to 1914, we livcd in the vi- > details of the World Order of BahB'n'llBh. cinity of Los Angdes. Though her Faith > They had no books, only a few tablets from was very vital and absorbing, she still had > 'Abdu'l-Bahi. She was asked one day how time to be active in various wonleu's organi- > it was poss~bleto accept this Faizh. She re- zations, particularly those she felt would > plied, "I only knew that a Manifestation of further the cause of women or of children > God had again walked the earth and that or of World Peace. > was enough." During these years in California her ac- > In 1903 she married Theron Canfield tivity in teaching the Bahi'i Faith gradually > Rice-Wray. They established their home increased. There were frequent meetings and > in Newark, N. J., and during the first four study classes at our home in Tropico. She > years, became the parents of three children: and Mrs. Kathryn Frankland became close > Edris Roushan, Landon Carter (who died in friends at that time and worked together > infancy) and Rouhi Colston. During this in teaching the Cause. Mrs. Frankland says > period they were frequently hosts to many that a local Spiritual Assembly was formed > of the early believers such as the Haneys, there in Tropico, Cal., now a part of Glen- > 'Ali Kuli Khin, Harlan Ober, Haoper dale. > Harris, and others. Mrs. Mariam Haney writes of her at this > Mrs. Haney remembers that she and Mrs. time: "Through the throes of tests and > Brittingham frequently spoke of Mabel trials she was proving how welt fortified > THE B A H A' f WORLD > > she was spiritually. Life in this worid was experience." One of the last things Howard, > not easy, but as the tree of her existence her husband, said to her before he lcft this > was well rooted in the revealed Word, she world was this, "Darling, we'll be together > was ever faithful, though the whirlwinds through all the worlds of God." And they > . > of tests were many and tragic. . . There both knew that this was the truth. > was a mark upon her; there was a distinc- From the time of her marriage with > tion about her. There was that spiritual Howard Ivcs, her effectiveness as a teacher > pull she said she always felt." increased amazingly. Together they accom- > In that memorable year of 1912, whet1 plished wonders. She excelled in attracting > 'Ahdu'l-Bahi came to America, mother looked the public and giving lectures, he at deepeu- > forward with great longing to the time ing and confirming those attracted. > when He would visit Los Angeles and she During the first year of their marriage > would at last see Him face t o face. When they lived in h'ew York City near Grace > she heard the electrifying ne s that He had and Harlan Oher. These four were closely > indeed arrived, we were in the mrdst of mov- associated in business and in the teaching > ing into a new housc. She dropped every- work, and there grew up between them a > thing t o the consternation of the movers and love and affection which continued the rest > of my grandmother. She managed somehow of their lives. This was an example of the > to get herself and her children dressed. We bond which unites Bahi'is, a bond which > were then six and eight years old. We ar- is not like any other relatianship, because it > rived at the hotel just as He and a group is founded upon eternal values. Many times > of the believers entered the lobby and we in the years t o follow, the Obers or the > rode up with Him in the elevator to His Ives would travel long distances to help one > room, where we spent an hour or more, another establish a group in virgin territory. > along with 1 2 or 14 others. We children At this time they also saw a great deal > did not fully appreciate the importance of of Juliet Thompson and the Kinneys, as > this meeting at the time; to us He was as well as May Maxwell, who was in New York > a kind grandfather, but to our mother it a good part of this first year. There was a > was a moment of rededication, a moment strong bond of love and understanding be- > of increased awakening. She became in- tween Mabel Ives and May Maxwell, which > flamed with the deepest longing to serve this was augmented by their many contacts in > Cause, of which He was the authorized In- the Cause throughout the years. After > terpreter and Exemplar. Motl~er's passing, Ruhiyyih Khanurn wrote, > Bur next home was in Detroit, hfich., "Mabel seems to me to he my own mother's > where we moved in 1914. Here her teach- (May Maxwell's) twin sister. Something in > ing activities continued and soon a group them is just exactly the same stuff. Pure, > was formed. Through a host of personal courageous, wonderful stuff! They know > difficulties at this time, she learned completethe spiritual laws which we all do so des- > renunciation. Of this period, she said, "I perately need t o know." > turned t o God, saying that I wanted nothing One day in 1921, the Ives' made a mo- > but His will-that I asked no personal mentous decision. In Mother's words, "Our > happiness, nothing but one thing-to be plan had been to earn a lot of money rap- > permitted to serve His Cause. Whatever idly--enough t o make us independent so > was His Will was also mine." we could give the rest of our lives to spread- > ing the Cause. This proved to he a chimera, > Her second marriage, to Howard Colby and our dream of traveling and teaching > Ives, was a very rare and beautiful spiritual was no nearer fulfillment. Then one day > union. She said, in speaking of her marriage, we realized that we might go on the rest > "There is no greater thrill than for two of our lives trying to establish security so > souls to grow spiritually together, t o ex- that we might go out in the teaching field, > plore the spiritual universe together, to learn but never do anything but simply work and > spiritual lessoils together. T o share all this dream of this future. So we decided that, > with one you love is a most marvelous because it was zstterly itn@ssZble and > couldn't he done, as we had no money, we just can't take it any longer!" He replied, > would now go out and teach. "Bah6'u'lliih said, 'The only escape is i n > "So began our long Odyssey. We adver- submission.' " So she went off by herself > tised for some selling proposition for two and started to submit. In her words, "I was > salesmen who wished to travel, received 21 very much in earnest and I repeated, 'I sub- > answers, chose one, and felt ready to go. We mit, 1 submit, I submit,' and kept on saying > sold or gave away all our earthly possessions, it until at last I began t o feel it. I sub- > reduced all our earthly goods to a trunk or mitted with everything that was in me, > two an&a couple of suitcases. When we had nntil I finally had the feeling that my whole > bought our train ticket to Pittsburgh, we being was fluid. All the feeling in my being > had just $7.00 between us." was gone. There was a sense of fluidity, of > From this time on, they never stopped. openness. I felt in utter amazement that > At first they earned their living by making I really had submitted and I began to feel > show-cards on a little machine. They were pretty good that I really had done it, and > printed in different styles and colors and then a voice deep, deep down inside of me > had appeal to the average store. Later they said, 'Oh yes, hut you haven't gone far > sold an adult education course which in- enough. There is another step.' I exclaimed, > cluded the hooks. Think of the difliculties 'But what Inore can I do? I have submitted.' > which beset these two precious souls, both And then the voice said, 'But you must he > of them past middle life; Howard, who was thanlrful.' And I said, 'Be thankful? I can > trained for the ministry, and Mabel who submit to the thing and I will, but how can > had been brought up in the South to be a I he thankful about it?' > lady. Neither of them knew anything about "I started being thankful and I thanked > business, nor were they equipped to earn God, expressed thanks for each phase of the > their living in this manner. They worked rather large situation and, at first, it was > hard calling on prospective customers all just words and then pretty soon I began to > day and then spent their evenings holding feel it more and more, nntil at last I really > Bahd'i lectures, classes, fireside groups. meant it, for everything .that was happen- > Their housework and all the rest was sand- ing, and this little voice began tallsing again > wiched in between. Mother once wrote us and said, 'But you haven't gone far enough.' > that they were having such interesting ex- I said, 'Another step?' 'Yes, you must love.' > periences and that she hoped God would I thought, 'I can submit and he thankful hut > help them learn the lessons that they were how can 1 really love it?' I said, 'All right, > supposed t o learn from them. One of these X am going to love it.' " A couple of days > Interesting experiences," it turned out later, all those prohlnns were somehow re- > later, was the problem of finding them- solved, she said and then added: "Suhmis- > selves with only twenty-five cents between sion, thankfulness, love. It has never failed. > them, in a new city. If they could not This is one of the Laws of God. I t works. > make a sale that night, they would neither I have tried it again and'again. You have > sleep nor eat. t o mean i i You can't fool God." > Kenneth Christian writes of 1934 when Her teakhing activities took her the length > they were in Albany, N. Y. "They invited and breadth of the continent, from New > me to bring a group of college friends to York t o California, North Dakota to Lonisi- > their apartment one evening. I t was a ana, as well as middle and eastern Canada. > glorious evening. Later I found out, by a In her notes concerning this period we read: > slip on Mabel's part, that they had spent "During our six weeks in Pittsburgh, after > their last dollar in order to buy refresh- working during the day, we held 36 meet- > ments." ings." > On another occasion, down in Tennessee, And again: "During our 19 days in Buf- > difficulties beset them from every side; the falo, we spoke 17 times." > lack of money, difficult personalities, impos- The list of cities in which they spread the > sible living conditions, and so on. Mabel Faith seems almost endless. > turned to Howard and said, "1 give up; I One winter in Pittsburgh the Ohers, the > 620 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > Willard MacKays and the Ives all lived to- her activities were localized in the South. > gether and worked together in business and I t was in Little Rock that her beloved > in teaching the Faith. Here the six of them husband, Howard Colby Ives, ascended. > further demonstrated the amazing results of And it was there, possibly more than in > group activity the members are com- any other place or time, that she showed > pletely unified in their common dedication her spiritual stamina. > to a great Cause. She was put in a most difficult position, > Noreen Keith-Beattie, writing of Mother's for there was no one for her to lean on or > teaching techniques during her stay in To- draw strength from. Her children and all > ronto mentions her unfailing patience. She the older Bahl'is were far away. The people > said, "We (the young group particularly) there were either 3,oung in the Faith or > peppered her with questions, our only excuse newly interested. During those two days, > being the ignorance of the very young. And until the day of the service, when we ar- > yet we received her full, undivided, courte- riued, it was a matter of their continuing > ous concentration and interest. She always t o draw on her for strength. But she was > made you feel that you had thought of able to rise above her personal grief and > something wonderful or important. Her continued as usual to givc herself for others. > answers were invariably truly important and At the memorial service for her husband, > really wonderful and profound and yet her beloved Howard, she felt that certain > simple, logical and clear-cut. Another re- things should be said that only she could > markable faculty she possessed (and this say. So she took part in the service and > was almost psychic) was her ability to sense eloquently and beautifully told of his quality > and penetrate to the heart of your particu- of renunciation, his great spiritual capacity, > lar individual dilemma or problem and to set his tremendous devotion, and self-sacrifice in > your feet firmly on the right path to recovery. the path of God. > She always knew the right answer. She never After his passing, she spoke frequently of > hurried you. She never seemed impatient. being aware of his presence and assistance. > "We were all so constantly impressed with In speaking with others of the eternal quality > her power to choose the best approach to of a spiritual union in which there can he > her. various audiences, gauging both their no separation, she had expressed the belief > mental and their spiritual needs and capaci- that after his passing, she would find her > ties. You felt at all times her reliance, not work augmented by assistance from the un- > on herself but on God. You could almost seen world. I t was amazing, during the > see her drawing unto herself that invisible last two years of her Me how she was able > power. She was a marvelous demonstration to combine both her former qualities and > of radiant acquiescence. Nothing seemed to his as a Bah6'i teacher, She could still make > daunt her spirit. That inner light seemed contacts, attract people and give lectures, > to glow through her skin. . .. Now here is but now she also had his distinct quality of > something that delighted us. She was so being able to confirm souls and deepen them > good t o look at, so dainty, so exquisitely in the teachings. > groomed, that we could be proud of her. Gertrude Gewertz writes of her teaching > "We also had constant admiration for methods in Bimingham: "She was so weary > her executive ability, the swiftness and when she arrived. She was to have rested > smoothness with which she could organize that week. But the next morning there she > and get things done. No grass grew under was, dressed up as pretty as a picture and > her busy feet. I t never seemed to occur to any- ready to plunge in and start the campaign. > one not to do what she asked them to. Every- During the four months that I had been in > one was made to feel necessary and thus was Birmingham, I had. gathered together the > encouraged to take an active part. This was names of some who I thought would be > a reflection of her own dynamic vitality." good material for the Cause, She took the > In the fall of 1940, they went t o Memphis, list and the details and w-ent forth. Late > Tennessee, and then to Hot Springs and Lit- that afternoon she called me at my office > tle Rock, Arkansas. From then on until 1943, saying that she had already lunched with > IN MEMORIAM 621 > > the Theosophits and was going to talk to she suffered greatly from ill health and often > them that Sunday.. She had received an in- had t o stay in bed. She always managed > vitation t o talk before the Women's Club to get up somehow and go and give the lec- > and the Civic Club (this led to invitations ture even if she had to return directly and > to two other clubs). go back to bed. Following the 1942 con- > "It was her method to interest a few vention in Wilmerte she was very ill and > pmple who would direct her to others and during this time suffered a great deal of > they in turn would direct her to still others. pain. One day she exclaimed, "I give up. > In this way she would build up lists of people I can't take any more of it. I'm through." > who were thinking more or less along BahB'i Then after a little while she said, "Why, I > lines. I t was wonderful how she would have been praying that the quality of my > track down information, not resting nor work migbt improve. I know I can't in- > letting one lead get away from her. From crease the quantity of it because there aren't > these lists, and the contacts she made from any more than twenty-four hours in the > her tallis before clubs, and the people she day. The only way one can improve the > met, she gathered her first audience. This quality of one's work is by deepening. Now, > was what she was worlung for, to build up I know no one deepens without suffering. > an audience. The hotel room was then ar- Why, this is exactly what I asked for and > ranged for, the invitations printed, and I am going to make the most of every > posters made up and distributed. minute of it." When she got well, she said, > "She told me she found from experience "Oh, I have gaincd so much spiritual growth > that it was better not to mention Bahi'u'll6h through this illness that it was indeed a > as the Prophet or to give the direct Message small price t o pay. I realize now that when > until the fourth lecture, because she found one teaches, it depends upon the plane of > from the trial and error method that more consciousness from which one speaks. One > people came back that way. This gave them sentence when spoken from a plane of great > the opportunity to become imbued with the selflessness touches the heart and may change > Bahi'i spirit. After these lectures were over a life, whereas from a lower plane one may > she gave three more if they wanted it. talk for a week and produce no effect." > Those who followed through t o the last of The uext fall the work was resumed, this > the lectures came to the classes. There were time in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Annie > about nineteen. Romer and Ruth Moffett had been working > "She used the thirty-six lesson study and already had a group. > course. From these people she gradually November found her in Louisville, Ky. > took out the ones whom she felt were ready Early in January she entrained again. 1% > for a deeper class and then started on the time it was the West, across the continent > 'Dispensation.' to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her > "What was so unique about her teaching efforts were again joined with those of > was that she seemed to know at the right Kathryn Frankland. She wrote enthusiasti- > time what iruestions t o put before them, cally about the exquisite blueness of the sky > such as, 'Do you believe in progressive reve- and the continual sunshime. She had always > lation?' If they said they did, then she loved to he out in the sunshine. Often when > asked them if they thought it was possible completely exhausted, she would take the > that Bahi'dllbh was the One sent by God morning off to lie in the sun, and it worked > in this day. I t was at this point that some like a tonic. H.er three months' stay in this > of the friends for the first time expressed lovely spot was full of activity. There was > themselves as believing. Then she would time for the lectures and classes and many > lead up to the Will and Testament of personal contacts. When she left there were > 'Abdu'l-Bah6 authorizing the institutions of a number of new believers, and a beautiful > the Guardianship and the Universal House unity had been established in that center. > of Justice. Then finally came the signing She wasn't coming t o the 1943 convention > of the card for membership." because she was t m exhausted. But we > During all this intensive teaching work, persuaded her at the last minute and at > the last minute she flew to Chicago from After a stormy illness of ten days, she > Albuquerque, getting a tremendous thrill, ascended to the supreme world. ' W e were > as she would, out of the long trip by air. both with her at the last. Almost her final > This convention was particularly wonderful words were, "My children." > to her because she saw so many of her "Yes, we are both here," we answered. > spiritual children strong and active in the After a pause she went on, "But I have so > Faith. She remarked, "How thrilling to see many children .. . and there's so much > how they grow from year to year." One work to be done!" > of her characteristics as a teacher was her She passed on at 19 minutes after eight > habit of pushing her students away from on June 18, just twtr years, lacking two > dependence on her and urging them to get days, after the ascension of her beloved > to work and start teaching on their own. Howa d. Now they are again united. What > Everywhere she turned during those few a power they must be in the unseen world > days people surrounded her, each insisting, to assist us who carry on the great work > "But you must spend some time with me. to which they gave their lives. Her physical > I am your special baby." Of course that remains were interred in Memorial Park in > was impossible, since everywhere she looked Oklahoma City. > were those who had heard about the Faith In the a?hi'i News of September, 1943, > . > through her efforts . . dozens and dozens speaking of the settling by Bahh'is in various > of them. It must-have been a tremendous centers where the Faith was not established, > source of inner joy to see gathered under the National Teaching Committee said, > one roof so many to whom she had given "However great the sacrifices entailed in > new life. She had once said t o Sylvia King making these necessary moves at the earliest > while teaching in Omaha, Nebraska, "I have date, they can never exceed the magnificent > lived longer than you have and so I will tell deeds of souls like Mabel Ives, those who > you this; some day you won't remember have dedicated their lives t o the triumph > when you were happy, you won't remember of the Seven Year Plan. The single devotion > the times when you were sad, yon will only of Mrs. Ives to the fuliillment of the Guar- > remember the times when you helped the dian's hopes for North America will be re- > Cause of God." This convention surely membered in years t o come. Her achieve- > roused those memories. ments in numerous virgin states and > A week afterward she started out again, provinces are yet to he recounted. bough- > to Oklahoma City. She had planned to rest out the entire course of the first six years > a couple of weeks here before starting the of the plan she gave her energies, her time > lectures. As usual it seemed as though she and her spirit. It is surely significant that > never could really rest. If anyone needed her passing should have been in Oklahoma > her help or wanted to hear of the Teachings, City, the first of the organized assemblies > she always put aside every personal con- to be pioneered and organized under the > sideration. The series of lectures was planned plan. Not until the last hours did her labors > as usual. She gave the first one and then cease. She was a n example t o us all." > became ill and had to cancel the second. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the > When she was told that the were ex- Bah6'i Faith, cabled as follows: "Profoundly > pecting her at the next she realized the dis- deplore loss self-sadcing, distinguished > appointment of the Oklahoma friends, who teacher Faith Mabel Ives. Manifold contri- > had spent money on this campaign, and of butions teaching activities before and since > the people who were interested, and she inception Seven Year Plan outstanding, > left her sick-bed to give two more. At the memorable, highly meritorious. Assure > last one, even the audience could sec that daughter deepest loving sympathy, prayers. > she was very weak. She finally realized Abiding felicity crowning noble labors." > this herself and consented to enter a hospital. Mother had a full and complete aware- > She said several times, "I have let the people ness of what it meant to be Living in the Day > down. I have let the Guardian down. I of God. She realized the bounty of being of > have let Bah6'u'll;ih down." the few with sufiicient insight to have > I N MEMORIAM 623 > > Bridget Hill (On the right) > > recognized God's Messenger for this day. light of God might shinc through. By many > She, furthermore, was thoroughly conscious experiences she learned that the only way her > of the responsibility which goes with this work could he done was to get herself out of > knowledge. First, was the responsibility of the way and let God do it. Whenever her > obedience t o the laws of God which involved successes made her think she was pretty > steadfastness in her belief, firmness in her good and feel important in her own right, > Faith. Secondly she put into practice in her she said all the doors would slam shnt in > daily life the teachings and admonitions of her face and her work would lose its ef- > her Faith. fectiveness. She would then become aware > Every personal consideration was second- of what she was doing, and with the realiza- > ary. She used to say, "When you are in tion that she of herself could do absolutely > doubt about any particular action you are nothing, that her effectiveness and power > eonternplating, stop and ask yourself were in direct proportion to the degree to > whether or not it will be for the good of which she could empty her own heart of > the Cause or not. That is the final criterion." self so that the power of the Holy Spirit > Her strict obedience to the admonition could flow through, she would go forward > to teach this Cause was coupled with her again and be assisted. > full realization of humanity's desperate, if - > unrecognized, need of it. The knowledge BRIDGET HILL > that God works through men to help other > A BY R' ST. > men made her burn with a desire t o become > more and more the bands and feet of God. Bridget Hill of the Air Transport Auxil- > She prayed constantly that she might be a iary, only daughter of Major General and > perfect instrument for his will. She strove Mrs. Walter P. H. Hill of West Ameshnry > daily to further purify herself so that the House, Wiltshire, was killed on active ser- > THE B A H A .'i W O R L D > vice in an aeroplane crash on Sunday, March which time will not obliterate nor the pass- > 1 lth, 1942. Her immortal spirit winged its ing years change. > flight into the Great Beyond leaving her > friends stunned +th unutterable sorrow and > RICHARD MARLOW > anguish. > I t was in .June, 1937, while staying at Richard Marlow was for over thirty years > Government House, Jersey, that I met her a familiar figure in Southbourne. H a ~ i n g > when she was a fellow guest. That too was been deprived of both legs by an accident, > her first introduction ta the Bah6'i Cause. he supplemented his small pension by selliu~g > On her return t o Sahsbury, her parents at matches, knitted anil raffia work. So it was > once became interested, independently in- that Dr. Esslement one day found him, > vestigated the Bahl'i Faith and were sub- sitting in his wheeled chair at a corner of > sequently inspired to invite Bahi'i speakers the road, and struclr by his spiritual > t o their beautiful home t o interest thelr character, gave him the Bahh'i Message. To > mauy friends. this he made a ready response, and when a > Bridget and her mother were very wef- Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in the > come members of the Bahh'i Summer School district in April, 1923, Mr. Marlow was > at Matlock Bath where they were able t o made a member and when possiile would be > make a deeper study of the Teachings. I t taken by friends t o our meetings. > was after long and careful research that Although he had no opportunities of > Bridget declared herself a Bahl'i. teaching the Cause, he lived the life, and > I had never met a single human being was a shining example of quiet courage and > so human yet so divinely human as Bridget. cheerful resignation to the Will of God. > In her new Faith Bridget became more When the Bahh'i group became dispersed, > radiantly lovely them ever before and, when- only Miss Challis was able t o keep in touch > ever I saw her, there seemed t o me to be with him through letters. But before his > some new grace and charm reflecting divine death he was destined t o make personal > attributes. contact again with the friends, who gave > Bridget was fond of trees and aU living him every help in their power. > things, she was clever with horses and even 7% spiritual assurance of Richard Marlow > the most highly strung animals imme ately never seemed to falter, and one came away > responded to her. from his dark little room impressed hy the > When she was so suddenly taken it came simple faith and patience of a truly beautiful > as a rude shock which took me unawares. soul. > I t seemed such a ghastly waste, so young, When on 30th April, in his 76th year, > only twenty-seven, so courageous, so dar- the mortal cage was opened, with what joy > ing, so competent, so kind and with in- he must have winged his flight t o the > finite understanding and personal charm. "Paradise of 'the Placeless." > I was angry and resentful, forgetful of the F. Pinchon. > profound teachings so clearly given in the > Writings. Then on Thursday night follow- H A J ~'ALf YAZDi > ing the tragedy, perhaps at four o'clock in > the morning, I felt Bridget was standing The oldest survivor m the Holy Land of > near me; she did not speak but had a look the early days of the Faith, H&ji'Ali passed > of such divine radiance I was at once aware away in Haifa on November the 13th, 1943, > that all anger and resentment had vanished in his ninty-eighth year. He was originally > forever. from the town of Yazd, in Persia, and pro- > How can we extol a life so full of joy ceeded t o Baghd6d shortly after Bahh'u'llbh's > and solace, so rich in imperishable memories? exile to Adnanople. During the persecution > How certain in her belief, how steadfast her of the believers in B a a d i d he suffered severe > faith in the Bahl'i Cause. Her radiant spirit beatings at the hands of their fanatical ene- > will forever conquer space, she has created mies. A few days after Bahi'u'Ulh and His > an abiding place in our hearts' affections, Family were removed from their two-year > > di > I N MEMORIAM > > confinelnent in the Barracks of 'Akki, H6ji to him by Shoghi Effendi, was deep and > 'Ali arrived at the Prison City and entered keen. He bequeathed all he possessed to the > the presence of Bahi'u'llih. From then on Cause and was buried in the Bahl'i Ceme- > he lived in 'Akki and its enx-irons, was tery in Haifa, at the foot of Mt. Carmel. > present at the time of Bahl'n'llih's Ascen- - > sion at Bahji and continued t o reside in MRS. MARGARET DIXOi'i > Palestine until his death. He will forever > be remembered, amongst other things, as > the establisher of Bahi'i endowments in the The passing of Mrs. Margaret Dixon re- > vicinity of 'Akki through his gift of a tract calls the early days of the Bahi'i Cause in > of land dedicated to Bahi'u'llih's Holy Melbourne. Mrs. Dixon was one of the first > Tomb in Bahji. In spite of the eventfulness to accept the Teachings brought to: Australia > of his long life, the feebleness of old age by Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn. By her pen > and the handicap of almost total blindness, and voice, in season and out of season, she > H i j i 'Ali, up until the last weeks of his strove to spread the Bahi'i Teachings wher- > life, continued to work, and persisted, with ever she went, and even when stricken with > touching devotion, in attending all the illness she carried on the work with un- > Bahi'i Feasts and Anniversaries held in Haifa abated enthusiasm. > and 'Akki, which involved a tedious jour- In June, 1940, she passed on, and at the > ney of about four hours in either direction. funeral service conducted by the Unitarian > He retained until the very last a clear mem- minister at whose church Martha Root spoke > ory of the wonderful rimes he had witnessed from the pulpit, a fine tribute was paid by > in the days of Bahi'u'llih, and after His him when he said, ':The Bahi'i Teaclung is > passing, and his interest in the contemporary the purest and most all-embracing expression > events of the Faith, as frequently recounted of Universal Truth." > T H E BAHA'f WORLD > > Margaret Dixon > > IDA BOULTER SLATER tears of spiritual joy." Both Mrs. Slater and > her husband, Dr. William F. Slater, became > members of the Chicago Bahi'i community > Mrs. Ida Boulter Slater was born in Port- immediately, and for a number of years > land, Maine, February 19, 1860, and died were members of the Spiritual Assembly, > in Ch~cago, Illinois, November 17, 1941. Mrs. Slater seriing is Secretary and Treas- > Her mortal remains were laid to rest in urer. > Rosehill Cemetery after a Bahb'i funeral This unique and most lovable maidservant > service. of the Bahi'i community was very hospit- > Mrs. Slater heard of the Bahl'i Faith from able, and every one who crossed her path > Mr. Thornton Chase ("the first Bahl'i in must have felt her marvelous Bahi'i spirit > America") in 1902; but it was in 1912, and her great generosity. She poured out > when 'Abdu'l-Bahi was traveling through bounties upon young and old friends and > the United States and Canada, that her in- Bahi'is. She entertained many distinguished > terest in the Faith was thoroughly awak- Bahi'i teachers, notable among them, Mrs. > ened. When He was in Chicago, Mrs. Slater Lua Getsinger and Jenab-i-Fadil and his > and her husband had a brief interview with family; and during Jenab-i-Fadil's teaching > Him. It was observed, when they came out program in Chicago she, with Dr. Slater as > of the room, that she was crying. I t was a special commiftee, arranged for him to > learned later that 'Abdu'l-Bahi had said to speak before twenty thousand people in ten > her: "You have sought the Kingdom of days. Later she served on the Regional > God in many places, and it was good, but Teaching Committee for the Central States, > now-you have arrived at homc." And her and also was a delegate for many years to > reaction was: "I knew I had come home the Bahi'i Annual Conventions. > when I entered the Presence of 'Ahdu'l-Bahi; The visit of Dr. and Mrs. Slater to the > those were not tears of sorrow, they were Bah6'i Shrines on Mt. Carmel and 'Akkf, > IN MEMORIAM > > Ida Boulter Slater > > Palestine, in 1927, was another great spirit- them. Their recognition and appreciation of > ual event in their lives. There they had the the Pure Bounty bestowed upon them was > privilege of being guests of the Guardian of ever present. > the Bahh'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi, for about The effect of the Bahh'i Teachings on > nineteen days. He entrusted them with a Mrs. Slater's life was most definitely mani- > sacred lnission in allowing them to bring fest in the way she traveled "The Path paved > with them on their return to America, rugs by BahQ'n'llLh", for during the years she > from the Shrines of the Bib and 'Abdu'l- lived an active Bahi'i life she rose to great > Bah6 on Mt. Carmel, and a letter addressed spiritual heights, she functioned always on > to Albert R. Windust, Chairman of the an increasingly higher level where severance > Chicago Bahi'i Spiritual Assembly, contain- and sacrifice and devotion t o the Holy > ing instructions t o open the Bahb'i House Threshold of the Almighty became the > of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois for public "normal accent of life." > meetings, t o furnish the Foundation Hall of During her long illness she had a courage > the Temple, and to hang on the walls these horn of the spirit, and endured severe trials > rugs which they had so carefully, devotedly and tribulations as if they were real gifts. > and even prayerfully carried with them 'Ahdu'l-Bahi said, "Tests create holy souls," > every step of the way from the Holy Land. and so it was evident to all during her last > BahPis will never forget the devotion and days in Columbia Hospital in C h i c a g e > loyalty and sincerity and strict obedience even among all those strangers t h e r e t h a t > with which this mission was fulfilled. Very she was truly a holy soul and that she > few now in this, material world, could, we would ever be remembered for her kindness, > venture to say, understand the depth of their her gentleness, her uncomplaining spirit, > spiritual emotion as they realized how the her graciousness. She indeed was "a manifest > protection of the Holy Spirit o'er shadowed sign for the religion of God,"-and, to the. > Frank E. Osborne > > Bah6'is who knew her well, she was a living was very active in teaching at that time and > proof of the transforming power of introduced all of the men with whom he > Bahi'u'116h. was associated, in the shop where he worked, > Early in her Bahi'i life, 'Abdu'l-Bahi gave t o the knowledge of the Revelation of > her the name "Gohar," meaning Pearl. She Bahh'u'llih. A few of them accepted the > had truly found the pearl of priceless value Faith and were for many years very ac- > in the Bahi'i Teachings, and the beloved tive themselves in spreading the Teachings; > 'Abdu'l-Bahl, Reader of hearts, knew she and among them Mr. Osborne was out- > would remain firm and steadfast within the standing. > Fold of the ABHA Kingdom. He was a member of the first Bahl'i > Mariain Haney. Board of Council of New York City, and > served almost continuously as its secretary > from the time it was organized until about > FRANK E. OSBORNE the middle twenties. He also served as > secretary on the Board of Council of Brook- > lyn, N. Y. as long as that body was in > The American Bahl'i community su6ered existence. > che loss, a short time ago, of one of the He had the inestimable honor of meeting > early believers in the Faith through the 'Abdu'l-Bahl during His visit t o America > death of Frank Edward Osborne of Brook- and was accorded, with his family, an > lyn, New York. inter~~iew. > Mr. Osborne received the Bahl'i Message A valuable service which he was peculiarly > of the new Day of God in 1899 from Mr. fitted to render was to serve at one time > George Witte, who had attended the earliest as chairman of the New York Archives > classes held in New York City. Mr. Witte Committee. Most of the Bahi'i history of > IN MEMORIAM 629 > > James F. Morton > > New York was within his personal experi- ing along the highway in Totowa Borough > ence and had been recorded by him during near Paterson, New Jersey. > his secretaryship. Mr. Morton had been curator of the > Mr. Osborne came from a backgronnd of Paterson, N. J. Museum since 1921; he was > New England pioneers, of English stock. also an author of several books and poems, a > Perhaps it was due to that spirit of religious pamphleteer and lecturer. > devotion which brought those Puritan set- He received his Bachelor of Arts and > tlers across the ocean to people a new land, Masters degrees at Harvard University, from > that this son of theirs was enabled to rec- which institution he graduated a m Eaude > ognize the Manifestation of God for this in 1892. Two years later he graduated from > day. He was horn in Oxford, N. Y. on the School of Expression; thereafter he > October 12, 1819 and ascended to the su- lectured on literary and social topics. Some > preme world at Brooklyn, N. Y. on Decem- time was also given to journalism, as he was > ber 24, 1941. a reporter on The Boston Globe and Pacific > From the time that he accepted BahQ'u'- Coast papers. > 116h as his Lord, he served Him unswervingly > He was a descendant of one of America's > and devotedly. > - oldest families. One of hi ancestors, the > Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, was the author > JAMES F. MORTON > of "America." > BY M, H. For many years Mr. Morton was a follower > James F. Morton was born in Littleton, of the Bah6'i Faith, and his articles appearing > Mass., on October 18, 1870, and died Octo- from time t o time in The Bahd'i Masazine > ber 7,1941, as a result of a traffic accident; were much appreciated and widely read. His > he was hit by an automobile as he was walk- clear presentation of the necessity for a > 630 THE B A H A' f WORLD > > renewing of religion proved that this theme is eternal, everlasting, both birthless and > was nearest his heart. deathless . . ." "The reward of that Other > "The Bah6'i Cause comes as a blessing to 'World is nearness to God." > all, with good will to every preceding form - > of divine worship," a statement oft repeated HARRY RAVER, > in private and public addresses, especially THE BLIND CRUSADER > t o Esperanto groups. His interest in a uni- > versal auxiliary language was well known. > From one of his articles published in "0 thou possessor of a seeing heart! > The BahL'i Magmine this quotation is par- Although, materially speaking, thou art > ticularly interesting: destitute of physical sight, yet, praise > "The world awaits new methods, a new be to God, spiritual insight is thy pos- > spirit pulsing with a deeper life than it has session. Thy heart seeth and thy spirit > known . . . The divine plan never fails; but . > heareth . . " > it requires new steps, as the world becomes Words of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 in a Tablet to > prepared for larger expressions and applica- a blind believer. > tions of the One Eternally True Message . . . Today I have visited a saint. As I opened > The Messenger of the present day has arisen the door (which is never loclied) of the > in an epoch when all things are again be- simple California bungalow with its siin > coming new, and when the intellects of men, announcing to all who pass that therein lives > baffled and bewildered by their own gigantic and works a "Busy Blind," I felt I was > discoveries and inventions, have vainly entering a sanctuary where peace and re- > sought satisfaction in the tenets and the pose could be found and the spirit and mind > forms which were sufficient for their fathers. become refreshed and encouraged. > "Hence the Message of our day is a As I became aware of the fine, sensitive > majestic synthesis of a11 the truths revealed face, the broad forehead and generous head, > in the preceding revelations, together with eyes that had lost their outer sight, the long > clear and comprehensive applications of the slender body tranquilly awaiting me, I felt > principles of spiritual truth to the needs the power of an illumined spirit rush out > and the problems of the whole world of and envelop me with a welcoming warmth. > humanity. I t offers a firm foothold for the Such was Harry Raver; "Uncle" Harry to > restless spirit of inquiry, and meets the thousands of blind and helpless, and to the > challenge of skeptical investigation with Bahb'is a great and noble person who had > patient and lucid exposition as satisfying t o accepted the world's acclaim with calm > the pure reason as its mawelous vision of detachment, and tribulation and adversity > Divine Glory is inspiring t o the spirit of without fear or plaint, content with the > religions emotion. The altar t o the Un- Will of God. > known God no longer vacant, but is During my association with this rare > radiant with Celestial Glory." person I witnessed his spirit working through > Mr. Morton was well known by the an almost shattered body, spreading the > Bahi'is in New York and New Jersey, Teachings of Bahl'u'llih, and a t the same > and in Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. time cheering, encouraging and improving > He spoke at Bahi'i meetings in many East- the conditions of suffering humanity. > ern cities, and will always be remembered Mr. Raver was connected with the theater > for his great sincerity, his kindly spirit, and for thirty-five years finding his way there > his loyalty to the Truth. May he receive from the circus, which he joined at the > that reward which 'Abdu'l-Bah6 refers to age of twelve. Prom this beginning he > in these words: fought his way upward until he attained > "When you break a glass on which the an eminent position in the theater, col- > sun shines, the glass is broken, but the laborating in the production of many well > sun still shines. .. The same is true of the known plays and having numerous theaters > spirit of man. Though death destroys his under his management. > body, it has no power over his spirit which Being always a man of broad vision, > I N MEMORIAM 631 > > I-iarry Raver > > he was among the first in America to see Words of Bah41'116h and 'Abdu'l-Bahb. > the possibilities of the motion picture and Overwork and strain caused a complete > applied all of his imaginative capabilities breakdown and forced him to go to Florida > t o its promotion, in the formative period of in an effort to regain his health. Out of > this industry. Seeing ahays beyond the this experience came time to search his soul > usual, the tried, he imported many foreign and he began to find the deep spiritual > films of great beauty and artistry, which knowledge that became so much a part of > were immediately acclaimed in this country. him. It was also there he received a letter > Among these was Gabrielle d'Annnnzio's from his broker announcing that all he > great picture "Cabiria" and this, the first had of material wealth was gone, wiped out. > film to be exhibited at the White House, Stiil broken in health, he came to Califor- > be was privileged to show before President nia and opened an antique shop, displaying > and Mrs. Wilson. This privilege made it the many fine pieces he had collected from > possible, same time later, for him to aid time to time. Among these was a string of > in securing the Praident's permission to rare Baluchistan black amber beads. One > write the story of his life for the films. He day these beads attracted the eye of a Bahh'i > guided innumerable pioneering enterprises to who happened to be passing. Being an > a successful conclusion, attracting men of archeologist and recognizing their back- > distinction and ability w association with ground and their value, he entered the > him in all that he did. His effort was never shop. Mr. Raver told of this meeting with > for himself alone as it was a part of his a little chuckle, "I had always been interested > nature to use his vision and good judgment in philosophy and so with my interest in > to help others achieve their goal. This he philosophy and this Bahb'i's interest in my > did, in many cases, with no thought or desire Baluchistan heads we were drawn together > for return; but the gratitude of one whom and had inany fine talks. He told me of > he had so assisted brought a valued return, Bahl'n'llih, and one day he told me I was > years later, as it was through this medium a Bahi'i!" > he was enabled to give, over the air, the Harry Raver had sought for truth through > 632 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > many philosophies and was a prepared soul He was very fond of the following prayer, > to receive the challenge of the Bahh'i Mes- which he one day gave me, saying, "I have > sage. "It was easy for me to become a a prayer which I use when in a dilemma and > believer in Bahi'u'lliih," he stated quite it clears things up for me, > simply, and added that when he read in the " '0 God! 0 God! Open Thou the gate, > newspapers of 1912 the reported accounts prepare the means, make straight the path, > of 'Abdu'l-BahB's talks he thought "That pave the way and supply my need!' > is something I have always believed." "If the gate is open so that you can see, > He minimized a major tragedy by whim- the way 1s clear. If the way is paved, you > sically saying, "You know, I placed the won't stumble, and if the need is ~upplied, > Bahh'i books in my shop and then wore that's all we need." > out my remaining good eye trying to read - > every one of them." > Feeling the urge to remain ever useful, > not allowing frailty or affliction to limit To Harry Rush Raver, who died September > 14, 1941, this sonnet was written, > him, he pushed on and put his talents to > work writing many radio programs, persuad- by a Bahh'i friend. > ing those for whom he wrote to broadcast My song is sad today, for yesternight > sections of "The Goal of the New Vorld Died one I've known and loved through > Order," and was repaid by requests for many years- > further broadcasts along these limes. One who had faced Life's plaudits-and its > As he became acutely aware of the needs jeers- > of the blind he had an overpowering desire With calm disdain! He was a flawless > to help them, and evolved a radio program, knight, > naming it "Cheer-Up'' and dedicating it to With arms e'er ready to embrace the cause > inspiring and educating the blind and handi- Of those who sorrowed; He would still their > capped t o "come out of their corners," to fears- > broaden their horizons and become self- Their hopefulness and courage re-unite, > supporting. He knew that happiness was Enduing them with strength to wage the > their need, so gave of his own, having learned fight > well and followed faithfully the words of T o shield their brothers from both grief and > 'Abdu'l-Bahi, "There is a star of happiness tears! > in every heart, let us remove the clouds so > I do not grieve that he is g o n 4 find > it may twinkle radiantly." He knew their > That I myself would ask no momcnt's > need t o hear of their Lord and from this > pause-- > program, every week for a number of years, > If I might go, and going, leave behiid > he radioed out over the ether waves the > So grand a record for the world's applause, > Teachings of the Blessed Perfection, BahPt'- > As this man leaves, who was both ill-and > 11Bh. He invited Bahi'i guest speakers t o > blind! > partake of the privilege of this great service; > Mme. Barney, Mrs. French, Mrs. Gibson and Harry Raver's beautiful and heroic service > Mr. Hatch spoke to the blind of the beauty was ended abruptly by the hand of an as- > of the Great Day in which they were sassin who entered hi unlocked door, as > living. he lay on his couch, and brutally attacked > The blind have been stimulated by this and robbed him, leaving him in such a > program to "carry on" and have learned serious condition that after ten days of > trades and crafts that have earned them grievous suffering he slipped away. A t the > regular amounts; and Harry Raver, their last one who loved and always assisted him > kindly, courageous friend, to whom they in his labors for the blind, held his paralyzed > could always turn and receive help, earned band and repeated the Greatest Name. 011 > their deep love and respect for hi Faith, the last syllable of the ninety-fifth mention > as his teaching was based on deeds. He gave of this Name, Harry Raver was released > them hope and earned their eternal gratitude. and his spirit winged its way to meet his > I N MEMORIAM 633 > > Lord, Whom he had served so well and so The distinguished Guardian, Shoghi > lovingly. EfFendi, was reported to have warned the > Before becoming unconscious he pleaded believers that no one should reproach Sydney > for mercy for his assailant, saying, "He must Spragnc with the past. The friends heeded > have needed the money so much more than this advice. Tenderly, they pided his feeble > I did." steps, as he left the automobile which > Though the skill of the physicians failed brought him t o the Bah6'i Feasts and meet- > to bring him t o consciousness, he would ings. They provided him with an arm- > come out of his coma whenever "A116h-u- chair to make him comfortable while he > Abhh" was repeated. Shortly before the was with them. They, too, rejoiced in his > end he heard the Name of Bahh'u'lllh men- evident happiness at being once more in the, > tioned and in a clear, strong voice asked, company of the friends of God. > "Who speaks of Bahl'u'llih?" and "What is Some of the Bah6'is knew that there > said of Him?" was recorded in the papers of Thornton > In life his only thought was of BahCu'llih Chase a copy of a Tablet written by the > and at the moment of his, passing he lingered beloved 'Abdu'l-Bahi in which IIe had > to tell once more of Him. He truly was stated that Sydney Sprague, as he neared > one of whom 'Abdu'l-Bah6 spoke in His the end of his life, would return to the > Tablet, "Thy heart seeth and thy spirit Bahi'i Faith. The friends were happy to > heareth." realize the fulfillment of this prophecy. > - They were appreciative of the fact that those > SYDNEY SPRAGUE last days of Sydney Sprague's Baha'i life > were to be spent in Los Angeles. > How glad the friends were to visit rheir > His Holiness Bah6'u'llbh has written: dear brothcr. They found him like a thirsty > "True life is not the life of the flesh but the traveller newly rescued from a desert. He > life of the spirit. . . . This life knoweth no drank in, through his eager questioning, > death, and this existence is crowned by im- the facts which brought him up to date in > mortality. Even as it hath been said: 'He his knowledge of what had occurred in > who is a true believer liveth both in this the Faith of God in the years intervening > world and in the world t o come.' " since his own close association with its > Sydney Sprague lived in this world, and dramatic history. In this effort also, he > lives now in the world to come. He was was best assisted by reading the "World > born into this world in Oshkinh, Wisconsin, Order of Bahh'u'Uab," pamphlets by Shoghi > in the year 1877; he ascended to his Effendi. These formed the best bridge by > heavenly home Monday, August 16th, 1943, which he could cross over the gap between > at the age of 68 years. His body rests in the days of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, the heroic age of > Inglewood Cemetery, Inglewood, a town the Faith, and the present transitional > adjacent t o Los Angeles, California. His period of the Guardianship, in which the > grave is beside that of Tom Collins, husband Bahl'i Administrative Order becomes the > of Amelia Collins, and lies just across the "cradle" for the future, spiritual Bahiai > road from the grave of Thornron Chase, commonwealth. > "First Bah2i of America." The believers, in their turn, also Lamed > The Bahi'is of Los Angeles, California, from Sydney Sprague. They heard from his > t o which Bahh'i community Sydney Sprague own lips the story of how he fell ill from > returned in 1941, after 28 years of absence fever while traveling for the Faith in India; > from membership in the Faith of Bahb'u'llih, of how he lay helpless in bed in that far-08 > quickly learned to love their newly rein- country, and of how an Oriental Bahl'i > stated Bahh'i brother. Some saw the great came to nurse him. This Oriental, spiritual > humility it took for him to turn his back brother remained faithfully with Mr. > upon his error, of which so many in the Sprague until he recovered. Bur, in the > Cause knew, and to return to their com- meantime, the fever had passed from the > panionship in the Truth. patient t o his nurse and the nurse failed > THE BAI-IA'f WORLD > > Sydney Spragne > > to withstand its attack. When the nurse Zola. The press also stated that in Persia > died, Mr. Sprague became the first Occiden- h4r. Sprague had taught music to the daugh- > tal Bah6'i for whom an Oriental Bahi'i had ters of the ruling &ih; that he is credited > sacrificed his life. with having later introduced Persian music > After his own passing, the press of Los to the Occident. > Angeles carried items concerning Sydney Since every useful work that one does > Sprague that its world of readers would is acceptable to God, in its fullest sense, only > most likely be interested in noting-that after the individual has achieved faith in > world which, for the most part, is so heedless his Creator and the knowledge and love of > of spiritual truth, a fact to which His God, these deeds of Sydney Sprague now > Holiness Jesus testified when He said: weigh heavily in his credit. As Jesns stated: > "Let the dead bury their dead." "But rather seek ye the Kingdom of God; > There was no mention in the newspapers and all these things shall be added unto you." > of the happiness that came to Sydney Sprague The newspapers had not stated how > when he returned to the BahVi Faith and difficult affairs had gradually become for > thus to that eternal spiritual life which is Sydney Sprague, during his period of ab- > theirs who accept the Manifestation of God sence from his Faith. They passed by his > in the Day of His Dispensation. These financial losses in his attempt t o become a > papers wrote that Sydney Sprague had been producer of plays. They said nothing of > an author, lecturer, and composer. They his being swept into failure and into debt. > stated that, at twenty-three, he had studied They failed to remark on his being afflicted > at the Sorbonue, Paris, France; that he was with apoplexy. They did not mention his > a t one time a "free lance" writer, and, as ever growing yearning to return to the > such, "covered," in France, the trial of Baha'i Faith, the proof of his understanding > Captain Dreyfus, and the funeral of Emile of the' purpose and work of all of the > IN MEMORIAM 63 5 > > Prophets of God Who had preceded the his flight unto the celestial Concourse. And > Bib and Bahi'u'llih. But to the BahCis, how often harh a devout believer, at the > this intense longing to return had become hour of his soul's ascension, been so changed > known and was understood. They cncour- as to fall into the nethermost fire." > aged it. Sydney Sprague, who had gone out from > There came a day when the power of his the "impregnable fortress" of the home, or > innermost heart longing surmounted some Faith, of the divine Father, had re- > difficulties. In 1931, Sydney Sprague ap- turned to the Cause of God over two > peared at the home of this writer in the years before he passed through the portals > city of Los Angeles. He introduced him- of earthly death. He is now in the realms > self, he stated his wish to return to the of eternal, spiritual life. Having died firm > Bahi'i Cause. He was advised to get in in his Faith, he is happy in the certainty of > touch with the Guardian of the Faith, as Divine forgiveness. "He hath taken his > his was an internationally know11 case. This flight unto the celestial Concourse." "All > action, after 10 years more of troubles, praise he to Thee, 0 God, my Lord, the > Sydney Sprague succeeded in accomplishing. most glorious." > He expressed to the Guardian his acceptance > of the Will and Testament of 'Ahdu'l-Bahi, CAROLE LOMBARD GABLE > of the Guardianship, and of the spiritual > Bahi'i Administrative Order. People who knew Carole Lombard will > The repentance of Sydney Sprague was tell you of her amazing vitality. They can- > sincere; it was accepted. Word of it was not imagine her as not living. They say > sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of the films do not show her as she really was, > the Bahl'is of the United States and Canada. that because of her coloring and vibrant > The news that he was to he readmitted was quality she was more beautiful in real life. > conveyed to the Spiritual Assembly of the The daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth > Bahi'is of the City of Los Angeles, Cali- Knight Peters, she was born Carol Jane > fornia. Sydney Sprague, to the joy of those Peters, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A t swen > concerned, was reinstated by this Spiritual she was brought by her mother t o Los > Assembly to full membership in the Los Angeles with her two older brothers, Fred- > Angeles Bah6'i community, with the ap- erick and Stuart. As a young girl she won > proval of the National Spiritual Assembly, medals in the Los Angeles schools for sprint- > in the year 1941. This was the 47th year ing and jumping. She appeared in school > of the Bah6'i classes in America. I t was the plays, attended a drama school, obtained > 97th year of the BahPi Revelation in the roles in the movies, in 1930 was placed > world. under contract by Paramount, and by 1936 > His Holiness Jesus recited to His disciples was a top ranking star. Miss Lombard was > the parable of the man who had two sons, twice married; in 1 9 3 3 she became the wife > the younger of whom became a prodigal. of William Powell, hut their careers gave > He departed from the homestead, while the them little time together and a divorce re.. > older son remained a t home. When the sulted two years later; in 1939 she married > prodigal repented, it was for him that the Clark Gable. > father killed the fatted calf. The elder son Carole Lombard's closest Bahb'i friend > had always had the companionship of the was the well-known teacher, Mrs. Beulah > father, an all-sufficient recompense. The Storrs Lewis, who writes: "The Carole who > prodigal son had been lost. He had been longed t o meet and know her Lord, 'Ahdu'l- > counted as one dead. This prodigal had re- Bahl, the Carole who planned t o see Him, > turned. He was as one resurrected from a the Carole who spoke with the writer of > tomb. the service she wanted t o render her Lord- > His Holiness BahCu'lIih once wrote: this Carole few people knew." Carole at- > "How often hath a sinner, at the hour of tended Mrs. Lewis' classes held in Mrs. Peters' > death, attained to the essence of faith, and, home; at fourteen she wrote the Master of > quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken her love for H i , her ambitions and long- > 636 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Carole Lombard Gable > > ings, and she said, "If only He approves, I will take me to the Center and stay with > shall not fail." His Tablet came, praying me." > for her success. Mrs. Lewis writes, "Carole Mrs. Sara Kenny, then a member of the > never failed to give credit to her Lord." Los Angelcs Assembly, describes Carole > Miss Lombard in later years wrote to the Lombard as she appeared that night. She > Guardian-thc tone was that of a child looked very young, in a simple tailored suit; > writing to its father, Mrs. Lewis says- usually so vital, now she was subdued and > and received his answer. reverent, "like a bride." Later that night > Mrs. Lewis taught many persons of the Carole, her face streaming, said to Mrs. > Cause in Miss Lombard's home. On the Lewis: "I have acted many parts, I have > threshold of what was to be her last journey, been in many plays, but this is the greatest > Carole Lombard had a long talk with her act of my life, this is why I was born." > friend; she spoke of her desire t o see the Miss Lombard was famous for her demo- > Faith spread, and discussed plans for a trip cratic attitude, her lack of ostentation; at > across the United States in its interest. home she liked to wear simple clothes, and > Carole Lombard's acceptance of the Faith her three cars were all Fords. She was a > is recorded in the ApAI, 1938, issue of the good hostess; an eminent judge who met her > Los Angeles BahVi newsletter. Mrs. Lewis socially describes her as an intelligent con- > states that both mother and daughter came versationalist, and well-read. She was popu- > into the Faith because of their great love lar for plain speaking and hatred of sham. > for 'Abdu'l-Bahi. After many visits with Marked character traits were her sense of > Carole, Mrs. Lewis told her: "The time has humor and her love of practical jokes. Most > come for you to stand up on this earth important were her continual acts of kind- > openly and declare your Faith." She an- ness. > swered, "Well, Beulah, I am ready if you After the plane crash which took the > I N MEMORIAM 637 > > lives of both Carole Lombard and her > mother, a brother asked Mrs. Lewis to assist > in selecting the memorial readings. The Los > Angeles Assembly likewise appointed a com- > mittee to offer Bahi'i participation on this > occasion. In this way the words of Babc- > u'116h beginning "I have made death even > as glad-tidings . . ." and "0 Son of Man! > Thou art My dominion and My dominion > perisheth not . . ." were read as part of the > ~nemorialat Forest Lawn. > Carole Lombard died in the service of her > country. For this, tributes were paid her > editorially, both in the New York Times and > the New Yorlr Herald-Tribune, and she was > publicly commended by Secretary of the > Treasury Henry Morgenthau, Jr. She had > been on a bond-selling tour and was nearing > exhaustion. A t the State House, Indianapo- > lis, in a few hours she had sold two million > dollars worth of bonds. With Mrs. Pcters > and her press representative she boarded a > plane for home. On the evening of January > 16, 1942, miners in the Nevada mountains > heard a terrific explosion; then they saw Mir 'Ali As&ar Faridi Usk6i > flames shoot from a peak, and vanish. Some > fourteen hours later, rescuers had toiled tivity, and hospitality. His service and self- > up almost vertical slopes to the wrecked lessness promoted him t o the Spiritual As- > transport. They found the pine trees burned sembly of whatever locality he resided in > for yards around, and a wide pit melted in and thus he continued to a very advanced > the snow. There were no surviliors. age when infirmities checked his long career > She was a second generation Bah6'i. Her of useful service and he finally ascended to > mother had been brought into the Faith by the spiritual Kingdom on the 11th of May, > Mrs. Orol Platt, and as a child Carole often 1942. > served a t Baha'i gatherings held at Mrs. > Platt's Los Angeles home. Mrs. Platt re- > members how happy Carnie was when the NARAYENRAO RANGNATH > Master's Tablet came, saying that He would (SHETHJI) VAKIL, (B.A., LL.B.) > pray for her to be an actress, and a sue- > cessful one. > - "(I) share fully (the) poignant grief (of > MfR 'ALf A S B A R FARfDf USKO~ the) Indian Baha'i community (at the) pass- > ing (of) its distinguished champion, firm > Mir 'Ali A&ar Faridi UskGi, a true and pillar, able teacher (and) administrator, be- > faithful Baha'i and pioneer, was famed for loved Vakil (stop) (The) concourse on > his sincerity and trustworthiness and charity high acclaim his pioneer (and) historic > among friends and non-Baha'is alike. He services (stop) (I) advise (you to) hold > met the Master in person, visited the Holy befitting memorial gatherings (as a) recog- > Shrines, and received many Tablets from the nition (of) and (a) tribute (to) his high > Blessed Beauty and 'Abdu'l-Bahl. At station. . . . Shogbi Rabbani." > A&ibByjin and 'TxhqAbhd, at TB&kand His BahB'i friends referrcd t o h i as Mr. > and Mahhad, wherever he settled, he quickly Vakil, although he belonged to the well- > distinguished himself by his zeal, his ac- known Shethji family of Navsari, an im- > THE BAHA'i WORLD > > Narayenrao P[angnath Vakil > > portant principality in Baroda, the pro- known for putting the interests of his clients > gressive Indian State under the Mahratta first. 'Whenever he found that the parties > Prince, the Gaikwad of Baroda. had really no cause for action, or, that al- > He was the Grst person from the Hindu though they had a cause hut the matter > community t o identify himself wlth the could he settled better out of court, he > Bahi'i activities in India, and the first exercised his personal influence to bring > Indian BaM'i to address an All-India re- about a compromise out of court. This led > ligious conference. He was the first presi- t o his being elected a City Father at one > dent of the National Spiritual Assembly of of the Municipal elections, but as it en- > the Bahi'is of India and Burma, and eu- croached upon the time that he was giving > joyed such universal confidence that in spite to the Bah6'i Cause, he his ad- > of ill health in the later years, hut for a mirers t o leave him out at the next elections. > single exception, he was re-elected President For a short while he was similarly appointed > of the N.S.A. year after year. Only four Assistant Government Pleader, because of > days ago he had been re-elected P-esident, his detached outlook. > and the healing prayer offered for him by He came to hear of the Bahb'i Cause in > his loving colleagues, when he passed away December, 1908. The story of his initiation > on 2nd May, 1943, aged Y7 years. He was is of more than personal importance, so it > born at Navsari in 1866 A.D. may be told here. Incidentally the year > He was a graduate of the Elphinstone 1909 marks a fresh milestone in the history > College, the premier college of Bombay, and of the Bahi'i Cause in India, and three > a gaduate in Law of the Bombay University. students of the Elphinstone College who > He was an Advocate of the Bombay High joined the Indiin Bah2i community in the > Coun, and one of the senior legal Practi- course of three consecutive months that > tioners of Swat, where he practiced for 30 year through one of the most outstanding > years. He was universally respected for his BahA'i Teachers of Persia (Mirzi Mahram > sobriety and integrity and he was well- Isfihini) have rendered considerable ser- > IN MEMORIAM 639 > > vices in close collaboration throughout the Mirz6 Mahram was not the person to he > ministry of 'Ahdu'l-Bah6. satisfied with a lip declaration. He believed > Muhammad Rid6 Shirizi (who latcr in making each new-comer a living link in > came to be known as Professor S i r 6 z i ) an interminable chain of effective teachers. > was studying at the Elphinstone College, He said to ME. S'akil "If you want me to > Bombay. The Bahi'i Hall was located at believe that you have intelligently accepted > 29 Forbes Street, on the 3rd (top) floor. the station of Bahi'u'llih, then prove it > (This has since been rebuilt and the present to me by leading your friends and neigh- > number is 26.) I t was within a few min- bors to accept Him as you have accepted > utes walking distance of the college, being Him. If you cannot do this by yourself, > immediately east of the Equestrian Statue then, you can at least make them sufficiently > of King Edward VII. interested to come to me with you and > Mirzi Mahram was the resident Bahl'i continue their mquiries." > teacher. I-Ie had so arranged matters that Thus, in January, 1909, Mr. Vakil was > every day ten or fifteen college students started on his career as a Bahi'i teacher, > came to see him and try their dialectic and continued teaching throughout his life. > strength. Mirzi Mahram had become known An indefatigable urge to teach the Cause, > throughout the city for his short, convinc- in spite of obstacles and handicaps, has been > ing and irreiutable repartees, as well as the outstanding characteristic of those who > his learned and highly illuminating dis- have been taught by Mirz6 Mahram. > courses. Mr. Shirhzi was one of those stu- In 1910, A.D., a very big exhibition was > dents who was proud of his powers of dis- held at Allahahad. This included an All- > ciission and repartee; and Mirzh Mahram India Religious Conference. Siyyid Muptaf6 > found in him an apt student for being Rhmi, the Grand Old Pioneer, was to rep- > made into a Bah6'i teacher. resent the Bahi'is and read an address, which > I t was Mirzi Mahram's invariable prac- had been printed for distribution t o the > tice to start his students on a course of delegates. But, he had a strong attack of > teaching from the very first week. He used bronchitis, and was unable to read it him- > to advise his students to consult their fel- self. He requested the Spiritual Assembly > low students and further t b t out with their of Bombay t o send some one; and Mr. S7aki1 > help what seemed to them irrefutable in was sent. This was the beginning of that > his arguments. Mr. Vakil was one of those close relationship and collaboration between > intelligent, sober minded fellow students Mr. Vakil and the local Spiritual Assembly > whom Mr. a i r h z i selected for this purpose. of Bombay, which lasted to the end of his > Thus was started the life long friendship days; so that whenever the Assembly took > and collaboration between these two star up any work which needed the collaboration > servants of the Cause in India. of some Bah6'i who knew English well, and > Mr. Shirizi resided at the Anjuman-i- who could be relied upon to safeguard the > Islim hostel at Bori Bunder, and Mr. Vakil interests of the Cause to the utmost, they > at the Elphinstone College hostel at Apollo always asked Mr. Vakil to help. > Bunder. But every day, these friends went Allahahad, under its ancient Hindu name > out for a morning walk together on the sea "Prayag" still rivals Benares in holiness, > shore, and discussed what Mirzi Mahram and as a place of pilgrimage. I t is situated > had told Mr. Shirhzi. One day, in January, at the confluence of the taro most sacred > 1909, Mr. Vakii declared to Mr. &irizi rivers of India, the Ganges and the Jnmna. > that he had no further inclination left for A dip in either is sufficient to wash away > picking holes in the arguments of Mirzi the life-long sins of a Hindu de~votee. So, > Mahram, and that he was desirous of joining think of the incalculable efficacy of the > the Bah6'i movement (as it was then waters at the confluence. > known). The All-India Religions Conierence > Mr. Vakil went to see Mirzi Mahram in (1910) was held on the banks of the Jumna > company with Mr. a i r h i , and declared -near its confluence with the Ganges. Mr. > to him that he had become a Bahi'i. But Vakil to all outward appearances an ortho- > 640 THE BAHA'~WORLD > > dox Hindu, read out the History and teach- may be assisted by the Unseen Hosts." > ings of the Bib, Bahi'u'llih and 'Abdu'l- In 1919 the first Convention was organ- > Bahb, at Prayag. I t created a great stir ized. Some Baha'is of Poona, with the con- > among the delegates, who took with them currence of the local Spiritual Assembly of > the Glad Tidings of the Appearance to all that city, had received he blessings of > corners of India and Burma. The printed 'Abdu'l-Bahi for holding a Convention. > pamphlet helped them to refresh their Mr. &irbzi, Mirzl Mahm5d and Mr. Vakil > memory, and supplied then1 the addresses played an outstanding part in organizing it, > of Bahl'i Assemblies whence they could although many other Bahi'is from India > get some more Bahb'i literature. and Burma helped to make it a really mem- > A Brahmin from South India, who at- orable success. Being near Bombay and the > tended the Conference, maintained touch Convention being held there, Mr. Valril > with Mr. Vakil, and we have it on the an- handled most of the work in English- > thority of the latter's autobiographical Mirzi Mahm5d Zarqani handling the > note, that Mr. Vakil kept on sending books Persian side. When the monthly magazine, > and pamphlets until he decided t o join the "Bahi'i News," (Persian section being > Bahi'i community. Thus, the first All- called Al-Bishlrat) was published, Mr. > India Religious Conference to be addressed Vakil took a prominent part in organizing > by a Bahi'i was by a Hindu son of the soil; it. When the Convention elected an execu- > and the first t o respond to that call was a tive committee for 1922-1923, A.D., Mr. > member of the hereditary Hindu priesthood. Vakil was its President, and when its name > Mr. Vakil was a prolific correspondent. was changed t o the National Spiritual As- > He loved t o write and receive letters. For sembly of the Bahi'is of India and Burma, > almost 15 years his were the only letters he was its first President. Since then, till > that disseminated all sorts of Bahi'i news 1943, he was re-elected President every year, > to the outlying parts of India. Whenever except once, when Siyyid Mustafi RGmi > he heard of any occurrence of outstanding was elected President of the N. S . A. > interest to the Bahi'is in India, he would In 1914 Mr. Vakil voyaged by sea t o > issue a typed circular to all who were on Palestine, and was photographed with > his mailing list. Some of his friends have 'Abdu'l-Bahi in a group, Prof. a i r h z i and > happily maintained files of Valsil's corre- Mirzl Mahmljd also being present in the > spondence, and any historian who refers to group. > these letters would find many items of per- In 1924, Mr. Valsil went on his second > manent interest recorded there; which have pilgrimage t o the Holy Land. This time > been forgotten by contemporaries. The Mrs. Jasodha Vakil, Miss Sushila Vakil and > names of those whom Mr. Vald interested Miss Kapila Vakil also accompanied him. > in the Cause during his many teaching tours, 'Abdu'l-Bahi had passed away. His beIo57ed > and with whnm he maintained contact by successor-Shoghi Rabbani was there. The > correspondence, some of whom declared greatest Holy Leaf gave her blessings to > their complete attachment to the Cause, the family, bestonring on them the names of > would be of special interest to those ac- Bahiyyih, Bihirih and Tihirih respectively > tively interested in establishing groups and By these new names they have loved to be > centres throughout India. known since. > Mr. Vakil mras of a highly devotional Since the passing of Mr. Vakil, his wife > temperament. He used to pray intensely and two daughters have shown exemplary > for the illumination of those whom he tried strength in every thing, and they are happy, > t o teach. He wrote to his friends always now, t o count Surat among cities that have > beseeching their prayers in his own behalf. developed into administrative centres with > During his travels, he contrived to find a full fledged Local Spiritual Assembly. > time, and wrote long letters to 'Ahdu'l- Mr. Vakil went out on an extensive teach- > Babl--almost half of which were filled ing tour immediately after the first conven- > with "I pray that so-and-so may he con- tion, visting Agra, Cawnpore, Allahabad, > firmed in his belief--or-that so-and-so Benares, Calcutta, Shantiniketan, and Dacca, > IN MEMORIAM > > Alma Knobloch > > returning ro Surat via Karachi. Later he in~rited scl>olarships for free-ships ai the > attended the Brahmo Sarnaj Centenary at Tarbiyat School, Mr. Vakil communicated > Calcutta with his wife and daughter. North the appeal t o everybody and secured some > and South, East and West, he has toured donations from Indian Bahf is, himself > India throughour. its length and breadth sharing one scholarship with a dear colleague. > proclaiming YI-Bahh'u'l-Ahhi. As late as Mr. Vakil had a heart full of love-love > 1940, he trayelled x i t h his wife and for each and all. But he also had a head. > daughters in support of the six year Plan A perusal of hi letters shows that he had > of Teaching. thought out many of the plans which have > He had made it a practice to donate a come automatically into being during the > fixed proportion of his income to the BahYi last six years. There are some of his sug- > Funds. Whenever there was an appeal for gestions that still await the sympathetic > funds, his was among the first donations consideration of his colleagues and suc- > received. On all the 9 holy days he sent cessors. Perhaps they would be taben up at > something to the Funds. If, for any reason some future date. > --e.g. the war-he could not remit his do- (Signed) S. H. Koreshi. > nations, he considered it a debt payable, of June 9, 1944. > which he kept a regular account. He would - > never allow any- direct approach to indi- ALMA KNOBLOCH > viduals for funds, saying, everyone is pay- > BY ROSASCHVAKTZ > ing all that is possible for evevone. If we > ask for more, and he is unable to pay, we Alma Knobloch, daughter of Karl and > shall cause him shame. If he pays under Amelia Knobloch, sister of Pauline Knobloch > personal pressure, we shall be the cause of and Fanny Knobloch, passed into the Abha > inconvenience or hardship. Kingdom on December 22, 1943, at the age > Mr. Vakil sponsored every charitable of eighty. She had been associated with > cause. When the America Persian Society the Cause since 1903 and had expended her > 642 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D > > utmost efforts to teach the Cause of God in working knowledge of English offered tlieir > Germany, as well as in America. services. The way was not always easy, and > At the request of 'Abdu'l-Bahl, Alma was Alma, in her fine, soft voice and well-brcd > delegated to take the Glad-Tidings of the ad- manner, fought many a mental battle with > vent of Bahb'u'llih to the soul of the German the intelligentsia who had -becomeinterested. > people. The following are some of the words One could see the Bahb'i spirit at work in > of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 concerning the undertaking. her, when some learned gentleman discussed > "Thou hast written about Dr. Fisher, in not always a gentle way, the different > that praise be to God, thou hast found a aspects of our Faith. Never once did Alma > helper for him and ere long she will start lose patience, and ncver once did she falter > for Germany. Truly I say, the beloved in her answers. The foundation of brother- > maid-servant of God, Miss Alma Knobloch, hood ,was firmly cemented through praycr > is very much acceptable for this service-- and combined effort. > thou hast done well to choose her. She is Concerts and assemblies, held in public > accepted by all means, but regarding her halls, brought this new Faith to the atten- > stay in Germany, she must stay as long as tion of the general public, and always the > possible. Forward. to this land a copy of highlight of the evening was the speaker > every tablet translated into the German who introduced the Bahl'i Cause to an ever > language. I hope that the endeavors and widening circle of souls. > exertions of these two sisters, may display Alma was in Germany before 'Abdn'l- > all-encircling effects." Baha visited there, so the friends knew what > Signed: 'Abdu'l-Bahb-'Abbbs. a rare and wonderful privilege was accorded > them, and also they became aware of the > She left in July, 1907, for Germany. station of Alma. Her unceasing love and pa- > At first the message was spread by word tience, kindness and unselfishness, gave ever > of mouth only. When Alma went to Stutt- new evidence of the Spirit of Bah8'u'lllh. > gart, the homes of those interested were m e n war was declared in 1914, Alma > gladly thrown open to her and her won- joined in the sufferings of her German > derful news. The afternoon and evening brothers and sisters, descended into the > gatherings were tremendous events in the damp cellars with them, hungered and froze > lives of the friends, and, indeed, many a with them, renounced her American citinen- > life was literally rocked as the Message of ship (which she later resumed), in order > Bahl'bll6h changed the direction and the t o be free t o travel in the service of our > purpose of that life; and through that beloved Master; and indeed, the need for > change came an acceleration of life and the spiritual food was great at that time. Many > blessings of inner peace. Not a little part in evenings at the fireside meetings, the spir- > this was the love and devotion with which itual food was the only kind of food the > Alma worked incessantly, always effacing friends had that day. Rut her emphatic, > her own strong personality and accenting yet gentle, way of speaking and the tre- > the Spirir of Bah6'n'lUh. mendous power of the prayers, gave sus- > Soon many young people in Stuttgart, tenance to their areak and hungry bodies. > Leipzig, Hamburg, and other cities, visited Before Alma returned to America, she > hy Alma, arose and formed informal fireside visited Austria, Switzerland, London, and > groups, studied earnestly a11 material that Paris. The groups in the different cities > was available, and many entered into cor- continued to flourish, and a steady corre- > respondence with the Holy Family. The spondence was carried on between Alma and > Bah6'i Faith took root in the hearts of these her spiritual children. Some of the German > religiously educated souls, and through the believers received Tablets from 'Abdu'l- > effort and constant study Local Spiritual Bahl and Shoghi Effendi, and these were all > Assemblies were formed in Stnttgart, Esslin- shared with the other believers. > gen, Zuffenhauscn, Leipzig, and Gera. The blessings of Bah6'u'llbh were in evi- > The translation of new passages was dence; children's groups or gardens, as they > awaited with avid interest and all with a were called, were formed. Near Esslingen a > I N MEMORIAM > > I'hilip Effendi Naimi > > Bahb'i summer house was built, and friends l"HIL1P EFFENDI NAIMI > from near and far came there to meet with In Cairq in 1913, Philip Effendi Nailni > other believers. A great day it was when at the age of fifteen embraced the Babh'i > the model of the Temple, that we see so Faith. From then until his death on Jan. > gloriously in Wilmette now, was first shown 8th, 1942, he remained a devoted and firm > at one of the gatherings. believer and rendered the Cause in Egypt > When the new regime came to power in many services. He was largely responsible > Germany, the Baha'i faith was banned, the for the establishment of the first Bahh'i > books confiscated, the Bahi'i house abau- Burial Ground in that country, negotiating > doned, the Spiritual Assemblies disbanded; with the Government authorities for its > but there remained that nucleus of faith allotment to the Baha'i Community. > which will never die, and when this conflict Both in Port Sa'id and Ismailia he was > is finally ended, the Bahh'is of Germany will exposed to grave danger through the attacks > rise anew, purified in fire, and work for the of cxcited and fanatical mobs on the Bahh'is > New Day, for the establishment of all that on the occasion of the deaths of various > Bah6'u'llAh proclaimed. believers who were refused burial in Muslim > The loving memory of our dear Alma cemeteries. H e was at all times a courageous > Knobloch will ever linger in the hearts of defender of the Cause of Bahb'u'lllh, cham- > the German believers; and their children and pioning its teaclungs and rights before friend > children's children will remember her un- and enemy alike. > selfish service in the Faith of Bahb'n'lllh. After a serious operation, from the effects > THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Muhammad Effendi Mussa > > of which he died, he gathered his nephews hammad Effendi Mussa was privileged by re- > about him and addressed them as follows: ceiving the blessing of 'Abdu'l-Bahh in Port > "I had great hopes of you but I am going Sa'id. Since he embraced the cause he dis- > away shortly! Know of a certainty that tinguished himself by historic activities, > there is nothing in this life worth mention particularly teaching. Brave and valiant he > except serving the Cause. My earnest hope was never frightened nor discouraged by > is that you will grow up and prepare your- the threatening forces of opposition. > selves for serving Baha'u'llih devotedly in a In 1920 the fire of animosity was reen- > degree even greater than your parents did." kindled; he was pelted with stones, beaten > The Hospital authorities summoned a and wounded; and according to the advice > priest to perform the last rites, but Philip of the Beloved Master he emigrated to Cairo > Effend~Naimi, courageous and devoted to where he settled for some years. > the last, turned to him and said: "I am a Ilis last visit t o the Holy Shrines in 1927 > Baha'i and I am no longer in need of your nourished his spirit with still more zeal and > services." energy. > Firm in his belief he never ceased to utter > MUHAMMAD EFFENDI MUSSA the Greatest Name during the period of his > The passing of the late Muhammad Ef- illness. > fendi Mussa of Port Sa'id on August 23rd, On spreading the news of his passing away > 1939, at the age of 77 years was accom- a big disturbance took place whereupon the > panied by a big disturbance which marked masscs attempted to set fire t o his honse and > a glorious termination of a life which was to burn the body which action the authorities > once rich with services to the Cause. could but hardly prevent. Finally, and dur- > He was one of those few early believers ing the night the body was secretly conveyed > in Egypt who accepted the Cause in 1910. by the authorities to Ferdan, 40 miles distant > During the journey of the Beloved Master from Port Sa'id, where it was buried. > t o Europe and America in 1911-1912 Mu- May his soul abide in eternal peace! > IN MEMORIAM > > IN MEMORIAM > APRIL 1940 T O APRIL 1944 > > Dr. Jeanette Matilsky, Portland, Ore. Mrs. Katie A. Ellinger Nye, Topeka, Kans. > Mrs. May Ruth Graham, Circleville, Ohio. Mrs. Irma Johnson, Montclair, N. J. > Mrs. Mabel Hune, Cmcinnati, Ohio. Mrs. Peter Eclrert, Milwaukee, Wis. > Mr. Joseph Henry Inglesby, New Yorli, Mrs. Margaret Mills Sprague, New York, > N. Y. -.. Y > N. - .. > Dr. Alfredo Warsaw, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Rowena Cotton, Sacramento, Calif. > Miss Ethelbert E. Jackson, Geneva, N. Y. Mr. DeWitt Wickham, Pentwater, Mich. > Mr. Fred J. Woodward, Washington, D. C. Mrs. Katherine Fishback, Chicago, Ill. > Mrs. Zoreh Lathrop, Seattle, Wash. Mrs. Mary E. Lane, Baltimore, Md. > Mrs. Caroline Lehman, West Gravenhurst, Miss Augusta Bachmann, Baitimore, Md. > Can. Miss Alma Albertson, Greenville, Mich. > Mrs. Rosa B. Espey, Chicago, 111. Mr. Charles Bonner, Peoria, 111. > Mr. D. C. Wicltham, Pentwater, h4ich. Mrs. Emily Keeler, Lowell, Arizona. > Mr. Jno. A Koberson, St. Augustine, Fla. Dr. Nathan W. Collier, St. Augustine, Fla. > Mrs. Helene Bagg Ma&eld, Muskegon, Mich. Mrs. Anna Ketterer Foster, Chicago, Ill. > Mr. Louis Feltz, Milwaukee, Wis. Mrs. Emma Lundberg, Chicago, 111. > Miss Sarah R. Windust, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Belk L'Amourex, Binghamton, N. Y. > Mrs. Rosamond Baxter, Dunedin, Fla. Mrs. Harriet Gibbs Marshall, Washington, > Mr. James Brittingham, New York, N. Y. D. C. > Mr. Thomas Macmechan, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Andrew Bowhill, Portland, Ore. > Miss Amalie Tyler, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. John Sherman, Milwaukee, Wis. > Mrs. Adelia Bartlett, Racine, Wis. Mrs. Ada Lammersen, Chicago, Ill. > Mrs. Lida Harvey, Peoria, Ill. Mr. Henry R. Hagermann, Miami Beach, > Mrs. Louise Leavett, Detroit, Mich. Fla. > Mrs. V. E. Shelford, Urbana, Ill. Mr. John W. Shirk, Denver, Cola. > Mr. Robert Harrison Weeks, Wadcegan, 111. Miss Gertrude E. Parvene Bohanan, > Mr. Clarence Yount, Huntington Park, Ill. Kenosha, Wis. > Mr. Otho Wright, Huntington Park, 111. Mrs. Bertha West, Clearlake Highlands, > Mr. George Kuhlman, San Francisco, Calif. Calif. > Mrs. Doris Leete, Lima, Ohio. Miss Selma Paulson, Chicago, Ill. > Mr. Frederick R. Swift, Flushing, N. Y. Dr. John F. King, Chicago, Ill. > hks. E. Ledwell, Chicago, Ill. Mr. Howard Colby Ives, Little Rock, Ark. > Dr. Walter B. Guy, St. Augustine, Fla. Mrs. Sylvia Bishop, San Francisco, Calif. > Mrs. Elizabeth Schwab, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Jeanette Hiatt Nash, Portland, Ore. > Miss Elizabeth Muther, Honolulu, H. I. Mrs. Hasan Abas, St. Paul, Minn. > Mr. LeRoy Rainboth, Richmond Highlands, Mrs. Lida S. Marryott, Jacksonville, Fla. > Wash. Mrs. J. M. Eaves, Indianapolis, Ind > Mr. Adolph Chapman, Racine, Wis. Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf, Eliot, Maine. > Mrs. Effie M. Snyder, Seattle, Wash. Mrs. Ida Mae Gillis, Chicago, 111. > Mrs. Aura G. Gordon, Tucson, Ariz. Mrs. Millie hfoorman, Muskegon. Mich. > Mrs. Ella Beemer, Kenosha, Wis. Mrs. Charles Redeen, Millbrae, Calif. > Mrs. Ella Bennett, Wauwatosa. Mrs. Martha Macbean, Montreal, Canada. > Mr. William Laurie, Halifax. Mr. M. L. Mereness, Helena, Mont. > Mr. Roscoe Lamb, LaCanada, Calif. Mr. Henry Jersey, Lansing, Mich. > Mrs. Elizabeth Farnier, Monroe, Wash. Mr. Will Graham, Circleville, Ohio. > Mrs. Annie Bartholomew, Wilmette, Ill. Mr. Rowland M. Knight, Santa Rosa, Calif. > Mrs. S. Shuey, Oakland, Calif. (1940) > Mr. Rowland Howard, Santa Monica, Calif. Mr. Harry Raver, Los Angeles, Calif. > 646 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Mrs. Mary D. O'Shca, Pebble Beach, Calif. Mr. Hildore Jellsett, Seattle, Wash. > Mr. George L. Tarot, San Francisco, Calif. Mrs. Harriet Cline, Verdugo City, Calif. > Mr. Amos Hostetler, Lima, Ohio. Mr. Albert E. Lewis, Los Angeles, Calif. > hlr. Ali Mazloom, Chicago, Ill, Mrs. George L. Loeding, Chicago, Ill. > Mrs. William F. Slater, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Mary A. Hoyt, Denver, Colo. > Mr. Edward H. Luberger, hifilwaukee, Wis. Mr. Rudolph Steinmetz, Minneapolis, Minn. > Mrs. Anna Peterson, Kenosha, Wis. Mr. Oscar 0. Winter, Minneapolis, Minn. > Mr. Elmer E. Miller, Atascadero, Calif. Mrs. Faith Amberg, Baltimore, Md. > Mr. Frank Osborne, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Coralie Franklin Cook, Washington, > Mirs Emma Claus, Springfield, 111. D. C. > Mrs. Louise Talbott, Freeport, N. Y. Mr. Richard Barnitz, Washington, D. C. > Mrs. Bessie hlcCauley, Danville, Ill. Mrs. Stella C. Dewart, St. Alhans, Vt. > Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peters, Los Angeies, Calif. Dr. Florence McShane, Altadena, Calif. > Mrs. Clark Gable, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Elizabeth F. King, Indianapolis, Ind. > Mrs. George Osrburg, West Quincy, Mass. Mr. Oscar Charles Garrett, Chicago, 111. > Mrs. Ida Watson. Chicago, 111. Mrs. Flora F. Lybrand, Washington, D. C. > Mr. Benjamin Taylor, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mrs. J. hlackett, Milwaukee, Wis, > Mr. Robert L. Gulick, Greenville, S. C, Mrs. Anna Australia Jones, West Chestcr, > Dr. Nathan W. Collier, St. Angustine, Fla. Pa. > Mr. Albert C. Engelder, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Oscar M. Clark, Clearlake Highlands, > Miss Alice N. Parker, Pittsburgh, Pa. Calif. > Mr. James F. Morton, Paterson, N. J. Mrs. Alice Alexander, Upton, Mass. > Mrs. Dorothy Engelder Graf, Philadelphia, Mrs. Ides Johnson, Mariposa, Calif. > Pa. Mrs. Ida Finch, Seattle, Wash. > Mrs. Louise Biggar Talbot, Freeport, L. I. Mrs. Irena Stevens, Topekd, Kans. > Miss Hilda Gilbert, of Australia. Mrs. Blanche A. Ledyard, Los Angeles, Calif. > Mrs. Elizabeth K. Peters, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Edgar haeyer, Arvada, Colo. > Mr. Thurston Vaughn, New York, N. Y. Miss Marie Du Bedat, New York, N. Y. > Miss Charlotte E. Bingham, New York, Mr. Carl Rasmussen, Racine, Vis. > N. Y. Mrs. Alice W. Alexander, Upton, Mass. > Mr. A. W. Randall, Vista, Calif. Mrs. Eliza Lewis, Boston, Mass. > Mr. Will Stewart, Topeka, Kans. Mr. Mathew Kaszab, Brownsville, Texas. > Mrs. S. D. Montgomery, Santa Maria, Calif. Miss Esther Fostrr, New York, N. Y. > Mrs. Revella Ackerman, Riverside, Calif. Mrs. Kate Morris, New York, N. Y. > Miss Ethel Byler, San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Mary lvfunson, Portland, Ore. > Mrs. Alma Russell, Evanston, Ill. Mrs. Catherine Tweed, Portland, Ore. > Mr. Johannes Anderson, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Elizabeth Sntherland, River Forest, Ill. > Mr. Herman Huber, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Joseph Clevenger, New York, N. Y. > Mrs. Louis Keller, Lake Harbor, Mich. Mr. Hector Stevens, Topeka, Kans. > Mr. William J. Burnett, Glendale, Ariz. Mrs. Nicholas Marangella, Haworth, N. J. > Mr. Richard Marshall, San Francisco, Calif. Dr. B. C. Smith, Atascadero, Calif. > Mr. George Drum, Washington, D. C. Miss Gwendolyn McReynolds, Colorado > Mrs. Idella Shirkey, Vista, Calif. Springs, Celo. > Mrs. Frieda Kalfus, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Carrie McGriff, Lima, Ohio. > Mrs. Samuel Rodman, Batavia, N. Y. Mrs. Muriel McComb, Glrnwwd Landing, > Miss Gertrude Buikerna, Chicago, Ill. N. Y. > Mrs. Alvina Ayres, Celena, Ohio. Mrs. Lillian McClellan, Cleveland, Ohio. > Mr. Emil De Litz, Racine, Wis. Mrs. Emma L. Hinman, New Haven, Conn. > Mr. Ferdinand Peterson, Racine, Wis. Mrs. Lela D. Kos, Chicago, Ill. > Mr. Howard Russell Hurlbut, Fort Sam Mr. Louis Farrell, Sherbrooke, Quebec. > Houston, Texas. Miss Jean Anthony, New York, N. Y. > Mrs. Lillian Viehstadt, East Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Lucy B. Price, Circleville, Ohio. > Mr. Harry Mory, Manitowoc, Wis. klrs. Lillian James Price, Newark, N. J. > I N ME? > > Mrs. Clark R. Thompson, South Gate, Calif. Mr. Peter Coyne, Chicago, Ill. > Mrs. Agnes Kahlke, Benton H a r b r , Mich. Mr. Carlton Keeler, Ocean Grove, N. J. > Mrs. Rebecca Dixon, Hillsboro, New Bruns- Mrs. Ilelen Lillywhire, Laramie, Wyo. > wick, Canada. Mr. Irving Rothstein, New York, N. Y. > Mrs. Gertrude Walker Crowley, Salem, Mrs. Shelley N. Parker, Chicago, Ill. > Mich. Mrs. Ila Shetterly, Wilmington, Calif. > Miss Florence A. Riedle, Chicago, IIL Miss Alma Knobloch, Cabin John, Md. > Mrs. Lily Bow, Houston, Texas. Miss Henrietta C. Cosh, New Rochelle, > Mrs. Lucille Bates, Minneapolis, Minn. N. Y. > Mrs. Annie K. Lewis, New York, N. Y. Mr. Joseph Scanes, Toledo, Ohio. > Mrs. Emma Idella Ralph, Portlaid, Ore. Mrs. Gertrude E. Zollinger, Toledo, Ohio. > Mrs. Hattie Vaupel, Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Ella Federcell, Mani, T. H. > Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Schneider, Rich- Miss Elizabeth Slappy, St. Augustine, Fla. > moi~dHighlands, Wash. Mrs. Gertrude H. Weeks, Portland, Maine. > Miss Joanne Doris Svendsen, Madison, Wis. Mrs. Helen Lielnors, New York, N. Y. > Mrs. Marie Selectman, Indianapolis, 111d. Mrs. Jennie Russell, Chicago, 111. > Mr. William Jackson, Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Henry J. Ackermatl, Newark, N. J. > Mr. W. J. Bean, San Francisco, Calif. Mrs. Maye Worthington, Fort Wayne, Ind. > Mr. R. G. Jeffrey, Atascaciero, Calif. Miss Sarah A. Blocker, St. Augustine, Fla. > Mrs. Josephine Hall Clark, Denver, Colo. Mrs. Clementina Goodrich, Milwaukee, Wis. > Mrs. Mary Allen Smith, Newark, N. J. Miss Anna Krogius, Augusta, Ga. > Mrs. Ida Jellsett, Richmond Highlands, Miss Helen Grand, Toronto, Can. > Wash. Mrs. Lillian Bauer, Brooklyn, N. Y. > Mrs. Effie Goldthrop, Helena, Mont. Mrs. Mary Frazer, Nunica, Mich. > Mr. Sidney Spragne, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Nettie Tobin, Chicago, Ill. > Mr. J. W. Latimer, Portland, Ore. Mr. J. L. Gibson, Pacific Palisades, Calif. > Mrs. Mary Revell, Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Gustave Bagge, Cleveland, Ohio. > Mr. Frederick Arthur Clapp, 1.0s Angeles, Mr. Raymond B. Gillespie, Chicago, Ill. > Calif. Mrs. Nell B. Moister, San Antonio, Texas. > Mr. Earl E. Carre, Mariposa, Calif. Mrs. Alice Broadhurst, Maui, T. H. > Miss Katherine Bacchus, Colorado Springs, Miss Cora A. Watson, Cincinnati, Ohio. > Colo. Mr. Albert Ammon, Haworth, N. J. > Miss Mary Young, Syracuse, N. Y. Mrs. Annie Liufoot, Piedmont, Calif. > Mrs. Leonora Obendorler, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. William F. Kyle, Los Angeles, Calif. > Miss Nancy Brown Van Riper, Circleville, Mr. Alexander Mapp, Avon, Mass. > Ohio. Mrs. Robert Sully, Bnffalo, N. Y. > Mr. Henry Benning, Kenosha, Wis. Mrs. Gertrude Muffler, Sercna, Ill. > Mr. Rudolph Heman, Cabin John, Md. Mr. B. M. Nance, San Bernardinq Calif. > Mrs. Theresa Hill, Circleville, Ohio. Mrs. Belle Ware, Kirkland, Wash. > Mrs. Isadore Chamberlain, Hackensack, Mrs. Frank J. Phelps, Catonsville, Md. > N. J. Mrs. Anne B. Walker, Salem, Mass. > Dr. Lillian K. Sielken, Indianapolis, Ind. Sr. Elias Calderon, San Jose, Costa Rica. > Mrs. Alice Ward, Richmond Highlands, Mrs. Agnes Blodgett Rowe, Spokane, Wash. > Wash. Mr. Frederick A. Clapp, Los Angeles, Calif. > Mrs. Mary D. Haskell, Chicago, Ill. Mrs. Lucy B. Swindler, R. D. Magnolia, Ill. > > — *In Memoriam (Used by permission of the curator)*