Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, The Baha'i Centenary, 1844-1944, Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1944, bahai-library.com. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── The House in Shiraz in which the Báb declared His mission, May 23, 1844. The Baháí Centenary 1844-1944 A RECORD OF AMERICA’S RESPONSE TO BAHA’U’LLAH’S CALL TO THE REALIZATION OF THE ONENESS OF MANKIND TO COMMEMORATE THE ONE H U N D R E D T H ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF TH E BAHA I FA ITH Compiled by The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada Baha’i Publishing Committee Wilmette, Illinois 1944 Copyright 1944 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada P R I N T E D I N U . S. A. cs 3 *17.89 Foreword .................................................................................................................................. ix f O N T E NTS Introduction: The Bahá’í Faith— Principles and Teachings of a W orld Religion xi PART ONE The Dawn of the Bahá’í Revelation .................................................................................. 1 Martyrdom of the B áb.......................................................................................................... 6 BaháVllálťs Tribute to the B áb ......................................................................................... 13 The Báb and the Revelation of Bahá’u ’lláh ..................................................................... 15 PART TWO America’s Spiritual Destiny: References to N orth America in the Bahá’í W ritings 19 PART THREE History of the American Bahá’í Com m unity 65 The Bahá’í Faith Comes to A m erica..................................................................................... 78 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in A m erica...................................................................................................... 82 Cities of North America Visited by ‘A bdu’l-Bahá in 1912 90 PART FOUR American Bahá’í Chronology................................................................................................ 93 The Formation of an Organic ReligiousC om m unity......................................................... 96 Bahá’í Headquarters ................................................................................................................. 110 Bahá’í Properties .................................................................................................. Ill PART FIVE The Bahá’í House of W orship................................................................................................ 114 History of Temple C onstruction......................................................................................... 122 The Temple Superstructure .................................................................................................. 135 Exterior Ornamentation ........................................................................................................ 136 PART SI X Early Bahá’í Pilgrimages to ‘Akká and H a ifa ................................................................... 139 Teachers Sent to America by ‘Abdu’l-B ahá....................................................................... 143 The Development of Bahá’í Publications................................................................ 145 Bahá’í Teaching in N orth A m erica.................................................................................... 154 930480 VI CONTENTS Bahd’i Teachers Go to Europe, Asia and A frica............................................................. 179 Baha’i Teaching in Latin America.................................................................................... 195 American Bahá’í Teachers Who Served in Other Lands.............................................. 200 Teaching Activity Serving Race U nity................................................................... 202 The Bahd’i Faith in the Colleges....................................................................................... 206 Teaching at the House of Worship................................................................................ 209 PART SEVEN Bahd’i Schools ..................................................................................................................... 211 PART EIGHT The American Bahd’i Community.................................................................................. 222 Bahá’i Sacred Relics in National Archives............ : .................. 234 Baha’i Literature .............................................................................................................. 239 PART NINE Appreciations of the Baha’i F aith.................................................................................... . 248 References to the Bahd’i Faith in Books and Pamphlets................... 251 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. 253 VI CONTENTS Bahá’í Teachers Go to Europe, Asia and A frica............................................................. 179 Bahá’í Teaching in Latin America.................................................................................... 195 American Bahd’i Teachers Who Served in Other Lands.............................................. 200 Teaching Activity Serving Race U nity................................................................. . . . 202 The Baha’i Faith in the Colleges....................................................................................... 206 Teaching at the House of Worship................................................................................ 209 PART SEVEN Bahá’í Schools ..................................................................................................................... 211 PART EIGHT The American Bahd’i Community.................................................................................. 222 Bahd’i Sacred Relics in National Archives........ . : ................. 234 Baha’i Literature .............................................................................................................. 239 PART NINE Appreciations of the Bahá’i F aith.......................................................................... ? . 248 References to the Bahd’i Faith in Books and Pamphlets.............................................. 251 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. 253 ILLUSTRATIONS Frontispiece: The House in Which the Báb Declared His Mission........................... ii The Town and Castle of Máh-Kú Where the Báb Was Confined................................ 7 Shrine of the Báb and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Palestine ............... 14 The Interior of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel............................................. 17 Garden of Ridván, Baghdád, Where Bahi’u’lUh Declared His Mission 32 Barracks at ‘Akká Where Bahá’u’lláh Was Incarcerated in 1868................................ 38 House Where Bahá’uTláh Passed Away at Bahjí, ‘Akká, Palestine.............................. 42 Views of the Outer Shrine of Bahá’uTláh...................................................................... 49 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ............................................................................................. 81 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá On Grounds of the House of Worship ................................................... 84 Map of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Travel in America ................................................. 91 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Unity Feast, West Englewood, New Jersey, 1912 92 Tablet Revealed by ‘AbduJ-Bahá to Bahá’í Body of Believers of Chicago 95 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Leland Stanford University, October 8, 1912.................................... 103 The Interior of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Mount Carmel.................................... 108 Central Office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, at Wilmette, Illinois.............................................................................. 110 The Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois......................................................... 114 Detail of Exterior Ornamentation, Bahá’í House of Worship...................................... 120 The Seal of First American Bahá’í Assembly of the United States and Canada . 127 Delegates to the First Bahá’í Convention, March 1909 ............................................... 132 Group of Early American Believers of about 1900, Chicago...................................... 138 Federal Certificate of Declaration of Trust by the National Spiritual Assembly. . 146 Certificate of Palestine Government................................................................................... 152 Program, First BaháT Race Amity Convention, Washington, D. C., May 1921 168 Race Amity Conference, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, August 1929 ........................... 204 Fellowship House, Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, Maine........................................ 210 Interior of Fellowship Flouse, Green Acre BaháT School, Eliot, Maine........ .............. 210 Dormitory and Dining Rooms, Green Acre Bahá’í School........................................... 213 vii V lil Bahá’i Hall, Green Acre Bahd’i School............................................................................ 213 Dormitory, Geyserville Baha’i School............................................................................ 216 Interior of Baha’i Hall, Geyserville Bahd’i School....................................................... 216 Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan ............................................................... 219 International Baha’i School, Colorado Springs, Colorado............................................ 221 Bahd’i Book Exhibit............................. 242 FOREWORD T h e Declaration of His mission made by ‘All-Muhammad, the Báb, on May 23, 1844 in the city of Shiraz, Persia, inaugurated the era of spiritual knowledge and world civil­ ization. In Him the Persons of the Prophets, the Manifestations of God who had guided the races and peoples along the paths of their destiny and renewed the Promise of God to every darkened and soulless age, united in one transcendent mystery of Being, and their Voices, the trumpet calls of history, became at last one Voice, their messages one v Message, their purpose one Purpose. In this creation of oneness where the world had always before realized only difference and diversity, divine Providence employed the Báb as its instrument to establish the spiritual condition from which should emanate the evolution of human nature and the development of human society revealing the heavenly kingdom brought to and pre­ dominating over the substances and inertias of the human world. Inevitably His physical being was slain, His followers martyred, His purpose resisted, His divine commission denied, for in that implacable rage of the spiritually dead has the life of the spirit ever been rekindled and released. His Declaration brought all the calendars to an end. A new cycle began; and there­ fore to the Bahá’ís of East and West the date of May 23, 1844 possesses infinite sig­ nificance, for it is the first date and event affecting the entire world and all mankind as one unit and one whole. Now in this year of 1944 the Bahá’ís reverently celebrate this Anniversary, this Festival of the inauguration of the oneness of humanity, the year 100 to those who have become conscious of the spiritual miracle which God wrought a century ago. There is one reverence, one gratitude, one adoration and one sacrifice filling with the same spirit every community of Bahá’ís now existing in sixty or more countries. Though they are outwardly and physically separated by wars, revolutions, differences of language and all the divisive forces of the historic past, the Bahá’ís exemplify the conscious and passionate inwardness of union transcending race, class, nation and creed. This spiritual oneness is the true celebration of the Centenary, for it is the direct and unique result of the inspiration which the Báb’s message breathed into our modern world. Nothing else can claim to have been the source and cause of the recognition of the oneness of God which has been the pivot around which all things revolve in this age. But the Bahá’ís of all lands have each their particular contribution to make to the public observance of the supreme event. Each community has had its particular history to unfold and its special achievements to record. The Bahá’ís of North America have compiled this work in order to afford to others some glimpse of how one continent responded to the call of God. It is a Memorial which all have combined to build during fifty years of continuous Bahá’í activity: those who sacrificed for the construction of the noble House of Worship in the very heart of the IX X FOREWORD country; those who traveled overseas to carry the Message to other lands; those who entered into the founding of the Baha’i communities in hundreds of cities, towns and villages here at home; those who assisted in the development of the administrative order; those who taught, lectured, wrote and in their lives reflected the light of faith; those who upraised the schools and other institutions which have become such powerful organs of service—men and women representing whites and colored, Christian and Jew, artisan and scientist, artist and business man, nucleus of the pattern traced by love and truth upon the luminous surfaces of human hearts. These are they who have found the path and entered the portals of security and peace. What they have accomplished seems infinitely little in comparison to the surging ocean of spiritual power vouchsafed to all who accept His message today; but they have been as those settlers in new lands who have broken the soil, raised their homes and fabricated tools and utensils as first step toward a higher order of human relations whose proof for generations is a faith and a hope and not a visible civilization. What the blessed century has accomplished has been the laying of a firm foundation. Others will come with greater power, skill and resources to construct the temple of unity and peace in which the spirit of men will dwell. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. January 11, 1944 INTRODUCTION T H E B AHA’I F A I T H Principles and Teachings of a World Religion AY 23, 1944 will signalize the ending and from races to mankind. The direction of the first century of the Bahd’i Era. That of events has been seized from human will date marks an event of transcendent impor­ and exercised through its own channels and tance in the evolution of religion and civ­ instruments by the will of God. ilization. Therefore the sects and creeds, reflecting From the dawn of the new era one hun­ the religious experience of an era that has dred years ago, religion, reborn and re­ departed, attached to and dependent on the vitalized, has been a spirit encompassing all principle of social isolation and self-suffi­ mankind. It has penetrated into every de­ ciency, have been deprived of divine guid­ partment of human activity, creating in­ ance. Hence too the political and economic fluences capable of destroying old, outworn policies representing the material activity of ideas and their instruments and of disciplin­ that same disavowed principle have become ing and training the masses of human beings ineffective and impotent except in their ca­ for unified association in an ordered and pacity to undermine the order on which they peaceful, world. The rise of science, the themselves depend. spread of invention, the revolution in indus­ Destiny has moved outside and beyond the try, the movement of peoples, the clash of ancient law of struggle and conflict to be nations and the implacable struggle of social the guardian of a new Dispensation of jus­ philosophies, alike disclose the motivation of tice and order. The Bahd’i Faith, fulfilling one spiritual impulse and energy which, lay­ the hope and vindicating the truth of for­ ing hold on humanity, has been shaping its mer Revelations, is the conscious expression life in conformity with the possibilities of a of the new, world-unifying spirit in its new, a greater age. source, its purpose and its power to regen­ Denied, even resisted by the prevalent atti­ erate the life of mankind. tude of materialism, this force of transmu­ tation has, while the century closes, mani­ T he Source of Faith fested its irresistible power, by gathering up the peoples of East and West and plunging The source of religion is sacred and in­ them into the crucible of a common agQny violate. Every Faith has come into this and trial. world from a higher realm. Every Revela­ Such an outcome can no longer be at­ tion has conveyed light from the Sun of tributed to controllable human wills, acts truth to the darkness of human hearts and and social trends. The groups and organiza­ minds. In each Dispensation the life of the tions, great and small, which so long have soul has been rekindled, releasing capacity maintained the principle of independence for moral conduct, ethical truth and social and self-sufficiency, even nations and em­ cooperation. The life and teaching of the pires, find themselves confronted by menac­ Founder of a religion is the essence and re­ ing conditions both within and without. ality of that Dispensation, not the catalogue The universal upheaval is unprecedented. Its of dogmas and creeds which afterward reg­ implications can not be grasped except by isters the progress of disputation among His recognition of this spirit from God and the followers and enthrones the arbitrary au­ working of His divine intention. Sovereignty thority of a few official religionists over the has been transferred from nations to world people. xi THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY Bahá’u’lláh has given the fworld today a words, their messages, their acts and man­ fuller measure of spiritual truth, befitting ners, hath indeed disbelieved in God, hath the mature development of humanity and repudiated His signs, and betrayed the Cause the larger responsibility laid upqn men called of His Messengers.” to establish a world civilization Imbued with Thus we may realize today that the suc­ the spirit of divine law. cessive Faiths have been different stages "The door of the knowledge of the along the same path of revealed truth. Their Ancient Being,” He declares, f"hath ever relationship is that of one religion in con­ been and will continue for ever to be, closed tinuity, each later Faith fulfilling all those in the face of men. No man’s understand­ that preceded it and preparing the way for ing shall ever gain access unto His holy the future Faith to appear in its destined court. As a token of His mercy,' however, time. To conceive of many religions and and as a proof of His loving-kindness, He different faiths existing simultaneously, their hath manifested unto men the Day Stars of mutual tolerance sharing only their separate­ His divine guidance, the Symbols of His di­ ness of inner purpose, is to identify men’s vine unity, and hath ordained the knowledge repeated denials of God with obedience to of these sanctified Beings to be identical with God and their imitations of His merciful the knowledge of His own S e l f W h o s o Revelations with divine truth itself. It is recognizeth them hath recognized God. when this identification has become com­ Whoso hearkeneth to their call, hath heark­ plete, and the name of religion connotes ened to the Voice of God, and whoso testi- some divisive sect, some militant creed or fieth to the truth of their Revelation, hath some impotent affirmation of already ac­ testified to the truth of God 'Jiimself. cepted general ideals, that the Manifestation Whoso turneth away from them, hath of God returns to earth with power to de­ turned away from God, and whoso disbe- stroy error and establish teachings for a new lieveth in them, hath disbelieved in God. cycle. Every one of them is the Way of <§1^d that The oneness of revealed religion emerges connecteth this world with the realms above, also when we consider the connection be­ and the Standard of His Truth unto every tween each Faith and its corresponding civil­ one in the kingdoms of earth and heaven. ization and culture. In its primitive purity, They are the Manifestations of God amidst religion comes as a creative spirit inspiring men, the evidences of His Truth, and the human beings to establish a community for signs of His glory.” the expression of their union in devotion to In these words the touchstone of religious newly revealed laws. They feel that their truth and sincerity, the mainspring of faith, faith opens for them a greater possibility of has been set up by which the attitude of the ordered life than man has ever before individual and the worth of the religious achieved. Out of this common experience group are being tested in this age as they a great civilization arises, runs its course of were divinely tested by the words of Jesus development, and decays with the lapse of in His Dispensation or by the commands of the motivating sacrifice and loyalty. Once Moses in that Dispensation which Christ the process of dissolution has set in, the brought to an end. civilization can never regain its unity of The Founders of revealed religion, Abra­ purpose or restore the vital life of its faith. ham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and The disintegration of a civilization reveals Baha’u’llah, "are all but one person, one soul, a prevalent sickness of soul, for the cycle of one spirit, one being, one revelation,” and religion coincides with the cycle of the civil Baha’u’llah warns the people "lest ye be ization it came to found. Until the spirit is tempted to make any distinction between renewed by the divine will, the world has no any of the Manifestations of His Cause, or power to heal its own disease. Attempts to to discriminate against the signs that have reestablish the old order, or found a new so­ accompanied and proclaimed their Revela­ ciety, by revivals, adaptations and experi­ tion . . . Whoso maketh the slightest pos­ ments, are vain. Effort to seize the new sible difference between their persons, their spirit and render it servant to the mainte- INTRODUCTION xiii nance of old ideas, old standards, old forms progressive. Indeed, the measure of Divine and old authorities is fruitless. The con­ Revelation, in every age, has been adapted tinued existence of mankind depends upon to, and commensurate with, the degree of the return of the Holy Spirit, and this de­ social progress achieved in that age by a pendence is the basis of true faith. constantly-evolving humanity. . . . The Revelation associated with the Faith of Jesus T he D ivine Purpose Christ focussed attention primarily on the redemption of the individual and the mold­ The second illuminating truth conveyed ing of his conduct, and stressed, as its cen­ by Baha’u’llah is that revealed religion is not tral theme, the necessity of inculcating a only continuous but progressive. The race of high standard of morality and discipline man, under the manifest law of the universe, into man, as the fundamental unit in hu­ grows and develops. Humanity passes man society. Nowhere in the Gospels do through stages of development and en­ we find any reference to the unity of na­ counters greater opportunity and respon­ tions or the unification of mankind as a sibility as the stage of childhood recedes. H u­ whole. . . . The Faith of Islam, the succeed­ man capacity emerges and new faculties and ing link in the chain of Divine Revelation, talents unfold. This organic process, the introduced, . . . the conception of the na­ divine purpose for mankind, moves forward tion as a unit and a vital stage in the or­ by successive and enlarging spiritual im­ ganization of human society, and embodied pulses. At each stage, the soul and mind it in its teaching.” of the race receives a new influx of inspira­ W ith the creation of independent nations, tion, human consciousness deepens, and replacing the tribal units of earlier faiths, when the direction and possibility of the the cycle of world order was Providentially new cycle has become established in the prepared. The divine purpose has mani­ realm of faith, men express their enlarged fested itself anew, the law of the oneness of capacity by forming a greater civilization. mankind has been revealed, and the spiritual "The All-Knowing Physician,” in Ba- impulse by which the race can achieve world hd’u’llah’s statement, "hath His finger on unification has been communicated through the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the dis­ the agency of a new World Faith. ease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wis­ "No sooner had He revealed Himself,” dom, the remedy. Every age hath its own Baha’u’llah wrote concerning the appearance problem, and every soul its particular aspi­ of the Báb in 1844, "than the foundations ration. The remedy the world needeth in of the kindreds of the earth shook and its present-day afflictions can never be the trembled, and the learned swooned away, same as that which a subsequent age may and the wise were bewildered, except such require. Be anxiously concerned with the as have, through the power of Thy might, needs of the age ye live in, and center your drawn nigh unto Thee. . . . ” "Through deliberations on its exigencies and require­ that Word,” He wrote concerning His own ments.” appearance, "the realities of all created In his capacity of interpreter of Bahd’u’l- things were shaken, were divided, separated, ldh’s Writings, Shoghi Effendi, first Guard­ scattered, combined and reunited, disclosing, ian of the Baha’i Faith, has definitely traced in both the contingent world and the the operation of this principle from stage heavenly kingdom, entities of a new crea­ to stage. tion, and revealing, in the unseen realms, "Just as the organic evolution of man­ the signs and tokens of Thy unity and one­ kind has been slow and gradual and involved ness. Through that Call Thou didst an­ successively the unification of the family, nounce unto all Thy servants the advent of the tribe, the city-state, and the nation, so Thy most great Revelation and the ap­ has the light vouchsafed by the Revelation pearance of Thy most perfect Cause.” of God, at various stages in the evolution ‘Abdu’l-Baha, the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s of religion, and reflected in the successive Covenant, who promulgated His Faith Dispensations of the past, been slow and through the East and West, exemplified the XIV THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY perfect type of human character, intel­ whatever its class, creed, race or nation. ligence and soul expressive of th^ laws and In one of His public addresses in America principles of this World Era. "Humanity He presented the following summary:— has emerged,” He said, "from its former "The oneness of the world of humanity. state of limitation and preliminary train­ "The protection and guidance of the Holy ing. Man must now become imbued with Spirit. new virtues and powers, new moral stand­ "The foundation of all religion is one. ards, new capacities. New bounties, perfect "Religion must be the cause of unity. bestowals, are awaiting and already descend­ "Religion must accord with science and ing upon him. The gifts and blessings of thd reason. period of youth, although timely and suf­ "Independent investigation of truth. ficient during the adolescence of mankind, are "Equality between men and women. now incapable of meeting the requirements "The abandoning of all prejudices among of its maturity. . . . All nations and kin­ mankind. dreds . . . will become a single nation. Re­ "Universal peace. ligious and sectarian antagonism, the hos­ "Universal education. tility of races and peoples, and differences "A universal language. among nations, will be eliminated. All "Solution of the economic problem. men will adhere to one religion, will have "An international tribunal.” one common faith, will be blended into one Of the source and meaning of these teach­ race, and will become a single people. All ings He said: "His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh has will dwell in one common fatherland, which dawned from the horizon of, the Orient, is the planet itself.” flooding all regions with light and life which will never pass away. His teachings . . . . Laws, Principles, T eachings embody the divine spirit of the age and are applicable to this period of maturity in Religion is the depository of spiritual the life of the human world................ truth. Its laws and principles revealed by "Every one who truly seeks and justly the Manifestations of God constitute the reflects will admit that the teachings of the reality of man’s relations to God, to himself present day emanating from mere human and to other men. What science is to the sources and authority are the cause of dif­ natural universe religion is to mankind in ficulty and disagreement amongst mankind, all that pertains to its spiritual, its super­ the very destroyers of humanity, whereas natural endowment and aim. There is no the teachings of BaháVlláh are the very chaos nor void where truth ceases to exist healing of the sick world, the remedy for nor laws to operate, but there is in man a every need and condition. In them may be realm of ignorance where he attempts to found the realization of every desire and deny a divine law by substituting human aspiration, the cause of the happiness of desire and human opinion. The appearance the world of humanity, the stimulus and il­ of the new Manifestation brings all spiritual lumination of mentality, the impulse for ad­ evasion and subterfuge to an end. He cre­ vancement and uplift, the basis of unity for ates a condition in which only truth can all nations, the fountain-source of love survive. amongst mankind, the center of agreement, In the Bahd’i Dispensation we find laws, the means of peace and harmony, the one principles and teachings, all reflecting the bond which will unite the East and the spirit of the new World Era. In this Dis­ West.” pensation religion brings fulfilment to feel­ Those, who sought no further than this ing, will and reason in balance and har­ preliminary discussion, conceived of the mony. Faith as a leaven gradually penetrating the The western world first learned of the masses of mankind, urged and promoted by Faith through its principles. ‘Abdu’l-Baha the enlightened and the idealistic in and expounded them in the form of general through the reformation of the traditional truths acceptable to the enlightened mind movements and organizations. ‘Abdu’l- INTRODUCTION xv Bahá, however, plainly set forth the sov­ Man’s first duty is to know his own ereign quality of revealed religion, as, for self and the conditions of progress and abase­ example, in the following Tablet addressed ment. After maturity has been attained, to American Baha’is. wealth is needed for the attainment of so­ "In the contingent world there are many cial personality, and this is to be earned collective centers which are conducive to through the practice of a profession, art, association and unity between the children trade or craft. Associate in a joyous spirit of men. For example patriotism is a col­ with the followers of all religions and the lective center; nationalism is a collective members of all. races and nations. The su­ center, identity of interests is a collective preme obligation is to attain a good char­ center; political alliance is a collective cen­ acter. Through trustworthiness mankind ter; the union of ideals is a collective center, will obtain security and tranquillity. Re­ and the prosperity of the world of humanity spect possessors of talent. Meet all obliga­ is dependent upon the organization and pro­ tions due to others. Refrain from slander motion of the collective centers. Neverthe­ and backbiting. To acquire knowledge is less, all the above institutions are, in reality, incumbent on all, but knowledge must be the matter and not the substance, accidental of matters useful to mankind. Agriculture and not eternal— temporary and not ever­ is of first importance. Human existence lasting. With the appearance of great revo­ rests upon the two pillars of reward (for lutions and upheavals, all these collective obedience to divine command) and punish­ centers are swept away. But the collective ment (for disobedience to it). Kings and center of the Kingdom, embodying the In­ rulers are to uphold religion as the means stitutes and Divine Teachings, is the eternal to world order and peace. Schools must collective center........ The real Collective train children in the principles of religion. Center is the body of the Divine Teachings, Celibacy and seclusion from the world are which include all the degrees and embrace not approved. Warfare for religious reasons all the universal relations and necessary is prohibited. Kings and rulers are exhorted laws of humanity.” to protect and assist the Bahá’í community. Behind the principles of rational truth, Governments must appoint or elect to of­ therefore, we look for the deeper implica­ fice only such persons as have character and tions of law and ordinance. capacity. The repentant sinner must turn In studying Bahá’u’lláh’s laws and or­ to God for forgiveness and not to any hu­ dinances, we note that He revealed nothing man being. in the form of a code or constitution. His The realm of law and ordinance is de­ teachings represent virtues and attitudes, or fined and given a firm basis in the establish­ deal with matters which He did not intend ment of social institutions with definite to be altered during this cycle. The Baha’i functions for the Bahá’í community, and code will come into existence through the the conveyance of specific authority to be legislative institutions which Bahá’u’lláh effective after Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension. "The created, and whose enactments are subject affairs of the people are placed in charge of to revision from time to time as conditions the men of the House of Justice of God. change. They are the trustees of God among His The laws of Bahá’u’lláh include: the obli­ servants and the daysprings of command in gation of daily prayer; an annual fasting His countries. period of nineteen days; prohibition of use "O people of God! The trainer of the of alcoholic liquor or drugs; monogamy; world is justice, for it consists of two pil­ marriage contingent upon the consent of all lars: reward and retribution. These two four parents, or those living; obedience to pillars are two fountains for the life of civil government; obligation to engage in the people of the world. Inasmuch as for a useful trade, art or profession; prohibi­ each time and day a particular decree and tion of a clergy in the Bahd’i Faith. order is expedient, affairs are therefore en­ Other ordinances and directions found in trusted to the ministers of the House of His writings can be summarized as follows: Justice, so that they may execute that which XVI THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY they deem advisable at the time. Those lamation of the reign of righteousness and souls who arise to please God will be in­ justice upon the earth.” spired by the divine, invisible inspirations. It is incumbent upon all to obey.” B irt h of a W orld F a it h The relation of this function to the spirit­ ual realm of the Faith has been placed be­ The inmost soul of religion is its reflec­ yond the possibility of doubt and disagree­ tion of the divine light and love. The Be­ ment. “Administrative affairs,” Bahá’u’l- ing men call prophet, messenger or messiah, láh declared, “are all in charge of the House outwardly a physical man, is inwardly a of Justice; but acts of worship must be ob­ flame enkindled from a higher world. By served according as they are revealed in the Him men are born from their physical self Book.” to their spiritual reality. By His summons The aim of this term of social and a mighty tempest is unloosed which de- % spiritual evolution has been firmly fixed. stroys evil attitudes, habits and patterns. “The ministers of the House of Justice must To recognize Him is man’s supreme blessing, promote the Most Great Peace.” to serve Him is the essence of existence. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahd explained in His Will and Through Him God destroys and creates, Testament, this House of Justice is an inter­ punishes and rewards, darkens and illumines national body whose members are to be all things on earth. He sends an ocean of elected by national representatives of the truth to confound men’s limited conceptions Baha’is. and lights a sun of love to replace their In the Person of ťAbdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh flickering candles of personal affection. established authority as Interpreter of His Aside from Him there is no path to God. Revelation and Exemplar of the Faith. The The cherished mystery of true faith has Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh in reality is to been the sacred teaching of the Covenant be viewed as more than an initial spiritual which the Creator made with man, that impulse breathed into the human heart and He would not abandon the human race left to humanity’s own devices to direct and but send His messenger to redeem them apply throughout an historical epoch. His from age to age for evermore. But the Dispensation is an organism created to func­ Covenant laid upon human beings the con­ tion in and through the entire epoch, for dition that they would remain firm in the divine guidance has been promised to man­ Promise and recognize and obey the Lord kind henceforth, the day of God’s Kingdom of the Covenant whenever, wherever, how­ having dawned. ever He might appear. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith, has The proclamation uttered by Mírzá ‘Alidisclosed this new dimension which religion Muhammad (the Báb) in Shi ráz, Írán, one in its fulfillment has attained. “For Bahá’u’1- hundred years ago, restored to the world in láh, we should readily recognize, has not its night of darkness the power of the Holy only imbued mankind with a new and re­ Spirit. His manifestation offered to the generating Spirit, He has not merely enunci­ people of Islám the fulfillment of their hope; ated certain universal principles, or pro­ to Christians He was the return of Christ; pounded a particular philosophy, however and to Jews their assured Messiah. Against potent, sound and universal these may be. Him the inveterate forces of fanaticism, In addition to these He, as well as ‘Abdu’l- materialism and ruthless intolerance inflicted Bahá after Him, has, unlike the Dispensa­ martyrdom six years after He undertook tions of the past, clearly and specifically laid His mission to herald the imminent appear­ down a set of laws, established definite insti­ ance of Bahá’u’lláh. He left behind Him tutions, and provided for the essentials of a among the Persian people such intense de­ Divine Economy. These are destined to be votion and faith that thousands underwent a pattern for the future society, a supreme torture and death rather than forsake their instrument for the establishment of the love for Him. But during that six years the Most Great Peace, and the one agency for Báb invoked the measure of faith and new the unification of the world, and the proc­ spiritual life that was required to prepare INTRODUCTION XVII the world for the greater Manifestation to many countries through the early stages of follow. the local and national Bahá’í communities The Báb was martyred in Tabriz on July upon which the future international Bahá’í 9, 18 50. After cruel imprisonment in order is to rest. For He, in addition to His Tihrán, the seizure of His wealth, and exile station as Interpreter, was also appointed to Baghdad. Bahá’u’lláh declared His mis­ by Bahá’u’lláh to be the Center of His sion in the year 1863, surrounded by a Covenant with mankind. Through Him small company of believers who had suc­ the formative and evolutionary spirit of this ceeded in accompanying Him. From Dispensation carried forward the work of Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh was exiled succes­ Bahá’u’lláh without interruption for thirty sively to Constantinople, Adrianople and years, assuring the preservation of the funda­ ‘Akká, in the Holy Land, where He remained mental aim and character of the new Faith. a prisoner until His ascension in 1892. Un­ Concerning the nature of the mission der such conditions Bahá’u’lláh revealed the bestowed upon Him by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’lspiritual and social teachings for the world Bahá declared: "In former cycles no dis­ .civilization and divine order with which His tinct Covenant was made in writing by Dispensation is identified. the Supreme Pen (i.e., the Manifesta­ A prisoner and an exile, Bahá’u’lláh ad­ tion) ; no distinct personage was appointed dressed letters to kings and rulers, to heads to be the standard differentiating falsehood of religion, expounding the laws of peace from truth . . . . But in this Dispensation of and calling upon them to heed the counsels the Blessed Beauty (i.e., Bahá’u’lláh), among revealed in the Greatest Name of God. The its distinctions is that He did not leave mystery of worship, the realities of faith, the people in perplexity. He entered into a the principles of conduct and the evolution Covenant and Testament with the people. of justice and order were given the world He appointed a Center of the Covenant.” in innumerable tablets and books at a time "One of the enemies of the Cause,” when in the countries of Islam it was a ‘Abdu’l-Bahá warned, "is he who endeavors capital offense to even possess a copy of His to interpret the Words of Bahá’u’lláh sacred Word. and thereby colors the meaning according From 1892 until 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá led to his capacity, and collects around him a the Baha’i community, guided its develop­ following, forming a different sect, promot­ ment, inspired its efforts,tclarified its teach­ ing his own station and making division in ings, unified its members, and preserved its the Cause.” Acting on this truth, for the spiritual integrity. Released from prison by protection of the unity of the Faith, and to the revolution in Turkey which overthrew symbolize forever the fundamental dif­ the Sultán, Caliph of Islám, ťAbdu’l-Bahá ference between superficial tolerance and traveled from 1911 to 1913 in Egypt, Eu­ oneness of faith, ‘Abdu’l-Báhá Himself ex­ rope, the United States and Canada. D ur­ pelled treacherous persons, including mem­ ing this journey He established the Faith bers of Bahá’u’lláh’s own family, from the of Bahá’u’lláh in the West and brought it Cause. into contact with innumerable public lead­ "He is,” the Guardian has written, "and ers and organizations. The result of this should for all time be regarded, first and unique teaching mission was the enrich­ foremost, as the Center and Pivot of Bahá’- ment of Bahá’í literature by the recorded u’lláh’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, addresses He delivered in Paris, London and His most exalted handiwork, the stainless many cities of North America. Upon the Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar American Bahá’ís, ťAbdu’l-Bahá laid the of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of great responsibility for carrying the Faith His Word . . . . the Ensign of the Most Great to the ends of the world after His earthly Peace.” work had come to an end. Since 1921 the Bahá’í community It was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, likewise, who de­ throughout the world has been unified and veloped the administrative order of the directed by the Guardian, within the ad­ Faith, guiding the progress of the Bahá’ís in ministrative order set forth and established xviii THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY in ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s written Testament. ‘Ab- power of the Faith to assimilate and unify du’l-Bahá provided details for the forma­ diverse peoples has been demonstrated with tion of local, national and Universal Houses ever-increasing might. Nowhere else in the of Justice. He created the Guardianship in world today does there exist any social body a line of succession through His eldest grand­ similar to the unique community which has son, Shoghi Effendi; endowed this office with arisen in response to His call. Spread in sole authority to interpret the Baha’i w rit­ many parts of the world, separated by dif­ ings after His own departure; made the ference of language, custom, tradition and Guardian the presiding officer of the future outlook as well as by the operation of con­ International House of Justice; attributed flicting political and economic policies in to him the payment of the special donation their environment, this community of be­ known as Huquq, and authorized the Guard­ lievers could not be held together by per­ ian to appoint a body to be known as the sonal agreement but by a power which sur­ Hands of the Cause. "The creative energies rounds them and combines them through a released by the Law of Baha’u’lldh, permeat­ superhuman force. ing and evolving within the mind of *Ab- The Bahá’í community feels itself im­ du’l-Bahá, have . . . given birth to an In­ mersed in a spiritual reality which encom­ strument which may be viewed as the passes it as by an invisible but potent atmos­ Charter of the New World Order which is phere or sea. The influence of that sur­ at once the glory and the promise of this rounding spirit makes itself continuously most great Dispensation,” the Guardian ex­ felt, like the virtue of health in a physical plains. organism which adjusts it to pontinuous During the present formative period, growth and development. sacred writings of the Faith have been trans­ The believers think of the teachings of lated into some thirty-five languages, com­ Baha’u’llah not as doctrines but as truths prehensive selections made by the Guardian which come to life in their application to from words of Bahá’u’lláh have been pub­ problems of conduct and human association. lished, works of Baha’i history made avail­ The concept of foreignness or the alien in able, the institutions developed, and the Faith mankind has been replaced by the ideal of carried into thirty or more countries where fellowship. Bahá’u’lláh has given assurance the light had not penetrated in ‘Abdu’l- that the process of destruction now operat­ Bahá’s ministry. In North America, prop­ ing is but the necessary preliminary to the erties have been transferred to Bahd’i trus­ process of construction which will even­ tees for educational activities in Eliot, Maine, tually produce the harmonious coordination Geyserville, California and Pine Valley, of the views and feelings, the interests and Colorado Springs, Colorado, in addition to the institutions, the activities and the aims properties dedicated as memorials to ‘Abdu’l- of all mankind. Bahá in West Englewood, New Jersey and On the foundation of spiritual equality Malden, Massachusetts. A vigorous publish­ before the law and the authority of their ing activity has long been maintained, and Faith, the Baha’is maintain their community local communities founded in more than one worship and activity through local, national hundred cities. The spiritual and administra­ and international institutions which distrib­ tive activities of the American Baha’i com­ ute power and authority in accordance with munity revolve around the impressive House the natural duties and functions of an or­ of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, the super­ dered society. All that pertains to daily structure of which was constructed in 1930 action is assigned to the local Spiritual As­ and 1931, and the exterior ornamentation sembly under the principle of decentraliza­ completed in January, 1943. tion of administrative control. The local communities are coordinated by a National A dm in istra tive O rder Spiritual Assembly elected by delegates The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh expresses itself chosen on the basis of proportionate repre­ through a community and not through a sentation. These National Assemblies in church. Since this Dispensation began, the turn will be the electoral bodies by whom INTRODUCTION XIX the members of an International Assembly, His wholesome medicine can ever restore it.” or House of Justice, will be selected. In —Bahá’u’lláh. the delegation of authority, the source or reservoir of power lies at the Center of the The Writings of Baha’u’llah available in world community, and duties and functions the English language include the following are assigned downward to the progressively titles, with a brief description for the in­ smaller national and local units. This order formation of the seeker: follows inevitably from the fact that the Hidden Words: sayings which summarize whole body of authority was created in and the spiritual truths revealed in past Revela­ through Baha’u’llah and by Him assigned to tions. His ministers and institutions as servants of Seven Valleys and Four Valleys: treatises mankind. Historically, the Bahd’i World on the journey of the soul through the stages Order originated at the Center, unlike those of experience and unfoldment to its recog­ social bodies which develop from local units nition of the divine Friend. and whose central institutions reflect a Kitáb-i-íqán: The "Book of Certitude,” secondary and imperfectly delegated power. interpreting the theme of the oneness of The Baha’i thus realizes himself as part of the revealed Faiths and the station of the a newly-created world, a world raised up by Manifestation of God. God above the tumults of the past, and en­ Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: ad­ dowed with a new destiny which the forces dressed to an implacable enemy of the Faith, of disunity can assail but never destroy. The setting forth Bahá’u’lláh’s suffering and re­ believer need no longer be partisan to the capitulating many of His teachings. titanic struggles of competitive social values, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’1- whether capitalism, communism or state láh: the Guardian’s selection and trans­ socialism, because such conflicts can never lation of one hundred and sixty-five pas­ be resolved. What the world needs, He sages from the body of Bahá’u’lláh’s W rit­ has learned, is a new mind and a new heart. ings. "This Administrative Order,” Shoghi Ef- Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u’lldh: fendi points out, "is fundamentally dif­ the Guardian’s selection and translation of ferent from anything that any Prophet has one hundred and eighty-four passages from previously established, inasmuch as Baha’u’l­ Baha’u’lldh’s Writings pertaining to prayer, lah has flimself revealed its principles, estab­ supplication and the spiritual life. lished its institutions, appointed the person Of works revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the to interpret His Word and conferred the American Bahd’is have available: necessary authority on the body designed Some Answered Questions: His exposi­ to supplement and apply His legislative or­ tion of religious and philosophic questions dinances. Therein lies the secret of its submitted to Him by an American believer strength, its fundamental distinction, and at ‘Akka in 1907. the guarantee against disintegration and The Promulgation of Universal Peace: schism ............. Alone of all the Revelations the text of the public addresses delivered at gone before it, this Faith has, through the Bahá’í gatherings and at public meetings explicit directions, the repeated warnings, in the United States and Canada during His the authenticated safeguards incorporated visit from April to December, 1912. and elaborated in its teachings, succeeded Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha: three volumes in raising a structure which the bewildered of collected letters (Tablets) revealed to followers of bankrupt and broken creeds Baha’i Assemblies, groups and individual be­ might well approach and critically examine, lievers during the early years of the Faith and seek, ere it is too late, the invulnerable in America. security of its world-embracing shelter.” The Bahd’i Peace Program: combining the text of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd’s Tablet to the Com­ Sacred W ritings mittee on Durable Peace, The Hague, and "The vitality of men’s belief in God is His Tablet to the late Dr. Auguste Forel dying out in every land; nothing short of of Switzerland. XX THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY A one-volume collection of the Writings peoples, races, nations and religions of the of BaháVlláh and ‘AbduJ-Bahá has been is­ modern world; war and revolution realized sued under the title of: Bahá’í World Faith. as punishment of human sins and purifica­ The published works of the first Guardian, tion for the blessings of the Day of Justice Shoghi Effendi, include: and Peace. Bahá’í Administration: letters to the The most comprehensive presentation of American Bahá’í community, annual Con­ the activities and progress of the world vention, and National Spiritual Assembly community of Bahá’ís will be found in the outlining the administrative order. successive volumes of The Bahá’í World, The World Order of BaháVlláh: state­ the International Bahá’i biennial record ments on the Faith in relation to the cur­ edited under the Guardian’s supervision. rent period of international struggle and war. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY The Advent of Divine Justice: the signi­ OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE ficance of the teaching mission entrusted to UNITED STATES AND CANADA the American Bahd’is. The Promised Day Is Come: the impact 536 Sheridan Road, of the Revelation of BaháVlláh upon the Wilmette, Illinois. PART ONE D A W N OF T H E BAHA' I REVELATION From N a b i l ’s N a r r a t i v e "' I m m e d i a t e l y after the completion of Mullá Husayn recount to the early believers his forty days’ retirement, Mullá Husayn, the story of the latter’s moving and historic together with his two companions, departed interview with the Báb, has related to me for Najaf. He left Karbilá at night, vis­ the following: “I have heard Mullá Husayn ited the holy shrine at Najaf, and proceeded describe graphically and repeatedly the fol­ directly to Búshihr, on the Persian Gulf. lowing account: The Youth Who met me, There he started on his holy quest after the outside the gates of Shiráz, overwhelmed Beloved of his heart’s desire. There, for me with expressions of affection and loving­ the first time, he inhaled the fragrance of kindness. He extended to me a warm in­ his concealed Beloved, Who for years had vitation to visit His home, and there seek led in that city the life of an ordinary citi­ to refresh myself from the fatigues óf my zen and of a humble merchant. There he journey. I prayed to be excused, pleading perceived the sweet savors of holiness with that my two companions were already ar­ which that Beloved’s countless invocations ranging for my stay in that city, and were and pious worship had so richly impregnated now awaiting my return. He refused to the atmosphere of that city. consider my request, however, and observed He could not, however, tarry any longer saying: ‘Do thou commit them to the care in Búshihr. Drawn as if by a magnet which of God. He will verily protect and watch seemed to attract him irresistibly towards over them.’ He spoke these words, and bade the North, he proceeded to Shiráz. Arriv­ me follow Him. I was profoundly im­ ing at the gates of that city, he instructed pressed by that gentle and yet compelling his brother and his nephew to proceed di­ manner in which that strange Youth spoke rectly to the Masjid of ílMiáni and there to me. As I followed Him, His gait, the to await his coming. He expressed the hope charm of His voice, the dignity of His that, God willing, he would arrive in time bearing, served to enhance my first impres­ to join them in their evening prayer. sions of this unexpected encounter. On that very day, a few hours before “We were soon standing at the gate of sunset, whilst walking outside the gates of a house of modest appearance. He knocked that city, his eyes fell suddenly upon a at the door, which was soon opened by an Youth, wearing a green turban, and of ra­ Ethiopian servant. Entering the house, and diant countenance, Who, advancing towards turning to me He said: ‘Enter therein in him and smilingly gazing at his face, ex­ peace, secure.’ These significant words, u t­ tended to him a most loving welcome. He tered with power and majesty, penetrated embraced Mullá Husayn with tenderness my very soul. I thought it a good augury and affection, and greeted him as if he were to be addressed with such words standing as an intimate and lifelong friend. Mullá I did on the threshold of the first house I Husayn thought Him at first to be a disciple was entering in Shiráz, a city whose very of Siyyid Kázim, who had been informed atmosphere had produced already an in­ of his approach to Shiráz, and who had describable impression upon me. ‘Might not come out to welcome him. * The Dawn-Breakers: N ab il’s Narrative of the Mirzá Ahmad-i-Qazvini, a martyr of the Early Days of the Baha’i Revelation, Translated and Faith, who had on several occasions heard Edited by Shoghi Effendi. 2 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY my visit to this house,’ I thought to myself, wide, in quest of the promised Beloved. I ‘enable me to draw nearer to the Object have accordingly journeyed to Persia, have of my quest? Might it not hasten the ter­ arisen* to accomplish his will, and am still mination of a period of intense longing, of engaged in my quest.’ Thereupon He in­ strenuous search, of increasing anxiety, quired: ‘Has your teacher given you any which such a quest involves’? As I entered detailed indications as to the distinguishing the house, and followed my Host to His features of the promised One?’ ‘Yes,’ I chamber, a feeling of unutterable joy in­ replied. 'He is of a pure lineage, is of illus­ vaded my being. Immediately we wrere trious descent, and of the seed of Fátimih. seated, He ordered a ewer of water to be As to His age, He is more than twenty and brought, and bade me wash away from my less than thirty. He is endowed with innate hands and feet the stains of travel. I knowledge. He is of medium height, ab­ pleaded permission to retire from His pres­ stains from smoking, and is free from bodily ence, and perform my ablutions in an ad­ deficiency.’ He paused for awhile, and then joining room. He refused to grant my re­ with vibrant voice declared: ‘Behold! all quest, and proceeded to pour water over my these signs are manifested in Me!’ He then hands. He then gave me to drink of a considered each of the above-mentioned refreshing beverage. Soon after He asked signs separately, and conclusively demon­ for the samovar and Himself prepared the strated that each and all were applicable to tea which He offered to me. His person. I was greatly surprised, and “Overwhelmed with His acts of extreme politely observed: ‘He Whose advent we kindness, I arose to depart. ‘The time for await is a Man of unsurpassed, holiness, and evening prayer is approaching,’ I ventured the Cause He is to reveal a Cause of tre­ to observe. ‘I have promised my friends to mendous power. Many and divers are the join them at that hour in the Masjid of requirements which He Who claimeth to be Ílldiání.’ With infinite courtesy and calm, its visible embodiment must needs fulfill. He replied: ‘Thou must have surely made How often has Siyyid Kázim referred to thy return at the appointed hour dependent the vastness of the knowledge of the prom­ upon the will and pleasure of God. It seem- ised One, saying: "My own knowledge is eth that His will hath decreed otherwise! but a drop compared with that with which Thou needest have no fear of having broken He has been endowed. All my attainments thy pledge.’ His dignity and self-assurance are but a speck of dust in the face of the silenced me. I renewed my ablutions, and immensity of His knowledge. Nay, immeas­ prepared for prayer. He, too, stood beside urable is the difference!” No sooner had I me, and prayed. Whilst praying, I unbur­ uttered these words, than I found myself dened my soul, which was much oppressed seized with fear and remorse such as I could both with the mystery of this interview and neither conceal nor explain. I bitterly re­ the strain and stress of my search. I proved myself, and resolved at that very breathed this prayer: ‘I have striven, with moment to alter my attitude and to soften all my soul, O my God! and until now have my tone. I vowed that should my Host failed to find Thy promised Messenger. I again refer to the subject, I would, with testify that Thy Word faileth not, and that the utmost humility, answer and say: Thy promise is sure.’ 'Shouldst Thou substantiate Thy claim, “That night, that memorable night, was Thou wouldst most assuredly deliver me the eve of the fifth day of Jamadiyu’l- from the state of anxiety and suspense ‘Avval, of the year 1260 A.H. It was about which so heavily oppress my soul. I shall an hour after sunset, when my youthful truly be indebted to Thee for such deliver­ Host began to converse with me. He first ance.’ When I first started upon my quest, questioned me saying: ‘Who, after Siyyid I determined to regard the following as the Kázim, regard you as his successor and your sole standards whereby I could ascertain leader?’ ‘At the hour of his death,’ I replied, the truth of Whoever might claim to be the ‘our departed teacher insistently exhorted us promised Qa’im. The first was a treatise to forsake our homes, to scatter far and which I had myself composed, bearing upon THE DAWN OF THE B A H A ’I R E V E L A T I O N 3 the abstruse and hidden teachings pro­ standards. Were I to fail to resolve thy per­ pounded by Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Ká­ plexities, could the Reality that shines zim. Whoever seemed to me capable of un­ within Me be regarded as powerless, or My raveling the mysterious allusions made in knowledge be accused as faulty? Nay, by that treatise, to Him I would next submit the righteousness of God! It behoveth in my second request, and would ask Him to this day the peoples and nations of both the reveal, without the least hesitation and re­ East and the West to hasten unto this flection, a commentary on the Súrah of threshold and there to seek to obtain the Joseph, in a style and language entirely reviving grace of the Merciful. Whoso different from the prevailing standards of hesitates, will indeed be in grievous loss! the time. I had previously requested Siyyid Do not the peoples of the earth testify that Kázim, in private, to write a commentary the fundamental purpose of their creation on that same Súrah, which he refused, say­ is the knowledge and adoration of God? It ing: ‘This is verily beyond me. He, that behoveth them to arise, as earnestly and great One, Who cometh after me, will, un­ spontaneously as thou hast arisen, and to seek, asked, reveal it for thee. The commentary with determination and constancy, their which He will write for thee shall constitute promised Beloved.’ He then proceeded to one of the weightiest testimonies to His say: ‘Now is the time to reveal the com­ truth, and one of the clearest evidences of mentary on the Súrah of Joseph.’ He took the loftiness of His position/ up His pen, and with incredible rapidity “I was revolving these things in my mind, revealed the entire Súrah of Mulk, the first when my distinguished Host again re­ section of His commentary on the Súrah of marked: ‘Observe attentively. Might not Joseph. The overpowering effect of the the Person intended by Siyyid Kázim be manner in which He wrote was heightened none other than Me?’ I thereupon felt im­ by the gentle intonation of His voice which pelled to present to Him a copy of the accompanied His writing. Not for one mo­ treatise which I had with me, and requested ment did He interrupt the flow of the verses Him saying: 'I pray Thee to read this book which streamed from His pen. Not once of mine, and to look at its pages with indul­ did He pause till the Súrah of Mulk was gent eyes. I beg Thee to overlook my finished. I sat enraptured by the magic of weaknesses and failings.’ He graciously His voice and the sweeping force of His complied with my wish. He held the book revelation. At last, I reluctantly rose from in His hands, opened it, glanced at certain my seat, and begged leave to depart. He passages, closed it, and began to address me. smilingly bade me be seated, and said: ‘If Within a few minutes He had, with char­ thou leavest in such a state, whosoever shall acteristic vigor and charm, unraveled all observe thee will assuredly say, "This poor its mysteries and resolved all its problems! youth hath lost his mind.” ’ At that moment, Having to my entire satisfaction accom­ the clock registered two hours and eleven plished, in so short a time, the tasks I had minutes after sunset. That night, the eve expected Him to perform, He further ex­ of the fifth day of Jámádíyu’l-‘Avval, of pounded to me certain truths which could the year 1260 A.H., corresponded with the be found neither in the reported sayings eve of the sixty-sixth day after Naw-rúz, of the Imams of the Faith nor in the w rit­ which was also the eve of the sixth day of ing of Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim. Khurdád, of the year Nahang. ‘This night,’ These truths, of which I had never heard He declared, ‘this very hour, will, in the before, seemed to be endowed with refresh­ days to come, be celebrated as one of the ing vividness and singular power. He then greatest and most significant of all festivals. observed: ‘Wert thou not My guest, thy Do tliou render thanks unto God for hav­ position would indeed be a grievous one. ing graciously assisted thee to attain thine The all-encompassing grace of God hath heart’s desire, and for having quaffed from saved thee. It is for God to test His ser­ the sealed wine of His utterance. Well is vants, and not for His servants to judge it with them that attain thereunto!’ Him in accordance with their deficient “At the third hour after sunset, my Host 4 THE BAHÁ1 CENTENARY ordered the dinner to be served. That same what His creatures affirm of Him! And Ethiopian servant appeared again, and peace be upon His messengers! And praise spread before us the best and choicest food. be to God, the Lord of all beings!’ That holy repast refreshed alike my body “He then addressed me these words: ‘O and soul. In the presence of my Host, at thou who art the first to believe in Me! that hour, I felt as though I were feeding Verily, I say: I am the Báb, the Gate of upon fruits of Paradise. I could not but God, and thou art the Bábu’l-Báb, the gate marvel at the manners, and the devoted of that Gate. Eighteen souls must, in the attentions of that Ethiopian servant, whose beginning, spontaneously and of their own very life seemed to have been transformed by accord, accept Me and recognize the truth the regenerating influence of his Master. I of My Revelation. Unwarned and unin­ then, for the first time, recognized the secret vited, each of these must seek independently and significance of this well-known and to find me. And when their number is sacred tradition ascribed to Muhammad: completed, one of them must needs be 'I have prepared for the godly and righteous chosen by Me, who will accompany Me among My servants what eye hath seen not, on My pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. ear heard not, nor human heart conceived.’ There I shall deliver the Message of God Had that youthful Host of mine no other to the Sharif of Mecca. I will then return claim to greatness, this were sufficient— to Kúfih, where again, in the Masjid of that that He received me with the quality of holy city, I shall manifest His Cause. It is hospitality and loving-kindness which no incumbent upon thee not to divulge, neither other human being could show. to thy companions nor to any other soul, “I sat spell-bound by His utterance, for­ that which thou hast seen and heard. Be getful of time and of those who awaited thou engaged in the Masjid of ílkháni in me. Suddenly, the call of the Muadhdhin, prayer and teaching. I too will there join who was summoning the faithful to their thee in congregational prayer. Beware, lest morning prayers, awakened me from the thy attitude towards Me betray the secret state of ecstasy into which I seemed to have of thy faith. Thou shouldst continue in fallen. All the delights, all the ineffable this occupation and maintain- this attitude, glories, which the Almighty has recounted until Our departure for Hijáz. Ere we in His Book as the priceless possessions of depart, We shall appoint unto each of the the people of Paradise, these I seemed to be eighteen souls their special mission, and will experiencing that night. Methinks, I was send them forth to accomplish their task. in a place of which it could be truly said: We will instruct them to teach the Word ‘Therein no toil shall reach us, and therein of God, and to quicken the souls of men.’ no weariness shall touch us’; ‘No vain dis­ Having spoken these words to me, He per­ course shall they hear therein, nor any false­ mitted me to retire. He accompanied me hood, but only the cry, “Peace! Peace!” ; to the door of the house, and committed Their cry therein shall be, "Glory be to me to the care of God. Thee, O God!” and their salutation “This Revelation, so suddenly and im­ therein, “Peace!” And the close of their petuously thrust upon me, came as a thun­ cry, “Praise be to God, Lord of all derbolt which, for a time, seemed to be­ creatures!” ’ numb my faculties. I was blinded by its “Sleep had departed from me that night. dazzling splendor, and overwhelmed by its I was enthralled by the music of that voice crushing force. Excitement, joy, awe, and which rose and fell as He chanted, now wonder, stirred the depths of my soul. Pre­ swelling forth as He revealed verses of the dominant among them was a sense of glad­ ‘Qay-yrnnu’l-Asma,’ again acquiring ethe­ ness and strength that seemed to have trans­ real subtle harmonies as He uttered the figured me. How feeble and impotent, how prayers which He was revealing. At the dejected and timid, I had previously felt! end of each of the communes He revealed, Then I could neither write nor walk, so He would repeat this verse: ‘Far from the tremulous were my hands and feet. Now, glory of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, be however, the knowledge of His Revelation THE DAWN OF THE BA H Á ’Í REVELATION 5 had galvanized my being. I felt possessed sonified, calling unto all mankind: ‘Awake, of such courage and power, that were the for lo! the morning Light has broken. Arise, world, all its peoples and its potentates, for His Cause is made manifest. The Por­ to arise against me, I would, alone and tal of His grace is open wide. undaunted, resist them! The universe " 'Enter ye therein, O ye people of the seemed but a handful of dust in my grasp! world! For He, Who is your promised One, I seemed to be the Voice of Gabriel per­ is come!5” MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB From N abil’s Narrative T h e tale of the tragedy that marked the Sháh. To do Him to death seemed to that closing stages of the Nayriz upheaval spread foolish minister the most efficacious means over the length and breadth of Persia and for the recovery of his country from kindled a startling enthusiasm in the hearts the shame into which he thought it had of those who heard it. It plunged the au­ sunk. thorities of the capital into consternation Bestirred to action, he summoned his and nerved them to a resolve of despair. counsellors, shared with them his fears and The Amír-Nizám, the Grand Vazir of his hopes, and acquainted them with the NásirPd-Dín Sháh, was particularly over­ nature of his plans. "Behold,” he exclaimed, awed by these recurrent manifestations of an “the storm which the Faith of the Siyyid-iindomitable will, of a fierce and inflexible Báb has provoked in the hearts of my fel­ tenacity of faith. Though the forces of the low-countrymen! Nothing short of his pub­ Imperial army had everywhere triumphed, lic execution can, in my mind, enable this though the companions of Mullá Husayn distracted country to recover its tranquillity and Vahid had successively been mowed and peace. Who dare compute the forces down in a ruthless carnage at the hands of that have perished in the course of the en­ its officers, yet to the shrewd minds of the gagements at Shaykh Tabarsi? Who can es­ rulers of Tihrán it was clear and evident timate the efforts exerted to secure that that the spirit responsible for so rare a hero­ victory? No sooner had the mischief that ism was by no means vanquished, that its convulsed Mázindarán been suppressed, than might was far from broken. The loyalty the flames of another sedition blazed forth which the remnants of that scattered band in the province of Fárs, bringing in its wake bore to their captive Leader still remained so much suffering to my people. We had unimpaired. Nothing had as yet been suc­ no sooner succeeded in quelling the revolt cessful, despite the appalling losses they had that had ravaged the south, than another sustained, in sapping that loyalty or in un­ insurrection breaks out in the north, sweep­ dermining that faith. Far from being ex­ ing in its vortex Zanján and its surround­ tinguished that spirit had blazed more in­ ings. If you are able to advise a remedy, tense and devastating than ever. Galled by acquaint me, for my sole purpose is to the memory of the indignities they had suf­ insure the peace and honor of my country­ fered, that persecuted band clung ever more men.” passionately to its Faith and looked with Not a single voice dared venture a reply, increasing fervor and hope to its Leader. except Mirzá Áqá |Gián-i-Núrí, the Minis­ Above all He Who had kindled that flame ter of War, who pleaded that to put to and nourished that spirit was still alive, and, death a banished Siyyid for the deeds com­ despite His isolation, was able to exercise mitted by a band of irresponsible agitators the full measure of His influence. Even a would be an act of manifest cruelty. He sleepless vigilance had been powerless to stem recalled the example of the late Muhammad the tide that had swept over the entire face Sháh whose invariable practice was to dis­ of the land, and which ‘had as its motive regard the base calumnies the enemies of force the continued existence of the Báb. that Siyyid brought continually to his at­ Extinguish that light, choke the stream at tention. The Amír-Nizám was sorely dis­ its very source, and the torrent that had pleased. "Such considerations,” he protested, brought so much devastation in its way, "are wholly irrelevant to the issue with would run dry. Such was the thought that which we are faced. The interests of the swayed the Grand Vazir of Nasiri’d-Din State are in jeopardy, and we can in no MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB Views of the town and ruins of the castle of Máh-Kú, Ádhirbáyján, Persia, where the Báb was confined. 8 THE BA H Á ’Í CENTENARY wise tolerate these periodic upheavals. Was I was then in Qum, together with a certain not the Imám Husayn, in view of the para­ Sádiq-i-Tabrízí, whom Mírzá Ahmad had mount necessity for safeguarding the unity sent to fetch me from Zarand. I was living of the State, executed by those same per­ in the same house with Mírzá Ahmad, a sons who had seen him more than once house which he had hired in the Bágh-Panreceive marks of exceptional affection from bih quarter. In those days Shaykh ‘Azim, Muhammad, his Grandfather? Did they not Siyyid Ismá‘íl and a number of other com­ in such circumstances refuse to consider the panions likewise were dwelling with us. rights which his lineage had conferred upon Mullá Báqir delivered the trust into the him? Nothing short of the remedy I advo­ hands of Mírzá Ahmad who, at the insist­ cate can uproot this evil and bring us the ence of Shaykh ‘Azim, opened it before peace for which we long.,, us. We marvelled when we beheld among Disregarding the advice of his counsellor, the things which that coffer contained a the Amír-Nizám dispatched his orders to scroll of blue paper, of the most delicate Navváb Hamzih Mírzá, the governor of texture, on which the Báb, in His own ex­ Ádhirbáyján, who was distinguished among quisite handwriting, which was a fine the princes of royal blood for his kind- shikastih script, had penned, in the form of heartedness and rectitude of conduct, to a pentacle, what numbered about five hun­ summon the Báb to Tabriz. He was care­ dred verses, all consisting of derivatives ful not to divulge to the Prince his real from the word Bahá.2 That scroll was in a purpose. state of perfect preservation, was spotlessly The Navváb, assuming that the inten­ clean, and gave the impressiqn at first sight tion of the minister was to enable his of being a printed rather than a written Captive to return to His home, immedi­ page. So fine and intricate was the penman­ ately directed one of his trusted officers, to­ ship that viewed from a distance the w rit­ gether with a mounted escort, to proceed ing appeared as a single wash of ink on the to Chihriq, where the Báb still lay confined, paper. We were overcome with admiration and to bring Him back to Tabriz. He rec­ as we gazed upon a masterpiece which no ommended Him to their care, urging them calligraphist, we believed, could rival. That to exercise towards Him the utmost con­ scroll was replaced in the coffer and handed sideration. back to Mírzá Ahmad, who, on the very Forty days before the arrival of that of­ day he received it, proceeded to Tihrán. Ere ficer at Chihriq, the Báb collected all the he departed he informed us that all he could documents and Tablets in His possession divulge of that letter was the instruction and, placing them with His pen-case, His that the trust was to be delivered into the seals, and agate rings, into a coffer, en­ hands of Jináb-i-Bahá3 in Tihrán.4 As to trusted them to the care of Mullá Báqir, one me I was instructed by Mírzá Ahmad to of the Letters of the Living. To him He 2 According to "A Traveller’s Narrative” (p. 42), also delivered a letter addressed to Mírzá the Báb had produced no less than three hundred and Ahmad, His amanuensis, in which He en­ sixty derivatives from the word "Bahá.” closed the key of that coffer. He urged him 3 Title by which Bahá’u’lláh was designated in to take the utmost care of that trust, em­ those days. 4 "The end of the Báb’s earthly Manifestation is phasized the sacredness of its character, and now close upon us. He knew it himself before the bade him conceal its contents from anyone event, and was not displeased at the presentiment. He except Mírzá Ahmad. had already 'set his house in order,’ as regards the Mullá Báqir departed forthwith for spiritual affairs of the Bábi community, which he Qazvin. Within eighteen days he had reached had, if I mistake not, confided to the intuitive wis­ dom of Bahá’u’lláh . . . It is impossible not to feel that town and was informed that Mírzá that this is far more probable than the view which Ahmad had departed for Qum. He left im­ makes Subh-i-Azal the custodian of the sacred w rit­ mediately for that destination and arrived ings and the arranger of a resting-place for the toward the middle of the month of Shaťbán.a sacred remains. I much fear that the Azalis have manipulated tradition in the interest of their party.” (Dr. T. K. Cheyne’s "The Reconciliation of Races 1 June 12-July 11, 1850 A.D. and Religions,” p. 656 .) MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB 9 proceed to Zarand and join my father who of the rooms of the barracks. He moreover was anxiously awaiting my return. directed Sám Khán to despatch ten of his Faithful to the instructions he had re­ men to guard the entrance of the room in ceived from Navváb Hamzih Mí rzá, that which He was to be confined. officer conducted the Báb to Tabriz and Deprived of His turban and sash, the showed Him the utmost respect and con­ twin emblems of His noble lineage, the Báb, sideration. The Prince had instructed one of together with Siyyid Husayn His amanuen­ his friends to accommodate Him in his home sis, was driven to yet another confinement and to treat Him with extreme deference. which He well knew was but a step further Three days after the Báb’s arrival, a fresh on the way leading Him to the goal he had order was received from the Grand Vazir set Himself to attain. That day witnessed commanding the Prince to carry out the ex­ a tremendous commotion in the city of ecution of his Prisoner on the very day Tabriz. The great convulsion associated in the farmán would reach him. Whoever the ideas of its inhabitants with the Day would profess himself as His follower was of Judgment seemed at last to have come likewise to be condemned to death. The upon them. Never had that city experienced Armenian regiment of Urúmíyyih, whose a turmoil so fierce and so mysterious as the colonel was Sám Khán, was ordered to shoot one which seized its inhabitants on the day Him, in the courtyard of the barracks of the Báb was led to that place which was Tabriz, which was situated in the center of to be the scene of His martyrdom. As He the city. approached the courtyard of the barracks a The Prince expressed his consternation to youth suddenly leaped forward who, in his the bearer of the farmán, Mírzá Hasan eagerness to overtake Him, had forced his íGián, the Vazír-Nizám and brother of the way through the crowd, utterly ignoring Grand Vazir. "The Amir,” he told him, the risks and perils which such an attempt "would do better to entrust me with services might involve. His face was haggard, his of greater merit than the one with which feet were bare, and his hair dishevelled. he has now commissioned me. The task I Breathless with excitement and exhausted am called upon to perform is a task that with fatigue, he flung himself at the feet of only ignoble people would accept. I am the Báb and, seizing the hem of His gar­ neither Ibn-i-Ziyád nor Ibn-i-Sa'd1 that he ment, passionately implored Him: "Send me should call upon me to slay an innocent de­ not from Thee, O Master. Wherever Thou scendant of the Prophet of God.” Mírzá goest, suffer me to follow Thee.” "Muham- Hasan Khán reported these sayings of the mad-‘Ali,” answered the Báb, "arise, and Prince to his brother who, thereupon or­ rest assured that you will be with me.2 To­ dered him to follow himself, without delay morrow you shall witness what God has de­ and in their entirety, the instructions he creed.” Two other companions, unable to had already given. "Relieve us,” the Vazir contain themselves, rushed forward and as­ urged his brother, "from this anxiety that sured Him of their unalterable loyalty. weighs upon our hearts, and let this affair These together with Mírzá Muhammadbe brought to an end ere the month of ‘Alíy-i-Zunúzí, were seized and placed in Ramadán breaks upon us, that we may enter the same cell in which the Báb and Siyyid the period of fasting with undisturbed tran­ Husayn were confined. quillity.” Mírzá Hasan JGián attempted to I have heard Siyyid Husayn bear witness acquaint the Prince with these fresh in­ to the following: "That night the face of structions, but failed in his efforts, as the the Báb was aglow with joy, a joy such as Prince, pretending to be ill, refused to meet had never shone from His countenance. Inhim. Undeterred by this refusal, he issued his instructipns for the immediate transfer 2 "It is no doubt a singular coincidence that both of the Báb and those in His company from *Ali-Muhammad and Jesus Christ are reported to have addressed these words to a disciple: 'To-day thou the house in which He was staying to one shalt be with me in Paradise.’ ” (Dr. T. K. Cheyne’s "The Reconciliation of Races 1 Persecutors of the descendants of Muhammad. and Religions,” p. 18 5.) 10 THE B A H Á ’Í CENTENARY different to the storm that raged about ered into the presence of the mujtahids he Him, He conversed with us with gaiety and was repeatedly urged, in view of the po­ cheerfulness. The sorrows that had weighed sition which his stepfather, Siyyid ‘Aliy-iso heavily upon Him seemed to have com­ Zunúzí, occupied, to recant his faith. pletely vanished. Their weight appeared to "Never,” he exclaimed, "will I renounce my have dissolved in the consciousness of ap­ Master. He is the essence of my faith, and proaching victory. 'Tomorrow/ He said to the object of my truest adoration. In Him us, 'will be the day of my martyrdom. I have found my paradise, and in the ob­ Would that one of you would now arise servance of His law I recognize the ark of and, with his own hands, end my life. I my salvation.” "Hold your peace,” thun­ prefer to be slain by the hand of a friend dered Mullá Muhammad-i-Mámáqání, be­ rather than that of the enemy/ Tears rained fore whom that youth was brought, "Such from our eyes as we heard Him express that words betray your madness; I can well ex­ wish. We shrank, however, at the thought cuse the words for which you are not re­ of taking away with our own hands so sponsible.” "I am not mad,” he retorted, precious a life. We refused and remained "Such a charge should rather be brought silent. Mírzá Muhammad-‘Ali suddenly against you who have sentenced to death a sprang to his feet and announced himself man no less holy than the promised Qá’im. ready to obey whatever the Báb would de­ He is not a fool who has embraced His sire. 'This same youth who has risen to Faith and is longing to shed his blood in comply with my wish/ the Báb declared, as His path.” soon as we had intervened and forced The Báb was, in His