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 World: Volume 01 (1925-1926), New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1926, bahai-library.com. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── BAHA~:YEAR BOOK VOLUME ONE 'ILBDU'L-BAHA 'Abdu'l-MahB, for forty years a W s o n e r in Palestine, because of raising the Standard of the "Most Great Peace." YEAR BOOK Prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly of the E a ~ b ' i sOF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA with the approval of SHOCHIE F F E N ~ . BAH A' I PUBLISHING TRUST Wilrnette, Illinois Copyright, 1926, by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada. Reprinted 1980 Printed in the United States of America CONTENTS PART O N E PAGE "0 A ~ m yof Life!" ~ ~ . . ~ - ~ . ~ ~ ~ 12 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - - - . . . . . A Statement of the Purpose and Principles of the Baha'i Faith .....----_---- Outline of Baha'i History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Passing of 'Abduql-BahL - ~ ~ . . ~ . ~ - - - - ~ ~ 19 - - - . . - - . . . . . - - - - PART TWO Extracts from BahB'i Sacred Writings _.._._----.--.--..-....-..--..-. 35 A Statement on Present-day Administration of the BahL'i Cause.----------- 45 Baha'i Calendar and Festivals --.-.-.-------...-----..-.--..--.---------- 56 The a s h r i q u - A d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Brief History of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkPr in America -._-.-----.-----------.-- Extracts from Mashriqu'l-AdhMr Report __-...--.--...------.--.... 71 The Mashriqu'l-AdhMr of 'IshqPbid _..-.--------..---..---------.---.. 79 Impressions of Haifa -....-...... -.--..----------- 81 - - . . . . . a n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Old and New Paths a t Green Acre -_.--..-----.--.-..-.---...-------..-..- 87 1 Unity Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 PART THREE National Spiritual Assemblies 101 Leading Local BahL'i Centers-__-___--.-.--.-----------.--..------.-.-.-- 101 Baha'i Periodicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Bibliography __.__-.--_...-.__._---...------------.--.--....----.---- 105 References to the BahB'i Movement .....----------..------.---.--.---.---- 115 European and American Cities Visited by 'Abdu'l-BahP --..-..-.--.--.----.- 130 Transliteration of Oriental Terms Frequently Used,in Baha'i Literature._---- 131 Dr. J . E. Esslemont _-___---.-.___...-.-.-..-.----.----..--..-.--..---. 133 PART FOUR The Relation of the BahL'i Cause to Modern Progressive Movements__.._-_- 139 The Unity of Civilization --..----.---.-----.--------.----....--..--.----141 Equality of Men and Women -------.-..-.+.---..--.--.-..-----.-..-----.- 147 Esperanto and the BahL'i Teachings ----__-__-.---.-.-..-...--...-..-..- 153 Unity of Religions ------.....--__._-.----..-..---.---.-----.-..------..-167 Science and Religion -.-.-.--...-----------..-------------....-..----.-.-160 Universal Education .----_.....-_._------.--------.--------..-.------.. 163 Racial Amity -__._-----._..-.__---------.-----..-..---...--.-.-....-- 165 The Economic Teaching of 'Abdu'l-Bah6 __._-_--....-----.-..-.--.---.-... 170 World Peace -..-_.-----_-_..._-.--------------..--.-------.. 173 NOTE: T,he editors regret that a few Oriental words and proper names appear with different spellings throughout the Year Book due to the fact that certain articles were written before the Oxford standard transliteration was adopted by the BaG'is. Also in other ways there has been no attempt to bring up to date the compilation of material, some of which covered a period of many years. PAGE 'Abdul-BahL ........................................................ Fromntispiece Original house occupied by the BLb.......................................... 16 Avenue in Haifa leading to Mt. C a m e l ....................................... 22 Group of BahB'ir in Baghdad, Iraq .......................................... 34 BahB'i Assmbly of Part Said, Egypt .................................... 44 Delegates and friends attending Convention a t Green Acre, Maine.............. 52 The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar ... . 58 Mr. Bourgeois' house-studio-exterior and interior ............................ 76 Terraced descent from Tomb of the B i b and 'Abdu'l-BahB..................... 82 . BabA'is of Kunjangun. India................................................ 86 Fellowship house and tea house a t Green Acre, Maine.......................... 90 Peace flag-raising a t Green Acre and view of grounds. ............. ........... 92 Floral emblem sent M ~ j o rImbrie. . ... 100 BahB7i students a t Beirut University........................................ 104 Jenab'i-Fadil a t Santa Paula, California.................................... 106 Boys' 'school a t 'IshqBbad, E u s i a ........................................... 110 Girls' school a t 'Ishq&b&d, Rumia............................................116 Annual Feast a t West Englewood, New Jersey ................................ 120 BahB'i Feast given Miss Alexander a t Seoul, Korea. Buddhist College students a t Seoul ................................................................ 122 Baha'i Messxge carried to Alaska ............................................ 124 BahA'i teachers in Australia and New Zealand ................................ 126 Mi,as Effie Baker of Melbourne, Australia ..................................... 128 Dr. J. E. Esslemont .......................................................132 Conference of Living Religions a t London in 1924 ............................. 138 Dr. and Mrs. K. M. Foujdar of Bombay, India ................................ 148 Esperanto students, Tokyo, Japan ........................................... 156 Baha'i Orphanage a t Tokyo, Japan ..........................................168 To SHOGHI EFFENDI Guardian of the BahB'i Cause this work is dedicated in hope that it will assist his efforts to promote that spiritual unity underlying and anticipating the "Most Great Peace" of BAHA'U'LLAH INTRODUCTION D URING February, 1924, the suggestion was made to Shoghi Effendi that the time seemed opportune for the organization of a committee of BahB'i editors, chosen from the Orient, Europe and America, to gather together the necessary data, facts, and other information for an annual reference book on the Bahd'i Cause. During the eighty years that have passed since the announcement of the Bib, the movement has penetrated into many countries and made an indelible impression upon the thoughts of the age. If all the activities of the Bahi'is could be gathered together, and the work of the Cause be properly edited each year, the result, it was felt, would be to advance the unified thought and action of the adherents of the Faith and disclose to others something of the signiiicance of the world-wide movement called into being by the message of BahB'u'UPh. As the result of that suggestion, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of the United States and Canada was requested, pending the formation of an international board of Bahi'i editors, to assume responsibility for the work. The editors appointed by that body present this first Bahb'i Year Book in full knowledge that it falls all too short of the ideal. They request its readers to accept the book merely as a preliminary forecast and simple working model of an annual BahA'i work of reference the facilities for which can be developed as time goes on. Particularly do they regret the unavoidable emphasis placed upon the activities of the BaWis in the,United States and Canada in comparison with those of other countries. I n future issues of the Year Book equal emphasis can be secured through closer co-operation with the other National Spiritual Assemblies than could be asked for or received in the brief space of time at the disposal of the editors this year. Sympathizers with the ideals of the movement are asked to give special attention :o Part Four, consisting of a series of contributed articles on those universal principles promulgated so lucidly by 'Ahdu'l-BahA and already generally accepted as the indications and proofs of a new day stirring in the heart of mankind. I t is hoped that this section of the Bahi'i Year Book will develop into a true review and analysis of world events from a spiritual point of view-an interpretation surely most desirable and helpful to students and workers in all fields. Suggestions and assistance leading to improvements in future volumes of the Year Book will he heartily welcomed from any source, particularly from the various National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahl'i world. Correspondence on the subject should he addressed to Year Book Committee, care National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of the United States and Cannda, 48 West 10th Street, New York, N . Y., U . S. A. NELLIE S. FRFNCH, MARIAMHANEY, HORACE HOLLEY, CHARLES MASON REMEY, ALBERT WINDUST, Editors. PART ONE 1. "0 Army of Life !" 11. A Statement of the Purpose and Principles of the BahP'i Faith. 111. Outline of BahL'i History. IV. Passing of 'Abdu'l-BahL. worship stars of faded splendor and have turned in prayer unto darkened horizons. Both have utterly neglected the broad foundation of God's sacred laws, and have grown unmindful of the merits and virtues of His religion. They have regarded certain customs and conventions a s the immutable basis of the Divine Faith, and have firmly established themselves therein. They have imagined Q~hemselvesas having attained the glorious pinnacle of achievement and prosperity when in reality they have touched the innermost depths of heedleness and deprived themselves wholly of God's bountiful gifts. The corner-stone of the Religion of God is the acquisition of the Divine perfections and the sharing in His manifold bestowals. The essential purpose of Faith and Belief is to ennoble the inner being of man with the outpourings of grace from on high. If this be not attained, i t is indeed deprivation itself. I t is the torment of infernal fire. Wherefore i t is incumbent upon all Baha'is to ponder this very delicate and vital matter i n .iheir hearts, .that, unlike other religions, they may not content themselves with the noise, the clamor, the hollowness of religious doctrine. Nay, rather they should exemplify in every aspect of their lives those attributes and virtues that are born of God and should arise to distinguish themselves by their goodly behaviour. They should justify their claim to be BahP'is by deeds and not by name. He is a true BahS'i who strives by day and by night to progress and advance along the path of human endeavor, whose most cherished desire is so to live and act as to enrich and illuminate the world, whose source of inspiration is the essence of Divine virtue, whose aim in life is so to conduct himself as to be the cause of infinite progress. Only when he attains unto such perfect gifts can i t be said of him that he is a true Bahi'i. For in this holy Dispensation, the crowning glory of bygone ages and cycles, true Faith is no mere acknowledgment of the Unity of God, but rather the living of a life that will manifest all the perfections and virtues implied in such belief. . . . 'ABDU'L-BAHA. PART ONE A STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE AND PRINCIPLES OF THE BAHPf FAITH " The source of all learning is the knowledge o f God, exalted be His glory! and this cannot be attained save through the knowledge of His divine Manif estation!'-BAHA'U'LLAH. OR more than eighty years, the llBh bestowed upon humanity a per- F BahB'i Cause has been steadfastly fect model and criterion of truth, presented to the world as the expres- first, in His own life, then in His sion for ithis age of the same univer- written teachings. The life of Basal Spirit which in other ages spoke h&'u'll&h shows f o ~ t the h same provithrough Zo~roaster, Muhammed, the dential destiny as the lives of those Buddha, Moses, Christ, one Divine Manifestations who arose in ancient utterance and continuous purpose, and hater times. I t was the same vicgiving forth one and the same tory of the Spirit beset by ignorance message, albeit adapted to the con- and hate; the same sacrifice, the ditions and human capacities of each same glory. But BahB'u'llPh was not time. In Bahi'u'llBh, according rto slain nor prevented from giving His His explicit text, the Message of God full message. The written text surhas been revealed to mankind in its viving Him guides the faithful folfullness and universality, and the lower into all truth. BahB'i Cause accordingly represents The utterances of BahL'u'llfih conthe fulfillment of that which was but veys the spirit of religion throughplartially revealed in previous dis- out the circle of the experiences of pensations. life. They enlarge the area of re- The objects of the BahC'i Cause ligion to include reality in all its are identical with the true objects of forms. From bhem we derive sciall revealed religion: to raise man ence, philosophy and tea~hingson from the earthly to the heavenly con- economic and governmental probdition; to subs~titutespiritual laws lems, as well as ethics and methods an8d kealities for natural laws and of spiritual purification and attainrealities operating in the darkness of menit. unfaith; to initiate a new age and "BahL'u'llLh taught," writes Dr. era of progress and atitainment in J. E. Esslemont, "that the Prophet, the world of mind; to transform civ- or 'Manifestation of God,' is the ilization into the glory of the Icing- Light-bringer of the spiritual world, .dom-but what has been partially ais the sun i.s the lighbbringer of the revealed is now made complete and nahural world. Just as the marterial what has been cherished as We se- sun shines over the earth and causes cret experience of a few souls is now the growth and development of mateestablished as the determining power rial organisms, so also, through the molding the life of the world. Divine Manifestation, the Sun of To achieve these objects, Bahfi'u'. Truth shines upon the world of heart 14 ~ A ~ i i YEAR 'f BOOK and soul, and educates the thoughts, That which the Bahb'i Cause eonmorals and charadters of men. And tains not revealed in any existing rejust as the rays of the natural sun ligion is the principle of the Oneness have an influence which penetrates of Mankind. into the darkest and shadiest corners I t is in the light of this principle uf the world, givina warmth and life that all the BahB'i writings are to be even to creatures that have never viewed and the purpose of thils Moveseen the sun ibself, so also, the out- ment considerea. hat a spiritual pouring of the Holy Spirik through Power has been breathed into the the Manifestation of God influences soul of humaniky in this age which the lives of all, and inspires receptive shall remove all causes of difference, minds even in places and among peo- misunderskan'ding, discord and disples where the name of the Prophet agreement--causes resident in cusis quite unknown. The advent of the toms and institutions as well as in Manifestation is like the coming of personal opinions and emotionsthe Spring. I t is a day of resurrec- and establish the means and meithods tion in which the spiritually dead are as well as the desire of unity-is of l~aisedto new life, in which the Real- the essence of the BahB'i teaching ity of the Divine Religions is renewed and faith. The rapidly alkering charand re-established, in which appear acter of human life throughout the 'new heavens and a new earth! world is one of the prmfs of the mis- "But, in the world of nature, the sion of BahPu'llBh. Spring brings about not only the The principle of oneness involves growth and awakening of new life, so many rea~djustments,mental, SO- but also the destruction and removal cia1 and spiritual, that the wars and of the old and effete; for the same strifes of these latter times have been sun, that makes the flowers to spring inevitable. In the life and writings and the trees to bud, causes also the of 'Abdu'l-BahB we have the supreme decay and disintegration of what is efforlt to prepare humanity for the dead and ufieless; it loosens the ice understanding of BahA'u'llBh and the and melts the snow of winter, and power manifest in Him. 'Abdu'lsats free the flood and the storm BahB gave to BahA'u'llBh's message that cleanse and purify the earth. So an initerpretation directly and immeis it also in the spiritual world. The diately applying to the nature of spiritual sunshine causes similar those readjuskments. The interprecommotion and change. Thus the tation is one with the message, as Day of Resurrection is also the Day the sunlight is one with the sun. of Judgment, in which corruptions 'Abdu'l-BahB has revealed the sigi and imitations of the truth and out- nificansce of the Bahs'i Cause in setworn ideas and customs are discard- ting forth the following Principles: ed and destroyed, in which the ice and snow of prejudice and supersti- 1. Unfettered search afker truth Ition, which accumulated during the and the abandonment of all superstiseason of winter, are melted and tion and prejudice. transformed, and energies long fro- 2. The Oneness of Mankind: all zen and pent up are released to flood are "leaves of one tree, flowers in one and renovate the world!' gaxden." Religion renews the spirit of faith 3. Religion musst be a cause of and confirms the ideals of the pre- love and harmony, else it is no revious Prophets and Messengers; but ligion. Religion also progresses and in each 4. All religions are one in their cycle disclosw a new aspeot of truth. fundamental principles. OUTLINE OF B A H ~ 'HISTORY ~ 15 5. Religion must conform with ment and cqual rights and privileges science. Faith hnd reason must be for both sexes. in full aocord. 10. Work for all : no idle rich and 6. Universal Peace: the establish- no idle poor. "Work in the spirit of mel~tof universal League of Nations, service is worship." of international arbitrlion and an 11. Abolition of exkemes of pov- International Parliament. erty and wealth: care for the needy. 7. The adoption of an auxiliary 12. Recogniltion of the Unity of internakional language which shall God and obedience to His commands be taught in all the schools of the as revealed through His Divine Manworld. if estations. The history of the Bah6'i Cause, 8. Compul~soryeducation especial- mirroring as it does the spiritual hisly for girls, who will be the mothers tory of modern times, confirms these and the fir& educators of the next principles and shows how they have generation. permeated the minds and hearts of 9. Equ'al opporkunities of develop- its followers throughout the world. OUTLINE OF BAHA'f HISTORY T HE history of the past eighty Cause they assume perfect order and years makes a startling record of fullness of meaning. momentous ements, radical changes The day will surely come when hisand new world issues emerging ap- torians, working in the light of the parently without definite order and life and teachings of BahB'u'll&h, meaning, capable of many conflict- will produce the true and complete ing interprebations. But if one ob- narrative of these significant years, serves how action is expressive of a narrative coordinating the visible thought, lhow thought is move~dby events with their subtler causes, and will and desire, and how will and de- bringing into unity the mental and sire are formed by the quality of the moral as well as social issues inpersonal or group understanding, it volved. Meanwhile, )the dimplest will become evidenit that an era so statement recording the conditions profoundly aative in d l direatiom under which the Bah2i Movement an~don all planes can only be ac- was horn and developed will be deepcounted for by the presence of some ly moving to those who would know Influence felt in the very soul of the life as the pathway to Gold. world. To read this record aright, one The history of the Bah8'i Cause is must discern the fruit latent in the the explanation of this influence- seed and shaping in the bud. Withits swift movement and penetration out BaM'u'llf+h, the episode of the from the heights to the depbhs of Bhb hals no lasting rasult or outaome; humanity. The BahL'i Cause is more wibhout 'Abdu'l-BahB, the influence than an incident in history ;-it is a of Bah6'u'llih has no adequate inclear Light illuminating the spiritual strumed; without the application of powers t o which peoples consciously 'Abdu'l-BahB's final instructions His or unconsciously, now respond. Apart sacrifice would not serve to unify and from the BahC'i Cause, modern world renovate the worl~d. movements and ltendencies seem sin- The first significant BaM'i date is ister anarchy; but from witthin the May 23, 1844. At that time evidences of the dawn The motive animating the faith of of a new Day were visible on every the Bib's followers was that His behand. Witnesses to this dawn arose ing and mission fulfilled the spirit of in ad1 coun6ries and among all peo- their own religious prophecy. ples, testifying in the name of po- With BahB'u'llBh, whose advent etry, art, science, philmophy and re- the BBb had foretold, the new Moveligion to the presence of a new, trans- ment left behind its peculiar Muslim forming Spirit. Materialists worked aspect and assumed a world-wide in hope to reform the body of society, purpose and meaning. Baha'u'llih while mystics felt the nearness of arose after the death of the Bib, took their Lord. From farthest East to upon Himself full responsibility for farthest West the surfaces of habit leadin@ a Movement proscribed by and tradition broke asunder, and the government, and became the tarpeople tended to center around new get for all the bitterness engendered and higher ideals. by failure to extinguish the new The supreme expremion of this light of faith. BahL'u'llih was imuniversal awakening revealed itself prisoned in TIhrLn with murderers in the heart of a radiant Youth of and criminals, hastinadoed, con- Persia known now as the Bib (i. e., demned to death, exiled to Baghdld, Gate or Door). To this Youth came then to Constantinople and Adrianothe clear realization of His mission ple, and finaly confined for life in the to proclaim the coming of a mighty desolate basracks of 'Akki, a Turk- Educator, the One longed for by all ish penal colony, facing Mount Carpeoples, who woul~dquicken the souls, me1 in the Holy Land. illumine the minds, unify the con- On April 21, 1863, in a garden sciences and remold the customs of outside BaghdLd, BahB'u'llah made mankind. %he life of the Bib from known to a few followers that He May 23, 1844, to July 9, 1850, exem- was the One proclaimed and promplified the pure spiritual destiny of ised by the Bib. This announcement the Prophebs and Messengers of old. was made in His famous Epistles in Throuph Him a large portion of the Adrianople previous to the journey Muslim population of Persia became to 'Akki, in 1868. imbued wi'th true faith, but against By this event the Bibi Movement Him gathered the fanatic hatred of was fulfilled in the Cause of B a - the Muslim clergy and the desperate u'llah, the "Glory of God," and the fear of the civil rulers, and by their streams of Christian and Jewish combined efforts and influence tihe prophecy united with the inner real- Bib was soon confined in prison, and ity of the Muslim Religion. on July 9, 1850, pu~bliclymartyred in Bahi'u'llLh gave the glad tidings Tabriz. to East and West that the Day of Those who lament tihat this is an God had dawned, 6hat the power of age of dominant materialism may the Holy Spirit, encompassed humanwell ponder the results of the BBb's ity in its time of greatest need, that mission in the heroic sacrifice of His a new and universal cycle had been faithful followers, many lthousands established-the age of brotherhood, of whom were tortured and slain with of peace, of the knowledge of God. incredible brutality. Because these This message was inscribed in Tabevents took place in a Muslim land, lets or Epistles, written during His and in a land peculiarly remote from forty years of exile and imprison- European and American experience, ment, to kings and rulers, to reprelittle attention was paid to the BBbf sentatives of the several religions, to movement in the West. His own followers in response to 18 B A H A ' ~YEAR BOOK questions they had addressed to Him, developed in relation to the needs of and in a great number of books con- civilization, and an organic harmony taining the essence of universal re- is created bebween religion, science, ligion, ecience and philosophy. In economics and social order. 'Abdu'lbhe annals of the wm-ld, no spiritual BahL expanded the religion of spirit revelation has been so complete, nor to include all the functions of life, made under such conditions of per- destroying forever the antagonism sonal oppression and hardship. bekween "religious" and "secular" The effect of Bahi'u'llih Himself matters. But this religion of spirit upon His followers, even upon His bears little resemblance to instituenemies, was unique and indescriba- tional creeds. ble. About Him emanated a majesty In these addresses also we find that glorified every suffering, an awe vivid and inspiring pictures of the that penetrated to the rudest soul, a latent possibilities of the human soul consecrated love that portrayed man and the new civilization which shall in his ultimate perfection. Volunta- arise from the influence of the Holy rily sharing these fateful ordeals Spirit. The adaptability of 'Abdu'lfrom very childhood was the son of Bahi to the particular audience or BahB'u'llLh, 'Abdu'l-Bahi ("Servant individual inquirer produced a true of BahL") , whose confinement at unity between groups and interests 'Akki, lasting forty years, was termi- never reconciled before. No such nated at last in 1908 by the over- source of education in the whole throw of the old regime by the Young meaning of the word exists in the Turks. modern world outside the writings of BahL'u'llLh ascended in 1892, 'Abdu'l-BahO. In these writings the leaving a Testament naming 'Abdu'l- ideals of Christian, Jew and other re- Bahi as the Head of His Cause, the ligionists; of philosopher and scien- Interpreter of His teachings and the tist, of economist and reformer are Promulgator of His faith. The abundantly realized. providential spirit guiding and pro- At the time of the passing of 'Abtecting the BahL'i Cause from its be- du'l-BahL, BahL'is existed in many ginning, centered thereafter in 'Ab- countries of East and West. To these du'l-Bahi. He left explicit instructions explain- 'Abdu'l-Baha served as the witness ing and applyin~gthe teachings of and proof of Bahi'u'llih from 1892 Baha'u'llah, concerning the method until November 28, 1921. By His of unifying the believers and adminsingleness of devotion, purity of life, istering the work of bhe Cause. He tirelese effort, humanitarian love and appointed in His Will and Testament unfailing wisdom the BahL'i Mes- His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, sage slowly but surely spread to as first Guardian of the Cause, and all parts of the world. From 1911 left directions for the election of an to 1913, 'Abdu'l-BahL journeyed international Council (Baytu'l-'Adl, i. through Europe and America, un- e., House of Justice) based on the folding before numerous audiences universal suffrage of the believers, the spirit of the alge. His addresses which should in conjunction with him explore the fundamental problems of guide the development of the Movereligion as an attitude toward God ment and co-ordinate the activities of reflected in life. In these addresses its followens in accordance with the we find the message of BahB'u'llLh principles laid dawn by BahA'u'llLh. PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA THE PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA Extracts f r o m c o m p l l a t i o a prepared an Ja%%a+-y,1922 B Y LADY BLOMFIELD AND SHCGHIEFFENDI "When I found myself outside I IofTofthe1s' well known that the loved ones 'Abdu'l-Bahi, in every part said within myself, 'For what reason world, are anxiously waiting to came I forth, not having led the receive some dekails of the closing prayer? But it matters not; now events of his unique and wonderful that I have uttered the call to prayer, life. For this reasod the present ac- the vast multitude will of themselves count is being written. chant the prayer." We have now come to realize that When the Master had passed away, the Master knew the day and hour his family pondered over this dream when, his mission on earth being fin- and interpreted it thus :- iehed, he would return to the shelter He had called that same vast mulof heaven. He was, however, careful titude-all peoples, all reliaons, al! that his family should not have any races, all nations and all kingdoms-- premonition of the coming sorrow. to unity and peace, h universal love I t seemed as though their eyes were and brotherhood; and having called veiled by him, with his ever-loving them, he returned to God the beloved, consideration for his dear ones, that at whose command he had raised the they should not see the significance majestic call, had given the divine of certain dreams and other signs of message. This same multitude-the the culminating event. This they now peoples, religions, races, nations and realize was his thought for them, in kingdoms-would continue the work, order that their strength might be to which 'Abdu'l-BahL had called preserved to face the great ordeal them, and would of themselves press when i t should arrive, that they forward to its accomplishment. should not be devitalized by anguish A few weeks after the preceding of mind in its anticipation. dream the Master came in from the Out of the many signs of the ap- solitary room in the garden, which proach of the hour when he could he had occupied of late, and said:- say of his work on earth, "It is fin- <*Idreamed a dream and behold the ished," the following two dreams lyessed ~ ~ ( B a h y~l l L h ) ~came t ~ , seem remarkable. Less than eight and said unto me, ~~~t~~~ this weeks before his passing the Master room!, 9 , related this to his family: The family, who had been wishing "I seemed be standing wifiin a that he would come and sleep in the great temple, in the inmost shrine, house, not being happy that he should facing the east, in the place of the be alone at night, exclaimed, "Yes, leader himself. I became aware that ~ ~we think ~ yourt dream~ means, ea& 'eal n ~ m b e rof people were flock- that you should leave that room and ing into the temple; more and yet come into the house." When he more crowded in, taking their places heard this from us, he smiled meanin rows behind me, until there was a ingly a s though not agreeing with our vast multitude. As I stood I raised interpretation. Afterwards we unloudly the 'Call to Prayer.' Suddenly derstood that by the "room" was the thought came ta me to go forth meant the temple of his body. . .. from the temple. In the same week he revealed a Tablct to America, in which is the saying, 'Nay, but I must gather them following prayer :- with my own hands.' Having eaten "YB BahB'i-1-Abhi! ( 0 Thou the of the fruit he turned to me and glory of glories) I have renounced asked 'Do you desire anything the world and the people thereof, and more?' Then with a pathetic gesam heartbroken and sorely afflicted ture of his hands, he touchingly, embecause of the unfaithful. In the phatically and deliberately said:- cage of this world I flutter even as 'Now it is finished, it is finished!' a frightened bird, and yearn every "These significant words peneday to take my flight unto Thy king- trated my very soul. I felt each dom. time he uttered them as if a knife " YB Bahi'i-1-Abhi! Make me to were struck into my heart. I underdrink of the cup of sacrifice and set stood his meaning but never dreamed me free. Relieve me from these woes his end was so nigh." and trials, from these afflictions and I t was Ismgil AqA who had been troubles. Thou art He that aideth, the Master's gardener for well nigh that succoureth, that protecteth, that thirty years and who, in the first stretcheth forth the hand of help.". . week after his bereavement, driven After lunch he dictated some Tab- by hopeless grief, quietly disposed of lets, his last ones, to Rithi Effendi. all his belongings, made his will, When he had rested he walked in the went to the Master's sister and garden. He seemed to be in a deep craved her pardon for any misdeeds reverie. he had committed. He then delivered His good and faithful servant Is- the key of the garden to a trusted ma'il AqP, relates the following:- servant of the household and, taking "Some time, about twenty days be- with him means whereby to end his fore my Master passed away, I was life at his beloved Master's tomb, near the garden when I heard him walked up the mountain to that summon an old believer saying :- sacred place, three times circled " 'Come with me that we may ad- round it and would have succeeded mire together the beauty of the in taking his life had it not been for garden. Behold, what the spirit of the opportune arrival of a friend, devotion is able to achieve! This who reached him in time to prevent flourishing place was, a few years the accomplishment of his tragic inago, but a heap of stones, and now i t . tention. . . L verdant with foliage and flowers. During the evening 'Abdu'l-Bahti My desire is that after I am gone We attended the usual meeting of the loved ones may all arise to serve the friends in his own audience chamber. divine cause and, please God, so it In the morning of Saturday, Noshall be. Ere long men will arise vember 26th, he arose eaxly, came to who shall bring life to the world.' . . . the tea room and had some tea. He "Three days before his ascension asked for the fur-lined coat which whilst seated in the garden, he called had belonged to BahB'u'llPh. He me and said, 'I am sick with fatigue. often put on this coat when he was Bring two of your oranges for me cold or did not feel well, he so loved that I may eat them for your sake.' it. He then withdrew to his room, This I did, and he having eaten them lay down on his bed and said, "Cover turned to me, saying 'Have you any me up. I am very cold. Last night 'of your sweet lemons?' He bade me I did not sleep well, I felt cold. This fetch a few. .. Whilst I was pluck- is serious, it is the beginning." ing them, he came over to the tree, After more blankets had been put on, he asked for the fur coat he had however stayed with Him. That taken off to be placed over him. ghat night the Master had gone to sleep day he was rather feverish. In the very calmly, quite free from fever. evening his temperature rose still He awoke about 1.15 a. m., got up higher, but during the night the fever and walked across to a table where he left him. After midnight he asked drank some water. He book off an for some tea. outer night garment, saying:-"I am On Sunday morning (November too warm." He went back to bed and 27th) he said:- "I am quite well when his daughter Rirhi Khinum, and will get up as usual and have tea later on, approached, she found Him with you in the tea room." After he lying peacefully and, as He looked had dressed he was persuaded to re- intd her face, He asked her to lift up main on the sofa in his room. the net curtains, saying:- In the afternoon he sent all the "I have difficulty in breathing, give friends to the tomb of the Bkb, where me more air!' Some rose water was on the occasion of the anniversary brought of which He drank, sitting of the declaration of the Covenant a up in bed to do so, without any help. feast was being held, offered by a He @sin lay down, and as some food PBrsi pilgrim who had lately arrived was offered Him, He remarked in a from India. clear and distinct voice: At four in the afternoon being on "You wish me to take some food, the sofa in his room He said :- "Ask and I am going?" He gave them a my sister and all the family to come beautiful look. His face was so calm, and have tea with me!' His four sons-in-law and Rirhi Ef- His expression so serene, they fendi came to him after returning thought Him asleep. from the gathering on the mountain. He had gone from the gaze of His Thev said to Him:- "The giver of loved ones! the "feast was unhappy because you were not there!, H~ said unto The eyes that,had always looked ....,.I+ . Lll~'ll.- out with loving-kindness upon hu- "But I was there, though my body manity, whether friends or foes, was absent, my spirit was there in were now closed. The hands that had your midst. I was present with the ever been stretched forth t o give alms friends at the tomb. The friends to the poor and the needy, the halt must not attach any importance to and the maimed, the blind, the the absence of my body. In spirit I orphan and the widow, had now an), and shall always be, with the finished their labor. The feet that, friends. even thou& I be far away." with untiring zeal, had gone upon the ~h~ kame H~ asked after ceaseless errands of the Lord of comthe health of every member of the passion were now at rest. The lips household, of the pilgrims and of the that had so eloquently championed friends in Haifa. "Very good, very the cause of the suffering sons of good" He said when told €hat none men, were now hushed in silence. were ill. This was His very last ut- The heart that had so powerfully terance concerning His friends. throbbed with wondrous love for the At eight in the evening He retired children of God was now stilled. His to bed after taking a little nourish- glorious spirit had passed from the ment, saying:-"I am quite well." life of earth, from the persecutions He told all the family to go to bed of the enemies of righteousness, from and rest. Two of His daughters the storm and stress of well nigh eighty years of indefatigible toil for sioner, the Governor of Jerusalem, the good of others. and the Governor of Phoenicia. After them came the consuls and the no- His long martryrdom was ended! tables of the land, followed by the Early on Monday morning Novem- vast multitude of those who reverber 28th the news of this sudden enced and loved Him. calamity had spread over the city, On this day there was no cloud in causing an unprecedented stir and the sky, nor any sound in all the tumult, and filling all hearts with un- town and surrounding country utterable grief. throulgh which they went, save only The next morning, Tuesday No- the soft, slow, rythmic chanting of vember 29th the funeral took place; Islam in the call to prayer, or the a funeral the like of which Haifa, convulsed sobbing moan of those nay Palestine itself, had surely never helpless ones, bewailing the loss of seen; so deep was the feeling that their one friend, who had protected brought so many thousands of them in all their difficulties and sormourners together, representative of rows, whose generous bounty had so many religions, races and tongues. saved them and their little ones from The High Commissioner of Pales- starvation through the terrible years tine, Sir Herbert Samuel, the Gover- of the "Great Woe." nor of Jerusalem, the Governor of "0 God, my God!" the people Phoenicia, the chief officials of the wailed with one accord, "Our father government, the consuls of the vari- has left us, our father has left us!" ous countries, resident in Haifa, the 0 the wonder of that great throng! heads of the variwdh reli\gfous Lom Peoples of every religion and race munities, the notables of Palestine, and color, united in heart through Jews, Christians, Moslems, Druses, the manifestation of servitude in the Egyptians, Greeks, Turks, Kurds, life-long work of 'Abdu'l-Bahb ! and a host of his American, European As they slowly wended their way and native friends, men, women and up Mount Carmel, the Vineyard of children, both of high and low degree, God, the casket appeared in the distall, about ten thousand in number, ance to be borne aloft by invisible mourning the loss of their beloved hands, so high above the heads of one. the people was it carried. After two This impressive, triumphal pro- hours walking, they reached the garcession was headed by a guard of den of the tomb of the Bib. Tenhonor, consisting of the City Con- derly was the sacred coffin placed stabulary Force, followed by the Boy upon a plain table covered with a Scouts of the Moslem and Christian fair white linen cloth. As the vast communities holding aloft their ban- concourse pressed around the taberners, a company of Moslem chor- nacle of His body, waiting to be laid isters chanting their verses from the in its resting place, within the vault, Qur'Bn, the chiefs of the Muslim com- next to that of the Bab, representamunity headed by the Mufti, a num- tives of the various denominations, ber of Christian priests, Latin, Muslims, Christians and Jews, all Greek and Anglican, all preceding hearts being ablaze with fervent love the sacred coffin, upraised on the of 'Abdu'l-BahB, some on the impulse shoulders of His loved ones. Im- of the moment, others prepared, mediately behind i t came the mem- raised their voices in euldgy and bers of His family, next to them regret, paying their last homage of walked the British High Commis- farewell to their loved one. So united 24 B A H ~ YEAR '~ BOOK were they in their acclamation of the most profound impression, on Him, as the wise educator and rec- every tongue most wondrous praise. onciler of the human race in this And He that leaveth a memory so perplexed and sorrowful age, that lovely, so imperishable, He indeed, is there seemed to be nothing left for not dead. Be solaced then, 0 ye the Bahi'is to say. people of Bahi! Endure and be The following are extracts from patient; for no man, be he of the East some of the speeches delivered on or of the West, can ever comfort you, that memorable occasion. nay he himself is even in greater The Muslim voicing the sentiments need of consolation." of his co-religionists spoke as fol- The Christian then came forward lows:- and thus spoke:- "0 concourse of Arabians and Per- "I weep for the world, in that my sians! Whom are ye bewailing? Is Lord hath died; others there are who, it He who but yesterday was great like unto me, weep the death of their . in this life and is today in His death Lord. . . 0 bitter is the anguish greater still? Shed no tears for the caused by this heart-rending calaone that hath departed to the world mity! I t is not only our country's of eternity, but weep over the passing loss but a world affliction. . . . He of virtue and wisdom, of knowledge hath lived for well-nigh eighty years and generosity, Lament for your- the life of the messengers and aposselves, for yours is the loss, whilst tles of God. He hath educated the He, your lost one, is but a revered souls of men, hath been benevolent wayfarer, stepping from your mortal unto them, hath led them to the way world into the everlasting home. of Truth. Thus he raised his people Weep one hour for the sake of Him to the pinnacle of glory, and great who, for well nigh eighty years, hath shall be his reward from God, the rewept for you! Look to your right, ward of the righteous ! Hear me 0 look to your left, look East and look people! 'Abb5.s is not dead, neither West and behold, what glory and hath the light of Bahi been extingreatness have vanished! What a guished! Nay, nay! this light shall pillar of peace hath crumbled! What shine with evedasting splendor. The eloquent lips are hushed! Alas! In Lamp of BahL, 'Abbf~s,hath lived a this tribulation there is no heart but goodly life, hath manifested in himaches with anguish, no eye but is self the true life of the Spirit. And filled with tears. Woe unto the poor, now He is gathered to glory, a pure for lo! goodness hath departed from angel, richly robed in benevolent them, woe unto the orphans, for their deeds, noble in His precious virtues. loving father is no more with them! Fellow Christians! Truly ye are Could the life of Sir 'hbdu'l-Bahi- bearing the mortal remains of this Abbis have been redeemed by the ever lamented one to His last resting sacrifices of many a precious soul, place, yet know of a certainty that they of a certainty would gladly have your 'AbbBs will live forever in spirit offered up their lives for His life. amongst you, through His deeds, His But fate haLh otherwise ordained. words, His virtues and all the essence Every destiny is predetermined and of His life. We say farewell to the none can change the divine decree. material body of our 'Abbis and His What am I t o set forth the achieve- material body vanisheth from our ments of this leader of mankind? gaze, but His reality, our spiritual They are too glorious to be praised, 'Abbis, will never leave our minds, too many to recount. Suffice i t to our thoughts, our hearts, our say, that He has left in every heart tongues. "0 great revered Sleeper! Thou Bme en nous inculquant les principes hast been good to us, Thou hast les plus beaux, reconnus comme Btant guided us, Thou hast tauight us, Thou la base de toute religion e t de toute hast lived amongst us greatly, with morale pure. Par ses Bcrits, par sa the full meaning of greatness, Thou parole, par ses entretiens familiers hast made us proud of Thy deeds and comme par ses colloques cBlbbres avec of Thy words. Thou hast raised the les plus cultivks e t les fervents Orient to the summit of glory, hast adeptes des theories sectaires, il a su shown loving kindness to the people, persuader, il a pu toujours contrained them in righteousness, and vaincre. Les exemples vivants sont hast striven to the end, till Thou hast d'un autre pouvoir. Sa vie privBe won the crown of glory. Rest Thou et publique Btait un exemple de dB- happily under the shadow of the vouement et d'oubli de soi pour le mercy of the Lord Thy God, and He bonheur des autres. . . . verily, shall well reward Thee." "Sa philosophie est simple, direz Yet another Moslem, the Mufti of vous, mais elle est grande par cette Haifa, spoke as follows:- mOme simplicite, Btant conforme au "I do not wish to exaggerate in my caractire humain qui perd de sa eulogy of this great One, for His beaut6 lorsqu'il se trouve faussk par ready and helping hand in the service les pr6jug6s e t les superstitions. . . . of mankind and the beautiful and 'Abbis est mort B Caiffa, en Paleswondrous story of His life, spent in tine, la Terre Sacree qui a produit les doing that which is right and good, prophstes. Devenue sterile et abannone can deny, save him whose heart donnke dequis tant de siicles elle resis blinded. . . . sucite de nouveau et commence & rep- "0 Thou revered voyager! Thou rendre son rang, e t sa renommBe hast lived greatly and hast died primitive. Nous ne sommes pas les greatly ! This great funeral proces- seuls B pleurer ce prophete, nous ne sion is but a glorious proof of Thy sommes pas les seuls B le glorifier. greatness in Thy life and in Thy En Europe, en AmBrique, que dis-je, death. But 0 , Thou whom we have dans tout pays habit6 par des hommes lost! Thou leader of men, generous conscients de leur mission dans ce and benevolent! To whom shall the bas monde assoiff6 de justice sociale, poor now look? Who shall care for de fraternitb, on le pleurera aussi. the hungry? and the desolate, the I1 est mort a p r h avoir souffert du widow and the orphan? despotisme, du fanatisme et de l'in- "May the Lord inspire all) Thy tolbrance. Acre, la Bastille turque, household and Thy kindred with lui a servi de prison pendant des patience in this grievous calamity, dizaines d'annBes. Bagdad la capiand immerse Thee in the ocean of His tale Abbasside a BtB aussi sa prison grace and mercy! He verily, is the e t celle de son phre. La Perse, ancien prayer-hearing, p r a y e r-answering berceau de la pbilosophie douce et di- God." vine, a ehassB ses enfants qui ont The Jew when his turn came, paid concu leurs idBes chez elle. Ne voithis tribute in these words :- on pas 1B une volontB divine et une "Dans un siecle de positivisme ex- preference marquee pour la Terre agBrB e t de materialisme effrBn6, il Promise qui Btait e t sera le berceau est Btonnant et rare de trouver un de toutes les idBes gBn6reuses et philosophe de grande envergure tel nobles? Celui qui laisse apr&slui un que le reig~ettk'Abdu'l-Bahl 'AbbiLs pass6 aussi glorieux n'est pas mort. parler B notre coeur, a nos sentiments Celui qui a Qcrit d'aussi beaux prinet surtout chercher B Bduquer notre cjpes a agrandi sa famille parmi tous 26 BAHA'~YEAR BOOK yes lecteurs et a passe B la postkrite, de Zoroastre, de Moise, de Mahomet couronnB par l'immortalit6." et de JBsus. Peut-&re jugerez vous The nine speakers having delivered que cette unification est la B la fois their funeral orations, then came the trop nombreuse et confuse. C'est moment when the casket which held qu'on ne comprend rien aux choses the pearl of loving servitude passed sacrBes si l'on n'est inspire par la foi. slowly and triumphantly into its . . . Sous le turban blanc ses yeux simple, hallowed resting place. reflbtaient I'intelligence e t la bont6. 0 the infinite pathos! that the be- I1 Btait paternal, effectueux et simple. loved feet should no longer tread Son pouvoir, semblait-il, lui venait de this earth ! That the presence which ce qu'il savait aimer less hommes e t inspired such devotion and rever- savait se faire aimer d'eux. Appel6 ence should be withdrawn! B t6moigner de l'excellence de cette Of the many and diverse journals religion naive et pure, nous purnes that throughout the East and West honnctement confesser notre foi par have given in their columns accounts cette Pormule : "Que les religions sont of this momentous event, the follow- belles quand elles ne sont pas encore." ing stand as foremost among them: The London "Morning Post," two "Le Temps," the leading French days after his passing, among other paper, in its issue of December 19, highly favourable comments, eon- 1921, under the title 'Un Conciliateur' eluded its report of the movement in (a Peace Maker), portrays graphic- the following words : ally the life of 'Abdu'l-BahB, the fol- "The venerated Bahs'u'lllh died in lowing being some of its extracts :- 1892 and the mantle of his religious "Un prophkte vient de mourir en insight fell on his son 'Abdu'l-BahB, Palestine. I1 se nommait Abdoul when, after forty years of prison life, Baha, et il etait fils de Bahaou'llah, Turkish constitutional changes perqui cr6a le bahaisme, religion 'uni- mitted him to visit England, France fiBe' qui n'est autre que le babisme and America. His persistent mesqu'avait observe le Comte de Gobin- sages a s t o the divine origin and unity eau. Le Bab, Messie du Babisme, se of mankind were as impressive as proposait modestement de rBg6nerer the Messenger himself. He possessed la Perse, ce qui lui couta la vie, en singular courtesy. At his table Bud- 1850. Bahaou"l1ah et son fils Abdoul dhist and Mohammedan, Hindu and Baha, "I'esclave de son phre", n'am- Zoroastrian, Jew and Christian, sat bitionnaient pas moins que la r6- in amity. "Creatures," he said, "were generation du monde. Paris a connu created through love; let them live Abdoul Baha. Ce viellard magnifique in peace and amity." et debonnaire repandit parmi nous la The "New York World" of Decemparole sainte il y a quelque dix ans. ber 1,1921 publishes the following:- I1 Btait vgtu d'une simple robe vert "Never before 'Abdu'l-Bah6 did olive et coffB d'un turban blanc. . .. the leader of an Oriental religious Sa parole Btait douce e t berceuse, movement visit the United States. . . comme une litanie. On I'Bcoutait As recently as June of this year a avec un plaisir recueilli, encore qu'on special correspondent of "The World" ne le comprit point; car il parlait en who visited this seer thus described persan. . . . Le bahaisme, c'est en him :-'Having once looked upon somme la religion de la charit6 et da 'Abdu'l-BahB, his personality is inla simplicit& C'est en m&metemps, delibly impressed upon the mind: the amalgam6, le judaisme, le chris- majestic venerable figure clad in the tianisme, le protestantisme, et la lihre flowing aba, his head crowned with a pensbe. Abdoul Baha se reclamait turban white as his head and hair; PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 27 the piercing deep set eyes whose He embodied in glorious, triumphant glances shake the heart; the smile maturity that ideal which in others that pours its sweetness over all.'. . . lies imprisoned 'behind the veil. Men "Even in the twilight of his life and women of every race, creed, claw 'Abdu'l-Baha took the liveliest inter- and color are united in devotion to est in world affairs. When General 'Abdu'l-Baha because 'Abdu'l-BahB Allenby swept up the coast from has been a pure, selfless mirror re- Egypt he went for counsel first to flecting only the noblest qualities of 'Abdu'l-BahA. When Zionists arrived each." in their Promised Land they sought The Sphinx, of Cairo, E,qpt, on 'Abdu'l-BahC for advice. For Pales- December 17th described 'Abdu'ltine he had the brightest hopes. Bahi as a great leader of men. "In 'Abdu'l-Bahi believed that Bolshev- his personality and influence 'Abdu'lism would prove an admonition to the Bahi embodied all that is highest and irreligious world. He taught the most striking in both the Christian equality of man and woman, saying: and Moslem faiths; living a life of "The world of humanity has two pure altruism, he preached and wings, man and woman. If one wing worked for inter-racial and inter-reis weak, then the bird cannot fly.". . . ligious unity. . . When in the pres- Nearly all representative American ence of 'Abdu'l-BahC thoughtful innewspapers devoted attention to the quirers soon realized that they were passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Even- speaking to a man of unique pering Telegram, New York, December sonality, one endowed with a love and 4th, 1921, found in the international wisdom that had in it the divine peace movement a complete vindica- quality." tion for the BahC'i ideals. "In all "The Times of India" in its issue countries of the world today can be of January 1922, opens one of its found mourners of the prophet 'Ab- editorial articles a s follows :- du'l-Bahi. . . . Churches of all de- "In more normal times than the nominations in New York city and present the death of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, Chicago were thrown open to him which was somowfully referred to at for, unlike the leaders of many cults, the BahL'i Conference in Bombay, he preached not the errors of present would have stirred the feelings of religions but their sameness." The many who, without belonging to the New York Tribune on December 2nd Baha'i brotherhood, sympathize with carried an editorial entitled 'Abdu'l- its tenets and admire the life-work of Bah6. "A prophet, as his followers those who founded it. As it is we believe, and the son of a prophet, was have learned almost by chance of this 'A~bdu'l-Bah6, who is now a t rest great religious leader's death, but with all prophetic souls bygone. He that fact need not prevent our turnlived to see a remarkable expansion ing aside from politics and the turof the quietist cult of which he was moil of current events to consider . thc head. . . Baha'u'll6h over what this man did and what he aimed sixty years ago set forth a peace at." plan not dissimilar to the aspirations Sketching then in brief an account of today." of the history of the movement it The magazine Unity, published in concludes as follows :- Chicago, included an article on the "It is not for us now to judge Master in its issue of December 22nd. whether the purity, the mysticism " 'Abdu'l-Bah6 voiced and made elo- and the exalted ideas of Bahi'ism quent the sacred aspiration that will continue unchanged after the loss yearns dumbly in the hearts of men. of the great leader, or to speculate IAR BOOK on whether EahB'ism will some day Thc loved ones in Germany assure become a force in the world as great the Greatest Holy Leaf of their or greater than Christianity or Is- fidelity in these terms : lam; but we would pay a tribute to "All believers deeply moved by irthe memory of a man who wielded a revocable loss of our Master's vast influence for good, and who, if precious life. We pray for heavenly he was destined to see many of his protection of Holy Cause and promise ideas seemingly shattered in the faithfulness and obedience to Center world war, remained true to his con- of Covenant." victions and to his belief in the pos- An official messa& forwarded by si,bility of a reign of peace and love, the Council of Ministers in Baghdad, and who, far more effectively than and dated December 8, 1921, reads Tolstoi, showed the West that reli- as follows: gion is a vital force that can never "His Highness Sayed Abdurrahbe disregarded." man, the Prime Minister, desires to Out of the vast number of tele- extend his sympathy to the family of grams and cables of condolence that His Holiness 'Abdu'l-BahL in their have poured in, these may be men- bereavement." tioned : The Commander in Chief of the His Britannic Majesty's Secretary Egyptian Expeditionary Force sent of State for the Colonies, Mr. Wins- through His Excellency the High ton Churchill, telegraphing to His Commissioner for Palestine these Excellency the High Commissioner words of sympathy: for Palestine, desires him to convey "General Congreve begs that you to the Bahb'i community, on behalf of will convey his deepest sympathy to His Majesty's Government, their the family of the late Sir 'AbbLs alsympathy and condolence on the BahL'i." death of Sir 'Abdu'l-BahL Abbas K. The Theosophical Society in Lon- E. E. don communicated as follows with On behalf of the Executive Board one of the followers of the Faith in of the BahL'i American Convention, Haifa : this message of condolence has been "For the Holy Family Theosophireceived : c a l S o c i e t y s e n d affectionate "He doeth whatsoever He willeth. thoughts." Hearts weep at most great tribula- The thousands of BahB'ls in Tehetion. American friends send through ran, the capital of Persia, remember- Unity Board radiant love, boundless ing their Western brethren and sissympathy, devotion. Standing stead- ters in London and New York assure fast, conscious of his unceasing them of their steadfast faith in these presence and nearness." words : Viscount Allenby, the High Com- "Light of Covenant transferred missioner for Egypt, has wired the from eye to heart. Day of teaching, following message, through the in- of union, of self sacrifice!' termediary of His Excellency the And lastly, one of the distinguished High Commissioner for Palestine, figures in the academic life of the dated November 29, 1921: University of Oxford, a renowned "Please convey to the relatives of p r o f e s s o r and an accomplished the late Sir 'Abdu'l-BahB 'Abbas scholar, whose knowledge of the Effendi and to the BahL'1 community Cause stands foremost among that of my sincere sympathy in the loss of his collealgues,.in the message of contheir revered leader." dolence written on behalf of himself PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 29 and wife, expresses himself as fol- into the large central hall, this also lows : bare of ornament, save only for the "The passing beyond the veil into portrait of Him they had assembled to fuller life must be specially wonder- honor and some antique Persian ful and blessed for one, who has al- tapestries hung upon one wall. Beways fixed his thoughts on high and fore this was placed a platform from striven to lead an exalted life here which the speeches were made to the below." wrapt and silent throng, whose very On the seventh day after the pas- hearts were listening. sing of the Master, corn was distrib- The Governor of Phoenieia, in the uted in His name to about a thou- course of his address, spoke the folsand poor of Haifa, irrespective of lowing:. ... "Most of us here have, race or religion, to whom He had al- I think, a clear picture of Sir 'Abdu'lways been a friend and a protector. BahB 'AbbBs, of His dignified figure Their 'grief a t losing the "Father of walking thoughtfully in our streets, the Poor" was extremely pathetic. of His courteous and gracious man- In the first seven days also from fifty ner, of His kindness, of his love for to a hundred poor were daily fed at little children and flowers, of His the Master's house, in the very place generosity and care for the poor and where i t had been His custom to give suffering. So gentle was He, and so alms to them. simple that, in his presence, one al- On the fortieth day there was a m o d forgot that He was also a great memorial feast, given to over six teacher and that His writings and hundred of the people of Haifa, 'AkkB His conversations have been a solace and the surrounding parts of Pales- and an inspiration to hundreds and tine and Syria, people of various re- thousands of people in the East and ligions, races and color. More than in the West.". .. a hundred of the poor were also fed His detailed and powerfully writon this day. The Governor of ten will and testament reveals the Phoenicia, many other officials and following words of general counsel some Europeans were present. to all his friends :- The feast was entirely arranged "0 ye ~belovedof the Lord! In this by the members of the Master's sacred Dispensation, conflict and conhousehold. The long tables were tention are in no wise permitted. decorated with trailing branches of Every aggressor deprives himself of bougainvilliers. Its lovely purple God's grace. I t is incumbent upon blooms mingled with the white nar- everyone to show the utmost love, cissus, and with the large dishes of rectitude of conduct, straightforgolden oranges out of the beloved wardness and sincere kindliness unto Master's garden made a picture of all the peoples and kindreds of the loveliness in those spacious lofty world, be they friends or strangers. rooms, whose only other decoration So intense must be the spirit of love was the gorgeous yet subdued color- and loving-kindness that the stranger ing of rare Persian rugs. No use- may find himself a friend, the enemy less trivial ornaments marred the ex- a true brother, no difference whatsotreme dignity of simplicity. ever existing between them. The guests received, each and all, "For universality is of God and all the same welcome. There were no limitations are earthly." ''chief places." Here as always in "Thus man must strive Chat this the Master's home, there was no re- reality may manifest virtues and perspecting of persons. fections, the light whereof may shine After the luncheon the guests came upon every one. The light of the sun 'EAR BOOK shineth upon all the world and the Cause. Give them Thy grace to withmerciful showers of divine provi- stand the onslaught of self and pasdence fall upon all peoples. The vivi- sion, to follow the light of divine fying !breeze reviveth every living guidance. Thou a r t the powerful, creature, and all beings endued with the gracious, the self-subsisting, the life obtain their share and portion a t bestower, the compassionate, the al- His heavenly board. In like manner mighty, the all-bountiful !" the affections and loving-kindness of For His enemies this is His prayer : the servants of the one true God "I call upon Thee, 0 Lord, my God! must be bountifully and universally with my tongue and with all my extended to all mankind. Regarding heart, not to requite them for their this, restrictions and limitations are cruelty and their wrong deeds, their in no wise permitted. craft and their mischief, for they are "Wherefore, 0 my loving friends! foolish and ignoble, and know not Consort with all the peoples, kindreds what they do. They discern not good and religions of the world with the from evil, neither do they distinguish utmost truthfulness, uprightness, right from wrong, nor justice from faithfulness, kindliness, good-will injustice. They follow their own deand friendliness; that all the world sires and walk in the footsteps of the of being may be filled with the holy most imperfect and foolish amongst ecstasy of the grace of Baha; that them. 0 my Lord! have mercy upon ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor them, shield them from all afflictions may vanish from the world, and the in these troubled times, and grant darkness of estrangement amidst the that all trials and hardships may peoples and kindreds of the world be the lot of this, Thy servant, that may give way to the light of unity. has fallen into this darksome pit. Should other peoples and nations be Single me out for every woe and unfaithful to you, show your fidelity make me a sacrifice for all Thy loved unto them; should they be unjust to- ones! 0 Lord, Most High! May my wards you, show justice towards soul, my life, my being, my spirit, them; should they keep aloof from my all, be offered up for them! 0 you, attract them to yourselves; God, my God, lowly, suppliant and should they show their enmity, be fallen upon my face, I beseech Thee, friendly towards them; should they with all the ardor of my invocation, poison your lives, sweeten their souls ; to pardon whosoever hath hurt me, should they inflict a wound upon you, to forgive him that hath conspired be a salve to their sores. Such are against me and offended me, and to the attributes of the sincere! Such wash away the misdeeds of, them are the attributes of the truthful !" that hath wrought injustice upon " 0 ye beloved of the Lord! Strive me. Vouchsafe unto them Thy with all your heart to shield the ,goodly gifts; give them joy, re- Cause of God from the onslaught of lieve them from sorrow, grant them the insincere, for such souls as these peace and prosperity; give them Thy cause the straight to become crooked bliss and pour upon them Thy bounty. and all benevolent efforts to produce Thou a r t the powerful, the gracious, contrary results." the help in peril, the self-subsisting." He prays for the protection of His And now, what appeal more direct, friends : more moving, with which to close this " 0 Lord, my God! Assist Thy loved sad yet stirring account of his last ones to be firm in Thy faith, to walk days, than these his most touching, in Thy ways, to be steadfast in Thy most inspiring words? PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 31 "Friends! The time is coming I yearn to see the friends united even when I shall be no longer with you. as a string of gleaming pearls, as I have done all that could be done. I the brilliant Pleiades, as the rays of have served the Cause of Bahi'u'llah the sun, as the gazelles of one to the utmost of my ability. I have meadow! labored night and day, all the years "The mystic nightingale is warof my life. 0 how I long to see the bling for them all; will they not lisloved ones taking upon themselves the ten? The bird of paradise is singresponsibilities of the Cause! Now is ing; will they not heed? The angel the time to proclaim the Kingdom of of Abha is calling to them; will they BahS! Now is the hour of love and not hearken? The herald of the union! This is the dav of the suir- Covenant . . is pleading; will they not itual harmony of the ioved one; of obey? God! All the resources of my physic- "Ah me, I am waiting, waiting, to al strength I have exhausted, and the hear the joyful tidings that the bespirit of my life is the welcome tid- lievers are the very embodiment of ings of the unity of the people of sincerity and truthfulness, the incarnation of love and amity, the living BahS. I am straining my ears to- symbols of unity and concord. Will ward the East and toward the West, they not gladden my heart? Will toward the North and toward the they not satisfy my yearning? Will South that haply I may hear the they not manifest my wish? Will songs of love and fellowship chanted they not fulfill my heart's desire? in the meetings of the faithful. My Will they not give ear to my call? days are numbered, and, but for this, "I am waiting, I am patiently there is no joy left unto me. 0 how waiting." PART TWO I. Extracts from Bahit'i Sacred Writings. 11. A Statement on Present-day Administration of the BahL'i Cause. 111. BahVi Calendar and Festivals. IV. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. V. Brief History of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr in America. VI. Extracts from Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr Report. VII. The Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr of 'IshqAbAd. VIII. Impressions of Haifa. IX. Kunjangun. X. Old and New Paths a t Green Acre. XI. World Unity Conference. BAHA'~YEAR BOOK PART TWO EXTRACTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRXTINGS w E exhort mankind in these days When the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant the thorns of doubt in pure and unbelief are burning high and the radiant hearts. 0 ye ,beloved of the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when Lord! Commit not that which detranquillity and faithfulness have fileth the limpid stream of love or ebbed away and trials and tribula- destroyeth the sweet fragrance of tions waxed severe, when covenants friendship. By the righteousness of are broken and ties are severed, when the Lord! ye were created to show no man knoweth how to discern light love one to another and not perverand darkness or to distinguish mid- sity and rancor. Take pride not in ance from error. love for yourselves lbut in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in 0 peoples of the world! Forsake love for your country but in love for all evil, hold fast that which is good. all mankind. . ... Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of Let your eye be chaste, your hand the virtues of God amidst men. He trustworthy, your tongue sincere and . that riseth to serve My Cause should your heart heedful. . .Set your remanifest My wisdom, and bend every liance on the army of justice, put on effort to banish ignorance from the the armor of wisdom, let your adornearth. Be united in counsel, be one ing he forgiveness and mercy. . . . . in thought. Let each morn be better Regard not the children of the world than its eve, each morrow richer than and all their doings but fix your gaze its yesterday. Man's merit lies in upon God and His never-ending doservice and virtue and not in the minion. . .. Endeavor to the utterpageantry of wealth and riches. most of your powers to establish the Take heed that your words be purged word of truth with eloquence and from idle fancies and worldly de- wisdom and to dispel1 falsehood from sires and your deeds be cleansed the face of the earth. from craftiness and suspicion. Dis- Hikmat : BahB'u'llBh.) .. (Lawh-isipate not the wealth of your preci- 0;s lives in the pursuit of evil and The purpose of every Divine Revecorrupt affection, nor let your en- lation is the knowledge of God and deavors be spent in promoting your the promotion of amity and concord personal interest. Bestow in your amidst men; yet behold how in these days of plenty, be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by days the law of God hath been made success, and rejoicings follow woe. the cause of perversity and hate! Guard against idleness and sloth, and Many, alas, have clung to their own cling unto that which profiteth man- ways and remained oblivious and unkind, whether young or old, whether mindful of the Way of God. .Opeo- . !EAR BOOK ple of Bahb! Gird up the loins of en- The sovereigns of the world (may deavor, haply sectarian contention the Lord assist them with His grace) and strife may be removed, nay ut- must with one accord hold fast unto terly banished from the face of the the Most Great P e a c e t h e greatest earth. Arise in the love of God and of all means for the protection of of His servants for the triumph of mankind. Our hope is that they will this mighty Cause. Religious enmity arise to promote that which is conand hate are a world-consuming fire ducive to the tranquillity of all peothe flames whereof are hard to ples. I t is incumbent upon them to quench. What but the Hand of Di- convene a universal assembly, to atvine power can save the peoples of the tend it in person or delegate their world from this devastating calam- ministers, to enforce such measures ity?... Beware lest ye be shedders as will secure the establishment of of blood; unsheath the sword of your unity and concord, and to turn from tongue from the scabbard of utter- destructive armaments to the betterance for therewith ye shall conquer ment of mankind. Should one soverthe citadels of men's hearts. We have eign rise against another, let all the annulled the command to slay men for rest arise to withstand him. In this unbelief; verily His mercy hath en- manner will armies and instruments compassed all created things could of war be rendered unnecessary save ye but perceive.... Kindle not dis- in such measure as is needful for cord on earth, shed not the blood national security. If the sovereigns of any soul, consume not the sub- of the world attain unto this most stance of your neighbor and be not great boon, the peoples of every nathe follower of every command and tion will joyfully and in peace engage clamorous seducer. . .. As the pil- in the pursuit of their own affairs lars of religion have tottered so hath and the lamentations and wailing of the power of the foolish, their temer, the many will thereby cease. We beity and arrogance waxed great. seech God that He may lgraciously Whatsoever doth lower the exalted assist them to do that which is His station of Religion will surely in- Will and Pleasure, and He verily is crease the heedlessness of the un- the Lord of the throne above and of godly, and this in the end can lead the dust beneath, the King of this but to confusion and chaos. Give world and the next. I t is better and ear, 0 discerning ones; and ye that preferrable that the honoured soverperceive, take heed. ... Hold fast eigns attend this assembly in person unto chastity, cling ye to trustworthi- and lay down such measures as are ness and faith. Show the utmost re- necessary. Whoever among them gard to the true interests of hu- doth arise to fulfill this command, he manity, and seek not to gratify your verily is the Prince of sovereigns in personal desire. 0 ye who follow the sight of God. Happy and blessed Him whom the world hath wronged! is he. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Ye are the shepherds of mankind; Baqir : BahB'u'llBh.) protect the fold from the wolves of evil and selfish desires and adorn it 0 peoples of the world! Verily, with the fear of God. ... By the verily I declare: This wronged One righteousness of the Lord, the Sword hath not sought neither doth He seek of Virtue and gooaly behaviour is leadership. His one purpose hath keener than blades of steel. (Epistle ever been to banish that which causto the son of Shaykh BLqir: Ba- eth difference among the kindreds of hi'u'llih.) the earth and leadeth to the separa- BAIiA'i SACRED WRITINGS 37 tion of peoples: that all may have them to bear witness unto this day, peace and freedom to pursue that and lead the servants unto God, the which profiteth them. We entreat Mosk Holy. Say, 0 ye divines! Our friends not to defile the purity of Awake from your slumber, shake off the Cause with the dust of falsehood, your heedlessness, and be straightnor abase its exalted and sanctified way mindful. (Epistle to Mihrabin: station by recounting marvels and BahL'u'llih.) miracles of which they may hear. Gracious God ! This is the day when The world is in turmoil and its the wise should seek the counsel of agitation waxeth day by day. Its this wronged One and supplicate the face is turned toward waywardness Almighty to grant them that which and irreligion. So grievous shall be is the cause of abiding tranquillity its plight that to disclose it now and glory. Yet behold! how on the would not be meet and seemly. Many contrary they have striven with all a day shall pass ere i t be relieved their power to extinguish this bril- from its sore travail. And in the liant and shining light. . . . In the fulness of time there shall appear all face of all they have spoken We have of a sudden that which will cast terremained patient at all times. We ror into the very heart of mankind; have left them in the hands of God. then and only then will the Divine (Epistle to the son of Shaykh BAqir : Standard be unfurled, then will the BahL'u'llLh.) Nightingale of Holiness warble its melody upon the Tree of Life. (Pro- The Luminary of true understand- phetic utterances of BahB'u'llBh reing adorns this day the firmament of vealed in Shawil 1925 A. H.-(circa knowledge; well is it with him that 1878 A. D.) beholds and turns thereunto. All that hath been foretold is made manifest 0 SON OF MAN! If thou lovest in this day. Say, 0 friends! choose Me turn away from thyself, and if not to stay afar from the Ocean of thou seekest My pleasure regard not God's forgiveness for lo! He is so thine own; that thou mayest die in nigh unto you. He who was hidden Me and I eternally live in thee. (Hidfrom sight is come and now appears den Words : BahL'u'llLh.) in all His glory. In one hand He bears the Water of Life, in the other 0 SON O F BEING! My love is He brings the Message of true lib- My stronghold; he that entereth erty. Lay down and hold fast: lay therein is safe and secure, and he down all that pertains to this earth, that turneth away shall surely stray hold fast unto that which His gene- and perish. (Hidden Words: Barous Hand doth bestow. He, the like hi'u'llih.) of Whom the eyes of the world have not seen, is now come. 0 friends! 0 SON OF SPIRIT ! I created thee hasten, hasten unto Him; hearken, rich, why dost thou impoverish thyhearken to His call. The doings of self? Noble I made thee, wherewith the divines have turned the people dost thou abase thyself? Out of the away from God, and in the place of essence of knowledge I manifested pious devotion malice reigns. They thee, why seekest thou enlightenment have strayed from God's holy way; from any one beside Me? Of the they have erred grievously and still clay of love I moulded thee, how dost claim to lead the way. We have in- thou busy thyself with another? structed those leaders, called upon Turn thy sight unto thyself that thou YEAR BOOK mayest find Me abiding in thee, self over the other. Ponder at all mighty, powerful and self-subsisting, times in your hearts how ye were (Hidden Words: BahL'u'llhh.) created. Since We created you all from one same substance it behooveth 0 SION OF SPIRIT! Vaunt not you to be even as one soul, to walk thyself over the poor for I lead him with the same feet, eat with the same on his way and behold thee in thine mouth and dwell in the same land; evil plight and confound thee ever- that from your inmost being, by your more. (Hidden Words : BahL'u'llLh.) deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment 0 SON OF BEING! How couldest may be made manifest. This is My thou forget thine own faults and busy counsel unto you, O Concourse of thyself with the faults of others? light! Heed ye this counsel that ye Who doeth this is accursed of Me. may obtain the fruit of holiness from (Hidden Words : BahB'u'llLh.) the tree of wondrous glory. (Hidden Words: BahB'u'll&h.) 0 SON OF MAN! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art a 0 SON OF DUST! Verily I say sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this unto thee, of all men the most neglicommand accursed art thou and to gent is he that disputeth idly and this I testify. (Hidden Words: Ba- seeketh to advance himself over his hL'u'llLh.) brother. Say: 0 brethren! Let deeds, not words, be your adorning. 0 SON OF MAN! My calamity is (Hidden Words : BahB'u'llLh.) My providence: outwardly it is fire and vengeance but inwardly it is 0 SONS OF EARTH! Know light and mercy. Hasten thereunto verily the heart wherein lingers the that thou mayest become an eternal least trace of envy shall never attain light and an immortal spirit. This is My everlasting Dominion, nor inhale Mv command unto thee. do thou ob- the fragrance of sanctity breathing s e r v e i t . ( ~ i d d e n ' w o r d s :Ba- from My holy Kingdom. (Hidden hL'u'llLh.) Words : BahC'u'llhh.) 0 SON OF BEING! Busy not thy- 0 LIVING DUST! I am in comself with this world for with fire We munion with thee, yet thou wouldst test the gold and with gold We test have no trust in Me. The sword of Our servants. (Hidden Words: Ba- rebelliousness hath cut down the tree hP'u'llhh.) of thy hope. I am a t all times near unto thee but thou art ever f a r from 0 SON OF MAN! Bestow My Me. Imperishable glory have I chowealth upon My poor, that in heaven sen for thee, yet boundless degradathou mayest draw from spheres of tion hast thou chosen for thyself. unfading splendour and treasures of While there is yet time return and imperishable glory. But by My life! lose not thy chance. (Hidden Words: to offer up thy soul is a more glorious BahL'u'llLh.) thing couldst thou but see with Mine eye. (Hidden Words : EahB'u'llBh.) 0 YE THAT ARE FOOLISH YET HAVE A NAME TO BE WISE! 0 CHILDREN OF MEN! Know Wherefore wear ye the guise of the ye not why We created you from one sheperd yet inwardly are but wolves clay? That no one should exalt him- intent upon My fold? Ye are even as BAHA'~SACRED WRITINGS 39 the star that preceedeth thc dawn O MY FRIEND! Thou a r t the which appeareth radiant and lumi- day-star of the heavens of My holinous yet leadeth the wayfarers of My ness, let not the defilement of the city astray into paths of perdition. world eclipse thy splendour. Rend (Hidden Words : Bahi'u'llih.) asunder the veil of negligence, that from behind the clouds thou mayest 0 FAIR IN SEMBLANCE YET emerge resplendent and adorn all INWARDLY FOUL ! Ye are even as beings with the robe of Life. (Hidclear yet bitter water which to out- ~ ~ den Words : Bahi'u'llih.) ward-seeming is crystal pure but when proved by the Divine Assayer 0 CHILDREN OF NEGLIGENCE! not a drop thereof shall be accepted. Set not your affections on mortal Yea, the sunbeam falleth alike upon sovereignty and rejoice not therein. the mirror and the dust, yet differ Ye are even as the heedless bird that they in reflectiox even as doth th? with entire abandon warbleth upon star from the earth, nay immeasur- the bough, when of a sudden the a b l e is the difference! (Hidden fowler Death doth hurl i t upon the Words : Bahi'u'llih.) dust. Then will no trace remain of its melody, its form or colour. Wherefore, take heed, 0 bond-slaves 0 SON O F DUST! All that is in of passion! (Hidden Words: Baheaven and on earth I have destined hh'u'llih.) for thee exceot the hearts of men which I have made the habitation of O MY SERVANTS! Ye are the My beauty and glory; yet thou didst trees of My garden; ye must bring give My home and dwelling to an- forth goodly and wondrous fruits, other than Me. And whensoever the that ye yourselves and others may manifestation of My holiness re- profit therefrom. Thus i t is encumpaired unto His abode a stranger bent upon everyone to engage in found He there, and, homeless, hast- crafts and professions, for therein ened unto the sanctuary of the Be- lies the secret of wealth, O men of loved. Notwithstanding, I revealed understanding!. . . Trees that yield not thy secret and desired not thy no fruit have been and will ever be shame. (Hidden Words : Bahi'u'l- fit for fire. (Hidden Words: Ba- 1ih.) hi'u'llhh.) O CHILDREN OF DUST! Tell O MY SERVANT! The basest of the rich of the midnight sighing of men are they that yield no fruit upon the poor lest negligence lead them the ea,rth. They are counted a s dead ; unto destruction and deprive them of nay better are the dead in the sight their share of the Tree of wealth. of God than these idle and worthless Bounty and Generosity are attributes spuls. (Hidden Words : BahL'u'lof Mine; well is i t with him that lih.) adorneth himself with My attributes. (Hidden Words : Bahi'u'llhh.) The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, 0 RICH ONES OF THE EARTH! and contentment with His holy will The poor among you are My trust; and pleasure. . . guard ye My trust, and be not wholly occupied with your own ease. (Hid- True reliance consists in pursuing den Words : Bahi'u'llhh.) one's calling and profession in this (EAR BOOK world, holding fast unto God and the world to inhale the fragrance of seeking naught but His grace, inas- love and unity, then will men of unmuch as in His hands is the destiny derstanding learn the meaning of of His servants. .. true liberty and attain unto perfect . tranquillity and peace. . True courage and power is to promote the Word of God and stand Would to God that His grace and . steadfast in His love. . bounty may be vouchsafed unto the peoples of the world, that He may The source of true wealth is love guide the kindreds of the earth and for Me; whoso loveth Me is the pos- direct their steps to the path of His sessor of all things, and he that loveth good-pleasure. Behold ! Years have Me not is indeed of the poor and passed away and neither the world . needy. . nor they that dwell therein have yet attained to peace and quiet. At one The essence of faith is fewness of time they are in the throes of war, words and abundance of deeds; he at another they fall victims to unwhose words exceed his deeds, know forseen afflictions. Woes and tribuverily his death is better than his lations have encompassed the world, .. life. . and yet no one doth perceive the cause. And if the true Counsellor The root of all learning is the utter a word, they deem Him a stirknowledge of God, exalted be His rer of strife and reject His counsel. glory, and this can never be attained Man is bewildered and knoweth not save through the knowledge of His what to think and say. . . Divine Manifestation. , . . I t is incumbent upon the leaders The essence of all that We have re- of the world to observe moderation vealed for thee is Justice-to free in all things, and whatsoever exone's self from idle fancy and imita- ceedeth this will be rendered void of tion, to discern with the eye of one- value. Consider: liberty, civilization ness His glorious handiwork, and look and the like, though acclaimed by into all things with a searching eye. . men of learning, will if carried to ex- (Words of Wisdom: BahB'u'llBh.) cess result in the utmost harm. . . (Epistle to Maqs6d : BahB'u'llBh.) Consider man even as a mine that hoIdeth stones of precious beauty. When the Day-star of Wisdom Education alone can reveal its trea- rose above the horizon of God's holy sures and bestow its benefit upon Dispensation it voiced this all-glorimankind. . . ous utterance: They that are possessed of wealth and invested with The Lord, exalted be His glory, authority and power must show the hath desired naught for Himself. profoundest regard for Religion. In The allegiance of mankind profiteth truth, Religion is a radiant light and Him not, neither doth its disobedience an impregnable stronghold for the ,bring Him loss. At every moment protection and welfare of the peodoth the Bird of the realm of utter- ples of the world, for the fear of God ance voice the call: "All things have impelleth man to hold fast to that I desired for thee, and thee for thine which is good and shun all evil. own self." Should the worldy-wise- Should the lamp of Religion be abmen of the day suffer the peoples of scured, chaos and confusion will en- BAHA'f SAGRED WRITINGS 41 sue, and the lights of fairness and in the place of the trustworthy. justice, of tranquillity and peace cease (Ishriqit : Bahi'u'llih.) t o shine. Unto this will bear witness every man of true understanding. From the beginning of time the (IshrLqP : Bahi'u'llih.) light of unity hath shed its Divine radiance upon the world, and the We have enjoined upon all man- greatest means for the promotion of kind the Most Great Peace-the sur- that unity is for the peoples of the est of all means for the protection of world to understand one another's humanity. The sovereigns of the writing and speech. I n former world should with one accord hold Epistles We have enjoined upon the fast thereunto, for this is the su- Trustees of the House of Justice preme instrument that can ensure the either to choose one language from security and welfare of all peoples among those now existing o r to adopt and nations. They verily are the a new one, and in like manner to manifestations of the po~werof God select a common script, both of which and the daysprings of His authority. should be taught in all the schools of We beseech the Almighty that He the world. Thus will the earth be remay graciously assist them in that garded as one country and one home. which leadeth to the well-being of The most glorious fruit of the Tree t h e i r subjects. (Ishriqfit : Bahb- of Knowledge is this exalted Word: 'u'llBh.) "Of one tree are all ye the fruit, and of one bough the leaves." "Let not It is incumbent upon everyone to man glory in that he loves his observe God's holy commandments country, let him rather glory in this inasmuch as they are the well-spring that he loves his kind." (IshrLqit: of life unto the world. The firma- BahB'u'llLh.) ment of Divine Wisdom is illumined with the twin orbs of Counsel and The Pen of Glory counselleth Compassion, and the canopy of world every one regarding the instruction order is upraised upon the two pillars and education of children. . . . It of Reward and Punishment. (Ish- is enjoined upon every father to proriqbt : Bahb'u'llbh.) vide for the instruction of his sons and daughters in the a r t of learning The triumphant hosts of this Di- and writing and in that which hath vine Dispensation a r e laudable deeds been prescribed in My Epistles. He and praiseworthy character, and the that neglecteth that whereunto he is leader and marshal thereof is the bidden, if he be wealthy, the Trusfear of God. Verily this compre- tees are to take from him that which hendeth and ruleth all things. (Ish- is required for their education, and if rLqLt : Bahi'u'llih.) he be poor, the matter shall devolve upon the House of Justice. Verily Governments should fully acquaint have We made it a shelter for the themselves with the conditions of poor and a refuge for the needy. He those they govern, and confer upon that bringeth up his own son or the them positions according t o desert son of another, it is as though he had and merit. I t is enjoined upon every brought up a child of Mine own; ruler and sovereign to consider this upon him rest My glory, My lovingmatter with the utmost care that the kindness and My mercy that encomtraitor may not usurp the position p a s s e t h all mankind. (IshrLqbt : of the faithful nor the despoiler rule BahL'u'llhh.) EAR BOOK The Lord hath ordained that in which will refrmh and animate the every city a House of Justice be es- earth. . . . Ponder God in your tablished, wherein shall gather coun- heart, reflect on His Manifestations, sellors to the number of Bahfi ( 9 ) , and be not of them that are devoid and should this number be exceeded of understanding. . . . I came not i t shall not matter. When gathered to proclaim that which ye already together they should remember the possess. Verily, verily, this day is a Presence of God in their midst. I t be- new day; He that hath come is the hooveth them to be the trusted ones of Wondrous, and His bidding the wont h e Merciful amongst men and the der of all that is in heaven and on ministers of God t o all that dwell on earth. . . . We have desired naught earth. It is incumbent upon them to for ourselves, but desired for you that take counsel together and care for which will profit you in the Kingdom the interests of the servants of God, of God, the Gracious, the All-Bountifor His sake, even a s they care for . ful. . . Glory is not his that protheir own and to choose that which claimeth his faith, but glory is his God hath chosen. (Kitib-i-Aqdas: that doeth that which the All-Merci- BahC'u'll6,h.) ful hath revealed in His wondrous Book. . . . 0 people of the world! 0 servants of the Merciful ! Arise Hearken to the call of the Lord, the to serve the Cause of God in such wise King of eternity. He biddeth you to that cares and sorrows caused by follow righteousness, to do that which them that have disbelieved in the giveth you peace and exalteth your Dayspring of the signs of God may station. He verily is the faithful not afflict you. . . . Lament not in Counsellor.... Regard not the your hours of trial, neither rejoice world and its fleeting shadows, but therein; seek ye the middle way fix your gaze upon God and His signs which is remembrance of Me in your that have encompassed all creation. . afflictions and meditation on that Detachment is as the sun ; in whatsowhich may hereafter befall you. . . . ever heart i t doth shine i t quencheth (KitAb-i-Aqdas : Bahi'u'llLh.) the fire of covetousness and self. He True liberty lies in observing My whose sight is illumined with the commandments, did ye but know. light of understanding will assuredly Were men to follow that which We detach himself from the world and have revealed unto them from the the vanities thereof. . . . Let not heaven of Revelation, they would of the world and its vileness grieve you. a certainty attain unto absolute free- Happy is he whom riches fill not with vain-glory, nor poverty with sorrow. dom. Well is i t with him that hath known the purpose of God in that ... 0 concourse of rulers! Turn which hath been revealed from the unto the poor; verily God hath creheaven of His will that transcendeth ated them and you from the selfsame all mankind. Say: the liberty that substance. Let a portion of your profiteth you is to be found only in wealth be shared by them. This is servitude t o God, the True One, and that which will profit you throughout whoso hath tasted the sweetness all times and ages. Bestow a part of thereof will never barter i t for all that which God in His grace bath the dominion of heaven and earth. .. given you; for thereby will your wealth be increased. . . . Unfaithful (Kitab-i-Aqdas : BiuhL'u'llCh.) is the world. . . . Were i t worthy of 0 people of BahC ! Be as the cloud regard o r acceptable in the sight of that from you may be showered that God, they that were the Manifesta- BAHA'~SACRED WRITINGS 43 tions of Justice would not have fallen brave whose hearts the power of the victims to the talons of tyranny. oppressor cannot daunt; happy are What greater proof of the baseness the clear-sighted that have learned to of the world and its degradation in distinguish the transitory from the the eyes of the Almighty?. . . Ex- eternal, that have turned their faces alted is the station of man, if he be to the Imperishable and are named adorned with the true attributes of among the Immortals in the realm of humanity; otherwise he is counted power and glory. . . . 0 friends! as the basest of all creatures. . . . The thief and the traitor are lying in 0 My loved ones! Ye are the world's wait; beware lest ye be heedless, 0 spiritual physicians. I t is incumbent bearers of God's trust ! Protect from upon you, through the power and the robber's hand the pearls of the might of God, to heal by the sover- love of God. . . . In this day, whosoeign remedy of the Most Great Name ever rendeth not asunder the veil of the soul-sickness of the kindreds of his idle imatginings will assuredly the earth and clarify the vision of all fail to hear the Voice of God. Well mankind. ... Give ear to the voice is it with them that with the aid of the power of God have shattered the of the Ancient Beauty calling you aloud from this most great Prison; idols of their fancies and, with ears Forsake oppression and cruelty, cling attentive to His call, have risen from to the fear of God. Purge yourselves the dead. . . . Words must be folfrom satanic deeds, be adorned with lowed by deeds; words without deeds the virtues of God. Verily, strife and are as bees that yield no honey, as sedition beseem not the people of trees that bear no fruit. .. Regard God. Eschew wicked works, and not the Cause of God as child's play, walk in the ways of holiness, of resig- neither be unmindful of His all-emnation and contentment. . . . Be bracing, all-discerning wisdom. Discalm and self-dependent in your rela- tinquish yourselves one and all tions with your fellow-men, and deal among mankind by the radiance of with them in fairness and justice. your countenance, the sincerity of Turn treachery to trust, slander to your speech, the purity of your heart, brotherly counsel, oppression to just- the steadfastness of your purpose, ice, heedlessness to the remembrance the trustworthiness of your conduct, of God. (Extracts from the Epistles the sanctity of your soul, the blameof Bahi'u'llih.) . lessness of your life. . (Extracts from the Epistles of BahVu'llih.) I t behoveth him that desireth to teach the Cause of his Lord to adorn 0 ye beloved of the Lord! In this his head with the crown of detach- sacred Dispensation conflict and conment and the temple of his body tention are in no wise permitted. with the fear of God. . . . Happy Every aggressor deprives himself of are the righteous that have attamed God's grace. I t is incumbent upon unto the most great truth; happy are every one to show the utmost love, the wise that have recognized the righteousness, straightforwardness straight path of God and turned unto and heartfelt kindliness unto all the His Kingdom ; happy are the glad and peoples and kindreds of the world, be sincere, the lamps of whose hearts they friends or strangers. Nay, the bum with the knowledge of the All- spirit of affection and loving kind- Merciful and are protected by self- ness must so prevail that the stranger abnegation from the rough winds of may find himself a friend, the enemy test and sorrows; happy are the a true companion, and every least 44 BAHA'~ YEAR BOOK ADMINISTRATION OF B A H ~CAUSE ~ 45 trace of difference he removed. For be turned into the light of unity. universality is of God and all limita- Should other peoples and nations be tions earthly. Hence man must unfaithful show fidelity unto them, strive to show forth such virtues and should they be unjust be just unto perfections as may illumine all man- them, should they avoid you attract kind. The light of the sun shineth them, should they show enmity be upon all the world and the merciful friendly, should they poison you showers of Providence fall upon all sweeten their lives, should they inpeoples. m e life-giving breeze re- flict a wound upon you be a salve to viveth every soul and all living their sores. Such are the attributes creatures obtain their share and por- of the sincere! Such are the attrition a t His heavenly board. I n like butes of the truthful !. .. manner the affections and loving kindness of the servants of the Ohe The disciples of Christ fongot them- True God must be bountifully and selves and all earthly things, foruniversally extended to all mankind. sook all their cares and belongings, Regarding this, restrictions and limi- purged themselves of self and pastations are in no wise permitted. sion, and with absolute detachment Wherefore, O my loving friends! scattered f a r and wide, and engaged Consort with all the peoples and kin- in calling the peoples of the world to dreds and religions of the world with the light of Guidance, till a t last they the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, made the world another world, ilfaithfulness, kindliness, good-will and lumined the surface of the earth, and friendliness; that all the world of even to their last hour proved selfbeing may be filled with the holy sacrificing in the pathway of that beecstasy of the grace of BahB, that ig- loved One of God. Finally in various norance, enmity, hate and malice may lands, they suffered glorious martyrvanish from the world and the dark- dom. Let them that are men of acness of estrangement amidst the peo- tion follow in their footsteps! (The ples and kindreds of the world may Will and Testament: 'Abdu'l-BahB.) A STATEMENT ON PRESENT DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE BAHA'f CAUSE B Y HORACE HOLLEY I T has been the general character- fact, no founder of a revealed religion istic of religion that organization has explicitly laid down the prinmarks the interruption of the true ciples that should guide the adminspiritual influence and serves to pre- istrative machinery of the Faith He vent the oriiginal impulse from being has established. carried into the world. The organ- In the BahB'i Cause, the principles ization has invariably become a sub- of world administration were expresstitute for religion rather than a sed by Bahi'u'llih, and these prinmethod or an instrument used to give ciples were developed in the writings the religion effect. The separation of of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, more especially in peoples into different traditions un- his Will and Testament. bridged by any peaceful or construc- The purpose of this organization tive intercourse has made this in- is to make possible a true and lasting evitable. Up t o the present time in unity among people of different 46 B A H K ' ~YFAR BOOK races, classes, interests, cbracters, definitely enjoined upon all BahP'is and inherited creeds. A close and by 'Abdu'l-BahL, but this authority sympathetic study of this aspect of carries with it nothing of an arbithe Bahl'i Cause will show that the trary or personal character, being purpose and method of BahB'i ad- limited as to purpose and method by ministration is so perfectly adapted fthe writings of Bahl'u'llih and 'Abto the fundamental spirit of the du'l-Bah6. The Guardian unifies the Revelation that it bears to i t the efforts to bring into complete applisame relationship as body to soul. cation those principles of world ad- In character, the principles of BahVi ministration already clearly defined. administration represent the science To assist the Guardian in his maniof co-operation; in application, they fold responsibilities and duties and provide for a new and higher type of particularly in the promotion of the morality world-wide in scope. In the Teaching work, 'Abdu'l-Bahi proclash and confusion of sectarian vided for the appointment of a group prejudice, the BahP'i Movement is of co-workers to be known as "The impartial and sympathetic, offering a Hands of the Cause of God." The apfoundation upon which reconcilation pointment of this body is a function can be firmly based. Amid the com- of the Guardian, and these from their plex interrelations of governments, own number are to elect nine persons the Movement stands absolutely who will be closely associated with neutral as to political purposes and the Guardian in the discharge of his entirely obedient to all recognized duties. It is the function of the authority. It will not be overlooked Guardian also to appoint his own by the student that BahL'u'llLh is the successor, this appointment to be only religious teacher making obedi- ratified by the nine Hands of the ence to just governments and rulers Cause. a definite spiritual command. I t is the genius of the BahB'i Cause In this brief analysis of the several that the principle underlying the adfeatures of the BahB'i system of ad- ministration of its affairs aims to imministration the purpose is rather to prove the life and up-build the charplace in the hands of the believers acter of the individual believer in his themselves a convenient summary of own local community, wherever it the available instructions than to may be, and not to enhance the presclarify this aspect of the Movement tige of those relatively few who, by to the non-Bahi'i. Until one has election or appointment, hold posimade contact with the spirit of the tions of higher authority. Bahi'i Bahi'f teachings and desires to co- authority is measured by self-sacrioperate whole-heartedly with their fice and not by arbitrary power. purpose, the administrative phase of This fundamental aim can be seen the Movement can have little real clearly on studying the significant meaning or appeal. emphasis which 'Abdu'l-Bah8 placed At the time of the passing of upon the local BahB'i communfty. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, the organization was The local group, involving a s i t does fully defined but not yet established men and women in all the normal among his followers. The responsi- activities and relations of life, is the bility for carrying out the instruc- foundation upon which rests the entions was placed by 'Abdu'l-Bahi tire evolution of the Cause. The upon his grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to local Bahi'i community is given offiwhom was assigned the function of cial recognition only after its num- Guardian of the Cause. Obedience ber of adult declared believers exceeds to the authority of the Guardian was nine. Up to this point, the comrnunity exists as a voluntary group cations of division. To enter the of workers and students of the Bahi'i Movement is to leave these Cause. sanctions behind, an experience which In this connection, the word 'com- a t first invariably exposes one to new munity' is not used in the sense of trials and sufferings, as the human any locality exclusively Bahi'i in ego revolts against the supreme sancmembership, nor of any manner of tion of universal love. The scientific living differing outwardly from the must associate with the simple and general environment, such as has unlearned, the rich with the poor, been attempted by religionists and the white with the colored, the mystic also members of philosophic and wibh the literalist, the Christian with economic movements in the past. A the Jew, the Muslim and the Parsee: Bahi'i community is a unity of minds and on terms removing the advantage and hearts, an association of people of long established presumptions and entirely voluntary in character, es- privileges. tablished upon a common experience But for this difficult experience of devotion to the universal aims of there are glorious compensations. BahP'u'llBh and agreement as to the Let us remember that art grows methods by which these aims can be sterile as it turns away from the comadvanced. mon humanity, that philosophy like- A Bahi'i community differs from wise loses its vision when developed other voluntary gatherings in that in solitude, and that politics and reits foundation is so deeply laid and ligion never succeed apart from the broadly extended that it can include general needs of mankind. Human any soul. Whereas other associa- nature is not yet known, for we have tions are exclusive, in effect if not in all lived in a state of mental, moral, intention, and from method if not emotional or social defense, and the from ideal, Bahi'i association is in- psychology of defense is the psychoclusive, shutting the gates of fellow- logy of inhibition. But the love of ship to no sincere soul. In every God removes fear; the removal of gathering there is latent or developed fear establishes the latent powers, some basis of selection. In religion and association with others in spirthis basis is a creed limited by the itual love brings these powers into historical nature of its origin; in vital, positive expression. A Bahi'i politics this is party or platform; in community is a gathering where this economics this is a mutual misfortune process can take place in this age, or mutual power; in the arts and slowly a t first, as the new impetus sciences this basis consists of special gathers force, more rapidly as the training or activity or interest. In members become conscious of the all these matters, the more exclusive powers unfolding the flower of unity the basis of selection, the stronger among men. the movement--a condition diamet- Where the community is small and rically opposed to that existing in insignificant, in comparison with the the Bahi'i Cause. Hence the Cause, population of the city or town, the for all its spirit of growth and first condition of growth is underprogress, develops slowly as re- standing of the Manifestation of Bagards the numbers of its active ad- hi'u'll5h, and the next condition is herents. For people are accustomed that of true humility. If these two to exclusiveness and division in all conditions exist, the weakest soul beaffairs. The important sanctions comes endowed wfth effective power have ever been warrants and justifi- in service to the Cause. The result !EAR BOOK of unity, in fact, is to sharc the account feel hurt, for not until matpowers and faculties of all with each. ters are fully discussed can the right The responsibility for and super- way be revealed. The shining spark vision of local BahL'i affairs is vested of truth cometh forth only after the in a body known as the Spiritual As- clash of differing opinions. If after sembly. Tliis body (limited to nine discussion a decision be carried members) is elected annually on unanimously, well and good; but if, April Zlst, the first day of Ridvfin the Lord forbid, differences of opi- (The Festival commemoratin~g the nion should arise, a majority of declaration of Bahi'u'llih) by the voices must prevail. adult declared believers of the com- "The first condition is absolute munity, the voting Iist being drawn love and harmony amongst the memup by the out-going Spiritual As- bers of the Assembly. They must be sembly. Concerning the character wholly free from estrangement and and functions of this body, 'Abdu'l- must manifest in themselves the BahL has written as follows: Unity of God, for they are the waves "It is incumbent upon every one of one sea, the drops of one river, the (every believer) not to take any step stars of one heaven, the rays of one (of BahB'i activity) without consult- sun, the trees of one orchard, the ing the Spiritual Assembly, and they flowers of one garden. Should harmust assuredly obey with heart and mony of thought and absolute unity soul its bidding and be submissive be nou-existent, that gathering shall unto it, that things may be properly be dispersed and that assembly be ordered and well arranged. Other- brought to naught. The second conwise every person will act independ- dition :-They must when cominfgtoently and after his own judgment, gether turn their faces to the Kingwill follow his own desire, and do dom on high and ask aid from the harm to the Cause. realm of Glory. . . . Discussions "The prime requisites for them must all be confined to spiritual matthat take counsel together are purity ters that pertain to the training of of motive, radiance of spirit, detach- souls, the instruction of children, ment from all else save God, attrac- the relief of the poor, the help of the tion to His divine fragrances, hu- feeble throughout all classess in the mility and lawliness amongst His world, kindness to all peoples, the difloved ones, patience and long-suffer- fusion of the fragrances of God and ing in difficulties and servitude to His the exaltation of His holy Word. exalted Threshold. Should they be Should they endeavor to fulfill these graciously aided to acquire these at- conditions the grace of the Holy tributes, victory from the unseen Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, Kingdom of Bahfi shall he vouchsafed and that assembly shall become the to them. In this day, assemblies of center of the divine blessings, the consultation are of the ,greatest im- hosts of divine confirmation shall portance and a vital necessity. Obe- come to their aid, and they shall day dience unto them is essential and ob- by day receive a new effusion of ligatory. The members thereof must spirit." take counsel together in such wise The letters of Shoghi Effendi quote that no occasion for ill-feeling or dis- the fundamental instructions concord may arise. This can be attained tained in the writings of Bahh'u'llah when every member expresses with and 'Abdu'l-Baha on the character of absolute freedom his own opinion BahL'i administration, and give them and setteth forth his argument. definite application. "A careful study Should anyone oppose, he must on no of BahL'u'llBh's and 'Abdu'l-BahB's ADMINISTRATION Tablets will reveal that other duties "They must supervisc in thcsc days (besides teaching the Cause), no less when the Cause is still in its infancy vital to the interests of the Cause, de- all BahL'i publications and translavolve upon the elected representatives tions, and provide in general for a of the friends in every locality. dignified and accurate presentation "They must endeavor to promote of all Bahi'i literature and its distriamity and concord amongst the but~onto the general public. friends and secure an active and "These rank among the most outwhole-hearted co-operation for the standing obligations of the members service of the Cause. of every Spiritual Assembly. I n "They must do their utmost to ex- whatever locality the Cause has suftend at all times the helping hand to ficiently expanded, and in order to inthe poor, the sick, the disabled, the sure efficiency and avoid confusion, orphan, the widow, irrespective of each of these manifold functions will color, caste and creed. have to be referred to a special Com- "They must promote by every mittee, responsible to that Assembly, means in their power the material a s elected by it from among the friends well as spiritual enlightenment of in that locality, and upon whose work youth, the means for the education the Assembly will have to exercise of children, institute, whenever pos- constant and general supervision. sible, BahL'i educational institutions, "In every locality, be i t city or organize and supervise their work, hamlet, where the number of adult and provide the best means for their declared believers exceed nine, a prngress and development. local Spiritual Assembly must be "They must make an effort to forthwith established. maintain official, regular and fre- "As the progress and extension of quent correspondence with the vari- spiritual activities is dependent and ous Baha'i centers throughout the conditioned upon material means, i t world, report to them their activities, is of absolute necessity that immediand share the glad tidings they re- ately after the establishment of local ceive with all their fellow-workers in as well a s national Spiritual Asthe Cause. semblies, a Bahi'i Fund may be es- "They must bend every effort to tablished, to be placed under the expromote the interests of the Mash- clusive control of the Spiritual Asriqu'l-Adhkar*, and hasten the day sembly. All donat~onsand contribuwhen the work of this glorious edifice tions should be offered to the Treaswill have been consummated. urer of the Assembly, for the ex- "They must encourage and stimu- press purpose of promoting the inlate by every means a t their com- terests of the Cause throughout that mand, through subscriptions, reports locality or country. I t is the sacred and articles, the development of the obligation of every conscientious and various Bahb'i magazines. faithful servant of Baha'u'llih, who "They must undertake the arrange- desires to see His Cause advance, to ment of the regular meetings of the contribute freely and generously for friends, the feasts and anniversaries, the increase of that Fund. The memas well as the special gatherings de- bers of the Spiritual Assembly will signed to serve and promote the so- a t their own discretion expend i t to cial, intellectual and spiritual inter- promote the teaching campaign, to ests of their fellowmen. help the needy, to establish educational Bahi'i institutions, to extend 'Referring ~artiou:arly to Assemblies in America. in every way their sphere of service. YEAR BOOK "Nothing whatever should be given moniously can the hope for the terto the public by any individual among mination of this period of transition the friends, unless fully considered be realized. . . . Bear in mind that and approved by the Spiritual As- the keynote of the Cause of God is not sembly in his locality; and if this (as dictatorial authority, but humble felis undoubtedly the case) is a matter lowship; not arbitrary power, but the that pertains to the general interests spirit of frank and loving consultaof the .Cause in that land, then it is tion. Nothing short of the spirit of incumbent upon the Spiritual As- a true Baha'i can hope to reconcile sembly to submit i t to the considera- the principles of mercy and justice, tion and approval of the national of freedom and submission, of the body representing all the various sanctity of the right of the individual local assemblies.. Not only with re- and of self-surrender, of vitggilance, gard to publication, but all matters discretion and prudence on the one without any exception whatsoever, hand, and fellowship, candor, and regarding the interests of the Cause courage on the other." in that locality, individually or col- Experience in the life of a Bahb'i lectively, should be referred exclusi- community and participation in the vely to the Spiritual Assembly in that details of its several activities imlocality, which shall decide upon it, presses one with the fact that Bahs'i unless it be a matter of national in- unity has in i t new elements which terest, in which case i t shall be refer- work powerfully to expand one's area red to the national (Baha'i) body. of sympathy, deepen one's insight, de- With this national body also will rest velop one's character and bring order the decision whether a given question and stability into all of one's affairs. is of local or national interest. (By There can be no higher privilege than national affairs is not meant matters the experience of attempting to serve that are political in their character, faithfully upon a Spiritual Assembly, for the friends of God the world over conscious as its members are of the are strictlyl forbidden to meddle with unique standard upheld by 'Abdu'lpolitical affairs in any way whatever, Bahb and bringing as it does the opbut rather things that affect the portunity of dealing with a large spiritual activities of the body of the range and diversity of human probfriends in that land.) lems from an impersonal point of "Full harmony, however, as well view. I t is inevitable that the nine a s co-operation among the various elected members shall exemplify dilocal assemblies and the members verse interests and types of charthemselves, and particularly betweer. acter, with the result that unity of each assembly and the National body heart and conscience with the other is of the utmost importance, for upon eight members is a direct training it depends the unity of the Cause of to enter into spiritual unity with the God, the solidarity of the friends, the langer body of mankind. No such full, speedy and efficient working of schools of discipline and inspiration the spiritual activities of His loved exist on earth today, for one must ones. bear in mind that a BahB'i com- "The various Assemblies, local and munity can never be an exclusive national, constitute today the bedrock group nor a closed circle of interests upon the strength of which the Uni- but, on the contrary, its fundamental versal House is in future to be firmly purpose is to unify and co-operate established and raised. Not unltil with every possible element in the these function vigorously and har- surrounding population. ADMINISTR~TIONOF BAHA'I CAUSE 51 The local Spiritual Asscmbly after this number is fulfilled by assigning election organizes by electing from to each local community the number its own number a chairman, corres- of delegates called for by its relative ponding secretary, recording secre- numerical strength. These National tary and treasurer. It should appoint Conventions are preferably held durfrom its own members or from the ing the period of Ridvin, the twelve local Baha'i community working com- days beginning April 21st which committees responsible for the various memorate the Declaration made by permanent activities of the Cause. BahP'u'llPh in the Garden of Ridvin Since a Spiritual Assembly is estab- near Baghdad. The recognition of lished upon a new and higher ideal, delegates is vested in the out-going the character, knowledge and purity National Spiritual Assembly. of its members is essential to success. A National Convention is an occa- Wherever personal ambition, narrow- sion for deepening one's understandness or impurity enters a Spiritual ing of Baha'i activities and of shar- Assembly, the results are invariably ing reports of national and local acto check the growtb of the Cause and, tivities for the period of the elapsed if these conditions are prolonged, to year. It has been the custom to hold destroy the foundation already laid. a public Bahi'i Congress in connec- The careful student of the teachings tion with the Convention. The funcwill accept this result a s one more tion of a Baha'i delegate is not limited vindication of the all-surrounding to attendance a t the National Conspirit protecting this Faith. The vention and participation in the elecelimination of an unworthy group tion of the new National Spiritual from the Bahi'i Cause would be a Assembly. While gathered together, bitter disappointment but not an the delegates are a consultative and evidence that the Cause had failed. advisory body whose recommenda- On the contrary, the Cause could tions are to be carefully considered only be declared a failure if personal by the members of the elected ambition, pride, narrowness and im- national assembly. Even after the purity should so prevail as to build a Convention, this consultative funcworld-wide organization able to per- tion continues throughout the year, vert the original purpose. and by the close and intimate asso- The local Spiritual Assemblies of a ciation of the deliberations of the country are linked together and co- National Spiritual Assembly with the ordinated through another elected delegates, the national body is enbody of nine members, the National abled to be more representative of Spiritual Assembly. This body comes the entire Bahi'i community of the into being by means of an annual land. Delegates unable to attend the election held by elected delegates rep- Convention in person are permitted resenting the local BahP'i communi- to vote for Che new National Spirties. The delegates are elected by all itual Assembly by mail. the adult declared believers of a com- The relation of the National Spirmunity in which a Spiritual Assembly itual Assembly to the local Spiritual exists. The National Convention in Assemblies and to the body of the bewhich the delegates are gathered to- lievers in the country is thus defined gether is composed of an elective body in the letters of the Guardian of the based upon the principle of propor- Cause :- tional representation. The total "Regarding the establishment of number of delegates is fixed by National Assemblies, i t is of vital im- Shoghi Effendi for each country, and portance that in every country, where ADMINISTRATION OF BAIIb'f CAUSE 53 the conditions are favorable and thc the full jurisdiction of the National number of the friends has grown and Assembly. reached a considerable size-that a "It will have to refer each of these National Spiritual Assembly be im- questions, even as the local Assembmediately established, representative lies, to a special Committee, to be of the friends throughout that elected by the members of the Nacountry. tional Spiritual Assembly from "Its immediate purpose is to stimu- among all the friends in that country, late, unify and co-ordinate, by fre- which will bear to i t the same relaquent personal consultations, the tions as the local committees bear to manifold activities of the friends as their respective local Assemblies. well as the local Assemblies; and by "With it, too, rests the decision keeping in close and constant touch whether a certain point a t issue is with the Holy Land, initiate meas- strictly local in its nature, and should ures, and direct in general the af- be reserved for the consideration and fairs of the Cause in that country. decision of the local Assembly, or "It serves also another purpose, no whether i t should fall under its own less essential than the first, as in the province and be a matter which ought course of time i t shall evolve into the to receive its special attention. National House of Justice (referred "It is the bounden duty, in the into in 'Abdu'l-BahL's Will as the terest of the Cause we all love and "secondary House of Justice") which serve, of the members of the incomaccording to the explicit text of the ing National Assembly, once elected Testament will have, in conjunction by the delegates a t Convention time, with the other National Assemblies to seek and have the utmost regard, throughout the BahP'i world, to elect individually as well as collectively, directly the members of the Inter- for the advice, the considered opinion nation1 House of Justice, that Sup- and the true sentiments of the asreme Council that will guide, or- sembled delegates. Banishing every ganize and unify the affairs of the vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, Movement throughout the world. of dictatorial aloofness from their "This National Spiritual Assembly midst, they should radiantly and which, pending the establishment of abundantly unfold to the eyes of the the Universal House of Justice, will delegates by whom they were elected, have to be re-elected once a year, ob- their plans, their hopes and their viously assumes grave responsibili- cares. They should familiarize the ties for it has to exercise full author- delegates with the various matters ity over all the local Assemblies in its that will have to be considered in the province, and will have to direct the current year, and calmly and conactivities of the friends, guard vigi- scientiously study and weigh the lantly the Cause of God, and control opinions and judgments of the deleand supervise the affairs of the Move- gates. The newly elected National ment in general. Assembly, during the few days when "Vital issues, affecting the inter- the Convention is in session, and ests of the Cause in that country, after the dispersion of the delegates, such as the matter of translation and should seek ways and means to cultipublication, the Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr, vat2 understanding, facilitate and the teaching work, and other similar maintain the exchange of views, matters that stand distinct from deepen confidence, and vindicate by strictly local affairs, must be under every tangible evidence their one de- 54 B A ~ l i ' f YEAR BOOK sire to serve and advance the corn- up thc voting list to be used a t the mon weal. annual local Bahl'i elections, the res- "The National Spiritual Assembly, ponsibility for this is placed upon however, in view of the unavoidable each local Spiritual Assembly, and as limitations imposed upon the con- a guidance in the matter the Guarvening of frequent and long-standing dian has written the following: sessions of the Convention, will have "To state very briefly and as adeto retain in its hands the final deei- quately a s present circumstances persion on all matters that affect the in- mit, the principal factors that must terests of the Cause-such as the be taken into consideration before deright to decide whether any local As- ciding whether a person may be resembly is functioning in accordance garded a true believer or not. Pull with the principles laid down for the recognition of the station of the Foreconduct and the advancement of the runner, the Author and the True Cause. Exemplar of the BahQ'i Cause, as set "The seating of delegates to the forth in 'Abdu'l-BahB's Testament; Convention, i. e., the right to decide unreserved acceptance of and subupon the validity of the credentials mission to whatsoever has been reof the delegates a t a given Conven- vealed by their Pen; loyal and steadtion, is vested in the outgoing Na- fast adherence to every clause of our tional Assembly, and the right to de- Beloved's sacred Will; and close ascide who has the voting privilege is sociation with the spirit as well as also ultimately placed in the hands of the form of the present day BahB'i the National Spiritual Assembly, administration-these, I conceive, to either when a local Spiritual Assemb- be the fundamental and primary conly is for the first time being formed siderations that must be fairly, disin a given locality, or when differ- creetly and thoughtfully ascertained ences arise between a new applicant before reaching such a vital decision." and an already established local As- 'Abdu'l-Bahi's instructions prosembly. vide for the further development of "Were the National Spiritual As- Bahl'i organization through an Intersembly to decide, after mature deli- national Spiritual Assembly to be beration, to omit the holding of the elected by the members of the Na- BahQ'i Convention and Congress in a tional Spiritual Assemblies. This ingiven year, then they could, only in ternational body has not yet come such a case, devise ways and means into existence, hut iCs special charto insure that the annual election of acter has been clearly defined : the National Spiritual Assembly "And now, concerning the Asshould be held by mail, provided it sembly (Baytu'l-'Adl) which God can be conducted with sufficient thor- hath ordained a s the source of all oughness, efficiency and dispatch. good and freed from all error, it must I t would also appear to me unobjec- be elected by universal suffrage, that tionable to enable and even to require is, by the believers. Its members in the last resort such delegates as must be manifestations of the fear of cannot possibly undertake the jour- God, and daysprings of knowledlge ney to the seat of the Bahb'i Couven- and understanding, must be steadtion to send their votes, for the elec- fast in God's Faith, and the welltion of the National Spiritual As- wishers of all mankind. By this assembly only, by mail to the National sembly is meant the Universal As- Secretary." sembly: that is, i n each country a Concerning the matter of drawing secondary Assembly must be insti- OF B A H & ~ CAUSE 55 tuted, and these secondary As- acteristics of Baha'i administration. semblies must elect the members of The first is its completely successful the Universal one. reconciliation of the usually opposed "Unto this body all things must be claims of democratic freedom and unreferred. I t enacteth all ordinances answerable authority. The second iand regulations that a r e not to be is the entire absence from the Bahi'i found in the explicit Holy Text. By Cause of anything approaching the this body all the difficult problems are institution of a salaried professional to be resolved, and the Guardian of clergy. The BahL'i conception of rethe Cause is its sacred head and the ligion is one which combines mysdistinguished member, for life, of ticism, which is a sacred personal exthat body. Should he not attend in perience, with practical morality, person its deliberations, he must ap- which is a useful contact between the point one to represent him. . . This individual and his fellow man. I n Assembly enacteth the laws and the the nature of things, some souls are executive enforceth them. The legis- more advanced than others, and the lative body must reinforce the execu- function of spiritual teaching is tive, the executive must aid and as- given special importance in the writsist the legislative body, so that, ings of BahB'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha. through the close union and harmony The Baha'i teacher, however, has no of these two forces, the foundation of authority over the individual confairness and justice may become firm science. The individual conscience and strong, that all the regions of the must be subordinated to the decisions world may become even a s Paradise of a duly elected Spiritual Assembly, itself. but this relationship is entirely dif- "Unto the Most Holy Book every- ferent in character and results from one must turn, and all that is not ex- the relationship of an individual with pressly recorded therein must be reminister or priest. ferred to the Universal Assembly. The third characteristic is the ab- That which this body, either unanimously or by a majority, doth carry, sence of internal factionalism, that that is verily the truth and the pur- bane of all organized effort, and the pose of God Himself. Whoso doth surc sign of the presence of spiritual deviate therefrom is verily of them disease. The predominant spirit of that love discord, hath shown forth unity which distinguishes the BahB'i malice, and turned away from the Cause in its relation to the world, Lord of t'le Covenant!' making its followers strive for recon- Even a t the present time, the Ba- ciliation rather than partisan victory, hL'is in all parts of the world main- creates a n internal condition, unlike tain an intimate and cordial associa- that which exists in movements tion by means of regular correspond- which accept partisan victory, i n one ence and individual visits. This con- or another form, as their very reason tact of members of diffcrcnt races, for 'being. Such movements can but nationalities and religious traditions disintegrate from within; the Baha'i is concrete proof that the burden of Movement can but grow. prejudice and the historical factors Silgnificant also is the fourth charof division can be entirely overcome acteristic, namely that the BahB'i through the spirit of oneness estab- Cause has within i t an inherent lished by BahP'u'llih. necessity operating slowly *butsurely The general student of religion will to bring its administration into the not fail to note four essential char- hands of those truly fitted for the na- 56 B A H A ' ~YEAR BOOK ture of the work. The lesser vision numbers, not by the mere exposition gives way invariably for the larger of a set of new and noble principles, vision, itself replaced by the still not by an organized campaign of larger vision in due time. The re- teaching-no matter how world-wide sult is an inevitable improvement in and elaborate in its character-not the qualities placed at the service of even by the staunchness of our faith the Cause, until the highest attributes or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, of humanity will be enrolled. I n the can we ultimately hope to vindicate Bahi'i Cause we are actually witnes- in the eyes of a critical and sceptical sing the fulfilment of that strange and age the supreme claim of the Abhh cryptic saying: The meek shall in- Revelation. One thing and only one herit the earth. thinlg will unfailingly and alone se- That the administrative machinery cure the undoubted triumph of this is not an end in itself but merely the sacred Cause, namely the extent to means to spread everywhere the light of faith and brotherhood, is fre- which our own inner life and private quently expressed by the Guardian in character mirror forth in their manihis general letters, and this brief s'ur- fold aspects the splendor of those vey may well close with one of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bapassages: "Not by the force of hC'u'll&h." THE BAHA9f CALENDAR Fvom "Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era," pages 1 5 5 1 5 6 B Y DR. J. E. ESSLENIONT WONG different peoples and a t "Intercalary Days" (four in ordinary A different times many different and five in leap years) between the methods have been adopted for the eighteenth and nineteenth months in measurement of time and fixing of order to adjust the calendar to the dates, and several different calendars solar year. The Bab named the are still in dally use, e. g.,the Grego- months after the attributes of God. riau in Western Europe, the Julian in The EahL'i New Year, like the ancient Persian New Year, is astronomically many countries of Eastern Europe, fixed, commencing at the March the Hebrew among the Jews, and the equinox (March Zlst), and the Baha'i Muhammadan in Muslim countries. era commences with the year of the The B5b signalized the importance Bib's declaration (i. e., 1844 A. D., of the dispensation which He came 1260 A. H.) to herald, by inaugurating a new cal- In the not f a r distant future it will endar. In this, as in the Gregorian be necessary that all peoples in the Calendar, the lunar month is aban- world agree on a common calendar. doned and the solar year is adopted. I t seems, therefore, fitting that the The BahC'i year consists of 19 new age of unity should have a new months of 19 days each (i. e., 361 calendar free from the objections and days), with the addition of certain associations which make each of the THE B A H ~ CALENDAR '~ 57 oldcr calendars unacceptable to lange ity and convenience that proposed sections of the world's population, by the BBb. and it is difficult to see how any other The months in the BBb's Calendar arrangement could exceed in simplic- are as follows : M ON TH ARABIONAME TRANSLATION FIRST DAYS l.st Bahi Splendor ' March 2 1 1 2nd Jalhl Glory April 9th 3rd Jamal Beauty April 28th 4th 'Aeamat Grandeur May 17th 5th N6r Light June 5th 6th Rahmat Mercy June 240h 7th Kailimat Words July 13th 8th AsmA' Names August 1st 9th Kamhl Perfection August 20th 10th 'Izzat Miglht September 8th 11th M~~shiyyat Will September 27th 12th 'Ilm Knowledge October 16th 13th Qudrat Power November 4th 14th Qawl Speech November 23rd 15th MasB'il Questions December 12th 16th Sharaf Honor December 31st 17th SultLn Sovereignty January 19th 18th Mulk Dominion Felsrutairy 7th 19th 'Uli Loftiness March 2nd Intercalary Days, Feb. 26th t o March lst, inclusive BAHA'f FEASTS AND ANNIVERSARIES Feast of Nawr6z (New Year), Martyrdom of the Bib, July 9, March 21. (1850). Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of Birth of Bahi,u711ih, November 12, Bahi'u'llhh), April 21 to May 3, (1817). (1863). Declaration of the B&b, May 23, Fete Day of 'Abdu'l-BahA, No- (1844). vember 26. Ascension of BahB'u'llPh, May 28, Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, No- (1892). vember 28, (1921). 58 B A H A ' ~YEAR BOOK Mashriqu'l-Adhkhr in course of constructw~zat Wilmette, suburb of Chicago, Illilcois. THE MASHRIQU'L:ADHK~ THE MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR "The Dawning Place of God's Pvaiss" R ELIGION in its fullest develop- artifice of ritual. There will be the ment, its perfection, will have music of voices but not of instrument. the outward and visible form in com- Those who enter the Mashriqu'lplete correspondence wilth the in- AdhkBr will do so most frequently in ward invisible spirit. Its institu- order to meditate and pray. tions, its philosophy, and its essen- The BahL'i House of Worship betial spiritual purpose will be in full comes new and unique in that the harmony and agreement. central edifice will be surrounded The Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr, the sym- with accessory buildings of humanibol and embodiment of the Bah&i' tarian intent, and the relation of all Revelation, is the outcome and fulfill- these buildings one with another and ment of the teachings of Bah&'ulllBh with the central edifice discloses the in the world of action. I t embodies relation of the organic functions of those teachings in a manner applying society with the spirit of religion. them to daily life. I t makes unity a The Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr perfectly practice and habit as well as an ideal. symbolizes thq two-fold nature of re- It identifies religion with the social ligion--one aspect the turning to body, not by materializing religion, God, the other aspect service to man. but by inspiring society. The ap- As 'Abdu'l-BahB has said: "Religion pearance of an institution of this is an attitude toward God reflected in character in the world today is a life." proof of the re-birth of religion ac- The writings of the BahB'i Moveceptable to those who have lost faith ment contain many references to the in the evidences of doctrine. Mashriqu'l-Adhkir. The present age is moving toward In the KitBb-i-Aqdas BahQ'u'llAh the Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr in its realiza- said : "0 Concourse of creation ! 0 tion of the need to co-ordinate the people! Construct edifices in the churches with the fundamental prob- most beautiful fashion possible, in Jems of civilization, and in the will- every city, in every land, in the name ingness to abandon unnecessary of the Lord of Religions. Adorn duplication of religious effort. Corn- them with that which beseemeth munity churches have come into ex- them. Then commemorate the Lord, istence which foreshadow the BahL'i the Merciful, the Clement, in spirit Temple in many respects, but none and fragrance. possesses the whole range of its sig- "Teach your children what hath nificance. been revealed through the Supreme In the Mashriqu'l-Adhkir we have Pen. Instruct them in what hath dea house of worship and devotion open scended from the Heaven of greatto people of all religions, races and ness and power. Let them memorize classes without distinction. Its serv- the Tablets of the Merciful and ices consist of reading and chanting chant them with melodious voices in the holy Word. The purpose is to the galleries built in the Temple of turn the heart directly to the divine the Mashriqu'I-AdhkBr. m e pray- Source, and this purpose is not eom- ers of the Lord should be chanted in patible with human sermons or the a manner to abtract the hearts and 60 BAHA'~ YEAX BOOK souls. Blessed is he who listeneth meet under the dome of the Mashunto the River of Life." riqu'l-Adhkar and adore the One God From Tablets and addresses of in the same Spirit of Truth, for the 'kbdu'l-Baha : ages of darkness have passed away "Temples are symbols of the Re- and the century of Liight has arrived. ality and Divinity of God-that is, The imaginary prejudices are in the Manifestation of God is the real arocess of diswersion and the Lizhtdivine Temple and Collective Center of Unity is shking. of which the Church is a symbol. "In the days of the Manifestation, "The real Temple is the very Law any city wherein a Temple was of God, for to that all humanity must founded, afforded the means of resort, and that is the center of unity promulgation (of the Cause), the for all mankind. That is the Collec- confirmation of the hearts and the tive Center. That is the cause of ac- confidence of souls; for in those cord and unity of the hearts. That buildings the Name of God is ever is the cause of the solidarity of the commemorated. For the tranquillity human race. That is the source of and repose of the hearts there is no life eternal. Temples are symbols other means save the commemoraof that unifying force, in order that tion of Almighty God. when the people gather there, in a "The original purpose is this: that given edifice of God, they may re- is why His Holiness BahO'u'llLh has call the fact that the Law has been commanded that a place be built for revealed for them and that the Law all the religionists of the world. Not is to unite them. That just as this only does the Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr have edifice was founded for the unifica- an effect upon those who built i t but tion of mankind, the Law preceding upon the whole world." and creating this Tempde wa: issued "The Mashriqu'l-Adhkir must have therefore. nine sides, doors, fountains, paths, "In the Templc of the Lord man gateways, columns and gardens, with must be submissive to God. 'He must the ground floor, galleries and domes, enter into a covenant with His Lord and in design and construction must in order that he shall obey His Com- be beautiful. The mystery of the mands and be unified with his fellow- edifice is great and cannot be unmen. He must not consider diverg- veiled yet, but its erection is the ences of races nor difference of na- most important undertaking. of this tionalities; he must not view varia- Day. tion in denomination and creed, nor "The Mashriqu'l-AdhkAr has imshould he take into account the dif- portant accessories, which are acfering degrees of thoughts ; nay counted of the basic foundations. rather, he should look upon all man- These are :-school for orphan chilkind and realize that all must become dren, hospital and dispensary for the united and agreed. He must recog- poor, home for the incapable, colle* nize all as one family, one race, one for higher scientific education and nativity; all the servants of one God, hospice. In every city a great Mashdwelling beneath the shelter of the riqu'l-Adhkar must be founded after Mercy of God. Just as the external this order. In the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar world is a place where various peo- services will be held every morning. ples of different hues and colors, of There will be no organ in the Temple. various faiths and denominations In buildings near by, festivals, servmeet; just as they are submerged i n ices, conventions, public meetings the Sea of Favors, likewise, all may and spiritual gatherings will be held, THE MASHRIQI but in the Temple the chanting and this Templc will bc liltc thc hundred singing will be unaccompanied. thousand gigantic Temples you see Open ye the gates of the Temple to about you. Know ye that when this all mankind. Temple of God shall be built in Chi- "When these institutions, college, cago i t will be to the spiritual body of hospital, hospice, and establishment the world what the inrush of the for the incurables, university for the spirit is to the physical body of man, study of higher sciences, giving post- quickening it to its utmost parts and graduate courses, and other philan- infusing a New Light and Power. thropic buildin)gs are built, t h e doors Should the believers undertake (the will be opened to all the nations and erection of the Temple) in many religions. There will be absolutely places, it will not become completed no line of demarcation drawn. Its anywhere; and as in Chicago they charities will be dispensed irrespec- have preceded every other place t o tive of color or race. Its gates will plan the erection of the Temple, unbe flung wide open to mankind; doubtedly to co-operate and help them prejudice towards none, love for all. is nobler and a necessity. Then when The central building will be devoted it is built in one place i t will become to the purpose of prayer and worship. erected in many other places. God Thus. ... . .rellglon will become willing, in all the states of America harmonized with science, and science in the future there will be erected will be the handmaid of religion, both Temples, with infinite architectural showering their material and spir- beauty, with pleasing proportions and itual gifts on all humanity." handsome and attractive appear- "Now the day has arrivcd in which ances." the Ediflce of God, the Divine Sanctu- "Praise be to God that, a t this ary, the Spiritual Temple shall be moment, from every country in the erected in America. I entreat God to world according to their various assist the confirmed believers In ac- means, contributions are continually complishing this great service and being sent toward the fund of the with entire zeal to rear this mighty Mashriqu'l-Adhkir in America. In structure, which shall be renowned reality this magnanimity of the bethroughout the world. The support lievers is worthy of great praise and of God will be with those believers in thankfulness. This donation in the that district, that they may be suc- path of the Orb of Religions is concessful in their undertaking. For ducive to the happiness of the souls this cause is great because this is the of the spiritual ones. From the day first Mashriqu'l-AdhkCr in that of Adam until now, such an event has country. never been witnessed by man that, "Verily the founding of the Mash- from the fanthermost country of riqu'l-AdhkLr will mark the incep- Asia contributions were forwarded to tion of the Kingdom of God on earth. America. This is through the Power I t is the evident standard waving in of the Covenant of God. the center of that great continent of "Verily this is a cause of astonish- America. Make the erection of the ment to the people of perception. Temple in America conducive to the "The debt on the land of the Mashunity and oneness of the believers, riqu'l-AdhkLr is clear. This news of the maid-servants and servants 01 made the hearts happy. Collect conthe Merciful, so that in one thought, tributions for the building and then one aim, they engage themselves in think about the plans. I t is hoped building the Temple. Think not that that the believers of God may show 62 FiAHL'f YEAR BOOK magnanimity and raise a great sum Thc symbolism of the Temple has for the building, that the foundation been sympathetically interpreted by of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar may be laid Mary Hanford Ford : by the hands of 'Abdu'l-BahB. I "The Temple model is a nonagon, want everyone left free to act as he or nine sided structure, with nine wills. If anyone wishes to put money doors, nine ribs in the dome, nine into other things, let him do so. Do openings on each side, etc. All the not interfere with him in any way, dimensional numbers of the temple but be assured that-the most im- are related to nine. portant thing at this time is the build- "Nine is the number of perfection, ing of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr. . . ." both in the ancient numerology of "When the Mashriqu'l-Adhkir is Pythagoras and the cabala, and in completed, when the lights are eman- . that of the present day. . . In the ating therefrom, the prayers are per- older systems 9 represented the highformed with supplication toward the est perfection of man, while 10 stood Mysterious Kingdom (of Heaven), for God and man united, as in the the voice of glorification is raised to Messiah. In the BahL'i symbolism, the Lord, the Supreme;-then the be- 9 adds to its own power that of 10, lievers shall rejoice, the hearts be because i t stands for the Glory, or dilated and overflow with the love BahL, which is God. of the All-living and Self-existent "It is actually formed by the word (God). The people shall hasten to Bahi, the Glory, because in the worship in the heavenly Temple, the Arabic langua~eletters are numerical Fragrances of God will be elevated, symbols also. B is 2 ; A is 1;H is 5, the Divine Teachings will be estab- and A is 1 again, and the consensus lished in the hearts like the estab- of all makes 9. So the nine doors of lishment of the Spirit in mankind; the Temple symbolize the perfect the people will then stand firm in the number of paths to God, and thus Cause of our Lord, the Merciful. unity in the Glory of BahB, and the Whosoever arises for the service of prevalence of 9 in the numerical this building shall be assisted with structure of the temple creates heavgreat power from His Supreme King- enly unity in its vibration. dom, and upon him spiritual and "19 is the BAb's number for unity, heavenly blessings shall descend and 5 is the number of the Bab himwhich shall fill his heart with won- self. So these numbers reappear conderful consolation and enlighten his stantly. There are 18 steps at each eyes by beholding the Glorious and of the nine entrances of the Temple, Eternal God." which with the completing doorway I t may be questioned whether any make 19-and each door (a 19) bemodern edifice has attracted such comes a recurring symbol of the BBb Widespread interest as the Bourgeois himself, because as we remember, BBb design of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkir, is a title meaning a door between descriptions and illustrations of heaven and earth. There are nine which have appeared in newspapers openings on each of the nine sides of and magazines throughout the world. the Temple on the first and second Even in China and Japan the press stories, producing the number 81 or gave details of this universal reli- spiritually 9, and 3 small doors on gious structure, and in architectural each side of the third story, making and engineering journals the design 27--or again 9. There are 9 columns has been acclaimed a s the inaugura- on the first story, 9 buttress ornation of a new style and period. ments on the second, 9 ribs to the THE MASHRIQU'L-ADHK~R 63 great dome, so that one can never pointed star, the Messiah.' The five escape the heavenly presence of pointed star has been for ages the the 9. I t becomes the emblem of symbol of the earthlp Messenger. perfection, more definitely exempli- 'Albdu'l-Bahi says in the Tablet of fied in the Bahb'i teaching than ever the Ringstone: 'The two stars reprebefore; as the 9 reflected through the sent the divine origin and also the hu- Bahi or the Glory, i t becomes the man personality of the Bkb and Baemblem of the divine messenger upon hi'u'llbh, because the human being earth, BahB'u'llAh, Christ, Zoroaster, like the star has five points, the head, Moses, et al. the two arms and the two legs.' "The surfaces of the Temple are <'The triangle has another symbolcovered with a geometrical ornamen- ism, and a very b eau tiful one, that of tation, exquisite in character, and humanity with its base upon the ~ufficiently interesting from its earth and its point reaching up to beauty alone. These traceries, when heaven, and this is also a part of the examined, are made up of the most heavenly meaning of the six pointed beautiful combinations of the tri- star. The five pointed star was used angle, the square and the circle: The by the early Christians as the symbol Swastika cross of the Egyptian of Christ, and the cross came later hieroglyphics is one, the five pointed with the introduction of theology star, the six pointed star,the glorious into Christian teachings. nine pointed star, and last but not ' ' ~ h ~ has been from very least the looped life symbol of the old periods the of infinity E'mptian hieroglyphics, which was d, eternity, and is commonly seen carried by the priests in the sacred the temple of xndia, processions of the worship of Di- associated with the serpentof the onysos in Greece. past. The square is the old cabalistic "The Swastika cross is the oldest of realization or religious symbol known. I t became tion in earthly form for the microindicative of the divine creative fire, human, while 8 or the cube and life, and the looped cross, the co m orsymbol is sthe of realization for the Greek cross, the Roman Cross are its M~~~~~~~~ or ~ i M ~~ ~~h~ i. ~ ~ modifications. The Roman cross with glorious nine pointed star is of course the elongated arm has become the the symbol of divine manifestation symbol of sacrifice through its rela- belonging to the new day. ~h~ tion to Christ. There is a lovely row Temple itself is a nine pointed star. Swastikas around the base of the Looked at from an aeroplane i t would dome, repeated again toward its seem a great star dropped upon the and these will show brilliantly when ground, and when li,ghted at night all i t is lighted a t night. itsnine points will appear brilliantly. triangle , ' T ~ ~ has ,been from time immemorial the symbol of the great The nine pointed star forms the trinity, the Essence, the Orb snd the beautiful roselike top of each window M ~ or ~ ~~ thed ~ , ~ t orh ~ and ~ door~ , of~ the temple's ~ lower ~ story, ~ , Logos, and the Son, as Christ puts it. while at the center of each star ~h~ six pointed star or double tri- gleams the decorative lettered form angle is thus the symbol of the heav- of t h e Greatest Name. This will be enly Sun or Logos behind the earthly always illumined and shining, so that Messenger. So that the old orthodox the Glory of the Most Glorious will Jewish Rabbis say today: 'We have penetrate every worshipper who enalways had the six pointed star, but ters the temple. A larger replica of we are now looking for the five the same illumined symbol forms the 64 BA~tl'fYEAR BOOK center in decoration above the doors circles, and Bourgeois says that, in and speaks again of the meaning of drawing the dome especially, he the great Temple. would begin to think of the orbits of "There is a charming story in the planets and their whirling spaces, Hindu mythology to the effect that, and then his fingers would create when the great God Brahm finished these wonderful lines, a s his thoughts his avatar on this earth, he did not roamed among the stars. Thus a new ascend, but went t o sleep in a lotus symbol has been added to those of the flower until it should be time for him past, which might be called that of to awaken for another mission to the unity of the heavens. mankind. Over the low archway of "The structure of the Temple is each entrance to the Temple is a deli- such that at night all its surfaces will cate and graceful tracery which at- be a blaze of light. Its decorations tracts the eye and, when one ex- are cut completely through the terra amines it, there is revealed a succes- cotta (or other) substance, which is sion of lotus flowers, and in the cen- to be lined with transparent glass, so ter of each is the looped symbol of that a t night each column and butlife, which comes to us from Egypt tress ornament as well as the stars and Greece, and appears here again and crosses and 'milky way' of the a s the note of awakening, of resur- dome, will shine forth like an emrection in the lotus flower of the broidery upon the darkness. So the world. I t is singularly fitting that Temple will be veritably a temple of the story of Brahm should be recalled light in this day of resurrection, of in the decoration of the Temple of brotherhood and new civilization. mankind and should arise there under "The nine ribs joined above the the symbol of life, because the surface of the dome are like hands Temple contains in its glorious en- clasped in prayer, Bourgeois says, semble the unity of all faiths and and in the space between their union the aspirations of all hearts. and the rounded top of the dome "There is an ornament in the proper, will shine a great electric dome which appears also in the upper light sending forth nine bars into part of the columns and is unlike any the darkness of the night, and formother portion of the decoration. It ing a glorious illumined climax to the is a whirling succession of elongated beautiful nonagon structure." BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR IN AMERICA TO 1915 heard enthusiastic re- sion for the second Mashriqu'l-Adh- H AVING ports of the building of the first kLr to be built in America. Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr in 'IshqLbLd, On June 7, 1903, a tablet was re- Russia, the members of the Spiritual vealed in Acca by 'Abdu'l-Baha saycommittee (better known as the ing, "Now the day has arrived in "House of Spirituality" ) of the Chi- which the edifice of God, the divine cago Assembly were inspired to sup- sanctuary, the Spiritual temple, shall plicate t o the Center of the Cove- be erected in America." nant, 'A~bdu'l-Baha, to grant permis- The following words from the pen of 'Abdu'l-BahA clearly indicatc thc ing is thc most important of all erection of a material building: "The things. This is the spiritual founda- Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr, t h o u g h o u t - tion, for that reason i t is the most imwardly a material foundation, is pos- portant of all foundations; from that sessed of spiritual effect and causes spiritual foundation will come forth the union of hearts and the gather- all manner of advancement and prog- . ing of souls. . . Praise be to God ! ress in the world of humanity. The erection of the Mashriqu'l- Therefore, how great is its import- Adhkar has a great effect in all ance." grades (or states). It was tested in To Mrs. Helen S. Goodall and Mrs. the east and so evidently and plainly Ella G. Cooper, 'Abdu'l-Bah6 said : was i t proved good (that) even when "To have it built is most important. in a village a house was called the Some material things have spiritual Mashriqu'l-AdhkAr, it possessed a effect, and the Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr is different effect. How much more its a material thing that will have great building and organization." Further- effect upon the spirits of the people. more, he says, "The Mashriqu'l- Not only does the building of the AdhkBr is the most important matter Mashriqu'l-AdhMr have an effect and the greatest divine institute. upon those who build it, but upon the Consider how the first institute of whole world." "In the Mashriqu'lhis holiness Moses, after his exodus AdhkBr, services will be held every from Egypt was the 'Tent of Martyr- morning and the words of BahL'- dom' which he raised and which was u'llah only are to be read." the traveling temple. I t was a tent While in Ramleh, Egypt, 'Abdu'lwhich they pitched in the desert Bah& assured Mr. Percy Woodcock wherever they abode, and worship- that "The most important thing in ped in it. Likewise, after his holi- this day is the speedy erection of the ness Christ-May the spirit of the edifice. Its mystery is great and canworld be a sacrifice t o Him-the first not be unveiled as yet. In the future institute by the disciples was a i t will be made plain." temple. They planned a church in During the sojourn of Mr. and Mrs. every country. Consider the Gospel, Charles Haney in the prison home of (i. e., read i t ) , and the importance 'Abdu'l-Baha, he said: "When the of the Mashriqu'l-Adhar will be- Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, with its accescome evident. I hope thati all the be- sories, is established in the world, loved of God, collectively, on the con- aside from its religious or spiritual tinent of Amerlca, men and women, influence, i t will have a tremendous will strive night and day until the effect upon civilization. Aside from Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr is erected i n the the religionists, who will feel its inutmost solidity and beauty." fluence, materialists will not be ex- And again: "Today, the establish- empt therefrom. Moreover, i t conment of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkAr is of tains divine wisdom, spiritual effects paramount importance, but hereafter upon the intellects and thoughts. i t shall not be so. This is the begin- Subsequent to its erection these will ning of organization; it is like unto become evident." the first church founded in Chris- This important point was made tianity; i t is an expression of the ele- clear to a pilgrim visiting him, vation of the Word of God." namely, that "The organization of While in London, on his first Eu- worshipping places is not simply for ropean trip, 'Abdu'l-BahB told Mr. drawing near to God, but i t is to con- Charles Mason Remey that "its huild- centrate the word of spirit of God 66 B A H A ' ~YEAR BOOK and cause the power of unity and one- a second temple undertaken, neither ness among the people." of the two would be accomplished and Regarding the locating of this edi- this failure would weaken the Cause." fice of God, 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to the Mr. Mountfort Mills received a friends of New York City : "Concern- tablet from 'Abdu'l-BahA saying: ing the erection of the temple; now "The Mashriqu'l-Adhkir of Chicago alb the believers must become united, is of the greatest importance. This, so that the temple may be built soon Baha'i temple is a supreme house of in one place. For should the be- worship, a place of spiritual gatherlievers undertake (the erection of the ing and of the manifestation of ditemple), in many places, i t will not vine mysteries. The friends of God become completed anywhere; and a s must endeavor with all their hearts in Chicago they have preceded every and souls that this structure may be other place to plan the erection of raised and completed." the temple, undoubtedly to co-operate The Center of the Covenant has and help them is nobler and a neces- written : "One must first grasp those sity. Then when i t is built in one affairs which will make growth (in place i t will become erected in many the Cause) and also be in time and other places, God willing in all the season." states of America, in the future, there From the foragoing quotations i t will be erected temples, with infinite is manifest that the Mashriqu'larchitectural beauty and art, with Adhkir is founded on the "Rock of pleasing proportions and handsome Ages," the eternal Word of God, as and attractive appearances, especi- to its object, location and appropriate ally in New York." time for its erection. Also to Dr. Edward Getsinger, A brief sketch of the work ac- 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote: "Regarding the complished may prove interesting : building of the temple in Chicago, In the spring of 1907, while both of you (Dr. and Mrs. Getsinrger) Messrs. Chase, Agnew and Schemer display the utmost effort in encourag- were in the prison home of 'Abdu'ling and inspiring the believers and BahL, he said to them: "Concerning the maid-servants of God, so that the temple, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkir is they may assist in the matter with a very important matter, the most imgenerosity, and thus soon this temple portant thing now in America is the will be erected. This matter is of building of the temple. You and your great importance." ("Utmost im- friends must endeavor in this matportance" in 'Abdu'l-Bahi's own ter. This building will be the cause handwriting). of the confirmation of the believers. When Eshte'al-Ebn Kalanter wrote I t has a great effect because i t is the regarding a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar on beginning of the, foundation. After Monsalvat (Green Acre, Maine), centuries i t is not so important as i t 'Abdu'l-BahB replied : "Concerning is now, but now i t is very important. the building of a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar At first they build the temple and on Monsalvat: It is certain that be- worship in it and grow. I n past fore long this shall be built; and this times they could not build i t so outis an ordained (or fixed) matter ; but wardly. This building will be the in Chicago i t is two or three years cause of unity and prosperity of the since a number of people are making Cause. The unity comes ; from every efforts. Now while the building of part the believers will assist. This this temple is not yet started or en- is a heavenly society and also i t will gaged in, if there be the founding of be the cause of strength. The be- HISTORY OF MASHRIQU'L-ADHK~R 67 lievers will get blessings and hn~~nties.consist of fourteen lots. The spir- I t cannot be compared with the itual meeting of the Chicago Assembchurch of the old time. You have ly, after bringing the matter before only to begin, everythin~gwill be all the assembly for approval, took title right!' to two of the lots in the name of the When this message was brought treasurer of the assembly, Mr. Carl back to America a new activity in the Schemer, and arose to obey the Cen- Mashriqu'l-Adhkir resulted through- ter of the Covenant when he said: out the country and contributions "You have only to begin, everything from various assemblies and indivi- will be all right." The sum of $2,000 duals were received. A convention was paid fur those two lots on April was called for November 26, 1907, to 9, 1908. be held in Chicago. This was the On June 19, 1908, a tablet was refirst Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr convention, vealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha and transregarding which 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote lated by his daughter Moneveh to Mr. Charles Sprague: "Thou hast Khanum, in which he wrote, "Ask written concerning the organization every spiritual meeting in the other of a council for the building of the cities that they will each select one Mashriqu'l-Adhkir. T h i s n e w s and send him, and from these selected brought much spirit and fragrance, ones and with those who are selected for the nine delegates sent by the from the Chicago meetings, establish various assemblies gathered in that a new meeting for the provision of meeting and consulted concerninig the the means of the temple. If this is building of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar." established with perfect fragrance Several possible tracts of land on and joy, it will produce great results. both the south and north sides of the In this new meeting, especially for city had been investigated, as 'Abdu'l- the establishment of the temple, Baha had said to a pilgrim that it women are also to be members!' must be near the lake. The morning In compliance with these instrucof the day of November 26,1907, the tions from 'Abdu'l-Bahi, the House delegates visited the south side tract. of Spirituality of the Chicago Asnoting carefully the surroundings, re- sembly called the second Mashriqu'lturning to . the home of Mrs. Grace AdhkBr convention for March 22nd Foster for a sumptuous (Thanksgiv- and 23rd, 1909, the proceedings of ing day) feast, prepared in the name which were accurately recorded by of the Center of the covenant by the Miss Gertrude Buikema and Mr. Chicago maid-servants. I t was a t Charles Ioas, duly elected to act as first feared that such a feast of good secretaries, and afterwards printed. things had incapacitated the dele- Thus the tiny mustard seed of nine gates to visit the north shore tract in delegates grew in the two interventhe afternoon but it made them ing years to four times nine. The stronger for the trip, both spiritually Baha'i Temple Unity resulted, as an and physically. That evening a spir- organization, with full power and ited meeting was held over the loca- authority to provide ways and means tion and it was unanimously voted for the erection of the Mashriqu'lthat the north shore tract was most AdhkBr. A constitution was predesirable. Miss Gertrude Buikema sented and adopted and the first took the minutes of this meeting. executive board of BahB'i Temple Upon closer investigation the north Unity was elected and authorized by shore tract (now the site of the the convention to close and complete Mashriqu'l-Adhkar) was found to the purchase of the land, recom- 'EAR BOOK mended by the first convention, 1907, The third Mashriqu'l-AdhliLr conof which two lots had been bought vention convened in Chicago, April and paid for, with an option secured 25 and 26,1910. Report of the work on the remaining twelve lots. Im- done during the year was given by mediately after the close of the con- the secretary, Mr. Jacobsen, and the vention the newly appointed execu- financial secretary's report showed tive board went into session, selecting contributions for the fiscal year : its officers in accordance with the con- From the Orient ..$ 7,092.85 stitution. The treasurer of the Chi- F r o m America cago Assembly, Mr. Scheffler, in and Europe......... 7,638.66 whose name the title to the two lots Turned over by was held, turned over to the BahB'i Mr. Scheffler...... 5,666.44 Temple Unity all official documents and all monies held by him for the Total .............................. $20,397.95 Mashriqu'l-Adhkir, as follows : ($2,000 of this being land) Monies on hand. ...$ 3,666.44 Contributions had come from Land values.................. 2,000.00 India, Persia, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Russia, Egypt, G e r m a n y , Total ................................. $5,666.44 France, England, Canada, Mexico, When the two lots had been pur- Hawaiian Islands, and a little island chased, Mr. C. E. Brush, one of f a r out in the Indian Ocean, Maure- Chicago's architects, kindly made a tius. Besides from sixty different plat of the tract and its surroundings, American cities. The words of the which was sent to 'Abdu'l-Bahd. A Center of the Covenant had literally beautiful txblet flowed from his pen, been fulfilled: "You have only to be- "To the friends and maid-servants," gin-everything will be all right." saying that on the anniversary of the The fourth Mashriqu'l-Adhkir condeclaration of his holiness the SU- vention was held in Chicago, May 1 preme, the Bib, the map of the Mash- and 2, 1911. A command having riou'l-Adhkhr had been presented, come from Acca to hold the conventhat "great joy was obtained thereby tion during the Ridvdn days. Durand with the ercatest care it was con- ing the fiscal year, April 23, 1910, to sidered," thag "it is indeed a delight- April 29, 1911, the total contribuful spot worthy of this edifice and tions were: building." (Date of this tablet July 4, 1908). The Orient and Europe .................. $ 1,190.83 The members of the Executive America .................... 9,210.76 Board of BahL'i Temple Unity appointed Messrs. Mills, Hall and Total ............................. $10,401.76 Jacobsen, a committee to attend t o the land negotiations, and an offer of The fifth convention in Chicago, $32,500 for the remaining twelve lots April 29th to May 1, 1912, will eterwas made and accepted with a con- nally wear the glorious crown of betract providing for the payment of stowal because of the presence of the $5,000 every six months, with inter- Center of the Covenant and his dediest, commencing July 1, 1909. A re- cation of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr ligious corporation was effected un- grounds, May 1, 1912. During this der the laws of Illinois in the name fiscal year the lake shore tract of 293 "Bahd'i Temple Unity" and the title feet frontage had been contracted for to the land secured. and payment made on it, the pur- HISTORY OF MASHRIQU'L-ADHK~R 69 chase price being $17,000. The con- 1913. The contributions for the year tributions for the year having been having been $14,206.42. $7,292.45. Another year soon rolled around The sixth convention was enter- and Chicago was again blest with a tained by the friends of New York Mashriqu'l-Adhkir convention, which City, April 28 and 29,1913. Regard- was the seventh convention. I t also ing this wonderful convention 'Ab- marked the fiftieth anniversary of du'l-Baha wrote to Mr. Wilhelm, the Declaration of BahP'u'llih. saying : At the close of the year 1913 the "Praise be to God, that the New money came literally rolling in for the York believers became confirmed in cancellation of all land debts and a the accomplishment of a great serv- cablegram was sent to 'Ahdu'l-BahA ice and held in that city the consulta- announcing that the BahL'i Temple tion convention for the erection of Unity had completed its land obligathe Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr. They dis- tions. Thus the new year, 1914, played the utmost of effort until that dawned free of any clouds for the convention was inaugurated with in- Mashriqu'l-AdhkAr work so that the finite perfection. They exercised the building fund might be started. The greatest love and kindness towards financial secretary reported contribuall the delegates who had come from tions for the year $13,503.79 and the the different states. They united and Unity entirely out of debt with land entertained the delegates in their holdings for which $51,500 had been homes. With perfect affection they paid and which was worth almost spread before them the banquet of double the price paid. Complete hospitality. Every one became grate- unity and harmony marked the sesful and happy. This event will adorn sions of this seventh convention. an important and blessed page in the And now the eighth Mashriqu'l- BahB'i history." AdhkLr convention and first BahL'i A t this convention the commemo- congress has convened in San Franration of the ninth day of every cisco. Thus our conventions held in month as Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr day was the United States of America have proposed and afterward confirmed by travelled from coast to coast. 'Abdu'l-BahL and has proved a very Almost immediately after the secgreat impetus to the Mashriqu'l- ond convention, when the BahL'1 AdhkBr work. The friends of other Temple Unity resulted, the president countries join with us in observing of the first Executive Board, Mr. the day ; very beautiful are the letters Mountfort Mills, of New York City, from our four American sisters i n visited the Center of the Covenant TeherBn telling of their holding this who was still a prisoner of the Turkninth day with us. ish Government, though liberated in The first contribution for the fiscal July of that same year, 1908. Mr. year April 30, 1912 to April 19,1913, Mills wrote: "At the temple convenwas a gift from the Center of the tion, he seemed most pleased and Covenant a t the closing session of the satisfied and assured us that the fuprevious convention in Chicago. ture would see many more, constantly Also this year marked the completion increasing in numbers, attending and of the payment on the site dedicated bringing together representatives by 'Abdu'l-BahL and an indebtedness from all parts of the world. He said of $9,000 on the Lake Shore tract re- that these gatherings would be to the mained only, its entire liquidation spiritual body of the world what the being urged before the expiration of inrush of the spirit is to the physical 70 B A ~ l i ' f YEAR BOOK body of man, quickening i t to its ut- Sixth Convention 13,503.79 most parts and infusing a new light Seventh Convenand power." tion ........................... 6,597.65 One of the most touchin,g gifts to the building fund was a check for Grand Total .......... $72,399.85 $1,000 addressed to "The BahL'i Temple of Peace" and saying in the Of the above amount $11,159.75 letter, "In Europe, fathers and was from countries other than United brothers have been torn from their States, as follows: wives and little children, and many left at home are in want of dire Enlgland: St. Ives, Cornwall; necessities. ourbeloved ones are not Springfield, Broadway ; Manchester ; facing mutilation, acute suffering and London ; Sussex, Bright0n ; Wardeath. I send this as s thanksgiving wicke; C1iftonl Bristol. offering, though it seems min te in- Ireland : Warrington, C 0 u n t y deed toexpress what I feel." Down. France: Paris; Dinan, Brittany. During the fiscal year beginning April 27, 1914, the monthly contribu- Germany : Berlin ; Stuttgart ; Estions have been as follows: slingen ; Zuffenhausen. Italy: Sienna ; Ravenna, Erba. April 27 to May 1 $ 258 00 European Turkey : Constantinople. May 388 60 June 351.09 Palestine : Acca; Haifa. July 483 31 Russia : Baku ; IshqBbLd. August 344.22 Persia : Teheran ; Esphahan ; Gan- 1,533 88 gelie; Shiraz; Yahromi ; Resht; Ker- 557.99 manshah ; Sanstan ; Meshed ; Tiflis; 519.50 Yazd ; Arabelli. December 614.66 India : Rangoon ; Bombay ; Manda- January 768.72 lay. February 247.10 March 278.76 Egypt: Cairo; Port Said; Alexan- April 1 to April 18 251.82 dria. South Africa; East Rand; Transvaal ; Capetown. Total to April 18, 1915 .......................... $6,597.65 New Zealand : Davenport ; Auckland. Total receipts of subscriptions Brazil : Sao Paulo. from August, 1907, to April, 1915. Canada: Montreal ; Brockville ; St. First Convention $ 5,666.44 John's, N. B. Second Conven- Islands of the Sea: Isle of Pines; tion ........................... 14,731.51 Isle of Mauretius; Hawaiian Islands. T h i r d Conven- Respectfully submitted, tion ........................... 10,401.59 Fourth Conven- CORINNETRUE, L' ion ........................... 7,292.45 Financial Secretary, Bahh'i Temple Fifth Convention 14,206.42 Unity. MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR REPORT EXTRACTS FROM MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR REPORT JUNE 15, 1925 BY CARL SCHEFFLER T the Convention called by the the stones themselves upon their A Secretary of the National Spir- backs, while attracted by the love of itual Assembly to discuss ways and God and for the glory of God. Soon means for raising funds necessary that great Temple will be completed for the construction of the first story and the voice of prayer and praise of the Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr, which was shall ascend to the Sublime Kingdom. held in Chicago, October 19-20, 1924, "I was rejoiced through your enthe Temple Committee was instruct- deavors in this glorious Cause, made ed to draft a compleke report on the with joy and good interest. I pray status of the Temple b o r k to be suh- God to aid you in exalting His word, mitted to the National Spiritual As- and in establishing the Temple of sembly for approval and to be sent Worship, through His grace and t o the BahB'is of the United States ancient mercy. Verily, ye are the and Canada. first to arise for this Glorious Cause I t is the purpose of this report to in that vast religion. Soon will ye deal specifically only with matters see the spread of this enterprise in that have transpired since the selec- the world, and its resounding voice tion of the design of the building, but shall go through the ears of the peoin order to refresh the memories of ple in all parts. the friends regarding the wonderful "Exert your energy in accomplishaccomplishments of the previous f n g what ye have undertaken, so that years, we a r e presenting a brief r6- this glorious Temple may be built, sum6 of the various early stages of that the beloved of God may assemble the work. therein and that they may pray and EIARLYHISTORY offer glory t o God for guiding them The inception of the Mashriqu'l- to His Kingdom." Adhkbr in the West dates back to the Since that time the work has prospring of 1903, twenty-two years ago, gressed intermittently. During the a t Which time the corner-stone of first six years the members of the Asthe Mashriqu'l-Adhkbr in 'IshqLbLd, sembly in Chicago strove enthusias- Russia had been laid and photo- tically so that in the spring of 1909 graphs of the event sent to the mem- when the first Convention met in Chibers of the House of Spirituality in cago, having been called by the House Ohicago, inspiring that body to arise of Spirituality for the purpose of for the erection of a Mashriqu'l- establishing the work of the Temple Adhkiir in America. I n response to on a national basis, the Chicago Astheir supplication, 'Abdu'l-BahL sembly was able to report the acquisigranted permission for the undertak- tion of two lots a t a cost of $2,000.00, ing in the following wonderful Tab- and a cash fund of $3,666.44. let : "I send you the glad-tidings of the PURCHASE O F SITE erection of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkbr (The Bahfi'1 Temple) in 'IshqLbfid, As before stated the purchase of with all joy and great happiness. two lots in the main tract had been The friends of God assembled to- completed by the House of Spiritualgether with rejoicing and conveyed ity of Chicago, the deeds for which 72 BAHA'~YEAR BOOK were in doe time turned over to the lievers should sclcct the design at the Bahh'i Temple Unity when i t was or- 1920 Convention. A number of archiganized just after the first Conven- tects submitted designs, some in the tion. The remainder of the main form of drawn plans and Mr. Charles tract bounded by Linden Ave. on the Mason Remey and Mr. Louis Boursouth, Sheridan Road on the north geois submitted plaster models. and east, and by the property of the After careful deliberation and dis- Sanitary District of Illinois on the cussion, after hearing the opinion of west was purchased a t a cost of $32,- disinterested men of standing i n the 500.00. The final payment on this architectural profession, the Bourwas made on October 1, 1912. The geois model was chosen. Mr. Remey, purchase of the lake shore tract was who had submitted the other model, completed February 2, 1914. I t cost made the motion that made the choice $17,000.00. There also is a small tri- unanimous. The selection of the Conangular plot of land across Sheridan vention was confirmed by 'Abdu'l- Road, north of the main tract in- BahL in numerous Tablets. We qoute cluded in these purchases. one of these written to Mrs. Corinne The main tract measures on its True, as follows: south boundary, Linden Ave., 607.55 "Thanks be unto God that this Conft., on its west boundary where i t ad- vention was supported by the confi~- joins the property of the Sanitary mations of the Kingdom of Abha. District of Illinois, from Linden Ave. Praise be unto God that the model of north to a point where the line strikes Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr made by Mr. a slight angle, it measures 257.80 ft. ; Bourgeois was approved by his honor, on the same boundary another angle Mr. Remey, and selected by the Con- 135.52 ft., still another angle on this vention. The model of Mashriqu'lline measures 138.06 ft. The Sheri- AdhkLr is, however, too big. It dan Road line also turns slightly needs several million dollars for the several times, the sections of the line cost of construction. If possible Mr. beginning a t the northwest measur- Bourgeois may reproduce the same ing east and south are 129.92 ft., 219.- model on a smaller scale, so that one 47 ft., 166.46 ft., and 271.46 ft. The million dollars may suffice for its contriallgular section measures on Sheri- struction. This should be recondan Road 141.49 ft., on the east 131.- sidered only if possible." 78 ft., and facing the Canal 141.49 ft. The design of the Bourgeois model The lake shore tract on Sheridan being a new and unique conception Road measures 291.40 ft.; 3 ft. a t the does in its main character depart south end of this line are in dispute, somewhat from recognized architecdepth a t that point is 168 ft., and a t tural standards, cheifly in the manthe north end i t is 183 ft. to the water ner in which the upper stories conedge. nect with the lower part of the building. It is usual for the main ribs of THE BOURGEOIS DESIGN a structure to ascend directly from The facts regarding the selection of the ground. In this design the main the model of the Temple by the be- ribs of the upper stories and dome lievers a t the 1920 Convention are were shifted so that they connected too well known to require much eluci- midway between the main or first dation; i t might nevertheless be well story buttresses, immediately above if some points regarding this are the doorways. This caused considermentioned. able adverse criticism from laymen 'Abdu'l-BahB directed that the be- and architects, so that the Executive MASHRIQU'L-ADHKh REPORT 73 Board of BahA'i Temple Unity or- tween the Convention, which was dered Mr. Bourgeois to prepare a set held in April 1920 and the first of of drawings altering this particular January 1921. The size of the strucfeature. This work was in the na- ture was reduced from 450 ft. in diture of an experiment to assure the ameter to 153 ft. in diameter, and members of the Board in whose hands the estimated cost reduced to about the responsibility rested, that the Ba- $1,200,000.00. This includes a rough ha'is were not making a mistake in plaster interior, an ornamental iron building a structure that thus radi- rail on the balcony, but no decoracally departed from recognized archi- tions for the interior. tectural standards. The result of the experiment justified Mr. Bourgeois, ENGINEER'S REPORT for i t was found that the life and "My contact with the BahC'i Tembeauty of the original model was not ple project in Wilmette started in the in the building shown in the experi- fall of 1920. I met some members of mental drawing. "It became a rigid the Board a t that time in connection structure a n d 1a c k e r l motion." with the discussion of some municipal (Bourgeois). plans of the Village of Wilmette in The Executive Board also felt i t their relation to the Temple project. necessary to submit the design to I also conferred with Mr. McDaniel 'Abdu'l-BahB, and since it was obvi- regarding the foundation plan, which ously impossible to send the model to he was preparing a t that time, and Haifa they directed Mr. Bourgeois to gave some assistance to the Board in prepare drawings showing a front securing bids and letting the contract elevation and a cross section of the for the caisson foundations which building intending that the architect supported the central portion of the himself should take these to Haifa building. This contract was let to and there receive 'Abdu'l-BahB's in- Mr. Avery Brundage on the 17th day structions regarding the building. of December, 1920. This was done. About the middle of "On January 5, 1921, I entered in- January, 1921, Mr. Bourgeois sailed to a contract with the BahB'i Temple to the Holy Land. The drawings Unity to serve as its structural engiwere left with 'Abdu'l-BahiL, and they neer and superintendent of construcnow hang in the shrine of 'Abdu'l- tion. By this contract I undertook to BahB. prepare the structural, mechanical, I t will also be noted that 'Abdu'l- electrical and sanitary engineering BahB in the Tablet just quoted di- plans and specifications and to superrected that if possible the size and vise the entire construction. This cost of the building should be consid- contract is still i n effect. It was erably reduced. To comply with this stipulated in the contract that I was instruction the Executive Board di- authorized to proceed with the preparected Mr. Bourgeois to make experi- rations of the plans for the foundamental drawings to determine tions and basement structure and that whether or not the design would lend I should not prepare any plans of the itself a s i t stood to the necessary re- superstructure until further authoriduction. I t was in the main found to zed. be feasible, the only notable change in "It was further contemplated that the building being in the number of i t would not be necessary for me to windows on either side of the en- make plans of the caisson foundations trance doors. All of this work was so that on this item my conlpensation done in the period intervening be- would be for supervision only. How- 74 B A H A ' ~YEnR BOOK ever, a modification of this arrange- nine caissons, amounting to $76,350.- ment was made soon after because i t 00, and with McCarty Brothers for became necessary to make certain the general basement section, structural plans of the superstruc- amounting to $108,500.00. I n additure i n order to get a building permit tion to these, there have been several and in doing this work i t proved miscellaneous items which are shown necessary to revise the caisson foun- on your records and which, with the dation designs which had been made above aggregate a total of $187,- previously. 876.35. Payments made to me "Only so much additional work was amount to $8,000.00, which includes done as was necessary to serve the payments to apply on account of the two purposes cited. extra work of preparin~g plans for "As stated above, a contract was permit and for caissons. let to Avery Brundage on December "The Brundage contract for cais- 17, 1920, for nine caisson founda- sons was completed early in the sumtions under the central portion of the mer of 1921, having been quite seribuilding with the intention of pro- ously delayed because of the large ceeding immediately with this por- amount of water encountered in digtion of the work. ging the wells for these foundations. "An informal application was made These wells were approximately 120 to the Village of Wilmette for a per- ft. deep and extended about 90 ft. mit on December 21, 1920. No ac- below the level of the water in the tion was taken but on the contrary, lake and the drainage canal near by. some opposition developed and it was "Soon after the completion of the necesary to file a formal application caisson contract, plans were subfor permit, which was done on Janu- mitted to contractors for the baseary 7, 1921. Permit was refused a t ment structure. This covered the this time because plans of the build- foundations other than nine caissons, ing structure were not submitted as which were required for the outer required by ordinance. This situa- portions of the building and the comtion made i t necessary to proceed with plete enclosure of the basement strucpreparation of general structural ture up to and including the first plans sufficient to comply with the floor. I t did not include the baseordinances of the Village. ment floor, the subdivision of base- "These plans were drawn as rapidly ment space, the finishing of baseas possible and were filed with a ment nor the installation of any of formal application on March 4, 1921, the mechanical appliances. and the building permit was issued "A contract was made with MC- on the 19th day of March. This per- Carty Brothers of Chicago for this mit covered not only the work then work on August 24,1921. The startunder contract but the construction ing of the work was somewhat deof the entire building. Under the or- layed by the time required t o get the dinances of the Village this permit necessary signatures to the contract. would probably be considered as still Also the work occupied considerable in effect, although the Village more time than was anticipated but authorities could require the taking was finally completed in the fall of out of a new permit on account of 1922. the long suspension of operations. "Since the completion of the base- "Two contracts of considerable ment contract, no work of importamount have been carried out from ance has been done on the structure. my plans and under my supervision, As it now stands, the structure comnamely, with Avery Brundage for prises the entire basement enclosure, which consists of the main enclosing on the architectural plans. This conwall of concrete, about 200 ft. in sisted principally in determining diameter and 20 ft. high; the sloping some of the governing dimensions concrete deck. which is to support and in some instances the relation of the steps encircling the main struc- the structural members to the architure; and the reinforced concrete tectural members. The plans which deck which will be the first floor of were made for permit purposes were the main structure. Within this en- very useful for the architect in this closure are all of the supporting connection. columns required for superstructure "The architectural plans show all and beneath it are all of the founda- of the exterior treatment of the buildtions required for the entire struc- ing and in lange measure the interior ture. arrangement. There are some details "Some work has been done to make that could not be completed on acthe interior of the basement partially count of the absence of the strucusable, such as the installation of tural plans, as mentioned, and also bewater, temporary lights, sewer con- cause the exterior material had not nection, furnaces, floor in the central yet been determined. portion and other miscellaneous "No specifications have been writitems. Some of this has been under ten. my supervision. "The architectural plans are in "Some filling material has been ob- such condition that the essentials are tained from other operations in the all given so that the work could be neighborhood without expense, but carried on by some other competent so f a r i t amounts to only a small frac- architect in case Mr. Bourgeois should tion of the total filling that is re- be incapacitated. quired. "At the request of the Board I ex- "The structure in its present con- amined the architectural plans and dition is rather unsightly and has re- reported substantially as above. cently been the subject of some ad- "Before work can proceed with verse comment. This is probably a the superstructure, i t will be necescontinuance of the opposition which sary first to make the structural plans was in evidence when the work was for it. The plans which were made started. The structure has necessar- for permit purposes, having been deily deteriorated somewhat on account veloped from only preliminary archiof exposure in its unfinished state, tectural drawings, will not be servbut this has not developed to a serious iceable. They will have to be done extent and can be overcome when over and completed in very much the general work proceeds, or soonel; greater detail. Then i t will be necesif need be. sary for a number of additional "The Board authorized Mr. Bour- drawings to be prepared in connecgeois, Architect of the BahB'i Temple tion with the architectural work in to proceed with his plans in 1921. order to correlate the architectural, He did so and carried them to com- structural and mechanical elements. pletion in 1922 to such extent a s they Also some additional work may be could be completed without having necessary on the architectural drawthe structural plans to co-ordinate ings, dependent upon the selection with the architectural plans. Inas- of exterior material. This will not much as I was not authorized to pro- effect the design of ornamentation ceed with the structural plans, I did but will affect the jointing of the maonly such work on them as was ab- sonry materials. When these outsolutely necessary to permit carrying standing questions are settled, the 76 BAHA'~YEAR BOOK M T . Bourgeois' house-studio o n the lake shore property as seen from Sheridan Road Wilmette, Illinois. T h e building i s about 40 feet above the water and f r o m the rea; affords a commanding view over Lake Michigan. T h e openings shown o n the roof walls and window balustrades are t o have beautifully modeled punels w h e n completed. Interior o f Mr. Bourgeois' hwse-studio. T o the right are the living rooms below and sleeping rooms above. Mr. Bourgeois is holding several rolls of drawings made b y h i m for the Maehriqu'dAdhkar. O n the floor and wall u p to the ceililzg D antended a full s i e detail drawing 92 feet i n length. T h e large photograph to the l e f t i s taken from t h e modeled door section used t o test materials for the structure. MASHRIQU'L-ADHK~REPORT 77 specificatiol~scar1 be written. A large ridian through the center of the Tempart of the specification work will fall ple and from this the correct posito my lot but some of it will be archi- tion of this entrance established. tectural. "The original model of the Temple "Early in 1921, the Board appoint- was exhibited by special permission ed a materials committee, consisting in the Art Institute of Chicago from of Mr. W. S. Maxwell, Mr. E. R. March 8 to April 5, 1921, and by Boyle, Mr. A. E. McDaniel, Mr. Louis shifting its location the exhibition Bourgeois and Mr. H. J. Burt, Chair- period was extended from April 5 to man, to study the questions of mater- May 2. ials to be used in the construction of "A common field stone to mark the the Temple, having particular refer- location of the Temple building was ence to the exterior material. planted at the site by 'Abdu'l-Bahh "A preliminary report was made at the time of his visit to Chicago in on April 22, 1921, and a final report 1912. The location of the stone has on February 18, 1922. These reports been carefully preserved so that a are on file with the Board. Mr. Bour- suitable marker can bc placed at the geois and myself visited St. Louis spot in the completed structure. and Nashville and I visited Washing- " ~ should t be borne in mind that a ton and New York, as well as a num- considerable amount of work is reber of points at and near Chicago, quired to prepare plans for proeeedgathering information regarding ma- ing with the construction and that I terials. Some samples of terra cotta am not at this time authorized to proand artificial stone have been ex- ceed with this work so ample notice posed to the weather at the Temple should be given. site since 1922. "I think I need say nothing regard- "There are a number of miscella- ing the desirability of proceeding neous items in connection with the with the work as soon as arrangework that are worth recording: ments can be made for SO doing, for I "About the time construction was know that all connected with it, as started, the Village of Wilmette was well as the residents of the North cpntemplating a change jn the loca- Shore district, are anxious to see this tlon of Sberidan Road In order to magnificent structure carried forpartially eliminate the dangerous ward to completion. curve along side of the Temple property. A shifting of the Road approxi- ARCHITECT'S STATEMENT mately 30 ft. westward a t the maximum point was substantially agreed "Regarding the work done on the upon by all parties a t interest but plans for the Temple. I would say was not put into effect. The Temple that I have drawn a full set of plans building was located, however, to pro- as follows : Floor plans, basement vide for the possible contingency of and gallery sections; a full set of this change being made at some fu- detail drawings three-quarters inch ture date, so that when made, it ( 3 / 4 " ) scale for one-ninth (1/9) would not detract from the general part, first, second, third story and plan of the Temple grounds. dome. Also all section and profile "It was desired that the most used for one-ninth (1/9) part of the entrance to the Temple should be to- Temple from floor to top of dome, ward Acca. In order to establish this full size. Comprising altagether accuratcly, astronomical observations about thirty-six (36) rolls of drawwere made to establish the true me- ings that vary in size from ten feet 78 BAHA'I YEA& BOOK (10') long to onc hundred and nine from which the various sections of (109') feet. the building are cast. "For iastance, one twenty-seventh "This required considerably more (1127) section of the dome is drawn drawing and of exceptional difficulty on two rolls of paper four feet six because of the large size that is done inches (4'6) i n width by forty-five on even highly ornamented build- (45') feet in length. All of this work, ings where more or less stock ornabecause of the unusual size, had to be mentation is used. laid out and drawn on the floor. I t "The Mashriqu'l-AdhkBr will rerequired a space two hundred and quire much more supervision than fifty (250') feet long by forty (40') any other building of even greater feet wide. size or cost because the character of "The full size drawings of the out- the ornamentation is entirely new e r structure of this building were and the modellers will have to be inrequired because all of the design structed constantly. The drawings and tracery on this structure are en- clearly show full size detail of the detirely new. From these drawings the sign, but the depth and pitch of the modellers under by supervision will modelling will have to be determined have to make the original moulds by me as construction proceeds." ESTIMATED COST TO COMPLETE STRUCTURE The original esltimates given for the entire structure were as follows: Actually expended on Ca' Actually expended on Ba EXPENDITURES APRIL 1, 1909-MARCH 31, 1925 Real Estate and Temple Building Land (purchase price) ................................................. $51,500.00 and ....................................................... .. 5,706.76 204,828.46 8,932.50 8,728.10 36,700.00 259,189.06 $316,395.82 MYRONH. POTTER Respectfully submitted, Chairman BahB'i Temple Committee. CORINNETRUE CARL SCHEFFLER Financial Secretary Secretary. A. F. MATTHISEN Accountant A L ~ E E. D L UNT AIBERT WINDUST MASHRIQU'L-ADHK~ REPORT THE MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR OF 'ISHQABAD one of the chief cities of the Cause in that city. The Rus- IofSHQABQD, of Russian TurkistBn, is just north sian authorities took the matter in the Elburz mountains, which sepa- hand and condemned to death all of rate the desert plain of western the seven men. The BahB'is then pe- Turkistan on the north from Persia titioned the governor to spare their on the south. The city lies on a plain lives. He not having authority to do a short distance from the mountains, this, a petition to the same effect was which here are quite rugged and sent to the Czar, who granted it, and rocky. The town is quite modern in thus the prisoners were sent in aspect, being laid off with gardens chains to the mines of Siberia. Here and broad streets meeting a t right is but another instance of the growth angles. Rows of trees along the side- of the Cause through persecution, for walks remind one of a western city, from that time on the government while the low buildings, walled gar- not only allowed the Bahb'is to wordens, and waterways, which flank the ship as they chose, but i t protected streets and a r e fed with water com- them and showed them special favors. ing from streams from the nearby Durin~g all of the governmental mountains, are strikingly oriental in changes in Russia the BahB'is have character. continued in safety there since i t is This city was but a huddle of mud understoo~d that they are obedient huts when Bahb'u'llhh first directed servants of the government and harsome of His followers to settle there bor no sedition against the law of during the days of the most severe the land. Bahb'i persecutions in Persia. At about the close of the first There in 'IshqBbBd these friends decade of the Ministry of the Master found a refuge of peace and tranquil- 'Abdu'l-BahB, some of the friends in ity where the Russian government the Orient arose fired with spiritual protected them allowing them the fervor to build the first great Mashfree exeicise of their faith; thus the riqu'l-Adhkar. Following the guidcity became in reality as well as in ance of the center of the Covenant, name the City of Love*. 'IshqBbBd was the place chosen for The BahB'is of 'IshqBbiLd form a this service, and to direct this vast strong element in the life of the place, undertaking HBji MirzB Muhammad and they are highly thmght of and Taqi Afnan one of the most tried and protected by the government. The Ba- venerable of the friends of the Cause ha'i Cause was first brought to the pub- was chosen by the Master. lic notice in 'IshqBbBd some thirty- The Master 'Abdu'l-BahB Himself five or forty years ago by a martyr- establishes the style and the general dom. I t was the case of a learned lines upon which the Temple was man of some prominence, who met built--namely, that i t should be built his death through receiving wounds upon the plan of a regular nine sided a t the hands of two assassins. These polygon surrounded by loggias and in two individuals had been hired to do the midst of a garden a t the interthe deed by five Moslems, who took section of nine avenues, with its this measure to t r y to stop the spread principal entrance facing the Direc- *Ishqabad meens City ot Love. tion of the Holy Land-the composi- YEAR BOOK tion of the building being similar to luxuriant semi-tropical vegetation that of some of the great temples of which fills the garden. Persia and India. The principal feature of the inte- The services of an engineer and rior is the rotunda beneath the dome, architect were secured, and the Ba- which latter is the dominant feature ha'is throughout the Orient arose of the exterior. On the main floor with fervor to give of their means the principal entrance is through the toward the building and within a large doorway, but there are also very few years the building was several minor doors, which connect completed. the ambulatory with the loggia. An The Mashriqu'l-AdhkLr stands in abundance of light is admitted the heart of the city; its high dome through the windows in the upper standing out above the trees and pontion of the rotunda, as well as house tops being visible for miles to through the windows of the upper the travelers as they approach the gallery and ambulatory, which open town. I t is in the centre of a garden upon the loggias. bounded by four streets. In the four The interior walls of the rotunda corners of this enclosure are four are treated in five distinct stories. buildings. One is the BahP'i school; First, a series of nine arches and one is the traveler's house, where pil- piers which separate the rotunda grims and wayfarers are lodged; one from the ambulatory. Second, a is for the keepeiis, while the fourth similar treatment with balustrades one is to be used as a hospital. Nine which separate the triforium gallery radial avenues approach the Temple (which is above the ambulatory and from the several parts of the grounds, is reached by two staircases in the one of which, the principal approach loggias placed one on either side of to the building, leads from the main the main entrance) from the well of gateway of the grounds to the prin- the rotunda. Third, a series of nine cipal portal of the Temple. blank arches filled with fretwork, be- In plan the building is composed of tween which are escutcheons bearing three sections; namely, the central the Greatest Name. Fourth, a series rotunda, the aisle or ambulatory of nine large arched windows. Fifth, which surrounds it, and the loggia a series of eighteen bull's eye winwhich surrounds the entire building. dows. Above and resting on a corn- I t is built on the plan of a regular ice surmounting this last story rises polygon of nine sides. One side is the inner hemispherical shell of the occupied by the monumental main en- dome. trance, flanked by minarets-a high The interior is elaborately decoarched portico extending two stories rated in plaster relief work. The in height recalling in arrangement writer is under the impression that the architecture of the world famous eventually it is the intention to treat Taj Mahal a t Agra in India, the de- the interior in colors and gold, but lilght of the world to travelers many when he visited 'IshqBbBd an 1901 of whom pronounce it to be the most it was still in the simple white stucco. beautiful temple in the world. Thus The exterior is also done in stucco, the principal doorway opens toward which in that climate resists quite the direction of the Holy Land. The well the action of the elements. The entire building is surrounded by two walls, which are of brick, are masseries of loggias-one upper and one sively built, while the floors and dome lower-which open out upon the gar- are of concrete and iron. The whole den giving a very beautiful architec- structure impresses one by its mass tural effect in harmony with the and strength. IMPRESSIONS OF HAIFA 81 The rearing of this temple in the before. Who ran estimate the effect east has been a great source of that is produced by this building? strength to the Bahi'i people the I t is the cause of great strength and world round for through thus expres- unity among the Bahi'ls of the world, sing their unity through sacrificing being the House of Unity open to all to build this temple of God, the Ba- peoples, i t is a haven of rest t o many U'is of the Orient have become a soul and a beacon t o guide those stronger and more united than ever who seek the Kingdom of God. IMPRESSIONS OF HAIFA BY ALAINELOCKE w. HETHER Baha'i or non-Bahh'f, Haifa makes pilgrims of all who visit her. The place itself makes mysconcentrate the view upon themselves,-this one turns itself into a panorama of inspiring loveliness. I t tics of us all,-for it shuts out the is a fine symbol for a faith that world of materiality with its own wishes to reconcile the supernatural characteristic atmosphere and one in- with the natural, beauty and joy with stantly feels one's self in a simple morality. I t is an ideal place for the and restful cloistral calm. But it is reconciliation of things that have not the characteristic calm of the been artificially and wrongfully put monastic cloister,-it is not so much asunder. a shutting out of the world as an The shrine chambers of the BBb opening up of new vistas,-I cannot and Abdu'l-Baha are both impresdescribe it except to say that its in- sive, but in a unique and almost modfluence lacks the mustiness of ascet- ern way: richly carpeted, but with ism, and blends fihe joy and natural- austerely undecorated walls and ness of a nature-cult with the ethical ceilings, and flooded with light, the seriousness and purpose of a spir- ante-chambers are simply the means itual religion. of taking away the melancholy and Every thing seems to share the gruesomeness of death and substitutcustody of the message-the place ing for them the thought of memory, itself is a physical revelation. I shall responsibility and r e v e r e n c e . never forget my first view of i t from Through the curtained doorways, the the terraces of the shrine. Mount tomb chambers brilliantly lighted Carmel, already casting shadows, create an illusion which defeats even was like a dark green curtain behind the realization that one is in the presus and opposite was a gorgeous cres- ence of a sepulchre. Here without cent of hills so glowing with color,- mysticism a n d supernaturalness, gold, sapphire, amethyst as the sunset there is dramatically evoked that lescolors changed,-and in between the son of the Easter visitation of the mottled emerald of the sea, and the tomb, the fine meaning of which gray-toned house-roofs of Haifa. Al- Christianity has in such large most immediately opposite and pick- measure forgotten,-"He is not here, ia up t h e sun's reflection like polish- He is risen." That is t o say, one is ed metal were t h e ramparts of Akk6, strangely convinced that the death of transformed for a few momen%sfrom the greatest teachers is the release its shabby decay in60 a citadel of their spirit in the world, and the of light and beauty. Most shrines responsible legacy of their example BAHA'I YEAR BOOK The terraced descent from the Tomb o f the Bdb and 'Abdx'l-Bahd dowlz M t . C a m e l t o the sea. IMPRESSIONS OF HAIFA 83 bequeathed to posterity. Moral ideas Expoundcr of thc tcaching. I t taught find their immortality through the me with what purely simple and death of their founders. meager elements a master workman I t was a privilege to see and ex- works. I t is after all in himself that perience these things. But i t was he finds his message and i t is himself still more of a privilege to stand there that he gives with i t to the world. with the Guardian of the Cause, and The household is an industrious to feel that, accessible and inspiring beehive of the great work: splendid a s i t was to all who can come and will division of labor but with all-pervadcome, there was available there for ing unity of heart. Never have I him a constant source of inspiration seen the necessary subordinations of and vision from which to draw in the organized service so full of a sense of accomplishment of his heavy burdens dignity and essential equality as here. and responsibilities. That thought I thought that in the spirit of such of communion with ideas and ideals devoted co-operation and cheerful without the mediation of symbols self-subordination there was the poseemed to me the most reassuring and tential solution of those great probnovel feature. For after all the only lems of class and caste which today enlightened symbol of a religious or so affect society. Labor is dignified moral principle is the figure of a per- through the consciousness of its place sonality endowed to perfection with and worth to the social scheme, and its qualities and necessary attributes. no Bahii' worker, however humble, Earnestly renewing this inheritance seems unconscious of the dignity and seemed the constant concern of this meaning of the whole plan. gifted personality, and the quiet but Then there was the visit to the insistent lesson of his temperament. Bahji, the garden spot of the Faith it- Refreshingly human after this in- self and t o 'Akkh, now a triumphant tense experience, was the relaxation prison-shell that to me gave quite of our walk and talk in the gardens. the impression one gets from the Here the evidences of love, devotion burst cocoon of the butterfly. Vivid and service were as concrete and as as the realization of cruelty and hardpractical and as human a s inside the ships might be, there was always the shrines they had been mystical and triumphant realization here that opabstract and super-human. Shogi posite on the heights of Carmel was Effendi is a master of detail as well enshrined the victory that had suras of principle, of executive foresight vived and conquered and now was iras well as of projective vision. But repressible. The Bahji was truly ori- I have never heard details so re- ,ental, as characteristically so a s Mt. deemed of their natural triviality a s Carmel had been cosmopolitan. Here when talking to him of the plans for was the eastern vision, full of its the beautifying and laying out of the mysticism, its poetry, its spirituality. terraces and gardens. They were im- Not only was sombreness lacking, portant because they all were meant but even seriousnes seemed converted to dramatize the emotion of the place into poetry. Surely the cure for the and quicken the soul even through the ills of western materialism is here, senses. I t was nilght in the quick twi- waiting some more psychological molight of the east before we had ment for its spread,-for its destined finished the details of inspecting the mission of uniting in a common mood gardens, and then by the lantern western and oriental minds. light, the faithful gardener showed There is a new light in the world: us to the austere retreat of the great there must needs come a new day. BAHA'I YEAR BOOK KUNJANGUN-THE VILLAGE OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA IliesNfortythe heart of the jungle, some of his distress, he was told that the or fifty miles from Rangoon, man was in search of a legal adviser a little Burmese village-Kun- and had come in a great hurry to the jangun. Of so little importance is i t city-only to find himself at an utter to natives and Europeans alike that loss. no one seems to have heard of it, and The jungle-man had been accused yet one feels confident to say that of a criminal offense by his sister-inthis small corner of Burma holds so law, in a passion of jealousy, and dynamic a force that before long i t shortly afterward convicted by the must make itself felt at a great dis- magistrate, who had received a bribe tance. of two hundred rupees from the This dynamo of spirit is created by sister-in-law. The Baha'i said that eight hundred BahB'is living and he would lead the man to one who working as a unit-a thing thrilling would advise him (Syed Mustafa) to the heart and imagination. Pic- and help in any way possible. ture this, if you can, in a country so On hearing the story Syed Mustafa steeped in the religious superstitions said that he knew this magistrate and of the past, and whose people in this they would return together a t once to quarter still remain so primitive that the jungle. By chance on the riverit would appear almost futile to boat they met the magistrate, who even carry the great Bahb'i Message was indebted t o Syed Mustafa for of this age to them. To see this is to past favors, and when asked why he behold a miracle-for has not 'Ab- had convicted this man he said : "But du'l-Bahb called i t His village? the courts are a t your disposal, do Seventeen years ago the first seed with them as you will." Syed Muswas planted by Jinabi Syed Mustafa tafa assured him that only justice Roumie that selfless servant of 'Ab- was desired and that he himself du'l-BahA, who has seen this wonder- would plead this man's case a t anful work grow through submitting other trial. This was done and the himself entirely to the Master and re- accused one freed. flecting His love to these people. After that several families of Kun- It is worth while to repeat the story jangun came to the city a t various as i t was heard, of how the first step times, and were always entertained was taken, for i t shows that if the de- by Syed Mustafa. For two years he sire be strong enough to serve the was a t this service, never during this Cause-in no matter how small a de- time mentioning the Cause. Finally gree-we can make no estimate of they asked why he took so much its ultimate goal. trouble for them, saying that they One day in the streets of Rangoon had never met anyone like this bea man from the jungle was seen run- fore. Then he told them that he was ning breathlessly along, looking ut- a BahB'i, and they asked to be taught, terly desperate and a t the point of so that they might become as he was. exhaustion. A EahB'i happened to be There were ten to be taught a t passing a t this moment and was at- f i r s G a n d these ten instructed others, tentive a t once to this poor man's and so on. Syed Mustafa visited condition. Asking if he might help, them ragularly and helped with all and to hear something of the cause their affairs. A school was started, WNJANGUN 85 then a Mashriqu'l-Adhklr, and later sionary (Mr. Spcar) rushed on board ground was given them for com- and told Mr. Jones that plans had munity cultivation-the proceeds t o changed and they were both to go to be used for the Cause. There are Kunjangun. We had met Mr. Spear sixty-five acres in all and last year in one of the shops a few days before, the rice sold from this netted almost and when he saw us in this out-ofone hundred pounds sterling. the-way place his amazement was We had a great desire to see this ridiculous. "What," he said, "are Bahl'i village and decided to make you American ladies doing in this the trip, in spite of all the discourage- jungle place-jt is too curious!" ment we received from the English We asked them to follow in their residents of Rangoon. They told us car and have luncheon with us and see of all the hardships of the trip, which our eight hundred Bahb'is--a still must be made in one day, and as- more unexpected sight. sured us that we probably would not We were met in a Ford car by two return from the jungle alive and they of the friends and driven to the vilknew nothing of the BahB'is and lage-twenty-six miles away. What thought we were a lot of quite mad a marvelous sight to see all our Ba- Americans bent on sight-seeing. h8'i sisters and brothers awaiting us, Syed Mustafa sent a man to Kun- dressed in holiday attire of most jangun a day ahead of us bearing colorful materials. Lined up on both food, cooking utensils, etc., as these sides of the road as we approached, friends are unprepared for visitors their joyous welcome of "Allah-oor to do our sort of cooking. Abha" rang forth. Such shining We were up before dayhreak and faces and eager curiosity combined on the river by sunrise. The life of would be difficult to picture. the East begins early, so already the There were four in our party, and little ferry was crowded with natives before tnis the only Western Bahs'i taking the river journey. They made they had ever seen was Mrs. Schopa picturesque group-s q u a t t i n g flocher. Everyone seemed anxious amongst their gaily colored robes that to be of some service to us, the only rival the sunrise in crimson and one for the moment being to reach blues. for our wraps and parasols. They led In our tiny, first-class compart- us to the school-house (of course, this ment there were already two men, a was a holiday for the one hundred Burman and an American missionary and fourteen children who attended), who had been in the East twenty-one and grouped themselves about us on years. Syed Mustafa lost no time in the floor-the men and old BahB'is giving them the BahB'i Message, and taking precedence in front and the we wondered how he had contained women and children in the rear. himself for two years when getting to Then they sang Bahl'i hymns to welknow and understand the people of come us-taught them in Persian by Kunjangun ! Syed Mustafa. The rafters rang with Mr. Jones, the missionary, was to the pure joy afloat; and where the meet a co-worker at our stop, Twante, chorus was caught up by all the men and then proceed to another village one could almost see the volume of by the same boat. But we think 'Ab- sound floating through the open du'l-BahB had this trip in hand, and doors, on through the sun-baked air other things had been planned for to the nearby houses-just as one sees this day. heat vibrations. Or was it just the When we landed, the second mis- tumult of my heart, and the mist in 86 ~aail'iYW BOOK my eyes, that made the air seem vi- mean to the villagers, who have had brant? heretofore bullock carts as their only Mr. Jones and his friend arrived in means of transportation. time for luncheon and seemed aston- Then we made our farewells and ished to find things just a s we had left, with regret, for the long trip pictured them. They could not be- home. I t had been made possible to lieve until they saw i t themselves that remain this long only by the generous this work had been accomplished loan of a private steam launch by one right in their territory-where years of the Bahi'is of Rangoon, as the last of effort had brought them so little ferry left Twante long before our arreward by comparison. They ap- rival there. peared to be a s interested in taking Mingled with our joy of this day snapshots of the group as we did, but was an undercurrent of sadness which for what purpose they did not say. came as we talked to Syed Mustafa Kun jangun (India) Bahh'is gathered to meet the American Bahic'6 visitors. However, they left with promises to on the homeward trip. To quote his come again and give talks to our words as nearly as possible will give friends, which will be most useful, as the best idea: "I am an old man now the Bahi'is are diligently studying and who will carry on my work? the Bible. Any day I may be called and who will After luncheon we were shown the educate these beautiful children? I t village proper-which boasts a court, breaks my heart to come and see them jail and hospital. Most astonishing and to be able to do so l i t t l e w e need of all in this progressive community, teachers and money to help them now. they have now a jitney service of When you leave don't forget my peo- Ford cars between Kunjangun and ple of Kunjangun." Twante, twenty-six miles distant. And who having seen Kunjangun One cannot imagine what this must could forget it! GREEN ACRE OLD AND NEW PATHS AT GREEN ACRE B Y MARIAM HANEY "In the future, God willing, Green Acre shall become a great center, the cause of the unity of the world of humanity, the cause of uniting hearts, the cause of binding together the East and the West." "Should Green Acre follow jirmlg i n this path and continue the annual holding of its impartial, universal Conferences,-there is no doubt that that region will become illumined with the light of unity."-'ABDU'L-BAHh. for sit- be to provide a universal platform G . REEN ACRE, uation," RE beautiful has been the subject of for the comparative study of the difmany a talk, a lecture, an article, in ferent religious systems, the various the past few years, and therefore Ea- speakers to expound their views in a hi'is the world over are more or less spirit of tolerance toward all. familiar with its history. "Lest we Miss Farmer was successful beforget," however, the links in the yond her fondest hopes, and the story connecting it with the present Green Acre yearly conferences beday activities let us record once again came widely known, and attracted to those stirring events which have been this unusual gathering place religionthe harbingers of the New Day and ists, scholars and others famous in which very clearly foreshadowed that the world of religion, arts and let- Hour of Unity for which so many ters. Among them was the poet hearts yearned. John Greenleaf Whittier who, upon Green Acre is situated in Eliot, one of his visik, said: "We have Maine, and incidentally, i t has put heard of 'God's Acres,' but I call this the otherwise obscure and almost un- Green Acre," and thereafter Miss heard of little town on the map of the Farmer used this name. world. I t seems truly a place ever Thus began the "Search for green, as the name implies. The Truth" in Green Acre; and from fieldls stretch out from the main- year to year thereafter the programs traveled road to the river like a soft changed to coincide with the onward green carpet, with only the one road march of events until i t was clear running through i t from the now and evident that what the people famous Teahouse a t the entrance, to wanted and needed was to find the the Green Acre Inn situated on a Solvent which should unite all in one knoll overlooking the Piscataqua Brotherhood. river (almost lovingly and quite cor- Miss Farmer, in the course of a rectly termed "The River of Light"). few years, became a BahB'i and re- Briefly then, Green Acre was alized fully that in the BahB'i Teachfounded by Miss Sarah J. Farmer of ings could be found the great Force Eliot, Maine, who, after attending the and Power which would unite the Congress of Religions a t the Colum- people of the world and make of bian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, them one family regardless of race, conceived the idea of establishing a creed or color. Summer School on the property after- In those early pioneering days one wards named Green Acre, and started of the events which is enormously almost immediately to set the wheels outstanding is the period when Mirza in motion for the organization of such Ahul Fazl, the distinguished Persian a school, the object of which should BahB'i teacher visited Green Acre, rEAFt BOOK and gave the teachings of God with religion, and said; "In Green Acre such force and clarity to many a you must concentrate your forces weary traveler on the path. 'Abdu'l- around the one all-important fact, BahB has designated him as the the investigation of reality. Expend greatest religious teacher of his all your efforts on this, that the union time, and those who realized his sta- of opinions and expressions may be tion and capacity felt that i t was a obtained." privilege to be taught by him. He From that time down through loved all, and served all alike. What these succeding years, many an ada bounty he was! And how he en- vanced soul has at times scaled the joyed walking to the pines, there to spiritual heights in contemplation of give hie illumined t d k s to the eager the precious hours spent with 'Abgroups who gathered around him! du'l-BahL in Green Acre; they have Thereafter the pines became known seen once again h,is majestic figure, as the "Persian Pines," and though and heard his peerless voice ringing it was in the summer of 1904 that our out the Words of God, teaching the revered teacher visited Green Acre, children of men how to attain spiryet those radiant services of his are itual maturity, how to live the sancever fresh and fair in the memory. tified life. His season at Green Acre was one of The old order passed, and the founparticular c h a r m and spiritual dation of the new life became apgrowth. Blessed Mirza Abul Fazl! parent to all. Thereafter the Green The writers of the future ages will Acre conferences were to revolve record the real story in detail of his around teaching the reality of the sanctified life of severance and serv- Word of God. ice! About the year 1912 Miss Farmer But nothing of course can be com- became too ill to serve as the head pared to the season of 1912 when and moving spirit of Green Acre, 'Abdu'l-BahB himself visited Green and soon thereafter it passed into Acre for one week. "Blessed is the the possession and under the control ground which has been pressed by of the Green Acre Fellowship, with his feet." From that time Green Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Randall of Acre has been considered by some as Boston contributing largely of their holy ground, not in the fanaticd resources in every way to furthering sense, but because the Lilght of spir- the great plan of this beautiful cenituality burned brightly there, be- ter, and they built wisely and well cause the Light of the World shed a around the Principle of the Investiradiance beyond the description of gation of Reality. any words, and because the hearts of This period covering some ten or all who contacted with this Divine twelve years, has often passed Servant of God were quickened with through severe storms and stress, such happiness and love of the King- after which would come invariably dom, and were so spiritually con- the "clearing." The "Gales of the Infirmed that they were ready to give finite" dissipated the debris of man's up all in service to humanity. He ideas as the winds gather up and was the Divine Exemplar who was scatter f a r and wide the sands of the himself treading the path of servi- roads. No one save the Lord himself tude and holiness, and being Perfect is able to measure the mighty works he could direct others to the Perfect that have been wrought during these Way. He summoned all to devote years. Many and varied are the their time to the spirtual reality of stories that could be written of the GREEN ACRE 89 beauty of service a t Green Acre; of The summer of 1921 is also notable, the many hundreds who have found for the Teahouse and Gift shop were themselves at this Center, made holy opened for the first time. This addiby the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahii and tion to the life and activities of the his divine spirit, and who have list- place was planned and arranged by ened to the message of Life with ears Mrs. Ruth Randall, who for the past attuned to celestial anthems, there- four years has successfully managed after returning to their homes alive this attractive branch of the work and keen to continue on the path and likewise beautified the surroundwhich leads to the Goal of all our ing grounds, making the entrance to hopes. When these stories are gath- Green Acre most inviting. ered some day and compiled, they Gradually from that time to the will make a book of such interesting present the growth has been toward spiritual experiences a s will charm the fulfillment of the prophetic utand truly enlighten those who read terances of 'Abdu'l-Bahi in regard it. The readers will likewise be in- to the future of Green Acre, one of spired "to investigate reality." which carries with i t a special sig- Another summer seems particu- nificance and is here quoted: larly outstanding as we recall the "Thy desire to serve Green Acre many beautiful summers through is i n reality a very important matter. which we have journeyed to this This name (Green Acre) must aptime, namely the season of 1916, pear with all its significant meaning, when two important events took that is, Green Acre must become the place. One the dedication of Fellow- reflection of the plain of Acca (spelship House, the gift to Green Acre led AkkA in the new transliteration), of Mrs. Helen Ellis Cole of New and attain to the utmost verdancy, York, a Bahfi'f, a devoted friend and greenness and artistic beauty. I t s sister to Miss Farmer, and a loyal charms and wonder lie in this,-that supporter of the beautiful life and i t may become the center of the Baspirit of Green Acre. And, secondly, hii'is and the cry of Ya-Bahii'u'l- Miss Farmer returned after her years Abhi (0thou the Glory of the Most of separation because of illness. Her Glorious!) be raised from all its diheart was overflowing with grati- rection." tude to her Baha'i brothers and sis- The season of 1924 then is another ters "who have raised Green Acre to particularly outstanding one in the this pinnacle of spiritual unity and growth and life of Green Acre. At peace. She had lived to see her early the annual Fellowship meeting in dream realized, to see many nations August of that year the friends and sects, races and religions joined gathered together were realizing together under the Flag of Peace." more than ever the meaning iand Soon thereafter she passed into the deep significance of the law of colife eternal and radiant. operation and co-ordination and en- Another important season was the visioned the Greater Green Acre to be summer of 1920, when Jenabi-Fadil, brought into the realm of visibility. a renowned Persian Baha'i teacher At this meeting Dr. M. A. Cohn of who had been sent to this country by Brooklyn, N. Y., thrilled the friends 'Abdu'l-Bahii, taught a t Green Acre. with his suggestion that t h e Annual He brought a fresh impetus to the BahB'i Convention and Congress be Conferences, and during his stay held in Green Acre 1925. He said in there was a very marked spiritual part: advancement. He again served a t "I suggest that we call a great con- Green Acre in the succeedincg years. gress in Green Acre for the summer 90 BAHA'~YEAR BOOK Fellowship House, Green Acre, Maine. Tea House, Green Acre, Maine. r GREEN ACRE 91 of 1925, inviling all the I3ah6'is of "All of life seems to follow definite this country and Canada to meet with stages: the infant period, that of us on this beautiful and consecrated adolescence, and again the period of ground. This Congress of 1925 if maturity. Miss Farmer was the carried forward in unity, harmony great loving mother who brought and love will stand out as a Beacon into being a child-Green A c r e a n d Light in the annals of the BahO'i with love and tender care she carried Cause in this country in general, and it forward, rearing the foundation of Green Acre in particular." for the future work. When she was But that which furnished the dyn- unable to continue, the care of Green amic for action was the instruction Acre passed into the hands of the Felof Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the lowship and a number of Trustees, BahO'i Cause which was received in and for some ten or twelve years the 1924 and contained these stirring affairs of Green Acre have been conwords : ducted along this line, until now i t "I was delighted to hear of the has come to another stage of its progressive activities of that dearly growth, i t has come to its maturity. beloved spot, Green Acre, upon . . . Green Acre has survived and which the Master has bestowed His g own through its spirit of unity and tender care and loving kindness, and and service, and through its spirit of of which we are all hopeful that it love. . . . I think now that Green may become, whilst the work of the Acre is approaching another period Mashriqu'l-Adhkir is in progress, of its growth; it must be apparent to the Focal Center of the devotional, all that new life is coming to this humanitarian, social and spiritual center and is bringing to i t a vision activities of the Cause." of new resources and of great growth. Thus i t was that the friends voted Therefore we should be ready to take to hold the Bahi'i Convention and this next step forward in the life of Congress of 1925 in Green Acre the Green Acre. .. . We grow by unitfirst week in July, providing this ac- ing ourselvs to the larger needs. tion received the approval of Shoghi Man progresses from one level of Effendi. All who have read the pre- consciousness to another, and as ceding numbers of the Star of the growth toward the higher conscious- West know that this sanction was re- ness comes, he sees the higher world, ceived in due time, and that the Con- and that this vision unfolds before vention and Congress held this year him the plan of God. And so Green brought many new faces to Green Acre must pass, in spirit anyway, Acre, and i t already stands out a s a from a center in itself t o a greater "beacon light" in the path of prog- center, and go forward in the unity ress. of its own greater work. I feel there- Now once again we have just had fore that we are going to have a maranother Annual Fellowship meetin'g velous meeting, that we have gathheld a t the Green Acre Inn on August ered here with nothing but unity in 10th. our minds, and the desire and pur- Mr. Wm. H. Randall, Chairman of pose of our heart is to unite the the Board of Trustees of Green Acre, past with the interests of the larger in his opening address, spoke with and greater Green Acre, that in time deep feeling, with sincerity, with love to come we may be so proud to be and with a tenderness which touched members of this Fellowship that i t all hearts. Among other things he will be our summer happiness to said : unite here each year, contributing Groups around the Peace Flag at Green Acre showing Mr. Randall with hat in hund and Mr. Schopflocher i n the foregrozind directly back of the small boy. Part of the ''owssy slope" and the ~ i v e rflowing to the sea. GREEN ACRE 93 our part toward the success of this sible? I thought to myself i t i n not beautiful spiritual center with i t s possible for such a place to exist! manifold activities to be developed But I looked around and discovered year by year, its life of agriculture, i t was not only possible, but i t was its educational system, its means of almost finished, almost accomplished recreation and happiness, indeed we in truth and in fact. . . . The great know the ideals of Green Acre re- joy is in serving, is in accomplishing, volve around the whole world of hu- and today i t is in giving a helping manity for i t i s an expression of the hand to Green Acre. I became ac- Word of God. I welcome you all with quainted with this universal platthe greatest happiness, and I am form, but I did not know at first exso glad to see some of the faces of actly what a universal platform the dear old friends of the days of meant. So I referred to our dear Miss Farmer who worked so hard friend. I thoroughly appreciated the for Green Acre,-to see them again closer touch and learned more about sitting in this body uniting with us, the great Truths which were stirring and now confident that the inner life this group of people into action, and of Green Acre has been assured." I came to the conclusion that it was Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher spoke not the outer Green Acre, even with in behalf of the Trustees and gave a its beautiful setting and surroundbrief resume of the work which has ings, but that it was the deep meanbeen accomplished. He gave the fol- ing of Green Acre, its ideals, its unilowing heartfelt testimony: "What versal platform, its deep spiritual has been done is only due to the co- significance, its standards of unity operation of the members of this and human solidarity that I loved so Fellowship without which the Board much and which I have tried to folof Trustees cannot do anything. I t low, which many succeed in followis the spirit of co-operation and co- ing, and all of us will succeed in this ordination which has brought about endeavor through co-operation and the material and physical improve- selfless service, and i t will be our ments in the last few years,-an ex- privilege t o lift up others, and see pression also of my gratitude toward that they also enjoy this happiness Green Acre, for here I have experi- and the loving friendships. There is enced real and loving friendships the mysticism of Green Acre, and which I have never known before, there is the true mysticism. There and I tried to put into the work the is the demonstration of the spirit of spirit of love and service. There is love in action. I t was this Bahh'i no greater mysticism to be experi- spirit which attracted me. . . There enced I think than that which a man is to come before you a resolution or woman finds for the first time which the Board of Trustees has prewhen they really contact that true pared in absolute unity with the spirit of loving service which is self- greatest consideration realizing its less and ideal and promoted by the importance. With the adoption of heart which has been touched with such a resolution, we will be able the love of God; only for the sake of surely to have the support of all the God do they serve and for the ad- Green Acre people of the world, and vancement of His Cause; and this is which will bring all of us definitely my debt to Green Acre. When I first into relation with Green Acre." came here I was presented with a Miss Roushan Wilkinson, Secretary little booklet which told of the ideals of the Fellowship, read a comprehenof this center, and I said: I s i t pos- sive annual report, clearly setting 94 s a ~ l i ' iYEAR BOOK forth the proceedings of the last Fel- gloriously assured; somc of the most lowship meeting and bringing fresh stirring prophecies of 'Abdu'l-BahA to the minds the activities of the have( been fulfilled; and with the year. hoisting once again of the beautiful Mr. Mountfort Mills, Dr. M. A. white Peace Flag on the Green Acre Cohn, Mr. Stanwood Cobb and others grounds amid the united prayers and spoke feelingly of the services of all songs of the assembled friends, there those who had contributed such a passed into history one of the most vital part of the work and of the deeply significant and most glorious possibilities and future plans for the meetings in the whole life of Green Green Acre activities. Acre, for the decisions arrived a t sig- The resolution referred to by Mr. Schopflocher provided that Green nify the expansion of Green Acre Acre should be definitely correlated eventually into a beautiful "City of to the National Spiritual Assembly God"'-for such i t will be when every of the BahA'is of the U. S. and Can- activity is for the sake of God, and ada, and that it should come directly cvtry man, woman and child is listenunder its control and supervision as ing with the ear of the spirit to the soon as all technical points i n connec- inner voice which calls t o prayer, t o tion therewith could be adjusted. unity to "living the life" of a real The resolution was joyously accepted Brotherhood,-a life which functions by a large majority and i t was in and for God, and which can be adopted unanimously. led by the spirit because filled with Thus the future of Green Acre is the spirit. C(rL .- FOR WORLD UNITY 95 A CONFERENCE FOR WORLD UNITY AT SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 20-22, 1925 C IVILIZATION emerged from its better inter-racial, inter-religious and cradle somewhere in Asia and international understanding and costarted on its march following the operat;ion was conceived. Through sun around the world. It gathered the untiring efforts and irresistible its arts, religimons, wars and languages enthusiasm of Mrs. Charles Miner as i t journeyed into Northern Africa Cooper these ideas began to crystaland Southern Europe. It built cities, ize into a very definite plan. A brief organized states and went on in its survey revealed the fact that many cycles of failure and success. North- prominent workers in the field of ern Europe and the British Isles soon international relations could be found became the abode of a culture. The in this region and that there was a final episode of this encirclinsg move- wealth of material that should be ment was the colonization of the made available to the public. Mrs. American continents. Now the great Cooper, in her spirit of service, genwestern outpost of this moving civi- erously contributed time and money lization is at the Golden Gate of Cali- to bring this conference into existfornia. Across the Pacific we again ence. She invited an interested meet some of the oldest organized group to meet with her, and out of social groups. The elder brothers, this meeting a committee on arrange- Mongol, Malay and Aryan Sr., along ments was organized, consisting of with their numerous friends and the following members: Dr. Rudolph relatives, are somewhat disturbed a t I. Coffee, chairman; Professor Kenthe remarkable activity, egotism and neth Saunders, Professor J. V. Breitblustering of the young runaway wieser, Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, Aryan Nordic, Jr., yet they are wil- Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper and Mr. ling t o listen to his story of adven- Leroy C. Ioas, secretary. ture. They have heard rumors to As the result of the work of the the effect that he has been very quar- committee, a "Conference for World relsome with his cousin Slav. He Unity" was organized and an interseems to be somewhat erratic like an esting program was given before adolescent youth. At times he is large and enthusiastic audiences. highly idealistic, sometimes cruel, The first address, by Professor often selfish, yet at times showing Kenneth Saunders, dealt with India's signs of great generosity. contribution to World Peace. Pro- The 'great meeting place of the fessor Saunders has been an intense civilizations of the world is on the student of the influence of Oriental shores of the Pacific. This thought thought and philosophy on the civilihas been in the minds of the social zation of the world, and in a very students who have been observing scholarly manner presented the ideals the meeting of the Orient and the of peace, contentment and non-re- Occident. Early in April the idea of sistance as they are taught by the making San Francisco the center for Hindoo writers and philosophers. a conference that should be organ- Dr. Ng Poon Chew, the genial ized for the purpose of promoting a editor of Sai Yat Po, pointed out that the old China had been a peace- "Whereas, Through the genernsity ful nation "that was wont to sit in of Mr. Raphael Herman, a prize of isolation musing : $25,000.00 was offered, under the auspices of the World Federation of "Far from the maddening crowd's ignoble strife, Education Associations, for the best Her sober wishes never learned to stray. plan to accomplish this purpose; and Along the cool sequestered vale of life, "Whereas, Fsom over 6,000 plans She kept the even tenor of her way." submitted the prize was awarded to a Californian, Dr. David Starr Jordan, But a new China is coming, a new Chancellor Emeritus of Stanford China is in the making, a new China University; and with new life, new spirit, and new "Whereas, The citizens of Santa blood. A new China with new ambi- Clara County, the home of Dr. Jortion, with new inspiration and with dan, have arranged to give him a new aspiration; a new China with public reception on Tuesday, April new ideas, new ideals, and new con- 14, a t San Jose, in recognition of his ception of world relations; a new constructive services in the cause of China awakened to the consciousness world peace; therefore be i t of her potential power of her four "Resolved, By the Senate of the hundred fifty million living souls; a State of California, the Assembly new China jealous. of her rights,, concurring, that we extend felicitasmarting under the consciousness of tions to Dr. Jordan on this signifiwrong inflicted upon her by the cant occasion. powers in the past." "We join in honoring Dr. Jordan- He pointed out that if China is to the Man-the California Citizenbe made the pawn of European greed the World Citizen. and agression, she may become the "As a man he has come to be unifertile ground in which to sow the versally recognized a s possessing seeds of war. those qualitites of heart and mind "On the other hand, if the nations that we regard as the ideal of Amerof the world will change their policy ican character. in their treatment of China. and "As a citizen of California his adopt justice and equity in place of years of labor in his own chosen promight and greed, the result will be fession and in the advancement of peace and amity and good-will among the state's welfare, have placed the the nations for ages to come." young men and women of California, Some of the gifts western civiliza- and the entire state, under obligation has brought to China are stand- tion that can never be fully voiced. ing armies and national debts, un- "As a world citizen, his broad viknown to Chinese people before 1842. sion and his humanitarian impulse The audience was thrilled a t its have induced him to devote years of good fortune in seeing and hearing study to this greatest of international the honorary-chairman of the meet- p r o b l e m s t h e riddance of this ing, Dr. David Starr Jordan, who mighty scourge of war, and the evenpresented in perseon the Essentials tual achievement of international of his Peace Plan. In the words of amity and good-will." the resolution adopted by the Senate On the second evening of the meetand Assembly of the State of Cali- ing Dr. Aurelia Henry Reinhardt, fornia, Dr. Jordan's contributions to President of Mills College, pointed world unity can be described as out how most of the differences of follows : mankind are due to ignorance and CONFERENCE FOR WORLD UNITY 97 misunderstanding. She urged a children thc ways of peace. He debroader, deeper study of humanity plored the work of jingoists and false for the sake of a broader and more prophets who would develop hatred permanent happiness. and strife. Dr. W. J. J. Eyers, who represented Then came the scholarly and gentle the negro race in the conference, Jinab-i-Fadil, so well qualified to spoke of the numerous attitudes and unify the ideas presented in all the situations in society which have addresses. His deep sympathy with caused hardship and misery to his and knowledge of all humanity was people. He proclaimed a faith in the soon recognized by all who were capacity of the negro race to carry present. I n simple, clear language he its share of the burdens of humanity, pointed the way to real peace, to and the willingness of the negro peo- final unity. This address was a fitple to render Cheir share of service. ting unification of the thoughts that The closing address, by the Honor- had been gathered together in the able Clinton N. Howard, was a plea conference for world unity. for the realization of the peaceful The closing address of the conferelements in Christ's teaching. He ence was given by Dr. Rudolph I. pointed out how warlike elements Coffee, who traced the ideas and had been injected into many of our ideals of peace through the prophsongs, sermons and rituals. He ecies of Old Testament times, the called for the introduction of peaceful writings of the philosophers and elements. the social consciousness of the pres- The climax of the meetings was ent time. He subsequently expresprobably reached in the addresses of sed the hope that conferences of this the Honorable Torao Kawasaki and kind may be held every year and Jinab-i-Fadil on the third evening, that an organization will be mainthe former speaking on Japan's Con- tained looking forward to definite tribution to World Peace and the lat- objectives and plans for the next ter on the Conquest of Prejudice. meeting. The address by the able represen- Musical numbers added to the tative of the Japanese people made beauty of the program and the pleassuch a profound impression on the ure of the auditors. They were all audience that the speaker has been artistically rendered and enthusiaskept busy repeating the address to tically received. many clubs in the San Francisco Bay When the era of peace on earth region. He presented the stand of shall have become a reality; when the Japan in all of the conferences for world peace. He assured the audi- Fatherhood of God and the brotherence that his country is ready to co- hood of man shall have become the operate with all of the other great creed of humanity; when the harsh nations in coming to an understand- reverberations of the din of war shall ing by peaceful methods in the set- have died in the past,-this Confertling of all disputed questions. He ence for World Unity will be numpointed out that Japan had already bered as one of the incidents, as a gone through her text books and re- part of the contributions that made a organized them so as to teach their more universal happiness possible. PART THREE I. National Spiritual Assemblies. 11. List of leading local Bahi'i centers. 111. BahL'i Periodicals. IV. Bibliography. V. References to the BahB'i Movement. VI. European and American cities visited by 'Abdu'l-Bahi. VII. Transliteration of Oriental terms frequently used in Bahb'i literature. VIII. Dr.J. E. Esslelnont. Floral emblem of red roses at Major Znzbrie's funeral, sent by the National Spiritual Assembly in the name of the BUM'& of Persia and America. BAHAI YEAR BOOK PART THREE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES The Natianal Spiritual Assembly of the The National Spiritual Assembly of the Balui'is of Persia. Bal~b'isof Egypt. Care The Secretary, Mirrl 'Ali-Akbar Care The Secretary, 'Ahdu'l-Jalil, Bey Milani. Care M i r d Ghullm-'AJi Ihavachi, Sa'ad. Avenue Nasiriyyih, Teheran, Persia. Care Muhammad EffendS Taqi Isfahini, The National SpirLual Assembly of the Rue Marjdsh, Cairo, Egypt. BaM'is of the United States and The National Spi~ltual Assembly of tk C a d . Bahd'is of Turkistbn, Care The Secretary, Mr. Horace Holley, 48 West 10th St., New York City, Care The Secretary, Mahmid-Zldih. U. S. A. Care Mr. Z. Asphlr-Zldih, The National Spiritual Assembly of the 96 Houndsditch, London, E. C. 2, E n p Bahb'is of Germany. land. Care the Secretary, Mrs. Consul Schwarz The National Spiritual Assembly of the 3 Alexandersstrasse, Stuttgart, ~ e r : many. Bahd'is of Caucasus. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Care The Secretary, Mirzi Rahim KB- Bahri'is of Great Britain and Ireland. zim-Zldih. Care The Secretary, Mr. Geo. Simpson, Care Mr. Z. Axhlr-Zldih, 58 North End Road, Golder's Green, 96 Houndsditeh, London, E. C. 2, Eng- London, N. W., England. land. The Natioml Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of India and Burma. The National S?n'ritaal Assembly of the C~areThe Secretary, Mr. Hishmatu'lllh. Bahb'is of 'Irhq. Care Mr. N. R. Vakil, Havadia Chakla, Care The Secretary, Mr. Munir Vakil, Surat, India. Siqi'l Maydan, Baghdad, Irlq. LEADING LOCAL BAHA'f CENTERS Tha Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of ConstantinopJe. Beirut, Syria. Care The Secretary, Mirzl J a l l l Ahma- Care The Secretary, Mr. Ali-Akbar Khudoff Milini rasani: P. 0. Bdx 410, Stamboul, Constan- Care Dr. SulaymPn Raf'at Bey, tinople, Turkey. Ra'si'n-Nahi' (Ras-El-Nabeh), Beirut, Syria. The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of Paris. The BaM'is of Austmlia. Care Mr. and Mrs. Dreyfus-Barney, Care Miss Amy Thornton, 16 Rue Greuze, Paris, France. 428 Punt bourn e Road, South Yarra, Mel- The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of ' Australia. Haifa, Palestine. The Bahri'is of New Zealand. Care The Engli'sh Secretary, MirzP Badi' Care Miss Margaret Stevenson Bushrd'i, "Clunie," 3 Cowie Road, ~ a r n h l Auek- , Persian Colony, Haifa, Palestine. land, New Zealand. The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of The Bahd'is of Switserland. Alexamdretta, Syria. Care Mrs. J . Stannard, Care The Secretary, Mr. Hasan Klshini, 19 Boylevard Georges-Favon, Geneva, P. 0. Box 25, Alexandretta, Syria. Switzerland. 102 B A H A ' ~YEAR BOOK The Bahd'is of Japan. The Bahd'is of Italu, Care Mr. Sanuo Nisawa, Care Mrs. E. R. Mathews 40 B. Sonnomiya Nichume, Kobe, Ja- Villa San Martino, ~ r t b f i n o(Mare), pan. Italy. The Bahd'is of the Hawaiian Islands. The BahB,is of Afrim. Care Mrs. J. G. Augur 435 Beretania ~ t r e L t , Honolulu, Ha- C a ~ ~ O$"I,;: ~ ~ Assembly, ~ , " waii Island's. Arcadia. Pretoria, S. Africa. The Baha'is of China. Care Mfrzi H. A. Ouskudi, The Bahd'is of Brazil. 41 A. Kiangse Road, Shanghai, China. Care Mi= Leonora Hfolsapple Baixa da Graea 26, E+ahia,'~razil. The Bahri'is of Austria. C a r a Herr F. Pollinger Grillparzerstrasse 14,' Wien, Austria. The BuM'is of Rw.asia. T:afieag2, , ; ' ","I", , , : Boviken, Sweden. Care Mr. Dhabihu'llih Ndmddr, The Bahd'is of Tunis. Care Mr. Z. Asghal-Zddih, 96 Hound* Care Shaykh Muhyi'd-Din care M. T. dltch, E. C. 2, London, England. Isfahdni, Rue Marjdsh, 'Cairo, Egypt. International Bureau BahB'i, 19 Boulevard Georges-Favon, Geneva, Switzerland. Local Bahd'i Assemblies in the United Baha'i Groups in the United States and States and Canada Carzada Canada: Montreal. Santa Barbara, Cal.; San Diego, Cal.; St. California: Berkeley, Geyserville, Glen- John, N. B.,Canada; St. Auguatine, Fla.; dale, Hollywood (+ Angeles) , San Atlanta, Ga.; Maui, T. Hawaii; Peoria, F~ancisco,Oakland, Vlsaha. Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Indianapolis,, Ind.; Colorado: Denver. Keokuk, Iowa; Beverly, Mass.; Haver- Connecticut: New Raven. hill, Mass.; Somerville, Mass.; Fruitport, Distriet of Columbia: Wa*-hington. Mich.; St. Paul, Minn.; Omaha, Neb.; Florida: Miami. Asbury Park, N. J.; Jersey City, N. J.; Georgia: Augusta. Montclair, N. J.; Johnstown, N. Y.; Ith- Hawaiian Islands: Honolulu. aca, N. Y.; Itochesrter, N. Y.; Dayton, Illinois: Chicago, Urbana. Ohio; Sandusky, Ohio; Spokane, Wash.; Maine: Eliot (Green Acre). Vancouver, B. C., Canada. Maryland: Baltimore. Massachusetts: Boston, Springfield, Worcester. Foreign Bahb't Centers Michigan: Lansing, Detroit, Muskegon. Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis. Aus.tria: Graz, Vienna. Missouri: St. Louis. Australia: Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Montana: Helena. Sydney, South Yarra. New Jersey: Newark. Caucasus: h k u , Tiflis, Ganjih, Batum, New York: Buffalo, New York Citr, Yon- Saliyan, BQlA-Khdn& N a f t i E n , h r - kers, Geneva. hand, Kdk-chiy, Shakki, Burda', Ohio: Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati. Egypt: Cairo, Port Said, Alexandria, Is- Oregon: Portland. ma'iliyyih, Assiut. Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Wttsbulrgh. England: Londfon, Bouxnemouth, Manches- Washington: Seattle. ter. Wisconsin: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine. B A H L ~ CENTERS '~ 103 G e m n y : Berlin-Charlottenburg, Berlin- Switzerland: Lausanne, Gcneva. S c h n e n e b erg, Berlin-Schmargendorf, Syria: Alexandretta, Beirut, Aleppo, Da- Dresden, Esslingen, Fellbach, Fre~hurg, mascus. Freundendrudt, Gera-Reuzs, G r o s s- Tasmania : Hobart. Strehlitz, Goppingen, Hamburg, Heilbronn, Jena, Karlsruhe, Krewzweg, Lau- Turkey: Adana, Canstantiuople. dan, Leipzig-Ghoholis, Neuenburg, Reutlin- TurkistLn: 'IshqaMd, Tbshkand, Qahqahih, gen, R o s h k , Schorndod, Schwerin, Marv, Tajan. Stuttgart, Warnemunde, Zuffenhausen. Italy: Rlome, Florence, Como. India (and Burma) : V. Daidanaw-Kala- Persia: Tihran, Qazvin, Rasht, Zanjin, zoo, Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi, Kunjan- Yazd, Slhahr6d, Q6chan, Tabriz, Hamgun, Poona, Mandalay, Rangoon, Surat. adin, KirminshLh, Sultin-AbPd-i-IrAq, New Zeaknd : Auckland. Sari, SahzivLr, Birjand, Qum Klshdn, Isfahan, Shirlz, SimnBn, Nishapdr, Si- Palestine: IEaifa, 'AkkL. s i n , BurG-jird, KirmLn, R a f ~ i n j d n , Mesopotamia: Baghdad, Avashiq, Hunay- Abadih, Bandar-'Ahbas, Mashhad, Najafdar, Basrih. AbPd. MAGAZINES Published by Bahi'i Institutions The Bahd'i M a g a z i n e S t a r of the West. The World Fellowship Magazine and The Printed in Chicago f a r many years: re- Magazin,e of the C h i l d ~ e nof the Kingcenbly moved t o Washington. S t a n m d dom (combined)-Pwblishcd a t Mont- Cobb, Editor; Mariam H a n e ~ ,Associate clair, N. J., and edited under t h e direc- Editor; Allen B. KcDaniel, Business tion of Victoria Bedikian and Ella Ro- Manager. Address: 106 Otis Building, harts. Addremss: P. 0. Box 179, Mont- Washington, D. C. Per year, $3.00. clair, N. J. Die Sonne dsr Wahrrheit--Official manazine of the BehL'is of Germany. Pub- Bahd'd Weltzemeinschaft-Publi5hd quarliehed a t Stuttgart. F r a u Alice Schwarz, terly by the Committee on Education of Editor. Address: Alexanderstrasse 3. P e r year, $2.00. the National Spiritual Assembly of t h e BahL'is of Germany. T I L ~Dawn-A monthly Baha'i Journad of Burma. Edited and published by Syed Mustafa Boumie. Contents in English, Bahb'd News Letter-The bulletin of the Persian and Burmese. Address: No. Nationa,l Spiritual As~semhlyof the Ba- 2-B, 418t Street, Rangoon, Burma. Per ha'is of the United Skates and Canada. year, $2.00. The Herald of the S o u t k T h e Bahi'i Das Rosengaertlei%Publjshed for children magazine for New Zealand and Austra- by the Committee on Education of lia. Address: Care Hyde Dunn, Box the National Spiritual Assembly of the 3116 G. P. O., Sydney, Australia. Bah&'i,s of Germany. L a Nova Tago (The New Day)-The International Baha'i-Esperanto Magazine, Mitteilungen-The bulletin of the BahP'i published four times a year by the Es- Asmsembly of Hamburg, Gemany. peranto Committee of the BahP'i Assem-- bly of Hasnburg, Germany. Address: Friedrich Gerstner, Oelmuhlenweg 66, Khurshid-d-KMwar - Magazine published Wandsbek (H'amburg), Germany. Per by the BahB'i Spiritual Assembly of ysar, 20 cents'. 'Ishqibid, Turkistan. B A H A ' ~ YEAR BOOK Bahfli Students at Beirut, Syria, University. BIBLIOGRAPHY 105 BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY PART ONE Books and pamphlets published under Bahh'i auspices or approved by a responsible Bah8'i body. LIST ONE Tablets of 'Abdu'l-BahB (comuiled bv Albert Publications of the Publ~ivhingCommittee of the American National Spiritual As ~ ~ &%ed-i%,,ing y ~ ~ Yidual,s ,and groups. volume T ~ (vol- * q ~ . ~ ~ ~ ~ f ~ ~ sembly. (Corrected t o February 1, 1926.) umes One and Three ~~- - - temnorarilv ---~ out of ------------_.__: ~ WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH print) "--.$1.75 -----. Hidden Words, the essence of t h e teachings Mysterious Forces of Cizr;lization, a work of all the Prophets. Translated by Shoghi addressed to the people of Persia nearly Effendi. Paper covers -___-------- $ .25 forty years ago to show the way t o true I n 'leather _.--.--..___-__------- 1.00 progress .-.--..._-_------.------ $1.75 The Book of Assurance (Book of Iqan), Divine Philosophy (compiled by Isabel explaining t h e oneness of all t h e Pra- Fraser Chamberlain), selected addresses uhets and their sipnificance as the ex- --delivered in Paris on the eve of the Great . -- iression of th e win of G O__.._-. ~ $1.50 War --------------.----------.-- $ .75 Tablets of Bahoi'u'lldh (TarLzit, the Tah- 'Abdz~'GBahoiin New Y w k , containing selet of the Worla, Kalimit, Tajalliyat, lected a d d r w e s delivered a t Columbia Bishirit, IshrBqit), social and spiritual University and various churches and principl~sof the new age -_..---- $1.75 public meetings in 1912 ._---..__-- $ .25 Three Tablets of BahB'u'lloih (Tablet of Tablet to The Hague, a Lehter written in the Branch, Kit4.b-i-'Ahd, Lawh-i-Aqdas), 1919 to che Central Organization for a the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Bahi as the Durable Peace --____.__..-.--.__ $ .05 interpretm of the teachings of Bahi'u'- Wisdom. Talks of 'Abdu'l-Eahci, selected llih, the Testament of Bashi'u'llah, and addresses on spiritual and scientific his memage ito the Christians_._-.$ .25 subjects delivered in Chicago during Seven Valleys, the stages passed by travel- 1912 ---------_..______----.----$ .10 ers on the path of spiritual prog- Prayers and Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahoi colress -_.__-.__-...--..-.--------- $ .25 lected and translated by Shoghj Ef- Prayers, containing also Prayers by 'Ab- fendi ---.-..-----------.-.-----. $ .15 du'l-Baha -------------------.--. $ 20 Szirat ul-Hwkal, on the myr~tery of the COMPILATIONS manifestation of the Spirit in the hu- B&'i Scriptures (compiled by Horace Holman temple. (Out of print.) .._ $..50 -- ley), selected from all available writings WRITINGS OF 'ABDU'L-BAH~ of Bnhi'u'llih and 'Abdu'l-BahB and arranged in nine chapters according The Promulgation of Universal Peace (com- t o subject; with Glossary and Index. piled by Howard MacNutt), public ad- 576 pages dresses delivered throughout the United Sltates in 1912. This work contains No. s Compilation, available in different 'Abdul-Bahi's spiritual niessage t o t h e languages, 16 pages ___-------._.. $ .03 Amelrican peaple, whom he summoned to Miniature No. 9 Compilation, 100 establish the "Most Great Peace," which copies -----------.--------------$l-OO is the consummation of the iaeaeals of all religionists, scientists and hnmanitar- The Bahd'i Message, 20 pages -----.- $ .05 ians. In two volume6, per vo1.__-- $2.50 The Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-BaM (compiled by Lady Blomfield, and published in London under the title of " Paris Talks"), a brief hut comprehen&ive presentation of his mesisage. Paper covers .------- $ .40 I n cloth ---.------------..-----. 1.00 Some Answered Questions (compiled by R:oial A?1Yity. Words of Bahh'u'll8h and Laura Clifford B,arney), a n exposition of fundamental spiritual and philosophic Abdu'l-Bahi on t h e subject of harproblems $2.00 mony and underetanding between the races. Compiled by M. H. and M. M. Chapter m Strikes, a supplement to the wibh speed1 reference %Q conditions in above ..-.--..----..-.----------.$ .05 the United States. 20 pages ------$ .05 BAHA'~ YEAR BOOK Jenab'i-Fadil at Santa Paula, Califorma. Lessoan in. Religion, by Shaykh Muhammad-'Ali Qb'ini, prepared especially for children. Translated by Edith Rookie Sanderson -.--.-_.___-__--._-_-- $ .75 The Oriental Rose, by Mary Hanford Ford, a vivid presentation of histo~icalmpeebs of the Babb'i Movement .-..-----. $ .80 The Divine Avt of Living, words of 'Ab- Universal Consciousness of the Bahd'i Religion, by Mas,on Remey, a new and d u l - B a h i on t h e acquisition of s p i r ~ t u a l enlarged edition of t h e pamphlet prequalities, compiled by Mrs. Mary Rabh. viously published under the title of Published by Brentano's .--__ $1.25 _..... "The New Day." 60 pages --.--.- $ ' .20 50 copies --.--.....__ $ 9.00 ..___..--. PART TWO 100 copies ---.-_....__-_--_._~. $16.00 Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study BOOKSABOUT THE B A H ~M '~ OVEMENT of the Bahh'i Teachings, by Mason kemey including chapters on the Letters from Shoghi Effendi, selectiol~s foundells d the Movement, the writings, frm leltters written by the grandson bhe organization, relation to the Reaf 'Ah~dul-Bahi, appointed Guardian of ligions of the Or-ent, wo,rship, e k . 182 hhe Cause by him, regarding details of pages (cloth) .._._.__$_ .60__.....--.. administering the affairs of the Move- 10 copies -..---.-$ 4.00 m m t -------.----------.-- tttttt$ .20 Bahd'i: The Spirit of the Age, by Horace H~olley, preseilting the Baha'i Movement and teachings ad the synthesis of all modern movements _..._..- $2.50 ..-.-- Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great Peace, by Paul Kingston Dealy, bhe Baha'i C~auseand anmcient prophecy-3 .25 The Bahd'i Movement: Its Spiritual Dyno.mic, by A l ~ e r Vail, t reprint of a maga- Episodes in My Life,by Munirih Khbnum, mne article $ .10 wife of 'Abdu'l-Baha, a witness to the Martyrdomts in Persia in 1903, by H a j i providential spirit directing the Baha'i Mirzi Haydor-'Ali, relating the circnm- Cause in it. most trying days#-----$ .35 stances in whi~zh seventy Persian Ba- The Bahd'i Proofs, by M i r z i Abu'l-Fad1 ob ha'is were martyred .__..-. $. .15 -...- Gulpaygan, presenting the fundamental The Call of God, by G o ' r g e Latimer, +he woods of the validity of the Canse as: sign~lficanceof the return of t h e Messenthe Universal Religion, with chapters ger .-.--.--.-..------.-...-$ .05 relating the lfves of the Bab, Ba- What Went Y e Out for to See? by ThornbP7u'llah and Abdu'l-BahP. (Out of p r i n t ) ----...-----...$1.50 ...__--...- don Chase, a letter written i n reply to an inquiry from a Christian _..$_ .05._ The Brillianf: Proof, by Mirzb Abu'l-Fad1 of Gulpaygan, a refutation of an attack The Bahd'i Religim, a raprint of t h e two on the Cause by a Protmtant mission- Baha'i papers presented a t the Conary. Contains b ~ t hEnglish and Persian ference on Some Living Religions within the British Empire. Paper, 24 pasges ---.-----------..--------- $ .15 'Abdu'l-Baha's First Days in America, intimate and beautiful glimpses of the Master, from 8he dSary of Juliet Thounpson, 40 pages. Printed by The Roycrofters .-.--___.-_-_____-------- $1.00 God's Heroes, by Laura Clifford Barney, a Bahd'u'lldh and His Message, by J . E. Es- drama written around t h e great Baha'i slermlont, briefly outlining t h e spiritual heroine and martyr, the poetess Qurmessage of the new day ___-__---__ $ .05 ratu'l-'Ayn. Illuminated in Persian style. Addresses by Jindb-i Fbdd, a series of lec- Cloth, 106 pages --__--_------.--- $3.00 tures by a Persian scholar appointed by The Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr and the Bahd'i 'Abdul-Blah& to teach t h e principles of Mozremev~t, by J e a n Masson, explaining t h e BahP'i Canse in this country. Vols. &e idpificance of &a Baha'l H o w of 4 and 5 mly. Per volume ---------- $.l5 Warship ----------------------.. $ .I0 108 B A H A ' ~ YEAR BOOK Th.e ReaXtv of ReliLrioa, a Tablet of 'Ah- Bn'ef A~aeovwfof the Rohri'i Mownmenf by du'l-B~ahi. 4-page leaflet. 12 fo:__$ .lo Ethel J. Rosenberg. Published by B- 100 for ......................... $ .75 side, Ltd. The Source of Spiritual Qualitks, f r m The Splendour of God, by Erie Haaumond. worde of BahP'u'llah. 4-page leaflet. 12 One of the Wisdom of the East series. f o r __.--___-_..-_-._--....----.- $ .10 Published by John Murray. 100 for ---..-..---------..-..-.-$ .75 The Universal Religion, by Hippolyte The Bahri'i Cause, eight-page pamphlet Dreyfus, a n introductory work on the prepared by the National Teaching Cam- Baha'i Cause by a French orientalist mittee f o r general distribution, with l i d who has translated many of the writings of BahB'i Assemblies. Sold $n lots of of BahB'u'llPh. one hundred only ..____.._..___.. $1.00 The Modern Social Religion, by Horace Photograph of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, photo-engrav- Holley. Puhlished by Sidgwick & Jacking on good quality paper suitable for son. (Out of print.) framing -..-..--.----.. $- .10..- - .-.. and The New Eva, by J. E. Bahd'u'ildh The Mashriqu'LAdhkdr (B,ahP'i House of Esslemont. (See List one.) Published Worship) colored lithograph of the de- by George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. sign by Louis Bourgeois, nine by What I s a Bahh'i? by J. E. Easlemont, a twelve inahes .--..---.---..---.. $ .I5 reprint of Chapter three of his larger Framed, under gla~ss __.-_..-____. $1.50 work. Published by Burnside, Ltd. The Mashriqu'kAdhlcdr, photo-engraving of The Baha'i Faith, by G. Palgrave Simpdesign by Louis Bourgeois, on good son. quality paper suitable for framing.-$ .lo The P a s s h g of 'Abdn'l-Bahri. (See List ed lithograph one.) The Dream of God, .a poem by Albert Durrant Watson -_---------.-_---..- $ .lo he Life and ~ e a c h i & s of A b b a s ~ f f e n d i , by Myron H. phelps. published by put- The. Behri'i Benediction, music and words & Sons' (Out *' print') by Louise R. Waite. Per dozen----$ .20 God's Heroes, by Laura Clifford Barney. A Birdseye View of the World in the Year (See List One.) s,ooo, hy Orrol H a ~ p e r . Reprinted tram Unity T r i u m ~ h a n t ,by Elizabeth Herrick. the ~ ~ h p~ i ~ star of ~ the ~ The Revelation ~ ofi BahB'u'llah ~ as ~ the : Wet . .$ 05 fulfillment of Christianity, with extensive quotations and bibliography. Pub- Views of the Holy Land, a portfolio of lished by Kegan, Paul. x ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ & ~ $ " , "gz2:": ~ ~ $ ~ ~ ~ ~ ( ~ ~ , " " $ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ble in s~heetsonly.) Originally---.$1.00 Bahri'i: The S p M t of the Age, by Horace List One.) by -- - - ~ - -- -~~ - - Religions of the Empire, edited by W. LIST TWO Loftus Hare (published by Duckworth, London), the addresses delivered by representatives of the several religions invited t o participate in the conference Some Answered Questions. (See List one.) on Some Living Religions within the PubYshed by Kegan, Paul. British Empire held a t the Imperial Institute, London, England, from Septem- HixEden Words of Bahd'u'lfih. (See List ber 22 t o October 3, 1924. Inoludes one.) the two papers read on the Baha'i Cause. 'Abdu'l-Bahd i n London. Adh-esses deliv- I n cloth. 519 pages .___.____.----$4.00 ered by 'Abdn'l-Baha during his visit in London, with description of his life LIST THREE and activities. BAHA'~LITERATURE IN F RENCH Paris Talks. (See List one, "The Wisdom Le Beyan Arabe, traduit p a r A. L. M. of LAbdu'l-BahB.") Puhlished by G. Nieolas. Editions Laoux, Paris--fr. 10 Bell & Son. L'oeuvre de Bahri'u'llrih, traduit p a r Hippolyte Dreyfus. Edition, Leroux, Paris. The Mysterious Forces of Civilization. Deux volumes. (A suivre.) Le vel- (See List one.) m e -..-.--------.---------------fr.6 A Travellm's Narrative,. The Episode of Les Lecons de St. Jean d'Ame, traduction the Bab translated by Prof. E. G. Browne, francais de "Some Answered Questions" M. A,, F. B. A., M. R. A. S. Cambridge by Laura Clifford Barney. Editions Le- University Press. ronx, Paris ---.------.---------- fr. 10 BIBLIOGRAPHY 109 Essai s u r le Behaisme, son histoire l a por- Wilhelm Herrigel: Die Bahh'i-Reque. tee sociale, par Hippolyte ~ r e ~ f hEdi- a gun9 im allgemeinen und ihre grostions Leroux, P a m -----------____ fr. 5 sen Wirkungen i n Indien. (enthal- L ' E @ ~ au ~ ~F& du L ~ ~ ~~h ~ ~, ~ qtra-,l d h , tend: S. S.: Ein J a h r unter den Baduction franpais par Hippolyte Dreyfus. hL'i in Indie11 und B i m a . ) ----M 0.50 Librarie Champion, Paris f r , 10 Alice T. Sehwan: Die uniwe~saleWeltreligion. Ein Bliek in die Baha'i- Le Behaisme, sa mission dans le monde, Lehre ...................... M 0.50 par Hippolyte Dreyfus, Chez TimJthei Paris -_-_-----_.__._._._--.--.-- fr. i Dr. Grosmann: Die Soziale Frage und ihre Losung im Sinne der Le Beyan Persan, tradnit par A. L. M. Balui'ilehre __._..._____-_--- M 0.20 ~,"a"~,","vol~~,",ir~e v $ ~ , " ~ ~ - ~ I _ _ ~ f Rahd'i-Perlen: " Herrigel ~i Deubsch von Wilhelm .-_.-_------___-__-- M 0.20 Das Hhscheide?t Abdu'FBahd's. (The LIST FOUR Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha.) Deuts,ch BAHL'~LITEUTUREIN GERMAN von Alice T. Sehwarz _____.__ M 0.50 1. rm verlag des deutchen ~ ~ h ~ z f .2. ~im~ ~Verlage d ~ ~ der, Weltgemeinschaft. stuttgart, ~ ~ l d ~ ~ l 35. i ~ erschi. ~ t = . Deutseher Zweig, W,anabek, &hi]- enen : lerstr. la, ersehienen: Dr. Helrmann Grossmann: Bahd'i-Er- Bah B,h, llLh: Das heilige Sendschreiben an die Christenheit. Tablet, ein ziehung (Schriften znr BahB'i-Erzie- Deutseh von Wilhelm HerrislLM 0.20 Nr. Kostenlos. Jos. der Schiiferlcnabe. 'Abdu'l-BahB B'ahBru'llah: V e r b o r g e n e Worte. nacherziihlt. (Rosengirtlein-Jugend- Deutsch von A. Sehwarz und W. bueher Nr. I ) , 1924. Kostenlos. Herrigel. Nach der endkchen Bear- ~i~ ~ ~ ~ ~ h kleinen. i ~ h vogelt ~ und beitung von Shoghi Effendi------MI ?,,dere ~ ~ ~ aus adem h~~b~~l ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Baha'u'llah: Frohe Botschaften, Worte Abdu'l-B,ahavs. (Rosengahrtlein-Judes Paradiesess, Tablet Tarasat, Tab- gendbueher Nr. 2, 1925.) Kostenlos. f f von ~ u t ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l ~ i l h e ~ ~ , " r r i ~ , " ~ l " h ~ 3. ~ ~ der Bahl'i-Bewegung Hamburg heraus~gegeben: Ab~du'l-B,ahP: Eine Botschaft a n die Deutseh: Juden. Deutsch von Wilhelm Herri- Dr. Herman Grossmann : Gotteser gel kenntnis und Gottesbegriff, ~m Abdu'l-Bahd: Ansprachen uber die Sinne d a Baha'i-Lehre erlautert. Bahd'ilehre. (Ansprachen in Paris.) 81. Kmtenlos. Deutsch von Wllhelm Herrigel__-M3 Was ist die Bahd'i-Bewegung? Flugblatt. Thornton Chase: Ehe Abraham war Kostenlos. war Ich. Deutseh von Wilhelm Her: Es'perantO: rigel ___.._..__.____.._~____ M 0.20 Hermann Gvssmann: Historw, instncoi k a j valwro de la Bahri'i- Thornton Chase: Die Bahk'i-Offenba- movado. (Publikajoj de la Esperrung. E i n Lehrbuch. Deutsch von anto-komitato de la Baha'i-movado Wilhelm Herligel - - _ _ _ M 4_ _ _ ham-- bur^ _ ._ Nr. 1.) -81-1925. Kosten- I. D. Brittingham: Die Off~nbarung 10s. Bahb'u'llbh's. Deutsch von Wilhelm 4. sonstige Veroffentlichungen: Herrigel _._..______.__.___-_ M 0.50 Deutsch: Mirza Ahnl Fazl: Geschlchte nnd E i n Brief won Bahb'iyyih Khanum. Wahrheitsbeweise der Bahd'i-religion. Aua dem Englisehen ubersetzt von Deutsch van Wilhelm Herrigel-M 4.50 A. Schwarz, Stuttgart, 1924. Dr. jur. H. Dreyfus: Einheitsreligion. Dr. Adelbert Muhlsehlegel: Melo- I'hre Wirkung iauf Staat, Erziehung, drama zum dritten deutsehen Ba- Sozialpolitik, Frauenrechte und die hi'i-Kongress 80. Stuttgart, 1924. einzelne Pers6nliehkeit. Deutseh von Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel: Ridwan 81 W. Herrigel _-.__.__..______ M 0.50 Festspiel. Stuttgart, 1925. Ch. M. Remey: Das neue Zeitdter. Eeperanto: Deutsch von Wilhelm He,rrigelLM0.50 Dro. Adelbert Muhlsehlegel: Paro- Myron H. Phelps: Abdu'LBahd-Abbas' lado en Za dua Bahaa-lncnveno en Leben und Lehren. Deutsch van WWil- Genewo. Flugblatt. Stuttgart, 1925. helm Herrigel ------___..____._ M4 Kostenlus. S. S.: Die Geschichte der Bahd'iBewe- Engliseh: gung. Deutsch von Wilhelm Herri- Bahd'i-Congress Stuttgart, 19d0. gel -----------.__-_--------- M0.20 Shuttgart, 192'4. 110 B A H ~ 'YEAR ~ BOOK GRAP HY 111 6. Friiher ersehienene, jetzt vergriffene 14. The Will o,wd Testament of 'Abdu'l- Veroffentlichungen: Bahli. Bombay. BahP'u'llbh: Das Tablet vow Zweiy. 15. The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Aua dem Englischen ubersetzt von BahA'u'llah. Cairo. Fr. Schweizer. Zuffenhauren. 16. Seven Valleys, Four Vallays, and 'Abdu'l-Baha Abh'as: Tablette allge- Poetry of Bahd'u'lllih, Cairo. meiner Belehrung. Deutsche Ueberset- 17. The Tabkt8 of 'Abdu'l-Baht%, Vol. 1. zung vou Fanny A. Knobloch. 1906. Cairo. - - -. 'Abdu'l-Bahi: Tablette a n die Gelieb- 18. The Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahli, Vol. 2. ten Gottes des Abehdlandes. Deutsche Uebersetzung von Fanny A. Cairo. Knobloch. 1906. 19. The Tablets of 'Abdu'GBahri, Vol. 3. Mirza Abul Fazl Gulpaygan: Glanzen- Cairo. der Beweis. Aus dem Englixhen 20. Some Answered Questions. Cairo. iihersetzt von Friednich Sehweizer, 21. AdFam'id, by Abu'l-Fadhl. Cairo. Zuffenhausen. Wilhelm Herrigel: Universaler Friede, 22. Dwer'LBahigyeh, AUu'l-F a d h l . universale Eleligion. Die Baha'i-Be- Cai~. wegung, ihr Zweck und Ziel. 2. Au- 23. The Letters of Abu'LFadhl. Cairo. Rage Suttgart, 1915. 24. The History of Haji Muhammad Ta- Wilhelm Herrigel: Die Zeichen un- hir. Cairo. serer Zeit Crn Lichte der Bibel und 25. Dala'il-el-'Irfan, Haider Ali. Cairo. der Bahri'ilehre. Stu'ttzart. - . 1916. 26. Bihjet'l-Sudur, Haider Ali. Cairo. Religwse Liohtblicke: Einige ErliuterunKen zur Baha'i-Bewegung. Aus 27. Hujaj'l-Bakiyyeh, A b u ' l-F a d h 1. dem Fraueosiacheu iibersetzt Ton Al- Crairo. bert Renftle. S t u t k a r t , 1916. 28. Bahr'G'Irfan, by Muhammad Afishax. Die Bau'i-Bewegung. Flugblatt. Karls- Bombay. ruhe. 29. The History of Tahireh. Cairo. Pastor Dr. Riimor: Die Babi-Bahd'i. 30. The Travels of 'Abdu'GBaha, Vol. 1 Verlag der deutsohen Orienbmission, and 2, Mahmud Zarqani. Bom- 1912. (Gegenschrift.) bay. Dr., F. C. Andreas: Die Babi's i n Per- 31. The Early Tablets of Bahli'u'lllih, szen. Ihre Geschichte nnd Lehre edited by Baron Rosen, St. Peters- Leipzig, 1896. bure. LIST FIVE 32. Memorials of the Faithful, 'Abdu'l- PARTIAL LIST OF BARIZ'i LITERATURE IN Baha. Haifa. ORIENTAL LANGUAGES Persian: Urdu: 1. The Book of IqcEn. Bombay. 1. The T~alzslativnof Ishraqrit, TajaG 2. The Book of Mubin Tablets of Ba- liat, 'l'arazat, and Kalamat. Bomhd'u'lllih. ~ o m b a i . bay. 3. The Book of Iqtdhr, Tablets of Ba- 2. The Translation of the Tablet to the hd'u'lluh. Bombay. World of Bah$u'llah. Bombay. 4. The Book of Aqdas. Bombay. 3. The Seven VaLkus. Bombay. 5. The Ishraqdt, Taraxat, Tajalliat, Bombay. 4. The Hidden Words. Bombay. 6. Tablets from Bahd'u'llcih. Cairo. 5. The Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahli. 7. The Book of IqcEn. Cairo and Bombay. Arabic: 8. Tablets and Prayers from Baha'u'- 1Idh. Cairo. 1. The Ish~aqdt, Tajalliat, Taraxat, 9. The Will and Testement of BahBi'- and Kahrnat. Cairo. ZlcEh. Russia. 2. The Talks of 'Abdu71-BUMin Europe 10. Some Answered Questions. London. a d America. Translation anony- 11. The Traveller's Narrative. London. mous. Cairo. 12. The Muduniyueh, by 'Abdu'l-BahB. Cairo and Bombay. Tu~kish: 13. The Siasiyyeh, by 'Ahdu'l-BahB. 1. ''Soma Answered Questions" lnstruc- Cairo and Bombay. tions of 'Abdu'l-Bahi. A& BOOK PART THREE Letter to the Friends in Persia. Beh6'i Publishing Society, Chicago, January Compiled by BISHOP B ROWN 21, 1906. ALPHABETICAL LIST Definition of Love by 'Abdu'dBahxi. Re- The B6b (The Writings o f ): ceived a t New York, December 7, 1902. Le Beyan Arabe; Le Livre Sacre du Mysterious Forces of Civilization. Trans- Babysme de Seyyed Ali Mohammed lated by Johanna Dawud. Bahh'i Pub- Dit le B6b. French translation by A. lishing Society, Chiago, 1918. L. M. Nicolas. Ernest Leroux, Paris, 1905. The Promulgation of Universal Peace. 2 Vols. Compiled by Howard MeNutt, Le Beyan Persan. French translation Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, by A. L. M. Nicolas. Paris Librairie. 1922 and 1925. 1 Vol. Paul Geuthner, 1911. Tablets of 'Abdu'l-BUM. 3 Vols. Com- Le Livre des Sept Preuves de la Mlssiun piled by A l ~ e r tWindust. B#ahB'i Pubch Bhdb. French translation by A. L. lishing Society, Chieago, 1909, 1915, M. Nicolas. Paris,, 1902. 1916. Bahri'u'll6h (The Writings o f ): Tablet to the Beloved of God i n America. The Book of Assurance (Book of Ighan) , Translated by Ali Kuli Khan. Cam- Brentano's, New York, 1925. bridge, Mass,., J a n u a r y 3, 1906. Hidden Words from the Arabic and Per- Tablets by Abdu'l-BahP Abbas to Home szan. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. of Justice of Chicago, to the Ladies' BahO'i Publishing Committee, New Assembly of Teaohings, and Others. York. 1924. Translated by Ali Kuli Khan. Chicago, September 12, 1901. Seven Valleys. Translated by Ali Kuli Khan. Chicago. Tablet to the Beloved of God of the Oc- Tablets of Bahhd'u'lldh (Tarwat, Tablet ctdent. Translated by Ahmad Esphaof the World, Words of Paradise, Ta- hani. Washington, D. C., September 8, jalleyat, The Glad Tidings, Zshrakat- 1906. The Most Great Infallibility). Trans- Tablets to the East and West. Translated by Ali Kuli Khan. Baha'i Pub- lated by Ahmad E.sphahani. T h e Balishing Society, Chicago, 1906. hi'i Assembly of Washington, D. C., Three Tablets of BaM'u'llbh (The 1908. Branch Kitab-el-Ah'd Lawh-edAkdas. Tablets Containing Instructions. Trans- ~ r a n s l L t e d by Ali , ~ u l ic h a n . Chi- lated by M. A. E. Washington, D. C., cago Bahi'i Publlshlng Somety, 1918. August 29, 1906. Surat 'ul HykE. Translated from the Tablets Containing General Instructions. Arabic by Antotn IEaddad. C~hica~go, Translated by Ahmad Esphahani. The 1900. Baha'i A4sociation of Washington, D. The Soq~rcenf Spiritual Qualities. Four- C., 1907. p,age leaflet. BahB'i Publishing So- Tablets to Some American Believers i n ciety, 1924. the Year 1800. The B'oard of Council, L'Oeuvre de Bahd'u'lkih. 2 Vols. French New York, 1901. translation bv Hippolyte Dreyfus. Prayers and Tablets. 1906. Lenonx, Paris, 1924. The Will and Testament of Ab&'d L'Epitre au Fils du Loup. French trans- Bahhd. lation by Hippolyte Dreyfus. Honore Same Answered Questions. Translated Champion, B r i e , 1913. by Laura Clifford Barney. Baha'i Abdu'l-Bahhd (The Writings o f ): Publishing Society, Chicago, 1918. Abdu'l-Bahhd on Divine Philosophy. Com- Unveiling of the Divine Plan. Transpiled by Isabel Chamberlain. Tudor lated by Ahmad Eiahrab. Tudor Press, Press, Boston, 1916. Bmoston, 1919. Abdu'l-Bahhd in London. Edited by Eric Utterances to Two Young Men. Board of Hammond. Eahi'i Publishing Society, Council, New York, 1901. Chicago, 1921. Visiting Tablets for Martyrs Who S u f - Abdu'l-Bahhd i n New York. Baha'i As- fered i n Persh. Translated by Ali Kuli sembly, New York, 1922. Khan. Baha'i Board of Council, New York, 1901. Letter and Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, The The Reality of ReliglovTablet of Ab- Hague. BahB'i Publis~hing Society, du'l-Bah6. Four-page leaflet. BahA'i Chieago, 1920. Publishing Society, 1924. BIBLIOGRAPHY 1183 Wisdom of Abdu'l-Bahd (Paris Talks). Fazl, Ahul: The Baha'i Proofs. Trans- Edited by Lady Blomfield. Brentano's lated by Ali Kuli Khan. Bahi'i Publish- New York, 1924. ing Soci~ty,Chicago, 1914. Wisdom Talks of Abdu'l-BaM. chicago Fazl, Abul: The Brilliant Proof. Bahi'i Baha'i News Service. News Service, Chicago, 1912. Woman's Great Station. An address Fitzgerald, Nathan Ward: The New Revegiven in New York in 1912. lation; Its Marvelous Message. Tacoma, 1905. Shoghi Effendl (The Writings o f ): Letters from Shoghi Effendi. Baha'i Finch, Ida: Rays from the S u n of Truth. Publishing Committee, New York, Flnwers Culled From the Rose Garden of 1924. Acca by Three Pilgrims i n 1908. dgnew, Arthur S.: Table Tallcs a t Acca. Ford, Mary Hanford: The Oriental Rose. By Abdn'l-Baha Abhas. Baha'i Publish- BahA'i Publishing Society, 1910. ing Society, Chicagc, 1907. Fraser-Chamberlain Isabel: From the Ali, Radji Mirza Heider: Bahd'i Martyr- World's Greatest 'Prisoner to His Prison doms i n P e r s h i n the Year 1903 A. D. Friends. Tudor Press, Bmton, 1916. Translated by Youness Khan. Baha'i Publishi~igSociety, Chicaeo, 1907. Gwd'all, Helen S., and Cooper, Ella G.: Daily Lessonv Received at Acea-1908. Blomfield, Lady: The Passing of Abdu'b Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1908. Bahk. G r e-~ o.r y ,Louis G.: A Heavenlw Vista. Brittingham, 1,aa'rella D.: The Revelation of Bahd'u'lkih. Baha'i Publishing So- Grundy, Julia M.: Ten Days h the Light ciety, Chicago, 1902. of Acca. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1907. Brittingham, James F.: The Message of the Kingdom, of God. 1907. Haddad, Anton,:, Divine Revelation, the Basis of Citnlzzation. Board of Council, Campbell, Helen: The Bahri'i Movement New York, 1902. i n Its Saciul-Economic Aspect. Baha'i Publishing Society, Clicago, 1915. Haddad, Anton: Message from Acca. Chase, Thornton: The BahQ'i Revelation. Haddad, Anton: M,azims of Balzri'ism. Baha'i Publishing Slociety, Chicago, 1909. Board of Council, New York. Chase, Thornton: What Went Y e Out for Haddad, Anton: Station of Manifestation. to See? Haney, Charles and Mariam: A Heavenly C'hase, Thornton an,d Agnew Arthur: I n Feast. Galilee. ~ a h l ' i~ u b l i s h i n ~ ' ~ o c i e Cbity, Harris, W. Hooper: Lessons on the Bacago, 1908. hd'i Revelation. Dealy, Paul Kingston: The Dawn of Holley, Horace, and Ruh'i Afnan. The Knowledge and the Most Great Peace. BuhQ'i Relipion. BahB'i Publishing Com- Bahi'i Board of Couuscl, New York, mittee, New York, 1924. 1903. Holley, Horace: Bahd'Gthe Spirit of tha Dodge, Arthur Pillsbury: The Truth of It. Age. Brentano's, New York, 1981. Mutual Publishing Company, New York, 1901. Holley, Horace: Bahd'ism-the Modern Social Religion. Mitchell Kennerly, New Dodge, Arthur Pillsbury : Whence? Why? York, 1913. Whither? Man! Things! Other Thtngs! Ariel Press, Westwand, M a m , 1907. Holley, Horace: The Social PrLnciple. Laurence J. Gomme, New York, 1915. Dreyfus, Hippolyte: The Universal Rsligion; Bahri'ism, Baha'i Publishing So- Hus-sein, Mirza Abdul: Letter written on ciety, London, 1909. behalf of the "Friends7' of Isfahan, Persou. to the A m e n m n Believers. April 25, Esslemont Dr J. E.: &LhQ'u'lkLh and the 1902. New .kra.'~rentano's,New York, 1923. Karim, Abdel Effendi: Address dehvered E~slemont,Dr. J. E.: What I s a Bahd'i? before the New York and Chicago As- American edition published by Louis semblies. Translated hy Anton Haddad. Bourneois, Chicano, 1921. BahA'i Publishing Board, Chicago, 1900. Fadil, Jinab-i: Addresses. 6 Vols. Pam- Khanunn, Moneemh: Episodes i n the Life phlet size. Translated by Ahmad Soh- of. Translated by Ahmad Sohrab. Perrab. Seattle, 1921. sian American Publishing Co., Los An- F a d , Ahul: Knowing God Through Love. geles, 1924. Farewell address. BahA'i Assembly, Latimer, George Orr: The Call of God. Waslung.ton. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago. 114 BAHA'i YEAR BOOK Light of tha World. By a group of Pil- Sassi, M. Gabriel: Martinists Report. An gnms. The Tudor Press, Boston, 1920. address concerning the Bahi'i Religion Lucas, Mary L.: A Brief Account of My delivered a t the Paris Exposition of Visit to Acca. BahB'i Publishing Society, 1900. Chicago, 1905. Table Talks-Regarding Reincarnation and MacNutt, Howard: Unity Through Love. other subjects. BahB'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1906. Thompson, Juliet: Abdu'l-Bahri's First Maxwell May: A n Early Pilgrimage Days in America. Roycrofters, East Au- 1898. ' Bahi'? Publis~hing Smiety, chi: rora, N. Y., 1924. cago, 1917. True, Corinne: Notes Taken a t Acca. Mohammed, Ali Alkany: Lessons in Re- EahL'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1907. ligion. English tramlation by Edith Universal Principles of the Bahri'i Move- Sanderson. BahB'i Publishing Sueiety, ment. Persian American Bulletin. Wash- Chicago, 1923. ington, D. C., 1912. Peak, Margaret B.: My Visit to Abbas Vail, Albert: BahB'i Movement-Its Spir- E f f e d in, 1899. Grier Press, Chicago, itual Dynamic. 1911. Vail, Albert: Heroic Lives. Beacon Press, Phelps, Myron H.: Life and Teachings of Boston, 1917. Abbm Effendi. G. P. Putnam, New Winterburn, Mr. and Mrs. George: Table York, 1912. Tulles with Abdu'l-Bahb. Bahl'i Pub- Prayers, Tablets, Instructions, etc., gath- lishing Sooiety, Chicago, 1908. ered by American visitors in Acca, 1900. COMPILATIONS Remey, Charles Mason: Twelve articles intnoduetory t o the study of BahB'i Bahd'i Message. Compiled by Horace Holteachings. ley, Chicago, 1920. Bemey, Charles Mason: Universal Con- BahriT Scriptures. Compiled by Horace Holsciousness of ths Bahd'i Religion. ley, Brenbano's, New York, 1923. Remey, Charles Mason: Letter from Hon- Compilation No. 9. Concerning the Mo%t olulu. Privately printed. February 17, Great Pence. Tudor Press., Boston, 1818. 1917. Compilation of Utterances from the Pen of Remey, Charles Mason: The BahB'i Move- 'Abdu'l-Bahd Regarding His Station. ment. Washington, D. C., 1912. 19 pages. November 26, 1906. R ~ ~ M ~ ~ ~~h~~ ~, ~ ~h c iaeve- '~i : Divine Pearls. Compiled by Victoria Belation and Reconstruction. BahB'i pub- dikian. lishing Society, Chicago, 1919. God a d His Manifestations. Compiled by Remey, Charles Mason: Cmstructive Mrs. M. H. Gift. Principles of the B a W i Movement. Ba- Number 3 Compilation. A~ailable in difha'i Publishing Suciety, Chicago, 1917. ferent languages. Remey, Charles Mason: Observations of o Prayers Revealed by Bahd'u'llhh and Ab- Bahd'i Traveller. Washington, D. C., du'dBahd. 1914. Prayers Revealed by Bahci'u'lldh and Ab- Remey, Charles Mason: The New Day. du'l-Bahb. Translated by SZloghi Ef- BahL'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1919. fendi. Boston, 1923. Remey, Charles Mason: The Peace of tho Racial Amity. Compiled by M. H. and World. Bahh'i Publishing Society, Chi- M. &I. 1924. cago, 1919. The Most Great Peace. From the utter- Remey, Charles Mason: Bahci'i Teachings. ances of Bahi'u'llBh and 'Abdu'l-BahL (Seven-bound pamphlets.) Washington, Tudor Press, Boston, 1916. D. C., 1917. MI~CELLANEOUS Remey, Charles Mason: B a W i Indexes. 'Newport, R. I., 1923. BahriL6 Cause. Eight-page pamp:Het prepared #by lthe National Teachlng Com- Remey, Charles Mason: Baklc'i Manu- mittee. BahL'i Publishing Society, 1924. scripts. Newport, R. I., 1923. Bahri'i Calendars. Daily excerpts from the Remey Charles Mason: Through Warring writings of Bahi'u'll&h and Abdu'lc o u ~ t r j e sto the Mountain of God. Pri- Babi. Privately printed in Honolulu, vate printing. New York and other cities. Roy and M. J. M.: Knock, and It Shall Be Bahd'i Temple. Reprints of press cam- Opened Unto You. ments and Temple Symbolism. Pub- REFERENCES TO BAHA'~ MOVEMENT 115 lished by Louis Bourgeois, Chiwago, PERSIAN 1921. An-N6ru'l-AbhP-Fi-Muf1wad&t'Ahdu'l-Ba- Barney, Laura Clifford: God's Heroes. A ha. Table Talks. Collected by Laura C. drama. Llppineott, London and Phila- Barney. Kegan, Paul, London, 1908. delphia, 1910. Masson, Jean: The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar 'ani, Mirza, of Kashan: Kitlb-i-Nuqtatu'- and the Bakd'i Movement. BahL'i Puh- L'Kaf. Edited from +he Unique Paris lishing Society, Chicago, 1921. M.S. by Esdward G. Browne. Lusac & Co., London. Remey, Charles Mason: Prospectus of a Series of Five Lectures upon the Bah&'i Movement. Remey, Charles Mason: Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. Five preliminary sketches. Privately printed. Remey, Charles Mason: Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. (BahP'i house of worship.) Priv 3 e l y printed. Bahi'i News Letter. The Bulletin of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Remey Charles Mason: Bahd'i House of United States and Canada. wor;hip. Description of the Bahd'i Tern ple with Illustrations. BahB'i Publishing The RahQ'i Magn,sins (Star of the West). Soeiety, Chicago, 1917. (Vol. 1, Bahd'i News.) 16 Vol. with Storer, Rev. J.: Thoughts That Build. current year 1925. MacMillan Co., New York, 1924. Thw BaM'i World Fellowship. Waite, Louise R.: Baha'i Hymns and Poems. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chi- The Magazine of the Children of the Kingcago, 1904. dom. Waite, Louise R.: Hymns of Peace and The D m n . Burma. Praise. Chicago, 1910. HeraZd of the East. (Baha'i Newss of Watson, Albert Durrant: The Dream of India). God. A poem. BahL'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1922. Sonne der Wahrhit. Germany. Views of Haifa, Acca, Mt. C a m e l and L a Nova Tago. (Esperanto), Germany. other places. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago. The Herald of the South. Australia. GERMAN P ~ I O D I C A L S Khurshid-e Khawar. Askahad, Russia. S m n e der Wahrhdt. Albaha. L a Nova Tago (Esperanto). Kaukeb-e Hind. MISCELJANEOUS EXCERPTS OF THE BAHA'I MOVEMENT 1. By Profes~sor E. G. Browne. more Western than Christian, more racial a. Introduction t o M. H. Phelps' "Ab- than religious; and by dallying with docbas Effendi." P. XV-XX: 1903 trines plainly incompatible wikh t h e obvi- g rev. 1912. ous meaning of i t s Founder's words, such a s the theories of "racial supremacy," I have often heard wonder expressed by "imperial destiny," "survival of the fittest," Christian ministers a t ehe extraordinary and the like, grows steadily more rather success of Bahi mis,&onaries, a s contrasted than less ma.teria1. Did Christ belong t o a with the almost complete failure of their "dominant race," or men t o a European own. "How is it," they say, "that the o r 'Iwhite race?" ... I a m not arguin that the Christian religion is true, hut Christian doctrine, the highest and the noblest which the world has ever known, merely t h a t it is in manifest conflict with though supported b y all the reeources of several other theories of life which prac- Western eivjlization, can only count its tically regulate the conduct of all States converts in Muhammedan lands by t w w and most individuals in the Western world, and threes, while Barbism can reckon them a world which, on ,ihe whole, judges all by thousands?" The answer, to my mind, things, including religions, mainly by mais plain a s the sun at midday. Western terial, o r t o use the more popular term, Christianity, save in the rarest cases, is '~racticdl," standards. ... There IS, of roume, another factor in the success of thusiasms' but in this case a t least time the Bruhi propagandist, as cosmpared with has so far' vindicated my jnhgment against t h e Christian missionary, in the conversion t h a t d my Oxford Rev~ewerthat he could of Muhammedans to his faith: namely, that scarcely now maintain, as he formerly asthe former admits, yhile the latter rejects, serted, that the Babi religion "had affected the Divine inspirat~onof the Quran and the least important part of the Moslem t h e prophetic function of Muhammad. The World, and that not deeply." Every one Christian missionary must begin by at- who is in the slightest degree conversant tacking, explicitly or by implication, both with the actual state of things (Septemthese beliets; too often forgetting that if her 27, 1903) in Persia now recognizes that (as happens but rarely) he succeeds in de- the number and influence of the Babis in stroying them, he destroys with them that that country 1s immensely greater than it recognition of former prophetic dispensations (inclnding the Jewjsh and the Chriswas fifteen yeans ago. . .. tian) which Muhammad and the Quran b. "A Traveller's Narrative," P. 309. proclaim, and converts his Muslim antagonist not t o Christianity, hnk to Skepti- The appearance of such a woman a s cism or Atheism. What, indeed, could be Kurratu'l 'Ayn is in any country and any more illogical an the part oi Christian age a rare phenomenon, but in such a couomissionaries t o Muhammedan lands than t r y as Persia it is a prodigy-nay, almost to devoae much time and labour to the a miracle. Alike in virtue of her marvelcompasition of controversial works which lous beauty, her rare intellectual gifts, her endeavor to prove, in one and the same fervid eloquence, her fearless devotion and breath, first, t h a t the Quran i j a lying her glorious martyrdom, she stands forth imposture, and, secondly, that it oears wit- incomparable and immortal amidst her ness to the truth of Christ s mission, as countrywomen. Had the Bahi religion no though any value attached to the testnnony other claim to greatness, this were su&- of one proved a I ~ a r ! The B a ~ i(or Ba- eient--that it produced a heroine like Kursh&'i) prupa.gandist, an the otner hand, ad- ratu'l 'Ayn. mits that llluhammad was the prophet of God and that the Quran is the Word of Introduction to "A Traveller's Narrative." God. denies nothina hut their finality, and P. IX. X. doe; not d i ~ ~ c r e d i t ~ hown i s w i t n e s - wnen he draws from that source arguments to prove his falth. To the Western observer, however i t i s the complete sancerity of the BaSis {heir fearless disregard of death and tArture undergone for the sake of their religion, their certain conviction as to the truth of their faith, their generally admirable conduct towards mankind and especially towards their fellow-believers, which constitute t h e n strongest claim on his attention. Introduction to Mr. M. H. Phelps' "Abhas Effendi." P. XII-XIV. I t was under the influence of this enthusiasm that I penned the introduction to my translation ob the "Traveller's Narrative.". . . . This enthusiacun, condoned, if not shared, by many kindly critics and reviewers, exposed me to a somewhat savage attack in the "Oxford Magazine," an attack concluding with the assertion that my Introduction displayed "a personal attitude almost inconceivable in a rational Rammean. - -. and a stvle nn~ardonahlem a nniv&siti te,aeher." " he-review in question appeared in the Oxford Magazine of May 25 1892 P. 304 . .. "the prominence &en td the Bbh in this hook is a n absurd violation of historical perspective; and the translation of the "Traveller's Nar- Introduction t o "A Traveller's Narrative." rative" a w a t e of the powers and oppor- P. xxxv, XXXVI. tunities of a Persian Scholar.") Increasing age and experience (more's the pity!) Seldom have I seen one whose appearare apt enough, even without the assistance ance impressed me more. A tall, stronglyd the Oxford Magadne t o modify our en- built man holding himself straight a s an 118 B A H Y ~ EA ~ R BOOK arrow, wiL11 white turban and raiment, seouted life: his pnrity of conduct and long black lacks reaching almost to the youth; his courage and uncomplaining pashoulder, broad powerful forehoad, indi- tlence under misfortune: his complete selfcating a strong intellect, colnbined wibh an negation; the dim ideal of a better state unswerving will, eyes keen as a hawk's, of things which can be discerned through and strongly marked hut pleawng features the obscure mystic utterances of the Be- -such was my first impression of "Ahbas yan; but most of all, his tragic death. all Effendi," "The master" (Aki) as he par serve to enlist our symmathies on hehalf of excellence is called by the Babis. Subse- the young prophet of Shiraz." quent conversation with him served only "I1 sentait Ie besoin d'une reforme prot o heighten the respect with which his ap- fonde a introduire dslns les moeurs pubpearance had from the first inspired me. One more eloquent of speech, more ready ... liques~, I1 s'est sacvifie p o w 1 % ~ - manitie; pour elle il a donne sou corps et of argument more apt of illustration, more son ame, pour elle il a suhi les privations, intimately icquainted with the sacred les affronts, les injures, la torture e t le books of the Jews, the Christians and the martyre." (Mans. Nicolm.) Muhammadans, could, I should think, be scarcely found even amongpt the eloquent, If there has been any prophet in recent ready and subtle race to which he belongs. times, it is to Bahi'u'llih that we must go. These qualities combined with a hearing Character is the final iudge. Bahi'u'llih +t once majestic and genial, made me cease was a man of the hirhest class-that of tb wonder a t the influence and esteem prophets. But he was free from the last in- ~ h i c hhe enjoyed even beyond the circle of firmity of noble minds. and would certainly his father's followers. About the great- not have separated himself frnm others. ness n t this man and his power no one who He would have understood the saying, had seen him could entertain a doubt. "Would God all the Lord's people were prophets!" What he does sag, however, i s 11. By Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter. just as fine, " I do not desire lordship over a. "Comparative Religion." P. 70, 71. others; I desire all men to be even a s I am." From that subtle race i,ssues the most The day is not f a r off when the details remarkable movement which modern Mohammedanism has produced. . . . Disciples gathered round him, and the movement of 'Ahdu'l-Bahi'ms missionary journeys will he admitted to be of historical imuortanee. How gentle and wise he was, hundreds was not cheeked by his arrest, his impnsan- could testify from pensonal knowledge, and ment for nearly six years and his final execution in 1850. . . .It, too, claim's t o be I, too, could perhaps say something. ... I will only, however, give here the outward a universal teaohing; i t has already its framework of 'Abdu'l-Bahi's life, and of noble army of martyrs and its holy books; his apostolic journeys, with the help of my has Persia, in the midst of her miseries, g.iven birth to a religion which will go friend Lotfullah. ... During his stay in London He visited rounsd the world? Oxford (where He and His party-of Per- 111. Extracts from "The Reconciliation of sians mainly-were the guests af Professor Races and Religions." By T. K. and Mm. Cheyne), Edinburgh, Clifton and Waking. I t is fitting to notice here that Cheyne, 1914. the audience a t Oxford, though highly aca- There was living quite lately a human demic, seemed to he deeply interested. and being* of such consummate excellence that that Dr. Carpenter made a n admirable many think i t is both permissible and in- speech. ... evitable even t o identify him mystically with the invisible Godhead. , .. combination of mildness and power is so Kist 1V. Professor Vambery's Testimony to the Religion of 'Abdu'l-Bahl. rare that we have to place hisn in a line with supernormal men. . . . We learn I forward this, humble petition to the that, a t great points in his career after sanctified and holy presence of 'Abdu'lhe had been in a n ecstscy, such radiance of Baha Abbas, who is the center of knowlmight and majesty streamed from his edge, famous thrau hout the world and countenance that none oould bear to look loved by all manknd, 0 , thou 'noble upon the effulgence of his glory and friend who a r t confernng gu~danceupon beauty. Nor was it a n uncmmon occur- humanitv, .. may . my - life be a ransom to rence for unbelievers involuntarily to bow thee! down in lowly Ubeisance on beholding His The l a ~ i n gepistle which you have con- Holiness. descended to write to this servant, and the The gentle spirit of the B&b is surely r u g which you have forwarded, came high up in the cycles .of eternity. Who can bafely to hand. The time of the meeting fail, a s Professor Browne says, to be at- with your Excellency, and the memory of tracted by him? "His sorrowful and per- the benediction of your presence, recurred - - t o bhe memory of thiw servant, and I am *Bahi'u'llih is meant. longing f o r the bime when I shall meet you t B i b is meant. again. Alth,ough I have travelled through h REFERENCES TO B A H A ' ~MOVEMENT 119 many countries and citios of I,slam yet thing which may revivify Islam, and make have I never met so lofty a character) and great ch,anges on the face of the Asiatic MI exalted a personage a s your Excellency, world." and I can bear witness that i t is not possible to find such another. On this account VI. Extract from "The Middle Eastern I am hoping that the ideals and amom: Question or Some Political Problems plishments of your Excellency may be of Indian Defence," by Valentine crowned with succeso and yield results un- Chirol. Chapter XI, page 116 (The der all condibions; because b'ehind these Revival of Bahmiism). idea18sand deeds I easily discern the eter- When one has been like Sa'di, a great nal welfare and urosneritv of the world of humanity. - - " This servaut, in order to gain firsbhand per6onage and then a common soldier and then) a prisoner of a ~ h r i s t i a i information and experience, entered into feudal chief; when one has worked the ranks of various religions that is out- a s a navvy on the fortifications of the wandly. I became a Jew, irish hi an: hammedan and Zoroastrian. I discovered Mo- Count of Antioch and wandered back afoot to Shiraz after infinite pain and lathat the devotees of these various religions bour, he may well he disposed to think that do nothing else but hate and anathematise not ing that exists is real, or, a t least, has emh other, that all their religions have be- any substantial reality worth clinging to. come the instruments of tyranny and op- Today the public peace of Persia i r no pression in the hands of rulers and gov- longer subject to such violent perturbaernors, and that they are the causes of the tions. A t least, as f a r as we are eondeskruetion of the world of humanity. cerned, the alppearanees of peace prevail Considering tho3e evil results, every per- and few of us care or have occasion td son is forced by necessity to enlist himself look beyond the appearance;. But for the on bhe side of your Excellency, and accept Persians themselves, have the conditions with joy the prospect of a fundamental very much changed? Do they not witness basis for a universal religion of God, being one day the mdden rise of this or that falaid through your efforts. vourite of fortune and the next day his I have seen the father of your Excel- sudden fall? Have they not seen the Atalency from afar. I have realized the self- beg-Azamm t w i ~ ehold sway ax the Shah's sacrifice and nable courage of his son, and all-powerful Vlzier, and twice hurled down I am lost in admiration. from that pinnacle by a bolt from the blue? For the principles and aims of your Ex- How many other nlinisters and governors cellency, I express the utmost respect and have ,sat for a time on the x a t s of the devotion, end if God, the Most High, con- mighty and been swept away by some infens long lde, I will be able to serve you trigue a s sordid a s that to which they under all conditions. I pray and suppli- owed their own exaltation? And how many cate .this from the depths of my heart. in humbler lstations have been in the mean- Your servant, time the recipients of their unworthy fa- (Mamhenyn.) vours or Dhe victims of their arbitrary VAMBERY. oppreslsion? A village which but yesterday was fairly prasperaus is beggared to- (Translated from the Persian by Mirza day by some neighbouring landlord higher Ahmad Sohrah. Published m Egyptian u p the.valley, who, having duly propitiated Gazette, September 24, 1913, by Mrs. J. those m authority, diverts for the benefit Stannard.) of his own estates *he whole of its rlender - -.- - - -.. arles Lukach. ary retinue o f ravenous hangers-on eats Lon, 1913.) out the countrvside throuzh whirh :t "BahA'ism i s now estimated to oount passes more effectually than a fl&i;t oi more than two million adherents mostly locusts. The visitation is a s ruinous and cwnpwed of Persian and 1ndian' Shiahs, a s unaccountable. Is i t not the absence of hut including also many Sunis frmn the all vioible moral correlation of cause and Turkish E~m~pire and North Africa, and not effect in thes,e phenomena of d.aily life that a few Brahmans, Buddhists, Taoisbs, Shin- has gone f a r t o pronure the stolid fataltoists and Jews. I t possesses even Euro- ism of Dhe masses the scoffing skepticism pean convertis, and has made some head- of the more eduched classes and from way in the United States. Of all the re- time t o time the revolt of .&me nobler ligions which have been encountered i n the minds? Of such the most recent and percourse of .this journev-the stagnant ~ o o l s hap? the noblest of all became the founder of Oriental Cliristianitv, the siranre-sur- O1 vivals of sun-worship and idolatry-tinged with ~ahammedanlsm' the immutable rellc Chapter pqe of the Sumerians-it Is the only one which The B i b was dead but n& Babiism He is alive, which 1s aggressive which i s ex- was not the first, an; still less the lait, of tending its frontiers instead of secluding a long line of martyrs who have testified itself within its angient haunts. It is a that, even in a country gangren e d with eor- B A H ~ YEAR ' ~ BOOK Annual ~neetingand feast in the Pine Grous, West Englswood, N . J., Jxne, 1925, c o v ~ m a o r a t i n gthe Unity Feast given b y 'Abdu'l-Bahri on June 2 9 , 1912. REFERENCES TO BAHA'~MOVEMENT 121 mption and atrophied with indifferentism From its inception it has been identified like Persia, the soul of a nation survives, with BshC'u'llLh, who paid the price of inarticulate, perhaps, and in a way help- prolonged exile, imprisonment, bodily sufless, but still capable of sudden spasms of fering, and mental anguish for the faith he vitality. cherished-a man of imposing personality as revealed in his writings characterized VII. Extract from "The Middle Eastern by i n t e n ~ emoral earnes~tness'and profound Question or Some Political Problems spirituality, gifted with the selfsame power of Indian Defence" by Valentine so conspicuous in the character of Jesus Clhirol. Chapter ~ 1 , ' p a g e124. the power to appreciate people ideally that Socially one of the most interesting fea- is, t o see them a t the level of their) best tures of Babiism i s the raising of women and. to make even the lowest: types think t o a much higher plane man she is usually well of themselves because of potentialities admitted to in the Eawt. The Bbb himself within them t o which he pointed but of had no more devoted a disvciple than the which .they were wholly una$are. a beautiful and gifted lady known a s Ky; prophet whose greatest contribution 'was trat-ul-Ain the "~onsolatibnof the Eyes not any specific doctrine he proclaimed who, havin'g shared all the dangers of tde hut an informing spiritual power breathed first 'apostolic missions i n the north, chal- into the world through the example of his lenged and suffered death with virile forti- life and thereby quickening souls into new tude, as one of bhe Seven Martyrs of Te- spiritual activity. Surely a movement of heran. No memory is more deeply vener- which all this call be said deserves-nav. ated or kindles greater enthusiasm than compels-our respectful recwnition agd hers, and the influence which ehe yielded sincere appreciation. in her lifetime still inures ta her sex. . .. Takin'g precedence over all else in its gospel is the m w a g e of unity in re- VIII. Extract from "Heroic Lives," by Al- ligion. . . It is the crowning glory of bert Vail. P. 305. the BahP'i Movement that, while depreeat- Prof. Jowett of Oxford, Master of Bal- ing sectarianism in its preaching, ~t has liol, the translator of Plato, studied the faithfully practiced what it preached by movement and was so impressed thereby refraining from becoming itself a sect. that he said: "The Babite (BahB'i) . . . I t s representatives do not attempt to impomse any beliefs upon others, whether movement may not impossibly turn out to have the promise of .the future." Dr. J. by argument or bribery. rather do they Estlin Carpenter quotes. Prof. Edward seek to put beliefs that h&e illumined their Caird, Prof. Jowett's succe,ssor a s Master own livw within the reach of those who of Balliol, as saying, "He thought Bahism feel they need illumination. No not a (as the Bahl'i movement was then called) sect, hot a part of humanity cut dff from might prove the most important religious all the rest, living for itself and aimins to movement since the foundation of Chris- convert all the rest into material for its tianity." Prof. Carpenter him'self gives a own growth; no, not that, but a leaven s,keteh of the Baha'i movement in his re- causing piri ritual fermentation in all re: cent book on ''Comparative Religion" and ligions, quickening them with the spirit of asks, "Has Pensia, in the midst of her catholicity and fraternalism. m~series,given birth to a religion that will go around the world?" X. Extract from "Perda .and Parsis." P a r t I, edited by G. K. Nariman. Published under patronage of the I r l n League, Bombay, 1925. The Marker Literary Series for Persia, No. 2. "The political reprieve brought about by the Sulk did not result in the regeneration of thought. But the last century which marks the end of Persia h a had its revival and twofold revival, literary and religious. The funeral ceremonies by whioh Persia celebrates every year for centuries 122 B A H ~ 'YEAR ~ BOOK The kahri'i Feast given to Miss Agnes A l e z a n d ~ r .September 9, 1921, in Seoul. Korea. Miss Alexander is the illurnanad pioneer who first brought the Glad Tidings to Korea. Buddhist College Students who attended the Bahd'i address given by Miss A m e s Alesander in Seoul. Korea. Octamber 18. 1986. &ring her nccond visit to Korea. REFERENCES TO BAHA'I MOVEMENT 123 the fatal day of the 10th o f Mnhornlm, now inclined t o listen more attentively to when the son of Ali breathed his last a t whispers from the East. Our self-compla- Kerbela, have developed a popular theatre eency has been disturbed by sueh utterand prodwed a sincere poetry, dramatic ances as that of Rahmdranath Tagore, and human, which is worth all the rhetoric who, lecturing a t the Imperial University of the poets. During the same times a n of Tokio on June 18, 1916, foretold a great attem,pt a t religious renovation was made, future for Asia;' The political civilization the religion of Babiism. Demoralized for of Europe was carnivorous and cannibalcenturies by ten foreign conquests, by the istic in its tendencies." The East was payoke of a composite religion in which shz tient, and could afford to wait till the West, believed just enough to persecute, by the "hurrying after the expedient," had to halt enervating influence of a mystical philoso- for want of breath. "Europe, while busily phy which disabled men for action and speeding to her engagements, disdainfully divested life of all aim and objects, Persia casts her glance from her carriage window h a s been making unexpected efforts for the a t the reaper reaping his harvest in the last 55 years to re-make for herself a vi- field and in her intoxication of speed, can rile ideal. Babiism haw little of original- not but think him as slow and ever recedity in its dogmale and mythology. It8 mys- i r g backwards. But the speed comes. t o its tic doctrine takes its rise from Sufism and end, the engagement lases its meaning, and .the old sects of the Aliides formed around the hunary heart elamours for food, till the dogma of divine incarnation. But the zt last sxe-comes to the lonely reaper reapmorality it inculcates is a revolution. I t ing his harvest in the sun. For if the ofhas the ethics of the West. It suppre,sses fice can not wait, or the buying and selllawful impurities wbich are a great bar- ing, or the craving for excitement, love rier dividing Imslam from Christendom. I t waits, and beauty, and the wisdom of sufdenounces polygamy, the fruitful source of fering and the fruits of patient devotion Oriental degenerat~on. I t seeks to reeon- and reverent meekness of aimple faith. stitute the family and it elevates man and And thus shall wait the East till her time in elevating him exalts woman up to h ~ s comes." level. Ba'biism, which diffused itself in Being thus led to turn our eyes towards l a s than five years from one end of Per- Asia we are astonished to find how much sia to another wbich war bathed in 1852 we have misunderstod i t ; and we blush in the blood df its martyrs, has been si- when we realize our previous ignorance of lently progressing and propagating itself. the fact that, towards the middle of the If Per,sia is to be a t all regenerate it will nineteenth century, Asia gave birth to a be through this new faith."-(Extract from great religious movement-a movement Art. By Prof. Jamm Darmester. Perwa: signalized for its spiritual purity, one A Historical and Literary Sketch. Trans- which has had thousands of martyrs, one lated by G. K. Nariman.) which Tolstoy has described. H. Dreyfur, the French historian of this movement, XI. Extr:cts from "Contemporary Stu- says that i t i s not "a new religion," but dies, by Charles Baudouin, 1924. "religion renewed," and that i t provides P a r t 111, pp. 131. Publishers: Allan "the only possible basis for a mutual nn- & Durwin, London. derstanding between religion and free We Westerners are too a p t to imaglne thought." Above all, we are impressed by that the huge continent of Asia is, sleeping the fact that, in our own time, such a a s soundly as a mummy. We smile a t the manifestation can occur, and that the new vanity of the ancient Hebrews, who be- faith should have undergone a developlieved themselves t o be the chosen people. ment f a r more extensive than that under- We are amazed a t the intolerance of the gone in the same space of time nearly taro Greeks and the Romans who looked upon thowand years ago, by budding Christhe members of all ra6ns a s barbarians. tianity. Nevertheless, we ourselves are like the He- . At the present time, the majority brews the Greeks and the Romans. As of'