# The Baha'i World: Volume 07 (1936-1938) *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, The Baha'i World: Volume 07 (1936-1938), New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1939, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > THE BAHA' I WORLD > A Biennial International Record > > Prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada > with the approval of Shoghi Effendi > > Volume VII > 93 AND 94 OF THE BAHA'I ERA > > APRIL 1936-1938 A.D. > > Baha'i Publishing Committee > New York, N. Y., U. S. A. > 1939 > Copyright, 1939, by National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada. > > NOTE: The spelling of the Oriental words and proper > names used in this issue of THE BAHA'I WORLD is according > to the system of transliteration established at one of the > > International Oriental Congresses. > To > SHOGHI EFFENDI > Guardian of the Baha'i Faith > > this work is dedicated > > in the hope that it will assist > > his efforts to promote > that spiritual unity > > underlying and anticipating the > > "Most Great Peace" > > of > > BAHA'U'LLAH > The Bahi'i House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, > > the gallery section, completed in 1937 and 1938. > showing exterior decoration of > CONTENTS > PART ONE > PAGE > I. Aims and Purposes of the Baha'i Faith 3 > > II. Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West 1 5 > > III. Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings 169 > IV. Commemoration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Visit > to America 213 > > PART TWO > I. The World Order of BahaVllah 225 > 1. Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Faith 225 > Introductory Statement 225 > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'1-Baha 253 > Excerpts from the Letters of Shoghi Effendi 262 > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of the United States and Canada 309 > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada 310 > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran 325 > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany and Austria 332 > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of India and Burma 340 > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq 341 > Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of Egypt 348 > Facsimile of Document related to the Incorporation of the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt 350 > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand 354 > By-Laws of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New York, > N. Y., U. S. A. 356 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of New York, N. Y., U. S. A. 360 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Kenosha, Wisconsin, U. S. A. 365 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Racine, Wisconsin, U. S. A. 373 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Detroit, Michigan, U. S. A. 380 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Los Angeles, California, U. S. A. . . 383 > ix > x CONTENTS > PAGE > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U. S. A. 398 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Cleveland, Ohio, U. S. A. 404 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Minneapolis, Minn., U. S. A. 405 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Bombay, India 410 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Poona, India 411 > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Adelaide, Australia 412 > Trade Mark Certificate obtained from the United States Government covering the "World Order Magazine" 413 > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran 415 > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt 416 > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq 417 > Certificate of Marriage issuedby the Palestine Government and delivered to the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Haifa for > official registration 418 > Baha'i Divorce Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > v > > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran 419 > Baha'i Divorce Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt 420 > Translation of the Record of 'Abdu'l-Baha's voice 421 > Map of Baha'i holdings showing extension of properties surrounding > and dedicated to the shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel 422 > 2. The Institution of the MasJiriqu'l-Adhkar 423 > Foreword 423 > The Spiritual Significance of the MasJiriqu'l-Adhkar 424 > Progress of Temple Ornamentation 429 > Interesting Experiences with Temple Visitors 432 > References to Baha'i House of Worship in U. S. Steel News 444 > When Baha'is Build a Temple 445 > 3. Baha'i Calendar and Festivals 447 > Foreword 447 > Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting 447 > Baha'i Holy Days on which Work should be Suspended 448 > Additional Material Gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (Volume II) > regarding the Baha'i Calendar 448 > Historical Data Gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (Volume II) re- > > garding Baha'u'llah 451 > 4. Youth Activities Throughout the Baha'i World 456 > The World Activities of Baha'i Youth, 1936 to 1938 456 > Excerpts from "Baha'i Youth," 1937 to 1938 477 > II. References to the Baha'i Faith . . 498 > 1. Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania . 498 > 2. Prof. E. G. Browne, M.A., M.B., Cambridge University . 501 > 3. Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter, D.Litt., Manchester College, Oxford . . 503 > CONTENTS > 4. Rev. T. K. Chcyne, D.Litt., D.D., Oxford University, Fellow of the > British Academy . ... 504 > 5. Prof. Arminius Vambery, Hungarian Academy of Pcsth 504 > 6. Harry Charles Lukach . .... 505 > 7. Sir Valentine Chirol . 505 > 8. Prof. Jowett, Oxford University 506 > 9. Alfred W. Martin, Society for Ethical Culture, New York 506 > 10. Prof. James Darmesteter, Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Paris . . . . 507 > 11. Charles Baudouin . 507 > 12. Dr. Henry H. Jcssup, D.D. 509 > 13. Right Hon. The Earl Cur/on of Kedleston 510 > 14. Sir FrancisYounghusband, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E. 511 > 15. "The Christian Commonwealth," Anonymous 512 > 16. Rev. J. Tyssul Davis, B.A. . . 512 > 17. Herbert Putnam, Congressional Library, Washington, D. C. 513 > 18. Leo Tolstoy . . 514 > 19. Dr. Edmund Privat, University of Geneva 515 > 20. Dr. Auguste Forel, University of Zurich 516 > 21. General Renato Piola Casclli 516 > 22. Rev. Frederick W. Oakes 516 > 23. Renwick J. G. Millar, Editor of "John O'Groat Journal," Wick, Scotland . 517 > 24. Charles H. Prisk . 518 > 25. Prof. Hari Prasad Shastri, D.Litt. 518 > 26. Shri Purohit Swami 518 > 27. Prof. Herbert A. Miller, Bryn Mawr College 518 > 28. Viscount Samuel, G.C.B., M.P. 519 > 29. Rev. K. T. Chung 520 > 30. Prof. Dimitry Kazarov, University of Sofia 520 > 31. Rev. Griffith J. Sparham 521 > 32. Ernest Renaii 521 > 33. The Hon. Lilian Helen Montague, J.P., D.H.L. 522 > 34. Prof. Norman Bcntwich, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 523 > 35. Emile Schrciber, Publicist 523 > 36. Dr. Rokuichiro Masujima, Doyen of Jurisprudence of Japan 525 > 37. Miss Helen Keller 526 > 38. Sir Flinders Petric, Archaeologist 526 > 39. President Masaryk of Czechoslovakia 526 > 40. Archduchess Anton of Austria 526 > 41. Dr. Herbert Adams Gibbons . 526 > 42. H.R.H. Princess Olga of Jugoslavia 526 > 43. Eugen Relgis 527 > 44. Arthur Henderson 527 > 45. Prof. Dr. V. Lesny 527 > 46. Princess Marie Antoinette de Broglie Aussenac 528 > 47. President David Starr Jordan, Leland Stanford University 528 > 48. Prof. Bogdan Popovitch, University of Belgrade, Jugoslavia 528 > 49. Ex-Governor William Sulzer of New York 528 > 50. Luther Burbank 528 > 51. Prof. Yone Noguchi 528 > 52. Prof. Raymond Frank Piper . 528 > 53. Angela Morgan . . . 529 > xii CONTENTS > P\C,E > > 54. Arthur Moore 529 > 55. Prof. Dr. Jan Rypka, Charles University, Praha, Czechoslovakia 529 > 56. A. L. M. Nicolas . 529 > 57. President Eduard Benes of Czechoslovakia 530 > III. In Memoriam 531 > 1. Alfred E. Lunt 531 > 2. Dr. Zia Bagdadi 535 > 3. Mrs. Laurie C. Wilhelm 539 > 4. Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford 541 > 5. Elmore E. Duckett 543 > 6. Colonel Dr. I. Piruzbakht 545 > 7. Mirza Muhammad Kazim-Pur 547 > 8. Dr. Y. S. Tsao 548 > 9. Dr. Muhammad Basjhir 549 > 10. Miss Malakat Nusjhugati 550 > 11. Extracts from "Baha'i News" 551 > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory, 1937-1938 555 > 1. Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies 555 > 2. Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups Alphabetically listed according to Nations % > Abyssinia 556 > Albania 556 > Australia 556 > Austria 556 > Belgium 556 > Brazil 556 > Bulgaria 556 > Burma 556 > Canada 556 > Caucasus 556 > China 556 > Czechoslovakia 556 > Denmark 557 > Egypt 557 > France 557 > Germany 557 > Great Britain and Ireland 557 > Hawaiian Islands 558 > Holland 558 > Hungary 558 > Iceland 558 > India 558 > Iran 559 > 'Iraq 559 > Islands (Society Islands) 559 > Italy 559 > Japan 559 > Jugoslavia . 559 > CONTENTS xiii > > PAC.E > > New Zealand . 559 > Norway . . 559 > Palestine and Transjordania 559 > Poland . 559 > Rumania 559 > Russia 559 > South Africa 559 > Sudan 559 > Sweden 559 > Switzerland 559 > Syria 559 > Tunisia 560 > Turkey 560 > Turkistan 560 > United States of America 560 > West Indies (British) 560 > 3. Officers and Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada 561 > 4. Local Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and Isolated Believers in the > United States and Canada 565 > 5. Baha'i Administrative Divisions in Iran 571 > 6. Addresses of Centers of Baha'i Administrative Divisions in Iran 575 > 7. Alphabetical List of Baha'u'llah's Best-Known Writings 576 > 8. List of the Bab's Best-Known Works 577 > II. Baha'i Bibliography 578 > 1. Baha'i Publications of America 578 > Books About the Baha'i Faith 578 > Writings of the Bab 581 > Writings of Baha'u'llah 581 > > Writings of Abdu'l-Baha 581 > Writings of Shoghi Effendi 583 > Prayers 585 > Baha'i Literature in Pamphlet Form 585 > Compilations 588 > Outlines and Guides for Baha'i Study Classes 589 > 2. Baha'i Publications of England 590 > 3. Baha'i Publications in French 591 > 4. Baha'i Publications in Italian 591 > 5. Baha'i Publications in Dutch 591 > 6. Baha'i Publications in Danish 593 > 7. Baha'i Publications in Swedish 593 > 8. Baha'i Publications in Portuguese 593 > 9. Baha'i Publications in Albanian 593 > 10. Baha'i Publications in Esperanto 593 > 11. Baha'i Publications in Russian 594 > 12. Baha'i Publications in German 594 > 13. Baha'i Publications in Bulgarian . . 597 > 14. Baha'i Publications in Rumanian . 597 > 15. Baha'i Publications in Czech 597 > 16. Baha'i Publications in Serbian 598 > 17. Baha'i Publications in Hungarian . . . 598 > 18. Baha'i Publications in Greek 598 > xiv CONTENTS > PAGE > 19. Baha'i Publications in Maori . . > 20. Baha'i Publications in Spanish 598 > 21. Baha'i Publications in Norwegian 598 > 22. Baha'i Publications in Croatian 599 > 23. Baha'i Publications in Icelandic . 599 > 24. Baha'i Publications in Oriental Languages 599 > Iranian . . 599 > Urdu 600 > Arabic 601 > Turkish 601 > Burmese 601 > Chinese 601 > Hebrew 601 > Tatar . .601 > Gujrati . 602 > Japanese . 602 > Armenian . . 602 > Tamil 602 > Kurdish 602 > Sindhi 602 > Bengali 602 > Hindi 602 > Abyssinian 602 > 25. Baha'i Literature in Braille (for the Blind) 602 > * > 26. Baha'i Periodicals 603 > 27. References to the Baha'i Faith in Books and Pamphlets by non-Baha'i > Authors 604 > 28. References to the Baha'i Faith in Magazines by non-Baha'i Writers 611 > 29. References to the Baha'i Faith by Baha'is in non-Baha'i Publications 613 > III. Transliteration of Oriental Words frequently used in Baha'i Literature with > Guide to Transliteration and Pronunciation of Iranian Alphabet and Notes > on the Pronunciation of Iranian Words 614 > IV. Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature 618 > > PART FOUR > I. Articles and Reviews 623 > 1. The Seven Valleys by Baha'u'llah; A Meditation, by G. Townshend 623 > 2. The World of Heart and Spirit, by Horace Holley 626 > 3. A Session at the World Congress of Faiths, by Helen Bishop 634 > 4. Importance de Pldee Spirituelle dans la Vie Actuelle, by Lucienne > Migette 646 > 5. Racial Amity in America, by Louis G. Gregory 652 > 6. Aus dem Leben des Bab, by Erna Schmidt 667 > 7. Dawn over Mount Hira, by Mardiyyih Nabil Carpenter 676 > 8. The Baha'i Faith and Eastern Scholars, by Martha L. Root 682 > 9. The Unity of Nations, by Stanwood Cobb . . . 693 > 10. Changing Race Relations, by Maxwell Miller . . . 698 > 11. Baha'i, from "La Sagesse de 1'Orient," by Dr. Edmund Privat 701 > 12. Sources of Community Life, by Marion Holley 703 > 13. A Brief Account of Thomas Breakwell, by May Maxwell . . . 707 > CONTENTS xv > > 14. Unity of Races, by Gene vie ve L, Coy 712 > 15. Mankind the Prodigal, by Alfred E. Lunt 716 > 16. The Fulfillment of Religion, by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick 721 > 17. A World Community, by George O. Latimer 725 > 18. The Call to Germany, by Alma Knobloch 732 > 19. The Manifestation, by Albert P. Entzminger 746 > 20. Hear, O Israel, by Dorothy K. Baker 754 > 21. The Rosary, by Nellie S. French 757 > 22. Marriage in the Baha'i Faith, by Rosemary Sala 761 > 23. Learning to Live Together, by Martha L. Root 767 > 24. Baha'i Radio Program, delivered over Station "WHN," New York 769 > 25. The Bust of 'Abdu'1-Baha, by Mrs. Stannard 786 > 26. African Experience, by Loulie A. Mathews 788 > 27. The Non-Political Nature of the Baha'i Cause, by Emily M. Axford 793 > 28. Teaching the Cause of Baha'u'llah in Distant Lands, by Nellie S. > French 797 > 29. Two Letters of Mrs. Phoebe Apperson Hearst from "Persia by a Persian" . ... 801 > 30. A Tribute from Iceland, by Holmfridur Arnadottir 803 > II. Song Offerings 804 > III. Echoes from the Spheres . 813 > IV. Map of the United States and Canada Showing Baha'i Centers Inside back cover > ILLUSTRATIONS > PAGE > The Master, 'Abdu'1-Baha, taken with American and franian Friends . . 8 > 'Abdu'1-Baha during the last year of His life, Haifa, 1921 10 > * > Abdu'1-Baha at Leland Stanford University, October 8, 1912 20 > The bridge in Baghdad across which Baha'u'llah passed on his way to the garden of > Ridvan . . . . . 20 > An early view of the resting-place of Baha'u'llah at Bahji, 'Akka 25 > Latest photograph of the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel, Haifa, showing the > new additions to both the upper and lowermost terraces, taken from the German Colony ... . . 31 > The Shrine of the Bab at twilight when the terraces and facade are illuminated, > as seen from the German Colony, Haifa 37 > Exterior views of the reconstructed House of Baha'u'llah's father, in Takur, > Mazindaran, Iran . 44 > Interior views of the reconstructed House of Baha'u'llah's father, in Takur, Iran 50 > Sarah J. Farmer, Founder of Green Acre 52 > Entrance to Green Acre 57 > Baha'i Hall, Green Acre 60 > Interior, Baha'i Hall, Green Acre 60 > Baha'i Youth, Green Acre 60 > Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch, donors of Geyserville School land and original buildings 62 > Dedication of Baha'i Hall, Geyserville Summer School, July, 1936 65 > Dedication of Dormitory, Geyserville School, July, 1937 67 > The Dormitory, Geyserville Summer School 68 > Upper floor, Dormitory, Geyserville Summer School 70 > Site (marked x) showing spot where Badi', bearer of Baha'u'llah's tablet to the > Shah of Iran, was martyred 132 > Laborers at work on restoration of the House of Baha'u'llah's father, in Takur, > Mazindaran, Iran . . 132 > Haziratu'1-Quds of the Baha'is of Tihran, now in course of construction 134 > Entrance to the Bab's House in Shiraz 138 > The shop owned by Haji Mirza Siyyid *Ali, the maternal uncle of the Bab, in > Shiraz . 138 > Entrance to the Bath attended by the Bab in the vicinity of His house in Shiraz 138 > The tent which was pitched in the garden of Mazra'ih, near 'Akka, for Baha'u'llah 147 > > Iran . ... > Interior of room in Haji Mirza Jani's house where the Bab stayed while in Kashan, > > Interior of Vahid's room in the fortress of Khajih in Nayriz, fran > The tomb of Manuchihr Khan, the Mu'tamidu'd-Dawlih, who befriended the Bab > during His sojourn in Isfahan, Iran . 172 > Mural on the wall of Manuchihr Khan's tomb, fran 172 > Badi', the bearer of Baha'u'llah's Tablet to the Shah of Iran, shown in chains before > his martyrdom. (Note the brasier in which irons were heated and applied to > his flesh) . 188 > Two early believers of Tihran about to be bastinadoed . . 188 > The grave of the author of "Nabil's Narrative," 'Akka, Palestine . . 192 > Penmanship of the father of Baha'u'llah, Mirza Buzurg . . . ... 214 > 'Abdu'1-Baha at Green Acre, in August, 1912, with a group of Baha'is, facing p. 219 > Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion at Bahji where Baha'u'llah spent the > last years of His life . 230 > Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion at Bahji where Baha'u'llah spent the > last years of His life 231 > A small copy of the original painting of 'Akkd made by the father of Miss Mary > Fenn of San Diego, California, U. S. A., during his sojourn in Palestine > in1875 . . > The Central Hall of the Mansion at Bahji, 'Akka, seen at night 243 > xvii > xviii ILLUSTRATIONS > PAGE > > The Mansion of Baha'u'llah at Bahji. Left: the fountain on the balcony overlooking the plains of 'Akka. Right: curtain over the door of Baha'u'llah's room > in which He held the historic interview with Professor E. G. Browne of > Cambridge University . 251 > The Central Hall of the Mansion at Bahji where Baha'u'llah spent the last years > of His life 254 > Documents of historical interest displayed in the Central Hall of the Mansion at > Bahji, 'Akka . . . 254 > The Shrine of the Bab, surrounded by gardens, on Mt. Carmel, and a general view > of Haifa and the port. In the foreground of the hills can be seen the plain > of Esdraelon of Biblical mention 261 > The new garden and entrance to the Bab's Shrine, looking westward . . 272 > New garden and entrance to the Bab's Shrine, looking eastward towards the > Iranian Pilgrim House . . . 272 > Gathered together under the Big Tree at Geyserville, California, at the Nineteen > Day Feast, July, 1936 . . 281 > Corner of the new extension of the terrace facing the Bab's Shrine 286 > A view of the new entrance to the Bab's Shrine on Mt. Carmel, showing extension > of the terrace facing the Shrine . . 286 > A view of one of the garden walks behind the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel, Haifa 290 > The entrance to the Green Acre Baha'i Summer School, Eliot, Maine, U. S. A., > showing the new sign erected in July, 1936 . 295 > The spot in the garden of Ridvan, near 'Akka, where Baha'u'llah used to sit under > the mulberry tree. The gardener, 'Abdu'l-Qasim is shown 299 > The 1937 session of the English Baha'i Summer School held at Matlock Bath, > Derbyshire, England .... > Baha'is of Sydney, Australia, welcome a traveling friend from America, Mrs. > > Nellie French, seated between "Father and Mother Dunn," the pioneers of the > Cause in the Southern Hemisphere . 304 > Interior view of "Bolton Place," the home of a Baha'i family at Yerrinbool, which > has been dedicated as the first Baha'i summer school of Australia and New > Zealand . . . . . . 324 > Friends gathered on the opening day of the Yerrinbool Baha'i Summer School on > May 2, 1937 . > > General view of the resting place of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, > ... .324 > around which will be established the international Institutions of the Baha'i > Faith at its world center .... .. . ... 331 > First Yerrinbool Baha'i Summer School, January 8 to 23, 1938 . . 355 > Minneapolis Baha'i Community, 1938 408 > Map of Baha'i holdings showing extension of properties surrounding and dedicated > to the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel 422 > Aerial view of the port and city of Haifa. The arrow points to the shrine of the > Bab amidst its surrounding gardens. All the property, roughly indicated > within the white dots, is permanent open space, dedicated to the Shrine . 426 > Aerial view of the Baha'i Temple at Wilmette, Illinois, U. S. A. . . 428 > Sculptors at Work on Original Model . > Finished Units for Gallery Section . > Design in Unit for Gallery Section . .431 > Finished Units Awaiting Shipment to the Temple . . . 435 > Plaster Model, Base Section of Pylon 435 > Finished Unit, Section of Window Head . . > Carving an Original Model . . .... 435 > Sculptor at Work . . > The Architect's Beautiful Vision 439 > Models of the Baha'i Temple Being Constructed at Wilmette, Illinois, U. S. A. > Above, one of the new plaster models carved and cast in the studio of John J. > Early, the contractor for the outside ornamentation of the Temple itself. > Below, an old model entirely made by hand of cardboard and wood 441 > ILLUSTRATIONS xix > > PAGE > Followers of the Baha'i Faith from all parts and sections of the world are cooperating in the building of a House of Worship, unique in design and appearance, at Wilmette, a short distance north of Chicago. Pictured above is the > dome of this beautiful structure, partially completed, and open daily to > visitors . . ..... > A close up of the lace-like design and scroll work on the dome of the Baha'i House > > of Worship is given in the picture below . 445 > A view of the interior of the dome of the Baha'i House of Worship is shown below, > giving some idea of the bracing necessary in the construction work 445 > Baha'i Youth Conference of Lima, Ohio, U. S. A., March 22, 1938 . 450 > Baha'i Youth Committee of Baghdad, Iraq, 1936-1937 455 > Baha'i Youth Conference of Poona, India, March 22, 1938. . . 455 > The Baha'i Temple at Wilmette, Illinois, U. S. A., viewed from Lake Michigan 457 > Louhclcn Baha'i Summer School Youth Session, 1937 . 460 > Members and delegates of the International Youth group which held a session in > Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, U. S. A., in order of meet with the Baha'is while > on their tour of America during 1936 ... 466 > Interior of the new Baha'i Hall recently erected on the property of the Geyserville > Baha'i Summer School in California, U. S. A. 468 > Baha'i Summer School for the Central States, Louhelen Ranch at Davison, Michigan, U. S. A. 471 > The Green Acre Inn, open to all those attending the Summer School as well as > to the public 471 > The Baha'i Hall in Green Acre, a recent addition to the properties of the oldest > Baha'i Summer School in America, open annually at Eliot, Maine, U. S. A 471 > Members of the Young Women's Baha'i Group of Tihran, fran 475 > Members of the Young Men's Baha'i Group of Tihran, fran 475 > "Rockwood," a Baha'i Home in Boolcroo Centre, South Australia 479 > Two Baha'i youth, the daughters of Mr. David Brooks of "Rockwood," Booleroo > Centre . . . 479 > Baha'i Youth Group of the University of Illinois. From the University Annual, > the ILLIO, 1937. This is the first Baha'i Youth Group in America to be > organized as an official University activity . 484 > The Baha'i Youth Group of Poona, India, at the Naw-Ruz feast, March 21, 1938, > year 95 of the Baha'i era . . . 487 > Youth Conference at London, England, March 27, 1936 491 > Speakers at the Baha'i Youth Symposium and Baha'i friends, March 22, 1936, at > Los Angeles, California, U. S. A. 491 > First Baha'i Youth Group of Lyons, France. Photographed in the garden of Mr. > Yazdi, Lyons, France, June 14, 1936 . ... 502 > National Baha'i Youth Committee of the United States and Canada, Louhelen > Summer School, Davison, Michigan, U. S. A., June, 1937 . 508 > Mr. Hyde Dunn, the pioneer teacher of Australia and New Zealand, laying the > cornerstone of the first Baha'i Summer School in the Southern Hemisphere, > at Yerrinbool, New > South Wales, on October 11, 1936 514 > Friends present at the laying of the cornerstone of the first Baha'i Summer School > in Australia . 517 > Alfred E. Lunt . 532 > Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi . . . . 536 > Friends assembled on Mashriqu'l-Adhkar grounds, Chicago, March 21, 1921. Dr. > Zia M. Bagdadi digging first shovelful of earth . .538 > Mrs. Laurie C. Wilhelm . . . 540 > Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford . > Elrnore Eugene Ducket t 543 > Mirza Muhammad Kazim-Pur ... . 548 > Dr. Muhammad Bashir of Alexandria, Egypt . . . 549 > Miss Malakat Nushugati of Port Said, Egypt . 550 > First stage in the construction of the Haziratu'1-Quds of Baghdad, 560 > 'Iraq . > xx ILLUSTRATIONS > PAGE > " > The Baha'is of Daidanaw, Kalazoo, 'Abdu'l-Baha's Village," in Burma 566 > Miss Leonora Holsapple (upper left), the pioneer teacher of the Faith in Brazil, > and Mrs. Nellie French, on the occasion of the latter's visit to South America, > March, 1937. The children belonged to Miss Holsapple's class for the underprivileged ... .... .573 > . > > The first group of pilgrims arriving by air to fran via Baghdad in the spring of > 1938. Taken at the Haifa Aerodrome with members of the Baha'i Com- > > munity. The trip from Tihran to Akka which took four months in the days > of BahaVllah is now accomplished in seven hours* flying time 584 > A view of the world's southernmost city, Magallanes, Chile, where Baha'i literature has been recently distributed for the first time 592 > Baha'i Press Book for the year 1936-1937, United States and Canada, compiled > by the Publicity Committee 592 > The Shaykhu'l-Islam of Tiflis, Caucasus, in reply to whose attacks on the Cause > Mirza Abu'1-Fadl addressed his well-known book entitled "Fara'id" 600 > Book exhibit of the sacred scriptures of the world, held under the auspices of the > New York Baha'i Assembly and accompanied by a lecture on "The Glory and > Power of God's Revelation through the Ages," December, 1936 607 > Twenty-ninth Annual Convention of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, > May 1, 1937 627 > Previous method of treatment of prisoners in Iran. The figure fourth from the > left marked X was a well-known Baha'i teacher 633 > Group of early Believers of Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A., taken about the year 1900 647 > The grave of Thornton Chase, the first American Believer 653 > Baha'i celebration of Naw-Ruz, inaugurating the 93rd Year of the Baha'i Era, > Los Angeles, California, U. S. A., March 21, 1936 669 > Naw-Ruz Feast held jointly by the communities of Oakland and Berkeley, California, U. S. A., March 21, 1937 > * > Members of the Unity of the East and West Committee of Tihran, fran, 1937 684 > Ninth Annual Meeting of the Baha'is of the Northeastern States, at Forest Park, > Springfield, Mass., June 21, 1936 695 > Presentation of the "Seven Valleys" of Baha'u'llah. Dramatized by Madame Barry > Orlova and Mrs. Basil Hall, in the garden of Mrs. Edith Simonds, Sowbcrry > Court on Thames, England, where the Baha'i Theatre Group has its Summer > Theatre 699 > A Captain of the Salvation Army, who has recently embraced the Baha'i Faith. > Taken with one of her former Lieutenants in the Shetland Islands 708 > An early Group of the Baha'is of America. Reading from left to right: Katherine > K. True, Mrs. Gorman, Mr. True, Mrs. Corinne True, Mr. Harlan F. Ober, > Mrs. Cecelia Harrison, Miss Davies, Mrs. Eardley, Mr. Charles Spraguc, Mr. > Carl Schcffler, Mr. Woodworth, Mr. Percy Woodcock, Mme. Aurclia Bethlen, > Mr. Brush, Mrs. Brush, Mr. Thornton Chase 708 > The Baha'is of Poona, India, at the Naw-Ruz Feast, March 21, 1938 718 > The Third Annual Convention of the Baha'is of Iran, year 93 of the Baha'i era 727 > The members of the Committee for the training of Baha'i children, in Tihran, fran 749 > An early group of the Baha'is of Iran 759 > Nucleus of a new center of the Faith in Egypt, the Baha'is of Tanta 766 > Baha'is of the village of Hisar, Iran . . 766 > A group of the Baha'i school Children of Tihran, Iran 771 > The sculptor, Nicolas Sokolnitsky, at work on a bust of 'Abdu'1-Baha in his Paris > studio . . > Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Mathews (Photograph of welcome card presented at the > Gateway to South Africa) 790 > Baha'is of New York in observation of the Day of the Covenant, November 26, > 1937 . > Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst . . 800 > Miss Holmfridur Arnadottir, educator and author of Reykjavik, Iceland 803 > INTRODUCTION > D ' > URING the past ten years the Baha'i community of East and West has learned to > anticipate each successive volume of THE BAHA'I WORLD (the first number was entitled > "Baha'i Year Book") as the best means by which the individual believer may keep > abreast of the steady development of the Faith throughout the world. This work, in its > illustrations as well as in its text, has recorded as completely as possible the progress of > current Baha'i events and activities over an area now embracing forty countries. In > > addition, each volume has presented those "historical facts and fundamental principles > that constitute the distinguishing features of the Message of Baha'u'llah to this age." > The existence of so many evidences of a newly revealed Faith and Gospel for a > humanity arrived at a turning point in its spiritual and social evolution has likewise a > profound significance for the non-Baha'i student and scholar who desires to investigate > the world religion founded by the Bab and Baha'u'llah. For in these pages the reader > encounters both the revealed Word in its spiritual power, and the response which that > utterance has evoked during the first ninety years of the Baha'i era. He will find what > is > unparalleled in religious history ^ne unbroken continuity of a divine Faith from > the Manifestation onward through three generations of human experience, and will be > able to apprehend what impregnable foundations the Baha'i World Order rests upon in > the life and teachings of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, the life and interpretation of 'Abdu'l- > Baha, and (since the year 1921) in the development of an administrative order under > the direction of the Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. > It is the avowed faith of Baha'is that this Revelation has established upon earth the > ^piritual impulse and the definite principles necessary for social regeneration and the > attainment of one true religion and social order throughout the world, ""^n THE BAIIA'I > WORLD, therefore, those who seek a higher will and wisdom than man possesses may > learn how, amid the trials and tribulations of a decadent society, a new age has begun > to emerge from the world of the spirit to the realm of human action and belief. > STAFF OF EDITORS > > AMERICA > Horace Holley, Chairman, 119 Waverly Place, New York City. > Mrs. Stuart W. French, Secretary, 390 Grove St., Pasadena, California. > Mrs. Elsa Russell Blakeley, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. > Miss Agnes Alexander, c/o Baha'i Center, 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, > N.J. > Mrs. Ruth Brandt, 9313 Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, California. > Mrs. Mardiyyih Nabil Carpenter, 42 Edgemont Place, Teaneck, New Jersey. > Mrs. Marjory Morten, c/o Fifth Avenue Bank, New York, N. Y. > Miss Marion Holley, c/o National Teaching Com., 640-46th Ave., San Francisco, > California. > Louis G. Gregory, 42 1 Broadway, Cambridge, Mass. > Mrs. Victoria Bcdikian, Photograph Editor, Box 179, Montclair, New Jersey. > > GERMANY > Dr. Hermann Grossmann, 37 Goringstrasse, Neckargemiind, Heidelberg, Germany. > SWITZERLAND > Mrs. Anna Lynch, 19 a Avc. de Champel, Geneva, Switzerland. > > FRANCE > Mme. Hesse, 24 rue du Boccador, Paris, France. > IRAN > Miss Adelaide Sharp, Pahlavi St. Kuchch Bageroff, Tihran, Iran. > > INDIA AND BURMA > Prof. Pritam Singh, 9 Langley Road, Lahore, India. > > EGYPT > Muhammad Mustafa, Baha'i Bureau, P.O. Box 13, Daher, Cairo, Egypt. > AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND > Miss Hilda Brooks, P.O. Box 447 D, G.P.O., Adelaide, South Australia. > > 'IRAQ > Jamil Baghdadi, P.O. Box 5, Baghdad. > CHINA AND JAPAN > Miss Agnes Alexander, c/o Baha'i Center, 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, > N.J. > INTERNATIONAL > Miss Martha Root, c/o Roy C. Wilhelm, 104 Wall St., New York, N. Y. > > xxm > PART ONE > THE BAHA'I WORLD > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE > BAHA'I FAITH > BY HORACE HOLLEY > 1. A WORLDWIDE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY > "The Tabernacle of Unity has been raided; regard ye not one another as strangers. . . . > > Of one tree are ye all the fruit and of one bough the leaves. The world is but one > . . . > > country and mankind it* citizen*" BAHA'U'I.LAH. > > u,PON the spiritual foundation established consciously overcome the fundamental sancby Bahd'u'llah during the forty year period tions evolved throughout the centuries to > of His Mission (1853-1892) there stands to- > , justify the separations and antagonisms of > > day an independent religion represented by human society. In America, this association > nearly eight hundred local communities of means that white believers accept the spirbelievers. These communities geographically itual equality of their Negro fellows. In > are spread throughout all five continents. In Europe, it means the reconciliation of Protespoint of race, class, nationality and religious tant and Catholic upon the basis of a new and > > origin, the followers of Baha'u'llah exemplify larger faith. In the Orient, Christian, Jewish > well-nigh the whole diversity of the modern and Muhammadan believers must stand apart > world. They may be characterized as a from the rigid exclusiveness into which each > true cross-section of humanity, a microcosm was born. > which, for all its relative littleness, carries The central fact to be noted concerning > within it individual men and women typify- the nature of the Baha'i Faith is that it con- > > ing the macrocosm of mankind. tains a power, fulfilled in the realm of con- > None of the historic causes of association science, which can reverse the principle moserved to create this worldwide spiritual com- mentum of modern civilization the drive > > munity. Neither a common language, a com- toward division and strife and initiate its > > mon blood, a common civil government, a own momentum moving steadily in the > common tradition nor a mutual grievance direction of unity and accord.*^ It is in this > acted upon Baha'is to supply a fixed center power, and not in any criterion upheld by the > of interest or a goal of material advantage. world, that the Faith of Baha'u'llah has spe- > On the contrary, membership in the Baha'i cial significance. > community in the land of its birth even to The forms of traditional opposition vested > this day has been a severe disability, and out- in nationality, race, class and creed are not > side of fran the motive animating believers the only social chasms which the Faith has > has been in direct opposition to the most in- bridged. There are even more implacable, if > veterate of their environment. less visible differences between types and temprejudices > The Cause of BahaVllah has moved forward peraments, such as flow inevitably from the > without the reinforcement of wealth, social contact of rational and emotional individuals, > prestige or other means of public influence. of active and passive dispositions, under- > > Every local Baha'i community exists by mining capacity for cooperation in every > the voluntary association of individuals who organized society, which attain mutual > THE BAHA'I WORLD > understanding and harmony in the Baha'i dominance and not for reconciliation. Each > community. For personal congeniality, the step toward more complete partisan organiselective principle elsewhere > continually zation increases the original tension and augoperative within the of voluntary acfield ments the separation of human beings; as > tion, is an instinct which Baha'is must sacri- the separation widens, the element of symfice to serve the principle of the oneness of pathy and fellowship on the human level is > mankind. A Baha'i community, therefore, eventually denied. > is a constant and active spiritual victory, an In the Baha'i community the same tenovercoming of tensions which elsewhere sions and instinctive antagonisms exist, but > come to the point of strife. No mere passive the human separation has been made imposcreed nor philosophic gospel which need sible. The same capacity for exclusive docnever be put to the test in daily life has trines is present, but no doctrine representproduced this world fellowship devoted to ing one personality or one group can secure > the teachings of Baha'u'llah. a hearing. All believers alike are subject to > The basis of self-sacrifice on which the one spiritually supreme sovereignty in the > Baha'i community stands has created a re- teachings of Baha'u'llah. Disaffected indiligious society in which all human relations viduals may withdraw. The community reare transformed from social to spiritual mains. For the Baha'i teachings are in > > problems. This fact is the door through themselves principles of and they assert > life > > which one must pass to arrive at insight of the supreme value of humanity without docwhat the Faith of Baha'u'llah means to this trines which correspond to any particular > > age. environment or condition. Thus members > JThe social problems of the age are pre- of the Baha'i community realize their tendominantly political and economic. They sions and oppositions as ethical or spiritual > are problems because human society is di- problems, to be faced and overcome in muvided into nations each of which claims to tual consultation. "TJieir faith has convinced > be an end and a law unto itself and into them that the "truth" or "right" of any posclasses each of which has raised an economic sible situation is not derived from partisan > > theory to the level of a sovereign and ex- victory but from the needs of the commuclusive principle. Nationality has become a nity as an organic whole. > condition which overrides the fundamental ^A Baha'i community endures without dishumanity of all the peoples concerned, as- ruption because only spiritual problems can > serting the superiority of political considera- be solved. When human relations are held > tions over ethical and moral needs. Simi- to be political or social problems they are > larly, economic groups uphold and promote removed from the realm in which rational > social systems without regard to the quality will has responsibility and influence. The > of human relationships experienced in terms ultimate result of this degradation of huof religion. and oppositions be- > Tension man relationships is the frenzy of desperate > tween the different groups are organized for strife the outbreak of inhuman war. > > 2. THE RENEWAL OF FAITH > "Therefore the Lord of Mankind has caused His holy, divine Manifestations to come into > the world. He has revealed His heavenly books in order to establish spiritiial brotherhood, > and throiigh the power of the Holy Spirit has made it possible for perfect fraternity to > be realized among mankind." 'ABDU'L-BAHA. > > In stating that the Cause of Baha'u'llah assembled from the modern library of interis an independent religion, two essential national truth, which might be duplicated > facts are implied. from the same sources. "Baha'u'llah created > The first fact is that the Baha'i Cause a reality in the world of the soul which never > > historically was not an offshoot of any prior before existed and could not exist apart > social principle or community. The teach- from Him. > ings of Baha'u'llah are no artificial synthesis The second fact is that the Faith of Baha'- > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'f FAITH 5 > > u'llah is a religion, standing in the line of analysis of the process of history. The foltrue religions: Christianity, Muhammadan- lowers of Baha'u'llah derive mental integrity > ism, Judaism and other prophetic Faiths. Its from the realization made so clear and vivid > existence, like that of early Christianity, by "Abdu'1-Baha that true insight into hismarks the return of faith as a direct and tory discloses the uninterrupted and irrepersonal experience of the will of God. Be- sistible working of a Providence not denied > cause the divine will itself has been revealed nor made vain by any measure of human > in terms of human reality, the followers of ignorance and unfaith. > Baha'u'llah are confident that their personal According to this insight, a cycle begins > limitations can be transformed by an inflow with the appearance of a prophet or mani- > > of spiritual reinforcement from the higher festation of God, through whom the spirits > world. It is for the privilege of access to of men are revivified and reborn. The rise > the source of reality that they forego reli- of faith in God produces a religious comance upon the darkened self within and the munity, whose power of enthusiasm and > unbelieving society without. devotion releases the creative elements of a > > 'The religious education of Baha'is revolu- new and higher civili'/ation. This civilizationizes their inherited attitude toward their tion comes to its fruitful autumn in culture > own as well as other traditional religions, i and mental achievement, to give way even- > To Baha'is, religion is the life and teach- tually to a barren winter of atheism, when > ings of the prophet. By identifying religion strifeand discord bring the civilization to > with its founder, they exclude from its spir- an end. Under the burden of immorality, > itual reality all those accretions of human dishonor and cruelty marking this phase of > definition, ceremony and ritualistic practice the cycle, humanity lies helpless until the > > emanating from followers required from spiritual leader, the prophet, once more re- > > time to time to make compromise with an turns in the power of the Holy Spirit. > > unbelieving world. ^Furthermore, in limit- Such is the Baha'i reading of the book of > ing religion to the prophet they are able to the past. Its reading of the present inter- > > perceive the oneness of God in the spiritual prets these world troubles, this general chaos > oneness of all the prophets. *^The Baha'i born and confusion, as the hour when the reinto Christianity can wholeheartedly enter newal of religion is no longer a racial exinto fellowship with the Baha'i born into perience, a rebirth of one limited area of hu- > Muhammadanism because both have come to man society, but the destined unification of > understand that Christ and Muhammad re- humanity itself in one faith and one order. > flected the light of the one God into the It is by the parable of the vineyard that > > darkness of the world. ^ If certain teachings Baha'is of the Christian West behold their > of Christ differ from certain teachings of tradition and their present spiritual reality > Moses or Muhammad, the Baha'is know that at last inseparably joined, their faith and > all prophetic teachings are divided into two their social outlook identified, their rever- > > parts: one, consisting of the essential and ence for the power of God merged with > unalterable principles of love, peace, unity intelligible grasp of their material environand cooperation, renewed as divine com- ment. A human society which has substimands in every cycle; the other, consisting tuted creeds for religion and armies for > of external practices (such as diet, marriage truth, even as allancient prophets foretold, > and similar ordinances) conforming to the must needs come to abandon its instrurequirements of one time and place. ments of violence and undergo purification > This Baha'i teaching leads to a profounder until conscious, humble faith can be reborn. > THE BAHA'f WORLD > 3. THE BASIS OF UNITY > "The best beloved of all things In My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou > desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee" BAHA'U'LLAH. > > Faith alone, no matter how whole-hearted brotherhood and not made a sanction for seland sincere, affords no basis on which the fishness, oppression and indifference. > organic unity of a religious fellowship can On the other hand, the Baha'i order is not > endure. The faith of the early Christians a democracy in the sense that it proceeds > was complete, but its degree of inner con- from the complete sovereignty of the peoviction when projected outward upon the ple, whose representatives are limited to > field of action soon disclosed a fatal lack of carrying out the popular will. Sovereignty, > social principle. Whether the outer expres- in the Baha'i community, is attributed to > sion of love implied a democratic or an aris- the divine prophet, and the elected repretocratic order, a communal or individualistic sentatives of the believers in their adminis- > > society, raised fundamental questions after trative function look to the teachings of > the crucifixion of the prophet which none Baha'u'llah for their guidance, having faith > had authority to solve. that the application of His universal princi- > The Baha'i teaching has this vital distinc- ples is the source of order throughout the > tion, that it extends from the realm of community. Every Baha'i administrative > conscience and faith to the realm of social body feels itself a trustee, and in this capacaction. It confirms the substance of faith ity stands above the plane of dissension and > not merely as source of individual develop- is free of that pressure exerted by factional > ment but as a definitely ordered relationship groups. > to the community. Those who inspect the The local community on April 21 of each > Baha'i Cause superficially may deny its year elects by univefsal adult suffrage an > claim to be a religion for the reason that it administrative body of nine members called > lacks most of the visible marks by which the Spiritual Assembly. This body, with > religions are recognized. But in place of rit- reference to all Baha'i matters, has sole > ual or other formal worship it contains a power of decision. It represents the collec- > > social principle linking people to a commu- tive conscience of the community with renity, the loyal observance of which makes spect to Baha'i activities. Its capacity and > > spiritual faith coterminous with life itself. power are supreme within certain definite > The Baha'i s, having no professional clergy, limitations. > forbidden ever to have a clergy, understand The various local communities unite > that religion, in this age, consists in an through delegates elected annually according > "attitude toward God reflected in life." to the principle of proportionate representa- > > They are therefore conscious of no division tion in the formation of a National Spirbetween religious and secular actions. itual Assembly for their country or natural > The inherent nature of the community geographical area. This National Spiritual > created by Baha'u'lUh has great significance Assembly, likewise composed of nine memat this time, when the relative values of bers, administers all national Baha'i affairs > democracy, of constitutional monarchy, of and may assume jurisdiction of any local > aristocracy and of communism are every- matter felt to be of more than local imwhere in dispute. portance. Spiritual Assemblies, local and > Of the Baha'i community it may be de- national, combine an executive, a legislative > clared definitely that its character does not and a judicial function, all within the limits > reflect the communal theory. The rights of set by the Baha'i teachings. They have no > the individual are fully safeguarded and the resemblance to religious bodies which can > fundamental distinctions of personal endow- adopt articles of faith and regulate the > ment natural among all people are fully pre- processes of belief and worship. They are > served. Individual rights, however, are in- primarily responsible for the maintenance > terpreted in the light of the supreme law of of unity within the Bah&'i community and > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'f FAITH > for the release of its collectivepower in This Nineteen Day Feast is conducted > service to the Cause. Membership in the simply and informally under a program di- > Baha'i community is granted, on personal vided into three parts. The first part condeclaration of faith, to adults. sists in the reading of passages from writings > > Nine National Spiritual Assemblies have of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and 'Abdu'1-Baha > come into existence since the passing of a devotional meeting. Next follows general > 'Abdu'1-Baha in 1921. Each National Spir- discussion of Baha'i activities the business > itual Assembly will, in future, constitute an meeting of the local community. After the > electoral body in the formation of an In- consultation, the community breaks bread > ternational Spiritual Assembly, a consum- together and enjoys fellowship. > mation which will perfect the administrative The experience which Baha'is receive > order of the Faith and create, for the first through participation in their spiritual world > time in history, an international tribunal order is unique and cannot be paralleled in > representing a worldwide community united any other society. Their status of perfect > in a single Faith. equality as voting members of a constitu- > Baha'is maintain their contact with the tional body called upon to deal with matters > source of inspiration and knowledge in the which reflect, even though in miniature, the > sacred writings of the Faith by continuous whole gamut of human problems and activiprayer, study and discussion. No believer ties; their intense realization of kinship with > can ever have a finished, static faith any believers representing so wide a diversity of > more than he can arrive at the end of his races, classes and creeds; their assurance that > > capacity for being. The community has but this unity is based upon the highest spiritual > one meeting ordained in the teachings the sanction and contributes a necessary ethical > > general meeting held every nineteen days, on quality to the world in this age all these > > the first day of each month of nineteen opportunities for deeper and broader experidays given in the new calendar established ence confer a privilege that is felt to be the > by the Bab. fulfillment of life. > > 4. THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW DAY > ff > lf man is left in his natural state, he will become lower than the animal and continue to > grow more ignorant and imperfect. The savage tribes of Central Africa are evidence of > this. Left in their natural condition, they have sunk to the lowest depths and degrees of > barbarism, dimly groping in a world of mental and moral obscurity. God has pur- . . . > > posed that the darkness of the world of nature shall be dispelled and the imperfect > attributes of the natal self be effaced in the effulgent reflection of the Sun of Truth." > 'ABDU'L-BAHA. > > The complete text of the Baha'i sacred tary and explanation of the Baha'i gospel > writings has not yet been translated into made by 'Abdu'1-Baha preserves the spir- > English, but the present generation of be- itual integrity and essential aim of the relievers have the supreme privilege of pos- vealed text, without the inevitable alloy of > sessing the fundamental teachings of Baha'- human personality which historically served > u'llah, together with the interpretation and to corrupt the gospel of Jesus and Muhamlucid commentary of 'Abdu'1-Baha, and mad. The Baha'i, moreover, has this dismore recently the exposition made by tinctive advantage, that his approach to the > > Shoghi Effendi of the teachings concerning teachings is personal and direct, without the > the world order which Baha'u'llah came to veils interposed byany human intermediary. > establish. Of special significance to Baha'is The works which supply the Baha'i teachof Europe and America is the fact that, ings to English-reading believers are: "The > unlike Christianity, the Cause of Baha'u'llah Kitab-i-Iqan" (Book of Certitude), in > rests upon the prophet's own words and not which Baha'u'llah revealed the oneness of > upon a necessarily incomplete rendering of the prophets and the identical foundation of > oral tradition. Furthermore, the commen- all true religions, the law of cycles accord- > The Master, Abdu'l-Baha, taken with American and Iranian Friends. > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'f FAITH 9 > > ing to which the prophet returns at intervals the people of fran about forty years ago to > of approximately one thousand years, and show them the way to sound progress and > the nature of faith; "Hidden Words," the true civilization; "Tablets of 'Abdu'1-Baha," > essence of truths revealed by prophets in three volumes of excerpts from letters writthe past; prayers to quicken the soul's life ten to individual believers and Baha'i comand draw individuals and groups nearer to munities, which illumine a vast range of > God; "Tablets of Baha'u'llah" (Taraz'at, subjects; "Promulgation of Universal Peace," > The Tablet of the World, Kalimat, Tajalli- in two volumes, from stenographic records > > yat, Bisharat, Ishraqat) , which establish so- of the public addresses by the > delivered > cial and spiritual principles for the new Master to Canada and the > audiences in > era;"Three Tablets of Baha'u'llah" (Tablet United States during the year 1912; "The > of the Branch, Kitab-i-'Ahd, Lawh-i- Wisdom of 'Abdn'1-Baha," a similar record > " > Aqdas) the > , appointment of 'Abdu'1-Baha as of His addresses in Paris; 'Abdu'1-Baha in > the Interpreter of Baha'u'llah's teachings, London"; and reprints of a number of indithe Testament of Baha'u'llah, and His mes- vidual Tablets, especially that sent to the > sage to the Christians; "Epistle to the Son of Committee for a Durable Peace, The Hague, > the Wolf," addressed to the son of a prom- Holland, in 1919, and the Tablet addressed > inent Iranian who had been a most ruthless to the late Dr. Forel of Switzerland. The > oppressor of the believers, a Tablet which Will and Testament left by 'Abdu'1-Baha > recapitulates many teachings Baha'u'llah had has special significance, in that it provided > revealed in earlier works; "Gleanings from for the future development of Baha'i adthe Writings of Baha'u'llah." The signifi- ministrative institutions and the Guardiancant Tablets addressed to rulers of Europe ship. > and the Orient, as well as to the heads of To these writings is now to be added the > American about the year 1870, > republics, book entitled "Baha'i Administration," consummoning them to undertake measures for sisting of the letters written by > general > the establishment of Universal Peace, con- Shoghi Effendi Guardian > as of the Cause > stitute a chapter in the compilation entitled since the Master's death in 1921, which ex- > "Baha'i Scriptures." plain the details of the administrative order > The largest and most authentic body of of the Cause, and his letters on World Or- > Baha'u'llah's Writings in the English lan- der, which make clear the social principles > > guage consists of the excerpts chosen and imbedded in Baha'u'llah's Revelation. > translated by Shoghi Effendi, and published These latter letters were in 1938 pubunder the title of "Gleanings from the lished in a volume entitled "The World > > Writings of Baha'u'llah." This work has Order of Baha'u'llah." Here the Guardian > replaced "Baha'i Scriptures" as source of defines the relation of the Faith to the cur- > > study and meditation, for the volume in- rent socialcrisis, and sums up the funda- > > cludes the Author's words on a great variety mental tenets of the Baha'i Faith. It is a > of subjects, and has the unique value of work which gives to each believer access to > the English rendering made by the Guardian a clear insight on the significance of the > > of the Faith. present era, and the outcome of its inter- > In "Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u- national perturbations, incomparably more > 'llah," Shoghi Effendi has similarly given to revealing and at the same time more assuring > the Baha'i Community in recent years a than the works of students and statesmen in > wider selection and a superb rendering of our times. > devotional passages revealed by Baha'u'llah. The literature has also been enriched by > The published writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha Shoghi Effendi's recent translation of "The > are: "Some Answered Questions," dealing Dawn-Breakers," Nabil's Narrative of the > with the lives of the prophets, the interpre- Early Days of the Baha'i Revelation, a vivid > tation of Bible prophecies, the nature of eye-witness account of the episodes which > man, the true principle of evolution and resulted from the announcement of the Bab > other philosophic subjects; "Mysterious on May 23, 1844. "The Traveller's Narra- > Forces of Civilization," a work addressed to tive," translated from a manuscript given > 'Abdu'1-Baha during the last year of His life, Haifa, 1921. > > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'f FAITH 11 > > by 'Abdu'1-Baha to the late Prof. Edward a beneficent Providence; the sharp outlines > G. Browne of Cambridge University, is the of material sciences gradually fade out in > only other historical record considered au- the light of one fundamental science of life; > thentic from the Baha'i point of view. a profounder sociology, connected with the > When it is borne in mind that the term inner life, little by little displaces the super- > "religious literature" has come to represent ficial economic and political beliefs which > a wide diversity of subject matter, ranging like waves dash high an instant only to sub- > > from cosmic philosophy to the psychology of side into the moveless volume of the sea. > > personal experience, from efforts to under- "The divine reality," 'Abdu'1-Baha has > stand the universe plumbed by > telescope said, "isunthinkable, limitless, eternal, imand microscope to efforts to discipline the mortal and invisible. The world of creation > passions and desires of disordered human is bound by natural law, finite and mortal. > > hearts, it is any attempt to sumclear that The infinite reality cannot be said to ascend > marize the Baha'i teachings would indicate or descend. It is beyond the understanding > the limitations of the person making the of men, and cannot be described in terms > summary rather than offer possession of a which apply to the phenomenal sphere of > body of sacred literature touching the needs the created world. Man, then, is in extreme > of man and society at every point. The need of the only power by which he is able > study of Baha'i writings does not lead to to receive help from the divine reality, that > > any simplified program either for the solu- power alone bringing him into contact with > tion of social problems or for the develop- the source of all life. > ment of human personality. Rather should "An intermediary is needed to bring two > it be likened to a clear light which illumines extremes into relation with each other. > whatever is brought under its rays, or to Riches and poverty, plenty and need: withspiritual nourishment which gives life to the out an intermediary there could be no relaspirit. The believer at first chiefly notes the tion between these pairs of opposites. So we > > passages which seem to confirm his own per- can say that there must be a Mediator besonal beliefs or treat of subjects close to his tween God and man, and this is none other > own previous training. This natural but than the Holy Spirit, which brings the crenevertheless unjustifiable over-simplification ated earth into relation with the 'Unthinkof the nature of the Faith must gradually able One,' the divine reality. The divine > subside and give way to a deeper realization reality may be likened to the sun and the > that the teachings of Baha'u'llah are as an Holy Spirit to the rays of the sun. As the > ocean, and all personal capacity is but the rays of the sun bring the light and warmthvessel that must be refilled again and again. of the sun to the earth, giving life to all > The sum and substance of the faith of created things, so do the Manifestations > Baha'is is not a doctrine, not an organiza- bring the power of the Holy Spirit from the > tion, but their acceptance of Baha'u'llah as divine Sun of Reality to give light and life > Manifestation of God. In this acceptance to the souls of men." > lies the mystery of a unity that is general, In expounding the teachings of Baha'unot particular, inclusive, not exclusive, and West, 'Ab- > 'llah to public audiences in the > > limited in its gradual extension by no bound- du'1-Baha frequently encountered the attiaries drawn in the social world nor arbi- tude that, while the liberal religionist might > trary limitations accepted by habits formed well welcome and endorse such tenets, the > > during generations lacking a true spiritual Baha'i teachings after all bring > nothing > culture. new, since the principles of Christianity con- > What the believer learns reverently to be tain all the essentials of spiritual truth. The > grateful for is a source of wisdom to which believer whose heart has been touched by > he may turn for continuous mental and the Faith so perfectly exemplified by 'Abmoral development a source of truth re- du'1-Baha feels no desire for controversy, > vealing a universe in which man's life has but must needs point out the vital difference > valid purpose and assured realization. Hu- between a living faith and a passive forman history begins to reflect the working of mula or doctrine. What religion in its re- > 12 THE BAHA'f WORLD > newal brings is first of allan energy to of reality, balancing the subjective ideal detranslate belief into life. This impulse, re- rived from religion in the past. BahaVllah > ceived into the profoundest depths of con- has removed the false distinctions between > sciousness, requires no startling "newness" of the "spiritual" and "material" aspects of > concept or theory to be appreciated as a life, due to which religion has become sepagift from the divine world. It carries its rate from science, and morality has been > own assurance as a renewal of life itself; it divorced from all social activities. The > is as a candle that hasbeen lighted, and in whole arena of human affairs has been > comparison with the miracle of light the brought within the realm of spiritual truth, > discussion of religion as a form of belief be- in the light of the teaching that materialism > comes secondary in importance. Were the is not a thing but a motive within the hu- > Baha'i Faith no more than a true revitali- man heart. > zation of the revealed truths of former re- The Baha'i learns to perceive the universe > ligions, it would by that quickening quality as a divine creation in which man has his > of inner that returning to God, still > life, destiny to fulfill under a beneficent Proviassert itself as the supreme fact of human dence whose aims for humanity are made > experience in this age. known through Prophets who stand between > For religion returns to earth in order to man and the Creator. He learns his true > re-establish a standard of spiritual reality. relation to the degrees and orders of the > It restores the quality of human existence, visible universe; his true relation to God, to > itsactive powers, when that reality has be- himself, to his fellow man, to mankind. The > come overlaid with sterile rites and dogmas more he studies the Baha'i teachings, the > which substitute empty shadow for sub- more he becomes imbued with the spirit of > stance. In the person of the Manifestation unity, the more vividly he perceives the law > it destroys those imitations of religion > all of unity working in the world today, in- > > gradually developed through the centuries directly manifest in tlie failure which has > and summons humanity to the path of sacri- overtaken all efforts to organize the princifice and devotion. ple of separation and competition, directly > Revelation, moreover, is progressive as well manifest in the power which has brought toas periodic. Christianity in its original es- gether the followers of Baha'u'llah in East > sence not only relighted the candle of faith and West. He has the assurance that the > which, in the years since Moses, had become world's turmoil conceals from worldly minds > extinguished it amplified the teachings of the blessings long foretold, now forgotten, > Moses with a new dimension which history which prophesied the coming > in the sayings > has seen exemplified in the spread of faith of the Kingdom of God. > from tribe to nations and peoples. Baha'- The Sacred Literature of the Baha'i Faith > u'llah has given religion its world dimen- conveys enlightenment. It inspires life. It > sion, fulfilling the fundamental purpose of frees the mind. It disciplines the heart. > > every previous Revelation. His Faith stands For believers, the Word is not a philosoas the reality within Christianity, within phy to be learned, but the sustenance of > Muhammadanism, within the religion of being throughout the span of mortal exist- > Moses, the spirit of each, but expressed in ence. > > teachings which relate to all mankind. "The Baha'i Faith," Shoghi Etfendi stated > The Baha'i Faith, viewed from within, is in a recent letter addressed to a public offi- > > religion extended from the individual to em- cial, "recognizes the unity of God and of > brace humanity. It is religion universalized; His Prophets, upholds the principle of an > its teaching for the individual, spiritually unfettered search after truth, condemns all > > identical with the teaching of Christ, sup- forms of superstition and prejudice, teaches > plies the individual with an ethics, a so- that the fundamental purpose of religion is > ciology, an ideal of social order, for which to promote concord and harmony, that it > > humanity in its earlier stages of development must go hand-in-hand with science, and > was not prepared. Individual fulfillment that it constitutes the sole and ultimate > has been given an objective social standard basis of a peaceful, an ordered and progres- > AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'l FAITH 13 > > sive society. It inculcates the principle of admit that, whether or not by their test the > equal opportunity, rights and privileges for teachings of Baha'u'llah are "new," the > both sexes, advocates compulsory education, world's present plight is unprecedented, > extremes of poverty and wealth, > abolishes came without warning save in the utterrecommends the adoption of an auxiliary in- ances of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha, and > ternational language, and provides the nec- day by day draws nearer a climax which > essary agencies for the establishment and strikes terror to the responsible student of > > safeguarding of a permanent and universal current affairs. Humanity itself now seems > peace." to share the prison and exile which an unbe- > Those who, even courteously, would dis- lieving generation inflicted upon the Glory > miss a Faith so firmly based, will have to of God. > > 5. A BACKGROUND OF HEROIC SACRIFICE > rf > O > My beloved friends! You are the bearers of the name of God in this Day. Yow have > been chosen as the repositories of His mystery. It behooves each one of you to manifest > the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteoiisness, His power and glory. . . . Ponder the words of Jesus addressed to His disciples , > as He sent them forth to propagate the Ca^lse of God." THE BAB. > The words of BahaVllah differ in the "Gate"), their hopes had been realized, and > minds of believers from the words of phi- under the Bab's inspiration scattered themlosophers because they have been given sub- selves as His apostles to arouse the people > stance in the experience of life itself. The and prepare them for the restoration of > history of the Faith stands ever as a guide Islam to its original integrity. Against the > and commentary upon the meaning and in- Bab and His followers the whole force of > fluence of the written text. church and state combined to extinguish a > This history, unfolded contemporane- fiery zeal which soon threatened to bring > ously with the rise of science and technology their structure of power to the ground. > in the West, reasserts the providential ele- The ministry of the Bab covered only the > ment of human existence as it was reasserted six years between 1844 and His martyrdom > by the consecration and personal > spiritual by a military firing squad in the public > suffering of the prophets and disciples of square at Tabriz on July 9, 1850. > former times. In the Bab's own written message He in- > The world of Islam one hundred years terpreted His mission to be the fulfillment > ago lay in a darkness corresponding to the of past religions and the heralding of a > most degraded epoch of Europe's feudal age. world educator and unifier, one who was to > Between the upper and nether millstones of come to establish a new cycle. Most of the > an absolutist state and a materialistic church, Bab's chosen disciples, and many thousands > the people of fran were ground to a con- of followers, were publicly martyred in > dition of extreme poverty and ignorance. towns and villages throughout the country > The pomp of the civil and religious courts in those years. The seed, however, had been > > glittered above the general ruin like fire- buried too deep in hearts to be extirpated by > damp on a rotten log. any physical instrument of oppression. > In that world, however, a few devoted After the Bab's martyrdom, the weight of > souls stood firm in their conviction that the official wrath fell upon Husayn-'Ali, around > > religion of Muhammad was to be purified by whom the Babis centered their hopes. > the of a spiritual hero whose coming > rise Husayn-'Ali was imprisoned in Tihran, exwas assured in their interpretation of His iled to Baghdad, from Baghdad sent to > > gospel. Constantinople under the jurisdiction of the > This remnant of the faithful one by one Sultan, exiled by the Turkish government to > became conscious that in 'All -Muhammad, Adrianople, and at length imprisoned in the > since known to history as the Bab (the desolate barracks at 'Akki. > 14 THE BAHA'f WORLD > In 1863, while delayed outside of Bagh- of 'Abdu'l-Baha's commentary and explanadad for the preparation of the caravan to tion is that it makes mental and moral conbe dispatched to Constantinople, Husayn- nection with the thoughts and social condi- > 'Ali established His Cause among the Babis tions of both East and West. Dealing with > who insisted upon sharing His exile. His matters of religious, philosophical, ethical > declaration was the origin of the Baha'i and sociological nature, 'Abdu'1-Baha ex- > Faith in which the Bab's Cause was ful- pounded all questions in the light of His > > filled. The Babis who accepted Husayn- conviction of the oneness of God and the > 'Ali as BahaVllah (the Glory of God) were providential character of human life in this > fully conscious that His mission was not a age. > > development of the Babi movement but a The international Baha'i community, > new Cause for which the Bab had sacrificed grief -stricken and appalled by its loss of the > His life as the first of those who recognized wise and loving "Master" in 1921, learned > the manifestation or prophet of the new age. with profound gratitude that 'Abdu'1-Baha > During forty years of exile and imprison- in a will and testament had provided for > ment, BahaVllah expounded a gospel which the continuance and future development of > > interpreted the spiritual meaning of ancient the Faith. This testament made clear the > > scriptures, renewed the reality of faith in nature of the Spiritual Assemblies estab- > God and established as the foundation of hu- lished in the text of BahaVllah and inaugman society the principle of the oneness of urated a new center for the widespread commankind. This gospel came into being in munity of believers in the appointment of > the form of letters addressed to individual His grandson, Shoghi Eff endi, as Guardian of > believers and to groups in response to ques- the Baha'i Faith. > > tions, in books of religious laws and princi- During the seventeen years of general > ples, and in communications transmitted to confusion since 1921, the Baha'i community > the kings and rulers calling upon them to has carried forward the work of internal > establish universal peace. consolidation and administrative order and > This sacred literature has an authoritative has become conscious of its collective re- > > commentary and interpretation in the text sponsibility for the promotion of the blessed > of 'Abdu'l-Baha's writings during the years gospel of BahaVllah. In addition to the > between BahaVllah's ascension in 1892 and task of establishing the structure of local > 'Abdu'l-Baha's departure in 1921, Baha'- and national Spiritual Assemblies, the beu'llah having left atestament naming 'Ab- lievers have translated Baha'i literature into > > du'1-Baha (His eldest son) as the Interpreter many languages, have sent teachers to all > of His Book and the Center of His Cove- parts of the world, and have resumed connant, struction of the Baha'i House of Worship > The imprisonment of the Baha'i com- on the shore of Lake Michigan, near Chimunity at 'Akka ended at last in 1908, cago, the completion of which will be imwhen the Young Turks party overthrew the pressive evidence of the power of this new > existing political regime. Faith. > For three years prior to the European In the general letters issued to the Baha'i > War, 'Abdu'1-Baha, then nearly seventy community by Shoghi Effendi in order to > years of age, journeyed throughout Europe execute the provisions of 'Abdu'l-Baha's tesand America, and broadcast in public ad- tament, believers have been given what they > dresses and innumerable intimate gatherings are confident is the most profound and acthe new spirit of brotherhood and world curate analysis of the prevailing social dis- > > unity penetrating His very being as the con- order and its true remedy in the World Orsecrated Servant of Bahi. The significance der of BahiVlUh. > SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I > ACTIVITIES IN THE EAST > AND WEST > INTERNATIONAL > BY HORACE HOLLEY > > I N A world of swiftly augmenting vio- exerted an ethical and social influence > lence and disorder the Baha'i community equivalent to that of a true world soverhas become more profoundly conscious of eignty in the realm of conscience and will. > the blessedness of the spirit of peace emanat- Their institutions of local and National > ing from devotion to the Faith of Baha'u- Spiritual Assemblies have become recognized > 'llah. The period 1936-1938, characterized as social functions creating the foundation > > outwardly by such social perturbation, has of order and justice upon earth. The indibeen for Baha'is a truly Providential oppor- vidual believer has been subjected to an in- > > tunity for realizing the impassable gulf that creasing obligation to leave behind any > lies between faith and unfaith, between in- thoughts and subjective views incompatner effort to become identified with the ible with the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > > forces of the new age and outer response to In each local Baha'i community the qualthe pressure of uncontrollable historical ity of the Baha'i life, in distinction to > necessities. The tragic burden of life in a the life of the environment, has become in- > > disintegrating civilization has for Baha'is tensified. > > been lightened by access to such vital addi- The result has been a striking progress in > tions to the creative Word as "Gleanings the characteristics of world citizenship > from Writings of Baha'u'llah" and > the which distinguishes the Baha'i and is the > "Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah," in endowment of the renewal of religion in this > translations made by the Guardian of the age. The Baha'is have deepened their own > Faith. Shoghi Effendi's "The Unfoldment of personal and collective relationships to the > World Civilization," written in March, Faith,and thereby have obtained immunity > 1936, brought vivid realization of the sharp from those social diseases which, in the form > contrast between the spirit underlying the of political and economic philosophies sanc- > Baha'i community and the materialism tioning violence and breeding strife, have > which represents the final extremity of an- ravaged mankind in this period. > cient religions in decay. While the Baha'i commonwealth still re- > The Baha'i community, responding to the mains a spiritual and ethical reality and its > visible workings of divine destiny, has organic social virtues are latent and undelearned more consciously to cherish all those veloped, the believer has become the more > instruments by which world unity is being aware of their ultimate potency as he witestablished in a world at war. The spiritual nesses the daily failure of any other form > power expressed through their Guardian has of society to safeguard the true interests of > become for them both symbol and assurance human life. What wonder, therefore, that he > that the oneness of God is indissoluble from cherishes, despite the material weakness and > a process building the oneness of man. His insignificance of his community, its comguidance of a community outwardly sepa- pletely superhuman sources of confidence > rated in more than forty countries has and hope! From prayer and meditation on > 16 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the Sacred Writings of Baha'u'llah he derives and utterly confident of the ultimate tri- > > as from an inexhaustible spring an insight umph of His Faith. > into the future far outweighing his lack of > material power and influence in the present > AMERICA > hour. Since there can be no other future Between March 26, 1916, and April 22, > for mankind than that ordained by the 1917, 'Abdu'1-Baha revealed fourteen Tab- > Manifestation of God, the Baha'i looks out lets creating a worldwide teaching mission > > as from a firm stronghold upon the prevalent for the Baha'is of the United States and > > struggles of East and West, perceiving that Canada. Of these Tablets, four were dithe confusions of time can never alter the rected to the entire Baha'i community and > inevitable workings of cause and effect. two were addressed to the believers in each > The Baha'i, moreover, has come to realize of five definitely defined regions the > that the augmentation of spiritual force ac- Northeastern States, the Southern States, > cruing to every individual believer engaged the Central States, the Western States, and > in active service surpasses his experience in Canada. > former years. The issue has been drawn so An island of peace in the raging sea of > clearly between Baha'i and non-Baha'i that war, 'Abdu'1-Baha threw open the doors bethe believer feels astonished at his own posi- tween time and the timeless reality and to > tive assurance in upholding the Message the followers of Baha'u'llah disclosed with > under the most unfavorable conditions of majestic power the working of cause and > opposition or unbelief.The powers of oppo- effect. From the mountain of His vision > sition, formidable in appearance, have not He beheld the unfoldment of the Law of > relieved the mass of mankind of its anxious Peace, and shared that vision with the > disquietude and its gnawing unrest. Dealing American Baha'is. The Tablets could not > with human beings from the spiritual point at that time be delivered, since Palestine was > of view, the Baha'i discovers how inade- cut off from Amenta. They reached the > quately the armor plate of creed, of eco- American Baha'is in the spring of 1919, and > nomic or political philosophy, protects the were presented at the Annual Convention in > true inner conscience of his fellow man. A that year. > host of seekers surrounds the believer on all The mission itself far exceeded the capacsides,even though so many have not even ity of the Baha'i community to undertake or > yet become aware that their personal unrest even appreciate at the time. It fired the > > is the beginning of seeking. souls of individual believers, but no institu- > The Baha'i, finally, has come to the real- tions existed capable of arousing unified > ization that his community is capable of response. The Tablets created a spiritual > > extraordinary collective action. In the East, reality for which the human capacity had to > the evidence lies in the steady development be developed in later years. "In the conof the institutions of the Faith and in far- tingent world there are many collective > reaching teaching work. In the West, con- centers," He wrote, "which are conducive to > tinuance of Temple construction, teaching association and unity between the children > plans extending to new countries and regions of men. For example, patriotism is a collecand the formation of new Spiritual Assem- tive center; nationalism is a collective cen- > > blies, testifies to an organic strength the ter; identity of interests is a collective > > scope of which increases from year to year. center; political alliance is a collective cen- > Therefore, with a deep and poignant rever- ter; the union of ideals is a collective center, > ence, the followers of Baha'u'llah feel and the prosperity of the world of humanity > themselves part of a world commonwealth is dependent upon the organization and > integral in aim and outlook, sundered by no promotion of the collective centers. Neverboundaries of nation, race, class or creed, theless, all the above institutions are in > > fully aware of the perilous and oppressive reality the matter and not the substance, > divisions of the society about them, obedient accidental and not eternal temporary and > to its civil obligations, suffering with its not everlasting. With the appearance of > agony, but unblinded by its mass hysterias great revolutions and upheavals, all these > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 17 > > collective centers are swept away. But the American continent might ere termination > collective center of the Kingdom, embody- (of) century (1944) embrace > this glorious > > ing the Institutes and divine Teachings, is (the) light (of the) Faith of Baha'u'llah > the eternal Collective Center. It establishes and establish (the) structural basis of His > relationship between the East and the West, World Order." > organizes the oneness of the world of hu- From the hour when this message was premanity, and destroys the foundation of sented, the American believers have made > differences." So briefly and so calmly, the supreme and collective effort to rise to that > Interpreter of Baha'u'llah's Revelation estab- world of action and complete consecration > lished a truth which anticipated all the revealed in 'Abdu'l-Baha's words. Their > tragic experiences of the post-war world, realm of responsibility has widened to inendeavoring as it has to build civilization clude Mexico, Central America, the islands > upon those limited interests which may not of the Caribbean Sea and South America. A > survive the "appearance of great revolutions sense of intimate personal conviction has > and upheavals." grown rapidly in the hearts. The feeling of > Again, 'Abdu'1-Baha wrote: "The blessed crisisand challenge has galvanized the com- > Person of the Promised One is interpreted in munity. It has become realized that true > the Holy Book as the Lord of Hosts, i.e., the faith means capacity for growth, that a > > heavenly armies. By heavenly armies those passive and static acceptance of the Baha'i > souls are intended who are entirely freed teachings is sterile and unacceptable. > from the human world, transformed into Among the successive letters and cablecelestialspirits and become divine angels. grams received from Shoghi Effendi in pur- > . .These souls are the armies of God and > . suance of the mission laid upon America, the > the conquerors of the East and the West." following, dated July 30, 1936, was espe- > These Tablets, as may be realized now, cially impressive: "I entreat American beforecast a degree of conscious maturity lievers (to) ponder afresh (the) urgency > which the early Baha'is could not foresee, (to) rededicate themselves (to the) task (of > and established the world of action amid a the) complete fulfillment (of the) Divine > community still clinging to the subjective Plan. . Time is short. (The) sands (of > . . > > and personal elements of faith. Individuals a) chaotic, despairing civilization (are) > and local communities, however, did respond steadily running out. Founded on (the) > to the Master's inspiration, most notably in unity (and) understanding so splendidly > the case of Martha L. Root, whose historic achieved, functioning within (the) frameinternational teaching work drew its orig- work (of the) administrative Order (so) > inating impulse from 'Abdu'l-Baha's world- laboriously erected, inspired (by the) vision > encircling Plan. (of the) Temple edifice (so) nobly reared, > Twenty-four years had to pass after the galvanized into action (by the) realization > date of His journey to America in 1912 be- (of the) rapidly deteriorating world situafore the mission could become a definite tion, (the) American Baha'i community > objective for the American Baha'is. From should rise as never before (to the) height > Shoghi Effendi the Convention of 1936 re- (of the) opportunity now confronting it. > ceived a cablegram containing these words: Audacity, resolution (and) self-abnegation > "Appeal (to) assembled delegates ponder (are) imperatively demanded." > historic appeal voicedby 'Abdu'1-Baha (in) In a cablegram addressed to the Annual > Tablets (of the) Divine Plan. Urge earnest Convention held in 1937, the Guardian > deliberation with incoming National Assem- added the task of completing the external > bly (to) insure its complete fulfillment. decoration of the House of Worship to the > First century (of) Baha'i Era drawing to a teaching work assigned to the remaining > close. Humanity entering outer fringes years of the first century of the Baha'i era. > most perilous stage of its existence. Oppor- "First, prosecute uninterruptedly teaching > tunities (of) present hour unimaginably campaign inaugurated (at) last Convention > precious. Would to God every State within in accordance (with) Divine Plan. Second, > American Republic and every Republic in resume with inflexible determination ex- > 18 THE BAHA'f WORLD > terior ornamentation (of) entire structure and remain long enough in new regions to > (of) Temple. . No triumph can more > . , form groups of resident Baha'is; in other > signalize termination (of) first > befit tingly cases a local group by its own activity decentury (of) Baha'i era than accomplish- veloped to the point of electing a Spiritual > ment (of) this twofold task. Advise pro- Assembly; while in still other instances an > longation (of) Convention sessions (to) established Baha'i community had carried > enable delegates consult National Assembly out a plan for establishing a new group in > to formulate feasible Seven Year Plan (to) some nearby city. Noteworthy likewise has > assure success Temple enterprise. No sacri- been the development of a vast number of > fice too great for community so abundantly informal home or "fireside" study classes in > blessed, (so) repeatedly honored." the established communities. In some cities, > In response to the vast enlargement of in addition to the lectures and classes conteaching responsibility, an Inter- America ducted at the Baha'i Center, from five to > Committee was formed in 1936 to initiate twenty homes maintained study programs > and supervise activities in Mexico, Central for seekers. Eighty-two new cities were > America, South America and the islands of opened to Baha'i teaching activity during > the Caribbean sea. 1937-1938. > The United States and Canada were The subject of teacher-training has remapped out with Regional Teaching Com- ceived greatly increased attention. In this > mittees to intensify effort in all areas and field the three Summer Schools exert para- > > particularly in those not yet represented in mount influence, raising the standard both > the Baha'i community. of knowledge and of instruction throughout > In 1937 a schedule of Temple construc- North America. At least fifteen local Astion was adopted under which it would be semblies reported having initiated teacher- > > possible to complete the external decoration training classes in their locality. This > by successive contracts within the necessary significant develppment, making for flexiperiod of seven years. bility in the presentation of the Teachings > The larger events of the two-year period to individuals, public audiences and study > under review can be described in connection classes, reflects not only the fact that a body > with these three actions of the National of fundamental and authentic Baha'i litera- > Spiritual Assembly. ture has become available in book form but > In summarizing the teaching work ac- also the fact, noted in a previous Inter- > > complished in North America during 1936- national Survey, that the Baha'i community > 1937, the Teaching Committee reported that itself has grown out of the simple, evangeli- > Baha'i groups or individual believers had cal stage of experience and entered the > been established in five of the twelve unoc- maturity of conscious spiritual citizenship in > cupied States or Provinces: Nebraska, Wy- the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > oming, Oklahoma, North Dakota, North The current two-year period witnessed > Carolina, and the Faith had been carried to the first determined and organized effort to > forty-two new cities. Teaching circuits set spread the Faith into the other American > up in various parts of the country made it countries. Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Gregory > possible for a succession of lecturers to visit spent several months in Haiti, and left a > a total of thirty-eight cities in four different number of serious students of the Teachings. > regions. Eight new Spiritual Assemblies Mrs. Isabel Stebbins Dodge, resident in Peru, > were formed on April 21, 1938, making a was joined by her mother and, with her, fostotal of seventy-eight Assemblies in the tered widespread interest in the city of Lima. > United States and Canada. Mrs. S. W. French likewise contributed to > In some instances the new areas were cul- the activities in that city during a voyage > tivated by devoted pioneer Baha'is who around South America. Mrs. French, moreabandoned their homes and daily occupations over, secured interesting publicity in the > in order to settle and build their lives anew press of Valparaiso and made contacts in > in another part of the country. In other Magallanes and Bahia, where Miss Leonora > instances individuals- were enabled to travel Holsapple has resided so many years for the > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 19 > > sake of the Faith. Mrs. Frances Benedict Australia and New Zealand; and the truly > Stewart attended the People's Conference at heroic services rendered by the American > Buenos Aires in November, 1937, and estab- Baha'is resident abroad, Miss Marion Jack in > lished interest among many Latin American Sofia and Mrs. and Miss Sharpe in Tihran. > > delegates. Miss Beatrice Irwin devoted some After completing their work at the Intersix months to teaching in Mexico City and national Baha'i Bureau, Geneva, Mr. and > other Mexican towns during 1937, lecturing, Mrs. Charles Bishop rendered valued assistholding study groups and supplying litera- ance to the Faith in France and England. > ture to persons of influence and capacity. A message from Shoghi Effendi, dated > To Mexico City also came Mrs. Stewart, who November 25, 1937, crowns the teaching > found it possible to instruct a group who, on effort of the American believers during this > April 21, 1938, proceeded to establish the period: > first Spiritual Assembly in the Americas out- "As I lift up my gaze beyond the strain > side of the United States and Canada. Miss and stresses which a struggling Faith must > Eve Nicklin carried on very helpful activity necessarily experience, and view the wider > in Bahia for a number of months. scene which the indomitable will of the > The problem of creating a body of Baha'i American Baha'i community is steadily unliterature in Spanish has been vigorously at- folding, I cannot but marvel at the range > tacked by the Inter-America Committee, which the driving force of their ceaseless > with the result that two pamphlets were labors has acquired and the heights which > > newly translated and published, other pam- the sublimity of their faith has attained. > phlets assigned to translators, and the policy The outposts of a Faith, already persecuted > adopted of publishing at least one Spanish in both Europe and Asia, are in the Ameritext a year. The need of teachers able to can continent steadily advancing, the visible > speak the native language of South Ameri- symbols of its undoubted sovereignty are > can countries has limited the scope of per- receiving fresh luster every day and its manisonal teaching work during these beginning fold institutions are driving their roots > > years. The need for an International Train- deeper and deeper into its soil. Blest and > ing School in North America, to prepare honored as none among its sister communi- > Baha'i teachers for work in other countries, ties has been in recent years, preserved > has become apparent. through the dispensations of > inscrutable > Meanwhile, however, individual Ameri- Divine Providence for a destiny which no > can Baha'is have continued to render impor- mind can as yet imagine, such a community > tant in Europe and the Orient, > services cannot for a moment afford to be content > revealing the continued inspiration received with or rest on the laurels it has so deservfrom the Tablets of 'Abdu'1-Baha. edly won. It must go on, continually go on, > Record is therefore made of the following exploring fresh fields, scaling nobler heights, > international services: first and foremost, laying firmer foundations, shedding added > Miss Martha L. Root's teaching work in splendor and achieving added renown in the > Japan, China, India and Burma; Miss Mary service and for the glory of the Cause of > Maxwell's notable teaching activities in Ger- Baha'u'Ilah. The seven year plan which it > many; the accomplishments of Mrs. J. Ru- has sponsored and with which its destiny is > hanguiz and Miss Jeanne Negar Bolles in so closely interwoven, must at all costs be > Europe, particularly that leading to the prosecuted with increasing force and added > formation of a Spiritual Assembly in Buda- consecration. All should arise and participest; Mme. Orlova's lectures in Northern pate. Upon the measure of such a participa- > Europe, Germany and England; Mrs. Lorol tion will no doubt depend the welfare and > Schopflocher's ardent activities in Europe progress of those distant communities which > and her publication of "Sunburst," a book of are now battling for their emancipation. > travel and Baha'i experience, in London; Mr. To such a priceless privilege the inheritors of > Siegfried Schopflocher's many > meetings in the shining grace of Baha'u'Ilah cannot > Australia, India and Burma; Mrs. Stewart surely be indifferent. The American be- > French's lectures and publicity in cities of lievers must gird up the loins of endeavor > 'Abdu'1-Baha at Leland Stanford University, October 8, 1912. > > The bridge in Baghdad across which BahaVllah passed on His way to > the garden of Ridvan. > > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 21 > > and step into the arena of service with such added to the House of Worship by the conheroism as shall astound the entire Baha'i tract for the external decoration of the > world. Let them be assured that my prayers gallery unit, the value of Baha'i property in > will continue to be offered on their behalf." North America was increased during these > Immediately following the 1937 Conven- two years by more than $30,000. > tion a Technical Committee studied the fac- The following reports supply the importors entering into the resumption of tant details of the teaching activities already > Temple > construction, and in August of that year re- brieflymentioned. (Miss Martha L. Root's > ported its findings and recommendations to work is reported separately in a separate secthe Temple Trustees, whereupon a contract tion later on in the survey. ) > was entered into with Mr. John J. Earley for From Miss Mary Maxwell has been rethe external decoration of the gallery section ceived a graphic description of her teaching > of the House of Worship at Wilmette. > By in Germany, 1935-36. > the end of the two-year period under con- "The first contact that I made with the > sideration, April 21, 1938, the models and Baha'is of Germany was on the occasion of > molds called for by Mr. Bourgeois* exquisite the Esslingen Summer School in August of > designs had been completed and a number of 1935. Of all the many and varied impresfinished castings put in place. The con- sions that flowed into my mind the deepest > struction schedule as adopted by the con- and most sacred was that of hearing the > tractor included the completion of the nine > meeting opened by reading a Baha'i prayer > sides of the gallery section before the end of in German. Though I could scarcely under- > 1938, except for six or seven of the nine stand it, the power and beauty of the crepylons, all of which were to be cast in place. ative Word was distinct and a consciousness > The unfinished pylons were to be completed of the innate and glorious oneness of the folby early spring, 1939, for an estimated cost lowers of BahaVllah the world over > of $125,000. The estimated cost of all the streamed into me with a sense of joy and > external decoration had been fixed at gratitude. How much we American visitors > $350,000. learned at that summer school session! > The end of the first of the vitally impor- Those of us, who like myself, knew practitant seven years before the end of the first cally no German still took away at the end > century of the Baha'i era therefore witnessed of the week a wealth of new concepts. It is > a great achievement in almost a two mile walk from the village of > Temple construction > as well as in the > teaching activities. Esslingen to the top of the mountain where > In addition, the Baha'i facilities of the the 'Baha'i Home' is, taxis being rare and > American community were considerably expensive all excursions are on foot when > augmented by the gift of a dormitory to the one cares to go down for any reason and as > Summer School at Geyserville, California, we would toil back up the steep hill on a hot > and the gift of a Hall for religious and lec- August day we used to laugh and gasp and > ture meetings at Green Acre Summer School ask each other how many people would atat Eliot, Maine, together with improvements tend the American summer schools under > and added accommodations in the Green the same circumstances? I must say we felt > Acre Inn and adjoining cottages, and the rather ashamed of our luxury-loving standpresentation to Green Acre of a cottage and ards. The Meetings, though an atmosphere > several acres of land. Two lots were also of informality prevails among the German > donated to the property held by Trustees at friends and greatly adds to the sense of be- > West Englewood, New Jersey. The house at ing one large family, were serious and schol- > Maiden, Massachusetts, consecrated to arly. There was time after lunch to walk, > 'Abdu'1-Baha, was left by its owner, the late discuss in small groups and form valued > Miss Maria Wilson, in a condition demandfriendships. The evenings were spent listening considerable repair and improvement, > ing to music, provided often by a father and > and the Trustees found it possible during his son of ten, or in recitation of poetry or > 1937 and 1938 to carry out a number of informal talks. The work is all done > urgent repairs. In addition to the value through the devotion and sacrifice of the be- > 22 THE BAHA'f WORLD > lievers, some even taking their annual holi- March 10, arrival in Rostock, evening > day at this time in order to work in the meeting. > " > kitchen. Indeed building itself was > the 11, arrival in Warnemimde, evening > largely erected by the Baha'is themselves. meeting > " > Such an atmosphere cannot but impress even 12, arrival in Hamburg. > " > a stranger to the Cause. Mrs. Helen Bishop 13, evening meeting. > most courteously suggested I take over her > scheduled talk on 'The Dawn-Breakers/ True to all community life I found that > which I did and experienced the miseries of each center had its particular problem, its > > having to have every word translated. This particular strong points. The Dresden > provided the greatest incentive for my learn- Baha'is, a devoted handful of sincere and > > ing German in all haste. loyal believers, needed a good resident > > "After the summer school I left Germany teacher: the Leipzig ones were not allowed to > > for Belgium and while there received a letter hold any private meetings due to a police > from Shoghi Effendi encouraging me to ruling on all societies in that city: the Berlin > make Germany the center of my activity in friends were a group with a large percentage > > Europe and expressing the opinion that my of Jews, old and staunch Baha'is, but this > future work would be greatly helped constituted a delicate situation not only > > through my collaboration with the German locally but nationally because of the general > Baha'is. In December I returned to Munich conditions. The Rostock-Warnemiinde > where I remained until March. For the first group were active but small: Hamburg > time in the history of the Cause in that city needed, as is often the case when the Cause > a regular Baha'i group met there, commemo- passes from the informal group stage to that > rated the Nineteen Day Feasts, and held a of the Administration, a resident worker > weekly study class. This was made possible and so I remained there until the end of > as Mrs. J. Ruhanguiz Bolles, Miss Bertha April. What work" I did consisted of look- > Matthiesen, Miss Jeanne Bolles and myself ing up and visiting the old members of the > were living there and all believers, albeit first Hamburg group, of trying to bring a > > Americans. However Mr. Alfons Grassl clearer understanding of the nature and pur- > > attended every meeting and considered him- pose of Baha'i Administration and sometimes > self a Baha'i and indeed has since been ac- giving talks at the weekly meetings. Also to > cepted by the German National Spiritual arrange in collaboration with the National > Assembly as one, being the first Munich Youth Committee of America for a meeting > Baha'i. Other interested people attended the of the Hamburg young people to celebrate > small group that met in our rooms and no the Naw-Ruz Day in the same way as > doubt the first foundation for a future groups the world over were doing on > > spread of the Cause there was laid. March 22. > "In March I started out on a speaking "The Cause in Germany has gone through > tour to all the places where there were much the same phases as in America; from > Baha'is in Germany. This trip was arranged informal, loosely held together groups who > by the Teaching Committee and as my Ger- loved the broadness of the teachings and > man was not strong enough to speak ex- cherished the glorious personalities of its > > temporaneously I wrote a speech on the sub- central figures; a period of test and struggle > > ject of the Administration and my teacher > after the ascension of 'Abdu'1-Baha; the uncorrected the grammar. The schedule was foldment of the concept of the World Oras follows: der, its laws and implications by the > Guardian and the attendant reaction of some > March 6, arrival in Dresden, individuals who were not attracted to the > " > 7, evening meeting. entirety of the Faith but rather those points > " > 8, arrival in Leipzig, evening meet- that dovetailed with their own views and, > ing. finally, the definite, strong, deep establish- > " > 9, arrival in Berlin, evening meet- ment of the Administrative Order which is > ing. now firmly achieved in Germany, but which > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 23 > > nevertheless needed to be elucidated to many National Assembly held their meeting durof the former type of believer, anxious to ing the summer school session and were > understand it. It was in helping to elucidate most kind in allowing me to report my imthese things that the traveling American be- pressions of the work in the different centers > lievers could render their share of service to of Germany. Also at the same to suggest to > their German co-workers. For profundity, them that they organize a Youth Committee > thoroughness and maturity of understanding for the Baha'i youth. There were a number > we shall need to borrow much from them in of most active and eager young believers at > return. the summer school and through discussions > "Mr. Klitzing, a believer living in Graal with them the idea of proposing this to the > near Rostock, offered me the hospitality of National Assembly arose. The National Ashis home, which was very much appreciated sembly accepted the suggestion and promptas I was somewhat exhausted from my first ly nominated a committee. > effort alone in the teaching field. We were "After the Summer School I visited > able to give the message to a number of the Munich and then the other groups in the > towns-people and we hope in the future they southern part of Germany which I had not > will call it to mind > and be comforted by it. covered in my previous tour: Heidelberg, > From Graal I attended the 'Norddeutsche- Karlsruhe, Geisslingen, Frankfurt and back > tagung,' a regional conference held over the to Hamburg where I was joined by my > week end and having members from Warne- mother who had also been visiting the varimiinde, Rostock, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden ous southern centers. The work in Hamas well as Dr. Muhlschlegel from Stuttgart burg had become much more active. Mrs. > and Miss Sorensen from Copenhagen, Den- Bolles, Miss Bolles, Mrs. Schopflocher as well > mark. Held in an old farm house in a small as other German friends had visited it and > village, Diedrichshagen, near Warnemiinde stimulated it to new life. Jeanne Bolles and > it presented both isolation and charm as a I started a youth group there which met > background for the sessions, the friends rent- every week and showed deep interest in the > ing extra rooms in nearby houses and bunk- teachings although only one youth in it was > ing together. This was the second annual a Baha'i of Hamburg, Helmut Prietzel, and > conference to be held and it was well at- he was under twenty-one. After over a > tended by Baha'is and some interested month's work in Hamburg I left to join Mr. > friends. Klitzing in Schwerin, the capital of Meck- > "The latter part of June and early July lenburg. Mr. Klitzing and his wife had > I spent in Berlin but felt the work there previously lived and worked there and he > required mature resident teacher who > a was most anxious to start activities again. > would carry on for a period of months, at We got the former group together in the > least. Returning from Paris in August, I home of Mrs. Peters, but this particular small > again did some work in Munich, this time city, the capital of a very conservative dishelping my mother teach. We then at- trict and one whose racial feelings run > tended the Esslingen Summer School to- strong, proved an almost impossible territory. > gether. The Summer School Committee had In spite of the good will of all concerned, we > kindly asked me to speak and this time it left feeling convinced that it was a center > > was in German, an incorrect but very sin- which required patient and wise husbanding. > cere German, which all the friends accepted In the future it will surely spring to life > in the spirit in which it was given and over- again. > looked the many mistakes. How happy to "I met my mother in Rostock and after a > again see the faces of the Baha'is, grown so week's work with the friends of that city > near and dear through a year's association, to and Warnemiinde we went to Berlin and, > know their problems, speak their language, without being able to arrange any meeting, > love their beautiful country and respect their left on December 25 for Rome-Naplespeople. I truly realized what I had gained Haifa, the point of longing for all Baha'is > through my close association with them, as once they set foot on European soil. Travel- > Shoghi Effendi had said I would. The ing is one of the most fruitful ways of > 24 THE BAHA'f WORLD > teaching and on trains I found myself con- Honolulu very early on August 23, but nottinually telling people the purpose of my withstanding the early hour, we were met by > visitto their country. The Germans are two of the friends and garlanded with leis > very friendly and they always like to be while they greeted us with beautiful enthucourteous to strangers, most particularly siasm and presented an invitation to lunch > nowadays when foreign opinion is so bitter with all the members of the Baha'i Comagainst them, and as I truly loved their munity at the home of Mrs. Marques at one > country and as a Baha'i remembered the o'clock. After a drive in the morning we > wonderful promises 'Abdu'1-Baha has made were met and conducted to the house and > regarding them, it was easy for me to pour there were gathered all of the friends who > out to them a part at least of the Cause I were in Honolulu at the time and it was a > loved and was trying to serve. Many peo- blessed reunion. After lunch we gathered > ple have heard of the Cause in Germany about in a large circle and discussed many > through the German friends and travelers important matters connected with the Adfrom abroad, but the people of Europe are ministrative Order or with the teaching > stifled with fear, fear of war, of hunger, of work. The friends were most eager and at > misery, things they have tasted of in a way the end of the afternoon when it was time > unknown to the North Americans. When for us to return to the ship we felt that our > > they do find the time ripe in their lives to discussion was only just begun and we > turn to, and accept these teachings, all that parted with the joyful anticipation of meetthey have suffered will be a wonderful ing again on our return when our schedule > foundation for their great services. Every permitted another stop of one day. > Baha'i who has associated with his German "The voyage between Honolulu and our > brothers and sisters cannot but feel and next port, Pago-Pago (pronounced Pang-orealize this, and love and honor them." Pang-o) which is one of the Samoan group, > Mrs. Nellie S. French has supplied an out- is five days of tropical sea which I should like > > line of her experiences in Honolulu, New to describe, especially in connection with the > Zealand and Australia from August to Oc- appearance of this beautiful island and its > > tober, 1937. inhabitants, but this, as well as whereFiji, > "A record of over sixty thousand miles we spent a day both going and coming, were > covered within the last sixteen months not attended with any direct teaching activiwould seem to indicate a nervous restlessness ties and so do not need to claim space in this > > unless directed toward some great purpose, report, altho in passing I would say that > and the purpose when centered in the pur- both with passengers disembarking in Pagosuit of spreading the Faith of Baha'u'llah is Pago and Suva (Fiji) I had been able to mennot only amply justified, but is undoubtedly tion the teachings and I hope that the seed > showered with blessings from the Abha may not have been planted in sterile soil. > Kingdom which make one very humble in "Pago-Pago is now a possession of the > realizing these wonderful privileges. United States and Fiji belongs to England so > "A report has already been rendered of the that in both places excellent sanitary condivisit to Iceland, Spitzbergen, Norway, tions prevail, schools and hospitals have been > > Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Germany in- established and the physical condition of the > > cluding the Esslingen Summer School and natives well looked after. The islands are > Switzerland; and also the story of the cir- extremely beautiful and clothed with a > cumnavigation of South America with stops tropical verdure such as one sees nowhere > at each of the large ports has been told, with else. The Samoans are lighter in color than > the circumstances of distributing literature, the Fijis but both races are handsome and > teaching groups or securing press recogni- stalwart-looking and seem very intelligent. > tion. So now there remains to report this We noticed their reticence at first and were > last journey upon which we embarked on pained to realize that it must have arisen by > August 18 from Los Angeles harbor and the attitude of the white visitors to these > from which we have just returned. islands.However, after a few minutes' deal- > "Our steamer, the Mariposa, reached ings with them in the purchase of their > *rt > > < > > rt > PQ > > c > > _fi > > o > > I > > 26 THE BAHA'f WORLD > wares, baskets, we found them > mostly and responsive and keenly alive to the refriendly and responsive and very cordial. quirements of the Administrative Order > One chief invited us into his hut as it had which they, as well as the New Zealand > begun to shower, which it does frequently friends are studying and applying with great > and without warning, and instead of our earnestness of purpose. They wanted to > > questioning him, he did the questioning and know how the American National Spiritual > was deeply concerned when we told him that Assembly met and dealt with certain queswe had no sons or daughters. When we tions, how we advanced the Faith before the > > parted he pressed us to return and pay them public, how many meetings are held during > a visit, but as the houses, or huts, contain no the year (they at present have only one > furniture whatever except the grass mats on when their National Assembly meets, so they > the hard floors, we could not promise to ac- must confer entirely by correspondence) . > > cept his hospitality. The distances which separate the members > "At both Pago-Pago and Suva we had one are just as great as in America, for Australia > > day each both going and coming, but as Suva is as broad, if not a little broader, than the > is somewhat further south than Pago we United States, and Perth on the west coast > out of the Tropics and on is five days distant from the east where Adegradually passed > the fourth day reached Auckland, where it laide, Melbourne and Sydney are, and yet > was cold and rainy. The change is very these last three are distant some thirty-six > severe and occasioned a great deal of sick- hours by train from each other. Then the > ness among the passengers which we fortu- New Zealand contingent must travel by > nately escaped. sea three or four days to reach the meeting > "And now how to describe the arrival at place. > Auckland! Although it was early in the "At Sydney that evening we made plans > morning, eight or nine of the friends ap- for a public meeting at which I was to speak > peared each bearing flowers and extending on our return visit from Melbourne which > that warm greeting which, with Baha'is who was the end of the voyage. Much of the > have never met, goes straight to the heart greatest interest transpired in Sydney where > and at once welds a link which is never to be Father and Mother Dunn now reside and > broken! That evening I had the joy of visit- where the friends seem very active. > ing the friends at their center and of address- "Melbourne is two days' journey further > ing them, suiting my discourse to a number south and here we spent four days during > of enquirers who had been invited to meet which time I met frequently with the > me. It was > a lovely occasion which was friends trying to assist them with some of > brought to a close with the cordial accom- their problems and discussing many phases > > paniment of a cup of tea, also the promise of of the Administrative Order with them. The > a further visit on our return. A reporter establishment of the administration, as well > visited me in the morning and an account of as personal differences had caused many to > the interview was > published, which the drift away from the center so that now there > friends said was the longest press notice they are not enough believers in Melbourne to > had ever had. form a Spiritual Assembly. They are under- > "Three days of Tasman Sea crossing going many severe trials but there is a > which, we were warned, would probably be nucleus of fine, firm believers and I feel that > very rough but was only mildly so, brought if an energetic, live teacher were to go there > > us to Sydney where we again made a joyous to reside the Cause would grow at once. > entrance welcomed by a number of the "Several Australians whom we had met on > friends who invited us to be present that the boat and some relatives of Mrs. Ella > evening for a real Baha'i visit and consulta- Cooper to whom she had given us letters are > tion. Their room in a large office building among the most promising prospects for the > isvery attractive but they are outgrowing it expansion of the work. Both going and > and soon will have to seek larger quarters. coming on the steamer we were able to in- > "We covered a great deal of ground dur- terest many people and although I was not > ing the evening and I found them most eager permitted to give a 'lecture' on the ship I > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 27 > > did talk with several groups and also dis- "On the return to New Zealand we entertribute some literature. tained the friends at tea on the ship and part- > "There were two outstanding features of ing was attended with the same wrench > the visit to Melbourne; the first was an invi- which we had felt on leaving Australia. > tation, on the arrival of the ship, to give an "I have refrained from mentioning the > interview over the Radio. This I did with names of any of the friends specifically begreat joy, speaking of the Baha'i Faith, ex- cause they, one and all, were so fine and so > plaining its significance and my connection cordial and all expressed in every way their > with it, with the friends in New Zealand and love for the Cause and their intense interest > Australia. A record of the interview was in every phase of its development. We have > made and it was broadcast a second time that only the highest praise for all we saw > that > > evening when I was able to hear it myself, and experienced and the only comment > and to realize how far short it had fallen which could be made would be perhaps that > from what I would have wished it to be. there is a lack of initiative, which we all > "The second feature was the meeting with know is not confined to any one part of the > Miss Effie Baker who for ten years resided in globe. It seems to me that we have not re- > Haifa and is now an isolated believer and in- lied upon the assistance of Baha'u'llah and > tensely hungry for association with the have not yet found the doors which He defriends. I was so glad to meet her and to sires us to open for the spread of His Word. > > have her with us for the days that we were "On our return visit to Honolulu there > there. The last day of our sojourn the were more leis, more joyous welcomes and > friends all came to tea with me on the ship another lovely luncheon, this time at the > f > and so stayed to wave good-bye* to us as home of our dear Baha'i sister, Katherine > we sailed away, homeward bound. Baldwin, whose lovely living-room she has > "We had no newspaper publicity in Mel- now turned over for the meetings of the > bourne, but the Radio was a great boon and Community for the coming year. Honolulu > on return to Sydney a long interview was is so richly blest and the Community so > given which, however, appeared only after strong and so well-informed that I feel sure > we had sailed and has not yet reached me. we may expect great things from it in the > This interview should contain also a photo- near future. The fragrance of the flowers > graph of the friends who formed a group in bespeaks the fragrance of His love, the colors > the hall after the public meeting at which I of sea and sky and trees and plants are like > had spoken on the 'New Day' which was the the rainbow of His Covenant, the absence > subject they had chosen. The meeting was of race prejudice to a marked degree bespeaks > well attended and the interest was sustained the blessings of the future Baha'i commonand gratifying to a degree. The friends wealth and we are blest indeed to have seen > seemed very happy over it and really made us and experienced the love and devotion of > feel that our hopes had been realized and that the friends in all of these islands of the great > we had been able to suit our remarks to the Pacific Ocean." > > Sydney audience. From Mrs. J. Ruhanguiz Bolles has come > "The departure the next day was attended a notable record of two years' teaching in > by the friends, and although it is always many countries. > difficult to visit adeparting ship with the Mrs. J. Ruhanguiz Bolles gives the folcrowds and bustle of sailing, still dear lowing account of her two years' teaching > Mother and Father Dunn came with the experiences in Europe. > other friends and brought us all the love and "In 1935 Shoghi Effendi had told some > assurance of the Baha'i world of Australia. pilgrims in Haifa that he hoped American be- > They all showered us with gifts and flowers lievers, those who could, would go to Euand as we sailed away we clung to the rope to teach the Faith before a possible war > streamers until the distance finally parted broke out. Like a number of others, we felt > them, always rejoicing in our meeting and in we should like to go, if the Guardian > the hope for the growth and spread of our thought it important at that time. Jeanne > dear Faith. Bolles and Mary Maxwell being the moving > 28 THE BAHA'f WORLD > factors in this decision, early in July of 1935, family who were returning to America and > together with Randolph Bolles, Jr., we sailed there during the three months of our stay > for Europe. Landing in Hamburg, Ger- we visited the believers in London and Orpmany, we took a flying trip to a number of ington. We had been asked by Iranian, Ger- > German cities, Frankfort, Cologne, Heidel- man and American friends to urge the > burg, Nuremberg and Munich where Mrs. believers there to have a summer school. > Maxwell had preceded us, giving the Baha'i They gave us an opportunity to speak about > message at every opportunity. Our first real the American and German schools and with > introduction to the German believers, how- the Guardian's encouragement they had their > ever, was in Esslingen, near Stuttgart, which first summer school that year with great sucwas visited twice by the Master during his cess. After several months in England we > travels. Greeted by one of the veteran Ger- joined Mrs. Maxwell in Brussels, Belgium. > man believers, we were conducted up the With her excellent French to help her she > mountain to the attractive building 'Baha'i had interested a number of people in the > HausT constructed by the friends them- Revelation, as well as some Belgians, and an > selves and in which the sessions of the sum- informal meeting was held. Shoghi Eflfendi, > mer school were held, with a detective, for like the Master, encourages correspondence > ten wonderful days. Soon we realized our- and says, 'communication is half a meeting.' > * > selves to be in a real Baha'i bees' nest' for Besides Brusselswe visited Antwerp and > honey was plentiful among these believers, Ghent. To the latter city we had been inspeaking another language, yet in terms of vited by an Egyptian, a Rockefeller research > the spirit and heart, it was the same tongue student, the first to be so honored his > by > indeed. Here, living in close companionship country. He was very interested to meet > with them on the mountainside, we learned American Baha'is and urged us to visit his > to know the penetrating intellect and depth home in Cairo, which we did later with two > of soul of our talented > and unassuming members of the Egyptian National Spiritual > brothers and Also > present were > sisters. > Assembly. From Belgium we went via Luxfriends from > Holland, Canada and the emburg where we spent two days, seizing > United States (nine nations were repre- every opportunity to spread the Faith, to St. > sented). With those devoted souls we had Moritz, Switzerland; in that charming > a marvelous teaching week. The Germans world-village we enjoyed our three weeks' > being so thoroughgoing mostly present stay. We met Madame Auguste O. Zckokke, > papers on the Faith, which in excellency are a Swiss singer of note, and the wife of a Swiss > second to none. After those stimulating professor who proved most interested in the > and inspiring days in Esslingen, at the request teachings. With them we met to study and > of the German National Spiritual Assembly, discuss the Faith. > an American believer and Mrs. Jeanne Ruh- "The greatest means of introduction to > anguiz Bolles visited and spoke in a number the Baha'i Faith in Switzerland are the words > of German centers, Nuremberg, Dresden, from the Will and Testament of their great > Berlin and Karlsruhe. During this trip kind countryman Auguste Forel, which are > cooperation and friendly hospitality was ex- set down by him in his 'Ruckblick auf > tended to them by the friends of these cities mein Leben' ('Looking back upon my life'), > who seemed delighted to hear about the Faith p. 296. > in their own tongue. In Karlsruhe we were > "Shoghi Effendi then wished us to teach in > privileged to be the guests of Frau Dr. Braun southern Germany so we proceeded to > and Madame Forel, the daughter and widow Munich, the city of 'Music and Gemutlichof the late Dr. Auguste Forel, famous Swiss keit,'where Miss Mary Maxwell had already > scientist, one of the first European scientists arrived and where we found an American > to accept the Baha'i Faith. Afterwards we believer who was the Faith in > teaching > returned to Stuttgart to present a written > Europe. Meetings were immediately started > report in English and a translation of it and gradually we interested a number of > into German. From Stuttgart we went to > young people in that city, one of whom be- > England to bid farewell to members of our came a believer, the first in Munich. An- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 29 > > other, alas, was too afraid of the government rooned us there for twelve. On this enchantto declare herself. ing island was a singer from Czechoslovakia > "The winter Olympics lured us to Gar- who happened to ask a sympathizer of the > misch Partenkirchen and although there was Faith, the Polish Consul-General in Rome, > a 'momentum of pleasure,' it > considerable formerly of Montreal, Canada, if he had ever > was astounding how interested people seemed heard of the Baha'i Faith. To this he laughto be in the Baha'i Cause and how they ingly replied, 'My Baha'i friends who have > wanted to have literature which was sent to been detained here will gladly tell you all > them later. There were, of course, people they know about it.' Here we see again a > from many lands and we hope that those who confirmation of the Master's words, that no > listened to the message will hear it again in and so a very sincere and > effort shall be lost > their own countries and remember. Hear- capable soul Providence decreed was to be > ing of a German believer in Innsbruck, Aus- further acquainted with the new world > tria, we crossed into Austria to pay her a order. When we left Capri, she embraced us > visit,returning again to Munich. Meetings saying to please tell Shoghi Effendi that she > again were resumed for several weeks. Severe would devote her free time to the service of > illness forced us to move to Mittenwald on the Faith and that whatever he wished she > the German border where people listened would do. Later the Guardian sent her, > wonderingly to the Revelation of which they through us, an Esslemont in the Czech lanhad never heard. Not until we got to Venice guage telling her to read it, study it and if > did comparative health return in its healing she believed, to teach her fellowmen. She > sunshine and caressing breezes. Some Ger- has faithfully responded to the Guardian's > mans and Italians became interested in the advice and is today an active believer, teach- > Faith there and literature was presented to ing in her own land and in Italy. At last we > them. In Florence, Madame C. B. received were going to take the boat to Alexandria on > us very cordially. This able lady had trans- which were many pious Jews going to Paleslated Dr. Esslemont's book with an Ameri- tine where four great Faiths converge! We > can believer and was very eager for news of could have gone direct to Haifa but felt that > the Faith in other lands. Unfortunately she Shoghi Effendi would have wished us to visit > felt that under the present government she the believersin Cairo, Egypt. There we > could only 'live' the teachings by devoting found, twelve years ago, a hospitality > as > herself to women prisoners and similar work. matched only in the Holy Land. A large > The believer in Rome was out of town but men's as well as women's meeting was arbefore we left the city her daughter called ranged and it was with special joy that we > on us and brought us flowers. For the same associated and spoke with these faithful servreason that the Baha'i in Florence feels, she ants of Baha'u'llah of the progress of the > cannot spread the message in Rome, a city of Cause in other lands. The National Spiritual > over 500 churches. While there we were Assembly invited us to attend one of their > invited by two American women to accom- court sessions and it was a thrilling experipany them with their guides, two young men ence indeed to see Baha'u'llah's administrastudying for the priesthood in Rome, to have tive principles in action and the members of > an audience with the Pope. While waiting the Assembly vested with the power of court > for one hour in the throne room of the Vati- and jury. A dinner was tendered to us by > can for His Holiness, it was possible to tell Mirza Taki Esphahani with the other memone of the young men who wanted to know bers of the National Spiritual Assembly, for > what I believed, about the Baha'i Faith. He which Jeanne Bolles asked audaciously for > seemed utterly stunned but at the same time the presence of the lovely daughter of the > fascinated that another Prophet had come chairman, and so for the first time a woman > and as his mother objected to his becoming a believer, we were told, had taken part on > priest we hope that he may find the way to such an occasion in Egypt. Shoghi Effendi > the newly Beloved before he takes his final had asked these faithful ones, 'two members > vows. Intending to visit Capri for a day, a of the National Spiritual Assembly,* to transterrible crossing of the Bay of Naples ma- late further laws of the Aqdas into English. > 30 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Functioning as an independent religion they always seemed to us, who came to him with > had need of more of these laws which were to such empty hands, the only thing of imporbe sent to Shoghi Effendi for final revision. tance. Four of these unforgettable days pil- > With arms full of flowers for us, many of grims from Honolulu and Canada were with > our Egyptian friends saw us off to the 'land us, and Jeanne Bolles was allowed to take > of our desire/ 'Notes' at the dinner table, in his presence. > "On the Palestinian border, owing to Arab Shoghi Effendi stayed usually from two to > disturbances, the train was met by a police three hours anc^ once even longer. Almost > guard and there our passports were severely daily we were privileged to visit the Holy > questioned because one of them contained Shrines of the Bab and 'Abdu'1-Baha as well > the snapshot of a Persian believer. The Eng- as the exquisite monument of the Most Exlish representative asked us what our object alted Leaf on the sacred mountain of Carmel, > was in visiting the Holy Land and being told where one or more members of the holy > that we were Baha'is, waved us smilingly family graciously allowed us to accompany > through the gates. With awe and wonder them. There we supplicated for the believers > we now looked upon the soil of the Holiest in the world, as well as for all mankind, pas- > Land. seemed everywhere evident that > It sionately entreating BahaVllah, at these > the prophecy that the Jews were going back holy places, for more capacity to share this > as a nation was being fulfilled, for while the glorious message of a New Revelation with > orthodox Jews still weep at the walls of the people of the world. > Jerusalem, the modern young 'Ruths' are "And then one day Shoghi Effendi, turnsinging in the fields of Palestine. They seem ing to us in his inimitable way, said that on > to feel subconsciously that He has come the following day we might go to Bahji, 'the > again! culminating point of our pilgrimage/ > "The brother of the Guardian, Hussein "The next day, anxiously waiting to start, > Afnan, and Fujita, Japan's most faithful be- we departed in the afternoon with Hussein > liever, greeted us at the railway station in Rabbani by automobile. As the roads were > Haifa and with eager expectation we fol- not considered safe from Arab disturbances, > lowed them to the Pilgrim House at the foot we had a second Arab beside the driver to > of Mt. Carmel. At noon Shoghi Effendi was accompany us. > announced. How our hearts were beating "Our first stop was the resting place of > and how we rejoiced at that meeting. What the Mother of 'Abdu'1-Baha, that of the two > sweet wonder to look upon his countenance. younger brothers of the Master and of Nabil, > It was like a miracle to behold him at last the author of 'The Dawnbreakers.' Reverface to face. How kindly and benignly he ently we breathed a prayer. The very > smiled upon us, how warmly he greeted us. pathetic story that the Master when still in > The longing of years seemed stilled and the confinement in 'Akka, wove mats and sold > with divine stillness and peace. > soul flooded them to buy his mother a tombstone, > For a number of days we were the only pil- Hussein Effendi confirmed. It is one of the > grims. Sitting, in spirit, at his feet we saddest stories of the world and just a part of > wisdom and his > listened attentively to his the suffering which the Center of the Covemarvelous explanations of the Word. We nant endured for our sake. > had been told repeatedly before coming into "Our next halting place was the beautiful > his presence that he favored questions, but Garden of the Ri^van named after that > when we asked him, he would mostly refer other historical garden of Ridvan where > us to the teachings in a particular book and BahaVlUh first declared Himself to a larger > on a specific page, or in news letters, etc. number of believers. Here the Blessed Per- > And occasionally he would send for and show fection used to dwell under the mulberry > us the very passage. Soon we concentrated tree, beside the small stream with some of > with rapt attention only on what he was say- the faithful about Him. Flowers were > ing to us. To behold his wonderful face and blooming, the lawns were green and early > have the memory of it on our hearts en- summer fruits were ripe. Reverently we > graven forever and to remember his words gazed into the room where the Most Beloved > -o > rt > > .8 > o > *-> > > e > ' > t > o > > . >s > ^ a > c > U > > a e > > u > II , > > s > S 2 > S s > O 4-> > > f > > J5 > C/5 > > a. > > o > o > > 32 THE BAHA'f WORLD > used to tarry from time to time while in months. He directed every detail of the res- > Akka. The devoted gardeners, already of toration and the finished work is the most > the second and third generation, brought us beautiful setting of any shrine in the world. > > golden apricots and purple mulberries and At sunset time which 'Abdu'1-Baha called, > fragrant Persian tea. One likes to linger with the dawn, the two most spiritual times > there,but greater beauty beckoned us, so of the day, we followed Hussein Rabbani to > with hearty thanks and 'Allah-u-Abha!' we the Shrine of Shrines! With listening hearts > continued towards the goal of the 'desire of and souls we entered into that haven of Life > the beloved of God,' Bahji! and Light. Slowly with awe and wonder > "Bahji, too, had grown, become more we approached the Holiest Threshold and > complete in its outer garment. Baha'u'llah's with infinite gratitude we laid our foreheads > earthly remains are now surrounded by more on the flower-strewn Threshold which guards > beautiful gardens, by new architectural the entrance to the adorned room vaulting > additions, designed by Shoghi Effendi, who the earthly remains 'of the Most Beloved. > supervises all improvements perfecting the Peace indescribable, a feeling of being nearer > surroundings of the Shrines, not only in Him, of being in Heaven on earth enfolded > Bahji, but also on Mt. Carmel. us in this unforgettable eventide in Bahji! > "After being shown to our stately room We prayed for our dear ones and for all the > in which lovely flowers and likenesses from friends in other lands, supplicating that they > friends in other lands greeted us, Hussein also may experience sooner or later this in- > Effendi came to take us to the room which effable beauty. We begged for more capac- > Baha'u'llah had occupied and in which He ity and zeal and devotion to the beloved > had received Professor E. G. Browne of Cam- Guardian and the Faith of God. Many of > bridge University. Before we entered it, we the friends we mentioned by name. The > carefully read again, as bidden by Shoghi wonder of His nearness there cannot be de- > Effendi, the extraordinary tribute Professor scribed in mere words, but like a blessing > Browne paid Baha'u'llah after his visit in the from Him it clings to one's consciousness, > Mansion where he dwelt three days in that like the attar of roses, which the devoted > > Holy Presence. Then we reverently entered keeper one with, before entering > anoints > that historical chamber. Our eyes sought therein. pervades one's soul and makes > It > the corner-seat where Baha'u'llah had sat one move as in a dream from which one hesiwhen Professor Browne first beheld Him. tates to awaken. One longs to linger there > His beautiful turban on the divan, His always, for there is rest and the soul's homecloak, His spotless bed, all were most touch- coming. > ing objects to behold. There were also His "Later, in the Mansion, more of the work > lamp, the candlestick He used and other of the Guardian was to be seen. His arrangerelics from His earthly life. The view of ment of the many things pertaining to the > the mountains which He beheld from His Faith must needs arouse the greatest admirawindow reminded us of His earthly captiv- tion and gratitude of everyone who has the > ity, yet of His mighty Spirit which encircles privilege of going to Bahji, not only of every > and pervades the world. Prayerfully we tip- believer but also of people of other Faiths, > toed away. How near He seemed! who are now permitted to visit there. The > "Everything in the Mansion itself was a guest-book for this purpose showed that they > new joy. Ten years ago, when we could had come from all parts of the world. Someonly see Bahji from a distance, Muhammad- one once said that Shoghi Effendi was not in > 'Ali was still living in it. Decay of the build- favor of other than Baha'is coming to the > ing which he was unable to repair, at last Sacred Places. That is not the case. To the > forced him to leave it. Shoghi Effendi was contrary, he favors it, it will make the Faith > able to acquire the part occupied by him more widely known. How quickly the hours > (Muhammad-*Ali) and began the task of re- passed! > storing this most memorable place. Two "Shoghi Effendi had asked us to write to > years were really required for it but the some of our friends or the friends of the > Guardian with his great energy did it in ten Faith from the Mansion and so, inspired by > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 33 > > our heavenly surroundings, we set to work among them the Guardian's charming > to send more messages to dear ones. Sud- younger brother, Riaz, and one of his coudenly a call came: we must leave for Haifa sins, a physician. It was delightful to meet > > at once, by train, because it was too dan- these friends as some of them were already > > gerous to return by automobile. We were the third or fourth generation of Baha'is. > not at all frightened but sad, because we had "Very early the next morning we arrived > longed to go once more into the Most Be- in Aleppo. The friends were at the station, > loved's Shrine. Hussein Rabbani sympa- their arms full of flowers for us, and during > thized with us and coaxed the driver to take the fifteen minutes of our stop we had a > us back all the way to Haifa. Only our 'meeting' right on the station platform. > gestures and eyes could plead together with They would so much have liked us to stay > Hussein Rabbani's entreaties, and whether longer. The young people there were anxious > they were understood or not, the young Arab to correspond with other youths. We have > relented. This, praise be to God, enabled us endeavored to link them with the American > to prostrate ourselves once more at the Most youth as well as with the youths of other > Fragrant Threshold and breathe a fervent lands. From Tripoli to Angora we had our > 'Goodbye* from earth's Paradise, confident first contact with the fiery Syrian nationalthat all the friends of God, no matter how ism. Two Americans also on that train > far apart, will ever be near each other, in (they were living on the Island of Bahrein in > firmness to the Covenant of God and in the Persian Gulf) showed interest in the > obedience to the Guardian of the Faith. teachings. The woman said that she had lost > "As the Beloved wished us to return to her heart to Iran, especially to Shiraz, a > Europe over the land by way of the Balkan good omen we trust. The situation of the > Assemblies and the way led almost past Baha'is in Istanbul, Turkey, was a rather > Bahji, Mrs. Schopflocher, Jeanne and I difficult one. They are fine and true souls, > pleaded with Shoghi Eflfendi to worship there and would gladly give their lives for the > for one more moment. At first, because of Faith but the government forbids them to > the danger to us and perhaps to the Holy hold meetings or to distribute literature. > > Family also (how heedless we can be!), he They can only talk privately and perhaps at > did not wish it, but later he graciously re- the risk of their lives or as we know, at least, > lented and once more, miraculously it their liberty. Meanwhile, they translate the > seemed, we found ourselves in Bahji, greeted teachings so that when their country has > by the sweet sister of the Guardian, Mehran- again more religious liberty they will have > giz, and the three Honolulu friends who some of the sacred literature at their disposal > were staying in the Pilgrim House at the in their own tongue. > time. And then, although the heart was "In Sofia the friends under the able tuition > aching after parting in body from all that is of Miss Marion Jack are a most interesting > precious beyond words to a Baha'i, we felt group. They are intelligent, hard-working > with dear Keith Ransom-Kehler that we and very individualistic and would come to > could 'never be sad or lonely again' as long meetings almost every evening until midas we were able to lay our forehead, in spirit, night, and we seldom met Baha'is with such > on the jasmine-strewn Threshold of the a 'capacity to listen' and such 'willingness to > Blessed Perfection. learn.' Miss Jack, whom Shoghi Effendi > "Shoghi Effendi had asked us to return to praised highly and mentioned repeatedly, is > Europe by the so-called land way, via the working ceaselessly for the Faith in Bulgaria. > Balkans, to visit groups and Assemblies in Day in and day out she sees friends and sym- > Beirut, Aleppo, Constantinople, Sofia, Bel- pathizers of the Faith, arranges meetings and > grade, Budapest, Vienna, the German Assem- sees that everyone is supplied with books* > blies once more, Zurich, Sweden, Norway The Guardian called her 'unique in her > and Denmark and to attend again the Ger- daunt lessness.' > man summer school. In Beirut a group of "Most of the time we were guests of Bulfine believers awaited us. They were mostly garians interested in the Faith to whom we > students of the American University there, gave the message on the way to London. > 34 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Most of the people in that country seemed lecture was translated, sentence by sentence, > > very poor, even the intellectuals, but there, into English and again from English into > like elsewhere, they crave to better them- Hungarian. I can say that the great majority > selves. Those who attend the meetings of of those who were so fortunate as to hear his > Miss Jack at least have a definite hope of the words were enthusiastic about his teach- > New World Order which they want to help ings; the all-embracing love and good- will > build. We arrived in Belgrade about June towards everyone, the promotion of inter- > 16. Lovely Madame Draga Ilic, a Jugo- national intercourse through an auxiliary > slavian writer, sent word at once to greet us. language, equal education and equal rights > She is a most radiant and capable soul. She for both sexes, the promotion of universal > was so anxious to hear about the Guardian peace, and the acceptance of the fundaand the holy places. She arranged meetings mental truths of all religions (which would > where we spoke and although their group eliminate all religious persecution) these > there is small, the believers are very sincere. were the main uplifting ideas which we > "While we were there Madame Ilic told heard and which were fully accepted with > us the following story. She had worked great appreciation by the audience. 'Abdu'lvery hard to translate 'Baha'u'llah and the Baha said that there should be no antagonism > New Era.' 'I wanted it to sparkle like a between religion and science, and that the > diamond,' she said. One night, word syno- founders of different religions, such as Zoroasnyms recurred so incessantly that she could ter, Moses, Buddha, Christ and Muhammad > not sleep, when suddenly she saw the kindly never stated that the preceding Prophets > face of a man who seemed to tell her to rest were false they all spoke the same truths. > " > and sleep. Then she peacefully dozed off. 'All the members of the Theosophical > The next day an American believer presented Society then present were glad to learn of > her with a photograph of Dr. Esslemont. It the harmony of 'Abdu'l-Baha's teachings > was the likeness of the man who had ap- with the main principles and aims of those > peared to her the night before! of the Theosophical Society: "To form a > "Passing on to Budapest the sympathizers nucleus of the universal Brotherhood of > of the Cause were most cordial to us. Prof. Humanity without distinction of race, creed, > Robert Nadler was first to call on us. For- sex, class or colour!" > " > merly a Theosophist, now a great sympa- 'When 'Abdu'1-Baha arrived in Budapest > thizer of the Faith, and a well-known I greeted him at the Hotel Dunapalota on > painter, he had painted the portrait of the shore of the Danube with the beautiful > 'Abdu'1-Baha who had graciously consented view across the river to the Royal Palace > to sit for him. Just a year before his death opposite. When I saw him and shook hands > (June 1938) Prof. Nadler was glad to write with him, I was so greatly impressed by his > for us the following appreciation of 'Abdu'l- whole personality, the serenity of his ex- > Bahd: 'It was in the year 1913 that we here pression, his calm spirit and imposing stature, > in Budapest first heard of Babism and the that I asked him if he would give me, if pos- > Bahi'i Movement. We heard that 'Abdu'l- sible, a few hours of his precious time, that I > Baha, while on his return journey from might have the opportunity of painting his > California, gave several lectures at different portrait. He replied that he had not much > Theosophical Societies in Europe, so the free time, but that he was willing to fulfill > > Hungarian Theosophical Society also invited my request. Thus he came three times to > him to give public lectures on the teachings my studio, and was a very patient model. I > of his father, Baha'u'llah. He kindly agreed, was all too happy to be able to paint him, > and stopping his journey in April for a few feature by feature, and to be able to immordays he gave several public lectures which talize the earthly temple of so highly dewere well attended by people eager to learn veloped a soul. > " > something of the new light-bringing ideas *I was glad to hear him and his comcoming from the East and shining to the far panions say that they thought the portrait a > West. success. They even asked me what the price > " ' > 'Abdu'1-Baha spoke in Persian and his o it would be, but at that time I had no > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 35 > > desire to gain financially > by selling the pic- was delighted to hear about Haifa and 'Akka. > ture, which remains one of my best works. Some hours were spent in Prague with an- > It has been my pleasure to have 'Abdu'l- other believer, an indefatigable worker of the > Baha's portrait in my studio for twenty-four Cause, who also devotes considerable time to > years, and I shall never forget the few hours Esperanto, the universal auxiliary language. > of his presence there.' (Signed) Robert He translates all he can of the Holy Writings > Nadler, Budapest, March, 1937. into his own tongue, brings them to the blind > "Going on to Vienna one became aware, and distributes much literature. We also > there, as well as in other Austrian cities like called on a University Professor, a sympa- > Innsbruck and Salzburg which we touched, thizer of the Faith, and spoke about the > of a very 'Catholic* atmosphere. Perhaps be- Baha'i Faith in Iran where he had sought out > cause at that time there existed an agree- Baha'i s everywhere. He spoke of Martha > ment, 'Concordat,' between the Pope and the Root, whose rare personality he much appre- > Austrian church to combat all non-Catholic ciates. Once he went to Vienna to meet > religions (the Jews were an exception) coun- there Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, both of whom > teracted by the German section of the Ver- he holds in great esteem. He was delighted > sailles Treaty which guaranteed religious with news of the Faith and said he had given > freedom to all Austrians. Nevertheless, *the Baha'i books to many of his students. The > law compelled children to receive religious next day he and his wife came to call at our > training and therefore they had to belong to hotel. > some faith or other. The Cardinal at this "As Shoghi Effendi had asked us to visit > time was doing his best to rid the country of the German centers again, we recrossed into > all non-Catholic beliefs. Thus, the Baha'i that country and visited Assemblies and > activities in Vienna were being supervised by > groups in Dresden, Leipzig, Berlin and Hamdetectives. Curiously enough, Baha'i meet- burg. From there Jeanne Bolles went to the > ings were permitted because the government Baha'i summer school in England, while J. > did not consider them 'Versammlungen* Ruhanguiz Bolles visited Rostock, Warne- > (meetings) which were forbidden at that rminde and Graal, speaking to believers in > time, but 'Andachtsiibungen* (services). these cities, then taking the steamer to > The detective, also present at the Nineteen Copenhagen, Denmark, where Johanna > Day Feast, would not allow us to address be- Sorensen created opportunities for meeting > lievers but permitted us to read from the people interested in the Revelation. On the > Teachings. The N.S.A. meetings were not way there the Holy Writings were discussed > supervised, however, and we could speak of with the Danish head of the Lutheran > our experiences and the Faith in other lands. Church. In Oslo, Johanna Schubarth, also, > The vice-president of the 'Oesterreichsche arranged meetings with groups and with in- > Frauenschaft' (Women of Austria) called dividuals in the interests of the Faith, and > on us and invited us to one of their club the Esperantists who knew about the Cause > meetings; as foreigners were forbidden to invited me to Kunsholm. Meanwhile a telespeak in public during the summer, she spoke gram had arrived from Rammen, Sweden, to > herself on the Faith and read about the life see Mrs. Palmgren, a Swedish believer who > of Tfahirih which had so inspired the mother translates the Teachings into her mother > of the former President Hainisch, and who, tongue. > inspired by that Iranian heroine, originated "Going on to Stockholm, a friend of the > suffrage in Austria. Faith who had recently been in Russia where > "In Munich we had again several meetings she had found Communism a 'practical* soluand then went on to Castelovice, Czechoslo- tion of world affairs seemed to change her > vakia, to visit Madame Benesova whom we mind about it, after hearing about Haifa and > had interested, in Capri, and who had been 'Akka" and the Baha'i Administration. Andeeply impressed with Shoghi Effendi's mes- other would-be Baha'i there, who formerly > sage and his gift of 'BahdVlUh and the studied for the priesthood, hopes to realize > New Era.' Meanwhile she had, after inten- his ideal to teach the Faith in the north of > sive study of it, accepted the Cause and Sweden after further study of its teachings. > THE BAHA'f WORLD > A copy of the fqan (in Swedish) was sent to in regard to alcohol. As a great psycho- > Selma Lagerlof the Swedish writer. > , > Scandi- analyst, he was especially keen to cure > navia seems a fertile soil for teaching the drunkards. His patients usually recovered > Cause. Her people, with their mostly but often had relapses. Hearing about a > Lutheran beliefs, fine intelligence and gen- shoemaker's success in permanently curing > eral knowledge of German and English such people he went to see him to find out > (especially in Norway) should make resident the secret of his cures. Smilingly, in the > and traveling Baha'is feel much at home course of conversation, the shoemaker asked > there. In 1937 a number of Baha'is visited Dr. Forel if he himself took any alcohol. > that peninsula, on which Shoghi Effendi 'Just a glass of wine,' the Doctor replied, > seems to concentrate at present. It had been 'occasionally with my > dinner.' 'This,' said > > suggested that we attend again the German the simple man, 'might be the only reason for > summer school so we hastened back from partial failure in the 'cure of your patients.' > England and Scandinavia respectively to "It was to be another year's stay in Europe > > Esslingen. Ten wonderful days were spent in response to the Guardian's appeal. This > there with the believers on that lovely made a flying trip to England necessary to > mountainside, with a beautiful view over say good-bye to some of the family who rethe city of Stuttgart which 'Abdu'1-Baha turned to the United States, another memloved so much and which has one of the ber remaining in Cambridge. In that charm- > > largest Baha'i centers. Believers of many ing old intellectual center, opportunity was > countries attended, including friends from afforded to bring the message to a number of > the United States, Canada, Austria, Bulgaria, students. Literature was distributed and we > Latvia, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and hope for permanent interest from these > Iran. It was one of the happiest gather- earnest young men who long for a more logi- > > ings, the German friends said, since 'Abdu'l- cal and live faith. > Baha was with them in 1913. There, it was, "Now returning to the continent by way > we first heard the thrilling cable from Haifa of Holland, we contacted Baha'is in Haarre-inspiring the believers to go forth to the lem, Brummen and the Hague. They meet > ends of the earth to teach, and it was then whenever possible, come together especially > that Jeanne Bolles cabled: 'What can I do?' for Unity Feasts and are busy spreading the > and received Shoghi Eflfendi's answer, 'Con- Faith in their liberal country where two > centrate on Central Europe.' Leaving at last more from Germany have joined > believers > that happy place we revisited Zurich (upon them. En route to Hamburg, Germany, > request). There Madame L'Orsa Zchokke, (from Holland) three sisters from Puerto > the charming Swiss singer and descendant of Rico became interested in the Faith. They > a great Swiss writer by that name, tele- were visiting various institutions of learning > phoned us to visit her in her lovely mountain in Europe, being educators themselves. They > home. She had offered previously, through met other believers in Hamburg and Munich. > us, her wonderful four-hundred-year-old When we parted, they invited us to their > chalet in Sils Maria to Shoghi Effendi, should island home. > he come to Switzerland. She is studying the "In Hamburg, Miss Mary Maxwell, now > Faith in which she is much interested. The in command of German, had been teaching > other believers in Zurich hold Feasts in their for weeks and had established a > several > homes and teach to the best of their ability. Youth Group. Soon Mrs. May Maxwell > The Swiss people, mostly Calvinists, are joined us there and together we continued > highly intelligent, sober people and are a 'rich three weekly meetings and saw the believers > field* for any Baha'i who will settle there. individually. After several happy weeks, on > Nothing seems a greater introduction for our way to Hungary we made a detour to > the Swiss people to the Revelation of Bahd'u- Warsaw, Poland, to look up some friends of > 'lldh than, as I have already mentioned, the the Faith, and two Polish gentlemen who > confession of Faith of their beloved coun- promised to translate Baha'i literature betryman, Auguste Forel. Speaking of him cause they felt that their country was in > for a moment, we heard the following story need of such liberal truths. Miss Lidja > 38 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Zamenhof, a distinguished Polish believer above all, immortal traces have been left by > and daughter of the late Dr. Zamenhof, the 'Abdu'l-Bah4 who visited Budapest for nine > originator of Esperanto, who is at present in days in 1913. Here many of the distinthe United States, constantly engaged in > is guished men of Hungary called on him, > translating the Holy Writings into Polish among them Count Apponyi, Prelate Giesand Esperanto. Welcome was extended to wein, a distinguished Rabbi, Prof. Nadler > us by Miss Thekla Zavidewska, another and others. He lectured at the Old Parlia- > Polish lady who loves the Holy Writings. ment, as guest of the Theosophists and other > She had translated 'Paris Talks' by 'Abdu'l- movements. A number of people we had > Baha into her mother tongue, and offered to met had heard of him and 'had been unfordo further work for the Cause. gettably impressed. When the Master came > "In all these countries mentioned we to Budapest, responding to an invitation of > found a generous hospitality and, especially a Hungarian gentleman, Mr. Stark, many of > > among the Bah'is, a great eagerness for the notables of the city were at the station > news of the Guardian and the Holy Places. to greet him and call on him later. When > They feel that we are able in the United asked, at some later date, if he had seen the > States to shout the Message, as it were, from fine, old city, he said it was beautiful indeed, > the housetops. For these believers to teach but that he had not ventured upon that long > in their respective countries often means that journey to see the sights but was searching > their friendships and even their livelihoods for the hearts of the Hungarian people. > are at stake, because of the governments (in Calling one morning on the friends who had > many of them church and state being one) invited him to Hungary he was asked by > they find themselves religious outcasts, since Mrs. Stark, his hostess, if he would have some > these governments recognize only those who wine or other refreshments. When 'Abdu'lbelong to the great known religions. All Baha declined, she felt that he might not reothers are classed as 'confessionslos* (free fuse some of the firfe spring water, a table > > thinkers) and that brands them, now, more delicacy since Roman times. In precious > or less as Communists. Europe is desperately crystal glasses, the maid brought a trayful > in need of these teachings and so we should of it, and as she placed it carefully on a table, > be indebted to believers like Miss Marion she perceived 'Abdu'1-Baha standing near the > Jack and Miss Bertha Matthiessen who re- window. Slowly and deliberately she admain there to help us in the fulfillment of vanced, knelt before him and begged him to > the Seven Year Plan, in which every sin- bless her. This very touching scene brought > cere believer should crave to have a share. tears to the eyes of those who surrounded > "On our way back from Haifa a few the Master. Perhaps it recalled a similar > months previously, we had passed through event hundreds of years ago. When asked > Budapest, as already mentioned and had been later by her mistress why she did this, she > enchanted by its medieval beauty and by' the said, 'I was impelled to, because he seemed to > ' > friendliness and charm of the Hungarians. me one of the "Kings of the East." > In addition, we had been told that there were "Shoghi Effendi recently wrote: 'Budasome sympathizers of the Cause, so after the pest, a city that has been blessed by the > Beloved's cablegram we decided to return to presence of our Beloved Master, and which > Hungary, the 'heart' of Europe. Today, in for this reason alone, is bound sooner or later > her beautiful capital which the Danube to develop into one of the leading centers of > divides into two cities, Buda the old and the Cause in Europe. The soil for teaching > Pest the new, live the most active of mod- seems exceptionally fertile there. . . .' And > ern Hungarians. They, like people in other so it is indeed. > lands, yearn for a broader spiritual teaching "Other Bahi'is had been there before us, > and many were joyous to find that the teach- and were fondly remembered. Their friends, > ings of Baha'u'llah included provisions for sympathizers of the Faith, arranged for us > a new and better World Order. Some to speak to the English Speaking Circle, the > addresses were sent to us by believers as an Woman's Suffrage Club, and the Esperanto > introduction to the land of the Magyars, but, .Society. In March of 1937 Jeanne Bolles > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 39 > > succeeded in having a Youth Confer- Tree became apparent that their reality was > ence which about twenty-four people at- scarcely believable. > tended. "How inestimable are the blessings be- > "Jeanne Bolles, R. Bolles and Mrs. F. stowed upon this ancient land, how great the > Schopflocher who happened to be in Budapest bounty that brought the Center of the Coveat that time, spoke at that meeting both in nant of God to this city to shed the light of > English and German. The latter is a lan- BahaVllah upon it by his own presence and > guage which educated Hungarians speak to plant seeds destined to bear fruit of great > very well because of their long connection richness and beauty. 'Wherever His blessed > with the former Austrian monarchy. These feet have trod, that very place is holy.' > > young people were invited afterwards to the "It was hard to leave these wonderful beweekly meetings. At that time the Shoghi lievers and sympathizers of the Faith but at > Effendi had sent us a pilgrim from the Holy last our journey took us again to Zurich to > Land, Miss Bertha Matthiessen, who brought call on the Swiss Bahd'is, and thence to > fresh light and courage to us. Mrs. Schop- Geneva to visit the Baha'i Bureau where the > flocher also remained for some time and held Polish aunt and cousins of one of the Guargatherings for the interested ones at her dian's wards entertained us. They are very > hotel. Gradually about forty-five people at- much interested in the Revelation and upon > tended the meetings in our pension and dur- further study wish to accept the Faith. > > ing our stay a number of people declared Traveling via Lausanne, Montreux, Luzerne > themselves believers. And so a Baha'i group and Interlaken there was opportunity to prewas formed. The secretary is a charming sent the Faith to individuals. A few fra- > Hungarian journalist who had heard about grant days were spent with Baha'i friends in > the Teachings in England and another out- Munich. Arriving in Hamburg ten days > standing believer is the young daughter of a before our departure for the United States > Hungarian poet whose devotion to the Faith we found that the Faith had, now, been suswe have found to be most unusual. The new pended in Germany. But the Baha'is there > believers, so enthusiastic and devoted, are told us they wished the believers in other > translating the teachings. They meet as countries to know that the authorities in > regularly as they can and are resolved to Hamburg had been almost apologetic about > faithfully carry on, to illumine their unfor- confiscating their public libraries, and when > tunate country with the light of a new the friends asked them what they should do > spiritual consciousness. Alas, they can only if Baha'is from other places came to visit > meet in public with a detective present, be- them, they were told to receive and entertain > cause of persecution of the Catholic press them, though of course, they could not hold > which tried to prove them Communists and any Baha'i meetings. Thus, we could visit > denounced them after our departure. The with our fellow believers while waiting for > police, however, decided,upon investigation, the ship to carry us back to the 'land of the > that they were certainly not communistic. free.' Tears rolled down our cheeks when > Since then a number of others have joined we passed again the Statue of Liberty in New > the ranks of Baha'is in Hungary. Any be- York Harbor and felt ourselves once more a > liever passing through that beautiful, old part of the world where people are free to > city will find himself much at home there, listen to and spread the Faith of the Revelathanks especially to the generous hospitality tion of BahaVllah. But nevertheless, in all > of two well known sympathizers of the those countries of an anxious Europe and > Faith in whose homes occasional meetings are near East we found 'listening' ears, straining > held and who are hosts to every Baha'i who to understand the most hopeful message of > passes through that city.The press was also this Day. With many of these souls convery favorable and published a number of tacted, we correspond, answering their > articles at intervals about the Baha'i Revela- anxious questions and sending literature. We > tion. feel they would even at this challenging hour > "And so, after a period of effort without welcome Baha'i pioneers whom they treat > apparent reward, such fruits of the Divine with much respect and affection, because in > 40 THE BAHA'f WORLD > their teachings they recognize dimly the underneath the names of every one who was > promise of a new and better World Order." present at the first talk given. A note was > enclosed that reads as follows: > To have the tenets of the Baha'i Faith > spread to remote parts of the earth was the Dear Mr. and Mrs. Mathews: > objective of the recent journey undertaken Every one who heard you speak was so > by Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Mathews. Though delighted with your talks that they all want > many obstacles presented themselves the you to come back. > Word of Baha'u'llah was left on the soil of We thought it would be appropriate to > distant islands and continents. The follow- send you both a memento of your visit to > ing are the main depots established for the South Africa. it over, Mr. Scott > Talking > Baha'i Literature. conceived the idea of making a picture let- > Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mrs. H. Cooper, ter. Harold Morris caught the vision and > 36 rua Henri Constant, Dept. de Copaca- drew the pictures for you. > bana. Books now obtainable in that city are You brought to us a solution of our rein English and Portuguese. > through the Baha'i Cause > ligious difficulties > Cape Town, South Africa. The Theo- and taught us a new and illuminated pathsophical Society, Markham Bid., Librarian, way to social and spiritual life. Every signa- > Miss S. A. Parris. In the library books can ture conveys a special appreciation of your > be obtained in Dutch and English. work and your visit and goes to you with > Johannesburg, S. A. At Johannesburg gratitude. > Public Library books obtainable in Dutch > May you return to us and tell us more of > and English. the bright future depicted in the "New > Bulawayo, S. A. Rev. M. I. Cohen, Pas- World Order." LOTTIE A. ASKELAND. > tor of Hebrew Congregation, P. O. Box 470. > > (A recent letter asked for more literature.) and Miss Jeanne Neger > Mrs. J. Ruhangui > Seychelles Islands (off West Coast of Bolles,writing from Zurich on July 27, > Africa) . Books can be obtained in Carnegie 1937, send the important news that by their > Library in French and English. efforts a Baha'i group has been established in > Island of Java, City of Batavia. Book the city of Budapest. "It consists of six > shop of G. Kolff & > Co. Noordwigk No. 12. adult believers and two minors, seventeen > Books on sale in English and Dutch. and nineteen years old. Four more adult be- > Island of Bali, Dutch Netherlands. Books lievers will declare themselves, > they assured > are in the care of Mr. and Mrs. > George Mer- us, further study of the Teachings > after > chon in English, Dutch, and French. during the summer months. These eleven, > Philippines, Island of Zamboanga, St. we hope, will constitute an Assembly in the > Jean's Penal Colony. Books in French. autumn. The believers all accepted the > Philippines, Manila. National Library, Baha'i Faith according to the Administra- > Reference Dept. Books in English and tion and wrote this individually to Shoghi > French Effendi. . The Nineteen Day Feasts were > . . > > kept and are being continued by the be- > Unexpected opportunities to speak and lievers. Renie Felbermann, speaking French, > teach in South Africa under distinguished German and English fluently, is the Secreauspices made that country the outstanding tary of the group. > experience of the trip, reports Mrs. Loulie "We left a small library of German and > Mathews. English books with them. There is > . . . > > The Baha'i Tenets were with > received only the Esslemont book and 'World Regreat attention and many men, more than ligion,' by Shoghi Effendi in Hungarian, and > fifty in one talk in Bulawayo, listened atten- the Esperanto translation of 'World Retively to the Principles. Leaving South ligion,' made by Miss Zamenhof . The 'Hid- > Africa and arriving in India we found that den Words' are now being translated by a > a picture letter had been prepared for us, on believer into Hungarian. > the top were views of South Africa and "The meetings (study class) which grew > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 41 > > slowly from November (until 45 were pres- to establish the new World Order. The folent on July 13) are being continued in a lowing centers were visited by Mme. Orlova > very pleasant, central place in the city. Ac- in Germany: Esslingen, Stuttgart, Geislingcording to an article in one of the daily en, Zuffenhausen, Karlsruhe, Heppenheim, > papers, the group is composed of 'intellec- Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, > tuals' and includes journalists, writers, archi- Hamburg, Bremen, Rostock- Warne- > Berlin, > tects, doctors, painters, sculptors, presidents munde. Most of her meetings in Germany > of clubs and business men and women. were in the homes of believers, although sev- > There were no Baha'is in Budapest when we eral public meetings could be arranged. It > arrived/' is impossible to read this report without real- > Detailed reports, with interesting com- izing the importance of clarifying, in every > ment and analysis of the spiritual conditions section of the Baha'i world community, the > encountered in her teaching work, have been Guardian's fundamental instructions on > received from Mme. Gita Orlova. These which the future progress of the Faith decover activities in Copenhagen from Sep- pends. Besides finding continuous opportember 22 to October 27, and in Stockholm tunity to discuss these matters with befrom October 28 to November 3, and in lievers, Mme. Orlova met certain people, like > > Germany from August 24 to September 21, Paul Peroff, a scientist, whose interest in the > 1936. Cause can become very important. > At Copenhagen, Mme. Orlova discussed "Sunburst," the book written by Mrs. > the Faith with a number of prominent schol- Lorol Schopflocher on her adventurous > ars, musicians and diplomats. A number of travels and her experiences serving the Cause > > press clippings attest the success of this in many parts of the world, has been pubactivity. Among the public meetings held lished by the firm of Rider and Company, > Mme. Orlova spoke at the American > there, London, England. > Woman's Club and in the same hall where In preparing this volume, the author had > previously she had given a lecture recital on in mind particularly the need of establishing > a cultural subject. This meeting was fol- a link between sophisticated persons and the > lowed by questions and answers on the reality of religion in this day. It is illus- > Cause. trated by a number of unusual photographs, > From November 6 to November 1 7, Mme. including signed portraits of Oriental rulers > Orlova returned to Copenhagen, where a and Baha'i subjects, some of which were > number of meetings were held in the studio given Mrs. Schopflocher by Shoghi Effendi. > of Mrs. Ingred Nybo. A study group was In November of last year the Baha'is of > formed at these meetings. Auckland, Sydney and Adelaide had the > Mme. Orlova found it possible in Copen- great pleasure of a visit from Mr. Siegfried > hagen to bring the Faith to the attention of Schopflocher, a member of the N. S. A. of > persons of influence, and associate the Baha'i U. S. A. and Canada. Some of the Auckconception of World Order with the funda- land members met him on arrival and armental trend of the age. ranged for an informal meeting the same > At Stockholm, Mme. Orlova had the same evening as he was leaving Auckland the > > facility to meet the responsible type of per- same day. A very happy and profitable time > son, and through such influence an interview was spent with him, taking the form chiefly > was arranged with the four largest news- of questions and answers. In Sydney and > papers of the city. Much attention was Adelaide Mr.Schopflocher was able to > attracted by this dignified presentation of address public meetings as well as meetings > the Teachings. A > public meeting held at with the Spiritual Assembly. In an address > the Lyceum Club led to many questions and to the latter in Sydney Mr. Schopflocher exinterested discussion. One of the leading pressed his deep joy at finding, throughout > artists of the city arranged to start a study Australia and New Zealand, the real spirit of > > group. Mme. Orlova impressed upon her unity and true Baha'i love and friendship. > audiences the fact that the leaders of society He stressed the need of fostering the comhave the greatest responsibility for striving munity spirit through properly organized > 42 THE BAHA'f WORLD > socials as the test of Baha'is was their capac- Aurora Gutierrez to meet nine Mexican peoity to associate together in love and har- ple,who later became the first Believers in > mony. This phase of Baha'i life, he said, Mexico. Myfriend explained that for sevcould not be over-emphasized. Other points eral years this group of seekers had met > stressed were: regularly to discuss spiritual questions and to > study the increasing turmoil in the world. > 1. The benefits gained by observing the > After a beautiful prayer given by Mr. Pedro > Fast. > Espinosa, the group leader, in which he > 2. The need of the N. S. A. to gain the > asked for spiritual vision and understanding, > confidence of believers and the duty of > they asked me to repeat the message I had > local assemblies and all believers to supgiven at the club in the afternoon. I then > port and obey its rulings. asked if I might tell them of the Baha'i > 3. The enormous value of summer > Message. > schools, the primary object of which is > that of a school > "Way into the morning hours they lis- > Teaching. > tened and asked questions about the Cause > 4. The importance of registration. > and asked that I meet with them often and > 5. The need of understanding in dealing > they would bring to the circle all of their > with problems as to voting membergroup. After three such meetings with an > ship. > ever larger group, the leader told me that > 6. The importance of the Nineteen Day > they had for some time been convinced that > Feast. > somewhere in the world a New Manifesta- > Mr. Schopflocher paid a visit to Mr. Bol- tion had appeared to give the Truth for the > ton's newly erected house at Yerrinbool New Era. So convinced had they been that > which Mr. Bolton wishes to be used as a they had sent their leader, Mr, Espinosa, to > Summer School when arrangements can be the United States where he traveled from > made for this much-desired project. The New York City o California in search of > friends appreciate greatly the valuable work evidence of this New Manifestation. He did > Mr. Schopflocher was able to accomplish in not find it but returned to Mexico conso short a time. vinced: 'That from a foreign country a > Mrs. Frances Stewart, Secretary of the Teacher would bring them the Good News > Inter- America Committee, sends the follow- of a New Manifestation.' They had coning account of her experiences in taking the tinued their regular studies and when they > Baha'i Message to Mexico in 1937. heard the Baha'i Message, they were con- > "When on July 15 last, our ship ap- vinced it was the Truth they had long > proached the harbor of Vera Cruz, and we sought. At this meeting Mr. Espinosa handed > saw the scars left by cannons that had bom- me a paper on which were written the names > barded the city in former years, our prayer of the nine I had first met saying they > was that we might be privileged to bring to wished to be received as Believers of the > the people of Mexico the great Baha'i Mes- Baha'i Faith and would become the center > > sage of Unity and Love. This prayer was for spreading the Message throughout Mexi- > I later learned the leader has had experigranted, for Baha'u'llah had prepared a co. > > group to receive this Message in a most won- ence in the publishing field and he was enderful manner. thusiastic when asked if he could help to > "In Mexico City, while speaking to a translate the writings into Spanish for use in > Woman's Club on the subject of: 'Peace in a all Latin America. He is now assisting in > New World Order' and quoting from the the translation of the book of Prayers, > Writings quite freely, I noticed the deep in- Baha'i Procedure and the > Study Baha'i > terest of a lady not far from me. After the Course and soon these will be ready for use > meeting she hurried to beg me to go with among the many inquirers throughout South > her that evening to the home of a friend America. > where a group met weekly for study and "The Mexico Baha'i Group will elect their > discussion. I felt impelled to break a former first Spiritual Assembly on next April 21, > engagement and gladly went with Miss the first in Latin America. They meet each > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 43 > > Friday evening for study and discussion and from Geneva, arrived in Honolulu on a hurnew friends are being attracted to the Cause. ried business trip, so our Nineteen Day Feast > One of the group is a primary teacher and was held on January 17 instead of on Janushe is teaching the Cause to a group of chil- ary 19 so that we could have the pleasure of > dren. Weekly letters tell of the radiant having Mr. Bishop meet with us. Mrs. > Baha'i that inspires this group and > spirit Mathews was hostess, and the feast was held > already a teaching fund is being saved to in The House Without a Key.' Fifteen > spread the Message throughout Mexico. Baha'is were present, four non-Baha'i > "A true Baha'i Feast was held the evening friends coming in for the material feast. > before I left Mexico City. Roses, red and "In February, 1937, we were delightfully > white, banked the table, the music of violin surprised to receive a radiogram from Mrs. > and piano spoke the universal language of Mamie Setb informing us she was aboard the > harmony and radiant faces gave evidence of liner and was arriving in Honolulu in a > hearts and minds united in Love and Under- couple of days. While she was making a > > standing to build the New World Order of business trip she gave unstintingly of her > Baha'u'llah. That night I told the story of time to the Baha'i Cause. She took charge > Quarratu'l-'Ayn and among those present of our public meetings at the Library, our > were women who had been active in securing Friday morning class, and gave us an extra > the recently enacted laws giving greater free- hour every Wednesday morning which was > dom to the women of Mexico." given over to the study of the Administra- > The Honolulu Assembly gives interesting tion. In the meantime she was always givdetails about teaching activities carried on ing the Message to some one, alone and in > by visiting Baha'is. groups. Those six weeks were most happy > "It was our good fortune to have Mrs. ones and we were sorry to have her leave us. > E. R. Mathews and Mrs. R. D. Little with "Mrs. Mathews arrived in Honolulu May > us in December, i935, January, February, 8 aboard the Franconia en route home after > and part of March, 1936. Through Mrs. having made a world tour in the interest of > Mathews the Baha'is > presented gifts at the Bahi'i Cause, especially to place Baha'i > Christmas to the children of Kalaupapa, of books in the Libraries and book-stores of the > which at that time there were 75. These different cities visited. These books were > children are born to the lepers at the Kalau- translated into > German, Spanish, French, > papa Settlement on the Island of Molokai. Dutch and English and were accepted by the > They do not have leprosy as they are taken Libraries in cities of India, Siam, Java, South > from the parents at birth and are kept in two Africa and in Manila. She was entertained > homes in Honolulu, one for girls and one for at the Nuuanu home of Mrs. S. A. Baldwin. > boys, and are charges of the government till In the afternoon she talked to a large group > they reach the age of 2 1 . of friends on the conditions and experiences > "Through Mr. and Mrs. Mathews our As- she had had in placing these books. > > sembly was the recipient of a very generous "Miss Martha Root arrived May 26 on the > gift from a friend which enabled us to do Tatsuta Maru for a day's visit before conmany things; among them give several two- tinuing to Japan, on this, her fourth tour of > year magazine subscriptions to the Leper the world. Mrs. S. A. Baldwin was hostess > Settlement, subscriptions to the girls' and at a Tea given for Miss Root, about thirty > boys' homes on this Island, also to the friends being present to bid her Aloha. Miss > Susannah Wesley Home (children's home) ; Root gave a most interesting talk of her exa gift to the Book Fund of the Library of periences of meeting different ruling families > Hawaii where we had the privilege of having in Europe and presenting the Baha'i Cause > the Auditorium for our Monday evening to them. > > meetings free of charge; and a tree planted "Mrs. G. Gunning-Davis of the Chicago > in the new park dedicated to the Greatest Assembly passed through Honolulu June 21 > Holy Leaf. on her way to Australia to spend a year visit- > "During this time, on January 17, Mr. ing her mother and other relatives. Several > Charles Bishop, our International Bahd'i of the friends met her at the boat and took > in Takur, > Exterior views of the reconstructed House of Baha'u'llah's father, > The of this house has been made > Mazindaran, Iran. rebuilding > possible through the contribution of Mr. Asasi of Tihran. > > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 45 > > her on a sight-seeing drive. Then eight of could send for them all. She gathered many > the friends met at Waikiki for lunch, after around her and when she departed she left > which a most pleasant two hours were spent three definite classes of six each. Two of > listening to her tell of the high-lights of the these classes we can keep definite contact > Convention. Her plans are to return via with as they were left with two of our be- > Honolulu next year and we shall be eagerly lievers, the other is with the friends at the > > looking forward to seeing her again. hotel and they seem to be afire with the > Mrs. Marion Little arrived June 3 to spend Cause and they will spread it wherever they > the summer as the house-guest of Mrs. S. A. can. > Baldwin. Most of her time was spent at the "As is usual, during the last few weeks > Baldwin home on Maui, and word comes to many people began to hear of this Baha'i > us that she did some very notable work for teacher and to ask her to talk to their differthe Cause on that Island. ent groups. At the weekly luncheon of > "Mrs. Stuart French, a member of the the Pan-Pacific Club both Mr. and Mrs. > National Spiritual Assembly, accompanied Mathews were invited to be the guest speakby Mr. French, passed through Honolulu ers,and while it was not a Baha'i talk, Mr. > August 23 on the Mar/frosa on a cruise to Mathews telling of his contact with the > Australia and New Zealand. She was enter- schools in England and Mrs. Mathews telling > tained by the Baha'is at a community of her trip to South America, still she was > luncheon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mar- known by all as the Baha'i Visiting Teacher > ques. Around the large table sat twelve of and these people began to ask what it was > the friends with Mrs. French at the head. all about. About eighty people attended, > It was one of the most happy gatherings we which was their largest crowd for some time > have had and we feel that our guest was the and they were all delighted with her talk for > very embodiment of the first counsel unto it was most interesting. > > us 'Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart.' "Besides these classes and speaking before > After lunch we were granted the privilege of the group at the Baha'i Center every Monasking questions. Time for Aloha came all day evening and before the class at the Centoo soon. ter every Friday morning she was asked to > "Homeward bound, Mr. and Mrs. French give the Message to two Sunday-School > arrived at Honolulu September 29. Mrs. classes at the Central Union Church (a > Baldwin, being in Honolulu this time, church that takes in, or rather is composed > begged for the honor and privilege of enter- of many denominations and before which > taining Mrs. French. A delightful luncheon Mamie Seto has spoken many times) and to > was served in the room dedicated to the two classes of students at the McKinley > Baha'i Center. Later we gathered at the High School and two classes of students at > cottage and Mrs. French told us of some of the University of Hawaii. In all these > her wonderful experience in Australia and classes they seemed eager to hear of the > New Zealand. The time for departure came Cause, apparently there was no opposition, > much too soon and it is our hope that they and all were eager for the literature. She > will return to us some day for an indefinite said that for the first time she was able to > stay. give the direct teaching. > "Mrs. Mathews visited Honolulu again in "At Christmas Mrs. Mathews went to the > 1938. leper home for children on this Island and > "At once she made contacts and began took gifts for all the children and shortly > > teaching several times a week. As she went before sailing she received an invitation from > into the different shops to buy this and that the Leper Settlement on Molokai asking if > she dropped a word and soon had several she could come to see them, they loved her > classes. She found that the people in charge and wanted to tell her so. Four days before > of her hotel had been studying many things sailing one of the trustees took her by plane > and were just ready to absorb the teachings, one morning, returning about six in the > so eager, in fact, that this week I was asked evening. Her experience was most wonderfor a list of all the Baha'i books so they ful of which only she can tell. > 46 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "This year we have had two new believers the teaching work during the first year of > who have been coming regularly for a long the Seven Year Plan, if intensified as it gains > time and we feel they are tried and true, and momentum, will bring forth spiritual influwhile there has not been a great number of ences that will assure the achievement of our > new ones taken in during Mrs. Mathews* goal. > > stay, we do feel that the work she has ac- "It is impossible to recount the unceasing > > complished was greater than what has ever sacrifices, the untiring efforts, the heroic > been accomplished before. None of our deeds, and the depth of spiritual consciousness developed by the friends during the past > group are trained teachers and none of us are > able to give all our time but we are steadily year. Nor is it possible to gain more than a > growing I feel sure, and we are hoping slight impression of this great collective > > through His mercy and bounty to 'become action, carrying forward as it did in all > stars shining in the horizon of guidance, directions, the divine Banner of Baha'u'llah. > birds singing in the rose-garden of immor- In not one instance has the effort of even > > tality, lions roaring in the forest of knowlthe humblest been without result. Certain- > > edge and wisdom, and whales swimming in ly such a standard of service and such an > " > the ocean of life.' outpouring of heavenly confirmations have > never been witnessed in this country. > TEACHING REPORT > In its annual report for 1937-1938, the Pioneer Teaching in Virgin Areas > > National Teaching Committee describes the "Pioneers have arisen and, leaving home > range of the activities so accelerated by the communities, have moved into new states > Seven Year Plan in North America. and established the Faith. Many, singly and > "The dynamic calls of the Guardian place alone, have entered areas of spiritual darkbefore the American Baha'is that portion of ness and brought the Light of Guidance. > the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'1-Baha for teach- Others have diligently carried on the work > ing the Baha'i Faith that they must fulfill of developing these new centers of attracduring the seven remaining years of the first tion, while one and all have continuously in- > Baha'i century. The glorious task of estab- creased their efforts to expand the Faith and > lishing the New World Order throughout strengthen the institutions of its New World > the length and breadth of the American con- Order. > tinents carries with it grave responsibilities, "This pioneer teaching work has been of > but at the same time it is releasing spiritual two types: first, by settlement; and second, > power such as has never before descended to by visit. Many who have been able to travel > these countries. Before our very eyes we into these virgin areas, have been unable to > have seen, even during the first year of this establish themselves there permanently, but > Seven Year Plan, the fulfillment of many of by repeated visits or prolonged sojourns have > the promises of the Master that He would established the Faith. It is clear, however, > ever be with, guide and bless those who arose from the following statement of the Guardin the spread of the Divine Teachings. The ian, that the type of pioneer teaching service > sacrifices and devotion of the friends have productive of best results is that of teaching > been the magnet for divine confirmations, by settlement: 'This task can best be accomopening the doors and achieving ever- plished by means of settlement in these states > increasing victories for our beloved Faith. of at least one believer.' > Let those who are seeking the breaths of the "Every Baha'i is literally carrying a torch > Holy Spirit Baha'i pioneers, sever > arise as of guidance in his hands, and if he settles in > themselves from home ties, enter one of the one place then the Light is permanently esvirgin areas, and they will experience a flood tablished there. Pioneer teachers should > of Heavenly Blessings. leave that spot of settlement only when > "The American Baha'is, to an individual, others have become ignited and, through a > have arisen to play their parts in the divine Spiritual Assembly, become the focal center > drama being enacted on the horizon of of its diffusion. > America's spiritual destiny. The progress of "The Teaching Committee feels it is im- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 47 > > portant to clarify the value of 'teaching by write: 'We repeatedly marvel over the way > settlement.' If five Baha'i teachers visited, things have opened for us. You cannot > one after the other, five different cities there imagine how eager it makes us to serve > would be interest and attraction in each of Such confirmations! Again! again! and > these cities. However, if active follow-up again!' > work is not continuously done in each of "Mrs. Marguerite Breugger of Wilmette, > them after these teachers have returned Illinois,moved to Fargo, North Dakota, in > home, the Light would gradually die out. the fail of 1936. She has done active teach- > On the other hand, if these five teachers each ing work there and in Dickinson, Northsettle in one of the five cities, the Faith will wood, Valley City, Culbertson, Columbus, > be firmly established in each city. and Bismarck. An early issue of BAHAI > "One of our most successful pioneer NEWS will carry a picture of the Baha'i Centeachers who previously felt it important to ter in Bismarck, established by Mrs. Breugger > move from place to place in order to sow the .together with the first Baha'i of North > seeds more widely, writes, after her experi- Dakota. An active study class is being conences of the past year, as follows: ducted in Bismarck and several are studying > " > *I am more and more convinced of the independently in each of the other cities. > absolute necessity of carrying through with "Mr. Walter H. Blakely, of Worcester, > a group until they are established and com- moved to Birmingham, Ala- > Massachusetts, > pletely able to stand on their own feet. As bama, in November, 1937, and is actively > one reviews our teaching methods during the engaged in the teaching work in that city, > past, one realizes the tragic lost motion and having a number of persons interested in the > waste of devoted effort, because the work Faith. > was not originally carried through to the "Mrs. Lorrol O. Jackson of Seattle moved > finish/ to Helena, Montana, in August, 1937. At > "During the past year, forty-eight Baha'i that time there were three registered Baha'is > teachers pioneered in virgin areas, twenty by there. At this time there are eight registered > settlement and twenty-eight by teaching Baha'is, a regular study class and a thriving > visits. It should be pointed out that in re- children's class. > ferring to virgin areas here, we have included "The State of Texas has been the point of > the states and provinces without Spiritual settlement of four Baha'is. Mrs. Kathryn > Assemblies. Frankland of Berkeley, California, moved to > "The twenty who taught by settlement Corpus Christi. Mr. H. R. Hurlbut of San > are: Mr. Walter H. Blakely, Mr. and Mrs. Francisco moved to San Antonio where Mr. > Roy Boyle, Mrs. Marguerite Breugger, Miss and Mrs. Kenneth Smith of Moline, Illinois, > Elizabeth Conlin, Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. had settled. San Antonio now has a Baha'i > Entzminger, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ewing, Group of four and a study group of eleven. > Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, Miss Marion Active work has been done by Mrs. Frank- > Holley, Mr. H. R. Hurlbut, Mrs. Lorrol land in Corpus Christi and Austin. > Jackson, Mr. Samuel Jayne, Mr. Edwin Koyl, "New Mexico has likewise been blessed > Dr. A. L. Morris, Dr. E. L. Morris, Miss Eve with pioneer Baha'i settlers. Doctors A. L. > B. Nicklin, and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and E. L. Morris moved from Toledo to > Smith. Albuquerque to teach in this virgin state. > "The Entzminger family left Geyserviile, They were accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. > California, in the spring of 1936 for Okla- Roy Boyle and Mr. Samuel Jayne of Toledo. > homa City, Oklahoma. Some teaching work Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ewing of Lima have > had been done previously in that city by also settled in Albuquerque; so there is now > visiting teachers but there were no enrolled a Baha'i Group of seven there. It is of in- > Baha'is. On April 21, 1938, a Spiritual terest to note in passing that these Baha'is > Assembly was elected by ten registered are studying Spanish so that they may teach > Baha'is. In addition to regular Baha'i meet- the large Mexican population in their native > ings there is a study class for adults and an tongue, over fifty per cent of the population > active children's group. The Entzmingers being Mexican and Indian. > 48 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "Miss Elizabeth Conlin of Vancouver re- assisted by her husband, Mr. Howard Ives, > cently moved to Taber, Alberta, in order to later taught in Scranton and there is now an > > establish the Faith in that City. active study class there. > "West Virginia was the virgin area at- "Mr. Louis G. Gregory has carried the > tracting two Baha'i teachers. Miss Marion Message actively throughout the South, > Holley moved to Charleston, but conditions teaching in Universities, etc., enroute to > later required her return to California. Dur- Tuskegee where he has given many lectures > ing her stay in West Virginia teaching con- and conducted study classes for the past five > tacts were made in Charleston, Huntington, months. There are now six confirmed be- > Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, and lievers in that city and the study group of > > Parkersburg. Miss Eve B. Nicklin, recently forty recently sent an enthusiastic expression > returned from Brazil, has moved to Parkers- of their appreciation to the Guardian for > > burg where active teaching work is now be- having been the recipient of the Message. > ing done. Concerning Tuskegee, Mr. Gregory com- > "Nevada was the objective of Mr. and ments: 'I feel that the Most High, Baha'u- > Mrs. Elmore Duckett of Los Angeles. As the 'llah, Who has showered so many signs of > > Ducketts were making plans to move to that His Blessings on this famous community, is > State, the Hand of Providence removed Mr. now willing to give them a further blessing > Duckett to the Supreme Concourse. A be- of Divine Knowledge and spiritual outpour- > > quest, however, was left by him to assist in ing.' > the teaching work in Nevada. Thus their "Great success was likewise achieved in > devotion and sacrifice for the Seven Year Normal and Montgomery, Alabama. In > Plan will carry on. Montgomery we now have one registered > "Those who have carried forward the Baha'i with others attracted and studying > > pioneer work by teaching visits to virgin ter- the Teachings. > > ritory are as follows: "Mrs. Grace Ober ha devoted much time > "Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Mrs. Amelie Bod- to the teaching work in Canada, having > mer, Dr. E. Stanwood Cobb, Mrs. Ruth Cor- spent three months assisting the Qroup in > nell, Mrs. Oni A. Finks, Mrs. Mary Fisher, Toronto. The result of this work and the > Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Mrs. Emogene Hoagg, assistance of Mr. Ober have brought new > Mrs. Mabel Rice-Wray Ives, Mrs. Edna souls into the Faith to the number that made > > Johnson, Mrs. Marion Little, Mrs. Loulie possible the election of the first Spiritual As- > Mathews, Mrs. Gertrude Matteson, Mrs. sembly in Ontario on April 21, 1938. Mrs. > Ruth Moffett, Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Ober, Ober has been teaching during the past two > Miss Agnes O'Neill, Mrs. Edwinna Powell, months in Louisville, Kentucky, where a > Miss Marguerite Reimer, Mr. C. Mason study class has been established. > Remey, Mrs. Orcella Rexford, Mrs. Marion "Mr. Harlan Ober lectured on the Faith > Rhodes, Mrs. Rosemary Sala, Mrs. Mamie in Binghamton, Syracuse, and Ithaca, New > Seto, Mrs. Terah C. Smith, Mrs. Gertrude York; Scranton, Pa.; Toronto, Canada, and > Struven, Miss Muriel Warnicker, Mrs. Gayle in many cities in northern Michigan. > Woolson. "Mrs. Ruth Moffett, in addition to her > "Mrs. Mabel Ives, whose pioneer teaching other continuous teaching services, achieved > work has been very successful, has taught great success for the Faith in Wyoming > during the past year in Scranton, Pa., and where she taught during November and De- > Moncton, New Brunswick. In addition she cember, 1937, in Laramie and Cheyenne. In > has introduced the Faith into Charlottetown, Laramie there is an active study class under > Prince Edward Island, and St. John and the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Lilly- > Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mrs. Ives went to white who moved to Wyoming to teach early > Moncton in September, 1937, being assisted in 1936. Mrs. Moflfett writes of this Group: > later by Mrs. Rosemary Sala and Mrs. 'If you could see the interest and earnestness > Dorothy Baker. On April 21 of this year, of these new souls, you would feel assured > the first Spiritual Assembly of New Bruns- that the results of our labors are well worth > wick was elected at Moncton. Mrs. Ives, while/ > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 49 > > "Mrs. Moffett is now on a trip in the existence during the past year. If each > South, going as far as New Orleans, lectur- of these Assemblies should establish a > ing and broadcasting over the radio on the new Assembly during the coming year, it > Faith. will be seen how rapidly the Faith will ex- > "Miss Marguerite Reimer of Milwaukee pand. > and Mrs. Gayle Woolson of St. Paul, spent "During the past year, according to resix weeks doing follow-up work and teach- ports from fifty-five Assemblies, twenty-six > ing in new cities in the Dakotas. Their trip Assemblies have introduced the Faith into > covered 4,500 miles by automobile; more eighty-two cities. Follow-up work is being > than thirty-three lectures were given; the carried forward in forty-one of these new > Faith was introduced into four new cities; cities. Twenty-five Assemblies used local > the study class in Lead, South Dakota, was teachers in doing this splendid work which > > strengthened with five new members, and a demonstrated the increasing strength of our > class was left in Huron, South Dakota. Of Assembly and individual capacity. > special interest in connection with the teach- "Teacher training classes are being coning work of these two youthful teachers is ducted in fifteen Assemblies, which, while > the many lectures given in schools and col- encouraging, will not meet the requirements > leges. for new teachers as the Seven Year Plan > "Miss Reimer also accompanied Mrs. progresses. > Terah Smith to North Carolina where they "Practically all the Assemblies are now > have been teaching in Raleigh and Durham. holding regular public meetings, presenting > In July, prior to her work in North Carolina directly and forcibly the spiritual teachings > in January, Mrs. Smith spent six weeks in Las of BahaVllah and the New World Order > Vegas, Nevada, introducing the Faith into which His social teachings assure. > that State. "Late in 1936 the Teaching Committee > "It is regrettable that space prohibits re- issued a bulletin entitled, 'Teaching the > > cording in detail the work of all the pioneer Baha'i Faith,' discussing in detail various > teachers. However, the foregoing brief teaching methods. The material contained > statement of convey to the > service will therein can be of great assistance to Assemfriends an idea of the manner in which our blies at this time, and they would do well to > pioneer teachers are exerting themselves for again review it. > the spread of the Faith and of the confirma- "Of great importance is the use of rations their labors are receiving. dio for teaching New York, > purposes. > Springfield and Vancouver Assemblies re- > Assembly Teaching port gratifying results from this method of > "The Assembly, being the unit upon teaching. > which the Administrative Order of the Faith "The plan of radio teaching used by the > is built, should in reality become the bulwark Vancouver Assembly is worthy of study. In > of the teaching work. The active Assembly areas where two or more Assemblies are in > > continuously expands its > teaching services, close proximity, the plan might be employed > both locally and into new areas; constantly by these Assemblies jointly. > develops new teaching methods and mate- "A series of eleven fifteen-minute broadthrough its teacher training classes berials; castswere given under the general theme of > comes the source of new teachers; and 'The World at Home.' Each presentation > through its appeals and urging fills the ever- dealt with one of the social principles of the > > increasing demand for pioneer workers in Faith now of such vital interest to all. The > virgin areas. Baha'is invited friends into their homes for > "The National Spiritual Assembly for the a discussion hour. The groups listened to > past few years has urged, as a most impor- the presentation and > then discussed the > tant part of our teaching program, the estab- points involved to demonstrate the efficacy > lishment of the Faith into a new city by each of Baha'u'llah's teachings. It was announced > local Spiritual Assembly. We now have 79 that if anyone wished to organize a discussion > Local Assemblies, ten having come into group and wished a discussion leader, one > Interior views of the reconstructed House of > Baha'u'llah's father, in Takur, Iran. > > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 51 > > would be supplied by the Secretary of the would like to commend especially the work > Baha'i Assembly. of the Regional Committees in stimulating > "The results of this effort were: the estab- the activities of Baha'i Groups and isolated > lishment of three fireside groups amongst the Baha'is. These outpost units are one of > believers; five non-Baha'is requested group our greatest assets in extension teaching > meetings at their homes during the program; work, and it is hoped that Regional Comand at the conclusion of the series, the estab- mittees and Assemblies will continue to > lishment of a Baha'i study class of forty-five assist them. > > students. "One point which should be clarified is the > "The Fireside Meeting is reported almost relationship of the extension work of the > > unanimously as the most important type of Regional Committees to that of Local Asmeeting for teaching purposes. It is the semblies. There should be no conflict in the > intimate discussion which takes place there spheres of activity, as each Local Assembly > that permits deeper understanding and final is both encouraged and urged to introduce > confirmation. the Faith into as many surrounding cities as > > "During the past year, of the 55 Assem- ispossible. The Regional Committees will > blies reporting, 34 indicated a total of 117 undertake the introduction of the Faith into > newly enrolled Baha'is. cities not yet served by Local Assemblies. > > Isolated Bahd'is Publicity > "There are 233 cities with 328 isolated "With the growing search for the solution > Baha'is, 53 new isolated believers having of the world's ills, the press of the country is > been added to the list during the past year. more freely using Baha'i articles and giving > Each of these is the possible nucleus of in- publicity to Baha'i activities. Good articles > tensive teaching work. Local Assemblies, on various phases of the Faith are an excel- > Regional Teaching Committees, and Bah'i lent means of teaching. Pioneer teachers > teachers should contact these isolated be- have found this to be one of their most > > lievers, stimulating and assisting them to helpful means of contact. Several instances > open further fields to the Faith. Illustrating have come to our attention where individuals > how the isolated believer can be most helpful in virgin areas have renewed their study of > in teaching work, the action of the isolated the Faith, as a result of articles they have > Baha'is of Arlington and Richmond, Vir- seen in the newspapers. > > ginia, is worthy of note. In cooperation > with the Regional Teaching Committee in Temple Models and Slides > that area, these friends arranged public meet- "Pioneer teachers have found that the > > ings and follow-up in their cities, the lec- Temple is one of the most powerful teachers > tures on the Faith being given by Mr. of the Faith. It is always a ready means of > Charles Mason Remey and Dr. Stanwood securing openings for lectures, displays, etc. > Cobb. Where contacts are otherwise difficult, a display of the Temple model or an illustrated > Regional Teaching Committees lecture is always welcome. In order to fur- > "Regional Teaching Committees were ap- ther this important instrument of public > pointed by the National Spiritual Assembly work, the National Assembly has made availto stimulate teaching work within their re- able four Temple models for display use > spective areas, and particularly to develop throughout the country. Likewise, slides > the extension teaching work in areas outside showing the progress of the Temple work, > the jurisdiction of Local Spiritual Assem- with various views of its present beauty, > blies. The reports of the Regional Com- have been made available, as outlined in > mittees published in Baha'i News of April Baha'i News for December, 1937. The > 1938, indicate better than any brief com- Teaching Committee will be happy to arment we can make the excellent work they range with Local Assemblies or Groups for > have done. the exhibition of the Temple models or loan > "The National Teaching Committee of the Temple slides. > Sarah J. Farmer, Founder of Green Acre: O Maid-servant of God! Be rejoiced > at this glad tidings, whereby the hearts of the people of the Kingdom of Abha arc > moved with joy. Verily, I beseech God to make Green Acre as the Paradise of > Abha, so that the melodies of the Nightingales of Sanctity may be heard from it, > and that the chanting of the Verses of Unity may be raised therein, to cause the > clouds of the great Gift to pour upon it the rains falling from heaven, to make those > countries become verdant with the myrtles of Truth and Inner Significances, and > to plant therein blessed trees, with the Hand of Providence, which may bring forth > pure and excellent fruits wheref rom the Fragrances of God may be diffused throughout all regions. These signs shall surely appear, and these lights shall shine forth. > 'Abdu'l-Babd, to Sarah J. Farmer. > > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 53 > > Opening New Cities grave responsibility they have in stimulating > potential teachers and providing means both > "Appeals have been made in the Baha'i > for their study and experience. > News for names and addresses of interested > "The three Summer Schools offer an ideal > ones in cities where we now have no Baha'is. > Names and addresses, even of friends are opportunity for intensive study and preparation. One of the most important aspects of > most helpful. Few of the friends, however, > the Summer Schools is that with so many > have sent this important information to the > Baha'is brought into close relationship there > Teaching Committee. It was through the > is demonstrated true, happy Baha'i living > names of friends in Louisville, Kentucky, > which, above all, is the true teacher. The > that Mrs. Ober's most effective work in that > Summer Schools can therefore prove that recity was accomplished. > "In order to assist Regional Committees, ligion in reality, is a way of life, and the > Baha'i Faith the true way of living for this > Local Assemblies, and individuals in opening > troubled age. > new cities to the Faith, the Teaching Com- > "A new method of training and preparamittee issued a bulletin in November, 1937, > tion for active teaching was demonstrated > outlining in detail the methods used by various of our successful pioneer teachers. by Miss Marguerite Reimer who assisted ex- > "It is important that whoever plans open- perienced pioneer teachers in opening various > cities to the Faith. On these trips Miss > ing a new city to the Faith should make a > Reimer took care of all the administrative > careful initial survey of conditions there. > With an understanding of the psychology of > details of the campaign and, to the extent > possible, assisted in the follow-up work. Let > the public, the right type of lecture, with > us hope that more young Baha'i teachers will > appropriate titles, can be arranged. This is > follow this example. > of particular importance in virgin states > where the Faith has not yet penetrated. Attitude of the Public > Titles which seem critical or might be con- > "The Guardian in his urgent appeals for > strued as antagonistic should not be used. > more dramatic activity directs our attention > Public meetings immediately bring requests > to the chaotic conditions rapidly developing > for Baha'i books. Therefore one should > throughout the world. The increasing tests > always see that our literature is readily availhave brought about a corresponding search > able in the public libraries. The Nationfor the solution of the problems. Thus the > al Assembly has voted a budget to the > public is more and more appreciative of the > Library Committee to supply books for this > Teachings of Baha'u'llah. What is needed is > purpose. > a sufficient number of energetic teachers who > "The National Assembly has directed that > will continuously raise higher the Banner of > any teacher giving lectures in new cities > Truth so that many more may know of this > should do so in a manner relating it to the > Revelation. With this amazing receptivity > Administrative Order. Therefore, programs, > on the part of the public, nothing less than > publicity, announcements, etc., should indithe direct method of public teaching meets > cate that the lectures are being given 'under > the general need of society. World chaos can > the jurisdiction of the Regional (or Namove in one of two directions: either to > tional) Teaching Committee,' as the case > complete destruction, or to World Order. > may be. As more people realize this most serious predicament, they are seeking the orderly proc- > Training of Bahd'i Teachers esses of civilization. > Let us therefore neither > "Earlier in this report we stated that fif- hesitate or falter in our vigorous public preteen Assemblies are now conducting teacher sentation of the Faith. > training classes. The National and all Re- > The Spirit of Pioneer Teaching > gional Teaching Committees during the past > year could not meet the demands for "Though our numbers may be few and > teachers. Therefore it is evident that As- the problems we face many, yet the insemblies must most seriously consider the vincible spirit of the Faith will enable us to > THE BAHA'f WORLD > overcome all obstacles and ultimately gain Baha'i educational institutions, even those > complete victory. In the following quota- physically primitive and restricted, have > tion the Guardian reiterates the promises of concern with the principles which make for > Divine assistance: the regeneration of character and the rise > " > 'But in the field of Baha'i service, as the of a new world community. They represent > history of the Cause abundantly demon- the new balance which BahaVllah has estabstrates, there is no obstacle that can be said lished between the subjective and the social > to be insurmountable. Every difficulty will, self. Even though they have no facilities > in due time, be solved. But continued and for the consideration of the multitude of > collective effort is also needed. The Baha'i facts constituting the body of acquired > teacher should not get discouraged at the knowledge, they can and do clarify those > consciousness of the limitations within or principles of truth which are as the branches > without him. He should rather persevere, supporting the leaves of knowledge. And > and be confident, that no matter how numer- they can and do realize the vital trunk of > ous and perplexing the difficulties that con- reality which, in turn, supports and nourfront him may appear, he is continually ishes the limbs. > > assisted and guided through divine confir- Therefore it has become a sign of the demations. He should consider himself as a velopment of a national Baha'i community > mere instrument in the hands of God and beyond the phase of personal conviction and > should therefore, cease looking at his own general sentiment, that Summer Schools > merits. The first and most important come into existence and the problems of > qualifications of a Baha'i teacher is indeed, spiritual education are faced and gradually > unqualified loyalty and attachment to the solved. > Cause. . . . The foundation of Baha'i educational in- > " > 'What the Cause now requires is ... a stitutions has been firmly laid in the Summer > . . . number of devoted, sincere and loyal Schools which, beginning with Green Acre > supporters, who in utter disregard of their at Eliot, Maine, have been established not > own weaknesses and limitations and with only in the United States but also in Enghearts afire with the love of God, forsake land, Australia and, until civil authorities > their all for the sake of spreading and estab- prevented, in Germany. A > detailed report > > lishing His Faith.' In other words, what is is presented elsewhere in the > present work on > mostly needed now is a Baha'i pioneer! the programs carried out at Green Acre, > "Who are the Baha'i pioneers who will Geyserville and Louhelen Ranch during the > arise in response to these dynamic calls and period under review. > settle in the virgin areas throughout the The history of religion indicates that the > country?" rise of formal education through college and > university has followed the birth of faith so > BAHA'I EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS > slowly that the spiritual instruction reflected > In the formation of a community bound the era of creed and ecclesiastical philosophy > not merely by temporary, or occasional, or at the expense of the simpler truths of Reve- > > partial ties, thedevelopment of educational lation. Moreover, in certain instances the > institutions plays a vital role. For their nature of faith as grasped by the early befunction is to give the sentiment of unity a lievers was felt to be even antagonistic to > firm foundation in conscious understanding, knowledge. The real capacity of education > and a true expression through full realization to serve in the development of social perof the significance of the essential aims. sonality in its full sense and in the propaga- > There is no similarity between Baha'i in- tion of universal truths which constitute the > stitutionsand those which in the past have pillars of civilization has consequently not > been only concerned with theology. Nor are been apparent. > they an attempt to parallel the secular insti- But the Bahd'i Faith includes knowledge, > tutions which convey knowledge without and its spirit in the body of its adherents > spiritual experience or sound reference to the reconciles the activities of soul and mind. > > underlying problems of human civilization. The Baha'i, of whatever age or condition, is > CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES > and must be a student. Therefore, in this if the body were in such a cool and > healthy > era, the realm of education is clearly marked, environment; and I realized, too, how much > and the facilities for sharing knowledge ap- more good would come from a summer vacapeared in its early period. The Baha'is are tion if instead of being burdened with the > wholly conscious of the fact that Baha'u'llah effort of finding amusement for leisure hours, > declared that Religion is a flame to be pro- one's mind and soul could be refreshed by > tected by the glass of knowledge and under- helpful thoughts, under spreading pines, in > standing. They realize, also, that BahaVllah green pastures, beside still waters. The deproscribed that artificial, sterile knowledge tails of the work came > quickly before my > which "begins in words and ends in words," mind, and when we left the audience room I > for the essence of understanding is the guid- had it all. At that time I had not heard of > ance of the soul on its path and the establish- the Congress of .Religions to be held at Chiment of an ordered, world civilization. The cago the following year; and I regard my > impartial student of current affairs may well conception of Green Acre as an instance supcompare the significance of Baha'i education porting my father's claim that invention is > with those secular types of human assump- inspiration that it is the catching, by the > tion and propaganda substituted for true open eye and the listening ear, of that which > education in the lives of so many millions of is > being given in its fullness to some prepersons today. Consideration might also be pared soul. Charles Carroll Bonney of Chigiven to the vital fact that Baha'i education cago was then working out the details of a > is a > powerful bond between the generations, work which should embrace the whole world. > and not a divisive factor. I > caught glimpses of it unconsciously, and > The activities of the three American he always felt that I too was 'called' and that > Schools have been so fully described in the Green Acre had a part in the great work of > special article which follows this brief word Unification." > that reference to their details would be These words uttered by the founder of > duplication. An historical fact concerning Green Acre removes the misconception > the origin of Green Acre, however, came to which for years attributed the origin of > light during the observance of Miss Sarah J. Green Acre to the influence exerted upon > Farmer's birthday during the season of 1937, Miss Farmer by the Parliament of > Religions > which merits recording. The following conducted at the Chicago World's Fair. > statement was made by Miss Farmer to Mrs. Mr. George O. Latimer has prepared the > John Mitchell and by the latter read at the following statement on the programs and > gathering held in Miss Farmer's commemora- functions of the three Summer Schools in > tion. North America. > "Green Acre was an original conception. "The rapid growth and development of > The vision flashed upon me in June, 1892, as, the three Baha'i Summer Schools > during the > in Boston, I was listening to a lecture by past few years indicates the increasing value > W. J. Colville on 'The Abundant Life' of these institutions toward the fulfillment > through the forming of the Christ within. of the Seven Year Plan which is so near to > The day was hot; and through the open win- the hope and aspiration of the Guardian. > dow came a noise of traffic which almost Situated in three strategic areas of the United > drowned the speaker's voice. The people States, they provide educational centers > were so eager for knowledge of themselves where the believers can gather together durthat they sat patiently two hours at a time, ing their vacations, in large numbers, to > three times a day. I looked at them and study the Teachings of Baha'u'llah, exthought of the spot which Whittier loved change views and experiences, associate with > and found so restful Green Acre-on-the- one another in an active community life and > Piscataqua and I saw them seated in a large thus deepen their knowledge and undertent on the green bank of this beautiful standing of the Faith in a distinctive Baha'i > river, the cool breeze from the water fan- atmosphere. The importance of these instining their cheeks, and I realized how much tutions has been stressed over and over > by > njore receptive the mind and heart would be the Guardian, to those who have been active > THE BAHA'f WORLD > in the conduct of the Schools. He wrote as tion of a greater number of believers each > follows in 1934: The friends should indeed year, for the Guardian has stated that it is a > realize that their annual gathering in the privilege to contribute in the development > Summer Schools is a splendid opportunity of these institutions. > for them to develop their sense of collective > Green Acre Summer School > responsibility by becoming more familiar > with the various aspects of the Teachings "Green Acre, situated on the picturesque > and by acquiring a fresh vision of the ways banks of the Piscataqua, the River of Light, > and means through which such teaching can in the southeastern part of Maine, has been > reach and effectively impress the public.' for many years a center for the investigation > > (Mr. and Mrs. Bosch) The Cause is still in of Reality. Founded by Miss Sarah J. > its formative period, but the friends, in ap- Farmer in 1894 as an institution 'for the > > proaching the stupendous task of establish- purpose of bringing together all who were > ing the new World Order, find their great looking earnestly toward the New Day > encouragement in the deep understanding, which seemed to be breaking over the entire > the high devotion and sympathetic apprecia- world,' it continued through a long period > tion of the goal ahead, and the spiritual in- of growth and struggles to be a disseminat- > > spiration engendered in these centers. The ing center of lofty ideals. Many men and > recently established schools in Germany and women, prominent in world affairs, gave of > the British Isles have likewise rendered most their time and wisdom, to make this center a > valuable contributions in hastening the ful- place of fellowship, where an unbiased prefillment of the promise of the Golden Age. sentation and study of comparative religion, > "Not only should the Summer Schools be scientific truth and the best in arts and letconsidered as one of the best means through ters could be found. The Green Acre > which the public can be acquainted with the Conferences attracted university professors, > principles of the Faith, but they provide the religious leaders and scientists to assist a > most intensive training field for the develop- small group, known as the Green Acre Felment of Baha'i teachers. It is a noteworthy lowship, in carrying on the high ideals of the > fact that the recent rapid extension of the founder. Gradually the infiltration of the > teaching work in virgin territories has been Baha'i spirit brought to Green Acre the > the result of the inspiration and training realization of its destiny. In the summer of > which the pioneer teachers have received in 1912, 'Abdu'1-Baha spent a week at Green > these schools where both the practical Acre inspiring the friends to renewed effort > methods and spiritual ideals have been incul- and directing the future course of its activicated in them. Shoghi Effendi in a letter to a ties. No one in attendance can forget the > member of the Western States Summer meeting on beautiful Mount Salvat, when > School stated that, 'It would be no exaggera- the Master dedicated this spot to be the cention to say that the unique contribution ter of a great university with a universal > which the Geyserville Summer School has house of worship. In a Tablet, 'Abdu'1-Baha > made to the extension of the teaching work further sent encouragement by stating: 'If > during the last few years has been to teach one looks for praiseworthy results and wishes > the friends and inspire them to live up to the to produce eternal effects, let him make ex- > > high standard which the Teachings incul- ceeding effort, in order that Green Acre may > cate, and thus teach the Cause through the become an assemblage for the Word of God > power of example.' Deeds are now revealing and a gathering place for the spiritual ones > the station of the Baha'i teacher. of the heavenly world.' > "It is of interest to follow the swift de- "August 10, 1925, was an eventful day in > velopment and expansion of the Summer the history of Green Acre for on that day > Schools from their early, modest origin to the Green Acre Fellowship, at its annual > the present time when their housing and meeting, decided to place control of all the > other facilities are taxed to the limit. A physical properties as well as the conduct of > brief historical record of their achievements its institutions under the National Spiritual > > should serve to increase the active participa- Assembly. In 1929 this transfer was effec- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 57 > > Entrance to Green Acre. > > tively completed by an Indenture of Trust mighty and splendid edifice. You are turnand the Baha'is took complete charge. Dur- ing your thoughts to what is the most > ing this period the World Unity Conferences urgent, the most essential, the most vital facwere established with such noted lecturers as tor in the spread and the ultimate triumph > Professors Herbert Adams Gibbons of of the Cause.' > Princeton, John Herman Randall, Jr., of "The season of 1929 saw a complete two > Columbia, Samuel Lucas Joshi of Dartmouth, months course on Baha'i subjects established > Kirtley F. Mather of Harvard and William under the direction of eminent teachers. > R. Shepherd of Columbia. At the same time The Inn, the beautiful Fellowship House, the > the start of a real Baha'i school took place Arts and Crafts building and the numerous > along with this indirect method of teaching cottages were all centers for the activities of > the Cause. The Guardian was greatly the School. After the 'Eirenion' burned > pleased with the success attending the efforts down it was necessary to hold the sessions in > to establish a Baha'i study course as a means a room of the Inn, but in 1937 an attractive > > of bringing to light hitherto unsuspected new Baha'i Hall, made possible through the > capacities of the friends. He wrote at this generosity of Mrs. Florence Morton, was > time: 'You are laying a solid foundation erected on the banks of the river. This Hall, > > upon which the rising generation will rear a fully equipped to take care of 200 students, > THE BAHA'f WORLD > will be used exclusively for teaching and friends from the Middle West attended the > devotional purposes and for the celebration 1936 session and provided the opportunity > of Baha'i Feasts. The long list of devoted of telling about activities of Baha'i combelievers who have identified themselves with munities in other parts of the country. > the activities of Green Acre down through "In addition to these sessions, a study > the years of transition, is too numerous to course was conducted by Mrs. Elizabeth > mention, but their untiring services are well Greenleaf on 'The Dispensation of Baha'uknown to all. 'llah' from August 3 to 6, the Youth held a > "In planning the program for 1936, the conference on August 7-8, ending with a > > committee composed of Mr. Horace Holley, public meeting, and a three-day intensive > Dr. Genevieve L. Coy and Mr. Philip Teaching Conference was conducted by Mr. > Sprague decided to try the experiment of Rex Collison and Mr. Bishop Brown on > concentrating the major courses in two August 27, 28 and 29. > weeks. Two courses were given each morn- "The Inn was open during the month of > ing for five days and a discussion group was July to offer accommodations to believers > held each evening to follow up the subject desiring a restful vacation and to nonmatter of the morning lectures. The fol- Baha'is who wished to learn more about the > lowing courses were presented: Faith. Baha'i teachers present during the > month arranged group meetings for this pur- > August 10-14. The Baha'i Life. Leader, > Mrs. Dorothy Baker. pose. A Race Amity Conference was con- > Introduction to the Study of Islam. > ducted by Mr. Louis Gregory and Mr. > Horace Holley and meetings were arranged > Leader, Mr. His_hmat 'Ala'i. > to hear of the teaching work in the Balkan > August 17-21. Baha'i Administration. > countries by Miss Marion Jack and Mrs. > Leader, Mrs. Mary Collison. > Louise Gregory. > The Nature of the Manifestation. > "The 1937 Sessions of the Summer School > Leader, Mrs. Mamie Seto. > were divided into morning and afternoon > The average daily attendance for these four classes to allow more time for discussion of > courses ranged from 37 to 53, and the wide the subject matter immediately following > range of study proved most helpful and the presentation by the lecturer. The folit developed a deeper underinstructive, as lowing courses were presented: > standing of the individual's relationship to > August 16-20. Essentials of World Rethe Manifestation, to the Baha'i community > ligion. Leader, Mr. Kenneth Chrisand to the administrative order. > tian. > "In the week preceding the opening of the > Islam. Leader, Ali-Kuli Khan, N.D. > Summer proper, Professor Glenn > School > August 23-27. The Dispensation of > Shook gave a five days' course on Mysticism > Baha'u'lUh. Leader, Mrs. H. Emo~ > and the Baha'i Revelation. This clarifying > course on the more abstruse Baha'i teachings gene Hoagg. > Course on Public Speaking. > was accompanied by a lively period of ques- > August 30-September 3. Human Qualition and discussion. During the week of ties in the New Age. Leader, Dr. > August 24-28, Mrs. Doris McKay gave a > Genevieve L. Coy. > series of lessons on Public > Speaking. Mem- > Course on Writing. > bers of the class practiced giving short talks > on Bah'i subjects and the training proved "In addition to these courses, there was a > highly valuable. full Youth Week from August 1 to 7 when > "During the month of August, Sunday 'The Baha'i Administrative Order* was dismorning devotional meetings were held and cussed under the leadership of Mr. Horace > in the evening public meetings carried on. Holley. Following this course on August 9, > The speakers included Miss Martha Root, Mr. 10 and 11, Mr. Bishop Brown presented a > Mountfort Mills, Mr. Horace Holley, Mrs. course on the 'Rise and Fall of Civilizations.' > Mamie Seto, Mr. Louis Gregory and Mrs. A general Teaching Conference was held on > Dorothy Baker. An unusual number of August 12 and 13 with morning and after- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 59 > > noon sessions. There was a fine attendance Mr. Philip Sprague and Mr. Horace Holley > during the entire month and the friends had are to be congratulated for the splendid conthe pleasure of an informal meeting with the duct of the School during the past two seamembers of the National Spiritual Assembly sons which has steadily widened the sphere of > who held a three day meeting at Green Acre. its influence in the New England States. > "In response to a cabled message from They have likewise ably handled the many > Shoghi Effendi, concerning the premature details of maintenance problems connected > > passing of Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, who had been with such a large property, and the manageidentified with the activities of Green Acre ment of an Inn. During the past year the > for many years, that the entire body of the generous gift of the Ball Cottage with its > National representatives assemble at his acreage, from Mr. and Mrs. Schopflocher, > grave to pay tribute on behalf of the Guard- provided additional housing facilities for the > ian, the National Spiritual Assembly, on School. > Monday, August 30, proceeded to the grave "Thus Green Acre approaches the goal > at Beverly, Massachusetts to carry out this voiced in a message from the Guardian some > wish. years previous: 'I was delighted to hear of > "The friends of Green Acre also held a the progressive activities of that dearlymemorial meeting for Mr. Harry Randall, beloved spot, Green Acre, upon which the > who helped guide the destinies of this Master bestowed his tender care and loving > favored site through the many years of kindness, and of which we are all hopeful > vicissitudes and trials until Green Acre was that it may become, whilst the work of the > reborn into a complete Baha'i institution. Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is in progress, the focal > "The plan for the month of July was con- center of the devotional, humanitarian, > tinued and improved so as to provide a place social and spiritual activities of the Cause.' > of rest and a program of greater cultural interest. A series of week end International Geyserville Summer School > Conferences was conducted on the following "Due to the increasing call for Baha'i > subjects: 'World Crises and World Needs' by teachers in the Western States and the in- > Mr. Mountfort Mills; 'Universal World Cul- ability of the friends to attend Green Acre, > ture Based on Universal Education* by Pro- because of the great distance, the National > fessor Stan wood Cobb; 'Development of Spiritual Assembly appointed a committee > Church and State in Our Civilization' by consisting of Mr. John D. Bosch, Mr. Leroy > Professor Glenn L. Shook of Wheaton Col- C. loas and Mr. George O. Latimer, to work > lege and 'The Coming of World Order* by out plans for a summer school on the Pacific > Mr. Horace Holley. In addition, members Coast with a view to its development into a > of the Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra permanent institution. Mr. and Mrs. Bosch, > presented musical Concerts on Wednesday many years ago had expressed their desire to > evenings and Mrs. Nancy Bowditch, Boston 'Abdu'1-Baha, to dedicate their lovely fruit > artist, gave an illustrated lecture on 'The ranch as a center for universal service where > Holy Land* and also presented a Pageant on mankind might partake of the spiritual > July 29. teachings of Baha'u'llah. They gladly > "A number of attractive teas and socials offered their home and ranch with all its > were arranged by Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher facilities, for this purpose and on August 1, > > and Mrs. Amelia Bowman in order to attract 1927, about 130 friends gathered under a > and deepen the interest of the public who majestic pine tree to celebrate the Feast of > lived in the vicinity of Eliot or who had Asma' to start the first summer school in the > come to Green Acre to deepen their knowl- West. > edge of the Baha'i Faith. "The Committee felt that if only a few > "The Green Acre Committee, consisting perhaps nine at most could attend the sesof Mrs. Florence Morton, chairman, Mrs. sions the first year their efforts would be re- > Emma Flynn, Mr. Howard Struven, Mrs. warded, but the expectations were more than > Hebe Struven, Mr. Harold Bowman, Mrs. fulfilled, for there was an attendance, during > Amelia Bowman, Miss Genevieve L. Coy, the month, of forty confirmed believers, in- > Baha'i Hall, Green Acre > > ill > > Baha'i Youth, Green Acre. > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 61 > > eluding fifteen young and enthusiastic souls. reading of a cablegram just received from > * > From that time on the attendance has in- Mrs. Collins: Utmost gratitude for the > creased each year and the courses of study, Name that has taught us there is no separawhich were at first limited, have been gradu- tion.' > > ally expanded so that now a very compre- "The following year on July 3rd there > hensive understanding of the Faith can be was a similar dedication of the new dormiobtained by both the friends and the public tory following the Annual Reunion and > at each summer session. Feast of friends and their guests, with about > "In the ninth year after the establishment 250 in attendance. Attractive pictures of > of the school, Mr. and Mrs. Bosch deeded this both buildings were taken for the permanent > property to the Trustees of the National records of the School. A truly international > Spiritual Assembly. During this period these spirit was manifest at this opening gatherdevoted souls had housed without charge, all ing of the School. Telegraphic messages of > the students and teachers in their home and good-will wishes were received from Corpus > in many accessory buildings. These facilities Christi, Texas; Oklahoma City; Phoenix, > became inadequate, however, and in 1936, Arizona; and Vancouver, Canada. Words of > Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Collins erected and greeting were heard from Mr. Charles > presented to the Cause a very attractive Bishop, just returned from London, Mr. > Baha'i Hall of rustic redwood for the study Siegfried Schopflocher of Montreal, Mrs. > classes and public meetings. This generous Terah Smith of Binghamton, New York, Mr. > contribution was followed in 1937 by the Charles Reimer of Milwaukee, Mrs. Lorrol > gift of a much-needed dormitory of corre- Jackson of Spokane, Mrs. Ella Cooper of San > sponding rustic material, fully equipped, Francisco, Mrs. Louise Casweil from Nashwith a housing capacity for approximately ville and a warm welcome was extended by > > fifty people, modern in every detail, to pro- Mr. and Mrs. Bosch. Two students from > vide for the increase in attendance. Two Japan, Miss Y. Isobe and Mr. Oka, who were > friends have built attractive cottages on the attending the University of California, spoke > property and several more have planned to in Esperanto and Mr. George Sterris, an artist > erect summer homes in the near future. from France and Italy, paid a moving tribute > "The dedication of the Baha'i Hall on to the spirit of the assemblage in French. > > July 12, 1936, was simple, direct and spir- There were ten nationalities represented at > > itually impressive. Beautiful bouquets of the meeting. > flowers were received from Geyserville citi- "After the dedication, Mr. Leroy loas read > zens. Opening with the words of Shoghi a fitting memorial service for Mr. Thomas > Effendi, received by cablegram: 'Heartily Collins, who had passed from this life shortly > join celebration opening Auditorium gen- before the opening of the School. All > erously founded by well beloved distin- present felt the great loss of this friend who > guished friends Mr. and Mrs. Collins. had done so much toward the recent de- > Assure them profound abiding gratitude. velopment of the Geyserville educational > Love assembled friends/ a short history of institution and his memory will be enshrined > the development of the summer school was in the hearts of all students who attend the > given by Mr. Leroy loas. Then followed a school sessions in the future. > beautiful presentation of the services of the "The 1936 session included the following > School by Mrs. Louise Bosch and the turning courses consisting of six classes each: > over of the property to the Trustees by Mrs. > The Spirit, Teachings and Influence of > Robert Norton of San Francisco, a cousin of > Islam. > Mrs. Collins. Mr. George Latimer acted as > The World Order of Baha'u'llah. > chairman and received the property on be- > The Baha'i Life. > half of the Bosch Trustees for the National > The Nature of the Manifestation. > Spiritual Assembly. Fitting messages were > sent to the Guardian and to Mr. and Mrs. "In addition, a Seminar on Teaching the > Collins, who were in Bad Nauheim at that Baha'i Faith was conducted on three aftertime, and the meeting was closed with the noons each week. This first attempt to > 62 THE BAHA'f WORLD > establish a proper technique took up the fol- bleth, Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, Mrs. Gerlowing divisions: the Baha'i > Teacher, the trude Frazier, and Mrs. Rosa Shaw. > Public Address, The Baha'i Public Meeting, "The 1937 session concentrated on two > the fireside method, the study class and com- courses of study: 'Islam, Its Teachings and > > munity teaching, and proved to be highly Influence,' and 'The Unfoldment of World > successful and instructive. Civilization.' In these courses the relation- > "The Geyserville plan for conducting its ship of the Baha'i Faith to past world culcourses is to have the subject matter of each tures and a comparison of the teachings and > > Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch, Donors of Geyserville School land > and original buildings. > > course presented by a number of teachers, administrative features of the Cause with > instead of one lecturer, and the material is those of Islam were especially stressed. > briefed to a 30 minute presentation, fol- Among the new teachers, in addition to > lowed by a 20 minute discussion period. Im- those who took part in 1936, who conducted > portant points that are not fully clarified are classes,were Miss Virginia Orbison, Mrs. > taken up later at round-table groups. More Clara Weir, Mr. Maurice Bosley, Mrs. Terah > than twenty believers conducted these Cort Smith, Mr. Clarence Iverson, Mrs. > classes, including Professor N. F. Ward, Mr. Beulah Lewis and Mrs. Nell Wilson. The > H. R. Hurlbut, Mrs. Louise Caswell, Miss afternoon Teaching Seminar was continued > Joyce Lyons, Mr. J. G. Bray, Mr. Leroy loas, with two new subjects added, 'Teaching Op- > Mr. Paul Schoeny, Mrs. Mamie Seto, Mr. portunities' and 'The Introduction of the > Irwin Somerhalder, Miss Honor Kempton, Faith in New States.' > Mr. Clinton Bugbee, Mrs. Shanaz Waite, Mr. "Four public meetings were held during > George Latimer, Mr. W. R. Entzminger, each session, three in Geyserville and one > Mrs. Oni Finks, Mr. Rowland Estall, Mr. each year at Santa Rosa. These meetings not > Siegfried Schopflocher, Miss Charlotte Lin- only serve to attract the public but are an > foot, Mrs. Kevah Munson, Mr. Hasele Corn- excellent means of developing Baha'i speak- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 63 > > ers. Generally a symposium of subjects is The Geyserville Press printed the entire progiven with a chairman and three speakers. gram with detailed quotations from the Holy > The Baha'i Youth take full charge of one of Writings and one entire page of 'ads' by the > these meetings each year and provide one of merchants was devoted to greetings of welthe outstanding features of the school. come to the participants of the Summer > "The Youth have their own round table School, including a large cut of the Temple. > discussion group arranged and conducted by This is a glowing testimony of the spiritual > themselves. In all other respects they are an influence made by the School upon the hearts > integral part of the summer school, attend- of the citizens of Geyserville, who have > ing the regular classes, assisting with the de- shown a marked increase in their friendly > votional meetings, providing entertainment > cooperation and association with the student > for the recreational hours, contributing to > body. A > brochure- published by the Redthe musical programs and in this way they wood Highway Association includes the > participate in full measure with the adults in Baha'i Summer School as one of the places to > the entire activities of true Baha'i com- visit on this famous motor highway. > > munity life. No one who has attended a "The operation of the school is carried on > Geyserville summer school can fail to recog- with the assistance of many committees, who > nize the importance of this vital > integration carry out the general plans of the committee > of believers of all ages. > appointed by the National Spiritual Assem- > "Separate classes have been conducted each bly. For the past two years this committee, > year for the children so that their parents which has had charge of both the program > can attend the daily morning classes. A and the maintenance of the school property, > skilled supervisor is > engaged to give them consisted of the following members: Mr. > training in basketry and other useful arts in John D. Bosch, chairman, Mr. Leroy C. loas, > the mornings and to conduct and Professor Forsythe Ward, Mrs. Amelia Colswimming > other recreational activities in the afternoons lins, Mrs. Ella G. Cooper, Miss Ruth Westand evenings. The children also have a gate, Mr. Irvin Somerhalder, Mr. Siegfried > Baha'i class each day and training in pag- > Schopflocher and Mr. George O. Latimer. > eantry, and they always contribute an inter- This committee has earnestly endeavored to > esting feature in the annual entertainment fulfill the aspiration of the Guardian as exgiven by the School. Many children from pressed in a letter received from him in 1935 > the village avail themselves of these classes, in which he 'hopes that through the comwhich have an attendance of 15 to 20. bined and united efforts of the friends, the > "Both the children and the youth have Geyserville Summer which is so > School, > taken part in the public meetings. One of situated, draw an increasing > will > ideally > the impressive talks given during the 1936 number of visitors, both believers and nonsession was that of nine-year-old Claire believers, and will thus gradually develop > Entzminger of Santa Rosa, on the 'Life and into an important and world-wide known > Teachings of BahaVllah.* Last year, Miss center for the training of Baha'i scholars and > Lois Humphreys of Phoenix gave such an teachers.' > inspiring talk at the Youth Public Meeting > that she was asked to repeat it at the Louhelen Summer School > large > meeting held in Santa Rosa. Other youth "With the establishment of summer > members who delivered splendid talks on the schools on both the Atlantic and Pacific > Cause at their personally conducted public shores, the vast area of the Central States remeetings were the Misses Farruck and Anita mained the one section of the United States, > loas of San Francisco, John Eichenauer of with a large Baha'i population, that was de- > Phoenix, Ann Holley of Visalia and Fred- prived of the benefits of such an institution. > erick Lawes of Seattle. The realization of this need was made pos- > "The school receives more news publicity sible through the love and devotion of two > each year. In 1936 about 500 column inches more faithful believers, Mr. and Mrs. Lou > appeared in the newspapers of Geyserville, Eggleston of Detroit, who dedicated their > Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and San Francisco. attractive farm at Davison, about twelve > 64 THE BAHA'f WORLD > miles from Flint, Michigan, for a school to "Over eighty young people came to their > prepare teachers with the ultimate hope of sessionJune 22 to 25, 1936. The daily > establishing and developing a Baha'i com- morning program was as follows: Devotions > munity. Using the large farm-house with conducted by some young person; 'Compariits lovely rural setting for this purpose, the son of Religious Administrative Orders/ > first session was held during the first nine Professor Glenn Shook; 'The Baha'i Life,' > > days of August, 1931. About thirty-five Mrs. Dorothy Baker; 'Security for a Failing > friends from Michigan, New York, Pennsyl- World,' Professor Stan wood Cobb. The > vania, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington, Chicago youth made up the committee who > D. C., gathered for part or all of the sessions had charge of sports and varied entertainand some ninety people in all took part ment in the evening. This committee also > in one or more of the daily classes. The put up the question of conduct while at the > theme for this year was 'The New > first school to the whole group. After thought- > World Order* and thus the third Summer ful discussion the group asked to be allowed > School was launched with joyous confirma- to try the honor system of self-government. > tion. Accordingly a few simple rules in regard to > "After the first session, came this encour- retirement, quiet, and leaving the grounds > aging word from the Guardian: 'To achieve were drawn up by the committee and agreed > success in such manner the first year is cer- to by the group. > tainly beyond what we could expect,' and "The prevailing spirit was most earnest. > then after this praise, the standard was set In the afternoon a voluntary and self-con- > > higher, as he continued, 'Shoghi Effendi ducted forum was held by a few at which > hopes that the friends will make the neces- such problems as the place of a young Baha'i > sary preparation to do even more next sea- in the Baha'i community, his attitude toward > > son/ The growth of the school each year war, toward other ecclesiastical organizasince that word arrived has been most en- tions, etc., were' discussed. Other small > > couraging and the Egglestons have increased groups gathered for serious discussion. Early > the housing facilities. Meantime, the inter- in the evening a limited number enjoyed a > est of the Baha'i Youth increased so rapidly class in public speaking conducted by Miss > > that by 1934 it became necessary to hold a Garreta Busey. There was evident a greater > special session devoted wholly to the young desire than ever to regulate their lives in > > people. Forty of them came for the opening accord with Baha'i teachings, and they as > > and before the four-day session was ended separated for home many expressed a firm > sixty young people had come in contact with intent to serve the great Cause of Baha'uthe Teachings. Two of the Baha'i youth, 'llah. One boy was sure it was the happiest > Miss Mary Maxwell and James McCormick, vacation he had ever had. > took part in the conduct of the school, assist- "Immediately following the youth session > ing in the along with the adult > classes was an eight-day general session (June 28- > teachers. This trend of the school toward July 5) with the following program: Deassisting the religious needs of the > youth of votions, leader selected; 'Foundations of the > America was directed by the following mes- New World Order,' forum conducted by > sage from the Guardian: 'Before long, Sho- Mrs. Dorothy Baker; 'The Baha'i Teachings > ghi Effendi hopes they (i.e. the summer and Mysticism/ Professor Glenn Shook; > schools) will become powerful and well- 'The Qu'ran and Islamic Culture/ Professor > established organizations that will train in- Stanwood Cobb. > numerable young men and women to go out "Each afternoon and evening there was a > into the world and spread the message of lecture or program designed to attract and > BahiVlUh.' instruct the outside world. > * * * "The second general session (Aug. 2-9) > "The following report for the Sixth and carried out this program: Devotions, leader > Seventh annual sessions during 1936 and selected; 'Life and Spiritual Laws/ Mrs. > 1937 has been supplied by Bertha H. Kirk- Mamie Seto; 'The Qu'ran and Islamic Culpatrick: ture/ Mrs. Mardiyyih Carpenter; 'The > u > C/5 > > B > CD > > o > > pq > > ^ > > ^ > ~O > > 66 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Baha'i Administrative Order/ Mr. Willard scheduled to begin Monday morning but > McKay, since many young people were on hand by > "This was the first on the > year courses Saturday night and since Mr. Carl Scheffler > Qu'rin and Islam were attempted. Here and Mrs. Seto had fortunately and unexpectagain we were guided by Shoghi Effendi. A edly appeared, we were able to get in some > letter from his secretary dated December 2, valuable extras on Sunday in the way of in- > 1935 says: 'With regard to the school's pro- spiring talks from these two friends. In the > gram for the next summer; the Guardian early afternoon dinner was served outdoors, > would certainly advise, and even urge the then a group picture was taken, there was > friends to make a thorough study of the time for visiting, getting settled and ac- > Qu'rn, as the knowledge of this Sacred quainted. In the evening Mrs. Ruth Ella > Scripture is indispensable for > absolutely Huffer of Lima, Ohio, gave dramatics suitevery believer who > wishes to adequately able to the occasion. > understand, and intelligently read the writ- "On Monday evening the Urbana group > ings of BahVllah. Although there are very put on a most impressive pageant. This was > few persons among our Western Baha'is who remarkably well done and impressive in > are capable of handling such a course in a spite of the limited time for preparation > scholarly way yet, the mere lack of such and meager equipment. It made it evi- > > competent teachers should encourage and dent that in the line of pageantry and > stimulate the believers to get better ac- drama lies a great field for presenting the > quainted with the Sacred Scriptures of Cause. > Isldm. In this way there will gradually ap- "Tuesday evening the Chicago and North > pear some distinguished Bahi'is who will be Shore group gave a varied program of music, > so well versed in the teachings of Islam as readings and recitations. Wednesday eveto be able to guide the believers in their ning the Flint group showed us some of the > study of that religion/ wonders of chemistry and electricity and > "Greater publicity than before was ob- Thursday evening the Milwaukee group put > tained in nearby weekly papers through the on an original play which gave the Baha'i > efforts of Mrs. Clarissa Bean of Flint and message. All these programs had been > results of this publicity were evident in the planned at home. > increased number of inquirers who stopped "Three daily classes and devotions filled > at the Ranch. Special invitations were sent the mornings full from nine to twelve. > to individuals to spend a day at the school Practically every one attended these classes. > with gratifying results. Some of these spoke > Devotions, selected leaders. > of the unusual spirit which pervaded the > The New World Order, forum conatmosphere. Every one there contributed to ducted by Willard McKay. > this spirit and we cannot say too much of > History and Principles of the Baha'i > the loving service and cooperation of those > Cause, class for beginners in the > who conduct classes at the school. They un- > Cause led by Annamarie and Marceasingly give of themselves, in discussion, > garet Kunz. > in private interviews, in public talks and in > The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, Miss > countless other ways. We > feel that their > Garreta Busey. > services at the school should be even more > The Baha'i Teachings in Daily Life, a > widely used. different leader each Emeric > day > "Continued growth and interest marked > Sala, Rosemary Sala, Kenneth Christhe sessions of 1937. Over ninety young > tian, Marion Holley. > people gathered on Saturday and Sunday, > June 26 and 27, to concentrate for four days "This session was outstanding not only in > on matters pertaining to the Cause of God. the number in attendance but in the earnest- > The Lima young people who had been chosen ness and purposefulness of those there. One > as the committee the previous summer had thing that helped immensely in bringing > made plans for the sports and evening enter- high standards to this session was the prestainments in advance. The classes were ence and activity of the National Youth > K* > ON > > S > CO > > K > > o > o > > 'E > > 68 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Committee which chose this time and place "In the afternoon there was round table > for its annual meeting. discussion at which various teaching prob- > "Another vital innovation was the quiet lems were discussed; how to use prophecy in > hour just before retiring when dormitory presenting the Cause, how to present the > > groups gathered with a counsellor for ques- Cause to the agnostic or atheistic type, how > tions, reading, and prayer. The honor sys- to present the Cause to the deeply religious > tem of self-government was successfully type, these were some of the subjects discontinued this year. cussed. This proved to be a very valuable > "On Thursday the youth departed and on period. The especial purpose in the evening > Saturday came the members of the July gen- meetings was to present the Cause to new > eral session, July 3-11. This group was people. On two evenings Mr. McDaniel > > The Dormitory, Geyserville Summer School. > > rather small, but there was something very gave illustrated lectures on religious archivital about the session. In general we have tecture and the Baha'i House of Worship. > found before that small groups were espe- One evening there was a symposium on the > cially blessed. Several wrote back after subject of immortality. On another evening > reaching home that they had never had so the story of Mulla Husayn from the Dawn- > > great a desire to spread the Teachings as after Breakers was beautifully told by Miss Neysa > > returning home from this session. While the Bissell of Buffalo. The evening of July 9 > enrollment was small there was an unusually was devoted to a memorial service in memory > large number of visitors for a day or a few of the Bab. > hours. "In August (July 31 -Aug. 8) another > "The following unusually rich program group gathered, larger than the July group. > occupied the mornings, daily from nine to At this time, too, a rich and inspiring protwelve: gram was presented: > Devotions, Leaders selected. Devotions, Leaders selected. > The World Order of BahaVllah, Mr. The True Relation between Religion > Allen McDaniel. and Government, Dr. Glenn Shook. > Pillars of the New Civilization, Dr. The World's Debt to Islam, Mr. N. M. > Garreta Busey. Firoozi. > > The Science of the Love of God, Miss The Divine Art of Living, Mrs. > Marion Holley. Dorothy Baker. > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 69 > > "An especial favor for the August session and training. 'Abdu'1-Baha once remarked > was the presence of Miss Agnes Alexander that the country is the home of the soul, > who had recently visited Haifa and had whereas the city is the home of the body. > much to tell us of the Guardian's words and The association of large groups of believers > wishes. Before she left Haifa the Guardian in daily community life, radiantly happy in > had instructed her to visit summer schools their work and play provides, perhaps the > this summer. Many of the afternoon meet- greatest source of attraction for the general > ings were devoted to hearing her notes and public. Undoubtedly, these schools will be > others to discussing teaching methods. the nuclei of the first Baha'i villages as out- > "It is impossible to put into words what lined by the Master for the establishment of > these summer schools, even in their still un- the social-economic plan of Baha'u'llah. > developed state, mean to those who attend. Furthermore they have been the germinating > Their expansion and growth must ever be the ground for the > development of pioneer > aim of those who direct them and of all Baha'i for during the past two > teachers, > earnest Baha'is. A mere beginning has been years the following teachers have gone forth > made. 'We must continue to endeavour/ directly from these schools to carry the Faith > Shoghi Effendi urges, 'in raising the standard, into new areas, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Entzboth intellectual and spiritual, of the school, minger, Mrs. Mabel Ives, Mrs. Grace Ober, > and make it an attractive center not only to Mrs. Terah Smith, Miss Marguerite Reimer, > believers, but especially to non-Baha'is. It Mrs. Louise Caswell, Mrs. Lorrol Jackson, > is, indeed, the teaching value of the school Mr. Maurice Bosley, Mrs. Gayle Woolson, > which you should particularly emphasize. Miss Agnes O'Neill, Mrs. Emogene Hoagg, > The courses, lectures and general activities Mrs. Amelie Bodmer, Mrs. Kathryn Frankconducted by the friends should be arranged land, Mr. Howard Hurlbut, Miss Marion > in such a way as to attract the attention of > Holley and Mr. Louis Gregory, while others > the outside public to the Cause. The sum- are preparing to settle in States where there > mer school is a high occasion for teaching the are no believers. > > Message. Through daily association with the "In such measure the Baha'i Summer > non-Baha'is will come to see the > believers, Schools are meeting the challenge issued in a > Cause functioning as an active and living cablegram from the Guardian received > community dedicated to the service of what August 4, 1937: 'Who among its stalwart > is best and The lechighest in the world. defenders arise, untrammeled > will (and) > tures will familiarize them with the > prin- unafraid, implant its banner in those > to > ciples underlying the New World Order, States, Provinces (and) Countries where its > while their participation in the social life of " > standard is still unhoisted?' > the believers will enable them to see the > way > in which these very same principles are put In addition to the three Schools > previously > into operation.' developed in North America, the Baha'i > "The able committee for this newest World now has Schools in England, Ausschool is Mr. L. W. Eggleston, chairman, tralia and Iran, the active and vigorous > Mrs. Bertha Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Dorothy School maintained by the believers in Ger- > Baker, Mr. Bishop Brown, Mr. Edward Miess- many having been dissolved by civil authorler and Miss Garreta > Busey. ity since the previous International Survey > "This brief review of the current activi- was prepared. > ties of the three Summer Schools, which of > necessity omits many important details, indi- The origin of the Summer School in Engcates the profound and interest land has been described by the > wide-spread Secretary of > they have aroused not only in the American the National Spiritual Assembly in that land > Baha'i centers, but also in the communities as follows: > in which they are located. The picturesque "The idea had been considered of holding > and peaceful rural sites of each school pro- a Summer School, and the Guardian > signified > vide an ideal setting for the physical recrea- a desire for it. The National Spiritual Astion needed to accompany intensive study sembly recognized, not only the value of > 70 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Summer School as an institution but the activities of the believers. It should be oropportuneness of a national undertaking ganised in such > way a attract the > as to > which would call for the support and effort attention of the non-believers to the Cause > of all the believers. A Committee was ap- and thus become an effective medium > pointed to investigate all the possibilities and for teaching/ Plans are already complete > to make recommendations to the National for the second Summer School in August, > Spiritual Assembly. Due to its perseverance 1937. > and untiring work and the support of the "The Summer School of 1937 proved once > National Assembly, the first British Baha'i again the immense services which this insti- > > j > > Upper floor, Dormitory, Geyserville Summer School. > > Summer School was held in August 1936, at tution can render to the Faith. It was > Matlock Bath. Its success was beyond the opened by Lady Blomfield, at the Friendship > most sanguine hopes, and a fresh spirit of Holidays Association Centre, Matlock Bath. > fellowship and dedication was engendered Many non-Baha'is were present, and it is > and diffused throughout the country. The hoped, in accordance with the Guardian's inclasses were of a high standard. It would be struction, to make each Summer School > hard to overestimate the significance of this more and more attractive to those who have > achievement in the development of the Faith not inquired deeply into the Faith. It was > in England, for it demanded and received felt that the lectures covered too wide a > the enthusiasm and full support of all the field, spite of the fact that they were > in > believers, it undoubtedly attracted Divine enjoyed by Baha'is and visitors alike. The > confirmation and stands our first imporas Summer School Committee recommended > tant national undertaking. The Guardian that future schools should be held in a place > signified his pleasure at its success and sent which could be entirely occupied by the > the following message: 'The institution of School, as although contacts can be made > the Summer School constitutes a vital and when we share a place with others, it is more > inseparable part of any teaching campaign, difficult to develop Summer School as a > and as such ought to be given the full im- Baha'i institution. The N.S.A. has apportance it deserves in the teaching plans and proved this recommendation and this year it > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 71 > > is > hoped to occupy the entire premises of Arbitration and an International Parlia- > Cudham Hall in Kent. ment. (Miss D. Dugdale) > "The lectures were supplemented by eve- > Thurs., Jan. 13 > ning talks and entertainment. Mr. St. > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > Barbe Baker showed pictures of the gardens > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., The adoption > round the Shrines on Mount Carmel, among > of an International Language which > which was a picture of the Master." > shall be taught in all schools of the > world. > (Mrs. Bolton) > The Baha'is of Australia and New Zea- 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., Compulsory > land carried out an extensive program in > education especially for girls, who will > their first Annual Summer School, January, > be the mothers and the first educators > 1938. > of the next generation. (Mrs. M. Al- > PROGRAM > mond) > Ycrrinbool Baha'i Summer School > Fri., Jan. 14 > First Annual Session, January 8 to January 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > 23, 1938 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Equal opportunities of development and equal > Sat., Jan. 8 > rights and privileges for both sexes. > Evening Prayers. 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., Work for all; > Sun., Jan. 9 No idle rich and no idle poor, "work > 9.30 A.M., Opening Prayers. > in the spirit of service is worship." > 9.45 A.M. to 12.00 A. M., Welcome by > (Mrs. Fraser Paterson) > Chairman and Teachers. > 3.00 P.M., Public Lectures, held in Yerrin- Sat., Jan. 15 > > bool Public Hall. 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Abolition of ex- > Mon., Jan. 10 > tremes of poverty and wealth; care for > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > A.M. > the needy. (Mrs. Greta Lamprill) > 9.45 to A.M., Unfettered > 10.45 > 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., Recognition > search after truth, and the abandonof the Unity of God and obedience to > ment of all superstition and prejudice. > His Revealed Commands, as revealed > (Miss Hilda Gilbert) > 1 1.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., The oneness of through His Divine Manifestations. > > mankind; all are leaves of one tree, Sun., Jan. 16 > flowers in one garden. (Mrs. Hyde 7.30 P.M., Round table talk and singing > Dunn) of Hymns. > > Tues., Jan. 11 > Mon., Jan. 17 > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Religion must A.M. > 9.45 to 10.45 A.M., Tablets of > be a cause of love and harmony, else it 'Abdu'1-Baha. > is no religion. (Mr. Hyde Dunn) 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 M., ? > 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., All religions > are one in their fundamental principles. Tucs., Jan. 18 > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > (Mrs. Moffitt) > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Tablets of > Wed., Jan. 12 > 'Abdu'1-Baha. > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 M., ? > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Religion must > go hand in hand with science. Faith Wed., Jan. 19 > and reason must be in full accord. 9.30 A.M., Devotions. > (Mr. S. Bolton) 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Tablets of > 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 A.M., Universal 'Abdu'1-Baha. > peace; the establishment of a Universal 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 M., ? > > League of Nations; of International 7.30 P.M., Feast. > 72 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Thur., Jan. 20 prayers, after which he welcomed the friends > 9.30 A.M., Devotions. assembled. > 9.45 A.M. to 10.45 A.M., Tablets of "The following greetings were then joy- > 'Abdu'1-Baha. ously read and received, 'Convey Summer > 11.00 A.M. to 12.00 M., ? School attendants hearty congratulations > > 21 loving fervent prayers success deliberations. > Fri., Jan. > Shoghi.' > 9, Youth Group. " > 'Greetings and love to all assembled at > Sat., Jan. 22 the first Baha'i Summer School. May all > Youth Group. > your deliberations be under the guidance of > Sun., Jan. 23 the Kingdom of Abha. Father & Mother > Youth Group. Dunn.' > "Greetings were also conveyed to the > Although a separate and detailed report is School by Mrs. Maysie Almond of Adelaide, > not available on the School activities in S. A., and Miss Gretta Lamprill of Hobart, > fran, it is known that the dissolution of the Tasmania. These two souls had traveled > permanent schools for children maintained hundreds of miles to be present at the first > both in Tihran and provincial cities and Summer School. They had corresponded for > towns by action of the civil authority served the past twelve years and had never met until > to intensify the desire to serve the cause of this precious time. Both spoke of the joy of > the new Education revealed by Baha'u'llah. being able to be present with the other > It is devoutly hoped that public facilities can friends to study this great Cause of Baha'usoon be once more established, and the col- 'llah. The meeting closed with prayer. > lective capacity of the believers in that coun- "On Sunday afternoon, January 9, all the > try fulfilled by the creation of Schools for friends with residents of the local comadults of the American type. munity and visitors from afar gathered at > the Yerrinbool Public Hall to attend a lec- > Chief emphasis at this time is laid upon ture given by Mrs. L. Gapp of Sydney, the > the Summer School established by the Na- subject being 'Unity.' The chairman, Dr. > tional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mariette Bolton, before introducing the > Australia and New Zealand in January, speaker, complimented the local residents of > 1938. From the School Committee's report Yerrinbool upon having completed their hall > the following facts have been gleaned: to correspond with the opening of the Baha'i > > "Referring to Summer Schools, our Summer School. The hall was built by the > Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, writes, 'Definite local community by combined voluntary > courses should be given along the different labor.She extended to them a Baha'i welphases of the Baha'i Faith and in a manner come and announced that the lecture was > that will stimulate the students to proceed given under the auspices of the National > in their studies privately once they return SpiritualAssembly of the Baha'is of Aushome, for a period of a few days is not suffi- tralia andNew Zealand. Mrs. L. Gapp most > cient to learn everything. They have to be ably spoke on 'Unity,' and being a delegate > taught the habit of studying the Cause con- to the Women's Pan-Pacific Conference at > stantly, for the more we read the Words the Vancouver, Canada, gave a word description > more will the truth they contain be revealed of her impressions received journeying > to us.' through Canada and U. S. A. During her > "The first Baha'i Summer School in Aus- trip across the continent she contacted > tralia was held at 'Bolton Place,' Yerrinbool, numerous Baha'i communities and was re- > N. W., at the kind invitation of Drs. > S. ceived with love and harmony. Mrs. Gapp > Stanley and Mariette Bolton. It was with informed the friends that she wished to dethe greatest joy that the sessions were opened clare her belief in the Manifestation and > on Sunday, January 9, 1938. The chairman, intended studying the Teachings so as to help > Dr. Stanley Bolton, asked Mr. and Mrs. Hyde the Cause of Baha'u'llah. After the lecture, > Dunn, Australian pioneers, to open with Baha'i literature was distributed to all pres- > CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 73 > > ent and then all assembled outside the hall after which the Greatest Name was said 95 > for a photograph. times. > > "Commencing on Monday morning and "On Wednesday, January 19, after the > > continuing for two weeks, the program ar- two hour session, a picnic was arranged for > ranged by the Yerrinbool Baha'i Summer the children of the local community. > School Committee, was followed. Those who Twenty-three children were present, all havhad been allotted subjects and were unable ing a happy time. The feast was then conto attend, most willingly compiled their lec- ducted. At the invitation of an investitures and sent them to the School to be read. gator a pleasant hour was spent in spreading > The sessions were opened each morning at the Teachings at Bowral, twelve miles dis- > 9:30 a.m. with prayers for fifteen minutes tant. > and then the subject followed for two hours, "Those present at the Summer School exeach speaker taking an hour on the selected pressed the joy of the power of Baha'u'llah > subject. At the commencement, on Mon- and His assistance and hoped to be able to > day morning, four of the local community attend next year." > came to 'Bolton Place' and expressed a desire > to learn of the Teachings. > BAHA'I PROPERTY IN AMERICA > "On Friday evening, January 14, the local A number of properties in America, used > community of Yerrinbool held a social eve- exclusively for Baha'i purposes, are held by > ning to raise funds for their hall. To this Trustees for the benefit of the National > function the Baha'is were invited and a most Spiritual Assembly. Since these include the > enjoyable evening was spent. Some of the House of Worship and two of the three Sumlocal community mentioned that this time mer Schools, their development represents a > of the year is their busy season with their vital aspect of the current history. > > fruit, but that they would like to be able to The background of each property, as well > attend some of our sessions but could not do as itsoperation during the two-year period > so during daytime. They then sugthe 1936-1938, has been carefully studied and > gested that if we cared to hold a night as reported for the Trustees by Mr. George O. > well as a day session, they would attend and Latimer. His two annual reports follow. > also grant us the use of their hall. This was > carried out the following evening when Dr. Temple Trustees > Mariette Bolton gave a talk on Baha'i his- > 1. 1936-1937 > tory, after which community singing was > enjoyed. "The inception of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar > "On Sunday morning, January 16, the in the West dates back to the Spring of 1903, > > regular fortnightly Yerrinbool Baha'i Sun- when, upon receiving news and pictures of > day School was held at 'Bolton Place.' The the laying of the corner-stone of the first > visiting Baha'is spoke to the children. On Baha'i Temple in 'Ishqabad, Russia, the > Sunday afternoon a round-table talk and House of Spirituality in Chicago, inspired > discussion took place followed by singing. by that great event, supplicated 'Abdu'l- > "On Monday, January 17, we commenced Baha for permission to erect a Mashriqu'lthe study of the Tablets of 'Abdu'1-Baha, Adhkar in America. The Master sent a > and Mrs. Hyde Dunn spoke on Administra- Tablet in reply stating: 'I was rejoiced > tion. In the afternoon, the Baha'is were in- through your endeavors in this glorious > vited to the home of a local resident where a Cause, made with joy and good interest. I > pleasant time was spent talking of the pray God to aid you in exalting His Word, > Teachings. At the conclusion, healing and in establishing the Temple of Worship, > prayers for the host were offered. through His grace and ancient mercy. > "On Tuesday, January 18, the Baha'is Verily, ye are the first to arise for this Glojourneyed by motor car to Canberra, the rious Cause in that vast region. Soon will ye > > capital of Australia, which is 120 miles from see the spread of this enterprise in the world, > Yerrinbool. Upon entering Canberra, the and its resounding voice shall go through the > prayers upon entering a city were recited ears of the people in all parts. Exert your > 74 THE BAHA'l WORLD > energy in accomplishing what ye have un- the building fund, there was $210,000.00 on > dertaken, so that this glorious Temple may hand. > be built, that the beloved of God may as- "Owing to the increasing height of Lake > semble therein and that they may pray and Michigan, it became necessary, in 1930, to > offer glory to God for guiding them to His put in a bulkhead of interlocking sheet steel > Kingdom.' pilingon the Lake Shore tract at a cost of > "The history of the early progress, the $7844.35. March, 1930, saw the fulfillment > steady acquisition of the land in Wilmette, of the condition laid down by Shoghi > the dedication of the Temple grounds on Effendi, that $400,000.00 should be in hand > May 1, 1912, by 'Abdu'1-Baha, the selection before the next stage of Temple construcof the Temple design, the sinking of the nine tion could be started. The friends will recaissons and the erection of the Foundation call that upon the recommendation of the > Hall, is well known to the friends. All Research Service, it was decided to erect the > this work was accomplished under the direc- entire super-structure of the Temple, rather > tion of the Baha'i Temple Unity, the old than build just the complete first story. The > corporation, which was in turn instructed by wisdom of this decision is known to the > the believers each year at the annual Baha'i friends throughout the Baha'i world. > Convention. It is of historical interest to "The next step after the completion of > recall that the finalpayment on the main the structure was the outer decoration of the > tract of Temple property was made on Oc- building. Again expert advice made it postober 2, 1912, while the Master was still in sible to start from the top rather than the > > America. base of the Temple, and the present beauty > "After the incorporation of the National of the Dome, asglistens in view from > it > > Spiritual Asiembly in 1927, the first major miles around, is a shining evidence of what > > step was the establishment of the Tem- the entire Temple will look like when com- > > ple Trusteeship. The Indenture creating pleted. You are familiaV with the financial > this Trust was recorded in Cook County, struggle to complete the final payments for > Illinois, as document 10204534 on No- the clere-story section to Mr. J. J. Earley, > vember 13, 1928. The first meeting of whose artificial stone process made possible > the Trustees was held on January 12, 1929. the execution of the beautiful designs of the > With the recording of this Indenture the architect, Mr. Louis Bourgeois. At a period > title Temple property passed from > to the when the world was in the throes of a severe > the Baha'i Temple Unity to the Temple depression, the Baha'is carried on operations > Trustees. while many a religious edifice, backed by > "One of the first things done by the Trus- great wealth, had abandoned further contees was to start a Temple building fund by struction. Once more the inspiring guidplacing $67,000.00 in U. S. Certificates of ance of Shoghi Effendi and the faith of the > Indebtedness at 4% > P er cent. No bank friends carried us on. The Trustees had many > failure could impair the payments of this an anxious moment over the problem of > obligation. The Trustees then took a fur- meeting the final payments and our Treasther precautionary step by passing a resolu- urer had to make a Bank loan of $10,000.00, > tion that no invested funds or securities without mortgaging any property, a direct > could be withdrawn from the Temple Fund obligation on the Trustees. This loan was > without written authorization > signed by paid in full but it was still necessary to > at least five members. > of the > Shortly borrow $5500.00 from two individuals in > $20,000.00 more was added to this fund and order to complete the contract with Mr. > then came a glorious gift from two Baha'is Earley. > of $100,000.00 and another gift of $1900.00 "The Trustees are happy to report that > from a friend who gave up a trip to Haifa this final obligation has recently been disbecause the Guardian had laid such stress on charged and also the final payment on the > the completion of the Temple Fund. By purchase contract of the Studio building has > Convention time, April, 1929, a period of been made to Mrs. Pemberton. Considerable > three months from the commencement of repair is needed on the Studio and the Main- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 75 > > tcnance Committee has been instructed to hibitany Temple model except through the > obtain competitive bids for the cost of mini- > Temple Trustees. > mum necessary repairs to be done this Spring. "The exact figures for this report of > Certain needed repairs on the Temple have Temple maintenance, repairs and insurance > been taken care of during the year, in order can be found in the Treasurer's report. > to stop water leakage. The work of water- However it may be of interest to know the > proofing the entire sloping surface of the approximate annual fixed charges that have > ramp was completed at a cost of $1289.87. to be met. They are: > It was found that owing to the porous con- > Monthly > dition of the surface, due to a long period > Average > of weather exposure, the contractor had to Caretakers' Salaries $2,760.00 $230.00 > use more material than originally contracted Oil, Gas, electricity > for. The metal gutters and flashings and and water . . > 3,000.00 250.00 > broken tiles will be repaired at a contract > Special repairs . > 2,000.00 166.65 > cost of $378.00. The vertical surface of Insurance, all kinds, > Foundation Hall and the slabs over the Lin- Studio, Cottage, > den Avenue entrance require attention and Furnish- > Liability, > $500.00 has been authorized for this work ings, Fire, boiler and > and $100.00 more for the cost of painting compensation 860.00 71.85 > the wooden steps and framework. New > indirect lights have been installed in Foun- $8,620.00 $718.50 > dation Hall at a cost of $122.10. The improvement of the grounds by grading and Temple Trustees > seeding has been authorized and should be > 2. 1937-1938 > completed by Convention time, thus removing the unattractive conditions that have "The trustees received a new responsisince > prevailed building operations ceased. bility when the memorable and inspiring > Current insurance needs have been taken cabled Message from Shoghi Effendi was recare of and considerable savings on premium ceived during the 1937 Convention, investcosts have been effected. > ing the American Baha'i with a community > "With the sale of the Marshall property dual task to continue the teaching > campaign > adjoining our triangle plot across Sheridan and Resume with inflexible determination > Road, our attorney has been authorized to exterior ornamentation entire structure > (of) > enter into with the > negotiations present Temple. Advise ponder message conveyed > owner to bring about a joint action for the delegates (through) esteemed co-worker, > application to the Village authorities for the Fred Schopflocher. No triumph can more > vacation of the stub end road and for > befittingly signalize termination first centhe equitable division of this of > strip tury Baha'i era than accomplishment (of) > land. Pending this action our attorney has this twofold task.' > been instructed to take all immediate and "Mr. Schopflocher further reported that > necessary steps to protect the triangle the Guardian hoped that the exterior ornaplot of land from adverse possession or mentation would be completed before the > use. end of the first Baha'i century, 1944, and > "The Trustees have voted to request Mr. that a committee of experts, Baha'i and non- > Earley to submit an estimate of cost on a Baha'i, should be appointed to submit costs > Temple model in a size suitable for display and make recommendations to the National > by local Assemblies. It was also further > Assembly about the contract for the next > voted that any model or reproduction of the A committee was > step in the construction. > Temple must be submitted to the Trustees appointed of three Baha'is and three technifor them to determine whether the model is cal experts, consisting of L. W. Eggleston, > acceptable and also the conditions under chairman, E. Roger Boyle, Frank R. Mcwhich it can be sold. Local Assemblies and Millan, Stuart W. French, Frank A. Baker > individuals are asked not to purchase or ex- and C. Herrick Hammond. > 76 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "This committee considered the most effi- Architects and to authorize any five Truscient, economical and satisfactory methods tees to sign it on behalf of the Trustees. Mr. > > to be employed in the completion of the en- Earley was further authorized to make an > tire exteriorornamentation of the Temple, immediate purchase of the materials needed > the nature and terms of the contract and to for the performance of the work at an estiwhom it should be given, and after a careful mated cost of $20,000. This was done > survey of the problem made a unanimous on the advice of the National Spiritual > recommendation that the contract be placed Assembly that the sum of $76,000 was > with Mr. John J. Earley, who had so suc- available and that an additional $50,000 > cessfully completed the Dome and Clerestory would be available in January, 1938. > ornamentation. After consideration of the The contract was signed on October 5, > type of contract, whether on a cost-plus 1937. > basis or a fixed amount, it was found that "It was further voted to appoint Mr. > the latter would run nearly$50,000.00 Allen McDaniel the representative of the > higher, and the cost-plus basis was recom- Trustees in supervising the execution of the > mended. The technical committee further agreement entered into with Mr. Earley and > recommended that the Research Service, that the treasurer be directed to pay the ex- > > Inc., be employed to supervise the construc- pense incurred by Mr. McDaniel in connection work, on behalf of the Trustees. tion with the supervision of the work at the > "With recommendations before it > these Earley Studio as well as at the Temple, inthe National Assembly met with both the cluding the preparation of detailed monthly > Technical Committee and Mr. Earley during reports and traveling expenses. It was likeits August meeting at Green Acre and wise voted to pay any expense incurred by > voted to accept the recommendations and to the Technical Committee in connection with > enter into a contract with Mr. Earley for its survey. > the completion of the gallery section of the "The Trustees are happy to report that > > Temple at an estimated cost of $140,000.00, this committee is available for consultation > which includes all materials, labor, insurance, at any time in connection with any technical > > social security taxes and freight charges at problems that might arise during the conactual cost, and which should also cover a struction work and that they made no > contingency reserve for unforeseen condi- charge for their professional advice. A full > tions and raises in wages and the 1 5 per cent report of the work of this Committee will > fee of the Earley Studios. Mr. Earley stated be given by its chairman, Mr. Eggleston, > that he would like to purchase all the neces- during the 1938 Convention. > sary steel and quartz and cement necessary "The purchases of materials was started in > to complete the contract as soon as possible. September, and during the early part of Oc- > He also gave an estimate of $350,000.00 for tober, Mr. Earley had trained assistants make > the completion of the entire outer ornamen- the measurements at the Temple necessary > tation. The National Assembly then cabled for the working drawings from which the > the following message to Shoghi Effendi: models and molds are prepared. The work > * > Under recommendation Technical Commit- has continued for six months at the Earley > tee contract next Temple unit given Earley. Studio and all clay models and casts were > Estimated cost his work $125,000, total completed the first part of April. On March > estimated cost $145,000 including contin- 25, the first car > containing contractor's > > gency reserve.' The following reply was equipment, reinforcing steel and wooden > received on September 2, 'Approve Commit- molds for the placing of the ornamentation > tee's decision. Place contract immediately.' that is to be poured at the Temple, was > "When this information was received by shipped. On March 28, a second car was > the Trustees they voted to appoint a com- shipped containing 54,000 pounds of crushed > mittee of Mountfort Mills and Allen Mc- stone and sand, 28 columns, 51 imposts, 2 > Daniel to prepare the terms of the contract sections of cornice ornamentation and 2 secin accordance with the standardized type of tions of window band ornament. The > agreement used by the American Institute of friends attending the 1938 Convention will > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 77 > > have the renewed inspiration of again seeing rupted completion first unit and accumulathe Temple under construction. tion sufficient funds enable placing without > "A detailed monthly report of all opera- delay final contract. Fourth, place final contions has been furnished the Trustees by Mr. tract as soon as half required sum available > > McDaniel, which includes every item of ex- in National Treasury. Fifth, re-emphasize > pense from the reinforced steel down to a supreme obligation triumphant consummawhitewash brush. This progress report tion so vital a part of American believers' > divides the work into three sections: A. Cost twofold task by May, 1944. Advise comof Models and Molds, B. Cost of precast municate above message all believers stimu- > Ornament, C. Cost of materials and work late universal response Assembly's future > at the Temple. The estimated cost of the endeavors.' The Trustees feel confident > work to March 31, 1938, according to they will not have to make any further loans > figures supplied by Mr. Earley was $45,- to complete payments for contracted work > 162.28, while the total expenditures to the on the Temple as the believers will be ever > same date have amounted to $43,354.34, mindful of that 'No sacrifice (is) too great > showing that up to the present time the for community so abundantly blessed, rework has advanced according to outlined peatedly honored.' > schedule and the actual cost is running rea- "Considerable attention has been given to > sonably within the estimates. The system of the problem of the Temple grounds this past > > accounting is the same as that installed in year. A preliminary survey of the landthe Earley Studio by the auditor of the City scaping plans is under way so that the nature > of Nashville when Mr. Earley completed a and amount of fill necessary for the ultimate > contract with that city some years ago. The ground plan can be determined. The Trusshould be completed > entire gallery section tees have informed the United States > within a two-year period from the signing Engineer's Office that they arc in a poof the contract. The trustees visited the sition to build the necessary bulkheads > Earley Studio on December 1 1 and found the and arrange for the fill when dredgwork proceeding ahead of the outlined ing operations in Wilmette harbor are > schedule. They also viewed the splendid started. > > Temple Model made by Mr. Earley and "For the information of the friends the > which can be purchased by local Assemblies following computation of the area of the > for $95.00. One of these models was sent Temple grounds was made by Mr. McDaniel > to Shoghi EfTendi, one will be on display at last October: > > the Temple and one was sent to the Con- Acres > crete Institute; others will be available for Triangular plot adjacent to Marshall > Teaching campaigns. Studio 0.1768 > "Two most generous gifts, one of Burgeois Studio plot 0.9105 > $100,000 and another of $25,000, gave a Temple plot . . 5.8835 > great impetus to the start of the Temple construction fund the early part of the Baha'i Total area 6.9708 > year. The friends throughout the land have > arisen to the great task before us inspired by "The Trustees have spent much time trythe Guardian's cablegram of July 4, 1937: ing to arrive at an equitable settlement of > 'Immeasurably gratified National Assembly's the division of the stub-end part of the old > initial step presentation Seven Year Plan. Sheridan Road upon information from the > Successful operation Temple enterprise neces- Wilmette Village authorities that it has been > sitatescarrying out faithfully, energetically abandoned, and that they will cooperate > following successive steps. First, expedite with the Trustees in making a settlement > preliminary investigations. Second, utilize with the Goldblatt family which have ac- > Fred's historic munificent donation by im- quired the adjacent Marshall property. This > mediate signature contract for next unit. matter should be terminated in the near > Third, redirect with added force nationwide future, as three Trustees, Mr. Wilhelm, Mr. > appeal to entire community insure uninter- Holley and Mr. Scheffler met with the owners > 78 THE BAHA'f WORLD > last fall and reported that a settlement has coming Day of God.' This beautiful site on > been proposed. the banks of the Piscataqua River was after- > > "Upon the advice and instruction of the wards named Green Acre. The yearly sum- > Guardian, an agreement has been entered into mer conferences became widely known and > with Mrs. Pemberton for the purchase of were highly successful. In 1900 Miss > the interior designs of the Temple at the cost Farmer made a pilgrimage to 'Akka, and > of Forty Dollars a month, payable to her from that time on, the Fellowship which she > during the term of her natural life. Pay- established to control Green Acre gradually > ments started in January, 1938, under this became imbued with the Baha'i ideals. Time > agreement. The drawings will be forwarded does not permit recounting the growth and > to Shoghi Effendi after a set of prints have struggles that befell the lot of the Green > been made. Acre Fellowship, the court proceedings to > "The following necessary repairs and im- save the property, the gifts of Mrs. Helen > Ellis Cole and others in the early days and > provements were made this past year: a new > steel rolling door was installed in the founda- later the financial assistance of the Randalls > > tion wall at a cost of $251.00; plastering and the Schopflochers and many faithful > $150.00; screen and storm doors, $101.77; friends to insure the ultimate destiny of > > grading and seeding the ground, $558.96; Green Acre to become the reflection of the > and roofing, refacing the walls of the plain of 'Akka and the center of the Baha'is. > Temple Studio and caretaker's cottage, Miss Farmer received many Tablets from > $738.68 a total of $1,800.41. Traveling 'Abdu'1-Baha regarding its future, and > expenses of the Technical Committee among these messages the following prophetic > amounting to $297.84 and legal expense of statement has been a guiding inspiration: > $88.35 have been paid. Insurance was re- 'You must lay such a foundation so that the > newed on the Temple Studio, Liability and influence of the confederation of religions > Workmen's Compensation and the Boilers in and sects may permeate to all parts of the > the Temple, this latter at a saving of $74.25 world from Green Acre, and Green Acre for > for three years. The annual maintenance all future ages and cycles may become the > > costs will be found in the Treasurer's report. standard-bearer of the oneness of the world > > Beginning March 1, Mr. Hannen's salary was of humanity.' > increased to $125.00 a month. Allen Mc- "After Miss Farmer's death, the Green > Daniel and Carl Scheffler acted as the Main- Acre Fellowship, which owned and directed > tenance Committee. the property, gradually brought the Baha'i > principles into all the activities of the center. > Green Acre Trustees At the annual meeting on August 10, 1925, > the Fellowship voted to place Green" Acre > 1. 1936-1937 > under the control of the National Spiritual > "After attending the Congress of Re- Assembly, and upon the completion of this > ligions at the Columbian Exposition at conveyance, the Guardian on September 20, > Chicago in 1893, Miss Sarah J. Farmer 1926 cabled this message: 'May newly conwas inspired to found a center for the in- firmed union achieve its purpose by increasvestigation of the reality of religions. The ingly demonstrating universality of Baha'i > following year she selected the property in Cause.' > her home village of Eliot, Maine, for this "In 1929 an Indenture of Trust was set > purpose and thus an institution was estab- up and title to the property was transferred > lished as she described it 'for the purpose of to the Trustees. Green Acre consists of > bringing together all who were looking 131.3 acres of land in five different parcels, > earnestly toward the New Day which seemed The Inn, Fellowship House, the Pines, Sunto be breaking over the entire world. The set Hill and the river tract. Besides the > motive was to find the Truth, the Reality three-story Inn and the lovely Fellowship > underlying all religious forms, and to make House there are a number of cottages, an > points of contact in order to promote the Arts and Crafts Studio, Rogers Cottage > unity necessary for the ushering in of the (formerly a Tea and Gift Shop) and a camp > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 79 > > site. Recently the McKinney cottage was Assembly to start the season of 1936 and > purchased for $200.00, making another purchase the necessary supplies for the Inn, > house available for rental, and the Trustees this sum was paid back and, in addition, a > > voted to appropriate $100.00 for the instal- net profit from the Inn, and cottages and the > lation of a water heater and bath in the Lucas cottage in the amount of $722.74 was > Lucas cottage. A camp site for those who turned over by the Trustees to the National > prefer to spend their vacation in that man- Fund. The Inn will be opened on July 1 > ner, has been arranged for on the river tract. this year and will offer accommodations to > > The grounds will be cleared and platforms non-Baha'is as well as believers seeking a > for tents installed with provision for a water pleasant vacation, in order to make it a > supply with a pitcher pump. The Main- source of income to Green Acre. Baha'i A > tenance Committee has been authorized to hostess will be at the Inn for the season. > rent Fellowship House this season, providing "Since the burning of the 'Eirenion,' a > suitablearrangements can be made. The Hall in the Inn has been used for school and > land between the Pines and the highway is meeting purposes. The friends will be most > to be marked out in 50 ft. -front lots to be pleased to learn that when Green Acre opens > leased to Baha'is who wish to construct their this year a beautiful new Baha'i Hall, com- > > own summer homes at Green Acre. Mr. and plete with chairs, furnishings and lighting > Mrs. Schopflocher have made arrangements system will be standing on the top of the > to give the large Ball cottage with its acre- slope overlooking the Piscataqua, just west > age, which adjoins the Inn property, to of the Inn. This Hall, costing about > Green Acre. This welcome gift will pro- $5,000.00, will have a seating capacity of > vide a house that will produce a revenue to 200 people and will be used entirely for > the Trustees as it can be rented the entire Baha'i devotional and teaching purposes and > year. Eight Hundred Dollars has been au- for the celebration of Baha'i Feasts. This > thorized to be expended for alterations and greatly needed addition to the institutions of > improvements on the Inn Cottages Nos. 2 Green Acre is made possible through the > and 3. generosity of Mrs. Florence Morton. The > "Mr. Bert Hagadorn, who has served as an trustees are most appreciative of this contriefficient caretaker of the Green Acre prop- bution from one who has been devoted to > erties for many years, found it necessary to the service of Green Acre. The Hall in the > resign his position this year. To fill this Inn will be used for recreation. > position,Mr. Goodwin was hired for one "Judge Deering has been requested to > year at a wage of $100.00 a month. Mr. ascertain if the Indenture of Trust is legally > Goodwin resigned in March and Edwin La sufficient according to Maine law for the > Pointe engaged on a day basis of $3.20, and Trustees to apply for tax exemption on the > a minimum during the winter months. A properties that are devoted to religious and > new sign reading 'Baha'i Summer School for educational purposes. > the Study of the New World Order was > "This Indenture was recorded at Alfred, > erected at the entrance replacing the old Maine, on January 1, 1930, Book 813, > sign 'Green Acre Inn.' Judge Deering was page 366. > employed to examine the records of certain "The operation and maintenance cost of > rights of way to different tracts of Green Green Acre has been a difficult problem to > Acre land and to take the necessary steps to solve owing to the short summer season and > establish proper use of these rights of way the many needed repairs. The Green Acre > > by the friends. The boundaries of all parcels Maintenance Committee has rendered inof land will be properly and permanently valuable assistance to the Trustees in the > marked with cement posts. management of the property. The Inn was > "Mrs. Ormsby has been engaged as man- operated at a good profit last season, but the > ager of the Inn again for the season of 1937 fixed charges for taxes, insurance, repairs and > under the same arrangement made with her caretaker make it necessary to receive assistlast year. Itencouraging to report that, > is ance each year from the National Fund. The > after receiving $500.00 from the National Guardian wishes Green Acre to become self- > 80 THE BAHA'I WORLD > supporting and the Trustees are doing what McKinney Cottage annual rental $ 10.00 > > they can toward this end. The present an- Rogers Cottage annual rental . 30.00 > nual cost of maintenance, not including the Reeves Cottage annual rental 25.00 > Inn and summer school activities, follows: Lucas Cottage season rental . . 100.00 > Ball Cottage August, 1937 rental 75.00 > Monthly > Average > Total $240.00 > Caretaker's Salary . . > $1,200.00 $100.00 > Insurance, all kinds . . 476.60 40.00 > "Repairs in the amount of $100.00 were > Taxes 642.32 > expended on the Lucas Cottage and $115.00 > Water 60.00 702.32 58.50 > on the Ball Cottage. Additional repairs will > Repairs and sundry 300.00 25.00 > be necessary to the Ball Cottage to make it > rentable during the winter months. Besides > $2,678.92 $223.50 > the third floor improvements at the Inn, it > > "This year over $100.00 in savings on will be necessary to repair and paint the roof > insurance has been effected. The future over the kitchen and dining-room at a cost > destiny of Green Acre was assured when of $260.00. The Trustees voted to expend > 'Abdu'1-Baha, 25 years ago, stood on Mount the balance of the Yandell Art Fund, of > Salvat and said that a great University of $375.00 for installing a toilet and making > the Higher Sciences would be erected on that improvements in the Arts and Craft Studio > site. and Mrs. Nancy Bowditch has been ap- > Green Acre Trustees pointed to conduct classes in drawing, painting and designing this coming season. The > 2. 1937-1938 > taxes of $662.72 and $9.75 on McKinney > "Prior to the opening of Green Acre for Cottage for 1937 have been paid. In this > the Summer School sessions for 1937, the re- connection, the Trustees felt that the Baha'i > building of the third floor of the Inn was Hall, Fellowship House and the Arts and > completed, second floor accommodations had Crafts Studio are subject to tax exemption as > been added in two of the cottages adjoining they are used exclusively for religious purthe Inn, and the new Baha'i Hall, overlook- poses and a committee of Mr. Harold Bowing the Piscataqua River the generous gift man, Mrs. Emma Flynn and Mr. Horace > to the Cause by Mrs. Florence Morton was Holley met with the Village Selectmen and > finished and ready to provide a beautiful and presented a request for exemption in the > necessary auditorium for lectures, classes, valuation of $6,000.00, the limit allowed by > conferences and feasts. In addition to the laws of the State of Maine. Favorable > her greatly appreciated gift of the Baha'i action on this request is hoped for this year. > Hall, Mrs. Morton contributed $1,500.00 It will be necessary to make certain repairs > for the third floor improvements in the on Fellowship House roof and also on the in- > Inn. terior supports in Rogers Cottage. > "Another important gift to Green Acre "The matter of insurance became another > was the transfer by deed of the so-called Ball serious problem to the Trustees this past > cottage with its three acres, running from year, as notice of an increase of rate on Felthe main highway to the Ole Bull property, lowship House from $1.75 to $3.75 per hunby Mr. and Mrs. Schopflocher. In addition dred was published by the New England > they donated $250.00 for the repair of Insurance Exchange. Mr. Latimer, who has > the roof and paid the current taxes on this been authorized by the Trustees to handle all > property, which is a valuable addition to insurance items, met with the Agents last > Green Acre because of its year-round rental August at Green Acre and had them file an > opportunity, when necessary repairs and application for revision. Finally in March > improvements are made in the amount of of this year, word was received that the old > $3,000.00. rate had been restored and this amounted in > "The following cottages have produced a saving of $200.00 to the Trustees. Owing > income for the Trustees: to the improvements to the Inn and Cot- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 81 > > tages, additional insurance has been placed Boscb Trustees > on these buildings and the amount reduced > 1. 1936-1937 > on Fellowship House. Total insurance paid > this year amounts to $666.98 on the build- "The increasing call in the western States > ings, liability and workmen's compensation. for Baha'i teachers prompted the National > "Mrs. Ormsby managed the Inn for the Assembly to appoint a committee to work > Trustees in 1937. The Inn was thoroughly out plans for a Summer School on the Pacific > fumigated at a cost of $175.00 and new beds Coast. The site selected for this school was > and equipment installed on the third floor in Geyserville, California, due to the weland in the cottages at a cost of $534.80. A come offer of John and Louise Bosch to make > station wagon, costing $353.00 was pur- their ranch home, with all its facilities, availchased for the use of the Inn and its guests. able for this purpose. The first school ses- > Mrs. Marguerite Bruegger served as a Baha'i sions were held there in 1927. Since that > hostess during the season. Food, pay-roll, time the ever-increasing number of attendsupplies and miscellaneous expense for light, ants at the school each year have been > > water, coal, ice, laundry, amounted to $4,- housed, without charge, through the warm > 412.27, while the income from guests, cot- hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Bosch. As long > tage rents and miscellaneous amounted to ago as 1910, Mr. Bosch wrote to 'Abdu'l- > $3,979.51, leaving a deficit for the season Baha of his desire to dedicate this property > of $432.76. to the universal service and spirit of the > "Mrs. Flora Valentine has been engaged teachings of Baha'u'llah, that itmight beto manage the Inn and cottages for July and come a center with a Mashriqu'l-Adhkar > August, 1938, at a salary of $100.00 a for all hearts who are earnestly seeking enmonth. The manager is to send in a weekly lightenment. The fulfillment of this hope, > financial report this coming season to the so fully shared in by Mrs. Bosch, started on > Trustees and supply a copy for the Mainte- August 1, 1927, when 130 friends gathered > nance Committee. The Trustees adopted a under the shade of the majestic 'Big Tree' to > policy that Green Acre is to be recognized as celebrate the Feast of Asma' on the opena Baha'i summer school, the aim of which is ing of the first summer school in the West. > to train and inspire believers to become "In the ninth year after the establishment > Baha'i teachers, and plans made to attract of the school, Mr. and Mrs. Bosch conveyed > non-believers are to conform in all respects title to the property by an Indenture of > > to the highest interests of the Faith. It is Trust to the Trustees for the benefit of the > hoped a deeper spiritual appeal will promote National Assembly. This trust deed, which > greater unified effort and enthusiasm, to the is Wilhelm deed, provides for > similar to the > end that it may become financially self- full use and occupancy by Mr. and Mrs. > > supporting. Bosch during their respective lifetimes. The > "The following committee was appointed Indenture was recorded on November 25, > jointly by the National Assembly to combine 1935 in Book 397, page 20, Records of Sothe functions ofprogram and maintenance: noma County, California. > Florence Morton, chairman, Alice Bacon, "The property, just 75 miles north of San > Harold Bowman, Amelia Bowman, Roushan Francisco on the famous Redwood Highway, > Wilkinson, Harlan Ober and Glenn Shook. comprises acres, with a mature fruit > Emma Flynn was appointed supervisor of orchard, aredwood grove, the lovely Bosch > properties and directed the caretaker's duties. home, many accessory buildings, and a water > Mr. Edwin La Pointe served as caretaker for system with two wells that have never gone > the year at a part time monthly salary at dry. The maintenance, repairs, taxes and > $76.80. It is the hope of the Trustees that other expense to date have been taken care of > the attendance at Green Acre this coming by the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Bosch, > season will increase to such an extent that thus saving a considerable sum for the > there will be no operating deficit and a great National Fund. > spiritual contribution be made to the fur- "Mr. Bosch has surveyed a part of this > therance of the Seven Year Plan. land on the hill-side, overlooking the Russian > 82 THE BAHA'f WORLD > River Valley, for building sites to be leased sion of great joy to have Mrs. Thomas > to Baha'is who wish to erect summer homes. Collins present at these services. She and her > > Already two attractive cottages have been husband, who was deprived of seeing the > built on these sites and a number of others culmination of his devotion to this instituhave been planned for the near future. tion, have complemented the wonderful gift > "Last year an attractive Hall for the of John and Louise Bosch, with their endowschool sessions and public meetings, of rustic ments of the Baha'i Hall and the dormitory. > redwood, completely equipped with chairs The two-story dormitory, with thirteen > and a kitchen to provide for Feasts, was rooms on the main floor and beds for fourerected and presented to the Cause by Mr. teen on the second floor, will accommodate > and Mrs. Thomas H. Collins. This year about fifty people. This beautiful building > these two devoted friends of the Faith have will stand as a memorial to Mr. Thomas > shown further evidence of their generosity Collins. > > by the gift of a much needed dormitory, "Mr. Joe Borzoni was employed as care- > 88 x 14 feet, of corresponding rustic mate- taker last May at a salary of $50.00 per > rial, which is now under construction and month, for part time services. An arrangewhich will be equipped with beds and linen ment has been made that whatever work he > and ready for use for the school sessions this does for the friends who have cottages on > > year. This dormitory, fully equipped, will the property in his spare time shall be decost approximately $20,000.00. The fire in- ducted from the wages paid by the Trustees > surance on both these new, beautiful build- and assumed by the other parties. These > ings and their equipment for a three-year services are not available during the period > > period have likewise been provided for by of the summer school. > these two friends. "The summer school and maintenance of > "Another gift of $500.00 was received the property have been conducted up to the > this year from Mr. Schopflocher to provide present time without a*ny budget from the > for a suitable place for the school and recre- National Fund, the only costs being the careational activities of the Baha'i children. which amounted to $521.66 > taker's salary > "The only cost to the Trustees to date and workmen's compensation of $34.05. > has been the liability insurance premium Mr. and Mrs. Bosch and Mrs. Collins have > amounting to $39.05. All other mainte- taken care of the taxes, water, light, and > nance costs have been paid by the Boschs. other insurance items. Other friends have > It may soon be necessary to appoint a care- contributed sums to carry on the summer > taker to look after the upkeep of the build- school work. Last year there was a deficit > ings and grounds and thus relieve John and of $20.00, which included a nominal weekly > Louise Bosch from the care and responsibili- charge for the rooms to cover laundry, etc. > ties they have carried on their willing shoul- This deficit was made up by the friends. > ders for so many years. On November 13, "The Trustees appointed the following > 1936, the Trustees motored from San Fran- Maintenance Committee to supervise the > cisco to spend the day at Geyserville, a meet- management on their behalf: George Latiing of prayer was held in the new Hall. It mer, chairman, Leroy C. loas, secretary, John > was a real inspiration to inspect this splendid Bosch, Amelia Collins, N. Forsyth Ward > gift of a valuable property, with its build- and Harry R. Munson. This committee will > ings, from these self-sacrificing friends to render an annual report to the Trustees. > the Cause of God. > Wilbelm Trustees > Bosch Trustees > 1. 1936-1937 > 2. 1937-1938 > "On June 29, 1912, 'Abdu'1-Baha invited > "Since our last report the beautiful dormi- a number of friends to the home of Mr. Roy > > tory at Geyserville was completed and its C. Wilhelm at West Englewood to partake > dedication took place on July 4, the opening with him in a feast of fellowship. After > day of the Summer School. It was an occa- serving the guests with his own hands, the > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 83 > > Master said: 'You have come here with sin- pine grove, a garage and two-story house in > cere intentions and the purpose of all present which the office of the National Assembly > is the attainment of the virtues of God. is made to the Cause > located, has just been > . . . Since the desire of all is unity and by Mr. Wilhelm. The insurance on the > agreement it is certain that this meeting will house and garage amounting to $112.00 is > be productive of great results. Such . . . also included. > > gatherings as this have no likeness or equal "The Cabin has been made available under > in the world of mankind where people are lease to the Teaneck Assembly for their > drawn together by physical motives or in > meetings. A separate electric meter has > furtherance of material interests, for this recently been installed for the light used by > meeting is a prototype of that inner and the Teaneck Assembly and provision is being > complete spiritual association in the eternal made for a separate oil supply to the heating > world of being. Hundreds of thou- > . . . > plant for their use. > sands of meetings shall be held to commemo- "Up to the present time there has been > rate such an assembly as this and the very no cost to the Baha'i Fund for light, heat, > words I utter to you on this occasion shall repairs or taxes. It is a remarkable fact that > be reiterated by them in the ages to come.' recently the City of West Englewood, > "For the past 24 years an annual souvenir voluntarily decided, without any application > has been held on this spot in remembrance being made, to remove this property from > of this meeting. A few years after this the tax roll. When approached for verificaevent, Mr. Wilhelm, in his spare moments, tion of this action, the city fathers stated > erected a log cabin and named it Evergreen that Mr. Wilhelm deserved tax exemption > Cabin. It has been a center of Baha'i activi- on property more than some religious > this > ties for many years. Since 1931 it has been what he is doing for the > institutions, for > the headquarters of of the National Spir- community of West Englewood. > itualAssembly. Directly below the Cabin "The only cost to the Trustees is a Lialies the pine grove where the Master gave his bility Insurance coverage which runs about > memorable Feast. It is on this site, accord- $40.00 annually. The spiritual value of this > ing to the Guardian's instructions, that the property is beyond computation. Its physionly Memorial commemorating 'Abdu'l- cal value is enhancing steadily due to its > Baha visit to North America is to be erected. close proximity to New York City. > It will be in the form of a monument. > > "On March 9, 1935, Mr. Wilhelm exe- Wilhelm Trustees > cuted an Indenture of Trust, transferring > 2. 1937-1938 > Evergreen Cabin, its furnishings and the two > lots comprising the pine grove to the nine "The Trustees are happy to report that > Wilhelm Trustees for the benefit of the another welcomed gift has been made to this > National Spiritual Assembly. This inden- property which witnesses each year the most > ture was duly recorded in the office of the memorable event connected with the visit > clerk of Bergen County, New Jersey, in of the Master to America in 1912 the > Book 1935, page 590 of Deeds. Annual Souvenir of 'Abdu'1-Baha. Mr. > "As a further evidence of Mr. Wilhelm's Walter Goodfellow and Jessie Goodfellow, > generosity, a $20,000 fire insurance policy his wife, presented to the Wilhelm Trustees > > good for five years and a year's liability two lots adjoining the present property. > policy were turned over to the Trustees, This indenture was executed December 31, > fully paid, covering these properties, which 1937 and recorded on January 4, 1938, in > made a saving of $584.48 to the National the office of the clerk of Bergen County, in > Fund. The terms of the indenture provide Book 2097, page 482 of Deeds. These lots > that Mr. Wilhelm and members of his family make a valuable addition to the present propthroughout their several lifetimes can con- erty, and our deep and abiding appreciation > tinue to have the free use of the property. is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Goodfellow. > > An additional gift of 102 feet of land, rep- "Last year Mr. Samuel Shure, attorney for > resenting two lots between the cabin and the Mr. Wilhelm, advised the Trustees that the > 84 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Teaneck Township assessor stated that the spirituality. They shall never be erased > lots located in the pine grove were not tax from the Tablet of Memory.' > exempt because they are separated from the "When Miss Wilson passed to the heavenly > property used for religious purposes. Mr. world in 1930 she left a Will giving this > Wilhelm paid the taxes on these lots for house to Shoghi Effendi. The Guardian took > 1937. The town has agreed to give ex- title to this property and asked the National > > emption on lots No. 8 and No. 9 for 1938 Assembly to look after it for him. In the > and successive years. fall of 1935 the Guardian executed a deed > > "The Cabin has been leased for meetings of trust transferring it to the Trustees for > to the Teaneck Spiritual Assembly at a the benefit of the National Spiritual Assem- > > monthly rental of $30.00, and this Assem- bly. This indenture was recorded on Sepbly pays for its portion of the liability in- tember 27, 1935 in Book 5962, page 399, in > surance, light and heat. This past year Mr. the Middlesex Registry of Deeds, Middlesex > Wilhelm installed a separate oil tank to sup- County, Massachusetts, Southern District. > ply oil to the Cabin for determining exactly "Prior to the establishment of the trust > the costs to the Teaneck Assembly. The the Boston Assembly had been asked to look > > only costs to the Trustees have been $18.40 after this house for the National Assembly. > for legal expenses and about $10.00 for in- The house was rented and the Boston Assemsurance, Mr. Wilhelm having borne all other bly has continued to care for it for the Truscosts. tees. The house is in need of certain repairs > Maiden Trustees which will be given attention. There is a > > problem of an existing right of way located > 1. 1936-1937 > on adjoining property, formerly owned by > "In 1900 Miss Maria P. Wilson, one of the Miss Wilson which she bequeathed to a relaearly pioneers of the Faith in America, tive. The Trustees have offered to give a > visited 'Abdu'1-Baha at 'Akka in company release of this right of way to the adjoining > > with Miss Sarah Farmer. A few years later owner for a financial consideration sufficient > she made a second pilgrimage and on that to provide a new driveway on the other side > occasion the Master said to her: 'When I of the house located on the land belonging > come to America I will visit you.' In to the trust property and for the alterations > > August, 1912, after visiting Green Acre, in the house necessary to permit the delivery > > 'Abdu'1-Baha requested that a believer who of coal and supplies. This matter has not > might have a 'house on a hill* allow Him the yet been concluded by our attorney. > use of it for a week or two. > Many houses "Fire insurance for three years was rewere offered for His disposal, but He chose newed last year at a cost of $28.75. Taxes > the home of Miss Wilson at 68 High Street for this year of $191.25, sidewalk assessment > in Maiden, Massachusetts. He remained of $8.64 and water bills of $16.69 have > there for some ten days before going to been paid. The Boston Assembly reports > Montreal. Upon his return to Haifa, after $148.50 on hand, received from rent since > His memorable visit to America, The Master May, 1936. > wrote to Miss Wilson stating: 'Thy house "The Trustees referred to Shoghi Effendi > became my abode and my home. Many days the question whether the property should be > were spent in that home with the utmost retained and developed for Baha'i purposes > > joy and fragrance. The mention of 'Ya- as a memorial to 'Abdu'1-Baha or whether > > Baha'u'1-Abha* was raised from it and we it should be sold, and received the following > spread the religion of God. In reality that reply:'The Guardian does not advise your > home is Myhome, therefore the mention of Assembly to sell the Maiden property, as the > God must always be raised from it.' Master has definitely stated in the Tablet > "Again on May 11, 1913, the Master, in which you have quoted to "take care of that > another Tablet to Miss Wilson, wrote: 'The house, because the light of the love of God > days I spent in thy house and engaged My was ignited in it." By renting the house the > time in summoning the people to the King- N. S. A. can for the present avoid the exdom of God were days of infinite joy and penses entailed by its repairs and up-keep.' > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES > Maiden Trustees In this grave condition the Baha'is see a > clear parallelwith those similar actions by > 2. 1937-1938 > Oriental governments and ecclesiastical > "The friends are aware that this house was bodies in earlier years in an effort to destroy > turned over to the National Spiritual Assem- the Faith of Baha'u'llah, efforts which time > bly by Shoghi Effendi because of its memor- has proved were made in vain. Indeed, durable association with the Master's visit to ing 1936, the believers had received from > America in 1912. On June 4, 1937, the their Guardian that communication pub- > > following word was received from the lished in America under the title of "The Un- > Guardian: 'Concerning the house at Maiden, foldmcnt of World Civilization," in which > Mass., the Guardian leaves the questions > all Shoghi Effendi expounded the fundamental > related to its restoration and renting to the significance of the modern movements of > discretion of your N. S. A., but wishes only history in the light of Baha'u'llah's worldto emphasize the absolute necessity of keep- unifying Mission, and study of this imporing this houseas the property of the Cause. tant document had prepared the Baha'i > Under no circumstances should it be sold or community to realize both the further diffigiven to non-Baha'is, though it may be culties it was destined to suffer and its evenrented to them, in view of the references tual triumph. > 'Abdu'1-Baha has made to it in His Tablet. "For the revelation of so great a favor," > Whatever arrangement the Assembly de- the Guardian had written, "a period of incides upon should be made after due consid- tense turmoil and wide-spread suffering > eration of this important fact.' would seem to be indispensable. . . . We > "Owing to the age of the house many stand on the threshold of an age whose conrepairs are necessary. The following most vulsions proclaim alike the death-pangs of > > urgent ones have been taken care of at a cost the old order and the birth-pangs of the new. > of $390.15: a new hot-air furnace, replace- ... As we view the world around us, we > ment of old window frames and sashes, are compelled to observe the manifold evinew modern electric wiring > throughout, dences of that universal fermentation which, > plumbing and plastering of ceiling. Taxes in every continent of the globe and in every > amounted to $204.04 and water $18.96. department of human life, be it religious, > Rent was received amounting to $171.00. social, economic or political, is purging and > Other repairs will be made when necessary. reshaping humanity in anticipation of the > "The following Maintenance Committee Day when the wholeness of the human race > was appointed by the Trustees: Victor will have been recognized and its unity > Archambault, chairman, Florence Morton established. A two-fold process, however, > and Wendell Bacon. This committee has can be distinguished, each tending, in its > > taken over the work formerly entrusted to own way and with an accelerated momenthe Boston Assembly. tum, to bring to a climax the forces that are > transforming the face of our planet. The > DISSOLUTION OF BAHA'f ADMINISTRATIVE first is > essentially an integrating process, > INSTITUTIONS IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA while the second is fundamentally disruptive. > A number of Baha'is yet live who gathered The former, as it steadily evolves, unfolds a > at a railroad station in Paris to witness the System which may well serve as a pattern for > historic departure of 'Abdu'1-Baha for His that world polity towards which a strangely- > > journey to Germany and Hungary shortly disordered world is continually advancing; > before the war of 1914. These believers while the latter, as its disintegrating influlearned with special poignancy during July, ence deepens, tends to tear down, with > 1937, that the Baha'i administrative institu- increasing violence, the antiquated barriers > tions in that land had been dissolved by that seek to block humanity's progress > governmental action. Under the regulations towards its destined goal. The constructive > issued, Baha'i meetings, the teaching of the process stands associated with the nascent > Faith, and the functioning of its organic Faith of Baha'u'llah, and is the harbinger of > institutions were forbidden. the New World Order that Faith must ere- > THE BAHA'f WORLD > long establish. The destructive forces that laide and of Auckland have also incorporated > characterize the other should be identified during the period under review. > with a civilization that has refused to answer In India, the Spiritual Assemblies of the > to the expectation of a new age, and is con- Baha'is of Poona and Bombay have similarly > > sequently falling into chaos and decline." been incorporated, while in North America > In the light of this truth, the dissolution incorporation has been effected by the beof the Baha'i administrative institutions is lievers of Detroit, Los Angeles, Kenosha, > not only taken to be but a temporary con- Racine, Milwaukee, Cleveland and Minnedition but also to signalize the beginning of apolis. > a definite process so mysterious in character Six other centers in the United States were > that it constitutes the outer and historical in process of undertaking the preparation of > evidence of the Divine power upholding the the necessary legal papers or had already submission of the Manifestation. In its suc- mitted them for record by April 21, 1938: > cessive stages, this process, beginning with San Francisco, Binghamton, Philadelphia, > formal and suppression of the Reofficial Boston, Portland and Seattle. > ligion of God, releases influences which even- During the era of establishment and ortually lead to its official recognition by the ganic development of the Faith, the generous > civil authorities. For the constructive force contributions of its members in all lands > of Revelation, like a mighty river, gathers have been devoted to current activities. > > greater impetus whenever its course is stayed. With the rapid growth of legal status, an- > No human power can hold it back from its other era opens in which endowments of a > unique mission of creating progress for man permanent nature can be anticipated, espeand for civilization. Resistance of whatever cially as the membership of local and national > character is a sign of the past; and no past Baha'i communities is now swiftly increasperiod can be maintained nor renewed when ing. > God has destined transformation for human It is by endowment *and capital funds that > affairs. the latent capacity of Baha'i institutions to > The attitude of the Baha'is, however, is render social services will be more and more > invariably one of obedience to civil authority completely realized. The Baha'i institution > in all action concerning the Faith, up to the of today, in comparison to that same instipoint where acceptance of Baha'u'llah by the tution fully equipped with schools, hospitals, > individual soul is involved. At that point, asylums for orphans and aged, and other > death is preferable to physical existence. It facilities, is a child compared to the mature > isin the mysterious action of the Divine man. What is significant to every Baha'i is > power that the believers trust. the fact that the providential nature of the > Faith contains within it a unique and sur- > PROGRESS IN INCORPORATION OF BAHA'l > passing power to translate spiritual ideal into > ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS manifest and transform words > blessing, > A survey of the Baha'i world community about righteousness into deeds. > reveals steady progress in the incorporation > of its National and Local Spiritual Assem- BAHA'I HISTORICAL SITES ACQUIRED > IN IRAN > blies, by which their powers are consolidated > and their capacity for service enlarged. Since The Baha'is of fran, ordained by destiny to > model constitutions and by-laws have been be the birthplace of the Faith which fulfills > prepared, and uniformity of functions pre- the promise of all religion, have undertaken > vails, every Baha'i institution reaching suffi- the purchase and preservation of those propcient stability has but to incorporate in erties directly associated with the history of > accordance with the civil statutes controlling their Cause, thus assuring to the Baha'is of > > religious bodies in its locality. the world in future ages the sacred privilege > The National Spiritual Assembly of the of visiting many holy places permeated with > Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand has the spirit of sacrifice and truth. > attained recognized legal status, and the Through a committee appointed by the > Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of Ade- National Spiritual Assembly, an investiga- > CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 87 > > tion is being made to develop a complete list Iran in due time, and no doubt with the aid > of Baha'i shrines in f ran. of loving donations tendered by all other > Special effort is being made to locate the Baha'i communities, will construct a majes- > Bab's shop in Bushihr and the birthplace of tic and beautiful House of Worship over- > Baha'u'llah in Tihran. looking the capital city and for ever to be > The sites purchased during the past two notable as the first Baha'i Temple in that > years include: the house at Isfahan which country whose blood fertilized the seeds of > belonged to the "King of Martyrs" and the Divine Revelation. Construction, however, > "Beloved of Martyrs"; the burial place of is not to begin until the American Baha'is > nine martyrs and also of the martyr Aqa Mu- have completed the external decoration of > hammad Bulur-Furush, at Yazd; the men's the House of Worship on Lake Michigan, at > > quarters and one-half the andarun of the Wilmette. > house of Haji-Mirza Jani at Kashan; one- > TEACHING ACTION IN IRAN > quarter of the castle at Chihriq and of the > Dasht-i-Malik, in Adhirbayjan; one-half the The few years remaining before the end > house where Vahid resided in Nayriz; and of the first century of the Baha'i era witness > funds have been made available for the pur- a resurgence of effort and a concentration of > > chase of lands adjacent to the Maqam-i- action among the Baha'is of fran no less than > 'Ala,' while repairs have been carried out in the American Baha'i community. > surrounding the house of the Bab at Shiraz. Despite the severe restrictions still en- > Other purchases have been as follows: forced upon the Baha'i community in Iran, > two-thirds of the house of Haji-Mirza and the obstacles raised by the civil authori- > Abu'l-Qasim at Shiraz; the house of the ties against its collective action, a widespread > > martyr Hadrat-i-Khal, in the same city; the teaching plan has been adopted and energetiburial places of the martyrs Saraju'sh- cally pursued. > Shuhada', Habibu'Mak Mirza and Aqa One aspect of the plan includes the > Javad, at Malayir; the burial place of four establishment of new Baha'i centers in Af- > > martyrs of 'Iraq; the burial place of the ghanistan, Baluchistan, in Arabia, the > > martyr Hasan-'Ali in Isfahan; three-fourths Islands of Bohnia in the Persian Gulf, and > of the house of the martyr Mahbubu'sh- Kurdistan. In fran itself, teaching commit- > Shuhada', also in Isfahan; two houses near tees, classes for character training and > the house of the Bab in Shiraz; the burial the study of Baha'i administrative order, > > place of eight martyrs of Ardikan; and the libraries, Baha'i burial sites, administrative > burial places of the martyrs Siyyid Yahya at headquarters for Local Assemblies, youth > Sirjan, Ustad Mirza Davaani at Rafsinjan, organizations, archives both local and naand of Husayn-'Ali Firuzabadi at Firuza- tional, and the institution of the Nineteen > bad-i-Yazd. Day Feast, are being systematically extended > in most of the provinces. The Haziratu'l- > PROPERTY FOR THE FIRST BAHA'l HOUSE of the national > Quds Tihran, headquarters of > OF WORSHIP IN IRAN the Persian Baha'is, is in the final stage of > > The National Spiritual Assembly in Iran construction. > has extended considerably its holdings of By these means, the distinctive Baha'i > land dedicated to the future construction of qualities of consultation and unified action > the House of Worship, or Mashriqu'lfirst are being released, and the attributes fostered > > Adhkar, near Tihran. by the Baha'i administrative order stimu- > The area already acquired is estimated at lated. A further impetus has been supplied > approximately 2,000,000 square pics, equiva- by concentration upon the establishment of > lent to 1,127,000 square meters. The As- Baha'i Summer Schools in Tihran as a model > > sembly is now arranging to purchase an to be reproduced later on in provincial > > adjoining tract known as Ihtisabiyyih for a centers. > sum approaching 30,000 tumans. The tract In examining the reports explaining the > already secured is known as Hadiqih. details of these teaching plans,one is deeply > Thus assurance is made that the Baha'is of impressed by the power of the Faith to create > 88 THE BAHA'f WORLD > a fundamental unity among the Baha'is of inflicted through the refusal of the authori- > East and West. This fundamental unity ties to admit to registry the certificate of > does not sacrifice nor suppress any positive Baha'i marriages. The heroic fortitude of > elements of local culture, nor does it raise the believers, nevertheless, was at times re- > > any comparisons between the cultural values warded by public recognition of the status of > of the different parts of the Baha'i world the Faith, as exemplified in the following > > community. Its unifying influence pro- event: > ceeds, first, from the acceptance of organic Among the Baha'is of fran who died in > spiritual ideals; second, from the recognition 1936 was Dr. Sarhang Ibrahim Piruz-Bakht, > of a common center in the Guardianship; chief of the Health Department of the Miliand third, from the results of maintaining a tary Schools. Relatives of the deceased, > type of administrative institution which predominantly Muslims, insisted on Muhamcombines individual initiative with the dis- madan rites and selected a grave at Imamciplines of an authority controlled by the Zadih 'Abdu'llah, preparing a funeral cortege > same principles and ends. While, therefore, which was to have been directed by a colonel > an irreconcilable diversity of religious, cul- from the Ministry of War. His daughter > tural, social and economic background exists and sister, however, insisted that a Baha'i > between America and Iran as nations and funeral be conducted, and a member of the > peoples, the diversity existing between the Ministry of War urged that their wish be > Baha'i communities of these two lands in- granted. The result was that a throng of > volves no question of reconciliation nor Baha'is, Muslims and ranking officers from > compatibility but rather demonstrates the the War Department, including the Minister, > richness of human capacity. Each com- took part in the funeral procession and milimunity may instinctively lay emphasis tary escort was provided. At the cemetery, > upon different aspects of the Teachings, Baha'i prayers were chanted. It is said that > but both communities recognize the same seldom has the capital* city witnessed so imtruth and are responsive to the new spiritual posing a funeral or one attended by so many > environment embracing the believers of all non-Baha'is. > lands. While the status of women has been im- > That the Baha'is of fran are still under proved as the result of the rise of secular > > persecution is made evident by reference to government in certain Muslim countries, this > the report of their National Spiritual Assem- alteration of ancient custom by decree lags > > bly in the present volume. Early in 1936, by generations the spiritual and social equalfor example, two civil orders were issued ity ordained for men and women in the > prohibiting Baha'i meetings in Iran. The re- Teachings of Baha'u'llah. The result of the > sult was that the Assembly was compelled to secular action, however, has been to make it > instruct all local Baha'i communities to cease possible for the Baha'i women of fran to > the meetings held in their headquarters, even assume their rightful place in Baha'i public > the use of their adjoining playgrounds by meetings and on the administrative commitchildren. Representations were made to the tees of the Faith. These steps arc the neceshead of police concerning the severe treat- sary introduction to the full association of > ment inflicted by local police upon Baha'is, women in the Baha'i community with all its > whereupon meetings of not more than fifty social institutions, including Local and Napersons were authorized by the civil govern- tional Spiritual Assemblies and the annual > ment. The election of the National Spiritual Convention. > Assembly in the following year had to be Despite the many spectacular events takconducted by mail under the prevailing re- ing place in these years in all parts of the > strictions. Brutality, however, continued, world, the student of history will not fail > property was damaged and Baha'i records to realize the surpassing ultimate imporconfiscated. Schools maintained for Baha'i tance of the Baha'i Teachings concerning > children and adults were closed, correspond- the equality of the sexes, and the provision > ence and telegrams censored, Baha'is in army for their joint action on Baha'i administraand civil posts discharged, and great hardship tive bodies. > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 89 > > THE INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF given in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. Editors > MARTHA L. ROOT used Baha'i articles, and she visited nearly > every Baha'i in Japan. > A firmly established faith, a centered will, "Sailing to Shanghai the last of June, she > and indefatigable activity, have given to was working in China with the devoted > Miss Martha L. Root an international sphere faithful Baha'is when the war came. She > in the realm of teaching. In her the ordi- was in the deadly bombings in Shanghai in > nary restrictions placed upon personal life, August and barely escaped alive. A refugee > limiting it to one local environment, have on the steamship President Jefferson, she > been broken through and the world is be- reached Manila, August 20 in the evening, > come her spiritual home. and five minutes later endured the worst > Miss Root's activities from April, 1936, to earthquake Manila has known in a century. > April, 1938, were successively, the United Still, though ill and with a temperature of > > States, Japan, China and India. The follow- 102, she courageously gave the Message in > ing reports can but briefly indicate and out- Manila. > line the full story of her Baha'i teaching "Miss Root took the first ship on which > during those two years. she could get passage out from Manila and > "Miss Martha L. Root had served the came to Colombo, Ceylon. Here she re- > Baha'i Faith vigorously with great efficiency cuperated and during the month met the > and without stopping for rest and comfort Mayor of Colombo, gave three radio talks, > for many years, but in the summer of 1936, spoke before the League of Nations Union, > our beloved Guardian cabled her (she was the university students and was one of the > > working in Europe) to return to United first Baha'i teachers to go to Ceylon to lec- > States for a She returned July 29, > rest. ture, work and try to establish the Faith > 1936, very broken in health. Mr. Roy C. in that important island country. Jamal > Wilhelm invited her to 'Evergreen Camp/ Eflfendi had gone to Colombo for a few days > his summer home in Maine, for two months, in 1877 and met a few merchants. > where everything was done for her recupera- "Miss Root reached Bombay, India, Oction. tober 15, 1937; the N. S. A. of India and > "Then she met the friends and lectured in Burma and several hundred Bombay Baha'is > Green Acre, the Northeastern States, the welcomed her warmly. After the N. S. A. > Regional Committee arranging very care- meeting of consultation, and working under > fully to protect her health. This was fol- the fine planning of the N. S. A. of India > lowed by a short program of lectures in New and Burma, Martha Root has done great > York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and service in India and Burma with their help. > > Washington, D. C. She first visited Surat and Poona, then > "In January, 1937, when she was on a crossed the continent from Bombay to Callecture tour, she was very ill with influenza cutta and on to Burma. She toured Burma > in Buffalo and as soon as she was able to where many lectures had been arranged for > travel she went across the continent to Cali- her in Rangoon, Mandalay, Toungoo and > fornia, stopping over in Lima, Ohio, and in Daidanaw and Kunjangoon. Returning to > Chicago, where she spoke once in each city Calcutta she took part in the Second Allto believers, on teaching the Cause. People India Cultural Conference and the First > came to Lima from all the Baha'i cities in Convention of Religions, both held in Calthe State of Ohio. cutta in December, 1937. Her talks on the > "Resting in California for several weeks, Cause were broadcast throughout India. > she later addressed the friends in Los Angeles, After the lectures and work in Calcutta, she > San Francisco and Portland. These were next visited Dr. Rabindra Nath Tagore." > really regional gatherings, for believers came The following glimpses of Miss Root's > from many surrounding cities. ardent Baha'i services in the Orient are taken > "Miss Root sailed May 20, 1937, from San from her circular letter dated July 6, 1937, > Francisco for a Far Eastern tour. June was mailed from Shanghai. > spent in Japan where several lectures were "I left San Francisco, May 20, 1937. > THE BAHA'f WORLD > Reaching Honolulu on May 25, I went day at two o'clock, in the home of Mrs. > ashore for a few hours, while the ship docked. Baldwin for a lecture and informal discus- > Wonderful work is being done in that mid- sion about the progress of the Baha'i Faith. > Pacific paradise, and a day with the believers Also, two believers had just returned that > there is truly a day in 'heaven.' Mrs. Samuel week from a Baha'i journey around the > A. Baldwin and Miss Utie Muther met me world. We all spoke together and they told > with love and with fragrance-breathing leis, me about the Baha'i Assembly at Maui. > (garlands wear around the neck), of > to Mrs. Marion Little was to arrive in ten days > white jasmines and carnations. What did and spend the summer with Mrs. Baldwin > we do? First, the editor of the Honolulu working on the Island of Maui. Their home > Advertiser, a former colleague of mine from is called 'Hakakala' (the House of the Sun), > > Pittsburgh, Penn., sent his editorial writer to how appropriate, for its rays reach around > interview me about the Baha'i Faith. Then the world! The time was so short, so sweet; > I wished an interview with Professor Shao but soon again I stood on the deck of the > Chang Lee, Professor of Chinese History and ocean liner again decked with scores of gar- > Literature in the University of Hawaii. He lands, and waved good-bye to the beautiful > knows much about the Teachings and was a believers of Honolulu. > friend and pupil of the late Dr. Y. S. Tsao, "Coming from Honolulu on to Yoko- > President of Tsing Hua University, Peiping, hama, this servant a > public lecture, > gave > who translated 'Baha'u'llah and the New 'What is the Baha'i Movement?' before the > Era* into Chinese. Professor Lee said that II and I Class passengers of this steamship, > day: 'I will read the new book "Gleanings" Tatmta Maru, in the lounge of the I Class. > and write my impressions of it reverently The Captain himself introduced me. I spoke > for the magazine "World Order." > ' > told We for one hour and questions and answers folhim of the Baha'i Summer School at Geyser- lowed for an hour. There were ten religions > villeand !iope he was able to go for a week- and ten nations represented. A few misend, as he intended to spend part of the sum- sionaries who had not heard of the > . . . > > mer at the University of California. Baha'i Faith until they heard this lecture > "I had known somewhat the eternal work . .arose and spoke against it. > . One said > the friends of Honolulu had been responsible only the Christians ever have been or ever > for on other parts of the globe, but it was will be saved. I asked her if she thought all > > something to be in the presence of a sweet the Zoroastrians, Buddhists, Confucianists, > saint like 'Utie' and a tender 'fledgling-saint' Hindus, Jews, Muhammadans arc not saved. > (Mrs. Baldwin) . I felt like springing to my She replied no, they are not saved. The > feet and saluting as one does in the presence majority of the people in the audience were > of a Queen my soul rose up in silent > . . . Easterners born and reared in these other > homage, and seeing Baha'i s like these, my religions (but there was really sweetness and > heart could understand the work of theirs on understanding at that meeting) Each one . > > the mainland and abroad. It was such a said exactly what he thought, and some were > blessed day we had together. much interested in the Baha'i Teachings. > "Great things come out of Hawaii. I One scholar was from the Philippines and > truly believe that some day a Baha'i Summer some were Japanese. There were several > School will be established there, and who young Japanese professors present, returning > knows? It may be a model for Japan and from post graduate studies in Europe. Who > China to copy! can ever tell how far-reaching are the words > "The Hawaiian Islands have a unique role of truth? 'Baha'u'llah and the New Era' > in the drama of a New World Order. Situ- was placed in the I Class and II Class libraries > ated between the Orient and the Occident, of this ship. Also, I had a small exhibition > with a population representing both the of Baha'i books. The Captain asked me to > West and the East, the Baha'is there can be write an interview about the lecture and the > a potent force for international understand- Baha'i Faith and I also brought in a little bit > ing and peace in the Pacific. about our journey and the saving of three > "The Baha'is of Honolulu gathered that aviators in mid-ocean.He had it translated > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 91 > > into Japanese and copies mimeographed to some of their homes). They read me the > give out to the press of Japan when we came wonderful letters written to them by Miss > into port. Besides, six journalists came with Agnes Alexander from Haifa. We were all > these typed resumes to ask me more ques- so happy to hear news of her and from Haifa > tions when I arrived in Yokohama. direct. (I was so sorry Agnes was not there > "I came to Tokyo, June 3. Mr. Seiji when I was in Japan, every day I missed her > Noma, the 'Magazine King of Japan/ who is so! On my other three journeys Agnes was > owner of nine of the best magazines in Japan there.) The Baha'is of all Japan are eager > and President of the 'Hochi Shimbun,' daily to do everything that Shoghi Effendi sug- > > newspaper with a circulation of a million gested that they do. Our Guardian thinks > . .and several of his magazines have a > . that the next two books to be translated into > > higher circulation . . . was not in Tokyo, Japanese and published should be 'Gleanings' > but a reporter from 'Hochi' came to inter- and 'Hidden Words.' > view me, and Mr. Noma's secretary brought "Mr. Aiji Sawada, our blind brother, who > me a message from Mr. Noma. In the pub- isa very fine teacher in the School for the > lished interview one line was that Miss Root Blind in Tokyo, invited eighteen students to > thanked Mr. Noma for his approval (recog- his home and I spoke to them of the Baha'i > nition) and help to the Baha'i Faith. She Teachings. He also spoke and so did Yurisent Mr. Noma 'Gleanings' and some other san. Every year of my life I am more imnew Baha'i books, and he gave her thirty pressed how important it is to get books into > beautiful Japanese and an English > books Braille for the blind; it brings such a light to > book 'The Nine Magazines of Kodansha' them and they in turn may translate and > (published by Methuen and Company Ltd., give the Baha'i Teachings in many different > 36 Essex Street, W. C., London. It costs languages throughout the world. Helen > ten shillings and sixpence) which is a biog- Keller was in Japan at the same time I was > raphy of his own life. If you wish to read there and I gave several editors what she had > of the universal mind, the courage, origin- said in 'Baha'i World,' Vol. V, page 349. > ality and candor, the large ideas, the vitality "The American Consul General in Tokyo, > and the worth of a great pioneer in the new a good friend for many years, gave a dinner > magazine work for Japan, read this book. for me in his home to some of the Americans > Baha'is can with profit study what Mr. in Tokyo and Yokohama and after dinner > Noma says about publicity. I do not say invited me to speak to them about the Baha'i > Mr. Noma is a Baha'i, but when I was in Teachings. The sweet wife of the American > Japan in December, 1930, he arranged for a Vice-Consul in Yokohama knows of the > > big Baha'i lecture for several hundred peo- Teachings through Mrs. Ella Cooper and > ple in his 'Hochi Shimbun' Hall. He is Miss Beulah Lewis and studies them. > friendly to the Baha'i Teachings. "Mr. Kanji Ogawa, a Tokyo Baha'i, ar- > "'Yurisan' (Mrs. Furukawa) a Baha'i ranged for me to speak before the English > young woman in Tokyo who has received Speaking Club of the Y. M. C. A. This, too, > three Tablets from 'Abdu'1-Baha, brought a was followed by questions and answers. > woman writer, Miss Misao Yumoto of the Books were placed in several libraries and > 'Kokumin Shimbun' daily newspaper in given to a number of editors, educators and > Tokyo to interview me. The article was to a few pastors. > > published June 16. 'The Japan Advertiser,' "For years I had wished to meet Dr. Toyo- > Tokyo, had an article in the June 4 issue. hiko Kagawa, one of the bright, spiritual > The 'Hochi Shimbun' article was published lights in Eastern Asia, a Christian who 'lives > June 16. Fifteen journalists came to inter- the life,' a brilliant understanding writer. > view me during the three weeks' stay in He is a flaming evangelist, a social reformer, > Japan. and a crystal-clear writer of religious books > "It was lovely and historic to meet the and of best selling novels. I did have the > fine Bahd'is in Tokyo. We met together bounty to meet him and interview him for > three times in my hotel (and they called our magazine, 'World Order* and for 'Baha'i > upon me individually for talks and I went to World.' He said he had heard of the Baha'i > 92 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Teachings when he was a student in Tokyo, daily, purely religious newspaper in the > but he had no Baha'i books. I gave him world . with a circulation of fifty thou- > . . > > 'Gleanings,' 'Baha'u'llah and the New Era,' sand. It is a newspaper of the Buddhists and > > and others. He said what he knew of the its subscribers are Buddhists in Japan, China, > Baha'i Teachings he likes, and he gave me a San Los Angeles, New York, > Francisco, > message for the Baha'is. He has a new book India. Mr. Fukumi Ruiso called upon me > just out, 'Brotherhood Economies' (Harper and wrote a most excellent article, about the > & Bros.). Read his book 'Christ and Japan' Baha'i Universal Religion. It appeared June > (Friendship Press, New York), and it will 23. He has also interviewed Miss Alexander > help you to understand the sold of Japan, several times. He asked me please to send > this country that 'Abdu'1-Baha said would him news about the Baha'i work throughout > turn ablaze. I wish every one who reads my the world. He also said he would like very > letter would promise his or her own heart much to have some Baha'i books in Arabic. > that he will do something, one deed at least, This newspaper has taken a most friendly > to help get these Baha'i Teachings to Japan! attitude towards the Baha'i Faith. > You can send a 'torch' to Japan . . . letters "One lecture in Esperanto was given in > (and 'Abdu'1-Baha said that letters are half- Kyoto before the Esperantists of Kyoto, > meeting), books, prayers, even if you cannot Osaka and Nara. Mr. Torii had arranged > go in person. it for me. There is always interest in any > "I visited the head of the Dokai Church country when an Esperantist comes from a > just as I had done seven years ago. The far land. One of their delegates was going to > leader is ill, he could only speak with me for Warsaw, Poland, in August, to take part in > fifteen minutes, but he had called some of his the Twenty-ninth Universal Congress of Es- > > disciples together and we spoke. peranto, and this year is the Jubilee. I gave > "Leaving Tokyo came to Kyoto. Mr. > I him a letter of introduction to Lidja Zamand Mrs. Tokojiro Torii met me. He is the enhof. > > great blind brother who received those two "A journalist from the 'Osaka Asahi' inbeautiful Tablets from Abdu'l-Baha. Mr. terviewed me in Kyoto, and brought a pho- > Torii is lovable like St. John and so is his tographer to take a photograph of Mr. Torii > wife. He has such great capacity and he has and me. This Asahi Publishing Company > done solid, glorious foundation work. I felt in Osaka publishes the two sister dailies, the > his helpful influence in each city in Japan 'Osaka Asahi' and the 'Tokyo Asahi' which > that I visited. He knows how to take re- with their Moji and Nagoya editions have a > sponsibility; he is scholarly, a good speaker, a paid circulation of over three million. > fluent Esperantist, and he is always smiling "We went out to visit the Ittoen group, > and pleasant. which is another of the modern movements > "Mr. Kikutaro Fujita (who was a uni- in Japan. > > versity student in Tokyo in 1915 when I "After three days in Kyoto, I came to > visited Japan first)came to Kyoto from his Kobe. Here I met Mr. D. Inouyc, the > native city, Toyohashi, to visit me for two Buddhist priest who is a devoted Baha'i who > days. He said to Mr. Torii (and these two translated 'Baha'u'llah and the New Era' > friends have not had the joy of meeting each into Japanese. He loves the Teachings, > other for ten years), 'Come and spend your wishes so much to get a strong group estabsummer vacation with me in Toyohashi, and lished in Kobe. He brought a reporter from > I will help you in every way possible in your 'Kobe Shimbun' who interviewed us about > ' > translation of "Hidden Words." This dear the Baha'i Teachings and the newspaper pho- > Fujutasan was the boy who said to Agnes tographer took our pictures. The article > and me in 1915: 'Please excuse me that I appeared June 24. > > always come the first one to the meeting and "A beautiful Baha'i young woman came > remain until the last one, but I'm so inter- three times to see me in Kobe. She is a > ested in the Baha'i Teachings.' friend of Miss Alexander, was taught by > "There is a religious daily newspaper in Miss Alexander and her husband knew Mrs. > Kyoto called 'Chugai Nippo' . . . the only Finch. I met several friends in Japan who > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 93 > > asked for Mrs. Finch and wished to send her gether. Mr. Inouye came for half an hour, > loving greetings. and down in my stateroom we all had a > "I went over to Osaka one afternoon to prayer together and a few earnest words. > callupon a friend of Mr. Torii, Mr. K. "The Baha'i Faith will illumine Japan. > Nakamura, one of the editors of 'Osaka Agnes Alexander, the great apostle to Japan, > Mainichi.' He has visited some of the news- is > doing work as outstanding as the apostles > paper editors of our country and is very of old. Her visit to our country will bring > scholarly, keen, humanitarian. I gave him Japan and the United States closer. I hope > 'Baha'u'llah and the New > Era* in Japanese you will see her and hear about Japan, and > and we spoke of the Baha'i Faith. The that you will read about Japan and that > article they used in the English edition, June Baha'u'llah will waft into your hearts the > 24, did not say much about Baha'i, but it did 'Guidance' to do some deed to bring 'the > carry the statement 'she is a Baha'i.' I do Golden Age* of the Baha'i Faith in Japan > not know what the Japanese edition had. He into a solid reality, and do it now. > invited in to our coffee party in the recep- "As I sailed from Japan (after sending > tion room of the newspaper another editor out from the ship one last article to those > who took the interview in Japanese. It was Japanese newspapers) I thought of the great > also taken in Braille. (The Japanese edition Buddha in Japan said to have one thousand > may have used an earlier article, for when I hands, and I prayed Baha'u'llah to join your > arrived in Yokohama one of their journalists thousands of hands with mine in order to > was at the ship.) This paper, the 'Osaka help Agnes and the Japanese Baha'is in estab- > Mainichi' in morning and evening ediits lishing the new World Order in Japan. > tions has a combined circulation of more Shoghi Effendi has sent them such brave and > than three and a half million copies daily and tender instructions. Every country knows > its sister paper (under the same ownership) our Guardian never lets them go, he is helppublished in Tokyo, the 'Tokyo Nichi Nichi' ing every country. 'Abdu'1-Baha sent ninehas a circulation of two million four hun- teen Tablets to Japan and today we see they > dred thousand. Their Braille edition has a are beginning to bear rare and wonderful > circulation of three thousand. fruits." > "I invited eighteen Esperantists of Kobe > and Osaka to my hotel in Kobe, to a lecture "Miss Martha Root arrived in India from > in Esperanto about the Baha'i Teachings. Ceylon on October 15. The believers of > Two French Esperantists from the Cruiser Bombay accorded her a right royal reception. > Lamotte Picquet were also guests and I gave The National Spiritual Assembly had also > them a letter of introduction to Shoghi fixed their half-yearly meeting to be held in > Effendi, for their ship will be stationed for Bombay in order to meet the beloved sister. > a time at Haifa in the autumn. It is an Miss Root stayed in Bombay for five days > immense help to any Baha'i teacher working and these five days were gala days for the > abroad to be a proficient Esperantist.hope I believers of the place. While the Bombay > our Baha'is will study this auxiliary lan- friends held meetings and arranged for lecguage when Lidja Zamenhof comes to the tures, which were fully reported by the press, > United States, then they will become excel- the N. S. A. in consultation with Miss Root, > lent Esperantists, for Lidja is one of the very chalked out a program for her. > best Esperanto teachers and scholars in the "After attending the public meeting on > whole world. the Birthday of the Bab, which was presided > "The day before I sailed Mr. and Mrs. over by an ex-Mayor of the Town, Miss Root > Torii came to Kobe and stayed until my ship left for Surat. > left. We were going to have a Baha'i Con- "SuRAT During her two days' stay here > ference, but Mr. Inouye's wife was very ill Miss Root met lawyers, judges and other > with appendicitis and he could not come, but notables of the town at the home of Mr. > we had a little gathering at the hotel, Vakil and delivered a public lecture in the > Baha'is and new souls. But lo, next fore- Arya Samaj Hall. This was attended by 250 > noon at the ship all the Baha'is were to- to 300 people students, lawyers and other > 94 THE BAHA'f WORLD > notables. The press published elaborate public lecture in Mandalay Municipal Liarticles and thus good publicity was achieved brary. The attendance was the largest of > for the Divine Faith. any public Baha'i lecture given up to this > "PooNA Owing to her brief stay here no time in Mandalay. The Headmaster of the > public lecture was arranged; but she met Normal School, U. Thet Swe, B.A., B.L., > press representatives and the believers of the was Chairman. Some of the hearers came > place. She visited the Baha'i School and the later on to see Miss Root and asked questions. > Baha'i Cemetery. To the friends she de- Baha'is who live in towns near Mandalay > livered a talk on teaching. Miss Root will came all the way to see their beloved guest. > visit Poona again when she returns from her "TOUNGOO On leaving Mandalay Miss > tour in South India. Root detrained at this town of about 23,000 > "RANGOON Leaving Poona on October inhabitants. No Baha'i teacher has ever be- > 26 she stayed one day at Bombay and then fore visited this place. It was through the > > left for Burma where she arrived on Novem- efforts of Dr. M. A. Latiflf, that the town > > ber 2. The believers ofhadRangoon was opened. He had gone to the place and > chalked out a > busy and elaborate program had arranged for a lecture in the Jubilee > for her. She spoke at the Y. M. C. A. Library. Dr. Bahl, Civil Surgeon of the > (Town Branch), Arya Samaj (Central), district, presided.He also gave a dinner in > his home after the lecture and four interested > Theosophical Society, Brahmo Samaj, Malabar Club and Rotary Club. Press publicity people came to meet the Baha'i teacher. > had preceded her arrival and when she ar- Miss Root took the train that same night and > rived all the leading dailies of Rangoon pub- nine people who had attended the lecture > lishedglowing articles about her and about were on the station to see her off. It is a > the Cause she had come to teach. Rangoon great thing for our Faith that Toungoo is > 'Times/ widely circulated English daily, pub- opened and we have our dear brother Dr. > lished an interview with her about Baha'i M. A. Latiflf to thank ipr it. > work in Shanghai. Rangoon 'Times' has been "DAIDANAW (Kunjangoon) Accomdevoting weekly two to three column space panied by Siyyid 'Abdu'l Hussain Shirazi > to Baha'i articles for the last eleven months. and Mr. Siyyid Ghulam Murtaza 'Ali, Miss > Rangoon 'Gazette,' another English daily, Root reached this Baha'i village of 800 behad an equally fine interview of more than a lievers on November 20. The believers of > column and in addition there was an edi- the place had made elaborate preparations > torial about the history of the Baha'i Faith. for the reception of their beloved guest. A > Miss Root's lectures attracted a large num- special roadway was cut through the grass > ber of hearers and were presided over by from the main road to the Assembly Hall, > religiously public men. > inclined In fact, which was tastefully decorated. The Assem- > Miss Martha Root created a stir in the re- bly Compound was full of believers when > ligious circles of that great city of 500,000 Miss Root's car arrived. Mrs. Kahn garsouls comprised of almost all civilized na- landed her amidst the acclamations of Yations of the world. Baha'u'1-Abha. She met these friends and > "Miss Root had two meetings with the they chanted holy songs and prayers. Miss > Bah a' is of Rangoon in the Haziratu'1-Quds Root writes: 'What a royal welcome we re- > (Baha'i Hall) The meetings with the chil- > . ceived! Never shall I forget their chanting > dren were very interesting. She started a chil- and the reverence and love in their kind > dren's class and gave first lesson to young- faces.' > > sters. This class the Rangoon > Spiritual "At 4 p.m. Miss Root drove to Kunjan- > Assembly is determined to continue in re- goon, an important town of 6,000 people > membrance of the visit of our beloved sister. situated about three miles from the Baha'i > "MANDALAY Miss Root arrived in this Village. The lecture was held in the Naancient city of Upper Burma on November tional School under the Chairmanship of Dr. > 10. She was received at the station by the Gurbaksh Singh. It was translated into > by our revered Baha'i teacher > believers led Burmese by U. Sein, the headmaster of the > Siyyid Mustaf a Roumie. She delivered a . School. There were about 150 people pres- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 95 > > ent including the Township judge, the staffs India; for it is usually the progressive, liberal > of the and Board Girls* High > National souls, those determined to help make a better > Schools. The lecture was well received. Dr. world, who go to such congresses. > and Mrs. Gurbaksh Singh called on Miss "A great scholar, Professor M. H. Hidayat > Root that evening and had a long talk with Hosain of the Royal Asiatic Society Library > her. of Calcutta, a leading Orientalist of the > "Next day the friends again met in the world, has written about Qurratu'l-'Ayn. > Assembly Hall. After the usual prayers, Perhaps he is one of the first great Indian > > Mr. M. I. Kahn read a beautiful address of scholars to write about the Faith. He said > welcome to which Miss Root replied in suit- that he had met the fine Iranian Baha'i > able words and the meeting closed in an teacher, Ibn Asdaq, who came to India about > atmosphere of spiritual joy and happiness. 1902. 'He was so charming, so spiritual, so > Mr. Murtaza 'All describes the scene of cultured* said Professor Hosain, 'and we > Daidanaw as follows: road the fqan together in Iranian !' This > " > 'The friends of Daidanaw gave a right very sentence throws an illuminating light > royal reception to our sister Miss Martha to us to-day, on the qualities that a Baha'i > Root. She was deeply moved. They laid teacher We must all be > should possess. > out the heavenly table for us for supper that Baha'i teachers to-day, and the great Scholnight and each family brought in their share ars of this and the coming generation will > to feed us. We were immensely touched and be quickened or left unawakened perhaps by > we thanked BahaVllah for the love and the way we present the cause to them. > spirit of service which He has taught to His "Another point, if some Baha'is from > followers. We spent one heavenly night in fran, Baha'is of capacity, would give up > this village of 'Abdu'1-Baha who used to call their businesses in Iran and come and settle > it fondly "Deed-a-Naw" which in Persian in Southern India and build up their busimeans the "New Sight." > ' > South > nesses in all the different cities of the > "Miss Root returned to Rangoon on Nov. here, it might advance the Cause tremen- > 21 and attended the farewell meeting at the dously in these critical days. People in our > Haziratu'1-Quds (Baha'i Hall). United States have given up their businesses > "On Tuesday, November 23, Miss Root to move and settle in other States. It is an > The friends came to the > sailed for Calcutta. important goal. There is a great cultural > Wharf to give her a hearty send-off/' affinity between Iran and India; Iranians > could do a glorious work here. > "There is a reference to Bengal in the "The Baha'i Cause has made remarkable > Tablet which 'Abdu'1-Baha wrote to Mr. strides in Calcutta since I visited that city > Pritam Singh which is very encouraging I in 1930. They have a good hall, fine meetcannot quote it and there is not time to send ings and the membership seems to have inand get it before I mail this, but it was to creased five times its number in 1930. > the effect that spreading the Cause in Bengal "SHANTINIKETAN, India, at the Interwill help in spreading the Cause all over national University of Dr. Rabindra Nath > India. It was beautifully expressed, in a Tagore. > couplet, which translated reads: "Mr. Isfandiar Bakhtiari of Karachi, a > 'The Indian nightingales will all break member of the National Spiritual Assembly > forth into sweet songs. of India and Burma, and I visited Shanti- > By the Iranian sweet that will be carried niketan on February 13, 14, 1938. We were > to Bengal.' guests in the School Guest House. It was a > "I should like to emphasize what great great privilege to meet Dr. Tagore and to > opportunities come in presenting the Baha'i hear him talk with deep love and apprecia- > Faith in great congresses. The call is raised tion of *Abdu'l-Baha whom he had met in > to thousands, the newspapers carry the Chicago in 1912. I am writing the interresume of the lectures and there are in- view for Baha'i World, volume VII. Dr. > numerable opportunities to speak individu- Tagore said that the Baha'i Faith is a great > ally with people of capacity, the thinkers of ideal to establish and that they in Shanti- > 96 THE BAHA'I WORLD > niketan welcome all great religious aims and unity. (I am writing an article about the > will be most glad if a Baha'i Chair of Re- audience. ) > > ligion can be arranged in their school. "Mr. Clarmont P. Skrine, British Resident > "He and Mr. Bakhtiari spoke of Iran (Mr. of Madras States, received us graciously, at > Bakhtiari is an Iranian, he came from Yazd the British Residency in Trivandrum. He > to India about twenty years ago) , and of Dr. has known much about the Baha'i Teachings > > Tagore's trip to Iran. The Poet asked par- and rnet many Baha'is during his visits to > ticularly about the progress of the Baha'i Iran. We learned from him that the late > Faith in the land of its birth, and praised the F. H. Skrine of London, who wrote a book > tolerance and fineness of the Baha'is. about the Baha'i Faith nearly thirty years > "Dr. Tagore's School has a very excellent ago, was his father. The Resident told us his > selection of Baha'i books in the Library and father had been very interested in the Cause. > > they take great interest to have it as com- "We lectured in the Theosophical Hall of > plete and up-to-date as possible. Trivandrum. The President of the Lodge, > "A lecture was given in the hall before the Professor R. Srinivasan, Principal of the > whole student body and the professors. Maharaja's College of Science, arranged it. > Questions were asked and answered. They Dr. and Mrs. Jayaram Cousins were present > brought all the Baha'i books for an exhi- and both spoke a little.Dr, Cousins, one of > bition in the hall, and near the close of the great scholars of Travancore, said that > the lecture I explained the books, one by one. thirty years ago they had been given Eric > Mr. Bakhtiari was invited to chant some Hammond's book 'The Splendour of God' > Baha'i prayers in Iranian. (Many of the and that they have always loved this Baha'i > cultured people of India know Iranian, and book. Mrs. Cousins who is a friend of Lady > the Uurd language, which is used by several Blomfield stopped over in Haifa on her way > millions of people, is akin to Iranian.) to India and visited Shoghi Effendi. She > "The Associated Press and the United spoke with enthusiasm of Shoghi ErTendi, his > > Press used interviews and one professor spirit, his culture, his charm. Dr. Cousins > whom I had known in Marburg University sometimes accompanies the Maharaja on the > and who knows the Cause well wrote an latter's trips abroad. I hear from others, but > > article about the lectures for the Associated I do not know, that the great Dewan (Prime > Press of India. Minister) of Travancore is a fervent The- > > "When can a Chair of the Baha'i Faith be osophist. > established at Shantiniketan? Baha'is must "One reason that we went to Trivandrum > help in this. just at this time was because the Ninth All- > "TRIVANDRUM, TRAVANCORE. Mr. Bakh- India Oriental Conference, which convenes > tiari and I worked in Trivandrum, December only once in two years, was to be held there > 19-23, 1937. I do not know that any December 20-22, and it seemed most impor- > Baha'i teachers had ever visited Trivandrum tant to try to get the Baha'i Teachings to as > and given lectures and press interviews be- many Oriental scholars as possible for who > fore. It is a very progressive State where the will be the Professor Edward G. Brownes, the > > young Maharaja of Travancore, twenty-six Count Gobineaus, the Baron Rosens of India > years old, has recently opened the Hindu if we do not interest the scholars? We wish > State Temples to peoples of all castes a the great Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Zoroasmost courageous, thrilling move that may trian scholars to write about the Baha'i Faith > > help untouchables in other States likewise to in its relation to their own Faiths. > I gave a > > receive similar privileges. very short talk in the Conference on the > "We had a charming, illuminating audi- Baha'i Faith from the standpoint of great > ence with the Maharaja of Travancore and Oriental scholars. Mr. Bakhtiari gave a > his very cultured progressive mother the short talk about Qurratu'l-'Ayn, Iran's great > Maharani of Travancore, at the Palace. I am woman poet. > sure they know very well all the modern re- "Articles about the Cause were prepared > ligious movements, for they are most liberal for the press from the very first day we > Hindus, and awake to the needs of world arrived, and then the Travancore Journalists* > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 97 > > Association gave a tea in our honor in their were really his introductions. These are > clubhouse. They wrote several articles and most interesting because they show the > they will write articles in future about the Baha'i Faith in its relation to Hinduism. He > Cause. They wish news of the progress of is a great Hindu Indian scholar who has > the Cause in different parts of the world. arisen to write about the Faith. I lectured > "MADRAS. Mr. Bakhtiari and I worked in in the Y. M. C. A. in Madras, Mr. Bakhtiari > > Madras, December 2 5 -January 3, 1938* We chanted and we both spoke before the > met the few friends and talked about how Brahmo-Samaj Society of Madras. Brahmoto promote the Faith, and had the Feast. Samaj is a very quickened spiritual move- > We visited all the large libraries to see what ment of India, a little like our Unitarianism > Baha'i books they have. The University of of the West, its members are always friendly > Madras Library has an excellent collection and very sympathetic to the Baha'i Teachand the Librarian, Mr. S. R. Ranganathan, is ings. The Madras Brahmo-Samaj has since > keenly interested to build up the department translated into Telugu language, 'What is > of Baha'i books. He is in correspondence the Baha'i Movement?' and one thousand > with American Baha'is, and the N. S. A., but copies are being distributed. This is the first > up to this time he had never met a Baha'i. booklet, I think, that has ever been published > His face is full of light. He said the Baha'i in Telugu, and it is a fruit of the visit to > books are drawn out and much read. (We Madras. > later found many who have been reading the "Also, two thousand booklets, 'The Dawn > books.) of the New Day' translated into Tamil lan- > "Adyar Theosophical Library, at Adyar, guage, are being published (were to be fin- > Madras, also has a good collection of Baha'i ished by February 15). Mr. Ishaq Pahlavan, > books, and we found that many university a devoted faithful Baha'i in Madras, helped > students living in that section have been with this. The Tamil newspaper that pubreading these books. We > visited editors of lished the booklet used the history and prinall the leading newspapers of Madras and all ciples in a nearly three column article that > used interviews followed by other articles has a circulation of twenty thousand. > about the Faith and resumes of our lectures We felt very happy about these booklets > later. Over two hundred articles about the because Tamil is much used in South- > Baha'i have appeared in the news- > Faith ern India, Ceylon, Straits Settlements > papers of Ceylon and India from September and a large colony in Durban, South > 13 to February 13, 1938, (I urge all Baha'i Africa. > teachers when possible, to carry a typewriter "Mr. Bakhtiari, Mr. Pahlavan and I went > and make out good resumes of all lectures out to Adyar to three sessions of the Interand give out to all newspapers. When one national Theosophical Convention held Despeaks, one speak to hundreds, but > may cember 26 to January 3, 1938; we met many > through the press one can reach tens of thou- friends. The Vice-President of the Intersands and sometimes hundreds of thou- national Theosophical Society, Mr. Datta, > sands) . said to me that the Baha'i Teachings are the > "A large public lecture was given in highest essence of Hinduism. Mr. Bakhtiari, > Ranade Hall, a cultural center whose direc- who did such great work, returned to > tors are connected with the university and Karachi the evening of January 3. > some newspapers. Dewan Bahadur K. S. "As Madras is such an important spiritual > Ramaswami Sastri, retired District Sessions and cultural center in Southern India, Mrs. > Judge and one of the brilliant scholars of Shirin Fozdar and I came to Madras when we > Madras, presided; the lecture was under the were returning from Colombo and stayed for > auspices of the South Indian Cultural Asso- six days, January 18 to 23, met the press, > ciation. In introducing us he spoke con- lectured in Pachaippa College of Madras > > cisely about the Cause, quoted 'The Dawn- University, also gave a public lecture in the > Breakers' and Words > of 'Abdu'1-Baha, has P. S. High School, Mylapore Section, to sevsince presided again and has written for me eral hundred students; lectured at an annual > to use in the West, two short articles, which meeting of the Brahmo-Samaj ladies, and > 98 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Shirin spoke at an evening meeting of the articles about the Baha'i Faith, the editors > Brahmo-Samaj, and broadcast. and J9urnalists were our true friends. A > "Some of the young men who had been in- newspaper in Tamil language also published > terested in the Causewhen Shirin went to the history and principles translated into > Madras in March of last year, arranged a Tamil. I spoke before the Rotary Club of > meeting in their school where we spoke and Colombo and the speech was broadcast from > they said they would form a study class. the luncheon table. Shirin spoke over the > Mr. Pahlavan has a meeting sometimes for radio about Qurratu'l-'Ayn and sang one of > a little group of fine young men who before the latter's poems. A gramophone record > had been Muslims. A group had been was made of this song. Both broadcast > formed last year. May an Assembly soon speeches were printed in full in the Colombo > be started! papers. One public lecture was given in > "I was so touched: a Baha'i had gone from Colombo University under the auspices of > Calcutta nearly two years ago to spread the the University College Economics Society, > Faith. He was very poor and lived on seven and another public lecture took place at the > rupees (less than three dollars a month). Ramakrishna Mission School. We spoke be- > Baha'i friends, I think the N.S.A. of India fore the teachers of a Buddhist school for > and Burma, had given him a present of girls, and Dr. and Mrs. Fozdar spoke at the > money to buy a bullock and a cart to help Parsi Club. Some very fine Muslim people > him in earning a livelihood. The bullock invited us to their homes, so also did some > and cart were stolen from him and for sev- Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. We ineral days he had no food, then Mr. Pahlavan vited a number of friends to our hotel. The > found him, but later this most devoted self- Mayor of Colombo called. Shirin spoke besacrificingBaha'i whom everyone praised fore the Women's International Club. It > > took dysentery and passed on in Madras, a was all a most worthwhile visit to Colombo. > month before we arrived. Mr. Bakhtiari has Dr. Fozdar after helping us much, returned > had a tombstone erected over the grave and from Colombo to his hospital work at Ajmer. > Mr. Pahlavan has had the lot made beautiful "BANGALORE. Mrs. Fozdar and I came > with flowers. To me that Baha'i was as via Madras to Bangalore and Mysore where > > great as the widow with her mite (in the she had been ten months before. Three > New Testament) for he too gave his all! Baha'i lectures were scheduled for the three > Because of his self-sacrifice, Baha'u'llah will days of our stay, January 24, 25, 26, at the > open the doors at Madras to the Baha'i Faith! Mythic Society, a high Cultural Society in > "Jamal EfFendi, a Baha'i teacher from Bangalore, in Daly Memorial Hall, a buildfran, in 1877, gave the Baha'i Message to one ing given by the Maharaja of Mysore. The > young Madrasi, Siyyid Mustafa Roumie, and Secretary of the Mythic Society, a lawyer, > Siyyid Roumie has been efficiently and faith- Mr. S. Srikantaya, ably presided at the three > fully promoting the Baha'i Faith in Burma lectures; all were reported in the 'Bangalore > for sixty years! 'Where the acorns fall, the Post.* Questions were asked and answered > oak trees grow': Baha'u'llah is doing all. and each day the audience increased. Teach- > "Baha'i teachers are needed for Madras ers from the Fort High School present inand all Southern India cities. Christianity vited us to come over to their school and > spread very well in Southern India, is it not speak to seven hundred boys. The Dewan > a portent that the Baha'i Faith too, will be of Mysore, an f ranian, a Muslim, is so fine in > accepted there rapidly in this day? Much his character that Baha'is could well say he > more has been done to promote the Baha'i is *Bah*i' in spirit, in the sense that he seems > > Teachings in Northern India than in the to have 'all the human perfections in ac- > South. Who will hear the Call to the South? tivity/ He received us and did everything > "COLOMBO, CEYLON. Dr. and Mrs. Foz- to help us he helps the Muslims, the Hindar and I went to Colombo, Ceylon, for ten dus, the Jews, the Christians. He invited us > days, January 5 to 16, 1938. It was my to a great garden party where he was the > second trip to Colombo since September 13. guest of honor and introduced us to some > The press used many favorable and long friends as Baha'is. The Vice-Chancel lor of > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 99 > > Mysore University and his wife were in Mysore in 1933, there was a book on the > Bangalore and invited us to their ho/ne; he table, the life of 'Abdu'1-Baha which he carewas most kind and helpful both times Mrs. fully studied. The Mysore University Li- > Fozdar came. One of the Magazines in brary will have pictures of 'Abdu'1-Baha and > Bangalore promises to publish three articles a picture of the Baha'i Temple at Wilmette > about the Cause. One man in Bangalore said to hang on the Library wall. > in fun: 'The people swarm like locusts to eat "Mrs. Fozdar, as I said, had been to Bangathe Baha'i Teachings! It was not quite like lore and Mysore ten months earlier and made > > that,but certainly people were interested many friends and this helped us very much. > and you can see from this account that we May she go again and many times to Southfound friends everywhere who helped us to ern India! She is not only a very fluent > spread the Fragrances of the Teachings. speaker but they called her the Baha'i night- > "MYSORE CITY. The next days, January ingale of India when she sang the Qurratu'l- > 27, 28, 29, were spent in Mysore City. Mrs. 'Ayn songs! > Fozdar and I each gave two lectures in the "HYDERABAD, DECCAN. Then we came > University and she spoke to an Educational to Hyderabad, Deccan, where we were the > Association. One Professor who presided at guests of the State and stayed in the State > my lecture said that he had read seven or Guest House. We > arrived at 5 p.m., and at > eight Baha'i books carefully, and that when 6:30 o'clock I broadcast. This radio talk > a distinguished Ramakrishna Swami spoke in was published in full in their newspapers. > that same University Hall on 'Modern Re- "I broadcast again and Mrs. Fozdar gave a > ligions' and did not mention about the radio speech about Qurratu'l-'Ayn and sang. > Baha'i Faith, this Professor who was acting A gramophone record was made of her speech > as Chairman said that one of the most im- and song and the talk was published. We > portant modern religions had been left out gave a public lecture the second evening > and he gave the history of the Baha'i Move- under the auspices of the Writers' Associament. I told the audience it was like that in tion of Hyderabad. We spoke before the > our country; at the World's Parliament of Hyderabad Ladies' Association to two hun- > Religions, in the Chicago Exposition, i893, a dred and fifty members and the wife of the > Professor, founder of Beirut University, second son of the Nizam presided. This > spoke about the Baha'i Faith and now we beautiful young Princess is a grand-niece of > have thousands of Baha'is in America. the late Sultan 'Abdu'l-Hamid of Turkey. > "One Professor said: 'What we professors Lady Akbar Hydari, wife of the Prime Minand students need is a great quickening of ister, is President of this Association. I spoke > religion in our inner life. If the Baha'i Faith in Osmania University and at the same hour > > brings that, we will study it.' Shirin spoke at the Nizam's College. Excel- > "We met one Professor who is a relative of lent articles appeared in the newspapers. The > Qurratu'l-'Ayn and he has made a deep study Secretary of the Prime Minister, a Cornell > of the Baha'i Teachings. man, had attended a Baha'i Conference in > "The Mysore University Library in the Geneva, N. Y., where he had been the guest > past year has gathered quite a good selection of Mr. and Mrs. Willard McKay. There he > of Baha'i books and these are being read by had met Miss Mary Maxwell; he said he felt > the students. The librarian and the former even then she had a very high destiny and > librarian are most friendly to our Cause. I that she was the most radiant girl he had > believe that great scholars from Mysore will ever met. We were invited to the home of > write about the Teachings. the Prime Minister and to the home of Sir > "One Professor in the University is the Amin Jung; the latter had received Mrs. > Director of Broadcasting and Mrs. Fozdar Schopflocher, later myself, then Keith and > and I both gave radio talks which were sent then Mr. Schopflocher. He loves the Teachout to six newspapers and magazines in ings and says they do not take away from > India. A young private secretary from a any other Faiths. He says if he would be > neighboring state told us that when he able, he would go to the Baha'i Convention > visited the Hill Palace of the Maharaja of in Karachi in April, but he is quite ill. The > 100 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Baha'is of Hyderabad met us at the train, Baha'u'llah has been published in thirteen > > helped us, and came with us to the station different languages, and work on its translawhen we left. They came to the public lec^ tion into eight other languages undertaken; > tures and brought booklets for distribution. the "Hidden Words" of Baha'u'llah has been > Mrs. Fozdar spoke to a large group in a pri- published in fifteen languages, with translavate home the last evening and I broadcast. tions in four additional languages proceed- > We were in Hyderabad only three days, eve- ing; and "Some Answered Questions" by > ning of January 31 to early morning of 'Abdu'1-Baha has appeared in six languages > February 4." and work is going forward on its translation > into ten additional tongues. > THE COLLECTION OF TABLETS > the Baha'i HISTORY OF THE BAHA'f FAITH > Throughout world, special > committees have been engaged in collecting For many years an authentic and detailed > and transcribing original Tablets of the Bab, History of the Faith has been in process of > Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha, an essential creation by the scholarly and devoted Jinab- > > prerequisite to the formation of the Inter- i-Fadil in Tihran. The material for this imnational House of Justice. portant work, so eagerly awaited by all > In America, original Tablets revealed by Baha'is, has been assembled by committees > 'Abdu'1-Baha to individuals and to com- throughout the land. > munities and deposited in the National The project is to consist of nine volumes, > Archives, have been prepared for the publi- each containing some 400 pages, and at the > cation of a fourth volume, and the available present time three volumes have been commaterial is by no means exhausted. The pleted. > three volumes of Tablets already in publication contain no Tablets later than about > THE SHRINE OF THE BAB > 1912. Volume four, consequently, will sup- The area surrounding", and dedicated to, > ply to Baha'is and students of the Faith those the Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel has > Tablets of vital import revealed during the been enlarged by the acquisition of further > Master's later years. holdings. > In Iran, the richest depository of Baha'i The new plots have been registered in the > Tablets, no less than forty volumes of this name of the American National Spiritual > source of the Revelation have been collected, Assembly, Palestine Branch. The total area > each authenticated, and are preserved in the now held by that Assembly in 'Akka and > International Baha'i Archives on Mount Haifa amounts to more than 60,000 square > Carmel. pics, equivalent to 33,750 square meters. > Since the legislative function of the House A plot situated in Beersheba, southern Palof Justice is limited to matters not expressly estine, consisting of approximately 15,000 > revealed in the Baha'i Sacred Writings, its square pics, donated by Mr. Ratib Halabyi, > trusteeship requires intimate knowledge of was in course of transfer in April, 1938. > the Revelation as a whole, for that body will > have responsibility for the fulfillment of all DIFFICULTIES IN TURKISTAN AND > > revealed laws and ordinances throughout the > CAUCASUS > Baha'i community, as well as authority to The Baha'i communities in Turkistan and > enact such laws as may be necessary for Caucasus have encountered tragic difficulties > affairs which Baha'u'llah left to its dis- through the pressure exerted upon Baha'is to > cretion. migrate to Iran on account of their Iranian > nationality, these Baha'i communities having > TRANSLATIONS OF BAHA*I LITERATURE been founded by believers from Iran who > Up to the year 1938, the Baha'i work en- settled in cities of southern Russia many > titled "Bahd'u'llah and the New Era," by years ago. The cause of this attitude on the > Dr. J. E. Esslemont, has been translated into part of the civil authorities arises from the > forty different languages and published in fact that all foreigners are viewed with susthirty-three languages; the Kitab-i-fqan of picion. > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 101 > > Some Baha'is, including women, have been Hall where they have a chance to assoimprisoned. In his recent communications ciatewith one another and where the Holy > to these Baha'i communities, Shoghi Effendi Writings and Baha'i songs are chanted, > sanctioned their change of nationality if by music played, tea and sweets served, rethis means the authorities can be induced to freshing the Friends both spiritually and > relax their restrictions. Moreover, the Am- materially. > bassador of Iran at Moscow and the authori- Each month a memorial meeting is held > 3. > > ties in Tihran have been approached with the at which time the life of one of the great > request to act on behalf of the persecuted servants of the Cause who has passed on is > Persian friends. recounted and his services and sacrifices for > From 'Ishqabad has come the following the establishment of the Cause are mendetails of Baha'i activities: tioned, thus bettering our knowledge of the > history of the Cause and reminding ourselves > Babd'j Establishments of our duty. > 1. Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. This temple be- 4. Sometimes special meetings of the > came part of the city properties in the middle Friends are called by the Spiritual Assembly > of 1928 by a law affecting all religious build- for consultation with the Friends, in addi- > > ings. At first we refused to accept this tion to the regular meetings. > > ruling and made a great many efforts to ex- 4. Two special meetings of commemoraclude the temple from this law. But all the tion have been held; one for Keith Ransomefforts of the friends were of no avail. At Kehler, and one for Dr. Moody. > last with the permission of the Guardian, we For the care of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar > signed a five year lease with special provisions and the Baha'i Hall as well as the court > for the necessary care and repairs. In 1933 around them, we have employed two garwe renewed the lease for another five years. deners and two care-takers who discharge > But in 1935 in accordance with a new law their duties with constancy, utter joy, and > which gave all temples back to their original zeal. > > owners for an indefinite period, we signed a > new lease which insisted on a great many re- The Cemetery (The Eternal Garden) > pairs to be made within six months. The 1. The Eternal Garden in which have > Spiritual Assembly and the friends of this been buried many of the early ardent Servcity and other parts made every effort and ants, has in this year, 1935, again been resacrifice to have all the work done within the paired and now has a refreshing appearance. > specified period. Now the Mashriqu'l- 2. The Tomb of Fadil of Ghaeem, who > > Adhkar and its garden are of great beauty had been buried in Bokhara and later reand are again in the hands of the Baha'is. moved to 'Ishqabad by verbal instructions > At the two sides of the gates to the of 'Abdu'1-Baha, was beautifully and happily > > Temple are hung two boards with the Baha'i built in 1934. > > principles written on them in four languages. 3. Haji Muhammad Rida, the Martyr, > > At sunrise and on public holidays, the Be- had been buried eight miles away from the > loved of God and the Maidservants of the city. Because of some construction work in > Merciful gather in this temple, chanting that vicinity undertaken by the local govprayers and reading the Tablet of Visitation ernment, it was felt advisable to remove the > of Baha'u'llah. On anniversaries, especially, remains. With the permission of the Beso many people gather that the sight is truly loved Guardian, the remains were transferred > praiseworthy. to the cemetery, in May, 1935, and in 1936 > it was almost completed. > The Bahd'i Hall (Haziratu'l-Quds) 4. We are planning to build the tombs of > 1. Twice a week under the supervision Shaykh Muhammad-'Ali Ghaeem and > of > and with specifications of the Spiritual As- Siyyid Mihdi of Gulpaygan, two teachers > sembly, on Saturday and Tuesday nights, who have done great teaching work in this > Baha'i public meetings are held in the Hall. territory and who passed on in the years i923 > 2. On holidays the Baha'is gather in the and 1928 respectively. > 102 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The major work of the Spiritual Assembly minates all the seekers. Even if our progress > in addition to what is mentioned above is: is slow, with steadfastness and deeds our pur- > 1. Help of the weak and the poor among pose will be achieved. > the Baha'is who receive care and a regular The Baha'i Centers in Turkistan are: > > payment every month to enable them to 'Ishqabad, Marv, Samarqand, Bayram-'Ali, > live somewhat comfortably. Qahqahih, T*?hkand, Yeltan, Chahar Jub, > 2. Nineteen Day Feast. It is held regu- and Tajen. Correspondence with these cenlarly by the Friends twice a week. Each ters is more easily handled through 'Ishqa- > > person wishing to give a feast is given the bad, the central point. > names of nine people to invite and the host > ACTIVITIES IN PARIS > also invites some of his relatives, the number > of those present generally averaging from From Matilde Kennedy has been received > the following account, in French, of the > nine to nineteen. During such gatherings, > which often last from five to six hours, re- activities of the Baha'i community in > Paris: > ligion is the topic of discussion. > 3. Tabulation of Tablets. This year the Deux faits sortant de 1'ordinaire sont a > mentionner pour commencer ce rapport. Ce > Spiritual Assembly has decided to collect all > the Tablets that are accessible in this region, sont deux manifestations artistiques, chacune > > both those already printed and others in dans un ordre different. > hands of individuals. The Spiritual Assem- Voici un recit abrege de la manifestation > > bly will form a clear and comprehensive grandiose qui cut lieu les 12 et 13 juillet > table covering all the subjects contained in 1936 a Verdun a 1'occasion du rassemblethese tablets. A number of the Friends have ment international des anciens combattants > been invited to participate in this work and de la Grande Guerre pour preter en commun > we are already making progress. le serment solennel de maintenir la Paix. > 4. From the early days we have been II nous faut dire tout d'abord que cette > manifestation fut impregnee de 1'esprit > carrying on a correspondence with the Assemblies of this district. But recently, since Baha'i en 1'essence meme du serment unithe Guardian has indicated the importance versel puis en ce que le cote artistique y fut > > of such a correspondence, we now corre- represente par deux membres proeminents du > spond regularly once a Baha'i month with groupe de Paris: Madame Marie- Antoinette > every assembly in the district in the vicinity Aussenac de Broglie et Monsieter Nicolas > of 'Ishqabad. Oboukof. Cette partie de la ceremonie fut > 5. We also send out every three months, admirable. A minuit, en plein cimetiere > a circular giving news of the Baha'i activi- surprenant instrument la Croix > militaire, le > ties in the city together with the more im- Sonore, conc.u et mis a execution par ces > > portant news culled from circulars received > deux grands artistes, fit entendre des sons > from other countries. We send this circular jamais entendus, un chant sublime s'eleva > > to all parts of this district. inspire par la parole de Baha'u'llah: "Vous > etes tous les feuilles du meme arbre, les > Deaths facettes d'un seul diamant. Venez! le Seig- > Shaykh Haydar Mollem. He spent his en- neur benit la Paix. . . ." > > tirelife, more than seventy years, in the L'emotion fut indescriptible parmi les > > search and dissemination of knowledge. He assistants qui pourtant n'entendaient que la > taught the Baha'i children and youth, and surprenante musique. Quant a nous, qui > his work and advice will never be forgotten. etions a 1'ecoute et qui y juxtaposions les > They will live with us forever. sublimes paroles, notre emotion etait intense. > Even though the present conditions are Dans notre lettre circulaire de 1936 nous > such that gives the appearance of inacit avons dit quelques mots de 1'execution du > tivity of the Cause, the unity and love and buste d"Abdu'l-Bah4 par le sculpteur Nicolas, > cooperation of the Friends is such, and their de Sokolnitsky. II nous parait interessant de > attachment to and love for the Cause is so donner plus de details sur cette surprenante > great, that it can truly be said that it illu- manifestation et nous resumons ici le recit > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 103 > > que Mrs. Stannard ecrivit en anglais a ce c'etait le Maitre persan, c'etait son turban, > > sujet. sa barbe blanche; il etendit son bras vers moi > Ce fut pendant le cours de Phiver 1936- et me dit en russe: Leve toi et parle de moi! > 1937 que le groupe Baha'i de Paris se trouva L'effet fut si grand que je me levai de suite, > en contact avec quelques personnes appar- pris un bloc de glaise et travaillai sans arret > tenant a un groupement international de pendant 4 a 5 heures, tant que je ne fus pas > religion catholique. Ces quelques personnes satisfait du resultat obtenu, que je n'avais > assisterent a une de nos reunions parmi elles pas materialise parfaitement ma vision. > se trouva la soeur de Nicolas de Sokolnitsky Mrs. May Maxwell se trouvant a Paris a > qui nous invita a visiter Patelier de son f rre. cette epoque je la conduisis a Patelier, elle > Je m'y rendis, dit Mrs. Stannard, ainsi que aussi admira fort Poeuvre accomplie et ex- > > quelques-uns des etudiants persans. L'artiste prima le de*sir que. sa fille (maintenant > parut immediatement interesse a Penoncia- Pepouse de Shoghi Effendi) la vit a son > tion que nous lui fimes des principes de retour d'Allemagne, ce qui cut lieu. > notre Cause dont il comprit la grandeur et Maintenant beaucoup d'amis Baha'is Pont > Pimmense parte*e. vue et admiree, et certains petits details > En admirant ses belles creations sculptu- d'arrangement de la barbe, du turban, des > rales, bustes ou groupes, j'emis la remarque cheveux furent modifies. A mon avis, ce > qu'il etait bien regrettable que le grand buste exprime bien la personnalite profondesculpteur Rodin n'eut pas vu en 1912 lors de ment reflechie du Maitre, le fait paraitre > son sejour a Paris notre Maitre 'Abdu'l- plus jeune que lors de son sejour a Paris, la > > Baha car la majeste de sa face de prophete barbe est plus lourde, mais ces petits change- > Peut tellement frappe, qu'il Paurait repro- ments sont peu importants. > duite dans toute Pinspiration de son genie. Le sculpteur Nicolas de Sokolnitsky est de > Soudain Nicolas de Sokolnitsky s'ecria: Eh nationalite russe, ne en Ukraine a KiefT, il > bien! je vais Pexecuter. Procurez-moi toutes est eleve de Pficole des Beaux-Arts de Paris > les photos possibles du Maitre." et s'est fait naturaliser frangais. > Rentree chez moi je rassemblai toutes les Nos reunions bi-mensuelles se sont pourphotos, gravures, dessins en ma possession suivies tres regulierement pendant tout > et les lui portai. Il les examina longtemps Pexercice 1936-1937 et ont ete suivies nonet retint celles qui lui parurent les plus aptes seulement par les membres de notre groupe > a accomplir son dessein. Le lendemain a mais par des visiteurs interesses a la Cause. > midi je rec,us un coup de telephone de Chaque reunion commence par un the fra- > Sokolnitsky me disant: Venez de suite . . . > ternel, petite recreation avant la lecture > sa voix etait tres-agitee et des qu'il me fut d'une de nos prieres, puis lecture soit d'une > possible je me rendis a son atelier croyant tablette ou d'un enseignement. Ensuite une > qu'il pouvait avoir besoin de quelques ex- conference ou causerie faite soit par un des > plications supplementaires avant d'ouvrager. Baha'i s presents soit par une personne invitee > Des que j'entrai, il m'entraina vers un a prendre la parole sur un sujet hautement > piedouche supportant une masse recouverte spiritualiste se rattachant a nos doctrines. > de linges mouille's, il les enleva et a mon La reunion se termine dans le recueillement > emerveillement je vis le buste, c'est a dire d'une pri^re chantee par un jeune persan. > la tete majestueuse du Maitre pose'e sur les Nous avons institue et poursuivons reguepaules recouvertes d'un abba. C'etait lierement les reunions de 19 jours reservees > presque encore une ebauche mais de'ja si aux seuls Baha'is. Elles se tiennent tantot a > ressemblante! Je restais confondue d'eton- Patelier de Mrs. Scott, lieu de nos reunions, > nement. L'artiste se mit a rire et dit: Oui, tantot chez Pun ou Pautre des amis, nous > des sculpteurs eux-memes pourraient dire aimons ces reunions dont le tour d'esprit est > que c'est miraculeux. Et il me fit le > . . . > toujours eleve et la tenue sincerement rercit suivant: Cette nuit peu avant le jour, ligieuse. L'ame de toutes nos reunions est > j'aieu un reve visionnaire, je vis distincte- toujours Miss Sanderson si d^vouee et si > ment une figure drapee en blanc qui se tenait bonne organisatrice. > devant moi et immediatement jc sus que La septieme conference de 1'Union des > 104 THE BAHA'f WORLD > fitudiants Baha'is a eu lieu les 2 et 3 Janvier chaque mois dans le home si hospitalier de > 1937 dans Patelier de Mrs. Scott. Une quar- notre grande amie Laura Dreyfus-Barney. > antaine de personnes y assistait. Quelques- Laissez-moi vous dire quelques mots au sujet > unes arrivaient de Petranger, cinq etaient de ce home. II est entoure par de grands > > venues de Londres, une d'Allemagne, trois balcons desquels on domine Pimmense cite > arrivaient de Lyon. En plus nous avions le parisienne; le soir lorsque la ville est brillamplaisir de regevoir Madame Orlova et ment illuminee c'est un enchantement, un > Madame Schopflocher. Notre Gardien panorama incomparable qui resplendit a perte > Shoghi Effendi avait adresse au docteur de vue, avec toutes ses lumieres et de place > > Hakim, le president de cette reunion, une en place ses ombres, et vous trouvercz avec > belle lettre dont il nous a donne lecture et moi que c'est pour nous un vivant symbole; > qui a etc ecoute avec grand attention; puis cette maison de notre assemblee spirituelle > il lut la traduction du rapport des activites eleve'eau g'essus de Pimmense cite, lui ende la jeunesse d'Amerique qui agissent avec voyant eile-meme le puissant rayonnement > les amis europeens en intime cooperation. que notre Cause apporte au monde. Phare > Ensuite Mademoiselle Irady, jeune fiancee de Paix, de Foi en Pavenir de nos docfranchise du docteur Mesbah fit une trines qui ne laissera plus Pombre sur le > > charmante causerie sur le role de la femme Monde quand tous les etres rayonneront > dans la Cause Baha'i, Madame Orlova reprit d'Amour. . . . > > cet important sujet avec son eloquence si Devant nous s'etend la Grande Expochaleureuse. sition reunion de tant de peuples, expression > Mademoiselle Migette de Lyon exprime sa de tant de pays divers qui tous s'efforcent > joie d'etreparmi nous et nous dit son d'apporter de la beaute.Cette grande maniactivite a Lyon pour repandre la Cause. festation n'a pas qu'une beaute materielle, on > Madame Schopflocher parle du > sejour sait qu'elle a ete placee par Pillustre phi- > > qu'elle fit a Haifa et nous dit tout Pinteret losophe Henri Bergson," President d'honneur > que prend Shoghi Effendi a la jeunesse. du Congres International dc Philosophic sous > Apres la priere chantee en persan, on le signe de Descartes dont la France celebre > quitte Patelier pour se rendre a un diner le troisieme centenaire. L'illustre savant du > amical auquel prirent part quarante per- dix-septieme siecle fut le grand penseur des > sonnes. temps modernes; le premier il pensa et ecrivit > Le deuxieme jour on salue la presence de hors de la tradition scholastique et du dogme > Mr. Bakeroff qui arrivait de Londres et le theologique. Ses travaux furent fondes sur > group anglais exprime sa vive satisfaction de son axiome fameux: Cogito ergo sum je > > participer a cette conference. pense done je suis, et son premier grand > Le docteur Miihlschlegel venu speciale- ouvrage: Le Discours sur la Methode, scrt > ment de Stuttgart nous parle de son recent encore de guide dans le monde cntier, c'est > voyage a Haifa. vous dire la haute tcneur des Congres Inter- > Mademoiselle Zamenhof nous dit sa joie de nationaux qui ont lieu a PExposition: phise trouver a nouveau parmi nous. sciences > losophic, philologie, economiques, > M. Zabih nous parla des membres de sa pacifisme, sociologie, litterature, medecine, > f amille qui ont subi le martyre pour la Cause, droit, etc., s'y succedent, en presence des > son recit fut tres emouvant. elites interessees qui par Pechange des idees > M. Bakchayech developpe avec beaua les plus hautes travaillent a Paccroissement > > coup de talent et dans un frangais choisi le du patrimoine humain. > sujet: Comment faire prepaloir le plan Baha'i Nous continuons a nous occuper activcdans le chaos actuel. ment des nos publications et de reimpres- > Enfin le docteur Hakim parla de la lettre sions. Nous avons fait paraitre une nouvelle > collective qui allait etre adressee a Shoghi brochure de propagande qui va etre mise a > Effendi comme d'habitude et cette interes- la Bibliotheque Nationale a la disposition du > sante reunion prit fin par la belle priere public. > chantee. Le 21 Avril 1937, chez Laura Dreyfus- > Notre Assemblee Spirituelle se riunit Barney nous avons cel^bre la fete de Ridvan > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 105 > > et precede aux nouvelles elections de 1'As- Kanno and his American wife. After an > semblee Spirituelle dont tous les mefnbres absence of thirty-five years Mr. Kanno was > ont ete reelus. En meme temps a eu lieu la visiting his native land. In 1912 he had met > ceremonie du manage du docteur Mesbah et 'Abdu'1-Baha in California and he recounted > de Mademoiselle Jeanne Irady d'apres notre to the friends his experiences with 'Abdu'lrituel Baha'i; ce fur tres-simple mais tres- Baha and the great love which He showered > touchant, une charmante fete de famille. on him. On another occasion Mr. Ouskouli, > Le docteur Aminoullah Mesbah a fait ses the Iranian brother from Shanghai, who was > etudes medicales a Paris et va repartir avec visiting Japan, met with the Japanese > sa jeune femme s'installer a Tihran en passant friends. Two Baha'is from the Honolulu > par Haifa. Assembly en route to Haifa, as well as two > A 1'occasion de 1'exposition parmi nous se returning to Honolulu, visited the home. > trouve un jeune Baha'i tunisien qui nous a Here Japanese young women born in the > entretenus de 1'etat de la Cause a Tunis. United States and Hawaii found happiness in > Mr. Khemiri nous dit qu'il fait parti d'un the study of the Baha'i Faith. One of these > groupe bien constitue par de fervents Baha'is young women came to Japan from Hawaii > qui se reunissent presque chaque soir chez un for the purpose of studying Japanese that > dcs membres qui a mis sa maison a leur dis- she might be better able to spread the Faith > > position. among the Japanese in Hawaii. She said she > Cette annee nous a apporte la joie d'avoir felt so happy to know that she had some- > > parmi nous une grande zelatrice de notre thing to work for which was the greatest > Cause May Maxwell. Agnes Alexander nous thing in the world. Two of these young > a fait egalcment la faveur de son interessante women met on Youth Day, March 22, 1936, > visite; elle fut comme May Maxwell un des and formed a link in the chain of meetings > premiers pionniers Baha'is a Paris et nous which extended around the world. > connaissons tous la belle oeuvrc qu'elle a The most outstanding Baha'i work of the > accomplie au Japon. year 1936 was the transcribing into Braille > Nous avons eu le profond regret 1'ap- of the Japanese edition of Esslemont's book, > > prendre la mort a Lyon de Madame Borel qui "Baha'u'llah and the New Era." This was > fut une ardente spiritualiste; elle connaissait undertaken as a memorial to Akira, the son > et admirait notre Cause et comprenait la of the blind brother, Mr. Tokujiro Torii, > haute portee de nos enseignements. Peu de who died in his seventeenth year in March, > temps avant sa mort elle se declara Baha'i et 1935. Mr. Torii introduced this edition > ecrivit a Shoghi Effendi. with an appeal to the blind of Japan to investigate the Baha'i Faith and quoted from > MISS ALEXANDER IN JAPAN the Esperanto correspondence he had had > A little Japanese Baha'i home was estab- with Dr. Esslemont. Thirty copies, each > lished in the heart of Tokyo in the fall of comprising three Braille volumes, were dis- > 1935 by Miss Agnes B. Alexander who had tributed to the libraries of the principal > returned there after an absence of two years. schools for the blind in Japan and to promi- > > Although conditions had changed, and the nent blind workers of the country. Premembers of the Spiritual Assembly, which vious to this publication an English Braille > was formed in 1932, had scattered, yet the edition of Esslemont's book had been passed > > hopes for the fuller establishment of the among the blind who were students of the > Cause were bright. This simple home made English language. Other Braille Japanese > a where residents and visitors to > center publications, which had been made in Japan > Japan were invited; and thus it was a means were, "A Letter to the Blind Women in > of spreading the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Japan," which was written at the request of > On the Bab's birthday, October 20, 1935, some blind Japanese friends in 1916 by Miss > a feast was held in this home. Portions from Agnes Alexander and was the first Baha'i > the writings in "The Dawn-Breakers" re- publication in Japanese. It was followed by > garding the life of the Bab were read. a Braille book entitled, "Seek and It Shall be > > Among the friends present was Mr. Takeshi Given Unto You," by Tokujiro Torii in > 106 THE BAHA ' > f WORLD > 1917, which contained translations from the instructions from Shoghi Effendi regarding > Baha'i Writings. Several Baha'i pamphlets the work in Japan were all-satisfying. > were also published in Braille and distributed Shoghi Effendi said that we were now beginamong the blind. Besides these publications, ning to witness the effect of 'Abdu'l-Baha's > Mr. Torii has himself put into Braille some Tablets to the blind in Japan. There were > of the English Baha'i books, such as "Iqan," five Tablets addressed to three Japanese blind > "Hidden Words," "Seven Valleys," and young men. He said that he hoped to have > others. These publications are bringing Japanese Baha'i pilgrims from Japan, that > Spiritual Light and real comfort to many he wanted them to take an active share in > Japanese blind. the international affairs in Haifa in the > In response to a cablegram from Shoghi future when the International House of Jus- > Effendi in December, 1936, Miss Alexander tice would be formed. He said Japan has a > traveled to thewestern province of > far very great future, that the vitality in Japan > Yamaguchi to visit the mother of our faith- would in the future be devoted to the Cause. > ful Japanese brother, Mr. Fujita, who serves A > Japanese scroll, "kakimono," depicting > in Pilgrim House in Haifa. > the Western the sun, the national symbol of Japan, rising > Mother Fujita had been ill for two months, over the ocean, which Miss Alexander prebut had recovered and a happy Christmas sented to Shoghi Effendi, was hung by him > > Day was spent with the family and a photo- in the hall of Bahji, the Mansion where > > graph of all was taken. On the return Baha'u'llah passed away. > > journey to Tokyo, Miss Alexander met with In the summer of 1937, Miss Martha Root > the Baha'is in Kobe and Kyoto, where many visited Japan. During a stay of three weeks > blind friends gathered in the home of Mr. she was able to meet with the Japanese > Torii. Baha'is in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe, refresh- > > Through a > sympathetic friend who ing them by her spirit of deep love. Besides > worked for the "Japan Times," a Japanese- meeting with the Baha'is she was interviewed > owned daily published in English in Tokyo, by newspaper reporters and a number of > many articles about the Baha'i Faith were articles were published on the Cause. She > published. Especially noteworthy were re- also interviewed the well-known Japanese > > prints from the Baha'i magazine, "World Christian social worker, Toyohiko Kagawa. > Order." > In March, 1937, at the invitation of Shoghi BAHA'I PIONEER IN ALBANIA > > Effendi, Miss Alexander left Tokyo to make The coming of the Faith to the ancient > the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was the land of Albania is one of the miracles of this > first time for a pilgrim to go from Japan to present Baha'i era. > visit the Guardian and the Baha'i Shrines on In the year 1928, Miss Martha L. Root > Mt. Carmel and Bahji. En route to take the visited Albania, and in an interview with > steamer for Egypt, stop was made in > a King, made presentation of Baha'i literature > Kyoto. Here blind friends gathered again on behalf of Shoghi Effendi. > in the Torii home to learn more of the Faith. In 1931, the Guardian commissioned Mr. > The Buddhist daily of Kyoto, "Chugai Refo Chapary, a native Albanian, to estab- > Nippo," which had always shown friendli- lish the Faith in his country. Mr. Chapary > ness in publishing articles on the Cause, not for some years previously had been engaged > only published an article about Miss Alex- in translating Baha'i texts into Albanian > ander's intended pilgrimage, but the editor while residing in New York. > sent through Miss Alexander gifts to Shoghi The newspapers, Besa and Ora> presented > Effendi and Mr. Fujita, who is the first one extensive reviews, one written by Prof. > to meet and greet all Western pilgrims to Beqir Spahi. This publicity led to the meet- > Haifa. Other gifts were also sent by Jap- ing of interested souls, and gatherings for > anese friends of Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. discussion were held in homes, both Sunni > On April 20, Haifa was reached. For and Shi'ih Muslims being present. A Mr. > more than thirty-six years Miss Alexander Deralla expressed his acceptance of the Faith, > had waited to make the pilgrimage and the and Prof. Qamil Bala stated that he had had > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 107 > > the honor of being 'Abdu'l-Baha's friend in the Muslim clergy exhibited more interest, > 'Akka, and that in Him he had sought the The govand discussed the Faith with him. > goal of divine reality. A learned Sunni, ernor of the province secured from Mr. > presented with a copy of the Kitab-i-fqan in Chapary copies of all the literature he had, > the Iranian language, remarked that while he including books in French. He informed > admitted its super-human power he under- Mr. Chapary that he accepted Baha'u'llah, > stood that it contained many elements of but the Albanians were needy and first of all > Bolshevism, a statement which brought the required to win their livelihood. > reply that the book was the Word of God In February, 1938, Mr. Chapary was > while social philosophy is a human invention. transferred to the city of Korce, the most > Mr. Agop Markarian likewise accepted the progressive center in the country. Here he > Faith about that time. received letters frorrt two persons of promi- > In June, 1933, Miss Root again returned nence informing him that they accepted the > to Albania at the Guardian's request, to dis- Faith. Not only has Mr. Chapary made the > cuss teaching plans with Mr. Chapary. In Cause known to many people in Korce, but > addition to the Prime Minister, the Minister he also soon brought out the first issue of a > of the Interior and the Minister of Publica- new Baha'i magazine, "The Supreme Pen," > tions, Miss Root called on leading educators printed in the Albanian language. > and merchants of Tirana. > The booklets translated and SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY IN TUNIS > 30,000 > printed by Mr. Chapary in the United States, The Baha'is of the city of Tunis have > together with the 4,000 copies of "Hidden formed a Spiritual Assembly for the first > Words" in Albanian, were ordered from time, modeled after the local constitution of > America. "BahaVllah and the New Era" the Baha'is of New York, and the Declarawas then translated and printed in Tirana. tion of Trust and By-Laws will be submitted > > Knowledge of the Faith, Mr. Chapary to the civil authorities as soon as conditions > > writes, was promulgated throughout the in the city have been quieted. > > city, among Muslims and Christians. Later Assistance and advice was extended to the > in 1933 Dr. Howard and Mrs. Mardiyyih Baha'is of Tunis by the National Spiritual > Nabil Carpenter joined Mr. Chapary. These Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt, who sent > Baha'i teachers also made many important Dr. M. Saleh, then Chairman of the Spiritual > contacts. Assembly of Alexandria, to study Baha'i > The Mufti, director of the Muslim re- administration with the Baha'is of Tunis. > > ligious school, sent a member of the faculty Thus are the spiritual boundaries of the > to interview Mr. Chapary. A copy of the Faith of Baha'u'llah extended from people > > fqan was given him, with the result that the to people, from nation to nation, throughout > Mufti soon declared that it was a book writ- the world. In these devoted and cherished > ten more for Christians than for Muslims. communities where the creative Word sup- > Mr. Chapary was transferred from Tirana plies a truly superhuman aim and strength, > to Valona the coming winter, where he soon new candles are lighted by the Divine hand, > converted a member of the bench. After to replace those lights of the former civilizafive months at Valona, he was transferred to tion which one by one are extinguished for- > > Gjinokaster, in a distant province. There ever. > 108 THE BAHA'I WORLD > GENEVA SCANS THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY > BY HELEN BISHOP > tf 9 > 7 declare it's marked out just like a large chess-board! Alice said at last. 'There ought > to be some men moving about somewhere and so there are! she added in a tone of > as she went on. > delight, and her heart began to beat quick with excitement > 'It's a great > > the world at all, > huge game of chess that's being played all over the world // this is > > you know. Oh, what fun it is! How I wish I was one of them! I wouldn't mind being " > a Pawn, if only I might join though of course I should like to be a Queen, best' > (Through the Looking Glass) > > B AHA'f moves on the Geneva front have > been unspectacular since the Ridvan (April > new methods in business, an exchange between the Bureau and the proper Commit- > This "marking time" is a tees in England and Germany was arranged > 21st) of 1936. > the former transaction was successful, but > quiet stage after nine years of unstinted acthe latter has been interrupted by historic > tivity aimed at unqualified acceptance by > "the powers and principalities of the world" circumstances. > of the divine plan for international govern- The lending Library is free and open to > ment. Finally, the Guardian adopted a pol- the public. Visitors are received by the > > icy of "fallowing" leaving the public field resident Baha'i; and hospitality is shown > uncultivated by a general propaganda un- to all who seek information on the Cause or > til that approaching future when, within association with its friends in Geneva. Correach of victory, "time" proves to be an- respondence in several languages including > other spelling for "opportunity." This re- Esperanto widens the orbit of contacts and > pose is for the sake of a greater activity to provides a regular channel for the flow of > come. Now > "the time is out of joint" in the Teachings. Obviously, such communi- > Geneva: through disobedience to the law of cation enlivens the interest of the awakened > nations the center of political gravity is and binds the purely conscious members of > shifted; and our Baha'i knowledge, as in- the Baha'i Community in Europe. > deed all knowledge, is of little avail until it Under the advices of the Guardian, Mrs. > serves in conjunction with the appointed Charles Bishop accepted the invitation of the > time. National Spiritual Assembly of the British > The International Baha'i Bureau moved Islesto give some lectures, and left Geneva > from the office in the Rue General Dufour in February of 1936. Later in the year, > into its present quarters, the attractive top November and part of December, both Mr. > story of a villa, formerly the headquarters and Mrs. Bishop worked in the Bureau, and > of the Delegation from fran. After the re- then returned to England for renewed teachmoval of that diplomatic corps to the Swiss ing activities. Meanwhile, Miss Margaret > capital at Berne, the Bureau's modest suite Lentz and Mrs. Anna Lynch carried the Buwas let by the landlord. This is Number 19 reau's routine of work, as in their preceding > A on Avenue de Champel, where the en- years of devotion.In June of 1937, Miss > trance leads through parallel lines of hand- Lentz was summoned to America by the exsome trees. piration of her term abroad as a naturalized > The sale of Baha'i books continues as citizen; and, at the end of October, Mrs. > before except that, by special arrangement Bishop's return to America terminated her > with the National Spiritual Assembly of connection with the Bureau. Since then, > America, the Publishing Committee entrusts Mrs. Lynch has been acting secretary, and > the Bureau with a complete lot of books on is now > carrying out the Guardian's instrucconsignment, which doubles the Bureau's tions for the maintenance of this internamechanism of service by enabling traveling tional auxiliary. At this writing, Mrs. > teachers and other purchasers to possess their Lynch has the help of her gifted daughter, > copies within a few days. In emulation of Miss Valerie, In parenthesis, thanks are re- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 109 > > corded for the kindness of the Swiss gentle- the New York Public Library by our rewoman, Mme. Grazier, who volunteered to quest) . M. Privat honoured the Bureau with > keep the Bureau open for its minimum of a copy of his book La Sagesse de I* Orlent, > hours during the absence of Mrs. Lynch in which has a chapter on Baha'i reprinted in > August, 1937. this volume by his consent. Mrs. Samuel > To date (J18 months period) statistics, as Rodman of Batavia, New York, made a > compiled by Mrs. Lynch, show that 466 Braille transcript of the Hidden Words and > books (pamphlets not included) have been Prayers for an Englishman; while Mr. Vuk > placed by the Bureau in libraries and with Echtner made a Braille transcript of some > students. By request of the New York Pub- Verses of Baha'u'llah to the benefit of our > lic Library, a representative choice of slender lending Library in Esperanto. Also, > Baha'i literature in foreign languages was Miss Zamenhof made a contribution thereto. > donated; and by courtesy of Shoghi Effendi, Mr. E. T. Hall sent copies of his poem "The > texts in the original Arabic or Iranian were Poet." A staunch Albanian Baha'i, Mr. > presented. Forty-two volumes of literature Refo Chapari, presented the Bureau with six > in various languages were donated to the volumes and fifteen pamphlets in his native > Baha'i Study Group Library in Belgrade, tongue. Recipients have been found for > Jugoslavia. Blind readers of Braille, two in some other contributions, more particularly > Austria in England, have been > and one the fifteen copies in Swedish of Bahd'u'lldh > > taught by the lending Library's edition of and the New Era, sent by Mrs. Rudd-Palm- > Bahd'rflldh and the New Era. gren; the twenty-five copies of the Nor- > This apparent generosity on the part of wegian translation sent by Miss Johanna > the Bureau is actually a stewardship inas- Schubarth; and the twenty-five copies of > much as our donations are but transmissions the Spanish from Miss Holsapple at her post > of the gifts we receive from all parts of the in Bahia, Brazil. If other donations have > Baha'i world Community. One copy of not been listed, we beg of their donors an > each published work in all Oriental and Oc- acceptance of the appreciation intended for > cidental languages is acceptable to the Bu- all not less because it fails a precise record. > reau for its International Library; besides, In January of 1937, by request of Mme. > the additional gifts which are placed when Kamensky, President of the International > discrimination finds the recipient. Theosophical Society, Geneva, a Precis on > Within period under consideration, > this the Baha'i Faith was written and presented > we gratefully acknowledge to Shoghi Ef- to her another index of the consideration > fendi a habitual remembrance of the Bureau which this friendly movement has shown to > as shown by the number of books and book- Baha'i Principles and teachers throughout > letsfrom his hands. The Publishing Com- the world. Also by request, Professor > mittee of America has sent its quota full Probst-Biraben of Cannes, France, Orientaland overflowing. Three hundred copies of ist and writer for several journals on sociolthe new French leaflet were sent by Mme. ogy and culture, received Baha'i literature to > Dreyfus-Barney, which, with an ample sup- include in his survey given at the congress > ply of the precious translation ofThe Un- "de 1' Academic Mediterraneenne" held at > foldment of World Civilization, The Goal of Monaco from July 24, 1937. Professor Ernst > a New World Order, and The World Econ- Jaekh, Director of the New Commonwealth > omy of Bahd'u'lldh increases our indebted- Society, and other members of that Institute > ness to the friends in Paris. The arrival of for research into the problems of internathe French translations was timely; and they tional justice and security from the political > were placed with contacts made among aspect, accepted copies of The Unfoldment > journalists, and diplomatinternationalists, of World Civilization. Other noteworthy > ists, who could not be so easily reached with contacts are remembered under one hearty > the English texts. The National Spiritual appreciation of the friends to the Faith in > Assembly of 'Iraq gave a handsomely bound Europe. > copy of the Kurdish translation of Babd'u'- Recognition is given to the traveler who > lldh and the New Era (and sent another to included Geneva in his itinerary during this > 110 THE BAHA'f WORLD > period. 'Abdu'l-Baha's daughter, Ruha The National Spiritual Assembly of Ger- > Khanum, Mirza Jalal, the Master's son-in- many and Austria was dissolved by order of > law, came with their son, Dr. Munib Shahid. the government on June 9, 1937; and all > > The occasional visits of Mirza Ezzatollah Baha'i activities were proscribed. From that > Zabih kept the Bureau in touch with the time nothing has been done in affairs, but > group he helped to found in Lyons while he prior to that date, these significant events > worked there as consultant on Persian silks suggest the mode of life in community: the > and designs in the textile industry. The late revision of the first translation of Babd'n'lldb > Mme. Borel, who held these meetings in her and the New Era for a second, annotated > home, also came. Their collaborator, Miss edition, besides the preparation of several > > Lidja Zamenhof, visited two days in August, other volumes. The National Convention > 1936, to the delight of the friends as well as was held in Stuttgart during the Ridvan, > of the Esperantists invited to meet her at 1936; and later in the season, the northern > the Bureau. The charming Misses Kunz of centers held their conference on teaching. > Urbana, Illinois, came for two months that That summer the School in Esslingen reached > summer. Mme. Vautier, our faithful ally its apogeeas English, American, Scandina- > > in Zurich, paid a visit and brought news of vian, and Persian visitors attested in a flood > the wee circle reading the Teachings there. of letters that spread the contagion of long- > In the autumn Miss Jack spent weeks of ing towards the first. Baha'i Summer School > earned rest making copy of study materials in Europe. > for the flock in Sofia. At the end of Feb- After that episode, Mrs. Maxwell visited > ruary, 1937, the visit of Mrs. Schopflocher in the southern and northern centers, giving, > > gave zest towards action. In May, 1937, as always, an inimitable recital of the days > Frau Marie Ott of Wurttemberg brought in 1898, when accompanied the first > she > news of the friends in Germany; and in late party which went out to seek the Master in > summer, Miss Ethel Dawe came as an emis- imprisonment. Previously, in fact, until desary from the friends in Australia. parture with her mother from Berlin on > As the totalitarian states in Europe do December 25th for Haifa, Miss Mary Maxnot allow the circulation of spiritual con- well(now Ruhiyyih Khanum) made brave > cepts towards World Commonwealth, Baha'i tour of all the centers, giving her prepared > activity is wanting in many countries lecture in German on the Administrative > > thereby the scope of this article is enor- Order of Baha'i Faith. Her memory will > mously reduced. It is an inalienable principle ever be thus associated and with that of > of Baha'i Faith to have no part in anarch- her cousin Jeanne Bolles with the revival > ism; therefore, Baha'is obey the civil regula- of the Youth Groups in Esslingen and Hamtions of any government under which they burg, and with the formation of the study > reside. group in Munich in collaboration with Mrs. > In Spain, during April and May of 1936, Bolles and Miss Matthiesen. > or just before war made traveling scarcely Another of the travelers in Germany after > feasible, Mrs. India Haggerty and Miss Daisy that School session was Mme. Barry Orlova, > Marshall found unlimited opportunities to who visited all the centers and won their > share the Teachings fervor has it that all hearts by her dramatic appeal. She has the > whom one meets are possible recipients of the gift of penetrating the German psyche as > > Faith. was confessed with joy by folk who found > In France, the Cause has made strides dur- themselves thus understood. In Berlin, Mme. > ing this period, as definitely shown by the Orlova discovered a scientist, whom she had > first met in Russia: this is Mr. Paul PerofT, > proper report prepared by the Spiritual Assembly of Paris for this volume. Nor will whose contribution towards the Baha'i > the growth of the Cause in England be World Order lies in writings wherein the > traced herein, for the chronicle of events basis for the reconciliation of science and > > recorded by the National Spiritual Assembly religion is demonstrated as higher matheis accumulative evidence of a higher integra- matics. In December of 1936 came further > tion attained. opportunity for Mme. Orlova's work in Ber- > CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 111 > > lin, including an appearance before the All the Esperanto Congress and gave an excellent > > People's Association in collaboration with lecture. > Mrs. Schopflocher. From July to November of 1936, no pub- > The Feast of BahaVllah was observed in lic meetings were held by order of the > Stuttgart on November 12, 1936, as cus- government, although the Nineteen Day > tomary, a solemn and impressive celebration Feast was permitted to the Baha'is with the > with appropriate music, poems composed presence of an official observer. Again at > for that day of praise, and readings from the Christmas time, the ban was declared for > Revelation of God in this Day. some weeks. On July 1, 1937, another de- > At the Ridvan in 1937, the Annual Con- cree forbidding general meetings was issued > vention met in Heidelberg. A special fea- by the government no further details are > ture lay in the reports of Dr. Grossmann, available at this writing. > his wife and sister, concerning their pil- A > glimpse into the culture of our > grimage to Haifa. Mr. Mark Tobey, mem- Viennese friends is disclosed by the questions > ber of the National Spiritual Assembly, which occupy the researches of at least two > came from England, warmly welcomed by of theirmore brilliant members. One is a > the friends. In May, Miss Agnes Alexander scientist, who has come up through atheism > visited Stuttgart and other centers for a few into the challenge of modern science and is > days. She had made the pilgrimage to Haifa now writing a book on its reconciliation with > from her teaching base in Japan; but religion; the other has been led to the Cause > her journey through Europe was not de- by the writings of Dr. Auguste Forel, and is > layed because she had pledged to arrive now trying to resolve the proposition: is it > for the season of two summer schools in untenable to admit God as the principle of > America, and beyond that, Honolulu is her causality and yet to affirm the freedom of > destination. the human will? If so, is not religious truth > The Baha'i Community in Vienna was a question of esthetic judgment (i.e., intuifavored by visitors throughout this period. tion, Revelation, Manifestation are a problem > A summer traveler was Mrs. Langdon-Davies of awareness rather than of pure knowlfrom Dartington Hall's group in England. edge) ? > A new Baha'i came from Munich at Christ- In Budapest, the fascinating city that fills > mas, and, somewhat later, a new Baha'i came in the gap between the West and the Near > from Budapest. Miss Matthiesen taught in East, there has been a renascence. In 1911, > Innsbruck and Gmunden and paid visits to 'Abdu'1-Baha was invited by a coterie of > Vienna: on one occasion she addressed a savants to present the Faith there. Besides > > large gathering of women. Several lectures the invitation extended by the Turanian Sowere given by Mrs. Schopflocher to the ciety, of which Professor Vambery was a > > Baha'i s and their friends, and two were de- member, the Theosophical Society arranged > livered at a club (in March of 1937). Mrs. a gathering for Him. His portrait was > Gregory met with the friends as she traveled painted by an artist; and other events bear > towards Stockholm. The talks with Mrs. witness to the life which He stirred in Buda- > Bolles and Miss Jeanne were deeply appre- pest. The interest waned for want of a > ciated by the friends. Addresses were also moving spirit to live amidst and steadfastly > given before the Baha'i Community by a encourage others until the unity of an Assympathizer of the Cause, a professor of sembly triumphs. > philosophy at the University; and by the After a teaching tour which has for mile- > President of the Austrian Peace Society stone a formidable list of the capitals of > founded by the Baroness Suttner. In the Europe, Mrs. Bolles and Miss Jeanne Bolles > summer of 1936, after an interview with a made Budapest their base. They rallied the > Baha'i, a journalist prepared a long article interestedand discovered new seekers until > entitled "Viennese spread Persian Religion," a study group was formed composed of the > > which appeared in the Wiener Journal, a newly-declared and the not-yet-declared > much read paper. About that time, Miss Baha'is. Miss Renie Selbermann, who first > Zamenhof arranged the section for Baha'i at heard the Teachings in London, is now active > 112 THE BAHA'f WORLD > as secretary. A > singer, Mme. Josey Micahels, Through Mme. Orlova's contacts in the > thrilled the London friends during a visit in theatre, new personalities became sympathiz- > October of 1937 by her expectations for the ers of the Baha'i Principles; and it is hoped > advancement of the Cause in her country. that time will prove the depth of their > > Another visitor, Mme. Stark, gave an account admiration. > of the Master's stay in Budapest, and was In Stockholm, Mme. Orlova did notable > grateful to the American teachers who had work with Mrs. Schopflocher, who had made > revived the love of these Principles in her a pioneer's way from London, across con- > > native land. The Hidden Words is now be- tinent into the Balkans and then the north- > > ing translated into Hungarian; and there is ern countries. She also visited Helsingfors. > every sign of this being a live-wire group. This team put forth splendid efforts and were > In Sofia, Bulgaria, Miss Marion Jack's con- assisted by friends in the press, by an opera > secrated endeavor has given direction to- singer whom Mme. Orlova had known in > wards the formation of the first Spiritual Russia and who offered her home for several > Assembly in the Balkans. And now this meetings in Stockholm, and by Countess > unit is reaching out to other cities in Bul- Marie Levenhaubt and Count Claes-Eric, > garia. Besides the regular meetings, these from whom Mrs. Schopflocher obtained tribfriends have received the inspiration of utes written forThe Bahd'i World. The > traveling teachers. More frequently, Miss generous publicity totals thirteen articles > > Jack translates the Baha'i writings into published in Norway, eleven in Sweden, and > French, which is then translated into Bul- one in Denmark. Mrs. Schopflocher visited > garian and presented to the members of the the old University at Upsala and talked with > Community and their friends. German is some of its faculty. She pressed on until > also used as a medium by the group; never- she had covered sixteen towns in Sweden > theless, the language problem has been suffi- and Norway. > ciently great to prove that Baha'is in Sofia In Oslo, Miss Johanna ^Schubarth and Mr. > are animated by the spirit which overcomes. Ludwig Anjer are striving to win the inter- > In Belgrade a group was formed through est of their compatriots. At present, Miss > the activity of Mrs. Louise Gregory, and is Schubarth holds a little meeting for reading > now directed by Mme. Draga Ilic, an invalid the Teachings; while Mr. Anjer makes favorlady, who knows how to carry on through able contacts, more particularly, through the > the power of the Spirit. Some Russian stu- channel of correspondence with Esperantists. > dents were investigating the Teachings in Miss Schubarth arranged for friends to meet > this group. Mrs. Louise Gregory during her fortnight in > In Praha, Mr. Vuk Echtner's exemplary Oslo in May, 1936; and Miss Root during > activities both direct and by correspondence, her three days visit in July; then Mrs. Bolles, > Baha'i and Esperantist, have discovered rich who spent three days of August there. In > possibilities for the acceptance of the Cause July, the newspaper interview given by Mr. > in Czechoslovakia. Mme. Pa via Moudra, a and Mrs. French stimulated interest; and the > veteran peace worker, has translated the same paper used an interview with Mr. and > fqdn into Czech and made numerous open- Mrs. Charles Bishop, who remained for five > ings for the Cause. Much is expected of a weeks in the autumn of that year. The first > new Baha'i, Mme. Benesova of Castelovice. public lectures on Baha'i were given: one > From several points of view, it would arranged by the American Women's Club at > seem that Scandinavia is an immediate pos- their clubrooms after luncheon; one before > sibility for the establishment of the Cause in the Theosophical Society, and another Baha'i > Europe. All of the teachers who have done lecture on "Religion and Peace" presented > pioneer work in those parts are highly en- under the auspices of the Theosophical Socouraged by the response. In Copenhagen, ciety at Nobel Institute Hall; and one ar- > Miss Sorenson has arranged the publication ranged by Mr. Anjer at a hall for students of > of a number of books into Danish. Mme. the University. Books were placed in Li- > Orlova came to her aid with the teaching braries, including that of the Nansen Founwork during September and October of 1936. dation and the Nobel Peace Foundation. > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 113 > > Finland was visited by Miss Martha Root, which discovers the souls who are making up > the archetype of traveling teachers. Her the Unity created by the Ancient of Days; > > exploits around the world are narrated first to teach is to speak the Great and Holy Name > hand and published in this volume. which commands the Resurrection of the > This view of "men moving about some- living dead ("if the Name be correctly prowhere" is not the sole index of Baha'i ac- nounced" that is, in Truth and righteoustivity in Europe; nor is "running to and fro" ness) and to teach is to be "the pure leaven > ; > > the sole activity. From our point of view, that leaveneth the world of being, and furthe activating principle lies in the rays of nisheth the power through which the arts > the Sun of Truth, and is the germ of a new and wonders of the world are made mani- > * > life stirring in the soul. Geography presents fest." There is room in creation for emerno barriers to this. When this activat- alds and orchids and peacocks, but the people > > ing principle finds instruments it can use, of Faith are as leaven. Meal does not rise if > then teaching the Faith is not so much a silver and gems be substituted for the homely > > system of instruction as it is a propaga- leaven; neither will society reach its promtion the bringing forth of a spiritual ised maturity without the activity of the > generation. dependent upon God. And what if the true > Thus, to teachis not to spill over with Baha'i activity be Baha'i consciousness itwords and pamphlets, unheeding of the lis- self? In this sense, let it be understood what > tener, without mutual recognition on the Baha'i activity means to Europe. God alone > spiritual plane. To teach, or so we are per- is the Arbiter of its ultimate destinies. Of > suaded, is to move from the humblest estate His divine strategy it has been said, "There > up into the presence of the great ones of earth are many schemers, but God is the best of > and back again bearing the Touchstone the schemers." 2 > > ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL > ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE > UNITED STATES AND CANADA > 1936-1937 fringes most perilous stage its existence. Opportunities (of) present hour unimaginably > D,'EAR Baha'i friends: precious. Would to God every State within > Like the clear ringing of a bell, Shoghi American Republic and every Republic in > Effendi's cablegram addressed to the last American continent might ere termination > Convention, a call to the deepest spirit of (of) this glorious century embrace (the) > faith, summoned the American Baha'i com- light (of the) Faith of Baha'u'llah and esmunity to fulfill that noble mission estab- tablish structural basis of His World Order." > lished for us by the Master in the darkest Accompanying this message, both in time > days of the European War in Tablets which and in intention, came the text of the Guardwere charged with His vitalizing purpose, ian's general letter dated March 11, 1936, > > the unification of the world of man. printed shortly after the Convention as the > "Convey (to) American believers abiding booklet entitled "The Unfoldment of World > gratitude efforts unitedly exerted (in) teach- Civilization." Reverently and gratefully > ing field. Inaugurated campaign should be can we draw nearer the universal vision of > vigorously pursued, systematically extended. human destiny as that vision today expresses > Appeal (to) assembled delegates ponder his- itself through the Guardianship, realizing > toric appeal voiced by 'Abdu'1-Baha (in) more fully how the summons to the believers > Tablets (of the) Divine Plan. Urge earnest is an essential aspect of the current world > deliberation with incoming National As- movement, and the current world movesembly (to) insure its completest fulfill- 1 > Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'lldh, > ment. First century (of) Baha'i era drawp. 161. > ing to a close. Humanity entering outer 2 The > Qur'in. > 114 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ment itself reflects, in all its phases and de- during these days of the annual meeting, not > grees, the Will manifested through Baha'u- to produce vain regret or personal discontent, > 'llah. With the mighty task, therefore, are but to clear the path for greater courage, > given us the tools of understanding and the more magnanimity and a purer faith. > irresistible force of faith by which alone the The world power and spiritual authority > task can be performed. of the Cause cannot be publicly demon- > Where else, in this day of bewilderment, strated until we ourselves have attained the > can the people find such a vivid and com- right inner attitudes corresponding to the > pelling picture of true civilization as that real nature and purpose of the Revelation, > > passage on pages 43 and 44 of "The Unfold- Let us attain the full conviction that we are > ment," which begins: "The unity of the citizens of the only world commonwealth > human race, as envisaged by Baha'u'llah, im- in existence, even though in the world of > plies the establishment of a world common- material affairs our affairs seem weak, our > wealth in which all nations, races, creeds and activities relatively insignificant, our aims > classes are closely and permanently united impossible of realization. It is that right > > . . ."? Where else is the statesman to turn inner attitude, humble as to self but chalfor policy, the religionist for light to reveal lenging as to truth, in which the creative > the victory of religion amid the collapse of and upbuilding process described by the > human creed? Here, as in all the Guardian's Guardian as the antithesis to the forces of > letters since the one entitled "The World disintegration can move steadily forward to > Order of Baha'u'llah," we have given us the itseventual triumph. > larger implications of > membership in the This past year has for the first time ex- > Baha'i Faith, those implications which con- tended directly the collective responsibility > stitute a teaching that applies to the great- of the American Baha'is into regions outest ones of earth as to the most humble and and Canada. Mexico, > side the United States > > lowly. Before we can be teachers qualified Central America, the Caribbean area and > to assist in establishing the "structural basis" South America have become provinces to > of World Order in all the > Baha'u'llah's incorporate as soon as possible into the inter- > American Republics, we must be devoted national Baha'i community a teaching field > > students, ever in immediate and intimate to be developed with all available energy. > touch with Shoghi EfTendi's evolving mind The detailed review of the remarkable work > and aim. undertaken in that tremendous new territory > At a time like this, when the American pertains to the function of the Inter- > Baha'i community gathers together through America Committee. These activities are > its representatives for consultation on the emphasized here because they mark a beginmost important matters of the Cause, it is ning of our response to the whole mission > good for us to compare not only how far we laid upon America in the Divine Plan. > all as individuals fall short of our God-given Surely, the hour for a deeper and riper mapossibilities, but also to what degree our turity on the part of American believers > local Baha'i community reflects the spirit of has come! > the new World Commonwealth and conveys > that spirit to the general public in our city. Important Events > Do those who learn about the Cause from us The first action of the National Spiritual > become conscious that the Baha'is, even Assembly elected last year was to hold conthough perhaps few in number and weak in sultation with those members of the Naresources, stand wholly apart from the forces tional and Regional Teaching Committees > of disintegration that confuse and confound present at the Convention, and some experi- > Empires, creeds and social systems? Have enced teachers. That consultation was most > we become evidences that the "nucleus and helpful in crystallizing the thoughts and > pattern" of a new cycle has been created in views and achieving a comprehensive Teachthe hearts and minds of Baha'is? Humble ing Plan. As reported later, the Plan inconsideration of such crucial questions may cluded: the publication of the Tablets of the > well lie at the heart of our consultation Divine Plan in booklet form under the title > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 115 > > of "America's Spiritual Mission*'; the ap- co-workers in this country. In her career > pointment of a larger number of Regional we may witness one believer's whole-souled > Teaching Committees, with added power and response to the Master's Divine Plan, a pioresponsibility for action; the addition of a neer in whose footsteps the collective comspecial Teaching Fund in the amount of munity must now endeavor to follow. > $30,000 to the annual Budget; the appoint- This Baha'i year has been blessed with a > > ment of a new Inter-America Teaching number of most substantial gifts to the > Committee; the adoption of a schedule of Cause: the Baha'i Hall at Geyserville, commeetings of the National Spiritual Assembly pleted before the opening of the 1936 Sumwhich provided for more regional consul- mer School, now being followed by the contation and also for public meetings; and struction of a beautiful dormitory; the > the preparation of a Baha'i map of North Baha'i Hall now under construction at > America. Green Acre; the entire cost of publishing > Four new Spiritual Assemblies were estab- 'The Baha'i World," Volume VI; and most > lished on April 21, 1936: Rockford, Illinois; helpful special cash donations to the Na- > Springfield, Massachusetts; Dayton, Ohio, tional Fund. The gift of a large house and > and Glendale, California, bringing the num- considerable land to Green Acre, property > ber of organized communities to seventy- adjoining Green Acre, was made during the > two. During the year, the Assembly of present year, although the legal transfer will > Topeka, Kansas, found it advisable to dis- be effected after this Convention. > solve in order to give the declared believers A matter of distinct interest was the deopportunity for more thorough study and rogatory reference made to the Cause in the > preparation. Atlantic Monthly last summer, in an article > A file of 529 Tablets of 'Abdu'1-Baha, written by the editor of that magazine which > alphabetically arranged and ready for pub- has for severalgenerations been regarded > lication, has been turned over by the Com- highly as an instrument of American culmittee on Editing Tablets after several years ture. Correspondence was immediately unof arduous and devoted labor. The profound dertaken by a representative of the National > hope is expressed that these Tablets may soon Spiritual Assembly, and literature was made > be made available as Volume Four of Tablets available in order to remove this unfortunate > c > revealed by Abdu'l-Baha. ignorance on the part of so responsible a man. > As has been reported through BAHA'I While there has been no public retraction, we > NEWS, a beautifully engrossed copy of may feel assured that the episode is not likely > Baha'u'llah's Tablet to the American Repub- to be repeated. We believers, of course, long > and of two Prayers revealed by 'Abdu'llics, for that day when, as 'Abdu'1-Bahd declared > Baha, were conveyed to President Roosevelt in 1912, the Cause of Baha'u'llah will be > under most unusual circumstances. violently assaulted by numerous enemies, for, > Miss Martha L. Root's visit to America as the Master added, all such attacks re- > > was announced by a cablegram received from dound to the advantage of the Faith. > Shoghi Effendi on July 27. Although Miss "Baha'u'llah and the New Era," by the > Root has been physically unable to carry out late John E. Esslemont, has long served as > the extensive plans by which many com- the most useful introductory work to place > munities would have received her during her in hands of interested inquirers. > the A > journey across the country, nevertheless this number of corrections were brought to > > very lamentable physical disability has Shoghi Effendi's attention this year, and the > touched the hearts more deeply with realiza- Guardian advised that the book be revised > tion of those heroic qualities by which she before republication, and an Index prepared. > was enabled to traverse the continents and The new edition incorporates the point of > meet and confirm so many influential leaders view explained to us by the Guardian's > for many years. At present Miss Root in- "World Order" letters, substitutes new > tends to depart for China and Japan in a translations for the author's excerpts from > few weeks. She will go with the loving Bah'i Sacred Writings whenever possible, > prayers and grateful admiration of all her and provides a few corrections of fact. This > 116 THE BAHA'f WORLD > important work is now more useful than medium, an indication of the greater things > ever as a summary of Baha'i history and that will be accomplished in future years. > > teachings for the public and the Baha'i stu- Indeed, as we realize that Baha'i teaching > dent himself. is a universal function, not limited to a pro- > A number of local Assemblies have either fessional clergy or to church services that > > completed their legal incorporation or have Baha'i teaching includes all the functions of > sent the necessary documents to the National education as well as of religion in the former > Spiritual Assembly for approval, These As- meaning of that word it is impossible for > > semblies are: San Francisco, Milwaukee, De- us to overestimate the potential resources > troit, Cleveland, Kenosha and Los Angeles. that will be employed as the American Baha'i > This is an important action, and a necessary community consolidates its powers and gathone for each Baha'i community after attain- ers new strength and capacity. All the arts, > ing a certain growth and stability. all the sciences, all the institutions of human > The Guardian has approved the publica- association are alike doors of opportunity and > tion of his successive "World Order" letters mediums of expression for the spirit of > in book form, under the title of "The World Baha'u'llah. The Cause in America has al- > Order of BahaVllah." The manuscript has ready laid so firm a foundation that the conbeen turned over to the Publishing Com- firmation of only a relatively few persons > mittee, and the volume will be available in of outstanding capacity can double and rea few months. The general communications double our existing public influence. A > received from Shoghi Effendi are, therefore, newspaper editor or two, a scientist, a > > to be available hereafter in two forms: the dramatist, a novelist, some great executives, > book "Baha'i Administration," containing some souls with humanitarian vision, a few > the letters establishing the local and National persons with financial resources such a > Assemblies and the Convention, and dealing group, not large in number but varied in > with the internal relationships of the Baha'i talent and influence, could rapidly infuse our > community; and "The World Order of teaching with tremendous power; for the > Baha'u'llah," presenting the international in- sacrifice and devotion of the believers for > stitutions and explaining the relations of the two generations have created the instruments > Faith to the non-Baha'i world. which such souls could galvanize with new > Public meetings have been held by the Na- life. No doubt, that blessing will come to > tional Spiritual Assembly this year in Temple us when we have done our full part in service > Foundation Hail, San Francisco, Nashville to the Faith. > and New York. The accompanying consul- Meanwhile, the mysterious moving of the > tation and contact with believers in vari- spirit is > exemplified in such significant > ous sections of the country has been an in- achievements outside the community as the > valuable experience, and the effort to use of the House of Worship as front-cover > assist in teaching has symbolized the vital illustration by the Bell Telephone Company > importance of teaching more vigorously at of Illinois and the United States Steel Corthis time. > poration. > The use of radio in teaching has greatly Over a long period of years, the question > increased. It is surely impressive to note of a book of Baha'i Prayers has received carethat the Spiritual Assembly of Lima was re- ful attention. Committees and individual > cently requested to carry out a five-day pro- believers have contributed devotedly to the > gram of devotional character for the in- task, but short of a collection of prayers > auguration of a new station in that city. selected and translated by the Guardian him- > The result of the six daily talks arranged by self,no compilation could satisfy the need. > the five Assemblies of the New York metro- Despite the many other duties and obligapolitan district, as a preparation for the pub- tions discharged by Shoghi Effendi, he has > lic meeting of the National > Assembly, was this year signified that he has made translavery encouraging. Latent spiritual capacity tions of prayers, and part of the manuscript > not accessible through meetings for printed has already been received. The title is to be > literature was aroused by this larger public "Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah," > CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 117 > > as we were informed in a letter dated March son, will appear in a few months. Mr. Ives > 2, 1937. The part already received consists has drawn vivid pictures of 'Abdu'1-Baha in > of 182 typewritten pages; the complete vol- His association with the author and others > ume will therefore represent a considerable during 1912, while Miss Thompson has inbody of text. Indeed, the work may parallel fused the dramatic movement of the early > the "Gleanings From the Writings of days of Christianity with the spirit of the > Baha'u'llah" with which we were so blessed Master's references to those days. > in 1935. If we would follow the important episodes > The Guardian has likewise sent his own of this year in adequate detail, we must turn > translation of the three obligatory daily to the reports successively published in > > prayers, and these are now being printed in BAHA'I NEWS from the Teaching, Publicity > a booklet of convenient size. Shoghi and other Committees, and to the annual > Effendi's explanation concerning the daily Committee reports issued in April, with > prayers will appear in the next issue of others ready for similar publication after > BAHA'I NEWS. the Convention. In all the seventy-one > These translations carry us into the heart Baha'i communities, in the smaller groups, > of the Baha'i offering us individually > life, and in the valiant work of traveling teachers > the supreme privilege of drinking from the and pioneer souls, the work of the Faith is > well-spring of all healing, all purity and all being performed with a new measure of inenergy of inner renewal. The full rhythm tensity, power and effectiveness. With inof Baha'i becoming manifest, in the > life is credible swiftness we are all being drawn into > Nineteen Day Feasts, the Anniversaries, the contact with the fundamental problems of > month of Fasting, and the daily prayers. It a disordered world. Here the Baha'i s are > is a rhythm not supported by our social en- upholding the light of inter-racial amity, > vironment but in conflict with it, revealing there they withstand attack from religionists > a harmony of mind, soul and spirit, and a who still think that the liberal attitude is > new type of community relationship, which merely a kind of permission for spiritual > requires the constant effort of faith and zeal separateness to continue, without guidance, > to be maintained. The effort is the source without control by the Father of all manof power and blessing in the Cause. kind. As we encounter any universal issue, > For some years, local Assemblies have ar- even if in the form of what might appear > > ranged public displays of a Temple model, to be a trivial local or personal matter, let > sometimes with a collection of Baha'i books us not disregard the fact that these small > and pictures. Recently the National As- matters come to prepare us to deal correctly > sembly has taken steps to provide nine Tem- with the same issue on the largest possible > ple models, to be made from > carefully a scale later on. Indeed, the personal contacts > scaled and hand-carved original, and after of believers in any local community actually > sending one of these models to Haifa, and involve most of the fundamental problems > retaining one or two more for special dis- of the Cause in its relation to the world. > > play in national teaching activities, the re- Until these contacts are truly universal, we > mainder can be purchased or rented by local are not prepared to carry out the real mis- > Assemblies for their own use. The Temple sion of the Faith. > Trustees will approve any other model which The activities of Baha'i youth have conseems accurate and acceptable, and thus it tinued their rapid development. The orshould soon be possible to obtain the use of ganization of a public Symposium held in > models in different size and of varying cost. such a large number of cities both here and > Two of the American believers have made abroad, and the publication of the youth > arrangements for the publication of books quarterly, are notable achievements. They > through non-Baha'i firms which have dis- moreover provide instruments for attracting > tinct interest and importance for the Cause. and confirming non-Baha'i youth, and thus > "Portals of Freedom," by Howard Colby Ives constitute a unique aspect of our teaching > has already been issued, and "The Gospel of work. > Mary Magdalene," a novel by Juliet Thomp- It was, in fact, from an officer of the Na- > 118 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tional Youth Committee that the National of Baha'u'llah to the Presidents of the > > Assembly received the suggestion concern- American Republics may be transmitted to > ing the observance of the Twenty-Fifth An- them directly by believers already residing in > niversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's American visit, their respective countries." "The Guardian > a suggestion which, as reported to local As- does not advise your Assembly to sell the > semblies in the form of definite plans in- Maiden property, as the Master has definitely > volving public meetings and special pub- stated in the Tablet which you have quoted, > > licity, has aroused a most beautiful enthusi- to 'take care of that house, because the light > asm in all parts of America. of the love of God was lighted in it.' By > renting the house, the N. S. A. can for the > Communications from the Guardian > present avoid the expenses entailed by its > Since the cablegram sent by the Guardian repairs and upkeep." "The set of administo the last Convention, already mentioned, trative principles Baha'i communities already > the following communications have been possess, together with the text of By-Laws, > received during the current Baha'i year. are sufficiently elaborate, at the present stage > On April 10, 1936, the Guardian wrote of the evolution of the Cause, and should > that he was sending a silk cloth embroidered not be over-developed by a mass of specific > with the Greatest Name, executed by Baha'i statements related to secondary and excep- > Zoroastrian ladies of Bombay. It is to be tional cases." "Regarding persons whose conshown to the friends at this Convention. dition (i.e., mental condition) has not been > On May 7, this cablegram was received: defined by the civil authorities after medical > "Deeply appreciate Assembly's determina- diagnosis, the Assembly on the spot must > tion. High responsibility rests upon its investigate every case that arises and, after > members. Tremendous effort required. consultation with experts, deliver its verdict. > Praying unprecedented success." Such a verdict, however, should, in impor- > On April 19, the Guardian conveyed the tant cases, be preceded by consultation with > request of the National Spiritual Assembly the N. S. A. No doubt, the power of prayer > of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand is > very great, yet consultation with experts is > that American believers contribute articles to enjoined by BahdVllah. Should these ex- > The Herald of the South. perts believe that an abnormal case exists, the > Replying to a cablegram asking for advice withholding of voting rights is justified." > on whether the reprint of the Tablets of the And this postscript, in the Guardian's > Divine Plan should contain any supplemen- hand: > tary material, such as oral statements which "I fervently hope and pray that the year > were published in the original edition, the into which we have just entered may be > Guardian on May 19 cabled: "Heartily ap- signalizedby fresh conquests and unpreprove publication pamphlet. Advise publish cedented triumphs in the teaching field > as preamble appropriate passages from within the United States and beyond its > Gleanings and 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will regarding confines. A systematic, carefully conceived, > importance teaching. Pamphlet's title left and well-established plan should be devised, > (to) Assembly's discretion. Convention vigorously pursued and continuously explea addressed to American believers cannot tended. Initiated by the national represenachieve its purpose unless dauntless pioneers tatives of the American believers, the vanarise and, forsaking homeland, permanently guard and standard-bearers of the valiant > reside (in) countries where light of Faith army of BahaVllah, this plan should receive > (has) not yet penetrated. Cabling three the whole-hearted, the sustained and everhundred pounds as nucleus (of) special fund increasing support, both moral and financial, > to be established (for) furtherance (of) this of the entire body of His followers in that > exalted, highly meritorious purpose." continent. Its supreme immediate objective > From a letter dated May 30, 1936, the should be the permanent establishment of at > following passages are quoted: "The Guard- least one center in every State of the Ameriian hopes that as new centers are established can Republic and in every Republic of the > in Central and South America, the Message American continent not yet enlisted under > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 119 > > the banner of His Faith. Its ramifications within framework (of) administrative > should gradually be extended to the European Order (so) laboriously erected, inspired (by > continent, and its scope should be made to the) vision (of the) Temple edifice (so) > include those countries, such as the Baltic nobly reared, galvanized into action (by the) > and Portugal, > States, Poland, Greece, Spain realization (of the) rapidly-deteriorating > where no avowed believer has established world situation, (the) American Baha'i comdefinite residence. The field is immense, the munity should rise as never before (to the) > task gigantic, the privilege immeasurably height (of the) opportunity now confrontprecious. Time is short, and the obligation ing it. Audacity, resolution (and) selfsacred, paramount and urgent. The Ameri- abnegation imperatively demanded. Impacan community must muster all its force, tientlyand prayerfully waiting." > concentrate its resources, summon to its aid Such a message is an emphatic and final > all the faith, the determination and energies reminder that in this teaching effort we may > of which it is > capable, and set out, single- not delay so long and proceed so slowly as > minded and undaunted, to attain still greater during the years of the Plan of Unified Acheights in its mighty exertions for the tion for completing the structure of the > Cause of Baha'u'llah." House of Worship. > Here, in these words, lie the essence of all Concerning the teaching plan reported to > plans and policies for the American believers the friends in the June issue of BAHA'I NEWS, > for years to come! Secondary matters must on July 28 the Guardian, through his secresurely be considered only in the light of tary, wrote: "The Guardian has read with > their contribution to the supreme goal, and keenest interest the new statement adopted > not permitted to supersede the primary mo- by the N. A. concerning teaching, and > S. > > tive and the primary task. wishes me to assure you ... of his most > In a letter dated July > 5, Shoghi Effendi genuine appreciation of the steps that your > gave approval to a recommendation received Assembly is taking for the expansion of the > from a local Assembly and reported to the teaching work throughout America. He is > Guardian by the National Assembly con- praying for your success from the bottom of > cerning the preparation of an exhibit of his heart." > Baha'i books, pictures and other material That same letter explained the principle > which, once assembled, can be traveled from to be observed in the preservation of Baha'i > > city to city and used by the various local relics: "Regarding the preservation of relics > Assemblies. associated with 'Abdu'1-Baha, the general > On July 27, this cablegram announced the principle should be that any object used by > coming of Miss Root: "Beloved, indefatig- Him in person should be preserved for posable Martha sailing New York (on board terity, whether in the local or the national > the) Ber gens fiord. Feel certain (the) be- Archives. It is the duty and responsibility > lievers will accord befitting welcome (to of the Baha'i Assemblies to ascertain carethis) well beloved star servant of Baha'u- fully whether such objects are genuine or > 'llah." not, and to exercise the utmost care and dis- > Three days later the following cablegram cretion in the matter." > gave additional emphasis to the teaching It also conveyed this advice in connection > work: with the holding of public meetings at Nash- > "Entreat American believers ponder afresh ville:"The holding of public meetings in > urgency rededicate themselves task complete that city should be avoided only in case it > fulfillment Divine Plan. National Assem- would lead to grave and very serious results. > bly's energetic leadership, careful planning Slight local criticisms and unpopularity > ineffectual unless supplemented by vigorous should not act as a deterrent. The issue (i. e., > action by every believer, however humble, of race prejudice) should be met squarely > however inexperienced. Time is short. Sands and courageously, and an effort should be > (of) chaotic, despairing civilization steadily made to attract at first the most cultured elerunning out. Founded on unity, under- ment among the colored, and through them > standing so splendidly achieved, functioning establish contact with the whites and the > 120 THE BAHA'f WORLD > masses. Such individuals and groups, munity. Shadows encircling sore-tried huwhether white or colored, who are relatively man society noticeably deepening. World > free from racial prejudice, should be ap- crisis (is) inexorably moving towards cli- > > proached, separately if necessary, and an max, challenging (the) torchbearers (of) > endeavor should be made to bring them to- Baha'i civilization (to) scale loftier heights > gether eventually, not only on formal occa- (of) individual heroism, (to) scatter more > sions and for specific purposes, but in inti- widely throughout (the) length (and) > mate social gatherings, in private homes as breadth (of the) American continents, (to) > well as in formally recognized Baha'i centers. participate more strenuously (in) concerted > "The summer schools provide a splendid effort organized by National, Regional > setting and environment to which the best (and) local agencies dedicated (to the) > element among the colored race should be prosecution (of) noble enterprise, (to) pour > specially attracted. Through such association forth more abundantly (their) resources in > prejudice can be gradually eradicated, and support (of the) Fund created for its fur- > 'Abdu'l-Baha's ardent wish fully realized." therance, (and) more determinedly > resolve > Then this statement in the Guardian's (to) conquer whatever obstacles might rehand: "I am eagerly awaiting the news of the tard its ultimate fruition. (The) Dawnprogress of the activities initiated to promote Breakers (in) previous age have on Iranian > the teaching work within, and beyond the soil signalized by their acts (the) birth (of > confines of the American continent. The the) Faith (of) BahaVllah. Might not > American believers, if they wish to carry out, American believers, their spiritual descendin the spirit and the letter, the parting wishes ants,prove themselves in turn capable (of) > of their beloved Master, must intensify their ushering in on world scale the civilization of > teaching work a thousandfold and extend its which that Faith is (the) direct source and > ramifications beyond the confines of their sole begetter." > native land and as far as the most distant The power which pours forth through the > outposts of their far-flung Faith. The Tab- Guardian's successive messages seems overlets of the Divine Plan invest your Assembly whelming. Within the space of a few > with unique and grave and > responsibilities, months, his messages have traversed an area > confer upon it privileges which your sister of significance which in the past would have > Assemblies might well envy and admire. The reached through thousands of years. The inpresent opportunity is unutterably precious. tensity, the swiftness of these passing mo- > It may not recur again. Undaunted by the ments have no parallel in the recorded hisperils and the uncertainties of the present tory of mankind. > hour, the American believers must press on On November 2, the Guardian advised the > and prosecute in its entirety the task which National Spiritual Assembly to extend to > now confronts them. I pray for their suc- Miss Lidja Zamenhof a hearty welcome in > cess from the depths of my heart." connection with her plan to visit America, > The importance of Baha'i Archives was and to take full advantage of this splendid > again stressed in a letter dated September 25, opportunity for extending the scope of the > 1936: "The importance of the institution of teaching work. > Baha'i Archives is not due only to the many On November 5 the Assembly was inteaching facilities it procures, but is essen- formed that the Kurdish translation of "Batially to be found in the vast amount of his- haVllah and the New Era" had been > torical data and information it offers both to confiscated by the authorities in 'Iraq, and > the present-day administration of the Cause, requested to exert influence in order to have > and to the Baha'i historians of the future." them returned and their circulation per- > On October 29 this cablegram was re- mitted. > ceived: "Overjoyed, unspeakably grateful The Guardian's letter of November 14 ap- > American believers' signal response my proved the extension of the Committee on > reiterated appeals. Inaugurated > campaign Braille Transcriptions to include members in > > fraught (with) consequences involving im- other countries. This letter explained the > mediate destinies (of the) American com- Guardian's contribution to the Teaching > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 121 > > Fund as follows: "He feels that this is a mat- you are now conducting runs its full course > ter to be left entirely to the discretion of the and attains its final objective, at its ap- > N. S. A. He believes that the continuous ex- pointed time, can its world-encompassing > penditure of a considerable sum to provide benefits be fully apprehended or revealed. > for traveling expenses of teachers who are in The perseverance of the American believers > need constitutes in these days the chief obli- will, no doubt, ensure the ultimate realizagation of the National Fund. An effort tion of these benefits.'* > should be made to facilitate, as much as pos- In a letter dated November 18, the Assemsible, the extension of the teaching work by bly was requested to give Shoghi Effendi a > helping those who are financially unable, to power of attorney in connection with a house > reach their destination and once there to en- and land transferred to the Palestine Branch > courage them to settle and earn the means of of the American National Assembly by > their livelihood." Siyyid Husayn el-Husayn, a believer of > Answering a question as to the form in Haifa, a property situated between the Bab's > which the successive "World Order" letters Shrine and the tomb of the Greatest Holy > should appear when published as a book, this Leaf. The title deed was sent the next day, > letter stated: "He prefers that you retain the together with another title deed for two > separate titles of these letters, the full text of pieces of land donated by the wife of the late > which should be published in the order in Abbas-Quli, former custodian of the Shrines > which they have been written. As to the on Mt. Carmel. The Guardian stated that > sub-captions, he leaves this matter to the dis- the total area of the property owned by the > cretion of your Assembly." Then followed PalestineBranch was now approximately > details concerning the changes to be made in 58,800 square pics, every 1,600 square pics > the revised edition of the Esslemont book. equaling 919 square metres. > The letter concluded with these words, in The letter dated March 2, 1937, referred > the Guardian's hand: "I cannot allow this to the Guardian's translation of the three > communication to be sent without add- daily obligatory prayers, which were ening a few words in person and stress afresh closed, and stated that the first installment > the significance of the undertaking in which of his translation of prayers and meditations > the entire Baha'i community has embarked. of BahaVllah would soon be sent. The > The promulgation of the Divine Plan, un- names of a Baha'i family who have settled > veiled by our departed Master in the darkest permanently in Buenos Aires, moving there > days of one of the severest ordeals which hu- from Aleppo, Syria, were also given, that the > manity has ever experienced, is the key which American believers may extend cooperation > Providence has placed in the hands of the in their teaching work. > American believers whereby to unlock the The Guardian's love for the faithful bedoors leading them to fulfill their unimagin- lieverswas ardently expressed in two cableably glorious destiny. As the proclamation grams received in recent weeks. On March 4 > of the Message reverberates throughout the this message was received: "Assure dear Lunt > land, as its resistless march gathers momen- ardent prayers, profound attachment. Extum, as the field of its operation widens, and tend every possible assistance." This came in > the numbers of its upholders and champions reply to the Assembly's cablegram reporting > multiply, its potentialities will correspond- the news of his serious illness and the hospital > ingly unfold, exerting a most beneficent in- treatment that had been arranged.On April > fluence, only on every community > not 14 came this message: "Distressed sudden > throughout the Baha'i World, but on the im- passing dearly beloved Dr. Bagdadi. Loss > mediate fortunes of a travailing society. The inflicted (upon) national interests (of) > repercussions of this campaign are already Faith irreparable. His exemplary faith, auapparent in Europe, India, Egypt, Iraq and dacity, unquestioning loyalty (and) indeeven among the sorely-tried communities in fatigable exertions (are) unforgettable. Ad- > Iran and Russia. The Faith of God is gain- vise Baha'i communities (of) Chicago (and) > ing in stature, effectiveness and power. Not surrounding regions hold befitting gathering > until, however, the great enterprise which (in) Temple for which he so valiantly (and) > 122 THE BAHA'f WORLD > devotedly labored. Ardently praying for plied to the local Assemblies through the new > him and bereaved family." monthly bulletin. > 7. It has been felt desirable to reprint in > Plans and Policies BAHA'I NEWS those passages from Shoghi > The formation of teaching agencies em- which set forth the > Effendi's general letters > > bodying regional, national and inter-Ameri- fundamental teachings. > can activities, as outlined in BAHA'I NEWS 8. After consultation with the Teaching > > for June, 1936, was not a plan but merely a Committee, a number of steps were taken in > tool or instrument intended to establish fa- order to clarify certain questions, as folcilities for increased individual action and lows: > more efficient collective efforts. Aside from A. Teachers visiting new areas should > its usefulness such projects are but passive have a proper letter of credentials. > blueprints. What is always needed are the B. Such teachers should be provided with > builders who can turn the blueprint into an a list of questions to fill out and return > actual edifice. That this preliminary method to the National Teaching Committee, > of uniting the American Baha'i community that valuable information may be sefor its international teaching task has ac- cured and made available to other > quired dynamic life and vigor seems evident teachers visiting the same area. > from the Guardian's expression of happiness C. The placing of books in Public Libraalready mentioned. The detailed facts will ries by traveling teachers in a new area > be presented to the delegates and friends by is an expense coming under the Teachrepresentatives of the Teaching Committee ing budget. The budget of the Liat a later session. brary Committee is for use in placing > To summarize the rulings and statements books through the local Assemblies. > made by the National Assembly this year, D. Budgets of cash and also of free literathe following subjects are cited: ture have been given the National and > The Assembly feels that it is not able to > 1 . Regional Teaching Committees. Such > pass upon the merits of charts and similar funds are not intended to finance > material which contain elements of fact not teaching activities of local Assemblies. > subject to confirmation in the Baha'i Writ- E. As reported in BAHA'I NEWS, a distincings. tion has been made between public and > 2. A fcrm has been provided for use non-public teaching activities. In > when new Spiritual Assemblies are estab- areas outside the jurisdiction of local > lished by joint declaration of exactly nine Assemblies, teachers holding public > believers. meetings are to have recognition and > 3. A form of bequest has been reported in approval from the National or Re- > BAHA'I NEWS for use by believers desiring to gional Teaching Committee. > provide for the Cause in their will. F. Local Assemblies and individual teach- > 4. The cooperation to be extended to ers, when announcing the Cause in > Baha'i authors was reported in BAHA'I NEWS public programs, should make use of > last fall. the terms used by 'Abdu'1-Baha or the > 5. The Historical Record Cards will not Guardian as the description or title of > be made a permanent and continuous form the Faith. > of information. The supply of cards has G. Requests for funds to meet traveling > been exhausted, and those which have been and other teaching expenses are to > received constitute a most interesting source come to the National Assembly in the > of information concerning the membership form of recommendations by the Naof the American Baha'i community at the tional or Regional Teaching Commit- > > present stage of its existence. tee and not directly from individual > 6. An improved form of monthly Finan- teachers. > cialReport, in which the status of the total 9. On receiving a question concerning the > annual budget is carried forward from propriety of using parts of a prayer and not > month to month, has been adopted and sup- the complete prayer in compilations, it was > CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 123 > > recorded that excerpts can be taken from should be arranged within the Baha'i comprayers provided that the meaning is not munity, for the basis of the community is > changed, the fact that it is only an excerpt is conscience and not external law. > made clear, and the reference to the source is > American Teacher* Abroad > given in each case. This applies particularly > to Study Outlines. From time to time, as letters and reports > 10. The matter of the residential qualifi- are received, the friends are made acquainted > cation of believers has been interpreted, to with the activities of our co-workers who > remove the ambiguous situation existing live or travel in other lands. Indeed, these > where believers reside in one established com- activities have become so important and far- > > munity but hold their voting right in an- reaching that it has been felt advisable to inother, adjoining city. clude this subject in the Convention agenda. > 11. The publishing of Baha'i compilations During the current Baha'i year, the Amerithrough non-Baha'i firms has been clarified can believers abroad have been: Martha L. > ani reported through BAHA'I NEWS. Root, Agnes Alexander, Clara and Adelaide > 12. The Temple Trustees wish to approve Sharp; Marion Jack, Charles and Helen > all models of the Temple before they are sold Bishop, Mark Tobey, Lorol Schopflocher, > or publicly displayed, and to have the sale Gita Orlova, Siegfried Schopflocher, Frances > arranged through the Trustees. Stewart, Elizabeth Pilkington, Leonora > As this secondary material on administra- Holsapple, Louis and Louise Gregory, Nellie > tive matters is not readily available, scattered S. French, Edward and Loulie Mathews, > as it is through different issues of BAHA'I Amelia B. Collins, Lena Gutbarlet, Mrs. > NEWS, and in the Minutes of the National Jeanne Bolles, Isabel Dodge, and Beatrice > Spiritual Assembly, a compilation has been Irwin. Of such believers Baha'u'llah has > made and published under the title of said: "They that have forsaken their country > "Baha'i Procedure," which codifies the state- for the purpose of teaching Our Cause > ments and rulings as well as procedures these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen > > adopted over a period of years. With this through its power." We admire and apmaterial has been incorporated passages from preciate their services. Welong for greater > the Guardian's letters setting forth the fun- capacity to promote their plans. > damental principles of Baha'i administration > and his explanation of the Baha'i attitude on In Memoriam > > important current issues. The publication is Year by year the true American Baha'i > in the form of loose leaf sheets, perforated to pioneers those who founded the Faith on > place in any ring binder of standard letter- this continent are removed from our ranks > head size. and raised to the higher station of service in > A vast amount of detail would be spared the Kingdom unseen. The passing of such > to the meetings of the National Assembly, workers as Paul K. Dealey, Mary Hanford > and doubtless also to local Assemblies, if the Ford and Dr. Zia Bagdadi within the past > believers will acquaint themselves with this few months brings us a sense of personal loss > secondary administrative material. An en- and reminds us that those who remain bear a > lightened public opinion within the Baha'i greater responsibility in attempting to concommunity is our best safeguard against im- firm their like and restore their qualities of > proper action or unsound attitude, and no faith to the workers on earth. Our prayers > amount of centralized authority can be a accompany who > these spirits have fulfilled > substitute for a community which has be- their mission in the body and now go to their > come thoroughly informed. We may well reward. > bear in mind also the Guardian's view, al- > Babd'i Trusteeships > ready reported, that care should be taken not > to develop the secondary material at the ex- As the believers know, the large Baha'i > pense of the primary aim of the Faith. Our properties like the Temple, Green Acre and > ideal should be to arrive at conscious knowl- Bosch Summer School are held under separate > edge and right attitude on how matters deeds by trustees composed of members of > 124 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the National Spiritual Assembly. This year, can believers on acquisition (of) tie vitally > for the first time, a general survey has been binding them to so weighty an organ of their > made of the five Baha'i Trusteeships, and Faith." > this survey is to be presented as a report to On April 3, the National Spiritual Assemthe Convention. The report is a matter of bly sent this further message on behalf of all > distinct interest and importance, because the American Baha'is: "Hearts overflowing with > work of these Trusteeships has come to con- gratitude, we are sending $1349, being $19 > stitute a large part of the responsibility of each from seventy-one American Assemblies > the National Assembly, and a considerable for immediately strengthening new tie bindasset not merely as Baha'i property but as in- ing American Baha'is to institution of > struments of teaching. It is as believers learn Guardianship. We trust this modest contrihow to combine true efficiency in practical bution will be accepted as token (of) everaffairs with their spiritual activities that we increasing devotion and unity (of) Ameriattain the balance of character, action and can believers in service to World Order (of) > devotion distinguishing the religious life of BahaVllah." > this new age. On April 5 was received the Guardian's > response: "Accept. Deeply touched (by) > The Guardian's Marriage American believers' spontaneous expression > We come now to that event which has of ever-increasing devotion to crowning > brought such depth of joy to all Baha'is institution (of) World Order (of) Baha'uthroughout the world and forms the great 'llah. Noblest contribution individual beclimax of this Baha'i year the Guardian's lievers can make at this juncture to conse- > > marriage. crate newly acquired tie is to promote with > On March 27 this cablegram was received: added fervor unique plan conceived for them > "Announce Assemblies celebration marriage by 'Abdu'1-Baha." > beloved Guardian. Inestimable honor con- Any comment would Hbe unbecoming, for > ferred upon handmaid of BahaVllah Ruhiy- this historic event will forever be enshrined > yih Khanum Miss Mary Maxwell. Union of for Baha'is in the Guardian's own words. > East and West proclaimed by Baha'i Faith In conclusion, one of the prayers newly > cemented." (Signed) Ziaiyyih, Mother of translated by Shoghi Effendi is offered up in > the Guardian. appeal that the Holy Spirit may penetrate > The following acknowledgments were ca- the soul of every Baha'i and confirm our > > bled immediately by the National Assembly. steadfast unity on the field of action. > > To Ziaiyyih Khanum: "Assemblies will re- "Glorified art Thou, O Lord our God! We > beseech Thee by Him Who is Thy Most > joice your heart-stirring announcement. Beseech divine blessings." Great Name, Who hath been sorely afflicted > > To Shoghi Effendi: "Joyously acclaim his- by such of Thy creatures as have repudiated > toric event so auspiciously uniting in eternal Thy truth, and Who hath been hemmed in > bond the destiny of East and West." by sorrows which no tongue can describe, to > On March 30, this message came from the grant that we may remember Thee and, celebrate Thy praise, in these days when all have > Guardian: "Deeply moved your message. Inturned away from Thy beauty, have disputed > stitution Guardianship, head corner- > (of) with Thee, and turned away disdainfully > stone (of the) Administrative Order (of > from Him Who is the Kevealer of Thy > the) Cause (of) BahaVllah, already en- Cause. None is there, O our Lord, to help > nobled through its organic connection with > Thee except Thine own Self, and no power > (the) Twin Founders (of the) Baha'i Faith, to succor Thee save Thine own power. > is now further reinforced through direct as- tr > We entreat Thee to enable us to cleave > sociation with West and particularly with > steadfastly to Thy love and Thy remem- > (the) American believers, whose spiritual brance. This within our power, > is, verily, > destiny is to usher in (the) World Order and Thou art the One that knoweth all that > (of) BahaVllah. For my part (I) desire is in us. Thou, in truth, art knowing, ap- > (to) congratulate community (of) Ameri- prised of all. Deprive us not, O our Lord, of > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES > the splendors of the light of Thy face, whose sivewaves of persecution both ecclesiastical > brightness hath illuminated the whole earth. and secular have failed to disturb in their su- > No God is there beside Thee, the Most Pow- blime faith. For ourselves, however, we have > > erful, the All-Glorious, the Ever-Forgiving" > assumed that such conditions could never > Yours faithfully, arise, relying upon a greater prevalence of > > National Spiritual Assembly public enlightenment or tolerance and upon > HORACE HOLLEY, Secretary. the historical tradition of the separation of > By: > church and state. When, therefore, word > came that the sacred Faith of Baha'u'llah > 1937-1938 had been denounced and its institutions and > Dear Baha'i friends: meetings forbidden in the very heart of Eu- > This, the Thirtieth Annual Convention of rope, we could not bu.t realize the instability > and impermanence of all things dependent > American Baha'is, establishes a considerable > extension of the principle of consultation as upon human will and aim, and the need for a > great deepening of faith in our own inner > applied to our national Baha'i affairs. By > lives and a reconsecration to the unity of our > the increase in the number of delegates, the > spiritual community. The increase in the > Baha'i community has utmost representation > number of delegates thus may be appreciated > in the annual meeting. The Convention can, > as no mere > arithmetical change, but a > therefore, fully and faithfully reflect the > strengthening of the very foundations of the > spirit and action of the body of the believers > administrative order in America. > and, as the Guardian stated, constitute a firm This reference to the Guardian's protecfoundation for the organic Baha'i institution > tive action during the current year brings us > it is called upon to elect. > to another subject vitally connected with the > It is for lack of this principle of consultamainsprings of our faith his translation of > tion, whose roots draw sustenance from Di- > "Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah." > vinely revealed truth, that the civilizations Here, indeed, in the devotional realm in the > and cultures of the non-Baha'i world have > outpouring of the Holy Spirit exists that > during this past year suffered further disinte- Divine Elixir which can alone transmute the > gration. Mass feelings and needs, divorced base metal of human nature into pure gold. > from the spirit of oneness, seek in violence This bounty has been given us at the crucial > under misguided leadership a solution of hour of need. Only as we enter into the new > problems which but augments their difficul- heaven of His Spirit can we live and strive > ties and destroys their basis. There is not one free from the subtle or brutal influences of a > active Baha'i teacher who will not testify to misguided world. Our purity of aim, our > the fact that individual souls are more recep- unity of spirit and activity, must realize this > tive to the Message of Baha'u'llah than ever new heaven upon earth. Ail else is subsidibefore, driven from their former allegiances ary to that victory in the realm of heart and > by the realization that whether > societies, spirit. > > large or small, which are imbued with suspi- It is, moreover, no coincidence of material > cion or prejudice, hatred or fear, offer no ref- fact but another working of the higher Will > uge to the conscious human being in this age. which during the same Baha'i year presents > Far more than any eloquence, the deeply- us with the Guardian's "World Order" letlaid,providentially protected unity of the ters in book form. For this work is the ex- > Baha'i body itself stands as the visible proof pression of the Guardianship itself, a degree > that religion has been renewed by God's will. of consecration and inspiration to which > The most dramatic, the most moving evi- none other can attain, and the view of truest > dence of the degree to which the world has wisdom upon the present condition of the > turned away from the Path of Truth can be world and the future of Bahi'u'llah's Faith. > found in the Baha'i history of this current There is consequently a direct tie for us in > year. We believers of the West have long our present development between the book > admired the heroism and steadfastness of our of prayers and meditation and the Guarfellow-Baha'is in the Orient, whom succes- dian's letters dealing with the character and > 126 THE BAHA'I WORLD > evolution of the Cause. For our under- powers of the Holy Spirit have been set in > standing of and our loyalty to the latter motion and a foundation laid for the mighty > must be taken to represent the extent to victory to be realized by 1944. > which the spirit of devotion has truly en- 1. A > pledge of $100,000 was made at the > tered our lives. For the first time in recorded Convention. > history, revealed religion has combined and 2. We were informed that the Guardian > united the regeneration of the inner life with wished a special committee of technical exa social program fulfilling human personality perts to make a thorough study of the projin all degrees. No longer can piety and de- ect, involving consideration of all available > votion assert ways of action or attitudes of contractors and the costs and contractual > thought as justification of anti-social forms elements of each successive stage in the work. > of life. The Baha'i knows well that he will 3. The incoming National Spiritual Asnot evolve spiritually if he spends his whole sembly issued, as an insert to BAHA'I NEWS > time in isolated prayer without association of June, 1937, the items of the annual Budwith other believers. He knows well that the get and an explanation of the first portion of > end of worship today is not solitude on the the Seven Year plan. > mountain. He knows that he is not free to 4. The technical committee reported its > > invent his own cosmic or social philosophy to findings at the meeting of the National Asexpress a personal and subjective religion. sembly held on August 28, 29 and 30, and > The religious life in this age can be lived un- after consultation with the committee and > der guidance, and the fears or ambitions se- with Mr. John J. Earley a contract was > cretly cherished in the soul have their healing placed for the ornamentation of the gallery > as we forget ourselves in the task of estab- section. Mr. Earley began the work at once, > > lishing the World Order of Baha'u'llah. and the progress report dated April 6, 1938, > conveyed the following information: "On > The Twofold Task March 25, the first car Was shipped from the > The plans and achievements of the current Earley Studio and arrived at Wilmette, Illi- > Baha'i year were born of the Guardian's mes- month. This car connois, the last of the > > sage to the last Convention and the deep and tained contractors' equipment, reinforcing > > abiding response that message evoked. "Dual steeland the wooden molds for the placing > gift Providentially conferred (upon) Amer- of the ornamentation that will be poured at > ican Baha'i community invests recipients the building. On March 28, the second car > with dual responsibility fulfill historic was shipped from Rosslyn, Virginia. This > mission. First, prosecute uninterruptedly car contained 54,000 pounds of crushed > > teaching campaign inaugurated (at) last stone and sand to be used in the pouring of > Convention in accordance (with) Divine the ornamentation at the building; 28 (fin- > Plan. Second, resume with inflexible de- ished) columns, 51 imposts, 2 sections of > termination exterior ornamentation (of) en- cornice ornamentation and 2 sections of wintire structure (of) Temple. Advise ponder dow band ornament. > message conveyed (to) delegates (through) "The original clay models were completed > esteemed coworker, Fred Schopflocher. No by the sculptor during the early part of the > triumph can more befittingly signalize ter- month (March). The plaster models were > mination (of) first century (of) Baha'i era being completed during the latter part of the > than accomplishment (of) this twofold month; the carving of the surfaces of the > task. Advise prolongation (of) Conven- plaster cast of the pylons will be completed > tion sessions enable delegates consult > (to) during the early part of April. Similarly the > National Assembly to formulate feasible plaster casts for the spandrel ornamentation > Seven Year Plan (to) assure success Temple at the corners of the main arches will be > > enterprise. No sacrifice too great for com- completed during April. . . Work will > . > > munity so abundantly blessed, (so) repeat- continue uninterruptedly at the Temple, and > edly honored." will be in full swing by the end of the month > In the clear light of this call to action and and during the forthcoming Annual Consacrifice let us trace the steps by which the vention." The engineering supervision of > CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 127 > > Temple construction has been carried out by an inescapable, well-nigh staggering responsi- > Mr. McDaniel without cost to the Fund. bility rests on America, its one chief remain- > This is a truly gratifying and inspiring ing citadel. Who among its stalwart defendrecord of progress, for it means that before ers will arise, untrammelled (and) unafraid, > the end of 1938 or soon after all units of the to implant its banner in those States, prov- > > gallery section will have been placed upon inces (and) Countries where its standard is > the Temple, and the unique effect already still unhoisted? Entreat afresh American > achieved by the dome and clerestory sections community heed vital urgency (of) my imwill be vastly enhanced. passioned plea (and) spur efforts bring > The Guardian's joy on learning of the speedy termination (of) first Stage in evolu- > > plans reported to the friends in June was ex- tion (of) important (a) phase of dual > so > > pressed in the following cablegram: "Im- task they have so enthusiastically shoul- > > measurably gratified National Assembly's in- dered." > itial step presentation Seven Year Plan . . . The progress of the teaching work carried > redirect with added force nationwide appeal on during the year cannot be reported as defito entire community insure uninterrupted nitely as the developments in Temple concompletion first unit and accumulation suffi- struction. The activities of every commitcient funds enable placing without delay tee, every Assembly, every group and of > final contract." His approval of the tech- individual believers from day to day have > nical committee's recommendations was re- their direct relation to the promotion of the > ceived on September 2: "Approve commit- Faith. Thus, for example, one should not > tee's decision. Place contract immediately." overlook the work of the Committee on > As we consider this development of the Braille Transcriptions which brings light to > Temple work, and recall the fact that the the eye of the soul, nor the achievements of > 1937 Convention resolved to rededicate it- the Summer Schools, nor the special opporself "to the achievement of the holy task tunities resultingfrom the program mainbefore the end of the first century of the tained by Miss Zamenhof, Orcella Rexford > Baha'i era," we should be profoundly grate- and others, many details of which come to us > ful for the conditions of complete unity and in the periodic reports of the Teaching Comcontinuous guidance under which the tre- mittee and in the annual reports just pubmendous undertaking has begun. Nothing lished in BAHA'I NEWS. > could testify more strongly to the general That each established Baha'i community > progress of the Baha'i community than the should undergo continuous growth in numcertitude prevailing now in contrast to the bers as well as in experience and capacity > hesitation and uncertainty which accompa- must be assumed. The spiritual reinforcenied the launching of the first "Plan of Uni- ment augments miraculously from year to > fied Action" in 1926. year, and upon that rising tide even a small > The arena of social confusion and fear in and fragile craft will dare to leave its moorwhich this concentration of Baha'i faith and ings. There are, however, certain fixed > energy has proceeded was once more inter- standards which can be applied to the progpreted for us by the Guardian in his cable- ress of teaching each year: first, the formagram dated August 4, 1937: tion of new Spiritual Assemblies, and second, > "Much heartened (by) compelling evi- the establishment of groups in new areas. At > dences accelerated speed with which teach- the date of this writing, nine local groups > ing campaign inaugurated throughout Amer- are authorized to form an Assembly on April > icas (is) now progressing. ... In a world 21, and one former Assembly may be re- > > perilously near cataclysmic convulsions des- established.This is truly a notable record. > tined experience, at a time when forces of Such a result cannot be achieved without > repression are launching their assaults and the most vigorous action on the part of the > conspiring (to) undermine foundations (of) National and Regional Teaching Commitmost powerful strongholds (of) Faith (of) tees, traveling teachers and, in the case of > Baha'u'llah in land of its birth and in heart such centers as Oklahoma City, a most imof both Asiatic (and) European continents, pressive response to the Guardian's call for > 128 THE BAHA'f WORLD > pioneers. The essential characteristic of turity is near or remote in time, the outcome > teaching work at present is its quality of ac- is inevitable, and consequently the basis for > celeration. A decade passed from 1912 to that further development must be laid as > > 1922 when, separated from the Master by soon as possible. > the War and then bereft by His ascension, American believers who have served under > the American Baha'i community struggled the Inter-America Committee in foreign > to maintain its place. Under the Guardian lands have been Beatrice Irwin, Eve Nicklin > there followed a remarkedly brief period of and Mrs. Frances Stewart. Louis Gregory's > readjustment to the Administrative Order, activities in Haiti belong partly to this and > and the progress of Temple construction has partly to the record of last year. Miss Nicksymbolized that new force of acceleration lin proved that a believer with professional > > which will surely increase each day until the training can establish herself financially in > World Order is firmly established. Already another country, but unfortunately found > our teaching area is the Americas and not the soon after she had established herself in > United States and Canada alone. Already we Bahia that her residence as a foreigner had > are acquiring experience in dealing with become untenable. As reported in April, > problems of language, nationality and cul- 1938, BAHA'I NEWS, an active group has > tural differences which contains the poten- been formed in Mexico City, and the election > tiality of the universal outlook of world of a Spiritual Assembly in that capital of a > > citizenship. The sphere of our collective re- neighboring people was authorized by the > sponsibility has been extended by Shoghi Guardian. Here, indeed, is an event of the > Eflfendi to fill that vast social area to which utmost significance. A Spiritvial Assembly > Baha'u'llah extended His gaze and upon in Mexico City can only be realized as the > which He laid His blessing when He revealed strong pillar of a bridge that will eventually > that Tablet addressed to the "Rulers of link together in the Baha'i Order all the na- > > America, and Presidents of the Republics tions and peoples of the New World. > therein." American believers residing in other lands > But the forward movement also has its are: Leonora Holsapple, in Bahia, Mrs. Clara > tests requiring us to examine the character of Sharp and Adelaide Sharp in Tihran, Marion > our community life from time to time. The Jack in Sofia, Mrs. Isobel Stebbins Dodge > Assembly Roll this year omitted Santa Bar- in Peru, Bertha Matthisen in Europe, and > > bara, Akron, Rockford and Rochester, while Martha Root, now in India. During the > adding the new Assembly of Jersey City. year, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell returned from > The Guardian's message, sent through Mr. Haifa, Agnes Alexander returned from Ja- > Schopflocher, calling upon local Assemblies pan, Mrs. Louise Gregory from Belgrade, > to incorporate, acquire capacity for handling Mrs. Rouhanghiz Bolles and Miss Bolles > practical affairs, and place themselves in a from Europe, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bishop, > position to receive endowments, has resulted Mrs. Annie Romer and Mrs. Gita Orlova > in a great increase of legal incorporation. from England and the continent of Europe. > The necessary papers have been worked out Miss Margaret Lent, after serving at the Inby the Assemblies of Cleveland, Kenosha, ternational Baha'i Center in Geneva, Switz- > Racine, Milwaukee, Seattle and Minneapolis, erland, has again established herself in the > and those submitted by Binghamton and United States. Let us pay homage to these > Boston are in process at the present time. devoted Baha'i workers for their significant > Perhaps we have not yet fully realized the services to the Faith. Mark Tobey, member > power and importance of a local Assembly of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > in the maturity of its development. To- British Isles, is now in the United States for > > gether they will in future control far more a visit of some months. > > property than the National body of Trustees. Direct or indirect fruits of their activi- > Each will have its House of Worship and ac- ties are: the institution of Summer Schools > cessory buildings; each will maintain facili- in Iran and England, the formation of a > ties for education and the humanitarian Baha'i group in Budapest, and extensive > functions of the Faith. Whether that ma- publicity as well as the quickening of the > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 129 > > spirit of faith in many European countries, invitation extended by the National Spiritual > South Africa and the Orient. Assembly and warmly endorsed by the > Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Ma thews returned Guardian. Her distinguished services have > after an extensive journey, during which been shared with the Esperantists. Miss > Mrs. Mathews established distribution or Zamenhof has held Esperanto classes so far > reference centers for Baha'i literature in Rio in New York, Philadelphia and Detroit, unde Janeiro, Cape Town, Johannesburg, the der the auspices of the local Esperanto > Seychelles Islands, the Islands of Java and groups but with the cordial cooperation of > Bali, Manila and the Island of Zangopango, the Baha'i Assemblies. She has made a numthe Philippines. ber of direct Baha'i addresses and in her > Although Siegfried Schopflocher's teach- Esperanto contacts has turned many to coning work in the Orient was carried on last sideration of the Baha'i Faith. The plans > year, a picture of the results, in the form of made with her by our Committee on Uninewspaper and magazine clippings, was not versal Language call for meetings in Lima, > available when last year's annual report was Ohio and a class in Esperanto at Green Acre > prepared. These clippings and programs re- in July.These Esperanto classes are not only > veal a most impressive public presentation for beginners but also they are to prepare > of the teachings before many audiences. It Esperanto students to become proficient > is > hoped that copies will be made available teachers. This honored guest emphasizes > for the scrapbooks maintained by the Pub- the truth that a believer who becomes tech- > > licity Committee. nically expert in any branch of knowledge > Between August 18 and October 4, 1937, or activity based on idealism, thereby opens > Mrs. Nellie S. French served the Cause in a door by which the teachings of Baha'u'llah > > Honolulu, New Zealand and Australia, find- may enter the consciousness of some large > ing many opportunities for interviews and special group. Perhaps we have not suffipublicity and responding to the call of the ciently realized the degree to which Baha'is > Baha'i communities for public meetings. An are expected to acquire knowledge and atinterview was given over the radio at Mel- tain capacity in fields outside as well as > > bourne. within the Cause. The Esperantists, in- > The powers of the spirit seem to accom- spired by their founder, Dr. Zamenhof, are > pany Martha Root wherever she goes. Sail- idealists who have already asserted their acing from San Francisco, May 20, she visited ceptance of one of the laws revealed by > the Honolulu believers and after effective Baha'u'llah. Those present at the Conventeaching work in Japan, she arrived at tion will surely wish to meet and greet this > > Shanghai immediately prior to the military honored fellow-believer and co-worker, Lidja > invasion and attack upon that city. Sent Zamenhof, translator of Baha'i books into > to Manila with other American citizens for Esperanto and Baha'i speaker at a number of > safety, Martha there experienced the great International Esperanto Congresses in recent > > earthquake. Undaunted, she proceeded to years. > India and Burma, and for many months has The American Baha'i community has > carried out a most extensive program ar- realized how much of the Seven Year Plan > ranged by the Baha'i Assemblies. We un- has come into the realm of possibility > derstand that the Guardian wishes her to through the donation of $100,000 to the > continue serving in India until the fall of Fund. The Fund has also this year received > 1938. another munificent gift of $25,000. Our > Another teaching work achieved by an Baha'i properties have likewise been consid- > American believer in the foreign field re- erably extended through the generous gifts > sulted from Mrs. Joel Stebbins* visit to Peru of a number of American believers. > during the summer of 1937, where, with Roy Wilhelm's original gift of property at > her daughter, important contacts were made. West Englewood, blessed by the Unity Feast > Miss Lidja Zamenhof, daughter of the held by the Master in 1912, has been exfounder of Esperanto, has been in the United tended by additional property donated by > States since September, 1937, arriving on him toward the end of the last Baha'i year, > 130 THE BAHA'f WORLD > and by two lots transferred to the Trustees ment (of) Faith (of) Baha'u'llah (in the) > > by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Goodfellow. The American continent." > Bahd'i Summer School at Geyserville, the Gratitude for distinctive and important > monument to the ardent love of Mr. and services to the Cause impels special mention > Mrs. John Bosch, has been greatly enriched of the passing of Mr. Thomas Collins, whose > > by the new and beautiful dormitory pre- name will ever be associated with the Amersented by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Collins. The ican Pilgrim House at Haifa and with the > Green Acre property has been extended and Hall and dormitory at the Geyserville Sumconsolidated by the acquisition of the so- mer School, though he was not enrolled officalled Ball cottage and land given by Mr. cially as a Baha'i. > and Mrs. Siegfried Schopflocher. Its facilities have furthermore been considerably de- > Communications from the Gttard/an > > veloped by Mrs. Florence Morton's donation Our knowledge of the Bah'i teachings, > of the new Baha'i Hall and the accommo- and our capacity to act under guidance, have > dations added to the Inn and two of the ad- been enriched and stimulated by a number > joining cottages. The publication cost of of letters and cablegrams from Shoghi Efthe Guardian's translation of "Prayers and fendi, some of which have already been cited > Meditations by Baha'u'llah" was also met by in this report. Reviewing now their puba generous and loving gift offered by an lication in BAHA'I NEWS, Nos. 108 to 115, > American Baha'i. we have: > In the model produced by John J. Barley Shoghi Effendi's cablegram to the 1937 > we have our first glimpse of the Baha'i Convention. > House of Worship as it will appear with His interpretation of BahaVllah's law on > completed external decoration, and scaled to daily obligatory prayer. > the proportions of the present structure His explanation of the command concernwhich represents an alteration made by Mr. ing daily work. > Bourgeois, at the direction of 'Abdu'1-Baha, An observation and direction with referin his original design. Twenty reproduc- ence to teaching in the Southern States. > tions of the model have been obtained. Of Plea for complete rededication to the > these, one was presented to the Guardian, ideals of the teaching campaign during the > one is for exhibit in Temple Foundation observance of the Twenty-fifth Anniversary > Hall, several have been transferred to the of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to America. > Teaching Committee for temporary travel- The cablegram received April 5, 1937, acing exhibit by local Assemblies and groups, cepting the donation made by the National > and models have been purchased for perma- Assembly for all local Assemblies "for imnent exhibit by the Spiritual Assemblies of mediate strengthening new tie binding > New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los An- American Baha'i s to institution of the > geles, Montreal and Buffalo. The model sent Guardianship." Shoghi Effendi in his accepto Montreal was a gift from Ruhiyyih Kha- tance declared: "Noblest contribution indinum to the local Baha'i community. Other vidual believers can make at this juncture > Assemblies are urged to consider the desira- ... is to promote with added fervor (the) > Temple model, which > bility of possessing a unique plan conceived for them by 'Abdu'lform and appearance > so clearly depicts the Baha." > of the House of Worship and thus creates Published after the 1937 Convention also > visible evidence of the universal significance were the Guardian's words concerning Dr. > of the Faith. Zia M. Bagdadi: "His exemplary faith, au- > On August 30, 1937, the members of the dacity, unquestioning loyalty, indefatigable > National Assembly gathered at the grave of exertions unforgettable." > Alfred E. Lunt in Beverly, Massachusetts, by The Guardian's message to the incoming > request of the Guardian, whose cabled mes- National Assembly. > sage received August 16 declared: "Future The letter dated June 4, 1937, containing > generations will appraise his manifold out- these words: "the twofold task they have > standing contributions to rise and establish- arisen to perform will, if carried out in time, > CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 131 > > release the potentialities with which the disobedience to the Manifestation of God, > community of the Greatest Name has been especially the violation enacted by Muhamso generously and mysteriously endowed by mad- Ali, son of Baha'u'llah. > Abdu'l-Baha." Whenever the Guardian's letters to the > An explanation of the Baha'i attitude National Assembly contain passages of gentoward Esperanto. eral instruction and interest, they are re- > The cablegram of July 4: "Immeasurably ported to the entire community, and such > gratified National Assembly's initial step references are found in BAHA'I NEWS of Jan- > > presentation Seven- Year Plan" and setting uary, February and April, 1938. The exforth five successive steps upon which its planation of the Baha'i attitude on pacifism, > successful operation depends. on the matter of reproductions of the Mas- > The cablegram of August 4 pointing out ter's likeness, on Baha'i music and on his > > the "inescapable, well-nigh staggering re- view of the progress of the Plan may be > sponsibility" resting upon America and ap- found therein. > pealing for individuals to arise, "untram- Shoghi Effendi's letter of November 25, > melled and unafraid, to implant its banners 1937, which developed the theme of the inin those States, Provinces and Countries creased number of delegates, was published > where its standard is still unhoisted," con- in February, 1938. The challenging issues > cluding with a moving appeal that we heed with which the American believers as a > afresh the vital urgency of his impassioned body are now being confronted were outplea. lined in his own words as postscript to that > On September 2 was received the cable- letter, and no doubt the believers have given > > gram approving the recommendations of the these words their most careful attention. > Technical Committee and directing that the We were informed in the body of that > Temple contract be placed immediately. same letter that the details of the adminis- > The October, 1937, issue of BAHA'I NEWS trative order have been sufficiently devel- > > reported the Guardian's statement that oped, and that both individual believers and > Baha'i meetings should not coincide with the National Assembly must "henceforth dithe time of church services; and the mes- rect their attention to the greater and vital > > sage which the Guardian sent through Sieg- issues which an already established Adminisfried Schopflocher for local Assemblies on tration is now called upon to face and > the subject of incorporation and endow- handle." > ments. Finally, up to the date of the preparation > The cablegram directing that hereafter of this report, we have the Guardian's words > 171 delegates be elected to the Convention, of January 30 on "certain vital requirereceived November was published in > 21, ments," of the Plan, with the prayer, "May > BAHA'I NEWS of January. In the same issue the all-conquering Spirit of BahdVllah be > was made known to the friends the Guard- so infused into each component part of this > ian's cablegram of December 20: "Hand harmoniously functioning System as to en- > Omnipotence removed archbreaker Baha'u- able it to contribute its proper share to the > 'llah's Covenant. His hopes shattered, his consummation of the Plan." > plottings frustrated, society his fellow-con- In conclusion, the National Spiritual Asspirators extinguished. God's triumphant sembly feels it incumbent to ask for con- > Faith forges on, its > unity unimpaired, its sideration of the fundamental fact that the > purity unsullied, its stability unshaken. Faith of Baha'u'lldh is not a static creed but > Such death calls for neither exultation nor a dynamic and world-renewing Power. At > recrimination but evokes overwhelming pity each stage of its higher and > evolution a > so tragic downfall unparalleled in religious more conscious inner understanding, consehistory." cration and sacrifice is required of every be- > That event turned the hearts of the be- liever. Attitudes, feelings and methods that > lievers to those texts in the Will and Testa- might have seemed proper and sufficient in > ment of 'Abdu'1-Baha which recounted the an earlier stage may be harmful and deactions of His enemies and established their structive when that stage has been ended > Site (marked x) showing spot where Badi', bearer of > Baha'u'llah's Tablet to the Shah of fran, was martyred. > > Laborers at work on restoration of the House of Baha'u'llah's father, in > Takur, Mazindaran, fran. > > CURRENT BAHA'l ACTIVITIES 133 > > and a new phase of the Faith begun to un- development, it is our will which must befold. The degree of discipline inevitably in- come re-directed and re-inspired. Argucreases from childhood to maturity as re- ment and discussion cannot invoke the myssponsibility replaces the care and protection terious potency released only as we purify > extended to the helpless child. All around the elements of intention and will. If we > > become entirely a matter will anything less than unity, disunity must > us, discipline has > of force and external power, frequently bru- inevitably result. > tal and brutalizing in its effects upon human It is by a deepening realization of the rebeings. In the Faith of Baha'u'llah, love and sponsibility laid upon the American Baha'i > community that we can make the transiworship precede discipline, making it possition to the new stage of reality indicated by > ble for each devoted soul to respond volunand precepts; and > the Guardian this year. The resolution to > tarily to the organic laws > this capacity for adopt and fulfill the Seven-Year Plan, amidst > self-imposed discipline > the general darkening of the world's horitransforms the age-old concept of social > zons, must survive every conceivable test > power from material force to spiritual au- before the resolution can become firmly esthority, spiritually accepted and willingly > tablished. The task surpasses the capacity > obeyed. Moreover, while the springs of acof human emotion and thought, as faithfultion within disbelieving persons release the > ness to the achievement of the task saves us > urges of nature or reflect prevailing human from the limitations of human nature as they > values, the follower of Baha'u'llah can draw have existed in the past. Solely by conupon an illimitable Source of dynamic en- centration upon the two aspects of the > ergy in his will to serve. Both on the side Plan in our daily and meetings can > lives > of discipline and on the side of self-expres- we hope to become worthy of its ultimate > sion, the believer is expected to rise above success. > what is called the human condition and > Faithfully yours, > show forth the realities of the true man. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY, > But these mysteries are not so much attributes of knowledge as attributes of will. > By: HORACE HOLLEY, > When the Faith enters every new stage of Secretary. > > ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL > ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF IRAN > 1936-1937 laws and teachings, purchase of Baha'i sacred places, abolition of any lingering race > JtilGHTY-SIX delegates present. Na- prejudice, simplification of methods of retional Assembly elected. Beg confirmations. cording the census, chiefly occupied the Con- > Rawhani." This telegram was sent to the vention. It recommended that: > > Guardian by Baha'is from all over Iran who Interracial marriages are to be urged; spehad dared to hold their annual Convention cial consideration for minority groups by the > > in Tihran, convening and residing in the majority is to be stressed, where Baha'is of > Haziratu'1-Quds. The Guardian's answer, a given background predominate; titles, such > > never delivered, later reached Iran in his let- as Shaykh, Arbab, etc. and proper names > ter of 'Azamat 15, 93: "Supreme Concourse likewise indicative of race or of non-Baha'i > > voicing praise of resolution and endurance of backgrounds are to be avoided, as is memthe people of Baha in that land of tribula- bership in non-Baha'i religious organizations. > tion. This servant is grateful and well sat- Teaching Committees and classes and charisfied. I implore success for the delegates, acter training groups are to be established in > the Assembly members and the body of the each center, and coordinated; two special > friends, from Him who is the true ally and Baha'i teachers in addition to others which > defender. Shoghi." Wider spread of Baha'i the National Assembly will send out, are to > Haziratu'1-Quds of the Baha'is of Tihran, now in course of construction. > > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 135 > > travel and reside in each Baha'i district; the teaching work. Wherever possible, two lofriends, especially those of Tihran, are to cal teachers have been sent out through their > make teaching trips throughout Iran when- respective districts and their expenses paid. > ever possible; teaching of the Administrative Teaching tablets have been widely spread > Order, the tablet on child training and es- and measures inaugurated to collect teachtablishment of the Nineteen Day Feast and ing funds. Teaching classes have been > other laws, are to be emphasized. The Na- formed and a National Teaching Committee > tional Assembly is to collect its revenues established. The following teachers have > proportionately from each Baha'i district, been sent out to the furthermost parts of > and all Iran will contribute toward com- fran: IshraqKhivari and 'Abdu'llah Mutlaq, > > pletion of the Tihran Haziratu'1-Quds and Khurasan; 'Ali Adhari, 'Iraq; Tarazupurchase of lands adjacent to the site of the 'llah Samandari, Gilan, Mazindaran; Ibra- > > Tihran Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. The friends him Adhar-Munir, Kurdistan-i-fran; 'Abwill be encouraged to contribute what they bas 'Alavi, Khuzistan; Fadil-i-Yazdi, the > wish both to their Local and National As- Southern Ports; Nabil-Zadih, Baluchistan, > sembly. An Archives Committee and a Sistan; Hasan Nushabadi, Fars. The fol- > Tihran Haziratu'1-Quds Committee will be lowing, appointed by the Central Local Asappointed in all centers, and it is hoped that sembly in various Baha'i districts, are likeonce established the National Archives may wise continuing to teach: Thbit-i-Sharqi, > be transferred to the Haziratu'1-Quds . . . > Isfahan; Vahid Kashfi, Ramadan; F4dil-i- > In the fifth session, following chanting of Tihrani, Kashan; Muhammad-Tahir Malthe Master's Visitation Tablet during which miri, Yazd; Haj Rahmaniyan, Tihran and > all stood in reverence, the following were vicinity; Haydar-'Ali Usku'i, Adhirbayjan; > c > elected members of Iran's third National adiq-Sham bariq, Zahidan; Fa^lu'llah Nu- > Spiritual Assembly: 'Ali-Akbar Furutan ri, Yazd, Isfahan (this last traveling at his > > (Secretary), Valiyu'llah Varqa (Chair- own expense). Other teachers include: > man), Jinab-i-Fadil-i-Mazindarani, Shu'a- Mihdi Arjumand and Abu'l-Qasim Mumc > 'u'llah 'Ala'i (Treasurer), Amin-Amin, Dr. tazi, Shiraz; As adu'l-Hukamy-i-Qazvini, > Yunis Afrukhtih (Vice-Chairman), Mah- Gilan; Khanum Fadil-i-Shirazi and Nur-imud Badi'i, 'Inayatu'llah Ahmadpur, Ah- Din Mumtazi, Tihran and vicinity; Ustad > mad Yazdani. Isma'il-i-Ubudiyat and wife, of Tihran, vol- > A letter received from the Guardian re- unteers, to Shiraz. > garding current activities especially empha- For many years this National Assembly > sizes the sending out of teachers throughout has desired to send a teacher into Afghanisfran and neighboring countries such as Af- tan; the Government finally granted a passghanistan, Baluchistan, Arabia and the port but the Afghanistan Legation refused > islands of the franian Gulf; the further es- its visa. Reports from teachers within this > tablishment of Administrative Order, > the country, however, are most encouraging: > and the purchase of lands sacred to the The Jewish population of Shiraz has been > Faith. Regarding teaching, the Guardian stirred in an extraordinary manner by the > says in part: "The National Assemblies of teaching of Mihdi Arjumand. They flocked > East and West, particularly that of America, to hear him in such numbers that two leadhave arisen with all their strength to further ing mullas came and challenged him to a dethisimportant work in neighboring and dis- bate; infuriated by defeat, the two preached > tant lands. The National Assembly of fran against him in their mosques, calling him an > must seek precedence in this great service infidel,forbidding association with him, and > and win great victories." Elsewhere the urging the Jews to avoid him; disregarded, > Guardian has directed Amin-Amin to pay they lodged a complaint with the authorito this National Assembly 1,000 tumans as ties. At present twenty-one teaching meetthe nucleus sinceadded to by the friends ings are held weekly in Shiraz, and are > here of a traveling teachers' fund. attended by one hundred and fifty non-Ba- > This year the National Assembly has met hd'is, nineteen of whom have already actwice weekly, devoting half its sessions to cepted the Faith. New members of the > 136 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Tabriz Youth Group have recently brought Najafabad refused to send their children to > into the Faith thirty people of all classes, non-Baha'i institutions and appealed to the > both Armenians and Muslims, in Mahal- Isfahan and National Assemblies for advice, > Ahar, a district where Armenian and Mus- Abu'l-Qasim Faydi, University of Beirut > lim villages abound. Two new Armenian graduate and formerly appbinted head of > believers of Barda'-Qarah-Bagh are spread- the Boys' Tarbiyat School, sacrificed his po- > > ing a considerable number of handwritten sition with the Anglo-franian Oil Co. in > Baha'i teachings. Several have accepted the Tihran to educate the Baha'i children of > Faith in the village of Mulla-Yusif, famed Najafabad. In a communication to this > martyr and Letter of the Living. The Cause National Assembly, the Guardian praised > is likewise progressing in other Adhirbayjan him highly, saying in part: "I am infinitely > districts. From Isfahan, Thabit-i-Sharqi grateful to and pleased with him. I wish > > traveled to Kuhkalaviyyih, informed three success for this energetic and spiritual young > hundred and eighty-eight outpost believers man from the depths of my heart." > in Kata'Bavir-i-Ahmadi of new develop- Regarding purchase of land sacred to the > ments in the Cause, established a Local As- Faith, every Naw-Ruz, 2,000 tumans from > sembly and two primary schools for children. the Huquq Fund are added at the Guardian's > > Many young people of capacity are being direction to the fund for Baha'i shrines. > attracted in Isfahan where daily meetings Qulam-Husayn Kayvan has undertaken a > > are held for all ages. Over eighty people nine months' journey at his own expense to > have recently been studying the Faith in aid the Shrine Committee and increase the > Yazd where teaching meetings are held Shrine Fund, and investigations are being > nightly. In Mashhad, the highly successful made to determine location of the shop of the > Teaching Committee is made up of both Bab in Bushihr and the birthplace of > men and women. In the Southern Ports dis- Baha'u'llah in Tihran. A complete list of > trict, Khurramshahr and Abadan are re- Baha'i shrines in fran, Based on documents, > ported most favorable to the Cause, and pictures and the Nabil Narrative, is being > progressive work continues in Bushihr. made by Jinab-i-Fadil and two members of > Twenty-eight teaching meetings are held the Shrine Committee. Recent purchases > weekly in Tihran; each, however, may be include: a house belonging to the King of > attended only by the host, one Baha'i and Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs in > one non-Baha'i; despite restrictions, more Isfahan; the burial place of nine martyrs, > non-Baha'is are being attracted than for- also of the martyr Aqa Muhammad Bulur- > > merly. Jinab-i-Fadil, Ahmad Yazdani and Furush, in Yazd; the men's quarters and > Aqay-i-Furutan direct > special classes for half the andarun of the Haji-Mirza Jani > men and women believers; many other gath- house in Kashan; one-fourth of the Castle > erings especially for Baha'is are likewise of Chihriq and the Dasht-i-Malik, Adhirheld. To offset the non-Baha'i influences to bayjan; one-half of the house where > which our children are subjected ever since Vahid resided in Nayriz. All fran has > Government closure of all Baha'i schools, contributed repairing surroundings of > to > Baha'is of fran are emphasizing character the Bab's House in Shiraz and to a fund > > training work more than ever before. Every for purchasing lands adjacent to the > > Friday thousands of Baha'i children (1,200 Maqam-i-A'la. > under eighty teachers in Tihran alone) meet Persecution of the Baha'is still continues; > to study the Faith. The character training the following are typical episodes: Early in > course, using text -books by 'Ali-Akbar Nur, 93, two Government orders were sent > Furutan, lasts five years and includes Baha'i out prohibiting Baha'i meetings throughout > history, laws and types of behavior. The Iran. The National Secretary had previsixth to twelfth year of study are devoted ously been grilled and threatened by the > to: "Lessons in Religion" by Muhammad- municipal authorities; Valiyu'llah Varqa > 'Ali Qd'imi; the "Maqalih"; J. E. Essie- then called on the Chief of Police on behalf > mont; the "fqan"; "Some Answered Ques- of this National Assembly, saying that we > tions"; the "Aqdas." When the Baha'is of had forbidden all meetings in the Haziratu'l- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 137 > > Quds and even the use of its playgrounds, ha'is who have lost their positions because > and making representations regarding the of their declaration of faith include: two > rough treatment despite repeated Govern- Shiraz hospital nurses, Nuriyyih Sarvistani > ment reassurances of Baha'is by the police and Qudsiyyih Zahiri; Qulam-Husayn Thathroughout Iran; the Chief replied that he biti, reporting for work at the Qa'inat > would prevent any further such episodes, Department of Finance; Husayn 'Ala'i, Kaand authorized private Baha'i gatherings of shan, dismissed from the Finance Departnot more than fifty persons. The National ment after twenty years of service. In > Assembly then directed all communities to: Shiraz, Aqay-i-Banan was summoned by > remove the Assembly office from the Hazi- the Intelligence Bureau and shown a copy of > > ratu'1-Quds; hold Administrative meetings a report sent by the Local to the National > privately, reduce committee membership, Assembly regarding Convention delegates; > prohibit public meetings, limit private meet- he was questioned as to Baha'i elections, and > ings to forty persons, elect the National told that all Baha'i activities must cease; > > Spiritual Assembly for 94 by mail. Mean- asked for a written guarantee of this, he > while, despite these measures, unfair treat- said that he had no authority to give one, > ment of Baha'is continues. In Mashhad the and that while other gatherings might be > soldier Furughiyan of Furugh, > Sayfu'llah suspended, the Local Assembly must conwishing to register himself as a Baha'i, was tinue to meet, as otherwise even the authori- > > imprisoned, received fifty lashes, was or- ties would have no means of dealing with > > dered to adopt one of the four recognized the Baha'is; this was finally agreed to. In > religions and told that he would be flogged Bandar-i-Pahlavi, Rasht, and Kirmanshah > until he should cease to call himself a Baha'i. similar attempts were made by the authori- > By the authorities at Maraghih, the fam- ties to destroy the Administrative Order, > ilies of Rasul Nasir-Pur and Allah-Quli without success. In Bandar-i-Shah, the > were forced out of their homes by night in friends are always persecuted on the obligathe village of 'Alaviyan; they sought refuge tory holidays; charged with closing his shop > in Maraghih where they are in great straits. on Ridvan 12, Haydar Rahmaniyan was ar- > At the instigation of the mulla Muhammad- rested and taken to Gurgan; on the Ascen- > > Javad Shamsu'l-'Ulama, some six hundred sion of the Bab, when the friends had gath- > > people plundered the fields and cattle of the ered at the home of 'Ali-Ta'i, police arrested > Baha'i villagers in Khurmazard and Ahaq Virdi and Haydar Rahmaniyan; when 'Ali- > (near Maraghih), causing damages estimated Ta'i protested, the Chief of Police replied: > at 40,000 riyals. In Faran, Shah Khalilu- "The Government has done away with Ha- > 'llahwas ordered to destroy the Haziratu'l- san and Husayn (martyred Imams, publicly > Quds and Baha'i cemetery but steps were venerated for centuries), and here you are > taken to cancel this. In Shahabad ('Iraq) trying to start the same thing over again." > police officials entered the Haziratu'1-Quds When a postman, leaving the shop of Zuhurand destroyed the Greatest Name which was u'llah Subhani, vilified the Cause, the latset in the wall, and although the perpe- ter summoned a policeman, was himself artrators were later dismissed, the authorities rested and taken under guard on four > retained themajor part of the Baha'i different occasions to Gurgan for questionarchives. In Yazd, the Chief of Police sealed ing, while the postman went free. Until > up the Haziratu'1-Quds; on inquiry, the au- recently, the Cause in Sangsar had progressed > thorities said this was done in obedience to to such a point that the Muslims were showan order from Tihran; one Baha'i was re- ing the greatest affection for the Baha'is; a > quired to guarantee that no meetings would new Governor was then appointed, who orbe held in the building. In Kirman, the dered the suspension of Baha'i meetings. > "Himmati" Baha'i kindergarten was closed; One day he upbraided Haj Rahmaniyan for > in Nayriz, non-Baha'is in public school No. selling the former Baha'i school equipment > 6 have persecuted the Baha'i children and to 'Ali Maqsudi, teacher of a Baha'i class > despite the school authorities' repeated as- for adults, and when Rahmaniyan replied > surances, continue to do so unchecked. Ba- that the property was his to dispose of, the > THE BAIiA'i WORLD > > The shop bf > - > > in the of the > in > > Entrance to the Bath attended by the Bab in the vicinity > of His house in Shiraz. > > Governor demurred, confiscated the furni- thousand times over for being Baha'is"; and > ture and transferred it to the Government while the people watched, he chanted verses > School. He then proceeded to the Hazi- "What is one body to give when I would > ratu'1-Quds, forced an entry, and shouted to give a hundred souls" and the guards > a believer there, Aqay-i-Subhani, "What is struck him. At the Police Station the Gova Baha'i? You are a Muslim!" When Sub- ernor joined his men in beating and kicking > hdni insisted that he was a Baha'i, the Gov- this Baha'i till blood spurted from his nose > ernor struck him several times in the face; and mouth; then they shut him in a cell > as they led Subhani away in custody, the with no food or light. The local Assembly > Governor said, "I will destroy all of you." immediately dispatched Haj Rahmaniyan to > Subhani answered, "We will gladly die a Tihran to confer with the National Assem- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 139 > > bly. Meanwhile the Governor, having im- by letter. A communication^later received > prisoned 'Ali-Akbar Rahmaniyan, an eye- from Mirza Hadi, enclosed copy of the folwitness whose report of the above episode lowing telegram, which the authorities had > displeased him, sent in false reports to the withheld: "Convey to the friends in fran > > capital, asked for the expulsion of four local the great glad-tidings of the Guardian's mar- > Baha'is and then imprisoned Jalal 'Azami, riage. This crowning honor bestowed on > brought under custody from Simnan. Fi- Amatu'1-Baha, Ruhiyyih Khnum, daughter > nally, as a result of telegrams sent by rela- of two self-sacrificing servants of the Holy > tives to His Majesty, the prisoners were Threshold, Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell. Ziyareleased, but were with Haj Rahmaniyan 'iyyih.*' This telegram, sent in answer to > banished to Tihran, where they are still that of this National Assembly, likewise was > > residing, unable to obtain redress. Mean- never delivered to us: "Felicitations of the > while, censorship of Baha'i mail and non- friends well-pleasing. Unity of East and > delivery of Baha'i telegraphic communica- West well fortified. Bonds between fran > tions are the rule. and America well-forged. Ziya'iyyih." Fes- > The problem legalizing Baha'i marof tivities and celebrations were held all over > > riages in fran has not yet been solved; for Iran, many messages of rejoicing were sent > some years, no Baha'i marriage has been offi- to Haifa, and as a special tribute to this mo- > > cially registered. The Baha'is will not use mentous occasion the Tihran Assembly made > the Muslim, Christian, Zoroastrian or Jewish plans to roof over the great auditorium of > registries, and none other are authorized. As the Haziratu'1-Quds. > the Baha'is are considerably more numerous franian believers who passed away in 93 > than some of the recognized groups, the situ- include the following: Zaynu'l-Abidin > ation is especially trying. In addition to the Ibrari, leading citizen of Yazd, and eye- > Baha'i marriage ceremony, the friends at witness of its historic martyrdoms. Once > present mail a properly-filled non-Muslim of the 'ulama, he was many times banished > certificate to the General Registry Office, to- for teaching the Cause, following his congether with a statement of the marriage; version by Haydar-'Ali, Varqa the martyr, > copies of this statement are likewise sent to and Muhammad Riday-i-Yazdi. (Mihr 20, > the Ministry of Justice, and the Census and 1315, Sari, Mazindaran.) Qabil Abadi'i, > Identification Bureaus. The authorities Baha'i poet and teacher, many times impristhreaten prosecution unless the authorized oned and persecuted. (Day 16, 1315, Abaregistry offices are not used. dih.) Muhammad-Husayn Ulfat, well- > The seclusion of women, at last pro- known Baha'i of Yazd, formerly a Shaykhi > hibited, was a great obstacle to the progress and of the 'ulama; he served throughout > of the Faith in fran; today Baha'i women no fran, and was teaching in Tihrdn when the > longer carry on their work separately, but end came. (Urdibihisht, 1315.) Memorial > serve with the men as in western countries. meetings commemorated his passing. Mu- > This fact, together with the official establish- hammad-Natiq, learned, famous Bah'i poet, > ment of the Nineteen Day Feast all over writer and teacher. (Sharaf 8, 93.) The > fran, are important new developments. In Guardian wrote of him: "... Rest assured > localities where the Baha'is are too numer- that his ceaseless services will be recorded in > ous to meet at the same Feast, several gath- the annals of the Cause and will never be > erings are held. forgotten .". Hasan Fu'adi, some of > . > > On Baha 11, 94, rumors of the Guardian's whose writings appeared in the Khurshid-imarriage suddenly spread all over Tihran. Khvar; a refugee from 'Ishqabdd, he was > Having wired Baghdad on April 1, 1937, for serving as an instructor when he died. > confirmation of the reports, fran sent the (Shahrivar 11, 1315, Tihran.) Mihdi-Quli > following telegram to Hadrat-i-Ziya'iyyih Mirza Mawzvin, staunch believer and son of > Khanum: "Hearts supremely happy. All the well-known Baha'i poet, Husayn Quli > send humble felicitations." We then dis- Mirza Mawzun, who served and suffered in > patched this news, which the Baha'is of MaUyir. (Khurdad, 1315, Hamaddn.) Dr. > frn had longed to hear, all over the country Sarhang Ibrihim Piruz-Bakht, Chief of the > 140 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Health Department of the Military Schools, threatened, boldly asserted their faith. A > (Bahman 3, Tihran). Relatives of the de- tenth believer, Isma'il Sajiai, was imprisoned > ceased, predominantly Muslims, insisting on for using the word "Baha'i" in answer to the > Muhammadan rites, selected a grave atlmam- Major's questioning. A > second investigator, > Zadih 'Abdu'lUh and drew up a funeral Ma'sum Khan, arrived from Tihran, and > cortege which was to be directed by a colonel when the prisoners were finally released, they > from the War Ministry; nevertheless the were shown an order from the capital to the > Doctor's daughter, Furughu'z-Zaman, Bei- effect that should they close their shops exrut midwifery graduate, and his sister, Batul cept on recognized holidays they would not > Shafa'i, remained firm in their decision that be allowed to reopen them. Furthermore, the > the deceased be accorded a Baha'i funeral, secretary of the Local Assembly, Aqay-iand Shu'aVllah 'Ala'i of the War Ministry Furughiyan, was insulted and brutally > urged that their wish be granted. On the struck by the acting Chief of Police, Sartib > following morning, therefore, a great throng Qarib, and was dismissed from his position > of Baha'is, Muslims and many high ranking as secretary in the City Hall. One official of > officersfrom the War Ministry, including Sangsar, the Governor Sargard > Military > His Excellency the Minister of War, accom- Siminu, has however dealt justly toward the > panied the bier on foot for some distance; Baha'is and refrained from discriminating > military escort was given the cortege to the against them. > Baha'i cemetery, many following by car. In Tihran, preachers and their followers > Prayers were chanted by Aqay-i-Subhani entered a teaching meeting at the home of > and others, and Ahmad Yazdani paid tribute Ibrahim Vahdat and tried to break up the > to the deceased and spoke on obedience to gathering. Shortly thereafter police arrested > the divine Manifestations; the body having Mr. Vahdat and he was held in prison over > been prepared in the Baha'i mortuary for two weeks, during which time he spread the > burial,Jinab-i-Fadil chanted the commit- Faith among his fellow-prisoners. The officer > ment tablet. Rarely has Tihran seen such an 'Abdu'l-Husayn fmani, active Tihran Baimposing ceremony, or one attended by so ha'i, was discharged from the police force > > many non-Baha'is. for attending Baha'i meetings, although later > he was transferred to the retired list. Several > 1937-1938 Baha'i women of Mashhad, serving in the > Ranging from confiscation by police of Shah-Riday Hospital, were dismissed for prothe ballot-box during the election of Baha'i fessing their faith. The Local Assembly sec- > Convention delegates in Qazvin, to the cruel retary of Rida'iyyih, Dr. Hatif, was disbeating of a Baha'i child in the bazars of missed from his position in the Red Lion and > Jahrum, persecutions of all kinds continue to Sun (franian Red Cross) for the same reabe the lot of the Baha'is of Iran. son, as was Sadiq Bakhtavar, assistant post- > In Sangsar, nine Baha'is of whom five master of Ardabil; 'Ali-Akbar fmani, head > were Assembly members, were imprisoned of the Ardabil Finance Department, was > for two months because they had closed their transferred to Tabriz. In Ahvaz, Dhabihu'lshops on the day of the Declaration of the lah Nabili, who had been an officer and was > Bab. When their relatives sent repeated tele- discharged from the army on account of his > grams to the authorities in Tihran, the Mu- faith, lost his position in the Bureau of > > nicipal Administration dispatched Major Standards for the same reason; his wife, serv- > Muhammad-* Ali Imam-Qaysi, who warned ing in the Department of Education, was > them on pain of life-imprisonment or death likewise dismissed. > to adopt a recognized religion. The prison- Five Local Assembly members of Saysan > ers Shahriyar Vahid, Chiragh-'Ali Tiby- were ordered by the State of Adhirbdyjan > ni, Allahvardi Paymani, 'Ali-Muhammad to leave the town, but efforts were made > Mithaqi, Baqir-'Ali Rahmaniyan, Husayn- on their behalf and the order withdrawn. > 'Ali Parvin, Ma'sum Laqa'i, 'Abbas Gula- Some of the Assembly members in Uska, > stani, Ibrahim Husayn-Zdih as well as a Miyanduab, and Maraghih were required by > number of Baha'i women also questioned and police to pledge in writing that they would > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 141 > > attend no meetings or Assembly sessions. though the Local Assembly continues to > The preacher Siyyid Mir-Habib of Maraghih function. > attacked the Baha'is from the pulpit in an Authorities of Iraq confiscated all Baha'i > attempt to arouse the populace against them. books and documents in the house of the > When the Baha'is asked the Chief of Police seven martyrs, and removed all Baha'i recto put a stop to this he said, "I did not think ords from the Haziratu'1-Quds. They suma person calling himself a Baha'i would come moned the sister of Hadrat-i-Shahid, 'Amto me for redress." Police in Ardabil confis- mih-Jan, and Mihdi alihi, custodian of the > cated the Assembly records, held a Baha'i of- martyrs' house, and questioned them as to > ficer,'Ali-Akbar fqani, for questioning and meetings, names of Local Assembly memobliged an Assembly member, Muhammad- bers, and the like. They are now requiring > 'Ali 'Inayati to guarantee that no meetings individual Baha'is to pledge themselves not > would be held in his home. Municipal au- to hold meetings. > thorities of Miyanduab arrested the Local When Hidayatu'llah idaquatpur was ly- > Assembly secretary Muhammad-Hasan Iq- ing sick in bed at Marvast near Lazd, and > tisad and others, confiscating Baha'i books some friends had come to visit him, soldiers > and records. When the Ahvaz Assembly and police burst into the house and threatwas in session, police arrested six of the mem- ened the inmates with death. They mocked > bers, imprisoning four; later their release was the Cause and the Baha'is present, kicked > > arranged and the Assembly continues to them and beat them with the butts of their > function. rifles. The corporal Himmat-Quli Bahrami > In the village of Cham-Tang there were wrote down the names of those present, and > five Baha'i families. The whole village at- took away two Baha'i books; a rug and some > tacked them with picks and shovels, striking furniture were also removed. Appeals to the > them until they were near death. Of three authorities both locally and in the capital > women who were severely injured, one, in an proved unavailing. In the bazars of Jahrum, > advanced state of pregnancy, was expected the inhabitants mocked the Baha'is and then > to lose her child. Rustam, son of 'Abdu'l- struck down a Baha'i child, and when the > Karim Afshar, was not expected to live. Of parent protested they turned on him and beat > the five families who removed to Hindi] an him as well. When municipal authorities ofand appealed to the authorities, others fered no assistance the Baha'is referred the > badly injured were: 'Abdu'l-Karim Husayn case to the Spiritual Assembly of Shiraz, > Afshar, 'Abdu'r-Rasul Husayn Afshar, through whose efforts the disturbances were > Khuda Karam Bihmi'i, Sulayman Fayd- checked. > Nakhli. The Hindi j an Local Assembly, An officer of Kirmanshah, Dr. 'Abdu'llah > in reporting to the National Spiritual Javid, was degraded to the ranks and sen- > Assembly, stressed the fact that the tenced to two years service in the conscript > persecutions would spread unless quickly army as a private, for registering his faith as > checked. Baha'i. (Officers are required to answer > Baha'is of Bandar-i-Shah were held for truthfully as to their religion and yet are > questioning because they had closed their not permitted to answer that they belong to > shops and attended meetings on Baha'i sacred any other than the four recognized relidays. More recently, local Baha'i bakers gions.) His superiors made every effort to > were forbidden to stop work on those days, have him sign as Muslim; they made light of > but since they refused to obey the order it is the Cause, and reminded him that the Shh > > expected that they will be expelled from the had declared the Baha'i Faith to be a sect or > town. Police summoned a Birjand Local As- group, not a recognized religion; one of > sembly member, Sana'ullah Ridvani, and them, chief of the medical staff, agreed that > told him that not even four Baha'is had the the Baha'i Faith would eventually regenerate > > right to gather in one place. Later they the world but said that "the time had not > broke into a session of the Assembly and yet come" to speak openly of it. Dr. Javid, > forced its adjournment. All Baha'i meet- whose future career was at stake and who > ings in Kirmanshah have been suppressed, al- was to have but four more months of mili- > 142 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tary service before entering private practice, when trying to obtain justice, it often hapstood firm and accepted the sentence. This pens that a Bahd'i asking police help is himcase is typical of many. self imprisoned and the guilty party freed; > > Enemies of the Cause in Kushk-Bdgh near that, if a Bahd'i 's goods are stolen, police > Sabzivar fell upon the Bahd'i 'Abdu'r- make no effort to recover them. Frequently > Rahim and were beating him to death when the officials themselves insult and threaten > he was saved by a passing motorist. The as- the Baha'is, even declaring it permissible to > sailants, who were not prosecuted, then deprive them of life and property, and obplotted against the Baha'is with groups in viously the masses of the people follow suit. > neighboring villages, and when Siyyid 'Ali- The impression is widespread that injustice > Muhammad-i-udkharvi who was walking done to Baha'is will go unpunished. Fourth, > alone in Kumiz, a band of nine men and the only marriages recognized by the Govseveral women surrounded him and beat him ernment are the Muslim, Christian, Jewish > until he was unconscious. He came to him- and Zoroastrian. fran has four marriage regselfand started for help, and they attacked istries, one for each of these religions, and > > him again. Then some villagers saved him, since the use of any of these by a Baha'i is > and carried him into his house, and later one tantamount to a recantation of his faith, > of his sons took him to Sabzivar to ask for Baha'i couples can only send in written nojustice,but it was not known whether any- tice of their marriage to the necessary Govthing would be done by the authorities. The ernment bureaus, including the general reg- > Sabzivar Local Assembly informed the Na- istry and the Minister of Justice. > tional Spiritual Assembly that unless the at- Official notice was recently given of a new > tackers were punished, lives and property of marriage regulation, one section of which, > all Baha'is in the district would be endan- imposing six months imprisonment on any > gered, and the trouble would spread to other man seeking marriage or divorce without > areas. The ringleader in this case was Kar- presenting himself at one of the four regisbild'i-Husayn Rasuli, parliamentary deputy tries was directed toward the Baha'is. The > of udkharv and Kumiz; others of the guilty National Spiritual Assembly took this matwere: Mulla 'Abbas, son of 'Ali-Akbar; Haji ter up with the Minister of Justice, Matin-i- > > Sayfu'llah T*rzavi and afiyu'lldh Shafi'i; Daftari, and he promised to take steps along > it is noted that Shaykh-'Abdu'l-Husayn, the this line but the situation remains unlocal mulla, secretly stirs up the populace changed. The Baha'is, obliged to continue > against the Baha'is. as before, marry according to Bahd'i law and > As the foregoing demonstrates, the Ba- formally notify the authorities concerned. > hd'is of fran are steadfastly enduring the af- The National Assembly presented a memoflictions which the progress of the Cause has randum on the problem to the Prime Minisbrought about. Representations are made to ter, Aqdy-i-Jam, enclosing a statement of > the authorities regarding each episode as it Baha'i marriage procedure, and pointing out > occurs. Recently a general memorandum the following: the marriage law of fran is rewas presented by the National Spiritual As- ligious, not civil; there are more Baha'is in > sembly to the Prime Minister listing the fol- fran than there are Christians, Jews or Zolowing cases in which the Government offi- roastrians; the Baha'is are obliged as such to > cially and openly shows discrimination be law-abiding citizens, but cannot register > against the Baha'is: First, Baha'is are refused themselves as adherents of another faith, > the good-record certificate necessary in or conceal their faith from the Governfran although fulfilling all the require- ment. So far the authorities have done > ments; as soon as they state their faith, issu- nothing to solve the Bahd'i marriage probing of the document is postponed on some lem in frdn. > pretext, or they are flatly told that being a Meanwhile a wave of teaching activity, > Bahd'i in itself constitutes a bad record. Sec- carried forward by both men and women in > ond, if seeking work in governmental de- spite of every opposition, marks the Bahd'i > partments, a Bahd'i is > immediately rejected year 94 in frdn. The following letter rewhen his religion becomes known. Third, ceived from the Guardian was the signal for > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 143 > > the Baha'is here to arise and teach as never The following eight Baha'is serve as district > before: teachers: Muhammad Thabit-i-Sharqi, Isfa- > ". . In view of the importance of the > . han; Ramadan-'Ali Baqa'i, Mazindardn; > question of teaching in these days and > the Muhammad Majd, Khurasan; Abdu'l-Qasim > need of participation by the dear friends of Mumtazi, Tihran; Fadil-i-Tihrani, Kashan; > that region in the recent vital and glorious Haj Muhammad-Tahir Malmiri, Yazd; > undertakings of the friends in America, who adiq Sham'Bariq, Zahidan; Ahmad Mustawith all their might have engaged in consoli- qimi, Hamadan. > dating the Administrative Order and extend- The following eleven have made voluntary > ing the scope of teaching activity through- teaching trips as indicated: As'adu'1-Hukaout the continents of North and South may-i-Qazvini, Isfahan, Shiraz; Ishraqiy-i- > America the National Assembly of the Ba- Sangsari, Mazindaran (this young man left > ha'is of that land must endeavor more than his business in Tihran for four months, and > > ever before to increase the number of men despite the intense heat traveled through > and women believers and to further stimu- Mazindaran, everywhere visiting the friends > late the individual Baha'is. It is hoped that and stimulating teaching activities) ; Bahiyin these last remaining years of the first cen- yih Khanum Izadi, Isfahan, Abadih, Shiraz; > tury of the Baha'i era, the followers of the Khanum Fadil-i-Shirazi, Tihran district, > Cause of the Ancient Beauty in that blessed Mazindaran; Tahirih Khanum > 'Amidi, > country will achieve great victories . . . > Shiraz; Isma'il 'Ubudiyyat-i-Najjar, Tihran > Instructions have been sent Amin-Amin to district; Mawhibatu'llah Ha'i Najafabadi, > > pay at the beginning of each year the sum of Isfahan, Abadih, Pars, Ardistan (this young > 2,000 tumans to the members of that As- teacher left his business for a highly success- > > sembly to be used for the important work of ful teaching trip, three months of which was > > teaching in that country, so that the sum spent instructing the Baha'i children of > shall be spent in selecting and sending out Ardistan; he is now about to undertake anteachers, organizing the teaching work, and other trip to last six months) ; Jinab-i-Fadilc > > consolidating all matters relative to teach- i-Mazindarani and Rahmatu'llah Ala'i, > ing activities both in the capital and the Hamadan, Kirmanshah, 'Iraq; Faraju'llah > provinces of Iran. The passionate exertions 'Abdi and Ja'far Mulki, Hamadan district; > of the sorely-tried friends of that sacred 'Ali-Quli Amzajirdi, Gilan; 'Azizu'llah > land, in these days when the divine confirma- Mithaqi, Adhirbayjan. > tions are manifest in full effulgence in most Siyyid Hasan-i-Hashimi-zadih, excepof the countries throughout the world, will tional teacher, has accepted the invitation of > attract the blessings of heaven and the un- this National Assembly to leave his profesfailing help of the one Lord . . ." (Novem- sion and devote all his time to spreading the > ber 17, 1937) Cause. Dawud-Quli Raf'ani will settle in > The National Spiritual Assembly has dis- Baluchistan and Sistan for teaching purpatched the following eleven teachers poses; this young man was formerly an of- > Iran: Usku'i, ficer in the army, and was > throughout Haydar-'Ali discharged for de- > Adhirbayjan; 'Abbas 'Alavi, Isfahan; Haj claring his faith. He has spent some time in > Aqa Rahmaniyan, Mazindaran and ahray- Baluchistan, and is familiar with the leaders > i-Turkaman Ishraq Kha var i Khurasan Abd- > ; , ; of the people, the language and customs, and > u'llah Mutlaq, Khuzistan (this teacher be- anxious to work among them. Three memcame seriously ill in Abadan, and was obliged bers of the National Spiritual Assembly have > to return to Tihran, where he is still confined likewise made trips to accelerate teaching acto his bed) ; 'Ali-Aqa Adhari, 'Iraq; Taraz- tivity; they are: Mahmud Badi'i, Isfahan, > u'llah Samandari, Adhirbayjan, Gilan; Shiraz; Dr. Afrukhtih (vice-chairman), > Hasan Nushabadi Rahmani, Yazd; Ibrahim Isfahan, Yazd, Kirman; Ahmad Yazdani, > Adharmunir, Kashan, Isfahan, Abidih, Mazindaran, Gilan. (Other members of the > Shiraz;Munir Nabilzadih, Qayinat; 'All National Assembly, which this year was > Mumtazi (Fadil-i-Yazdi), Kirman, Khuzi- elected by mail, are: Valiyu'llah Varqa, > stan. chairman; 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, secretary; > 144 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Shu'a'u'llah 'Ala !, treasurer; Amin-Amin; conditions, the present labors of Iran's teach- > Jinab-i-Fadil; 'Inayatu'llah Ahmadpur.) ers represent a spectacular achievement. > Sixty-four Nineteen Day Feasts are now Recently added to sacred and historic > held regularly in Tihrdn; new Baha'is are places now owned by the Baha'is are: twofirst made known to the Census Committee, thirds of the house of Haji Mirza Abu'lfrom which they receive their identification Qasim, frequented by the Bab and adjoining > card, and after that are introduced to the the buildings next to His House in Shiraz. > Nineteen Day Feast Committee. Teaching House of the martyr, Hadrat-i-Khal (the > meetings are numerous, and in Tihran ten Bab's maternal uncle) , Shiraz. Burial places > > leading teachers, of whom four are members of Saraju'sh-Shuhada', Habibu'llah Mirza, > of the National Spiritual Assembly, are at Aqa Javad, the martyrs, Malayir. Burial > the disposal of all seekers in the capital. As place of the four martyrs of 'Iraq, Shahid > a result of this greatly stimulated activity, Mulla-BasJhi; Jalii Mulla Muhammad-' Ali; > Baha'is as individuals have come to under- Nabil Aqa Rahmatu'llah; 'Aziz Aqa Nawstand the responsibility of teaching, many shad. Burial place of Hasan-'Ali Khan, the > > people have accepted the Faith, and others martyr, Isfahan. Three-fourths of the house > who were inimical are now favorably dis- of Mahbubu'sh-Shuhada', the martyr, Isfa- > > posed toward the Cause. han. Two houses at the end of the Street of > Nineteen teaching meetings have been held the Sword-Makers, near the House of the > each week in Yazd. During the last six Bab, Shiraz. Burial places of the eight marmonths of 1937, eight hundred people were tyrs of Ardikan, also of the martyrs Siyyid > taught in two hundred and eighty gather- Yahya, Sirjan; Ustad Mirza Davarani, Rafings. Thirty Yazd believers, both men and sanjan; Husayn-'Ali Firuzabadi, Firuzabadwomen, have volunteered to go on teaching i-Yazd. The National Spiritual Assembly > trips. Here as elsewhere, advanced courses has ordered purchase of the Bab's place of > are given for new believers. Rasjht has held business in Bushihr and* of the bath fre- > > regular meetings six nights a week. In Babul quented by Him in the Street of the Sword- > (formerly Barfurush) and environs, the Makers, Shiraz, and likewise hopes to acquire > friends despite great economic difficulties are the entire house in Chihar-Burj, Rida'iyyih > > very active; Aqay-i-Rahmaniyan, who has (formerly Urumiyyih) where the Bab > worked extensively with them, teaching, and stayed; repairs on one section of this house, > establishing Spiritual Assemblies in Ashraf, also on that of the seven martyrs of 'Iraq, > Chalus and elsewhere, especially praises the are going forward. > twelve Baha'i families of Gunbad-i-Qabus; Local Assemblies which for various causes > the Turkaman inhabitants are friendly with had ceased to exist in the following towns > them, and one of the local 'ulama has ac- have now been reestablished: Gurgan; > cepted the Faith. Kirman reports three Bujnurd, Nasrabad-i-Jam, Turbat-i-Jam, > teaching meetings a week, Shiraz ten, 'Iraq (Khurasan) ; Durakhsh, Sarchah, Khusf > five in addition to nine teaching conferences (Qayinat). > during the past year. New teaching plans During the past year building of the Tihare being furthered in Mashhad, and Aqay-i- ran Haziratu'1-Quds was continued. The > Mutlaq reports a successful campaign, in eastern section was finished, the doors set in > > spite of his illness, in Abadan, Khurramshahr and all debts paid. New pledges were then > and Ahvaz. After teaching many Baluchi- collected for roofing the auditorium, and > stan notables in Zahidan and Zabul, Nabil- when European firms approached in this > zadih traveled to Khash, where, in the in- connection asked as much as 358,000 tumans > tense heat, he succumbed to the insidious to do the work, the devoted Baha'i 'Ali-Aqa > local fever; later, during a six months stay in Haddad and his sons 'Abbas-Aqa and Akbar- > Birjand, he attracted one hundred and Aqa, undertook to complete this part of the > thirty-five new believers, whose children building for 40,000 tumans. > have likewise been entered in the Baha'i A further activity of the National Assemcharacter-training classes. In the face of bly has been connected with Iranian Baha'is > sickness, unfavorable climate, and primitive who formerly lived in the USSR; Soviet au- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 145 > > thorities have recently expelled all Iranian health, and committees for teaching public > subjects from Russia, and it is learned that speaking, foreign languages, and advanced > some Baha'is of 'Ishqabad and Baku have Baha'i subjects. Ten meetings, four of > been imprisoned there. The National Assem- which were for women, were held in Tihran > bly has done all in its power to aid those suf- February 25-27 by the youth, with a total > fererswho have returned to fran; it has re- attendance of 381 persons; the uniform proquested the Government to allow free entry gram of these meetings included the chantof their belongings into the country, and ing of prayers, deliberations as to teaching > sent funds raised in Tihran to the Local As- and the role of Baha'i youth, and refreshsemblies of Mashhad and Rasht to be used on ments. Salim-i-Nunu, just returned from > their behalf; these Assemblies and that of Haifa, delivered messages from the Guard- > Bandar-i-Pahlavi and Tabriz are doing all ian, and Aqay-i-Panahi presented flowers on > > they can to provide for them. behalf of the Baha'i youth of 'Ishqabad, also > The Baha'i youth of Iran are showing pledging 500 riyals for teaching work. One > themselves fully capable of carrying on the of these meetings was held at the village of > work of the Faith. The Central Committee Hasanabad, where a memorable luncheon > of Baha'i Youth, recently formed in the cap- was served by the villagers and the youth > ital, corresponds with other Baha'i youth donated 175 tumans toward completion > groups and coordinates youth activity. of the local Haziratu'1-Quds; similar > Other committees include the Athletics gatherings were held by youth throughout > Committee, which supervises sports and the country. > > ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL > ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA IS OF 5 > > THE BRITISH ISLES > APRIL, 1936 APRIL, 1937 were given an indication of the course of > history in the next few years, and were > JL HE current year may justly be described forced to realise the crucial necessity of > as outstanding in the history of the Faith in building, firmly and steadily, the fabric of > this land. We have been conscious of a new the New World Order in Great Britain. In > and vital spirit within the community, and this letter the Guardian called attention to > outward signs of its activity have not been two processes at work within society one > lacking. Looking backward, over even so of disintegration affecting every phase of hushort a period, we may discern three stages in man life, and one of construction associated > the general development. First an awaken- directly with the rise of the Faith of Baha'- > ing among all the believers, second a realisa- u'llah. Subsequent world-shattering events > tion of community consciousness, fostered to name but two, the abdication of Edby, and coincident with, the establishment ward VIII with the consequent attacks upon > of the Administrative Order, and thirdly the the church, and the outbreak of war in Spain > > beginning of a wider and more effective between the upholders of two social docteaching work. trines to whose alignment of forces the > The year began with an event of outstand- Guardian had already referred in a previous > ing importance; the receipt of Shoghi Ef- letter bear striking testimony to the > fendi's general letter entitled "The Unfold- Guardian's unerring perception, and in assoment of World Civilization," a copy of ciation with a host of other ills strikes and > > which was sent to every believer. To this, lock-outs, civil disturbances, universal re- > > more than to any other outward cause, may armament confirm his dictum that humanbe attributed the expansion of consciousness ity is now entering the outer fringe of the > which has been apparent in the English Ba- darkest period of its history. "The signs of > ha'i community. Our attention was directed impending convulsions and chaos can^now be > in a compelling manner to the wide and uni- discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing order > versal aspects of Baha'u'llah's Revelation; we appeareth to be lamentably defective." > 146 THE BAHA > ' > 1 WORLD > This clear analysis of the present world scription to the Fund . and on two other > . . > > picture, followed in the second half of his occasions in connection with the Publishing > letter by an intimation of the entrancing Company. > vision of "The Most Great Peace," aroused in Letters have been sent throughout the > the hearts of the friends a desire to play their whole Baha'i world on two occasions . . . > > part in the establishment of that great day. the first in September containing a brief re- > In this noble aim the National Spiritual As- port of our activities, and the second in April > sembly provided initiative and > leadership, 1937 in connection with the Publishing > and served as the channel for a flow of en- Company. > couragement and guidance which constantly The idea had been considered of holding a > came from the Guardian. The activity, con- Summer School, and the Guardian signified a > solidation and strengthening of the National desire for it. The National Spiritual Assem- > Spiritual Assembly has been one of the sig- bly recognized, not only the value of Sumnificant items of the year. Through the mer School as an institution but the oppormeasures which it has initiated, the contact tuneness of a national undertaking which > it has maintained with the community, the would call for the support and effort of all > supervision it has exercised over the local As- the believers. A Committee was appointed > semblies and isolated believers, and through to investigate all the possibilities and to make > much practise in the Baha'i technique of recommendations to the National Spiritual > consultation, it has won the confidence of Assembly. Due to its perseverance and unthe friends and acquired a valuable experi- tiring work and the support of the National > ence to be handed on to subsequent national Assembly, the first British Baha'i Summer > bodies. School was held in August, 1936, at Mat lock > Early in the year a Teaching Bulletin was Bath. Its success was beyond the most sanissued by the National Teaching Committee guine hopes, and a fresh spirit of fellowship > at approximately regular intervals of a and dedication was engendered and diffused > month. It proved a valuable means of draw- throughout the country. The classes were > ing the believers together and of stimulating of a high standard. It would be hard to > > them to fresh activity. It also gave instruc- overestimate the significance of this achievetion in, and stressed the importance of, Ad- ment in thedevelopment of the Faith in > ministration. Very soon, however, the Na- England, for demanded and received the > it > > tional SpiritualAssembly felt the need of enthusiasm and full support of all the believsome means of direct and less circumscribed ers, it undoubtedly attracted Divine confircommunication with the friends, and the mation and stands as our first important na- > Teaching Bulletin was discontinued and the tional undertaking. The Guardian signified > Bahd'j Journal brought into being. The Ba- his pleasure at its success and sent the followhd'i Journal exists as the official organ of the ing message: "The institution of the Sum- > National Spiritual Assembly and has proved mer School constitutes a vital and inseparable > one of the greatest assets to the Faith in Eng- part of any teaching campaign, and as such > land. It has been of especial service in assist- ought to be given the full importance it deing the N.S.A. to carry out its desire of real- serves in the teaching plans and activities of > > ising, in the whole country, that organic the believers. It should be organized in such > > unity which is at the core of Baha'i society. a way as to attract the attention of the non- > Its scope and tenor will progress with the believers to the Cause and thus become an > Faith. effective medium for teaching." Plans are > In addition to the regular publication of already complete for the second Summer > the Bahd'i Journal, the National Spiritual School in August, 1937. > Assembly has circularized the friends on In July, 1936, the World Fellowship of > three occasions, once in November calling Faiths held its second International Congress > attention to the principle of unity underly- in London, the subject being "World Fellow- > > ing all Baha'i life, and urging the observ- ship Through Religion." Representatives of > ance of two Baha'i laws regular attendance all the leading Faiths were present and a ses- > > at the Nineteen Day Feast, and regular sub- sion was allotted to each one. The Baha'i > N > > o > o> > "O > u > rt > > .2 > > 1O > > CJ > > 148 THE BAHA'f WORLD > paper, approved by Shoghi Effendi, was com- ing the Message to a world tormented and > posed and read by Mr. Townshend. In intro- torn on every side by the forces of destrucducing the Baha'i session, the chairman, Sir tive materialism. It is for us to realize the > Herbert Samuel, said in effect that if he were full measure of the responsibility that has > asked to say which of all the Faiths repre- been laid upon our shoulders in this matter, > sented was the nearest to the aim of the Con- and having attained full consciousness of our > gress, he would reply the Baha'i, for World responsibility to unitedly arise to contribute > fellowship and unity is the raison d'etre of all that we can towards its discharge." Althe Bahi'i Community. Mrs. Helen Bishop, though teaching has never ceased and has > Madame Orlova and Mr. St. Barbe Baker been notable in certain instances such as > > spoke for the Faith, and Mr. Hirst, of Leeds, Summer School and the work in Devonshire, > made a plea for recognition of the Baha'i it is realized that this year in England has > > principles. been a period of internal consolidation, of > Two important decisions of the National gathering our energies, of investigating the > Spiritual Assembly made during the year are most opportune fields and the most effective > as follows: One, reported in Babd'i Journal methods, of gaining experience and of prenumber one and clarified in the following paring for efficient teaching work. The > number, reads: "Individual believers must N.S.A. believed that one great factor not yet > not communicate with persons of eminence integrated into the scheme of national teachin governmental or political circles, except ing, is the potentiality of every believer, no > through the National Spiritual Assembly." matter what his capacities or talents may be, > The second ruling delimited the area of juris- to teach the Cause, and it strongly recomdiction of the London Spiritual Assembly to mends that this matter should receive the > within a radius of twelve and a half miles of deep and prayerful consideration of every > Charing Cross. follower of Baha'u'llah. > In January, 1937, a convention of Baha'i Early in the year Mr. and Mrs. Bishop > students was held in Paris. Si* people at- came to England and in addition to working > tended from England and one of them read in London made a tour of various parts of > a paper. the country, speaking to audiences gathered > A cable was sent to the American Na- by resident Baha'is. They returned to Getional Spiritual Assembly during the period neva in September. After examination of > of the floods in the Mississippi valley, ex- Mrs. Bishop's report the National Spiritual > pressing the sympathy of the British friends Assembly wrote to Shoghi Effendi requesting > with America in this national disaster. her services for another year, a petition > The following Committees of the Na- which the Guardian granted. Mrs. Bishop > tional Spiritual Assembly have been working was asked to go to Torquay, where in assoduring the year: Teaching; Reviewing; ciation with Mr. Tobey and Mrs. McKinley > Contacts; Library; Summer School. The Re- active work was begun. From December > viewing Committee has approved a book on until April a constant and intense camthe Faith and some articles. The Contacts paign was conducted, Mrs. Bishor) speaking > Committee is in close touch with the N.S.A. in churches, intellectual institutions and priand sends literature to many people. The vate homes. The result of this work was that > Library Committee has been appointed only three people declared themselves and were > recently but has succeeded in placing books enrolled, while a largenumber were greatly > in various public libraries. Mrs. George was attracted to the Faith and the Teachings > appointed to maintain contact with the iso- were widely spread in that district. Follow > lated believers, a service which is greatly ap- up work will be continued by the five bepreciated by them. lievers now there, who are preparing themselves for intensive work with a view to en- > TEACHING larging the group into an Assembly. > In April, 1936, the following message was In the work of the Spiritual Assemblies > received from the Guardian: "There is un- there is apparent at this end of the year, a > doubtedly no higher call than that of bring- different and more impressive method than > CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 149 > > could be seen at the beginning. In both Lon- for literature printed in England, but owing > don and Manchester the old type of teaching to lack of resources the need remained unin wide generalizations has been succeeded by filled. Shortly however, circumstances arose > intensiveand vital discussion groups. with which all the friends are acquainted, > > In London, the removal of the centre to which led to the decision to form a Publish- > 46 Bloomsbury Street made it necessary to ing Company, for the purpose of publishing > conduct a more intimate type of meeting, Baha'i books through an established printsimilar to a fireside group. This has proved ing house. In this project the National Spirhighly effective and large attendances are the itual Assembly was fully supported and enrule. Fireside meetings have been conducted couraged by the Guardian, who sent 50 > at various homes, and in Crouch End a group towards the Fund needed. The National Spirhas been formed under the jurisdiction of the itual Assembly pledged and gave its full sup- > London Spiritual Assembly. This group re- port, both moral and financial, and sought > cently rented the Hornsea Town Hall and the help of the friends. The response was > conducted a well attended and successful immediate and generous, but only from a > public meeting. Plans are being made for a limited number. The N.S.A. is confident, > series of public lectures in Caxton Hall dur- however, that when the project itself, and > ing May. London has enrolled seven new the wide range of its probable results, are > believers during the year. more fully understood, every believer will > In Manchester a new and vigorous spirit is sacrifice for its success. With the permission > at work. The Spiritual Assembly has taken of the Guardian, a circular letter was printed > a hall in the centre of the city and is making and sent throughout the Baha'i World, seekfull use of it. The Nineteen Day Feast has ing the help of the world-wide Baha'i combecome firmly established in the community, munity. It is surely a symptom of the aland with an increased understanding of the mighty assistance of BahaVllah, that within > Administrative Order, a new teaching pro- the short space of one year, we should have > gramme is being undertaken. Two new be- successfully accomplished a national underlievers have been enrolled. taking and embarked on another which bids > The Baha'i Theatre Group may be men- fair to become international in scope. For > tioned under the heading of Teaching, for Shoghi Effendi has likened the establishment > this group, organized and directed by Ma- of the Publishing Company to the building > dame Orlova, has proved an effective means of the Temple in America and indicates that > of attracting young people to the Faith and its success may "mark the inauguration of a > > of giving them first hand experience of Ba- new era of expansion of the Cause throughha'i consultation. At Naw-Ruz the group out the British Isles and the rest of the farpresented scenes from "As You Like It" and flung British Empire." At its last meeting > is now working on a pageant of the "Seven the N.S.A. was advised that there was 153 > Valleys." in the Publishing Fund, which is sufficient to > In March, 1937, Mr. Siegfried Schop- establish the Company legally with a limited > flocher brought a message from the Guardian capital liability of 100. Proper legal adto the effect that he wishes us to stress two vice has been obtained and the N.S.A. has > > things: humanity has come of age, and the recorded its decision to register the Company > appearance of BahaVllah. These are the as "The Bahi'i Publishing Company, Limtwo factors to resolve the modern "riddle of ited." Investigations are being made as to > existence." the most favorable method of associating the > A small pamphlet was composed by the N.S.A. with the Company. It may be truly > National Spiritual Assembly and five thou- said thatupon the progress of this plan desand copies printed, available at a penny pends that expansion of the Teaching work > each. which it is now our chief duty to promote. > On March 29th the following cable was > " > received from Haifa: Announce Assem- > From the very beginning of the year the blies celebration marriage beloved Guardian. > National Spiritual Assembly felt the need Imperishable honor bestowed upon hand- > 150 THE BAHA'l WORLD > maid of Baha'u'llah Ruhiyyih Khanum Miss years, and remembering the difficulties which > > Mary Maxwell. Ziya'iyyih, Mother of have been overcome both within and with- > Guardian." To this joyful news the Na- out the Faith, and remembering too the > tional Spiritual Assembly, the Spiritual smallness of our numbers, we can realize > Assemblies of London and Manchester, and with gratitude the meaning of the Guardthe Bournemouth Group, cabled their ex- ian's words referring to "this auspicious stage > > pressions of delight. The union of East and in the evolution of the Faith" in England. > West, so dear to the Master's heart, has been The uniting of all the friends in an organic > cemented in his own Family. unity, the strengthening of the position and > During the year the National Spiritual As- authority of the National Spiritual Assemsembly has met twelve times; ten times in bly, the firm establishment of the Adminis- > London, once in Manchester and once at trative Order, as attested by the Guardian, > Summer School. It was found necessary to the publication of the Rahd'i Journal, the in- > > purchase a typewriter for the secretarial ception of Summer School, the teaching camwork. paign in Devonshire, the consolidation of the > One of the greatest problems with which Faith in London and Manchester within the > the N.S.A. has had to contend, has been the Administrative structure and the subsequent > National Fund. Although this year, re- beginning of new teaching work in those > ceipts are slightly in excess of expenses, it centres, the initial success of the plan for the > will be seen from the Treasurer's report how Publishing Company, the enthusiasm and acvery limited are the funds at the disposal of tive work of the London Youth Group > the N.S.A. It is felt that the friends do not these are among the outstanding features of > > yet realize the importance of regular contri- the ninety-third year of the Baha'i era in > bution to the Fund, or that it is a Bahd'i Great Britain. > Law, and not a principle ... a command "All-praise and glqry be to God Who, > of Baha'u'lUh. through the power of His might, hath deliv- > This report would not be complete with- ered His creation from the nakedness of nonout some reference to the encouragement and existence, and clothed it with the mantle of > guidance which has been received from the life . > O, how blessed the day when, aided > . . > > Guardian during the year. His constant by the grace and might of the one true God, > message has been to persevere and teach the man will have freed himself from the bond- > Cause. "Persevere and never feel disheart- age of the world and all that is therein, and > ened." "Rest assured and persevere." . . . will have attained unto true and abiding rest > "Now is the beginning of your work. And beneath the shadow of the Tree of Knowlas in thebeginning of every task, you are edge." > bound to meet all sorts of difficulties. The Faithfully, in His Service, > more you strive to overcome these, the National Spiritual Assembly, > greater will be your reward, and the nearer by DAVID HOFMAN, Secretary. > you will get to that glorious success which, > APRIL, 1937 APRIL, 1938 > promised by Baha'u'llah, must > as repeatedly > needs crown the efforts of all those who, IN our last annual report we noted an > whole-heartedly and with pure detachment, awakening of community consciousness > strive to work for the spread and establish- among the believers throughout the country. > ment of His Cause." And lately these inspir- The current year has been characterised by a > ing words to an individual believer, pub- continuation of this process, with the aclished with his permission. "The > goal is companiment of growing pains. The guidclear, the path safe and certain, and the as- ing hand of Baha'u'llah has been apparent in > surances of Baha'u'114h as to the eventual creating conditions which have forced us to > success of our efforts quite emphatic." face our own problems and to stand on our > In comparison with the greatness and own feet as a functioning community witheventual destiny of the Faith of Baha'u'lUh, in the Baha'i World Order. > the year may well seem to be of little signifi- We have been deprived of the services of > cance. But in comparison with previous the American teachers by their departure > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 151 > > from England, but their work has been con- charge of this work itself. Miss Baxter > tinued, which in itself is a testimony to the was appointed Teaching Secretary to keep > ability and determination of the English records of the work and to supply the N.S.A. > community to develop from its own re- and teachers with information for follow-up > sources. The National Spiritual Assembly work. This arrangement has worked out > wishes to express its deep gratitude to all > very well. > those visiting teachers who have done so In Devonshire the believers have conmuch to help us during the past two years. tinued the work so > ably started by Mrs. > They not only taught the Faith to enquir- Bishop. Mrs. Stevens conducts a regular > ers, but prepared the believers to do the study group in Torquay, and Mr. Tobey has > same, and keenly as we feel their loss we can held meetings in Dartington Hall. Mr. > only be grateful for the opportunity which Hansford has declared himself a believer. > we now have of nursing the tender plant of Mr. Balyuzi and Mr. Hofman have both > the Faith in this land, and with the help of spoken at Dartington Hall, and Mr. Tobey > God, sending its roots deep into the soil. has spoken in public in Torquay. The > This growing unity of the believers ex- group in Devonshire will miss Mr. Tobey, > pressed itself at Summer School and at the who has just left for America for an indefi- > Teaching Conference in December, when nite stay, but it is felt that the Faith is > > friends from all over the country assembled now established there and will continue to > together. As a means to further this process grow through the assistance of Baha'u'llah > the Conference recommended to the N.S.A. and the efforts of the resident believers. > that three annual rallying points for all the Mrs. Romer, who was here for a few > believers be established.The recommenda- months, made several contacts in Brighton > tion was confirmed and the three occasions with clubs and societies, and held meetings > chosen were Convention, Summer School and in a private home. She was able to arrange > a mid-winter Teaching Conference. Na- a public lecture in the UnitarianChurch, > tional community consciousness has been where Mrs. Bishop had already spoken. The > fostered in various other ways such as the N.S.A. delegated the follow-up work in this > distribution of the Bahd'i Journal, the meet- place to the London Spiritual Assembly and > ings of the N.S.A. being held in Manchester voted 10 for expenses. London reports > and London and correspondence with iso- that Mrs. Cranmer has been made secretary > lated believers. for this work. > While doing everything possible to con- A group of people in Salisbury have besolidate the community, the N.S.A. has re- come interested in the Faith. Lady Blommained aware of the danger of becoming ex- field,Mrs. Bishop, Miss Wellby, Mr. Balclusive which might lie in such a policy. A yuzi and Mr. St. Barbe Baker have visited > statement was made about this in one num- them. Hospitality has been extended to > ber of the Bahd'i Journal. The unity and Baha'i teachers by Mrs. Hill, who has also > close association of the friends is of utmost arranged the meetings. > importance, but we must not lose sight of The Baha'is of Bradford have taken part > " > our relationship to all humanity. Consort in some of the Manchester activities. Rewith all people with joy and fragrance." cently Miss Joan Wilkinson wrote to the > Our Nineteen Day Feasts, meetings, and N.S.A. to ask for a teacher for a group of > other activities should not become ingrown, young people whom she had interested in > but should be related to the tremendous the Faith, and Mr. Hofman went there in > drama of current history, to the sense of April and reports a good meeting with keen > crisis, and to the spiritual struggle whose interest.This work will be followed up by > effect is so apparent in the contingent world. sending more teachers to help the four resident Baha'is. > TEACHING Two groups have been addressed in Bris- > At the beginning of the year the National toland a lively meeting was held in Letch- > Spiritual Assembly decided not to appoint a worth at the Theosophical Lodge. > new Teaching Committee, but to take In Manchester regular meetings have been > 152 THE BAHA'I WORLD > held at the Centre. Special meetings were which could be entirely occupied by the > held for the international Baha'i youth day, School, as although contacts can be made > at the Teaching Conference, and at Naw- when we share a place with others, it is more > Ruz. Mrs. Bishop helped the Assembly difficult to develop Summer School as a > > greatly, and visited many outlying places to Baha'i institution. The N.S.A. has apspeak of the Faith. proved thisrecommendation and this year > Two series of public lectures were held at it is hoped to occupy the entire premises > Caxton Hall, London, but they were not of Cudham Hall in Kent. > considered successful.Regular public meet- The lectures were supplemented by eveings have been held in the Centre and the ning talks and entertainment. Mr. St. > group at Crouch End and Muswell Hill have Barbe Baker showed pictures of the gardens > continued their work. A few fireside meet- round the Shrines on Mount Carmel, among > ings have been held. Madame Orlova ad- which was a picture of the Master. > dressed the children's group of one of the > Co-operative Society's branches and the > PUBLISHING TRUST > Free Religious Movement at Lindsay Hall. The details of this project have occupied > Lady Blomfield spoke to the Society for the the N.S.A. during the whole of the year. > > study of religions, with Sir Denison Ross in There was great difficulty in associating the > the chair. N.S.A. with the Trust because of the fact > The Teaching Conference, held in Man- that we are not incorporated and have no > chester during December, was vital and in- legal status. Mr. Menasse, the lawyer enspiring. Two methods of teaching were gaged by the N.S.A., has been most helpful > discussed, personal and collective. In the and the Trust Deed is now registered, and > first place it was considered that the indi- deposited at the bank. The Trustees are, > vidual could only affect others by striving Mrs. Brown, Mr. Albert Joseph and Mr. > to attain a higher state of consciousness Norton. They hold the funds of the Pubthrough prayer and devotion. By under- lishing Trust under the supervision of the > standing the Teachings and their applica- National Spiritual Assembly. > tion to daily life and world problems, the The Fund stands at 232, for about 86 > believers could become assured and calm in of which we are indebted to subscriptions > a troubled world, and this would be an at- from Baha'is in other parts of the world. > traction to others. In teaching organised The N.S.A. has decided that the Trust shall > by an Assembly it had been found that act as wholesale distributor for Baha'i litera- > > public lectures were not successful. Fire- ture, and will gradually take over the stock > side groups and social meetings, informally now managed by the London library. This > conducted, were agreed to be the best ways. cannot be done at once, but application has > been made to the London Spiritual Assembly > SUMMER SCHOOL for cupboard space, and as soon as this is > The Summer School of 1937 proved once available the Trust will start work. Mrs. > again the immense services which this in- Brown has been appointed treasurer and Mr. > stitution can render to the Faith. It was Hofman manager. A separate bank account > opened by Lady Blomfield, at the Friendship and separate set of books will be kept. The > Holidays Association Centre, Matlock Bath. Trust will sell literature to local Spiritual > Many non-Baha'is were present, and it is Assemblies or individuals, and act as bookhoped, in accordance with the Guardian's sellers for such publications as "The Promise > > instruction, to make each Summer School of All Ages," "Paris Talks," and other literamore and more attractive to those who have ture, the copyright of which is held by innot inquired deeply into the Faith. It was dividuals. > felt that the lectures covered too wide a The first publication of the Trust itself is > field, in spite of the fact that they were now at the printers. This is a revised and > enjoyed by Baha'i s and visitors alike. The re-edited edition of Dr. Esslemont's booklet > Summer School Committee recommended "BahaVllah and His Message." Much care > that future schools should be held in a place has gone into the preparation of this pam- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 153 > > phlet, and the literary and artistic talents the success of the Teaching Conference was > of several of the believers have been utilised. due in no small measure to the warmth of > It is hoped to produce an introduction to the hospitality accorded by the Manchester > Faith which will be up to date and of uni- friends. > versal appeal. Copies will be sent through- A news-letter has been started for circuout the Baha'i world and it is hoped that lation among members of the community. > orders will come from abroad. > A Life of Baha'u'llah, by H. M. Balyuzi, In October, Mrs. Slade retired from the > is now with the Reviewing Committee, and N.S.A. and Mrs. Langdon-Davies was elected > a prayer book is in process of compilation. to the vacancy. > Mrs. Weeks, who used to mimeograph the > LONDON Journal before it wa-s printed, has presented > The London Spiritual Assembly has added the N.S.A. with her duplicating machine, > three believers to its membership, and re- and it has been lent to the London Spiritual > ports that the Nineteen Day Feasts and other Assembly. > feast days are receiving better attendance An attempt was made to secure incorporathan before. Some valuable work has been tion, but was unsuccessful. > done on the classification of material left to One of the greatest difficulties with which > the Assembly by Dr. Esslemont and Mr. the N.S.A. has to cope, is the National Fund. > > Simpson and to quote the Archives Com- It has not yet reached the healthy condition > mittee, "There is much of great interest and of receiving a steady flow of contributions > value, especially amongst the correspond- from the believers. Until this condition is > ence between Dr. Esslemont and Mr. Simp- reached the Faith cannot grow steadily and > son. In time to come I am sure they will surely as it should, and all national undershed much light on the early days of the takings will have to be spasmodic, financed > Cause." by appeals to the believers. The work of > Mr. Grant, the editor of the Rangoon the N.S.A. has now reached a point where > Times, who has done great service to the it should be carefully planned in advance, > Faith through his paper, has been in London upon a definite budget. It is therefore > > for some months. He has been the guest at recommended for the attention of the Condinner of the London Assembly and has vention and the incoming N.S.A., that this > spoken at the Centre. Mrs. Routh of Aus- problem receive deep and serious attention, > tralia has also been a welcome visitor, and and that every effort be made to ensure a > has helped greatly with Teaching and social regular income, however small, to the Nawork at the Centre. tional Fund. > An exhibition of Baha'i books, photo- The growing tension in world affairs, and > graphs, and other objects has been kept in the sense of the imminent breakdown of the > the Centre since Naw-Ruz. existing order, force us to consider what > A bulletin has been issued regularly for steps we shall take to preserve our work in > the last few months. the event of war. Under these conditions > we must also consider what are the most > MANCHESTER effective means of bringing the message of > The growth and consolidation of the com- Baha'u'llah to the attention of large num- > > munity in Manchester, has been one of the bers of people. It is recommended that this > most encouraging features of the year. The latter problem be considered separately > Spiritual Assembly has had many problems from Teaching. > to face, but the growing attendance at their Two years ago the following message was > public meetings, of non-Baha'is, is an indi- received from the Guardian: "There is uncation of the vital spirit within the com- doubtedly no higher call than that of bringmunity. Four new believers have been ing the Message to a world tormented and > added. torn on every side by the forces of destrucand teachers have been sent to > Visitors tive materialism. It is for us to realise the > > outlying groups and isolated believers, and full responsibility that has been laid upon > 154 THE BAHA'f WORLD > our shoulders in this matter, and having at- shall be filled with the spirit of God, and > tained full consciousness of our responsi- that He will send His hosts from heaven > bility to unitedly arise to contribute all that to help you if you have faith. And now I > we can towards its discharge." give you a commandment which shall be for > The N.S.A. recommends for consideration a Covenant between you and me; that ye > the suggestion that the Faith in England have faith; that your faith be steadfast as > should, for one year, regard itself, and at- a rock that no storms can move, that noth- > > tempt to function as, a teaching organism. ing can disturb, and that it endure through > Let all our efforts and energies be directed all things even to the end; even should ye > > to this supreme aim. The work of individ- hear that your Lord has been crucified, be > uals, spiritual assemblies, and the national not shaken in your faith; for I am with you > assembly can be co-ordinated through the always, whether living or dead; I am with > methods and institutions of the administra- you to the end. As ye have faith so shall > tion. Our prayers, our thoughts, our ac- your powers and blessings be. This is the > tions, can be focussed on this end, and we standard this is the standard this is the > > may be sure of the Guardian's support and standard." > of the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Faithfully, in His Service, > "I say unto you that any one who will National Spiritual Assembly, > rise up in the Cause of God at this time by DAVID HOFMAN, Secretary. > > THE BAHA'I FAITH IN EGYPT > 1936-1938 cases, however, may be referred to the courts > involved, although the National Assembly > JCfGYPT today ranks among Eastern na- prefers to have them considered by our own > tions as a center of modern civilization. Her bodies. Cases involving Baha'is and noncultured classes, aware of modern trends, are Baha'is may be referred to Baha'i Assemfurthering her social progress along interna- blies providing both parties agree in writing > tional lines. She demonstrates a new spirit to accept Baha'i arbitration. As regards > of tolerance, greatly needed in a part of the criminal cases, all Baha'is are subject to the > world where religious fanaticism has not yet laws of the country." > been relegated to the past. Thanks to the valuable gift of an acre of > Following the historic pronouncement in cultivated land, presented to the National > 1925 of the Muslim courts, which declared Spiritual Assembly by Sharubim Eflfendi > the total independence from Islam of the 'Ubayd of Cairo and legally transferred to > Baha'i Faith, the Baha'i Cause has spread that body, the National Spiritual Assembly > widely throughout the country, and not is entitled to all civil > rights authorized by > only the principles but also the laws of law. In order to give the Declaration of > Bahd'u'llah have been firmly established. To- Trust permanent legal force, the amendday even matters of personal status, includ- ments which were adopted subsequent to > ing marriage, divorce, alimony and the like, 1935, as well as a document empowering > are subject in Egyptian Baha'i communities the above-mentioned donor to the usufruct > to the decision of the Spiritual Assembly, of the land for a period of five years, arc > functioning on the basis of the laws of the being legalized. However, the final official > "Kitab-i-Aqdas." recognition of the Baha'i community by the > "Baha'is," declares a recently issued state- Government is still pending, and at this > ment of our National Spiritual Assembly writing we await the reply of His Excelwhich is illustrative of the highly developed lency the Prime Minister to a renewed pestate of Baha'i Administration in Egypt, tition, duly approved by the Guardian, re- > "according to the instructions of the be- garding this. > loved Guardian may under no circumstances Current opposition to us is chiefly exerrefer cases to Muslim religious courts. Civil cised by Muslims on religious grounds. Not > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 155 > > long ago, when Malakat Khanum, beloved of the Huquq ("Rights of God" or tithes) > > daughter of Mahmud Eflfendi Nochougati, and to collect all Baha'i sacred writings on > passed away in Port Said on September 17, this subject; the resulting compilation will > > 1937, an event followed which exemplifies enable us to establish still one more of the > the current situation. At the request of laws of BahaVllah. > Mahmud Effendi, the Local Spiritual Assem- As present conditions are not favorable to > bly resolved for the first time to conduct the an extended teaching campaign, Baha'is are > funeral ceremonies entirely according to Ba- being urged by their Assemblies to redouble > ha'i rites. Non-Baha'i relatives of the de- their individual efforts along this line. Meetceased threatened that unless Muslim rites ings, Feasts, studies planned by the Annual > were observed, they would cause an uproar Conventions, are a continuous inspiration, > in Port Said and would take away the body and the number of declared believers is alby force. The > Baha'is proving inflexible, ways on the increase. Our teaching activithe relatives then begged that the funeral ties will be greatly confirmed by the conprocession should at least stop at the Mosque struction of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Cairo, a > for prayers; again the Baha'is, realizing the projectencouraged by repeated donations > implication of this, refused, and communi- from the Guardian and soon to be carried > cated with the Chief of Police, who pro- out. The visit of our beloved friend, Mr. > vided them with an armed guard. Draped F. Schopflocher of America, during the > with a rose-colored cloth and covered with winter of 1937, also resulted in important > flowers, the coffin was borne through the teaching work; his speech at the Y.M.C.A. > streets of the city; musicians preceded the in Alexandria was published in the "Egypcasket, school girls dressed in white and tian Gazette," and another article appeared > carrying red roses accompanied it, and the in "La Bourse fegyptienne," which also publocal Baha'i community and their friends lished an article by our friend Mme. Gharfollowed. The streets were thronged with zuzi. > those who had come to watch the Baha'i At the suggestion of the Guardian, this > cortege. Baha'i tablets were chanted at the National Assembly requested 'Abdu'lgrave, and later a great number of Muslims, Hamid Effendi Ibrahim, an Alexandria be- > Christians and Jews came to the Baha'i Cen- liever and one of those three Baha'is who > ter to offer condolences and listen to Baha'i served the Cause in Ethiopia, to proceed to > > prayers. The friends felt that the last link the Sudan and establish a permanent resi- > > binding them to the old order had now been dence there. He reached Khartum, the capbroken. ital, in May, 1937, and opened a tailor shop. > In compliance with the request of the Na- His latest report gives us full details of the > tional Assembly of India and > Spiritual manners, customs and beliefs of the Sudan, > Burma, this National Assembly approached and he assures us that through the confirmathe Muslim religious court with a view to tions of Baha'u'llah he will be able to es- > > obtaining an exact copy of the text of their tablish the Faith in that land. In October, > verdict of 1925; the copy received was that 1936, Dr. M. alih,present chairman of the > of the Court of Appeals, and we have now Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria, visited > applied for a copy of the pronouncement the Baha'is of Tunis in compliance with the > > given by the Court of First Instance. We Guardian's request. The friends there made > have likewise made English translations of use of the occasion to study the Bahd'i Adour Baha'i Laws on Matters of Personal ministrative Order, and were supplied by > Status, and have forwarded these to the this National Assembly with copies of our > Guardian, and to the National Spiritual As- Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, also > semblies of the United States and Canada, of Baha'i Laws on matters of Personal > of India and of Australia. We have further Status. Dr. Silih hopes to visit Tunis again > appointed a committee to study the question in 1938. > 156 THE BAHA'f WORLD > REPORT OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE > BAHA'IS OF 'IRAQ > APRIL, 1936 APRIL, I9}8 for four months and was a hair-dresser by > profession, proved to be of help to Khavari > JLHE National Spiritual Assembly has un- in time of danger, and was able to attract a > dertaken during the period April, 1936-1938 number of inquirers, to whom he proved the > to achieve a twofold task, namely, that of Divine origin and explained the outline of > internal consolidation and of diffusing the the new World Order. He, too, was, need- > Divine fragrance among the masses. The less to say, boycotted by the ignorant and > > following events will perhaps give an idea the prejudiced, and was finally obliged to > > relating to this. return to Baghdad. Two other young > In compliance with the expressed and re- friends, at their own expense, paid flying > > peated requests of the Beloved Guardian to visits to Kurdistan, one in the spring and > > carry the Divine Message to Sulaymaniyyih, the other in the fall of 1936. > the center of Iraqi Kurdistan, the N.S.A. Though the immediate consequences of > requested the N.S.A. of Iran for a teacher, the Baha'i endeavor to plant the seeds of > who on his arrival was entrusted with this the Faith among the Kurds may seem to be > > urgent and high mission to the Kurds. Dur- though the Cause of Baha'uinsignificant; > ing his stay of nearly four months (Feb- 'llahwas maliciously opposed and publicly > ruary till June, 1936) in Sulaymaniyyih the denounced by the fanatic among that peoteacher, 'Abdu'l-Hamid Ishraq Khavari, ple, yet the reverberations of the Divine > succeeded in sounding the Call within the Call, which was suddenly sounded in the > > very walls of Khalidiyyih Mosque which, it very midst of the Kurdish center, reached > is said, Baha'u'llah had visited during His the ears of the authorities in Baghdad who > sad retirement to the uninhabited mountain were informed by the governor of Sulayof Sargalu. He attracted a considerable maniyyih that the Iranian Baha'i teacher > number of inquirers of various classes Khavari and his co-worker Naji, by anmullas, government officials, shopkeepers, nouncing the Advent of the Promised One, > and others, from whose sight he attempted and proclaiming His Message, were only > to remove the age-long veils of superstition, carrying out the instructions given them by > and to open their eyes to the unprecedented the N.S.A. in the capital. Accordingly a > > glory of the King of Days. detective policeman called at the home of > > Among the investigators, the enlightened the secretary of the N.S.A. and politely refew were able to perceive, to some extent, the quested him to call at his convenience at > > immensity and the indispensability of Ba- the Criminal > Investigation Department. > haVllah's unique Dispensation; while the That same day (August 2, 1936) the officer > ignorant and the uneducated, at the insti- at the C.I.D. kindly received our secretary, > > gation of the jealous mullas who feared the and the following conversation ensued: > threatening influence of the Faith, caused Officer: "Does your Assembly have an ofsuch an increasing stir and tumult as to ficial permission from the Government to > arouse the alarm of the local government, hold its meetings?" > who on the ground of maintaining public Secretary: "No, the Baha'i Faith is not a > order and security ordered the Baha'i teacher society, but a religion like other religions." > to leave that town for Baghdad within Officer: "What are the aims and purposes > twenty-four hours. of this religion?" > One month before this expulsion, the Sec'y: "To spread love and concord > N.S.A. had sent Jamil Naji, a believer of amongst men, and to remove differences and > Baghdad, with his family to take up his resi- hatred." > dence in Sulaymaniyyih for the purpose of Officer: "When was the Baha'i Faith esassisting and following up the work of Mr. tablished m 'Iraq?" > Khavari. This young man, who lived there Sec'y: "Since the declaration of Its Au- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 157 > > thor Baha'u'llah in 1863, which took place appear before the C.I.D., where after inin Baghdad." quiries regarding their identities were made, > "Do you keep a register of the > Officer: their finger-prints were taken. > names of all those who have embraced During the month of June, 1936, when > It?" the Ministry of Defense was studying the > Sec'y: "No." question of allowing the various religions > Officer: "How many Baha'is are there in and sects, to which the men of that Minis- > 'Iraq?" try belonged, to enjoy and observe their > Sec'y: "This cannot be ascertained, not own holy days, the N.S.A. seized the oponly in Baghdad or in 'Iraq but throughout portunity and submitted a petition to exthe world, because this is a personal matter empt Baha'is from work on their nine holy > of belief and conscience which many who days. Besides the copy of the petition to > are Baha'is may not have as yet professed. the Ministry of Defense, another was sent > This undeclared belief and admiration in to the Ministry of Justice and a third to > the Faith, however, does not exclude one the Prime Minister. The secretary of the > from being a Baha'i." N.S.A., having been summoned by the Min- > Officer: "How does the Assembly collect had an interview with the > istry of Justice, > money for its expenditures?" Legal Draftsman who among other ques- > Sec'y: "Whenever there is need for money tions inquired regarding the independence of > the believers are requested to contribute, the Faith and the Assembly's authority, > each according to his own desire." rights and duties in relation to the personal > Officer: "Are all the Baha'is of 'Iraq of status of Baha'is. He also asked if the As- > 'Iraq nationality?" sembly had obtained formal permission to > Sec'y: "No, the Cause is universal." hold meetings, and was told that an appli- > Officer: "Of how many persons is the ex- cation for this purpose had already been > ecutive body composed? What are their submitted. Though the representative of > names, their functions, professions and ad- the Assembly called many times on the audresses?" thorities concerned, yet it is believed that, > > Sec'y: "It is composed of nine persons. pending the official recognition of the Faith, > The required information about each is as the Baha'is employed in the different govfollows. . . . ernment offices and departments cannot > Officer: "Are all these mentioned 'Iraqis?" stop work during the Baha'i holy days. > Sec'y: "Yes." As to the registration the Guardian, hav- > From that dayand for several weeks the ing read the National Spiritual Assembly's > secretary of the N.S.A. and more particu- detailed report about its activities concern- > > larly Mr. Khavari were kept under the close ing the aforementioned developments, sent > watch of detectives. in December, 1936, a letter in which he in- > In obedience to another of the Guardian's structed the Assembly immediately to stop > directions thatthe Assembly be registered communication with the government on acthough it be as a commercial society, the count of unsettlement in the political sphere > N.S.A. undertook to transfer to its own of 'Iraq following the military coup d'etat > name the plot of land which it had pur- on October 29, 1936. > chased for building the Haziratu'1-Quds. The Kurdish translation of "Baha'u'llah > Such a transference, however, could not be and the New Era" which had for nearly two > effected without the Assembly being for- years been confiscated by the Government, > mally recognized by the Government. This while still at the book-binder's, was, with > led to submission to the concerned authori- the overthrow of that government, released > ties in the Ministry of Interior of an applica- on December 8, 1936. Through the efforts > tion for registration, together with the Dec- of an isolated believer at Karkuk (some 70 > laration of Trust and By-Laws in Arabic miles west of Sulaymaniyyih) the N.S.A. > > (reproduced in the Baha'i World, Vol. VI). placed at the public library of that city one > A few days later the members of the N.S.A. copy each of "The Baha'i World," Vol. V, > were summoned through the secretary to "The fqan" (in Arabic), "BahdVllah and > 158 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the New Era" (in Arabic and in Kurdish) . minded non-Baha'is, who were delighted to > Also about one hundred copies of Dr. Essle- hear the various talks given by the Baha'i > mont's book in Kurdish were distributed youths. The programme included the folamong leading Kurdish personalities of this lowing topics: > country. A formal acknowledgment from Wis- > 1. Prayer (Baha'u'llah's Tablet of > the Government Director of Education of > Karkuk District was received, in which he dom). > 2. Introductory Word about the Revelathanked the Assembly for their "precious > tion of Baha'u'llah. > gift." > 3. Religion as the Source of True Civili- > The Nineteen Day Feasts are now being > zation. > regularly observed in Baghdad and are prov- 4. The Baha'i Faith at the World Coning to be of great importance and joy to > gress of Religions. > the assembled believers. In these meetings, > 5. Religion and Science. > which are held every Baha'i month, holy 6. The Coming of Age of Humanity. > Tablets are first chanted; then a translation > 7. Prayer. > is given of a summary of whatever letters, > circulars and other glad tidings which may This participation of the 'Iraqi young men > have been received by that time from vari- in the celebration of the International Baous centers of the Baha'i world. This is ha'i Youth Day is surely stimulating in their > followed by a discussion of affairs and out- souls an increasing consciousness of the unstanding issues regarding which the Spir- derlying unity and love which bind them toitual Assembly wishes to consult the friends; gether with their spiritual brethren in other > and the last part of the feast is partaking countries. > of refreshments which are enjoyed by all Recently an important step has been taken > present. by the local assembly of Baghdad, viz., the > In obedience to the Guardian's instruc- printing and preparation of "declaration > tions to the American Baha'i Youth Com- forms" to be filled in and signed by every > mittee "to create an international body of believer who wishes to be entitled to the > active young men and women," and in co- voting rights and membership in the Baha'i > operation with said committee, the Baha'i community. The N.S.A. has approved of > Youth Committee of Baghdad held two this action, which will be enforced in the > > symposiums. On March 4, 1937, a special near future. > meeting, for the young Baha'is only, was The construction of the New Haziratu'ldevoted to the reading of the Guardian's Quds in Baghdad has begun and the buildmessage to the Youth, to the discussion of ing has reached a few feet in height above > ways and means to propagate the Teach- ground level, though the work will, for > ings, and the passing of a resolution to en- financial reasons, have to be temporarily > courage individual believers to settle in Su- stopped. > laymaniyyih and other cities where the The translation by a Baghdadi believer of > Light has not yet penetrated. They also the precious book, Nabil's Narrative, "The > > signed the letter of greetings to the Be- Dawn-Breakers," into Arabic has almost > loved Guardian, which they sent to the Na- been completed. This translation, which > tional Youth Secretary of U.S.A., to be the Guardian described as "temporary" unforwarded to Shoghi Effendi. til a better and more masterly one is > On March 7, 1937, the young men held achieved, will be printed and published by > a public meeting in the Haziratu'1-Quds, to the N.S.A. for use by Arabic-speaking bewhich they invited a number of broad- lievers in the Near East countries. > CURRENT BAHA'l ACTIVITIES 159 > > THE CAUSE OF BAHA'U'LLAH IN AUSTRALIA > AND NEW ZEALAND > 1937 In spite of what appears to be very slow > progress, it is good to look backwards along > i, > .N a continent such as Australia, measur- the last few years, and to be able to see the > ing 12,000 miles across, and with New solid foundations which have already been > Zealand four days' steaming away from her laid down, and upon which the various > most eastern shores, the greatest obstacle to ramifications of the Cause can rest seciirely > be overcome is that of distance. Contact in the future in these Southern lands. > with members of the different Assemblies Perhaps the most important piece of work > and Groups is an affair of extreme difficulty, yet accomplished has been the placing of the > and especially is this felt with regard to Administration of the Cause on a legal > National Spiritual Assembly matters and in foundation; this has already been accomthe meeting of delegates for the annual con- plished in Adelaide and in Auckland, and is > ventions. being undertaken in Sydney at the present > Yet, in spite of this enormous drawback time. > the N.S.A. has, since its formation four Under the auspices of the National Spiryears ago, held an annual series of meetings, itual Assembly a Baha'i Quarterly has been > at which members from Auckland, N.Z., published, and copies are being sent out regfrom Sydney, N.S.W., and from Adelaide, ularly to all Baha'is in the Southern Hem- > S.A., have met for a week at a time. isphere, as well as to the various National > In passing through Melbourne, Vic., the Assemblies of the world. This paper gives > members of the National Spiritual Assembly an account of the work done by the various > have contacted the Group in that city, and committees, and keeps members in touch > hopes are entertained for a Spiritual Assem- with the N.S.A. and its rulings. Its object > bly there in the near future. is to keep the believers informed of the af- > The Baha'i Group W.A., was > in Perth, fairs of the Cause, and to "cement the ties > last year numerically > strong enough to form of friendship between groups and individan Assembly, whereupon the N.S.A. dis- uals and the promotion of a secure bond of > patched one of its members to advise and fellowship in the service of the New World > instruct them on administrative matters. Order." > After the annual elections, N.S.A. meet- In accordance with the Guardian's wish > ings have been held for some days, at which that the Baha'i Magazine, "Herald of the > the plan of the year's work has been mapped South," should remain in publication, the > out; thereafter, for the term of their office, N.S.A. has made every effort to raise the > all communication has been by correspond- standard of the Magazine, and to improve > ence. This entails heavy work for the Sec- the set-up and cover design. > retary, and a great deal of time, but other- Since the formation of the National Spirwise appears to function quite successfully, itual Assembly in 1934, two conventions > though nothing of course can take the place have been held, both in Sydney. This city > of personal contact. makes the most convenient center, as the > That the number of Baha'is in these lands delegates from New Zealand have a four > is steadily increasing no one can doubt. And days' trip before them before they are able > what is more important is that the members to reach our eastern shore, and much preare gaining a wider knowledge of the Ad- cious time would be wasted if the meeting > ministration, a deeper loyalty to the Faith, place were still farther to the west. In > a more correct interpretation of the word 1936, however, it being the Centenary Year > "Unity," and a fuller realization of the fact of South Australia, the meetings of the > that faith is by deeds and not by words; N.S.A. were held in Adelaide. Friends were > in consequence of all this they are feel- invited and hospitality extended to the vising a deeper desire to put their faith to the itors. Joyous gatherings and festivities > test. were arranged. > 160 THE BAHA'f WORLD > All Assemblies and Groups hold fireside tion Stone has already been laid by "Father," > > meetings in addition to the usual weekly and it is hoped that a Summer School may > meeting. In Auckland a special Guest Eve- be held there in the near future. > ning is held once each month; friends and Advertised public meetings are held by all > enquirers are invited, supper is served, and Assemblies, and some valuable contacts have > there is informal asking and answering of been made. Feasts are, of course, attended > questions regarding the Cause. These by all Baha'is, bringing love and unity and > friendly talks seem to be greatly appreci- a better understanding to all; they are a > > ated. great spiritual blessing. > Youth Circles are being formed by the Interesting and helpful visits have been > various groilps, and show great promise. paid to this country by Miss Effie Baker and > Those two beloved pioneers, "Father and Mr. Fred Schopflocher. The former has re- > Mother" (Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn) are turned to her home near Melbourne after > still working as earnestly as ever for the many years of service at the Pilgrim House > Cause. They hold fireside meetings reg- at Haifa. Miss Baker visited Perth, Adeularly in their home, and spread the Teach- laide, Sydney and Melbourne on her way > ings of Baha'u'llah among an ever-widening home. We shall always remember this selfcircle of earnest enquirers. less servant of God, who made the Holy > Baha'i publications have been presented placesseem very much nearer to us, and > to all the chief libraries of Australia and who showed us by the example of her own > New Zealand, and inquiries made in Sydney life, the meaning of self-sacrifice and true > show that these books are in constant de- severance. Mr. Fred Schopflocher also made > mand. our hearts burn within us, as he spoke to > In the hills outside Sydney, amidst delight- us on the affairs of the Beloved Cause. He > ful bush scenery, the country home of > is set up high standard in his radiant pera > > two devoted members of the Sydney Group. sonality, and left us a memory of one endued > > Through their goodness of heart and love with happiness, peace, and content the goal > for the Cause, they have placed this home towards which Baha'is must all strive, and > at the disposal of the Sydney Assembly, to which should be the distinguishing mark of > be used as a Summer School. The Founda- every follower of Baha'u'llah. > > ANNUAL REPORT THE NATIONAL > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAH A 'IS > OF INDIA AND BURMA > 1937-1938 conspicuous, sustained endeavors on the part > of the believers for the consolidation of the > J.O the Baha'is of India and Burma institutions of the Cause and for the expan- > > Through the delegates to the 10th Annual sion of their activities in the service of the > Convention. beloved Faith. > Beloved friends: > Another year has passed a year which LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES: > was a natural consequence of the years we Local Spiritual Assemblies constitute the > have left behind. It is satisfactory to note bedrock on which stands the edifice of the > that believers all over India and Burma have Cause of God and as such the responsibilibecome more and more conscious of their ties that devolve upon them can be easily > > responsibilities and their efforts toward the imagined. People all around us are accusadvancement of the beloved Faith and have tomed to exclusiveness and division in all > > been assuming more and more organized affairs. Our environments are charged > form. with a spirit of justification of division in > The year under review is > replete with all matters. It is, therefore, one of the first > > many important events and is marked with duties of a Baha'i institution to protect the > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 161 > > believers under its jurisdiction from this all- leased by Baha'u'llah shall train the mempervading influence. The task is not easy bers of our Assemblies and that they will > as the human ego revolts against the su- become more and more self-sacrificing in > > preme sanction of universal love. It is the handling the affairs of the beloved Faith. > duty of the members of a Baha'i institu- "A Baha'i Community differs from other > tion to see that the learned associates with voluntary gatherings in that its foundation > the simple and unlearned, the rich with the is so deeply laid and broadly extended that > > poor, the mystic with the literalist, the it can include any sincere soul." Whereas > Hindu with the Muslim, the Muslim with in the more advanced countries of the world > > the Parsee, the high caste with the low a broad spirit is shown in the matter of recaste and on terms removing the advantage ligious belief, in India and Burma a most inof long established presumptions and privi- tolerant spirit is prevalent. Here a sincere > leges. "Bear in mind," says Shoghi Effendi, person is faced with many social difficulties. > "that the keynote of the Cause of God is not Hence the Cause, for all its power of growth > dictatorial authority, but humble fellow- and progress, develops slowly as regards the > ship; not arbitrary power, but the spirit of number of its active adherents. In spite of > frank and loving consultation." all these disabilities we are glad to report that > > As the years roll by the magnitude of the besides the increase in the number of isowork of a local Spiritual Assembly unfolds lated believers which approach to a total of > itself in a manner that the institution, if its 15, the various Assemblies, with the excepmembers are conscious of their responsibili- tion of a few, have made appreciable addities, has to expand and direct its activities tions to the respective communities. Bomon the lines laid down, in no uncertain bay has added 16 new members, Delhi 3, > terms, in its constitution. Poona 11, Calcutta 3, Karachi 2, Rangoon > It is > gratifying to note that all the local 3, total 53. hoped that the work put > It is > > Spiritual Assemblies showed signs of renewed in this year will produce its result in the > > energy and continued activity in propagat- year to come and we shall be in a position > ing the Divine Faith. They have been hold- to give better account in this respect. > > ing regular meetings including the Nineteen Day Feast and have been organizing THE STUDY GROUP AT LAHORE > themselves on the lines laid down in the offi- met almost every Sunday and made an incial Procedure for the conduct of a local tensive study of "fqan" (Urdu) (Book of > Spiritual Assembly. We admit that in some Certitude) The average attendance varied > . > > of the Assemblies the spirit of the "Proced- between seven and ten. The Birthday of Baure" has not yet been properly grasped, but ha'u'llah as well as the Baha'i New Year > it hoped that gradually these Assemblies > is Day was celebrated and many who were inwill realize their responsibilities and will terested responded to the invitation. At the > function in consonance with the spirit and three religious conferences held in Lahore, a > letter of the Laws laid down for their de- Baha'i representative read a paper. The Bavelopment. ha'i Central Library was used by many Ba- > > Every ounce of the energy of a local Spir- ha'is as well as by non-Baha'i friends. Unitual Assembly ought to be conserved and der the auspices of the Baha'i Study Circle, > directed to the propagation and protection lectures in Iranian were delivered by Jenabe > of the Divine Cause. Its members, while Isfandiar K.B. Bakhtiari of Karachi at the > > attending to their other duties, must so shape Punjab Literary League, Sanatan Dharam > their affairs that the outcome of their ef- College and Dyal Sigh College. This group > forts for solving the manifold questions that is > likely to develop into a Baha'i Assembly > confront them, be cohesion of forces and a very soon. We added one member as a becoming together of believers for the one and liever this year. > > only object the propagation of the Divine PUBLICITY. In the absence of any > Faith. All personal thoughts, mutual con- Committee, the National office did all it > > siderations must be sacrificed to achieve this could in giving publicity to the beloved > purpose. We pray that the Great Spirit re- Cause. Taking advantage of Miss Martha > 162 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Root's tour, leaflets were sent in advance to hibited some Baha'i photographs and books, > the press of the provinces she visited an- making them the basis of his talks with the > nouncing her arrival in their part of the people whom he found interested in the > country and giving a history of her world beloved Cause. Both Prof. Pritam Singh and > tours. This branch of our activity requires Mr. Isfandiar K. B. Bakhtiari spoke in una little more attention and it is hoped a equivocal terms of the great possibilities that > strong National Committee will take it into this great country holds for the Faith, proitshand and conduct its affairs regularly vided systematic and continued teaching > and vigorously. work is conducted there. > TEACHING. The object on which the Probably the most remarkable feature of > combined forces of the whole Baha'i Com- this year's teaching work is the arrival in > munity of India and Burma should be con- thiscountry of the world-famous teacher, > centrated is teaching the Divine Faith. In our dear sister Martha Root. She arrived > fact, all our energies, all our efforts, all our amongst us in October, 1937, and ever since > measures are meant to be directed for the her arrival she has not rested for a while > realization of this one object. The National but has been continually touring the coun- > Spiritual Assembly being fully cognizant of try. The details of her untiring efforts in > it has ever tried to shoulder this grave re- the interests of the beloved Faith have been > sponsibility according to the means which published in the News Letters and can be > the Community places at its disposal. Suc- referred to therein. > cess, however, should not be measured by Our dear sister, Miss Martha L. Root, > high sounding proposals but by deeds and visited altogether 14 towns, viz., Bombay, > results that our endeavors achieve. Surat, Poona, Calcutta, Rangoon, Mandalay, > In the beginning of the year the Re- Daidanaw, Shantiniketan, Madras, Trivangional Teaching Committees were formed dram, Colombo, Ajmer, Indore and Karachi, > but this being the first year for such Com- and most of these places were visited by > mittees, it is natural that a considerable her twice. She has attended since her artime would be consumed in organizing the four large gatherings; three of > rival here, > > personnel, surveying the field, planning a which were big religious congresses while > program of action and collecting and pre- the fourth one was a large gathering of oriparing material. In order that they might ental scholars. In every place she visited > have the benefit of the experience and ad- and in every congress she spoke she delivvice of the older Baha'is, these committees ered the Divine Message in the most stirring > were placed under different local Spiritual and appropriate language. About two hun- > Assemblies who, it is hoped, will now launch dred articles about the Divine Faith have > these committees on a wide teaching cam- appeared in the newspapers of Ceylon and Inpaign in their respective jurisdictions. dia from September 13, 1937, to February > In compliance with a resolution of the 13, 1938, and the Cause has been known to > N.S.A. Mr. Isfandiar K. B. Bakhtiari under- almost every educated person of the places > took a teaching tour to Kashmir a country visited by her. The most outstanding feayet unvisited by any of the Baha'i teachers. ture of her tour, probably, has been her visit > He met with great success, found the people to South India which was visited last year > of the country most receptive and in such by our dear and able sister, Mrs. Shirin K. > a fertile field he did much lecturing work, Fozdar, and which our beloved Guardian > thus bringing the beloved Faith to the notice wished to be pioneered by the N.S.A. of Inof the intelligentsia of the place. He was dia and Burma. Our valiant sister, Mrs. > so full ofhope about the great possibilities Shirin K. Fozdar, in company with our dear > for the Cause in that country that he pro- sister Miss Martha Root again carried out a > posed to the N.S.A. the despatch of another most efficient and effective tour in these > teacher to that country. Consequently Prof. parts and with their eloquent representation > Pritam Singh was voted to follow up his of the Holy Cause they impressed the notawork. Prof. Pritam Singh, availing himself bles and highly intellectual persons of this > of the occasion of an exhibition there, ex- yet unvisited part of the country. > CURRENT BAHA'l ACTIVITIES 163 > > Mrs. Shirin Fozdar with Dr. K. M. Foz- new edition. The book was received here > dar, according to a resolution of the N.S.A., after waiting for a considerable time and on > > joined Miss Martha Root at Madras for a receipt the altered texts were translated in > > tour in Southern India. They traveled to the two languages and the work of printing > Ceylon where they followed up the work proceeded. The books are now nearing comwhich a few weeks earlier Miss Martha Root pletion and will be out > shortly. "Mufahad done. Ceylon had never been visited wadaat-i-'Abdu'l-Baha" in Urdu is also in > by any Baha'i teacher and our beloved the press and will soon be available for dis- > Guardian had repeatedly instructed us to tribution. The small pamphlet, "Dawn of > tap this island. Our teachers, therefore, the New Day," was printed and about 5000 > did their best in teaching the Cause and it is were distributed free at the time of lectures > gratifying to note that their efforts were by traveling teachers 'in different towns and > crowned with unexpected success and the cities of the country. > Cause was known in that island to the point BAHA'f MAGAZINE. As has been hapthat, according to the opinion of these pening with this important publication of > teachers, a little more effort in teaching the Divine Faith from its very inception, its > there would certainly produce a strong publication had to be postponed this year > Spiritual Assembly. again for lack of sufficient funds. Its ab- > > During the latter half of the year under sence was keenly felt by the community, > review, the Local Assembly of > Spiritual especially by the Urdu friends,and repeated > Bombay requested that Mr. Siyyid Mahfuzul requests were received to re-start it at an > > Haq Ilmi's services be lent to them for two early date. At its half-yearly meeting, > months. The request was acceded to and therefore, the N.S.A. decided that the Maga- > Mr. Ilmi was assisted to render such valu- zine should be re-published. Meanwhile the > able services that the Baha'i community of Bombay Spiritual Assembly requested that > Bombay strongly requested the N.S.A. to the services of Mr. Ilmi be lent to them for > extend the period of Mr. Ilmi's stay. The two months. This was done, but at the > request was again granted and from reports expiration of this time, an application signed > itappears that Mr. Ilmi's stay there has been by a number of believers was received > very fruitful both in teaching and in bring- through the Bombay Local Assembly re- > > ing the friends together. questing that Mr. Ilmi be allowed to pro- > YOUTH ORGANIZATION. The one long his sojourn among them. The request > great thing that we have accomplished in was again granted and as Mr. Ilmi was the > the year under report is the organization of editor of the Magazine it had also to be > > youth committees throughout India and published from Bombay. > Burma, led, of course, by a National Youth We will fail in our duty if we do not ex- > Committee. On a request by the American press here our sincere and heartfelt grati- > National Youth Committee, > symposiums tude to Mr. Hormuzdyar Khudabakhsh Sawere held in the various centres under the bit who most selflessly edited the Iranian > > supervision of the respective Local Spiritual Section of the Baha'i Magazine. His illumi- > Assemblies on the 27th of February. nating and ably written articles, we are sure, > The committees have been actively work- must have been greatly appreciated by the > ing since then and the Baha'i Youth of In- readers. > dia and Burma are coming closer and closer Beloved friends, this is what we have all > to each other. accomplished through our combined en- > PUBLICATIONS. The Hindi and deavors and we now place before you what > Sindhi translations of "BahaVllah and the we desire to do in the year to come. > New Era" were ready for the press when it LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES. In > came to the notice of the N.S.A. that a new order to bring the friends closer so that they > English edition of the book had been pub- may coordinate their efforts, the N.S.A. prolished containing many improved additions. poses that inter-communication between the > It was, therefore, decided that these trans- various Assemblies should be started and > lations should be printed according to the where possible inter-Assembly meetings be > 164 THE BAHA'f WORLD > undertaken. By inter-communication we We must be grateful to our beloved Guardmean that the secretaries of the different As- ian for sending among us one of the most > sembliesmay correspond with one another famous and most effective teachers of the > through brief monthly letters which should Cause and the one practical way of showing > consist of two parts part one containing this gratitude is to help our sister in dif- > > the news of the Cause for the month, and fusing the fragrances of the holy Teachings > part two containing proposals and resolu- and to vigorously take up the work that she > tions to be carried out the next month and has done for us. The effort, no doubt, calls > the methods by which they are proposed to for a great sacrifice but we are sure that the > be carried out. This, we hope, will help the faithful servants of BahaVllah will rise up > friends to better know one another and will to the occasion and show such sacrifice and > help the secretaries to know of the condi- self-immolation as will gladden the heart of > tions prevailing in the sister Assemblies. our beloved Guardian and will practically > PUBLICITY. Although the Cause has help the Cause in these regions. The steps to > now been known from Kashmir to Cape teaching the Cause are sowing the seed and > Comorin and from Mandalay to Bombay, we then watering in a way that it may yield > should not relax in our efforts towards this abundant fruit. We have up to the present > most important arm of our service. We been engaged in sowing the seeds. The time, > hope that a strong publicity committee com- we believe, has come that we should water > posed of as few members as possible will be the seeds to bring forth fruit. This can be > formed and that a campaign, regular and done in only one way and that is by friends > well-organized, will be launched. In order sojourning in places where the beloved Cause > to make our committees fully organic and is not > sufficiently known and in places where > efficient, either their members should be se- its voice has not yet been raised. In one of > lected from amongst the persons who are its last sessions the N.S.-4- decided to request > well qualified and willing to do the work or the Local Assemblies of Bombay, Poona and > > they should be asked, after the selection, to Karachi to encourage friends to sojourn for > study the procedure and program of the par- business or some other means of livelihood > ticular sub-committee of the American in such places and establish themselves there > N.S.A. Without this the forming of sub- with the primary intention of providing a > committees is fruitless. rendezvous where the friends may gather, > TEACHING. The N.S.A., in its last an- and thus help them to be active in teaching > nual sessions, formed regional teaching com- the Cause and in increasing their numbers > mittees and entrusted them with the work until a Spiritual Assembly is formed; or, > of spreading the Cause in their allotted re- where there are no friends, to take up the > gions. They could not, however, function work of teaching and thus spread the Cause > for causes which we assume were beyond in the locality. We once more repeat this > their power to control. We hope that under request to the three above-named Local Asthe six-year plan which we are going to un- semblies and urge them to give a practical > fold and explain elsewhere, these Regional form to the N.S.A. resolution. We may > Teaching Committees will function vigor- make it clear here that in our opinion the > ously and conscientiously for the promotion Cause cannot prosper unless we send out > of the Divine Cause. teachers not only with the purpose of lectur- > It is a matter for joy and happiness that ing in a place for two or three days but with > our dear sister Miss Martha Root is still the object of staying in that place for such > among us and will stay here till the end of considerable time as will bring about, if not > the present Christian year. Her selfless ef- the establishment of a Local Spiritual Asforts have aided us a great deal. She has sembly, at least the creation of a study > made known the Divine Faith through the group matured to a point that its members > length and breadth of the country and has will look after the interests of the Cause and > smoothed our way to a great extent. It is increase their numbers with a view to formnow up to us that we should follow up the ing themselves into an Assembly. Here anwork that she has so strenuously achieved. other great necessity and essential responsi- > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 165 > > bility looms up. It is important that local and place for the Summer School will be > Assemblies and groups should be visited reg- fixed by the Convention every year and we > > ularly by visiting teachers who should stay request you to take this matter into considin these Assemblies for a considerable time eration and fix the time and the place for the > to consolidate themselves and to expand the first Baha'i Summer School in India. > Cause within their confines. We are aware The first Baha'i century is drawing to a > that we have very few teachers for the pur- close. Another six years and we shall have > pose, but whatever be the number of these passed it. It does not look creditable that a > teacherswe cannot afford to overlook this century should pass and we should remain > important duty. The expenses of these where we are. We propose that a six-year > teachers will, of course, be met by the Local plan be adopted to do some solid work for > Assemblies to which they are deputed on re- the beloved Cause. It is our suggestion that > > quest. These teachers will not only teach each local Assembly be made responsible to > the Cause but also try to stimulate the establish a new Assembly in the province of > friends to energetic Baha'i service making its Regional Teaching Committee by setting > them cognizant of the great responsibilities its heart for the achievement of this purpose > that devolve upon them as the faithful by every possible means. > servants of BahaVllah. This is our suggestion. The N.S.A. will > Feeling the lack of teachers among us the discuss its details if you lend your support to > N.S.A. in one of its last sessions decided to it after discussing it among yourselves since > hold a summer school in India. The purpose the step is so important that without your > of the summer school has been explained by sincere and efficient support it has no chances > our beloved Guardian > in the following of success. It will require the sojourn, for a > > terms: "The purpose of all Baha'i > basic considerable time, of a teacher in the place > Summer Schools, whether in East or West, is selected for the realization of our objective. > to give the believers the opportunity to ac- The teacher will be directly under the Local > quaint themselves, not only by mere study Spiritual Assembly through its Regional > but through whole-hearted and active col- Teaching Committee. The financial details > laboration in various Baha'i activities, with and the procedure of action will be discussed > essentials of the Administration, and in this and formulated by the N.S.A., after your > way enable them to become efficient and able conscientious and whole-hearted approval, > > promoters of the Cause. The teaching of and transmitted to you through the National > the Administration is, therefore, an indis- Office. > > pensable feature of every Baha'i Summer PUBLICATION. Through the constant > School and its special significance can be prayers and effective instructions of the Bebetter understood if we realize the great loved Guardian the Holy Faith has been deneed of every believer to-day for a more ade- veloping of late in surprisingly quick strides. > quate understanding of the social principles The continuous tours of Mrs. Shirin Fozdar > and laws of the Faith. It is now when the and Prof. Pritam Singh, the quickening > Cause is passing through some of the most visits of Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher and Miss > difficult stages of its development, that the Martha Root, the tours of Messrs. Isfandiar > friends should equip themselves with the Bakhtiari, Hishmatu'llah and Mahfuzul Haq > necessary knowledge of the Administration." Ilmi have given an unprecedented publicity > This, then, being the purpose you can well to our Faith and the demand for literature > imagine how important it is to establish at has been growing with the growing publicleast one school in India and Burma. The ity. It does not require much thought to > > question of finances is, of course, one of the conclude that our equipment in literature > hindrances, but we propose that the partici- both for free distribution and for sale should > pants in the school shall bear their own ex- be as adequate as possible to meet the everpenses. The school will last for one month increasing demand. We > propose the formaonly and the expenses will be such as to suit tion of an Indian Publishing Committee on > even the most moderate pocket. The deci- the lines of American Publishing Committee > sion of the N.S.A. lavs down that the time who should advise the N.S.A., after studying > 166 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the needs of the Cause, as to which pam- the measures proposed are such as are comphlets should be published for free distribu- manded to be avoided as much as possible but > tion, and the right to direct the free distri- in view of the heavy burden on the National > > bution shall also be vested in this Committee. Fund and the training of the friends in this > The Committee shall also consider and de- respect we suggest that they may be accepted > cide upon which books and their translations temporarily until such time as the National > in different languages should be undertaken. Fund is in a position where such measures > A Reviewing Committee should also be will become unnecessary of themselves. > formed to whom these translations shall be CHILDREN'S EDUCATION. The > submitted for review and report to the Pub- N.S.A. always been mindful of this > has > > lishing Committee who will then recommend important duty; but as the financial considthem to the N.S.A. for final decision. The erations stand in the way we cannot give > Publishing Committee shall also control the practical shape to our thoughts. When, > National Book-stall. It shall adopt all mod- therefore, we learned last year that our dear > ern ways and means to effect the sale of the brothers of Poona have established a Primary > literature. It shall be continually writing to School for the education of children we felt > the local Assemblies and individual believers greatly relieved and in our heart of hearts > requesting them to patronize the Book-stall. thanked these noble souls for this noble dis- > It shall write to the American Publishing charge of their duty. We take this oppor- > Committee, provided the N.S.A. permits it tunity to remind the believers of the necesto do so, to supply all orders from India and sity of a Koodikstan in India and Burma for > Burma received direct by them through the the education of Baha'i children. This has > Indian Publishing Committee. All Indian been on the Agenda of the N.S.A. for the > and Burmese Local Assemblies shall also sell last many years and a reserve fund for the > the Baha'i literature which they hold in their purpose is in the bank. % It is now high time > stocks through this Committee which means that we should take this matter in hand and > that the prices of the stocks held by these do something tangible in this respect. > Assemblies shall be fixed and controlled by FINANCES. Beloved friends, you have > this Committee and the Assemblies shall not understood what we propose to do in the year > sell at a higher or lower price than that fixed before us. Every one of us understands in > by this Committee. the words of the beloved Guardian that "the > BAHA'f MAGAZINE. This publication progress and extension of Spiritual activities > shall also be placed under the management is > dependent and conditioned upon material > and direction of the Indian Publishing Com- means." The Baha'i National Fund is the > mittee who will be responsible for its public- bedrock on which stands the edifice of all > ity and sale. The Magazine, however, will be our proposals and all our activities. Unless > conducted on its literary side by its editors we strengthen the bedrock we cannot hope > who will be assisted by contributors whom to have a stable edifice nay, any edifice at > you might now choose. We suggest that a all. We have labored all our Baha'i lives to > contributor for this Magazine may be chosen see the beloved Cause prosper in our land and > from each local Assembly. Our past experi- our selfless labors and unsolicited sacrifice > ence, we regret to state, has been very bitter have brought it to the threshold of vast posin this respect; we, therefore, request you to sibilities. Aided and assisted by the wonderchoose a contributor who is capable of and is ful administration that our beloved Guardwilling to undertake the work. In order to ian has effectively established among us we > improve the financial side of the Magazine have been progressing from one step to anwe propose two ways: either each Local As- other until we have reached the point where > sembly shall pay monthly a fixed amount of a little more energetic and effective effort > > subscription to it from its own funds or that will usher us into a vast field of victory. Is > each Local Assembly shall be made responsi- it meet for the lovers of Baha'u'llah, for the > ble for a certain number of subscribers, the faithful servants of the Blessed Beauty to reindividual believers shall be approached by lax their endeavors which have brought us > the Publishing Committee. We > confess that to the door of success and victory? Beloved > CURRENT BAHA'f ACTIVITIES 167 > > friends, just look back a little at our early the last year's accounts. In view of the pro- > Iranian brothers and sisters. They gave their posals that we have ventured to place before > all, their lives, to further the Cause of their you the budget will naturally be heavy. You > Beloved. With their holy blood they wa- are, therefore, called upon to give generously > tered the tree which the Powerful Fingers of and liberally to the National Fund. We sug- > God had planted and while hastening to the gest that the entire body of the believers in > Court of the Beloved they entrusted this India and Burma should know of their re- > Holy Tree to our care and trust. Should we sponsibility and each believer should be asked > fail these Holy Martyrs? Should we be nay urged to so arrange his affairs that > found wanting in discharging the responsi- he can give his mite to the beloved Faith. > that our Beloved Faith places on our > bilities The local Spiritual Assemblies should take > shoulders? We are surely faithful and loyal, this responsibility of persuading the believas you have proved, to the beloved Cause. ers in their respective jurisdictions while > Now you will cheerfully advance to the the National office should approach the > plain of service and sacrifice and resolve to individual believers with the important rebring to fruition the proposals that we have quest. > placed before you. The National Treasurer ABBASALLY BUTT, > will read to you his report and will give you Secretary. > > BAHA'I ACTIVITIES IN INDIA AND BURMA > 1936-1938 A SUMMARY resentative was invited and the papers presented were listened to with the deepest > D,CURING the years under review great interest. During the last two years several > and significant progress has been made in the such Conferences were held but the one at > way of teaching the Cause in India as well as Nasik and the other at Calcutta (Parliament > in Burma. Hitherto South India or the of Religions) held in January, 1937, are > Madras Presidency has not been reached by worthy of mention. At both these Mrs. > the Baha'is and the valley of Kashmir in the Shirin Fozdar lectured to thousands of peo- > North had not been opened up to Baha'i ple assembled there. Pamphlets were freely > teaching. Many teachers like Mirza Mah- distributed and great enthusiasm prevailed. > mood Zarghani, late Mirza Mehram, Syed A special feature of the period under re- > Mustafa Roumie and among the American view has been the facility afforded by broadteachers late Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler, casting authorities to broadcast the message > Mrs. Schopflocher, Miss Martha Root and of Baha'u'llah from stations like Bombay, > others had visited the Indian State of Hyder- Delhi and Lahore. These broadcast lectures > abad (Deccan), but this state being the seat were listened to with great eagerness and > of Moslem orthodoxy, the work of the Ba- opened a new avenue for propagating the > ha'i teachers had by no means been an easy Baha'i Faith in this vast country. > one. This year (1937) Mrs. Shirin Fozdar The press in India as well as in Burma has > on her return from the teaching tour in been very helpful. Articles concerning the > Burma spent some time in the Madras Presi- Cause have appeared from time to time in > dency (South India) and visited Madras, papers such as the "Illustrated Weekly of > Bangalore and Her lectures at > Mysore. India," Bombay, The "Rangoon Times" of > Adyar (Madras), the Headquarters of the Rangoon (Burma), the "Advocate" of Cal- > Theosophical Society, were very much ap- cutta and the "Daily Gazette" of Karachi. > preciated. She succeeded in organising a Several monthly magazines have published > unity group there. articles from the pen of competent Baha'i > In Northern India the follow-up work writers. Through this agency the Cause has > was continued with great earnestness. At been spread all over India and Burma. Durevery Conference of Religions held in differ- ing the period under review almost all the > ent pa/ts of India in the North, a Baha'i rep- big University centres in India were visited > 168 THE BAHA'f WORLD > by the Baha'i teachers, some places being vis- sity authorities, a set of Baha'i books were > ited by two or three Baha'i teachers in suc- presented to the University library on behalf > cession. The important towns visited were of the National Spiritual Assembly of India > Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Aligarh, Benares, and Burma. Copies of the Urdu, Bengali, > Calcutta, Lahore, Allahabad, Hyderabad Burmese and Gujrati translations of Essle- > (Deccan), Rangoon, Bombay, Poona, Banga- mont's "Baha'u'llah and the New Era" were > lore, Mysore and Bolepur (Ta gore's Univer- presented to different libraries throughout > sity). Mr. Fred Schopflocher of Canada, a India and Burma. The Hindi and Sindhi > distinguished Baha'i, made a rapid tour of translations were in the press and when pub- > Burma and India during December of 1936 lished will be duly placed in the libraries. > and January of 1937. He delivered many The Regional Teaching Committees have > lectures and interviewed prominent people, lately been constituted under the supervision > among whom were many professors and stu- of Local Spiritual Assemblies and have taken > dents, and created a very favorable impres- up the teaching work in hand. India being > sion in the Moslem University of Aligarh a vast country of many languages and many > > and in the Benares Hindu University great faiths, the task of the National Spiritual Asseats of learning in India. sembly is by no means an easy one. What > Contacts were formed with the Theo- we need is an effective campaign of teaching > sophical Society as well as with the Brahmo and as recommended by the Guardian this is > Samaj, both liberal and progressive religious to be done by individual Baha'is wherever > movements having a large membership they be residing. > among the educated Indians. These organ- In conclusion it is interesting to note that > izations received the Baha'is with open arms an experiment in education has been set on > and evinced great interest in the Baha'i foot by starting a primary school in Poona > > teachings. In addition to this intensive open to children of all classes and creeds. > teaching, tours were undertaken in the prov- The school is being run*on Baha'i lines and is > inces of Sindh, in Burma and in the Indian soon expected to develop into a High School. > state of Kashmir, the last place having been An ear-marked Kudikstan Fund has also > > visitedby Mr. Isfandiar K. B. Bakhtiari of been started for establishing a school for Ba- > Karachi in June and by Mr. Pritam Singh in ha'i children. This in brief is the work done > September, 1937. The eighth and ninth All- by the Baha'is in India and much more has > India Baha'i Conventions were held in Delhi yet to be done. The work of teaching is > and Karachi respectively in 1936 and 1937. proceeding apace and, it is hoped, the Cause > Public lectures arranged in this connection will make more rapid strides in the years to > at Karachi (1937) attracted great notice come. > and were attended by all classes of people PRITAM SINGH, > among the intelligentsia. Corresponding Editor, Indian Section. > Conventions were held in Burma as well. Srinagar (Kashmir) > At special request of the Mysore Univer- September 1, 1937. > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'I SACRED > WRITINGS > PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS > BY BAHA'U'LLAH > > G."LORIFIED art Thou, O Lord my God! Suffer me not, O > my Lord, to be deprived > Every man of insight confesseth Thy sover- of the knowledge of Thee in Thy days, and > > eignty and Thy dominion, and every discern- divest me not of the robe of Thy guidance. > > ing eye perceiveth the greatness of Thy maj- Give me to drink of the river that is life inesty and the compelling power of Thy might. deed, whose waters have streamed forth from > The winds of tests are powerless to hold back the Paradise (Rid van) in which the throne > them that enjoy near access to Thee from of Thy Name, the All-Merciful, was estabsetting their faces towards the horizon of lished, that mine eyes may be opened, and > > Thy glory, and the tempests of trials must my face be illumined, and my heart be asfail to draw away and hinder such as are sured, and my soul be enlightened, and my > wholly devoted to Thy will from approach- steps be made firm. > ing Thy court. Thou art He Who from everlasting was, > Methinks, the lamp of Thy love is burning through the potency of His might, supreme > in their hearts, and the light of Thy tender- over all things, and, through the operation of > ness is lit within their breasts. Adversities His will, was able to ordain all things. Nothare incapable of estranging them from Thy ing whatsoever, whether in Thy heaven or on > Cause, and the vicissitudes of fortune can Thy earth, can frustrate Thy purpose. Have > never cause them to stray from Thy pleasure. mercy, then, upon me, O my Lord, through > I beseech Thee, O my God, by them and Thy gracious providence and generosity, and > by the sighs which their hearts utter in their incline mine ear to the sweet melodies of the > > separation from Thee, to keep them safe* birds that warble their praise of Thee, amidst > from the mischief of Thine adversaries, and the branches of the tree of Thy oneness. > to nourish their souls with what Thou hast Thou art the Great Giver, the Ever-Forordained for Thy loved ones on whom shall giving, the Most Compassionate. > come no fear and who shall not be put to > grief. Glorified art Thou, O Lord my God! I > beseech Thee by Him Who is Thy Most > Unto Thee be praise, O Lord my God! I Great Name, Who hath been sorely afflicted > entreat Thee, by Thy signs that have encom- by such of Thy creatures as have repudiated > passed the entire creation, and by the light Thy truth, and Who hath been hemmed in > of Thy countenance that hath illuminated by sorrows which no tongue can describe, to > that are in heaven and on earth, and by > all > grant that I may remember Thee and cele- > Thy mercy that hath surpassed all created brate Thy praise, in these days when all have > things, and by Thy grace that hath suffused turned away from Thy beauty, have disthe whole universe, to rend asunder the veils puted with Thee, and turned away disdainthat shut me out from Thee, that I may fully from Him Who is the Revealer of Thy > hasten unto the Fountain-Head of Thy Cause. None is there, O my Lord, to help > mighty inspiration, and to the Day-Spring Thee except Thine own Self, and no power > of Thy Revelation and bountiful favors, and to succor Thee save Thine own power. > may be immersed beneath the ocean of Thy I entreat Thee to enable me to cleave > nearness and pleasure. steadfastly to Thy Love and Thy remem- > Interior of room in Haji Mirza Jani's house where the Bab stayed while > in Kashan, fran. > > Interior of Vahid's room in the Fortress > of Khajih in Nayriz, fran. > > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 171 > > brance. This is, verily, within my power, are burnt up by the fire of their yearning > and Thou art the One that knoweth all that after Thee in Thy days. I implore Thee, O > is in me. Thou, in truth, art knowing, ap- Thou Maker of the heavens and Lord of all > prised of all. Deprive me not, O my Lord, names, by Thy most effulgent Self and Thy > of the splendors of the light of Thy face, most exalted and all-glorious Remembrance, > whose brightness hath illuminated the whole to send down upon Thy loved ones that > world. No God is there beside Thee, the which will draw them nearer unto Thee, and > Most Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Ever- enable them to hearken unto Thine utter- > Forgiving. ances. > Tear asunder with the hand of Thy tran- > Magnified be Thy name, O Lord my God! scendent power, O my Lord, the veil of vain > Thou art He Whom all things worship and imaginings, that they who are wholly de- > Who worshipeth no one, Who is Lord of all voted to Thee may see Thee seated on the > things and is the vassal of none, Who know- throne of Thy majesty, and the eyes of such > eth all things and is known of none. Thou as adore Thy unity may rejoice as the splendidst wish to make Thyself known unto dors of the glory of Thy face. The doors of > men; therefore, Thou didst, through a word hope have been shut against the hearts that > of Thy mouth, bring creation into being and long for Thee, O my Lord! Their keys are > fashion the universe. There is none other in Thy hands; open them by the power of > > God except Thee, the Fashioner, the Creator, Thy might and Thy sovereignty. Potent art > the Almighty, the Most Powerful. Thou to do as Thou pleasest. Thou art, > I implore Thee, by this very word that verily, the Almighty, the Beneficent. > hath shone forth above the horizon of Thy > me to drink deep of the living > will, to enable Praise be to Thee, O Lord my God! I > > waters through which Thou hast vivified the swear by Thy might! Successive afflictions > hearts of Thy chosen ones and quickened the have withheld the pen of the Most High > souls of them that love Thee, that I may, at from laying bare that which is hidden from > all times and under all conditions, turn my the eyes of Thy creatures, and incessant trials > face wholly towards Thee. have hindered the tongue of the Divine Or- > Thou art the God of power, of glory and dainer from proclaiming the wonders of Thy > bounty. No God is there beside Thee, the glorification and praise. With a stammer- > Supreme Ruler, the All-Glorious, the Om- ing tongue, therefore, I call upon Thee, > niscient. O my God, and with this my afflicted pen > [ > occupy myself in remembrance of Thy > Lauded be Thy name, O my God! Thou name. > beholdest me in the clutches of my oppres- Is there any man of insight, O my God, > sors. Every time I turn to my right, I hear that can behold Thee with Thine own eye, > the voice of the lamentation of them that and where is the thirsty one who can direct > are dear to Thee, whom the infidels have his face towards the living waters of Thy > made captives for having believed in Thee love? I am the one, O my God, who hath > and in Thy signs, and for having set their blotted out from his heart the remembrance > faces towards the horizon of Thy grace and of all except Thee, and hath graven upon it > of Thy loving-kindness. And when I turn the mysteries of Thy love. Thine own might > to my left, I hear the clamor of the wicked beareth me witness! But for tribulations, > doers who have disbelieved in Thee and in how could the assured be distinguished from > Thy signs, and persistently striven to put the doubters among Thy servants? They > out the light of Thy lamp which sheddeth who have been inebriated with the wine of > the radiance of Thine own Self over all that Thy knowledge, these, verily, hasten to meet > are in Thy heaven and all that are on Thy every manner of adversity in their longing to > earth. pass into Thy presence. I implore Thee, O > The hearts of Thy chosen ones, O my Beloved of my heart and the Object of my > Lord, have melted because of their separation soul's adoration, to shield them that love me > > from Thee, and the souls of Thy loved ones from the faintest trace of evil and corrupt > The of the > the lib His In > > Mural on the wall of Manuchihr Khan's > tomb, fran. > > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 173 > > desires. Supply them, then, with the good in the Tablets of Thy Revelation, and orof this world and of the next. dained in the books of Thy decree and judg- > Thou art, verily, He Whose grace hath ment. > guided them aright, He Who hath declared My blood, at all times, addresseth me say- > Himself to be the All-Merciful. No God is ing:"O Thou Who art the Image of the > there but Thee, the All-Glorious, the Su- Most Merciful! How long will it be ere > preme Helper. Thou riddest me of the captivity of this > world, and deliverest me from the bondage > Praise be to Thee, O Lord my God! I be- of this life? Didst Thou not promise me > seech Thee by this Revelation whereby dark- that Thou shalt dye the earth with me, and > ness hath been turned into light, through sprinkle me on the faces of the inmates of > which the Frequented Fane hath been built, Thy Paradise?" To this I make reply: "Be > and the Written Tablet revealed, and the thou patient and quiet thyself. The things > Outspread Roll uncovered, to send down thou desirest can last but an hour. As for > upon me and upon them who are in my me, however, I quaff > continually in the > company that which will enable us to soar path of God the cup of His decree, and wish > into the heavens of Thy transcendent glory, not that the ruling of His will should cease > and will wash us from the stain of such to operate, or that the woes I suffer for the > doubts as have hindered the suspicious from sake of my Lord, the Most Exalted, the Allentering into the tabernacle of Thy unity. Glorious, should be ended. Seek thou my > I am the one, O > my Lord, who hath held wish and forsake thine own. Thy bondage > fast to the cord of Thy loving-kindness, and is not for > my protection, but to enable me > clung to the hem of Thy mercy and favors. to sustain successive tribulations, and to pre- > Do Thou ordain for me and for my loved pare me for the trials that must needs reones the good of this world and of the world peatedly assail me. Perish that lover who > to come. Supply them, then, with the Hid- discerneth between the pleasant and the > den Gift Thou didst ordain for the choicest poisonous in his love for his beloved! Be > among Thy creatures. thou satisfied with what God hath destined > These are, O my Lord, the days in which for thee. He, verily, ruleth over thee as He > Thou hast bidden Thy servants to observe willeth and pleaseth. No God is there but > the fast. Blessed is he that observeth the Him, the Inaccessible, the Most High." > fast wholly for Thy sake and with absolute > detachment from all things except Thee. Magnified be Thy name, O Lord my God! > Assist me and assist them, O my Lord, to I know not what the water is with which > obey Thee and to keep Thy precepts. Thou, Thou hast created me, or what the fire Thou > verily, hast power to do what Thou choosest. hast kindled within me, or the clay where- > There is no God but Thee, the All-Know- with Thou hast kneaded me. The restlessing, the All-Wise. All praise be to God, the ness of every sea hath been stilled, but not > Lord of all worlds. the restlessness of this Ocean which moveth > at the bidding of the winds of Thy will. > Glorified be Thy name, O Lord my God! The flame of every fire hath been extin- > Thou beholdest my dwelling-place, and the guished except the Flame which the hands > prison into which I am cast, and the woes I of Thine omnipotence have kindled, and > suffer. By Thy might! No pen can re- whose radiance Thou hast, by the power of > count them, nor can any tongue describe or Thy name, shed abroad before all that are > number them. I know not, O my God, for in Thy heaven and all that are on Thy earth. > what purpose Thou hast abandoned me to As the tribulations deepen, it waxeth hotter > Thine adversaries. Thy glory beareth me and hotter. > witness! I sorrow not for the vexations I Behold, then, O my God, how Thy Light > endure for love of Thee, nor feel perturbed hath been compassed with the onrushby the calamities that overtake me in Thy ing winds of Thy decree, how the tempests > path. My grief is rather because Thou de- that blow and beat upon it from every > > layest to fulfill what Thou hast determined side have added to its brightness and in- > 174 THE BAHA'f WORLD > creased its splendor. For all this let Thee Who from everlasting hath succored whosobe praised. ever hath sought Thee, and bountifully > I implore Thee, by Thy Most Great Name, favored him who hath asked Thee. > and Thy most ancient sovereignty, to look No God is there beside Thee, the Mighty, > upon Thy loved ones whose hearts have been the Ever-Abiding, the All-Bounteous, the > > sorely shaken by reason of the troubles that Most Generous. > have touched Him Who is the Manifestation > of Thine own Self. Powerful art Thou to Lauded be Thy name, O Lord my God! > do what pleaseth Thee. Thou art, verily, Darkness hath fallen upon every land, and > the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. the forces of mischief have encompassed all > > the nations. Through them, however, I > > Thou Whose face is the object of the perceive the splendors of Thy wisdom, and > adoration of all that yearn after Thee, discern the brightness of the light of Thy > Whose presence is the hope of such as are providence. > wholly devoted to Thy will, Whose nearness They that are shut out as by a veil from > is the desire of all that have drawn nigh Thee have imagined that they have the > unto Thy court, Whose countenance is the power to put out Thy light, and to quench > companion of those who have recognized Thy fire, and to still the winds of Thy > Thy truth, Whose name is the mover of grace. Nay, and to this Thy might bearthe souls that long to behold Thy face, eth me witness! Had not every tribulation > Whose voice is the true life of Thy lovers, been made the bearer of Thy wisdom, and > the words of Whose mouth are as the wa- every ordeal the vehicle of Thy providence, > ters of life unto all who are in heaven and no one would have dared oppose us, though > on earth! the powers of earth and heaven were to be > 1 beseech Thee, by the wrong Thou hast leagued against us. Were I to unravel the > suffered and the ills inflicted upon Thee by wondrous mysteries of Thy wisdom which > the hosts of wrongful doers, to send down are laid bare before me, the reins of Thine > > upon me from the clouds of Thy mercy enemies would be cleft asunder. > that which will purify me of all that is not Glorified be Thou, then, O my God! I beof Thee, that I may be worthy to praise seech Thee by Thy Most Great Name to > Thee and fit to love Thee. assemble them that love Thee around the > Withhold not from me, O my Lord, the Law that streameth from the good-pleasure > things Thou didst ordain for such of Thy of Thy will, and to send down upon them > handmaidens as circle around Thee, and on what will assure their hearts. > whom are poured continually the splendors Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. > of the sun of Thy beauty and the beams of Thou art, verily, the Help in Peril, the Selfthe brightness of Thy face. Thou art He Subsisting. > > GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF > BAHA' U'LLAH > -LiAUDED and glorified art Thou, O Lord, been created by virtue of Thy behest. And > my God! How can I make mention of Thee, if I extol Thee as Him Who is the All-Wise, > assured as I am that no tongue, however deep I, likewise, am forced to recognize that the > itswisdom, can befittingly magnify Thy Well Springs of wisdom have themselves > name, nor can the bird of the human heart, been generated through the operation of > however great its longing, ever hope to Thy Will. And if I proclaim Thee as the > ascend into the heaven of Thy majesty and Incomparable One, I soon discover that they > knowledge. Who are the inmost essence of oneness have > If I describe Thee, O my God, as Him been sent down by Thee and are but the > Who is the All-Perceiving, I find myself evidences of Thine handiwork. And if I > compelled to admit that They Who are the acclaim Thee as the Knower of all things, I > highest Embodiments of perception have must confess that they Who are the Quin- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 175 > > tessence of knowledge are but the creation strict observance of whatsoever hath been > and instruments of Thy Purpose. sent down from the empyrean of the Divine > > Exalted, immeasurably exalted, art Thou Will that pervadeth all that is in the heavabove the strivings of mortal man to unravel ens and all that is on the earth. > > Thy mystery, to describe Thy glory, or even The Revelation which, from time immeto hint at the nature of Thine Essence. For morial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose > whatever such strivings may accomplish, and Promise of all the Prophets of God, and > they never can hope to transcend the limita- the most cherished Desire of His Messentions imposed upon Thy creatures, inasmuch gers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive > actuated by Thy decree, > as these efforts are Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible > and are begotten of Thine invention. The bidding, been revealed unto men. The adloftiest sentiments which the holiest of vent of such a Revelation hath been hersaints can express in praise of Thee, and the alded in all the sacred Scriptures. Behold > deepest wisdom which the most learned of how, notwithstanding such an announcemen can utter in their attempts to compre- ment, mankind hath strayed from its path > hend Thy nature, all revolve around that and shut out itself from its glory. > Center Which is wholly subjected to Thy Say: O ye lovers of the One true God! > sovereignty, Which adoreth Thy Beauty, and Strive, that ye may truly recognize and > is propelled through the movement of Thy know Him, and observe befittingly His pre- > Pen. cepts. This is a Revelation, under which, > Nay, forbid it, O my God, that I should if a man shed for its sake one > drop of blood, > have uttered such words as must of neces- myriads of oceans will be his recompense. > sity imply the existence of any direct rela- Take heed, O friends, that ye forfeit not > tionship between the Pen of Thy Revelation so inestimable a benefit, or disregard its > > and the essence of created things. > all Far, transcendent station. Consider the multifar are They Who are related to Thee above tude of lives that have been, and are still > the conception of such relationship! All being, sacrificed in a world deluded by a > comparisons and likenesses fail to do justice mere phantom which the vain imaginations > to the Tree of Thy Revelation, and every of its peoples have conceived. Render > way barred to the comprehension of the > is thanks unto God, inasmuch ye have at- as > > Manifestation of Thy Self and the Day tained unto your heart's Desire, and been > > Spring of Thy Beauty. united to Him Who is the Promise of all > Far, far from Thy glory be what mortal nations. Guard ye, with the aid of the one > man can affirm of Thee, or attribute unto true God exalted be His glory the integ- > Thee, or the praise with which he can rity of the station which ye have attained, > glorify Thee! Whatever duty Thou hast and cleave to that which shall promote His > prescribed unto Thy servants of extolling to Cause. He, verily, enjoineth on you what > the utmost Thy majesty and glory is but a is > right and conducive to the exaltation of > token of Thy grace unto them, that they man's station. Glorified be the All-Mercimay be enabled to ascend unto the station ful, the Revealer of this wondrous Tablet. > conferred upon their own inmost being, the > station of the knowledge of their own selves. This is the Day in which God's most > No one else besides Thee hath, at any excellent favors have been poured out upon > time, been able to fathom Thy mastery, or men, the Day in which His most mighty > befittingly to extol Thy greatness. Un- grace hath been infused into all created > searchable and high above the praise of men things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples > > wilt Thou remain for ever. There is none of the world to reconcile their differences, > other God but Thee, the Inaccessible, the and, with perfect unity and peace, abide be- > Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the Holy of neath the shadow of the Tree of His care > Holies. and loving-kindness. It behooveth them to > cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be > The beginning of all things is the knowl- conducive to the exaltation of their stations, > edge of God, and the end of all things is and to the promotion of their best interests. > 176 THE BAHA'I WORLD > Happy are those whom the all-glorious Pen love to one another. Should any one > was moved to remember, and blessed are among you be incapable of grasping a certhose men whose names, by virtue of Our tain truth, or be striving to comprehend it, > inscrutable decree, We have preferred to show forth, when conversing with him, a > conceal. spirit of extreme kindliness and good- will. > Beseech ye the one true God to grant that Help him to see and recognize the truth, > allmen may be graciously assisted to fulfill without esteeming yourself to be, in the > that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon least,superior to him, or to be possessed of > will the present-day order be rolled up, and greater endowments. > a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, The whole duty of man in this Day is to > thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the attain that share of the flood of grace which > Knower of things unseen. God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of > This is the Day whereon the Ocean of the receptacle. The portion of some might > God's mercy hath been manifested unto lie in the palm of a man's hand, the portion > > men, the Day in which the Day Star of His of others might fill a cup, and of others > loving-kindness hath shed its radiance upon even a gallon-measure. > > them, the Day in which the clouds of His Every eye, in this Day, should seek what > bountiful favor have overshadowed the will best promote the Cause of God. He, > whole of mankind. Now is the time to Who is the Eternal Truth, beareth Me witcheer and refresh the down-cast through the ness! Nothing whatever can, in this Day, > invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, harm upon this Cause than > inflict a greater > > and the living waters of friendliness and dissension and strife, contention, estrange- > > charity. ment and apathy, among the loved ones of > They who are the beloved of God, in God. Flee them, through the power of God > whatever place they gather and whomso- and His sovereign aid, ahd strive ye to knit > ever they may meet, must evince, in their together the hearts of men, in His Name, > attitude towards God, and in the manner the Unifier, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. > of their celebration of His praise and glory, Beseech ye the one true God to grant that > such humility and submissiveness that every ye may taste the savor of such deeds as are > atom of the dust beneath their feet may performed in His path, and partake of the > attest the depth of their devotion. The con- sweetness of such humility and submissiveversation carried by these holy souls should ness as are shown for His sake. Forget your > be informed with such power that these own selves, and turn your eyes towards your > same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its neighbor. Bend your energies to whatever > influence. They should conduct themselves may foster the education of men. Nothing > in such manner that the earth upon which is, or can ever be, hidden from God. If ye > > they tread may never be allowed to address follow in His way, His incalculable and imto them such words as these: "I am to be perishable blessings will be showered upon > preferred above you. For witness, how pa- you. This the luminous Tablet, whose > is > > tient I am in bearing the burden which the verses have streamed from the moving Pen > husbandman layeth upon me. I am the in- of Him Who is the Lord of all worlds. > strument that continually imparteth unto Ponder it in your hearts, and be ye of them > all beings the blessings with which He Who that observe its precepts. > is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. > > Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon Behold, how the divers peoples and kinme, and the unnumbered evidences of my dreds of the earth have been waiting for the > wealth a wealth that supplieth the needs coming of the Promised One. No sooner > of all creation behold the measure of my had He, Who is the Sun of Truth, been > humility, witness with what absolute sub- made manifest, than, lo, all turned away > missiveness I allow myself to be trodden be- from Him, except them whom God was > neath the feet of men. . . ." pleased to guide. We > dare not, in this Day, > Show forbearance and benevolence and lift the veil that concealeth the exalted sta- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 177 > > tion which every true believer can attain, for whom the Almighty was pleased to guide, > the joy which such a revelation must pro- were found dumbfounded and heedless. > voke might well cause a few to faint away O thou that hast remembered Me! The > and die. most grievous veil hath shut out the peo- > He Who is the Heart and Center of the ples of the earth from His glory, anH hin- > Bay an hath written: "The germ that holdeth dered them from hearkening to His call. > within itself the potentialities of the Reve- God grant that the light of unity may enlation that is to come is endowed with a velop the whole earth, and that the seal, > potency superior to the combined forces of "the Kingdom is God's," may be stamped > all those who follow Me." And, again, He upon the brow of all its peoples. > saith: "Of all the tributes I have paid to > Him Who is to come after Me, the greatest By the righteousness of God! These are > is this, My written confession, that no words the days in which God hath proved the > of Mine can adequately describe Him, nor hearts of the entire company of His Mescan any reference to Him in My Book, the sengers and Prophets, and beyond them those > Bayan, do justice to His Cause." that stand guard over His sacred and in- > Whoso hath searched the depths of the violable Sanctuary, the inmates of the ceoceans that lie hid within these exalted lestial Pavilion and dwellers of the Taberwords, and fathomed their import, can be nacle of Glory. How severe, therefore, the > said to have discovered a glimmer of the un- which they who join partners with > test to > > speakable glory with which this mighty, this God must needs be subjected! > sublime, and most holy Revelation hath been > endowed. From the excellence of so great O Husayn! Consider the eagerness with > a Revelation the honor with which its faith- which certain peoples and nations have anful followers must needs be invested can be ticipated the return of Imam-Husayn, whose > well imagined. By the righteousness of the coming, after the appearance of the Qa'im, > one true God! The very breath of these hath been prophesied, in days past, by the > souls is in itself richer than all the treasures chosen ones of God, exalted be His glory. > of the earth. Happy is the man that hath These holy ones have, moreover, announced > attained thereunto, and woe betide the heed- that when He Who is the Day Spring of the > less. manifold grace of God manifesteth Himself, > all the Prophets and Messengers, including > > Verily I say, this is the Day in which man- the Qa'im, will gather together beneath the > kind can behold the Face, and hear the shadow of the sacred Standard which the > Voice, of the Promised One. The Call of Promised One will raise. That hour is now > God hath been raised, and the light of His come. The world is illumined with the efcountenance hath been lifted up upon men. fulgent glory of His countenance. And yet, > It behooveth every man to blot out the trace behold how far its peoples have strayed from > of every idle word from the tablet of his His path! None have believed in Him exheart,and to gaze, with an open and un- cept them who, through the power of the > biased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, Lord of Names, have shattered the idols of > the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of their vain imaginings and corrupt desires and > His glory. entered the city of certitude. The seal of > Great indeed in this Day! The allusions the choice Wine of His Revelation hath, in > made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as this Day and in His Name, the Self -Sufthe Day of God attest its greatness. The ficing, been broken. Its grace is being poured > soul of every Prophet of God, of every Di- out upon men. Fill thy cup, and drink it > > vine Messenger, hath thirsted for this won- in His Name, the Most Holy, the Alldrous Day. All the divers kindreds of the Praised. > earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it. > No sooner, however, had the Day Star of The time foreordained unto the peoples > His Revelation manifested itself in the and kindreds of the earth is now come. The > heaven of God's Will, than all, except those promises of God, as recorded in the holy > 178 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Scriptures, have all been fulfilled. Out of Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted > Zion hath gone forth the Law of God, and upon thee." > Jerusalem, and the hills and land thereof, Seized with transports of joy, and raising > are filled with the glory of His Revelation. high her voice, she thus exclaimed: "May my > the man that pondereth in his lite be a sacrifice to Thee, inasmuch as Thou > Happy is > > heart that which hath been revealed in the hast fixed Thy gaze upon me, hast bestowed > Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self- upon me Thy bounty, and hast directed > Subsisting. Meditate upon this, O ye be- towards me Thy steps. Separation from > loved of God, and let your ears be attentive Thee, O Thou Source of everlasting lite, > unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace hath well nigh consumed me, and my reand mercy, drink your fill from the crystal moteness from Thy presence hath burned > waters of constancy, and become as stead- away my soul. All praise be to Thee for > fast and immovable as the mountain in His having enabled me to hearken to Thy call, > Cause. for having honored me with Thy footsteps, > In the Book of Isaiah it is written: "Enter and for having quickened my soul through > into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for the vitalizing fragrance of Thy Day and > fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His the thrilling voice of Thy Pen, a voice Thou > > majesty." No man that meditateth upon didst ordain as Thy trumpet-call amidst > this verse can fail to recognize the greatness Thy people. And when the hour at which > of this Cause, or doubt the exalted character Thy resistless Faith was to be made maniof this Day the Day of God Himself. This fest did strike, Thou didst breathe a breath > > same verse is followed by these words: "And of Thy spirit into Thy Pen, and lo, the > the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day/' entire creation shook to its very founda- > This is the Day which the Pen of the Most tions, unveiling to mankind such mysteries > High hath glorified in all the holy Scrip- as lay hidden within the treasuries of Him > tures. There is no verse in them that doth Who is the Possessor \>f all created things." > not declare the glory of His holy Name, No sooner had her voice reached that most > and no Book that doth not testify unto the exalted Spot than We made reply: "Render > loftiness of this most exalted theme. Were thanks unto Thy Lord, O > Carmel. The fire > We to make mention of all that hath been of thy separation from Me was fast conrevealed in these heavenly Books and holy suming thee, when the ocean of My presence > Scriptures concerning this Revelation, this surged before thy face, cheering thine eyes > Tablet would assume impossible dimensions. and those of all creation, and filling with > It is incumbent, in this Day, upon every delight all things visible and invisible. Reman to place his whole trust in the manifold joice, for God hath in this Day established > bounties of God, and arise to disseminate, upon thee His throne, hath made thee the > with the utmost wisdom, the verities of His dawning-place of His signs and the day > Cause. Then, and only then, will the whole spring of the evidences of His Revelation. > earth be enveloped with the morning light of Well is it with him that circleth around > His Revelation. thee, that proclaimeth the revelation of thy > glory, and recounteth that which the bounty > All glory be to this Day, the Day in of the Lord thy God hath showered upon > which the fragrances of mercy have been thee. Seize thou the Chalice of Immortalwafted over all created things, a Day so ity in the name of thy Lord, the All-Gloriblest that past ages and centuries can never ous, and give thanks unto Him, inasmuch > hope to rival it, a Day in which the coun- as He, in token of His mercy unto thee, > > tenance of the Ancient of Days hath turned hath turned thy sorrow into gladness, and > towards His holyThereupon the > seat. transmuted thy grief into blissful joy. He, > voices of all things, and beyond > created verily, loveth the spot which hath been made > them those of the Concourse on high, were the seat of His throne, which His footsteps > heard calling aloud: "Haste thee, O Carmel, have trodden, which hath been honored by > for lo, the light of the countenance of God, His presence, from which He raised His call, > the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and and upon which He shed His tears. > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 179 > > "Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and an- been entrusted with a divinely-revealed Book > nounce the joyful tidings: He that was and been commissioned to unravel the myshidden from mortal eyes is come! His all- teries of a mighty Tablet. The measure of > conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all- the Revelation with which every one of > encompassing splendor is revealed. Beware them hath been identified had been defilest thou hesitate or halt. Hasten forth and nitely foreordained. This, verily, is a token > circumambulate the City of God that hath of Our favor unto them, if ye be of those > descended from heaven, the celestial Kaaba that comprehend this truth. And when . . . > > round which have circled in adoration the this process of progressive Revelation culfavored of God, the pure in heart, and the minated in the stage at which His peerless, > company of the most exalted angels. Oh, His most sacred, and exalted Countenance > how I long to announce unto every spot on was to be unveiled to men's eyes, He chose > the surface of the earth, and to carry to to hide His own Self behind a thousand > each one of its cities,the glad-tidings of veils, profane and mortal eyes discover > lest > > this Revelation a Revelation to which the His glory. This He did at a time when > heart of Sinai hath been attracted, and in the signs and tokens of a divinely-appointed > whose name the Burning Bush is calling: Revelation were being showered upon Him > 'Unto God, the Lord of Lords, belong the signs and tokens which none can reckon > kingdoms of earth and heaven/ Verily this except the Lord, your God, the Lord of all > is the > Day in which both land and sea re- worlds. And when the set time of conceal- > > joiceat this announcement, the Day for ment was fulfilled, We sent forth, whilst > which have been laid up those things which stillwrapt within a myriad veib, an infini- > God, through a bounty beyond the ken of tesimal glimmer of the effulgent Glory enmortal mind or heart, hath destined for veloping the Face of the Youth, and lo, the > Ere long will God sail His Ark > revelation. entire company of the dwellers of the > > upon and will manifest the people of > thee, Realms above were seized with violent com- > Baha who have been mentioned in the Book motion and the favored of God fell down > of Names.' > in adoration before Him. He hath, verily, > Sanctified be the Lord of mankind, at > all manifested a glory such as none in the whole > the mention of Whose name all the atoms creation hath witnessed, inasmuch as He > of the earth have been made to vibrate, and hath arisen to proclaim in person His Cause > the Tongue of Grandeur hath been moved unto all who are in the heavens and all who > to disclose that which had been wrapt in are on the earth. > His knowledge and lay concealed within the > treasury of His might. He, verily, through That which thou hast heard concerning > the potency of His name, the Mighty, the Abraham, the Friend of the All-Merciful, is > All-Powerful, the Most High, is the ruler of the truth, and no doubt is there about it. > all that is in the heavens and all that is on The Voice of God commanded Him to offer > earth. up Ishmael as a sacrifice, so that His steadfastness in the Faith of God and His de- > Bestir yourselves, O > people, in anticipa- tachment from all else but Him may be > tion of the days of Divine justice, for the demonstrated unto men. The purpose of > promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye God, moreover, was to sacrifice him as a > fail to > apprehend its import and be ac- ransom for the sins and iniquities of all the > counted among the erring. peoples of the earth. This same honor, Jesus, > Contemplate with thine inward eye the the Son of Mary, besought the one true God, > chain of successive Revelations that hath exalted be His name and glory, to confer > linked the Manifestation of Adam with that upon Him. For the same reason was > of the Bab. I testify before God that each Husayn offered up as a sacrifice by Muhamone of these Manifestations hath been sent mad, the Apostle of God. > down through the operation of the Divine No man can ever claim to have com- > Will and Purpose, that each hath been the prehended the nature of the hidden and > bearer of a specific Message, that each hath manifold grace of God; none can fathom His > 180 THE BAHA'f WORLD > all-embracing mercy. Such hath been the and invested it with a unique capacity of > perversity of men and their transgression, so knowing Him and of reflecting the greatgrievous have been the trials that have af- ness of His glory. This twofold distinction > flicted the Prophets of God and their chosen conferred upon him hath cleansed away > ones, thatall mankind deserveth to be tor- from his heart the rust of every vain desire, > mented and to perish. God's hidden and and made him worthy of the vesture with > most loving providence, however, hath, which his Creator hath deigned to clothe > through both visible and invisible agencies, him. It hath served to rescue his soul from > protected and will continue to protect it the wretchedness of ignorance. > from the penalty of its wickedness. Ponder This robe with which the body and soul > this in thine heart, that the truth may be of man hath been adorned is the very founrevealed unto thee, and be thou steadfast in dation of his well-being and development. > His path. Oh, how blessed the day when, aided by the > grace and might of the one true God, man > It hath been decreed by Us that the Word > will have freed himself from the bondage > of God and all the potentialities thereof > and corruption of the world and all that is > shall bemanifested unto men in strict contherein, and will have attained unto true > formity with such conditions as have been and abiding rest beneath the shadow of the > foreordained by Him Who is the All-Know- > Tree of Knowledge! > ing, the All- Wise. We have, moreover, or- The songs which the bird of thine heart > dained that its veil of concealment be none > had uttered in its great love for its friends > other except its own Self. Such indeed is > have reached their ears, and moved Me to > Our Power to achieve Our Purpose. Should > answer thy questions, and reveal to thee > the Word be allowed to release suddenly all > such secrets as I am allowed to unfold. In > the energies latent within it, no man could > thineesteemed letter thou hadst inquired > sustain the weight of so mighty a Revelawhich of the Prophets* of God should be > tion. Nay, all that is in heaven and on > regarded as superior to others. Know thou > earth would flee in consternation before it. > assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets > Consider that which hath been sent down > of God is one and the same. Their unity is > unto Muhammad, the Apostle of God. The > absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There is > measure of the Revelation of which He was > no distinction whatsoever among the Bearthe bearer had been clearly foreordained by > ers of My Message. They all have but one > Him Who is the Almighty, the Ail-Powerpurpose; their secret is the same secret. To > ful. They that heard Him, however, could > prefer one in honor to another, to exalt cerapprehend His purpose only to the extent of tain ones above the rest, is in no wise to be > their station and spiritual capacity. He, in > permitted. Every true Prophet hath relike manner, uncovered the Face of Wisdom > garded His Message as fundamentally the > in proportion to their ability to sustain the > same as the Revelation of every other Prophet > burden of His Message. No sooner had mangone before Him. If > any man, therefore, > kind attained the stage of maturity, than > should fail comprehend this truth, and > to > the Word revealed to men's eyes the latent > should consequently indulge in vain and unenergies with which it had been endowed > seemly language, no one whose sight is keen > energies which manifested themselves in the and whose understanding is enlightened > plenitude of their glory when the Ancient would ever allow such idle talk to cause > Beauty appeared, in the year sixty, in the > him to waver in his belief. > person of Ali-Muhammad, the Bab. The measure of the the > revelation of > All-praise and glory be to God Who, Prophets of God in this > world, however, > through the power of His might, hath de- must differ. Each and every one of them > livered His creation from the nakedness of hath been the Bearer of a distinct Message, > non-existence, and clothed it with the and hath been commissioned to reveal Himmantle of life. From among all created self through specific acts. It is for this reathings He hath singled out for His special son that they appear to vary in their greatfavor the pure, the gem-like reality of man, ness. Their Revelation may be likened unto > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 181 > > the light of the moon that sheddeth its ra- upon the world the glory of their own > diance upon the earth. Though every time knowledge. It is towards the inmost esit appeareth, it revealeth a fresh measure sence of these Prophets, therefore, that the > of its brightness, yet its inherent splendor eye of every man of discernment must be > can never diminish, nor can its light suffer directed, inasmuch as their one and only > extinction. purpose hath always been to guide the erring, > It is clear and evident, therefore, that any and give peace to the afflicted. These are > apparent variation in the intensity of their not days of prosperity and triumph. The > light is not inherent in the light itself, but whole of mankind is in the grip of manifold > should rather be attributed to the varying ills. Strive, therefore, to save its life > > receptivity of an ever-changing world. through the wholesome medicine which the > Every Prophet Whom the Almighty and almighty hand of the unerring Physician > Peerless Creator hath purposed to send to hath prepared. > the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted And now concerning thy question regardwith Message, and charged to act in a > a ing the nature of religion. Know thou that > manner that would best meet the require- they who are truly wise have likened the > ments of the age in which He appeared. world unto the human temple. As the body > God's purpose in sending His Prophets unto of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so > men is twofold. The first is to liberate the the body of mankind must needs be adorned > children of men from the darkness of igno- with the mantle of justice and wisdom. Its > rance, and guide them to the light of true robe is the Revelation vouchsafed unto it > > understanding. The second is to insure the by God. Whenever this robe hath fulfilled > peace and tranquillity of mankind, and pro- its purpose, the Almighty will assuredly revide all the means by which they can be new it. For every age requireth a fresh > established. measure of the light of God. Every Divine > The Prophets of God should be regarded Revelation hath been sent down in a manas physicians whose task is to foster the well- ner that befitted the circumstances of the > being of the world and its peoples, that, age in which it hath appeared. > through the spirit of oneness, they may heal As to thy question regarding the sayings > the sickness of a divided > humanity. To of the leaders of past religions. Every wise > none is given the right to question thsir and praiseworthy man will no doubt eschew > words or disparage their conduct, for they such vain and profitless talk. The incomare the only ones who can claim to have parable Creator hath created all men from > understood the patient and to have correctly one same substance, and hath exalted their > diagnosed its ailments. No man, however reality above the rest of His creatures. Sucacute his perception, can ever hope to reach cess or failure, gain or loss, must, therefore, > the heights which the wisdom and under- depend upon man's own exertions. The > standing of the Divine Physician have at- more he striveth, the > greater will be his > tained. Little wonder, then, if the treat- progress. We fain would hope that the verment prescribed by the Physician in this day nal showers of the bounty of God may cause > should not be found to be identical with that the flowers of true understanding to spring > which He prescribed before. How could it from the soil of men's hearts, and may wash > be otherwise when the ills affecting the from them all earthly defilements. > sufferer necessitate at every stage of his sickness a special remedy? In like manner, every Ponder a while. What is it that prompted, > time the Prophets of God have illumined the in every Dispensation, the peoples of the > world with the resplendent radiance of the earth to shun the Manifestation of the All- > > Day Star of Divine knowledge, they have Merciful? What could have impelled them > invariably summoned its peoples to embrace to turn away from Him and to challenge > the light of God through such means as best His authority? Were men to meditate on > befitted the exigencies of the age in which these words which have flowed from the Pen > > they appeared. They were thus able to scat- of the Divine Ordainer, they would, one and > ter the darkness of ignorance, and to shed all, hasten to embrace the truth of this God- > 182 THE BAHA'f WORLD > given, and ever-enduring Revelation, and was so carried away by the ecstasy of the > would testify to that which He Himself words of God that he was able to gain adhath solemnly affirmed. It is the veil of mittance into the habitation of his Best-Beidle imaginations which, in the days of the loved, and was united to Him Who is the > Manifestations of the Unity of God and the Lord of Mankind, whilst they who prided > Day Springs of His everlasting glory, hath themselves on their knowledge and wisdom > intervened, and will continue to intervene, strayed far from His path and remained debetween them and the rest of mankind. For prived of His grace. For this reason He > in those days, He Who is the Eternal Truth hath written: "He that is exalted among > manifesteth Himself in conformity with you shall be abased, and he that is abased > that which He Himself hath purposed, and shall be exalted." References to this theme > not according to the desires and expecta- are to be found in most of the heavenly > tions of men. Even as He hath revealed: Books, as well as in the sayings of the > "So oft, then, as an Apostle cometh to Prophets and Messengers of God. > you with that which your souls desire not, Verily I say, such is the greatness of this > do ye swell with pride, and treat some as Cause that the father flieth from his son, and > impostors, and slay others." the son flieth from his father. Call ye to > There can be no doubt whatever that had mind the story of Noah and Canaan. God > these Apostles appeared, in bygone ages and grant that, in these days of heavenly delight, > cycles, in accordance with the vain imagina- ye may not deprive yourselves of the sweet > tions which the hearts of men had devised, savors of the All-Glorious God, and may parno one would have repudiated the truth of take, in this spiritual Springtime, of the > these sanctified Beings. Though such men outpourings of His grace. Arise in the > have been, night and day, remembering the name of Him Who is the Object of all > one true God, and have been devoutly en- knowledge, and, with absolute detachment > gaged in the exercise of their devotions, yet from the learning of men* lift up your voices > they failed in the end to recognize, and par- and proclaim His Cause. I swear by the Day > take of the grace of, the Day Springs of Star of Divine Revelation! The very mothe signs of God and the Manifestations of ment ye arise, ye will witness how a flood of > His irrefutable evidences. To this the Scrip- Divine knowledge will gush out of your > tures bear witness. Thou hast, no doubt, hearts,and will behold the wonders of His > heard about it. heavenly wisdom manifested in all their > Consider the Dispensation of Jesus Christ. glory before you. Were ye to taste of the > Behold, how all the learned men of that gen- sweetness of the sayings of the All-Merciful, > eration, though eagerly anticipating the ye would unhesitatingly forsake your selves, > coming of the Promised One, have neverthe- and would lay down your lives for the Wellless denied Him. Both Annas, the most Beloved. > learned among the divines of His day, and Who can ever believe that this Servant of > Caiaphas, the high priest, denounced Him God hath at any time cherished in His heart > and pronounced the sentence of His death. a desire for any earthly honor or benefit? > In like manner, when > Muhammad, the The Cause associated with His Name is far > Prophet of God may all men be a sacrifice above the transitory things of this world. > unto Him appeared, the learned men of Behold Him, an exile, a victim of tyranny, > Mecca and Medina arose, in the early days of in this Most Great Prison. His enemies have > His Revelation, against Him and rejected assailed Him on every side, and will con- > His Message, while they who were destitute tinue to do so till the end of His life. Whatof all learning recognized and embraced His ever, therefore, He saith unto you is wholly > Faith. Ponder a while. Consider how Balal, for the sake of God, that haply the peoples > the Ethiopian, unlettered though he was, of the earth may cleanse their hearts from > ascended into the heaven of faith and certi- the stain of evil^ desire, may rend its veil > tude, whilst 'Abdu'llah Ubayy, a leader asunder, and attain unto the knowledge of > among the learned, maliciously strove to op- the one true God the most exalted station > pose Him. Behold, how a mere shepherd to which any man can aspire. Their belief > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 183 > > or disbelief in My Cause can neither profit which from time immemorial had been fornor harm Me. We summon them wholly bidden, and forbid that which had, at all > for the sake of God. He, verily, can afford times, been regarded as lawful, to none is > to dispense with all creatures. given the right to question His authority. > Whoso will hesitate, though it be for less > Know thou that when the Son of Man > than a moment, should be regarded as a > yielded up His breath to God, the whole > transgressor. > creation wept with a great weeping. By > Whoso hath not recognized this sublime > sacrificing Himself, however, a fresh caand fundamental verity, and hath failed to > pacity was infused into all created things. attain this most exalted station, the winds > Its evidences, as witnessed in all the peoples > of doubt will agitate him, and the sayings > of the earth, are now manifest before thee. > of the infidels will distract his soul. He > The deepest wisdom which the sages have > that hath acknowledged this principle will > uttered, the profoundest learning which any > be endowed with the most perfect constancy. > mind hath unfolded, the arts which the > All-honor to this all-glorious station, the reablest hands have produced, the influence > membrance of which adorneth every exalted > exerted by the most potent of rulers, are but > Tablet. Such is the teaching which God > manifestations of the quickening power rebestoweth on you, a teaching that will deleased by His transcendent, His all-perliver you from all manner of doubt and > vasive, and resplendent Spirit. > perplexity, and enable you to attain unto > We testify that when He came into the salvation in both this world and in the next. > world, He shed the splendor of His glory > He, verily, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most > upon allcreated things. Through Him the > Bountiful. > leper from the leprosy of perrecovered > Know of a certainty that in every Disversity and ignorance. Through Him, the > pensation the light of Divine Revelation > unchaste and wayward were healed. Through > hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct > His power, born of Almighty God, the eyes > proportion to their spiritual capacity. Conof the blind were opened, and the soul of > sider the sun. How feeble its rays the mothe sinner sanctified. > ment it appeareth above the horizon. How > Leprosymay be interpreted as any veil its warmth and potency increase > gradually > that interveneth between man and the recogas itapproacheth its zenith, enabling meannition of the Lord, his God. Whoso allowwhile all created things to adapt themselves > eth himself to be shut out from Him is into the growing intensity of its light. How > deed a leper, who shall not be remembered > steadily it declineth until it reacheth its setin the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the > ting point. Were it, all of a sudden, to man- > All-Praised. We bear witness that through > within it, it would, > ifest the energies latent > the power of the Word of God every leper no doubt, cause injury to all created things. > was cleansed, every sickness was healed, > ... In like manner, if the Sun of Truth > every human infirmity was banished. He it were suddenly to reveal, at the earliest stages > is Who purified the world. Blessed is the > of its manifestation, the full measure of the > man who, with a face beaming with light, > potencies which the providence of the Alhath turned towards Him. > mighty hath bestowed upon it, the earth of > Blessed is the man that hath acknowl- human understanding would waste away and > edged his belief in God and in His signs, and be consumed; for men's hearts would nei- > > recognized that "He shall not be asked of ther sustain the intensity of its revelation, > His doings." Such a recognition hath been nor be able to mirror forth the radiance of > made by God the ornament of every belief, its light.Dismayed and overpowered, they > and its very foundation. Upon it must de- would cease to exist. > pend the acceptance of every godly deed. > Fasten your eyes upon it, that haply the Praise be to Thee, O Lord My God, for > whisperings of the rebellious may not cause the wondrous revelations of Thine inscruta- > > you to slip. ble decree and the manifold woes and trials > Were He to decree as lawful the thing Thou hast destined for Myself. At one > 184 THE BAHA'f WORLD > time Thou didst deliver Me into the hands decree that no more than a faint reflection, > of Nimrod; at another Thou hast allowed a mere emblem of Thy Reality within Me > Pharaoh's rod to persecute Me. Thou, alone, be left among the perverse and envious. Becanst estimate, through Thine all-encom- hold, how, deluded by this emblem, they > passing knowledge and the operation of have risen against Me, and heaped upon Me > Thy Will, the incalculable afflictions I have their denials! Uncover Thy Self, theresuffered at their hands. Again Thou didst fore, O My Best-Beloved, and deliver Me > cast Me into the prison-cell of the ungodly, from My plight. > for no reason except that I was moved to Thereupon a Voice replied: "I love, I > > whisper into the ears of the well-favored dearly cherish this emblem. How > can I condenizens of Thy Kingdom an intimation of sent that Mine eyes, alone, gaze upon this > the vision with which Thou hadst, through emblem, and that no heart except heart My > Thy knowledge, inspired Me, and revealed recognize it? By My Beauty, which is the > to Me its meaning through the potency of same as Thy Beauty! My wish is to hide > Thy might. And again Thou didst decree Thee from Mine own eyes: how much more > that I be beheaded by the sword of the in- from the eyes of men!" > fidel. Again I was crucified for having I was preparing to make reply, when lo, > > unveiled to men's eyes the hidden gems of the Tablet was suddenly ended, leaving My > > Thy glorious unity, for having revealed to theme unfinished, and the pearl of Mine utthem the wondrous signs of Thy sovereign terance unstrung. > and everlasting power. How bitter the humiliations heaped upon Me, in a subsequent God is My witness, O people! I was asleep > age, on the plain of Karbila! How lonely on My couch, when lo, the Breeze of God > did I feel amidst Thy people! To what a wafting over Me roused Me from My slumstate of helplessness I was reduced in that ber. His quickening Spirit revived Me, and > land! Unsatisfied with such indignities, My My tongue was unloosed \o voice His Call. > persecutors decapitated Me, and, carrying Accuse Me not of having trangressed against > aloft My head from land to land paraded it God. Behold Me, not with your eyes but > before the gaze of the unbelieving multi- with Mine. Thus admonisheth you He Who > tude, and deposited it on the seats of the is the Gracious, the > All-Knowing. Think > perverse and faithless. In a later age, I was ye, Opeople, that I hold within My grasp > suspended, and breast was made a target > My the control of God's ultimate Will and Pur- > My > to the darts of the malicious cruelty of pose? Far be it from Me to advance such > foes. My limbs were riddled with bullets, claim. To this I testify before God, the > and My body was torn asunder. Finally, be- Almighty, the Exalted, the All-Knowing, > hold how, in this Day, My treacherous ene- the All-Wise. Had the ultimate destiny of > mies have leagued themselves against Me, God's Faith been in My hands, I would have > and are continually plotting to instill the never consented, even though for one movenom of hate and malice into the souls of ment, to manifest Myself unto you, nor > Thy servants. With all their might they would I have allowed one word to fall from > are scheming to accomplish their purpose. My lips. Of this God Himself is, verily, a > . . Grievous as is My plight, O God, My > . witness. > Well-Beloved, I render thanks unto Thee, > and My Spirit is grateful for whatsoever O Son of Justice! In the night season the > hath befallen me in the path of Thy good- beauty of the immortal Being hath repaired > pleasure. I am well pleased with that which from the emerald height of fidelity unto the > Thou didst ordain for Me, and welcome, Sadratu'l-Muntaha, and wept with such a > however calamitous, the pains and sorrows I weeping that the Concourse on high and the > am made to suffer. dwellers of the realms above wailed at His > > lamenting. Whereupon there was asked, > O My Well-Beloved! Thou hast breathed Why the wailing and weeping? He made > Thy Breath into Me, and divorced Me from reply: As bidden I waited expectant upon > Mine own Self. Thou didst, subsequently, the hill of faithfulness, yet inhaled not from > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 185 > > them that dwell on earth the fragrance of clay out of which this perverse generation > Then summoned to return I beheld, > fidelity. is molded. The mere act of your gathering > and lo! certain doves of holiness were sore together is enough to scatter the forces of > tried within the claws of the dogs of earth. these vain and worthless people. . . . > > Thereupon the Maid of Heaven hastened Every man of insight will, in this day, > forth unveiled and resplendent from Her readily admit that the counsels which > the > > mystic mansion, and asked of their names, Pen of this wronged One hath revealed conand all were told but one. And when urged, stitute the supreme animating power for > the first letter thereof was uttered, where- the advancement of the world and the ex- > > upon the dwellers of the celestial chambers altation of its peoples. Arise, O people, and, > rushed forth out of their habitation of glory. by the power of God's might, resolve to gain > And whilst the second letter was pronounced the victory over your own selves, that haply > > they fell down, one and all, upon the dust. the whole earth may be freed and sanctified > At that moment a voice was heard from from its servitude to the gods of its idle > the inmost shrine: "Thus far and no far- fancies gods that have inflicted such loss > > ther." Verily, We bear witness unto that upon, and are responsible for the misery of, > which they have done, and now are doing. their wretched worshipers. These idols > form the obstacle that impeded man in his > O Afnan, O thou that hast branched from efforts to advance in the path of perfection. > > Mine ancient Stock! My glory and My lov- We cherish the hope that the Hand of Diing-kindness rest upon thee. How vast is vine power may lend its assistance to man- > > the tabernacle of the Cause of God! It hath kind, and deliver it from its state of grievovershadowed all the peoples and kindreds ous abasement. > of the earth, and will, erelong, gather to- In one of the Tablets these words have > gether the whole of mankind beneath its been revealed: O people of God! Do not > shelter. Thy day of service is now come. busy yourselves in your own concerns; let > Countless Tablets bear the testimony of the your thoughts be fixed upon that which will > bounties vouchsafed unto thee. Arise for rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and > the triumph of My Cause, and, through the sanctify the hearts and souls of men. This > power of thine utterance, subdue the hearts can best be achieved through pure and holy > of men. Thou must show forth that which deeds, through a virtuous life and a goodly > will ensure the peaceand the well-being of behavior. Valiant acts will ensure the tri- > > the miserable and the down-trodden. Gird umph of this Cause, and a saintly character > up the loins of thine endeavor, that per- will reinforce its power. Cleave unto rightchance thou mayest release the captive from eousness, O people of Baha! > This, verily, is > his chains, and enable him to attain unto true the commandment which this wronged One > > liberty. > hath given unto you, and the first choice of > Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight, His unrestrained Will for every one of you. > and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of op- O friends! It behooveth you to refresh > pression. The thick clouds of tyranny have and revive your souls through the gracious > darkened the face of the earth, and envel- favors which in this Divine, this soul-stir- > > oped its peoples. Through the movement of ring Springtime are being showered upon > Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding you. The Day Star of His great glory hath > of the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new shed its radiance upon you, and the clouds > life into every human frame, and instilled of His limitless grace have overshadowed > into every word a fresh potency. All cre- you. How > high the reward of him that hath > ated things proclaim the evidences of this not deprived himself of so great a bounty, > world-wide regeneration. This is the most nor failed to recognize the beauty of his > Best-Beloved in this, His new attire. Watch > great, the most joyful tidings imparted by > the pen of this wronged One to mankind. over yourselves, for the Evil One is lying in > Wherefore fear ye, O My well-beloved ones! wait, ready to entrap you. Gird yourselves > Who is it that can dismay you? A touch of against his wicked devices, and, led by the > moisture sufficeth to dissolve the hardened light of the name of the All-Seeing God, > 186 THE BAHA'f WORLD > make your escape from the darkness that evil designs of His enemies. He verily hath > surroundeth you. Let your vision be world- power over all things. > embracing, rather than confined to your All-praise be to the one true God exalted > own self. The Evil One is he that hindereth be His glory inasmuch as He hath, through > the rise and obstructeth the spiritual progress the Pen of the Most High, unlocked the > of the children of men. doors of men's hearts. Every verse which > It is incumbent upon every man, in this this Pen hath revealed is a bright and shin- > > Day, to hold fast unto whatsoever will pro- ing portal that discloseth the glories of a > mote the interests, and exalt the station, of saintly and pious life, of pure and stainless > all nations and just governments. Through deeds. The summons and the message which > each and every one of the verses which the We gave were never intended to reach or > Pen of the Most High hath revealed, the to benefit one land or one people only. Mandoors of love and unity have been unlocked kind in must firmly adhere to > its entirety > and flung open to the face of men. We have whatsoever hath been revealed and voucherewhile declared and Our Word is the safed unto it. Then and only then will it > truth "Consort with the followers of all > : attain unto true liberty. The whole earth > in a spirit of friendliness and fel- is illuminated with the resplendent glory of > religions > lowship." Whatsoever hath led the chil- God's Revelation. In the year sixty He > dren of men to shun one another, and hath Who heralded the light of Divine Guidance > caused dissensions and divisions amongst may all creation be a sacrifice unto Him > them, hath, through the revelation of these arose to announce a fresh revelation of the > words, been nullified and abolished. From Divine and was followed, twenty > Spirit, > the heaven of God's Will, and for the pur- years later, by Him through Whose coming > pose of ennobling the world of being and of the world was made the recipient of this > > elevating the minds and souls of men, hath promised glory, this wondrous favor. Bebeen sent down that which is the most ef- hold how the generality* of mankind hath > fective instrument for the education of the been endued with the capacity to hearken > whole human race. The highest essence and unto God's most exalted Word the Word > most perfect expression of whatsoever the upon which must depend the gathering topeoples of old have either said or written gether and spiritual resurrection of all > hath, through this most potent Revelation, men. . . . > > been sent down from the heaven of the Will Incline your hearts, O people of God, unto > of the All-Possessing, the Ever- Abiding God. the counsels of your true, your incomparable > Of old it hath been revealed: "Love of one's Friend. The Word of God may be likened > country is an element of the Faith of God." unto a sapling, whose roots have been im- > The Tongue of Grandeur hath, however, in planted in the hearts of men. It is incumthe day of His manifestation proclaimed: "It bent upon you to foster its growth through > isnot his to boast who loveth his country, the living waters of wisdom, of sanctified > but it is his who loveth the world." Through and holy words, so that its root may become > the power released by these exalted words firmly fixed and its branches may spread out > He hath lent a fresh impulse, and set a new as high as the heavens and beyond. > > direction, to the birds of men's hearts, and O ye that dwell on earth! The distinhath obliterated every trace of restriction guishing feature that marketh the preemiand limitation from God's holy Book. nent character of this Supreme Revelation > O people of Justice! Be as brilliant as the consisteth in that We have, on the one hand, > light, and as splendid as the fire that blazed blotted out from the pages of God's holy > in the Burning Bush. The brightness of the Book whatsoever hath been the cause of > fireof your love will no doubt fuse and strife, of malice and mischief amongst the > > unify the contending peoples and kindreds children of men, and have, on the other, > of the earth, whilst the fierceness of the laid down the essential prerequisites of conflame of enmity and hatred cannot but re- cord, of understanding, of complete and > sult in strife and ruin. We beseech God enduring unity. Well is it with them that > that He may shield His creatures from the keep My statutes. > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'i SACRED WRITINGS 187 > > Time and again have We admonished the Lord of all We have been > worlds. > Our beloved ones to avoid, nay to flee from, moved words in considerato reveal these > anything whatsoever from which the odor tion of the weakness and frailty of men; > The world is > of mischief can be detected. otherwise, the Cause We have proclaimed is > in great turmoil, and the minds of its people such as no pen can ever describe, nor any > are in a state of utter confusion. We en- mind conceive its greatness. To this beartreat the Almighty that He may graciously eth witness He with Whom is the Mother > illuminate them with the glory of His Jus- Book. > tice,and enable them to discover that which The Ancient Beauty hath consented to > will be profitable unto them at all times be bound with chains that mankind may be > and under all conditions. He, verily is the released from its bondage, and hath accepted > > All-Possessing, the Most High. to be made a prisoner within this most > > mighty Stronghold that the whole world > Lay not aside the fear of God, O > ye the may attain unto true liberty. He hath > learned of the world, and judge fairly the drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that > Cause of this unlettered One to Whom > all allthe peoples of the earth may attain unto > the Books of God, the Protector, the Self- abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. > Subsisting, have testified. Will not the > . . . This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Comdread of Divine displeasure, the fear of Him passionate, the Most Merciful. We > have ac- > Who hath no peer or equal, arouse you? He cepted to be abased, O > believers in the Unity > Whom the world hath wronged hath, at no of God, that ye may be exalted, and have > time, associated with you, hath never studied suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might > your writings, nor participated in any of prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to > your disputations. The garb He weareth, build anew the whole world, behold, how > His flowing locks, His headdress, attest the they that have joined partners with God > truth of His words. How long will ye per- have forced Him to dwell within the most > sist in your injustice? Witness the habita- desolate of cities! > tion in which He, Who is the incarnation of > justice, hath been forced to dwell. Open I sorrow not for the burden of My imyour eyes, and, beholding His plight, medi- prisonment. Neither do I grieve over My > tate diligently upon that which your hands abasement, or the tribulation I suffer at the > have wrought, that haply ye may not be hands of Mine enemies. By My life! They > deprived of the light of His Divine utter- are My glory, a glory wherewith God hath > ance, nor remain bereft of your share of the adorned His own Self. Would that ye know > ocean of His knowledge. it! > > Certain ones among both commoners and The shame I was made to bear hath unnobles have objected that this wronged One covered the glory with which the whole of > is neither a member of the ecclesiastical or- creation had been invested, and through the > der nor a descendant of the Prophet. Say: cruelties I have endured, the Day Star of > O ye that claim to be just! Reflect a little Justice hath manifested itself, and shed its > > while, and ye shall recognize how infinitely splendor upon men. > exalted is His present state above the station My sorrows are for those who have inye claim He should possess. The Will of the volved themselves in their corrupt passions, > Almighty hath decreed that out of a house and claim to be associated with the Faith of > wholly devoid of all that the divines, the God, the Gracious, the All-Praised. > doctors, the sages, and scholars commonly It behoove th the people of Bah a to die to > > possess His Cause should proceed and be the world and all that is therein, to be so demade manifest. tached from all earthly things that the in- > The Breathings of the Divine Spirit awoke mates of Paradise may inhale from their > Him, and bade Him arise and proclaim His garment the sweet smelling savor of sanc- > Revelation. No sooner was He roused from tity, that all the peoples of the earth may > His slumber than He lifted up His voice and recognize in their faces the brightness of > summoned the whole of mankind unto God, the All-Merciful, and that through them > Badi', the bearer of BahaVllah's Tablet to the Shah of Iran, > shown in chains before his martyrdom. (Note the brasier in > which irons were heated and applied to his flesh.) > > Two early believers of Tihran about to be bastinadoed. > > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 189 > > may be spread abroad the signs and tokens people of the Bayan! If ye have resolved to > of God, the Almighty, the All- Wise. They shed the blood of Him Whose coming the > that have tarnished the fair name of the Bab hath proclaimed, Whose advent Mu- > Cause of God, by following the things of hammad hath prophesied, and Whose Revethe flesh these are in palpable error! lation Jesus Christ Himself hath announced, > behold Me standing, ready and defenseless, > O Jews! on crucifying > If ye be intent before you. Deal with Me after your own > once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me desires. > to death, for He hath once more, in My > person, been made manifest unto you. Deal God is my witness! Had it not been in > with Me as ye wish, for I have vowed to lay conflict with that which the Tablets of God > down My life in the path of God. I will have decreed, I would' have gladly kissed the > fear no one, though the powers of earth and hands of whosoever attempted to shed my > heaven be leagued against Me. Followers of blood in the path of the Well-Beloved. I > > the Gospel! If ye cherish the desire to slay would, moreover, have bestowed upon him > Muhammad, the Apostle of God, seize Me a share of such worldly goods as God had > and put an end to My life, for I am He, and allowed me to possess, even though he who > My Self is His Self. Do unto Me as you perpetrated this act would have provoked > like, for the deepest longing of My heart the wrath of the Almighty, incurred His > is to attain the > presence of My Best-Beloved malediction, and deserved to be torin His Kingdom of Glory. Such is the Di- mented throughout the eternity of God, > vine decree, if ye know it. Followers of the All-Possessing, the Equitable, the All- > Muhammad! be your wish to riddle > If it Wise. > with your shafts the breast of Him Who > hath caused His Book the Bayan to be sent Know verily that whenever this Youth > down unto you, lay hands on Me and per- turneth His eyes towards His own self, he > secute Me, for I am His Well-Beloved, the findeth it the most insignificant of all crearevelation of His own Self, though My name tion. When he contemplates, however, the > be not His name. I have come in the shad- bright effulgences He hath been empowered > ows of the clouds of glory, and am invested to manifest, lo, that self is transfigured be- > > by God with invincible sovereignty. He, fore Him into a sovereign Potency permeatverily, is the Truth, the Knower of things ing the essence of all things visible and inunseen. I, verily, anticipate from you the visible. Glory be to Him Who, through > treatment ye have accorded unto Him that the power of truth, hath sent down the > came before Me. To this all things, verily, Manifestation of His own Self and entrusted > witness, if ye be of those who hearken. O Him with His message unto all mankind. > > AMERICA'S SPIRITUAL MISSION- > TEACHING TABLETS REVEALED > BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA > To the Assemblies and Meetings of the be- you is that each one may shine forth like > lievers of Godand the maid-servants of the unto the morning star from the horizon of > Merciful in the United States and Canada. the world and in this Garden of God become > > uPON them be BahaVllah u'l-Abha! > a blessed tree, > and results. > producing everlasting fruits > > Therefore I direct you to that which is > He is God! > conducive to your heavenly confirmation > O ye blessed souls: and illumination in the Kingdom of God! > I desire for you eternal success and pros- It is this: Alaska is a vast country; al- > > perity and beg perfect confirmation for though one of the maid-servants of the > each one in the divine world. My hope for Merciful has hastened to those parts, serving > 190 THE BAHA'f WORLD > as a librarian in the Public Library, and ac- You must give great importance to teachcording to her ability is not failing in teach- ing the Indians, that is, the aborigines of > > ing the Cause, yet the call of the Kingdom America. For these souls are like the ancient > of God is not yet raised through that spa- inhabitants of Peninsular Arabia, who precious territory. vious to the Manifestation of His Holiness > His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the Muhammad were treated as savages. But > East and to the West of the world and sum- when the Muhammadic light shone forth in > mon the people to the Kingdom of God. their midst, they became so illumined that > Hence the mercy of God must encompass all they brightened the world. Likewise, should > humanity. Therefore do ye not think it these Indians and aborigines be educated and > > permissible to leave that region deprived of obtain guidance, there is no doubt that > the breezes of the Morn of Guidance. Con- through the divine teachings, they will besequently, strive as far as ye are able to send come so enlightened as in turn to shed light > to those parts fluent speakers, who are de- to all regions. > tached from aught else save God, attracted All the above countries have importance, > with the fragrances of God, and sanctified but especially the Republic of Panama, > and purified from all desires and temptations. wherein the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans > Their sustenance and food must consist of come together through the Panama Canal. > the teachings of God. First they must them- Itis a center for travel and > passage from > selves live in accordance with those prin- America to other continents of the world, > ciples, then guide the people. Perchance, and in the future it will gain most great > God willing, the lights of the most great importance. > guidance may illumine that country and Likewise the islands of the West Indies, > the breezes of the rose garden of the love such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, > of God may perfume the nostrils of the in- the islands of the Lesser Antilles, Bahama > habitants of Alaska. Should we become con- Islands,even the small Watling Island, have > firmed in thus rendering such a service, rest great importance; especially the two black > ye assured that ye shall crown your heads republics, Haiti and Santo Domingo, situated > with the diadem of everlasting sovereignty, in the cluster of the Greater Antilles. Likeand at the threshold of oneness you will be- wise the cluster of the islands of Bermuda > come the favored and accepted servants. in the Atlantic Ocean have importance. > > Likewise the Republic of Mexico is very In a similar way, the republics of the conimportant. The majority of the inhabitants tinent of South America Colombia, Ecuaof that country are devoted Catholics. They dor, Peru, Brazil, British Guiana, Dutch Guiare totally unaware of the reality of the ana, French Guiana, Bolivia, Chile, Argen- > Bible, the Gospel and the new divine teach- tina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela; also the > > ings. They do not know that the basis of islands to the north, east and west of South > the religions of God is one and that the Holy America, such as Falkland Islands, the Gala- > Manifestations are like unto the Sun of pagos, Juan Fernandez, Tobago and Trini- > Truth, rising from the different dawning- dad. Likewise the city of Bahia, situated on > places. Those souls are submerged in the the eastern shore of Brazil. Because it is > sea of dogmas. If one breath of life be some time that it has become known by this > blown over them, great results will issue name, its efficacy will be most potent. > therefrom. But it is better for those who In short, O ye believers of God! Exalt > intend to go to Mexico to teach, to be your effort and magnify your aims. His > familiar with the Spanish language. Holiness Christ says: Blessed are the poor, > Similarly, the six Central American Re- for theirs shall be the Kingdom of Heaven. > > publics, situated south of Mexico Guate- In other words: Blessed are the nameless and > mala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa traceless poor, for they are the leaders of > Rica, Panama and the seventh country mankind. Likewise it is said in the Qur'an: > Belize or British Honduras. The teachers "We desire to bestow our gifts upon those > going to those parts must also be familiar who have become weak on the face of the > with the Spanish language. earth, and make them a nation and the heirs > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 191 > > (of spiritual truth) ." Or, we wish to grant Thanks be unto the Lord that ye have bea favor to the impotent souls and suffer them come assisted and confirmed in this aim. > to become the inheritors of the Messengers This is purely through the confirmations of > and Prophets. the Lord of Hosts and the breaths of the > Therefore, now is the time that you may Holy Spirit. At present your confirmation > divest yourselves from the garment of at- is not known and understood. Ere long ye > tachment to this phenomenal realm, be shall observe that each one of you like unto a > > wholly severed from the physical world, be- brilliant and shining star will diffuse the > come angels of heaven and travel and teach light of guidance from that horizon and that > through all these regions. ye have become the cause of eternal life to > I declare by Him, beside whom there is the inhabitants of America. > no one, that each one of you shall become the Consider! The station and the confirma- > Israfil of Life, blowing the breath of life into tion of the apostles in the time of Christ > the souls of others. was not known, and no one looked on them > Upon you be greeting and praise! with the feeling of importance nay, rather, > they persecuted and ridiculed them. Later > Supplication on it became evident what crowns studded > O Thou Incomparable God! O Thou Lord with the brilliant jewels of guidance were > of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy placed on the heads of the apostles, Mary > heavenly army. Assist them and with the Magdalene and Mary the mother of John. > cohorts of the Supreme Concourse, make Likewise your confirmation is not known > them victorious; so that each one of them at the present time. I hope that ere long it > may become like unto a regiment and con- may throw a mighty reverberation through > quer these countries through the love of the pillars of the earth. Therefore it is the > God and the illumination of divine teach- hope of 'Abdu'l-Baha" that just as ye are conings. firmed and assisted on the continent of > O God! Be Thou their supporter and America, ye may also be confirmed and astheir helper, and in the wilderness, the moun- sisted in other continents of the globe that > tain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and ye may carry the fame of the Cause of > is, > > the seas, be Thou their confidant so that God to the East and to the West and spread > they may cry out through the power of the the Glad Tidings of the appearance of the > > Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit! Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts throughout > Verily Thou are the Powerful, the Mighty the five continents of the world. > and the Omnipotent, and Thou art the "Wise, When this divine call travels from the conthe Hearing and the Seeing. tinent of America to Europe, Asia, Africa, > Australia and the Islands of the Pacific, the > Haifa, Palestine, > American believers shall be established on the > April 8, 1916. > throne of everlasting Glory, the fame of their > illumination and guidance shall reach to all > To the believers and the maid-servants of regions and the renown of their greatness > the Merciful of the Bahd'i Assemblies and become world-wide. Therefore, a party, > meetings in the United States and Canada. speaking the languages, severed, holy, sanctified and filled with the love of God, must > He is God! turn their faces to and travel through the > three great island groups of the Pacific > O ye real Bahd'is of America: > Ocean, Polynesia, Micronesia and Melane- > Praise be to His > Highness the Desired sia, and the islands attached to these groups, > > One that ye have become confirmed in the such as New Guinea, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, > promotion of divine teachings in that vast Philippine Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji > > Continent, raised the call of the Kingdom of Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, New > God in that region and announced the Glad Caledonia, Bismarck Archipelago, Ceram, > Tidings of the manifestation of the Lord of Celebes, Friendly Islands, Samoa Islands, So- > Hosts and His Highness the Promised One. ciety Islands, Caroline Islands, Low Archi- > 192 THE BAHA'i WORLD > if necessary on foot and with the > pelago, Marquesas, Hawaiian Islands, Gilbert even > Islands, Moluccas, Marshall Islands, Timor utmost poverty, and while passing through > and the other islands. With hearts overflow- the cities, villages, mountains, deserts and > > ing with the love of God, with tongues oceans, cry at the top of > 1*' > my voice "Yacommemorating the mention of God, with BahaVl-Abha! and promote the divine > > eyes turned to the Kingdom of God, they teachings. But now this is not feasible for > must deliver the Glad Tidings of the mani- me; therefore I live in great regret; per- > > festation of the Lord of Hosts to all the chance, God willing, yc may become as- > > people. Know ye of a certainty that in what- sisted therein. > > The grave of the author of "NabiPs Narrative," "Akka, Palestine. > > ever meeting ye may enter, in the apex of At this time, in the island of Hawaii, > that meeting the Holy Spirit shall be waving through the efforts of Miss Alexander, a > and the heavenly confirmations of the Blessed number of souls have reached the shore of > Perfection shall encompass all. the sea of faith; Consider ye, what happi- > Consider ye, that Miss Agnes Alexander, ness, what joy is this! I declare by the Lord > the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved of Hosts that had this respected daughter > maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection, founded an empire, that empire would not > traveled alone to Hawaii and the Island of have been so great! For this sovereignty is > Honolulu, and now she is gaining spiritual eternal sovereignty and this glory is everlastvictoriesin Japan! Reflect ye how this ing glory. > daughter was confirmed in the Hawaiian Likewise, if some teachers go to other > Islands. She became the cause of the guid- islands and other parts, such as the continent > ance of a gathering of people. of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, also to > Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Japan, Asiatic Russia, Korea, French Indo- > Germany. To what a great extent she be- China, Siam, Straits Settlements, India, Ceycame confirmed! Therefore, know ye of a lon and Afghanistan, most great results will > > certainty that whosoever arises in this day to be forthcoming. How > good would it be > diffuse the divine fragrances, the cohorts of were there any possibility of a commission > the Kingdom of God shall confirm him and composed of men and women, to travel tothe bestowals and the favors of the Blessed gether through China and Japan, so that > Perfection shall encircle him. this bond of love may become strengthened, > > Oh, how I long that it could be made pos- and through this going and coming they may > sible for me to travel through these parts, establish the oneness of the world of human- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 193 > > summon the people to the Kingdom of > ity, islands,meetings and churches, invite man- > God and spread the teachings. kind to the Kingdom of Abha! The circle > Similarly, if possible, they should travel to of your exertion must become widened. The > the continent of Africa, Canary Islands, more it is broadened and extended, the greater > Cape Verde Islands, Madeira Islands, Re- will be your confirmation. > union Island, St. Helena, Zanzibar, Mauri- You have observed that while 'Abdu'ltius, etc., and in those countries summon the Baha was in the utmost bodily weakness and > people to the Kingdom of God and raise the feebleness, while He was indisposed, and had > cry of "Ya-Baha'u'1-Abha!" They must also not the power to move notwithstanding > upraise the flag of the oneness of the world of this physical state He traveled through many > humanity in the island of Madagascar. countries, in Europe and America, and in > Books and pamphlets must be either trans- churches, meetings and -conventions was oclated or composed in the languages of these cupied with the promotion of the divine > countries and islands, to be circulated in principles and summoned the people to the > every part and in all directions. manifestation of the Kingdom of Abha. > It is said that in South Africa, a diamond You have also observed how the confirmamine is discovered. Although this mine is tions of the Blessed Perfection encompassed > most valuable, yet after all it is stone. Per- all. What result is forthcoming from machance, God willing, the mine of humanity terial rest, tranquillity, luxury and attachmay be discovered and the brilliant pearls ment to this corporeal world! It is evident > of the Kingdom be found. that the man who pursues these things will > In brief, this world-consuming war has set in the end become afflicted with regret and > such a conflagration to the hearts that no loss. > > word can describe it. In all the countries of Consequently, one must close his eyes > the world the longing for Universal Peace wholly to these thoughts, long for eternal > is taking possession of the consciousness of life, the sublimity of the world of humanity, > men. There is not a soul who does not yearn the celestial developments, the Holy Spirit, > for concord and peace. A most wonderful the promotion of the Word of God, the > state of receptivity is being realized. This is guidance of the inhabitants of the globe, > through the consummate wisdom of God, so the promulgation of Universal Peace and the > that capacity may be created, the standard of proclamation of the oneness of the world of > the oneness of the world of humanity be up- humanity! This is the work! Otherwise like > raised, and the fundamentals of Universal unto other animals and birds one must oc- > Peace and the divine principles be promoted cupy himself with the requirements of this > in the East and the West. physical life, the satisfaction of which is > Therefore, O ye believers of God! Show the highest aspiration of the animal kingdom, > ye an effort and after this war spread ye the and one must stalk across the earth like unto > synopsis of the divine teachings in the British the quadrupeds. > Isles, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Consider ye! No matter how much man > Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, gains wealth, riches and opulence in this > Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Portu- world, he will not become as independent as > gal, Roumania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, a cow. For these fattened cows roam freely > Greece, Andora, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, over the vast tableland. All the prairies and > Monaco, San Marino, Balearic Isles, Corsica, meadows are theirs for grazing, and all the > Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Malta, Iceland, Faroe springs and rivers are theirs for drinking! > Islands, Shetland Islands, Hebrides and Ork- No matter how much they graze, the fields > ney Islands. will not be exhausted! It is evident that > In all these countries, like unto the morn- they have earned these material bounties > ing stars shine ye forth from the horizon of with the utmost facility. > guidance. Up to this time you have dis- Stillmore ideal than this life is the life > played great magnanimity, but after this, ye of the bird. A bird, on the summit of a > must add a thousand times to your effort and mountain, on the high, waving branches, has > throughout the above countries, capitals, built for itself a nest more beautiful than the > 194 THE BAHA'f WORLD > palaces of the kings! The air is in the utmost soever Thou wiliest in that which Thou de- > > purity, the, water cool and clear as crystal, sirest, and verily Thou art the Powerful, the > > the panorama charming and enchanting. In Omnipotent. > such glorious surroundings, he expends his Haifa, Palestine, > numbered days. All the harvests of the plain > April 11, 1916. > are his having earned all this > possessions, > wealth without the least labor. Hence, no > matter how much man may advance in this To the Assemblies and meetings of the beworld, he shall not attain to the station of lievers of God and the maid-servantsof the > this bird! Thus it becomes evident that in Merciful in the United States and Canada. > the matters of this world, however much > man may strive and work to the point of Upon them be BahaVllah u'l-Abha! > death, he will be unable to earn the abun- He is God! > dance, the freedom and the independent life > This proves and establishes > O ye heavenly souls, sons and daughters of > of a small bird. > the Kingdom: > the fact that man is not created for the life > of this ephemeral world: nay, rather, is he God says in the Qur'an, "Take ye hold of > created for the acquirement of infinite per- the Cord of God, all of you, and become ye > fections, for the attainment to the sublimity not disunited." > of the world of humanity, to be drawn nigh In the contingent world there are many > unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the collective centers which are conducive to > throne of everlasting sovereignty! association and unity between the children of > > Upon you be Baha'u'1-Abha! men. For example, patriotism is a collective > Any soul starting on a trip of teaching to center; nationalism is a collective center; > various parts, and while sojourning in strange identity of interests is a collective center; > > countries, may peruse the following supplica- political alliance is a collective center; the > tion day and night. union of ideals is a collective center, and the > O God! O God! Thou seest me enamored prosperity of the world of humanity is deand attracted toward Thy Kingdom, the pendent upon the organization and promou'l-Abha, enkindled with the fire of Thy tion of the collective centers. Nevertheless, > love amongst mankind, a herald of Thy King- all the above institutions are, in reality, the > dom in these vast and spacious countries, matter and not the substance, accidental and > severed from aught else save Thee, relying not eternal temporary and not everlasting. > on Thee, abandoning rest and comfort, re- With the appearance of great revolutions and > mote from my native home, a wanderer in upheavals, all these collective centers are > these regions, a stranger fallen on the ground, swept away. But the Collective Center of > humble before Thine exalted threshold, sub- the Kingdom, embodying the Institutes and > missive toward Thy most high realm, sup- Divine Teachings, is the eternal Collective > > plicating Thee in the middle of nights and Center. It establishes relationship between > in the heart of evenings, entreating and in- the East and the West, organizes the oneness > > voking Thee in the morn and eve; so that of the world of humanity, and destroys the > Thou mayest assist me in the service of Thy foundation of differences. It overcomes and > > Cause, the promotion of Thy Teachings and includes all the other collective centers. Like > the exaltation of Thy Word in the Easts of unto the ray of the sun, it dispels entirely > the earth and the Wests thereof. the darkness encompassing all the regions, > O Lord! my back and con- > Strengthen bestows ideal life, and causes the effulgence > firm me in Thy servitude with all my pow- of divine illumination. Through the breaths > ers, and do not leave me alone and by myself of the Holy Spirit it performs miracles; the > in these countries. Orient and the Occident embrace each other, > O Lord! Associate with me in my loneli- the North and South become intimates and > ness and accompany me in my journeys associates, conflicting and contending opinthrough these foreign lands. ions disappear, antagonistic aims are brushed > > Verily, Thou art the confirmer of whom- aside, the law of the struggle for existence is > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 195 > > abrogated, and the canopy of the oneness of of the Holy Spirit so that the second birth > the world of humanity is raised on the apex may become realized. For it is written in > of the globe, casting its shade over all the the Gospel, "That which is born of the flesh > races of men. Consequently, the real Collec- is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit > tive Center is the body of the divine teach- is spirit." > ings, which include all the degrees and em- Therefore, O ye believers of God in the > brace all the universal relations and necessary United States and Canada! Select ye imlaws of humanity. portant personages, or else they by them- > Consider! The people of the East and the selves, becoming severed from rest and com- > West were in the utmost strangeness. Now posure of the world, may arise and travel > to what a high degree they are acquainted throughout Alaska, the Republic of Mexico, > with each other and united together! How and south of Mexico in the Central American > far are the inhabitants of Iran from the re- Republics, such as Guatemala, Honduras, Salmotest countries of America! And now ob- vador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and > serve how great has been the influence of the Belize;and through the great South Ameriheavenly power, for the distance of thousands can Republics, such as Argentina, Uruguay, > of miles has become identical with one step! Paraguay, Brazil, French Guiana, Dutch Gui- > How various nations that have had no rela- ana, British Guiana, Venezuela, Ecuador, > tions or similarity with each other are now Peru, Bolivia and Chile; also in the group of > united and agreed through this divine po- the West Indies Islands, such as Cuba, Haiti, > tency! Indeed to God belongs power in the Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, > past and in the future! And verily God is and the group of Islands of the Lesser Anpowerful over all things! tilles, the Islands of Bahama and the Islands > > Consider! When the rain, the heat, the of Bermuda; likewise to the islands to the > sun and the gentle zephyrs cooperate with east, west and south of South America, such > each other, what beautiful gardens are pro- as Trinidad, Falkland Islands, Galapagos > duced! How the various kinds of hyacinths, Islands, Juan Fernandez and Tobago. Visit > flowers, trees and plants associate with each ye especially the city of Bahia, on the eastern > other and are conducive to the adornment shore of Brazil. Because in the past years > and charm of one another! Hence the one- this city was christened with the name, Bahia, > ness of the bounty of the sun, the oneness there is no doubt that it has been through > of rain and the oneness of the breeze have so the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. > overcome all other considerations that the Consequently, the believers of God must > variety of hues, fragrances and tastes have display the utmost effort, upraise the divine > increased the adornment, the attraction and melody throughout those regions, promulsweetness of the whole. In a similar manner, gate the heavenly teachings and waft over > when the divine Collective Center and the all, the spirit of eternal life; so that those > > outpouring of the Sun of Reality and the Republics may become so illumined with the > breaths of the Holy Spirit are brought to- splendors and the effulgences of the Sun of > gether, the variety of races and the differ- Reality that they may become the objects of > ences existing between countries will become the praise and commendation of all other > the cause of the embellishment, decoration countries. Likewise, you must give great > and elegance of the world of humanity. attention to the Republic of Panama, for in > Therefore, the believers of God through- that point the Occident and the Orient find > out all the republics of America, through the each other united through the Panama Canal, > divine power, must become the cause of and it is also situated between the two great > the promotion of heavenly teachings and the oceans. That place will become very imestablishment of the oneness of humanity. portant in the future. The Teachings once > Every one of the important souls must arise, established there will unite the East and the > > blowing over all parts of America the breath West, the North and the South. > of life,conferring upon the people a new Hence the intention must be purified, the > spirit, baptizing them with the fire of the effort ennobled and exalted, so that you may > love of God, the water of life, and the breaths establish affinity between the hearts of the > 196 THE BAHA'f WORLD > world of humanity. This glorious aim will Teachings amongst Thy strong servants, renot become realized save through the promo- lying on Thy power and might! > tion of divine teachings which are the foun- O Lord! I am a broken-winged bird and > dations of the holy religions. desire to soar in this Thy space to which there > Consider how the religions of God served is no limit. How is it possible for me to > the world of humanity! How > the religion do this Thy providence and > save through > of Torah became conducive to the glory and grace, Thy confirmation and assistance! > honor and progress of the Israelitish nation! O Lord! Have pity on my weakness and > How the breaths of the Holy Spirit of His strengthen me with Thy power! > Holiness Christ created affinity and unity be- O Lord! Have pity on my impotency and > tween divergent communities and quarreling assist me with Thy might and majesty! > families! How the sacred power of His Holi- O Lord! Should the breaths of the Holy > ness Muhammad became the means of uniting Spirit confirm the weakest of creatures, he > and harmonizing the contentious tribes and shall attain to the highest station of greatness > the different clans of Peninsular Arabia to and shall possess anything he desireth. Insuch an extent that one thousand tribes were deed Thou hast assisted Thy servants in the > welded into one tribe; strife and discord were past, and they were the weakest of Thy > done away with; all of them unitedly and creatures, the lowliest of Thy servants and > with one accord strove in advancing the the most insignificant of those who lived > cause of culture and civilization, and thus upon the earth; but through Thy sanction > were freed from the lowest degree of degrada- and potency they took precedence over the > tion, soaring toward the height of everlast- most glorious of Thy people and the most > ing glory! Is it possible to find a greater noble of Thy mankind. Whereas formerly > Collective Center in the phenomenal world they were as moths, they became royal falthan this? In comparison to this Divine Col- cons and whereas before they were as bubbles, > lective Center, the national collective center, they became seas. Through Thy bestowal, > the patriotic collective center, the political Thy mercy and Thy most great favor they > collective center and the cultural and in- became stars shining in the horizon of guidtellectual collective center are like child's ance, birds singing in the rose-gardens of > play! immortality, lions roaring in the forests of > Now strive ye that the Collective Center knowledge and wisdom and whales swimof the sacred religions for the inculcation ming in the oceans of life. > of which all the Prophets were manifested Verily, Thou art the Clement, the Powerand which is no other than the spirit of the ful, the Mighty, and the Most merciful of > Divine Teachings be spread in all parts of the Merciful! > America, so that each one of you may shine Haifa, Palestine, > forth from the horizon of Reality like unto March 8, 1917. > the morning star, divine illumination > may overcome the darkness of nature, > and the world of humanity may become en- To of God and the maidthe believers > lightened. This is the most great work! servants of the Merciful of the Bahd'i > Should you become confirmed therein, Assemblies in the United States of America > this world will become another world, the and Canada. > surface of the earth will become the delectable Paradise, and eternal Institutions be Upon them be BahaVllah u'l-Abha! > founded. He is God! > Let whosoever travels to different parts to > O ye apostles of Baha'u'llah May my life > teach, peruse over mountain, desert, land and > be a ransom to you! > sea this supplication! > O God! O God! Thou seest my weak- The blessed Person of the Promised One is > ness, lowlinessand humility amongst Thy interpreted in the Holy Book as the Lord of > creatures; nevertheless I have trusted in Thee Hosts the heavenly armies. By heavenly > and have arisen in the promotion of Thy armies those souls are intended who are en- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 197 > > tirely freed from the human world, trans- tirelyunaware of the sordid matters of this > formed into celestial spirits and have become world and in touch with the affairs of the > divine angels. Such souls are the rays of the divine world. > Sun of Reality who will illumine all the con- Consider you what doors His Holiness > tinents. Each one is holding in his hand Baha'u'llah has opened before you, and what > a trumpet, blowing the breath of life over a high and exalted station He has destined > all the regions. They are delivered from for you, and what bounties He has prepared > human qualitiesand the defects of the for you! Should we become intoxicated with > world of nature, are characterized with the this cup, the sovereignty of this globe of > characteristics of God, and are attracted with earth will become lower in our estimation > the fragrances of the Merciful. Like unto than the children's plays. Should they place > the apostles of Christ, who were filled with in the arena the crown of the government of > > Him, these souls also have become filled with the whole world, and invite each one of us to > His Holiness Baha'u'llah; that is, the love of accept it, undoubtedly we shall not conde- > Baha'u'llah has so mastered every organ, part scend, and shall refuse to accept it. > and limb of their bodies, as to leave no effect To attain to this supreme station is, howfrom the promptings of the human world. ever, dependent on the realization of certain > These souls are the armies of God and the conditions: > > conquerors of the East and the West. Should The first condition is firmness in the > one of them turn his face toward some direc- Covenant of God. For the power of the > tion and summon the people to the Kingdom Covenant will protect the Cause of Baha'uof God, all the ideal forces and lordly con- 'llah from the doubts of the people of error. > > firmations will rush to his support and rein- It is the fortified fortress of the Cause of God > > forcement. He will behold all the doors open and the firm pillar of the religion of God. > and all the strong fortifications and impreg- Today no power can conserve the oneness of > nable castles razed to the ground. Singly and the Baha'i world save the Covenant of God; > alone he will attack the armies of the world, otherwise differences like unto a most great > defeat the right and left wings of the hosts tempest will encompass the Baha'i world. It > of all the countries, break through the lines isevident that the axis of the oneness of the > of the legions of all the nations and carry his world of humanity is the power of the Coveattack to the very center of the powers of nant and nothing else. Had the Covenant > the earth. This is the meaning of the Hosts not come to pass, had it not been revealed > of God. from the Supreme Pen and had not the Book > Any soul from among the believers of of the Covenant, like unto the ray of the > Baha'u'llah who attains to this station, will Sun of Reality, illuminated the world, the > become known as the Apostle of Baha'u'llah. forces of the Cause of God would have been > Therefore strive ye with heart and soul so utterly scattered and certain souls who were > that ye may reach this lofty and exalted posi- the prisoners of their own passions and lusts > tion, be establishedon the throne of ever- would have taken into their hands an axe, > lasting glory, and crown your heads with cutting the root of this Blessed Tree. Every > the shining diadem of the Kingdom, whose person would have pushed forward his own > brilliant jewels may irradiate upon centuries desire and every individual aired his own > and cycles. opinion! Notwithstanding this great Cove- > O ye kind friends!Uplift your mag- nant, a few negligent souls galloped with > > nanimity and soar high toward the apex of their chargers into the battlefield, thinking > heaven so that your blessed hearts may be- perchance they might be able to weaken the > come illumined more and more, day by day, foundation of the Cause of God: but praise > through the Rays of the Sun of Reality, that be to God all of them were afflicted with re- > His Holiness Baha'u'llah; at every moment > is, gret and loss, and ere long they shall see > the spirits may obtain a new life, and the themselves in poignant despair. Therefore, > darkness of the world of nature may be en- in the beginning one must make his steps > > tirely dispelled; thus you may become incar- firm in the Covenant so that the confirmanate light and personified spirit, become en- tions of Baha'u'llah may encircle from all > 198 THE BAHA'f WORLD > sides,the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse You have observed that while in America > may become the supporters and the helpers, many souls in the utmost of supplication and > and the exhortations and advices of 'Abdu'l- entreaty desired to offer some gifts, but this > Baha, like unto the pictures engraved on servant, in accord with the exhortations and > stone, may remain permanent and inefface- behests of the Blessed Perfection, never acable in the tablets of the hearts. cepted a thing, although on certain occasions > The second condition: Fellowship and love we were in most straitened circumstances. > amongst the believers. The divine friends But on the other hand, if a soul for the sake > must be attracted to and enamored of each of God, voluntarily and out of his pure desire, > other and ever be ready and willing to sacri- wishes to offer a contribution (toward the > fice their own lives for each other. Should expenses of a teacher) in order to make the > one soul from amongst the believers meet an- contributor happy, the teacher may accept a > other, it must be as though a thirsty one with small sum, but must live with the utmost > parched lips has reached to the fountain of contentment. > the water of life, or a lover has met his true The aim is this: The intention of the > beloved. For one of the greatest divine wis- teacher must be pure, his heart independent, > doms regarding the appearance of the Holy thought at peace, his > his spirit attracted, his > Manifestations is this: The souls may come resolution firm, his magnanimity exalted and > to know each other and become intimate with in the love of God a shining torch. Should > each other; the power of the love of God may he become as such, his sanctified breath will > make all of them the waves of one sea, the even affect the rock; otherwise there will be > flowers of one rose garden, and the stars of no result whatsoever. As long as a soul is > one heaven. This is the wisdom for the ap- not perfected, how can he efface the defects > pearance of the Holy Manifestations! When of others. Unless he is detached from aught > the most great bestowal reveals itself in the else save God, how can he teach severance to > hearts of the believers, the world of nature others! > will be transformed, the darkness of the con- In short, O ye believers of God! Endeavor > tingent being will vanish, and heavenly il- ye, so that you may take hold of every means > lumination will be obtained. Then the whole in the promulgation of the religion of God > world will become the Paradise of Abha, and the diffusion of the fragrances of God. > every one of the believers of God will become Amongst other things is the holding of the > a blessed tree, producing wonderful fruits. meetings for teaching so that blessed souls > O ye friends! Fellowship, fellowship! and the old ones from amongst the believers > Love, love! Unity, unity! So that the may gather together the youths of the love of > power of the Baha'i Cause may appear and God in schools of instruction and teach them > become manifest in the world of existence. all the divine proofs and irrefragible argu- > > Just at this moment I am engaged in your ments, explain and elucidate the history of > commemoration and this heart is in the ut- the Cause, and interpret also the prophecies > most glow and excitement! Were you to rea- and proofs which are recorded and are extant > lize how this consciousness is attracted with in the divine Books and Epistles regarding > the love of the friends, unquestionably you the Manifestation of the Promised One, so > would obtain such a degree of joy and fra- that the young ones may go in perfect knowlgrance that you would all become enamored edge in all these degrees. > with each other! Likewise, whenever it is possible a com- > The third condition: Teachers must con- mittee must be organized for the translation > tinually travel to all parts of the continent, of the Tablets. Wise souls who have masnay, rather, to all parts of the world, but they tered and studied perfectly the Iranian, Aramust travel like 'Abdu'1-Baha, who journeyed bic, and other foreign languages, or know one > > throughout the cities of America. He was of the foreign languages, must commence > sanctified and free from every attachment translating Tablets and books containing the > and in the utmost severance. Just as His proofs of this Revelation, and publishing > Holiness Christ says, "Shake off the very those books, circulate them throughout the > dust from your feet." five continents of the globe. > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 199 > > Similarly, the Magazine, the Star of the quarrel and contend about a question of the > West, must be edited with the utmost regu- Divine questions, differing and disputing, > larity, but its contents must be the promul- both are wrong. The wisdom of this ingation of the Cause of God that both East controvertible law of God is this: That beand West may become informed of the most tween two souls from amongst the believers > important events. of God, no contention and dispute may > In short, in all the meetings, whether pub- arise; that they may speak with each other > lic or private, nothing should be discussed with infinite amity and love. Should > save that which is under consideration, and there appear the least trace of controversy, > all the articles be centered around the Cause > they must remain silent, and both parties > of God. Promiscuous talk must not be must continue their discussions no longer, > dragged in and contention is absolutely for- but ask the reality .of the question from > bidden. the Interpreter. This is the irrefutable > The teachers traveling in different direc- command! > tions must know the language of the country Upon you be Baha'u'1-Abha! > in which they will enter. For example, a > > person being proficient in the Japanese lan- Slip plication > > guage may travel to Japan, or a person know- O God! O God! Thou seest that black > ing the Chinese language may hasten to darkness hath encompassed all the regions, > China, and so forth. all the countries are burning with the con- > > In short, after this universal war, the peo- flagration of dissension and the fire of war > ple have obtained extraordinary capacity to and carnage is ignited in the Easts of the > hearken to the divine teachings, for the earth and the Wests thereof. The blood is > wisdom of this war is this: That it may be- being shed, the corpses are outstretched and > come proven to all that the fire of war is the heads are decapitated and thrown on the > world-consuming, whereas the rays of peace ground in the battlefield. > are world-enlightening. One is death, the Lord! Lord! Have pity on these ignorant > other is life; this is extinction, that is im- ones, look upon them with the eye of forgivemortality; one is the most great calamity, ness and pardon. Extinguish this fire so that > the other is the most great bounty; this is these gloomy clouds covering the horizon may > darkness, that is light; this is eternal humilia- be scattered; the Sun of Reality may shine > tion and that is everlasting glory; one is the forth with the rays of conciliation; this > destroyer of the foundation of man, the other darkness be rent asunder and all the countries > isthe founder of the prosperity of the human be illumined with the lights of peace. > race. Lord! Awaken them from the depths of > Consequently, a number of souls may arise the sea of animosity, deliver them from these > and act in accordance with the aforesaid impenetrable darknesses, establish affinity beconditions, and hasten to parts of the > all tween their hearts and enlighten their eyes > world, especially from America to Europe, with the light of peace and reconciliation. > Africa, Asia and Australia, and travel Lord! Rescue them from the fathomless > through Japan and China. Likewise, from depths of war and bloodshed! Arouse them > Germany teachers and believers may travel out of the gloom of error, rend asunder the > to the continents of America, Africa, Japan veil from their eyes, brighten their hearts > and China; in brief, they may travel through with the light of guidance, deal with them > all the continents and islands of the globe. > through Thy favor and mercy and do not > Thus in a short space of time, most wonder- treat them according to Thy justice and > ful results will be produced, the banner of wrath through which the backs of the mighty > Universal Peace will be waving on the apex ones are shaken! > of the world and the lights of the oneness of Lord! Verily the wars have prolonged, > the world of humanity may illumine the the calamities have increased, and every > universe. building hath turned into ruin. > In brief, O > ye believers of God! The text Lord! Verily the breasts are agitated and > of the Divine Book is this: If two souls the souls are convulsed. Have mercy on > 200 THE BAHA'f WORLD > these poor ones and do not leave them to do for each and all of you confirmations and > with themselves that which they desire! assistance from the threshold of Oneness, so > Lord! Send forth throughout Thy coun- that those gatherings may become ignited like > tries humble and submissive souls, their faces unto candles, in the republics of America, > illumined with the rays of guidance, severed enkindling the light of the love of God in > from the world, speaking Thy remembrance the hearts; thus the rays of the heavenand praise and diffusing Thy holy fragrances ly teachingsmay begem and brighten the > amongst mankind! states America like the infinitude of > of > Lord! Strengthen their backs, reinforce immensity with the stars of the most great > their loins and dilate their breasts with the guidance. > signs of Thy most great love. The Northeastern states on the shores of > Lord! Verily they are weak and Thou art the Atlantic Maine, New Hampshire, > the Powerful and the Mighty; and they are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, > impotent and Thou art the Helper and the Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and > Merciful! New York in some of these states believers > Lord! Verily the sea of transgression is are found, but in some of the cities of these > waving high and these hurricanes will not states up are not yet > to this date people > be calmed down save through Thy bound- illumined with the lights of the Kingdom > less grace which hath embraced all the and are not aware of the heavenly teachings; > regions! therefore, whenever it is possible for each one > Lord! Verily the souls are in the deep val- of you, hasten ye to those cities and shine > leys of lust and nothing will awaken them forth like unto the stars with the light of > save Thy most wonderful bounties. the most great guidance. God says in the > Lord! Dispel these darknesses of tempta- glorious Qur'an, "The soil was black and > tions and illumine the hearts with the lamp dried. Then we caused the rain to descend > of Thy love, through which all the countries upon it and immediately 4t became green, > will be enlightened. Confirm those believers verdant, and every kind of plant sprouted up > who, leaving their countries, their families luxuriantly." In other words, he says the > and their children, travel throughout the re- earth is black, but when the spring showers > > gions for the sake of the love of Thy beauty, descend upon it that black soil is quickened, > the diffusion of Thy fragrances and the pro- and variegated flowers are pushed forth. This > mulgation of Thy teachings. Be thou their means the souls of humanity belonging to > companion in their loneliness, their helper in the world of nature are black like unto the > a strange land, the remover of their sorrow, soil. But when the heavenly outpourings > the comforter in their calamity, their de- descend and the radiant effulgences appear, > liverer in their hardship, the satisfier of their the hearts are resuscitated, are liberated from > thirst, the healer of their malady and the the darkness of nature and the flowers of > > allayer of the fire of their longing. divine mysteries grow and become luxuriant. > > Verily, Thou art the Clement, the Posses- Consequently man must become the cause of > sor of Mercy, and Verily Thou art the Com- the illumination of the world of humanity > > passionate and the Merciful. and propagate the holy teachings revealed in > the sacred books through divine inspiration. > Haifa, Palestine, > It is stated inthe blessed Gospel: Travel ye > April 19, 20 and 22, 1917. > toward the East and toward the West and > enlighten the people with the light of the > To the friends and maid-servants of God in most great guidance, so that they may take a > the Northeastern States. portion and share of the eternal life. Praise > be to God, that the Northeastern states are > Upon them be greeting and praise! in the utmost capacity. Because the ground > rich, the rain of the divine > O ye heavenly heralds: is > outpouring is > descending. Now > you must become heavenly > These are the days of Naw-Ruz. I am farmers and scatter pure seeds in the prepared > always thinking of those kind friends! I beg soil. The harvest of every other seed is > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 201 > > limited, but the bounty and the blessing of wholesomeness of the water, and the charm > the seed of the Divine Teachings is unlimited. of the mountains, plains and prairies and are > Throughout the coming centuries and cycles preferred above all the rest, yet Palestine bemany harvests will be gathered. Consider the came an honor to all other regions of the > work of former generations. During the world because all the holy divine Manifestalifetime of His Holiness Christ the believing, tions from the time of His Holiness Abrafirm souls were few and numbered, but the ham to the time of the appearance of the Seal > heavenly benedictions descended so plenti- of the Prophets, have either lived in this refully that in a number of years countless gion or emigrated to or traveled through > souls entered under the shade of the Gospel. here. > God has said in the Qur'an, "One grain will Likewise Yathroh and Bat-ha attained to > bring forth seven sheaves, and every sheaf the most great bounty and the light of the > shall contain one hundred grains." In other Prophets has shone from that horizon. For > words, one grain will become seven hundred; this reason Palestine and Hedjaz are dis- > > and if God so wills he will double these also. tinguished above all other regions. > It has often happened that one blessed soul Likewise as the continent of America in > has become the cause of the guidance of a the estimation of the True One is the field > nation. Now we must not look at our own of the effulgence of light, the Kingdom of > ability and capacity; nay, rather, we must be- the manifestation of mysteries, the home of > hold the favors and bounties of God in these the righteous ones and the gathering place of > > days, who has made the drop to find the ex- the free, therefore, every section thereof is > > pression of the sea and the atom the import- blessed; but because these nine states have > ance of the sun. been favored in faith and assurance, hence > Upon you be greeting and praise! through this precedence they have obtained > Haifa, Palestine, spiritual privilege. They must realize the > > March 26, 1916. value of this bounty; because they have obtained such a favor and in order to render > > thanksgiving for this most great bestowal, > To the believers of God and the maid- they must arise in the diffusion of divine > servants of the Merciful of the Northeastern fragrances so that the blessed verse of the > States of the United States of America Qur'an: > Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, > Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Penn- "God is the light of heaven and earth: the > New York. similitude of His light a niche in a wall, > sylvania, Nciv Jersey, > is > > wherein a lamp is placed, and the lamp en- > He is God! closed in a case of glass; the glass appears as > if itwere a shining star. It is lighted with > O ye real friends: > the oil of a blessed tree, an olive neither of > All the regions in the estimation of the the East, nor of the West; it wanteth little > True One are one region and all the cities but that the oil thereof would give light, aland villages are ideally equal and similar to though no fire touched it. This is the light > each other. Neither holds distinction over added unto light. God will direct unto His > another. All of them are the fields of God light whom He pleaseth." > and the habitation of the souls of men. But > through faith and assurance and the pre- may be realized. > cedence of one part over another the dweller He says, "The world of nature is the > imparts holiness and sanctification to the world of darkness, because it is the origin of > dwelling and some of the countries becoming a thousand depravities; nay, rather, it is dark- > > exceptional, attain to the most great distinc- ness upon darkness." The illumination of > tion. the world of nature is > dependent upon the > For example, notwithstanding that some of splendor of the Sun of Reality. The grace > the countries of Europe and America are dis- of guidance is like unto the candle which is > tinguished for the purity of the air, the enkindled in the glass of knowledge and wis- > 202 THE BAHA'l WORLD > dom and that glass of knowledge and wis- of guidance, opened the doors of the Kingdom is the mirror of the heart of humanity. dom and manifested Thyself through the > The oil of that luminous lamp is from the Sun of Reality. To the blind Thou hast > fruits of the Blessed Tree and that oil is so given sight; to the deaf Thou hast granted > refined that it will burn without light. When hearing; Thou hast resuscitated the dead; > the intensity of the light and the trans- Thou hast shown the *way to those who have > lucency of the glass and the purity of the gone astray; Thou hast led those with parched > mirror are brought together, it will become lips to the fountain of guidance; Thou hast > > light upon light. > suffered the thirsty fish to reach the ocean of > In brief, in these nine blessed states reality and Thou hast invited the wandering > 'Abdu'1-Baha journeyed and traveled from birds to the rose garden of grace. > > place to place, explained the wisdom of the O Thou Almighty! We people are Thy > heavenly books and diffused the fragrances. servants and Thy poor ones! We are remote, > In most of these states he founded the Divine we yearn for Thy presence; we are thirsty > Edifice and opened the door of teaching. In for the water of Thy fountain; we are ill, > those states he sowed pure seeds and planted longing for Thy medicine. We are walking > blessed trees. in Thy path and have no aim or hope save the > > Now the believers of God and the maid- diffusion of Thy fragrances so that the souls > servants of the Merciful must irrigate these may raise the cry of "O God! Guide us to the > fields and with the utmost power engage straight path!" May they open their eyes > themselves in the cultivation of these heav- by beholding the lights and become freed > enly plantations so that the seeds may grow from the darkness of ignorance! May they > and develop, prosperity and blessing be rea- walk around the lamp of guidance! May > lized and many rich and great harvests be the portionless receive a share! and may the > > gathered in. deprived ones become the confidants of the > The Kingdom of God is like unto a farmer mysteries! > who comes into possession of a piece of pure O Almighty! Look upon us with the > and virgin soil. Heavenly seeds are scattered glance of mercifulness! Grant us heavenly > therein, the clouds of divine providence pour confirmation! Bestow upon us the breaths > down and the rays of the Sun of Reality shine of the Holy Spirit! So that we may become > forth. assisted in service and like unto brilliant stars > > Now all these bounties exist and appear in we may shine in these regions with the light > full in these nine states. The divine Gar- of guidance! Verily! Thou art the Powerdener passed by that holy ground and scat- ful, the Mighty, and Thou art the Wise and > tered pure seeds from the lordly teachings the Seeing! > in that field; the rain of the bounties of God Haifa, Palestine, > poured down and the heat of the Sun of February 2, 1917. > Reality that is, the merciful confirmations > shone with the utmost splendor. It is my > hope that each one of those blessed souls may To the friends and the maid-servants of the > become a peerless and unique irrigator and Merciful in the Southern States. > the East and the West of America may become like unto a delectable paradise so that Upon them be greeting and praise! > all of you may hear from the Supreme Con- > O ye heralds of the Kingdom of God: > course the cry of "Blessed are you, and again > blessed are you!" A few days ago an epistle was written to > Upon you be greeting and praise! those divine believers, but because these days > are the days of Naw-Ruz, you have come to > The following supplication is to be read my mind and I am sending you this greeting > by the teachers and friends daily: for this glorious feast. All the days are > O Thou Kind Lord! Praise be unto Thee blessed, but this feast is the national fete of > that Thou hast shown unto us the highway f ran. The Iranians have been holding it for > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 203 > > several thousand years past. In reality every To the believersof God and the maidday which man passes in the mention of God, servants of the Merciful in the Southern > the diffusion of the fragrances of God and States. > of God, > calling the people to the Kingdom > that day is his feast. Praise be to God that Upon them be Baha'u'llah u'l-Abha! > you are occupied in the service of the King- O ye blessed, respected souls: > dom of God and are engaged in the promulgation of the religion of God by day > and by The philosophers of the ancients, the thinknight. Therefore all your days are feast days. ers of the Middle Ages and the scientists of > There is no doubt that the assistance and the this and the former centuries have all agreed > bestowal of God shall descend upon you. upon the fact that the best and the most > In the Southern States of the United States, ideal region for the habitation of man is the > the friends are few, that is, in Delaware, temperate zone, for in this belt the intellects > Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North and thoughts rise to the highest stage of ma- > Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, turity, and the capability and ability of civi- > Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, lization manifest themselves in full efflores- > Louisiana, Arkansas,Oklahoma and Texas. cence. When you read history critically and > Consequently you must either go yourselves with a penetrating eye, it becomes evident > or send a number of blessed souls to those that the majority of the famous men have > states, so that they may guide the people to been born, reared and have done their work > the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the Holy in the temperate zone, while very very few > > Manifestations, addressing a believing soul, have appeared from the torrid and frigid > says, "If a person become > the cause of the zones. > illumination of one soul, it is better than a Now these sixteen Southern States of the > boundless treasury." Again He says, "O 'Ali! United States are situated in the temperate > If God guide, through thee, one soul, it is zone, and in these regions the perfections of > better for thee than all the riches!" Again the world of nature have been fully revealed. > He says, "Direct us to the straight path!" For the moderation of the weather, the beauty > that is, Show us the right road. It is also of the scenery and the geographical configmentioned in the Gospel, "Travel ye to all uration of the country display a great effect > the glad tidparts of the world and give ye in the world of minds and thoughts. This > ings of the appearance of the Kingdom of fact is well demonstrated through observa- > God." tion and experience. > In brief, hope you will display in this > I Even the holy, divine Manifestations have > respect the greatest effort and magnanimity. had a nature in the utmost equilibrium, the > It is assured that you will become assisted health and wholesomeness of their bodies > and confirmed. A person declaring the glad most perfect, their constitutions endowed > tidings of the appearance of the realities > and with physical vigor, their powers functioning > like unto a > significances of the Kingdom is in perfect order, and the outward sensations > farmer who scatters pure seeds in the rich linked with the inward perceptions, working > soil. The spring cloud will pour upon them together with extraordinary momentum and > the rain of bounty, and unquestionably the coordination. > station of the farmer will be raised in the Therefore in these sixteen states, because > estimation of the lord of the village, and they are contiguous to other states and their > many harvests will be gathered. climate being in the utmost of moderation, > Therefore, ye friends of God! Appreciate unquestionably the divine teachings must reye the value of this time and be ye engaged veal themselves with a brighter effulgence, > in the sowing of the seeds, so that you may the breaths of the Holy Spirit must display a > find the heavenly blessing and the lordly > penetrating intensity, the ocean of the love > bestowal. Upon you be BahaVl-Abha! of God must be stirred with higher waves, > Haifa, Palestine, the breezes of the rose garden of the divine > March 27, 1916. love be wafted with higher velocity, and the > 204 THE BAHA'l WORLD > fragrances of holiness be diffused with swift- Christ hastened to that part, and through his > ness and rapidity. effort, ere long that province became il- > Praise be to God that the divine outpour- lumined. Thus it has become evident how > ings are infinite, the melody of the lordly the power of the Kingdom works! > > principles is in the utmost efficacy, the most Therefore, rest ye assured in the confirmagreat Orb shining with perfect splendor, the tions of the Merciful and the assistances of > cohorts of the Supreme Concourse are at- the Most High; become ye sanctified above > > tacking with invincible power, the tongues and purified from this world and the inare sharper than the swords, the hearts are habitants thereof; suffer your intention to > more brilliant than the light of electricity, become for the good of all; cut your attachthe magnanimity of the friends precedes all ment to the earth and like unto the essence > the magnanimities of the former and subse- of the spirit become ye light and delicate. > > quent generations, the souls are divinely at- Then with a firm resolution, a pure heart, a > tracted, and the fire of the love of God is rejoiced spirit, and an eloquent tongue, enenkindled. gage your time in the promulgation of the > At this time and at this period we must divine principles so that the oneness of the > avail ourselves of this most great opportunity. world of humanity may pitch her canopy in > We must not sit inactive for one moment; the apex of America and all the nations of > we must sever ourselves from composure, the world may follow the divine policy. This > > rest, tranquillity, goods, property, life and is certain, that the divine policy is justice > attachment to material things. We must and kindness toward all mankind. For all > sacrifice everything to His Highness, the the nations of the world are the sheep of > Possessor of existence, so that the powers of God, and God is the kind shepherd. He has > the Kingdom may show greater penetration created these sheep. He has protected them, > and the brilliant effulgence in this New Cycle sustained and trained them. What greater > may illumine the worlds of minds and ideals. kindness than this? And*every moment we > It about twenty-three years that the > is must render a hundred thousand thanksgivfragrances of God have been diffused in ings that, praise be to God, we are freed from > America, but no adequate and befitting mo- all the ignorant prejudices, are kind to all the > tion has been realized, and no great acclama- sheep of God, and our utmost hope is to serve > tion and acceleration has been witnessed. each and all, and like unto a benevolent > Now it is my hope that through the heavenly father educate every one. > > power, the fragrances of the Merciful, the Upon you be greeting and praise! > attraction of consciousness, the celestial out- Every soul who travels through these cities, > pourings, the heavenly cohorts and the gush- villages and hamlets of these states and is ening forth of the mountain of divine love, the gaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of > believers of God may arise and in a short God, must peruse this commune every morntime the greatest good may unveil her coun- ing: > tenance, the Sun of Reality may shine forth O God! O God! Behold me! Notwith such intensity that the darkness of the withstanding my lowliness and my lack of > world of nature may become entirely dis- capacity and ability, I am bent upon the acpelled and driven away; from every corner a complishment of the greatest works, aiming > most wonderful melody may be raised, the to promote Thy Word amongst the republics > > morning birds may break into such a song and resolved to spread Thy teachings amongst > that the world of humanity may be quick- all mankind. Far be it from me to become > ened and moved, the solid bodies may become confirmed in work save Thou mayst > this > > liquefied, and the souls who are like unto me with the breaths of the Holy Spirit! > assist > > adamantine rocks may open their wings and Make me victorious through the armies of > through the heat of the love of God fly Thy Supreme Kingdom and encircle me > heavenward. with Thy confirmations, which shall make > Nearly two thousand years ago, Armenia the moth the eagle, the drop the river and > was enveloped with impenetrable darkness. the seas, and the scintillas the suns and the > One blessed soul from among the disciples of moons! > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 205 > > O Lord! Confirm me with Thine insuper- enly teachings, like the candles they are > able power and Thy penetrating potency, so burning with the light of the love of God, > that my tongue may speak out Thy praises and like thankful birds are singing songs, > and glorifications amongst Thy creatures, spirit-imparting, joy-creating, in the rose garand my heart become overflowed with the den of the knowledge of God, yet in the > wine of Thy love and knowledge. Verily, states of Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North > Thou art the powerful to do that which Thou Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas > wiliest, and Thou art mighty over all things! few of the believers exist. So far the sum- > Haifa, Palestine, mons of the Kingdom of God and the proc- > February 3, 1917. lamation of the oneness of the world of humanity has not been made in these states > systematically and enthusiastically. Blessed > To the friends of God and the maid-servants souls and detached teachers have not traveled > > of the Merciful in the Central States. through these parts repeatedly; therefore > these states are still in a state of heedlessness. > ye heavenly souls, O ye spiritual assem- > O ye lordly meetings: Through the efforts of the friends of God > blies, > souls must be likewise enkindled in these > For some time past correspondence has states, with the fire of the love of God and > been delayed, and this has been on account attracted to the Kingdom of God, so that > of the difficulty of mailing and receiving section may also become illumined and the > letters. But because at present a number of soul imparting breeze of the rose garden of > facilities are obtainable, therefore, I am en- the Kingdom may perfume the nostrils of the > gaged in writing you this brief epistle so that inhabitants. Therefore, if it is possible, send > my heart and soul may obtain joy and fra- to those parts teachers who are severed from > grance through the remembrance of the all else save God, sanctified and pure. If > friends. Continually this wanderer suppli- these teachers be in the utmost state of atcates and entreats at the threshold of His traction, in a short time great results will be > Holiness the One and begs assistance, bounty forthcoming. The sons and daughters of the > and heavenly confirmations in behalf of the kingdom are like unto the real farmers. > believers. You are always in my thought. Through whichever state or country they > You are not nor shall you ever be forgotten. pass they display self-sacrifice and sow divine > 1 hope by the favor of His Holiness the Al- seeds. From that seed harvests are produced. > mighty that day by day you may add to your On this subject it is revealed in the glorious > faith, assurance, firmness and steadfastness, Gospel: When the pure seeds are scattered in > and become instruments for the promotion of the good ground heavenly blessing and benethe holy fragrances. In the great book, the diction is obtained. I hope that you may > > divine Qur'an, God, addressing his Messen- become assisted and confirmed, and never > ger, His Holiness Muhammad (upon him be lose courage in the promotion of the divine > greeting and praise!), says, "Verily thou dost teachings. Day by day may you add to your > guide the people to the straight path." In effort, exertion, and magnanimity. > other words, Thou dost show mankind the Upon you be greeting and praise! > direct road. Consider how guidance is a > Haifa, Palestine, > matter of infinite importance, for it points to March 29, 1916. > the loftiness of the station of His Holiness > the Messenger. > To the believers and the maid-servants of > Although in the states of Illinois, Wiscon- God in the Central States. > sin, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota praise > be to God believers are found who are as- Upon them be BahaVHah u'l-Abha! > sociating with each other in the utmost > He is God! > firmness and steadfastness day and night > they have no other intention save the diffu- God says in the great Qur'an, "He specialsion of the fragrances of God, they have no izes for His Mercy whomsoever He willeth." > other hope except the promotion of the heav- O ye old believers and intimate friends: > 206 THE BAHA'f WORLD > These twelve central states of the United way for the celebration of the Golden Cen- > States are like unto the heart of America, tenary Anniversary of the Kingdom of God. > and the heart is connected with all the organs I > hope that this Jubilee and this Exhibition > and parts of man. If the heart is strength- may be celebrated in the utmost perfection > ened, all the organs of the body are rein- so that the call to the world of unity, "There > > forced, and if the heart is weak all the phys- is no God but One God, and all the Mesical elements are subjected to feebleness. sengers, from the beginning to the Seal of > Now praise be to God that Chicago and the Prophets (Muhammad) were sent on the > its environs from the beginning of the diffu- part of the True One!" may be raised; the > sion of the fragrances of God have been a flag of the oneness of the world of humanity > strong heart. Therefore, through divine be unfurled, the melody of Universal Peace > bounty and providence it has become con- may reach the ears of the East and the West, > firmed in certain great matters. all the paths may be cleared and straightened, > The Call of the Kingdom was in > Firstly: all the hearts may be attracted to the Kingthe very beginning raised from Chicago. dom of God, the tabernacle of unity be > This is indeed a great privilege, for in future pitched on the apex of America, the song of > centuries and cycles, it will be as an axis the love of God may exhilarate and rejoice > around which the honor of Chicago will all the nations and peoples, the surface of the > > revolve. earth may become the eternal paradise, the > > Secondly: A number of souls with the ut- dark clouds may be dispelled and the Sun of > most firmness and steadfastness arose in that Truth may shine forth with the utmost inblessed spot in thepromotion of the Word tensity. > of God and even to the present moment, O ye friends of God! Exert ye with heart > having purified and sanctified the heart from and soul, so that association, love, unity and > every thought, they are occupied with the agreement be obtained between the hearts, > promulgation of the teachings of God. all the aims may be merged into one aim, all > > Hence the call of praise is raised uninter- the songs become one song and the power of > > ruptedly from the Supreme Concourse. the Holy Spirit may become so overwhelm- > Thirdly: During the American journey ingly victorious as to overcome all the forces > 'Abdu'1-Baha several times passed through of the world of nature. Work! This is > Chicago and associated with the friends of the great Work, should ye become assisted > God. For some time he sojourned in that therein. Thus America may become the > city. Day and night he was occupied with fulcrum of merciful susceptibilities, and > the mention of the True One and summoned the throne of the Kingdom of God is estabthe people to the Kingdom of God. lished upon earth with the greatest joy and > Fourthly: Up to the present time, every majesty. > movement initiated in Chicago, its effect was This phenomenal world will not remain in > spread to all parts and to all directions, just an unchanging condition even for a short > as everything that appears in and manifests while. Second after second it undergoes > from the heart influences all the organs and change and transformation. Every foundalimbs of the body. tion will finally become every > collapsed; > Fifthly: The first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in glory and splendor will at last vanish and > America was instituted in Chicago, and this disappear, but the Kingdom of God is eternal > honor and distinction is infinite in value. and the heavenly sovereignty and majesty > Undoubtedly out of this Mashriqu'l-Adhkar will stand firm, everlasting. Hence in the > thousands of other Mashriqu'l-Adhkars will estimation of a wise man the mat in the > be born. Kingdom of God is preferable to the throne > Likewise (were instituted in Chicago) the of the government of the world. > general Annual Conventions, the foundation Continually my ear and eye are turned toof the Star of the West, the Publishing So- ward the Central States; perchance a melody > ciety for the publication of books and Tab- from some blessed souls may reach my ears > lets and their circulation in all parts of souls who are the dawning-places of the love > > America, and the preparations now under of God, the stars of the horizon of sanctifica- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 207 > > tion and holiness souls who will illumine owing all these regions! Verily Thou art the > thisdark universe and quicken to life this Mighty, the Powerful and Unconstrained! > dead world. The joy of 'Abdu'1-Baha de- Haifa, Palestine, > pends upon this! I hope that you may be- February 8, 1917. > come confirmed therein. > Consequently, those souls who are in a > condition of the utmost severance, purified To the believers of God and the maid-servfrom the defects of the world of nature, ants of the Merciful in the Western States. > sanctified from attachment to this earth, > vivified with the breaths of eternal life > He is God! > with luminous hearts, with heavenly spirit, > O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom: > with attraction of consciousness, with celestial magnanimity, with eloquent tongues nad Day and night I have no other occupation > with clear explanations such souls must than the remembrance of the friends, prayhasten and travel through all parts of the ing from the depth of my heart in their be- > Central States. In every city and village half,begging for them confirmation from > they must occupy themselves with the diffu- the Kingdom of God and supplicating the > sion of the divine exhortations and advices, direct effect of the breaths of the Holy > > guide the souls and promote the oneness of Spirit. I am hopeful from the favors of His > the world of humanity. They must play the Highness the Lord of Bestowals, that the > melody of international conciliation with friends of God during such a time may besuch power that every deaf one may attain come the secret cause of the illumination of > hearing, every extinct person may be set the hearts of humanity, breathing the breath > > aglow, every dead one may obtain new life of life upon the spiritswhose praiseworthy > and every indifferent soul may find ecstasy. results may become conducive to the glory > It is certain that such will be the consum- and exaltation of humankind throughout all > mation. eternity. Although in some of the Western > States, like California,Oregon, Washington > The spreaders of the fragrances of God and Colorado, the fragrances of holiness are > may peruse this commune every morning: diffused, numerous souls have taken a share > O Lord! O Lord! Praise and thanksgiv- and a portion from the fountain of everlasting be unto Thee for Thou hast guided me to ing life, they have obtained heavenly benethe highway of the Kingdom, suffered me to diction, have drunk an overflowing cup from > walk in this straight and far-stretching path, the wine of the love of God and have hearkillumined my eye by beholding the lights, ened to the melody of the Supreme Conmade me listen to the melodies of the birds course yet in the states of New Mexico, > of holiness from the Kingdom of Mysteries Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona > and attracted my heart with Thy love among and Nevada, the lamp of the love of God is > the righteous ones. not ignited in a befitting and behooving > O Lord! Confirm me with the Holy manner, and the call of the Kingdom of God > Spirit, so that I may call in Thy Name has not been raised. Now, if it is possiamongst the nations and give the glad tid- ble, show ye an effort in this direction. > Either travel yourselves, personally, throughings of the manifestation of Thy Kingdom > amongst mankind. out those states or choose others and send > O Lord! I am weak, strengthen me with them, so that they may teach the souls. For > Thy power and potency. My tongue falters, the present those states are like unto dead > suffer me to utter Thy commemoration and bodies: they must breathe into them the > > praise. I am lonely, console me through my breath of and bestow upon them a > life > > entrance into Thy Kingdom. I am remote, heavenly Like unto the stars they > spirit. > cause me to approach to the threshold of Thy must shine in that horizon and thus the rays > Mercifulness. O Lord! Make me a brilliant of the Sun of Reality may also illumine those > > lamp, a shining star and a blessed tree, > states. > > adorned with fruits, its branches overshad- God says in the great Qur'an, "Verily God > 208 THE BAHA'f WORLD > is the helper of those who have believed. He utmost similarity to the Holy Land, that is, > will lead them from darknessinto light." the country of Palestine. The air is of the > This means: God loves the believers, conse- utmost temperance, the plain very spacious, > quently He will deliver them from darkness and the fruits of Palestine are seen in that > and bring them into the world of light. state in the utmost of freshness and delicacy. > It is also recorded in the blessed Gospel: When 'Abdu'1-Baha was traveling and jour- > Travel ye throughout the world and call ye neying through those states, he found himthe people to the Kingdom of God. Now self in Palestine, for from every standpoint > thisis the time that you may arise and per- there was a perfect likeness between this reform this most great service and become the gion and that state. Even the shores of the > cause of the guidance of innumerable souls. Pacific Ocean, in some instances, show per- > Thus through this superhuman service the fect resemblance to the shores of the Holy > days of peace and conciliation may illumine Land even the flora of the Holy Land have > and enlighten all the regions and the world grown on those shores the study of which > of humanity may find peace and composure. has led to much speculation and wonder. > > During my stay in America I cried out in Likewise in the state of California and > every meeting and summoned the people to other Western States, wonderful scenes of > the propagation of the ideals of universal the world of nature, which bewilder the > > peace. I said plainly that the continent of minds of men, are manifest. Lofty moun- > Europe had become like unto an arsenal and tains, deep canyons, great and majestic waits conflagration was dependent upon one terfalls, and giant trees are witnessed on all > > spark, and that in the coming years, or with- sides, while its soil is in the utmost fertility > in two years, all that which is recorded in the and richness. That blessed state is similar to > Revelation of John and the Book of Daniel the Holy Land and that region and that > would become fulfilled and come to pass. country like unto a delectable paradise, is in > This matter, in all probability, was published many ways identical with Palestine. Now > in the San Francisco Bulletin, October 12, just as there are natural resemblances, heav- > 1912. You may refer to it, so that the truth enly resemblances must also be acquired. > may become clear and manifest; thus ye may The lights of the divine traces are manifully realize that this is the time for the dif- fest in Palestine. The majority of the Israelfusion of the fragrances. itish Prophets raised the call of the Kingdom > The magnanimity of man must be heav- of God in this holy ground. Having spread > enly or, in other words, it must be assisted by the spiritual teachings, the nostrils of the > the divine confirmation, so that he may be- spiritually-minded ones became fragrant, the > come the cause of the illumination of the eyes of the illumined souls became brightworld of humanity. ened, the ears were thrilled through this song, > Upon you be greeting and praise. the hearts obtained eternal life from the > Haifa, Palestine, soul-refreshing breeze of the Kingdom of > > April 1, 1916. > God and gained supreme illumination from > the splendor of the Sun of Reality. Then > from this region the light was spread to Eu- > To the believers of God and the maid-serv- rope, America, Asia, Africa and Australia. > ants of the Merciful in the Western States of Now California and the other Western > the Untied States: New Mexico, Colorado, States must earn an ideal similarity with the > Arizona, Nevada, California, Wyoming, Holy Land, and from that state and that re- > Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah. gion the breaths of the Holy Spirit be diffused to all parts of America and Europe, > Upon them be BahaVllah u'l-Abha! that the call of the Kingdom of God may ex- > He is God! hilarate and rejoice all the ears, the divine > > principles bestow a new life, the different > O ye friends and the maid-servants of the > parties may become one party, the divergent > Merciful, the chosen ones of the Kingdom: > ideas may disappear and revolve around one > The blessed state of California bears the unique center, the East and the West of > EXCERPTS FROM BAH A' I SACRED WRITINGS 209 > > America may embrace each other, the an- the diffusion of the fragrances of God wise > them of the oneness of the world of human- teachers may be sent to cities, even to vility may confer a new life upon all the lages. > children of men, and the tabernacle of Uni- The teachers of the Cause must be heavversal Peace be pitched on the apex of Amer- enly, lordly and radiant. They must be emica; thus Europe and Africa may become bodied spirit, personified intellect, and arise > vivified with the breaths of the Holy Spirit, in service with the utmost firmness, steadthis world may become another world, the fastness and self-sacrifice. In their journeys > > body politic may attain to a new exhilara- they must not be attached to food and clothtion, and just as in the state of California ing. They must concentrate their thoughts > and other Western States the marvelous on the outpourings of the Kingdom of God > scenes of the world of nature are evident and and beg for the confirmations of the Holy > manifest, the great signs of the Kingdom of Spirit. With a divine power, with an attrac- > God may also be unveiled so that the body tion of consciousness, with heavenly glad > > may correspond with the spirit, the outward tidings and celestial holiness they must perworld may become a symbol of the inward fume the nostrils with the fragrances of the > world, and the mirror of the earth may be- Paradise of Abha. > come the mirror of the Kingdom, reflecting > The following commune is to be read by > the ideal virtues of heaven. > them every day: > During My journey and traveling in those > parts, I beheld wonderful scenes and beauti- O God! O God! This is a broken- winged > ful panoramas of nature, orchards and rivers; bird and his flight is very slow assist him so > > national parks and general conclaves; deserts, that he may fly toward the apex of prosper- > > plains, meadows and prairies; and the grains ity and salvation, wing his way with the utand fruits of that region greatly attracted most joy and happiness throughout the illim- > My attention; even to the present moment itable space, raise his melody in Thy Supreme > > they are in My mind. Name in all the regions, exhilarate the ears > Particularly was I greatly pleased with the with this call, and brighten the eyes by bemeetings in San Francisco and Oakland, the holding the signs of guidance! > gatherings in Los Angeles, and the believers O Lord! I am single, alone and lowly. For > who came from the cities of other states. me there is no support save Thee, no helper > Whenever their faces cross My memory, im- except Thee and no sustainer beside Thee. > mediately infinite happiness is realized. Confirm me in Thy service, assist me with > Therefore I hope that the divine teachings the cohorts of Thy angels, make me victorilike unto the rays of the sun may be diffused ous in the promotion of Thy Word and suffer > in all the Western States, and the blessed me to speak out Thy wisdom amongst Thy > Verse of the Qur'an, "It is a good City and creatures. Verily, Thou art the custodian of > the Lord is the Forgiver!" may become real- the poor and the defender of the little ones, > ized. Likewise, the significance of another and verily Thou art the Powerful, the > Qur'anic Verse, "Do ye not travel through Mighty and the Unconstrained! > the land and behold the traces of the Mercy > Haifa, Palestine, > of God?" become revealed in the utmost > February 15, 1917. > effulgence. > Praise be to God that through the divine > > bounty and providence, in that region the To the believers of God and the maid-servfield of service is vast, the minds are in the ants of the Merciful in the Provinces of the > utmost degree of intelligence and progress, Dominion of Canada. > sciences and arts are being promoted, the > hearts like unto mirrors are in the utmost He is God! > state of purity and translucency, and the > friends of God are in attraction. > O ye daughters and sons of the Kingdom: > perfect > Therefore it is hoped that meetings for teach- Although in most of the states and cities > ing will be organized and instituted, and for of the United States praise be to God the > 210 THE BAHA'f WORLD > fragrances of God are diffused and innumer- also parts of this earth. They must similarly > able souls are turning their faces and advanc- receive a portion of the bestowals of the > ing toward the Kingdom of God, yet in most great guidance. > some of the states the flag of oneness is not Upon you be greeting and praise. > upraised as it ought to be and must be, and Haifa, Palestine, > the mysteries of the Holy Books, like the > April 5, 1916. > Bible, the Gospel and the Qur'an, are not > promulgated. Through the unanimous effort of the friends, the banner of oneness To the believers of God and the maid-servmust be unfurled in those states, and the di- ants of the Merciful in the Dominion of > vine teachings be promoted, so that they may > Canada, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Isalso receive a portion and a share of the heavland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, > enly bestowals and the most great guidance. Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, > Likewise in the provinces of Canada, such as British Columbia, Yukon, Mackenzie, Kee- > Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova watin, Ungava, Franklin Islands, and Green- > Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, land. > Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British > > Columbia, Ungava, Keewatin, Mackenzie, Upon them be Baha'u'llah u*l-Abha! > Yukon, and the Franklin Islands in the He is God! > Arctic Circle the believers of God must > become self-sacrificing and like unto the can- O ye kind friends and the maid-servants of > the Merciful: > dles of guidance become ignited in the provinces of Canada. Should they show forth such In the great Qur'an, God says, "Thou > a magnanimity, it is assured that they will shalt see no difference in the creatures of > obtain universal divine confirmations, the God." In other words, He says: From the > heavenly cohorts will reinforce them uninter- idealstandpoint, there is *ho variation beruptedly, and a most great victory will be tween the creatures of God, because they are > obtained. Perchance, God willing, the call of all created by Him. From the above premise, > the Kingdom may reach the ears of the Eski- a conclusion isdrawn, that there is even no > mos, the inhabitants of the Islands of Frank- difference between the various countries; > lin in the north of Canada, as well as Green- nevertheless, the future of the Dominion of > land. Should in Greenland the fire of the Canada is very great, and its historical events > love of God be ignited, all the ices of that infinitely glorious. Thus it shall become the > continent will be melted and its frigid cli- object of the glance of providence and the > mate will be changed into a temperate cli- manifestation of the favors of the Supreme > mate that is, if the hearts will obtain the Lord. > heat of the love of God, that country and 'Abdu*l-Baha during His journey and socontinent will become a divine garden and a journ through that Dominion obtained the > lordly orchard, and the souls, like unto the utmost joy. Before My departure, many > fruitful trees, will obtain the utmost fresh- souls warned Me not to travel to Montreal, > ness and delicacy.Magnanimity is necessary, saying, the majority of the inhabitants are > heavenly exertion is called for. Should you Catholics, and are in the utmost fanaticism, > display an effort, so that the fragrances of that they are submerged in the sea of imi- > God be diffused amongst the Eskimos, its tations, that they have not the capability to > effect will be very great and far-reaching. hearken to the call of the Kingdom of God, > God says in the great Qur*an, "A day will that the veil of bigotry has so covered the > come wherein the lights of unity will en- eyes that they have deprived themselves from > lighten all the world. The earth will be irra- beholding the signs of the most great guiddiated with the light of its Lord.** In other ance, and that the dogmas have taken posseswords, "The earth will become illumined sion of the hearts entirely, leaving no trace > with the light of God. That light is the of reality. They asserted that should the > light of unity." "There is no God but God." Sun of Reality shine with perfect splendor > The continent and the islands of Eskimos are throughout that dominion, the dark, im- > EXCERPTS FROM BAHA'f SACRED WRITINGS 211 > > penetrable clouds of superstitions have so en- of other pearls will be born from it. When > veloped the horizon that it would be utterly that pearl associates and becomes the intiimpossible for any one to behold its rays. mate of the pebbles, they also all change > But these stories did not have any effect on into pearls. > the resolution of 'Abdu'1-Baha.He, trust- Therefore, again I repeat, that the future > ing in God, turned His face toward Mon- of Canada, whether from the standpoint of > treal. When He entered that city He ob- civilization or from the viewpoint of the virserved all the doors open, He found the tues of the Kingdom, is very great. Day by > hearts in the utmost receptivity and the ideal day civilization and freedom shall increase. > power of the Kingdom of God removing Likewise the cloud of the Kingdom will > every obstacle and obstruction. In the water the seeds of guidance sown in that Dochurches and meetings of that Dominion He minion. Consequently, rest ye not, seek ye > called men to the Kingdom of God with the no composure, attach not yourselves to the > utmost joy, and scattered such seeds which luxuries of this ephemeral world, free yourwill be irrigated with the hand of Divine selvesfrom every attachment, and strive > Power. Undoubtedly those seeds will grow, with heart and soul to become fully estabbecoming green and verdant, and many rich lished in the Kingdom of God. Gain ye the > harvests will be gathered. In the promotion heavenly treasures. Day by day become ye > of the divine principles He found no antag- more illumined. Draw ye nearer and nearer > onist and no adversary. The believers He unto the threshold of oneness. Become ye > met in that city were in the utmost spiritu- the manifestors of spiritual favors and the > ality, and attracted with the fragrances of drawing-places of infinite lights! If it is > God. He found that through the effort of possible, send ye teachers to other portions of > the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Maxwell, a Canada, likewise dispatch ye teachers to > number of the sons and daughters of the Greenland and the home of the Eskimos. > Kingdom in that Dominion were gathered As regards the teachers, they must comtogether and associated with each other, in- pletely divest themselvesfrom the old garcreasing this joyous exhilaration day by day. ments and be invested with a new garment. > The time of sojourn was limited to a number According to the statement of Christ, they > of days, but the results in the future are in- must attain to the station of rebirth: that > exhaustible. When a farmer comes into the is,whereas in the first instance they were > possession of a virgin soil, in a short time he born from the womb of the mother, this > will bring under cultivation a large field. time they must be born from the womb of > Therefore I hope that in the future Montreal the world of nature. Just as they are now > may become so stirred, that the melody totally unaware of the experiences of the > of the Kingdom may travel to all parts of foetal world, they must also forget entirely > the world from that Dominion and the the defects of the world of nature. They > breaths of the Holy Spirit may spread from must be baptized with the water of life, the > that center to the East and the West of fire of the love of God and the breaths of the > > America. Holy Spirit; be satisfied with little food, but > O ye believers of God! Do ye not look take a large portion from the heavenly table. > > upon the smallness of your number and the They must disengage themselves from tempmultitudes of the nations. Five grains of tation and covetousness and be filled with > wheat will be endued with heavenly blessing, the spirit. Through the effect of their pure > whereas a thousand tons of tares will yield no breath, they must change the stone into the > results or effect. One fruitful tree will be brilliant ruby and the shell into pearl. Like > conducive to the life of society, whereas a unto the cloud of vernal shower, they must > thousand forests of wild trees offer no fruits. transform the black soil into the rose garden > The plain is covered with pebbles, but pre- and orchard. They must make the blind > cious stones are rare. One pearl is better than seeing,the deaf hearing, the extinguished > a thousand wildernesses of sand, especially one enkindled and set aglow, and the dead > this pearl of great price, which is endowed quickened. > with divine blessing. Ere long thousands Upon you be BahaVllah u'l-Abha! > 212 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The spreaders of the fragrances of God ures of Thy heaven! This thirsty one longshould peruse every morning the following ing for Thy Fountain of the water of eternal > supplication: life! This sick one invoking Thy perfect re- > Praise be to Thee, O God! Verily these covery through Thy boundless Mercy, which > are Thy who are attracted by the > servants, Thou hast specialized for Thy chosen servfragrances of Thy Mercifulness, enkindled ants in Thy Supreme Kingdom! > by the ignited fire in the tree of Thy Single- O Lord! I have no other helper save Thee, > > ness, and their eyesbrightened by beare, no other comforter beside Thee, and no other > holding the effulgences of the light in the sustainer except Thee! Assist me with Thine > Sinai of Thy Oneness! angels in the diffusion of Thy holy fra- > O Lord! Loosen their tongues in Thy grances and the dissemination of Thy teachcommemoration amongst Thy people; suffer ings amongst Thine elected people! > them to speak Thy praise through Thy favor O Lord! Suffer me to sever myself from > and grace, assist them with the cohorts of aught else save Thee, holding past to the hem > Thine angels, strengthen their loins in Thy of Thy garment; make me sincere in Thy > service and make them the signs of Thy religion, firm inThy love and living in acguidance amongst Thy creatures! cordance with that which Thou hast com- > Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Ex- manded me in Thy Book. > alted, the Pardoner and the Merciful! Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the > O God! O God! Thou beholdest this Mighty and the Omnipotent! > weak one begging the strength of Thy King- Haifa, Palestine, > dom! This poor one supplicating the treas- February 21, 1917. > COMMEMORATION OF THE > TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY > OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT > TO AMERICA > BY MARDIYYIH NABIL CARPENTER > > i T was a long, long trip. The more we in material civilization, I hope that it may > traveled, the greater seemed the expanse of advance spiritually in the kingdom and covethe sea. The weather was brilliant and fine nant of God so that the friends here may bethroughout; there was no storm and no end come the cause of illumination of America; > to the sea." that this city may become the city of love > At last the American Baha'is were hearing and that the fragrances of God may be > 'Abdu'l-Baha's voice, seeing Him there be- spread from this place to parts of the > all > > fore them. It was the afternoon of April world. I have come for this. I pray that > 11, 1912; they had met His ship in the you may be manifestations of the love of > morning, and now they gathered to welcome Baha'u'llah; that each one of you may be- > Him at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. come like a clear lamp of crystal from which > Kinney, 780 West End Avenue, in New the rays of the bounties of the Blessed Per- > York. They had thronged the rooms, so that fection may shine forth to all nations and > many had to stand; and He had begun to peoples.This is My > highest aspiration. . . . > > address them: "I am very happy to meet you all here to- > "How are you? Welcome! Welcome! day. Praise be to God that your faces are > "After arriving today, although weary shining with the love of Baha'u'llah! To bewith travel, I had the utmost longing and hold them is the cause of great spiritual > yearning to see you and could not resist this happiness. We have arranged to meet you > meeting. Now that I have met you all My every day at the homes of the friends. > weariness has vanished, for your meeting is "In the East people were asking Me, 'Why > the cause of spiritual happiness. do you undertake this long voyage? Your > "I was in Egypt and was not feeling well; body cannot endure such hardships of travel.' > but I wished to come to you in America. My When it is necessary, My body can endure > friends said: 'This is a long journey; the sea everything. It has withstood forty years of > iswide; You should remain here.' But the imprisonment and can still undergo the utmore they advised and insisted, the greater most trials. > My longing to take this trip and now I have "I will see you again. Now I will greet > come to America to meet the friends of God. each one of you personally. It is My hope > > This long voyage will prove how great is My that you will all be happy and that we may > love for you. There were many troubles and meet again and again." > vicissitudes but in the thought of meeting 'Abdu'1-Baha now shook hands with each > you, all these things vanished and were for- one, and left for the Hotel Ansonia. > gotten. He had been a prisoner most of His life. > "I am greatly pleased with the city of Born in Tihran, Iran, on May 23, 1844, at > New York. Its harbor entrance, its piers, the age of eight He was one of that little > buildings and broad avenues are magnificent band of exiles who crossed the Iranian borand beautiful. Truly this is a wonderful der, going toward Baghdad. With them He > city. As New York has made such progress was exiled from prison to prison, and con- > Mirza Buzurg. > Penmanship of the father of Baha'u'llah, > > ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT TO AMERICA 215 > > fined at last in the fortress-city of 'Akka, on and take the first practical step." They > August 31, 1868. Forty years passed; then questioned: "How can universal peace be > the Sultan, 'Abdu'l-Hamid, fell; on August realized?" He said: "Its realization depends > 31, 1908, the gates of 'Akka were flung upon effecting a change in the ideas of the > open and 'Abdu'1-Baha went free. He was inhabitants of the world. Today, universal > sixty-four, He had lived forty years in a peace is the panacea for all human ills." > place where the air broke men and killed "What are those ills?" "One of those ills > them, and there was no pain that had not is the restlessness and discontent of the peostruck at His heart. He was free now, but ple under the yoke of the war expenditures > He could not rest. He saw mankind on the of the Powers of the world. What the people > brink of war; He saw the passing of the old earn through labor is extorted from them by > world, and He came West, to lay the founda- the governments and spent for war purposes. > tion of the new. In 1911, He brought the . Thus the burden on men is becoming > . . > > teachings of His Father, Baha'u'llah, to Eu- more and more unbearable ..." The rerope. Returning to Egypt, He then sailed porters asked, "May not peace lead to trouble > for the United States, where He traveled and and may not war help progress?" He antaught from April 11 to December 5, 1912. swered, "No. Today war is the cause of all > His fellow-travelers on the steamship trouble! If war can be gotten rid of, all > > Cedric, of the White Star Line, spoke with these troubles will disappear . . . > However, > Him, inquiring as to His mission. To one, this cannot be brought into existence except > the owner of an American newspaper, 'Abd- through the education of the people and the > u'l-Baha said: 'I am going to America at the development of their thought and ideas." > invitation of the Peace Congresses of that The docking of the Cedric in New York > place, as the fundamental principles of our with 'Abdu'1-Baha abroad was the direct > Cause are universal peace, the oneness of the fulfillment of the words of a man of Shiraz, > world of humanity and the equality of the who, sixty-eight years before, at the very > rights of men. As this age is the age of lights hour of 'Abdu'l-Baha's birth, had proclaimed > and the century of mysteries, this great ob- the coming of a great world Teacher. For > ject is sure to be > universally acknowledged sixty-two years now the Bab had lain dead, > and this Cause is certain to encompass the Persian bullets in His breast. But out of > East and the West/* A woman, member of Persia a young nobleman had arisen, and had > the Unitarian faith, asked Him to give her a brought a world Faith. They had seized His > message for the Unitarians. He answered jewels and palaces, they had closed Him in an > her: "The most important of all purposes is underground pit, and hemmed Him in with > to diffuse divine amity and accord > love, guards. They had killed His followers, and > among the people hence tell your As- > . . . not dared to kill Him, and they had exiled > sembly: Rejoice, the standard of the king- Him from one land to another, and the Shah > dom of heaven is hoisted! Rejoice, the divine of Persia and the Sultan of Turkey had used > springtime has appeared! Rejoice, the Pro- all their power to shut back the words that > > claimer of the kingdom has raised His came from His lips. And He, Baha'u'llah, > voice !" On April 8 and thereafter greetings had established His Faith. He had revealed > and welcome were wirelessed to the ship by new laws, suited to future world civilization, > Baha'i communities from coast to coast. On based on that oneness of the human race and > April 11, crowds of Baha'is stood at the pier, that coming of age of mankind, which His > waving hats and handkerchiefs, while the advent proclaimed; He had regenerated and > Cedric docked. As soon as the gangplank brought into harmony the religions of the > was lowered, newspapermen went aboard to past; He had provided for agencies to safeinterview 'Abdu'1-Baha; they asked the ob- guard His new World Order. And whereas > ject of His voyage and He said: "Our object before, once the Founder of a Faith had > is universal peace and the unity of mankind. passed away, His followers turned one > ... I have come to America to see the advo- against another and destroyed the unity that > cates of universal peace. I hope the Peace He had created Baha'u'llah with His own > Congresses of America will come forward hand appointed an Exemplar, an Interpreter, > 216 THE BAHA'i WORLD > so that Baha'is the world over were bound by special meeting was held in the Temple, > their devotion to His eldest son, 'Abdu'l- marking the arrival of 'Abdu'1-Baha in New > Baha. "The promise," wrote Baha'u'llah, York, April 11, 1912; on this occasion rep- > "the promise of all ages is now fulfilled. resentatives of many groups that had been > That which had been announced in the holy addressed by Him during His journey, joined > writ of God, the Beloved, the Most High, is with the Baha'is to do Him honor. Among > made manifest." the guest speakers, Mrs. Dorothy Bushnell > > 'Abdu'1-Baha, standard-bearer of the civil- Blumberg, President of the Chicago Branch > ization of the future, set foot in the United of the Women's International League for > States, prototype of the future federation of Peace, said in effect that thinking people, as > mankind. In every city, on every train, peo- they see the increase of material comfort and > ple crowded close to Him. In New York security, do not wish the achievement of > City alone, during the seventy-nine days He these ends to be made at the cost of spiritual > > spent there, He made public addresses in, or values; that a new age of cosmopolitanism is > formal visits to, fifty-five different places. upon us, whose ultimate outcome will be a > His rooms were filled with visitors wherever world race and culture; that those of us who > He went, all day long, from early in the believe in the oneness of the human race are > > morning. Philosophers, scientists, ecclesias- fortunate, and must strive for the enlightentics, social workers, educators, diplomats, ment of the many who will resist the onward > were found in His audiences, intently listen- march of cosmopolitanism. > ing to Him, studying His presentation of the Mr. Albert Windust, Chairman, then read > Baha'i teachings as the means of regenerat- from 'Abdu'l-Baha's address before the New > ing and unifying humanity. Everywhere in York Peace Society, in part as follows: "Toeditorialcomment and publication of news day, there is no greater glory for man than > concerning Him, the daily press was reverent that of service in the cause of the 'Most > and respectful.He addressed Columbia and Great Peace' . . . His Holiness Baha'u'llah > Leland Stanford Universities; He attended was imprisoned and subjected to severe perseconference Lake Mohonk, visited the > at cutions . . . > Through all these ordeals He > open forum at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, strove day and night to proclaim the oneness > > spoke before scientific associations, socialistic of humanity and promulgate the message of > > bodies, welfare organizations. Temples and universal peace. From the prison of Akka > churches, synagogues, women's clubs, col- He addressed the kings and rulers of the > leges, metaphysical groups willingly opened earth in lengthy letters summoning them to > their doors to His message. He was guest of international agreement and explicitly stathonor in leading mansions throughout the ing that the standard of the 'Most Great > country, and He visited as well the homes of Peace' would surely be upraised in the > the very poor. He addressed Bowery Mis- world." > sion, in the slums of New York. He spoke Another guest, Mr. A. C. MacNeal, Presiwith all types of men and women; children dent of the Chicago Branch of the National > of all races clung to Him. And never, in all Association for the Advancement of Colored > His traveling and teaching, did He accept People, quoted from the address given by > remuneration, for His service was given 'Abdu'1-Baha before the Fourth Annual > without price. Conference of the National Association for > By the shore of the Lake near Chicago, the Advancement of Colored People: "Ac- > 'Abdu'1-Baha laid the foundation-stone of a cording to the words of the Old Testament, > great Temple; the first world temple, the God has said: 'Let us make man in our image, > first sanctuary for all sorts and conditions of after our likeness.' This indicates that . . . > > men, and all races, and all faiths ever to be the perfections of God, the divine virtues, > raised in the western hemisphere. are reflected or revealed in the human reality > When, in 1937, Baha'is throughout the . . . This is an evidence that man is the > country commemorated in numberless gath- most noble of God's creatures Let us . . . > > c > > erings the twenty-fifth anniversary of Abd- now discover more specifically how he is the > u'1-Baha's coming to the United States, a image and likeness of God, and what is the > 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT TO AMERICA 217 > > standard, or criterion, by which he can be "The* achievements of Baha'ism in this > measured and estimated. This standard can country so magnificently embodied in this > be no other than the divine virtues which are Baha'i House of Worship, are proclaiming > revealed in him ... If a man possesses the satisfaction that so many souls find in > wealth, can we call him an image and like- the beauty, the truth and transcendence of > ness of God? Or is human honor and noto- the teachings flowing from this wellspring of > riety the criterion of divine nearness? Can Wisdom. > we apply the test of racial color and say that "In behalf of the Theosophical Society of > man of a certain hue white, black, brown, America, and at the request of its President, > yellow, red is the true image of his Cre- I tender to you, with our congratulations, > > ator? Wemust conclude that color is not our cordial wishes for the spiritual prosperity > the standard . . . for color is accidental in of Baha'ism, for we are one in our endeavors > nature. The spirit and intelligence of man of spiritualizing the world." > is the essential. . . . Man is not man simply In introducing this speaker, the Chairman > because of bodily attributes. The character had remarked that one of the outstanding > and purity of the heart is all important." addresses of 'Abdu'1-Baha in Chicago was > A third speaker, Mr. Brenes-Mesen, repre- that delivered before the Theosophical So- > > senting the President of the Theosophical So- ciety, on which occasion He had said: "In > ciety, conveyed to the Baha'is the following the matrix of the mother, we were the remessage: "Out of the Morning of Eternity, cipients of endowments and blessings of God, > where infinite Wisdom and all embracing yet these were as nothing compared to the > Love abide, at intervals, when duty weakens powers and graces bestowed upon us after > and nations decline, splendorous souls come birth into this human world. Likewise if we > to this earth again to grace mankind with a are born from the matrix of this physical > new Springtime of faith . . . > They come . . . environment into and the freedom > forth to enkindle the dormant fires in the loftiness of the life and vision spiritual, we > souls of men, to point out once more the shall consider this mortal existence and its > guiding star rising on the horizon of a new blessings as worthless by comparison." > humanity. Such are the Masters of Wisdom, An extract from the address of 'Abdu'land Compassion, manifestations of the om- Baha to the Plymouth Congregational > nipotent Love, the Holy Spirit. Church was now read, in part as follows: > "To this saintly lineage do belong Baha'- "In our solar system the center of illuminau'llah, the Splendor of God, and 'Abdu'l- tion is the sun itself . . . the one source of > Baha, the Servant of God. They have the existence and development of all phebrought before the eyes of men, amidst a di- nomenal things But if we reflect deeply > . . . > > vided world, the principles of the Unity of we will perceive that the great bestower and > Mankind; and in the midst of so many sects, giver of life is God; the sun is the intermedithe salutary doctrine of the common foun- ary of His will and plan Likewise, in . . . > > dation of all forms of religion in the mani- the spiritual realm there must be a cen- > . . . > > festation of the Holy Spirit; and amidst the ter of illumination, and that center is ... > contentious social and economical conflicts the Word of God . . the prophet or mani- > . > > of our epoch they remind us of our obliga- festation of God . . ." Following this, > tion to do some fruitful labor in the spirit of guest-speaker Mr. Kennicott Brenton, House > service, of the need of voluntary sharing of Secretary and Resident of Hull-House, repour wealth with others to foster universal resenting Mrs. Kenneth F. Rich, Resident > peace and that we may realize the brother- Head of the famous institution founded by > hood of men. Jane Addams spoke as follows: > "Knowing and without stint admiring "Hull-House is deeply aware of its honor > those principles, when 'Abdu'1-Baha set foot in being invited to join with you in honoring > in the United States the Theosophical So- your departed leader. In this we recognize > ciety bestowed on Him the gracious hos- an inner significance. Both this wonderful > pitality of its platform. He was a Teacher temple and our busy, homely group of class > and a brother, He had our heartfelt welcome. rooms and workshops are expressions of the > 218 THE BAHiA't V^ORLD > same life principle. In yours is a, realization power and efficacy of religion, Baha'u'llah > of world unity; ours of the common interest ,% united these differing peoples, and caused > * > > uniting neighborhoods and races, ignoring them to Consort together in perfect agreereligious and class barriers. Throughout his- ment. And now let us consider that the > tory, the spirit of discord has been able to American, British, French, Germans, Turks, > 'divide and rule*. Man's pattern has made Persians, Arabs, are all ... members of the > him peculiarly susceptible to factional loyal- same household. Why should dissension exist > ties. We have seen how love of country and among them? . . . There is no doubt that > adherence to group loyalties can even lead to the only cause is ignorance. ." Mr. . . > > self-destruction. Hull -House and the > . . . McDaniel then spoke on "The Gathering of > things which it has done for the betterment the Peoples and Nations," ably epitomizing > of its neighbors were possible only because it the excerpts from 'Abdu'l-Baha's addresses > became rallying point for the combined > a that had been read throughout the meeting. > > goodwill of widely separated groups and sec- This program, which was followed by a > tions. Accomplishment in prevention of reception, closed with the showing of the > child sweatshops, bad Routing, was > labor, motion picture of 'Abdu'1-Baha: His arrival > won by a call to unite the good intention of by automobile at the home of Mr. and Mrs. > all factions never by appeal to factionalism Howard MacNutt in Brooklyn, New York; > or strife. His walking and conversing with Persian in- > "Instead of emphasizing man's diversity terpreters and others, His greeting the chilof interest, Jane Addams said: 'The things dren present, His delivery, as He strode back > which make men alike are finer and better and forth before the large gathering on the > than the things that keep them apart'. . . . > grounds, of a message of* glad-tidings to all > Rather than hope for justice from some ma- humanity: "Rejoice! . . . The divine Gos- > * > terialistic system, she knew: Justice can only pel has appeared! Rejoice! .The Great > . . > > be worked out upon this earth by those who Day has come! Rejoice! 7 . The glad-tid- > . > > will not tolerate a wrong to the feeblest ings and prophecies of the Prophets are fulmember of the community'. filled! Rejoice The Glory of Carmel > . . . > > "Both our great leaders have gone on but has shown on the worlds! Rejoice! . . . > > we recognize in them the spirit which can The East and West have joined hands!" > reclaim the world." In memory of that other day when 'Abd- > The Chairman called attention to the fact u'l-Baha had dedicated the Temple site, the > that 'Abdu'l-Baha's first public address in Baha'is of the United States and Canada, as- > > Chicago was delivered Hull-House, and > at sembled at the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar for their > quoted from that address: "There is need of annual Convention, heard the story of how, > a superior power to overcome human preju- exactly forty-nine years after Baha'u'llah, > dices; a power which nothing in the world of then a captive about to be exiled from Baghmankind can withstand. . . . That irresisti- dad, had declared His mission 'Abdu'lble power is the love of God." Baha His son had laid the corner-stone of the > In introducing the next speaker, Mr. Allen Baha'i Temple in the heart of the American > B. McDaniel, of Washington, D. C., member continent. > of the National Spiritual Assembly of the During the evening of His arrival in Chi- > Baha'is of the United States and Canada, the cago, 'Abdu'1-Baha addressed an audience of > Chairman read from the words of 'Abdu'l- several hundred at the last session of the > Baha delivered at All-Souls Church: "In Baha'i Temple Unity, speaking in part as > Persia, His Holiness Baha'u'llah was able to follows: > unite people of varying thought, "creed and "The real temple is the very Word of God; > denomination. The inhabitants of that for to it all humanity must turn and it is the > country were Christians, Muhammadans, center of unity for all mankind . . . Tem- > Jews, Zoroastrians, and a great variety of sub- ples are the symbols of the divine uniting > divided forms and beliefs, together with force, so that when the people gather there > such as Semitic, Arabic, > racial distinctions, . . . > they may recall the fact that the law > Persian, Turk, and others, but through the has been revealed for them and that the law > ss Henrietta Brittingham , > 139 Mrs. Dix > ss Celia Richmond (Scc'y of Miss Farmer) 140 Mrs. Baseley > logene Hoagg 142 Mrs. Louise M. Erickson > )t identified 143 Miss Blair > ss Hodgkins 144 Mrs. Stebbins > n;othy Parson Thompson 145 Mrs. Alice Shane Devins > uise Culver 146 Carrie Kinney > ss MildredThompson 147 Mrs. Tatum > ima Thompson 148 Not identified > lian Hipp 149 Mrs. Pearl Abbot > uise Thompson 150 Miss Margarite Blanchard > 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT TO AMERICA 219 > > is > tq unite them /. . . That is why His Holi- C. Holmes of Nfew Xork, He then slipped > ness Baha'u'Ilah has commanded that a this back into its leather Utoe, and called for > > p|ace of worship )>e built . . . that all re-- other implements; an ax was brought, then > ligions, races and sects may come together a shovel; with these, *Ab<&U-Baha and memwithin the universal shelter ... It is the bers of every race and Stionality present, > > Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (the Dawning-Point of excavated a place to hold the dedication > tb# remembrance of God) For thou- . . . stone. As each man or woman came forsands of years the human race has been at ward, his face or nationality was announced: > wir. It is enough For thousands of . . . > Persia, Syria, Egypt, India, Japan, South > years the nations have denied each other, Africa, England, France, Germany, rfolland, > co/tsidering each other as infidel and inferior. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Jews of the > It is sufficient > v ." And closed. with a > . . He world, and the North American Indians, > pVayer for the American nation: "O thou were of those represented; at 'the end 'Abdkind Lord! . . . Confirm this revered na- u'l-Baha set the stone in its place, on behalf > tion to upraise the standard of the oneness of of all the peoples of the world. And He said, > humanity, to promulgate the Most Great "The Temple is already built." > Peace, to become thereby most glorious and Now, within the Temple, those who had > praiseworthy among all .the nations of the been present that other day were asked to > world ..." rise; they numbered fifteen. One of them, > Then the next day, on the w.tfcdy shores of Mrs. Nettie Tobin of Chicago, was* called > the Lake, at Wilmette. They had pitched a upon to tell how she had brought, painfully, > teht, large enough for five hundred persons, from far away and as though driven to it, a > aridhad made a special entry way to the fragment of limestone rock to the Temple > aipunds for the carnage of 'Abdu'1-Baha; site,and how this had been chosen by 'Abdbftfc He entered on foot, walking briskly, a u'l-Baha as the dedication stone. Mrs. Corlong line of Baha'is following Him. Within inne True of Wilmette, whose devotion to > > tl|e tent, > seats had been placed in three cir- the work of building the Temple was comcles, with a broad space at the center, reached pared to that of a mother rearing her child, > by; nine aisles. At high noon, 'Abdu'1-Baha gave a brief message of inspiration, and Dr. > advanced to the inner circle and spoke: 'Ali-Kuli Khan, sent by 'Abdu'1-Baha to the > "The power which has gathered you here United States in 1901 to spread the Baha'i > tt^daynotwithstanding the cold and windy teachings, spoke of the work still to be acweather is indeed mighty and wonderful. It complished in completing the outer ornais the power of God, the divine favor of mentation of the Temple, and of the plan > Baha'u'llah which has drawn you to- drawn up by the Guardian of the Faith, > gether . . . > Shoghi EfTendi, for the realization of this > > "Thousands of Mashriqu'l-Adhkars for all within the first century of the Baha'i era. > > religionists will be built in the Orient and This second commemorative gathering, pro- > Occident, but this being the first one erected .gram-chairmen of which were Edna Eastman > in the Occident has great importance . . . and Albert Windust, and further partici- > It has the same importance as the Mashriqu'l- pants, Ruth Randall Brown, Nina Matthisen, > Adhkar in 'Ishqabad, Caucasus Russia, the and Montfort Mills, was climaxed by the > first one built there. In Persia there are darkening of the auditorium, after which the > many; some are houses which have been util- motion picture of 'Abdu'1-Baha was thrown > ized for the purpose, others are homes en- upon the screen. In deep silence, the auditirely devoted to the Divine Cause. . . . ence wafched as the majestic figure of the > But the great 'Dawning-Point' has been Center of the Covenant stood before them; > founded in 'Ishqabad. It possesses superla- many had never viewed this scene before, > tive importance. ..." while some were still left who could remem- > Outside the tent, in the woods and fields ber His face, His walk, and could hear in > > along the Lake Shore, 'Abdu'1-Bahi prepared memory His ringing voice. > for ,the breaking of the Temple ground; us- "It is My purpose," 'Abdu'1-Bah* had said > > ing first a golden trowel presented bv on the day of His arrival in New York, "to > 220 THE BAHA'i WORLD > set forth in America the fundamental prin- anyone offends another, he offends God. It > ciples of the revelation ... of BahaVllah. is the wish of our > heavenly Father that every > It will then become the duty of the Baha'is heart should rejoice and be filled with happiin this country to give these principles un- ness; that we should live together with felicfoldment and application in the minds, ity and joy. The obstacle to human haphearts and lives of the people." During the piness is racial or religious prejudice, the > long months of travel, of daily association competitive struggle for existence and inwith hundreds of groups and individuals, humanity toward each other. > He had spared Himself no hardship in order "Your eyes have been illumined; your ears > to give to America this fresh revelation of are attentive, your hearts knowing. You > spiritual power, this new Faith, suited to the must be free from prejudice and fanaticism, > needs of a new age. Everywhere, at every beholding no differences between the races > hour He had taught the principles brought and religions. You must look to God for He > by BahaVllah: that each must search after is the real shepherd and all > humanity are His > truth for himself; that all races are as one; sheep. He loves them, and loves them > that all religions are fundamentally one, and equally. As this is true, should the sheep > have as their purpose the establishment of quarrel among themselves? They should > harmony; that religion, "the sole basis . . . manifest gratitude and thankfulness toward > of ... an ordered and progressive society/* God, and the best way to thank God is to > must go hand-in-hand with science; that love one another. > > equal opportunities are to be provided for "Beware lest ye offend any heart, lest ye > men and women alike; that extremes of speak against anyone in his absence, lest ye > wealth and poverty are to be abolished, that estrange yourselves from the servants of > an auxiliary international language is to be Gpd. You must consider all His servants as > adopted; and He had shown that the Baha'i your own family and kindred. Direct your > * > > world sy$tem provides the agencies for the whole effort toward the happiness of those > establishing of permanent and universal who are despondent, bestow food upon the > peace. hungry, clothe the needy and glorify the > was a clear, not a beautiful day when > It humble. Be a helper to every helpless one, > they gathered on board the steamship Celtic and manifest kindness to your fellow creato take leave of Him. He spoke to each one, tures in order that ye may attain the good > distributed to each the flowers that had been pleasure of God. This is conducive to the > brought. Then He addressed them for the illumination of the world of humanity and > lasttime: eternal felicity for yourselves. I seek from > "This is My last meeting with you, for God everlasting glory in your behalf; therenow I am on board the steamship ready to fore this is My prayer and exhortation. > sail away.These are My final words of ex- "Consider what is happening in the Balhortation. I have repeatedly summoned you kans. Human blood is being shed, properties > to the cause of the unity of the world of hu- are destroyed, possessions pillaged, cities and > > manity, announcing that all mankind are the villages devastated. A world-enkindling fire > servants of the same God; that God is the is astir in the Balkans. God has created men > creator of He is the provider and lifeall; to love each other, but instead they kill each > > giver; all are equally beloved by Him and are other with cruelty and bloodshed. God has > His servants upon whom His mercy and created them that they may cooperate and > compassion descend. Therefore you must mingle in accord, but instead they ravage, > manifest the greatest kindness and love to- plunder and destroy in the carnage of battle. > ward the nations of the world, setting aside God has created them to be the cause of > fanaticism, abandoning religious, national, mutual felicity and peace but instead disand racial prejudice. cord, lamentation and anguish rise from the > "The earth is one nativity, one home, and hearts of the innocent and afflicted. > allmankind are the children of one Father. "As to you, your efforts must be lofty. > God has created them and they are the re- Exert yourselves with heart and soul so that > cipients of His compassion. Therefore if perchance through your efforts the light of > ; > > ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT TO AMERICA 221 > > Universal Peace may shine and this darkness the utmost love and kindness. You have no > of estrangement and enmity may be dispelled excuse to bring before God if you fail to live > from amongst men; that all men may be- according to His command, for you are income as one family and consort together in formed of that which constitutes the good > love and kindness; that the East may assist pleasure of God. You have heard His comthe West and the West give help to the East, mandments and precepts. You must therefor all are the inhabitants of one planet, the fore be kind to all men; you must even treat > > people of one original nativity and the flocks your enemies as your friends. You must > of one shepherd. consider your evil-wishers as your well-wish- > "Consider how Prophets who have > ihe ers.Those who are not agreeable toward you > been sent, the great souls who have appeared must be regarded as those who are congenial > and the sages who have arisen in the world, and pleasant, so that perchance this darkness > have exhorted mankind to unity and love. of disagreement and conflict may disappear > This has been the essence of their mission and from amongst men and the light of the diteaching. This has been the goal of their vine may shine forth; so that the Orient may > guidance and message. The Prophets, saints, be illumined and the Occident filled with > seers and philosophers have sacrificed their fragrance; nay, so that East and West may > lives in order to establish these principles and embrace each other in love and deal with one > teachings amongst men. Consider the heed- another in sympathy and affection. Until > lessness of the world, for notwithstanding man reaches this high station, the world of > the efforts and sufferings of the Prophets of humanity shall not find rest and eternal fe- > God, the nations and peoples are still engaged licity shall not be attained. But if man lives > in hostility and fighting. Notwithstanding up to these divine commandments, this world > the heavenly commandments to love one an- of earth shall be transformed into a world of > other, they are still shedding each other's heaven and this material sphere shall be > blood. How heedless and ignorant are the transformed into a paradise of glory. It is > > people of the world! How gross the dark- My hope that you may become successful in > ness which envelops them! Although they this high calling, so that like brilliant lamps > are the children of a compassionate God they you may cast light upon the world of hucontinue to live and to act in opposition to manity and quicken and stir the body of ex- > His will and good pleasure. God is loving istence like unto a spirit of life. This is > > and kind to all men, and yet they show the eternal glory. This is everlasting felicity. > utmost enmity and hatred toward each This is immortal life. This is heavenly atother. God is the giver of life to them, tainment. This is being created in the image > and yet they constantly seek to destroy and likeness of God. And unto this I call > life. God blesses and protects their homes; you, praying to God to strengthen and bless > they ravage, sack and destroy each other's you." > homes. Consider their ignorance and heed- They left the ship and looked up to where > lessness! 'Abdu'1-Baha stood on the deck. He was > "Your duty is of another kind for you are smiling very faintly, His eyes tender, > informed of the mysteries of God. Your eyes thoughtful, somehow full of sorrow. He > are illumined, your ears are quickened with waved His hand gently toward them. And > hearing. You must therefore look toward they knew that they would never fail Him, > each other and then toward mankind with and still they wept. > PART TWO > THE WORLD ORDER OF > BAHA'U'LLAH > PRESENT-DAY ADMINISTRATION OF THE > BAHA'I FAITH > INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT > > BY HORACE HOLLEY > > I T HAS been the general characteristic of tion can be firmly based. Amid the complex > religion that organization marks the inter- interrelations of governments, the religion > ruption of the true spiritual influence and stands absolutely neutral as to political purserves to prevent the original impulse from poses and entirely obedient to all recognized > being carried into the world. The organi- authority. It will not be overlooked by the > zation has invariably become a substitute for student that Baha'u'llah is the only religious > religion rather than a method or an instru- teacher making obedience to just government used to give the religion effect. The ments and rulers a definite spiritual com- > > separation of peoples into different traditions mand. > unbridged by any peaceful or constructive In this brief analysis of the several feaintercourse has made this inevitable. Up to tures of the Baha'i system of administration > the present time, in fact, no Founder of a the purpose is rather to place in the hands of > revealed religion has explicitly laid down the the believers themselves a convenient sum- > > principles that should guide the administra- mary of the available instructions than to > tive machinery of the Faith He has estab- clarify this aspect of the teachings to the > lished. non-Baha'i. Until one has made contact > In the Baha'i Cause, the principles of with the spirit of the Baha'i teachings and > world administration were expressed by Ba- desires to cooperate wholeheartedly with > > haVllah, and these principles were developed their purpose, the administrative phase of the > in the writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha, more espe- Faith can have little real meaning or appeal. > cially in His Will and Testament. At the time of the passing of 'Abdu'l- > The purpose of this organization is to Baha, the organization was fully defined but > make possible a true and lasting unity among not yet established among His followers. > peoples of different races, classes, interests, The responsibility for carrying out the incharacters, and inherited creeds. A close and structions was placed by 'Abdu'1-Baha upon > > sympathetic study of this aspect of the Ba- His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, to whom was > ha'iCause will show that the purpose and assigned the function of "Guardian of the > method of Baha'i administration is so per- Cause." Obedience to the authority of the > fectly adapted to the fundamental spirit of Guardian was definitely enjoined upon all > the Revelation that it bears to it the same Baha'is by 'Abdu'1-Baha, but this authority > relationship as body to soul. In character, carries with it nothing of an arbitrary or > the principles of Baha'i administration rep- personal character, being limited as to purresent the science of cooperation; in applica- pose and method by the writings of Baha'- > tion, they provide for a new and higher type u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha. The Guardian > of morality worldwide in scope. In the clash unifies the efforts to bring into complete apand confusion of sectarian prejudice, the plication those principles of world adminis- > Bahd'i religion is impartial and sympathetic, tration already clearly defined. > > offering a foundation upon which reconcilia- To assist the Guardian in his manifold > 226 THE BAHA'f WORLD > responsibilities and duties and particularly > in can include any sincere soul. Whereas other > the promotion of the teaching work, 'Abd- associations are exclusive, in effect if not in > u'l-Baha provided for the appointment of intention, and from method if not from > a group of co-workers to be known as "The ideal, Baha'i association is inclusive, shut- > Hands of the Cause of God." The appoint- ting the gates of fellowship to no sincere > ment of this body is a function of the soul. In every gathering there is latent or > Guardian, and these from their own number developed some basis of selection. In religion > are to elect nine persons who will be closely this basis is a creed limited by the historical > > associated with the Guardian in the discharge nature of its origin; in politics this is party > of his duties. It is the function of the or platform; in economics this is a mutual > Guardian also to appoint his own successor, misfortune or mutual power; in the arts > this appointment to be ratified by the nine and sciences this basis consists of special > Hands of the Cause. training or activity or interest. In all these > It is the genius of the Baha'i Faith that matters, the more exclusive the basis of selecthe principle underlying the administration tion, the stronger the movement a condi- > > of its aims to improve the life and > affairs tion diametrically opposed to that existing in > > upbuild the character of the individual be- the Baha'i Cause. Hence the Cause, for all > liever in his own local community, wherever its of growth and progress, develops > spirit > itmay be, and not to enhance the prestige of slowly as regards the numbers of its active > those relatively few who, by election or ap- adherents. For people are accustomed to ex- > > pointment, hold positions of higher author- clusiveness and division in all affairs. The > ity. Baha'i authority is measured by self- important sanctions have ever been warrants > and not by arbitrary power. This > sacrifice and justifications of division. To enter the > fundamental aim can be seen clearly on Baha'i religion is to leave these sanctions be- > > studying the > significant emphasis which hind an experience which at first invariably > 'Abdu'1-Baha placed upon the local Baha'i exposes one to new trials and sufferings, as > community. The local group, involving as it the human ego revolts against the supreme > does men and women in all the normal ac- sanction of universal love. The scientific > > tivities and relations of life, is the foundation must with the simple and unassociate > > upon which rests the entire evolution of the learned, the rich with the poor, the white > Cause. The local Baha'i community is given with the colored, the mystic with the literalrecognition only after its number of > official ist, the Christian with the Jew, the Muslim > > adult declared believers has become nine or with the Parsee: and on terms removing the > more. Up to this point, the community advantage of long established presumptions > exists as avoluntary group of workers and and privileges. > students of the Cause. But for this difficult experience there are > In this connection, the word "commu- glorious compensations. Let us remember > nity" is not used in the sense of any locality, that art grows sterile as it turns away from > > exclusively Baha'i in membership, nor of any the common humanity, that philosophy likemanner of living differing outwardly from wise loses its vision when developed in solithe general environment, such as has been tude, and that politics and religion never > attempted by religionists and also members succeed apart from the general needs of > of philosophic and economic movements in mankind. Human nature is not yet known, > the past. A Baha'i community is a unity of for we have all lived in a state of mental, > minds and hearts, an association of people moral, emotional or social defense, and the > entirely voluntary in character, established psychology of defense is the psychology of > upon a common experience of devotion to inhibition. But the love of God removes > the universal aims of Bah'u'llah and agree- fear; the removal of fear establishes the > ment as to the methods by which these aims latent powers, and association with others in > can be advanced. spiritual love brings these powers into vital, > A Baha'i community differs from other positive expression. A Bahd'i community > voluntary gatherings in that its foundation is a gathering where this process can take > is so > deeply laid and broadly extended that it place in this age, slowly at first, as the new > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA ' > U 'LL A H 227 > > impetus gathers force, more rapidly as the absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth > members become conscious of the powers forth his argument. Should anyone oppose, > unfolding the flower of unity among men. he must on no account feel hurt, for not un- > Where the community is small and insig- til matters are fully discussed can the right > nificant, incomparison with the population way be revealed. The shining spark of truth > of the city or town, the first condition of cometh forth only after the clash of differgrowth is understanding of the Manifesta- ing opinions. If after discussion a decision > tion of Baha'u'llah, and the next condition is be carried unanimously, well and good; but > that of true humility. If these two condi- if,the Lord forbid, differences of opinion > tions exist, the weakest soul becomes en- should arise, a majority of voices must predowed with effective power in service to the vail. > > Cause. The result of unity, in fact, is to "The first condition is absolute love and > share the powers and faculties of all with harmony amongst the members of the Aseach. sembly. They must be wholly free from > The responsibility for and supervision of estrangement and must manifest in themlocal Baha'i affairs is vested in a body known selves the Unity of God, for they are the > as the Spiritual Assembly. This body (lim- waves of one sea, the drops of one river, > ited to nine members) is elected annually on the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, > > April 1, the first day of Ridvan (the Fes- the trees of one orchard, the flowers of one > tival commemorating the Declaration of Ba- garden. Should harmony of thought and > ha'u'llah) by the adult declared believers of absolute unity be non-existent, that gatherthe community, the voting list being drawn ing shall be dispersed and that Assembly be > up by the outgoing Spiritual Assembly. brought to naught. > Concerning the character and functions of "The second condition: They must when > this body, 'Abdu'1-Baha has written as fol- coming together turn their faces to the > lows: Kingdom on high and ask aid from the realm > "It incumbent upon everyone (every > is of Glory. Discussions must all be con- > . . . > > believer) not to take any step (of Baha'i fined to spiritual matters that pertain to the > > activity) without consulting the Spiritual training of souls, the instruction of children, > Assembly, and they must assuredly obey the relief of the poor, the help of the feeble > with heart and soul its bidding and be sub- throughout all classes in the world, kindness > missive unto it, that things may be properly to all peoples, the diffusion of the fragrances > ordered and well arranged. Otherwise every of God and the exaltation of His Holy > person will act independently and, after his Word. Should they endeavor to fulfill these > own judgment, will follow his own desire, conditions the grace of the Holy Spirit shall > and do harm to the Cause. be vouchsafed unto them and that Assembly > "The prime requisites for them that take become the center of the divine blessshall > counsel together are purity of motive, radi- ings,and hosts of divine confirmation shall > ance of spirit, detachment from all else save come to their aid, and they shall day by day > God, attraction to His divine fragrance, hu- receive a new effusion of spirit." > > mility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, The letters of Shoghi Effendi quote the > patience and long-suffering in difficulties and fundamental instructions contained in the > servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should writings of BahaVllah and 'Abdu'l-Bah on > they be graciously aided to acquire these at- the character of Baha'i administration, and > tributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom give them definite application: "A careful > of Baha'i shall be vouchsafed to them. In study of Bahd'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l-Baha's > this day, Assemblies of consultation are of Tablets will reveal that other duties (besides > the greatest importance and a vital necessity. teaching the Cause), no less vital to the in- > Obedience unto them is essential and obliga- terests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected > > tory. The members thereof must take coun- representatives of the friends in every losel together in such wise that no occasion for cality. > > ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be "They must endeavor to promote amity > attained when every member expresses with and concord amongst the friends and secure > 228 THE BAHA'f WORLD > an active and wholehearted cooperation for that immediately after the establishment of > the service of the Cause. local as well as national Spiritual Assemblies, > > "They must do their utmost to extend at a Baha'i Fund be established, to be placed > all times the helping hand to the poor, the under the exclusive control of the Spiritual > sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, Assembly. All donations and contributions > irrespective of color, caste and creed. should be offered to the Treasurer of the As- > "They must promote by every means in sembly, for the express purpose of promoting > their power the material as well as spiritual the interests of the Cause throughout that > > enlightenment of youth, the means for the locality or country. It is the sacred obligaeducation of children; institute, whenever tion of every conscientious and faithful serv- > > possible, Baha'i educational institutions; or- ant of Baha'u'llah, who desires to see His > ganize and supervise their work, and provide Cause advance, to contribute freely and genthe best means for their progress and devel- erously for the increase of that Fund. The > opment. . . . members of the Spiritual Assembly will at > "They must bend every effort to promote their own discretion expand it to promote > the interests of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar (that the teaching campaign, to help the needy, to > is, House of Worship) and hasten the day establish educational Baha'i institutions, to > when the work of this glorious Edifice 2 will extend in every way their sphere of service. > have been consummated. "Nothing whatever should be given to the > "They must encourage and stimulate by public by any individual among the friends, > every means at their command, through sub- unless fully considered and approved by the > > scriptions, reports and articles, the develop- Spiritual Assembly in his locality; and, if this > ment of the various Baha'i magazines. (as is undoubtedly the case) is a matter that > > "They must undertake the arrangement of pertains to the general interests of the Cause > the regular meetings of the friends, the feasts in that land, then it is incumbent upon the > and anniversaries, as well as the special gath- Spiritual Assembly to submit it to the conerings designed to serve and promote the sideration and approval of the National Body > > social, intellectual and spiritual interests of representing all the various local Assemblies. > their fellowmen. Not only with regard to publication, but all > "They must supervise in these days when matters without any exception whatsoever, > the cause is in its infancy all Baha'i > still regarding the interests of the Cause in that > publications and translations, and provide in locality, individually or collectively, should > > general for a dignified and accurate presen- be referred exclusively to the Spiritual Astation of all Baha'i literature and its distri- sembly in that locality, which shall decide > bution to the general public. upon it, unless it be a matter of national in- > "These rank among the most outstanding terest, in which case it shall be referred to the > > obligations of the members of every Spiritual National (Baha'i) Body. With this National > Assembly. In whatever locality the Cause Body also will rest the decision whether a > has sufficiently expanded, and in order to given question is of local or national interest. > insure efficiency and avoid confusion, each of (By national affairs is not meant matters > these manifold functions will have to be re- that are political in their character, for the > ferred to a special Committee, responsible to friends of God the world over are strictly > that Assembly, elected by it from among the forbidden to meddle with political affairs in > friends in that and upon whose > locality, any way whatever, but rather things that > work the Assembly will have to exercise affect the spiritual activities of the body of > constant and general supervision. the friends in that land.) > "In every locality, be it city or hamlet, "Full harmony, however, as well as cowhere the number of adult declared believers operation among the various local Assemblies > exceed nine, a local Spiritual Assembly must and the members themselves, and particube forthwith established. larly between each Assembly and the Na- > "As the progress and extension of spiritual > activities is dependent and conditioned upon Referring particularly to Spiritual Assemblies in > America. > material means, it is of absolute necessity 2 On the shore of Lake Michigan. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 229 > > tional Body is of the utmost importance, for The local Spiritual Assembly after elecupon depends the unity of the Cause of > it tionorganizes by electing from its own > God, the solidarity of the friends, the full, number a chairman, corresponding secrespeedy and efficient working of the spiritual tary, recording secretary and treasurer. It > > activities of His loved ones. should appoint from its own members or > "The various Assemblies, local and na- from the local Baha'i community working > tional, constitute today the bedrock upon committees responsible for the various perthe strength of which the Universal House manent activities of the Cause. > (of Justice) is in future to be firmly estab- Since a Spiritual Assembly is established > lishedand raised. Not until these function upon a new and higher ideal, the character, > vigorously and harmoniously can the hope knowledge and purity of its members is esfor the termination of this period of tran- sential to success. Wherever personal ambisition be realized.. Bear in mind that the > . . tion, narrowness or impurity enters a Spirkeynote of the Cause of God is not dicta- itualAssembly, the results are invariably to > torial authority, but humble fellowship; not check the growth of the Cause and, if these > arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and conditions are prolonged, to destroy the > > loving consultation. Nothing short of the foundation already laid. The careful student > spirit of a true Baha'i can hope to reconcile of the teachings will accept this result as one > the principles of mercy and justice, of free- more vindication of the all-surrounding > dom and submission, of the sanctity of the spirit The elimination > protecting this Faith. > right of the individual and of self -surrender, of an unworthy group from the Baha'i > of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the Cause would be a bitter disappointment but > one hand, and fellowship, candor, and cour- not an evidence that the Cause had failed. > age on the other." On the contrary, the Cause could only be > Experience in the life of a Baha'i com- declared a failure if personal ambition, pride, > > munity and participation in the details of its narrowness and impurity should so prevail as > several activities impresses one with the fact to build a world-wide organization able to > that Baha'i unity has in it new elements pervert the original purpose. > which work powerfully to expand one's area The local Spiritual Assemblies of a counof sympathy, deepen one's insight, develop try are linked together and coordinated > one's character and bring order and stability through another elected body of nine meminto all of one's affairs. There can be no bers, the National Spiritual Assembly. This > higher privilege than the experience of at- body comes into being by means of an annual > tempting to serve faithfully upon a Spiritual election held by elected delegates represent- > Assembly, conscious as its members are of ing the local Baha'i communities. The delethe unique standard upheld by 'Abdu'1-Baha gates are elected by all the adult declared beand bringing as it does the opportunity of lievers of a community in which a Spiritual > > dealing with a large range and diversity of Assembly exists. The National Convention > human problems from an impersonal point in which the delegates are gathered together > of view. It is inevitable that the nine elected is > composed of an elective body based upon > members shall exemplify diverse interests and the principle of proportional representation. > types of character, with the result that unity The total number of delegates is fixed by > of heart and conscience with the other eight Shoghi Effendi for each country, and this > members is a direct training to enter into number is fulfilled by assigning to each local > spiritual unity with the larger body of man- community the number of delegates called > kind. No such schools of discipline and in- for by its relative numerical strength. These > spiration exist on earth today, for one must National Conventions are preferably held > bear in mind that a Baha'i community can during the period of Ri^van, the twelve days > never be an exclusive group nor a closed cir- beginning April 21, which commemorate the > cle of interests, but, on the contrary, its Declaration made by Baha'u'llah in the Garfundamental purpose is to unify and co- den of Ri$vn near Baghdad. The recognioperate with every possible element in the tion of delegates is vested in the outgoing > surrounding population. National Spiritual Assembly. > Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion at Bahji where BahaVllah > spent the last years of His life. > > Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion at Bahji where Baha'u'llah spent the last > years of His life. > > 232 THE BAHA'f WORLD > A National Convention is an occasion for pending the establishment of the Universal > deepening one's understanding of Baha'i ac- House of Justice, will have to be re-elected > tivities and of sharing reports of national and once a year, obviously assumes grave relocal activities for the period of the elapsed > sponsibilities for it has to exercise full auyear. It has been the custom to hold a pub- thority over all the local Assemblies in its > licBaha'i Congress in connection with the province, and will have to direct the activi- > Convention. The function of a Baha'i dele- ties of the friends, guard > vigilantly the Cause > gate is limited to the duration of the Na- of God, and control and supervise the affairs > tional Convention and participation in the of the Movement in general. > election of the new National Spiritual As- "Vital issues, affecting the interests of the > sembly. While gathered together, the dele- Cause in that country, such as the matter of > gates are a consultative and advisory body translation and publication, the Mashriqu'lwhose recommendations are to be carefully Adhkar, the teaching work, and other similar > considered by the members of the elected matters that stand distinct from strictly > National Spiritual Assembly. local affairs, must be under the full juris- > Delegates unable to attend the Conven- diction of the National Assembly. > tion in person are permitted to vote for the "It will have to refer each of these quesnew National Spiritual Assembly by mail. tions, even as the local Assemblies, to a > The relation of the National Spiritual As- committee, to be elected by the > special > sembly to the local Spiritual Assemblies and members of the National Spiritual Assembly > to the body of the believers in the country from among all the friends in that country, > is thus defined in the letters of the Guard- which will bear to it the same relations as > ian of the Cause: the local committees bear to their respective > "Regarding the establishment of National local Assemblies. > Assemblies, it is of vital importance that in "With it, too, rests the decision whether > every country, where the conditions are fa- a certain point at issue is strictly local in its > vorable and the number of the friends has nature, and should be reserved for the congrown and reached a considerable size that sideration and decision of the local Assembly, > a National Spiritual Assembly be immedi- or whether it should fall under its own > ately established, representative of the friends province and be a matter which ought to > throughout that country. receive its special attention. > "Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, "It is the bounden duty, in the interest of > unify and coordinate, by frequent personal the Cause we all love and serve, of the memconsultations, the manifold activities of the bers of the incoming National Assembly, > friends as well as the local Assemblies; and once elected by the delegates at Convention > by keeping in close and constant touch with time, to seek and have the utmost regard, > the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct > individually as well as collectively, for the > in general the affairs of the Cause in that > advice, the considered opinion and the true > country. sentiments of the assembled delegates. Ban- > "It serves also another > purpose, no less ishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue > essential than the first, as in the course of > reticence, of dictatorial aloofness from their > time it shall evolve into the National House midst, they should radiantly and abundantly > of Justice (referred to in 'Abdu'l-Baha's unfold to the eyes of the delegates by whom > Will as the 'Secondary House of > Justice') they were elected, their plans, their hopes > which according to the explicit text of the and their cares. They should familiarize the > Testament will have, in conjunction with > delegates with the various matters that will > the other National Assemblies have to be considered in the current year, > throughout > the Baha'i World, to elect > directly the mem- and calmly and conscientiously study and > bers of the International or Universal House > weigh the opinions and judgments of the > of Justice, that Supreme Council that will The newly elected National Asdelegates. > guide, organize and unify the affairs of the sembly, during the few days when the Con- > Movement throughout the world. vention is in session, and after the dispersion > "This National Spiritual of the delegates, should seek ways and means > Assembly which, > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 233 > > to cultivate understanding, facilitate and before deciding whether a person may be remaintain the exchange of views, deepen con- garded a true believer or not: Full recognifidence, and vindicate by every tangible evi- tion of the station of the Forerunner, the > dence their one desire to serve and advance Author and the True Exemplar of the Baha'i > the common weal. Cause, as set forth in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will > "The National .Spiritual Assembly, how- and Testament; unreserved acceptance of > ever, inview of the unavoidable limitations and submission to whatsoever has been reimposed upon the convening of frequent and vealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adlong-standing sessions of the Convention, herence to every clause of our Beloved's > will have to retain in its hands the final deci- sacred W/7/; and close association with the > sion on all matters that affect the interests spirit as well as the form of the present-day > of the Cause such as the right to decide Baha'i administration -these I conceive to > whether any local Assembly is functioning be the fundamental and primary considerain accordance with the principles laid down tions that must be fairly, discreetly and > for the conduct and the advancement of the thoughtfully ascertained before reaching > Cause. such a vital decision." > "The seating of delegates to the Conven- 'Abdu'l-Baha's instructions provide for the > tion (that is, the right to decide upon the further development of Baha'i organization > validity of the credentials of the delegates at through an International Spiritual Assembly > a given Convention) , is vested in the outgo- to be elected by the members of the National > > ing National Assembly, and the right to de- Spiritual Assemblies. This international > cide who has the voting privilege is also ulti- body has not yet come into existence, but its > mately placed in the hands of the National special character has been clearly defined: > Spiritual Assembly, either when a local Spir- "And now, concerning the Assembly > itual Assembly is for the first time being (Baytu'l-'Ad'l: that is, House of Justice) > formed in a given locality, or when differ- which God hath ordained as the source of all > ences arise between a new applicant and an good and freed from all error, it must be > already established local Assembly. elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the > "Were the National Spiritual Assembly to believers. Its members must be manifestadecide, after mature deliberation, to omit the tions of the fear of God, and day-springs of > > holding of the Baha'i Convention and Con- knowledge and understanding, must be > gress in a given year, then they could, only steadfast in God's Faith, and the well-wishin such a case, devise ways and means to ers of all mankind. By this Assembly is > insure that the annual election of the Na- meant the Universal Assembly: that is, in > tional Spiritual Assembly should be held by each country a secondary Assembly must be > mail, provided it can be conducted with suf- instituted, and these secondary Assemblies > ficient thoroughness, efficiency and dispatch. must elect the members of the Universal one. > It would also appear to me unobjectionable "Unto this body all things must be reto enable and even to require in the last re- ferred. It enacteth all ordinances and regusort such delegates as cannot possibly under- lations that are not to be found in the extake the journey to the seat of the Baha'i plicit Holy Text. By this body all the diffi- > Convention to send their votes, for the elec- cult problems are to be resolved, and the > tion of the National Spiritual Assembly only, Guardian of the Cause is its sacred head and > by mail to the National Secretary." the distinguished member, for life, of that > Concerning the matter of drawing up the body. Should he not attend in person its devoting list to be used at the annual local liberations, he must appoint one to represent > Baha'i elections, the responsibility for this is him. . . . This assembly enacteth the laws > placed upon each local Spiritual Assembly, and the executive enforceth them. The legand as a guidance in the matter the Guardian islativebody must reinforce the executive, > has written the following: the executive must aid and assist the legisla- > "To state very briefly and as adequately as tive body, so that, through the close union > > present circumstances permit, the principal and harmony of these two forces, the founfactors that must be taken into consideration dation of fairness and justice may become > 234 THE BAHA'f WORLD > firm and strong, that all the regions of the of spiritual disease.The predominant spirit > world may become even as Paradise itself. of unity which distinguishes the Baha'i > "Unto the Most Holy Book everyone must Cause in its relation to the world, making > turn, and all that is not expressly recorded its followers strive for reconciliation rather > therein must be referred to the Universal than partisan victory, creates an internal > > Assembly. That which this body, either condition, unlike that which exists in moveunanimously or by a majority, doth carry, ments which accept partisan victory, in one > that is verily the truth and the purpose of or another form, as their very reason for > God Himself. Whoso doth deviate there- being. Such movements can but disintefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath grate from within; the Baha'i Order can > shown forth malice and turned away from but grow. > the Lord of the Covenant." Significant also is the fourth characteris- > Even at the present time, the Baha'is in all tic, namely, that Baha'i Cause has > the > > parts of the world maintain an intimate and within it an inherent necessity operating > cordial association by means of regular corre- slowly but surely to bring its administraspondence and individual visits. This con- tion into the hands of those truly fitted for > tact of members of different races, nation- the nature of the work. The lesser vision > alities and religious traditions is concrete gives way invariably for the larger vision, > proof that the burden of prejudice and the itself replaced by the still larger vision in > > historical factors of division can be entirely due time. The result is an inevitable imovercome through the spirit of oneness estab- provement in the qualities placed at the > > lished by BahaVllah. service of the Cause, until the highest at- > The general student of religion will not tributes of humanity will be enrolled. In > fail to note four essential characteristics of the Baha'i Cause we are actually witnessing > Baha'i administration. The first is its com- the fulfillment of that strange and cryptic > > pletely successful reconciliation of the usu- saying, "The meek shall inherit the earth." > ally opposed claims of democratic freedom That the administrative machinery is not > and unanswerable authority. The second is an end in itself but merely the means to > > the entire absence from the Baha'i Cause of spread everywhere the light of faith and > anything approaching the institution of a brotherhood, is > frequently expressed by the > The Baha'i consalaried professional clergy. Guardian in his general letters, and this brief > ception of religion is one which combines survey may well close with one of those > > mysticism, which is a sacred personal experi- passages: > ence, with practical morality, which is a use- "Not by the force of numbers, not by the > ful contact between the individual and his mere exposition of a set of new and noble > fellow man. In the nature of things, some principles) not by an organized campaign of > souls are more advanced than others, and the teaching no matter how worldwide and > function of spiritual teaching is given special elaborate in its character not even by the > importance in the writings of BahaVllah staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of > and 'Abdu'1-Baha. The Baha'i teacher, how- our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to > ever, has no authority over the individual vindicate in the eyes of a critical and skepconscience. The individual conscience must tical age the supreme claim of the Abhd > be subordinated to the decisions of a duly Revelation. One thing and only one thing > elected Spiritual Assembly, but this relation- will unfailingly and alone secure the unship is > entirely different in character and doubted triumph of this sacred Cause, > results from the relationship of an individual namely, the extent to which our own inner > with minister or priest. life and private character mirror forth in > The third characteristic is the absence of their manifold aspects the splendor of those > internal factionalism, that bane of all organ- eternal principles proclaimed by Baba'uized effort, and the sure sign of the presence > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 235 > > A PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE LOCAL > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY > > Adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada > > INTRODUCTION them. In this day, Assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a > "A perusal of some of the words of Baha'- > vital necessity. Obedience unto them is esu'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha on the duties and > sential and obligatory. The members thereof > functions of the Spiritual Assemblies in > must take counsel together in such wise that > every land (later to be designated as the local Houses of Justice), emphatically reveals > no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may > the sacredness of their nature, the wide scope arise. This can be attained when every memof their activity, and the grave responsibility ber expresseth with absolute freedom his > > which rests upon them." SHOGHI EFFENDI, own opinion and setteth forth his argument. > March *, 1922. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are > "The Lord hath ordained that in every city fully discussed can the right way be revealed. > a House of Justice be established wherein The shining spark of truth cometh forth > shall gather counsellors to the number of only after the clash of differing opinions. > Baha. ... It behooveth them to be the If, after discussion, a decision be carried > > trusted ones of the Merciful among men and unanimously, well and good; but if, the > to regard themselves as the guardians ap- Lord forbid, differences of opinion should > pointed of God for all that dwell on earth. arise a majority of voices must prevail. . . . > > It incumbent upon them to take counsel > is "The first condition is absolute love and > together and to have regard for the in- harmony amongst the members of the Asterests of the servants of God, for His sake, sembly. They must be wholly free from > even as they regard their own interests, and estrangement and must manifest in themto choose that which is meet and seemly. selves the Unity of God, for they are the > Thus hath the Lord your God commanded waves of one sea, the drops of one river, the > you. Beware lest ye put away that which is stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, > > clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, the trees of one orchard, the flowers of one > O ye that perceive." BAHA'U'LLAH. garden. Should harmony of thought and > "It is incumbent upon every one not to absolute unity be non-existent, that gathertake any step without consulting the Spir- ing shall be dispersed and that Assembly be > itual Assembly, and they must assuredly brought to naught. The second condition: > obey with heart and soul its bidding and be They must when coming together turn their > submissive unto it, that things may be prop- faces to the Kingdom on High and ask aid > > erly ordered and well arranged. Otherwise from the Realm of Glory. They must then > every person will act independently and proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, > after his own judgment, will follow his own dignity, care and moderation to express their > desire, and do harm to the Cause. views. They must in every matter search > "The prime requisites for them that take out the truth and not insist upon their own > counsel together are purity of motive, radi- opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in > ance of spirit, detachment from all else save one's views will lead ultimately to discord > > God, attraction to His Divine Fragrance, and wrangling and the truth will remain > humility and lowliness amongst His loved hidden. The honored members must with > ones, patience and long-suffering in difficul- all freedom express their own > thoughts, and > ties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. it is in no wise > permissible for one to belittle > Should they be graciously aided to acquire the thought of another, nay, he must with > these victory from the unseen > attributes, moderation set forth the truth, and should > Kingdom of Baha shall be vouchsafed to differences of opinion arise a majority of > 236 THE BAHA'f WORLD > voices must prevail, and all must obey and their personal interests and inclinations, and > submit to the majority. It is again not per- concentrate their minds upon those measmitted that any one of the honored mem- ures that will conduce to the welfare and > bers object to or censure, whether in or out happiness of the Baha'i community and proof the meeting, any decision arrived at pre- mote the common weal." SHOGHI EF- > viously, though that decision be not right, FENDI, March 12, 1923. > for such criticism would prevent any de- "Let us recall His explicit and oftencision from being enforced. In short, what- repeated assurance that Assembly > every > soever thing is arranged in harmony and elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selfwith love and purity of motive, its result is lessness and detachment is, in truth, ap- > > light, and should the least trace of estrange- pointed of God, that its verdict is truly inment prevail the result shall be darkness spired, that one and all should submit to its > upon darkness. ... If this be so regarded, decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness." > that Assembly shall be of God, but other- SHOGHI EFFENDI, February 23, 1924. > wise it shall lead to coolness and alienation > that proceed from the Evil One. Discussions must all be confined to spiritual mat- > I. FUNCTIONS OF THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL > ters that pertain to the training of souls, the > the > ASSEMBLY > instruction of children, the relief of > poor, the help of the feeble throughout all The various functions of the local Spirclasses in the world, kindness to all peoples, itual Assembly, and its nature as a consti- > > the diffusion of the fragrances of God and tutional body, are duly set forth in Article > the exaltation of His Holy Word. Should VII of the By-Laws of the National Spirthey endeavor to fulfill these conditions the itual Assembly, and are more definitely de- > Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouch- fined in the By-Laws of a local Spiritual > safed unto them, and that Assembly shall Assembly approved by the National Spiritual > become the center of the Divine blessings, Assembly and recommended by the Guardthe hosts of Divine confirmation shall come ian. Each local Spiritual Assembly, and all > to their aid and they shall day by day re- members of the local Baha'i community, > ceive a new effusion of Spirit." 'ABDU'L- shall be guided and controlled by the pro- > BAHA. visions of those By-Laws. > "The importance, nay the absolute necessity, of these local Assemblies is manifest > when we realize that in the days to come > II. MEETINGS OF THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL > they will evolve into the local House of > ASSEMBLY > Justice, and at present provide the firm > foundation on which the structure of the In addition to its observance of the gen- > Master's Will is to be reared in future. eral functions vested in the institution of a > "In order to avoid division and disruption, Spiritual Assembly, each Spiritual Assembly > that the Cause may not fall a prey to con- has need of a procedure for the conduct of > > flicting interpretations, and lose thereby its its meetings.The following items represent > the outline of the parliamentary rules of > purity and pristine vigor, that its affairs may > be conducted with efficiency and prompt- procedure which the National Spiritual Asness, it is necessary that every one (that is, sembly has adopted and recommends to each > every member of the Baha'i community) and every local Spiritual Assembly throughshould conscientiously take an active part out the United States and Canada. > in the election of these Assemblies, abide by > their decision, enforce their decree,and co- Calling of Meetings > > operate with them wholeheartedly in their A meeting of the Spiritual Assembly is > task of stimulating the growth of the Move- valid only when it has been duly called, that > ment throughout all regions. The members is,when each and every member has been > of these Assemblies, on their part, must dis- informed of the time and place. The genregard utterly their own likes and dislikes, eral practice is for the Assembly to decide > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 237 > > the matter, leading up to the offering of a > upon some regular time and place > for its > > meetings throughout the Baha'i year, > and resolution; and fourth, voting upon the resothis decision when recorded in the Minutes lution. > > is sufficient notice to the members. > When A resolution, or motion, is not subject to > > the regular schedule cannot be followed, or discussion or vote until duly made and sec- > > the need arises for a special meeting, the onded. It is preferable to have each resoluthe chairman or and complete in itself, but when > tion clear > secretary, on request by > an amendment is duly made and seconded, > any three members of the Spiritual Assembly, > should send due notice to all the members. the chairman shall call for a vote on the > amendment first and then on the original > Order of Business motion. An amendment must be relevant > Roll call by the Secretary (or Recording to, and not contravene, the subject matter > of the motion. > Secretary) . > > Prayer. > The chairman, or other presiding officer, > Reading and approval of Minutes of pre- has the same power and responsibility for > vious meetings. discussion and voting upon motions as other > members of the Assembly. > Report of Secretary (or Corresponding > including presentation of Discussion of any matter before the As- > Secretary) , > > letters received by the Assembly since sembly may be terminated by a motion duly > its last meeting, and of any and all made, seconded and voted calling upon the > recommendations duly adopted by the chairman to put the matter to a vote or to > community at the last Nineteen Day proceed to the next matter on the agenda. > Feast. The purpose of this procedure is to prevent > Report of Treasurer. any member or members from prolonging > the discussion beyond the point at which > Report of Committees. > Unfinished business. full opportunity has been given all members > > New business, including conferences with to express their views. > > members of the community and with When the Assembly has taken action upon > applicants for enrollment as members any matter, the action is binding upon all > of the community. members, whether present or absent from > the meeting at which the action was taken. > Closing Prayer. > Individual views and opinions must be sub- > Conduct of Business ordinated to the will of the Assembly when > A Spiritual Assembly, in maintaining its a decision has been made. A Spiritual Asthreefold function of a body given (within sembly is an administrative unit, as it is a > the limits of its jurisdiction) an executive, spiritual unit, and therefore no distinction > a and a judicial capacity, is between "majority" and "minority" groups > legislative > charged with responsibility for initiating ac- Each memor factions can be recognized. > tion and making decisions. Its meetings, ber must give undivided loyalty to the > therefore, revolve around various definite institution to which he or she has been > > matters which require deliberation and col- elected. > > lective decision,and it is incumbent upon Any action taken by the Assembly can > the members, one and all, to address them- be reconsidered at a later meeting, on moselves to the subject under discussion and tion duly made, seconded and carried. This > > not engage in general speeches of an irrele- reconsideration, according to the result of > vant character. the consultation, may lead to a revision or > the annulment of the prior action. If a ma- > Every subject or problem before an Assembly is most efficiently handled when the jority unwilling to reconsider the prior > is > > following process is observed: first, ascer- action, further discussion of the matter by > tainment and agreement upon the facts; any member is improper. > second, agreement upon the spiritual or ad- The Assembly has a responsibility in fillministrative Teachings which the question ing a vacancy caused by the inability of any > involves; third, full and frank discussion of member to attend the meetings. "It is only > 238 THE BAHA'f WORLD > too obvious that unless a member can attend The Nineteen Day Feast has been deregularly the meetings of his local Assembly, scribed by the Guardian as the foundation > it would be impossible for him to discharge of the World Order of BahaVllah. It is to > the duties incumbent upon him, and to ful- be conducted according to the following > fill his responsibilities as a representative of program: the first part, entirely spiritual in > the community. Membership in a local Spir- character, is devoted to readings from Baha'i > itual Assembly with it, indeed, the > carries Sacred Writings; the second "part consists of > obligation and capacity* to remain in close general consultation on the affairs of the > touch with local Baha'i activities, and ability Cause. The third part is the material feast > to attend regularly the sessions of the As- and social meeting of all the believers, and > sembly." SHOGHI EFFENDI, January 27, should maintain the spiritual nature of the > 1935. Feast. > The Spiritual Assembly, as a permanent Baha'is should regard this Feast as the > body, responsible for maintaining all its > is very heart of their spiritual activity, their > records, including Minutes of meetings, cor- participation in the mystery of the Holy Utrespondence and financial records, through- terance, their steadfast unity one with anout its existence as a Baha'i institution. other in a universality raised high above the > Each officer, therefore, on completing his or limitations of race, class, nationality, sect, > her term of office, shall turn over to the and personality, and their privilege of con- > Assembly all records pertaining to the busi- tributing to the power of the Cause in the > ness of the Assembly. realm of collective action. > > Calendar of the Nineteen Day Feast > > III. CONSULTATION WITH THE March 21 July 13 November 23 > COMMUNITY April 9 August 1 December 12 > The April 28 August 20 December 3 1 > A. institution of the Nineteen Day > Feast provides the recognized and regular May 17 September 8 January 19 > occasion for general consultation on the part June 5 September 27 February 7 > June 24 October 16 March 2 > of the community, and for consultation between the Spiritual Assembly and the mem- > November 4 > bers of the community. The conduct of the > > period of consultation at Nineteen Day The Spiritual Assembly is responsible for > Feasts is a vital function of each Spiritual the holding of the Nineteen Day Feast. If > Assembly. the Baha'i calendar for some adequate rea- > From Words of 'Abdu'1-Baha, "The Nine- son cannot be observed, the Assembly may > teen Day Feast was inaugurated by the Bab arrange to hold a Feast at the nearest possiand ratified by Baha'u'llah, in His Holy ble date. > > Book, the 'Aqdas,' so that people may Only members of the Baha'i community, > gather together and outwardly show fellow- and visiting Baha'is from other communiship and love, that the Divine mysteries may ties, may attend these meetings, but young > > be disclosed. The object is concord, that people of less than twenty-one years of age, > through this fellowship hearts may become who have studied the Teachings and deperfectly united, and reciprocity and mutual clared their intention of joining the comhelpfulness be established. Because the mem- munity on reaching the age of twenty-one, > bers of the world of humanity are unable to may also attend. > exist without being banded together, co- Regular attendance at the Nineteen Day > operation and helpfulness is the basis of hu- Feast is incumbent upon every Baha'i, ill- > > man society. Without the realization of ness or absence from the city being the only > these two great principles no great move- justification for absence. Believers are exment is pressed forward." London, Eng- pected to arrange their personal affairs so as > land, December 29, 1912. (Quoted in to enable them to observe the Baha'i cal- > BAHA'f NEWS No. 33.) endar. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 239 > > Order of Business for the one spirit and concentrating upon > the one > Consultation Period aim to further the interests of the Faith. > The Secretary of the Assembly records > The chairman or other appointed repre- each resolution adopted by the community, > sentative of the Spiritual Assembly presides as well as the various suggestions advanced > during the period of consultation. during the meeting, in order to report these > The Assembly reports to the > Spiritual to the Spiritual Assembly for its considera- > > community whatever communications have tion. Whatever action the Assembly takes > been received from the Guardian and the is to be reported at a later Nineteen Day > National Spiritual Assembly, and provides Feast. > > opportunity for general discussion. Matters of a personal nature should be > The Assembly likewise reports its own ac- brought before the Spiritual Assembly and > tivities and plans, including committee ap- not to the community at the Nineteen Day > pointments that may have been made since Feast. Concerning the attitude with which > the last Feast, the financial report, arrange- believers should come to these Feasts, the > ments made for public meetings, and in gen- Master has said, "You must free yourselves > eral share with the community all matters from everything that is in your hearts, bethat concern the Faith. These reports are to fore you enter." (Baha'i News Letter of the > be followed by general consultation. N. S. A. of Germany and Austria, Decem- > A matter of vital importance at this meet- ber, 1934.) > > ing is consideration of national and interna- B. The Annual Meeting on April 21, called > tional Baha'i affairs, to strengthen the ca- for the election of the Spiritual Assembly, > > pacity of the community to cooperate in provides the occasion for the presentation of > promotion of the larger Baha'i interests and annual reports by the Assembly and by all > > to deepen the understanding of all believers its Committees. > concerning the relation of the local com- The chairman of the outgoing Assembly > munity to the Baha'i World Community. presides at this meeting. > Individual Baha'is are to find in the Nine- The order of Business includes: Reading > teen Day Feast the channel through which of the call of the meeting, reading of apto make suggestions and recommendations propriate Baha'i passages bearing upon the > to the National Spiritual Assembly. These subject of the election, appointment of tellrecommendations are offered first to the local ers, distribution of ballots, prayers for the > > community, and when adopted by the com- spiritual guidance of the voters, the election, > munity come before the local Assembly, presentation of annual reports, tellers' report > which then may in its discretion forward of the election, approval of the tellers' rethe recommendation to the National Spir- port. > itual Assembly accompanied by its own con- C. The Annual Meeting for the election of > sidered view. Convention delegate (or delegates) is like- > Provision is to be made for reports from wise presided over by the Assembly chaircommittees, with discussion of each report. man, and except for the annual reports the > Finally, the meeting is to be open for sug- Order of Business is similar to that observed > gestions and recommendations from individ- at the meeting held each April 21. It is > > ual believers on any matter affecting the preferable for the Spiritual Assembly to ar- > Cause. range a special meeting for the election of > The local Baha'i community may adopt delegates, and not to hold this election during > by majority vote any resolution which it the consultation period of a Nineteen Day > wishes collectively to record as its advice Feast. > and recommendation to the Spiritual As- D. In addition to these occasions for gensembly. eral consultation, the Spiritual Assembly is > Upon each member of the community to give consultation to individual believers > lies the obligation to make his or her utmost whenever requested. > contribution to the consultation, the ideal During such consultation with individual > being a gathering of Baha'is inspired with believers, the Assembly should observe the > 240 THE BAHA'f WORLD > following principles: the impartiality of each alty to the Cause itself, in that case the Asof its members with respect to all matters sembly should consult with the National > under discussion; the freedom of the indi- Spiritual Assembly concerning the necessity > vidual Baha'i to express his views, feelings for disciplinary action. > and recommendations on any matter affect- Members of the Baha'i community, for > > ing the interests of the Cause, the confiden- their part, should do their utmost by prayer > tial character of this consultation, and the and meditation to remain always in a posiprinciple that the Spiritual Assembly does tive and joyous spiritual condition, bearing > not adopt any resolution or make any final in mind the Tablets which call upon Baha'is > > decision, until the party or parties have to serve the world of humanity and not > withdrawn from the meeting. waste their precious energies in negative > Appeals from decisions of a local Spiritual complaints. > Assembly are provided for in the By-Laws > and the procedure fully described in a statement published in BAHA'I NEWS, February, IV. BAHA'I ANNIVERSARIES, FESTIVALS AND > 1933. DAYS OF FASTING > When confronted with evidences of The Spiritual Assembly, among its variunhappiness, whether directed against the ous duties and responsibilities, will provide > Assembly or against members of the com- for the general observance by the local community, the Spiritual Assembly should real- munity of the following Holy Days: > ize that its relationship to the believers is not > > merely that of a formal constitutional body Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of Baha'- > but also that of a spiritual institution called u'llah) April 21-May 2, 1863. > upon to manifest the attributes of courtesy, Declaration of the Bab, May 23, 1844. > patience and loving insight. Many condi- Ascension of BahaVllah, May 29, 1892. > tions are not to be remedied by the exercise Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9, 1850. > of power and authority but rather by a sym- Birth of the Bab, October 20, 1819. > pathetic understanding of the sources of the Birth of BahaVllah, November 12, 1817. > difficulty in the hearts of the friends. As Day of the Covenant, November 26. > 'Abdu'1-Baha has explained, some of the Ascension of 'Abdu'1-Baha, November > people are children and must be trained, 28, 1921. > some are ignorant and must be educated, Period of the Fast, nineteen days beginsome are sick and must be healed. Where, ning March 2. > however, the problem is not of this order but Feast of Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year), > represents flagrant disobedience and disloy- March 21. > > THE ANNUAL BAHA'f CONVENTION > A Statement by the National Spiritual Assembly > (Approved by the Guardian) > > Despite the repeated explanations given tion procedure, after being read to the deleby the Guardian on this subject, there seems gates by the officer of the National Spiritual > to exist each year, prior to and also during Assembly by whom the Convention is conthe Convention period, some misunderstand- vened. 1 > ing as to the nature of the Annual Meeting. "The delegates present at this Annual > In order to establish a definite standard of Baha'i Convention are called upon to render > Convention procedure, the following state- a unique, a vital service to the Faith of > ment has been approved and adopted, and Baha'u'llah. Their collective functions and > in accordance with the vote taken by the > National Assembly, a copy of the statement This reference to "being read to the delegates" > was in connection with the 1934 Convention only. > is placed in the hands of the presiding officer The statement is here published for the general inof the Convention to control the Conven- formation of the believers. > M > C > > u > o > s > > I > > JG G > <- C > > .s > '^ > .s > (X > > G > ') > *c > o > JC > > u > > 242 THE BAHA'I WORLD > responsibilities are not a matter of arbitrary lieversseem to feel, organically change the > opinion, but have been clearly described by character and function of the Annual Meetthe Guardian of the Cause. If civil govern- ing, but reaffirm and strengthen instructions > ments have found it necessary to adopt the and explanations previously given. In the > doctrine that 'ignorance of the law is no light of all the Guardian's references to this > excuse,' how much more essential it is for subject, compiled and published by the Na- > Baha'is, individually and collectively, to base tional Spiritual Assembly in BAHA'! NEWS of > their responsible actions upon thorough com- November, 1933 and February, 1934, the > prehension of the fundamental principles following brief summary has been prepared > which underlie that Administrative Order and is now issued with the sole purpose of > which in its maturity is destined to become contributing to the spiritual unity of the > the World Order of Bahd'u'llah. chosen delegates here present: > "Considerable confusion would have been "1. The Annual Baha'i Convention has > avoided at Conventions held during the past two unique functions to fulfill, discussion > three years had the delegates, and all mem- of current Baha'i matters and the election > bers of the National Spiritual Assembly it- of the National Spiritual Assembly. The > self, given sufficient consideration to the discussion should be free and untrammeled, > fact that BAHA'i NEWS of February, 1930, the election carried on in that spirit of > contained an explanation of the Annual prayer and meditation in which alone every > Convention which had been prepared by the delegate can render obedience to the Guard- > National Spiritual Assembly, submitted to ian's expressed wish. After the Convention > Shoghi Effendi, and definitely approved by is convened by the Chairman of the Nahim. It is because this statement of four tional Spiritual Assembly, and after the roll > call is read by the Secretary of the Assemyears ago has gone unnoticed that successive > Conventions, acting upon some matters as bly, the Convention proceeds to the election > a law unto themselves, have inadvertently of its chairman and Secretary by secret balcontravened the Guardian's clear instruc- lot and without advance nomination, ac- > > tions. cording to the standard set for all Baha'i > "The National Spiritual Assembly now elections. > calls attention to two specific portions of "2. Non-delegates may not participate in > the 1930 statement approved by the Guard- Convention discussion.' All members of the > ian which have been neglected in subsequent National Spiritual Assembly may participate > Conventions: first, the ruling that non-dele- in the discussion, but only those members > gates do not possess the right to participate who have been elected delegates may vote > in Convention proceedings; and, second, that on any matter brought up for vote during > the time of the election of members of the the proceedings. > National Spiritual Assembly shall be fixed "3. The outgoing National Spiritual Asin the Agenda at such a time as to allow the sembly is responsible for rendering reports of > its own activities and of those carried on > outgoing Assembly full time to report to by > the delegates, and to allow the incoming its committees > during the past year. The > Assembly to have full consultation with the annual election is to be held at a point midassembled delegates. It is surely evident that way during the Convention sessions, so that > a procedure or principle of action once au- the incoming Assembly may consult with > thorized by the Guardian is not subject to the delegates. > alteration by any Baha'i body or individual "4. The Convention is free to discuss any > believer to whom the procedure directly ap- Baha'i matter, in addition to those treated > > plies. > in the annual reports. The Convention is > "In order to remove other sources of mis- responsible for making its own rules of prounderstanding, the National Spiritual As- cedure controlling discussion; for example, > sembly now feels it advisable to point out concerning any limitations the delegates may > that the Guardian's letters on the subject of find it necessary to impose upon the time > the Convention, received and published in > BAHA'I NEWS this year, 1 do not, as some be- > February, 1934. > JG > > '3 > > c > o > > u > > H > > 244 THE BAHA'f WORLD > allotted to or claimed by any one delegate. responsible for upholding the administrative > The National Assembly will maintain the principles applying to the holding of the Anrights of the delegates to confer freely > and nual Convention as it is for upholding all > > free from any restricted pressure, in other administrative principles. If, therefully, > the exercise of their function. fore, aConvention departs from the prin- > "5. The Convention as an organic body ciples down for Conventions by the > laid > > is limited to the actual Convention period. Guardian, and exceeds the limitations of > It has no function to discharge after the function conferred upon it, in that case, and > close of the sessions except that of electing in that case alone, the National Spiritual > a member or members to fill any vacancy Assembly can and must intervene. It is the > that might arise in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly, and not the > National Spiritual Assembly during the year. Convention, which is authorized to decide > "6. The Convention while in session has when and why such intervention is required. > no independent legislative, executive or ju- "8. The National Spiritual Assembly feels > dicial function. Aside from its action in that it owes a real duty to the delegates, and > > electing the National Spiritual Assembly, to the entire body of believers, in presenting > its discussions do not represent actions but any and all facts that may be required in > recommendations which shall, according to order to clarify matters discussed at the > the Guardian's instructions, be given con- Convention. There can be no true Baha'i > scientious consideration by the National As- consultation at this important meeting if any > sembly. incomplete or erroneous view should prevail. > "7. The National Spiritual Assembly is the "9. The National Assembly in adopting > > supreme Baha'i administrative body within and issuing this statement does so in the sinthe American Baha'i community, and its ju- cere effort to assure the constitutional freerisdiction continues without interruption dom of the Convention to fulfill its high > during the Convention period as during the mission. The path of true freedom lies in > remainder of the year, and independently of knowing and obeying the general principles > the individuals composing its membership. given to all Baha'i s for the proper conduct > Any matter requiring action of legislative, of their collective affairs. While the entire > executive or judicial nature, whether arising world plunges forward to destruction, it is > during the Convention period or at any other the responsibility of the National Spiritual > time, is to be referred to the National Spir- Assembly to uphold that Order on which > itual Assembly. The National Assembly is peace and security solely depends." > > THE NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHA'f FAITH > A Statement Prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly in Response to the Request > for Clarification of the Subject Voiced by the 1933 Annual Convention > > It is the view of the National Spiritual As- from the letter written by Shoghi Effendi > sembly that the Guardian's references to the on March 21, 1932, published under the title > non-political character of the Baha'i Faith, of "The Golden Age of the Cause of Baha'- > when studied as a whole, are so clear that u'llah." > they can be fully grasped by all believers "I feel it, therefore, incumbent upon me to > and rightly applied by all Local Spiritual stress, now that the time is ripe, the im- > Assemblies to any problems they may en- portance of an instruction which, at the > counter. Should special circumstances arise, present stage of the evolution of our Faith, > however, the National Assembly will make should be increasingly emphasized, irrespecevery effort to assist any Local Assembly to tive of its application to the East or to the > arrive at fuller understanding of this im- West. And this principle is no other than > portant subject. that which involves the non-participation by > The first reference to consider is taken the adherents of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 245 > > whether in their individual capacities or col- their Faith, to violate, under any circumlectively as local or national Assemblies, in stances, the provisions of their country's > any form of activity that might be inter- constitution, much less to allow the mapreted, either directly or indirectly, as an chinery of their administration to supersede > interference in the political affairs of any par- the government of their respective counticular government. tries." > > "Let them refrain from associating them- This instruction raised the question > selves, whether by word or by deed, with whether believers should vote in any pubthe political pursuits of their respective na- lic election. A Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'ltions, with the policies of their governments Baha to Mr. Thornton Chase was sent to > and the schemes and programs of parties and the Guardian, and the following reply was > factions. In such controversies they should received, dated January 26, 1933: > assign no blame, take no side, further no de- "The Guardian fully recognizes the au- > > sign, and identify themselves with no system thenticity and controlling influence of this > prejudicial to the best interests of that world- instruction from 'Abdu'1-Baha upon the > wide Fellowship which it is their aim to guard question. He, however, feels under the reand foster. Let them beware lest they allow sponsibility of stating that the attitude taken > themselves to become the tools of unscrupu- by the Master (that is, that American citilous politicians, or to be entrapped by the zens are in duty bound to vote in public > treacherous devices of the plotters and the elections) implies certain reservations. He, > perfidious among their countrymen. Let therefore, lays it upon the individual conthem so shape their lives and regulate their science to see that in following the Master's > conduct that no charge of secrecy, of fraud, instructions no Baha'i vote for an officer nor > of bribery or of intimidation may, however Baha'i participation in the affairs of the Reill-founded, be brought against them. . . . > public shall involve acceptance by that in- > It is their duty to strive to distinguish, as dividual of a program or policy that con- > > clearly as they possibly can, and if needed travenes any vital principle, spiritual or > with the aid of their elected representatives, social, of the Faith." The Guardian added > such posts and functions as are either diplo- to this letter the following postscript: "I > matic or political, from those that are purely feel it incumbent upon me to clarify the > administrative in character, and which un- above statement, written in my behalf, by > der no circumstances are affected by the stating that no vote cast, or office underchanges and chances that political activities taken, by a Baha'i should necessarily constiand party government, in every land, must tute acceptance, by the voter or office holder, > > necessarily involve. Let them affirm their of the entire program of any political party. > > unyielding determination to stand, firmly No Baha'i can be regarded as either a Reand unreservedly, for the way of Baha'u- publican or Democrat, as such. He is, above > 'llah, to avoid the entanglements and bicker- all else, the supporter of the principles > ings inseparable from the pursuits of the enunciated by BahaVllah, with which, I am > politician, and to become worthy agencies of firmly convinced, the program of no politithat Divine Polity which incarnates God's cal party is completely harmonious." > immutable Purpose for all men. . . . In a letter dated March 16, 1933, the > "Let them proclaim that whatever > in Guardian sent these further details: > country they reside, and however advanced "As regards the non-political character > their institutions, orprofound their desire of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi feels > to enforce the laws and apply the principles that there is no contradiction whatsoever > enunciated by BahaVllah, they will, unhesi- between the Tablet (to Thornton Chase, > tatingly, subordinate the operation of such referred to above) and the reservations to > laws and the application of such principles which he has referred. The Master surely > to the requirements and legal enactments of never desired the friends to use their influtheir respective governments. Theirs is not ence towards the realization and promotion > the purpose, while endeavoring to conduct of policies contrary to any of the principles > and perfect the administrative affairs of of the Faith. The friends may vote, if they > 246 THE BAHA'f WORLD > can do it, without identifying themselves matter must be made perfectly clear to the > with one party or another. To enter the individuals, who will be left free to exercise > arena of party politics is surely detrimental their discretion and judgment. But if a > > to the best interests of the Faith and will certain person' does enter into party politics > harm the Cause. It remains for the indi- and labors for the ascendancy of one party > viduals to so use their right to vote as to over another, and continues to do it against > keep aloof from party politics, and always the expressed appeals, and warnings of the > bear in mind that they are voting on the Assembly, then the Assembly has the right > merits of the individual, rather than because to refuse him the right to vote in Baha'i > he belongs to one party or another. The elections." > > CONCERNING MEMBERSHIP IN NON-BAHA'f RELIGIOUS > ORGANIZATIONS > > The instruction written by Shoghi Ef- the Guardian wishes us to take in regard to > fendi concerning membership in non-Baha'i church membership is a necessary and inevireligious organizations, published > in the July, table result of the steady development of > > 1935, number of BAHA'I NEWS, has brought the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > forth some interesting and important com- This essential principle is made clear when > munications from local Spiritual Assemblies we turn to Shoghi Eflfendi's further referand also from individual believers, to all of ence to the subject as published in BAHA'I > which the National Spiritual Assembly has NEWS for October, 1935 words written by > given careful and sympathetic attention. the Guardian's own hand. > The National Assembly itself, on receiv- In the light of these words, it seems fully > ing that instruction, made it the subject of evident that the way to approach this inextensive consultation, feeling exceedingly struction is in realizing the Faith of Baha'- > > responsible for its own understanding of the u'llah as an ever-growing organism des- > Guardian's words and anxious to contribute tined to become something new and greater > to the understanding of the friends. than any of the revealed religions of the > In October, 1935, the Assembly sent in past. Whereas former Faiths inspired hearts > reply to some of these communications a and illumined souls, they eventuated in forgeneral letter embodying its thoughts on the mal religions with an ecclesiastical organisubject, and a copy of that letter was for- zation, creeds, rituals and churches, while > warded to Shoghi Effendi for his approval the Faith of Baha'u'llah, likewise renewing > and comment. His references to its con- man's spiritual life, will gradually produce > > tents, made in letters addressed to the Na- the institutions of an ordered society, fultional Spiritual Assembly on November 29 filling not merely the function of the > and December 11, 1935, are appended to this churches of the past but also the function > statement. of the civil state. By this manifestation of > Now that Shoghi Eflfendi's approval has the Divine Will in a higher degree than in > been received, the National Assembly feels former ages, humanity will emerge from > it desirable to publish, for the information that immature civilization in which church > of all the American believers, the substance and state are separate and competitive inof the October letter. stitutions, and partake of a true civilization > While so fundamental an instruction is in which spiritual and social principles are > bound to raise different questions corre- at last reconciled as two aspects of one and > > sponding to the different conditions exist- the same Truth. > ing throughout the Baha'i community, the No Bah&'i can read the successive World > most important consideration is our collec- Order letters sent us by Shoghi EflFendi withtive need to grasp the essential principle un- out perceiving that the Guardian, for many > derlying the new instruction, and our ca- years, has been preparing us to understand > pacity to perceive that the position which and appreciate this fundamental purpose > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 247 > > and mission of the Revelation of BahaVllah, of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, > Even when the Master ascended, we were and exercise, as the supreme organ of the > for the most part still considering the Baha'i Commonwealth, all the rights, the > Baha'i Faith as though it were only the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon > "return of Christ" and failing to perceive the world's future super-state." > the entirely new and larger elements latent This passage stands as the keystone in the > in theTeachings of BahaVllah. noble structure which Shoghi Effendi has > Thus, in the very first of the World Or- raised in his function as interpreter of the > der letters, written February 27th, 1929, Teachings of BahaVllah. The Master de- > Shoghi Effendi said: "Who, I may ask, when veloped the Cause to the point where this > viewing the international character of the social Teaching, always existent in the Tab- > Cause, far-flung ramifications, the inits lets of BahaVllah, could be explained to the > creasing complexity of its affairs, the di- believers and given its due significance as > > versity of its adherents, and the state of the fulfillment of Baha'i evolution. As the > confusion that assails on every side the in- Guardian expressed it: "That Divine Civilifant Faith of God, can for a moment ques- zation, the establishment of which is the > tion the necessity of some sort of admin- primary mission of the Baha'i Faith." > istrativemachinery that will insure, amid ("World Order of BahaVllah," pp. 3-4.) > the storm and stress of a struggling civili- For us these words mean that a Baha'i is > zation, the unity of the Faith, the preserva- not merely a member of a revealed Religion, > tion of its identity, and the protection of its he is also a citizen in a World Order even > interests?" though that Order today is still in its in- > Although for five years the Guardian had fancy and still obscured by the shadows > been setting forth the principles of Baha'i thrown by the institutions, habits and atti- > Administration in frequent letters, in 1927 tudes derived from the past. But since the > he apparently felt it necessary to overcome aim and end has been made known, our > some doubts here and there as to the validity devotion and loyalty must surely express > of the institutions the Master bequeathed to itself, not in clinging to views and thoughts > the Baha'i s in His Will and Testament. The emanating from the past, but in pressing > series of World Order letters, however, goes forward in response to the needs of the new > far beyond the point of defending and ex- creation. > > plaining their validity as an essential ele- That true devotion, which consists in > ment in the Faith of BahaVllah the conscious knowledge of the "primary mis- > Guardian vastly extended the horizon of our sion," and unified action to assist in bringunderstanding by making it clear that the ing about its complete triumph, recognizes > Administrative Order, in its full develop- that a Baha'i today must have singleness of > ment, is to be the social structure of the mind as of aim, without the division arising > future civilization. when we stand with one foot in the Cause > Thus, in that same letter quoted above, and one foot in the world, attempting to > he wrote: "Not only will the present-day which the Manireconcile diverse elements > Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in festation of God Himself has declared to > future, but will be enabled also to add to be irreconcilable. > their present functions those powers, duties, The principle underlying the Guardian's > and prerogatives necessitated by the recog- instruction about membership in non-Baha'i > nition of > the Faith of BahaVllah, not religious bodies has already been emphasized > merely one of the recognized religious > as by Shoghi Effendi in another connection > systems of the world, but as the State Re- the instruction about the non-political charligion of an independent and Sovereign acter of the Faith which he incorporated in > Power. And as the Baha'i Faith permeates his letter entitled "The Golden Age of the > the masses of the peoples of East and West, Cause of BahdVllah." For example: "I feel > and its truth is embraced by the majority it, therefore, incumbent upon me to stress, > of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign now that the time is ripe, the importance of > States of the world, will the Universal House an instruction which, at the present stage > 248 THE BAHA'f WORLD > of the evolution of our Faith, should be to the individual believers that no Baha'i > increasingly emphasized, irrespective of its who wishes to be a whole-hearted and sinapplication to the East or to the West. And cere upholder of the distinguishing principles > this principle is no other than that which of the Cause can accept full membership > involves the non-participation by the ad- in any non-Baha'i ecclesiastical organiherents of the Faith of BahaVllah, whether zation. For it is only too obvious that > . . . > > in their individual capacities or collectively in most of its fundamental assumptions the > as local or national Assemblies, in any form Cause of BahaVllah is completely at variof activity that might be interpreted, either ance with outworn creeds, ceremonies and > directly or indirectly, as an interference in institutions. During the days of the > . . . > > the political affairs of any particular govern- Master the Cause was still in a stage that > ment." made such an open and sharp dissociation > Again, when the question was raised as to between it and other religious organizations, > membership in certain non-Baha'i organiza- and particularly the Muslim Faith, not only > tions not directly religious or political in inadvisable but practically impossible to escharacter, the Guardian replied: "Regarding tablish. But since His passing events > association with the World Fellowship of throughout the Baha'i world, and particu- > Faiths and kindred Societies, Shoghi Effendi larly in Egypt where the Muslim religious > wishes to reaffirm and elucidate the general courts have formally testified to the indeprinciple that Baha'i elected representatives pendent character of the Faith, have deas well as individuals should refrain from veloped to a point that has made such an > any act or word that would imply a depar- assertion of the independence of the Cause > ture from the principles, whether spiritual, not only highly desirable but absolutely essocial or administrative, established by Ba- sential." > haVllah. Formal affiliation with and ac- To turn now to the Guardian's words > ceptance of > membership in organizations published in October BA&A'I NEWS: "The > whose programs or policies are not wholly separation that has set in between the inreconcilable with the Teachings is of course stitutions of the Baha'i Faith and the Islamic > out of the question." (BAHA'I NEWS, ecclesiastical organizations that oppose it > > August, 1933.) . . > imposes upon every loyal upholder of > . > > Thus, not once but repeatedly the Guard- the Cause the obligation of refraining from > ian has upheld the vital principle underlying any word or action that might prejudice > every type of relationship between Baha'is the position which our enemies have ... of > and other organizations, namely, that the their own accord proclaimed and established. > Cause of BahaVllah is an ever-growing This historic development, the beginnings > organism, and as we begin to realize its of which could neither be recognized > universality our responsibility is definitely es- nor even anticipated in the years imtablished to cherish and defend that univer- mediately preceding 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, > sality from all compromise, all admixture may be said to have signalized the Formative > with worldly elements, whether emanating Period of our Faith and to have paved the > from our own habits rooted in the past or way for the consolidation of its administrafrom the deliberate attacks imposed by ene- tive order. . . . > Though our Cause unremies from without. servedly recognizes the Divine origin of all > It will be noted that in the instruction the religions that preceded it and upholds > published in July, 1935, BAHA'I NEWS, the the spiritual truths which lie at their very > Guardian made it clear that the principle core and are common to them all, its ininvolved is not new and unexpected, but stitutions, whether administrative, religious > rather an application of an established prin- or humanitarian, must, if their distinctive > ciple to a new condition. "Concerning mem- character is to be maintained and recogbership in non-Baha'i religious associations, nized, be increasingly divorced from the > the Guardian wishes to re-emphasize the outworn creeds, the meaningless ceremonials > general principle already laid down in his and man-made institutions with which these > communications to your Assembly and also religions are at present identified. Our ad- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 249 > > versaries in the East have initiated the strug- ". . . In this case, as also in that of sufgle. Our future opponents in the West will, fering believers, Assemblies, whether > the > in their turn, arise and carry it a stage fur- local or national, should act tactfully, pather. Ours is the duty, in anticipation of tiently and in a friendly and kindly spirit. > this inevitable contest, to > uphold unequivo- Knowing how painful and dangerous it is > cally and with undivided loyalty the in- for such believers to repudiate their former > tegrity of our Faith and demonstrate the allegiances and friendships, they should try > distinguishing features of its divinely ap- to gradually persuade them of the wisdom > > pointed institutions." and necessity of such an action, and instead > Nothing could be clearer or more em- of thrusting upon them a new principle, to > phatic. These words, asserting again the es- make them accept it inwardly, and out of > sential universality of the Cause, likewise pure conviction and desire. Too severe and > repeat and renew the warning that the or- immediate action in such cases is not only > ganized religions, even in America, will be- but actually harmful. It alienates > fruitless > come bitterly hostile to the Faith of Baha'- people instead of winning them to the Cause. > u'llah, denounce and oppose it, and seek its "The other point concerns the advisabildestruction in vain effort to maintain their ity of contributing to a church. In this case > own "outworn creeds" and material power. also the friends must realize that contribu- > Informed of this inevitable development, tions to a church, especially when not regcan a Baha'i any longer desire to retain a ular, do not necessarily entail affiliation. The > connection which, however liberal and pleas- believers can make such offerings, occasioning it now seems, is a connection with a ally, and provided they are certain that while > > potential foe of the Cause of God? The doing so they are not connected as mem- > Guardian's instruction signifies that the time bers of any church. There should be no > has come when all American believers must confusion between the terms affiliation and > become fully conscious of the implications association. While affiliation with ecclesiof such connections, and carry out their loy- astical organizations is not permissible, assoalty to its logical conclusion. ciation with them should not only be tol- > Shoghi Effendi's latest words are not erated but even encouraged. There is no > merely an approval of the foregoing state- better way to demonstrate the universality > ment, but a most helpful elucidation of some of the Cause than this. Baha'u'llah, indeed, > of the problems which arise when the friends urges His followers to consort with all return to their local Assemblies for specific ligions and nations with utmost friendliness > advice under various special circumstances. and love. This constitutes the very spirit > "The explanatory statement in connec- of His message to mankind." (December > tion with membership in non-Baha'i re- 11, 1935.) > > admirably conceived, > ligious organizations is The National Spiritual Assembly trusts > > convincing and in full conformity with the that the subject will receive the attention > > principles underlying and implied in the un- of local Assemblies and communities, and > folding world order of Baha'u'llah." (No- that in the light of the foregoing explanavember 29, 1933.) tions the friends will find unity and agree- > "The Guardian has carefully read the ment in applying the instruction to whatcopy of the statement you had recently pre- ever situations may arise. In teaching new > pared concerning non -membership in non- believers let us lay a proper foundation so > Baha'i religious organizations, and is pleased that their obedience will be voluntary and > to realize that your comments and expla- assured from the beginning of their enrollnations are in full conformity with his views ment as Baha'is. In our attitude toward the > on the subject. He hopes that your letter older believers who are affected by the inwill serve to clarify this issue in the minds struction let us act with the patience and > of all the believers, and to further convince kindliness the Guardian has urged. > them of its vital character and importance > in the present stage of the evolution of the > A special case involving an aged believer, afflicted > with illness, for whom severance of church relations > Cause. might have been too great a shock. > 250 THE BAHA'f WORLD > BAHA'fS AND WAR > A Statement by the National Spiritual Assembly l > > One of the chief responsibilities of Baha'is Concerning the duty of Baha'i s to their > in this transitional era to grasp the prinis government, we have these words, written > ciple upon which rests their loyalty to the by Shoghi Effendi on January 1, 1929 (see > Faith of BahaVllah in relation to their duty "Bah'i Administration," page 152): "To > toward their civil government. This prob- all these (that is, restrictive measures of the > > lem arises in its most difficult form in con- Soviet regime) the followers of the Faith > nection with our individual and collective of Baha'u'llah have with feelings of burning > attitude toward war. agony and heroic fortitude unanimously and > Nothing could be more powerful than unreservedly submitted, ever mindful of the > the Baha'i teachings on the subject of guiding principle of Baha'i conduct that in > Peace. Not only does BahaVllah confirm connection with their administrative activithe teachings of all former Manifestations ties, no matter how grievously interference > > which uphold amity and fellowship between with them might affect the course of the > individual human beings, and the supremacy extension of the Movement, and the suspenof love as the end and aim of mutual inter- sion of which does not constitute in itself > course and association, but He likewise ex- a departure from the principle of loyalty to > > tends the divine law of Peace to govern- their Faith, the considered judgment and > ments and rulers, declaring to them that authoritative decrees issued by their responthey are called upon to establish Peace and sible rulers they be faithful to > must, if > > Justice upon earth, and uproot forever the BahaVllah's and 'Abdu'l-Baha's express indire calamity of international war. junctions, be thoroughly respected and loy- > Despite His Revelation, a most agonizing ally obeyed. In matters, however, that viand excruciating conflict raged in Europe tally affect the integrity and honor of the > for four years, and since that war many Faith of Baha'u'llah, and are tantamount to > other wars and revolutions have dyed the a recantation of their faith and repudiation > > earth, while at present the heaven of human of their innermost belief, they are convinced, > hope is black with the approach of a final and are unhesitatingly prepared to vindicate > world-shaking catastrophe. by their life-blood the sincerity of their con- > What wonder that faithful Baha'is, ab- viction, that no power on earth, neither the > horring and detesting war as insane repudia- arts of the most insidious adversary nor the > tion of divine law, as destroyer of life and bloody weapons of the most tyrannical opruin of civilization, should now, in these pressor, can ever succeed in extorting from > fateful days, ponder how they may save their them a word or deed that might tend to > loved ones from the calamity of the battle- stifle the voice of their conscience or tarnish > field,and how they may contribute their the purity of their faith." > utmost to any and every effort aimed at the In view of the fact that early Christians > attainment of universal Peace? were persecuted because they refused to > Conscious of these heart-stirrings, and render military service, the question might > mindful of its responsibility toward all be raised whether the above statement means > American believers, and particularly that ra- that the Guardian includes refusal to bear > diant youth which would first of all be sac- arms as one of those matters which "vitally > rificed in the event of a declaration of war affect the integrity and honor of the Faith > > by the government, the National Spiritual . . and are tantamount to a recantation of > . > > Assembly wishes to express its view upon their faith and repudiation of their innerthe matter, in the hope that the result of > its study of the Teachings and of the Guard- 1 > "The Guardian has carefully read the N. S. A.'s > ian's explanations will in statement on the Baha'i attitude toward war, and > assist bringing a > approves of its circulation among the believers." > unity opinion and a > of clarification of > his > Shoghi Effendi, through secretary, Haifa, Januthought among the friends. ary 10, 1936. > .S 8, > 2 72 > S J5 > > c > o > > O > > '> > J-i > >A (U > C ** > o c > - > jj > ~n ' > o > > -x > o> > "^ > > ^ JC > > 252 THE BAHA'f WORLD > most belief" a question the more important in order to take advantage of any exemption > > in that the early Christians preferred perse- that may later on be officially obtained for > cution to military service. duly enrolled Baha'is. The only justifiable > The answer to this question is that the reason for joining this Faith is because one > Guardian instructs us that the obligation to realizes that it is a divine Cause and is ready > > render military duty placed by governments and willing to accept whatever may befall a > upon their citizensform of loyalty to > is a believer on the path of devotion. The perseone's government which the Baha'i must ac- cutions which have been inflicted upon Ba- > > cept, but that the believers can, through ha'is so frequently make it clear that the > their National Assembly, seek exemption path of devotion is one of sacrifice and not > from active army duty provided their gov- of ease or special privilege. > ernment recognizes the right of members of Another question encountered here and > religious bodies making peace a matter of there among believers is what can Baha'is do > conscience to serve in some non-combatant to work for Peace? Outside the Cause we > service rather than as part of the armed see many organizations with peace programs, > force. and believers occasionally feel that it is their > The National Spiritual Assembly has in- duty to join such movements and thereby > vestigated carefully this aspect of the situa- work for a vital Baha'i principle. > tion, and has found that, whereas the gov- It is the view of the National Spiritual > ernment of the United States did, in the Assembly that activity in and for the Cause > last war, provide exemption from military itself is the supreme service to world peace. > > duty on religious grounds, nevertheless this The Baha'i community of the world is the > exemption was part of the Statutes bearing true example of Peace. The Baha'i principles > > directly upon that war, and with the cessa- are the only ones upon which Peace can be > tion of hostilities the exemption lapsed. In established. Therefore, by striving to enother words, there is today no basis on large the number of declared believers, and > which any Baha'i may be exempted from broadcasting the Teachings of Baha'u'llah, > military duty in a possible future conflict. we are doing the utmost to rid humanity of > The National Assembly, consequently, can- the scourge of war. Of what use to spend > not at present make any petition for exemp- time and money upon incomplete human > tion of Baha'is from war service, for such programs when we have the universal propetitions must be filed with reference to some gram of the Manifestation of God? The firm > specific Act or Statute under which exemp- union of the Baha'is in active devotion to > tion can be granted. The Assembly under- the advancement of their own Faith this is > stands that, in the event of war, there will be our service to Peace, as it is our service to all > some kind of provision for exemption en- other human needs economic justice, race > acted, but as far as Baha'is are concerned, no amity, religious unity, etc, Let non-believers > steps can be taken until this government de- agitate for disarmament and circulate peticlares itself in a state of war. tions for this and that pacifist aim a Baha'i > This explanation, it is hoped, will satisfy truly alive in this Faith will surely prefer to > those who for some years have been urging base his activities upon the foundation laid > that protection be secured for American by Baha'u'llah, walk the path which the > Baha'i youth. Master trod all His days, and heed the appeals > On the other hand it must be pointed out which the Guardian has given us to initiate > that it no part of our teaching program > is a new era in the public teaching of the > to attract young people to the Cause merely Message. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 253 > > THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ABDU L-BAHA > Excerpts Made by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of the > United States and Canada, by Direction of Shoghi Effendi, > Guardian of the Bahd'i Faith > INTERPRETATIONS OF THE WILL AND TESTAMENT > ELL is it with him who fixeth his gaze Center of the Covenant the Interpreter > upon the Order of BahaVllah and rendereth of His Word Covenant so firm and > a > thanks unto his Lord! For He assuredly will mighty that from the beginning of time > be made manifest. God hath indeed ordained until the present day no religious Dispenit in the Bayan. The Bab. ("The Dispen- sation hath produced its like. 'Abdu'lsation of BahaVllah," pages 54-55.) Bahd. ("The Dispensation of BahaVllah," > page 44.) > The world's equilibrium hath been upset > through the vibrating influence of this most 'Abdu'1-Baha, Who incarnates an institugreat, this new World Order. Mankind's tion for which we can find no parallel whatordered life hath been revolutionized through soever in any of the world's recognized relithe agency of this unique, this wondrous gious systems, may be said to have closed the > System the like of which mortal eyes have Age to which He Himself belonged and > never witnessed. Bahd'u'lldh. ("The Dis- opened the one in which we are now laborpensation of BahaVllah," page 54.) ing. His Will and Testament should thus be > regarded as the perpetual, the indissoluble > It incumbent upon the Aghsan, the > is link which the mind of Him Who is the > Afnan and My kindred to turn, one and all, Mystery of God has conceived in order to intheir faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. sure the continuity of the three ages that > Consider that which We have revealed in constitute the component parts of the Baha'i > Our Most Holy Book: "When the ocean of Dispensation. . . , > > My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My > Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward The creative energies released by the Law > Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath of BahaVllah, permeating and evolving > branched from this Ancient Root/* The ob- within the mind of 'Abdu'1-Baha, have, by > ject of this sacred verse is none except the their very impact and close interaction, > Most Mighty Branch ( Abdu'l-Baha). Thus given birth to an Instrument which may be > have We graciously revealed unto you Our viewed as the Charter of the New World > potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, Order which is at once the glory and the > the All-PowerfuL BahaVllah. ("The Dis- promise of this most great Dispensation. The > pensation of BahaVllah," page 42.) Will may thus be acclaimed as the inevitable > offspring resulting from that mystic inter- > There hath branched from the SadratVl- course between Him Who > communicated the > Muntaha this sacred and glorious Being, this generating influence of His divine Purpose > Branch of Holiness; well is it with him that and the One Who was its vehicle and chosen > hath sought His shelter and abideth beneath recipient. Being the Child of the Covenant > His shadow. Verily the Limb of the Law of the Heir of both the Originator and the > God hath sprung forth from this Root which Interpreter of the Law of God the Will and > God hath firmly implanted in the Ground of Testament of 'Abdu'1-Baha can no more be > His Will, and Whose Branch hath been so divorced from Him Who supplied the origuplifted as to encompass the whole of crea- inal and motivating impulse than from the > tion. Baba'u'llab. ("The Dispensation of One Who ultimately conceived it. Bah&'u- > BahaVlUh," page 43.) 'llah's inscrutable purpose, we must ever bear > > in mind, has been so thoroughly infused into > In accordance with the explicit text of the the conduct of 'Abdu'1-Baha, and their mo- > Kitdb-i-Aqdas, BahaVllah hath made the tives have been so closely wedded together, > of the at > db last of His > > Documents of historical interest displayed in the Central Hall of the Mansion > at Bahji, 'Akka. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 255 > > that the mere attempt to dissociate the teach- expands and consolidates itself, will no doubt > ings of the former from any system which manifest the potentialities and reveal the full > the ideal Exemplar of those same teachings implications of this momentous Document > has established would amount to a repudia- this most remarkable expression of the Will > tion of one of the most sacred and basic of One of the most remarkable Figures of > truths of the Faith. the Dispensation of BahaVllah. It will, as > > its component parts, its organic institutions, > The Administrative Order, which ever begin to function with efficiency and vigor, > since 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension has evolved assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity > and is taking shape under our very eyes in no to be regarded not only as the nucleus but > fewer than forty countries of the world, may the very pattern of the New > World Order > be considered as the framework of the Will destined to embrace in the fullness of time > itself, the inviolable stronghold wherein this the whole of mankind. Sbogbi Effeudi. > new-born child is being nurtured and de- ("The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah," pages > veloped. This Administrative Order, as it > 51-52.) > > EXCERPTS FROM THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ABDU L-BAHA > > A,.LL-PRAISE to Him Who, by the Shield kindled the Fire of the Love of God in the > of His Covenant, hath guarded the Temple very hearts and souls of His servants; upon > of His Cause from the darts of doubtfulness, them that have believed, rested assured, stood > Who by the Hosts of His Testament hath steadfast in His Covenant and followed the > > preserved the Sanctuary of His Most Benefi- Light that after my passing shineth from the > cent Law and protected His Straight and Day spring of Divine Guidance for behold! > Luminous Path, staying thereby the on- he is the blest and sacred bough that hath > slaught of the company of Covenant-break- branched out from the Twin Holy Trees. > ers, that have threatened to subvert His Di- Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter > vine Edifice; Who hath watched over His of his shade that shadoweth all mankind. > Mighty Stronghold and All-glorious Faith, O ye beloved of the Lord! The greatest > through the aid of men whom the slander of of all things is the protection of the True > > the slanderer affects not, whom no earthly Faith of God, the preservation of His Law, > calling, glory and power can turn aside from the safeguarding of His Cause and service > the Covenant of God and His Testament, unto His Word. Ten thousand souls have > established firmly by His clear and manifest shed streams of their sacred blood in this > words, writ and revealed by His All-glorious path, their precious lives they offered in sac- > Pen and recorded in the Preserved Tablet. rifice unto Him, hastened wrapt in holy > Salutation and praise, blessing and glory ecstasy unto the glorious field of martyrdom, > rest upon that primal branch of the Divine upraised the Standard of God's Faith and > and Sacred Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, ten- writ with their life-blood upon the Tablet of > der, verdant and flourishing from the Twin the world the verses of His Divine Unity. > Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique and The sacred breast of His Holiness, the Expriceless pearl that doth gleam from out the One (may my life be a sacrifice unto > alted > Twin Surging Seas; upon the offshoots of the Him) was made a target to many a dart of > , > > Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the Celestial woe, and in Mizindaran, the Blessed feet of > Tree, they that in the Day of the Great Di- the Abh Beauty (may my life be offered up > viding have stood fast and firm in the Cove- for His loved ones) were so grievously > nant; upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause scourged as to bleed and be sore wounded. > of God that have diffused widely the Divine His neck also was put into captive chains > Fragrances, declared His Proofs, proclaimed and His feet made fast in the stocks. In > His Faith, published abroad His Law, de- every hour, for a period of fifty years, a new > tached themselves from all things but Him, trial and calamity befell Him and fresh afflicstood for righteousness in this world, and tions and cares beset Him. One of them: > 256 THE BAHA'I WORLD > after having suffered intense vicissitudes, He honored Thee amidst Thy servants. Lord! > was made homeless and a wanderer and fell a Shield Thou from these Covenant-breakers > victim to still new vexations and troubles. the mighty Stronghold of Thy Faith and > In 'Iraq, the Day-Star of the world was so protect Thy secret Sanctuary from the onexposed to the wiles of the people of malice slaught of the ungodly. Thou art in truth > as to be eclipsed in splendor. Later on He the Mighty, the Powerful, the Gracious, the > was sent an exile to the Great City (Con- Strong. > stantinople) and thence to the Land of O God, my God! Shield Thy trusted > > Mystery ( Adrianople) whence, grievously > , > servants from the evils of self and passion, > wronged, He was eventually transferred to protect them with the watchful eye of Thy > the Most Great Prison ('Akka) He Whom > . > loving kindness from all rancor, hate and > the world hath wronged (may my life be envy, shelter them in the impregnable > offered up for His loved ones) was four times stronghold of Thy Cause and, safe from the > banished from city to city, till at last con- darts of doubtfulness, make them the manidemned to perpetual confinement, He was festations of Thy glorious Signs, illumine > incarcerated in Prison, the prison of > this their faces with the effulgent rays shed from > > highway robbers, of brigands and of man- the Dayspring of Thy Divine Unity, gladden > > slayers. All this is but one of the trials that their hearts with the verses revealed from > have afflicted the Blessed Beauty, the rest Thy Holy Kingdom, strengthen their loins > being even as grievous as this. by Thine all-swaying power that cometh > from Thy Realm of Glory. Thou art the > According to the direct and sacred com- All-Bountiful, the Protector, the Almighty, > mand of God we are forbidden to utter slan- the Gracious! > der, are commanded to show forth peace and O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! > amity, are exhorted to rectitude of conduct, When the hour cometh that this wronged > straightforwardness and harmony with all and broken-winged bird will have taken > the kindreds and peoples of the world. We flight unto the celestial concourse, when it > must obey and be the well-wishers of the will have hastened to the Realm of the Un- > > governments of the land, regard disloyalty seen and its mortal frame will have been > unto a just king as disloyalty to God Him- either lost or hidden neath the dust, it is inself and wishing evil to the government a cumbent upon the Afnan, that are steadfast > transgression of the Cause of God. in the Covenant of God, and have branched > O God, my God! Thou seest this wronged from the Tree of Holiness, the Hands (pilservant of Thine, held fast in the talons of lars) of the Cause of God (the glory of the > ferocious lions, of ravening wolves, of blood- Lord rest upon them) and all the friends and > , > > thirsty beasts. Graciously assist me, through loved ones, one and all to bestir themselves > my love for Thee, that I may drink deep of and arise with heart and soul and in one acthe chalice that brimmeth over with faith- cord, to diffuse the sweet savors of God, to > fulness to Thee and is filled with Thy bounti- teach His Cause and to promote His Faith. > ful Grace; so that, fallen upon the dust, I It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, > > may sink prostrate and senseless whilst my neither to seek repose. They must disperse > vesture is dyed crimson with my blood. This themselves in every land, pass by every clime > is my wish, my heart's desire, my hope, my and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, > pride, my glory. Grant, O Lord my God, without rest and steadfast to the end they > and my Refuge, that in my last hour, my must raise in every land the triumphal cry > end, may even as musk shed its fragrance of "O Thou the Glory of Glories!" (Ya-Baha'- > glory! Is there a bounty greater than this? u'l-Abha), must achieve renown in the > Nay, by Thy Glory! I call Thee to witness world wherever they go, must burn brightly > that no day passeth but that I quaff my fill even as a candle in every meeting and must > from this cup, so grievous are the misdeeds kindle the flame of Divine love in every aswrought by them that have broken the sembly; that the light of truth may rise re- > Covenant, kindled discord, showed their splendent in the midmost heart of the world, > malice, stirred sedition in the land and dis- that throughout the East and throughout > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 257 > > the West a vast concourse may gather under guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the > the shadow of the Word of God, that the Universal House of Justice, to be universally > sweet savors of holiness may be diffused, that elected and established, are both under the > faces may shine radiantly, hearts be filled care and protection of the Abha Beauty, unwith the Divine spirit and souls be made der the shelter and unerring guidance of His > > heavenly. Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be > In these days, the most important of all offered up for them both) . Whatsoever they > things the guidance of the nations and > is decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, > peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; > is of utmost importance for it is the head whoso rebelleth against him and against > corner-stone of the foundation itself. This them hath rebelled against God; whoso opwronged servant has spent his days and poseth him hath opposed God; whoso connights in promoting the Cause and urging tendeth with them hath contended with > the peoples to service. He rested not a mo- God; whoso disputeth with him hath disment, till the fame of the Cause of God was puted with God; whoso denieth him hath > noised abroad in the world and the celestial denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath > from the Abha Kingdom roused > strains disbelieved in God; whoso deviateth, sepathe East and the West. The beloved of rateth himself and turneth aside from him > God must also follow the same example. hath in truth deviated, separated himself and > This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the turned aside from God. May the wrath, the > requirement of servitude to the Threshold of fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest > Baha! upon him! The mighty stronghold shall re- > The disciples of Christ forgot themselves main impregnable and safe through obediand all earthly things, forsook all their ence to him who is the guardian of the Cause > cares and belongings, purged themselves of of God. It is incumbent upon the memself and passion and with absolute detach- bers of the House of Justice, upon all the > ment scattered far and wide and engaged in Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause > calling the peoples of the world to the Divine of God to show their obedience, submis- > Guidance, till at last they made the world siveness and subordination unto the guardanother world, illumined the surface of the ian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him > earth and even to their last hour proved self- and be lowly before him. He that opposeth > sacrificing in the pathway of that Beloved him hath opposed the True One, will make a > One of God. Finally in various lands they breach in the Cause of God, will subvert His > suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that word and will become a manifestation of the > are men of action follow in their footsteps! Center of Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the > O my loving friends! After the passing days after the ascension (of BahaVllah) be > away of this wronged one, it is incumbent repeated when the Center of Sedition waxed > upon the Aghsan (Branches) the Af nan , haughty and rebellious and with Divine > (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands Unity for his excuse deprived himself and > (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved perturbed and poisoned others. No doubt > ones of the Abha Beauty to turn unto Shoghi every vainglorious one that purposeth dis- > Eflfendi youthful branch branched > the sension and discord will not openly declare > from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure > and the fruit grown from the union of the gold, would he seize upon divers measures > two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness as he and various pretexts that he may separate the > isthe sign of God, the chosen branch, the gathering of the people of Baha. My object > guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom is to show that the Hands of the Cause of > > all the Aghsan, the Afnan, the Hands of the God must be ever watchful and so soon as > Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. they find anyone beginning to oppose and > He is the expounder of the words of God and protest against the guardian of the Cause of > after him will succeed the first-born of his God cast him out from the congregation of > lineal descendants. the people of Baha and in no wise accept any > The sacred and youthful branch, the excuse from him. How often hath grievous > 258 THE BAHA'f WORLD > error been disguised in the garb of truth, conduct, their manners, their deeds and their > that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the words. > hearts of men! This body of the Hands of the Cause of > O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incum- God is under the direction of the guardian of > bent upon the guardian of the Cause of God the Cause of God. He must continually urge > to appoint in his own life-time him that shall them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of > become his successor, that differences may their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of > not arise after his passing. He that is ap- God, and to guide all the peoples of the > > pointed must manifest in himself detach- world, for it is the light of Divine Guidance > ment from all worldly things, must be the that causeth all the universe to be illumined. > essence of purity,must show in himself the To disregard, though it be for a moment, > fear of God, knowledge, wisdom and learn- this absolute command which is binding > > ing. Thus, should the first-born of the upon everyone, is in no wise permitted, that > guardian of the Cause of God not manifest the existent world may become even as the > in himself the truth of the words: "The Abha Paradise, that the surface of the earth > child is the secret essence of its sire," that is, may become heavenly, that contention and > should he not inherit of the spiritual within conflict amidst peoples, kindreds, nations and > him (the guardian of the Cause of God) and governments may disappear, that all the > his glorious lineage not be matched with a dwellers on earth may become one people > goodly character, then must he (the guardian and one race, that the world may become > of the Cause of God), choose another branch even as one home. Should differences arise > to succeed him. they shall be amicably and conclusively set- > The Hands of the Cause of God must elect tled by the Supreme Tribunal, that shall in- > > from their own number, nine persons that clude members from all the governments and > shall at all times be occupied in the impor- peoples of the world. > tant services in the work of the guardian of O ye beloved of the iTord! In this sacred > the Cause of God. The election of these nine Dispensation, conflict and contention are in > must be carried either unanimously or by no wise permitted. Every aggressor deprives > majority from the company of the Hands of himself of God's grace. It is incumbent > > the Cause of God and these, whether unani- upon everyone to show the utmost love, rec- > > mously or by a majority vote, must give titude of conduct, straightforwardness and > their assent to the choice of the one whom sincere kindlinessunto all the peoples and > the guardian of the Cause of God hath kindreds of the world, be they friends or > chosen as his successor. This assent must be strangers. Sa intense must be the spirit of > given in such wise as the assenting and dis- love and loving-kindness, that the stranger > > senting voices may not be distinguished may find himself a friend, the enemy a true > (secret ballot). brother, no difference whatsoever existing > O friends! The Hands of the Cause of between them. For universality is of God > God must be nominated and appointed by and all limitations earthly. Thus man must > the guardian of the Cause of God. All must strive that his reality may manifest virtues > be under his shadow and obey his command. and perfections, the light whereof may shine > Should any, within or without the company upon everyone. The light of the sun shineth > of the Hands of the Cause of God, disobey upon all the world and the merciful showers > and seek division, the wrath of God and His of Divine Providence fall upon all peoples. > vengeance will be upon him, for he will have The vivifying breeze reviveth every living > caused a breach in the true Faith of God. creature and all beings endued with life ob- > The obligations of the Hands of the Cause tain their share and portion at His heavenly > of God are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, board. In like manner, the affections and > to edify the souls of men, to promote learn- loving-kindness of the servants of the One > ing, to improve the character of all men and True God must be bountifully and univerto be, at all times and under all conditions, sally extended to all mankind. Regarding > sanctified and detached from earthly things. this, restrictions and limitations are in no > They must manifest the fear of God by their wise permitted. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 259 > > Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort legislative body so that through the close > with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of union and harmony of these two forces, (Jie > the world with the utmost truthfulness, up- foundation of fairness and justice may berightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will come firm and strong, that all the regions of > and friendliness; that all the world of being the world may become even as Paradise > > may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the itself. > > grace of Baha, that ignorance, enmity, hate > and rancor may vanish from the world and O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent > the darkness of estrangement amidst the peo- upon you to be submissive to all monarchs > ples and kindreds of the world may give way that are just and show your fidelity to every > to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples righteous king. Serve ye the sovereigns of > and nations be unfaithful to you show your the world with utmost truthfulness and loy- > > fidelity unto them, should they be unjust alty. Show obedience unto them and be > toward you show justice towards them, Without their leave and > their well-wishers. > should they keep aloof from you attract permission do not meddle with political > them to yourself, should they show their en- affairs, for disloyalty to the just sovereign is > mity be friendly towards them, should they disloyalty to God himself. > poison your lives sweeten their souls, should This is my counsel and the commandment > they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to of God unto you. Well is it with them that > their sores. Such are the attributes of the act accordingly. > sincere! Such are the attributes of the > truthful. O dearly beloved friends! I am now in > And now, concerning the House of Jus- very great danger and the hope of even an > tice which God hath ordained as the source hour's life is lost to me. I am thus con- > > of all good and freed from all error, it must strained to write these lines for the protecbe elected by universal suffrage, that is, by tion of the Cause of God, the preservation of > the believers. Its members must be manifes- His Law, the safeguarding of His Word, and > tations of the fear of God and daysprings of the safety of His Teachings. By the Ancient > > knowledge and understanding, must be Beauty! This wronged one hath in no wise > steadfast in God's faith and the well-wishers borne nor doth he bear a grudge against any > of all mankind. By this House is meant the one; towards none doth he entertain any ill- > Universal House of Justice, that is, in all feeling and uttereth no word save for the > countries, a secondary House of Justice must good of the world. My supreme obligation, > be instituted, and these secondary Houses of however, of necessity, prompteth me to > Justice must elect the members of the Uni- guard and preserve the Cause of God. Thus, > versal one. Unto this body all things must with the greatest regret, I counsel you saybe referred. It enactcth all ordinances and ing: "Guard ye the Cause of God, protect > regulations that are not to be found in the His law and have the utmost fear of disexplicit Holy Text. By this body all the cord. This is the foundation of the belief of > difficult problems are to be resolved and the the people of Baha (may my life be offered > guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred up for them)." "His Holiness, the Exalted > head and the distinguished member for life One (the Bab), is the Manifestation of the > of that body. Should he not attend in per- Unity and Oneness of God and the Forerunson its deliberations, he must appoint one to ner of the Ancient Beauty. His Holiness the > represent him. Should any of the members Abh Beauty (may my life be a sacrifice for > commit a sin, injurious to the common weal, His steadfast friends) is the Supreme Manithe guardian of the Cause of God hath at his festation of God and the Dayspring of His > own discretion the right to expel him, where- Most Divine Essence. All others are servants > upon the people must elect another one in unto Him and do His bidding." Unto the > his stead. This House of Justice enacteth the Most Holy Book every one must turn and all > laws and the government enforce th them. that is not expressly recorded therein must > The legislative body must reinforce the ex- be referred to the Universal House of Jusecutive, the executive must aid and assist the tice. That which this body, whether unani- > 260 THE BAHA'f WORLD > mously or by a majority doth carry, that is the onslaught of the insincere, for souls such > > verily the Truth and the Purpose of God as these cause the straight to become crooked > > himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is and all benevolent efforts to produce converily of them that love discord, hath shown trary results. > forth malice and turned away from the Lord O God, my God! I call Thee, Thy Prophof the Covenant. By this House is meant ets and Thy Messengers, Thy Saints and Thy > that Universal House of Justice which is to Holy Ones, to witness that I have declared > be elected from all countries, that is, from conclusively Thy Proofs unto Thy loved > those parts in the East and West where the ones and set forth clearly all things unto > loved ones are to be found, after the manner them, that they may watch over Thy Faith, > of the customary elections in Western coun- guard Thy Straight Path and protect Thy > tries such as those of England. Resplendent Law. Thou art, verily, the All- > It is incumbent upon these members (of knowing, the All- wise! > the Universal House of Justice) to gather > in a certain place and deliberate upon all Whosoever and whatsoever meeting beproblems which have caused difference, ques- cometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the > tions that are obscure and matters that are Light of Faith, let the loved ones give them > not expressly recorded in the Book. What- counsel and say: "Of all the gifts of God > soever they decide has the same effect as the the greatest is the gift of Teaching. It > > Text itself. And inasmuch as this House of draweth unto us the Grace of God and is our > Justice hath power to enact laws that are not first obligation. Of such a gift how can we > expressly recorded in the Book and bear upon deprive ourselves? Nay, our lives, our goods, > daily transactions, so also it hath power to our comforts, our rest, we offer them all as a > repeal the same. Thus > for example, the sacrifice for the Abha Beauty and teach the > > House of Justice enacteth today a certain Cause of God." Caution and prudence, howlaw and enforceth it, and a hundred years ever, must be observed even as recorded in > hence, circumstances profoundly > having the Book. The veil must in no wise be sud- > > changed and the conditions having altered, denly rent asunder. The Glory of Glories > another House of Justice will then have rest upon you. > > power, according to the exigencies of the O ye the faithful loved ones of 'Abdu'ltime, to alter that law. This it can do be- Baha! It is incumbent upon you to take the > > cause that law formeth no part of the Divine greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that > Explicit Text. The House of Justice is both hath branched from and the fruit given > the Initiator and the Abrogator of its own forth by the two hallowed and Divine Lotelaws. Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may strain his radiant nature, that day > And now, one of the greatest and most by day he may wax greater in happiness, in > fundamental principles of the Cause of God joy and spirituality, and may grow to beis to shun and avoid > entirely the Covenant- come even as a fruitful tree. > breakers, for they will utterly destroy the For he is, after 'Abdu'1-Baha, the guard- > Cause of God, exterminate His Law and ian of the Cause of God, the Afnan, the > render of no account all efforts exerted in Hands (pillars) of the Cause and the beloved > the past. O friends! It behooveth you to of the Lord must obey him and turn unto > call to mind with tenderness the trials of His him. He that obeyeth him not, hath not > Holiness, the Exalted One and show your obeyed God; he that turneth away from him, > fidelity to the Ever-Blest Beauty. The hath turned away from God and he that deutmost endeavor must be exerted lest all nieth him, hath denied the True One. Bethese woes, trials and afflictions, all this ware anyone falsely interpret these > lest > > pure and sacred blood that hath been shed words, and like unto them that have broken > so profusely in the Path of God, may prove the Covenant after the Day of Ascension (of > to be in vain. BahaVllah) advance a pretext, raise the > O ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with all standard of revolt, wax stubborn and open > your heart to shield the Cause of God from wide the door of false interpretation. To > "O > > a > a > > i_t > > a > * < > > w > a > x > C O > rt '3 > a > > O ^3 > > c > o O > > W > > a, > > PQ > > 'C > > J8 > H > > 262 THE BAHA'f WORLD > none is given the right to put forth his own ated in His public addresses throughout the > > opinion or express his particular convictions. West. The laws that govern its operation > All must seek guidance and turn unto the and limit its functions are those which have > Center of the Cause and the House of Jus- been expressly ordained in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. > tice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever The seat round which its spiritual, its huelse is indeed in grievous error. manitarian and administrative activities will > The Glory of Glories rest upon you. cluster are the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and its > > Dependencies. The pillars that sustain its > Let no one, while this System is still in its authority and buttress its structure are the > infancy, misconceive its character, belittle twin institutions of the Guardianship and of > its significance or misrepresent its purpose. the Universal House of Justice. The central, > The bedrock on which this Administrative the underlying aim which animates it is the > Order is founded is God's immutable Purpose establishment of the New World Order as > for mankind in this day. The Source from adumbrated by BahaVllah. The methods it > which it derives its inspiration is no one less employs, the standard it inculcates, incline it > than BahaVllah Himself. Its shield and de- to neither East nor West, neither Jew nor > fender are the embattled hosts of the Abha Gentile, neither rich nor poor, neither white > Kingdom. Its seed is the blood of no less nor colored. Its watchword is the unificathan twenty thousand martyrs who have tion of the human race; its standard the > offered up their lives that it may be born and "Most Great Peace"; its consummation the > flourish. The axis round which its institu- advent of that golden millennium the Day > tions revolve are the authentic provisions of when the kingdoms of this world shall have > the "Will and Testament" of 'Abdu'1-Baha. become the Kingdom of God Himself, the > Its guiding principles are the truths which Kingdom of BahaVllah. SHOGHI EFFENDL > He Who is the unerring Interpreter of the ("The Dispensation of BahaVllah," pages > teachings of our Faith has so clearly enunci- 64 and 65.) > > EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI > i HAVE been acquainted by the perusal of attempts that protrude their ugly face from > your latest communications with the nature time to time, seem for a while able to create > of the doubts that have been publicly ex- a breach in the ranks of the faithful, recede > pressed, by one who is wholly misinformed finally into the obscurity of oblivion, and are > as to the true precepts of the Cause, regard- thought of no more. > . Such incidents we > ing the validity of institutions that stand should regard as the interpositions of Proviinextricably interwoven with the Faith of dence, designed to fortify our faith, to clar- > BahaVllah. Not that I for a moment view ify our vision, and to deepen our understandsuch faint misgivings in the light of an open ing of the essentials of His Divine Revelachallenge to the structure that embodies the tion. > > Faith, nor is it because I question in the least It would, however, be helpful and instruc- > > the unyielding tenacity of the faith of the tive to bear in mind certain basic principles > American believers, if I venture to dwell with reference to the Will and Testament of > upon what seems to me appropriate observa- 'Abdu'l-Babd, which together with the > tions at the present stage of the evolution of Kitdb-i-Aqdas, constitutes the chief deposiour beloved Cause. I am indeed inclined to tory wherein are enshrined those priceless elewelcome these expressed apprehensions inas- ments of that Divine Civilization, the estabmuch as they afford me an opportunity to lishment of which is the primary mission of > familiarize the elected representatives of the the Bah&'i Faith. A > study of the provisions > believers with the origin and character of the of these sacred documents will reveal the > institutions which stand at the very basis of close relationship that exists between them, > the world order ushered in by BahaVllah. as well as the identity of purpose and method > We should feel truly thankful for such futile which they inculcate. Far from regarding > attempts to undermine our beloved Faith their specific provisions as incompatible and > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 263 > > contradictory in spirit, every fair-minded in- u.'1-Baha, and from his incompetence to > quirer will readily admit that they are not render adequately such truths as have been > only complementary, but that they mutually revealed to him by the Master's statements. > confirm one another, and are inseparable Much of the confusion that has obscured the > parts of one complete unit. A comparison understanding of the believers should be atof their contents with the rest of Baha'i tributed to this double error involved in the > Sacred Writings will similarly establish the inexact rendering of an only partially underconformity of whatever they contain with stood statement. Not infrequently has the > the spirit as well as the letter of the authenti- interpreter even failed to convey the exact > cated writings and sayings of BahaVllah purport of the inquirer's specific questions, > and 'Abdu'1-Baha. In fact, he who reads the and, by his deficiency of understanding and > Ac/das with care and diligence will not find expression in conveying the answer of 'Abdit hard to discover that the Most Holy Book u'l-Baha, been responsible for reports > has > > [Ac/das] anticipates in a number of > itself wholly with the true spirit and > at variance > > passages the institutions which 'Abdu'1-Baha purpose of the Cause. It was chiefly in view > ordains in His Will. By leaving certain mat- of this misleading nature of the reports of the > ters unspecified and unregulated in His Book informal conversations of 'Abdu'1-Baha with > of Laws [Aqdas], BahaVllah seems to have visitingpilgrims, that I have insistently > deliberately left a gap in the general scheme urged the believers of the West to regard > of Baha'i Dispensation, which the unequivo- such statements as > merely personal imprescal provisions of the Master's Will has filled. and to > sions of the sayings of their Master, > To attempt to divorce the one from the quote and consider as authentic only such > other, to insinuate that the Teachings of translations as are based upon the authenti- > BahaVllah have not been upheld, in their cated text of His recorded utterances in the > entiretyand with absolute integrity, by original tongue. > what 'Abdu'1-Baha has revealed in his Will, It should be remembered by every fol- > > is an unpardonable affront to the unswerving lower of the Cause that the system of Baha'i > fidelity that has characterized the life and administration is not an innovation imposed > labors of our beloved Master. arbitrarily upon the Baha'is of the world > I will not attempt in the least to assert or since the Master's passing, but derives its > > demonstrate the authenticity of the Will and authority from the Will and Testament of > Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, for that in itself Abdu'l-Baha, is specifically prescribed in unwould betray an apprehension on my part as numbered Tablets, and rests in some of its > to the unanimous confidence of the believers essential features upon the explicit provisions > in the genuineness of the last written wishes of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas. It thus unifies and > > of our departed Master. I will only confine correlates the principles separately laid down > > my observations to those issues which may by BahaVllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha, and is inassist them to appreciate the essential unity dissolubly bound with the essential verities > that underlies the spiritual, the humanita- of the Faith. To dissociate the administrarian, and the administrative principles tive principles of the Cause from the purely > enunciated by the Author and the Inter- spiritualand humanitarian teachings would > preter of the Baha'i Faith. be tantamount to a mutilation of the body > I am at a loss to explain that strange men- of the Cause, a separation that can only retality that inclines to uphold as the sole cri- sult in the disintegration of its component > terion of the truth of the Baha'i Teachings parts, and the extinction of the Faith itself. > what is admittedly only an obscure and un- > Local and National Houses of Justice > authenticated translation of an oral statement made by 'Abdu'1-Baha, in defiance and It should be carefully borne in mind that > > total disregard of the available text of all of the local as well as the international Houses > His universally recognized writings. I truly of Justice have been expressly enjoined by > deplore the unfortunate distortions that have the Kitdb-i-Aqdas; that the institution of > resulted in days past from the incapacity of the National Spiritual Assembly, as an interthe interpreter to grasp the meaning of *Abd- mediary body, and referred to in the Master's > 264 THE BAHA'I WORLD > Will as the "Secondary House of Justice," stood and more fully recognized, will graduhas the express sanction of 'Abdu'1-Baha; and ally be superseded by the permanent and > that the method to be pursued for the elec- more appropriate designation of House of > tion of the International and National Houses Justice. Not only will the present-day Spirof Justice has been set forth by Him in His itual Assemblies be styled differently in fu- > > Will, as well as in a number of His Tablets. ture, but will be enabled also to add to their > > Moreover, the institutions of the local and present functions tho$e .^powers, duties, and > national Funds, that are now the necessary prerogatives necessitated by the recognition > adjuncts to all Local and National Spiritual of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, not merely as one > Assemblies, have not only been established of the recognized religious systems of the > > by 'Abdu'1-Baha in the Tablets He revealed world, but as the State Religion of an indeto the Baha'is of the Orient, but their im- pendent and Sovereign Power. And as the > portance and necessity have been repeatedly Baha'i Faith permeates the masses of the > > emphasized by Him in His utterances and peoples of East and West, and its truth is > writings. The concentration of authority in embraced by the majority of the peoples of a > the hands of the elected representatives of number of the Sovereign States of the world, > the believers; the necessity of the submission will the Universal House of Justice attain > of every adherent of the Faith to the con- the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as > sidered judgment of Baha'i Assemblies; His the supreme organ of the Baha'i Common- > > preference for unanimity in decision; the wealth, all the rights, the duties, and redecisive character of the majority vote; and sponsibilities incumbent upon the world's > even the desirability for the exercise of close future superstate. > It must be pointed out, however, in this > supervision over all Baha'i publications, have > been sedulously instilled by 'Abdu'1-Baha, as connection that, contrary to what has been > evidenced by His authenticated and widely- confidently asserted, the establishment of the > scattered Tablets. To accept His broad and Supreme House of Justice is in no way dehumanitarian Teachings on one hand, and to pendent upon the adoption of the Baha'i > reject and dismiss with neglectful indiffer- Faith by the mass of the peoples of the > ence His more challenging and distinguish- world, nor does it presuppose its acceptance > ing precepts, would be an act of manifest by the majority of the inhabitants of any one > disloyalty to that which He has cherished country. In fact, 'Abdu'1-Baha, Himself, > most in His life. in one of His earliest Tablets, contemplated > That the Spiritual Assemblies of today the possibility of the formation of the Uniwill be replaced in time by the Houses of versal House of Justice in His own lifetime, > > Justice, and are to all intents and purposes and but for the unfavorable circumstances > identical and not separate bodies, is abun- prevailing under the Turkish regime, would > dantly confirmed by 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself. have, in all probability, taken the prelimi- > He has in fact in a Tablet addressed to the nary steps for its establishment. It will be > > members of the first Chicago Spiritual As- evident, therefore, that given favorable cirsembly, the first elected Baha'i body insti- cumstances, under which the Baha'is of fran > tuted in the United States, referred to them and of the adjoining countries under Soviet > as the members of the "House of Justice" for Rule may be enabled to elect their national > that city, and has thus with His own pen representatives, in accordance with the guidestablished beyond any doubt the identity of ing principles laid down in 'Abdu'l-Baha's > the present Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies with writings, the only remaining obstacle in the > the Houses of Justice referred to by Baha'- way of the definite formation of the Internau'llah. For reasons which are not difficult tional House of Justice will have been reto discover, it has been found advisable to moved. For upon the National Houses of > bestow upon the elected representatives of Justice of the East and West devolves the > Baha'i communities throughout the world task, in conformity with the explicit provithe temporary appellation of Spiritual As- sions of the Will, of electing directly the > > semblies, a term which, as the position and members of the International House of Jusaims of the Baha'i Faith are better under- tice. Not until they are themselves fully > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 265 > > representative of the rank and file of the The Animating Purpose of Babd'i > believers in their respective countries, not Institutions > until they have acquired the weight and the > > experience that will enable them to function And, now, it behooves us to reflect on the > vigorously in the organic life of the Cause, animating purpose and the primary funccan they approach their sacred task, and pro- tions of these divinely-established instituvide the spiritual basis for the constitution tions, the sacred character and the universal > of so august a body in the Baha'i world. efficacy of which can be demonstrated only > by the spirit they diffuse and the work they > The Institution of Guardianship I need not dwell upon > actually achieve. > It must be also clearly understood by every what I have already reiterated and emphabeliever that the institution of Guardianship sized that the administration of the Cause is > does not under any circumstances abrogate, to be conceived as an instrument and not a > or even in the slightest degree detract from, substitute for the Faith of Baha'u'llah, that > the powers granted to the Universal House itshould be regarded as a channel through > of Justice by BahaVllah in the Kitdb-i- which His promised blessings may flow, that > Aqdas, and repeatedly and solemnly con- it should guard against such rigidity as > > firmed by 'Abdu'1-Baha in His Will. It does would clog and fetter the liberating forces > not constitute in any manner a contradiction released by His Revelation. Who, I . . . > > to the Will and Writings of BahaVllah, nor may ask, when viewing the international > does it nullify any of His revealed instruc- character of the Cause, its far-flung ramifitions. It enhances the prestige of that cations, the increasing complexity of its afexalted assembly, stabilizes its supreme posi- fairs,the diversity of its adherents, and the > > tion, safeguards its unity, assures the con- state of confusion that assails on every side > > tinuity of its labors, without presuming in the infant Faith of God, can for a moment > the slightest to infringe upon the inviolabil- question the necessity of some sort of adity of its clearly defined sphere of jurisdic- ministrative machinery that will insure, amid > tion. We > stand indeed too close to so monu- the storm and stress of a struggling civilizamental a document to claim for ourselves a tion, the unity of the Faith, the preservation > > complete understanding of all its implica- of its identity, and the protection of its > > tions, or to presume to have grasped the interests? To repudiate the validity of the > manifold mysteries it undoubtedly contains. assemblies of the elected ministers of the > > Only future generations can comprehend the Faith of would be to reject > Baha'u'llah > value and the significance attached to this these countless Tablets of Baha'u'llah and > Divine Masterpiece, which the hand of the 'Abdu'1-Baha, wherein they have extolled > Master-builder of the world has designed for their privileges and duties, emphasized the > the unification and > triumph of the > the glory of their mission, revealed the imworld-wide Faith of BahaVllah. Only those mensity of their task, and warned them of > who come after us will be in a position to the attacks they must needs expect from the > realize the value of the surprisingly strong unwisdom of friends, as well as from the > emphasis that has been placed on the institu- malice of their enemies. surely for It is > > tion of the House of Justice and of the those to whose hands so priceless a heritage > > Guardianship. They only will appreciate the has been committed to prayerfully watch > > significance of the vigorous language em- lest the tool should supersede the Faith itself, > > ployed by 'Abdu'1-Baha with reference to lest undue concern for the minute details > the band of Covenant-breakers that has op- arising from the administration of the Cause > posed Him in His days. To them alone will obscure the vision of its promoters, lest parbe revealed the suitability of the institutions tiality, ambition, and worldliness tend in the > initiated by 'Abdu'1-Baha to the character of course of time to becloud the radiance, stain > the future society which is to emerge out of the purity, and impair the effectiveness of > the chaos and confusion of the present the Faith of BahaVllah. > age. . . . > (February 27, 1929.) > 266 THE BAHA'f WORLD > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH > A,-MID the reports that have of late ble stronghold, or struggling in the heart > reached the Holy Land, most of which wit- of Europe, and across the seas as far as the > ness to the triumphant march of the Cause, a continent of Australia, have already abunfew seem to betray a certain apprehension dantly demonstrated the tenacity of their > regarding the validity of the institutions faith and the abiding value of their conwhich stand inseparably associated with the viction. > Faith of Baha'u'llal}. These expressed mis- I feel it, however, incumbent upon me by > givings appear to be actuated by certain virtue of the responsibility attached to the > > whisperings which have emanated from Guardianship of the Faith, to dwell more > quarters which are either wholly misin- 'fully upon the essential character and the > formed regarding the fundamentals of the distinguishing features of that world order > Baha'i Revelation, or which deliberately con- as conceived by Baha'u'llah. . . . > > trive to sow the seeds of dissension in the It behooves us, dear friends, to endeavor > hearts of the faithful. not only to familiarize ourselves with the > Viewed in the light of past experience, the essential features of this supreme Handiwork > inevitable result of such futile attempts, of Baha'u'llah, but also to grasp the fundahowever persistent and malicious they be, is mental difference existing between this > to contribute to a wider and deeper recogni- world-embracing, divinely-appointed Order > tion by believers and unbelievers alike of the and the chief ecclesiastical organizations of > distinguishing features of the Faith pro- the world, whether they pertain to the > claimed by Baha'u'llah. These challenging Church of Christ, or to the ordinances of > criticisms, whether or not dictated by malice, the Muhammadan Dispensation. > cannot but serve to galvanize the souls of its For those whose priceless privilege is to > ardent supporters, and to consolidate the guard over, administer the affairs, and adranks of its faithful promoters. They will vance the interests of these Baha'i institupurge the Faith from those pernicious ele- tions will have, sooner or later, to face this > ments whose continued association with the searching question: "Where and how does > believers tends to discredit the fair name of this Order established by BahaVllah, which > the Cause, and to tarnish the purity of its to outward seeming is but a replica of the > > spirit. We should welcome, therefore, not institutions established in Christianity and > > only the open attacks which its avowed ene- Islam, differ from them? Are not the twin > mies persistently launch against it, but institutions of the House of Justice and of > should also view as a blessing in disguise the Guardianship, the institution of the > > every storm of mischief with which they Hands of the Cause of God, the institution > who apostatize their faith or claim to be its of the national and local Assemblies, the > faithful exponents assail it from time to institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, but > time. Instead of undermining the Faith, different names for the institutions of the > such assaults, both from within and without, Papacy and the Caliphate, with all their atreinforce its foundations, and excite the in- tending ecclesiastical orders which tfie > tensity of its flame.Designed to becloud its Christians uphold and advocate? What can > radiance, they proclaim to all the world the possibly be the agency that can safeguard > exalted character of its precepts, the com- these Baha'i institutions, so strikingly repleteness of its unity, the uniqueness of its semblant, in some of their features, to those > position, and the pervasiveness of its influ- which have been reared by the Fathers of > ence. the Church and the Apostles of Muhammad, > I do not feel for one moment that such from witnessing the deterioration in characclamor, mostly attributable to impotent rage ter, the breach of unity, and the extinction > > against the resistless march of the Cause of of influence, which have befallen all organ- > God, can ever distress the valiant warriors of ized religious hierarchies?Why should they > the Faith. For these heroic souls, whether not eventually suffer the same fate that has > they be contending in America's impregna- overtaken the institutions which the sue- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 267 > > cessors of Christ and Muhammad have which from time immemorial have inflamed > reared?" the imagination of seers and poets in every > Upon the answer given to these challeng- age; they have also, in unequivocal and eming questions will, in a great measure, depend phatic language, appointed those twin instithe success of the efforts which believers in tutions of the House of Justice and of the > > every land are now exerting for the estab- Guardianship as their chosen Successors, deslishment of God's kingdom upon the earth. tined to apply the principles, promulgate > Few will fail to recognize that the Spirit the laws, protect the institutions, adapt loybreathed by BahaVllah upon the world, and ally and intelligently the Faith to the rewhich is manifesting itself with varying de- quirements of progressive society, and congrees of intensity through the efforts con- summate the incorruptible inheritance which > sciously displayed by His avowed supporters the Founders of the Faith have bequeathed > and indirectly through certain humanitarian to the world. > > organizations, can never permeate and exer- Should we look back to the past, were we > cise an abiding influence upon mankind un- to search out the Gospel and the Qur'an, we > less and until it incarnates itself in a visible will readily recognize that neither the Chris- > > Order, which would bear its name, wholly tian nor the Islamic Dispensations can offer a > > identify itself His principles, and > with parallel either to the system of Divine Econfunction in conformity with His laws. That omy so thoroughly established by Baha'- > BahaVllah in His Book of Aqdas, and later u'llah, or to the safeguards which He has > 'Abdu'1-Baha inliisWill a document which provided for its preservation and advanceconfirms, supplements, and correlates the ment. Therein, I am profoundly convinced, > provisions of the Aqdas have set forth in lies the answer to those questions to which > their entirety those essential elements for I have already referred. > the constitution of the world Baha'i Com- None, I feel, will question the fact that > monwealth, no one who has read them will the fundamental reason why the unity of > > deny. According to these divinely ordained the Church of Christ was irretrievably shatadministrative principles, the Dispensation tered, and its influence was in the course of > of BahaVllah the Ark of human salvation time undermined was that the Edifice which > must needs be modeled. From them, all the Fathers of the Church reared after the > future blessings must flow, and upon them passing of His First Apostle was an Edifice > its inviolable authority must ultimately rest. that rested in nowise upon the explicit di- > For BahaVllah, we should readily recog- rections of Christ Himself. The authority > nize, has not only imbued mankind with a and features of their administration were > new and regenerating Spirit. He has not wholly inferred, and indirectly derived, with > merely enunciated certain universal princi- more or less justification, from certain vague > ples, or propounded a certain philosophy, and fragmentary references which they > however potent, sound and universal these found scattered amongst His utterances as > may be. In addition to these He, as well as recorded in the Gospel. Not one of the > 'Abdu'1-Baha after Him, have, unlike the sacraments of the Church; not one of the > Dispensations of the past, clearly and specifi- rites and ceremonies which the Christian > > cally laid down a set of Laws, established Fathers have elaborately devised and ostendefinite institutions,and provided for the tatiously observed; not one of thfe elements > essentials of a Divine Economy. These are of severe discipline they rigorously imposed > destined to be a pattern for future society, a upon the primitive Christians; none of these > supreme instrument for the establishment of reposed on the direct authority of Christ, or > The Most Great Peace, and the one agency emanated from His specific utterances. Not > for the unification of the world, and the one of these did Christ conceive, none did > proclamation of the reign of righteousness He specifically invest with sufficient authorand justice upon the earth. Not only have ity to either interpret His Word, or to add > they revealed all the directions required for to that which He had not specifically enthe practical realization of those ideals which joined. > the Prophets of God have visualized, and For this reason, in later generations, voices > 268 THE BAHA'f WORLD > were raised in protest against the self-ap- schisms which have dismembered and dis- > > pointed Authority which arrogated to itself credited Islam. > > privileges and powers which did not emanate Not so with the Revelation of Baha'- > from the clear text of the Gospel of Jesus u'llah. Unlike the Dispensation of Christ, > Christ, and which constituted a grave de- unlike the Dispensation of Muhammad, un- > > parture from the spirit which that Gospel like the Dispensations of the past, the > all > > did inculcate. They argued with force and apostles of BahiVilah in every land, wherjustification that the canons promulgated ever they labor and toil, have before them > by the Councils of the Church were not di- in clear, in unequivocal and emphatic lanvinely-appointed laws, but were merely hu- guage, all the laws, the regulations, the prinman devices which did not even rest upon ciples,the institutions, the guidance, they > the actual utterances of Jesus. Their con- require for the prosecution and consumtention centered around the fact that the mation of their task. Both in the administrative provisions of the Baha'i Dispensavague and inconclusive words, addressed by > Christ to Peter, "Thou art Peter, and upon tion, and in the matter of succession, as > this rock I will build my Church," could embodied in the twin institutions of the > never justify the extreme measures, the elab- House of Justice and of the Guardianship, > orate ceremonials, the fettering creeds and the followers of BahaVllah can summon to > > dogmas, with which His successors have their aid such irrefutable evidences of Di- > > gradually burdened and obscured His Faith. vine Guidance that none can resist, that > Had it been possible for the Church Fathers, none can belittle or ignore. Therein lies the > whose unwarranted authority was thus distinguishing feature of the Baha'i Revefiercely assailed from every side, to refute lation. Therein lies the strength of the > the denunciations heaped upon them by unity of the Faith, of the validity of a Revquoting specific utterances of Christ regard- elation that claims not tQ destroy or belittle > > ing the future administration of His Church, previous Revelations, but to connect, unify > or the nature of the authority of His Suc- and fulfill them. . . . > > cessors, they would surely have been capable We should also bear in mind that the disof quenching the flame of controversy, and tinguishing character of the Baha'i Revelapreserving the unity of Christendom. The tion does not consist solely in the complete- > > Gospel, however, the only repository of the ness and unquestionable validity of the > utterances of Christ, afforded no such shelter Dispensation which the teachings of Baha'- > to these harassed leaders of the Church, who u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha have established. > found themselves helpless in the face of the Its excellence lies also in the fact that those > > pitiless onslaught of their enemy, and who elements which in past* Dispensations have, > eventually had to submit to the forces of without the authority from their > least > > schism which invaded their ranks. Founders, been a source of corruption and > In the Muhammadan Revelation, how- of incalculable harm to the Faith of God, > ever, although His Faith as compared with been strictly excluded by the clear text of > that of Christ was, so far as the administra- BahaVllah's writings. Those unwarranted > tion of His Dispensation is concerned, more practices, in connection with the sacrament > complete and more specific in its provisions, of baptism, of communion, of confession of > yet in the matter of succession it gave no sins, of asceticism, of priestly domination, > > written, no binding and conclusive instruc- of elaborate ceremonials, of holy war and of > tions to those whose mission was to propa- polygamy, have one and all been rigidly supgate His Cause. For the text of the Qur'n, pressed by the Pen of BahaVllah, whilst the > the ordinances of which regarding prayer, rigidity and rigor of certain observances, > fasting, marriage, divorce, inheritance, pil- such as fasting, and which are necessary to > grimage, and the like, have after the revolu- the devotional life of the individual, have > tion of thirteen hundred years remained in- been considerably abated. . . . > > tact and operative, gives no definite guidance Dear friends! Feeble though our Faith > > regarding the Law of Succession, the source may now appear in the eyes of men, who > of all the dissensions, the controversies, and either denounce it as an offshoot of Islam, > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 269 > > or contemptuously ignore it as one more of who have already recognized the supreme > those obscure sects that abound in the West, station of Baha'u'llah, only those whose > this priceless gem of Divine Revelation, now hearts have been touched by His love, and > still in its embryonic state, shall evolve have become familiar with the potency of > within the shell of His law, and shall forge His spirit, can adequately appreciate the > ahead, undivided and unimpaired, till it em- value of this Divine Economy His inesbraces the whole of mankind. Only those timable gift to mankind. (March 21, 1930.) > > THE GOAL OF A NEW WORLD ORDER > JL HE inexorable march of recent events and nations as the embodiment of triumphhas carried humanity so near to the goal ant justice and the unfailing instrument of > foreshadowed by Baha'u'llah that no respon- an abiding peace, held in store for an unsible follower of His Faith, viewing on all repentant humanity. "Peace, Peace," how > sides the distressing evidences of the world's often we heard Him remark, "the lips of potravail, can remain unmoved at the thought tentates and peoples unceasingly proclaim, > of its approaching deliverance. whereas the fire of unquenched hatreds still > It would not seem inappropriate, at a time smoulders in their hearts" How often we > when we are commemorating the world heard Him raise His voice, whilst the tumult > over, the termination of the first decade of triumphant enthusiasm was still at its > * > since 'Abdu'l-Baha's sudden removal from height and long before the faintest misgivour midst, to ponder, in the light of the ings could have been felt or expressed, conteachings bequeathed by Him to the world, fidently declaring that the Document, > such events as have tended to hasten the extolled as the Charter of a liberated humangradual emergence of the World Order an- ity, contained within itself seeds of such > ticipated by Baha'u'llah. bitterdeception as would further enslave > Ten years ago, this very day, there flashed the world. How abundant are now the > upon the world the news of the passing of evidences that attest the perspicacity of His > Him Who alone, through the ennobling in- unerring judgment! > fluence of His love, strength and wisdom, Ten years of unceasing turmoil, so laden > could have proved its stay and solace in the with anguish, so fraught with incalculable > many afflictions it was destined to suffer. consequences to the future of civilization, > How well we, the little band of His have brought the world to the verge of a > avowed supporters who lay claim to have > calamity too awful to contemplate. Sad inrecognized the Light that shone within Him, deed is the contrast between the manifestacan still remember His repeated allusions, tions of confident enthusiasm in which the > in the evening of His earthly life, to the > Plenipotentiaries at Versailles so freely intribulation and turmoil with which an undulged and the cry of unconcealed distress > regenerate humanity was to be increasingly which victors and vanquished alike are now > afflicted. How poignantly some of us can raising in the hour of bitter disillusion. > recallHis pregnant remarks, in the presence Neither the force which the Framers and > of the pilgrims and visitors who thronged Guarantors of the Peace Treaties have mus- > His doors on the morrow of the jubilant > tered, nor the lofty ideals which originally > celebrations that greeted the termination of animated the Author of the Covenant of > the World War a war, which by the hor- the League of Nations, have proved a suffirors it evoked, the losses it entailed and the cient bulwark against the forces of internal > complications it engendered, was destined disruption with which a structure so laborito exert so far-reaching an influence on > ously contrived had been consistently asthe fortunes of mankind. How serenely, sailed. Neither the provisions of the soyet how powerfully, He stressed the cruel called Settlementwhich the victorious > deception which a Pact, hailed by peoples Powers have sought to impose, nor the ma- > 1 November > 28, 1921. chinery of an institution which America's > 270 THE BAHA'f WORLD > illustrious and far-seeing President had con- turbed resignation. From darkest Africa > ceived, have proved, either in conception or the first stirrings of a conscious and de- > > practice, adequate instruments to ensure > the termined revolt against the aims and methintegrity of the Order they had striven to ods of political and economic imperialism > establish. "The ills from which the world can be increasingly discerned, adding their > now suffers" wrote 'Abdu'1-Baha in Janu- share to the growing vicissitudes of a trouary, 1920, "will multiply; the gloom which bled age. Not even America, which until > envelops it will deepen. The Balkans will very recently prided itself on its traditional > remain discontented. Us restlessness will in- policy of aloofness and the self-contained > crease. The vanquished Powers will con- character of its economy, the invulnerabiltinue to agitate. They will resort to every ity of its institutions and the evidences of > measure that may rekindle the flame of war. itsgrowing prosperity and prestige, has been > Movements, newly-born and worldwide in able to resist the impelling forces that have > their range, will exert their utmost effort for swept her into the vortex of an economic > the advancement of their designs. The hurricane that now threatens to impair the > Movement of the Left will acquire great basis of her own industrial and economic > importance* Its influence will spread." life. Even far-away Australia, which, > Economic distress, since those words were owing to its remoteness from the stormwritten, together with political confusion, centers of Europe, would have been expected > financial upheavals, religious restlessness and to be immune from the trials and torments > seem to have conspired to > racial animosities, of an ailing continent, has been caught in > add immeasurably to the burdens under this whirlpool of passion and strife, im- > > which an impoverished, a war- weary world potent to extricate herself from their enis groaning. Such has been the cumulative snaring influence. > effectof these successive crises, following Never indeed have there been such wideone another with such bewildering rapidity, spread and basic upheavals, whether in the > that very foundations of society are > the social,economic or political spheres of hutrembling. The world, to whichever conti- man activity as those now going on in difnent we turn our gaze, to however remote a ferent parts of the world. Never have there > region our survey may extend, is everywhere been so many and varied sources of danger > assailed by forces it can neither explain nor as those that now threaten the structure of > > control. society. The following words of Baha'u- > Europe, hitherto regarded as the cradle of 'llah are indeed significant as we pause to > a highly-vaunted civilization, as the torch- reflect upon the present state of a strangely > bearer of liberty and the mainspring of the disordered world: "How long will humanity > forces of world industry and commerce, persist in its How long will > waywardness? > stands bewildered and paralyzed at the sight injustice continue?How long chaos and is > > of so tremendous an upheaval. Long-cher- confusion to reign amongst men? How > ished ideals in the political no less than in long will discord agitate the face of society? > the economic sphere of human activity are The winds of despair are, alas, blowing from > being severely testecl under the pressure of every direction, and the strife that divides > reactionary forces on one hand and of an in- and afflicts the human race is daily increassidious and persistent radicalism on the other. ing. The signs of impending convulsions > From the heart of Asia distant rumblings, and chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch > ominous and insistent, portend the steady as the prevailing order appears to be laonslaught of a creed which, by its negation mentably defective." > of God, His Laws and Principles, threatens The disquieting influence of over thirty > to disrupt the foundations of human million souls living under minority condisociety. The clamor of a nascent national- tions throughout the continent of Europe; > ism, coupled with a recrudescence of skep- the vast and ever-swelling army of the unticism and unbelief, come as added misfor- employed with its crushing burden and detunes to a continent hitherto regarded as moralizing influence on governments and > the symbol of age-long stability and undis- peoples; the wicked, unbridled race of arma- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 271 > > ments swallowing an ever-increasing share hinder the unfoldment and future efflor- > > of the substance of already impoverished escence of God's struggling Faith? > nations; the utter demoralization from Let BahaVllah Himself shed the illumiwhich the international financial markets nation of His words upon our path as we > are now increasingly suffering; the on- steer our course amid the pitfalls and miser- > > slaught of secularism invading what has ies of this troubled age. More than fifty > hitherto been regarded as the impregnable years ago, in a world far removed from the > strongholds of Christian and Muslim ortho- ills and trials that now torment it, there > > doxy these stand out as the gravest symp- flowed from His Pen these prophetic words: > toms that bode ill for the future stability "The world is in travail and its agitation > of the structure of modern civilization. waxeth day by day. Its face is turned > Little wonder if one of Europe's preeminent towards waywardness and unbelief. Such > thinkers, honored for his wisdom and re- shall be its plight that to disclose it now > str^int, should have been forced to make so would not be meet and seemly. per- Its > bold an assertion: "The world is passing versity will long continue. And when the > through the gravest crisis in the history of appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly > civilization." "We stand," writes another, appear that which shall cause the limbs of > "before either a world catastrophe, or per- mankind to quake. Then and only then > haps before the dawn of a greater era of will the Divine Standard be unfurled and > truth and wisdom." "It is in such times," the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melhe adds, "that religions have perished and ody." > are born." Dearly - beloved friends! Humanity, > Might we not already discern, as we scan whether viewed in the light of man's indithe political horizon, the alignment of those vidual conduct or in the existing relationforces that are dividing afresh the continent ships between organized communities and > of Europe into camps of potential combat- nations, has, alas, strayed too far and sufants, determined upon a contest that may fered too great a decline to be redeemed > mark, unlike the last war, the end of an through the unaided efforts of the best > epoch, a vast epoch, in the history of human among its recognized rulers and statesmen > evolution? Are we, the privileged cus- however disinterested their motives, howtodians of a priceless Faith, called upon to ever concerted their action, however unwitness a cataclysmical change, politically as sparing in their zeal and devotion to its > fundamental and spiritually as beneficent as cause. No scheme which the calculations of > that which precipitated the fall of the Ro- the highest statesmanship may yet devise, no > man Empire in the West? Might it not hap- doctrine which the most distinguished expen every vigilant adherent of the Faith ponents of economic theory may hope to adof Baha'u'llah might well pause to reflect vance, no principle which the most ardent > that out of this world eruption there may of moralists may strive to inculcate, can > stream forces of such spiritual energy as provide, in the last resort, adequate foundashall recall, nay eclipse, the splendor of those tions upon which the future of a distracted > > signs and wonders that accompanied the es- world can be built. No appeal for mutual > tablishment of the Faith of Jesus Christ? tolerance which the worldly-wise might > > Might there not emerge out of the agony of raise, however compelling and insistent, can > a shaken world a religious revival of such calm its passions or help restore its vigor. > scope and power as to even transcend the Nor would any general scheme of mere orpotency of those world-directing forces with ganized international cooperation, in whatwhich the Religions of the Past have, at ever sphere of human activity, however infixed intervals and according to an inscru- genious in conception or extensive in scope, > table Wisdom, revived the fortunes of de- succeed in removing the root cause of the > > clining ages and peoples? Might not the evil that has so rudely upset the equilibrium > > bankruptcy of this present, this highly- of present day society. Not even, I venture > vaunted materialistic civilization, in itself to assert, would the very act of devising the > clear away the choking weeds that now machinery required for the political and > The new and to the > > New garden and approach to the Bab's Shrine, looking eastward towards the > Iranian Pilgrim House. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 273 > > economic unification of the world a princi- tions contracted in the course of the war, > > ple that has been increasingly advocated in as well as the imposition of a staggering > recent times provide in itself the antidote burden of reparations upon the vanquished, > against the poison that is steadily under- have, to a very great extent, been responsimining the vigor of organized peoples and ble for the maldistribution and consequent > nations. shortage of the world's monetary gold sup- > What else, might we not confidently af- ply, which in turn has, to a very great > firm, but the unreserved acceptance of the measure, accentuated the phenomenal fall in > Divine Program enunciated, with such sim- pricesand thereby relentlessly increased the > plicity and force as far back as sixty years burdens of impoverished countries, no imago, by BahaVllah, embodying in its essen- partial mind would question. That intertials God's divinely appointed scheme for governmental debts have imposed a severe > the unification of mankind in this age, strain on the masses of the people in Europe, > > coupled with an indomitable conviction in have upset the equilibrium of national budgthe unfailing efficacy of each and all of its ets, have crippled national industries, and > provisions, is eventually capable of with- led to an increase in the number of the > > standing the forces of internal disintegration unemployed, is no less apparent to an unwhich, if unchecked, must needs continue prejudiced observer. That the spirit of vinto eat into the vitals of a despairing society. dictiveness, of suspicion, of fear and rivalry, > Itis towards this > goal the goal of a new engendered by the war, and which the pro- > World Order, Divine in origin, all-embrac- visions of the Peace Treaties have served to > ing in scope, equitable in principle, chal- perpetuate and foster, has led to an enorlenging in its features that a harassed hu- mous increase of national competitive armamanity must strive. ments, involving during the last year the > To claim to have grasped all the implica- aggregate expenditure of no less than a thoutions of BahaVllah's prodigious scheme for sand million pounds, which in turn has acworld-wide human solidarity, or to have centuated the effects of the worldwide defathomed its import, would be presumptu- pression, is a truth that even the most > ous on the part of even the declared sup- superficial observer will readily admit. That > porters of His Faith. To attempt to visual- a narrow and brutal nationalism, which the > ize it in all its possibilities, to estimate its post-war theory of self-determination has > future benefits, to picture its glory, would served to reinforce, has been chiefly responbe premature at even so advanced a stage sible for the policy of high and prohibitive > in the evolution of mankind. tariffs, so injurious to the healthy flow of > All we can reasonably venture to attempt international trade and to the mechanism > is to strive to obtain a glimpse of the first of international finance, is a fact which few > streaks of the promised Dawn that must, in would venture to dispute. > the fullness of time, chase away the gloom It would be idle, however, to contend that > > that has encircled humanity. All we can do the war, with all the losses it involved, the > isto point out, in their broadest outlines, passions it aroused and the grievances it left > what appears to us to be the guiding prin- behind, has solely been responsible for the > ciples underlying the World Order of Baha'- unprecedented confusion into which almost > u'llah, amplified and enunciated by > as every section of the civilized world is > > 'Abdu'1-Baha, the Center of His Covenant plunged at present. Is it not a fact and > with all mankind and the appointed Inter- this is the central idea I desire to emphasize > > preter and Expounder of His Word. that the fundamental cause of this world > That the unrest and suffering afflicting unrest is attributable, not so much to the > the mass of mankind are in no small meas- consequences of what must sooner or later > ure the direct consequences of the World come to be regarded as a transitory disloca- > War and are attributable to the unwisdom tion in the affairs of a continually changing > and shortsightedness of the framers of the world, but rather to the failure of those into > Peace Treaties only a biased mind can re- whose hands the immediate destinies of peofuse to admit. That the financial obliga- ples and nations have been committed, to > 274 THE BAHA'f WORLD > adjust their systems of economic > and po- federal government of the United States of > litical institutions to the imperative needs America, who had questioned Him as to the > of a fast evolving age? Are not these in- best manner in which he could promote the > termittent crises that convulse present-day interests of his government and people, "if > > society due primarily to the lamentable > in- you strive, in your capacity as a citizen of > ability of the world's recognized leaders > to the world, to assist in the eventual appliread aright the signs of the times, to rid cation of the principle of federalism underthemselves once for all of their preconceived lying the government of your own country > ideasand fettering creeds, and to reshape to the relationships now existing between > the machinery of their respective govern- the peoples and nations of the world." > ments according to those standards that are In "The Secret of Divine Civilization" > implicit in Baha'u'llah's > supreme declara- ("The Mysterious Forces of Civilization"), > tion of the Oneness of Mankind the chief 'Abdu'l-Baha's outstanding contribution to > and distinguishing feature of the Faith He the future re-organization of* the world, we > > proclaimed? For the principle of the One- read the following: > ness of Mankind, the corner-stone of Baha'- "True civilization will unfurl its banner > u'llah'sworld-embracing dominion, implies in the midmost heart of the world whennothing more or less than the enforcement ever a certain number of its distinguished > of His scheme for the unification of the and high-minded sovereigns the shining exworld the scheme to which we have already emplars of devotion and determination > referred. "In every Dispensation," writes shall, for the good and happiness of all man- > > 'Abdu'1-Baha, "the light of Divine Guidance kind, arise, with firm resolve and clear > has been focussed upon one central theme. vision, to establish the Cause of Universal > ... In this wondrous Revelation, this glori- Peace. They must make the Cause of Peace > ous century, the foundation of the Faith of the object of general consultation, and seek > God and the distinguishing feature of His by every means in tReir power to establish > Law is the consciousness of the Oneness of a Union of the nations of the world. They > Mankind." must conclude a binding treaty and estab- > How pathetic indeed are the efforts of lish a covenant, the provisions of which shall > > these leaders of human institutions who, in be sound, inviolable and definite. They must > utter disregard of the spirit of the age, are proclaim it to all the world and obtain for > striving to adjust national processes, suited it the sanction of all the human race. This > to the ancient days of self-contained na- supreme and noble undertaking the real > > tions, to an age which must either achieve source of the peace and well-being of all > the unity of the world, as adumbrated by the world should be regarded as sacred by > Bahd'u'llah, or perish. At so critical an hour all that dwell on earth. All the forces of > in the history of civilization it behooves humanity must be mobilized to ensure the > the leaders of all the nations of the world, stability and permanence of this Most Great > great and small, whether in the East or in Covenant. In this all-embracing pact the > the West, whether victors or vanquished, to limits and frontiers of each and every na- > > give heed to the clarion call of Baha'u'llah tion should be clearly fixed, the principles > and, thoroughly imbued with a sense of underlying the relations of governments > world solidarity, the sine qua non of loy- towards one another definitely laid down, > alty to His Cause, arise manfully to carry and all international agreements and obliout in its entirety the one remedial scheme gations ascertained. In like manner, the size > He, the Divine Physician, has prescribed for of the armaments of every government > an ailing humanity. Let them discard, once should be strictly limited, for if the preparafor every preconceived idea, every naall, tions for war and the military forces of any > tional prejudice, and give heed to the sub- nation should be allowed to increase, they > lime counsel of 'Abdu'1-Baha", the authorized will arouse the suspicion of others. The > Expounder of His teachings. "You can best fundamental principle underlying this solserve your country," was 'Abdu'l-Bahi's re- emn Pact should be so fixed that if any govjoinder to a high official in the service of the ernment later violate any one of its provi- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 275 > > governments on earth should > sions, all the have become increasingly interdependent. > arise to reduce > it to utter submission, nay For none is self-sufficiency any longer posthe human race as a whole should resolve, sible, inasmuch as political ties unite all > with every power at its disposal, to destroy peoples and nations, and the bonds of trade > that government. Should this greatest of and industry, of agriculture and education, > allremedies be applied to the sick body of are being strengthened every day. Hence > the world, it will assuredly recover from its the unity of all mankind can in this day be > ills and will remain eternally safe and se- achieved. Verily this is none other but one > cure." of the wonders of this wondrous age, this > "A few," He further adds, "unaware of glorious century. Of this past ages have > the power latent in human endeavor, con- been deprived, for this century the censider this matter as highly impracticable, nay tury of light has been endowed with > even beyond the scope of man's utmost ef- unique and unprecedented glory, power and > forts. Such is not the case, however. On illumination. Hence the miraculous unfoldthe contrary, thanks to the unfailing grace ing of a fresh marvel every day. Eventually > of God, the loving-kindness of His favored it will be seen how bright its candles will > > ones, the endeavors of unrivalled wise and burn in the assemblage of man. > capable souls, and the thoughts and ideas of "Behold how its light is now dawning > the peerless leaders of this age, nothing what- upon the world's darkened horizon. The > soever can be regarded as unattainable. En- first candle is unity in the political realm, > deavor, "ceaseless endeavor, is required. Noth- the early glimmerings of which can now be > > ing short of an indomitable determination discerned. The second candle is unity of > can possibly achieve it. Many a cause past thought in world undertakings, the conages have regarded as purely visionary, yet summation of which will ere long be witin this day have become most easy and prac- nessed. The third candle is unity in freeticable. Why should this most great and dom which will surely come to pass. The > lofty cause the day-star of the firmament fourth candle is unity in religion which is > of true civilization and the cause of the the corner-stone of the foundation itself, > > glory, the advancement, the well-being and and which, by the power of God, will be > the success of all humanity be regarded revealed in all its splendor. The fifth candle > as impossible of achievement? Surely the is the unity of nations a unity which in > > day will come when its beauteous light shall this century will be securely established, > shed illumination upon the assemblage of causing all the peoples of the world to reman." gard themselves as citizens of one common > In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'1-Baha, elu- fatherland. The sixth candle is unity of > cidating further His noble theme, reveals races, making of all that dwell on earth > the following: peoples and kindreds of one race. The sev- > "In cycles gone by, though harmony was enth candle is unity of > language, that is, > established, yet, owing to the absence of the choice of a universal tongue in which > means, the unity of all mankind could not all peoples will be instructed and converse. > > have been achieved. Continents remained Each and every one of these will inevitably > widely divided, nay even among the peoples come to pass, inasmuch as the power of the > of one and the same continent association Kingdom of God will aid and assist in their > and interchange of thought were well nigh realization." > > impossible. Consequently intercourse, un- Over sixty years ago, in His Tablet to > > derstanding and unity amongst all the peo- Queen Victoria, BahaVllah, addressing "the > ples and kindreds of the earth were unat- concourse of the rulers of the earth," retainable. In this day, however, means of vealed the following: > communication have multiplied, and the five "Take ye counsel together, and let your > continents of the earth have virtually concern be only for that which profiteth > merged into one. ... In like manner all mankind and bettereth the condition > the members of the human family, whether thereof. Regard the world as the hu- > . , . > > peoples or governments, cities or villages, man body which though created whole and > 276 THE BAHA'f WORLD > perfect has been afflicted, through divers enforce supreme and unchallengeable aucauses, with grave ills and maladies. Not thority on every recalcitrant member of the > for one day did it rest, nay its sicknesses commonwealth; a world parliament whose > waxed more severe, as it fell under the treat- members shall be elected by the people in > ment of unskilled physicians who have their respective countries and whose election > > spurred on the steed of their worldly de- shall be confirmed by their respective govsires and have erred grievously. And, if at ernments; and a supreme tribunal whose > one time, through the care of an able physi- judgment will have a binding effect even > cian, a member of that body was healed, in such cases where the parties concerned > the rest remained afflicted as before. Thus did not voluntarily agree to submit their > informeth you the All-Knowing, the All- case to its consideration. A > world com- > Wise. . . That which the Lord hath or- > . > munity in which all economic barriers will > dained as a sovereign remedy and mightiest have been permanently demolished and the > instrument for the healing of all the world interdependence of Capital and Labor defiis the union of all its peoples in one uni- nitely recognized; in which the clamor of > versal Cause, one common Faith. This can religious fanaticism and strife will have > in no wise be achieved except through the been forever stilled; in which the flame of > power of a skilled, all-powerful and inspired racial animosity will have been finally ex- > Physician. This verily is the truth, and all tinguished; in which a single code of interelse naught but error." national law the product of the considered > In a further passage Baha'u'llah adds judgment of the world's federated representhese words: tatives shall have as its sanction the instant > "We see you adding every year unto your and coercive intervention of the combined > expenditures and laying the burden thereof forces of the federated units; and finally a > on the people whom ye rule; this verily is world community in which the fury of a canaught but grievous injustice. Fear the pricious and militant nationalism will have > sighs and tears of this wronged One, and been transmuted into an abiding consciousburden not your peoples beyond that which ness of world citizenship such indeed, apthey can endure. ... Be reconciled among pears, in its broadest outline, the Order anyourselves, that ye may need armaments no ticipated by BahdVlldh, an Order that shall > more save in a measure to safeguard your come to be regarded as the fairest fruit of > territories and dominions. Be united, O con- a slowly maturing age. > course of the sovereigns of the world, for "The Tabernacle of Unity," Baha'u'llah > thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled proclaims in His message to all mankind, > amongst you and your peoples find rest. "has been raised; regard ye not one another > Should any one among you take up arms as strangers. ... Of one tree are all ye the > > against another, rise ye all against him, for fruit and of one bough the leaves. . . The . > > this is naught but manifest justice." world is but one country and mankind its > What else could these weighty words sig- citizens. .Let not a man glory in that > . . > > nify if they did not point to the inevitable he loves his country; let him rather glory > curtailment of unfettered national sover- in this, that he loves his kind." > > eignty as an indispensable preliminary to the Let there be no misgivings as to the aniformation of the future Commonwealth of mating purpose of the world-wide Law of > allthe nations of the world? Some form of BahdVllah. Far from aiming at the suba world superstate must needs be evolved, version of the existing foundations of soin whose favor all the nations of the world ciety, it seeks to broaden its basis, to rewill have willingly ceded every claim to mold its institutions in a manner consonant > make war, certain rights to impose taxation with the needs of an ever-changing world. > and all rights to maintain armaments, ex- It can conflict with no legitimate alle- > > cept for purposes of maintaining internal giances, nor can it undermine essential loyorder within their respective dominions. alties. Its purpose is neither to stifle the > Such a state will have to include within its flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in > orbit an international executive adequate to men's hearts, nor to abolish the system of > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 277 > > national autonomy so essential if the evils should these, in a world subject to the imof excessive centralization are to be avoided. mutable law of change and decay, be ex- > It does not ignore, nor does it attempt to empt from the deterioration that must > suppress the diversity of ethnical origins, of needs overtake every human institution? For > climate, of history, of language and tradi- legal standards, political and economic theotion, of thought and habit, that differentiate ries are solely designed to safeguard the inthe peoples and nations of the world. It terestsof humanity as a whole, and not > calls for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspira- humanity to be crucified for the preservation > tion than any that has animated the human of the integrity of any particular law or > race. It insists upon the subordination of doctrine. > national impulses and interests to the im- Let there be no mistake. The principle of > perative claims of a unified world. It re- the Oneness of Mankind > the pivot round > pudiates excessive centralization on one which all the teachings of BahaVllah rehand, and disclaims all attempts at uniform- volve is no mere outburst of ignorant emo- > > ity on the other. Its watchword is unity in tionalism or an expression of vague and > diversity such as 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself has pious hope. Its appeal isnot to be merely > explained: identified with a re-awakening of the spirit > "Consider the flowers of a garden. of brotherhood and good-will among men, > Though differing in kind, color, form and nor does it aim solely at the fostering of > shape, yet,inasmuch as they are refreshed harmonious cooperation among individual > by the waters of one spring, revived by the peoples and nations. > Its implications are > breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays deeper, claims > its greater than any which > of one sun, this diversity increaseth their the Prophets of old were allowed to advance. > charm and addeth unto their beauty. How Its message is applicable not only to the in- > > unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and dividual, but concerns itself primarily with > plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruit, the nature of those essential relationships > the branches and the trees of that garden that must bind all the states and nations as > were all of the same shape and color! Di- members of one human family. It does not > > versity of hues, form and shape enricheth constitute merely the enunciation of an > and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth ideal, but stands inseparably associated with > the effect thereof. In like manner, when an institution adequate to embody its truth, > divers shades of thought, temperament, and demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its > character, are brought together under the influence. It implies an organic change in > power and influence of one central agency, the structure of > present-day society, a > the beauty and glory of human perfection change such as the world has not yet exwill be revealed and made manifest. Naught perienced. It constitutes a challenge, at > but the celestial potency of the Word of once bold and universal, to outworn shib- > God, which ruleth and transcendeth the boleths of national creeds creeds that have > realities of all things, is capable of harmo- had their day and which must, in the ordinizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, i\ary course of events as shaped and conideas and convictions of the children of trolled by Providence, give way to a new > men." gospel, fundamentally different from, and > The call of Baha'u'llah is > primarily di- infinitely superior to,what the world has > rected against all forms of provincialism, already conceived. It calls for no less than > and prejudices. If long-cherall insularities the reconstruction and the demilitarization > ished ideals and time-honored institutions, of the whole civilized world a world orif certain social assumptions and religious ganically unified in all the essential aspects > formulas have ceased to promote the wel- of its life, its political machinery, its spirfare of the generality of mankind, if they itual aspiration, its trade and finance, its > > no longer administer to the needs of a con- script and language, and yet infinite in the > tinually evolving humanity, let them be diversity of the national characteristics of > swept away and relegated to the limbo of its federated units. > obsolescent and forgotten doctrines. Why It represents the consummation of hu- > 278 THE BAHA'f WORLD > man evolution an evolution that has had which the continued existence of their naits earliest beginnings in the birth of family tional life depended. With a vigor that relife, its subsequent development in the called the energy with which the members > achievement of tribal solidarity, leading in of the Holy Alliance sought to stifle the > turn to the constitution of the city-state, spirit of a rising nationalism among the > and expanding later into the institution of peoples liberated from the Napoleonic yoke, > independent and sovereign nations. those champions of an unfettered national > The principle of the Oneness of Man- sovereignty, in their turn, have labored and > kind, as proclaimed by BahaVllah, carries are still laboring to discredit principles upon > with it, no more and no less, than a solemn which their own salvation must ultimately > assertion that attainment to this final stage depend. > in stupendous evolution is not only > this The fierce opposition which greeted the > necessary but inevitable, that its realization abortive scheme of the Geneva Protocol; > isfast approaching, and that nothing short the ridicule poured upon the proposal for a > of a power that is born of God can succeed United States of Europe which was subsein establishing it. quently advanced, and the failure of the > So marvellous a conception finds its earli- general scheme for the economic union of > est manifestations in the efforts consciously Europe, may appear as setbacks to the efexerted and the modest beginnings already forts which a handful of foresighted people > achieved by the declared adherents of the are earnestly exerting to advance this noble > Faith of BahaVllah who, conscious of the ideal. And yet, are we not justified in desublimity of their calling and initiated into riving fresh encouragement when we obthe ennobling principles of His Administra- serve that the very consideration of such > > tion, are forging ahead to establish His proposals is in itself an evidence of their > Kingdom on this earth. It has its indirect steady growth in the minds and hearts of > manifestations in the gradual diffusion of men. In the organized attempts that are > the spirit of world solidarity which is spon- being made to discredit so exalted a conceptaneously arising out of the welter of a dis- tion are we not witnessing the repetition, > > organized society. on a larger scale, of those stirring struggles > It would be stimulating to follow the and fierce controversies that preceded the > history of the growth and development of birth, and assisted in the reconstruction, of > this lofty conception which must increas- the unified nations of the West? > > ingly engage the attention of the responsible To take but one instance. How confident > custodians of the destinies of peoples and were the assertions made in the days prenations. To the states and principalities ceding the unification of the states of the > just emerging from the welter of the great North American continent regarding the > Napoleonic upheaval, whose chief preoccu- insuperable barriers that stood in the way > pation was either to recover their rights to of their ultimate federation! Was it not > an independent existence or to achieve their widely and emphatically declared that the > national unity, the conception of world soli- conflicting interests, the mutual distrust, the > darity seemed not only remote but incon- differences of government and habit that > ceivable. It was not until the forces of divided the states were such as no force, > nationalism had succeeded in overthrowing whether spiritual or temporal, could ever > the foundations of the Holy Alliance that hope to harmonize or control? And yet > had sought to curb their rising power, that how different were the conditions prevailing > the possibility of a world order, transcend- a hundred and fifty years ago from those > ing in its range the political institutions that characterize present-day society! It > these nations had established, came to be would indeed be no exaggeration to say that > seriously entertained. It was not until after the absence of those facilities which modern > the World War that these exponents of ar- scientific progress has placed at the service > > rogant nationalism came to regard such an of humanity in our time made of the proborder as the object of a pernicious doctrine lem of welding the American states into a > tending to sap that essential loyalty upon single federation a task infinitely more com- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 279 > > plex than that which confronts a divided hu- of responsibility which the leaders of a newmanity in its efforts to achieve the unifica- born age must arise to shoulder. > tion of all mankind. I would again direct your attention to > Who knows that for so exalted a concep- those ominous words of BahaVllah which I > tion to take shape a suffering more intense have already quoted: "And when the apthan any it has yet experienced will have to pointed hour is come, there shall suddenly > be inflicted upon humanity? Could any- appear that which shall cause the limbs of > thing less than the fire of a civil war with all mankind to quake." > its violence and vicissitudes a war that Has not 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself asserted in > nearly rent the great American Republic unequivocal language that "another war, > have welded the states, not only into a fiercerthan the last, will assuredly break > Union of independent units, but into a Na- out"? > tion, in spite of all the ethnic differences Upon the consummation of this colossal, > that characterized its component parts? this unspeakably glorious enterprise an en- > That so fundamental a revolution, involving terprise that baffled the resources of Roman > such far-reaching changes in the structure of statesmanship and which Napoleon's dessociety, can be achieved through the ordi- perate efforts failed to achieve will depend > > nary processes of diplomacy and education the ultimate realization of that millennium > seems highly improbable. We have but to of which poets of all ages have sung and > turn our gaze to humanity's bloodstained seers have long dreamed. Upon it will dehistory to realize that nothing short of in- pend the fulfillment of the prophecies uttense mental as well as physical agony tered by the Prophets of old when swords > has been able to precipitate those epoch- shall be beaten into ploughshares and the > > making changes that constitute the greatest lion and the lamb lie down together. It > > landmarks in the history of human civiliza- alone can usher in the Kingdom of the > tion. Heavenly Father as anticipated by the Faith > Great and far-reaching as have been those of Jesus Christ. It alone can lay the foun- > > changes in the past, they cannot but appear, dation for the New World Order visualized > when viewed in their proper perspective, ex- by BahaVllah a World Order that shall > cept as subsidiary adjustments preluding reflect, however dimly, upon this earthly > that transformation of unparalleled majesty plane, the ineffable splendors of the Abha > and scope which humanity is in this age Kingdom. > bound to undergo. That the forces of a One word more in conclusion. The procworld catastrophe can alone precipitate such lamation of the Oneness of Mankind the > a new phase of human thought is, alas, be- head corner-stone of BahaVllah's all-emcoming increasingly apparent. That nothing bracing dominion can under no circumshort of the fire of a severe ordeal, unparal- stances be compared with such expressions > leled in its intensity, can fuse and weld the of pious hope as have been uttered in the > discordant entities, that constitute the ele- past. His not merely a call which He > is > > ments of present-day civilization, into the raised, aloneand unaided, in the face of the > integral components of the world Common- relentless and combined opposition of two > wealth of the future is a truth which future of the most powerful Oriental potentates of > events will increasingly demonstrate. His day while Himself an exile and pris- > The prophetic voice of BahaVllah warn- oner in their hands. It implies at once a > concluding passages of the Hiding, in the warning and a promise a warning that in > den Words, "the peoples of the world" that it lies the sole means for the salvation of a > > "an unforeseen calamity is following them greatly suffering world, a promise that its > > and that grievous retribution awaiteth realization is at hand. > them" throws indeed a lurid light upon the Uttered at a time when its possibility had > immediate fortunes of sorrowing humanity. not yet been seriously envisaged in any part > Nothing but a fiery ordeal, out of which of the world, it has, by virtue of that celes- > > humanity will emerge, chastened and pre- tial potency which the Spirit of BahaVllah > pared, can succeed in implanting that sense has breathed into it, come at last to be re- > 280 THE BAHA'f WORLD > garded, by an increasing number of thought- salient features must fast crystallize in the > ful men, not only as an approaching possi- consciousness of those who are in authority, > > bility, but as the necessary outcome of > the few indeed can doubt. That its modest > forces now operating in the world. beginnings have already taken shape in the > Surely the world, contracted and trans- world-wide Administration with which the > formed into a single highly complex organ- adherents of the Faith of BahaVllah stands > ism by the marvellous progress achieved in associated only those whose hearts are tainted > the realm of physical science, by the world- by prejudice can fail to perceive. > wide expansion of commerce and industry, Ours, dearly-beloved co-workers, is the > and struggling, under the pressure of world paramount duty to continue, with uneconomic forces, amidst the pitfalls of a dimmed vision and unabated zeal, to assist > materialistic civilization, stands in dire need in the final erection of that Edifice the > of a restatement of the Truth underlying foundations of which Baha'u'llah has laid in > all the Revelations of the past in a language our hearts. Ours is the duty to derive added > suited to its essential > requirements. And hope and strength from the general trend of > what voice other than that of BahaVllah recent events, however dark their immediate > the Mouthpiece of God for this age is ca- effects,and to pray with unremitting ferpable of effecting a transformation of society vor that He may hasten the approach of the > as radical as that which He has already ac- realization of that Wondrous Vision which > complished in the hearts of those men and constitutes the brightest emanation of His > women, so diversified and seemingly irrec- Mind and the fairest fruit of the fairest > oncilable, who constitute the body of His civilization the world has yet seen. > l > declared followers throughout the world? Might not the hundredth anniversary of > That such a mighty conception is fast the Declaration of the Faith of Baha'u'llah > budding out in the minds of men, that mark the inauguration of so vast an era in > voices are being raised in its support, that its human history? (November 28, 1931.) > > NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHA'f FAITH > > We stand too close to so colossal a Reve- tion and administration of its affairs. I feel > > lation to expect in this, the first century of it, therefore, incumbent upon me to stress, > its era, to arrive at a just estimate of its tow- now that the time is ripe, the importance of > ering grandeur, its infinite possibilities, its an instruction which, at the present stage of > transcendent beauty. Small though our the evolution of our Faith, should be inpresent numbers may however limited > be, creasingly emphasized, irrespective of its apour capacities, or circumscribed our influ- plication to the East or to the West. And > ence, we, into whose hands so pure, so ten- this principle is no other than that which > > der,* so precious, a heritage has been en- involves the non-participation by the adhertrusted, should at all times strive, with ents of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, whether in > unrelaxing vigilance, to abstain from any their individual capacities or collectively as > > thoughts, words, or deeds, that might tend local or national Assemblies, in any form of > to dim its brilliance or injure its growth. . . . > activity that might be interpreted, either > Dear friends: Clear and emphatic as are directly or indirectly, as an interference in > the instructions which our departed Master the political affairs of any particular govhas ^iterated in countless Tablets be- ernment. Whether it be in the publications > queathed by Him to his followers through- which they initiate and supervise; or in their > out the world, a few, owing to the restricted official and public deliberations; or in the > influence of the Cause in the West, have posts they occupy and the services they > been purposely withheld from the body of render; or in the communications they ad- > His occidental disciples, who, despite their dress to their fellow-disciples; or in their > numerical inferiority, are > exercising now > such a preponderating influence in the direc- > X > rt > > o > e > > e > Z > J! > > o > u > rt > > H > s > 0> > ^C > > o > *-> > > T3 > > ^C > ij > rt > > 282 THE BAHA'f WORLD > dealings with men of eminence and author- is their duty to strive to distinguish, as > > ity; or in their affiliations with kindred so- clearly as they possibly can, and if needed > cietiesand organizations, it is, I am firmly with the aid of their elected representatives, > convinced, their first and sacred obligation such posts and functions as are either diploto abstain from any word or deed that might matic or political from those that are purely > be construed as a violation of this vital administrative in character, and which unprinciple. Theirs is the duty to demon- der no circumstances are affected by the > strate, on one hand, their unqualified loyalty changes and chances that political activities > and obedience to whatever is the con- and party government, in every land, must > sidered judgment of their respective govern- necessarily involve. Let them affirm their > ments. unyielding determination to stand, firmly > Let them refrain from associating them- and unreservedly, for the way of Baha'- > selves, whether by word or by deed, with the u'llah, to avoid the entanglements and bick- > > political pursuits of their respective nations, erings inseparable from the pursuits of the > with the policies of their governments and politician, and to become worthy agencies > the schemes and programs of parties and of that Divine Polity which incarnates God's > factions. In such controversies they should immutable Purpose for all men. > assign no blame, take no side, further no It should be made unmistakably clear that > > design, and identify themselves with no sys- such an attitude implies neither the slighttem prejudicial to the best interests of that est indifference to the cause and interests > world-wide Fellowship which it is their aim of their own country, nor involves any into guard and foster. Let them beware lest subordination on their part to the authority > they allow themselves to become the tools of recognized and established governments. > of unscrupulous politicians, or to be en- Nor does it constitute a repudiation of their > trapped by the treacherous devices of the sacred obligation to promote, in the most > > plotters and the perfidious among their effectivemanner, the best interests of their > countrymen. Let them so shape their lives government and people. It indicates the > > and regulate their conduct that no charge by every true and loyal foldesire cherished > of secrecy, of fraud, of bribery or of intimi- lower of Bah&'u'llah to serve, in an unseldation may, however ill-f ounded, be brought fish, unostentatious and patriotic fashion, the > > against them. Let them rise above all par- highest interests of the country to which he > ticularism and partisanship, above the vain belongs, and in a way that would entail no > disputes, the petty calculations, the tran- departure from the high standards of insient passions that agitate the face, and en- tegrity and truthfulness associated with the > gage the attention, of a changing world. It teachings of His Faith. (March 21, 1932.) > > AMERICA AND THE MOST GREAT PEACE > > Dearly-beloved friends! It is not for me, His divine Purpose. Future historians of > nor does it seem within the competence of this mighty Revelation, endowed with pens > any one of the present generation, to trace abler than any which its present-day supthe exact and full history of the rise and porters can claim to possess, will no doubt > gradual consolidation of this invincible arm, transmit to posterity a masterly exposition > this mighty organ, of a continually advanc- of the origins of those forces which, through > ing Cause. It would be premature at this a remarkable swing- of the pendulum, have > early stage of its evolution, to attempt an caused the administrative center of the > exhaustive analysis, or to arrive at a just Faith to gravitate, away from its cradle, to > estimate, of the impelling forces that have the shores of the American continent and > urged it forward to occupy so exalted a towards its very heart the present mainplace among the various instruments which spring and chief bulwark of its fast evolving > the Hand of Omnipotence has fashioned, institutions. On them will devolve the task > and is now perfecting, for the execution of of recording the history, and of estimating > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 283 > > the significance, of so radical a revolution in nary brilliancy. Consider the Faith prothe fortunes of a slowly maturing Faith. claimed by Jesus. Though it first appeared > Theirs will be the opportunity to extol the in the East, yet not until its light had been > virtues and to immortalize the memory of shed upon the West did the full measure of > those men and women who have partici- its potentialities be manifest" "The day is > pated in its accomplishment. Theirs will approaching," He, in another passage, assures > be the privilege of evaluating the share us, "when ye shall witness how, through the > which each of these champion-builders of splendor of the Faith of Bahd'u'lldh, the > the World Order of Bahayilah has had in West will have replaced the East, radiating > ushering in that golden Millennium, the the light of Divine Guidance." "In the > promise of which lies enshrined in His teach- books of the Prophets," He again asserts, > ings. "certain glad-tidings are. recorded which are > Does not the history of primitive Chris- absolutely true and free from doubt. The > tianity and of the rise of Islam, each in its East hath ever been the dawning-place of > own way, offer a striking parallel to this the Sun of Truth. In the East all the Prophstrange phenomenon the beginnings of which ets of God have appeared. . . . The West > we are now witnessing in this, the first cen- hath acquired illumination from the East but > tury of the Baha'i Era? Has not the Divine in some respects the reflection of the light > Impulse which gave birth to each of these hath been greater in the Occident. This is > great religious systems been driven, through specially true of Christianity. Jesus Christ > the operation of those forces which the irre- appeared in Palestine and His teachings were > sistiblegrowth of the Faith itself had re- founded in that country. Although the > leased, away from the land of its > to seek doors of the Kingdom were first opened in > birth and in more propitious climes a ready that land and the bestowals of God were > field and a more adequate medium for the spread broadcast from its center, the people > incarnation of its spirit and the propagation of the West have embraced and promulgated > of its cause? Have not the Asiatic churches Christianity more fully than the people of > of Jerusalem, of Antioch and of Alexandria, the East." > consisting chiefly of those Jewish converts, Little wonder that from the same unerwhose character and temperament inclined ring pen there should have flowed, after > them to sympathize with the traditional 'Abdu'l-Baha's memorable visit to the West, > ceremonies of the Mosaic Dispensation, been these often-quoted words, the significance > forced, as they steadily declined, to recog- of which it would be impossible for me to > > nize the growing ascendancy of their Greek overrate: "The continent of America" He > and Roman brethren? Have they not been announced in a Tablet unveiling His Divine > compelled to acknowledge the superior valor Plan to the believers residing in the Northand the trained efficiency which have en- Eastern States of the American Republic, > abled these standard-bearers of the Cause of "is in the eyes of the one true God the land > > Jesus Christ to erect the symbols of His wherein the splendors of His light shall be > world-wide dominion on the ruins of a col- revealed, where the righteous will abide and > lapsing Empire? Has not the > animating the free assemble." "May this American > spirit of Islam been constrained, under the democracy," He Himself, while in America, > pressure of similar circumstances, to abandon was heard to remark, "be the first nation to > the inhospitable wastes of its Arabian Home, establish the foundation of international > the theatre of its greatest sufferings and ex- agreement. May it be the first nation to proploits, to yield in a distant land the fairest claim the unity of mankind. May it be the > fruit of its slowly maturing civilization? firstto unfurl the standard of the 'Most > "Prow the beginning of time until the Great Peace. 9 The American people are > . . . > > present day," 'Abdu'1-Baha" Himself affirms, indeed worthy of being the first to build the > "the light of Divine Revelation bath risen tabernacle of the great peace and proclaim > in the East and shed its radiance upon the the oneness of mankind. . . > May America > . > > West. The illumination thus shed hath, become the distributing center of spiritual > however, acquired in the West an extraordi- enlightenment and all the world receive this > 284 THE BAHA'f WORLD > heavenly blessing. For America has devel- of His infinite care and love. It was He > oped powers and capacities greater and more Who, through the power of His presence > wonderful than any other nations. . > May . . and the charm of His utterance, infused into > the inhabitants of this country become like the entire body of His followers those sen- > > angels of heaven with faces turned continu- timents and principles which could alone > ally May all of them become > toward God. sustain them amidst the trials which the very > servants of the omnipotent One. May they prosecution of their task would inevitably > rise from theirpresent material attainments engender. Was He not, through the sevto such a height that heavenly illumination eral functions which He exercised whilst > > may stream from this center to all the peo- He dwelt amongst them, whether in the layples of the world. . .American > . This ing of the corner-stone of their House of > nation is equipped and empowered to accom- Worship, or in the Feast which He offered > plish that which will adorn the pages of his- them and at which He chose to serve them in > tory, to become the envy of the world and person, or in the emphasis which He on a > be blest in both the East and the West for more solemn occasion placed on the implithe triumph of its people. The Ameri-. . . cations of His spiritual station was He not, > can continent gives signs and evidences of thereby, deliberately bequeathing to them > very great advancement. Its future is even all the essentials of that spiritual heritage > > more promising, for its influence and illumi- which He knew they would ably safeguard > nation are jar-reaching. It will lead all na- and by their deeds continually enrich? And > tions spiritually." finally who can doubt that in the Divine > Would it seem extravagant, in the light Plan which, in the evening of His life, He > of so sublime an utterance, to expect that in unveiled to their eyes He was investing them > the midst of so enviable a region of the earth with that spiritual primacy on which they > and out of the agony and wreckage of an could rely in the fulfillment of their high > % > unprecedented crisis there should burst forth destiny? > a spiritual renaissance which, as it propagates "O ye apostles of Babd'u'lldh!" He thus > itself through the instrumentality of the addresses them in one of His Tablets, "May > American believers, will rehabilitate the my life be sacrificed for you! . . . Behold > fortunes of a decadent age? It was 'Abdu'l- the portals which Babd'u'lldb hath opened > Baha Himself, His most intimate associates before you! Consider how exalted and lofty > testify, Who, on more than one occasion, is the station you are destined to attain; how > intimated that the establishment of His unique the favors with which you have been > Father's Faith in the North American con- endowed." "My thoughts," He tells them > tinent ranked as the most outstanding among in another passage, "are turned towards you, > the threefold aims which, as He conceived and my heart leaps within me at your menit, constituted the principal objective of His tion. Could ye know how my soul glows > ministry. It was He who, in the heyday of with your love, so great a happiness would > His life and almost immediately after His flood your hearts as to cause you to become > Father's ascension, conceived the idea of in- enamored with each other " "The full > augurating His mission by enlisting the in- measure of your success " He declares in > habitants of so promising a country under another Tablet, "is as yet unrevealed, its sigthe banner of BahaVllah. He it was Who nificance still unapprehended. Ere long ye > in His unerring wisdom and out of the will, with your own eyes, witness how brilabundance of His heart chose to bestow on liantly every one of you, even as a shining > His favored disciples, to the very last day star, will radiate in the firmament of your > of His life, the tokens of His unfailing so- country the light of Divine Guidance and > licitude and to overwhelm them with the will bestow upon its people the glory of an > marks of His special favor. It was He Who, everlasting life" "The range of your future > in His declining years, as soon as delivered achievements" He once more affirms, "still > from the shackles of a long and cruel in- remains undisclosed. 1 fervently hope that > carceration, decided to visit the land which in the near future the whole earth may be > had remained for so many years the object stirred and shaken by the results of your > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 285 > > achievements." "The Almighty," He as- unbelieving world. . . . Exert yourselves; > sures them, "will no doubt grant you the your mission is unspeakably glorious. Should > help of His grace, will invest you with the success crown your enterprise, America will > tokens of His might, and will endue your assuredly evolve into a center from which > souls with the sustaining power of His holy waves of spiritual power will emanate, and > Spirit" "Be not concerned," He admonishes the throne of the Kingdom of God will, in > them, "with the smallness of your numbers, the plenitude of its majesty and glory, be > neither be oppressed by the multitude of an firmly established." (April 21, 1933.) > > THE BAHA'f ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER > > Dearly-beloved brethren in 'Abdu'1-Baha! generated its very life and laid its pristine > With the ascension of BahaVllah the Day- foundations. That first and creative age of > Star of Divine guidance which, as foretold the Baha'i era must, by its very nature, > by Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kazim, had stand above and apart from the formative > risen in Shiraz, and, while pursuing its west- period into which we have entered and the > ward course, had mounted its zenith in Adri- golden age destined to succeed it. > anople, had finally sunk below the horizon 'Abdu'1-baha, Who incarnates an instituof 'Akka, never to rise again ere the com- tion for which we can find no parallel whatplete revolution of one thousand years. The soever in any of the world's recognized > setting of so effulgent an Orb brought to a religious systems, may be said to have closed > definite termination the period of Divine the Age to which He Himself belonged and > Revelation the initial and most vitalizing opened the one in which we are now laborstage in the Baha'i era. Inaugurated by ing. His "Will and Testament" should thus > the Bab, culminating in BahaVllah, antici- be regarded as the perpetual, the indissoluble > pated and extolled by the entire company of link which the mind of Him Who is the > the Prophets of this great prophetic cycle, Mystery of God has conceived in order to > this period has, except for the short interval insure the continuity of the three ages that > between the Bab's martyrdom and Baha'u- constitute the component parts of the > 'llah's shaking experiences in the Siyah-Chal Baha'i Dispensation. The period in which > of Tihran, been characterized by almost fifty the seed of the Faith had been slowly ger- > > years of continuous and progressive Revela- minating is thus intertwined both with the > tion a period which by its duration and one which must witness its efflorescence and > fecundity must be regarded as unparalleled the subsequent age in which that seed will > in the entire field of the world's spiritual his- have finally yielded its golden fruit. > tory. The creative energies released by the Law > The passing of 'Abdu'1-Baha, on the other of BahaVllah, permeating and evolving > hand, marks the closing of the Heroic and within the min4 of 'Abdu'1-Baha, have, by > Apostolic Age of this same Dispensation their very impact and close interaction, > that primitive period of our Faith the splen- given birth to an Instrument which may be > dors of which can never be rivaled, much viewed as the Charter of the New World > less be eclipsed, by the magnificence that Order which is at once the glory and the > must needs distinguish the future victories promise of this most great Dispensation. The > of Bahd'u'llah's Revelation. For neither the Will may thus be acclaimed as the inevitachievements of the champion-builders of able offspring resulting from that mystic > the present-day institutions of the Faith of intercourse between Him Who communi- > > BahaVllah, nor the tumultuous triumphs cated the generating influence of His divine > which the heroes of its Golden Age will in Purpose and the One Who was its vehicle and > the coming days succeed in winning, can chosen 'recipient. Being the Child of the > measure with, or be included within the Covenant the Heir of both the Originator > same category as, the wondrous works asso- and the Interpreter of the Law of God the > ciated with the names of those who have "Will and Testament" of 'Abdu'1-Baha can > of the ew erf the the > > A view of the new entrance to the Bab's Shrine on Mt. Carmel, showing extension of the > terrace facing the Shrine. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 287 > > no more be divorced from Him Who supplied at the very basis of the Baha'i Dispensation. > the original and motivating impulse than Has either Christianity or Islam, to take as > from the One Who ultimately conceived it. an instance two of the most widely diffused > BahaVllah's inscrutable purpose, we must and outstanding among the world's recogever bear in mind, has been so thoroughly nized religions, anything to offer that can > infused into he conduct of 'Abdu'1-Baha, measure with, or be regarded as equivalent > and their motives have been so closely to, either the Book of BahaVllah's Covenant > wedded together, that the mere attempt to or to the "Will and Testament" of 'Abdu'ldissociate the teachings of the former from Baha? Does the text of either the Gospel or > any system which the ideal Exemplar of those the Qur'an confer sufficient authority upon > same teachings has established would amount those leaders and councils that have claimed > to a repudiation of one of the most sacred and the right and assumed the function of interbasic truths of the Faith. preting the provisions of their sacred scrip- > The Administrative Order, which ever tures and of administering the affairs of > since 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension has evolved their respective communities? Could Peter, > and is taking shape under our very eyes in the admitted chief of the Apostles, or the > no fewer than forty countries of the world, Imam 'Ali, the cousin and legitimate sucmay be considered as the framework of the cessor of the Prophet, produce in support of > Will itself, the inviolable stronghold where- the primacy with which both had been inin this new-born child is being nurtured and vested written and explicit affirmations from > developed. This Administrative Order, as it Christ and Muhammad that could have > expands and consolidates itself, will no doubt silenced those who either among their conmanifest the potentialities and reveal the full temporaries or in a later age have repudiated > implications of this momentous Document their authority and, by their action, prethis most remarkable expression of the Will cipitated the schisms that persist until the > of One of the most remarkable Figures of the present day? Where, we may confidently > Dispensation of BahaVllah. It will, as its ask, in the recorded sayings of Jesus Christ, > > component parts, its organic institutions, be- whether in the matter of succession or in > gin to function with efficiency and vigor, the provision of a set of specific laws and > assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity clearly defined administrative ordinances, as > to be regarded not only as the nucleus but distinguished from purely spiritual principles, > the very pattern of the New > World Order can we find anything approaching the dedestined to embrace in the fullness of time tailed injunctions, laws and warnings that > the whole of mankind. abound in the authenticated utterances of > It should be noted in this connection that both BahaVllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha? Can any > this Administrative Order is fundamentally passage of the Qur'an, which in respect to its > different from anything that any Prophet legal code, its administrative and devotional > has previously established, inasmuch as Ba- ordinances marks already a notable advance > haVllah has Himself revealed its principles, over previous and more corrupted Revelaestablished its institutions, appointed the tions, be construed as placing upon an unperson to interpret His Word and conferred assailable basis the undoubted authority with > the necessary authority on the body designed which Muhammad had, verbally and on sevto supplement and apply His legislative or- eral occasions, invested His successor? Can > dinances. Therein lies the secret of its the Author of the Babi Dispensation, howstrength, its fundamental distinction, and ever much He may have succeeded through > the guarantee against disintegration and the provisions of the Bayan in averting a > schism. Nowhere in the sacred scriptures schism as permanent and catastrophic as > of any of the world's religious systems, nor those that afflicted Christianity and Islam > even in the writings of the Inaugurator of can He be said to have produced instruments > the Baha'i Dispensation, do we find any pro- for the safeguarding of His faith as definite > visions establishing a covenant or providing and efficacious as those which must for all > for an administrative order that can compare time preserve the unity of the organized folin scope and authority with those that lie lowers of the Faith of BahdVlUh? > 288 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Alone of all the Revelations gone before fixetb bis gaze upon the Order of Bahd'- > it this Faith has, through the explicit direc- u'lldh and rendereth thanks unto his Lord! > > tions, the repeated warnings, the authenti- For He will assuredly be made manifest. > cated safeguards incorporated and elaborated God hath indeed irrevocably ordained it in > in its teachings, succeeded in raising a struc- the Bayan." > ture which the bewildered followers of bank- In the Tablets of BahaVliah where the > rupt and broken creeds might well approach institutions ofthe International and local > and critically examine, and seek, ere it is too Houses of Justice are specifically designated > late, the invulnerable security of its world- and formally established; in the institution > embracing shelter. of the Hands of the Cause of God which first > No wonder that He Who through the BahaVllah and then 'Abdu'1-Baha brought > operation of His Will has inaugurated so into being; in the institution of both local > vast and unique an Order and Who is the and national Assemblies which in their em- > Center of so mighty a Covenant should have bryonic stage were already functioning in the > written these words: "So firm and mighty is days preceding 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension; in > this Covenant that from the beginning of the authority with which the Author of our > time until the present day no religious Dis- Faith and the Center of His Covenant have > pensation hath produced its like." "What- in their Tablets chosen to confer upon them; > soever is latent in the innermost of this holy in the institution of the Local Fund which > cycle" He wrote during the darkest and operated according to 'Abdu'l-Baha's specific > most dangerous days of His ministry, "shall injunctions addressed to certain Assemblies > gradually appear and be made manifest, for in fran; in the verses of the Kitab-i-Aqdas > now is but the beginning of its growth and the implications of which clearly anticipate > the dayspring of the revelation of its signs." the institution of the Guardianship; in the > "Fear not" are His reassuring words fore- explanation which 'Abdu'1-Baha, in one of > shadowing the rise of the Administrative His Tablets, has given to, and the emphasis > Order .established by His Will, "fear not if He has placed upon, the hereditary principle > this Branch be severed from this material and the law of primogeniture as having been > world and cast aside its leaves; nay the y upheld by the Prophets of the past in these > leaves thereof shall flourish, for this Branch we can discern the faint glimmerings and > will grow after it is cut off from this world discover the earliest intimation of the nature > below, it shall reach the loftiest pinnacles of and working of the Administrative Order > glory, and it shall bear such fruits as will which the Will of 'Abdu'1-Baha was at a > perfume the world with their fragrance." later time destined to proclaim and formally > To what else if not to the power and maj- establish. > > esty which this Administrative Order the > rudiments of the future all-enfolding Baha'i An attempt, I feel, should at the present > Commonwealth is destined to manifest, can juncture be made to explain the character > these utterances of BahaVllah allude: "The and functions of the twin pillars that supworld's equilibrium hath been upset through port this mighty Administrative Structure > the vibrating influence of this most great, the institutions of the Guardianship and > thisnew World Order. Mankind's ordered of the Universal House of Justice. To delifehath been revolutionized through the scribe in their entirety the diverse elements > > agency of this unique, this wondrous System that function in conjunction with these inthe like of which mortal eyes have never stitutions is beyond the scope and purpose of > witnessed" this general exposition of the fundamental > The Bab Himself, in the course of His verities of the Faith. To define with acreferences to "Him Whom God will make curacy and minuteness the features, and to > manifest" anticipates the System and glori- analyze exhaustively the nature of the relafies the World Order which the Revelation tionships which, on the one hand, bind toof Bah*Vllah is destined to unfold. "Well gether these two fundamental organs of the > is it with him" is His remarkable statement Will of 'Abdu'1-Baha and connect, on the > in the third chapter of the Bayan, "who other, each of them to the Author of > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 289 > > the Faith and the Center of His Covenant is dangered. Its prestige would suffer, the > a task which future generations will no means required to enable it to take a long, an > doubt adequately fulfill. My > present inten- uninterrupted view over a series of generation is to elaborate certain salient features of tions would be completely lacking, and the > this scheme which, however close we may necessary guidance to define the sphere of > stand to its colossal structure, are already so the legislative action of its elected representa- > > clearly defined that we find it inexcusable to tives would be totally withdrawn. > either misconceive or ignore. Severed from the no less essential institu- > It should be stated, at the very outset, in tion of the Universal House of Justice this > clear and unambiguous language, that these same system of the Will of 'Abdu'1-Baha > twin institutions of the Administrative Order would be paralyzed in its action and would > of Baha'u'llah should be regarded as divine be powerless to fill in those gaps which the > in origin, essential in their functions and Author of the Kitab-i-Aqdas has deliberately > complementary in their aim and purpose. left in the body of His legislative and ad- > Their common, their fundamental object is ministrative ordinances. > to insure the continuity of that divinely- "He is the Interpreter of the Word of > appointed authority which flows from the God" 'Abdu'1-Baha, referring to the func- > Source of our Faith, to safeguard the unity tions of the Guardian of the Faith, asserts, > of its followers and to maintain the integrity using in His Will the very term which He > and flexibility of its teachings. Acting in Himself had chosen when refuting the arguconjunction with each other these two in- ment of the Covenant-breakers who had > separable institutions administer its affairs, challenged His right to interpret the uttercoordinate its activities, promote its interests, ances of Baha'u'llah. "After him," He adds, > execute its laws and defend its subsidiary in- "will succeed the first-born of his lineal > stitutions. Severally, each operates within a descendants" "The mighty stronghold" > clearly defined sphere of jurisdiction; each is He further explains, "shall remain impregequipped with its own attendant institutions nable and safe through obedience to him who > instruments designed for the effective dis- is the Guardian of the Cause of God." "It > > charge of itsparticular responsibilities and is incumbent upon the members of the House > duties. Each exercises, within the limitations of Justice, upon all the Aghsdn, the Afimposed upon it, its > powers, authority, its its ndn, the Hands of the Cause of God, to > rights and prerogatives. These are neither show their obedience, submissiveness and > > contradictory, nor detract in the slightest subordination until the Guardian of the > degree from the position which each of these Cause of God." > institutions occupies. Far from being incom- "It is incumbent upon the members of the > > patible or mutually destructive, they supple- House of Justice," Baha'u'llah, on the other > ment each other's authority and functions, hand, declares in the Eighth Leaf of the > and are permanently and fundamentally Exalted Paradise, "to take counsel together > united in their aims. regarding those things which have not out- > Divorced from the institution of the Guar- wardly been revealed in the Book, and to > dianship the World Order of BahaVllah enforce that which is agreeable to them. God > would be mutilated and permanently de- will verily inspire them with whatsoever He > > prived of that hereditary principle which, as willeth, and He verily is the Provider, the > 'Abdu'1-Baha has written, has been invariably Omniscient." "Unto the Most Holy Book" > upheld by the Law of God. "In all the (the Kitab-i-Aqdas), 'Abdu'1-Baha states in > Divine Dispensations" He states, in a Tablet His Will, "every one must turn, and all that > addressed to a follower of the Faith in Iran, is not expressly recorded therein must be re- > "the eldest son hath been given extraordinary ferred to the Universal House of Justice. > Even the station of prophetdistinctions. That which this body, whether unanimously > hood hath been his birthright" Without or by a majority doth carry, that is verily > such an institution the integrity of the the truth and the purpose of God Himself. > Faith would be imperiled, and the stability Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of > of the entire fabric would be gravely en- them that love discord, hath shown forth > A view of one of the garden walks behind the Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel, Haifa. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 291 > > malice, and turned away from the Lord of actment he conscientiously believes to conthe Covenant" flict with the meaning and to depart from > > Not only does 'Abdu'1-Baha confirm in the spirit of Bah4 Vllah's revealed utterances. > His Will BahaVllah's above-quoted state- He interprets what has been specifically rement, but invests this body with the addi- vealed, and cannot legislate except in his > tional right and power to abrogate, according capacity as member of the Universal House > to the exigencies of time, its own enactments, of Justice. He is debarred from laying down > as well as those of a preceding House of Jus- independently the constitution that must > tice. "Inasmuch as the House of Justice" govern the organized activities of his fellowis His explicit statement in His Will, "hath members, and from exercising his influence > power to enact laws that are not expressly in a manner that would encroach upon the > recorded in the Book and bear upon daily liberty of those whose sacred right is to elect > transactions, so also it hath power to repeal the body of his collaborators. > the same. . This it can do because these > . . It should be borne in mind that the institu- > > laws form no part of the divine explicit tion of the Guardianship has been anticipated > text." by 'Abdu'1-Baha in an allusion He made in > Referring to both the Guardian and the a Tablet addressed, long before His own as- > > Universal House of Justice we read these cension, to three of His friends in Iran. To > emphatic words: "The sacred and youthful their question as to whether there would be > > Branch^ the Guardian of the Cause of God y any person to whom all the Baha'is would > as well as the UniversalHouse of Justice be called upon to turn after His ascension He > to be universally elected and established, made the following reply: "As to the question > are both under the care and protection of ye have asked me, know verily that this is a > the Abhd Beauty, under the shelter and un- well-guarded secret. It is even as a gem > > erring guidance of the Exalted One (the concealed within its shell. That it will be > Bab) (may my life be offered up for them revealed is predestined. The time will come > > both) . Whatsoever they decide is of God" when its light will appear, when its evidences > From these statements it is made in- will be made manifest, and its secrets un- > > dubitably clear and evident that the Guard- raveled" > ian of the Faith has been made the Interpreter Dearly beloved friends! Exalted as is the > of the Word and that the Universal House position and vital as is the function of the > of Justice has been invested with the func- institution of the Guardianship in the Adtion of legislating on matters not expressly ministrative Order of Baha'u'llah, and stagrevealed in the teachings. The interpretation gering as must be the weight of responsibility > of the Guardian, functioning within his own which it carries, its importance must, whatsphere, is as authoritative and binding as the ever be the language of the Will, be in no > enactments of the International House of wise over-emphasized. The Guardian of the > Justice, whose exclusive right and preroga- Faith must not under any circumstances, and > tive is to pronounce upon and deliver the whatever his merits or his achievements, be > final judgment on such laws and ordinances exalted to the rank that will make him a coas BahaVllah has not expressly revealed. sharer with 'Abdu'1-Baha in the unique posi- > Neither can, nor will ever, infringe upon the tion which the Center of the Covenant ocsacred and prescribed domain of the other. cupies much less to the station exclusively > Neither will seek to curtail the specific and ordained for the Manifestation of God. So > undoubted authority with which both have grave a departure from the established tenets > been divinely invested. of our Faith is nothing short of open blas- > > Though the Guardian of the Faith has phemy. As I have already stated, in the > been made the permanent head of so august course of my references to 'Abdu'l-Baha's > a body he can never, even temporarily, as- station, however great the gulf that separates > sume the right of exclusive legislation. He Him from the Author of a Divine Revelation > cannot override the decision of the majority itcan never measure with the distance that > of his fellow-members, but is bound to insist stands between Him Who is the Center of > upon a reconsideration by them of any en- BahdVlUh's Covenant and the Guardians > 292 THE BAHA'f WORLD > who are its chosen ministers. There is a far, A word should now be said regarding the > far greater distance separating the Guardian theory on which this Administrative Order > from the Center of the Covenant than there isbased and the principle that must govern > is between the Center of the Covenant and the operation of its chief institutions. It > > its Author. would be utterly misleading to attempt a > > No Guardian of the Faith, I feel it my comparison between this unique, this > > solemn duty to place on record, can ever divinely-conceived Order and any of the > claim to be the perfect exemplar of the teach- diverse systems which the minds of men, at > > ings of BahaVllah or the stainless mirror various periods of their history, have conthat reflects His light. Though overshadowed trived for the government of human institu- > > by the unfailing, the unerring protection of tions. Such an attempt would in itself be- > BahaVllah and of the Bab, and however tray a lack of complete appreciation of the > much he may share with 'Abdu'1-Baha the excellence of the handiwork of its great > right and obligation to interpret the Baha'i Author. How could it be otherwise when > teachings, he remains essentially human and we remember that this Order constitutes the > cannot, if he wishes to remain faithful to his very pattern of that divine civilization which > trust, arrogate to himself, under any pre- the almighty Law of BahaVllah is designed > tense whatsoever, the rights, the privileges to establish upon earth? The divers and everand prerogatives which BahaVllah has chosen shifting systems of human polity, whether > to confer upon His Son. In the light of this past or present, whether originating in the > truth to pray to the Guardian of the Faith, to East or in the West, offer no adequate criaddress him as lord and master, to designate terion wherewith to estimate the potency of > him as his holiness, to seek his benediction, its hidden virtues or to appraise the solidity > to celebrate his birthday, or to commemo- of its foundations. > rate any event associated with his life would The Baha'i Commonwealth of the future, > be tantamount to a departure from those of which this vast Administrative Order is > > established truths that are enshrined within the sole framework, is, both in theory and > our beloved Faith. The fact that the Guard- practice, not only unique in the entire hisian has been specifically endowed with such tory of political institutions, but can find no > power as he may need to reveal the purport parallel in the annals of any of the world's > and disclose the implications of the utterances recognized religious systems. No form of > of BahaVllah and of 'Abdu'1-Baha does not democratic government; no system of autocnecessarily confer upon him a station co-equal racy or of dictatorship, whether monarchical > with those Whose words he is called upon to or republican; no intermediary scheme of a > interpret. He can exercise that right and purely aristocratic order; nor even any of the > discharge this obligation and yet remain infi- recognized types of theocracy, whether it be > nitely inferior to both of them in rank and the Hebrew Commonwealth, or the various > different in nature. Christian ecclesiastical organizations, or the > To the integrity of this cardinal principle I ma mate or the Caliphate in Islam none of > of our Faith the words, the deeds of its pres- these can be identified or be said to conform > ent and future Guardians must abundantly with the Administrative Order which the > testify. By their conduct and example they masterhand of its perfect Architect has fashmust needs establish its truth upon an unas- ioned. > sailable foundation and transmit to future This new-born Administrative Order ingenerations unimpeachable evidences of its corporates within its structure certain elereality. ments which are to be found in each of the > For my own part to hesitate in recogniz- three recognized forms of secular govern- > > ing so vital a truth or to vacillate in proclaim- ment, without being in any sense a mere > ing so firm a conviction must constitute a replica of any one of them, and without > shameless betrayal of the confidence reposed introducing within its machinery any of the > in me by 'Abdu'1-Baha and an unpardonable objectionable features which they inherently > usurpation of the authority with which He possess. It blends and harmonizes, as no > Himself has been invested. government fashioned by mortal hands has > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'lTLLAH 293 > > as yet the salutary truths > accomplished, the obvious reason that upon the internawhich each of these systems undoubtedly tional elected representatives of the followers > contains without vitiating the integrity of of BahaVlUh has been conferred the excluthose God-given verities on which it is ulti- sive right of legislating on matters not ex- > > mately founded. pressly revealed in the Baha'i writings. > The Administrative Order of the Faith of Neither the Guardian of the Faith nor any > BahaVllah must in no wise be regarded as institution apart from the International > purely democratic in character inasmuch as House of Justice can ever usurp this vital and > the basic assumption which requires all essential power or encroach upon that sacred > democracies to depend fundamentally upon right. The abolition of professional priestgetting their mandate from the people is hood with its accompanying sacraments of > altogether lacking in this Dispensation. In baptism, of communion and of confession of > the conduct of the administrative affairs of sins, the laws requiring the election by > the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation universal suffrage of all local, national, and > > necessary supiplement the laws of the > to international Houses of Justice, the total ab- > > Kitab-i-Aqdas, the members of the Uni- sence of episcopal authority with its attendversal House of Justice, it should be borne ant privileges, corruptions and bureaucratic > in mind, are not, as BahaVllah's utterances tendencies, are further evidences of the nonclearly imply, responsible to those whom they autocratic character of the Baha'i Adminisrepresent, nor are they allowed to be gov- trative Order and of its inclination to demoerned by the feelings, the general opinion, and cratic methods in the administration of its > even the convictions of the mass of the faith- affairs. > > ful, or of those who- directly elect them. Nor is this Order identified with the name > They are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, of BahaVllah to be confused with any systhe dictates and promptings of their con- tem of purely aristocratic government in > science. They may, indeed they must, ac- view of the fact that it upholds, on the one > quaint themselves with the conditions pre- hand, the hereditary principle and entrusts > vailing among the community, must weigh the Guardian of the Faith with the obliga- > > dispassionately in their minds the merits of tion of interpreting its teachings, and pro- > > any case presented for their consideration, vides, on the other, for the free and direct > but must reserve for themselves the right election from among the mass of the faithful > fr > of an unfettered decision. God will verily of the body that constitutes its highest legisinspire them with whatsoever he willeth" lative organ. > is BahaVllah's incontrovertible assurance. Whereas this Administrative Order cannot > They, and not the body of those who either be said to have been modeled after any of > directly or indirectly elect them, have thus these recognized systems of government, it > been made the recipients of the divine guid- nevertheless embodies, reconciles and assimiance which is at once the life-blood and lates within its framework such wholesome > ultimate safe-guard of this Revelation. elements as are to be found in each one of > Moreover, he who symbolizes the hereditary them. The hereditary authority which the > principle in this Dispensation has been made Guardian is called upon to exercise, the vital > the interpreter of the words of its Author, and essential functions which the Universal > and ceases consequently, by virtue of the House of Justice discharges, the specific proactual authority vested in him, to be the visions requiring its democratic election by > > figure-head invariably associated with the the representatives of the faithful these > > prevailing systems of constitutional mon- combine to demonstrate the truth that this > archies. divinely revealed Order, which can never be > Nor can the Baha'i Administrative Order identified with any of the standard types of > be dismissed as a hard and rigid system of government referred to by Aristotle in his > unmitigated autocracy or as an idle imita- works, embodies and blends with the spiritual > tion of any form of absolutistic ecclesiastical verities on which it is based the beneficent > > government, whether it be the Papacy, the elements which are to be found in each one > Imimate or any other similar institution, for of them. The admitted evils inherent in > 294 THE BAHA't WORLD > each of systems being rigidly and > these the action of its blind and bewildered states- > > permanently excluded, this unique Order, men. How fierce the hatreds, how false the > however long it may endure and however ex- ambitions, how petty the pursuits, how deeptensive its ramifications, cannot ever degen- rooted the suspicions of its peoples! How > erate into any form of despotism, of oli- disquieting the lawlessness, the corruption, > garchy, or of demagogy which must sooner the unbelief that are eating into the vitals of > or later corrupt the machinery of all man- a tottering civilization! > made and essentially defective political in- Might not this process of steady deteriorastitutions. tion which is insidiously invading so many > departments of human activity and thought > Dearly-beloved friends! Significant as are be regarded as a necessary accompaniment to > the origins of this > mighty administrative the rise of this almighty Arm of BkhaVllah? > structure, and however unique its features, Might we not look upon the momentous hapthe happenings that may be said to have penings which, in the course of the past > heralded its birth and signalized the initial twenty years, have so deeply agitated every > stage of its evolution seem no less remarkable. continent of the earth, as ominous signs > How striking, how edifying the contrast be- simultaneously proclaiming the agonies of a > tween the process of slow and steady con- disintegrating civilization and the birthpangs > solidation that characterizes the growth of that World Order that Ark of human > of its infant strength and the devastating salvation that must needs arise upon its > > onrush of the forces of disintegration that ruins? > are assailing the outworn institutions, The catastrophic fall of mighty mon- > > both religious and secular, of present-day archies and empires in the European consociety! tinent, allusions to some of which may be > The vitality which the organic institutions found in the prophecies ^of BahaVllah; the > of this great, this ever-expanding Order so decline that has set in, and is still continu- > > strongly exhibit; the obstacles which the high ing, in the fortunes of the Shi'ih hierarchy > courage, the undaunted resolution of its in His own native land; the fall of the Qajar > administrators have already surmounted; the dynasty, the traditional enemy of His Faith; > fire an unquenchable enthusiasm that > of the overthrow of the Sultanate and the Caliglows with undiminished fervor in the hearts phate, the sustaining pillars of Sunni Islam, > of its itinerant teachers; the heights of to which the destruction of Jerusalem in the > self-sacrifice which its champion-builders latter part of the first century of the Chrisare now attaining; the breadth of vision, the tian era offers a striking parallel; the wave > confident hope, the creative joy, the inward of secularization which is invading the Mupeace, the uncompromising integrity, the hammadan ecclesiastical institutions in Egypt > exemplary discipline, the unyielding unity and sapping the loyalty of its staunchest supand solidarity which its stalwart defenders porters; the humiliating blows that have > manifest; the degree to which its moving afflicted some of the most powerful Churches > > Spirit has shown itself capable of assimilating of Christendom in Russia, in Western Europe > the diversified elements within its pale, of and Central America; the dissemination of > cleansing them of all forms of prejudice and those subversive doctrines that are underminof fusing them with its own structure these ing the foundations and overthrowing the > are evidences of a power which a disillu- structure of seemingly impregnable strongsioned and sadly shaken society can ill afford holds in the political and social spheres of > to ignore. human activity; the signs of an impending > Compare these splendid manifestations of catastrophe, strangely reminiscent of the Fall > the spirit animating this vibrant body of of the Roman Empire in the West, which > the Faith of BahaVllah with the cries and threatens to engulf the whole structure of > agony, the follies and vanities, the bitterness present-day civilization all witness to the > > and prejudices, the wickedness and divisions tumult which the birth of this mighty Organ > of an ailing and chaotic world. Witness the of the Religion of BahaVllah has cast into > fear that torments its leaders and paralyzes the world a tumult which will grow in > 296 THE BAHA'f WORLD > scope and in intensity as the implications of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'1-Baha. Its > > this constantly evolving Scheme are more guiding principles are the truths which He > fully understood and its ramifications more Who is the unerring Interpreter of the teach- > > widely extended over the surface of the globe. ings of our Faith has so clearly enunciated in > A word more in conclusion. The rise and His public addresses throughout the West. > establishment of this Administrative Order The laws that govern its operation and limit > the shell that shields and enshrines so pre- its functions are those which have been excious a gem constitutes the hallmark of this pressly ordained in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. The > second and formative age of the Baha'i era. seat round which its spiritual, its humani- > It will come to be regarded, as it recedes tarian and administrative activities will clusfarther and farther from our eyes, as the ter are the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and its Dechief agency empowered to usher in the con- pendencies. The pillars that sustain its aucluding phase, the consummation of this thority and buttress its structure are the > glorious Dispensation. twin institutions of the Guardianship and > Let no one, while this System is still in of the Universal House of Justice. The cenits infancy, misconceive its character, belittle tral, the underlying aim which animates it is > its significance or misrepresent its purpose. the establishment of the New World Order > The bedrock on which this Administrative as adumbrated by BahaVllah. The methods > Order is founded is God's immutable Purpose it > employs, the standard it inculcates, incline > for mankind in this day. The Source from it to neither East nor West, neither Jew nor > > which it derives its inspiration is no one less Gentile, neither rich nor poor, neither white > than BahSVlldh Himself. Its shield and de- nor colored. Its watchword is the unification > fender are the embattled hosts of the Abha of the human race; its standard the "Most > Kingdom. Its seed is the blood of no less Great Peace"; its consummation the advent > than twenty thousand martyrs who have of that golden millennium the Day when > offered up their lives that it may be born and the kingdoms of this world shall have become > flourish. The axis round which its institu- the Kingdom of God Himself, the Kingdom > tions revolve are the authentic provisions of of BahaVllah. (February 8, 1934.) > > THE UNFOLDMENT OF WORLD CIVILIZATION > > your co-sharer in the building up of longer fail to discern them. He cannot be > the New World Order which the mind of misled by the painful slowness characterizing > BahaVllah has visioned, and whose features the unfoldment of the civilization which the > the pen of 'Abdu'1-Baha, its perfect Archi- followers of BahaVllah are laboring to estabtect, has delineated, I pause to contemplate lish. Nor can he be deluded by the ephemwith you the scene which the revolution of eral manifestations of returning prosperity > > well-nigh fifteen years after His passing un- which at times appear to be capable of checkfolds before us. ing the disruptive influence of the chronic > Thecontrast between the accumulating ills > afflicting the institutions of a decaying > evidences of steady consolidation that accom- age. The signs of the times are too numerous > pany the rise of the Administrative Order and compelling to allow him to mistake their > of the Faith of God, and the forces of dis- character or to belittle their significance. He > integration which batter at the fabric of a can, if he be fair in his judgment, recognize > travailing society, is as clear as it is arresting. in the chain of events which proclaim on > Both within and outside the Baha'i world the the one hand the irresistible march of the > signs and tokens which, in a mysterious man- institutions directly associated with the Revener, are heralding the birth of that World lation of BahaVllah and foreshadow on the > Order, the establishment of which must other the downfall of those powers and prinsignalize the Golden Age of the Cause of cipalities that have either ignored or opposed > God, are growing and multiplying day by it he can recognize in them all evidences of > day. No fair-minded observer can any the operation of God's all-pervasive Will, the > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 297 > > shaping of His perfectly ordered and world- armaments save in a measure to safeguard > embracing Plan. your territories and dominions. . Be . . > > "Soon," Baha'u'llah's own words proclaim united, O kings of the earth, for thereby will > it, "will the present day Order be rolled up, the tempest of discord be stilled amongst > and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, you, and your peoples find rest, if ye be of > thy Lord speaketh the truth and is the them that comprehend. Should any one > Knower of things unseen" "By Myself," among you take up arms against another, rise > He solemnly asserts, "the day is approaching ye all against him, for this is naught but > when We will have rolled up the world and manifest justice" > all that is therein, and spread out a new The Most Great Peace, on the other hand, > Order in its stead. He, verily, is powerful as conceived by Baha'u'llah a peace that > over all things" "The world's equilibrium" must inevitably follow, as the practical con- > He explains, "hath been upset through the sequence of the spiritualization of the world > vibrating influence of this Most Great, this and the fusion of all its races, creeds, classes > new World Order. Mankind's ordered life and nations can rest on no other basis, and > hath been revolutionized through the agency can be preserved through no other agency, > of this unique, this wondrous System, the except the divinely appointed ordinances that > like of which mortal eyes have never wit- are implicit in the World Order that stands > " In His Tabnessed "The signs of impending convul- associated with His holy name. > sions and chaos," He warns the peoples of let, revealed almost seventy years ago to > the world, "can now be discerned, inasmuch Queen Victoria, BahaVllah, alluding to this > as the prevailing Order appeareth to be la- Most Great Peace, has declared: "That which > mentably defective." the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign > > Dearly-beloved friends! This New World remedy and mightiest instrument for the > Order, whose promise is enshrined in the healing of all the world is the union of all > Revelation of Baha'u'llah, whose funda- its peoples in one universal Cause, one com- > > mental principles have been enunciated in mon Faith. This can in no wise be achieved > the writings of the Center of His Covenant, except through the power of a skilled, an > involves no less than the complete unifica- all-powerful and inspired Physician. This, > tion of the entire human race. This unifi- verily, is the truth, and all else naught but > cation should conform to such principles as error. . Consider these days in which the > . . > > would directly harmonize with the spirit Ancient Beauty, He Who is the Most Great > that animates, and the laws that govern the Name, hath been sent down to regenerate > operation of, the institutions that already and unify mankind. Behold how with drawn > constitute the structural basis of the Admin- swords they rose against Him, and committed > istrative Order of His Faith. that which caused the Faithful Spirit to > No machinery falling short of the stand- tremble. And whenever We said unto them: > f 9 > ard inculcated by the Baha'i Revelation, and Lo, the World Reformer is come, they made > at variance with the sublime pattern ordained reply: 'He, in truth, is one of the stirrers of > in His teachings, which the collective efforts mischief.'" "It beseemeth all men in this > of mankind may yet devise can ever hope to Day," He, in another Tablet, asserts, "to > achieve anything above or beyond that "Les- take firm hold on the Most Great Name, and > ser Peace" to which the Author of our Faith to establish the unity of all mankind. There > has Himself alluded in His writings. "Now is no place to > flee to, no refuge that any one > that ye have refused the Most Great Peace," can seek, except Him" > He, admonishing the kings and rulers of the > earth, has written, "hold ye fast unto this Humanity's Coming of Age > the Lesser Peace, that haply ye may in some The Revelation of BahaVllah, whose sudegree better your own condition and that preme mission is none other but the achieveof your dependents" Expatiating on this ment of this organic and spiritual unity of > Lesser Peace, He thus addresses in that same the whole body of nations, should, if we be > Tablet the rulers of the earth: "Be reconciled faithful to its implications, be regarded as > > among yourselves, that ye may need no more signalizing through its advent the coming of > 298 THE BAHA'f WORLD > age of the entire human race. It should be Word be allowed to release suddenly all the > viewed not merely as yet another spiritual energies latent within it, no man could susrevival in the ever-changing fortunes of man- tain the weight of so mighty a revelation. > > kind, not only as a further stage in a chain . . . Consider that which hath been sent > of progressive Revelations, nor even as the down unto Muhammad, the Apostle of God. > culmination of one of a series of recurrent The measure of the Revelation of which He > prophetic cycles, but rather as marking the was the Bearer had been clearly foreordained > last and highest stage in the stupendous evo- by Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Powlution of man's collective life on this planet. erful. They that heard Him, however, could > The emergence of a world community, the apprehend His purpose only to the extent of > consciousness of world citizenship, the found- their station and spiritual capacity. He, in > ing of a world civilization and culture all like manner, uncovered the Face of Wisdom > of which must synchronize with the initial in proportion to their ability to sustain the > > stages in the unfoldment of the Golden Age burden of His Message. No sooner had manof the Baha'i Era should, by their very kind attained the stage of maturity, than the > nature, be regarded, as far as this planetary Word revealed to men's eyes the latest enlife is concerned, as the further-most limits ergies with which it had been endowed > in the organization of human society, though energies which manifested themselves in > > man, as an individual, will, nay, must indeed the plenitude of their glory when the > as a result of such a consummation, continue Ancient Beauty appeared, in the year > indefinitely to progress and develop. sixty, in the person of 'Alt -Muhammad, > That mystic, all-pervasive, yet indefinable the Bab." > > change, which we associate with the stage of 'Abdu'1-Baha, elucidating this fundamaturity inevitable in the life of the individ- mental verity, has written: "All created > ual and the development of the fruit must, things have their degree or stage of maturity. > if we would correctly apprehend the utter- The period of maturity^in the life of a tree > ances of BahaVllah, have its counterpart in isthe time of its fruit -bear ing. The . . . > > the evolution of the organization of human animal attains a stage of full growth and > society. A similar stage must sooner or later completeness, and in the human kingdom > be attained in the collective life of mankind, man reaches his maturity when the light of > producing an even more striking phenome- his intelligence attains its greatest power and > > non in world relations, and endowing the development. . . . > Similarly there are periods > whole human race with such potentialities of and stages in the collective life of humanity. > well-being as shall provide, throughout the At one time it was passing through its stage > succeeding ages, the chief incentive required of childhood, at another its period of youth, > for the eventual fulfillment of its high des- but now it has entered its long-predicted > tiny. Such a stage of maturity in the process phase of maturity, the evidences of which are > of human government must, for all time, if everywhere apparent. . . . That which was > we would faithfully recognize the tremen- applicable to human needs during the early > dous claim advanced by BahaVllah, remain history of the race can neither meet nor satidentified with the Revelation of which He isfy the demands of this day, this period of > was the Bearer. newness and consummation. Humanity has > In one of the most characteristic passages emerged from its former state of limitation > He Himself has revealed, He testifies in a and preliminary training. Man must now > language that none can mistake to the truth become imbued with new virtues and powers, > of this distinguishing principle of Bahd'i be- new moral standards, new capacities. New > lief: "It hath been decreed by Us that the bounties, perfect bestowals, are awaiting and > Word of God and all the potentialities already descending upon him. The gifts and > thereof shall be manifested unto men in strict blessings of the period of youth, although > conformity with such conditions as have timely and sufficient during the adolescence > been foreordained by Him Who is the All- of mankind, are now incapable of meeting > Knowing, the All-Wise. . . . Should the the requirements of its maturity." > I > > vrj > > o > c > > a, > > OJ > > 300 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The Process of Integration splendor of one common Revelation at the > various spages which have marked the ad- > Such a unique and momentous crisis in the vance of mankind towards maturity may > life of organized mankind may, moreover, thus, in a sense, be regarded as preliminary > be likened to the culminating stage in the Manifestations, anticipating and paving the > political evolution of the great American Re- way for the advent of that Day of Days > public the stage which marked the emerg- when the whole earth will have fructified and > ence of a unified community of federated the tree of humanity will have yielded its > > states. The stirring of a new national con- destined fruit. > sciousness, and the birth of a new type of Incontrovertible as is this truth, its chalcivilization, infinitely richer and nobler than lenging character should never be allowed to > any which its component parts could have obscure the purpose, or distort the principle, > severally hoped to achieve, may be said to underlying the utterances of Baha'u'llah > have proclaimed the coming of age of the utterances that have established for all time > American people. Within the territorial the absolute oneness of all the Prophets, Himlimits of this nation, this consummation may self included, whether belonging to the past > > be viewed as the culmination of the process or to the future. Though the mission of the > of human government. The diversified and Prophets preceding Baha'u'llah may be > loosely related elements of a divided com- viewed in that light, though the measure of > munity were brought together, unified and Divine Revelation with which each has been > incorporated into one coherent system. entrusted must, as a result of this process of > Though this entity may continue gaining in evolution, necessarily differ, their common > cohesive power, though the unity already origin, their essential unity, their identity of > achieved may be further consolidated, though purpose, should at no time and under no cirthe civilization to which that unity could cumstances be misapprehended or denied. > alone have given birth may expand and flour- That all the Messengers of God should be > ish,yet the machinery essential to such an regarded as "abiding in the same Tabernacle) > unfoldment may be said to have been, in its soaring in the same Heaven, seated upon the > essential structure, erected, and the impulse same Throne, uttering the same Speech, and > required to guide and sustain it may be re- proclaiming the same Faith" must, however > garded as having been fundamentally im- much we may extol the measure of Divine > parted. No stage above and beyond this Revelation vouchsafed to mankind at this > consummation of national unity can, within crowning stage of its evolution, remain the > the geographical limits of that nation, be unalterable foundation and central tenet of > > imagined, though the highest destiny of its Baha'i belief. Any variations in the splendor > people, as a constituent element in a still which each of these Manifestations of the > > larger entity that will embrace the whole Light of God has shed upon the world should > of mankind, may still remain unfulfilled. be ascribed not to any inherent superiority > Considered as an isolated unit, however, this involved in the essential character of any one > process of integration may be said to have of them, but rather to the progressive careached its highest and final consummation. pacity, the ever-increasing spiritual recep- > Such is the stage to which an evolving tiveness, which mankind, in its progress tohumanity is collectively approaching. The wards maturity, has invariably manifested, > Revelation entrusted by the Almighty Ordainer to BahaVllah, His followers firmly The Final Consummation > believe, has been endowed with such poten- Only those who are willing to associate the > tialities as are commensurate with the ma- Revelation proclaimed by Baha'u'llah with > turity of the human race the crowning and the consummation of so stupendous an evomost momentous stage in its evolution from lution in the collective life of the whole > > infancy to manhood. human race can grasp the significance of the > The successive Founders of all past Re- words which He, while alluding to the glories > ligions Who, from time immemorial, have of this promised Day and to the duration of > shed, with ever-increasing intensity, the the Bahi'i Era, has deemed fit to utter. "This > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 301 > > the King of Days/' He exclaims, "the Day willeth. > 9 " > "This holy Dispensation 99 > is He, > that hath seen the coming of the Best-Be- alluding to the Revelation of Bahi Vllah, exloved, Him Who, through all eternity, hath plains, "is illumined with the light of the > been acclaimed the Desire of the World' Sun of Truth shining from its most exalted > "The Scriptures of past Dispensations' 9 He station, and in the plenitude of its resplendfurther asserts, "celebrate the great jubilee ency, its heat and glory" > that must needs greet this most great Day of > God. Well is it with him tkat hath lived to Pangs of Death and Birth > see this Day and hath recognized its station" Dearly-beloved friends: Though the Reve- > "It is He, in another passage exevident lation of BahaVllah has been delivered, the > plains, "that every age in which a Manifesta- World Order which such a Revelation must > tion of God hath lived is divinely-ordained, needs beget is as yet unborn. Though the > and mayy in a sense, be characterized as God's Heroic Age of His Faith is passed, the creaappointed Day. This Day, however, is tive energies which that Age has released have > > unique, and is to be distinguished from those not as yet crystallized into that world sothat have preceded it. The designation 'Seal ciety which, in the fullness of time, is to > of the Prophets fully revealeth its high sta- mirror forth the brightness of His. glory. > tion. The Prophetic Cycle hath verily ended. Though the framework of His Administra- > The Eternal Truth is now come. He hath tive Order has been erected, and the Forma- > > lifted up the ensign of power, and is now tive Period of the Baha'i Era has begun, yet > > shedding upon the world the unclouded the promised Kingdom into which the seed of > > splendor of His Revelation." "In this most His institutions must ripen remains as yet > mighty Revelation," He, in categorical lan- uninaugurated. Though His Voice has been > guage, declares, "all the Dispensations of the raised, and the ensigns of His Faith have been > > past have attained their highest, their final lifted up in no less than forty countries of > > consummation. That which hath been made both the East and the West, yet the wholemanifest in this preeminent, this most exalted ness of the human race is as yet unrecog- > Revelation, standeth unparalleled in the an- nized, its unity unproclaimed, and the standnals of the past, nor will future ages witness ard of its Most Great Peace unhoisted. > its like. > "The heights, 99 Baha'u'llah Himself testi- > 'Abdu'l-Baha's authentic pronouncements fies, "which, through the most gracious favor > should, likewise, be recalled as confirming, of God, mortal man can attain in this Day > in no less emphatic manner, the unexampled are as yet unrevealed to his sight. The world > vastness of the Baha'i Dispensation. "Cen- of being hath never had, nor doth it yet > turies," He affirms in one of His Tablets, possess,the capacity of such a revelation. > > "nay, countless ages, must pass away ere the The day, however, is approaching when the > Day-Star of Truth shineth again in its mid- potentialities of so great a favor will, by > summer splendor, or appeareth once more in virtue of His behest, be manifested unto > the radiance of its vernal glory. The mere . . . men. 99 > contemplation of the Dispensation inaugu- For the revelation of so great a favor a > rated by the Blessed Beauty would have suf- period of intense turmoil and wide-spread > ficed to overwhelm the saints of bygone ages suffering would seem to be indispensable. > saints who longed to partake, for one mo- Resplendent as has been the Age that has > ment, of its > great glory. "Concerning the witnessed the inception of the Mission with > > Manifestations that will come down in the which Baha'u'llah has been entrusted, the > 9 99 > future 'in the shadows of the clouds He, interval which must elapse ere that Age > in a still more definite language, affirms, yields its choicest fruit must, it is becoming > "know, verily, that in so far as their relation increasingly apparent, be overshadowed by > to the Source of their inspiration is con- such moral and social gloom as can alone > cerned, they are under the shadow of the prepare an unrepentant humanity for the > Ancient Beauty. In their relation, however, prize she is destined to inherit. > to the age inwhich they appear, each and Into such a period we are now steadily and > > every one of them 'doetb whatsoever He irresistibly moving. Amidst the shadows > 302 THE BAHA'f WORLD > which are increasingly gathering about us been made the recipient of the revelation of > we can faintly discern the glimmerings of the All-Merciful, and the earth the repository > Baha'u'llah's unearthly sovereignty appearing of things inscrutable to all except God, the > fitfully on the horizon of history. To us, Truth, the Knower of things unseen. The > the "generation of the half-light," living at time is approaching when every created > a time which may be designated as the period thing will have cast its burden.Glorified be > of the incubation of the World Common- God Who hath vouchsafed this grace that > wealth envisaged by Baha'u'llah, has been encompasseth all things, whether seen or unassigned a task whose high privilege we can seen!" > never sufficiently appreciate, and the arduous- "The Call of God," 'Abdu'1-Baha has > ness of which we can as yet but dimly recog- written, "when raised, breathed a new life > nize. We may well believe, we who are called hito the body of mankind, and infused a > upon to experience the operation of the dark new spirit into the whole creation. It is for > forces destined to unloose a flood of agonizing this reason that the world hath been moved > > afflictions, that the darkest hour that must to its depths, and the hearts and consciences > > precede the dawn of the Golden Age of our of men been quickened. Erelong the evi- > Faith has not yet struck. Deep as is the dences of this regeneration will be revealed, > gloom that already encircles the world, the and the fast asleep will be awakened" > afflictive ordeals which that world is to suffer > > are still in preparation, nor can their black- > Universal Fermentation > > ness be as yet imagined. We stand on the As we view the world around us, we are > threshold of an age whose convulsions pro- compelled to observe the manifold evidences > claim alike the death-pangs of the old order of that universal fermentation which, in > and the birth-pangs of the new. Through every continent of the globe and in every > the generating influence of the Faith an- department of human life, be it religious, > nounced by Baha'u'llah this New World social, economic or political, is purging and > Order may be said to have been conceived. reshaping humanity in anticipation of the > We can, at the present moment, experience Day when the wholeness of the human race > its stirrings in the womb of a travailing age will have been recognized and its unity estaban age waiting for the appointed hour at lished. A > two-fold process, however, can be > which it can cast its burden and yield its distinguished, each tending, in its own way > fairest fruit. and with an accelerated momentum, to bring > "The whole earth," writes Baha'u'llah, "is to a climax the forces that are transforming > now In a state of pregnancy. The day is the face of our planet. The first is essentially > approaching when it will have yielded its an integrating process, while the second is > noblest fruits, when from it will have sprung fundamentally disruptive. The former, as it > forth the loftiest trees, the most enchanting steadily evolves, unfolds a System which may > blossoms, the most heavenly blessings. Im- well serve as a pattern for that world polity > measurably exalted is the breeze that wafteth towards which a strangely disordered world > from the garment of thy Lord, the Glorified! is continually advancing; while the latter, > For lo, it hath breathed its fragrance and tends > as its disintegrating influence deepens, > made all things new! Well is it with them to tear down, with increasing violence, the > that comprehend' "The onrushing winds antiquated barriers that seek to block huof the grace of God," He, in the Suratu'l- manity's progress towards its destined goal. > Haykal, proclaims, "have passed over all The constructive process stands associated > things. Every creature hath been endowed with the nascent Faith of Baha'u'llah, and is > with all the potentialities it can carry. And the harbinger of the New World Order that > yet the peoples of the world have denied this Faith must erelong establish. The destrucgrace! Every tree hath been endowed with tive forces that characterize the other should > the choicest fruits, every ocean enriched with be identified with a civilization that has > the most luminous gems. Man, himself, hath refused to answer to the expectation of a > been invested with the gifts of understand- new age, and is consequently falling into > ing and knowledge. The whole creation hath chaos and decline. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 303 > > A titanic, a spiritual struggle, unparal- To the catastrophic fall of mighty kingleled in its magnitude yet unspeakably glori- doms and empires, on the eve of 'Abdu'lous in its ultimate consequences, is being Baha's departure, Whose passing may be said > waged as a result of these opposing tenden- to have ushered in the opening phase of the > cies, in this age of transition through which Age of Transition in which we now five, I > the organized community of the followers of have, in a previous communication, briefly > Baha'u'llah and mankind as a whole are pass- alluded. The dissolution of the German > ing. Empire, the humiliating defeat inflicted upon > The Spirit that has incarnated itself in the its ruler, the successor and lineal descendant > > institutions of a rising Faith has, in the course of the Prussian King and Emperor to whom > of its onward march for the redemption of Baha'u'llah had addressed His solemn and > the world, encountered and is now battling historic warning, together with the extincwith such forces as are, in most instances, the tion of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the > > very negation of that Spirit, and whose con- remnant of the oncp-great Holy Roman Emtinued existence must inevitably hinder it were both precipitated by a war whose > pire, > from achieving its purpose. The hollow and outbreak signalized the opening of the Age of > outworn institutions, the obsolescent doc- Frustration destined to precede the establishtrines and beliefs, the effete and discredited ment of the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > traditions which these forces represent, it Both of these momentous events may be > should be observed, have, in certain instances, viewed as the earliest occurrences of that > been undermined by virtue of their senility, turbulent Age, into the outer fringes of > the loss of their cohesive power, and their whose darkest phase we are now beginning > own inherent corruption. A > few have been to enter. > > swept away by the onrushing forces which To the Conqueror of Napoleon III, the > the Baha'i Faith has, at the hour of its birth, Author of our Faith had, on the morrow of > so mysteriously released. Others, as a direct the King's victory, addressed, in His Most > result of a vain and feeble resistance to its rise Holy Book, this clear and ominous warning: > in the initial stages of its development, have "O King of Berlin! . Take heed lest pride > . . > > died out and been utterly discredited. Still debar thee from recognizing the Dayspring > others, fearful of the pervasive influence of of Divine Revelation, lest earthly desires shut > the institutions in which that same Spirit had, thee out, as by a veil, from the Lord of the > at a later stage, been embodied, had mobilized Throne above and of the earth below. Thus > their forces and launched their attack, des- counseleth thee the Pen of the Most High. > tined to sustain, in their turn, after a brief He, verily, is the Most Gracious, the Alland illusory success, an ignominious .defeat. Bountiful. Do thou remember the one whose > power transcended thy power (Napoleon > This Age of Transition III), and whose station excelled thy station. > It is not my purpose to call to mind, much Where is he? Whither are gone the things > less to attempt a detailed analysis of, the he possessed? Take warning, and be not of > spiritual struggles that have ensued, or to them that are fast asleep. He it was who > note the victories that have redounded to the cast the Tablet of God behind him, when > glory of the Faith of Baha'u'lldh since the We made known unto him what the hosts of > day of its foundation. My chief concern is tyranny had caused Us to suffer. Wherenot with the happenings that have distin- fore, disgrace assailed him from all sides, and > guished the First, the Apostolic Age of the he went down to dust in great loss. Think > Baha'i Dispensation, but rather with the out- deeply, O King, concerning him, and constanding events that are transpiring in, and cerning them who, like unto thee, have conthe tendencies which characterize, the forma- quered cities and ruled over men. The > tive period of its development, this Age of All-Merciful brought them down from their > Transition, whose tribulations are the precur- palaces to their graves. Be warned, be of > sors of that Era of blissful felicity which is them who reflect." > to incarnate God's ultimate purpose for all "O banks of the Rhine!" BahdVllah, in > mankind. another passage of that same Book, prophe- > Titt oi the held if > > Baha'is of Sydney, Australia, welcome a traveling friend from America, Mrs. Nellie > French, seated between "Father and Mother Dunn," the pioneers of the Cause in the > Southern Hemisphere. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 30J > > sies, "We have seen you covered with gore, cence, when the impetuosity of youth and > inasmuch as the swords of retribution were its vehemence reach their climax, and must > drawn against you; and so you shall have gradually be superseded by the calmness, the > another turn. And We hear the lamenta- wisdom, and the maturity that characterize > tions of Berlin, though she be today in con- the stage of manhood. Then will the human > spicuous glory" . . . race reach that stature of ripeness which will > enable it all the powers and cato acquire > Divine Retribution > pacities upon which its ultimate development > The whole of mankind is groaning, is dy- must depend. > ing to be led to unity, and to terminate its > World Unity the Goal > age-long martyrdom. And yet it stubbornly > refuses to embrace the light and acknowledge Unification of the whole of mankind is > the sovereign authority of the one Power that the hall-mark of the stage which human > can extricate it from its entanglements, and society is now approaching. Unity of famavert the woeful calamity that threatens to ily, of tribe, of city-state, and nation have > engulf it. been successively attempted and fully estab- > Ominous indeed is the voice of Baha'u- lished. World unity is the goal towards > 'llah that rings through these prophetic which a harassed humanity is striving. Nawords: > rr > O ye peoples of the world! Know, tion-building has come to an end. The anverily, that an unforeseen calamity follow- archy inherent in state sovereignty is moving > eth you, and grievous retribution awaiteth towards a climax. A world, growing to mayon. Think not that which ye have com- turity, must abandon this fetish, recognize > " > mitted hath been effaced in My sight And the oneness and wholeness of human relationagain: "We have a fixed time for you, O ships, and establish once for all the machinpeoples. If ye jail, at the appointed hour, ery that can best incarnate this fundamental > to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay principle of its life. > violent hold on you, and will cause grievous "A new life," Baha'u'llah proclaims, "is, > afflictions to assail you from every direction. in this age, stirring within all the peoples of > How severe, indeed, is the chastisement with the earth; and yet none hath discovered its > which your Lord will then chastise you!" cause, or perceived its motive" ye chilff > O > Must humanity, tormented as she now is, dren of men," He thus addresses His generaff > be afflicted with still severer tribulations ere tion, the fundamental purpose animating > their purifying influence can prepare her to the faith of God and His Religion is to safeenter the heavenly Kingdom destined to be guard the interests and promote the unity of > establishedupon earth? Must the inaugu- the human race. . . . This is the straight > ration of so vast, so unique, so illumined an path, the fixed and immovable foundation. > era in human history be ushered in by so Whatsoever it raised on this foundation, the > great a catastrophe in human affairs as to changes and chances of the world can never > recall, nay surpass, the appalling collapse of impair its strength, nor will the revolution > Roman civilization in the first centuries of of countless centuries undermine its structhe Christian Era? Must a series of profound ture." "The well-being of mankind," He > convulsions stir and rock the human race ere declares, "its peace and security are unattain- > BahaVllah can be enthroned in the hearts able unless and until its unity is firmly estaband consciences of the masses, ere His undis- lished." "So powerful is the light of unity," > puted ascendancy is universally recognized, isHis further testimony, "that it can illuand the noble edifice of His World Order is minate the whole earth. The one true God, > reared and established? He Who knoweth all things, Himself testi- > The long ages of infancy and childhood, fieth to the truth of these words. . . , This > through which the human race had to pass, goal excelleth every other goal, and this > have receded into the background. Human- aspiration is the monarch of all aspirations" > ity is now experiencing the commotions in- "He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful," > variably associated with the most turbulent He moreover, has written, "cherisheth in His > stage of its evolution, the stage of adoles- heart the desire of beholding the entire hu- > 306 THE BAHA'l WORLD > man race as one soul and one body. Haste expression of the diversified views and conye to win your share of God*s good grace and victions of mankind, cease to be mischiev- > > mercy in this Day that eclipseth all other ously manipulated by vested interests, > created days" whether private or public, and will be lib- > The unity of the human race, as envisaged erated from the influence of contending gov- > > by Baha'u'llah, implies the establishment of ernments and peoples. The economic rea world commonwealth in which all nations, sources of the world will be organized, its > > races, creeds and classes are closely and per- sources of raw materials will be tapped and > > manently united, and in which the autonomy fully utilized, its markets will be coordinated > of its state members and the personal free- and developed, and the distribution of its > dom and initiative of the individuals that products will be equitably regulated. > compose them are definitely and completely National rivalries, hatreds, and intrigues > safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice > far as we can visualize it, consist of a world will be replaced by racial amity, understand- > > legislature, whose members will, as the trus- ing and cooperation. The causes of religious > tees of the whole of mankind, ultimately strife will be permanently removed, economic > > control the entire resources of all the com- barriers and restrictions will be completely > ponent nations, and will enact such laws as abolished, and the inordinate distinction beshall be required to regulate the life, satisfy tween classes will be obliterated. Destitution > the needs and adjust the relationships of all on the one hand, and gross accumulation of > races and peoples. A world executive, backed ownership on the other, will disappear. The > by an international Force, will carry out the enormous energy dissipated and wasted on > decisions arrived at, and apply the laws en- war, whether economic or political, will be > acted by, this world legislature, and will consecrated to such ends as will extend the > safeguard the organic unity of the whole range of human inventions and technical decommonwealth. A world tribunal will ad- velopment, to the increase of the productivjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final ity of mankind, to the extermination of disverdict in all and any disputes that may arise ease, to the extension of scientific research, > between the various elements constituting to the raising of the standard of physical > this universal system. A mechanism of health, to the sharpening and refinement of > world inter-communication will be devised, the human brain, to the exploitation of > embracing the whole planet, freed from na- the unused and unsuspected resources of > tional hindrances and restrictions, and func- the planet, to the prolongation of human > > tioning with marvellous swiftness and per- life, and to the furtherance of any other > fect regularity. A world metropolis will act agency that can stimulate the intellectual, > as the nerve center of a world civilization, the moral, and spiritual life of the entire > the focus towards which the unifying forces human race. > of life will converge and from which its en- A world federal system, ruling the whole > ergizing influences will radiate. A world earth and exercising unchallengeable authorlanguage will either be invented or chosen ity over its unimaginably vast resources, > from among the existing languages and will blending and embodying the ideals of both > be taught in the schools of all the federated the East and the West, liberated from the > nations as an auxiliary to their mother curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the > tongue. A world script, a world literature, a exploitation of all the available sources of > uniform and universal system of currency, energy on the surface of the planet, a system > of weights and measures will simplify and in which Force is made the servant of Jusfacilitate intercourse and understanding tice,whose life is sustained by its universal > among the nations and races of mankind. In recognition of one God and by its allegiance > such a world society, science and religion, to one common Revelation such is the goal > the two most potent forces in human life, towards which humanity, impelled by the > will be reconciled, will cooperate, and will unifying forces of life, is moving. > harmoniously develop. The press will, under "One of the great events," affirms 'Abdsuch a system, while giving full scope to the u'l-Baha, "-which is to occur in the Day > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 307 > > of the manifestation of that incomparable knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover > Branch is the hoisting of the Standard of the sea." > God among all nations. By this is meant The writer of the Apocalypse, prefiguring > that all nations and kindreds will be gathered the millennial glory which a redeemed, a > together under the shadow of this Divine jubilant humanity must witness, has simi- > Banner, -which is no other than the Lordly larly testified: "And 1 saw a new heaven and > Branch itself, and will become a single na- a new earth: for the first heaven and the first > tion. Religious and sectarian antagonism, earth were passed away; and there was no > the hostility of races and peoples, and differ- more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, > ences among nations, will be eliminated. All new Jerusalem, coming down from God out > men will adhere to one religion, will have one of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for > common faith, will be blended into one race her husband. And I heard a great voice out > and become a single people. All will dwell of heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of > in common fatherland, which is the > one God is with men, and he will dwell with > planet itself" "Now, in the world of be- them, and they shall be his people, and God > ing," He has moreover explained, "the Hand himself shall be with them, and be their God. > of Divine power hath firmly laid the founda- And God shall wipe away all tears from their > tionsof this all-highest bounty, and this eyes; and there shall be no more death, > wondrous gift. Whatsoever is latent in the neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there > innermost of this holy Cycle shall gradually be any more pain: for the former things are > " > appear and be made manifest, for now is but > passed away. > the beginning of its growth, and the day- Who can doubt that such a consummation > spring of the revelation of its signs. Ere the the coming of age of the human race > close of this century and of this age, it shall must signalize, in its turn, the inauguration > be made clear and evident how wondrous was of a world civilization such as no mortal eye > that spring-tide, and how heavenly was that hath ever beheld or human mind conceived? > gift." Who is it that can imagine the lofty stand- > No less enthralling is the vision of Isaiah, ard which such a civilization, as it unfolds > the greatest of the Hebrew Prophets, pre- destined to attain? Who can measitself, is > > dicting, as far back as twenty-five hundred ure the heights to which human intelligence, > years ago, the destiny which mankind must, liberated from its shackles, will soar? Who > at its stage of maturity, achieve: 'AnJ He > f > can visualize the realms which the human > (the Lord) shall judge among the nations, by the outpouring light of > spirit, vitalized > and shall rebuke many people: and they shall BahaVllah, shining in the plenitude of its > beat their swords into plowshares, and their glory, will discover? > spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not What more fitting conclusion to this > lift up sword against nation, neither shall theme than these words of Baha'u'll&h, writthey learn war any more. And there > . . . ten in anticipation of the golden age of His > shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Faith the age in which the face of the > Jesse,and a Branch shall grow out of his earth, from pole to pole, will mirror the > roots. . And he shall smite the earth with > . . ineffable splendors of the Abha Paradise? > the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of "This is the Day whereon naught can be > his lips shall he slay the wicked. And right- seen except the splendors of the Light that > eousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and shineth from the face of thy Lord, the > faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We > also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leo- have catised every soul to expire by virtue of > pard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. > and the young lion and the fatling together. We have then called into being a new crea- > ..... And the sucking child shall play on the tion, as a token of Our grace unto men. I > hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient > put his hand on the cockatrice s den. They of Days. This is the Day whereon the unshall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy seen world crieth out: *Great is thy blessedmountain: for the earth shall be full of the ness, O earth, for thou hast been made the > 308 THE BAHA'f WORLD > foot-stool of thy God, and been chosen as the His sovereignty upon thee, through the > seat of His mighty throne!' The realm of power of His name that hath been promised > glory exclaimeth: 'Would th&t my life could unto all things, whether of the past or of the > " > be sacrificed for thee, for He Who is the Be- future.' > loved of the All-Merciful hath established (March 11, 1936.) > > THE SPIRIT AND FORM (5F THE BAHA'I > ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER > "And now as I look into the future, 1 hope to see the friends at all times, in- every land, > and of every shade of thought and character, voluntarily and joyously rallying round > their local and in particular their national centers of activ&y, upholding and promoting > their interests with complete unanimity and contentment, with perfect understanding, > > genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigor. This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my > life, for it is the fountain-head from which all future blessings will flow, the broad > > foundation upon which the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest." > SHOGHI EFFENDI. > > FOREWORD > > The 1926-27 National Spiritual Assembly methods and relationships of Baha'i collecof the Baha'is of the United States and Can- tive association. The provision both in the > ada completed a task which, while pertaining Declaration and in the By-Laws for amendto the outer and more material aspects of the ments in the future will permit the National > Cause, nevertheless has a special significance Spiritual Assembly to adapt this document > for its spirit and inward sacred purpose. This to such new administrative elements or printask consisted in creating in a legal form ciples as the Guardian may at any time give > which gives proper substance and substantial forth. The Declaration, in fact, is nothing > character to the administrative processes em- more or less than a legal parallel of those > bodied in the Baha'i Teachings. The form moral and spiritual laws of unity inherent in > adopted was that known as a Voluntary the fullness of the Baha'i Revelation and > > Trust, a species of corporation recognized making it the fulfillment of the ideal of Reunder the common law and possessing a long ligion in the social as well as spiritual realm. > and interesting history. The famous Cove- Because in the Baha'i Faith this perfect cornant adopted by the Pilgrim Fathers on the respondence exists between spiritual and so- > Mayflower, the first legal document in cial laws, the Baha'is believe that administra- > > American history, is of the same nature as tive success is identical with moral success; > the Declaration of Trust voted by the Na- and that nothing less than the true Bahd'i > tional Spiritual Assembly. This Declaration spirit of devotion and sacrifice can inspire > of Trust, with attendant By-Laws, is > its with effective power the world-wide body of > published for the information of the Baha'is unity, revealed by Baha'u'll&h. Therefore it > of the world. Careful examination of the has seemed fitting and proper to accompany > Declaration and its By-Laws will reveal the the Declaration of Trust with excerpts from > fact that this document contains no arbi- the letters of Shoghi Effendi which furnished > > trary elements nor features new to the Baha'i the source whence the provisions of the > Cause. On the contrary, it represents a most Declaration were drawn, and which furtherconscientious effort to reflect those very ad- more give due emphasis to that essential > ministrative principles and elements already spirit without which any and every social or > set forth In the letters of the Guardian, religious form is but a dead and soulless body. > Shoghi Effendi, and already determining the Horace Holley. > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada. > > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > the United States and Canada. > > DECLARATION OF TRUST > By the National Spiritual Assembly of the BaW'is of the > United Stated and Canada > > We, Allen B. McDaniel of Washington, D. C, Horace Holley of New > York City, N. Y., Carl Scheffler of Evanston, III, Roy C. Wilhelm of > West Englewood, N. J., Florence Morton of Worcester, Mass., Amelia > Collins of Princeton, Mass., Ali-Kuli Khan of New York > City, N. Y., > Mountfort Mills of New York City, N. Y., and Siegfried Schopflocher of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, duly chosen by the representatives of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada at the > Annual Meeting held at San Francisco, Calif., on April 29, April > 30, May i, and May 2, 1926, to be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, with full > power to establish a Trust as hereinafter set forth, hereby declare that > from this date the powers, responsibilities, rights, privileges and obligations reposed in said National > Spiritual Assembly of'the Baha'is of > the United States and Canada by Baha'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i > Faith, by 'Abdu'1-Baha, its Interpreter and Exemplar, and by Shoghi > Effendi, its Guardian, shall be exercised, administered and carried on > by the above-named National Spiritual Assembly and their duly qualified successors under this Declaration of Trust. > The National Spiritual Assembly in adopting this form of association, union and fellowship, and in selecting for itself the designation > of Trustees of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, does so > as the administrative body of a > religious community which has had > continuous existence and responsibility for over In > eighteen years. > consequence of these activities the National Spiritual Assembly is > called upon to administer such an > ever-increasing diversity and volume > of affairs and properties for the Baha'is of the United States and > Canada, that we, its members, now feel it both desirable and necessary to give our collective functions more definite legal form. This > action is taken in complete unanimity and with full > recognition of the > sacred relationship thereby created. We acknowledge in behalf of > ourselves and our successors in this Trust the exalted > religious stand* > ard established by Baha'u'llah for Baha'i administrative bodies in the > > 312 THE BAHA'f WORLD > utterance: "Be ye Trustees of the Merciful One among men' ; > and seek the help of God and His guidance in order to fulfil that > exhortation. > Article I > The name of said Trust shall be the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Bahd'is of the United States and Canada. > > Article II > > Sharing the ideals and assisting .the efforts of our fellow feaha'is > to establish, uphold and promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of human brotherhood, radiant faith, exalted character and selfless love revealed in the lives and utterances of all the > Prophets and Messengers of God, Founders of the world's revealed > religions and given renewed creative energy and universal application to the conditions of this age in the life and utterances of Baha'u'llah we declare the purposes and objects of this Trust to be to administer the affairs of the Cause of Baha'u'llah for the benefit of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada according to the principles > of Baha'i affiliation and administration created and established by > Baha'u'llah, defined and explained by 'Abdu'1-Baha, and amplified > and applied by Shoghi Effendi and his duly constituted successor and > successors under the provision of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l- > Baha. > These purposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings; by public meetings and conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character;* by the publication of books, magazines > and newspapers; by the construction of temples of universal worship > and of other institutions and edifices for humanitarian service; by > supervising, unifying, promoting and generally administering the > activities of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada in the fulfilment of their religious offices, duties and ideals; and by any other > means appropriate to these ends, or any of them. > Other purposes and objects of this Trust are : > > a. The right to enter into> make, perform and carry out contracts > of every sort and kind for the furtherance of the objects of this > Trust with any person, firm, association, corporation, private, > public or municipal or body politic, or any state, territory or > colony thereof, of any foreign government; and in this > > connection, and in all transactions under the terms of this > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 313 > > Trust, to do any and all things which a co-partnership or > natural person could do or exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized by law. > b. To hold and be named as beneficiary under any trust established by law or otherwise or under apy will or other testa- > * > > mentary instrument in connection with any gift, devise, or > bequest in which a trust or trusts is or are established in any > part of the world as well as in the United States and Canada ; to > receive gifts, devises or bequests of money or other property. > c. > f > All and whatsoever the several purposes and objects set forth > in the written utterances of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'1-Baha and > > Shoghi Effendi, under which certain jurisdiction, powers and > rights are granted to National Spiritual Assemblies. > d. Generally to do all things and acts which in the judgment of > said Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada, are necessary, proper > and advantageous to promote the complete and successful administration of this Trust. > > Article III > > Section I. All persons, firms, corporations and associations extending, credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trustees, > i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, and the members thereof, of any > > character whatsoever, whether legal or equitable and whether arising > out of contract or tort, shall look solely to the -funds of the Trust and > to the property of the Trust estate for payment or indemnity, or for > the payment of any debt, damage, judgment or decree or any money > that may otherwise become due or payable from the Trustees, so that > neither the Trustees nor any of them, norany of their officers or > agents appointed by them hereunder, nor any beneficiary or beneficiaries herein named shall be personally liable therefor. > Section 2. Every note, bond, proposal, obligation or contract in > writing or other agreement or instrument made or given under this > Trust shall be explicitly executed by the National Spiritual Assembly, > as Trustees by their duly authorized officers or agents. > > Article IV > > The Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, shall adopt for > the conduct of the affairs entrusted to them under this Declaration of > 314 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Trust, such by-laws, rules of procedure or regulations as are required > to define and carry on its ownadministrative functions and those of > the several local and other elements composing the body of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada, not inconsistent with the terms of > this instrument and all-in accordance with the explicit instructions given > us to date by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of BahaVllah, > which instructions are already known to the Baha'is of the United > States and Canada and accepted by them in the government and practice of their religious affairs. > > Article V > The central office of this Trust shall be located in the City of New > York, State of New York, United States of America. > > Article VI > > The seal of this Trust shall be circular in form, bearing the following > description : > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States > and Canada. Declaration of Trust, 1927. > > Article VII > > This Declaration of Trust may be amended by majority vote of > the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States > and Canada at any special meeting duly called for that purpose, provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said > meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed > to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary. > BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY > Article I > > The National Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its sacred > duties under this Trust, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority > over all the activities and affairs of the Baha'i Cause throughout the > United States and Canada, including paramount authority in the > administration of this Trust. It shall endeavor to stimulate, unify > and coordinate the manifold activities of the local Spiritual Assemblies > (hereinafter defined) and of individual Baha'is in the United States > and Canada and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall be charged with the recognition of such > local Assemblies, the scrutiny of local membership rolls, the calling > of the Annual Meeting or special meetings and the seating of delegates > to the Annual Meeting and their apportionment among the various > local Baha'i communities. It shall appoint all national Baha'i committees and shall supervise the publication and distribution of Baha'i > f > literature", the reviewing of all writings pertaining to the Bah4 i Cause, > the construction and administration of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar and its > accessory and the collection and disbursement of all funds > activities, > for the carrying on of this Trust. It shall decide whether any matter > lieswithin its own jurisdiction or within th jurisdiction of any local > Spiritual Assembly. It shall, in such cases as it considers suitable and > necessary, entertain appeals from the decisions of local Spiritual Assemblies and shall have the right of final decision in all cases where > the qualification of an individual or group for continued voting rights > and membership in the Baha'i body is in question. It shall furthermore > represent the Baha'is of the United States and Canada in all their > cooperative and spiritual activities with the Baha'is of other lands, and > shall constitute the sole electoral body of the United States and Canada > in the formation of the Universal House of Justice provided for in > the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i Cause. Above all, the National > Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek trf attain that station of unity in > devotion to the Revelation of Baha'u'llah which will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and enable the Assembly to serve the > founding of the Most Great Peace. In all its deliberation and action > > For amendment made to April 20, 1938, see notes at foot of pages 317, 320, 321, 322. > THE BAHA'f WORLD > the National Assembly shall have constantly before it as Divine guide > and standard the utterance of Baha'u'llah: > "It behooveth them (i.e., Spiritual Assemblies) to > bp the trusted > ones of the Merciful among men and to consider themselves as the > guardians appointed of God for all that dwelt on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the > interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard > their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly." > > Article II > > The Baha'is of the United States and Canada, for whose benefit > this Trust has been established, shall consist of all persons resident in > the United States and Canada who are recognized by the National > Spiritual Assembly as -having fulfilled the requirements of voting membership in a local Baha'i community. > . To become a voting member > of a Baha'i community a person shall > > a. Be a resident of the locality defined by the area of jurisdiction > of the local Spiritual Assembly, as provided by Article VII, > Section 12, of this instrument. > b. Have attained the age, of 21 years. > c Have established to the satisfaction of the local Spiritual Assembly, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, that > he possesses the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice 'required under the following standard :Full recognition of the > station of the Forerunner (the Bab), the Author (Baha'u'llah), > and 'Abdu'1-Baha the True Exemplar of tne Baha'i Cause un- : > > reserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been > revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every > clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will; and close association > with the spirit as well as the form of present-day Baha'i administration throughout the world. > > Article III > > The National Assembly shall consist of nine members chosen from > among the Baha'is of the United and Canada, who shall be > States > elected by the said Baha'is in manner hereinafter provided, and who > shall continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 317 > > Article IV > The officers of the National Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a > Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other > officers asmay be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. > The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership > of the Assembly taken by secret ballot. > > Article V > The first meeting of a newly-elected National Assembly shall be > called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of > votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said > highestnumber of votes, then by the member selected by lot from > among those members ; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be > called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any > three members of the Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual > Meeting of the Assembly shall be held at a time and place to be fixed > by a majority vote of the Assembly, as hereinafter provided. > > Article VI > > Five members of the National Assembly present at a meeting shall > constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except > as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the > principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution > of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the National Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, > who shall supply copies of the -minutes to the Assembly members after > each meeting, and preserve the minutes in the official records of the > Assembly. > Artfcle VII > > Whenever in any locality of the United States and Canada, be it > city, town or village, the number of Baha'is resident therein recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these may on > April 21 st of any year convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual As- > > Article IV, amended to read ". . . > by a majority vote of the Assembly taken by secret > ballot." > 318 THE BAHA'f WORLD > sembly of the Baha'is of that community. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive 2ist > day of April. The members shall hold office for the term of one year > and until their successors are elected and qualified. > When, however, the number of Baha'is in any community is > > exactly nine, these may on April 2ist of any year, or in successive > years, constitute themselves the local Spiritual Assembly by joint > declaration. Upon the recording of such declaration by the S&retary > of the National Spiritual Assembly, said body of nine shall become > established with the rights, privileges and duties of a local Spiritual > Assembly as set forth in this instrument. > > Section i. Each newly-elected local Spiritual Assembly shall at > > once proceed in the manner indicated in Articles IV and V of these > By-Laws to the election of its officers, who shall consist of a Chairman, > Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as the > Assembly finds necessary for the conduct of its business and the fulfilment of its spiritual duties* Immediately thereafter the Secretary > chosen shall transmit to the Secretary of the National Assembly the > names of the members of the newly-elected Assembly and a list of > its officers. > > Section 2. The general powers and duties of a local Spiritual Assembly shall be as set forth in the writings of BahaVllah, 'Abdu'l- > Baha and Shoghi Effendi. > Section 3. Among its more specific duties, a local Spiritual Assembly shall have full jurisdiction of all Baha'i activities and affairs > within the local community, subject, however, to the exclusive and > > paramount authority of the National Spiritual Assembly as defined > herein. > > Section 4. Vacancies in the membership of a local Spiritual > Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local > Baha'i community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. > In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a > > quorum of the local Assembly impossible, the election shall be held > under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly. > 'Section 5. The business of the local Assembly shall be conducted > in like manner as provided for the deliberations of the National Assembly in Article VI above. > Section 6. The local Assembly shall pass upon and approve the > each member of the Baha'i community before such > qualifications of > members shall be admitted to voting membership; but where an individual is dissatisfied with the ruling of the local Spiritual Assembly > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 319 > > upon his Baha'i qualifications, such individual may appeal from the > ruling to the National Assembly, which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of and finally decide the case. > Section 7. On or before the ist day of February of each year > the Secretary of each local Assembly shall send to the Secretary of > the National Assembly a duly certified list of the voting members of > the local Baha'i community for the information and approval of the > Natiorfel Assembly. > All matters arising within a local Baha'i community > Section 8. > which afe of purely local interest and do not affect the national inter* > ests of the Cause shall be under the primary jurisdiction of the Spiritual > > Assembly of that locality; but decision whether a particular matter > involves the interest and welfare of the national Baha'i body shall > rest with the National Spiritual Assembly. > Section 9. Any member of a local Baha'i community may appeal > from a decision of his Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly, > which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter > or leave it to the local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. In the > event that the National Assembly assumes jurisdiction of the matter, > its finding shall be final. > Section 10. Where any dissension exists within a local Baha'i community of such a character that it cannot be remedied by the efforts of > the local Spiritual Assembly, this condition shall be referred by the > Spiritual Assembly for consideration to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose action in the matter shall be final. > Section n. All questions arising between two or more local > > Spiritual Assemblies, or between members of different Baha'i communities, shall be submitted in the first instance to the National > > Assembly, which shall have original and final jurisdiction in all such > matters. > Section 12. The sphere of jurisdiction of a local Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of membership, and > voting fights of a believer in any Baha'i community, shall be the > locality included within the civil limits of the city, town or village, > but Baha'is who reside in adjacent, outlying or suburban districts and > can regularly attend the meetings of the local Baha'i community, may > be enrolled on the membership list of the adjacent Spiritual Assembly > and enjoy full voting rights pending the establishment of a local > Spiritual Assembly in their home community. > All differences of opinion concerning the sphere of jurisdiction of > any local Spiritual Assembly or concerning the affiliation of any Bahi'i > 320 THE BAHA'f WORLD > or group of Baha'is in the United States and Canada shall be referred > to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose decision in the matter shall > be final. > > Article VIII > > The Annual Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly at which > itsmembers shall be elected shall be known as the National Convention > of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, and shall be held at > a time and {fiace to be fixed by the National Assembly, which shall > give sixty days' notice of the meeting to each local Baha'i community > tftrough its Spiritual Assembly. The National Assembly shall at the > same time inform each Spiritual Assembly of the number of delegates to the Convention it has assigned to the local Baha'i community > in accordance with the principle of proportionate representation in such > manner that the entire number of delegates composing the National > Convention shall be ninety-five. Upon receipt of this notice each local > Spiritual Assembly shall, within a convenient period and after giving > due and sufficient notice thereof, call a meeting of the voting members > on its rolls for the purpose of electing their delegate or delegates to > the National Convention; and, not later than thirty days before the > date of the Convention, the Secretary of each local Spiritual Assembly > shall certify to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly the > names and adddresses of the delegates so elected. > Section > I. All delegates to the Convention shall b$ elected by > > plurality vote of those present at their election. > Section 2. All delegates to be seated at the Convention must be > enrolled as voting members of the Baha'i community represented by > them. > The rights and privileges of a delegate may not be > Section 3. > assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy. > Section 4. The recognition and seating of delegates to the National Convention shall be vested in the National Spiritual Assembly. > Section Delegates unable to be present in person at the Con- > 5. > vention shall have the right to vote for members of the National Spiritual Assembly by mail or telegram under such conditions as may be > indicated by the National Assembly. > If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall ton- > Section 6. > sider that it is impracticable or unwise to assemble together the dele- > > gates to the National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly > shall provide ways and means by which the business of the Convention > > may be conducted by correspondence or telegram. Any action taken > > Article VIII, amended to read ". . number of delegates composing the National Con- > . > > vention shall be one hundred seventy-one." > Article VIII, Section 1, amended to read . > by plurality vote. Members who for > . . > > illness or other unavoidable reasons are unable to be present at the election in person shall > have the right to transmit their ballots by mail or telegram under conditions acceptable to > the local Spiritual Assembly.'' > Article VIII, Section 6, amended to end with words ". . . > by correspondence or telegram." > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 321 > > under such circumstances shall be by a majority vote of all the > delegates/ > Section 7. The presiding officer of the National Spiritual Assembly present at the National Convention shall call to order the delegates, > who shall then proceed to the permanent organization of the meeting, > electing a presiding officer, a Secretary and such other officers as are > necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Convention. > Section 8. The principal business of the National Convention shall > be the election of the nine members of the incoming National Spiritual > Assembly, the consideration of the reports of the financial and other > activities of the outgoing National Assembly and its various com- > > mittees, and deliberation upon the affairs of the Baha'i Cause in gen* > eral, it being understood, however, in accordance with the principles of > Baha'i administration defined by the Guardian that all deliberation > and action of the delegates at the National Convention, other than the > election of the members of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly, > shall constitutemerely advice and recommendation for consideration > by the said Assembly, final decision on all matters concerning the > affairs of the Baha'i Cause in the United States and Canada being > vested solely in that body. > Section 9. The general order of business to be taken up at the > National Convention shall be prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly, but any and all matters pertaining to the Cause introduced by any > of the delegates may upon motion and vote be taken up as part of the > deliberations of the Convention. > Section 10. The election of the members of the National Spiritual > Assembly shall be by plurality vote of the delegates recognized by the > outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, i.e., the members elected shall > be the nine persons receiving the greatest number of votes on the > first ballot cast by delegates present at the Convention and delegates > whose ballot has been transmitted to the Secretary of the National > Spiritual Assembly by mail or telegram. In case by reason of a tie > vote or votes the full membership is not determined on the first > ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken until all > nine members are elected. > Section n. All official business transacted at the National Convention shall be recorded and preserved in the records of the National > Assembly. > Section 12. After the termination of the National Convention and > until the next such Annual Meeting has been called in session, the delegates shall continue as a consultative body capable of rendering a dis- > > Article VIII, Section 7, amended to read ". . . > electing by ballot a presiding officer," etc. > Article VIII, Section 12, deleted. > 322 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tinctive service to the work of the Cause, and they shall make every > effort to contribute to the unified spirit information and useful action > of the National Spiritual Assembly throughout the year. > Section 13. Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual > Assembly shall be filled by a plurality vote of the delegates composing > the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by > > correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National > Spiritual Assembly. > Article IX > > Where the National Spiritual Assembly has been given in these > By-Laws exclusive and final and paramount executive > jurisdiction, > authority, in all matters pertaining to the activities and affairs of the > Baha'i Cause in the United States and Canada, it is understood that any > decision made or action taken upon such matters shall be subject in > > every instance to ultimate review and approval by the Guardian of the > Cause or the Universal House of Justice. > > Article X > Whatever functions and powers are not specifically attributed to > local Spiritual Assemblies in these By-Laws shall be considered vested > in the National Spiritual Assembly, which body is authorized to delegate such discretionary functions and powers as it deems necessary > and advisable to the local Spiritual Assemblies within its. jurisdiction. > > Article XI > > In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Baha'i > elections, the practice of nominations or any other electoral method > detrimental to a silent and prayerful election shall not prevail, so > that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold. > > Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon > those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and coordinate the > affairs of the Cause as members of local or national Spiritual Assemblies are : > > To win by every means in their power the confidence and affection > of those whom it is their privilege to serve ; to investigate and acquaint > themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and > the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct > > Article VIII, Section 13, amended to be Section 12. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 323 > > of their affairs of self-contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, > the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word > and deed that may savor of partiality, self-centeredness and prejudice; > and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, > to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice, and foster > the sense of inter-dependence and co-partnership, of understanding and > mutual confidence between themselves and all other Baha'is. > > Article XII > > These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the National > Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided > that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting* > a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each > member of the Assembly by the Secretary. > Interior view of "Bolton Place," the home of a Baha'i family at Yerrinbool, which has > been dedicated as the first Baha'i Summer School of Australia andNew Zealand. > > Friends gathered on the opening day of the Yerrinbool Baha'i Summer School > on May 2, 1937. > > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 325 > > 1L ** > t^^^-* > > ii > > . > > *>&'.' v^fy/* ft>**:' > l > > *> OS i~< > > p*^ct'rS- Jjt *>li > . /- > _ > /W^ t > > r^^W.e^^ > ^V^^^s > > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of fran. > THE BAHA'I WORLD > > !^ ^^c^v ^;/^/^;i/ i^ ^y,it ^KC oi j6,v/'toJ# > /f t rfy > > > - * > > >^4^ > > W^ - > > ,Uf;f J/ ' > > X I > ' > > ''^ > > v^vj>^^>/''^^ > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 327 > > /}^<^>^^//Jj^VV^^ > > w^t'jjtf&iftf, y /jty'ft '? '>''J/~/'W''' >'tK *>(>f' > l > l > > - I > I > fl!' bL&^SfVi'^fotyfVfl<->>> > > /"&^'' > m > - ^'">^ > f > >> > " * > f > i / ** > ^ ' > > >/y-/^>'k^(>/t/(^i J^>>',/O^-/iy'/C'tU/t > * *<'* > ^//f '<)(, jf^.^si -ji? 9.) t > 328 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > &((.) ^^> ly'&tffjtflu&tifa/ -*t**'\* > ^jPwfa'^^fal/'^ it'' & > i' > > - > ^J^u^^u^^^}^ t/fUf > > tf'Wv> ^'^s/s/WvW!'^ *<''/*$ > > - > 4'^ f > - > (y. > ? > f > > h " > X 4> U > t > > x>^ jj*jfoMi/*i^*> - (si#J+ > ^ > / > > :(/"ir J^;iJ^i^j^ > > t^ -**' > 'rtf'''^.^^^,^ > > W>S^d^ > > w^ - > /~**! > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 329 > > V*^ > > ^ - > > ^^^^^ > ''$^*&k*$jrt^ > 7V* > ' > t > > /w ir i/'/.^'fJ's//i>'' &ii/wfa* t > > ^ w*'&ty& > MsSttf^ ~ J>lj* > > - > >^^ > ft** > > > > > /C^^ -.r-^i > 330 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ^jj^jw^/'4^^ > :^to;^/;^iji^XJ^''V^^^'^^ /l ^^ > > VMhfabJ'/ifojfetiitW > l > -. > /tifatijffifoi iir^Jjb,ijS^[lf,^i}fa,it!'rfj ,(j>j>'{fS,y> > < > > WfrfirtQ ^J^%K/^ -(~^*! > fl > > &j&i,>rj O'j>\^ > > ^}:fv!&tfty\W ~M l&tfjszwijty &fVMtS>vStdAlw^ > m > > i > > >*>' > /tfi>i > > v^ ^>^j?s}j*>'j?W > > tyS^ 9)lt > > *>jjjf ;A/u>J^'^ > > MM&$'fa'^^ t > > ^^ 1 > > &'/> fi'&fti > > i*w > 332 THE BAHA'f WORLD > 'TREUHANDSCHAFTSERKLARUNG > DES NATIONALEN GEISTIGEN RATS DER > BAJiA'f IN DEUTSCHLAND UND > 6STERREICH 4 > > THE DECLARATION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL > ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF GERMANY AND AUSTRIA > IR, Marta Blanche Brauns-Forel, unserer gemeinsamen Tatigkeit eine fester > Karlsruhe i. Paul Ferdinand Gollmer, > B.; umrissene,gesetzmassige Form zu geben. > Stuttgart; Max Greeven, Bremen; Dr. Her- Wir tun dies in volliger Einmiitigkeit und > mann Grossmann, Neckargemiind; Edith in voller Erkenntnis der damit geschaffen > Elisabeth Anna Horn, Stuttgart; Anna heiligen Bindung. Wir anerkennen fur uns > Maria Kostlin, Esslingen a. N.; Dr. Adelbert und unsere Nachfolger in dieser Treuhand- > Friedrich Alexander Marinus Miihhchlegel, schaft die erhabene religiose Richtschnur, > Stuttgart; Dr. Karl Eugen Schmidt, Stutt- die fur Baha'i -Verwaltungskorperschaf ten > gart; Alice Corinna Gabriele Emma Amelie in dem Worte Baha'u'llah's zum Ausdruck > (Tahirih) Schwarz-Solivo, Stuttgart, er- kommt: ,,Seid Treuhander des Barmherziklaren hiermit als der durch die Abgeordne- gen unter den Menschen", und suchen den > ten der Baha'i inDeutschland und Osterreich Beistand Gottes und Seine Fuhrung, damit > anlasslich der Jahrestagung in Stuttgart am wir dieser Ermahnung folgen konnen. > 22. April 1934 ordnungsmassig gewahlte > und mit alien Vollmachten zur Errichtung ARTIKEL I > der nathfolgenden Treuhandschaft ausge- Die genannte Treuhandgemeinschaft > stattete Nationale Gehtige Rat der Bahd'f in fiihrt die Bezeichnung, ,,der Nationale Geis- > Deutschland und Osterreich, dass vom heuti- tige Rat der Baha'i m Deutschland und > gen Tage an die diesem Rate durch Baha'u- Osterreich". > 'llah, den Begriinder des Baha'i -Glaubens, > ARTIKEL II > 'Abdu'1-Baha, den Ausleger und das Vorbild, > und Shoghi Effendi, den Hiiter desselben, Wir teilen die Ideale unserer Mit-Baha'i > iibertragenen Befugnisse, Verantwortlich- und arbeiten mit ihnen an der Aufrichtung, > keiten, Rechte, Vorrechte und Pflichten von Erhaltung und Forderung der geistigen, erdem vorgenannten Nationalen Geistigen Rat ziehlichen und menschenfreundlichen Lehund seinen ordnungsmassig bestellten Nach- ren menschlicher Bruderschaft, strahlenden > > folgern gemass dieser Treuhandschaftser- Glaubens, erhabenen Charakters und selbstklarung ausgeiibt, verwalter und fortgef iihrt loser Liebe, wie sie im Leben und in den > werden sollen. Ausserungen aller Propheten und Botschaf- > Die Annahme dieser Form > Zusam-des ter Gottes, der Bergriinder der Offenbarungs- > > menschiusses, der Vereinigung und Gemein- religionen in der Welt, geofTenbart und mit > schaft, und die Zulegung der Bezeichnung erneuter Kraft und allumfassender Geltung > als Treuhander der Baha'i in Deutschland f iir die Gegebenheiten dieses Zeitalters durch > > und Osterreich erfolgt durch den Natio- das Leben und die Worte BahaVllah's > nalen Geistigen Rat als dem seit mehr als verkiindet worden sind. Wir erklaren als > dreiundzwanzig Jahren bestehenden und Zweck und Gegenstand dieser Treuhandgeverantwortlichen Verwaltungskorper einer meinschaft die Verwaltung der Angelengen- > Religionsgemeinschaft. Infolge dieser Ta- heiten der Sache BahdVllah's zum Besten > tigkeit erwachst dem Nationalen Geistigen der Baha'i in Deutschland und Osterreich > Rat die Pflicht zur Verwaltung der standig gamass den von BahdVllah geschaffenen > mannigfacher und umfangreicher werden- und eingefiihrten, von 'Abdu'1-Baha naher > den Angelegenheiten und Vermogenswerte bestimmten und erlauterten und von Shoghi > der Baha'i in Deutschland und Oesterreich, Effendi und dessen nach dem Willen und > weshalb wir als dessen Mitglieder es fur Testament 'Abdu'l-Baha'sordnungsmSssig > wunschenswert und notwendig erachten, eingesetzten Nachfolger und Nachfolgern > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 333 > > erweiterten und angewandten Grundsatzen sungen in Geld oder sonstigen > fur die Baha'i-Zugehorigkeit und -Verwalt- Vermogenswerten anzunehmen, > ung. c. alles und was immer in den schrift- > > Der Erfiillung dieses Zweckes sollen lichen Ausserungen BahVllah's, > Andachtszusammenkunfte, offentliche Ver- 'Abdu'l-Baha's, Shoghi Effendi's und > sammlungen und Zusammenkiinfte erzieh- seinerordnungsmassigen Nachfolger, > lichen, menschenfreundlichen und geistigen durch die den Nationalen Geistigen > Charakters, die Veroffentlichung von Raten gewisse Spruchrechte, Befug- > Biichern, Zeitschriften und Zeitungen, die nisse und Gerechtsame gewahrt sind, > > Errichtung von Tempeln allgemeiner An- an verschiedenen Zwechen und Zielen > betung und anderer Einrichtungen und niedergelegt ist, > Bauten fur menschenfreundliche Dienste, d. gemeinhin alles zu tun und zu be- > > die Uberwachung, Vereinheitlichung, For- wirken, was nach Ansicht der bederung und allgemeine Verwaltung der nannten Treuhander d. h. des Natio- > Angelegenheiten der Baha'i in Deutschland nalen Geistigen Rates der Baha'i in > und Osterreich in Erfiillung ihrer religiosen Deutschland und Osterreich zur > Dienste, Pflichten und Ideale, sowie jedes Forderung der vollstandigen und > sonstige diesen Zielen oder einem von ihnen erfolgreichen Verwaltung dieser Treuforderliche Mittel dienen. handgemeinschaft erforderlich, ge- > Weiterer Zweck und Gegenstand dieser eignet und von Vorteil ist. > Treuhandgemeinschaft ist: > ARTIKEL III > a. das Recht, mit irgendwelchen Per- 1. Abschnitt. Allen Personen, Untersonen, Unternehmungen, Vereinigung- nehmungen, Korperschaften und Vereinien, privaten, offentlichcn oder ge- gungen gegeniiber, die den Treuh'andern > meindlichen Korperschaf ten, dem Staat d. h. dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat und den > > oder irgendwelchen seiner Lander, Mitgliedern desselben in ihrer Eigenschaft > Gebiete oder Kolonien oder mit als solche Kredit gewahren, Vertrage mit > > irgendwelchen fremden Regierungen ihnen oder irgendwelche Anschliessen > in jeder und Weise Vertrage > Art sprviche gegen sie, gleichviel welcher Art, > abzuschliessen, zu vollziehen und zu ob rechtlich oder billig, zu Recht oder zu > erfiillen, die zur Forderung der Ziele Unrecht, haben, gilt lediglich das Treudieser Treuhandschaft dienen, und im handvermogen und der Treuhandbesitz als > Zusammenhang damit und bei alien Masse fur Zahlung oder Sichersteliung > Verrichtungen, die im Rahmen dieser bezw. fur die Begleichung irgendwelcher > Treuhandschaft erfolgen, alles und Schulden, Ersatzanspruche, Auflagen und > jedes zu tun, was eine Gesellschaft Bescheide oder irgendwelcher Betrage, die > oder natiirliche Person zu tun oder in sonstiger Weise seitens der Treuhander > auszuuben vermag und was gegen- geschuldet oder zahlbar werden konnten, > w'artig oder kiinftig vom Gesetz zu- sodass weder die Treuhander, noch irgendgelassen ist, einer von ihnen, noch irgendeiner ihrer kraf t > b. bei alien durch Gesetz oder anderswie dieses ernannten Beamten oder Beauf tragten, > > errichteten Verbanden oder Nach- noch irgendwelche hierin genannte Berechlassen und sonstigen letztwilligen tigte, sei es einzeln oder gemeinsam, person- > > Verfiigungen in Verbindung mit lich dafiir haften. > > Schenkungen, Vermachtnissen oder 2. Abschnitt. Alle Bescheinigungen, > Auflassungen jeder Art, in welchen ein Schuldanerkenntnisse, Antrage, schriftlichen > oder mehrere Treuhander in irgend Verpflichtungen und Vertrage oder sonstigeinem Teil der Welt sowohl als auch en Vereinbarungen und Urkunden, die im > in Deutschland und Osterreich bestellt Rahmen dieser Treuhandschaft getroffen > werden, aufzutreten und als emp- oder gegeben werden, werden ausdriicklich > fangsberechtigt zu gel ten und Schen- vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat als Treukungen, Vermachtnisse oder Auflas- hander durch dessen ordnungsmassig er- > 334 THE BAHA'f WORLD > machtigte Beamte und Beauftragte voll- jenigen Ort, der durch den Nationalen > zogen, Geistigen Rat von Zeit zu Zeit bestimmt > wird. > ARTIKEL IV > Die d. h. der Nationale ARTIKEL VI > Treuhander, > Geistige Rat, nehmen fiir die Durchfuhrung Das Siegel dieser > Treuhandgemeinschaft > der ihm in dieser Treuhandschaftserklarung besitzt runde Form und zeigt folgende Inanvertrauten Obliegenheiten die zur Fest- schrift: > > legung und Erledigung der eigenen Ver- Der Nationale Geistige Rat der Babd'i > waltungsaufgaben wie auch derjenigen der in Deutschland und Osterreich e, V. > verschiedenen ortlichen und sonstigen Glie- Treuhandschaftserklarung 1955. > derungen, die die Baha'i in Deutschland und > Osterreich verkorpern, erforderlichen Satz- > ARTIKEL VII > > unger, Bestimmungen und Dienstvorschrif t- Diese Treuhandschaftserklarung kann > en gem ass den Zwecken dieser Einrichtung durch absoluten Mehrheitsbeschluss des > und in Ubereinstimmung mit den seitheri- Nationalen Geistigen Rats der Baha'i in > gen ausdriicklichen, den Baha'i in Deutsch- Deutschland und Osterreich in jeder beland und Osterreich bereits bekannten und sondern Versammlung, die zu diesem > von ihnen in der Fiihrung und Handhabung Zwecke ordnungsmassig einberufen worihrer religiosen Angelegenheiten vibernom- den ist, erganzt werden, vorausgesetzt, dass > men Weisungen Shoghi Effendi's, des mindestens dreissig Tage vor dem fiir die > Hiiters des Baha'i-Glaubens, an. Versammlung festgesetzten Zeitpunkt eine > Abschrift der vorgeschlagenen Erganzung > ARTIKEL V oder Erganzungen an jedes Ratsmitglied > Die Hauptgeschaftsstelle dieser Treu- durch den Sekretar mittels eingeschriebenen > handgemeinschaft befindet sich an dem- Briefes versandt wird. * > > SATZUNG DES NATIONALEN GEISTIGEN RATS > ARTIKEL I schiedenen Baha'i-Gemeinden. Er ernennt > Der Nationale Geistige Rat besitzt in samtliche nationalen Baha'i -Ausschiisse und > > Erfiillung seiner geheiligten Pflichten im iiberwacht die Veroffentlichung und Ver- > Rahmen dieses Treuhandverhaltnisses aus- teilung vom Baha'i -Schrifttum, die Uberschliessliches Spruch- und Hoheitsreich priifung aller die Baha'i -Sache betreffenden > iiber alle Veranstaltungen und Angelegen- Schrif ten, den Bau und die Verwaltung des > heiten der Baha'i -Sache in Deutschland und allgemeinen Mashriq'l-Adhkar's und seiner > Osterreich unter Einschluss der Oberhoheit Nebeneinrichtungen und die Erhebung und > in bezug auf die Verwaltung dieser Treu- Verwendung aller Gelder zur Fortfiihrung > handschaft. Er soil darnach streben, die dieser Treuhandschaft. Er entscheidet, ob > (nachstehend erlauterte) Arbeit der ort- irgendwelche Angelegenheiten dem Bereiche > lichen Geistigen Rate sowie diejenige der seines eigenen Spruchrechtes oder demjenigen > einzelnen Baha'i in Deutschland und Oster- eines ortlichen Geistigen Rates angehoren. > reich anzuspornen, zusammenzufassen und Er nimmt in Fallen, die ihm geeignet > gleichzurichten, und sie in jeder nur mog- und notwendig erscheinen, Berufungen aus > lichen Weise in der Forderung der Einheit Entscheidungen ortlicher Geistiger Rate > der Menschheit unterstutzen. Ihm obliegt an und besitzt das Recht zur endgiildie Anerkennung derartiger ortlicher Rate, tigen Entscheidung in alien Fallen, in denen > die Priifund der ortlichen Mitgliederrollen, die Befahigung eines Einzelnen oder einer > die Einberufung der Jahrestagung oder be- Gruppe, standig das Wahlrecht auszutiben > sonderer Versammlungen und die Einsetzung oder Mitglied der Bahd'i-Gemeinschaft zu > der Abgeordneten zur Jahrestagung und sein, in Frage steht. Er vertritt die Bahd'i > ihre ziffernmassige Verteilung auf die ver- in Deutschland und Osterreich iiberall, wo > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 335 > > es sich um die Zusammenarbeit und geistige Vorlaufers (des Bab), des Begriinders > Betatigung mit den Baha'i anderer Lander (BahaVllah's) und 'Abdu'l-Baha's, > handelt, und bildet das alleinige Wahlorgan des Erklarers und wahren Vorbildes > der Baha'i in Deutschland und Osterreich des Baha'i-Glaubens, vorbehaltlose > bei Schaffung des in den heiligen Schriften Annahme von allem, was durch ihre > der Sache vorgesehenen Universalen Hauses Feder geoffenbart ist, und Unterwerfder Gerechtigkeit. Vor allem aber soil der ung darunter, treues und standhaftes > Nationale Geistige Rat stets jene Stufe der Festhalten an alien Teilen des gehei- > Einheit in Ergebenheit, gegeniiber der Of- ligten Willens 'Abdu'l-Baha's und > > fenbarung Baha'u'llah's erstreben, die die enge Verbundenheit sowohl mit dem > Bestatigung des Heiligen Geistes anzieht Geiste als auch mit der Form der > und den Rat zum Dienste an der Begriin- gegenwartigen Baha'i -Verwaltung in > dung des Grossten Friedens fahig machen der Welt. > wird. Bei alien seinen Beratungen und ARTIKEL III > Handlungen soil der Nationale Geistige Rat Der Nationale Geistige Rat besteht aus > als gottlichen Fiihrer und Massstab standig > neun aus dem Kreise der Baha'i in Deutschdie Ausserung Baha'u'llah's vor Augen land und Osterreich gewahlten Mitgliedern, > haben: > die von den genannten Baha'i in der weiter > ,,Es geziemt ihnen. (d. h. den Geistigen > unten beschriebenen Weise gewahlt werden > Raten), die Vertrauten des Barmherzigen und fur die Dauer eines Jahres oder dis zur > unter den Menschen zu sein und sich fur > Wahl ihrer Nachfolger im Amte bleiben. > Gottes auserwahlte Hiitter von allem, was > auf Erden ist, zu halten. Es obliegt ihnen, ARTIKEL IV > miteinander zu beraten und auf die Be- > Die geschaftsfuhrenden Mit glieder des > lange der Diener Gottes acht zu haben, um Nationalen Geistigen Rates bestehen aus > Seiner Selbst willen, wie sie auf die eigenen > einem Vorsitzer, stellvertretenden Vorsitzer, > Belange achten, und das zu wahlen, was Sekretar und Rechner und was sonst zur > geziemend ist und schicklich." geeigneten Fiihrung seiner Geschafte an > ARTIKEL II Amtern fur notig erachtet wird. Die geschaftsfiihrenden Mitglieder werden mit > Die Baha'i in Deutschland und Osterreich, > absoluter Stimmenmehrheit durch samtliche > zu Gunsten diese Treuhandschaft > deren > Ratsmitglieder in geheimer Abstimmung > errichtet ist, umfassen alle in Deutschland > und Osterreich wohnhaften Personen, die gewahlt. > vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat als den Er- ARTIKEL V > fordernissen zum stimmberechtigten Mit- Die erste Versammlung des neugewahlten > glied einer Baha'i-Gemeinde geniigend aner- Nationalen Geistigen Rates wird durch daskannt sind. Wer stimmberechtigtes Mitglied jenige Mitglied einberufen, das bei der Wahl > einer Baha'i-Gemeinde werden will, muss die hochste Stimmenzahl erhalten hat, oder, > a. in dem Ortsgebiet wohnen, das durch soweit zwei oder mehrere die > Mitglieder > den Rechtsbereich des ortlichen Geis- gleiche Stimmenzahl aufweisen, durch das > tigen Rates gemass dem zweiten Ab- unter diesen ausgeloste Mitglied. Dieses > schnitt des Artikels VII dieser Satzung Mitglied fiihrt den Vorsitz bis zur Wahl > bestimmt ist, des standigen Vorsitzers. Alle folgenden > b. das einundzwanzigste Lebensjahr vol- > Sitzungen werden durch den Sekretar des > lendet haben, Rates auf Ersuchen des Vorsitzers oder, bei > c. zur Zufriedenheit des ortlichen Geis- dessen Abwesenheit oder Verhinderung des > tigen Rates, die zon der Zustimmung stellvertretenden Vorsitzers oder dreier bedurch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat liebiger Ratsmitglieder einberufen, wobei > abhangt, dargetan haben, dass er den jedoch die Jahrestagung, wie weiterhin festfolgenden Bahd'i-Glaubensforderun- gelegt, in bezug auf Zeitpunkt und Ort von > gen und -brauchen geniigt: der Versammlung durch absoluten Mehrvoile Anerkennung der Stufe des heitsbeschluss festgelegt wird. > 336 THE BAHA'i WORLD > ARTIKEL VI Vorsitzer, Sekretarund Rechner und was > der Rat sonst fur die Fuhrung seiner Ge- > Der Nationale Geistige Rat ist beschlussschafte und die Erfiiliung seiner Geistigen > fahig, sobald fiinf Mitglieder desselben in > Pflichten an Amtern fur notig erachten mag, > einer Sitzung anwesend sind, und die durch > diese absoluten Mehrheitsbe- bestehen. Unmittelbar darnach iibermittelt > gefassten, > schliisse gelten, soweit nicht diese Satzung > der gewahlte Sekretar dem Sekretar des > Anderes bestimmt, in gebuhrendem Nationalen Geistigen Rates die Namen der > ein > Hinblick auf den in der Einrichtung der Mitglieder des neugewahlten Rates und eine > Liste seiner geschaftsfiihrenden Mitglieder. > geistigen Rate enthaltenen Grundsatz der > Einheit und aufrichtigen Gemeinschaft als > 2. Abschnitt. Die allgemeinen Befugausreichend zur der Geschafte. nisse und Pflichten eines ortlichen Geistigen > Fiihrung > Rates ergeben sich aus den Schrif ten Baha'u- > Die Verhandlungen und Entscheidungen des > 'llah's, 'Abdu'l-Baha's und Shoghi Effendi's. > Nationalen Geistigen Rates sind bei jeder > Abschnitt. Unter die besonderen > Sitzung durch den Sekretar zu protokol- 3. > Pflichten eines ortlichen Geistigen Rates > lieren, der den Ratsmitgliedern nach jeder > fallt das voile Spruchrecht iiber alle Baha'i- > Sitzung Abschriften der Protokolle zustellt > und die Protokolle unter den offiziellen Veranstaltungen und -Angelegenheiten innerhalb der Gemeinde, unbeschadet der > Urkunden des Rates aufbewahrt. > hierin erklarten aussch'liesslichen Oberhoheit > ARTIKEL VII des Nationalen Geistigen Rates. > Wo immer in Deutschland und Oster- 4. Abschnitt. Ausscheidende Mitglieder > reich, in einer Stadt oder einer landlichen eines ortlichen Geistigen Rates werden auf > > Gemeinde, die Zahl der darin wohnenden, einer zu diesem Zwecke durch den Rat > vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat anerkannten ordnungsmassig einberufenen, besonderen > Baha'i neuen ubersteigt, konnen diese am 21. Gemeindeversammlung durch Wahl erganzt. > April eines Jahres zusammenkommen und Falls die Zahl der ausscheidenden Mitglieder > mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit eine ortliche hoher als vier ist, sodass die Beschlussfahig- > Verwaltungskorperschaf t von neun Personen keit des orlichen Rates entfallt, wird die > alsGeistigen Rat der betreffenden Gemeinde Wahl unter der Oberaufsicht des Natiowahlen. Jeder solche Geistige Rat wird nalen Geistigen Rates vorgenommen. > darauf alljahrlich an jedem folgenden 21. 5. Abschnitt. Die Geschafte des ort- > > Tag des Aprils gewahlt. Die Mitglieder lichen werden in gleicher Weise > Rates > bleiben fur die Dauer eines Jahres und bis gefuhrt, wie oben in Artikel VI fur die > zur Wahl und Benennung ihrer Nachfolger Verhandlungen des Nationalen Geistigen > im Amte. Rates festgelegt ist. > Soweit dagegen die Zahl der Baha'i in 6. Abschnitt. Der ortliche Rat iibereiner Gemeinde genau neun betragt, konnen priift und anerkennt die Eignung jedes > sich diese am 21. April eines Jahres und in Mitgliedes der Baha'i-Gemeinde vor dessen > den nachfolgenden Jahren durch gemein- Zulassung als wahlberechtigtes Mitglied, > same Erklarung zum ortlichen Geistigen doch steht es jedem, der mit dem Befund > Rat ernennen. Durch Beurkundung einer des ortlichen Geistigen Rates iiber seine > solchen Erklarung seitens des Sekretars des Eignung als Baha'i unzufrieden ist, frei, > Nationalen Geistigen Rats gilt der besagte gegen den Befund beim Nationalen Geistigen > Neunerrat als mit alien Rechten, Vorrech- Rat Berufung einzulegen, der den Fall auften und Pflichten eines ortlichen Geistigen greift und endgiiltig dariiber entscheidet. > Rates, wie sie in dieser Satzung festgelegt 7. Abschnitt. Am oder vor dem ersten > sind, eingesetzt. Tag im Februar jedes Jahres sendet der > i. Abschnitt. Jeder neugewahlte ort- Sekretar jedes ortlichen Rates dem Sekretar > liche Geistige Rat verfahrt sofort gemass des Nationalen Geistigen Rates eine ordden in den Artikeln IV und V > dieser nungsmassig beglaubigte Liste der stimm- > Satzung enthaltenen Anweisungen iiber die berechtigten Mitglieder der Baha'i -Gemeinde > Wahl seiner geschaftsfiihrenden Mitglieder, zur Unterrichtung und Gutheissung durch > die aus einem Vorsitzer, stellvertretenden den Nationalen Geistigen Rat. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 337 > > 8. Abschnitt. Alle sich innerhalb einer f iihrte Mitgliederrolle eingeschrieben werden > Baha'i-Gemeinde ergebenden Angelegen- und voiles Wahlrecht geniessen. > heiten von rein ortlichen Interessen, die nicht Alle Auffassungsverschiedenheiten in bedie nationalen Belange der Sache beriihren, zug auf das Rechtsgebiet eines ortlichen > unterstehen in erster Instanz dem Spruch- Geistigen Rates oder bezuglich der Anglierecht des betreffenden ortlichen Geistigen derung irgend eines Baha'i oder einer Gruppe > Rates, doch liegt die Entscheidung dariiber, in Deutschland und Oesterreich sind dem > ob in einem Fall durch die Angelegenheit die Nationalen Geistigen Rat zu unterbreiten, > Belange und die Wohlfahrt der nationalen desen Entscheidung in der Sache endgiiltig > Baha'i -Gemeinschaft beruhrt werden, beim ist. > > Nationalen Geistigen Rat. > Abschnitt. einer ARTIKEL VIII > Baha'i-Gemeinde steht es frei, gegen eine Die Jahresversammlung des Nationalen > Entscheidung seines Geistigen Rates beim Geistigen Rates, auf der die Wahl seiner > Nationalen Geistigen Rat Berufung einzu- Mitglieder erfolgt, fuhrt die Bezeichnung > legen, der dariiber befindet, ob er die Sache Nationaltagung der Baha'i in Deutschland > zur Entscheidung aufgreifen oder sie beim und Osterreich. Zeitpunkt und Ort f iir die > ortlichen Geistigen Rat zur nochmaligen Abhaltung bestimmt der Nationale Geistige > Erwagung belassen will. Greif t der Natio- Rat, der alle Baha'i-Gemeinden durch ihre > nale Geistige Rat die Sache zur Entscheidung Geistigen Rate sechzig Tage zuvor von der > auf so ist seine Findung endgiiltig. > , Versammlung in Kenntnis setzt. Der Na- > 10. Abschnitt. Bestehen innerhalb einer tionale Geistige Rat teilt jedem Geistigen > Baha'i-Gemeinde Meinungsverschiedenheit- Rat gleichzeitig die von ihm der Baha'i-Geen, die nicht durch die Bemiihungen des meinde gemass dem Grundsatz der Verortlichen Geistigen Rates beigelegt werden haltnisvertretung zugeteilte Anzahl von Abkonnen, so ist die Angelegenheit durch den geordneten zur Nationaltagung mit, wobei > Geistigen Rat dem Nationalen Geistigen die Gesamtzahl der Abgeordneten, die die Na- > Rate zur Erwagung zu iiberweisen, des- tionaltagung darstellen, neunzehn betragen > sen Vorgehen in der Sache dann endgiiltig soil. Nach Empfang dieser Benachrichtigist. ung beruf t jeder ortliche Geistige Rat inner- > > n. Abschnitt. Alle Streitf ragen zwischen halb eines angemessenen Zeitraumes und > zwei mehreren ortlichen Geistigen > oder unter Beachtung ordnungsmassiger und aus- > Raten oder zwischen Mitgliedern verschied- reichender Ankiindigung eine Versammlung > ener Baha'i-Gemeinden sollen in erster In- der in seiner Rolle stimmverzeichneten > stanz dem Nationalen Geistigen Rate unter- berechtigten Mitglieder zwecks Wahl ihres > breitet werden, dem bei alien derartigen oder ihrer Abgeordneten zur Nationaltagung > Angelegenheiten das erste und letzte Spruch- ein, worauf die Sekretare der einzelnen > recht eigen ist. ortlichen Geistigen Rate dem Sekretar des > 12. Abschnitt. Der Rechtsbereich der Nationalen Geistigen Rates spatestens dreiseinzelnen ortlichen Geistigen Rate in bezug sig Tage vor dem Zeitpunkt der Tagung die > auf die Befindung zur Mitgliedortliche Namen und Anschriften der so gewahlten > schaft und Wahlberechtigung > eines Glau- Abgeordneten bescheinigen. > bigen in einer Baha'i-Gemeinde entspricht 1. Abschnitt. Alle Tagungsabgeordneten > > der durch die verwaltungsrechtlichen Gren- sind mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit zu wahlzen einer Stadt oder einer landlichen Ge- en. Mitglieder, die durch Krankheit oder > meinde bezeichneten Gemarkung, doch andere unvermeidliche Griinde verhindert > konnen Baha'i, die in angrenzenden, abseits sind, an der Wahl personlich teilzunehmen, > liegenden oder vorstadtischen Bezirken haben das Recht, ihre Stimme brieflich oder > wohnen und regelmassig an den Versamm- telegrafisch in einer Weise abzugeben, die > > lungen der Baha'i-Gemeinden teilzunehmen dem ortlichen Geistigen Rat geniigt. > vermogen, bis zur Errichtung eines ortlichen 2. Abschnitt. Alle fur die Tagung ein- > > Geistigen Rates in ihrer Heimatgemeinde in zusetzenden Abgeordneten miissen als > > die vom angrenzenden Geistigen Rat ge- stimmberechtigte Mitglieder der von ihnen > 338 THE B4;HA't WORLD > vertretenen Baha'i -Gemeinden eingetragen reich betreffen, ausschliesslich bei dieser > sein. Korperschaft liegt. > 3. Abschnitt. Die Rechte und Vorrechte 9. Abschmitt. Die auf der Nationaltagder Abgeordneten konnen weder iibertragen ung anzunehmende Geschattsordnung wird > noch abgetreten werden. durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat vorbe- > 4. Abschnitt. Die Anerkennung und reitet, doch konnen alle auf die Sache bezug- > > Einsetzung der Abgeordneten zur National- lichen Angelegenheiten die von irgend einem > > tagung erfolgt im Nationalen Geistigen Abgeordneten vorgebracht werden, auf An- > Rate. trag, iiber den abzustimmen ist, als Punkt der > 5. Abschnitt. Soweit Abgeordnete nicht Tagungsberatungen aufgenommen werden. > personlich an der Tagung teilnehmen kon- ro. Abschnitt. Die Wahl der Mitglieder > > nen, ha ben sie das Recht, Mitglieder des Na- des Nationaien Geistigen Rates erfolgt mit > tionalen Geistigen Rates schriftlich oder relativer Stimmenmehrheit durch die vom > > telegrafiseh zu den vom Nationalen Geisti- ausscheidenden Nationalen Geistigen Rat > gen Rat festzusetzenden Bedingungen zu anerkannten Abgeordneten, d. h. als gewahlen. wahlt gelten diejenigen neun Personen, die > 6. Abschnitt. Halt der Nationale Geistige im ersten Wahlgang der bei der Tagung an- > Rat in irgend einem Jahre die Zusammen- wesenden Abgeordneten sowie derjenigen > rufung der Abgeordneten zur Nationaltag- Abgeordneten, deren Stimme dem Sekretar > ung fur undurchf iihrbar oder nicht geraten, des Nationalen Geistigen Rates schriftlich > so setzt der Nationale Geistige Rat die Mittel oder telegrafiseh iibermittelt worden ist, die > und Wege f ur die briefliche oder telegrafische grosste Anzahl Stimmen erhalten haben. > Durchfiihrung der Geschafte der National- Falls infolge Stimmengleichheit die voile > > tagung fest. Mitgliedszahl nicht im ersten Wahlgang > 7. Abschnitt. Das auf der National- erreicht wird, finden ein oder mehrere > tagung anwesende vorsitzende, > geschafts- weitere Wahlgange statt, bis samtliche neun > fiihrende Mitglied des Nationalen Geistigen Mitglieder gewahlt sind. > Rates ruf t die Abgeordneten auf, die darauf n. Abschnitt. Alle bei der Nationalzur endgiiltigen Ordnung der Versammlung tagung offiziell behandelten Angelegenheiten > schreiten, einen Vorsitzenden, Schriftfuhrer sind unter die Protokolle des Nationalen > und was weiter an Amtern fiir die geeignete Geistigen Rates aufzunehmen und mit die- > Fuhrung der Geschafte der Tagung erfor- sen zu bewahren. > derlich ist, wahlen. 12. Abschnitt. Nach Schluss der Na- > 8.Abschnitt. Die Hauptaufgabe der Na- tionaltagung und bis zur Einberufung der > tionaltagung ist die Wahl der neun Mit- nachsten Jahrestagung wirken die Abgeordglieder zum kommenden Nationalen Geisti- neten als zu besonderem Dienste in der Argen Rate, die Entgegennahme der Berichte beit fiir die Sache befahigte beratende Koriiber die finanzielle und sonstige Tatigkeit perschaft fort, in jeder Weise bemuht, zum > des ausscheidenden Nationalen Geistigen einheitlichen Geiste und zu fruchtbringen- > Rates und seiner verschiedenen Ausschiisse der Tatigkeit des Nationalen Geistigen > und Beratung iiber die Angelegenheiten der Rates wahrend des Jahres beizutragen. > Baha'i -Sache im allgemeinen, selbstverstand- 13. Abschnitt. Freigewordene Mitgliedslich in Obereinstimmung mit den von sitze des Nationalen Geistigen Rates werden > Shoghi Effendi ausgedriickten Grundsatzen mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit seitens der > der Baha'i -Verwaltung, wonach alle Bera- Abgeordneten der Nationaltagung, die den > tungen und Handlungen der Abgeordneten Rat seinerzeit gewahlt haben, neu besetzt, > zur Nationaltagung ausser der Wahl der wobei die Wahl in brieflicher oder irgend > Mitglieder zum kommenden Nationalen sonstiger durch den Nationalen Geistigen > Geistigen Rate nur Ratschlage und Emp- Rat bestimmter Form erfolgt. > fehlungen zur Beachtung durch den genannten Rat darstellen, wahrend die Entscheid- ARTIKEL IX > ung in alien Fragen, die die Angelegenheiten Soweit dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat > der Baha'i-Sache in Deutschland und Oster- durch diese Satzung in irgendwelchen, die > THE WORLD ORDER -0F BAHA'U'LLAH 339 > > Tatigkeit und die Angelegenheiten der haben; die Meinungen, vorherrschenden > Baha'i -Sache in Deutschland und Osterreich Empfindungen und die personliche t)berbetreffenden Fragen ausschliessliches und zeugung derjenigen, deren Wohlergehen > hochstrichterliches Spruchrecht sowie voll- zu fordern ihre feierliche Pflicht ist, zu > ziehende Oberhoheit ubertragen ist, gilt dies erforschen und sich mit ihnen vertraut zu > mit der Weisung, dass alle beziiglich solcher machen; ihre Erwagungen und die allge- > Fragen getroffenen Entscheidungen oder er- meine Fiihrung ihrer Angelegenheiten von > folgten Massnahmen in jedem Falle dem verschlossener Teilnahmslosigkeit, dem > Hiiter der Sache oder dem Universalen Anschein der Heimlichkeit, dem ersticken- > Hause der Gerechtigkeit zur endgiiltigen den Dunstkreis diktatorischer Bestim- > Prufung und Billigung zu unterbreiten sind. mungen undvon alien Worten und > Handlungen zu reinigen, die den Ein- > ARTIKEL X druck von Parteilichkeit, Selbstsucht und > Soweit Aufgaben und Befugnisse durch Vorurteilen erwecken konnen, und unter > dieseSatzung nicht ausdrucklich den ort- Vorbehalt des geheiligten Rechtes endgiillichen Geistigen Raten ubertragen sind, gel- tiger Entscheidung zur Besprechung einten sie als dem Nationalen Geistigen Rate zuladen, Beschwerden nachzugehen, Ratverliehen, wobei dieser Korperschaft das schlage zu begriissen und das Gefiihl der > Recht zur Obertragung solcher beliebiger gegenseitigen Abhangigkeit und Mitbe- > Verrichtungen und Befugnisse zusteht, die teiligung, des Verstandnisses und wechselsie innerhalb ihres Spruchrechtes als fur seitigen Vertrauens unter sich und alien > ortliche Geistige Rate erforderlich und rat- iibrigen Baha'i zu pflegen. ^ > sam erachtet. > ARTIKEL XII > ARTIKEL XI Diese kann vom > Satzung Nationalen > Zur Wahrung des geistigen Charakters Geistigen Rat jeder regelmassigen oder > in > und Zweckes der Baha'i-Wahlen soil weder besonderen Sitzung mit absoluter Stimmender Brauch der Wahlvorschlage noch irgend mehrheit erganzt werden, vorausge*setzt, > ein sonstiges, und von Gebeten > eine stille dass mindestens vierzehn Tage vor dem fur > getragene Wahl beeintrachtigendes Wahl- die betreffende Versammlung festgesetzten > verfahren aufkommen, sodass jeder Wahler Zeitpunkt eine Abschrift der vorgeschlafur niemanden stimmen soil, als wen ihm genen Erganzung oder Erganzungen an jedes > Gebet und (Jberlegung eingegeben haben. Ratsmitglied durch den Sekretar mittels > Zu den hervorragendsten und geheiligt- Einschreibebriefes versandt wird. > sten Pflichten derer, die berufen werden, die In alien Fallen, in denen iiber den durch > Angelegenheiten der Sache als Mitglieder den Wortlaut ausgedriickten Sinn dieser > ortlicher oder nationaler Geistiger Rate auf- > Treuhandschaftserklarung und Satzung Unzugreifen, zu fiihren und gleichzurichten, klarheit besteht,ist der englische Wortlaut > > gehort: der Declaration of Trust and By Laws der > auf jede nur mogliche Weise das Ver- Bah'i der Vereinigten Staaten und Kanadas > trauen und die Zuneigung derer zu ge- zu Rate zu ziehen. > winnen, denen zu dienen sie das Vorrecht Stuttgart, den 10. Februar 1935. > 340 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > *c* XXI o'* iSO - > > NO: v>7. of ii>193. > > T nereby certify that ... fcjto > > of trie '<*q>*iU Q* l > > has tnis day beer, registered inder > > Registration \ct, XXI of 1860. > > Given under my hand at Lahore > > this day of > > One thousand nine hundred and thirty three. > > Registration Tee.fc, so/-/- v fllty) only. > > Registrar, > ;tocK ^ niej, Punjab. > > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of India and Burma. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 341 > > *>JLJj!\\'' > - t*!r ^ > > i^^^ M&u&iuy, > > ^^AAil'ft^lM) \3u*s 4AJlj\^^^>Jfc *s& > ^^>v -v/ J>.^W^"^^^^^\JIAIWJW' > fcfe*;->j^) ' > "-Mr- .i*\A'i. n -..-.<: > . ,i'- > > of the > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly > Baha'is of 'Iraq. > 342 THE BAHA'I > > MJ > ^bV^^UfcjJJ^U^U^ UJUAJU^^ > P>>W>j($^j(UOj^ > i > > .L^.iiA.^^^^-il^O^r^iJ^^, > - > ^^li^b^^^V^^^i^^^ij^i ^ > > ^'tKd^^^U'^^bu^l^ > _,_._,_ > Y* > > ^Ls^O 1 > > Ulitfe'jiiu; > r > > \> > tyb^\^& - > > ViWU^Ujij.^^ > ^lijllir' J^ ^? U^'^^^^AV?^Jto ^^// '^y l > ; > > f > ^UafrL.'Vj iC'.l _;.i|.!L-. > > . (T IL J.i.ri.id.i .. ". .1 . 1 1. 1 i.. v > > ; > > " > > ^I^XUJjdni^ X\>J6- > ^a^''^ 4U^v^l4Ufe'^VklUi. > r > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 343 > > ^ " > > ( > > ' > > x > >^ > 344 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Ss^L^'(>jJJ^-Nil^Vj^t6^^J^ ^u^-HJ l > > Siy^JfJ^^ilU^ iM3>/ > > *&'.,-.-. > ty-^j)^*^} o*-^ ^Mj^^J^r^^^Mf > * t U > * > !* i . * - / .y. . "*(/- h u 1 ^+*~ * > > ^'ik>^^j ^J^*i'^ilS > : > 'A-J*Y^y/WXj'^^^Q^^^r^^ : > tr*^* ^W^^y^J^ > > !^1> 'JU1' VijJ^ <^LlJ i (j'y^o' > (. > > U > - > > ^^^^!y>^l^^Ij^l^ipf^u/-U^^ > r > > o |^Al^^^U^/"j^V*^^^^j6^^ > ' > ' > > " .TiuM' In > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 345 > > ^^^JjJw^j^^&&^ i^' > > '*;uov,,, > > ^*(^ii% > <" 'V" **Jo > o^w^ ww^^^^cf. > ^ ^ud > ^ > ''kl'lj'^' li^-^ilLa^ 1 > I^iW ! > LiAJ!'']JJ > > ^^J^^a5jAliA^ (3J > > ^J^^]jU^4l^ > ^^U!Ai^^fiui!)i\Ji!^ > i^^fiu4!)i\Ji!/yyi^^ " w > ( } )) > r > > ^WiH^ 5>U^.^' > .*!.. rf *T ..!. ^.^' > > * > I /l&tfil > 346 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > . > > <^^^^^^^ * > I ' > (* > - > > ^-/ . > > ^W > u^^^iv^v* > ""^ 1 > > I (/ , '***+-*?** * \fy*** . i > y; > > J^'^^d^Uu^l^; 2A)i ti/V^^^.^^C^l^l^/ll; f lifli^? > "Ol^^LJUjJ; t^J^Sl[)^Sii5i>^lj^^ ^'^^^^^^JJ^U^jg -^^aj^JUlH^^r^i > ^^^^D/^J^^i^'"^^ > " > > ^''^^'^U^^^l^^^Lf-J^ Jj\^UifUli^ Ujj^'4f9' ^ > > ^ > ^'fiS^^UiJKiwUNtf T -^~vS';'lLr 'vU*^v*^^vy*iytNy= > tijr^^V TL^W'"^"^' -^W^.^-UU*]; -uitfi;i^^D^^JVS' > 'r l > w'jUyJ^ l- > > * > IM 1i t > < > ^^^i^^W^-ft^ 1 > > JUbo^i^oL^y^l^^^^ > \JL ^ J^I^^J^dJU^Cj-^WW/^.'^^j't > cv > y^^fc^dJU^^Ui^^^'^^^ij! > 'M . i .*.-* > i , > - > 1 > , /\ "*,.. t i i > \! > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 347 > > 1 x,, ,/ *V^!te^ > *fe > ^>*oiUei tfii^^jrfty u& J^fe^^^uy r^ ) > . > i > > ^*^^^^^,j)^^^ > > d'V^'^^ > > > Up1>1 ^j o]b ^Jsj W^Ml^OU!, li > > ' > > ' > ^^'UJf^e^r^^ ^i^A 'Sr^U\i^3d>?li^ > 4^'JuiJi/xfc X^'Qje-^LVl^^^ > ^>^^^^'^j^^>v^X^l^ > . > > (SSr^u^uy^ v^^ ^^ 1 > ^fu^j^uy'/trib > 348 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > v>c/vf ;^^4V *iv^c^>x>v*>^ > ^<)/&&&ty'tfsScP'J > > V^J'>^c/x>^ Vy V, > > ** ~ > , ^ ^ ^ .^ -. *^ ^-- ^ -^ ^ *r, > e > (y Cj *+^ '' 'tif > &&4iS> /m> ?&<*?<;> WMI^WS+JM > it > > yyfOMilhfrl&topyil i aeVXrfwnf fKifr^X ^>i/ > > utt^*^*^ as^^-r.-^ - *-!^ / > > ^?^Xtfii^tO^*^^M^^A-^ > ^hipUttfitP'/ .>,'> -^K^ttij^jj? 'V*.';"^!^- > IP^^^^^^^/^ ^Vy'fcAtfsW^fct^^ > o^pfciri ^''V^i/^^^V^yVJ^x . > U*!f A'i /i^( Jto^iJA i5-i^i.L*//lj(LatVi^ . wjLTJ- V:^il>;.; > > Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Bahi'is of Egypt. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 349 > > //W'^'t/^" ' > ' l > > Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of Egypt. > 350 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > A -"- > ' > > , />i ' > V* ' > ^> > > rf > > ' > - ' -' I/ / > > ;.., -, . ,i> / > ./.^' > > I > > Facsimile of Document related to the Incorporation of the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 351 > > > ,r /<-% A ' > > t 'i l -V.V- > > ^ *- > ***' V* L>* > - > >~ : > ^ > 352 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ,,1. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 353 > > HI > -- > ' > , > > > > . > 354 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ff> > > vw \tyCf ffifofrfr dy ^M^WM?^()&I* ^AA^V^A^VoVe cv > > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Australia and New Zealand. > r-v > ON > > CM > O > > a > > J > a > > 356 THE BAHA'f WORLD > BY-LAWS OF THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF > THE BAHA'IS OF THE CITY > OF NEW YORK 1 > > ARTICLE I guidance of Baha'i s throughout the United > States and > 1 HE Baha'is of the City of New York Canada. > > adopt Corporation in order to supply > this ARTICLE III > proper legal status to the conduct of the af- The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfillment > fairs of a religious community which has had > of its obligations and responsibilities under > continuous existence for more than thirty > this Corporation, shall have exclusive jurisyears, being one of the first two local Baha'i diction and authority over all the local accommunities established in North America. > tivities and affairs of the Baha'i community > During this period the community has been of the City of New York, including pararecognized, encouraged and instructed in let- mount authority in the administration of > ters and communications addressed to it by > this Corporation. It shall be responsible for > 'Abdu'1-Baha, who in one communication > maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all > designated New York "The City of the Cov- Baha'i teaching, whether written or oral, > enant." It was in this city that 'Abdu'lundertaken throughout the local commu- > Baha devoted the larger portion of His > nity. It shall make available the published > American visit in 1912. The Assembly has > literature of the Faith. It shall represent > been recognized since the Ascension of 'Abdthe community in its relation to the Nau'l-Baha in letters addressed to it by the tional Spiritual Assembly, in its relation to > Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. The New the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, to other > York Baha'i community has been continulocal Baha'i communities, and to the general > ously and uninterruptedly represented by > public in the City of New* York. It shall > delegates in the Annual Meetings held by the be charged with the recognition of all aprecognized national Baha'i body of North > plicants requesting membership in the local > America since the formation of that body in > Baha'i community. It shall pass upon the > 1909. The Spiritual Assembly is at present > right of any and all members of the comenrolled in the list of Local Spiritual Asmunity whose membership is in question to > semblies recognized by the National Spirretain their status as voting members of > itual Assembly. the community. It shall call the meetings > The Trustees, i.e., the Spiritual Assembly, > of the community, including the Baha'i Anrecognize that this action has been taken in niversaries and Feasts, the meetings of confull unanimity and agreement. They acsultation, the Annual Meeting and the meetknowledge for themselves and on behalf of for the election of to the > ing delegates > their successors the sacred meaning and uni- > Annual Meeting of the National Spiritual > versal purpose of the Baha'i Faith, the teach- > Assembly. It shall appoint and supervise all > ings and principles of which fulfill the di- committees of the Baha'i community. It > vine promise of all former revealed religions. > shall collect and disburse all funds intended > for the maintenance of this Corporation. It > ARTICLE II > shall have full and complete custody of the > In administering the affairs of the Baha'i headquarters or meeting place of the Baha'i > Religion under this Corporation for the ben- community. It shall report to the National > efit of the Baha'is of the City of New York Spiritual Assembly annually, or when rein accordance with the religious teachings quested, the membership roll of the Baha'i > and administrative principles of this Faith, community, for the information and apthe Spiritual Assembly shall act in conform- proval of the national Baha'i body. The > ity with the functions of a Local Spiritual Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize > Assembly as defined in the By-Laws adopted the authority and right of the National > by the National Spiritual Assembly and pub- Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time > lished by that body for the information and 1 The pattern for all local Bah&'i constitutions. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 357 > > what activities and affairs of the Baha'i com- fluence, direct or indirect, that savors of inmunity of the City of New York are na- tervention on the part of a Baha'i body in > tional in scope and hence subject to the matters of public politics and civil jurisdicjurisdiction of the national Baha'i body. It tion. It shall encourage intercourse between > shall likewise recognize the right of any community of the City of New > the Baha'i > member of the community to appeal to the York and other recognized Baha'i commu- > National Spiritual Assembly for review and nities, issuing letters of introduction to > decision of any matter in which the previ- Baha'is traveling from New York and passous decision of the local Spiritual Assembly ing upon letters of introduction issued by > is felt by the member to be contrary to the other Baha'i Assemblies. It shall regard its > explicit teachings of the Baha'i Faith or op- authority as a means of rendering service to > posed to its best interests. It shall, on the Baha'is and non-Baha'is and not as a source > other hand, have the authority and right to of arbitrary power. While retaining the > appeal from the decision of the National sacred right of final decision in all mat- > > Assembly to the Guardian of the Baha'i ters pertaining to the Baha'i community, the > Faith for review and final decision of any Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice > matter related to the Faith in the City of and consultation of all members of the com- > New York. munity, keep the community informed of > all its affairs, and invite full and free dis- > ARTICLE IV cussion on the part of the community of all > The Spiritual Assembly, in administering matters affecting the Faith. > this Corporation, shall ever bear in mind the > ARTICLE V > ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the > Baha'i Faith respecting the relationships of The Baha'is of the City of New York, for > a Spiritual Assembly to its Baha'i commu- whose benefit this Corporation has been esnity, respecting the relations of Baha'is to tablished, shall consist of all persons resident > one another in the community, and the re- in the City of New York who are recognized > lationships of Baha'is to > non-Baha'is, > all by the Spiritual Assembly as having fulfilled > without prejudice of race, creed, class or the requirements of voting membership in > nationality. The Assembly shall therefore this local Baha'i community. To become a > above all recognize its sacred duty to main- voting member of this Baha'i community a > tain full and complete unity throughout the person shall: > Baha'i community, to relieve and comfort a. Be a resident of the City of New York > the sick and distressed, to assist the poor as defined by the area of jurisdiction of the > and destitute, to protect the orphans, the Spiritual Assembly, as provided hereinafter > crippled and the aged, to educate the chil- in this instrument. > dren of Baha'is according to the highest re- b. Have attained the age of 21 years. > ligious and intellectual standards, to compose r. Have established to the satisfaction of > differencesand disagreements among mem- the Spiritual Assembly, subject to the apbers of the community, to promulgate the proval of the National Spiritual Assembly, > principles of Divine Civilization revealed that he (or she) possesses the qualifications > > by Baha'u'llah, and to promote in every of Baha'i Faith and practice required under > way possible the Baha'i aim of the oneness the following standard: Full recognition of > of mankind. It shall faithfully and de- the Station of the Fore-runner (the Bab), > votedly uphold the general Baha'i activities the Author (Baha'u'llah), and 'Abdu'land affairs initiated and sustained by the Baha, the Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; > National Spiritual Assembly. It shall co- unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, > operate wholeheartedly with other local whatsoever has been revealed by Them; loyal > Spiritual Assemblies throughout North and steadfast adherence to every clause of > America in all matters declared by the Na- 'Abdu'l-Bahd's sacred Will and Testament; > tional Spiritual Assembly to be of general and close association with the spirit as well > Baha'i importance and concern. It shall as the form of Baha'i administration > rigorously abstain from any action or in- throughout the world. > 358 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ARTICLE VI Section 2. Vacancies in the membership > of the Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by > The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of > election at a special meeting of the local > nine Trustees chosen from among the Baha'is > New York, who shall be Baha'i community duly called for that purof the City of > pose by the Assembly. In the event that > elected by these Baha'is in a manner hereinthe number of vacancies exceeds four, makafter provided and who shall continue in > office for the period of one year, or until ing a quorum of the Spiritual Assembly imtheir successors shall be elected. possible, the election shall be under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly. > > ARTICLE VII ARTICLE IX > The officers of the Assembly > Spiritual The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual > shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, > Assembly, with respect to residential quali- > Secretary and Treasurer, and such other offi- fication of membership, and voting rights of > cers as may be found necessary for the > a believer in the Baha'i community, shall > proper conduct of its affairs. The officers be the locality included within the civil limshall be elected by a majority vote of the its of the City of New York, but Baha'is, > entire membership of the Assembly taken who reside in adjacent, outlying or suburban > by secret ballot. districts and can regularly attend the meetings of the local Baha'i community, may be > ARTICLE VIII enrolled on the membership list of the Spir- > The first meeting of a newly-elected As- itualAssembly and enjoy full voting rights > sembly shall be called by the member elected pending the establishment of a local Spiritual > to membership by the highest number of Assembly in their home community. > votes, or, in case two or more members have > received the same said highest number of ARTICLE X > votes, then by the member selected by lot Section i. In the event that any decision > from among those members; and this mem- of the Assembly is unacceptable to any > ber shall preside until the permanent Chair- member or members of the community, the > man shall be chosen. All subsequent meet- Assembly shall after endeavoring to compose > ings shall be called by the Secretary of the the differences of opinion invite the said > Assembly at the request of the Chairman, member or members to make appeal to the > or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice- national Baha'i body and notify that body > Chairman, or of any threemembers of the of the condition of the matter and the readi- > Assembly; provided however that the An- ness of the Assembly to become party to > nual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held the appeal. > on April 21st, in accordance with the ad- Section 2. In the same manner, if any > > ministrative principles recognized by all difference arises between the Assembly and > Baha'i Assemblies. another local Assembly, or Assemblies, in > Section i. Five members of the Assem- North America, the Assembly shall report > bly present at a meeting shall constitute a the matter to the national Baha'i body and > quorum, and a majority vote of those pres- inform that body of its readiness to make > ent and constituting a quorum shall be suf- joint appeal together with the other Assemficient for the conduct of business, except bly or Assemblies. > as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and Section 3. If, however, the result of such > with due regard to the principles of unity appeal is unsatisfactory to the Spiritual Asand cordial fellowship involved in the in- sembly or the Assembly at any time has reastitution of a Spiritual Assembly. The trans- son to believe that actions of the National > actions and decisions of the Assembly shall Spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely > be recorded at each meeting by the Secre- the welfare and unity of the Baha'i comtary, who shall have the minutes adopted munity of the City of New York, it shall, > and approved by the Assembly, and preserve after seeking to compose its difference of > them in the official records of the Assembly. opinion with the national body in direct con- > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 359 > > sultation,have the right to make appeal to cordance with the calendar incorporated in > the Guardian of the Faith. the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. > Section 4. The Assembly shall likewise > ARTICLE XIII > have the right to make complaint to the > National Spiritual Assembly in the event The Spiritual Assembly, on notice from > that matters of local Baha'i concern and in- the National Spiritual Assembly, shall re- > > fluence are referred to the national body by port the number of voting members in the > a member or members of the local commu- local community, that the national Baha'i > > nity without previous opportunity for action body may be duly informed of the number > of delegates to be assigned to the Baha'i > by the local Assembly. > community of the City of New York in > ARTICLE XI accordance with the principle of proportion- > The Annual Meeting of the Corporation ate representation controlling the annual > > at which its Trustees shall be elected shall election of members to the National Spir- > > be held on April 21 at an hour and place itual Assembly. > > to be fixed by the Assembly, which shall Section i. When informed of the number of delegates assigned to the local comgive not less than fifteen days' notice of the > meeting to all members of the local Baha'i munity, the Spiritual Assembly shall call a > community. special meeting of the community for the > Section i. The Assembly shall accept purpose of electing said number of delegates > those votes transmitted to the Assembly be- to represent the community at the Annual > > fore the election by members who by reason Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly. > of sickness or other unavoidable reason are Section 2. The election of delegates to > unable to be present at the election in person. the Annual Meeting of the National Spir- > Section 2. The election of members to itual Assembly shall be by plurality vote. > the Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality Section 3. All voting members of the > > vote. local Bahi'i community are eligible for elec- > Section 3. All voting members of the lo- tion as delegates to the Annual Meeting of > the National Assembly. > cal Baha'i community are eligible for election as members of the Spiritual Assembly. Section 4. The result of the election shall > Section 4. The Assembly shall prepare be reported by the Spiritual Assembly to the > > an agenda for the Annual Meeting in which National Spiritual Assembly, and the Spirshall be included reports of the activities of itual Assembly shall meet all the conditions > the Assembly since its election, a financial laid down by the national Baha'i body for > statement showing all income and expendi- the recognition of local Spiritual Assemblies > > ture of its fund, reports of its committees and the participation of local Baha'i comand presentation of any other matters per- munities in the annual election of the national Baha'i body. > taining to the affairs of the Baha'i community. The Assembly, both > preceding ARTICLE XIV > and following the annual election, shall > The seal of this Corporation shall be cirinvite discussion and welcome suggescular in form, bearing the following descriptions from the community, in order that > tion: The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > its plans may reflect the community mind > of the City of New York, Corporate Seal. > and heart. > Section 5. The result of the election shall ARTICLE XV > be reported by the Spiritual Assembly to the These By-Laws may be amended by ma- > National Assembly. jority vote of the Spiritual Assembly at any > of regular or special meetings, provided > its > ARTICLE XII that at least fourteen days prior to the date > In addition to the Annual Meeting, the fixed for the said meeting a copy of the > Assembly shall arrange for regular meetings proposed amendment or amendments is > of the Baha'i community throughout the mailed to each member of the Assembly by > year at intervals of nineteen days, in ac- the Secretary. > 360 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > UNITED STATES OF AMERICA > > STATE OF NEW YORK > > BY > EDWARD J. FLYNN > Secretary of State and Custodian of the Great Seal Thereof. > > MAJilKKLLI > |Jt la Jjmbg Ctrrtifab. That-., > { of the County of.. Jjftw YflJEte, m said State, and Cler of the > Court therein, being a Court of Record, on the day of the date of the annexed > prewe > lificate and duly authorized to grant the same; that the same is m due form and exe' > fcd by the proper officer, that the seal affixed to said certificate is the seal of said County > > Court, that the signature thereto of said cler is in his proper handwriting, and is > > Line; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts. > > Fhe Great > > Seal of the State is hereunto affixed. > > I my hand at the City of Albany, the~-.~ , > JbK&xi1ky.?rjC4.r,aJj,,,,.,, ,...., > > of. fitt&filHbflC. ~~ in the year of our Lord one thousand > > hundred and thirty-elx. > > -- J Srpuly ftrrrttarg > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New York. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH > > Certificate > 7220 B > > STATE OF NEW YORK > u. : > COUNTY OF NEW .YORK > > I, ALBERT M ARINELLI, Clerk of the County of New York and also > Clerk of the Supreme Court in and for said county, > > DO HEREjgY CERTIFY, that I have compared the within photographic copy of > > the original of > wpicji is. filed /ad recorded > in my office, under > > and I do further certify, that such photographic copy is a correct transcript > of such record and of the whole of said original. > > In WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand > New York, this > the seal oftQid court arfd county at Ac City of JzL > day of .$ <%^...'T^.^ 193 O. > l > t > > ._-._ > ^ cammtf of 'New Yort and > Clerk cf the Suprtmt Court. > > The fee charged for > tfiis Copy was > ^ > County Clerk. > 362 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > CERTIFICATE OF ifrCORPORATIOH > > THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA 'IS > > OF THE Cm OF NEWiYCM > > Pursuant to Section 193 of the Religious > Corporation Law of the State of New York > > We, the undersigned, all being of full age, and citizens of the > United States, and residents of the State of Hew York, desiring to fora > a corporation pursuant to Section 195 of the Religious Corporation Law > of the State of Hew York, do hereby make, sign, and acknowledge this > certificate as follows i > > FIRST} The purpose and objects for which the corporation is formed > are to administer the affairs of the Beha'i Religion for the benefit of > the Baha'is of the City of Hew York in accordance with the religious > teachings and administratiTe principles of this Faith* > > SECOND: The name of the corporation is to be "The Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of the City of Hew York." > > THIBD: The territory in which its activities are principally to be > conducted is Hew York City and vicinity* > > FOURTH: The principal place of worship is to be located in the City > of New York, County of New York, State of Hew York, > > FIFTH: The number of trustees is to be nine. > > SIXTH: The names and places of residence of the persons to be trustees > until the first annual meeting are as follows: > > NAME PLACE OF RESIDENCE > > Ophelia Crum 101 West 55th Street, Hew York City > Horace Holley 125 East 10th Street, Hew York City > Bertha Herklotz 1810 Cortelyou Road, Brooklyn, N.Y. > Hooper Harris 162 West 15th Street, New York City > Julia Threlkeld 101 West 55th Street, New York City > -Lonlie A. Mathews 450 East 57th Street, New York City > Marie B. Moore 41 Convent Avenue, New York City > Marion Little 465 Park Avenue, Hew ~ork City* > Edward B, Kinney 204 West 55th Street, Hew York City > > SEVENTH: The time for holding its annual meeting is to be on the > twenty-first day of April in each year* > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 363 > > The first Beating was held on March 50,1952, at Baha'i Center, > 119 West 57th Street, New York City. > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We have made, signed and acknowledged this > certificate in triplicate. Dated this thirty-first day of llarch,1952. > > Before me on this thirty-first day of March, 1932, personally appeared > Horace Holley, Ophelid Crum, and Bertha Herklotz, who being by me severally > sworn did acknowledge that they had executed the written certificate of > incorporation* > > COMMISSIONER OP DEEDS. > NEW YORK CITY > "t York Co. Clerk'. N*. SO > New York Co. R|.*r' No 20 S 4 > 'ioA <*,!( Fb 2, 1934 > 364 THE BAHA'f WORLD > INC. > 4201 > OP^WORPORATION > > THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS > > OP THE CIR OF NEI YORK > > FEE PAID $. > > DatB MAR 3 11932 > County Clerfc > > By > Cashi^f. > > A1NOOO MHOA AA3N > W3l: > > oo :s W-K > > : > > oaoaooaa > > COPY ISSUED > i > Fee Paid/.. > > CountClerk, N, Y. Co. > By > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 365 > > VOL 8 M#129 > > w* > > THEODORE DAMMAKU > Fifteenth > April ,^ > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF KENOSHA > > dw^ti^^ > to enter into, make P perform and carry out contracts of every sort and > > "^^ > Jcind mith any person , firm^ association > > Loula . Voelg > *f > or corporation > public or private? to > take end hold property, both real and personal j whether acquired by gift, > > s9 ^ > > ^ .<-'&&*' ^op inv rpy ( > /^ > ^^ > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kenosha, > Wisconsin, U. S. A. > 3*6 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > 226193 VOL > > CERTIFICATE Of OflGANIZATIOM > > KNOW ALL ME* BY THEtf PKESEHT8I That we, the undersigned > > Genevieve Kraai, chairman, and Lou IS J, Voclf, secretary > > of the Spiritual Aaaenbly of the BahaMa of Ken 03 ha, do > > nereby certify that, at the annual tneeting of the member a > > of the Kenoaha Bah*'! Cozamnity, neld in the city of Ken- > > osha, county of Kenosha and atat- of Wisconsin, on the 81st > > day of April, A.D. 1936, for that purpose, the following > > peraona, namely, Louia J. Voelt, Iva Russell, Earl Parker, > > Grace Anderaon, William C. Schehd, O^r trade Collins, Carrie > > Gates, Genevieve Kraal and Theodore Lo rent ten were elected > > to be the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kenoaha, In > > accordance with the principles of the local Bahai admin- > > istration recognized and affirmed by the National Spiritual > > Assembly of the Baha'ifl of the United States 7id Canada, > with full power and authority, as the authorised represen- > > tative bod. of the JUnoaha Baha'l Coaaunity, to > supply proper legal status to their conduct of the affairs of this > > religious community by electing and establishing themselves > > and their successors In office a-i trustees to be > incorporated under the provisions of Section 167,05, Subsections > > (1*2) of the Wisconsin Statutes, and the acta amendatory > > thereof ana supplementary tnereto, and they ha?e so elected > > and declared tnenselves and their successors in office to > > be trustees for such purpose, and we do further declare and > > state, that* > > AftTICLS I > > the corporate name by which such trustees are to > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 367 > > be known ahull be th* SPIBITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BABA'XS OF > > KEflOSHA, and ita location ahell be in tbe city of Ktnoaha, > > county of Konoaha an* at*te of Wisconain. > > ARTIOE IX > > The trustees, nine in number, hereinabore mentioned > > shall hold their offieea until April 21ft JUP, 1957 or until > > their auccaaaora are duly elected and thereafter the dnly > > elected trustees snail hold their offieea for a term of one > > year from and after April SlatT of the year in which they are > elected or until their successors aha 11 haTe been doly elect* > > ed. > > AKTICLE III > > The purposes and objects for which it is deaired to > > incorporate the aid truatees aa aforesaid are declared to he > for the administration of the Faith of Baha > benefit of the Bah* 1 is of the city of KenosU* state of Wis- > > consin, according to the principles of feahs'l affiliation and > administration created and established by Baha f u f ll&h, defined > > and explained by tAbdu'l-Saha, end amplified and applied by > > Shoghi Effandi and his duly constituted successor and successors under the provision of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu 9 !* > > Baha. > > These purposes are to be realized by <&&ans of de?o~ > > tiooal meetings; by public meetings end conferences of aa > 368 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > -3. > > VOL 8 NKS133 > > educational, humanitarian and apiritual character j*by super* > > wising, unifying proaotinj and generally adninistering tht > > aotlvltlea and affairs of the Kenosha Baha'i Coaaunity; and > > by any other aeans appropriate to these ends or any of then. > > Further purposes and objects of this corporation > > shall bet > > 1. To enter Into, ma' e, perforo and carry out eon* > > tracts of every sort and kind with any person, fira, asso- > > ciation or corporation, public or pr irate; to take and hdld > > property, both real and personal* whether acquired by gift, > > grant, devise, bequest or purchase, and to sell, convey or > > otherwise dispose of the saae; to borrow aoney and to secure > > the payment of the saae by mortgage of its real and personal > > property or otherwise; and for the purpose of attaining or > > furthering any of its objects, to do any and all other acts > > and things, and to exercise any and all powers which a co- > > partnership or natural person could do and exercise, and > > which now or hereafter may be authorized by lav, which said > > business is to be carried on within the state of Wisconsin, > > and especially within the county of Kenosha in said state,' > > for the purposes of this incorporation In promoting relig- > > ious, charitable and educational works and no other, and it > > is expressly understood that no dividend or pecuniary pro- > > fits shall be declared or paid to the aaabers of this corp- > > oration. > > , To carry out all and thetmr the several purthe written utterances of > poses and objects sat forth in > > BahaVllah, Ubdu'1-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, under which > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 369 > > certain Jurisdiction, powers and righte art f ran ltd to loot! > > Spiritual Aaaenblies. > Generally to do all thine* And acts which in > > the Judgment of aaid truateef, I.e., the Spiritual Assembly > > of the Bahama of Kenosh*, are necessary, proper and advan- > > tageous to promote the complete and auccessfvl adcuiniatratlon of thia corporation* > > ARTICLE If > > The trustees, I.e., the Spiritual Assembly of the > > Baha'ia of Ktnoaha, shall adopt for the conduct of the affaira > > entrusted to them under this Incorporation, such by-laws, > > rules of procedure or regulations as fire required to define > > and carry on ita own loc.al functions, not Inconsistent with > > the terns of tnit certificate and not inconsistent with the > > Declaration of Tr-st, By-La we, rules of procedure or regula- > > tions of the national Spiritual Assembly of the Beha'is of the > > United States and Canada, tne paramount snd central adminis- > > trative eutnority in and for North America, and all in accord- > > ance with the explicit Instructions given to date by Shoghl > > Cffndi, Guardian oC the Faith of Beha'uUlsh which instructions are already known to the Behiti8 of Kenosha and accepted > > by them In the government and practice of their religious > affaira. > > ARTICLE Y > > The aeal of this corporation ahull be circular in > > form, bearing the following descriptions > 370 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > VOL 8 PACE 135 > > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kenosha* > > Incorporated, 1937. > > ARTICLE VI > > This Certificate of Organization may be amended > > by majority vote of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Kenosha at any special meeting called for that purpose, > > provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the date > > fixed for said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or > > amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the > > secretary* > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, as chairman and secretary > > respectively of the said Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls > > of Kenosha have hereunto set our hands nnd seals > > day of April, A.D. 1937* > > SIGNED yjLAA > > Chairman > > COUNTERSIGNED fr+c^ * /*& (SEAL ) > > Secret > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 371 > > vot 8 > BTAT OF WX0CONSH > coran or KDIOSHA > Personally cane before at thia //fJJTday > of Aprll^ A.D f 1937, the above named Genevieve Kraal, the > > Chairmen, and Louie J. Voeli, the Secretary of the Spiritual > > Aaieably of the Barte'is of Kenoaha, tne boJy above named, to > me known to be the ptraons ho executed th foregoing Instru- > > ment, and acknowledged the aae a a th,elr ct &nd deed* > > And the aald Qenevieve Kraal and Lou la J, VctU be* > ing by Be duly a worn, each for himaelf deposed and said that > > the aaid fonevleve Kr^at is the Clwirman and the said Louis > > J Voele ia the Secreury of the aald Spiritual Addeoiblr of > > tne Baha'ia of keuoanii, and that this certificate v&s execu- > > ted by ita authority. > > Circuit Court Cojcm\33lonr, > Ken os h* Countj, Wiaconsin* > > 8TATB Or WISCONSIN ) > ) 86 > COOHTt Or KEM06BA ) > > Oenevieve Krtai, Chair win, and Louis J, Voele, > > Secretary, being each first duly strorn, sevtraliy say: that > > they were the signers of the original Certificate of Organ- > > isation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of KenoshA, > > and that the fortgolng has been compared by then with the > > original Certificate of Organization, and that the same is a > > true copy of such original Certificate of Organization, and > > of the wnola thereof. > > Subscribed and sworn to > before ne* this 20th day > of April, A.D. 1937. > U/} > > Circuit Court Codiaa loner > Keaoaha County, Wisconsin* > 372 THE BAHA'l WORLD > > VOL > > 226172 226193 > > f > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 373 > > 3-6123 > TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COMEi > > I, THEODORE DAMMANN, Secretary of State of the State of > > Wisconsin, do hereby certify that on the 14th day of February, > A* D* 1938, Articles of Incorporation were filed In my office > > under the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 187.05 of the > > Wisconsin Statutes, which articles Provide: > > NAME* SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF RACINE > > LOCATION: Racine > > BUSINESS AND PURPOSES: to enter Into, make, perform and carry out > > contracts of every sort and kind with any person, firm, association or > > corporation, public or private, etc., > THEREFORE, the State of Wisconsin does hereby grant unto the > said' corporation tho powers and privileges conferred by the Wisconsin > > Statutes fbr the purposes above stated and in accordance with said > Articles. > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto > set my hand und affixed my official > > seal-, at the Capitol, In the City of > > Madison, this 14th day of February, > A. D. 1938. > > secretary of State. > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual > Assembly of the Bahi'is of Racine, > Wisconsin, U. S. A. > 374 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Racine, Wisconsin > > Certificate of Organisation > > Know all Men by these Presents: That we, the undersigned > Andrew J.ffelson, Chairman, and Harold R.Olson, Secretary of the > > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ie of Racine, Wis. do hereby > > certify that, at the annual meeting of the members of the Racine > Baha'i Community, held in the City of Racine, County of Racine > > and State of Wisconsin, on the 21st, day of April, A.D* 1937, > > for that purpose, the following per sons, namely, Andrew J. Kelson, > > Harold H.Olson, Carolyn Dary, Florence Hanson, Clara Leopold, > > Muriel Petereon, Adolph Hanson, Alfred Hanson and Hans P.Hanson, > were eleeted to be the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > > Raoine, in accordance with the principles of the local Baha'i > > administration recognized and affirmed by the National* Spiritual > > Assembly of the Baha'it of the United States and Canada, with full > > power and authority, at the authorised representative body of the > Hacine Baha'i Community, to supply proper legal statue to their > > conduct of the affaire of this religious community by electing > > and establishing themselves and their successors in office as > > Trustees to be incorporated under the provisions of Section 187,05, > > Subseetionsd & 2) of the Wisconsin Statutes, and the acts > amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, and they hare elected > and declared themselves and their successors in office to be > > Trustees for such purposs, and we do further declare and stats that > Article 1 > > The corporate name by which such Trustees are to be known shall > be the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ie of Racine, and its locatio > > shall be in the city of Racine, County of Racine, and State of > > Wisconsin > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 375 > > Article 2 > > the Trustees* nine in number, herein above mentioned shall hold their > > offices until April 21st, A. D. 1938 or until their successors are duly > > elected and thereafter the duly elected Trustees shall hold their > > officft for * term of one year from and after April 21st, of the year > > in which they are elected* or until their successors shall hare been > > duly elected* > Article 3 > > The purpose and objects for which it is desired to incorporate the > > said Trustees as aforesaid are declared to be for the administration > > of the Faith of Baha'u'llah for the benefit of the Baha'is of the > > city of Racine, State of Wisconsin, according to the principles of > > Bnha'i affiliation and administration created and established by > > baha'u'llah* defined and explained by 'Abdull-Baha, and amplified > > by Shogi Kffendi and his duly constituted successor and successors > > under the prorision of the fill and Testament of 9 > Abdu f i*aha. > > These purposes are to be realised by meant of devotional meetings) > > by publie meetings and conferences of an educational, humanitarian > > and spiritual character, by supervising* unifying, promoting and > > generally administering the activities and affairs of the) Racine > Baha'l Community; and by any other means appropriate to these end* > > or any of them. > > further purposes and objects of this corporation shall be: > > ! To enter into, make, perform and cary out contracts of every > > sort and kind with any person, fin* association or corporation, > public or private; to take and hold property, both real and personal, > > whether acquired by gift* grant, dcviec, bequest or purchase, and > > to sell, convey or otherwise dispoeo of the same; to borrow money > > and to socuro the payment of tho oftmt tor mortgage of ito real and > > person*! property or otherwise; and for tho purpose of attaining or > > furthering any of its objects, > 376 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > and all powers which a copartnership or natural person could > > do and exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized > > by law, which said business is to be carried on witnin the > > stats of Wisconsin, %nd especially within the county of Aacine > > in said state, for the purposes of this corporation in promoting > > religious, charitable and educational works and no other, and it > is expressly understood that no dividend or pecuniary profits > > shall be declared or paid to the members of this corporation. > > 2, to carry out all and whatever the several purposes and > > objects set forth in the written utterances of Baha'u'llah, > 'Abdu'lBaha and Shoghi Effendi, under which certain Jurisdic > tion, powers and rights are granted to locnl Spiritual Assemblies. > > 9. Generally to do all things and acts which in the > > Judgement of said Trustees, i.e. , the Spiritual Assembly of the > > Baha'is of Hacine, are necessary, proper and advantageous to > > promote the complete and successfull administration of this > > corporation* > > Article 4 > > Ths trustees, i.e., the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > > of Racine, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs entrusted > > to the* under this incorporation, such bylaws, rules of pro* > > cedure or regulations as are required to define and carry on > > its own local functions, not inconsistent with the Declaration > > ef T rue t,E)r< Laws. rules of procedure or regulations of the > > lational Spiritual Assembly of the Buhalie of the United States > > and Canada, the paramount and central administrative autho* > > rity in and for North America, and all in accordance with the > > explicit instructions given to date by Shoghi Eff end i, Guardian > Of the Faith of Baha'u'llah which instructions are already > > known to the Baha'is of Racine nd accepted by them in the > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 377 > > government and practice of their religious affairs* > Article 6 > The seal of this corporation shall be circular in form, > > bearing the following description: > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Racine. > > Incorporated, 1937* > Article > This Certificate of Organisation may be amended by > > majority rote of the Spiritual Aftscably of the Baha'is of > Racine at any special meeting called for that purpose* > > proTided that at least thirty (80) days prior to the date > fixed for said meeting a cow of the proposed amendment or > amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the > > secretary. > In Witness Whereof* we* as chairman and secretary > f > respectively of said Spiritual Assembly of the Baha is of > Racine hare hereunto set our hands and seals this 4th. > > day of February A.D. 1938* > > Signed, > > Countersigned > eoretary > 378 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > 8tato of Wisconsin ; > 1 88 > County of Raolao ) > > Personally eame before me this Fourth day > of February A.D. 193B, tho above named Androw J, Kelson, tho > > Chairman, and Harold H.Olsen, tho Secretary of tho Spiritual > > Aooombly of tho Baha'i. of Haeino, tho bod/ abort named, to mo > fcao*n to bo tho poroone who executed tho forgoing iaotruaoot* > > and aoknowlodgod tho oamo ao thoir aot and dood. > > And tho oaid And row J.Ioloon and Harold H.Oloon boing > > by m duly oworn.oaoh for hlaotlf dopoood and oaid that tho oaid > Androw J.Ioloon io tho Chairman and tho oaid Harold R.OIaoa io > > tho Socrotary of tho oaid Spiritual Aooorfly of tho aha 9 io of > > Baoino.and that thio oortificato wao oiuoutM^r ita? authority. > > Stato Of Wl.oon.in ) > my ** > Notary > "^** S.pt.lo.l939 > j > County of Raoino ) > > Androw J.Holton, Chairman, and Harold A.0laon,8oerotary > > bolag oaeh fir.t duly .woarn.o.Torally .ay: that thty voro tho > .ignoro of tho original Cortifioato of Orgoniiation of tho 8pi > > ritual Ao.ombly of tho Baha*i. of Kaoino. and that tho forogoing > > hao boon oomparod by thorn with tho original Cortifioato of Organ* > > i sat ion, and that tho oao it a truo copy of ouoh original > Cortifioato of Organ i i at ion, and of tho wholo thoroof* > > ubooribod and worn to > bofoM ^o thio 4th /Jay > > 8oerotary > re > r > rcy Co'6mis/B/on expires Sept. 10, 1939 > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 379 > > 429407 > > / > Register* Office > Racine County. Wit. > 380 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF > THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE > BAHA'IS OF DETROIT, > MICHIGAN, U.S.A. > (ECCLESIASTICAL CORPORATIONS) > > ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION > > We, the undersigned, desiring to become incorporated under the proriaiona of Act No. 327, P. A. 1931, do hereby > > mate, execute and adopt the following article* of association, to-wit : > > First, The name assumed by this corporation and by which it shall be known in law, is > > me. Spiritual, ASS^ City. oJT Detroit > > Second, Tht location of said church ahall be in the Qi tj of Detroit* county of > (City or Vill (Name of City or Village) > > Wayne -and state of Michigan; Post office address 201 E M ...Kirbj.. > > Third, The time for which said corporation ahall be created shall be > Unlimited. > > Fourth, The members of said church or sodety shall worship and labor together according to the discipline, rules > f > thJS&tLQml > and usaie of th ..... Spl r ltUfiJL_Aaa^njbl 7 Of the ^ > BfiOia.. ia....Qflnioli^, the United > > States of > A^Hca^romlime to time authorised and declared by the National Spiritual > > Fifth, (Here Insert any desired additional prorialons authorized by the Act). > > The. trustees of The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City > of _petroit may, in their corporate name, take and hold all property, > real and personal^ d? v isedj bequeathed, transferred or conveyed to > them for the use and benefit jpf jbhe s aid .Spiritual Assembly of.__the. > > Bajha'.is of the City of Detroit. _ > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 381 > > In Witness Whereof, we, the parties hereby associating for the purpose of glTing legal effect to these articles, he > > unto sign our names and places of residence: > > Michigan, this . > > aeA/v ?7- > > to me to be the persons nnrned in, who executed strument, and severally nrknowledped that > > they executed the same freely and for the intents and purposes therein mentioned. > > My Commfssioft Expfn^ Feb. 6, > 382 T H*E B AHA ' > I WORLD > > Form 3 -12-11-35 12M > > ORIGINAL > > (Eccledaatical Corporation) > > MICHIGAN > Articles of Association > > The Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the City of Detroit > > Under Art No. 327, Public Aeta, 1931 > > (Thia blank prepared by Michigan Corporation an* > Securities CommlMAon.) > > I FB 18 'S3? > > 1 $ 1937 > FRANK C.JORDAN > SECRETARY OF STATE > > State > > I, FRANK C. JORDAN, Secretary of State of the State of California, > Jo hereby certify that I have carefully compared the transcript, to which this > > certificate is attached, with the record on file in my office of which it purports > to be a copy, and that the same is a full, true and correct copy thereof. > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF, / have hereunto set my hand and have caused > > the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed hereto > > ?m MIMTIM ernci > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Los Angeles, > California, U. S. A. > > 384 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ENDORSED > FILED > In the office of the Secretary of State > of the State of California > > FEB 23 1938 > FRANK C. JORDAN > SECRETARY OF STATE > By CHAS. J. HAGERTY > Deputy > > Incorporation No. 171160. > Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of > Los Angeles, California. > To THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF CALIFORNIA: > THIS is TO CERTIFY that the undersigned are the Chairman and Secretary > respectively of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, > California, a corporation. > That on the 27th day of January, 1938, the Board of Trustees of said corporation held a special meeting of the Trustees of said corporation at Room 207 > Beaux Arts Building, Los Angeles, California, the place of business of said > corporation. That at said meeting the following Resolution to amend the > Articles of Incorporation of said corporation was duly and regularly adopted > by a majority vote of the Trustees of the corporation, nine being present and > voting therefor, the number of Trustees being nine: > > RESOLVED: That paragraph No. 2 of the Articles of Incorporation of > this corporation, be amended to read as follows: > "2. That the purpose and objects for which the corporation is formed > is to administer the affairs of the Baha'i religion, for the benefit of the > Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, State of California, in accordance > with the religious teachings and administrative purposes of this faith. > "That the following By-laws will be adopted by The Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles: > > "Article 1. > > "The Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, California, adopt this Corporation in order to supply proper legal status to their conduct of affairs > of a religious community which has had a continuous existence for > twenty-nine (29) years. During this period the community has been > recognized, encouraged and instructed in letters and communications > addressed to it by 'Abdu'1-Baha, the perfect Exemplar of the Baha'i > Faith. 'Abdu'1-Baha visited Los Angeles on October 18 and 19, 1912. > At 1 P.M., October 19, He visited the grave of Thornton Chase at > Inglewood Cemetery. That night He said to the friends: 'You must > celebrate yearly, annually, the day of his departure from this life* (September 30, 1912) 'and all of you on My behalf, may go and visit his > blessed tomb; and if possible spread a feast for the poor and give charity > to those who are deprived on that occasion.' Mr. Chase was the first > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 385 > > Baha'i in America. Since 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, in the year 1921, the > Baha'is of Los Angeles have been encouraged and instructed by Shoghi > Effendi, the first Guardian of the Bahd'i Faith and sacred head for life > of its Universal House of Justice. The Los Angeles Baha'i community > has been continuously and uninterruptedly represented by delegates in > the Annual Meetings held by the recognized national Baha'i body of > North America since the formation of that body in 1909. The Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of Los Angeles, California, is at present enroled > (sic) in the list of local Spiritual Assemblies recognized by the National > Spiritual Assembly. > "The Trustees, i. e., the Spiritual Assembly, recognize that this action > has been taken in full unanimity and agreement. They acknowledge for > themselves and on behalf of their successors the sacred meaning and > universal purpose of the Baha'i Faith, the teachings and principles of > which fulfil the divine promise of all former revealed religions. > > "Article 2. > > "In administering the affairs of the Baha'i Religion under this corporation for the benefit of the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles in accordance with the religious teachings and administrative principles of this > Faith, the Spiritual Assembly shall act in conformity with the functions > of a local SpiritualAssembly as defined in the By-laws adopted by the > National Spiritual Assembly and published by that body for the information and guidance of Baha'is throughout the United States and > Canada. > "Article 3. > > "The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its obligations and responsibilities under this corporation, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and > authority over all the local activities and affairs of the Baha'i community > of the City of Los Angeles, including paramount authority in the administration of this corporation. It shall be responsible for maintaining > the integrity and accuracy of all Baha'i teaching, whether written or > oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall make avail- > > able the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent the > community in its relations to the National Spiritual Assembly, in its > relations to the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, to other local Baha'i > communities, and to the general public in the City of Los Angeles. It > shall be charged with the recognition of all applicants requesting mem- > > bership in the local Baha'i community. It shall pass upon the right of > any and all members of the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the community. It > shall call the meetings of the community, including the Baha'i Anniversaries and Feasts, the meetings of consultation, the Annual Meeting > and the meeting for the election of delegates to the Annual Meeting > of the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall appoint and supervise > all committees of the Baha'i .community. It shall collect and disburse > > all funds intended for the maintenance of this corporation. It shall > have full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place of > the Baha'i community. It shall report to the National Spiritual > > Assembly annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the Baha'i > community, for the information and approval of the national Baha'i > body. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the authority > 386 THE BAHA'f WORLD > and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time > what activities and affairs of the Baha'i community of the City of Los > Angeles are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction of > the National Baha'i body. It shall likewise recognize the right of any > member of the community to appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly > for review and decision of any matter in which the previous decision > of the local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be contrary > to the explicit teachings of the Baha'i Faith or opposed to its best > interests. on the other hand, have the authority and right to > It shall, > > appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the Guardian of > the Baha'i Faith for review and final decision of any matter related to > the Faith in the City of Los Angeles. > > "Article 4. > > "The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this corporation, shall ever > bear in mind the ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i > Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual Assembly to its Baha'i > community, respecting the relations of Baha'is to one another in the > community, and the relationships of Baha'is to all non-Baha'is, without > prejudice of race, creed, class or nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and complete > unity throughout the Baha'i community, to relieve and comfort the > sick and distressed, to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the > > orphans, the crippled and the aged, to educate the children of Baha'is > according to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose > differencesand disagreements among members of the community, to > promulgate the principles of Divine Civilization revealed by Baha'u'llah, > and to promote in every way possible the Baha'i aim of the oneness of > mankind. It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general Baha'i > activities and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual > > Assembly. It shall co-operate wholeheartedly with other local Spiritual > Assemblies throughout North America in all matters declared by the > National Spiritual Assembly to be of general Baha'i importance and concern. It shall rigorously abstain from any action or influence, direct > or indirect, that savors of intervention on the part of a Baha'i body in > matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encourage intercourse between the Baha'i community of the City of Los Angeles and > other recognized Baha'i communities, issuing letters of introduction > to Baha'is traveling from Los Angeles and passing upon letters of > introduction issued by other Baha'i Assemblies. It shall regard its > > authority as a means of rendering service to Baha'is and non-Baha'is > and not as a source of arbitrary power. While retaining the sacred right > of final decision in all matters pertaining to the Baha'i community, the > Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all > members of the community, keep the community informed of all its > affairs, and invite full and free discussion on the part of the community > of all matters affecting the Faith. > > "Article 5. > > "The Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, for whose benefit this corporation has been established, shall consist of all persons resident in the City > of Los Angeles who are recognized by the Spiritual Assembly as having > fulfilled the requirements of voting membership in this local Baha'i > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 387 > > community. To become a voting member of this community a person > shall > > "(a) Be a resident of the City of Los Angeles as defined by the area > of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, as provided hereinafter in > this instrument. > > "(b) Have attained the age of 21 years. > "(c) Have established to the satisfaction of the Spiritual Assembly, > subject to the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, that he > (or she) possesses the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice required > under the following standard: Full recognition of the Station of the > Fore-runner (the Bab), the Author (Bahd'u'llah) , and 'Abdu'1-Baha > the Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and > submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by Them; loyal and steadfast > adherence to every clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will and Testament; > and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Baha'i administration throughout the world. > > "Article 6. > > "The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of nine Trustees chosen from > among the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, who shall be elected by > these Baha'is in a manner hereinafter provided and who shall continue > in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be > elected. > > "Article 7. > > 'The officers of the Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, > /ice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may > >e found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers > hall be electedby a majority vote of the entire membership of the > \ssembly taken by secret ballot. > > "Article 8. > > 'The first meeting of a newly-elected Assembly shall be called by the > member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in > case two or more members have received the same said highest number > of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those > members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman > shall be chosen.All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary > of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or > incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the > Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly > shall be held on April 21st, in accordance with the administrative > > principles recognized by all Baha'i Assemblies. > "Section 1. Five members of the Assembly present at a meeting shall > constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except > as otherwise provided by these By-Laws, and with due regard to the > > principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution > of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the Assembly > shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall have the > minutes adopted and approved by the Assembly, and preserve them in > the official records of the Assembly. > 388 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "Section Vacancies in the membership of the Spiritual Assembly > 2. > > by election at a special meeting of the local Baha'i comshall be filled > > munity duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event that > the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Spiritual > Assembly impossible, the election shall be under the supervision of the > National Spiritual Assembly. > > "Article 9. > > "The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, with respect to > residential qualification ofmembership, and voting rights of a believer > in the Baha'i community, be the locality included within the civil > shall > limits of the city of Los Angeles, but Baha'is who reside in adjacent, > > outlying or suburban districts and can regularly attend the meetings > of the local Baha'i community, may be enrolled on the membership > list of the Spiritual Assembly and enjoy full voting rights pending the > > establishment of a local Spiritual Assembly in their home community. > > "Article 10. > > "Section In the event that any decision of the Assembly is unac- > 1. > > ceptable to any member or members of the community, the Assembly > shall after endeavoring to compose the difference of opinion invite the > > sajd member or members to make appeal to the national Baha'i body > and notify that body of the condition of the matter and the readiness > of the Assembly to become party to the appeal. > "Section 2. In the same manner, if any difference arises between the > Assembly and another local Assembly, or Assemblies,>m North America, > the Assembly shall report the matter to the national Baha'i Body and > inform that body of its readiness to make joint appeal together with the > other Assembly or Assemblies. > "Section 3. If, however, the result of such appeal is unsatisfactory > to the Spiritual Assembly, or the Assembly at any time has reason to > believe that actions of the National Spiritual Assembly are affecting > adversely the welfare and unity of the Baha'i community of the City > of Los Angeles, it shall, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion > with the national body in direct consultation, have the right to make > appeal to the Guardian of the Faith. > "Section 4. The Assembly shall likewise have the right to make complaint to the National Spiritual Assembly in the event that matters of > local Baha'i concern and influence are referred to the national body by > a member or members of the local community without previous opportunity for action by the local Assembly. > > "Article 11. > > "The Annual Meeting of the Corporation at which its Trustees shall > be elected shall be held on April 21, at an hour and place to be fixed by > the Assembly, which shall give not less than fifteen days' notice of the > > meeting to all members of the local Baha'i community. > "Section The Assembly shall accept those votes transmitted to the > 1. > > Assembly before the election by members who by reason of sickness or > other unavoidable reason are unable to be present at the election in > person. > "Section 2. The election of members to the Spiritual Assembly shall > be by plurality vote. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 389 > > "Section 3. All voting members of the local Baha'i community are > > eligible for election as members of the Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 4. The Assembly shall prepare an agenda for the Annual > > Meeting in which shall be included reports of the activities of the > > Assembly since its election, a financial statement showing all income > and expenditure of its fund, reports of its committees and presentation > of any other matters pertaining to the affairs of the Baha'i community. > The Assembly both preceding and following the annual election, shall > invite discussion and welcome suggestions from the community, in > order that its plans may reflect the community mind and heart. > "Section 5. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual > Assembly to the National Assembly. > > "Article 12. > > "In addition to the Annual Meeting, the Assembly shall arrange for > regular meetings of the Baha'i community throughout the year at > intervals of nineteen days, in accordance with the calendar incorporated > in the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. > > "Article 13. > > "The Spiritual Assembly, on notice from the National Spiritual > Assembly, shall report the number of voting members in the local community, that the national Baha'i body may be duly informed of the > number of delegates to be assigned to the Baha'i community of the > City of Los Angefes in accordance with the principle of proportionate > representationcontrolling the annual election of members to the > National Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 1. When informed of the number of delegates assigned to > the local community, the Spiritual Assembly shall call a special meeting > of the community for the purpose of electing said number of delegates > to represent the community at the Annual Meeting of the National > Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 2. The election of delegates to the Annual Meeting of the > National Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote. > "Section 3. All voting members of the local Baha'i community are > eligible for election as delegates to the Annual Meeting of the National > Assembly. > "Section 4. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual > Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Spiritual Assembly > shall meet all the conditions laid down by the national Baha'i body for > the recognition of local Spiritual Assemblies and the participation of > local Baha'i communities in the annual election of the national Baha'i > > body. > "Article 14. > > "The seal of the corporation shall be circular in form, bearing the following description: The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i s of the City > of Los Angeles, California, Corporate Seal* > > "Article 15. > > "These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Spiritual > Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at > J90 THE BAHA'l WORLD > least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy > of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member > of the Assembly by the Secretary." > > AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That paragraph No. 4 of said Articles > of Incorporation be amended to read as follows: > "4. That the number of Trustees, that is, the Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, California, shall be nine, which > Trustees are to act in the capacity of Directors. > "That the names and residences of the Trustees who are to act in the > capacity of Trustees to serve until the selection of their successors, are > as follows: > > "Mrs. Rouan Carter 3930 Ingraham Street > "Mrs. Oni Finks 453 East Avenue 28 > "Mrs. Olive Dible 575 N. Vermont Ave. > "Charles R. Witt 860 South Norton Avenue > "Loren A. Whitmore 2509 Fifth Avenue > "Mrs. Sara Kenny 1941 North Serrano > "P. Windsor Howard 1532 Las Palmas Avenue > "Willard P. Hatch 3440 Wilshire Boulevard > "Hascle Cornbleth 3152 West llth Street > > "all in the City of Los Angeles, California." > > That on the same date a majority of the members of said corporation filed > with said Trustees a written consent, consenting to the adoption of the above > Resolution to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, as provided in the said Resolution of the Board of Trustees, a copy of which Consent > is as follows: > > Consent to Amendment of Articles and Adoption of Resolution > by the Trustees of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the City of Los Angeles, California. > > The undersigned, being a majority of the members of said corporation, and > of the voting power, hereby consent to, approve and adopt the amendment to > the Articles of Incorporation of said corporation, as follows: > > That paragraph No. 2 be amended to read as follows: > "2. That the purpose and objects for which the corporation is formed > is to administer the affairs of the Baha'i religion, for the benefit of the > Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, State of California, in accordance > with the religious teachings and administrative purposes of this faith. > > "That the following By-Laws will be adopted by The Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of the City of Lps Angeles: > > "Article 1. > > "The Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, California, adopt this Corporation in order to supply proper legal status to their conduct of affairs of a > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 391 > > religious community which has had a continuous existence for twentynine (29) years. During this period the community has been recognized, encouraged and instructed in letters and communications > addressed to it by 'Abdu'1-Baha, the perfect Exemplar of the Baha'i > Faith. 'Abdu'1-Baha visited Los Angeles on October 18 and 19, 1912. > At 1 P.M., October 19, He visited the grave of Thornton Chase at > Inglewood Cemetery. That night He said to the friends: 'You must > celebrate yearly, annually, the date of his departure from this life' > (September 30, 1912) 'and all of you on My > behalf, may go and visit > his blessed tomb; and if possible spread a feast for the poor and give > > charity to those who are deprived on that occasion.' Mr. Chase was the > firstBaha'i in America. Since 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, in the year 1921, > the Baha'is of Los Angeles have been encouraged and instructed by > Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and sacred head > for life of its Universal House of Justice. The Los Angeles Baha'i > community has been continuously and uninterruptedly represented by > delegates in the Annual Meetings held by the recognized national > Bahi'i body of North America since the formation of that body in > 1909. The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Los Angeles, California, > is at present enroled > (sic) in the list of local Spiritual Assemblies recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly. > "The Trustees, i. e., the Spiritual Assembly, recognize that this action > has been taken in full unanimity and agreement. They acknowledge > for themselves and on behalf of their successors the sacred meaning and > universal purpose of the Baha'i Faith, the teachings and principles of > which fulfil the divine promise of all former revealed religions. > > "Article 2. > > "In administering the affairs of the Baha'i Religion under this corporation for the benefit of the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles in accordance with the religious teachings and administrative principles of this > Faith, the Spiritual Assembly shall act in conformity with the functions > of a local Spiritual Assembly as defined in the By-laws adopted by the > National Spiritual Assembly and published by that body for the information and guidance of Baha'is throughout the United States and > Canada. > "Article 3. > > "The Assembly, in the fulfilment of its obligations and > Spiritual > under this corporation, shall have exclusive jurisdiction > responsibilities > and authority over all the local activities and affairs of the Baha'i > community of the City of Los Angeles, including paramount authority > in the administration of this corporation. It shall be responsible for > > maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all Baha'i teaching, whether > written or oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall > make available the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent > > the community in its relations to the National Spiritual Assembly, in > its relations to the Guardian of the Bah4'i Faith, to other local Baha'i > > communities, and to the general public in the City of Los Angeles. It > shall becharged with the recognition of all applicants requesting mem- > It shall pass upon the right > bership in the local Baha'i community. > of any and all members of the community whose membership is in > > question to retain their status as voting members of the community. > 392 THE BAHA'f WORLD > It shall call the meetings of the community, including the Baha'i Anniversaries and Feasts, the meetings of consultation, the Annual Meeting > and the meeting for the election of delegates to the Annual Meeting > of the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall appoint and supervise > all committees of the Baha'i community. It shall collect and disburse > all funds intended for the maintenance of this corporation. It shall > > have full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place > of the Baha'i community. It shall report to the National Spiritual > > Assembly annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the > Baha'i community, for the information and approval of the national > Baha'i body. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the > authority and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any > time what activities and affairs of the Baha'i community of the City > of Los Angeles are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction of the National Baha'i body. It shall likewise recognize the right > of any member of the community to appeal to the National Spiritual > Assembly for review and decision of any matter in which the previous > decision of the local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be > contrary to the explicit teachings of the Baha'i Faith or opposed to its > best interests. It shall, on the other hand, have the authority and right > to appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the Guardian > of the Baha'i Faith for review and final decision of any matter related > to the Faith in the City of Los Angeles. > > "Article 4. > > "The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this corporation, shall ever > bear inmind the ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i > Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual Assembly to its Baha'i > community, respecting the relations of Baha'is to one another in the > community, and the relationships of Baha'is to all non-Baha'is, without > prejudice of race, creed, class or nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and complete > unity throughout the Baha'i community, to relieve and comfort the sick > and distressed, to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, > the crippled and the aged, to educate the children of Baha'is according > to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose differences > and disagreements among members of the community, to promulgate > the principles of Divine Civilization revealed by Baha'u'llah, and to > promote in every way possible the Baha'i aim of the oneness of mankind. > It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general Baha'i activities > and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual Assembly. > It shall co-operate wholeheartedly with other local Spiritual Assemblies > > throughout North America in all matters declared by the National > Spiritual Assembly to be of general Baha'i importance and concern. > It shallrigorously abstain from any action or influence, direct or > indirect, that savors of intervention on the part of a Baha'i body in > matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encourage > intercourse between the Baha'i community of the City of Los Angeles > and other recognized Baha'i communities, issuing letters of introduction > to Baha'is traveling from Los Angeles and passing upon letters of introduction issued by other Baha'i Assemblies. It shall regard its authority > as a means of rendering service to Baha'is and non-Baha'is and not as a > source of arbitrary power. While retaining the sacred right of final > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 393 > > decision in all matters pertaining to the Baha'i community, the Spiritual > > Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all members > of the community, keep the community informed of all its affairs, and > invite full and free discussion on the part of the community of all > matters affecting the Faith. > > "Article 5. > > "The Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, for whose benefit this corporation has been established, shall consist of all persons resident in the City > of Los Angeles who are recognized by the Spiritual Assembly as having > fulfilled the requirements of voting membership in this local Baha'i > community. To become a voting member of this community a person > shall > > "(a) Be a resident of the City of Los Angeles as defined by the area of > jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, as provided hereinafter in this > instrument. > "(b) Have attained the age of 21 years. > "(c) Have established to the satisfaction of the Spiritual Assembly, > subject to the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, that he (or > she) possesses the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice required > under the following standard: Full recognition of the Station of the > Fore-runner (the Bab), the Author (Baha'u'llah), and 'Abdu'1-Baha > the Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and > submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by Them; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will and Testa- > > ment; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Baha'i > administration throughout the world. > > "Article 6. > > "The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of nine Trustees chosen from > among the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, who shall be elected > by these Baha'is in a manner hereinafter provided and who shall continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall > be elected. > "Article 7. > > "The officers of the Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, > Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may > be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers > shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the > Assembly taken by secret ballot. > > "Article 8. > > "The first meeting of a newly-elected Assembly shall be called by the > member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in > case two or more members have received the same said highest number > of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall > be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of > the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or > incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the > Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly > 394 THE BAHA'f WORLD > shall be held on April 21st, in accordance with the administrative principles recognized by all Baha'i Assemblies. > "Section 1. Five members of the Assembly present at a meeting shall > constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except > as otherwise provided by these By-Laws, and with due regard to the > principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of > a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the Assembly > shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall have the > minutes adopted and approved by the Assembly, and preserve them in > the official records of the Assembly. > "Section 2. Vacancies in the membership of the Spiritual Assembly > shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Baha'i com- > > munity duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event > that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the > > Spiritual Assembly impossible, the election shall be under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly. > > "Article 9. > > "The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, with respect to > residential qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer > in the Baha'i community, shall be the locality included within the civil > limits of the city of Los Angeles, but Baha'is who reside in adjacent, > > outlying or suburban districts and can regularly attend the meetings > of the local Baha'i community, may be enrolled on the membership list > of the Spiritual Assembly and enjoy full voting rights pending the establishment of a local Spiritual Assembly in their home community. > > "Article 10. > > "Section 1. In the event that any decision of the Assembly is unacceptable to any member or members of the community, the Assembly > shall after endeavoring to compose the difference of opinion invite the > said member or members to make appeal to the national Baha'i body and > notify that body of the condition of the matter and the readiness of > the Assembly to become party to the appeal. > "Section 2. In the same manner, if any difference arises between the > Assembly and another local Assembly, or Assemblies, in North America, > the Assembly shall report the matter to the national Baha'i body and > inform that body of its readiness to make joint appeal together with the > other Assembly or Assemblies. > "Section 3. If, however, the result of such appeal is unsatisfactory > to the Spiritual Assembly, or the Assembly at any time has reason to > believe that actions of the National Spiritual Assembly are affecting > adversely the welfare and unity of the Baha'i community of the City > of Los Angeles, it shall, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion > with the national body in direct consultation, have the right to make > appeal to the Guardian of the Faith. > "Section 4. The Assembly shall likewise have the right to make complaint to the National Spiritual Assembly in the event that matters of > local Baha'i concern and influence are referred to the national body by > a member or members of the local community without previous oppor- > > tunity for action by the local Assembly. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 395 > > "Article 11. > > "The Annual Meeting of the Corporation at which its Trustees shall be > elected shall be heldon April 21, at an hour and place to be fixed by > the Assembly, which shall give not less than fifteen days' notice of the > meeting to all members of the local Baha'i community. > "Section 1. The Assembly shall accept those votes transmitted to the > Assembly before the election by members who by reason of sickness or > other unavoidable reason are unable to be present at the election in > person. > "Section 2. The election of members to the Spiritual Assembly shall > be by plurality vote. > "Section 3. All voting members of the local Baha'i community are > eligible for election as members of the Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 4. The Assembly shall prepare an agenda for the Annual > Meeting in which shall be included reports of the activities of the > Assembly since its election, a financial statement showing all income and > expenditure of its fund, reports of its committees and presentation of > any other matters pertaining to the affairs of the Baha'i community. > The Assembly both preceding and following the annual election, shall > invite discussion and welcome suggestions from the community, in order > that its plans may reflect the community mind and heart. > "Section 5. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual > Assembly to the National Assembly. > > "Article 12. > > "In addition to the Annual Meeting, the Assembly shall arrange for > regular meetings of the Baha'i community throughout the year at intervals of nineteen days, in accordance with the calendar incorporated in > the teachings of the Baha'i Faith. > > "Article 13. > > "The Spiritual Assembly, on notice from the National Spiritual > Assembly, report the number of voting members in the local > shall > > community, that the national Baha'i body may be duly informed of the > number of delegates to be assigned to the Baha'i community of the City > of Los Angeles in accordance with the principle of proportionate representation controlling the annual election of members to the National > Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 1. When informed of the number of delegates assigned to > the local community, the Spiritual Assembly shall call a special meeting > of the community for the purpose of electing said number of delegates > to represent the community at the Annual Meeting of the National > > Spiritual Assembly. > "Section 2. The election of delegates to the Annual Meeting of the > National Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote. > "Section 3. All voting members of the local Bahi'i community are > > eligible for election as delegates to the Annual Meeting of the National > Assembly. > "Section 4. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual > Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Spiritual Assembly > shall meet all the conditions laid down by the national Bahd'i body for > the recognition of local Spiritual Assemblies and the participation of > 396 THE BAHA'l WORLD > local Baha'i communities in the annual election of the national Baha'i > body. > "Article 14. > > "The seal of the corporation shall be circular in form, bearing the following description: The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i s of the City > of Los Angeles, California, Corporate Seal. > > "Article 15. > > "These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of The Spiritual > Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at > least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy > of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member > of the Assembly by the Secretary." > > AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That paragraph No. 4 of said Articles > of Incorporation be amended to read as follows: > "4. That the number of Trustees, that is, the Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, California, shall be nine, which > Trustees are to act in the capacity of Directors. > "That the names and residences of the Trustees who are to act in the > capacity of Trustees to serve until the selection of their successors, are > as follows: > > "Mrs. Rouan Carter 3930 Ingraham Street > "Mrs. Oni Finks 453 East Avenue 28 > "Mrs. Olive Dible 575 N. Vermont Ave. > "Charles R. Witt 860 South Norton Avenue > "Loren A. Whitmore 2509 Fifth Avenue > "Mrs. Sara Kenny 1941 North Serrano > "P. Windsor Howard 1532 Las Palmas Avenue > "Willard P. Hatch 3440 Wilshire Boulevard > "Hascle Cornbleth 3152 West llth Street > > "all in the City of Los Angeles, California." > > Dated: January 27th, 1938. ROUAN ELLA CARTER > ONI A. FINKS > CHARLES R. WITT > OLIVE B. DIBLE MARGARET CAMPBELL > WILLARD P. HATCH SARA M. KENNY > HASCLE CORNBLETH LORIN A. WHITMORE > That there are nine members of said corporation; that a majority, to- wit, > all of the members, said nine being a majority of the voting power of the > corporation, signed and filed with said corporation the written consent above > set forth. That nine members are all that are entitled to vote on or consent > to the adoption of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation. > That the proceedings to amend the Articles were taken under Subdivision > 2, of Section 362-a of the Civil Code of the State of California. > > Dated: January 27th, 1938. ROUAN ELLA CARTER, > Chairman. > ONI A. FINKS, > Secretary. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 397 > > STATE OF CALIFORNIA, T > > Us > COUNTY OF Los ANGELES, j > Rouan Ella Carter and Oni A. Finks, each being first duly sworn, deposes > and says: That she is the Chairman, and she is the Secretary, respectively of > The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of Los Angeles, California; > and each for herself says that she has read the foregoing Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of said corporation, and knows the contents > thereof, and that the same is true of her own knowledge. > ROUAN ELLA CARTER. > ONI A. FINKS. > Subscribed and sworn to before me > this 29th day of January, 1938. > RUTH B, ALTIZER, > Notary Public in and for the said > Los Angeles County, State of California. (SEAL) > 398 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > United States of America > > State of Wisconsin '" > I* > Dnr.tofS*te } > > To ALL To WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETINGS: > > I, THEODORE DAMMANN, Secretary of State of the State of > > Wisconsin, do hereby certify that on the llth day of March. A. D > 1938, Articles of Incorporation were filed In my office under > the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 18705 of the > Wisconsin Statutes, which articles provide: > > NAME: SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF MILWAtJKEE > > LOCATION: Milwaukee > BUSINESS AND PURPOSES t to enter into, make, perform and carry > > out contracts of every sort and kind with any peraon r flrm f ^assoclatio > > or corporation, public or private; to take and hold property both rea > and personal, whether acquired by gift, grant, devise, bequest or > > purchase, and to sell, convey or otherwise dlspoaa of the same, etc., > > THEREFORE, the State of Wisconsin does hereby grant unto the > aald corporation the powers and privileges conferred by the Wisconsin > > Statutes for the purposes above stated and in accordance with said > > Articles* > > In Witness Whereof 9 I have hereunto > > set my hand and affixed my official seal, > > at the Capitol, in the City of Madison, > > this llth day of March, A. D. 1953.. > > Secretary o > > Certificate of Incorporation of the SpiritualAssembly of the Baha'is of Milwauke > Wisconsin, U. S. A. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 399 > > CERTXFXCA1& OP OROAHXZATIQH > > KNOW ALL MS BY THBSB PRESENTS: That we, the undcrelgncd Clarence > > F. suhm, chairman, mad Claire Irlokt, eeoretary of the Spiritual > > Assembly of the Baha'ia of Milwaukee, do hereby certify that, at > > the annual meeting of the membera of the Milwaukee Beha'i Community, > > held in the city of Milwaukee, oouaty of Milwaukee and etate of > > Wieoonain, on the 21et day of April, A.D. 1937, for that purpoee, > > the following peraona, namely Clarence P Suta, Charlee H. Beiaer, > > Claire Frioke, Harold 0. Sohiller, Jeanette A. Clark, Beula B. Brown, > > Dr. Jaaee W* Lewie, Dr. Maloolm M. Zinc and Herbert R. Suh were > > elected to be the Spiritual AaaaBlly of the Baha'ia of Milwauloie, > f > in acoordaooe with the principle* of tha local Baha i adminietraticn > > reoofnised and affirmed by tha national Spiritual Aaaeatly of the > > Baha'ia of the United Statea and Canada, with full power and > > authority, ae the authorised repreeentatire body of the Milwaukee > > Bah* ! Coranity, to aupply proper legal atatua to their conduct > > of the affaire of thia religloua community by electing and eetab* > > liehing theme elrce and their eucoeeeore ia Of floe aa truateea to > > be inoorporated under the profiaiona of Seotion 187*06, Subeeotione > > (1 * 2) of the Wiaoonain Statutes, and the aota amendatory thereof > > and aupplementary thereto, and they hare ao elected and declared > > theaaelrea and their auoceeaora in office to be truateea for auoh > > purpoee, and we do further declare and etate, that, > > AB7ICLB X > > The corporate name by which euob truateea art to be known > > ahall be the SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OP TUB BAHA IS OF MXLWAUOB, and > > italocatlon ahall be in the city of Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee > > and at ate of Wieoonain* > 400 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > mirrxui > > ffho traatooo. aiao la aator 9 koroiaakoro aoatloaoA ahall > > kold tkoir offioo maUl April Slat A.D. 19M or amtil tkoir > ouooooooro ara daly alootod and tkaroaftor tko Aaly olaoto* > > traotooo akall holt tkoir offiooo for a ton of ono jroar from MA > > ftor April Slot of tho joar la whioH tho/ art olootot or aatil > > thoir taooooooro *all baro kooa duly oloolod. > > ARf ICLI III > > Ho yarfoooa aM okjooto for vhiok 1% lo dMirod to laoor* > yorato tko oaid traotooo ao aforooaid aro took rot to o ftr tho > > ataiaiotratloa of tho raitk of Mha 9 a v Uah for tho koaafit of tho > > Baka9 io of tho Oily of Milwtakoo, Stato of tioooaau* aooortiaf > > to tko triaoiploo of Saka 1 ! aff iliatioa and adalaiatratioa oroatoA > > aad oatallioktt ky Baka 9 a l llak t Aofiaoi and oxlaiaot *T UMm !* > > laka t aad tap 11 f ltd ana atpliod ky Skogki Iffoaii and kit Aaly > > ooaotitatod taoooooor aad oaoooaooro aador no proriiioa of tko > > Will and footawat of 9 Akda f l-laka > > Tkooo parpoooo aro to ko roalitod ky aoaM of AoTOtioaal > > ootiaTfot ky paklio aootiafo aad oonfortnoot of aa o*aoatioaal t > kaaaaitariaa and opiritaal okaraotor; ky aporrioiaf 9 aaifyiai, > > proaotiat aad itaorally adMaiatoriae tko aotiTitioo aad affairf > of tko Mllwgaktt lafca'i Ooaaanity; and ky any otkor Maao appro* > > priato to tkooo oado or aay of tkta, > > fartkor pmrpooto and okjooto of tkio oorporatioa okall kos > > ! fo onttr iato t aako t porfora aad oarry oat oontraoto of > > OTtry oort aad kind with any porooa, firm, aotooiitioa or cor- > > poration, pmklio or priratt; to tako and hold proporty t kotk roal > > and poraoaa! 9 vhottor aotalrod k; lift, grant. AoTioo. kofuaot or > > parohaot 9 and to ooll t aonray or otharwioa diopota of tho oaao; > > to korrow aonoy aad to aaouro tho payaoat of tho oaaa by > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 401 > > of its reel and peraonal property or otherwise; and for > > purpose of attaining or furthering any of its object*, to do any > > and all otter mots and things, and to exercise any and all powers > > whioh a copartnership or natural person oould do and exercise, > > and whioh now or hereafter flu? ba authoriitd by law, whioh iaid > > business ia to be oarritd on within the atate of tfieoonsltt, and > > eapeoially within the oounty of Milwaukee in laid atate, for the > > purposes of this incorporation in promoting religious, oharitable > and eduoational works and no other, and it is expressly understood > > that no diridend or pecuniary profits shall be declared or paid to > > the members of this corporation. > > To carry out all and what ere r the sereral purposes and > > ob J sots sst forth in the written uttersaoes of Baha'u'llah, > > 'AMu'l-Baha and Shoghi Bfftadi, under* Horn oertaia Jurisdiction, > > powers and rights are granted to losal Spiritual Assemblies. > 3. Generally to do all things and acts whioh in the Judg- > > ment of said trustees, i.e., the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > > of Milwaukee, are necessary, proper and adrantagsous to promots the > > complete and suooessful administration of this corporation, > ARTICLE IV > > The trustees, i. e., the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > > of Milwaukee, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs entrusted > > to them under this incorporation, such By-Laws, rulss of procedure > > or regulstions as are required to define and oarry on its own > > looal functions, not inconsistent with the terms of this certif- > > icate and not inconsistent with the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, > > rules of procedure or regulations of the National Spiritual > > Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, the para* > > mount and oentral administrates authority in and for Berth America, > 402 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > and all in aooordanoe with the explicit instruction given to > > date by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith of Baha'u 1 Hah, > > which instructions are already known to the Baha'ia of > > Milwaukee and accepted by them in the government and practice > > of their religious affairs. > > ARTICLE V > The seal of this corporation shall be circular in form f > > bearing the following description: > > Spiritual Assembly of the Bate 'is of Milwaukee, > > Incorporated, 1938. > > ARTICLE VI > > This Certificate of Organization may be amended by majority > > vote of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Milv aukee at any > > special meeting called for that purpose* provided that at least > > thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting a copy > > of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member > > of the Assembly by the secretary. > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, as chairman and secretary > > respectively of the said Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Milwaukee have hereunto set our hands sad seals this fourteenth > > dey of February, 1938 . > > SIGNED Clarence P Suhm . ( SEAL) > Chairmen > > COUNTERSIGNED Claire Frioke. ( SEAL) > Secretary > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 403 > > STATS OP WISCONSIN ) > > ) SS > COUNTY 0? MILWAUKEE ) > > Personally came before me this > > day of March, 1938 the above named Clarence P. Suhm f the > > Chairman, and Claire Frioke, the Secretary of the Spiritual > > Assembly of the Beha'ia of Milwaukee, the body above named, to me > known to be the persons who executed the foregoing instrument, and > > acknowledged the aame as their act and deed. > And the aaid Clarence P. Suhm, and Claire Prioke being bfr me > > duly sworn, each for niraaelf deposed and aaid that the said > Clarence P. Suhm is the Chairman and the aaid Claire Pricke is the > > Secretary of the said Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Milwaukee, > and that this certificate was executed by its authority* > > ( Signed) Geo* J. Graebner > Circuit ^ourt Commissioner > Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. > > STATE OP WISCONSIN ) > > ) ss > COUNTY OP MILWAUKEE ) > > Clarence F. Suhm t Chairman, and Claire Pricke, Secretary, > > being eaoh first duly sworn, severally aay: that they were the > > signers of the original Certificate of Organization of the > > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Milwaukee, and that the fore > > going has been compared by them with the original Certificate of > > Organization, and tha< the same la a true copy of such original > Certificate of Organization, and of the whote thereof. > > chairman > Subscribed and swo, > befo re > > secretary > t Qfemmissioner, > uw, > 404 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > THE_SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 0? THC BAH/. 'IS OF C1EVELALD, OHIO. > The undersigned, a majority of whom are citizens of the United States, desiring to form a corporation, not for profit, under the > General Corporation Act of Ohio, do hereby certify. > > FIRST. The name of said corporation shall bt^?|g,^ > > SECOND. The place in this State where the principal office of the corporation is to be located is . > > __ > Cleveland _ Cuyahoga County. > > THIRD. The purpose or purposes for which said corporation is formed are: > > This Corporation is organized for religious purposes and ito particular business > and objects ara to promote the teachings of the Baha'i Religion and to odriini^tor > its affairs in accordance with the religious teichings and administrrtive principles > of this Faith, including the maintenance of u place or places of worship. > > FOURTH. The following persons shall serve said corporation as trustees until the first annual meeting or other meeting called > to elect trustee*. Dale C. Cole 3174 Corydon Road > Katherine Cole 3174 Corydon Road > Addie T. Wilier Central Y-A-C-A > Louise Smith 1315 Oaceolti Ave. > Marion Potter Hsthav/ay-3ro\/n Dormitory > Mabel Perry 10606 Earlo Ave. > Alice Doolittle 2111 Karlindalo Rd . , > C.K. > Mery Elmore ^325 Boat ybth-lit. > Mayrae Jackson 500 Eest llOth-bt. > > IN WITNESS WHEREOF. We have hereunto subscribed our names, this 1 ?5 h A PJ X1 > day of .. > Alice I. Doolittle > Marion Potter > E. Louise Gn.ith > /Catherine P. Cole > Dale G. Cole > Mayme Jackson > Mnbel Perry > THE STATE OF OHIO. COUNFY OF. Mary J. Llmore > Addie T. Miller > Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, in and for said county, this l$tb _ day of > > ___ . > April . l9gJ3L the above named JPla,.S.;^ejffa^ > . . > > Karion Potter; M .bel Perry; Alice Doolittle > ^ who each severally acknowledged the signing of the foregoing > articles of incorporation to be his free act and deed, for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. > WITNESS my hand and official seal on the day and year last aforesaid > Alexander H. Martin > > United States of America ) > STATfc OF OHIO < > s I. tClliiam J. Krtmrfty, Secretary of State, of the State of Ohio. > Office of the Secretary of Stale ) do hereby certify that the foregoing is an exemplified copy, carefully compared by me with > the original record now in my official custody as Secretary of State, and found to be true and > > correct, of the Articles of Incorporation of ^.^.-.-.-.-.-.^-_-^.-.^.^J^^-,. w.-.-.-.- ^ .-.-.-.-^.-.-__ > > THE 2PIRI TUAL *SS KMBLY _0.y _'RT flAHA IS OF CLjSyiXAjiP , QUIC > . > ' > . > > on the., 13th June > oune 38 and > filed in this office day of . . 19. ?. > recorded in Volume ^55 .Page "^ , O f the Records of Incorporations > > WITNESS my hand and official seal at > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Cleveland, Ohio, U. S. A. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 405 > > Of > > THE smiTU/U, ASSEMBLY Of tKE BAHA'XS Of > > MINHESOT* > > We f the undarsifinedf for the purpose of f onaine a corporation under > > and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter flftyei0ht (58) General Statute 1923* > > and laws aoendatoiy thereof and supplementary there to t do ha re toy associate > > oureolTes together ae a bo4y corporate, and adopt tho following Certificate > > of Incorporation > > ARTICLE 1 > > The mwe of thie Corporation ehall be Bffi flpifl ITU/a AS3EHBUT 0? THE > > BAJUf 13 OP UlNNE/KPQL13 t ttCniUSOTi* > > The prinolpal place of Busluene of thie corporation ehall be In the > > City of Minnoapoliot County of Hennepii&t State of Uinneeota* > > The general nature of ite ousinoea and iurpoeee ehall be to expound* > > exemplify, proauljate uiid proaote the religious dootrines, tenets and precepts > > of BahA9 u f llah > > To buy i oim* hold, lease f oortcac* ajid reoeire by gift or Asvise 9 real > > estate or personal property neoeosary to carry on the businees and purposes > > of the corporation* > > Its plan of operation le us follotfti To hold regular neeftn^s At such > > tiiass AS nay be desisted ly the ^se^bly* > > That ouch Assembly slkdl oo^iot of nine (9) i*mbrs of lawful ego* who > > are acceptable us ouch iiuubers acconlinc to tlie low and reflations of the Mia*i > > Adligion* Die conduct of (his KsseeaUly shall be governed in accordance with the > > udminictrative princiflso as fully set forth in tho ty-lm of this Assembly* > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > > Minneapolis, Minnesota, U. S. A. > 40* THE BAHA'f WORLD > > AKIICLE a > Tha tln for the ottMnownt of this corporation hi ill bo .ty M ?\*$ > T > > and the period of its duration shall bo thirty yonro > > ARTICU: in > > ft* mtt>a and .olaooa of reaideaoe of tho ptraonfl forminc this corporation are) > > Hcnoa Roeidenct > > Mra. H. W. feint 24 W Grant Minneapolis Minn > > Dr. C, 8 ?riiik 24 v; Grant Minneapolis Minn > > Mrs, Luolllifiatea ^038 H ho r idem ATO So* Minneapolis Minn. > > 24r John Batoa ^038 choridui Ave* So, Minneapolis Minn > > Xra. B* Uoran 34^0 aUabury Hto Minneapolis Minn > Kauicab it, A JfeoCutoiaon 2511 Hennopin Are* Minneapolis Minn > > ifra* Agnai .ted 5 West 33*d Minneapolis Minn > > Fritzi L. Steinnoti 1426 La 3alle Are. Minneapolis Minn > > Elaa H. steiruaeta 1425 La S&llt ATt t Minneapolis Minn > > ARTICLE IV > > .. Tto mana^aont 01* thla oorporatiou shall bo voatod iu a Board of Truatoof > > coposod of nine members t The naraoo and addroosea of tho First Board Of TTUitOOi > > aro as foliar i > > Hnea Hoaidonoo > > T3 H. % Frdnk 24 W. Grant Minneapolis Minn > > Dr. C f s. Prink 24 W. Grant Minneapolis Minn > > Mrs* Lucillo Bates 2038 Sheridan ATO 9o Minneapolis Minn > > Mr John Batea 2038 Shoridan ATOt 9o Minneapolis Minn > > Mrs. B. Morgan 3420 Hllabury Ate. Minneapolis *inn > > Kaukab H, A IHMCutQhoon 2511 Hennopin A?o Minneapolis Minn > > Mr a. Agma Mead 5 tfoat 03rd Minneapolis Minn > > Fritzi L Stolnmetis 1425 La Salla Are, Minneapolis Minn > > Blaa H. dteinmeta 1426 Salle Ato. > Minneapolis M lnn > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 407 > > fho first officers of thia corporation shall ba > > Chalrnan Slsa H. St*ino*ts fioa chairo&n jfrs. B. Uorgan > > Soorotary lire* H. ! friak Treasuror Jritai U Stainaata > AU tho abovo nanad off ioara aud truatoaa shall bold thair raopootito office > aforoaald until tho f Irot anzual iaaoting of th* Corporation to bo hold on tha > > aist day of April 1996 at whioh tiao and anmally tteroaf tor a Board of > > Trust seo shall bo olootod fron and ty Uio 0boro of tho oorporatloiu fho > > anziaal aootlnc of this corporation shall bo hold at its prlnoipal plaoo of > > ntetti*^ on tho aist day of ^pril aaoh year. Xnodiataly aftor tha olootion > > of tho 7ruitooi 9 or aa soon thoroaftor as praotioablo 9 tho trustsos ahaU iot > > and oloot from thoir muabor t a ohainaan and Tioo ohalrmaa^ ooorotary and > > trsasurtr, AQy off ioo oxoopt tnat of ohainaan and vioo-ohainaia aay bo hold > > by ono person. n trustees and offiooro of this Corporation shall hold t)i* > > rospootifo offioos until their auooooaoro hatro been duly olootod art ontorod > > upon tho diaohargs of their dutioa* > > Tho first rooting of tha zaanbora aid Board of frusta* shall bo hold on > > tho 21st day of jrll 1938 at 8il5 o'oloolu > > AR2ICJLE Y > > Tho taxoa of onmbarship in this oorporation ahall bo for ouo > yoar or > > until suoooaaora ara olootod and qualiriod aa providod > by tha bylmai* > > fhia oorporation shall hare no > oafital otook and ahall not bo oonduotad > > for joooniary profit* > > AOTICLE TI > > ?no hlghoat anount of indobtodnaao or > liability to nhioh thia oorporatiom > ahall at aigr tiiaa bo autjoot ahall bo tho fu of *tW%9PP.Il.. > > In ?oatlflwy Wharoof . Wo Kara haronnto sot > our handa thia > " * *^ > *.WW. day of > > to to AMMO, of, > 408 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > Minneapolis Baha'i Community, 1938. > > State of Minnesota > > County of Hexmepin > > On this .fcOtb day of April 1938, personally appeared btfore m* > Irs.H.W.Frlnk, Dr. C.S.Frink, Mr*?. John Bates. Mrs, Lad lie Bates. > fTO. "B-_ UnT^ort . YoYftlraVt U. A If A*n** + ,Ml m. A IMJ. ^^_^_ %^^ ^ ^ ^M_iA._i v > f > > 8teiamets 9 lsa > to zae known to bt th persons nttood in and who aaojoatod the foregoing > > of Incorporation and oaoh aoJcnowledgsd that he eaosouted > > earn as his free aot and deed, and for the uses and > purposes > > expressed. > > .-' > > Hotary Public, Hennepln q > ^ > expires > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 409 > > 1 926629 > > ARTICLES OF > INCORPORATION OF > > THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF > THE"~BAHA'IS OF > A - 1 .25 > > OFRCE OF REGISTER OF DEEDS > STATk OF MINNESOTA > COUNTY Of HtNN6*N > / 6r*4/ certify > tt*4 for > f.t > *'*!ock/ *., and wat > 36 V ^ > 410 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Certificate of tteaistration of Societies, > > ACT XXI OF I860. > > No. 727 Of 1934. 1035. > > 1 hereby certify tr.ot me > of the Baha'is of th* > > CLlt* aC__ - - > Bombay > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of Bombay, India. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 411 > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of > the Baha'is of Poona, India. > 412 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > .^V^/^i^ l > > ^^V^v(^ V>V^' ^>^/'vV^>4^'^ > l l > > ;i > > ^f;^ :;;:^;|%;^i!^ > > ; > > Vt*''w th^'X^ailWCBlJiw-.^ M:.:^.,,^.^^!^,.^^ 1S84.' ".:;;-;, > > ,,:'",; , > > , > > ; > > " > ''-' > ; > ' ';!'' > /^VlKwiiili^^ > > '11^^ > > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > > Adelaide, Australia. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 413 > > 350407 > V16 d States Of ; > > To All To Whom These PRESENTS Shall Come: > > THIS iS tO Certify That by the records of the UNITED STATES > PATENT OFFICE it > appears that NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE > BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, of New York, N. Y., > a CGirtmon-law corporation, > > did, on the 7th day of April, 1937 , duly file in said > Office an application for REGISTRATION of a certain > > TRADE-MARK > shown in the drawing for the goods specified in the statement, copies of which > drawing and statement are hereto annexed, and duly complied with the requirements of the law in such case made and provided, and with the regulations prescribed by the COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS. > And, upon due examination, it appearing that the said applicant is entitled > to have said TRADE-MARK registered under the law, the said TRADE-MARK > > has been duly REGISTERED this day in the UNITED STATES PATENT > OFFICE, to > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United > States and Canada, its successors or assigns. > certificate shall remain in force for TWENTY YEARS, unless sooner > ated by law. > In Testimony Whereof 1 have hereunto set my hand > and caused the seal of the PATENT OFFICE to be affixed, at > the city of Washington, this twenty-eighth day of September, > in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirtyand of the independence of the United States the one > f seven, > ~ > hundred and sixty-second > > ATTEST: Commissioner of Patents. > > Law Examiner. > > Trade-Mark Certificate, obtained from the United States Government, covering > "World Order" magazine. > 414 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Sept. 28, 1937 Trade-Mark 350,407 > > UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE > National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahalt of > the United States and Canada, New York. N. T. > > Act of February 20. 1905 > > Application April 7, 19S7. Serial No. 391.033 > > WORLD > ORDER > is > STATEMENT > To the Commissioner of Patents: of any particular State of the United States but > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of is recognized as a religious body by the Treasury > the United States and Canada, a common-law Department of the United States and the declacorporation organized and operated under decla- ration of trust has been certified to by the State > ration of trust, and doing business at 119 Waverly Department. > Place. New York. N. Y has adopted and used the > . The undersigned hereby appoints Mr. William > trade-mark shown in the accompanying drawing. C. Linton. of 1319 F Street, N. W.. Washington. > on MAGAZINES, in Class 38. Prints and publica- D. C.. U. S. A., registration No. 10.109. its attortions. and presents herewith five specimens show- ney. with full power of substitution and revoca- > Ing the trade- mark as actually used by applicant tlon. to prosecute this application, to make alterupon the goods, and requests that the same be ations and amendments therein, to sign the drawregistered in the United States Patent Office in ing. to receive the certificate of registration and > accordance with the act of February 20. 1905. to transact all business in the Patent Office con- > The trade-mark has been continuously used nected therewith. > and applied to said goods in applicant's business > since April. 1935. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OP > The trade-mark Is applied or affixed to the THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED > goods by printing the same thereon. STATES AND CANADA. > The present applicant Is a common-law cor- By HORACE HOLLEY. > poratlon which does not operate under the laws Secretary. > > Trade-Mark Certificate, obtained from the United States Government, > covering "World Order*' magazine. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 415 > > LJ > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of Iran. > 416 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > fcr > J; > > '^ j > > oui jgi JU^JI J^i -l > > u ^^ > > i!i UA Jl) > > U wl > > 9 9 > > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 417 > > 85: > > > j^ (jUjJl J^l J^- J! JUJJ > * r jjl > - w > > U^lfAJ > > > > > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq. > 418 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > i t tl 109 * ft* tern A No > Certificate of > > 1 I I > > OUhog > > Carufied tW tbe bov . tot* *** fn fegMtfer of Mama^* kq* at the in the town of > > > > the > % > -- / > ^^' Ji > c, > i > > Certificate of Marriage issued by the Palestine Government and delivered to the Spiritual > > Assembly of the Baha'is of Haifa for official registration. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 419 > > > ..... ji > > ... t \... > > . . > > '^ i,yjj, ,, > > Cfe^^ > > Bah^'i Divorce Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Bahd'is of lrn. > 420 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > j^aWLJ U .UJI^ S^^Il ^i Jf .UiM jui >-jl ^ jL > > AiAC Jv ^i' Jl AiM > jJ J ^UJ^ Jf > 1 . > f > > -J s > > l U! i. AC > f > > i -it ol > ) > J>.vi \^ii 1/1. > > Uft^Vl A.il<^lj < > > ju j^^JI > ^ ^ Jf dlij > f > lr > > Jil JU JA > f j.. > > AV! jy. > > 1,1- 5j^ \^:* jO LJj l^ 4JU-.1 vAl, J^^Jjj viiJ JJ > VUJ ii-TjJl j^ Oj^ jj > > Baha'i Divorce Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha*is of Egypt. > THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 421 > > TRANSLATION OF VOICE RECORD > OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA > (From the franian) > ONE > Praise be to God! that we are present in this radiant meeting and turned toward the > > Kingdom of Abha. That which we behold is due to the Grace and Bounty of the Blessed > Perfection. We > are atoms and He is the Sun of Reality. We > are drops and He is the > Greatest Ocean. Though we are poor, yet the Treasury of the Kingdom is full of overflowings. Though we are weak, yet the Confirmation of the Supreme Concourse is > abundant. Though we are helpless, yet our refuge and shelter is His Holiness Baha'u'llah. > TWO > Praise be to God! > His Traces are evident. > Praise be to God! > His Lights are radiating. > Praise be to God! > His Ocean is full of waves. > Praise be to God! > His Radiance is intense. > Praise be to God! > His Bestowals are abundant. > Praise be to God! > His Favors are manifest. > > THREE > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The Morn of Guidance hath dawned. > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The Sun of Reality hath shone forth. > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The Breeze of Favor hath wafted. > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The raindrops of the Cloud of Bounty > have showered. > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The Sun of the Supreme Horizon hath > radiated to all the world with > boundless Effulgence. > > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The hearts are all in the utmost purity. > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > It is the Splendor of His Highness Baha. > > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > Zion is dancing. > > Glad Tidings! Glad Tidings! > The Kingdom of God is full of Exhilaration and Commotion. > 422 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Land of the Bahal Community > Haifa. > > Map of Baha'i holdings showing extension of properties surrounding and dedicated to the > Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel. > THE INSTITUTION OF THE > MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR > Visible Embodiment of the Universality of the Faith of Babd'u'lldh > > FOREWORD > > LANY discerning minds have testified Baha'i institution, we must lay aside all custo the profoundly significant change which tomary ideas of the churches and cathedrals > has taken place during recent years in of the past. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar fulfills > the character of popular religious thinking. the original intention of religion in each dis- > Religion has developed an entirely new pensation, before that intention had become > emphasis, more especially for the layman, altered and veiled by human invention and > > quite independent of the older sectarian belief. > > divisions. The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is a channel re- > Instead of considering that religion is a leasing spiritual powers for social regeneramatter of turning toward an abstract creed, tion because it fills a different function than > the average religionist today is concerned that assumed by the sectarian church. Its > with the practical applications of religion purpose is to provide a community > essential > to the problems of human life. Religion, in meeting-place for all who are seeking to > brief, after having apparently lost its in- worship God, and achieves this purpose by > fluence in terms of theology, has been re- interposing no man-made veils between the > stored more powerfully than ever as a spirit worshiper andthe Supreme. Thus, the > of brotherhood, an impulse toward unity, Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is freely open to people > and an ideal making for a more enlightened of all Faiths on equal terms, who now realize > civilization throughout the world. the universality of Baha'u'llah in revealing > > Against this background, the institution the oneness of all the Prophets. Moreover, > of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar stands revealed as since the Baha'i Faith has no professional > the supreme expression of all those modern clergy, the worshiper entering the Temple > religious tendencies animated by social ideals hears no sermon and takes part in no ritual > which do not repudiate the reality of spirit- the emotional effect of which is to establish > ual experience but seek to transform it into a separate group consciousness. > a dynamic striving for unity. The Mashriq- Integral with the Temple are its accessory > u'l-Adhkar, when clearly understood, gives buildings, without which the Mashriqu'lthe world its most potent agency for ap- Adhkar would not be a complete social inplying mystical vision or idealistic aspiration stitution. These buildings are to be devoted > to the service of humanity. It makes visible to such activities as a school for science, a > and concrete those deeper meanings and hospice, a hospital, an asylum for orphans. > wider possibilities of religion which could Here the circle of spiritual experience at last > not be realized until the dawn of this uni- joins, as prayer and worship are allied diversal age. rectly to creative service, eliminating the > The term "Mashriqu'l-Adhkar" means static subjective elements from religion and > literally, "Dawning-place of the praise of laying a foundation for a new and higher > God." type of human association. > To appreciate the significance of this HORACE HOLLEY. > > 424 THE BAHA'f WORLD > THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE > MASJHtRIQU'L ADHKAR > A LETTER FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI > The Beloved of the Lord and the Hand- high places among the hitherto sceptical and > maids of the Merciful throughout the indifferent towards the merits and the prac- > United States and Canada. ticability of the Faith proclaimed by Baha'- > u'llah. Neither do I need to expatiate upon > M.-. > .Y well-beloved friends: the hopes and fears of the Greatest Holy > Ever since that remarkable manifestation Leaf, now in the evening of her life, with > of Baha'i solidarity and self-sacrifice which deepening shadows caused by failing eyehas signalized the proceedings of last year's sight and declining strength swiftly gathmemorable Convention, I have been expect- ering about her, yearning to hear as the one > antly awaiting the news of a steady and con- remaining solace in her swiftly ebbing life > tinuous support of the Plan which can alone the news of the resumption of work on an > ensure, ere the present year draws to its Edifice, the glories of which she has, from > close, the resumption of building operations the lips of 'Abdu'1-Baha Himself, learned > on our beloved Temple. to admire. I cannot surely overrate at the > Moved by an impulse that I could not re- present juncture in the progress of our task > sist, I have felt impelled to forego what may the challenging character of these remaining > be regarded as the most valuable and sacred months of the year as a swiftly passing oppossession in the Holy Land for the further- portunity which it is in our power to seize > ing of that noble enterprise which you have and utilize, ere it is too late, for the edificaset your hearts to achieve. With the hearty tion of our expectant brethren throughout > concurrence of our dear Baha'i brother, the East, for the vindication in the eyes of > Ziaoullah Asgarzadeh, who years ago do- the world at large of the realities of our > nated it to the Most Holy Shrine, this pre- Faith, and last but not least for the realizacious ornament of the Tomb of BahaVllah tion of what is the Greatest Holy Leaf's > has been already shipped to your shores, with fondest desire. > our fondest hope that the proceeds from its As I have already intimated in the course > sale may at once ennoble and reinforce the of my conversations with visiting pilgrims, > unnumbered offerings of the American be- so vast and significant an enterprise as the > lievers already accumulated on the altar of construction of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar > Baha'i sacrifice. I have longed ever since of the West should be supported, not by the > to witness such evidences of spontaneous munificence of a few but by the joint conand generous response on your part as would tributions of the entire mass of the contend to fortify within me a confidence that vinced followers of the Faith. It cannot be > has never wavered in the inexhaustible vi- denied that the emanations of spiritual > tality of the Faith of BahaVllah in that power and inspiration destined to radiate > land. from the central Edifice of the Mashriqu'l- > I need not stress at this moment the high Adhkar will to a very large extent depend > hopes which display of unso startling a upon the range and variety of the contribsparing devotion to our sacred Temple has uting believers, as well as upon the nature > already aroused in the breasts of the multi- and degree of self-abnegation which their > tude of our brethren throughout the East. unsolicited offerings will entail. Moreover, > Nor is it I feel necessary to impress upon we should, I feel, regard it as an axiom and > those who are primarily concerned with its guiding principle of Baha'i administration > erection the gradual change of outlook that in the conduct of every specific Baha'i > which the early prospect of the construction activity, as different from undertakings of > of the far-famed Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in a humanitarian, philanthropic, or charitable > America has unmistakably occasioned in character, which may in future be con- > INSTITUTION OF M A SHRI QU L A DHK AR ' > > ducted under Baha'i auspices, only those terests with which they are surrounded. > who have already identified themselves with This note of warning may not be thought > the Faith and are regarded as its avowed inappropriate at a time when, inflamed by > and unreserved supporters should be invited a consuming passion to witness the early > to join and collaborate. For apart from the completion of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, we > consideration of embarrassing complications may not only be apt to acquiesce in the dewhich the association of non-believers in the sire of those who, as yet uninitiated into > financing of institutions of a strictly Baha'i the Cause, are willing to lend financial ascharacter may conceivably engender in the sistance to its institutions, but may even > administration of the Baha'i community of feel inclined to solicit from them such aid > the future, it should be remembered that as it is in power to render. > their Ours > these specific Baha'i institutions, which surely is the paramount duty so to acquit > should be viewed in the light of Baha'u'llah's ourselves in the discharge of our most sacred > > gifts bestowed upon the world, can best task that in the days to come neither the > function and most powerfully exert their tongue of the slanderer nor the pen of the > influence in the world only if reared and malevolent may dare to insinuate that so > maintained solely by the support of those beauteous, so significant an Edifice has been > who are fully conscious of, and are unre- reared by anything short of the unanimous, > > servedly submissive to, the claims inherent the exclusive, and the self-sacrificing strivin the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. In cases, ings of the small yet determined body of > however, when a friend or sympathizer of the convinced supporters of the Faith of > the Faith eagerly insists on a monetary con- Baha'u'llah. How delicate our task, how > tribution for the promotion of the Faith, pressing the responsibility that weighs upon > such gifts should be accepted and duly ac- us, who are called upon on one hand to > > knowledged by the elected representatives preserve inviolate the integrity and the idenof the believers with the express understand- tity of the regenerating Faith of Baha'uing that they would be utilized by them only 'llah, and to vindicate on the other its broad, > to reinforce that section of the Baha'i Fund its humanitarian, its all-embracing princiexclusively devoted to philanthropic or char- ples! > itable purposes. For, as the Faith of Baha'- True, we cannot fail to realize at the presu'llah extends in scope and in influence, and ent stage of our work the extremely limited > the resources of Baha'i communities corre- number of contributors qualified to lend > spondingly multiply, it will become increas- financial support to such a vast, such an > > ingly desirable to differentiate between such elaborate and costly enterprise. We are fully > departments of the Baha'i treasury as min- aware of the many issues and varied Baha'i > ister to the needs of the world at large, and activities that are unavoidably held in abeythose that are specifically designed to pro- ance pending the successful conclusion of > mote the direct interests of the Faith itself. the Plan of Unified Action. We are only > From this apparent divorce between Baha'i too conscious of the pressing need of some > and humanitarian activities it must not, sort of befitting and concrete embodiment > > however, be inferred that the animating of the spirit animating the Cause that would > purpose of the Faith of Baha'u'llah stands stand in the heart of the American Contiat variance with the aims and objects of the nent both as a witness and as a rallying cenhumanitarian and philanthropic institutions ter to the manifold activities of a fast growof the day. Nay, should be realized by > it ing Faith. But spurred by those reflections > every judicious promoter of the Faith that may we not bestir ourselves and resolve as > at such an early stage in the evolution and we have never resolved before to hasten by > crystallization of the Cause such discrimi- every means in our power the consummanating and precautionary measures are in- tion of this all-absorbing yet so meritorious > evitable and even necessary if the nascent task? I beseech you, dear friends, not to > institutions of the Faith are to emerge tri- allow considerations of number, or the conumphant and unimpaired from the present sciousness of the limitation of our resources, > welter of confused and often conflicting in- or even the experience of inevitable setbacks > 3 3 > > 3*3 > "* > > W5 > > Si > " o > *5 3 > ^ 8 > i! > if > JS > *- O > > s-1 > > Si > > 8, > > INSTITUTION OF M A SHRIQU L ADJH.K A R ' > > which every mighty undertaking is bound itself will be converted into a conglomerato encounter, to blur your vision, to dim tion of religious services conducted along > > your hopes, or to paralyze your efforts in lines associated with the traditional prothe prosecution of your divinely appointed cedure obtaining in churches, mosques, synatask. Neither, do I entreat you, suffer gogues, and other temples of worship. Its > the least deviation into the paths of expe- various avenues of approach, all converging > diency and compromise to obstruct those towards the central Hall beneath its dome, > > channels of vivifying grace that can alone will not serve as admittance to those secprovide the inspiration and strength vital tarian adherents of rigid formulae and mannot only to the successful conduct of its made each bent, according to his > creeds, > material construction, but to the fulfillment way, to observe his rites, recite his prayers, > of its high destiny. perform his ablutions, and display the par- > And while we bend our efforts and strain ticular symbols of his faith within sepaour nerves in a feverish pursuit to provide rately defined sections of Baha'u'llah's Unithe necessary means for the speedy construc- versal House of Worship. Far from the > tion of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, may we not Mashriqu'l-Adhkar offering such a spectacle > pause for a moment to examine those state- of incoherent and confused sectarian observments which set forth the purpose as well ances and rites, a condition wholly incomas the functions of this symbolical yet so patible with the provisions of the Aqdas > spiritually potent Edifice? It will be readily and irreconcilable with the spirit it inculadmitted that at a time when the tenets cates, the central House of Baha'i worship, > of a Faith, not yet fully emerged from the enshrined within the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, > fires of repression, are as yet improperly will gather within its chastened walls, in a > defined and imperfectly understood, the serenely spiritual atmosphere, only those > utmost caution should be exercised in re- who, discarding forever the trappings of > vealing the true nature of those institutions elaborate and ostentatious ceremony, are > which are indissolubly associated with its willing worshipers of the one true God, as > name. manifested in this age in the Person of > Without attempting an exhaustive survey Baha'u'llah. To them will the Mashriqu'lof the distinguishing features and purpose Adhkar symbolize the fundamental verity > of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, I should feel con- underlying the Baha'i Faith, that religious > tent at the present time to draw your atten- truth is not absolute but relative, that Dition to what I regard as certain misleading vine Revelation is not final but progressive. > statements that have found currency in va- Theirs will be the conviction that an all- > > rious quarters, and which may lead gradu- loving and ever-watchful Father Who, in > ally to a grave misapprehension of the true the past, and at various stages in the evo- > > purpose and essential character of the Mash- lution of mankind, has sent forth His > riqu'l-Adhkar. Prophets as the Bearers of His Message and > It should be borne in mind that the cen- the Manifestations of His Light to mankind, > tral Edifice of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, round cannot at this critical period of their civiliwhich in the fullness of time shall cluster zation withhold from His children the > such institutions of social service as shall Guidance which they sorely need amid the > afford relief to the suffering, sustenance to darkness which has beset them, and which > the poor, shelter to the wayfarer, solace to neither the light of science nor that of huthe bereaved, and education to the ignorant, man intellect and wisdom can succeed in > should be regarded apart from these De- dissipating. And thus having recognized > pendencies, as a House solely designed and in Baha'u'llah the source whence this celes- > > entirely dedicated to the worship of God tial light proceeds, they will irresistibly feel > > in accordance with the few yet definitely attracted to seek the shelter of His House, > prescribed principles established by Bahd'u- and congregate unhampered by > therein, > 'llah in the Kitib-i-Aqdas. It should not be ceremonials and by creed, to > unfettered > inferred, however, from this general state- render homage to the one true God, the > ment that the interior of the central Edifice Essence and Orb of eternal Truth, and to > rt > > jj > CX > > o > > INSTITUTION Op M A SHRI QU L ADHK AR ' > > exalt and magnify the name of His Messen- into close and daily communion with those > gers and Prophets Who, from time imme- spiritual agencies centering in and radiating > morial even unto our day, have, under divers from the central Shrine of the Mashriqu'I- > circumstances and in varying measure, mir- Adhkar. Nothing short of direct and conrored forth to a dark and wayward world stant interaction between the spiritual forces > the light of heavenly Guidance. emanating from this House of Worship cen- > But however inspiring the conception of tering in the heart of the Mashriqu'I- > Baha'i worship, as witnessed in the central Adhkar, and the energies consciously dis- > Edifice of this exalted Temple, it cannot be played by those who administer its affairs in > regarded as the sole, nor even the essential, their service to humanity can possibly profactor in the part which the Mashriqu'I- vide the necessary agency capable of re- > Adhkar, as > designed by Baha'u'llah, is des- moving the ills that .have so long and so > tined to play in the organic life of the Baha'i grievously afflicted humanity. For it is ascommunity. Divorced from the social, hu- suredly upon the consciousness of the effimanitarian, educational and scientific pur- cacy of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah, reinsuits centering around the Dependencies of forced on one hand by spiritual communion > the Mashriqu'I-Adhkar, Baha'i worship, with His Spirit, and on the other by the inhowever exalted in its conception, however telligent application and the faithful execupassionate in fervor, can never hope to tion of the principles and laws He revealed, > achieve beyond the meager and often transi- that the salvation of a world in travail must > tory results produced by the contemplations ultimately depend. And of all the instituof the ascetic or the communion of the with His Holy > tions that stand associated > > passive worshiper. It cannot afford lasting Name, surely none save the institution of > satisfaction and benefit to the worshiper the Mashriqu'I-Adhkar can most adequately > himself, much less to humanity in general, provide the essentials of Baha'i worship and > unless and until translated and transfused service, both so vital to the regeneration of > into that dynamic and disinterested service the world. Therein lies the secret of the > to the cause of humanity which it is the su- loftiness, of the > potency, of the unique popreme privilege of the Dependencies of the sition of the Mashriqu'I-Adhkar as one of > > Mashriqu'I-Adhkar to facilitate and pro- the outstanding institutions conceived by > mote. Nor will the exertions, no matter BahdVllah. > how disinterested and strenuous, of those Dearly-beloved friends! May we not as > who within the precincts of the Mashriqu'I- the trustees of so priceless a heritage, arise > Adhkar will be engaged in administering the to fulfill our high destiny? > affairs of the future Baha'i Commonwealth, Haifa, Palestine, > fructify and prosper unless they are brought October 25, 1929. > > PROGRESS IN ORNAMENTATION OF THE > UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF WORSHIP > BY ALLEN B. MCDANIEL > D,CURING the summer of 1937, a Tech- meeting at Green Acre, recommending the > nical Committee, composed of outstanding continuance of the external ornamentation > business and technical men selected both with the exposed aggregate type of archifrom within and without the Cause on the tectural concrete, the re-employment of Mr. > basis of > qualifications made a > thorough John J. Earley for the gallery story ornastudy and review of the field of architec- mentation, and the further use of the servtural concrete with special relation to the icesof The Research Service as managing > ornamentation of the Universal House of and supervising engineers. > Worship. This Committee reported to the Work was begun on the gallery story or- > National Spiritual Assembly at its August namentation at the Earley Studios, Rosslyn, > 430 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Va., early in September, 1937, and subse- namentation proceeded as the molds became > quently at the > Temple. Advance orders available. This phase of the work was orwere placed for the materials, such as quartz ganized on a production basis; the molds > > for aggregates and steel for reinforcement, were re-used enough times to make the reto save costs on a rising market. quired number of casts for each section > Measurements were taken of the faces of 18 spandrels, 27 upper window heads, 27 > the gallery story at the Temple, and tem- left window heads, 117 columns* 126 corplates were made and shipped to the Studio, nice elements, and other similar pieces. > where the necessary working drawings and In April, 1938, work was begun at the > wooden models were prepared. Temple with the placing of the concrete to > As the ornamentation of this story com- form the exterior decoration of the base or > prised a base or door section, a window area door section. As the casts were completed > enclosed with piers and a flat arch, and a and seasoned at the plant, shipments were > top portion of spandrels and a cornice, the made to the Temple and the sections set in > project was planned with a view to carry- place. This erection work was so sched- > > ing on the work with the highest efficiency uled and organized as to build from the botand greatest economy. The economic plan, tom up and to complete the various portions > which resulted from a careful, preliminary around the building in sequence. This > study and was consistently followed during method has produced such successful reconstruction, involved several major steps: sults that by the middle of November, > > (1) preparation of the models and molds 1938, the nine faces were finished with the > for the ornamentation of the three sections exception of the pylons about three weeks > of the large window area, for the spandrels, ahead of schedule. > for the cornice and for the pylons; (2) con- The final completion of the gallery story > struction of the wooden forms for the pour- ornamentation is dependent on weather coning of the base section of the piers, of the ditions but the casting of ihe nine pylons > architraves and of the arches at the Temple; will be done next Spring as soon as the con- > > (3) pouring, seasoning and shipment of the tractorcan resume operations. Outdoor > concrete casts; (4) placement of reinforce- work of this particular nature is impractiment and pouring of concrete of base sec- cable during the Winter and early Spring > tion at the building; (5) erection of win- months. > dow casts and pouring of piers and casings; The estimated cost of the work is $125,- > (6) concreting of arches above window 000.00. The contractor through judicious > opening; (7) placement of three spandrel planning and efficient handling has effected > sections; (8) erection of cornice casts; > (9) some savings. A few parts of the process > capping of cornice; and (10) construction have cost more than anticipated. In the > of pylons in place on the structure. These end, the actual cost will be fairly close to > operations were carried on at the Studio and the estimated cost, unless unforeseen conat the Temple as the work progressed to ditions arise. > > expedite the use of men and materials, and As the placing of the ornamentation has > to produce coordination of activities. progressed, the unfolding beauty of the > The preparation of the original clay mod- Temple has aroused increasing interest > els the first step in the work at the Studio among people of this great community in > was completed March, 1938. > early in the heart of the American continent. Vis- > Meanwhile, the plaster models from which itors in ever increasing numbers are becomthe molds were made were under way and ing attracted to and visiting this Universal > were finished by the early part of April. House of Worship a beacon of faith, hope > Casting of the various sections of the or- and light in a darkening, chaotic world. > at on > > Finished Units for Gallery Section. > Design in Unit for Gallery Section. > > 432 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > INTERESTING EXPERIENCES WITH > TEMPLE VISITORS > BY GERTRUDE STRUVEN > o,"UR beloved Master has said, regarding come, usually by appointment. They are > the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, "This is the begin- assigned special speakers who give the Mesning of organization; it is like unto the first sage to the group as a whole; afterwards > church founded in Christianity; it is an the visitors are divided into smaller groups > > expression of the elevation of the Word of and shown the Temple. More questions are > God," and again, "When built, then, the asked and answered by the guides who con- > Mashriqu'l-Adhkar will be the greatest duct them. Small, casual groups are usuteacher, for it is an expression of the eleva- ally given much more time and their needs > tion of the Word of God." are more fully met. > > Recently the Guardian has stated, "The Guides should be prepared for almost any > Master's promises about the spiritual power kind of surprise visits. While large groups > to be released by the completion of the Tem- are supposed to make appointments, they > > ple will not be fulfilled until the external often come in hordes, quite unexpectedly. > decoration is done." Recently our caretaker was occupied with > Again in a letter recently received from an expected group of 108 employees of the > the Guardian by Mr. Hilpert Dahl, who has Public Service Company of Northern Illicharge of the Guide activities at this time, nois, when an unannounced crowd of 320 > he gives an added impetus to this work women of the National Credit Association, > when he says: arrived in several huge busses. There were > "Regarding the guide work at the Tem- only two guides present that day, but the > ple; the Guardian attaches the highest im- caretaker spoke to them all % together at first > > portance to it, inasmuch as it affords a and then they were escorted through the > splendid opportunity for presenting the Mes- building. Although it is not so satisfactory > sage on a very large scale. The responsi- to be in a large group, these visitors showed > bilities which this function calls for are as much appreciation of what they had re-,, > vital and far-reaching as the privileges it ceived. > confers on the individual believer. The important thing is how many return > "The Baha'i guide has indeed a very sacred as individuals to investigate for themselves > obligation to discharge. Not only has he and find real attraction in this glorious Faith. > to perfect his knowledge of the Cause, but An increasing number of those who return > also to develop all those qualities of tact, bringing others is noticeable and the effect > wisdom and of ability to present the Mes- of the Century of Progress Exposition made > sage which every Baha'i teacher requires. a definite increase in people of capacity. > It is the duty .of those who are in charge of Numbers of Wilmette citizens come quietly > organizing the guide work at the Temple by themselves to the Sunday afternoon lecto make every effort to widen its scope, tures, but they appear not to want to be > raise the standard of its personnel, and thus noticed or approached. > increase its effectiveness." When people come from places near As- > At meetings held every Thursday evening semblies or groups of Baha'i s, they are inin the Foundation hall, methods of present- vited to register stating their wishes for no- > > ing the Teachings are discussed from many tices of meetings, traveling teachers, or for > angles. Interest is being shown by the literature to be sent them. These names > guides and by some new believers who are are given to the person who is appointed to > > studying with the idea of becoming guides. do this work. A list will follow, giving > Many questions are asked and discussed by some idea of the many and varied clubs > all who wish to participate. which are served; some make yearly visits, > Because of radio announcements, groups others come even more frequently. Among > > ranging from twenty to six hundred often the latter are students of the National Col- > INSTITUTION OF M A S HRI QU 'L ADHK A R - 433 > > lege of Education which is within a few , 5 5 Members of the Know Your Town Club > blocks of the Temple. They come often, of Stolp School, Wilmette > sometimes with their instructors, or with National College of Education in Evanston, > their head mistress, who is herself very different visits: > > friendly to the Cause. They ha^e, by the 43 students > way, an extensive Baha'i library of their 63 students with instructor > own and they also subscribe to the "World 32 students with 17 children of the > Order" magazine. Many of these students Model School > come to us for which they > information 7 students Class in History of Rewish to use in their studies of Comparative ligion > Religion and allied subjects. 200 Geographic Society of Chicago > Another club which is a frequent visitor 550 Members Chicago Recreation Tour, unis the large Nature and Hiking "Prairie der Chicago Board of Education > Club" of Chicago. They have been for several Christmases on hikes to see the famous On one Sunday there were 879 visitors > holiday illuminations of the north shore (exclusive of the Sunday afternoon audiand also to stop at the Temple. They come ence) which included: > rain or shine. One year at the time of their > 600 W.P.A. Educational Project, Board of > outing there was snow and sleet, but in spite > of the bad weather, eighty-one came. This Education, Chicago > time they asked the privilege of asking ques- 57 Members Altrui Club of Chicago > > tions. Most of > their questions proved to Women > be about Muhammad His relation to this 60 Members Chicago Chemistry Club > His Teachings and how they 25 Members of Howard School of Wil- > Revelation, > with the Christian Teachings. For- mette, with their teacher; following is > agreed > a letter of appreciation from them: > tunately, the guide had been a > making study > of this subject and the evening was enjoyed > Baha'i House of Worship > by both visitors and guide. > Sheridan Road, > Occasionally groups have come saying, > "We have only a few minutes to stay, We the Travel Club of Howard School > so we must hurry," but they have bewish to send this note of thanks to you. > come so interested that they have stayed for We sincerely thank the three ladies, the > hours. > caretaker and the head-engineer for their > Groups come from many neighboring kindness in showing us over your beautiful > towns and cities, as well as from other states > building last week, Tuesday June first. Your > and countries. We are always delighted > interesting talks opened new doors to us. > when they remark, "We have been seeing A new view of religion was revealed to us. > the sights and points of interest all through > We deeply appreciate what you did for us. > this region, but this this exceeds them all > Sincerely, > by far."During the Century of Progress Howard Travel Club > Exposition, many visitors from far and near > said that this Temple was above and beyond Club President, Mary Jane Henderson > anything they had seen, and of itself was Club Secretary, Elian Burns. > worth the whole trip. A large proportion > of these received much of the Teachings Numbers of other letters similar to this > also. have been received. > The following is a list which gives some 125 W.P.A. Free Educational Tour, Chiidea of visiting Clubs: cago > 37 North Shore Boys Club > 19 Members of the Nineteenth Century 16 Fellowship 1st Methodist Church, Ev- > Club of Oak Park anston (16 boys) > 21 Members of the Eastern Star of Wil- 23 two primary school grades with their > mette teachers > 434 THE BAHA'f WORLD > 24 Members Bethel Lutheran Young Ladies In connection with the groups listed, there > Society of Chicago follows a brief record of the total numbers > 56 Industrial Art Teachers of visitors to the Temple since the records > 40 Evanston Girl Scouts were begun: > 143 Free Chicago Tours for Chicagoans For the years from 1932 to July 1937, > 64 Portage Park Woman's Club and Peo- inclusive, the record of visitors, exclusive > > ple's Church of Chicago > of those attending Sunday meetings, cov- > 35 Boys from the Society of the Divine ered 54 months in which time we had 67,321 > Word, St. Mary's Mission House, visitors, comprising 15,836 groups, large and > Techny, with Father Kraft small. > 125 Boys from the same society, with three The largest group recorded, coming withpriests > out appointment, 320. The largest number > 35 Students in Landscape Architecture, of Sunday casual visitors, with no Clubs > > State University, of Ames, Iowa present, was 438, on September 22, 1935. > 61 Albion College, Altoona, Michigan Only occasional visitors are conducted > Class in Sociology, Dean Whitehouse, through the Temple during the cold months > leader when there is no regular heat. > 21 Students Von Steuben School, Chicago With the small groups which come daily > 32 Members Congregational Church in the season, we meet every type of question > 9 Universal Study Club imaginable. The Orthodox ask again and > 175 Libertyville Woman's Club again the same old questions; a few open > 98 Englewood Woman's Club their minds, perhaps for only a few mo- > 81 Electrical Association of Chicago ments. > 18 Riverside Study Club One group of a slightly "unorthodox or- > 50 Young People's Group -People's Lib- thodoxy" recently endeavored in their visit, > eral Church, Chicago to be patient, polite and tolerant, and asked > 28 Northridge Woman's Club of Wilmette their questions, listened quietly to our expla- > 225 Wilmette Woman's Club nations, and tried to harmonize them with > with their own ideas and beliefs. One of their > 30 Dramatic Club of Chicago number who was more able to comprehend > 33 1st Baptist Church, Evanston would repeat the answer; for instance, "You > 25 Epworth League, Methodist Episcopal say that this man Baha'u'llah brought the > Church, Ravenswood same Light as Jesus the Christ, and so noth- > 5 5 Daughters of Indiana ing is taken away from Christ, but is a > 14 Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, fulfillment?" Thus she seemed to form > Chicago a link between the guide and the question- > 44 Budapest University Chorus ers, rather lessening the tension in the group > 40 Bohemian Club, Chicago themselves. > 150 Chicago Tour Club They expressed themselves as very grate- > 10 Culture Club ful for the time and "trouble" which had > 65 Schurz Out Door Club been taken. Upon leaving, one of their num- > 30 C.C.C. boys ber, very conscientiously said, "We do not > 40 People's Church, Junior Woman's Club wish you to understand that we accept all > 86 1st English Lutheran Church, Chicago that you have told us." They were as- > 99 Chicago Free Tours sured that they were as free as the air. > > 24 Chicago Ladies' Aid Association Some of their questions were: > 30 Eleanor Club How do you regard "heaven and hell"? > 25 Ladies' Society of Idritt Co-operative How do you interpret the Resurrection? Do > of Chicago you not think that "He will come in > 24 Members Elmhurst Woman's Club the clouds?" > 17 Members Presbyterian Church, High- Do you not believe in the "redeeming blood > land Park of Jesus, and that none other can be > 200 Members Chicago Free Tours saved?" > l^$^t{ffi > ^ ^Vf > -*^ > ; > > v> >'; * r, > *<: > > T > ",^ ' > ' > > V' r. ,, *< * > l > " f^ SV KfeA^ 1 > > : > > Finished Units Awaiting Shipment to Plaster Model, Base Section of > the Temple. Pylon. > > Finished Unit, Section of Window Carving an Original Model > Head. > > 436 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Do you have some observance answering to poor, religious, un-reiigious, enthusiastic and > the "Lord's Supper"? apathetic, educated and ignorant; angry > Do you observe baptism? ones, blind, seeing and indifferent. Some > On the other hand, we have had young there are who have never read a religious > divinity one especially, just bestudents; book; many young people know nothing > ginning to preach and not yet crystallized about the church or the Bible. One little > into the theological mold, nor as yet subject couple of lovers wandered in and out, never > to the dictation of a congregation, was much realizing that there was anything above the > impressed with the Teachings. On depart- Foundation hall. When told, they "didn't > ing he took with him a volume of "Baha'- think they would go up." > u'llah and the New Era," in order to con- There have been several atheists who protinue his investigation and requested further fessed great longing for faith but clung > contacts if any teachers were in his vicinity. tenaciously to their own cherished ideas. > Other liberal young ministers also have gone One of these was a young Jew, a doctor and > harmoniously along with us, as we discussed scientist. He said he longed for faith, but > the Teachings and principles. They have being scientific, he could not believe in God; > had no reservations and seemed to be in per- there is no proof. After some conversation, > fect harmony. it seemed advisable to give him 'Abdu'l- > One guide says, "I find that although Baha's Tablet to Dr. Forel. He soon > sometimes questions begin at once when brought it back, explaining, "I read it beentering the Temple doors, or even outside, cause you were so kind, but 'Abdu'1-Baha > more questions are likely to arise at the assumes so many things!" He had first de- > Model, where it is practically impossible to cided not to read it, but finally having done > speak of the beautiful symbolism of the so, found no truth in it. One's heart ached > Temple without at the same time giving the for him that he might cry out from the > Teachings. There the Oneness of mankind, depths of his soul, "Lord^ I believe! Help > of religion, and of God are dwelt upon. Thou my unbelief!" > Here also we try to arrive at some under- Another Jewish visitor was quite differstanding of the personality and capacity of ent. He was a beautiful old man, a Rabbi, > the visitor." who believed in the divinity of Moses > While going up the stairs to the "House something rare in our experience and > of Worship," the guide tries to seize a mo- stated that "anyone who studied deeply the > ment in which to pray for guidance in this teachings of Moses would clearly underservice. As soon as a visitor arrives at the stand that." He said he was coming again. > auditorium, after a gasp of wonder and ad- He might well have been the old "grandmiration, and almost without exception, he father" spoken about by one of three lovely > asks the cause back of this edifice. Then young Jewish girls who came later. We did > comes the question: "Why was it built way not at first know they were Jewish. They > out here in Wilmette, or even in Chicago? were obliged, due to the number of visitors > There must be some great force behind you at that time, to join with another two, > that you are enabled to design and erect this young people who stated they were from > inspiring Temple." Rome, Italy, and we assumed them to be > The guides are, indeed, aware of a "force" Catholic. They seemed interested in everywhich is agitating all things. They feel the thing told them. Presently these two left, > Temple to be a fortress, and are conscious and the young trio began asking their quesmany times of spiritual support, and feel tions. One of them asked, "Do you have > uplifted and empowered to deliver with au- services in the Auditorium and worship the > thority and ardor, the Message of Baha'u- sun, as we have been told?" When told our > 'llah. The Temple is the easiest place in the belief in the Oneness of mankind, she asked, > world in which to deliver this glorious Mes- "Do you think racial intermarriage would > sage,and thus those who serve gain invalu- help to bring about world harmony and > able experience in meeting all races, creeds, Answered, "yes," she said "my > peace?" > nationalities; high and low, rich and grandfather believes that also." "Your > INSTITUTION OF M A S HRI QU 'L ADHK AR - 437 > > grandfather must be a very wise man is he hands on those of the guide, and said with > not?" and she said sweetly, "Yes, he is, and a beaming smile, "You are good people; I > he believes much that you have told us; he hope you will have the greatest success. God > would love your teachings; I am going to bless you!" > > bring him." Another group of fresh and charming > The guide said, "This is, however, a very young girls came from Northwestern Unidelicate question, and must be approached versity. They were confessedly surprised > very wisely and carefully. Ethnologists de- and delighted to receive the explanations > clare there is actually no superior race; one about the building, and a great deal about > race may be in the ascendant at one time, the Cause. They were so happy, they sat > and centuries hence it may become degraded, down on the floor in Foundation hall, two > and another advanced, according to their perched upon the table, and all absolutely abadherence to the laws of God, or according sorbed, fairly showered their questions on the > to God's plan for them. guide questions regarding World Peace, ra- > After a talk in which they asked many cial unity, political unity. > > good questions, one of the girls became sud- "What relation does Baha'u'llah bear to > denly aware of what this "Oneness of Man- Christ?" > kind" might involve, and rather breath- "Do Baha'is believe Him to be equal in > lessly asked, "You believe in intermarriage station to Christ?" and "Then He does not > between colored and white?" She was told take anything away from Christ, rather > that for the future, the ideal was to have no fulfills?" > race feeling whatsoever; and that two young They had previously asked, "Why do we > people wishing to marry, must according to need a new revelation, when Christ revealed > Baha'i law, have the consent of both parents. all and more than we have ever lived up to?" > According to Baha'u'llah, we were one "Why should He come from Persia?" > race, one family in the sight of God; that "Do you use the Bible as your 'Book,' and > racial, religious and political prejudices were do you use that in your service?" Then > recognized as the definite causes of separa- "What do you mean by the "Holy Uttertion and war between men; and that "War ances?" This seems to be the most arresting > is the most dreadful thing in the world of question, and often marks the point when > humanity." She said, "Do you believe that they begin to comprehend that this is truly > eventually all nations will become unified a new Revelation and a new Dispensation. > > and have one religion?" "Which are the nine religions to which the > Answer, "By abolishing these causes, man number 'nine* refers?" > will be enabled to live in peace and tranquil- "Do you believe in Baptism . . . re-incar- > > lity." nation . . . How do you regard Resurrection, > Baha'u'llah has said, "The generality of the Trinity"? These and many other quesmankind is still immature. Had it acquired tions were explained. But the most absorbsufficient capacity We would have bestowed ing thing to them was, "The World New > upon it so great a measure of Our knowledge Order" and the part which youth will play > that all who dwell on earth and in heaven in this Day. > would have found themselves by virtue of A large proportion of our visitors are > the grace streaming from Our pen, com- young people, and their open hearts and > pletely independent of all knowledge save minds, the lack of prejudice, the enthusiasm > the knowledge of God, and would have been and sense of justice which they express do > securely established upon the throne of abid- indeed bring joy and gladness to our hearts. > ing tranquillity." An odd coincidence happened in July. > During the Jewish holidays, a large num- On the 5th, a poor family of six Iranians > ber of Jewish women visited us. Many were came with the expressed desire to see the > older women, hearty and cordial. Some of Temple. The man stated that they had been > them wore shawls on their heads. They were Greek Catholics, but since coming to Chivery understanding, and when the group left, cago they had become "Christian." He said, > one of them stepped forward, laying her "I have had a vision of Jesus. Seven times > 438 THE BAHA'f WORLD > it happened, and now I can ask at any time, guide said that she had never seen it, he > questions, and Jesus will answer me." The offered to sendit to her, but it has never > > man kept up a constant stream of conversa- arrived. > > tion, giving no opportunity for the guide to These two groups came on successive days, > say anything, except to speak a little regard- from the same town near Tabriz, Iran. They > ing Muhammad, whom the visitor repudi- came with the same request, to see the Temated. He kept repeating, "You are all wrong, ple and to hear of Baha'u'llih but showed > all wrong in believing that there was ever not the slightest interest. Both were fanaticanother divine being upon earth beside ally Christian in their claims, and both at- > Jesus!" We soon pleasantly arose and con- tacked Muhammad. > cluded the interview. As they left, the guide The young man declared that he had never > said, "Perhaps we are agreed on one thing; heard that the Bab was a prophet. Does it > we all desire what God desires for us." At not seem strange that an occidental Christhis the woman said with fire in her flashing tian, now Baha'i, should be called upon to > black eyes, "Do you believe every word in defend His Holiness Muhammad to Iranians, > the Bible?" who avowed faith in Christ and denied Mu- > These people came from a town near hammad, and, who, in the natural order of > Tabriz, Iran. things, would have been followers of Mu- > The next day, long after hours, two more hammad? > Iranian Christians came, and urgently asked On another day a young man from Turkthe same guide to show them the Temple, istan came straight here, as soon as he landed > and to tell them about BahaVllah, of whom in America. He said, "I saw a picture of this > they knew something. These two, a young Temple in my country, and made up my mind > man and woman, were also from that town immediately that I was going to see that > near Tabriz, Iran. The man began an ani- Temple. And here I am!"^ He was a folmated talk, derogatory to Muhammad, which lower of no religion, but the young American > the guide tried to check, stating that we be- woman who escorted him advised him to > lieved His Holiness Muhammad to be one of accept religion and hoped he might find in > a great line of Prophets. He remarked that this Revelation that which he needed. He > "he admired Muhammad as a fine business asked many very vital questions and went > man from the first, and that he himself could away quite filled. > be like Muhammad, if he desired." The On the same day, a very interesting young > guide explained that Muhammad was one of Syrian, not a Muhammadan, came in. This > the Prophets of God, of a kingdom above man had been several times before and was > that of man, and that neither he nor any interested. He liked the idea of each Baha'i > other man could ever become a Muhammad being expected to teach according to his > or a Christ." He asked very meaningly if capacity. He said, "I like that; isn't it really > the guide had ever read the life of Muham- the true philosophy of America, if it were > mad. She answered, "Yes, but I did not be- lived up to?" > lieve the statements of His enemies." Then Many children of varying ages come with > he said, "In other words, your mind is fixed." the idea of writing compositions on the Tem- > The guide replied, "BahaVllah, All-Knowing ple. One group of these came with their > has given us the true station of Muhammad teacher. The guide gave them very careful > and we believe He was a Manifestation of and explicit details with their particular pur- > God. Also, Muhammad's own words bear pose in view. The children were much inwitness to the Truth." terested. The teacher offered to send the > Then the guide tried politely to end the guide one of the best compositions. The > discussion, "as we feel that argument ends guide suggested that he also send one of the > nowhere." He apologized and asked one poorest. When the essays came they had all > more question! "Did you ever read that sorts of ideas incorporated in them old > statement by Christ, where He says, "I am rumors that have circulated for years, such > the last, and after me there will be no other, as sun worship, a separate room in the Temand before Me there were none?" When the ple for each faith and so on. None of these, > Sculptor at Work. > > The Architect's Beautiful Vision. > > 440 THE BAHA'I WORLD > of course, had been given in the interview. where it must next reach out toward the > In respect to truth, the best composition realms of the spiritual. He appeared much > was no better than the worst. impressed by his visit. > At the time when the castings of the orna- On one Sunday morning a family from > mentation of the dome were being hoisted California who were touring the country > into place, two ladies from a neighboring telephoned, asking if we had a Sunday School. > town advanced toward the Temple, and as When they arrived they asked to leave the > often happens, the guide met them outside to children in the Sunday classes which were in > begin making their acquaintance. One quite session. They made the tour of the buildaggressively stated, "You had a bad storm ing, then in the afternoon they all returned > last night and I see you are repairing the to hear the lecture. They came as they were, > damage." The guide, rather taken aback, in camping clothes, and felt pleased with > and to gain a little time, asked her to repeat their day's occupation. They had been told > her statement. "You are repairing the dam- by the conductor on the "El" that they > age after the terrible storm." It was diffi- should see the beautiful Baha'i Temple. This > cult to convince her that there had been no happens to be quite a regular thing. Hotel > storm, nor any damage to the Temple, and clerks, train dispatchers, ticket agents, taxi > that the ornamentation was for the first time drivers and bus drivers, all are interested to > being applied. Then she made another state- direct any strangers who seem unacquainted > > ment, "This is a Bnddhist Temple." This with the region, and to recommend that they > too was explained. After these false starts, see the Temple. > > they began to listen and became very much There came a middle-aged German, who > attracted, asking real questions, and when wished to know "What Baha'u'llah had > > they left they were transformed from the brought," and "what He had done." At > two ladies who had entered, into quite awak- first this man feared that differences and > ened seekers. One, as she arose to go, said disagreements would creep in, as in the past, > with a deep sigh, "Well! It pays to come to and he very much wanted to know what > the source in order to find out." could be done to prevent it. He was seek- > Another funny thing was said by a lady of ing, and this Universal Faith in many ways > the village whose windows looked out on appealed to him. He "was a Mennonite, but > the Temple. This was just as the very first could not subscribe to their notions." He > pieces of stone were being applied. When asked if Baha taught life after death, and said > she comprehended that they were covering also, "You say all religions, Jews, Catholic, > the glass inner dome, she said in real dismay, Protestant all are free to worship here? How > "What! You don't mean to tell me you are (very doubtfully) do you expect to have > going to cover my beautiful, grey bubble?" peace and worship without friction amongst > A searching catechism was given one of these antagonistic groups?" Thus was a > the guides, by one who was thought to be a wonderful opportunity given to explain to a > Jesuit priest.His questions were planned and real seeker the foundations of World Unity. > very specific. This guide felt that she had Again a group of young Adventists from > been divinely guided, for answers which were the South, among other things asked, "What > spiritual and harmonious, came so easily, and do you believe as to the life beyond the > afterwards she realized some of the pitfalls grave, and the Resurrection?" They said > which had been unconsciously avoided. their church was divided, the older members > One of the guides had always dreaded believed in the literal "rising from the grave," > meeting scientists. One day an unusually but they did not. They were happy in hearinteresting scientist presented himself. To ing of BahaVllah's wonderful Teachings reher surprise there was no superior attitude, garding the condition of the soul after it > but true humility, and a very fruitful con- leaves this world. > versation ensued. As he left he said, "I am Groups of young boys are among our frefully aware that you have knowledge of quent visitors; some are called down from > which I am entirely ignorant." Also words playing on the "ramp" which is to boys the > to the effect that science had reached a point most intriguing and tempting recreation. > Models of the Baha'i Temple Being Constructed > at Wilmette, Illinois, U. S. A. Above, one of > the new plaster models carved and cast in the > studio of John J. Early, the contractor for the > outside ornamentation of the Temple itself. > > Below, an old model entirely made by hand of > cardboard and wood. > 442 THE BAHA'f WORLD > One group expecting to be scolded, came thought that men should be all of one faith > down and were pleasantly surprised at being but couldn't imagine how, even in hundreds > invited to come in and see the building, the of years, it could be so. He said, "How could > boilers, the model and so on. They became the three great divisions in America, for ininterested in it all. Some of the most lovely stance, the Jewish, the Catholic and the Protexperiences have been with boys, unspoiled estant ever become reconciled and become > as yet, and who, in regard to prejudices and one faith?" Then they said, "What do you > religion, are purehearted. Their hearts won, believe ofBahdVllah? Whom do you bethey become fascinated, first by the Temple lieve He is?" "Does Baha'u'llah get His > and then by mutual discussions on peace Teachings from the Bible or where does He > and war, racial prejudice, justice, but always get them?" And there they often get their > and especially peace. A few of these boys first realization that this is a New Revelation > have appeared surprisingly thoughtful along and that Muhammad and Christ brought > spiritual lines, boys from 13 to 15 years of their own Book, as does BahaVllah, and > age. We have several times continued our that these are the "Holy Utterances," > acquaintance, taken them over to the care- A very cultured and sincere East Indian > taker's home,shown them pictures, and family, in native costume, were here recently. > talked more at length on subjects of the day. The man said he had first been Muslim, then > They have even returned later and brought he became Agnostic, then an investigator, > more boys and introduced us as "their studying Theosophy and philosophy of differfriends." These are informal little visits. ent schools, after which he returned to the > Sometimes they play the piano and are as Muslim Faith. He was especially interested > nice and happy as can be. in economics. He will, after their visit here, > Another time a little boy and girl about return to Jerusalem. It was suggested that > five and six years old came. They listened he visit Haifa, enroute. fie intends doing so, > very seriously and later the little boy, thumbs after which he will return to Lahore. > in his tiny suspenders, said to the little There is a Chicago gentleman, born in Ingirl: > "Do you know I like the mechanics of this dia, who frequently brings his Indian friends > building very much!" and visitors to the Temple. > An interesting group from Washington On one of the frequent visits of the stustate and from Iowa came in one morning. dents from the National College of Educa- > One of the men asked, "How do you look tion, the professor who came with them > upon God? Ail-Powerful, All-Knowing and asked, "What will keep the Cause from slip- > Just, yet, how can He allow these dreadful ping in the future? Would it dispose of, > conditions in the world? If I was making or absorb other Religions?" > an image or figure, I should wish to make it Some odd questions come to us: "Do you > perfect. I how this can > can't understand believe in the Consummation of Time" (This > be." The guide replied that both Muham- was a "poser" for the guide)"How do you . > > mad and Baha'u'llah state that "if God had account for the separation of the Jews?" > pleased He had surely made all men one One brusque gentleman, in a hurry, said he > people. His purpose, however, is to enable would stop to listen if the guide would > the pure in spirit and the detached in heart > "prove the existence of God in one sentence." > to ascend, by virtue of their own innate pow- One man interested in organs declared omiers, unto the shores of the Most Great Ocean, > nously, "Your church will never prosper > that thereby they who seek the > Beauty of the without an organ." Many times it is said, > All-Qlorious may be distinguished and sepa- even after careful explanation, "I can never > rated from the wayward and perverse. Thus > accept the idea of anyone, no matter how > hath it been ordained by the all-glorious and wise and beautiful, taking the place of > resplendent Pen .." Man suffers from his > . > Christ." > own breaking of God's laws, and weak ones Almost every day some one comes with > receive Justice from God in the world of the the idea that we "are > Sun-Worshipers, and > spirit. that is the reason for our having so much > His companion said that he had always glass in our building." > INSTITUTION OF M A SH RIQU 'L ADHK A R - 443 > > Odd and startling personalities do not pass We have been blessed on several occasions, > us by. A man declaring himself to be God, with the visits of pure and severed nuns, who > entered, stating that his father could create, have come so quietly and simply, and in their > and that he himself had the same power. purity of heart have accepted the Truth. > It comes as a surprise to a number of peo- They have gone their way to continue their > ple, to recall that all Religions have, includ- lives of devotion to God. > > ing their own, arisen in the East. One girl, And as we serve in the Temple, 'Abdu'lwhen asked where did the Christian religion Baha's ineffable promises must more and more > arise, replied promptly, too promptly, spur us on, so that when the "thousands who > "Rome." will come to the Temple" do come in the > It has more than once been asked, "Why future, and when the "outer ornamentation > do you not join with us in our church which is > completed," there will be teachers ready > is > already established? Then you would not and able to share with them this glorious > be obliged to erect this great building during Message which they will then eagerly seek. > the depression. And others cannot think it We already have a faint foretaste of the > right when there is so much suffering, to future needs as we guide the steadily increasspend so much money on any building. Some- ing numbers, inquirers and even sight-seers, > times this has given an opportunity to en- representing so very many countries, creeds > lighten the questioner. Few, if any, have and classes. > seemed to consider the many workmen who Not long ago, a gracious tribute was paid > have been employed, nor the benefits to the to the Baha'is and to the influence of the > arts and trades which have accrued in such Temple, by the editor of "Wilmette Life," > an important work. when in an editorial he wrote: > Again one asks, "How are you able to build "The 28th annual convention of the Baha'i > such an edifice ... are your members all religious societies of the United States and > wealthy?" When it has been explained to Canada, held in the Universal House of Worthem how some of the loving Baha'is in the ship in Wilmette last week-end, directs atten- > Orient had sacrificed even food, in order to tion to the value of this devout group to > > give because of their love for the Faith, they the north shore. Aside from the beauty of > could not comprehend, and have remarked, its temple which should be an addition of > "It seems too bad for such poor people to note to the architecture of any city in the > give money for a Temple which they may world, the fact that it is the Mecca of Baha'is > never see, nor have any part in." They ask, of the entire western world is of importance. > "Where are the other churches of this cult?" It means that innumerable adherents of the > "Who is your leader?" It has been asked by cult will make pilgrimages to this seat of > others, "How can one become a Baha'i, and their interest, and in so doing will bring maa member of your community?" terial and spiritual blessings upon north shore > > Often the guides are refreshed in meeting communities. > those who come delighting in the freedom With the completion of the temple and > from the restrictions and limitations of the its auxiliary buildings it is certain that many > > past, from racial, religious and other narrow devotees of the Baha'i Faith will come to > and outworn prejudices. These ask about our live among us, to become good neighbors and > > "Ultimate Goal" and love what we have to valued friends. Therein lies the greatest > tell of this great World Order of BaM'u'llah, value of the temple and its builders to the > and especially "The Most Great Peace" and north shore." > the "Oneness of Mankind." Although they 'Abdu'1-Baha has said, "When the foundamay not all understand fully, their hearts are tion of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is laid in > > definitely turned toward good, and praise the America and that divine edifice is completed, > aims and principles. To some it appears as a most wonderful and thrilling motion will > > though the Message was too great, too glori- appear in the world of existence. From > . . . > > ous, and more than they are able to expect that point of light, the spirit of teaching, > after the gloomy night. These may return spreading the Cause of God and promoting > to satisfy their longings. the teachings of God will permeate to all > 444 THE BAHA'f WORLD > parts of the world. I hope that ere long the therefrom, . . . the people shall hasten to > foundation of this celestial Temple will be worship in that heavenly temple, the fralaid. Thus may it be conducive to the hap- grances of God will be elevated, the divine > piness of 'Abdu'1-Baha." (From "Unveiling teachings will be established in the hearts like > of the Divine Plan" and quoted in Jean Mas- the establishment of the spirit in mankind; > son's little book, "The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar") the people will then stand firm in the Cause > ". . . When the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is ac- of your Lord, the Merciful." (Star of the > complished, when the lights are emanating West, Vol. VI, p. 133) > > REFERENCES TO TEMPLE > I. FROM U. S. STEEL NEWS, MARCH, 1937 com um revestimento de concreto ornamental, mas no seu estado final todo o edificio > CEMENT CREATES BEAUTY tera o mesmo acabamento. > > Classical statues such as the ancient Greeks Este trabalho de belleza excepcional foi exe- > > laboriously sculptured out of costly marble > cutado pelo esculptor architectonico John J. > can be modeled today out of art marble chips Earley, de Washington. O concreto, de cor > and Atlas White portland cement, the latter branco puro deslumbrante, foi vazado em > a product of Universal Atlas Cement Co. sec$oes nas officinas e de alii enviado ao tem- > The life-sized figure shown on this page, plo, onde se collocou no seu lugar. Este > made of white marble chips and Atlas White processo exigiu infinita precisao na forma e > in a plaster of Paris mold and then polished dimensoes das pec,as, mas devido ao grande > and rubbed with carborundum, has a smooth cuidado exercido, todas se ajustaram perfeitaand dazzling white finish. However, almost mente, sem as juntas serem facilmente visiany colors, textures and forms of ornamental > concrete can be obtained with Atlas White > cement through the use of colored aggregates 3. FROM REVISTA ATLAS, SPANISH > and skillful workmanship. EDITION, DECEMBER, 1934 > Another outstanding example of the per- > LAS VISTAS DE LA PAGINA OPUESTA > fection that has been obtained in the art of > y de la caratula ensenan la notable cupula > casting concrete made with Atlas White cede hormigon ornamental del templo Baha'i, > ment is the Bahai Temple, depicted on the > cerca de Chicago (E. U.) Toda la cupula > front cover. For the ornamental concrete > se compone de una traceria de forma como > tracery of the dome an opaque white quartz > de encaje, de hormigon prevaciado hecho con > and a clear crystalline quartz were used with > Atlas White. The dome required the placing > cemento ATLAS WHITE > y un agregado > bianco compuesto de cuarzo y feldespato. > of 387 precast concrete sections. Eventually > Hasta ahora, solo la cupula se ha terminado > the whole structure, which is 150 ft. high, > con un revestimiento de hormigon ornawill be covered with ornamental concrete > mental; pero en su estado final todo el edicastings. > ficio tendra el mismo acabado. > Esta labor de belleza excepcional f ue ejecu- > 2. FROM RE VISTA ATLAS, PORTUGUESE > tada por el escultor arquitectonico John J. > EDITION, DECEMBER, 1934 > Earley, de Washington. El hormigon, de > AS VISTAS DA PAGINA OPPOSTA e color bianco puro resplandeciente, se vacio > da capa de frente mostram a notavel cupula en secciones en el taller; de alii se envio al > de concreto ornamental do templo de Baha'i, templo, donde se coloco en su lugar. Este > perto de Chicago (E.U.A.) Toda a cupula e procedimiento exigio exactitud inusitada en > como um enorme rendilhado de concreto feito la forma y dimensiones de las piezas; pero, > > com cimento ATLAS WHITE e um aggre- gracias al grande esmero con que se hicieron, > gado branco composto de quartzo e feldes- todas ajustaron perfectamente sin serial mampatho. Ate agora s6 a cupula foi terminada fiesta de juntas. > INSTITUTION OF M A S HR Q U L A D HK A R I > ' > > *i a* i~ * ** * > ** > ** w > *f ** > in A* el * f * tti * > > to > ittir*, > > WHEN BAHA1S BD1LD A TEMPLE to be built in the Western Hemisphere > of the world are building a unique the first > > Temple or House of Worship, on the and because it is unique in design is attracting > BAHA'IS > shores of Lake Michigan, in Wilmette, the attention of architects all over the world. > just north of Chicago. > Illinois, Thousands of The late Louis Bourgeois, the architect, exvisitorsfrom all parts of the world have been plained that the design and details were inspired > shown through this building since it was opened, by the teachings of Baha'u'llah, the Founder of > and guides on duty each day have answered their the Baha'i Faith. Into this new architectural > questions regarding, not only the unusual con- design is woven in symbolic form, the oneness of > structional and architectural features, but also mankind and the unity of all religions, as well > what the edifice stands for spirituality. as the design of all previous styles of architecture, > This beautiful Baha'i House of Worship is together with an entirely new motif which sym- > > A close-up of the lace -like design and scroll work on the dome A view of the interior of the dome in the Baha't Houee of Wo*Mp > of the Bah&'f House of Worship im given > in the picture below. is shown below giving some idea of the bracing necessary In the > construction work. > 446 THE BAHA'f WORLD > bolizes in the merging of circle within circle, the The nine pointed star is the emblem of the > merging of all religions into one, which is the Baha'i Dispensation. The Baha'i Temple itself > goal of the Baha'i Faith. is a nine pointed star. Looked at from an aero- > This Temple is a nine-sided structure with plane it would seem a great star dropped upon > nine doors, nine ribs in the Dome and when the ground, and when lighted at night all its > completed will have nine fountains and walks nine points will appear brilliantly. The nine > leading up to it. In fact, all the dimensions pointed star forms the beautiful rose-like top of > and measurements are divisible by nine. One each window and door of the Temple's lower > can read in this many significant meanings but story. While at the center of each star will > perhaps the most significant is, that just as the gleam the decorative lettered form of a Persian > numeral nine contains all the figures leading to phrase, which translated into English reads: "0 > it, so the Baha'i Teachings include the funda- Thou Glory of the Most Glorious." > mental teachings of Moses, Christ and all God's The essential purpose of this institution is to > former Messengers to mankind, provide a meeting place for all who seek to wor- > The super-structure of the Temple is to be ship God, and since the Founders of all the great > clothed with a geometrical ornamentation, ex- religions of the world are recognized as Divine > quisite in character and beauty. These traceries Messengers or Prophets therefore all of their folwhen examined are made up of the most beauti- lowers regardless of race, class, creed or other > ful combinations of the triangle, the square and man-made classifications are invited to come to > the circle. The Swastika cross, the looped cross, this universal house of worship. Moreover, > the Greek cross and the Roman cross. The five since the Baha'i Faith has no paid ministers or > pointed star, the six pointed star, the glorious priests, in other words no professional clergy, > nine pointed star and last but not least the the worshipper entering the Temple in the > looped life symbol of the old Egyptian hiero- future, will hear no sermon, take part in no > glyphics. ritual and will be free to meditate and listen to > The six pointed star is the emblem of the readings from the text of the Holy Books. > Jewish Dispensation, the five pointed star was The exterior ornamental concrete will cover > used by the early Christians as the symbol the entire building similar to the Dome which > of Christ, and the cross which is also used, is now completed. > as a symbol came very much later with the > introduction of theology into the Christian From The Highway Traveler, > teachings. October November, 1937. > BAHA'I CALENDAR AND > FESTIVALS > FOREWORD > BY DR. J. E. ESSLEMONT > > From Babd'u'lldh and the New Era > > A,.MONG different peoples and at differ- to adjust the calendar to the solar year. The > ent times many different methods have been Bab named the months after the attributes > adopted for the measurement of time and of God. The Baha'i New Year, like the > fixing of dates, and several different calen- ancient Iranian New Year, is astronomically > dars are still in daily use, e.g.) the Gregorian fixed,commencing at the March equinox > in Western Europe, the Julian in many coun- (March 21), and the Baha'i era commences > tries of Eastern Europe, the Hebrew among with the year of the Bab's declaration (i.e., > the Jews, and the Muhammadan in Muslim 1844 A.D., 1260 A.H.). > countries. In the not far distant future it will be > The Bab signalized the importance of the necessary that all peoples in the world agree > dispensation which He came to herald, by on a common calendar. > inaugurating a new calendar. In this, as in It seems, therefore, fitting that the new > the Gregorian Calendar, the lunar month is age of unity should have a new calendar free > abandoned and the solar year is adopted. from the objections and associations which > The Baha'i year consists of 19 months of make each of the older calendars unaccept- > 19 days each (i.e., 361 days), with the addi- able to large sections of the world's population of certain "intercalary days" (four in tion, and it is difficult to see how any other > ordinary and five in leap years) between the arrangement could exceed in simplicity and > eighteenth and nineteenth months in order convenience that proposed by the Bab. > > BAHA'I FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES, > AND DAYS OF FASTING > Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of BahaVilah), April 21-May 2, 1863. > Feast of Naw-Ruz (New Year), March 21. > Declaration of the Bab, May 23, 1844. > The Day of the Covenant, November 26. > Birth of BahaVllah, November 12, 1817. > Birth of the Bab, October 20, 1819. > Birth of 'Abdu'1-Baha, May 23, 1844. > Ascension of BahaVilah, May 29, 1892. > Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9, 1850. > Ascension of 'Abdu'1-Baha, November 28, 1921. > Fasting season lasts19 days beginning with the first day of the month of 'Ala', > March 2 the feast of Naw-Ruz follows immediately after. > > 448 THE BAHA'f WORLE>' > > BAHA'I HOLY DAYS ON WHICH WORK > SHOULD BE SUSPENDED > The first day of Ridvan, > The ninth day of Ridvan, > The twelfth day of Ridvan, . > > The anniversary of the declaration of the Bab, > The anniversary of the birth of BahaVllah, > The anniversary of the birth of the Bab, > The anniversary of the ascension of BahaVllah, > The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab, > The Feast of Naw-Ruz. > NOTE: 'Abdu'1-Baha, in one of His Tablets addressed to a believer of Nayriz, Iran, has > written the following: "Nine days fn the year have been appointed on which > work is forbidden. Some of these days have been specifically mentioned in the > Book. The rest follows as corollaries to the Text. Work on the Day of > . . . > > the Covenant (Fete Day of 'Abdu'1-Baha), however, is not prohibited. Celebration of that day is left to the discretion of the friends. Its observation is > > not ^obligatory. The days pertaining to the Abha Beauty (BahaVllah) and > the Primal Point (the Bab), that is to say these nine days, are the only ones > on which work connected with trade, commerce, industry and agriculture is not > allowed. In like manner, work connected with any form of employment, > whether governmental or otherwise, should be suspended." > > As a corollary of this Tablet it follows that the anniversaries of the birth and > ascension of 'Abdu'1-Baha are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited. The celebration of these two days, however, is obligatory. > > Baha'is in East and West, holding administrative positions, whether public or > private, should exert the utmost effort to obtain special leave from their superiors > to enable them to observe these nine holy days. > > ADDITIONAL MATERIAL GLEANED FROM > NABIL'S NARRATIVE (VOL. II), REGARD- > ING THE BAHA'I CALENDAR > JLHE Badi' Calendar (Baha'i Calendar) fifth day of Jamadiyu'l-Avval, of the year > rf > has been taken by me from the Kitdb-i- 1260 A.M. It has been ordained that the > Asmd'y" one of the works written by the solar calendar be followed, and that the > Bab. As I have observed in these days that vernal Equinox, the day of Naw-Ruz, be > certain believers are inclined to regard the regarded as the New Year's Day of the Badi* > year in which BahaVllah departed from Calendar. The year sixty, in which the fifth > Baghdad to Constantinople as marking the day of Jamadiyu'l-Avval coincided with the > beginning of the Badi' Calendar, I have re- sixty-fifth day after Naw-Ruz, has accordquested Mirza Aqa Jan, the amanuensis of ingly been regarded as the first year of the > BahaVllah, to ascertain His will and desire Badi' Calendar. As in that year, the day of > concerning this matter. BahaVllah an- Naw-Ruz, the vernal Equinox, preceded by > swered and said: 'The year sixty A.H. (1844 sixty-six days the date of the Declaration of > A.D.), the year of the Declaration of the the Bab, I have therefore, throughout my > Bab, must be regarded as the beginning of history, regarded the Naw-Ruz of the year > the Badi* Calendar/ The Declaration of the sixty-one A.H. (the Naw-Ruz immediately > Bab took place on the evening preceding the following the Declaration of the Bab) as the > BAHA'f CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS 449 > > Naw-Ruz of the Badi Calendar. I have > first > > tq transcribe the text of the Badi' Calendar > accordingly considered the Naw-Ruz of this and to instruct the believers in its details. > present year, the year 1306 A.H., which is the On the very day in which I received His > 47th solar year after the Declaration of the command, I composed, in verse and prose, > Bab, as the 46th Naw-Ruz of the Badi* an exposition of the main features of foat > Calendar. Calendar and presented it to Him. The > Soon after BahaVllah had left the fort- now unavailable, I am > versified copy, being > ress of 'Akka and was dwelling in the house herein transcribing the version in prose. > of Malik, in that city, He commanded me The days of the week are named as follows: > Days Arabic Name English Name Translation > 1st Jalal Saturday Glory > 2nd Jamal Sunday Beauty > 3rd Kamal Monday Perfection > 4th Fidal Tuesday Grace > 5th 'Idal Wednesday Justice > 6th Istijlal Thursday Majesty > 7th Friday > Istiqlal Independence > > The names of the months, which are the same as the days of each month, are as > follows: > > Month Arabic Name Translation first Days > 1st Baha Splendor March 21 > 2nd Jalal Glory April 9 > 3rd Jamal Beauty April 28 > 4th 'Azamat Grandeur 17 > May > 5th Niir Light June 5 > 6th Rahmat Mercy June 24 > 7th Kalimat Words July 13 > 8th Kamal Perfection August 1 > 9th Asma* Names August 20 > 10th 'Izzat Might September 8 > llth Will > Mashiyyat September 27 > 12th llm Knowledge October 16 > 13th Qudrat Power November 4 > 14th Qawl Speech November 23 > 15th Masa'il Questions December 12 > 16th Sharaf Honor December 31 > 17th Sultan Sovereignty January 19 > 18th Mulk Dominion February 7 > 19th Loftiness March 2 > > Ayyam-i-Ha (Intercalary Days) February 26 to March 1 inclusive > four in ordinary and five in leap years. > > The first day of each month is thus the month of Baha. He has ordained the month > day of Baha, and the last day of each month of 'Ala to be the month of fasting, and has > the day of 'Ala'. decreed that the day of Naw-Ruz should > The Bab has regarded the solar year, of mark the termination of that period. As the > 365 days, 5 hours, and fifty odd minutes, as Bab did not specifically define the place for > consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the four days and the fraction of a day in the > the addition of certain intercalary days. He Badi' Calendar, the people of the Bayan were > has named the New Year's Day, which is the at a loss as to how they should > regard them. > Day of Naw-Ruz, the day of Bah, of the The revelation of the Kitab-i-AqJas in the > 450 THE, BAHA'f WORLD > > Baha'i Youth Conference of Lima, Ohio, U. S. A., March 22, 1938. > > city of 'Akka resolved this problem and ting of the sun on thaj; day. Should the > settled the issue. Baha'u'llah designated vernal Equinox take place after sunset, Nawthose days as the "Ayyam-i-Ha" and or- Ruz will have to be celebrated on the followdained that they should immediately precede ing day. > the month of 'Ala', which is the month of The Bab has, moreover, in His writings, > fasting. He enjoined upon His followers to revealed in the Arabic tongue, divided the > devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and years following the date of His Revelation, > charity. Immediately upon the termination into cycles of nineteen years each. The names > of these intercalary days, Baha'u'llah ordained of the years in each cycle are as follows: > the month of fasting to begin. I have heard > > it stated thatsome of the people of the 1. Alif A. > Bayan, the followers of Mirza Yahya, have 2. Ba' B. > > regarded these intercalary days as coming im- 3. Ab Father. > mediately after the month > of 'Ala', thus 4. Dal D. > terminating their fast five days before the 5. Bab Gate. > day of Naw-Ruz. This, notwithstanding 6. Vav V. > the explicit text of the Baydn which states 7. Abad Eternity. > that the day of Naw-Ruz must needs be the 8. Jad Generosity. > first day of the month of Baha, and must 9. Baha Splendor. > follow immediately after the last day of the 10. Hubb Love. > month of 'Ala. Others, aware of this con- 11. Bahhaj Delightful. > tradiction, have started their fasting on the 12. Javab Answer. > fifth day of the month of 'Ala, and included 13. Ahad Single. > the intercalary days within the period of 14. Vahhab Bountiful. > fasting. 15. Vidad Affection. > Every fourth year the number of the inter- 16. Badi Beginning. > calary days is raised from four to five. The 17. Bahi Luminous. > day of Naw-Ruz falls on the 21st of March 18. Abha Most Luminous. > only if the vernal Equinox precedes the set- 19. Vahid Unity. > BAHA'f CALENDAR AND FESTIVALS 451 > > Each cycle of nineteen years is called For instance, the date of the 21st of April, > Vahid. Nineteen cycles constitute a period 1930, which is the first day of Ridvan, and > called Kull-i-Shay*. The numerical value of which according to the Kitdb-i-Aqdas must > the word "Vahid" is nineteen, that of "Kull- coincide with the "thirteenth day of the sec- > > i-Shay'" is 361. "Vahid" signifies unity, ond Baha'i month," and which fell this year > and is symbolic of the unity of God. (1930) on Monday, would, according to the > The Bab has, moreover, stated that this system of the Badi* Calendar, be described > system of His is dependent upon the accept- as follows: > ance and good-pleasure of "Him Whom God "The day of Kamal, the day of Qudshall make manifest." One word from Him rat,of the month of Jalal, of the year > would suffice either to establish it for all Bahhaj, of the fifth Vahid, of the first Kulltime, or to annul it forever. i-Shay'." > > HISTORICAL DATA GLEANED FROM NABfL'S > NARRATIVE (VOL. II) REGARDING > BAHA'U'LLAH > Works Revealed Houses Occupied > A. BAGHDAD During This During This > Period Period > > arrival latter part Jamadiyu'th- Qullu't-Ta'am House of Haji 'Ali- > Thani, 1269 A.H. Madad > March 12-April 10, 1853 A.D. (in old Baghdad) > > departure for Sulaymaniyyih on House of Sulayman-i- > Wednesday, April 10, 1854 A.D.- Ghannam > Rajab 12, 1270 A.H. > > B. SULAYMANIYYIH Prayers > Before reaching Sulaymaniyyih, He > lived for a time on the Sar-Galu Qasidiy-i-Varqa'iyyih > mountain. > During His absence from Baghdad, Saqiyas-Ghayb-i- > His family transferred their resi- Baqa > dence from House of Haji 'Ali- > Madad to that of Sulayman-i- > Ghannam. > Nabil arrived at Baghdad 6 months > after BahaVllah's departure for > > Sulaymaniyyih. > Tafsir-i-Hurufat-i- > C. BAGHDAD Muqatta'ih > arrived fromSulaymaniyyih on $ahifiy-i-Shattiyyih > Wednesday, March 19, 1856 A.D.- Haft-Vadi > Rajab 12, 1272 A.H. (Seven Valleys) > Tafsir-i-Hu > Lawh-i-Huriyyih > Kitab-i-tqdn > Kalim4t-i-Maknunih > (Hidden Words) > 452 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Works Revealed Houses Occupied > C. BAGHDAD continued During This During This > Period Period > > departure from Mazra'iy-i-Vash- Subhana-Rabbiya'lshash: Thursday, March 26, 1863 A'la > A.D.-Shavval 5, 1279 A.H. Shikkar-Shikan- > Tablet of the Holy Mariner revealed Shavand > while in the Mazra'iy-i-Vashshsh. Hur-i-'Ujab > Halih-Halih-Ya > Bisharat > Ghulamu'l-Khuld > > departure from Baghdad for Con- Bdzavu-Bidih-Jami > stantinople, Wednesday afternoon > (first day of Ridvan), April 22, > 1863 A.D.-Dhil-Qa'dih 3, 1279 > A.H. > Suriy-i-$abr revealed on first day of Mallahu'1-Quds > Ridvan. (Holy Mariner) > arrival at Garden of Najibiyyih > (Garden of Ridvan), April 22, > 1863 A.D.-Dhi'1-Qa'dih 3, 1279 > A.H. > arrival of Baha'u'llah's Family at Suriy-i-abr > Garden of Ridvan on eighth day > after first of Ridvan. > > departure from Garden of Ridvan > for Constantinople last day of > Ridvan, at noon on Sunday, May > 3, 1863 A.D.-Dhi'1-Qa'dih 14, > 1279 A.H. > length of overland journey from > Garden of Ridvan to Samsun on > Black Sea: 110 days. > > Firayjat (arrival early afternoon Bartallih, > stayed seven days) , arrived on Sun- Mosul (stayed 3 days), > day, May 3, 1863 A.D.-Dhi'l- Zakhu, > Qa'dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjat Jazirih, > is about 3 miles distant from Nisibin, > Baghdad) Hasan-Aqa, > Judaydih, M4rdin, > Dili -'Abbas, Diyar-Bakr, > Qarih-Tapih, Ma'dan-Mis, > Salahiyyih (stayed two nights), Khirput (stayed 2 or 3 days) , > > Dust-Khurmatu, Ma'dan-Nuqrih, > Tawuq, Dilik-Tash, > Karkuk (stayed two days) , Sivas, > Irbil, Tuqat, > Zab River* Amasia, (stayed 2 days) (cont'd) > HISTORICAL DATA 453 > > Ilahiyyih (while approaching Sam- steamer about sunset for Constansun, "Lawh-i-Hawdaj" was re- tinople > vealed), (last day of v overland Sinope (arrived next day about > journey), noon), Black Sea port; stayed few > Samsun (stayed 7 days), Black hours, > Sea port. Sailed in a Turkish Anyabuli (arrived next day) . > > 1. Kuchik-Chakmachih (3 hours from Constantinople -spent one night) > 2. Buyuk-Chakmachih (arrived about noon) > 3. Salvari 4. Birkas 5. Baba-iski > 454 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > 1. Uzun-Kupri > 2. Kashanih (arrived about noon. Lawh-i-Ra'is (Tablet of Ra'is) was revealed > in this place) > > 3. Gallipoli (length of journey from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days) > (after a few days' stay sailed before noon in Austrian steamer for > Alexandria, Egypt) > 4. Madelli (arrived about sunset left at night) > 5. Smyrna (stayed 2 days, left at night) > 6. Alexandria (arrived in the morning, transshipped and left at night for Haifa) > 7. Port Said (arrived morning, left the same day at night) > 8. Jaffa (left at midnight) > 9. Haifa (arrived in the morning, landed and after a few hours left on a sailing > vessel for 'Akka) > , > > Baha'i Youth Conference of Poona, India, March 22, 1938. > YOUTH ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT > THE BAHA'I WORLD > THE WORLD ACTIVITIES OF BAHA'f YOUTH > APRIL, 1936-APRIL, 1938 > BY MARION HOLLEY > I. INTRODUCTION > "This New World Order, whose promise is enshrined in the Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh > involves no less than the complete unification of the entire human race." > l > . . . > > I T IS difficult for any young Baha'i to re- "Conscious of their high calling, confident > member the events of the past two years in the society-building power which their > > apart from the Guardian. No other period Faith possesses, they press forward, undeof Baha'i history seems so connected with terred and undismayed, in their efforts to > him, so much in debt at each turn for his fashion and perfect the necessary instruments > guidance and vision. Not as a result of wherein the embryonic * World Order of > hero-worship, but through plain honesty Baha'u'llah can mature and develop." 2 > alone, this debt must be acknowledged and But this clarification, swift and dramatic > its sources traced in any survey of achieve- as itwas, constituted only an introduction. > ment for the years 1936-1938. For the es- There followed countless letters to individsence of that achievement was surely the sud- uals and great statements of policy to the > den understanding of our Faith as fact not National Assemblies, which strengthened and > hope, not ideals for Utopia but citizenship made more tangible the first vision. World > in a live community, the appearance of citizenship, young Baha'is came to underwhich marked this earth's coming of age. stand, required not a verbal loyalty but pro- > The impact of a potent pamphlet, "The found and far-reaching change of action. > Unfoldment of World Civilization," written Distinction!Here was the keynote. In a > in March, 1936, produced this vitalizing civilization ridden by mounting passions, > effect. The oneness of man; the abolition strifeand hatred between economic classes, > of prejudices of race, class, and religion; the barbaric war among nations and political > hope for the Most Great Peace fragments alignments, cruel neglect of human need, > of belief before by the electric shock of the and a tragic inquietude of spirit Baha'is > Guardian's words were at once crystallized were called to faithful practice of the love of > into a whole man, a citizen of the world, no God and man. > less. Every young Baha'i tingled with the Professor Jan Huizinga of Leyden Uniexperience, and as his consciousness grew versity had written in 1936: "We are living > clear, he knew himself transferred instan- in a demented world. And we know it. > taneously and irrevocably to a higher level of Everywhere there are doubts as to the solidity > social and individual conduct. What a goal, of our social structure, vague fears of the > what an assurance, what power became his imminent future, a feeling that our civilizafrom that moment! Thus by a few words tion is on the way to ruin. They are not > did the Guardian consolidate a world com- > Shoghi Effendi, "The Unfoldment of World Civi- > > munity and every Baha'i, young or old, as- li?ation," p. 2. > sumed his place in it. 2 I > bid., p. 35. > The Baha'i Temple at Wilmette, Illinois, U. S. A., viewed from Lake Michigan. > 458 THE BAHA'f WORLD > merely the shapeless anxieties which beset us shows, the remedy to this truly sad and perin the small hours of the night when the plexing situation is not to be found in tradiflame of life burns low. They are consid- tional and ecclesiastical religion. . . . What > ered expectations founded on observation and can control youth and save it from the pitjudgment of an overwhelming multitude of falls of the crass materialism of the age is the > facts." power of a genuine, constructive and living > These facts Baha'is were not encouraged Faith such as the one revealed to the world > to deny. The Guardian himself faced them; by Baha'u'llah. Religion, as in the past, is > he analyzed their causes and prepared the still the world's sole hope, but not that form > followers of Baha'u'llah for their culmina- of religion which our ecclesiastical leaders > tion in "a period of intense turmoil and wide- strive vainly to preach. Divorced from true > > spread suffering" which would "proclaim religion, morals lose their effectiveness and > alike the death-pangs of the old order and cease to guideand control man's individual > * > the birth-pangs of the new." But most and But when true religion is > social life. > > pertinent, he drew with clarity the outlines combined with true ethics, then moral progof that modern man who, alone, should have ress becomes a possibility and not a mere > > fortitude to withstand the turmoil and con- ideal. The need of our modern youth is for > struct the coming civilization. That he such a type of ethics founded on pure reliwould be a different man from the one in the gious faith." > > streets every young Baha'i was compelled to The past two years have seen the issuance > admit. "I desire for you distinction," of a clear challenge to Baha'i youth to prove > 'Abdu'1-Baha had said many years earlier. At the faith which is undoubtedly theirs in > last such distinction had become a prime every moment of their lives.Shoghi Effendi > requisite, if the Faith for which so many has also announced that certain of Baha'- > sacrifices had already been made was to move u'llah's laws must now be universally aptriumphantly forward. plied, i.e., prayer, fasting, monogamy, the > But what kind of distinction? Basically, consent of the parents in marriage, and abof course, it rests on a quickening of the staining from alcohol. > blood and bone of the individual; it consists Perhaps to contemporary society, howin new energy based on spiritual confidence ever, the most arresting points of distinction > and ideal, in what the religious have called are the obedience to government and the so- > > rebirth, a transformation which results only lution of all group problems through consulfrom the influence of the Manifestation of tation. A Baha'i is one whose method must > God. The "task of converting satanic accord with his goal, and his goal is the solistrength into heavenly power is one that We darity of men. Almost every other modern > have been empowered to accomplish," Baha'- technique of social change acts through presu'llah proclaimed. > A life lacking such sure groups, strikes, opposition, and refusal > transformation is certainly not yet of Him. to cooperate* This profound variance of > Shoghi Effendi wrote to this point in sev- method creates for the young Baha'i innumeral letters, from which the following ex- erable problems of relationship in his occu- > > cerpts are made: "How to attain spirituality pation, to his country if at war, with groups > is indeed a question to which every young > working for world peace or economic reorman and woman must sooner or later try to ganization, and most acutely with his govfind a satisfactory answer. It is precisely be- ernment if its policy is suppression of his > > cause no such satisfactory answer has been beliefs or Faith. > > given or found, that the modern youth finds > itself bewildered, and is > being consequently 3 "In the > Shadow of Tomorrow," quoted in World > carried away by the materialistic forces that Order, August, 1937, p. 194. > 4 "Unfoldment of World > Civilization," pp. 8-9. > are so powerfully undermining the founda- 5 > "Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah," > tions of man's moral and spiritual life. . ." . > p. 200. > "... The dangers facing the modern youth Through his secretary, December 8, 1935. Baha'i > News, No. 102, p. 3. > are becoming increasingly grave, and call for 7 > Through his secretary, April 17, 1936. Baht'i > immediate solution. But, as experience clearly News, No. 104, p. 1. > BAHA'i YOUTH ACTIVITIES 459 > > Each year a Baha'i youth must increase in century embrace light Faith of Baha'u'llah > tact, patience, deeper wisdom, above all in a and establish structural basis of His World > love of man and God which no opposition, Order." The plan for such gigantic achievehowever persistent, can shake. While his aim ment is contained in the Teaching Tablets > is the Most Great Peace, he is no pacifist. of 'Abdu'1-Baha. Here are found the objec- > > "Non-cooperation is too passive a philosophy tives each one must strive to reach by 1944. > > to become an effective way for social re- With the establishment of this goal, Shoghi > construction." 8 Pledged to the use of jus- Effendi truly released a spiritual dynamic in > tice in every situation, he may not resort to the heart of the American continent which is > forceful means for its accomplishment. "The stirring into fire the ardor of every young > Baha'is ... are advised to avoid, as much Baha'i. > as they can, getting mixed in labor strikes But even as the Guardian disclosed a task > and troubles, and particularly to desist from of heroic proportion, he rewarded our effort > all acts of physical violence which indeed run in advance. The period of this survey was > counter to the very spirit of the Cause." crowned by an event so joyous, so intimately > Although his world view precludes a fervid connected with Baha'i youth that the renationalism, he is constantly in mind of sponse to it can never be couched in words. > Baha'u'llah's instruction: "In every country By his marriage, an "inestimable honor > or government where any of this community (was) conferred upon (the) handmaid of > reside, they must behave toward that gov- Baha'u'llah, Ruhiyyih Khanum, Miss Mary > ernment with faithfulness, trustfulness and Maxwell." 18 > truthfulness." 10 To young Baha'is, Ruhiyyih Khanum rep- > One further policy remains. For Baha'i resented the peak of distinction, of loyalty > > youth it means a careful attention to voca- to the letter and spirit of the Faith, of de- > > tion, perhaps an organized research, un- votion to its beloved Guardian. Her services > doubtedly in this period of world depression, as a member of the first American Youth > arduous effort. ". Idle people who lack > . . Committee, her stirring eloquence as a > the desire to work can have no place in the teacher, the moving power with which she > new World Order. Every individual, no > . . . had spoken of the Dawn-Breakers in the sesmatter how handicapped and limited he may sions at Green Acre and Louhelen, her subse- > > be, under the obligation of engaging in > is quent travels in Europe and especially her > some work or profession, for work, specially superb work in Germany, had aroused in her > when performed in the spirit of service, is contemporaries warm admiration. When > according to Baha'u'llah a form of worship. through her the American believers acquired > It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a "tie vitallybinding them" to the institua value in itself, because it draws us nearer to tion of Guardianship, symbolizing for all > God, and enables us to better grasp His pur- time the union of the East and West, the > n hearts of her co-workers were touched by > pose for us in this world." > Such are the requirements of Baha'i dis- emotions of the deepest gratitude and love. > tinction! That youth who dedicates himself Although the full significance of the event > to the standard, whose resolution to attain it could never be appreciated, they knew that > remains firm, and whose enthusiasm never Ruhiyyih Khanum had set another standard > diminishes, becomes then equal to his part in of virtue, that in her life she must now > the great "building process ... to which achieve an unprecedented sacrifice. > the life of the world-wide Baha'i Com- And they resolved to follow her in this > munity is wholly consecrated." path, to the limit of their abilities. > American youth have a specific role to 8 > Shoghi Effendi to Helen Bishop, November 21, > fulfill in this process, first enunciated by the 1935. > Guardian to the Annual Convention of 1936 Shoghi Effendi to Bernard B. Gottlieb, June 30, > 1937. > in an historic message. "Would to God," he 10 "Bahi'i > Scriptures," par. 74. > cabled, "every State within American Re- > Shoghi Effendi through his secretary, March 22, > 1937. Bahd'i News, No. 108, p. 1, > public and every Republic in American con- 12 > "Unfoldment of World Civilization," p. 35. > tinent might ere termination this glorious 18 > Cablegram, Babd'f News, No. 107, p. 1. , > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 461 > > II. THE AMERICAS > ff > . . . An inescapable, well-nigh staggering responsibility rests on America, its one chief > citadel." > M > remaining > Since appointment in 1933, th? > its first sired to become Baha'is. upon reaching the > Youth Committee of America has supported age of twenty-one. In addition to such, naa responsibility, not only for the progress of tional activities, groups reported a > local > > the Faith in the United States and Canada, wealth of original and sustained programs, > but throughout tne Baha'i world. This was through which the circle of Baha'i influence > a result of the Guardian's explicit instruc- was steadily widened during these two years. > tion, and each year has brought a more effec- In a letter to the National Committee, untive effort, a sounder consolidation of the der date of July 28, 1937, Shoghi Effendi > "international body of active young Baha'i again renewed his hopes' for it in these words: > men and women . . ." Partly because of "He would urge you not to spare any effort > the Committee and its careful planning, but in the discharge of the responsibilities and > > more than all because of the wholehearted re- obligations that have been laid on your shoulders for the initiation, organization and consponse of local groups, Baha'i youth around > the world have achieved a" unity, vitality, duct of Baha'i youth work. It is your duty > and intelligence which did not -exist before to continually remind the Baha'i youth of > > 1933. 15 America to cling steadfastly to the ideals in- > The status of youth activities in America culcated in the Teachings, and to give them > is numerically shown in a survey made dur- the full scope, encouragement and guidance > > ing the summer of 1937. Sixty-eight com- they require for the application of these > munities reported. Of these, twenty-eight idealsnot only in their own limited circle > had youth committees, forty-four organized but in the larger world outside." > > youth groups, and nine others had one or a A point by point consideration of activifew interested youth. The total number of ties follows: > > young people studying the Baha'i Faith was A. BAHA'I' YOUTH This quarterly, which > six hundredand twenty-one, of whom three at the beginning was no more than a mimeo- > > hundred and thirty-four were Baha'is. graphed bulletin, has become a significant > The National Youth Committee itself re- "conference ground," a source of internaflected the new interest in a marked increase tional communication, an organ representaof Extended business meetings > function. tive of the best thought and planning of > were held during 1937 at the Louhelen and Baha'i youth. In 1936 editorial and business > Green Acre Summer Schools, which most of responsibilities were separated, and in the fall > the members were able to attend. Six gen- of 1937 the publication was moved to New > eral letters were addressed to young Baha'is York City, with an increase to sixteen pages > through the columns of Baha'i News and and one thousand copies each quarter. Its > Bahd'i Youth, and the latter publication was material, from March, 1936, to October, > enlarged in size and circulation to become 1937, was diversified, including editorials > the chief medium for local and international and general articles from twenty-one young > work. A correspondence bureau was set up authors, letters from the Guardian, verse, > as a new Committee function, with two sec- suggestions for study, international news, > retaries responsible for Asia and Europe. The general letters from the Youth Committee, > World Baha'i Youth Symposiums were and announcements. The study suggestions > scheduled annually, as a concerted proof of are worth noting: a list of books for three > Baha'i unity. Youth Sessions at the Summer types of students, eight outlines for Sym- > Schools continued to develop in importance. posium discussions, a bibliography on consul- > A plan was adopted for intensive study days tation, "Some Definitions," "Root Principles > of the Baha'i Faith," and a "Self -Inventory > during five months of 1937-38, "to deepen > and widen the range of our knowledge." 14 > Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi to the National > Effort was continuously exerted to obtain Assembly, August 4, 1937. > 15 For > comparison sec previous surveys of youth acregistration of those young people who de- tivities in Babf! World, Vol. V and Vol. VI. > 462 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Sheet." Doubtless the most important arti- addressed to some sixty Baha'is abroad. In > cles published were two by Ruhiyyih addition, a large correspondence was devel- > Khanum, written by her just prior to the oped with Baha'i youth in more than a dozen > Guardian's marriage, descriptive of Haifa countries. The work progressed so rapidly > and the Holy Shrine. (June and October, that it was necessary to designate a second > 1937.) international secretary for 1937-38. Thus > B. INTERNATIONAL BUREAU As the busi- the future of world-wide communication, > ness of the Youth Committee grew, it be- upon which real solidarity must depend, was > came apparent that some division of secre- adequately ensured. > tarial work would have to be made, and thus C. WORLD BAHA'I YOUTH SYMPOSIUMS > in 1936 an international secretary was ap- The second annual celebration by Baha'i > pointed. This action received the hearty ap- youth, acting simultaneously throughout the > proval of Shoghi Effendi, who wrote on world, was held on March 7, 1937, under the > November 21, 1936, establishing the Bu- general theme "Religion Way of Civil-A > "He firmly believes > reau's policy as follows: ization." Careful preliminary work was > that it is high time for young Baha'i men done by the American National Committee > and women in every land to get in close and in preparing publicity, circularizing local > constant touch with each other's activities, youth groups, and providing a series of outand to develop the necessary medium where- lines for discussion of the eight sub-topics > by they can acquire a common and powerful chosen, True Religion, America and > (i.e., > > consciousness of the responsibilities and the Most Great Peace, Science and Religion, > duties that have been laid upon their shoul- World Economics, Paths of Unity, The > ders as builders of the New World Order of Meaning of World Order, Baha'i Youth and > Baha'u'lUh. The formation of a Bureau for the World Today, Humanity's Coming of > international Baha'i Youth work is, there- Age.) Most of the January, 1937, issue of > fore, most timely suggestion, and one > a Bahd'i youth was devoted to these plans, and > which the Guardian confidently believes will the March issue was especially edited for > awaken wide response throughout the entire public distribution. In the Eastern and Cen- > Baha'i world. The Baha'i youth is in need tral areas of the United States, regional conof a common basis for cooperation and of an ferences were held in preparation, and sev- > > organ for the direction and expansion of its eral communities were able to arrange radio > > activities, and for the promotion and appli- broadcasts of their symposiums. > cation among its members of the highest and Measured numerically, the success of these > noblest ideals upheld by the Cause. May meetings eclipsed the first year's effort for > your meritorious endeavors in this connec- eighteen American conferences were held, > tion yield the most satisfactory results. In plus eleven others inGermany, India, Engyour general communications to the Baha'i land, Hungary, 'Iraq, and Iran. Audiences > youth, the Guardian wishes you to lay special in Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, Teaneck > emphasis on the Baha'i teaching of the One- and Karachi were estimated as between one > ness of Mankind which, as you certainly and three hundred persons. It is especially > know, is the distinctive feature of the Reveinteresting that five of the conferences were > lation of Bahi'u'llah." (Through his secre- held in Germany (Heidelberg, Stuttgart, > tary to Tahirih K. Mann). Esslingen, Goppingen, and Karlsruhe), un- > Upon recommendation of the Committee doubtedly due to the stimulation of the Nato the National Spiritual Assembly, nine astional Youth Committee first > members were then appointed appointed in > sociate to > the summer of 1936. This significant nationrepresent the > following nations: England, al effort on the part of German youth came > Germany, France, South Australia, India, > 16 only shortly before the official proscription > Palestine,Egypt, 'Iraq, and frn. These > of the Baha'i Faith by that > members were helpful in distributing to country. > young Baha'is in their areas the information Appointees were Dorothy Cansdale, Friedrich > sent out by the international secretary. Macco, M. Hakim, Bertram Dewing, Sohrab Bahmani, > Massoud Rassikh, Mustafa Kamil, Jamil I. Baghdadi, > During 1936-37 four general letters were and Haji Mirza Bozork Afnan Aalaaie. > BAHA'i YOUTH ACTIVITIES 463 > > The support of the Guardian was enlisted same summer he stated what is doubtless the > by a cablegram sent on March seventh, as paramount object of every like Session, "that > follows: "Youth Committee reports twenty- the spirit engendered by that meeting will be > four symposiums March seventh in five so deeply infused into the hearts of all the > > countries pledging continued loyalty by attendants as to stimulate them to rededicate > themselves afresh to their sacred task of > public presentation Faith. Request prayers > confirmation." To this he replied: "De- spreading the Teachings among their fellowlighted. Assure Youth Committee fervent youth throughout the American Conti- > Deepest loving appreciation." nent." 18 > prayers. > Later a scrapbook record of the symposiums, A major part of the following material is > including signed letters from the Baha'i quoted from official reports of the Schools, > youth at each one, was sent to Shoghi Effendi. published in Bahd'i Youth for October, > One young Baha'i aptly summarized the 1936 and 1937. > significance of these meetings:"Our feeling > of unity was strengthened through working 1. GREEN ACRE YOUTH SESSION > together on this project, and we gained a > Prior to 1936 no more than a week-end > much greater realization of the scope of this conference had been scheduled for Baha'i > wonderful Faith." > youth at Green Acre. But by decision of the > At this writing plans are in motion for the National Spiritual Assembly, the first week > third annual series of Symposiums, scheduled of August, 1936, was specified for the Youth > for February 27, 1938. Using as a general Session and a Committee was appointed to > theme "Humanity's Coming of Age," the > arrange it. This enterprise was supported by > National Youth Committee has suggested over thirty young people and was thus renine topics, embracing in scope both personal > peated during the same week in 1937. > and social applications of the Baha'i Faith. > "Sixty-five young people attended Green > (These are: Dawn-Breakers, Changing Hu- Acre's second annual Youth Week. This was > man Nature, Portals to Freedom, Creative almost double the number of last year. But, > Living, Why Be Religious?, World Order figures cannot do justice to a week spent in > Not Utopia, World Citizenship, The World study of the World Order of Baha'u'llah, > An Organism, Peace Realists.) and in the fellowship of Baha'is gathered at > Every method being utilized to reach > is > historicGreen Acre. > young Baha'is in all parts of the world, not "The opening Sunday program consisted > only through the columns of Baha'i Youth, of a feast in the afternoon held at the new > but by a series of four general letters to be > study hall by the Eliot Assembly. In the > mailed to two hundred international adevening, Marion Holley of Pasadena, Calidresses. > fornia, formerly secretary of the National > D. SUMMER SCHOOLS Youth Committee, spoke to a large audience. > One of the most remarkable developments "On the week days devotions were held > in America has been the interest of young from 9:15 to 9:30, after which a forty-five > people in the three Summer Schools, their minute forum was held. The forum topics > successful promotion of Youth Sessions at were: Changing Human Personality, Baha'i > Green Acre and Louhelen, the constant in- > Marriage, Economics and the Baha'i Teachcrease of attendance, especially of nonings, Understanding Current Events, and > Baha'is, and the penetration to local com- Moral Aspects of the Baha'i Teachings. > munities of a compelling enthusiasm born "Mr. Horace Holley conducted the class > through these efforts. on Administration, which began each day at > Shoghi Effendi has recognized these values 10:30. An introductory talk on some phase > in several letters of reply to the greetings of the Administrative Order was followed > sent by Youth Sessions, fn 1937 he wrote of > by open-forum discussion until noon. > "the remarkable spirit of enthusiasm, of fel- > 17 To > lowship and of united and constructive serv- the National Youth Committee, September > 1937. > ice that animated the Baha'i Youth Week at 7, > 18 To the > National Youth Committee regarding > the Green Acre Summer School." 17 That Louhelen, July 28, 1937. > 464 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "Several beach parties were held after- Religions/ 'Administrative Order,' and Mrs. > noons during the week. Tuesday afternoon Dorothy Baker on The Baha'i Life.' > Mr. Schopflocher read his notes from Haifa. "A forum was conducted by the young > Wednesday afternoon was given over to a people every afternoon. The following subconsideration of the recent cablegrams re- jects were discussed at these meetings: the > ceived from the Guardian. Mr. Quigley of matter of registration with the Local Spir- > New York conducted the discussion and itual Assembly of all young Baha'is who inthen introduced Mrs. Mabel Ives, who led a tend to become voting members at the age of > discussion on methods of pioneer teach- twenty-one; the position of Baha'is in time > ing. ... of war; the social life of young Baha'is; and > "The highlight of the whole week came on methods of spreading the Faith. > Saturday evening, when about one hundred "The remainder of the day was given over > young people from Eliot and surrounding to recreation. The young people found > communities were guests at a supper-dance. opportunity to visit informally with one > The members of the National Youth Com- another and with the teachers who sympamittee were introduced by Toastmaster in all the activithetically joined youth > Quigley. Several musical numbers and a skit ties." > followed. Marion Holley spoke on 'The > Next Great American Frontier, Prejudice' "With eighty-two young people and nuwhich must be conquered by this generation. merous counsellors and teachers registered, > Dancing until midnight followed the supper. the Youth Session at Louhelen Summer > "That this social event had created a great School, June 27 to July 1, 1937, was emifeeling of friendliness for the Baha'is among nently successful. > many young people in the vicinity of Eliot "The National Youth Committee met > was shown by the way they kept returning during the Session, giving inspiration and > to Green Acre in the weeks following." 19 ideas to the group. Members came from as > far away as California and Montreal, Can- > 2. LOUHELEN YOUTH SESSION ada. > > Louhelen has set the example from the first "The forum style classes, which followed > in its Youth Session. > Beginning in 1934 with morning devotions and lasted until noon, > an attendance of twenty-seven youth, its en- were conducted in a manner that often > rollment advanced in 1935 to fifty-seven, in evoked comments from the floor. Willard > 1936 to eighty- two, and to ninety-six in McKay's lectures on the New World Order > 1937, past which point present facilities will > and the series of talks on the Baha'i Life, > not permit it to go. Each year the Summer given by Kenneth Christian, Mr. and Mrs. > School Program Committee has appointed a Emeric Sala, and Marion Holley, in several > instances furnished material for use in the > youth committee to share responsibility in > planning, the members of which have usuafternoon open forum. Twice it was necesally lived in one area, sary to hold extra discussion groups in the > (i.e., Chicago in 1936, > Lima in 1937). These young members have late afternoon. Classes always lasted far > > directed not only the program of over dismissal time. > study and > recreation, but have worked out a system of "During the second morning hour there > were two classes, advanced and elementary. > self-government, much needed for a conference of this size. Miss Garreta Busey conducted the advanced > class on the Dispensation of BahdVllah, > Excerpts from official reports follow: > "The program (June 22-26, 1936) was while Annamarie Kunz and Margaret Kunz > > opened each day with a devotional meeting jointly led the elementary group in the hisin which selections from the Sacred tory and principles of the Cause. . . . > writings > were read by various members of the young "With all the fun, the atmosphere was > not frivolous but gave promise of greater > people. This was followed by three courses > conducted, respectively, by Prof. Stanwood youth activities, as individuals left Louhelen > Cobb on 'Security for a Failing World,' and > "B&fY Youth, Vol. Ill, No. 3, page 14. > 'Islam,' Prof. Glenn Shook on 'Comparative Vol. No. > ., II, 3, p. 12. > BAHA'I YOUTH ACTIVITIES 465 > > with a greater understanding of the Teach- at every meeting. These typical questions > ings and a deeper determination to serve the have been compiled and should be found use- > Cause." 21 ful in Baha'i youth groups throughout the > country. > 3. GEYSERVILLE SUMMER SCHOOL "The young Baha'is were especially successful this enthusiasm > "Geyserville Summer School has never yet year in creating > sponsored a Youth Session, and it is doubtful among local Geyserville youth, who not only > whether joined in the > it will, so > successfully have the recreation, including daily > young Baha'is adapted their activities to the swimming and dancing in the new Baha'i > life of the regular sessions. When in the fu- Hall twice a week, but came regularly to > > ture, Geyserville and all of the Baha'i Schools meetings, even buying their own litera- > > have attained their maturity as real universi- ture. . . . > > ties of the new world, it may be that a spe- "The spirit of Geyserville is one not to be > cialization of program will result in classes forgotten, and brings a constant inspiration > for those of various ages. It is interesting, to the daily actions of those who are > privhowever, to dally with the thought that a ileged to participate. Surely the fine coop- > Baha'i university may be so original in design eration which exists between young and old > that it will function, perhaps, as an expres- should be fully credited, for thereby the > sion of Baha'i community life, all-embracing School is enriched, its sessions diversified, and > of those groups which make up a normal its community life given a reality which is > community. Of these, adult Baha'is, young wholesome and beautiful. Thus does Baha'- > Baha'is and Baha'i children are equally im- u'llah create His new society!" 22 > > portant. Again in 1937 (July 3-18), Baha'i yoiith > "In the ten years since the inception of of the western region met with the regular > > Geyserville Summer School, young Baha'is session, participating in the adult classes and > > have assumed an ever-increasing role and discussions. Certain specific activities were, > have made a growing contribution to the however, developed by a youth committee > for the fourteen young Baha'is. These inprogram. Actually, these ten years have seen > the development of one generation of youth cluded three round-tables per week, two > which has taken its place in adult life. An- public meetings presenting a symposium of > other generation, from five to ten years young speakers, and a program for the annow officially denotes itself as the nual High Jinks. > younger, > Youth Group. While immediately behind E. STUDY DAYS A new departure in conit, pressing into genuine and conscious accentrated was suggested to local > study > tion, comes a third generation which, al- groups for their 1937-38 programs. The > though organized as the Children's Class, is National Committee, believing that "to prealready competent to teach the Cause. It is pare ourselves thoroughly for life in the > this constant pressure of the Baha'i community and for youth work and > age-groups upward which brings to the Baha'i Faith fresh effective teaching, we must have much more > > vigor and incentive, and the trend was par- than a mere surface knowledge of the Baha'i > > ticularly noticeable this year in Geyserville, Faith," developed outlines and references for > since each group made its own outstanding five > Subjects included "Baha'i > study days. > contribution to the sessions. a Being," "Baha'i Theory of > Spiritual > "Each morning the regular lectures were Knowledge," "Baha'i the Activist," "Baattended by the young Baha'is who then met ha'i the Realist," and "Baha'i History." 28 > in a discussion group immediately after lunch F. OTHER OUTSTANDING WORK So diverse > to study and assimilate these talks. About have become the interests of young Ameritwenty-five youth joined in this procedure, can believers that a detailed account is no > inviting to assistthem various adult coun- longer possible in a survey of this nature. > sellors. In addition, each day was devoted There are a few projects, however, to enuto the consideration of certain questions most > No. 3, pp. 13-14. > commonly asked by young people. A differ- // Vol. > Ill, > No. 3, pp. 12-13. > ., II, > ent member of the group led the discussion > News, No. 110, p. 6. > I > > O > c > > .2 > > B > c > > < > > - > > O PQ > > 1-5 > > rt > > I > > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 467 > > merate which may stimulate further orig- that their report of a conference in 1936 > inality in teaching methods. merits full publication. Delegates were > Foremost are several achievements by again sent to the Montreal Youth Congress > Baha'i university students. A > number of of May, 1937, with similar results. > these, studying at the University of Illinois "The problems confronting youth today, > in Urbana, in 1936-37 organized their study problems of war and peace, employment > group as an official University activity. Their and unemployment, and the proper educapicture appeared in the college year book, young people for world > tion required to fit > The llliOy together with the names of officers citizenship, are creating a unity which > and faculty advisors. As a consequence, this promises to surmount political and religious > youth group received much favorable notice, barriers. In practically every country youth > opportunities to present the Cause to stu- is arising in a sincere effort to uproot the > dents developed, and cooperation was offered throttling weeds of universal greed, hatred > to such other organizations as the Campus and fear which threaten to strangle the flow > Peace Committee. In the following year the of the precious life blood of true civilization. > group took Under consideration the establish- "One such effort crystallized in a Youth > ment of a credit-course in the University Congress which was held in Montreal in > curriculum dealing with the Baha'i Faith. May, with delegates representing fifty thou- > Although no immediate result could be an- sand young people of the city from one hunticipated, the Urbana Baha'i youth have dem- dred and thirty-five different groups. Two > onstrated the possibility of official university delegates and two observers were sent from > action, and are undoubtedly first in the field. the Baha'i Youth Group. > At Syracuse University, Joseph McK. "The Baha'is found the opinions expressed > Noyes, with the backing of two other Baha'i and the spirit of unity maintained in comstudents, wrote an open letter which was plete harmony with their own Teachings. > published in the college newspaper on Feb- It was an invaluable opportunity to contact > > ruary 23, 1937, under the title, "Baha'i many young people, intelligent and open- > Movement." The letter grew out of campus minded, and to express in a broad way the > discussion on world peace and set forth the universal principles of Baha'u'llah, interject- > Baha'i attitudes and program, inviting fur- ing into the discussions and resolutions the > ther investigation. This small group of Baha'i spirit and thought. Two suggestions > students also sponsored several luncheon made by Bahd'i delegates were applauded and > meetings for Baha'i speakers of note. At adopted. One delegate recommended a > Syracuse University, also, a Baha'i is invited Negro representative for the central Board of > each year to outline the Teachings to the Council. Another, in speaking to a motion > class in comparative religions, under Pro- which condemned the policies of three agfessor Piper. gressive nations, asked for a broader, more > Such an exposition was also made for a universal view of the question which would > similar class at Scripps College, Claremont, understand and remove causes rather than > California, in the spring of 1937. condemn their effects. It was suggested > Young Baha'is of Wilmette have recently that, since the whole world-wide society of > begun informal meetings for students resi- nations, composed of but one human race, is > dent at International House, the University a single organism bound together by ties of > of Chicago. trade, industry and transportation, no unit > Thus throughout the country Baha'is are should be condemned as all are equally guilty > beginning to introduce the Faith to univer- in permitting these causes to exist. The mosity students and professors. It is a branch tion was dropped. Another motion was enof public teaching which deserves increasing larged by a Baha'i to include an interchange > emphasis in the next years. of delegates among the groups represented, > that all might have a greater opportunity to > No youth have made greater strides appreciate and learn of other points of view. > through cooperation with other youth "The part played by the Baha'is was relagroups than the Montreal Baha'is. It is felt tively small but as each delegate was required > 468 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Interior of the new Baha'i Hall recently erected on the property of the Geyservillc Baha'i > Summer School in California, U. S. A. > > to give the name of the group he represented, Assembly their intention of becoming memitwas a splendid chance for indirect teach- bers of the community on reaching the vot- > > ing work. Nor will the many contacts ing age, and thereby receive the privilege of > established be lost, for the Baha'i Youth attending Nineteen Day Feasts and other > Group of Montreal is already making plans Baha'i meetings, but without the privilege > to invite members of the Congress to speak of voting. They may read selections in the > on its platform." 24 spiritual program of the Nineteen Day Feast > but not serve as chairman of that program. > A Christmas teaching conference has be- If matters affecting Baha'i youth are under > come almost an institution for the young discussion they may report their views on the > Baha'is of the Eastern States. Their second subject. They may also be appointed as > two-day meeting was held on December 26- members of local youth committees by the > 27, 1936, in New York City, with delegates Spiritual Assemblies. Children of Baha'i > from seven other cities in attendance. It was parents do not receive this privilege autoan occasion for a thorough interchange of matically but must make the same declaraviewpoint, and on Sunday afternoon, the tion of intention as other young people. > regular public meeting was conducted by Baha'i parents are not to coerce their chilvisiting Baha'i youth. dren to make this declaration, but are ex- > G. REGISTRATION OF BAHA'f YOUTH In pected to point out to their children the im- > July, 1936, the Youth Committee reported a portance of voluntarily associating themstatement adopted by the National Spiritual selves with the Baha'i Faith.' > > Assembly, relative to registration with local "Although this ruling has been in effect, > Assemblies. The text of the statement fol- in briefer form, for more than a > year, Baha'i > lows, together with certain comments from youth have neglected to obey it, nor have > the original article: the local Assemblies given it that emphasis > " * > which it merits. > Young people between the ages of fif- . . . > > teen and twenty-one, whether children of "Baha'u'llah has said in the appendix to > Baha'is or not, may record with their local 2 > *Baba'i Youth, Vol. No. > II, 2, pp. 10-11, > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 469 > > His Book of Laws that 'the age of maturity Baha'i Youth," on May 21st, 1936. It emisin the fifteenth year; women and men are bodied a call which he had never more forcalike in this respect.' Thus at the age of ibly put. To close this section with his > every young believer who is pledged > fifteen, words is to epitomize the profoundest hopes > in his heart to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, of the American Baha'i youth, and to open > should assume those responsibilities and the prospect of that future they and their > duties which He has enjoined. At that age fellows aspire to win. > the observance of prayer and fasting is called ". In these days of universal affliction, > . . > > for; and in its ruling on registration, the Na- of widespread disillusionment and discontent, > tional Assembly has made it possible for the eyes of > jthe > entire Baha'i world are di- > Baha'i youth to partake in a most important rected towards the activities which the Bainstitution of community life the Nineteen ha'i youth are initiating in various countries > > Day Feast. Just as no serious adult Baha'i with the view of hastening the unfoldment > can neglect this right to vote or overlook the of the Divine Plan. Their hopes for a better > varied duties of citizenship in the Adminis- and saner world center chiefly in you who > tration, so no young Baha'i can call himself have been called upon to vindicate through > by that name and neglect to register form- both your words and deeds those verities > ally with his Assembly. which alone can effectively establish unity > "At this important time, when the Cause and peace in the world. > stands upon the threshold of a great new- '"Jo achieve this truly gigantic task the > drive, of an effort in teaching unexcelled* Baha'i youth throughout the world must not > even by our illustrious predecessors; when only strive to spread the knowledge of the > the gigantic challenge of establishing this Teachings, but also and above all to live > Faith in every State and every Republic in them as completely as circumstances permit. > America has just been thrown to us; and They should attract people to the Cause not > when as young Baha'is we have just received so much through the exposition of its prina special message from the Guardian to Vin- ciples and teachings but through the power > dicate* through 'our words and deeds' the of their individual lives. The Baha'i youth > power we have gained from Baha'u'llah, must indeed exemplify through their lives, > surely there is no one of us who will delay in both as individuals and as conscious and acfulfilling the National Assembly's re- tive members of the Baha'i community, the > quest." purity, the effectiveness and sublime charac- > The message of Shoghi Effendi, to which ter of their Faith. They can teach best when > the above article refers, was addressed to they live up to the standard inculcated by > "The Twenty-Eighth Annual Convention, Baha'u'llah." 2G > > III. EUROPE AND ASIA > t( > The whole of mankind is groaning, is dying to be led to unity, and to terminate its age- > ~7 > long martyrdom" > > Europe, for centuries the center of life to wonders, has bitten her peoples, what incurcivilized nations, has in our own times be- able convulsion has seized and separated > come a mother of death. The energies of her them? How shall the world be immunized > concentrated peoples, so various and fecund, against this virulence? > are directed with intense devotion to self- It is neither valor nor sense to ignore the > destruction, unnatural as it is deadly. It is real terror of the situation. The culmination > as if,bent upon suicide, Europe had agreed of violence initiated in Ethiopia, extended to > to consummate it with bravado, with drums Spain, and imitated in Asia with universal > and goose-step, passion and parade, suave effect, will not be forestalled by conclaves of > > night attack and diplomatic gesture. The decorated statesmen whose impotence or bad > certainty of tragedy is guaranteed in every 2 -"> > Baha'i 'Youth, Vol. II, No. 2, p. 4. > war office, its swift beauty in the fleets of 26 Ibid. > > stream-lined bombers. What madness, one 27 "Unfoldmcnt of World Civilization," p. 41, > 470 THE BAHA't WORLD > intentions have already been proved. Nor study week-ends, a "miniature Summer > will mass excitements, however widely pre- School." > scribed, make a likely medicine. Must we A most unique activity is the Baha'i Thenot frankly admit that the question is no atre Group organized in London under the > longer one of rescue for our decadent, too sponsorship of the National Spiritual Assemsubtle society, but rather, toward what order bly, by Mme. Barry-Orlova with the aid of > shall the living work, both now and here- Mary Basil Hall. By the fall of 1937 the > after? company had grown to fifty-three, Baha'i > This is the question to which Baha'u'llah and non-Baha'i youth of diverse nationalities > made a full and superb answer. As if to and beliefs. 28 The company has sought original material; its repertoire in 1937 included > spread His vision throughout Europe before > too late, the Guardian, during the past few "As You Like It," a dramatization of Baha'- > years, has encouraged Baha'is to travel and > u'llah's "Seven Valleys," an acting version > teach there, and American believers have re- of the "Drama of the Kingdom" by Mary > Basil Hall, and "The Little Wood" by Minna > sponded with special enthusiasm. Notable > youth work has been done by such indi- Davis. Under the direction of Mme. Orlova > viduals as Ruhiyyih Khanum, Jeanne the Group received professional training, > Bolles, David Hofman Englishman > (an was presented by the Men of the Trees Sowhose first Baha'i training was received ciety, the Inter-Religious Fellowship, and the > in America), Helen Bishop, Mrs. W. S. London Baha'i Assembly, and began its sec- > Maxwell, Mrs. Ruhanguiz Bolles, Lorol ond year on an independent financial basis. > Schopflocher, and Mme. Orlova. Their A comment by Mme. Orlova reveals the posreports, in addition to those received by sible significance for other Baha'i communithe International Bureau, have been free- ties of this interesting endeavor: "The memutilized in this survey of progress, bers were not all Baha'i, but it is beautiful to > ly > alphabetically arranged according to counsee what a method of teaching this Theatre > tries. Group idea becomes, not only for the actual > A. BULGARIA Miss Bolles reports several members, but for their family and friends. > young Baha'is in Sofia. No special meeting Everyone is impressed by the Baha'i cooperahas as yet been established. tion, lack of prejudice, and spirit of 'the > B. ENGLAND London has a large and active play's the thing.' ... In the Group there > youth group, including several Iranian stu- was neither creed nor nation." > dents, with members who are versatile and C. FRANCE A distinctive achievement of > Baha'i youth in France has been the Oriental > qualified. Many of the lectures at the Baha'i > Summer Schools of 1936 and 1937 were pre- Students' Union which, since 1930, has > sented by them; they include several of Eng- sponsored yearly conferences in Paris of > land's outstanding Baha'i speakers; while a Baha'i students scattered throughout Eunumber are supporting the Baha'i Theatre rope. This conference has long been valued > Group. This London group sent five dele- by Shoghi Effendi as a significant contribugates to the International Baha'i Student tion to the Faith. The last meeting in Janu- > Conference in Paris, January, 1937. It has ary,1937, widened its scope to include all > participated in the two world Baha'i Youth young Baha'is who might be able to attend, > Symposiums. On October 14, 1937, it and as previously mentioned, the London > sponsored a Youth Rally at Caxton Hall, Youth Group sent five delegates. The fol- > Westminster, attended by almost fifty new lowing account was published in Baba'j > people, which proved most vital in program Youth, June, 1937: > and response. The four speakers, Bahi'i "In the city of Paris, on the second and > youth of promise, were Claudia Aldridge, third of January, 1937, the Union of Baha'i > > Marguerite Wellby, Louis Rosenfield, and Students held their seventh annual confer- > Molly Brown. A regular meeting is held ence. Besides the many students from Paris, > > throughout the winter, and in summer > 28 The > months the schedule gains zest with youth By-Laws provided that two members must > always belong to a Spiritual Assembly, local or napicnics. Plans are now in hand for intensive tional. > for the at > U, S, A,- & > > to all th *$ > at to the > > The Baha'i Hall in Green Acre, a recent addition to the properties of the oldest > Baha'i Summer School in America, open annually at Eliot, Maine, U. S. A. > 472 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the provinces, and foreign countries, special Yazdi. It is interesting that Mile. Migette > were present from England, Gervisitors is "Chef de la Surveillance des Eaux de > many, and the United^States. Lyon" and holds the highest degree in chem- > "The importance attached by the Guard- istry. As mentioned above, this group sent > ian to this annual activity of European delegates to the seventh conference of the > Baha'i youth is shown in a paragraph from a* Union of Baha'i Students in Paris. > letter from him to the conference, written > by his secretary: 'It is needless to say how The International Bureau is also in commuch the Guardian values and appreciates munication with M. Soghomons of Marprofoundly these efforts which your Com- who states that although no group has > seilles, > > mittee put forth so ardently to advance the been founded, there are several interested > friendship, the mutual understanding and students who wish to be informed of Baha'i > cooperation between the members of the youth activities. > body of Baha'i students scattered widely D. GERMANY Young Baha'is of Germany > across Europe. The fact that such a con- would doubtless be the first to attribute > ference has taken place regularly has, for him much of the stimulation which their work > a significance of the greatest importance, in has received to the extended travels of > these days when the young people of the Ruhiyyih Khanum in their country. Partly > world are turning away so rapidly from the as a result of her suggestion, made during the > > religious institutions and churches in the "Sommerwoche" in 1936, they successfully > midst of which they were born. In an age petitioned the National Spiritual Assembly > when the forces of irreligion and materialism to appoint a Youth Committee, the first of > are invading all ranks of society and seriously its kind inGermany. Original members were > ravaging the hearts and minds of men, it is Friedrich Strauss,secretary, and Friedrich > truly splendid to see young Baha'is assemble, Macco of 'Heidelberg; Annemarie Brauns, > men and women, for the purpose of discuss- Karlsruhe; Ruth Schmalfuss, Leipzig; and > ing and studying the fundamental teachings, Wilhelm Gollmer, Stuttgart. On September > spiritualand moral, which Baha'u'llah has 10, 1936, the Committee was first addressed > brought to the world and to examine the by the Guardian, as follows: > ways and means required for spreading and "To the Baha'i Youth Committee of Gerdisseminating them/ many and Austria, > "M. Hakim, who presided at the confer- "Beloved friends and co-workers: > ence, presented a report of youth activities "Your very warm message of August 22 > in America. addressed to the Guardian has been duly re- > "Mile. Irady spoke on the subject,^'The ceived,and its contents have deeply moved > Place of Women in the Baha'i Faith/ Other and cheered his heart. > speakers were Mme. Orlova and Mrs. Schop- "He is indeed rejoiced by the news of the > flocher from America, Mile. Migette from formation of a Baha'i Youth Committee in > Lyons who came with a group of Baha'is and Germany and Austria, as he feels convinced > friends. that the time has come when young Baha'i > "On the second day a group of London men and women in these two countries > Baha'is were welcomed. Miss Claudia should come together and organize their ac- > Aldridge read a paper entitled 'Relations tivities upon a firm foundation. Your Com- > Among Members of a Baha'i Community.' mittee therefore fulfills a deep-felt and most > Other speakers at this session were Mr. urgent need, and will, it is > hoped, increas- > Bakchayech, E)r. Miihlschlegel, Mile. Zamen- ingly develop into a powerful and effective > hof and Mr. Zabih." > , medium for the coordination of Baha'i youth > activities throughout Austria and Germany. > The visit of Mrs. W. S. Maxwell to Lyons The responsibility that has been laid upon > resulted in the establishment of a new youth your shoulders is certainly heavy and deli- > > group in June, 1936, whose first members cate, particularly in these days when the atwere Mile. Lucienne Migette, Mile. Andre tention of the youth all over the world is > > Flour, Mr. and Mrs. Moddaber, and Mr. being wholly and forcibly diverted in direc- > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 473 > > tions that are fundamentally irreconcilable The last official communication from these > with the very spirit and mission of the courageous young B^aha'is was received after > Cause. Your chief task is, therefore, to ex- this meetingaproposrof the Summer School, > ercise a wise and continued control over when Friedrich Macco wrote: "I hope that > young believers in order to prevent them we may then greet friends from America > from being dragged away by the strong ma- again. Perhaps it will be possible for one of > terialistic current of the age. the youth to come. Such visits are of extra > "It should be your committee's constant importance because they make a real underendeavor to stress to all young believers the standing possible." > supreme necessity of their adhering faith- Though short-lived, the National Youth > fully and intelligently to the principles and Committee of Germany and Austria awaklaws of the Cause, to consider the Faith as ened a vital and widespread interest in the > their highest allegiance,and consequently to Baha'i Faith among young believers, consoliconcentrate heart and soul on finding the dated its program with admirable rapidity, > ways and means that would enable it to and set a standard in persistent and devoted > rapidly spread and effectively establish itself effort for future generations to fulfill. > in the consciousness of mankind. E. HUNGARY In Budapest the Cause has > "With the best wishes and fervent prayers rapidly advanced, through pioneer work of > of the Guardian for the success and exten- several American believers, notably Miss > sion of your labors, and with his cordial Jeanne and Mrs. J. Ruhanguiz Bolles and > greetings, Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher, and with the en- > "Yours in His Service, thusiastic cooperation of the local group > "H. Rabbani." which was formed. Miss Bolles has reported > "Dear friends: a special response from young people of tal- > > "The work you have initiated deserves the ent and initiative. Although no youth group > highest praise and will no doubt attract the had then been formed, Budapest joined in > richest blessings. The steady expansion of the celebration of International Youth Day > your activities is vital to the spread of the on March 6, 1937. The following facts > Cause in Germany and Austria at the present were obtained from Miss Bolles: > stage of its development. Persevere and "The Symposium took place in a private > never lose heart. The hosts of the Abha reception room of the Gellert Hotel and was > Kingdom will guide and help you. My attended by twenty-four young people, all > prayers are with you always. Hungarians with the exception of one Hun- > "Your true and grateful brother, garian-American, daughter of a minister. > "Shoghi." Among those present was the brother of a > journalist who recently wrote in his book, > During the life of the Committee, some- 'On the Eve of Palestine,' that the problems > what less than a year due to official pro- of the Holy Land can only be solved by a > scription of the Faith, close contact was Messiah. Also present was the daughter of > maintained between it and the American the artist, Robert Nadler, who painted 'Abd- > Committee and mutual assistance was given. u'1-Baha's picture during His sojourn there > All German Baha'i communities were circu- in 1913. There were a number of students, > larized, asked to establish > regular youth too, as well as two doctors, one of languages > > meetings, and a census was begun. Five local and one of chemistry. > groups arranged conferences for the World "The Symposium was conducted by > Youth Symposium of March 7, 1937. (See Jeanne Bolles, acting as chairman, who also > report above.) The Committee held its sec- gave an introductory talk on the general title > ond meeting during the celebration of Na- and theme of the day, 'Religion, A Way of > tional Day by the Baha'is of Germany and Civilization/ Mrs. Schopflocher spoke on > Austria, April 24-2 5, 1937, at which time a 'Science and Religion/ Mrs. J. Ruhanguiz > special program was planned for Baha'i Bolles, last speaker, addressed the audience in > youth attending the Summer School session > in August. This session was later canceled. Baha'i Youfb, Vol. II, No. 4, p. 12. > 474 THE BAHA'l WORLD > German on what the thinkers of the world ments. It is thus significant that among > are saying in relation to religion and the them the principles enunciated by Baha'- > coming of a new Manifestation. At the u'llah are also penetrating, and in several > > close of the meeting, a young Hungarian, chief countries young Baha'is are able to re- > Mrs. Komlos, spontaneously arose to say a port a notable progress in the past two years. > few words in appreciation of the Faith and A. EGYPT Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher visited > of those Baha'is who had come to Hungary Ismailia in May, 1936, and met with several > to teach. young Baha'is who started a study group. > > "A tea followed the meeting. Many Mrs. Schopflocher also toured other Egyptian > questions were asked in English, German and communities at the Guardian's request, em- > French. A > number of young people who had phasizing youth work wherever she spoke. > not previously come to the meetings asked if In 1937 an inquiry was received by the > they might now attend them. The spirit International Bureau from the Local Assemwas one of dignity and harmonious anima- bly in PORT SAID, for methods to begin youth > tion throughout. The meeting lasted from activity. Mr. Jean Chawafaty, local secrefive to nine P.M. tary, planned to organize such work. > "Miss Bolles left a small library of Ger- B. INDIA Three Baha'i communities of Inman and English books with the group. The dia and Burma have already established youth > 'Hidden Words' are now being translated by groups Bombay, Karachi, and Poona, and > a believer into Hungarian." the extension of this work is now a national > F. NORWAY Word has been received from objective. "Acting on a resolution passed > Miss Johanna Schubarth that a small study by the National Spiritual Assembly at their > circle of four young people was begun in the annual meeting, some of the local Spiritual > winter of 1936. Assemblies have already reported re-organization of local Youth Committees while > Thus in half a dozen nations of Europe the news from other centers is awaited. It is > Baha'i Faith is firmly rooted in that genera- hoped that the Baha'i Youth of India and > tion whose task will be to build, after disas- Burma will soon organize themselves into a > trous conflict, a society actually consonant strong National Youth Committee and begin > with twentieth-century accomplishments serving the Divine Faith with energy and > and needs. "As we view the world around enthusiasm. ." . . > > us/' Shoghi Effendi wrote in 1936, "we are Young believers in Bombay sponsor a > > compelled to observe the manifold evidences study class with special emphasis upon trainof that universal fermentation which, in ing for Baha'i teaching. They have also > every continent of the globe and in every acted as hosts to the students of the Islamia > > department of human life, be it religious, so- College, Andheri. > cial, economic or political, is > purging and The Karachi Youth Group has celebrated > reshaping humanity anticipation of the > in each International Symposium, often wel- > Day when the wholeness of the human race comes world Baha'i travelers and cooperated > will have been recognized and its unity estab- especially on the occasion of Mr. Siegfried > lished." Young Baha'is are able to con- Schopflocher's visit, and has proved itself a > tribute constructively to this process be- valuable asset to the local Assembly. There > cause they are conscious of it, have clarified are sixteen active members in this group. > their goals, and derive a constant vigor from C. IRAN Young Baha'is of Iran have long > their Faith. The > value to Europe of her been responsible for a number of well-defined > Baha'i youth can be fairly weighed only in activities. The nature of their work is > the scale of this contribution toward an shown by the following report prepared for > ordered world. the Iranian national secretary, which was re- > Now the peoples of Asia are subject to printed in Bahd'i News: > many of the same stresses as have been noted "The duties of this group can be summarin Europe, their awakening sense of nation- ized as follows: > alism creates foreboding, their social institu- > 80 "Unfoldment of World Civilization," p. 10. > tions are even less suited to modern require- > News, March, 1937, p. 3. > the of > > Members of the Young Men's Baha'i Group of Tihran, Iran. > > 476 THE BAHA'f WORLD > 1. To encourage the Baha'i youth and to contact with youth groups in Shiraz and > > bring about the means for their association Tabriz, both of which are constantly active > with each other on a spiritual basis; in spreading the Faith. > 2. To exhort Baha'i youth in living the life D. 'IRAQ The following facts were oband carrying out the ordinances and prin- tained from correspondence between the > ciples of the Cause by purifying their souls youth of Baghdad and the International > and rejecting old habits and manners which Bureau: > may be against the Baha'i principles; On December 9, 1936, word was received > 3. To bring about, to the best possible ex- from Baghdad that a Youth Committee had > tent, the means for physical training of the been established, the purpose of which was > youth; to: > 4. To give to the Baha'i youth mental and > intellectual training and to foster their edu- > 1 . Plan for a class of study of the Cause, its > > cation as much as possible; principles, history and administrative order. > 5. To extend help and assistance to needy > Baha'i youth and to give needful guidance > 2. Arrange the program of public meetings > to which are held in the Haziratu'1-Quds. > students; > 6. To enter into correspondence with Baha'i 3. Arrange Nineteen Day Feasts. > groups throughout the world; > 4. Correspond with the various Baha'i > 7. To make efforts towards the promotion groups and individuals in 'Iraq and also > of activities for teaching the Cause, and keep in touch with youth throughout the > 8. To put the Baha'i youth in touch with world. > > their social duties and to increase their > Mr. Kamil 'Abbas became secretary. The > knowledge of Baha'i principles. > "The Baha'i Youth Committee in Tihran group began the study of "Baha'u'llah and > has lately arranged, among other duties, to the New > lira," and translated into Arabic > articles from the Bahd' i *W orld Volume V., > give from time to time representations dey > > picting the lives of early believers of the especially the letters of the Guardian con- > Cause in Iran. Such representations have cerning Baha'i youth activities (dated Janbeen arranged so far to commemorate the uary, 1933), which became "the program > life of Qurratu'l-'Ayn (the famous Baha'i > of every member of the Committee." A > poetess and martyr), Jinab-i-Varqa (the general letter from the International Bureau > was translated and sent throughout 'Iraq. > martyr), Jinab-i-Zaynu'1-Muqarrabin, Haji > Amin and Haji Mirza Haydar-'Ali, the The Youth Symposium was > International > > famous Baha'i teacher. celebrated for the second time on March 4 > > "The Youth Committee proposes to give and 7, with a teaching conference for besimilar plays for the Western believers. On lievers and a public meeting attended by > about fifty youth. > May 15th, a representation was given . . . > > in commemoration of the life of our de- So far this group consists wholly of men. > E. SYRIA The Baha'i students at the Amerparted friend of the West, the late Monsieur > H. Dreyfus. A detailed account of the life ican University of Beirut numbered fourteen > > of this famous pioneer of the Cause in the during 1936-37. Their secretary, Mr. A. > West was given to the audience which num- Balyuzi, has written that they meet every > bered over a hundred people. other week for study and to receive news of > "The. chief idea of giving such representa- Baha'i activities around the world. They > tions is to put friends here in touch with the frequently entertain visitors from East and > wonderful and most valuable services ren- West, who pass through Beirut en route to > dered by such noble souls to the Cause and Haifa. > to encourage the present generation to fol- Such are the evidences, then, that the > low the example of courage, faithfulness and Baha'i Faith is winning the universal support > the spirit of sacrifice left by our early be- of young people. Since 1933 the developlievers." > 82 ment of their work has been truly remark - > The International Bureau has maintained 32 > // BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 477 > > able; yet they stand only at the threshold cooperation among young Baha'i men and > of opportunity. In the light of their ex- women, in order to enable them at a later > panding services, the following instruction age to collaborate intelligently and harmoniof Shoghi Effendi is pertinent, for in it is es- ously with their fellow-believers of whatever > tablished that balance which must always class, age or origin. Such activities should > characterize the Baha'i community. be undertaken within the framework of the > "The chief purpose underlying all such Administrative Order. They should neither > undertaken by our Baha'i youth > activities be overemphasized nor curtailed. The formathroughout the world is to stimulate enthusi- tion of youth committees is a means to > asm, promote instruction and foster the de- achieve the end stated above, and is not an > velopment of the spirit of solidarity and end in itself." 33 > > EXCERPTS FRO M BAHA'f YOUTH > March, 1936 to October, 1937 > > L Message from Haifa in two parts. Ruhiyyih Khanum > II. Editorials: > The Most Joyful Tidings Marion Holley > Heritage Kenneth Christian > Widening Our Horizons Heshmat Ala'i > III. Articles: > > Nobility Kenneth Christian > Independent Investigation David Hofman > Concerning Divine Education Lewis Zerby > A Baha'i Prays Zeah Hoi den > IV. Special Features: > Outlines of Study for the > Second Series of International Youth Symposiums > Why I Am a Baha'i > An Open Letter Joseph McK. Noyes > > MESSAGE FROM HAIFA > > DJan. EAR fellow-youth: > The Mansion, Bahji, > > Here in this mansion made sacred to us > 22, 1937. > us, that signal figure of the Heroic age of > our Faith; Mirza Abu'1-Fadl, an example of > the greatness of human wisdom and knowledge being transformed into the humble servant of Baha; Lua, the early flame of the > all by the blessed Presence of Baha'u'llah, my > thoughts turn to you and my heart brims West, her pure eyes raised as if to the Masover and I feel I must write to you all. ter's face; Dr. Esslemont, modesty and spirit- > > Everywhere is the presence of the Guard- ual altitude shining in his quiet visage; Keith, > ian. His care, his foresight, the mighty smiling her warm and radiant smile, our > works he has accomplished in these last first American martyr. Within the central > what must have been to him terribly try- hall, with its cool white walls, blue stenciled, > > ing years. The Mansion of BahaVlUh he its marble pillars rising to symmetrical arches, > > bought, he rebuilt, thus fulfilling a cherished stands an illumined model of our Temple > desire of the Master; its peace and beauty surrounded by the framed facsimiles of > are indescribable, upon the walls smile the Queen Marie's statements, her picture, and > faces of those who stood out in the front 38 > Through his secretary to Marion Holley, Novemranks: Bahiyyih Khanum gazes wistfully at ber 8, 1937. > 478 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the certificates of incorporation of different was seen to emerge from the midst of the > Spiritual Assemblies. Costly rugs hang on crowd, with a stone in her hand, eager to cast > the walls and examples of the penmanship it in the face of Baha'u'llah; 'I adjure you,' > of the famous calligraphist, Mishkim-Qalam, she pleaded, 'give me a chance to fling my > in many forms; birds with rose-bedecked stone in his face!' 'Suffer not this woman to > plumage that spell Baha, the Greatest Name be disappointed, deny her not what she reand other decorative writings. There are gards as a meritorious act in the sight of > " > many photographs of the different Baha'i God,' were His words. And "That which > groups, of Baha'i pioneers, of the National ensued is well-known, and if sometime you > Assemblies. Everywhere are displayed treas- should happen to visit the prison of His > ures of our Faith; illuminated tablets in the Majesty, ask the director and chief of this > script of the Blessed Perfection, indescrib- place to show you two chains, one of which > is known as Quara-Guhar and the other as > ably fine and perfect, and of the Master; > most precious of all is a part of the "Hidden Salasil. I swear by the stars of justice, that > Words" as revealed by Baha'u'llah in His during four months, I was weighted and torown hand. mented by one or the other of these chains." > Here one remembers at once the words in All this comes back as we stand in the > Nabil; "Methinks I was in a place of which utter simplicity of His room; beside the bed > it could be truly said: 'Therein no toil shall one lamp of white china, with a plain glass > reach us, and no weariness shall touch us' "; chimney, something pristine in its unorna- > "No vain discourse shall they hear therein, mented form; a deep blue painted ceiling; > nor any falsehood, but only the cry, 'Peace! white cotton curtains in the windows; a low > Peace!' "; "Their cry therein shall be, 'Glory Divan on the floor and before this, a pair of > be to Thee, O God!' and their salutation bed room slippers. Here the "Glory of God" > therein, 'Peace!' and the close of their cry, passed away from the earthly eyes of men. > " > 'Praise be to God, Lord of all creatures!" But into everything, the garden, the deco- > Here in the Mansion one feels this. ration of the Mansion, tne Tombs of the > But in the Tomb of BahaVllah it seems Bab and 'Abdu'1-Baha, glimmering amidst > as if all the world were there, in That Pres- the lights of Haifa across the bay, the arence. One felt the all-ness of the earth, no chives, has pervaded like the refrain of a > distance, no separation except that of rela- mighty song, the presence of the Guardian. > tion, all beneath His watchful gaze. It is All bespeaks his loving care, his ceaseless toil, > not something one says, "now I must begin and that authority with which he was into feel it because this is the Holy Tomb," no, vested by 'Abdu'1-Baha. No one could deit meets you as you approach Bahji even as scribe the beauty of Shoghi EfTendi; his utter > a light meets you when you enter the circle unselfishness, unself -consciousness; his inof its radiance. It is as tangible as silence, effable sweetness; his indefatigable capacities > or heat . . . this peace. for work and creation. We have achieved > As Baha'u'llah must have been in His room much in the Cause these last years since the > ... so one feels Him upon entering it. ascension of the Master, but whose sugges- > Phrases come back, cherished and dear to the tions, guidance, example and patience, has > mind of a Baha'i: "A mild, dignified voice inspired us? And here, where five thousand > bade me be seated; 'Praise to be God that books adorn the shelves of an international > thou hast attained!' ... I bowed myself Baha'i library, prominent among them: > before one who is the object of a love and Nabil; The fqan; the Gleanings; the Admindevotion that Kings might envy and Em- istration; the Bahd'i World; the World > perors sigh for in vain. . ." "What is. Order letters. How poor indeed would be- > His occupation?"; "He cheers the disconso- come the shelves of our inner experience and > lateand feeds the hungry"; "What of His knowledge if we should remove these gifts > rank and position?"; "He has none, apart of his from our Baha'i life. > from befriending the poor and the strangers Do we remember enough that last injunc- > ..." and, when, en route to the Siyah- tion of our Master: "that no dust of de- > Chal in TTmran: "An old and decrepit woman spondency may stain his radiant nature"? > 'a In > > Two Baha'i youth, the daughters of Mr. David Brooks of "Rockwood," > Booleroo Centre. > > 480 THE BAHA'f WORLD > We all love and adore him who is not only it is the administrative and spiritual center > our "first Guardian," but our precious trust of our world; in these environs rest the reto serve and work with in this turning point mains of "Him Whom God will make maniof history. But are we always sufficiently fest"; of the blessed Bab; of 'Abdu'1-Baha, > aware of our privilege? Of our responsibil- the Servant of the servants of God; of > ity? He reaches out to us, seeking tools Bahiyyih Khanum. Here lives and toils, > with which to construct the edifice whose more than twelve hours each day, Shoghi > plan BahaVllah conceived and the Master Effendi. The great dynamic powers of our > formulated. The tools must be strong, keen, Faith are released from here, but they must > apt to the task required of each one. These have arteries, veins, capillaries, that the body > qualifications we can attain through adhering of the Cause may be nourished and strong > to the spirit, the Laws and the Ordinances of to serve despairing mankind. > our Faith, combined with, "instant, exact A new Baha'i year is approaching. Let > and complete obedience." That Disciple of us all, Baha'i youth and those who are friends > the blessed B&b who quaffed the fount of of our Faith and Aims, arise with a refreshmartyrdom with his Lord, whose remains ened courage, a dauntless hope for our vicwere inextricably mingled with the mangled tories, an ever deeper devotion, that we may > body of his Beloved; was not his faith epi- attain to these words of BahaVllah: > tomised when he, asked to recant, declared: "The whole duty of man in this Day is to > "Never! ... in Him I have found my para- attain that share of the flood of grace which > dise and in the observance of His law I recog- God poureth forth for him. Let none, therenize the ark of my salvation." He won his fore, consider the largeness or smallness of > immortal reward when, the Bab having said the receptacle. The portion of some might > that did one of them really love Him, they lie in the palm of a man's hand, the portion > would with their own hand take His life; of others might fill a cup, and of others even > all hesitated, anguished at such a thought, a gallon measure"; "The seal of the choice > % > > but that youth, however, was willing to obey Wine of His Revelation hath, in this Day > his Lord even to this and in these words the and in His Name, the Self -Sufficing, been > Bab rewarded the station of obedience for broken. Its grace is being poured out upon > all time. "This same youth who has risen to all men. Fill thy cup, and drink in His > comply with my wish, will, together with Name, the Most Holy, the All-Praised." > me, suffer martyrdom. Him will I choose Your loving co-worker, > to share with me its crown." (Mary Maxwell) > Here in Haifa beats the heart of the Cause; Ruhiyyih Khanum. > > MESSAGE FROM HAIFA A SEQUEL > I F one could have walked into a museum est Revelation of God's Will as yet revealed > of the authentic relics of the days and life to unfolding mankind upon this planet, this > of Christ, what would it have meant to the inestimable privilege has been vouchsafed. > Christian believers? had seen His > If they An iron door swings open upon Mount > sandals, dusty from the road between Beth- Carmel and we enter the International Arlehem and Jerusalem, or the mantle that chives of the Faith of BahaVllah. A modest > > hung from His shoulders or the cloth that series of rooms adjoining the resting place > > protected His head from the sun; what at- of the Bab, greet us. Framed tablets seem at > mosphere of assurance, of wonder, even of first glance to be this room's distinguishing > adoration would have stirred the inheritors adornment; they stand about and are disof His Faith. If their eyes could have rested played in cases, we are told these are origion even one fragmentary line penned by His nals in the writing of the Bab, BahaVllah > hand. . . . and 'Abdu'l-Bah. Here is a brief message > To most of the people of the world the of BahaVllah addressing His son: "O thou > meaning of such things is beyond their im- who art the apple of mine eye!"; here are the > agining; but to Baha'i s, believers in the new- tablets of both her father and brother tn > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 481 > > Bahiyyih Khanum. We glance closer and Baha'u'llah and remember the description of > slowly, unbelievably, the reality of what they Professor E. G. Browne: "The face of him on > are penetrates. This is the exquisite penman- whom I gazed I can never forget, though I > ship, in the shikastih script, of the Bab, the cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes > fine flow of perfectly formed letters are upon seemed to read one's very soul; power and > a marvellously illuminated background; authority sat on that ample brow; while the > flames, golden clouds surround them till the deep lines on the forehead and face implied > design of their script takes form in a feather, an age which the jet-black hair and beard > gourd or sun set in brilliant flowers with flowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance > borders in symmetrical designs, resting back- to the waist seemed to belie. No need to ask > > grounds of burning blue, green or red. All in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself > the famed beauty of the Iranian illuminated before One who is the object of a devotion > manuscript frames, one after another, those and love which kings might envy and emsimple black-ink words. Then, as we gaze, perors sigh for in vain!" What confusion > charmed by the beauty, marvelling at the this picture arouses; we remember Who He > penmanship, we begin to realize that the is to us we remember His words words > hand of a Revelator of God's Will and Laws such have never before been written by > as > > to mankind, penned those words. That the any hand we remember His Revelation's > weight of their import revolutionized the purpose; the unity of the races of men upon > thought of a nation; caused, through the op- this planet as their home in which they shall > position to the onward march of this new live under the benediction of The Most Great > > step in human progress the weakening of Peace. All this from within, and now we > Islamic institutions; inspired 20,000 men, must reconcile this inner, more abstract > women and children to drink the cup of world of experience, with the depicted figure > martyrdom; established the bedrock on upon which our eyes rest. The two forces > which a world religion could be built. clash at first. The human individuality of > We pass on to gaze upon the miniature a Prophet reproduced in a photo is something > > of the Bab: nobility, refinement of being to the spirit of man has never before had to > its utmost perfection, resides in the lines of cope with. Here our fond fancies, our perthat quiet figure. His mien is so impressive; sonal rovings into the realm of imagination, > all the story of His life comes back to us as ceaseand we gaze at that figure, loved, > described in the narrative of Nabil, "The adored,followed by men as a "Prophet," > Dawn-Breakers"; the sweetness of His voice down through the centuries, as He was. It is > chanting prayers, the gentleness of his ways, a shock. The personification of divine attribthe fire of his love for God, for "Him Whom utes has always been a mystery to Man, but > God will make manifest," for his fellow-men. to those who came after the ascension of the > The dignity of His bearing which overawed Prophet, they could try to adjust or shelve > allHis enemies the inexpressible fortitude the connection between Godly perfection in > and readiness with which He bore banish- a human form, to suit very much their own > ment, imprisonment and final martyrdom. desires; just imagine it and be perfectly con- > Like spring-tide seems to be everything asso- tent with their self-made solution. But here > ciated with Him; His youthfulness, the ex- is a picture: here are the eyes that gazed into > > quisiteness of His speech and writing, the the souls of men, into the secret heart of the > flame-like quality He inspired into His Faith problems afflicting them; here the fingers > and followers. that took pen in hand and revealed the de- > > Passing to the adjacent picture we come crees of a Beneficent God to His seeking and > to gaze upon "Him Whom God will make suffering children; here the Figure that paced > manifest." Our heart has been constricting as He spoke when words rolled from His > > as slowly we began to be grasped by the mag- tongue giving laws for a New World Order > nitude of the relics we are being permitted of the Human race, for the healing of its ailto see. Now it seems to throb heavily, we ing body and soul. Our imagination stops. > feel it beating; we try to feel what we are We are curtailed by coming face to face with > feeling as we gaze at the photograph of what has been denied everyone except the > 482 THE BAHA'f WORLD > immediate generation that surrounded a love and kindness, his quick sympathy, his > Prophet, of seeing the Form in which the laughter and smiles. Here was a being more > Light became embodied. tangible, here the perfect man, here the In- > Still suffused with shock we cannot yet terpreter and Expounder of that unapproachdisentangle and understand, we pass on some- able power which streamed from Bahd'u'llah. > what dazed. But if the Photograph of Baha'- The West has even found its way to him; > u'llah moves and baffles the soul, confounds a pair of much used field glasses are among > the reason, when we see some of His tablets his things, a pair of European summer shoes, > we become inwardly impotent. All the tor- even a vocabulary of English-Persian words, > rent of torrential rain, all the weight of with correct English accent annotated by his > light that streams and beats from the sun's hand. The warmth of his perfection wraps > rays, seem expressed in that head-long script; us "round and consoles that which has > as if no force could withstand it, no sheet been moved and startled in us by that one > bear Its motion is not stilled by being > it. glimpse into the face of Him Whom God will > confined to paper it moves on and on, the make manifest." We pass on arid come to see > power of those words. All the majesty, the at last a pair of spectacles worn by that wife > abandon of nature, the magnitude of > fierce of Baha'u'llah who was the Master's mother; > the cosmos, seems to be symbolized by it, or sometimes Baha'u'llah used them too. This > be but symbols of it. And we still cannot seems the last straw to that sense of mystery > adjust this shock within. "I am a man, and and awe that has been accumulating as our > before me is the picture of a seated man, but load of feeling as we passed from one historic > he has given life to a dead world and light document to another. Suddenly life seems > to the darkness of our chaos and despair, how much greater than it was before. Its beauty, > can this be?" We are stupefied. its privilege enhanced far beyond what mor- > > Passing into the next room we come to the tals dare to dream; all this "wonder" that un- > > effects of Baha'u'llah. We see His fezzes, derlies our universe and Ihtes; all this greatbrocaded; ivory, green, deep red. We see His ness and glory; all this abandon and beauty > bedding, quite simple even as that simple of God so close He lets it come to us that > room in which He passed away in Bahji into the form of man, chosen as God's burnacross the Bay. We > see even His slippers; ing glass, the crucible of His Revelation, > these are all little bridges towards the picture He permits and chooses His attributes to > of that seated figure; He used them They abode. "I was a man as other men asleep > are stuff of stuff. We see His comb and re- upon my couch when the breezes of the > member those words of His, "the comb, too, All Praised were wafted over me," wrote > I have given thee that thou mayest tend My Baha'u'llah. > raven locks, and not to wound My throat." Oh, how dear life is to us! How priceless > It lies there, a link again between the outer that into a human form one of us men > and inner, the Unknown and Unknowable the station; irrevocable, fixed, seated upon > God Who reveals Himself to us through His the infinite throne of Prophethood, should > Manifestation. We see the pen case of Baha'- come for a space to dwell and guide us on > u'llah, and can well understand after gazing our way. The inner and outer are reconat the torrential flow of this tablet, "At this ciled; our hearts are subdued, still stunned, > > point the pen broke and the ink gave forth as we leave the archives by another door than > > nothing but blackness ..." even see We that by which we entered. But a nearness, > that mirror in its case in which He must a sweet sense of mystery that neither saddens > > have gazed upon His own reflected visage. nor appalls, goes with us. We feel prouder > . . > "Naught is seen ... in My beauty but > . to be men, better to be men, for God al- > His Beauty, and in My being but His Being, lowed our humble estate to feel the weight > and in Myself but His Self. . . ." of His Perfection. > We then turn to the things associated with Can any Faith offer this to the experience > 'Abdu'1-Baha. Here a sudden cozy feeling of of men except that of Baha'u'llah? > relief comes to our heart; the Master was Ruhiyyih Khanum > always with us, showering left and right his Haifa, Feb. 1st, 1937. > BAHA'I YOUTH ACTIVITIES 483 > > EDITORIALS > THE MOST JOYFUL TIDINGS > JLHIS is the year 1936, but for the Baha'is of it. Their faith in God and man is a chalof the world March twenty-first will mark lenge to it, and their constancy to the social > the beginning of the ninety-third year since goals laid down by Baha'u'llah as a framethe proclamation of their Faith. For them, work for His all-embracing World Order, is > Naw-Ruz, this New Year Day, will be an indubitable testimony to the fact that, > fraught with especial significance, carrying however dreary human society may have beas it will an acute sense of the contrast be- come, there is a promise of progress for it in > tween the age-old cultures in which they the future. > move and act, and this infant ideal, unno- Young Baha'is, who for the first time this > ticed as yet, which throughout centuries Naw-Ruz are meeting in an international > to come will be shaping the destinies of men celebration of their unity, are pledging to > to a new pattern. that future their best strength and their pro- > Not in recent years will this contrast have foundest idealism, confident of the outcome > been so striking.The message enunciated by because they are confident of the truth of > Baha'u'llah can make no compromise with Baha'u'llah's declaration. > the unruly and disordered world of today. "Justice is, in this day, bewailing its plight, > These bitter rivalries with which nations have and Equity groaneth beneath the yoke of opseparated themselves, their egocentric spirit pression. The thick clouds of tyranny have > of nationalism, the arbitrary treatment of darkened the face of the earth, and envelminorities within great governments, indif- oped its peoples.Through the movement of > ference to human misery, the neglect of ele- Our Pen of glory We have, at the bidding of > mentary needs for food and shelter and a the omnipotent Ordainer, breathed a new life > function in society without which individual into every human frame, and instilled into > life cannot subsist, the callous dismissal of every word a fresh potency. All created > fundamental and solid virtues, and this sickly things proclaim the evidences of this worldstate of faith in the priceless heritage of be- wide regeneration. This is the most great, > ing human, these together indicate a condi- the most joyful tidings imparted by the pen > tion of universal thought and action which of this wronged One to mankind." (Gleanis > unbecoming, tragic and without result. ings from the Writings of Bahd'u'lldh, page > Living in this world, the Baha'is are not 92.) Marion Holley. > > HERITAGE > IRE World Faith of Baha'u'llah, still less large groups of people have died for a dythan a century old, contains already an un- namic spiritual belief. However, since cenbelievably priceless heritage for the stricken turies have elapsed and brought a lessening > world of today and the centuries to come. of faith and a waning of religion, moderns > Here is a world-wide human unity, based have tended to scorn the power of religion to > not on the ties of blood, nationality, or eco- awaken men and women to heroism so comnomic interest but on that mysterious real- plete that even death is faced unflinchingly. > ity called "the love of God." And this bond But European travelers and historians have > of unity has extended over three generations. brought to the attention of the western > Could there be a healthier demonstration of world the great dynamic in the Baha'i Faith, > the power of true religious faith in the face a dynamic which led over ten thousand Iranof a world torn by dissensions, hatreds, and ian Baha'is to death by martyrdom. So again > > mounting fear? the world sees the heroism of a living Faith! > History books, recounting the episodes of And let us not forget also the unseen herothe past, have related the fervor with which ism of Baha'is the world over who battle > 484 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > , > , > > ffVi/^ > ' 1 > '' " > > Kifi ' > > ; > , > > " > /OJ< 7 > ,'VTf 7 > > Baha*i Youth Group of the University of Illinois. From the University Annual, the > ILLIO, 1937. This is the first Baha'i Youth Group in America to be organized as an > official University activity. > > superstition, ignorance, and hatred as they BahaVllah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith > labor unceasingly for the establishment of who gave the blue-prints and principles of > the Oneness of Mankind. World Order; and 'Abdu'1-Baha, the Divine > But this unity and this heroism are results Exemplar who carried His Father's message > of a great outpouring of truth, a Revelation to the world of the west. These three profrom God unparalleled in all history by the mulgated their heavenly mission in the face > magnitude and potency of its Teachings. of all kinds of human opposition and hatred. > BahaVllah has brought the key to religious So we receive a heritage of unity, of herounity, to an understanding of progressive ism, of an outpouring of truth, and of the > revelation. BahaVllah has supplied the divine art of living. > means for social unity and the solution to Can modern youth add to this heritage? > the perplexing problems of human strife. Yes. By dedication to its promulgation. By > BahaVllah has revealed the divinely ap- the livingof its spiritual principles. By > pointed institutions of a World Order which passing on to others the dynamic of the love > will mark humanity's coming of age. of God (that mysterious reality permeating > And more than that, the world has seen all the Baha'i Teachings) so that security, > the principles of love actually lived by the peace, and happiness may be brought to peotriumvirate of Baha*i leaders the Bab, who ple bewildered by this changing world. > heralded the coming of the Day of God; Kenneth Christian. > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 485 > > WIDENING OUR HORIZONS > I NDEED it is impossible for the spiritual and culture is summed up in these words: > quality to gain life except through the acts "Ye are the fruits of one tree leaves of > which are its meaning and expression. The one branch." It is the organic unity which > ignoring of this relationship between the gives the tree its life. A > tree ceases to exist > > physical and the spiritual has, in the past, the moment its component parts deprive > tended frequently to sap the strength from themselves of the light and the heat of the > religion." The Conflict of Values, by J. R. sun, and fail to cooperate for the common > Bellerby. goal which is the life and the growth of the > Faith is the recognition of values given to organism as a whole. This organic unity is > mankind from Above. It is a conscious as genuine in human society as it is in the > > knowledge. This is a new orientation given case of a tree. > to the term "faith" by Baha Vllah. When 'Abdu'1-Baha was in Paris, in 1911, > World Citizenship implies knowledge as looking at the headlines of the papers, he saw, > well as feeling of the whole body of mankind. "A TRAIN HAS DROPPED INTO THE > It is neither an intellectual fixation nor an RIVER SEINE, AND A DOZEN PARIS- > emotional conviction. It is both and neither. IANS ARE DROWNED." 'Abdu'1-Baha > Love implies action, and sympathy with ac- said, "Every day thousands are killed as a > tion. As a result of reaction between hydro- result of the Italian invasion into Tripoli, > > gen and oxygen, water is created. So is Faith and there is very little mention of it." . . . > > a ratult of the synthesis of feeling and in- This spirit of provincialism science has contellect. quered in view of the fact we can know, > There is a small per cent of the population through radio, news from the farthest corner > in this country who can afford to enjoy the of the earth as if it is our next-door neighbor, > so-called luxury of life, through traveling yet we do not show any interest in foreign > abroad, coming in contact with great minds, affairs. A general look at the American paartists, scientists and other gifted groups, but pers, with the exception of a few New York > the rest of the people are, in a sense, under- papers, shows this fact. Are people really > privileged. Culture, as distinct from civi- disinterested in the affairs of their fellow > lization, may not be directly tied up with men? Do they think that two bodies of > wealth; nevertheless, it is through the oppor- water on both sides of this continent will > tunities which our environment provides for keep them immune from contamination from > us and the degree of our effort to absorb the rest of the world? > knowledge and wisdom, we are called cul- We Baha'is declare ourselves primarily as > tured and refined. citizens of the world, and next come our > From the Baha'i standpoint, culture is a national, racial, or class allegiances. As a > necessity and must supplement our modern matter of fact, our loyalty to the world > civilization if we want a balanced society. citizenship is absorbing so much of our en- > To become a cultured person, one needs to ergy that it has overshadowed any secondary > have a wide range of information, not in loyalties. Furthermore, we claim that this > one or two particular walks of life, but, loyalty to mankind is genuine and rational. > rather, general information about the nature Otherwise, we are apt to be equally fanatic, > of the relationships among the different man- no matter how broad is the scope of our > ifestations of life. A cultured man need not loyalty, as others are to their respective nabe a musician, painter, architect, or a sculp- tions, races, and classes. > tor, but, rather, it is the development of the In order that a loyalty be genuine, knowlsense of appreciation, and discrimination be- edge is the first condition, and so action > tween the ugly and the beautiful. Culture follows. A loyalty, or faith, without knowlis not > purely acquired, as a vocation; it is the edge is blind. It might be active, but not > refinement of our senses of values in the necessarily constructive. Knowledge withrealms of nature and human relationship. out faith is a time-table without a destina- > The foundation of a world civilization tion, and so the motivating power is lost. > 486 THE BAHA'f WORLD > We Baha'is have the faith and loyalty to 1. Reading of some leading papers genour world citizenship, and, as an outsider erally New York papers their sections > on foreign affairs carefully. > may well witness, that faith is translated into > action. What we need is more knowledge, 2. Subscribing, or borrowing from lendthe thing of which the outside world has, ing libraries, one or two leading magain a sense, an excess, or, at least, it has lost zines preferably from foreign counthe faith and consequently has given way to tries, and one or two of this country, > We must acquire such as "Events." > inactivity and fatalism. > more knowledge and inspire those that have > 3. Study some standard text on post-war > history. > knowledge to step out into the arena of > action. > Only the deepening of personal knowledge > Here are a few concrete suggestions how in such manner can result in the attainment > to acquire more knowledge and informa- of real knowledge of modern world condition about our fellow-man throughout the tions to supplement loyalty and action as > world. world citizens. Hishmat Ala'i. > > NOBILITY > KENNETH CHRISTIAN > A. "NEW HOUR" has struck in the his- the flippancy of modern thought and speech > tory of the Baha'i Faith! should be looked at in its true light as worth- > Such was the message sent us a year ago less, half-hearted effort to conceal social > > by the Guardian. And now to the 1936 uneasiness. > Convention has come an epochal message The day of lip service is gone. BahaVllah > containing the terse phrases: "Humanity en- proclaimed a revelation of deed service. In > tering (the) outer fringes (of the) most this period of Formation the youth of the > dangerous stages (of) its existence." Baha'i world community must break from > The insight, the timeliness, the dramatic the worthless standards of the times and unpotentialities behind this message place a fold the standards of God. After all are not > great responsibility upon us. To shoulder alcoholic drinking, undue familiarity, and > the Divine Plan and to carry out faithfully modern flippancy characteristics of people > our part in the erection of the World Order frantically searching for a security they do > necessitates, in my opinion, a careful exami- not feel? Have we not knowledge of the > nation of our individual attitudes. eternal Security? Are not these three mod- > We cannot teach and serve the Faith of ern tendencies typical evidences of the bank- > BahaVllah sincerely and adequately until as ruptcy of the age? And is it not our opindividuals we are clearly impelled by the portunity to build up new age in which > a > > spiritual standards of conduct which become man and woman, the world over, may > allegiance to the Baha'i Faith. Continued live in peace and creative harmony readherence by Baha'i youth to the spiritual moved far from the cheap idealism of the > code of conduct for the new age will spread present? > an influence incalculable in its benefits. We can at once begin the establishment > Putting such a code into practice is definitely of these new standards if as individuals and > part of our task. as groups we adopt the spiritual attitude of > Recent communications from the Guard- nobilitywhich will differentiate us from > ian have revealed the fact that he wishes others. BahaVllah has written in Hidden > Baha'i youth to be clearly distinguished Words: "Noble have I created thee, yet thou > from the blase moderns. > In three things hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for > should we be agreed regarding our conduct. which thou wast created." > First, alcoholic drinks are to be scrupulously In one of his talks in the United States > avoided. Second, "undue familiarity" should 'Abdu'1-Baha said, "It is possible so to adnot mark any of our social relations. Third, just oneself to the practice of nobility that > BAHA > ' > I YOUTH ACTIVITIES 487 > > The Baha'i Youth Group of Poona, India, at the Naw-Ruz feast, March 21, 1938, year > 95 of the Baha'i era. > > its atmosphere surrounds and colors every As the Cause of God forges ahead in this > act. When actions are habitually and con- New Hour, a time fraught with tremendous > sistently adjusted to noble standards, with responsibilities and opportunities, let us exno thought of the words that might herald amine our conduct critically. Are we living > them, then nobility becomes the accent of forerunners of a new age? Or are we stereolife. At such degree of evolution one > a typed puppets in the blase modern manner? > scarcely needs try any longer to be good all The Guardian is challenging us to pioneer in > acts are become the distinctive expression of the realm of human conduct. Let us make > nobility." nobility the accent of our lives! > > INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION > DAVID HOFMAN > > *NE of the most significant trends of ing fun of its elders, nor of "neoisms" > modern times is the frank examination of despising previous ideas. There is throughtraditional standards and values. Ortho- out the world a definite desire for some > doxy in religion, morals, social attitude, standard, some criterion of conduct and > economy and has crumpled under the > art thought which can restore perspective to the > pragmatic test of daily life and has suffered bewilderment of modern life. > the scorn of new generations seeking a wider The incapacity of ancient creeds and moral > expression than is possible within the limited codes to meet the conditions of twentietharea of existing convention. century life has been amply demonstrated, > It would be a mistake to attribute this with their consequent abandonment in fact, > movement solely to such superficial causes as if not in theory. And here lies our danger. > changing fashion or "the scientific age." The For while refusing to accept existing atticriticism of long-accepted values goes far tudes as a criterion of Tightness, we neverthedeeper, down to the very foundation of so- less maintain our own personal prejudices > cial life. It is not the result of youth mak- and use them as our standard of measure- > 488 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ment. The resultant chaos is possibly just shackles of shibboleth and fear, we proceed > as bad mainas the crucifixion entailed in to search diligently, untrammeled by ration- > > taining outmoded codes in an age advanced alism, seeking only Truth, such a unity of > beyond their use. Institutionalism has at thought will unite the human race as > least a semblance of unity. Free thought has never before been witnessed. For the > which does not transcend personal prejudices, knowledge at the disposal of humanity > can have none. today is already sufficient for the establish- > We have begun well. The enlightenment ment of a universal principle. It is only > > is really under way; but if we would 'escape the left-over prejudices and provincialisms > the charge of decadence we must pursue our of the previous age which prevent its ac- > > investigation further and build our life on a ceptance. > new foundation capable of supporting a new That principle has already been set forth > society. If, in our investigation, we seek by Bah4'u'llah, and has taken firm root in > only a confirmation of our cherished ideas, modern ideology. It remains for us to put it > we cannot make progress. If, on the other into practice and build our World Order on > hand, now that we have thrown off the its unshakable foundation. > > CONCERNING DIVINE EDUCATION > LEWIS ZERBY > (Sophomore at University of Illinois) > > JLHE purpose of the one true God, exalted only the Manifestation commands man to > be his Glory, in revealing Himself to men is completely fulfill this capacity to do good by > to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within living according to God's commands. The > the mine in their true and immortal selves." Prophet of God teaches men truth by com- > "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of manding them to act as He acts, and the life > inestimable value. Education can, alone, which results from this action is the goal of > cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable spiritual education. > mankind to benefit therefrom." The divinely educated man is not merely > ("Gleanings from the 'writings of Babd'- a person who is intellectually complete. Alu'llab.") though he pursues factual knowledge, he is > It is impossible to separate spiritual edu- primarily a servant of God who has developed > cation, or true education, from the divine a beautiful and radiant character by obeying > wisdom and power which is revealed to hu- the Divine Commands. This character can > manity by the Exalted Manifestations of be developed only by a wholehearted en- > God's infinite Grace. The educational insti- deavor to live as the Manifestation of God > tutions of today are failing to recognize this lived. The perfect life and the God-like > essential truthand so they are not realizing character which result from it are the ultitheir true purpose. Educators are striving mate aim of all true education. > "to lay bare those gems that lie hidden with- 'Abdu'1-Baha and Baha'u'llah both point > in the mine" of their students' "inmost out very clearly that education is in essence > selves" by means of human power and wis- self-expression. This is the meaning of the > dom; and although they are necessarily phrase "to lay bare those gems" that lie > > failing, they do not know the cause of their hidden in man's inmost self. The Prophet of > failure. God never educates a person merely by teach- > One reason education is failing today is ing him intellectual facts and scientific data. > that the teachers are not giving the students He stimulates man to live a creative life by > an opportunity to develop all of their inner causing him to worship those ideals the worcapacities. Educators do not know the ca- ship of which brings about the expression of > pacity of man. Only the Manifestation un- divine characteristics. The life of an eduderstands man's great power for good and cated person is characterized by the virtues > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 489 > > of integrity, courage, sovereignty, strength, dom and power can lay bare. The purpose > and power, as well as the virtues of love, pa- of spiritual education is to cause man to extience, humility, and mercy. These are the press these gems in his entire life, a life which > gems that lie hidden in man's inmost self, is truly "characterized by the attributes of > > and these are the gems that only divine wis- divinity." > > A BAHA'I PRAYS > ZEAH HOLDN > i OBSERVE that this soul of mine seeks a May I not hope to meet Him in mutual > spiritual complement in its evolution. There recognition? Since "God is always aware of > is > something about life which business, social, His creature," the moment I apply that truth > and cultural enjoyment cannot include. and apprehend its significance, that mo- > That something is nearness to God. ment, be it in the stillness of the night > "They that valiantly labor in quest of or in thepandemonium of the day, I be- > God, will, when once they have renounced come aware of Him! To actually realize > all else but Him, be so attached and wedded (make real) that God is in my presence > unto that City (of Certitude), that a mo- is to be in His presence! In this state > ment's separation from it would to them be of exaltation and sublimity I am with > unthinkable. That City is none other > . . God! > than the Word of God." . . . Without words, in the language of the > If with the impenetrable armor of attach- spirit, commune with the Almighty, the > I > > ment to the world I insulate myself from Powerful, the Knower of all things. With > God, I cannot hope to attain, but if, through my heart I entreat and supplicate, and I > the power of His Word, I subdue the worldly listen. . . . > > or exterior part of my mind, I engender the Pray without ceasing? > It is the frequently > > inward life of that which I fain would be, necessary reawakening of my consciousness > my soul is released, and I am spiritually free. of God by which I remain in perpetual > To approach God I must know Him. And prayer. > as I learn to know Him in Baha'u'llah and The Word of God can direct me how to > behold His perfect reflection of all the at- pray and what to pray for, but I must do > tributes I love so well, my heart, in its po- the praying myself. > tential likeness, stirs with an irrepressible "The highest and most elevating state is > longing to glow more luminously with the the state of prayer." "The greatest attain- > > beauty of His image. ment is conversation with God." > > OUTLINES OF STUDY > For the Second Series oj? International Youth Symposiums, March 7, 1937 > TRUE RELIGION 2. Promulgation of Universal Peace, Vol. > II, pp. 373-374, 339, 359, 387, 358. > ZEAH HOLDEN > 3. Foundations of World Unity, pp. 79- > AIM: > 82, 18-19, 66-68. > To show that the Religion of Go4 is one 4. Gleanings, p. 81. > Religion based upon progressive revelation > SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: > through His Divine Manifestations, and > Consider briefly the world's need of the > that the foundation of religion has been > renewal of Religion. Show that God is > restored by BahaVllah. > the one infallible remedy for present con- > REFERENCES: ditions. Give evidence that now as never'' > 1. Promulgation of Universal Peace, Vol. before the world is ripe for Unity and a > I, pp. 138-141, 155-157, 148. Universal teaching. > 490 THE BAHA'f WORLD > QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT: 3. How is America to assume the lead in > 1. Why do we need a re-formation of re- international peace arbitration? > > ligion in this century? 4. How is America peculiarly fitted to > 2. What is the cause of irreligion? establish a permanent world peace? > 3. What is the origin of false religious 5. How do the Baha'i Teachings fill the > beliefs and prejudices? universal need for a Peace Plan funda- > 4. How can the Manifestations of God mentally sound and acceptable to the > destroy them? varied national cultures? > 5. How do we determine the validity of a > Prophet? SCIENCE AND RELIGION > 6. How has BahaVllah restored the foun- CLARENCE W. LAROCQUE > dation of Religion? > AIM: > 7. Discuss the essential and the non-essen- > To prove that true Science and true Retial ordinances of God. > ligion are one in Reality, and that there- > 8. Discuss the Reality of religion versus > fore they cannot conflict. > dogmatic beliefs. > * > 9. How does religion indicate the oneness REFERENCES: > 1. Man the Unknown, by Alexis Carrel, > of humanity and the oneness of God? > pp. 133-150, 274-322. > 2. 'Abdu'l-Bahd on Divine Philosophy, > AMERICA AND THE MOST GREAT > PEACE pp. 91-140. > 3. Promulgation of Universal Peace, Vol. > GRACE SHEPARD II, pp. 352-355, 368-369, 388, 438- > AIM: 440. > To find means to pursue our ultimate goal, SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: > namely, a permanently established Peace. Outline briefly the progress that has been > To find out ways of taking part in the made in the attempt to reconcile scientific > role which, according to Shoghi Effendi's fact and religious belief: (a) old attitude > letter, America and the Most Great Peace, > of Religion toward Science; (b) old atti- > America is to play in the establishment of > tude of Science toward Religion; (c) > that Most Great Peace. > present attitudes of both schools; and, (d) > REFERENCES: reasons for necessary and assured recon- > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, J. E. Essle- ciliation in future. > mont, page 282, par. 5 through page POINTS TO STRESS AND DEVELOP: > 283, par. 3, pages 185, 186. 1 . > Religious teachings of the past were ob- > America and the Most Great Peace, Shogscured by dogma and ritual, their eshi Effendi, pp. 3, 11, 18,26. > sential reality hidden, and were there- > Outline of History, H. G. Wells, pp. fore outdated when the Age of Science > 1090-2. > dawned. (Quote: P.U.P. Vol. II, pp. > Isaiah, chapter 32, 17. > 438-440.) > II. > Timothy, chapter 2, 22. 2. Conflict really began with question of > SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: evolution of man. Stress evolutionary > Outline a number of problems which elucidated by 'Abdu'1-Baha. > as > theory > young Americans will meet in working for (Quote: P.U.P. Vol. II, pp. 352-355). > the establishment of international peace. 3. Necessity for investigation of reality. > Show the solution of these problems found Science is discoverer of realities. Rein the Baha'i Teachings. > ligion to be acceptable, must conform > QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT: to science and reason. (Quote: P.U.P. > 1. What is the attitude of non-Baha'i Vol. II, p. 388; Divine Philosophy, p. > American youth in general on World 102). > Peace? 4. The union of Science and Religion will > 2. What do the Baha'i Teachings say take us far toward the goal of a Divine > about America's future? civilization. (Quote: Man the Un- > 22, > > Speakers at the Baha'i Youth Symposium and Baha'i friends, March 22, 1936, at Los > Angeles, California, U. S. A. > > 492 THE BAHA'f WORLD > known, p. 279; P.C/.P. Vol. II, pp. 368- Security for a Failing World Chap. > 369). 14, The New Economic State. > (2) Main features of Baha'i Economic > WORLD ECONOMICS Order: > WILFRID BARTON > a. economic prob- > Spiritual nature of > AIM: lem. Babd'i Scriptures par. 831. > ( 1 ) To outline > the main features of ecob. Institution of Storehouse or House > nomic disorder in the world today and, of Finance cornerstone of the eco- > (2) To explain the manner in which > the > nomic life of each community. Pam- > Baha'i Teachings solve these problems. > phlet on Economics pp. 9 and 10; or, > REFERENCES: Babd'i Magazine, Vol. 13, pp. 227, 231. > For (1): Bahd'i Scriptures par. 831. > The Goal of a New World Order, c. Graduated Income Taxes limiting > Shoghi Effendi. The Unfoldment of excessive fortunes. > World Civilization, Shoghi Effendi. Some Answered Questions, p. 314. > Security for a failing World, Stanwood Babd'i Scriptures, par. 666, 667. > Cobb. Pamphlet on Economics, pp. 5 and 6. > For (2): d. Profit Sharing in Industry. > > Pamphlet Teachings on Eco- > Baha'i Babd'i Scriptures, par. 669, 670. > nomics (compilation of Economics Some Answered Questions, pp. 315, 316. > Committee of N.S.A.) Pamphlet on Economics, p. 5. > Baha'i Magazine, Vol. 1 3 . e. Voluntary Giving. > > Babd'i Scriptures. Bahd'i Scriptures, par. 754. > Some Answered Questions, 'Abdu'l- Pamphlet on Economics, pp. 7, 8. > Baha. f Work incumbent on All. > . > > 9 y > Bahd u lldh and the New Era, Essle- Bahd'i Scriptures, par/259-261. > mont. Bahd u y lldh and the New Era, pp. 168, > y > > Further References: 169. > Economic Organization in the New g. Inheritance of Wealth. > World Order, Haney (Baha'i Magazine, Pamphlet on Economics, pp. 6, 7. > Vol. 24, pp. 298-302). Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, p. 172. > The Supreme Affliction, Lunt. (/or. > h. A World Super-State. > cit. Vol. 23, pp. 97-132.) Goal of a New World Order, pp. 16-28. > Babd'i Scriptures, par. 669, 761, 762. > SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: > To state the problem in all its various FINAL COMMENTS: > aspects; and then to consider each aspect > The introduction and conclusion are imin the light of the Baha'i teachings. > portant. The opening paragraph should > POINTS TO STRESS AND DEVELOP: immediately strike and focus the attention. > (1) Main features of economic disorder The concluding paragraph should knit all > extremes of poverty and wealth starpreceding parts together and give a feeling > vation amidst plenty; universal unemploy- of completion and finality. > ment; economic class struggle disharmony between capital and labor strikes; > > insecurity for the aged, the disabled, the > PATHS OF UNITY > orphans; instability of international trade FARRUCK IDAS > and finance. AIM: > REFERENCES: To consider that religion is the only force > Goal of a New World Order pp. 10- that can bring about a permanent result > 16. in unifying the world and to show how > Unfoldment of World Civilization pp. the Baha'i Faith is the only religion that is > 28-31. prepared to accomplish World Unity. > BAHA'f YOUTH ACTIVITIES 493 > > REFERENCES: for Power. "Nationalism," chap. 4; > 1. The Goal of a New World Order, by "Communism," chap. 19. > 2. Fred Henderson, The Case for Social- > Shoghi Etfendi. > 2. Foundations of World Unity, by ism. > > 'Abdu'1-Baha. 3. Beverly Nichols, Cry Havoc. > 3. World Order, Feb., 1936, "Oneness of 4. H. G. Wells, Outline of History, chap. > Mankind," by Hussein Rabbani. 37, section 5; chap. 39, sections 9-13. > 4. World Order, August, 1936, "Divine 5. J. E. Esslemont, The New Era, chap. 9. > Plan," by G. A. Shook. 6. G. O. Latimer, World Order Maga- > 5. World Order, June, 1935, "Unity of zine, May, 1936. "A World Comthe World," by Guglielmo Ferrero. munity." > 6. A Christian Sociology for Today, Chap- 7. Shoghi Effendi,The Unfoldment of > ter "A World Order," by M. B. World Civilization, "The Future > Reckitt. World Commonwealth." > 7. The Grand Strategy of Evolution, SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: > Chapter "The New Leviathan," by Demonstrate how our disunited govern- > W. Patten. ments and narrow nationalisms led us into > SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: the World War, with subsequent economic > > world unity upheavals. Stress the present world-wide > Briefly consider the need of > from the standpoint of the material fac- decay of democracy, morals and religion. > Outline some of the various peace, governtors that science has provided to bring the > world together geographically. Show the mental, and economic plans designed to alleviate man's distress none with a uniweaknesses of existing efforts of collective > versal appeal except the Baha'i divine plan. > security such as sciences, politics, economics, and art. Present the spiritual basis Impress an ordered world as given in references 5 and 7. Show in our apparently > prescribed in the teachings of Baha'u'llah > for establishing world unity. slow, but steady growth, a sign of great > strength. > POINTS TO STRESS AND DEVELOP: > 1. The unity of mankind must first be > BAHA'f YOUTH AND THE WORLD > established in the hearts of people before > TODAY > it can take definite form. Religion is the EDITH DOROTHEA MORRELL > only force that can create in the individual a true consciousness of the oneness of > AIM: > mankind. > To distinguish the Baha'i Faith from other > 2. The conception of world unity implies > Youth Movements, and to realize that it > is the Baha'i Cause that is the fulfillment > the cooperation of diverse social groups > of the religious, economic and social needs > and not the uniformity sought by advoof young people today. > cates of the Utopian vision. > 3. The need of an order through which REFERENCES: > unified humanity might function. 1. In Defense Of Modern Youth, by Ellis > Chadbourne, Part II, IV, VI. > THE MEANING OF WORLD ORDER 2. Wake Up And Live, by Dorothea > Brande, chapter I. > FRED ASCAH > 3. The Shape Of Things To Come, by H. > AIM: > G. Wells, Book V, p. 381-431. > To stress the requirements and necessity 4. The Churchman, November 15, 1936, > for a World Government. To find in "Lost: Grandfather's Faith." > the World Order of Baha'u'llah the only > 5. > Security For A Failing World, by Stanpractical plan which fulfills all require- wood Cobb, chap. IV, XV, XVII. > ments. > 6. World Order, September, 1936, The > > REFERENCES: Unfoldment of World Civilization. > 1. John Strachey, The Coming Struggle 7. Bahd'f Youth, July 1936 "Nobility." > 494 THE BAHA'f WORLD > SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: H. A. Gibbons Nationalism and Inter- > Consider the concept of life as expressed nationalism, chap. 6. > > by the youth today and show how the A. W. Martin Seven Great Bibles, Intro- > Baha'i Youth maintains a state of balance duction, pp. xviii. > in a frenzied world. Shoghi EftendiUnfoldment of World > Civilization. > QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT: The Future World Commonwealth, p. > 1. What does Baha'u'llah stress as the > 15-16. > fundamental basis for order and bal- > 'Abdu'1-Baha Bahd'i Scriptures, pars. > ance? > 639-917-920. > 2. Funk & Wagnall state that the balance > Baha'i Peace Program, p. 5. > of power can be attained not by a > Some Answered Questions, p. 193-4. > single nation nor a few nations but by > Show how > Baha'u'llah Gleaning*, p. 76-77. > a community of nations, > Thornton Chase The Bahd'i Revelation, > the Baha'i teachings correspond to this. > 3. What do you think of the plans set p. 43-47. > > forth by H. G. Wells as the only pos- SUGGESTED PROCEDURE: > sible world- wide reconstruction? Change is a law of life Everything goes > 4. What, as a Baha'i youth, would be the in cycles. > basis ofyour security in religion, eco- The source of all knowledge is the Word > nomics and society. of the Manifestation and by this Word > 5. Show how the lack of poise or balance Mankind progresses materially and spiritin the individual comes from having no Until this time our unfoldment > ually. > objective in life. has been within a limited range but now > 6. Give some concrete examples of the we have the advantage of our attainments > breaking down of Christian institucollectively. We have reached maturity > tions. and when we apply the principles for this > 7. Consider the artist and the funda- day to our problems the results will be > mental steps he takes to create strength harmony. > or power in his art and compare them > to the Baha'i concept of life. > QUESTIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT: > 1. Show how evolution is the underlying > 1. the will to create. > 2. a sense of values. principle of the new age both materially > and spiritually. > 3. application. > 2. What references to this age do we find > 4. harmony or balance. > in the books of former Prophets? > 5. strength or power. > 3. What evidences are there that this age > P. S. All outside reading obtainable in the > is the consummation of all former ages? > public libraries. > 4. How does the new age, although in the > springtime of its development, repre- > HUMANITY'S COMING OF AGE > sent the maturity of civilization? > MARGUERITE REIMER > AIM: > 5. > Why cannot man progress materially > without first having spiritual attain- > To consider the material and spiritual ment? > progress of humanity and to show its col- 6. What is the difference between religion > lective attainment. > and theology? > REFERENCES: 7. What has prevented religious unity? > H. Overstreet We Move in New Direc- 8. What is the Center of > humanity's coltions. Foreword and chaps. 1-9-11-13. lective maturity today? > BAHA't YOUTH ACTIVITIES 495 > > AN OPEN LETTER > BY JOSEPH McK. NOYES, A.S. '38 > The following letter appeared in the climax of all previous religious teachings. A > Syracuse Daily Orange, daily paper of Syra- stable and practical World Unity is its ulticuse University, on Tuesday, February 23, mate goal. To achieve this, some of its out- > 1937, under the title "Baha'i Movement": standing features and principles are: Social > and economic security; elimination of preju- > To the Editor: dices of all kinds; adoption of a universal > Since I have been in college I have noted language; the independent investigation of > with interest the thought and activity to- truth; agreement between Science and Reliward peace in this and many other universi- gion; universal education; equality between > ties. Altho many plans and ideas have been men and women; and a strong international > offered, one great world-wide movement has House of Justice. Upon this firm foundabeen practically unknown here. tion, lasting world peace and unity can be- > This plan, the Baha'i movement, has been come a reality.* > known to me for about six years. During But this letter is not written to show the > this time I have learned to believe in its possi- merits of this movement. I am trying to > and to credit its claims; but only > bilities express the sincerity with which I believe in > within the last week have I realized the true this movement as the solution to our peace > > purpose and practicability of it. and social problems, in the hope that you > The theme of this movement was most will investigate it. There are many books on > simply expressed by its founder more than this subject in our own and the city library. > seventy years ago, "Let not a man glory in Others can be borrowed from interested perthis that he loves his country; rather, let him sons and believers on this campus. > > glory in this that he loves his kind." Your Many of you heard and met Mr. Mountfirst impression of this movement may be fort Mills at the International Relations club > that its aims and teachings are too idealistic luncheon on Feb. 11. He has been a believer > to ever be realized. I had that feeling until in this Cause for many years and came to > very recently. Syracuse in its interests. There are two other > Whereas most of the peace plans that we students on this campus who believe in this > know can fail because of the shortcomings of movement as I do, and who have authorized > "human nature," the dynamic power of this me to mention them in this communication > movement is great enough to change human namely, Ned Blackmer, F.A. '38; and Virnature for the better. This same power has ginia Setz, L.A. '37. It is a cause worthy of > done so in the past, and "history repeats it- your investigation, and of your support if > self." This cause is world-wide. Already its you can feel its significance. We solicit your > followers are numbered not in thousands, but interest or at least your curiosity. > in millions. I know it to be worthy of my support; I > It is more than just a movement or "an- pray that my support may be worthy > other religion." It is a divine plan that is the of it. > > WHY I AM A BAHA'I > When I was a little girl I went with my The logic of the spiritual teachings of > family to visit 'Abdu'1-Baha in Haifa, Pales- Baha'u'llah appealed to me because for the > tine. He was so kind to me. Even then I firsttime I found spiritual teachings that > felt that here was someone who was so strong were facts rather than suppositions of sothat nothing could sway him. Later I read called "mysteries." The World Order > . . . > > Baha'u'llah's writings and in them I felt that program, which entails every aspect of the > same assurance and strength. Baha'i Faith, is undeniably for this age. > Florence Mattoon. Samuel Fox. > 496 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The Baha'i Faith first attracted me be- The Revelation of BahaVllah leads the > cause of its universality, its applicability to trend of modern thought yet conforms with > > present-day problems, and because, like the the highest ideals of tradition. It solves > > darkie in the song, "I want some ob my allproblems, individual and > or universal, > Hebbun right here on earth." Now, with- through it one can attain the real underout the faith and knowledge BahaVllah standing of true unity and fellowship. That > gives me, life would be but an aimless wan- is > why I am a Baha'i. > dering. Clarence La Rocque. Marguerite Reimer. > > In a world of chaos and prejudice the need Why am I a Baha'i? Because the Baha'i > of Faith is a great one. When one finds the Faith appeals to reason as well as spirit; behaven of a Faith and impelling love, also cause it unites harmoniously the material and > science in accord with religion, racial under- spiritual life of the group as well as the indi- > > standing, and an answer to life's tedious vidual; because it is the only means of bringproblems this is the Baha'i Faith. I am a ing humanity from chaos into order; and be- > Baha'i because I know that BahaVllah is the cause it has given to me spiritual poise and > > prophet of this day and that His guidance certainty in a world shaken to its spiritual > leads to a useful and happy life. foundations. Lilyan Fancher Bush. > Farruck loas. > > The shining of the Sun of Truth, or the > Feeling the need of a universal religion Word of God, revealed by Baha'u'llah will > capable of meeting modern problems, I com- bring forth Baha'is just as inevitably as the > pletely accept the Baha'i Teachings, the shining of the material sun of the present > Baha'i administration of justice, its scientific springtime will bring plants and blossoms in > outlook, tolerance and altruism. I believe its own season. I am, then, irresistibly a > > the Baha'i Faith is the foundation of the Baha'i because Baha'u'llah is the Cause of > world order toward which we all look in the resuscitation for today. > future. Grace Shepard. Zeah Hoi den. > REFERENCES TO THE > BAHA'I FAITH > REFERENCES TO THE > BAHA'I FAITH > Alphabetical List of Authors > > Archduchess Anton of Austria Angela Morgan > Charles Baudouin A. L. M. Nicolas > President Eduard Benes Prof. Yone Noguchi > Prof. Norman Bentwich, Hebrew Univer- Rev. Frederick W. Oakes > sity, Jerusalem H.R.H. Princess Olga of Yugoslavia > Princess Marie Antoinette de Broglie Sir Flinders Petrie, Archeologist > Aussenac Prof. R. F. Piper > Prof. E. G. Browne, M.A., M.B., Cambridge Prof. B. Popovitch > > University Charles H. Prisk > Luther Burbank Dr. Edmund Privat, University of Geneva > Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter, D.Litt., Manchester Herbert Putnam, Congressional Library, > College, Oxford Washington, D. C. > General Renato Piola Caselli Eugen Relgis > Rev. T. K. Cheyne, D.Litt., D.D., Oxford Ernest Renan > University, Fellow of British Academy Prof. Dr. J. Rypka > Sir Valentine Chirol Rt. Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel, G.C.B., M.P. > Rev. K. T. Chung fimile Schreiber, Publicist > > Right Hon. The Earl Curzon of Kedleston Prof. Hari Prasad Shastri, D.Litt. > Prof. James Darmesteter, cole des Hautes Rev. Griffith J. Sparham > ttudes, Paris Ex-Governor William Sulzer > Rev. J. Tyssul Davis, B.A. Shri Purohit Swami > Dr. Auguste Forel, University of Zurich Leo Tolstoy > Dr. Herbert Adams Gibbons Prof. Arminius Vambery, Hungarian Acad- > Arthur Henderson emy of Pesth > Dr. Henry H. Jessup, D.D. Sir Francis Younghusband, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E. > President David Starr Jordan > Prof, Jowett, Oxford University BY DOWAGER QUEEN MARIE OF > Prof. Dimitry Kazarov, University of Sofia RUMANIA > Miss Helen Keller > 1. > Prof. Dr. V. Lesny > Harry Charles Lukach A WOMAN > Book. I spell it > l > brought me the other day a > with a capital letter because > Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania > Alfred W. Martin, Society for Ethical Cul- it is a > glorious Book of love and goodness, > ture, New York strength and beauty. > President Masaryk of Czechoslovakia She gave it to me because she had learned > Dr. Rokuichiro Masujima, Doyen of Juris- I was in grief and sadness and wanted to > prudence of Japan help. . . . She put it into my hands saying: > Mr. Renwick J. G. Millar "You seem to live up to His teachings." > Prof, Herbert A. Miller, Bryn Mau/r College And when I opened the Book I saw it was > The Hon. Lilian Helen the word of 'Abdu'1-Baha, prophet of love > Montagu, J.P., > D.H.L. and kindness, and of his father the great > Arthur Moore 1 > Miss Martha L. Root. Editor. > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 499 > > teacher of international good-will and un- table world, and man. How clearly one sees > derstanding of a religion which links all a plan in everything. How unthinkable it > creeds. is that the miraculous development that has > Their writings are a great cry toward brought man's body, brain and spirit to what > peace, reaching beyond all limits of frontiers, it is, should cease. Why should it cease? > above all dissension about rites and dogmas. Why is it not logical that it goes on? Not > It is a religion based upon the inner spirit of the body, which is only an instrument, but > God, upon the great, not- to-be-overcome the invisible spark or fire within the body > > verity that God is love, meaning just that. which makes man one with the wider plan > It teaches that all hatreds, intrigues, suspi- of creation. > cions, evil words, all aggressive patriotism My words are lame, and why should I > even, are outside the one essential law of grope for meanings when I can quote from > God, and that special beliefs are but surface one who has said it so much more plainly, > > things whereas the heart that beats with Abdu'l-Baha, whom I know would sanction > divine love knows no tribe nor race. the use of his words: > It is a wondrous Message that Baha'u'llah > and his son 'Abdu'1-Baha have given us. "The whole physical creation is perishable. > They have not set it up aggressively, know- Material bodies are composed of atoms. > > ing that the germ of eternal truth which lies When these atoms begin to separate, decomat its core cannot but take root and spread. position sets in. Then comes what we call > There is only one great verity in it: Love, death. > the mainspring of every energy, tolerance "This composition of atoms which contoward each other, desire of understanding stitutes the body or mortal element of any > each other, knowing each other, helping each created being, is temporary. When the power > > other, forgiving each other. of attraction which holds these atoms to- > It is Christ's Message taken up anew, in gether is withdrawn, the body as such ceases > the same words almost, but adapted to the to exist. > thousand years and more difference that lies "With the soul it is different. The soul is > between the year one and today. No man not a combination of elements, is not comcould fail to be better because of this Book. posed of many atoms, is of one indivisible > I commend it to you all. If ever the name substance and therefore eternal. > of BahaVllah or 'Abdu'1-Baha comes to "It is entirely out of the order of physiyour attention, do not put their writings cal creation; it is immortal! The soul, being > from you. Search out their Books, and let an invisible, indivisible substance, can suftheir glorious, peace-bringing, love-creating fer neither disintegration nor destruction. > words and lessons sink into your hearts as Therefore there is no reason for its coming > they have into mine. to an end. > One's busy day may seem too full for "Consider the aim of creation: Is it posreligion. Or one may have a religion that sible that all is created to evolve and develop > satisfies. But the teachings of these gentle, through countless ages with merely this > > wise and kindly men are compatible with all small goal in view a few years of man's life > > religion, and with no religion. on earth? Is it not unthinkable that this > Seek them, and be the happier. should be the final aim of existence? Does a > (From the Toronto Daily Sfar, May 4, man cease to exist when he leaves his body? > 1926.) If his life comes to an end, then all previous > evolution is useless. All has been for nothing. > 2. > All those eons of evolution for nothing! > Of course, if you take the stand that Can we imagine that creation had no greater > creation has no aim, it is easy to dismiss life aim than this? > and death with a shrug and a "that ends it "The very existence of man's intelligence > all; nothing comes after." proves his immortality. His intelligence is > But how difficult it is so to dismiss the the intermediary between his body and his > universe, our world, the animal and vege- spirit. When man allows his spirit, through > 500 THE BAHA'f WORLD > his soul, to enlighten his understanding, then eyes" will find in almost every line some > does he contain all creation; because man be- revelation. But it takes long life, suffering > ing the culmination of all that went before, or some sudden event to tear at once > all > > and thus superior to all previous evolutions, the veil from our eyes, so that we can truly > contains all the lower already-evolved world see. . . . > > within himself. Illumined by the spirit Sorrow and suffering are the surest and > through the instrumentality of the soul, also the most common instructors, the > man's radiant intelligence makes him the straightest channel to God that is to say, > > crowning-point of creation!" to that inner something within each of us > Thus does 'Abdu'1-Baha explain to us the which is God. > soul the most convincing elucidation I Happiness beyond all understanding comes > know. with this revelation that God is within us, > (From the Toronto Dally Star, September if we will but listen to His voice. We need > 28, 1926.) not seek Him in the clouds. He is the All- > Father whence we came and to whom we > 3. > shall return when, having done with this > At first we all conceive of God as some- earthly body, we pass onward. > somebody apart from ourselves. If I have repeated myself, forgive me. > thing or > We think He is something or somebody defi- There are so many ways of saying things, > nite, outside of us, whose quality, meaning but what is important is the truth which > and so-to-say "personality" we can grasp liesin all the many ways of expressing it. > > with our human, finite minds, and express (From the Philadelphia "Evening ftulletin" > in mere words. Monday, September 27, 1926.) > This is not so. We cannot, with our > 4. > earthly faculties entirely grasp His meaning > no more than we can really understand "Lately a great hope has come to me from > the meaning of Eternity. one, 'Abdu'1-Baha. I have found in His and > > God is certainly not the old Fatherly gen- His Father, Baha'u'llah's Message of Faith all > tleman with the long beard that in our my yearning for real religion satisfied. If > > childhood we saw pictured sitting amongst you ever hear of Baha'is or of the Baha'i > clouds on the throne of judgment, holding Movement which is known in America, you > the lightning of vengeance in His hand. will know what that is. What I mean: these > God is something simpler, happier, and yet Books have strengthened me beyond belief > infinitely more tremendous. God is All, and I am now ready to die any day full of > Everything. He is the power behind all hope. But I pray God not to take me away > beginnings. He is the inexhaustible source yet for I still have a lot of work to do." > of supply, of love, of good, of progress, of > 5. > achievement. God is therefore Happiness. > His is the voice within us that shows us "The Baha'i teaching brings peace and > good and evil. understanding. > But mostly we ignore or misunderstand "It is like a wide embrace gathering tothis voice. Therefore did He choose his Elect gether all those who have long searched for > to come down amongst us upon earth to words of hope. > make clear His word, His real meaning. "It accepts all great prophets gone before, > Therefore the > Prophets; therefore Christ, it destroys no other creeds and leaves all > Muhammad, Baha Vllah, for man needs from doors open. > time to time a voice upon earth to bring God "Saddened by the continual strife amongst > to him, to sharpen the realization of the ex- believers of many confessions and wearied > God. Those voices sent > istence of the true of their intolerance towards each other, I > to us had to become flesh, so that with our discovered in the Baha'i teaching the real > earthly ears we should be able to hear and spirit of Christ so often denied and misununderstand. derstood: > Those who read their Bible with "peeled "Unity instead of strife, hope instead of > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 501 > > condemnation, love instead of hate, and a Western world, a world which, on the whole, > great reassurance for all men." judges all things, including religions, mainly > > 6. > by material, or to use the more popular term, > "practical," standards. There is, of > . . . > > "The Baha'i teaching brings peace to the course, another factor in the success of the > soul and hope to the heart. Babi propagandist, as compared with the > "To those in search of assurance the Christian missionary, in the conversion of > words of the Father are as a fountain in the Muhammadans to his faith: namely, that the > desert after long wandering." 1934. former admits, while the latter rejects, > the Divine inspiration of the Qur'an and the > 7. > prophetic function of Muhammad. The > "More than ever today when the world Christian missionary must begin by attackis facing such a crisis of bewilderment and both these > ing, explicitly or by implication, > unrest, must we stand firm in Faith seeking beliefs; too often > forgetting that if (as hapthat which binds together instead of tearing > pens but rarely) he succeeds in destroying > asunder." > them, he destroys with them that recogni- > "To those seaching for light, the Baha'i tion of former prophetic dispensations (in- > Teachings offer a star which will lead them cluding the Jewish and the Christian) which > to deeper understanding, to assurance, peace > Muhammad and the Qur'an proclaim, and > and good will with all men." 1936. converts his Muslim antagonist not to Christianity, but to Skepticism or Atheism. > BY PROFESSOR E. G. BROWNE What, indeed, could be more illogical on the > 1. part of Christian missionaries to Muhammadan lands than to devote much time and > Introduction to Myron H. Phelps' Abbas labor to the composition of controversial > Efiendi, pages xv-xx; 1903 rev. 1912 works which endeavor to prove, in one and > I have often heard wonder expressed by the same breath, first, that the Qur'an is a > Christian ministers at the extraordinary suc- lying imposture, and, secondly, that it bears > cess ofBabi missionaries, as contrasted with witness to the truth of Christ's mission, as > the almost complete failure of their own. though any value attached to the testimony > "How is it," they say, "that the Christian of one proved a liar! The Babi (or Baha'i) > doctrine, the highest and the noblest which propagandist, on the other hand, admits that > the world has ever known, though sup- Muhammad was the prophet of God and that > ported by all the resources of Western civil- the Qur'an is the Word of God, denies nothization, can only count its converts in Mu- ing but their finality, and does not discredit > hammadan lands by twos and threes, while his own witness when he draws from that > Babiism can reckon them by thousands?" source arguments to prove his faith. To the > The answer, to my mind, is plain as the sun Western observer, however, it is the comat midday. Western Christianity, save in the plete sincerity of the Babis, their fearless disrarest cases, is more Western than Christian, regard of death and torture undergone for > more racial than religious; and by dallying the sake of their religion, their certain conwith doctrines plainly incompatible with the viction as to the truth of their faith, their > obvious meaning of its Founder's words, such generally admirable conduct towards manas the theories of "racial supremacy," "im- kind and especially towards their fellowperial destiny," "survival of the fittest," and believers, which constitutes their strongest > the like, grows steadily more rather than less claim on his attention. > material. Did Christ belong to a "dominant > 2. > race," or even to a European or "white race"? > ... I am not arguing that the Christian > Introduction to Myron H. Phelps' 'Abbas > religion is true, but merely that it is in mani- > Efendiy pages xii-xiv > fest conflict with several other theories of > life which practically regulate the conduct It was under the influence of this enof all States and most individuals in the thusiasm that I penned the introduction to > 502 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > First Baha'i Youth Group of Lyons, France. Photographed in the garden of Mr. Yazdi, > Lyons, France, June 14, 1936. > > my translation of the Traveller's Narrative. number and influence of the Babis in that > . . . This condoned, if not > enthusiasm, country is > immensely greater than it was > shared, by many kindly critics and review- fifteen years ago. > > ers, exposed me to a somewhat savage attack > in the Oxford Magazine, an attack conclud- 3. > > ing with the assertion that my Introduction A Traveller's Narrative, page 309 > displayed "a personal attitude almost inconceivable in a rational European, and a style The appearance of such a woman as > unpardonable in a university teacher." (The Qurratu'l-'Ayn is in any country and any > review in question appeared in the Oxford age a rare phenomenon, but in such a coun- > Magazine of May 25, 1892, page 394, . . . > try as Persia it is a prodigy nay, almost a > "the prominence given to the Bab in this miracle. Alike in virtue of her marvelous > book is an absurd violation of historical beauty, her rare intellectual gifts, her fervid > perspective; and the translations of the eloquence, her fearless devotion and her > Traveller's Narrative a waste of the powers glorious martyrdom, she stands forth incomand opportunities of a Persian Scholar.") parable and immortal amidst her country- > Increasing age and experience (more's the women. Had the Babi religion no other > pity!) are apt enough, even without the as- claim to greatness, this were sufficient that > sistance of the Oxford Magazine, to modify it produced a heroine like Qurratu'l-'Ayn. > our enthusiasm; but in this case, at least, > time has so far vindicated my judgment 4. > > against that of my Oxford reviewer that he Introduction A Traveller's > to Narrative, > could scarcely now maintain, as he formerly > pages ix, x > asserted, that the Babi religion "had affected > the least important part of the Muslim Though I dimly suspected whither I was > World and that not deeply." Every one going and whom I was to behold (for no > who is in the slightest degree conversant distinct intimation had been given to me) , > > with the actual state of things (September a second or two elapsed ere, with a throb > 27, 1903), m > Persia now recognizes that the of wonder and awe, I became definitely con- > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 503 > > scious that the room was not untenanted. the world is more likely to gain or lose by > In the corner where the divan met the wall their diffusion. > sat a wondrous and venerable figure, crowned > with a .felt head-dress of the kind called taj 5. > > by dervishes (but of unusual height and Introduction to A Traveller's Narrative, > make) round the base of which was wound > , > > pages xxxv, xxxvi > a small white turban. The face of him on > whom I gazed I can never forget, though I Seldom have I seen one whose appearance > cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes impressedme more. A tall, strongly built > seemed to read one's very soul; power and man holding himself straight as an arrow, > authority sat on that ample brow; while the with white turban and raiment, long black > deep lines on the forehead and face implied locks reaching almost to the shoulder, broad > an age which the jet-black hair and beard powerful forehead, indicating a strong intelflowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance lect, combined with an unswerving will, eyes > almost to the waist seemed to belie. No keen as a hawk's, and strongly marked but > need to ask in whose presence I stood, as pleasing features such was my first im- > I bowed > myself before one who is the ob- pression of 'Abbas Effendi, "The Master" > ject of a devotion and love which kings ('Agha) as he par excellence is called by the > might envy and emperors sigh for in Babis. Subsequent conversation with him > vain. served only to heighten the respect with > A mild, dignified voice bade me be seated, which his appearance had from the first in- > " > and then continued: Praise be to God, that spired me. One more eloquent of speech, > thou bast attained! . . . Thou hast come to more ready of argument, more apt of illussee a prisoner and an exile. We desire . . . > tration, more intimately acquainted with the > but the good of the world and the happiness sacred books of the Jews, the Christians and > > of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer-up the Muhammadans, could, I should think, be > > of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and scarcelyfound even amongst the eloquent, > banishment. That all nations should > . . . > ready and subtle race to which he belongs. > become one in faith and all men as brothers; These qualities, combined with a bearing at > that the bonds of affection and unity be- once majestic and genial, made me cease to > tween the sons of men should be strength- wonder at the influence and esteem which he > ened; that diversity of religion should cease, enjoyed even beyond the circle of his father's > and differences of race be annulled what followers. About the greatness of this man > harm is there in this? . . . Yet so it shall be; and his power no one who had seen him could > these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall entertain a doubt. > > pass away, and the 'Most Great Peace* shall > come. . . . Do not you in Europe need this > also? Is not this that which Christ foretold? > BY DR. J. ESTLIN CARPENTER > . . . Yet do we your kings and rulers > see > Excerpts from Comparative Religions, pages > lavishing their treasures more freely on means > 70, 71 > for the destruction of the human race than > on that which would conduce to the happi- From that subtle race issues the most > ness of mankind. . . . These strifes and this remarkable movement which modern Mubloodshed and discord must cease, and all hammadanism has produced. . . . > Disciples > men be as one kindred and one family. . . . > gathered round him, and the movement was > Let not a man glory in this that he loves his not checked by his arrest, his imprisonment > country; let him rather glory in this: that he for nearly six years and his final execution > loves his kind. . . ." in 1850. ... It, too, claims to be a > Such, so far as I can recall them, were the universal teaching; it has already its noble > words which, besides many others, I heard army of martyrs and its holy books; has > from Baha. Let those who read them con- Persia, in the midst of her miseries, given > sider well with themselves whether such doc- birth to a religion which will go round the > trines merit death and bonds, and whether world? > 504 THE BAHA'f WORLD > BY THE REV. T. K. CHEYNE, The day is not far off when the details of > D.LITT., D.D. 'Abdu'l-Baha's missionary journeys will be > admitted to be of historical importance. > Excerpts from The Reconciliation of Races How gentle and wise he was, hundreds could > and Religions, (1914) > testify from personal knowledge, and I, too, > There was living quite lately a human could perhaps say something. ... I will > * > being of such consummate excellence that only, however, give here the outward framemany think it is both permissible and in- work of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life, and of his aposevitable even to identify him mystically with tolic journeys, with the help of my friend > the invisible Godhead. His 2 combina- > . . . Lutfullah. .. . > > tion of mildness and power is so rare that we During his stay in London he visited Oxhave to place him in a line with super-normal ford (where he and his party of Persians > men. . . . We learn that, at great points in mainly were the guests of Professor and > his career after he had been in an ecstasy, Mrs. Cheyne), Edinburgh, Clifton and > such radiance of might and majesty streamed Woking. It is fitting to notice here that the > from his countenance that none could bear audience at Oxford, though highly academic, > to look upon the effulgence of his glory and seemed to be deeply interested, and that Dr. > beauty. Nor was it an uncommon occur- Carpenter made an admirable speech. . . . > > rence for unbelievers involuntarily to bow > down in lowly obeisance on beholding His > Holiness. BY PROFESSOR VAMBERY > The gentle spirit of the Bab is surely high > Testimonial to the Religion of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > up in the cycles of eternity. Who can fail, > (Published in Egyptian Gazette, Sept. 24, > as Professor Browne says, to be attracted by > 1913, by Mrs. J. Stannard.) > him? "His sorrowful and persecuted life; > I forward this humble petition to the > his purity of conduct and youth; his courage > and uncomplaining patience under misfor- sanctified and holy presence of 'Abdu'1-Baha > > tune; his complete self -negation; the dim 'Abbas, who is the center of knowledge, > ideal of a better state of things which can be famous throughout the world, and loved by > discerned through the obscure mystic utter- all mankind. O thou noble friend who art > ances of the Bayan; but most of all, his conferring guidance upon humanity May > tragic death, all serve to enlist our sympa- my life be a ransom to thee! > thies on behalf of the young prophet of The loving epistle which you have conde- > Shiraz." scended to write to this servant, and the rug > "II sentait le besoin d'une reforme pro- which you have forwarded, came safely to > fond a introduire dans les moeurs publiques. hand. The time of the meeting with your > ... II s'est sacrifie pour 1'humanite; pour Excellency, and the memory of the benedicelle il a donne son corps et son ame, pour tion of your presence, recurred to the mem- > > elle il a subi les privations, les affronts, les ory of this servant, and I am longing for the > time when I shall meet you again. Although > injures, la torture et le martyre." (Mons. > I have traveled through many countries and > Nicolas.) > cities of Islam, yet have I never met so > If there has been any prophet in recent lofty > a character and so exalted a > times, it is to BahiVllah that we must go. personage as your > Character is the final judge. BahaVllah was Excellency, and I can bear witness that it is > a man of the highest class that of prophets. not possible to find such another. On this > But he was free from the last infirmity of account, I am hoping that the ideals and acnoble minds, and would certainly not have complishments of your Excellency may be > He would crowned with success and yield results under > separated himself from others. > have understood the saying: "Would God all all conditions; because behind these ideals > the Lord's people were prophets!" What he and deeds I easily discern the eternal welfare > does say, however, is just as fine: "I do not and prosperity of the world of humanity. > desire lordship over others; I desire all men This servant, in order to gain first-hand > to be even as I am." Baha'u'lUh. 2 Bab. > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA't FAITH 505 > > information and experience, entered into the make great changes on the face of the Asiatic > ranks of various religions, that is, outwardly, world. > I became a Jew, Christian, Muhammadan > and Zoroastrian. I discovered that the devo- BY SIR VALENTINE CHIROL > tees of these various religions do nothing else > but hate and anathematize each other, that Quotations from The Middle Eastern Question or Some Political Problems of Indian > all their religions have become the instru- > > ments of tyranny and oppression in the hands Defense, chapter XI, page 116. (The Revival of Babiism.) > of rulers and governors, and that they are the > causes of the destruction of the world of When one has been like Sa'di, a great perhumanity. sonage, and then a common soldier, and then > Considering those evil results, every per- a prisoner of a Christian feudal chief; when > son is forced by necessity to enlist himself on one has worked as a navvy on the fortificathe side of your Excellency, and accept with tions of the Count of Antioch, and wandered > > joy the prospect of a fundamental basis back afoot to Shiraz after infinite pain and > for a universal religion of God, being laid labor, he may well be disposed to think that > through your efforts. nothing that exists is real, or, at least, has any > I have seen the father of your Excellency substantial reality worth clinging to. Today > from afar. I have realized the self-sacrifice the public peace of Persia is no longer subject > and noble courage of his son, and I am lost to such violent perturbations. At least, as > in admiration. far as we are concerned, the appearances of > For the principles and aims of your Ex- peace prevail, and few of us care or have > cellency, I express the utmost respect and occasion to look beyond the appearances. > devotion, and if God, the Most High, con- But for the Persians themselves, have the > fers long life, I will be able to serve you conditions very much changed? Do they > under all conditions. I pray and supplicate not witness one day the sudden rise of this or > this from the depths of my heart. that favorite of fortune and the next day his > Your servant, sudden fall? Have they not seen the Atabak- > (Mamhenyn.) i-A'zam twice hold sway as the Shah's all- > VAMBERY. powerful Vazir, and twice hurled down > from that pinnacle by a bolt from the blue? > BY HARRY CHARLES LUKACH How many other ministers and governors > have sat for a time on the seats of the mighty > Quotation from The Fringe of the East, and been swept away by some intrigue as > (Macmillan & Co., London, 1913.) sordid as that to which they owed their own > Baha'ism is now estimated to count more exaltation? And how many in humbler stathan two million adherents, mostly com- tions have been in the meantime the recipi- > > posed of Persian and Indian Shi'ihs, but in- ents of their unworthy favors or the victims > cluding also many Sunnis from the Turkish of their arbitrary oppression? A village > Empire and North Africa, and not a few which but yesterday was fairly prosperous is > Brahmans, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists and beggared today by some neighboring land- > Jews. It possesses even European converts, lord higher up the valley, who, having duly > and has made some headway in the United propitiated those in authority, diverts for the > States. Of all the religions which have been benefit of his own estates the whole of its > encountered in the course of this journey slender supply of water. The progress of a > the stagnant pools of Oriental Christianity, governor or royal prince, with all his custhe strange survivals of sun-worship, and tomary retinue of ravenous hangers-on, eats > idolatry tinged with Muhammadanism, the out the countryside through which it passes > immutable relic of the Sumerians it is the more effectually than a flight of locusts. The > only one which is alive, which is aggressive, visitation is as ruinous and as unaccountable. > which is extending its frontiers, instead of Is it not the absence of all visible moral corsecluding itself within its ancient haunts. relation of cause and effect in these phe- > It is a thing which may revivify Islam, and nomena of daily life that has gone far to > 506 THE BAHA'f WORLD > produce the stolid fatalism of the masses, the BY ALFRED W. MARTIN > scoffing skepticism of the more educated > and from time to time the revolt of Excerpts from Comparative Religion and the > classes, > some nobler minds? Of such the most recent Religion of the Future, pages 81-91 > > and perhaps the noblest of all became the Inasmuch as a fellowship of faiths is at > > founder of Babiism. once the dearest hope and ultimate goal of > Chapter XI, page 120 the Baha'i movement, it behooves us to take > The Bab was dead, but not Babiism. He cognizance of it and its mission. . . . > Today > was not the first, and still less the last, of a this religious movement has a million and > > long line of martyrs who have testified that more adherents, including people from all > even in a country gangrened with corrup- parts of the globe and representing a remarktion and atrophied with indifTerentism like able variety of race, color, class and creed. > > Persia, the soul of a nation survives, inarticu- It has been given literary expression in a > > late,perhaps, and in a way helpless, but still veritable library of Asiatic, European, and > > capable of sudden spasms of vitality. American works to which additions are an- > Chapter XI, page 124 nually made as the movement grows and > Socially one of the most interesting fea- grapples with the great problems that grow > tures of Babiism is the raising of woman to out of its cardinal teachings. It has a long > a much higher plane than she is usually ad- roll of martyrs for the cause for which it > > mitted to in the East. The Bab himself had stands, twenty thousand in Persia alone, > no more devoted a disciple than the beauti- proving it to be a movement worth dying > ful and gifted lady, known as Qurratu'l- for as well as worth living by. > > 'Ayn, the "Consolation of the Eyes," who, From its inception it has been identified > having shared all the dangers of the first with Baha'u'llah, who paid the price of proapostolic missions in the north, challenged longed exile, imprisonment, bodily suffering, > and suffered death with virile fortitude, as and mental anguish for the faith he cherished > one of the Seven Martyrs of Tihran. No a man of imposing personality as revealed > > memory is more deeply venerated or kindles in his writings, characterized by intense moral > > greater enthusiasm than hers, and the influ- earnestness and profound spirituality, gifted > ence which she yielded in her lifetime still with the selfsame power so conspicuous in > inures to her sex. the character of Jesus, the power to appreciate people ideally, that is, to see them at the > level of their best and to make even the low- > BY PROFESSOR JOWETT of Oxford est types think well of themselves because of > potentialities within them to which he > Quotation from Heroic Lives, pages 305 > pointed, but of which they were wholly un- > Prof. Jowett of Oxford, Master of Balliol, aware; a prophet whose greatest contribution > the translator of Plato, studied the move- was not any specific doctrine he proclaimed, > ment and was so impressed thereby that he but an informing spiritual power breathed > said:"The Babite [Baha'i] movement may into the world through the example of his > not impossibly turn out to have the promise life and thereby quickening souls into new > > of the future." Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter spiritual activity. Surely a movement of > quotes Prof. Edward Caird, Prof. Jowett's which all this can be said deserves nay, > successor as Master of Balliol, as saying, "He compels our respectful recognition and sinthought Babiism (as the Baha'i movement cere appreciation. > was then called) might prove the most im- . . . > Taking precedence over all else in its > portant religious movement since the foun- gospel is the message of unity in religion. > dation of Christianity." Prof. Carpenter ... It is the crowning glory of the Baha'i > himself gives a sketch of the Baha'i move- movement that, while deprecating sectarianment in recent book on Comparative > his ism in its preaching, it has faithfully prac- > Religions and asks, "Has Persia, in the midst tised what it preached by refraining from > of her miseries, given birth to a religion that becoming itself a sect. ... Its representawill go around the world?" tives do not attempt to impose any beliefs > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 507 > > upon others, whether by argument or brib- jects, Persia has been making unexpected > ery; rather do they seek to put beliefs that efforts for the last fifty-five years to re-make > have illumined their own lives within the for herself a virile ideal. Babiism has little > reach of those who feel they need illumina- of originality in its dogmas and mythology. > tion. No, not a sect, not a part of human- Its mystic doctrine takes its rise from Siif ism > > ity cut off from all the rest, living for itself and the old sects of the 'Aliides formed > and aiming to convert all the rest into ma- around the dogma of divine incarnation. > terial for its own growth; no, not that, but a But the morality it inculcates is a revolution. > leaven, causing spiritual fermentation in all It has the ethics of the West. It suppresses > > religions, quickening them with the spirit of lawful impurities which are a great barrier > catholicity and fraternalism. dividing Islam from Christendom. It de- > . . . Whoshall say but that just as the nounces polygamy, the. fruitful source of > little company of the Mayflower, landing on Oriental degeneration. It seeks to reconsti- > > Plymouth Rock, proved to be the small be- tute the family and it elevates man and in > ginning of a mighty nation, the ideal germ elevating him exalts woman up to his level. > of a democracy which, if true to its princi- Babiism, which diffused itself in less than > shall yet overspread the habitable globe, five years from one end of Persia to another, > ples, > so the little company of Baha'is exiled from which was bathed in 1852 in the blood of its > their Persian home may yet prove to be the martyrs, has been silently progressing and > small beginning of the world-wide move- propagating itself. If Persia is to be at all > ment, the ideal germ of democracy in reli- regenerate it will be through this new faith. > gion, the Universal Church of Mankind? > > BY CHARLES BAUDOUIN > BY PROF. JAMES DARMESTETER > Excerpts from Contemporary Studies, Part > Excerpt ,from Art in "Persia: A Historical III, page 131. (Allen & Unwin, London, > and Literary Sketch" (translated by G. K. 1924.) > Nariman), and incorporated in Persia and We > Westerners are too apt to imagine that > Parsis, Part I, edited by G. K. Nariman. the huge continent of Asia is sleeping as > Published under patronage of the fran We > smile at the vansoundly as a mummy. > League, Bombay, 1925. (The Marker ity of the ancient Hebrews, who believed > Literary Series for Persia, No. 2.) themselves to be the chosen people. are We > The political reprieve brought about by amazed at the intolerance of the Greeks and > the Sufis did not result in the regeneration the Romans, who looked upon the members > of thought. But the last century which of all races as barbarians. Nevertheless, we > marks the end of Persia has had its revival ourselves are like the Hebrews, the Greeks > and twofold revival, literary and religious. and the Romans. As Europeans we believed > The funeral ceremonies by which Persia cele- Europe to be the only world that matters, > brates every year for centuries the fatal day though from time to time we may turn a > of the 10th of Muharram, when the son of paternal eye towards America, regarding our > 'AH breathed his last at Karbila have de- offspring in the New World with mingled > veloped a popular theater and produced a feelings of condescension and pride. > sincere poetry, dramatic and human, which Nevertheless, the great cataclysm of 1914 > is worth all the rhetoric of the poets. During is > leading some of us to undertake a critical > the same times an attempt at religious reno- examination of the inviolable dogma that the > vation was made, the religion of Babiism. European nations are the elect. Has there > Demoralized for centuries by ten foreign not been of late years a demonstration of > conquests, by the yoke of a composite reli- the nullity of modern civilization the > > gion in which she believed just enough to nullity which had already been proclaimed > persecute, by the enervating influence of a by Rousseau, Carlyle, Ruskin, Tolstoy, and > mystical philosophy which disabled men for Nietzsche? We are now inclined to listen > action and divested life of all aim and ob- more attentively to whispers from the East. > 508 THE BAHA'f WORLD > have misunderstood it; and we blush when > > we realize our previous ignorance of the fact > that, towards the middle of the nineteenth > century, Asia gave birth to a great religious > movement a movement signalized for its > spiritual purity, one which has had thousands > of martyrs, one which Tolstoy has described. > H. Dreyfus, the French historian of this > movement, says that it is not "a new religion," but "religion renewed," and that it > provides "the only possible basis for a mutual > understanding between religion and free > > thought." Above all, we are impressed by > the fact that, in our own time, such a manifestation can occur, and that the new faith > should have undergone a development far > more extensive than that undergone in the > same space of time nearly two thousand years > ago, by budding Christianity. > ... At the present time, the majority of > National Baha'i Youth Committee of the the inhabitants of Persia have, to a varying > > United States and Canada, Louhelen Sum- extent, accepted the Babiist faith. In the > mer School, Davison, Michigan, U. S. A., great towns of Europe, America, and Asia, > there are active centers for the propaganda > June, 1937. > of the liberal ideas and the doctrine of human > Our self-complacency has been disturbed by community, which form %the foundations of > such utterances as Rabindranath > that of Baha'ist teaching. > Tagore, who, lecturing at the Imperial Uni- We shall not grasp the full significance of > versity of Tokio on June 18, 1916, foretold this tendency until we pass from the descripa great future for Asia. The political civil- tion of Baha'ism as a theory to that of > ization of Europe was "carnivorous and can- Baha'ism as a practice, for the core of relinibalistic in its tendencies." The East was gion is not metaphysics, but morality. > patient, and could afford to wait till the The Baha'ist ethical code is dominated by > West, "hurry after the expedient," had to the law of love taught by Jesus and by all > halt for want of breath. "Europe, while the prophets. In the thousand and one debusily speeding to her engagements, disdain- tails of practical life, this law is > subject to > fully casts her glance from her carriage win- manifold interpretations. That of Baha'udow at the reaper reaping his harvest in the 'llah is unquestionably one of the most com- > > field, and in her intoxication of speed, cannot prehensive of these, one of the most exalted, > but think him as slow and ever receding one of the most satisfactory to the modern > backwards. But the speed comes to its end, mind. . . . > > the engagement loses its meaning, and the That is why Baha'u'llah is a severe critic > hungry heart clamors for food, till at last of the patriotism which plays so large a > part > she comes to the lonely reaper reaping his in the national life of our day. Love of our > harvest in the sun.For if the office cannot native land is legitimate, but this love must > wait, or the buying and selling, or the crav- not be exclusive. A man should love his > ing for excitement love waits, and beauty, country more than he loves his house (this > and the wisdom of suffering and the fruits of is the > dogma held by every patriot) but ; > > patient devotion and reverent meekness of BahaVllah adds that he should love the > simple faith. And thus shall wait the East divine world more than he loves his > country. > tillher time comes." From this standpoint, patriotism is seen to be > Being thus led to turn our eyes towards an intermediate stage on the road of renunci- > Asia, we are astonished to find how much we ation, an incomplete and hybrid religion, > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 509 > > something we have to get beyond. Through- Christian principle of asceticism. He disout his life BahaVllah regarded the ideal countenanced the macerations which were a > universal peace as one of the most important nightmare of the Middle Ages, and whose > of his aims. . . . evil effects persist even in our own days. . . . > > . . . BahaVllah is in this respect enunci- Baha'ism, then, is an ethical system, a > > ating a novel and fruitful idea. There is a system of social morality. But it would be > better way of dealing with social evils than a mistake to regard Baha'ist teaching as a > > by trying to cure them after they have come collection of abstract rules imposed from > to pass. We should try to prevent them by without. Baha'ism is permeated with a sane > removing their causes, which act on the indi- and noble mysticism; nothing could be more > vidual, and especially on the child. Nothing firmly rooted in the inner life, more benignly > can be more plastic than the nature of the spiritual; nothing could speak more intichild. The government's first duty must be mately to the soul, in low tones, and as if > to provide for the careful and efficient edu- from within. . . . > > cation of children, remembering that educa- Such is the new voice that sounds to us > tion is something more than instruction. from Asia; such is the new dawn in the East. > This will be an enormous step towards the We should give them our close attention; > solution of the social problem, and to take we should abandon our customary mood of > such a step will be the first task of the disdainful superiority. Doubtless, Baha'u- > Baytu'l-'Ad'l (House of Justice). "It is or- 'llah's teaching is not definitive. The Persian > dained upon every father to rear his son or prophet does not offer it to us as such. Nor > his daughter by means of the sciences, the can we Europeans assimilate all of it; for > arts, and all the commandments; and if any modern science leads us to make certain > one should neglect to do so, then the mem- claims matters of thought claims we > in > bers of the council, should the offender be a cannot relinquish, claims we should not try > wealthy man, must levy from him the sum to forego. But even though BahaVllah's > necessary for the education of his child. precepts (like those of the Gospels) may not > When the neglectful parent is poor, the cost fully satisfy all these intellectual demands, > of the necessary education must be borne by they are rarely in conflict with our scientific > the council, which will provide a refuge for outlooks. If they are to become our own > the unfortunate." spiritual food, they must be supplemented, > The Baytu'l-'Ad'l, likewise, must prepare they must be relived by the religious spirits > the way for the establishment of universal of Europe, must be rethought by minds > peace, doing this by organizing courts of schooled in the Western mode of thought. > arbitration and by influencing the govern- But, in its existing form, Baha'ist teaching > ments. Long before the Esperantists had may serve, amid our present chaos, to open > begun their campaign, and more than twenty for us a road leading to solace and to comyears before Nicholas II had summoned the fort; may restore our confidence in the spirfirst Hague congress, BahaVllah was insist- itual destiny of man. It reveals to us how > > ing on the need for a universal language and the human mind is in travail; it gives us an > courts of arbitration. He returns to these inkling of the fact that the greatest happenmatters again and again: "Let all the nations ings of the day are not the ones we were > become one in faith, and let all men be inclined to regard as the most momentous, > brothers, in order that the bonds of affection not the ones which are making the loudest > and unity between the sons of men may be noise. > > strengthened. What harm can there > . . . > > be in that? > is ... It > going to happen. DR. HENRY H. JESSUP, D.D. > There will be an end to sterile conflicts, to > ruinous wars; and the Great Peace will From the World's Parliament of Religion; > come!" Such were the words of BahdVllah Volume II, 1 3th Day, under Criticism and > in 1890, two years before his death. Discussion of Missionary Methods, page > While adopting and developing the Chris- 1122. At the Columbian Exposition of > tian law of love, BahdVllah rejected the 1893, at Chicago. Edited by the Rev. > 510 THE BAHA'f WORLD > John Henry Barrows, D.D. (The Parlia- fecting episodes in modern history. . . . > > ment Publishing Company, Chicago, The lowest estimate places the present number of Babis in Persia at half a million. I > 1893.) > am disposed to think, from conversations > This, then, is our mission: that we who are > with persons well qualified to judge, that > made in the image of God should remember > the total is nearer one million. They are to > that all men are made in God's image. To > be found in every walk of life, from the > this divine knowledge we owe all we are, all > ministers and nobles of the Court to the > we hope for. We are rising gradually toward > that image, and we owe to our fellowmen to scavenger or the groom, not the least arena > of their activity being the Mussulman priestaid them in returning to it in the Glory of > hood itself. It will have been noticed that > God and the Beauty of Holiness. It is a > the movement was initiated by Siyyids, > celestial privilegeand with it comes a high > Hajis and Mullas, persons who, either > i.e., > responsibility, from which there is no escape. > In the Palace of Bahji, or Delight, just by descent, from pious inclination, or by > profession,were intimately concerned with > outside the Fortress of 'Akka, on the Syrian > the Muhammadan creed; and it is among > coast, there died a few months since, a faeven the professed votaries of the faith that > mous Persian sage, the Babi Saint, named > BahaVllah the "Glory of God" the head they continue to make their converts. . . . > > of that Vast reform party of Persian Mus- Quite recently the Babis have had great > success in the camp of another enemy, havlims, who accept the New Testament as the > Word of God and Christ as the Deliverer of ing secured many proselytes among the Jewish populations of the Persian towns.I hear > men, who regard all nations as one, and all > that during the past year (1891) they are > men as brothers. Three years ago he was > reported to have made 150 Jewish converts > visited by Cambridge scholar and gave > a > in Tihran, 100 in Hamadan, 50 in Kashan, > utterance to sentiments so noble, so Christand 75 per cent of the Jews at Gulpayigan. > like, that we repeat them as our closing > words: > . . . The two victims, whose names were > > "That all nations should become one in Haji Mirza Hasan and Haji Mirza Husayn, > have been renamed by the Babis: Sultanu'sjifaith and all men as brothers; that the bonds > of affection and unity between the sons of Shuhada', or King of Martyrs, and Mah- > > men should be strengthened; that diversity bubu'sh-Shuhada*, or Beloved of Martyrs > and their naked graves in the cemetery have > of religions should cease and differences of > become places of pilgrimage where many a > race be annulled. What harm is there in > tear is shed over the fate of the "Martyrs of > this? Yet so it shall be. These fruitless > these ruinous wars shall pass away, > Isfahan." ... It is these little incidents, > strifes, > and the 'Most Great Peace' shall come. Do protruding from time to time their ugly > features, that prove Persia to be not as yet > not you in Europe need this also? Let not a > man glory in this, that he loves his country; quite redeemed, and that somewhat stag- > > let him rather glory in this, that he loves gers the tall-talkers about Iranian civilization. If one conclusion more than another > his kind." > has been forced upon our notice by the > retrospect in which I have indulged, it is > BY THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL CURZON that a sublime and murmuring [?] devotion > has been inculcated by this new faith, what- > Excerpts from Persia, Vol. I, pages 496-504. ever it be. There is, I believe, but one in- > (Written in 1892.) stance Babi having recanted under > of a > > Beauty and the female sex also lent their pressure of menace of suffering, and he reconsecration to the new creed and the hero- verted to the faith and was executed within > ism of the lovely but ill-fated poetess of two years. Tales of magnificent heroism > Qazvin, Zarrin-Taj (Crown of Gold) or illumine the bloodstained pages of Babi his- > Qurratu'l-'Ayn (Solace of the Eyes), who, tory. Ignorant and unlettered as many of > throwing off the veil, carried the missionary its votaries are, and have been, they are yet > torch far and wide, is one of the most af- prepared to die for their religion, and fires > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 511 > > of Smithfield did not kindle a nobler cour- splendid facts in human history that > age than has met and defied the more refined Svabhava loved to meditate on. This was a > torture-mongers of Tihran. Of no small true hero whom he would wish to emulate > account, then, must be the tenets of a creed and whose experiences he would profit by. > that can awaken in its followers so rare and The Bab's passionate sincerity could not be > beautiful a spirit of self-sacrifice. From the doubted, for he had given his life for his > facts that Babiism in its earliest years found faith. And that there must be something > itself in conflict with the civil powers and in his message that appealed to men and satthat an attempt was made by Babis upon isfied their souls, was witnessed to by the > the life of the Shah, it has been wrongly in- fact that thousands gave their lives in his > ferred that the movement was political in cause and millions now follow him. > origin and Nihilist in character. It does not If a young man could, in only six years of > appear from a study of the writings either ministry, by the sincerity of his purpose and > of the Bab or his successors, that there is any the attraction of his personality, so inspire > foundation for such a suspicion. . . . The rich and poor, cultured and illiterate, alike, > charge of immorality seems to have arisen with belief in himself and his doctrines that > partly from the malignant inventions of op- they would remain staunch, though hunted > ponents, partly from the much greater free- down and without trial sentenced to death, > dom claimed for women by the Bab, which sawn asunder, strangled, shot, blown from > in the oriental mind is scarcely dissociable guns; and if men of high position and culfrom profligacy of conduct. ... If Babiism ture in Persia, Turkey and Egypt in numcontinues to grow at its present rate of pro- bers to this day adhere to his doctrines, his > gression, a time may conceivably come when life must be one of those events in the > it will oust Muhammadanism from the field last hundred years which is really worth > in Persia. . . . Since its recruits are won study. And that study fortunately has > from the best soldiers of the garrison whom been made Jby the Frenchman Gobineau and > it is attacking, there is > greater reason to by Professor E. G. Browne, so that we are > believe that it may ultimately prevail. . . . able to have a faithful representation of its > The pure and suffering life of the Bab, his main features. . . . > > ignominious death, the heroism and martyr- Thus, in only his thirtieth year, in the > dom of his followers, will appeal to many year 1850, ended the heroic career of a true > others who can find no similar phenomena in God-man. Of the sincerity of his convicthe contemporaneous records of Islam. . . . tion that he was God-appointed, the manner > of his death is the amplest possible proof. > > In the belief that he would thereby save > BY SIR FRANCIS YOUNGHUSBAND others from the error of their present beliefs he willingly sacrificed his life. And > Excerpts from The Gleam. (1923.) of his power of attaching men to him, the > > 1. > passionate devotion of hundreds and even > thousands of men who gave their lives in his > The story of the Bab, as Mirza 'Ali-Mu- cause is convincing testimony. . . . > > hammad called himself, was the story of He himself was but "a letter out of that > spiritual heroism unsurpassed in Svabhava's most mighty book, a dewdrop from that limexperience; and his own adventurous soul itless ocean." The One to come would rewas fired by it. That a youth of no social veal mysteries and all riddles. This was > all > > influence and no education should, by the the humility of true insight. And it has > simple power of insight, be able to pierce had its effect. His movement has grown > into the heart of things and see the real and expanded, and it has yet a great future > truth, and then hold on to it with such firm- before it. > ness of convictionand present it with such During his six years of ministry, four of > suasion that he was able to convince men which were spent in captivity, he had perthat he was the Messiah and get them to meated all Persia with his ideas. And since > follow him to death itself, was one of those his death the movement has spread to Tur- > 512 THE BAHA'f WORLD > key, Egypt, India and even into Europe and remains of the Bab, long secretly guarded, > America. His adherents are now numbered now find a resting-place on Mount Carmel > by millions. "The Spirit which pervades in a Tomb-shrine, which is a place of pilthem," says Professor Browne, "is such that grimage to visitors from all over the world. > it cannot fail to affect most powerfully all > > subject to its influence." > Excerpt from The Christian Commonwealth, > " > 2. January 22, 1913: 'Abdu'1-Baha at Oxford" > For many years I have been interested in > the rise and progress of the Baha'i Move- 'Abdu'1-Baha addressed a large and deeply > ment. Its roots go deep down into the past interested audience at Manchester College, > and yet it looks far forward into the future. Oxford, on December 3 1 . The Persian leader > It realizes and preaches the oneness of man- spoke in his native tongue, Mirza Ahmad > kind. And I have noticed how ardently its Sohrab interpreting. Principal Estlin Carfollowers work for the furtherance of peace penter presided, and introduced the speaker > and for the general welfare of mankind. by saying that they owed the honor and > God must be with them and their success pleasure of meeting 'Abdu'1-Baha to their > therefore assured. revered friend, Dr. Cheyne, who was deeply > interested in the Baha'i teaching. The move- > Excerpts from Modern Mystics. (1935, p. ment sprung up during the middle of the > 142.) last century in Persia, with the advent of a > 3. > young Muhammadan who took to himself > This martyrdom of the Bab took place the title of the Bab (meaning door or gate, > on July 9, 1850, thirty-one years from the through which men could arrive at the > date of his birth. knowledge or truth of God), and who com- > His body was dead. His spirit lived on. menced teaching in Persiajn the year 1844. > Husayn had been slain in battle. Quddus The purity of his character, the nobility of > had been done to death in captivity. But his words, aroused great enthusiasm. He > Baha'u'llah lived. The One who shall be was, however, subjected to great hostility by > made manifest was alive. And in him and who secured his arrest and > the authorities, > in others had been engendered such love for imprisonment, and he was finally executed > the Bab and what he stood for as, in the in 1850.But the movement went on, and > words of the chronicler, no eye had ever be- the writings of the Bab, which had been > held nor mortal heart conceived: if branches copious, were widely read. The movement > of every tree were turned into pens, and all has been brought into India, Europe, and > the seas into ink, and Earth and Heaven the United States. It does not seek to create > rolled into one parchment, the immensity of a new sect, but to inspire all sects with a > > that love would still remain untold. This deep fundamental love. The late Dr. Jowlove for the Cause still survived. And it ett once said to him that he had been so > was sufficient. Baha'u'llah was, indeed, de- deeply impressed with the teachings and > spoiled of his possessions, deserted by his character of the Bab that he thought Babifriends, driven into exile from his native land ism, as the present movement was then > and, even in exile, confined to his house. known, might become the greatest religious > But in him the Cause was still alive and movement since the birth of Christ. > more than alive, purified and ennobled by > the fiery trials through which it had passed. BY REV. J. TYSSUL DAVIS, B.A. > Under the wise control, and direction of > Baha'u'llah from his prison-house, first at Quotation from A League of Religions. Excerpts from Chapter X: "Baha'ism The > Baghdad and then at 'Akka in Syria, there > grew what is now known as the Baha'i Religion of Reconciliation." (The Lind- > Movement which, silently propagating itself, sey Press, London, England.) > > has now spread to Europe and America as The Baha'i religion has made its way . . . > > well as to India and Egypt, while the bodily because it meets the needs of its day. It fits > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 513 > > the larger outlook of our time better than for the Master, love for the brethren, love > the rigid exclusive older faiths. charac- A for the neighbors, love for the alien, love for > teristic is its unexpected liberality and tol- all humanity, love for all life, love for God > eration. It accepts all the great religions as way trod once before > the old, well-tried > true, and their scriptures as inspired. The in Syria, trodden again. (4) It is a religion > Baha'ists bid the followers of these faiths in harmony with science. It has here the > > disentangle from the windings of racial, par- advantage of being thirteen centuries later > ticularist, local prejudices, the vital, immor- than Islam. This new dispensation has been > tal thread, the pure gospel of eternal worth, tried in the furnace, and has not been found > and to apply this essential element of life. wanting. It has been proved valid by the > Instances are quoted of people being recom- lives of those who have endured all things > mended to work within the older faiths, to on its behalf. Here is something more apremain, vitalizing them upon the principles pealing than its logic and rational philosof the new faith. They cannot fear new ophy. "To the Western observer" (writes > facts, new truths as the Creed-defenders Prof. Browne), "it is the complete sincerity > must. They believe in a progressive revela- of the Babis, their fearless disregard of death > tion. They admit the cogency of modern and torture undergone for the sake of their > criticism and allow that God is in His na- religion, their certain conviction as to the > ture incomprehensible, but is to be known truth of their faith, their generally admirable > through His manifestations. Their ethical conduct toward mankind, especially toward > ideal is very high and is of the type we West- their fellow-believers, which constitute their > erners have learnt to designate "Christlike." strongest claim on his attention." > "What does he do to his enemies that he "By their fruits shall ye know them!" We > makes them his friends?" was asked con- cannot but address to this youthful religion > cerning the late leader. What astonishes an All Hail! of welcome. We cannot fail to > the student is not anything in the ethics or see in its activity another proof of the living > > philosophy of this movement, but the ex- witness in our own day of the working of > traordinary response its ideal has awakened the sleepless spirit of God in the hearts of > in such numbers of people, the powerful in- men, for He cannot rest, by the necessity of > fluence this standard actually exerts on con- His nature, until He hath made in conscious > duct. It is due to four things: (1) It makes reality, as in power, the whole world His > a call on the Heroic ILlement in man. It own. > offers no bribe. It bids men endure, give up, > > carry the cross. It calls them to sacrifice, > BY HERBERT PUTNAM > to bear torture, to suffer martyrdom, to > Librarian of Congress > brave death. (2) It liberty of > offers > thought. Even upon such a vital question The dominant impression that survives in > as immortality it will not bind opinion. Its my memory of 'Abdu'1-Baha is that of an > atmosphere is one of trust and hope, not of extraordinary nobility: physically, in the > dogmatic chill. (3 ) It is a religion of love. head so massive yet so finely poised, and > "Notwithstanding the interminable cata- the modeling of the features; but spiritually, > > logue of extreme and almost incredible suf- in the serenity of expression, and the sug- > > ferings and privations which this heroic gestion of grave and responsible meditation > band of men and women have endured in the deeper lines of the face. But there > more terrible than many martyrdoms there was also, carriage, and > in his complexion, > is not a trace of resentment or bitterness to expression, an assurance of the complete > be observed among them. One would sup- health which is a requisite of a sane judgpose that they were the most fortunate of ment. And when, as in a lighter mood, his > the people among whom they live, as indeed features relaxed into the playful, the asthey do certainly consider themselves, in surance was added of a sense of humor withthat they have been permitted to live near out which there is no true sense of proportheir beloved Lord, beside which they count tion. I have never met any one concerned > > their sufferings as nothing" (Phelps). Love with the philosophies of life whose judgment > 514 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > } w$* M K ;?T l^fl > > Mr. Hyde Dunn, the pioneer teacher of Australia and New Zealand, laying the cornerstone > of the first Baha'i Summer School in the Southern Hemisphere, at Yerrinbool, New South > Wales, on October 11, 1936. > > might seem so reliable in matters of practi- I have known about the Babis for a long > cal conduct. time, and have always been interested in > My regret is that my meetings with him their teachings. It seems to me that these > were so few and that I could not benefit by teachings, as well as all the rationalistic soa lengthier contact with a personality com- cial religious teachings that have arisen lately > > bining a dignity so impressive with human out of the original teachings of Brahmanism, > traits so engaging. Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam > I wish that he could be multiplied! distorted by the priests, have a great future > for this very reason that these teachings, dis- > > carding all these distorting incrustations that > BY LEO TOLSTOY cause division, aspire to unite into one com- > > Translated from a letter to Mme. Isabel > mon religion of all mankind. > Therefore, the teachings of the Babis, in- > Grinevskaya, Oct. 22, 1903 > asmuch as they have rejected the old Mu- > I am very glad that Mr. V. V. Stassov has hammadan superstitions and have not estabtold you of the good impression which your lished new superstitions which would divide > book has made on me, and I thank you for them from other new superstitions (unforsending it. tunately something of the kind is noticed in > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'I FAITH 515 > > the exposition of the Teachings of the Bdb) , that on dying we return to God from whose > and inasmuch as they keep to the.principal Lifewe came. God, however, being Love > fundamental ideas of brotherhood, equality we can on going over expect God only. > and love, have a great future before them. Concerning your third question, I answer > In the Muhammadan religion there has that so far as I understand Islam, like all > been lately going on an intensive spiritual other religions, Brahmanism, Buddhism, > movement. I know that one such move- Confucianism, etc., it contains great basic > ment is centered in the French colonies in truths but that these have become cor- > Africa, and has its name (I do not remem- rupted by superstition, and coarse interpretaber it), and its prophet. Another move- tions and filled with unnecessary legendic > ment exists in India, Lahore, and also has its descriptions. I have had much help in my > > prophet and publishes its paper "Review of researches to get clear upon Muhammadan- > Religions." ism by a splendid little book "The sayings of > Both these religious teachings contain Muhammad." > nothing new, neither do they have for their The teachings of the Babis which come to > principal object a changing of the outlook of us out of Islam have through BahaVllah's > the people and thus do not change the rela- teachings been gradually developed and now > tionship between the people, as is the case present us with the highest and purest form > with Babiism, though not so much in its the- of religious teaching. > > ory (Teachings of the Bab) as in the practice of life as far as I know it. I therefore > sympathize with Babiism with all my heart BY DR. EDMUND PRIVAT > inasmuch as it teaches people brotherhood > 1. > and equality and sacrifice of material life for > service to God. The practical and spiritual understanding > between nations, the realization of the unity > Translated from a letter to Frid ul Khan of mankind above all barriers of language > Wadelbekow and religion, the feeling of responsibility > towards all who suffer from grief or in- > (This communication is dated 1908 and is > are only different branches of the > justice, > found among epistles written to Caucasame teaching which gives the > central > sian Muhammadans.) > Baha'i Movement such a faithful and active > ... In answer to your letter which ques- family of workers in so many countries. > tionshow one should understand the term > 2. > God. I send you a collection of writings > from my literary and reading club, in which La superstition, 1'intolerance et Palliance > some thoughts upon the nature of God are des pretres avec la tyrannic svit en Islam > included. In my opinion if we were to free comme ailleurs. La grande lumiere s'assomourselves from all false conception of God brit dans la fumee tenebreuse des formes > we should, whether as Christians or Muham- vides et des passions fanatiques. II y cut > > madans, free ourselves entirely from pictur- plusieurs fois des reveils et des retours a la > ing God as a personality. The conception purete* du message. > which then seems to me to be the best for Chez nous, en Perse, le Bab vecut en > meeting the requirements of reason and heart saint et mourut en martyr a Tabriz, il y a > is found in 4th chap. St. John, 7-12-15 that pres d'un siecle. BahaVllah lui succe*da, > means God is Love. It therefore follows exile de Perse, emprisonne' par le sultan turc. > that God lives in us according to the meas- II proclamait que Punite divine exclut les > ure or capacity of each soul to express His rivalite's. La soumission a Dieu doit rapnature. This thought is implicit more or procher les hommes. Si la religion les separe, > > less clearly in all religions, and therefore in c'est qu'elle aperdu son principal sens. > Muhammadanism. En plein milieu du dix-neuvieme siecle, > Concerning your second question upon au temps des Lamartfine et des Victor Hugo, > what awaits us after death I can only reply le grand saint musulman fixait aux Baha'i, > 516 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ses disciples, un programme et des principes BY GENERAL RENATO PIOLA CASELLI > plus actuels que jamais. . . . > > Having been engaged all of his life in the > Llslam a toujours proclame ce dogme > training of men, he does this (i.e., write on > avec majeste, mais les religions luttent en > the subject of religion) more as a "shepherd > brandissant le nom d'un prophete ou d*un > of a flock" might do, in hope of persuading > autre, au lieu d'insister sur leur enseignehis friends and brothers to turn spontanement, qui pourrait les rapprocher. Baha'- > ously to the Illumined Path of the Great > u'llah tachait de faire tomber les parois, non > Revelation. > pas Mahometisme avant tout, mais vraiment > Islam, c'est-a-dire soumission commune a la > volonte supreme. > BY FREDERICK W. OAKES > On ne parlait alors ni d'un Wilson, ni > d'un Zamenhof, mais 1'exile de Bahji mon- The Enlightener of human minds in retrait generations futures le chemin > aux spect to their religious foundations and privqu'elles devaient prendre. Son fils 'Abdu'l- ileges is of such vital importance that no one > Baha repandit plus tard son message en Eu- is safe who does not stop and listen for its > rope et en Amerique. Meme un libre pen- quiet meaning, and is to the mind of men, as > seur comme Auguste Forel s'y rallia de the cooling breeze that unseen passes its > > grand coeur. Le cercle amical des Baha'i breath over the varying leaves of a tree. > s'etend autour du monde. Watch it! And see how uniformly, like an > En Perse, un million d'entre eux sou- unseen hand passing caressingly over all its > tlennent des ecoles, fameuses dans le pays. leaves: Full of tender care and even in its > (From "La Sagesse de 1'Orient," Chap. Ill) gifts of love and greater life: Caresses each > leaf. Such it is to one who has seated himself amid the flowers and fruit trees in the > > BY DR. AUGUSTE FOREL Garden Beautiful at 'Akka, just within the > circle of that Holy and Blessed shrine where > . . . > J'avais cent les lignes qui precedent rests the Mortal part of the Great Enlighten 1912. Que dois-je ajouter aujourd'hui ener. His handiwork is there, you touch the > en aout 1921, apres les horribles guerres qui fruit and flowers his hand gave new life's > viennent de mettre 1'humanite a feu et a hopes to, and kneeling as I did beside Shoghi > sang, tout en d^voilant plus que jamais la Effendi, Guardian of the Marvelous Maniterrible ferocite de nos passions haineuses? festation, felt the spirit's immortal love of > Rien, sinon que nous devons demeurer d'au- Him who rests there. While I could not > tant plus fermes, d'autant plus inebranlables speak the words of the Litany, my soul knew > dans notre lutte pour le Bien social. Nos the wondrous meaning, for every word was > enfants ne doivent pas se decourager; ils doi- a word of the soul's language that speaks of > vent au contraire profiter du chaos mondial the Eternal love and care of the Eternal > actuel pour aider a la penible organisation Father. So softly and so living were the resuperieure et supranational de L'humanite, flections from his beautiful personality, that > a 1'aide d'une federation universelle des one needed not spoken words to be interpeuples. preted. And this Pilgrim came away re- > En 1920 seulement > j'ai appris a con- newed and refreshed to such a degree, that > naitre, a Karlsruhe, la religion supraconfes- the hard bands of formalism were replaced > sionnelle et mondiale des Baha'is fondle en by the freedom of love and light that will > Orient par le person Baha'u'llah il y a 70 ever make that sojourn there the prize memans. C'est la vraie religion du Bien social ory and the Door of revelation never to be > humain, sans dogmes, ni pretres, reliant entre closed again, and never becloud the glorieux tous les hommes sur notre petit globe ous Truth of Universal Brotherhood. A > terrestre. Je suis devenu Bahd't. Que cefte calm, and glorious influence that claims the > religion vive et prospere pour le bien de 1'hu- heart and whispers to each of the pulsing > manite'; c'est la mon voeu le j&lus ardent. . . . leaves of the great family in all experiences > > (Excerpt from Dr. Auguste ForePs Will) of life, "Be not afraid. It is I!" And > REFERENCES TO THE BAH A 'I FAITH 517 > > Friends present at the laying of the cornerstone of the first Baha'i Summer School > in Australia. > > makes us long to help all the world to know coner and other Scots friends were present, > the meaning of those words spoken by The and they were all exceedingly kind and com- > Great Revealer, "Let us strive with heart plimentary. I could not, in short, have been > and soul that unity may dwell in the world." treated with more distinction if I had been > And to catch the greatness of the word a prominent Minister of State instead of a > > "Strive," in quietness and reflection. humble Scottish journalist out on a mission > of fraternity and good will. > On the same day I met by appointment > BY RENWICK J. G. MILLAR Mr. Albert R. Windust with whom I went > out to see the Baha'i Temple which is in > Editor of John O'Groat Journal, Wick, > course of being erected at Wilmette, a > Scotland > suburb of Chicago on the shore of Lake > I was in Chicago for only some ten days, Michigan. It is about an hour's ride out on > yet it would take a hundred chapters to the elevated railway. Only the foundation > describe all the splendid sights and institu- and basement have so far been constructed, > tions I was privileged to see. No doubt Chi- and the work was meanwhile stopped, but, > cago has more than its fair share of alien we understand, is now shortly to be regangsters and gunmen, and the despicable sumed. I have no hesitation in saying that > doings of this obnoxious class has badly when completed this Temple will be one of > vitiated its civic life and reputation. But the most beautiful pieces of architecture in > for all that it is a magnificent city in the world. I had the privilege of an intromany respects probably the finest in Amer- duction to the architect, a Frenchman, M. > ica; a city of which its residents have in- Bourgeois, who speaks English fluently. We > numerable reasons to be proud. . . . > spent a considerable time with him in his > Every day indeed was filled up with sight- beautiful studio overlooking the Lake, and > seeing and the enjoyment of lavish hospi- he did me the honour of showing me the > tality. One day, for example, I was enter- plans of the Temple, drawings which cost > tained to lunch at the Illinois Athletic Club him years of toil, and they are far beyond > as the guest of Mr. Robert Black, a pros- anything I could have imagined in beauty > perous Scot belonging to Wigtonshire, who and spiritual significance. M. Bourgeois, > is in the building trade. He is an ex-presi- who is well advanced in years, is a genius > dent of the St. Andrew's Society. Mr. Fal- and mystic a gentleman of charming per- > THE BAHA'f WORLD > sonality. In all that I had the pleasure of solution. But above all else it is causing > seeing in his studio I had a privilege that is peoples everywhere to realize they are as one, > given to few. My > signature is in his per- by heart and spirit divinely united. > sonal book, which contains the names of And so I find joy in paying this little tribsome of the great ones of the earth! Mr. ute to a cause that is adding to the sweetness, > Windust, who is a leading Baha'i in the city, the happiness, the cleanness of life. > is a quiet and humble man, but full of fine > ideas and ideals. He treated me with the > utmost brotherly courtesy. How is it, I > BY PROF. HARI PRASAD SHASTRI, D.Lnr. > kept asking myself, that it should be mine > to have all this privilege and honour? There My contact with the Baha'i Movement > was no reason save that they told me I had and my acquaintance with its teachings, > touched the chords of truth and sincerity in given by Haqhrat-i-Baha'u'llah, have filled > > referring to and reviewing the Baha'i writ- me with real joy, as I see that this Moveings and principles in a few short articles in ment, so cosmopolitan in its appeal, and so > this Journal. The Temple is designed to spiritual in its advocacy of Truth, is sure > represent these principles universal religion, to bring peace and joy to the hearts of miluniversal brotherhood, universal education, lions. > and the union of science and religion. Mean- Free from metaphysical subtleties, practime the Chicagoans are seemingly indiffer- above all sectarianism, > tical in its outlook, > ent to all its spiritual significance; but some and based on God, the substratum of the > day they will wake up to a realisation of the human soul and the phenomenal world, the > fact that its symbolism will mark the city Baha'i Movement carries peace and illuminaas one of destiny in the world. tion with it. > As long as it is kept free from orthodoxy > and church-spirit, and above personalities, it > BY CHARLES H. PRISK will continue to be a blessing to its followers. > Editor, Pasadena Star News > > Humanity is the better, the nobler, for > the Baha'i Faith. It is a Faith that enriches > BY SHRI PUROHIT SWAMI > the soul; that takes from life its dross. I am in entire sympathy with all of the > I am prompted thus to express myself be- principles that the Baha'i Movement stands > cause of what I have seen, what I have heard, for; there is nothing which is contrary to > what I have read of the results of the Move- what I am preaching. I think at this stage > ment founded by the Reverend Baha'u'llah. of the world such teachings are needed more > Embodied within that Movement is the than anything else. I find the keynote of > spiritof world brotherhood; that brother- the Teachings is the spiritual regeneration of > hood that makes for unity of thought and the world. The world is getting more and > action. more spiritually bankrupt every day, and if > Though not a member of the Baha'i Faith, it requires anything it requires spiritual life. > I sense its tremendous potency for good. The Baha'i Movement stands above all caste, > Ever is it helping to usher in the dawn of creed and color and is based on pure spiritual > the day of "Peace on Earth Good Will to unity. > Men." By the spread of its teachings, the > Baha'i cause is slowly, yet steadily, making > the Golden Rule' a practical reality. BY PROF. HERBERT A. MILLER > With the high idealism of BahaVllih as > In World Unify Magazine > its guide, the Baha'i Faith is as the shining > light that shineth more and more unto the The central drive of the Baha'i Moveperfect day. Countless are its good works. ment is for human unity. It would secure > For example, to the pressing economic prob- this through unprejudiced search for truth, > lems it gives a new interpretation, a new making religion conform to scientific dis- > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 519 > > covery and insisting that fundamentally all has led to the summoning of the Congress > religions are alike. For the coming of uni- than any particular one of the great reversal peace, there is great foresight and wis- ligious communities of the world. > dom as to details. Among other things there Its origin was in Persia where a mystic > should be a universal language; so the Baha'i s prophet, who took the name of the Bab, the > take a great interest in Esperanto though "Gate," began a mission among the Persians > they do not insist on it as the ultimate lan- in the earlier part of the nineteenth century. > > guage. No other religious movement has He collected a considerable number of adput so much emphasis on the emancipation herents. His activities were regarded with > and education of women. Everyone should apprehension by the Government of Persia > work whether rich or poor and poverty of that day. Finally, he and his leading disshould be abolished. . . . What will be the ciples were seized by the -forces of the Persian > course of the Baha'i Movement no one can Government and were shot in the year 1850. > prophesy, but I think it is no exaggeration In spite of the persecution, the movement > to claim that the program is the finest fruit spread in Persia and in many countries of > of the religious contribution of Asia. Islam. He was followed as the head of the > Community by the one who has been its > > principal prophet and exponent, Baha'u'llah. > BY VISCOUNT SAMUEL, G.C.B., M.P. He was most active and despite persecution > In John O'London's Weekly, and imprisonment made it his life's mission > March 25th, 1933. to spread the creed which he claimed to > have received by direct divine revelation. > 1. > He died in 1892 and was succeeded as the > It is possible indeed to pick out points of head of the Community by his son, 'Abdu'lfundamental agreement among all creeds. Baha, who was born in 1844. He was living > That is the essential purpose of the Baha'i in Haifa, in a simple house, when I went > Religion, the foundation and growth of there as High Commissioner in 1920, and I > > which is one of the most striking move- had the privilege of one or two most inments that have proceeded from the East in teresting conversations with him on the > recent generations. principles and methods of the Baha'i Faith. > He died in 1921 and his obsequies were at- > 2. > tended by a great concourse of people. I > > one were compelled to choose which > If had the honour of representing His Majesty > of the many religious communities of the the King on that occasion. > world was closest to the aim and purpose of Since that time, the Baha'i Faith has sethis Congress, I think one would be obliged cured the support of a very large number > to say that it was the comparatively little of communities throughout the world. At > known Baha'i Community. Other faiths the present time it is estimated that there > and creeds have to consider, at a Congress are about eight hundred Baha'i communilike this, in what way they can contribute ties in various countries. In the United > to the idea of world fellowship. But the States, near Chicago, a great Temple, now > Baha'i Faith exists almost for the sole pur- approaching completion, has been erected by > pose of contributing to the fellowship and American adherents to the faith, with asthe unity of mankind. sistance from elsewhere. Shoghi Effendi, the > Other communities may consider how far grandson of 'Abdu'1-Baha, is now the head > a particular element of their respective faith of the community. He came to England > may be regarded as similar to those of other and was educated at Balliol College, Oxcommunities, but the Baha'i Faith exists for ford, but now lives in Haifa, and is the > the purpose of combining in one synthesis center of a community which has spread > all those elements in the various faiths which throughout the world. > are held in common. And that is why I (Introductory address delivered at the > suggest that this Bahd'i community is really Baha'i session of the World Congress of > more in agreement with the main idea which Faiths, held in London, July, 1936.) > 520 THE BAHA'l WORLD > BY REV. K. T. CHUNG ment spirituel. Voila pourquoi tout enseignement qui a pour but a eveiller et fortifier > Last summer upon my return from a la conscience morale et religieuse des hommes > visit to Japan, I had the pleasure of meeting > est d'une importance capitale pour 1'avenir > Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler on the boat. It > de notre race. Le Baha'i sme est un de ces > was learnt that this lady is a teacher of the > enseignements. II a ce merite qu'en portant > Baha'i Cause, so we conversed upon various > des principes qui sont communs de toutes > subjects of human life very thoroughly. It > les grandes religions (et specialement du > was soon found that what the lady imparted > to me came from the source of Truth as I christianisme) cherche a les adapter aux conditions de la vie actuelle et a la psychologic > have felt inwardly all along, so I at once > > that Baha'i Faith can offer > de 1'homme moderne. En outre il travail > realized the > numerous and profound benefits to mankind. pour 1'union des hommes de toute nationalite > et race dans une conscience morale et re- > My senior, Mr. Y. S. Tsao, is a well-read commune. Il n'a pas la prevention > man. His mental capacity and deep experi- ligieuse > d'etre autant une religion nouvelle qu'un > ence are far above the average man. He > trait les grandes religions exd'union entre > often said that during this period of our > ist antes: ce sur quoi il insiste surtout ce n'est > country when old beliefs have lost their hold > pas d'abandoner la religion a laquelle nous > upon the people, it is absolutely necessary > to seek a religion of all-embracing Truth appartenons deja pour en chercher une autre, > mais a faire un effort pour trouver dans > which may exert its powerful influence in > cette meme religion Pelement qui nous unit > saving the situation. For the last ten years, > aux autres et d'en faire la force determihe has investigated indefatigably into the > nante de notre conduite toute entiere. Cet > teachings of the Baha'i Cause. Recently, > element (commun a toutes les grandes rehe has completed his translations of the book > on the New Era and showed me a copy of ligions) c'est la conscience que nous sommes > avant tout des etres spirituels, unis dans une > the proof. After carefully reading it, I > > came to the full realization that the Truth > meme entite spirituelle dont nous ne sommes > as imparted to me by Mrs. Ransom-Kehler que des parties-unies entre elles par 1'attribut > fondamental de cette entite spirituelle a > is veritable and unshakeable. This Truth > savoir I'amour. Manifester, realiser, deof great value to mankind has been emivelopper chez nous et chez les autres (surnently translated by Mr. Tsao and now the > tout chez les enfants) cette conscience de > Chinese people have the opportunity of readnotre nature spirituelle et I'amour comme > ing it, and I cannot but express my pro- son attribut fondamental c'est la chose prinfound appreciation for the same. . . . > > Should the Truth of the Baha'i Faith be cipale que nous devons poursuivre avant > tout et par toutes les manifestations de nowidely disseminated among the Chinese peotre activite. C'est en meme temps le seul > ple, it will naturally lead to the coming of > the Kingdom of Heaven. > Should every- moyen par lequel nous pouvons esperer de > realiser une union toujours grandissant parmi > body again exert his efforts towards the extension of this beneficent influence throughles hommes. > out the world, it will then bring about world > Le Bahd'isme est un des enseignements > qui cherche a eveiller chez nous n'importe > peace and the general welfare of humanity. > a quelle religion nous appartenons juste- > (From Rev. K. T. Chung's Preface to the > Chinese version of Dr. Esslemont's Book.) > ment cette conscience de notre nature spirituelle. > > y a plus de 20 ans un groupe d'hommes > Il > > et femmes de differentes nationalites et re- > BY PROF. DIMITRY KAZAROV > ligions, animes par le desir de travailler pour > 1'union des peuples, ont commence* a publier > University, Sofia, Bulgaria > un journal en esperanto sous le titre "Uni- > Une des causes principales de la situation versala Unigo." Le premier article du preactuelle du monde c'est que 1'humanite est mier numero de ce journal etait consacre* au > trop en arriere encore dans son deVeloppe- Baha'isme et a son fondateur. Il me semble > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 521 > > que ce fait est une preuve eclatante de ce genius of Baha'ism, and that it is a true one, > que je viens de dire sur le Baha'isme. no one who has studied Baha'ism, even superficially, can question, least of all the outsider.Indeed one may go further and assert > BY REV. GRIFFITH J. SPARHAM that no one who has studied Baha'ism, > whether superficially or otherwise, would > Highgate Hill Unitarian Christian Church, wish to question if he apit; particularly > London, England > proaches the subject from a liberal and un- > In his book "A League of Religions," the prejudiced point of view. In the last act > Rev. J. Tyssul Davis, formerly minister of of his "Wandering Jew," Mr. Temple Thurthe Theistic Church in London, and at pres- ston puts into the mouth of Matteos, the > ent minister of a Unitarian Church in Bris- Wandering Jew himself, the splendid line, > > tol, England, the writer sets out to, demon- "All men are Christians all are Jews." He > strate that each great religious movement might equally well have written, "All men > in the world has contributed something of are Christians all For, if the > are Baha'is." > > peculiar importance to the spiritual life of sense of the Unity of Truth is a predomiman. Thus, he says, the great contribution nant characteristic of liberally-minded peoof Zoroastrianism has been the thought of ple, whatever may be their religious tradi- > Purity; of Brahmanism that of Justice; of tion,it is predominantly a characteristic of > > Muhammadanism that of Submission; of Baha'ism; since here is a religious system > Christianity that of Service; and so on. In based, fundamentally, on the one, simple, > each instance he lays his finger on the one profound, comprehensive doctrine of the > thing par excellence for which the particu- unity of God, which carries with it, as its > lar religious culture seemed to him to stand, necessary corollary and consequence, the > and tries to catch its special contribution in parallel doctrine of the unity of Man. > an epigrammatic phrase. Coming, in this This, at all events, is the conviction of > way, to Baha'ism, he names it "the Religion the present writer; and it is why, as a Uniof Reconciliation." In his chapter on tarian, building his own faith on the same > Baha'ism he says: basic principles of divine and human unity, > "The Baha'i religion has made its way he has long felt sympathy with and good > because it meets the need of the day. It fits will toward a religious culture which stands > the larger outlook of our time, better than on a foundation identical with that of the > the rigid older faiths. A > characteristic is faith he holds. And a religion that affirms > its unexpected liberality and toleration. It the unity of things must of necessity be a > > accepts all the great religions as true and religion of reconciliation; the truth of which > their scriptures as inspired." in the case of Baha'ism is clear. > These, then, as he sees Baha'i sm, are its > > essential features: liberality, toleration, the > BY ERNEST RENAN > spirit of reconciliation; and that, not in the > sense, as Mr. H. G. Wells has it in his "Soul > Passage tire de Renan "Les Apotres, P." > of a Bishop," of making a "collection" of Edition Levy, Paris, 1866 > approved portions of the world's varied and > differing creeds, but in the sense, as he also > Notre siecle a vu des mouvements reli- > > puts it in the same book, of achieving a gieux tout aussi que ceux > extraordinaires > > great "simplification." d'autrefois, mouvements qui ont provoque > "Baha'ists," says Dr. Davis, "bid the fol- autant d'enthousiasme, qui ont eu deja, prolowers of these (that is, the world's) faiths portion gardee, plus de martyrs, et dont > disentangle from the windings of racial, par- Pavenir est encore incertain. > ticularist, local prejudices, the vital, im- Je ne parle pas des Mormons, secte a > mortal thread of the pure gospel of eternal quelques egards si sotte et si abjecte que > worth, and to apply this essential element Ton hesite a la prendre au serieux. > to life/' II est instructif, cependant, de voir en > That is Dr. Davis's interpretation of the plein 19eme stecle des milliers d'hommes de > 522 THE BAHA'f WORLD > notre race vivant dans le miracle, croyant qui marcherent fierement dessus et ne leur > avec une foi aveugle des merveilles qu'ils donnerent pas deux regards. Quand on > disent avoir vues et touchees. II y a deja arriva au lieu d'execution, on proposa encore > toute une litterature pour montrer Paccord aux victimes la vie pour leur abjuration. Un > du mormonisme et de la > qui science; ce bourreau imagina de dire a un pere que, s'il > vaut mieux, cette religion, fondee sur de ne cedait pas, il couperait la gorge a ses deux > niaises impostures, a su accomplir des pro- fils sur sa poitrine. C'etaient deux petits > > diges de > patience et > d'abnegation; dans gardens dont Pain^ avait 14 ans et qui, > cinq cents ans des docteurs prouveront sa rouges de leur sang, les chairs calcinees, > divinite par les merveilles de son etablisse- ecoutaient froidement le dialogue; le pere > ment. repondit, encouchant par terre, qu'il > se > > Le Babisme, en Perse, a ete un phenomene etait pret et Paine des enfants, reclamant > autrement considerable. Un homme doux et avec emportement son droit d'ainesse, desans aucune pretention, une sorte de Spinoza manda a etre egorge le premier. 1 Enfin tout > modeste et pieux, s'est vu, presque malgre fut acheve. La nuit tomba sur un amas de > lui, eleve au rang de thaumaturge d'incar- chairs informes; les tetes etaient attachees > nation divine, et est devenu le chef d'une en paquets au poteau justicier et les chiens > secte nombreuse, ardente et fanatique, qui des faubourgs se dirigeaient par troupes de > a f ailli amener une revolution comparable a ce cote. > celle de PIslam. Des milliers de martyrs Cela se passait en 1852. La secte de > sont accourus pour lui avec Pallegresse au- Mozdak sous Chosroes Nousch fut etouffee > devant de la mort. Un jour sans pareil peut- dans un pareil bain de sang. Le devoueetre dans Phistoire du monde fut celui de la ment absolu est pour les nations nai'ves la > grande boucherie qui se fit des Babis, a plus exquise des jouissances et une sorte de > Teheran. "On vit ce jour-la dans les rues besoin. Dans Paffaire des Babis, on vit des > et les bazars de Teheran," dit un narrateur gens qui etaient a peine de la secte, venir se > qui a tout su d'original, "un spectacle que la denoncer eux-memes afin qu'on les adjoignit > population semble devoir n'oublier jamais. aux patients. 11 est si doux a Phomme de > Quand la conversation encore aujourd'hui soufTrirpour quelque chose, que dans bien > se met sur cette matiere, on peut juger Tad- des cas Pappat du martyre suffit pour faire > miration melee d'horreur que la foule croire. > > eprouve et que les annees n'ont pas diminuee. Un disciple qui fut le campagnon de sup- > On vit s'avancer entre les bourreaux des en- plice du Bab, suspendu a cote de lui aux > fants et des femmes les cjiairs ouvertes sur remparts de Tabriz et attendant la mort, > tout le corps, avec des meches allumees, flam- n'avait qu'un mot a la bouche: "Es-tu conbantes, fichees dans les blessures. On trainait tent de moi, maitre?" > les victimes par des cordes et on les faisait > > marcher a coups de fouet. Enfants et > femmes s'avangaient en chantant un verset BY HON. LILIAN HELEN MONTAGUE, > qui dit: En verite nous venons de Dieu et J.P., D.H.L. > nous retournons a Lui. Leurs voix s'ele- > As a Jewess I am interested in the Baha'i > vaient, ^clatantes, au-dessus du silence profond de la foule. Quand un des supplicie*s Community. The teaching lays particular > stress on the Unity of God and the Unity > tombait et qu'on le faisait relever a coups de > of Man, and incorporates the doctrine of the > fouet ou de bai'onnette, pour peu que la > Hebrew Prophets that the Unity of God is > perte de son sang qui ruisselait sur tous ses > membres encore un peu de force, > lui laissat > revealed in the Unity of men. Also, we > il se mettait a danser et criait avec un sur- 1 > Un autre detail que je tiens de source premiere > croi d'enthousiasme: "En verite nous est celui-ci: Quelques sect air es, qu'on voulait amener > a retractation, furent attaches a la gueule de canons > sommes a Dieu et nous retournons a Lui." amorce's d'une meche longue et brulant lentement. > > Quelques-uns des enf ants expire rent pendant On leur proposait de couper la meche, s'ils reniaient > le Bib. Eux, les bras tendus vers le feu, le suple trajet; les bourreaux jet^rent leurs corps > pliaient de se hater et de venir bien vite consommer > sous les pieds de leurs peres et de leurs soeurs, leur bonheur. > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 523 > > seem to share the conception of God's mes- reduite aujourd'hui encore a un quasi escla- > > sengers as being those people who in their vage dans tout Plslam. > deep reverence for the attributes of God, His Une Persane d'une rare beaute, et qui, > beauty, His truth, His righteousness and His chose rare chez les musulmanes, etait douee > justice, seek to imitate Him in their imper- d'un grand talent oratoire, repondant au > fect human way. The light of God is re- nom difficile a prononcer de Qourratou-'lflected in the soul of him who seeks to be 'A'in,1'accompagna dans ses reunions, n'hesireceptive. Like the members of the Baha'i tant pas, en donnant elle-meme Pexemple, a > community, we Jews are scattered all over preconiserla suppression du voile pour les > > the world, but united in a spiritual brother- femmes. > hood. The Peace ideal enumerated by the Le Bab et elle reussirent a convaincre, a > Hebrew Prophets is founded on faith in the Pepoque, des dizaines'de milliers de Persans > ultimate triumph of God's justice and right- et le shah de Perse les emprisonna 1'un et > > eousness. 1'autre, ainsi que la plupart de leurs partisans. > Le Bab fut pendu. Sa belle collaboratrice > fut etranglee dans sa prison. Leurs disciples > BY NORMAN BENTWICH furent exiles a Saint- Jean- d* Ac re, devenue > "Palestine may indeed be now regarded temple du "Baha'isme." C'est ainsi que j'ai > as the land not of three but of four faiths, visite la maison du successeur du Bab, Baha'- > because the Baha'i creed, which has its center u'llah, transformed aujourd'hui en temple > of faith and pilgrimage in Acre and Haifa, is du "Baha'isme." C'est ainsi que s'intitule > > attaining to the character of a world-re- cette religion, qui est plutot une doctrine > > ligion. So far as its influence goes in the philosophique, car elle ne comporte ni culte > land, it is a factor making for international defini, ni surtout de clerge. Les pretres, > and interreligious understanding." disent les Baha'istes, sont tentes de fausser, > > (From "Palestine*' by Norman Bentwich, dans un but de lucre, 1'idealisme desinteresse > p. 235.) des createurs de religions. > Baha'u'llah, le principal des trois prophetes, repandit sa doctrine non seulement en > BY EMILE SCHREIBER > Orient, mais dans beaucoup de pays d'Eu- > 1. > rope, et surtout aux tats-Unis ou son influence fut telle que le nombre des Baha'istes > Trots prophetes > attient aujourd'hui plusieurs millions. II > > Alors que le marxisme sovietique proclame fut persecute* par les Perses et mourut en > le materialisme historique, alors que les jeunes exil. > > generations sionistes sont egalement de plus Son fils, 'Abdu'1-Baha, lui succeda et foren plus indiffe rentes aux croyances etablies, mula, d'apres les principes de son pere, la > une nouvelle religion est ne'e en Orient, et doctrine economique du Baha'isme; elle > sa doctrine prend, dans les circonstances ac- indique une prescience etonnante des > tuelles,un interet d'autant plus grand que, evenements qui se sont deroules depuis: > s'ecartant du domaine purement philoso- la guerre d'abord, la crise ensuite. II > > phique, elle preconise en economic politique mourut peu apres la ayant vu la > guerre, > des solutions qui coincident curieusement realisation de la premiere partie de ses proavec les preoccupations de notre epoque. pheties. > Cette religion, de plus, est par essence L'originalite du Bahi'isme est de chercher > antiraciste. Elle est nee en Perse, vers 1840, a faire passer dans le domaine pratique, et > et les trois prophetes successifs qui 1'ont plus particulierement dans le domaine social, > prechee sont des Persans, c'est-a-dire des les principes essentiels du judalsme, du ca- > > musulmans de naissance. tholicisme et de 1'islamisme, en les combi- > Le premier, le createur, s'appelait le Bab. nant et en les adaptant aux besoins de notre > Jl precha vers 1850, et pre*conisa, outre la Epoque. > reconciliation des diflferents cultes qui divi- Le Bah&'isme proclame que les rapports > sent 1'humanite, la liberation de la femme, sociaux deviennent fatalement impossibles > 524 THE BAHA'f WORLD > dans une societe ou Pidealisme individuel ne 2. > > donne pas une base certaine aux engagements > Une religion "econotnique" > qui lient les hommes entre eux. > L'individu se sent de plus en plus isole Les principes du Baha'isme, fprmules par > au milieu d'une jungle sociale qui menace, a son principal prophete, Baha'u'llah? peuvent > beaucoup d'egards, son bien-etre et sa se- paraitre serieusement compromis en un temps > curite.La bonne volonte* et Phonnetete, ne oil la nationaliste, recemment agfrene*sie > > produisant plus dans sa vie et dans son tra- gravee de racisme, semble en eloigner de plus > vail le resultat qu'il attend, tendent a perdre en plus Papplication. > pour lui toute valeur pratique. De la nais- Toute la question est de savoir si ceux qui > sent, selon les caracteres, Pindifference et le sont en faveur aujourd'hui, dans tant de > decouragement, ou Paudace, le manque pays, sont susceptibles de resoudre le prode scrupules qui tendent a se procurer bleme non pas de la prosperite, mais simplepar tous les moyens, meme les plus r^pre- ment du logement et de la faim, dans les > hensibles, les benefices materiels necessaires difTercntes nations qui nient par leurs theoa Pexistence. ries et tous leurs actes la solidarite des peuples > > La societe, n'etant plus soumise a aucun et des races. > > controle, ni politique ni moral, devient un Une nouvelle guerre mondiale sera sans > vaisseau sans gouvernail ou personne ne peut doute necessaire pour que Phumanite, qui > plus rien prevoir et qui est sujet a des crises n'a pas encore compris la lec.on de 1914, se > de plus en plus f requentes et de plus en plus rende enfin compte que les solutions de vioviolentes. L'epoque actuelle, declarent les lence et de conquete ne peuvent engendrer > > prophetes persans, marque la fin d'une civili- que la ruine generate, sans profit pour aucun > sation qui ne sert plus les interets de Phu- des belligerants. > manite. Quoi qu'il en soit, les principales pensees > Elle aboutit a la faillite complete des in- economiques de Baha'u'llJh, telles qu'elles > stitutions morales et materielles destinees a ont etc formulees il y a un demisiecle, prouassurer le bien-etre et la securite des hommes, vent que la sagesse et le simple bon sens ont > c'est-a-dire Ptat, Pglise, le Commerce et cela de commun avec les ecrevisses, c'est qu'il > Plndustrie. Le principe fondamental d'ou leur arrive frequemment de marcher a re- > > peut venir le salut de la civilisation engagee culons. > dans des voies qui conduisent a sa destruction Voici les principaux preceptes de ce > est la solidarite des nations et des races. Car moderne Marc-Aurele: > Pinterpene*tration des peuples est devenue "L'evolution humaine se divise en cycles > telle qu'il leur est impossible de trouver isole- organiques, correspondant a la duree d'une > ment la voie de la prosperite. religion, laquelle est d'environ un millier > Ces propheties, qui pouvaient paraitre ex- d'annees. Un cycle social nouveau comcessives et quelque peu pessimistes a Pepoque mence toutes les fois qu'apparait un prophete > ou elles ont e*te* faites, vers 1890, ne sont dont Pinfluence et les enseignements renoupas, les evenements Pont prouve', de simples vellent la vie interieure de Phomme et font > jeremiades. II reste a examiner comment, deferler a travers le monde une nouvelle > partant de ces donnees, qui ne sont que trop vague de progres. > exactes, le Baha'isme, congu dans la Perse "Chaque nouveau cycle detruit les croylointaine et si arrieree a Pepoque, aboutit ances et les institutions usees du cycle preceaux memes conclusions que la plupart des dent et fonde sur d'autres croyances, en > economistes modernes qui, dans les differents etroite conformite, celles-la, avec les besoins > > pays de civilisation occidentale, proclament actuels de Phumanite', une civilisation nouqu'en dehors d'une collaboration Interna- velle. > > tionale il n'y a pas d'issue possible a la crise "L'influence de chaque prophete s'est, dans > actuelle entrainant tous les peuples a une le passe, limitee a une race ou a une religion, > misere toujours plus grande. en raison de Pisolement g^ographique des > (From LES ficnos, Paris, France, Septem- regions et des races, mais le siecle dans lequel > ber 27, 1933.) nous entrons necessite la creation d'un ordre > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 52$ > > organique s'etendant au monde entier. Si le 'Abdu'1-Bahd, son successeur, reprenant la > vieil esprit de tribu persiste, la science de- doctrine de son pere, concluait dans un distruira le monde, ses forces destructrices ne cours prononce a New- York en 1912: > pouvant tre controlees que par une hu- "La civilisation materielle a atteint, en > manite imie travaillant pour la prosperite et Occident, le plus haut degre de son develople bien commun. pement. Mais c'est en Orient qu'a pris nais- > "La loi de la lutte pour la vie n'existe plus sance et que s'est developpee la civilisation > > pour Phomme des qu'il devient conscient de spirituelle. Un lien s'e*tablira entre ces deux > ses pouvoirs spirituels et moraux. Elie est forces, et leur union est la condition de > alors remplacee par la loi plus haute de la Pimmense progres qui doit etre accompli. > cooperation. > Sous cette loi, Pindividu jouira "Hors de la, la securite et la confiance > d'un statut beaucoup plus large que celui feront de plus en plus defaut, les luttes et > qui est accorde aux citoyens passifs du corps lesdissensions s'accroitront de jour en jour > > politique actuel. L'administration publique et les divergences entre nations s'accentue- > > passera des mains de partisans politiques qui ront davantage. Les > pays augmenteront > trahissent la cause du peuple aux mains constamment leurs > armements; la guerre, > d'hommes capables de considerer une charge puis la certitude d'une autre guerre mondiale > publique comme une mission sacree. angoisseront de plus en plus les esprits. > "La stability economique ne depend pas L'unite du genre humain est le premier fonde Papplication de tel plan socialiste ou dement de toutes les vertus." > communiste plus ou moins theorique, mais Ainsi parla *Abdu'l-Baha en 1912, et tout > du sentiment de la solidarite morale qui unit se passa comme il Pavait*predit. > tous les hommes et de cette conception que Mais ces paroles n'ont pas vieilli; elles > les richesses ne sont pas la fin de la vie, mais pourraient, sans le moindre changement, > seulement un moyen de vivre. etre repetees en 1933. Aujourd'hui, comme > > "L'important n'est pas en une aveugle il > y a vingt ans, la menace de la guerre est > soumission generale a tel systeme politique, jie nouveau suspendue au-dessus de nos tetes > a tel reglement, qui ont pour effet de sup- et les causes de haines et de conflits s'accumu- > > primer chez Pindividu tout sentiment de lent a tel point que, s'il existe vraiment un > > responsabilite morale, mais en un esprit flux et un reflux des idees, on peut presque > d'entr'aide et de cooperation. Ni le principe conclure, avec une certaine dose d'optimisme, > democratique, ni le principe aristocratique que nous n'avons jamais etc si pres de venir > ne peuvent fournir separement a la societe aux idees de cooperation qui, seules, peuvent > une base solide. La democratic est impuis- nous sauver. > sante contre les querelles intestines et Paris- (From LES CHOS, Paris, France, Septemtocratie ne subsiste que par la guerre. Une ber 28, 1933.) > combinaison des deux principes est done > 3. > necessaire. > "En cette periode de transition entre le Malgre les tristesses de notre epoque et > vieilage de la concurrence et Pere nouvelle peut-etre meme a cause d'elles, je reste conde la cooperation, la vie meme de Phuma- vaincue que les idees a la fois divines et > nite est en peril. Les ambitions nationalistes, humaines qui sont Pessence du Baha'isme > la lutte des classes, la peur et les convoitises finiront par triompher, pourvu que chacun > > economiques sont autant de forces qui pous- de ceux qui en comprennent Pimmense insent a une nouvelle guerre internationale. teret continue quoi qu'il advienne a les de- > Tous les Gouvernements du monde doivent fendre et a les propager. > soutenir et organiser une assemble dont les (Excerpt from a letter dated October 29, > membres soient elus par Pelite des nations. 1934.) > Ceux-ci devront mettre au point, au-dessus > des e*goismes particuliers, le nouveau statut > BY DR. ROKUICHIRO MASUJIMA > economique du monde en dehors duquel tous > les pays, mais surtout PEurope, seront con- "The Japanese race is of rational mind. > duits aux pires catastrophes.'* No superstition can play with it. Japan is > 526 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the only country in the world where re- wait for the diplomats. Diplomats alone > ligioustolerance has always existed. The cannot bring the peace, but it is a great > Japanese Emperor is the patron of all re- thing that official people begin to speak > ligious teachings. The Baha'i publications about these universal peace principles. Take > now form part of His Majesty's Library as these principles to the diplomats, to the uni- > > accepted by the Imperial House. . . . versities and colleges and other schools, and > "The search for truth and universal edu- also write about them. It is the people who > cation inculcated by the Baha'i Teachings, if will bring the universal peace. > > soundly conducted, cannot fail to interest (In an audience with an American Baha'i > the Japanese mind. Baha'ism is bound to journalist in Praha, in 1928.) > permeate the Japanese race in a short time." > > BY ARCHDUCHESS ANTON OF AUSTRIA > BY Miss HELEN KELLER > Archduchess Anton of Austria, who be- > The philosophy of Baha'u'lUh deserves the fore her marriage was Her Royal Highness > best thought we can give it. I am return- Princess Ileana of Rumania, in an audiing the book so that other blind people who ence with Martha L. Root, June 19, 1934, > have more leisure than myself may be in Vienna, gave the following statement > "shown a ray of Divinity" and their hearts for The Bahd'i World, Vol. V: "I like the > be "bathed in an inundation of eternal love." Baha'i Movement, because it reconciles > I take this opportunity to thank you for all Faiths, and teaches that science is > > your kind thought of me, and for the in- from God as well as religion, and its ideal > spiration which even the most cursory read- is peace." > ing of Baha'u'llah's life cannot fail to impart. What nobler theme than the "good > of the world and the happiness of the na- > BY DR. HERBERT ADAMS GIBBONS > tions" can occupy our lives? The message American Historian > of universal peace will surely prevail. It is I have had on my desk, and have read > uselessto combine or conspire against an several times, the three extracts from 'Abdidea which has in it potency to create a u'1-Baha's Message of Social Regeneration. > new earth and a new heaven and to quicken Taken together, they form an unanswerable > human beings with a holy passion of service. argument and plea for the only way that the > (In a personal letter written to an American world can be made over. If we could put > Baha'i after having read something from into effect this program, we should indeed > the Braille edition of "Baha'u'lUh and the have a new world order. > New Era.") "The morals of humanity must undergo > change. New remedy and solution for human problems must be adopted. Human > BY SIR FLINDERS PETRIE themselves must > intellects change and be > The Baha'i Movement of Persia should be subject to the universal reformation." In > a welcome adjunct to true Christianity; we these three sentences we really have it all. > > must always remember how artificial the (Excerpt from personal letter dated May > growth of Latin Christian ideas has been as 18, 1934.) > > compared with the wide and less defined > beliefs native to early Christian faith. > BY H. R. H. PRINCESS OLGA OF JUGOSLAVIA > (In a letter to the "Daily Sketch," London, > England, December 16, 1932.) H. R. H. Princess Olga, wife of H. R. H. > Prince Regent Paul of Jugoslavia, daughter > of H. R. H. Prince Nicholas of Greece and > BY FORMER PRESIDENT MASARYK OF cousin of His Majesty King George II of > CZECHOSLOVAKIA > Greece, is > deeply interested in religion and > Continue to do what you are doing, spread in education, and her wonderful kindnesses > these principles of humanity and do not to every one have been commented upon > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 527 > > beautifully in several English books and BY ARTHUR HENDERSON > magazines as well as by the Balkan press. > "I like the Baha'i Teachings for universal Excerpt from a letter dated > education and universal peace," said this January 26, 1935 > gracious Princess in her charming villa on I have read the pamphlet on the "New > the Hill of Topcidor, Belgrade, on January World Order" by Shoghi Effendi. It is an > 16, 1936; "I like the Baha'i Movement and > eloquent expression of the doctrines which > the Young Men's Christian Association, for I have always associated with the Baha'i > both are programs to unite religions. With- Movement and I would like to express my > out unity no man can live in happiness." > great sympathy with the aspirations towards > Princess though she is, she stressed the imworld unity which underlie his teaching. > portant truth that every man must do his > job! "We are all sent into this world for a > purpose and people are too apt to forget the > BY PROF. DR. V. LESNY > Presence of God and true religion. I wish > 1. > the Baha'i Movement every success in the > accomplishment of its high ideals." The conditions are so changed now, since > the technique of the present time has de- > > BY EUGEN RELGIS stroyed the barriers between nations, that > the world needs a uniting force, a kind of > Excerpt from Cosmometapolis, 1935, I think Baha'i sm could desuper-religion. > pp. 108-109 am > velop to such a kind of religion. I > Nous avons trace dans ces pages seulement quite convinced of it, so far as I know the > la signification du Bahaisme, sans examiner Teachings of Baha'u'llah. There are . . . > > tous ses principes et son programme pratique modern saviors and Baha'u'llah is a Savior > dans lequel sont harmonisees avec 1'ideal re- of the twentieth century. Everything must > ligieux "les aspirations et les objectifs de la be done on a democratic basis, there must > science sociale." Mais on doit attirer 1'at- be international brotherhood. We must > tention de tous les esprits libres sur ce learn to have confidence in ourselves and > mouvement, dont les promoteurs ont le then in others. One way to learn this is > merite d'avoir contribue a la clarification de through inner spiritual education, and a > Pancienne controverse entre la religion et la way to attain such an education may be > science et d'avoir donne a maint homme un through Baha'ism. > peu de leur tolerance et de leur optimisme: > 2. > "L'humanite ^tait jusqu'ici restee dans le > > stade de Tenfance; elle approche maintenant I am still of the opinion that I had four > de la maturite" ('Abdu'1-Baha, Washington, years ago that the Baha'i Movement can > 1912). form the best basis for international good- > Qui osera repeter aujourd'hui, dans la will, and that Baha'u'llah Himself is > mele'e des haines nationales et sociales, cette the Creator of an eternal bond between > sentence de progres? C'est un Oriental qui the East and the West. The Baha'i . . . > > nous a dit cela, a nous, orgueilleux ou scep- Teaching is a living religion, a living phi- > > tiques Occidentaux. Nous voudrions voir losophy. . . . > > aujourd'hui, dans PAllemagne hitleriste, dans I do not blame Christianity, it has done > les pays terrorises par le f ascisme, paralyses a good work for culture in Europe, but > par la dictature politique, un spectacle there are too many dogmas in Christianity > dcrit par le suisse Auguste Fofel d'apr^s at the > present time. Buddhism was . . . > > Panglais Sprague qui a vue en Birmanie et very good for India from the sixth century > en Inde, des bouddhistes, des mahomtans, B.C. and the Teachings of Christ have been > des chretiens et des juifs, qui allaient bras- good for the whole world; but as there is > dessus bras-dessous, comme des fr&res, "au a progress of mind there must be no stop- > > grand etonnement de la population qui n'a ping and in the Bahd'i Faith one sees the > jamais vu une chose pareille!" continued progress of religion. > 528 THE BAHA'f WORLD > BY PRINCESS MARIE ANTOINETTE DE be optimists even when events seem to prove > BROGUE AUSSENAC the contrary! And Baha'is can be hopeful, > for there is a power in these Teachings to > A cette cpoque ou Phumanite semble sortie d'un long sommeil pour revivre a PEsprit, bring to humanity tranquillity, peace and a > consciemment ou inconsciemment, rhomme higher spirituality. > cherche et s'elance a poursuite de Tinla > > visible et de sciences qui nous y conduisent. BY EX-GOVERNOR WILLIAM SULZER > L'angoisse religieuse aussi n'a jamais ete > While sectarians squabble over creeds, the > plus intense. > Baha'i Movement goes on apace. It is grow- > Par sa grande evolution 1'homme actuel > est pret a recevoir le grand message de ing by leaps and bounds. It is hope and > progress. It is a world movement and it is > BahaVllah dans son mouvement synthetique > destined to spread its effulgent rays of enqui nous fait passer de Tancienne comprehension des divisions a la comprehension throughout the earth until > lightenment > moderne ou nous cherchons a suivre les ondes every mind is free and every fear is banished. 'The friends of the Baha'i Cause bequi se propagent traversant toute limitation > lieve they see the dawn of the new day the > humaine et de la creation. > better day the day of Truth, of Justice, of > Chaque combat que nous livrons a nos > Liberty, of Magnanimity, of Universal > penchants nous degage des voiles qui separent le monde visible du monde invisible et Peace, and of International Brotherhood, the > day when one shall work for all, and all > augmente en nous cette capacite de perception et de s'accorder aux longueurs d'ondes > shall work for one. > les de vibrer au contact des (Excerpt from the Roy croft Magazine) > plus variees, > rythmes les plus divers de la creation. > Tout ce qui nous vient directement de la BY LUTHER BURBANK > nature est toujours harmonic absolue. Le > tout est de capter Tequilibre de toute chose > I am heartily in accord with the Baha'i > et lui donner la voix au moyen d'un instru- Movement, in which I have been interested > ment capable d'emettre les memes harmofor several years. The religion of peace is > the religion we need and always have needed, > nies que notre ame, ce qui nous fait vibrer > and in this Baha'i is more truly the religion > et devenir le lien entre le passe et Favenir en > of peace than any other. > attaignant une nouvelle etape correspondant > a revolution du monde. > En religion, la Cause de BahaVllah, qui BY PROF. YONE NOGUCHI > est la grande revelation de notre epoque, est > I have heard so much about 'Abdu'1-Baha, > la meme que celle du Christ, son temple et > son fondement les memes mis en harmonic whom people call an idealist, but I should > like to call Him a realist, because no idealavec le degre de maturite moderne. > ism, when it is strong and true, exists without the endorsement of realism. There is > > nothing more real than His words on truth. > BY DAVID STARR JORDAN > His words are as simple as the sunlight; > Late President of Stanford University again like the sunlight, they are universal. > > 'Abdu'1-Baha will surely unite the East > . . . No Teacher, I think, is more important > and the West: for He treads the mystic way today than 'Abdu'1-Baha. > with practical feet. > BY PROFESSOR RAYMOND FRANK PIPER > These writings (Baha'i) are a stirring fu- > BY PROF. BOGDAN POPOVITCH > sion of poetic beauty and religious insight. > The Baha'i Teaching carries in its Mes- I, like another, have been "struck by their > sage a fine optimism we must always in comprehensiveness." I find they have ex- > > spite of everything be optimists; we must traordinary power to pull aside the veils that > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH 529 > > darken my mind and to open new visions of ready to help and happy to sacrifice. Faith- > > verity and life. fully they fulfill their office and professional > duties. Long ago they already solved the > BY ANGELA MORGAN problem of the Eastern woman; their children are carefully educated. They are some- > One reason I hail with thanksgiving the times reproached for their lack of patriotism. > interpretation of religion known as the Certainly, as specifically Iranian as the Shi'ih > Baha'i Faith and feel so deep a kinship with > Faith, the Baha'i Faith can never become; > its followers is that I recognize in its Revela- but the Baha'i Religion like Christianity > tion an outreach of the Divine to stumbling does not preclude the love of one's fatherhumanity; a veritable thrust from the ra- land. . Are the Europeans not suffi- > . . > > diant Center of Life. > ciently patriotic! According to my > experi- > Every follower of this faith that I have ences, the Baha'is in that respect, are very > ever met impressed me as a living witness > unjustly criticized by their Muhammadan > to the glory at the heart of this universe. brothers. During the centuries the Shi'ih > Each one seemed filled with a splendor of > Religion has developed a deep national traspirit so great that it overflowed all boundadition; with this the universal Baha'i Faith > ries and poured itself out upon the world have a hard battle. > will Nevertheless, the > here in this moment of time, by some con- lack of so great numbers is richly recomcentrated act of love toward another hupensed by the fervor and the inner spirit of > man being. the Iranian Baha'i Community. The Baha'i > world community will educate characters > BY ARTHUR MOORE which will appear well worthy of emulation > > The lovely peace of Carmel, which still by people of other Faiths, yes, even by the > world of those now enemies of the Baha'i > attracts mystics of different faiths, domi- > Cause. > nates Haifa. On > its summit are the Druses > The experience acquired in the West, for > German > in their two villages; at its feet the > me was fully verified also in the Iranian > Templars, whose avenue leads up to the now > Orient. The Baha'i Faith is undoubtedly an > large and beautiful terraced property of the > immense cultural value. Could all those > Persian Baha'is on the mountainside. Here > men whose high morality I admired and still > the tombs of the Bab and of 'Abdu'1-Baha, > admire have reached the same heights only > set in a fair garden, are a place of internain another way, without it? No, never! Is > tional pilgrimage. On Sundays and holidays > it based only on the novelty of the Teachthe citizens of Haifa of all faiths come for > ings, and in the freshness of its closest folrest and recreation where lie the bones of > lowers? > that young prophet of Shiraz who nearly a > hundred years ago preached that all men are > one and all the great religions true, and fore- BY A. L. M. NICOLAS > told the coming equality of men and women > Je ne sais comment vous remercier ni comand the birth of the first League of Nations. > ment vous exprimer la joie qui inonde mon > coeur. Ainsi done, il faut non seulement > admettre mais aimer et admirer le Bab. > BY PROF. DR. JAN RYPKA Pauvre grand Prophete ne au fin fond de la > The Baha'is of Iran are resolutely firm in Perse sans aucun moyen d'instruction et qui > their religion. Their firmness does not have seul au monde, entoure d'ennemis, arrive par > itsroots in ignorance. The Iranian inborn la force de son genie a creer une religion > character causes them to see things some- universelle et sage. Que Baha'u'llah lui ait, > what too great, slightly exaggerated, and par la suite, succede*, soit, mais je veux qu'on > their dissensions with the ruling Islam make admire la sublimite du Bab, qui a d'ailleurs > them a little bitter towards it. Everything paye de sa vie, de son sang la reforme qu'il a > else in their characters is accounted for as prechee. Citez-moi un autre exemple, semdue to their Teachings; they are wonderfully blable. Enfin, je puis mourir tranquille. > 530 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Gloire a Shoghi Effendi qui a calme mon with deep interest ever since my trip to > tourment et mes inquietudes, gloirc a lui London to the First Races Congress in July, > qui reconnais la valeur de Siyyid 'Ali- 1911, when I heard for the first time of the > Muhammad dit le Bab. Baha'i Movement and its summary of the > Je suis si content que je baise vos mains principles for peace. I followed it during > qui ont trace mon adresse sur Penveloppe the war and after the war. The Baha'i > qui m'apporte le message de Shoghi. Merci, Teaching is one of the spiritual forces now > Mademoiselle. Merci du fond du coeur. absolutely necessary to put the spirit first in > this battle against material forces. . . . The > Baha'i Teaching is one of the great instru- > BY PRESIDENT EDUARD BENES ments for the final victory of the spirit and > I have followed it (the Baha'i Cause) of humanity. > IN MEMORIAM > ALFRED EASTMAN LUNT > BY Louis G. GREGORY AND HARLAN OBER > > A,.LFRED EASTMAN LUNT departed it successful as a business enterprise. While > this life, August 12, 1937, at his home in in college he was chosen President of its > > Beverly, Massachusetts. His immediate fam- Republican Club, and then President of the > ily a widow and five children, and a host National Republican College League, which > of friends mourn his loss. His funeral was included clubs organized in most of the colattended by his relatives, neighbors and vis- leges of the United States. He served aciting Baha'is from Green Acre and neigh- tively in this capacity in several Presidential > boring centers. The service in its simplicity, campaigns, and those acquainted with his > contained the solace of Heavenly Teachings achievements, and the respect with which > and prayers, and proved to be a means of he was held, are confident that had he not > > teaching others the Faith that he loved. chosen to turn his energies with concen- > The National Spiritual Assembly, on trated attention toward the Baha'i Faith, > > August 16, 1937, received the following ca- realizing that all other means were ineffecblegram from the Guardian: tive, he would have risen to positions of > "Shocked distressed premature passing es- great importance in the government. > teemed beloved Lunt. Future generations As a lawyer, he became Solicitor of his nawill appraise his manifold outstanding con- tive city,and an associate in a well estabtributions to rise and establishment Faith lished and popular law firm in Boston. > BahaVllah American continent. Commu- Called by Miss Sarah J. Farmer to act as het > > nity his bereaved co-workers could ill afford legal counsel, he took the leadership in evolvlose such critical period so fearless champion ing those plans that protected her spiritual > their Cause. Request entire body their Na- program and the Green Acre properties. > tional representatives assemble his grave pay His services to the Green Acre Fellowtribute behalf to him who so long and > my ship, at a very critical period in its existence, > since inception acted as pillar institution as well as over a number of years, were > they represent. Convey Boston community perhaps among the most valuable of his caassurance prayers, deepest brotherly sympa- reer, a career noteworthy for the variety and > > thy their cruel irreparable loss." number of its accomplishments. Although > He was for more than a generation one of the opposition retained very able counsel and > the most distinguished and useful servants aroused adverse public sentiment and wideof BahaVllah. He was well prepared by newspaper criticism, carrying the > spread > college and legal education at Harvard Uni- matter to the Supreme Court of the State of > versity. As a student he heard the Great Maine, the final decision was a complete vic- > Message from Dr. 'Ali-Kuli Khan, lecturing tory for the Baha'is and the friends of Miss > in the University. He obtained from it a Farmer. A > few years later, this victory havnew life and inspiration toward achievement. ing established a new trend, Green Acre > He had very unusual abilities which shone came under the jurisdiction of the National > in the field of writing and in his chosen Spiritual Assembly, as the first Bah'i Sumprofession, the law. mer School in America. > As a youth he edited and published a Although greatly pleased with this evi- > > weekly newspaper. As a Harvard student, dence of the legal and organizing ability of > he managed its Illustrated Magazine, making Mr. Lunt, the head of his law business was > 532 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Alfred E. Lunt. > > greatly disturbed by the poignant press revealed his exceptional ability and leadercriticism, linking his associate with the ship, but also gave him an enormous fund > Baha'i Faith. To the demand that he choose of experience which was destined to be of > between his activity in the Faith and his great service to The Cause in the upbuilding > remunerative position, Mr. Lunt chose to of the Administrative Order. In frequent > open his own office. discussions with these important men he was > In his work he was ever guided by the able to show them that the spirit and the > Baha'i ideal of service, and his clientele was wisdom revealed in the Teachings of Baha'- > a very broad one. His wise and sympa- u'llah alone offered that solid foundation > thetic understanding brought many clients upon which industrial peace could be built. > of foreign birth, and though often poor and He was a patient and tireless worker, alunable to pay adequately for his services, he ways devoted to principle and showing a > never failed them, but with wise guidance, faith and courage worthy of the heroic age. > increased their > understanding, and ac- His personal interests were seemingly forquainted them with the spirit and point of gotten in his devotion to the Faith. But a > view which was the inspiration of his own few years ago, when actually in the midst of > life. great financial difficulties, a very wealthy > For many years he was counsel for an im- friend offered to associate him in a law firm > > portant Massachusetts Committee of Manu- with a minimum guarantee of an income anfacturers and Merchants in the handling of nually of ten thousand dollars. Although > their legislative problems. This position it > required no commitments on his part, > bringing him in close contact with outstand- save to work, yet because it came from a > ing industrialists and merchants, not only source which he felt might wish to affect > IN MEMORIAM 533 > > unfavorably his allegiance to his Faith, the neglected, poor and weak, a mark of true > offer was refused. nobility. He made himself one with people > The trials and vicissitudes of fortune ap- of various races, classes and nationalities in > peared only to confirm his faith, for in all the line of service. He had his place also > situations he showed those characteristics, among the strong, who drew upon his fine > which 'Abdu'1-Baha, in referring to the endowment of power, and from whom, his > Green Acre controversy, described as "lion capacities and virtues won admiration. > hearted." Faithful unto death was he, traveling long > He was from the beginning of the Cause distances over the country for administrain Boston, a member of its governing body. tion and teaching when his body was weak- > > During many years he was elected by the ened with a malady which finally proved > Boston friends as one of the delegates to the fatal. Meanwhile he showed no lessening of > Annual Convention. Of this body, he was spiritual attraction, devotion and power. > many times chosen Chairman, the duties of Just two days before his passing, he wrote > which office he discharged with extraordi- a most cheerful and hopeful letter to one of > nary ability. He conceived it to be his duty, his friends, telling of his plans for future > not only to be acquainted with all the im- activities. > > portant matters under consideration, and to Those who mourned his passing were conact with justice, but to stimulate all the del- soled by the spiritual fragrance that attended > > egates, in the assumption and exercise of it, and by the eloquent tributes paid him > their privileges and responsibilities. by the Guardian's cables, as well as by the > He was a member of the Baha'i Temple testimony of many friends. An extraordi- > Unity, the first corporation organized to nary honor was shown him by the members > build the Mashriqu'l Adhkar. With the ex- of the National Spiritual Assembly, which > ception of two short intervals he had mem- body at the Guardian's request, and in his > bership in the National Spiritual Assembly behalf, journeyed to his grave, to offer > > during the entire period of its existence. In prayers. Truly his was the victorious life. > these two national bodies, serving sometimes "The true man appeareth before the Meraschairman, sometimes as secretary, and as ciful like unto the Heavens. His bright > a memberof its various committees, he and shining qualities are the stars. His traces > showed signal devotion and ability. are the educators of existence." From the > This brief account does not of course per- Will of Baha'u'llah. > mit a detailed report of a > life of singular It is impossible, even for those who love > dedication, of great breadth of interest, of him, properly to evaluate his life, which the > remarkable sincerity and courage. Those future alone will truly disclose. It may be > privileged to have corresponded with him, said with absolute certainty, however, that > appreciated his understanding heart, and the he lived and moved in the Divine Teachfirmness and inspiration of his faith. ings, and especially in his later years, in the > Mention, however, should be made of the advices, the assurances and the sympathetic > fact that he was not only outstanding as understanding of the Guardian. The entire > an administrator with great range of vision loyalty of a heart, singularly pure and deand exact knowledge of details regarding voted, turned completely toward his Guardthe Cause in America, but he was also a ian and the Guardian of the world. > teacher whose addresses and writings were In a letter to one of the American friends, > characterized by spiritual insight, knowledge Shoghi Effendi wrote: "The passing of Mr. > of the Divine Teachings and understanding Lunt constitutes yet another blow to the > of the needs of the soul. He delved deeply American Baha'i Community, and leaves a > into the inner meanings of the Sacred Writ- void in both the teaching and administrative > ings,and followed closely those movements fields, which few of our present day bewhich were affecting a rapidly changing so- lievers can fill. The memory of his maniciety. fold and undeniably rich and valuable serv- > He was affectionate and kind, reflecting ices will be deeply enshrined in the hearts > the Divine love in his readiness to serve the and minds of those who had the privilege > THE BAHA'f WORLD > of working closely with him, or had been From that hour > sufficiently informed about his tireless 'activi- When first the Light of Revelation broke > ties for the Faith. . . . > upon these Western Shores > "Words fail to express the sorrow and re- You labored till out of the chaos and the > gret the untimely death of such a > I feel at groping loomed > precious, ardent and capable champion of The pattern of a "New World Order!" > our beloved Faith. The loss is indeed irrep- Labored ceaselessly, > arable, for he was the living embodiment Until the Divine of Plans revealed its thrillof such a rare combination of qualities as ing goal! > few can display and none can surpass. I How must He, its Source and Center > will continue to pray for his dear departed Whose thoughts turned toward us > soul from the depths of my sorrowful yet Whose heart leaped at our mention, have regrateful heart." joiced, > To see, amid "this jungle of materialism" > thy challenge > ALFRED EASTMAN LUNT Hurling certainty against the fury of an unbelieving age! > "Haste forth > To thy Celestial Habitation, Veil-beloved,' Poets! Seers! > 'Lion of God's Cause'!" Shall ring thy epic, chronicled in love and > We rejoice to hear of thy release! service! > Yet That the unborn may recapture may re- > Might not God have shared thee had we live with pride and gratitude thy story! > loved more? How you stood, undaunted in an epoch > How may a soul "aglow with flame of the "steeped in falsity," > undying fire" live An advocate unfalterirtg in principle! > Except midst love? To compromise unyielding > A pillar! in this Cause "so far beyond the > "Forty years" you sought, with "iron-sight" ken of men and angels!" > to elevate this Truth! > To hasten justice, to conquer pettiness and "Martyr hosts, > lust for power, Who guard man's station, acclaim thee: > The curse of prejudice, the fear of failure, 'Servant!'" > the blight of intellect! Thou, who in this Day "that casts a mighty > "Forty years" braving a wilderness of trials tumult in men's hearts" > knowing Refused to swerve hailing this passage "a > That phantasmal human hopes were doomed spiritual adventure!" > to traceless dust! We, who aspire to pioneer for God, and dare > One of the "living" of the chosen few en- to build anew a broken world, > > gaged to point a nation's course Guard sacredly the faith thy love renewed, > Toward spiritual dominion! when stilled thy noble heart! > IN MEMORIAM 535 > > MEMORIAL SERVICE TO DR. ZIA MABSUT > BAGDADI, HELD IN THE BAHA'I HOUSE > OF WORSHIP, MAY 8, 1937 > INTRODUCTORY WORDS BY MRS. TRUE > Mrs. Corinne True, this a joyous and not a sad occasion. May > Mr. Albert Windust, all who are present here turn in mind and > > O Chairmen. > N April llth, less than a month ago, > the Baha'i friends assembled in this House > heart toward the Holy Shrine of BahaVllah, > as we read this supplication (known as the > "Midnight Prayer") : > > of Worship commemorating the Twenty- O Lord, I have turned my face unto the > fifth Anniversary of the Arrival of 'Abdu'i- kingdom of Thy oneness and am immersed > Bahd in America, were shocked by the news in the sea of Thy mercy. > of the sudden death of their beloved Baha'i O Lord, enlighten my spirit by beholding > brother, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, at Augusta, Thy light in this dark night and make me > Georgia. Sincere expressions of sympathy happy by the wine of Thy love in this wonfor his bereaved family were heard among derful age. O Lord, make me hear Thy call, > the friends and all were anxious to learn and open before my face the doors of heaven, > more of the details of his passing. A few so that I may behold Thy glory and become > > days later it was learned that the cause of attracted to Thy beauty. > death was heart failure; that his body had Verily, Thou art the light, the gift and > been laid away in the burial lot of one of the giver, the ancient and the merciful! > the Baha'is of that city; that his widow > DR. BAGDADI' s GRANDFATHER AND FATHER > Zeenat, and daughter Parvene were courageously endeavoring to adjust themselves Referring to NabiPs Narrative, The > and were planning to go to Beirut, Syria, Dawn-Breakers, pages 272 and 273, we find > the home of Dr. Bagdadi's family in that that Dr. Bagdadi's grandfather, "Shaykh > > country. Muhammad-i-Shibl and his youthful son, > The loss suffered by the Cause in America Muhammad-Mustafa," accompanied Tahirih > began to be realized by the Baha'is and from 'Iraq to Iran. > found full expression in a cablegram from A > little over a year after Dr. Bagdadi ar- > > our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, to rived in America, word was received of the > the National Spiritual Assembly, as follows: death of his father, Muhammad-Mustafa > (Bagdadi), whose portrait and the news of > "Distressed sudden passing dearly beloved his passing were published in Babd'i News > Dr. Bagdadi. Loss inflicted (upon) national (Vol. I of the Star of the West), No. 17 > interests (of) Faith irreparable. His exem- issue, wherein is recorded: "In him the Cause > > plary faith, audacity, unquestioning loyalty, has lost a great and useful servant. All > indefatigable exertions unforgettable. Ad- loved and revered him and looked up to him > vise Baha'i communities (,of ) Chicago (and) as one of the spiritual souls of the earlier > surrounding regions hold befitting memorial days. His winsome manner and gentleness > gathering (in) Temple for which he so of heart attracted all those who came in convaliantly labored. Ardently praying for him tact with him and carried away the sweet > and bereaved family. fragrance of his life." > (Signed) Shoghi." In a Tablet from 'Abdu'1-Baha published > in the Star of the West, Volume X, No. 12, > Friends: In response to the request of our are these endearing words of the beloved > beloved Guardian and the desire of our Master: "Convey on my behalf, to Dr. Zia > hearts to hold a memorial service for our Bagdadi the utmost love and kindness. In > departed brother, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, we my estimation, he is very near, for he is the > have gathered here this evening. son of his honor Agha Muhammad- > We feel that he would wish us to make Mustafa." > 536 THE BAHA ' > I WORLD > > Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi. > > DR. BAGDADI'S WORK ON THE STAR OF from the Chicago College of Medicine and > THE WEST Surgery in May of this year (1911). He > intends to practice in America and be en- > Mr. Windust, who was one of the found- gaged in serving the Cause of BahaVllah. > ers and editors of the Star of the West, spoke We are confident the Star of the West has > of Dr. Bagdadi 's services to that magazine, in him an able and willing associate." > as follows Dr. Bagdadi became associate In the Star of the West, Volume III, No. > editor of this Baha'i publication, June 5, 15 issue, we find the following: "A word of > 1911, beginning with issue No. 5, Volume explanation is given regarding the re-appear- > II, wherein we read: "It gives us pleasure to ance of our Persian section after many > welcome to the editorial staff of the Star of months. As the editor, Mirza Ahmad > the West, Dr. Zia Mabsut Bagdadi ("Zia Sohrab, accompanied 'Abdu'l-Baha on most > Effendi"), the youngest son of the late M. of His journeyings throughout America, it > Mustafa Bagdadi. Dr. Bagdadi received was almost impossible for him to look after > his early education in the Orient at the the Persian section, and now that he has > Arabian Literature school, Turkish Govern- returned to the East, it has become neces- > > ment school and the American school. His sary to place that department in other hands. > childhood was blessed by seeing and being Dr. Zia Bagdadi, who has been associated > with the Blessed Perfection BahaVllah, and with him in this work, has consented to > in every year of his youth he visited the render this service. He is located in Chi- > Center of the Covenant, 'Abdu'l-Baha. He cago." > came to America in September, 1909, to > Throughout the remainder of the issues > > complete a course in medicine, graduating of Volume III, and all of Volumes IV and V > IN MEMORIAM 537 > > there were 19 issues in each volume Dr. line with Haifa from the center of the build- > > Bagdad! compiled and wrote the manuscript ing. In this photograph Dr. Bagdadi is seen > in the form of pages, which were photo- digging the first shovelful of earth the > graphed, reduced to page size, etched on other friends present following him in breakzinc, which became the printing plates for ing the ground. It was indeed fitting that > the Persian sections of the Star of the West Dr. Bagdadi should have this honor, and his > 262 pages. His beautiful style > a total of association with this great event * is suffi- > > of writing was distinctly Arabic in char- cient evidence of the esteem his fellowacter. This labor was accomplished by Dr. believers had for his valiant and devoted la- > Bagdadi in addition to translating Tablets bors for the Temple and the Cause of > of 'Abdu'1-Baha and speaking on the*Cause BahaVllah. > wherever the opportunity arose all this > aside from his practice of medicine and sur- NOTEWORTHY QUALITIES OF DR. BAGDADI > gery. Mr. Windust spoke of the time when his > family met 'Abdu'1-Baha in an upper room > DR. BAGDADI WITH 'ABDU'L-BAHA at the home of Mrs. Davies in Chicago. > IN CHICAGO When He saw the youngest child, He took > Reference was made to the photograph of her upon His lap and called for someone to > 'Abdu'1-Baha, together with five of the Ori- bring candy for the little one. Dr. Bagdadi > ental Baha'is, taken by Mr. Killius in Lin- instantly responded, leaping down the stairs > coln Park, Chicago, in 1912. Standing di- two or more steps at a time, obtained the > rectly behind 'Abdu'1-Baha, on the right, is candy, and sprang up stairs with it, handing > Dr. Bagdadi. In looking at this photograph, the bowl to 'Abdu'1-Baha as a courier would > one is impressed with the thought that our present an urgent message to a king. It was > beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, has, in an impressive demonstration to many who > his cablegram, perfectly described the quali- witnessed it, of the divine qualities of "inties of Dr. Bagdadi. stant, exact and complete obedience" Dr. > This photograph was taken directly across Bagdadi so remarkably possessed. > the street from the Plaza Hotel. In this Mrs. Grace Ober also testified to this outconnection, it is interesting to note that standing characteristic of Dr. Bagdadi, by > when it was taken, no one dreamed that in telling the following experience: "I was > this same part of Lincoln Park, the Chi- keeping house in New York for 'Abdu'lcago Historical Society would erect the Baha and His party of interpreters at the > splendid museum which stands there today. time when He attended the Peace Conference at Lake Mohonk. Late at night, the > DR. BAGDADI'S DEVOTED LABOR FOR THE bell rang furiously and at the door stood Dr. > TEMPLE > Bagdadi, no hat upon his head, his hair > Shoghi Effendi, in his cablegram request- disheveled, and his clothes covered with dust. > ing the holding of this memorial gathering He rushed into the house saying 'Abdu'lfor Dr. Bagdadi, states: "Advise Baha'i . . . Baha had sent him to bring a rug to Lake > Communities of Chicago and surrounding Mohonk at the earliest possible moment. I > > regions hold befitting memorial gathering in begged him to have something to eat, to > > Temple for which he so valiantly and de- bathe and rest for a little while. But quickly > votedly labored." . . . > finding what he wanted he rushed away with > In this connection we were reminded by it. > During the short time he was in the > Mrs. True, of the photograph taken on this house I learned that 'Abdu'1-Baha wished to > Temple March 21, 1921, and published > site present a gift to the Secretary of the Peace > in the Star of the West, Volume XII, No. 2. Conference, Mr. W. H. Short, Sec'y of the > It was the beginning of actual work for the > 1 This > breaking of ground for the actual construcconstruction of the first MasJhriqu'l-Adhkar tion of the caissons to bed rock should not be > in America; that is, the breaking of ground confused with the boring operations begun on September 24, 1920, to obtain a core of soil strata > for the digging of the first of the nine > before beginning the digging of the caissons, which > caissons to bed rock the one directly in began March 21, 1921. Editors > 538 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Friends assembled on Mashriqu'l-Adhkar grounds, Chicago, March 21, 1921. > Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi digging first shovelful of earth. > > New York Peace Society, before the close During these years Dr. Bagdadi was a > of its sessions next day, and that it was nec- pillar of strength to the Baha'is of America > essary that some one of His party go to the manifesting firmness in the Covenant and > city for it and return at once. Dr. Bagdadi all that it implies. He alone seemed to unhad instantly volunteered. He discovered derstand the deep meanings of this most > there was no passenger train at that great characteristic that is: through the > hour and boarded a freight train, arriving power of the Covenant no one can create a > in the condition I described. I learned sect or division in the Baha'i Faith; through > later that in returning he again rode on a this most great characteristic, the Center of > > freight train as there was no other trans- the Covenant will protect the Cause from > portation at that early morning hour. Dr. now until at least one thousand years, and > Bagdadi was the embodiment of the perhaps until thousands of years have passed > quality of "Instant, exact and complete away. > obedience." Those who attended the eighth session of > The chairman expressed the thought that the Baha'i Congress at Hotel McAlpin, New > every one present at this memorial gather- York City, April 30th, 1919, will never foring, who knew Dr. Bagdadi, no doubt cher- get Dr. Bagdadi's presentation of this most > ished in his heart and memory some par- important matter. Although he had been > ticular remembrance or many remembrances ill for three days, he arose to astonishing > of our dearly beloved Dr. Bagdadi. heights and depths of understanding in this > address, unfolding all the qualities Shoghi > FIRMNESS IN THE COVENANT, AN OUT- Eflfendi mentions in the cablegram prompt- > STANDING QUALITY OF DR. BAGDADI this memorial gathering of "exeming > When 'Abdu'1-Baha came to America in plary faith, audacity, unquestioning loyalty, > 1912, He awakened and began to educate indefatigable exertion" combined with a > the Baha'is to the Most Great Characteristic dramatic appeal that was arresting and soul > of the Revelation of BahaVllah, namely, stirring. This outstanding address of that > The Center of the Covenant that which remarkable Congress was taken stenographithe previous Divine Manifestations did cally and printed in Volume XI of the Star > not bring. From that time until the day of the West. > of His ascension in 1921, He stressed its > DR. BAGDADI WRITES OF SEEING AND BEING > importance with ever increasing emphasis, > thus preparing them for the hour when WITH BAHA'U'LLAH > His Will and Testament was brought to In the year 1929, Dr. Bagdadi wrote a > > light. book telling of his birthplace and travels in > IN MEMORIAM 539 > > the Orient under the title, Treasures of the MRS. LAURIE C. WILHELM > East. In it he describes the peerless pano- > BY ROY C. WILHELM > rama of the Plain of 'Akka surrounded by > mountains and sea, in the center of which Mother's strong religious tendency began > is the Mansion of Bahji, located about one with her mother who was religious fundamile from the Mediterranean and three miles mentally though I do not recall her ever > from the town of 'Akk, Palestine. It was having attended a church; and she did not > here Baha'u'llah lived the last few years of believe that a system in which professional > His exile until He departed to the Supreme preached for hire was in accord > religionists > World in 1892. Dr. Bagdad! tells that here, with the admonitions and example of Jesus. > when he was a child, he had the great privi- During my early years Grandmother often > lege of seeing and being with Baha'u'llah. spoke to me of so many of the Bible prophe- > He wrote: cies being fulfilled and said she believed the > "I had the greatest honor and privilege to Promised Age was near and we must all be > see BahaVllah and sit at His feet many days watchful to recognize the Great Day when > and nights in this Mansion. Here He used it came. Mother and father were members > to hold my hand while walking to and fro of a denomination to which they sent me in > in His large room, revealing Tablets, chant- my youth though they were not orthodox > ing the prayers with the most charming and in their views, rather they shared Grandmelodious voice, while one of the attendants mother's beliefs that the Creator of all hutook them down. Here I saw Him teaching manity was interested in all humanity. > and blessing the pilgrims who came from all About 1890 Mother became dissatisfied > lands. On hot days He would take me with with the churches and began searching for > Him to the outer alcove of the Mansion reality. She investigated various teachings > where it was somewhat cooler. I would including the philosophies of the East, Chrisstand in a corner with folded arms, my eyes tian Science, etc. I sometimes wondered, > fixed on His incomparable countenance, "What next?" Mother also felt deeply that > while the gentle breezes blew on His soft jet the Great Day was near, that it might come > black hair which reached almost to the waist, even in our time and how would we be > flowing beneath the taj, like a crown, that able to recognize its fulfillment! > covered His head and a part of His broad, Mother had a friend, kindred in thought, > full, high forehead. in Miss Laura Jones, also of our old home > "From His light-colored garments which town Zanesville, Ohio: they often met towere similar to those of all the ancient gether, and wondered if the Spirit might be > prophets, I had always inhaled the fragrance upon the earth at this time: how shall we > of the pure attar of roses. At times He find Him, etc. Shortly after the early 90's > would spend half an hour on the alcove, and Miss Laura moved to Chicago. > There she > my eyes would remain fixed on His majestic heard of the Baha'i Faith, and wrote to > face. But whenever He glanced at me with Mother that she had found that for which > His brown, piercing, yet most affectionate they had been seeking. In her letter she ineyes, then I had to turn mine away and look cluded some pamphlets, among which was a > down on the floor. copy of the "Hidden Words." Mother read > "At my birth, Baha'u'llah named me these, and accepted immediately. About > 'Zia' (Light) and gave me the Turkish title 1898 or 1899, when I was a traveling sales- > But on my first visit to Him, > 'Effendi.' man, Mother mailed me a page from a newswhen He inquired about my health, I re- paper containing a photograph of 'Abdu'lplied in Arabic 'Mabsoot' (I am happy). He Baha and an article in which something was > questioned, 'How is your father?' I an- said to the effect that many regarded Him as > swered, 'Mabsoot'; and 'How is your a return of the Spirit. Having in mind > mother?' He asked. 'Mabsoot' was > my re- Mother's various explorations I was not so > ply. He laughed heartily and after that He deeply impressed, but wrote upon the maralways called me Mabsoot Eflfendi (The gin, "Strange if true" and returned it to her. > Happy One)." In 1901 and 1902, Mother and Father vis- > 540 THE BAHA ' > I WORLD > > Mrs. Laurie C. Wilhelm. > > ited me in New York. We went about to from His bowl He told us to eat, and as we > various meetings and among them the Baha'i had received food from His bowl, now we > meetings at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ar- must return to America and likewise offer > thur P. Dodge: there we met May Maxwell, His food to the people. > Mr. and Mrs. Hoar, Dr. Getsinger and In 1908 we moved from New York to > others. I was conscious of a strong heart West Englewood. During this summer a > attraction before much understanding came. hundred or more of the Baha'i friends of > I recall that two or three years later a fare- New York and vicinity assembled for a picnic > well reception was given to Mirza Abu'l- in the woods near our home. In those days > Fadl at the Dodge home. it was very difficult to awaken interest. > Mother devoted much time to studying Meetings were held in two or three homes, > the Bible: she became so impressed with the and a dozen or so persons were attracted, but > connection and with the and reasonspirit several moved away, two passed from this > and exableness of 'Abdu'l-Baha's teachings world, and such changes took place that it > planations that her waking hours seemed was several years more before a group was > mainly devoted to plans for reaching other permanently started. I am reminded of a resections. In 1907 Mother and I went to mark that 'Abdu'1-Baha once made, that > 'Akka. 'Abdu'1-Baha told Mother she was it > required a great expenditure of effort to > the cock which crowed preceding the dawn. accomplish even small things in this world. > During the dinner, our last day there, He Mother devoted her life to corresponding > took an unusually large bowl and filled it with friends and inquirers far and near. Even > with bread and broth: then He asked for our during those last two and a half years of > bowls, and filling them with bread and broth physical helplessness, her mind was centered > IN MEMORIAM 541 > > Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford. > > upon means for the advancement of the associated with leading intellectuals in the > Faith. These past few weeks, when she could United States and Europe. > speak only with difficulty, she would often In 1901 Mrs. Ford was residing in Chicago > make suggestions, or perhaps inquire whether in an environment typical of her varied in- > I had heard from this person or another, or terests. Her household consisted of her > had written them recently. three children, Roland, Lynette and Gareth; > It is indeed comforting to now have the of a German woman and her young child; of > assurance of the Guardian that Mother is an American woman and her son; of a young > making a near approach to the Beloved. Negro student of Shakespeare. An account > of her home, known as "The Haunted > House" has, through Dr. Richard Hodgson, > MARY HANFORD FORD (Nov. 1, 1856 > reached the archives of the American So- > FEB. 2, 1937) > ciety for Psychical Research. At this time > BY RUHANIYYIH (MADAME 'Au'-KuLi) Mrs. Ford was a "Spiritist," her chief inter- > KHANUM est, however, lying not in psychic phenomena > > Daughter of a Meadville, > Pennsylvania, but in the spiritual life. An atheist during > banker, wife of the owner and editor of the her youth, she had regained faith at her > Kansas City, Missouri, Evening Mail, Mary father's death-bed, feeling that the continu- > Hanford Ford was widely known as an au- ity of the soul had there been revealed to > thority on art, literature and music, and as a her, and she had begun an exhaustive study > student of economic problems and of devel- of religion.Her personal library, including > opments in the field of science. At one time many first editions, ran the length of the > art critic on the Kansas City Star, she was house. She now began a course in compara- > 542 THE BAHA'l WORLD > tive religions, the ninth lesson of which the All Nations Club: "When we speak of > proved to be a presentation of the Baha'i the saints I think she was the reincarnation > Faith. The following summer she attended of all of them." Mr. D. A. Mott, leader of > the Green Acre School of Religions, heard the Vegetarian Society: "She belonged to > Mirza Abu'1-Fadl and 'Ali-Kuli Khan, and everybody. We never thought of her with > became a Baha'i; shortly thereafter, aided a family and children; the human race was > > by Miss Florence Breed, she began to teach her family . . . Some day . . . the truth of > the Baha'i Cause in Boston. her statements will be recognized, and also > To Madame 'Ali-Kuli Khan when she her greatness as a teacher." Mrs. Villa Faulkvisited 'Akka in 1906, 'Abdu'l-Bah4 said of ner Page, Founder-Leader of the Fellowship > Mrs. Ford: "It is true that Mrs. Ford has Life More Abundant: "We have listened > served humanity long and faithfully. Now with hearts deeply moved to the words > tell her, if she will arise to serve the Cause spoken of one whom we all so dearly love; > of Baha'u'llah with equal zeal and fidelity, not loved . but lov e" Dr. C. G. Pease, > . . > > her name will be mentioned in all the worlds President of the Non-Smokers League: "Let > of God." The remainder of her long life us follow in her footsteps." Mr. Aldo Ranwas devoted to fulfilling the Master's wish, degger, noted composer, played his "The > and in many tablets He addressed her as "O Apotheosis of the Soul" in her memory. > thou herald of the Kingdom of God!" Not Baha'i speakers included Mr. James F. Mor- > > only in the United States but also in Italy, ton, former President of the American Es- > Switzerland, France and England she taught peranto Society, who said: "She opened the > the Baha'i Faith > unceasingly, attracting eyes of many of us to visions that otherwise > thousands of people through her devotion, we could not have had. In the Esperanto > and her objective, brilliant, well-stocked Movement she was a tower of strength." > mind. Meanwhile she continued her work Mrs. Annie Romer: "The prayers which . . . > > as an art critic and writer; among her pub- she offered ... on behalf of others filled > lished books are "The Oriental Rose," > "The many hours. She said we did not ask enough > World of 'Abdu'1-Baha" and "The Secret of of the bounty of God." Mr. afa Kinney: > Life." Even during her last months, she "For years upon years we worked shoulder > taught the Cause and worked on a novel to shoulder, like two horses at the plough; > dealing with industrial conditions. Accom- ploughing God's field that His plants might > panied by her daughter, Mrs. Lynette Storm, grow there . . ." Madame 'Ali-Kuli Khan, > Mrs. Ford was in Clearwater, Florida, when chairman of the gathering: "Mrs. Ford's > the end came. She died whispering, "It is so friends all know how clear and sure were her > > beautiful, Lynette, it is so very beautiful!" faith and her spiritual mission." 'Ali-Kuli > At a distinguished gathering held at the Khan: "A saying of Goethe's is paraphrased > Baha'i Center in New > York City to com- thus: 'To live in a great idea is to think as > memorate the passing of Mrs. Ford, many possible, things that seem impossible. So is > non-Baha'i friends paid her tribute. 1 Among the case with a great character; when both > them, Mr. Clarence Howells of the Fellow- the great idea and the great character meet > > ship of Reconciliation said, "A religion can in thesame person, things appear which fill > be proven best by the lives of those who prac- the world with wonders for thousands of > tise it. The proof of the value of those years' "; he then read the following from a > teachings she gave, was expressed in the life letter of Shoghi EfFendi regarding Mrs. Ford: > of Mary Hanford Ford. Surely the Baha'i "Her unique and outstanding gifts enabled > Teachings are true, for they are effective in her to promote effectively the best interests > that light." Miss Frances R. Grant, Vice- of the Faith in its new-born and divinely- > President of the Roerich Museum, New York conceived institutions. I will pray for her > > City: "About Mrs. Ford there was this joy of soul from the depths of my heart. Her servdevotion, and I must believe that though ices will always be remembered and extolled." > > duty pleases God, it is joy that best gladdens 1 > There was given also, several days alter, a beau- > Him, and it is the joyous devotee that is tiful musicale, by Miss Rata Present, of Buffalo, in > closest to His heart." Mr. H. T. Mason of loving tribute to Mrs. Ford. > IN MEMORIAM 543 > > Elmore Eugene Duckett. > > ELMORE EUGENE DUCKETT Baha'i World Religion, in addressing an audience gathered together at Hull House, in > BY WILLARD P. HATCH > Chicago, on April 30, 1912, said in part: > "Verily, thy Lord is the All-Knowing, His "One of the important questions which > authority embraceth all things, rest thou as- affect the unity and solidarity of humansured in the gracious favor of thy Lord. kind is the fellowship and equality of the > The eye of His loving-kindness shall ever- white and colored races. . . . > > lastingly be directed towards thee." "In this country, the United States of > "Gleanings From The Writings of Baha'- America, patriotism is common to both > u'llah." races; all have equal rights in citizenship, > speak one language, receive the blessings of > "We work and pray for the Unity of Manthe same civilization, and follow the precepts > kind, that all the races of the earth may of the same religion. the one point of > . . . > > become one race, all the countries one coundistinction is that of color. God is not . . . > > try, and that all hearts may beat as one heart, > pleased with, neither should any reasonable > working together for perfect Unity and or intelligent man be willing to recognize, > Brotherhood." 'Abdu'1-Baha, in "The Oneinequality in the races because of this disness of Mankind." > tinction. . . . His Holiness BahaVllah has > Mr. Elmore Eugene Duckett was thirty- proclaimed the oneness of the world of hunine years old when he passed away on Janu- manity." > ary 1, 1937. He possessed a "remarkable Elmore Duckett did not find it difficult, as > spiritual insight." a Baha'i,to become free from racial ani- > 'Abdu'1-Baha, the great Exemplar of the mosity. A "remarkable spiritual insight," > 544 THE&BAHA'f WORLD > however, was not the only gift he possessed. such an extent that he was publicly awarded > All of his life he worked hard with the a badge of hofcor before his follow-workmen, > > strength that was his. To a casual observer, by those at the head of the factory, for over > Elmore was, in a happy way, one of those ten years of commendable service. He took > classified as belonging to Labor; but he this award for el&ctly what it was worth, > showed how different the Baha'i conception for he kneW that, if such action was not > of Labor is, by taking part in "no rebellious based upon the knowledge and love of God, > demands," and by being completely free then it was most likely an inexpensive way > from any deep-seated feeling of animosity of trying to keep the men satisfied; but he > against capitalists. evidenced forbearance and patience, as Ba- > Concerning a phase of Labor problems, ha'i s are taught to do. > 'Abdu'1-Baha writes, expressing the Baha'i True it is that the length of one's days, > attitude: as hasbeen pointed out by the Divine Ex- > ". . . . Rules and laws should be estab- emplar, is not important; to bear fruit in > lished to regulate the excessive fortunes of one's life is what counts. Elmore Duckett, > certain private individuals, and limit the in his relatively short life, was a tree that > > misery of millions of the poor masses How- bore a quantity of fruit. > ever, absolute equality is just as impossible, Elmore was born in Cripple Creek, Colofor absolute equality in fortunes, honors, rado, November 17, 1898. His family moved > commerce, agriculture, industry would end to Denver, Colorado, when he was ten years > in want of comfort, in discouragement. . . . of age. Thereafter they traveled to Arizona, > It therefore preferable for moderation to > is and it was in Bisbee, in 1915, that Elmore's > do its work. The main point is by means of cousin, who was to become his wife three > laws and regulations to hinder the constitu- years later, convinced him of the truth of > tion of the excessive fortunes of certain in- the Baha'i Faith. This she did, aided by her > dividuals and to protect the essential needs mother. > of the masses. . . The owner of the Of- this period Elmore Duckett's widow > . > factory > will no longer put aside daily a treasure which writes: "He (Elmore) became a wonderful > he has absolutely no need of (without taking Baha'i in a very short time as he had never > into consideration that, if the fortune is dis- taken any interest in any religious faith, he > proportionate, the capitalist succumbs under was free from all dogmas and creeds. . . . > > a formidable burden, and gets into great He studied Spanish and became very prodifficulties and troubles; the administration ficient, with the thought in mind of going > of an excessive fortune is very difficult and to Old Mexico to work and teach the Cause. > exhausts man's natural strength), and the In his study of the Spanish language, he met > workmen and artisans will no longer be in the many people in High School, and the private > greatest misery and -want, they will no longer nightclasses, who were entertained in our > be submitted to the worst privations at the home, and given the Baha'i Message. . . . > > end of their life. We were married in Houston, Texas, June 5, > "As now man is not forced by the Govern- 1918. We moved to Los Angeles May 1 9 2 2 , , > > ment, if by the natural tendency of his good where Kenneth (their only child) was born > heart, with the great^t spirituality he goes August 17, 1922." > to this expense for the poor, this will be a Unity was the one thing Elmore loved > thing very much praised, approved and pleas- most and he had a quiet and unobtrusive na- > ' > > ing." ture which attracted many friends to him. > Elmore Duckett was fully aware of 'Abd- He lived in Monrovia, California, suburb of > u'1-Baha's words yet was he aware that one Los Angeles, at the time of his passing away. > man alone, except He be a Christ or Baha'u- The Monrovia paper carried a notice of his > 'llah,could not bring about the change of death, and, among other things, wrote: "Mr. > conditions mentioned therein. Therefore he Duckett was chairman of the Spiritual Asput his affair^ in the hands of God, and as sembly of the Bah'is of Los Angeles and > one of the great body of workmen in a had been a member of the Community of > Jwge factory, labored in the Baha'i spirit to the Baha'is of that city for many years. > IN MEMORIAL 545 > > His entire time, other than what was neces- was voted at the meeting that each member > sary for the maintenance of *the material of the Assembly should mention one good > needs of his family, was devoted to the quality of the deceased. The result was a > promulgation of the oneness of humanity moving compilation. Among the qualities > and he 'consorted with all people with love mentioned were: "sincerity; sacrifice of time > and fragrance.' He believed in the funda- for the Cause; devotion to the Cause; > mental oneness of religion and prayed con- thoughtfulness of others; a good Baha'i in > stantly for 'the most great peace/ that has the use of time; kindness, generosity to the > been visioned by the Prophets and poets of Cause and to his friends; humility; his lack > the past, and which surely must be the con- of fault-finding; a peace-maker." > summation of the evolution of man on this At his expressed wish, Elmore was buried > plane." in the last grave remaining in the plot of > When Elmore Duckett's final illness over- ground where Thornton Chase, first Ameritook him, he firmly believed that it was be- can Baha'i, is at rest, in Inglewood Cemecause of the fumes he was forced to breathe tery, outside of Los Angeles, California. > daily in the prosecution of his work. He be- On March 8, 1937, Shoghi Effendi sent the > lieved that the inflammation of his heart following message to Mrs. Finks, Secretary of > and the lining of his lungs was an inevitable the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, Caliresult of the conditions surrounding his fornia. > labor, a result that was hidden from him "Please convey to the relatives of the late > until it was too late to do anything about it. Mr. Duckett the Guardian's sympathy and > His unusual physical strength gave way condolences on the occasion of the passing > slowly, after he was obliged to stop work, away of their beloved and esteemed friend. > before the onslaught of this insidious inflam- The services which he has rendered the Cause > mation. Before its fatal effect was clear to Shoghi Effendi deeply appreciates and he will > him, he planned, on recovery, never to return specially pray for the progress of his soul in > to the factory position he had previously the Abha Kingdom." > held, which, as he expressed he thought > it, > > would be suicide; but intended to take part > in the effort to carry the Baha'i Faith to > COLONEL DR. IBRAHIM PIRUZBAKHT > one of the few states where it was not already BY ZIKRULLAH KHADEM > established. His wish was to move to Reno, > Nevada. Colonel Dr. Piruzbakht was the eldest son > These hopes of moving to Nevada gave of the late Kazim Khan Amir Tuman, a disway before the increasing encroachments of tinguished Commanding Officer of his time, > Elmore's illness. Finally he learned that, very pious and devoted to his duty, belonging > should he live, he would become a bed- to the family of Caucasian refugees. The > ridden and helpless invalid. Having always following is a brief description of this family. > been so strong physically, he could not bear One of the notorious events of the Qajar > to contemplate this thought. He did not regime was the war breaking out between > think, perhaps, of the spiritual uses of suffer- fran and Russia, in consequence of which > ing, nor of the spiritual services he could some important provinces of Caucasia in Iran > render, even if ill. He preferred to die, and fell into the hand of the Russians. Groups > itwas reported that he implored Baha'u'llah of nobility, urged by > patriotic feelings, > left > > to release him into the next world. His Caucasia for fran and were then called imprayer was granted. migrants. A number of them entered mili- > To indicate something of the love Elmore tary services and others occupied high posihad inspired in the hearts of his fellow- tions. At this happy era of the reign of > believers, as part of their love for God in the H. M. Rida Shah Pahlavi under whose care > qualities they saw reflected, it is only neces- and wise policy marvellous progress has been > sary to write of the meeting of the Spiritual made in the country, a number* of the Re- > Assembly, of which he had been chairman, called immigrants are also numbered among > > gathered together to discuss his funeral. It the devoted and reliable officers and conv > 546 THE BAHA'f > manding Officers of the Army. D/. Piruz- Cormack and Mr. Colnman. In 192J, he > bakht was also of this f ran-loving family, received appointment as Director of the > born in fmrsm in the year 34 of the Baha'i Sepah Hospital (a military hospital) and > era corresponding with the year 1878 of during the last years of his life he served > the Christian era. He carried on his studies with the rank of Colonel as the Director of > in the Cossak house, in the Iranian College the Health Dept. of the Military Schools. > and in the Medical School from which he He discharged his duty most faithfully and > received his diploma in medicine. sincerely throughout the entire course of his > Early in his youth, he married his cousin, services. > Farah Angiz Khanum, but feeling the need of In the year 1914, Dr. Piruzbakht was > completing his studies he traveled to Russia, serving as Vice-Director at the Gendarmerie > France and Belgium, getting his diploma in Dept., having already completed his studies in > medicine, surgery and midwifery from the medicine. He began to investigate the Baha'i > > Liege School of the latter country in 1907, religion. His official position, as well as his > corresponding with the year 63 of the Baha'i family situation, were such as did not allow > era, and returning to his country in the same him to have any contact with the Baha'i folk, > year, after 7 years of absence. It should also owing to adverse religious feelings in Iran > be mentioned that at Colonel Piruzbakht's which threatened to put him and a number > time there were no means for one to educate of Baha'is in grave difficulties. Therefore > himself in frn such as are available now-a- religious conversations were confined to the > > days and his special efforts in such lines were Doctor and myself for several months. He > indicative of ability and love for education. was meanwhile given a number of Baha'i > After his return from Europe Dr. Piruz- books which he studied very carefully and > bakht was employed as physician in the Cos- it was not long before this holy being became > > saks* quarters. He later accompanied his a believer and he bought many volumes of > > father on a journey to Luristan and Adhir- Baha'i books which were available at that > > bayjan and after staying in those provinces time. He was so inspired and inflamed by > for some time he returned to Tihran where the Baha'i books and tablets that, disregardhe spent the rest of his life. He attained the ing his official position and personal restraint, > rank of Captain during his services in the he expressed his enthusiastic willingness to > Cossaks* Quarters. meet the believers. The first meeting took > The writer has been in frequent contact place in the house of the late Mirza Azizollah > with this honorable Doctor since he began Vargha, one of the devoted servants of the > Gendarmerie Dept. (Road > his service in the Cause and a distinguished believer; and the > Guards Dept.) and the following is an ac- late Semandar Qazvini and Mirza 'AH Akbar > > count of my personal knowledge of the de- Rafsanjani two well-known teachers of the > ceased. Cause were present at this little reception. > During the early formation of the Gendar- In the course of the discussions he displayed > merie Dept. in Iran in the year 1914, Dr. such a spiritual zeal and depth of knowledge > Piruzbakht served as Vice-Director and later of intellectual matters that he was heartily > as Comptroller General and physician for a admired by all those present. After that > number of years and finally attained the meeting he recklessly maintained contact > rank of Major. After the dissolution of the with the Baha'i groups and individuals and > Gendarmerie Dept. in 1918, he was appointed his admirable character and faith earned him > > by the General Health Dept. as Head of the such love and endearment in the Baha'i com- > Sanitation Office at Karej, 42 kilometers munity that he was appointed, in 1919, as > from Tihran, where a quarantine was being member of the Spiritual Assembly of Tihran > maintained. In 1920, he was employed as and also as Chief of the Tarbiyat School for > Doctor to the Provincial Dept. of Finance, Boys. Dr. Piruzbakht meanwhile undertook > Public Domains and Alimentation of Tihrdn to pay the tuition for some poor pupils. > which was an important Government Dept. After his conversion, Dr. Piruzbakht kept > and he carried on this duty during the office in contact with the members of his family > of the American Advisors, Colonel Mc- attempting to convert them to the Faith. He > IN JVfEMORIAM 547 > > did convert a number of them and some of senior officers of the Army, with a large > > the rest became friendly to the Cause. Mean- crowd of Baha'is and non-Baha'is were pres - > while, notwithstanding his busy time, he ent at the funeral. They followed* the bier > managed to have talks with some of the men afoot some distance up the street and then > of high position and even with the Swedish drove their cars to the cemetery. The > Officers in the Gendarmerie, giving them funeral was carried through in > service > books and tablets to read and acquainting the most honorable manner worthy of the > them with the importance of the Baha'i position of a devoted Colonel and a learned > Cause and the great material and moral bene- Doctor. > fits which the principles of the Cause ren- A memorial service in his name was held > dered to the > country and to > of Iran at the house of the deceased for several days, > the world. The deceased, being so keen in which thousands of people > in the course of > > serving the Cause, was always chosen as came to condole with the members of his > a member of important Baha'i Com- family and to take part in the ceremony of > mittees in Tihran where he permanent- chanting prayers and reading tablets. All > ly stayed after embracing the Cause. felt as if they really had lost a dear relative > This year he was a member of both the or friend. > Teaching and the East and West Commit- Let us pray that the surviving members of > tees. his family will all follow his example in > Three Tablets from 'Abdu'1-Baha and two serving the Cause and attaining the high > letters from the Guardian, all showing his spiritual position he attained. > ideal position and conferring on him historical honors, have been issued. > As was stated above, this admirable soul MIRZA MUHAMMAD KAZIM-PUR > spent his dear time in fran and abroad in Mirza Muhammad Kazim-Pur was the son > the field of education. During his hours of of Haji Muhammad Kazim-i-Shirazi, a deleisurefrom official duty, he held a private vout Muslim business-man, widely known > dispensary at his house which he used not for for his charitable activities, who had left > > personal interest but for serving the poor and Shiraz and settled in Yazd in the year > promoting the Cause. He paid medical visits 1236 (Persian date, ca. 1857). With > to friends and strangers, usually without re- his three brothers, Ahmad, 'Abdu'llah and > > ceiving fees. He was so kind to all classes 'Ali-Akbar, Mirza Muhammad became a > of people without distinction of faith, that Baha'i during the lifetime of Baha'u'llah, > even some of the Muslim religious authori- and like them was an active servant of the > ties, while knowing him to be a Baha'i, re- Faith. > ferred to him because of their confidence in In 1281 the people of Yazd rose against > his good faith and right conduct. Men of the Baha'is, plundered the home of 'Abduvarious creeds often called at the Doctor's 'llah and put him to death. The remaining > dispensary and when he was through with his three brothers were spared, Muhammad and > > patients he had a friendly meeting with the 'Ali-Akbar being in Shahrud on business, and > visitors. Ahmad in 'Ishq4bad. > After a serious illness, Dr. Piruzbakht's Following the Yazd upheaval, the family > noble life ended at the age of 5 9 on Saturday of Mirzd Muhammad moved to Shahrud; > the 5th of Shahr of the Baha'i year 93 cor- some years later, Mirza Muhammad, 'Aliresponding with January 23, 1937. num- A Akbar and their households left for 'Ishqaber of his non-Bahd'i relatives insisted on bad, and during this journey, were blessed > burial in a Moslem grave, but thanks to the with a visit to 'Abdu'1-Baha in 1289. Readmirable courage and efforts of his daughter, turning to 'Ishq&bad, Mirza Muhammad > Miss Furughu'z-Zamdn, a graduate of mid- some years later went back to Shdhrud, > wifery from the French Faculty of Medicine where he engaged in business activities and > in Beirut, the deceased was taken to Gulastdn service to the Cause. He was so energetic in > > Javad, the Bah4'i cemetery. Hundreds of spreading the Faith that he provoked the > officers including Commanding Officers and anger of the townspeople, who, incited by > 548 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > Mirza Muhammad Kazim-Pur. > > the mujtahid Shaykh- Ahmad, rose against all DR. Y. S. TSAO > the Baha'is of Shahrud. > For four years, he and his family were sub- The sad news has reached me from Shangjected to daily persecution, and finally in hai that our beloved Chinese brother, Dr. Y. > 1298 a crisis was reached, when, by order of S. Tsao, died suddenly in his car on the way > the same mujtahid, a mob of some 4,000 to his home, on February 8, at 4:30 p. m. > people, armed with sticks, stones and knives, Our brother, Mr. M. H. A. Ouskouli, writes > broke into his house to kill him and his two me that Dr. Tsao had not been sick and also > sons, 'Abdu'l-Husayn Kazim-Pur-i-Amri, he asked me to write the BAHA'I MAGAZINE > and 'Abbas. They seized Muhammad and and ask if Dr. Tsao's picture could be pubhis elder son 'Abdu'l-Husayn, and after beat- lished with a short article. > > ing them and subjecting them to extreme The work which Dr. Tsao has done for the > torture, threw them into the streets for dead. Cause of God in China is an everlasting > Mirza Muhammad and his son survived, monument. It was he who translated Esslewere treated by two doctors for about a mont's book into Chinese. He was working > month and left for Tihran. Here Mirza on the translation of "Some Answered Ques- > Muhammad continued in his devoted services tions." About a month ago, his helper, Mr. > to the Faith. 1309 he and his wife > In Tang, died and so there was a setback and > Sakinih-Banu visited the Guardian in Haifa. now Dr. Tsao has flown to the Kingdom of > On Wednesday the 22nd of Dayman 1316 BahaVllah, as Mr. Ouskouli writes me. > (1937) he passed away suddenly at his place Dr. Tsao first heard of the Baha'i Faith > of business; he was seventy-three years of through Martha Root when he was the Presiage. dent of Tsing Hua College, the Boxer In- > IN MEMORIAM 549 > > Dr. Muhammad Bashir of Alexandria, Egypt. > > dcmnity College. Martha bravely went out DR. MUHAMMAD BASHIR > to the College without any previous intro- > Baha'is and non-Baha'is throughout Egypt > duction, but was received most kindly by > mourn the unexpected death on Destill > Dr. Tsao and his wife, who is Swedish by > cember 21, 1936, of a leading pioneer and > birth, but American naturalized. After- > -philanthropist, Dr. Muhammad Bashir of > wards Dr. and Mrs. Tsao entertained us in > Alexandria, former chairman of the National > their home and invited me to speak in the > Spiritual Assembly of this country. > Auditorium of the College on the Baha'i > Son of a distinguished early believer, the > Faith to the whole student body, and a seclateIbrahim Efrendi 'All, Dr. Bashir was > ond time he called a meeting for any students > born at Port Said November 30, 1891. Rewho might be interested to meet and talk > ceiving his primary education in Port Said, > with us. > he graduated from high school in the Syrian > After eight years of service at Tsing Hua > Anglican College of Haifa and in August, > College, Peiping, Dr. and Mrs. Tsao moved to > 1909, proceeded to the United States with > Shanghai, where they have lived since, and Dr. Zia Bagdad! arriving in New York on > , > where they have formed the bond with the > September 14 of that year. In 1913 he com- > Iranian Baha'is who also live in Shanghai. > pleted his medical course at Valparaiso Col- > Dr. Tsao was educated at Yale University > lege. > and also studied at Harvard. > The following quotations are from the > May the Baha'is pray for this wonderful > diary of the late doctor: "In May, 1911, I > soul who has so suddenly left us, and also for > left for Chicago to attend the Annual Conhis devoted wife who must now carry on > vention ... I saw a great number of friends > alone. > and had the pleasure of acin attendance, > In His love and service, companying Mrs. True and a group of > Baha'is to the grounds of the Mashriqu'l- > AGNES B. ALEXANDER. > Adhkar. I had the honor of meeting 'Abd- > Tokyo, February 17, 1937. u'l-Baha on September 3, 1912, at the house > 550 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Miss Malakat Nushugati of Port Said, Egypt. > > of Mrs. True. The Master received me with Islam, and marked a marvellous achievement > His lordly kindness and love, saying, 'Your in freeing Baha'is from its outworn dogmas. > father is a blessed father, and God willing, The passing away of Miss Malakat Nushuyou shall be a blessed son; God willing, you gati, daughter of Mahmud Effendi Nushushall be the herald of the Glad-tidings of gati, a distinguished Baha'i of Port Said, on > God/ " September the 17th, 1937, crowned the Faith > It was during that critical period of some of Baha'u'llah with a fresh triumph. Ennine years ago, when the Baha'is resolved to couraged by the father of the deceased the > approach the Government with a view to Spiritual Assembly of Port Said resolved to > clarifying their position in Egypt, that Dr. perform, for the first time, the funeral cere- > Basjbir was chairman of the National Spirit- mony according to purely Baha'i rites. This > ual Assembly, and his courage strengthened firm resolution was met with bitter opposiand inspired every believer. He did much to tion on the part of Miss Nushiigati's non- > > promote the Annual Conventions and to con- Baha'i relatives. These relatives not only insolidate the Administrative Order. His serv- sisted that the funeral be held according to > ices to the Cause in Egypt can never be Muslim rites, but threatened the Baha'is that > forgotten. unless they yielded to their request, they > would seize the body by force and create a > public disturbance. When they saw that the > Miss MALAKAT NUSHUGAT! Baha'is remained inflexible in their resolve to > A recent event, though outwardly sad, perform a purely Baha'i ceremony, they > served to signalize the severing of one of the pleaded that at least the body should be carlast links of the chain of ancient fetters of ried to the Mosque and there the Muslim > IN MEMORIAM 551 > > prayers be read, but the Baha'is courageously honor and extending every courtesy to the > persisted in their plan. dead. Crowds had gathered along the way to > A letter was sent by the Spiritual Assem- The body > witness this first Baha'i funeral. > > bly to the Commandant of Police, informing was then placed in a car and, followed by > him of the situation. The funeral at 4 ten automobiles, proceeded to the cemetery. > o'clock proceeded to the burial place; in the At the grave Baha'i burial tablets were > front marched a band playing suitable music chanted and as a considerable number of > and followed by the girls of the American non-Baha'is were present, it was noted with > School, dressed in white and carrying bou- what keen interest they followed the service. > quets of roses. The body was borne for The same evening Baha'is as well as large > about a half mile by loving Baha'i friends, numbers of Muslims, Christians and Jews atthe coffin was draped in pink and decorated tended the meeting in -the Baha'i Hall and > with flowers. The police, as a result of the offered their condolences and sympathy. > much-appreciated action of the authorities, During the whole occasion only the Baha'i > joined the procession, forming a guard of tablets were chanted. > > APRIL, 1936 APRIL, 1938 > IN MEMORIAM > Death proffereth unto every confident be- Miss Elizabeth Chandler, Ithaca, New > liever the cup that is life indeed. It be- York. > stoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. Mrs. Elizabeth Hurlbut, San Francisco, > It conferreth the gift of everlasing life. California. > BAHA'U'LLAH. Miss Lillie Kendall, Aptos, California. > Mr. S. A. Roberts, Kelvin, Arizona. > Mrs. Kate Burke, Chicago. Mrs. Frances Carre, Mariposa, California. > Mrs. Carolyn Harbin, Miami Beach, Dr. Albert Johnston, Montreal, Quebec, > Florida. Canada. > Mr. Maurice Cohen, New Haven, Conn. Mrs. Evelyn Moore, Cambridge, Massa- > Mrs. E. B. Bullock, San Francisco, Cali- chusetts. > fornia. Miss Antoinette Sealts, Lima, Ohio. > Mrs. Louise Herman, Columbus, Ohio. Mr. William Z. Ralph, Portland, Oregon. > Mrs. Anna Steinmetz, Minneapolis, Minn. Miss A. R. Phipps, Oriskany, N. Y. > Dr. Edwin Karl Fisher, Los Angeles, Calif. Mrs. Cunningham, Montreal, Quebec, > Mrs. Elizabeth McGwan, Buffalo, N. Y. Canada. > Mrs. Rosa Harmon, Kenosha, Wis. Mrs. A. B. Spear, Los Angeles, Calif. > Mrs. Dora Dunbar Maule, McMinville, Mrs. Phoebe R. Nelson, Chicago, 111. > Oregon. Mrs. Elizabeth R. Wilkinson, Brookline, > Mr. Myron Potter, Cleveland, Ohio. Mass. > Mrs. Edyth Blindt Bloom, Burlington, Mr. Elmore E. Duckett, Los Angeles, Calif. > Iowa. Mr. Worsley G. Hambrough, San Diego, > Mrs. Helen Bell, Cleveland, Ohio. Calif. > Miss Helen Clevenger, New York. Mr. Claude Warren, Binghamton, N. Y. > Mrs. Gertrude Harris, New York. Mrs. Laurie C. Wilhelm, West Englewood, > Mr. Irving Johnson, Chicago. New Jersey. > Mr. Charles N. Dible, Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Samuel Hadsell, Phoenix, Arizona. > (Not reported at the time of his passing, Mrs. Muriel Rucker, Toronto, Canada. > September, 1934.) Mrs. Mary Arch, Washington, D. C > Mrs. Gertrude Anderson, Chicago, 111. Mrs. Edward Ruppers, Phoenix, Arizona. > Mr. Jacob Schmit, St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. Daisy G. Fry, Visalia, Calif. > Miss Jessie Bush, Newark, New Jersey. Miss Avis Morris, San Francisco, Calif. > J52 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Mr. Paul K. Dealy, Fairhope, Alabama. Mr. Cecil Carmody, New York. > Mr. T. C. Gunning-Davis, Chicago, 111. Dr. Hettie West, Los Angeles, Calif. > Mr. Charles Parker', Hales Corners, Wise. Mrs. Laura L. Drum, Washington, D. C. > Mrs. Rose Henderson, Toronto, Canada. Mrs. Elizabeth Stein, Lima, Ohio. > Mrs. Mae Stone, Topeka, Kansas. Mr. J. B. Gordon Hall, Fernandina, Fla. > Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford, Toledo, Ohio. Mr. James Coe (former member of Racine > Mr. Worsley G. Hambrough, San Diego, Baha'i community). > Calif. Mrs. Mary A. Meredith, Buffalo, N. Y. > Mr. Claude Warren, Binghamton, N. Y. Mrs. Margaret Lyons, Colorado Springs, > Mr. Charles Edsall, Montclair, N. J. Col. > Mrs. Addie L. Cole, Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. Dudley J. Stevison, Chicago, 111. > Mrs. Cecile Hill, Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Gordon Hall, Fernandina, Fla. > Mrs. Mary D. Culver, Eliot, Maine. Mr. Howard Fenton, Akron, Ohio. > Mrs. E. L. Cavanee, Urbana, 111. Mrs. Andrew Fleming, Brooklyn, N. Y. > Mrs. Flora P. Stone, Urbana, 111. Mrs. Cordie C. Cline, Yuba City, Calif. > Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Augusta, Ga. Mrs. Mabel Nickerson, Chicago, 111. > Miss Harriet Williams, Boston, Mass. > Miss Mary Ruth Nitsche, Muskegon, Mich. > Some notable Iranian believers who passed > Miss Bertha L. Lackey, Worcester, Mass. > away during 1936-37. > Mrs. Carrie Timleck, Geneva, N. Y. > Mr. Lloyd C. Hawley, San Francisco, Zaynu'l-'Abidin Abrari, Yazd. > fcalif. Qabil Abadi'i, Abadih. > Miss Esther Davis, La Jolla, Calif. Muhammad-Husayn Ulfat, Tihran. > Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, Beverly, Mass. Muhammad-Natiq. > Mrs. Lucy A. Northrop, Oakland, Calif. Hasan Fu'adi, Tihran. > Mrs. Abbie Campbell, Los Angeles, Calif. Mihdi-Quli Mirza Mawzun, Hamadan. > PART THREE > BAHA'I DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 > 94 OF THE BAHA'i ERA > 1 . > > BAHA'i NATIONAL SPIRITUAL > ASSEMBLIES > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand, > Care of Miss Hilda Brooks, Box 447 D, Adelaide, SOUTH AUSTRALIA. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Caucasus, > Care of Mr. Diya'u'llah Asgharzadih, > Rid van 45 Alexandria Grove, North Finchley, London, N. 12, ENGLAND. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt, > P. O. Box 13, Daher, Cairo, EGYPT. > Telegraphic Address: Bahabureau, Cairo. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany and Austria, > Care of Herr Frederich Schweizer, Karlstr. 26, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, GERMANY. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Great Britain and Ireland, > Baha'i Center, 46 Bloomsbury Street, London, W. C. 1, ENGLAND. > Telegraphic Address: National Asgarzadih, London. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and Burma, > P. O. Box 14, Simla, INDIA. > > Telegraphic Address: Baha'i, Simla. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq, > P. O. Box 5, Baghdad, 'IRAQ. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran, > Care of Mirza *Ali-Akbar Furutan, Khiaban-i-Mehdieh, No. 2002, Tihran, IRAN. > Telegraphic Address: Rawhani, Parsiyan, Tihran. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Turkistan, > Care of Mr. DiyaVllah Asgharzadih, > 45 Alexandria Grove, North Finchley, London, N. 12, ENGLAND. > > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, > Secretariat, 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, N. J., U. S. A. > Telegraphic Address: Bah'i, New York. > > International Baha'i Bureau, > No. 19a, Ave. de Champel, Geneva, SWITZERLAND. > Telegraphic Address: Bahd'i, Geneva. > 556 THE BAHA'l WORLD > 2. > > BAHA'i LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES > AND GROUPS > This list has been compiled by the International Bahd'i Bureau of Geneva, Switzerland. Omissions, errors and changes should be reported immediately to the Bureau, > address International Bahd'i Bureau, No. i$a, Ave. de Cbatnpel. > > * Denotes Local > Spiritual Assembly. > > ABYSSINIA Brenitza-Beloslatinska: Mr. Bentcho Chris- > Addis-Ababa: Sabri Elias, P. O. Box 193. toff. > > Dragoman-Gare: Mr. Christo Knijarof Chef- > ALBANIA Du-Duvane. > Elhova: Dr. Cristo Tchervenkof, Mayor, > Gjinokaster: Mr. Refo Chapari, State Hos- > Plovdiv-Gare: Mr. and Mrs. Lucca Konpital. > stantinoff, Philopova. Dr. Anghelova, > Gladston Prodojinia. > AUSTRALIA * > * > S. A.: Mr. H. Fitzner, 447 D, Sofia: Miss Marion J ack Union Palace> > Adelaide, > G.P.O. > HoteL > Striklovo: Mr. Dimitri Angueloff, Russenka. > Booleroo Center, S. A.: Mr. D. A. Brooks. > Varna: Mr Nicholas Avramof, Ul. Polkov- > - > Broken Hill, N. S. W.: Mrs. Fraser-Paternik Suychtark. > son, Box 1 5 1 A, G.P.O. > > > Gladstone, S. A.: Mr. M. Appleton. > BURMA (see India and Burma) > Goldsborough, Victoria: Miss Effie Baker, > G. P. O. > Healesville, Victoria: Mr. L. Hancock. CANADA (see United States and Canada) > Kopio, S. A.: Mr. C. Ruhe. > CAUCASUS Khilli. > Melbourne, Victoria: Miss M. Stephens, Box j: > *Baku. Kugchay. > 1237, G.P.O. > *Bala-Khani. Naftalan. > *Perth, W. A.: Mrs. A. O. Miller, 73 Berwick St. Batum. Petrovki. > *Burda. ^Saliyan. > ^Sydney, Victoria Park: Miss Gladys Moody, > Kembla Bldg., Margaret St. Q!? ini - Shakki. > Darband. Shamakhi. > A Erivan. Shiravan. > AUSTRIA > ^ an in > . > > * J > - L ltlls - > Vienna: Herr Franz Pollinger, Ramperstorfereasse 25/4. > CHINA > Canton: Mr. C. S. Liu, Bureau for the Im- > _ > , . provement of Sericulture, Department of > Antwenx Mme. Stemmann, J3 Ave. Van > Reconstnlction> Ronglok. > Hong Kong: Mr. Pei Tswi, Manager, Bank > of China. > BRAZIL > Shanghai: Mirza H. A. Ouskouli, Box 5 5 1 . > > Bahia: Miss Leonora Holsapple, Avenida > Oceanica 30. CZECHOSLOVAKIA > Brno 14, C.S.R.: Mr. and Mrs. Mahmud > BULGARIA Khamsy, Tyrspva 42. > Bourgas: Mr. Nichola Vassilef, Ul. Struma Castolovice 226, C.S.R.: Frau Mariane Benesova, Hradece-Krilov^. > BAHA'f, DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 557 > > Praha II: Mr. Vuk Echtner, c/o Bruckner, u. Dresden A 24: Herr Paul Kohler, Feld- > Pujcovny 2. schlosschenstr. 22. > > *Esslingen: Frau Liesl Rommel, Keplerstr. > DENMARK 10. > > Copenhagen: Miss Johanne Sorensen, Skov- *Frankfurt a/M.: Fraulein Edith Horn, > laeet 4, Hellerup. Burnitzstr. 8. > > Geislingen/Steige: Herr u. Frau Hans Kraiss, > EGYPT Altenstadt, Oleweg 22. > * > Alexandria: P.O. Box 1865. Goppingen: Frau Anna Schoch, Ulrichstr. > Assiut: Mr. 'Ali alih. 24. > Beni-Suef Mr. Fathi Kamal. > : Graal: Herr K. Klitzing, Haus Gertrud. > * > *Cairo: P.O. Box 13, Daher. Hamburg 24: Fraulein Anna Bostelmann, > Damietta: Mr. Fu'ad Zaynu'l-'Abidin, Uhlandstr. 43. > A.I.P.A. '"Heidelberg: Fraulein Friedl Bleck, Mozart- > Dessouk: Mr. Sa'ad Salim Nusayr, Chief str. 9a. > > Clerk of the Prison. Heilbronn: Frau Marie Ott, Rabeweg 4. > Isma'iliyyih: Mr. Khalil 'Ayad, Imprimerie Heppenheim: Herr Hans G. Schmidt, Post- > Suez Canal Co. schliessfach 41. > > Kafru'z-Zayat: Mr. Siyyid Farahat, Agricul- Karlsruhe-Riippur-Gartenstadt: Frau Marta > tural Bank. Brauns, Resedenweg 70. > Kantara: Mr. Muhammad 'Avayda, Customs Leipzig C-l: Frau Lina Benke, Antonstr. 21. > Dept. Munich: Herr A. Grassl, Lindwurmstrasse > Kawmu'ss-a*ayidih: Mr. Hasan Muhammad- 67. > Hasan. Neckargemiind b/Heidelberg: Herr Dr. u. > ' > Mahallatu'l-Kubra Mr. : Abdu'l-Hamid Frau H. Grossman, Goringstr. 37. > Zaki. *Rostock-Warnemunde: Fraulein Charlotte > Mansurih: Mr. Mikha'il Sa'ad, Broadcasting Walcker, Schillerstr. 23. > * > Section. Stuttgart: Herr Albrecht Nagel, Schlossstr. > Nagh-Hamadih: Abu'l-Futuh Batah. 68. > *Port Said: P.O.B. 213. Warnemiinde: Frau Charlotte Schwedler, > Rashid: Mr. Mikha'il Yusuf, Station Master. Personalbahnhof. > Shibinu'1-Kawm: Mr. Ibrahim Stefanos. Zuffenhausen/Wttbg.: Frau Anna Marie > Suez: Mr. Nashid Bassilios, Train Guard, Schweizer, Karlstr. 26. > E.S.R. > Tanta: Mr. Ibrahim 'Abdu'l-Masih, State GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND > Telegraphs. Abascragh: Mr. G. Townshend, Abascragh > Rectory, County Galway. > FRANCE Ashburton, Devon: Mrs. McKinley, Rose- > Grenoble: Mr. Nahvi Massouda, Maison des land. > tudiants. Babbacombe, Devon: Mrs. L. Stevens, Three > Lyon: Mile. Lucienne Migette, 12 Rue St. Hills, Hampton Ave. > > Polycarpe. Birmingham: Mr. J. Marshall, 67 Nansen > Marseille: Mme. Marie Soghomonian, 17 Ch. Rd., Alum Rock. > St. Trone, Ste. Marguerite. Blackburn: Mrs. Harold Cooper, Feniscowles > '"Paris: Mr. C. N. Kennedy, 104, Ave. de Old Hall, Pleasington. > Versailles. Bournemouth: Miss Grace Challis, Rizwan, > Vence, A. M.: Mme. Adele Routsztein, Villa Broadstone, Dorset. > Simone, Ste. Elizabeth. Bradford: Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Norton, 41 > Versailles: Dr. Ayadi, 5 Rue Alexis Foucolt. Cranbourne Rd. > Bristol: Mrs. Dora Weeks, 53 Hill View, > GERMANY Henleaze. > * > Berlin: Herr Theo Lehne, Dallgow-D6- Cheltenham: Mrs. A. H. Ginman, 2 All > beritz, Parkstr. 24. Saints Terrace, Hewlett Rd. > 558 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Cheshire: Mr. and Mrs. Busby, 12 Norwood INDIA AND BURMA > Ave., Bramhall. Aligarh: Dr. M. S. Burney, Shahpara. > Cornwall: Mrs. Frazer, 173 Charleston Rd., Amritsar: Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Sani, > St. Austell. 153/54 Parja St. Hathi Darwaza. > Darlington: Mr. A. W. Siddiqui, 18 New- Attock P.O. Shadi Khan (N.W.R.): c/o > lands. Dr. Ghulam Qadir, Civil Hospital. > 'Bombay: P.O. Box 470. > :; > > Farnham, Surrey: Mrs. Leitch, Fairfield > > Lodge. Bulandshahr (U.P.): Mr. Siyyid Irtida > > ^London: Mr. G. H. Mukhless, 46 Blooms- Husayn, Government High School. > bury Street, London, W. C. 1. -'Calcutta: P.O. Box 8940. > ''Manchester: Mr. J. Lee, Baha'i Centre, Chittagong: Mr. Amiru'l-Islam, Islamkutir, > Commerce House, 39 High St. Andarkillah. > Okehampton, Devon: Mrs. Scaramucci, *Daidanaw-Kalazoo: Mr. Ko Ba Sein, P.O. > South Zeal. Kungyangoon (Hanthawaddy). > Orpington, Kent: Miss Baxter, Timbers- *Delhi: Mr. M. A. amadani, Multani > combe, Station Rd. Dhandha, Paharganj. > Pleasington: Mrs. Nay lor, c/o Mrs. Cooper. Hyderabad (Deccan): Mr. 'Abdu'1-Aziz, > Reading: Mr. Z. Behravesh, 53 Alexander B.A., B.T., Vice-Principal, Opp; Taluq- > Rd. dar Abkari, Naryangudda. > Stokenchurch, Bucks: Mrs. Isabel Slade, Mal- > :: > -Karachi:Baha'i Hall, Pires St., Bunder > lard's Court. Road Extension. > Totnes: Mrs. Langdon-Davies, 6 Huxham's Kawlin (Burma) Mr. Khuda Bakhsh. > : > > Cross, Dartington. Khanpur (Bahawalpur State) Mr. Muham- : > > Worcester: Mrs. Harrison, 2 Blanquette Ave., mad Ishaq, B.Sc., Amin-Manzil. > Droitwich Rd. Lahore: Prof. Pritam Singh, M.A., 39 Tem- > York: Mrs. Ken worthy, 23 Arran Place, ple Road. > Dodsworth Ave. Lucknow: Siyyid Akhtar Jihan, *Aziz Manzil, Asjiraf^bad. > HAWAIIAN ISLANDS (see United States and Madras: Mr. Ishaq Pahlayan, Chowk, Tripli- > Canada) cane. > }; > > 'Mandalay: Miss Hla Hla, 9/34th St., > HOLLAND Koyandan. > Amsterdam: Mr. Arnold van Ogtrop, A.T.M. Mozang (Lahore) Mr. : Uthman Ghani, > van Ogtrop Buro, Heeren Gracht 312. Diikusha Park Lane. > Brummen, Gelderland: Herr and Frau Epple, *Poona: P.O. Box 8. > Zutphenscheweg 74. '^Rangoon: P.O. Box 299. > Eindhoven: Mr. W. E. M. Grosfeld, Rechte- Rawdih, Chapra (Saran) Mr. Ahmad-'Ali. : > > straat 49. Simla: Mr. 'Abbas-'Ali Butt, P.O. Box 14. > Enschede: Herr G. J. Bertelinck, Hoogstraat Sinthi, P.O. Tdtkon (Burma): Mr. M. A. > 3. 'Aziz, Station Master. > Haarlem: Fraulein Kathe Braun, Spruit en Sirsa (Hissar) Dr. 'Abdu'l Shakur, Sabzi > : > > Boschstr. 15. Mendi. > The Hague: Mr. and Mrs. Max Greeven, Siwani (Bikdnir State) Mr. Sami'ul Hasan > : > > Parkflat "Marloh." Zaydi, Station Master. > Surat: Mr. N. R. Vakil, Khapatia Chakla. > HUNGARY Tawnggyi (Burma): 'Abdul Rashid, > Budapest: Miss Renee Felbermann, II Lisz- Ywam4 Road. > nyai utca 15. Thayetkon (Burma) :*Dr. M. A. Latif, Civil > Gy6r: Mrs. George Steiner, Apkur u. 8. Hospital. > Vyganellore, Agraharam, Kulitalai: Mr. A. > ICELAND Rang^swami Iyer, Nazir. > Reykjavik: Miss Holmfridur Arnadottir, Yamethin (Burma) : Dr. M. A. Khn, Civil > Eiriksgata no. 8. Hospital. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 559 > > IRAN PALESTINE AND TRANSJORDANIA > Iran (see sub-section "Baha'i Administrative *'Adasiyyih: P.O. Box 11, Samakh. > Divisions in Iran"). *'Akka: Mr. Abdu'l-Rahman Jarrah. > *Haifa: P.O, Box 23. > 'IRAQ Hebron: Mr. M. 'Abdu'l-Latif. > *Adhy4bih: Mr. 'Ali Faraj, c/o 'Abbas Jaffa: Mr. Mansur A. Irani. > > Ganji Shahraban. Majdal: Mr, Misbah Murad. > *'Avashiq: c/o 'Abbas Ganji, Shahrabdn. Salt, Transjordania: Mr. Hasan H. Ruhi, > > Baghdad: P.O. Box 5. Salt Secondary School. > Basrih: c/o Zakariyya Doccat, Port Directorate, Ashar. POLAND > Khiniqin: Warsaw: Miss L. Zamenhof, Krolewska 41. > Karbila: Mr. Adib R. Baghdad!, Secondary School. RUMANIA > * Mosul: Mr. > Jamil Hanna, c/o Mulla Bucharest: Comitetul Baha'i stn. Dr. Istrate > Ahmad H. Mallah, Ninevah St. 10. > > ISLANDS RUSSIA > Society Islands: Papeete, Tahiti, Mr. and Leningrad: Isabel Grinevskaya, Prospect Na- > Mrs. Georg Spitze. himson, No. 10, log. 32. > > ITALY SOUTH AFRICA > Florence: Signora Campani, Viale Duca di Cape Town: Mrs. Tucker, Three Anchor > Genova, 24. Bay. > Livorno: R. Mouzun, Allievo Ufficiale, R. Pretoria: Mrs. F. A. Carey, 220 Johann St. > Academia Navale. Southern Rhodesia: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dee, > Rome: General R. Pioh Caselli, Via G. B. De Salisbury. > Rossi, No. 15 Rome. > SUDAN > JAPAN Khartoum: 'Abdu'l-Hamid Yusuf, 22 Rue > Kobe: Mr. Daiun Inouye, Sairinji, 42 Nishi- Sirdar. > > miyauchi cho, Hyogo. > Kyoto: Mr. Tokujiro Torii, c/o Kyoto School SWEDEN > for the Blind. Ra'mmen: Fru Rudd-Palmgren, Villa Oster- > Tokyo: Mrs. Yuriko Furukawa, 501 Zchome vick. > > Sendagaya Shibuya-ku. Skara: Mr. Eric Borgren, Editor. > Yokohama: Prof. K. D. Koyama, c/o Yoko- Stockholm: Miss A. Zetterlund, Kocksgatan > hama City College of Commerce. 35 B. > > JUGOSLAVIA SWITZERLAND > Belgrade: Mrs. Draga Ilic, Kneginje Ljubice Geneve: International Baha'i Bureau, No. > 26. 19a Ave. de Champel. > Halse-Wolfhalden: Mr. Fritz Semle, Kinder- > NEW ZEALAND heim Morgensonne. > '"Auckland: Miss M. Stevenson, 3 Cowie Kilchberg, b/Zurich: Mrs. Gladys Vautier, > Road, Parnell. Monchhofstr. 32. > Thames: Miss M. Borrows, Broad Street. Monte S/Mendrisio Ticino: E. Mundwyler. > Wellington: Mrs. J. MacQuarrie, Willis St. Zurich: Mr. Leo Bernhard, Brunaustr. 61. > Yaninee: Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne. > SYRIA > * > NORWAY Aleppo: Post Box 445. > * > Oslo: Miss Johanna Schubarth, Stromsveien Beirut: P.O. Box 774. > 20, Apart. 42. '"Damascus: Shaykh 'Abdu'r-Rahmn Hindi. > 560 THE BAHA'l WORLD > > ;;;i^'W > > First stage in the construction of the Haziratu'1-Quds of Baghdad, 'Iraq. > > Mashqara (Lebanon): Mr. Zaynu'l-'Abidin Uskudar: Mr. Mehemet Ibrahim DjaFerzad, > Baghdad!. Pasha Limani, Susuz Bag No. 13. > > TUNISIA TURKISTAN > * Andijan. Kislavodski. > Tunis: c/o Mr. M. Buchucha, 115 Rue El- > Artiq. Marqilan. > Ma rr. : > > Aryul. -Marv. > Biram-'Ali. 5: > > 'Qahqahih. > TURKEY 'Bukhara. :: > > "Samarqand. > Adana: Miss Z. Naci, c/o American Hos- Charju. > ;:> > > Tajan. > pital, B.P. 15. 'Gul-Tapih. Takht-i-Bazar. > Beyoglu: Dr. Sarkis Tomasyan, Ferikeuy No. > >: > > *'Is_hqabad. Tas_hkand. > 89. Khawqand. Yultan. > Istanbul: Bey Mecdi, fr.O.B. 660. > > Jaques Abravanel, Hotel Lausanne UNITED STATES AND CANADA (see sub-sec- > Palace, Tepebachi. tion 4) > Izmir: Mr. Hakki Nomer, c/o Halim Alan- > > yali, B.P. 345. WEST INDIES, BRITISH > Kadikoy: Mr. Abbas Huseng, Moda Caddesi Barbados: Miss Ella Robarts, c/o Mrs. Hy- > No. 169. man, Woodside Bay Street, Bridgetown. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 561 > > 3. > > OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OP THE > NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE > BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES > AND CANADA > Mr. Mountfort Mills, Chairman Mr. George Orr Latimer > Mr. Allen B. McDaniel, Vice-Chairman Mrs. Dorothy B. Baker > Mr. Horace Holley, Secretary > Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer National Office: 130 Evergreen Place, > 'Mr. Carl Scheffler West Englewood, New Jersey. > Mr. Leroy C. loas Office of the Secretary: 119 Waverly > Mrs. Nellie S. French Place, New York, N. Y. > > COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY > ARCHIVES AND HISTORY Miss Agnes Alexander. > Mr. Edwin W- Mattoon, Chairman. Mr. Louis G. Gregory. > Mrs. Carl Scheffler, Secretary, 1821 Lincoln > St., Evanston, Illinois. BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION > Mrs. R. D. Pettet. Mrs. Samuel Rodman, Chairman, 24 Ross > Mr. Charles Mason Remey. Street, Batavia, New York. > Miss Julia Sobel. Miss Ella Quant. > Miss Hilda Stauss. > ACCOUNTANT Mrs. S. W. French. > Mr. A. F. Matthiseji, 4612 Maiden St., Chicago, Illinois* CONTACTS > Miss Lucy Marshall, Chairman, 20 Broderick > ANNUAL SOUVENIR OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA, Street, San Francisco, Calif. > 1^37 Miss Ethel Revell. > Mr. William de Forge, Chairman. *Mrs. Sarah Kenny. > Mr. Curtis Kelsey. Mrs. Jacob Kunz. > Dr. Wilbur. Mrs. Emeric Sala. > Miss Ophelia B. Crum. Mrs. Allen B. McDanieL > Mrs. Grace Krug. Mrs. Stanley Kemp. > Mrs. Carrie Kinney. Miss Marion Holley. > Miss Bertha L. Herklotz. > INDEX > THE BAHA'I WORLD, VOLUME VII, EDI- Mrs. H. A. Harding, Chairman, 704 W. > TORIAL Nevada Street, Urbana, Illinois. > Mr. Horace Holley, Chairman. Mrs. Mabel Paine. > Mrs. Nellie S. French, Secretary, 390 Grove Mrs. Joel Stebbins. > St., Pasadena, California. Mrs. B. H. Kirkpatrick. > Mrs. Ruth Brandt. Mrs. Mary Rabb. > Mrs. Alexander Morten. > Mrs. Dudley Blakeley. LEGAL > Miss Marion Holley. Mr. George O. Latimer, Chairman, 1927 > Mrs. Mar^iyyih Carpenter. N.E, Fortieth Avenue, Portland, Ore- > Mrs. Victoria Bedikian, Assistant Photograph gon. > Editor. Mr. Mountfort Mills. > Mrs. Charles Bishop. Mr. Carl Scheffler. > 562 THE BAHA'f WORLD > LIBRARY STUDY OUTLINES > Miss Martha Woodsum, Chairman. ty[issGretchen Westervelt, Chairman, 16 > Mrs. Wesley Bastedo, Secretary, 1332 River- Garden St., Potsdam, New York. > ' > > side Drive, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Willard McKay. > Miss Imogene Talbott. > Miss June Miller; > INTER- AMERICA > Mrs. J. W. Gift. > Mrs. E. R. Ma thews, Chairman, Box 1064, > Colorado Springs, Colo. > TEACHING-^ > Mrs. A. E. Stewart, Secretary. > Mr. Leroy C. iQas, Chairman. > Mr. Miguel Calderon. > Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, Secretary, 376 > Mr. E. R. Mathews. > 60th St., Oakland, California. > Mr. George O. Latimer. > PUBLICITY Mrs. Thomas H. Collins. > Mrs. A. F. Matthisen, Chairman, 4612 Mai- Prof. Forsyth N. Ward. > den St., Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Arthur L. Dahl. > Mrs. Edna Eastman. > Mr. Clarence LaRocque. REGIONAL TEACHING ALABAMA AND > FLORIDA > Mrs. Lucile Hoke, Secretary, c/o Chalmers > PUBLICITY COMMITTEE REVIEWING > Music Co., 12 Flagler St., Miami, Florida. > Mr. and Mrs. Willard McKay, 833 Prender- > Mrs. W. B. Guy. > gast Avenue, Jamestown, New York. > Dr. W. C. Thomas. > > PUBLISHING REGIONAL TEACHING TENNESSEE, GEOR- > Mr. Horace Hoi ley, Chairman. GIA AND KENTUCKY % > Mrs. C. R. Wood, Secretary, 135 East 50th Mrs. Georgie Wiles, Secretary, R. F. D. 2, > Street, New York, N. Y. West Nashville, Tennessee. > Mr. R. C. Wilhelm. Mr. E. Vogt. > Mrs. Emma F. Smith. Mrs. Thelma Allison. > Miss Bertha Herklotz. > Mrs. Marie B. Moore. REGIONAL TEACHING MISSISSIPPI AND > Mr. William DeForge. LOUISIANA > Mr. Thomas Wood. Mrs. R. D. Little, P. O. Box 61, Covington, > La. > > PUBLISHING COMMITTEE EDITORIAL DIVI- > SION REGIONAL TEACHING KANSAS AND MIS- > Mrs. Marie B. Moore. SOURI > Miss Helen Campbell. Miss Opal Howcll, Secretary, 4527 Forest > > Miss Teresita E. Ryan. Avenue, Kansas City, Mo. > Mr. Paul Brown. > Mr. J. B. Becktel. > RADIO > Mr. J. J. Williams. > Mrs. Frank A. Baker, Chairman, 615 West > Elm Street, Lima, Ohio. REGIONAL TEACHING WISCONSIN, MICHI- > Mrs. Bishop Brown. > GAN AND ILLINOIS > Miss Elsie Austin. > Mrs. H. E. Walrath, Secretary, 4639 Beacon > St., Chicago, Illinois. > REVIEWING Mr. Robert Theiss. > Dr. Genevieve L. Coy, Chairman. Mr. Charles Reimer. > Mrs. Horace Holley, Secretary, 119 Waverly Mr. Monroe loas. > Place, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Robert Carson. > Mrs. Patrick Quinlan. Mrs. D. C. Rolfe. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 563 > > REGIONAL TEACHING OHIO AND INDI- Mr. Ernest V. Harrison. > ANA Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, > Mrs. Edward Meissler, Secretary, 319 Westwood Drive, Lima, O. REGIONAL TEACHING CALIFORNIA, ARI- > Mr. Dale S. Cole. ZONA AND NEVADA * > > Miss Charlotte Lindenburg. Mrs. Oni A. Finks, Secretary, 453 East Ave- > Dr. Lillian Sielken. nue 28, Los Angeles, Calif. > Mrs. C. H. Bugbee. > REGIONAL TEACHING MARYLAND, DELA- Mr. Joseph H. Bray. > WARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA Mrs. Sara Kenny. > AND WEST VIRGINIA Mrs. Florence Cox. > Mrs. F. W. Hipsley, Secretary, 4406 Wentworth Road, Baltimore, Md. REGIONAL TEACHING OREGON AND IDA- > Mr. Charles Mason Remey. HO; BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA > Mr. Stanwood Cobb. Miss Doris Foye, Secretary, P. O. Box 228, > Seattle, Washington. > REGIONAL TEACHING NEW YORK, PENN- Mrs. Levinia Sprau. > SYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY Mr. Rowland Estall. > Mrs. Mildred Mattahedeh, Secretary, 544 Mr. Stanley Kemp. > East 86th Street, New York City, New Mrs. Louise Caswell. > York. > Mr. Philip Sprague. TEACHING AND TRAINING CHILDREN > Miss Helen Campbell. Mr. Carl Scheffler, Chairman, 1821 Lincoln > Mr. Curtis Kelsey. St., Evanston, Illinois. > Miss Jessie E. Revell. Mr. Stanwood Cobb. > Dr. Genevieve L. Coy. Mr. Robert S. Hammond. > Mrs. Helen Inderlied. Mrs. Viola Tuttle. > Dr. Albert Heist. Dr. Genevieve L. Coy. > Mrs. Florida Sanford. > REGIONAL TEACHING MAINE, NEW > HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, TEACHING LITERATURE > RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT Mr. George O. La timer, Chairman, 1927 > Mrs. F. S. Morton, Secretary, 5 Wheeler Ave- N.E. 40th Avenue, Portland, Ore. > nue, Worcester, Mass. Mrs. Louise Caswell. > Mrs. Harold M. Bowman. Mrs. Alice Robertson. > Mrs. Victor Archambault. > Mrs. Wendell E. Bacon. TEMPLE PROGRAM > Mrs. Howard Struven. Miss Sophie Loeding, Chairman. > Mrs. Clarence Ullrich, Secretary, 904 N. > REGIONAL TEACHING PROVINCE OF ON- Hays Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois. > TARIO, CANADA Mrs. Enos M. Barton. > Mr. Gerrard Sluter, Secretary, 334 George Mrs. Edward Lindstrom. > St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Miss Edna True. > Mr. George Spendlove. Mr. Robert S. Hammond. > Mr. William Suter. > TEMPLE LIBRARIAN AND PHOTOGRAPHS > REGIONAL TEACHING PROVINCE OF QUE- Mr. H. E. Walrath, 4639 Beacon St., Chi- > BEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA, cago, Illinois. > PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEW- > FOUNDLAND UNIVERSAL AUXILIARY LANGUAGE > Mrs. Ruth Lee, Secretary, 2682 Soissons Ave., Executive Committee > Montreal, P.Q., Canada. Mrs. Patrick Quinlan, Chairman, 70 Colum- > Miss Anne Savage. bia Heights, Brooklyn, N. Y. > 564 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Miss Josephine Kruka. SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR SEASON > Mr. Lothar Schurgast. Green Acre Eliot, Maine, Dr. Genevieve L. > Coy, Chairman. > Consulting Members Mr. Glenn A. Shook. > Mr. Charles Witt. Mrs. Mary Coristine. > Mrs. Sara Witt. Central States Louhelen Ranch, Davison, > Mr. A. E. Regal. Michigan. > Mrs. Elsa Chaslon. Mr. L. W. Eggleston, Chairman. > Miss Lucy Marshall. Mrs. 'Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, Secretary. > Mr. Bishop Brown. > WORLD ORDER MAGAZINE Mr. E. J. Miessler. > Mr. Stan wood Cobb. Mrs. Dorothy B. Baker. > Mr. Horace Holley, 1 19 Waverly Place, New Miss Garreta Busey. > York, N. Y. Pacific States Geyserville, California. > Mrs. Marjory Morten. Mr. John D. Bosch, Chairman. > Mrs. C. R. Wood, Business Manager, 135 Mr. Leroy C. loas, Secretary. > East 50th Street, New York, N. Y. Mrs. Thomas H. Collins. > Mr. George O. Latimer. > YOUTH Mrs. Ella G. Cooper. > Mr. Kenneth Christian, Chairman. Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher. > Holden, Secret ary, 48 > l > > Miss Zeah Terrace Miss Charlotte Linfoot. > Avenue, Albany, N. Y. Prof. N. F. Ward. > Miss Florence Mat toon. Mr. Irwin Somerhalder. > Miss Marguerite Reimer. > Miss Dorothy Wever. GREEN ACRE ARTS AND CRAFTS > Miss Wilfrid Barton. Miss Agnes O'Neil, Chairjnan. > Miss Farruck loas. Mrs. Harold B. Bowditch. > Mr. Samuel Fox. Mrs. Harold Bowman. > Mr. Clarence LaRocque. Mrs. Ivy Edwards. > Mr. Lloyd Schoeny. > Miss Mae Graves. GREEN ACRE PLAYS AND PAGEANTS > Miss Evelyn Cliff . Mrs. Harold B. Bowditch, Chairman. > Mr. Fred Ascah. Mr. Raphael Pumpelly. > Miss Grace Shepherd. Mrs. Magda Polivanov. > Mr. Philip Sprague. Mr. Max Miller. > Dr. Ambrose. > International Correspondents Mr. Philip Sprague. > Miss Tahirih Mann Miss Peggy Crandall. > Miss Annamarie Kunz Mr. Lionel Loveday. > BAHA'l DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 565 > > 4. > > LOCAL BAHA'l SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES > GROUPS AND ISOLATED BELIEVERS > IN THE UNITED STATES AND > CANADA > BAHA'f ASSEMBLIES > > Phoenix, Arizona, Mrs. Ruth Humphrey, Park Ridge, Illinois, Mrs. J. H. Redson, 612 > P. O. Box 4053. So.Washington Street. > Berkeley, Mrs. Laura Kelsey Allen, > Calif., Peoria,Illinois, Mrs. Marion Rhodes, 142 > 537 Santa Barbara Road. High Street, Apt. D. > Geyserville, Calif., Mrs. John D. Bosch. Rockford, Illinois, Dr. Edward L. Fernald, > Glendale, Calif., Mrs. Charlotte E. Grover, 607 Empire Building. > 1310 E. Acacia Avenue. Springfield, Illinois, Mrs. Anna K. Jurgens, > Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Oni A. Finks, 453 201 W. Calhoun Avenue. > E. Avenue 28. Urbana, Illinois, Mr. H. J. Snider, 506 W. > Oakland, Calif., Miss Gladyce Linfoot, 376 Penn. Avenue. > 60th Street. Wilmette, Illinois, Mr. Carl A. Hannen, 536 > Pasadena, Calif., Miss Emmalu Wever, 535 Sheridan Road. > South Pasadena Avenue. Winnetka, Illinois, Mrs. Robert Carson, > San Francisco, Calif., Miss Nadeen G. 1518 Asbury Avenue. > Cooper, 748 Page Street, Apt. 7. Indianapolis, Indiana, Mrs. Lorraine Barlet, > Montreal, Canada, Mrs. Emeric Sala, 194 3527 Evergreen Avenue. > Riverside Drive, St. Lambert, P. Q. South Bend, Indiana, Mrs. Sarah M. Russell, > Vancouver, B. C., Miss Doris Skinner, 1555 1031 Lincoln Way West. > 13th Avenue, West. Eliot, Maine, Miss Louise N. Thompson. > Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mrs. Gladys Baltimore, Maryland, Mrs. George Stallings, > Roberts, 915 North Hancock Avenue. 23 S. Highland Avenue. > Denver, Colorado, Dr. C. E. Meyer, 449 5 /2 > Cabin John, Maryland, Mrs. Pauline A. > Perry Street. Hannen. > New Haven, Connecticut, Mrs. Elsa Isaacs, Boston, Mass., Mrs. E. M. Oglesby, 30 Hoi- > 1 04 Grand Avenue. yoke Street. > Washington, D. C., Mr. George D. Miller, Springfield, Mass., Mrs. Wendell E. Bacon, > 1717 Kilbourne Place, N.W. Monson, Mass. > Jacksonville, Florida, Miss Kathryn L. Ver- Worcester, Mass., Miss Fanny M. Holmes, > non, 707 Post Street. 103 Webster Street. > Miami, Florida, Mrs. Margaret H. Atwater, Detroit, Michigan, Miss Jessie B. Hall, 49 E. > 44 N. W. 10th Avenue. Willis Street. > St. Augustine, Florida, Miss Mae Thitchener, Flint, Michigan, Miss Elizabeth J. Phelps, > 20 River Road. P. O. Box 355. > Augusta, Georgia, Mrs. C. T. Sego, Brans- Lansing, Michigan, Mr. George Angell, > ford Road. R. F. D. 3, Box 540. > Honolulu, Hawaii, Mrs. Elma Adolphson, Muskegon, Michigan, Mrs. Iva Smack, 132 > 712 17th Avenue. Allen Avenue. > Maui, Hawaii, Mrs. Mary T. Fantom, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mrs. Helen W. > Sprecklesville. Frink, 1216 Nicollet Avenue. > Chicago, Illinois, Mrs. H. S. Walrath, 4639 St. Paul, Minnesota, Mr. Julian Abas, 235 > Beacon Street. Fuller Avenue. > Evanston, Illinois, Mrs. Inez B. Ford, 2645 Kansas City, Missouri, Miss Opal Howell, > Girard Avenue. 4527 Forest Avenue. > 566 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > " > The Baha'is of Daidanaw, Kalazoo, 'Abdu'l-Baha's Village" in Burma. > > * > Jersey City, New Jersey, Mr. Bernard B. Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Helen McCoy, 24 Lex- > Gottlieb, 445 Mercer Street. ington Avenue. > Montclair, New Jersey, Miss Anna E. Van Lima, Ohio, Mrs. Elma Miessler, 319 West- > Blarcum, 19 Walnut Crescent. wood Drive. > Newark, New Jersey, Mrs. F. Clark, 2 1 Mil- Toledo, Ohio, Miss Ruth E. Phillips, 2215 > ford Avenue. Scottwood Avenue. > Teaneck, New Jersey, Mr. Archie G. Tich- Portland, Oregon, Mr. J. W. Latimer, 1927 > enor, 12 Valley Rd., Haworth, N. J. N.E. 40th Avenue. > Binghamton, New York, Miss Roberta May- Philadelphia, Penna., Miss Jessie E. Re veil, > bin, 178 Court Street. 2531 North 19th Street. > Buffalo, New York, Mrs. Morris S. Bush, 406 Pittsburgh, Penna., Mrs. Bishop Brown, > West Utica Street. Ingomar, Pa. > Geneva, New York, Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi, Nashville, Tennessee, Mrs. E. H. Peebles, > 22 DeLancy Drive. Nolensville, Tennessee. > New York, N. Y., Miss B. L. Herklotz, Monroe, Washington, Mrs. Levina Sprau, > Room 615, 119 W. 5 7th Street. P. O. Box 277. > > Rochester, New York, Miss Christine Spokane, Washington, Mrs. Isabelle M. > McKay, 228 Castlebar Road. Campbell, 1427 S. Madison St. > Yonkers, New York, Mrs. Lillian' Stoddard, Seattle, Washington, Miss Doris Foye, P. O. > 100 Saratoga Avenue. Box 228. > Cincinnati, Ohio, Miss Hilda Stauss, 3640 Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mr. Louis J. Voelz, > Epworth Ave., Westwood, Cincinnati, O. 6108 Sheridan Road. > Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs, Dale S. Cole, 3174 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mrs. Jeannette Clark, > Corydon Road. 1814A. North Oakland Ave. > Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Margarete Acebo, Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Harold R. Olsen, > R. F. D. 1, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 1332 Russet Street. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 567 > > BAHA'f GROUPS > CALIFORNIA Roseville, Mrs. Arthur Page, Box 500, East > Clearlake Highlands, Mrs. Flora M. Clark, Detroit. > Box 47. > MINNESOTA > Knightsen, Mrs. Helena R. Somerhalder. > Long Beach, Mr. Clyde W. Tracy, 1324 > Duluth > > Mr E Bauers > - - > " 4 Arlington Ave. > Florida St. > Sacramento, Miss Elizabeth L. Duffy, 1514 > 12th St. > Qm ^^A > NEBRASKA > > Bu'ldine > S ' > , ma Sothman> 2QJ Keeline > > Southgate, Mrs. Josephine F. Clark, 8180 > Dearborn. NEW HAMPSHIRE' > Portsmouth, Mr. Louis Gregory. > CONNECTICUT- > Hartford, Mrs. H. P. Drew, 138 Bedford NEW JERSEY > S tg > Asbury Park, Miss Jane Durand, 1305 Comstock St ' > FLORIDA- > Orlando, Mrs. D. Tornstrom, Box 250, Pine XJ EW YORK > Castle - > > Capital District, Miss Zeah Holden, 48 Terrace Ave *> Alban X- > IDAHO > Boise, Mrs. Ethel Thompson, R.F.D. Ithaca > Miss H B Townley, 24i Cayuga > ' ' > > Street - > No. 1. > Jamestown, Mrs. Doris McKay, 833 Pender- > KANSAS gast Ave. > Topeka, Miss Ruth Ashworth, 2210 Laurel Syracuse, Dr. Mildred Blackmer, 501 Uni- > St. versity PI. > > MASSACHUSETTS OKLAHOMA > Provincetown, Mrs. Ralph Harlow, Box 305. Oklahoma City, Mrs. Albert P. Entzminger, > 423 N.E. Tenth St. > MICHIGAN > Ann Arbor, Mrs. Wm. M. Parker, 1601 WISCONSIN > Pontiac St. Madison, Mrs. Joel Stebbins, Observatory > Fruitport, Mrs. Frazier, R.F.D. No. 1, Box Hill. > 138. Green Bay, Mr. Leo Kundert, Box 894. > > REGISTERED ISOLATED BELIEVERS > CALIFORNIA Covina, Miss Vera H. Graham, 543 5th St. > Alma, Miss Julia Culver, Chemeketa Park; El Monte, D. J. Adams, Jr., 625 McGirk > Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Ball, Chemeketa Park. Ave., R.F.D. No. 2. > Arroyo Grande, Dr. B. C. Smith, c/o E. R. Escondido, Mrs. Carl Steinhauser, R.F.D. > Rhyne, Star Route. No. 1, Box 54. > Burlingame, Mr. and Mrs. George Kuhlman, Exeter, Miss Myriam F. Partridge, 19 Clar- > 33 Channing Road; Mrs. Charles Camp- ence St. > > bell, 815 Fairfield St. Fort Bragg, Mrs. Anna H. E. Hale, Box 550. > Carmel, Mrs. John O'Shea, Box 166, R.F.D. Glen Ellen, Mrs. O. M. Small, Box 57. > No. 1. Healdsburg, Mrs. W. M. Stout, 427 Mathe- > Chula Vista, Miss Feme Adams, 773 2nd son St.; Miss Madeline Stout, 427 Mathe- > Ave. son St. > Claremont, Miss Charlotte Dakin, 405 Yale Hinkley, Miss Doris Goodrick, R.F.D. No. 1. > Ave. Hollywood, James Dodson, 1532 Las Palmas. > 568 THE BAHA'I WORLD > Laguna Beach, Mrs. Grace Vollmer, P.O. CONNECTICUT > Box 12. Danbury, Mr. Donald Kinney, R.F.D. #4. > ** > Lakeport, Mrs. Clark Rood. Greenwich, Miss Nellie Hope Lloyd, The > Lindsay, Mrs. Mary Carr, R.F.D. No. 1, Maples. > Box 109. > Manhattan Beach, Miss Sarah M. Smoot, Box FLORIDA > 195, Hermosa Beach; Mrs. Lyda Conover, Fernandina, Mr. J. Stone, Box 423; Mr. Gor- > 216 Poinsettia Ave. don Hall, 3 1 5 Calhoun St. > Mariposa, Mrs. Inglis J. Carre, General De- Lakeland, Mr. and Mrs. Byron S. Lane, 708 > livery. N. Iowa. > Minnelusa, Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Wells, Big Miami, Mrs. Amelie Willard Bodmer, 3580 > Bear Lake. Royal Palm Ave., Coconut Grove; Mrs. > Oakley, Mr. Max F. Schober, R.F.D. No. 1, Mae A. Fisher, 3580 Royal Palm Ave., > Box 129. Coconut Grove. > Orleans, Mr. and Mrs. John L. Gibson, Gen- Okechobee, Mrs. A. J. Sanderfur. > eral Delivery. Ruskin, Mrs. Cora L. Jones, Box 27. > Pacific Beach, Miss Esther Davis, Box 29B. Williston, Miss Josie Finson, Box 2. > Palo Alto, Mrs. Arthur L. Dahl, Jr., 524 > Oberlin St. GEORGIA > Paradise, Mr. Robert L. Gulick, Sr. Atlanta, Mr. and Mrs. B. D. Couch, 669 > Reprisa, Mrs. Barnet Huse. Lee St.; Dr. J. C. Oakshette, Nassau Ho- > Brubaker, 158 West Alisal. > Salinas, Mrs. F. tel, 162 Luckie St. > San Bernardino, Miss Dagmar Dole, 540 Savannah, Mrs. L. C. Haskell, 211 E. Vic- > 19th St. tory Dr. > San Diego, Mrs. Catherine E. Hall, 4475 > Thorn St.; Mr. Richard Alderson, 3552 IDAHO > 31st St.; Miss Lillian Fenn, 2439 Third Coeur d'Alene, Mr. J. F. Behrens, 2111 Sher- > Ave. man Ave., R.F.D. #4. > Santa Clara, Mrs. John Honn, 1374 Idaho St. Kooskia, Mr. George W. Stewart, R.F.D. 1, > Santa Maria, Mrs. S. D. Montgomery, 612 Box 22. > S. Lincoln St. > > Santa Monica, Mrs. Clara C. Beal, 1222B 6th INDIANA > St. Fowler, Mrs. Dana Wells, 2nd St. > Santa Paula, Mrs. C. E. Carpenter, 415 Smithville, Mrs. R. W. Patrick. > North 6th St. Winamac, Mr. Robert J. Sevier, R.F.D. $4. > Santa Rosa, Mrs. Hazel Tomlinson, 1035 > Clark St. ILLINOIS > St.Helena, Mrs. Emma H. Harmon. Alton, Ida L. Dixon, 1229 Alby. > Turlock, Mrs. Maude Fisher, 332 North Cen- Elmhurst, Miss Mary Fisher, 300 North > ter St. York. > Visalia, Mrs. Daisy G. Frye, 240 N.E. Freeport, Dr. David and Misses Ella > Fourth Ave.; Miss Anne Holley, Green- and Lillian Bokof, 518 W. Galena Ave.; > acre Drive. Mrs. H. S. Brandt, 430 Nursery > Whit tier, Miss Jane Coulter; Mrs. Ann Ave. > Burch, 102 W. Broadway. Magnolia, Mrs. Lucy B. Swindler, R.F.D. > Woodlake, Mrs. Estelle Wacaser. Mattoon, Miss Bertha B. Newby, 1618 > Yuba City, Mrs. Cordie C. Cline, 778 Olive Charleston. > St.; Miss Ada L. Chandon, 778 Olive St. Moline, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Smith, 2417 > 16th Ave. > COLORADO Ottawa, Miss Frances A. Muffler, Ryburn > Cripple Creek, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis W. Frink, Memorial Hospital. > 2 Welty Block; Mrs. Gladys Frink, Gen- Robinson, Miss Emma Borchardt, c/o O. T. > eral Delivery; Dr. John H. Austin. Bierson, Woodworth Blk. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 569 > > Quincy, Miss Helen Greeman, 1100 Payson Vernon; Mrs. Annie B. Walker, 18 Mt. > Ave. Vernon. > Serena, Mr. William E. Muffler, R.F.D. #1; > Mrs. Gertrude Muffler, R.F.D. #1. MICHIGAN > Wheaton, Mr. Glenn R. Ray, Box 352. Bloomfield Hills, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley > Blakely, Cranbrook Institute of Science. > IOWA Cheboygan, Mrs. Florence Bauer, 366 Young > Centerville, Mr. Frank Bibby, 808 Haynes St. > > Ave. Dexter, Mrs. Jean Hunter Thurber, 112 > Correctionville, Mrs. Sophie L. Hayes, Box Ann Arbor St. > 307. Edmore, Earl H. Kaley, R.F.D. #3. > Des Moines, Miss Grace M. Decker, Cham- Greenville, Miss Alma E. Albertson, R.F.D. > berlain Hotel. #2; Mr. John M. Irish, 422 W. Cass. > Idlewild, Mrs. Helen Zenobia Thompson, > KANSAS Box 56. > > Kansas City, Miss Beulah Magruder, c/o Kalamazoo, Miss Elizabeth Dickerman, 2026 > S. Burdick; Mrs. Mary Dickerman, 2026 > Bethany Hospital. > S. Burdick. > KENTUCKY Lawrence, Mrs. John F. Hay, R.F.D. #2. > Cave City, Mr. Edward White. Marysville, Mrs. Oscar Ketels, Box 843. > Hopkinsville, Mrs. Nettie J. LaPrade, 1930 Olivet, Mrs. J. E. Kirkpatrick. > Oak St. Pentwater, Mr. Clarence Wilder, R.F.D. #1; > Louisville, Mrs.Gertrude Christine, 507 W. Mr. and Mrs. De Witt Wickham, R.F.D. > Hill St.; Mrs. Elizabeth J. Wheeler, 2014 #1- > Grinsted Ave. Port Huron, Miss Rosemarie Dollinger, 1002 > Mammoth Cave, Mr. Tom Martin. Huron Ave. > Wyoming Park, Mr. and Mrs. William Nel, > LOUISIANA 2446 Cherrywood Court. > Covington, Mrs. Marion M. Little, Box 61. > Norwood, Mr. and Mrs. N. S. Eden. MINNESOTA > Moorehead, Mrs. C. B. Hill, 119-8th St., > > MAINE South. > > Augusta, Mr. Thomas B. Guy, 317 Water Preston, Miss Frances Moore, 22Q /2 -lst > l > > St. Ave., S.W. > Gardiner, Mr. Fred L. Kelly. > North Fryeburg, Mrs. Rebecca Dixon, c/o MISSISSIPPI > Dr. Charles, R.F.D. Greenwood, Mrs. H. W. Bivins, 1000 Park- > Lovell, Mrs. Everett Heald. way. > Portland, Mrs. Melissa J. Toms, 170 Westbrook St. MISSOURI > West Boothbay Harbor, Rev. Willis A. Jefferson, Bruce Beck, R.F.D. 1, Box 178. > > Moore, D.D. St. Louis, Mr. Louis H. Hudson, 4628a Delmar Ave.; Mr. Wm. C. Hudson, 2013 > MARYLAND De Kalb St.; Miss Mary Wall, 4647 Mar- > Salisbury, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Hammond, garetta St.; Mr. Frank Zykan, 1517a > c/o Mr. O. S. Winfree. Picker St.; Madame Aurelia Bethlen, 4349 > Olive St. > MASSACHUSETTS > Hampdon, Miss Mary Isham, R.F.D. #2. MONTANA > Provincetown, Mrs. Harriet Seaver, "Nau- Butte, Mrs. Betty Nelson, 315 W. Granite; > tilus"; Miss Louise Von Brockdorff, Brad- Mr. and Mrs. Matthew H. Caldwell, > ford St., 50 A. Box 1058; Miss Florence Hamm, 1117 N. > Salem, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Crowley, 18 Mt. Emmett St. > 570 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Haugan, Dr. Grover Burnett. NORTH DAKOTA > Helena, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Q. Adams, 221 Fargo, Miss Charlotte Marie Wright, Gen- > Pine St.; Mrs. Chas. M. Bryan, 507-6th eral Delivery. > > St. > > Winifred, Mr. John H. Wilcott. NORTH CAROLINA > Canton, Milton W. Zim. > NEBRASKA Charlotte, Mrs. Mary Ann Berry, 232 W. > Lincoln, Mrs. Eva M. Fulton, 1942 Euclid. Tryon. > Waterbury, Mrs. Henry Luehr, R.F.D. 1, Lenoir, Charles Thomas Graham, 2 1 5 North > Box 43. Church Street. > > NEW HAMPSHIRE OHIO > Ashuelot, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram O. Bolton, Bethesda, Mrs. Cora M. Jenkins, Box 204. > Box 55. Bexley, Miss Charlotte Lindenberg, 2512 > Hinsdale, Mrs. Lorna L. Kendrick, North- Bryden Road; Mrs. Florence M. Reeb, > field St.; Dr. Fred D. Kendrick, North- 2512 Bryden Road; Mrs. Kenneth M, > field St.; Mrs. Hazel Owen. Jones, 3628 Washburn Ave., R.F.D. > Pittsfield, Mrs. Harry Taylor. #5. > Bryan, Alice A, Motter, 603 South Beech St. > NEW JERSEY Bucyrus, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Pettit, 412 > Atlantic City, Mrs. Sara Terry Taylor, 25 N. River St. > Ohio Ave.; Mr. John H. Taylor, 25 N. Circleville, Mrs. Maye Ruth Graham, 350 E. > Ohio Ave.; Mr. Saul R. Bogatin, 15 North Mound St. > Connecticut Ave.; Mrs. Eva Allen Batey, Eaton, Miss Alica M. Button, Vine and > 23 North Ohio Ave. Israel Sts. > > Marlton, Mrs. J. Margaret Aducat, R.F.D. Elba, Mrs. Nate D. Gill. % > #3. Fremont, Dr. and Mrs. W. B. Cooper, 1013 > Morristown, Mrs. Wm. H. Hoar, 26 Maple Croghan St. > Ave.; Miss Dorothy Hoar, 26 Maple Ave.; Loveland, Mr. Rudolph Stauss, R.F.D. #3. > Mrs. E. D. Houze, 142 Speedwell Ave. > Trenton, Mr. J. Newell Ayres, 403 Em- OREGON > meline Ave., R.F.D. #5. Rogue River, Mrs. C. A. Jensen, R.F.D. #1. > Talent, Mr. Walter Krug. > NEW MEXICO Timber, Mrs. Delia Mae Robertson. > Las Vegas, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Bressett, > Montezuma Route. PENNSYLVANIA > Santa Rosa, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Hutchins. Easton, Mrs. Lauretta N. Moore, 117 So, > 5th St. > NEW YORK Needmore, Mrs. Thelma Ranck. > Batavia, Mrs. M. R. Rodman, 24 Ross St. Warfordsburg, Mrs. Myrtle S. Ranck. > Dunkirk, Miss C. H. Philippbaar, 727 Washington Ave. SOUTH DAKOTA > Larchmont, Mrs. J. E. Mills, 5 Highwood Watertown, Miss Agnes Leo, Box 14. > Way. Yankton, Mrs. Marjory A, S. Wolfe, Box 76, > Lima, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Tola's, Lake > Ave. TENNESSEE > Little Falls, > Harry E. Ford, Fairfield Road. Memphis, Mrs. Thos. H. Watkins, 733 N. > Malone, Kenneth Christian, 17 Jane Street. Bellevue. > Potsdam, Miss Gretchen Westervelt, U > Garden Street. TEXAS > Stratford, Mrs. Emily Gustin. Austin, Miss Anna Reinke, 4410 Ave. C. > Utica, Mrs. A. E. Stewart, 1645 Kemble Corpus Christi, Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, > Street. c/o H. G. Sherman. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 571 > > Denton, Miss M. B. Herrick, 1513 No. Lo- WASHINGTON > cust St. Bellingham, Mrs. Elizabeth Rudisile, R.F.D. > Huston, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Mowry, 112^ #3, Box 674. > Pineview Place. Bremerton, Mrs. Mary P. Remey, R.F.D. #2, > Lubbock, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Henninger, Box 470; Mrs. S. V. Corbit, R.F.D. #2, > 21 11-1 8th St.; Mr. James Henninger, Box 416. > 2111-18th St. Chelan, Mrs. Charlotte C. Gillen; Mrs. June > Winter Haven, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie R. Haw- Harris, Box 333. > thorn. Ferndale, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Swope. > Olympia, Mr. Arthur M. Jones, 2422 Co- > VERMONT lumbia St. > Burlington, Mrs. Olga K. Mills, 83 Summit Omak, Mr. J. D. Hilts. > St. Steilacoom, Mr. and Mrs. Claude Layman, > Box 250. > VIRGINIA Tacoma, Mrs. Ida Finch, 709 South > Arlington, Mrs. Caroline E. Stewart, 4623 Grant. > N. Carlin, Spring Road; Mrs. J. E. Rice, > 592 5 -14th St. North. WISCONSIN > Cartersville, Mrs. A. D. Taite, R.F.D. #2, Berlin,Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Kraege, 1031 > Box 39. Kossuth St. > Darlington Heights, Mrs. A. T. Johns. Greenbush, Mrs. James Parker Hall. > Grottoes, Mrs. John Minor Echols, R.F.D. Manitowoc, Miss Elcore Georgensen, 929 > #1, Box 49. North 14th. > > Petersburg, Mrs. E. A. Fields, 208a Halifax > St. WYOMING > Richmond, Mrs. A. B. Cromwell, 15 Frank- Laramie, Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Lillywhite, > lin St.; Mrs. E. Murray, 104/2 W. Grace. 508 Garfield St. > > 5 . > > BAHA'I ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS > IN IRAN > I. DISTRICT: TIHRAN II. DISTRICT: ABADIH > 1. TIHRAN, 2. Hasanabad, 3. Chishmih- 1. ABADIH, 2. Isfandabad, 3. Iqlid, 4. > Shahi, 4. 5. 6. Idrisabad, 5. Bahman, 6. Bavanat, 7. > Ja'farabadj,'Aliyabad, > Chinar, 8. Khurrami, 9. Dihbid, 10. > Isma'ilabad, 7. Sharif abad, 8. 'Abdu'llah- > Dirghuk, 11. ughad, 12. 'Aliyabad-iabad, 9. Maqsudabad, 10. Jalaliyyih, 11. > Sufla, 13. Firaghih, 14. Kushkak, 15. > Kamaliyyih, 12. QaPih-Nay, 13. Ha^rat- > NajafaWd-i-Sufla, 16. Himmatabad, 17. > i-'AbduVAzim, 14. Khaniyabad, 15. > Vazirabad, 18. 'Abbdsabad-i-Bahman, 19. > Kabirabdd, 16. Diya'dbad, 17. 'Adlabad, 'Abbdsabad-i-Haj-'AH-Khan, 20. Sivinj- > 18. Muzaffariyyih, 19. Salur, 20. Chihari-Bavan^it, 21. Bazm-i-Bavanat, 22. Munj- > Tdqi, 21. Vardmin, 22. Tajin (?), 23. i-Bavnat., 23. Mazayjan-i-Bavanat, 24. > Palasht, 24. Qulhak, 25. Tajrish, 26. Qai Suryan-i-Bavanat, 25. Surmaq, 26. Chir- > 'ih-Sa'jidatiyyih, 27. Kalak, 28. Garm- i-Bav^nat, 27. Sarvistan-i-Bavandt, 28. > Firuzi. > Darrih, 29. Ritfaabdd, 30. Qal'ih-Hasan- > Khan, 31. Jawqin, 32. Fashandak, 33. III. DISTRICT: KASHAN > Shahrak, 34. Awr*z*n, 35. Shafjakhdnaj, 1. KASHAN, 2. Amirdn, 3. Niish4bad, > 36. Justan, 37. Karkabud, 38. Gatihdih, 4. Yazdil, 5. Masjikan, 6. Vddlqdn, 7. Na- > 39. Shahr-i-Qum. raq, 8. Jdsb, 9. Jawshiqdn, 10. Qamsar, > 572 THE BAHA'f WORLD > 11. Mazgan, 12. Barzuk, 13. Abiynih, Kuchihbayk, 12. Khurramshah, 13. > 14. Qazaan, 15. Rabat-i-Turk, 16. Aran, Mihdiyabdd-i-Humah, 14. Taft, 15. > 17. Girugan-i-Jasb, 18. Mirq. Nirsiyabdd, 16. Nasrbad-i-Pishkuh, 17. > Khudabad-i-Pishkuh, 18. Manshad, 19. > IV. DISTRICT: KIRMAN 20. Marvast, 21. Dahaj, 22. > Hurmuzak, > 1. KIRMAN, 2. Rafsinjan, 3. Bandar- Qasimabad, Maybud, 24. Hasanabad- > 23. > 'Abbas, Sirjan, 5. Bam, 6. Anar, 7. > 4. i-Qutbabad, 25. Ahmadabad-i-Ardakn, > Ravar, Khurramabad, 9. Zarand, 10. > 8. 26. Sadrabad, 27. Ilihabad, 28. Nusrata- > Chatrud, 11. Baghayn, 12. Rdbur, 13. bad, 29. Mahmudabad, 30. Abrandabad, > Hutak, 14. Jibal-i-Bariz, 15. Jiruft, 16. 31. Kasnaviyyih, 32. Na'imabad, 33. > > Nuq, 17. Pariz, 18. Davaran, 19. Qanat- Rahmatabad, 34. Muhammadabad-ii-Ghassan, 20. Qaryatu'l-'Arab, 21. Kha- Ch4hak, 35. Hasanabad-i-Humah, 36. > braqta, 22. Bandar-i-Langah, 23. Kuhan- Khavidak, 37. Fahraj, 38. Saryazd, 39. > ban, 24. Langar, 25. Hasanabad, 26. Mihriz, 40. Havazm, 41. Gavafshad, 42. > Hurmuzdabad, 27. Jupar, 28. Tuq, 29. Hanza', 43. Hidish, 44. Banadak-i-Sadat, > Parin. 45. Khayrabad, 46. Mazra'ih-Sayd- > Mirza, 47. Biyabanak, 48. Anarak, 49. > V. QAZVIN AND ZANJAN > DISTRICT: > Shahr-i-Babak, 50. Hirat, 51. Hirabar- > 1. QAZVfN, 2. Qadimabad, 3. Amina- jan, 52. Ahristan, 53, Mubarakah, 54. > bad, 4. Nusratabad, 5. Muhammadabad, Farasha, 55. Shamsi, 56. Sanhivid, 57. > 6. Shahristan, 7. Gulkin, 8. 'Ali-Ri^a- Shuruk, 58. Chavurchiy-i-Shahr-i-Baabad, 9. Kulah-Darrih, 10. Ishtihard, 11. bak, 5 9. Qanat-i-Nuh-i-Shahr-i-Babak, > Sirus, 12. Rudbar, 13. Sarkhan, 14. Zan- 60. Givar-i-Manshad, 61. Yajchdan-i-Bu- > > jan. luk, 62. Bafru. > > VI. DISTRICT: ADHIRBAYJAN VIII. DISTRICT: ISFAHAN* > 1. TABRfZ, 2. Milan, 3. Usku, 4. 1. ISFAHAN, 2. Najafabad, 3. Ardistan, > > Bavayl-i- Ulya, 5. Bavayl-i-Sufla, 6. flkhi- 4. Zavarih, 5. Burujin, 6. Qahfirukh, 7. > > chi, 7. Mamaqan, 8. Gavgan, 9. Dih- Dastjird-i-Imamzadih, 8. Saman, 9. > > kharqan, 10. Shishavan, 11. 'Ajabshe'r, Dihaqan, 10. Jaz, 11. Dizaj, 12. Khulin- > 12. Mihrabad, 13. Hirawabad, 14. Ru- jan, 13. Isgandazi, 14. Afus, 15. Tiran, > vusht, 15. Munab, 16. Maraghih, 17. 16. Muhammadiyyih, 17. Kishih, 18. Rus- > > 'Alaviyan, 18. Khurmazad, 19. Aqjah- tam, 19. Musiyabad, 20. Mihdiyabad, > dizaj, 20. Malik-Kandi, 21. Qijilu, 22. 21. Kata, 22. Dihaq, 23. Kurd-i-Sufla, > Miyanduab, 23. Qurah-Chal, 24. Naw- 24. Durchah, 25. Khurzuq, 26. Laftuvan, > ruzlu, 25. Savujbulagh, 26. Rida'iyyih, 27. Shaydan, 28. pal'ln-Shah, 29. Shah- > 27. Qahramanlii, 28. Shahpur, 29. Khuy, rak, 30. Talkhunchih, 31. Damanu (?), > 30. Vishlaq, 31. Pirkandi, 32. Ivavuqli, 32. Varnamkhas, 33. Sidih-Linjan, 34. > 33. Julfa, 34. Marand, 35. Zunuz, 36. Baghbahaduran, 35. Chadigan, 36. Ad- > Kundulaj, 37. Yagan, 38. Khamnah, jan, 37. Quchanak-Faridan, 38. Chaygan, 39. Shahrida, 40. Na in, 41. Chamj > 39. Shabastar, 40. Saysan, 41. Matanaq, > 42. Diznab, 43. Babakandi, 44. Miyanaj, gawdan, 42. Riz, 43. Hamgin, 44. > 45. Sarab, 46. Qadijan, 47. Ardabil, 48. Shahr-i-Kurd, 45. Masinan, 46. Tiran-i- > Hirawibad-i-Khalkhal, 49. Khujin, 50. Gardan, 47. Maghdharan, 48. San'an, 49. > Al-i-Hashim, 51. Ahar, 52.Haddadan, Kamiram, 50. Tushiz, 51. Faradminih, > 53. Girdulqan, 54. Khanbaghi, 55. 52. Jarquviyyih, 53. Sanadgan, 54. > > Qavshuq, 56. Qarah-Shiran. Dumanih, 55. Adirjan, 56. Surinjan, 57. > > Qadarkhan, 58. Vishigan, 59. Marasan, > VII. DISTRICT: YAZD 60. Nikan. > 1. YAZD, 2. Ardakln, 3. Amirabad, 4. > Husayn*b4d, 5. 'Izzabad, 6. IX. DISTRICT: PARS > 'Aliyabd, > 7. Sharafabid, 8. > Mihdiyabad-i-Rustdq, 1. SHfRAZ, 2. Nayriz, 3. Sarvistan, 4. > 9. 'Asrdbad, 10. Mariyamabdd, 11. Ddriyan, 5. Sa'di, 6. Qulat, 7. Zdkhirz, > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 573 > > Miss Leonora Holsapple (upper left), the pioneer teacher > of the Faith in Brazil, and Mrs. Nellie French, on the > occasion of the latter's visit to South America, March, > 1937. The children belong to Miss Holsapple*s class for > the under-privileged. > > 8. Zarqan, 9. Kinarih-MarvdasJit, 10. 7. Amzajird, 8. Bahar, 9. Lalijin, 10. > > 'Imadabad-i-Marvdasht, 11. Kusjiak-i- Husaynabad, 11. Uqchulu, 12. Chu- > Marvdasjht, 12. Faruq, 13. Shamsabad-i- puqlu, 13. Qurvah-Kurdistan, 14. Sari- > Burzu, 14. Fathabad, 15. Shamsabad-i- Qamisji, 15. Mirzakandi, 16. Uchtappih, > Takht, 16. Jahrum, Bushihr, 18. > 17. 17. Jamsjiidabad, 18. Uqbulaq, 19. > Darab, 19. Kazirun, 20. Fassa (?), 21. Latga, 20. Qiziljahkand, 21. Qarahbulaq, > Bayda, 22. Qasr-i-Marvdasjit, 23. Khayra- 22. Khanbaghi, 23. Kajah-Gunbad, 24. > bad-i-Bayda, 24. Ibrahimabad-i-Bayda, fssibulaq, 25. Sirishabad, 26. Nadirshah, > 25. Qarih-Naw-i-Bayda, 26. Qasimabad- 27. Akinlu, 28. Pirtaj. > i-Bay^a, 27. Milyun. > XL DISTRICT: QA'INAT > X. DISTRICT: RAMADAN 1. BiRJAND, 2. Kundur, 3. Isqarar, 4. > 1. HAMADAN, 2. Malayir, 3. Jurab, 4. Bidisag, 5. Nawfirist, 6. Sarchah, 7. > > Avarzaman, 5. Tiiysargan, 6. Nahavand, Asiyaban, 8. Durukhsh, 9. Dastjird, 10. > 574 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Samulabad, 11. Sud, 12. Nawkand, 13. Dastgird, 27. Ishaqabad, 28. RuMbad, > Khusf, 14. Tufab, 15. Khuvanyak, 16. 29. Sarvalayat, 30. Ma'dan, 31. Sabzavar, > Sikan, 17. Qal'ih-Kuh, 18. Zirk, 19. 32. Sudldiar, 33. Kushk-Bagh, 34. Rabat- > > Nuk, 20. Nawzad, 21. Khan. i-Gaz, 35. Zarqan, 36. $afiyabad, 37. > Ja'farabad, 38. Juvin, 39. Kuhmish, 40. > XII. DISTRICT: 'IRAQ Davarzan, 41. Turbat-i-Haydariyyih, 42. > 1. 'IRAQ, 2. Sultanabad, > 3. Khalajabad, Pitraw, 43. Zavih, 44. Marghzar, 45. > 4. Gulpayigan, Shahabad, 6. Mashhad, > 5. Dawlatabad, 46. Gulbu, 47. Rashtkhar, > 7. Husaynabad, 8. Varqa, 9. Amirih. 48. Khurq, 49. Murtadaviyyih, 50. > > Dughabad (Furugh), 51. Hasanabad, > XIII. DISTRICT: GILAN 52. Mihnah, 53. Khayrabad, 54. Miyan- > 1. RASHT, 2. Bandar-i-Pahlavi, 3. dihi, 55. Shamsabad, 56. 'AH, 57. Zahira- > Ghaziyan, 4. Lahijan, 5. Langarud, 6. bad, 58. 'Abdu'labad, 59. AzghaAd, 60. > Rudsar, 7. Shahvar, 8. Diya'bar, 9. Furshah, 61. Nay, 62. Yunis, 63. Hisar, > Siyahkal, 10. Sangar, 11. Rudbar, 12. 64. Namaq, 65. Katahtalkh, 66. Qara- > Minjil. chah, 67. Kashmar, 68. Maghan, 69. > > Khalilabad, 70. Shafi'abad, 71. Juymind, > XIV. DISTRICT: KHUZISTAN 72. Kdkhk, 73. Shahr-Gunabad, 74. > 1. AHVA2, 2. Shushtar, 3. Dizful, 4. Rawshanavand, 75. Firdaws, 76. Baghis- > Abadan, 5. Khurramshahr, 6. Qusvih tan, 77. Bustaq, 78. Sihqal'ih, 79. Burun, > (?), 7. Manyuhi, 8. Salihabad, 9. Masjid- 80. Gazin, 81. Sarayan, 82. Sarand, 83. > > i-Sulayman, 10. Haftgil, 11. Tuf- Bijistan, 84. Bushruviyyih, 85. Khayru'l- > Chishmih, 12. Bahbahan, 13. Ramhur- Qura, 86. Tabas, 87. Baghdihak, 88. > muz, 14. Cham-Khalf-'fsa, 15. afaiy- Zahidan, 89. Zabul, 90. Mirjavah, 91. > yih, 16. Fayliyyih, 17. Chamtang, 18. Khash, 92. Saravan, 93. iranshahr. > Chihil-Masni, 19. > Jabrabad, 20. Hindi- > 21. XVII. DISTRICT: SANGSAR > jan, Kurrihpa, 22. Chamtangu, 23. > Chamsha'ban. 1. SANGSAR, 2. Shahmirzad, 3. Shahrud, 4. Aftar, 5. Simnan, 6. Damghan. > XV. DISTRICT: KIRMANSHAH > 1. KIRMANSHAH, 2. Khurramabad, 3. XVIIL DISTRICT: SARI > > Burujird, 4. Sanandaj, 5. > Sunqur, 6. 1. SARf, 2. Mahfuruzak, 3. Arata, 4. > Karand, 7. Shahabad, 8. Qasr, 9. Dinvar. Chalih-Zamin, 5. Shahi, 6. Kafshgar- > Kulah, 7. Amirih, Rawshankuh, > 8. 9. > XVI. DISTRICT: KHURASAN fval, 10. Ashraf-Kuhban. > 1. MASHHAD, 2. Sharif ^bad, 3. > > Sarakhs, 4. Kalat, 5. Bulan, 6. Chah- XIX. DISTRICT: BANDAR-I-GAZ > chaha, 7. Nasrabad-i-Jam, 8. Turbat-i- 1. BANDAR-I-GAZ, 2. Bandar-i-Shah, > Jam, 9. Tayyibat, 10. Bakharz, 11. 3. Gurgan, 4. Gunbad-Qabus, 5. Gum- > Husaynabad, 12. Quchan, 13. Bajgirn, ish-Tappih, 6. Dasht-i-Gurgan. > 14. Shirvan, 15. Muhammadabad-i-Dari- > > gaz, 16. Lutfabad, 17. Bujnurd, 18. XX. DISTRICT: BABUL > Jajarm, 19. Ruvin, 20. Isfara'in, 21. 1. BABUL, 2. 'Arabkhayl, 3. Bahnamir, > Qariyiy-i- Amand-Turkaman-Jahra, 22 . 4. Daya'kala, 5. Bandar-i-Mashhadsar, 6. > > Shahr-i-Miravih, 23. Nishabiir (Rid- Bandar-i-Firaydun-Kinar, 7. Nur, 8. > > van), 24. Ma'muri, 25. Farrukh, 26. Takur, 9. Amul, 10. Kipurchal. > BAHA'f DIRECTORY, 1937-1938 575 > > ADDRESSES OF CENTRES OF BAHA'f > ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS > OF IRAN, 1937-1938 > ADHIRBAYJAN, centre: Tabriz. Ad- Darakhshan, Saray-i-Gulshan. Teledress: care Mr. Ahad, Salimi Brothers. graphic address: Rawhani, care Darakh- > Telegraphic address: care Ahmad-Pur shan Gulshan, 'Iraq. > Furutan, Tabriz. 13. PARS, centre: Shiraz. Address: care Dr. > ISFAHAN, centre: Isfahan. Address: Badri, Darius avenue. Telegraphic adcare Payman Co. Telegraphic address: dress: care Munajim, Shiraz. > > Rawhani, Payman Isfahan. 14. QAYINAT, centre: Birjand. Address: > ABADIH, centre: Abadih. Address: Bazar-i-Ghulam-Husayn Sabiti. Telecare Dr. M. Husayn Agah. Telegraphic graphic address: care Bazari Sabiti, Biraddress: care Dr. Agah, Abadih. jand. > BANDAR-I-JAZ, centre: Bandar-i-Jaz. 15. QAZVJ'N and ZANJAN, centre: Qazvin. > Address: care Mr. 'Abbas Rawshan. Address: care Mr. As'adu'l-Hukama. > > Telegraphic address: care Muhammad Telegraphic address: care Asad, Qazvin. > Sangi, Bandar-i-Jaz. 16. KASHAN, centre: Kashan. Address: > BABUL, centre: Babul. Address: care care Furughi & Sons Co. Telegraphic > Dr. F. Bassari. > Telegraphic address: address: care Furughi, Kashan. > care Dr. Furugh, Babul. 17. KIRMAN, centre: Kirman. Address: > KHURASAN, centre: Mashhad. Address: Mr. Shahriyar Aryani, Saray-i-Vakil. > care Mr. A. Sulaymani, Pahlavi Bank. Telegraphic address: care Vakil, Aryani, > Telegraphic address: care Sulaymani, Kirman. > Pahlavi Bank, Masjhhad. 18. KIRMANSHAH, centre: Kirmanshah. Ad- > KHUZISTAN, centre: Ahvaz. Address: dress: care Dr. H. Muayyad. Telecare Bastani Co. Telegraphic address: graphic address: care Dr. Muayyad, Kircare Bastani, Ahvaz. manshah. > ZAHIDAN, centre: Zahidan. Address: 19. GILAN, centre: Rasht. Address: care > care Suhayli Bros. Co. Telegraphic ad- A. Samandari, Ittihadiyyih Pharmacy. > dress: care Suhayli, Zahidan. Telegraphic address: care Samandari, > SANGSAR, centre: Sangsar. Address: Rasjht. > care Mr. Ch. Tibyani. Telegraphic ad- 20. NAYRI'Z, centre: Nayriz. Address: care > dress: care Chiraghali Tibyani, Sangsar. Mr. M. Izadi, Mahalliy-i-Pahlavi. Tel- > 10, SARI, centre: Sari. Address: care Mr. egraphic address: care fzadi, Mahalliy-i- > A. Bahruzi, Treasury Dept. Tele- Pahlavi, Nayriz. > graphic address: care Bahruzi, Treasury 21. RAMADAN, centre: Hamadan. Address: > Dept., Sari. care Mr. Ihsani, Saray-i-H&ji Safar > 11, TIHRAN, centre: Tihran. Address: care Khan. Telegraphic address: care afar > Mr. A. Furutan, Amiriyyih av., Mih- Ihsani, Hamadan. > diyyih Str. 2002. Telegraphic address: 22. YAZD, centre: Yazd. Address: care > Rawhani, Tihran. Payman Co. Telegraphic address: care > 12, 'IRAQ, centre: 'Iraq. Address: Mr. F. Payman, Yazd. > 576 THE BAHA'f WORLD > 7. > > ALPHABETICAL LIST OF B AH A 'U 'LL AH'S > BEST-KNOWN WRITINGS > Alvah-i-Laylatu'1-Quds. Lawh-i-Husayn. > Asl-i-Qullu'1-Khayr. Lawh-i-Ibn-i-Dhi'b (Epistle to the Son of > Az-B*gh-i-flahi. the Wolf). > Baz-Av-u-Bidih-Jami. Lawh-i-Ittihad. > Bishirat (Glad-Tidings). Lawh-i-Jamal. > Chihar-Vadi (Four Valleys) . Lawh-i-Karim. > GhuUmu'J-Khuld. Lawh-i-Karmil. > Haft-Vadi (Seven Valleys). Lawh-i-Kullu't-Ta'am. > Halih-Halih-Y*-Bisharat. Lawh-i-Malikih (Tablet to Queen Victoria). > Hur-i-'Ujab. Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus (Tablet to the Czar of > Hunifat-i-'Allin. Russia). > Ishraqat (Effulgences). Lawh-i-Mallahu'1-Quds (Tablet of the Holy > Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Para- Mariner) . > > dise). La wh-i-ManikcJai -Sahib. > Kalimat-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words). Lawh-i-Maqsud. > Kitab-i-'Ahd (Book of Covenant). Lawh-i-Maryam. > Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book). Lawh-i-Mawlud. > Kitab-i-Badi*. Lawh-i-MuMhilih. > Kitab-i-fqan (Book of Certitude) . Lawh-i-Nasir. > Kitab-i-Sultan (Tablet to the Shah of Per- Lawh-i-Napulyun I (First Tablet to Naposia). leon III). > Lawh-i-' Abdu'l-'Aziz-Va-Vukala. Lawh-i-Napulyun II (Second Tablet to Na- > Lawh-i-'Abdu'l-Vahhab. poleon III). > Lawh-i-'Abudu'r-Razzaq. Lawh-i-Nuqtih. > Lawh-i-Ahbab. Lawh-i-Pap (Tablet to the Pope). > Lawh-i- Ahmad (Tablet of Ahmad). Lawh-i-Pisar-'Amm. > Lawh-i-Amvaj. Lawh-i-Qina*. > Lawh-i- Anta'1-Kafi . > Lawh-i-Quds. > Lawh-i-Aqdas. Lawh-i-Rafi'. > Lawh-i-Ashraf. Lawh-i-Ra'is (Tablet to Ra'is). > Lawh-i-'Ashiq-va-Ma'shuq. Lawh-i-Raqsha'. > Lawh-i- Ayiy-i-Nur. Lawh-i-Rasul. > Lawh-i-Baha. Lawh-i-Ruh. > Lawh-i-Baqa. Lawh-i-Ru'ya. > Lawh-i-Basitatu'1-Haqiqih. Lawh-i-Sahab. > Lawh-i-Bismilih. Lawh-i-Salman I. > Lawh-i-Bulbulu'1-Firaq. Lawh-i-Salman II. > Lawh-i-Burhan. Lawh-i-Samsun. > Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World). Lawh-i-Sayyah. > Lawh-i-Fitnih. > Lawh-i-Shaykh-Fani . > > Lawh-i-Ghulamu'1-Khuld. Lawh-i-Tawhid. > Lawh-i-Habib. Lawh-i-Tibb. > Lawh-i-Haft-Pursish. > Lawh-i-Tuqa. > Lawh-i-Iiaqq. Lawh-i- Yusuf. > La wh-i-Ha wda j . > Lawh-i-Zaynu'1-Muqarrabin. > Lawh-i-Hikmat (Tablet of Wisdom). Lawh-i-Ziyarih. > Lawh-i-Hirtik. Madinatu'r-Rida. > Madinatu't-Tawhid. > BAHA'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 577 > > Mathnavi. Suriy-i-Hifz. > Munajathay-i-Siyam. Suriy-i-Hijr. > Qad-Ihtaraqa'1-Mukhlisun. Suriy-i-'Ibad. > Qasidiy-i-Varqa'iyyih. Suriy-i-Ism. > Rashh-i-'Ama. Suriy-i-Ismuna'1-Mursil. > RidvinuVAdl. Suriy-i-Javad. > Ridvanu'l-Iqrar. Suriy-i-Khitab. > $ahifiy-i-Shattiyyih. Suriy-i-Ma'ani. > Salaf-i-Mayyit (Prayer for the Dead). Suriy-i-Man*. > Saqi-Az-Ghayb-i-Baqa. Suriy-i-Muluk. > Shikkar-Shikan-Shavand. Suriy-i-Nida. > Subhana-Rabbiya'1-A'la. Suriy-i-Nush. > Subhanaka-Ya-Hu. Suriy-i-Qadir. > Suratu-'llah. Suriy-i-Qahiff. > Suriy-i-Ahzan. Suriy-i-Qalam. > Suriy-i-Amin. Suriy-i-Qamis. > Suriy-i-Amr. Suriy-i-Sabr. > Suriy-i-A'rab. Suriy-i-Sultan. > Siiriy-i-Ashab. Suriy-i-Vafa. > Suriy-i-Asma'. Suriy-i-Ziyarih. > Suriy-i-Bayan. Suriy-i-2ubur. > Suriy-i-Burhan. Suriy-i-Zuhur. > Suriy-i-Darnm. Tafsir-i-Hu. > Suriy-i-Dhahih. Tafsir-i-Hurufat-i-Muqatta'ih. > Suriy-i-Dhibh. Tafsir-i-Suriy-i-Va'sh-Shams. > Suriy-i-Dhikr. Tajalliyat (Revelations). > Suriy-i-Fadl. Tarazat (Ornaments) . > > Suriy-i-Fath. Ziyarat-Namih (The Visiting Tablet). > Suriy-i-Fu'ad. Ziyarat-Namiy- -Awliya. > Suriy-i-Ghusn (Tablet of the Branch). Ziyarat-Namiy- -Babu'1-Bab va Quddus. > Suriy-i-Hajj I. Ziyarat-Namiy- -Bayt. > Suriy-i-Hajj II. Ziyarat-Namiy- -Maryam. > Suriy-i-Haykal. Ziyarat-Namiy- -Siyyidu'sh-Shuhada. > > 8 . > > LIST OF THE BAB'S BEST-KNOWN WORKS > 1. The Iranian Bayan. 15. Risaliy-i-Fiqhiyyih. > 2. The Arabic Bayan. 16. Risaliy-i-Dhahabiyyih. > 3. The Qayyumu'1-Asma'. 17. Kitabu'r-Ruh. > 4. The Sahifatu'l-Haramayn. 18. Suriy-i-Tawhid. > f > 5. The Dala'il-i-Sab ih. 19. Lawh-i-Hurufat. > 6. Commentary on the Surih of Kawthar. 20. Tafsir-i-Nubuvvat-i~Khassih. > 7. Commentary on the Surih of Va'l-'Asr. 21. Risaliy-i-Furu'-i-'Adliyyih. > 8. The Kitab-i-Asma'. 22. Khasa'ly-i-Sab'ih. > 9. ahifiy-i-Makhdhumiyyih. 23. Epistles to Muhammad Shah and Haji > 10. Sahifiy-i-Ja'fariyyih. Mirza Aqasi. > 11. Ziyarat-i-Shah-'Abdu'l-'Azim. > 12. Kitab-i-Panj-Sha'n. N. B. The Bb Himself states in one pas- > 13. ahifiy-i-Radav'yyih. sage of the Iranian Bayan that His writings > 14. Risaliy-i-'Adliyyih. comprise no less than 500,000 verses. > BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY > 1. Baha'i Publications of America. 21. Baha'i Publications in Norwegian. > > (a) Books About the Baha'i Faith. 22. Baha'i Publications in Croatian. > > (b) Writings of the Bab. 23. Baha'i Publications in Icelandic. > (c) Writings of Baha'u'llah. 24. Baha'i Publications in Oriental Lan- > > (d) Writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha. guages. > (e) Writings of Shoghi Effendi. (a) Iranian. > (f) Prayers. (b) Urdu. > (g) Baha'i Literature in Pamphlet (c) Arabic. > Form. (d) Turkish. > (h) Compilations. (e) Burmese. > (i) Outlines and Guides for Baha'i (f) Chinese. > Study Classes. (g) Hebrew, > 2. Baha'i Publications of England. (h) Tartar, > 3. Baha'i Publications in French. (i) Gujrati. > 4. Baha'i Publications in Italian. (j) Japanese, > 5. Bahi'i Publications in Dutch. (k) Armenian. > 6. Baha'i Publications in Danish. (1) Tamil, > 7. Baha'i Publications in Swedish. (m) Kurdish, > 8. Baha'i Publications in Portuguese. (n) Sindhi. > 9. Baha'i Publications in Albanian. (o) Bengali, > 10. Baha'i Publications in Esperanto. (p) Hindi. > 11. Baha'i Publications in Russian. (q) Abyssinian. > 12. Baha'i Publications in German. 25. Baha'i Literature in Braille (for the > 13. Baha'i Publications in Bulgarian. Blind). > 14. Baha'i Publications in Rumanian. 26. Baha'i Periodicals. > 1 5. Baha'i Publications in Czech. 27. References to the Baha'i Faith in Books > 16. Baha'i Publications in Serbian. and Pamphlets by Non-Baha'i Authors. > 17. Baha'i Publications in Hungarian. 28. References to the Baha'i Faith in Maga- > 18. Baha'i Publications in Greek. zines by Non-Baha'i Writers. > 19. Baha'i Publications in Maori. 29. References to the Baha'i Faith by Ba- > 20. Baha'i Publications in Spanish. ha'is in Non-Baha'i Publications. > > 1 . > > The books and pamphlets in this section have been published under Babd'i auspices or > approved by a recognized Bahd'i body. > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS OF AMERICA > Published and Distributed by the Publishing Committee of the > National Spiritual Assembly, P. O. Box 148, Grand Central Annex, New York, N. Y., > -with the exception of the older publications (marked by an asterisk *), > which are now out of print. > > (a) BOOKS ABOUT THE BAHA'f FAITH this great Oriental scholar, philosopher > Babd'i Proofs, The, by Mirza Abu'1-Fa^l of and disciple of Baha'u'llah translated into > Gulpdyigdn. The best-known book of English. It presents the truth of the Ba- > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 579 > > ha'i Revelation from manifold points of 1934). This volume presents the further > view, and also contains a biographical out- spread of the Baha'i Faith and establishline of the lives of the Bab, Baha'u'llah ment of the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > and 'Abdu'1-Baha. 288 pp. Crown 8vo., The frontispiece, a photograph of Bahiyyih > 4 }/2 x 6 /2. Bound in blue cloth. > Khanum, and the loving tributes to her > Bahd'i Revelation, The, by Thornton Chase. memory form a special feature of this vol- > This book contains a most excellent com- ume. 712 pp., 7 x 10. Bound in brown > pilation of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, cloth. > > gathered from various translations and ar- Bahd'i The (April 1934-April > World, > ranged so as to be consecutive as to sub- 1936) Volume > . VI records Baha'i activijects. A clear account of the evolution of ties for the two years ending April 1, > > spiritual consciousness showing the one- 1936. In addition to many beautiful ilness of purpose of all the great religions of lustrations, there are two frontispieces; > the world, and culminating today in the one photograph of 'Abdu'1-Bahd, sent > a > > fulfillment of all the religions of the past. from Haifa, especially for this volume, > 182 pp. Crown 8vo., 5*4 x 8. Bound in and the other a facsimile of a further apgreen cloth. preciation of the teachings, written by the > Babd'i: Spirit of the Age, The, by Horace Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania. Two > Holley. Presenting the Baha'i Movement maps showing Baha'i Centers in fran and > and teachings as the synthesis of all mod- in the United States. 772 pp., 7 x 10. > ern movements. 212 pp. Crown 8vo., Bound in green cloth. > 6x8. Bound in blue cloth. Bahd'i Year Book (April 1925-April 1926). > Baha'i World, The (April 1926- April Volume I, a record of current activities > 1928). A biennial record giving a com- with articles on various Bahd'i instituprehensive account of the activities of the tions, newly translated teachings, photo- > Baha'i Cause throughout the world. Con- graphs, etc. Bound in green cloth. 174 > tains many interesting illustrations show- pp., 7x10. For Volume II, see The Bahd'i > ing the universal growth of this move- World. > ment. 304 pp. 7 x 10. Bound in blue *Bahd'ism the Modern Social Religion, by > cloth. Horace Holley. Mitchell Kennerley, New > Baba'i World, The (April 192 8 -April York, 1913. > 1930). The third volume in the biennial Bahd'u'llab and the New Era, by J. E. Essleseries of Baha'i records continuing recent mont. An authoritative and comprehenhistorical developments of the Cause sive survey of Baha'i history and the > throughout the world. Besides the many teachings as related to present religious, > excellent illustrations, this volume con- scientific and social conditions in Europe > tains a reproduction of a hand-illuminated and America, with many quotations from > Tablet of Baha'u'llah in 'Abdu'1-Baha's the writings. New edition. 308 pp. > handwriting. 378 pp., 7x10. Bound in Post 8vo., 5x7. Bound in green cloth. > red cloth. In paper, > Baba'i World, The (April 1930-April Coming of the Glory, by Florence E. > > 1932). In addition to a comprehensive Pinchon. An interesting narrative giving > report of Baha'i activities during this two- the spirit and the principles of the Baha'i > year period, the fourth volume in this Movement. 144 pp., Post 8vo., 4J/2 x > series publications devotes generous > of 6 /2. Bound in blue cloth. > l > > space to the presentation of the World Dawn-Breakers, The. Nabil's Narrative of > Order of Baha'u'llah through the present- the Early Days of the Baha'i Revelation > day Administration of the Baha'i Faith. translated and edited by Shoghi EfFendi. > The frontispiece is a facsimile of apprecia- 736 pp., 6 /2 x 9%. > l > 200 pp. of illustration of the > teachings written by the tions. Reproductions of twenty tablets > Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania. 548 written by the Bab. Standard edition > pp., 7x10. Bound in blue cloth. bound in green leather. Limited edition > Babd'i World, The (April 1932-April bound in morocco. > 580 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Do'a: The Call to Prayer, by Ruth Ellis Dispensations of the past, to culminate in > Moffett. A study of the mystical science the World Order revealed by Baha'u'llah. > of prayer and meditation, with a compila- Originally published in London, England. > tion of prayers chosen from a number of American edition, 254 pp. Bound in cloth. > religions. 126 pp. Bound in paper. Religions of the Empire. Edited by W. Lof- > * W. tus Hare. > Lessons on the Bahd'i Revelation, by (Published by Duckworth, > Hooper Harris. London.) The addresses delivered by rep- > *Life and Teachings of 'Abbas Effendi, The, resentatives of the several religions invited > > by Myron H. Phelps. Published by Put- to participate in the conference on Some > nam & Sons. Living Religions within the British Em- > Life Eternal, compiled by Mary Rumsey pire held at the Imperial Institute, London, > Movius. from the writings of > Selections England, from September 22 to October > Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha on immor- 3, 1924. Includes the two papers read on > > tality and the life of the soul. 178 pp. the Baha'i Cause. Bound in red cloth. > Bound in cloth. 519 pp. Royal > l > / x 9%. > 8vo., 6 2 > > My Pilgrimage to the Land of Desire, by Security for a Failing World, by Stanwood > Marie A. Watson. The story of Mrs. Cobb. A > careful and scholarly diagnosis of > Watson's visit to Haifa in 1921, with an the social problems of modern civilization, > > interesting account of her healing by with an exposition of the spiritual educa- > 'Abdu'1-Baha. 24 pp., 6 x 9 /2 Paper > l > . tion afforded by the Baha'i Faith and its > cover. culmination in a World Order by which > Mysticism and the Bahd'i Revelation, by alone universal peace can be secured. > Ruhi Afnan. An essay which analyzes in 202 pp. Bound in cloth. > the light of the teachings of BahaVllah The, by Horace Holley. > ''Social Principles, > > the mystical tradition of the soul's union Laurence J. Gomme, New York, 1915. > with God: demonstrating that the Prophet Traveller's Narrative, A, translated into > or Manifestation is the intermediary be- English by Edward *G. Browne, M.A., > tween God and man. 80 pp. M.B. Written to illustrate the Episode of > *New Day, The, by Charles Mason Remey. the Bab. 448 pp. New edition from orig- > Baha'i Publishing Society. Chicago, 1919. inal plates in the possession of Cambridge > *New Revelation: Its Marvelous Message, University Press. Bound in blue cloth. > * > The, by Nathan Ward Fitzgerald. Ta- Truth of It, The, by Arthur Pillsbury > coma, 1905. Dodge. Mutual Publishing Company, > * > Oriental Rose, The, by Mary Hanford Ford. New York, 1901. > A vivid presentation of historical aspects '''Unity Tr'mmphant, by Elizabeth Herrick. > of the Baha'i Movement. 214 pp. Post The Revelation of Baha'u'llah as the ful- > 8vo., > l > 5 /2 x 7%. Bound in blue cloth. fillment with extensive > of Christianity, > * > Peace of the World, The, by Charles Mason quotations and > bibliography. 226 pp. > Remey. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chi- Royal 8vo., 6J/2 x 9. Bound in red cloth. > cago, 1919. Universal Religion, The, by Hippolyte Drey- > Portals to Freedom, by Howard Colby Ives. fus. An introductory work on the Baha'i > The author recounts personal experiences Cause by a French Orientalist, who has > in meeting 'Abdu'1-Baha during 1912 and translated many of the writings of Baha'- > describes the spiritual power released u'llah. 176 pp. Crown 8vo., 5/2 x 8. > through the Baha'i Faith for the develop- Bound in black cloth. > ment of human personality in this age. '''Whence Comes the Light? by Loulie A. > Illustrated with photographs. 256 pp. Mathews. The author gives a clear under- > Bound in cloth. standing in this brief outline of the ap- > Promise of All Ages, The, by Christophil. proach to the Baha'i Cause and the noble > An important contribution to the litera- grandeur of its founders. The quotations > ture expounding the significance of the from Baha'i writings throw light upon > Baha'i Faith. The author traces the true every phase of life. 84 pp., 5x6. Bound > spiritual content of religion through the in paper. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 581 > > A World Faith. Studies in the Teachings of * > Seven Valleys. > Translated by 'Ali-Kuli- > Baha'u'llah developed by ten different Khan. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago. > contributors to a symposium published in The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys. > World Order Magazine. 68 pp. Paper Two treatises revealed by Baha'u'llah on > covers. the nature of spiritual evolution. Translatedby Ali-Kuli Khan, N.D. 60 pp. > (b) WRITINGS OF THE BAB Bound in fabrikoid. Also in paper. > The Bab's Address to the Letters of the Liv- * > Source of Spiritual Qualities, The. Four > ing. These sublime words are reproduced page leaflet. Baha'i Publishing Commitin pamphlet form from a hand-lettered tee, 1924. > copy of pp. 92-94 of The Dawn-Breakers. *Suratu'l-Haykal. Translated from the > 12 pp. (See Baha'i Literature in French.) Arabic by Antun-Haddad. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1900. > (c) WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH Tablets of Baha'u'llah (Tarazat, The Tablet > Baha'i Script tires. Compiled by Horace Hol- of the World, Kalimat, Tajalliyat, Bishaley, Brentano's, New York, 1923. Baha'i rat, Ishraqat), social and spiritual princi- > Publishing Committee, New York, 1929. ples of the new age. 138 pp., 6% x 10 > Book, of Certitude, The (Kitab-i-fqan), re- Bound in blue cloth. > vealed by Baha'u'llah. Translated by Tablets of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Bahd to > Shoghi Effendi. Baha'i Publishing Com- the Greatest Holy Leaf. > mittee, 1931. This work reveals the one- Three Obligatory Daily Prayers. Translated > ness of all the Prophets and their signifi- by Shoghi Effendi. 14 pp. Paper cover. > cance as the expression of the Will of God. Three Tablets of Baha'u'llah (Tablet of the > 5% x 8%. Bound in blue cloth. Branch, Kitab-i-'Ahd, Lawh-i-Aqdas) , > Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, translated by the appointment of 'Abdu'1-Baha as the > Julie Chanler. A work written by Baha'- interpreter of the teachings of Baha'u'llah, > u'llah in His last years, addressed to the the Testament of Baha'u'llah, and His > son of a prominent Persian who had been a message to the Christians. 168 pp. Post > savage enemy of the Cause. This Tablet 8vo., 5% x 7 J/2. Bound in paper. > recapitulates many teachings Baha'u'llah > had revealed in earlier works. 140 pp. (d) WRITINGS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA > *' > Royal 8vo., 6 Y4 x 9 /4 Bound in blue > l > . Abdu'l-Bahd on Divine Philosophy (comcloth and white parchment. piled by Isabel F. Chamberlain). Tudor > Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, Press, Boston, 1916. > translated by Shoghi Effendi. This work Abdu'l-Bahd in London, edited by Eric > consists of selections from Tablets. 354 Hammond. A record of public and pripp. Bound in dark blue fabrikoid; also in vate addresses delivered in 1911. 134 pp. > dark blue cloth. Post 8vo., 5x7%. > Paper binding. > Hidden Words, translated by Shoghi Effendi. ''Abdu'l-Bahd in New York. Baha'i Assem- > The essence of the teachings of all the bly, New York, 1922. A new edition > Prophets. 54 pp., 16mo., 14% x 16%. containing selected addresses delivered at > Three editions: black leather, blue cloth, Columbia University and various churches > and paper cover. and at public meetings by 'Abdu'1-Baha > Works of Baha'u'llah, ed. A. H. Tumansky, while in New York. Also Tablets written > St. Petersburg, 1892. to the New York Spiritual Assembly by > Kitdb-i-Aqdas, ed. A. H. Tumansky, Me- 'Abdu'1-Baha. Bound in sapphire blue > moires de 1' Academic Imperiale de St. paper 4% > x 6%. > Petersburg 1899 VIII serie vol. Ill, No. 6. America's Spiritual Mission. Teaching Tab- > Prayers and Meditations by Baha'u'llah. lets revealed to American Baha'is by 'Abd- > > Translated by Shoghi Effendi. This su- u'l-Baha during 1916-1917. 54 pp. Self > > preme book of devotions is issued in the cover. > same style as the Gleanings. 348 pp. Bahd'i Peace Program, The. A compilation > Bound in fabrikoid. containing a letter from 'Abdu'l-Bahd per- > 582 THE BAHA'f WORLD > taining to a plan of peace and a letter to is the consummation of the ideals of all > > Dr. Forel entitled "God and His Uni- and humanitarians. > religionists, scientists > verse," a scientific statement of the laws 232 pp. Imperial 8vo., 6 /2 x 9%. Bound > l > > governing the world and showing the in black cloth in two volumes. > > necessity of absolute harmony in the re- Reality of Man, The. A > compilation from > lations of all mankind united under one the words of 'Abdu'1-Bahd explaining the > > spiritual law.Bound in blue leather with relations of mind, soul and spirit. Comgold stamping. Also bound in green paper piled by Horace Hoi ley. Bound in dark > with dark green stamping. red paper. Size 4 /2 x 6%. > l > > Bahd'i Scriptures, Compiled by Horace Hol- *Reality of Religion Tablet of 'Abdu'lley, Brentano's, New York, 1923. Baha'i Bahd, The. Four-page leaflet. Baha'i > > Publishing Committee, New York, 1929. Publishing Committee, 1924. > ^Definition of Love, by 'Abdu'1-Baha. Re- Some Answered Questions, edited by Laura > ceived at New York, December 7, 1902. Clifford Barney. An expression of funda- > Divine Secret for Human Civilization, by mental spiritual and philosophic problems. > Josephine D. Storey. A charmingly bound 350 pp. Royal 8vo., 6 /2 x 9 l/4l > Bound . > > book, compiled from the words of 'Abd- in black cloth. > > u'l-Baha, showing the relation of the *T'ablet on Universal Peace, a letter written > Twelve Basic Principles of the Baha'i by 'Abdu'1-Baha in 1919 to the Central > Cause to the foundation of the new world Organization for a Durable Peace. > order of the future. 96 pp., 16 mo,, 4% *Tablet to the Beloved of God in America. > Bound in white parchment stamped > x 6. Translated by 'Ali-Kuli-Khan. Camin gold. Also bound in paper. bridge, Mass., January 3, 1906. > * > Foundations of World Unityy The. Selected Tablet to the Beloved of God of the Occiaddresses delivered by 'Abdu'1-Baha at dent. by Ahmad Isfahani > Translated > Universities, Churches, Synagogues, Peace (Ahmad Sohrab), Washington, D. C., > Societies and similar public meetings dur- September 8, 1906. > ing His journey through America in 1912. Tablets by 'Abdu'l-Bahd 'Abbas to the > 112 pp. Royal 8vo., 6 x 9. Paper covers. House of Justice of Chicago, to the Ladies > ^Letter from St. Jean D'Acre, A, The Unity Assembly of Teaching, and others. > Press, 1906. Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, compiled by Albert > ^Letter of Love" from 'Abdu'l-Bahd 'Ab- R. Windust. Intimate letters written in > bas to the Beloved in America. Baha'i reply to questions addressed by individuals > Publishing Society, 1902. and groups. Three volumes. Volume one > * > Letter and Tablet to the Central Organiza- and three (new edition) bound in blue > tion for a Durable Peace: The Hague. cloth. Volume two bound in black cloth. > Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1920. *Tablets to the East and West. Translated > * > Let ten to the friends in Persia. Baha'i by Ahmad Isfah4ni (Ahmad Sohrab). > Publishing Society, Chicago, January 21, The Baha'i Assembly of Washington, > 1906. D. C, 1908. > Mysterious Forces of Civilization. work A }{ > 'Tablets Containing Instructions. Transaddressed to the people of fran nearly lated by M. A. E. Washington, D. C., > forty years ago to show the way to true August 29, 1906. > progress. 1 32 > pp. Royal 8 vo., 6 % * 9/ > 2 . *T ablets Containing General Instructions. > Bound in black cloth. Translated by Ahmad Isfahini (Ahmad > ^Prayers and Tablets. 1906. Sohrab). The Baha'i Association of > promulgation of Universal Peace, edited by Washington, D. C, 1907. > Howard MacNutt. Public addresses de- *Tablets to Japan. Compiled by Agnes > livered throughout the United States and Alexander. New York, 1928. > Canada in 1912. This work contains *T ablets to Some American Believers in the > ' > Abdu'1-Baha 's message to the > spiritual Year 1900. The Board of Council, New > American people, whom he summoned to York, 1901. > establish the "Most Great Peace" which * Tablets ' > from 'Abdu'l-Babd Abba's to E. E. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 583 > > Wrestling Brewster. Baha'i Publishing American National Spiritual Assembly > Society, 1902. and the body of American believers from > The Garden of the Heart. A compilation of January 21, 1922 to October 18, 1927; > passages on nature from Baha'i Sacred Part Three, Declaration of Trust by the > > Writings and from the Bible, selected by National Spiritual Assembly; Index. 155 > Frances Esty. Bound in colored linen. pp. Royal 8vo., 6 x 9%. Bound in blue > *-Unveiling of the Divine Plan. Translated cloth. Baha'i Publishing Committee, New > by Ahmad Sohrab. Tudor Press, Boston, York, 1928. > 1919. *Bahd'i Administration. The letters written > * > Utterances of Two Young Men. Board of by Shoghi Effendi to the American Baha'i > Council, New York, 1901. community, from January, 1922, to July, > * > Visit ing Tablets for Martyrs Who Suffered 1932, in his capacity of Guardian of the > in Persia. Translated by 'Ali-Kuli Khan. Baha'i Cause, to encourage, guide and in- > Baha'i Board of Council, New York, struct the believers in carrying out the > 1901. provisions of the Will and Testament of > *Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. 'Abdu'1-Baha concerning the organic de- > National Spiritual Assembly, 1925. velopment of the Baha'i community. This > Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Se- volume constitutes the authoritative inlected passages which constitute the Ad- terpretation of that Will and of Baha'uministrative Order of the Baha'i Faith, the 'llah's teachings on the subject of the prin- > > establishment of the Guardianship, the in- ciples determining the character of the > Faith as an evolving religious society. > terpretation of the institutions of local, > national and international Houses of Jus- These letters, which define the institutions > tice. These excerpts are accompanied by of local, national and international Baha'i > > passages from the Writings of the Bab and administrative bodies forming the nucleus > Baha'u'llah which reveal the continuity of of the new world order of Baha'u'llah, inthe Faith, and by passages from the com- clude communications explaining the new > munications of Shoghi Effendi explaining world order and clarifying the problems of > the significance of the Will and Testament the post-war years. The volume also conitself. A pamphlet, uniform in size and tains excerpts from 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will, > appearance with the series of World Order and an Appendix consisting of the Declaletters of Shoghi Effendi, ration of Trust and By-Laws of the Na- > Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Edited by Lady tional Spiritual Assembly, and By-Laws > Blomfield. Previously published under the for local Spiritual Assemblies. 286 pp. > title of Paris Talks, a brief but compre- Bound in cloth. > hensive presentation of His Message. 172 from Shoghi Effendi, selections > '''Letters > > pp. Post 8vo., 5 x 7 J/2, paper covers. from letters written by the grandson of > Bound in green cloth. 'Abdu'1-Baha, appointed Guardian of the > * Cause by Him, regarding details of ad- > Wisdom Talks of 'Abdu'l-Babd. Chicago. > Baha'i News Service. ministering the affairs of the Movement. > ''''Woman's Great Station. An address given (The complete letters are included in > in New York in 1912. Bahd'i Administration.) Baha'i Publishing Committee. New York, March, 1929. > (e) WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI World Order of Babd'u'lldb, The. A supple- > *Babd't Administration. A work compiled ment to the volume Bahd't Administraby the National Spiritual Assembly to tion. Baha'i Publishing Committee. New > > present the original sources of instruction York, March, 1929. > on the duties and responsibilities of be- World Order of Bahd'u'lldb, The: Further > lievers, in their relations to the local, Considerations. A supplement to the volnational and international bodies of the ume Babd'j Administration. Baha'i Pub- > Cause. Part One, Excerpts from the Will lishing Committee. New York, 1930. > and Testament of 'Abdu'1-Bahd; Part The Goal of a New World Order. In this > Two, Letters from Shoghi Effendi to the communication (dated November 28, > The first group of pilgrims traveling by air to* Iran via Baghdad in the spring of i938. > Taken at the Haifa Aerodrome with members of the Baha'i Community. The trip from > Tihran to 'Akka which took four months in the days of BahaVllah is now accomplished > in seven hours' flying time. > > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 585 > > 1931) the Guardian analyzes the existing 1921. 66 pp. Bound in cloth and also > international political, economic and so- bound in blue paper. > cial problems, points to the signs of im- The Unfoldment of World Civilization. By > pending chaos, and emphasizes the guiding the Guardian of the Faith. A letter dated > principles gi world order established by March 11, 1936 giving an analysis of the > Baha'u'llah. The goal of world federation death of the old order and the birth of the > is upheld, and 'Abdu'l-Baha's prophecy of new. 46 pp. Paper covers. > the failure of the present civilization is The World Religion. A brief outline of the > called to the attention of Baha'is. (Re- aims, teachings and history of the Baha'i > printed from Bahd'i Administration.) 32 Faith. > > pp. Paper covers. > The Golden Age of the Cause of Babd'u'lldh. (f) PRAYERS > The Guardian's letter (dated March 21, *Bahd'i Prayers. The Bab, Baha'u'llah and > 1932) referring to the spiritual impor- 'Abdu'1-Baha. A large collection of > tance of America in the new world order, prayers, newly compiled, to meet the needs > the progressive character of divine Revela- of the spiritual life of today. 210 pp. > tion, the station of the Bab, the release 16 mo., 3% x 6. > Bound in blue cloth > of spiritual forces for human regenera- and bound in blue paper. > also > > tion, and the non-political character of *Bahd'i Prayers by Bahd'u'lldh and 'Abdu'lthe Baha'i Faith. (Reprinted from Ba- Bahd. 16 pp., 3 /2 x 5. Gray paper cover. > * > hd'i Administration.) 24 pp. Paper Prayers, Tablets, Instructions, etc., gathcovers. ered by American visitors in 'Akka, 1900. > America and the Most Great Peace. A letter * > Prayers Revealed by Babd'u'lldb. Conaddressed to American Baha'is, dated April taining also prayers revealed by 'Abd- > 21, 1933 (not included in the present edi- u'l-Baha. 108 pp., 3 x 5/2- Black paper > tion of Bahd'i Administration). This cover. > communication summarizes the forty Bahd'i Prayers. Prayers revealed by Baha'- > years of American Baha'i History (1893- u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha. 34 pp. Paper > 1933), and develops in greater detail than covers. > in the preceding letter, the responsibility > BAHA'i LITERATURE IN > laid upon America in the divine plan for (g) > the establishment of universal peace. 28 PAMPHLET FORM > pp. Paper covers. 'Abdu'l-Babd's First Days in America, inti- > The Dispensation of Bahd'u'lldh. A letter mate and beautiful glimpses of the Master, > addressed to the Baha'is of the West, dated from the diary of Juliet Thompson. 40 > February 7, 1934 (not included in the pp. Printed by The Roycrofters. Paper > present edition of Bahd'i Administration) . cover. > In this letter the Guardian of the Baha'i ''''Addresses, by ]indb-i-Fddil. Booklets. 5 > > Faith clarifies, with numerous quotations Nos. Translated by Ahmad Sohrab. > from Baha'i sacred writings, the spiritual Seattle, 1921. > * > station and mission of Baha'u'llah, the Addresses delivered before the New York > Bab, 'Abdu'1-Baha, and the nature of the and Chicago Assemblies, by 'Abdu'l- > World Order which Baha'u'llah established. Karim Effendi. Translated by Ahmad > In this statement, prepared by the one au- Sohrab. Persian-American Publishing Co., > thorized in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testa- Los Angeles, 1924. > ment to be the sole interpreter of Baha'i *'Akkd Lights, by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. > writings, students of the Cause possess the Hannen. > first complete and authentic outline and Bahd'i Benediction, The. Music and words > summary of the Baha'i Faith in its devel- by Louise R. Waite. > opment from the Announcement of the *Bahd'j Calendar for 1932. Consisting of > Bab in 1844 to the Administrative Order twelve sheets of colored cardboard stock, > defined by 'Abdu'1-Baha for the era fol- one for each month, with Baha'i dates, > lowing His departure from this world in feasts, anniversaries and quotations in ad- > 586 THE BAHA'f WORLD > dition to the monthly calendar. Compiled codification of secondary administrative > and arranged by Doris Holley. 9x12. material. 80 loose leaf sheets. > * > * Bahd'i Census. United States Govern- Bahd'i Religion, The, a reprint of the two > ment pamphlet showing the registration Baha'i papers presented at the Conference > of the Baha'is as an organized religious on Some Living Religions within the Britbody. ish Empire. Paper, 24 pp. > * Bahd'i * > Faith, The, by a Methodist Layman, Bahd'i Revelation, The, by Thornton Chase. > questions and answers suggested by per- Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1909. > sonal experience. *Babd'i Revelation and Reconstruction, The, > Baha'i faith, The, by Horace Holley. An by Charles Mason Remey. Baha'i Pub- > > explanation of the nature of the world- lishing Society, Chicago, 1919. > * > wide Baha'i community. Bahd'i Teachings, by Charles Mason Remey. > The Bahd'i House of Worship. A brief (Seven bound pamphlets.) Washington, > description of the Baha'i Temple at D. C, 1917. > Wilmette, Illinois, quoting words of *Bahd'u'lldh and His Message, by J. E. Essle- > 'Abdu'1-Baha on the spiritual significance mont, briefly outlining t^ie spiritual mesof Baha'i Houses of Worship, with an sage of the New Day. > * > outline of Baha'i history and 'Abdu'l- Before Abraham Was 1 Am, by Thornton > Baha's summary of Baha'i teachings. Chase, an explanation of the Station of the > Illustrated. 8 pp. Prophet. > * * > Bahd'i Hymnal, words and music by Louise Bird's Eye View of the World in the Year > R. Waite. Paper. 2000, a reprint of article by Orrol Harper > * in The Bahd'i Magazine. > Bahd'i Indexes, by Charles Mason Remey. > * > Newport, R. I., 1923. Brief Account of My Visit to 'Akkd, A, > * > Bahd'i Manuscripts, by Charles Mason Re- by Mary L. Lucas. Baha'i Publishing So- > > mey. Newport, R. I., 1923. ciety, Chicago, 1905.* > * Bahd'i * > Martyrdoms in Persia in the Year Brilliant Proof, The, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl > 1903 A. D., by Haji Mirza Haydar-'Ali. of Gulpayigan, a refutation of an attack > Translated by Yu'nis Khan. Baha'i Pub- on the Cause by a Protestant missionary. > lishing Society, Chicago, 1907. Contains both English and Iranian text. > * > Bahd'i Movement, The. Articles originally *Call of God, The, by George La timer, the > published in Vedic Magazine of Lahore. significance of the return of the Messen- > J. L. Zuahlen, Vesey, 1916. ger. > * * > Bahd'i Movement, The: Its Spiritual Dy- Chapter on Strikes, a supplement to "Some > namic, by Albert Vail, reprint of a maga- Answered Questions." > * > zine article. Compilation, No. 9, available in: English, > Bahd'i Movement, The. A pamphlet outlin- Esperanto, French, German, Italian, Spaning the history and aims of the Cause, ish, Chinese, Hungarian, Yiddish. > { > with a statement on Baha'i Administra- Constructive Principles of the Bahd'i > tion and many quotations from the Writ- Movement, by Charles Mason Remey. > ings. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1917. > * * > Bahd'i Movement in Its Social Economic Daily Lessons Received at 'Akkd 1908, by > Aspect, The, by Helen Campbell. Baha'i Helen S. Goodall and Ella G. Cooper. > Publishing Society, Chicago, 1915. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1908. > * > Bahd'i Movement, The, by Charles Mason *Dawn of Knowledge and the Most Great > Remey. Washington, D. C., 1912. Peace, by Paul Kingston Dealy. The Ba- > * > Bahd'i Persecutions in Persia, reprint of let- ha'i Cause and ancient prophecy. > ter written to the Shah of Persia, Rida Declaration of Trust, and By-Laws of the > Shah Pahlavi, July, 1926, by the National National Spiritual Assembly of the Ba- > Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of the hd'is of the United States and Canada, > United States and Canada. with amendments adopted to April 1, > Bahd'i Procedure. Compiled by the National 1933. The legal instrument defining the > Spiritual Assembly. A compilation and nature and functions of the institutions > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 587 > > existing in the American Baha'i commu- l. Farewell address. Baha'i Assembly, > > nity, with the By-Laws approved for > use Washington. > * of lecby Local Spiritual Assemblies. (Reprinted Lectures by Jindb-i-Fddil, a series > > from Babd'i Administration.) 24 pp., tures by a scholar appointed by 'Abdu'l- > 6x9. Paper covers. Bah to teach the principles of the Baha'i > * Cause in America. Vols. 2, 3, 4, and > Divine Revelation, the Basis of Civilization, 5 > > by Antun Haddad. Board of Council, only. > New York, 1902. Lessons in Religion, by Shaykh Muhammad- > * > Early Pilgrimage, An, 1898, by May Max- 'Ali Qa'ini, prepared especially for chilwell. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, dren. Translated by Edith Ruhiyyih > 1917. Sanderson. > Economics as Social Creation, by Horace '''Letter from Honolulu, by Charles Mason > Holley. 32 pp. Remey. Privately printed. Feb. 17, 1917. > * * > Episodes in Life, by Munirih Khanum. > My Letter written on behalf of the "friends" > Translated by Ahmad Sohrab. Persian- of Isfahan, Persia, to the American Be- > American Publishing Co., Los Angeles, lievers, by Mirza 'Abdu'l-Husayn. > >>f > > 1924. Light of the World, by a group of Pilgrims. > First Obligation, The,by Lady Blomfield. The Tudor Press, Boston, 1920. > * * Mart > Flowers Culled from the Rose Garden of mists' Report, by M. Gabriel Sasi. An > Akkd by Three Pilgrims in 1908. address concerning the Baha'i Religion de- > *From the World's Greatest Prisoner to His livered at the Paris Exposition of 1900. > * > Prison Friends, by Israel Fraser-Chamber- Martyrdoms in Persia in 1905, by Haji > lain. Tudor Press, Boston, 1916. Mirza Haydar-'Ali, relating the circum- > 'f > God and His Manifestations (compiled by stances in which seventy Persian Baha'is > Mrs. J. W. Gift), an outline for the study were martyred. > of such Baha'i topics as the need of a *Map Showing Travels of the Bab and > Manifestation, the signs of His appearance, Babd'u'lldh. Drawn by J. F. Clevenger, > His influence upon civilization, the proofs 1927, ll/zxH^. > * > of His cause, etc. Paper covers. Maxims of Babd'ism, by Antun Haddad. > * > Green Acre, a reprint of articles published Board of Council, New York. > in The Babd't Magazine. of the Kingdom of God, The, by > ''''Message > * > Heavenly Feast, A, by Charles and Mariam James F. Brittingham. 1907. > * > Haney. Message from 'Akkd, Antun Haddad. > * Most Great Peace, The, by Marion Holley. > Heavenly Vista, A, by Louis G. Gregory. > * > Homoculture, by Stanwood Cobb. Notes Taken at 'Akkd, by Corrine True. > Index to Babd't News. A key to the con- Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1907. > * > tents of Bahd'i News from December, Observations of a Bahd'i Traveler, by > 1924, to November, 1933: No. 1 to Mason Remey. > Charles Washington, > No. 79. Paper cover, mimeographed, D. Q, 1914. > 58 pp. Oneness of Mankind, The. Selections from > Index to Babd't News. A key to the con- words of BahaVllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha on > tents of Bahd'i News from i934 to 1936: compiled by Louis G. > interracial amity, > No. 80 to No. 104. Paper cover, mimeo- Gregory and Mariam Haney. 64 pp., > graphed, 25 pp. paper cover. > *In Spirit and in Truth, by A. S. Agnew. The Oneness of Mankind, by Hussein Rab- > *Knock and It Shall Be Opened Unto You, bani. An exposition of the Baha'i teachby Roy and M. J. M. ings on the unity of races. 24 pp. Self > *In Memoriam (Miss Lillian F. Kappers and cover. > Dr. Sarah Clock) by Dr. Susan I. Moody, > , ^Passing of 'Abdu'l-Babd, The, by Lady > Union Press, Camp Karachi. Blomfield and Shoghi Effendi. > *In Galilee, by Thornton Chase. An inter- Principles of the Babd't Faith. The new ediesting account of a visit to Haifa in 1907. tion of the little blue "No. 9" Compila- > * > Knowing God Through Love, by Abu'l- tion. > 588 THE BAHA'f WORLD > An * > The Path to God, by Dorothy Baker. Universal Consciousness of the Bahd'i Re- > > explanation of the Baha'i teachings on the ligion, by Charles Mason Remey. > * Movespiritual development caused by turning Universal Principles of the Bahd'i > to the Manifestation of God. 24 pp. Self ment. Persian- American Bulletin, Washcover. ington, D. C., 1912. > * * > Races of Men Many or One, The, com- Visit to "Abbas Effendi in 1899, by Marpiled by Louis G. Gregory. 40 pp., paper garet B. Peake. Grief Press, Chicago, 1911. > covers. *What Is a Bahd'i? by Dr. J. E. Esslemont. > *Rays from the Sun of Truth, Ida Finch. Americanedition published by Louis > '''Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh, The, Isabella D. Bourgeois, Chicago, 1921. > Brittingham. Baha'i Publishing Society, What Is the Bahd'i Faith? A > brief explana- > > Chicago, 1902. tion by the late Dr. J. E. Esslemont, au- > * > Spirit of World Unity, The, selections from thor of "Baha'u'llah and the New Era." > words of 'Abdu'1-Baha in America on re- Available in many languages. > ligious, racial and scientific subjects. 24 *What Went Ye Out For to See? by Thornpp. Paper covers. ton Chase, a letter written in reply to an > * > Spiritual Opportunities of the Bahd'is of inquiry from a Christian. > * > the United States and Canada, selections Whence? Why? Whither? Man! Things! > from words of 'Abdu'1-Baha. The Na- Other Things! by Arthur Pillsbury Dodge. > tional Spiritual Assembly. Ariel Press, Westwood, Mass., 1907. > * > *Star of the West, November, 1925, Peace World Economy of Bahd'u'lldh, The, by > Number. Horace Holley. Baha'i Publishing Comby Antun Had- The Baha'i explanation of > :J > Station of Manifestation, mittee, 1931. > dad. current world depression and unrest, with > ' f > Tab\e Talks. Regarding Reincarnation and a summary of the principles revealed by > other subjects. Baha'u'llah to make possible international > *TaUe Talks at 'Akkd, by 'Abdu'1-Baha order, peace and social justice. 32 pp. > 'Abbas, by Arthur S. Agnew. Baha'i Pub- Paper covers. > lishing Society, Chicago, 1907. > * > Table Talks with 'Abdul-Bahd, by Mr. and (h) COMPILATIONS > Mrs. George Winterburn. Baha'i Publish- ''Bahd'i Cause. Eight-page pamphlet preing Society, Chicago, 1908. pared by the National Teaching Commit- > * > Tablet on Universal Peace, a letter written tee. Baha'i Publishing Society, 1924. > 'f > > by 'Abdu'1-Baha in 1919 to the Central Bahd'i Calendar. Daily excerpts from the > Organization for a Durable Peace. writings of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha. > * > Tablets to Japan, a collection of letters Privately printed in Honolulu, New York > written by 'Abdu'1-Baha to Japanese and and other cities. > * > to Americans serving the Cause in Japan. Bahd'i House of Worship. Description of > Foreword by Agnes Alexander. the Bahd'i Temple with Illustrations. By > * > Through Warring Countries to the Moun- Charles Mason Remey. Baha'i Publishing > tain of God, by Charles Mason Remey. Society, Chicago, 1917. > 'f > Private printing. Bahd'i Hymns and Poems, by Louise R. > *True Gardener, The (from notes by Waite. Baha'i Publishing Society, Chi- > L.H.C.B.). Rangoon Standard Press, cago, 1904, New York, 1927. > ' f > 1930. Bahd'i Message. Compiled by Horace Hol- > *Ten Days in the Light of 'Akkd, by Julia ley, Chicago, 1920. > M. Grundy. Baha'i Publishing Society, Bahd'i Scriptures. Compiled by Horace > Chicago, 1907. Holley, Brent ano's, New York, 1923. > * > Twelve articles introductory to the study Baha'i Publishing Committee, New York, > of the Bahd'i teachings, by Charles Mason 1929. > * > Remey. Bahd'i Temple. Reprint of press comments > * > Unity Through Love, by Howard Mac- and Temple symbolism. Published by > Nutt. Louis Bourgeois, Chicago, 1921. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 589 > > * > '''Compilation. Concerning the Most Great Views of Haifa, 'Akkd, M/. Carmel and > Peace. Tudor Press, Boston, 1918. Other Places. Baha'i Publishing Society, > ''''Compilation No. 9. Available in different Chicago. > languages. > * > Compilation of Utterances from the Pen of (i) OUTLINES AND GUIDES FOR > Abdu'l-Babd Regarding His Station. 19 BAHA'f STUDY CLASSES > pp. November 26; 1906. Bahd'i Lesson Outline for Children. A > '-'Divine Pearls. Compiled by Victoria Bedi- series of thirty-six lessons in four sections, > > kian. for teachers holding Baha'i study and dis- > *Dream of God, The. By Albert Durrant cussion classes for children. The course > Watson. A poem. Baha'i Publishing So- has been planned for weekly classes over a > > ciety. Chicago, 1922. period of nine months. Complete series > > Foundations of World Unity. Compiled by (four sections) . > > Horace Holley, New York, 1927. Bahd'i Study Course. An invaluable aid for > Garden of the Hearty The. Compiled by individual students of the Teachings, and > Frances Esty. for Baha'i Communities and Groups who > *God and His Manifestations. Compiled by desire to follow a definite course of study. > Mrs. M. H. Gift. The Course may be obtained with or with- > ''''God's Heroes. By Laura Clifford Barney. out the three books needed for reference. > A drama. Lippincott, London and Phila- Study Course with Babd'u'lldh and the > delphia, 1910. New Era, Wisdom of Abdu'l-Bahd and > > '''Hymns of Peace and Praise. By Louise R. Foundations of World Unity. > Waitc. Chicago, 1910. *Bahd't Teachings Concerning Christ. Com- > 'Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr. By Charles Mason Re- piled by the Outline Bureau of the Na- > >l > > mey. Five preliminary sketches. Pri- tional Teaching Committee, 1928-1929. > > vately printed. '"Bahd'i Teachings on Economics. A com- > ': > > 'Mashriqn'l-Adhkdr. By Charles Mason pilation prepared by the National Teach- > Remey. (Baha'i House of Worship.) ing Committee. 16 pp. > Privately printed. The Dispensation of Bahd'u'lldh. Compiled > *Mas])rtqti'l-Adhkdr and the Bahd'i Move- by Study Outline Committee. A study > ment. By Jean Masson. Baha'i Publish- outline. 14 pp. > ing Society, Chicago, 1921. ''Material and Divine Civilization. Compiled > *Most Great Peace, The. From the utter- by the Outline Bureau of the National > ances of BahaVllah and *Abdu'l-Baha. Teaching Committee, 1930. > Tudor Press, Boston, 1916. '''Outlines for Study of Scriptures, compiled > > Oneness of Mankind, The. A > compilation by the Outline Bureau of the National > of the utterances of BahaVllah and 'Abd- Baha'i classes and meetings, compiled by > u'l-Baha by Mariam Haney and Louis Louis G. Gregory. Mimeographed. > * > Gregory, to assist the progress of inter- Questions and Topics for Discussion in Baracial amity, 1927. ha'i and meetings, compiled by > classes > * > Prayers Revealed by Bahd'u'lldb and Abd- Louis G. Gregory. Mimeographed. > 11 l-Bahd. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Study Guide for The Dawn-Breakers. An > Boston, 1923. aid for classes and individuals in making > > ''''Prospectus of a Series of Five Lectures upon a careful study of this historical Work. > the Bahd'i Movement, by Charles Mason Study Outline for Kitdb-i-fqdn. (Book of > Remey. Certitude.) > * > Racial Amity. Compiled by M. H. and Study Outline on Public Speaking. Mimeo- > M. M. graphed. > * * > Thoughts That Build. By Rev. J. Storer. Study of Outlines of Science, compiled by > Macmillan Co., New York, 1924. the Outline Bureau of the National Baha'i > * Move- > Universal Principles of the Bahd'i Teaching Committee. Mimeographed. > ment Economic, Governmental. > Social, Study Outline on the Essential Principles of > Persian- American Bulletin, 1912. Creative Writing. Mimeographed. > 590, THE BAHA'f WORLD > Twenty Lessons in Bahd't Administration. valuable supplement to the Baha'i Study > 28 pp. Course and for the individual research of > Twenty Lessons in the Bahd'i Revelation. A advanced Qdha'i students. > > 2. > > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS OF ENGLAND > *' > Abdu'l-Bahd in London. Addresses deliv- > Universal Religion, The, by Hippolyte Dreyered by 'Abdu'1-Baha during His visit in fus, an introductory work on the Baha'i > London, with description of His life and Cause by a French orientalist who has > activities. translated many of the writings of Baha'- > Bahft Faith, The, by G. Palgrave Simpson. u'llah. > Bahd'i: Spirit of the Age, The 9 by Horace > JJniversal Religion, The, by E. T. Hall. Na- > Holley. (See list one.) Published by tional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > > Kegan, Paul. the British Isles, 1927. > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, by J. E. Essle- * > Unity Triumphant, by Elizabeth Herrick. > mont. (See list > one.) Published by The Revelation of BahaVllah as the ful- > George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. fillment of Christianity, with extensive > Brief Account of the Bahd'i Movement, by quotations and bibliography. Published > Ethel J. Rosenberg. Published by Burn- by Kegan, Paul. > side, Ltd. ^Reconciliation of Races and Religions, The, > Coming of "The Glory," The, by Florence E. by Thomas Kelly Cheyne, Dr. Lit., D.D. > Pinchon. Published by Simpkin, Marshall, Religions of the Empire, edited by W. Lof- > Hamilton, Kent & Co., Ltd., London. tus Hare. Published by Duckworth > (Lon- > Drama of the Kingdom, The, by Mrs. Basil don). Addresses delivered by representa- > Hall, London, 1933. tives of > the several religions invited to > God's Heroes, by Laura Clifford Barney. participate in the Conference on Some > (See list one.) Living Religions Within the British Em- > Hidden Words of Bahd'u'llah. list > pire, held at the > (See Imperial Institute, Lonone.) don, England, from September 22 to Oc- > Life and Teachings of 'Abbas Effendi, The, tober 3, 1924. Includes two papers read > by Myron H. Phelps. Published by Put- on the Baha'i Cause. 519 pp. Cloth > nam & Sons. cover. > Meditations of a Bahd't Christian, by E. T. Some Answered Questions. list > (See one.) > Hall. C. E. Bennett & Co., Manchester, Published by Kegan, Paul. > 1912. Traveller's Narrative, A. The Episode of > Modern Social Religion, The, by Horace the Bab translated by Prof. E. G. Browne, > Holley. Published by Sidgwick & Jack- M.A., F.B.A., M.R.A.S. Cambridge Unison. 1912. > versity Press. > Mysterious Forces of Civilization, The. (See *Wk*t Is a Bahd't? by J. E. Esslemont, a relist one.) print of chapter three of his larger work. > Paris Talks. (See list one, "The Wisdom of Published by Burnside, Ltd. > 'Abdu'1-Baha.") Published by G. Bell & *Wise Man from The East, A, by Felicia R. > Son. Scatchard. The Unity Press. London, > Passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. (See list one.) 1912. > Promise of All Ages, The, by *Year with the Bahd'is in India and Burma, > "Christophil." > Published by Simpkin, Marshall, Ltd., A, by Sidney Sprague. The Priory Press, > 1934. > London, 1908. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 591 > > 3 . > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN FRENCH > Babd'u'lldb et l'$,re nouvelle. Geneve, 1932. Les Lemons de Saint-Jean d'Acre (Some An- > Du Kegne de Dieu et de I'Agneau, par Ga- swered Questions) . Recueillies par Laura > 12 Juin, 1902 (brochure). > briel Sacy. Clifford Barney. Traduction f ran^aise > Essai sur le Babd'isme, son Histoire, sa Par- par Hippolyte Dreyfus. > fee sociale, par Hippolyte Dreyfus. 2eme *Les Precedes du Babd'isme, traduit par H. > edition. Librairie Ernest Leroux, Paris, Dreyfus et H. Chirazi. 1906. > 1934. Le vrai Babd'i. Le cinquieme Chapitre de > Le Bayan Arabe, traduit par A. L. M. Nico- Babd'u'lldb and The New Era. Traduclas. Librairie Ernest Leroux, Paris. tion par Edward Roscoe Mathews (bro- > Le Bayan Penan, traduit par A. L. M. Nico- chure) . > > las. Librairie Geuthner, Paris. 4 vol- UOeuvre* de Babd'u'lldb, traduction franumes: 1911 a 1914. gaise par Hippolyte Dreyfus: Tome I: > Le But d'un Nouvel OrJre Mondial, lettre La tres sainte Tablette. Les Paroles > de Shoghi EfFendi. Traduction de Le*on cachees.Les Sept Vallees du Voyage vers > Karakeya. Librairie Ernest Leroux, Paris, Dieu. La Lettre sur le Bayan. Tome II: > 1936 (brochure). Le Temple de Dieu. Les Lettres aux > L'fcconomie Mondiale de Babd'u'lldh, par Souverains. Tome III: Le Livre de la > > Horace Holley. Traduction de Gabriel Certitude (Kitabou'l Iqan). Librairie > des Hons. 2eme edition. Paris, 1936 Ernest Leroux, Paris. > * > (brochure). Paroles Caches, 1905. > Le Machreqou'l-Azkar, d'lchqabad, par Tablette de Bahd'u'lldh, ecrite a Adrianople > A. L. M. Nicolas, Paris, 1902. pour un des Croyants de Qazvin (bro- > Le Machreqou'l-Azkar, d'Achqabad, par chure) . > > Hippolyte Dreyfus. Librairie Ernest Le- Trots des Persans, par 'Abdu'l- > Lettres a > roux, Paris, 1909 (brochure). Baha, Juin-Juillet, 1907 (brochure). > y > L'fipitre an Fils du Loup, par Baha'u- Vers l Apogee de la Race Humaine, lettre > 'llah. Traduction franchise par Hippo- de Shoghi Effendi traduite de 1'anglais. > lyte Dreyfus. Librairie Ernest Leroux, Librairie Ernest Leroux, Paris, 1936 > Paris. (brochure). > > 4. > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN ITALIAN > Babd'u'lldb e la Nuova Era. Translation of Baha'i Principles as given by 'Abdu'l- > J. E. Esslemont's book. Baha at various times, taken from Paris > ff > Cbe Cosa e il Movimento Babd'i?" (Leaf- , > Talks and other sources. 1925. Florence. > let.) Parole Velate (Hidden Words). Florence, > Discorsi di 'Abdu'l-Babd (Paris Talks). 1926. > / Principii Baha'i. Booklet translation of the Some Answered Questions (in preparation). > > 5 . > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN DUTCH > Alegmeene Beginselen der Baha'i Beweging. > ff > Babd'u'lldb and the New Era." Rotter- > Amsterdam, 1914. dam, 1933. > A of the has > for the > > Baha'i Press Book for the year 1936-1937, United States'and Canada, compiled by the > Publicity Committee > > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 593 > > De Verborgen Woorden (Hidden Words), Pamphlets and Leaflets in Dutch Taal pub- > Rotterdam, 1932. lished in Pretoria, S. A. > > Kitab-i-fqan. Rotterdam, 1937. > > 6. > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN DANISH > Babd'it'lldbag harts Bndskab (Baha'u'llah livad er Babd't Bevagehen (What is the > and His Message), by J. E. Esslemont. Baha'i Movement?), by J. E. Esslemont. > Translated into Danish by Johanne Sor- Translated into Danish by Johanne Sorenensen. Copenhagen. December, 1926. sen. Copenhagen. April, 1926. > "Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era.' > Nyt Nor- Kitdb-i-iqdn (manuscript), > disk Forlag. Copenhagen, 1932. Hidden Words (in manuscript) . > > 7. > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN SWEDISH > Babd'n'llah and the New Era, 1932. K/fdb-i-fcjdn. Helsingfors, 1936. > > 8 . > > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN PORTUGUESE > Bahd'n'lldhE La Nova Era, por Dr. J. E. A Maior Paz. Santos, 1922. > Esslemont. Officinas Graphicas de Fonseca Paris Talks. Para, Brazil, 1923. > Filho & Co., Rua Cruzeiro de S. Fran- Que e o Movimento Babd'i (pamphlet). > cisco No. 16, Bahia, Brazil. Principles of Bahd'i faith (pamphlet 9). > Kifdb-/-1t]dn (manuscript). Some Answered Questions (manuscript). > Hidden Words (manuscript). > > 9. > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN ALBANIAN > Fjale Te Fsbebiira (Hidden Words), New Kitdb-i-lqdn y Tirane, 1932. > York. Detyrat e Dornosdoshe Besnikvet Bahd't, > Baba'u'llab and the New Era, Tirane, 1933. 1932. Libri i Beses, Tirane, 1932. > > 1 0. > BAHA'i PUBLICATIONS IN ESPERANTO > Baha'u'llah: Kasitaj vorto], el la perso lingvo Kasitaj vorto], el la angla lingvo tradukis > tradukis Lutfu'llah S. Hakim, John E. Vasily J. Erosenko, Japanujo, loko kaj > Esslemont, London, Brita Esperantista jaro ne indikataj, 8, 23 pp. > Asocio, jaro ne indik^ta, 8, 39 pp. 'Abdu'1-Baha: Bahaj (Bahaaj!) irjstruoj, > 594 THE BAHA'f WORLD > loko kaj jaro ne indikataj, 8, 16 pp. Root, Martha: Bahaaj sciencaj pruvoj de > Kompilajo, vortoj de BahaVllah kaj 'Ab- vivo post morto. Praha, 1927, 8, 7 pp. > du'1-Baha, Wandsbek, Germany, Bahaa Bahaaj pruvoj de vivo post morto, Wands- > Esperanto-Eldonejo, jaro ne indikata, 8, bek, Germany, Bahaa Esperanto-Eldonejo, > 16 pp. 1928, 8, 8 pp. > Esslemont, Dr. J. E.: Bahd'u'lldh kaj la nova S.S.: La Hist or to de I'Babafa (Bahaa!) Moepoko, el la angla originalo tradukita de vado, Universala Fido, esperantigita de > Lidja Zamenhof, Weinheim (Germany), William W. Mann, London, the Priory > Baha'i Esperanto-Eldonejo, 1930, 8, 191 Press, 1907, 8, 24 pp. > pp. Lidja Zamenhof: Homo, Dio, Profeto, Wein- > Keligio kaj Scienco lau la lumo de la Ba- heim, Bahaa Esperanto-Eldonejo, 1931, > haja (bahaa!) rivelajo, London, Brita Es- 8, 8 pp. > perantista Asocio, 1919, 8, 28 pp. Kio estas la Bahaa movado? Genf, 1925, 8, > Babd'u'lldh kaj Lia Misio, Hamburg, Es- 8 pp. > peranto Komitato de la Bahaa Movado. Kio estas la Bahaa movado? Wandsbek, jaro > 1926, 8, 22 pp. ne indikata, 8, 4 pp. > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: La esenco de La Nova Tago. La internacia bahaa esperla Bahaismo, Wandsbek, Bahaa Esperanto- anto-gazeto. Weinheim (Germany), Ba- > Eldonejo, 1929, 8, 8 pp. haa Esperanto-Eldonejo. Quarterly since > Historic, instruoj kaj valoro de la Bahd'i- 1925. > movado. Hamburg, Esperanto Komitato Paris Talks of 'AbdtSl-Bahd. Weinheim, > de la Bahaa-movado, 1925, 8, 8 pp. Baden, 1932. > Kliemke, Dr. Ernst: Babaismo kaj politiko, Kitdb-i-lqdn (manuscript). > la stata idealo lau la instruoj de Baha'u- Some Answered Questions (in manuscript). > 'llah, Wandsbek, Germany, Bahaa Esperanto-Eldonejo, 1929, 8, 8 pp. For information on German and Esperanto > Muhlschlegel, Adelbert: Parolado en la dua Baha'i literature and magazines please ad- > Bahaa kunveno Jum la XV III a Univer- dress Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Weinheim > sala Kongreso de Esperanto en Genevo, (Bergstrasse), Friedrich-Voglerstrasse, 4, > > Stuttgart, 1925, 8, 4 pp. Germany. > > 1 1 . > > BAH A 'I PUBLICATIONS IN RUSSIAN > Babd'u'llab and the New Era. Printed in Kitdb-i-tqdn. Riga, Pils iela 14, 1933. > Latvia, 1930. Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Baku, 1909. > Lessons in Religion, by Shaykh Muhammad- ' > Talk about Babd'j faith. Baku. > 'Ali Qa'ini. 'Isjiqabad, 1912. Talk of 'Abdu'l-Bahd in New York. 'Ishqa- > Bahd'u'lldh, by Isabel Grinevskaya. Lenin- bad, 1922. > grad, 1912. Tablet to the Hague, by 'Abdul-Baha. > Batiiyyat, by M. Blanovsky. Moscow, 1914. London, 1922. > Hidden Words of Babd'u'llah. Riga, 1934. No. 9. (Compilation.) New York, N. Y. > Some Answered Questions (manuscript). > > 1 2. > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN GERMAN > Baha'u'llah:Tablett von hhrdqdt, Tablett leftvon Tajalliyat, Probe Botscbaften. > von Tardzdt, Worfe des Paradieses, Tab- Aus dem Englischen von A. Braun und E. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 595 > > Ruoff. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der Baha'i- von Fanny A. Knobloch. 1906, ohne > Vereinigung. 1912, 8, 73 p. Angabe des Ortes, 8, 8 p. > BahaVllah: Frohe Botschaften, Worte des Baha'fperlen (Worte von Baha'u'llah und > Paradieses, Tablett Tardzat, Tablett Ta- 'Abdu'1-Baha). Stuttgart, Verlag des > j alii yat, Tablett Ishrdqdt. Nach der Eng- Deutschen Baha'i-Bundes, 1921, 8, 16 p. > lischen Uebersetzung von 'Ali-Kuli 'Abdu'1-Baha: Religion und Philosopbie, > Khan, Deutsch von W. Herrigel. Stutt- 1911, Paris. > gart, Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i- Shoghi Effendi: Die Weltordnung von > Bundes, 1921, 8, 123 p. Babd'u'lldb. Aus dem Englischen. Her- > BahaVllah: Verborgene Worte, Worte der ausgegeben vom Deutschen Baha'i-Na- > Weisbcit und Gebete. Aus dem Engli- tionalrat, Stuttgart, Marz 1930, 8, 15 p. > schen von A. Braun und E. Ruoff. Stutt- Shoghi Eflfendi: An die Geliebten des Herrn > gart, Verlag der Baha'i-Vereinigung, und an die Dienerinnen des Barmberzigen > 1916, 8, 104 p. in der ganzen Welt. Aus dem Englischen. > BahaVllah: Verborgcne Worte, Worte der Herausgegeben vom Deutschen Baha'i- > Weisheit und Gebete. Nach der Engli- Nationalrat, Stuttgart, April 1930 (verschen Uebersetzung von Shoghi Effendi, vielfaltigt), Folio, 17 p. > Deutsch von Alice Schwarz und W. Bahiyyih Khanum: Brief an die Freunde > Herrigel. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen Gottes und an die Dienerinnen des Barm- > Baha'i-Bundes, 1924, 8, 109 p. herzigen im Abendland. Aus dem En- > Baha'u'llah: Das belli ge Tablett, geoffenbart glischen von A. Schwarz. Ohne Angabe > in Baghdad. Aus dem Englischen von des Ortes und des Jahres. 8, 4 p. > W. Herrigel. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der und Shoghi Effendi: Das > Blomfield, Sitarih, > Baha'i-Vereinigung, 1911, 8, 8 p. Hinscheiden 'Abdu'l-Bahd's. Ohne An- > Baha'u'llah: Das Tablett vom TLweig. Aus gabe des Ortes und des Jahres, 8, 32 p. > dem Englischen von Fr. Schweizer. Her- Brittingham, Isabella D.: Die Offenbarung > ausgegeben von den Baha'is in Zuffen- von Bahd'u'lldh. Aus dem Englischen von > hausen. Ohne Jahr, 8, 8 p. W. Herrigel. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Evangelium der Liebe und des Baha'i-Vereinigung, 1910, 8, 47 p. > Friedens fiir unsere 'Lett (Ansprachen in Carpenter, Marion: Majnun und Layld. > Paris) . Aus dem Englischen von W. Her- Nach Baha'u'llah's Erzahlung in den > rigel. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der Baha'i- "Sieben Talern." Deutsch von E. M. Gr. > Vereinigung. 1914, 8, 172 p. und Dr. H. Gr. Wandsbek, Weltgemein- > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Ansprachen, gehalten im schaft 1926, 8, 8 p. > Herbst 1911 in Paris. Aus dem Engli- Chase, Thornton: Die Babd'ioffenbarung. > schen von W. Herrigel. Stuttgart, Verlag Aus dem Englischen von W. Herrigel. > des Deutschen Baha'i-Bundes, 1921, 8, Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i- > 196 p. Bundes, 1925, 8, XVI + 168 p. > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Beantwortete Fragen. Nach Chase, Thornton: Ehe Abraham war, war > der Englischen Ausgabe von L. Clifford Icb. Aus dem Englischen von W. Her- > Barney, Deutsch von W. Herrigel. Stutt- rigel. Stuttgart, Verlag der Baha'igart. Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i- Vereinigung. Ohne Jahr, 8, 8 p. > Bundes G.m.b.H. 1929, 8, VIII und Dreyfus, Dr. Hippolyte: Einheits-Religion. > 392 p. Ihre Wirkung auf Staat, Erziehung, So- > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Eine Botscbaft an die Juden. zialpolitik, Frauenrechte und auf die ein- > Aus dem Englischen von W. Herrigel. zelne Personlichkeit. Deutsch von W, > im Selbstverlag der Baha'i- > Stuttgart, Herrigel. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen > Vereinigung. 1913, 8, 15 p. Baha'i-Bundes, 1920, 8, 40 p. > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Tabelle (Tablets) allgemeiner Dreyfus, Dr. Hippolyte: Bdbismus und > Belebrung. Deutsch von Fanny Knobloch. Babd'fsmus. Deutsch von Margarete > 1906, ohne Angabe des Ortes, , 12 p. Platte. Frankfurt a.M. Neuer Frank- > *Abdu'l-Baha: Tabelle (Tablets) an die Ge- furter Verlag G.m.b.H., 1909, 8, 61 p. > liebten Gottes des Abendlandes. Deutsch Esslemont, Dr. John E.: Baba'u'llab und Jas > 596 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Neue 'Lett alter. Deutsch von H. K. und Hartmann, Pauline: Bahd'i -Weltanschauung. > W. H. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen Verlag des Geistigen Nationalrats der > Baha'i-Bundes, 1927, 8, VIII -f 431 p. Deutschen Baha'i. E. V., 8, 24 p. > Esslemont, Dr. John E.: Was hi ein Babd'f? W. H.: Die Bahd'i-Bewegung im Allge- > Aus dem Englischen iibersetzt und her- meinen und ihre grossen Wirkungen in > ausgegeben von der Baha'i-Arbeitsge- Indien. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen > meinschaft Esslingen. Ohne Jahr. (ver- Baha'i-Bundes, 1922, 8, 56 p. > vielfaltigt), 4, 20 p. W. H.: Die Zeicben unserer Zeit im Lichte > Esslemont, Dr. John E.: Der Weg zum der Bibel und der Babd't-Lebre. Stuttgart, > Frieden. Sonderdruck des Kapitels X aus Verlag der Baha'i-Vereinigung. 1916, 8, > "Baha'u'llah und das Neue Zeitalter." 16 p. > Herausgegeben von der Baha'i-Arbeitsge- Hoi ley, Horace: Die Wellwirtschaft von > meinschaft Esslingen. Ohne Jahr, 8, 8 p. Bahd'u'lldh. Aus dem Englischen. 30 p. > Fadl, Mirza Abu'l: Geschichte und Wahr- Geneva, 1934. > y > heitsbeweise der Bahd i -Religion. Nach Kliemke, Dr. Ernst (Hcinrich Nicnkamp) : > > y > der Englischen Ucbersetzung von 'Ali- Bahd i-Lehre und Politik. Das Staatsideal > Quli-Khan, Deutsch von W. H. Stutt- nach den Lehren Baha'u'llah's. Ohne > gart, Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i-Bundes Angabe des Ortes und des Jahres. 8, 8 p. > G.M.b.H. 1919, 8, XXIV 295 p.+ Maxwell, May: Jos, der Schaferknabc, > Fadl, Mirza Abu'l: Gldnzender Beweis 'Abdu'l-Babd nacherzdhlt. Aus dem En- > (Burhane Lame). Aus dem Englischen glischen von Dr. H. Gr. Wandsbek, Weltvon Fr. Schweizer. Herausgegeben von gcmeinschaft, Deutscher Zweig, 1924, 8, > der Baha'i-Vereinigung Zuffenhausen, 8 p. > > ohne Jahr, 8, 45 p. Muhlschlegel, Adelbert: Melodram zum drit- > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Die soziale Frage ten Deutschen Bahd'i-Kongress 80. Ohne > und ihre Losung im Sinne der Bahd'i- Angabe des Ortes, September 1924, 8, > Lehre. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen 8 p. > > Baha'i-Bundes, 1923, 8, 12 p. Muhlschlegel, Adelbert: Rid van 81, Fcst- > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Die Bahd'i-Be- sptel. Stuttgart, Baha'i-Bund, Deutscher > -wegungy ihre Geschichte, Lehren und Be- Zweig, 1925, 8, 8 p. > deutung. Herausgegeben von der Baha'i- Najmajer, Marie von: Qurratu'l-'Ayn. Ein > Bewegung. Hamburg, 1926, 8, 8 p. Bild aus Persiens Neuzeit. Wien, 1894. > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Das Wesen der Phelps, Myron H.: 'Abdu'l-Bahd 'Abbas, > Bahd'i-Lehre. Ohne Angabe des Ortes Leben und Lehren. Aus dem Englischen > und des Jahres. 8, 8 p. von W. H. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deut- > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Bahd'i-Erzie- schen Baha'i-Bundes, 1922, 8, 248 p. > bung. Wandsbek, Weltgemeinschaft, Remey, Charles Mason: Das neue Zeitalter. > Deutscher Zweig, 1924, 8, 8 p. Die Baha'i -Off enbarung. Deutsch von > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Rosengartlein- W. H., Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i- > V > > Lehrstunden. Lehrproben zur Baha'i-Er- Bundes, Stuttgart, 19 23, 8, 32 p. > ziehung. Herausgegeben von der Weltge- Remey, Charles Mason: Einheit. Die Ofmeinschaft, Wandsbek, ohne Jahr, 8, fenbarung des Baha'u'llah. Deutsch von > 12 p. Fanny A. Knobloch. Ohne Angabe des > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Chanan. Eine Ortes und des Jahres. 8, 8 p. > Erzahlung aus unserer Zeit. Wandsbek, Rosenberg, Ethel J.: Die Bahd'i-Lehre, der en > 1927, 8, 8 p. ethische und soziale Be griff e. Aus dem > Grossmann, Dr. Hermann: Morgen Am Englischen von Fr. Schweizer. Stuttgart, > einer neuen Zeit, Verlag Strecker und Selbstverlag der Baha'i-Vereinigung, 1908, > Schroder. Stuttgart, 1932. 8, 8 p. > W. H.: Universaler Friede, Universale Re- S. S.: Ein Jahr unter den Bahd't in Indien > ligion. Die Baha'i-Bewegung, ihr Zweck und Birma. Aus dem Englischen von > und Ziel. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der W. H. Stuttgart, Selbstverlag der Baha'i- > Baha'i-Vereinigung. 1915, 8, 30 p. Vereinigung, ohne Jahr, 8, 46 p. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 597 > > S. S.: Die Geschichte der Bahd'i-Bewegung. Was 1st die Bahd'i-Bewegung. Flugblatt. > Aus dcm Englischen von W. H. Stutt- Ohne Angabe des Ortes und des Jahres. > gart, Selbstverlag der Baha'i-Vereinigung, (2 Ausgaben: Hamburg und Wien), 8, > 1913, Zweite auflage, 1913, 8, 22 p. 8 bezw. 10 p. > A. Dritte auflage, 1919, 8, 22 p. Die Bahd'i Lehre, 1933, Schmal 8, 4 p. > Schwarz, Alice: Die universale W > 'elt religion. An der Schwelle elnes neues *Leltalters. > > Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i- Flugblatt. Stuttgart, W. H. Ohne Jahr. > Bundes, 1919, 8, 35 p. 8, 10 p. > Wright, A. H.: Bab und seine Secte in Per- Berlcht vom erst en Deutschen Babd'j-Konsien, Leipzig. gress 1921. Herausgegeben von der > Baha'i - > Religiose Llchtbllcke. Einige Erlauterungen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Esslingen > zur Baha'i-Bewegung. Aus dem Franzo- (vervielfaltigt) 4, -54 p. > sischen von Albert Renftle. Stuttgart, Welhnachtsbeilage fur Kinder. Dezember > Verlag der Baha'i-Vereinigung, 1916, 8, 1921. Beilage zur Sonne der Wahrheit, > 16 p. 8, 8 p. > Erweiterte Auflage, Stuttgart, 1928, Ver- Treuhandschaftserklarung und Satzung des > lag des Deutschen Baha'i-Bundes, 8, Nationalen Geistigen Rates der Baha'i in > 24 p. Deutschland und Oestcrreich nebst Satz- > Die Geschichte vom kleinen Vogel und an- ung des Geistigen Rates der Baha'i in > dere Erzdhlungen aits dcm Leben 'Abdu'l- Stuttgart. Herausgegeben vom Nationalen > Bahd's. Wandsbek, Weltgemeinschaft, Geistigen Rat der Baha'i in Deutschland > Deutscher Zweig, 1925, 8, 8 p. und Oesterreich e. V., Stuttgart, 1935, > Aus Leben und Lehre des Bahd'ismus. Ham- 8, 32 p. > burg, Baha'i-Verlag, 1918, 8, 42 p. Nabil's Narrative: The Dawn-Breakers (in > Die Bahd'i-Bewegung. Flugblatt. Stutt- manuscript) . > > gart, Verlag des Deutschen Baha'i-Bundes, Dispensation of Bahd'u'lldh (in manuohne Jahr, 8, 4 p. script). > > 1 3 . > > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN BULGARIAN > Baha'u'lldb and the New Era, Sofia, 1932. Words of Wisdom (in manuscript). > Hidden Words, Sofia, 1937. Seven Valleys (in manuscript). > Kitdb-i-lqdn (in manuscript). > > 14. > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN RUMANIAN > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, Bucharest, Ce Estc Miscarea Baha'i, Bucharest, 1934. > 1934. > > 1 5 . > > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN CZECH > Kltdb-l-tqdn (in manuscript). World Religion, Prague, 1937. > Babd'u'lldk and the New Era, Prague, 1932. E. G. Hoflin and Milos Wurm: Zjer Hnutl > Some Answered Questions (in manuscript). Mtroveho. > Pamphlets, 1934. > 598 THE BAHA'l WORLD > 1 6. > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN SERBIAN > Babd'u'lldb and the New Era, Belgrade, Kitdb-i-lqdn (in manuscript). > 19,33. World Religion, Belgrade, 1937. > Hidden Words, Belgrade, 1936. World Economy of Bahd'u'lldh (in manu- > Book of Prayers, Belgrade, 1936. script). > > 1 7. > > BAHA'l PUBLICATIONS IN HUNGARIAN > Bahd'u'llah and the New Era, Budapest, Hidden Words (in manuscript). > 1933. > > 1 8 . > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN GREEK > Bahd'u'llah and the New Era, Athens, 1934. > > 1 9. > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN MAORI > Te Whakatikenga Pahal, Pamphlet by G. G. > Paul, Auckland, New Zealand, 1933. > > 2 0. > > BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS IN SPANISH > Babd'u'lldh and the New Era, Bahia, 1934. jQui Salisteis A Ver? Dr. Carlos A. Stoppers > The Kitdb-i-lqdn (in preparation). translation of What Went Ye Out for to > Bahd'u'lldb y la Nueva Era. Traduccion See? by Thornton Chase. Published by > espanola por Leonora Stirling Holsapple. La Socicdad Teosofica de Mendoza, Argen- > Bahia, Brazil, 1933. tina, 1920. > Que es el Movimiento Babd'i. Booklet. > > 2 1 . > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN NORWEGIAN > Babd'u'lldb and the New Era, Oslo, 193*. World Religion, Oslo, 1937. > Kitdb-i-lqdn (manuscript) . > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 599 > > 22. > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN CROATIAN > Pamphlet. Some Answered Questions (in manuscript). > > 2 3 . > > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN ICELANDIC > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era (manuscript). > > 24. > BAHA'f PUBLICATIONS IN ORIENTAL > LANGUAGES > IRANIAN Tablet to the Hague by 'Abdu'1-Baha. Cairo. > Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Babd, The. Vol. 2. Cairo. > Book of Mub'm, Tablets of Babd'u'lldb, The. Addresses of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Cairo. > Bombay. Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Babd, The. Vol. 3. Cairo. > Book of Iqtiddr, Tablets of Bahd'u'lldh, The. Tablet of 'Abdu'l-Bahd to Dr. Forel. Cairo. > Bombay. Al-Fard'id, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl. Cairo. > Kalimdt-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words). Kashfu'l-Ghitd', compiled by Siyyid Mihdi > Ishrdqdt, Tardzdt, Tajalltydt, The. Bombay. Gulpayigani. 'Ishqabad. > Lawh-i-Ahmady Tashkand. Letters of Mirza Abu'l-Fadl. Cairo. > Tablets from Babd'u'lldb. Cairo. Babd'u'lldh and the New Era. Haifa, 1932. > Kitdb-i-tqdn, The. Cairo and Bombay. History of the Martyrs of Yazd, The. Cairo. > Tablet of Babd'u'llab to the Shah of Persia. Dald'ilu'l-'lrfdn, Mirza Haydar-'Ali. Bom- > Cairo. bay. > Tablets and Prayers from Babd'u'lldb. Cairo. Bihjatu's-Sudur, Mirza Haydar-'Ali. Bom- > The Seven Valleys. Cairo and Bombay. bay. > Will and Testament of Babd'u'lldb, The. Aydt-i-Mu'arrakhi, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl, > 'fshqabad and Cairo. China. > Ad'iyiy-i-Hadrat-i-Mahbub (Book of Pray- Risdliy-i-lstidldliyyih, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl, > ers). Cairo. Egypt. > Some Answered Questions. London. Istidldliyyiy-i-Afshdr. Bombay. > Lawh-i-Maqsud. The Brilliant Proof, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl. > Traveller's Narrative, The. London and Tdrikh-i-Jadid. Bombay. > Tashkand, 1916. Bombay. Babru'l-'Irfdn, by Muhammad Af shar. Bom- > Prayers from 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Tihran, 1930. bay. > Muduniyyih, The, by 'Abdu'1-Bah*. Cairo History of Tahirih, The. Cairo. > and Bombay. Travels of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. Vol. 1 and 2, > Nattjatu'l-Baydn, compiled by Mirza Na'im. Mirza Mahmud Zarpani. Bombay. > Tablet to the Shah of Persia. Cairo. Early Tablets of Bahd'u'lldb, The, compiled > Siydsiyyih, The, by 'Abdu'1-Baha. Bombay. by Baron Rosen, St. Petersburg. > Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. Memorials of the Faithful, 'Abdu'l-Babd. > Bombay and Cairo. Haifa. > Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, The. Baha'- An-Nuru'l-Abhd-Fi-Mufawaddt - i - 'Abdu'lu'llah. Cairo. Bahd. Table talks collected by Laura C. > Addresses of 'Abdu'l-Bahd in Europe. Cairo. Barney. Kegan, Paul, London, 1908. > Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. Vol.1. Cairo. Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr. Twenty-two page book- > 600 THE BAHA'I WORLD > > The Shaykhu'l-Islam of Tiflis, Caucasus, in reply to > whose attacks on the Cause Mirza Abu'1-Fadl addressed his well-known book entitled "Fara'id." > > let written in franian on the Baha'i Tem- Poems, by Na'im. Tabriz, Tihran, Cairo > ple. Published by the Baha'i Assembly of and Bombay. > Washington, D. C. The i<) Talks. Cairo. > Hadiqatu'l-Bahd'iyyih. Bombay, 1927. Usul-i-TaJr/s. Tihran. > Kavdkibu'd-Durriyyih. Cairo. Babd'tsm and Socialism, 'ishqabad. > Irfibdt-i-Sbarq va Gharb. Tihran, 1931. Far a 'idu'd-Dint'yyib. Mashhad. > Questions and Answers (Appendix to Kitdb- Tuhfiy-i-Tdhirih. Delhi, 1933. > i-Aqdds). Tihran. The Passing of 'AbJu'l-Bahd. Delhi, 1933. > y > Bah d ism and Socialism. 'Isjiqabad. The Babd'i Calendar. Tihran. > Munaziratu'd-Diniyyih. Cairo. > URDU > Durusu'J-D/ydnib (Lessons in Religion). > Cairo and Tihran. Translation of the Tablets to the World. > Mathnavi (Nabil's chronological poem). Bombay. > Cairo. Translation of hhrdqdt, Bishdrdt, Kalimdt, > Poems by Nayyir. Tihran, 1930. Tardzdt, Tajall/ydt, of Babd'n'llab. Agra, > Istidldliyyih, I and II, by Na'im, Tabriz, 1918. > 1911 and 1912. Paygbam-i-Sulb. > Magtiliy-i-Bahd'i. Delhi, 1915. Seven Valleys, The. Bombay, 1929. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 601 > > Bahd'i Tdlim (The Hague Tablet) . > Hyder- Talk About the Bahd'i Faith. Baku. > abad, 1923. Talk in New York. Baku, 1922, 'fshqabad, > Hidden Words, The. Bombay. 1916. > Why People of the World Could Not Know Bahd'i Hareketi. Istanbul, 1930. > Their Promised One. Bahd 'u'lldh and the New Era. Istanbul, 1932. > Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. > Words of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, The. > BURMESE > Payghdm-i-Sulh. Agra. So me Answered Questions. Mandalay, 1915. > Kitdb-i-tqdn. Revelation of Bahd' u'lldh. Mandalay, 1907. > Al-Mi'ydm's-Sabih. 1910. Hujjatu'lldhu'l-Bdlighih. Rangoon, 1927. > Tablet to the Hague. Hyderabad, 1923. What Is the Bahd'i Movement. Rangoon. > Traveller's Narrative, A. 1908. Durus-i-Akhldqiyyih. Mandalay, 1930. > 'Uruj-u-Nnztil. Rangoon, 1904. Huquqii'l-tnsdniyyih. Mandalay, 1928. > Kitdbu'z-Zuhur. Mizdnu'l-Furgdn. Mandalay, 1908. > Al-Baldgu'l-Mubin. Agra. Durusu'd-Diydnih. Mandalay, 1922. > Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh, by Mrs. I. D. Tablet of Love. Mandalay, 1922. > Brittingham. Rangoon, 1902. Bahd'i Principles. Mandalay, 1919. > Javdb-i-Qddiydnihd. Rangoon, 1908. To Live the Life. Mandalay. > Burhdn-i-Sarih. Agra. Shajaratu'l-Adydn. Rangoon, 1909. > lhqdqu'1-Haqq, by Mirza Mahmud Zarqani. Su'al va Javdb. > ' > 1908-9. Aqd'id-i-Bahd'iydn. > Usul-i-Bahd'i. Delhi. The Bahd'i Short Thesis. Mandalay, 1913. > Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, The. Delhi. Nizdm-Ndmih. 1 907. > Dawr-i-Bahd'i. Short History of the Cause, A. 1913. > Sharh-i-Aydt. Divine Laws. > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Lahore, 193 5. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Mandalay, > Some Answered Questions (in press). 1933. > Kitdb-i-iqdn (manuscript). > ARABIC > CHINESE > Kitdb-i-Aqdas. Bombay, Cairo, Persia. > Ishrdqdt, Tajalliydt, Tardzdt, and Kalimdt, Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Shanghai, > The. Cairo. 1931. > The Dawn-Breakers. NabiPs Narrative (in The Most Great Peace. Shanghai, 1931. > manuscript). Light of the Age. Shanghai, 1926. > Talks of Abdu'l-Bahd in Europe, The. The Valuable Contribution of the Bahd'i > Translation anonymous. Cairo. Cause (/,//). Shanghai, 1932. > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, by Dr. J. E. The Bahd'i Cause in China. Shanghai, Book- > Esslemont. Cairo, 1930. let No. 9. > > Some Answered Questions. Cairo, 1930. Paris Talks. Shanghai, 1931. > Bahd'i Principles; Summary of Bahd'i Teach- Kitdb-i-lqdn. Shanghai. > ings. Cairo, 1928. The Goal of a New World Order. Shanghai, > Prayers from Bahd'u'lldh. Tabriz, 1911. 1931. > Traveller's Narrative, A. Tablets of Bahd'u'lldh (in manuscript). > Bahd'i Pearls, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl. Cairo, Hidden Words. Canton, 1937. > 1900. Index to Some Answered Questions. Shang- > Bahd'i Proofs, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl. Cairo, hai, 1933. > * > 1925. Some Answered Questions (in preparation) . > > Tablet to the Hague. > HEBREW > Risdliy-i-Amriyyih, by Mustafa. Cairo. > > Kitdb-i-lqdn. Cairo, 1934. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Haifa, 1931. > > TURKISH TATAR > ' > Bahd'u'lldh and Abdu'l-Bahd. Baku, 1915. Vahdat, by 'Abdu'1-Baha. Tashkand, 1918. > 602 THE BAHA'f WORLD > GUJRATI Pamphlet. 1920, Cajro. > Pamphlet. 1928, Istanbul. > Fardmin-Bahi, by Mirza Abu'1-Fadl. Bom- > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. 1933, Aleppo. > bay, 1921. > Some Answered Questions (in manuscript). > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Bombay, 1932. > Kitdb-i-tqdn (in manuscript). > JAPANESE TAMIL > What Is Bahd'tsm, by Dr. G. J. Augur. 1916. > The Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh, by I. Brit- > A Letter to the Women of Japan, by Agnes tingham, translated by V. M. Swami. > B. Alexander. 1916. > Rangoon, 1906. > Religion of Love. 1917. > The Most Great Peace, translated by Dr. KURDISH > Inouye. 1917. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Baghdad, 1934. > Mashriqu'l-Adhkdr, translated by Dr. Inouye. > 1918. SINDHI > The Bahd't Revelation, translated by Dr. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era (in press). > Inouye. 1920. > The Call, translated by T. Torii. 1920. BENGALI > What Is the Bahd'i Movement, translated by Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. 1937. > T. Inouye. 1929. > New Civilization, by K. Torikai. 1917. HINDI > Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Tokyo, 1932. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era (in press). > Hidden Words. Tokyo, 1937. > ABYSSINIAN (AMHARIC) > ARMENIAN Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. Addis Ababa, > Hidden Words (in manuscript) . 1935. > What Is the Bahd't Movement? 1933, Prag. Pamphlet. > > 2 5 . > > BAHA'I LITERATURE IN BRAILLE > (FOR THE BLIND) Divine Philosophy. > The Hidden Words, by Baha'u'llah. > Words of Wisdom. Book of Prayers. > A Letter to the Blind Women in Japan, by Seven Valleys, by Baha'u'llah. > Agnes B. Alexander. Tokyo, 1917. The Kitdh'i-tqdn, by Baha'u'llah. > Seek and it shall be given you, by Tokijiro Ishrdqdt, by Baha'u'llah. > Torii. Tokyo, 1917. Suratu'l-Haykal, by Baha'u'llah. > What Is the Bahd'i Movement? by T. Inouye. Some Answered Questions, by 'Abdu'1-Baha > 1929. (in part). > La Bahaa Revelacio. 1929. Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era. California. > Goal of a New World Order. Golden Age of the Cause of Bahd'u'lldh. > Bahd't Economics. > > BRAILLE-BAHA'I TRANSCRIPTIONS, 1935-1937 > AMERICA Hidden Words and Words of Wisdom, by > Baha'u'llah. > Bahd 'u'lldh, a i$th Century Prophet and His La Bahaa Revelacio, No. 9 (Esperanto). > Message, by Dr. Esslemont. Bahd'i Teachings on Economics. > Bahd'i Peace Program. Hidden Words, by Baha'u'llah. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 603 > > Divine Philosophy of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. Bahd'i Teachings on Economics. > Revelation of Bahd'u'lldh, by Mrs. Britting- Babd'u'lldb Kaj la Nova Epoko, by Dr. Essieham, mont (in Esperanto, not yet completed). > Golden Age of the Cause of Babd'u'lldb, by The fqdn The Book of Certitude, by Baha'- > Shoghi Effendi. u'llah. > Bahd'u'lldh and His Message. The Reality of Man A Compilation, by > Observations of a Bahd'i Traveller, by C. M. Horace Holley (not yet completed). > Remey. > Oneness of Mankind. FRANCE > Compilation from the Utterances (not com- > Essai sur le Bahd'isme, by Hippolyte Dreyfus. > pleted). > Hidden Words of Babd'u'lldb and Words of > Wisdom, by BahaVllah. CZECHOSLOVAKIA > Wisdom of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, by 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Epok0y by Dr Ess i e . > > > > > a Nova E > Bahd u ndh Kaj la . > > Bahd'i Prayers and Meditations of Bahd'u'lin Esoeranto ^ > mont ,(in Esperanto). > lab and 'Abdu'l-Bahd. > Hidden Words of Babd'u'lldb and Words of > Wisdom, by BahaVllah. > JAPAN > The Goal of a New World Order, by Shoghi Bahd'u'lldh and the New Era, by Dr. Essle- > Effendi. mont (in Japanese Braille) . > > 26. > BAHA'I PERIODICALS > Bahd'i News. The bulletin of the National Magazine. Edited and published in Delhi, > > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the India, by Jinab-i-"Mawlavi-Fadil" Siyyid > United States and Canada. Mahfuzu'1-Haqq 'Ilmi under the auspices > Bahd'i News Letter. The Bulletin of the of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and Burma. Address: > Baha'is of Egypt. Karol Bagh, Delhi, India. > Bahd'i News Letter. The Bulletin of the News Letter from Baha'is of the British Isles. > National Spiritual Assembly of the Sonne der Wahrheit, Organ des Deutschen > Baha'is of India and Burma. Baha'is. Stuttgart, Verlag des Deutschen > Bahd'i News Letter. The Bulletin of the Baha'i-Bundes, monthly since March, > National Spiritual Assembly of the 1921. 3. Alexanderstr., Stuttgart, Ger- > Baha'is of 'Iraq. many. > Bahd'i News Letter. The Bulletin of the Unity of the East and the West Committee. > ' > > National Spiritual Assembly of the c/o Dr. Y. Afrukhtih, Avenue Bargru > Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand. Tihran, Iran. > Bulletin, International Bahd'i. 19- A Ave- World Order. Official magazine of the > nue de Champel, Geneva, Switzerland. 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Saale, 1908. morgenlandischen Gesellschaft 1851. > Richter, Julius:, Der Islam als Religion. 1927. Artikel: "Bab und seine Sekte in Persien." > Richter, J., in: Mission und Evangelisation p. 384f. > im Orient. P. 214-219. Gutersloh, 1908. > IRANIAN > Relgis, Eugen, in: Wege zum Frieden, eine > Internationale Rundf rage. Heide i. Hoist., Ndsikhu't-Tavdrikh, The. > Verlag Paul Riechert, 1932. Nur-i-Haqjqat, The. > Ritter, Prof. Dr. H., in: Der Islam, Jahr- > ICELANDIC > gang XIII, 1/2 p. 134. C. H. Becker > undH. Ritter, 1923. Thordason Thorburger: Alphjodamdl og > Roda Roda, in: Morgensonne, Morgenland. Mdlleysur (International Languages and > Pp. 44-54, Volksverband der Biicher- Bad Languages), 1933. > freunde, Wegweiser Verlag G.m.b.H., > LITHUANIAN > Berlin, 1922. > Romer, Hermann, in: Die Propaganda fur Salcius Matas: "Sveciuost Pas 40 Tautu" > asiatische Religionen im Abendland. P. (A Guest of Forty Nations). Vol. II, > > 45ff., Basel, 1910. chap. "The Baha'i Sanctuary"; vol. Ill, > > Romer, Hermann, in: Evangelisches Missions pp. 174-77, chap. "Impressions of Baha'is > Magazin 1908, "Der Behaismus." P. 9 If. in Hamadan and Tihran," 1935. > Rosen, V.: Sendschreiben des Bahd'u'lldh. > RUMANIAN > Petersburg, Akademie, 1908, Vol. I. > von Sigsfeld, Viktoria, in: Der Werdegang Eugen Relgis: Cos mo met a polls. Cultura > der Menschen des neuen Tages. Finster- Poporului B, dul Academici 2, Bucharest, > lingen i/B. Oberlicht-Verlag. 1935. > Simon, Gottfried, in: Die Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart. > DANISH > "Babismus," > "Bahaismus," Band I, von Alfr. Berthoiet, Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon, Copen- > Herm. Hont, Faber, Stephen, herausgeg. hagen, 1894, 1915. > von Herm. Gunkel, Leop. Zscharnach. Benedict sen, Aage Meyer: Vore Dages > Tubingen, Verlag J. C. B. Mohr. Paul Persien, Copenhagen, 1903. > Siebert, 1927. Christensen, Arthur: H in sides det Kaspiskc > Spengler,Oswald, in: Der Untergang des Hav, Copenhagen, 1918, pp. 127-143. > Abendlandes. Christensen, Arthur: Det Gamle ag det nyc > Tisdall, D., in: der Zeitschrift "Reich Persien, Copenhagen, 1930. > Christ?' (Dr. Lepsius-Potsdam). 1908. lllustreret Dansk Konversationsleksikon, > Artikel: "Der Islam in Persien," p. 178f. Copenhagen, 1933. > Tolstoj, Leo, in: Tolstoj und der Orient. Hagerups Konversationsleksikon, Copen- > Herausgegeben von Paul Birnkoff. Pp. hagen, 1920. > 86, 95-99, 120, 123, 262, 264, 265. > Zurich und Leipzig, > HUNGARIAN > Rotapfel- Verlag, > 1925. Ligeti Paul: The Way Out of Chaos, Buda- > Warneck, D. Gust a v, in: Allgemeine Mis- pest. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 611 > > 28. > REFERENCES TO THE BAHA'f FAITH IN > MAGAZINES BY NON-BAHA'i WRITERS > AMERICAN MAGAZINES Journal of the American Concrete Institute, > March-April, 1934, and July, 1933. De- > American Journal of Theology, January, troit, Mich. > 1902. Journal of Air Law, January, 1934. Chicago. > American Astrology, April, 1938. Littel's Living Age, August, 1869. > > Architectural Record, The, June, 1920. Literary Digest, May, 1912. > Art World, March, 1917. Literary Digest, August, 1920. > Asia, May, 1924. Literary Digest, December, 1921. > Atlantic Monthly, September, 1926. Magazine Digest, June, 1934. > Bell Telephone News, February, 1937. Mentor, The, November, 1920. > Bibliotheca Sacra, January, 1915. Missionary Review, October, 1902. > Book Buyer, June, 1901. Missionary Review, February, 1904. > Chambers 9 Journal. Missionary Review, March, 1904. > Crisis, The, May, 1912. Missionary Review, May, 1906. > Crisis, The, June, 1912. Missionary Review, October, 1911. > Chicagoan, September, 1931. Missionary Review, October, 1914. > Construction Methods, August, 1931. Missionary Review, August, 1919. > Construction Methods, July, 1933. Missionary Reviews, October, 192 1. > Contemporary Review, August, 1869. Moslem World, October, 1931. > Contemporary Review, October, 1869. Nation (N. Y.), June 21, 1866. > Contemporary Review, March, 1912. National, December, 1908. > Contemporary Review Advertiser, Decem- National,Uzy, 1922. > ber, 1885. Nineteenth Century, February, 1915. > Current History, December, 1925. New York Times, February, 1913. > C^irrent Literature, July, 1901, New York Times Book Review, August 1, > Current Literature, September, 1911. 1920. > Current Literature, June, 1912. North American, April, 1901. > Eclectic Magazine, February, 1886. North American, June, 1912. > Eclectic Magazine, September, 1896. Open Court, June, 1904. > Engineering News-Record, January 8, 1931. Open Court, August, 1915. > Esoteric Christianity, February, 1915. Open Court, October, 1915. > Everybody's, December, 1911. Open Court, November, 1915. > Everywoman, December, 1915. Open Court, August, 1916. > Everywoman, December, 1916. Open Court, October, 1916. > Fortnightly Review, June, 1911. Open Court, November, 1916. > Fortnightly Review, April, 1912. Open Court, March, 1931. > Fortnightly Review, June, 1913. Outlook, June, 1901. > Forum, July, 1925. Outlook, June, 1912. > Friends' Intelligencer, September, 1925. Outlook, December, 1920. > Harper's Weekly, July, 1912. Outlook, December, 1921. > Harper's Magazine, October, 1937. Psychology Magazine, May, 1930. > Hearst's Magazine, July, 1912. Review of Reviews, February, 1901. > Highway Traveler, The, October-November, Review of Reviews, January, 1909. > 1937. Review of Reviews, June, 1912. > Independent, April, 1912. Review of Reviews, February, 1922. > Independent, July, 1912. Scientific American, August, 1920. > > Independent, September, 1912. Sentinel, The, November 18, 1937. > > Independent, December, 1921. Signs of the Times, April, 1938. > 612 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Spokesman, The (Negro), September, 1925. Revue de I'Histoire des Religions, Vol. > > Story Magazine, November, 1937. XVIII. > Survey, April, 1912. Revue Critique d'Histoire et de Litterature, > Time, July 20, 1931. April 18, 1887. > Unity, February, 1918. Ulllustration, September 30, 1933. > Unity, December, 1921. ]o^^rnal Asiatique, Vol. II. > Unify.April, 1929. Journal Asiatique, Vols.VII, VIII, 1866. > U. S. Steel News, March, 1937. Journal Asiatique, Vol. X. > Wilme tte Life, July, 1936. Revue Moderne, 1865-1866. > WilmetteLife, May, 1937. Ret la, March, 1937. > Wilmette Life, September 14, 1933, Wii- Bulletin Melanges Asiatique, Vol. IV. > mette, 111. Bulletin de I'Academie Imperiale de S/. > > Winnetka Talks, October, 1937. Petersburg, Vols. VIII, IX. > World Observer, The, September, 1937. Revue du Monde Musulman, IX, 339-341. > World's Work, July, 1912. Le Reveil Normand, January, 1936, Le > World's Work, July, 1922. Havre. > World Unity, December, 1930. Le Libre ^change, January, 1936, Paris. > World Unity, February, 1933. Uen dehors, December, 1936, Orleans. > ENGLISH MAGAZINES SWISS MAGAZINES > > Academy, The, March, 1895. Sufi Quarterly, March, 1928 (published in > All the Year Around, July, 1869. English) . > > Arena, The, November, 1904. > Asiatic Quarterly Review, April, 1913. > NETHERLAND MAGAZINES > Christian Commonwealth, January 1 , 1913. Wereld Kronick, April 7, 1934, Rotterdam. > Christian Commonwealth, January 22, 1913. > RUSSIAN > Christian Commonwealth, January 29, 1913. > Christian Commonwealth, February 12, Zapiski, by Baron Rosen, 1889. > 1913. > GERMAN > Clifton Chronicle and Directory, January, > 1913. Deutsche Rundschau, Vol. XVIII, 1879. > Edinburgh Evening News, January, 1913. Journal of tlye German Oriental Society, > Illustrated Weekly of India, March 24, 1931. Vol. V, 1851. > Indian Review (Madras), August, 1914. Oriental Literatiirzeitung, 1909. > The Inquirer, May 16, 1931, London. Zeit thrift fiir Assyriologie, Vol. XXII, 337. > > Inquirer and Christian Life, May 10, 1930. > BELGIAN > International Psychic Gazette, Nos. 6 and 7. > Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. Lumiere et Liber te, November, 1935, Brus- > XXI, 1889-1892. sels. > > London Budget, January, 1913. Le Rouge et le Noir, November 27, 1935, > Saturday Review, January, 1894. Brussels. > Scots Pictorial, January, 1913. PORTUGUESE > Scottish Review, April, 1892. > Correio do Brasit, November 11, 1935, Rio > Speaking of Women, July, 1936. de Janeiro, Brazil, S. A. > Spectator, The, April, 1892. > Sunday Herald, Woking, London, January RUMANIAN > 24, 1913. > Santier, 1934, Bucharest. > Town and Country News, November 24, > Cuvantul Liber, October 26, 1935, Bucha- > 1933, London. > rest. > Vedic Magazine (Lahore), Vol. 8, No. 9. > SPANISH > FRENCH MAGAZINES La Prensa, December 15, 193 5, Buenos Aires, > UAnnee Philosophique, Vol. Ill, 1869. Argentina, S. A. > BAHA'f BIBLIOGRAPHY 613 > > 1'tempos Nnevos, January, 1936, Barcelona, Nordisk Tidsskrift, Fifth issue, 1911. > Spain. > Buenos > NORWAY > Pan, January 15, 1936, Aires, > Argentina, S. A. Naturlagen, April, 1936. > > DANISH MEXICAN > Dansk Fidsskrift, August, 1903. Pan-American Review, 1937. > > 29. > > REFERENCES TO THE BAH A 'I FAITH BY > BAHA'IS IN NON-BAHA'I PUBLICATIONS > Time and Tide, April 14, 1934, London. Oregon Mineralogist, January, 1934. Port- > Kaisar-i-Hind, December 31, 1933. Bombay. land, Oregon. > Religious Education, September, 1932. Chi- Unity, February 19, 1934. Chicago. > cago. Sanj Vartaman, September, 1933. Bombay. > The New Humanist, January-February, The Quarterly Journal of Speech, March- > 1933. Chicago. April, 1934. Ann Arbor, Michigan. > Fomm, May, 1916. New York. The China Critic, May 25, 1933. Shanghai. > Forum, August, 1917. New York. World Unity, April, 1932. New York. > Literary Digest, November 20, 1931. New World Unity, November, 1933 (and succes- > York. sive issues). New York. > New Orient, January, 1926. New York. The Gift and Art Shop, August, 1932. > Open Court, July, 1931. Chicago. New York. > The Religions Highway, April, 1933. Tokyo. Women, March, April, 1936. Chicago. > 614 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > TRANSLITERATION OF > ORIENTAL WORDS > FREQUENTLY USED IN BAHA'f > LITERATURE > 'Aba 'Azamat Fara'id fqan > Abadih 'Aziz Faran Iran > 'Abbas Farman 'Iraq > 'Abdu'1-Baha Farrash-Bashi 'Iraqi > Bab > 'Abdu'l-Hamid Fars *Iraq-i-'Ajam > Babi > Farsakh Isfahan > 'Abdu'l-Husayn Babu'1-Bab > 'Abdu'llah Fath-'Ali 'Ishqabad > Baghdad > Abha Firdaws Ishraqat > Bahl > Abu'1-Fadl Firdawsi Ishtihard > Baha'i > Islam > 'Adasiyyih BahaVllah > Adhan Ganjih Islamic > Bahiyyih > Adhjrbayjan Gilan Isma'iliyyih > Bahji Istarabad > Afnan Gul > Baluchistan > Gulastan 'Izzat > Aghsan Bandar-'Abbas > 'Ahd Gurgin > Baqir > Ahmad Jalal > Baqiyyatu'llah > Ahsa'i Habib Jamadiyu'l-Avval > Barfurush > Ahvaz Basrih > Jamal > Akbar Hadrat Jamal-i-Mubarak > Baalim > 'Akka Jamal-i-Qidam > Bayan > 'Ala' Haji Mirza Aqa si Jasb > Bayt > 'Ali Hajj Jubbih > Big > 'Ali-Muhammad Hamadan > Birjand Kaaba > Allah-u-Abha Hasan > Bisharat > Alvah Haydar-'Ali Ka'bih > Bismi'llah > Alvah-i-Salatin Haykal Kad-Khuda > Bukhara > Amin Haziratu'1-Quds Kalantar > Burujird Kalim > Amir Bushihr yijaz > Amir-Nizam Himmat-Abad Kalimat > Bushru'i > Amru'llah Hujjat Kamal > Bushruyih Karand > Amul Husayn > Anzali Huvaydar Karbila > > Aqa Chihriq Kashan > Aqdas Ibrahim Kashkul > *Arabistan Dala'il-i-Sab'ih ii Kawmu's-Sa'ayidih > Asma* Darughih 'Ilm Kawthar > 'Avasjhiq Dawlat-Abad Imam Kazim > Ayadi Dhabib Imam-Jum'ih Kazimayn > Azal Duzdab Imam-Zadih Khalklial > TRANSLITERATION OF ORIENTAL WORDS 615 > 616 THE BAHA'f WORLD > GUIDE TO TRANSLITERATION AND > PRONUNCIATION OF THE > IRANIAN ALPHABET > > & > J > k > > g > > J> J i > > m > JS > th > Jl t > o *^X > > The "i" added to the name of a town signifies "belonging to." Thus, Shirazi > means native of Shiraz. > NOTES ON PRONUNCIATION OF fRANIAN 617 > > NOTES ON THE PRONUNCIATION > OF IRANIAN > The emphasis in Iranian words is more or The following consonants may be prolessevenly distributed, each syllable being nounced like ss: th, s, s. > equally stressed as in French. For example, Zh is pronounced like the "s" in pleasure. > do not say Tabriz or Ta^rsi; stay as long Kh is pronounced like "ch" in Scotch loch > on one syllable as on the next: Tabriz; Ta- or German nacht. Do not pronounce it as > bar-si. (While there are many exceptions to "k." Westerners are as a rule incapable of > this rule, it is the most generally correct pronouncing gh and "q"; a guttural French > method of treating the question of stress.) "r" will serve here; otherwise use hard "g" > A frequent mistake is the failure to dis- as in good. > > tinguish between broad and flat 'Vs." This H and h, approximately like the English > differentiation makes the language especially aspirate "h," should never be dropped. > musical and should be observed: in the word Tihran is Teh-ron; madrisih is mad-res-seh; > Af nan, for example, pronounce the first "a" Mihrab is Meh-rob. > as in mat, and the second syllable to rhyme In the case of double letters pronounce > with on. Americans are apt to pronounce each separately: 'Ab-bas. > short "a" plus "r" like the verb form are; The character transliterated (') represents > this is a mistake; "ar" should be pronounced a pause; it is not unlike the initial sound > as in the name of Harry cf Tarbiyat. > . made in pronouncing such a word as every. > The same differentiation should be ob- The word Baha'i is phonetically as follows: > served in the case of long and short "i" and "a" as in account; "a" as in father; ('), > long and short "u". As the guide to the pause; "i" as ee in meet. > transliteration indicates, short "i" is like "e" The character transliterated (') may also > in and long "i" like "ce" in meet; > best, be treated as a pause. > for example, Ibrahim is pronounced Eb-raheem; Islam is Ess-lahm. Short "u" being N.B. As f ranian often indicates no vowel > like "o" in short, and long "u" being like sounds and as its pronunciation differs in dif- > "oo" in moon, the following would be pro- ferent localities throughout Iran and the > nounced: Quddus Qod-dooss; Barfurush Near East as well as among individuals > Bar-fo-roosh. in any given locality, a uniform sys- > Pronounce "aw" to rhyme with oh, or tem of transliteration such as the above, > mown; Naw-Ruz is No-Rooz. which is in use by Baha'i communities > The following consonants may be pro- all over the world, is > indispensable to the > nounced like z: dh, z, z, d. student. > DEFINITIONS OF > ORIENTAL TERMS USED IN > BAHA'I LITERATURE > Big: Honorary title, lower title than Khan. > t > Aba: Cloak or mantle. > 'Abdu'1-Baha: Servant of Baha. Bisharat: literally "Glad-tidings." Title of > Adhan: Muslim call to prayer. one of the Tablets of BahaVllah. > Adib: literally "the learned." > Aghsan: literally "branches." Denotes sons Caravansarai: An inn for caravans. > and descendants of BahaVllah. > Afnan: literally "twigs." Denotes the rela- Darughih: "High constable." > tions of the Bab. Dawlih: "State," "government." > A.H.: "After Hijirah." Date of Muhammad's migration from Mecca to ^'Endowed with constancy": a title given to > Medina, and basis of Muhammadan chron- Prophets who revealed a book and instiology. tuted religious laws. > Akbar: "Greater." > *Ama: literally "light cloud," symbolizes the Farman: "Order," "command," "royal de- > "First Invisible Substance." cree." > Amin: literally "the trusted." Farrash: "Footman," "lictor," "attendant." > Amir: ",Lord," "prince," "commander," Farrash-Bashi The head-farrash. > : > > "governor." Farsakh: Unit of measurement. Its length > Aqa: "Master." Title given by BahaVllah differs in differentparts of the country > to 'Abdu'1-Baha. according to the nature of the ground, the > A'zam: "The greatest." local interpretation of the term being the > distance which a laden mule will walk in > Bab: "Gate." Title assumed by Mirza 'Ali- the hour, which varies from three to four > Muhammad, after the declaration of His miles. Arabicised from the Iranian "par- > Mission in Shiraz in May, 1844 A.D. sang," and is supposed to be derived from > Babi: Follower of the Bab. pieces of stone (sang) placed on the road- > Badi': literally "the wonderful." side. > > Baha: "Glory," "splendor," "light." Title "Fourth Heaven": One of the stages of the > by which BahaVllah (Mirza Husayn- invisible Realm. > > 'Ali) is designated. > Baha'i: Follower of BahaVllah. "Guarded Tablet": Denotes the Knowledge > Bahji: literally "delight." Denotes that part of God and of His Manifestation. > of the Plain of 'Akka where the Shrine > and the Mansion of BahaVllah are situ- Haji: A Muhammadan who has performed > ated. the pilgrimage to Mecca. > Bani-Hashim: The family from which Mu- Haziratu'1-Quds: Baha'i Headquarters. > hammad descended. The basis of > Hijirah: literally "migration." > Baqiyyatu'llah: "Remnant of > God"; title Muhammadan chronology. The date of > applied both to the Bab and to Bahd - Muhammad's migration from Mecca to > u'ilah. Medina. > Bayan: "Utterance," "explanation." Title Howdah: A litter carried by a camel, > given by the Bab to His Revelation, par- mule, horse or elephant for traveling purticularly to His Books. poses. > DEFINITIONS OF ORIENTAL TERMS 619 > > 11: "Clan." Mashhadi: A Muhammadan who has per- > Imam: Title of the twelve Shi*ih successors formed the pilgrimage to Mashhad. > of Muhammad. Also applied to Muslim Mashriqu'l-Adhkar: literally "the dawning > religious leaders. place of the praise of God." Title desig- > Imam-Jum'ih: The leading imam in a town nating Baha'i House of Worship. > or city; chief of the mullas. Masjid: Mosque, temple, place of worship. > Imam-Zadih: Descendants of an imam or his Maydan: A > subdivision of a farsakh. A > shrine. square or open place. > Iqan: literally "Certitude." The title of Mihdi: Title of the Manifestation expected > BahaVllah's epistle to the uncle of the by Islam. > Bab. Mihrab: The principal place in a mosque > Ishraqat: literally "effulgences." Title of where the imam prays with his face turned > one of the Tablets of Baha'u'llah. towards Mecca. > Israfil: The Angel whose function is to Mi'raj: "Ascent," used with reference to > sound the trumpet on the Day of Judg- Muhammad's ascension to heaven. > ment. Mirza: A contraction of Amir-Zadih, meaning son of Amir. When affixed to a name > Jahiliyyih: The dark age of ignorance it when prefixed simply > signifies prince; > among the Arabs before the appearance of Mr. > Muhammad. > Mishkin-Qalam: literally "the musk-scented > Jamal-i-Mubarak: literally "the Blessed > pen." > Beauty,'* applied by certain Baha'is to Mu'adhdhin: The one who sounds the > Baha'u'llah. > Adhan, the Muhammadan call to prayer. > Jamal-i-Qidam: "the ancient > literally > Mujtahid: Muhammadan doctor-of-law. > Beauty." Applied by certain Baha'is to > Most of the mujtahids of fran have re- > Baha'u'llah. > ceived their diplomas from the most emi- > Jubbih: An outer coat. nent jurists of Karbila and Najaf. > > Ka'bih: Ancient shrine at Mecca. Now Mulla: Muhammadan priest. > at 'the most holy shrine of Mustaghath: "He Who is invoked." The > recognized > numerical value of which has been assigned > Islam. > Kabir: by the Bab as the limit of the time fixed > literally "great." > for the advent of the promised Manifesta- > Kad-Khuda: Chief of a ward or parish in a > tion. > town; head-man of a village. > Kalantar: "Mayor." > Nabil: "Learned," "noble." > Kalim: "One who discourses." > Kalimat: literally "words." Title of one of > Naw-Ruz: "New Day." Name applied to > the Baha'i New Year's Day; according to > the Tablets of Baha'u'llah. > the Iranian Calendar the day on which the > Karbila'i: A Muhammadan who has persun enters Aries. > formed the pilgrimage to Karbila. > Kawthar: A river in Paradise, whence all the Nuqtih: "Point." > other rivers derive their source. > Pahlavan: "Athlete," "champion"; term ap- > Khan: "Prince," "lord," "nobleman," "chiefplied to brave and muscular men. > tain." > > Kitab-i-Aqdas: literally "The Most Holy > of BahaVllah's Book of Qadi: Judge; civil, criminal, and ecclesias- > Book." Title > tical. > Laws. > Kulah: The Iranian lambskin hat worn by Qa'im: "He Who shall arise." Title desig- > > nating the promised One of Islam. > government employees and civilians. > Qalyan: A pipe for smoking through water. > Madrisih: Religious college. Qiblih: The direction to which people turn > Man-Yuzhiruhu'llah: "He Whom God will in prayer; especially Mecca, the Qiblih of > > make manifest." The title given by the all Muhammadans. > Bab to the promised One. Qurban: "Sacrifice." > 620 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Ri^van: The name of the custodian of Para- Siyyid: Descendant of the Prophet Muhamdise. BahaVllah uses it to denote Paradise mad. > itself. Surih: Name of the chapters of the Qur'an. > > Sadratu'l-Muntaha: the name of a tree Tajalliyat: literally "splendors." Title of > > planted by the Arabs in ancient times at one of the Tablets of BahaVllah. > the end of a road, to serve as a guide. As Tarazat: literally "ornaments." Title of one > a symbol it denotes the Manifestation of of the Tablets of BahaVllah. > God in His Day. Tuman: A sum of money equivalent to a > Sahibu'z-Zaman: "Lord of the Age*'; one of dollar. > the titles of the promised Qa'im. > Salsabil: A fountain in Paradise. 'Urvatu'l-Vuthqa: literally "the strongest > Samandar: literally "the phoenix." handle," symbolic of the Faith of God. > Sarkar-i-Aqa: literally the "Honorable Master," applied by certain Baha'is to 'Abd- Vali-'Ahd: "Heir to the throne." > u'l-Baha. Varaqiy-i- Ulya: literally "the most exalted > "Seal of the Prophets": One of the titles of Leaf," applied to Bahiyyih Khanum, sister > Muhammad. of 'Abdu'1-Baha, > "Seventh Sphere": The highest stage of the Varqa: literally "the dove." > invisible Realm. Denotes also the Mani- Vilayat: guardianship. > festation of BahaVllah. > Shahid: "Martyr." Plural of martyr is Shu- "White Path": Symbolizes the Religion of > hada. God. > Shaykhu'l-Islam: Head of religious court, > appointed to every large city by the Shah. Zadih: "Son." > Sirat:literally "bridge" or "path," denotes Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin: literally "the Ornathe religion of God. ment of the favored." > PART FOUR > THE SEVEN VALLEYS > BY BAHA'U'LLAH > BY G. TOWNSHEND > > A Meditation > o MY > are > Lord, how many and how diverse > those holy melodies which Thou hast > deepening shadow of an assured and complete futility falls along the entire length of > chanted to the wayward heart of man, sum- the path to its beginning. > moning him to Thy dear presence, singing Thou, my Lord, openest another way, a > of the joys of eternal reunion, drawing him way hidden from unspiritual eyes, a way > to the shrine of perfect Beauty. which travels far from the land of shadows > Sometimes in tones more sweet, more and of age and leads through ever-growing > thrilling than any mortal utterance Thou light to realms of eternal peace and wisdom > speakest as a father or a lover, wooing the and undying love. > heart of man which Thou hast created for On this journey to Thee every movement > Thyself to leave its forlorn plight of isola- is an everlasting gain, every effort is an imtion. mortal victory and that dear Paradise which > Now Thou comest to man, openest to him isto be the traveler's goal is never wholly > the Hidden Way, tracest out its progress, hidden but pours its fragrance far down all > stage by stage and step by step, and makest Thy Seven Valleys to sweeten the toils of the > Thyself his companion, animating him, urg- seeker's way. > ing him onward, cheering his heart with Thou warnest us it is no easy enterprise. > words of love and courage. We all travel towards Thee through the same > This is for every man the one and only country towards the same Heaven and have > way that leads onward and ever onward to the same Guide. But each of us must trace > the fulfillment of destiny and of every desire. out his particular path little by little with > All other soul-paths soon or late close in and his own eyes and tread it to the end mile > > end, and leave the traveler in utter loss, un- after mile, inch by inch, upon his own feet. > able to proceed or to return. He cannot accomplish the journey nor travel > There is no goal anywhere but Thee, O forth upon it without pain; nor can he so > my Lord; and no rest save in journeying to much as find the beginning of the path with- > Thee! out patience. > In comparison with this spiritual journey Thou art veiled from Thy servant, O my > to Thee, that path of life on which ail men companion, and the entrance to the true path > set forth at birth is but a mockery and a is hidden likewise. Though he knows it not, > cheat. Disappointment and decay and loss Thy servant's own self-love has woven this > reign over it. They who have trusted to it veil; and much is to be done, much to be suffill the air with mourning and woe. '-Vanity fered, ere he can see the door Thou hast > of vanities," they cry, "all is vanity": "a opened before him. > short blossoming, a long withering"; and at Urged by an inborn need, Thy servant > the last they are left to "mere oblivion, sans seeks blindly self-satisfaction in this activity > teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything." and that. He follows in the train of the > Every step means the shortening of a meas- world, grasping at what he sees others grasp > ured life. For every man the journey ends at. He becomes lost among wayward innot in meeting but in parting. And the clinations, among diverse examples and a > 624 THE BAHA'f WORLD > multitude of counselors. There is no real- far away. There is no voice like the voice of > ization of desire in this; only disappointment the True One; nor is there any intonation of > and disillusion. The vision the truth of any voice like that of His! > Something out of the plane of this activity In rapture, transported with delight, Thy > abides with him holds him. Its Influence servant answered that remote call. > > grows more distinct. This is of Thy Mercy, > O Lord, which reaches through every veil! "Child of the darkness that wandered in > Thy servant knows of a surety there exists a gloom but dreamed of the light > Hidden Reality, and that with which he Lo, I have seen thy splendor ablaze in the > busies himself is a shadow-life. The stars, heavens afar > the seas, the lonely mountains, the quiet of Showering gladness and glory and shattering > the countryside, with one voice of ecstasy the shadows of night. > tell him of that Beauty which eludes him in And seen no other star. > human life. For lack of knowledge of Thee, > my Lord, in ignorant love he makes the wil- "Thy words are to me as fragrances borne > derness his home. But lo! he is rebuked by from the gardens of heaven, > the sense of a greater beauty the beauty of Beams of a lamp that is hid in the height > holiness. In the Sacred Writ of ancient days of a holier world, > he reads of Beings who walked this earth of Arrows of fire that pierce and destroy with > ours, full of love for all mankind, and spread the might of the levin > about them a glory that outlasts the cen- Into our midnight hurled. > turies and even at this distance of time makes > allthe splendor of dawn and day and night "Weak and unworthy my praise. Yet as > > seem temporal and poor. These are the from its throbbing throat > Prophets of Beauty, the Guardians of Perfect Some lone bird pours its song to the flaming > Truth, the Messengers to man of deathless infinite sky > > Reality. So unto Thee in the zenith I lift from a > > What, O Mighty Ones, is this earth where- depth remote > on you walked, this mortality you shared? This broken human cry." > What is the wisdom of sorrow and wrong > and mutability? Where is our deliverance Happiness wrapped Thy servant about, > and why is there a Prison-house from which and his mind passed through opening doors > to be delivered? What is this "Knowledge of truth from wonder to wonder. > of God" of which you speak as the great Itas though the few stray filaments of > is > > attainment of spiritual man, as the opening light which had pierced the gloom and saved > of mysteries, the end of illusion and igno- it from utter darkness now > strengthened one > rance? by one and slowly spread seeking perchance > Thy servant seeks for one who has this to join the edges of their rays and to combine > > knowledge and would, if heaven permit, im- at last to make one ocean of all-encompassing > > part it to him. light. > Years pass; and he finds none. By slow degrees there were revealed the > Thy servant seeks for one who desires this outline and the perspective of the land > knowledge and who will not rest till he find wherein Thy servant dwelled and wandered. > it. How precious would be a mortal com- He watched and thought and measured and > panion in this search! marveled. Change after change came upon > He tries many openings. Disappointment him. -The old loveliness and sanctitude that > follows disappointment. He is baffled; and had seemed the utmost and the highest lost > again baffled. He seems to be more com- its supremacy; lost its sufficiency. A great > pletely at a loss, more near to desolation than Beauty dawned. A sovereign Glory outshone > ever; when lo! in a moment, almost una- lesser Thrones. Thy servant's restless heart > wares he finds Thee. no longer wandered in uncertainty; it turned > A moment of all moments! from reflected lights to the one source of > At first it was but an echo that came from light. > THE SEVEN VALLEYS 625 > > How little had he within that hall of one thing to greet a dawn that rises on the > blackness known of the realities that lay distant horizon; it is another to welcome it > about him all his life! How unimaginably when it stands in fire on your own threshold. > rich and vast this earth and heaven which It is one thing to dream and to admire; it is > the Dawn brings out of the Unseen! And one thing to applaud those who challenged > this Thy servant, what is he in the midst of terror and with unblenched cheek walked > it, O Lord! through the horrors of the Pit; it is an- > How little (as he bathed his thoughts in other to recognize that Truth's sanctuthat increasing glory)how little did he grasp ary guarded eternally by walls of flame > is > > the meanings that were unfolded before him! through which no doubt or fear can ever > How blind was he to opportunities Thou pass alive. > How deaf to Thy answer to > offeredst him! Thy servant must go on. He cannot do > his prayers! otherwise. Sooner or later everyone who > Is he wiser now? What ancient darkness worships Truth and Thee must face the searreigns yet in Thy servant's heart steeping his ing fire. But from him whose heart loves > > thoughts in error? What illusions still dim only Thee, the flames will bend back. > and distort his vision? What false affections > numb his soul? And when the Seven Valleys are traversed > Far off tJie scene grows clear, but not the and the Goal is won and Thy > to the end; > > path at hand. He presses forward and misses Paradise attained, what will remain for any > the way and stumbles; and recovering presses servant of Thine, but to begin his journey > on. Well has it been said, O Lord, that the again and travel on and on for ever through > path to Thee is narrow as a hair and sharp as infinitudes of wisdom and love, passing from > a sword Has > . . . > light, too, its rhythms light to fuller light, from Truth to further > and its waves? Truth, from Beauty to a more perfect > Now again it seems to brighten. Ah, it is Beauty? > THE WORLD OF HEART > AND SPIRIT > BY HORACE HOLLEY > > JLHE dire hardship, mental and moral stability and unrest. This means that the > strain, and the perils of war and revolution power, effectiveness and continued existence > involved in the world's economic problems of both religious and civil institutions dehave come to constitute the severest chal- pend upon their ability to bring relief and > lenge which religion has ever faced in the en- establish progressive order in the collective > tire course of history. There is no retreating life of mankind. From the Baha'i point of > from the fact that this problem represents view, what isloosely called the "economic > the acute aspect of the whole general social problem" is simply a descriptive phrase emcondition of the age, the major symptom of ployed to cover the fundamental issues of rethe disease of affecting not > civilization and civilization. The disease has beligion > merely the security of the individual but also come identified with its most painful and > Our > the structure of every social institution. widespread symptom. > status as human beings, our most profound > interests and responsibilities as conscious in- > WHAT IS ECONOMICS? > dividuals, and our capacity as citizens, alike The simplest conceivable economic system > depend upon a final solution of the economic would be the life of a family in the wilderproblem. During the brief span of a few ness, sustained by hunting, fishing, agriculgenerations it has steadily enlarged in scope ture and handcraft. Practically every opfrom the controlled relations of individuals eration and function of the most intricate > within the organized nation to the uncon- and evolved social system would exist in the > trolled relations of nations themselves. An activities of that family in rudimentary > > apparently small break in the dike has be- form, with, however, one vital distinction: > come an overwhelming flood. that the family bond supplies the strongest > But while the traditional religious view has possible motive for mutual cooperation, and > endeavored to envisage the economic prob- makes possible the exchange of goods and > lem within limits corresponding to condi- services with the least possible interference. > tions existing in the past, or sought to reduce If for that symbolic family we substitute the > it to the field of personal ethics, or to assume same number of hostile, suspicious or indifexperimental relations with some existing ferent individuals, the problem of sustenance > secular social philosophy, the Faith of Baha'- would be transformed from the fulfillment > u'llah anticipated the whole problem of of mutual love to the application of the prinmodern civilization and for four generations ciple of personal advantage. Unless supreme > has upheld the true world outlook upon the necessity controlled that selfish instinct, such > trend that is now everywhere recognized to a group of individuals would soon be overbe as wide as the world and as deep as the whelmed. But the family bond, minimizing > motives and purposes of human life on earth. selfishness, making one individual willing to > The vital importance of a sound and ade- sacrifice himself for the others, uplifting the > > quate approach to the economic problem daily task from drudgery or danger to the > arises from the very fact that the popular realm of voluntary self-expression and group > understanding of the term "economics" harmony, can and has survived difficulties > magnifies it far beyond its original and in- and dangers throughout history which would > trinsic scope, and involves the economic soon destroy the group were its mutuality to > problem with every other aspect of social in- be lost. At the outset, therefore, one must > c > rt > > u > TJ > > 4_> > > VH > O > > rt > PQ > > .2 > *4-> > > fi > > ^4- > c > > X > > (U > > 628 THE BAHA'f WORLD > recognize that, irrespective of the technical The question, what is economics? simply > distinctionsbetween different economic sys- can not be answered in terms of any unvarytems, the problem of physical existence and ing scientific definition. Economics is and > social fulfillment involves two diametrically has always been an evolving reality, at first > opposed motives and spiritual qualities the so implicit in human relations and external > motive of unity and the motive of selfish tasks that those concerned are completely > > advantage. unconscious of it; gradually extended to in- > History is but the record of the spread of clude relationships which take on the characthat symbolic family around the earth, the ter of the external problem and, in doing so, > fatal loss of its sense of kinship, and the sub- lose the quality of mutuality; and finally, an > stitution of social systems of varying degree aspect of imposed social authority either civil > of unity or selfishness for the instinctive mu- or religious in form. What the modern man > tuality characterizing the original family means by economics is that order of human > unit. The pressure of necessity has at times relations and daily tasks so far removed from > produced, as within the nation at war, a the concept of family loyalty that the physquality of cooperation resembling the family icaltoken of exchange, money, has become > bond, even though but temporarily and even the one and only symbol of wealth. The > though this cooperation within the nation real wealth represented by vigorous effort, > has been spiritually offset by the concentra- successful attainment, work > cooperative > tion of struggle against the foreign foe. Such and social fulfillment in a community ineffect of historical necessity like war testifies spired by one sustaining spirit, is forgotover and other again, despite the opposed ten or lamented as no longer attainable on > facts, to the great truth that human beings earth. > are capable of social fusion and that when- Economics, in brief, when as a system or a > ever fusion takes place, reserves of energy, science or philosophy it can be apprehended > efficiency, and inner joy are released from and manipulated as an entirely separate and > long-hidden and long-forgotten spiritual re- distinct aspect of civilization, represents > sources within the human soul. The "glory nothing else than the decay of an ancient reof war" persisting in warriors down the ages ligion or the vain hope that the ills of society > reflects this inner release of unsuspected can be healed without the inspiration of true > power and sense of fulfillment during su- faith. The civilization in which economic > preme emergency, though tragically its reality can be intellectually or ethically > source ascribed to the fact of struggle > is severed from all other realities and relationrather than to the condition of social fusion ships is itself in the condition of decay. One > the struggle produced. who economics from the whole > isolates > In normal times, the substitute for neces- scheme of life is no longer dealing with life, > sity, or social pressure, is the function of but is musing upon a blueprint abstraction > government. As peoples grow civilized they which represents but a skeleton whence life > feel less and less pressure from the wilderness has fled. > and encounter fewer supreme emergencies of The spiritual tragedy of the age is our loss > the type confronting the original settlers or of true historical perspective. We > begin our > pioneers. To the degree that they become social inquiry with the invention of the > unable to attain social fusion through reli- steam engine or with the breakdown of the > gious faith or psychological experience, they feudal order shortly before. Such a limited > make up for its lack by developing the power view fails to perceive the organic nature of > of the king or state. The economy their society and its rise and fall in terms of spircivilization evolves rests upon > authority at itual or material motive. > all points where it can not rest The feudal order disappeared for two reaupon instinct, > and henceforth the economic system remains sons: first, because the component territorial > so inseparably a part of their civil and reli- units broke away from the social body of > gious code that it can only be altered indi- Christendom; and second, because its subrectly, by altering the civil code or the reli- merged individuals struggled for their rights > gious values first. and insisted upon a new and higher status. > THE WORLD OF HEART AND SPIRIT 629 > > The nations arose, and with the nations, the struggling class philosophies within many > ideal of liberty among the people. Those of the nations. > who had been serfs wanted political, legal The element of social tension within the > and social rights, and the personal status de- nation is no less vital than the competition > veloped under feudalism was transformed of the national states themselves. > into status by contract. Written constitu- The factory system, created from feudaltions established a contractual basis for cit- ized classes and peoples, made sharp diviizenship, and the wage system had a similar sions between wages and profits, and beeffect for industry. The movement, out- tween labor and management. The consumwardly, was from unity and conformity to ing markets were so under-capitalized that > separatism and differentiation. Inwardly, it profit and low wages seemed synonymous > was from instinct and social habit to rea- terms. As factories -increased in size, the > son and conscious will. To accomplish such owners and managers became more and more > a movement, powerful religious sanctions separated in feeling and outlook from the > had to be repudiated by at least a consid- workers. The organic principle, that society > erable portion of the public. The trend can is and must be only an extension of the famonly be explained and appreciated in terms ily, weakened and died; a considerable proof a far greater social cycle, involving the portion of the people found that in winning > rise, development and eventual disintegra- the political struggle for equality they had > tion of a civilization. lost the basis of economic security and sustenance. Too late and too unorganized to > THE PROBLEM OF CIVILIZATION prevent this outcome of individualism arose > Beneath the modern industrial period, con- the realization that industry, to maintain > sequently, one must recognize the working must maintain its own market, its > itself, > of forces in the direction of the seculariza- market being the people as a whole and not > tion of life, and the reduction of a moral merely a small wealthy class. > culture to its component parts, which The conviction that industry constituted > would have operated quite independently of too great a power to depend upon individual > the eruptive influence of science and in- wills inevitably gathered force. From that > vention. The swift progress of the machine force has been released the ideas, programs > in the West intensified but did not create and organizations whose influence opposes > the general trend. industrial individualism with the principle > > By that swift progress, the territorial of socialization. > isolation of the nation, which was the historical justification for nationalism, was > THE PROBLEM OF INDUSTRY > eventually destroyed. An "industrial proc- The general principle of socialization uness" developed under which it became nec- number of mutually exclusive proderlies a > > essary to seek both raw materials and mark- grams and parties, from those motivated by > ets in areas beyond the political frontier. conceptions of a classless society eventually > The national sovereignty which had been reducing the functions of the state to a minessential and sufficient to deal with the re- imum, to those which promote the conceplations of individuals and groups within the tion of the totalitarian state possessing a > > nation became a fictitious authority when maximum of centralized authority, ownerapplied to the industrial process as a whole. ship and control. > Hence came into being the complex prob- The strife between the theories and prolem of our civilization: the factor of com- grams has served to obscure the fundamenpetition transferred from domestic groups tal issue and to introduce the factor of vio- > > to sovereign states, each multiplied in power lence into a problem which in essence is > > by scientific industry and all more and more highly spiritual in nature. > dependent upon the world as a whole, less The fundamental issue may be defined as > and less capable of maintaining themselves the question of determining the proper rein independent isolation; with, furthermore, lations of individuals to society, and of > the secular outlook established in terms of society to individuals. This question, in > 630 THE BAHA'f WORLD > turn, resolves itself into the problem of how living sense of the unity of peoples and of > the psychology of the united, mutually co- events. In losing that source of universal > > operative family applies to > mankind as a love, we have departed from any realization > > whole. Are factory owners and workers of a family bond in society, and in losing > entrenched enemies, or are they partners in the vision of the unity of peoples we have > a common task? Does the political liberty repudiated the connections between suc- > > of the individual extend to the corporation cessive historical events. We regard events > which combines the property of ten thou- merely as manifestations of personal or group > sand individuals and carries responsibility will; those connections by which alone the > > for the income and welfare of a million workings of cause and effect are made apworkers? Are some economic enterprises parent have become completely veiled. A > so inherently social in aim, method or re- secular society ignores the manifestations of > > sult that they come into a different area of Providence but does not thereby remove ittruth than individual conscience or class self from and complete applicatheir full > > outlook? tion to human affairs. > The modern world > But these vital questions, raised in one has public policy but no social morality; it > form or another in all industrial countries, has desperate hope in the power of the state > can not be treated on their intrinsic merits but no faith in God; it has the technology > nor solved in relation to their ultimate hu- of material fulfillment, but its spiritual isoman significance in a world so darkened and lation makes inevitable the increase of pov- > > troubled by international conflict as is the erty, of class disturbance and of internaworld today. No national state at this time tional war. > > is able to solve simultaneously both its in- A more vivid spiritual faith, or a truer > ternal and external problems, for the reason spiritual culture, would bring appreciation > that both problems are worldwide in scope of the fact that the workings of Providence > and both are spiritual in character. We throughout the course* of known history > reach the end of our available human re- have had a visible and not merely a hidden > sources, and our future destiny lies with the or mysterious manifestation. As the Baha'i > Creator of mankind. teachings assert, each civilization has had its > For it has become evident that the appli- origin in the power of faith released by > cation of authority alone, in the form of the Prophet or Manifestation of God; each > unrestricted physical force and psychic in- civilization has developed to the height of its > > fluence, does not solve social problems. If capacity, and at that apex of attainment has > sufficient power isconcentrated to suppress worshiped human works and human powclass dissension, that power but serves to ers, and thence undergone a > lost its faith, > > augment the larger dissensions of peoples process of and strife until comdivision > and states. The world has come to a dire pletely overthrown. The rise and fall of > extremity for lack of a unifying spirit ca- successive civilizations mark the footprints > pable of producing instruments of agree- of a Divine will interposed upon human > ment and mutual and for lack > decision, affairs. > > of an international order capable of remov- Baha'u'llah, whose mission was to renew > ing the sources of strife and inculcating the spirit of religion in this age, upheld the > the consciousness of the oneness of man- conception of mankind as an organic unit. > kind. He taught the progressiveness of religion as > the vitalizing spirit which from age to age > THE ONENESS OF MANKIND restores, by conscious faith in the one God, > Our lack of an organic sense of history is the sense of kinship among human beings. > no mere matter of deprivation of intellectual He has bridged the yawning chasm between > knowledge. It is but one symptom of the the Prophets of past ages, whose followers > decay of religious faith. If the heart still limited their faith and loyalty to one race or > turned in adoration to the ancient Founder one territorial area and failed to recognize > of religion, that attitude would bridge the the sublime truth that all religions have > chasm between the centuries and provide a been phases of one Religion. To the Baha'i, > WORLD OF HEART AND SPIRIT 631 > > the bond of faith removes and obliterates The follower of BahaVllah holds fast, in > the false divisions and distinctions between an hour when all else fails, to the principle > the peoples, races, classes and creeds of hu- of evolution in the life of the race. This > manity. "Ye are the leaves of one tree," age,he is informed, represents the maturity > BahaVllah declared to the people of this of man. The Divine teachings, therefore, > age. The fire of devotion to this principle have been revealed in greater measure than > consumes that prejudice which underlies could be understood or applied in prior ages. > each and every source of organized and in- With the coming of maturity, man collec- > The spirit of conscious faith, > veterate strife. tively becomes responsible for the achievereturning to mankind in the hour of direst ment of higher tasks, as he is given the privneed, has created a spiritual community in- ilege of greater truth. The establishment of > cluding believers in many parts of the a world civilization (jails for the use of the > world. The rich and the poor have true utmost spiritual, ethical and mental capacinner contact; the whites and the blacks ity. In accepting this gigantic task, the > > recognize one another as members of the race consciously works out its destiny, > same human > family, all alike > dependent thereby drawing nearer to the will of God. > upon unity for their very security and con- What men now fail to recognize as their true > tinued physical existence. human function, or ignore as the measure of > The spread of this faith quickens the their collective possibility, will reappear to > realization that the spiritual imperative is their consciousness as additional social burthe true dynamic of social progress, the fun- den and torment until ignorance or indifferdamental reality whose mere shadow has ence is consumed as by fire. > given rise to such concepts as "economic The greater measure of spiritual truth > determinism." It produces capacity for BahaVllah revealed contains the elements of > peaceful discussion and agreement upon a world order, for religion today is a social > > truths which concern the welfare of all. It and not merely a personal truth. > frees human beings from the influence of "Soon will the present-day order be rolled > local environment and tradition, making up, and a new one spread out in its > them ready for world citizenship. It raises stead." > to the level of moral and ethical principles "Arise, O people, and, by the power of > those social problems which have been re- God's might, resolve to gain the victory > garded as merely economic or political in over your own selves, that haply the whole > significance. The Baha'i answer to what is earth may be freed and sanctified from its > termed the "economic problem" is that this servitude to the gods of its idle fancies > > problem, in reality, constitutes but one facet gods that have inflicted such loss upon, > of the true problem confronting mankind and are responsible for the misery of, > > today, the unification of peoples in the light their wretched worshipers. These idols > of their attitude to God, and the attain- form the obstacle that impeded man in > ment by the nations of a world order pos- his efforts to advance in the path of perfecsessing the elements of deliberation, de- tion. > cision and action in the realm of interna- "Having created the world and all that > tional affairs. liveth and moveth therein, He, through the > The Baha'is have full conviction that any direct operation of His unconstrained and > course of action and any attitude falling sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man > short of this goal will fail to remove the the unique distinction and capacity to know > > dangers of modern life and bring no relief. Him and to love Him a capacity that must > The motives of mankind, and hence their needs be regarded as the generating impulse > institutions, so long as they seek isolation and the primary purpose underlying the > or partisan victory, can only intensify the whole of creation." > chaos into which destiny has brought a "God's purpose in sending His Prophets > time responsible for a collective failure to unto men is twofold. The first is to libknow and obey the laws revealed by the erate the children of men from the darkness > > Prophets of the past. of ignorance, and guide them to the light > 632 THE BAHA'f WORLD > of true understanding. The second is to in- and the one agency for the unification of > sure the peace and tranquillity of mankind, the world, and the proclamation of the reign > and provide all the means by which they can of righteousness and justice upon the > be established." x earth." > To summarize: No secular economic phi- > "THE WORLD OF THE HEART losophy can be interposed into the present > AND SPIRIT" national societies as a solution of their ills > for the reason that secular systems are based > The Baha'i teachings assert definitely upon material considerations which exclude > that "the fundamentals of the whole eco- the spiritual element in man. A sound econnomic condition are Divine in nature and omy must be a world economy and at the > are associated with the world of the heart same time represent fulfillment of individand spirit." 2 They therefore offer no de- ual possibilities and the potential resources > tailed and final plan for the operation of of social cooperation. The way to true > > industry and finance. Their aim is to pro- progress, moreover, can not be attained > duce in man himself that quality of personal merely by shifting ownership or control back > motive and social vision out of which an and forth between secularized individuals > organic and functional world society can and secularized Man's relationships > states. > > alone proceed. If we can but view the to man must reflect laws, and > spiritual > world of mankind as a vital organism, sus- statutes deprived of spiritual content seem > tained by one spirit, its institutions serving but temporary expedients in the light of the > as organs and limbs, all interdependent and grave international emergency. > mutually serving the interests of the whole, As the human organism is the unity of > we emerge from the consciousness of an diverse elements, substances and organic > era that is dying and can serve an age that powers, so in the world community of the > is > coming to birth. In this conception, the future there will be institutions, regulations > office of religion differs profoundly from the and methods for dealing with economic afmaintenance of rites, ceremonies and spe- fairs. Economic affairs, however, will be > cialized institutions which religion has integrated with all other fundamental huseemed to be throughout ages in the past. man activities and aims, in the same manner > Its mission today is to release the spirit of as human skeleton, nervous system, > the > world unity, and to convey truths about tissues and blood are correlated into the > man and society possessing the validity of whole scheme of personality. But only the > spiritual law. Nothing can re-inspire vital outlines of the future order can now be dislife within the mechanisms of the old order. cerned. The elimination of war must pre- > A new order is > required, a new order or- cede the adoption of international law in > dained. Only that possesses survival value the economic field. We > are in the midst of > which can adapt to the needs and purposes a dynamic world movement, which static > of a unified world. definitions either of human nature or of so- > "For Baha'u'llah has not only im- > . . . cial principle utterly fail to > interpret. The > bued mankind with a new and regenerating Baha'i teachings are in themselves dynamic, > Spirit. He has not merely enunciated cer- unfolding continuously their significance as > tain universal principles, or propounded a they penetrate into the human soul. These > particular philosophy, however potent, sound teachings establish the stupendous truth that > and universal these may be. In addition to a World Economics can be nothing else > these He, as well as 'Abdu'1-Baha after Him, than the social application of a World Faith. > have, unlike the Dispensations of the past, "A world community in which all ecoclearly and specifically laid down a set of nomic barriers will have been permanently > Laws, established definite institutions, and > provided for the essentials of a Divine Econ- 1 > Excerpts from "Gleanings from the Writings of > omy. These are destined to be a pattern for BahiVlUh." > 2 The > future society, a supreme instrument for Promulgation of Universal Peace, 'Abdu'l- > Baha. > the establishment of the Most Great Peace, 3 The > World Order of BahaVlIih, Shoghi Effendi. > THE WORLD OF HEART AND SPIRIT 633 > > Previous method of treatment of prisoners in fran. The figure fourth from the left > marked X > was a well-known Baha'i teacher. > > demolished and the interdependence of Cap- federated units; and finally a world comitaland Labor definitely recognized; in munity in which the fury of a capricious and > which the clamor of religious fanaticism militant nationalism will have been transand strife will have been forever stilled; in muted into an abiding consciousness of > which the flame of racial > animosity will world citizenship such indeed, appears, in > have been finally extinguished; in which a its broadest outline, the Order anticipated > > single code of international law the prod- by BahaVllah, an Order that shall come to > uct of the considered judgment of the be regarded as the fairest fruit of a slowly > world's federated representatives shall have maturing age." > as its sanction the instant and coercive intervention of the combined forces of the 4 The > Goal of a New World Order, Shoghi Effendi, > A SESSION AT THE WORLD > CONGRESS OF FAITHS > BY HELEN BISHOP > > JLHIS Congress held daily sessions from dhistic hope for world fellowship. A Chi- > July 3 through July 17, 1936, in the great nese, Mr. S. I. Hsiung, talented author of > hall of the University, in London, besides Lady Precious Streamy made worthy comfour public meetings at Queen's Hall. It ments. Afterwards, the Right Honourwas a representative gathering of religion- able Sir Herbert Samuel (now Viscount > > ists, liberal or free thinkers, scientists, and Samuel of Carmel) gave an eloquent adphilosophers and thus a temptation to doc- dress. > > trinal debate or interplay of minds but its The following papers were read in the > intention was thoroughly practical. "To daily sessions either by their respective aupromote the spirit of fellowship was the one thors or their appointees: > aim of the Congress," said its able Chairman, > Sir FrancisYounghusband. 1. The Essential Basis of Religion, by A. > Hence, all papers read were prefaces to the Yusuf 'All. > theme of "World Fellowship through Re- 2. Ignorance and World Fellowship, by Dr. > ligion": Buddhists, Brahmans, Jews, Chris- Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki. > tians, Muslims, followers of Confucius and 3. An Inspiring Vision, by Prof. G. P. > > seekers of a better social order gave their Malalasekera. > > points of view on the problem of unity and 4. The Brotherhood of Man and the Reworld peace. The free discussion by mem- ligions,by Prof. Nicolas Berdiaeff. > bers of the Congress, which followed the 5. Love The Basis of Fellowship, by Prof. > formal reading, adduced further argument Louis Massignon and M. Saurat. > and was germane to that one central theme. 6. Religion and Religions, by Dr. Sir Sarve- > In the social hours came opportunity to cul- palli Radhakrishnan. > tivate personal contacts with those who had 7. Science and Religion, by the late Prof. > come together to investigate the truth be- J. S. Haldane read by his daughter, > hind the barriers of the religions. Mrs. Naomi Mitchison. > The official opening was also the first pub- 8. A Hindu View of Religion, by Prof. S. > lic meeting, held at Queen's Hall on the N. Das Gupta. > evening of July 3. Dame Elizabeth Cad- 9. Islam and World Fellowship, by Sir > > bury was in the chair. His Highness the 'Abdu'l-Qadir. > Maharajah Gaekwar of Baroda, the Honour- 10. The City of God, by the Rev. J. S. > > able President of the Congress, gave an ad- Whale. . > > dress of welcome. A gracious message came 11. Prayer and Spiritual Experience, by > from His Majesty King Edward VIII to the Prof. Mahendra Nath Sircar. > > Congress. Then Lord Allen of Hurtwood 12. A New Pilgrim's Progress, by Dr. Ranspoke for the millions who could not iden- jee G. Shahani. > tify themselves with any creed or church. 13. Is World Fellowship Possible in View of > As President of the International Council of the Antagonisms of the World? by Dr. > Women, Lady Aberdeen conveyed the hearty W. J. Stein. > good wishes of some forty millions of women 14. The Teachings of Confucius and His > belonging to all races, to all nations, to all Followers, by Mr. S. I. Hsiung. > classes and all faiths. From Japan, the Zen 15. The Spirit of Peace and the Spirit of > sage, Dr. Teitaro Suzuki, expressed the Bud- War, by Dr. Judah L. Magnes. > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS 635 > > 16. Independent Religious Thought, by M. tive faith may be regarded as similar to > Jean Schlumberger. those of other communities, but the > 17. Baha'u'llah's Ground Plan of World Baha'i Faith exists for the purpose of > Fellowship. A paper approved by Sho- combining in one synthesis all those eleghi Effendi. ments in the various faiths which are held > 18. The Economic Barriers to Peace, by the in common. And that is why I suggest > Rev. P. T. R. Kirk. that this Baha'i community is really more > 19. A Constructive Proposal, by His Emi- in agreement with the main idea which > nence Shaykh Al-Maraghi. has led to the summoning of the Congress > 20. The Right of the Spirit, by Prof. J. than any particular one of the great re- > > Emile Marcault. ligious communities of the world. > Its origin was in Persia where a mystic > > "The Supreme Spiritual Ideal" was de- prophet, who took the name of the Bab, > veloped in the two public meetings of July the. "Gate," began a mission among the > 6 and 9. The Right Honorable Lord Sneil Persians in the earlier part of the nineof Plumstead was in the chair on the sixth; teenth century. He collected a considand the speakers were the Rev. Canon F. R. erable number of adherents. His activities > > Barry, Rabbi Dr. Israel Mattuck, and Dr. were regarded with apprehension by the > Radhakrishnan. On the ninth, Sir Frederick Government of Persia of that day. Fi- > > Whyte was in the chair; and Dr. Suzuki, nally, he and his leading disciples were > Madame Halide Edib, and Mr. Rom Landau seized by the forces of the Persian Govwere the speakers. At the farewell meeting ernment and were shot in the year 1850. > on the evening of July 17, Prof. Marcault In spite of the persecution, the movewas in the chair; and the speakers were Prof. ment spread in Persia and in many coun- > Mahendra Nath Sircar, M. Denis Saurat, Vis- tries of Islam. He was followed as the > count Samuel, Sir Francis Younghusband, head of the Community by the one who > and Mr. Yusuf 'All. has been its principal prophet and expo- > These addresses, together with the papers nent, BahaVllah. He was most active > and the resume of discussions are available and despite persecution and imprisonment > in the volume of proceedings published for made it his life's mission to spread the > The World Congress of Faiths. 1 The event creed which he claimed to have received > recorded in this Babd't World is the presen- by direct divine revelation. He died in > tation of the Baha'i Faith before the mem- 1892 and was succeeded as the head of the > bers of the Congress on the morning of community by his son, 'Abdu'1-Baha, who > July 16. was born in 1844. He was living in > As the Chairman, Viscount Samuel spoke Haifa, in a simple house, when I went > these telling words: there as High Commissioner in 1920, and > I had the privilege of one or two most > If one were compelled to choose which interesting conversations with him on the > of the many religious communities of the principles and methods of the Baha'i faith. > world was closest to the aim and purpose He died in 1921 and his obsequies were > of this Congress, I think one would be attended by a great concourse of people. > obliged to say that it was the comparatively I had the honor of representing His Majlittle known Baha'i community. Other esty the King on that occasion. > faiths and creeds have to consider, at Since that time, the Baha'i faith has > a Congress like this, in what way they secured the support of a very large numcan contribute to the idea of world fel- ber of communities throughout the world. > lowship. But the Baha'i faith exists At the present time it is estimated that > almost for the sole purpose of contribut- there are about eight hundred Baha'i com- > > ing to the fellowship and the unity of munities in various countries. In the > mankind. United States, near Chicago, a great tem- > Other communities may consider how 1 > Faiths and Fellowship, pub. by J. M. Watkins, 2 1 > far a particular element of their respec- Cecil Court, London, W. C. 2. > 636 THE BAHA'f WORLD > pie, now approaching completion, has way in such an hour as this. Men question > been erected by American adherents to the the love of a God who could let loose on > faith, with assistance from elsewhere. them so dire a cataclysm and could choose > Shoghi Effendi, the grandson of 'Abdu'l- out this generation for suffering wholly un- > Baha, is now the head of the community. precedented. Their doubt cuts them off > He came to England and was educated at from the source of light and help. There > Balliol College, Oxford, but now lives at is no vision; and the people perish. Only > Haifa, and is the centre of a community Faith sees clearly, in open view, that this > which has spread throughout the world. 2 darkness is cast by a great light, that this > passing defeat of the spirit of Fellowship is > The Reverend Canon George Townshend, the prelude of its final victory. A loving > on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, read the fol- God would not have set this generation problowing paper as approved by the Guardian: lems without bestowing the ability to solve > The Ground Plan of World Fellowship them, would not inflict dire penalties on > which is now submitted to your considera- those whom he regarded as guiltless. > tion was composed out of the writings of We are by the strange new > daunted > BahaVllah and presented by 'Abdu'1-Baha on every side; we > troubles that close us in > in London, and later in Paris, about a quar- do not look within and observe that a new > ter of a century ago. It proposes in the power of mastering these is being developed > simplest possible form a practical scheme for in conscience and in spirit. Intellectual > > mastering the urgent problem of world-fel- vision never was so keen as in this genera- > > lowship; and its originating idea, though of tion; but spiritual vision, was it ever more > > outstanding magnitude, is such as to place weak? We talk, we boast, of the New Age, > the whole plan throughout, from its begin- but we miss its greatest gift. We say the > ning, in complete accord with the purpose human race is at last reaching maturity, but > we have before us to-day that of promot- we do not realise the fullness, the completeing the spirit of fellowship through the in- ness of this growth. We perceive it is inspiration of religion. tellectual; we do not perceive that it is, in > This Plan, in every feature, plainly im- like measure, moral and spiritual. Man's > plies that nothing less than a concerted effort conscience has become more sensitive, his > on a world scale, with the spiritual energies spirit more responsive to heavenly promptof mankind informing its practical energies, ings. As he is to-day endowed with a new > will now suffice to awaken the spirit of fel- degree of intellectual power, so also is he > lowship and secure deliverance from danger. endowed to-day with a new degree of re- > No local or regional effort; no partial effort ligious power. The evolutionary process, > of either religion alone or statecraft alone, with even hand, bears onward the whole > will completely solve our problems. The being and nature of man; his heart as well > sense of fellowship, to be adequate to this as his brain. New ideals, new hopes, new > unique emergency, must, on the one hand, be dreams of further progress, a more general, > broad based on the whole of our human na- more insistent desire to build a better world > moral and intellectual, and > ture, spiritual, than the one which we inherit, these bear > on the other hand must not be limited by witness to man's consciousness of growth. > any terrestrial boundaries whatever. In all its faculties the human race is passing > Such a thesis may still be ahead of the from childhood and ignorance towards mapublic opinion of mankind. But it is not so turity; towards the tasks that befit full > far ahead of that opinion as it was when it manhood. To-day mankind is like a youth > was first proposed in this city in 1911. To- leaving school for the sterner world of busiday our emergency is rather more serious ness and affairs. It is called on to put into > than then; but it is of the same general char- practice the lessons of moral principle and > acter. What, then, and up to the present, human fellowship in which it has been inhas been lacking in men's experiments is the structed for so- long. For how many cenclearness of spiritual vision, the guidance of 2 > Ibid., pp. 311-12. > intuition. Only Faith can point or see the 3 > Ibid., pp. 299-311. > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS 637 > > turies have we, all of us, been under tutelage whole world as a unit is involved, the ideals > to those whom we revere as the Founders which are to guide this movement must be > of our Faiths? Is it strange that a time given a definite shape. If there is to be conshould come when we should be required to certed action towards a single goal, some > > put into concrete deeds the precepts of map of the common journey must be made. > brotherhood we all acknowledge, and should Vague sentiments of goodwill, however genat last be threatened with condign punish- uine, will not suffice. Some explicit agreement if we disobey? ment on principles will be required for any > Much, indeed, has been done of late to coordinated progress. > remedy old wrongs, to suppress tyranny, to was to this task that BahaVllah long > It > > uplift the oppressed, to relieve the poor, to ago addressed himself, and worked out a > teach the ignorant. But how much re- Ground Plan on which the temple of human > mains undone! We have accomplished fellowship might be reared. It consisted of > > enough to convict ourselves of being fitted a set .of fundamental principles and reprefor a better social order, of being ready to sented the minimum of what the occasion > inaugurate a system of widespread justice required. No foundation less deeply dug > and fraternity, and of lacking the resolution than this will hold the structure that is to > to put our ideals into effect. There is be built upon it. > enough of good in our recent record to in- The burden of the whole scheme was laid > criminate us, but not enough to deliver us. ultimately upon the shoulders of each indi- > We stand now before the judgment seat of vidual man and woman. Everybody by > heaven condemned by the evidence of our virtue of his status as a human being had his > own acts. share in the vast world enterprise. The prin- > We had no vision. Men turned from the ciple of individual responsibility was thus to > saints, mystics, and seers, and listened to be the basis of all progress. > secular philosophers. Blind leaders of the But underneath this basic fact of human > blind, into what perdition have they led us! duty lay something deeper yet. The living > Our intellectual eminence by some fatality rock on which this foundation was to be > heightened our troubles. Divorced from laid was something the strength of which > > faith, it aggravated human pride, taught humanity hitherto has too little recognized. > men to forget their moral responsibility and That rock is the Truth. This spirit of felto deny their servitude before the moral lowship which we seek to encourage is not > law. The inevitable hour of retribution by BahaVllah conceived as some addition to > draws near. being, which the genius of man should un- > Surely this is a love-tragedy vaster in its dertake to create. As a flower within the > scale, more terrible in its poignancy than bud, it lies waiting the hour of its appearany in the history of our race! ance. It is a reality which our fragmen- > > The urge of evolution pressed us forward; tariness denies. And what this Assembly > we would not go. The spirit of fellowship desires to do is not to create something new, > > grew warm in our hearts; we would not feed but to give expression to something which > its flame. The gates of world-brotherhood is > already in existence though unused. Man's > opened wide; we turned away. God poured advancing power is due to his increasing > His spiritual bounties on spirit and con- knowledge of truth; and the magnificence of > science in greater abundance than ever; we this present age bears witness in the last rein our blindness rejected His gifts and Him. sort not to the personal greatness of this > But this failure is not final nor for long. generation, but rather to the greatness of a > It is not the failure of Faith, nor yet of continuously unfolding Truth. If this Age > Love. It is the open, the confessed failure isto become the Age of Universal Brotherof human wisdom. Through its purgation hood, itmust be the Age of Knowledge, > men who have doubted will learn to turn knowledge of Truth. The Truth will set us > for fellowship and peace to the way they free. The Truth will make us one. > have not trodden; the way of religion. But As the first item of his programme, thereall must tread this way together. Since the fore, BahiVllah claimed that every indi- > 638 THE BAH'A'f WORLD > vidual should have the right of seeking for ligion; and to this extent, the whole world > himself the truth. Love of truth, which at over, members of all the religions have an > the present time is growing apace among outlook, an experience, an obligation which > mankind, is the sole real corrective of all they share in common with one another in > forms of error and illusion. The great en- spite of their special and distinctive loyalmities which in the past have divided man- ties, and which group them all together apart > kind, and which were due to misunderstand- from the sceptic. > ing and ignorance, have, in recent times, The more intensely spiritual men are, the > los.t their vitality, and our estrangements more vividly conscious are they of the realare now due chiefly to the instinct of imi- ity and sweetness of this communion, and > tation and to prejudice. These prejudices one of their privileges is the experience of > have come down to us from the past, racial, a deep sympathy, a common lowliness, a > > religious, national. For them all Baha'u- common aspiration which they share with > 'llah offers one radical cure, the search for those of a different tradition from their > truth. The battle which mankind yet has own. > to fight between prejudice and truth he Not only in their atmosphere and their > seems to regard as the Armageddon of the influence but even in their profounder teachhuman soul. ings the world-religions may show forth > Through this search for truth mankind this unity. Do not all our faiths affirm and > at last would become really and clearly con- magnify the love of God for His creatures? > scious of the essential unity of the human What truth could be more ancient, more > race. For this unity is, and has ever been, a precious than this? What would bind those > fact. "Ye are the branches of one tree, and who espouse it with a closer tie of fellowthe leaves of one branch. Deal ye with one ship? > another with the utmost love and harmony, This age of widening consciousness and > with friendliness and fellowship," wrote deepening love of truth has begun to bring > BahaVllah. From the full knowledge of us, on a scale quite unprecedented, some > this and from nothing less, there > unity, accurate knowledge of the sacred treasures > would be born in this age a spirit of world and the sacred history of the human race. > fellowship adequate to the present emer- Scholars, divines, men of letters, poets have > gency. On this consciousness of unity, all contributed to this enlightenment. > They > therefore, 'Abdu'1-Baha laid thegreatest show us each of the great religions as being > stress. He gave to it a central place in his like a majestic temple reared in some chosen > > programme, other features supporting or spot by the hand of a master architect, and > amplifying it or giving it application in the surrounded now by a multitude of lesser > > practical affairs of mankind. buildings of various later dates. Each tem- > One of the facts which has obscured ple blends with its own environment but is > from men's view their essential unity is the in marked contrast with all the other temdifference between the world religions, which ples. No two are alike, and the annexes > has been made the cause of estrangement, connected with each are still more unlike. > of prejudice, and even of ill-will and strife. But if the enquiring traveler pursues his > But, insisted 'Abdu'1-Baha, there is nothing investigations and makes his way within the > in these differences which should produce so sacred structures, he discovers in their sevsad a result. Indeed, there is an important eral interiors and even in the shrines themaspect in which all religions are at heart one, selves an unmistakable kinship in beauty. > and he included the existence of this unity Experts in comparative religion have > as a principle in his scheme. He meant, so spoken with emphasis of the points of agreeit seems, that a religion does not consist ment to be found between the world resolely of a doctrine,and an institution, but ligions. Professor Cheyne quotes Max Mulis and vital sense a spiritual > also, in a real ler as"advising Brahmists to call themselves > atmosphere. It is, as he once described it, Christians," and himself argues that the > "an attitude of soul towards God, reflected reconciliation of religions must precede that > in life." This is the essence of true re- of races "which at present is so lamentably > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS 639 > > incomplete." The evidence of men of learn- mon knowledge, of which evidence is within > ing is supported by that of another cloud of the reach of all. In a well-known English > witnesses, whose testimony none can gain- work, Miss Underbill writes of the mystics > say, and who speak with the voice not of that, "We meet these persons in the east and > intellectual criticism but of spiritual knowl- the west, in the ancient, medieval, and mod- > > edge. The highest exponents of a religion, ern worlds. Their one passion appears to > those who understand most thoroughly its be the prosecution of a certain spiritual and > meaning and interpret its spirit with the intangible quest. . . . This, for them, has > most compelling authority, are those men constituted the whole meaning of life . . . > and women of mystical genius whose im- and it is an indirect testimony to its objecpassioned devotion and obedience to their tive actuality that whatever the place or > divine Master is the outstanding feature of period in which they have arisen, their aims, > their lives. If each of these religions were doctrines and methods have been substanstrictly exclusive, the negation of all the tially the same. Their experience, therefore, > others, bringing to men its own irreconcil- forms body of evidence, curiously selfa > > able message, those who followed these re- consistent and often mutually explanaligions to the extreme, the mystics and the tory. . . ." Introduction to Mysticism, > saints, would assuredly move farther and Ch. 1. > farther apart, and would come to rest at the Every public library in this country will > last point of divergence. The greater the contain books supplying illustrations of this > saint the wider the gulf between him and statement. The mystical outlook and perthe saints of alien allegiances. At the spective both on the things of heaven and > same time the less aspiring and spiritu- the things of earth is in its essence eternally > ally gifted multitudes, immersed in the the same. But perhaps no instance of the > daily human concerns which all men fundamental unity that underlies all mystishare alike, would be found to be the least cal experience is more striking than that > > estranged from one another by their differ- parallelism between Plotinus and St. Augusing creeds. tine to which in his Evolution of Theology > But in fact this is not so. Strangely, very Professor Edward Caird draws attention. > > strangely, religious history shows us some- "Some of the finest expressions of this (the > thing quite different, exactly the opposite. mystical) attitude of soul," he writes, "may > The contrast between each world-religion be found in the Confessions of St. Augusand all its sister-religions is, as a rule, felt tine. But when St. Augustine expresses his > most acutely and insisted on most vigorously deepest religious feelings we find that he reby the less mystically minded of 'its votaries. peats the thoughts and almost the very > While the mystics of all the religions, in- words of Plotinus." Professor Caird then > stead of moving farther and ever farther shows how closely akin to the thought of > apart, seem rather to travel by converging Plotinus is "that great passage in which > paths and to draw nearer and nearer to- Augustine gives an account of his last congether. versation with his mother Monica about the > If one is to accept the account of their life of the redeemed in heaven." And he > experience given by contemporaries or by concludes, "how deeply neo-Platonism must > themselves, these mystics seem all the world have sunk into the spirit of St. Augustine, > over to have gone upon the same spiritual when, in describing the highest moment of > adventure, to be drawn onward by the same his experience, he adopts almost > religious > experience of an outpoured heavenly love; verbally the language in which Plotinus tries > and they testify one and all that to reach to depict the mystic ecstasy of the indithis knowledge of the love of God is to un- vidual soul as it enters into communion with > derstand at last the mystery and the hidden the soul of the world." > blessedness of life, and to possess an ever- By what diverse paths have mystics, who > lasting treasure for which the sacrifice of all had nothing in common save wholehearted > earthly things is but a little price. servitude before the one loving God, by > This fellowship among all mystics is com- what diverse paths have they all alike at- > 640 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tained the blessed Presence? And what man this were not so, what useful place would > in his pride of opinion will shut outfrom religion fill in this Cosmos of ours? > > Paradise those whom God's own hand has If now, the creative power of religion to > , > > admitted? Thus do scholars and saints join effect this purpose were called upon and put > to testify that the great religions have their to vigorous use, how many vital problems > aspect of unity as well as their aspect of which have proved insoluble on the intellecvariety, and that without qualifying their tual plane, such as the reunion of Christen- > > special allegiance, worshippers in all re- dom or the combating of secularism, might > ligions may find something^ in the funda- prove much more tractable when carried to > mental nature of religion itself which pro- the spiritual plane? > motes a sweet, precious and abiding sense of Another effort at harmonization was > true companionship. called for when Baha'u'llah included in this > The promotion of a boundless spirit of scheme an active partnership between reconcord and goodwill, Baha'u'llah main- ligionand science. > tained to be agreeable to the genius of every Tolerance between the two is too little. > world-religion. Whatever misunderstanding In their nature they are complementary, as > > may have arisen in bygone centuries, no re- two wings with which the soul soars towards > ligion as originally taught was meant to knowledge of the truth. Science divorced > encourage animosity. Quite the contrary. from religion gives a wholly distorted view > Religion is meant to heal discord. So im- of reality.Religion divorced from science > portant, in an age of disintegration, did this may become a mere superstition. Man is to > feature of religion seem that 'Abdu'1-Baha use both as his servants and thus to bring > > proposed to include in his Plan the precept the material aspect of life and the spiritual > that, "the purpose of religion is to promote aspect at last into evident and complete > harmony and affection." accord. > One will not doubt this loving purpose To these principles Baha'u'llah added, as > may be discovered, or rediscovered, in every necessary for practical results, certain proone of our world-faiths, and assuredly in visions of a more material nature. 'Abdu'l- > Christianity. If we look away from Chris- Baha mentioned laws to prevent extremes of > tendom to Christ and to the pure teaching of indigence and opulence, universal education, > Christ, we find it evident throughout the a common language, a central World-Tri- > > Gospels. Christ said that one's whole duty bunal. > was to love God and one's neighbor, and He To the use by all nations of a secondary > described neighbor as meaning anyone you or world language in addition to their > could help regardless of creed or kin. He mother tongue, great importance was atmade fellowship in love the evidence of tached. Without this device fellowship > Christian membership: "By this shall all would never be assured. The religious hismen know that ye are My disciples if ye have tory of mankind from the days of Babel to > love one to another." the present bears out this emphasis. When > In this Age we congratulate ourselves that we remember, for example, the influence of > for centuries past religious enmity has been the general use of the Greek language > continually growing more weak. Yet our throughout the Roman Empire at the beideal remains negative. To manifest no ill- ginning of our Era; when we consider how > will towards those who differ in opinion in Islam the adoption of Arabic as a comfrom us is not enough. Christ enjoined a mon language united peoples hitherto esmore positive attitude of soul, one of active tranged, facilitatedinterchange ofthe > goodwill despite all differences. When God thought and aided the rapid extension of a > thus commands a spirit of affection towards single culture over vast regions, or when > all, He gives the power to obey His com- again we observe how the cause of ecclesimand. Religion, in other words, is creative. asticunity was promoted by the use, and > Through its force the will of an earnest man weakened by the disuse, of the Latin lanis enabled to achieve an inward change that guage as a medium among the peoples of > otherwise would be beyond his strength. If western Europe centuries ago; we are driven > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS > to conclude that in this age of radio and Men realise the urgent need of a reformaaviation a world-language would unify the tion greater in range and intensity than > peoples of mankind to a degree unprece- mankind has ever yet achieved; but ^know > dented in the past and difficult for us to not how to meet that need. > calculate in anticipation. In such an emergency does not this bold > The federal tribunal or Board of Arbitra- original scheme of fellowship merit serious > tion which in a few words 'Abdu'1-Baha consideration and even the test of experi- > > proposed, differed in three notable points ment? Does it deserve to be merely ignored > from the. League which afterwards was set by the rulers and teachers of the world? > up. The provision of an adequate police In advocating peace to a western audience > force was an essential prerequisite: the draft 'Abdu'1-Baha once said: "You have had war > of any proposed constitution was to be re- for thousands of years; why not try peace > ferred not only to the governments but also for a change? If you do not like it you can > to the peoples of the world; and, when always go back to war." One might hazard > and adopted, it was to enjoy a similar suggestion about this fellowship > finally ratified > the full support of religion, of church as plan. We have tried every other device, > well as of state, and its strict maintenance why not now try this? > against any violation by any nation was to For all its brevity, this summary may > be held by all mankind as a sacred obliga- suffice to suggest the character of the > tion. Ground Plan of World Fellowship con- > In these and all other reforms man's great- structed by Baha'u'llah and presented here > est stay would be the Holy Spirit, without in London by 'Abdu'1-Baha, and may indiwhose aid no peace or fellowship or unifica- cate how close it is in spirit and in purpose > tion would ever be secured. to the ideal which is now before this As- > This scheme of world fellowship, first sembly. > promulgated some forty years before, was If it be true that reforms as great and as > presented twenty-five years ago in London numerous as these are demanded by the > by 'Abdu'1-Baha. "This," he said, "is a Genius of our Age, one will perceive why the > short summary of the teachings of Baha'- alternatives tried by mundane wisdom duru'llah. To establish this, BahaVllah un- ing this generation have resulted in conderwent great difficulties and hardships. He sistent disappointment. What has been lack- > > was in constant confinement and he suf- ing in all is religious insight, an appreciation > fered great persecution. But from the > . . . of the fact that evolution has brought to > darkness of his prison he sent out a great men an advance in their moral and spiritual > light into the world." 'Abdu'l-Bahd In powers and a proportionate heightening of > London, p. 18. their opportunities and responsibilities. > 'Abdu'1-Baha claimed that these princi- "That one is a man indeed who to-day dediples were consistent with the spirit of all the cateth himself to the service of the entire > > world-religions, and were measured with ex- human race. ... It is not for him to pride > act and unique fitness to mankind's height- himself who loveth his own country, but > ened capacity and its tremendous responsi- rather for him who loveth the whole world. > > bility at this time. He felt no doubt of this The earth is but one country and mankind > being at no very distant date adopted: fel- its citizens." Gleanings from the Writings > lowship along these lines was the birthright of Babd'u'lldh, p. 250. > of our New Age. But though they have Baha'u'llah clearly affirms that without a > > percolated far through the world and have keener spirituality, a loftier and firmer faith > cheered the hearts of many, yet the larger in the Universal Father, mankind will not > collaboration between races and religions discover the way out of its troubles. Only > here so definitely outlined has in fact been through the initiative of religion will hupostponed in favor of narrower views and manity be rescued from dissension and united > more materialistic reforms. Our civiliza- in hearts' fellowship. And if religiously > tion is in desperate plight and has sunk into minded men and women are to leaven with > a moral and spiritual abyss. the spirit; qf fellowship this love-lorn and > 642 THE BAHA'f WORLD > lonely world until the whole be leavened, branches of the tree of religion. Yes, I > that which they will need beyond all else know there are many branches, twigs, leaves > is that they have in their hearts no place but it is one tree. The main branches are > where doubt or fear may enter but be pos- the Aryan and the Semitic. The former > sessed with the invincible assurance that un- lays an accent upon the spiritual awakening > der God the whole movement of evolution of man the divine Immanence, and inclines > is with us in this endeavor, that no difficulty, towards polytheism: whereas the latter has > no delay, no defeat which may take shape as accent upon the Revelation of God, the > we advance can ever stem the onward march Logos the divine Transcendence, and leads > of Heaven's purpose, that within man's soul to monotheism. > > to-day are ample powers to win all that we I stand by the advices of our Chairman, > desire, and that the banner under which Sir Herbert Samuel (at the opening sesmankind will stand at last united is that sion's address) : ". . . let not the religions > spiritual faith in the love of Almighty God, be too historic in their claims. It has been > > which is the universal heritage of us all. wittily said that no one may walk backwards into the future . . . The religions > must show they are alive to the present day." > Upon the conclusion of this paper, an However, Persia has given to the world three > evangelist who was to lead out the discus- Manifestations or Prophets of God, Zorosion, confessed that he found no argument aster, the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. (I am sorry > therewith, so he took the allotted time in we do not have a Zoroastrian as representaputting forth personal convictions that the tive here.) The Baha'i Faith is a thousand > churches were acting as obstacles to world years younger than its sister-faiths, but it > fellowship. exhibits the principle of selection and con- > The Chairman called upon Mrs. Charles tinuity of family traits. The illustrious An- > Reed Bishop, a representative from the In- cestor of the Bab was the Prophet Muhamternational Baha'i Bureau at Geneva. She mad, and Baha'u'llah is descended from the > said: ancient Zoroastrian kings. And so we have > in the Baha'i Faith the appearance of two > It is our work to break down barriers both Prophets out of the two great branches of > within and outside the churches. Baha'u- religion. By this alliance an old family feud > 'llah said: "Associate with all the people of is abolished; and we have an historic basis > > religions with joy and fellowship. For as- for reconciliation and fellowship. > sociation is the cause of unity, and unity is In these meetings we have stressed the > the source of order in the world." I would first aspect of each religion, which is the > emphasize that point in the paper, namely, essential and spiritual. But if the secondary > that in all ages, amidst all religions, the aspect or material law had been stressed, our > saints and the mystics, and those who have experience would have been quite different. > practised their faith, have found themselves Only the spiritual aspect of each religion can > in accord. I think this bears out the words make for fellowship. Therefore, we should > of Jesus: "He who doeth the will of My leave this Congress resolved to lay full stress > Father shall know doctrine." As under- > My upon the primary or spiritual aspect of the > standing is promised to those who practise, religions, and so discover our unity. > so it has been among all the religions that I will read a paragraph from Shoghi Ef- > > those who have practised their teachings fendi's Goal of a New World Order: "Some > have found themselves to be members of one form of a world Super-State must needs be > great spiritual community; whereas, those evolved, in whose favor all the nations of > who have been content with the material law the world will have willingly ceded every > of their faith have found themselves an- claim to make war, certain rights to impose > tagonistic to other religions. taxation and all rights to maintain arma- > In these daily meetings we have learned ments, except for purpose of maintaining > many particulars, and some universal propo- internal order within their respective dositions on religion. I see there are two main minions. Such a state will have to include > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS 643 > > within its orbit an International Executive gan god, and not God our Father or Jesus > adequate to enforce supreme and unchal- Christ. There is a great need for a textlengeable authority on every recalcitrant book on the basis of all these various papers > member of the commonwealth; a World Par- emphasizing the points in common between > liament whose members shall be elected by the various faiths that have been represented > the people in their respective countries and to this Congress. That, I feel, is a growing > whose election shall be confirmed by their need in the Churches to-day. > respective governments; and a Supreme Tri- In the second place, I feel there is a need > bunal whose judgment will have a binding for a devotional manual to be used as responeffect even in such cases where the parties sive reading in our Churches compiled from > concerned did not voluntarily agree to sub- the devotional literature of all the great remit their case to its consideration. A world ligions of the world. I myself, as a Concommunity in which all economic barriers gregational minister, would feel quite free in > will have been permanently demolished and using such a manual, and I am sure own my > the interdependence of Capital and Labor congregation would welcome it. > definitely recognized; in which the clamor of In the third place, I think there is need > religious fanaticism and strife will have been for another manual to be used in our Sunday > forever stilled; in which the flame of racial Schools; little stories from the great re- > > animosity will have been finally extin- ligious teachings, with their creeds in the > guished; in which a single code of interna- form of drama. That is a growing need of > tional law the product of the considered the Churches to-day. > > judgment of the world's federated repre- Without expanding these ideas I wish to > sentatives shall have as its sanction the in- express, I am convinced from travels up my > stant and coercive intervention of the com- and down this land among the Churches, > bined forces of the federated units; and and from my experience as Secretary for refinally world community in which the > a ligious education for eight States in the > > fury of a capricious and militant national- United States, that this is really a felt need. > ism will have been transmuted into an abid- And I trust that some committee will be > ing consciousness of world citizenship- appointed from this Congress to meet these > such indeed, appears, in its broadest outline, needs in the near future. 4 > the Order anticipated by Baha'u'llah, an Or- > Dr. D. N. Maitra, a member of the Conder that shall come to be regarded as the > gress, from India, said: > fairest fruit of a slowly maturing age." > It was on the 24th of April this year > The Reverend A. Porter was the next > (1936) that I, with my daughter, paid a > speaker: > visit to the mausoleum on Mount Carmel, > I am thinking of the great number of so- built over the remains of the Bab and > cieties among people numbering tens of 'Abdu'1-Baha. And it was twenty-five years > thousands, who are studying what they call ago in this very city of London that I first > "foreign missions" from the standpoint of attended a Baha'i meeting and spoke there. > their own denomination. I have been won- Such is my > very personal interest in and > dering how we might reach those tens of regard for the great cause which is reprethousands through this World Congress. I sented by Baha'i. > feel that there is a great need for a new text- The Brahmo Somaj has not yet been propbook on missions that could be developed out erly represented at this Conference, so I > of this Congress, to be placed in the hands will say a few words on this subject. In > of our groups in the various Churches; 1774, a Hindu was born in Bengal in a very > that text -book to be written from the stand- orthodox family; Ram Mohum Roy. This > point of an appreciation rather than propa- man, at the age of 16, wrote a treatise > > ganda. against idolatry right in the face of his > Our young people do not appreciate that angry father who turned him out of the > God has many names. When you use the house. > word "Alldh" they think it means some pa- * Faiths and Fellowship, p. 313. > 644 THE BAHA'f WORLD > God is said to have said in our scripture sepulcher is the denial of humanity, the limthat: 'Tor the preservation of , righteousness itationand the ignorance of the Manifesta- > I take the human form from time to time tion of God, He who manifests the splendor, > and 'descend on this earth,'* which is the the glory and bounty and the gift of God; > best interpretation of incarnation. *There- the Messenger that comes from God with a > fore I believe we should feel that in every message that changes the whole world; that > country from time to time a man has been stirs it from its sleep; that awakens it from > born as a creation of the age and the crea- its death, illuminating our soul; that enture of an age, whom we call "saints" and visions its mind with new splendor and new > > "prophets" and that no scripture is invalid, glory and new beauty; which opens its eyes > nor any book a final revelation of a divine that are closed in blindness; that makes the > > message. I have in my bedroom, just over ear hear; that makes the heart the living > my head, the picture of Jesus Christ, whom kingdom of God. And only through this > I hold as a great teacher of morality and awakening, only through this rebirth can we > ideal life to men. Ram Mohum Roy know God. > studied in the Hebrew language the Bible so To deny one Prophet is to deny all the > thoroughly that he wrote, when he was Prophets. If you are from Islam, and you > thirty-six or thirty-seven, a book called say, "I do not believe in Jesus," then you > Precepts of Jesus, The Way to Happiness and do not believe in Muhammad. He himself > Peace in Life. That an orthodox Hindu said so. If you say: "I believe in Moses and > should write a precept of Jesus and stress I do not believe in Zoroaster, in Buddha or > that faith caused a great sensation. He in Muhammad, or in Jesus," then you do not > studied the Qur'an in Arabic and brought believe in Moses, because they were and are > out the Unitarian element in the Muslim One and ever shall be One Spirit. As Baha'- > faith. And of course he studied his own u'llah > ' > > says, "The lamps are many. The > scripture and said that pure Hinduism was Light is one. . > Speed ye from your sep- > . . > > the monotheism of the Upanishads. In 1828, ulchers." That is the message of fellowship. > he founded the first theistic Church in India. > I will quote a few lines from the Trust M. Gabriel Gobron, representing Caodaism > Deed: "The Trust shall at all times permit or Renovated Buddhism, said: > the said building as and for the place of publicmeetings of all sorts and descriptions of Please excuse my broken English, but I am > people without distinction as shall behave a poor Frenchman who finds English a very > and conduct themselves in orderly, sober, re- language. I would like to put in a > difficult > > ligious and devout manner; for the worship word for a new religion which is renovated > and adoration of the eternal, unsearchable Buddhism. This new faith numbers one > and immutable Being who is Author and million adherents and is not yet officially > Preserver of the universe; that no ser- > . . . > recognized. It welcomes Buddhism, Taoism, > > mon, discourse, or hymn be delivered, made Confucianism, whose wonders are venerated > or used in such worship but to the promotion equally with those of Jesus Christ. The > of the contemplation of the Author and Pre- renovated Buddhism is essentially the reconserver of the universe, to promotion of char- ciliationof races and peoples through the > ity, morality, piety, benevolence, virtue and achievement of religious unity. It is surely > the extending of the bond of union between the real spirit of Baha'u'llah. > men of all religions, persuasions and > creeds." Mr. St. Barbe Baker spoke as follows: > > Madame Barry-Orlova, lecturer from the When I was in Palestine a little w&ile ago > International Baha'i Community, was an- I had the great privilege of meeting Shoghi > nounced. And she said: Effendi, who is Guardian of the Bahd'i > Cause. I also met many other local inhabi- > Baha'u'llah has said: "Speed ye out of your > *lbid., pp. 313-14. > sepulchers." What is the sepulcher? The p. 31 J. > THE WORLD CONGRESS OF FAITHS 645 > > tants who told me stories about 'Abdu'l- ferent religions' and countries to gather to- > Baha. It is not generally realized how won- gether and to think on and decide the probderful was the contribution He made to lems of world-fellowship.And not pnly ain > peace. Three years before the Great War I hopeful about the future possibilities of > He realized what was coming, and insisted this Congress, but I would say that it has > that His Persian settlers should plant wheat, ^established a feeling of world-fellowship > which they did, and it was stored. And unity of God and brotherhood of man in > when the Turks evacuated Palestine this the hearts of those good souls who are aswheat was brought forward to feed the sembled here. For how could I have dared > starving population. This shows the prac- to stand on this platform in this simple > tical aspect of their Movement. Do you not hand-spun attire, but for the spirit of tolsee in it a solution? Both the spiritual and eration, freedom, arid appreciation which > the scientific working together, one the com- pervades this Congress. And I hope that the > plement of the other. time is not far off when what we see and > I wish to give you the words of a prayer feel inside this Congress will spread far and > recited by the Bab: "Is there any Remover wide outside it. > of difficulties save God? Say praise be to Now what is science? Science is a body of > God. He is God. All are His servants and systematic thought. But religion is a body > all by His command. Is there > are standing of systematic thought and, therefore, it is a > any Remover of difficulties save God? Say science. And those who are really anxious > praise be to God. He is God. All are his to verify the truths of this science must have > servants and all are standing by his com- nerves and readiness to perform spiritual exmand." What? These dictators God's serv- perimentation which presupposes annihilaants? Yes, all are His servants. All are tion of ego with its many evil trappings. > > standing by His command. These protago- Complete union with God the supreme > nists, these leaders of sectional movements goal of all religions, and the birthright of > > which we think add conflict to our ideals? every being is attained by only a few. But > Yes, all are God's servants, all are standing for those vast numbers of people who have > by His command. Even the people we think neither the qualifications nor the willingness > are our enemies are God's servants. to go to this highest heaven we must bring > heaven on earth. To us Hindus, religion is > The next speaker was Mr. R. P. Pandya: not something that is superimposed; it permeates all good aspects of life. Hence, to > We > have all been talking about the unity me, as it is to Mr. Burke, Mr. Ghandi and > of the spiritual and the material and about many others, economics and politics are > the Fellowship of Faiths, but how to attain nothing but expressions of religion in pracit that is the question. One contribution tical life. Therefore I feel strongly that so > is very important; the > preparation of text- long as we cannot bring not only bread and > books which will play a part in uniting the butter, but also love, light, and freedom to > thoughts of all, and giving knowledge to the vast masses of toiling humanity, our > the people. At present there is much igno- ideas of fellowship will remain mere figments > rance of the various religions in the world. of imagination. > Unless we know something about these religions, is it possible for us to have a fel- > T > lowship of faiths? 7 > Ibid n p. 315. > Ibid., pp. 316-17. > Note: The > resume' is wanting mention of Mr. > Then Mr. K. M. Parikh of Baroda, India, Frank Hirst from Leeds, an active worker in the > spoke: Labor Movement there. This speaker told of his > search for truth and eventual discovery of the > Baha'i principles as the solution of the world's prob- > I strongly differ from the discordant notes > lem, with emphasis upon the unity of religions, the > struck by some regarding the importance of new economic and social Order, with equality be- > > such tween the sexes universally established, and urged > conferences. It is this conference > consideration of Baha'u'ltth's Ground Plan for World > which has made it possible for people of dif- Fellowship. > IMPORTANCE DE L'IDEE SPIRITUELLE > DANS LA VIE ACTUELLE > BY LUCIENNE MlGETTE > D,DEFINITION: au sens le plus general, la ainsi vers la plenitude des capacites inherentes > vie spirituelle comprend tout ce qui ne se a sa nature. Un developpement partiel ne > rattache pas directement a la vie materielle; donne qu'une joie limitee, laissant a Pame > sur le plan terrestre ou nous vivons, ces deux la soif de possibility insatisfaites qu'elle pos- > > vies sont intimement melees d'ailleurs et ne sede mais qu'elle ignore encore. > > peuvent pas pratiquement etre separe'es. La Nous n'entrerons pas dans les interminvie spirituelle a sa plus haute expression et ables discussions qui ont mis aux prises tant > son epanouissement maximum dans la vie d'humains sur la realite de Pexistence de > pour Dieu. Elle consiste dans le developpe- Pame humaine spirituelle, au-dessus de tous > ment harmonieux de la personnalite reelle et les regnes de la creation. L'ouvrier fagonne > immortelle que Dieu a cachee en nous. la matiere; le jardinier modifie les plantes; > La vie spirituelle de Phomme est faite de Pagriculteur commande aux animaux. En un > principes moraux a appliquer; elle est faite mot, Phomme, seul, asservit tout ce qu'il > de Peffort d'ascension de Pesprit vers les con- connait dans la creation. Il demeure done > naissances divines, elle est faite encore de certain que Phomme posseHe dans son essence, > toute la splendeur de Pexquise sensibilite que un principe different et superieur a ceux des > Dieu a enfouie en certains coeurs. La mani- autres etres cre^s. Apres cette conclusion de > festation sur le plan terrestre de cette per- simple bon sens, tournons les yeux de notre > sonnalite spirituelle de 1'homme se trouve esprit vers le Createur de toutes choses et, a > dans Pe'closion des sciences, des arts pour les travers Ses Saintes Manifestations au cours > choses, dans la charite universelle active pour des ages, ecoutons; II nous dit: "Oui, tu es > nos freres humains. II serait temeraire de une creature douee d'une ame, Jc t'ai donne > vouloir, par nos f aibles paroles, revenir sur tout ce que J'ai donne aux autres etres, > la valeur de la spiritualite en general, alors mais le plus beau don n'est pas ce que tes > qu'un Maitre comme 'Abdu'1-Baha a verse yeux physiques peuvent voir. Ce don est en > sur le monde le torrent lumineux de Ses ex- toi, invisible, mais immense et immortel. Ap- > > plications. Cependant, afin d'arriver a Pim- prends a t'approcher, a te connait re et tu > portance du developpement spirituel dans la pourras alors te diriger vers le but que Je > vie actuelle et de se penetrer de la necessite t'ai assigne*, vers ton bonheur qui est Moi." > de sa floraison rapide, il n'est pas inutile Dans toutes les Ecritures Sacrees nouvelles > d'examiner en quelques mots, pourquoi la ou anciennes, les Soleils divins de Dieu nous > spiritualite doit etre le flambeau supreme de appellent a cette vie spirituelle. Dans la > notre vie. Chaque etre a etc* cre*e dans un Bible, on lit: "Adorez-Moi, Je suis le seul > but; nos pensees, nos sentiments et finale- Dieu." Apres PAncien Testament, Jesus > ment les actes qui nous manifestent ont tou- nous dit: "Travaillez non pour la nourriture > jours un but quel qu'il soit; nous concevons qui perit, mais pour celle qui demeure." > que chaque It re humain a lui-meme cre*e & Cette nourriture, c'est celle de Pame, la > dans un but et pe*tri avec les faculty's neces- spiritualite; car de meme que les aliments > saires a son atteinte. Un tel etre, constant font profiter et de*veloppent le corps, de > dans un but final, bien determine', ne peut meme, la spiritualite deVeloppe Pame, car la > trouverle bonheur que dans le deVeloppe- Loi de Dieu est une dans les deux mondes. > ment harmonieux de ses faculty's, tendant Depuis pris de 2,000 ans, ces paroles re*sono > o > > o > . c > > o > a, > > s > o > > 648 THE BAHA'l WORLD > nent dans le monde et le monde ne les a pas pletement satisfaits des plaisirs materiels, > encore comprises. Peu a peu, cette verite cherchent d'autres satisfactions. > fait son chemin, lentement dans les esprits Le tableau du monde est brosse en quelhumains. Aujourd'hui, Dieu a de nouveau ques mots par Baha'u'llah: "L'appel de Dieu > parle, parle identiquement dans Son Immu- a souffle dans le corps de Phumanite une vie > able Sagesse. Et Sa Grace illumine aujour- nouvelle et infuse un esprit neuf a toute la > d'hui la terre d'une eblouissante lumiere creation. Telle est la raison de la profonde > eclairant la route vers la Spiritualite la plus commotion ressentie par le monde et de cette > haute. Baha'u'llah lance a tous les peuples soudaine animation des consciences et des > du monde cet appel grandiose vers Pepanouis- coeurs. Bientot ceux qui sommeillent le plus > sement de la veritable nature de Phomme. II profondement seront reveilles." > annonce la phase devolution unique que tra- Les manifestations de cet eveil des esprits > verse actuellement Phumanite, phase critique sont Peclosion de ces innombrables mouveentre toutes comme Phumanite n'en a jamais ments spiritualistes qui pullulent a travers le > connue. Aujourd'hui, les hommes doivent monde et qui, tous, enferment une parcelle > faire un choix et un choix definitif. Que de verite. Bases, soit sur un principe moral, > vont-ils decider? Continuer la vie unique- soit sur un principe d'hygiene, soit encore > ment materielle, insouciante, capricieuse? Se sur la simple bonne volonte, ils ont prodetourner une fois de plus de la coupe divine? fondement revolutionne le fonctionnement > Ce serait reediter uns fois encore la f aute des de la pensee et le but de la vie humaine. Tous > anciens peuples. Ce serait continuer a se doivent sans doute avoir eu leur neccssite et > donner la matiere pour maitre. Une courte tous doivent porter des fruits. Ils sont des > observation peut convaincre de cette stupe- rayons lumineux amenant chacun des humfiante verite: les anciens se taillaient des ains au Grand Soleil par des milliers de senstatues et les adoraient; les hommes d'au- tiers. Chacun est f rappe par celui qui trouve > jourd'hui adorent des palais, des voyages ou une resonnance dans son^etre interieur, soit > de Pargent; Perreur pour etre moins gros- dans son intelligence, soit dans son coeur. > siere, n'en est pas moins exactement la meme. Tous ces rayons, qu'on le sachc ou non, ne > L'heure extreme est arrivee ou il nous f aut peuvent provenir que d'une source unique: > exterminer en nous cette erreur. Car Baha'- le Soleil Spirituel. Tous ceux qui les suivent > u'llah nous affirme que pour nous vient Page arriveront immanquablement a ce Centre > de lumiere et de connaissance depuis si long- Universel. > > temps promis. Considerons maintenant les fruits actuels > > Courageusement, avec confiance et au de notre civilisation. L'un des facteurs de > risque de nous aveugler, jetons-nous dans les progres humain est le developpement de la > rayons de Sa divine Lumiere, tentons par un science. La decouverte des lois qui regissent > effort supreme de voir le monde actuel avec la nature a permis a Phomme de realiser des > Ses propres yeux. Nous constaterons imme'- chefs-d'oeuvre de confort et de beaute. Pardiatement avec stupeur que, parall^lement a tout, dans presque tous les domaines, Phomme > P^tat de bouleversement et de chaos du a asservi la matiere selon ses desirs par la con- > > monde, a son penchant tres net a la mate- naissance. II ne peut etre mis en doute que > rialite, s'est dessine un tres fort courant spi- la science est le meilleur bienfait de la civirituel qui a touche a peu pres toutes les ames, lisation; c'est le moyen le plus eleve de maniavec des manifestations differentes suivant fester les pouvoirs de Phomme. II est seuleleursdeveloppements individuels ant^rieurs. ment regrettable que la science ne soit pas > Les cerveaux humains comme sous ('impul- encore repandue dans le monde entier. Car > sion d'une puissance inconnue, parfois peu Phomme a toujours eu en lui une aspiration > consciente de Pindividu, sont irresistible- a d^voiler Pinconnu, et si la science ne lui > ment entraine's a chercher des connaissances apporte pas la verification experiment ale, s'il > > dans le domaine spirituel. Parfois ce sont des n'acquiert pas la certitude de la conformit > insouciants qui prennent conscience de ce do- de ses conceptions nouvelles avec les lois anmaine, parfois des etres materialistes qui, terieures connues, il tombe alors dans le pre- > > parallelement a leur genre de vie et incom- juge et la superstition. > IMPORTANCE DE L'IDfiE SPIRITUELLE 649 > > Sciences et superstitions pourraient en s'elever vers Plnfinie Connaissance, vers le > > somme etre considerees comme deux fruits Souverain Ordonnateur de cet univers harde Pesprit. Mais la science est le bon fruit, monieux. La, et la seulement, Phomme atla superstition est le mauvais fruit. La teindra sa destinee reelle. La git la cle de > science est le produit de Peffort intelligent, Pascension illimitee, la est le secret que Phudirige, patient, acharne, de Pimagination, manite doit enfin comprendre, a cette heure > puis de Pobservation et enfin, de la verifica- critique de son evolution. Un effort imtion experimental^ de Pidee. Celle-ci est mense, une tension de toutes nos facultes de > prouvee sans contestation possible par un coeur et d'esprit, et nous etablirons enfin > phenomene exterieur a Pesprit humain et cette grandiose echelle des valeurs qui, pour > dont celui-ci, apres sa periode active de con- nous, commence a la matiere, pour s'elever > ception, n'est plus que le temoin passif qui pure dont le sommet est > a la spiritualite la > > provoque et verifie. La superstition est Pac- Manifestation de Dieu sur cette terre. > ceptation d'une imagination sans la recherche Cette Manifestation vient d'avoir lieu; elle > de preuve positive. La science est la revela- nous avertit de la valeur inestimable de > tion sur le plan physique des lois etablies par Pheure. Non seulement Elle nous montre > le Createur Supreme, avec un respect pro- une fois de plus notre veritable but, mais > fond devant POeuvre, travail non createur, parce que Involution nous jette en avant, > contemplation humble et emerveillee. La Elle nous avertit du danger qui nous menace. > > superstition est un assemblage de divers ele- Car si Phomme, dans son ascension scienments: quelques vagues connaissances, quei- tifique, perd de vue un seul instant son Creaques coincidences avec interpretations in- teur, son Vrai But, la consequence de son > verifiees et beaucoup de desirs varies. Toutes egarement sera son aneantissement. Pour > deus, fruits de Pesprit, ont une valeur bien poursuivre sans danger pour lui et ses semdifferente. De ces deux fruits, Pun grossit blables cette ascension dans la connaissance, > et murit toujours tandis que Pautre se des- il > apparait a Pevidence, que sa moralite doit > seche jusqu'a Petat de pure illusion. Lorsque se purifier de plus en plus, sa noblesse s'elever > > la science aura repandu sa raison et sa preuve toujours. Ces paroles de Shoghi Effendi repsur tous, la superstition, fruit de Pignorance, resentent magistralement Petat d'aujourd'hui > sera detruite a jamais. (lettre de mars 1936) : "La recrudescence de > N'est-ce pas le programme que nous trace Pintolerance religieuse, de Panimosite raciale, > notre cher Gardien dans sa lettre de mars de Parrogance nationaliste. Les signes qui > 1936? (Vers Papogee de la race humaine, s'accumulent de Pegoi'sme, de la suspicion, > page 43.) II nous dit: "Les immenses energies de la peur et de la fraude; Pextension du > seront consacrees a etendre la portee des in- terrorisme, de Pillegalite, de Pivrognerie et du > ventions humaines, exterminer la maladie, a crime; la soif insatiable, la poursuite fievreuse > pousser plus avant les recherches scientifiques, des vanites terrestres, de la richesse et des > a rendre le cerveau humain plus aigu et plus plaisirs; le relachement des liens familiaux > subtil, a prolonger la vie humaine, etc . . ." et de la surveillance des enfants, Pabandon > tous travaux strictement scientifiques. aux penchants vers le luxe et la luxure, la > Arrive a ce haut degre de developpement totale negligence des responsabilites que comde la civilisation, Phomme a-t'il atteint le porte le manage et la vague montante des > but de sa creation? Maitre de la matiere dont divorces qui s'ensuit. La decadence de la > il a compris beaucoup de lois, n'a-t-il plus musique et des arts; Pinfection de la litterarien a decouvrir? Beaucoup de savants Pont ture et la corruption de la presse; Pinfluence > cru helas et se sont prives de la plus belle croissante de ces prophetes de decadence qui > couronne et de la joie pure et supreme apres denoncent la religion comme etant un opium > leur travail. Il faut savoir discerner que pour le peuple et qui, si on les laissaient f aire, > Phomme decouvre et ne cree pas. L'homme rameneraient Phumanite a la barbaric, au > travaille pour apprendre, pour etre temoin chaos et a Pextinction finale, tels apparaissent > des beaut^s de la creation, pour s'en servir, les traits principaux qui caracterisent une so- > > mais il n'est pas lui-meme le createur. Apres ciete en decadence et qui doit renaitre ou > ses efforts et leurs resultats, ses yeux doivent perir." > 650 ,fHE BAHA'f WORLD > Rien ne resume mieux la situation du engins qui iront porter la mine sur tout le > monde actuel que ces deux derniers mots de globe. Au lieu de chercher les proprietes des > notre Gardien: "renaitre ou perir." Cette corps nouveaux pour s'en servir pour le bien, > effroyable description de la decadence du on cherche anxieusement si tel nouveau gaz > monde et de ses maux, dans un siecle ou, n'est pas un poison ide'al; au lieu d'identifier > cependant, les conditions du bonheur humain les microbes des maladies afin de les aneantir, > n'ont jamais ete plus favorables, est faite on songe peut-etre a s'en servir pour les > > pour stupefier Pintellect, mais helas, ce tab- repandre. > leau est Pevidence meme. Qu'ont fait les Telle est Peffroyable consequence de Pashommes de leurs decouvertes? . . . Ils ont cension de la science sans Pascension parallele > f abrique des alcools de plus en plus forts et de la moralite, ou, suivant une expression > subtils, par eux, ils se detruisent le corps et plus profonde et plus complete, sans haute > voilent leurs esprits, anihilant leurs deve- spirituality. Car la science, oeuvre de > > loppements. Ils ont f abrique des objets de Phomme, ni bonne ni mauvaise en elle-meme, > luxe et ils se volent les uns les autres pour devient par son usage une source de perfecen profiter. Ils ont mis a jour le precede ex- tionnement ou de degradation. L'homme, > traordinairement rapide d'information de la jamais, ne doit perdre de vue sa raison > presse et ils repandent dans leurs ecrits n'im- d'exister, cette raison qui est au-dessus de > > porte quelle inutilite ou calomnie pour de tout: au-dessus de la vie materielle, au- > > Pargent. Et cette enumeration incomplete est dessus de la science, au-dessus de Part: la > > suffisantepour comprendre combien Pheure volonte de Dieu. Cette volonte est apparente > est grave pour Phumanite. L'obeissance aux dans les lois de la creation. Si Phomme a fait > ordonnances de BahaVllah devient chaque d'immenses progres dans la connaissance des > jour d'une urgence plus poignante lorsqu'on lois de Punivers, Petat actuel du monde > pressent que toute cette folie, > generate prouve ignore presque tout des lois > qu'il > > d'egoismes et d'envies est a la veille de de- spirituelles, et c'est la son travail d'aujour- > > chainer sur Phumanite la catastrophe la plus d'hui et de demain. Personne n'echappe a > epou van table: "Sachez, peuples du monde," ces lois. Seuls dans la grande masse humaine, > > prophetise BahaVllah, "qu'une calamite im- quelques etres ont compris une partie de ces > prevue vous poursuit et qu'un chatiment lois, grace aux lumieres des Envoyes Divins. > > terrible vous attend. Nous avons fixe votre Quelques autres, se sont joints a eux sans > heure. Et si, a cette heure marquee, vous comprendre pleinement, mais avec une foi > negligez de vous tourner vers Dieu, combien entiere dans le Divin Programme apporte > dur sera alors le chatiment du Seigneur." par BahaVllah, pour Punique raison de Sa > Nos faibles esprits ne peuvent encore Parole: "C'est Dieu Qui M'envoit." Point de > > imaginer les consequences terribles engen- meilleure raison d'ailleurs ne se trouve. Dieu > drees par ces nombreuses annees de mate- est le Medecin Supreme qui guerit nos maux > > rialisme et d'immoralite. Mais il est une causes par nos fautes. > > image qui se forme facilement devant nos Mais le nombre de bonnes volonte's est > > yeux epouvantes: c'est Pimage lamentable sans doute encore trop f aible pour que leurs > de Pemploi reserve* par les hommes a certaines efforts donnent d^ja des resultats visibles. > de leurs decouvertes: Pexplosif et le poison. Cependant le temps presse de plus en plus; > En ce jour, Paberration est si grande que nous sentons autour de nous le reseau se res- > Phomme est pres de se detruire lui-meme serrer, les difficultes se multiplier, Pobscurite > avec ses inventions. Destruction ou mort s'^tendre, P^garement s'accentuer. Plus poigest le mot final de cette effrayante tragedie. nante est cette heure plus doit s'approfondir > Les plus grands travaux, les plus grandes d- la spiritualite de ceux dont la vie vient d'e- > > penses sont consacrees aujourd'hui a parfaire clater en fleurs, brusquement, sous la grace > tous les instruments connus en prevision de de BahdVllah. Car la tache est plus rude > cette gigantesque tuerie. Tout ce que nous pour s'^lever et agir purement en cette > avons constant pour la joie et la beaute: le periode trouble qu'en une epoque ou les > navire, Pautomobile, Pavion, la fuse'e, tout bases du Royaume Spirituel seraient d^ja tacela, en un Eclair, peut etre transform^ en blies. Il faut, tout en construisant, vaincre > IMPORTANCE DE L'IDfiE SPIRITUELLE 651 > > ces forces mauvaises de destruction et de mesurer les hauteurs auxquelles ^intelligence > mechancete qui rodent autour de nous, et humaine liberee de ses chaines est capable de > aussi cette inertie, ou encore cette ignorance se hausser? Qui concevra les domaines que > qui ne sont pas des forces, mais-des poids 1'esprit vitalise par la ruisselante > humain, > morts a entrainer. N'oublions jamais que lumiere de Baha'u'llah, ne peut manquer de > 1'humanite est une et que tous doivent entrer decouvrir?" (Lettre de Shoghi Effendi, mars > dans le meme troupeau. Nous sommes tous 1936.) > solidaires; le bonheur complet du monde com- Certes, si 1'humanite avait suivi plus tot > porte la purete de tous et pas seulement 1'avertissement de ses Guides Divins, toute > celle de quelques-uns. Tant qu'il demeurera cette souffrance d'aujourd'hui eut sans doute > des etres injustement malheureux, des etres ete evitee. La confiance eut pallie 1'ignomediants ou ignorants, les autres n'attein- rance. L'obe*issance aux ordonnances modront jamais au bonheur sans melange. rales, avant de les comprendre, eut evite cette > "Vous etes les feuilles d'un meme arbre," dit doulourcuse experience des consequences > Baha'u'llah. Un arbre est-il sain et beau si lointaines de nos pensees et de nos actes. > les trois quarts de ses feuilles sont malades ou De notre terrible experience, se degagera > rongees? pour 1'avenir, cette sublime lee. on: les me- > Si ardu le devoir, si rude 1'eflfort a f aire, le naces de Dieu, a travers la Bible, les exhortasucces complet n'est-il pas absolument cer- tions de Jesus-Christ dans les Evangiles, les > tain puisque Baha'u'llah 1'affirme, puisqu'Il a ordres de Muhammad dans le Qur'an, comme > transforme toutes choses et tous ceux qui aujourd'hui les ordonnances de Baha'u'llah, > L'acceptent? sont le don de 1'amour de Dieu pour nous. > "La brise qui souffle de la robe de ton Seig- 11 sait toutes choses. Mais II a donne a > neur a parfume et renouvele toutes choses," rhomme la liberte de choisir, afin qu'il sache > dit-Il. "Chaque creature est desormais aussi. II 1'appelle et 1'instruit par divers > pourvuc de toutes les virtualites dont elle est moyens qui peuvent nous apparaitre comme > susceptible." Quelles promesses infinies dans des menaces ou des punitions. Ce ne sont > ces paroles! Ne donnent-elles pas une hate que des avertissements pour empecher des > de mettre a jour ces virtualites nouvelles, actes contraires aux lois dont les consequences > don de Baha'u'llah? Et encore: "Une vie sont funestes a notre bonheur. Le jour ou > nouvelle travaille les peuples de la terre. nous aurons compris profondement que Dieu > Hatez-vous de recueillir votre part de la agit ainsi toujours uniquement par amour > grace et de la misericorde divine en ce Jour pour nous, nous ne detournerons plus jamais > qui eclipse tous les autres jours crees." les yeux et le coeur de Sa Sainte Manifesta- > > Puis, le Maitre va jusqu'a nous donner des tion. Car nous saurons que Lui obeir avant > precisions pour nous preservoir du desespoir de comprendre est recevoir Son amour. Nous > d'une attente trop longue. "Avant la fin du saurons que cette confiance et cette obeispresent siecle, Porigine celeste du don mer- sance feront de notre vie bonheur et securite*, > veilleux que Dieu nous fait deviendra claire avant de decouvrir par le travail et la science > et manifeste aux yeux de tous." le comment de Ses ordonnances. Nous re'ali- > Aucun doute ne peut etre permis. II nous serons enfin en nous cette e*ternelle et sublime > faut puiser avec ardeur et amour a cette affirmation de Dieu: "Si ce n'etait pour toi, > source de grace apportee par Baha'u'llah, Je n'aurais pas cree les cieux et la terre." > source que nous sommes incapables encore Aujourd'hui comme hier Dieu parle. > d'apprecier mais dont nous pouvons con- Hier, II dit: "II ne se fera ni tort ni domcevoir Pimmensite par ces seuls mots: "Au- mage sur toute ma montagne sainte, car la > jourd'hui, c'est le Jour de Dieu." terre sera remplie de la connaissance de > Poursuivant inlassablement notre instruc- 1'Eternel." (Esaie) Et aujourd'hui: "Voici > tion, notre cher Gardien decouvre encore le jour ou rien ne sera plus visible > que les > pour nous ce que sera la civilisation future Splendeurs de la lumiere rayonnant de la > par notre travail. II ecrit: "Qui peut imagi- Face de ton Seigneur. En verite* toutes les > ner l'e*levation qu'en se developpant une telle vieilles ames ont disparues, Nous avons appele > civilisation peut atteindre? Qui saurait a 1'etre une creation nouvelle." (BahaVllah) > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA > AN HISTORICAL REVIEW > BY Louis G. GREGORY * > > J.HE Sun of Truth, the Orb of Revelation would cease and all superficial differences > that is BahaVllah, appears in the realm of This divine outpouring of knowlvanish. > > being. Nothing is hid from the penetration edge, although expressing but one reality, as > and light of His rays; no soil of human hearts mortals classify knowledge, may fall into > is neglected in cultivation; no veils of error three categories, the scientific, the social, and > need dim the sight of the sincere; no problem the mystic. > that has hitherto foiled even the wise now This wisdom inspires deeper knowledge of > needs remain to vex and perplex. Simplicity, physics and a clearer grasp of all the phepurity, potency, wisdom, concentration, nomena of nature. Does it not become eviguidance, harmony, unity, universality all dent that skin color is a slow but constant > attributes and signs are in the Creative variant even in an individual as it is among > Word which brought the world into being the masses of people? It may be duly adand it is that selfsame Word that now speaks mired, but not over-prized. Color is not > with a new culture and laws. It also gives inherent in surfaces but in light. Pure; light > forth directions for its own application to contains all colors. Dafk surfaces receive > human needs. BahaVllah by the might of the light, a fact well known to the photogboth His teachings and life removed the j^pher and to that Great One Who made the > causes of difference in the Orient. He also pupil of the eye. Light surfaces refuse the > revealed His Great Tablet to the Americas, light, reflecting it back to us and we at- > > illustrating His Providence of freedom for tribute to the surface what is the innate > all nations. It was during the days of His quality of the light. Make the lens blue and > Covenant, however, that His Faith began to all the surfaces appear blue. Withdraw the > attract adherents in America, and 'Abdu'l- light and all the surfaces lose their color. > Baha, its Center, began to apply the healing People as a rule grow darker as they become > and gladsome light of a new revelation to the older, thus being able to receive more light. > > great continent of the West. The pallor of death followed soon by the > Among the early American pilgrims to the decoloration of the tomb comes at length for > > Holy Land was Robert Turner, a Negro, who each and all. As no one chooses his own > accompanied the party of Mrs. Phoebe color at birth, whence either pride or shame > Hearst. It was thus that the Master, had his over a semblance that is fleeting? Among > first personal touch with the American race the various peoples scattered over the earth > > problem and his keen and kindly interest the amount of pigment lessens in higher > begun, continued to the end. He gave many altitudes and grows in lower. Where is the > instructions both public and private. He merit or demerit of all this? Certainly not > showed most impressively to pilgrims of all in the creatures who did not cause such a > races His universal love. During His spectacle. Color collapses as a test of both > American tour He addressed a number of ability and character. If ever a test of racial > > gatherings of the colored people and seemed differences it must be extremely and conhappiest when He saw the two races in co- veniently elastic to serve the world! A > operation. He wisely interpreted one group blonde and a brunette are often found in > to the other and with the utmost love and children of the same parentage. They are > kindness pointed to the time when all discord none the less sisters. Have not groups large > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 6*3 > > The grave of Thornton Chase, the first American Believer. > > or small the same right to be varied? Shall Zealand although regarded ethnically as of > we make an optical illusion the cause of wide- the same stock as their Aryan neighbors from > > spread disturbance and ruin? Welcome the*- Europe, have been reduced, according to a > vision of basic oneness to free our souls from statement reported by K. R. Kehler, from a > all such trammels. Sameness is dull. Variety million to sixty-five thousand. Glimpses of > lends charm. The Pure One stresses the the known continents during the last thoucolor of service! sands of years show continuous fermentation > 'Abdu'1-Baha envisioned a new sociology and upheavals with no end in sight which > for the world in general and America in par- does not involve a change of human nature. > ticular. He invites the attention of social The American Negro, in striking contrast > workers to the oases rather than the deserts to all this, has increased his numbers threeof their environments and helps them to fold during the seventy years of his freedom, > extend the boundaries; He is able to make and his wealth, culture and influence in far > all places fruitful. His is a wonderful cul- greater proportions. This amazing progress > ture of hearts and minds. As a preliminary indicates not only capacity and striving on > to the study of His teachings it may be his own part but the aid and cooperation of > fitting to observe that the close contact of friendly whites. Yet despite all the good that > two groups divided from each other by either has been done as proving merit on the part > racial, religious or national traditions has of both races, in the nation's internal develrarely if ever been happy. It has resulted opment there is no more lurid and tragic > often in conquest, slavery, even extermina- chapter than that of race relations. It is to > tion of one by the other. The Tasmanians this therefore that 'Abdu'1-Baha directs His > > have completely disappeared. So have the great thought, turning his searchlight upon > American Indians once in Haiti. The Ainu the national disease and prescribing with > of Japan are near extinction, showing what marvellous wisdom the remedy. It is thus > may happen in ordinary human processes to that He summarizes the problem: > a who may contact a more > white group "The blacks bate the whites and the whites > powerful yellow group. The Maori of New distrustthe blacks. You must overcome > 654 THE BAHA'f WORLD > this by showing that you make no distinc- He is the first to enlighten us as to the > tion. The end will be very unfortunate for many points of agreement between the races > both if the differences are not removed." x and which outweigh so greatly the one point > This diseased state of the body politic of difference, color, relatively unimportant > brings from Him repeated warnings and He and which assuredly cannot always be a > lays the responsibility for its removal upon cause of estrangement. > both races. As the colored people were force- Among His more mystical teachings is the > fully expatriated and brought to America, explanation of the creation of man in the > the situation arising imposes upon their ab- divine image and likeness as a station which > ductors the obligation to be fair and just. refers to the virtues of his inner and true > Responsibility rightly goes with power. Kind- being. His annulment of superficial barriers > ness and generosity are its ornaments. While and promise that the confirmations of the > the colored people as a minority have less Holy Spirit will aid all those who labor for > strength, they are not thereby freed from the conciliation of the races give a bedrock of > > duty of striving to heal the breaches of hu- assurance. > manity. The plumb line suspended near a 'Abdu'l-Baha outpoured His great love > mountain is attracted out of its plumb; but and wisdom, with race amity in view, upon > the plumb also attracts, however impercep- various gatherings. He told the story of the > tibly, the mountain. Smaller social groups wonderful fidelity, heroism and courage of > can influence larger ones, especially if they Isfandiar, the colored friend who served > use their talents in ways prompted by Baha'u'llah under the most perilous condi- > Guidance. tions. This meeting was in the home of > The gravity of all the worlds is love and white friends and was largely attended by the > whoever learns to love and praise people for colored. At another meeting in a colored > whatever tokens of the Creator they show home largely attended by whites He comhas discovered an impregnable fortress of pared the colored to rubies and sapphires and > strength. The Master's gentle injunction to the whites to diamonds and pearls, showing > the colored race is to remember the heroic how their harmony would adorn humanity > sacrifices of the whites in the Civil War and elevate the nation. He explained, at a > which led to the freedom of the colored meeting of the Bethel Literary and Historical > people and to accord due praise for a service Society, the divine nature of science and > which was so great an incentive to freedom how it might be used for the unity of the > throughout the world. He has also mentioned world. Other occasions favored by Him > the fact that the colored race in America were at Hull House in Chicago, founded by > enjoy educational advantages denied those in Jane Addams, and the National Association > Africa, resulting in the progress of the former for the Advancement of the Colored People > and the backwardness of the latter. Subtle at their fourth annual gathering held in the > and powerful is the effect of praise. It is same city. In these meetings He received > acceptable to God and it gladdens the heart most enthusiastic responses and made his auof man. The praise mentioned here is of diences divinely happy. But perhaps the most > course not flattery, which has a bad motive powerful and impressive of all His utterand selfish foundation. But praise of the ances on race relations was that at Howard > good in man is in reality praise of God, since University, Washington, D. C., the premier > all good comes from the one Source. Sin- institution for the higher education of the > > cerely and wisely used it favorably influences colored, although by its charter open to all > all human relations inspiring movement to races. On this extraordinary occasion its > a higher plane. chapel was filled with faculty, students and a > 'Abdu'1-Baha teaches that "Colors are large number of visitors, both races mingling. > phenomenal; while the realities of men are The Master on this occasion went to the > essence. When there exists unity of the es- heart of the race problem. It was a talk > sence what power has the phenomenal? which combined simplicity, beautiful image- > When the Light of Reality is shining what ry, noble idealism and practical application > power has the darkness of the unreal?" 1 > 'Akk* Lights, p. 11, > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 655 > > with a spiritual atmosphere which raised His braska; Senator Samuel Shortridge of Calihearers to a pitch of joyous enthusiasm. The fornia; C. Lee Cooke, famous southern busiapplause which followed was so long con- ness man; Dr. Alain Locke; Hon. Martin B* > tinued that this marvellous speaker felt Madden, Congressman from Illinois; Alfred > moved to speak briefly a second time, assur- W. Martin, president of the Ethical Culture > ing that a time would eventually come when Society; William H. Randall; Albert Vail; > all differences would fade. It appeared to be Prof. George W. Cook; Mrs. Coralie Frank- > His wish that the problem of races in lin Cook; Howard MacNutt; Mountfort > America should be worked out along lines Mills; Roy C. Wilhelm; Jinab-i-Faolilstated in this address and in view of its ex- i-Mazindarani of fran and Lieut. Gentreme importance it should not only be read eral Nelson A. Miles, commanding the > but studied. 1 American army. Certainly not less important was that little band of silent workers > FIRST CONVENTION whose deeds were so apparent and whose > was following His return to the Holy > It names are doubtless better known in Higher > Land, however, and after the world war that Worlds. > 'Abdu'1-Baha set in motion a plan that was The specific purpose of this initial conto bring the races together, attract the at- vention was race understanding; but it also > tention of the country, enlist the aid of served to convey the Baha'i teachings to the > famous and influential people and have a far- nation's capital and many interests centered > > reaching effect upon the destiny of the nation there and radiating therefrom. Eloquent > itself. This was the first convention for addresses, large audiences, responding not > amity between the races and He placed its only to the wide press notices but the cirresponsibility entirely in the hands of one of culation of nineteen thousand programs, > his most devoted American followers, Mrs. ideal weather and an atmosphere that was > > Agnes S. Parsons, whom He lovingly called spiritual and heavenly could have but an ex- > His daughter. Her instructions were quite traordinary effect. The workers had unusual > brief. The details she was free to work out experiences and the spirit of reconciliation > with people of her selection to aid. Nothing seemed to sweep the city. This convention > daunted through her faith by the magnitude had the fervent approval of the President of > of this task, this heroine of God who had high the United States although officially he took > rank in the social life of Washington re- no part in it. The gratitude of the chief > turned from her pilgrimage and went prayer- executive may be well understood when it is > fully to work. She took as consultants the recalled that but a short time before, that > local Spiritual Assembly and a few personal historic city had been violently disturbed by > > friends, gradually widening the circle. a race riot fatal to many. Now the cleans- > Howard University responded in a way that ing and purifying power of the Holy Spirit > showed the fruitage of seed sown by the was at work bringing harmony and peace to > Master nine years before. There were flow- those who had passed through the shadows > ers and beautiful songs, the best musicians of death. This esoteric power of the Baha'i > of the city lending their skill. The pub- Faith was thus illustrated. > It enabled a few > > licity was of the best with Martha Root at devoted believers to perform a herculean > the helm. task. > The North and the South, Orient and This convention for sustained and inter- > Occident, colored and white mingled in a esting features seemed to make a unique > picturesque setting of five sessions over a record. But what was by far its most imperiod of three days. The First Congrega- pressive event was the delivery of the mestional Church which in past years had wel- sage of 'Abdu'1-Baha, which He had incomed so many liberal and progressive groups trusted to Mountfort Mills, a recent pilgrim > opened its doors for all sessions. Among the to Haifa and by whom it was conveyed > > distinguished people who aided this endeavor with admirable wisdom and tact. It was as > were Rev. Dr. Jason Noble Pierce; Hon. follows: > Moses E. Clapp, former Senator from Ne- 1 > See Compilation, The Oneness of Humanity* > 656 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "Say to this convention that never since tagonism was traditionally rife. Stanwood > the beginning of time has one more important Cobb, Mariam Haney, Coralie F. Cook and > been held. This convention stands for the Agnes S. Parsons were active leaders in this > oneness of humanity; it will become the work. An interesting after effect of the > cause of the enlightenment of America. It firstamity convention was the stimulus it > will 9 if wisely managed and continued, check gave to orthodox people, who started the > the deadly struggle between these races which organization of interracial committees very > otherwise will inevitably break out" soon thereafter. > The importance thus attached to this great > SPRINGFIELD > movement by such an authority shows the > vast potentialities of the race amity work The second city to respond to the urgent > and the vital need of its continuance. The call of the Master was Springfield, Mass., > Words of Baha'u'llah and of 'Abdu'1-Bahd where at the time there were but three > > appearing upon the program, the Baha'i Baha'is, one of whom > was an itinerant > prayers used at each session, the universal teacher. They consulted and first of all > principles of the Faith proclaimed by Baha'i communicated by cable with 'Abdu'1-Baha, > speakers, the humanitarian ideals expressed telling their wish to hold a convention for > > by eminent speakers who came to aid, the amity. They were assured that God would > singing of the Baha'i hymn, "Great Day of confirm their labor of love. These friends > God," the assembling and cooperating of two were Roy Williams, Olive Kretz and Grace > groups traditionally separated and the sub- Decker. Going to the aid of them were > lime faith and courage shown by the sponsor three more experienced Baha'is, William H. > and her cohort of workers lifted the matter Randall and Alfred E. Lunt of Boston and > of race relations to a plane never before con- Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi of Chicago. The local > templated by those who had hitherto felt its workers who cooperated included three > burdens. clergymen, a rabbi, the mayor of Spring- > Under the leadership and through the sacri- field and another public man of prominence. > > fices of the Baha'is of Washington three The "Springfield Republican," one of the > other amity conventions in after years were most powerful newspapers of New England, > held. The Mount Pleasant Congregational gave the best publicity. The date of the two > Church opened its doors for two of these con- sessions was December 5 and 6, 1921, and the > ferences and the Play-house in whole or part city high school auditorium was well filled > for the other. Christians, Jews, Baha'is, with those who received both instruction and > people of various races mingled in joyous and entertainment. The work left a sweet spirit > serviceable array and the reality of religion in Springfield. Perhaps this was best exshone forth. In this way, as Baha'u'llah pressed by Rev. Neil McPherson, a venerable > reveals: clergyman who with Dr. W. N. DeBerry > "Religion is a manifest light and a strong and Rev. A. L. Boulden took part, and a > fortress for the protection and tranquillity year or more afterward said, "The Baha'i > of the people of the world" teachings are all love!" > Also as 'Abdu'1-Baha says: > "There is only one love which is unlimited NEW YORK > and divine, and that is the love which comes The next city to undertake this important > with the breath of the Holy Spirit the love service was the metropolis of the country, > of God which breaks all barriers and sweeps New York. The date of this public conall before it." ference devoted to interracial harmony was > Eventually the Washington friends con- the period March 28 to 30, 1924. The Spirittinued their race amity work in another form ual Assembly unobtrusively led with the > by organizing an interracial discussion group following participating groups: The Comwhich continued for many years and did a munity Church; the National Association for > very distinctive service, both by its activities the Advancement of Colored People; the > and its fame as the incarnation of a bright National Urban League; the Committee on > ray of hope amid scenes where racial an- International Cooperation of the League of > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 657 > > Women Voters and the organization known PHILADELPHIA > as America in the Making. The speakers > were Mountfort Mills, Rabbi Stephen S. Philadelphia was the fourth city to respond > Wise, Dr. Alain Locke, James Weldon John- to the idea. The Society of Friends, popuson, Ruth Morgan, John Finley, Dr. John larly better known by the derisive title of > Herman Randall, Lucius Porter, Jane Quakers, applied to them centuries ago be- > Addams and Stephen P. Duggan. The plan cause of their opposition to warfare, gave > was to attract people of other races as well hearty cooperation to the Baha'i community, > as the colored and white. One of the best which made great sacrifices to present its > > features of the program was the address of ideals. The Baha'is on their part did a greater > Dr. Franz Boas of Columbia University, who service for the Friends. This convention > by scientific deductions appeared to lay waste was the first to indicate by announcement > the foundations of race prejudice. Quota- that it was wholly under Baha'i auspices. > tions from the Words of Baha'u'llah and An appeal to the public read in part as > 'Abdu'1-Baha were creative and impressive. follows : > > This praiseworthy effort showed the possibil- "All humanity should reflect the love of > ities of the work and led to a brilliant suc- God for all His children.Hatred between > cession of similar conferences, interracial din- racesmust be removed if we are to follow > ners and fellowship meetings through the God's Word. A movement to fulfill the > years, under" the Banner of the Greatest greatest law of Christ as well as to follow > Name and connecting Harlem, Manhattan the Light of Knowledge revealed in our day > and Brooklyn, sections of New York. The is the convention for amity between the > names of Mary Hanford Ford, Ludmila white and colored races, Witherspoon Hall, > Bechtold, Saffa Kinney, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. October 22 to 23, 1924. The aim is to re- > Mathews, Annie K. Lewis, Wandeyne La- move the gloom of conflict by the Light of > Farge, W. E. B. DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, spirituality. For only Divine Teachings can > Samuel Allan, James H. Hubert, Juliet create harmony where human traditions have > > Thompson, Harlan F. Ober, Dr. Genevieve long established discord." > Coy, Horace Holley, Hopper Harris, Elsa It had so happened that the Baha'is and > > Russell, Hubert Dulany and others appear in the Society of Friends at the same time, as > these various plans with the added inspiration moved by one Spirit, had planned interracial > of beautiful music. Especially outstanding conferences. As the dates selected were confor teaching and nationalizing the fame and tiguous but not conflicting, each agreed to > light of the Faith was the dinner given by boost the spiritual enterprise of the other as > the National Race Amity Committee through well as its own. The result was phenomenal > the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. E. R. success for both. The Baha'i conference > Mathews, to the leaders of the New York illustrated happily, as announced on the pro- > Urban League and the National Association gram, that thrilling statement of 'Abdu'lfor the Advancement of Colored People. Baha: > This gala event assembled about one hundred "This is a new cycle of human power. All > and fiftyprominent people in the banquet the horizons of the world are luminous. It is > hall of one of the large hotels. The Baha'i the hour of the unity of the sons of men and > service, fine repast, unique musical program, the drawing together of all races and all > joint chairmanship of a white with a colored classes. > > teacher, number of addresses limited to a few Two large and exceptionally fine audiminutes, wide publicity, genial wit and ences Attended and among those listed as > humor and what seemed the special favor of speakers and workers, besides the local comthe Almighty made this occasion one of great munity, were Louise D. Boyle, Horace Holsignificance. All who attended seemed grate- ley, Dr. Herbert E. Benton of the Universalful and happy. It harmonized some who ist Church, Agnes L. Tierney of the Society > had long been discordant, even though in of Friends, Leslie Pinckney Hill, Albert Vail, > organizations working for a common end. Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Dr. John M. Henderson > Truly those who serve reality obtain results. of the African M. E. Church, Dr. Alain > 658 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Locke, Judge John M. Patterson and Hooper" any other great event since the passing of the > * > Harris. The goal of amity was nobly won. Master, they were called into being by the > Philadelphia Baha'is improved Friendship moving eloquence of Shoghi ErTendi, Guard- > Week to hold their second amity conference ian of the Baha'i Faith, in his letter of April > > February 14, 1930, with the subjects, "How 12, 1927, to the National Spiritual Assemto Improve Race Relations," "New Proofs of bly. This letter came not long after the pilthe Oneness of Mankind," "A Brotherhood grimage of a colored Baha'i, Mrs. S. E. J. > > Which Is Eternal," "A New Universal Oglesby of Boston, to the Holy Shrines at > Brotherhood" and "God's Wonderful Plan 'Akka and Haifa, she being the third of that > for Humanity," and speakers among those race to make the pilgrimage. Like those prewho had served previous conferences. ceding her she received a warm welcome, > meeting Shoghi Effendi and other members > DAYTON of the Holy Household. The letter of the > Dayton, Ohio, the "Gem City," was the Guardian mentions with approval the activififth to express the need of an amity confer- ties of the newly appointed National Racial > ence and to set itself a task which seemed far Amity Committee and is a powerful porout of proportion to the strength of its two trayal of the needs of the work. The conresident Baha'is. This was during that mem- ferences began at this historic spot under > orable year for amity congresses, 1927. most favorable conditions, having in addi- > Joined by two traveling teachers, the little tion to the seasoned workers of other con- > > group improved the momentum of a sched- ferences, the aid of Ruhi EfFendi Afnan, a > uled world unity conference to append an grandson of 'Abdu'1-Baha visiting America. > amity conference as its first session. Several Among others were Devere Allen, editor of > liberal organizations were rallied to their sup- "The World Tomorrow," Dr. Samuel Mcport and Wilberforce University, a few miles Comb, founder of the Emanuel Movement, > distant at Xenia, gave the services of its Rev. William Safford Jones, Unitarian clerhighly trained Glee Club. This meeting was gyman and Mesdames Edwina Powell and > successful in promoting good will, spreading S. E. J. Oglesby, recent pilgrims to 'Akka. > the fame of the Faith and seed sowing in Some themes in conferences during the decvery promising soil, as students are aspiring ade follow: "The New White Man"; "The > and have a future. The home in Xenia of New Negro"; "A New Vision of Human > Mrs. Ada M. Young, widow of the late Col. Oneness"; "Superior Men: The Lovers of > Charles Young, U. S. A., from this time be- Mankind"; "The Message of the Orient"; > came a center for Baha'i activities in that "Welcome!"; "The Message of the Negro > section, with many interracial meetings and Spiritual"; "The Practice of the Heavenly > addresses at Wilberforce University to fol- Virtues"; "The Temple of God: Its Light of > low. The Dayton Baha'is, recruited in num- Unity"; "The Oneness of Humanity"; > bers, held a second amity conference April "How the Supreme World Illumines This > 12, 1929, using the services of Prof. M. N. World"; "Making the World Better"; > Chatterjee of Antioch College and a Baha'i "Progress toward Racial > Understanding"; > speaker, with Josef McCoy, versatile and ac- "The Negro's Gift to Civilization"; > complished, as both entertainer and chair- "Youth's Amity Forum"; "Race Prejudice > man. The names of Frances Fales, Helen and Modern Civilization"; "Better Race Re- > McVey, Josef and Helen McCoy, Ada M. lations"; "Scientific and Spiritual Proofs of > Young and Sylvia Margolis will be insepara- Human Oneness"; "Negro Civilization in > bly linked with the early evolution of the Ancient Africa"; "How to Improve Race > Baha'i Faith in Dayton, which now has the Relations"; "The Spirit's Fire of Attracblessing of a spiritual assembly. tion"; "The Great American Liberator"; > "Economics and Race Relations"; "Negro > GREEN ACRE ScientistsOvercome Prejudice"; "Racial > Race amity conferences at Green Acre, the Amity and World Peace"; "A World Comsummer colony of the Baha'is in Maine, cover munity"; "The Psychology of Prejudice." > the decade beginning 1927. More than by Among the workers and speakers of this > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 659 > > fruitful period may be mentioned: William Scientificand spiritual knowledge, beaming > H. Randall; Alfred E. Lunt; Dr. Leslie hope, talents, broadening hocultivating > Pinckney Hill; Horace Holley; Juliet rizons, overcoming prejudices, diffusing > Thompson; Dr. Glenn A. Shook; F. St. through the descent of bounty the divine > George Spendlovc; Hon. F. W. Hartford; fragrances and heralding the great message > Dr. Albert D. Heist; Doris McKay; James of the Manifestation of God. > H. Hubert; May Maxwell; Paul Haney; > Samuel A. Allen; Reginald G. Barrow; Al- CHICAGO > bert Vail; Robert W. Bagnall; Agnes S. Par- Chicago gave setting to a brilliant amity > sons; Loulie A. Mathews; Ludmila Bechtold; conference under date of January 22, 1928. > Rev. H. B. Harris; Prof. William Leo Hans- Its purpose was stated as improvement of > berry; Dr. Walter B. Guy; Rev. Harry B. race relations and strengthening friendships. > > Taylor; Zlypha O. Mapp; Annie K. Lewis; This great city compared its own location to > Louise N. Thompson; Philip A. Marangella; the center of the continent and its heart. > Keith Ransom-Kehler; Harlan F. Ober; Grace The invitation was thus extended to cooper- > Ober; Saffa Kinney; Orcella Rexford; Mary ating friends to purify the heart that love > Hanford Ford; Elizabeth Greenleaf; Max and kindness might happily flow through it > Yergan; Stanwood Cobb; Judge Edward H. to all the arteries of the American continent. > Adams; Siegfried Schopflocher; Carl Cart- The response to this invitation filled with an > wright; Prof. J. S. Carter Troop; Mynta B. exceptionally fine audience the large audi- > Trotman; Dr. T. E. A. McCurdy; Dorothy torium of Masonic Temple. Music and Ba- > Richardson; Maxwell Miller; Mary Coristine; ha'i prayers brought a spiritual atmosphere > Sherley Graham; Dr. Genevieve Coy; George to the gathering over which Albert Vail pre- > W. Goodman; Howard and Mabel Ives and sided in his usually eloquent way. Follow- > Ruhiyyih Khanum. It with admiration > is ing a prayer by Rev. Harold Kingsley of the > and gratitude that this mention is made of Liberty Congregational Church were three > but a few of those who have shared their addresses. > treasures of mind and heart to bring about Prof. A. Eustace Haydon, teacher of Comracial harmony and peace. A special tribute parative Religions at the University of Chiseems due to the last mentioned, Ruhiyyih cago, said that men must be real friends, not > Khanum, nee Mary Maxwell, now the con- on the basis of words but deeds. He advosort of our noble Guardian. She was an am- cated a reorganization of the social structure > ity worker from her earliest years, being and a unity based upon loyalty to common > without race consciousness in the selection of ideals. He held that loyalty on a spiritual > her friends and showing a maturity rarely plane enriches and beautifies. > found in one so young. She seemed always The second speaker, a representative of the > to grasp so subtle and profound a principle colored race, presented some of the Baha'i > as the oneness of humanity with all its impli- teachings on the overcoming of prejudices. > cations. While her frank, courageous and As ignorance caused men to be narrow, those > winsome influence will be missed in the West influences which had a tendency to broaden > > by young and old, let us hope that her the horizons should be carefully noted. > > prayers at the Holy Shrines in our behalf will Travel, trade and commerce and education > be even more effective in shaping the destiny are playing their part in the expansion of > of the work she loves. men's minds through a better acquaintance. > Praise belongs also to the spiritual com- But the only power that will completely > munities of Eliot and Portsmouth, to Boston make a conquest of prejudice is the reality of > friends and to Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher for religion. This led us to the great flood of > their continued and delightful hospitality Light through the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. > during the years, a pleasing and impressive Rabbi Louis Mann of Sinai Temple and > feature of the amity work at Green Acre. also a professor at the University of Chicago, > > These conferences have been cherished by the made a address frequently interbrilliant > friends and have always ranked high among rupted by applause, on the Oneness of Manthe season's attractions, pouring out their kind. He declared that God in His Holy > 660 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Book speaks of man, not of races, colors or of that great city and which had a part in > nationalities, not of Jews or Christians. He this conference is made up of people of vari- > > deplored the fact that religious people so ous denominations drawn together and that > often allow business people to be far cleverer, two of its successive pastors have been taught > in that the latter ignore racial and class limi- the Baha'i Faith by that center. The contations when looking for trade. Shall we do tacts of the Baha'is with the students of > less when trying to serve God? Love and McGill University are also a bright sign of > virtues have at times brought Jew and Chris- promise. One of them, Miss Mathews of > tian together and will establish the unity of Louisville, Ky., after her return home was > mankind. He expressed admiration for the instrumental in arranging for a Baha'i lec- > Baha'is and his willingness to serve them at ture which was the means of giving the mes- > > any time. The chairman told an interesting sage to many hundreds of students. The > story of how a colored boy to whom white ardent Baha'i love and understanding which > boys were hostile during the race riot had these friends put into service has far-reachwon them to friendliness by telling them the ing results. > teaching wherein the Master had compared > the different races to the varied flowers grow- URBANA, ILL. > ing side by side in the same garden. The Urbana, seat of the great University of > spirit won! Illinois, is a fine strategic center for Baha'i > Chicago's amity activities continued over activity. Over a period of many years it has > a number of years with monthly meetings been active and successful in amity work, > resulting in a series of brilliant reports. The touching the lives of many groups within > guidance of the Spiritual Assembly and the range. While such work is continuous, a > > loving service put into the work by Rachel special amity conference was arranged for > O. North, Fanny Lesch, Shelley N. Parker, May 6, 1928. The music was planned by > Philip R. Savilles, Vivien Wesson and others Mrs. F. M. Leslie and drew upon > Negro spiris truly worthy of great admiration and ituals largely. Edwin W. Mattoon served as > praise. chairman. Dr. W. Russell Tylor of the university's department of sociology was the > MONTREAL > principal speaker and went elaborately into a > The Baha'is of Montreal, Canada, ampli- scientificstudy of humanity in races, giving > fied their record of service to proofs of its essential unity but recommendhumanity by > their amity convention of February 11 and ing a wise approach to so complicated a prob- > 12, 1928. They expressed the hope that their lem. This was followed by another speaker > stand in this regard would be emulated by all with the Baha'i teachings. The place of > the cities of America. The artistic program meeting, Lincoln Hall of the university, > bore quotations from the Words of Moses, gave a classic setting to this conference and > Jesus, Bahi'u'llih and 'Abdu'1-Baha. The its spirit was most > refreshing. This Baha'i > Young Men's Christian Association, Chan- community, which is quite influential, has > ning Hall and the Union Congregational arranged both within and without the uni- > Church, colored, gave their cooperation. versity many meetings for visiting Baha'i > Hon. Agnes MacPhail, the first and only teachers. > woman member of the Canadian Parliament > and a strong advocate of peace, was the first WlLMETTE > speaker. She seemed much pleased with the The Baha'i center of Wilmette has the > Baha'i writings, demonstrating most > a bounty of close proximity to the Mashriqu'lfriendly spirit. Other contributors were Mr. Adhkar which some of its members serve. > and Mrs. W. S. Maxwell, Rev. Laurence They perform a valued aid for racial amity > Clare, Rev. Charles Este, Dr. E. M. Best and by their charming courtesy and kindness to > F. St. George Spendlove. The three meet- visitors of all races. > Outstanding and disings had appreciative audiences, a sign of the tinguished were the services of their fellow > growing consciousness of unity. It is inter- member, Dr. Zia M. Bagdldi, an associate for > esting to note that the only colored church many years. The son of Mustaf* Bagddi, > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 661 > > one of the most renowned and useful of the was not heated, where heavy wraps were nec- > Oriental friends, he was the sole Baha'i of essary to comfort, carried through a meeting > the Occident whose life touched successively for this noble purpose which all present > three great leaders of the Faith. As a child enjoyed, divine enthusiasm entering hearts > of three in the Holy Presence of Baha'u'llah warmed by the Fires of God and minds illuhe was given by Him his name, Zia, meaning mined by the signs of reality. At Ports- > Light. As a student at Beirut he went mouth, N. H., the friends gave glad welcome > through perilous days of devotion and was to Mabel Ives who traveled a long distance to > sent to America by 'Abdu'l-Baha, Whom he sound the note of interracial accord in the > knew so well and loved so devotedly. His friendly atmosphere of the Women's Club > loyalty to the administrative order created and with the association of beautiful music. > by the Will, his great personal love for Rochester, N. Y., a city famous for its tradi- > Shoghi Etfendi arc jewels of memory to those tions of freedom, held a conference that was > who knew him. His courage was leonine in highly successful under the banner of the > demonstrating the oneness of humanity. He Greatest Name.Doris McKay, thoroughly > met his fellow beings on the basis of merit alive to the idea,made an impressive chairand attraction to the Faith and this ideal he man. A remarkable address was made by > and professional > lived in his business, social Rev. Raymond Prior Sanford, executive paslife, whether East or West, whether he la- tor of the Brick Church. It was a stirring > bored in Chicago or the far South. Ever re- account of the melting pot of racial anmembered will be his cool courage in going during the period following the > tipathies > to the rescue of the colored Baha'is during world war and a most powerful plea for > the race riot when such an undertaking, the brotherhood that is real. This was folthrough the tying up of traffic, meant great lowed by a Baha'i address in which both > expense to one of modest means and journey- scientific and spiritual proofs were given. > ing to another section of the city incurred This conference inspired a column's rethe peril of almost sure death. His passing port in the leading journal of that city, > in the fullness of hispowers fills his friends the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. It > with grief; but his many virtues are an orna- was most friendly and favorable to the > ment to the world which leave a fadeless Cause. > mark. Under this intrepid leadership the > Baha'is of Wilmette arranged a succession of BOSTON > gatherings in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Bag- Boston, among the early cities to become > dadi, the Bourgeois studio and in the founda- active, inaugurated meetings which were to > tion of the Temple. They also aided and in- be extended over a period of years with a > spired similar efforts in the neighboring city brilliant gathering during November, 1927. > > of Evanston, carrying the campaign of di- Dorothy Richardson, contralto, and George > vine education into the Northwestern Uni- A. Fernandez, tenor, gave a festival of song. > versity through the class in Comparative Dr. John Herman Randall spoke most elo- > Religions and elsewhere stimulating such quently upon "The Growing Appreciation > interest as resulted in a race amity meeting between Races." A second address was deaddressed by the mayor of the city, the livered by William Stanley Braithwaite, faformer Vice-President of the United States, mous colored poet, literary critic and anthol- > Gen. Charles Dawes, and other notables. ogist, who said that he felt moved by a high > The meeting of those of different races, sense of duty to be present on such an occacolors and social ranks was the means of con- sion. The educational and spiritual value of > firmation and power to the workers. thisand the series of meetings that followed > was to make the Boston friends wish entirely > VARIOUS CITIES to forget color as a sign separating mortals. > The year 1927 saw the genial fires of racial A. Philip Randolph, industrial leader, was > amity cheering and heartening various cities. one of the most polished and brilliant speak- > Geneva, N. Y., in the dead of winter and de- ers at other meetings, all of which had unspite the accident of meeting in a hall that usual value. > 662 THE BAHA'f WORLD > DETROIT blows struck at economic values. Other interracial committees had mustered but a > The friends in Detroit under the rallying > feeble response. There was an outpouring > "New Views on an Old, but Unsolved > cry, > of love and good will in the utterances of > Human Problem," raised the standard of > noble speakers from both groups, one of the > unity in a conference March 14, 1929, using most eloquent of whom was a former souththe auditorium of the Federation of Women's > ern judge. Those who had heard the teach- > Clubs. Mrs. Philomene Altman, representings of old and those to whom the good news > ing the Bahd'is, presided and the speakers came for the first time were alike charmed > were Rabbi Leon Fram, Rev. Frank Adams > by the spell of the hour. The printed proand Rev. Augustus P. Record. Their subgram carried lines composed by two friends: > jects were respectively, "The Search for > Brotherhood," "The Chief Obstacle to World > O Temple of the living Word > Unity" and "The New Internationalism." > These religious leaders represented progres- > Through Whom the universe is stirred! > Eternal Presence hid from sight > sive schools and their brief and eloquent addresses indicated a search for reality. Under By countless veils of dazzling Light, > Yet viewed by those in every clime > the caption, "Vision of the New Age," their > Who penetrate the clouds of time, > attention and that of the audience was fo- > Prepared with inner eye and ear > cussed upon the ideals and message of the The PROMISED ONE to see and hear: > Baha'i teachings. It proved a profitable and > Let Thy sweet concord fill man's heart > enjoyable evening for each and all. Other > And all the din of strife depart! > efforts of a like nature were made during the > Deign Thou our peaceful aims to bless; > years following, to have the races know each > Make real our vision; grant success! > other; this in cooperation with the National > Creative Source of ancient Power > Racial Amity Committee. The services of > Let brotherhood adorn this hour! > these friends are unforgettable. > > The place of meeting was the great audi- > ATLANTIC CITY > torium and convention hall on the board- > One of the most remarkable of the racial walk and the program carried Words of > amity conferences was that of Atlantic City, Baha'u'llah: "Peace be to those who follow > N. J., in that it had but one active Baha'i Guidance"; also those of 'Abdu'1-Baha: "The > worker on the field and was opposed by the lovers of mankind, these are the superior men > orthodox among the clergy, an attitude of whatever race, class or color they may be." > which unfavorably affected the press. The > date of this conference was April 19, 1931, PITTSBURGH > and not less than twelve organizations of the Pittsburgh, Pa., one of the great cities > island city were brought into cooperation in visited by 'Abdu'1-Baha, arranged a conferfurtherance of its object. These were: The ence October 25 to 27, 1931, with three ses- > Society of Friends, the Young Men's and sions. The Central Young Men's Christian > Young Women's Christian Associations, four Association and the Oakland Methodist > churches, two schools, the Colored Board of Church cooperated with the plan by giving > Trade, the Unity Truth Center and the Jew- the use of their auditoriums and helping the > ish Community Center. The thought of the attendance. The other place of meeting was > conference was directed into Baha'i channels the Frick Training School. A > Baha'i chairand the Baha'i s of Philadelphia cooperated by man and speaker served each session. Other > coming and giving the message. A high note workers were a clergymen and > rabbi, five > was struck in fellowship in a way to impress two social workers. An impressive link with > many of the noblest people of the city, about the past was Mrs. Walter S. Buchanan, whose > four hundred of whom attended. It was said distinguished father, the late Dr. W. H. > to be by far the best meeting of its kind ever Councill of Alabama, as president of its Northere attempted and it came at a time when mal School for colored students had a vision > race relations were much disturbed with of interracial friendliness and cooperation > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 663 > > and had been its eloquent advocate at a time meeting in motion and made all feel cordially > when few believed it possible. He did not welcome. A number of Indians under the > live to hear the Baha'i message, but it seemed leadership of Chief Standing Bear and decoa blessing to his memory that his daughter rated with their feathers and paint were in > and son-in-law should, hearing it, have be- attendance. It was of this race that 'Abdu'lcome confirmed believers and have a part in Baha indicated a bright future when they > this conference. would become imbued with the Spirit of the > The program was attractive in its artistic Baha'i Faith. Robert Theiss voiced the Onebeauty and statement of the Golden Rule ness of Humanity in behalf of the spiritual > from many religions and Baha'i quotations. assembly. The Indian Chief then prayed and > As Pittsburgh is known to be one of the most with eloquent voice praised peace as the coveconservative of American cities in religious > ' > > nant among all races. Among other speakers > matters, the small community of Baha'is Joseph R. Scherer dwelt upon the unity > showed great courage in taking this stand for which would come with the adoption of a > the essential unity. Those who met them universal tongue. Emmett R. Smith, colshared light and hope. Their work was like ored, made a plea for the world court and > a breeze from the Eternal Garden of Roses. peace. J. Kam Machida, president of the > Chinese Club, who lives internationally by > THE FAR WEST > being the wife of a Japanese, made her spirit > News has reached us from time to time of of conciliation felt.W. J. Clarendon, presithe interracial arranged by the > dinners dent of the Japan-American Club, and his > friends in Denver, Colorado, high up among wife extended cordial greetings. On this octhe Rocky Mountains; of the great esteem in casion their presence expressed a heroic rewhich the Baha'is are held by Fritz Cansler solve, as on thatvery afternoon of this conof the Young Men's Christian Association ference dinner Mr. Clarendon had met with a > Branch and of the faithful cooperation he painful and dangerous accident, which he regives whenever called to serve. Happy in- fused to let enforce his absence from so notdeed have been those who partook of such able a gathering. Nipo Strongheart, who let > heavenly treasures enriching both mind and it be known that he was himself partly of > spirit. Those who have been fortunate Indian blood, spoke impressively for justice > enough to see in action the Baha'is in the Bay between the races. The program was fur- > Cities, Portland and Seattle, know that racial ther varied by an Indian Tribal dance. Near > amity is one of their spontaneous habits, the end of this fascinating program and after > whether or not formally expressed. They many distinguished guests had been made > are mindful of the needs of the Day of God. known, Willard P. Hatch was called upon to > Most inspiring, however, have been the re- speak for the Baha'is. He was first of all > ports that have come from Los Angeles, overcome by the Spirit, a Presence which all > where special success was attained under the seemed to feel. Then recovering his combrilliant leadership of Sara E. Witt, who de- posure, he found his voice and all were > veloped a genius for this work. She suc- melted into unity by the great Message and > ceeded with the cooperation of the Spiritual its wonderful ideals. The Baha'i Benedic- > Assembly in widening the circle of racial tion played by Shahnaz Waite, who comamity activities so as to include not only the posed it, closed a meeting memorable and of > white and colored, but the red Indians, abo- great joy. > rigines of America, also the Chinese and > CINCINNATI > Japanese, who are found in such numbers in > that region. A number of meetings taking Among the last amity conferences of > the form of banquets appeared to give to which there is a record is that of Cincinnati, > those who shared them a foretaste of Heaven. one of the most interesting and influential of > As a sample of this work, the dinner of Feb- all. The Baha'is of the Crescent City havruary 27, 1932, may be mentioned. Nellie S. ing with one mind and heart decided upon > French, a member of the National Spiritual such an undertaking, under the guidance of > Assembly, presided with grace, kept the their Spiritual Assembly proceeded to work > 664 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the matter out in the most methodical and and Mrs. Joseph Stauss; it was especially > scientificway. Besides their own organiza- helpful to those newly interested and diftion they succeeded in laying under the trib- fused much happiness. > ute of service some sixteen others noted for > welfare and progress. Among these were INTERRACIAL JOURNEYS > centers of culture, such as Wilberforce Uni- One of the most unusual and interesting > versity, the University of Cincinnati, the forms of amity activities was that of inter- > Cincinnati School of Music, Hebrew Union racial cooperative journeys by white and col- > > College and the Sherman School, Churches ored Baha'is into the heart of the South. > both liberal and orthodox,*the Baha'i Center There were three such trips, all inspired by a > of Lima and the National Race Amity Com- line from the Holy Land > expressing the wish > mittee. They touched the heart of the city, on the part of the Guardian, that two teachevoking high through twenty-two ers whom he mentioned should > praise, campaign in > press articles, only two of which were paid the South together. Consultation with Dr. > advertisements. Due to ceaseless rains over Will W. Alexander ^bf the Southern Interthe period of three days the attendance was racial Commission also brought assurances > small; but results should in nowise be meas- that the parties to such a plan, white and > ured by this. As according to the law of colored, would meet with many agreeable > creation "All life begins in water," rain is surprises.Thus the Holy Land and good old > one of the signs of bounty. The rain of Georgia were animated by one spirit in an > bounty within the auditorium of the Y. W. age of marvels. > C. for > A., graciously given all sessions, During the autumn of 1931, Philip A. > seemed even more generous than the falling > Marangella, an Italo- American Baha'i, and > weather without. Such was the marshalling > Chauncey Northern, a famous musician of > of gifted speakers that no imaginable phase the colored race, journeyed South to > give the > of the constructive side of the American race Baha'i message. Settmg out from New York > problem appeared to be left untouched. The by motor, they visited Washington, Richprinted programs also reached wide areas of mond, Hampton, Enfield, N. C., Orangeprogressive thinkers through the courtesy of burg and Columbia, S. C., and found wonthe local peace society which lent its mailing derful opportunities in schools and > colleges > list of about nine hundred names. for their entertainment of poesy, and > song > Dorothy Baker chairman opened the > as > spiritual illumination. They met many who > conference, voicing its purposes with golden had previously heard of the Baha'i teachings > phrases and spiritual attraction. Among gladly and were now pleased to renew their > other distinguished speakers was Rabbi Sam- interest in so artistic a Others were > setting. > uel Wohl, who but the summer before had hearing the call of the Kingdom for the first > visited the Holy Shrines on Mount Carmel time, but almost without exception they > and felt oneness with the Baha'is. John W. found attracted souls in those they > sought to > Scott, the scholarly principal of a colored reach. The journal of their work is beautiful > school, nobly gave utterance to the spirit of and thrills with the joy of life. One of the > interracialcooperation, using figures of most interesting discoveries of their > trip was > speech drawn from the curious workmanship to find the same interest at the > University of > of nature. Prof. Gustave G. Carlson, visit- South Carolina, for whites, as at Allan Uniing Professor at the University of Cincin- versity and Benedict College, located in the > nati, gave a curiously interesting study of same City of Columbia, for colored. > race prejudices, their fallacies. > exposing During the spring of 1932, Willard Mc- > Other inspiring speakers were Rev. E. H. Kay of Pittsburgh, a former instructor in > Oxley and Rev. C. Baker Pearl, pastors of the University of Texas, and Louis G. > Gregcolored churches. The Baha'i ideals were set > ory, racial amity worker, met by agreement > forth by chairmen and visiting Baha'is. The at Atlanta, Ga., where started a Baha'i > they > music was of an exceptionally fine and conveyed the > class > quality. study teachings to > On Sunday afternoon following the confer- various educational and > religious organizaence a reception was held at the home of Mr. tions. They later went to Tuskegee Insti- > RACIAL AMITY IN AMERICA 665 > > tute and the two State Normal Schools of ficient and faithful to the end, with spiritual > Alabama for Montgomery and > colored at attraction and personal charm. > Normal, in all of which they were honored "The bravest are the tenderest, the loving > and welcomed and given wonderful oppor- are the daring!" Like an aroma of heavenly > tunities for service. As they made use of incense is the fragrance of so glorious a life. > the ordinary method of travel by omnibus In ending what is but a crude and fragand sometimes found it necessary to room mentary sketch of this one phase of Baha'i > together, their work caused a sensation and work during the years, mention must be > evoked inquiries wherever they went as to an made of the letters and reports by the nainterest which could make representatives of tional and local committees, beautiful in extwo races so happily united in service. Later pression, absorbing in interest, stimulating > they went to Fisk University* Nashville, effort and raising high, our hopes. Apprecia- > Tenn., and had many opportunities to speak, tion also goes to those devoted friends who > also addressing the city High School. At have compiled the teachings which have a > Cincinnati they served meetings arranged by special bearing upon this subject and to one > Baha'is and were luncheon guests of Prof. who, in addition, has marshalled the thoughts > W. O. Brown of the University of Cincin- of contemporary men ofgenius whose discovwhom they met through > nati, a southerner eries in sociology reflect the great Light of > an Atlanta connection and the professor's Unity appearing in this marvellous age. > keen interest in better race relations. Their Grateful acknowledgments must also be > trip ended with work at Columbus, Ohio, in made to the Administrative Order which in > meetings with the friends. The detailed re- letter and spirit has promulgated this vital > > port of this itinerary written by Mr. McKay use of the new civilization and to each and > consists of about two thousand words and is all who to any extent and in any way have > unusually interesting. aided these endeavors. > During the winter of 1933, Charles A. Since the passing of 'Abdu'1-Baha, the > Wragg, a Baha'i and native of Australia, and guiding wisdom of Shoghi Eflfendi has been > the writer took a business trip together into the greatest blessing. At all times he clearly > the South and improved it for teaching. discerns the needs; discloses the state of the > > Starting from Portsmouth, N. H., they vis- world; encourages the workers; opens new > ited nine cities, six of which were in Virginia, vistas of duty; clarifies methods; reconciles > their most notable work being in Petersburg, conflicting viewpoints and applies the teach- > Norfolk, Charlottesville and Roanoke. They ings with consummate skill to the capacities > used a motor car and no friction arose as a of the day. He also keeps before his spiritual > result of their travels together, although so army the vision of a united world, that goal > much at variance with custom. toward which all progress wends. His is a > Racial amity suffers a grievous loss by the continuous motion which inspires others to > departure from this mortal plane of our dis- move. > tinguished brother, Alfred E. Lunt, August Considering the present state of mankind, > 12, 1937. His sacrifices and devotion in finite strength seems directed in this spiritual > > many lines of service were extraordinary. He enterprise toward a superhuman task; but > took deep and special interest in the ima divine promises assure victory. Observe the > provement of race relations, exemplifying little ball thrown into the fountain. Bufthe oneness of humanity as a principle of feted by the water it dances without ceasing > life. He served as chairman and speaker at upon its uneven, moving floor, air currents > various amity conferences and it was upon forming invisible walls for its tenuous home. > his motion as a member of the National It is light, elastic and rotund, traits which > > Spiritual Assembly, that the series of amity augment its adaptability and power to please. > conferences that gave such light and happi- But that moment the flow ceases its house > ness to Green Acre was set in motion. In the collapses; gravity resumes its sway and the > pursuit of this ideal he had the united co- dull earth reclaims its own. Racial amity, > operation of his talented family. Highly peace, brotherhood, with all they imply of > trained and very able, he was strong, pro- new alignments in the human world, are now > 666 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ordained of God. Those who prize them will forth; the Orb of Truth is gloriously ascendtry to keep inmotion, relying upon the ant. The transformation of the world of > Source of all good. Zephyrs of Heaven are being, on the plane of reality, is > already an > wafted; streams of knowledge are gushing accomplished fact. > AUS DEM LEBEN DES BAB > ENTNOMMEN UND ZUSAMMENGESTELLT AUS > "NABIL'S NARRATIVE" FUR DIE BAHA'I 5. > SOMMERWOCHE 1936, IN ESSLINGEN > VON ERNA SCHMIDT > "Baba'u'llab eng verbunden und> u>enn auch untergeordnet im Rang, dock beliehen mit > der Vollmacht, mit Ihm zusammen iiber den Geschicken dieser hochsten Sendung zu > thronen, leuchtet in diesem geistigen Bilde die jugendliche Herrlichkeit des Bah in Seiner > unendlichen Zartheit, unwiderstehlich in Seiner Anmut, uniibertroffen in Seinem Heldentum, einzigartig durch die dramatischen Begetmisse Seines kurzen, dock ereignisreichen > Lebens" SHOGHI EFFENDi. 1 > > G."EGEN dieMitte letzten Jahrhunderts und lebenslanglicher Freund gewesen ware. > war in Persien bestimmter schiitischer > ein Mulla Husyan hielt ihn zuerst fur einen An- > Kreis erfiillt von sehnlichem Erwarten auf hanger von Siyyid Kazim, der, von seinem > den Verheissenen, der nach Weissagung zu Kommen nach Shiraz unter richtet, aus der > dieser Zeit erscheinen werde. Besonders stark Stadt. kam, um ihn willkommen zu heissen." > > wogte die Erwartung und die Sehnsucht in Hochst erstaunt war er aber, als er gewahr > dem Herzen Mulla Husayn's. Er machte wurde, dass er diesen jungen Menschen in > sich deshalb sofort nach dem Tode des Siyyid keiner Weise kenne und trotzdem von ihm in > Kazim, der vor allem von dem baldigen Er- Sein Haus geladen wurde, um sich von der > scheinen des Verheissenen gesprochen hatte Reise zu erfrischen. Als Mulla Husayn > und der sein Lehrer gewesen war, auf, um zogerte, Seiner Einladung Folge zu leisten, > Ihn zu suchen. Die andern Anhanger des da er sich doch mit Seinen Begleitern wieder > Siyyid, die er aufforderte, gleich ihm hinaus- treffen wollte, ermutigte ihn der junge > zuziehen und den Verheissenen zu suchen, Fremde: "Vertraue sie der Obhut Gottes an, > lehnten es mit ausweichenden Antworten ab. Er wird sie sicherlich beschiitzen und iiber > So ging denn Mulla Husayn, nur von seinem ihnen wachen." Mulla Husayn wurde in > Bruder und Neflfen begleitet, nach Shiraz. dem einfachen Hause des jungen Mannes mit > Wahrend der Reise verbrachte er 40 Tage in so viel Liebe und Aufmerksamkeit umgeben. > Beten und Fasten und bereitete sich so auf Er war tief beeindruckt von der vornehmen > das heilige Erlebnis vor, das ihm bald wider- und doch zwingenden Art und Weise, in > f ahren sollte. Vor den Toren der Stadt Shiraz welcher Er zu ihm sprach. Sein Gang, der > verabschiedete er sich von seinen bieden Wohlklang Seiner Stimme und die Wurde > Begleitern und gab der Hotfnung Ausdruck, Seiner Haltung beeindruckten ihn tief. Im > dass sie sich zum Abendgebet wieder Laufe des Gesprachs machte Mulla Husayn > zusammenfmden wiirden. "Gerade an diesem seinen Gastgeber mit dem Ziel seiner Reise > Tage, wenige Stunden vor Sonnenuntergang, bekannt und als Mulla Husayn auf die bewahrend er ausserhalb des Tores der Stadt sonderen Kennzeichen und Merkmale des > einherging, fielen seine Augen plotzlich auf Verheissenen zu sprechen kam, sagte Er nach > einen jungen Menschen mit strahlendem An- einer Pause: "Siehe, alle diese Zeichen sind in > > gesicht, der ihn, als er auf ihn zuging, mit Mir offenbar!** Er wies auf jedes der ereinem Lacheln liebevollen Willkommensiens wahnten Kennzeichen besonders hin und > griisste. Er umarmte Mulla Husayn mit 1 Aus: "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llih" von > gutiger Zuneigung, als ob er sein nachster Shoghi Effendi. > 668 THE BAHA'f WORLD > legte iiberzeugend dar, dass jedes und alle auf an der Zahl, die zu den auserwahlten Glau- > Seine Person anwendbar waren. Mulla bensboten des Bab, zu Werkzeugen Seines > Husayn machte daraufhin die in ihm auf- Glaubens und zu Verbreitern Seines Lichtes > kommenden Zweifel geltend, doch kaum bestimmt waren. > hatte er sie geaussert, als eine tiefe Reue ihn Der Bab, dessen biirgerlicher Name 'Alidarob ergriff, und er in scinem Innern be- Muhammad ist, zeigte schon in f riiher Kindschloss, mehr Demut, Zuriickhaltung und heit ausserordentliche Fahigkeiten, die Seine > Glauben diesem edlen Menschen gegeniiber Lehrer in Erstaunen setzten. Es ging sogar > walten zu lassen. Immer mehr wurde er von soweit, dass die Lehrer sich unf ahig f iihlten, > der unsagbar grossen Giite und Erhabenheit Ihn zu lehren, da Er eine grosser Kenntnis > seines Gastgebers ergriffen, und als dieser besass, als sie selbst. Sie brachten Ihn deshalb > die zwingenden Beweise Seiner grossen Send- wieder zuriick zu Seinem Onkel, der Ihn in > ung von Gott kundgab, war Mulla Husayn seinem Geschaft aufnahm. > so sehr davon uberwaltigt und uberzeugt, Mit etwas 22 Jahren trat der Bab in die > dass er in einen Zustand verfiel, in dem er Ehe. Das einzige Kind, das daraus geboren > nicht mehr ganz auf dieser Erde zu sein wurde, starb nach kurzer Lebenszeit. Bei > > glaubte. dem Heimgang des Knaben kam kein Klagen > Seine eigenen Worte iiber dieses grosse Er- iiber die Lippen des Vaters. Er pries vielmehr > lebnis waren: > "Diese Oflfenbarung, die so Gott und wunschte sich noch tausend > plotzlich und ungestiim auf mich herein- Ismaele, um einen und jeden als ein Liebesopstiirzte, kam wie ein Blitzstrahl, der eine fer Gott darbringen zu konnen. > > Zeitlang meine Sinne betaubt zu haben Die grosse Botschaft des Bab verbreitete > schien. Ich war geblendet durch die strah- sich immer mehr durch die unermudliche > lende Herrlichkeit und uberwaltigt durch Tatigkeit Seiner Anhanger und durch Sein > ihre bezwingende Kraft. Erregung, Freude, eindruckvolles Auftreten. Aber je grosser > Ehrfurcht und Staunen, riittelte das Ihnerste der Kreis der Anharfger wurde, je mehr > meiner Seek auf. Feinde umgaben ihn. Unbeschreiblich gross > Ich fiihlte mich im Besitze von solchem waren die Leiden, die der Bab und die > Mut und solcher Kraft, dass ich der ganzen Glaubigen erdulden mussten. Immer neue > Menschheit zurufen mochte: Erwache, denn Schliche wurden ersonnen, um das Volk gesiehe! Das Morgenlicht ist angebrochen. gen den neuen Glauben auf zuhetzen und um > Erhebet euch, denn Seine Gnade ist geoffen- die Wahrheit zu verschleiern. Doch grosse > bart. Das Portal Seiner Gnade ist weit ge- Duldsamkeit und heroisches Entgegennehoffnet, tretet herein, o Volker der Welt! men der oft unmenschlichen Leiden und > Denn Er, der euch Verheissene, ist gekom- Foltern zeichnete den Bab und Seine Anmen!" hanger aus. Es gab fur sie kein feiges aus > Die Offenbarung des Bab geschah in der dem Wege gehen. So war eine Eskorte von > Nacht des 23. Mai 1844, und Er selbst sagte der Regierung beauftragt, den Bab einzudaruber zu Mulla Husayn: "Diese Nacht, ja fangen und Ihn vor die Augen des Statthaltdiese Stunde wird in kommenden Tagen als ers Husayn Khan zu bringen, der schon > eines der grossten und bedeutendsten aller einige der Glaubigen auf f urchtbarste Weise > Feste gefeiert werden. Danke Gott, dass Er zu Tode hatte martern lassen. Der Fiihrer > dir gnadig beigestanden hat, urn deines Herz- dieser Eskorte erzahlte folgendes: "Nachdem > ens Sehnsucht zu erfiillen,und dass Er dir wir die dritte Etappe unseres Weges nach > von dem versiegelten Wein Seiner Sprache zu Biishihr hinter uns hatten, begegenten wir > trinken gegeben hat. Wohl denen, die dazu mitten in der Einode einem jungen Mann. > gelangen." Er war zu Pferd, gefolgt von einem Diener, > Nun war der Verheissene gef unden und Er der Seine Habe bei sich trug. Als wir uns > hatte skh geoffenbart. In kurzer Zeit er- Ihm naherten, griisste Er uns und frug uns > kannten besonders suchende und glaubige nach dem Zweck unserer Reise. Ich hielt es > Seelen oft auf ganz wundersame Weise die fur das Beste, Ihm die Wahrheit zu ver- > Sendung des Bab. Sie wurden die Buchstaben schweigen und erwiderte, dass wir in diese > des Lebenden genannt. Achtzehn waren es Gegend auf Befehl des Statthalters von Fdrs > s > < > > Ut > o > VH > "T3 > U > > V) > > J3 > > bJO > q > > c > o > > 670 THE BAHA'l WORLD > geschickt seien, um gewisse Nachforschung- Seine Botschaft zu priifen und dann sein > en anzustellen. Er bemerkte lachelnd: Der Urteil abzugeben, geriet er so in Wut, dass > Statthalter hat euch gesandt, um Mich ge- er einem Diener befahl, den Bab ins Gesicht > > fangen zu nehmen. Hier bin Ich, tut mit zu schlagen. Der Schlag war so heftig, dass > Mir, was ihr wollt. Durch Meinen Entgegen- Seine Ropfbedeckung zu Boden fiel. Doch > ritt habe Ich euren Weg gekiirzt und habe es diese niedertrachtige Handlung fand keine > euch leichter gemacht, Mich zu finden." Ich allgemeine Zustimmung unter den Anwesenwar starr iiber Seine Worte und wunderte den und es wurde beschlossen, den Bab nicht > mich iiber Seine Aufrichtigkeit und Gerad- gef angenzuhalten, sondern Seinem Onkel die > heit. Ich konnte mir Seine Bereitwilligkeit Burgschaft f iir Ihn zu iibertragen, der Ihn > nicht erklaren, sich aus freien Stucken der auch bis auf Widerruf in seinem Haus aufstrengen Disziplin der Regierungsbeamten zu nehmen sollte. Einige Tage spater wurde > unterwerfen und dabei Leben und Sicherheit der Bab aufgefordert, sich wahrend eines > auf s Spiel zu setzen. Ich suchte ihn zu iiber- Gottesdienstes in der Moschee zu rechtfersehen und schickte mich an wegzureiten, als tigen. Er tat dies in bescheidener Haltung, > Er an mich herankam und sagte: "Ich doch Seine Worte trafen die Herzen einiger > schwore bei der Gerechtigkeit Dessen, der Zuhorer so sehr, dass sie sich spater zu Seinem > den Menschen erschuf ihn von alien iibrigen > , Glauben bekannten. > Seiner Geschopf e auszeichnete und sein Herz Husayn Rhan gab aber nicht Ruhe, den > zum Sitz Seiner Herrschaf t und Erkenntnis Bab in neue Schwierigkeiten zu stiirzen. Er > machte, dass Ich in Meinem ganzen Leben befahl dem Polizeiprasidenten der Stadt den > nur die Wahrheit gesprochen habe und Bab zu verhaf ten und alle greif baren Dokukeinen anderen Wunsch besitze ausser dem mente zu beschlagnahmen. Unerschrocken > Wohlergehen und dem Fortschritt Meiner und selbstbeherrscht liess sich der Bab mit > Mitmenschen. Ich habe Mein eigenes Wohl- Seinen anwesenden Glaubigen gefangennehergehen verachtet und habe vermieden, der men. Auf dem Wege % zu Husayn Rhan > Anlas des Rummers und des Leids f iir irgend kam ihnen ein Zug mit Sargen entgegen. > jemand zu sein. Ich weiss, das ihr Mich Als der Polizeiprasident horte, dass in der > sucht. Ich ziehe es vor, Mich selbst in deine Nacht eine furchtbare Seuche ausgebrochen > Hand zu geben, anstatt dich und deine Ge- sei und schon viele Menschen ihr erlegen > nossen unnotigen Ermiidungen um Meinet- wa'ren, befiel ihn grosse Angst und er entwillen auszusetzen." Der Fiihrer der Eskorte schied sich, den Bab in seinem eigenen Hause > war tief erschiittert von diesen Wbrten und in Gewahrsam zu halten, zumal er horte, > bat den Bab, doch zu fliehen um den bosen dass Husayn Rhan sein Haus verlassen hatte, > Absichten des Statthalters nicht ausgesetzt da auch darin die Pest wiitete. Wie entsetzt > zu sein. Doch auf sein ernstliches Bitten gab war aber der Polizeiprasident, als er vernahm, > der Bab ihm zur Antwort: "Moge der Herr, dass sein Sohn von der Seuche ergriflfen und > dein Gott, dich f iir deine Grossmut und fur schon dem Tode nahe war. Verzweifelt > deine edle Absicht belohnen. Rein Mensch warf er sich zu Fiissen des Bab, beschwor > kennt das Geheimnis Meiner Sache; niemand Ihn, ein Gebet f iir die Rettung seines Sohnes > kann ihre Geheimnisse ergriinden. Niemals zu sprechen. Er bereute sein Handeln Bab > werde Ich Mein Angesicht von der Bestim- gegeniiber und gelobte, nichts mehr gegen > mung Gottes abwenden. Er allein 1st Meine Ihn zu unternehmen, selbst wenn er hungers > feste Burg, Mein Halt and Meine Zuflucht. sterben miisste. Der Bab der eben Sein Gesicht > Bis Meine letzte Stunde gekommen ist, kahn wusch, gab ihm von diesem Wasser und ge- > Mich niemand iiberf alien, kann niemand den bot Ihm, da von seinem Sohn zu trinken zu > Plan des Allmachtigen vereiteln." Frei und geben, dies wiirde das Leben des Rindes retungefesselt ritt der Bab der Eskorte nach ten. Und dies geschah. Daraufhin wurde > Shiraz voran. Husyn Rhan empfing den der Bb freigelassen. > Bb mit der grossten Unverschamtheit. Er Der Ruhm des Bab verbreitete sich trotz > beschimpfte Ihn und bezichtigte Ihn, ein immer mehr und > standiger Unterdriickung > grosses Ungliick und Verwirrung angerich- mehr. Die Besucher kamen unauf horlich zu > tet zu haben. Auf die Entgegnung des Bib, Ihm. Die einen, um ihre Neugier zu befrie- > AUS DEM LEBEN DES BAB 671 > > digen, andere um einen tieferen Einblick in ein hochgelehrter Einwohner der Stadt > die grundlegende Wahrheit des Glaubens zu K ash an in der Nacht, ehe der Bab in dieser > gewinnen und wieder andere um bei Ihm Stadt eintraf, erzuspater Stunde am > dass > > Heilung von ihren Leiden und Noten zu Nachmittag am Stadttor stunde, als er > suchen. So wurde Er von einer hohen Per- plotzlich den Bab zu Pferd erblickte. Vor > sonlichkeit zu einem grossen Festmahl ge- und hinter Ihm waren viele Berittene, deren > laden. Wahrend des Mahls brachte der Obhut Er anvertraut zu sein schien. Als der > Gastgeber die Bitte an Ihn vor, doch dafiir Bab sich dem Stadttor naherte, griisste Er > boten zu wollen, dass die Ehe seines Bruders ihn und sprach: "Wir werden drei Na'chte > mit einem Kinde gesegnet werde. Darauf- lang dein Gast sein, bereite dich vor, Uns > hin nahm der Bab ein Stiickchen Speise, zu empfangen!" Als er erwachte, war der > driickte sie mit den Handen zu einem Ku- Traum noch so lebendig vor ihm, dass er > chen, reichte dies Seinem Gastgeber und iiberzeugt war, dass diese unerwartete Ersagte: "Es sollen beide da von essen und ihr scheinung eine Mahnung der Vorsehung sei, > Wunsch wird ihnen erfullt werden," Durch die zu befolgen er sich verpflichtet fiihlte. > diesen Bissen, den der Bab geschickt hatte, Er begann, sein Haus fur dem Empf ang des > wurde die Frau guter Hoffnung und gebar Besuchers vorzubereiten. Dann ging er nach > zur gegebenen Zeit eine Tochter, mit der dem Stadttor und wartete dort auf die > > spater 'Abdu'1-Baha die Ehe schloss. (Sic Ankunft des Bab. Als er zu genannter > wird heute noch der Bissen des Bab ge- Stunde den Horizont absuchte, erspahte er in > nannt.) weiter Entf ernung einen Trupp Reiter. Wie > Des ofteren wurden dem Bab Priifungen, er nun ihnen entgegeneilte, erkannte er den > oft auch heimlicher Art, gestellt, die Er Bab, umgeben von Seiner berittenen Gefolgimmer, meist zur Beschamung des Priifen- schaft. Alles war genau so, wie er es die > den, iiber jede Erwartung hinaus bestand. Nacht zuvor in seinem Traum gesehen hatte. > So war es einmal, dass ein Mann beabsichtigt Und so war der Bab drei Tage lang sein > hatte, dem Bab schwierige Fragen zu stellen, Gast, obwohl vorher noch einige Schwierigdoch bei Seiner Anwesenheit waren sie alle keiten iiberwunden werden mussten, denn > seinem Gedachtnis entfallen und er konnte die beiden Fiihrer der Reitertruppe hatten > nur nebensachliches fragen. Zu seinem den Befehl, auf ihrem Ritt nach Tihran nur > grossten Erstaunen erhielt er die Ant wort ausserhalb der Toren der Stadte ihre Zelte > auf seine schwierigen Fragen, die er gar aufzuschlagen. Einer der beiden willigte > nicht ausgesprochen hatte. Und doch war sofort ein, doch der andere konnte sich nicht > dieser Mann noch nicht iiberzeugt von der dazu entschliessen. Schliesslich gab auch er > Grosse desBab und bei einem weiteren seineZustimmung, da er iiberzeugt wurde, > Zusammensein mit Ihm, hatte er in seinem dass der Bab nach drei Tagen mit ihnen > Herzen die Bitte, dass der Bab iiber eine weiterziehen werde nach Tihran. In dieser > bestimmte Sure im Qur'an sprechen und kurzen Zeit hatten einige Seiner Jiinger > sie auslegen solle. Der Bab ergriflf seine Gelegenheit, mit Ihm zusammenzusein und > Hand und sagte, dass er von Ihm verlangen auch andere konnten mit der grossen Gotteskonne, was immer sein Herz begehre. Er botschaf t bekannt gemacht werden. > werde es ihm gerne oflfenbaren. Sprachlos Erstaunlich war es immer, mit welcher > vor Staunen war Sein Besucher und der Bab Ehrf urcht und Liebe Ihn die, die beauftragt > f uhr fort. "Soil Ich dir die Sure vom Kaw- waren Ihn zu iiberwachen, umgaben. Grosse > thar oflfenbaren? wiirdest du dann erkennen, Freiheit wurde Ihm stets gewahrt, sodass Er > dass Meine Worte aus dem Geist Gottes ent- sich selten als Gefangener fiihlte. So gross > stammen?" Tiefe Reue iiber seinen seitheri- und stark war das Vertrauen einiger in Ihn, > gen Unglauben zog in sein Herz und stark dass sie, als eines Nachts das Zeit des Bab > war seine t)berzeugung von der Wahrheit leer vorgef unden wurde, zu den darob erregder Offenbarung des Bab. ten Wachen folgendes sagten: "Warum seid > Stark und tief war die geistige Verbun- ihr in Verwirrung? Stehen Seine Grosse > denheit der Glaubigen untereinander, vor und noch nicht geniigend > Sein Seelenadel > allem aber mit dem Bib selbst. So traumte euch vor Augen, um euch davon zu iiber- > 672 THE BAHA'f WORLD > zeugen, dass Er niemals es zulassen wiirde, wolle er beniitzen, um den Konigen und > dass um Seiner eigenen Sicherheit willen Regenten der Erde von der neuen Gottesandere in Verlegenheit kamen? Er hat sich botschaft Kunde zu tun und ihr Interesse > ohne Zweifel in der Stille der Mondnacht an dafiir zu wecken. Auf dieses edle Voreinen Ort zuriickgezogen, wo Er ungestort haben erwiderte der Bab: "Eine solch ehrenmit Gott verkehren kann. Ohne Frage wird hafte Absicht bedeutet mehr fur Mich, als > Er in Sein Zelt zuriickkehren. Er wird uns deren Ausfiihrung selbst. . > Jedoch nicht > . . > > niemals verlassen." Kurz darauf gewahr- durch diese Mittel, die du dir so schon vor > ten sie im Zwielicht des Morgengrauens in Augen stellst, wird die allmachtige Vorseder Feme die einsame Gestalt des Bab, die hung den Sieg ihres Glaubens vollziehen. > auf das Lager Richtung hielt. Vor der ern- Durch die Armen und Niederen in diesem > sten Grosse und dem strahlenden Angesicht, Land, durch das Blut, das sie auf Seinem > das er an diesem Morgen zeigte, wagte nie- Pfade vergossen haben werden, wird der > mand nach dem Ziel dieses nachtlichen allmachtige Herr die Erhaltung Seiner Sache > Ganges und nach dem Grunde der so auf- sicherstellen und ihre Grundlage befestigen!" > fallenden Veranderung in Seinen Worten Als der Statthalter das Herannahen seines > und in Seiner Haltung zu fragen. Todes fiihlte, machte er sein Testament, in > Durch die zunehmende Beliebtheit des welchem er seinen ganzen Besitztum als dem > Bab unter der Bevolkerung schwoll der Hass Bab eigen erklarte. Nach seinem Tod entvieler Geistlicher immer mehr an. Sie ent- deckte sein Neffe das Testament, das er in > hielten sich allerdings offener Feindselig- seiner Habgier vernichtete. Bald darnach > keit, streuten dafiir aber umsomehr wilde entdeckte er auch den Aufenthalt des Bab > Geriichte aus. Ihr Hass ging so weit, dass im Hause seines Onkels und machte davon > sie ein Schriftstuck verfertigten, in dem die umgehend dem Shah Mitteilung. Der Shah, > Verurteilung des Bab zum Tode enthalten von der Treue des verstorbenen Statthalters > war. Dieses Schriftstuck wurde von fast iiberzeugt, vermutete richtig, dass dieser nur > alien Geistlichen der Stadt Isfahan unter- eine giinstige Gelegenheit hatte abwarten > zeichnet. Der Bab war in dieser Zeit der wollen, um ihn mit dem Bab Zusammen > Gast des dortigen Statthalters, und als dieser zufiihren. Er befahl daher, den Bab heimvon dem grausamen Plan horte, entschloss lich nach Tihran zu geleiten. Als aber der > er sich, die Ausfiihrung dieser schrecklichen Grossvezier Haji Mirza Aqasi, zu dessen > Tat durch sein Eingreifen zu verhindern. Er Ohren auch die iiblen Geriichte der Geistgab deshalb sofortige Anweisung, den Bab lichen gedrungen waren, von der bevorste- > > gegen Sonnenuntergang in Begleitung von henden Zusammenkunft des Shah mit dem > 500 Reitern aus den Toren der Stadt hinaus- Bab horte, machte er alle Anstrengungen, > zugeleiten und in Richtung Tihran zu reiten. diese zu verhindern. Denn dieser selbst- > Er gab den Befehl, dass jedesmal nach einer siichtige Staatsmann fiirchtete um seine > bestimmten Strecke ein Teil der Reiter nach Stellung, falls der Shah der Offenbarung des > Isfahan zuruckkehren solle, bis noch 20 Bab grossere Beachtung schenken wiirde. Es > Reiter mit dem Bab waren. Davon sollen gelang ihm, den Shah zu beeinflussen, denn > 10 in Staatsgesch'aften weiter, wahrend die wahrend der Bab auf den Bescheid des Shah > letzten 10, alles zuverlassige und erprobte wartete, der den Ruf, in seine Gegenwart > Manner, mit dem Bab wieder nach Isfahan zu kommen, enthalten sollte, erhielt er > zuruckkehren sollten. Vor Tagesanbruch einen eigenhandig geschriebenen Brief desmussten sie wieder dort eintreffen und den selben, der ausserst hoflich abgefasst war, > Bab dis zu dem Wohnsitz des Statthalters aber doch eine Absage fur ein Zusammengeleiten. Dort wurde er durch einen Seiten- treffen enthielt.Er driickt darin aus, dass > eingang in die Privatraume gefiihrt. Der Ihm zu begegnen, > es ihm nicht vergonnt sei, > Statthalter war von grosser Liebe gegen den da er vor der unmittelbaren Abreise aus > Bab erfullt und anerkannte Seine gross Of- Tihran stehe. Sein Wunsch gehe dahin, dass > fenbarung. Sein Wunsch war es, seine er zu der Burg M4h-Ku geleitet werde. Dem > > grossen Reichtiimer in den Dienst der Sache Burgwart seien schon die notigen Anweis- > Gottes zu stellen. Alle seine Beziehungen ungen gegeben worden, Ihn mit Hochach- > AUS DEM LEBEN DES BAB 673 > > tung und Riicksicht zu behandeln. Der Die Einwohner der Stadt hatten von des > Grossvezier hatte damit das erreicht, was Prinzen Vorhaben Kenntnis erhalten und > er gewiinscht hatte, namlich den Bab in f iillten voll Neugier die Strassen und Platze, > > einen entfernten, abgelegenen Wmkel des durch die der Bab reiten musste. Wie gross > Reiches versetzen zu lassen, und somit war aber ihr Staunen, als sie Ihn auf dem als > Seinen Einfluss auf die Bevolkerung und so wild bekannten Pferde ruhig daherreiten > vor allem auf den Shah zu verringern, wenn sahen. In ihrer einfachen Art nahmen sie > nicht ganz unmoglich zu machen. Wie sehr dieses Geschehen als ein Wunder und als der > hatte sich dieser Staatsmann getauscht, und Bab vom Bade wieder zum Haus des Prinzen > welchen Segen hatte er seinem Herrscher ritt, furde er von der begeisterten Volks- > > und damit auch dem Volke vorenthalten. menge besturmt. Andere holten bis auf den > Wenig ruhmvoll waren seine weiteren Leb- letzten Tropfen von dem Wasser, das Ihm > > ensjahrc und kiimmerlich sein Ende. Er zur Abwaschung gedient hatte und dem sie > verier kurze Zeit darauf das ganze Ver- Wunderwirkung zuschrieben. > trauen des Shah und fiel in seine Ungnade. Die Bewohner von Tabriz erwarteten voll > Sein ganzer Besitz wurde vom Staat einge- Ungeduld und Freude die Ankunf t des Bab, > zogen. Er wurde aus der Residenz verbannt denn viele waren in dieser Stadt von Seiner > und fiel seinem Ungluck und seiner Armut Botschaft iiberzeugt. > zum Opfer. Aller HofTnung beraubt und Die Regierung hatte ob der grossen Beim Elend versunken, siechte er der Stunde geisterung schwere Bedenken fur die Ruhe > seines Todes entgegen. der Stadt und sie beschloss, den Bab ausser- > Die weitere Gefangenschaft des Bab war halb der Stadt in Gewahrsam zu halten. > nun in Mah-Ku und in der Feste Chihriq. Doch dieser Befehl verfehlte > ganz seine > Die Warter, die Ihn bewachten, mussten im- Wirkung, die Erregung wurde noch grosser > mer wieder gewechselt werden, da sie sich und die Situation, die bereits xlrohend geschon nach kurzer Zeit zu Seinen Freunden worden war, verscharfte sich noch mehr. > gewandelt hatten und Seinen Glauben annah- Der neue Beschluss lautete deshalb, den Bab > mcn. In Chihriq erwartete Er mit ruhiger vor die versammelten hohen Geistlichen zu > f iihren, denen Er sich zu verantworten habe. > Ergebung den Befehl, der Ihn nach Tabriz > rufen sollte, denn Er wusste, die Zeit Seiner Als Er in die Versammlung gefiihrt wurde, > schwersten Leiden, die in dieser Stadt iiber hatte schon die Volksmenge den Eingang der > Ihn kommen wiirden, stand Ihm unmittel- Halle bcsetzt, und wartete ungeduldig auf > bar bevor. Auf der nach Tabriz > Reise den Augenblick, in dem sie Sein Angesicht > wurde Er in einer Stadt von einem dort sehen wiirden. In dieser Versammlung erwohnhaften Prinzen empfangen, der Ihm klarte der Bab offentlich, dass Er der Eine > auch herzlichste Gastfreundschaf t gewahrte, Verheissene sei. Er musste darnach Beund befahl alien, Ihm mit gebiihrender schimpfungen hasslicher Art iiber sich er- > Ehrerbietung zu begegnen. "An einem gehen lassen, denn vor allem Mulla Muham- > Freitag, als der Bab zu dem ofTentlichen mad war gegen Ihn und stachelte die andern > Badehaus ging, befahl der Prinz seinem zum Widerspruch auf. So verlief diese > Reitknecht, Ihm sein wildestes Pferd zum Versammlung fruchtlos. Doch das Feuer > Reiten anzubieten, da cr neugierig den Mut auf beiden Seiten, fur und gegen Ihn, loderte > und Kraft seines Gastes zu priifen > die weiter. Nach kurzer Zeit zog die Unruhe > gedachte. In der Besorgnis, dass dem Bab unter der Bevolkerung die Aufmerksamkeit > cin Ungluck zustossen konnte, machte sich der Staatsbeamten auf sich, die aber zugunder Reitknecht verstohlen an Ihn heran und sten der Geistlichen, also der Feinde des Bab, > suchte Ihn dazu zu bewegen, es abzulehnen, handelten. Doch je grosser die Zahl der > das Pferd zu besteigen, das die tapferst- Feinde wurde und je mehr Demiitigungen > en und geschicktesten Reiter abgeworfen und Leiden sie fur den Bab und Seine > hatte. "Fiirchte dich nicht/' war die Ant- Anhanger ersannen und ausiibten, umsomehr > wort des Bab, "tue, wie dir befohlen verbreitete sich die Gottesbotschaft. So > und empfiehl uns dem Schutz des Allmach- hatte man gehofft, durch die Verhorung des > > tigen." > Bab in Tabriz Seine Lehre zu ersticken, da- > 674 THE BAHA'f WORLD > fiir aber wurde sie um so tiefer in den Her- zen wurde. Er wurde so angebunden, dass > zen der Glaubigen gegriindet. sein Haupt auf der Brust seines Meisters > Immer enger spann sich das Netz der ruhte. Als dies geschehen war, marschierte > Feinde, die dem Bab sogar nach dem Leben ein Regiment Soldaten in drei Gliedern auf, > trachteten. Mitte des Jahres 1850% waren ein jedes 250 Mann. Ein jedes erhielt den > ihre grausamen und niedertrachtigen Bestre- Befehl der Reihe nach zu feuern, bis die > > bungen mit ausserem Erfolg gekront: das ganze Abteilung ihre Salven abgegeben > Leben des Bab wurde mit irdischer roher hatte. Der Rauch des Abfeuerns von 750 > Gewalt ausgeloscht. Niemand der fiihren- Gewehren war so stark, dass er das Licht des > den Haupter von Tabriz fiihlte sich veran- Nachmittags in Finsternis verwandelte. . . . > > lasst, diesem von keinem Gericht bestatigten Als nun die Rauchwolke sich verzogen hatte, > Todesurteil entgegenzutreten. Den Geist- starrte eine erstaunte Volksmenge auf ein > lichen, denen der Bab vorgefiihrt werden Bild, das ihre Augen kaum glauben wollten: > sollte, liessen Ihn nur von einem Diener ab- da stand vor ihnen, lebend und unversehrt > fertigen, der auch dem begleitenden Wachter der Gefahrte des Bab, wahrend Er selbst > die Bestatigung des Todesurteils aushandigte. unverletzt ihren Blicken entschwunden war. > So hatte der Bab nirgends mehr Gelegenheit, Obgleich die Seile, mit welchen die beiden > sich zu rechtfertigen. Er wurde in Gewahr- befestigt waren, von den Kugeln in Stiicke > sam von Sam Khan gegeben, der sich aber zerrissen waren, so waren doch ihre Korper > in wachsendem Masse durch das edle Be- auf wundersame Weise den Salven entrontragen seines Gefangenen ergriffen fuhlte. nen. Selbst das Gewand, das der Junger > Grosse Furcht kam iiber ihn, es konnte sein trug, war trotz der Dichte des Rauches un- > Handeln den Zorn Gottes auf ihn herab befleckt geblieben. "Der Siyyid-i-Bab ist > beschworen. Er erklarte dem Bab, dass er unsern Blicken entschwunden!" ertonten die > keine bose gegen Ihn hege, tmd > Absicht Rufe aus der besturzten Menge. Wie wahndass, wenn Seine Sache die Sache der Wahr- sinnig nach Ihm zu suchen und > eilten sie > heit ist, Er es ihm ermoglichen solle von der fandan Ihn schliesslich in demselben Raume > Verpflichtung, Sein Blut zu vergiessen, be- sitzend, den Er in der Nacht zuvor bewohnt > freit zu werden. Der Bab erwiderte ihm, hatte, im Begriff, Seine unterbrochene Ausseinen Auftrag zu befolgen und dass, wenn sprache mit Siyyid Husayn abzuschliessen. > seineAbsicht aufrichtig ware, ihn der All- Der Ausdruck ungetriibter Ruhe lag auf > machtige sicherlich aus seiner Verwirrtheit Seinem Gesicht, Sein Korper war unversehrt > erlosen konne. aus dem Kugelschauer, den das Regiment > In der letzten Nacht Seines Lebens hatte gegen Ihn entsandt hatte, entkommen. "Ich > der Bab eine wichtige Unterredung mit habe Meine Unterredung mit Siyyid Husayn > Siyyid Husayn, die auf strengen Befehl un- beendet," sagte der Bab zu dem Beamten, > terbrochen werden musste. "Nicht ehe Ich "jetzt kannst du daran gehen, deine Absicht > ihm all das gesagt habe, was Ich zu sagen auszufiihren." Der Mann war zu erschutwiinsche," warnte der Bab den wachthaben- tert, um noch einmal anzufangen, was er > den Beamten, "vermag irdische Macht Mir schon unternommen hatte. Er weigerte sich, > Schweigen zu gebieten. Steht auch die ganze seine Pflicht zu tun, verliess im gleichen > Welt in Wafren gegen Mich, so wird sie Augenblick den Platz und quittierte seinen > doch machtlos sein, Mich davon abzuhalten, Dienst. > bis auf das letzte Wort Meine Absicht zu Sam Khan war ebenf alls crschiittert durch > vollbringen." die Macht dieser furchtbarcn Enthiillung. > An dem Nagel, der in einen Pfosten Er befahl seiner Mannschaft, die Baracken > > geschlagen wurde, wurden 2 Seile befestigt, und weigerte sich, mit > sofort zu verlassen, > an denen der Bab und Sein Gefahrte ange- seinem Regiment sich noch auf irgend einen > hangt werden sollten. Der Gefahrte des Akt letzter Gewalttat einzulassen. Beim > Bb, Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, der auserse- Verlassen des Hofes schwor er, niemals mehr > hen war, mit Ihm den Martyrertod zu ster- mit diesem Auftrag etwas zu tun haben zu > ben, bat Sam Khan, das Seii so zu befestigen, wollen und sollte er sogar seine Weigerung > dass sein eigener Korper den des Bab schiit- mit dem Leben bussen mtissen. > AUS DEM LEBEN DES BAB 675 > > Kaum war Sam Khan abgezogen, als der lassen musste, war nur wenigen Menschen > Oberst der Leibwache, unter dem Namen die Grosse und Erhabenheit dieses von Gott > Khamsih und Nasiri bekannt, sich freiwillig Erwahlten bekannt. Diese Wenigen aber > zur Verfugung stellte, den Hinrichtungs- glaubten an Ihn mit einer Kraft und Starke, > befehl auszufiihren. An derselben Wand die Berge versetzen konnten. Sie waren mit > > und in derselben Weise wurde der Bab und Ihm aufs innigste verbunden durch sein > sein Gefahrte wieder festgebunden, wahrend kurzes Leben geschritten und hatten f iir Ihn > das Regiment aufmarschierte um Feuer zu und Seinen geoffenbarten Glauben in Worgeben. Entgegengesetzt dem ersten Male, ten und heroischen Taten gekampft. Fest > wo nur das Seil, mit dem sic festgebunden entschlossen, alle Leiden, und derer waren es > waren, in Stiicke geschossen ward, wurden ergehen zu lassen um Seinetviele, iiber sich > diesesmal ihre Ko'rper zerschmettert. Als willen, trugen sie -die "Frohe Botschaft" > das Regiment zur letzten Salve aufzog, hinaus von einem Ort zum andern. So klein > waren die letzten Worte des Bab an die und unbedeutend der Anfang dieses Glaugaffende Menge gewesen: "Hattest du an bens auch schien, so war ihm trotz alien > Mich geglaubt, o eigensinniges Geschlecht, Schwierigkeiten eine grosse Zukunft vorbeein jeder ware dem Beispiel dieses Jiinglings halten. Denn als jencr, den Gott offenbaren > gefolgt, der dem Range nach iiber den meis- werde, und dem der Bab nur Wegbereiter > ten von euch stand und freiwillig sich auf zu sein prophezeite, Seine grosse Sendung > Meinem Pf ade opferte. Der Tag wird kom- von Gott kund tat, verbreitete sich der > > men, da Ihr Mich erkannt haben werdet; an Baha'i-Glauben trotz fast immerwahrender > jenem Tage werde Ich nicht mehr unter euch Gefangenschaft BahaVllah's in kurzer Zeit > sein." auf dem ganzen Erdenrund. Grosse Gnade > Genau in dem Augenblick, da die Schiisse ist der Menschheit widerfahren durch die > abgefeuert wurden, erhob sich ein Sturm Verkiindigung des Wortes Gottes durch den > von ungewohnlicher Gewalt und fegte iiber Bab und BahaVllah und dessen Auslegung > die ganze Stadt. Ein Staubwirbel von un- durch 'Abdu'1-Baha. Und diese grosse Gnade > glaublicher Dichte verfinsterte das Sonnen- Gottes, wie wurde sie von den Menschen > licht und blendete die Augen des Volkes. entgegengenommen? Trauer bieht in unser > Die ganze Stadt blieb in diese Finsternis Herz, wenn wir daran denken, dass das > > gehullt vom Nachmittag bis zur Nacht. junge, edle Leben des Bab wie das eines Ver- > So seltsam dieses Phanomen war, das dem brechers ausgeloscht wurde und dass Baha'- > noch erstaunlicheren, dass das Regiment u'llah und 'Abdu'1-Baha 40 Jahre gefangen > Sam Khans den Bab unversehrt gelassen und davon den grossten Teil in schwerstem > dem Fusse gefolgt war, > hatte, auf es ver- Kerker gelegen haben. Doch dieser heroische > mochte die Herzen des Volkes in Tabriz Tod des Bab, Sein eindruckvolles Leben und > nicht zu bewegen noch sie innehalten und Seine Offenbarung bahnten den Weg zu der > iiber die Bedeutung solch wichtiger Gescheh- unfassbar grossen Verkiindigung des Wbrtes > nisse nachdenken lassen. Gottes durch BahaVllah. > So ist der tiefe Schatten, der mit dem > All diese Geschehnisse sind nur ein Aus- 9. Juli 1850 auf das Menschengeschlecht fiel, > schnitt aus dem bedeutenden Leben des Bab, zugleich auch ein verheissungsvoller Bote > und als Er am 9. Juli 18 JO im Alter von des Lichts, das Gott in BahaVllah den > 31 Jahren mit roher Gewalt diese Erde ver- Menschen sandte. > DAWN OVER MOUNT HIRA > BY MARDIYYIH NABI'L CARPENTER > > the noon-day brightness, and by the and metals, and the whole town turned out > night when it darkeneth! Thy Lord hath to meet them; caravans of two or three > not forsaken Thee, neither hath He been thousand camels, of several hundred men. > displeased. And surely the future shall be And men speculated, winning a fortune in > better for Thee than the past. Did He not a day, and lending it out for usury, and > find Thee an orphan and gave Thee a home? hoarding, and counting it over; and Mu- > And found Thee erring and guided Thee, hammad said to them: "The emulous desire > and found Thee needy and enriched Thee?" of multiplying riches employeth you, until > . . For some days before this, the voice > . > ye visit the graves Hereafter shall ye > . . . > > had been silent; now again the comforting know your folly Again, hereafter shall > . . . > > spirit enfolded Muhammad, under the stars ye know your folly." Then He bade them > on Mount Hira. He remembered how the give alms, telling them: "What good ye have > voice had broken through His thoughts, sent before for your souls, ye shall find it > before, and terrified Him. He had heard with God." The wealthy merchants lived > on the mountain the word: "Read!" and in the central part of Mecca; they swelled > had answered: "I do not know how to read." with pride, but Muhammad urged them to > "Read!" "What shall I read?" "Read: In walk not proudly in the earth, because all > % > the name of Thy Lord who created, Created men are brothers. The common people > man from clots of blood: Read! by Thy lived farther off from the Ka'bih, in the > most beneficent Lord, who hath taught the slanting streets, and the rabble beyond > use of the pen; Hath taught man that which them; and away from the town were the > He knoweth not ." He remembered > . . desert Arabs, in their goat-skin tents. There > His struggle against the voice; how He had was wine and gambling, and Muhammad > gone from the mountain, thinking Himself forbade them; there were singing girls, and > possessed. And Khadijih had believed in He was chaste. There were brawls and blood > Him, and Varaqa, a man old and blind, and feuds and f eastings; women playing upon > versed in the Scripture, had cried, "Holy, lutes, to welcome such things as the birth of > holy, verily this is the Voice that came to a boy, the coming to light of a poet, or the > Moses. Tell Him bid Him be of brave foaling of a mare. Over this reigned a vague > heart." Then for some time the voice had Being, a supreme Allah, and his three daughbeen silent, and now it had come to Him ters; yet Muhammad said: "He begetteth > again. And Muhammad looked down over not, neither is He begotten." And closer > Mecca, and He thought of His city, and to earth, a crowd of idols, who lived in and > He began to preach against the things men about the Ka*bih, with their leader, a bearded > loved. old man of cornelian, with one hand made > "Not a blade of grass to rest the eye . . . of gold; and his name was Hubal. And > no hunting instead, only merchants, > . . . Muhammad laughed Ka'bih gods: > at the > that most contemptible of all profes- "Is this wondrous world, the sun and moon, > sions ." wrote a Negro poet, of Mecca. > . . the drops of rain, the ships that move across > No trees, gardens, orchards. Only a few the waters are these the work of your stone > > spiny bushes. And the black flagstones and wooden gods?" Then He spoke of the > around the Ka'bih had to be sprinkled to true God, saying: "The seven heavens praise > cool them for the barefoot processions, and Him, and the earth, and all who are therein; > the wells were irregular and brackish. Cara- neither is there anything which doth not > vans came, with jewels and spices, with skins celebrate His praise; but ye understand > DAWN OVER MOUNT HIRA 677 > > not." Here too, set in the Ka'bih, was the strange things about the coming of "The > Black Stone; men said it was the only thing Hour": "Whosoever can find a refuge, let > from Paradise to be found on earth, and that him hide On that day humble herders > . . . > > it had once been white, till it was black- of camels will sprawl about in palaces; peoened by human sins. There were other gods ple will be set to work building houses of > and planets, > to worship in Arabia, and stars extraordinary height . The Hour will . . > > but the Ka'bih drew all men from near and come upon us so quickly that two men havfar on pilgrimage. ing unfolded some goods, shall not have time > Muhammad's kinsmen were chieftains in to conclude their bargain or fold up the > Mecca, and they lived by the things which goods again . . ." And they reviled Him, > He now arose to destroy. He summoned saying, "Know this, O Muhammad, we > them together, told them of His mission; shall never cease to stop Thee from preachand they laughed Him to scorn. "May you ing tilleither Thou or we shall perish." > be cursed for the rest of your life," cried To kill Him, member of a ruling clan, > Abu Lahab; "why gather us together for would have meant a civil war; so they put > trifles like this?" And when He walked to death His followers, the weak and poor, > abroad, the wife of Abu Lahab strewed or tortured them. Among them was Balal, > thorns before Him to wound His feet. the African slave, who lay many days in > And Muhammad preached to the tribes, the Meccan sun, stretched out with a rock > when they flocked to Mecca and the neigh- on his breast; they told him to forsake Muboring fairs, during the pilgrimage seasons; hammad or die, and leaned down to hear him > then His uncle, Abu Lahab, would follow, whisper: "There is only one God one." He > and shout: "He is an impostor who seeketh lived, and was the first muezzin. Of him > to draw you from the faith of your BahaVllah has written: "Consider how > fathers . . > ."; and the tribesmen would Balal, the Ethiopian, unletteredthough he > laugh at Him, saying: "Thine own people was, ascended into the heaven of faith and > and kindred know Thee best: then where- certitude." And Muhammad sorrowed over > fore do they not believe?" One day as He the wrong that was done His disciples, and > prayed at the Ka'bih, men turned upon Him, He cried out: "I fly for refuge unto the > and mocked Him, saying: "It is you who Lord of the Daybreak, that He may deliver > pretend that our fathers were in the wrong! Me from the mischief of those things which > It is you who call our gods impotent!" He hath created ... I fly for refuge unto > "Yes, it is I who say that." And they the Lord of men, the King of men, the God > struck Him, and would have put Him to of men ." > . . > > death. And once He went back to His And He sent His followers into Ethiopia, > dwelling without having met that day "a to the pious Christian king. The Negus > single man, a single woman, a single child, a questioned them, and bade them speak, and > single slave, who did not insult Him on they answered: "O King, we adored idols, we > His way, calling Him madman and liar ." . . lived in unchastity, we ate dead bodies, we > And as men do in every age, the Meccans spoke abominations . when God raised > . . > > called for signs and wonders, bidding Him up among us a Man and He called us . . . > > turn their hills to gold, or bring them a well to the unity of God, to fly vices and to' shun > of pure water, or prophesy the coming price evil." And the Negus traced a line on the > of goods. "Cannot your God disclose which ground with his stick, and he said: "Truly, > merchandise will rise in price?" He an- between your faith and ours there is not > swered, saying, "The miracle that I bring more than this little stroke." > you is the Qur'an, a Book revealed to an Then the Meccans gathered to plot against > illiterate man, a Book no other man can Muhammad: "Would you say He is a sorequal." Then He taught them of the life cerer?" "No, He hath not the emphatic > after death; and one, who owed money to tone, the jerky language." "A madman > a Muslim, said that he would repay him in then?" "He hath not the bearing/' "A > the next world. Then He warned them of poet inspired by a jinn?" "He doth not > the terrors of the "Last Day," and said speak in classic verse." "A magician?" "He > Naw-Ruz Feast held jointly by the communities of Oakland and Berkeley, California, > U. S. A., March 21, 1937. > > DAWN OVER MOUNT HIRA 679 > > doth not perform wonders." And since hand out of another man's palm, nor turned > great converts had now been made, they away before the other had turned. He visbargained with the Prophet, offering gold ited the sick, He followed any bier He met, > and honors in exchange for silence, saying, He accepted the invitation of a slave to > "We shall make Thee our chieftain and our dinner. His food was dates and water, or > king." He answered them, "I am only a barley bread; the people of His house "did > man like you. It is revealed to Me that not eat their fill of barley bread, two days > your God is one God: go straight then to successively, as long as He lived." He > Him, and implore His pardon. . . . Do ye mended His own clothing and sandals, and > indeed disbelieve in Him? Do ye assign > . . . milked the goats, and wiped sweat from His > Him peers? The Lord of the worlds is He!" horse with His sleeve. He gave alms when > So they shut Muhammad and His people He had anything to give. Once a woman > out of Mecca into the mountains, and for- brought Him a cloak, which He needed > bade that any buy or sell with him. And sorely, but they came and asked for it to > after three years were passed and Muham- make a shroud, and He gave it up, "for He > mad and His disciples had hungered and could refuse nothing." He loved perfumes, > Then the black > suffered, the ban was lifted. and dyed His fingernails with henna, and > days came, when the Prophet lost the two was immaculate. Men said He was more > whom He loved dearest, His chief defender modest than a virgin behind her curtain. > and His wife. "When I was poor she en- Those who came near to Him loved Him. > riched Me. When all the world abandoned His countenance shone "with a majestic ra- > Me, she comforted Me." They had lived to- diance at the same time impressive and gengether over a score of years, and contrary tle." A follower said of Him: "I never saw > to the way of His times He had married no anything more beautiful than Lord Muhamother. And yet He taught and none mad; you might say the sun was moving in > listened, and He put His agony into the His face." > words of the Prophet Noah: "My cry only Medina was an oasis, rich in palm groves, > maketh them flee me the more." an agricultural center, not a place of trade > He spoke with the tribes, who came into like Mecca, Its malarial fever was notori- > Mecca for trade and to circle around the ous, its water tainted so that even the cam- > Ka'bih. And once He went to the beauti- els sickened of it. And now the Prophet > ful mountain town of Ta'if, where the fruit became atemporal as well as a spiritual > trees grow, and the people stoned Him, Lord. And Arabia rose against Him, to > shouting, "If God had wanted to send a kill belief in the one true God, so that > Prophet, could He not have chosen a better Muhammad prayed: "O Lord, forget not > one than Thee?" But later in vision He Thy promise of help. O Lord, if this little > journeyed by night to where the Lote-Tree band were to perish, there will be none to > flowers beside God's invisible throne; and offerThee pure worship." He who had > He found thousands of choirs of angels, never wielded a weapon, who wept at the > bowed down and motionless, in utter quiet, sight of pain, whose heart was so tender that > and then He felt Himself in the light of His His enemies called Him womanish, had now > Lord. He beheld God with His soul's eyes, to drive back Arabia by force of arms. > and He saw what the tongue cannot ex- Mecca and her idols marched against Islam, > press. and her women too came singing to battle, > Now at last the men of Yathrib asked of their skirts tucked up, the bangles flashing > Him to come and rule among them, so that on their legs, and they tore and mangled the > He sent His disciples ahead, out of Mecca. Muslim dead. But at last Hubal, the old > And the Meccans gathered around His house man of red agate, lost to the Prophet of God, > in the dark to kill Him, but when the dawn and "Arabia that had never before obeyed > showed white, they saw that He had gone. one prince, submitted to Him His . . . > > And Yathrib became Medina, which means word created one nation out of hundreds of > "The City of the Prophet." warring tribes." > Muhammad never first withdrew His At Medina, Muhammad built a mosque of > 680 THE BAHA'f WORLD > brick and earth, and He preached in it, in the Ka'bih to His Lord;and leaving He > leaning against a tree. One day they asked, touched with His stick each of the three > "What is the greatest vice of man?" He hundred and sixty stones surrounding the > answered, "You must not ask Me about vice, holy place, and said: "Truth is come and > but about virtue;" and He repeated this error is gone." He drank from the well of > three times, after which He said, "Know Zemzem out of a goblet that men have > ye! The worst of men is a bad learned kept, and He prayed at Khadijih's tomb. > man, and a good learned man is the best." Then He sent His disciples abroad to break > Again He said, "If the unbeliever knew of every idol and to teach Islam. > the extent of the Lord's mercy, even He One day while Abu Bakr sat in the mosque > would not despair of Paradise." And at at Medina, Muhammad suddenly appeared > other times: "Death is a bridge that uniteth before him; and Abu Bakr said, "Ah, Thou > friend with friend Misfortune is al- > . . . for whom I would sacrifice father and > ways with the Muslim and his wife, either mother, white hairs are hastening upon > in their persons or their property or chil- Thee!" And the Prophet raised up His > dren; either death or sickness; until they die, beard with His hand and gazed at it; and > when there is no fault in them . . . > Act, as Abu Bakr's eyes filled with tears Long . . . > > regards this world, as if you were going to years now Muhammad had suffered and > live forever; and as regards the other world, been hunted and stoned, been > struggled, > you were going to die tomorrow > as if . . . wounded in battle, and He carried as well > You will not enter Paradise until you have the mark of the poisoned feast they had > faith; and you will not complete your faith spread Him at Khaybar. And Muhammad > till you love one another Trust in God, . . . wrote to the rulers of the earth, proclaiming > but tie your camel . . ." One day as He His mission. Many replied with gifts: silk > walked with His disciples He said, "The and honey; a white mule; from the Negus > Garden (Paradise) is nearer to you than the a pair of black boots, which He wore several > thongs of your sandals; and the Fire like- times while praying. But Khusraw, the > wise." They came to a woman suckling her franian emperor, seeing Muhammad's name > child, and He said, "Do you think this ahead of his own on the missive, tore it to > woman will cast her own child into the fire? shreds;"God will tear up Khusraw's king- > Verily God is more compassionate to His dom in the same way," said Muhammad. > creatures than this woman to her child." And He had men pitch a tent of red leather, > Once on a journey, when His companions and here He received the deputations who > were praying with loud voices, Muhammad flocked from all over the land to pledge Him > told them: "Be easy on yourselves . . . Ver- allegiance. > ily you do not call to One deaf or absent, Then for the last time Muhammad stood > but verily to One who heareth and seeth on the hills over Mecca, and His voice rang > . . and He to whom you pray is nearer to > . > out and the multitude listened: "I do not > you than the neck of your camel." He said know whether I shall ever see you again as > these things and many others, and He talked but I have made it possible for > today . . . > > to His disciples of kindness to the Jews and > you to continue on the straight Path . . . > > Christians and other "People of the Book"; This day and month shall be held sacred > of the rights of women; of gentleness to ... ye shall have to give account for your > animals; of the Last Day; and of the life actionsbefore your Lord ... Ye have > beyond this. rights over your wives and your wives have > Now the Prophet, clothed as a pilgrim and rights over you Feed your slaves with > . . . > > wearing a black turban, rode into Mecca. such food ye eat yourselves, and clothe > as > He circled the Ka'bih, and entered, and He them with the stuff ye wear ... All Muswiped away the frescoes from the walls lims are brothers nothing which belongeth > the pictures of Abraham and Ishmael, and to another is lawful unto his brother." Then > the female angels; and He struck Hubal He cried, "O Lord, have I fulfilled My misfrom his place, and tore down a wooden dove sion?" And the multitude answered, "Yea, > that hung from the roof. Then He prayed And the Prophet converily Thou hast!" > DAWN OVER MOUNT HIRA 681 > > eluded, "O Lord, I beseech Thee, bear Thou BahaVllah says of Him: "How abundant > witness to it!" the thorns and briars which they have strewn > On the long way home, He stopped the over His path! The . . . divines of that > > caravan, and taking the hand of 'All, age . > pronounced Him a lunatic and an > . . > > husband of his dearest child, He said: impostor. Such sore accusations they > "Whoever hath Me as his Master hath 'All as brought against Him that in recounting > his master . . . God be a friend to his them God forbiddeth the ink to flow, our > Then He told > friends and a foe to his foes." pen to move, or the page to bear them . . . > > them of two treasures He was leaving them: For this reason did Muhammad cry out: 'No > "The greatest is the Book of God The . . . > Prophet of God hath suffered such harm as > " > other is the line of My descendants." I have suffered/ > And He went one midnight to the graves > of His old companions who lay at Medina, BIBLIOGRAPHY > and He prayed for them. The last time He > I. > entered the mosque, He was supported by > two of His kinsmen; and after the service, Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-fqan. > He said: "If I have wronged any one of Qur'an: Sale and Rodwell translations. > you, here I am to answer for it; if I owe 'Abdu'1-Baha: Some Answered Questions. > aught to anyone, all I possess belongs to > II. > you." A > man in the crowd claimed three > dirhems which Muhammad had once bidden 'Abdu'llah Al-Ma'mun As-Suhravardi : > > him give to a beggar. The Prophet paid The Sayings of Muhammad London, 1905. > him, saying, "Better to blush in this world Siyyid Amir-'Ali: The Spirit of Islam > than the next." London, 1891. > As Muhammad lay dying, He called for Arnold, T. W.: The Preaching of Islamwriting materials to appoint His successor New York, 1913. > again; but 'Umar said, "Pain is deluding Dermenghem, fimile: Life of Mahomet > God's Messenger; we have God's book, which London, 1930. > is > enough." And they wrangled at His Encyclopedia of Islam. > bedside, whether to bring the materials or S.: Speeches and Table-Talks > Lane-Poole, > no.And the Prophet sent them from Him. of the Prophet Muhammad London, 1882. > He was praying in a whisper, when He Nicholson, R. A.: Literary History of the > ascended. Arabs Cambridge University, 1930. > THE BAHA'I FAITH AND > EASTERN SCHOLARS > BY MARTHA L. ROOT > > 'NTIL East and West embrace one an- him; and Dr. Tsao was a powerful influence > other as brothers there can be no millennium in promoting the Baha'i Faith in China." > on this globe, but I bring you the glad tid- I found Professor Lee very friendly to the > > ings that in the progress of the Baha'i Faith Teachings and he told me: "I am going to > throughout the five continents there is a study the book 'Gleanings from the Writings > leaven that is slowly but surely raising "the of Baha'u'llah' and write about it reverthousand years of peace" into reality! In ently, not just as a review. > my latest journey to the Far East, since I "You ask me how I think the Baha'i > left San Francisco, on May twentieth, 1937, Teachings can be promoted in Hawaii and > to now, February twentieth, 1938, I have in China: they will be readily received if > met a number of scholars, editors and a people understand they are not to replace > few rulers who have expressed appreciation what they have, but revitalize, fulfill their > and ardent interest in the Baha'i Teachings old Faiths. If we believe the Baha'i Faith > for brotherhood. Ex oriente lux! From out is > unifying spiritual force and certainly > a > > the East are coming true and unprejudiced Baha'u'llah has proclaimed the unity of mangreat thinkers who are studying and be- kind and reverence tfor one Supreme God > ginning to give a deep and scholarly pre- then Hawaii is a great field. Here the East > sentation of the Baha'i Faith in its and West meet, the Baha'i teachings would > relation to other Faiths and to the life of surely have a place." I understood from him > the Orient. that day that the University of Hawaii is > First in Honolulu, where I went ashore a Western institution most closely associfor a few hours on May twenty-fifth, I had ated with the universities of the Orient. Set > an interview with Professor Shao Chang Lee, midway between the Occident and the > Professor of Chinese History and Philosophy Orient in the midst of a population represenin the University of Hawaii. He stated that tative of both the East and the West, it is > he had first heard of the Baha'i Teachings committed to a programme of education in > in San Francisco, in 1919, where he had the field of human service. > been asked to give a lecture on "Chinese Japan, as I have written in other volumes > Philosophy" in the Baha'i Center there. of "Baha'i World," has scholars and writers > Later he had met Mrs. Samuel Baldwin, Miss who have given illuminating interviews > Muther, Miss Julia Goldman and the other about the Baha'i Faith. All notes for my > Baha'is of Hawaii. "The idea of Confucius articles about Japan and China were lost in > that under heaven all men are brothers the war in Shanghai in August, 1937, but I > seems to be a good preparation for the Chi- wish to speak about Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa, > nese to understand the Teachings of Baha'- one of the bright spiritual lights in Eastern > u'llah," he said, and he added that the Asia. He is a Christian who "lives the life," > late Dr. Y. S. Tsao, former President of and he is a brilliant understanding writer. > Tsing Hua University in Peiping, his teacher He is a flaming evangelist, a social reformer > and his friend, had been a great exponent of and a crystaUclear writer of religious books > the Baha'i Teachings in China and had trans- and of best-selling novels. I had the bounty > lated several Baha'i books into the Chinese to meet him. He told me that he had first > > language. "I visited him in 1928, 1933, and heard of the Baha'i Faith when he was in > 1935," said Professor Lee, "and learned from Tokyo studying in the university, but that > BAHA'f FAITH AND EASTERN SCHOLARS 683 > > he had no Baha'i books. He said, "What I the hearts of their people the importance of > know of the Baha'i Teachings I like them, courtesy, service, respect for the rights of > and I wish to give you a message for the others and honor. The power to live this > Baha'is:let us take hands and work for life comes through religion. > the universal peace of the world." Dr. Y. S. Tsao, the great Chinese scholar > In his humble home there was a sweet who has written much about the Baha'i > > spirit of peace and the Glory of God shone Faith and had translated four important > upon him and his wife and children and Baha'i books, had passed on a few months > all his household. I said to him, "Who are before I reached Shanghai. > all these young men? Are they your secre- Mr. Chan S. Liu, a devoted Baha'i of > taries?" He smiled at them and said no, Canton and a young scholar of great promthey were his friends* My inner eye saw he ise, had translated and published "Hidden > > shared his house with youth who had no Words" by Baha'u'llah, and he had a large > money to rent rooms while they were study- book of "Tablets of Baha'u'llah" translated > ing in the schools. One had just brought just ready for the press when the air raids > him such a carefully chosen little nosegay of on Canton began. He had intended to visit > wild flowers from a field, a fragrant gift of me in Shanghai on his way to Nanking and > love. give me an interview and I had planned to > Dr. Kagawa, though he has much trouble spend two months in Canton to meet several > with his eyes and sometimes cannot see at Chinese scholars who are interested in the > all, still in his big dark glasses he was pains- Teachings, but the war stopped everything. > takingly going over a whole book correcting I wish to speak one word about Manila. > it for a poor man who did not know how I had escaped from Shanghai and reached > to write very well! Dr. Kagawa thanked Manila the evening of August twentieth, > me for the books "Gleanings," "Baha'u'llah 1937. A journalist interviewed me as I > and the New Era" and "Divine Economics," stepped from the ship and five minutes later > specially the last as he had just published a came the worst earthquake Manila has > book on economics himself, entitled "The known in a century. However, next morn- > Economic Foundation of World Peace." He ing a newspaper carried the big headline > said he would read them with interest. As "Baha'i lecturer says war is hell." young A > he stood at the gate bowing when I left, Professor of the University of the Philiptears of respect and love and loyalty were pines and a young teacher in the schools > in my eyes. He is a perfect Christian, there- seeing this headline came to call. They had > fore he is a "Light-bearer," for > Baha'i, a studied the Baha'iTeachings from books > that is what the word means. His life helps in the Philippine National Library and had > all of humanity who know him to rise up written articles and lectured on the Faith, > above its faintness in these cataclysmic days. but had never met a believer. The young > Owing to the bombings in Shanghai from teacher said, "There is something in these > which I barely escaped alive, my notes are Baha'i Teachings which appeals to me. I > lost, but Mr. Walter H. Chen, the noted hope I am a Baha'i and I wish to promote > Chinese journalist, for twenty years editor this universal religion. I assure you the > of "The North China Daily News" in Bahd'i books are never idle in this Philip- > Shanghai and writer of "The New Life pine National Library." > Movement" of China, a friend of Generalis- Stopping a few hours in Penang, the > simo and Mrs. Chiang Kai-shek, said to me editor of the largest and best newspaper, an > that Chinese people are very interested in the Oxford man, said, "I'll study these Baha'i > Bahi'i Teachings. He quoted from "Hid- Teachings and speak about them before the > den Words" of Baha'u'llah and said that he Rotary Club of Penang." > loves these noble aims. "Our people will Colombo, Ceylon, where I stopped for one > like the Baha'i principles, for like our own month has a Mayor, Dr. R. Saravanamuttu, > New Life Movement they are based on so- who is most liberal in his spiritual thinking. > regeneration through character building. > cial He said to me in an interview, "Any one in > He told me that their movement instills in whom religious consciousness has been awak- > 684 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > Members of the Unity of the liast and West Committee of Tihran, fran, 1937. > > ened will see truth in all religions and cease when I joined the Olcott Lodge, Rangoon > to quarrel about the superiority or inferiority Theosophical Society, my attention was > of any of them." He gave as an example, drawn to a very interesting book in the > the Mahatma Gandhi, saying, "Gandhi has library, 'The Religious Systems of the > drawn the attention of the people of India World.' In that book there was an article > to Jesus Christ more than any Christian on the Baha'i Faith. Since then I came in > missionary or of all of them put together." touch personally with some members of the > Dr. Saravanamuttu is himself a Christian Baha'i Faith in Rangoon including my > and Mr. Gandhi is a Hindu. Dr. Saravana- friend, the late Sayed Janab 'Ali, a brothermuttu said he would read the Baha'i Teach- advocate of the Rangoon High Court. Durings for peace with great interest. ing the last quarter of a century several > Dr. Mary Rutman, member of the Co- missioners of the Baha'i Faith have passed > lombo City Council and one of the greatest through Rangoon and I have had the pleasworkers for humanity in Ceylon, said, "I ure and privilege to meet them and hear their > like the Baha'i Teachings." Some editors discourses. Two years ago, after I had finand journalists in Colombo wrote excellent ished my scries of 'Talks on Zoroastrianism' > articles and expressed deep interest. Some at the Town Branch of the Y.M.C.A., among > university students there said, "Remember the questions from the floor was the fol- > > your class is waiting for you when you can lowing: > return to Colombo to teach us." "Q. Would Zoroastrians be willing to join > Coming to Burma, Mr. D. A. Ankle- Baha'ism a moda systematic religion; or is > > saria, a lawyer of Rangoon, a well known ern expression of Zoroastrianism? > Theosophist and writer, author of "Talks "My answer was in these words: > on Zoroastrianism," presided at two of my "A. As regards the Baha'i Faith, in my > lectures. He spoke with such clearness that opinion it can be compared to Sikhism in > I asked him to write his statement about India. The great Guru Nanak tried to > the Baha'i Faith and here it is: reconcile Islam to Hinduism and failed. > "A little over twenty five years ago BahaVllah tried to reconcile Islam to Zoro- > BAHA't FAITH AND EASTERN SCHOLARS 685 > > astrianism and he succeeded. When the throne, uttering the same speech, and profuture historian traces the causes of the rise claiming the same Faith. Such is the unity > of fran from the depth of degradation to of those essences of being, those lumiwhich she had reached, he may say that the naries of infinite and immeasurable splen- > ' > credit was due to two sons of fran (1) dor." > Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith "In fact as I have said more than once > and (2) His Imperial Majesty Rida Shah every member of a Theosophical Society is > Pahlavi, the man of the age. 'Zinde bad one more Baha'i added to the members of > fran.' Long live Iran, the land of Zara- the Baha'i Faith and vice versa, every Baha'i > thustra's birth and life! 'is one more member added to the Theosoph- > "This clearly shows my personal view of ical Society inasmuch as they have a comthe beauty and usefulness of the Baha'i faith mon object, viz., that of spreading the mesin serving as a bridge between religions, ap- sage of the brotherhood of man and all that > but essentially it implies, and trying to live the message in > parently considered hostile, > one. order to make it a thing of living faith and > ''Recently when Miss Martha L. Root, the not merely an object of intellectual acmissioncr of the Baha'i Faith, spoke in Ran- ceptance. I wish the Baha'i Faith all proggoon under the auspices of the local Arya ressand prosperity." > Somaj and the Thcosophical Society, I made Mr. W. J. Grant, Editor of "The Rangoon > certain observations from the chair which Daily Times," Rangoon, has been most > amount to this: friendly to the Baha'i Teachings. Articles > 'That the Baha'i > teaching and the explaining the Teachings, news of the progteaching of the Thcosophical Society are ress of the Cause in the whole five contialmost identical. Both lay stress on the nents appear regularly in that widely circuunity of life and its inevitable corollary, lated newspaper, the largest in Burma. > the Brotherhood of Man. Both are re- In an editorial he has made the following > spectively the nucleus of people who be- statement about the Baha'i Faith: "The > lieve in the Unity of life and the Brother- higher critics seem never to have realized > hood of man. In consequence of this that what they are attacking is not religion > conviction, every Theosophist and every as it practised in the world to-day. Peris > > Baha'i has respect for the various religions haps certain religions have been more forprevailing in the world, and their great tunate than others in the manner of their > Founders. Both believe, in a way, in the exhibition to the world. A system which > inner government of the world which has been heard much of in Rangoon in > > guides the evolution of humanity with recent times is the Baha'i Faith. We do > the object of bringing every human being not pretend to know much about it, but > to the realization of the implications of so far as we can judge, its Teachings are > the Unity of life. Quarrels and strife we beautifully ethical and those who carry > have had in the past, and are having in its gracious intentions are sincere to the > the present to a dreadful extent. But core." > > Theosophists and Baha'is are certain, that Sir S. Radhakrishnan, one of India's most > in the end love must triumph over ha- forward-looking erudite scholars, said to me > tred and strife. To quote just one passage at the Second Indian Cultural Conference > from the "Book of fqan" (i.e. Assurance held under the fine auspices of the Indian > Certainty), the Revered Bahd'u'llah Research Institute, Calcutta, December > says at page 153: fourth to seventh, 1937, "I have sympathy > * > "It is clear and evident to thee that all with the spirit of the Baha'i Teachings, we > the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause are all Baha'is universally." He was Presiof God, who have appeared clothed in dent at the opening of this great Conference > diverse attire. If thou wilt observe with and said among other things, "Religion has > discriminating eyes, thou wilt behold them been the bearer of human culture and suall abiding in the same tabernacle, soaring > preme achievement of man's profound exin the same heaven, seated upon the same pression. In spite of a continuous struggle > 686 THE BAHA'f WORLD > with superstition, India has held fast for cen- Conference she sent for her and invited that > turies to the ideal of the spirit. Not only Baha'i to sit next to her on the platform. > have we made out of the Aryans, the Dravid- Mrs. Naidu said in her speech that religion > ians,and aboriginal tribes, Hindus, but we and culture are twin-born. "The coordihave given religious education to the large nated cultures of the many races that have > part of the world." become Indian in the process of time shall be > He spoke of the increasing influence of the the consolidated gift of India to the world," > Eastern thought on the Western civilization: were her words. The thought is akin to her > "The civilization of the East, India and poem to India: > China, which is built upon passivism, tolerance, non-aggressiveness, cultivation of the "The nations that in fettered darkness weep > inner life are long-lived while those based on Crave thee to lead them where great mornambition and adventure, aggression and ings break." > courage are short-lived. The Eastern civilization has endured centuries of wars, pesti- During a visit with her alone, later, she > lence and human misrule and yet has sur- said that the Bab'sand Baha'u'llah's suffervived. No Western civilization has lived ing for the triumph of their Faith had apover a thousand years. The West by its pealed to her. "I like any one who brings > great scientific achievements has made the sincere thought and will believe in it, suffer > world outwardly into one, has provided us for it, die for it." As we spoke of the Bawith all the material appliances essential for ha'i Faith she related that her interest in the > the development of the world culture but it Movement, strangely enough, had not begun > has not touched the basis of culture, the con- with the Bab, but with the woman disciple, > figuration of life and mind. The molds are Qurratu'l-'Ayn known as Tahirih the Pure > cracking, further growth in the old molds is One, the first martyr for the cause of woman > not possible; so, as on previous occasions, the suffrage. She loves ^Tahirih's poetry, for she > eyes of the West are turned towards the herself is a great poet whose penetratingly > East." sweet lyrics sing with a rapture all their own. > Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i She had with her that day in Calcutta a > Cause, who lives in Haifa, Palestine, and the rosary which had been 'Abdu'l-Baha's. She > National Spiritual Assemblies of the United said, "I prize it just as much as any Baha'i > States and Canada, India and Burma cabled who would be happy to possess it." Music > greetings to this Conference. They also ca- was in her heart and soul that morning and > bled to the First Convention of Religions' with "words steeped in feeling," to use her > Congress likewise held under the direction of own expression, she told me that the Baha'i > the Indian Research Institute in Calcutta, Teachings are wonderful. They have a much > December eighth to eleventh. These were more modern appeal, she thinks, and they > read and broadcast all over India. > Shoghi are a measure of social emancipation as well > Eflfendi wired, "Kindly convey to the Second as a religion. She reads them for culture too. > Indian Cultural Conference my best wishes It interested me to know that India's three > and assurance of prayers for the success of greatest souls, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rabintheir deliberations." These greetings were dra Nath Tagore and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu > presented with a short speech about the Ba- had all three contacted the Baha'i Teachings. > ha'i Faith for religion and culture. Mr. Gandhi was in Calcutta when I was > Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, India's best known there, but I did not ask to have an audience > woman, a poet whose works are translated as he was very ill I say audience because to > > into many languages, and the most brilliant be in his presence is not an ordinary event in > and enchanting woman speaker I have ever anybody's life; but I do hope to meet him > heard, a member of the Indian Congress later. Friends of mine who have visited him > strong in public life, spoke at the opening of say that he knows the Baha'i Teachings very > this Cultural Conference. She had met well, has read a number of the books and > 'Abdu'1-Baha in London, and when she knew thinks very highly of the Baha'i Faith. He > a Baha'i was to give the greetings to the has invited Baha'is to be his guests. > BAHA'f FAITH AND EASTERN SCHOLARS 687 > > Baha'i s throughout the world, through they held to be true. The annals of the civtheir very Teachings that "it is better to be ilized world abound with such instances. In > killedthan to kill," know that Mahatma 'Tarikh-ul-Islam' there is the record of many > Gandhi's great contribution to spiritual cul- such heroes of imperishable fame but few > ture has been his message of non-violence among them belong to the fair sex. Whathe has sown the seeds of this non-violence ever may be the reason for this dearth of the > thought and action upon the world's virgin names of female martyrs in our history it is > soil, not alone as a policy but also as a living not a fact that Moslem ladies have been bephilosophy. He, by practical example, pre- hind in championing the cause of religion. I > > vented what otherwise might have resulted am giving you a short sketch of a most culin a bloody war in India. Who knows! Other tured lady of wide reputation who gave up > nations may some day remember this shining her life for the sake of the Babi Faith which > experiment! Mahatma Gandhi's religion, by she believed in with her whole heart and > whatever name he calls it, is universal, is preached with great fervor." And then fol- > "Light-bearing"! lows the long article. > Through participation in the First Con- 'Abdu'1-Baha in some Tablets to India > vention of Religions' Congress in Calcutta, I quoted lines from Hafiz, the Iranian poet, > met Professor M. Hidayat Hosain, Fellow of "All parrots of India will become sweetthe Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, now tongued when this Persian candy reaches > Philological Secretary of the Royal Asiatic Bengal," inferring that when the sugar of > Society Library, Number One, Park Street, the Baha'i Teachings becomes dissolved in > Calcutta. He is one of the greatest scholars Bengal, great sweetness will be enjoyed. > in all India, in Iranian and Arabic languages, Dr. T. Bahadur Sapru of Allahabad, while > and is named in the list of compilers of he did not speak on the Baha'i Faith I did > "Concordance de la Tradition Musulmane" not meet him at the Religions' Convention > printed in Holland in 1936, which is proof but met his friend said he often wished > that he is one of the leading Orientalists of that India could establish direct cultural > the World. He is probably the greatest In- contact with Iran. This > coming, for > is > > dian scholar who has arisen to write about young professors going to Tihran to make > the Baha'i Faith. Professor Hosain has a deeper studies in Iranian language are meetmost interesting article entitled "A Female ing Baha'is just as Oriental scholars from > Martyr of the Babi Faith" published England, Denmark and Czechoslovakia have > in a book called "Proceedings of the done. > Idara-i-mararif-i-Islamia," a Convention The next journey was to Shantiniketan (it > held in Lahore in 1933, and the volume means the "Home of Quiet," "The Home of > is dedicated to the Nizam of > Hyderabad, Peace") to visit Dr. Rabindra Nath Tagore > Deccan. on December 14, 1937. Mr. Isfandiar Bakh- > This Calcutta Professor said that he had tiari of Karachi, an Iranian by birth, was > > come to know of the Baha'i Teachings at with me. The poet said, "I met 'Abdu'lfirst hand (and not alone from books) when , Baha in Chicago, in 1912. He was staying > Ibn Asdaq, a cultured, learned Baha'i in an hotel; He was talking to His followers > > teacher, came from f ran to Calcutta in about who gathered around Him and I, too, spoke > 1902-03. "He was very charming, very cul- with Him. He very kindly asked me if postured, a fine liberalist and I studied with him sible, to come and see Him in His own place > Baha'u'llah's great work fqan." It was Ibn in Haifa. I always thought I would try to > Asdaq who wrote to Iran to ask that infor- go, but it wasn't to be like that. The years > mation about Tahirih the martyr be sent to went by and one day I read in the newspapers > me. He also wrote to 'Abdu'1-Baha, and that 'Abdu'1-Baha had passed." > 'Abdu'1-Baha sent me a Tablet in 1906." Dr. Tagore spoke of 'Abdu'1-Baha with > Introducing his heroine Tahirih, also deep appreciation; he also said that the Baha'i > known as Qurratu'l-'Ayn, in his book he Faith is a great ideal to establish and that > says: "Many noblemen have sacrificed their they in Shantiniketan welcome all the great > precious lives for the sake of the religion that spiritual aims, that he hopes a Chair of the > 688 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Baha'i Religion can be arranged in their in- Perhaps only in India can one really realize > ternational university. Dr. Tagore's center what this great gesture of the Maharaja of > is not only one of the very important cul- Travancore means. He has perceived the > tural institutions of the Hindus in India, but signs of this universal age of brotherhood > it is also an all-Asia center of great potency. and by his courageous act has removed a hard > He spoke with Mr. Bakhtiari of his pleasur- barrier enforced for sixty centuries. It does > able trip to f ran and asked particularly about not mean that he is not a Hindu, he is a libthe progress of the Baha'i Cause in the land eral, most spiritual Hindu. His own Dewan > of its birth; he praised the tolerance and fine- (Prime Minister), Sir C. P. Ramaswamy > ness of the Iranian Baha'is. The poet said, Aiyar, said, "It is entirely due to His Hightoo, that they have some very good books ness* broad vision and impartial attitude toabout the Baha'i Teachings in the university wards all his subjects that this proclamation > library. The visit with Dr. Tagore was a has been made." > most happy one. Certainly it is a challenge to other Hindu > The audience with Their Highnesses the States and patrons of Hindu Temples to > Maharaja of Travancore and his mother the realize the necessity for bringing about dy- > Maharani of Travancore in the Royal Palace, namic reforms. Indiaagog with exciteis > > December 22, 1937, was very happy and il- ment over this unprecedented deed of the > luminating. The Maharaja, H. H. Sir Balai young Maharaja of Travancore who is rais- > Rama Varma, twenty-six years old, is so ing Hinduism to its deserved glory. > smiling, cheerful, natural, buoyant, he puts His charming mother, the Maharani of > one at ease, for his manners arc from the Travancore, Her Highness Setu Parvati Bai, > heart. He had just done such an epoch- is one of the most delightfully well-educated > > making deed in his tempo of reform, it was women in India today. She possesses the > being much discussed all over India. After cultures of both the East and the West, is a > six thousand years of caste system under the famous conversationalist, a fine lecturer and > Hindu religion, this young Maharaja had, on writer, and just as her son she has a keen > his birthday, November 12, 1936, with one sense of humor, and yet is very spiritual, an > stroke of the pen at a great religious festival ideal Hindu. An audience with them is > announced that all State Hindu Temples something that always remains a joy. > shall be opened to all people. Thus the "un- We spoke of the unity of religions and of > touchables" can now go into the temples "to some Baha'i books. She said that from time > J> > the feet of God as they say, to worship. immemorial people of all religions had come > Now there are no longer untouchables in to settle in Travancore, and that there are > Travancore. Before that these oppressed no prejudices. "There is only one Godclasses of India not only could not go into Head," she said, "but the manifold paths to > the temples to pray, but they could not even Him are different. The fundamental truth > go near the temples, nor bathe in the public can never vary, so why should we fight > tanks or go near a public well. about it?" > Since this proclamation I saw with my She is a great believer in higher education > own eyes how non-caste Hindu officers go in for women and told me that in their men's > processions with H. H. the Maharaja along colleges there are lady professors and tutors > with the other higher caste Hindu officers. and some of the teachers are younger than > This proclamation truly is as outstanding as the pupils. There is a lady judge in Travansome of the big edicts of King Asoka of core; lady clerks work side by side with men > India in the remote past. It ranks in line and co-education has been advanced remarkwith our own President Abraham Lincoln's ably in Travancore. Girls take part in all > proclamation of freedom for the slaves, and the mixed games, the whole atmosphere is > another parallel is what the women of Great healthful and inspiring. The fact that ma- > Britain did to promote the woman suffrage triarchy has prevailed in Travancore for > idea, not alone for their own countrywomen more than a thousand years may have somebut for greater opportunities of women all thing to do with the importance given to the > over the world.* education of the girl. But all education, > BAHA'f FAITH AND EASTERN SCHOLARS 689 > > both that of the girl and the boy, is very the principles of Baha'u'llah for world > high in Travancore; this state has the highest peace." > literacy in all India. Many women who Living in Trivandrum is the British Resicame to the Ninth All India Oriental Con- dent of the Madras States, Mr. Clarmont P. > ference when I was in Trivandrum, came in Skrine, and Mr. Isfandiar Bakhtiari of Katheir own names, under their own titles and rachi and I had the pleasure of meeting him; > not just as wives. he is a friend of the Maharaja. He told us > The Baha'i solution of the economic prob- that his father, the late F. H. Skrine, had > lem was spoken of during our audience that written a book about the Baha'i Faith nearly > afternoon. They both thought it was very thirty years ago. His father had Jteen in the > interesting but H. H. the Maharani said that Administrative Department of Civil Service > it would be difficult to start an experiment in in Bengal for many years, but after returneconomics with a 350,000,000 population ing to London in 1897, he had heard of the > such as India has today. Suddenly she sug- Baha'i Teachings and had made a deep studv > > gested, "Could it not be carried out first in of them. > some small country, such as Palestine, where Dr. James H. Cousins of the University of > the Baha'i Cause has its headquarters and see Travancore sometimes travels with H. H. > itwork there? Let it start with a clean slate the Maharaja. His wife, Mrs. Cousins, Presiand see how love and brotherhood can solve dent of the All India Women's Conference, > the economic problems." She meant the stopped over in Haifa, Palestine, on her way > specific set of Laws and the definite insti- back to India to visit Shoghi Effendi, Guardtutions and all the essentials of a Divine ian of the Baha'i work. Both Dr. and Mrs. > Economy provided by Baha'u'llah could Cousins know the Baha'i Teachings. They > not these be tried out thoroughly in Pales- told me, that same day in Trivandrum, that > tine as a model for the other countries to when they were living in Ireland in 1906, Sir > follow? William Barrett, Dean of the Royal College > Palestine is very good, but the whole world of Science, Ireland, a famous physicist, inineeds these economic transformations. Pales- tiator of the Society of Psychical Research, > tine might be a model so far as the central had given them a copy of the first edition of > storehouses are concerned, but this would be "The Splendour of God," a Baha'i book. It > a minor point. All the governments must was their first contact with the Baha'i Faith. > join hands for these major problems such as They are both spreaders of Light and they > a Universal League of Nations, universal loaned this book to many groups of young > education, a universal auxiliary language, students. > an International Court of Arbitration, the The Travancore Journalists' Association > universal doing away of customs barriers, gave a tea the next afternoon to hear about > and the change of heart through religion the rise of the Baha'i Movement and what > these must be carried through by all nations Baha'u'llah has said about the power of the > > simultaneously. press to make a better world. > I found their Highnesses the Maharaja and Dewan Bahadur K. S. Ramaswami Sastri, a > the Maharani and their friends so noble, lib- brilliant scholar and a District and Sessions > eral, and they were so pleasant and most Judge of Madras, has been studying the Bagracious to the highest and to the humblest. ha'i Teachings, learning of the Faith first > It is rulers like these with > great capacity, from Baha'i books in the University of Mavision and a wide tolerance who can render dras Library where he is a member of the > > great service for the uplif tment of their own University Senate. Twice he presided when I > lectured in Madras, and I give here a few > subjects and of all humanity. > The Maharaja of Travancore said to me, salient facts he expressed as Chairman of > "It is a matter of special pride to us that the the meeting: > Syriac, the Catholic, the Protestant and the "When we evaluate the teachings of the > Muslim Faiths and philosophies are cultivated Bab and Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Bahi and > in this state with zeal in mutual peace; we Shoghi Effendi in relation to the travail of > welcome truth. We shall read with interest humanity today, we can realize how they > 690 TH BAHA'f WORLD > stand for universal peace and world-coopera- the strain that thrilled us in the soft accents > tion. It is quite natural that such teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and in the > should be the gift of Iran to the world, be- leonine words of Swami Vivekananda, and in > cause Iranian thought is a blend of Aryan the social and political gospel of Mahatma > philosophy and Islamic religion. Such a Gandhi. > country, however, fell from its high state. "Islam in its highest mood means the rec- > In 'The Dawn-Breakers* it is stated: 'Ineffi- ognition of the Divine Will and the surrenciency and wretchedness, the fruit of moral der of every will to it in utter peace and > decay, filled the land. From the highest to resignation. It dissociated the thought of > the lowest there appeared neither the capac- God from any image or symbol and dissemity to carry out methods of reform nor even inated the ideal of universal brotherhood. > the will seriously to institute them. National Buddhism stresses righteousness and Chrisconceit preached a grandiose self content. A tianity stresses love. Hinduism emphasizes > pall of immobility lay over all things, and a the divine unity of all things and shows the > > general paralysis of mind made any develop- central unity in all diversity, the prismatic > ment impossible.' It was reserved for the colors heightening the charm of their united > Baha'i Prophets to give a shaking to such glory in the white light of Brahman. > stagnation of mind and body, and to fuse "Miss Martha Root has seen many coun- > Aryan philosophy and Islamic religion. tries and cultures and civilizations and aims > 'Abdu'1-Baha said: former times fran > 'In at the spread of the essential Baha teachings > was verily the heart of the world and shone in the interests of world peace and world co- > > among the nations like a lighted taper.' He, operation. She is bearing aloft 'that banner > in His turn, made Iran shine like a lighted with the strange device Excelsior* and is > taper. working strenuously for the brotherhood of > "The Baha'i Prophets have propounded man and the unity of the world." > the idea of a League of Religions and recog- When Dewan Bahadur Sastri was Chairnize all the prophets of all the religions. The man at the second lecture, he said: "It is sig- > Baha'i Movement works for the harmony of nificant that the years 1936 and 1938 have > science and religion, because they deal with been connected not only with the wars > the truths of the seen and unseen and have no against Abyssinia and China but also with > reason to be in conflict with each other. It the celebration of the centenary of the birth > preaches the equality of the sexes and of the of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and the > classes. It educates men and women for love extension of the Baha'i Faith. The latter > and service and is a powerful force making events signify that there is an upward trend > for universal peace. in the life of humanity. Tolstoi rightly > "Thus the Baha'i religion may well be de- pointed out that he felt drawn to the Baha'i > > scribe^ as a Faith which unites what Swami Faith because of its stress on equality and > Vivekananda described as the Vedantic mind brotherhood and of its sacrifice of material > and the Isldmic heart. It aims at inspiring life God. > to the service of > men to be ready to carry out the will of God "The League of Nations has been a failure, > and to love their fellowmen. first because some of the nations went into > > "Baha'u'lUh said, 'I stand life in hand it in a half-hearted way and all the nations > > ready.' He said further, 'It is better to be did not go into it and some of the big nakilled than to kill.' 'Abdu'1-Baha said, tions stood out of it, and secondly because > 'Dost thou desire to love God? Love thy the League was unarmed while the nations > fellowmen, for in them ye see the image and were fully armed to the teeth and are today > likeness of God.' arming themselves more and more. The > "We in India hear in these words a fa- basic cause for this sad state of things is that > miliar strain that has come down to us along the mind of man has been allured by science > the long and resounding corridor of time and its religion of power, and has turned > echoing the words 'Om Santih Santih Santih' away from Faith and its religion of service. > ('Peace, Peace, Peace'), the sound whereof 'Abdu'1-Baha* says that 'war is the most preseems to touch the roof of the sky. We hear ventable human accident' and yet it seems > BAHA'f FAITH AND EASTERN SCHOLARS > today to be the most unpreventable and re- State, an Iranian by birth, a most liberal un- > > curring human incident. The Baha'i Faith derstanding Muslim, received Mrs. Shirin > aims at removing the discord between science Fozdar and me, two Baha'is, in his beautiful > and faith and suppressing and sublimating home in Bangalore City on January twentythe overgrown egoism of man. fifth and again in early February. His spirit > "For achieving this object, it proposes to is very "Baha'i," for he is most kind to peoestablish the equality of the sexes and to give ple of every religion. I said this to him and > > a new orientation of education. Women will he smiled replying, "I'm sure that if I really > redress the balance of life in the future. The lived my Muhammadan religion you would > new education aims at homoculture and the say, 'He is a Baha'i!'" > enrichment of the entire personality by sub- Deeds are the test of one's Faith; and when > stituting the true heroisms and victories of I saw that he embraced a Jew, made a cordial > > peace for the false heroisms and victories of speech at the laying of the foundation stone > war. of a Christian church, was most considerate > "In these two directions great work awaits to an Ahmadiyyih priest, and did everything > the Baha'i Faith. Hinduism, the mother of to help Mrs. Fozdar and me so that our visit > > religions, has a wide tolerance of outlook. It to Bangalore was most successful and happy, > is said that the Baha'i Movement leaves all I ask: if this is not "Light-bearing," "Bathe doors open; that is the attitude of Hin- ha'i," then what is it? He invited us to a > duism Other religions close the skyalso. great garden party where he himself was the > lights and windows and the doors and keep guest of honor and introduced us to some of > only the street door open and even that his friends as Baha'is. He spoke of a Propartially open. The Hindu doctrines of In- fessor in their state who he said has made a > carnation and of Grace and Devotion have deep study of the Baha'i Teachings. > even today a great contribution to make to This charming Dewan said to some Hinthe life of humanity. dus: "I am serving a Hindu State and a > "It looks as if the Baha'i Faith will stimu- Maharaja who is the embodiment of all that > late the best elements in each religion and is best in Hindu culture and Hindu civiliza- > > bring about a real League of Religions and a tion. It is difficult to imagine a more pious, > Real League of Nations." devoted Hindu. It is not a matter of sur- > A short visit was made to Adyar, Madras, prise if I am so wholeheartedly with you in > December twenty-seventh, 1937, where the the service of your religion and your culture. > International Theosophical Conference was I feel a feeling which I venture to express > in session in their world headquarters. In in humility and sincerity that one > all > > their great lecture hall, on the wall panels pleases Providence more by serving other > devoted to great spiritual leaders, the front Faiths than one's own. Paradoxical as that > > panel at the left, as one enters, contains the may sound, I believe it is nevertheless quite > insignia of the Greatest Name and over it is true, for to serve other Faiths calls for somewritten "Baha'u'llah"; very beautiful. > it is > thing nobler than passive tolerance. I think > Mr. Hirendra Nath Datta, Vice-President of and feel that I have no more inspiring examthis international organization, said that the ple to follow in this matter than that of His > Baha'i Teachings are the highest essence of Highness the Maharaja of Mysore himself > Hinduism. The Baha'i collection of books who reigns over all of us with so much love > in their library is very good and is constantly and wisdom, treating all communities and > used by university students of Madras. all religions alike." > The Librarian of the University of Madras Dr. Anwar Iqbal Qureshi, Head of the > Library, Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, said he is Economics Department of the University of > keenly interested to build up the department Hyderabad, after my lecture to the students > of Baha'i books. He already has a fine selec- of the university said in his concluding retion, he keeps in touch with the N. S. A. of marks: "I wish the politicians of Russia, Jathe United States and Canada and wishes to pan, Germany and Italy could have been > get every new Baha'i book that is published. present and heard this talk. I hope with her > Sir Dewan M. Ismail, Dewan of Mysore that there will be one religion in the world. > 692 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Youth has revolted against religion, but you their clubhouse, Princess Niloufer Farhat > young men who have education, on you the Begam Sahiba graciously presided. She is the > responsibility falls, for you can grasp the wife of the second son of the Nizam of > fundamentals of unity. Apply yourselves to Hyderabad, Deccan, and was a grand niece > the problems of the world. If we can find of Sultan 'Abdu'l-Hamid of Turkey. Many > an approach, as our lecturer suggests, to the cultured people in Hyderabad know Tahiuniversal auxiliary language problem it will rih's poems, and when Mrs. Fozdar spoke > > go a long way to help us and to help make a over the radio in Hyderabad about Tahirih, a > better world. If we can evolve a system of gramophone record was made of the speech > language the world will come much nearer." and also her singing of Tahirih's poems. > This university which teaches in the ver- The Honorable Jamnadas M. Mehta, > nacular in addition to teaching the foreign Mayor of Bombay, 1936-37, and one of the > languages is one of the finest. It is in large great thinkers and eloquent speakers of India > measure the students, the alumni from these today, said to me in a conversation last Ocoutstanding Indian universities who are ush- tober: "I am deeply impressed by the broad > > ering in what is popularly called the great and catholic principles of the Baha'i Faith > Indian Renaissance; and I observed that some and I am trying to study its Teachings more > of the very capable Baha'is in India as well and more. As I said the other evening at the > as in other lands first heard of the Teach- meeting over which I presided in the Baha'i > ings through lectures in their schools. Hall when you spoke and several members of > The Mithic Society of Bangalore City, one the National Spiritual Assembly of India and > of the highest cultural organizations there, Burma also took part, the Faith which is conarranged for three Baha'i lectures in their secrated by the willing sacrifice of over > Daly Memorial Hall, and the Honorary Sec- twenty thousand human beings cannot but > retary, Mr. S. Srikantaya, ably presided at all inspire respect and confidence even among > three events, speaking of the Cause with un- those who > belong *to other Faiths. As a > derstanding. He said the last evening, that Hindu, I can honestly subscribe to almost all > whether we agree or disagree with the Baha'i the tenets of the Baha'i Movement because > High Prophet, Baha'u'llah, these Teachings they are so nearly identical with our own > are well worthy of study and of a deep con- teachings. > sideration and thought. Professors in Mysore "There has always been a great thirst for > University, Mysore City, said that what they knowledge here in India. Toleration is even > and the students need is a great quickening more conspicuous and you can be sure of an > in religion and if the Baha'i Teachings bring adequate hearing for the Baha'i principles > that, they are well worth studying. Another wherever you will go. For myself, I shall > professor said that the fact that this Baha'i keep in increasing touch with the Baha'is." > Faith, the youngest and most flexible reli- India is wide awake today conferences in > gion, has come up out of the most conserva- religions, sciences, Oriental Studies, educative Faith shows its universalism. tionand peace are participated in by many > Sir Akbar Hydari, Prime Minister of Hy- hundreds of men and women. Many of > derabad, Deccan, is very interested in Tahi- these conventions, many universities, re- > > rih, loves her poems and he was most kind to ligious societies, clubs, are > opening their > Mrs. Fozdar and to me when we were in Hy- doors to the Baha'i Message. 'Abdu'1-Baha > derabad, in early February. Lady Hydari is said that when these Baha'i Teachings arc > President of the Hyderabad Ladies' Associ- widely known in India they will spread very > ation Club and when we lectured there in rapidly. > THE UNITY OF NATIONS > BY STANWOOD COBB > > H,UMAN > . > history sometimes drifts aim- man; the unity of religion; the establishment > lessly along without seeming to go anywhere, of an equitable, stable and prosperous ecothen at other times it rides fast on a flowing nomic system of worldwide proportions; the > tide that cannot be stopped or turned aside," setting up of an auxiliary universal language > says David Coyle in his book "Uncommon as an instrument for world travel, world > > Sense." commerce, and culture; the formation every- > We are in such a swift moving period to- where of just governments assuring ecoday. It is indeed a crucial moment in the nomic security to the individual, restraining > world's history. Vast changes have already the great oppressors, and guaranteeing in actaken place. Still greater changes are immi- tuality and not in words a square deal to even > nent. Where is all this leading to? the humblest person in his pursuit of life, > Minds are made confused by all this liberty and happiness. > change. Hearts are made anxious. For this It may seem paradoxical to state that this > > process of human evolution, if we can call it glorious vision for humanity cannot be > such, has its immediate implications for achieved save through the creation of chaos > every individual. The sense of certainty, of in human affairs. > security,isdestroyed by this ominous and be- But how would war ever cease, save that > wildering destruction of old forms and insti- the instruments of war became so terrible > tutions going on before our eyes. Every such and devastating, so wholesale in destruction > destruction suggests the danger of drastic as to purge the heart and purify the soul of > > changes in personal fortunes. What lies men to that point at which actual plans for > ahead for us as individuals we know not. universal peace could be effected? How > What lies ahead of us in the way of group could the brotherhood of man come about > forms and fortunes we can only guess. until humanity wearied of the cruelties and > If we could be but certain that this break- confusions due to racial and national hatreds? > ing up of old forms were leading to some- How could one supreme and vitally active > thing vastly superior; if we could rest in the world religion be achieved, until peoples the > assurance of a stable and universal order de- world over despaired of the efficacy of their > veloping for future humanity out of all this old traditional cults? Howcould the perwelter and chaos of the workshop period fect economic pattern be forged out, until > of today, we could afford to accept not capital and labor, through battling one > only with equanimity but even with satis- against the other, through the attrition and > faction the present conditions out of which loss and chaos of economic warfare and class > > such a world order would seem to be de- struggle, reach a point where each side is > > veloping. willing to relinquish somewhat of power in > In the Revelation of BahaVllah given to order to find in harmonization and mutualthe world over seventy years ago may be ization of their desires and needs the fair and > found the clue to these vast changes that are shining way to equitable, stable and universal > taking place. Old forms had to be broken prosperity? And how could governments > up, in order that the glorious structure of become just, until the oppressed should rise > the new World Order might arise out of the up with such might as to pull down the > ruins of the godless and semi-pagan civiliza- proud oppressor from his power? > tion of today. We shall not grieve over the chaotic con- > > This new World Order of Bahi'u'lUh im- ditions today, we shall not even be bewil- > > plies universal peace; the brotherhood of dered at these swift changes everywhere oc- > 694 THE BAHA'f WORLD > curring, if we hold steadily before our eyes by war, have at last actually agreed, in > the glorious vision of the new World Order world conference, to simultaneously cut > as revealed by Baha'u'llah. Here is a definite down national armaments to that minimum > pattern for human society. An all-inclusive essential for internal order.In the place of > pattern for the expression of man's power these fatally competitive armies and navies > and abilities in the social, economic and po- an international police corps has been crelitical domains. Holding this pattern before ated, naval and aeronautic, obedient to the > our eyes we can work toward it gradually as will of the League of Nations Assembly and > the architect turns into noble reality the blue upholding the decisions of the World Court. > prints which lie upon his desk. Swiftly effective is this great international > Instead of confusion we shall then have armed force in keeping all the peoples of the > certitude. Instead of despair we shall have world subservient to the demands of internacourage and glorious hopes. The more we tional law and order. > see the old forms tumble to ruin before our A world metropolis acts as a nerve center > eyes, the more we shall rejoice in the oppor- of a world civilization, the focus toward > tunity thus given to us for building new and which the unifying forces of life will conbetter forms in their place. verge and from which its energizing influ- > Institutions are not immortal. They rise ences will radiate. The economic resources > and fall in periodic expressive of > rhythm of the world are organized and an equitable > the growing power of man's ever inventive distribution assured by the world parliament > spirit, and obedient to the dictates of destiny. and international executive. The techno- > Why mourn the failure of old institutions in logical power of humanity is fully applied to > which crystallization has become an omen the exploitations of the earth's physical reand a cause of death? Let us rather hail with sources. World markets are coordinated and > > joy the rise of glorious new institutions developed and the distribution of world > which promise immense benefits to human- products are equitably regulated. Thus the > ity. major causes of modern war have been removed, since the new international govern- > I > ment of this Federation of the World so > Let us now view in detail the structure of regulates world economy as to produce > the new World Order of Bahi'u'llah, an- greater prosperity for each individual nation, > nounced by Him to the world as the Will of as parts now of a harmonious whole, than > the Eternal Mover of cosmic events. Let us have ever been achieved in the past by means > view it, as the architect helps us to conceive of the selfish and brutal self-seeking of nahis plans, in the form of the perfected struc- tions through the instrumentality of war and > ture pictured concretely. conquest. > We are in the year 2001. We look back The ancient ancestral quarrel between > upon the twentieth century as a period of labor and capital has been healed and all their > enormous vitality, of stupendous structural jointproblems solved by the far-reaching > changes. Out of the apparent chaos and con- economic laws of Baha'u'llah. What are > fusion we have seen emerge great and uni- these laws? The first is that of profit-sharversal institutions founded upon the predica- ing, that the net profits of industry and > tion of the Oneness of Mankind, secured and business are divided between capital and > stabilized by a new human conscience of uni- labor. That is to say, labor in addition to a > versal brotherhood. basic minimum wage, has a definite predeter- > War has disappeared now and forever. In mined share in the profits. Thus there has > its place we promised and longsee the has been achieved a perfect mutualization of > dreamed-of Federation of the World; the capital and labor. New potentialities in labor > League of Nations, so feebly struggling in its have been awakened and tapped, potentialiearly days, having now become a universal ties of energy and of inventiveness. The > and effective institution for super-national productive power of industry under this new > government. The rules and peoples of the arrangement has been greatly multiplied, and > world, wearying of the devastations caused .the consuming power of the general public > THE UNITY OF NATIONS 695 > > Ninth Annual Meeting of the Baha'is of the Northeastern States, at Forest Park, > Springfield, Mass., June 21, 1936. > > has been enabled to keep up with this height- levels of productiveness to areas low in proened power of production. ductiveness but high in consuming power. > Agricultural engineering and planning of > II > world-wide scope supersedes waste and chaos. > Yes, through the application of a very Backward people are assisted by technologisimple economic principle, the age of abun- cal leaders lent to them from other countries > dance dreamed of by the young economists to train them in scientific methods of agriof the 1930's has actually been achieved. culture. > Whereas before, in the confused economic Now all the world is fed, clothed and > period of the twentieth century, too much housed with a fair degree of comfort. No > of the proceeds of industry flowed to capital one on the surface of the planet goes to > to become investment money and too little bed hungry not even the humblest indito labor in the way of becoming consuming vidual of the most backward country of the > > power; now the law of profit-sharing, elas- world. Such is the far-flung efficiency of > tically applied, has helped to maintain con- the great super-government of the World- > > sumption on a parity with production. A State. > second great law, that of graduated income The vast industrial potentiality of huand inheritance taxes, so steep in the upper manity, now stimulated by a stable and uniregisters as to prevent excessive fortunes, versal consuming power, turns out necessity > further serves to divert income from invest- and comfort goods in such quantities and at > ment to consumption channels. This new such cheapness as to enrich the humblest > economic regime, adapted by the respective home with ample means of comfortable livnations to their internal needs and aided by ing. Yet our industrial and technical engithe international government, maintains an neers tell us this is only the beginning. > For > equitable and permanent parity between pro- they aim to improve industrial methods by > duction and consumption. their technology and at the same time work > This same parity is maintained in the agri- out efficacious ways and means for increasing > cultural domain. For the first time in world the consuming power of the public, so as to > > history it has been found possible to obtain bring not only the necessary comfort goods > markets for all food products grown. The to every home, but also a constantly increas-* > immense agricultural potentiality of the ing range of pleasure and luxury goods. For > earth's surface is now exploited with all the humanity, having begun to satisfy its necesskill and technological planning of a human sary wants, is rapidly developing new wants > society that has at last reached maturity. of an esthetic nature. The home of the hum- > The world's agriculture is now practiced blestworkman has a beauty of architecture > on a universal basis. The great staple crops and interior decoration possible only to the > of the world are kept flowing from high wealthy in that period of confusion which > 696 THE BAHA'f WORLD > prevailed in the early part of the twentieth A new world culture is fast developing as > > century. the final majestic flowering of *that culture > A > vast energy is being directed into civic called Renaissance which saw the first faint > betterment and into the beautification of beginning of a harmonization of Oriental > village, town and city. Parks, schools, civic and Occidental culture-modes. We had seen > centers, recreational centers, public libraries, this cultural unification of Orient and Occi- > > museums, institutions for adult education dent developing with considerable acceleraall of these are stimulating the masses and tion during the last half of the nineteenth, > > raising them to ever new cultural levels. and throughout the twentieth century. The > The love of beauty has grown universal. coalescence has now become practically com- > The simplest articles of daily use have beauty pleted. The treasuries of Oriental culture > of design and color. The radio, the moving have been joined with the best and richest > pictures, the symphony orchestras spread values the Occident has to offer, producing a > > everywhere within reach of every com- universal culture of remarkable virility, > munity, are developing esthetic tastes and charm and progress-mindedness a culture > opening up opportunities for new artistic in which the esthetic quality of the East is > talent and achievement. mated to the technological prowess of the > For the world order of BahaVllah is not a West. > mere proposition of counting-house and This final and complete coalescence of culmart. It is dedicated not only to order and ture has come about through the emotional > > prosperity, but to beauty and to joy of liv- unity caused by the spread of the Baha'i > ing. Faith throughout the world, and the devel- > The World Federation of BahaVllah is opment of a unified conscience of brotherunited by a universal auxiliary language hood, now firmly uniting every nation and > which was selected by the rulers of all the people on the planet. > nations meeting in Congress and thereafter The important factor in the world unity > prescribed in all the schools of the world. now being achieved is the establishment of a > This does not displace the native language universal religion in accordance with the > but is auxiliary to it. The international lan- teachings of BahaVllah. The various races > guage has become a most essential implement of the world have come to see that life spircommerce, travel and culfor international itually is one; that as there is but one uniture. Important books appear simultane- verse, so there is but one God and one Truth. > > ously in the native and in the universal The religious ideology and practice of the > language. International conventions and con- planet have for the first time in its history > ferences are held in this new language. Its been brought into an effective unity through > use also helps in developing the psychology acceptance of the Revelation of the new > of brotherhood. The importance of linguis- World Order of BahaVllah. > tic unity in the development of a cohesive This new and miraculous spiritual unity > nationalism had long been recognized by the of the human race is the most important sinleading nations of the world; the same psy- gle factor in the creation of an effective > > chological implement is now applied to the working unity of thought and action among > forging out of a cohesive internationalism. the two billion people that inhabit the globe. > Universal education spreads its blessings The apex and keystone of this world structhroughout the world. The school curricu- ture is the institution of Guardianship establums in the various nations of the world are lished by BahaVllah as the focal point > fast approximating a common educational around which, the world's thought and acaim and ideology. This educational homo- tion revolve, creating a functional unity un- > > geneity is in itself a powerful aid toward assailable by the dispersive quality. > > world unity of thought and feeling. This same spiritual force of divine guid- > Through the aid of the universal language ance and protection permeates to greater or > scholars can now travel from country to lesser degree the functioning of the various > country and attend universities anywhere in legislative and administrative bodies local, > the world. national and international. In fact, a new > THE UNITY OF NATIONS 697 > > type of government has sprung into being, foundational way toward success. But it > > combining the important elements of de- will take centuries to complete the structure > > mocracy, aristocracy, autocracy, and theoc- in all its perfection. What had appeared an > > racy. It would not be possible here to de- impossible dream in the age of confusion > scribe fully the plans and working out of this of the first half of the twentieth century, > Baha'i type of civilization which avoids the has proceeded to its marvelous consummaweaknesses and inefficiencies of democracy, tion with constantly accelerated and miracuand brings to bear upon its various functions lous speed during the second half of that > the abilities of the most gifted and devoted century. > citizens. Permeating universally the order- The Kingdom of God, pre-existing archiing and functioning of this new government tecturally in the Realm of Causation that > isthe practice of collective turning to the Architypal World of which Plato knew has > Divine Ruler of the universe for guidance in at last descended to earth and evolved its perthe solution of all difficult legislative and ad- fect pattern in this fair and noble structure, > ministrative problems. the new World Order of BahaVllah. > This titanic enterprise the creation in Thus the blueprints of God have become > actuality of the world vision of BahaVllah the New Jerusalem visioned by the apocalypis now, in this > beginning of the third mil- tical seer of Patmos. The world brotherhood > lennium of the Christian era, well on its of Christ has been achieved. > CHANGING RACE RELATIONS > BY MAXWELL MILLER > IT is easier to discuss the brotherhood of of Nordic supremacy, and manifold variaman than to practice it. We are told that it tions on the theme have served to sanctify > exists in reality, that racial and other group the bloody subjugation of other peoples to > prejudices have been eliminated. The reality, the advantage of the European. Paradoxhowever, has not been translated into the ically, but inevitably, as the nations on the > fact of ordinary social intercourse. Only by other side of the color line gain power, they > the herculean efforts of minorities is man- voice similar protestations of divine guidance > kind pulled, pushed, cajoled or castigated on- in their international piracies. At this point > ward toward its goals. the devotees of pale-faced divinity notably > If each new generation were born into a Oswald Spengler gloomily prophesy the > world freshly reconstructed according to the downfall of Western civilization. Nowhere, > highest standards and noblest plans of its however, do they recognize the humor inparents, progress would be a relatively sim- volved in the successful competition of a sople and rapid matter. The aspirations of one called inferior race against the divinely or- > > generation would thus be realized in the dained Nordic. > next, and all the old errors disappear. Un- Much of the literature on racial groups > fortunately, we hand on to posterity not was in mystical phraseology, we suspect beonly our achievements but also our mistakes. cause of the authorV own mystification on > Mencius once remarked that a man with a the subject. Certainly none of the muchcrooked finger knows his finger is crooked, vaunted assertions has been well substantibut a man with a distorted mind does not ated by evidence even to this day, while the > know his mind is distorted. Here is the greater part has been discarded among carefundamental obstacle to the realization of ful social scientists. Outside the field of > humanity's oneness. The accumulated mass students of social science, however, the old, > of traditional and established folkways false notionshold sway. Regretfully on the > presses upon and channelizes us from in- part of some, aggressively on the part of > fancy, so that by far the greater part of all many, the myths of racial inferiority are held > our activities and thinking is ritualistic and up as demonstrations of the workings of the > automatic. It is difficult to trace the influ- Divine will among men. > ences bearing upon even such opinions and Similarly, racial prejudice has been comjudgments we form deliberately. At the > as monly ascribed to some innate or instinctive > same time, however, we are quick to defend trait, which inclines us toward members of > our beliefs from critical anaylsis. one group, but away from members of an- > Perhaps such of our thinking as we are other. The theory of instinctive social attimost eager and careful to justify when at- tudes was strongly held until within the last > tacked, is the thinking which other decade, when researches indicated that probpeople > have done for us. The more insecure a basis ably all of our social attitudes originate in > of fact we have to support our convictions, the conditioning influences of our environthe more readily do we rise to righteous ment. Thereupon the structure of instinct > wrath in their behalf. The stupendous lit- social psychology collapsed. In contrast to > erature of so-called racial sociology since de writers who hazarded guesses as to the num- > Gobineau, by and large consists of elaborate ber of instincts, which ranged from two or > justifications of the white man's history of three in some cases to four or five hundred in > world imperialism. The "white man's bur- others, there came the refreshing admission > den," his "civilizing mission," the doctrine on the part of such earnest men as Garth to > CHANGING RACE RELATIONS 699 > > Presentation of the "Seven Valleys" of BahaVllah. Dramatized by Mme. Barry Orlova > and Mrs. Basil Hall, in the garden of Mrs. Editha Simonds, Sowberry Court on Thames, > England, where the Baha'i Theatre Group has its Summer Theatre. > > the effect that their measurement tests and up to deal with the conditions of our indushypotheses regarding racial inferiorities or trial they would be fully able to > society, > superiorities were questionable. Most social compete on the same terms with the native > scientists today are inclined to doubt the born. It is not necessary to point out in de- > > value of applying the same standards to tail how many surmount even this difficulty > groups of different cultural background, and to surpass the success of the average native > > they emphasize the question of individual American. > differences rather than the elusive one of in- We are probably born with something like > nate group differences. a skeletalpsychological mechanism, capable > This is not to say, however, that all groups of reacting to stimuli, but having no disof people could cope equally well with the cernible predetermined complex social atti- > > living conditions of, say, New York City, if tudes. It would be absurd to expect an in- > > suddenly placed there. The education and fant to distinguish successfully between > general culture of an isolated Siberian tribe members of the various racial groups, as the > is not fitted for metropolitan life, nor is it supposition of instinctive racial prejudice > meant to be. Each culture develops to meet would presuppose. To do this, that child > the needs of the group environment. In this would have to know the multitude of culway to exchange the places of such a Siberian tural and physiological indices by which > tribesman and a New Yorker would place adults attempt to classify mankind. Startthem at a more or less equal disadvantage. In ing with the clean slate of the infant > > any one environment, however, that group mind, however, we can observe how parhas the advantage whose cultural back- ents, friends, relatives, the church, school, > ground has developed to meet the needs in- newspapers, motion pictures, etc., write > volved. For this reason it has appeared even on it the deeply entrenched prejudices > to sincere thinkers that aliens and others and traditional habits of previous generawere inferior to Americans, since the native tions. > resident was so much better equipped to live Two instances in point can be taken from > in the United States. They fail to see what the Inquiry study "Racial Attitudes among > is indicated in the second generation of im- Children," edited by Bruno Lasker. One > migrants, that if these first had been brought tells of a little girl of about five years of age > 700 THE BAHA'f WORLD > who was traveling by train with her mother. which demands conformity to its ways from > The colored porter took a fancy to her and us, and which penalizes originality. Even > amused her with gifts and pleasantries. rebelling we must rebel along familiar lines. > Finally he took her with him on a trip If unsuccessful we are rejected and passed > through the train, which she enjoyed im- over; if successfulwe simply change the > mensely. Returning to her mother she said brand of orthodoxy. > happily, "He's a nice, nasty, dirty nigger, The desired change in race relations canisn't he, Mummy?" Here was no awareness not be brought about simply by repeating > of the significance of the words nor the racial one's belief in the brotherhood of man. This > > antagonism involved; simply the repetition phrase has been mouthed for several thouof the description familiar to the child mind, sand years to no great avail. To continue > with her own grateful appreciation of his in this way is sheer hypocrisy. The growing > kindness. accuracy of social studies has displaced the > A second example illustrates the influence shibboleths of racial inequalities, as the great > of the motion picture in forming racial atti- religious teachings in the minds of those who > tudes. A group of children were tested for truly understood cut through racial barriers > their reactions to Chinese, and were found to as a sword. We must work singly and colhave almost no adverse reaction. They were lectively to identify all our activities as indithen shown the film "Son of the Gods," a viduals and to the disregard of group lines. > Chinese story, and subsequently re-tested. Baha'is should be distinguished not by color, > The results this time showed an overwhelm- nationality, or race, but by the extent to > ing prejudice toward Chinese people. Eight- which they fulfill in practice the teachings. > een months later, testing revealed that this We must learn to think straight, and to > prejudice was still strong. think as much as possible for ourselves. Hav- > Generally speaking, we spend most of our ing perceived the reality, we must immeditime thinking the thoughts of dead men. ately and without ^compromise translate the > We come into a world which is ready-made, reality into social fact. > BAHA'I > Chapter III from Dr. Edmund Privates book, "La Sagesse de I'Orient" > > -LjA superstition, Pintolerance et Palliance Toute sa valeur est dans la revelation de > des pretres avec la tyrannic sevit en Islam cette unite* profonde qui fait de nous des > comme ailleurs. La grande lumiere s'assom- freres. > brit dans la fumee tenebreuse des formes "Si elle doit servir a dresser de nouvelles > vides et des passions fanatiques. II y eut barrieres, enflammer de nouvelles haines, alplusieurs fois des reveils et des retours a la lumer de nouveux buchers, elle perd ses droits > purete du message. a la conquete des ames. Elle devient un > poison plus dangereux que les autres. > "Chez nous, en Perse, le Bab vecut en "La religion n'est verite que dans la messaint etmourut en martyr a Tabriz, il y a ure ou elle fond les distances et tend a Pharpres d'un siecle. BahaVllah lui succeda, monie. > exile* de Perse, emprisonne par le sultan turc. "Son quatrieme principe, c'e*tait la parent^ > II proclamait que Punite divine exclut les fondamentale des messages prophetiques. > rivalites. La soumission a Dieu doit rap- L'un apres Pautre, ils ont amene les hommes > procher les hommes. Si la religion les separe, a regarder du meme cote. La purete de la > perdu son principal sens. > c'est qu'elle a vie, Pesprit de sacrifice, la compassion pour > "En plein milieu du dix-neuvieme siecle, autrui, la soif de justice et la predominance > au temps des Lamartine et des Victor Hugo, de Peternelle unite sous les formes passageres > le grand saint musulman fixait aux Baha'i, tous ont eu le meme but et la meme inspirases disciples, un programme et des principes tion. > > plus actuels que jamais. "Si leurs adeptes intolerants se querellent > "Le premier, c'etait la recherche honnete sur des mots, c'est qu'ils n'en ont jamais > de la verite sans prejuges, ni superstitions. compris le sens veritable. Les Etiquettes > Un clerge qui a peur de la connaissance fait separent quand le contenu pourrait unir. > injure a la plante qu'il atrophie dans Pom- "Au XVIe siecle, un souverain musulman, > bre. Pendant les premiers siecles, on vit le Grand Mogol Akbar, fut profonde*ment > Plslam encourager partout Petude de la convaincu de cette verite-la. Empereur des > pensee. Ensuit, il se replia dans une jalousie Indes, il fit venir a sa cour d'Agra les peres > etroite. jesuites de Goa pour lui expliquer PEvangile > "BahaVllah proposa d'ouvrir les fenetres et les Destours du Gujarat pour lui commenet de secouer toute crainte. ter Zoroastre. Il ecouta patiemment les > > "Son deuxieme principe etait Punite de la brahmanes hindous et les Jams vegetariens, > famille humaine, sans distinction de race, ni qui lui firent honte de ses chasses. > de couleur: feuilles d'un arbre unique, fleurs "Assis entre les missionnaires, en son pad'un meme jardin. lais de Fatehpur, il apaisait leurs querelles > "Tout prejuge de race lui semblait une et les obligeait a s'ecouter mutuellement > barbaric et une insulte a 1'Eternel, present pour apprendre quelque chose de la foi d'audans tous et createur de chacun. Il evoquait trui. Lui-meme apprit beaucoup des soufis > la chaine interminable et sanglante des cru- musuhnans, qui comprenaient Punite proautes, des violences, des represailles et des fonde sous les couleurs differentes. Akbar > malheurs qui pese d'un siecle a Pautre sur fit construire au Shaykh Salim un tombeau > > Phistoire des hommes par simple ignorance magnifique, ou brille sous la nacre etincelante > f > de cette unite. Ne regarde pas des deux > ce dernier conseil: > "Et son troisieme principe e*tait la religion cotes, en meme temps vers le soi transitoire > comme source d'amour et de paix. Sans quoi, et vers Pimmortelle essence/ > elle se renie elle-meme et devient mensonge. "Le cinquieme principe de BahaVllah, > 702 THE BAHA'f WORLD > c'etait le devoir sacre de respecter la science "BahaVllah demandait 1'egalite* des droits > et d'eviter tout divorce entre la foi et la pour 1'homme et la femme. C'etait son neuraison. Quelle revolution! vieme point. L'humanite qui peine a deux > "Apres avoir travaille lui-meme a develop- ailes pour voler. Avec une seule, clle reste a > per les > connaissances, le clerge s'etait > peu a terre. > > peu renf rogne dans sa crainte des recherches. "Son dixieme principe etait le travail pour > La verite lui faisait peur. On le vit mettre tous. Ni riches oisif s, ni pauvres a 1'aumone. > a la torture les observateurs honnetes de la Une place a chacun pour le service de tous. > nature et de ses phenomenes. C'est le premier culte a maintenir. > > "Religion devint synonyme d'ignorance et "L'onzieme etait ('abolition des extremes: > d'aveuglement. BahaVllah dechirait ce La fortune aux uns, la misere aux autres. La > rideau crasseux. Si la religion est verite, communaute doit prendre a > sa charge les > > comment serait-elle ennemie de la science qui vieillards et les infirmes. ne doit pas y > Il > > la recherche aussi? avoir de classe opprimant les autres et vivant > "L'honnetete scrupuleuse est 1'apostolat a leurs depens. > du savant, et la compassion fait de lui un "Le douzieme enfin mettait au-dessus > saint quand il > emploie ses decouvertes a de tout 1'unite divine et Pobeissance a la > > soulager les souffrances. volonte de Dieu, reveiee par ses manifesta- > Et s'il cherche au contraire des moyens tions. > de f aire souffrir et met son grand savoir au "L'Islam a toujours proclame ce dogme > service de la guerre? avec majeste, mais les religions luttent en > C'est aussi le divorce. Il n'est pas moins brandissant le nom d'un prophete ou d'un > deshonorant pour la science que pour la autre, au lieu d'insister sur leur enseigne- > > religion. ment, qui pourrait les rapprocher. Baha'u- > "Le sixieme principe de BahaVllah pre- 'llah tachait de faire tomber les parois, non > > voyait justement Pabolition de la force pas Mahometisme avant tout, mais vraiment > comme instrument de politique nationale et Islam, c'est-a-dirc soumission commune a la > Petablissement d'une cour de justice avec une volonte supreme. > assemblee des nations. "On ne parlait alors ni d'un Wilson, ni > "Le septieme, s'etait 1'enseignement d'une d'un Zamenhof, mais Pexile de Bahji monlanguc auxiliaire commune dans toutes les trait aux generations futures le chemin > ecoles du monde, pour faire tomber Tun des qu'elles devaient prendre. Son fils 'Abdu'lplus grands obstacles a la comprehension Baha repandit plus tard son message en Eumutuelle. rope et en Amerique. Meme un libre pen- > "Le huitieme, c'etait 1'instruction pub- seur commc Auguste Forel s'y rallia de grand > > lique obligatoire, en particulier pour les filles. coeur. Le cercle amical des Baha'i s'etend > Elles seront demain les meres de famille. autour du monde. > C'est elles qui eleveront les enfants a leur "En Perse, un million d'entre eux soutour. tiennent des ecoles, fameuses dans le pays." > SOURCES OF COMMUNITY LIFE > BY MARION HOLLEY > IT is one of the curious > paradoxes of our have fallen into disuse, their functions > times that, while social action has increased usurped by demagoguery, the pressure of > in militancy and social groupings move with interest groups, the unseen propaganda of > deadlier accuracy toward their predeter- money, an irrational espousal of "cure-alls" > mined goals, the activity we idealize as truly by certain types of persons who hotly pursue > democratic has steadily diminished in vigor. one nostrum only until another appears, and > Men and nations act with more unity and a general listlessness on the part of the real > > intent, but with less judgment and respon- body politic. > sibility. Individual lives are more closely Despite this sterility of the contemporary > intertwined, but mutual confidence vanishes. pattern of government, it is an obvious and > The sheer weight of mass insistence deter- hopeful fact that the democratic ideal does > mines many issues: mass rule is > oppressive, exist. It is because we have reference to it, > demanding, arbitrary, and seldom vitalized because in critical moments we are measurby freedom of vision and spontaneity of the ing the actual against it and finding an incollective will. compatibility; it is because in our own minds > This paradox may easily be demon- we are truly pledged to this vision of govstrated by reference to contemporary na- ernment by democratic process, that we view > tional life.Scarcely does there exist among with fretfulness and perplexity the operathe powerful nations of Europe, in the Ori- tions of our own social machine. > ent, or here in the United States, a real Our dissatisfaction, however, will be spent > democracy. The seizure of power by self- and lost in ineffective modes of speech unelected individuals and parties has punctu- less we convert it to the uses of vigorous > ated the riot of post-war years. These par- study of the problem and a subsequent fronties have entrenched themselves at the center tal attack. We are under an immediate conof national activity, claiming for their lead- straint to understand, not so much what we > ers near deification, for themselves a right dislike about society, as what we desire it to > to omnipotence born from the belief that in be. In this approach the seed of action is > > them the State is personified. "UEtat, c'cst concealed; only through such a positive dimoiy" is the cry of each official partisan. rection of attention will the life of action > Now this self-righteous seizure of every be discovered. Constantly should we ask > power and privilege has won for the State ourselves: What do we intend by "democinfallibility. But it has not caused it to racy?" What is a technique of democratic > represent the people. action? Quite apart from dictionaries, > The problem in the United States is of what is the American governmental ideal? > different complexion. In this large country At this point it becomes very difficult to > no unity has yet been imposed > superficial proceed with any soberness, for straight > upon the citizenry, either by force or by the questions elicit swift replies, which whirl > excitability of mob reaction. The sentiment through the mind in enthusiastic disarray. > surrounding the New Deal is already being There are a hundred considerations, a hundissipated, and it is now apparent that an dred phrases which spring up from subappeal more powerful or an intention more conscious slumber. Here i the idea of equalruthless will be needed to center the ambi- ity; everyone must vote. But election means > tions and energies of diverse America. selection, and immediately we have the idea > Either these, or a more desperate necessity. of representative government. Who, thn, > Meanwhile, the techniques of democracy is qualified to govern, or is everyone? How > 704 THE BAHA'l WORLD > shall the general interest be maintained? it is a fact that no legitimate group life has > Can any goal be said to shape the process? yet been born because no consciousness stirs > "... That government of the people, for the human parts to a sense of mutual desthe people, and by the people shall not perish tiny. This is not only true for the great > from the earth. Of, for, and by are > . . ." unit, the international body; it is equally > the three prepositions which embody our po- true of all lesser units, of nations, cities, > litical faith. Yet the theory behind that families, true even of the individual life > faith is not clearly defined by them, nor itself. A vast unconsciousness hangs over > does it rest upon an assumption which, be- man, shrouding his least and best activities > cause of its confidence in the rightness of with a pall of inertia and uncreativeness. > natural human opinion, is wholly defen- Our first challenge, then, is to awake; to > sible. The people, in themselves, are no quicken our lives; to capture a sound comguarantee of democratic process. prehension of individual purpose and func- > However, it is with the people that we tion (Webster defines "individual" as a > must start, with that whole undifferentiated "complexity in unity characteristic of ormass which lies at the base of society. In ganized things .") and through appreci- > . . > > one respect society is nothing but the ac- ation of "things in common," to nourish > cumulation of its innumerable individual that core of consciousness upon which > members. In another, society does not even community life may depend, from which > begin to exist until these units are welded the process of democratic action, like "the > into the body we call a community. true course of the wholesome blood," may > Woodrow Wilson defined a community as issue to penetrate and activate the social > "a body of men^ who have things in com- organism. > mon, who are conscious that they have This is the ideal. It does not exist, ex- > > things in common. A community is un- cept in the imaginations of a few. It has > > thinkable, unless you have a vital inter- no scope nor influence upon the institutions > relationship of parts. There must be such of large human groupings. The political > a contact as will constitute union itself be- activities of American citizens are little per- > > fore you will have the true course of the meated by a virile confidence in the demowholesome blood through the body." cratic process. The masses of men at the > This conception of a community is al- root of our government no longer possess > most necessarily an a priori assumption to that solidarity which once enabled them to > the consideration of forms of government. say, with magnificent assurance, "We, the > But while we can assume ideas, we cannot people of the United States ." . . > > assume their practical demonstration. The I do not suppose there is > any document > problem of actualizing upon the societal more stirring than this Constitution, as it > level "a body of men who have things in marches, in the first phrases of the precommon, who are conscious that they have amble, to its daring statement of intention. > things in common," is the critical task with Curiously enough, the unity which it aswhich we today are struggling. The boun- sumed did not exist either, except germidaries of community life, of that normal nally in theminds of a few. In 1789 the > interplay of function and benefit which American nation had yet to be welded, out > unites men by natural ties, have so far ex- of the substance of a great ideal, through > tended their reach as to coincide almost with the pressure of vicissitude and tenacious > the world's boundaries. Common interest leadership. As we examine the sources of > has levelized us all, merged us all, under- our national life, we know this to be so; and > mined us all, if you will, since individual it lends hopefulness to our present dilemma. > > security and safety no longer exist apart For if, once before (or many times, as > from a universal sanity. could easily be proven), an ideal having no > Yet despite this real extension of the body existence settled upon the minds of men, > politic to its furthest limits, beyond which intriguedthem, possessed them gradually, > lies nothing human, within which is encom- moved and united them, and finally created > passed the whole innumerable breed of men, through them a nation, a living tangible > SOURCES OF COMMUNITY LIFE 705 > > community of action and hope, then surely struggle of all of these natural parts towards > the miracle could again be performed. an achievement in government which shall > It could and it can. Through the ideal represent, not victory upon one hand and > newly released by Baha'u'llah, it is being per- loss on another, but a superior integration of > > formed. His goal of a New World Order, the needs and actions of the parts into a > inconspicuous and feeble as it may seem to single whole solution. > the majority, is yet the germ of a new hope It is clear, therefore, that Baha'u'lldh's > and of a new > society. Examined > closely, denunciation of prejudices of all descriptions > it will be seen to possess a potentiality as was a preliminary to the ideal of world order, > vital, a destiny as fine as any of the ideas since the sense of human solidarity is the > ever yet generated among us. basis for social action upon any of its levels. > Baha'u'llah, who was born in Iran in 1817, By extirpating prejudice, intolerance, halived in the East and died in Syria in 1892 tred, and all such violent reactions of narwithout meeting any westerner except one, row and confused minds, Baha'u'llah creseems to us removed by time and place from ated the possibility of a world community. > the tradition and substance of our culture. He then injected the fertile germ of the ideal > We cannot imagine an idea of His affecting itself. > > our political systems, nor does it seem likely Ortega y Gasset has written that "the > that His philosophy, shaped on alien soil State ... is pure dynamism the will to > more than fifty years ago, could assist, ex- do something in common." It begins "when > cept in a loose way, in the development of groups naturally divided find themselves > contemporary thought and habit. Yet the obliged to live in common." New vitality > reverse is true. In His conceptions of the is always generated by the vision of a new > nature of society, in the techniques of gov- task; communities live again when they imernment which He indicated, in the vision of pose upon themselves the extension of their > world order which He painted, the essence bounds and influence. The goal of world > of the modern spirit is confined and de- order is the modern dynamism, a new horilineated. If one is avid for a sense of new zon, assuring life to the state in the very > horizons, let him study Baha'u'llah. There presence of its decay and chaos. > is to be found in the writings of this unique It is no mistake to say that Baha'u'llah > > Person not only the modern community injected this dynamic into His followers. > ideal, but the very mechanics of that kind of With them it is not mere theory, not idle > social action which is possible and most wor- aspiration, nor a political creed which can > thy of our times. be forfeited to personal benefit. A Baha'i > The core of the Baha'i ideal is the con- is one converted; with him world order is > cept of world order, which must be bred a religion; he stakes his talents and posinto the secret reactions of men's minds sessions upon his faith. It is only by such > and hearts before it can be built tangibly fundamental persistence and dedication of > and formally. It is time we recognized that purpose that the new community can be > no community can flourish, either locally, realized, and thus Baha'u'lldh has under- > > nationally or internationally, until this basic written its success. > step is achieved. The oneness of mankind Horizons are never reached, however, by > is a social fact; not even a city government mere excess of enthusiasm. Ideals, to be > can neglect it, inasmuch as every city, and great, must be rooted in cooler soil, and the > > especially the American city, is comprised feet of idealistsmust hold to firm ground, > of diverse racial and national elements following along paths which are well dewhich, unless merged in common activity, fined, logical and accessible. The goal of > are perforce in a perpetual struggle for con- world order, as described by Baha'u'llih, is > trol. Now the victory of one element over attainable because already the road to be > another of one racial grouping, one eco- traveled is plain and there are those who are > nomic class, one social set, or a political party journeying upon it. In a nationalistic and > is a symptom of sickness in community sectarian age there are already persons who, > life. Struggle is essential, but it is the equal as acting citizens of a world community, > 706 THE BAHA'f WORLD > are practising the methods and perfecting have things in common; they are united > the instruments of universal society. externally by economic and political interde- > These are the Baha'is who, having ac- pendence, and by world-wide bonds of comcepted the message of Baha'u'llih ("The munication; they are united more proworld is but one country and mankind its foundly by their common humanity. Yet > citizens ... let not a man glory in this, these factors in themselves are no guarantee > that he loves his country; let him rather of vitality. They form the framework > glory in this, that he loves his kind .") . . > merely of a potential society a society > not as felicitous prophecy, but as a demon- which extends around the world, only to > strable fact, are at this moment sharing the be throttled at its sourceby provincialsatisfactions and responsibilities of a creative isms. As one student has phrased it, "A > > task; working as members of the Baha'i Ad- new world has just been created, but most > ministrative Order, they are fast harnessing of the people in it are not yet aware of the > His proclamation of human unity to insti- fact." > tutional forms. Of this Administrative At the point of general awakening, then, > Order its Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, has writ- will we find the spark to set our social body > ten: "It will, as its component parts, its or- into motion. Not methods so much as a > ganic institutions, begin to function with new ideal, to challenge and arouse us, will > efficiency and vigor, assert its claim and bring into play once more all of the powers > demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not and resources of the masses of men. > only as the nucleus but the very pattern of The sign of life is motion, wrote 'Abdu'lthe New World Order destined to embrace Baha. It was his Father, BahaVllah, who > in the fullness of time the whole of man- imparted to the body politic the modern > kind." * secret of motion. Surely it is not in any > Needless to say, such a system cannot be way curious that the world community He > measured and evaluated in a single essay, nor touched to life "should encompass, happily > is it my purpose so to do. Rather, starting and uniquely, the virtues of an elevated > from the obvious thesis that democratic ac- idealism, spontaneous social action, a unition, understood in its most liberal sense, versal participation, and liberal, yet authorihas in our day declined, we observed this tative forms of government. > decline to be but a symptom of loss in the "Soon will the present-day order be rolled > energy of our community life. Now a com- up, and a new one spread out in its stead. > munity, being "a body of men who > . . . > Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is > > are conscious that they have things in com- the Knower of things unseen." > mon," loses its life either when its members > 1 The Dispensation of BahaVllah, p. 52. > do not have things in common or are un- 2 > Lyman Bryson. > conscious of them if they do. Men today 3 > Gleanings from the Writings of BahaVllah, p. 7. > A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF > THOMAS BREAKWELL > BY MAY MAXWELL > > H<>OW poignant are the records of the As they entered, Mrs. M. said smiling, "He > early days of the Baha'i Faith in the West, was a stranger and she took him in." We > when the freshness and beauty of the spir- spoke together for about half an hour of > itual Springtime awakened the souls and Theosophy his work, his projected trip > led them, quickened and aflame to the through Europe, and I discerned a very rare > knowledge of Baha'u'llah, often to the very person of high standing and culture, simple, > Presence of 'Abdu'1-Baha in the Prison of natural, intensely real in his attitude toward > 'Akka. Such is the record, the divine sig- life and his fellowmen. Although no word > nificance of the conversion of Thomas of the divine Revelation was spoken, and > Breakwell, a young Englishman living in the he assumed I was interested in Theosophy, > Southern States of America, holding an im- yet he studied me with a searching gaze, and > portant position in a cotton mill, spending as they left, he asked me if he might see > his long summer vacations in Europe. Dur- me the following day. He arrived the next > ing his vacation of 1891 he crossed on the morning in a strangely exalted mood, no veil > steamer with Mrs. M., and as she found him of materiality covered this radiant soul > interested in Theosophy she mentioned a his eyes burned with a hidden fire, and look- > > group of friends in Paris whom she said ing at me earnestly he asked if I noticed > were interested in kindred subjects. Al- anything strange about him. Seeing his conthough she knew nothing of the Baha'i dition I bade him be seated, and reassured > > teaching and had closed her ears to its mes- him, saying he looked very happy. > sage, yet she was impelled to bring this youth "When I was here yesterday he said I felt > to see me on their arrival. I was at that a power, an influence that I had felt once > time in a small apartment connected with before in my life, when for a period of three > the beautiful home of Mrs. Jackson which months I was continually in communion > she had placed at my disposal, when my fam- with God. I felt during that time like one > ily had left for the summer. moving in a rarefied atmosphere of light and > My dear Mother although broad and fine beauty. My heart was afire with love for > in all matters, had resented my constant the supreme Beloved, I felt at peace, at one > work inthe service of the Baha'i Cause, with all my fellow-men. Yesterday when > especially since my pilgrimage to the Prison I you I went alone down the Champs > left > > of 'Akka, and when 'Abdu'1-Baha had re- felysees,the air was warm and heavy, not a > fused, at her urgent appeal, to permit me leaf was stirring, when > suddenly a wind > to accompany her during the summer to struck me and whirled around me, and in > Brittany, saying that I must on no account that wind a voice said, with an indescribable > absent myself from Paris, my unhappy and sweetness and penetration, 'Christ has come > " > indignant Mother had closed our home and again ! Christ has come again!' > left me alone. With wide startled eyes he looked at me > Thus it was on a lovely summer day that, and asked if I thought he had gone crazy. > in response to a knock Ifound Mrs. M. and "No," I said smiling, "you are just becoming > Thomas Breakwell standing at my door, and sane." > > my attention was riveted on this youth; of What hours we spent together; how readmedium height, slender, erect and graceful, ily he grasped the full import of the Meswith intense eyes and an indescribable charm. sage; how his thirsty soul drank in every > A Captain of the Salvation Army who has recently embraced the > Baha'i Faith. Taken with one of her former Lieutenants in the > Shetland Islands. > > An early group of the Baha'is of America. Reading from left to right: Katherine K. > True, Mrs. Gorman, Mr. True, Mrs. Corinne True, Mr. Harlan F. Ober, Mrs. Cecelia > Harrison, Miss Davies, Mrs. Eardley, Mr. Charles Sprague, Mr. Carl Scheiflcr, Mr. Woodworth, Mr. Percy Woodcock, Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, Mr. Brush, Mrs. Brush, Mr. > Thornton Chase. > > BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THOMAS BREAKWELL 709 > > word; I told him of the youthful Bab, His When in the autumn we gathered once > exalted Mission, His early martyrdom, of more in Paris, the influence of Breakwell > the thousands of martyrs in whose sacred made itself*felt in an ever widening circle > blood the Faith was established; I told him of friends. > of BahaVllah, the Blessed Beauty Who shone Those days in the Prison of 'Akka, when > upon the world as the Sun of eternity, Who the Master's all consuming love and perfect > had given to mankind the law of God for wisdom had produced that mystic change of > this age the consummation of all past ages heart and soul which enabled him to rapand cycles. % idly free himself from all earthly entangle- > I gave him all the little we had to read, ment, and to passionately attach himself to > and told him of my visit to the Prison of the world of reality, brought great fruits to > 'Akka, the days spent in the presence of the the Faith. > Master, until his heart was filled with such He had become the guiding star of our > longing that all his former life was swept group, his calmness and strength, his intense > away, he gave up his journey, canceled his fervor, his immediate and all penetrating > > plans, and had but one hope in life, to be grasp of the vast import to mankind in this > permitted to go,himself and behold the face age of the Revelation of BahaVllah, reof 'Abdu'l-Bahaf leased among us forces which constituted a > At that time a young Baha'i, Herbert new Epoch in the Cause in France. In the > Hopper, had received permission to go to meetings he spoke with a simplicity and elo- > 'Akka, thus they planned to travel together, quence which won the hearts and quickened > and Thomas Breakwell wrote the following the souls, and the secret of his potent in- > > supplication to the Master. fluence lay in his supreme recognition of > the Manifestation of God in the Bab and in > "My Lord, I believe, forgive me, BahaVllah, and of the sublime Center of > Thy servant Thomas Breakwell." the Covenant, 'Abdu'1-Baha. Not by rea- > In its depth and simplicity this petition son but by faith did he triumph. > was characteristic of his whole short and When he and Herbert Hopper arrived in > vivid life, although not until later did I the Prison of 'Akka, they were ushered into > learn the full significance of his appeal for a spacious room, at one end of which stood > > forgiveness. a group of men in oriental garb. Herbert > I wrote the Master enclosing the words Hopper's face became irradiated with the joy > of Breakwell, begging Him to send his reply of instant recognition, but Breakwell disto Port Sai'd, to which Port these two young cerned no one in particular among these > pilgrims eagerly embarked. men. Feeling suddenly ill and weak, he > That evening I went to the Concierge of seated himself near a table, with a sense of > our apartment to get my mail, and there lay crushing defeat. Wild and desperate > a little blue cablegram from 'Abdu'1-Baha! thoughts rushed through his mind, his first > With what wonder and awe I read His great test, for without such tests the soul > Words. "You may leave Paris at any time!" will never be unveiled. > Thus by implicit and unquestioning obedi- Sitting thus he bitterly lamented: Why > ence in the face of all opposition the Mas- had he come here? Why had he abandoned > ter's Will had been fulfilled, and I had been his projected journey and come to this rethe link in the chain of His mighty purpose. mote prison, seeking he knew not what? > My feet were winged as I returned to tell Sorrow and despair filled his heart, when sudthe good news to Mrs. Jackson, and to pre- denly a door opened, and in that opening he > pare to leave the following morning. beheld what seemed to him the rising Sun. > How gratefully my heart dwells on the So brilliant was this orb, so intense the light > divine compassion of the Master, on the that he sprang to his feet and saw approach- > > joy and wonder of my mother as I told her ing him out of this dazzling splendor the > everything, and when she read the Master's form of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > cablegram she burst into tears and exclaimed, He seldom mentioned this experience > "You have, indeed, a wonderful Master." which transformed and transfigured his life. > 710 THE BAHA'i WORLD > In the course of his interview with the Mas- a little folded note into my palm with words > ter, he told Him briefly of his position in of cheer and comfort, usually Words of > the cotton mills of the South, his large sal- Baha'u'llah. He knew well the secret of imary, his responsibility, and his sudden con- parting happiness, and was the very embodiviction of sin, for he said, "These mills are ment of the Master's Words, "The star of > run on child labor." The Master looked at happiness is in every heart. We must rehim gravely and sadly for a while, and then move the veils, so that it may shine forth > said, "Cable your resignation." Relieved of radiantly." He burned with such a fire of > a crushing burden, Breakwell eagerly obeyed, love that his frail body seemed to be gradand with one blow cut all his bridges behind ually consumed; he in the deepest sense > him. shed his life for the Cause by which he was > He seemed to have no care for his future, enthralled, and in a few brief months shatburning like a white light in the darkness of tered the cage of existence and abandoned > > Paris, he served his fellow-men with a power this mortal world. His traces are imperishand passion to the last breath of his life. able, his spirit, alive forevermore with the > So abandoned was he to the mighty crea- Attributes of God, lives, not alone in the > tive forces latent in the revelation of Baha'- hearts and memories of Baha'is, but is welded > > u'llah, that he was moved spontaneously into the very structure of the World Order, > in the smallest actions of his daily life which has arisen on the foundation of such > to pour out that spirit of love and oneness lives. > > to all. In the following Eulogy to Thomas Break- > Well I remember the day we were cross- well 'Abdu'1-Baha has immortalized this > > ing a bridge over the Seine on the top of a youth. > bus, when he spied an old woman laboriously > pushing an apple-cart up an incline; excus- O thou who art rejoiced at the Divine > ing himself with a smile, he climbed down Glad-Tidings! > off the bus, joined the old woman, and in the Verily I have received thy last letter and > most natural way put his hands on the bar thanked God that thou didst reach Paris > and helped her over the bridge. The rock protected and guarded (by Him). Thank > foundation on which the Baha'i Revelation thou God that He assisted thee to behold the > rests, "the oneness of mankind," had pene- brilliant faces of the believers of God and > trated his soul like an essence, taking on favored thee to meet them in American > every form of human relationship, imbuing countries. For, verily, beholding those shinhim with an insight and penetration into ing countenances is a divine gift; by it the > > human needs, an intense sympathy and gen- hearts are dilated, the souls are rejoiced and > uine love which made him a hope and refuge the spirits are attracted toward the Supreme > to all. Those afflicted with sorrow and dif- Concourse! > ficulties, beset with human problems, were Do not lament over the departure of my > drawn to him as to a magnet, and left him dearly beloved Breakwell, for verily, he hath > with shining eyes and uplifted head. ascended to the luminous rose-garden in the > He was the first in the West to pay the Abh Kingdom, near the mercy of his Lord, > Huquq, the tithes of the Baha'i Religion, the Almighty, and is crying out with the > and living in a cheap and distant part of *O that my people knew how > loudest voice: > Paris he walked miles to the meetings and my Lord hath forgiven me and made me one > to the homes of friends to save his fare and of those who have attained (to the meeting > make his contribution to the diffusion of the of God) !' > teachings. O > Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy > Although we were fellow Baha'i s and de- beautiful countenance and where is thy elovoted friends, with everything in common, quent tongue? Where is thy radiant brow > yet when he came to our home he gave his and where is thy brilliant face? > whole loving attention to my beautiful O Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy > Mother, with but a scant word for me, yet enkindlement with the fire of the love of > as he took my hand* in farewell, he > slipped God and where is thy attraction to the fra- > BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THOMAS BREAKWELL 711 > > grances of God? Where is thy utterance for wert a thankful servant; therefore thou hast > the glorification of God and where is thy entered (into the realm beyond) with joy > rising in the service of God? and happiness! > O my dear, O Breakwell! Where are thy O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily, thy > bright eyes and where are thy smiling lips? Lord hath chosen thee for His love, guided > Where are thy gentle cheeks and where is thee to the court of His Holiness, caused > thy graceful stature? thee to enter into the Ri^vdn of His Asso- > O my dear, O Breakwell! Verily thou ciation and granted thee to behold His > hast abandoned this transitory world and Beauty! > soared upward to the > Kingdom, hast at- O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thou > tained to the grace of the Invisible Realm hast attained to the eternal life, never-endand sacrificed thyself to the Threshold of the ing bounty, beatific bliss and immeasurable > Lord of Might! providence! > O my adored one, O Breakwell! Verily O my beloved, O Breakwell! Thou hast > thou hast left behind this physical lamp, this become a star in the most exalted horizon, > human glass, these earthly elements and this a lamp among the angels of heaven, a livworldly enjoyment! ing spirit in the Supreme World and art > O my adored one, O Breakwell! Then established upon the throne of immorthou hast ignited a light in the glass of the tality! > Supreme Concourse, hast entered the Para- O my adored one, O Breakwell! I sup- > > dise of Abha, art protected under the shade plicate God to increase thy nearness and > of the Blessed Tree and hast attained to the communication, to make thee enjoy thy > meeting (of the True One) in the Abode of prosperity and union (with Him), to add to > Paradise! thy light and beauty and to bestow upon > O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Thou thee glory and majesty! > hast been a divine bird and forsaking thy O my adored one, O Breakwell! I men- > > earthly nest, thou hast soared towards the tion thy name continually, I never forget > holy rose-garden of the Divine Kingdom thee, I pray for thee day and night and I > and obtained a luminous station there! see thee clearly and manifestly, O > my adored > O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Ver- one, O Breakwell! > ily thou art like unto the birds, chanting the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baba, Vol. II, page > verses of thy Lord, the Forgiving, for thou 450. > UNITY OF RACES > BY GENEVIEVE L. COY > > "The sixth candle is unity of races, making of all that dwell on earth > peoples and kindreds of one race." > > i N a world in which racial differences are In the following discussion we shall use > capitalized in such phrases as"The Yellow the word "race" as do those who think that > Peril," "The Black Menace," "The White color is of importance, to indicate large > Man's Burden," how could even so far-seeing divisions of mankind who differ markedly in > a soul as 'Abdu'1-Baha, the author of the color of skin and in certain other physical > above quotation, look forward to an age traits, such as shape of the features and texwhen all the people of the earth shall be "of ture of the hair. > one race"? Have racial prejudices always existed? For > 'Abdu'1-Baha gave an answer to this ques- an answer to this question we must turn first > tion when He said in Chicago in 1912, "Be it to the writings of anthropologists. Research > known that color or race is of no impor- in the life of prehistoric man has told us > tance. He who is the image and likeness of a great deal about his height and weight, > > God, who is the manifestation of the be- the shape of his body, his manner of living, > stowals of God, is acceptable at the threshold but we do not know at all what was the > of God whether his color be white, black or color of his skill. It seems probable that > brown; it matters not. Man is not man these early men were all of one color, and > simply because of bodily attributes. The that differentiation occurred later as they > standard of divine measure and judgment is moved into a variety of climates. Some > his intelligence and spirit." anthropologists suggest that primitive men > "Color is of no importance," and yet the were all black; others think that they were > lives of millions of human beings are today all of an olive brown, and that later some > > shadowed by the conviction on the part of grew darker under the tropic sun, while > other millions that color is an adequate basis those who traveled into colder regions befor judging intelligence, economic value and came bleached. It seems reasonably certain > social acceptability. The unity of mankind that these early peoples did not differentiate > cannot be achieved until the majority of among themselves on the basis of color. > men and women the world over think, feel But we cannot assume that the small > and act in wholehearted acceptance of the groups of primitive men who banded totruth that "color is of no importance." This gether into clans and tribes lived in an idyllic > implies a tremendous change in the habits harmony with one another. The basic probof a large part of the world. lem of existence in that early time was to > In order to change any habit of thought find and hold hunting grounds or fishing > or action, it is important to learn how it be- waters which would provide food, and > gan, and what roots it has in the instinctive groups must have been in constant warfare > nature of man. Therefore, when we face as one tribe strove to take from another these > the problem of changing men's attitudes sources of life. The more powerful groups > toward race and color, we ask such questions eventually came to hold certain regions of > as the following: How did racial prejudice the earth's surface for long periods of time, > begin? Are there really innate differences and were able to develop a stable tribal orbetween races in intelligence and special abil- ganization. Weaker groups were either > ity? Why do we now find marked cultural starved to death, or existed in a restless misdifferences between large racial groups? 1 > Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 67. > UNITY OF RACES 713 > > ery on the far fringes of the areas held by color, have at various times made scurrilous > dominant tribes. Thus, at the dawn of re- The less powerful > criticisms of other races. > corded history, we find comparatively well groups have been stigmatized as stupid, suorganized such as the Greeks, the > states perstitious, dishonest, dirty, mean, lazy, > Egyptians, Babylonians, who had dethe they have been called by whatever names > veloped a culture and a government. But seemed most derogatory to the "superior" > these settled units were constantly in dan- race. > > ger from nomadic tribes who might at any In our present scientific age, to describe > moment gain power enough to rush in from an individual as lacking in intelligence is > the mountains, the steppes or the desert and one of the most scathing criticisms that can > destroy these "civilized" centers. Thus war- be made. Therefore much racial prejudice > fare was the habit of life for early mankind. expresses itself by decrying the stupidity of > But history gives us no reason to suppose other races. > that the conflicts of primitive men or of For ten or fifteen years after the introducearly civilized men were ever related to the tion of psychological tests as a means of > differences in color of skin which had come measuring intelligence, those who believed in > to exist. the intellectual supremacy of the white race > These conflicts were fundamentally eco- wrongly felt that they could use the results > nomic. But as more groups held as their of such tests as a means of proving the > own for long periods of time larger areas of lower ability of the darker races. But the > land, and differentiated "national" cultures scientists who were using the tests were > > developed, group ideals of behavior, of re- also interested in measuring the varying efligious observance, of beauty and strength fects of different environments on men's > were developed. It was probably only after accomplishment. They soon suggested that > civilization was thus far advanced that some only individuals who had had a similar ennations began to look down on other groups vironment could fairly be compared in inwhich differed in color of skin or hair, in telligence, and that races living under conshape of eyes and type of dress. The more ditions differing as markedly as those, for > powerful the group, the more it held in con- instance, of the European white man and of > tempt those who were weaker, and con- the South American Indian, cannot possibly > comitant with this, came scorn for the outer be measured by the same type of tests. Furaspect of the inferior group. Thus a domi- ther, they said, even though two races live > nant tribe whose skin was red or yellow in the same country, under similar condidespised the color of less powerful tribes tions of civilization, there may be such great > whose skin was white or black. So color differences in education and social environcame to be associated with adequate food ment, that a comparison of test results will > supply, and a stable group life, with power, give little indication of innate intelligence. > with success. And since the group in power In a recent book by Thomas Garth, "Race > were always in danger of having the good Psychology," the results of much testing of > things of life taken from them, there was race groups are reviewed. Dr. Garth sums > always a lurking fear and hatred of those up his conclusions as follows, "Much of the > who might come in and seize these hardly difference found in the results of studies of > won advantages. Thus, slowly through the racial differences in mental traits is due to > ages, as nations became more and more pownurtural factors, and the rest is due to racial > erful, fear of other nations increased, and mobility, so that one race has a temporary > some of this mingled fear and hate became advantage over another." > attached to the idea of color. Those who maintain that there are marked > The idea that color of skin is important between races can no > differences in ability > is based, therefore, on the desire to maintain longer turn to scientific evidence to prove > power exercised by a portion of mankind, their point. But the unprejudiced student > and on fear lest this dominant position may of history may fairly raise the question: if > be undermined. In order to strengthen this we have no certain evidence that races differ > sense of superiority, all races, whatever their 2 Race > Psychology, p. 221. > 714 THE BAHA'f WORLD > in innate ability, why is it that some races mulated wealth, momentum, machinery and > are at the present time culturally so far prestige; each of these as a factor multiplies > ahead of others? the significance of both the individual and > One answer to this problem is found at the group incalculably more than any posthe end of the quotation from Garth, the sible variation in natural endowment could > > mobility of races*. In earlier centuries cul- do. Nor must any of these be taken alone. > tural groups varied greatly in the degree to The possession of a machine alone has a very > which they moved about and mingled with different effectiveness from the possession of > other groups. A > tribe or nation surrounded a machine along with organization or presby mountains or jungles or deserts had little tige. Certain ideas and the organization of > opportunity to come in contact with people government gave the white race a start some > and ideas from other lands. They devel- four hundred years ago that enabled it to > oped a conservative culture of their own expand to the uttermost parts of the earth, > which tended to become static. Nations but there is not an iota of proof in this > living on navigable waterways became trav- expansion that therefore the white race is > elers, and consciously or unconsciously better endowed than those whom they sublearned from other groups. Today, with jected. . . . Since there is slight relation bemeans of communication greatly multiplied, tween the originators and possessors of culmost nations exchange ideas, inventions and ture, it may often happen that the culture > discoveries with many other groups. But of the dominant race has been secured from > there are still thousands and thousands of the 'inferior* race or culture. ... In the > human beings who are completely isolated region of the Mediterranean most of Eurofrom such contacts, and do not have this pean culture was developed. The Nordics > type of stimulation. This is particularly after appropriating the contribution reputrue of large areas of Africa, South Amer- diate the creators of it." > ica and parts of central Asia. We see, then, that it is very dubious logic > Another factor which has had a marked to infer that a race is innately inferior be- > > influence on the speed of cultural growth is cause present cultural status is not as > its > > that of climate. Weather which is either high as that of some other race. find We > very hot or very cold most of the year that the results of scientific research tend > reduces man's initiative and his desire to more and more toward the acceptance of > change the cultural patterns which he has the idea that "color is of no importance." > inherited. The main business of peoples liv- . . . And yet race prejudice is > firmly > ing within the Arctic Circle is that of keep- entrenched in the feelings of millions of > ing warm and finding enough food. If a men and women, to whom the scientific > successful method of doing these two things and historical evidence is of no interest > has been developed by the tribe, there is little when it opposes "what they have always > incentive change to something which > to believed." > > might be If one lives within the > better. How can this state of affairs be changed, > torrid zone, getting food is apt to be a com- so that mankind will come to feel that > > paratively easy matter. Change requires en- there is only one race that matters the > > ergy which the climate does not provide, whole human race? > and therefore the accepted customs of life We see that race prejudice is based prido not put any value on change, initiative marily on the desire for power and on fear, > and "progress." two very fundamental motives to conduct. > A third element in causing cultural dif- It is only when a man becomes activated by > > ferences in races may be described in the some stronger motive that he realizes that > words of Herbert A. Miller, in his book, the will to exercise power over other human > "Races, Nations and Classes," in which he beings need not be the basis of group life. > > emphasizes the importance of chance as a Only when man ceases to desire power over > factor in determining racial history. others, and so ceases to fear his fellowmen, > "A modern culture group results from the only then can we hupe to attain to a real > fortuitous possession of organization, accu- unity of the world. > UNITY OF RACES 715 > > Such a change of motives can come to BahaVllah has given mankind a Divine > mankind only through a renewed spiritual Plan for world order. But this plan cannot > vision, such as BahaVllah brought to the function until men realize that the only > world. The individual who really loves power which should control the lives of hu- > God must perforce love his fellowmen. And manity is spiritual law. When they turn to > those whom we love unselfishly we do not the great spiritual Educators to learn this > > try to rule or control. Fear, hatred, dislike law, they will cease to desire personal or naof another race is a certain indication that tional or racial power. Then racial prejuour faith in the Divine Plan for the world dice will gradually disappear, and we shall > is weak. We are saying, in effect, that the be ready to enter into the age of the oneness > Creator did a pretty bad job on some of His of mankind. > creatures, and that we will have none of "O ye children of men! The fundamenthe results. talpurpose animating the Faith of God and > Racial prejudice is a barrier across the road His Religion is to safeguard the interests > to World Peace and a united humanity. In and promote the unity of the human race, > 1912 'Abdu'1-Baha said, "The accomplish- and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship > ment of unity between the colored and the amongst men. . . . Whatsoever is raised on > whites will be an assurance of the world's this foundation, the changes and chances of > peace. . . . When the racial elements of the the world can never impair its strength, nor > American nation unite in actual fellowship will the revolution of countless centuries > and accord, the lights of the oneness of hu- undermine its structure/' > manity will shine. . . . This is the sign of 8 > Gleanings from the Writings of BahaVllah, p. > the 'Most Great Peace'." 2H. > MANKIND THE PRODIGAL > BY ALFRED E. LUNT > > JL HEhaunting memories of the story of revealed to our still dim vision, the asthe prodigal son, so beautifully related by tounding fact of the return of God to His > the Christ, have imprinted an indelible por- creation, in manifest form. The very Revtrait in countless hearts, of a divine master- elation, Itself, is the arising of the "Self of > > piece. Its lights and shadows project and God," the first and mightiest Resurrection. > mirror forth the imperishable colors of the While the prodigal son returned to his father, > supreme artist. Its shadow is that wander- which is a necessary and inescapable journey > ing son, in his reckless plunge into the miry for all who would attain their divine des- > > depths of the world of unsatisfying experi- tiny, today the Father Himself has sought > ence, his desertion of his father's loving pro- out the prodigal, entered the world of man, > tection and provision, his utter surrender to dwelt in the very midst of the confusidn > the fiery impelling urge of the natural world. and corruption of the husks of human > And, then, satiated but still hungry, mis- wreckage, and even suffered His Holy Manierableand forlorn, despoiled and reduced to festation to submit to the chains and cruelthe husks into which cruel Nature ever ties of a prison worthy only of the dregs of > > finally flings her shadow, > devotees, this the most abandoned among men. "Whereas," > which was this Everyman, is blasted and now He says, "in days past every lover besought > irradiated with the light of repentance, with and searched after his Beloved, it is the Belonging for the loving presence of his father, loved Himself Who now is calling His lover > the fruit of his suffering. He has found his and is inviting them to attain His presence. > soul. Take heed lest ye forfeit so precious a favor; > Swiftly, though with infinite pain, he re- beware lest ye belittle so remarkable a token > turns from his exile to that real home. Now of His grace." * > the shadow is wholly swept away. In the Human consciousness, even that of the > bosom of his father, his entire being is ex- true believer, is all too unchastencd, too unhilarated by the elixir of a pure love he has refined as yet to comprehend but a trace of > never known; to his newly awakened soul the unmeasured, ineffable Love of God. This > it is light upon > light. Yet, the supreme Love, fulfilling His desire to be known by > light of thisimmortal portrait shines in the human hearts, those divine receptacles which > rejoicing of the father, himself. Great is among all the riches of His Creation He has > the celebration of the return of the soul to reserved for Himself, did not rest, nor will > reality. The most > precious possessions of ever rest, till in the mystery of Its Manithe father are poured out upon him. "This, festation It shone forth in the murky gloom > > my son, was lost and is found." of human habitations, wherein lay buried > This sweet story is, of course, a living the latent gems of the supreme talisman, > symbol of the return of man to the True man. This Love accepted every humiliation, > One from remoteness and ignorance; shackles and incarceration, and above all, the > through the illumination of his soul by the bitter malice and injury of furious opponents > > Light of Reality, to the communion and over the long years, that the truth of the > presence of the Supreme Friend, in the king- saying, "He is the Most Victorious" might > dom of the heart. be fulfilled. No words can fittingly de- > Witness, however, the astonishing proto- scribe the Divine patience, submission (to > type, one might say, the flowering of this the cruel behests of the misguided), and > process in this, our age, uncovered in the lowliness, that emanated from Him, as from > supreme Revelation of BahaVllah. Here is 1 > Gleanings, p. 320. > MANKIND THE PRODIGAL 717 > > a lotus flower blossoming in the dark, opaque > ing 1844, have the masses of the people and > waters of a noisome pool. To this degree, many of their religious leaders as well, lost > which only Divinity can manifest, has the faith in the power, even the existence, of > Father, the heavenly Shepherd of the wan- divine intervention in human affairs. > dering human flock, attested the greatness of They could not, or did not know that > His love for the prodigal. the multiplication of hard problems in the > Small wonder it is that BahaVllah, the individual life and in the collective, ecovisibleembodiment of that Love, following nomic and social fields of huftian activity, > implicitly the Command of the Hidden Tab- was attributable, almost solely, to their own > let regardless of human consequences to > long failure to obey the laws of God which > Himself, should have uttered the words, the Manifestation of Christ had made obliga- > "I have patiently endured until the fame of tory. Because of differing forms of interthe Cause of God was spread abroad on the pretation of the hundreds of denominations > earth." 2 And, "Our wish is to seize and and sects, because of the weakening of the > possess the hearts of men. Upon them the dogmatic foundation, the doubts cast by scieyes of Baha are fastened." And, finally, ence, and that coldness and blindness that > "If it be your wish, O people, to know manifest themselves in the winter-time of a > God and to discover the greatness of His spiritual cycle, the ebbing tide of faith and > Might, look, then, upon Me with Mine own guidance found the people unable to provide > eyes, and not with the eyes of anyone beside a suitable substitute for what they had re- > Me. Ye will otherwise be never capable of linquished. > recognizing Me, though ye ponder My Cause The successive, unified Revelations of the > as long as My Kingdom endureth." Bab and of BahaVllah and the pure Reality > In these words He identifies Himself with revealed by Them, were strong medicine, > the unchanging Divine purpose, and, as the indeed, for a people who knew not reality. > Most Pure Mirror of the Divine Essence, Millions have, as yet, to hear that divine > demonstrates completely that ineffable Love message. Its powerful call to humanity to > that has marked this age as a day of mutual detach itself from the things in which it has > return, the resurrection of Divinity Itself delighted, is, as is recorded in the Holy > in Its search for the hearts of men, and, this Books, a "woe" to mankind. Men shrink > time, the universal quest of the prodigal (all from new and higher standards of life. The > men) for the Father. Thus, the story of cars that are still "stopped" and the eyes that > the Christ is illumined today with the holy, remain "unseeing" continue to encase in the > mutual seeking of both the Divine and the sepulchers of spiritual impotence the vast > human. God has drawn near unto man, majority of the human race. Notwithwhile man's tortuous journey, through re- standing the truth of this sweeping statepentance, to his Father, has been mercifully ment, we must, nevertheless, recognize the > shortened by the Divine outreaching. Di- existence throughout the nations, of unnum- > > vinity has chosen to suffer with man, in that bered men and women whose lives bear witmutual pathway, and this is the Divine Bal- ness to the inner spiritual fire, whose hearts > ance, or equilibrium, which has overflowed are tender, and whose deeds are often in acfrom the fountain of His exceeding Love. cord with the true foundation of the Prophet > This demonstration of the Divine Will, in whose service they are enlisted.Such are > however, is as yet unknown to the vast lovers of humanity. That these souls are > masses of humanity. Quite unaware of the still unaware of the Great Event is far less > > cyclic processes and periods of Manifesta- significant than is the case with the countless > tion which the Divine Wisdom has decreed, host of those who doubt the very existence > the people have, in general, despaired of of God. > heavenly assistance for the solution of their To the degree that men are enslaved in the > perplexing problems. More and more, with toilsof the natural law, the vision of God > the disquieting effects of the modern age, flees away. 'Abdu'1-Baha has declared that > coincident with the gradual shattering of the this enslavement is comparable to the life of > > old, dogmatic faith of the centuries preced- 2 > p. 203. 8 > p. 212. 4 > p. 272. > 718 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > The Baha'is of Poona, India, at the Naw-Ruz Feast, March 21, 1938. > > the embryo in the pre-natal stage, and that it definitely locate the present status of this > such souls cannot even imagine God, much unnumbered throng of humanity within the > less believe in Him; any more than the em- recesses and dark caverns of nature, that > bryonic, potential infant can imagine or be- place of unawareness of God where the soul > lieve in the world without. While even is both deaf and blind, but it, also, defines > > belief is only the first step in the knowledge this state of remoteness as identical with the > of God. satanic quality. This passage, one feels, is > Therefore, with these unnumbered > it is one of the most vitally significant to be > millions who, in making common cause with found in the whole, vast sweep of the Baha'i > the world of nature have set up false idols Scriptures. In these few compelling words, > in the place of the True One, that the theme He unfolds the solemn, really appalling cirof the great parable of prodigality is mainly cumstances of the unregenerate elements of > concerned. human society and, notwithstanding this > With what deep penetration BahaVllah seemingly insuperable fact, confidently designifies His complete awareness of the mag- clares His possession of a power amply sufnitude of this redemptive work among this ficient to transform these embodiments of > great multitude is strikingly illustrated by unregeneracy into vessels of faith and divine > these words, "Is it within human power, O enlightenment. For this task, inconceivable > Hakim, to effect in the constituent ele- from the merely human standpoint, His inments of any of the minute and indivisible strumentality, He avers, is the irresistible > particles of matter so complete a transforma- Word of God. No greater efficacy could be > tion as to transmute it into purest gold? attributed to the peerless Word than the > Perplexing and difficult as this may appear, achievement of so supreme a triumph in the > the greater task of converting satanic > still arena of the human mind and soul. Modern > strength into heavenly power is one that We science has advanced far toward conferring > have been empowered to accomplish." 4A immunity upon our physical bodies from the > This deeply mysterious passage of the ravages of unsanitary conditions. Sadly con- > Word of God has to do with the innermost trasted is the feeble > progress thus far made > depths of the human soul. Not only does 4A > Gleanings, p. 200. Italics the author's. > MANKIND THE PRQCHGAL 719 > > in that spiritual hygiene which concerns the weapons of Reality. This very Power which > vitaldomain of human consciousness itself. He has claimed for Himself is poured out > The graphic delineations of Dante and Swe- upon and through every sincere, detached > denborg, bringing into acute correspondence Teacher of His Faith. Certainly not for > the reality of the states of the spiritually aeons to come will so glorious a destiny be > and physically corrupt, were assuredly more opened to the early followers of a Manifes- > " > than mere idle dreams. The Satanic tation of God as is today presented to those > > strength" defined by Baha'u'llah is clearly pioneer believers who have recognized and > analogous to the infestations and infections, obeyed. Not only this, but the Divine Arm > the contagions and plagues, of mental con- is not weakened by this sharing of power > fusions, prejudices, cruelties > superstitions, with His loved ones; rather does It contain > and egotistic madnesses that characterize the, unrevealed and unsuspected reinforcements > as yet, uncleansed citadel of human con- which, from time to time, will be unloosed > sciousness. upon the nations. That "mysterious power," > The condition of the world, today, attests we are assured, has in store a perfect galaxy > only too strongly the truth of this divine of Divine deeds which will permeate the > analysis. Its helpless drifting toward a new fabric of humanity as the rain into the > war of unexampled destruction, its contempt parched soil, or the lightning into the dark > for the loving appeal of reality, its sub- abyss, until the souls come forth from their > > mergence in economic loss and despair, its sepulchers. > increasing strangulation of human liberty, The appearance of BahaVllah acquaints > its pronounced trend toward the self-con- mankind, in this age of doubt, with irrefutatained or totalitarian national government, ble proof that the King of Kings has interthe complete opposite of the Baha'i teach- vened, according to His Ancient Promise, in > ings of interdependence and unity among the life of this planet. Never before has > nations, are unerring signs of its spiritual His all encompassing Power been revealed to > impotence. We have to accept the fact that men to this supreme degree. His upright, > those who thus lead and those who follow, waving Standard rests securely on the highare of the embryonic human consciousness, estbattlement. His trumpet blast calls all > as yet unborn from the narrow confines -of mankind to turn their faces to His Face, to > the natural matrix. overthrow the idols of natural attachment > Only quite recently, a distinguished figure that have stolen the altar of true worship > in the field of religion ventured the positive from the hearts, and to love Him who alone > statement that we may as well abandon any is worthy of the heart's deepest devotion. > > thought that God would intervene in hu- To love Him "above all that is," without > man affairs, that it was evident He had which these idols that are imaginary "partchosen for Himself the role of an "absentee ners" with God are thick veils before His > is an assertion of divine > Divinity," and that humanity may as well Face, sovereignty. > realize, once for all, that it is left to itself to To ascribe "partners" to God is only another > find solutions for its crushing problems. way of saying that His Sovereignty is a di- > This statement, if correctly reported, repre- vided one. If a man permits himself to love > > sents, we fear, an ever-growing consciousness gold, fame, the superiority of his rank, house, > of futility and despair, by no means confined or physical enjoyment as a ruling passion, he > to the layman. has exalted a mere earthly prize to a superior > > Thus, the problem of regeneration, of sal- position over the Lord of Lords, and, in that > vation, is put squarely in the keeping of the sense, ignorantly attempted to divide the > Manifestation of God, Who has, with daunt- Heavenly Sovereignty. In this way, his > less courage and certainty, declared His heart's desire has wrongfully fashioned a god > Power to achieve it. Upon His followers, or gods whom he enthrones as peers with > > likewise, this holy service to the race rests as God, consequently "partners" in the Divine > a sublime gift. No mere fancy is intended Court. This is a type of pantheism that is > > by His assurance to those who arise to attack infinitely worse than the mere abstract conthe battlements of human hearts with the ceptions of pantheistic philosophy commonly > 720 THE BAHA'f WORLD > met with. Only absolute ignorance of the while stupefaction marked their worshippers. > Reality underlying the creation can account The superstition of an "absentee Divinfor this self -oppression of man by himself. ity" describes in the briefest terms the spir- > Yet because of it, and it alone, the human itual disease of the world. Because men have > race has, as a whole, languished in the em- fancied Him to be unmindful of His creabryonic condition. Thirsty, and an exile, tion, even regressing to a point where they > our race has continued to drink of this bitter had grave doubts of His existence, or to open > water, flouting the cup of truth and reality denial of it, we have dwelt in an unbelieving > that has always been within its grasp. world. Certain scientists attribute the cause > The establishment of a world order that of the submergence and cataclysms that achas its origin and its end in the Divine Sov- companied the destruction of the mythical > ereignty marks the fading of that day of Atlantis to a sudden, cosmic slipping or reinfantile humanity. No adequate estimate adjustment of the earth's axis. With this > can be made of the real significance of this came about an abrupt change in the physical > fact to human destiny. Without this divine structure of the earth. Today, the spiritual* > intervention, this assertion of compelling axis of humanity is being violently rocked. > sovereignty over the doings of men, the And the profound changes in our civilizaworld has careened madly, like a skidding tion that impend can be summarized in a > automobile, on the very brink of destruc- few brief sentences: The reassertion and estion. As mankind has failed to believe in tablishment of the Divine Sovereignty over > God or to recognize His signs, and is, to this the children of men; the fixing of the eyes > extent, idolatrous, it has tended to rely upon Him Who, alone, is worthy of adorawholly upon its leaders, religious and secu- tion; the assimilation of that Reality of unilar, for guidance. has leaned upon the > It versal knowledge He has revealed. This is > > fallible, doubting the existence of the in- the divine, forcing process that is powerfully > fallible. Its handiwork stands out, today, as > accelerating the evolutionary process of spira glittering, brittle structure which we call itual maturity, compelled by the existing hucivilization; in reality a crumbling mass of man inertia. > vain inconsistency, dominated, in the main, Is not this consummate result, the emerby fear-ridden, unstable guides, schooled in gence of the King and the Kingdom into > opportunism. Of one of such countries, the consciousness of humanity, clearly set > BahaVllah made mention in these words, forth in the Holy Books of all nations? We > "Allow not the abject to rule over and dom- quote from the Jewish and Christian Scripinate them who are noble and worthy of tures: "And the government shall be upon > honor, and suffer not the high-minded to be his shoulder; and his name shall be called > at the mercy of the contemptible and worth- > Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the > less, for this is what We observed upon Our everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." > > arrival in the city, and to it We bear wit- "And I saw heaven opened, and beheld > ness." 5 a white horse; and he that sat upon him was > To those comparatively few in the world called Faithful and True, and in righteoustoday who are concentrating on the Word ness he doth judge and make war. His eyes > of God with utter earnestness, the import were as a flame of fire, and on his head were > of this revolutionary change effected many crowns; and he had a name written > through the appearance of Baha'u'llah, by that no man knew, but he himself. And > which true civilization is to be substituted he was clothed with a vesture dipped in > for one that is > essentially false and unbal- blood; and his name is called the Word of > anced on the material side, is a living God. .And out of his mouth goeth a > . . > > reality. Great suffering and astonishment sharp sword, that with it he should smite the > evidently await the world as the sole means nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of > of this regeneration. Its birth-pangs are to be iron. And he hath on his vesture and on > . . . > > severe, perhaps beyond the realms of imagina- his thigh a name written, King of Kings > tion. But the crashing of the idols was and Lord of Lords." 7 > ever attended with great noise and dust, 6 23*. 6 7 > p. Isaiah, 9:6. Revelation, 19:11-16. > THE FULFILLMENT OF RELIGION > BY BERTHA HYDE KIRKPATRICK > > T .HE vitality of men's belief in God is dy- A few there are, however, who undering^ > out in every land ; nothing short of His stand that religion, renewed, vital, dynamic, > wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The is the real need and only hope of the world > corrosion of ungodliness eating into the > is today; and that in the past, at times of great > vitals of human society; what else but the stress and peril, God has spoken to mankind > > Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and shown the path through His chosen Mes- > *and revive it?" * senger. There are those, too, humble be- > These arresting words of Baha Vllah, writ- lievers in the Bible and other Holy Books, who > > ten over fifty years ago, are today more true look for the coming of the Promised One and > than ever. No thoughtful person will deny for the fulfillment of the many promises > the lack of vitality in religion today. In a found Holy Scriptures; for the day of > in > > recent of the Christian Century? > issue peace in the world, when "nations shall not > learn war any more," when swords shall be > SecretaryHenry Wallace makes this statement: "The science, economics, and wealth beaten into plowshares, when "the knowledge > of the past 150 years have destroyed among of the Glory of God shall cover the earth," > our educated, well-to-do, -so-called leading when the Kingdom shall be established upon > families vital faith in a transcendent God, earth, when justice and abundance shall prewho is interested in the affairs of men." He vail, when Christ shall return, or when aceven includes the clergy in this declining cording to Muhammadan scriptures the > > faith, for he further says, ". apparently > . . > Mahdi shall come, or the seventh Buddha in > fulfillment of Buddhist expectation. > a minority of both ministers and church > members have any vital belief in a future But it is to a world largely divorced from > life or a transcendent God." God, through ignorance, superstition, creedal > But the very lack of vitality in religion, formalism or materialism, and a world > the very indifference of the majority of peo- wholly in confusion, that Baha'u'llah speaks > ple toward religion, makes it seem impossible today His "great and clear Message." He > to these same people, even the more thought- declares openly that He speaks as a Messenger > > ful among them, that religion can be the of God, not of His own will, that He is the > > remedy the world needs today. Even in all > One promised by all the Divine Prophets of > the chaos and confusion of the times it seems the past, that Their work cannot be carried > fair to say that comparatively few look to on to completion except through following > His instructions. He speaks of this new age > religion for any aid in solving our urgent > social, economic, political, and international which we are entering as the Day of God, > the time for which Christ told men to look > problems. Remedy after remedy is proposed > and if tried, fails. National leaders appear, when He taught us to pray "Thy Kingdom > class and race leaders arise, labor and capital come upon earth." "The time foreordained > both have their leadership, with the result unto peoples and kindreds of the earth is now > of more antagonism and more warfare and come," He says. And while men for the > bloodshed. But there is "still a hope," to quote most part are so engrossed in their own selfish > E. G. Homrighausen, "that salvation can desires that they are deaf to His call and > come through man's ideas and efforts. . . . > blind to His beauty, yet all over the world > are those who are > There is lacking the sort of desperation and responding to this call, who > spirit of helplessness which seeks for a definite > J > > revelation, unique and sovereign in its own Gleanings from the Writings of BahaVllah, p. 200. > 3 January 29, 1936. > right, which is the only hope of the world." 3 > World Tomorrow, March 29, 1934. > 722 THE BAHA'f WORLD > are assured that "The King hath come" and that it was one of complete sacrifice. Thus > that BahaVllah is the Bearer of the Mes- we can know both by His precept and by > sage for which the world is yearning today. His example what love for God means and > They testify that He has pointed out the what love for man is. Those who came > perfect remedy for ailing society and that He under His influence forgot their differences, > fills men's hearts with such love that they small and great, even racial and religious > are eager to apply this remedy. When they differences, and gathered around BahaVllah > > study His message they find that no vision of in a new brotherhood. Inspired with this > poet or seer of the past is so lofty, no con- new love they, too, were ready to sacrifice all, > ception of the fulfillment of religion so sub- even life. > lime, as the pattern BahaVllah has laid But while the fundamental appeal of > down for the world-wide civilization of to- BahaVllah, like that of Christ and Buddha > morrow; that no plan tried or dreamed of by and all the Divine Prophets, was to the hearts > man has been so all-inclusive, so stupendous, of men, His message was very definitely a > so just, and yet so workable, so reasonable, social one and a universal one. Always has > and so impelling. religion had its social aspect, its regard for > As we have seen in the previous articles fellowmen; always in its freshness, has it > BahaVllah establishes the onein this series, been a great unifier; but now for the first > ness of mankind, the oneness of all the Divine time has it been possible for the Prophet of > Prophets and the oneness of Their message. God to show how the law of love can be > This message which God's Prophets all bring expanded to include the whole of mankind. > has two aspects. "God's purpose in sending BahaVllah has laid down His great principle > His Prophets unto men is two-fold. The of the Oneness of Mankind and has shown us > first is to liberate the children of men from how to use it to bring justice to all men and > the darkness of ignorance, and guide them to include all mankind in one world-wide sothe light of true understanding. The second ciety. Modern Communication has united > is the peace and tranquillity of > to insure the world physically; modern commerce and > mankind, and provide all the means by which industry have made all countries interde- > First, He wins > they can be established/* pendent. Even war, one of the last signs > and illumines the hearts of men and second, of a dying age, cannot be waged without > sets standards and laws for community life, showing the interdependence of nations. All > for peaceful and tranquil relations with our these are outward signs of world unity. > neighbors. Recall that Christ, too, said Spiritual unity is > lacking and this can > still > > that all the law and the prophets hung on only be obtained through the reestablishtwo things. The first, briefly, was the com- ment of belief in God and obedience to His > mand to love God with all the heart, mind, commands. This is the potent remedy which > and soul and the second was to love one's BahaVllah administers to the world today. > neighbor as oneself. The first concerns the "The well-being of mankind, its peace and > individual, the second society. security, are unattainable unless and until its > So BahaVllah makes His great appeal to unity is firmly established. This unity can > the hearts of men. God yearns for men's never be achieved so long as the counsels > hearts, those only does He demand. "O son of which the pen of the Most High hath redust! All that is in heaven and earth I have vealed are suffered to pass unheeded." 1 > ordained for thee, except the human heart, The first outward sign of this world unity > which I have made the habitation of My will be a world organized for peace. Peace is > beauty and glory." > "O son of man! I the acknowledged need of the world at presloved thy creation, hence I created thee. ent. No lasting peace can be established > Wherefore do thou love Me, that I may name without world organization, a unified world > thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of with a central government and court of juslife." This appeal for a rebirth of vital, 4 > Gleanings from the Writings of BahaVllah, p. 79. > energizing love of God in the heart of man > 6 Hidden Words of Bahi Vllah, f rinian, 27. > 6 Hidden Words of > BahaVllah made dynamic by His own life. BahaVllah, Arabic, 4. > Gleanings from the Writings of BahaVllah, p. > Those who read the story of His life know 28*. > THE FULFILLMENT OF RELIGION 723 > > tice accepted by all nations, great and small. Education is most important in BahaVl- > BahaVllah foresaw this need and planned for lah'sscheme of things, but children should > it in His Universal House of Justice. This be instructed in that which is conducive to > will have power to settle disputes rereal the progress of man and not in those subjects > ferred to by all the nations, none withit which "begin and end in mere words." Eduholding itself. At the same time all nations cation will be used as a great means of uniwill agree to disarm, except that sufficient fication. History and literature will not be > police force will be retained to insure order distorted to make one race or nation appear > in the nations and in the world. inferior or superior to another. The needs > But necessarily before such an organization of every degree of intelligence, skill, and > can be accomplished we must abandon ex- interest will be met so that each individual > cessive national pride, any claims of inherent can develop to the utmost of his capacity. > racial or class supremacy. > superiority, In BahaVllah has provided certain economic > other words we must come into such a con- and tax regulations which will provide justice > sciousness of the oneness of mankind that we to all, a means of livelihood for all, and will > desire nothing for our own nation which we make it impossible for some to amass great > do not desire for all nations. If the yellow fortunes while others are deprived of the > or black or white race has the good things of necessities of life. Capital, however, is not > this world it must not be at the expense of forbidden. The economic system, the legal > some other race. If the capitalistic class system, the monetary system will become > accumulates money it must not be by the ex- world-wide. There is no attempt in Baha'- > ploitation of the > laboring class. All are u'llah's plan to reduce all classes and nations > children of God and God's bounties are meant to a monotonous level and sameness. Difor all and are sufficient for all. versity of taste, occupation, customs is desira- > Put into actual practice the principle of ble and necessary for a well-ordered world, > the oneness of mankind means, besides world for beauty, happiness, and contentment. > government, employment for all, "no idle There will be one universal religion and > rich and no idle poor," justice to both thiswith moral and spiritual precepts will > capital and labor, education for all. As an be taught in schools. No dissension over > important aid to understanding between varying creeds will prevent this. Religion, > different nationalities and a means of sim- indeed, will be the great unifier and so > plifying education and travel, an interna- blended with life that it will be the basis for > tional auxiliary language is advocated by government and industry. Those high in > Baha Vllah. He also declares the equality of spiritual attainments and in wisdom will be > the sexes, that they must have equal oppor- chosen for public positions. There will be no > tunities, rights and privileges. There is no professional clergy, worship will be without > conflict, says BahaVllah, between science ostentation and elaborate ceremony. The > and religion, both are expressions of truth house of worship will be the center of every > and truth is ultimately one. Modern prog- community and around it will be grouped > ress, learning, scientific investigation and in- schools and institutions for the care of orvention are praised by BahaVllah; for the phans, the aged and all unfortunates. > mind, the intelligence of man, is God's great- "The Baha'i community is to be a hive of > est gift to man and should be developed to activity and cooperation. Social intercourse > its utmost. Thus man advances toward the and festal gatherings are encouraged. There > fulfillment of his destiny, for "all men have are no recluses. All share the simple orbeen created to carry forward an ever-ad- dinary life of humanity. Marriage is comvancing civilization." The intellect, how- mended and shown as consistent with, > ever, should always be used with the object indeed conducive to, the highest spiritual > of producing that which benefits mankind. attainment all the three great examples, > That man should use his intellect or inven- BahaVllah, the Bab, 'Abdu'1-Baha, were > tive power for making destructive or even married. There are no idlers nor parasites. > useless things is contrary to man's true Every man must have a business or profession > nobility. p. 2H. > 724 THE BAHA'f WORLD > of some kind, and work done in the spirit of higher type of civilization will prevail. It is > service to society is accepted by God as an for this that man has been created and what > act of worship to Himself." God has ordained must come to pass. Man > How can it be possible, some ask, that has now reached the point in his spiritual > such an age of peace and justice is near at evolution when he is capable under the guidhand? All about us we see signs of increas- ance of God of developing a worthy civilizaing injustice, of conflict and strife. Con- tion. BahaVllah constantly reminds man of > fusion surrounds us; governments quickly and urges him to rise > his latent possibilities > rise and fall; there is depression in business to the heights for which he was created. > with its resultant unemployment; suffering This is the time for which the whole human > and oppression abound. Wars continue and race hath longed "that perchance it may fulrumors of greater wars are heard. Cata- fillthat which well beseemeth its station, > clysms of nature floods, earthquakes, and is worthy of its destiny." In the words > storms, droughts are causing untold human of Shoghi Effendi, mankind has now arrived > misery. at the dawn of "the consummation of the > Destructive forces are indeed in evidence. whole process of human evolution." > No doubt the old order and outworn institu- We should expect that such a consummations must destroy themselves before the new tion of human evolution would be of long > ones can take their places. This is in ac- duration and BahaVllah so assures us. Our > cord, too, with the Holy Books which de- part to accept His remedy for present > is > > pict inpowerful language the calamitous conditions, to return to the "Faith of God > times which directly precede the age of peace. and His Religion" and, in obedience to His > BahaVllah does not overlook the destructive command, establish the world state on the > period. From the beginning of His teaching foundation of the unity of the human race. > He gave repeated warnings of the disasters "This is the straight Path," He says, "the > that were sure to come if nations and rulers fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsopersisted in spending such unlimited money ever is raised on this foundation, the changes > for armies and munitions. and chances of the world can never impair its > It was especially in His letters to various strength, nor will the revolution of countless > rulers in Europe and Asia that He gave these centuries undermine its structure." 10 > > warnings. He sent letters to the Shah of While the glorious possibilities of this new > fran, the Sultan of Turkey, the Czar of civilization are at present beyond even our > Russia, the Pope, the King of Prussia, Napo- imagination, BahaVllah affirms that nothing > leon III, Queen Victoria, and the Presidents can prevent their attainment. He says: "The > of the American Republics. In them He heights which, through the most gracious > urged rulers to realize their high responsibili- favor of God, mortal man can attain, in > ties for the welfare and happiness of their this Day, are as yet unrevealed to His sight. > subjects and predicted calamities if they let The world of being hath never had, nor doth > selfish ambitions dominate their motives. it yet possess the capacity for such a revela- > Some of these predictions have already been tion. The day, however, is approaching when > fulfilled, for example, those connected > as, the potentialities of so great a favor will, by > with Napoleon III, the Sultan, the Shah. virtue of His behest, be manifested unto men. > Other calamitous predictions are still to come Though the forces of the nations be arrayed > to pass, apparently at a not far distant time. against Him, though the kings of the earth > But the emphasis of Baha Vllah's teaching be leagued to undermine His Cause, the > was always upon the "Glad Tidings" of the power of His might shall stand unshaken. > new civilization which is already gradually He, verily, speaketh the truth, and sumgrowing up on the foundation which He moneth all mankind to the way of Him who > laid. The Book of Aqdas contains specific is the Incomparable, the All-Knowing." X1 > laws and regulations which are to be the > basis of the new world order. Many of 9 The Promise of All Ages, by Christophil, p. 196. > these are contained also in some of His shorter Gleanings from the Writings of Bah&VlUh, p. > 215. > writings. He leaves us in no doubt that this 11 / > bid., p. 214. > A WORLD COMMUNITY > BY GEORGE O. LATIMER > A COMMUNITY is a group of individbound together by common interests, > Amity, peace and unity are therefore esuals sentially the saving factors of society; > amity > privileges and subject to the same laws. It is among races, peace between nations and > a series of voluntary relationships of peoples unity of conscience in the individual memand races having different customs, tastes, bers of the body politic. > > temperaments, varied thoughts and opinions, In our present era conditions have altered > who, having been forced to face the same greatly.The ever-increasing facilities of > problems of human experience, have come to modern transportation, the wireless and raa "like-mindedness" in working out these dio, the interchange of literature, art and > difficulties. The fundamental urge or im- music, the complex international structure > pulse to bring about this unity of divergent of finance, world-wide trade and commerce > > personalities is spiritual in character and have broken down the former barriers of isoresults in a common faith. From this group- lation. This change has been enhanced by > ing of interests the ideals of government, of the rapid development of our industrial > philosophy, of economic and social systems civilization. The chrysalis has broken. As > and primarily morals and religion are devel- John Herman Randall points out in his timely > oped. book, "A World Community*': "From a > In past ages, owing to their isolation and position of practical independence and selflack of communication facilities, different sufficiency, all nations have been forced into > environments and diversity of language, these a relation of the closest mutual interdepend- > > groups have developed slowly and independ- ence where each needs the other, must have > ently their systems of social order and spirit- the help of the other, or else must perish. > ual outlook. Gradually the community has There is not a man or woman in America, > > expanded, uniting with other groups to form or any other civilized land, whose daily life, > a nation. When a nation has become suffi- both in the necessities we must have and in > ciently powerful it then seeks to widen its the luxuries we all crave, is not in constant > > sphere of influence through aggression, col- touch with the life of people across the seas > onization andeventually warfare > upon whose customs are strange to us, whose lanweaker groups and communities. Then the guages are unknown, of whom we may never > world's equilibrium becomes upset, the cul- have heard, but without whose daily toil our > ture of the people wanes and the social order existence would be impossible. No one of us > is The body politic may be lik- lives through a day without in some way getdestroyed. > ened to the human body as an organism ting help from all lands and all peoples." > which needs harmonious cooperation of all These interchanges demand a new outlook > itsmembers for perfect health. 'Abdu'1-Baha by our business leaders. This leadership repoints out, "As long as the members quires an "international mind" to focus on > and > parts of the human organism are > at peace, co- the strides that science, invention and trade > > ordinate, and cooperate together peacefully have made in promoting the intercourse > and harmoniously, we have as a result the which affects the lives of people in every > clime. "We cannot think clearly and sanely > expression of life in its fullest form; where > about these reactions, except as we learn to > they differ we have the reverse, which in the > human organism is warfare; and when dis- value civilizations, habits of thought and > sension continues and discord waxes grave action,and spiritual outlooks on life which > in the human organism, the result is dissen- diverge widely from our own." 1 The > sion and dissolution and untimely death." 1 > Business and the New Era, by W. E. Hotchkiss. > 726 THE BAHA'f WORLD > mechanical technique for the future progress this may be added the new trends in governof society is fully developed but the present ment such as communism, fascism and nazistate of man's social intelligence for the ism that are vying with democracy for the > creating of a new world order has not shown socio-political control of peoples. These > the same advancement. modern doctrines of government have arisen > Our present impotence in world affairs has from a condition of desperation in the social > been vividly portrayed by Shoghi Effendi in order and seek to impose the will of a dichis word picture of the social, economic, tator upon the binding voluntary relationpolitical and religious spheres of human ac- ships between individuals of the social group. > tivity. In "The Goal of a New World By the very nature of their origin and the > Order," he writes: "The disquieting influence current working of their doctrines they are > of over thirty million souls living under anti-social and do not create a structure that > > minority conditions throughout the con- builds, molds and perpetuates a human comtinent of Europe; the vast and ever-swelling munity that satisfies both the practical and > army of the unemployed with its crushing spiritual needs of man. > burden and demoralizing influence on gov- Therefore the primary task before us at > ernments and peoples; the wicked, unbridled this period of our evolution is to create and > race of armaments swallowing an ever-in- establish a social system that will embody in > > creasing share of the substance of already its scope, institutions that will encompass, > impoverished nations; the utter demoraliza- not only the physical, economic and social > tion from which the international financial needs of man, but also provide for a remarkets are now increasingly suffering; the kindling of his religious faith. It is becomonslaught of secularism invading what has ing increasingly evident, concludes Shoghi > hitherto been regarded as the impregnable Effendi, "that nothing short of the fire of a > strongholds of Christian and Muslim ortho- severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, > doxy these stand out as the gravest symp- can fuse and weld the discordant entities > toms that bode ill for the future stability of that constitute the elements of present-day > the structure of modern civilization." "Hu- civilization, into the integral components of > manity," he continues, "whether viewed in the world commonwealth of the future." > the light of man's individual conduct or in In the formation of the future commonthe existing relationships between organized wealth, a form of Super-State must be > communities and nations, has, alas, strayed evolved. The process will consist in the > too far and suffered too great a decline to be establishing of certain institutions that can > redeemed through the unaided efforts of the and must maintain internal order within > best among its recognized rulers and states- each local state and also have the power to > men however disinterested their motives, enforce its authority in matters of dispute > however concerted their action, however un- or conflict between member nations. > sparing in their zeal and devotion to its The first of these institutions is a World > cause. No scheme which the calculations Parliament, composed of members elected by > of the highest statesmanship may yet devise; the people in their respective countries. Anno doctrine which the most distinguished other institution will be a Supreme Tribunal > exponents of economic theory may hope to whose judgment will be final. It will enact > advance; no principle which the most ardent a single code of international law to control > of moralists may strive to inculcate, can pro- the relationships of the member nations. This > vide, in the last resort, adequate foundations body, which is titled the Universal House > upon which the future of a distracted world of Justice by BahdVllah, will define the > can be built." rights to impose taxes, levy tariffs, limit > The picture of our present plight is armaments, settle disputes between capital > further magnified by the growing spirit of and labor, and stabilize the financial strucfear and suspicion, race hatreds and vindic- ture of the world. It will have an Internativeness remnants of the last war the tional Executive powerful enough to arbifaithlessness to sacred obligations and the vio- trate and to carry out its decisions, even > lation of covenants between nations. To though some member states may not voluno > c > > c > o > u > > H > 0> > > H > > 728 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tarilysubmit their problems and disputes to Horace Holley, "the existing world strugfor consideration. The sanction and au- gle is between faith and unfaith, between > thority of these institutions will rest upon man as rational animal and man as spiritual > the foundation of a world community, a intelligence. The historic movement as a > > combination of the federated units, a com- whole includes the Prophet, and every phimunity, freed from the narrow national out- losophy dealing with less than the whole > look, that will develop a final and lasting movement of history cannot deal adequately > consciousness of world citizenship. The life with man." Man owes his capacity for > of humanity will be on a broader basis to change, adaptation, invention and creation > meet the changing conditions of evolving to the spiritual impulse. A > confident heart > > society. A fresh impetus to the cultural overcomes all obstacles. "As your faith is," > pursuits of life, renewed inspiration in the says 'Abdu'1-Baha, "so shall your powers and > realm of art and science, security in the eco- blessings be." > nomic relationships, a return of confidence The late Italian patriot, Joseph Mazzini, > and peace of mind and soul will be the clearly saw the need for a common faith > ultimate result. when he wrote that "the first real, earnest > The Baha'i plan does not seek to destroy religious faith that shall arise upon the ruins > existing institutions, but to remold the social of the old wornout creeds, will transform the > order. "It can conflict with no legitimate whole of our actual social organization, beallegiances, nor can it undermine essential cause every strong and earnest faith tends to > loyalties," Shoghi Effendi declares, for "its apply itself to every branch of human acpurpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane tivity; because in every epoch of its existence > and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts, the earth has ever tended to conform itself > nor to abolish the system of national au- to the heaven in which it then believed; and > > tonomy so essential if the evils of excessive because the whole history of humanity is but > centralization are to be avoided. It does not the repetition in form and degree varying > ignore, nor does it attempt to suppress, the according to the diversity of the times of > diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of the words of the Dominical Christian prayer: > > history, language, and tradition, of > of Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is in > > thought and habit, that differentiate the Heaven." Today the heaven of humanity is > peoples and nations of the world. It calls a universal canopy covering all peoples, all > for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspiration sovereign nations and all religions. The final > than any that has animated the human race. evolution of the spirit of faith under its > It insists upon the subordination of national sheltering dominion leads man to a recogniimpulses and interests to the imperative tion of the Unity of all the Divine Prophets > claims of a unified world. It repudiates ex- and the acceptance of the basic principle > cessive centralizationon one hand, and dis- upon which a world community must rest > claims* all attempts at uniformity on the namely the Oneness of Mankind. > other. ... It calls for no less than the re- This principle of the Oneness of Humanconstruction and the demilitarization of the ity is the cornerstone teaching of BahaVlwhole civilized world." lah for the reformation of society. It is > So far we have considered the need for the divine in origin, ideal in its majestic sweep > creation of a new social organism from the and practical in attainment. It can accompractical point of view. Many statesmen plish the federation of mankind because it is > and scholars have outlined their plans for initiated by the Word of God. Religion is > > international stability along some of these established through the potency of the Logos > lines. However if all the leaders of thought (Word) and it is therefore the one power > should unite upon one ideal program with capable of directing the feelings and sentithe necessary agencies to make it effective, ments of mankind toward unity, peace and > without including the spiritual factor as the reconciliation. Stanwood Cobb in his recent > motivating influence in the life of humanity, book, "Security for a Failing World," makes > this highly desirable goal would not be at- the convincing argument that the worldtained, for "in the final analysis," according . > 2 The~Clue to World Strife. > A WORLD COMMUNITY 729 > > wide catastrophes are not due so much to the strove though in differing ways for the same > fault of man's intellect, but rather to the were filled by the same enthusiasms, > ideals, > fault of his emotions. The only force that would allow the problems and experiences of > can rule the emotions is a master emotion, the Spirit to be accepted as real, and discussed > and "the greatest of all master emotions is with frankness and simplicity. Thus oases > religion. This is the force which normally of prayer and clear thinking might be created > > governs and directs the emotions of human in our social wilderness, gradually developing > > beings, harnessing them into spiritual and such power and group-consciousness as we > cultural unities." Hence religion in the new see in really living religious bodies." > > day must become increasingly ethical and A study of the operation and administrarather than remain theological and > social, tion of a Baha'i community discloses a > individualistic. It must furnish a new eth- striking contrast with the outworn instituical vision that will create a morality for tions of today. It is not wholly democratic > group action that can destroy the idol of in character for the Will of the people is > > self-interest; abolish sectarianism and dog- tempered by the Sovereign Authority of the > matic theological disputes, for as Professor divine Prophet. The entire local community > Haydcn of the University of Chicago states, elects its own administrative body of nine > "truly religious men and women are no longer members, called a Spiritual Assembly. This > interested in the theoretical differences of body acts as a trusteeship, a consultative > theology; they seek rather to make all knowl- group for the solution of problems and diffiedge and power serve in the building of a culties, both secular and spiritual. It cannot > > social order, including races, nationsand re- be confused with any system of autocracy > > ligions, and offering justice and opportu- or of dictatorship for its elected representa- > > nity to every human being." tives have the right of legislating on matters > > The rapid growth of the Baha'i Faith is not revealed in the Writings of BahVllah, > due to the irrefutable fact that it has the the Founder of their Faith, nor can it be > power to rule man's emotions, change his classed as an aristocratic order or an ecclesi- > > outlook, overcome his antagonisms, incul- astical theocracy. It has no professional > cate the spirit of self-sacrifice for the com- clergy, each member serves to the best of his > mon weal, remove the tensions caused by the ability. The elected representatives are > diversity of temperaments and create a real chosen for their combined qualities of undesire for union and fellowship in a social questioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a > and spiritual brotherhood. In short it unites well-trained mind, of recognized ability and > individuals of various walks of life, different mature experience. These Assemblies comreligious beliefs, opposing political theories bine an executive, judicial and legislative > into voluntary association. These groups of function limited only by the scope of their > like-minded friends, called Baha'i communi- respective jurisdictions, and their guiding > are to be found throughout the world. > ties, principles are prayerful consultation and > > Though their start has been small and in- practical cooperation. > conspicuous, they have the advantage of The communities of each nation annually > mutual protection and unity of aim by iden- elect delegates, who in turn meet in conven- > > tifying all their group activity with the life tion and elect a national Spiritual Assembly, > and teachings of their prophet. In referring likewise composed of nine members, and this > to the Baha'i Faith in her book, "The Life body administers the collective affairs of all > of the Spirit and the Life of To-day," Evelyn the local communities. The next step is the > Underbill says that our hope for the future formation of an international Assembly, the > depends upon the formation of such groups Universal House of Justice. This institution > which she aptly terms "hives of the spirit." is created by the electoral body of national > She writes: "Such a group would never per- Assemblies through universal suffrage and > mit the intrusion of the controversial ele- thus becomes an international tribunal which > ment, but would be based on mutual trust; represents the fusion of numerous groups into > and the fact that all the members shared a worldwide community. The prime requisubstantially the same view of human life, sites of these counselors, according to 'Abd- > 730 THE BAHA'f WORLD > u'l-Baha are "purity of motive, radiance of in the Orient the association of its members, > > spirit,detachment from all else save God, whether of the red, black, brown or white > attraction to His divine fragrance, humility race; whether of Jewish, Muhammadan, > and lowliness amongst His loved ones, pa- Christian or other religious faith, caste or > tience and long-suffering in difficulties and creed; whether artist, merchant, scientist, > servitude to His exalted Threshold." Their statesman or artisan, is based upon acceptand power are enhanced by their ance of the spiritual equality of all manprestige > self-sacrifice and devotion to the common kind and the oneness of God. The natural > good, not by any display of arbitrary au- inequality and difference in capacity and > thority. They stand for an ideal of morality intelligence of men is recognized, but the > that is worldwide in scope an inclusive fel- right of equal opportunity is vouchsafed to > lowship, and they maintain their contact all. There is a difference in the social and > with the source of spiritual inspiration and economic status of men and the degrees of > guidance by having as their permanent head, society are preserved, but in their spiritual > the present and future Guardians of the relationship there is a parity of station. > Faith. The chosen members of an Assembly > "The Baha'i World," Volume V, gives a must acquaint themselves with the condigraphic survey of the manifold activities of tions and problems of their community, > > approximately eight hundred Baha'i com- weigh dispassionately the merits of any case > munities established throughout the five con- brought to them and in a prayerful attitude > tinents and in many islands of the seas. It is render an unfettered and just decision. They > a vivid portrayal of the progress of a work- act under divine inspiration and are there- > > ing, well-ordered society that cannot be fore primarily responsible to God for their > ignored by a disillusioned, shaken humanity. actions and not governed by their feeling of > The varied evidences of an unfolding com- loyalty to those who elect them. The promunity, recorded therein, comprise, accord- vision for annual * elections guarantees a > > ing to Shoghi Effendi, "The vitality which method whereby the quality of membership > the organic institutions of this great, this can be continually elevated and improved, > ever-expanding Order so strongly exhibit; but the personal qualifications of the inthe obstacles which the high courage, the dividual members do not establish the perfecundaunted resolution of its administrators tion or imperfection of the body, nor do > have already surmounted; the fire of an un- they make the elected representatives inherquenchable enthusiasm that glows with un- ently superior to their fellow citizens. It is > diminished fervor in the hearts of its itiner- the institution that is perfect because of its > ant teachers; the heights of self-sacrifice divine endowment. > which its champion-builders are now attain- The present national upheavals, the poing; the breadth of vision, the confident litical turmoils, the ever-increasing disparity > hope, the creative joy, the inward peace, in the social-economic life of man and the > the uncompromising integrity, the exemplary embittered racial clashes and religious condiscipline, the unyielding unity and solidarity flicts indicate the urgent necessity for the > > which its stalwart defenders manifest; the immediate establishment of a sovereign > degree to which its moving Spirit has shown world state for the preservation of our civiitself capable of assimilating the diversified lization. The social program given by Baha'- > elements within its pale, of cleansing them u'llah offers, in its entirety, a workable soluof all forms of prejudice and of fusing them tion for the reconstruction of the economic, > with its own structure." political and religious life of humanity, and > The Bahd'i group is a community freed provides for the institutions of a World > from the complexities of federal manage- Commonwealth. Scientific invention and > ment, neutral in political controversies, but modern industrialism have laid the material > obedient therewithal, to the recognized au- foundations for international cooperation. > thority of a just government; it has lost the BahaVllah has evolved the plans for the > " > sense of locality" in the broader feeling of moral and spiritual superstructure. It is now > world citizenship. In America, in Europe or man's privilege to erect upon the founda- > A WORLD COMMUNITY 731 > > tions, an edifice that will shelter all man- Gentile, neither rich nor poor, neither white > kind, temple for a world community. > a nor colored. Its watchword is the unifi- > The underlying aim of the Baha'i plan, ac- cation of the human race; its standard > cording to Shoghi Effendi, is "the establish- the 'Most Great Peace'; its consummament of the New World Order adumas tion the advent of that golden millennium > brated by BahaVllah. The method it the Day when the kingdoms of this world > employs, the standard it inculcates, incline it shall have become the Kingdom of God > to neither East nor West, neither Jew nor Himself." > THE CALL TO GERMANY > BY ALMA S. KNOBLOCH > > N every Dispensation," writes 'Abdu'l- she must stay as long as possible. Forward > Baha", "the Light of Divine Guidance has to this land a copy of every tablet translated > been focused on one central theme. In this into the German language. I hope that the > > wondrous Revelation in this glorious cen- endeavors and exertions of these two sisters, > tury, the foundation of the faith of God, and may display all-encircling effects. > the distinguishing feature of His law is the Signed: 'Abdu'l-Baha-' Abbas. > consciousness of the Oneness of humanity." > It is no wonder that when the words of Through His Honor Mirza Ahmad, to the > Baha Vllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha were embraced beloved maid-servants of God, Mrs. Amalie > by my precious sister, Mrs. Pauline Hannen, Knobloch, Miss Alma and Miss Fanny Knobwhen presented by the great philosopher and loch. Upon them be Baha'u'llah-u'1-Abha. > sage, Mirza Abu'1-Fadl, in Washington, He is God! > D. C., in 1902, that her heart's desire was to > convey the glad-tidings to her family and O ye beloved Maid-servants of God, the > friends. This longing soon became the ear- bounty of the True One hath elected you > nest prayer of us all, and when the call came from among the maid-servants in order that > to go to Germany, it was a marvelous realiza- ye may engage yourselves in the service of > tion of an answer to our prayers. the kingdom, spread the Verses of the Lord > There are some experiences in life that one of the Realm of Might, become the cause of > never forgets. Running upstairs one day to guidance of the souls. > speak to our saintly Mother, I stopped at the Alma Knobloch > Truly, I say, Miss will > threshold of her door with awe Mother show forth and demonstrate on this trip > was praying. This heavenly sight was in- that she is a beloved maid-servant in the > delibly impressed upon my heart, and there Threshold of Oneness, is wise and intelligent > was no need for questioning. Quietly with- and spiritual in the Kingdom of the True > drawing, I, from that time on, never became One. > deficient in the one great hope that Germany A great service is this, for it is conducive > might become illumined with the Light of to the descent of the eternal outpouring and > > Truth, and be permitted to take her place in the cause of everlasting life. All the affairs > establishing it in the world. of the world, though of the utmost impor- > The opportunity came while I was teach- tance, bring forth results and benefits for a > ing in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1907. My dear few days, then later on they disappear and > sister Fanny made it possible for me to take vanish entirely, except service in the Divine > this wonderful trip. The following are some Kingdom, attraction to the fragrances of > of the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha concerning the Holiness, quickening of the souls, vivificaundertaking. tion of the hearts, imparting joy to the spirit, > > adjusting characters and the edification of > Thou hast written about Dr. Fisher, that the people. I hope that yc may become > > praise be toGod, thou hast found a helper assisted and confirmed to this. > for him and ere long she will start for Ger- Upon ye be Baha'u'1-Abha. > many. Truly I say, the beloved maid- servant Signed: 'Abdu'l-Baha-'Abbas. > of God, Miss Alma Knobloch, is very much > acceptable for this service thou hast done On July 17, 1907, my precious mother and > well to choose her. She is accepted by all with a number of believers, saw me > sisters, > > means, but regarding her stay in Germany, on board the steamer H. H. Meyer, Ger- > THE CALL TO GERMANY 733 > > many-bound. The stateroom was filled with which had been translated by my sister > flowers and love gifts. When the last fare- Fanny, by the wish of 'Abdu'1-Baha. (These > wells were being given, my mother quietly were later printed by her,) My uncle listold me that the matter had been discussed tened to the explanations that I gave conby the family and they had decided not cerning the teachings of BahaVllah and > to cry at "this" departure as they had on 'Abdu'1-Baha, and about the fulfillment of > previous occasions, because 'Abdu'1-Baha prophecy in the Latter Day. He was prohad said that He would be my Guide and foundly touched, and a few days later, made > Helper. known his desire to serve the Cause. My > As the steamer glided out of Baltimore heart leaped with joy, although outwardly I > > port, the band playing farewell music, I remained calm. I knew that his mother > > often changed my place at the rail until the had been a very saintly woman and also a > last point had been reached. Always the Templar. This sect was founded on the > eager eyes of the shore party caught and held Bible verse, Malachi 3:1, "And the Lord > my attention. This was indeed a different whom ye shall seek shall suddenly come into > parting. The future what of it? The trip His Temple." This faith spread throughout > over was unusually pleasant. My place was Germany and the founders thereof settled in > at the head of one of the long tables, and Haifa, at the foot of Mt. Carmel, expecting > most enjoyable discussions accompanied the Coming of the Lord, in 1863. Both my > meals. uncle and my aunt were most kind and help- > On the third day out, a friend of long ful in introducing me to their circle of > standing asked me to tell a group about the friends. These found to be sincere and > I > > Baha'i Movement. They drew their deck- progressive in their attitude toward the Princhairs near me and listened intently on a ciples of Baha'u'llah and they all developed > number of days. Finally I was asked to a greater consciousness of the Oneness of > > speak in the Ladies' Salon, which I gladly Mankind. > consented to do. Several became deeply in- Several very pleasant weeks were spent at > terested and asked permission to call at some Leipzig. My new friends assured me of their > time during their European tour. Later this good wishes and saw me off to Stuttgart, > happily came about. Miss Olga Krunke, be- my real destination. There I was expected to > fore leaving the steamer, asked that I mention assist Dr. E. Fisher in teaching the Cause. > her name to the Master when next I wrote. In Stuttgart, on August 9, 1907, a very > Arriving at Bremen, Miss Bredemeier cor- beautiful young lady greeted me with the > dially greeted me and expressed a wish to Greatest Name, and from that moment we > hear the glad-tidings of which I had written became friends. Miss Doering and I were > to her. At dinner that evening at her home, inseparable throughout my fourteen years' > my joy was great to hear her state that the stay in Germany. Dr. Fisher and Mr. M. > teachings were just what she had been look- Greenschweig appeared and greetings were > ing for. I was asked to remain in Bremen exchanged. > and teach. The following day these dear Stuttgart is a beautiful city surrounded by > friends again extended their hearty invitation hills which are dotted with fine houses. Here > to visit them. The time in this delightful in Southern Germany is situated the Capital > home was only too short and I promised to of Wurttemberg. The people are thinkers, > return when opportunity permitted. Joy and have an extremely religious turn of mind. > went with me on my way to Leipzig, over Many poets have sprung from this section of > the warm reception that the teachings had the country. At night it is especially beaureceived in Bremen. Especially dear to me is tiful with all the lights flickering over the > the recollection of Mrs. Bredemeier and the lovely mountainsides. With the prayers of > * > radiance and sweetness of her face in wishing Abdu'1-Baha*, I felt that I could soon learn > me God-speed. to love the people as greatly as I had those > > My uncle, Wilhelm Knobloch, a retired of Leipzig and Dresden, however unlike and > Professor of very high standing, carefully different the southern section of the country > read the manuscript of the Iranian tablets might be. > 734 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Dr. Fisher had done some very fine pre- ant knowledge of having cheered the hearts > paratory work and had interested a number of those whom we had met. > of very fine souls in the Baha'i Teachings. The weekly group held at the home of Frau > Miss Doering arranged for a group of young Palm grew in strength and numbers. By > girls at her home, where also > lived Frau Palm. September, 1907, Miss Doering and I had > This group was happy to receive the message occasion to visit Heilbronn and meet some > from 'Akkd and Frau Palm became attracted people who were friendly toward the Cause. > and a believer. From all sides, doors opened There the parents of Miss Schaffer gave us a > and invitations were received to go and teach hearty welcome. From there a delightful > those who were interested in the Faith. It trip was taken into the beautiful Schwabisch > was a pleasure to visit the old Castle each Alps. We > visited Miss Scheuerle and family > week. Frau v. Betzolt and her daughter be- at Pfadelbach. They were deeply touched > came greatly interested and many glorious by the story of the Messenger of God at > talks were given there. From this grand 'Akka. an outstanding > Miss Scheuerle is > > old Castle thoughts of good-will were sent young woman of high esteem in her noble > out to all humanity. work. We returned from the trip with > It is pleasant to recall the hours spent at grateful hearts for all the kindness shown us > the Air Health Bath. This was situated on a and for the divine assistance received. > high point at Degeloch in a lovely garden. Dr. Fisher took us to see some of his friends > Here the ladies lounged on the well-kept in Cannstatt near Stuttgart, and we were > grass or on comfortable chairs. This was an glad that he could give the teachings to a > Truths. To > ideal place to talk of Spiritual number of souls. We > were able to make new > me it seemed surprising how many became contacts there. Dr. Fisher had done some > 'interested. Many looked forward to these excellent work as a pioneer in Stuttgart and > talks and later made visits in our home. A we were pleased with the progress that had > number of these young ladies became beauti- been made. > ful believers. Among these were Misses Julia In October, Frau Med. Rad v. Burkardt > and Elise Steabler, Miss Deigle, Mrs. R. returned to Stuttgart and invited Dr. Fisher > Schwartz and others. Through these ladies and me to dinner at her palatial home. This > invitations were received to visit homes in unusually highly developed lady of great cul- > Stuttgart and the surrounding territory. It ture was deeply interested in promoting the > would be difficult to say how many of these Cause of God. She translated the "Hidden > bright and wide-awake young ladies became Words" into German. Her door which was > active and happy in spreading the glad- opened afforded far-reaching results. 'Abdtidings. u'l-Baha, when speaking of the noble serv- > By this time, invitations to the five o'clock ices rendered by Frau Med. Rad. v. Burkardt > teas and dinners were forthcoming, and said at Paris, "Her noble and sincere services > friends and acquaintances invited their will be remembered throughout all eternity > friends to hear the Spiritual News. Some of and they will sing and chant her praises. She > these had relatives who went to Haifa. Op- will never be forgotten." A week later she > portunities were made by Dr. Fisher's friends arranged for a Baha'i meeting at the Frauen > to spread the teachings and lasting gratitude Club. Cards announcing this talk were > will be felt for the kindness shown by these placed in all the rooms of the Club "The > early believers. The first ladies to call upon Sun of Truth is the Word of God." > me were Mrs. Eckstein and her sister Mrs. This was a very successful meeting, our > Pfanchau, and later many others came, and first public meeting. A > large number of > they all helped to make my stay happy and the guests became attracted to the Spirit and > successful. the Words given forth. The President of > The last week in August, 1907, Miss Doer- the Club responded cheerfully, after the talk, > ing and I spent at the Freudenstadt in the and concluded by saying that if they were > Black Forest. Here, too, we had a chance to asked to speak in another country, they, too, > speak of the Baha'i Cause. We visited some could speak as joyfully as the speaker of the > of the Sanatoria and returned with the pleas- evening. > THE CALL TO GERMANY 735 > > Some of the Art Students of Stuttgart be- the teachings became widespread. Several > came attracted, and especially enthusiastic groups were formed by which the Words of > were Miss A. Schaffer from Heilbronn and BahaVllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha were trans- > Miss Doetrich from Konstanz on the Boden lated. I spent four evenings a week with > See. They became earnest students of the them at the various homes. These transla- > Baha'i Cause. From this time on the Club tions were read by the believers at the meetbecame our headquarters. Our Nineteen Day ings, and in this way the believers soon be- > Feasts were held there for several years. They came active. It was always a joy to note > made a special concession in opening their their development, for their faces became > doors to us and I recall having said at the ever more radiant. Herr Herrigel's group > time that they would surely be blessed for so became active in the work. Herr Oberleher > doing. Two years later, the Club moved into Braun and Herr Emil Rouff translated the > a grand old home, more centrally located. "Hidden Words" at the meetings held with > The furnishings were designed by a noted their group. > artist and each room was planned separately. Influential men were met at delightful > The tea room was most attractive in rose- dinners where many questions concerning > wood and ebony with black embroidered the Faith were asked. Pleasant trips to > cushions. nearby places were taken where ofttimes > A committee of nine men, with Herr A. friends met us and made opportunities to > Eckstein as Chairman, formed the first work- explain some new points. Schloss Solitude > > ing committee of the Baha'i Cause. A hall near Stuttgart was frequently visited via a > was secured at the Burger Museum and I was fine walk through a beautiful forest. Here > asked to take charge of the teaching. A the poet Schiller played as a child. > program was drawn up and laid before me On June 7, 1908, Miss Doering and I > for approval as follows: Prayer, Bible Read- took our second trip to Heilbronn where > ing, Baha'i Teaching, Bible Reading, Prayer. Miss Schaffer arranged a meeting at her home. > The program was accepted and, depending Her friends and parents expressed their > > upon Guidance, the first meeting was held pleasure at hearing more about the Baha'i > March 9, 1908. There were thirty-eight Cause. Miss Schaffer accompanied us on a > present and all felt happy and radiantly joy- trip to Weinsberg, an historical place, which > ful that the program had been attained. A had been besieged by the French. Word had > compilation of Bible verses was soon given been sent up the Burg that the women would > and then they became greatly interested in be allowed to pass through safely carrying > Muhammad as a Prophet of God and the fact their most treasured possessions on their > that He was a descendant of Father Abra- backs. The women consulted together and > ham. On October 21 the first Naw-Ruz decided to carry their men out on their > Feast was held at the Club with Fraulein backs. They passed through the French > Doering as hostess. This was a beautiful lines unmolested. From that time, 1140, > Feast. A number of people took part in this mountain and Castle have been known > reading the Words of 'Abdu'1-Baha and by the name Weibertren (Women's Loy- > BahaVllah. It is a beautiful custom of the alty). > Germans to bring flowers to the Feasts. This On August 5, 1908, the first Zeppelin > made all our Feasts fragrant and lovely. flew over Stuttgart from Friedrichshafen. > When the German people make their calls The city was full of flags and looked quite > they also take flowers and I was greatly festive. The inhabitants were out early in > favored. My rooms were always sweetly the morning on all the surrounding heights. > decorated. The gentlemen would usually It was a very beautiful sight to see the silvery > > offer a nosegay while the ladies would bring air-craft glide fairy- like through the clouds. > flowers of a larger type. The friends offered It dipped low over the palace, dropped roses, > me so much kindness that I naturally loved then crossed over the city where it was > them very much. caught in a huge whirlwind and destroyed! > The Friday evening meetings at the Burger The city was as hushed and quiet as it had > Museum increased in numbers and interest in been jubilant and gay in the morning. This > 736 THE BAHA'i WORLD > was a sight never to be forgotten. sign A and pointed to the shrine of the Bab. This > of the fulfillment of the prophecies of the was a monument erected and dedicated by > New Day had been ushered in. The prophecy 'Abdu'1-Baha, the Center of the Covenant of > of air-travel had been realized. Count Zep- the Baha'i Faith. We are grateful to > > pelin was a pleasant person and had spent all Mirza Ibn Abha for the following explanahe had for the building and perfecting of tion during our stay at 'Akka: "He whom > the air-ship. The entire nation arose and God willed is the fruit of the tree. Hence > contributed funds for the building of an- Baha'u'llah is the trunk, the branches and > other ship. When this last was finished it the root, all except the fruit, which is 'Abdpassed close to our window on its way to u'l-Baha. The coloring, the shape, the taste, > Northern Germany. and all the attributes of the tree are in the > The first week in September, 1908, was fruit. Hence the teachings of Baha'u'llah, > spent in Switzerland and a Baha'i address the bounties of Baha'u'llah, the Manifestation > was made in Luzerne. A pleasant place was of His Power, His Words, have been spread > found in Kersetenen on the Furwalteseter throughout the World by this great Soul. > Sea directly across from Luzerne. Here we The effect of His Words have realized themmet delightful tourists to whom we gave the selves in this Great Life." > Baha'i message. Frau Weidt and her daugh- We were most eager to receive new life and > ter from Saarbriicken became interested and spiritual understanding and our gratitude > also our hostess Frau Hcnsteckel. We were w$s boundless. One morning 'Abdu'1-Baha > glad to visit her at a later date and give turning to me said, "I have revealed a Tablet > more of the teachings. At that time my for you and I will have it translated." At > sister Fanny went with me. The tourists this time I take the opportunity of sharing > were delighted and told us that the teach- it with you: > ings were the very thing that they had been > I kept in touch with these > Through the Maid-servant of God, Miss > looking for. > Alma Knobloch, to the Beloved Ones of > German tourists and later was invited to their > God: Upon them be Baha'u'llah! > homes. > That fall a unique public meeting was He is God! > held in Stuttgart. Herr Eckstein, a member > of the Swedenborgian Club, a German; Mr. > O yc Sons and Daughters of the Kingdom! > Dreyfuss of France, and Mr. S. Sprague of When the proclamation of God was exalted > England, each made a talk in his own lan- and spread in the East and the West and the > guage. The meeting was well attended by souls became attracted to the Words of God > well-educated people. The principle of Baha'- and heard the Call with perfect devotion, > u'llah concerning the need for a universal joy, happiness, and gladness, all the veils of > language in order to establish world contact doubt were torn and they were saved from > was well brought out. All three speakers imitating their fathers and ancestors; they > gave eloquent talks on the Baha'i Faith. At beheld with their own eyes, and not through > the close of the addresses, an open forum was those of others; they heard with their own > held for freedom of discussion. ears, and not with the ears of others; they > Later in the fall, I went to Leipzig and comprehended with their own minds, and not > while there, news came from my sister Fanny through the minds of others. Such souls arc > to meet her in Naples, en route to 'Akka. the lovers of Light, and when they beheld > It was joyous expectation to think of receiv- the Morn of Reality and the Light of the > ing Spiritual Strength to carry on the work. Divine Sun, they became attracted, en- > When we landed at Haifa it was interesting kindled, and believed in the Kingdom of God. > to see the quaint Biblical inscriptions over They became receivers of Benevolence and > the doors of the neat-looking houses. The the Manifesters of Light, because of the > Templars lived along the main avenue of the Rising point of the Mysteries. > German colony. They chanted the Verses of Righteousness, > It was awe-inspiring to note that the and turned unto the Kingdom of Bah. > head of the avenue extended up Mt. Carmel who have recognized > Blessed are such souls > THE CALL TO GERMANY 737 > > the Promised Beauty and have entered under effulgence of the Sun of Reality and have a > the shadow of the Lord of Hosts. portion from the heavenly grace. Having > Such souls are today the Army of Salva- heard the Call of God, you have attained to > tion,they are the Hosts of Light, they are Life through the Breezes of the Holy Spirit, > > occupied with heavenly victories in the East and have entered into the eternal world and > and the West, and are engaged in dominating received Everlasting Mercy. > the hearts in Asia and America. At every You have attained to such favors that you > moment they receive assistance from the are able to shine forever, like unto the > Kingdom of Abha; and every day, an army Morning Star, through centuries and ages. > will descend to them from the Supreme Con- Like the Life-giving Breezes of the Paradise > course; this is why you see that when a of Abha, you will become the Cause of Eternal Life for many people. > single person will reach a country or a city > and begin to teach, he will at once see his Upon ye be Baha-u'1-Abha. > words having great effect in the Holy Souls Signed: 'Abdu'l-Baha-'Abbas. > and the Light of Assurance and Belief will > Translated by Monever Khanum, 'Akka, > shine in splendor. > Syria, November 12, 1908. > The call of the Kingdom is like a spirit; > it produces a sudden effect in the nerves, 'Akka is eight miles from Haifa and is > arteries, hearts and souls and regenerates the located on the Mediterranean Sea. While > there we experienced the realization that the > people; baptizes them with water, Spirit, syid > fire; the second birth will be produced and > Christ's teachings were not only taught but > > new people will be raised; but other souls were turned into action and deeds. By so > are like those whom Christ mentioned in the doing they transform and spiritualize the hu- > Gospels, saying, "They have hearts but do > man beings and make them clear mirrors to > not comprehend, and I cured them." reflect the attributes of God. We were over- > In short, I say, that these souls were awak- whelmed by the simplicity and real nobility > ened and quickened by the proclamation of of living shining forth in the Holy House- > > God, but the others arc still in ignorance, hold. Wefelt extremely happy in the sweet, > > It was a continual > doubtful, and deprived from the Sea of Life, fragrant atmosphere. > and are deprived of the Benevolence of the regret that we could not speak Iranian. > Lord of Signs, and have become shareless in 'Abdu'1-Baha told us that the Iranian, Gerthe Heavenly Beauties. Portionless and re- man, and English were all from one root > mote from Heavenly Blessings they have language. > soiled themselves with the things of this The children there seemed very far adperishable world and neglected this Everlastvanced and had a keener perception than > children elsewhere. It was on this visit that > ing World of Eternal Life. > They satisfied themselves with a drop and we met Shoghi Effendi. He is today the > became shareless in the waves of the sea, Guardian of the Cause. At that early day > it was clear that he was > they attracted their hearts to a ray of the receiving a careful > sun and became remote and indifferent to the training for the stupendous work that was > Sun of Reality. to fall on His youthful shoulders after the > It is a source of great regret that a man Ascension of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > in this enlightened age and divine century Returning to Stuttgart, work was rewill become deprived of the heavenly bless- sumed with fresh zeal. By this time there > ings. > were a number of groups in surrounding > If a tree will not become fertile and green towns. At Degeloch, Mrs. Rosa Schwartz > through life-giving breezes of the > these interested anumber of intellectual friends > spring-time, and will not bring forth blosand neighbors who attended her Tuesday > soms, fruit, and leaves, then in what season afternoon coffee. The Baha'i Teachings > will it bear fruit? Be assured, it will for- were discussed for many years and progress > ever be deprived and for all eternity, hope- was made. > less. Now you ought to give thanks to God Zuffenhausen and Esslingen developed > that you have attained to a share of the splendid youth centers. Mrs. M. Schweizer > 738 THE BAHA'f WORLD > and her close friend Miss Kostlin were very "Give to Herr Karl Kruttner the wonjoyful over the increase in numbers of the derful Abhd Greetings and tell him: > > youth and the interest they were showing "Happy are you to have come to the > in the Baha'i Faith. Weekly visits were Light of Truth and found the way of the > made as well as week-end trips. Great Kingdom, you have advanced into the > joy was experienced by the believers who straight path and heard the call of the Lord > had become active in spreading the Great of Hosts. I hope that you will take such > Message. strides in the Cause, that you will attain the > > Delightful trips were made to Leipzig and ultimate hope and desire, and act according > some of the nearby cities. The groups were to the teachings and exhortations of Baha'- > > deeply impressed by our experience in the u'llah. Miss Knobloch has sent me the > Holy Land and our detailed description of stamp you had given her. I have seen it > Alexandria, Cairo, Port Sa'id, and the Baha'is it is the sign of fear and horror." > > we met in those cities. > also: > The following year, in accordance with > the wish of 'Abdu'1-Baha, my nephew Carl "April 12, 1910. > N. Hannen came to > Stuttgart to attend "You have written regarding Bohm, Ausschool. In his case, too, the guidance and tria that Professor Kruttner has become > assistance of 'Abdu'1-Baha were marked. confirmed, has arisen to serve and give the > Changes were made in our activities and glad-tidings of the Coming of the Kingdom > distinct inner development was felt. Carl of God. Know of a certainty that he will > found the first Christmas spent in Stuttgart soon find a wonderful help and the Cause > very different from those he had spent in will spread in those regions. Give my warm- > Washington, D. C. At five o'clock the day est greetings to Herr Kruttner. I have asked > > before, all the stores and places of business for him from the Lord of the Kingdom aswere closed and all that could attend services sistance in all conditions. Therefore with > at church did so. Here a tall white pine celestialstrength, a effort and an > divine > with many lights made up the only decora- illumined heart, and a Godly Spirit, he must > tion. Carols were sung and other splendid herald the proclamation of the Kingdom so > music was given. Trumpets in the church that the Celestial Angels of the Divine Word > towers were heard giving forth the Christ- may give him help and assistance." > mas carols both that evening and the following morning. A glorious male quartet sta- It was a great help to have some of the > > tioned in the cathedral steeple was heard Baha'i literature which had been translated > Christmas morning singing Christmas into German and published. We longed for > hymns. The sincerity of the Christmas more, and were delighted when Professor > Spirit was most impressive. We were also Christale translated "One Year in India" into > > generously remembered with gifts from Esperanto. This was in great demand at the > many friends. following Esperanto Convention. Other > The various Baha'i Teachers from Amer- translations finally followed. The Peace > ica and fran that visited us gave us cour- Movement in Stuttgart became interested > age and strengthened the believers greatly. in the Baha'i Movement and asked for > Each one that came brought spiritual literature. > > fragrance from the Rose Garden of Abhd. The third Naw-Ruz was held at the > The Nineteen Day Feasts which were held at Frauen Club after they had moved into their > the Women's Club were joyous events and new home. This Feast brought together > we looked forward to them with much pleas- many friends and believers from the differure. ent cities and towns in the neighboring > In the fall of 1909, the Baha'i Message vicinities. It was indeed a heavenly meetreached Bohm, Austria. There Professor ing. All were exhilarated by the spiritual > Kruttner became active and I was very fragrances of the Abha Kingdom. The floral > happy to be able to forward the following decorations were very beautiful, and all felt > message which *Abdu'l-Bah sent to him: uplifted and radiantly happy. A beautiful > THE CALL TO GERMANY 739 > > tablet from 'Abdu'1-Baha was read on this held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schweizer > occasion in answer to our petition. at Zuffenhausen. This spiritual Feast be- > One of our first German contacts, Mrs. came significant in the fact that so many > Palm, moved to Tubingen and we were young people were with us to happily celeglad to have a new opening > to give the brate the New Year. Their faces shone with > message. She arranged several meetings for radiance and joy. They became beautiful > us. Miss Doering and also Carl Nategh believers, and active in spreading the Blessed > could join in these week-end trips. We also Message of the Lord and a help to the > > enjoyed Miss Spidel's, at Ludwigsvisits at Esslingen group. > burg. About this time I commenced to re- Mr. Otto Steabler and also Miss Wanke > ceive letters, cardscommunications > and went to Berlin to make their home and soon > from influential men, writers of note, and two others followed. Although we missed > those interested in civic uplift. They en- them we knew that those sincere ones would > couraged me with books, pamphlets, etc., do their share in spreading the Light. > expressing their appreciation of the efforts At Degeloch, the bright, intellectual > and help of the noble Baha'is. friends of Mrs. Rosa Schwartz enjoyed their > The circle of activity increased through afternoon group. One of the interested > the efforts of the friends and we did much friends was Mrs. Sanders, the charming wife > > follow-up work and made good use of all of one of the early pioneers of the Temopenings which presented themselves. In plars who settled at the foot of Mt. Carmel > November, 1910, Miss Doering and I visited at Haifa. Mr. Sanders' father became Gov- > Julia Steabler at Lorch. Many of the pa- ernor of the German Colony at Jerusalem > tients at this Health Resort had become in- and Mr. Sanders had been born in Jerusalem. > terested in the teachings and we were able He was much surprised to find that his wife > to spread the Glad-Tidings. had embraced the Baha'i Faith. After he > In Esslingen Miss Kostlin was very active heard more about it he accepted the Princiand also Mrs. M. Schweizer. The youth ples and told us that he had often seen > groups at the two places, Esslingen and Zuf- 'Abbas Effendi, who was well known > fenhausen, were especially attracted and it throughout Palestine and the surrounding > was always a great joy to attend their weekly country as the "Sage" and the "Father of > meetings. Many invitations were given to the Poor." > visit in the homes at coffee-time and often It was a great delight to us to learn that > friends were invited in to hear the message the teachings had found an ear in Switzerof God. Frequently the father would be land. Mr. Albert Lutz, of St. Gallen, came > at home to greet me and this gave excellent to Stuttgart to learn more of the Cause. > opportunities to become acquainted with When we went to Switzerland, Mr. Lutz > many parents and explain the Principles of arranged a gathering and Baha'i talks were > Baha'u'llah. One evening the Secretary of given in which he himself took part. At > the Y.M.C.A. attended the weekly Wednes- this time his sister and a few friends became > > day night meeting and appeared quite dis- interested. Baha'i literature was distributed. > turbed., However, after many questions All of these meetings were held as unassumwere satisfactorily cleared up he left, feeling ingly as possible since there was no need for > that the Cause was very different from what embellishment. The Power of the Word and > he had thought, and he told us that no one the clarity of the Principles were convincing > could take exception to the teachings. in themselves. > > Several homes were dedicated to 'Abdu'l- Miss A. Kostlin arranged a trip to Aalen, > Baha with all sincerity and interest in the where at the home of Mayor Krieg, the > Faith of God increased. 'Abdu'1-Baha sent Baha'i Teachings were given. Later a numus the following words to give us strength ber of Miss Krieg's friends became interested. > and consolation: "The nightingales fly to the A hall was secured and meetings were held. > rose-gardens. That was not a gathering but It was through this believer that I found an > > a garden filled with roses and basil." opening in Munich and was able to give > The Naw-Ruz celebration that year was forth the Glad News. Meetings were held > 740 THE BAHA'f WORLD > in a large hall on several occasions. Some It was held April 4, 1913, in the afternoon. > influential people were contacted who were This date is commemorated each year in > > favorably impressed and on my second trip I memory of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit. 'Abdu'lwas introduced to Princess Gazilla, and Baha was specially pleased with the children > Prince Leopold of Bavaria. Many delight- who formed two rows in front of the enful trips were taken in this section of Ger- trance to the hall. All were dressed in > many and the people were most sincere and white and held huge bouquets of flowers and > friendly. Munich is an art center and a were anxiously awaiting His Coming. This > favored city for tourists. Although it is lo- eventful occasion will never be forgotten. > cated in the southern part of Germany it is 'Abdu'1-Baha passed through these rows of > cool on account of its high mountains. smiling faces and they all received His bless- > On returning to Stuttgart, word was re- ing. 'Abdu'1-Baha stopped to say a few > ceived that 'Abdu'1-Baha was in Paris. Im- Words to this one and that one on either side. > mediately petitions were drawn up suppli- Those who were touched by the Blessed > cating 'Abdu'1-Baha to come to Germany Hands were exhilarated beyond words. Beauand give His blessing to the work that had tiful were the words they received. All felt > been accomplished there. In reply 'Abdu'l- the great love of 'Abdu'1-Baha although they > Baha graciously gave permission for those in could not realize the great favor and bounty > Stuttgart who desired to do so to go to Paris that had been bestowed upon them. > and be with Him during His stay there. We The following evening 'Abdu'1-Baha grawent, and returned to Stuttgart radiantly ciously addressed a large and distinguished > happy with the assurance that 'Abdu'1-Baha gathering of friends who had come from far > would visit Stuttgart later. He wished no and near. The meeting was held at the Muspecial preparations made although our long- seum, a most exclusive and magnificent Hall. > ing was great to do Him the utmost homage. The Master asked me to select a subject for > 'Abdu'1-Baha and four of His Iranian Secre- the evening and t asked Him to speak on > tariesarrived unheralded, April 1, 1913. "Woman." Smilingly He questioned, "On > Our joy was beyond measure! We had the German Woman?" I answered, "No, on > been working and serving at the break of Woman in general." His face beamed with > the New Day and now the Light of the Sun that radiance that brought divine fragrances > of Truth flooded the land and we were grate- and He said, "Very well, very well." Mr. > ful. 'Abdu'l-Baha's words gave new im- A. Eckstein translated the lecture while > petus to the Cause in this country and a Consul A. Schwarz presided as Chairman. > number of meetings were held. Beautiful music was rendered by Miss Julia > The humility, love, and devotion, of the Steabler. 'Abdu'1-Baha enlarged upon the > German believers rejoiced the heart of women in Iran. His address was highly ap- > 'Abdu'1-Baha and they received His bless- preciated, especially by those noble, esteemed > ings and His words of encouraging counsel ladies who had so marvelously assisted us in > in complete submissiveness. They were filled our early work. After the talk He went > with the desire to devote their lives to the through the hall shaking hands and giving > Cause, thereby increasing their love for hu- words of cheer. This indeed was an eventful > manity. Friends came from far and near to evening. Only 'Abdu'1-Baha knew of its > > see the Master. There was a constant flow far-reaching results. Our gratitude was > of visitors at the Hotel Marquart. There boundless for the blessings received during > 'Abdu'1-Baha .received them with such love 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit and also during His > and graciousness that they became radiant week's stay after His return from Budapest > with joy and happiness. and Vienna. > On 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival I asked Him for To me, one of the most outstanding > two meetings: one for the Youth Group at events occurred when I called on 'Abdu'l- > Esslingen and one for the ladies. Baha one morning and asked Him to attend > Miss Kostlin, who had been doing a mar- our Baha'i Meeting that evening. He said > velous work at Esslingen, arranged a beauti- that He would if it might; be scheduled for > ful meeting there to welcome 'Abdu'1-Bahd. four that afternoon. Overjoyed, I rushed > THE CALL TO GERMANY 741 > > to inform the believers and to make the nec- mountainsides. 'Abdu'1-Baha said, "Truly > essary arrangements. It was then noon and it is worthy to become a paradise." 'Abdu'lso the time was very short. The ladies at Baha was kind and thoughtful to all and > the Frauen Club were most obliging in let- His Great Love penetrated all the hearts. > ting us have all the rooms and in preparing His spirituality and nobility never failed to > for the Unity Feast. We > expected about express themselves in authoritative Words > 150 and over 160 attended. The ladies of and countenance. We all felt that a new > the Club beautifully decorated the tables life had begun and that now the Cause in > > and the rooms with gorgeous flowers. Germany was established. Before leaving > 'Abdu'1-Baha arrived at four o'clock and 'Abdu'1-Baha said, "The Cause has thrown > walked through the rooms giving greetings so universal a reverberation through the > to the friends before taking His place at pillars of the earth that the Divine Power > table. His face shone with pleasure and a of BahaVllah shall encircle the globe. Be > happiness that was divine. All the believers assured." > beamed with love and joy. The lecture was After a few weeks of intense activity in > translated by Mr. Herrigel and all felt the the nearby towns I again had the great pleasinspiring Spirit which permeated the at- ure of visiting Switzerland with my sister > mosphere and penetrated the very soul of all Fanny. We visited St. Gallen where Mr. > present. Each felt baptized with the power Lutz had been active in spreading the Gladof the Spirit and the Fire of the Love of Tidings. His sister radiated the Baha'i Light > God. The rooms were filled with the Fra- and we spent a few happy days with them. > grances of the Abha Kingdom. After short stays in various cities, we were > The following morning when I called delighted to return to Luzerne where many > upon 'Abdu'1-Baha He said that the meeting touristsbecame interested. A number of > was blessed. "It will never be forgotten in them wrote to us for literature. We will > the future generations. The Supreme Con- always remember with kindness Frau Blattle > course of Angels were pleased and rejoiced. at Kersitten. > It was an illumined meeting, giving eternal Within the week after my return to Stuttlife to mankind. The Apostles of Christ did gart, I took an extensive northern trip, stopnot know that the Last Supper would be ping over in many places that had been viscommemorated throughout the next two ited on previous occasions. A number of > thousand years." these friends had met 'Abdu'1-Baha in Stutt- > Professor Christale, President of the Es- gart and expressed their love and esteem for > perantists of Europe, invited 'Abdu'1-Baha Him. Making Leipzig my permanent home, > to speak at one of their meetings. This I went from there to a number of places. > > 'Abdu'1-Baha kindly consented to do and a At Leipzig, regular weekly Baha'i Meetings > large meeting was arranged at their Club. were held at an attractive hall near the Uni- > 'Abdu'l-Baha's address was very significant versity. > in that He especially stressed the Principle Many beautiful trips were taken and the > of Baha'u'llah, the need for an international Light of Truth was carried to much of this > language. The Professor, in expressing his section of Germany. They were a people of > deep appreciation and thanks for 'Abd- song and good cheer. The teachings peneu'1-Baha's presence, brought out the need trated old castles as well as hamlets and to > for an international language since 'Abd- my surprise the friends were not at all hesiu'l-Baha spoke in Iranian which was first tant in giving ear to the Message. > translated into English and finally into Ger- In Gera, Mr. and Mrs. Doering who had > man. accepted the teachings in Leipzig opened > It was remarked by 'Abdu*l-Baha on sev- their new home to the Cause and they soon > eral occasions that it was well that He came had a group of friends interested. A study > to Germany in the spring. When looking class was formed and it was always a joy to > over Stuttgart, the hills were covered with visit them and to take trips to the vicinity > > blossoming fruit trees. In the evening the around Gera. Warnsdorf was another old > lights threw a beautiful illumination over the historical place where the message of Baha'- > 742 THE BAHA'f WORLD > u'llah was gladly received and contacts were time mankind is > glorifying and praising > made with nobility. them. > At Gotha, in the old stately homestead of Upon ye be Baha-u'1-Abha. > Miss Plessmer, delightful days were spent. Abdu'l-Baha-Abbas. > She invited friends to dinner parties and Sept. 22, 1913. > coffees to hear of the Teachings of Baha'- > u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha. Many became Many pleasant trips were taken through > beautiful active believers.At every visit to this section of Germany and we were always > Gotha the friends increased. A number of able to make some contacts. Warnsdorf was > influential people were reached. Invitations again visited and several of high standwere received to visit them in their homes. ing accepted Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'1-Baha. > A splendid public meeting was arranged at All were glad to hear about 'Abdu'l-Baha's > which the Burgermeister gave a warm speech visit to Germany and there was much to > of thanks for the Message having been relate. > > brought to Gotha. He and his wife wished New channels through which the Gladme to visit them and later to spend some Tidings were continually given, opened at > time with them at their summer home on Leipzig. These were always heartily emthe North Sea. They were grateful for the braced. Through the assistance of Mr. and > following Tablet from 'Abdu'1-Baha: Mrs. Schultz and the opening of their home > the teachings were widely spread. Their > To the Friends in Gotha: > children Helmut and Erngott came daily to > He is God! hear about > Abdu'l-Baha. They clearly > O ye Sons and Daughters of the King- showed their devotion and great love for > dom! The heavenly daughter, Miss Knob- Him. These believers and their friends aided > loch, has given the utmost praise about your greatly in sustaining our weekly meetings at > faith and love; that glory be to God, when the hall. They* also secured favorable anyou heard the call of the Kingdom your nouncements in the daily newspapers and > spirits gained capacity of flight, your hearts Baha'i articles were continually being pubwere illumined with the Light of Guidance, lished. Sometimes I was asked to write an > you drank from the cup of Divine Knowl- article for the papers and various subjects > > edge, the Elixir of Bestowal, you became in- of universal interest were selected such as, > toxicated with the wine of the Kingdom. "The Baha'i Teachings Regarding the Ad- > Thank God that He has chosen you from vancement of Woman and Her Equality > amongst all the peoples of the world and ye with Man." The articles were always pubattained such an eminent Gift so that each lished in full with favorable editorial reone of you were ushered into the Kingdom marks. Magnificent openings presented > of God. This Bestowal of the Most Great themselves on so many occasions that it was > Guidance is not so apparent now, but in the truly remarkable. The message sent to Mr. > future ages it will illumine the East and the F. Schweizer from 'Abdu'1-Baha bears this > West. out to an astounding degree. It is as fol- > Consider that during the His > days of lows: > Holiness Christ, Upon Him be Glory, no one "When maid-servant of God, Miss > the > gave any importance to the Guidance of the Knobloch, was sent to that country I sup- > Apostles. The populace pretended that a plicated from the Threshold of His Highness > number of insignificant souls had gathered Baha'u'llah that confirmations might dethemselves around a poor man, and were scend upon her and I am yet with all my > talking foolishly, nay, rather, they were ridi- heart and soul praying for her that she may > culing them. They laughed even at the become more assisted. This is the Cause of > Blessed Personage of Christ and spat upon her confirmation for she was thus enabled to > that radiant, luminous, and wonderful coun- carry the Glad-Tidings of the appearance of > tenance. But that > afterward, the > reflect the Blessed Perfection to that region. The > Guidance of these Catchers of Fish became manner in which she was confirmed is a suffamous throughout all regions and up to this ficient demonstration and evident proof that > THE CALL TO GERMANY 743 > > the support of the Kingdom of Abha is the quisite roses for a background. The cere- > Protector and the Guardian." mony was very impressively conducted by > A number of influential people became in- the donors, Consul and Mrs. A. Schwarz. > terested in the teachings in the central and While I was at Bad Merkenhcim I had splennorthern parts of Germany and we were did opportunities to interest a number of > > happy to respond to their call in order that guests in the Baha'i Cause. Early morning > they might hear more about Baha'u'llah and talks were arranged and after the second day > 'Abdu'1-Baha. One of these cities was Baut- I was requested to speak in the afternoons > zen, our saintly mother's home. This palatial also. Many invitations were extended by > homestead became illumined with the Light these friends to visit them in their homes. > of Truth and several friends became believ- It was of great value that a board or > > ers. Some of the Roessler family received Spiritual Assembly had been formed. Conglorious words from 'Abdu'1-Baha and the sul Schwarz acted as Chairman, and during > > tablets were highly appreciated. his term of office a United Publishing Co. for > > Leipzig, at this time, became a Baha'i Baha'i literature was formed. A number of > Center that attracted friends from other books and tablets had, by this time, been > cities. Among those who came was Mr. R. translated into German and people were > Glitz from Chemnitz. Trips were made to eagerly awaiting reading material. Mrs. > Chemnitz and Baha'i instruction was given. A. Schwarz edited the first Baha'i Magazine > Berlin was also visited. Several of our be- entitled "The Sun of Truth." All the friends > lievers had moved there and to Berlin's sub- were exceedingly happy over this marked > urbs. These trips were always delightful progress. > since it showed how the Baha'i Faith was During these years intensive teaching > being carried by the believers to various cities tripswere made from the North Sea to the > and towns. They were always most appre- Boden See. New places were opened and > ciative and I only regretted that I could not follow-up trips made to places where there > remain longer at each new place. Although were already believers. The stay at Dahmc > the world war darkened the horizon, the on the Baltic Sea was productive of much > activity of the believers was not interrupted. good. At this Bathing Resort a number of > We increased our services in many ways. guests were met and Miss Doering and I both > Baha'i Literature cheered the hearts of many. gave Baha'i talks. Our supply of literature > My trips became more extensive but were came to an end but we were well pleased > confined to Germany. No government re- with the many who listened and with the > strictions were made and our hearts were marvelous results attained. > grateful. We visited Hamburg on this occasion, > At Wareshoffen, a Health Resort in the having been invited by Rev. Mr. H to > mountains of Bavaria, a number of distin- visit him and his wife. We found them > guished guests became deeply interested in doing unique Baha'i work. Esperanto was > the Baha'i Faith. An Italian captain not being given each Sunday afternoon and this > only accepted Baha'u'llah but regretted that was followed by talks on the Baha'i Faith. > he had not had the Teachings when he was Singularly we were the first Baha'is that > a lad. The weeks of teaching at that place they had met. We spent very happy hours > will never be forgotten. Baha'u'llah's words with them and regretted that we could not > brought joy to the hearts of many learned stay over to attend their meeting and meet > men who were searching for the Light of the friends. > Truth. The following summer was spent at the > A very eventful occasion was the dedica- Boden See. We were fortunate to be the > tion of a handsome monument in memory guests of the late descendant of F. Schiller, > of 'Abdu'1-Baha and His visit to Bad Mer- who had married a Russian Countess. Our > kenheim. It consisted of a life-sized head hostess was very charming and intellectual. > of 'Abdu'I-Baha in bronze on a granite stone Although the old Castle was most interestabout six feet in height. It was placed next ing our only thought was to give forth the > to a rose arbor and thus had a mass of ex- Message. We had some touching experiences > 744 THE BAHA'f WORLD > while there. On going out for walks we friends. Although traveling was extremely > would stop and talk to the people whenever trying and difficult I never failed to reach > there was an opportunity. Some of these my destination. There were many heartstrong hearty men would listen very atten- rending experiences but the courtesy and > tively, then turn aside to brush away a tear. esteem shown me at this time will never be > They would beg us to return later and talk forgotten. The friends made loving sacrimore. Sometimes we were able to place fices to lighten the burden of hardships > > advantageously Baha'i literature. which they themselves had also to endure. > Being in Southern Germany, Munich was Petitions were sent 'Abdu'1-Baha for pervisited and Baha'i talks were given at vari- mission to return home. The answer bade > ous times. Through Major Krieg we met me make the friends at Leipzig bubble over > many fine people. Several months were with the Fire of the Love of God and then I > spent here. Although we had four believers, might return to America for a time. Alit was difficult to make the progress that we though the task was great, I served day and > wished. Two of the believers returned to night and many influential people were in- > Denmark after the war and we were glad terested. They invited their friends to hear > that the Baha'i Message could be taken into the Message. A number of doctors and prothat country. fessors assisted and openings continued for > On returning to Stuttgart, the friends Fully realizing the > telling the Glad-Tidings. > were found to be extremely busy. All were need for strenuous labor in the work so > serving. Our greatest joy was to receive richly blessed nevertheless feeling a long- > Tablets from 'Abdu'1-Baha who was pleased ing to return home I worked nearly half a > > with the services rendered during these try- year longer before permission was granted by > ing days. Our believers worked with the 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Red Cross and aided in as many ways as It was not expedient to leave at once and > > possible. the summer of f920 was spent in Stuttgart > Nuremberg was visited several times and and in visiting the surrounding towns. > some men of note became interested in the These were really my farewell visits. The > Cause. Miss Rap and Miss Ubelhack, who Friends expressed their love and devotion in > had accepted the message in Stuttgart, as- many ways and I felt deeply grateful for > sisted in the meetings and introduced us to shown me. > all the kindness and attention > > friends who wished to know about Baha'- The sincere Iranian and American believu'llah's Teachings. Ludwigshafen was vis- ers who visited Germany had been a great > ited during these memorable days and the spiritual help and this assistance was highly > friends were happy to hear more of the appreciated. It is with pleasure that I recall > teachings. It was very difficult to travel the interesting entertainment given by the > at this time but with deep gratitude we Youth Group at Esslingen. A tableau writwere conscious of the love and assist- ten by Mr. H. Schwab was well rendered. A > ance of 'Abdu'1-Baha. At all the Baha'i large hall was filled to capacity. A demeetings there was an outpouring of Spirit lightful evening was also spent with the bewhich all who attended felt, and earnest lievers at the Frauen Club in Stuttgart. The > > prayers uplifted and strengthened the be- marked growth was plainly seen and my > lievers. heart was filled with love and gratitude. > In Leipzig, notable progress was made. Before leaving there was some intense > We will always cherish and feel deeply grate- work to be done in Leipzig where the numful to Dr. Hugo Volrat for his service and ber of people to be seen and talked to had > noble kindness. The believers of that city so increased that I invited Miss Doering to > rendered exceptional service. The visits to come and assist me in answering questions > Gera and Gotha were continued and later and giving Baha'i talks. She was greatly > the Nineteen Day Feasts were held at the surprised and much rejoiced over the neceshome of Mr. and Mrs. K. Doering, who con- sity, and she was given a bright and hearty > tinued their weekly meetings without pause. welcome by the friends. > It was always a joy to be with these dear Our hearts were filled with love and pro- > THE CALL TO GERMANY 745 > > found thanks for the Tablet received from like unto candles, enkindled and radiantly > 'Abdu'1-Baha, at this time. It is as follows: streaming beams into all directions. Therefore I am giving thee the Glad-Tidings that > > April 9, 1920. the favor is directed upon thee and the Rays > . . . Therefore it is certain that the of the Sun of Reality are the adornments of > > Teachings of the Most High, BahaVllah, your hearts. There is no greater confirmawill in that region and country spread to the tion than this. > > utmost, and souls from Germany will be 'Abdu'1-Baha-Abbas. > THE MANIFESTATION > BY ALBERT P. ENTZMINGER > JL ROM the beginning of time man has u'llah tells us that "God, singly and alone, > ever been conscious of the existence of God. abideth in His own > Place, which is holy > The most primitive of men worshipped the above space and time, mention and utter- > Deity, in a primitive manner, perhaps, but ance, sign, description, and definition, height > nevertheless in conformity with their in- and depth," and in the Gospel of St. John, > telligence and such understanding as they 1:18, we are told, "No man hath seen God > believed they had of their Creator. It is not at any time; the only begotten Son, which > at all surprising that primitive man should is in the bosom of the Father, he hath dehave entertained such strange, and to us, clared Him." > such ridiculous ideas of Divinity because to Now as for man in Genesis we read that > them God was a mystery, even as today in man is the creation of God. In "The Gleanthis enlightened 20th Century, God to us is ings," page 70, BahaVllah writes that "The > still a mystery. But science with her many purpose of God in creating man hath been, > instruments has greatly enlarged modern and will ever be, to enable him to know his > man's vision. With astronomy and the tele- Creator and to attain His Presence. To this > scope, physics and the microscope, chemistry most excellent aim, this supreme objective, > and its analyses, science has brought to man all the heavenly Books and the divinely re- > > a better understanding of the vastness of the vealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocally > universe, but in regard to our Creator, it bear witness." And again on page 77 He > has caused Him to become only more incom- says, "From among all created things He > prehensible to us than ever (if such a thing hath singled out for His special favor the > is > possible). pure, the gem-like reality of man, and inman in attempting to describe > Primitive vested it with a unique capacity of knowing > own > his Creator naturally limited God to his Him and reflecting the greatness of His > comprehension, and man today, in attempt- glory." > ing to understand God, in like manner, can To know God, and to reflect His glory, > limit God only to that which his finite mind should therefore be the aim of Man, and > can conceive. The created thing can never that this task is not beyond our possibilities > > hope to comprehend its Creator, any more is evident because God has created us for > than a table can hope to understand the this very purpose. But because there is a > > carpenter who built it. For as we attempt way of knowing Him, we are not to consider > to conceive this universe with infinite space that man can directly contact the Incom- > > extending out from us in every direction be- prehensible, or that the created thing can > yond limit; infinite time without beginning know its Creator. The finite can never > or end; infinite worlds and infinite suns, the comprehend the infinite, nor can a lower > mysteries of which man can never hope to plane comprehend a higher one for instance > fathom; and then right on this earth, in the a stone representing the mineral kingdom, or > > very air we breathe and the water we drink, a tree representing the vegetable kingdom, > the mystery of infinite living creatures, in- can never understand man representing the > visible to our eye, and of unbelievable mi- human kingdom. > nuteness; these serve to indicate to us that The manner in which man acquires knowla Creator which surrounds all of creation edge of God, the Unknowable Essence, is > certainly incomprehensible to man who > is through an Intermediary, or Mediator, for > represents such a small part of His Creation. God from the beginning of time has pro- > In "Baha'i Scriptures,*' page 158, Baha'- vided mankind with His Manifestations to > THE MANIFESTATION 747 > > serve as "vehicles for the transmission of the minion, mercy and wisdom, glory, bounty > Grace of Divinity itself" words > in other and grace, are made manifest." > to serve as a channel through which man Thus the Intermediary, or the Manifestamay be enabled to know Him. The theory tion, as we shall call Him, in the words of > of an intermediary between man and his BahaVlldh, "appears out of the realm of the > Creator exists in all great religions today. spirit in the noble form of the human tem- > Each points to a mediator as receiving from ple" and is thus "made manifest unto all > God the "light of divine splendor" and men." They impart unto the world the > thence distributing it over the human world. mysteries of God, by expressing to man the > The Jews look to Moses and the Christians attributes of God. That God should reveal > to Christ. For others it is Buddha, or His attributes through His Manifestation > Muhammad, or Zoroaster. And in this day rather than His Essence can be understood > the Baha'is recognize in BahaVllah this because it is not possible for God to reveal > same station as Intermediary between God to man that which man cannot understand. > and man. Man cannot understand the nature of fire, > Now the very nature of an intermediary but he does understand its attributes, such > immediately suggests to us a dual relation- as heat and light, and in this manner he ob- > > ship, because it brings to us two extremes tains a knowledge of fire. Likewise God's > in relation to each other. Anything that attributes, expressed by His Manifestations, > might have but a single relationship could become our only means of knowing God, the > not be an intermediary, and so a Manifesta- Unknowable. The attributes of God, which > tion of God, serving as mediator between BahaVllah has enumerated as knowledge, > God, the Unknowable Essence, and Man, power, sovereignty and dominion, mercy, > His Creation, must needs have a relation- wisdom, glory, bounty and grace, are not > ship with both the finite and the infinite. realities in themselves and we can in no > > In other words he must have a divine rela- way consider them as independent existtionship, and also a human relationship. ences. Detached from substance these at- > Considering first the divine relationship, tributes do not exist, because they are not > or the relation of the Manifestation to God substance, merely adjectives. So knowledge, > Himself, we have the following words of power, sovereignty, dominion, mercy, etc., > BahaVllah in "The Kitab-i-lqan," page 99, are not God, but only His attributes. They > "The door of the knowledge of the Ancient are not the Supreme Essence, and in recogof Days being thus closed in the face of all nizing them we have no cognizance of the > beings, the Source of infinite grace hath Essence itself, only of them Its attributes. > caused those luminous Gems of Holiness to And so God in His mercy has created for > appear out of the realm of the spirit, in the man an Intermediary or Manifestation, renoble form of the human temple, and be flecting His attributes to man, and so permade manifest unto all men, that they may fectly do they fulfill this mission that Baha"'- > impart unto the world the mysteries of the u'llah states in "The Kitab-i-fqan," page > > unchangeable Being, and tell of the subtle- 100, "From Him proceed their knowledge > ties of His imperishable Essence. These sanc- and power; from Him is derived their sovtified Mirrors, these Day-Springs of ancient ereignty. The beauty of their countenance > glory are one and all the Exponents on earth is but a reflection of His image, and their > of him Who is the central Orb of the Uni- revelation sign of His deathless glory. > a > > verse, its Essence and ultimate purpose." They are the Treasuries of divine knowledge, > And again on page 103, BahaVlldh further and the Repositories of celestial wisdom. > tells us "These Tabernacles of holiness, these Through them is transmitted a grace that is > primal Mirrors which reflect the light of un- infinite, and by them is revealed the light > > fading glory, are but expressions of Him that can never fade." > Who is the Invisible of the Invisibles. By So as we assume the Manifestation so perthe revelation of these gems of divine virtue fectly reflects God's attributes we naturally > all the names and attributes of God, such as consider that He is God. We > speak of Him > knowledge and power, sovereignty and do- as God, in similar manner as we speak of > 748 THE BAHA'f WORLD > light in reference to either the light or the as though they might be outside. The light > lamp. The lamp, which is really the vehicle would be just as blinding, and the radiation > which transmits the light, is often called a just as definite. However those in the room > light, and the Manifestation which is the would be receiving those sensations through > "vehicle which transmits the grace of di- an intermediary, the mirror, and not divinity" likewise is considered God. This rectly from the Sun. > conclusion is therefore legitimate, and while This illustration might be carried even > the followers of Moses, of Jesus, and Mu- farther, by giving the mirror a name. Suphammad, do not all consider their prophet pose it were named Moses, to demonstrate > in this light, it is interesting to note that the relationship between God and the Jews. > here in the western world, the largest single And then suppose other mirrors were > division of Christianity does regard Christ brought forth which might be named Christ, > as God. Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah. Now each of > When 'Abdu'1-Baha was in London in these four mirrors would reflect the same > 1911 He was asked, "Is the Divine Mani- light, yet none of them would be the sun. > festation God?" and his answer as given us In this manner all of the Manifestations of > " > in the book, 'Abdu'1-Baha in London," God have the same relationship to God, and > page 61, was "Yes, but not in Essence." in this sense they are one, yet each has His > In the passages quoted from "The Kitab- own individual identity. > i-lqan," Baha'u'llah speaks of the Manifes- It would be interesting at this point to > tations as "Mirrors of Sanctity, expressing study each of the Manifestations of God in > the central Orb of the Universe." 'Abdu'l- order to demonstrate how marvelously each > Baha again and again when speaking of the is endowed with God's attributes. How- > Manifestations of God described them in ever, this is a large subject which could not > similar fashion, as Mirrors reflecting the light be covered properly in a few moments. > of the Divine Sun, and this picture so thor- Nevertheless, regardless of how well we > oughly covers the subject that every one know the life and teachings of Moses, of > should attempt to visualize His illustration. Jesus, of Muhammad, of the Bab or of Baha'- > Let us imagine a mirror placed in a room u'llah, we are at least familiar enough with > in such a position as to reflect the light of them to realize that when we think of God's > the sun. The mirror is to represent the attributes, such as knowledge, power, do- > Manifestation of God and the sun is to repre- minion, we can visualize them practically all > sent God, or the Divine Essence. A person reflected in Their lives. Should some certain > > might then say that he saw two suns; one quality not visibly appear in any one of these > in the sky and one in the mirror, a state- Divine Beings, it would not necessarily mean > ment that could not be disproved. And that He did not possess that quality; for in > > yet we know that the sun in the sky and the "The Kitab-i-Iqan," page 104, Baha'u'llah > sun in the mirror are one, and the appearance states that all of these brilliant Beings are > of the two suns can in no way refute the endowed with all the attributes of God > singleness of the heavenly sun. The sun though all We > may not appear outwardly. > of the heavens is considered the Divine Es- can readily realize how reasonable this statesence, but we cannot say this of the sun of ment is, for in our daily lives we continually > the mirror. So then, we can say, the Divine discover in even our most intimate friends > Manifestation is God, but not in His Es- qualities that they possesswhich outwardly > sence. The light is the same, but the Mirror are not apparent. For instance, a man may > is not the Sun. have amazing strength, but due to his occu- > The Sun we see in the mirror is a perfect pation or mode of living, he is never called > reflection of the attributes of the Heavenly upon to display it, and the world may not > Sun. If we had a giant mirror so placed as recognize that such a quality existed in him. > to reflect the sunlight directly into a room, And so we could not truthfully say that a > we could flood it with sunshine so perfectly Prophet of God did not possess a certain atthat those inside would experience every sen- tribute of God just because that attribute > sation or attribute of 'the Sun, as perfectly was not outwardly visible to the world. > v *V > B '! > > "ffl^ > > :.il > > o > U > > o > > 750 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The thought might come to us at this hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou > point, as to whether or not the teachings of then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou > > Christ, or of Muhammad, show evidences of not that I am in the Father, and the Father > the relationship which JBaha Vllah states ex- in me? the words that I speak unto you I > istsbetween God and His Manifestations, speak not of myself; but the Father that > such as we have already discussed. dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Be- > First turning to the Bible, we find in the lieve me that I am in the Father and the > Gospel of St. John countless references to Father in me; or else believe me for the very > the relationship of Jesus to God, some of works' sake." The relationship of "the > which we will quote. In chapter 1, 18, we Father in Me" is one which Jesus mentioned > have the following words of John, "No man many times, and is one that many have athath seen God at any time; the only begot- tempted to explain. In fact Jesus used it so > ten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, often that a person could not honestly feel > he hath declared him." This verse was that he understood the true relationship of > > quoted before to show the relation of God to Christ to God, unless he also understood the > His creatures, but it also indicates that the relationship signified in "the Father in Me." > knowledge of God is possible only through We could hardly be expected to understand > His Manifestations. this from a literal standpoint, because such > Then chapter 5, where we find the > in an interpretation would be contrary to sci- > > Jews desiring to kill Jesus because He not ence and reason. We are therefore waronly had broken the Sabbath, but had said ranted in understanding this from a symbolic > that God was His Father, apparently mak- and allegorical standpoint. Christ often > ing Himself equal with God, we have the spoke in parables and it is an interesting fact > reply of Jesus, as follows, "Verily, verily, I that when He told His disciples a parable He > > say unto you, The Son can do nothing of never advised them that what He was tellhimself, but what he seeth the Father do; ing them was a parsfble, but He always spoke > for what things soever he doeth, these also as if it were an actual occurrence. Since > doeth the Son likewise." 'Tor as the Father we do interpret His parables as allegories it > hath life in himself; so hath he given to the stands that we can also consider "the Father > Son to have life in himself." "That all men in Me" as allegorical and symbolical, parshould honor the Son, even as they honor ticularly so because a literal interpretation of > the Father. He that honoreth not the Son this statement is beyond reason. And so > honoreth not the Father which hath sent 'Abdu'1-Baha in explaining this statement of > him." In the light of the explanations "the Father in Me" in Paris in 1913, spoke > which BahaVllah and 'Abdu'1-Baha have as follows, page 152, "Divine Philosophy": > > given us, these words of Jesus become easier "The fatherhood and sonship are allegorical > for us to understand. If the Jews had un- and symbolical. The Messianic reality is like > derstood His explanation they would have unto a mirror through which the sun of > known that Jesus only claimed equality with divinity has become resplendent. If this > God in the sense that He reflected His at- mirror expresses, "The light is in me" it > tributes. He made no mention of His Es- is sincere in its claim; therefore Jesus was > sence, but did state that He could do nothing truthful when He said, 'The Father is in > of Himself; only that which He saw His Me.' The sun in the sky and the sun in the > Father do. mirror are one, are they not, and yet we see > And then in chapter 14, after Jesus there are apparently two suns." > foretold that Judas would betray Him and And then as we leave the Bible and take up > it became necessary for Him to comfort His Muhammad and the Qur'dn, we have first > we remember Philip coming to > disciples, from Sura 42, verse 50 "It is not for man > Him, saying, "Lord, shew us the Father and that God should speak with him but by > it sufficeth us," and then beginning with the vision or behind a veil or he sendeth a Mes- > > eighth verse we have Jesus' reply, "Have I senger to reveal by His permission what He > been so long with you, and yet hast thou not will." This confirms the truth, that the > known me, Philip? He that hath seen me knowledge of God is possible only through > THE MANIFESTATION 751 > > His Manifestations, or Messengers, as was endured were due entirely to the materialism > stated in this verse. In "The Kitab-i-lqan," of the people among whom They lived, who > page 100, Baha'u'llah quotes the following were thus permitted to see only the Maniverse from the Qur'an: "There is no distinc- festations' physical condition, and were > tion whatsoever between Thee and Them; blinded from recognffcing the significance of > except that they are Thy servants, and are Their more important Spiritual aspects, > created of Thee." Again in "The Glean- which elevated Them to the true station of > ings," page 66, Baha'u'llah quotes from the a Manifestation of God. > > Qur'an, as follows: "Manifold and mysteri- Entering this world as an infant, the Manous is My relationship with God. I am He, ifestation is administered to as any other > > Himself, and He is I Myself, except that I child. His body develops gradually and is > am that I am, and He is that He is." These built up of elements just as man's body has > > holy words of Muhammad require no ex- been developed. Composed of elements it is > planation. They merely indicate to us, that therefore also subject to decomposition. The > the teachings of Muhammad are identical Manifestation has human limitations similar > with those of Christ and Baha'u'llah, with to man in that He is subject to illness, en- > > regard to the relationship of the Manifesta- dures pain, is dependent on food and drink, > tion to God. needs sleep and rest, and has either material > And now let us consider the second rela- means or is without them. And yet while > tionship of the Manifestation: that of His the Manifestations have the same physical > > relationship to man. conditions as mankind, it is evident that > was pointed out that since man cannot > It these physical powers are often higher de- > > comprehend the Infinite, it must necessarily veloped. For instance, man has ever been > follow that the Manifestation of God must amazed at the suffering these Holy Beings > have human aspects. Were this not so, man were obliged to endure. Men have marveled > could no more comprehend Him than he at their remarkable endurance, their phecould the Supreme Essence, and those that nomenal recuperative powers. In the spehave considered the Manifestation exclu- cific case of Baha'u'llah an account pubsively as God, and denied His human aspects, lished in the "Star of the West," Vol. VIII, > have perhaps unconsciously, but neverthe- page 178, tells of the extraordinary condiless in fact, denied the Infinity of God Him- tion of Baha'u'llah during the last three > self. We have quoted Baha'u'llah from "The years of His life, a period during which He > Kitab-i-fqan" where He states that God ate practically nothing. Once when He was > "caused luminous Gems of Holiness to ap- not feeling well a Greek physician exampear from the worlds of spirit in noble hu- ined His pulse and expressed his astonishman temples, among His creatures." From ment, stating that he had never seen a conthis we understand that God created His stitution so sensitive as that of Baha'u'llah. > Manifestations in human form; that they The Manifestation also has a rational soul, > each took on a physical body and a rational or individual reality such as man; however, > soul, and to each of which was assigned a they are not exactly alike; the difference exdifferent Name. plained by 'Abdu'1-Baha in "Some Answered > should not be necessary to attempt to > It Questions," page 177, being as follows: > prove this point for history tells us how the "But the individual reality of the Manifestapeople of the time of a Manifestation have tions of God is a holy reality, and for that > invariably recognized Him merely as one of reason it is sanctified, and in that which > their own fellow-men, and dealt with Him concerns nature and quality, is distinits > > as such. They certainly could not have guished from all other things. It is like the > mistaken His knowledge, His mercy, His sun, which by its essential nature produces > wisdom, His generosity, or His beneficence; light, and cannot be compared to the moon, > as a matter of fact His enemies have even just as the particles that > compose the globe > acknowledged that these qualities existed in of the sun cannot be compared with those > Him whom they were so mercilessly perse- which compose the moon. The particles and > cuting. The persecutions the Manifestations organization of the former produce rays, but > 752 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the particles of which the moon is composed plained on page 98 of "Some Answered Quesdo not produce rays, but need to borrow tions" in the following words: "Briefly, the > > light. So other human realities are those Holy Manifestations have ever been, and > souls who, like the moon, take light from ever will be, Luminous Realities; no change > the sun; but that holy reality is luminous or variation takes place in their essence. Bein himself." fore declaring their manifestation, they are > So then the Manifestation is similar to silent and quiet like a sleeper, and after their > man in that He has a similar physical body, manifestation, they speak and are illumibut more highly developed, and then like nated, like one who is awake." > man, He has a rational soul, with the ex- And as we study the utterance of the > ception that His reality being holy is lumi- Manifestations, we learn that just as They > nous, whereas man is dependent on his light have a dual relationship, They likewise have > from the Manifestation. a dual form of utterance. There are times > Where the Manifestation differs essentially when They speak as a man, usually in a spirit > from Man is in His Divine Identity, which is of humility, such as the words of Jesus: > known as the Divine Bounty. Obviously this "Nevertheless not my will, but Thine be > is a station which cannot be shared by man, done" or the words of Muhammad: "Say > because it is of an environment beyond the praise be to my Lord! Am I more than a > realm of man. This station is described in man an apostle," or "I am but a man like > "Some Answered Questions," page 174, as you." In this connection there is also Baha'- > the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, or the u'llah's epistle to the Shah of Iran, previ- > Reality of Prophethood. Being of the Di- ously referred to. This Tablet is too lengthy > vine World, it has neither beginning nor to quote, however it clearly indicates Baha'- > end. This station represents the radiance of u'llah speaking as a man, and in addition > the light of the Supreme Essence or the radi- indicates that the station of Manifestation > ance of the light of the Sun from a perfect He had assumed w$s not of His own will. > mirror, and is the station which Christ re- In His Tablet of Ishraqat He expressed a > ferred to when He spoke of "The Father in similar thought by saying, "Had another ex- > Me." It is through this station that the ponent or speaker been found we would not > Manifestation displays His Divine attributes; have made ourself an object of censure, dewhereby He becomes a Creator of Spiritual rision and calumnies on the part of the peo- > Life. By His innate knowledge, He becomes ple." Jesus spoke in like manner when He > both a Divine Educator and a Divine Physi- said, "Father, if it be possible, let this Cup > cian; an Establisher of a New Social Order. pass from Me." > This Reality of Prophethood wherein the There are other times when the Manifes- > Manifestation differs so essentially from man, tation speaks directly from the standpoint > as was stated, is of the Divine World, and of the Deity. In this class of utterance His > has neither beginning nor end, hence it does human personality is completely subservient, > not come into being with the declaration of and we then have the Voice of God speaking > prophethood by the Manifestation, nor does direct man, through Him. Dr. J. E. > to > it cease with the death of His > physical body. Esslemont, in "BahaVllah and the New > We have the words of St. John: "In the be- Era," page 53, states that through the Maniginning was the Word, and the Word was festation "God addresses His creatures, prowith God. The same was in the beginning claiming His love for them, teaching them > with God," from which we deduce that His attributes, making known His will, anthe station of Messiahship was always with nouncing His laws for their guidance and > Christ and existed prior to His baptism, or pleading for their love, their allegiance and > even to His physical birth. Likewise the service." And continuing, Dr. Esslemont > Divine Identity of BahaVllah did not sud- writes as follows: "In the writings of Baha'- > denly appear in His physical body while He u'llah, the utterance frequently changes > was sleeping upon His couch, as a literal in- from one of these forms to another. Someterpretation of His Tablet to the of hh times it is evidently the Man who is dis- > Iran would have us believe. This is ex- coursing, then without a break the writing > THE MANIFESTATION 753 > > continues as if God were speaking in the Temple of God, and in my beauty, but His > first Even when speaking as a man, > person. Beauty, and in'my being, but His Being, and > however, BahaVllah speaks as God's mes- in myself but Himself, and in my movement > > senger, as a living example of entire devotion but His Movement, and in my acquiescence > to God's will. His whole life is actuated by but His Acquiescence, and in my Pen but > the Holy Spirit. Hence no hard and fast line His Pen, the Precious, the Extolled* !" "Say: > * > can be drawn between the human and di- There hath not been in my soul but the > vine elements in His life or > teachings." Truth, and in myself naught could be seen > "Say: 'Naught is seen in my temple but the but God'." > HEAR, O ISRAEL > BY DOROTHY K. BAKER > > J. HE theme song of the Jews, the single- Abraham asked: "How oid art thou?" "Lo! > ness of God, has lived through four thousand So many years," replied the man."What!" > years. Where can history match this? exclaimed Abraham, "is it possible that a > The term Israel, Ferdinand Isserman as- man of so many years should desire to worserts, means Champion of God. In Ur of ship a thing only a day old?" > Chaldea, the Semitic people first championed Then Abraham again destroyed the idols > this Cause, led by Abraham, son of Terah, and was arraigned before Nimrod, who said: > maker of idols.Abraham is reputed to have "Knowest thou not that I am god and ruler > been born in a cave and kept in hiding of the world?" Abraham said: "If thou art > > through his early years, because of the god and ruler of the world, why dost thou > wicked designs of the idolatrous king, Nim- not cause the sun to rise in the west and set > rod, who was warned by the stars of the in the east? . . . Thou art the son of Cush, > coming of a Great One, whose power would and a mortal like him. Thou couldst not > encompass heaven and earth. To Abraham, save thy father from death, nor wilt thou > l > as to the Prophets long before him, it was thyself escape it." > given to know the indivisible nature of God. After this, Abraham was cast into a fiery > A story that is something of an allegory furnace and suffered many things, that he > comes down to us concerning his childhood. might become "a stream of blessing to purify > Coming forth from his cave one day and and regenerate the pagan world." > seeing the sun, he said: "This is surely the At the hour of Abraham's appearance, the > Lord of the universe. Him will I worship." Semitic people were reborn. Around the > But the sun set and night came, and seeing early camp fires the first academies of learnthe moon with her silver radiance, he said: ing came into being, schools whose central > "This then is the Lord of the world, and teaching was the singleness and majesty of > all the stars are His servants; to him will I God. As late as the day of Alexander of > kneel." The following morning, when moon Macedon, these academies remained the most > and stars had disappeared, and the sun had effective centers of truth in the world. Alrisen anew, Abraham said: "Now I know exander himself, coming incognito to conthat neither the one nor the other is the quer Jerusalem, was himself conquered by > Lord of the world, but He who controls both the wisdom of the Rabbis. The Revelation > as His servants is the creator and ruler of of Abraham was so potent that its effect > the whole world." lasted many centuries, and so universal that > One day Terah found his gods burned, a later writer > testifies: "It is particularly > > and going to Abraham, he asked: "Who has Abraham the friend of God, upon whom > burned these?" Abraham replied: "The are founded alike the Synagogue, the Church > > large one quarreled with the little ones and and the Mosque. Abraham was not a Jew > burned them in his anger." "Fool," cried nor a Christian, but a believer in one God. > Terah, "how canst thou say that he who can When God said: 'Let there be light/ He had > not see nor hear nor walk should have done Abraham in view." > this?" Then Abraham made answer: "How Centuries after the passing of Abraham, > canst thou forsake the living God to serve Moses the Interlocutor arose to champion > l > gods that neither see nor hear?" the Cause of God. He found his people > Nevertheless, Abraham was given charge > of his father's idols to sell them. One day, Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. 1. > 2 Shalsheleth Hakkabal ahTalmud. Translated by > tells the Talmud, a customer came, and M. H. Harry. > HEAR, O ISRAEL 755 > > fallen into bondage and unfaith. Because Akiva, for thy soul and the word One, left > " * > they knew nothing of seff -government, thy body together.' > Moses laid down mundane laws as well as Now to every discerning one, it must be > spiritual, and Israel became a theocracy, a evident that the importance of Divine Ultity > nation rightly proud of a government was very great among the Jews, since their > founded on divine justice. So to the heritage Odyssey is marked by an ever recurring aria > of faith was added an extraordinary ideal of of such strength and beauty. BahaVllah > obedience, righteousness, and respect for law. has revealed the true meaning of Divine > The story of Rabbi Yossi Ben Kisma relates: Unity. Its explanation has two parts. First, > "I once met a man in my travels he of- God is single and unattainable in His Esfered me a thousand golden denari and pre- sence. "Regard thou the one true God as > cious stones and pearls if I would agree to One Who is apart from and immeasurably > go and dwell in his native place. But I re- exalted above all created things.'* Second, > plied, saying: 'If thou wcrt to give me all that the true matter hidden in the song of > of the gold and silver, all the precious stones the Jews is the continued manifestation of > and pearls in the world, I would not reside this singleness, as revealed through the great > > anywhere else than in a place where the law Prophets. "It is clear and evident that all > " 3 > is studied/ This amazing respect for law the Prophets are the Temples of the Cause of > gave rise to high ethical morality, and when God.". The early Jews evidently recog- > . . > > the foot of the people slipped, inspired men nized that Revelation was progressive and > arose again and again to renew the moral recurrent, for we find in Jewish lore: > suasion of Abraham and Moses. Rabbi Isser- "Adam's book, which contained celestial > man, in his graphic little volume, "Rebels mysteries and holy wisdom, came down as > and Saints," recalls them to us, every one an heirloom into the hands of Abraham, > of them a champion. A Nathan who could and he, by means of it, was able to see the > rebuke a king's injustice; Amos, the shep- glory of his Lord." In brief, Abraham reherd of the desert who cried out that the ceived Divine Knowledge identical to that > famine was "not a famine of bread or a of the Prophets before him. Why, then, > thirst for water, but of hearing the words can we not go farther and say that one God > of our Lord**; Hosea, who warned: "My God revealed the Torah, the Gospel, and the > will castthem away because they did not Qur'an? BahaVllah proclaims that loyalty > hearken unto Him, and they shall be wan- to one must include loyalty to all, for God > derers among the nations"; Isaiah, who and His law are indivisible. Bah'u'llah has > prophesied peace and an Iranian Redeemer to brought to a close the Adamic cycle, a period > end suffering; Daniel, whose visions spanned of evolution covering five hundred thousand > twenty-three hundred years to the "time of years. He writes: "I have been preceded in > the end." These were champions indeed. this matter by Muhammad, the Messenger of > > Long after the Jews ceased to be a political God, and before him by the Spirit (Christ) > nation, the amazing loyalty to God, the Sin- and before him by the Interlocutor, Moses. > gle, the One, remained. At one time the This is the Father of whom Isaiah gave you > law of the Jews and the idea of the God of tidings, and from whom the Spirit received > Israel was displeasing to the Romans, and his covenant."Isaiah wrote: "The governthe famous Rabbi Akiva was forthwith put ment shall be upon his shoulder, and he shall > to death. On his lips were the words that be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty > had become the theme song of Israel: Sh*ma God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. > Yis-ro-ayl A-do-noy E-lo-hay-nu A-do-noy Of the increase of his government and of > E-chod. (Hear, O > Israel, the Lord thy God, peace there shall be no end." > the Lord is One.) From the Talmud, Spiritual unity can come only out of Rev- > " > and as they tore him with currycombs, elation. It was Revelation that created the > and as he was with long drawn breath sound- ancient unity, Judaism; created Christianity, > ing forth theword One, his soul departed > 8 Avoth > Translated by M. H. Harry. > from him. Then came forth a voice from 4 Berachotch Translated by M. H. Harry. > heaven which said: 'Blessed art thou, Rabbi 5 > Gleanings from the Writings of Bahi'u'lUh. > 756 THE BAHA'l WORLD > a later unity; created Islam. Each has had Revelation containing the seed of the Most > a potency beyond the ken of men and of Great Peace has appeared, and once more a > angels, has purified life, made progress, and divine government will be born, a govern- > > taught truth. Each, in its primitive period ment with powers to subdue the warring > of growth, has exercised the greatest influ- forces of the planet and organize its re- > > ence and held its world together. In its later sources. BahaVllah calls the world from > days, each has fallen into disunity and been clan to superstate, from sect to spiritual > all but lost to its adherents. The desire of solidarity. > BahaVllah is that these courts of majesty This is a challenge to Israel, the chambecome one court, and that God be wor- pion of Gfod. Can the clan spirit today preshipped as One Lord. Today He is as torn vent a great people from stepping into the > by idle fancies as in the days of Nimrod. court of a world religion? Never will they > His Cause is again in need of champions. be willing to stand clinging to the shadowy > The ancient Cause of God has reached the past, failing in the greatest adventure of > most dramatic point in its history, for evo- history. The voice cries in the sacred vale: > lution, side by side with Revelation, has "Here am I! Here am I!" Hear, O Israel, > brought man to the age of maturity. A the Lord thy God, the Lord is One! > THE ROSARY > BY NELLIE S. FRENCH > . HE > origin of the use of the Rosary as an many of these were attached to St. Paul's > aid to meditation and prayer is lost in ob- that the manufacture and sale of prayerscurity but a glimpse into its history is in- books and rosaries became a trade by itself." > triguing and presents many phases which As to the name "rosary" authorities differ, > prove the universal use of some form of but the most logical derivation of the word > prayer beads in all of the great religions from seems to be "rosarium," the Latin for > a very early period. The Old English word chaplet or garland of roses and Mr. Im- > "bead," derived from "biddan" to pray, is manuel M. Casanowicz in his description of > said originally to have meant merely prayer, a collection of rosaries in the National Muand to have been used in this sense as early seum in Washington mentions the fact that > as the ninth century. In this connection the corresponding words corona, chaplet, > also the use of the term "beadhouse" for Rosenkranz, capellina all convey the idea > almshouse and its inmates being called beads- of a garland possibly of an anthology, or > men, because as members of the institution flower-collection of prayers. He^ says that > of the almshouse they were required to say the custom of decorating the statues of the > prayers for the repose of the soul of the Virgin with garlands might have led to a > founder of the institution, links the word liturgical use of the term and eventually to > with religious observance. But just when a substitution of beads for flowers. > the name "bead" was transferred to the One of the best authorities on the Musmall perforated ball by which the beadsmen hammadan use of the rosary seems to be > symbolized the prayer in keeping count of P. Edgar Schafer, a German missionary in > his devotions is not clear. upper Egypt, who says that before the rosary > In the year 1377 version of Piers the Plow- came into use among the Muhammadans > man a "peyre bedes," meaning a rosary or one's prayers were counted on the knuckles > series of such balls, is mentioned, and of the hand, a special name being given to > Chaucer in his Canterbury Tales describes each knuckle for the purpose. The ones and > the Prioresse thus: tens were recorded on the right hand, the > hundreds and thousands on the left. A very > "Of smal coral aboute hir arme she bar, > old tradition attributes to Muhammad the > A peire of bedes, gauded al with grene, custom of counting his prayers on his finger > And ther-on heng a broche of gold ful > tips. The Prophet is quoted as having said > shene > to one of His disciples: "Be quiet and pro- > On which ther was first write a crowned A > " nounce the praises and mentioning of Allah > And after 'Amor vincit omnia.' > and His holiness, and do not forget them or > Mr. Cornelius H. Patton writing some- you will forget mercy. Count them on the > what exhaustively on the subject of "Rosa- tips of your fingers, because they are reries of the Great Religions" says that "To sponsible, just as if they really could underbegin with, the rosary used by our ancestors stand. For the tips of your fingers will be > was a very simple affair called a 'paternos- witnesses against you on the Day of Judgter': for the ave was originally not used ment." > and the prayer beads took their name from Following this custom there came into use > the only petition offered. By a natural the custom of carrying the little scrip or bag > process priests who were devoted to prayer containing 99 pebbles which enabled the > and fasting came to be known as 'pater- worshipper to concentrate more completely > nosters' and in the reign of Edward I so on the Names and attributes of God accord- > 758 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ing to Muhammadan usage. Then the peb- monk than after death to have his skull cut > bles were strung and thus came the rosary up in to small discs or balls, for the edifica- > > > > of the Muhammad a ns. tion of those who are still bound to the > In the fashioning of rosaries many ma- wheel of this evil world." The orthodox > terials have been employed and the number Buddhist rosary in Tibet and elsewhere conof beads varies according to the usages of sists of 108 beads; thus by repetition this > the various religions. Several very rare and rosary onay register ten times 108 prayers, or > precious collections of rosaries present speci- 1,080 in all, and an additional pendant inmens of choicest beauty and richness. Carv- creases that number to something like 5,000 > > ings of ivory, jade, pearl and other precious which probably is the achievement of a "real > stones as well as gold, crystal, olivewood, saint" for the ordinary lama repeats five > > amber, jet, etc. From Muhammadan India times his 108 prayers per day, bringing the > come exquisite chaplets of matched and un- number to 540. > matched agate, the number of beads often Whether the reiteration of prayers and > > differing widely from the traditional idea. the resultant use of the rosary had its earliest > There is much that is lovely too, in the ejacu- beginnings in India, as many claim, and from > lations of praise following the recital of the there spread throughout the whole world indivine Names such as the Takbir (God is fluencing the followers of each successive > greater) ; the Tasbih (God be praised) ; the revelation, or whether these usages origi- > Tahlil (there is no God but God). "Sir nated in the inner consciousness of devout > Edwin Arnold has made exquisite use of the souls who longed for close and continued > 99 names in his 'Pearls of the Faith* in which, association with God and of their own inon a single string, he has threaded ninety- itiative discovered the true path through > nine poems on the greatness and glory of prayer and meditation matters not. But certhe Being sought after by men of all races tain it is that various forms of the rosary > and creeds," says Mr. Patton. The Muham- are in constant use* among Christians, Budmadan rosary or chaplet, usually consists of dhists, Hindus, the lamas of Tibet, the > 99 beads divided into sections of 3 3 each and priests of Shintoism in Japan, the Zoroastrithe sections separated by a larger, or differ- ans, the Mullas in Iran, the Abyssinian > ent kind of bead, and there is usually a hun- church, indeed we learn on good authordredth bead of elongated shape to mark the ity that three-quarters of the human race > center of the > string. This long bead is are given to some measure of its use. > sometimes called the "imam" and is not used Among the followers of Baha'u'llah there > in the ritual. Again it is known as the are those who have always cherished the use > "minaret" and is considered to stand for the of the rosary and there are those to whom its > name of Allah, apart from all attributes. use is new, for the followers of BahaVllah, > Tradition also associates the camel with the having thrown off all bonds, eschewed all > > hundredth bead, for the story is that only limitations, abolished all prejudices, have > the camel knows the hundredth name of been brought together from all quarters of > God. This knowledge being possessed by the globe, from all religious systems, from > him alone accounts for his look of scornful all national boundaries. To them there is > superiority! no value in the rosary per se, nor does prayer > "In Tibet," says Mr. Patton, "of all lands, mean the vain repetition of meaningless > prayer has become most mechanized. Prac- words and phrases. To them the rosary is as > tically everybody carries the rosary and the a chain and in the passing of the beads over > > prayer-wheel, and the monks have most ex- the fingers there is a sense of the gradual > pensive and elaborate specimens made of all closing of the door on the world of matter > sorts of materials, but that most valued and the dawning of a consciousness of the > above all other substances are the bones, and nearness of God. By its use the repetition of > especially the skull bones of famous lamas. the revealed Word > brings the suppliant > Next to achieving arbatship, that is, com- nearer and nearer to the feet of his Lord, > plete sainthood, after the manner of Bud- flooding his soul with the joy and consciousdha, there can be no greater honor for a ness of eternal reunion. The spiritual vibra- > K > S^ : > : > > '*-*" ljH|L-' : > : > > ! > > !/ > > 760 THE BAHA'f WORLD > tions set astir by the mentioning of the of God! The most precious of all rosaries > Name of God awaken one to a new life, a are those which have felt the touch of the > renewal of faith; the heart is purified, the hand of the Messenger of God and by Him > spirit quickened, the soul rejoiced and the have been bestowed upon the early pioneers > whole being set aflame by the fire of the love of the Faith! > MARRIAGE IN THE BAHA'I > FAITH > BY ROSEMARY SALA > IMMEDIATELY following Naw-Ruz, cel- of the sharp cleavage between a society > ebrated in the quickened spirit which ob- which mocks at chastity, condones the pracservance of the Nineteen Day Fast brings tice of celibacy, free-love, sterile and comand in anticipation of the 25th anniversary panionate marriage, unbridled divorce and > of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to America, this ca- between those distinctive attributes of a > blegram from Haifa was received by The moral life commanded by Baha'u'llah as the > National Assemblies of the Baha'i World: immovable foundation of His universal so- > "Announce assemblies celebration mar- ciety. > riage beloved Guardian. Inestimable honor Though we label the various crises through > conferred upon handmaid of Baha'u'llah, which the world is passing as economic or > Ruhiyyih Khanum, Miss Mary Maxwell. national in character, fundamentally the > Union of East and West proclaimed by problem is one of human relationships. And > Baha'i Faith cemented." (Signed) Ziaiyyih, in the vast complex network of personal in- > Mother of the Guardian." fluences in which the pattern of society is > > During that first electric moment of com- interwoven, its first most funnucleus, its > > prehension, the longing heart of every be- damental institution throughout ail the ebb > liever was fused in spirit to the heart of the and flow of human history has been that of > Baha'i World in Haifa, to become recharged marriage. Upon the stability of its laws, > with the currents of spiritual energy se- made in accordance with the exigencies of > creted there. For it is not alone the union time, civilizations have been born, and upon > of two well-beloved individuals that is its decay, they decline. It is a laboratory > > bringing about such far-reaching results. into which all the elements of social re- > The roots of this marriage lie embedded in adjustment are tried and evaluated, the hidthe soil from which the faith itself springs, den core where man's deepest emotions are > and its fruits will nourish and sustain future focused. > generations. A true understanding of the meaning and > It contributes to the permanence of the purpose of marriage depends upon a knowlinstitution of the Guardianship, head corner- edge of man as the form to which this instone of the Administrative Order and focal stitution, as all others, must be shaped; of a > point of the power of Interpretation, the knowledge of the true axis around which > only center wherein the seeds of unity can man's responses to life must revolve; and a > germinate, the purest channel from which knowledge of the one power that can turn > the unfoldment of Truth springs; it is the man on that axis. > fulfillment of 'Abdu'l-Baha's words, "The BahaVllah has said, "The essence of all > East and the West shall embrace as two knowledge is the knowledge of God which > lovers" and a visible symbol of the future can be known only through His Manifestawhen the spiritual dynamic contributed by tions." Let us learn how He speaks of God > the East and the World Order ushered in by and of them, and of man. > the West shall be centered in one spot, in (1) "From time immemorial He hath > Haifa; it makes the followers of Baha'u'llah been veiled in the ineffable sanctity of His > already divorced from crumbling religious exalted Self and will everlastingly continue > institutions dissociated from the corrup- to be wrapt in the impenetrable mystery of > tion of modern politics more acutely aware His unknowable Essence. . . . No one ex- > 762 THE BAHA'f WORLD > cept Thyself xan unravel the secret of Thy toric epochs, and a new awareness to man of > > Nature, and naught else but Thy transcen- himself as an eternal, spiritual being. Todental Essence can grasp the reality of Thy day man, enmeshed like a Jonah in the > unsearchable being. . How can I claim . . whale-like body of materialism, is enslaved to > to have known Thee, when the entire crea- an animal condition. Static and fixed about > tion is bewildered by Thy mystery and how a confused and torn axis, a center of conflictcan I confess not to have known Thee, when, ing emotions and ideas on the very essentials > lo, the whole universe proclaimeth Thy Pres- of life, he is either consumed by hatreds or > ence and testifieth to Thy Truth?" frozen sterile to any thought of mitigating > (2) "These sanctified Mirrors, these Day the misery and injustice that sweep the > Springs of ancient glory, are, one and all, the world. We > need to reverse this process. To > Exponents on earth of Him Who is the cen- seek a calm and fixed and stable axis around > tral Orb of the Universe, its Essence and which the responses of mind and heart of > Ultimate Power. . . . both the greatest and smallest social unit > "The Source of Infinite grace hath caused must revolve, tempering the cold of one and > those luminous Gems of Holiness to appear heat of the other; an instrument by which > out of the realm of the Spirit, in the noble all may be measured, a constant > capacity > form of the human temple, and be manifest point wherein the vari-colored racial and > unto all men, that They may impart unto cultural individual temperaments may each > the world the mysteries of the Unchangeable retain their special characteristics yet em- > > Being and tell of the subtleties of His im- brace one another as in the unity of light. > perishable Essence . . . > through Them is All these requirements are met in the Love > transmitted a grace that and by > is infinite of God. 'Abdu'1-Baha says, "There are four > Them is revealed a light that can never kinds of love: > fade." (a) "The love of God for His Creation, > "The purpose of God in creating man > ( 3 ) the reflection of Himself in the mirror of > hath been and will ever be to enable him to creation. Through one ray of this Love all > know His Creation and to attain His Pres- other love exists. > ence. Upon the reality of man, He > . . . > (b) "Love of God for His children, His > hath focused the radiance of all His names servants. Through this love man is enand attributes, and made it a mirror of His dowed with physical existence until, through > Own Self." the breath of the Holy Spirit this same > "Thou art My dominion and My dominion Love he receives eternal > and becomes > life > > perisheth not, wherefore fearest thou Thy the image of the Living God. This Love is > perishing? Thou art My light and My light the origin of all love in the world of creation. > shall never be extinguished, why dost thou (c) "The love of man for God. This is > dread extinction? Thou art My glory and faith this is attraction to the Divine > . . . > > My glory f adeth not, thou art My Robe and World, entrance into the Kingdom of God, > My Robe shall never be outworn. Abide receiving the bounties of God. This . . . > > then in thy love for Me that thou mayest love the origin of all philanthropy; this > is > > find Me in the realm of glory." love causes the heart of man to reflect the > Against such a background made lumi- rays of the Sun of Reality. > nous by such concepts, man must learn to "BahaVliah says, 'Love Me that I may > move in obedience to Divine laws as the love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love > only ones fitted to mold him and society. can never reach thee/ > Religion as revealed by the Prophets must (d) "The love of man for man. The love > be recognized to have the right to regulate which exists between the believers is > human conduct. For it alone surrounds and prompted by the ideal of the unity of spirits. > embraces in its comprehension all realities, This love is attained through the knowledge > the tangible proofs of science as well as the of God, so that men see the Divine Love reinvisible power of the abstractions of the flected in the heart. Each sees in the other > spirit. It is this power or its lack which the Beauty of God reflected in the soul, and, > brings about the birth or death of great his- .finding this point of similarity, they are at- > MARRIAGE IN THE BAHA'f FAITH 763 > > tracted to one another in love. This love desire to enter the sacred union of matriwill make all men the waves of one sea, the mony, eternal connection, ideal relationship, > stars of one heaven, the fruits of one tree." spiritual and physical association of thoughts > "But the love which sometimes exists be- and conceptions of life must exist between > tween friends is not true love, but is subject them, so that in all the grades of existence > to transmutation. As the breeze blows, the and in all the worlds of God this union may > slender trees yield. . . . This kind of love is continue forever and ever. For this union > originated by the accidental conditions of is a > splendor of the Light of the Love of > life. This is not love, it is merely acquaint- God." > anceship; it is subject to change. ." . . > Referring to those who become spiritually > Life might be expressed in the form of a awakened after marriage, He writes: "Liketriangle. The base is laid upon the connec- wise if the souls become real believers in God > tion between the expression of life's duality they will find themselves ushered into this > negative and positive, active and passive, exalted state of relationship, become manimale and female, giver and receiver. Real- festers of the Love of the Merciful, and ex- > > ity is at the apex and cannot be realized in by the cup of the love of God. > hilarated > the submission of one basic force to another Undoubtedly that union and relationship is > or loss of identity of either, but that the eternal." > essential quality of each is equally contrib- Abdu'l-Baha in writing to a Baha'i stated > uted to meet in a common center higher that everyone had an affinity, but that afthan and outside each other. This analogy finities did not always meet in this world, > illustrates the contribution of man and and if they did, they might not be happy > woman, potentially equal in the faculties in together, as this was not a place for perfect > which they share and of those particular happiness. He added that there was no > gifts in which they differ. Together they power that could keep them apart and that > are "the two wings of a bird" sharing equally in one of the worlds of God they would > in the power of mind and spirit while differ- recognize their oneness, and go through etering in aspect and the fields in which their nity inseparable. He refers further to this: > specialized gifts qualify them to operate. "The souls who sacrifice self, become de- > Muhammad stated that everything was cre- tached from the imperfections of the realm > ated in pairs: man and woman each have of man and free from the bondage of this > vacuums in their nature which seek com- ephemeral world, assuredly the splendors of > pletion. Cognizant of this void and realiz- the rays of Divine Union shall shine in their > ing the necessity for its fulfillment, 'Abdu'l- hearts,and they shall find ideal relationship > Baha wrote: and happiness in the Eternal Paradise." > "Regarding the question of matrimony: Out of the fusion of two souls a third > know that the command of marriage is eter- subtle entity is born. Though invisible and > nal. It will never be changed or altered. intangible on earth it is the composite soul > This is a Divine creation and there is not the of true lovers. The progress of one mysslightest possibility that change or alteration teriously influences the other, they become > shall affect this Divine Creation." the tutors of each other's soul. Distance or > "Among the majority of the people of the death, being physical forces, cannot cause its > world marriage consists of physical relation- disintegration. To a Baha'i whose husband > ship, and the union and relationship is but had died, the Master wrote: > temporary, for at the end physical separa- "Be confirmed with such deeds as to betion is destined and ordained. But the mar- come the cause of his joy and happiness in > riage of the people of Baha must consist of the other world." > both physical and spiritual relationship. . . . When marriage has such permanent value, > When relationship, union and concord exist we can understand the importance of the > between the two from a physical and spir- preliminary steps which lead up to it. > itual standpoint, that is real union and is "In this Merciful Age the ignorant prejutherefore everlasting. . . ." dices are entirely removed. The Baha'i en- > "Consequently when the people of Bah 4 gagement is the perfect communication and > 764 THE BAHA'f WORLD > the entire consent of both parties. How- ity to serve Him. Not through centering > ever, they must show forth the utmost at- upon each other is the reality > all their forces > > tention and become informed of one an- of the beloved found. That love fluctuates > other's character, and the firm covenant and is conditioned by outward circumbetween them must become an eternal bond stances. One moment it is aroused by ephemand their intention must be everlasting af- eral incidents and accidents, the next to > finity, friendship, unity and life." hate by the irritations which close proximity > No parental interference is permitted un- sometimes brings. But in seeking unity in > til after careful study of each other's char- the love of God (the apex higher than their > acter and the sincerity of one another's in- separate selves), the inmost reality of each > tentions are assured. Then the matter is is found, for it is a magnet which can only > brought before the four parents for consent. draw forth truth. Though the currents of > If consent is given a three months' engage- life'sexperiences eddy around the outer rim > ment is suggested. Should the consent be of existence, yet the very heart of one's being > withheld for any just cause, the two may risesupward to lie undisturbed in the unity > strive to eradicate the cause, while if the of this Divine love. The deep happiness of > reason for dissent seems founded on preju- such a union makes more clear the meaning > dice, the matter may be brought before the of procreation as the primary purpose of > Local Assembly. marriage. Baha'u'llah forbids celibacy and > These laws might seem to restrict rather commands, "Enter ye into wedlock that one > than extend the means of human happiness. may rise up in your stead."When one has > The Faith of Baha'u'llah is to establish unity touched even the outer fringe of the joy > and all these laws are to widen the area of which faith in Baha'u'llah brings, a life-time > that unity. Marriage is not primarily for spent in grateful service seems too short. It > the gratification of personal desires. Dr. is then the > greatest privilege and most sacred > Alfred Adler says, "Love and marriage are obligation to bring into being those who may > never the private affair of anyone: they are continue in joy to serve and praise God, who > the concern of the whole of mankind, and showers those bounties on His conscious > they constitute a social problem." In the servants. > World Order of Baha'u'llah, society is dedi- The most fundamental attributes of love, > cated to the service of God: marriage is one faithfulness and loyalty which attract and > > aspect. Though adherence to the laws of eternally connect the souls with God, are the > the country of origin is compulsory, the qualities which bind lovers together in mar- > Baha'i marriage ceremony performed by riage. Chastity then is a prerequisite and > any chosen Baha'i of voting age and in the adultery an abomination. The deferment of > presence of nine witnesses circles around marriage, due to economic causes and industhis theme. 'Abdu'1-Baha when performing trial life which now has lowered the morale, > > the wedding ceremony of two Iranian will disappear in the new World Order. A > Baha'is in London first asked each one sepa- new sense of values is arising in this age, and > rately, "Do you love with all your heart "one moment of chastity is equal to ten > and soul?" Then joining their hands to- thousand years of adoration." The severe > gether, He asked them to repeat after Him punishment imposed upon adultery by Baha'- > the words, "We do all to please God." Fur- u'llah we can understand. When marriage > ther instructions are: is entered into in the Baha'i > spirit and the > "The bridegroom must, before the brides- promises are made not to one another but to > men and a few others, say, 'Verily, we are God "Promise not that which you cannot > content with the will of God.' And the fulfill" commands Baha'u'llah adultery is > > bride must rejoin: 'Verily, we are satisfied a complete violation of that pledge and a > with the desire of God.' This is Baha'i negation of the forces of unity; it is spiritual > matrimony." anarchy affecting both the innocent and the > The love which each partner bears for the guilty; it is blasphemy towards that Source > other is made subservient to the love of God to which both turn. Should one of the partand is merged solely to increase their capac- ners in a marriage entered into sincerely, > MARRIAGE IN THE BAHA'f FAITH 765 > > afterwards meet another who was his or her him as an individual in the personal contacts > true affinity, the violation of the former of his every day. But that spirit, to become > vows can only more deeply separate the af- the living force of civilization, must be > For it is a spiritual attraction which > finities. transformed into its social counterpart of > cannot be truly consummated except in the Justice.Within BahaVllah's Plan for World > love of God. There are all the worlds of Order, the Houses of Justice (local, national > God where such lovers may unite. and internationally) become the lamp which > In the matter of divorce 'Abdu'1-Baha diffuses the flame of this love into Justice. > states: Upon the members of the local Houses of > "The friends must strictly refrain from Justicenow called Spiritual Assemblies > divorce unless something arises which com- lies the responsibility for the spiritual and > pels them to separate because of their aver- material unity of the group as a whole; upon > sion for each other; in that case, with the each individual member lies the sacred obliknowledge of the Spiritual Assembly, they gation to maintain that unity by turning to > may decide to separate. They must then be that body for advice or the solution to any > > patient and wait one complete year. If, problem affecting the relationship of two or > during this year, > harmony is not re-estab- more individuals. And the decision of that > lished between them, then their divorce may freely elected body (chosen in the spirit of > be realized. . . . The foundation of the prayer), is unanimously obeyed. The high- > Kingdom of God is based upon harmony and est point of fulfillment to be reached > love, oneness, and union, not > relationship through the Administrative bodies and the > upon differences, especially between hus- first point of contact with the invisible, > band and wife. If one of these two become spiritual resources of the Faith of Baha'uthe cause of divorce, that one will, unques- 'llah both meet in the institution of the > > tionably, fall into great difficulties, will be- Guardianship. The Baha'i World celebrates > come the victim of formidable calamities in the marriage of the first Guardian the > and experience deep remorse." further strengthening and safeguarding of > Should the husband absent himself from itsglorious destiny. Each Baha'i man and > home and neglect to notify his wife of his woman, within an infinitely smaller orbit, > movements, BahaVllah has given her the strives to make his or her own marriage be- > > right to divorce him and to remarry, but come a vital and integral part of that fu- > He added, "If she is patient it is better, for ture, the Golden Age of Baha'u'llah. > God loves those who are patient." Divorce To that end and in the words of 'Abdu'lismade slightly easier than marriage. In the Baha, they pray: > future, when through evolution we have "Glory be unto Thee, O My God! Verily > more appreciation and greater understand- this Thy servant and this Thy maid-servant > ing of Baha'u'llah's ordinances, divorce will have gathered under the shadow of Thy > be rare and the forces of disunion would Mercy and they are united through Thy > have to be so great as to endanger one an- favor and generosity. O Lord, confirm them > other's spiritual growth and physical health. in Thy Servitude and assist them in Thy > The year's separation before divorce is Service. Suffer them to become the Signs > granted will abolish all the abuses of the of Thy Name in Thy world and protect > present day when incompatibility of tem- them through Thy Bestowals which are inperament is based upon the childish dis- exhaustible in this world and in the worlds > likes of undisciplined adults rather than on to come. O > Lord, they are supplicating > any legitimate cause. The problems of towards the Kingdom of Thy Mercifulness > marriage are, for the most part, funda- and invoking towards the Realm of Thy Sinmentally problems of living, so its failure is gleness. Verily they are married in obedito acknowledge defeat in one's adjustment ence to Thy Command. Cause them to beto life and lack of faith in the love of come the Signs of harmony and unity till > God. the end of time. > This love of God is the indwelling spirit "Verily Thou art the Omniscient, the > of every human creature, which motivates Omnipresent and the Almighty." > Nucleus of a new center of the Faith in > Egypt, the Baha'is of Tanta. > > Baha'is of the village of Hisar, Iran. > LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER > BY MARTHA L. ROOT > > o,*NE of America's well-known liberalists, tally different way namely, from a re- > > Professor Herbert A. Miller, Professor of So- ligious background He had arrived at the > ciology in Bryn Mawr College, gave the same kind of conclusions as I had when I > writer in December, 1936, an interview on tried to make a scientific approach. Therethe subject of the Baha'i Faith. I wish to fore, I was inclined to be interested." > > preface the interview by telling readers a Professor Miller is very frank, open, sinlittle about this strong, sane thinker who cere, lovable; he said that though his acastands courageously for the oneness of the demic snobbishness hesitates to ally itself > world of humanity. He attracted nation- with any movement and is anxious to stand > wide attention when his contract at Ohio off from all movements, yet he is glad that > State University was not renewed for the everybody is not an academic person! "For > year 1931-1932, since his reputation was many years I have insisted there is only one > such that a spontaneous and almost uni- problem in the world," he said, "and thati > versal protest arose in the universities problem is learning to live together; and it > throughout America. The three reasons for seems to me that at this time almost every > his dismissal were: support of Gandhi, his scientific and moral force is driving in that > attitude on the race question and his ob- direction. Anthropology and psychology > jection to compulsory military training in have broken down the previous claims of > the university. In the investigation that natural differences between peoples so that > followed he was completely vindicated by now nothing is left except to break down > the report of the committee of the Associa- the artificial, cultural, political and economic > tion of University Professors. In 1918, he absurdities that frame themselves into nawas associated with the Carnegie Corpora- tionalism and various types of group contion's study of the methods of Americani- sciousness." * > zation, his investigations resulting in the Dr. Miller added that while an approach > book "Old World Traits Transplanted." to the solution of these problems needs to > Two other books of his which can with great be made through the scientific and moral > profit be studied are "Races, Nations and methods, one of the most remarkable teach- > Classes" and "The Beginnings of Tomor- ings of BahaVllah considering that the > row." Few men have a better understand- time when it was made was at least forty > ing of the situation of the world and what years before the issue could have been clariconfronts us than has Professor Miller, and fied in the West is that there is no conflict > > his views about the Baha'i Faith and what between religion and science. He considers > it is > actually accomplishing are of deep in- this one of the most remarkable in the whole > terest. of the "Utterances" of BahaVllah and he > He said to me during our conversation at adds: "Perhaps my snobbishness does not perhis home in Bryn Mawr that as a sociologist, mit me to say 'Revelation'! This makes it > his special field had been racial and national possible for a religion which is just as unirelations: "Pve been interested for thirty versal as thought itself, really to exist and be > > years in trying to solve conflicts between vital. Now, of course, people of other > races and nations, and that falls into the area Faiths accept this principle but at that time, > of Baha'i interests, as you know. The thing when BahaVllah first gave it, no people acthat interested me when I first heard of the cepted it, unless there may have been a very > Teachings of BahaVllah was how, coming few Muhammadans. 5Cs far as I can disat this particular set of questions in a to- cover, there is > nothing in the whole social, > 768 THE BAHA'i WORLD > moral program of the Baha'i Faith that is in ideals. Both the Baha'is and Gandhi insist > conflict with the most enlightened findings that all religions are basically aiming to solve > of social scientists." these same problems. So somewhere, in their > When I asked Professor Miller where he ideals, if they haven't been cluttered up with > > had heard of the Baha'i Teachings, he said theology, there is a pure aim." ,^ > he had first heard of them in our country When I asked this interesting professor > from Dr. Albert Vail and Mr. Louis Greg- about his meeting with Shoghi Effendi, he > ory. He said that when he was in Bei- told me: "I had known about Shoghi Effendi > > rut, Syria, in 1930, he was in the Beirut when I visited at the American University > University Hospital where there were two at Beirut where he had been a student. I had > nurses who were Baha'is, also he, had met met some Baha'is in Jerusalem, and so one > Mr. Zaine, son of the Secretary of Shoghi of the first things I did when I reached Haifa > Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Cause, in the winter of 1926, 1 went to the house of > > and had been introduced to a cousin of Shoghi Effendi, and sending in my card menthe Guardian, a senior at that time, in the tioned that I had known Dr. Vail and Mr. > > University. He invited me to tea, and > Louis Gregory. > Dr. Miller explained, too, how he had met remember we had tangerines from 'Abdu'l- > I > > Baha'is in various places and he said: "What**' Baha's Garden that afternoon. [Such a > appealed to me is their attitude on the race beautiful smile of pleasure passed over his > > question; none of the feeling of superiority countenance as he spoke of those delicious > or inferiority of races that still goes on tangerines from the Master's Garden!] > among many Christians, have I ever seen "We had a most delightful time. As > among Baha'is. These are personal mat- usual I became professional and asked all > > ters, some of these things can be practised the baiting questions could think of; we > I > > by individuals; but there are other great had such a delightful time that when I came > questions like universal peace that must wait back to Palestine in 1930, I repeated my > > on slow development. The Baha'is haven't visit to Shoghi Effendi." > I remember so well Dr. Miller's last stateyet established an international language in > all the schools of the world, they haven't ment in the illumined conversation that > achieved international understanding; many afternoon in his Bryn Mawr home: "I have > of the Principles of Baha'u'llah are not yet frequently said that it will be quite a while > fulfilled perhaps not yet f ulfillable, but the before the liberal world in practice catches > > important thing is that there is a religious up with the liberal plan of Baha'is, and from > group very much aware of them, which by my academic mountain top, frequently I feel > purity of purposes and practices can nag on compelled to say, 'More strength to the > other religionists to live up to their own Bahi'is!'" > BAHA'I RADIO PROGRAM > DELIVERED OVER STATION "WHN," NEW YORK > FEBRUARY 22-27, 1937 > > THIS CHANGING WORLD teachings many years ago, even before the > war of 1914 shook the world. In the mid- > IrfVERY man and woman who has reached dle of the lastcentury they taught, "That > maturity realizes that human life has under- which was applicable to human needs during > gone more fundamental changes during the the early history of the race could neither > past century than it had during the pre- meet nor satisfy the demands of this period > ceding two thousand years. Ever since the of renewal and consummation From . . . > > rise of science endowed the modern mind every standpoint the world of humanity is > with power to manipulate the forces of na- undergoing a reformation. The laws of forture and to a large extent to control them mer governments and civilizations are in > through mechanical invention, mankind has process of revision, scientific ideas and theories arc developing and advancing to meet a > increasingly become subject to the law of > change. At first this new power was felt new range of phenomena . . . This is the > to be identical with progress. The great cycle of maturity and reformation in religion > war, however, and the political and eco- as well And this reformation and re- > . . . > > nomic revolutions which developed out of newal of the fundamental reality of religion > that world disaster, have compelled us to re- constitute the true and outworking spirit of > examine the very basis of our social activity modernism, the unmistakable light of the > and try to find ways to control the larger world . the divine remedy for all human > . . > > human movements that they may not over- ailments." > whelm us with even greater destruction than The same note is sounded even more ashas already brought misery and released fear suringly in the following passage: "In this > in so many parts of the earth. present cycle there will be an evolution in > What is vitally needed is some social phi- civilization unparalleled in the history of the > > losophy that will fit the facts of human life world. The world of humanity in this cycle > today with something of the same precision of its completeness and consummation will > as that with which science fits the facts ob- realize an immeasurable upward progress." > > served in the lower order of nature some Such an affirmation might appear to be no > conception of the true principles underlying more than an expression of hope and opcivilization that will enable the nations and timism repudiated by the facts of this changpeoples to find the way out from mutual ing world, unless we reflect carefully upon > antagonism and discord to mutual coopera- the true character of these recent earthtion and peace, from mutual fear and sus- shaking events that outwardly seem so inpicion to general assurance and amity, from comprehensible and even appalling to the > the burden of poverty to the freedom and average man. > dignity of a well-ordered human existence. As we go more deeply into the Baha'i > What has been gained if we have acquired teachings, we find that they give a clear and > mastery over the titanic forces of chemistry rational explanation of the apparently > and physics, if at the same time we have chaotic condition of this extraordinary age. > become slaves to our ignorance of the laws In the light of this interpretation we see > and principles governing man's own indi- how all of these many social changes and > vidual and collective life? perturbations form part of one definite his- > This need of a new and constructive hu- toric trend. It is as though explorers in an > man outlook was emphasized in the Baha'i unknown country, surrounded by possible > 770 THE BAHA'f WORLD > unexpected dangers on all sides, were to be inevitable result of the tribal outlook devel- > > given a map which would show clearly just oped during past ages. Can this new housewhere they were and the true character of hold of mankind, this firmly-knit, worldthe country about them. With this accu- wide society which science has produced, > rate knowledge, they would no longer fear possibly survive disaster if the old tribal outthe danger of becoming forever lost. look, now in possession of armaments a mil- > Such a map the Baha'i teaching gives to lion times more destructive than bow and > our confused world. This map, showing arrow, sword and spear, continues to domithe strange "country" which modern civili- nate the minds and hearts of men? > zation has become, makes clear that a long This menace of the calamity that would > historic trend, covering countless ages, the follow another explosion of the sinister > trend toward the separation of peoples into power of modern armaments is > something > divided and antagonistic races and nations, entirely new to human experience. It stands > has in our time come to an end. Through- as a universal problem before every people > > out all history, the movement of peoples has and before every individual in the world. > been one not merely of physical separation, We live today under a threat of social disasbut also of emotional, mental and moral di- ter quite as real and far more portentous > versity. The isolation of social groups, large than the menace of physical disaster that has > or small, has been the basis of man's col- loomed over those unfortunate people who > lective experience since the dawn of time. live beside flood-swollen rivers and who have > The result of this movement of separation not known from day to day, from hour to > and diversity has been to establish firm and hour, whether the embankment would hold. > enduring differences of language, custom, Thousands of anxious statesmen, econobelief and outlook upon every branch of the mists, students and men of responsible afhuman race. Humanity has never really ex- fairs in all parts of the world, realize this > isted what have existed were no more than social menace and are bending every energy > separate and distinct tribes, nations and to find a solution. Yet the conflict of poliraces, each denying to the other as far as cies and interests rises higher and higher > > possible the rights and privileges necessary year by year, armaments increase, and no > to an ordered human life, even, in fact, the adequate basis for a universal understanding > recognition of one common and universal of the essence of the problem has yet been > God. found. > But now that vast and tremendous scat- Now let us turn again to the Baha'i map. > tering of the peoples has come to an end. There we discover that it does not deal pri- > The fundamental movement underlying this marily with these external matters of pomodern time is toward unity. For the to- litical and economic policy, but deals rather > > tally unforeseen result of the new power of with human attitudes and relations. It sets > science has been to destroy the very source forth that, "The most important principle > and cause of social isolation throughout the of divine philosophy is the oneness of the > earth. The nations, races and peoples are to- world of humanity, the unity of mankind, > day, whether they relish it or not, living to- the bond conjoining East and West, the tie > > gether in one unitary physical environment, of love which blends human hearts. . . . > > one supernational economic civilization from For thousands of years we have had bloodwhich no race nor nation nor people can pos- shed and strife. It is enough: it is sufficient. > sibly escape. As the Baha'i teachings de- Now is the time to associate together in love > clare, "This handful of dust, the earth, is one and harmony. . . . The divine purpose is > > home. Let it be in unity. Fellowship > . . . that men should live in unity, concord and > is the cause of unity, and Consider the virtues of the > unity is the source agreement. . . . > > of order in the world." human world and realize that the oneness of > To this unified physical environment, mankind is the primary foundation of them > however, each organized society has brought all." > > its habit of separation and its long estab- Here, in this striking and altogether new > lished differences and antagonisms, the aspect of truth, the "oneness of mankind," > PQ > > o, > s > to > > 772 THE BAHA'f WORLD > we have the essential link between the social cease between nations, and by the will of > problem on the one hand, and man's latent God the Most Great Peace shall come." > and innate God-given powers on the other. Thus the Baha'i teachings summon us to > It is to the degree, and only to the degree, the attitude of seeking and recognizing > that the race learns how to respond to this truth. Imbued with that attitude, we can > conception of underlying oneness that we take the first step of realizing that the > shall be able to take the steps that lead from changes of this age are a clarion call to the > strife to cooperation and peace. The Baha'i soul and conscience of human beings every- > > teachings come to us as nothing less than a where on earth. Rightly understood, these > necessary re-education of the spirit of man changes and perturbations mean that destiny > in the divine art of unity. The conditions has chosen this age for the race to learn > of the age are unprecedented; too obviously greater lessons than any previous age was > our traditions and established customs fail prepared to understand. When we come to > utterly to meet them; we require a new see our fellow men as bewildered searchers > > presentation of spiritual, ethical and social after truth, even as you and I, then we can > truth in terms of our altered environment in make contact with them on levels raised > order to transform the nations and races into high above these confusions that in reality > a true mankind. are but destroying a dead past that we may > No one would think of allowing his child enter this dawning age of true advancement. > to grow up without education or would send "Of one tree are ye all the fruit and of one > him out into this highly specialized indus- bough the leaves. The world is but one > . . . > > trial age with the unequipped and untrained country and mankind its citizens." > personality of our primitive ancestors. Why, > then, since we are all merely children in > THE DIVINE PHYSICIAN > relation to the problem world unity, > of We have seen how the teachings of the > should we so complacently trust that we can Baha'i Faith hejp us directly in these persolve that problem and meet that emergency plexing times by explaining the true nature > without preliminary training, without requi- of the startling events throughout the world > site knowledge of the underlying forces now that cause us all such uneasy dismay as we > controlling our destiny? We cannot go back read of them in the daily press. We found > to the simpler ways of our ancestors. We that, instead of indicating that our planet > cannot halt the vast movement of modern is rapidly drifting into a state of uncon- > > science. The world has become one home. trolled anarchy, chaos and destruction, as an > Somehow we must fit ourselves to live to- uninstructed observer might well suppose, > gether in that home. And the first step is these far-reaching changes and perturbations > for us to become humble, with a humility are in reality the outworkings of beneficent > that is willing and eager to learn new truth forces, preparing for the advent of a new > when new and unprecedented problems are cycle of unimagined progress in human > to be solved. achievement and happiness, a new age > The Babd'f teachings tell us that what has which lies just before us and awaits only > happened to us all is that a new age and the opening of our hearts and minds and the > cycle have dawned: "This is a new cycle of adjusting of our lives to its fundamental > human power. All the horizons of the world principle of world unity, the oneness of manare luminous, and the world will become in- kind. And these very events, though paindeed a garden and paradise. It is the hour ful, even shattering at times, are themselves > of the unity of the sons of men and of the helping us to cast off the shackles of outdrawing together of all races and all classes. worn beliefs and practices that hold us back > You are loosed from ancient superstitions from this true understanding. > which have kept men ignorant, destroying How simple and nai've today seems the > the foundations of true humanity. The gift hopeful attitude that prevailed during the > of God to this enlightened age is the knowl- last century, that in science and invention > > edge of the oneness of mankind and of the modern man has found a miraculous power > fundamental oneness of religion. War shall to make the ancient dream of peace come > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 773 > > true and to bring plenty and happiness to of coordination among the various parts of > the earth! Granting the miraculous virtue the human organism, so the higher spiritual > of that power to multiply material things, forces are the controlling cause of the unity > > greatly extending even the fertility of the and coordination of mankind. "Today the > soil, nevertheless it has become only too ob- greatest need of the world is the animating, > vious that these beneficent results have not unifying presence of the Holy Spirit," Baha'- > transformed human nature; that, on the u'llah writes. "Until it becomes effective, > contrary, they have intensified the tribal in- penetrating and interpenetrating hearts and > stinct and enabled it to express itself in the spirits, and until perfect, reasoning faith > most destructive conflicts in all history. But shall be implanted in the minds of men, it > through these catastrophes we are slowly will be impossible for the social body to be > learning. inspired with security and confidence. Nay, > Contrasted with the desolate waste which on the contrary, enmity and strife will inhuman greed and ambition threaten to make crease day by day and the differences and > of the earth, the new age of which the divergencies of nations will be woefully aug- > Baha'i teachings tell seems a veritable para- mented." > dise in its freedom from those vicious quali- This supreme remedy for the world's sickties that make for separation, rivalry and ness is given to us only through those out- > > war. Here we stand together in this waste standing figures in history, the seers, the > land of struggle and violence, without se- prophets the divine physicians. What incurity, lacking assurance, while before us lies fluence ever exerted upon earth is so potent, > that garden of fruitful labor and opportu- so renewing both to the individual and to > nity that promised age of world unity and the social group, as the creative Word utpeace, the hope of which has never left us, tered by the chosen Messenger of the Sueven in our most desperate hours. The preme Will? Under its dynamic force the > power of science to produce abundance for most abject and impotent peoples have been > every human being is not to be doubted. raised from servitude to become the leaders > That new force, properly directed and con- of civilization. For hundreds of years after > trolled, can fulfill the ancient vision of a it is uttered the mysterious Truth is treasbetter existence on earth. But, uncontrolled, ured and revered, an enduring source of > or improperly controlled, it offers before our vision, of courage, of wisdom, of integrity, > horrifiedeyes today only too convincing of humane character, of devotion to the > proof of the truth of the Baha'i teaching: highest interests of the community. Where > "Science cannot cure the illness of the social before men were in the darkness of strife, > body. Science cannot create amity and fel- the revealed Truth brings light like the > lowship in human hearts. Neither," it goes rising of the sun. Where before the social > on, "can patriotism nor racial allegiance ef- body had been weak and diseased, the Truth > fect a remedy. ..." A > single glance over came through the divine physician to heal > the world makes this clear, as well. what human capacity could not heal. This > Only a spiritual power can meet our need, healing force "is the light from the Sun of > these teachings say; the supreme power of Truth bringing by its infinite power life and > a common faith, with the resulting com- illumination to all mankind; flooding all > mon understanding of the fundamental na- souls with divine radiance, conveying the > ture and aim of life. This power is likened blessings of God's mercy to the whole > to the life in the human > body, which world." So does the Baha'i Faith explain > harmonizes the differences of parts and mem- the power by which humanity, from age to > bers into mutuality and agreement, estab- age, is given capacity to rise above itself. > > lishing so great a unity in the bodily organ- "The divine Reality (God) may be likened > ism that if any of its parts is > injured or to the sun and the Holy Spirit to the rays > becomes diseased all the other parts and of the sun. As the rays of the sun bring > functions sympathetically respond and suf- the light and warmth of the sun to the earth, > fer, so perfect is the oneness which exists. giving life to all created beings, so do the > And as this human spirit of life is the cause Manifestations (the prophets) bring the > 774 THE BAHA'f WORLD > power of the Holy Spirit from the divine enter into a unity of the spirit so potent > Sun of Reality to give light and life to the that it will bend our collective energies and > souls of men." social instrumentalities to the supreme task > Had there existed through the ages real of establishing unity in the political, ecoagreement upon the basic principles of spir- nomic and other social fields throughout the > we should never have developed > itual truth, world. > these armed and competitive national socie- Another Baha'i commentary upon the > ties. One who holds to the truth that his true nature of religion is that revelation is > own being is subject to spiritual law and that progressive, for each age and cycle disclosall other men were similarly created cannot ing an ever-enlarging measure of that truth > plot violence and destruction for his fellow- which in itself is immeasurable. Man's caman. International violence has gradually pacity alone limits the outpouring. As he > arisen because the realization of the divine develops, he may take a larger vessel to the > will and purpose has been everywhere in- inexhaustible well. > complete, inconstant and obscured by im- This progressiveness of truth constitutes > mediate human interests. We must not for- a principle of the utmost importance. It > > get that primitive human society was serves to test the sincerity of every faith > founded upon religion and that all civil and belief. Religion as a progressive factor > codes, cultures and philosophies depended in man's life gives us a door opened to the > > upon a religious sanction. But each tribal future. Without spiritual progress we are > god was jealously limited to the advantage limited to a past which can never be reand welfare of the tribe. And a heaven so stored. Can anyone say that human develfilled with competitive, jealous gods meant opment has come to an end? Or can anyone > that the origins of civilization were rooted deny that it has been through the revelation > in the fundamental assumption that man- of new and larger truth age after age > kind is not one kingdom of reality, but di- that mankind has successively attained the > verse races and peoples. We see this ancient unity of tribe, or race, and then of nation? > tribal worship still practiced in our own day And surely it is unthinkable that these > all too vigorously, in the attitude that man modern powers and resources, so new, > can have no higher loyalty than to his own so miraculous, have been given us soleclass or race or state. > ly to make warfare and strife the preunderlying any true and enduring > So, dominant human enterprise, as they are > basis of world unity, is the necessity of findtoday. > ing harmony and agreement in our recogni- Once more, as so often in the past, the > tion of the oneness of God and of the uni- world is in dire need of renewal and enversality of spiritual truth. The Baha'i largement of the spiritual truth and power > teachings throw an illuminating light upon that alone can produce order and justice in > this vital need. society, for it alone can lift us from the > They show that the prophets, the divine state of the rational, selfish animal, where > physicians, who founded the great religions we seem for the most part to be, to the > gave their teachings in two forms. One state of man. To strengthen and encourheld the universal truths which are constant age us in our need, we are told in the Baha'i > and eternal: form they estabin the other writings: "A new life is in this age stirring > lished ordinances secondary nature > of a within all the peoples of the earth; and yet > which were adapted in each case to the none hath discovered its cause or perceived > widely differing social and cultural condi- its motive. O ye children of men! The > tions of the various peoples to whom they fundamental purpose animating the Faith of > spoke. By holding to the universal truths, God is to safeguard the interests and proupon which all the prophets are agreed, mote the unity of the human race This . . . > > that there is but one God; that He com- is the straight path, the fixed and immovable > > mands love and unity and by realizing the foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this > local and temporary character of the sec- foundation the changes and chances of the > ondary matters, the peoples of this day can world can never impair its strength, nor will > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 775 > > the revolution of countless centuries under- wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The > mine its structure.*' corruption of ungodliness is eating into the > vitals of human society; what else but the > THE NATURE OF MAN Elixir of His potent revelation can cleanse > The highest form of human society is that and revive it?" > based upon the principle of voluntary co- What wonder, then, that so many conoperation and sustained by a mutual loyalty scientious persons today long for a return to > for the attainment of the general welfare. the simpler age of living faith, when men > The lowest type of society is based upon sincerely believed in such mysteries as the > coercion and force, motivated by fear, and soul, the love of God, the spiritual destiny > made incapable of true progress because di- of the race, and access to a guiding Provivided by suspicion inherently incapable of dence and a sustaining Will? > releasing the spiritual power of enthusiasm But between us and that simpler age > and inner fulfillment. stands all the vast body of knowledge cre- > > When we apply this truth to present-day ated by physical science. The telescope > civilization throughout the world, we find plumbed the skies and found no naive, > all too many areas reduced to the level of primitive "heaven"; and the microscope > coercion, too few that permit self-respect probed all matter, including the stuff we are > and the voluntary cooperation characterizing made of, and found no organ or visible inhuman beings in a condition of equality. strument of the soul. Therefore a genera- > Since, therefore,the quality of the social tion arosewhich felt it had to choose bestructure depends ultimately upon the in- tween faith and reason, between hope and > tegrity of human character rather than upon truth and it turned away from the conformal laws and statutes, it is clear and evi- victions of the simpler age. > dent that cooperation cannot be established The Baha'i teachings meet this supreme > among the nations, races and classes of earth issue squarely. They re-establish the foununtil men themselves have acquired the nec- dation of hope and faith, not by denying or > essary spiritual powers. neglecting the particular truths of science, > Roman states- > Long before the atheistic but by carrying the scientific attitude > man asked the question, What is truth? a forward and onward to deal with a higher > greater and more heroic soul in Israel had order of truth. Their purpose is to identify > raised the same question in this significant faith not with credulity but with conscious > form: What is man, that Thou art mindful knowledge. > of him? The true scientist does not form his opin- > What is man? > Consider the appalling ion until he has considered all the relevant > confusion that exists today in all matters of facts. law is formulated, and > If a certain > > general social policy. Scarcely can two per- then new facts appear which obviously consons be found anywhere to agree fully on a tradict the law, he knows that it is not a > solution of any phase of the world's major scientific law but only an opinion, and he > > problems. That confusion, which binds takes up the problem afresh. In dealing > with heavy chains the struggling body of a with the facts concerning the nature of > suffering mankind, is nothing else than a re- man, the true scientist would not, for exfl^ction of the real confusiondarkening this ample, base his conclusion merely upon a > age, the ignorance concerning the nature and study of infants and children, excluding all > the possibilities of man. Until we have adults. Neither would he confine his study > learned what man is, and what man can be, to the people of any one social class, or nait is futile to build any social structure upon No if we are to accept > tionality, or race. > the shifting sands of ignorance and unbelief. as laws any formulas advanced concerning > There could be no more poignant state- the nature of man, we must certainly, and > ment on this spiritual condition than these above all, include in our range of vision > words of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith: those who are the true and chosen leaders of > "The vitality of men's belief in God is dying humanity, the seers and prophets, who in > out in every land; nothing short of His their moral and ethical qualities are the most > 776 THE BAHA'f WORLD > perfect of human beings. We > must also in- this kingdom is cohesion. The second kingclude in our vision that vast realm of historic dom or class is that of the vegetable organtruth which makes it so evident that these isms, which show forth not only the prinseersand prophets have been the educators ciple of cohesion but also that of growth. > of mankind and their influence the dynamic The third kingdom of existence in nature is > principle of an evolving civilization. The the animal world, and here we see operating > first principle of any valid psychology is a third principle, that of sense perception > that man has capacity to transcend what we and sensibility. The world of mankind, > call human nature when he responds to the while it is immersed in nature, and subject > call of a higher type of being. In this call to the laws and principles which control the > he realizes a new measure of possibility three lower kingdoms, is raised above nature > within himself, just as the possibility of the by its possession of two powers or qualities > seed is fulfilled through the mysterious chem- not existing in mineral, vegetable or animal > istry of the sun shining upon the earth in organisms. The first of these exclusively huspring. man attributes is that of rational intelli- > "Education," the Baha'i writings testify, gence. The mind of man, with its ca- > "is material, human, and > of three kinds: pacity to perceive and understand abstract > spiritual. Material education is concerned and universal truths, is nothing else than > with the progress and development of the supernatural. > body, through gaining its sustenance, its ma- This startling fact is proved when we > terial comfort and ease. This education is bring to the evolution and process of matcommon to animals and man. Human edu- ter the new and higher interpretation which > cation signifies civilization and progress: that the Bahd'i writings contain. While the > is to say, government, administration, char- older, materialistic theory insisted that matitable works, trades, arts and handicrafts, ter of itselfrises from kingdom to king- > > sciences, great inventions and discoveries of dom, until through finer structure or more > physical laws, which are the activities es- intricate arrangement it produces the husential to man as distinguished from the man intellect, the spiritual view replaces > animal. Divine education is that of the this theory by an explanation which corre- > Kingdom of God: it consists in acquiring sponds to the actual facts. According to > divine perfections, and this is true educa- the Baha'i philosophy, the elements never by > tion. . . . their own force rise from one kingdom to a > "Then it is clear and evident that man higher type of organism, but are taken up > needs an educator, and this educator must and assimilated into the higher organism by > be unquestionably and indubitably perfect the higher organism itself. For example, the > in all respects, and distinguished above all mineral elements are drawn up by the vegemen. table kingdom, and assimilated into that > > "Though man has powers and outer senses kingdom. The vegetable kingdom, in turn, > in common with the animal, yet an ex- is taken up and assimilated into the animal > > traordinary power exists in him of which kingdom; and the elements of the animal > the animal is bereft. The sciences, arts, in- kingdom are likewise raised by man and > ventions, trades, and discoveries or realities, transmuted into the conditions of his physiare the results of this spiritual power. This cal organism. The process, therefore, is not > is power which encompasses all things, > a controlled or motivated by any presumable > comprehends their realities, discovers all the mysterious power vested in the atom to build > hidden mysteries of beings." the higher forms of life, but by the inter- > This positive assertion is explained most action of the higher organism upon the > clearly by the interpretation of the law of lower. The materialistic view of matter deevolution found in the Baha'i writings. clares to all intents and purposes that the > The world of nature, according to the scattered bricks of themselves come together > Bahd'i teaching, has three different kingdoms and build the house, whose architecture the > or classes of existence. The first kingdom bricks are somehow or other supposed to > includes the mineral, and the principle of know in advance! > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 777 > > This incredible assumption is destroyed by the physical self. Until we become conscious > the true, spiritual teaching that the divine that a higher order truly exists, and is ac- > Architect fashioned the pattern of each cessible to the aspiring soul within, we shall > kingdom of matter, and endowed each king- continue to regard man as nothing else than > dom with special qualities and attributes. an animal who happens to possess the great > Just as the power of growth in the tree or instrument of intelligence for satisfying a > plant transcends the qualities of the mineral, mere animal desire. > and just as the attribute of sense-perception Concerning the creative plan of God for > in the animal transcends the qualities of the human evolution BahaVllah has written: > tree or plant, so is mind in man transcendent "Having created the world and all that liveth > to all other existence in the natural world. It and moveth therein, He, through the direct > is a creation, a divine endowment and gift. operation of His unconstrained and sovereign > Rational intelligence, however, while com- Will, chose to confer upon man the unique > pletely supernatural in comparison to the distinction and capacity to know Him and > animal world, does not, in itself alone, con- to love Him a capacity that must needs be > stitute the unique mystery of the human regarded as the generating impulse and the > kingdom. The second higher power of man primary purpose underlying the whole of > ishis capacity of faith his capacity to rec- creation. . . . These energies with which the > ognize the Creator as utterly transcendent Day Star of divine bounty and Source of > to himself, and to center his being upon de- heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality > votion to the supreme Will. The sign of this of man lie, however, latent within him, even > > power of faith is free will; for man alone, of as the flame is hidden within the candle and > > allvisible nature, is free to decide whether the rays of light are potentially present in > he shall live in the animal world of selfish the lamp. The radiance of these energies > sensibility, in the unregenerate human world may be obscured by worldly desires even as > of rational intelligence employed for personal the light of the sun can be concealed within > or partisan ends, or in the spiritual world of the dust and dross which cover the mirror." > > unity, cooperation and impersonal love. The Thus it is made clear that human beings > pull of nature within us is so constant and remain subject to nature until they find a > so strong or insidious that the human will truth that will link them to the higher, > cannot, unaided, raise up the mind and heart spiritual world. "Through the Teachings of > to the spiritual level. Unless there were a this Day Star of Truth, every man will dehigher kingdom of reality above man, reach- velop until he ... can manifest all the poing down and inspiring the heart and mind tential forces with which his inmost, true > with new energy and direction, man would self hath been endowed." > be like a king in exile, an orphan in poverty > and abandonment, able to glimpse a realm of > THE NEW HUMANITY > peace and fulfillment but never able to at- When modern civilization shifted its centain. ter from agriculture to industry, from man- > > This brief summary of man's place in na- ual labor to the power-driven machine, our > > ture, and his potential ability to live by spir- social life was shaken to its very foundations. > > itual rather than by natural law, culminates In large measure, the international upheavals > in the truth that the Creator has established and the internal troubles which afflict all > > a world of reality higher than man, just as peoples today are the results of this profound > He lias created the kingdoms or orders lower change, and as we come to understand better > than man. In the human being, the zenith its true significance, how far-reaching, how > of material perfection exists the sum total revolutionary its influence has been, the conof all the qualities and attributes developed clusion seems inescapable that these difficulin the lower realms. But man is likewise the ties not only will continue, but in all prob- > > beginning of spiritual perfection, the seed ability will increase, until a new foundation > that must attain its fruitful growth and ful- has been discovered and been laid that will > fillment in the qualities and attributes that support the structure of this new and larger > yet lie enfolded in the narrow, dark husk of > civilization. > 778 THE BAHA'f WORLD > One of its most conspicuous effects has no instrument to work through more effecbeen to introduce into human affairs two tive than the skill and physical capacity of > new and vital elements. On the one hand it human beings, the range of thought and will > has broken down the walls of isolation and was sharply confined. The era of manual > self-sufficiency which characterized society labor was one during which human intelli- > > throughout the long era of agricultural econ- gence walked: it could not fly. Every unomy: on the other hand it has brought a dertaking was necessarily limited in its scope, > truly titanic extension and reinforcement to and during that period mankind was well > the human personality. It will help us to nigh exhausted by the sheer struggle to oblook at these two elements separately, and tain sufficient food. Under this burden the > then try to see what their combined effect chief expression of his intelligence was to > > upon our social life has been. overcome the difficulties and hazards of his > Throughout the agricultural era, human physical environment. He lived deeply imaffairs were restricted to relatively small mersed in the conditions of nature. Nature, > areas and to relatively small numbers of peo- in fact, has been man's chief environment up > > ple. The sustenance of the community and to the dawn of this new day. > the raw materials needed for shelter and Now, through the aid of science, we have > other necessities came for the most part from achieved such a degree of mastery over nathe particular locality. Such international ture and of conquest of the natural environtrade as existed dealt chiefly in articles of ment that our intelligence has been able to > luxury; the interruption of this trade for any throw off its ancient burden. And in this > reason affected only a few; it could not freedom of the intelligence to employ the > threaten the life of the community as a forces of nature for human aims and needs > whole. But our present-day industrial econ- a revolution has taken place infinitely more > omy requires an immensely greater area in significant than we yet realize. The will of > which to operate. It cannot, in the first man has been transformed from a state of > place, function on raw materials obtained servitude to nature into one of relative domi- > > only from the locality. Nor can it function nance over its forces and laws. The humwith a merely local market. The existence, blest modern family in using the radio, in > to say nothing of the progress, of this ma- turning for healing to the public hospital, > chine industry demands an economic area in reading the daily press, and in a thousand > that must inevitably transcend established other ways, has ready access to advantages > political divisions. Whether considered de- which the mightiest of kings and conquerors > sirable or not, this condition has become an could not have commanded a few hundred > integral part of our social structure now years ago. The extension of man's personquite beyond our control. Modern industrial ality is immeasurable. > economy cannot be artificially restricted to What, then, is the significance of the enany one country or land. And since its suc- try of these two elements into our social > cessful operation has become the source of life? It means that man's most challenging, > > sustenance and life to so large a part of man- his most dangerous environment today is no > kind today, it automatically compels the longer nature; it is his fellow man. > abandonment of isolation and restriction and Today our lives are immersed in the movethe emergence into a world economy pro- ments of society as the lives of our forefathers > tected from artificial interference. It has were immersed in the conditions of nature. > given us the power to produce whatever and With every betterment in civilization we > as much as we require for the material well- advance. With every breakdown in civilizabeing of mankind. The tragedy is that man- tion, whether by war, revolution or induskind, however, has not yet learned how to trial conflict, we are thrown back to poverty > > employ such a new and unprecedented and helplessness. Our utmost hope and our > power. deepest dread both depend upon the direction > The other contribution, the extension of and movement of a society which has come > man's personality, is equally important and to include all mankind. This means that the > far-reaching. As long as his intelligence had highest intelligence which we can muster > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 779 > > should be set to work to discover and formu- One code was followed in relation to one's > late the laws of right human relationships own race; the other, just as conscientiously, > with the same intensity that, in previous was applied to all other races and peoples. > ages, that intelligence was employed in the One code was accepted as a spiritual teachinvestigation of the laws of nature. Just as ing, usually identified with a great seer or > > ignorance of those laws produced the calami- prophet; the other code developed from the > ties of famine and pestilence in former days conditions of race experience. It was as > which destroyed entire tribes and communi- though two totally different and mutually > ties, continued ignorance of social laws > so exclusive sources of social principle existed > and principles can and will today inevitably in the world the principle of unity and felproduce the larger famine of revolution, the lowship, and the principle of struggle and > more universal pestilence of international hate. > war. And events seem to be drawing to a The Bah'i teaching abolishes this source > climax. The time in which to find and to of struggle and conflict in man's consciousact upon the true principles of human asso- ness today. It removes the cause of this deciation may well be less than we know. structive division in human nature. It de- > It is at this very point of world crisis, in clares that the essence and aim of all revealed > the confusion and uncertainty of this possi- truth has been to promote the universal spread > ble turning point in our destiny, that the of fellowship among men. Beneath the dif- > Baha'i teachings have come to shed their ferences of form, name and organization, it > > clear and penetrating light. What is essen- points to the singleness of spirit that anitial today, they explain, is an inner vision mates the word of truth in all ages and in all > and outlook freed from the limitations of parts of the world. It also shows that the > the past. To be alive in this new age, and to principle of organized struggle, however justake full advantage of its opportunities, we tified it may have been in the past, has now > must learn to think with an unprejudiced become a menace to every society. The same > mind, and to feel in terms of brotherhood. heroism that built up tribes, races and na- > We must realize that as airplane, radio and tions in the past is now desperately needed to > other instruments have crossed the frontiers build a world civilization. These two levels > drawn upon the map, so our sympathy and of truth devotion to God and devotion to > spirit of oneness should rise above the influ- the welfare of the community have at last > ences that have separated race from race, been brought together and reconciled. Unclass from class, nation from nation, and der the influence of these teachings the man > creed from creed. One destiny now controls of intelligence and good will is no longer diall human affairs. The fact of world unity vided in his loyalty. With the whole power > stands out above all other interests and con- of his spirit and with the whole power of his > siderations. mind he can work to establish cooperation > As we enter into this oneness, we can look among all the peoples of the earth. Every > back and see how struggle and violence be- people, this teaching tells us, has received its > came so much a part of human relations that blessing of spiritual truth. All nations and > it perverted all our conceptions. In the early races have found a path to the one God. All > > ages education was aimed chiefly to bring paths have led to the same goal. Only one > about cooperation among the members of the light has shown, though the lamps have been > separate tribe or race. The conception of many. > loyalty, honesty, fellowship, mutual effort This same light shines in the following > and kindliness was limited to the single words of Bahd'u'llah: "The measure of the > group. As between tribes or races, how- revelation of the prophets of God in this > ever, the conception of an obligation to be world . must differ. Each and every > . . > > just or humane to one's fellows was replaced one of them hath been the bearer of a disby the exact opposite conception of strug- tinct Message, and hath been commissioned > > gle, violence and war. Two ethical codes, to reveal Himself through specific acts. It > two moralities, even two religions, have been is for this reason that they appear to vary in > > practiced by all races from man's beginning. their greatness. Their revelation may be > 780 THE BAHA'f WORLD > likened to the light of the moon that shed- A WORLD MESSAGE > deth its radiance upon the earth.. Though > every time it appeareth it revealeth a fresh As we look back along the highway of hismeasure of its brightness, yet its inherent tory, we find that the outstanding milestones > splendor can never diminish, nor can its light mark the great discoveries of truth. The > suffer extinction. date when we learned that the Ifearth moves > "It is clear and evident, therefore, that around the sun, instead of the reverse, or > any apparent variation in the intensity of when the principle of the steam engine was > their light is not inherent in the light itself first stumbled upon before the kitchen stove, > > but should rather be attributed to the vary- is far more important than the memorials > ing receptivity of an ever changing world. which tell of the coming and going of con- > Every prophet hath been entrusted with > . . . > querors and kings. But infinitely more fara Message, and charged to act in a manner reaching in its effect than even these revoluthat would best meet the requirements of the tionary events is the discovery in this age of > age in which He appeared. God's purpose in the fact that spiritual law controls the movesending His prophets unto men is twofold. ments of society just as irresistibly as the > The first is to liberate the children of men laws of physics control the processes of matfrom darkness and ignorance and guide them ter. And we are painfully learning that a > to the light of true understanding. The sec- universe governed by the forces of this > ond is to insure the peace and tranquillity of higher law simply will not contain a humanmankind, and provide all the means by which ity either compelled or permitted to exist in > they can be established. anarchy and- chaos. Recognition of this > "The prophets of God should be regarded truth, the Baha'i teaching makes clear, is the > as physicians whose task is to foster the well- first toward an ordered > step for us to take > being of the world and its peoples, that, society. There is, however, a distinction to > through the spirit of oneness, they may heal be made between our relation to scientific > the sickness of a divided humanity. ... It laws and our relation to this higher law > is towards the inmost essence of these proph- which it is important for us to understand > ets, therefore,that the eye of every man of if we hope to have a permanent basis for our > > discernment must be directed, inasmuch as civilization. > their one and only purpose hath always been Obviously, the earth was serenely moving > to guide the erring and give peace to the in its orbit around the sun all through those > afflicted. These are not days of prosperity former ages when people believed that it was > and triumph. The whole of mankind is in fixed and that the sun moved around it. The > the grip of manifold ills. Strive, therefore, discovery of the true facts did not create > to save its life through the wholesome medi- them; it merely enabled intelligent people to > cine which the unerring physician > . . . conform to them. In the same way, the law > hath prepared." of gravity was there and operating before it > It is well to note that this summons to happened to be noticed and formulated. > unity has not been sounded in words alone, Whether anyone knew the law or not, the > no matter how true and inspiring these may force of gravity was acting, and its action > be. It has been written unmistakably in the was favorable or unfavorable as men acted > movements of the world for more than sev- with it or against it. Knowledge of law, it > enty years. A new age has come into being is hardly necessary to say, simply means that > > a new age that requires a renewal of man's we need not act against it, and that we can > spirit. Can there be a nobler task than to save ourselves from the penalties and disas- > > respond to the appeal of the Baha'i teachings ters caused by disobedience to it. > to do away with the causes of prejudice and But knowledge of natural law does not inhostility and to make an end to the fear and volve any personal or social problem. That > hatred that prevent us from recognizing the kind of knowledge is mere passive informatrue human-ness of our fellows across fron- tion. It applies to elements and forces which > tiers and beyond the seas? To become mem- lie outside our human personalities. Nothing > bers of the new humanity? about mathematics, physics, chemistry or > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 781 > > astronomy, for example, touches our deeper the affairs of the earth and of the heavens. > motives. That kind of knowledge is wholly In this same way, knowledge of social law > impersonal and does not within itself hold calls for a view or perspective over long pecauses of agitation and disturbance for the riods of time. To discover the working of > nations, races, classes and creeds of mankind. this higher law in human affairs, we must > To a certain* degree, there is resemblance be- trace the working of cause and effect in the > tween natural and spiritual law. In both lifetimes of nations. The effects of honesty > cases, knowledge of the law brings added or dishonesty in individuals can be seen in a > power, and protection against the results of few years, no matter how carefully the inner > disobedience to a higher force. In both cases, motive has been concealed. But we require > the law existed before we became aware of it, its record ovc$ centuries to find out whether > > and the laws of spiritual truth treat our ig- spiritual law has been the controlling influnorance of them just as do the laws of ence in the development of a civilization. > nature. A 'sanction is applied. And one .of the most distinctive qualities of > But here the resemblance ends. The char- the Baha'i teachings is that they give us a > acter of the higher law is such that it can point of view which enables us to understand > never consist of mere mental knowledge or the working of this higher law as applied to > passive information. For example, honesty the movements of society. They give us a > isprescribed for us all: it is a law^applying clear interpretation of the meaning of hisdirectly to the deepest part of our being. We tory. > cannot merely "know" honesty we must In this interpretation they tell us that > be honest. Life itself tests ev$ry man as to there are four stages in the development of > whether he is honest and truthful or not, and every civilization, and that these four stages > the test comes to each of us, as a rule, in the together constitute a cycle or "social year" in > most difficult and subtle manner. Life is human development. And we find that this > not a school where we obtain high marks for view coincides with the facts of history. > knowing that truth and honesty are spiritual The first stage marks the birth of a civilizalaws it is a school which settles whether we tion. We know how modern Europe arose > are truthful and honest. The test is not from the ruin of the force of ancient Rome. > what we know but what we are. But we have not realized, as the Baha"'i > For long ages, however, we have believed teachings point out, that energy came > its > > that, while these higher laws existed for the from a renewed understanding of this higher > individual, they did not exist for the group, law as revealed in the teachings of Jesus. > the nation. While we have admitted that From came an inspiration > that knowledge > each man should be honest, truthful, sincere, under which an increasing community of > and perhaps even forbearing, we have failed men tried to live a new and better life. They > to extend these laws to states and civiliza- felt that this law required the fullest possitions. This failure has not been a deliberate, ble conscious obedience. So they rose above > conscious refusal to obey the law; it has been the dead social conventions of the time and > due to our ignorance of the fact that law is practiced a living unity together. And to > universal and that these higher laws rule the realize the unfolding possibilities of this new > > larger movements and issues of society as unity, they developed the principles of a > natural laws control the suns and planets of higher order of social life. Out of these > the physical cosmos. Great empires and principles the civilization of Europe gradumighty civilizations have fallen because their ally emerged. As the Baha'i teaching exrulers and their peoples substituted an arbi- plains:"When the Holy Manifestation of > trary human will for the power of social law. God, who is the sun of the world of his cre- > Ignorance of this law did not protect them ation, shines upon the worlds of spirits, of > from the consequences of its denial. thoughts and of hearts, then a spiritual > Knowledge of cosmic law came about only spring and new life appear, the power of the > when men began to study nature as a whole. wonderful springtime becomes visible and > The wider the vision, the clearer it became marvelous benefits are apparent. > that law and not chance or caprice controls The second stage marks the time when the > 782 THE BAHA'l WORLD > new release of faith expresses itself in apply- cause it rests upon the certainty of that fuling the vision of unity and cooperation to fillment: it is a world message because it > > daily affairs. Those who first understand enlarges the area of truth from the indithe law realize that they can hold what they vidual to the nation, and from the nation to > have gained only by sharing it freely with the entire world. It tells us that this present > > others, and by establishing a society which day is one of final struggle between knowlreflects their new understanding of truth, edge and ignorance, between faith and unbejustice and love. lief,between the partisan and the universal > The third stage is when the civilization spirit. It renews our vision of eternal love > has acquired a culture and the social institu- behind eternal law. And it assures us of our > tions necessary to the life of a great body of capacity in this day to make world unity a > people. This third stage represents the full living reality, when that capacity asks help > fruition of the working of the higher law. from the only Source of help. > Little by little, however, the original faith "And now in this divine age, see what deand understanding become changed into velopment has been attained in the world of > worship of the new instruments of power minds and thoughts, and it is now only the > which men themselves have created. Indi- beginning of its dawn. Before long you > viduals begin to grasp at personal power, the will see that new bounties and divine teach- > > supporting bond of unity becomes weakened ings will illuminate this dark world and will > and the civilization moves into the fourth transform these sad regions into the Paradise > stage which the Baha'i calls the "winter" of of Eden." > the social cycle. The instruments of justice "We desire but the good of the world and > become the means of injustice. Protesting the happiness of the nations That . . . all > > driven by oppression and poverty, > classes, nations should become one in faith and all > > organize for rebellion. The instinct of self- men as brothers; that the bonds of affection > preservation grows stronger than the virtue and unity between the sons of men should be > of mutual loyalty. The civilization divides strengthened; that diversity of religion > into struggling parties and interests, and the should cease, and differences of race be anoriginal spirit that created its unity cannot nulled . . . Yet so it shall be: these fruitbe restored. It is this process of life and less these ruinous wars shall pass > strifes, > death as applied to society that is the crucial away, and the Most Great Peace shall come." > challenge which confronts the world today. "O people of Justice! Be as brilliant as > And the Baha'i teaching makes clear that, the light and as splendid as the fire that > if we fail to recognize this law of cycles, blazed in the Burning Bush. The brightness > this recurrent heart-beat and pulsation of the of the fire of your love will surely fuse and > creative force of this higher law, we shall be unify the contending peoples and kindreds of > as blind as, and in all probability shall share the earth, whilst the fierceness of the flame > the lot of, those ancient peoples whose only of enmity and hatred cannot but result in > trace today is to be found in a few eloquent strife and ruin . . . All men have been creruins. ated to carry forward an ever advancing civ- > It should be especially noted that these ilization. The Almighty beareth me witness: > > social cycles are not simple repetitions of To act like the beasts of the field is ungroup experience: they are the developing worthy of man. Those virtues that befit his > and evolving measures of human advance- dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion > ment, as the annual cycle in the world of na- and loving-kindness towards all peoples and > ture measures its growth and ultimate frui- kindreds of the earth." > tion. And we find in all the world's sacred > Scriptures alike the firm assurance that faith > A NEW WORLD ORDER > and obedience to spiritual law will ultimately During this past week we have considered > be fulfilled in a civilization that shall unite in brief outline the Baha'i teachings of the > all peoples and races in one order, one faith new order which is gradually taking form in > and one universal law. the social life of the world, and we have seen > The Baha'i message is a world message be- that this is being brought about by the nor- > BAHA'f RADIO PROGRAM 783 > > mal working of evolutionary forces, as their important of all the teachings, that in the > > nature and method are explained by these cyclic course of this higher law a spiritual > > teachings. The explanation is so new to us, winter time is now ending; the world is tohowever, and strikes so directly at the heart day just beginning to feel the quickening > of the difficulties and dangers that threaten force of a new forward movement in a cycle > > every people today, and even civilization it- which is to bring us to a world civilization > self, it is perhaps well to go over again one or of unimagined perfection. The disturbing > two of the points that have been brought changes which are happening all about us, > > out before we end our series of talks. the more heartening events which sometimes > One of the most important teachings is do occur, are both alike the results of the > that the development of our higher areas of increasing power of this higher law, preparconsciousness, that part of us where lie the ing the way for a new world order that will > answers to our social problems, goes for- rest upon the unshakable base of spiritual > ward under the influence of laws that follow values. Now it shatters and sweeps away > closely the method of the laws which control > forms that stand in its path; now it comthe evolution of the world of nature. As bines into higher and more useful forms elenature advances in a pattern of annual cy- ments that are in harmony with its purpose, > cles, with their four seasons, so our higher working out the chemistry of the new civilunderstanding unfolds in vast cyclic move- ization, demonstrating the inspiring fact > ments expressed in terms of civilizations. As that today efforts directed toward the buildlife inthe tree is quickened by the rays of ing up of a nobler form of social order have > the mounting sun in springtime, to press on behind them the support of all the power of > to full fruition and then recede to the un- this higher law, the forces of evolution itself. > productivity of winter, so groups of people > in different parts of the earth from time to For the greatest chemistry of all is that > time have the quickening force of a > felt which deals with the union and order of > mounting spiritual power and, responding to human beings in the state of society. In > it,have risen from relative inferiority and human beings the Creator has deposited powimpotence to a civilization of immensely ers and forces which, on the physical plane, > higher culture and power. Then, as the represent the highest expression of elemental > force which had built them up and sus- life; but which, on the mental and spiritual > > tained them passed the zenith of its influ- planes, contain attributes raised high above > ence, gradually their culture and power nature. History is our record of this powerwaned and they sank back into a period of ful chemistry the laboratory note book in > > spiritual unproductivity, a life largely matewhich is set down the results of many social > rialistic, the winter of their civilization. The experiments, some describing notable sucworking of this law can readily be traced in cesses, others grimly depicting those wars, > revolutions and other human explosions by > history, which, for example, tells us of the > riseand fall of Rome and its civilization, of which societies have been utterly destroyed. > ancient Persia, of the Jews and the civiliza- The ingredient which the Baha'i teachings, > tion that flowered in the court of Solomon, as well as all experience, show to be essential > > and, nearer to us, of the Moslem forward to the preservation of civilization is a mutual > thrust that fought its way to Spain and there loyalty based upon the foundation of spiritgave to the world the glories of the Alham- ual law. The ingredient invariably leading > bra, the brilliant civilization of the Moors. to social explosion is hate. > > Each of these historic movements in civiliza- So sinister have become the influences > tion fits into its place in the rhythmic pulsa- making for hatred today that the time has > tion of this law of cycles as expressed in the come to learn the laws of that spiritual > field of man's social consciousness. Here we chemistry which settles the outcome of all > see this higher law at work in the past. And human relations. The world has become a > it still works on, the Baha'i teachings say; laboratory in which the very powers of life > it does not rest. and death are being manipulated by the > Which leads to, perhaps for us, the most ignorant, the evil, and even the insane. > 784 THE BAHA'f WORLD > The first principle of civilization is that scheme which the calculations of the highest > no human being, however weak and lowly, statesmanship may yet devise; no doctrine > can be regarded as merely a brute, an outcast which the most distinguished exponents of > whose fate is a matter of indifference to his economic theory may hope to advance; no > fellow men. Even though latent and unde- principle which the most ardent of moralists > veloped, the attributes of man are divinely may strive to inculcate, can provide, in the > created. Great emphasis has been given to last resort, adequate foundations upon which > > this spiritual endowment of man in the writ- the future of a distracted world can be > ing of "Whatever is in the > Baha'u'llah: built." > heavens and whatever is on the earth is a The Baha'i writings contain a further > direct evidence of the revelation within it of passage which at this hour has far-reaching > the attributes and narq.es of God. . . . To a significance. It describes how the light of > supreme degree is this true of man, who, this higher law is arising in this age to banish > > among all created beings, hath been invested hatred and fear from the earth. > with the robe of such gifts, and hath been "In cycles gone by, though harmony was > singled out for the glory of such distinction. established, yet, owing to the absence of > For in him are potentially revealed all the means, the unity of all mankind could not > attributes and names of God to a degree that have been achieved. Continents remained > no other created being hath excelled or sur- widely divided, nay, even among the peoples > passed. Man, the noblest and most per- > . . . of one and the same continent, association > fect of all created things, excelleth them and interchange of thought were well nigh > all in the intensity of this revelation, and impossible. Consequently, intercourse, underis a fuller expression of its glory." standing and unity amongst all the peoples > In the light of this truth, it seems evident and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. > that altogether too much power is attributed In this day, however, means of communicato those human organizations which employ tion have multiplied, and the five continents > material force and ruthless coercion to attain of the earth have virtually merged into one > their ends. The following quotation indi- ... In like manner, all the members of the > cates how fruitless are the efforts to estab- human family, whether peoples or governlish the association of men on any other than ments, cities or villages, have become increasa basis of spiritual truth: "Economic dis- ingly interdependent. For none is self-suffitress . . . > together with political confusion, ciency any longer possible, inasmuch as > and > financial upheavals, religious restlessness political ties unite all peoples and nations, and > racial animosities, seem to have conspired to the bonds of trade and industry, of agriculadd immeasurably to the burdens under ture and education, are being strengthened > which an impoverished, a war-weary world every day. Hence the unity of all mankind > is > groaning. Such has been the cumulative can in this day be achieved. Verily this is > effect of these crises, following one another none other but one of the wonders of this > with such bewildering rapidity, that the very wondrous age, this glorious century. Of > foundations of society are trembling. The this, past ages have been deprived, for this > world, to whichever continent we turn our century, the century of light, has been > gaze, ... is everywhere assailed by forces endowed with unique and unprecedented > it can neither explain nor control. Hu- . . . > glory, power and illumination. . . . > > manity, whether viewed in the light of "Behold how its light is now dawning > man's individual conduct or of the existing upon the world's darkened horizon. The > relationships between organized communi- firstcandle is unity in the political realm, > tiesand nations, has alas, strayed too far and the early glimmerings of which can now be > suffered too great a decline to be redeemed discerned. The second candle is unity of > through the unaided efforts of the best thought in world undertakings, the conamong its recognized rulers and statesmen summation of which will ere long be withowever disinterested their motives, however nessed. The third candle is unity in freedom > concerted their action, however unsparing in which will surely come to pass. The fourth > their zeal and devotion to its cause. No candle is unity in religion which is the > BAHA'i RADIO PROGRAM 785 > > cornerstone of the foundation itself, and bornly refuses to embrace the light and > which, by the power of God, will be revealed acknowledge the sovereign authority of the > in all its splendor. The fifth candle is the one Power that can extricate it from its enunity of nations a unity which in this cen- tanglements, and avert the woeful calamity > tury will be securely established, causing all that threatens to engulf it. > the peoples of the world to regard themselves "Unification of the whole of mankind is > as citizens of one common fatherland. The the hall-mark of the stage which human so- > > ciety is now approaching. Unity of family, > sixth candle is unity of races, making of all > that dwell on earth peoples and kindreds of of tribe, or city-state, and nation have been > one race. The seventh candle is unity of successfully attempted and fully established. > language, that is, the choice of a universal World unity is the goal towards which a > tongue in which all peoples will be instructed harassed humanity is now striving. Nationand converse. Each and every one of these building has come to an end. The anarchy > will inevitably come to pass, inasmuch as the inherent in state sovereignty is moving topower of the Kingdom of God will aid and wards a climax. A world, growing to maassist in their realization." must abandon this fetish, recognize > turity, > The first principle of civilization has al- the oneness and wholeness of human relationready been described as recognition of the ships, and establish once for all the maspiritual nature ofman. The second is to chinery that can best incarnate this fundabecome aware that a human society capable mental principle in its life." > of solving its problems is no mere casual There are three periods in this movement > or artificial grouping of a large number of toward world unity: first, when the need of > human beings, but the reflection and out- the larger unity is denied and resisted; sec- > > working of a creative spirit. These teach- ond, when the need of unity is admitted, but > ings tell us that such a spirit is > moving the substitutes for the true unity are attempted; > minds and hearts throughout the > today and third, the hour when all resistance and > world. Its necessary creation is a world subterfuge are abandoned, and the spirit of > society, and the path leading to that world unity is at last awakened among men. We > society is a living belief in the oneness of have already passed through the first of these > mankind. periods. At present we are still experiment- > We of today live in a transitional age, the ing with incomplete measures and half- > "forty years of wilderness" that lie between hearted efforts. But the law is silently at > the old world and the new. The part each work. Signs are not lacking that many have > man plays is determined by whether he looks begun to respond to the new world spirit, > backward or forward, whether he responds and are ready to serve its universal aim. For > to materialism or to the higher law, whether such, these words of BahaVllah will bring > he is slave to the darkness or the servant of comfort and strength: "Soon will the presthe light. As has been so poignantly ex- ent-day order be rolled up, and a new one > pressed: "The whole of mankind is groaning, spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord > is > dying to be led to unity, and to terminate speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of > its age-long martyrdom. And yet it stub- things unseen." > THE BUST OF 'ABDU/L-BAHA > BY MRS. STANNARD > JLHE Sculptor, Nicolas Sokolnitsky, is a Prophete" was a phrase heard more than once > Russian of the Ukraine his natal town by the French who were privileged to meet > Kiev. He has lived in Paris many years and him. > possesses French naturalization papers. He Sokolnitsky looked at me suddenly and in > creates original works of Art and has ac- tones of great eagerness said, "I will do this! > > complished many successful portrait busts I can do it!" His eyes lighted up as he > and small statues. demanded of me what pictures or photo- > It was during the summer of 1936 when graphs I had that he could study. > some of us, belonging to the Baha'i group The next day he came to see me and I > > of Paris, came in touch with a few people laid out ready for his inspection all my colforming a Catholic international religious lection of photos and prints or reproductions > > group. One or two of these came to Baha'i that I > possessed. He examined these caremeetings at Mrs. Scott's and among them fully and selected two or three that he > was the sister of Nicolas Sokolnitsky, the thought he could use. > sculptor. > From this link came invitations to visit THE DREAM > their private gatherings and to discuss re- In the early morning of that night Nicolas > > ligious questions as between Christianity and Sokolnitsky had ar vision. It was about noon > Islam. the next day that I was called to the tele- > I and some of the Iranian students fol- phone and his voice in agitated excited tones > lowed this up and a few profitable meetings came through begging me to come to his > took place through which we became ac- studio as soon as I could and see what he > > quainted with the sculptor himself. had done and to tell me something very > He seemed to take an immediate interest particular. > in the principles of the Cause and begged us Thinking he needed some essential inforto come and discuss these matters at his mation for his work, immediately I put aside > studio. He received us with great hospitality some work I was engaged in and left for his > and after hearing our convictions stood up studio as soon as I could. > and holding a French translation of one of To my amazement he uncovered the wet > Baha'u'llah's works which I had lent him, cloth wrapped round a large sized clay bust > declared himself frankly as one who had in- and I looked on the completed head of 'Abdstinctively held to such teachings for many u'l-Baha. It was in the rough stage but the > > years. He believed that the world was likeness to me was unmistakable. > > rapidly approaching the time when such As I stared in astonishment, he laughed > a spiritual outlook would be generally and said, "Yes, some sculptors would say it > felt. was almost miraculous." > It was on one of these occasions when Then he drew me aside and told me with > inspecting some of Sokolnitsky's works as he many touches of descriptive details the folstood by, that I happened to make the re- lowing: "The same night that I had the > mark, "It is a thousand pities that the great portraits you lent me it must have been > French sculptor Rodin never met the Mas- between four and five in the morning I > ter when he was in Paris." He of all men had a dream so vivid and real of a figure in > one felt would have appreciated the great white standing before me and I saw, I am > beauty of his majestic head and its pure sure, the Iranian Master. He had the turban > > prophet type of outline, etc. "Tete de and white beard and he stretched out a hand > THE BUST OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 787 > > The sculptor, Nicolas Sokolnitsky, at work on a bust of 'Abdu'1-Baha in his Paris studio. > > to me and then in Russian said, 'Rise and and getting materials > directly after, he rose > " he worked then and there for four > speak of me.' together > The effect was so great that on waking or five hours without stopping. > AFRICAN EXPERIENCE > BY LOULIE A. MAT HEWS > > A,.FRIGA! The golden vistas of un- South Africa, its people, its beauty and the > counted treasure which that word has con- unique flavor of this distant land. It is due > jured up in the minds of men! The early to her thoughtfulness that we received a > > navigators, driven by an ever increasing copy of the Tablet written in i920 by 'Abdhope of finding a short passage to India, a u'l-Baha, a portion of which is quoted: > passage that would open to them the fabled > wealth of the Orient, made many voyages It may be that the government of these > that resulted in failure before Vasco da regions will check thee. Thou shouldst say > Gama's final discovery. What pride must I am a Baha'i, and am a friend with all > > the astute mariner have felt as, from the religions and nations. I consider all to be of > prow of his ship, he gazed upon that for- one race and count them as my relatives. > midable rock, the Cape of Good Hope, jut- I have divine love, not racial or sectarian > > ting out into the sea and realized that the love.According to the palpably written > navigators' dream had become reality, and command of Baha'u'llah, I do not pronounce > that to him had fallen the victory. a word pertaining to politics, because we are > > Since that fateful day of discovery many forbidden to interfere in political affairs. We > men have landed on these shores. The are concerned with affairs which are heav- > Dutch, driven from the Fatherland by reli- enly. We are Servants unto the world of > > gious persecution, brought their boats up on morality. We consider that religious, racial, > the sands leading to Cape Town and, in the political and national prejudices are destrucearly part of the seventeenth century, faced tive to the world of humanity. We believe > the hardships of an unexplored country that the whole surface of the earth constirather than give up religious freedom. A tutes one home, and that all of mankind > > century later the English landed soldiers form one family. With all we are in the > here,drawn by news of the finding of gold utmost sincerity and kindliness. > beneath the rocky ledges of Rhodesia and Upon thee be Glory of the Abha! > diamonds richly studding the Kimberley Signed: 'Abdu'l-Baha-'Abbas. > mines. The clash of arms resulting in the Translated August 10, 1920 > Boer War and the ultimate victory of the > English is history from the pages of our own The significant words with which this > times. portion of the Tablet opens "It may be > In the present century, following in the that the government of these regions will > wake of trade, came the Baha'i pioneers, check thee" proved all too true. It was > offering the people wealth conferred by the not long before the strained situation existspirit; the flaming riches of a mine of knowl- ing between the South African churches was > edge; the news of the coming of a Prophet, brought to our attention. Two established > bringing a new command for the children churches: one, the Dutch Reformed, and the > of men. Martha Root, the champion of the other the established Church of England, > ideals of theNew Day, came hither and each keeping aloof from the other with a > spread the Message of BahiVlldh, using her certain hostile distrust. Thus a delicate situspiritual technique of making every action ation had come into being which all the > bring forth results for the Cause of God. leaders decried. They sought a remedy anx- > > Fanny Knobloch in the year 1920 embarked iously and greeted with delight any point of > upon this long journey, living and teaching unity that could be brought about. At the > here. Her letters were filled with love for same time they dreaded the importing of new > AFRICAN EXPERIENCE 789 > > ideas lest it and create > increase the strife and significance, and wrote clearly their acfurther confusion. was therefore sug- > It counts. I quote one from the Sunday News > gested that it would be the part of wisdom of Bulawayo of February 14, 1937: > not to give direct Baha'i teachings from the > platform, but that it would be wiser to stress "Last Sunday afternoon Mrs. Roscoe Maunity and reason, and to make some other thews of New York City gave a talk before > opportunity for giving the tenets of our sixty-five people, at the home of Mr. and > Faith. As the Divine Plan holds the remedy Mrs. Forbes, the subject being 'The Imporfor every situation, the first suggestion was tance of the New Day.' The speaker pleaded > simple, but not the second. for the banding together of all races and > How then to combine the presentation of creeds for the preservation of the world, > the Principles and at the same time give the pointing out that in no other way can world > true Message for which we had come so peace be obtained. She spoke with great > many hundred miles to deliver! Only the conviction of the power of spirit in bringing > Holy Spirit can solve such difficulties and about the ideals of the age; showing that the > bring triumph out of disaster. In such a crisis stage in the evolution of man has reached a > it is necessary to banish all fear, to know no critical period, and that humanity is in grave > > disturbance, and to pass by all limitation. danger unless we take hold of the situation > The answer rests with the Holy Spirit. And with reality, awake and do not remain asleep. > in meditation and prayer the answer WILL Many remarkable instances of the power and > BE GIVEN. Complications arise from force of constructive thinking were given. > minds of limitation, BahaVllah states, but She charmed her audience by the sincerity > the pure spirit knows nought except free- of her words and the depth of the design to > dom. It is single in purpose, being the very which she called us who listened. During a > point of the mystery of unity. planned intermission Mrs. Mathews talked > Clearly then came the answer and the informally with each group that had separight course to pursue became evident and rated themselves for this purpose. To each > certain. Meetings were arranged, a chair- she gave the basis of the Baha'i religion, its > man of distinction provided. My husband motivating principle, its spiritual concepts, > outlined his efforts in uniting the school chil- itsfundamental ideal, the oneness of the > dren of England and America. In my part of world of humanity. All religions, the > the talk the Principles were given and the speaker said, must give way before the necesoutline of the New World order. Stress was sity of a fundamental unity, even while > laid on the dangers to which mankind is many would retain certain distinguishing > exposed today and emphasis was given to the characteristics. The word Baha'i was exinvestigation of truth and the necessity for a plained; it means light or glory, and will be > revision of judgment on many points. Ideas used the world over to designate the new > that had become superannuated and out- message. Already a universal church or temworn must be laid aside, for this was a dif- ple is being erected near Chicago. > ferent world and required readjustment of "Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are Baha"'i teachthought. Then, promising a revelation of ers who travel for the purpose of spreading > importance to every soul, the audience was the message of the new Prophet, Bahi'u'llih. > formed into six or eight small groups. No Among the students of this religion will be > one felt shy, questions were eagerly asked, found Buddhists, Christians, Muhammadans > and each group had a direct Message. Mean- and Confucians, as well as members of the > while, refreshments were served to those who other religions of the world. A universal > waited, and great impatience was evinced to church compatible with the belief in > is > > be next in turn to hear the Message. In world peace based on mutual understanding. > closing, a few words from the platform were Former religions have created and maingiven, with thanks for their attention and tained barriers between race and race, beopen -mindedness. tween religion and religion. While these > Instant success followed this simple ex- barriers remain the world will not be in com- > > periment. The reporters grasped its novelty posure and rest. At the conclusion Mrs. > ' > > Mr. and Mrs. Roscoc Mathews (Photograph of welcome card presented at the Gateway > to South Africa). > > AFRICAN EXPERIENCE 791 > > A. W. Gordon proposed a vote of thanks bring about radical changes. And today the > to the speaker." vast raucous voices of world propaganda > drown the still small voice of conscience, > This lucid and remarkable article was which can hardly be heard by the suffering > copied in several other journals. and despairing millions. It is good, oh, how > An incident at the meeting in Bulawayo good, to know and feel that the enlightened > was of special importance. After the talk a have an ally in every part of the world > man advanced and introduced himself as through the Baha'i Message. > Rabbi Cohen. He seemed much affected by Kind regards, > the stories related in the address and, holding Signed: M. I. Cohen. > my hand warmly in his, exclaimed, "What > can I do for a religion that may be able to It was a great disappointment not to meet > free my people from their bondage, may be personally General Smuts. He knows of the > able to remove the stigma of ancient times?" Baha'i religion and is most sympathetic to- > In replying it was suggested that he might wards it, but we arrived at the opening of > take our literature, which had been brought Parliament and had to be content with > from America both in Dutch and English, vicarious messages. This remarkable man is > and with them form a Baha'i lending library. a Boer who fought against the British in the > His face fairly shone; and so it came about South African war. His ability and outlook > that from that single talk in Bulawayo, the have so appealed to the fair-mindedness of > spirit touched this man and led him to un- the English that he stands at the head of the > dertake an altogether new enterprise, the nation today. > establishment of a library of which he had From the train window one sees many of > never heard until that day. In a recent the native compounds, for the natives live > letter he writes: in villages directed and controlled by a coun- > > cil, which receives all the product and > P. O. Box 470 moneys that accrue to the individuals of a > Bulawayo, April 18, 1937 given community, and distributes the com- > Dear Mrs. Mathews: bined resources according to the need of > Many thanks for so kindly sending me each. The women do not leave the comyour pamphlets which I have read with great pounds and never work among white people. > interest. am more and more impressed > I The men are seen in all the large cities and > by the fact that men and women of good are much loved and respected. In many > will are thinking along similar lines. The situations they have responsibility and the > > great problem is indeed to organize in some confidence of their employers. The villages > way these countless believers in the unity of are most picturesque, made either of mud > mankind. In our own South Africa we have walls with a decorative design, which in > savage, racial and color differences, and yet turn enclose the wattled tents; or of bamboo > too, we have fine examples of the spiritual artfully combined with clay. From the > > growth of humanity. I am sending your train, too, one glimpses the great fruit orpamphlets to an important organization in chards as they flash by. These orchards, > the union, with the suggestion that they among the most famous in the world, reshould circulate them in large numbers. You semble huge bouquets of red and yellow, > will undoubtedly hear from them direct. laden to the ground and falling over white- > I am urging you to send us one of your lead- washed walls in splashes of color. > ing teachers in the near future. You have During a visit to Kruger National Park, > dropped seeds that may fructify in unex- we had an opportunity of experiencing the > pected ways. It is terrible to think that an- kindly spirit of the natives. It had rained > other world war may come before we realize rained as only it can in South Africa the > our essential unity. The world is indeed water falling in solid sheets that turned tiny > fighting for its soul against > the forces of rivulets into rushing torrents. We > had to > dark reaction. I feel strongly that only the move so slowly that we were late in arriving > power of a mighty religious conviction can at the gates of the park. Already was evi- > 792 THE BAHA'f WORLD > dent that peculiar chill that rises from the other workers that BahaVllah will raise up > ground in the tropics with the setting of the to carry forward his Divinely Appointed > sun. Suddenly our Ford car sank down into Work. > the mud which reached the hubs of the A postscript from Bombay, India: Reachwheels. There seemed nothing to do but to ing Bombay an unexpected gift awaited our > resign ourselves to a night of terror, since coming. It was a picture letter from the > lions and tigers roam at will; when sud- friends we had made in Cape Town. Pic- > > denly out of the gloom from the bank six tures of the famous landmarks were accomstalwart natives appeared. They moved so panied by the signatures of every one who > softly that we were scarcely aware of their had attended the first talk given in Cape > presence until they reached the motor. Town. And with it came the following let- > Directed by one taller and more command- ter of gratitude for the Message brought. It > > ing than the rest, without a word they put was indeed a loving and memorable souvenir > their bare shoulders under the wheels, gave a of a Baha'i journey. > mighty pull, and the next moment the motor 150 St. George's Street > was lifted on high and brought down to > Cape Town, February 11, 1937 > safety. It might have been a toy machine > Dear Mrs. Mathews, > on the floor of a nursery. In return they > Everyone who heard you speak was so deaccepted chocolate and sandwiches but re- want > lighted with your talks that they all > fused our money, indicating by their expresyou to come back soon. > sive faces and gestures that they did not > We thought it would be appropriate to > want it and were glad to render assistance. > send you both a memento of your visit to > Silently they disappeared again into the bush. > South Africa. Talking it over, Mr. Scott > Alas, that our visit was so soon ended. > conceived the idea of making a picture > How much we longed to remain among these letter. Harold Morris caught the vision and > people who had given such a generous remade the picture for you. You brought to > sponse to the Message that had been brought. us a solutionour religious difficulties > of > But the time of departure drew near. No > through the Baha'i Cause and taught us a > sooner had the train drawn up alongside the > new and illumined pathway to social and > wharf at Durban than the Franconia > spiritual Every signature conveys a > life. > weighed anchor and, steaming through the > special appreciation ofyour work and your > beautiful harbor, lighted with the glory of > visit and goes to you with gratitude. May > the setting sun, turned into the Indian > you return to us and tell us more of the > Ocean. A wave of sadness penetrated our "New World > bright future depicted in the > whole being as South Africa faded from > Order." > view. How little had been accomplished! > Signed: Lottie A. Askeland. > How much was there left to do! Often will > our prayers and hearts turn to this land, This talk took place at "Kelvin Groove*' and > asking that we return in person or through was the first you gave in South Africa. > THE NON-POLITICAL NATURE > OF THE BAHA't CAUSE > BY EMILY M. AXFORD > > Read at the second Babd'i Convention of the Babd'is of Australia and > _ New Zealand held in Sydney, April, 1937 > il > -HE non-political nature of the Baha'i the inevitable result of the practical applica- > Cause and the duties and responsibilities in- tion of Baha'i Administrative principles. > volved is one which requires understanding These will come into existence as the new > and delicacy in presentation. It comes as civilization gradually unfolds, and it is only > somewhat of a shock to even the older Ba- in this broad sense that the Cause has any > ha'is to realize that participation in party interest in politics, i.e., what concerns the > > politics, which to many has been in the na- welfare of the State. We believe, do we > ture of a religious duty, is altogether unde- not, that ultimately the government shall be > sirable in the present stage of the evolution "upon His shoulders"? This surely means > of the Cause. In the past we have, perhaps, that the new world order, envisaged by > disregarded the subject, and since 1929 when Baha'u'llah, will be built upon the principles > Shoghi EfTendi made it a matter for special of oneness and justice which are the foundaconsideration, many of us were still not tion teachings of His Cause. This will natuready and willing to study the nature of his rally entail changes in the constitution of > instructions and the principles underlying governments. > them, but preferred to walk along the accus- Let us ask ourselves the question, is there > tomed path and use our own judgment in the any political party or system of government > matter of supporting and working for the in any country today which we can unhesi- > > political party which seemed to coincide tatingly support as being in conformity with > with our own ideas. The time is overdue for these root principles? Many take the attius all to carefully examine the position and tude that half a loaf is better than none, and > see how far we are willing to render complete feel justified in supporting any political > > obedience in cooperating with Shoghi Eflfcndi party or organization which advocates any > for the promotion of the Cause. This obedi- Baha'i principle. Why continue to support > ence need not be blind, but rather a con- a system which the Baha'i state will superscious grateful cooperation when the matter sede,and why concern ourselves with half > measures when we have that which holds the > * > has been clarified by consultation as to its > underlying principles. The Cause is non- key to the whole problem of righteous govpolitical in the same sense as it is non-sec- ernment? In "Baha'i News," December, > tarian. It is a religious movement but it 1932, is Shoghi Effendi's postscript to a letter > pays no allegiance to any existing religion to the American N.S.A. in which he says: > or sect of religion. The word politics has "The Baha'i Faith as it forges ahead throughcome to be associated with party factions out the western world and particularly in > and is seldom used in its true meaning of lands where the political machinery is corconcern with those measures which are na- rupt and political passions and prejudices are > tional in character as distinguished from dominant among the masses should increascivil or municipal. ingly assert and demonstrate the fact that it > The Baha'i Cause stands aloof from all is > non-political in character, that it stands > party factions, but its teachings make for above party, that it is neither apathetic to > changes in laws and institutions which are national interests nor opposed to any party > 794 THE BAHA'f WORLD > or faction and that it seeks through adminis- individual candidate. This you will notice > trative channels rather than through diplo- is according to the principle underlying all > > matic and political posts to establish beyond Bahd'i elections. > the shadow of a doubt, the capacity, the same Now, does this mean that we are free to > patriotism, the integrity and high minded- support publicly by electioneering addresses, > ness of its avowed adherents." This is the canvassing, or any other method any pargeneral and vital principle. Our obvious ticular candidate, no matter what party he > > duty, it seems to me, is to use our energies in or she belongs to? The answer to this, I > promoting a more widespread knowledge of think, is emphatic "No," because it contrathe Baha'i movements for sectional reforms venes every principle of Baha'i election > to those who do not know of or cannot adopt methods. No one should try to persuade > the whole Baha'i program. another to vote for any one, our own judg- > In "The Golden Age of the Cause of ment and belief in guidance when we truly > Baha'u'llah," Shoghi Effendi stresses the seek it are at the root of a correct vote > > point that the time is now ripe to emphasize being cast. The next difficulty is, may we > increasingly the instruction regarding non- support in the same way an independent canparticipation by adherents of the Faith either didate who is attached to no party? Again > individually or collectively in any form of I think the answer is "No," because, al- > > activity which might be interpreted as an though such candidates personally are not in > interference in the political affairs of any entire sympathy with any party, yet they > > particular government. seek membership in a system of party govern- > This instruction raised the important ment with which the Baha'i teaching is enquestion whether the act of voting in the tirely at variance. Another point which the > normal pursuance of the function of citizen- N.S.A. of America has elucidated is that > ship should be considered as participation in "The instruction not to take part in political > political matters. The matter was referred elections leaves *is free to vote in any electo the Guardian. Reference and instruc- tion where the various political parties have > tions have appeared in various numbers of combined upon one candidate or one ticket." > "Bahi'i News" from time to time and espe- This I take it refers to a national government > cially in 1933, but the very latest appeared such as England and New Zealand had duragain in February this year (1937). It ap- ing the war. > peared also in the January, 1934, "Baha'i Just here I may perhaps be forgiven for > News" together with other excerpts from bringing to your notice the instruction that > the Guardian's letters, and is as follows: messages from the Guardian conveyed by > "The friends may vote, if they can do it individuals are not to be regarded as authoriwithout identifying themselves with one ties. His instructions are issued to us > > party or another. To enter the arena of through the N.S.A. which is the only au- > > party politics is surely detrimental to the best thorized medium. > interests of the Faith and will harm the When the government is formed Shoghi > Cause. It remains for the individuals to so Effendi makes it abundantly clear that it is > > use their right to vote as to keep aloof from the duty of Baha'is demonstrate their > to > > party politics and always bear in mind that unqualified loyalty and obedience to whatthey are voting on the merits of the indi- ever is the considered judgment of their revidual rather than because he belongs to one spective governments ("Golden Age," p. > party or another. The matter must be made 16). This, I take it, means that Baha'is do > perfectly clear to the individuals, who will not commit themselves to any policy that > be left free to exercise their discretion and could be interpreted as "agin the governjudgment." You will notice this instruction ment," that they should not assist by word > bears date February this year, so until a fur- or deed any political candidate of any party, > ther instruction is given we may exercise our that they should not affiliate with societies > votes in government elections if we so desire, or organizations which have for their object > but the consideration we give to the matter the breakdown of the existing government. > must be on the merits and capacities of the He goes further than this and says ("Golden > NON-POLITICAL NATURE OF BAHA'f CAUSE 795 > > Baha'is of New York in observation of the Day of the Covenant, November 26, 1937. > > Age," p. 16), "Let them refrain from asso- ticle giving 7 summarized points. Some of > ciating themselves with the political > . . . these I have already dealt with. I will > > pursuits of their respective nations the . . . > briefly refer to the others. > policies of their governments and the schemes 1. Recognized believers shall not run for > > and programs of parties and factions. In any public office as Candidate of any politisuch controversies they should assign no cal party, nor take part, directly or indi- > > blame, further no design and identify them- rectly, in the promotion of any party or > selveswith no system prejudicial to that party platform. > world wide fellowship which it is their aim 2. Political issues of a partisan character > to guard and foster. Let them rise > . . . shall not be discussed at Baha'i meetings. > > above all particularism and partisanship, etc., 3. Recognized believers shall abstain from > which engage the attention of a changing with movements of a radical and > affiliation > > world," disruptive character, whether avowedly po- > A word of warning is necessary here for litical in nature, or, while non-political in > we must not infer that we make ourselves a name, advocating social changes that preclose corporation, cutting ourselves off from sume partisan political action. > other progressive movements. In February, 4. Baha'is are loyal to the government of > > 1933, in a Teaching Committee report we their country and will obey the laws of that > read: "Baha'is should keep in touch with government. An example of this was afthose progressive groups whose principles are forded by the Baha'is of Russia, who subin accord with the Baha'i principles. In each mitted unreservedly to grievous interference > city if one Baha'i could keep in contact with with their administrative work by the Soviet > the people of capacity in each progressive and government. > universal group, numerous doors would be 5. Believers who speak on Baha'i platopened for Baha'i service. Social service forms shall refrain from making negative > agencies and workers are almost always pre- and critical statements about any particular > pared soil for the seeds of the New Life." government or national policy. The great > In the December, 1932, number is an ar- importance of this instruction can scarcely > 796 THE BAHA'I WORLD > be appreciated by us j^rho live in free demo- Baha'i elections. It must be remembered > cratic countries/ but contravention of this that the quality of sympathetic understandcan and has led to serious results in some of ing with which a local spiritual assembly > the eastern countries. Then the matter of approaches its task of explaining a new inmisrepresentation from outside sources. A struction makes a vast difference in the > concrete example of the importance of this response the community will make. The > issue was afforded by the persecutions of Cause of Baha'u'llah has no arbitrary com- > Baha'is in Constantinople, in 1932. mands every positive teaching and instruc- > Shoghi Effendi cabled the following appeal tion coming from its spiritual centre carries > to the N.S.A. of America: "Baha'is (of) a divine blessing which makes obedience not > Constantinople and Adana, numbering about blind and meaningless but an act of devoted > > forty, imprisoned, charged with subversive faith fulfilling our individuality. > motives. (I) urge (you to) induce Turkish In conclusion let me read to you the > Minister (in) Washington (to) make im- Guardian's cablegram which appeared in > mediate representations to his government "Baha'i News," May, 1933: > (to) release (the) law-abiding followers (of > this) non-political Faith. Advise also Na- Dear and prized co-workers: > tional Spiritual Assembly (to) cable authori- The handling of this delicate and vital > ties (at) Angora, and approach State De- problem regarding non-participation by > partment." Baha'is of East and West in political af- > The Baha'i citizens referred to were im- fairs, calls for the utmost circumspection, > > prisoned by the Turkish government on the tact, patience and vigilance, on the part > > charge that they were members of a move- of those whose function and privilege it > ment intended to carry on political intrigue is to guard, promote and administer the > charges no doubt instituted by Muham- activities of a worldwide ever-advancing > madan sources. "In less than two months Cause. The misgivings and apprehensions > after the N.S.A. published its statement on of individual Baha'is should be allayed > the non-political character of the Baha'i and eventually completely dispelled. Any > Faith, its members were called upon to ap- misconception of the sane and genuine > peal and intercede on behalf of their suf- patriotism that animates every Baha'i > fering brothers in a far-distant land. This heart, if it ever obscures or perplexes the > instance surely reminds us in a most em- minds of responsible government officials, > phatic manner how essential it is to cast should be instantly and courageously disaside all provincial limitations, all tradi- sipated. Any deliberate misrepresentation > tional values, and assert our devotion to a by the enemies of the Cause of God of > Cause whose vision includes mankind." the aims, the tenets and methods of the > > ("Baha'i News," February, 1933.) administrators of the Faith of Baha'u'llah > The last instruction reads: "Every local should be vigorously faced and its fallacy > Spiritual Assembly shall be responsible for pitilessly exposed.The Cause to which > the carrying out of these instructions by we belong stands on the threshold of an > the believers in their respective communi- era of unprecedented expansion. > Its probties. Local membership lists shall include lems are many, divers and challenging. > only the names of those believers who faith- Our methods and ways of approach must > fully preserve the non-political character of likewise be characterized by unusual sathe Faith." gacity, consummate skill and wisdom. He > But if a certain person does enter into will surely never fail us in meeting the > > party politics and labors for the ascension needs of a critical hour. > of one party over another, and continues to Shoghi. > do it against the appeals and warnings of Haifa, Palestine. > the Assembly, then the Assembly has the March 16, 1933. > right to refuse him the right to vote in To the National Spiritual Assembly. > TEACHING THE CAUSE OF > BAHA'U'LLAH IN DISTANT LANDS > BY NELLIE S. FRENCH > rf > . . . > Consequently a number of souls may arise and act in accordance with aforesaid > conditions and hasten to all parts of the world, > especially from America to Europe, > Africa, Asia and Australia and travel through China and Japan. Likewise from Germany > teachers and believers may travel through all the continents and islands of the globe. > Thus in a short space of time most wonderful results will be produced, the banner of > Universal Peace will be waving on the apex of the world and the lights of the oneness > of the world of humanity may illumine the universe." > 'Abdu'l-Baha's Instructions to Traveling Teachers > from ^America's Spiritual Mission." > > IT was on the second of May, 1921, that the symbol of the fish by which to identify > our blessed visit to 'Abdu'1-Baha at Bahji them, we longed to know more of these > came to an end and we left Him with hearts blessed souls and of the places where they > too full of joy and gratitude to be articu- had been. One morning we engaged the > late. 'Abdu'1-Baha had instructed us to go services of a famous archeologist, a man of > to Italy and to work with Mrs. Emogene culture and deeply versed in the history of > Hoagg whom He had sent there some years the ancient monuments, one upon whom we > before. We were to see all those whom she could absolutely rely. With him we visited > had attracted to the Faith. Our objective among other places, the church of St. Peter. > was Rome and there we remained some time Every detail of this church was explained to > working as He had directed and also visiting us and finally we were shown the crypt, > the ancient ruins of the days of the early which, as guides inform one, contains the > Christians with which the early days of the skull of Peter, and which has become the > Faith of Baha'u'llah have so much in com- sacred shrine by thousands of the > visited > mon. 'Abdu'1-Baha had so often spoken of faithful each year. "But," said the archethe Disciples of Jesus and of their journey- ologist, "although the church is built and > ings to foreign lands to spread the glad- dedicated to St. Peter, and these bones are > tidings of His mission, that we eagerly shown as his, we archeologists really have > sought to trace their steps and to learn of never found any reliable evidence of Peter's > their services and sacrifices in the path of visit to Rome, nor have we unearthed his re- > > God. mains." > The great Teaching Tablets revealed by This information shocked us! So much > 'Abdu'1-Baha during ^the World War and of sacred tradition clings to Peter's ministry > sent to this country when communication in Rome that we found it difficult to believe > > was re-established, strongly admonish the be- this statement, still our informant was himlievers to arise as did the Disciples of Jesus self a devout Catholic and would willingly > and spread the universal Message of Baha'- have upheld the traditions of the church, > u'llah to a world in crushing need and the but he was forced to face the facts. > responsibility lay heavily on our hearts. As > On our return to America the thought of > we threaded our way among the ancient this misconception lingering persistently in > > ruins associated with the lives and martyr- our minds we decided to ask 'Abdu'1-Baha > dom of the early Christians, and saw the about the matter. We wrote, and in the > catacombs where nameless crypts bore only course of time received a reply from Rouha > 798 THE BAHA'l WORLD > Khanum, the daughter of 'Abdu'l-Bah4, un- Cause and it is for this reason that we cite > der the date of August 15, 1921, and this certain voyages which have carried us to > is whatit said: ". Concerning your > . . > virgin fields far, far away geographically, > question whether St. Peter and St. Paul have but drawing ever nearer and nearer as the > > ever been in Rome, I asked the Master consciousness of the Unity of God and of > 'Abdu'1-Baha about it. He said that there His creation becomes clearer to the mind of > are two sets of people, one say that Paul and man. Since 'Abdu'1-Baha called upon the. > Peter have been to Antioch and the other believers of theUnited States and Canada > that they have been to Rome. There is no in His immortal Tablets to arise and carry > real record of their movements." the Glad-Tidings to all parts of the world > These inconsistencies at first were difficult many loving and consecrated souls have > to reconcile but as the consciousness grows arisen to do His bidding. The records of > of importance of exalting only the > the Martha Root will ever shine forth in imper- > WORD and not the individual who is the ishable splendor. We venerate the name of > conveyor of It, the Divine purpose is clearly Keith Ransom-Kehler who gave her life in > > defined and the great wisdom of it evident. service to Iran. We recall the voyage of > Later years have shown the tendency of peo- Jojm and Louise Bosch who were the first > ple to worship the personality of those whose to go to Tahiti and of Miss Agnes Alexservices are more or less conspicuous in the ander's work in Japan. Then there was Dr. > > spread of the Faith in the dawn of every Susan I. Moody, Miss Lillian Kappes, Miss > > spiritual revelation, forgetting the quality of Elizabeth Stewart, Dr. and Mrs. Howard > true humility which is ever the characteristic Carpenter, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Clark, Mrs. > of sincere servants, forgetting too, the hor- Sharp and Miss Adelaide Sharp,- all these > > rors of persecution which they suffered in have served the Cause among their Iranian > the path of service. Records of the past brethren in Iran. Among other pioneers > are gone, or were never kept, personal his- are Miss Alma K^nobloch and Mrs. Pauline > tory is obliterated, for then they "saw only Hannen who went to Germany and Miss > in part and prophesied in part"; now that Fannie Knobloch who visited South Africa, > which was in part has been done away since Miss Leonora Holsapple who is working in > "that which is perfect is come!" Brazil; Mrs. Emogene Hoagg who traveled > There may be a justifiable reason now to Alaska and afterward was sent to Italy; > therefore, that the travels of the teachers Miss Marion Jack who has been for years in > of the Faith of BahaVllah should be made Bulgaria, and Mrs. Louise Gregory in the > known and the record of the spread of the Balkans; Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn whose > Message of the New Day and of the estab- labors in New Zealand and Australia have > lishment of a New World Order be preserved produced such wonderful results; Louis > for posterity, for never has there been such Gregory who carried the Message to Haiti; > a day, exalted as it is above all peer or like- Mrs. Amelia Collins who was the first to > ness. Baha'u'ilah says of it in the "Glean- carry the Message to Iceland. Then there > ings": "Verily, I say, this is the Day in are those intrepid world travelers, Mr. and > which mankind can behold the Face, and Mrs. E. R. Mathews, whose names will alhear the voice of the Promised One. The ways be linked with South America espe- > Call of God hath been raised and the light of cially; and Mr. and Mrs. Schopflocher to > His countenance hath been lifted up upon whom all the world "is one home." These > men. It behooveth every man to blot out and many others have left imperishable recthe trace of every idle word from the Tablet ords in the annals of the Cause. > of his heart, and to gaze ^th open and un- Our own share in the international spread > biased mind, on the signs of His Revelation, of the Word includes a voyage to Spitzberthe proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of gen, the most northern settlement in the > His glory." world, to Hammerfest in Norway the most > It is for this reason then that the Baha'i northern city, to ports in Norway, Sweden, > archives are now being provided with accu- Russia and Denmark where in some places > rate records of the history and spread of the the Press rendered invaluable services. In > TEACHING fHE CAUSE OF BAHA'U'LLAH 799 > > the year 1937 we > circumnavigated the con- up, and a new one spread out in its stead. > tinent of South America, at all the > touching Verily, thy Lord knoweth the Truth, and > large and reaching Magallanes, the > ports is the Knower of things unseen." > most southern city of the world in the ex- And again He says: "He Who is your > tremity of Chile. In every port contacts Lord the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His > were established and books left. A more heart the desire of the entire > beholding > recent voyage enabled us to visit human race as one soul and one body. Haste > Pago- > Pago and Fiji, two islands of the South Pa- ye to win your share of God's good grace > cific, en route to New Zealand and Aus- and mercy in this Day that eclipseth all > tralia to visit the Baha'i friends in those other Days. How great the felicity that > countries. But there is so much to be done awaiteth him that forsaketh all he hath in > and the time is so short! a desire to obtain the God! Such > things of > "Soon," says Baha'u'llSh in the "Glean- a man, We testify, is among God's blessed > ings," "will the present-day order be rolled ones." > Photo by International film Service > Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst. > > TWO LETTERS OF MRS. PHOEBE > A. HEARST > Taken from the chapter on rf Religions of Persia" from the hook "Persia by a Persian" > being the personal experiences of the Rev. Isaac Adams, M.D. The book is issued in four > languages, English, Dutch, German and Swedish, published in 1900. > > Washington, D. C. corn.e into my life from accepting the Truth > Nov. 19th, 1899. as revealed in these great days, > Mr. Isaiah H. Bradford, I am very sincerely yours > Hubbard, Minn. Signed: Phoebe A. Hearst. > My dear sir: > Your letter of October 24th was duly received and I regret my inability to reply to it Washington, Dec. 5th, 1899 > sooner, but I had left my California home O. M. Babcock, Chicago, 111. > when it arrived there so it was forwarded Dear sir, > to me here; however I take pleasure in an- Your letter at hand and in reply will say > swering your questions, as it gives me great if a statement from me regarding my visit > ' > > happiness to enlighten any Truthseeker, re- to Acca, also my privilege of being in the > garding the "Holy City" and the "Blessed Master's presence, and my impressions of > Master" who dwells therein. the Holy Household, will in the slightest > Altho my stay in Acca was very short, > J > > degree confirm anyone in the faith, then I > > as Iwas there only three days, yet I assure am most happy to render it. > you those three days were the most mem- I was not a pupil of Dr. Kheiralla's. Mr. > orable days of my life, still I feel incap- and Mrs. Getsinger taught me and I acable of describing them in the slightest cepted the Truth before I left my California > degree. home to go to Europe. I never saw Dr. > From a material standpoint everything Kheiralla until we were on board the steamer. > was very simple and plain, but the spiritual My stay in Acca was very short; if I reatmosphere which pervaded the place member correctly I was there but three days, > and was manifested in the lives and tho Mr. and Mrs. Getsinger were there three > actions among the Believers, was truly months. Acca is now a ruined fortification, > wonderful and something I had never its streets are narrow and dark and the houses > > before experienced. One needs but to and rudely constructed, > are very primitive > > see them to know that they arc a Holy but when we were admitted to the Master's > > people. presence we lost sight of our surroundings > The Master I will not attempt to describe: entirely. > I will only state that I believe with all my It seems to me a real Truthseeker would > > heart that He is the Master and my greatest know at a glance that He is the Master! > blessing in this world is that I have > been Withal, I must say He is the Most Wonderful Being I have ever met or ever expect > privileged to be in His presence and look > His life is truly to meet in this world. Tho He does not seek > upon His sanctified face. > the Christlife and His whole being radiates to impress one at all, strength, power, purity, > love and holiness are radiated from His mapurity and holiness! > Without doubt 'Abbas Effendi is the > a jestic, yet humble, personality, and the spir- > Messiah of this day and generation and we itual atmosphere which surrounds Him and > need not look for another. most powerfully affects all those who are > Hoping you will find the joy that has i 'AkH. > > 802 THE BAHA'f WORLD > blest by being near Him, is indescribable. purpose of serving in the Cause of God. > His ideas and sentiments are of the loftiest They dress very plainly, but with a grace > and most chaste character, while His great that gives a sort of grandeur to their most > love and devotion for humanity surpasses humble abode. The purity of their morals > anything I have ever before encountered. I is evident from their calm, benign and guilebelieve in Him with all my heart and soul, less faces which characterize them as a peoand I hope all who call themselves Believers ple. To become spiritually more and more > will concede to Him all the greatness, all like them, and like the blessed Master is my > the glory, and all the praise, for surely He.is daily supplication unto God. > the Son of God and "the spirit of the I am not going to be in the east this > Father abideth in Him." winter. > > Regarding the Household, I found them Yours very sincerely > all quiet, Holy people living only for the Signed: P. A. Hearst. > A TRIBUTE FROM ICELAND > > Miss Holmfridur Arnadottir, educator and > author of Reykjavik, Iceland. > > HAT strikes me most forcefully in the rules the world today and He foretold the > Teachings of the Baha'i Faith is the idea of coming of the Most Great Peace on earth > the unity of all religions and the develop- even as Jesus, the Christ, had prophesied bement of one universal religion within which fore Him. > > every human being can develop his or her How may we help God to establish the > own individual character and capacities in "Most Great Peace" on earth? we ask ourcomplete harmony and accord with the en- selves today. To this question each indivironment. vidual seems to get an answer in the Teach- > > The glad-tidings of the "awakening of ings of Baha'u'llah and His successors. May > the hearts of man- the Holy Spirit of God unite us in the work > spiritual susceptibilities in > kind" are predictions and will for the uplifting of humanity and the proglorious > materialistic motion of His Kingdom on Earth! > lighten the burden of a gloomy, > world today which so much needs a new Holmfridur Arnadottir > standard to fight for, not with swords, but 1937 Reykjavik, Iceland > with the divine power of the Holy Spirit. > The tidings of BahaVllah and His successors are not only spiritual but practical, 'Note: Miss Arnadottir is a well known > as well for the world in which we live as authoress of Iceland. She is now undertakfor the life to come. He foretold the devas- ing the translation of "BahaVllah and the > tation of the material civilization which New Era" into the Icelandic language. > SONG OFFERINGS > And songs of birds are like celestial choirs! > i > My soul as well as body is illumed, > > THE DAY OF GOD 'Twould seem, by Sun which such great power hath > Its rays touch into flame my heart's dim fires. > > Be of good cheer! > What but the glory of the Light of "Light The almond blossoms scent the gentle breeze, > Could cast such shadows on > world forlorn? > a And luscious fruits encumber many a vine. > My heart is filled with peace beyond all words: > If our hearts whispered not the hope of morn > Would we so hate the horror of the night? The very air breathes joy, and even the trees > What is it else than desperate bitter fear Are murmuring a melody divine > That drives the troops of evil, who know well As though their boughs were tuned to heaven's chords. > Their hour is come, to vent their dying rage > Upon the people of this heaven-lit age What is this lovely Garden of the heart? > And seek by every means they may to sell Not here man's cruelty can ever come! > Their lost dominion dear? From all earth's sordid things we've drawn apart: > This is God's Place, my spirit feels at home. > Be of good cheer! > The very depth of our perplexity 'Abdu'l-Bahd: > Amid this whirling world of strife and care This is the Garden where Baha'u'llah > Where disillusion beckons to despair > Sojourns a fortnight ere He journeys far, > Is of itself a call for help, a cry An exile, further still from native land. > That angels' hearts will not be slow to hear. The city whose fair walls and domes you see, > For it is ever in such a time as ours, As South you gaze, is Baghdad Home of Peace. > When man has ransacked sea and land for rest There dwelt the Lord of Glory full ten years, > And never sought the heaven in his own breast, An exile since the tortured months in vile > That God reveals once more His hidden powers The Pit. > Imprisonment in Siyah Chal > And in His might draws near. % > > Be of good cheer! 'Tis nineteen years since first The Bab proclaimed > Though all things change, Truth's kingdom is secure. Himself the Herald of the Dawn. > The forms of faith come, go, and are forgot, > But that which they enshrine can perish not. Anhphony: > Altarsmay crumble, worship will endure. His call > Those holy things that God bids man revere Awakened ready hearts, and souls arose > Reign on unchecked by man's satanic will; In myriads to lay their lives at His > Wisdom and love are of a higher birth Blest feet. Yet but the Herald He. The King > Than these frail phantom forces of the earth Unknown hath walked the earth a prisoner, > And take their deathless power from Him Whose will An exile most despised by those who, blind, > Above all things stands clear. Saw not the Glory veiled beneath the cloud > > Be of good cheer! > Of flesh and circumstance. > What kings desired in vain God gives to you Now strikes the hour > And in this wondrous day before our eyes When bursts the Sun of Truth. The veil is rent > Unseals His ancient book of mysteries > Which hid the Glory of the Lord of Hosts. > Now dawns the Day by Prophets long foretold; > Making all things in earth and heaven new. > Truth hath come down from some far-flaming sphere; Now comes the Kingdom of His Majesty > The One True God. > Lo, in our midst her sacred fires burn! > Listen and bow thy head. > And see trace back these countless rays of light > To the One Point wherein they all unite, > And bow your forehead in the dust to know (The Guide Celestial raised His hand, and lo, > That God Himself is here! Before the Seeker's gaze, embowered in green, > G. TOWNSHEND. A fair pavilion lay, while to and fro > A group of men walked calmly, while the sheen > Of sinking sun shed lustre on the scene. > II > > Some five-score men there were whose faces shone > THE GARDEN OF RID VAN With radiance, as though a lamp were lit > (outside Baghdad) Within their breasts. The tent enshrined a Throne, > And humble homage on their brows doth sit, > THE DECLARATION OF For in their breasts hath Revelation writ.) > BAHA'U'LLAH > 'Abdu'l-Babd: Chants. > Man Speaks: From high Horizons of the Lights hath shone > Such fragrance hath my being ne'er perfumed! Such brilliancy and brightness none hath known: > How fair this Garden: roses bower each path Blest are the souls attaining to His Throne! > SONG OFFERINGS 805 > > From this white Spot such fragrance now outflows Antiphony: > That all the worlds are perfumed like the rose: O people of the earth! The Day of Grace > Blest are the nostrils which this perfume knows! Hath dawned: come ye that I may crown ye kings > In this My earthy Kingdom: for if ye > The Cup of Life, o'erflowing with the wine * > Obey Me I will make you friends of Mine, > " > Fulfilling Words: "I drink not of the vine My very soul, in realms of greatness, and > Is passing 'round. O take the Cup divine! Companions of Perfection ye shall shine > Forever in the heavens of My Might! > From that blest Tree on Sinai's Mount a Call > Is heard a Trumpet peal that sounds to all > And if ye disobey Me, O loved ones, > The garment of My Mercy covereth you, > The world. Blest are the souls who heed His Call! > And My forbearance doth precede your sin. > The Light of Unity for sons of men O people of the earth! The Giver of > In this secluded Spot shines once again: All Gifts hath*come indeed, riding upon > Blest are the eyes which open to that ken! > The cloud! Advance with shining faces and > Illumined hearts! > The Face of God the Glorious unveiled Blest are the souls who to > Now shines resplendent. Blest the souls assailed His Meeting win; to whom the fragrance of > By Glory in Whose Light all Suns have paled! His Verses is disclosed; who at His Hands > The wine of Union drink; who in the air > Anftpbony: Of love and praise spread wing, and whom He hath > The Kingdom of our God amongst the race Led to His Paradise Supreme the Place > Of men is glorified before His Face: Of Revelation and of vision clear > Blest are the souls who therein find a place! Before the grandeur of His heavenly Throne! > > The Tongue of Grandeur speaks! Ah, listen well! O people of the earth! Come unto Me > For 'tis the Word of God Himself the knell And I will show you paths of Life, and make > Of wrong, injustice, prejudice and strife. You vivifiers of a world now dead! > Harken to Words of Beauty Words of Life! HOWARD COLBY IVES. > MARCH 31, 1936. > The Voice of Bahd' it'll dh from within the tent: > people of the world! I was asleep Ill > Upon couch, when, lo, the Bree/e of God > My > Upon My > being breathed and I awoke! BAHJf > His Spirit bade Me to proclaim His Will > To earth and heaven. Das Land ist heilig, darauf wir gehn > I summon all mankind > Und Blumen uns duftend umbreiten, > To God, the Lord of all the worlds. For, lo, An Bahji's Tore leis verwehn, > The hour hath struck of which 'twas said, Verdaemmern der Erde Zeiten. > Of old by blessed lips, that no man knoweth, > Not even the Son, but only He Who comes Die Schwelle beugt sich noch lichterfuellt > When that Hour strikes. The Father knows alone! Der Herrlichkeit, die sie geborgen, > Da drinnen aber, da Schlaf Ihn huellt, > The Word which Christ concealed hath in the form Umfaengt uns der strahlende Morgen. > Of Man appeared. Blest is this Day for now > The Father hath with Power come amongst Das Hcrz schlaegt leiser und Wundcr erbluehn > The nations: turn ye unto Him and live! Wohl hier an der Welten Mitte, > Da Erd und Himmel in Einheit gluehn > My body longeth for the Cross, in truth, Und schreiten in goettlichem Schritte. > And for the spear My head, that in His Path > 1 thus may purify the world from sin. Verrinnen fuehlst du des Daseins Flut, > Verhalten die Flammen noch ragen, > "The Hour's not Und beugst dich still vor der staerksten Glut, > Say not amongst yourselves: yet, > Die jemals die Erde getragen. > We wish to slumber still." O heedless ones! > Shake off this deadly sleep, for that Great Day > Dein Selbst vergeht und es waechst im Raum > Proclaimed by all God's holy Ones hath dawned. > Die Kraft, die dem Ursprung vcrbunden, > Why will ye longer slumber? Wake! O Wake! Da, Welt, du hier an des Lebens Baum > Den Atem der Gottheit gefunden. > I speak not of Myself: I speak of what > E. M. GROSSMANN. > God whispers to My soul. How else, men, O > Could I proclaim that which all men disdain, > And for whose utterance their hatred casts IV > New tortures on My head each passing day! > THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND > Yet am I not impatient of men's hate, > Nor do I shrink from dread afflictions in The Kingdom is at hand! Its mountains glow > His Path. For God hath made calamities In summer light and all its rivers flow > As freshening showers to His pastures green, With silvery sheen through gardened-way and plains > And as a wick for Lamp divine by which And I have seen its rainbow after rains > His earth and heaven shall illumined be. In dazzling hues against the darkened clouds > 806 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Which God hath placed at times like gloomy shrouds Then put aside all pride and all pretending > Beyond the hills to show His Mercy spans For Truth worth while worth knowing and de- > All that He loves in plans and counter-plans fending. > To make life true and good and full of beauty E. T.HALL, > Even in things which hold us to our duty. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND > The roseate dawn is full of purest blessing, APRIL 4, 1936. > But storm and rain come too for our refreshing, > And every tree and all the garden-flowers > Through tears of love give thanks for vernal showers. > > The Sun of Truth mounts in the sky revealing > THE TEMPLE OF LIGHT > In sunshine bright the path of thought and feeling, > Then we will build us a temple of light, > And new Jerusalem is seen resplendent A symbol of God among men, > When faith in God is in the heart transcendant. Whose rays of truth will illumine the night > Hark! For above the Most Great Bell is sounding > Of man's prejudice, fear, and sin! > The tenderness and majesty abounding > In mid-most Heaven whose glorious connection > Hath given the heart this wonderful reflection. Through the nine great doors of religious faith, > Will the races of men come in; > He that hath seen the grandeur of Bah a > And under one dome of love universal, > Hath passed the beauty of the Morning Star > Will worship as brothers and kin! > And lifteth up a smiling face to bless > The glorious Day of bliss and righteousness! > Then hasten the time, O lovers of truth, > When the temple of light will shine; > There is a city by the tideless sea > And in the dawn of God's Great New Day, > Whose crumbling walls were marked by Destiny > To be a lamp wherein should grandly shine > We will enter His holy shrine! > ELIZABETH HACKLEY. > The Truth of truths in Holy Palestine: > And in that spot the echoes rose and fell > Attuned and sweet to that great Heavenly Bell > Which in the height beyond the gates impearled VI > Called angel hosts to aid the awakening world; > For 'Akka's walls embraced and held Baha THE MYSTERY OF SACRIFICE > The dawning Light behind the Morning Star > And on the horizon's edge the cloud-drifts stood A lily bloomed because a bulb was torn, > Aflame with rose, the tinge of martyr-blood. A caterpillar wove a golden mesh, > Discarding it with joy when wings were born; > Within the heart reflected gleams of the scene, A martyr rose triumphant from the flesh. > Nor e'er again shall Ages intervene > To make of Christ a myth of fancied faith These things Isaw with wonderment and pain, > I climbed a mountain slope; > A human dream an empty fleeting wraith As, led by love, > For herein God hath gloriously fulfilled On levels far below gleamed ripened grain, > That which the Christ had said the Father willed. Small seeds to hold the resurrection hope! > Thus testifies all Heaven, the grateful heart, > The awakening world, and witnesses apart: And then I saw on shining laurel blades > The hills of Galilee, Jezreel aglow, The emerald tracery of crossing bars, > And Hermon crowned with pure resilient snow. And knew that cells must break to build facades > Of giant shrubs that yearn to meet the stars. > When He, the Golden Dawn, had blessed the world, > The Servant of Baha, inspired, unfurled Oh, Love, Who spreads white arms above my earth, > The Standard of His glory on the height Thy mantle robes the mystic cross of birth! > Of Carmel's brow o'er-looking Acca white ALICE SIMMONS Cox. > Beside the sea which bore the Tyrian ships > And Grecian fleets and kissed with sunlit lips > The Roman prows in days of old renowned, VII > And saw the Saracenic galleys bound > From Egypt's ports and famed Italian sails FROM HIGH HORIZONS > Ablow where now the British flag prevails. > Yes, Carmel is the throne from whence the Call A CHANT > Went forth at last to summon one and all ADAPTED FROM WORDS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA > To brotherhood the Call which cannot cease > Until the world is tranquillised in Peace; > And who shall still the beating heart that waits From High Horizons of the Lights hath shone > The mighty Law which issues from the gates Such brilliancy and brightness none hath known. > Of Zion's wall bejewelled with the Teaching Blest are the souls > attaining to His Throne! > Of all the Saints, persuasive and far-reaching? > From this white spot such fragrance now outflows > Give ear ye lands, ye continents and isles, That all the worlds are perfumed like the rose. > To that sweet Call of love which reconciles Blest are the nostrils which this > Fragrance knows! > The human heart to God and breaks the sword > To win for all the Kingdom of the Lord! The Cup of Life o'erflowing with the wine > This is the Dawn of all the dawns the best Fulfilling Words: "I drink not of the vin > The encrimsoned East is offering the West; Is passing 'round. O take the Cup divine! > SONG OFFERINGS 807 > > From that blest Tree on Sinai's Mount a call With wide divisions ending > Isheard a trumpet peal that sounds to all May every voice now ring, > The world. Blest are the souls who heed His Call! And in love tones exultant > One nation's anthem sing. > The Light of Unity for all the sons of men LOUISE R. WAITE, > In this secluded Spot shines once again. CHICAGO, ILL. > Blest are the eyes that open to that ken! > Dedicated to the International Peace Society, and > The Face of God the Glorious unveiled composed especially for the Peace Congress held in > Now shines resplendent. Blest the souls assailed Rome, October, 1911. > By Glory in Whose Light all suns have paled! This was distributed there not us a Song but a > Poem. 'Abdu'l-Bahd's words under title. > The Kingdom of our God amongst the race > Of men is glorified before His Face. > Blest are the souls who therein find a place! > > The clouds of Generosity with rain GOD'S CHANNEL > Of Bounties are o'erflowing. Souls are fain > To take abundance and their Goal attain. To be a channel through which flows > God substance into everything > The hearts of men in darkness long, at last The words I speak, the song I sing, > Are now enlightened: all their gloom is past. The trees I tend, the rambler rose: > The Face of God Its Lights upon them cast! The poem forming in my mind, > The simple meals that I prepare: > The Servant of Baha in servitude Whatever task my hands shall find, > Hath clad His Glorious Form. The Holy Rood > This, Father, is my earnest prayer. > Of sacrifice He hath attained. Ah! Blest is he > Who shareth in this heavenly Victory! To be responsive to Thy will, > HOWARD COLBY IVES. An instrument, alive, awake: > To know the choice is mine to make > VIII Of truth or error, good or ill: > In all I choose to be and do, > ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAB To be the voice of Spirit power, > An open channel for the true > A Star of splendor past our Mortal Ken And beautiful, from hour to hour. > The BY IRENE STANLEY. > glory of your life through all the Spheres > Will shed its light through the undying years. > The radiance of the Love you brought to men > Has birthed our planet's darkened heart anew. XI > Your life-blood, poured out on its dearth like dew! > Oh ichor of God's grace, let each drop shed BELL OF THE TEMPLE > Redeem the Nations and the living-dead, > Renew their vision and their Spirits' Youth, Bell of the Temple of Love and Unity, > Auroral is the fountain of Thy Truth. From realms above thy clarion tones now ring; > BEATRICE IRWIN. Calling aloud to all humanity, > > Awake! and with the angels sing; > Arise! > IX Glory to God and His Eternal Plan, > Come to the Temple of the Brotherhood of man. > "ANTHEM OF ALL NATIONS" Bell of the Temple of Peace enduring, > O God of every nation Softly thy tender notes fall on the air; > We turn our hearts to Thee. Calling the hearts of men to Love's true union, > Within Thy love is safety Calling to worship in God's Temple fair. > In peace and liberty. Glory to God and His Eternal Plan, > For love alone can conquer Come to the Temple of the Brotherhood of man. > The strife within each breast, > And bind with ties eternal Bell of the Temple unseen Reality, > Yet thy clear tones by inner ear is heard; > Thy sons of East and West. > Bell of the Temple of wondrous Beauty, > O Truce of God enduring, Founded upon God's Manifested WORD; > Come Thou to all the world, Glory to God and His Eternal Plan, > And may Thy flag of beauty Come to the Temple of the Brotherhood of man. > In each land be unfurled. SHAHNAZ WAITE. > A covenant proclaiming > That cruel war has ceased, > Beloved by all Thy children, > XII > Thy spotless flag of Peace. Wesen > Zerreisst ein Streit unser > O God of every nation, zwischen Wunschen und Meincn, > Thou Father of us all, konnen wir so nur genesen, > Let now Thy Benediction dass wir die Antithesen > Upon each country fall. sieghaft im Herzen vereinen. > 808 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Will auch den Weg nach inncn Mensch von heut', erneue dich, > DickiQht wild iiberwachsen, denn du sollst das Grosse werden, > glaube,so wirst du gewinnen; wie es war des Schopfers Plan: > und schwingt sich dein Sinnen > es Geistesmensch und Edelmann. > um immer kiihncre Achsen. > ADELBERT MUHLSCHLEGEL. Mensch von heute, ziehe doch > aus dem Staub dein wahres Wesen! > Mensch von heute, siehe doch, > XIII wie so leicht du kannst genesen! > Sonnenfroh und stark und klar > TO IRAN wird ein ncuer Friihling wahr. > ADELBERT MUHLSCHLEGEL. > Awake, O fran, to the Voice of God > Which in thy borders shook both Heaven and earth > And bade thy sons arise and bravely guard XV > The Flame of Truth which gleamed with priceless > worth! THE BAB > The splendors of thy past are not forgot: Into the intricate dark I strode, > When thine unnumbered hosts with ordered strength No dagger-hilt lighted my way, > And great renown for discipline well wrought The vast Cacsarean palaces could not hold > Subdued great banners which had stood at length. My gift of Day. > The dynasty Sassanian held its reign Iran dream on, as those who rest > And kings and satraps widened thy domain; Bemused beneath a Bo-tree's shade > While bards and seers extolled thy noble worth Mine is the free and naked breast, > And chief in thee was ruler of the earth, That bears a rose, disdains a blade! > > As free, the benison of genius led And I shall climb the whitest cloud, > And sciences and arts their treasures spread; And penetrate the darkest veil, > When minds expanded by an unseen power Jostling the elbows of the crowd, > Discovered in the hearts a mystic bower. Myself the Flail. > > Here Zarathustra raised the torch of truth; Of Him Who holds the world at poise > Created laws of justice and full ruth; And follows wild birds on their flight > Enkindled in the realm a wondrous fire Put out the lamps I have dawn-joys > Which made of ignorance a funeral pyre. For treaders of the night. > ANNA McCLURE SHOLL. > Came Islam here by Allah's Imam led; > Revived a body numbered with the dead; > Rent ancient customs which abased their sway; XVI > Bestowed the joy of life, the Higher Way. > THE CREATIONAL BOOK > Arise anew to hear the Call of God > For which thy heroes sought the gory sod Thine insight is so dimmed thou canst not see > Deaf to what place or pride or fame might call, That My Creation's Book revealeth Me. > Intent upon those notes which hearts enthrall! That every atom is an open door > Inviting thee to enter and explore. > Regardless of the past, how dear its fame, > The glory of today enshrines thy name. What dost thou hope to see > The Light most Manifest hath now shone forth, > When thou goest seeking Me? > Eclipsing by its brilliance every troth. > A Face? A Voice? A Word writ on the sky? > If I should speak who art thou to reply? > > The tidings of the coming of the Lord If I should write some guiding Word to men > > Which ancient seers proclaimed by deed and word, Could they interpret My Supremest Pen? > Hath holy made thy soil for endless tread > As gospels of that Blessed Beauty spread. Is then thine eye so keen, thy mind so sure > That when My Spirit moves thee and I lure > The freedom which thou now shalt grant to right Thy longing soul afar > Will echo through the world and win for thee To probe the mote and star > The homage of the noble and the free That thou canst hope thus to encompass Me > And state of exaltation in God's sight. Who doth surround what mind and eye can see? > Thine ensign blazed from old the Lion-Sun. Wert thou through all eternity to seek, > Thy nightingale and rose three plaudits won. And through immensity of space to roam, > Each bears to thee a message of the heart Thy spirit shall no foot-hold find, > That thou can'st know what mystic joys impart. No answer to thy questing mind, > Louis G. GREGORY. Except to My Command thou shalt bow down, > Unless My Love thou wearest like a crown, > XIV And find in meeting Me thy spirit's home. > > Mensch von heute, freue dich, I am not far from thee but ever near: > dass du heute lebst auf Erden! Listen to thy heart's whisper: "I am here." > SONG OFFERINGS 809 > > The whale by seeking cannot find the sea; Schwer aus meinen reichen Feldern > The eagle soaring high rollen Wagen, goldbeschienen. > Against My blue-domed sky Vieles dank ich meinen Eltern, > Finds not the air, nor can thy mind find Me manches musst ich selbst verdienen. > Who in thy heart of hearts is truly thee. > Tor, was rechnest du mit Gold? > About thee and above; beneath, within, Horst du, wie der Sturm schon grollt? > Thy Mystery am I and thou art Mine. > No flight avails: nor height nor depth, nor sin HERBST: > Nor death, nor hell can part thee from My Love. Weh, des Schicksals Sturm zerfetzte > mir auch dies es war das Letzte. > > My Lamp thou art and I the Light within. Arm und nackt steh ich im Winde. > Know this, O servant, as the eagle knows Bin ich so von alien, alien > The air: the fish the boundless seas they rove, Siichten frei? Wie cinem Kinde > The leaf the wind which by My Order blows. wird mir leicht. Die Blatter fallen. . . . > > In mineral and plant, in beast and man Bist du arm, so wirst du weit > Thou mayest discern the working of My Plan fur die Stille. Sei bereit! > > Which hath one aim that I may fully be > Revealed to every heart that seeketh Me. ADVENT: > Zages Bangen wird rum Hoffen, > was verschlossen war, wird offen. > Cohesion, growth, the senses and the mind > Are the four steps which through the cycles wind Was noch wunschte, was noch strebte, > That from the void of non-existence may schwindet demutsvoll nach innen. > Existence come, and that My Love may find Sieh, die liebe Erde webte > Some far-off Day, Its full expression. Nay sich in brautlich weisse Linnen! > > That I Myself may tell man's ordained story > Bist du rein, so naht der Geist, > In Man, the very Temple of My Glory. der dich in das Neue weist. > > For, in this gloomy and disastrous age > Man may perceive, if he will scan My Page, WEIHNACHTEN: > The secret of creation. There is he > Naht mir, was mich langst umwittert? > Frcudvoll wird mein Her/ und zittert > Told of My Wisdom: for Humanity > bis in die gcheimsten Falten, > Hath borne Its noblest fruit; My Love > wie das Machtige, das Grosse > Disclosed in Man his Lord, that he may prove > All things, and thereby with my aid may reach > sich ihm neigt und alle alten > Krafte hebt ins Namenlose. > The summit of the Truth I fain would teach, > That all his probing eye and mind can see > Hath but one purpose to uncover Me. Werde fahig zu begreifen, > lass es durch das Blut dir reifen! > > By every grain of dust shall man be told > Of Me. The rushing wind shall cry: "Behold!" FASTENZEIT: > Grosses waltet immer leise, > The still, small voice within his heart > duldet keine Last der Speise, > Shall whisper low: "I am of God a part." > wachst geheim in warmer Scholle. > Stort es nicht durch menschlich Treiben! > Lo, things from their silence, shout aloud! > all > Brausen druber noch so tolle > My Voice falls from each bright or lowering cloud! Geister es wird Sieger bleiben. > My Trumpet peals from every star and clod: > "There is no God but Me but Me no God." > Alles musst du freudig geben, > soil das Hochste in dir leben. > Why else should I create, O son of man? > In My eternal Being hid I knew > KARFREITAG: > My Love in thee and framed a gracious Plan Konnt ich wirklich alles geben? > Age-long, in which might Myself review > I > Hier gibt es kein Daneben. > Ja! > And see My Love expressed in form and power. Wenn ich glaube, dass des Geistes > Hauch erlosend uns durchdringe, > Thus through the ages, countless hour by hour, > Have I in it expressed My Love, to thee ganz durchdringe, o, dann heisst es, > dass ich mich zum Kreuse bringe. > Revealed My Beauty. "Be!" My Will but spake > And My beloved Creation came awake lost aus tiefstcr Haft > Opfer > To mention Me. Krafte durch die hochste Kraft. > Wherefore love only Me > That My Command may summon thee to be. OSTERN: > HOWARD COLBY IVES. Auferstehen! Auferstehen! > Saume nicht, es soil geschehen. > XVII Durch dein Leben sei bewiesen, > dass des Winters schwere Nachte > DAS JAHR DER SEELE dich nicht unverwandelt liessen. > Froh entspriesse alles Echte! > SOMMER: > Hei, wie ist das Leben prachtig! Wenn ihr reine Taten schufet, > tatengliihend, fruchtetrachtig! naht der Allgeist, den ihr rufet. > 810 THE BAHA'f WORLD > PFINGSTEN: Eternity and God. > Reine Krafte, froh entbundcn, In them the Law is honored > werdet Form und Leib hier unten! Their fruits garnered, > Erde, wie du dich verschwendest! While man roves, phantom-like, > Alles Spiegel t sich nach oben. The vale of heedlessness. > Heiliger Geist, der du dich spendest, How can this shadow make reply to God? > komm zu alien die dich loben! > Never plead ye were not warned > 1st das Licht in jeder Zelle, That fear and overwhelming grief > strahlc die Welt in Gottes Helle. Would shake ye! > For through unreckoned aeons > RIDVAN: True Ones came, > In des neuen Bundes Segen To reconcile your will to God's, > bleibt die Ordnung fesc gelegen. That Truth might be renowned. > Fiihlen wir sie > urnotwendig, Forsaken and decried, > dienend ihr in hundert Arten, They sang "A Day of God" and "Covenant" > bleibt der Geist uns inlebendig, A people living lordly exhortations > wird die Welt ein Gottesgarten. And commands; > His people they, and He their God. > Weiter wachst darin die Seele, > atmet rein sich aller Fehle. Have ye imagined all their counsels > > ADELBERT M(JHLSCHLEGEL. But idle musings of a "moving form of dust?" > "Lo! The Promised One hath come!" > This is the Day of Knowledge and of Love; > XVIII The Day wherein the True shall be distinguished > From the false; > THE CHALLENGE And "none secure from this Decree": > Thy evil deeds and secrets, > That Day when man should yield his will Nurtured in satanic gloom, > To God, dawned! Shall sear thy soul with torment; > Though not a single breath of Unity And ye shall know what God hath known! > Was wafting to the Court of Holiness, > The "Mystic Bird" gazed earthward Calamity! Thy cradle is fran! > "Seeking one heart severed Thy 'ulamas "knew not" Jesus nor Muhammad, > That He might alight therein to nest." Or Him ye would have Jtnown, The Promised One, > Saw souls stifling Of Whom They prophesied! > "In the garment of a thousand years ago." Behold He hath all life all rhythm changed! > Man, whose destiny is Godward, Now is the soul's oblivion pierced, > Enthralled in selfhood, As from the grave of negligence > Alien to the Mystic Song; Your hosts unleash > His plight known to but One, Their calumnies and cri/elties, > The Knower! Their doubts and base denials > Inner life and outward form that sprang > Faithful to Command, From human thought all > That "Bird of Heaven" circled To perish in the tumult of a dying day! > The abyss of godlessness, crying: Almighty Day! When only that shall stand > "Oh people! I am He and He is Me!" Which serves the Lord, thy God! > As the spirit liberated by His Words And this thy theme, thine inmost urge > Mirrored the cosmos, One Faith, one Race, one common Cause! > Aloft two mighty Pillars flamed: > "Reward and Retribution!" Now from the Day-spring of a vital Faith > "O mortals! Will ye be content The Covenant takes form, > With that which is like vapor in a plain, And shielded in the Tabernacle > Unmindful of the precepts of your Lord? Of a Mighty Soul,' > By one word He called ye into being! Rises from out the chaos > Will ye not be thankful? Of receding dispensations! > I am come to you, O people, "O ye people of discernment" > From the Throne of Glory! Sing praises unto God > Would that your hearts might comprehend!" He comes and in His hand the Cup! > Falling on rocks His words had yielded His triumphant song of Oneness > Springs of crystal water, Arresting the movement of the world! > But impenetrable the heart of man, Transcending warring cycles, He, > Deprived of Faith! The Ensign of the Most Great Peace, > Salutes the Promised Day: > Holding aloft "a Chalice of Pure Light" "Lord! Here am I!" > He saw no arm outstretched to seize it, > Nor heart that would reflect it. The Ancient Law, > Remote from Truth is man Revealed in symbols in the Day of Abraham; > That He could view that Flaming Cup In Moses' Day inscribed in > flaming Tablets; > Immune to > rapture! Is, in this matchless Day, incarnate in a Man, > Faithless His Trust, when he, > to Who "embodies every virtue, every ideal > "Created from a clot,'* was covenanted Of this Holy Cycle's Goal!" > To reflect to all the kingdoms "Magnified be God for this exalted Handiwork! > SONG OFFERINGS 811 > > Unto God, O people, render thanks for His appear- 'Akk&, soil of service! > > ance! Soil of freedom! > He is the Most Great Favor unto you, Where His childhood, youth and age > The Trust of God amongst you, Were ceded to this New Creation, > His charge within you!" "Which shall ever stand unrivalled, > Uneclipsed in splendor." > "Taking the cloak of resignation His enemies are scattered now > In the name of God," And martyrdom has won. > He taught and labored Across the threshold of His prison home > In this womb-life of the spirit, He sweeps, > Hailing with unerring pen The Object of devotion such as kings > The Renaissance of Nations, Might envy, > When The Law exalted in the hearts To engage the final epic > Shall guide the people. Of His threefold Mission! > Shaken from her slumbers, Russia Egypt! Europe! Westward to America! > Glimpsed the vision leading on to destiny! Bent with age and cares He comes! > Then her Czar sought a parliament of nations, On His brow dominion! > While 'Ishqabad's strong-hearted In His melting glance forgiveness! > Seized and clothed that Spirit His utterance the future! > In a "Dawning-Point-of-Light!" His life dynamic acclamation > Assurance to a soul-tried people Of the Oneness of Mankind! > Of a sacred commonwealth From that visitation > The pivot of Divine Economy! Ages shall inherit manna. > > Gaze toward 'Akka! Here at Gotham's portals, > Soil of bondage! Soil of Spirit! > Where first the West embraced Him, > Where in savage conflict "Clothed in majesty" > Moslem and Crusader met! He laid the "Mantle of the Covenant" > Where the Ancient Suns of God Exhorting its inhabitants > Saw the vision of This Day: To spiritual distinction! > Melchizedek, Elijah, Abraham and Jesus! Then in the nation's midmost heart > There, in towering grandeur, He blest the Earth > Came The Exile Whereon would arise a Sacred Edifice to God, > Master Builder of "The Day of God," A symbol that "this earth shall be indeed > And His Mighty "Ark of Covenant," A Paradise, > A tender Youth adorned And all men live as brothers > In "Robe of Servitude!" In the Most Great Peace." > O misleaders of the people! > Prophet slayers and Their Chosen! His prayer: > Grievous is your plight: "O God! My God! I call Thee > He for Whom ye prayed a thousand years And all Thy Holy Ones to witness > Hath come, That I have declared conclusively > And ye knew Him not! Thy Proofs unto Thy loved ones, > And set forth clearly all things unto them, > *Akka, hearthstone of The Servant! That they may watch guard and protect > . . . . . . > > To His Open Court hasten Thy Law Resplendent ." . . > > Over mountains, deserts, seas Ah, "could you but know > The yearning! > His burning love for you > Race and Faith converging 'T would kindle in your hearts a fire > In a Crucible of Spirit To set aflame the world!" > Knowing neither East nor West! > This is Heaven! "Being 'round Whom all names revolve!" > The pride and glory of mankind! > There is Carmel, Fragrant Mountain, Honored the land you visited! > And Bahji, o'er the Bay, Blest the eye, the ear, the heart, the breast > Glorified by Him in Shrines. Through Thy remembrance dilated! > Holy the soil that He bore there The tongue that mentions Thee! > And flowers He tenderly caressed; The pen that celebrates Thy praise! > Earth, in exquisite remembrance, Blest, doubly blest > Blooms a New Eden! The ground trod by Thy feet. > Fitting couch for El Bab, And when the Breeze of Mercy rends the veils, > Whose crimson light Still shalt Thou be "The Mystery of God." > > Cleftthe Morn of Promised Day; > And "Him-Whom-God-Hath-Manifest," America! Ye must arise > The Promised One! To "forge the Mystic Chain" > Hallowed is thy Mystic Fane And "if His wishes are to be fulfilled, > That conceals Their rest, Unfurl the standard of the Most Great Peace! > Most lowly, most transcendent Earth! Your mission is unutterably great!" > Ages and their traces vanished, Dare to fulfill a spiritual destiny! > Thy Perfumed Spot shall breathe O lift your gaze above the "sea of names" > "Tidings from God" And blot remoteness from your consciousness > To the souls of men! "That you may render life * greater thing." > 812 THE BAHA'f WORLD > "Seize, O > seize your chance!" Teaching the world with your unwearied spirit, > For "if you fail to be enkindled Fusing Mankind from the One Torch > Regrettable your plight!" Held aloft in your youthful arms. > OLIVIA KELSEY. Fill your hearts without ceasing > From the Fountain of the Beloved, > Leaving no room > XIX For the world's insidious potion, > Thus, to every human question > BAHA'f YOUTH You shall find answer . . . > > Armed with the strength of the Greatest Name, > Fling wide the Banner On your foreheads a Star shall glow > Of the inestimable favor bestowed upon you. Lit by the love for mankind in your hearts. > Make the world resound with the glorious Thus shall you safely return, > Chimes of Baha. "Young Shepherds of Men," > Take with you your new found radiance Each with his radiant Following, > And light the world with untouched Glory, To the glorious Ridvan of the Beloved. > The Glory of the Beloved, DIANTHA CRISP, > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES > Mashrak-El -Azcar > A Hymn of Praise > MARIAN C. HOTCHKISS. > > 1. Rise, O my peo - pie, thus Ba - ha com-mand - > ed, > 9. O heav - en re - > joice, and earth the notes re - > peat, > 8. Lord who shall dwell with - in Thy Tab - er - na - > cle, > > f > MT P^PP > Bless - ed are ye who heed the call to come And rear on high, with > U - nique a - ris - es at th* Crea-tive Word This house of prayV of > Who shall a - bide up on Thy Sa-cred Hill? 'He dwells be-neath the > > |i > J tn i. J ^ > Hf > > ip-p p r > joy and faith un daunt -ed, > - > My Temple fair, My child- rens earth ly home, > u - ni > > ty and prais - es Mashrak-El - Azcar Tern - pie of our God. > Shadow of Al-migh - > ty Who to his broth-er work - eth naught of ill/' > > 816 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > Rise then my ser-vants, a > - rise) My prais - es ring out to the skies! > > Joy to the world through the Lord, The migh- ty, Ben-efic-ent God. > Come let us dwell with the Lord, His ban - ner of peace is un - f urledJ > > ~ii*~ > > REFRAIN > > Mash-rak-El Az-car, Temple of U-ni-ty, Symbol of broth-er-hood, built to the Lord; > > * -j > i > i ii * > r r R i > r H-P^P^ > Home of the home-less, Place of the place-less; Gift to hu-man - i - ty Temple of God. > > W > In His abode no evil shall befall With songs of rapture through the Portals enter, > thee, > Neither shall plague come nigh thy dwelling-place, Then silence reigns, impressive and profound ! > > But thou shalt flourish even as the palm tree, Peace! for the Lord is in His Holy Temple; > His light reflected on thy up turned face. Bow all the earth, lo, this is Holy Ground! > Rise let us turn to the light, Then sing the song of the Lord, > The Glorious, Life-giving Light! ALLAH VABHA! Glorious God. > Chorus: Mashrak-El-Azcar, Temple of Unity etc. > > Mashrak-El-A?car. 2 > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 817 > > rwx. > > i > > rl T f > > [continued > 818 , THE BAHA'l WORLD > > HAIL! TO OUR KING, BAHA'U'LLAH > (continued) > > Hail the Springtime in every land, > Hail the Brotherhood of man, > Oh, ye nations, united now, > Hail to our King, Baha'u'lldh. > > Hail, Almighty, we turn to Thee, > All our doubt and sorrows flee, > Pain and strife and war must cease, > Hail to Thee, O Prince of Peace. > > Hail, O Glorious, All-Knowing, Wise, > Thou hast opened up our eyes, > We have seen the Radiant Sun, > Hail to Thee, O Promised One. > > Hail the Springtime in every land, > Hail the Brotherhood of man, > Oh, ye nations, united now, > Hail to our King, Baha'u'llah, > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 819 > > IF YE SEEK ME. > Wojds and Music by > LOUISE R.SPENCBR. > Andante, sostenuto. > /ft > > tf > n > > atejnpo. > > Jf.with til jour hearts je eeX me EV- 17 cloud shall roll t-wi/; > > i ^ > i > Tict joor life > M > .afcall ahiae.with |lo - > r/ JLike ui to the > poeo > > |tr-Jeet > > . > jmco > > * * > ? > CoffHfht I50a r Leiite B.Sjeiccr. > 820 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > a tempo. > > i > You shall find you hearts de - sire For in Me is all in all, > > =*: > t > > largamente. rail.. > largame^ > > I kp J > > If yon on - Jy tru-Jy geek Me, If you aii - gwer when J call > > n > ft-voce > i > i > an poco agitato. > > , > J, > J > To u have dwelt a . > mong the sense-clouds, That haveJiid_jny shin- big sun, > > jnolto idt.e dim. > > Turn froa eub - stance un - to ahad-ow, w*a-ry bee* when day is doie. > > Ifje seek Me, > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 821 > > m tempo. > > i ) i J > > But my light stall. shine op -on you, Bright -er ahiae from daj to day, > > cjpeec. ail. > > J JiJi > If with all your hearts ye geek Me, I the life, the truth, the way, I the > > //?s > = > > life, the truth, the way. > > y d'l y -^K- *= > > If ye seek Me* > n t r > 822 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 823 > > ttGLsndLasfijaL O-b&TL > > > > v > 4, > 824 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > 5, > > .Lu^J^ ^f*? J ^ > 1J fr^l% > P ^^ > ^ > " > ^ > IT > d > ^ 8 ' > I > > > d Lil > d > I > > g > . > > '3 8 A" > 8 ! > ^ p > J I. > I > ' > IP' > c> > . > > r d jip > . > > I > I > > ^^ -"ty > . > > ! > I > i > ^^ > f > > 771^6. ^ ^^J^lTnjJ^yR^^jLajLL-^^'^ /^" > fcrv^&nd > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 825 > > 7nu.c(o-rrd>nLcm asn_c( > > t* "Sr^moPa. > 826 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > it I > j j I > fH J j I f] d > arm. O, > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 827 > > TJUZ o, j"t-o-w~JLk Mn jriu,-Jno-Q&.~ J>aA > > =6 > > cm > u-*- -tf- -i*- H*- +-+ &U > 828 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > T ff > > f > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 829 > > i > v ir ' > > * > ^ 1 > > i 'A a > 830 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > fa > r > > * ^H > > p^i > ^ > till > "Sr**N > > *^=fi > ( r- > > r > > r > ^r n; - n > > 4:4. > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 831 > 832 THE BAHA'l W.ORLD > > - " ?<, > > e^u^-i^j > v > rtta > "Hut f jrt > j> x^-XX>XA3 . > > f" { f > -h > > ^r-^-f- f f I? i, > > r- f f Si- > > * r > > 1 .>. i > > ^^ 3 > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 833 > > J- J-- > =* > > J J > I > a > > 1 J. 'A > > p P^F > * pp^i > . > T > > Iff > U ^ > -*- > > 834 THE BAHA'f VORLD > > * > (Q \Y > > -x^\Aflu* > Lovingly dedicated to Shoghi Effendi. > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 835 > > Wi7& S^ Mi.ji rruj > w =f > > f > i i- i > > ^ > ^ > ^ T r > 836 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES ' > > ^ > i * > lo. > > " > r*^=&fgf% > > =3? > t fi-f > > {.^'i^ rj > > i S * > 1 t > i > n Aiin > i ^=^ ^ > > ^ > I > ^ > * ^y ^ > i_ > > t i ^ > tj Lf rH > U > iF > 838 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 839 > 840 THE BAHA'f WORLD > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 841 > > I 1 IE II > if? > tT > II > > VL ;/?+/? , > ^x^ > > .p > '7//^^, > 842 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > b tt. > WJUbC. > > V * ! i > MI tJ * J > > ToA4> . 7/11 . > > >J>| J J. * JfJ> J> J> J) ^ 5fe > > - - > .. > > j^fa > ^fe> j^AiL > J^o^y^ of J^ > I ^p % % Jr 1 . iii,; ; > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 843 > > J' > j J'[J-sJ > 844 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > JCAJLUt. > > ~4& ~fr& jLt&JLCL > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 845 > 846 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > CHANTS AND MUSICAL PORTRAITS OF > HIDDEN WORDS BY BAHA'U'LLAH > Music BY MARION WILCOX > > O SON OF DUST! > Hidden Words > BahaVllah Marion Wilcox > > JtLag. > > 3: > > n J > ' > > ~UU, > > ^ > /i n i ) > > ;*-"- J- r > > 4 r > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 847 > > ^ -km; > B J J. JO > ^* T4Ju > > t ^=* > Efe > > J. T j J r =^= > . JLL . > > = > > 3^ > ^ :& i > f > J 1 > J J j i n j j > 848 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > J-f-4 .n > VM > > m if. m *$& > "*" > T.T*fl 'f > til 44 X4A M^ *0>t > > pr r r > > "~!! 5T~ > > -e* . > > Pi JL > OMLC > > f tr tm > ^A*O > > t r r f > > r ^^ > ** AIJui 0*0, > > EiM > -4jL* > (pua-4.- > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 849 > > &~ > 850 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > (P . > > U^^K^cia^ > ^u. U) jJ5 > > O;/ > > ^ > ^_ L,* (J? > > i v A ^ X > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 851 > 852 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > -** - - > -ULi |4AA > > iff m lif UP > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 853 > > SE > p tttUX (JR > ^H -< > > S P > S v 1 > ' > > . > > ,r r IT i > > > ' > r j r > > . > > f**- > ri, > > 1' J' > S > r > P > * > J > ^ : > F=^ > > ri .ri 4 Jl * > r r r f r r f- > > ^^ > ' > > r r > > ^?^^ ^s > ^ ini > 854 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > *3E > Lv- JLu O -VOL- > > f r (^ > ^ O > > r > da.. > > PI T > -> > j_ J > > ^ f > f > , r iT > , > da - > > If > XTT* > ^ > ^ ^ > r > 1 J > > p^ > r r > J > > i > .j ,.i .^t= > v > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 855 > > w 4 > > 4 j i > > ^ > 856 THE BAHA'l WORLD > > v n% > > vj9*u^Pg.uJLo-^. 5fc* > AAuu \VXd-uJl > > =& > > - > > r? > > = ^=T J J > > J > j--.n > *r j ] > ' t > > T r tz > S5 ^ > f-K l > i^. - > r~ r f" > ' > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 857 > > s > F > n > i > > ^ =* > -vw-dP > > IEES > r i J > > ^^F > ^ l-j-A > > 1:8 > -I > a > =p > "r > r^F- > > J 4 J > > ^ > 858 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > c r .1 J > > i > > i rafc > > i > > -r- f > =F=g= > /OOMC - > > ^f > -T 18 > =-r Wl > c. (/ o n 5 > > n .,^.1 rr^ j(T J. T > ttuu. > > M T > t f > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 859 > > VfaMp > . > s > ** > feffc > > * r > CM*r _' TS^ > I j ^' > -* > Jl i d^ > | > -y > |& "* > . > i > e^ > J3'*j > ?1 3 JT af > >* r^i- > ^ > > s JS- > > -P. TT? > 860 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ?==? > Tw > > ^^. > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 861 > > " ...... -* :t > ^t > > J *e- > > J 3 ^ > T > ' > > J J > r nj > ^^ > 862 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > ^3=** > > ^ - > " > > m > m i > tL fr > .n > ' > > 9* i: > > c > OJL > p .j._4' > 4c> > ^i > v > > *^xr - 4_x - > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 863 > > m > m IPUP > ^ r > > xicck > > F rr f > A > > VT > J -n > > i , r j > > S j Jl > r ^LT > J > > s > 864 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > P F F > r r > : > > Il. > > 1- ~r > > i > > m& > * Li J J m > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 865 > > 13he Love Song > Words & Music by > NINA BENEDICT MATTHISEN > ,MOD. > > . VOICE J37 > > Bb7 > > ? > come let me tell to you, love that brings > > B 7 D7 > f > E[> D7 > > & > W>r V > > light from the dark - ness, Of love that is > > Copyright 1938 by Nina Benedict Matthisen 4612 Mdden St.. Chicago, 111. International Copyright Secured > 866 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > D7 Gm > > G7 D7 G7 > > in your bro - ther, Of what - er > > C7 Fm C7 Fm D7 > > col - or or race, A love- for all both > > m f > i > * > C7 F7 71 F7 > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES , 867 > > ^face- > @ > CHORUS > s > Love, love, love > Cm > > more > > T ^F = > i > f > E^din > J t > F TJ ^T d.^^ > | > > ^^g: > > love all this world round,- > > ^P > 3 ffi > \* > Gdim C7 Fm > > F7 > > fefa > ^FgH > r) r (/ > > to be found. > > f > f > . > > f f > * > i > 868 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > C7 C7 > > Fm C7 Fm Gm Fm > > D7 El? aug C7 > > Love. is all, Yes! all- in all> And > > Fm > ^ > > that love can come xfrom you. > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 869 > > Of Peace > Words & Music bv > .Modto, > NINA BENEDICT MATTHISEN > > t rwu f J: > > Ff > ft > .VOICE A > > & > |> > > t > > The songs of war are sung and sung. But what of > > peace, now we say. Can - not the bells of > > m ,i j > > ^33: i > C7 Fn> Cm > > r r > peace be rung to bring a glad new > > f > > * I)* 1 >-'' 9 9 > Copyright 1938 by Nina Benedict Matthisen 4612 Maiden St., Chicago, 111. International Copyright Secured > 870 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > song of peace and > ECHOES FROM THE SPHERES 871 > > CHORUS > > J > t > more. For it is peace, peace, peace the world is > > _L_t iCTNC^ > AP* V k h J > ^j)J>JI > fT? > > '!> J > At > > J > ^ /r^^ > > wait - ing. Peace on earth good will to > > f * f > sol - diers of war join > > sol - diers of peace > 872 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > F7 > > ing the death knell of > > war For war shall be no more. > > tea > . > > i > CONTENTS > OF > VOLUME I BAHA'I YEAR BOOK > AND > VOLUMES II, III, IV, V AND VI > THE BAHA'I WORLD > CONTENTS OF BAHA'I YEAR BOOK > VOLUME I > > PART ONE > "O Army of Life!" > A Statement of the Purpose and Principles of the Baha'i Faith. > Outline of Baha'i History. > The Passing of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > > PART TWO > Extracts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > A Statement on Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Cause. > Baha'i Calendar and Festivals. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > Brief History of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in America. > Extracts from MasJhriqu'l-Adhkar Report. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of Impressions of Haifa. > Kunjangoon. > Old and New Paths at Green Acre. > World Unity Conference. > > PART THREE > National Spiritual Assemblies. > Leading Local Baha'i Centers. > Baha'i Periodicals. > Bibliography. > References to the Baha'i Movement. > European and American Cities Visited by 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Transliteration of Oriental Terms Frequently Used in Baha'i Literature. > Dr. J. E. Esslemont. > > PART FOUR > The Relation of the Baha'i Cause to Modern Progressive Movements. > The Unity of Civilization. > Equality of Men and Women. > Esperanto and the Baha'i Teachings. > Unity of Religions. > Science and Religion. > Universal Education. > Racial Amity. > The Economic Teaching of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > World Peace. > 876 THE BAHA'f WORLD > > VOLUME II > PART ONE > "O Army of Life!" Words of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > A Statement of the Purpose and Principles of the Baha'i Faith and Outline of Baha'i > History. > The Passing of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West. > > PART TWO > Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > Soul, Mind, Spirit and the Essence of Divinity. > A Statement on Present-Day Administration of the Baha'i Cause. > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. > The Spirit and Form of Baha'i Administration. > Declaration of Trust. > By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly. > Excerpts from Letters of Shoghi EfTendi. > Baha'i Calendar and Festivals. > Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > Address of 'Abdu'l-Baha delivered at Baha'i Convention,^ Chicago, 1912. > The Structure of the Baha'i Temple. > Address delivered by 'Abdu'l-Baha at the Dedication of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar > Grounds, May, 1912. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of 'Ishqabad. > Impressions of Haifa. > Haifa, 'Akka and Bahji. > Kunjangoon The Village of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Through India and Burma. > Green Acre and the Ideal of World Unity. > References to the Baha'i Faith. > Queen Marie of Rumania pays tribute to the beauty and nobility of the Baha'i Teachings. > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory, 1928. > Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Groups with names and addresses of correspondents. > Baha'i Groups. > Baha'i Administrative Divisions in Persia. > Baha'i Periodicals. > Baha'i Bibliography. > Section One List One: Baha'i Publications of America. > Section Two List Two: Baha'i Publications of England. > List Three: Baha'i Literature in French. > List Four: Baha'i Literature in German. > List Five: Partial List of Baha'i Literature in Oriental > Languages. > Section Three Alphabetical list of Baha'i books and pamphlets. > VOLUME 1 1 1 877 > > Section Four References to the Baha'i Movement in non-Baha'i works. > Section Five References to the Baha'i Movement in magazines. > Transliteration of Oriental Terms frequently used in Baha'i literature. > Guide to the transliteration and pronunciation of the Iranian alphabet. > > PART FOUR > Introduction to The Promulgation of Universal Peace. > Poem "A Prayer." > The Baha'i Religion Papers read at the Conference of Some Living Religions Within > the British Empire, 1924. > Paper I By Horace Holley. > Paper II By Ruhi Etfendi Afnan. > Living Religions and the Baha'i Movement. > The Baha'i Attitude Towards Muhammad. > A Modern Interpretation of Muhammadanism. > The World-Wide Influence of Qurratu'l-'Ayn. > Souvenir Feast of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > The Baha'i Cause at the Universal Esperanto Congresses at Edinburgh and Danzig. > On the Borders of Lake Leman. > Translation of a Letter from the Israelitish Assembly of Baha'is of Tihran, Iran. > Inter-Racial Amity. > Appendix Tablet to America revealed by Baha'u'llah. > Baha'i Persecutions in Iran An Appeal to His Imperial Majesty Rida Shah Pahlavi. > Appendix One Summary of Baha'i Teachings. > Appendix Two Excerpts from Letters of Baha'u'llah to the Sultan of Turkey and > the Shah of f ran. > Appendix Three Words of 'Abdu'1-Baha concerning fran. > > VOLUME III > PART ONE > "The City of Certitude" Words of Baha'u'llah. > Aims and Purposes of the Baha'i Faith. > Baha'u'llah: The Voice of Religious Reconciliation. > The Dawn of the Baha'i Revelation. (From Nabil's Narrative.) > Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West. > > PART TWO > Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > The World Order of Baha'u'llah. > Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Faith. > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. > The Spirit and Form of Baha'i Administration. > Declaration of Trust by the National Spiritual Assembly. > Excerpts from the Letters of Shoghi Effendi. > Text of Baha'i application for civil recognition by the Palestine Administration. > 878 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Facsimile of Baha'i marriage certificates adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of fran and Egypt. > Bahd'i Calendar and Festivals. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > Green Acre and the Baha'i Ideal of Inter-racial Amity. > References to the Baha'i Faith. > The Case of Baha'u'llah's House in Baghdad before the League of Nations. > Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney. > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory, 1930. > Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Groups. > Baha'i Administrative Division in Persia. > Baha'i Periodicals. > Baha'i Bibliography. > Baha'i Publications, > of America, > of England, > in French. > in German and other Western Languages, > in Oriental Languages (partial list). > Alphabetical List of Baha'i Books and Pamphlets. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Non-Baha'i works. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Magazines. > Transliteration of Oriental Words frequently used in Baha'i Literature with guide to > the transliteration and pronunciation of the franian Alphabet. > Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature. > > PART FOUR > Baha'u'llah's Divine Economy: a Letter of Shoghi Effendi. > The Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah: A Reflection, by G. Townshend. > 'Abdu'l-Baha's Visit to Woking, England. > Impressions of Haifa, by Alaine Locke, A.B., Ph.D. > The World Vision of a Savant, by Dr. Auguste Henri Forel. > The Cultural Principles of the Baha'i Movement, by Dr. Ernst Kliemke. > The Relation of the Bab to the Traditions of Islam, by Wanden Mathews LaFarge. > The Baha'i Movement in German Universities, by Martha L. Root. > The City Foursquare, by Allen B. McDaniel. > Religion for the New Age, by John Herman Randall. > "Before Abraham Was, I Am!" by Thornton Chase. > The Races of Men Many or One, by Louis G. Gregory. > Haifa and the Baha'is, by Dr. John Haynes Holmes. > A Visit to Rustum Vambery, by Martha L. Root. > The Baha'i Cause at the XXth Universal Congress of Esperanto at Antwerp, Belgium, > August, 1928, by Martha L. Root. > Shrines and Gardens, > by Beatrice Irwin. > An Audience with King Feisal, by Martha L. Root. > VOLUME IV 879 > > BahVllah and His Teachings, Reprinted from the Japan Times and Mail. > 'Abdu'1-Baha and the Rabbi, by Willard P. Hatch. > Some Experiences Among the Poor in Brazil, by Leonora Holsapple. > A Trip to Tahiti, by Louise Bosch. > > VOLUME IV > PART ONE > The Voice of Religious Reconciliation. > Baha'u'llah: > Aims and Purposes of the Baha'i Faith. > Martyrdom of the Bab (From Nabil's Narrative). > Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West. > Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > > PART TWO > The World Order of Baha'u'llah. > Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Faith. > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. > The Spirit and Form of Baha'i Administration. > Declaration of Trust by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada. > Certificate of Incorporation by the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City > of New York. > Documents related to the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada as a recognized Religious Society in > Palestine. > Petition addressed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United > States and Canada to the Prime Minister of the Egyptian Government. > Excerpts from the Letters of Shoghi Effendi. > Facsimile of Baha'i Marriage Certificates adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of Iran and of Egypt. > Facsimile of the Certificate of the United States Federal Government to the Declaration of Trust entered into by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada. > Facsimile of the Certificate of the Palestine Government incorporating the National > Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada as a Religious > Society in Palestine. > Facsimile of the Certificate of Incorporation, The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the City of New York. > The MasJiriqu'l-Adhkar. > Foreword. > Architecture Expressing the Renewal of Religion. > God-intoxicated Architecture. > The Baha'i Temple. > A Temple of Light. > A Statement by the Architect. > Dedication of the Temple. > A Glorious Gift from a Shrine to a Shrine. > The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > 880 THE BAHA'f WORLD > References to the Baha'i Faith. > Further Developments in the Case of Baha'u'llah's House: Extracts from the Minutes of > the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations. > Minutes of the Sixteenth Session: November 1929. > Minutes of the Nineteenth Session: November 1930. > Minutes of the Twentieth Session: June 1931. > Letter from the British Government. > Minutes of the Twenty-first Session: November 1931. > Extracts from the Report to the Council of the League of Nations. > Baha'i Calendar and Festivals. > Foreword. > Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting. > Additional Material gleaned from NabiPs Narrative (Vol. II) regarding the Baha'i > Calendar. > Historical Data gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (Vol. II) regarding Baha'u'llah. > Short History of the International Baha'i Bureau at Geneva, Switzerland. > In Memoriam. > Miss Ethel Rosenberg. > Mrs. C. S. Coles. > Consul Albert Schwarz. > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory, 1931-1932. > Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups. > Officersand Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada. > Local Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies and Groups in the United States and Canada. > Baha'i Administrative Divisions in Iran. > Address of Centers of Baha'i Administrative Divisions in fran. > List of the Bab's best-known works. > Baha'i Bibliography. > Baha'i Publications of America. > Books about the Baha'i Faith. > Writings of the Bab. > Writings of Baha'u'llah. > Writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Writings of Shoghi EfFendi. > Prayers. > Baha'i Literature in Pamphlet Form. > Compilations. > Bahi'i Publications of England. > Baha'i Literature in French. > Baha'i Literature in Italian. > Baha'i Literature in Dutch. > Baha'i Literature in Danish. > Baha'i Literature in Swedish. > Baha'i Literature in Portuguese. > Baha'i Literature in Albanian. > Baha'i Literature in Esperanto. > Baha'i Literature in Russian. > Baha'i Literature in German. > VOLUME IV 881 > > Baha'i Literature in Oriental Languages. > Iranian. > Urdu. > Arabic. > Turkish. > Burmese. > Chinese. > Hebrew. > Tatar. > Gujrati. > Japanese. > Armenian. > Tamil. > Baha'i Literature in Braille (for the Blind). > Baha'i Periodicals. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Books by non-Baha'i Authors. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Magazines by non-Baha'i Writers. > Transliteration of Oriental Words frequently used in Baha'i Literature with Guide to > Transliteration and Pronunciation of the franian Alphabet. > Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature. Glossary. > > PART FOUR > The Goal of a New World Order: A Letter of Shoghi Etfendi. > The Way of the Master, by G. Townshend. > Italy and the Baha'i Cause, by General Renato Piola Caselli. > The World Economy of Baha'u'llah, by Horace Holley. > Education as a Source of Good Will, by President Bayard Dodge. > Unity through Diversity: A Baha'i Principle, by Alain Locke, A.B., Ph.D. > A Short Chronicle of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Visit to London, 1911-1912, by Lady Blomfield. > Professor Auguste Forel and the Baha'i Teaching, by Stanwood Cobb. > A Tribute from Dr. Edmund Privat. > A Visit to 'Akka, by Mrs. Alexander Whyte. > The First Fruits of Victory, by Keith Ransom-Kehler. > Where Is the Key to World Unity, by Louise Drake Wright. > A Visit to Bahji, by Nancy Bowditch. > Religion in Asia, by Herbert A. Miller. > China's Tribute to the Cause of Baha'u'llah. > Appreciations of the Baha'i Movement, by Martha L. Root. > The Supreme Affliction, by Alfred E. Lunt. > The Baha'i Movement and North American University Circles, by Martha L. Root. > Baha'i Ideals of Education, by Stanwood Cobb. > Man and Mankind on the Way of Progress, by Lidja Zamenhof . > > The Epidemic of the Persian Jews, by A. J. Wienberg. > The Younger Generation, by Mardiyyih Nabil Carpenter. > Light on Basic Unity, by Louis G. Gregory. > The Baha'i Movement in Japan, by Tokujiro Torii. > Science and Religion, compiled by Loulie A. Mathews. > A Baha'i Traveler in Palestine, by Walter B. Guy, M.D. > Dr. David Starr Jordan, by Willard P. Hatch. > Song-offerings. > Echoes from the Spheres. > 882 THE BAHA'i WORLD > > VOLUME V > PART ONE > Aims and Purposes of the Baha'i Faith. > Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West. > Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > The Passing of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Most Exalted Leaf. > > PART TWO > The World Order of Baha'u'llah. > Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Faith. > ' > > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Babd. > Genealogy of the Bab. > Genealogy of Baha'u'llah. > Facsimile of Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National > Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i s of fran and of Egypt. > The Spirit and Form of the Baha'i Administrative Order. > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada. > Facsimile of the Certificate of the United States Federal Government to the Declaration of Trust entered into by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada. > Facsimile of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Chicago, Illinois, U. S. A. > Facsimile of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Washington, D. C., U. S. A. > By-Laws of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of New York. > Facsimile of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of Teaneck, New Jersey, U. S. A. > Certificate of Incorporation, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > India and Burma. > Certificate of Incorporation, the SpiritualAssembly of the Baha'is of Esslingen, > Germany. > Excerpts from the Letters of Shoghi Effendi. > Map of Baha'i holdings surrounding and dedicated to the shrine of the Bab on Mt. > Carmel and tentative design of terraces. > The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > Foreword. > The Baha'i House of Worship. > The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > The Spell of the Temple. > A Statement by the Architect. > The Project of Ornamenting the Baha'i Temple Dome. > Architectural Concrete of the Exposed Aggregate Type. > God-Intoxicated Architecture. > Model of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar at the Century of Progress Exposition, > Chicago, > 1933. > References to the Baha'i Faith, by: > Archduchess Anton of Austria, Charles Baudouin, Prof. Norman Bentwich, Prof. > E. G. Browne, Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter, General Renato Piola Caselli, Rev. T. K. > VOLUME V 883 > > Cheyne, Valentine Chirol, Rev. K. T. Chung, Right Hon. The Earl Curzon of > Kedleston, Prof. James Darmesteter, Rev. J. Tyssul Davis, Dr. Auguste Forel, > Dr. Herbert Adams Gibbons, Dr. Henry H. Jessup, Prof. Jowett, Prof. Dimitry > Kazarov, Helen Keller, Harry Charles Lukach, Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania, > Alfred W. Martin, President Masaryk, Dr. Rokuichiro Masujima, Mr. Renwick > J. G. Millar, Prof. Herbert A. Miller, The Hon. Lilian Helen Montague, Rev. > Frederick W. Oakes, Sir Flinders Petrie, Charles H. Prisk, Dr. Edmund Privat, > Herbert Putnam, Ernest Renan, Right Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel, Emiltf Schreiber, > Prof. Hari Prasad Shastri, Rev. Griffith J. Sparham, Shri Purohit Swami, Leo Tolstoy, > Prof. Arminius Vambery, Sir Francis Younghusband. > Further Developments in the case of Baha'u'llah's House in Baghdad. > Excerpts from the Minutes of the XXII session of the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations: Nov. 3 to Dec. 6, 1932. > Excerpts from the Minutes of the XXIV session of the Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations: Oct. 23 to Nov. 4, 1933. > Note. > Mandates under the League of Nations. > Baha'i Calendar and Festivals. > Foreword. > Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting. > Additional Material gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (Vol. II) regarding the Baha'i > Calendar. > Historical Data gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (Vol. II) regarding Baha'u'llah. > Youth Activities Throughout the Baha'i World. > In Memoriam. > Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler. > Mrs. Agnes Parsons. > Yusuf Khan-i-Vujdani. > Dr. Arastu Khan Hakim. > George Adam Benke. > Edwin Scott. > Mrs. Alice Barney > Mrs. Lisbeth Klitzing. > Extracts from "Baha'i News." > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory 1933-34. > Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups. > Officersand Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada. > Local Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies and Groups in the United States and Canada. > Baha'i Administrative Divisions in Iran. > Address of Centers of Baha'i Administrative Divisions in fran. > Alphabetical List of Baha'u'llah's Best-Known Writings. > List of the Bab's best-known works. > Baha'i Bibliography. > Baha'i Publications of America. > Books about the Baha'i Faith. > Writings of the Bab. > Writings of Baha'u'llah. > 884 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Writings of Shoghi Effendi. > Prayers. > Baha'i Literature in Pamphlet Form. > Compilations. > Baha'i Publications of England. > Baha'i Literature in French. > Baha'i Literature in Italian. > Baha'i Literature in Dutch. > Baha'i Literature in Danish. > Baha'i Literature in Swedish. > Baha'i Literature in Portuguese. > Baha'i Literature in Albanian. > Baha'i Literature in Esperanto. > Baha'i Literature in Russian. > Baha'i Literature in German. > Baha'i Literature in Bulgarian. > Baha'i Literature in Rumanian. > Baha'i Literature in Czech. > Baha'i Literature in Serbian. > Baha'i Literature in Hungarian. > Baha'i Literature in Greek. > Baha'i Literature in Maori. > Baha'i Literature in Spanish. > Baha'i Literature in Oriental Languages. > Iranian. > Urdu. > Arabic. > Turkish. > Burmese. > Chinese. > Hebrew. > Tatar. > Gujrati. > Japanese. > Armenian. > Tamil. > Kurdish. > Baha'i Literature in Braille (for the Blind). > Baha'i Periodicals. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Books by non-Baha'i Authors. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Magazines by non-Baha'i Writers. > References by Baha'is in non-Baha'i Publications. > Transliteration of Oriental Words frequently used in Baha'i Literature with Guide to > Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Iranian Alphabet. > Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature. > > PART FOUR > The Administrative Order in the > he Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, > Bahs from a letter of Shoghi > Effendi. > The Descent of the New Jerusalem, by G. Townshend. > VOLUME VI 885 > > The Spiritual Basis of World Peace, by Horace Holley. > In the Footsteps of the Pioneers, by Keith Ransom-Kehler. > The Orientation of Hope, by Alain Locke. > La Foie et la Science Unies par 1'Art, by Marie Antoinette Aussenac, Princesse dc Broglie. > Religion and Social Progress, by Keith Ransom-Kehler, > Prince Paul and Princess Olga of Yugoslavia, by Martha L. Root. > A Religion of Reconciliation, by Rev. Griffith J. Sparham. > The Men of the Trees, by Richard St. Barbe Baker. > Les Problemes du Monde et la Foie Baha'i, by 'Ali Afdalipur. > The Baha'i Movement, the Greatness of Its Power, by Martha L. Root. > Der Sinn Unserer Zeit, by Dr. Hermann Grossmann. > Le Baha'ism, by Eugen Relgis. > A Visit to Adrianople, by Martha L. Root. > The Re-florescence of Historical Romance in Nabil, by Mary Maxwell. > William Miller, Student of Prophecy, by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick. > A New Cycle of Human Power, by Marion Holley. > An Appreciation, by Dr. Rustum V^mbery. > The True Sovereign, by Alfred E. Lunt. > The Nature of the Divine Manifestations, by Glenn A. Shook. > Religious Education for the Young, by Mrs. M. H. Inouye. > Why Do I Espouse the Baha'i Cause? by Chi Kao Fujisawa. > Count Leo Tolstoy and the Baha'i Movement, by Martha L. Root. > A Chinese View of the Baha'i Cause, by Chan S. Liu. > Vernunft und Glaube, by Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel. > Influence of Astronomy on Religious Thought, by Giorgio Abetti. > Haifa Calling, by Florence E. Pinchon. > Taking the Message to the Maori People, by Keith Ransom-Kehler. > Only a Word, by Laura Dreyfus-Barney. > Song-Offerings. > Echoes from the Spheres. > Map of the Baha'i World. > > VOLUME VI > PART ONE > Aims and Purposes of the Baha'i Faith. > Survey of Current Baha'i Activities in the East and West. > Excerpts from Baha'i Sacred Writings. > > PART TWO > The World Order of BahaVllah. > Present-day Administration of the Baha'i Faith. > Introductory Statement. > l > Excerpts from the Will and Testament of Abdu'l-Bahd. > Excerpts from the Letters of Shoghi Effendi. > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of the United States and Canada. > 886 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada. > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of fran. > Declaration and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Germany and Austria. > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of India and Burma. > Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > of India and Burma. > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of 'Iraq. > Text of Authorization Issued for Registration by the Mixed Court in Egypt > of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt. > Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Egypt. > By-Laws of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New York. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New > York. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Teaneck, New Jersey, U. S. A. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Chicago, > Illinois, U. S. A. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of > Washington, D. C., U. S. A. > Petition of the Baha'is of Montreal, Canada. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Baha'is of Montreal, Canada. > > By-Laws of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Montreal, Canada. > By-Laws of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Esslingen, Germany. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ess- > > lingen, Germany. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Karachi, > India. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Calcutta, India. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Delhi, > India. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rangoon, Burma. > Certificate of Registration of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Daidanaw, Burma. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mandalay, Burma. > Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Auckland, New Zealand. > Documents Related to the Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, as a Recognized Religious > Society in Palestine. > Certificate of the Palestine Government Incorporating the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, Palestine Branch, > as a Recognized Religious Society in Palestine. > Text of Application to the Palestine Government for Incorporation of the > VOLUME VI 887 > > Palestine Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India > and Burma. > Government Incorporating the National Spiritual > Certificate of the Palestine > Assembly of the Baha'is of India and Burma, Palestine Branch. > Trade Mark Certificate obtained from the United States Government covering > the word "Baha'i." > Trade Mark Certificate obtained from the United States Government covering > the symbol of the Greatest Name. > Trade Mark Certificate obtained from the Canadian Government covering the > name "Baha'i." > Trade Mark Certificate obtained from the Canadian Government covering the > symbol of the Greatest Name. > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran. > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of Egypt. > Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq. > Baha'i Divorce Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual > Assembly of the Baha'is of fran. > Outline of Baha'i Laws regarding matters of Personal Status submitted for > recognition to the Egyptian Government by the National Spiritual Assembly > of the Baha'is of Egypt. > Text of the Farman issued by sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz banishing Baha'u'llah to > 'Akka, Palestine. > Text of the Resolution presented to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by the > National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and > Canada. > Map showing Travels of the Bab and Baha'u'llah. > Map showing Section of Route followed by Baha'u'llah on His Journey from > Baghdad to Constantinople. > Map showing Path of Travel of 'Abdu'1-Baha in the United States of America > and Canada, 1912. > Facsimile of Tablet addressed by 'Abdu'1-Baha to the Chicago "House of > Justice." > The Institution of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > Foreword. > The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. > The Baha'i Temple Why built near Chicago? > The Five Billion Carat Gem Baha'i Temple at Wilmette, 111. > Temple Echoes from the World's Fair. > The Baha'i Temple An Appreciation. > A Temple of Universal Religion. > Concrete Fulfills a Promise. > Baha'i Calendar and Festivals. > Foreword. > Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries and Days of Fasting. > Baha'i Holy Days on which Work should be Suspended. > Additional Material Gleaned from NabiPs Narrative (Volume II) regarding > the Baha'i Calendar. > Historical Data Gleaned from NabiPs Narrative (Volume II) regarding > Baha'u'llah. > 888 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Youth Activities Throughout the Baha'i World.; > Baha'i Youth An Estimate and Survey of International Events. > Baha'i Youth in Iran. > > Plays and Pageants. > Story of the Pageant "The Gate of Dawn." > The Drama of the Kingdom. > Pageantry as a Factor in Education. > References to the Baha'i Faith. > Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania. > Prof. E. G. Browne, M.A., M.B., Cambridge University. > Dr. J. Estlin Carpenter, D.Litt., Manchester College, Oxford. > Rev. T. K. Cheyne, D.Litt., D.D., Oxford University, Fellow of British Academy. > Prof. Arminius Vambery, Hungarian Academy of Pesth. > Harry Charles Lukach. > Sir Valentine Chirol. > Prof. Jowett, Oxford University. > Alfred W. Martin, Society for Ethical Culture, New York. > Prof. James Darmesteter, cole des Hautes tudes, Paris. > Charles Baudouin. > Dr. Henry H. Jessup, D.D. > Right Hon. The Earl Curzon of Kedleston. > Sir Francis Younghusband, K.C.S.I.; K.C.I.E. > The Christ ran Commonwealth, Anonymous. > Rev. J. Tyssul Davis, B.A. > Herbert Putnam, Congressional Library, Washington, D. C. > Leo Tolstoy. > Dr. Edmund Privat, University of Geneva. > Dr. Auguste Forel, University of Zurich. > General Renato Piola Caselli. > Rev. Frederick W. Oakes. > Renwick J. G. Millar, Editor of John O'Groat Journal, Wick, Scotland. > Charles H. Prisk. > Prof. Hari Prasad Sfyastri, D.Litt. > Shri Purohit Swami. > Bryn Mawr College. > Prof. Herbert A. Miller, > > Right Hon. Sir Herbert Samuel, G.C.B., M.P. > Rev. K. T. Chung. > Prof. Dimitry Kazarov, University of Sofia. > Rev. Griffith J. Sparham. > Ernest Renan. > The Hon. Lilian Helen Montague, J.P., D.H.L. > Prof. Norman Bentwich, Hebrew University, Jerusalem. > 6mile Schreiber, Publicist. > Dr. Rokuichiro Masujima, Doyen of Jurisprudence of Japan. > Miss Helen Keller. > Sir Flinders Petrie, Archaeologist. > President Masaryk of Czechoslovakia. > Archduchess Anton of Austria. > Dr. Herbert Adams Gibbons. > H.R.H. Princess Olga of Jugoslavia. > Eugen Relgis. > Arthur Henderson. > Prof. Dr. V. Lesny. > VOLUME VI 889 > > Princess Marie Antoinette de Broglie Aussenac. > President David Starr Jordan, Leland Stanford University. > Prof. Bogdan Popovitch, University of Belgrade, Jugoslavia. > Ex-Governor William Sulzer. > Luther Burbank. > Prof. Yone Noguchi. > Prof. Raymond Frank Piper. > Angela Morgan. > Arthur Moore. > Prof. Dr. Jan Rypka, Charles University, Praha, Czechoslovakia. > A. L. M. Nicolas. > President Eduard Benes. > In Memoriam. > Susan I. Moody. > Hooper Harris. > Harry H. Romer. > Howard Luxmoore Carpenter. > Edward C. Getsinger. > Sarah Blundell. > Khalil Qamar. > Haji Muhammad Yazdi. > Extracts from "Baha'i News." > > PART THREE > Baha'i Directory, 1935-1936. > Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies. > Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies and Groups. > Officersand Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the > United States and Canada. > Local Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and Isolated Believers in the United States > * > and Canada. > Baha'i Administrative Divisions in fran. > Address of Centers of Baha'i Administrative Divisions in fran. > Alphabetical List of Baha'u'llah's Best-Known Writings. > List of the Bab's Best-Known Works. > Baha'i Bibliography. > Baha'i Publications of America. > Books About the Baha'i Faith. > Writings of the Bab. > Writings of Baha'u'llah. > Writings of 'Abdu'1-Baha. > Writings of Shoghi Effendi. > Prayers. > Baha'i Literature in Pamphlet Form. > Compilations. > Outlines and Guides for Baha'i Study Classes. > Baha'i Publications of England. > Baha'i Literature in French. > Baha'i Literature in Italian. > Baha'i Literature in Dutch. > T i*-*f*f-nr/ tr T^)iicV > 890 THE BAHA'f WORLD > Baha'i Literature in Swedish. > Baha'i Literature in Portuguese. > Baha'i Literature in Albanian. > Baha'i Literature in Esperanto. > Baha'i Literature in Russian. > Baha'i Literature in German. > Baha'i Literature in Bulgarian. > Baha'i Literature in Rumanian. > Baha'i Literature in Czech. > Baha'i Literature in Serbian. > Baha'i Literature in Hungarian. > Baha'i Literature in Greek. > Baha'i Literature in Maori. > Baha'i Literature in Spanish. > Baha'i Literature in Norwegian. > Baha'i Literature in Croatian. > Baha'i Literature in Oriental Languages. > Iranian. > Urdu. > Arabic. > Turkish. > Burmese. > Chinese. > Hebrew. > Tatar. > Gujrati. > Japanese. > Armenian. > Tamil. > Kurdish. > Sindhi. > > Bengali. > Hindi. > Abyssinian. > Baha'i Literature in Braille (for the Blind). > Baha'i Periodicals. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Books and Pamphlets by non-Baha'i Authors. > References to the Baha'i Faith in Magazines by non-Baha'i Writers. > References to the Baha'i Faith by Baha'is in non-Baha'i Publications. > Transliteration of OrientalWords frequently used in Baha'i Literature with Guide to > Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Iranian Alphabet, and Notes on the > Pronunciation of franian Words. > Definitions of Oriental Terms used in Baha'i Literature. > > PART FOUR > Articles and Reviews. > Religion and World Order, by Horace Holley. > Queen Marie of Rumania, by Martha L. Root. > The Epic of Humanity, by Christophil. > President Eduard Benes, by Martha L. Root. > Spiritual Perspectives, by Prof. Raymond Frank Piper. > VOLUME VI 891 > > Splendor at the Core, by Angela Morgan. > Baha'i-Glaube und Christentum, by Dr. Eugen Schmidt. > Baha'ismo kaj la Socia Problemo, by Prof. Paul Chfistaller. > BahaVllah's Ground Plan of World Fellowship, by Archdeacon George Townshend. > Die Baha'is und meine Erfahrungen, by Prof. Dr. J. Rypka. > Impressions of 'Abdu'1-Baha, by Louise R. Waite. > Zwei Heilige Grabstatten, by Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel. > In Praise of Words, by Helen Bishop. > The Continuity of Religion, by Stanwood Cobb. > The Most Great Peace, by Marion Holley. > King Haakon of Norway, by Martha L. Root. > Some Memories of the Sojourn of 'Abdu'1-Baha in Paris, by Lady Blomfield. > Racial Likenesses and Differences: the Scientific Evidence and the Baha'i Teachings, > > by Louis G. Gregory. > Denmark's Oriental Scholar, by Martha L. Root. > La Bahaa Filozofio, by Lidja Zamenhof. > The Baha'i Movement, by Renwick J. G. Millar. > *Abdu'l-Baha's Historic Meeting with Jane Addams, by Ruth J. Moffett. > The Soul of Iceland, by Martha L. Root. > Ein Junger Glaube wird Bekannt, by Dr. Hermann Grossmann. > South America: Journey Taken in the Interest of the Baha'i Cause, by Loulie A. > Mathews. > Glimpses of Sweden, by Olivia Kelsey. > Russia's Cultural Contribution to the Baha'i Faith, by Martha L. Root. > A Baha'i Incident from the Netherlands, by Louise Drake Wright. > Mr. Harald Thilander and his Publications for the Blind in Sweden, by Nellie S. > French. . > > The Modern Miracles of Palestine, by Beatrice Irwin. > A New Future for Radio, by Shirley Warde. > Song Offerings. > Echoes from the Spheres. > Map of Iran Showing Baha'i Centers. > Map of the United States of America Showing Baha'i Centers. > > — *The Baha'i World: Volume 07 (1936-1938) (Used by permission of the curator)*